Go Texan Day!

Howdy, y'all!

Did you notice all the people wearing cowboy garb (outfits) today?  If you have kids, they were probably dressed out in all their duds at school.  That's right, it's "Go Texan Day."  Ye-haw.  (Which reminds me that I need to plan an ESL lesson on Texan English - I'll be a-fixin' ta do that pruddy soon.)

Today basically marks the beginning of what is arguably Houston's biggest and best attraction: the Rodeo.  You can ever smell the BBQ from the cook-offs as you drive by on the freeway.  It's glorious.

You can read all about the ridin' and ropin' on their website above (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2012), but I just wanted to mention that tomorrow at 10AM is the downtown parade where you can watch all the trail-riding excitement go by.

I wish I had a good picture of myself all geared up with cowboy hat and boots to post for you.  Unfortunately, all I've got on hand right now are pics from last Halloween/Reformation Day:

Of course, there's always The Adventures of the Kimono Cowboy.  Which do you prefer?

Oh, wait, here's one I just got:

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know, I know.  You're all like "Hey, Daniel, where's your bilingual Valentine's article?!" 

Please forgiveness my laziness. I had a good one in mind, but, alas, I never got around to writing it.

If you take my private lessons though, then you got a good overview of vocabulary and discussion topics to go with it.  If not, well, I guess you can read 1 Corinthians 13 - "The Love Chapter" in the Bible- and e-mail me any thoughts or comments you have.  Here is the simple version if you're a beginner: 1 Corinthians 13

If you can handle it, this version below is a little more accurate and sounds more like the famous passage most English-speakers are familiar with.  In short, I think it has a more natural and lovely cadence to it...


¹ If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13 (NIV)

Actually throughout the Bible, God has lots of great stuff to say about relationships and love and marriage, since, you know, He created it all.  Unfortunately, a lot of distortions have crept into our understanding of these things.  Well, that's an article unto itself.

And for all you lovely Japanese ladies out there (without a doubt the most beautiful in the world), here's my belated giri-choco for you.  Enjoy.

Goodness gracious, more free adult English classes galore!

Like the title says, Harris County is pretty generous in offering these classes to different school districts.

If they're all filled up the first day, which is probably true, there may be a waiting list.  At any rate, you can be on the lookout for future classes. 

How to register: Click the Map for class locations and Class Schedule to find information about upcoming classes and registration in your area. Register in person at the class site during the posted registration dates, call (713) 692-6216 or send an e-mail to adult-education@hcde-texas.org for more information.

Spreadsheet of ESL locations

You're welcome.

Update: Oh, and unrelated, but still useful, here's a bunch of free or pay classes around Houston courtesy of the Mayor’s Coalition for Literacy 2010 Directory

Insane discount on online English teaching course

For any native speakers wanting to add some certification, this is it.  Super cheap limited time offer!  87% off.  That's better than the San Marcos outlet mall all the Japanese ladies I know go to. 

My friend e-mailed me just now about it - so time is of the essence.  You can also see about looking for my account as a referral, so I get credit. :)

Deal on TESOL Certification