Reading on the Sofa

A Good Boy

2023-03-21T11:15:00.002+08:00

In the 70s, my grandparents owned a small vineyard which had a stream flowing through it. It's sides were steep and narrow, so they only had a flat bridge with no sides on it which wide enough for a tractor or harvester to cross it.

They also had a Labrador, Horace, who was a beautiful short-haired russet brown. Because we are a sheep-farming country, farmers can shoot dogs that are worrying their sheep on sight. So, Horace was trained to leave sheep alone.

One day, when grandad arrived at the vineyard he found about ten young sheep in the smaller front half of the property. Being a small number and close to the road, he thought he could quickly round them up and pop them back in the fields next door. To stop them going into the larger back area, he put Horace in the centre of the bridge and said, 'Sit! Stay!' Hoping Horace would put them off going that way, he began to move the sheep.

All was going well. Grandad had got them out from under the vines and they were heading towards the gate when suddenly the leader broke free and headed towards the bridge and Horace. All the others followed. As they stampeded past, some of them jumped him, before streaming into the vines beyond. Poor Horace crouched down, shivering in abject misery as they flowed by.

Grandad swore, then walked up to Horace. 'Good boy,' he told him and ruffled him behind the ears.

Anger

2022-12-06T12:03:00.006+08:00

I felt so angry and misunderstood. However, I must admit I was rude and abrupt, but I didn't want to listen to a long explanation when I knew the answer and whatever they said wasn't going to change it.

Let me tell you what happened.

My friend showed me her passport. "I have the visa already!"

I looked at it, but it was a sticker on the outside with a barcode.

"No, that isn't the visa. That was for the passport office so they didn't lose your passport."

I showed her a real visa inside the passport.

"No," she said. "There was an email before about it..."

"No! It isn't the visa," I said. "I don't want to see the email. I know visas go inside."

"You didn't listen!"

"Sorry. But I know it isn't the visa." I walked away. My friend was very angry and slammed the door.

We didn't talk for a while, but I can hear her singing now. So, maybe we can talk about it later.

Rain

2022-11-17T14:00:00.001+08:00

The rain falls.

It stops.

It falls.

I walk in the rain to the cafe. I order a coffee. Then I sit and wait. My bags are on the chair next to me. My clothes and shoes are wet, but I'm happy.

My friend sits down in the chair opposite me. We talk and laugh. We have some cake. I want some more cake, but I say no.

It's time to go home. I pick up my bags and I hug my friend. We say goodbye.

I walk back through the rain.

It stops.

It falls.

I catch the train, then I am home.

#ESL #Shortstories #BeginnerESL #StarterESL

Restarting

2022-11-13T06:01:00.003+08:00

I started this blog over ten years ago. It was a great idea, but I am easily distracted and I eventually stopped posting. I'd peek into it now and then to make sure it was still going, and I even made a couple more, one on gardening and one on plus-size clothes. Both of which have stalled too. But three years ago, I learned something about myself. I have ADHD and knowing this has made a profound impact on my life.

As an older person, the way I found out at 49 was by learning that my younger daughter has ADHD. I must admit, we had been told this when she was about 11, but she didn't show 'typical' indications of ADHD, which is complete hyperactivity and running around like a mad thing as pop culture has us believing that is all it is, so I didn't believe it. Also, I didn't like the psychiatrist who barely interacted with her and only talked to us, her parents, so I lost trust in him. Anyway, like many things connected to humanity, ADHD is more complex than that simple idea and one of the reasons ADHD in girls is underdiagnosed, or has been, is that they can present differently. I'm not going to discuss that as there are lots more resources around that can explain it better and I'll put in links below, suffice to say, it's why I and my two daughters didn't get diagnosed or believed until we were adults.

Now that I have known for the last three years I have swung around in my emotions about it. I've felt relief to understand why I have behaved certain ways and seemed to undermine my own self at every turn. Then swung to anger about what seems to be a stupid brain fart and wondering what the point of ADHD is. I put the last thought out on Twitter and was gifted the answer in the form of a book recommendation called "ADHD, A Hunter in a Farmer's World" By Thom Hartmann. It helped me considerably and I felt slightly less angry.

However, it has been a matter of learning how to deal with having ADHD. I've been collecting tools through great online ADHD influencers. Learned how to manage tasks ADHD style and also how to forgive myself when I fail (still working on that one). One important tool is doing things in manageble chunks. Hence, today I'm writing this post. It's a little step towards my goals this year.

Cheers!

https://www.adhd.org.nz/

https://www.adhd.org.nz/self-screening-assessment-tool-for-adults-who-suspect-that-they-have-adhd.html

https://blackgirllostkeys.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/HowtoADHD

2019-04-16T17:04:00.002+08:00

Coming to Vietnam ten months ago was a new adventure. My daughters have grown and left home and I had no need to stay where I was. So, I found somewhere new. Somewhere I could experience different, exciting things. Saigon is an old city in an old country with a long history. I found a place to stay in one of the newer areas, Tan Binh, and I was delighted to find so many interesting homes and balcony gardens. Many people have expressed their creativity and love of gardening in their homes making walking around a bit dangerous as you keep wanting to look up and see everything. But I also enjoy going into the older parts of the city and seeing the temples and avenues of trees.

