20100630 Long Time No See, My Dear Friends (1)

Long Time No See, My Dear Friends!

It's good to be home again

It had been a long time since I had seen my friends - I missed all of them so much. So in order to find out about their lives and experiences in college, I decided to step into their shoes. I visited six different universities in Taipei, and I also joined a few classes with my friends. Walking around their universities, I felt like a Taipei college student. The schools' cultures were so different from mine in California. The students in Taipei have such colorful and exciting lives compared with my life in the States.

Although I did not have the full experience of their classes, I feel Asian students learn differently than American students. In the States, we have papers, group projects, formal presentations and research, which help students develop the ability to learn by themselves. After being back for a month, I find myself experiencing reverse culture shock. But I am slowly readjusting to my home culture. Colleges here have just begun their summer break. My friends and I are planning to visit some different places around the island. I am excited about my journey and am enjoying the presence of friends and family.

culture shock 文化衝擊

step into somebody's shoes 感同身受

eg: When he saw the homeless man on the streets he briefly stepped into his shoes and decided to give him some money.

=> 當他看到街上的流浪漢時，一時感同身受並且決定給他一些錢。

step into somebody's shoes 接替別人的工作

eg: After James left the job, Greg stepped into his shoes and did a wonderful job.

=> 在詹姆斯離職之後，格雷戈接替他的工作並且做得很好。

re- 回來

reverse adj. 相反的/反向的

=> opposite direction/position

eg: The reverse side of the coat was lined with silk.

=> 這件外套的裡面鋪的是絲質的材料。

eg: If you do the procedure in reverse sequence, you will shut down the whole computer system.

=> 如果您把程序倒過來做，您就會把整個電腦系統給關掉。

readjust v. 重新調整/重新調適

eg: After Ricky moved to the suburbs, he took some time to readjust his lifestyle.

=> 在Ricky搬到郊區之後，他花了一段時間重新調適他的生活方式。

eg: Students need help in readjusting after a long summer vacation.

=> 學生經過漫長的暑假之後需要幫助重新適應。

step into somebody's shoes 感同身受/接替別人的工作

colorful adj. 多姿多采的/富有趣味的/生動的

=> exciting/interesting

//== Chat room ==//

Long time no see. 好久不見

make a long story short 簡而言之/長話短說

=> 這裡的story是指事情的原委

It's a long story. 這個說來話長

=> 這句話帶有弦外之音，他真正的意思是其實我不想告訴你

=> 所以當別人跟你說it's a long story時，別等著聽故事，因為他接下來可能會轉換話題

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

After being back for a month. I found myself experiencing reverse culture shock.

After + verb-ing, subject finds oenself + verb-ing

eg: After exercising regularly for two months, Jody found herself enjoying her workout sessions.

eg: Tyler usually likes to eat spaghetti, but after having spaghetti every night for a whole week, he found himself feeling sick and tired of it.

20100629 Life With Louisa (2)

Life With Louisa

When poverty began to plague her family, 15-year-old Alcott pledged to help, proclaiming, "I'll be rich and famous and happy before I die, see if I won't!" Determined to keep her promise to help her family, Alcott began contributing to the family's income almost immediately. To do so, she worked as a teacher, seamstress and servant, all the while continuing to write. When the American Civil War broke out, Alcott enlisted as a nurse. One year later, Hospital Sketches (1863) was published detailing her experiences and propelling Alcott into the limelight.

Little Women

When her publisher requested that Alcott write a book for girls, the 35-year-old author penned Little Women (1868). What would quickly become her most famous novel, Little Women is a fictional piece based on the lives of Alcott and her family. Alcott's life is represented by the novel's strong-willed and independent protagonist Jo March. Throughout the novel, Jo and her sisters enjoy exciting adventures together, no doubt similar to what Alcott would have experienced with her sisters. Today, Alcott's life continues to live on through her fiction. Little Women is now considered a classic and has even gone on to inspire several film adaptations along the way.

plague n. 瘟疫

plague v. 使困擾/折磨

=> constantly brother

eg: The disease began to plague the girl when she was just a baby.

=> 這個疾病從這個女孩還是小嬰孩時就開始折磨她。

eg: My brother has been plaguing me all weekend.

=> 我哥哥整個週末都在煩我。

eg: Cindy's knee injury plagued her for years.

=> Cindy受傷的膝蓋讓她受苦了她很多年。

en- 使...

enlist v. 從軍/入伍/征募

=> join the military

eg: Both brothers enlisted in the marines and had great success.

=> 兩兄弟都在海軍陸戰隊並且相當有成就。

eg: They enlisted over 100 recruits today.

=> 他們今天徵了100個新兵。

adapt v. 改編

adaptation n. 改編/改寫

=> something that has changed to fit a certain environment

eg: The movie is actually an adaptation of a famous sci-fi book.

=> 這部電影實際上是一本著名科學幻想小說所改編。

adaptation n. 適應

eg: The panda's adaption to the new zoo has been quite difficult.

=> 這隻熊貓適應新的動物園適應得相當辛苦。

pledge to help

=> committe to help

propel v. 推動/驅策/激勵

=> push/force

limelight n. 眾人注目的中心

=> in the public attention

=> in the focus of the public

protagonist n. 主演/主角/主唱者

//== Chat room ==//

protagonist n. 主角

antagonist n. 敵手/對手

plot n. (小說，戲劇等的)情節

lose the plot 跟不上情節

//== More Information ==//

The Alcotts moved 22 times in nearly 30 years but finally settled in Concord, Massachusetts, in a home that they called Orchard House. They lived there from 1858 to 1877 during which time Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women. Today, people can visit this home that inspired the setting of the famed book and learn more about the Alcott family.

20100628 Life With Louisa (1)

Life With Louisa

Life became fiction for American author Louisa May Alcott

Many notable authors dig deep into their imaginations or search far and wide to find inspiration for their stories. Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), however didn't have to look much further than her family.

Growing up

The second of four daughters born to Amos Bronson and Abigail May Alcott, Alcott had a childhood that was far from typical. She and her three sisters, Anna, Elizabeth and May, were educated by their deeply philosophical father and raised to practice "plain living and high thinking." Simplicty came in the form of communal living, where Alcott learned to abstain from eating meat and animal products, drink only water, and bathe in unheated water.

