coffeetalk

Our Facebook page

2011-09-12T05:34:00.000-07:00

Find Coffee Talk on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/CoffeeTalkSeattle

Memorial Day.

2010-05-31T23:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

How was your Memorial day weekend?
I hope that you enjoyed as much as I did.

The last Friday, we talked about "Important Phrases for International Travelers"
We picked 5 phrases and translated in 7 different languages.

Have you noticed that we have only two more coffeetalk this quarter.
Time goes by so fast isn't it?
If there are some people you see at Coffeetalk but you have never talked before, make sure to talk with them. It is always fun to meet new people!

I hope I will see all of you this Friday!
Have a great week!

Happy Sunny mother's Day!

2010-05-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

How's everyone doing today?
I've just sent e-mail to my mom so now is the time to write on this blog.

Last friday we had a nice dinner and chocolate pudding pie (which I helped to make). Also we discussed about "quarrels."
Quarrels = a disagreement or argument.
I believe now everyone know what to do when you have quarrels with your mom :)

See you all next friday and have a great day!

Thank you all!

2010-04-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

Hello,
Thank you everyone who joined today's CoffeeTalk.

We hope everyone enjoyed Meatball Spaghetti and talking about "Disaster Preparedness"
Be prepared and save your own life! :)

If you know somebody in class who wants to practice English, or meet other people, Please bring them to CoffeeTalk next time.
We are happy to help you!

See you all Next Friday!

Coffee Talk Spring 2010

2010-04-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

It has been such a long time since our last post but we will be updating this blog regularly from now on.

We started this quarter's coffee talk on April 9th.

About 60 students joined us and enjoyed dinner and conversation with new friends.

Coffee Talk is on Every Friday 5:00pm-6:30pm

Bring your friend and enjoy Speaking English and dinner!

Announcements and reminders

2009-01-14T21:02:00.000-08:00

We'll start our regular Coffee Talk Fridays on January 23rd at 5 pm not 4.

Please come to the side door and ring the bell or bang loudly.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Gini at eslstay@hotmail.com,
See you then!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T17:40:00.000-08:00

Coffee Talk is back on January 23rd at 4!

Please come to the side door and ring the bell or bang loudly.

See you then!

Happy Holidays!

2008-11-30T09:55:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who made this quarter so wonderful!
We have holiday happenings at the church throughout December.
All volunteers and students are welcome to come celebrate with us.
Our first happening is the Holiday bazaar on Saturday, December 6th from 10 am-4pm.
A church bazaar is when people sell their crafts in a church to raise money for charity.
Artists will be selling their art.

We will have home made sweets for sale. We will have a rummage sale which is like thrift store shopping only cheaper.
You have the chance to win a cake! A cake walk is where you buy a ticket and play a game to win. It is a wonderful opportunity!

This year the money we raise from tables that the artists rent, the bake sale and rummage sale will be going to New Horizons Ministries to help street kids in Seattle.
http://www.nhmin.org/

Please check back to this site to see when we are having our Christmas Eve services.
We wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

We can't wait to hear about it when Coffee Talk returns on January 16th, 2009.

Thank you!

2008-09-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you for making our Fall Kick off Party so wonderful!

The first CoffeeTalk is Friday October 3 at 4pm.

See you there!

Matthew and Jill news

2008-09-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
Our daughter Grace was born September 19, 2008 at 2:01pm, 7 lbs, 9 ounces.
I am loving my new call as pastor of Elysburg Presbyterian Church, and this new season of our life.
We hope you have a wonderful year!
Matthew and Jill

Fall Quarter 2008

2008-09-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back!
CoffeeTalk begins with our Fall Kick Off Party on September 27th from 12 noon tp 2 pm.
Come for food, games, and kareoke!
Please press the gym buzzer or bang loudly on the side door to come in.

Coffee Talk Coversation Practice begins Friday, October 3, 2008 at 4 pm.
Tutoring this quarter is by appointment until further notice.

If you have any questions please let us know.

Thank you!
See You Soon!

Summer Quarter 2008

2008-06-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

We wish all of you returning to your home countries a wonderful summer!

For those of you staying in Seattle here is something to look forward to.

Instead of Conversation practice we are meeting for tutoring Tuesdays between 2-6pm.

Here is the summer schedule of Special Coffee Talk Events.
Please contact us if you have any questions.

SUMMER EVENTS
June 24th TUESDAY TUTORING 2-6 pm begins weekly every Tuesday during Summer quarter.

