Wow, it's been more than two years since I have posted a podcast episode! Today I have been experimenting with a new way to make a podcast and decided I wanted to send you a message saying "Hello" and also telling you that I teach online now. I specialize in giving mock exams for the IELTS speaking test. You can find me on https://www.italki.com/. Search for "Miss Buswell". 

Wow, it's been more than two years since I have posted a podcast episode! Today I have been experimenting with a new way to make a podcast and decided I wanted to send you a message saying "Hello" and also telling you that I teach online now. I specialize in giving mock exams for the IELTS speaking test. You can find me on <a href="https://www.italki.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.italki.com/</a>. Search for "Miss Buswell".

Are You Preparing For The IELTS Speaking Exam?

TQ Sven and Erna Sven from Switzerland and Erna from Indonesia stayed with me in December 2018, just a month before I left China to live in the US. They were my last visitors there. Listen as they talk about their countries, how they met, and the trips they have taken. Sven is special, because he stayed with me nine years ago! It was such a thrill to see him again and to meet his wife. If you are new to my podcast, this is a "Ten Questions (TQ) episode. That's where I interview people so that you can learn from them and also hear different English accents. Most of the time I post "Listen and Repeat (LnR) episodes, which can help you improve your pronunciation and intonation. Since I left China two years ago I have been posting old episodes. This is the first one that is new. Soon I will be making new podcast episodes for you, but I haven't decided what kind they will be!

TQ Sven and Erna Sven from Switzerland and Erna from Indonesia stayed with me in December 2018, just a month before I left China to live in the US. They were my last visitors there. Listen as they talk about their countries, how they met, and the trips they have taken. Sven is special, because he stayed with me nine years ago! It was such a thrill to see him again and to meet his wife. If you are new to my podcast, this is a "Ten Questions (TQ) episode. That's where I interview people so that you can learn from them and also hear different English accents. Most of the time I post "Listen and Repeat (LnR) episodes, which can help you improve your pronunciation and intonation. Since I left China two years ago I have been posting old episodes. This is the first one that is new. Soon I will be making new podcast episodes for you, but I haven't decided what kind they will be!

TQ Sven and Erna

LnR Black Beauty 32      "Thank God!" said my master. "You Beauty!" said John, and took the bridle and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river side. The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and darker, stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly making a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor John spoke, and then master began in a serious voice. I could not understand much of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had gone on as the master wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given way under us, and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into the river; and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was no light and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have been drowned. Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could find out things for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had many stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they had done; he thought people did not value their animals half enough nor make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure he makes friends of them if ever a man did.      At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for us. He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off on Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after us.      We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, and as we came up mistress ran out, saying, "Are you really safe, my dear? Oh! I have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. Have you had no accident?"      "No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge." I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the stable. Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! and I was glad of it, for I was tired.

LnR Black Beauty 32      "Thank God!" said my master. "You Beauty!" said John, and took the bridle and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river side. The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and darker, stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly making a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor John spoke, and then master began in a serious voice. I could not understand much of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had gone on as the master wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given way under us, and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into the river; and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was no light and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have been drowned. Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could find out things for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had many stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they had done; he thought people did not value their animals half enough nor make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure he makes friends of them if ever a man did.      At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for us. He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off on Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after us.      We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, and as we came up mistress ran out, saying, "Are you really safe, my dear? Oh! I have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. Have you had no accident?"      "No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge." I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the stable. Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! and I was glad of it, for I was tired.

LnR Black Beauty 32 (End of Series)

LnR Black Beauty 31      So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got to the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water was over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes when the floods were out, master did not stop. We were going along at a good pace, but the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge I felt sure there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, and he gave me a touch with the whip, but I dare not stir; he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare not go forward.      "There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he sprang out of the dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me forward. "Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?" Of course I could not tell him, but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe.      Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the house, tossing a torch about like one mad.      "Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!" he cried.      "What's the matter?" shouted my master.      "The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if you come on you'll be into the river."

LnR Black Beauty 31      So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got to the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water was over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes when the floods were out, master did not stop. We were going along at a good pace, but the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge I felt sure there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, and he gave me a touch with the whip, but I dare not stir; he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare not go forward.      "There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he sprang out of the dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me forward. "Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?" Of course I could not tell him, but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe.      Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the house, tossing a torch about like one mad.      "Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!" he cried.      "What's the matter?" shouted my master.      "The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if you come on you'll be into the river."

LnR Black Beauty 31 (Replay)

LnR Black Beauty 30      "I wish we were well out of this wood," said my master.      "Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather awkward if one of these branches came down upon us."      The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a crack, and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other trees came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the road just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. I stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a moment at my head.      "That was a very near touch," said my master. "What's to be done now?"      "Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; there will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, and that will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again; it will make us late, but the horse is fresh."

LnR Black Beauty 30      "I wish we were well out of this wood," said my master.      "Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather awkward if one of these branches came down upon us."      The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a crack, and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other trees came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the road just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. I stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a moment at my head.      "That was a very near touch," said my master. "What's to be done now?"      "Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; there will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, and that will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again; it will make us late, but the horse is fresh."

LnR Black Beauty 30 (Replay)

LnR Black Beauty 29 Chapter 12 A Stormy Day      One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business. I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. I always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, and now the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar and the low wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level, so that in the middle, if the river was full, the water would be nearly up to the woodwork and planks; but as there were good substantial rails on each side, people did not mind it.      The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it would be a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one low part of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom was good, and master drove gently, so it was no matter.      When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, but as the master's business engaged him a long time we did not start for home till rather late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher, and I heard the master say to John that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I thought, as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible.

LnR Black Beauty 29 Chapter 12 A Stormy Day      One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business. I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. I always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, and now the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar and the low wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level, so that in the middle, if the river was full, the water would be nearly up to the woodwork and planks; but as there were good substantial rails on each side, people did not mind it.      The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it would be a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one low part of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom was good, and master drove gently, so it was no matter.      When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, but as the master's business engaged him a long time we did not start for home till rather late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher, and I heard the master say to John that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I thought, as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible.

