I’ve been learning English since I was 13, but for a long time it was the classic “silent English” — lots of books, almost no speaking. That’s why I’m here. I want to get more confident, think less in Chinese, and actually talk to people from different countries. I grew up speaking a southern Chinese dialect, not Mandarin, so switching languages isn’t new to me. Back in school, even writing in standard Chinese felt tough because my brain always defaulted to my dialect. But after years of practice and living in different cities, Mandarin eventually became completely natural. So I’m hoping English will follow the same path — slowly becoming part of my daily life. Right now I’m based in Shenzhen, super close to Hong Kong. I used to work as a data engineer, and whenever I wasn’t working, I was traveling. I’ve been around more than ten provinces in China — sometimes by bike, sometimes driving, sometimes just taking whatever public transport existed. I also know Shenzhen and Hong Kong really well. If anyone here is thinking about visiting China, feel free to reach out. I’d love to help plan your trip for free. And if you ever need any remote help, I’m always happy to lend a hand.

These remains, found in an attic, were given to us by an elderly man so that we could donate them to the Museum of Alba-la-Romaine. MuséAL. These are fragments that were found by winegrowers several generations ago while they were ploughing their fields. - FRAGMENT 1 : This is probably a piece of the neck of an amphora. The shape suggests a container for storing or transporting liquids (wine, oil). The deposit inside the neck could be related to the contents or its use. - FRAGMENT 2 : This could be a fragment of a handle from a large pitcher/cruche. - FRAGMENT 3 : The remnant appears to be a fragment of architectural decoration sculpted in limestone. It could be an element of a cornice or a frieze, or integrated into a wall. - FRAGMENT 4 : It is made of terracotta/fired clay, hypothesized to be a brick fragment. - FRAGMENT 5 : Likely originating from a commonware vessel. - FRAGMENT 6 : Fragment of architectural/mural decoration, perhaps a fresco or other. - FRAGMENT 7 : Red clay, a thin fragment of small pottery. - FRAGMENT 8 : Appears to be a fragment of green marble, possibly a piece of flooring or a slab. - FRAGMENT 9 : No idea; we see a sort of sculpture or /carving. - FRAGMENT 10 : This is a fragment of Roman bronze, probably a fastening element or an ornament. - These are only hypotheses. Precise identification can only be made by a specialized archaeologist after a direct examination (texture, clay composition, tool marks, context of discovery). The collection of archaeological objects is governed by law; we will hand over these remains to MuéAl, the archaeological museum of my village! This is a beautiful collection that bears witness to the richness and daily life of the ancient city of Alba la romaine !

💬 Chit Chat, Anyone ? ☕ Who’s Up for a HANGOUT? 💻🎧 🗓️ December 12th 🕛 12pm Moscow / 5pm Beijing JOIN ME GUYS! 👇 https://www.skool.com/lme/calendar?eid=b3a45586218e400db1123472bf3f66c1&eoid=1765530000 What Is LME Friend’s Club? - It’s a community hangout space on the Let’s Master English (LME) Skool platform.  - It’s described as “Learning Together, Improving Big Time” — so the emphasis is on peer support and community.  - They run random hangouts, meaning informal sessions where members can chat, practice, and connect.  How It Fits Into LME - LME has a classroom section for structured learning (lessons, DDM listening, PIRF speaking).  - The Friend’s Club provides a less formal, more social component — not just studying, but just being in a community with fellow English learners. - It can help with motivation, confidence, and practicing English in a low-pressure environment. Who It’s For - Anyone in the LME community who wants to hang out, talk, and improve English in a more casual way. - Especially useful for learners who benefit from community — not just formal lessons, but speaking and interacting with peers. - Good for building real-world speaking confidence, because it’s not just about assignments — it’s about conversations. WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER! 🤝

Now it's my turn to show you a treasured piece: a jacket I unearthed in the attic ( Alba la Romaine ). It's in excellent condition; a hand wash has restored its freshness. I love it! I wear it with jeans and a touch of lipstick for special occasions in the transitional seasons. I'm lucky that it fits me like a glove, without needing a corset! This is a beautiful old jacket, probably from the late 19th century. It dates from about 1890 to 1905. The jacket has large puffy sleeves near the shoulder. This style was very popular in the 1890s. The jacket is fitted closely around the body. It has a short ruffle, called a peplum, at the waist. The dark decorations on the front are called passementerie (braiding). This detail makes the jacket look elegant. This piece was worn by women of the upper and middle classes. It was a type of day outfit or light jacket. It was usually worn with a long, matching skirt to make a suit. The black color suggests it was a standard city garment. It could also have been used for half-mourning. In good condition, the jacket could sell for between $160 and $860 today. The final price depends on the quality and where it is sold.

This is a story which happened when I was a middle school student. My deskmate was a very beautiful girl.The boy sitting in the front row of us named''宋建(SongJian)‘’,was obsessed with my deskmate.He often turned around and talked with her.This annoyed me badly,because I counld barely hear the teacher.One day,it was in a geography class,the classroom was very noisy.The boy SongJian turned around as usual,keeping talking with my deskmate.The teacher was a old lady,seeing this situation,she was very angry,at last she couldn't stand it.She knocked the teacher's desk with her teaching pointer and shouted:''肃静（sujing）‘’. "肃静（sujing）means 'be quiet or keep silent',but 宋建（SongJian) is the boy's name",they have the very similiar pronunciation in Chinese.Hearing this,the boy stopped talking,asked me:''what happened?''At this moment,an idea came into my mind,I told him:''the teacher is calling your name!'' Can you imagine what happened next?The boy turned back immediately and stood up from his chair with a book in his hand.He opened the book to some page and read loudly.The whole classroom was soon quiet.The teacher was looking at him,surprisedly,then she shouted:''stop reading!Are you mad?!what's wrong with you?!''