July 12 PICNIC AT GREENLAKE from 11-2

We're having a picnic for CoffeeTalk on Saturday, July 12th at Green Lake from 11 am to 2 pm. We'll have food and drinks and games. Feel free to bring friends along!
We'll meet on the north end of the park near the wading pool. The #48 bus stops near there at the intersection of N. Wallingford and E. Green Lake Dr. (The address is 7201 E Green Lake Drive.) . If you are driving go to Mapquest www.mapquest.com

If you aren't coming from downtown you can get the bus from your area to Greenlake using Metro's Journey planner http://transit.metrokc.gov/

August 9 MT. RAINIER TRIP

September 27 FALL WELCOME PARTY 12:00 - 1:30pm
Kareoke! Food! Fun! Meet New People! Bring your friends!

Announcements

2008-05-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

There is no Coffee Talk this Friday (May 9th).
Instead there is the exciting production of "Who Pilfered the Payroll" at 6:30 pm.
Coffee Talk will return next week at 4:15
Tutoring-
If you need tutoring this quarter please contact Jenn jenncavanaugh@hotmail.com
or Hillary at hillaryenglish@hotmail.com

Summer Quarter
We are changing Coffee Talk for Summer Quarter.
Instead of Coffee Talk on Friday we will have tutoring on Tuesday from 4;15-5:30. It is because of the shortened school week and extra homework for students.
We want to have outings on Saturdays for Coffee Talkers once a month or more.
We need your help planning where we should go and what we should do.
Please let us know what outings you would like to go on. Keep checking this site to see what we will be up to.
Thank you!

Spring quarter

2008-03-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

This quarter Coffee Talk begins at 4:15 and goes until 5:30.
Please bang loudly on the side door or press the gym buzzer.
Important:
If you need tutoring this quarter please contact Jenn jenncavanaugh@hotmail.com or Hillary at hillaryenglish@hotmail.com
We always need help with set up and clean up Friday if you have time.
Please let us know.
Thank you.

February 15th, 2008

2008-02-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

Coffee Talk is Friday from 4-5:30pm
Please bang loudly on the side door or press the gym buzzer.
Important:
If you need tutoring this quarter please contact Jenn jenncavanaugh@hotmail.com or Hillary at hillaryenglish@hotmail.com
We always need help with set up and clean up Friday if you have time.
Please let us know.
Thank you.

This week's topic:
Romance-
Is dating acceptable in your country?
If so, what age do people start dating?
Who asks for a date? The man or the woman?
How did your parents meet?
How did your grandparents meet?

February 8, 2008

2008-02-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

Lunar New Year celebrations February 10, 2008

2008-02-03T10:53:00.000-08:00

February 10, 2008
All students are invited to celebrations at
Brighton Presbyterian church
6721 51st Avenue South
Seattle, WA
www.vietchristian.com/fyi/brighton
starting at 10am

If you would like to go please contact Pastor Truong Ta at truonghuyta@yahoo.com
or Gini at eslstay@hotmail.com

If you need to know which bus to take use Metro's Journey planner
http://transit.metrokc.gov/
For driving directions go to Mapquest
http://www.mapquest.com/

We wish all the students celebrating this week a very Happy New Year!

January 25, 2008

2008-01-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

Important:
Tutoring is by appointment this quarter. Please let us know if you need help.
Coffee Talk is Friday from 4-5:30pm
Please bang loudly on the side door or press the gym buzzer.
This weeks topic:
Food!
How often do you eat out? (in your country & here in Seattle)Where do you usually go when you eat out? How much do you usually pay when you eat out? Who do you usually go with when you eat out?
What about tipping?
Do you like western food? Japanese? Thai? Italian? Can you name restaurants in this area that serve food from other countries? Do you ever eat at McDonalds? KFC? Other fast food restaurants? What is your favorite appetizer? Main Course? Dessert?Do you know what a Caesar salad is? Buffalo wings? Nachos? Chicken fried steak?
Did you enjoy eating out in other countries you have visited?
Which country had the best food? Which foods did you enjoy the most? Did you think the cost was high or low?
Do you know anyone who has owned a restaurant? Have you ever worked in a restaurant?
If so, what kind of restaurant? How long did you work there?
Did you enjoy your job?
(By the way, if Sandra is here, ask her about working in a restaurant!! She knows!!)
Do you like to cook?
Do you cook for yourself here in Seattle? Is this a problem? Why(not)?