LnR Black Beauty 29 (Replay)

LnR Black Beauty 28      "Steady, steady, my boy," he would say; "wait a bit, and we will have a good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet." Then as soon as we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles at a spanking trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, are often called skittish, when it is only play; and some grooms will punish them, but our John did not; he knew it was only high spirits. Still, he had his own ways of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was very serious and quite determined, I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with me than anything else, for I was very fond of him.      I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; this used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage never went out on Sundays, because the church was not far off.      It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant--to gallop, to lie down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the shade of the large chestnut tree.

LnR Black Beauty 28      "Steady, steady, my boy," he would say; "wait a bit, and we will have a good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet." Then as soon as we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles at a spanking trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, are often called skittish, when it is only play; and some grooms will punish them, but our John did not; he knew it was only high spirits. Still, he had his own ways of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was very serious and quite determined, I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with me than anything else, for I was very fond of him.      I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; this used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage never went out on Sundays, because the church was not far off.      It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant--to gallop, to lie down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the shade of the large chestnut tree.

LnR Black Beauty 28 (Replay)

LnR Black Beauty 27 Chapter 6      I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head and toss up his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again with a snort to his companions--I say it is hard never to have a bit more liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than usual, I have felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; do what I would, it seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, and many a good shake I know I must have given him, especially at the first; but he was always good and patient.

LnR Black Beauty 27 Chapter 6      I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head and toss up his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again with a snort to his companions--I say it is hard never to have a bit more liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than usual, I have felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; do what I would, it seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, and many a good shake I know I must have given him, especially at the first; but he was always good and patient.

LnR Black Beauty 27 (Replay)

Black Beauty 26      Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; the other was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, but was a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; he sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of the young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very gentle and could be trusted with a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a little chat in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate with him as with Ginger, who stood in the same stable.

Black Beauty 26      Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; the other was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, but was a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; he sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of the young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very gentle and could be trusted with a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a little chat in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate with him as with Ginger, who stood in the same stable.

LnR Black Beauty 26 (Replay)

LnR Black Beauty 25  James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in the yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me.  A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears back when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to use the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did John. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quite friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home.  As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their little dog Frisky.

LnR Black Beauty 25 James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in the yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears back when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to use the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did John. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quite friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their little dog Frisky.

LnR Black Beauty 25 (Replay)

Hi, I'm Nancy Buswell and I've been teaching people how to improve their English for over 16 years! I'm an American who teaches in a university in southern China. The Ten Questions ESL (English as a Second Language) Podcast is for people around the world who want to improve their English listening comprehension and English accent (intonation). I produce two kinds of podcast episodes. 1) TQ: My original idea was the Ten Questions ESL Podcast. I interview native and non-native English speakers and ask them the same ten questions. You can practice your listening comprehension and learn about other people and other cultures at the same time. 2) LnR: These podcasts are for people who want to improve their intonation and pronunciation. I say a sentence or phrase and you can repeat after me. The LnR podcasts with even numbers (such as 042, 044) have dialogues that I write that use informal speech, that is, the kind of language that friends use with each other. The LnR podcasts with odd numbers (such as 043, 045) use selections from novels, poems or speeches. In December I simplified my podcasts and stopped making the Sun3 episodes, and changed LnR into two kinds: formal and informal language. I'm just one person doing all of this,because I like podcasts and I love helping people to improve their English. My goal is that my podcasts will help individuals around the world as well as English teachers around the world. If you are an English teacher, please share these with your students and/or use them in class. If you are an English-language learner, please share these with your friends, classmates and teachers.

Ten Questions ESL Podcast

TQ 059 Lydia from the Netherlands (Replay) I hosted Lydia two years ago. And then, a couple months later, I hosted her again as she headed back to Europe! ======== Lydia, 21, stayed with me for several days. She's been on the road for 15 months, cycling from the Netherlands to China and then on to Southeast Asia. She desired to see China because she lived here for two years when she was a little girl. Listen as we talk about how she learned English quickly by being put in an English school in Shanghai, why she is a vegetarian, and as she tells about the beauty of the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan. She also tells us about a Dutch holiday called Sinter Klaas. Lydia has a very good English vocabulary. Here are some words that she uses that you may not know: biblical name, repetitive, baguette, to feel alienated, to integrate, refugee, densely populated, accessible, mode of transport, sleigh, communal feeling, controversial. Her blog is www.thegoldenroadtosamarkand.com.

TQ 059 Lydia from the Netherlands (Replay) I hosted Lydia two years ago. And then, a couple months later, I hosted her again as she headed back to Europe! ======== Lydia, 21, stayed with me for several days. She's been on the road for 15 months, cycling from the Netherlands to China and then on to Southeast Asia. She desired to see China because she lived here for two years when she was a little girl. Listen as we talk about how she learned English quickly by being put in an English school in Shanghai, why she is a vegetarian, and as she tells about the beauty of the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan. She also tells us about a Dutch holiday called Sinter Klaas. Lydia has a very good English vocabulary. Here are some words that she uses that you may not know: biblical name, repetitive, baguette, to feel alienated, to integrate, refugee, densely populated, accessible, mode of transport, sleigh, communal feeling, controversial. Her blog is <a href="http://www.thegoldenroad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thegoldenroad</a><a href="http://tosamarkand.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tosamarkand.com</a>.

TQ 059 Lydia from the Netherlands (Replay)

LnR Around the World in Eighty Days 16 Chapter IV Having won twenty guineas at whist, and taken leave of his friends, Phileas Fogg, at twenty-five minutes past seven, left the Reform Club. Passepartout, who had conscientiously studied the programme of his duties, was more than surprised to see his master guilty of the inexactness of appearing at this unaccustomed hour; for, according to rule, he was not due in Saville Row until precisely midnight. Mr. Fogg repaired to his bedroom, and called out, "Passepartout!" Passepartout did not reply. It could not be he who was called; it was not the right hour. "Passepartout!" repeated Mr. Fogg, without raising his voice. Passepartout made his appearance. "I've called you twice," observed his master. "But it is not midnight," responded the other, showing his watch. "I know it; I don't blame you. We start for Dover and Calais in ten minutes." A puzzled grin overspread Passepartout's round face; clearly he had not comprehended his master. "Monsieur is going to leave home?" "Yes," returned Phileas Fogg. "We are going round the world." Passepartout opened wide his eyes, raised his eyebrows, held up his hands, and seemed about to collapse, so overcome was he with stupefied astonishment. "Round the world!" he murmured. "In eighty days," responded Mr. Fogg. "So we haven't a moment to lose." "But the trunks?" gasped Passepartout, unconsciously swaying his head from right to left. "We'll have no trunks; only a carpet-bag, with two shirts and three pairs of stockings for me, and the same for you. We'll buy our clothes on the way. Bring down my mackintosh and traveling-cloak, and some stout shoes, though we shall do little walking. Make haste!" Passepartout tried to reply, but could not. He went out, mounted to his own room, fell into a chair, and muttered: "That's good, that is! And I, who wanted to remain quiet!"