As for high thinking, Alcott was regularly enlightened by family friends and American literary greats Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Frequent visits to Emerson's vast library, walks into nature with Thoreau and intellectual insight from Hawthorne inspired and influenced Alcott a great deal. Surrounded by such passionate and knowledgeable authors, Alcott developed an early love for writing. With her rich imagination, this self-proclaimed tomboy penned stories she and her sisters would later act out for friends.

notable adj. 顯著的/著名的

notable for 以某種特質而文明

=> someone who is respected by his reputation

=> deserved to talk about

=> remarkable

eg: Getting both countries to cease fire was one of the U.N.'s notable achievements.

=> 能夠讓兩個國家停火是聯合國顯著的成就之一。

eg: The museum is notable for its complete collection of famous impressionists.

=> 這座美術館以擁有聞名印象派主義者完整的收藏而聞名。

abstain v. 戒除/避開

abstain from something

=> you don't eat it, you don't do it

eg: He admitted himself into a rehab center in order to abstain from alcohol.

=> 他讓自己住進勒戒中心好讓自己戒掉酒隱。

eg: The doctor told him to abstain from excessive exercise.

=> 醫生告誡他要避免過度的運動。

proclaim v. 宣稱

self-proclaimed 自稱的

eg: Josh is a self-proclaimed expert in management.

=> Josh自稱為管理專家。

eg: The self-proclaimed speed-reading genius made a fortune by selling DVDs.

=> 這位自稱是速讀天才的人靠賣DVD賺了很多錢。

communal adj. 公共的/社區的/自治體的/市鎮鄉的

=> live together, everybody shares everything in common

enlightened v. 啟發/啟迪

=> educated so that you come to understand something

knowledgeable adj. 有知識的/博學的/有見識的

=> have a lot of knowledge

=> intellegent

tomboy n. 男孩似的頑皮姑娘

=> a girl who acts like a boy

//== Chat room ==//

dig 挖掘/調查

=> dig for something

=> look for something

dig deep 仔細的尋找/探索

=> take a lot of researches to find ...

dig around 到處調查

dig a hole for yourself 使自己陷入困境

=> 字面上"幫自己挖一個洞"，引申為使自己陷入困境

eg: dig a hole for himself

dig himself out of the hole 努力的使自己脫困

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

The second of four daughters born to Amos Bronson and Abigail May Alcott, Louisa had a childhood that was far from typical.

=> Four daughter were born to Amos Bronson and Abigail May Alcott and Louisa was the second daughter

The second of four daughters....

=> talk about birth order

eg: Tim is the youngest of three sons in his family.

eg: Sharon is the third of five children in her family.

被遺忘的一角-流浪動物的日與夜

20100625 Who Should Decide? (2)

Who Should Decide?

When the decision is big, should the parent or the child decide?

Grant Ellison owns a pharmacy and hopes his son, Cale, will someday run the family business. Cale's passion, however, lies in architecture. Should Grant allow his son to make his own decision? Grant discusses the issue with his sister Janet.

Conversation A

Janet: I heard Cale got into that summer architecture program he applied for in Los Angeles. That's great news! Grant: I know. Cale's been on cloud nine all week.

Janet: Of course! How many high school kids get to spend a month studying architecture at a top university in California?

Grant: Actually, I don't think I'm going to let him go.

Janet: What? Are you sure you even have a say in the matter?

Grant: Of course I do! I'm his father. Besides, who is going to pay for it?

Janet: Grant. I don't mean to offend you, but Cale is already 17, it's time to start letting him make some decisions for himself. I understand he's been saving up for this.

Grant: He has. But I could use his help in the pharmacy this summer. And to tell you the truth, he needs to take a community college class to brush up on his chemistry.

issue n. 問題/議題

=> subject/topic

eg: Decreasing vehicle exhaust is the main issue of this year's environmental convention.

=> 減低汽車排氣量這個議題是今年環保會的主題。

eg: The issue should be settled by voting.

=> 這個問題應該透過投票來解決。

eg: No one wanted to raise the sensitive ethic issue during the meeting.

=> 沒有人想在會議中提起種族問題這種敏感的議題。

be on cloud nine (idiom) 快樂無比/樂不可支。

=> 好像在九層天

eg: Does Brenda like her new job? Like her job? She's on cloud nine.

=> Brenda喜歡他的新工作嗎?豈止是喜歡，她快樂得不得了。

eg: Nick just bought a new convertible and now he's on cloud nine.

=> Nick剛買到新的跑車，現在開心極了。

Have a say in something (idiom) 對某件事情有發言權

=> say在這裡指發言權，所以是指對某件事情有發言權。

eg: When you get older, you'll have a say in family decisions.

=> 當你再長大一點，你就對家裡的事有發言權。

eg: Only the senior executives have a say in company restructuring.

=> 只有公司的高級主管對公司的重組有發言權。

//== Chat room ==//

save up 儲存/儲蓄

ex: save up money

= save money 儲蓄

Save on something 節省某樣東西的開銷

省電可以講 save electricity，也可以講save on electricity

但是含意有點不同save electricity是把電省下來不要消耗太多的電浪費資源，

save on electricity 是節省電費讓每個月的電費帳單不要太高。

save 也有保留的意思

ex: save it for later

=> 留著給以後用也可以表示晚一點再繼續。

20100624 When Is a Ring Really a Ring (1)

When Is a Ring Really a Ring?

Do you wear it? Play with it? Or both?

Do you want to own a conversation piece like no other? Then check out the rings made by SouZou Creations. These playful rings show a great deal of creativity - and are just plain fun.

Your finger becomes the stage for dipping ice cream, pouring cream into coffee or twisting noodles on a fork. The creations come from Sofia Molnar, a Canadian living in Japan. It all began about two years ago when Sofia's mother asked for some Japanese miniatures. Sofia bought some for herself as well, but she wasn't sure what to do with them.

She says, "I love jewelry and especially rings, so I just started playing around. I had no intention of anything... I was just happy to make things like I used to. And then opening SouZou Creations allowed me to sell the things I liked to make. "The rings are pretty popular. People from at least 16 countries have bought them, and the response has been very positive!" So go ahead and visit Sophia's site. Get a ring and see for yourself!

twist v. 轉/扭

=> turn something around

eg: The girl kept twisting her handkerchief because she was really nervous.