Coming here has been an adventure in food, people and bike-riding. Everyday is something new.

Where's the Applause?

2013-05-22T22:43:00.000+08:00

One day, my grandfather was in a small row boat on the river just in front of the house. He saw grandma on the balcony and waved to her. She waved back and carried on watering the plants. Grandad wanted to move to the front of the boat and stood up to move forward. However, he wasn't as careful as he usually was and he fell into the water! When he came back up, he put both arms up, looked at the balcony and went 'Ta da!' But no one was there!
He was so disappointed. He said later, 'If you're going to make a fool of yourself, it's more fun if there's someone to watch!"

Summer Tokens

2011-07-12T22:43:00.001+08:00

Green Lush leaves,

rising overhead.

Summer Tokens.

A wave of warm air,

pulled into my lungs.

Summer Tokens.

Blue Bright Sky,

rising overhead.

Summer Tokens.

The birds all are singing,

music to my ears.

Summer Tokens.

On the beach waves are crashing,

glittering aqua, perfect colour.

Summer tokens.

All my friends gathered round,

their voices harmony to my ear.

Summer Tokens.

The sun shining bright,

pressing warmth to my skin.

Summer Tokens.

...
Frances Dougherty

Mr Hatter Limerick

2011-07-12T22:38:00.000+08:00

There once was a man
          named Hatter
Who made all his eggs
          go splatter
It was the only thing he ate
Except maybe cake
Though at least they were served
           on a platter.

My first lollipop

2011-07-12T22:33:00.000+08:00

It was blue, yellow and green. My sister got a toffee. When she saw my Lollipop she said we were being mean. But she hadn't wanted one. She said it was because she hadn't seen them.
'Too late,' Dad said loud and clear. 'We've already paid, so next time.'
She sulked, but I was happy. It was delicious.

Near Miss

2011-03-25T09:00:00.000+08:00

He looks up as she laughs. He's at the back of the class reading. She's a few seats in front, leaning over the aisle, talking to her friend. She's a pretty girl. Clear dark skin, long hair tied up in a pony tail. He turns back to his book, trying to concentrate, glancing up now and then to look at her.
As the bell rings, the class stampedes out through the door. He flows out with the rest, still reading, still glancing up to see where she was.
Suddenly, he looks up. He can't see her anywhere. Running, he races through the corridors and out the front door.
The bus swerves to miss a skate-boarder. She turns. He leaps. She falls safely onto the kerbside. Her friends descend on her, exclaiming over the near miss.
He picks himself up and dusts himself off. A job well-done he congratulates himself. No one notices he leaves.
'Oi! What do you think you were doing, reading on the job!'
Startled, he turns to see his boss walking over.
'You were meant to be watching over her. She was almost killed.'
'I got her, didn't I?' And turns to leave. His boss reaches out and grabs his jacket, half pulling it down in the process. Two wings start to emerge. He jerks his jacket out of his boss's hand and shrugs it back on. He turns and goes on to his next assignment.

The Strange Man

2011-03-23T22:43:00.000+08:00

Ahmed and Ali are sitting in the cafe talking about their English lessons. They are trying to practice describing people. Ahmed points to a man who is going into the bank. Ali looks at him and starts to describe him.
'He's tall and well-built. He's got long blond hair at the back, but he's bald on top. He's got a big nose and blue eyes. He's wearing a blue jacket and jeans. Under the jacket he is wearing a black t-shirt. He's carrying a bag in his right hand. He's carrying a hat in his left hand, I think.'
'I don't think that's a hat,' says Ahmed.
'What is it, then?' asks Ali.
'I think it's a pair of tights!'
'Tights!? Why is he carrying tights?'
Ahmed looks at Ali. 'Maybe he is robbing the bank!'
Two minutes later, the man comes running out of the bank and runs around the corner. The police cars come very quickly. The police see Ahmed and Ali sitting at the cafe.
'Did you see anything?' The police ask.
'Yes', says Ali. 'We saw everything.'
Ali is very happy to help the police. He is very happy he was practicing with his friend.

Describing someone special

2011-03-23T22:28:00.000+08:00

I have just one brother and he's the funniest person in my family. He's about 179cm tall. He's got long, dark hair and his eyes are blue. He's 29. He'll be thirty on his next birthday. He got married two years ago.

Describing someone special

2011-03-23T22:22:00.000+08:00

My father is a very funny man. He's always telling jokes and making us laugh. He always seems to be happy. Not only is he outgoing, he's also easy-going and kind. We can always go and talk to him about our problems. He's got a lovely smile and I cheer up when I see him.
He's medium-height, about 176cm, and is in his early fifties. He hasn't got any hair. In fact, he's completely bald, just like his father before him. His eyes are big and dark brown. I miss him very much. I can't wait to go back home to see him.

Describing someone special

2011-03-23T21:31:00.000+08:00

Zhiwa is my daughter. She's a very beautiful little woman in her early teens. She's usually active and busy all day. She's clever and studies very hard too. She's about 150cm tall and slim. Her eyes are black, just like her father's. She's got beautiful dark curly hair.
When I come home she always gives me a hug and helps me with dinner. She's a very thoughtful young girl.

