During the winter, it is cold and dark. The days are short, and many people begin to feel sluggish because they can’t see the sun. People who live far in the north or south might not see the sun at all during the winter. It is normal to feel a little sad in the dark of winter, but some people feel very depressed. They might suffer from SAD

There are many ways to feel better during the winter. Some people are able to sleep it off and feel recharged in the morning. And sometimes, just being with friends can lift one’s mood. People who are suffering from SAD might want to buy a sunlamp. These special lights are similar to sunlight, and they can help people to feel good during the winter.

Gary and Andy are bummed out by the dark days of winter. Hear about their feelings in today’s English lesson about winter blues. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

San Francisco, the beautiful “City by the Bay!” Would you like to visit this famous city? You can explore the winding streets and walk up Telegraph Avenue. You can see sights like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island. If you’re hungry, you can pick up some Chinese food in Chinatown or some Italian Food in North Beach, or you can head down to Pier 39 for some fresh seafood. And if you’re in the mood for dessert, you can go to the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory.San Francisco is a popular destination to visit, but some people think it is a tourist trap. It is too crowded, and the transportation system is confusing. However, most people who visit love the city. They love the beautiful sights and the exciting mix of cultures, and they can’t wait to go back.Jessica and Dominique are talking about visiting San Francisco. Find out what they think in this English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

How much spice is too much? Some people love spicy food. In many cultures, ingredients like chilies and hot pepper are common. Other cultures use garlic, ginger, or horseradish to spice up their food. People in the United States love hot sauce. They use it on everything from eggs to sandwiches! If you ask an American, he or she will probably have a favorite brand of hot sauce.Spicy food can be good for your body. It can help with congestion if you have a cold. It can make you sweat, which cools your skin off. In hot countries, many people eat spicy food all the time so that they can feel cooler. However, if you are not used to spicy food, it can make you sick. It can cause indigestion or just burn your tongue. It’s important to be careful and drink a lot of water if you are new to eating spicy food.Brian and Jessica are talking about some spicy food that Jessica ate. Find out what they think in this English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“I’m here with Benjamin because we’re paintballing, but it slipped his mind to get some water bottles.”

—Ebaby!’s Kat, speaking about forgetting something -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go! But finding a public restroom isn’t always easy, and there aren’t many good alternatives. At most stores in the US, restrooms are for customers only, so you need to buy something in order to use the bathroom. It’s the same at most restaurants. You must buy some food or a drink if you want to use the bathroom.

The good news is that many public places in the US, like city parks and downtown areas, have public restrooms on the street. However, the flip side of this is that they aren’t usually very clean. Sometimes, the soap dispensers are empty, or there are no paper towels or toilet paper. But when it’s an emergency situation, these public bathrooms are very helpful.

Marni and Jessica are talking about their experiences with public bathrooms. Find out their opinions in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Have you ever thought of leaving it all behind? Have you ever taken a vacation and packed only one backpack full of clothes? People all over the world love backpacking! All you need is clothing, some food, and you are ready to dive in!Backpacking is the perfect way to travel if you want to visit many cities while only carrying a few things. You have the potential of meeting new people, while staying at hostels and hiking in new places. You have to remember to bring a couple of changes of clothing, or you will become very stinky!Brian and Andy are talking about backpacking. Find out what they think in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Mmm… there is nothing like the smell of new shoes. How often do you go shoe shopping? Do you go for the high-end brands, like Jimmy Choos, Louboutins, or Nikes? Or do you just need something to cover up your feet? For some people, shoe shopping is a hobby. For some people, it is an obsession! Other people prefer practicality. They only buy the shoes they need for their everyday life.

Did you know that the average American woman owns 27 pairs of shoes while the average American man only owns 19? Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, was famous for owning 3,000 pairs of shoes! These days, people need different types of shoes for different occasions. If you live in a rainy climate, you definitely need a pair of boots. If you live somewhere hot, you need sandals. If you like to work out, you will need athletic shoes, and if you need to go to a special event, you will need dress shoes. And of course, you have to match your shoes to your outfit!

Brian used to work in a shoe store. Listen to him and Andy talk about shoe shopping. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

Every four years, obsessed fans watch the World Cup. Football may be one of the most popular sports in the world. However, in the United States, the word “football” has a different meaning than it does in most other countries. This is very confusing for a lot of diehard fans. In the US, football is a sport that people play by throwing a ball. Players must use their hands in this game.

The sport that most other countries call “football” is actually called soccer in the US. In soccer, players kick the ball, and they cannot use their hands. It doesn’t matter what you call it. People everywhere love this sport. Fans love to watch soccer matches and root for their home team. Sometimes, they even lose self-control when they chant for their favorite players.

Brian wants to take Sara to a soccer game, but she isn’t a fan. Will she go? Find out in today’s English lesson. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

“It’s 4:00 pm, and I’m getting ready to leave. I am on my way to meet my friends for happy hour.”

—Ebaby!’s Dominique, speaking about low prices on food and drinks -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com

We all have our favorite old TV shows. They might be shows that we loved from our childhoods, or sitcoms that made us laugh as adults. But even our favorite shows will end sooner or later. If you’re lucky, you might be able to watch reruns of the show.

Most popular shows that are loved by many television viewers can be seen again. Reruns are a great way see episodes that you may have missed the first time they were on TV. You can even learn about an old show that you had never seen before. When you change the channels on your TV, there’s sure to be a rerun that is playing.

Marni and Gary talk about how much they love watching old shows on TV. Find out more in today’s English lesson about seeing your favorite episodes. -- View this and other great English lessons at www.englishbaby.com