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We all need a little help sometimes, and fortunately good neighbors, friends, and church groups rally to help out and provide community service. Here in Texas natural disasters seem to top the list: tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires. In today’s episode it is time to put together some food packages. Feel free to join us if you’d like to.
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Final exams are very stressful for high school students. With one test determining 25% of their semester average, students need to ace these tests to do well. Finals week comes at the end of every semester. While students usually have 4 classes a day, on finals week they have 2 two-hour long exam periods; the day ends at lunch time.
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You can’t get around it, home ownership implies a lawn, and lawns need to be mowed. Some people love it, some people hate it. A beautiful lawn is always a symbol of a well-kept yard. In today’s episode, once again it is time to mow the lawn.
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Sometimes you are really hungry but don’t have any time to cook. Other times, you simply don’t feel like cooking or are having a craving for that dish from your favorite restaurant. In these cases, ordering takeout is a great idea!
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One of the delights of summertime is the chance to grow your own vegetables in a garden. It’s a little tricky with the weather, a need to water, and a constant battle with the bugs. But nothing tastes as good as a fresh tomato from the garden. Wish us luck, and happy harvesting.
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Many American families host game nights. These fun evenings unite the whole family, creating a fun, yet competitive, environment that can last for hours. Choosing which game to play can sometimes be the most stressful part, though.
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Summertime and outdoor BBQ, it seems to be the perfect combination. Whether you like your steak rare, medium, or well done, nothing beats outdoor cooking, with a little sizzle and that juicy steak. What’s for dinner? Beef!
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Garage sales, also known as yard sales or tag sales, are a great excuse for homeowners to get rid of clutter by selling their items. They usually last a day, and buyers come to hunt one-of-a-kind items for a cheap price.
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What is more traditional than jumping into the car, packing food and clothes, taking a road trip? We all have great memories of outings with friends and family. In today’s episode we relive the good times, thinking about the days when we kept the traditions alive. Are we there yet?
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Choice sheets are used to determine the classes high students will have the next year. This frequently becomes a topic of discussion amongst many students, parents, and counselors. Students must choose the level of their required classes, as well as the electives they want to take. Eventually, the choice sheet will determine their schedule.
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Life is better when it’s full of parties. The fun starts with planning all the details, from food, to music, to the guest list. Even better is to throw a surprise party for a dear friend, who deserves to be celebrated in style.
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Image that you are four years old and it’s almost time for your birthday. What do you want? Well, an L.O.L. doll, isn’t it obvious! In this episode Abby lets us know all about L.O.L. dolls, just in case you are new to the world of surprise toys. It’s not only a lesson in English, it’s a lesson in what’s hot and cool in the world of young little girls who will soon have a birthday.
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For most people, any type of cleaning is an ordeal. Even worse when you have to face organizing your closet and deal with all those clothes and accessories that you have accumulated for years. But when you do this with your sister, it’s so much easier, even fun. And, oh, what a nice feeling to see a clean, well-organized closet!
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Everyone likes a nice brunch. It’s the weekend and we can get up late. Forget the morning rush and all the worries about school or work. It’s time to slow down and savor a yummy meal in the company of friends and/or family. Next thing you know, it’s dinner time!
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Earth Day gives us an excuse to execute some kind of plan on what we want to do to respect our planet. In today’s episode, once again, we are going to try to build a compost pile. Wish us luck, because our previous attempts have been less than stellar. It’s worth it though, and the actual compost is awesome.
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Texas is famous for its colorful wildflowers. We would be remiss if we didn’t create an episode to honor the Texas wildflowers. For those lucky enough to come to Texas, try to make the trip in the spring. For those who can’t come to Texas, at least we have an episode to talk about bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and Indian blankets.
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In terms of life’s enjoyable activities, riding a bike seems to be on top of that list. Some ride bikes for fun, others ride bikes to get to school and to work. Some buy fancy clothes and equipment, some just hop on. Little kids learn how to ride bikes, and adults love to ride bikes. It only seems fitting that we have an episode to honor those who ride bikes.
