Free Hugs!

Walking around downtown, we came upon the nicest thing: people standing on the corners holding “free hugs” signs. So, I went right over there and got my free hug. Actually, I got about five hugs, from five different strangers with these signs in their hands. And they were real hugs too: big, tight, warm and complete with happy holiday wishes. Although the experience was enjoyable, I couldn't leave without asking one of them why they are doing this. So a woman holding a sign and a camera told me they come from Guadalajara, and they do this every so often so promote peace and sensibility among people. 

Me, gettin' my free hug!

We walk around like zombies most of the time, with so much on our minds that we could bump into someone and not even notice, we are unaware of our own physicality. We rarely look at others in the eye, much less smile or be truly polite to those we have contact with. We are completely immersed in our laptops, smartphones, tablets and totally disconnected from the real world, the here and now. Why is this a problem? All these gadgets facilitate our work, therefore improving our quality of life. I, as fellow user, totally agree. I can't imagine life without them. But, they are all for individuals. Being on a smartphone means you are alone and isolated. You are connecting with millions of others around the world via Internet, but you're missing out on what's going on around you. Be more sensible to your reality. Look up every now and then, see and feel what's taking place right within your grasp. Smile to strangers, they can't help but to smile back, and probably think you're high or something but keep smiling anyway. Don't just look at pictures on Facebook, go print out the pictures that tell the story of your life, all those important moments, so you can tell your grandkids all about how much better our generation was. You don't have to give out free hugs to strangers, but be sure to give hugs to those people in your life that really matter.

R.I.P. Jenni Rivera

La banda nunca ha sido mi género musical favorito, pero en algún momento de mi vida escuché canciones de Jenni Rivera que me hacían sentir algo o por lo menos me entretenían y divertían. Ese es el trabajo del artista, después de todo. Transmitir algo a sus fans. La señora Rivera tenía un enorme talento, y eso es algo que no tiene nada que ver con el género de música que interpretaba. Tuvo una vida difícil, sufrió bastante, pero siguió luchando contra las adversidades con una enorme sonrisa en la cara. Su familia seguramente está inconsolable, y les envío todos mis deseos de que pronto puedan encontrar tranquilidad y de alguna manera recuperarse de la pérdida.

Sorry, but yes! This is a grammar lesson!

Homophones: pairs or groups of words that are pronounced the same, but have different meanings and are sometimes spelled differently. 

I know that to a lot of people this is absolutely and entirely useless knowledge, but it just so happens that I'm a total grammar geek (and an English teacher). So, in the spirit of sharing said knowledge with my students, I'm preparing and perfecting a class on homophones. They are a constant plague even for native English speakers, so it's understandable that for those learning English as a foreign language homophones are just another item to the never-ending list of things they hate about English because they make it that much more confusing.

These are just a few groups of homophones, in no particular order:

• There: a place or position
• They're: contraction of "they are"
• Their: possessive adjective; belonging to them

• Its: possessive adjective; belonging to it
• It's: contraction of "it is"

• Too: excessive quantity; as well
• Two: the number 2

• By: near to, beside
• Bye: goodbye
• Buy: purchase

• Four: the number 4
• For: in place of, 

• Write: to make symbols or letters on a surface
• Right: opposite of left; good or correct
• Rite: religious or solemn act

• Plane: airplane; level surface
• Plain: clear, evident; simple

What I do in this class is first pick a pair or group of homophones, explain the meaning of each word, and then write down a few example sentences where they have to figure out which word goes in which blank. I also like to separate them in pairs - Student A and Stduent B. SA tells SB a sentence using one of the words, and SB says which one is being used. I found some really great ideas on this website. If you have given these kinds of classes, I'd love to hear about what activities you use!

And down here, I have a special treat for those who read through the whole thing :)
This gallery illustrates in a more comical manner some other pairs of homophones.