=> 這個女孩因為她真的很緊張，所以她一直在扭轉她的手帕。

eg: I tried to twist the valve but it was too tight.

=> 我試著要扭開這個閥，但是它是太緊的。

twist v. 扭曲/曲解

eg: I don't understand why you always twist my words.

=> 我不懂你為什麼總是要扭曲我的話。

mini 袖珍

miniature n. 縮樣/小型物

eg: Charles bought a model of the London Tower in miniature.

=> Chales 買了倫敦塔的迷你模型。

eg: The miniature golf-Course is one of the most popular attractions at the amusement park.

=> 迷你高爾夫球是這個遊樂場最受歡迎的景點之一。

intend v. 打算做...

intention n. 意圖/用意

eg: The owner of the house has no intention of lowering its price.

=> 屋主並沒有要降價的意思

eg: Alber's intentions were good, but unfortunately he was misunderstood.

=> Alber原來的用意是好的，但是不幸地他被誤解了。

a conversation piece

=> unusual object causes people to talk

check out

= examine

create v. 創造

creativity n. 創造力

dip v. 把...下降後即行升起

response n. 回答/答覆

=> have a reaction to something

//== Chat room ==//

在美國，男友向女友求婚，女友答應的話，他們就算engaged(訂婚)了。

這在亞洲國家叫做私訂終身，因為亞洲國家通常有訂婚儀式。

engagement ring 訂婚戒子

wedding ring 結婚戒子

= wedding band

=> wedding band一定是戴在ring finger

ring finger

=> the fourth finger on the left hand

=> 左手的無名指

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

These playful rings show a great deal of creativity - and are just plain fun.

=> These playful rings show a great deal of creativity and are obviously fun.

plain

=> plain可以指以下的意思

=> nothing special

=> not attractive

eg: plain picture

plain

=> 今天課文的意思如下

=> clearly

=> obviously

eg: That movie was funny

=> That movie was just plain funny.

eg: The idea is ridiculous.

=> The idea is just plain ridiculous.

20100623 Mount Vesuvius (3)

Mount Vesuvius

Vesuvius today

The mountain erupted almost once every century from A.D. 79 until around A.D. 1037. Then it went into a quiet stage for the next 600 years until 1631, when the volcano once again roared to life and killed 4,000 residents. It has remained quiet since 1944, the year of its last eruption. Today 5 million people live in close proximity to Mount Vesuvius, mainland Europe's only active volcano. This makes it the world's deadliest volcano because of the great potential for loss of life in the event of another eruption.

That possibility doesn't deter tourists, though, who flock to see the famous volcano and the beautiful views of the Gulf of Naples. Adventurous visitors hike to the mouth of the active volcano and peer down into its 230-m-deep crater. These days, Mount Vesuvius is a sleeping giant, and scientists are determined that should an eruption occur, residents won't be caught off guard. With careful monitoring and an evacuation plan in place, scientists hope the story of the terrifying end of Pompeii and Herculaneum will never be repeated.

proxim- 靠近

proximity Un. 靠近/鄰近

proximity to some place 靠近...

=> stay near a place

eg: Proximity to medical facilities is quite important for elderly people.

=> 靠近醫療設施對年長者是相當重要。

eg: The best thing about the location of our apartment is its proximity to the supermarket.

=> 我們公寓最棒的一點是靠近超市。

deadly adj. 致命的

=> it is likely to people dead

eg: The deadly snakes were kept in a cage.

=> 這些會致人於命命的蛇被關在籠子裡。

eg: The scientists found a way to keep the deadly disease from spreading.

=> 科學家找到了防止致命的疾病的傳染的方式。

eg: A deadly chemical was found in the drink.

=> 飲料中找到了一種致命的化學物質。

guard n. 警戒/看守

catch somebody off guard 使人措手不及/趁其不備

=> surprise someone by doing something that they weren't ready for

eg: The quarterback caught his opponents off guard and made a touch-down.

=> 四分衛趁對手不備時達陣。

eg: Our boss caught us off guard and showed up at the office suddenly.

=> 我們的老闆趁我們不備時突然出現在辦公室。

deter v. 威懾住/嚇住/使斷念

=> stop, prevent someone from doing something

crater n. 火山口

=> the hold of the mount of the vacano

evacuate v. 撤空/撤離/撤退/疏散

=> leave a dangerous place and go to a safe place

evacuation n. 撤空/撤離/撤退/疏散

//== Chat room ==//

A.D.

=> Anno Domini 西元/紀元(略作A.D.)

=> A.D 通常放在年分前面

eg: A.D.2010

=> 西元2010年，

B.C.

=> before Christ 西元前/紀元前

=> B.C.通常放在年份後面

eg: 3000 B.C.

=> 西元前3000年

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

...should an eruption occur, residents won't be caught off guard.

=> If an eruption should occur, residents won't be caught off guard.

should 倒裝句

eg: If you should have any questions, please call the front desk.

=> Should you have any questions, please call the front desk.

eg: If you should encounter any problems with the computer, please notify the lab technician.

=> Should you encounter any problems with the computer, please notify the lab technician.

20100622 Mount Vesuvius (2)

Mount Vesuvius

The eruption
Days before the eruption, residents of Pompeii heard rumblings and experienced several minor earthquakes. Then a huge column of volcanic ash and cinders burst from the mountain and hovered over the area. Hours later the column fell to Earth, showering the city with 400-degree-Celsius ash, gas and debris. Nearly 19 hours after the eruption began, about 3 m of ash covered practically everything except the tops of Pompeii's highest buildings. In neighboring Herculaneum, a rushing stream of boiling mud covered the town, burying everything under 23 m of ash and mud. The massive volcanic eruption lasted nearly a day and left over 3,000 people dead.

