May 2022

Memorial Day is to remember all of the fallen soldiers (people who died while serving our country). Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May. Many cemeteries will put a flag on each fallen soldier’s grave. Many towns and cities have parades. Memorial Day is a federal holiday; all banks, federal offices, and public schools are closed. Also, Memorial Day weekend is the considered the office start of the summer season. This is the weekend when beaches and parks start charging for admission, if they do. Many Americans have a barbeque (BBQ) / “cookout” or a picnic and spend time with family or friends. If the weather is nice many people head to the beach or their local pool.

In the U.S. We have a minimum wage (minimum hourly pay). It is the wage/pay, an employer must pay their employee per an hour. In Connecticut, the current minimum wage is $14 an hour. In Massachusetts, it is $14.25. If you go to the movies at night, the ticket is $12.50. Right now, a gallon of gas is over $4.00. It is very hard to survive on minimum wage in America.

Americans love to visit places all over the world. People say America is a beautiful country with many beautiful places. And, it is. However, most Americans leave the U.S. for vacations/trips.   Why? We do this because to travel in the U.S, it is very expensive. We get “more bang for or buck” (it is cheaper for us) to travel outside of the U.S. Especially, if we want to visit a warm climate and be near the beach. Many Americans enjoy going to an “all-inclusive resort” (a hotel where all of your food and drinks are included in the price). There are not all-inclusive resorts in the U.S.

Bucket List: There is the phrase “kick the bucket” it means to die. In the US we have the term/phrase called a “bucket list” A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you “kick the bucket” (die). Some people have a bucket list. Some people have travel bucket list.   Do you have a bucket list?