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Today’s cameras are astounding, and with a little training and practice almost anyone can take amazing photos. In this episode we also find out, in addition to the settings, that nature photos are enhanced when you are in the right place at the right time. Enjoy.
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There is nothing like a new beginning, a new school year and a new start. Part of getting ready for a new school year is the back-to-school shopping. It’s a time to buy book and supplies, not to mention new school clothes. This year there are tons of things to buy.
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Students of every age love spring break. It’s an intense time to welcome the warmer weather and to rest from all the studies. In Austin, Texas, spring break coincides with SXSW, the South by Southwest conference, exhibition and music festival. Looks like the couple in our dialog have great plans for a wonderful spring break.
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Let’s be honest, almost nothing tastes better than fresh homemade cookies when they first come out of the oven. In today’s episode we even get to eat some of the cookie dough as well. Talk about a slice of life, this is one of the world’s best. And it’s a good chance to practice your English language skills too.
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All-nighters are commonly pulled by teenagers or young adults. While some all-nighters are pulled because of the need to get in extra hours in for studying, most are pulled to watch TV, text friends, and eat snacks. They usually happen on weekends or holidays, because everyone feels quite tired in the following day. Enjoy the episode.
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In the Unites States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with friends and significant others alike. Many schools give students the opportunity to buy flowers for the people that they love, and the money goes to a school organization.
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Some people simply love sports and others just kind of don’t care. In this episode we get to talk to one of those who seems to have that extra sports gene. And for those of you who love sports too, this is your lesson about basketball and we love to play it so much. Enjoy.
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Most American children attend a summer camp over the long break. There are many different kinds of camps, such as sports camps, art camps, and dance camps. While some camps are day camps (where campers are dropped off for the day then picked up in the afternoon), other are sleepaway camps, and campers spend 1-2 weeks away from home living on camp grounds. Around the age of 16, campers become counselors-in-training.
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We don’t have to get into the whole argument about soccer versus football, they are both pretty cool. However, in this episode we get to talk about something near and dear to all of our hearts, why we love American football. Great ready for a vocabulary challenge!
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Americans may start applying for their learner’s permit when they are15 year old, after completing a course, either online or in a class. After obtaining their permit, student drivers are typically taught the rules of the road by their parents. Once a student driver is 16 and has completed 30 hours of driving, they may get their driver’s license. The event is one of life’s most important slices of life.
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They say you should get your teeth cleaned every six months. So, in today’s lesson let’s review what it’s like to chit chat with the dental hygienist. And don’t feel guilty about it. We all know that we could be better at brushing and flossing our teeth.
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Some people are totally into New Year’s celebrations, and others seem to be less so. In this episode we find out what people like to do to “bring in the New Year.” Get ready, in the dialog we find out: “You know that’s kind of weird, right?” Let’s find out what the weird tradition is.
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Christmas is special for many people, but it’s even more spectacular for young children. Adults get as much satisfaction from making Christmas special for kids as they do for themselves. In today’s episode it looks like the kiddos are going to have a delightful Christmas this year too.
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Teenagers like going to bed late, but this can cause a problem when there is school the next day, what we call a “school night.” Parents try to get their children to go to sleep at a reasonable hour so they can be productive and energetic at school. Going to bed early is especially important when you have to catch a bus to get to school. Today’s episode we show how this debate goes.
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Given the emphasis on exercise these days, it’s nice to work out on the elliptical machine. There’s less stress on your joints, but you still get a good cardio workout, burn a lot of calories, and you can work both your upper and lower body. Today’s episode touts all the benefits of a good workout in the gym.
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Traveling is fun but packing can be a very stressful activity. Some people hate it more than others. For them, it is never fun to pick and choose what clothing to pack into a suitcase. Procrastination can make packing even more stressful. But in the end, vacations generally result in a good time with great memories for everyone.
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There are few things more traditional than a Thanksgiving dinner. Things just don’t feel right when something is missing. First of all, you have to have the turkey and all the fixings. Those fixings usually include mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables like beans or squash, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and dessert has to be a pie, generally pumpkin pie ranks high on the list. Add some football games to the food, and you’ve got yourself a traditional family celebration.