A city frozen in time
The lost cities of Pompeii and Herculancum were forgotten until 1595 when excavations uncovered artifacts from Pompeii. Over a century later, archaeologists found the city almost perfectly preserved, including what remained of hundreds of bodies. The combination of volcanic ash, heat, mud and the rain that followed the eruption had buried Pompeii's citizens. Even after the bodies decayed, an imprint of amazing details was left behind in the hardened ash. Archaeologists discovered that by pouring plaster into the opening around a skeleton, a perfect form of the human at the moment of death was recealed.



rumbling n. 隆隆聲
=> make continous low and deep sound
eg: The sudden rumbling of thunder frightened the kids at the park.
=> 雷聲突然的隆隆聲嚇到了公園的小朋友。
eg: I could hear the rumbling of my own stomach, and it was so embarrassing.
=> 我都可以聽到我自己的肚子咕嚕咕嚕的聲音，真的是很糗。
eg: The loud rumbling of the race cars' engines signaled the start of the race.
=> 賽車們大聲的引擎作響聲代表比賽即將開始。

hover v. 盤旋/停留在空中
=> flow over the surface of something
eg: The vulture was hovering above the wounded antelope.
=> 禿鷹在受傷的羚羊之上盤旋著。
eg: Helicopters hovered in the sky trying to locate the fugitives.
=> 直昇機在空中盤旋試著找到逃犯的位置。

im- 進入
imprint n. 印痕/痕跡
=> leave a mark
eg: The preschool students left imprints of their hands on the garden's cement floor.
=> 育幼院的學生在花園中的水泥地留下了他們的手印。
eg: The accident left an imprint of terror in her mind.
=> 這場意外在她的心中留下了恐懼的痕跡。


column n. 圓柱
volcanic ash 火山灰
cinder n. 爐渣/溶渣/火山渣

excavation n. 挖掘/開鑿
=> the event when you move dirt out the area


archaeologist n. 考古學家
=> people who find artifacts

plaster n. 熟石膏/燒石膏
=> a substance become hard when dried

hardened adj. 變硬的/根深蒂固的




//== Chat room ==//

debris n. 殘骸/碎片
=> 單數名詞，沒有複數形，它的代名詞為it

marine debris
space debris

20100621 Mount Vesuvius (1)

Mount Vesuvius

Many wonder if one of the world's most famous volcanoes will roar to life again

On August 24 of A.D. 79 an earthquake shook Vesuvius just before the top of the mountain burst open and a monstrous cloud shot upward. Ash, stones and pumice showered down upon the frightened citizens of Pompeii. "We also saw the sea sucked away.... from the shore so that quantities of sea creatures were left stranded on dry sand...... A fearful black cloud was rent by ... and quivering bursts of flame, and parted to reveal great tongues of fire." Then darkness fell. "You could hear the shrieks of women, the wailing of infants, and the shouting of men. People bewailed their own fate or that of their relatives, and there were some who prayed for death in their terror of dying."

A remarkable account

While this may sound like a terrifying scene from a disaster movie, it's actually an eyewitness account of one of Italy's worst natural disasters. This description of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius marked the very first time a volcanic eruption had been described in detail. In recording the horror of the event, Pliny the Younger, a Roman author, left behind this record that still benefits historians and scientists today.

monstrous adj. 巨大的/令人害怕的

=> very large or very scary

eg: The monstrous beast in the movie really scared some of the younger viewers.

=> 電影中可怕的野獸嚇到一些年紀比較小的觀眾

eg: The monstrous stones in the desert became a famous tourist attraction.

=> 沙漠中的巨石已成為有名的觀光景點

quiver 顫抖/發抖/抖動

=> shaking slightly

eg: Nina's lips quivered and she started to cry when she heard the terrible news.

=> 當Nina聽到這個噩耗，她開始顫抖而且開始哭了起來

eg: The teenagers quivered with excitement when the pop star entered the stage.

=> 當這位流行音樂歌星走上舞台的時候，這些青少年興奮得發抖

eg: His voice quivered when he mentioned his father who passed away last year.

=> 當他提到他去年過去的父親時，聲音就顫抖了起來

erupt- 噴出/爆發

eruption n. 爆發

=> volcano explosion

eg: The eruption of the volcano caused serious damage in the area.

=> 火山的爆發造成鄰近的區域嚴重的損傷

eruption 事件的爆發

eg: The eruption of the disease affected millions.

=> 疾病的爆發影響了數百萬人民

Pompeii 龐貝(義大利那不勒斯附近一古城)

=> an ancient city in southwest Italy right next to Vesuvius

pumice 輕石/浮石

bewail v. 為...痛哭/為...悲傷

=> feel deep sadness about something

eyewitness n. 目擊者/見證人

=> a person who has seen the event

//== Chat room ==//

onomatopoeia n. 擬聲詞

roar 獅子的吼叫聲

hoot 貓頭鷹的叫聲

chirp 一般的鳥叫聲

bark 狗的叫聲

meow 貓的叫聲

purr 貓很舒服滿足的時候發出的聲音

hiss (蛇等或氣體漏出時)發出嘶嘶聲

buzz 蜂/蒼蠅嗡嗡叫

hum 蚊子發出的聲音

20100619 Internet Addiction (2)

Internet Addiction

So what distinguishes an Internet addict from a casual surfer? One of several distinctions is that a person who has an Internet addiction usually becomes angry or depressed when denied access to the Internet. In contrast, a casual surfer can usually switch to offline activities without such angst. Although Internet addiction still isn't labeled as a disorder by the American Psychiatric

Association, many therapists are pressing the organization to do so. They hope that more addicts can receive professional treatment. Several Asian countries, on the other hand, have already labeled Internet addiction a serious health problem and have taken steps to address it.

China has required local gaming companies to penalize gamers who play online for more than three hours a day by cutting their points in half. And both China and Korea have created boot camps where addicts are denied Internet access for extended periods. In order to prevent an addiction from forming, all internet users should take steps to limit their online activity and instead invest in real-world activities and relationships. Any time that Internet activity begins to threaten grades, jobs or relationships, it's time to log off and pull the plug.

angst Un. 不安/憂慮/擔心

eg: The angst of waiting for the test results was so great that she left the hospital to walk off her worry.

=> 等待檢驗報告讓他太焦慮了，她就離開醫院去散步來紓解她的擔心。

eg: She tried to temper her angst by thinking positively.

=> 她試著用正面思考來紓解自己焦慮的情緒。

pen- 處罰

penalize v. 處以...懲罰

eg: The basketball player was penalized for pushing another player.

=> 這位籃球員因為推人而被懲罰。

eg: The new law will penalize businesses that treat minorities unfairly.

