Category Archives: Life in the United States

This time every year, thousands of young people graduate from colleges and universities. We usually celebrate this occasion by a ceremony (a traditional event) we call graduation or commencement. The word graduation emphasizes what they have finished; commencement emphasizes the … Continue reading →

As long as I can remember, children – and others – have played rock-paper-scissors, also called roshambo. Sometimes it’s played as a game, usually between two players. Other times it’s used as a way to choose, for example, who goes … Continue reading →

Today, I’m going to tell you about a town that did not exist (was not real), then came into being (became real), then disappeared (stopped existing) again. The story begins with a drafting (drawing plans and maps, usually for building) company … Continue reading →

The term “boomerang kids” refers to adult children who move back into their parents’ house after a period of living on their own. (This is a boomerang, which when you throw it, returns to you.) Traditionally, Americans expect to finish … Continue reading →

It’s a cool, clear Sunday, a perfect day for a bicycle ride and a personal challenge (test). I’ve been riding my bicycle from our home in La Habra to the town of Seal Beach, on the Pacific Ocean, for several … Continue reading →

One out of every eight Americans will eat pizza today, according to a nutritionist (someone who studies the science of food) from the federal (national) government agency that tracks (follows; analyzes) such things, the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Among teenage … Continue reading →

Some anniversaries are for celebrating – like wedding anniversaries. Some are for commemorating – for recalling (remembering) and to serve as a memorial (to remind people of an event or person). This week we commemorate an anniversary. One year ago … Continue reading →

We are in the middle of the spring break season. I say “season” (period of time), because in the U.S., there are no set (fixed; firm) dates for spring break, and each school, school district (collection of schools under the same … Continue reading →

I had never sat on top of an earthquake. Until last Friday. Last Friday evening was interrupted (to stop someone from doing what they were doing) by what sounded like the rumble (deep sound) of a large truck outside our … Continue reading →

Many people would like to be American citizens, legally becoming “members” of the United States. However, last year a record number (more than in any other year) of Americans renounced (gave up; ended) their American citizenship. About 3,000 people last … Continue reading →