| Basic courtesies Being polite is important anywhere you go, here or abroad, because it shows respect for the person and the culture. The following words and phrases cover most of the pleasantries required for polite conversation. After all, learning to say the expressions of common courtesy in French is just good manners. oui (yes) non (no) S’il te plaît. (Please. informal) S'il vous plaît. (Please. formal) Merci. (Thank you.) Merci beaucoup. (Thank you very much.) Je t’en prie. (You’re informal welcome.) Je vous en prie. (You’re formal welcome.) Il n’y a pas de quoi. (It’s nothing.) Excusez-moi. (Excuse me.) Once you've mastered the common pleasantr... may 5 2016 ∞
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may 27 2014 + 112 Gripes About the French http://112gripes.com/6.html may 8 2014 ∞
may 8 2014 + remember the first day of freshman year of college when we were nothing but a name and a dot on the map at the front of the hall? remember when we did not cry when our parents left us in those rooms too cramped for all of our expectations (and, perhaps, naïveté)? remember the first time we met and you told me that you were still open, but you were pretty sure you’d declare a major in philosophy or english because you wept the first time you read perks of being a wallflower and we shared a sacred and unquenchable lust for bad science fiction remember how hopeful we were – that this school would allow us to “find ourselves,” “change the world,” and other slogans we recited from all the view books the ones we stitched to our throats when they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up may 8 2014 ∞
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Things students with anxiety wish their teachers understood. The one thing a teacher should understand is that calling on someone with social anxiety is a nightmare. I wish some of my teachers would show some compassion instead of assuming everything is just an excuse. To educate requires Galileo-like patience. Today, when I look my students in the eyes, all I see are constellations. If you take the time to connect the dots, You can plot the true shape of their genius — Shining in their darkest hour. I teach in hopes of turning content, into rocket ships — Tribulations into telescopes, So a child can see their potential from right where they stand. An injustice is telling them they are stars Without acknowledging night that surrounds them. Injustice is telling them education is the key While you continue to change the locks. sep 11 2016 ∞
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jan 1 2018 + One You are a prayer in the most holy mouth, the space between clasped hands, a landscape so picturesque, any angle. You are a reminder that magic exists. Two Oh they will stop and stare, you most divine creature with unapologetic skin and fearless features. Learn to take a compliment. Settle into being the center of things. Three When you fall in love, let it be with a person who asks nothing of you. Your existence should be enough. If they do not kiss you urgently and often, find someone who understands that lips in the presence of love should ignite passion. Four Keep a few great friends. When they tell you harsh truths, learn to listen for the love. Growth is necessary and annoying at times, but look and you will always find the silver lining. Five Buy the perfect shade of red lipstick. It... feb 15 2015 ∞
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may 15 2016 + "We only tell ourselves things are complicated when we're scared ... It is better to regret something you do, then regret something you don't do." -Drop Dead Diva "I just try to live everyday as if I've deliberately come back to this one day. To enjoy it. As if it was the full final day. Of my extraordinary, ordinary life." -About Time "Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around." -Vanilla Sky "The sweet is never as sweet without the sour." -Vanilla Sky "The world isn't split into good people and death eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside of us. what matters is the part we choose to act on. that's who we really are." -Sirius Black we only accept the love we think we deserve -perks of being a wallflower may 8 2014 ∞
may 5 2016 + Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. may 7 2014 ∞
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jun 13 2017 + We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. -MLK (Alec, on ACE) mar 24 2015 ∞
mar 24 2015 + Down through the ages, a traditional form has evolved for this type of speech, which is: Some old fart, his best years behind him, who, over the course of his life, has made a series of dreadful mistakes (that would be me), gives heartfelt advice to a group of shining, energetic young people, with all of their best years ahead of them (that would be you). And I intend to respect that tradition. Now, one useful thing you can do with an old person, in addition to borrowing money from them, or asking them to do one of their old-time “dances,” so you can watch, while laughing, is ask: “Looking back, what do you regret?” And they’ll tell you. Sometimes, as you know, they’ll tell you even if you haven’t asked. Sometimes, even when you’ve specifically requested they not tell you, they’ll tell you. So: What do I regret? Being poor from tim... may 7 2014 ∞
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