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In the middle of the ocean, I find my home,

Standing on the ship of my dreams, across waters I roam, to France.

For aboard this ship, I’m free as I can be,

Sailing onward where the wild waves lead me

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As the light of the moon went to rest, the light broke over the horizon. The sky transformed into a warm color —gentle pinks and warm golds spilling across the heavens. The air was cool and fresh, filled with chirping birds and chicken crowing and clucking.

He walked through the hallways with his back straightened and his messy hair caught the air as he pushed it back properly. He towers over everyone and you have to look up to see his face. His eyes sparkled like two bright coins, his smile was wide and bright that  lights up his face.   It is warm when he talks and laughs that  makes everyone around him smile.

As the sky turns heavy gray, the wind blows as the trees sway and dry leaves fly around the place. The air grew thick and humid, filled with the earthy scent of damp soil. Suddenly, the first few drops fell, gently at first, but soon turned into a shower. Puddles formed as people around look for shelter or wear raincoats and use umbrellas. All you could hear is just drum-rolls of raindrops as the rain  washes everything clean

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Hey Em,

I hope  you're doing great! I want to share a happy and exciting experience  I had recently.  I met up and  hung out  with  Junila, my long lost cousin after years of  not being in touch.  Can you really believe it? She sent me a message on social media and asked if I would like to catch up and have coffee. I was so happy and couldn’t say no but YES! I was so excited because Junila is my closest cousin and when we were younger we were always together going to school. We were besties!

So we set a date and when we finally sat down, she asked how I was doing. I was able to share some photos of me and my  family travelling to France and had our vacation there. She was smiling while she browsed through the photos and she told me she misses my family already. I asked her if she prefers travelling or staying at home and working. But amazingly she said she prefers travelling.  She also shared photos as well as incredible and amazing stories from her travels. I was happy that now she enjoys travelling because she was  really the opposite when we were younger. We talked about a lot of things and talked for hours. When it was almost evening already, we parted ways and promised to catch up more often. It felt so good to reconnect with her  after all these years. I never imagined we would have so much to talk about!

I hope you enjoyed my short story Em. Write a letter back to me if you have a similar experience cuz I’d love to hear it!

XOXO

Melody

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I woke up this morning and I could feel bright sunlight coming in my window. I opened my eyes. Brightness filled my room. Oh! It’s the sun, the sun is up already. So I looked out through my window and I could feel that the weather was super hot. I could see white clouds and light blue around the sun. I could not really see the round form of the sun, but I could see where the brightness and hotness were coming from. A lot of people are walking, wearing hats and bringing jackets. To protect them from the sun and shield them from becoming tan.  I think the sun is gonna be up the whole day and I don’t think it will rain anytime soon. Until the early afternoon the sun was still up. But when it was already 5 pm - 6pm, the sun slowly went to rest and the sky started to become orangey. It is so beautiful.  Slowly slowly, it became dark and night came.

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Hi Ivy,

How are you doing? I know that you are extra busy these days because of your work and family things.

I know you have lots of things to do everyday but you should always try to get enough sleep each night. Make sure it’s 8 hours or more. Sleep can really help with your energy and can also help you focus on doing things.

I know sometimes you will also feel stressed and if you do, you should take small breaks during the day. You can take short walks to clear your mind so you can do your work with a clean and fresh  mind.

If you’re facing a tough decision, you should talk to someone you trust. That person can give you advice that you never thought you needed. He/she can also give you a new and fresh  perspective that might help you see things differently. That person can also be your sounding board. Sometimes you just need someone you can talk to and everything will be well after that.

Lastly, you should make time for yourself. Take yourself out once in a while and spoil yourself. You shouldn’t cover yourself with work loads. Think about your health and yourself.  Stay safe always!

Sincerely

Yu-Chen

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In everything you write, the word “English” should always be capitalized.

Imagine a classroom full of students from different backgrounds -- Taiwanese, Spanish, Japanese and more. All together to  learn and study the English language, as they participate in lively conversations and write letters or essays. A common mistake arises.  Many students forget to capitalize “English”.