LnR Around the World in Eighty Days 16 Chapter IV Having won twenty guineas at whist, and taken leave of his friends, Phileas Fogg, at twenty-five minutes past seven, left the Reform Club. Passepartout, who had conscientiously studied the programme of his duties, was more than surprised to see his master guilty of the inexactness of appearing at this unaccustomed hour; for, according to rule, he was not due in Saville Row until precisely midnight. Mr. Fogg repaired to his bedroom, and called out, "Passepartout!" Passepartout did not reply. It could not be he who was called; it was not the right hour. "Passepartout!" repeated Mr. Fogg, without raising his voice. Passepartout made his appearance. "I've called you twice," observed his master. "But it is not midnight," responded the other, showing his watch. "I know it; I don't blame you. We start for Dover and Calais in ten minutes." A puzzled grin overspread Passepartout's round face; clearly he had not comprehended his master. "Monsieur is going to leave home?" "Yes," returned Phileas Fogg. "We are going round the world." Passepartout opened wide his eyes, raised his eyebrows, held up his hands, and seemed about to collapse, so overcome was he with stupefied astonishment. "Round the world!" he murmured. "In eighty days," responded Mr. Fogg. "So we haven't a moment to lose." "But the trunks?" gasped Passepartout, unconsciously swaying his head from right to left. "We'll have no trunks; only a carpet-bag, with two shirts and three pairs of stockings for me, and the same for you. We'll buy our clothes on the way. Bring down my mackintosh and traveling-cloak, and some stout shoes, though we shall do little walking. Make haste!" Passepartout tried to reply, but could not. He went out, mounted to his own room, fell into a chair, and muttered: "That's good, that is! And I, who wanted to remain quiet!"

LnR Around the World in Eighty Days 16

I'm sorry I haven't made any new podcast episodes for you for a while! I actually have three TQ (Ten Question) interviews that I've recorded, but haven't edited yet. I'm such a procrastinator! Do you know that word? It means that I put things off, I delay them. It's a terrible habit, but a very common one! Here's a casual language podcast from 2 1/2 years ago. LnR 060 Didja call 'im? "Did you call him" sounds like "Didja call 'im" if you are speaking quickly and informally. Never write "didja" and never write "im". I'm doing that here to show you how they are pronounced. 1. Didja (Did you) call 'im? Didja call 'em? Didja call 'er? 2. What's 'e doing? What's she doing? What are they doing? 3. Is that his or hers? It's his. It's hers. 4. They gave 'im the wrong number. They gave 'em the wrong number. They gave 'er the wrong number. 5. Is 'e the one? Isn't 'e your friend? 6. I see 'im. I see 'em. I see 'er. 7. What's his name? What's her name? 8. I got an email from 'im yesterday. I got an email from 'er yesterday.

I'm sorry I haven't made any new podcast episodes for you for a while! I actually have three TQ (Ten Question) interviews that I've recorded, but haven't edited yet. I'm such a procrastinator! Do you know that word? It means that I put things off, I delay them. It's a terrible habit, but a very common one! Here's a casual language podcast from 2 1/2 years ago. LnR 060 Didja call 'im? "Did you call him" sounds like "Didja call 'im" if you are speaking quickly and informally. Never write "didja" and never write "im". I'm doing that here to show you how they are pronounced. 1. Didja (Did you) call 'im? Didja call 'em? Didja call 'er? 2. What's 'e doing? What's she doing? What are they doing? 3. Is that his or hers? It's his. It's hers. 4. They gave 'im the wrong number. They gave 'em the wrong number. They gave 'er the wrong number. 5. Is 'e the one? Isn't 'e your friend? 6. I see 'im. I see 'em. I see 'er. 7. What's his name? What's her name? 8. I got an email from 'im yesterday. I got an email from 'er yesterday.

LnR 060 Didja call 'im? (Casual English - Replay)

Hello from the U.S. state of Arkansas, where fall weather has finally arrived! Many people like the fall, but I like hot weather, not cold weather. Fortunately, it's only cool now, not cold. Here's another podcast episode from 2 1/2 years ago. I think I talk about my YouTube channel in this. Ignore it. I haven't done anything with my YouTube channel in a couple of years. I started a series called "Ask Miss Buswell", but it only lasted three days! I didn't follow up on it. I tend to procrastinate on some kinds of work. "Procrastinate" means to delay, to do something later. LnR 102 (Casual Language) Fast Food (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A simple dialogue between a customer and a cashier at McDonalds A: Welcome to McDonalds! How may I help you? B: Hi, I'd like a double cheeseburger. A: Would you like the combo or just the burger? B: Pardon? A: The combo includes fries and a drink. B: Oh, OK.  Just the burger. And something to drink. What do you have? A: The drinks are listed right here. We have Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta. B: I'd like a Sprite. A medium one. No ice. A: No ice, sure. That'll be $2.75. B: Here you go. A: And 25 cents is your change. Here's your order. Have a nice day! B: Thanks. Say, where is the WC? A: The what? B: Uh, the bathroom. A: Oh, it's around the corner and down the hall. B: OK. Thanks a lot.

