September 10, 2025

And 102. Ham and eggs. [ham•n•negz] 103. Bread and butter. [bred•n•budder] 104. Coffee? With cream and sugar? [kaw•fee?•with•kreem•n•shuh•ger?] 105. No, lemon and sugar. [no…•lemmən•n•shuh•ger] 106. And some more cookies? [an•səmor•kookeez?] 107. They kept going back and forth. [thei•kep•gohwin•bak•n•forth] 108. We watched it again and again. [wee•wahchdit•uhgen•annagen] 109. He did it over and over. [hee•diddit•over•n•over] 110. We learned by trial and error. [wee•lernd•bai•traiyəl•n•ehr•er]

Tim: "Hey, do you want noodles n eggs for breakfast?" Joe: "No, I prefer bread n butter." Tim: "How about some tea with milk n sugar?" Joe: "Actually, I would like some coffee with cream n sugar." Tim: "Milk n sugar, n some more cookies?" They kep gowin back n forth, trying to decide on the perfect breakfast menu. Joe watched Tim make the tea again n again, while Tim watched him butter his bread over n over. They learned by trial n error, finally settling on a combination of noodles n eggs, bread n butter, tea with milk n sugar, n coffee with cream n sugar. And of course, they couldn't forget the extra cookies for a sweet treat.

Or 111. Soup or salad? [sooper•salləd] 112. Now or later? [nower•leidr] 113. More or less. [morrer•less] 114. Left or right? [lefder•rait] 115. For here or to go? [fer•heer•ordago] 116. Are you going up or down? [aryuh•gowin•upper•down]

It was my first time diving in the ocean. I was in Cozumel, Mexico, moving slowly over the coral reef and amazed by the beauty around me—the bright colors, the fish, and the endless water. I was a beginner, excited. I was trying to take it all in, but I was nervous and I was breathing too fast.

Then my diving guide pointed to the bottom. And I saw it. A bull shark, swimming calmly. I was flooded with emotion– wonder, fear, and curiosity. Part of me wanted to go closer, but another part wanted to escape as quickly as possible.

At that time, I only knew about sharks from movies and news stories—that they sometimes attack people. Soon my air tank was running low, a beginner’s mistake because I was breathing too quickly. My diving guide told me to go up to the surface by myself, which is very dangerous for someone new.

I will never forget floating alone on the open sea, terrified, looking down into the deep blue water, knowing a shark was somewhere below me. I couldn’t see the boat. For me, it felt like a long time before the boat finally found me.

When I was safe again,I sat on the boat trying to catch my breath. My mind was racing. I couldn’t stop thinking: Why didn’t the shark attack? Why didn’t it come closer? Why? Why? Why? That one moment changed everything for me. I realized I didn’t really understand sharks. I wanted to learn more.

That single dive—more than 26 years ago—started me on a journey that I am still on today. I have spent many years diving with sharks all over the world, and I am still asking questions. Sharks keep me curious, they keep me humble, and they keep me coming back for more.

Set phrases from the story: 1. take it all in – to try to enjoy and understand everything around you. Example: She stopped for a moment to take it all in—the mountains, the lake, the fresh air. 2. flooded with emotion – to feel many strong emotions at once. Example: He was flooded with emotion when he saw his family after the long trip. 3. I’ll never forget… – a common phrase in storytelling, used to emphasize an unforgettable memory. Example: I’ll never forget my first day at school. 4. catch my breath – to rest and calm down after being scared or tired. Example: After running up the hill, I stopped to catch my breath. 6. my mind was racing – to think very quickly about many things at once. Example: Before the exam, her mind was racing with questions and worries. 7. that moment changed everything – to describe an experience that completely changes your thinking. Example: When he moved to another country, that moment changed everything for him. 8. on a path – to begin a journey in life (not only physical, but also personal or professional). Example: Studying medicine put her on a path to becoming a doctor. 9. keep me humble – to remind you that you are small or not in control. Example: Working with nature keeps me humble. 10. keep me coming back for more – to make you want to return again and again. Example: The café’s amazing desserts keep me coming back for more.