30-day Grammar Challenge (B2) #day11

Today I came across a true story that really got to me. A 37-year-old man with a PhD in medicine became an oncologist. When some of his patients couldn't afford surgery, he would pay for it out of his own pocket. Over the years, he lent out more than 400,000 RMB, and almost no one paid him back. He was always trying to save his patients money and prescribe cheaper medication, so his supervisors often called him in to talk about it. He was also busy doing research and didn't spend much time with his coworkers, so he didn't have very good relationships with them either. Then he got cancer himself. What hurt him even more was that some people actually mocked him: “You treat cancer. How did you end up getting cancer yourself?” Even some of the patients he'd helped didn't comfort him. Some of them said similar things. It hit him really hard. After he left his job, he went traveling and met an elderly lama. He told him: “I've saved a lot of people.” But the lama said: “They were meant to live. You didn't save them. You haven't really accomplished much in your life.” That hit him hard. He suddenly started looking back at his life. No girlfriend. No children. No major research achievements he could really be proud of. Near the end of his life, he kept asking himself: “Am I really a good person?” “Has my life been a failure?” After I watched his story, I kept thinking about it too: Was he really a good person? Maybe having a good heart isn't enough. We also need to learn how to take care of ourselves, build strong long-term relationships, understand human nature, and know which responsibilities aren't ours to carry alone. What do you think?

Learn three useful and conversational English idioms: “No big deal,” “Hang in there,” and “My bad.” In this episode of The Everyday English Podcast, Riaz explains what each idiom means and shows you how to use them naturally in everyday conversations.

Today, I woke up at 10 a.m. It was a little late for me, but I got ready and left my house without being too rushed. After getting ready, I went to the station and took the train to my university. Since it was the first day of class after the summer vacation, I felt a little strange because I had gotten used to having a lot of free time during the vacation. When I arrived at the university, I saw many students who I had not seen for a while. It was nice to see my classmates again and talk about what we did during the summer vacation. I attended my first class after the summer break and tried to concentrate on what the teacher was talking about. At first, I felt a little tired, but I gradually became more focused during the class. Going back to university reminded me that I need to get back into my regular routine. I also realized that I want to make good use of this semester and enjoy my university life. After class, I took the train home. Today was not a very special day, but I was happy to start university again. I hope I can have a productive semester, enjoy my classes, spend time with my friends, and make many good memories during the rest of this year.

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English is one of my favorite languages besides Arabic and Amazigh

Choose the correct answer.

Dear diary, Today was quite a good day. After I woke up, I had my usual coffee. I know I should change my routine, from time to time, but I really can’t give up my morning’s cup of coffee. However, I managed to replace the after-lunch coffee with a mug of green tea. Are you glad? Does this prove I have enough willpower? I’m joking… Do you remember the project I had been working on? I had finished it last week and had delivered the file. Guess what? My boss was super happy! We will enact the plan very soon. Now I have to go. I’ll write to you soon! John