Hello from the U.S. state of Arkansas, where fall weather has finally arrived! Many people like the fall, but I like hot weather, not cold weather. Fortunately, it's only cool now, not cold. Here's another podcast episode from 2 1/2 years ago. I think I talk about my YouTube channel in this. Ignore it. I haven't done anything with my YouTube channel in a couple of years. I started a series called "Ask Miss Buswell", but it only lasted three days! I didn't follow up on it. I tend to procrastinate on some kinds of work. "Procrastinate" means to delay, to do something later. LnR 102 (Casual Language) Fast Food (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A simple dialogue between a customer and a cashier at McDonalds A: Welcome to McDonalds! How may I help you? B: Hi, I'd like a double cheeseburger. A: Would you like the combo or just the burger? B: Pardon? A: The combo includes fries and a drink. B: Oh, OK.  Just the burger. And something to drink. What do you have? A: The drinks are listed right here. We have Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta. B: I'd like a Sprite. A medium one. No ice. A: No ice, sure. That'll be $2.75. B: Here you go. A: And 25 cents is your change. Here's your order. Have a nice day! B: Thanks. Say, where is the WC? A: The what? B: Uh, the bathroom. A: Oh, it's around the corner and down the hall. B: OK. Thanks a lot.

LnR 102 (Casual Language) Fast Food (Replay)

This is a replay of a recording I made 2 1/2 years ago. It's about the American baseball championships, which we call the World Series. I made this in November of 2016. Right now it is May of 2019. It's the beginning of baseball season, and the end of basketball and hockey season. ==== LnR 076 Like I Said A: Hey, why do you (d'ya) look so tired? B: I stayed up late last night watching the last game of the World Series. A: Oh, was that last night? I'm not a sports fan. B: Yeah, it was last night! The game was fantastic! A: Why? Baseball seems so boring. B: What are you (what'r ya/whatcha) talkin' about? It was the final game. The winner would be the champion. A: So who won? B: The Chicago Cubs. It was amazing. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was 108 years ago. A: Really? I didn't know that. B:: How come? Everybody knows that! A: Like I said, I'm not a sports fan!

This is a replay of a recording I made 2 1/2 years ago. It's about the American baseball championships, which we call the World Series. I made this in November of 2016. Right now it is May of 2019. It's the beginning of baseball season, and the end of basketball and hockey season. ==== LnR 076 Like I Said A: Hey, why do you (d'ya) look so tired? B: I stayed up late last night watching the last game of the World Series. A: Oh, was that last night? I'm not a sports fan. B: Yeah, it was last night! The game was fantastic! A: Why? Baseball seems so boring. B: What are you (what'r ya/whatcha) talkin' about? It was the final game. The winner would be the champion. A: So who won? B: The Chicago Cubs. It was amazing. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was 108 years ago. A: Really? I didn't know that. B:: How come? Everybody knows that! A: Like I said, I'm not a sports fan!

LnR 076 Like I Said (Replay)

Hi! Thanks for downloading my podcast! I hope that you will find it useful. If you are new, my name is Nancy Buswell. When I recorded this podcast episode 2 1/2 years ago I was teaching in Nanning, China. This summer I moved home to the US and am now living with my 83-year old mother. She is still in good health, thank goodness. I work online. I give mock IELTS exams on two Chinese apps, and teach on the website/app Cambly Fridays and Saturdays. Most of my students there are from Saudi Arabie, Turkey and Brazil. If you use Cambly, please look me up! I'm Miss Buswell on Cambly, and I prefer giving mock IELTS exams or having interesting conversations. Call me and let's have an interesting conversation! ====== LnR 104 Extracurricular Activities (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A: We had an interesting discussion topic in English class today. B: Oh, yeah? What was it? A: Our teacher told us to talk to our partner about our first jobs. B: That's easy! My first job was working at a KFC when I was 18. It was the summer before I started university. I only worked there two months. Now I can't stand the smell of fried chicken! A: Funny! As for me, I haven't had any kind of job yet. My parents wouldn't let me do anything except study, study, study. I wanna find a part-time job now, to make some pocket money, but my parents have forbidden it. B: Why? You’re over 18 now and can make your own decisions. A: Yeah, sure. Tell them that. As long as they are paying for my education, I have to do what they say. At least they send me pocket money when I need it. I just hate asking for it. B: Yeah, I get it. I hate asking for money, too. But I don’t want a part-time job now. I’m too busy with my extracurricular activities. I’m in two clubs and play intramural volleyball with people from my dormitory. A: Really? I’m no good at volleyball. I don’t know how to make the ball go the right direction. Which clubs are you in? B: Well, one is a church club. They have a small house just off campus for the meetings. I go every Wednesday night for singing and Bible study. I usually get there early to talk with my friends. The other one is the chess club. I’ve played chess since I was a little kid. We meet in a classroom every other Monday night to talk about chess and then play a couple of games. I’m a pretty good chess player, but there are several others who are a lot better than me. A: I can see now why you don’t have time for a part-time job!

Hi! Thanks for downloading my podcast! I hope that you will find it useful. If you are new, my name is Nancy Buswell. When I recorded this podcast episode 2 1/2 years ago I was teaching in Nanning, China. This summer I moved home to the US and am now living with my 83-year old mother. She is still in good health, thank goodness. I work online. I give mock IELTS exams on two Chinese apps, and teach on the website/app Cambly Fridays and Saturdays. Most of my students there are from Saudi Arabie, Turkey and Brazil. If you use Cambly, please look me up! I'm Miss Buswell on Cambly, and I prefer giving mock IELTS exams or having interesting conversations. Call me and let's have an interesting conversation! ====== LnR 104 Extracurricular Activities (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A: We had an interesting discussion topic in English class today. B: Oh, yeah? What was it? A: Our teacher told us to talk to our partner about our first jobs. B: That's easy! My first job was working at a KFC when I was 18. It was the summer before I started university. I only worked there two months. Now I can't stand the smell of fried chicken! A: Funny! As for me, I haven't had any kind of job yet. My parents wouldn't let me do anything except study, study, study. I wanna find a part-time job now, to make some pocket money, but my parents have forbidden it. B: Why? You’re over 18 now and can make your own decisions. A: Yeah, sure. Tell them that. As long as they are paying for my education, I have to do what they say. At least they send me pocket money when I need it. I just hate asking for it. B: Yeah, I get it. I hate asking for money, too. But I don’t want a part-time job now. I’m too busy with my extracurricular activities. I’m in two clubs and play intramural volleyball with people from my dormitory. A: Really? I’m no good at volleyball. I don’t know how to make the ball go the right direction. Which clubs are you in? B: Well, one is a church club. They have a small house just off campus for the meetings. I go every Wednesday night for singing and Bible study. I usually get there early to talk with my friends. The other one is the chess club. I’ve played chess since I was a little kid. We meet in a classroom every other Monday night to talk about chess and then play a couple of games. I’m a pretty good chess player, but there are several others who are a lot better than me. A: I can see now why you don’t have time for a part-time job!