January 18, 2008

2008-01-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

Coffee Talk is Friday from 4-5:30pm
Please bang loudly on the side door or press the gym buzzer.
This week's topic:
Time
Compare the pace of time in your country to the pace of time in Seattle/the USA:

1 Are you busier here or in your country?
2 Do you wait in line longer here or there? (bank, supermarket, etc.)
3 Do you talk on the phone more here or there?
4 Do you have more or less free time here in Seattle than in your country?
5 Who do you think has more free time, men or women? (in your country or the USA)
6 Do you watch more TV here in Seattle or in your country?
7 Do you spend more time shopping here or in your country?
8 A friend has invited you to a party at 7:30. What time do you arrive – a little early, right on time or a little/very late?

Important:
If you need tutoring this quarter please contact Jenn jenncavanaugh@hotmail.com
or Hillary at hillaryenglish@hotmail.com
We always need help with set up and clean up Friday if you have time.
Please let us know.
Thank you.

Welcome back!

2008-01-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

Coffee Talk begins again January 11th.4-5:30pm
Please bang loudly on the side door or press the gym buzzer.

Our topic for January 11th....New Years Resolutions
What are your resolutions for 2008?
Are they different from last year?
Do you make New Year's resolutions?
Why or why not?
Important:
If you need tutoring this quarter please contact Jenn jenncavanaugh@hotmail.com
or Hillary at hillaryenglish@hotmail.com

We always need help with set up and clean up Friday if you have time.
Please let us know.
Thank you.

For CoffeeTalk volunteers

2008-01-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

There are lots of ways to help Coffee Talk if you can't make it Friday.
* preparing side dishes, snacks, desserts, etc. to drop off earlier in the week
* coming later Friday or Saturday morning to help clean up or put away dishes
* helping with administrative tasks like maintaining contact lists, updating the website, etc.
* coordinating or participating in special events or field trips
* meeting with students at other times to help with homework or conversation practice
* hosting a barbeque, party or karaoke night (at your place or the church)
* donating foreign language bibles or other Christian materials in different languages.
* doing some of the grocery shopping
* inviting international students over for Thanksgiving or just any homemade meal
* working at the InterVarsity information table at SCCC to let students know about CoffeeTalk
If you have any questions or can help please contact us.

Happy 2008!

2008-01-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
Coffee Talk begins again January 11th.
4-5:30pm
Please bang loudly on the side door or press the gym buzzer.
Important:
If you need tutoring this quarter please contact Jenn jenncavanaugh@hotmail.com
or Hillary at hillaryenglish@hotmail.com
We always need help with set up and clean up if you have time.
Please let us know.
Thank you.

Our topic for January 11th....New Years Resolutions
What are your resolutions for 2008?
Do you make New Year's resolutions?
Why or why not?

Holiday Reminders

2007-12-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

Coffee Talk resumes January 11, 2008 at 4pm!

We will have special services to celebrate Christmas.
The Family Service is from 7-8pm
Our Christmas Eve candlelight service is 11pm- midnight.

Please visit www.capitolhillpres.org for more information.

Iconostasis (our alternative worship service) is January 4th at 8pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Christmas greetings from Matthew and Jill

2007-12-10T16:57:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Princeton, Coffee Talkers!
Jill and I continue to have a wonderful time here at the seminary. We recently had our neighbor over for dinner. She is the one in the picture with us. Her name is Oan. She cooked us some wonderful Thai food. We loved it! We are truly blessed to meet such wonderful people. We also had a lot of fun putting up our Christmas decorations in our apartment. We even had a little snow recently, but now it is all melted. We miss you and hope you are all feeling well!

Love,
Matthew and Jill

December 2007 Happenings

2007-12-02T14:32:00.001-08:00

Reminders:

Coffee Talk is over until January 11th!

However we have holiday happenings at church and everyone is welcome to attend!

All the girls from Coffee Talk are invited to come bake cookies at church on December 10th at 6: 30 pm. Soup, and cookie making ingredients will be provided.

We will have special services to celebrate Christmas.

The Family Service is from 7-8pm

Our Christmas Eve candlelight service is 11pm- midnight.

Please visit http://www.capitolhillpres.org/ for more information

We wish you all a blessed holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

November 30th, 2007

2007-11-25T17:43:00.000-08:00

Reminders:

Last of Coffee Talk of the Quarter

Come celebrate the end of final exams with us!
Friday, November 30th at 4pm
Our topic will be Holidays

Afterwards we are having Kareoke at Seattle's Best Karaoke

(1818 Minor Ave.)http://www.sbkaraoke.com/pages/location.html

Please bring $5 if you want to come for that.