=> 新的法律將處罰對待少數不公平待遇的公司。

pull the plug 延伸出來的意思為"終止...計劃"

pull the plug on something

=> 原來的意思為把插頭拔起來

eg: The professor decided to pull the plug on his research project because of insufficient funds.

=> 由於資金不足，教授決定要終止他的研究計劃。

eg: Due to low ratings, the TV station pulled the plug on the program.

=> 由於收視率太差，電視台決定終止這個節目。

//== Chat room ==//

surfing

=> 原指衝浪，但在過去二十幾年，surfing有了新的定義

=> 在80年代，電視遙控器越來越普遍因此產生了channel surfing這個名詞，

=> 指的是使用遙控器不斷地變換chanel(電視頻道)，搜尋好看的節目

=> 在90年代，網際網路越來越發達，因此產生了web surfing 這個名詞，

=> 在電腦網路上隨意搜尋資料，迅速瀏覽網站

=> chanel surfing和web surfing雖然都是正當的行為

=> 但這種surfing都是漫無目目的的轉換頻道，

=> 因此會讓人覺得懶惰無所是事的消耗時間的行為

channel surfing

=> quickly scan different TV channels in order to find something interesting to watch

web surfing

//== More Information ==//

Here are a few signs that your computer is takingcontrol of your life.

You neglect friends and family

You feel restless when you're not engaged in some online activity.

You're computer use is interfering with your job or school performance.

You feel guilty, ashamed, anxious or depressed as a result of your behavior.

You sleep patterns are changing.

20100618 Internet Addiction (1)

Internet Addiction

Spending too much time online? You might be addicted

For most people these days, going online requires little effort. But leaving the Internet can be another story. For some, the act of going online is addicting, and they find it hard to log off and return to everyday life. Ben Alexander realized he had a problem after he found himself playing the online game World of Warcraft more than 16 hours a day. Not long after flunking out of college, Alexander decided to check himself into reSTART, the first rehab center in America devoted to treating Internet addicts.

During his 45-day fast from the Internet, Alexander spent most of his time exercising and learning real-world skills such as cooking and camping. Online gamers, however, aren't the only people who can develop an Internet addiction. People who spend time gambling online, visiting social websites or even using online retail sites can all develop addicitions. The reason is because each of these online activities stimulates a part of the brain that releases dopamine. This chemical, which produces pleasant feelings, is linked not only to Internet addiction but also to other types of non-Internet addictions.

addict v. 使沈溺/使上癮

addiction n. 上癮/成癮

=> physical or mental dependence on something

eg: The once-famous singer was admitted to the hospital for her drug addiction.

=> 這位曾經走紅歌手因為藥物成癮而住院。

eg: His addiction to alcohol ruined his life.

=> 他的酒癮摧毀了他的生命。

fast n. 禁食時期(本課課文意思)

=> a period of time when a person gives up or avoid doing something that bring them pleasu

eg: The immigrants began a week-long fast to protest racial discrimination at their work places.

=> 這些移民開始為期一周的禁食來抗議來工作時所遭受到的種族歧視

fast v. 禁食

eg: Mark fasted for a whole week and eventually collapsed from hunger.

=> Mark整整禁食了一個星期，結果終於餓到昏倒了。

retail Un. 零售(不可數名詞)

retail store

eg: The retail price of this camera is around $400.

=> 這臺照相機的零售價是大约$400。

eg: The company owns over 15 retail outlets on the West coast.

=> 這家公司在西海岸擁有超過15個零售商店。

wholesale 批發

wholesale price 批發價

flunking out of college

=> force to leave college because his grades not good enough

rehab [rehabilitation] center 修復[修復]中心

=> a center that is dedicated to helping someone stop in an addiction

stimulate v. 刺激/激勵/使興奮/促使

=> cause part of the body to operate

dopamine n. 多巴胺

//== Chat room ==//

For most people these days, going online requires little effort.

a little 有一點

=> 帶有正面的含意

little 幾乎一點也沒有

=> 帶著負面的含意

eg: I have a little money.

=> 我有一點錢

eg: I have little money.

=> 我沒什麼錢，我的錢根本不夠，有等於沒有(相當負面的含意)

I have little money saved.

=> I barely have any money. I'm not happy with how much money I have.

I have a little moeny saved.

=> I'm happy with how much money I have .

little money and a little money could even be exactly the same amount of money. The difference is little have negative connotation(言外之意) and a little have much more postive connotation.

few和a few也是相同的用法

eg: A few friends came to see him.

=> 有幾位朋友來看他，他心裡很開心

eg: Few friends came to see him.

=> 簡直沒什麼朋友來看他，他很失望

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

But leaving the Internet can be another story.

=> Even it's easy for most people to go online, but leaving the Internet is not easy.

=> Even it's easy for most people to go online, but leaving the Internet is a different situation for some people.

another story

=> a different matter

=> a different subject

another story

=> use the phrase when you want people to know how two situations though they may seem similar are actually quite different.

eg: Sarah and Sally are identical twin sisters. Sarah is very organized and efficient in her work. Sally is another story.

eg: Going up the mountain in the late afternoon wasn't hard for me; coming down in the dark was a different story.

20100617 Co-Working (2)

Co-Working

The idea of sharing workspace is not new. Struggling artists and writers have shared workspaces for years. Most cities also have business centers that offer short-term office rentals to business people. Co-working is unique because the focus is on getting people involved in a community of workers. With this in mind, co-working groups often host social and professional development events. While community is an important part of co-working, there are other benefits too.

Offices are often open 24 hours a day, so members can set their own schedules. Co-working also allows members to use facilities -- like conference rooms -- that aren't available to people working from home. It is also very affordable. Sharing space and costs helps co-working groups save their members money. Co-working lets people stop working at a company office without losing the social interaction of the workplace. It gives independent workers the best of both worlds.

struggle v. 奮鬥/努力/掙扎

struggling adj. 奮鬥中的/掙扎苦撐的

=> try very hard to do something

=> put a lot of efforts into it because it is difficult

eg: Samantha is a struggling actress who also works as a part-time babysitter.

=> Samantha是奮鬥中的女演員，同時也在打工當保母

eg: Young struggling writers love to talk about their ideas at the cafe.