LnR 104 (Casual Language) Extracurricular Activities (Replay)

I made this recording 2 1/2 years ago when I was still teaching in a classroom. Now I'm teaching at home, online. What a change! I miss being in front of my students, though it's nice to work at home, too. I hope you enjoy this podcast episode and that you learning something new about learning vocabulary. LnR 100 (Casual Language) Vocab (Replay) I talk about a good way to study vocabulary so that you will remember it.  Dialogue between two students A: Hi, Jack! How did you do on our vocab quiz this morning? B: Oh, man, I bombed it! A: What do you mean? B: I mean I think I failed it. A: How did that happen? Miss Buswell told us what to study. It was an easy quiz. I think I made a perfect score. Jack: I'm really hacked off at myself. I waited until last night to cram for the quiz. But then I forgot most of the words in the morning. Jill: Well, that's too bad. Maybe next time . . . . Jack: Yeah. Next time I'll remember to start studying earlier. Cramming sure isn't the best way to prepare for a test.

I made this recording 2 1/2 years ago when I was still teaching in a classroom. Now I'm teaching at home, online. What a change! I miss being in front of my students, though it's nice to work at home, too. I hope you enjoy this podcast episode and that you learning something new about learning vocabulary. LnR 100 (Casual Language) Vocab (Replay) I talk about a good way to study vocabulary so that you will remember it.  Dialogue between two students A: Hi, Jack! How did you do on our vocab quiz this morning? B: Oh, man, I bombed it! A: What do you mean? B: I mean I think I failed it. A: How did that happen? Miss Buswell told us what to study. It was an easy quiz. I think I made a perfect score. Jack: I'm really hacked off at myself. I waited until last night to cram for the quiz. But then I forgot most of the words in the morning. Jill: Well, that's too bad. Maybe next time . . . . Jack: Yeah. Next time I'll remember to start studying earlier. Cramming sure isn't the best way to prepare for a test.

LnR 100 (Casual Language) Vocab (Replay)

This is the last episode in this series. I have posted all six episodes tonight. I haven't done this before. I used to try to post three podcast episodes a week, but since I've been at home recovering from surgery I have changed to posting only once a week. For me this is an experiment to see how many people download all six of the episodes! Every night I check my podcast statistics. I love seeing where all of you live! The statistics tell me the country and state/province where each download came from. The top ten countries are: USA, China, Brazil, Iran, Japan, Russia, UK, Poland, Germany, and Korea. (It's very likely that many of the downloads that say they are from the USA are actually made by people using VPNs in China, Iran or other countries.) My statistics show the results from the last three months. In those three months I have had downloads from 109 countries! I love it! Thanks for listening and I hope you find my podcasts useful. ------------ LnR 087 Gift of the Magi 6 For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone.  But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim!"  And then Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, "Oh, oh!"  Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit.  "Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it."  Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled.  "Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on."  The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

This is the last episode in this series. I have posted all six episodes tonight. I haven't done this before. I used to try to post three podcast episodes a week, but since I've been at home recovering from surgery I have changed to posting only once a week. For me this is an experiment to see how many people download all six of the episodes! Every night I check my podcast statistics. I love seeing where all of you live! The statistics tell me the country and state/province where each download came from. The top ten countries are: USA, China, Brazil, Iran, Japan, Russia, UK, Poland, Germany, and Korea. (It's very likely that many of the downloads that say they are from the USA are actually made by people using VPNs in China, Iran or other countries.) My statistics show the results from the last three months. In those three months I have had downloads from 109 countries! I love it! Thanks for listening and I hope you find my podcasts useful. ------------ LnR 087 Gift of the Magi 6 For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone. But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim!" And then Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, "Oh, oh!" Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit. "Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it." Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled. "Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on." The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

LnR 087 Gift of the Magi 6 (Replay)

This podcast episode is from 2 1/2 years ago, just before I went on a two-week vacation in the country of Laos. I had a really great time there! Now, if you don't know, I'm living with my mother and working online. I don't live in China anymore. I teach for two Chinese apps, specializing in giving IELTS mock exams.   --------   LnR 092 (Casual Language) Vacation (Replay) A: Hi, Miss Buswell. What are you going to do during the Spring Festival vocation? B: "Vacation", not "vocation". A: Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot. B: Happens all the time! Anyways, I'm staying here for the first part, then I'm going to spend two weeks in Laos. A: In Laos? That sounds interesting. B: It should be. I'll stay at a nice place just outside the capital. I want to relax, read a lot, work on projects, and do some sightseeing. A: That sounds great. Me, I'm going home tomorrow. B: Will you travel during the holiday? A: No. Usually we go to my grandparents' town in the countryside, but this year the family is coming to our place in the city. B: Sounds good. Well, I hope you have a good trip home tomorrow and a great vacation! A: You, too! Bye.

This podcast episode is from 2 1/2 years ago, just before I went on a two-week vacation in the country of Laos. I had a really great time there! Now, if you don't know, I'm living with my mother and working online. I don't live in China anymore. I teach for two Chinese apps, specializing in giving IELTS mock exams. -------- LnR 092 (Casual Language) Vacation (Replay) A: Hi, Miss Buswell. What are you going to do during the Spring Festival vocation? B: "Vacation", not "vocation". A: Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot. B: Happens all the time! Anyways, I'm staying here for the first part, then I'm going to spend two weeks in Laos. A: In Laos? That sounds interesting. B: It should be. I'll stay at a nice place just outside the capital. I want to relax, read a lot, work on projects, and do some sightseeing. A: That sounds great. Me, I'm going home tomorrow. B: Will you travel during the holiday? A: No. Usually we go to my grandparents' town in the countryside, but this year the family is coming to our place in the city. B: Sounds good. Well, I hope you have a good trip home tomorrow and a great vacation! A: You, too! Bye.

