You Are There! A Day In The Life In The United States

Happy Easter, dearest teacher :-) 

Dear Irene, it's always good to hear from you and thanks for your beautiful posting.

Thank you so much, dear Alston!

It's so sweet to come on Ebaby and see your heartfelt wishes.

May 2015 bring a lot of bliss in your life!

Thanks Mahtab for your New Year's greeting and your lovely picture.

Happy New Year to you and all!

Happy New Year Dear Alston!

Thanks for your greeting!

I'm glad to see you again!

I wish you the wonderful year ever! :)

Lesya, its a beautiful picture, thanks, and I love model trains.

Happy New Year!

Realman thanks for your gracious greeting, Happy New Year to you!

Happy 2015, dear Alston :-)

hi Mr. Alston, Happy new year.

Wish You a Great, Prosperous, Blissful, Healthy, Bright, Delightful, Energetic and Extremely Happy, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015.

Hello Lesya, thanks for your Christmas greeting. I hope your family had a nice Christmas holiday.

May 2015 be a good year for you! :)

Merry Christmas, to you and to your family, dear Alston!!! :-)

May miracle come to your house and bring an immense happiness!!! 

*** Current Events in US ***

Undoubtedly you have heard and seen from the media some of the current events occurring in the US resulting in nationwide protests. When many Americans feel that something is not right, they will voice their opposition through various forms of protests.

Protesting is as American as apple pie; the country was founded on protesting against England and throughout the growth of the nation.

I lived through the Vietnam war era and many Americans were against the war and expressed their discontent through protesting against it. I was in high school/college at the time and that time period was very intense.

However, through it all we came through it more sensitive to things that are of a moral nature. However if protesting turns to violence, it is no longer protesting but lawlessness and some endorse piggy-backing off of legitimate protests.

Nevertheless, from the current events it is inevitable that certain laws and policy changes will be enacted to address the issue facing the nation and the loss of life from the current events will not be in vain.  

***Update from"The States"***

Finally the US economy is improving, some companies are beginning to hire but with a twist. Because the economy from 2009-2012 was so bad and many companies laid off workers, people was desperate for any type of job.

Therefore workers were willing to accept a salary sometimes half of what they previously were earning which brought overall wages down. But it was a two-edge sword because retailers had to bring prices down by having sales.

Now consumers are addicted to "Sales" and if it's not "On Sale" it will probably be in storage because no one is going to buy it at a regular price.

Gasoline prices are going down, down, down. Regular gasoline prices in Southern California are now averaging $3.43/gallon (0.90 cents/liter) and falling. Other states are below $3.00. The US is now producing more oil and Canada has large oil reserves that will increase oil on the market.

Younger Americans are changing the American mindset concerning cars and are using other forms of transportation, i.e. walking, skateboards, bicycles, carpooling, and public transportation.

International students (73,000+) are flocking to not only US Colleges and Universities but High Schools as well. Most are from China for academic reasons and those from Europe for cultural reasons. US schools welcome foreign students because it is profitable and it's easier to be accepted than in their home country.

Here's a link for the Chinese community in Los Angeles http://www.chineseinla.com/

With the Internet the world has become a lot smaller place.

Well that's it for "YOU ARE THERE!"

Hello Lesya, what a delight to hear from you again!  Yes, pupils are "returning home" and rightly so since Englishbaby is the best English website.  The main thing is that you are present!  Thanks and welcome home! :)

Hello, dear Alston! With my best regards to you today! 

Pupils are returning, do you see?  :-)

Because, undoubtedly this site is the warmest one, the friendliest one!  :-)))

The joy of leaning is going on :-)

Marice, it's so good to hear from you again, I hope you've been doing fine.

Thanks for your comments, whatever useful information you find here or wherever, use it! :)

My dear teacher.

Every time I visit your profile, I always find new and great things that can be used to improve my and others' knowledge and skills in English. Evidently, it is because of the way you blended the knowledge about the language itself and the culture of the United States, successfully made your lessons more intersting and effective to sudy. In other words you have provide us with materials having relationship with real life in USA. For example, the description of 2014 Price/Wage Statistics in the US. It is truly insightful! 

2014 Price/Wage Statistics in the US

Minimum wage - Federal: $7.25/hour California: $9.00/hour  San Francisco, California: $10.74/hour

Average wage (after taxes): $3,299.32/month

House (National average): $188,900 (depends on location & size)

Automobile: 2014 Ford Focus (5 door hatchback): $19,115 (manual transmission) / $20,210 (automatic transmission)

Gasoline: $1.05/liter (unleaded regular)

Milk: $1.00/liter / $3.78/gallon

Enfamil (infant baby milk): $24.98 (629g) makes 159oz. (4.7 liters)

Eggs (12): $2.29

Rice (9kg/20lbs.): $10.46

White bread: $2.42/loaf 

Restaurant meal (average): $10.00 / Mid-range (for 2): $45.00

Realman, you're "THE MAN" thanks for your kind words!

professor thank you so much,you`re  a kind person that I have ever seen,you always are within reach,and answer our questions.it`s my dream that someday talk to you and see you face to face. I ask God that give you best things in your life.praying for you always.

Lesya, thank you for the birthday greeting and well-wishes, you are a very thoughtful person! :-)

Dear,  Alston! :-)

Take please my sincere wishes on your BIRTHDAY!

May everything goes in the best way in your life.

Stay healthy and blessed.

Hello Lesya, its always good to hear from you, thanks and I hope you and your family enjoyed this years' special Easter celebration. Yes, I agree it was good timing for it to be celebrated on the same day.

I appreciate the picture and your kind words. I'm looking forward to reading your writings once again and I believe others are as well. Please keep in touch! :)

Hello, dear Alston!!!! :))) 

How nice it so open eBaby (once in a year :D) and see that there are still people who remember me, who send me warm wishes. 

Easter week is going on and we all feel blessings in our hearts!

This year two religions Orthodox and Catholic celebrated Easter on the same day - April 20th.  It happens not often, don't you agree? :) But this year is special.

Only happpiness to you and your family!

May God always  support you.

Thanks for being such a great friend, I really mean it. :)

Marice, you are a very thoughtful person, Thank you for your kind words!

I want to explain what Easter is for those who may not know.

Easter is a celebration of the fact that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead on the 3rd day. Jesus died to pay the sin debt of humanity. For those who believe this, accompanied by the repentance of sins, will have everlasting life according to the Bible.

http://biblegateway.com/

My Dear Teacher.

Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed Easter!!

Lesya, thank you for the lovely Valentine's Day present. Your kindness is never taken for granted.

THE HAPPIEST VALENTINE'S DAY EVER, DEAR ALSTON!!! 

Love is the begining of all beginings. 

Even the result of the learning English starts from love to English language. :)

Stay blessed and be surrounded by love.

My dear teacher.

Happy Valentine's Day! May your life be blessed with loads of love!:)

Lesya, thanks for your nice animation picture and New Year's greetings. May 2014 be a blessed year for you and your family.