In English, the names of languages, nations, and nationalities are always capitalized, just as we capitalize "Spanish" or "Taiwanese."  Now,  imagine again a student submitting an essay filled with amazing ideas but that student’s score is reduced for not capitalizing “English”. It can feel like just a small detail but it has a big impact on the result of their work. If a person fails to capitalize  “E” in “English” it can give an impression  that the person’s work is careless. It can also give an impression that the person’s work lacks attention to small details. For this reason, the word “English” should always be capitalized.

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Last  night,  while I was scrolling through TikTok, I saw a viral video showing mermaids  swimming peacefully and gracefully in the ocean. The video of the mermaids felt real. You could see those shimmering scales of the mermaids and their long flowing hair while they swam in the sea.

After seeing the video,  I went to the comments section and viewers amazingly talked about and shared  their belief that the video was showing the real and definitive proof of mermaids’ existence. However, after watching the video and reading the comments, I still  don’t believe in mermaids.

Mermaids are  really a big part of stories and legends in many cultures showing mystery, beauty and  the magic of the sea.  A lot of those stories appear in many books, movies, and artwork that leads  some people to believe in their existence.

However,  I have a belief in the importance of evidence and logic, which makes me still doubt that mermaids are real. Without concrete proof,  my belief about mermaids can just stay and rest in my imagination. I still respect those who believe that mermaids are real and I would not  judge them, though.

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Parent: Hey! Have you done writing all your assignments from your Prof?

Kid: OMG! I was about to do it but I’m so tired from school.

Parent: You have to do it ASAP! Do you want me to remind you a mil times?

Kid: IK IK.

Parent: What subject are you at now?

Kid: IDK,  don’t be too stressed out mom. YOLO ok? It’s just that  I just don’t want to do my assigments now, because History is so boring and I’m so tired.

Parent: I know, I get it. But  fyi, the last time you said that nothing was done and you just played video games! Just don’t do the same this time ok?

Kid:  IK, Ik.  I wont do the same this time. I promise. I’ll do it ASAP.

Parent: Ok, you promise. So do you need any help? Just LMK.

Kid: Nvm, I don’t. I’ll just Google it. Thank you for your offer.

Parent: Fine, fine. Just don’t spend too much time on your phone and don’t stay up for video games. Or else you’ll be punish!

Kid: I won’t!

Parent: Great!

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Host: Congratulations, Runner 008, on winning the marathon! How was the experience? How are you feeling?

Runner: Thank you! I’m really exhausted, but it was absolutely worth it. I’ve been looking forward to this race for months and I met some amazing people along the way. There were definitely struggles but I’m happy to have finished. Overall, it’s  an incredible experience!

Host: Wow! I can only imagine! How long have you been running marathons?

Runner: I've been running marathons for five years now. I signed up for my first one as a challenge, and since then, I’ve been hooked and enjoyed running. I’ve also participated in a few shorter races for practice and fun during that time.

Host: That’s impressive! What motivated you to start running in the first place?

Runner: I’ve always loved running but a friend encouraged me to join local running teams, and since then, I started taking it seriously. For the past few years, running has become a huge part of my life.

Host: That’s wonderful to hear! It must take a lot of dedication. What was your ever first marathon and how was it?

Runner: After starting running for a few months, I started training for my first marathon. I could remember it was just a 10km marathon, I wasn’t the winner but I finished during the given time and it was also a very great experience.

Host: Wow! That’s nice to hear. So how did you prepare for this marathon? In which months did you start preparing for this marathon?

Runner:  I started preparing for this marathon 4 months before this day. Yes,  I train every day, so I just added some extra exercises to my routine for this marathon. Since I have work too do, I try to balance my training schedule with my work.

Host: That sounds challenging! Do you have any favorite memories from this marathon?

Runner: Absolutely! The crowd support was incredible! From the first 1-3 kilometers, people were cheering us on, and their encouragement helped keep us motivated throughout the race. It’s those moments of support that motivated us runners.

Host: That’s amazing! Thank you so much for this chat, Runner 008. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences. Enjoy your well-deserved rest!

Runner: Thank you so much! I’ve been looking forward to this moment for so long. See you all at the next marathon!

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To: jeffery@fam.com

From: maris@fam.com

Subject: Auntie Richie’s Health Update.

