Episode 13

My alarm wakes me up in the morning. I get out of bed and I start my day. Everybody has different habits, so we will look at these in no particular order.

In terms of breakfast, my routine is slightly unusual. Firstly, I don’t drink coffee. Nor do I drink tea or hot chocolate, or any other hot drink. I prefer cold drinks. Hot drinks feel weird to me. I know it is extremely popular and I love the aroma of coffee, but I just do not enjoy the flavour of coffee. I usually drink a glass of orange juice instead. Secondly, I don’t enjoy eating warm or hot food in the morning, so I often eat an apple and a granola bar. That sustains me until lunchtime.

Let’s start with the morning hygiene routine. First up, we need to brush our teeth. I apply a blob of toothpaste to the toothbrush and I start brushing, being careful to reach the corners of my mouth. After I brush, I swish mouthwash around my mouth and I spit it out into the sink. I love the fresh, minty feeling it leaves in my mouth. Oral hygiene is a vital part of our overall wellbeing. A few minutes each morning and evening can help to prevent some serious health problems later in life.

Next, we will look at the shower routine. I step into the shower and I close the shower curtain to stop water dripping onto the bathroom floor. I turn on the water by twisting or rotating the tap. I wash my hair with shampoo and then I rinse the shampoo away. After I use conditioner in my hair, I wash myself with shower gel. When I’m finished, I step out of the shower, I dry myself with a towel, I spray myself with deodorant and I get dressed.

There is something I do every morning; I always make my bed. It’s a small thing, but a neatly made bed makes the bedroom feel more organized and it puts me in a productive mindset. I like to go for a walk in the morning. Even if it a short walk of 1 km, 10 to 12 minutes, I always feel more energetic when I return home to continue my day.

Episode 13 vocabulary

Aroma – A distinctive smell, usually very pleasant.

When I walk past that bakery, I always enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread.

To sustain – To provide what is needed for something or somebody to exist/live.

She ate a healthy breakfast to sustain her during the marathon.

Hygiene – The practice of keeping oneself and one's surroundings clean, especially to maintain health and prevent disease.

The chef was respected for maintaing a high standard of hygiene in the kitchen.

Blob – A small amount of a thick liquid or soft solid, spherical in shape, such as paint, toothpaste, cream or gel.

A piece of chocolate cake tastes better when it is served with a blob of vanilla ice cream.

To swish – To move an object (often a liquid) in a way which makes a noise.

The bartender swished the wine in the glass before serving it to the customer.

Oral – Concerning or related to the mouth.

Brushing and flossing are key components of daily oral care.

Wellbeing – A combination of physical, mental and emotional health.

Parents and guardians are responsible for the wellbeing of their children.

To rinse – To wash away an unwanted substance with a liquid, usually water.

The decorator rinsed the paint brush after he had used it.

To get dressed – To put on clothes.

We had to get dressed in a hurry when the fire alarm went off.

Neatly – In a tidy, organised and careful manner.

The books were stacked neatly on the shelf, organised by colour.