We all need a little help sometimes, and fortunately good neighbors, friends, and church groups rally to help out and provide community service. Here in Texas natural disasters seem to top the list: tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires. In today’s episode it is time to put together some food packages. Feel free to join us if you’d like to.DialogueA: Acabei de receber uma ligação da Barbara do Banco de Alimentos. B: Sim, e aí? Eles precisam de ajuda neste fim de semana? A: Sim. Várias...

Final exams are very stressful for high school students. With one test determining 25% of their semester average, students need to ace these tests to do well. Finals week comes at the end of every semester. While students usually have 4 classes a day, on finals week they have 2 two-hour long exam periods; the day ends at lunch time.DialogueA: Nem acredito que já estamos na semana das provas finais! B: Eu sei. Parece que a escola começou ontem. A: Não é? Eu não estudei o suficiente. B: ...

You can’t get around it, home ownership implies a lawn, and lawns need to be mowed. Some people love it, some people hate it. A beautiful lawn is always a symbol of a well-kept yard. In today’s episode, once again it is time to mow the lawn.DialogueA: Tá na hora de cortar a grama novamente esse fim de semana, né? B: De novo! Parece que a gente acabou de cortar. A: Tá tudo com uma cara ótima esse ano, você não acha? B: Sim. Aquele fertilizante deu muito certo. A: Falando nisso, você...

Sometimes you are really hungry but don’t have any time to cook. Other times, you simply don’t feel like cooking or are having a craving for that dish from your favorite restaurant. In these cases, ordering takeout is a great idea!DialogueA: Tô com tanta fome. Não tem nada gostoso pra comer em casa. B: Ah, acho que a gente vai passar por aquele restaurante coreano daqui a pouco. Quer ir? A: Quero sim, mas a gente tá sem tempo. Já estamos atrasadas. B: Bom, porque a gente não pede pra...

One of the delights of summertime is the chance to grow your own vegetables in a garden. It’s a little tricky with the weather, a need to water, and a constant battle with the bugs. But nothing tastes as good as a fresh tomato from the garden. Wish us luck, and happy harvesting.DialogueA: Parece que a sua horta tá indo bem. Tá uma beleza! B: Obrigado, eu plantei a ervilha um pouco tarde este ano, mas o feijão está ótimo. A: É, a ervilha pode ser mais complicado, principalmente porque aqui...

Many American families host game nights. These fun evenings unite the whole family, creating a fun, yet competitive, environment that can last for hours. Choosing which game to play can sometimes be the most stressful part, though.DialogueA: O Monopoly tá pronto! Qual peça você quer ser? B: Aff, esse jogo demora muito. A: Mas é tão divertido! E é perfeito para uma noite de jogo. B: Tá bom, tudo bem, eu jogo. Mas só se eu for a banqueira. A: Nada de trapaça desta vez! Você sempre rouba o...

Summertime and outdoor BBQ, it seems to be the perfect combination. Whether you like your steak rare, medium, or well done, nothing beats outdoor cooking, with a little sizzle and that juicy steak. What’s for dinner? Beef!DialogueA: Que tal grelhar uns bifes hoje à noite? B: Opa, que boa ideia. O você acha, talvez uns contra-filés? A: Claro, eu posso comprar dois bifes grossos no caminho de casa. B: Você checou o nível do gás ultimamente? A: Sem problemas, nós compramos um botijão novo...

Garage sales, also known as yard sales or tag sales, are a great excuse for homeowners to get rid of clutter by selling their items. They usually last a day, and buyers come to hunt one-of-a-kind items for a cheap price.DialogueA: Olha, esse livro parece interessante e só custa 25 centavos. B: Nossa, que pechincha! A: Eu tava dando uma olhada, esse garage sale* tá cheio de coisa legal. B: É, eu achei essa vela bacana. Meio carinha, mas eu acho que dá pra barganhar. A: Você realmente...

What is more traditional than jumping into the car, packing food and clothes, taking a road trip? We all have great memories of outings with friends and family. In today’s episode we relive the good times, thinking about the days when we kept the traditions alive. Are we there yet?DialogueA: A gente já está chegando? B: Ainda não, para de perguntar. A: Mas eu tô super entediada!! B: Porque você não ouve a playlist que você passou o dia inteiro fazendo? A: A gente pode tocar no...

Choice sheets are used to determine the classes high students will have the next year. This frequently becomes a topic of discussion amongst many students, parents, and counselors. Students must choose the level of their required classes, as well as the electives they want to take. Eventually, the choice sheet will determine their schedule.DialogueA: Em quais matérias você vai se inscrever? B: Ah, já está na época de escolher as matérias? A: Tá, o prazo é na semana que vem. B: Queria que...

Life is better when it’s full of parties. The fun starts with planning all the details, from food, to music, to the guest list. Even better is to throw a surprise party for a dear friend, who deserves to be celebrated in style.DialogueA: A Sofia nem desconfia que a gente tá organizando essa festa surpresa de aniversário. Plano perfeito! B: Com certeza. Eu passei a noite inteira fazendo decoração. Agora, onde foi que eu botei o glitter... A: Peraí, como é que ela vem pra cá, mesmo? B: Eu...