LnR 092 (Casual Language) Vacation (Replay)

LnR 096 (Casual Language) Chores (Replay) It's still warm and humid in Arkansas, USA now! I like hot weather, so I'm not in a hurry for fall to get here. I'm enjoying living in the US and teaching English online. I specialize in giving mock IELTS exams. If you want a mock exam you can contact me at nancybuswell@yahoo.com. If you are in China you can find me on PalFish or KouYuXia (Language Master). I'm pretty sure that some of my online students have been downloading my podcast episodes, since I recommend them to those who need to improve their intonation. Here's a replay of a podcast episode from 2 1/2 years ago. It's about the kind of chores that children have to do at home. By the way, I talk about my YouTube channel. I haven't done much with my channel in a couple of years. I just lost interest in it.   A: What kind of chores did you have to do when you were a kid? B: I had to wash dishes after dinner, feed the dog twice a day, and take her for a walk.  A: Is that all? B: No, of course not. I also had to keep my room neat. You, know, make up my bed and put away my clothes and toys. When I was older, I had to vacuum the carpets and do my own laundry.  A: What happened if you didn't do all of your chores? B: Then I didn't get my allowance! But I always did all of my chores. My brother, on the other hand . . . . A: What did he have to do? B: He had to take out the trash, wash the cars once a week, and cut the grass. In the winter he had to use the snow shovel to clear snow from the driveway. What about you? A: I was raised on a farm! I had so many chores to do. I had work to do before I left for school, and then when I got home. I had to wake up at 5:30 every morning.  B: Did you get an allowance? A: Shoot, no! My parents expected all of us to work on the farm. If we didn't do our chores, we didn't eat. They were very strict. We always did our chores! B: Gosh, our childhoods were so different!

LnR 096 (Casual Language) Chores (Replay) It's still warm and humid in Arkansas, USA now! I like hot weather, so I'm not in a hurry for fall to get here. I'm enjoying living in the US and teaching English online. I specialize in giving mock IELTS exams. If you want a mock exam you can contact me at <a href="mailto:nancybuswell@yahoo.com">nancybuswell@yahoo.com</a>. If you are in China you can find me on PalFish or KouYuXia (Language Master). I'm pretty sure that some of my online students have been downloading my podcast episodes, since I recommend them to those who need to improve their intonation. Here's a replay of a podcast episode from 2 1/2 years ago. It's about the kind of chores that children have to do at home. By the way, I talk about my YouTube channel. I haven't done much with my channel in a couple of years. I just lost interest in it. A: What kind of chores did you have to do when you were a kid? B: I had to wash dishes after dinner, feed the dog twice a day, and take her for a walk.  A: Is that all? B: No, of course not. I also had to keep my room neat. You, know, make up my bed and put away my clothes and toys. When I was older, I had to vacuum the carpets and do my own laundry.  A: What happened if you didn't do all of your chores? B: Then I didn't get my allowance! But I always did all of my chores. My brother, on the other hand . . . . A: What did he have to do? B: He had to take out the trash, wash the cars once a week, and cut the grass. In the winter he had to use the snow shovel to clear snow from the driveway. What about you? A: I was raised on a farm! I had so many chores to do. I had work to do before I left for school, and then when I got home. I had to wake up at 5:30 every morning.  B: Did you get an allowance? A: Shoot, no! My parents expected all of us to work on the farm. If we didn't do our chores, we didn't eat. They were very strict. We always did our chores! B: Gosh, our childhoods were so different!

LnR 096 (Casual Language) Chores (Replay)

LnR 106 (Casual Language) Wikipedia (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A: Hi there, what are you doing? (Watcha doin'?) B: Oh, hey. I'm working on my paper for World History class. A: Oh, yeah. I finished mine three days ago. It's due tomorrow, you know. B: Yeah, I know. I should've started it last week, but I just kept putting it off. A: You mean you haven't started it yet?! B: Well, I started it an hour ago. I've already written two pages. A: You know we're supposed to write eight to ten pages and use three sources. B: I've already taken notes from my three sources. I'm using two websites about history and also Wikipedia. A: What? Our teacher told us clearly that we can't use Wikipedia as one of our sources! B: What? That must have been the day I slept late and missed class. Oh, shoot, I'm in a lot of trouble. I'll have to stay up all night working on this. A: Good luck! I'll go get you some coffee.

LnR 106 (Casual Language) Wikipedia (Replay) Listen and Repeat: A: Hi there, what are you doing? (Watcha doin'?) B: Oh, hey. I'm working on my paper for World History class. A: Oh, yeah. I finished mine three days ago. It's due tomorrow, you know. B: Yeah, I know. I should've started it last week, but I just kept putting it off. A: You mean you haven't started it yet?! B: Well, I started it an hour ago. I've already written two pages. A: You know we're supposed to write eight to ten pages and use three sources. B: I've already taken notes from my three sources. I'm using two websites about history and also Wikipedia. A: What? Our teacher told us clearly that we can't use Wikipedia as one of our sources! B: What? That must have been the day I slept late and missed class. Oh, shoot, I'm in a lot of trouble. I'll have to stay up all night working on this. A: Good luck! I'll go get you some coffee.

LnR 106 (Casual Language) Wikipedia (Replay)

Hello as usual from Arkansas, a small state in the American South! The weather is still hot, which I like a lot, though I know that fall is around the corner. Here is a dialog about computers that I made 2 1/2 years ago. Since then I had to replace that old computer. A different student helped me buy a much better new one. I really liked it, but couldn't take it with me when I left China because it was a desktop and much too big and delicate to transport to the US. I sold it to a friend when I left. Here at my mother's house I use a nice laptop, though I do miss the big monitor I had with my desktop in China. I hope you like the vocabulary in this dialog and that you find it useful.   LnR 098 (Casual Language) Are you serious? (Replay)   A: Hey, thanks for coming over! B: Sure, no problem. A: Like I told you on the phone, I've got a problem with my desktop computer. B: What's wrong? A: I need a new video card. The old one is finally kaput. My laptop is fine, but I use my desktop for most of my schoolwork. B: OK. I'll check with a repairman on campus. [He speaks to a repairman in Chinese on the phone] Bad news. He said he couldn't replace it. A: Are you serious? What's he talking about? He can't replace it? B: Oh, wait, he just told me he figured out a way to fix it. I'll take your CPU to the repairman now. A: Thanks. You're a lifesaver.

