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With the semester quickly coming to an end, do you have any special plans for winter break? Where will you go? Will you pick up any new hobbies?

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In today's conversation group, we discussed numerous questions related to the aging process. We shared our thoughts on one's age in relation to their maturity and independence. It was interesting hearing everyone's different perspectives.
What do you think the best age to be is?

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Escape Rooms are a great activity to do with friends, and can often have some really creative themes. What is your favorite escape room that you've heard of, want to try, or been to?

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Today we talked about daylight savings time - its history and purpose, but also how we personally feel about it.

I always look forward to setting clocks back in the fall because of the extra hour of sleep.

What do you think of daylight savings time?

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In CG today, we talked about how Americans often have different challenges that can range from wholesome to harmful. Some of the challenges that we discussed were the Ice Bucket Challenge (for ALS), the Eraser Challenge, and the most recent TidePod Challenge. However, these aren't current things. In the 1920s, a challenge was to see how many live goldfish you could eat! What's one challenge that you've heard of from your home country?

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Today in conversation group we discussed some traditional recipes that we cooked in our families, that no other neighbors or friends really knew. What are some recipes you remember making in your family?

My family makes a German kind of bread called "zweibach" (sometimes spelled "zweiback") using a recipe that's been handed down for generations!

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Many people believe that their personalities have evolved significantly since they were children, and a lot of this is based on early childhood memories. Today in conversation groups we discussed what we were like as children. What is your earliest childhood memory?

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The other day in conversation groups we discussed our zodiac signs and if we think that they are an accurate representation of our personalities. My sun sign is Libra and I align with a lot of the personality traits of that sign. What is your Zodiac sign from the Western Zodiac and do you align with the personality traits? If you don't know your sign, it is determined by what day you were born. Here is a list to find out what your sign is:

Capricorn: December 22 – January 20

Aquarius: January 21 – February 18

Pisces: February 19 - March 20

Aries: March 21 - April 20

Taurus: April 21 – May 21

Gemini: May 22 – June 21

Cancer:  June 22 – July 22

Leo: July 23 – August 23

Virgo: August 24 – September 22

Libra: September 23 – October 23

Scorpio: October 24 – November 22

Sagittarius: November 23 – December 21

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In today's conversation group we talked about the power of memories. It was very interesting hearing people's perspectives on how memories can shape a person.
If you had the ability to erase certain memories, would you take that opportunity?

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Last Friday we talked about our "five year plans"! This is just a list or timeline of things you want to accomplish within the next five years, or where you hope to be in life by then.

What is your five year plan?

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In today's conversation, we talk about their success and who contributed to it. Many students mention their family and friends. This response led me to ask what has been the best advice they received to be in the position they are in today. Amongst the one's mention, believing in yourself was the one I like most. 

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In today's conversation, we talk about their success and who contributed to it. Many students mention their family and friends. This response led me to ask what has been the best advice they received to be in the position they are in today. Amongst the one's mention, believing in yourself was the one I like most. 

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What is the best advice you have ever received?

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Today in conversations we talked about different destinations we want to visit at some point in our lives , both in the US and outside of the US. This ultimately lead to us talking about the places we've already visited and recommending different countries or attractions to fellow peers.

Whats your dream place you would like to travel to (in the US or outside)? To this day, what has been your most memorable traveling destination?

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Halloween is soon approaching, and in today's conversation group we took the time to discuss what Halloween is and played a game of kahoot to learn more about the traditions. We also talked about superstitions, such as saying bless you, knocking on wood, or seeing a black cat. Are you superstitious? What are some superstitions you think are interesting?

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Today in conversation groups we talked about how much life has changed over the course of this year, and how we have managed to stay sane.

We discussed the return of live sports and how MLB and NBA games have given me a sense of "normal" life.

What do you do daily / weekly to relieve stress and relax?

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We discussed today in conversation groups some different things that society values: wealth, power, kindness, knowledge, sustainability, and more. What do you think society values most?

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In light of midterms taking place over the last few weeks Im interested in hearing any new study tactics that you may have adopted due to online classes. Office hours simply aren't the same anymore and its even harder to create study groups especially given that you can't physically meet anyone in your classes.

How have you changed your studying techniques to adjust to the new learning style?

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Today, our group discussed the topic of danger. It was interesting to see everyone's different responses to what they define as dangerous. We discussed how we would be interested in participating in different activities like sky diving or bungee jumping despite the dangers they present.
What is a dangerous activity that you would want to do once in your life?

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Today's conversation touched on things we do that make us proud in life. We talked about how sometimes we accomplish things personally, and how sometimes we leave an impact on others, and we are happy because of that legacy.

What is something in life you've done that you are proud of?

One moment of pride I had was when I brought in a song I wrote to my school jazz combo. We played it for the first time, and the instructor said immediately after we finished, "This song is going to be our opener," which is a huge compliment to the song's energy and artistry.

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Today in conversation groups we talked about phobias and some of the most common things people are afraid of or simply prefer to avoid. I don't really have any phobias however I very much dislike rats.
What are some of your fears or phobias and do you ever plan on overcoming them?