Image that you are four years old and it’s almost time for your birthday. What do you want? Well, an L.O.L. doll, isn’t it obvious! In this episode Abby lets us know all about L.O.L. dolls, just in case you are new to the world of surprise toys. It’s not only a lesson in English, it’s a lesson in what’s hot and cool in the world of young little girls who will soon have a birthday.DialogueA: O que você quer pro seu aniversário? B: Eu quero uma boneca LOL surpresa. A: Uma boneca LOL...

For most people, any type of cleaning is an ordeal. Even worse when you have to face organizing your closet and deal with all those clothes and accessories that you have accumulated for years. But when you do this with your sister, it’s so much easier, even fun. And, oh, what a nice feeling to see a clean, well-organized closet!DialogueA: Ai, meu closet tá a maior bagunça! Mal consigo entrar. B: Eu acabei de organizar o meu. Agora que eu tô com mais tempo livre eu posso te ajudar. A: Que...

Everyone likes a nice brunch. It’s the weekend and we can get up late. Forget the morning rush and all the worries about school or work. It’s time to slow down and savor a yummy meal in the company of friends and/or family. Next thing you know, it’s dinner time!DialogueA: Gente, ninguém come nada até eu terminar aqui. Quero todo mundo com fome na hora do brunch*. B: Ah, mas eu tô com fome agora. Posso comer essa panqueca aqui da pilha? A: Não! Também tô fazendo mais um montão de comida....

Texas is famous for its colorful wildflowers. We would be remiss if we didn’t create an episode to honor the Texas wildflowers. For those lucky enough to come to Texas, try to make the trip in the spring. For those who can’t come to Texas, at least we have an episode to talk about bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and Indian blankets.DialogueA: Tava aqui pensando, Tâmara, se as flores são silvestres, por que você tem que plantar elas? B: Bom, elas crescem selvagens aqui no Texas, mas você...

Today’s cameras are astounding, and with a little training and practice almost anyone can take amazing photos. In this episode we also find out, in addition to the settings, that nature photos are enhanced when you are in the right place at the right time. Enjoy.DialogueA: Ô Tamara, olha essa foto do beija-flor que acabei de tirar. B: Nossa, olha pra essas asas. Você tá ficando muito bom em tirar fotos da natureza. A: Sabe, tô começando a entender as configurações corretas e como usar essa...

There is nothing like a new beginning, a new school year and a new start. Part of getting ready for a new school year is the back-to-school shopping. It’s a time to buy book and supplies, not to mention new school clothes. This year there are tons of things to buy.DialogueA: Adoro comprar material escolar pra volta às aulas! Principalmente quando as lojas estão cheias de promoção boa. B: Eu também! Acho que já sei como vou organizar minha papelada esse ano: em pastas. A: Legal! Você vai...

Students of every age love spring break. It’s an intense time to welcome the warmer weather and to rest from all the studies. In Austin, Texas, spring break coincides with SXSW, the South by Southwest conference, exhibition and music festival. Looks like the couple in our dialog have great plans for a wonderful spring break.DialogueA: Sabe, o mês de março e é um dos meus favoritos em Austin. B: Sem dúvida. Tomara que as férias da primavera cheguem logo, eu adoro essa época do ano. A: E pra...

Let’s be honest, almost nothing tastes better than fresh homemade cookies when they first come out of the oven. In today’s episode we even get to eat some of the cookie dough as well. Talk about a slice of life, this is one of the world’s best. And it’s a good chance to practice your English language skills too.DialogueA: Você quer um pouco de massa de biscoito antes de eu assar eles? B: Claro, que tipo de biscoitos são? R: Chocolate Chip e M&M, estou fazendo os dois. B: Tenho pena de...

All-nighters are commonly pulled by teenagers or young adults. While some all-nighters are pulled because of the need to get in extra hours in for studying, most are pulled to watch TV, text friends, and eat snacks. They usually happen on weekends or holidays, because everyone feels quite tired in the following day. Enjoy the episode.DialogueA: Quer varar a noite hoje? B: Eu tava planejando isso mesmo, então, vambora. A: Você ainda tá vendo Grey’s Anatomy? B: Tô. Tô na décima quinta...

In the Unites States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with friends and significant others alike. Many schools give students the opportunity to buy flowers for the people that they love, and the money goes to a school organization.DialogueA: Tenho que levar uma grana pra escola pra comprar uma flor pro meu amigo. B: Ah, é! Adoro dar flores para todo mundo no Dia dos Namorados. A: É legal que a escola deixa a gente mandar flores pras pessoas que a gente gosta. B: Faz a gente se sentir tão...

Some people simply love sports and others just kind of don’t care. In this episode we get to talk to one of those who seems to have that extra sports gene. And for those of you who love sports too, this is your lesson about basketball and we love to play it so much. Enjoy.DialogueA: Sabe pai, é raro ver alguém que gosta mais de basquete do que você. B: É, pode ser, eu sou só um velho rato de academia que ficou esgotado e devagar. A: Então, por que é que você gosta tanto de basquete? B: ...