=> 奮鬥中的年輕作家很喜歡在這家咖啡店談論他們的想法

facility n. 設備/設施

=> a building and of its parts are available being used

=> things like room, meeting rooms even bathroom

=> 常用複數形

eg: The hospital's facilities are getting old and need to be rebuilt.

=> 這家醫院的建築已經成舊需要重建

eg: The resort is famous for its top-of-the-line sports facilities.

=> 這家度假中心因為擁有最高級的運動設施而聞名

aford v. 負擔/買得起

affordable adj. 買得起的/負擔得起的

=> inexpensive, you are able to buy it

eg: You can find really nice applicances with affordable prices here.

=> 你可以在這裡找到有好有便宜的家電

eg: We're looking for a house with an affordable price.

=> 我們在找我們負擔得起的房子

rental n. 出租

=> pay money to use it but not own it

schedule n. 計劃表/日程安排表

//== Chat room ==//

host v. 主持

host n. (廣播/電視的)節目主持人

=> a host's job is to host

engineer n. 工程師

engineer v. 設計/策劃

writer n. 作家

write v. 寫作

teacher n. 老師

teach v. 教學

driver n. 司機

drive v. 開車

reporter n. 記者

report v. 報導

police v.

eg: police a place 維持一個地方的治安/整頓一個地方

doctor v. 任意竄改/改變/對報告文件動手腳

=> fix, alter in order to deceive someone

eg: doctor the birthday on his the passport

eg: doctor the number in the accounting book

eg: He doctored the report. 他竄改了報告

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

It gives independent workers the best of both worlds.

the best of both worlds

=> enjoying or having the benefits from two seemingly(表面上/似乎是) opposite choices or situations

In today's sentence the two seeminly opposite worlds

=> one world would be the world of working independently but not have social interactions often seen in large companies

=> the other world would be the world of a large company where there are many interactions but perhaps less freedom to work indepently

eg: Leann works from home, this allows her to have the best of both worlds since she has bills to pay and a two-year old to take care of.

eg: Janice has signed up for a program that gives her the best of both worlds, she can work and travel at the same time.

20100616 Co-Working (1)

Co-Working

Finding the best of both worlds

Brad Neuberg really liked the freedom of being self-employed. But he missed the social interaction with others in an office. In the past, people like Neuberg often "got out" by working in coffee shops. But Neuberg wanted more. He wanted the established community of a company without having to work for one. To solve his problem, Neuberg started San Francisco's first co-working space, Spiral Muse, in 2005. The idea was to have a group of people share a workspace.

But unlike employees of a company, the co-workers would continue to work independently. They would share an office but run their own businesses and projects. The idea quickly took off. Today there are co-working groups all over the world. Co-working has proved suitable for people from a wide range of professions. Groups often include large numbers of computer programmers, writers and designers. But the trend has also attracted accountants, lawyers and people who run small businesses.

self- 自己

employ v. 雇用

self-employed adj. 自營的/個體經營的

eg: Susan is a self-employed physical therapist.

=>蘇珊是一位個體經營的復健師。

eg: Sometimes you pay fewer taxes if you're self-employed.

=> 如果你是自營商的身份，有時可以少付一些稅金。

inter- 彼此之間

action 行動

interaction n. 彼此之間的互動

eg: These ice-breaker activities are designed to increase the interaction between trainees.

=> 這些破冰船活動是被設計來增加學員之間的互動的。

eg: The teacher's interaction with parents is getting better.

=> 老師與家長的互動越來越好了。

employ v. 雇用

-ee 被如何如何的人

employee n. 受雇者/雇工/雇員

eg: The company has over 1000 employees.

=> 這家公司有超過1000名的員工。

employer n. 雇主/老闆

eg: Quincy's former employer wanted him to go back to work for him.

=> Quincy之前的老闆要他回去幫他工作。

//== Chat room ==//

一般來講你的同事應該是你的co-worker，colleague是比較正式的字，應該翻譯成同僚。另外一個區別是在職位，任何在和你同一家公司上班的人都是你的co-worker，但是你的colleague就和你有同等職位的人，他也許不在你的公司上班，但是他屬於同業的人事。某一所大學的物理教授和另一所大學的物理教授是colleague，但不是co-worker。

co-worker 同事

=> co-workers simply work for one another in the same offices

colleague 同僚/同行

=> colleagues share the same profession

20100615 The 2010 FIFA World Cup (2)

The 2010 FIFA World Cup

This year's mascot: Zakumi

One charismatic character will be cheering at all the major matches - Zakumi, the leopard. As this year's World Cup mascot, he symbolizes both his country and his continent. And his green hair, which helps him blend in on a soccer field, is fitting of his favorite sport. Zakumi combines "ZA," South Africa's international abbreviation, and "kumi," the word for "10" in several African languages. So his name is appropriate for both the location and the year. And more importantly, Zakumi was "born" in 1994 - the year apartheid ended in his country.

A proud moment for South Africa

South Africa proudly claims the privilege of being the first African country to host the World Cup. Chosen by FIFA in 2004, South Africa is hosting matches at 10 stadiums in nine different cities. These venues range from Cape Town in the southwest to Polokwane, over 1,500 km to the northeast. Since its first multiracial elections in 1994. South Africa has taken huge strides toward equality for everyone. It's hard to imagine a more appropriate place to bring together the world's races for their favorite sporting event.

charisma n. 非凡的領導力/魅力

charismatic adj. 有領袖魅力的/具有領導力的

=> has certain kind of power to attract/influence people

=> very charming

eg: Sam is a charismatic businessman, so his employees are willing to follow his leadership.

=> Sam是一個有非凡領導力的商人，所以他的雇員都願意跟隨他的領導。

eg: Kennedy was a rare and charismatic politician.

=> Kennedy是一個難得一件有魅力的政治家。

privilege n. 殊榮/榮幸

=> an opportunity of honor, an opportunity to do something special

eg: I have the privilege to work for one of the best producers in the country.

=> 我很這個殊榮能為國內最厲害的製作人工作。

eg: It's a great privilege to meet you.

=> 能夠認識你是我的榮幸.

privilege n. 特權

eg: Senior executives enjoy the privilege of having a reserved parking space.

=> 資深主管享受專屬的停車位的特權。

stride n. 闊步/一大步

stride n. 本課指進展/進步

eg: The company has made strides in developing new products.

