Back to School !

Trapper Keeper

September marks the end of summer, and the beginning of fall.  In the U.S.A., the school year starts in September.  When I think back to my younger days, I remember the excitement of starting a new school year.   Since public schools in the states don't make students wear uniforms, the shopping malls are crowded at this time, as everyone is out buying new clothes for school.   In addition to that, many stores are filled with students buying supplies for school.  I remember when I was in middle school, everyone had a Trapper Keeper.  A Trapper Keeper was like a super notebook; it was thick and could hold many smaller notebooks, folders, pencils, and other supplies inside. Instead of students having to carry around all their notes and homework with many folders and papers separately, one could keep them all together in a Trapper Keeper!  I think mine was just filled with drawings, doodles, and notes to my girlfriend.

I am going to start posting questions at the bottom of my blog.  If you would like to practice your English, please write your answer in the comment section below.

Today's question:  What comes to mind when you think of September?

It's Labor Day!

Today is a holiday in the United States called "Labor Day". Even though the meaning of Labor Day is to celebrate the hard work of workers and their families, I think that many don't think about it's meaning, and just see it as an opportunity to get off from work.  It is held on the first Monday in September.  Since it is on a Monday, many can enjoy a long three-day weekend. In English, the way to say "三連休” is "3 day weekend". I remember as a child, it was a time for my family and friends to gather together and have a BBQ. But I also remember it being a kind of sad holiday, because it made me realize that the summer was over, and it was time to go back to school.  It is the last holiday before school starts, and it also marks the beginning of football season.  The NFL usually holds its first game on the first Thursday after Labor Day.  When school starts, there is the excitement of football season in the air.