Second Conditional and the 3-2-1

We all love hypotheses! We all love wishes! We all love (or hate) those dreadful “what if” questions because they force us to think.

This week, we’re going to focus on the second conditional.

If + subject 1 + were/past tense + subject 2 + would/should/could/might/must + verb

And let’s make this even more interesting by picturing three scenarios in which you will have to make a decision.

1. If a genie could grant you THREE wishes, what would you wish for? (remember the genie rule: you couldn’t ask the genie to kill anyone, nor to bring someone back from the dead, nor to make someone fall in love. And just for good measures, you couldn’t ask for more wishes!)
   
2. If you had to spend a month on a deserted island, name TWO things you would bring (there is already food and clean water).
   
   
3. If you were to die in 24 hours, what would be the ONE thing you’d do before you die? 

   

   Painting by Carla’s Funky Art

Disneyland and Google

By Christopher Chao

I was born in the US, but the majority of my life was spent in Taiwan. Because Taiwan and the US have a special relationship, like Japan and Korea, we have a US military base in Taiwan, and the US government supports Taiwan in defense against Chinese invasion. So I think most Taiwanese have good impression of the US.

When I was seven years old, I went to Disneyland with my family. That was my first impression of the United States. Big food, big cars, everything was big and friendly. When I grew up, I learned that Disneyland was not the real situation in the US.

Every country has a good side and a bad side. For me, US is better than Taiwan.

When I was living in Japan, I missed Taiwanese food. Food in Japan was very delicious but too expensive and came in tiny portions. Then I came to the US. The food is very good, bigger portioned, and cheaper. I think the usual meal size is three times bigger than that in Japan and Taiwan.

I am most thankful for my family, my friends, and Google.

I thank my family for raising me, I thank my friends for taking care of me when I left my family, and finally, I thank Google for giving me the key to learn about the world.

Thankful

By Laura Granados

Well, I’ve been in the USA since September 2014, and I will celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time.

I think Thanksgiving is a very important celebration and it’s a special occasion for reuniting family and friends and sharing memorable moments and eating very well. And this is the last holiday that I will celebrate in the US.

(Note: Laura is leaving us on December 9 to go back to her home in Ecuador.)

When I hear the word “homeland”, I remember many memories and people whom I respect.

The first person I remember is my mother because she cares for me and I talk with her a lot. Then I remember my group of friends I have in Ecuador. I have many good memories with them and I will miss the friends I met in the US.

I am most thankful for the trips I’ve made this year and the memories of those trips.

I am most thankful for my friends because they help me when I need it or have a problem and can’t find a solution.

I am most thankful for my aunt because she is patient in teaching me to improve my English and she loves me very much.

Pilgrim

By Jesus Vega

When I arrived in the US for the first time, I was impressed by the quality of life that this country offered to its citizens. However, I got scared too because I didn’t know anything about this country’s culture, or at least its language.

I left my country because I wanted to improve my life and my family’s. I didn’t find a way to do it in Mexico, so I decided to try somewhere else. That’s why I’m here.

I’ve been living in this country for three and a half years, so I’m still learning things that have so far changed my first impression of the US. Nevertheless, I’ve been finding ways to reach my goals.

Coming to America

By Tiger

When I first arrived in America, I was very scared, because I couldn’t speak English. I looked like a deaf person until I went to Rosemead Adult School. In order to better learn English, I chose the morning and afternoon classes, five days a week.

I learned English vocabulary and grammar every day. Little by little, I could communicate with other people.

The time I really missed my homeland was when I learned about many shootings in America. Although my homeland is small, it’s very safe. Guns are not allowed at home. It is illegal.

Coming to America was a big challenge for us, because we were not young. We needed to overcome many difficult situations, such as how to find a good doctor, buy a car, take public transportation, etc.

Through difficulties and challenges, I am still learning the lessons of life and I know that we can survive in America.

I am thankful for:

1. My Uncle Jun. He helped my husband find a job.
2. My teachers who teach me English reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
3. My husband who always brings to me to a trip with public transportation. Now I can recognize many cities in Southern California.

At Thanksgiving dinner, I want to say many thanks for them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

On Thanksgiving

By Frank Marfetan

I came to the US from Ecuador nine months ago, because my father offered me to come here.

He said, “Think about it,” and I chose to come here because I was a little bit curious.

I think the US is a great country with positive and negative aspects, so I’m really optimistic about achieving my goals.

Many people decided to come here for a better future, because of the quality of education, or safety level for their family, although in the US, they could be in danger or get in trouble with the Department of Homeland Security.

The reason people get homesick is because they are not totally accustomed to the culture. I guess the major reason people get homesick is because of the food and missing their way to celebrate some of their holidays.

I’m very thankful for:

1. spending time with my parents; I really love them.
2. being healthy.
3. this wonderful year.

A Thought on Thanksgiving

By Akira

I am thankful for my parents and my sister who have always been supportive since I was a child.

I am thankful for my own family: my lovely wife and two daughters, who have also been supportive and given me kind understanding of what I do.

I am thankful for people around me at work and at the Saturday English classes at the LA Central Library for supporting me, teaching me, and giving their time.

I am most thankful for myself, for being passionate, motivated, and hopeful for his own life.

Thanksgiving

Next Thursday, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. This special holiday already has its share of confusion and controversy, but there are two certain things about Thanksgiving: it’s about pilgrims and giving gratitude.

Okay, well, maybe the glorious food too.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving week, here’s our menu list for today:

1. When did you move to the USA and why? Also, do you remember the first day you came here? Were you hopeful? Scared? Are you still hopeful? Are you still scared?
2. For some people, USA is a land of dreams, that’s why some of us left our country and choose to be here, but we do get homesick from time to time. What do you miss most when you think of your homeland?
3. Despite difficulties and challenges, write three things that you are most thankful for, and why.

Personal Hero and Becoming One

By Jesus Vega

My hero is Nelson Mandela, because in spite of the racial intolerance he suffered, he fought to make a world with equal treatment for everybody.

I think, everyone can become a hero. I have read some cases of people with physical disabilities. Nevertheless, these problems don’t hinder them from becoming heroes. Overcoming a challenge that can stop us is the requirement to become a hero.

My Personal Hero

By Laura Granados

My personal hero is my mother, because she works hard to give me education, food, etc, and try to teach me every day.

My mother has two jobs and returns very tired in the night. I always greet her with some tea or some food for her.

She is an accounting teacher. She has great patience for students who sometimes have bad manners and won’t learn.

I love my mother so much and I admire her gentle nature.