=> 這家公司在開發新產品上有很大的進展。

eg: Many countries are taking strides to minimize vehicle exhaust.

=> 許多國家在降低汽車廢棄排放量有進步。

mascot n. 吉祥物

blend in

=> fit in without being seen

appropriate adj. 適當的/恰當的/相稱的

apartheid n. (南非)種族隔離政策

venue n. (事件、行動等的)發生地/集合地

multiracial adj. 多人種的/多民族的

=> include multiple races

//== Chat room ==//

country 國家

=> 指土地/領土

nation 國家

=> 強調民族/人民

state 州

=> 也可以指國家，在政治學/國際法當中所提到的國家為比較正式的用法

nation-state

=> 單一民族成立的國家

=> 也有可能是兩個民族組成的國家像是加拿大由英語和法語民族組成

//== More Information ==//

People who can't travel to South Africa may still be able to feel as if they're watching the matches in person. For the first time in histry, matches will be broadcast in 3-D. And, if anyone misses the action as it unfolds this month, they're in luck. After the tourmament ends, Sony Pictures Entertainment plans to use the recorded 3-D footage to produce a feature film.

20100614 The 2010 FIFA World Cup (1)

The 2010 FIFA World Cup

Nations gather in South Africa for their favorite sporting evert!

The FIFA World Cup - international soccer's biggest tournament - has been played every four years since 1930. It was originally planned as an alternative to the 1932 Olympic Games, which weren't going to include soccer. Now it ranks as the world's premier international soccer event and as history's most-watched sporting event. The last World Cup, in 2006, claimed a global audience of 5.9 billion. This number easily exceeds the 4.7 billion who viewed the Olympics in Beijing - the most-watched Olympic Games in history.

Furthermore, this year's at-home spectators get an even greater viewing experience as several matches will be broadcast in 3-D! Nearly 200 teams have spent the past four years competing to qualify for this year's tournament in South Africa. Since the tournament started last Friday, the world's 32 best national soccer teams have been facing off. During the next two rounds of intense competition, all teams but four will be eliminated. Those remaining teams will then contend in four final matches to determine their rank and ultimately the world champion.

tournament n. 比賽/錦標賽/聯賽

=> completitions between several different teams

eg: Wimbledon is one of the most important tennis tournaments.

=> Wimbledon是世界最重要的網球錦標賽之一。

eg: The golf tournament attracted a lot of attention because the grand prize is worth very much.

=> 這場高爾夫球錦標賽因為冠軍獎項非常豐厚，所以引起很多注意。

ex- 向外

exceed v. 超過/超越

=> go beyand, larger/greater

eg: Our team's performance exceeded the school's expectations.

=> 我們隊伍的表現超越學校對我們的期望。

eg: Expenses to set up this branch office have already exceeded our budget.

=> 設定這個分公司的費用已經超出了我們的預算。

contend v. 爭奪/競爭

=> compete

eg: Top dancers from all over the country came to contend for the title.

=> 來自全國的頂尖舞者都來爭奪這個冠軍頭銜。

eg: Ricky will contend against his long-time opponent, Timothy in tonight's match.

=> Ricky將在今晚的比賽中跟他的長期對手Timothy一較長短。

premier adj. 首位的/首要的

=> the most important

spectator n. 觀眾之一/旁觀者/目擊者

at-home spectators

=> people who are watching the games at home

qualify v. 限制/限定

=> successfully get into the competitions by doing well in the past

eliminate

=> remove

//== Chat room ==//

face off (冰球賽等的)開球/爭球/對峙/對抗

=> 原本來自曲棍球，一場球賽開始時，兩個球員會face off面對面爭奪球

=> 延伸出來的意思為和某人對抗

face up to 勇敢面對某人/某事

eg: He faced up to the challenge. 他勇於面對挑戰

eg: face up to the boss

face the music 勇於承擔責任

=> accept the responsibility

=> 一個人闖禍之後就需要face the music

Let's face it. 面對現實吧

=> We must accept the truth of something

eg: Let's face it, we're not getting any younger.

=> 面對現實吧，我們不會再年輕了.

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

...the world's 32 best national soccer teams have been facing off.

face off 對抗

=> meet face-to-face for a competitive reason

eg: Many people gathered to watch the two world-class chess players face off in Las Vegas.

eg: The two political candidates will face off at a debate later this week.

20100612 A Superman Celebration in Metropolis (3)

A Superman Celebration in Metropolis

Super history

If only the town's founders could see this piece of land on the Ohio River today. It was nicknamed "City of Opportunity" in 1839, but patience was needed. It took almost another century for Superman to materialize on the pages of a comic book. Another 30-plus years passed before Metropolis made a "super" name for itself. In 1972 the town legally became the proud parent of its high-flying son. That year the Illinois State Legislature passed a resolution that declared Metropolis the "Hometown of Superman." The town then made "headlines" by permanently changing the name of the local newspaper to the Metropolis Planet, to almost match that of Superman's employer.

Of course, it wasn't until Superman went to work at the Daily Planet that the metropolitan city of Metropolis became his hometown. After Sunday afternoon's Superhero Costume Contest ends, so does the festival. The weekend "actors" wander off incognito, this time in street clothes. I see a young girl in shorts and a T-shirt amble away. The only clue that she was Supergirl moments ago is the red boots in her hand. It's true that history repeats itself, and so does fiction in Metropolis ... every year on the second weekend in June.

material n. 物質

materialize v. 具體成形/實現

=> become real

eg: His plan of building his dream house finally materialized when he was 50.

=> 他在50歲時蓋一棟夢想中的房子的計劃終於實現了 .

eg: Her dream of becoming a composer never materialized.

=> 她想成為作曲家的夢想始終沒有成真

permanent adj. 永久的/固定的

permanently adv. 永久地/固定地

=> forever

eg: Hank and his wife decided to permanently settle in this town, so they bought a house last month.

=> Hank和他的妻子決定在這個鎮定居下來，所以他們上個月買了一棟房子。

eg: Her heart was permanently broken after the break up.

=> 自從分手之後她的心有了永久地傷害。

amble vi. 從容漫步/緩步前進

=> walk away slowly

=> 不及物動詞，後面要加介係詞和受詞

eg: We ambled down the streets and did some window shopping.

