September 26th by the lunar calendar is my mom’s 70th birthday. This year, it falls on November 9th in the solar calendar. My 70-year-old mom starts her day by listening to EBS radio at 6 a.m. She has been doing this for over three years now.
With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic limiting outdoor activities, she seemed to fall into a funk. I wondered what I could do to help. Then I remember her saying that she was good in English back in school. So, I started buying her EB English program books every month. Since then, she has been keeping herself busy by studying English every day without fail.
With her newfound confidence in English, my mom is planning a trip overseas with her two close friends. She will be traveling independently, rather than a package tour. She is showing by example that there is no end to learning.
be in a funk - to be very unhappy and without hope
newfound - a newfound quality or ability has started recently
음력 9월 26일은 엄마의 칠순 생신이다. 올해는 양력으로 11월 9일이다. 70세인 엄마는 아침 6시에 EBS 라디오를 들으며 하루를 시작하시는데, 3년이 넘도록 그렇게 하고 계신다.
코로나19 팬데믹이 시작되면서 야외 활동이 제한되자 엄마는 우울증이 온 듯했다. 나는 무엇을 해드릴지 고민했다. 그러다 엄마가 학창 시절에 영어를 잘했다고 말씀하신 것이 기억났다. 그래서 매달 EBS 영어 프로그램 책을 사 드렸다. 그 이후로 엄마는 하루도 빠짐없이 영어 공부를 하며 부지런하게 지내신다.
영어에 대한 자신감이 생긴 엄마는 친한 친구 두 분과 함께 해외여행을 계획하고 있다. 패키지여행이 아닌 자유여행으로 떠날 예정이다. 배움에는 끝이 없다는 것을 엄마가 몸소 보여주고 계신다.
- I usually start my day by making some coffee. / My dad starts his day by reading the newspaper.
- I fell into a funk after breaking up with my girlfriend. / I try to avoid him whenever he falls into a funk.
- It’s important to practice every day without fail. / I try to exercise every day without fail.
A: How old is your mother?
B: She turned 70 this year.
A: She’s around the same age as my mother.
B: Oh, really? Is she still in good health?
A: Sure. She exercises every day, studies English without fail, and keeps herself busy.
B: That’s really impressive.