We always need help with set up and clean up if you have time.
Please let us know.
Thank you.

November 16th, 2007

2007-11-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

Tonight's topic was puns and the telephone game

Examples:

A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

A will is a dead giveaway.

When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.

When she got married, she got a new name and a dress.

A very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Enjoy the time off!

Reminders:

No tutoring until Tuesday the 27th. 4:00-5:30

The last Coffee Talk of the quarter is November 30th.

Please come celebrate the end of final exams with us!

November 9, 2007

2007-11-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

This week's topic:

3 Days 3 Ways for Disaster Preparedness

What natural disasters happen where you live?
How does the government tell you to prepare for them? What do they do when one happens?
Have you ever been in a natural disaster? What happened?
What do you think is the scariest natural disaster?
Here is a survival kit our government recommends….

http://www.seattleredcross.org/show.aspx?mi=4171

What else would you put in a survival kit?

Reminders:

The last Coffee Talk of the Quarter is November 30th.

No tutoring November 13th or 19th.

We will have a special tutoring session Tuesday the 27th for finals.

Hillary is still recovering from neck surgery. She is happy to give homework advice or edit papers via e-mail.

Her address is hillaryenglish@hotmail.com

Our regular schedule is as follows:

Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 Homework Help (hot beverages and snacks)

Fridays 4:00-5:30 Conversation Lounge (and dinner).

We always need help with set up and clean up if you have time.

Please let us know.

Thank you.

Hello from Matthew and Jill!

2007-11-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Greetings Coffee Talkers!
We love it here in Princeton. The beautiful autumn weather, fascinating classes, and wonderful people have all enriched our experience. Jill is taking four courses, including Hebrew, Christianity in Africa, American Religion and Literature, and the Gospel of John. Matthew is sitting in on a theology course and a course in ethics and the problem of evil. We have found a great church and attend a Bible study on campus with three other couples. It is a joy to see Matthew's family regularly.
We just took a trip to Maine with Matthew's parents. We ate lobster and walked on the beach. What a terrific time it was! We miss you all very much!
peace to you all,

Matthew and Jill

November 2, 2007

2007-11-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

Today's topic:
Observational humor...

ONLY IN AMERICA…
Why do people order a double cheeseburger, large fries, and a diet soda?
Why do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters?
Why do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage?
Why do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight?
Why do we have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering?
EVER WONDER
why women can't put on mascara with their mouths closed?
why "abbreviated" is such a long word?
why the time of day with the slowest traffic is called rush hour?
why there isn’t mouse-flavored cat food?
why sheep don’t shrink when it rains?
why they are called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

What questions do you have about American culture?
What funny things do you think people do everywhere?

Reminders:
Important:There will be NO tutoring Tuesday October 30 or November 6th.
The last Coffee Talk of the Quarter is November 30th.

Our regular schedule is as follows:
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 Homework Help (hot beverages and snacks)
Fridays 4:00-5:30 Conversation Lounge (and dinner).

We always need help with set up and clean up if you have time.
Please let us know.
Thank you.

October 26, 2007

2007-10-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

Today's Topic:

Superstition

Here some common superstitions in America-

It is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match.
It's good luck to find a four-leaf clover.
It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.
Step on a crack, break your mother's back (Don't step on a crack on a sidewalk or walkway.).
If your nose itches you will soon be kissed by a fool.
It's bad luck if a black cat crosses your path
It's bad luck to walk under a ladder
To break a mirror means 7 years bad luck.

Questions:

What are some superstitions in your country?
What brings good luck?
What brings bad luck?
Are you superstitious? Why or Why not?

Reminders:
Important:
There will be NO tutoring Tuesday October 30 or November 6th.

Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 Homework Help (hot beverages and snacks)
Fridays 4:00-5:30 Conversation Lounge (and dinner).
We always need help with set up and clean up if you have time. Please let us know.
Thank you.

October 19, 2007

2007-10-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

This week's topic:

What do you spend the most money on?
What do you wish you could spend more money on?
What was your best "find" or favorite purchase?
Have you ever experienced buyer’s regret?
Is there anything you want to take home from Seattle as a souvenir?
What would you recommend that a tourist buy in your country?
What would you recommend they not buy in your country?
Is bargaining acceptable in your hometown? Do you like to do it? Are you good at it?