Dear Uncle Jeffery,

I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to give you an update  on Auntie  Richie’s health. She’s been feeling under the weather lately. So  the doctor had some important suggestions and reminders.

First of all, the doctor said the last time auntie had a checkup she was getting better but now she is getting sick again. So she advised that auntie get plenty of rest. It’s crucial that she takes time to relax as this will help her  body recover.

If she were to follow the doctor’s advice, I believe that auntie will start getting better anytime soon.

The doctor said that Auntie lessen her habit of eating too much oily food. Instead, the doctor recommended increasing her intake of fruits and vegetables and this might help her become healthier. If she were more focused on this, she might observe her boost of energy.

Lastly, if auntie were to make the habit of staying hydrated and drinking more water, she will see a significant change in her health.

I wish Auntie were not sick. Take care!

Love,

Maris

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I wish I knew this would happen,

I wish I could see my future,

I wish I could turn back time and fix my mistakes,

I wish I could save those who are dying,

I wish I could read minds and know what people are thinking,

I wish I can know how long I can still live,

I wish I can help all those in need,

I wish I can always be young,  and never grow old,

I wish I can live forever and never die,

I wish all my wishes will come true.

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Dear Advice Column,

I'm feeling so drowned lately, with work and personal things. It’s like I can’t get things in order. I tried to organize things but it just doesn’t work. It’s like I can’t handle everything anymore. How can I better manage my time? Can you please help me?

Sincerely,

Burned Out

—

Dear Burned Out,

Thank  you for reaching out to me, Burned Out. You know, sometimes life can feel drowning with everything, and sometimes it gets stressful. But there are always solutions to help you get organized with life and things.

First, you can get organized with your schedules. You can get a to-do list and write your tasks down one by one. Break your tasks into smaller tasks so it will be more manageable. Do things one by one, slowly but surely. In relation to that, make sure to get into a routine. Make a daily schedule that you can follow that can include your work, relaxation and time for yourself. Making a daily schedule might help you feel more in control and it can also help you feel more productive.

To add, make sure to get help from others. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance from friends and family when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, people around you are more than willing to lend a hand, whether it’s providing emotional support or taking on some tasks.  It’s important to remember that you don’t have to face challenges alone. Sometimes, just talking things over with someone can offer new perspectives and solutions. With this you can find a better balance and reduce the stress that comes from trying to handle everything by yourself.

Lastly, make sure to get some rest from time to time. Often, we forget to give time to ourselves because we want to finish tasks immediately. But it’s important to rest. Whether you will just sleep or take yourself out somewhere, somewhere you can relax to  forget stressful things.

I hope this can help you get yourself back on track with life!

Yours Truly,

Advice Column

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To: mary@home.com

From: yophiel@home.com

Subject: New Apartment

Dear Mary,

Welcome to your new apartment! I hope you are settling well. As your landlord, I want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience here. So with that, I would just like to give you a few tips that might save your time and effort.

If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out. I want to ensure you save yourself the stress of handling issues. You can just call me right away so you can save your strength from walking from 6th floor to basement. I’ll just leave my number below.

Also, electricity in our area is quite expensive. You might  consider using energy-efficient light fixtures  and unplugging appliances when they're not in use. This can help you save some money from paying the expensive electricity bill. Make sure to save the receipts from things you pay in this apartment. We can use it to save you from the hassle if anything happens. Lastly, please make sure you place your trash properly when you put it outside because we want to avoid seeing a lot of plastics around the town. Let’s save the environment together!

See you around,

Yophiel

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Hey Romeo,

I hope you're doing great. I just want to bring up something that has been on my mind lately about our shared responsibilities around our apartment.

Lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve been doing most of the chores around and it’s starting to get tiring already. It seems like I do most of the cooking, the washing up, and cleaning.  I have also noticed that I’ve been doing most of the groceries and I pay all the cost. You know, it would really mean a lot to me if you can also pitch in with the expenses. I really do understand that you're very busy with your work and as well as me, I’m also actually busy with work. That’s why I think we need to plan and find a  better balance with doing chores around the apartment. So could you do me a favor and help out a bit?