Describing someone special

2011-03-23T21:27:00.000+08:00

Reza is my brother. He is the oldest child in my family. He isn't married yet, but he is engaged. He's a bit short, about 170cm tall, but he's athletic and strong and usually looks happy. He's got short, dark hair and big black eyes, just like mine.
He will be 27 next birthday. He's great fun and handsome. Some people say that I am like him. I hope so.

Describing someone special

2011-03-23T21:21:00.000+08:00

Maison is my husband and he lives with his family. He is a kind man. He is definitely very organised, sociable and responsible. He is tall and slim. He has dark grey hair, tanned skin and green eyes, with a manly appearance. He is fifty-two years old. He is a wonderful man and I love him very much.

Describing someone special

2011-03-23T21:18:00.000+08:00

Ahmed is my uncle and he lives in the U.S.A with his family. He's a very kind, gentle man with a beautiful kind smile. He's got very short light brown hair and his eyes are green like my grandmother's. He's about 180cm tall. He's in his forties. He'll be forty-one next birthday.

Describing someone special

2011-03-23T21:15:00.000+08:00

My cousin's name is Omar. He's a tall man. He's got black skin and big eyes. He's got long black hair and a big nose. He's a kind man and is very good to me. If I ever need help, he listens and gives me good advice.

I love reading

2011-03-20T07:00:00.000+08:00

I really love reading. I started reading when I was a small child. I loved Christmas and my birthday as I always got new books. I like fantasy and comedy books the best. I also like books about different cultures and people. My favourite author is Terry Pratchett. His books are very funny and clever. Another author I like is Amy Tan. She writes books about Chinese-Americans. They are very interesting and sad. I always learn something when I read her books. I like books that can teach me something good about life. Because I love books, my favourite place is the sofa, where I can sit comfortably and read.

Reading is my passion

2011-03-20T06:44:00.000+08:00

Reading has been my passion since I was very young. There's almost nothing I'd rather do than curl up on the sofa and read a book.

I have only vague memories of when I started learning to read. I was about three or four. I was definitely reading by the time I started school. One of my earliest memories was when I was five. I was supposed to come home from school on the bus. My mother was waiting for me. The bus arrived, but I didn't! So, she drove down to the school where she and the teachers spent a frantic half-an-hour searching for me. I was finally found in the library. Someone had glanced in earlier, but hadn't seen me as I was sitting comfortably behind a shelf in a large pile of cushions. I had come into the library straight after school and, realising I had the whole place to myself, snuggled down and had begun to read in the blissful quiet. I wasn't disturbed until a teacher came behind the shelf and said, "Nicola! Where have you been?!" I was very confused by this as I'd been in the cushions all that time.

My second strongest memory was when I was six and my family moved to a new city to live. On my first day of school, my new teacher began to test me on my reading level. She discarded book after book until finally she found one that was a little difficult for me and I was sent away to read it. I was very proud and happy. Proud that my level was high and happy because I had something new to read and I was allowed to read it with no interruptions.

Since I read so much and so quickly, I had a reading level twice my age. By the time I left primary school I'd read through the school library and by eleven I'd read most books in the children's section of the public library too. I frequently re-read my favourite books, so I always had something to read, but I was beginning to look for something new and fresh to read. I found new books in the adult department. Because I could read difficult books, I (and some adults around me) often made the mistake that I was ready for adult books. I started reading books by Catherine Cookson who wrote a lot of books about down-trodden women and their attempts to improve their lives. As a child, they were very bad for me and I regretted reading them later in life. In fact, because of that, I am very controlling about what my daughters read.

Both my daughters love reading too. Neither of them started to read as young as I did as they preferred me to read to them, but books and storytelling are a big part of their lives.

I continue to enjoy reading. I prefer books that are uplifting and positive. I have old favourites which I read over and over again. I've learned not to read new or controversial books at night as I won't sleep. So I usually read a couple of books at a time. One old one at bedtime and a new exciting one during the day.

This one below is one of my favourite books of all time.

2011-03-18T22:06:00.001+08:00

Hi, My name is Nicola. I come from New Zealand. I came to Malaysia seven years ago. I started teaching English more than fifteen years ago. I've got two daughters. One goes to primary school and the other just finished high school. My husband also teaches. He teaches business studies at university.
We all have a lot of hobbies. We all like reading and music. We also like watching movies, TV. and going traveling.

Welcome

2011-03-18T17:44:00.000+08:00

On this, my first entry for this blog, I'd like to say welcome and enjoy. Over the coming months I will try to add to my blog so that resources for reading will build up and give you something to practice on. If you click on the different pages, you will find readings for various levels. Sometimes the topics are the same, but easier or more complex according to the level.
You are welcome to make comments below and practice a little writing too. However, I can't promise to make any corrections.

Nor will I answer any questions on grammar. There are many sites that have that facility and, in fact, I will have links to many good quality sites that not only have grammar sections, but also listening and more reading practice.