Hello as usual from Arkansas, a small state in the American South! The weather is still hot, which I like a lot, though I know that fall is around the corner. Here is a dialog about computers that I made 2 1/2 years ago. Since then I had to replace that old computer. A different student helped me buy a much better new one. I really liked it, but couldn't take it with me when I left China because it was a desktop and much too big and delicate to transport to the US. I sold it to a friend when I left. Here at my mother's house I use a nice laptop, though I do miss the big monitor I had with my desktop in China. I hope you like the vocabulary in this dialog and that you find it useful. LnR 098 (Casual Language) Are you serious? (Replay) A: Hey, thanks for coming over! B: Sure, no problem. A: Like I told you on the phone, I've got a problem with my desktop computer. B: What's wrong? A: I need a new video card. The old one is finally kaput. My laptop is fine, but I use my desktop for most of my schoolwork. B: OK. I'll check with a repairman on campus. [He speaks to a repairman in Chinese on the phone] Bad news. He said he couldn't replace it. A: Are you serious? What's he talking about? He can't replace it? B: Oh, wait, he just told me he figured out a way to fix it. I'll take your CPU to the repairman now. A: Thanks. You're a lifesaver.

LnR 098 (Casual Language) Are you serious? (Replay)

P. B. Shelley

This is a podcast episode from about two years ago. I'm still in the US at my mother's house, recovering from surgery. I'll be OK eventually, buy my wounds are healing slower than usual. I'm resting a lot, and enjoying being with my mother and her three cats. I really miss my students n China, but I can't return there until I am completely healed, and that will take some more time. LnR 073 Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley (Replay)  http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/poetrycompetition/article3228951.ece For a change, I'm giving you a very short podcast episode. It's just one poem by a famous British poet. Sometimes I wonder if you think my podcasts are too long. Maybe I talk too much. :-) This one has the text of the poem and very little talking. Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley   I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. And on the pedestal these words appear -- ‘My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’ Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

This is a podcast episode from about two years ago. I'm still in the US at my mother's house, recovering from surgery. I'll be OK eventually, buy my wounds are healing slower than usual. I'm resting a lot, and enjoying being with my mother and her three cats. I really miss my students n China, but I can't return there until I am completely healed, and that will take some more time. LnR 073 Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley (Replay) <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/poetrycompetition/article3228951.ece" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/poetrycompetition/article3228951.ece</a> For a change, I'm giving you a very short podcast episode. It's just one poem by a famous British poet. Sometimes I wonder if you think my podcasts are too long. Maybe I talk too much. :-) This one has the text of the poem and very little talking. Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. And on the pedestal these words appear -- ‘My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’ Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

LnR 073 Ozymandias by P. B. Shelley (Replay)

Happy 2019 Everyone! I'm still living in the U.S. with my mother . . . and now my brother is living with us while he's between jobs. He quit a terrible job teaching English at a high school in a very small town. His students weren't respectful and the school administration weren't helpful when he asked for help in disciplining his trouble-making students. I'm so fortunate that I spent the last 19 years teaching in China, with wonderful students. I"m still teaching, but only online now. I do mock IELTS exams on the two Chinese apps PalFish and Kouyuxia, And anyone in the world can find me on Cambly. I do Free Talk and IELTS preparation on Cambly. I use the same name on all three teaching platforms: Miss Buswell. Call me! I would be so excited to talk to one of my podcast listeners! By the way, people from 109 different countries listen to this podcast! The top ten countries in terms of downloads of my podcast episodes are: China, U.S., Japan, Brazil, Germany, Iran, Canada, Russia, Korea, and Spain. And then 99 more! LnR 112 (Casual Language) As You Know (Replay from 2 1/2 years ago) Two friends are talking A:  Hey, good to see you again! B: Yeah. Me, too. What have you been doing lately. A: Well, as you know, I went on vacation to Disney World in Florida. B: I didn’t know that. How would I know that? I haven’t seen you for two months! A: I posted pictures on Facebook. Didn’t you see them? B: I haven’t been on Facebook for a long time.  I had to give it up because I was spending too much time on it. Now I spend that time reading for pleasure and watching classic movies. A: That sounds good, but I couldn’t do it. I like seeing what my friends are doing and looking at their pictures. B: Well, I call my closest friends every week. A: Hey, you don’t call me! B: Oh, look what time it is. I’m going to be late! See you later.

Happy 2019 Everyone! I'm still living in the U.S. with my mother . . . and now my brother is living with us while he's between jobs. He quit a terrible job teaching English at a high school in a very small town. His students weren't respectful and the school administration weren't helpful when he asked for help in disciplining his trouble-making students. I'm so fortunate that I spent the last 19 years teaching in China, with wonderful students. I"m still teaching, but only online now. I do mock IELTS exams on the two Chinese apps PalFish and Kouyuxia, And anyone in the world can find me on Cambly. I do Free Talk and IELTS preparation on Cambly. I use the same name on all three teaching platforms: Miss Buswell. Call me! I would be so excited to talk to one of my podcast listeners! By the way, people from 109 different countries listen to this podcast! The top ten countries in terms of downloads of my podcast episodes are: China, U.S., Japan, Brazil, Germany, Iran, Canada, Russia, Korea, and Spain. And then 99 more! LnR 112 (Casual Language) As You Know (Replay from 2 1/2 years ago) Two friends are talking A:  Hey, good to see you again! B: Yeah. Me, too. What have you been doing lately. A: Well, as you know, I went on vacation to Disney World in Florida. B: I didn’t know that. How would I know that? I haven’t seen you for two months! A: I posted pictures on Facebook. Didn’t you see them? B: I haven’t been on Facebook for a long time.  I had to give it up because I was spending too much time on it. Now I spend that time reading for pleasure and watching classic movies. A: That sounds good, but I couldn’t do it. I like seeing what my friends are doing and looking at their pictures. B: Well, I call my closest friends every week. A: Hey, you don’t call me! B: Oh, look what time it is. I’m going to be late! See you later.