I just want to make sure that we are both contributing equally with everything. I also want to make our apartment like our own home and make it comfortable. So can we sit down and talk this coming Monday? After your work could be fine just let me know

Thank you for your understanding and time!

Love,

Your Housemate

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I wanted to hold you tight, to show you my love

But we drifted on different paths, and we grew apart.

Still, in this sadness, I truly know it’s okay,

to love someone truly, even if they go their own way.

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Dearest Chloe,

I hope this letter finds you well! It's been a while since we last caught up, so I wanted to share how things have been going with me.

First of all, everything is good with my family. My mother and brother are both doing well. They are busy with work and school and also with their usual routines. They’ve been making some improvements around the house and everyday they are busy with workers around our house. My brother is doing well. He's been catching up with backlogs since he was absent from school for 1 month.

For me, I’ve been doing well overall. I’ve been trying to stay active with some outdoor activities, and I feel well after my afternoon runs or biking. I’ve also been focusing on my health lately. I’ve been trying to eat more nutritious meals and also I’ve been trying to avoid chips and sodas. I’m also trying to drink more water  and get plenty of sleep. It’s been good and I’m noticing that I’m feeling much more energized.

I hope everything is going well  on your side also. I’d love to hear how you’re doing. Take care !

Catch up soon!

Nicole

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This year, I’m going to focus on personal growth. I’m going to read at least one book each month to expand my knowledge and perspective. I’m going to start exercising regularly to improve my health and well-being. Additionally, I’m going to save a specific amount of money each month for a vacation I’ve been dreaming of or I can use it to buy the things I “deserve”. On the other hand, I’m not going to procrastinate on my work assignments anymore; I plan to manage my time more effectively. I’m also not going to let negative thoughts hold me back. Instead, I’m going to practice to be more positive. I'm also going to work hard on my skill- playing the piano. I hope that by the end of the year I will be able to play several famous classical music. Also, this year I hope I’m not going to  mind other’s business more or  talk about other people behind their back. Lastly, I hope this year I’ll be more open to experience new things and to be more open minded.  Overall, I aim to make this year productive and fulfilling.

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Hey Samantha,

I heard that you will be visiting my country soon! I am so excited! There is so much to see and try here, I can’t wait to tour you around!

When you arrive here you will notice that the city I live in lies in the southeast part of the country. Our city is a really beautiful city. It’s very vibrant and there's really a lot to do and see. If you head north from here, you will see a really wide park where lots of people hangout or go on a picnic and you would see a pond surrounded by beautiful plants. The north side of the city is extra lovely during the spring.

If you stroll down to the downtown area, you really have to make sure to visit the east side. There’s a market that sells local food and you could have a free sample of their delicacies. People there are really nice and they are really open to share their culture. If you go a little further east, you will see cute shops that sell things made by the locals here. Make sure not to miss out on the cafes here because they sell local coffees and it’s worth the try.

Of course, you should see the historic sites to the west of the city. You can take a bus or just ride bicycles going there and the art there are amazing  and stunning. You know, we can really spend the whole day exploring the city together!

I can’t wait!

Safe travels! See you sooonest!

Yours Truly,

Collete

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Dearest Teacher Karen,

I hope you’re feeling better soon! I wanted to share some observations from the class today while you were on sick leave.

Overall, the students were quite well-behaved and attentive. They followed directions and instructions properly without getting confused. During the  lesson I was pleased to see students really interested in the lesson. Many students raised their hands and shared thoughtful ideas, which made the discussion quite lively and fun.

However, during group activities, it was quite hard to make them settle and to give introductions because  the noise level became a bit higher than expected. I had to remind them to keep their voices quiet so that everyone could concentrate and we could finish our tasks faster. But when I asked them to settle down they would somehow listen and some of the students  understood the importance of a quiet learning environment.

There were also several students  doing their projects  really well and it somehow encouraged other students to participate more. I appreciated how they inspired their classmates, but I had to remind them from time to time to keep their voices down so that everyone could focus on their work.

On the other hand, few students were quite distracted during independent reading time and during rest time. I noticed that some were whispering to each other instead of staying quiet. But after reminding them, they settled down and stayed more quiet and continued their work.

Get well soon!

Best regards,

Teacher Silvia