Janet Presentation, Wednesday Homework, Field Trip

Even though Janet was feeling under the weather, she still put together a wonderful presentation, giving us a very comprehensive overview of the HIV/AIDS problem, highlighting facts and exposing myths.  This, in turn, led to much class discussion about difficult and often controversial topics.  I think Janet held up our high standards for presentations; she gave us a clear outline, explained each part thoroughly, and spoke in fluent, clear, and expressive English!  Bravo!

Tomorrow, HeeJun will make her first presentation and Eman will do her first on Friday.

And more firsts next week!  Fatimah and Young Jin will do their presentations next Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

We continued in Grammar Dimensions on to Focus 2 and learned how to use subjunctive phrases with nouns.  For homework, we'll do Exercise 4 on page 402.  Change the verbs to nouns and add a comment.  We'll check these in class tomorrow.

Also, please read the passage on Alternative Energy from Raise the Issues  that I passed out and also do the vocabulary exercise.

Finally, we discussed our field trip on Friday.  I recommended taking a hike through the Fenway Neighborhood to Fenway Park, which is, of course, associated with the Boston Red Sox, winners of the 2013 World Series!  Unfortunately, the pub called The Bleacher Bar, which has a window which looks into the baseball stadium, doesn't open until 11.    That means we won't be able to have brunch there.  Boo!

The decision that we go to The Bleacher Bar will have to be changed.

Here are a couple of suggestions.  In nearby Kenmore Square, on Commonwealth Avenue, there is a restaurant called Eastern Standard Kitchen.  It's kind of expensive, but their brunch menu is reasonable.  For example, they have a $12 omelette, $10 chicken salad, and a $13 burger.  They also have "chicken fried rabbit" for $18!  It might be a nice chance to check out a costly restaurant on the cheap!  You can check out their menu here--scroll down for "brunch."

There's also a Pavement coffee house with light food and, of course, coffee.  It might be a great place for conversation.  

Friday is supposed to be about as warm as today but it will probably be rainy.  How rainy remains to be seen.  The suggestion that we walk might have been premature!

Let me know what you think.  Also, if we have any ex-students out there who might still be in town checking out the blog, feel free to join us!  Just write me at my email address.  We'll meet in class as usual, study a bit, then make our way to the Fenway area around 9 or 9:30.  Can't wait!