In this chapter we learn that Timmothy is feeling better but Mrs. Frisby is worried because the ground has thawed and the plough may come sooner than expected. 

**Vocabulary with definitions and audio for chapters 1-5 are located under my vocabulary sets**

Send me a message for your free pdf copy of this book. 

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH 

Chapter 4 Mr. Fitzgibbon's Plough

Building a strong professional network is no longer optional. It's a powerful tool that can open doors to new opportunities, provide valuable insights, and accelerate your career growth. But simply collecting business cards isn't enough. Here are the top 10 best practices for effective professional networking:

1.Develop a compelling elevator pitch (highlight your value).
2.Actively listen and engage in conversations (build genuine connections).
3.Attend industry events and online communities (expand your network).
4.Leverage your network for informational interviews (explore career paths).
5.Provide value to your network (support, referrals, introductions).
6.Follow up with new connections (solidify relationships).
7.Maintain a strong online presence (professional profile and social media activity).
8.Nurture existing relationships (stay in touch and offer support).
9.Be strategic with your networking efforts (focus on relevant connections).
10.Uphold professional etiquette (be respectful, reliable, trustworthy).

The Global Professional Podcast

Top 10 Best Practices of Professional Networking 

どうして1月に、標高800ｍの高野山にアルバイトに行ってしまったんだろう。どうして毎朝、雪道を往復6キロ、電チャリ（電動自転車）でお寺に通うことになったんだろう。下山すれば、すべては夢まぼろし。ロマンチックな和歌山の思い出を聞いてください。十日間の山ごもりで、すっかり空海（くうかい）さん推しになりました。最後はハルカちゃんにお墓の相談してます…
スクリプトは⁠こちら⁠。
https://chivalrous-wallaby-f5c.notion.site/24-18d40209bb43802192bdc9376abed10d?pvs=4
楽しみ方は⁠こちら⁠をどうぞ。
https://chivalrous-wallaby-f5c.notion.site/S2-1114d60c575442768615bc975767fd41?pvs=4
じゃあ、またね。

すずまりの日本語「きき耳ずきん」S2

第24話　海と山のロマンチック和歌山

The 3-Second Shift: From Tension to Trust

What if clarity had nothing to do with vocabulary?
What if your English didn’t need fixing — your voice just needed space?

In this episode, I share a story about one of my clients — a senior product lead at Tencent — who felt like she disappeared every time she had to speak in English.

She wasn’t struggling with grammar.
She was struggling with presence.

We didn’t work on performance.
We worked on something simpler — and far more powerful:
A 3-second shift that helped her speak from calm, not tension. From self-trust, not fear.

If you’re a global professional who sounds fluent but doesn’t feel fully you in English — this episode is for you.

DM me “VOICE” if it resonates. I’ll send you a short voice note you can use today.

Let’s bring your real voice back.

Job Interview Preparation | Build Strong Communication Under Pressure

The 3-Second Shift: From Tension to Trust

Il s'agit du prologue du livre. Clara s'est promis de ne plus jamais venir en aide aux autres...Elle est bien décidée à vivre selon son nouveau mantra. Elle voyage en taxi et y réfléchit...Trop bon, trop con, décidément, tout ça, c'est fini ...

Le français avec Virginie

La Résidence des ricochets -Marie le Vaillant

Beginner Chinese Listening

Beginner Chinese Listening：四和十 Tongue Twister: four and ten

Some people love to brag. They might brag about where they live, the money they make or how great they are at sports.

In fact, some people even brag about how busy or stressed they are.

And it's becoming quite common.

It's called "busy bragging" or "stress bragging" — and people find it just as annoying as any other bragging.

You may have heard it at your workplace, when people tell everyone about how much work they have to do, or say things like: "You have no idea of the stress I'm under."

They might be doing this to show others that they're important or working hard.

However, a study from the US found that the colleagues of stress braggers find those people less likable and less competent because of their bragging.

And colleagues were found to be less likely to help stress braggers.

The study also found that colleagues may even begin to feel stress themselves because of the effect of people stress bragging.

Study author Jessica Rodell said: "People are harming themselves by doing this thing they think is going to make them look better to their colleagues."

However, Rodell said sharing workplace stress with others is not a bad thing to do: it's only when people brag about their stress that it causes negative feelings.

"It's not the being stressed part that's a problem," she said. In fact, the study found that if your colleagues think you're stressed, they do think you're more competent.

You just can't brag about it.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

'Busy Bragging': The Workplace Habit That Annoys Everyone

夏休みが終わった！！
高校生の息子はあと１日夏休みが残っていますが、小学生の娘は夏休みが終わりました。
娘は今年の夏、ピアノコンクールに挑戦していました。本当に毎日よく練習しました。
日曜日に本選がありました。
途中でまさかの2秒ほど一時停止。間違えたのではなく、なぜか一時停止。本番は何が起こるかわからないって、このことですね。コンクールですから、演奏の途中で止まることは、大きな減点です。それでも3位という立派な結果を頂きました。でもね、「くやしい、、、」「どうして、どうして止まっちゃった」って聴いていた私も、弾いていた娘も思いました。あー、あれさえなければって。悔いても、後の祭りですね。
で、「緊張したせいで、とても基本的なことを忘れてしまった。自分のピアノの音をしっかり聴くということを忘れてしまった」って、本番が終わって一夜明けた朝に娘が言っていました。
自分の間違いの理由に気づけたことは、本当に大きな成長です。
「挑戦する」ってことはいいことですね。いつも発見があるように思います。うまくいくこともあれば、失敗することもあります。そして、挑戦する努力の過程（かてい）がとても大切ですね。小学生の娘、まだまだ小さいと思っていましたが、ずいぶん大きくなりました。
どなたか、ピアノが大好きって方いませんか。ぜひぜひ、メッセージくださいね。
ピアノ好きの娘が大好きなドラマは「のだめカンタービレ」です。ずいぶん古いドラマです。上野樹里（うえのじゅり）さんが主演（しゅえん）なんです。面白いですよ。ネットフリックスには、「のだめカンタービレ」の映画があります。私と娘はもう5回は見ました。
あと、「ピアノの森」というアニメが大好きです。日本の有名なピアニストの反田恭平（そりたきょうへい）さんが演奏しているんです。このアニメもネットフリックスにありますよ。興味がある人は見てみてくださいね。
後の祭り：手遅れ（ておくれ）
過程：ある結果に達するまでの道、プロセス。
