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YOUR TUTOR: DENNIS HICKEY

I’m Dennis and I have been a tutor for 10 years. I tutor adults from other countries, in person here in the city. I enjoy one-on-one tutoring because of the personal touch I can provide once getting to know my student. I have been blogging for 5 years primarily to educate anyone who will take the time and effort to learn English.

I have broadened my blog to include more topics that I think will encourage people like you to read more articles in my blog. Tutoring is my passion. I can’t tutor unless people read my blog and get ready to learn.

So, are you ready to learn? I’m telling you that learning doesn’t have to hurt!

OK, sometimes, life hurts. So, stick with me and maybe I can smooth out some of those life wrinkles. Or maybe you learn something new. Who knows? Stay here, follow me down the path of knowledge. I promise, no hurts allowed!

Just so you know, I’m not all about grammar and pronunciation. No way. I enjoy reading about what happens in life, and I want to pass this information along to you, so you are wiser too!

Follow along with me on the road of life.

What does the Sagittarius sign mean?

Sagittarius is one of the most enthusiastic and friendly signs of the zodiac. They are wise and adventurous and are always searching for the truth. Saggitarius are also interested in learning about new cultures and embarking on thrilling journeys.

What is Sagittarius attracted to?

Sagittarius is attracted to adventure, deep and stimulating conversations, knowledge, and fun.

They relate to spiritual, open-minded, and fun-loving people like Pisces, Aquarius, and Gemini.

What type of person is a Sagittarius?

Sagittarius is someone who is not satisfied with the established and is hungry for new adventures. They love to celebrate life, go out with their many friends, travel, and discover the true meaning behind their experiences.

Source: myastrology.com

What are Important Considerations of Ornamental Plants

Ornamental plants are a group of plants that are deliberately planted for their aesthetic value. They can be in the form of herbs, vines, shrubs, or trees, and are used in gardens, home gardens, room decorations, ceremonies, components of make-up or clothing, and as components of flower garlands. Cut flowers can also be included as ornamental plants. 

Daily Writing Prompts for December

Here are 31 daily writing prompts for December, one for each day. The holidays are an introspective time of year when we reflect on fond memories, time-honored traditions, goals for the future, and personal growth. To celebrate and spark this season of reflection, I’m challenging myself to 31 days of daily writing centered around thoughtful holiday prompts.

December Writing Prompts

  • December 1st – Write about your favorite holiday tradition. Why is it so special to you?
  • December 2nd – If you had a personal chef who would make you anything you wanted, what would you ask them to cook tonight?
  • December 3rd – What is the most amazing thing you have ever seen someone do? Describe what happened.
  • December 4th – Where is the most interesting place you have traveled to? What sights, sounds, smells do you remember most vividly?
  • December 5th – When you were younger, what did you think your life would be like now? How is your real life similar or different?
  • December 6th – If you were in charge of planning school lunches, what would you serve that would be healthy but that kids would actually want to eat?
  • December 7th – If you could be any fictional character from a TV show, book or movie, who would you choose and why?
  • December 8th – What is your favorite way to spend a snow day? Describe the perfect snow day.
  • December 9th – What is the best advice you have ever been given? How has it impacted your life?
  • December 10th – What traditions does your family have surrounding the holidays in December? Where did those traditions come from?
  • December 11th – What is the best gift you have ever given someone? What made it so meaningful?
  • December 12th – What is your favorite winter memory? Why do you cherish that memory so much?
  • December 13th – When you were a baby or toddler, what food did you hate to eat that you love eating now?
  • December 14th – If you woke up tomorrow with a special talent like flying, reading minds or super strength, what would you do?
  • December 15th – What would your perfect weekend look like? Describe your perfect weekend day by day.
  • December 16th – Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life? How have they inspired you?
  • December 17th – If you could talk to any animal, which would you choose and what would you talk about?
  • December 18th – What is the kindest act you have done or seen someone else do? How did it make you or them feel?
  • December 19th – What is your favorite winter activity? What do you enjoy so much about it?
  • December 20th – When you were younger, who was your role model or hero? How have they influenced you?
  • December 21st – If you could give everyone in the world one gift that costs no money, what gift would you choose and why?
  • December 22nd – What is your favorite holiday movie? Why do you watch it over and over?
  • December 23rd – What was the most memorable gift you ever received? What made it so special?
  • December 24th – If you could stay one age forever, what age would you choose and why?
  • December 25th – What does your perfect holiday meal look like? Describe the food, decorations and people.
  • December 26th – What is one small thing that always brightens your day when it happens unexpectedly?
  • December 27th – If you could meet anyone living or dead for dinner, who would you invite and why? What would you talk about?
  • December 28th – What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? What made it so great?
  • December 29th – What is one goal you have set for yourself for the new year? Why is that important to you?
  • December 30th – What was your proudest accomplishment over the past year? Why were you proud of this?
  • December 31st – What is one thing you learned about yourself this past year? How will that change how you live in the new year?