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Today in conversation groups, we were talking about the healthcare systems in our respective countries.

We talked about how doctors are seen as heroes in society. When kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they often say doctor, astronaut, or scientist.

When you were young, what did you say you wanted to be when you grow up?

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Today, my group and I talked about manners. We discussed how what is labelled as "good manners" varies from culture to culture. For example, in many Asian countries, it is polite to take one's shoes off in homes. However, that is not the case in America.
What is a unique mannerism in your culture or country?

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We've made it halfway through the semester already, way to go! How has this semester been going for you so far? Is there anything you like that you want to continue? Anything you want to change before finals week comes?

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For anyone in LA this semester, it has been particularly hot.

The forecast has had relentless 90 degree days, and the air quality has been poor because of the fires. Outside time has been important for me during the pandemic because it's one of the only breaks you get from your own home.

If I could pick the weather in LA, I think I would choose for it to feel like fall - an average of 65 degrees or so.

What is your ideal weather?

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Today, in our conversation group, we talked about things that we want to do before we die (things on our bucket list!) What are some items on your bucket list?

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Today, in both of my conversation groups we practiced answering opinion based questions and how to effectively answer them without offending those with different opinions. One of the main topics we touched on were plant based diets and their recent emergence as both a trend and healthier alternative for a lot of athletes.

What are some of your favorite things to eat and how would adopting a plant-based diet affect your ability to indulge in such foods? Has anyone tried any plant based meals or know of any plant based restaurants? Would you consider shifting to a plant based diet sometime soon or in the future?

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Last week in one of our conversation groups, we talked about being a billionaire.

It is difficult to comprehend how much money it is. In addition, we talked about the philanthropy efforts of U.S. billionaires. For example, last week Jeff Bezos announced he would be starting a free preschool for lower-income families.

What social cause would you focus on if you had a billion dollars?

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Why was the math book always worried?

Because it had so many problems.

In today's session I started with this joke as a theme to explore subjects the students like and dislike. Of the three I had, two were in favor of math. In doing so, we were able to find out personal things about each other and learned about our strength and weaknesses.

What are some of your favorite subjects and why?

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Games are such a big part of cultures, and even generations. The games you play as a child are often shared experiences between you and others in your culture. In CG today we talked about some classic American games that are really popular, such as Monopoly, Uno, or Cards Against Humanity. What are some popular games you grew up with?

Photo by Ylanite Koppens

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Do you need to live somewhere specific to be a politically active citizen?

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Do you need to live somewhere specific to be a politically active citizen?

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Today in conversation groups we talked about living in the city vs. the countryside, and how this can effect your role in politics. Do you think that where you live has an effect on how politically active you are, or does location not matter? Do politics impact people in different places in different ways?

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Today in group we talked about personal interests and one thing we all had in common was that we enjoyed taking walks! My favorite place to walk is the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. What's your favorite place to walk around?

Photo by Veronica Reverse

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In today’s Conversation Group, we talked about friendships. It was interesting to learn about everyone’s perspectives on how friendships change with a variety of factors. Some of these include the passage of time, new technological advancements, and geographical barriers. One interesting question we came across was: How have friendships changed with the rise of social media?

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Today we talked social media and the positive and negative aspects of using the platforms.

The Social Dilemma is a new Netflix documentary about the dark side of social media, and what we need to work on to fix it.

Can you think of any positive aspects of social media platforms?

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Today in conversation groups, we talked about what inspiration is and what inspires us. What is something that inspires you?
I personally am very inspired by beautiful music that touches my emotions, and makes me want to go make more music! If you're having trouble thinking of things, you could consider: people, art, movies, a quote, or anything that gets you going!

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Today we talked about how a common greeting in American culture is "How're you?" However, even though Americans often ask this question, it doesn't always mean you really want the answer, and someone brought up how this was confusing because in their native culture if you don't mean something you say, you just don't say it. What do you think of Americans asking "How're you?"

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In today's conversation group, we talked about what it means to be an introvert or an extrovert, and how it is defined by where you get your energy from. That can look like the difference between feeling recharged by having quality alone time, or feeling refreshed by spending good time with lots of friends.

Would you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert? I'd say I'm an introvert, because, despite having lots to say at conversation groups, I really gain energy from reading books or watching movies alone or with one or two other people.

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Today we talked about our experiences in the Fall 2020 semester.

What projects are you currently working on?

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In todays conversation groups we talked bout our personal styles and preferences in clothing as well as popular fashion trends that have come up over the past few weeks and months. This ultimately lead to us talking about Artist's influence on fashion, lifestyles, and just the general inspiration that people get from their favorite celebrities.

Who are some of your favorite music artists and what do you like most about them? Are there any recent fashion trends that have caught your attention or that you have adopted yourself? Are there any recent trends that you don't understand or simply aren't as excited about?

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Today in conversation groups we talked about all things relating to our names. The story behind our names, nicknames, and changing last names when you marry.

Personally, I think I hold a lot of my identity in my name. With that being said,
what is the story behind your name?

