A heron pulls its neck in on a cold day in Kyoto, Japan.

On trigger warnings

Why are some people so vehemently against trigger warnings? I don't get it.

Jul 24, 2015 Chronic illness, PTSD

A bay in Western Australia - Cape Clairault - fine white sand, impossibly blue water and vibrant green grasses on the dunes

50 travel conversation prompts

The most requested topics in a conversation class with my older students is travel. Making the second or third lesson in a course about travel helps the students feel more comfortable with each other and improves speaking confidence.

Jul 23, 2015 ESL teaching, Conversation prompts

An owl rests inside a hollow tree trunk at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia.

Dealing with language learning burnout

Are you frustrated and bored and want to give up on your language learning journey? If you said yes, you may be burned out.

Jul 14, 2015 Learning, Languages

A carved stone jizo statue in Japan looking very happy with itself

Improve speaking confidence in a conversation classes

When choosing conversation topics, it’s most important that you pick topics the students like and want to talk about.

Jul 2, 2015 ESL teaching

The relax and meditation programs on the watch are good for eyes-closed, focused on breathing, medittion sessions.

Meditation and chronic pain

Can meditation really reduce chronic pain? The answer is - maybe.

Jun 22, 2015 Chronic illness

Two Maine Coon cats - a ginger and white and a ginger and black tabby - lie togehter in a small cushion on the floor

Choosing conversation topics

When choosing conversation topics, it’s most important that you pick topics the students like and want to talk about.

Jun 22, 2015 ESL teaching

A collection of metal spoons spilled onto a wooden bench.

Old battery theory of chronic illness

An upgrade to the spoon theory for better illustrating perhaps, how chronic pain depletes energy even without spending spoons to complete tasks.

Jun 12, 2015 Chronic illness

A tabby cat lies stretched on a windowsill cushion above a heater in winter, looking out towards a messy garden

Why Still Pain?

Why did I call my chronic pain website stillpain.com? Because "still" also has a positive and gentle meaning.

Jun 12, 2015 Chronic illness

Johnny, a ginger Maine Coon cat is lying on a sofa in a long line with his legs tucked under and his chin way out front, staring at the camera

Will endometriosis always re-grow?

Endometriosis never goes away—and if it is ignored, it will typically continue to grow. While laparoscopies can remove a significant amount of endometriosis, the lesions can and do regrow surprisingly quickly.

May 20, 2015 Chronic illness, Endometriosis

An otter looks with curiosity toward the camera as it comes out of the water

Starting a new conversation class

If you are anything like me, as both a teacher and a student, starting a new conversation class is terribly scary.

May 11, 2015 ESL teaching

1
...
7
8
9
...
14
8 / 14