Article by Richard Edwards, a writer and an educator and the owner editor of Every Writer.

What’s New on Prime December 2023

Everything coming to Prime Video in December

Dec. 1
50 First Dates (2004)
Baywatch (2017)
Candy Cane Lane (2023)
Click (2006)
Cry Macho (2021)
Death Rides A Horse (1969)
Death Warrant (1990)
Forces Of Nature (1999)
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
I Wish (2011)
In The Heat Of The Night (1967)
Kiss The Girls (1997)
Little Man Tate (1991)
Made Of Honor (2008)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Murphy’s Law (1986)
Picture This (2008)
Stardust (2007)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Support the Girls (2018)
Tales From the Darkside: The Movie (1990)
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The Dead Zone (1983)
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
The Machinist (2004)
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
The Proposal (2009)
The Ring (2002)
The Turkey Bowl (2019)
The Wonderful Country (1959)
7th Heaven S1-S11 (1997) 
My Three Sons S1-S12 (1960)

Dec. 5
Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
The Melodic Blue: Baby Keem (2023)

Dec. 7
Coach Prime S2 (2023) 

Dec. 8
Dating Santa (2023)
Dealing with Christmas (2023)
Merry Little Batman (2023)
World’s First Christmas (2023)
Your Christmas Or Mine 2 (2023)

Dec. 12
Asteroid City (2023)
Blue’s Big City Adventure (2022)

Dec. 15
Reacher S2 (2023)

Dec. 19
Every Body (2023)

Dec. 21
Gigolò per caso (2023)

Dec. 25
The Flash (2023)

Dec. 26
Sound of Freedom (2023)

Dec. 27
Terminator: Genisys (2015)

Dec. 30
Baby Shark’s Big Show S1 (2021) 
Blue’s Clues S1 (1996) 
Blue’s Clues & You S1-S2 (2020) 
Hit The Floor S1-S4 (2013) 
Moesha S1-S6 (1997) 
Sister Sister S1-S6 (1994) 
Team Umizoomi S1 (2010) 
The Affair S1-S5 (2014) 
Tyler Perry’s Ruthless S1-S2 (2021)

Source: tvguide.com

Amtrak Special: Book a Roomette and Companion Travels Free

For a Limited Time: Book a Roomette, Bring a Companion for Free

Book by December 8, 2023 for travel January 3 – March 27, 2024—with no blackout dates—by using the Fare Finder or by entering code C103 on the Amtrak app. 

Sample fare for 2 travelers:

Roomette New York to Chicago  $577 each-way

Roomette Salt Lake City to Emeryville, CA $ 401 each-way

Roomettes feature two comfortable seats that transform into upper and lower beds by night and include a big picture window, newly upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens. A dedicated First Class attendant provides turndown service, assists with meals, and helps with luggage. All customers in private rooms receive complimentary lounge access at major stations, priority boarding, and complimentary meals onboard. (Yes, all meals are included in the ticket price).

Hurry, time is almost up!

New York City Vacation Planner

Best Time to Visit NYC

The best time to visit NYC all depends on why you’re planning on visiting the Big Apple. Whether visiting in the summer, winter, spring or autumn, there is always something to do. From its history and its architectural and technological innovation to its world-renowned arts and culture, New York City is a city most people have marked on their bucket list as a place to visit at least once during their lifetime.

Below you will find an attraction guide to Manhattan. The source listed has a free insider guide to send for. It’s a huge city with much to see and do. You might want to check out this resource and have a fun-filled trip.

Source: New York City Vacation | Plan a NYC Trip in 10 Easy Steps (nycinsiderguide.com)

Human perception: Our brain sees not what we see, but what we expect

In recent research conducted at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, scientists have made a significant discovery about how our brains process social interactions, such as observing someone else’s actions. 

This study suggests that our perception is heavily influenced by our expectations, rather than solely by the visual information we receive.

Traditionally, it was believed that when we watch someone perform an action, our brain processes the information in a sequential manner.  However, the new study challenges this notion about human perception. 

The findings were groundbreaking. When actions were shown in a predictable sequence, the brain increasingly relied on its motor system to predict what would happen next. Essentially, what we expect to happen next shapes what our brain perceives. 

“What we would do next, becomes what our brain sees,” explained senior author Christian Keysers. This contrasts sharply with the classical model of information flow from visual to motor areas.

Seeing what we expect to see

This shift towards a predictive brain model indicates that our brains are not just passive receivers of sensory input. Instead, they actively generate predictions about what will happen next, and these expectations can suppress the actual sensory input. 

This phenomenon allows us to perceive the world as we expect it to be, unless our expectations are violated, prompting us to become aware of the actual sensory input.

Study implications 

The study’s findings contribute to a broader understanding within neuroscience about how our brains function. It suggests that we perceive and interact with the world based more on our internal expectations and predictions than on the external stimuli we encounter. 

This paradigm shift in understanding brain function and human perception opens up new avenues for exploring how we engage with the world around us.

The study is published in the journal Cell Reports.

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