The sky was overcast all day. Dad had picked up this new game, The Last of Us, which looked just like a movie. I spent most of the afternoon glued to the couch, watching him play. The story was so intense that even afterward, when I hopped on the treadmill, I kept imagining “being chased by the zombies”from the game. For dinner, Mom tried out a new wax gourd hotpot recipe she’d been inspired to make after our recent restaurant visit. At first, everything seemed fine, but the gourd ended up getting burnt, and the bitter smell totally ruined the soup. Too bad—I think the gas stove might’ve been the culprit. Maybe we need to switch to an electric stove instead? We’ll have to give it a shot next time. (ps. Mom looks down)

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Choose the correct answer.

She was sad because she wasn't ...... to the party. . A. invite B. invited

I don't have a bedtime routine because I don't sleep regularly which I hope I can do. Nevertheless, I watched many videos about bedtime routines on YouTube, and there are some bedtime routines that I want to try. The first and the most important is quitting scrolling my phone, and reading some books or articles. I think it makes people calm and relaxed so I can fall asleep more effectively. I'll start doing it tonight. Hope I will keep this routine and somehow change my life.

A

In Episode 71, we explore the emotional undercurrents that often go unnoticed but heavily impact our ability to learn a language — insecurity, guilt, unworthiness, tension, and those jittery feelings that creep in when we're learning something difficult. Supported by research in neuroscience and psychology, I explain how emotional tension activates the brain’s stress response, impairing memory and disrupting attention. But when we recognize these emotions as valid signals — not flaws — we begin the process of healing and learning at the same time.