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In today's conversation group, we talked about a variety of topics related to mind, body, and health. Both my conversation groups came to the consensus that being a full time student is an extremely stressful task. This stress often manifests unhealthily in both our minds and bodies.
How do you deal with stress in a healthy manner?

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Speaking of the songs that I like best, it reminds me of the song called try, sang by Colbie Caillat. What touches me most is the lyrics. I knew this song when I was very depressed in my College. This powerful song inspires me a lot, giving me more confidence about myself, teaching me that never let other people to decide your value and don't care too much about other people's opinions because you are living your own life.

What is your favorite song and why?

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Today in conversation groups we talked about all of our favorite foods from our hometowns. Eventually, this led us to talking about food delivery service during quarantine. There has been a surge in usage of food delivery apps whether it be Instacart or Door Dash.

Have you been cooking more in quarantine or ordering out more?

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According to Miriam-Webster, the definition of happiness is "a state of well-being and contentment : JOY". However, the realities of well-being or joy are different for every person.
What is something that gives you happiness and why?

(photo by Kawain Harasai)

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Today in conversation group, we discussed the songs "Try" by Colbie Caillat, and "You Need to Calm Down" by Taylor Swift, which we decided were very inspirational, driven songs with a positive attitude.

What are some of your go-to motivating songs? One of my favorites is "California (There is No End to Love)" by U2.

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Today in CG we talked about different cultures and how some cultures have multi-generational families (where children often stay close to home or live close to home for longer) while others have nuclear family structures (where children often leave the nest earlier and live separately).
Which kind of family are you from?

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In today's conversation group, we explore the importance of Labor Day and the current fire situation destroying California. A far too often occurrence that has displaced many people and consumed nature like no other.

Knowing this, I ask: does nature have any value to you?

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This week in my conversation groups we talked about how to politely request or ask questions in a restaurant/food ordering setting. It was amazing to listen to everyone's favorite meals and restaurants and how we each customize our meals to satisfy our unique pallets. In addition I found it very interesting that some people like cucumbers in their burgers. I might have to try it myself!!

I figured I'd continue this conversation by asking everyone their opinion on American fast food. Is it an unhealthy temptation? Is it a convenient food option for busy days? Maybe share what your personal favorite fast food place is? Id also love to hear about fast food places in your home town.

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In past CGs, we've asked ourselves the purpose of building all building if all will vanish one day or another. This sense of ineluctability tends to humble one down and pushes one to wonder, in the (slightly modified) words of Ronald Reagan: are we the masters of destiny or the victims of fate?

So, I can ask you now and today: do you believe that you control your future?

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Today in conversation groups we talked about what our ideal vision of life looks like, and how our values have an impact on that vision. What is your ideal vision of life?

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In past conversations, we have explored and debated the actions of our fellow humans in all of life's horizons. From judgement to approval, we concluded that one main point of contention emerges: is mankind fundamentally good or evil?

What do you think and why?

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Welcome back, everyone! For those who had classes today, how did your first day of the semester go?

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How often do you do icebreakers? In conversation group today, we discussed ice breaker activities and played one called "2 Truths and a Lie". Being able to do this even over Zoom helps show that even a virtual world can't prevent you from getting to know people and making friends! What's a fun icebreaker you've done? There are a ton of different types and you can check out this article for more:

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This week in my conversation groups, we talked a lot about jazz and other American music genres. Here are some albums that we talked about as "core" jazz, as well as some of my other favorites!

Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
Giant Steps - John Coltrane
Light as a Feather - Chick Corea and Return to Forever
Straight Ahead - Count Basie

What are some ways you would describe this kind of music? How does it compare to music you usually listen to?

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In today's conversation group, our main topic revolved around Cities. More specifically, we talked a lot about the different cultures and habits that we experienced in our hometown cities compared to Los Angeles. One thing that sparked a lot of discussion was this question:

How is the education system in your hometown different or similar to the education system in Los Angeles, California, or the US?

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This week we discussed how we study English when there are no Conversation Groups.
How will you study English before the new semester?

Photo by Matt Ragland on Unsplash

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Hi, everyone! The other day in my conversation group, someone asked what the difference between the words "persist" and "insist" were.

Persist: to continue something in spite of obstacles.

Insist: to demand something forcefully or urge someone to do something. It can be used in positive as well as negative sense.

Below, comment how you understand this difference and how you would use the words in different sentences!

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A few weeks ago we talked about self-care and we talked about the word compassionate and self-compassion.

Compassionate=
adjective

feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

Self-compassion=
abstract noun
the ability to turn understanding, acceptance, and love inward (to yourself).

What are these words in your native language?

Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash

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7 Wonders of the World Conversation Group

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7 Wonders of the World Conversation Group

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In a recent conversation group, we talked about the 7 wonders of the world and what makes different places and sites across the world unique. Comment a beautiful or unique place you have been to or post a picture of it!

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This summer, we read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the ALI Book Club. We are now looking for novel and short story suggestions to read in the fall. Comment below with your favorites!