Reminders:
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 Homework Help (hot beverages and snacks)
Fridays 4:00-5:30 Conversation Lounge (and dinner).
We always need help with set up and clean up if you have time. Please let us know.
Thank you.

Thank you!

2007-10-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you Marc (Squatch -the Sonics mascot) and family for making our "Unusual Professions" game so fun and interesting!

October 12, 2007

2007-10-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

This week's topic is "Unusual Professions"
Questions:
What is the most unusual job you've ever heard of?
If you could have any job in the world what would it be?
What is the worst job you can think of?
What is the best job you can think of ?
When you come this week please press the button for the gym or bang loudly on the side door.
Thank you.

Reminders:
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 Homework Help (hot beverages and snacks)
Fridays 4:00-5:30 Conversation Lounge (and dinner)

We always need help with set up and clean up if you have time. Please let us know.
Thank you.

Need a church?

2007-10-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

You can find a church in your language by clicking on the Ethnic Harvest link at the bottom of the page. If you are interested in services at our church please click the link below "Our Church" at the bottom of the page.

Welcome back!

2007-09-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

The Coffee Talk community is getting back together after 5 weeks off for summer vacation. Some of you have gone on trips or back home. Some of you have stayed in Seattle.

When American students go back to school in the fall, they fully expect their teachers to assign them a 3-5 page composition, titled "What I Did On My Summer Vacation".
Please come prepared to tell about your last five weeks of vacation.
Examples: I went to about 3 movies a week....I attended my cousin's wedding......I moved to a new house/apt/host family.... I took a trip to New York....... I got sick and had to go to the emergency room... It was so good to be home in my country with my family and friends..... I met a new friend.... I was bored out of my mind...

We can't wait to hear all about it.

The fall schedule will be
Fridays 4:00-5:30 Conversation Lounge (and dinner), starting October 5.
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 Homework Help (hot beverages and snacks), starting October 9.

If any of you can help move tables before Coffee Talk or help clean up afterwards please let us know.
Thank you.

Reminders

2007-09-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

Next Friday, 9/21, Karaoke - 7-9 pm at Seattle's Best Karaoke (1818 Minor Ave.)
http://www.sbkaraoke.com/pages/location.html
Please bring $5 and a snack to share. (I've got the sodas covered)
We'd like to offer rides down the hill from the church at around 6:45, so do tell if you can drive or need a ride.

The fall schedule will be
Fridays 4:00-5:30 Conversation Lounge (and dinner), starting October 5.
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 Homework Help (hot beverages and snacks), starting October 9.

We'd also like to have some extracurricular activities, field trips, dinners, etc., and there are other ways to get involved as well, even if those times don't work well for you.

Karaoke!

2007-09-11T04:56:00.000-07:00

September 21
Karaoke at Seattle's Best Karaoke on Minor - 7-9 pm
http://www.sbkaraoke.com
Students please bring $5 and a snack to share. (snack optional).
See you there!

September plans

2007-09-04T08:08:00.001-07:00

Hello CoffeeTalkers!
Best greetings to all of you, those at home in their countries and those in Seattle!!!! We hope that summer is pleasant and interesting for you.
We’re having a barbecue on Saturday, September 8 from 3:00 to 6:00ish.
Since some will be coming on the bus and therefore "at the mercy" of the bus schedule, please plan on arriving anytime between 3 and 4. We'll start the barbecue at 4:00. Those who come early can snack and have cold drinks.
Since this is a potluck, we'll all provide something. Jenn and I will bring the barbecue meat and cold drinks. Everyone else please bring a side dish or a salad or a dessert. When you RSVP (respond if you're coming or not), email me, eslstay@hotmail.com, to tell me what food you have chosen.
~ Gini

Bon Voyage

2007-08-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

This week we said good bye to Matthew and Jill who are going on sabbatical until May 2008. They have promised us e-mail which we will post for everyone to read.

We also said good bye to those students who are going home or to other university opprotunities. We will miss you but wish you all the best!

Welcome to Coffee Talk Seattle!

2007-08-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Hello!
We are a ministry of InterVarsity and Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Seattle WA.
We meet weekly to help International students work on homework and English conversation.
Our new quarter starts October 5th with Friday Conversation practice from 4:15-6pm.
Tutoring begins the following Tuesday, October 9th. 4:15-6pm.
If you have some time on a Friday please come visit. All you need to do is speak English.
Topics will be listed on this site every week we are open.