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One of the great debates in society today is whether thin crust or thick crust pizza is better. I know, you can’t argue taste, but it seems like everyone does. And that is the topic of today’s episode. So, how about you, do you prefer thick or thin crust pizza?
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Pets are very common in American households. While cats and dogs are most common, it is not unusual to find someone with a more exotic pet, like a rat, a lizard, a bird, or a snake. Pets live a life of luxury and require care and attention from all members of a household. While they are shy at first when adopted, pets generally learn to love their new home and their owners.
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Halloween is a spooky day cherished by Americans of all ages. Activities include going to a scary haunted house, watching horror movies, carving pumpkins, or going trick or treating. Americans decorate their houses with pumpkins, ghosts, skeletons, witches and anything that’s frightening. Young kids also enjoy Halloween for the free candy and for the fun of wearing a costume.
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We all know that the challenge in shopping is to get out without having to wait in a long line. You could use the express lane, but not if you have too many items. In today’s lesson we learn that it might be easier to scan the items and pay with your app. Nice!
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An AP test is a test that high school students can take to earn college credit. These tests are usually very difficult, so only a small percent of the students earn the highest mark, a 5. Students spend all year preparing to take this test. In today’s episode, Marina and Ana Clara are getting ready for another round of AP tests.
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You can watch a show on TV and then wait a week for the next episode. Or, you can wait and watch all of the episodes one after another. Binge watching isn’t a waste of time, it’s the best way to really get into the story. In today’s episode we not only love to binge watch, but we love the snacks and ice cream that go with it all too.
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Dinner is a time when the whole family meets up at the table to eat food after a long day. Sometimes, this is the first time that all family members even see each other that day. It’s a great time to share stories about the day. In today’s episode the big decision is whether to have pasta or chicken.
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A sunny afternoon, a park bench, and a chance to watch people who walk on by. It’s one of the best ways to hang out with friends. In today’s episode we enjoy a whole lot of people watching in the park. But look out, people may be talking about you too!
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There are various art movements, all of which are taught in American schools. Art education is taken seriously in schools, and students become familiar with famous artists from different times and stylistic periods. Students are left to form their own opinion on famous pieces and movements of art. They use these opinions to inspire art of their own.
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Chances are that if you know any seven or eight-year-olds, they are 100% into Minecraft. In this lesson Adam has just had a birthday and has spent the whole day playing with Minecraft. Find out what happens when hot lava starts to burn down his house.
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There are many different kinds of snacks that can be found in the United States. They range from salty to sweet to fruity. These snacks are enjoyed by everyone (especially kids and teens), and can be found in almost every American home. In today’s episode we have to decide, healthy snack or a snack just for fun?
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I wish we could defend the men, but it seems to be a pretty universal complaint. Men don’t put the toilet seat down. Although we don’t have a solution to the problem, at least we appreciate Sophia’s frustration in today’s dialog. Come on guys, help them out, will you?
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Doing homework with your siblings around can be difficult. Everyone has different tasks and priorities. Sometimes different assignments coincide, making it difficult to get any work done on both ends! When concentrating becomes impossible, tensions rise, but in the end things work out, as they do in today’s episode.
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Don’t ever doubt how many details a four-year-old knows about Frozen. If you want to know the names and background of any of the movie’s characters, aske a four-year old. In this dialog we learn how to pronounce Ana’s name correctly, and we learn where the snowman came from.
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Selling Girl Scout cookies are an annual American tradition, so much so that January and February have become known as “cookie season.” Every Girl Scout is expected to sell at least 32 cookie boxes to help fund their troop’s activities, even though the troop only makes 75 cents for every $4 box sold. Cookie sales are a fun way for Girl Scouts to engage with their community while honing their business, advertisement, and entrepreneurial skills.
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What could be better than ice-cold milk on your cereal for breakfast! A breakfast of champions. Your only decision, should you drink skim, 2% or whole milk?