LnR 112 (Casual Language) As You Know (Replay)

LnR 085 Gift of the Magi 5  "You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor.  "Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you like me just as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain't I?"  Jim looked about the room curiously.  "You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of idiocy.  "You needn't look for it," said Della. "It's sold, I tell you--sold and gone, too. It's Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered," she went on with sudden serious sweetness, "but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?"  Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. Eight dollars a week or a million a year--what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on.  Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table.  "Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, "about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first."  White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat.

LnR 085 Gift of the Magi 5 "You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor. "Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you like me just as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain't I?" Jim looked about the room curiously. "You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of idiocy. "You needn't look for it," said Della. "It's sold, I tell you--sold and gone, too. It's Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered," she went on with sudden serious sweetness, "but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?" Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. Eight dollars a week or a million a year--what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on. Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table. "Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, "about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first." White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat.

LnR 085 Gift of the Magi 5  (Replay)

Here's another episode from 2 1/2 years ago. LnR 110 (Casual Language) What did I do? (Replay) Ten questions starting with the word "what".  What did I do? What did he do? What did she want? What did they say? What are you doing? (Whatcha doin'?) What are you talking about? (Whatcha talkin' about?) What are you looking at? (Whatcha lookin' at?) What happened? What's happening? (as a greeting and as a question) What's the matter? 

Here's another episode from 2 1/2 years ago. LnR 110 (Casual Language) What did I do? (Replay) Ten questions starting with the word "what". <ol> <li>What did I do?</li> <li>What did he do?</li> <li>What did she want?</li> <li>What did they say?</li> <li>What are you doing? (Whatcha doin'?)</li> <li>What are you talking about? (Whatcha talkin' about?)</li> <li>What are you looking at? (Whatcha lookin' at?)</li> <li>What happened?</li> <li>What's happening? (as a greeting and as a question)</li> <li>What's the matter?</li> </ol>

LnR 110 (Casual Language) What did I do? (Replay)

LnR 081 The Gift of the Magi 3 Where she stopped the sign read: "Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds." One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the "Sofronie."  "Will you buy my hair?" asked Della.  "I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it."  Down rippled the brown cascade.  "Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand.  "Give it to me quick," said Della.  Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present.  She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation--as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. It was like him. Quietness and value--the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.  When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task, dear friends--a mammoth task.  Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long, carefully, and critically.  "If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself, "before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?"

LnR 081 The Gift of the Magi 3 Where she stopped the sign read: "Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds." One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the "Sofronie." "Will you buy my hair?" asked Della. "I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it." Down rippled the brown cascade. "Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand. "Give it to me quick," said Della. Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present. She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation--as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. It was like him. Quietness and value--the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain. When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task, dear friends--a mammoth task. Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long, carefully, and critically. "If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself, "before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?"

LnR 081 Gift of the Magi 3 (Replay)

LnR 079 The Gift of the Magi 2 http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1014/ Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling--something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.  There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room. Perhaps you have seen a pierglass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had mastered the art.  Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.  Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy.  So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.  On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.

LnR 079 The Gift of the Magi 2 <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1014/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1014/</a> Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling--something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim. There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room. Perhaps you have seen a pierglass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had mastered the art. Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy. So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet. On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.

LnR 079 Gift of the Magi 2 (Replay)

LnR 083 Gift of the Magi 4   At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops.  Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat on the corner of the table near the door that he always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She had a habit for saying little silent prayer about the simplest everyday things, and now she whispered: "Please God, make him think I am still pretty."  The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two--and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves.  Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face.  Della wriggled off the table and went for him.  "Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It'll grow out again--you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say `Merry Christmas!' Jim, and let's be happy. You don't know what a nice-- what a beautiful, nice gift I've got for you."

LnR 083 Gift of the Magi 4 At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops. Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat on the corner of the table near the door that he always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She had a habit for saying little silent prayer about the simplest everyday things, and now she whispered: "Please God, make him think I am still pretty." The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two--and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves. Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face. Della wriggled off the table and went for him. "Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It'll grow out again--you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say `Merry Christmas!' Jim, and let's be happy. You don't know what a nice-- what a beautiful, nice gift I've got for you."

LnR 083 Gift of the Magi 4 (Replay)

LnR 074 Long Time No See (Replay) NOTE: This podcast episode is from October 2016! I say that I have just spent the summer in the US with my mother and her two cats (now she has three cats) and am now in China again. I am writing this in April 2019 and am not in China, but still in the US recovering from surgery. I am almost recovered, but it's probably too late for me to go back to China to teach this term, so I most likely will stay here with my mother and her three cats until August. ---- Lnr 074 Long Time, No See! I'm going to write the sentences the way that I pronounce them. Remember, never write the words this way for your teacher or in an email to your foreign customer, client or boss! For example, never write "gonna"; always write "going to". But when you speak, you can say "gonna". 1. I'm gonna go home now. 2. She's gotta go tuh the store. 3. They wanna see the movie tonight. 4. I like tuh watch football un basketball. 5. We need tuh have a meeting at 9:30. 6. Please buy some bread un milk. 7. My brothers un sisters are gonna go home for Thanksgiving. 8. Teenagers like tuh play games on their phones. 9. You've gotta pay attention in class! 10. He wants tuh go home, but his friends wanna stay.

LnR 074 Long Time No See (Replay) NOTE: This podcast episode is from October 2016! I say that I have just spent the summer in the US with my mother and her two cats (now she has three cats) and am now in China again. I am writing this in April 2019 and am not in China, but still in the US recovering from surgery. I am almost recovered, but it's probably too late for me to go back to China to teach this term, so I most likely will stay here with my mother and her three cats until August. ---- Lnr 074 Long Time, No See! I'm going to write the sentences the way that I pronounce them. Remember, never write the words this way for your teacher or in an email to your foreign customer, client or boss! For example, never write "gonna"; always write "going to". But when you speak, you can say "gonna". 1. I'm gonna go home now. 2. She's gotta go tuh the store. 3. They wanna see the movie tonight. 4. I like tuh watch football un basketball. 5. We need tuh have a meeting at 9:30. 6. Please buy some bread un milk. 7. My brothers un sisters are gonna go home for Thanksgiving. 8. Teenagers like tuh play games on their phones. 9. You've gotta pay attention in class! 10. He wants tuh go home, but his friends wanna stay.

LnR 074 Long Time No See (Replay)

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