=> 我們在街上漫步而且看了一些商店的櫥窗。

eg: She ambled along the beach searching for seashells.

=> 她沿著海邊漫步尋找貝殼。

metropolitan adj. 大都市的

metropolitan city

wander off 漫遊於/徘徊於

//== Chat room ==//

Superman

comic book hero 漫畫書英雄

comic book 漫畫書

comic strip 連環漫畫

comedian 喜劇演員

stand-up comedy 脫口秀

comic relief 喜劇性的舒解

=> 在一個嚴肅狀態中的輕鬆或是滑稽的場面

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

Another 30-plus years passed before Metropolis made a "super" name for itself.

=> Metropolis made a "super" name for itself after another 30 plus years.

A period of time + passed before + an event

eg: Seventeen hours had passed before we were finally able to get on our plane.

eg: Another three days passed before Tricia got the results of her medical tests.

20100611 A Superman Celebration in Metropolis (2)

A Superman Celebration in Metropolis

Super metropolis

Throughout the weekend, everyone enjoys screenings of superman films, celebrity appearances and autograph sessions, comic book artist workshops and costume competitions. There's also the Super Museum in town that reportedly has the largest Superman memorabilia collection in the world. Displays include all sorts of original Hollwood props from Superman's capes to boots.

More than just Superman appears in the daily informal parade of comic book characters on Market Street. Devoted fans return year after year to participate, like Robin Johnson, a 28-year-old personal trainer who drove thirteen hours from Texas to be here for the third time.

Johnson has a variety of superhero costumes and tells me, now incognito as Superman, "I'm coming till I can't walk. I'm not going to miss a year. I watch curiously as young and old eagerly approach the costumed visitors who happily oblige any photo request with a smile. Collecting souvenir pictures with superheroes seems to be a favorite pastime, so I get my camera ready too. I "shoulder" up to Josh Boultinghouse, the celebration's official superhero who is over six-feet tall, for my photo memento from the weekend.

memor- 記憶

memorabilia n. (複數) 紀念品/收藏品

eg: The pop star's family auctioned off his memorabilia and gave the money to charity.

=> 這位流行歌手的家人拍賣了他的紀念品捐款給慈善機構。

eg: Eileen has a huge collection of her favorite band's memorabilia.

=> Eileen擁有她最愛的樂團大量的收藏品。

incognito adv. 偽裝地/喬裝地/隱瞞身份地

eg: The secret agent got into the party incognito.

=> 這位特務員喬裝混入這個派對中。

eg: The owner of the coffee chain store visited one of his stores incognito.

=> 這位咖啡連鎖店的老闆隱瞞身份去光顧他其中的一家店

oblige v. 答應...的請求/效勞

=> do something pleasantly

eg: We asked Timmy to be our tour guide in the city, and he was happy to oblige.

=> 我們請Timmy 當響導帶我們去逛這個城市，他很樂意效勞。

eg: Sandy asked her neighbor to water her lawn when she went on the trip, but the neighbor refused to oblige.

=> Sandy請她的鄰居當她旅行時幫她的草地澆水，但是對方拒絕了她的請求

prop n. 支柱/支撐物

=> any kind of object used in the set or in the environment of a play/movie

parade n. 行進/行列/遊行

pastime n. 消遣/娛樂

=> something you like to do that pass time

souvenir n. 紀念品

=> something you usually buy in order to remember a place

"shoulder" up to

=> try to get next to somebody

memento n. 紀念物/引起回憶的東西

=> something you get to take away probably might have

=> more personal meanings than just a wide collection of things

=> a souvenir is a type of memento

//== Chat room ==//

superman

super

=> very

eg: My computer is super-slow today. 我的電腦今天超慢的

super-size v. 加大

eg: super-size the French fries 將薯條加大

20100610 A Superman Celebration in Metropolis (1)

A Superman Celebration in Metropolis

A super celebration for a superhero

What's in a name? Well, when there's only one town in the United States named Metropolis, which also happens to be the "hometown" of Superman, there's a lot in a name. Superman, the ageless comic book superhero whose fame is larger than life, inspires imaginations worldwide. He has admirers of all ages who descend on the one and only Metropolis, lll., for their Annual Superman Celebration.

Gone super

Since 1979, every second weekend in June, fact and fiction meet in this small river town in America. Everyone is welcome, and thousands come.

There's no age limit on being a superhero and wearing the trademark blue, red and yellow outfit

with the letter "S" emblazoned on the chest. Since costumes are optional for the festivities, I come as myself, a mild-mannered Lois Lane reporter (Superman's newspaper colleague) to get the scoop on the festivities. I'm certainly in good hands here - no bad guys would dare set foot in Metropolis this weekend with all these superheroes milling about. A 15-foot bronze Superman, who stands watch over Market Street where all the action takes place, keeps watch as well.

be larger than life 超凡的/具有傳奇色彩

=> make you say wow, very impressive

eg: The actress played a female politician who was larger than life in the movie.

=> 在這部電影中這位女演員扮演具有傳奇色彩的一個女政治家。

eg: People love to talk about the larger-than-life story of how the man became a successful businessman.

=> 人們很愛談論這個人怎成為了一個成功的生意人的傳奇故事。

blazon v. 描述、繪製(紋章)

emblazon v. 用圖案/文字裝飾

=> written or printed in a very obvious way

eg: The castle's flags were emblazoned with the royal family's coat of arms.

=> 這個城堡的旗子上刺有皇家的徽章。

eg: The sales car was emblazoned with the product's logo.

=> 這部宣傳車上裝飾了產品的商標。

mill about 成群結隊漫無目的地遊走

= hang around

eg: Because the boat ride was cancelled, groups of tourists milled about in the streets of the little town while they waited.

=> 因為船次取消了，成群的觀光客一邊等一邊在這邊小鎮街上亂逛

ageless adj. 永遠的/永恆的

gone super

= become super

outfit v. 全套裝備

scoop n. 新聞的搶先報導/獨家新聞/最新內幕消息

=> the latest news, relevant information that you need to know for some reason

eg: What's the scoop on today's meeting?

mild-mannered 溫和 <=> hard temper

=> have gentle personality

I'm certainly in good hands here.

= I'm certainly safe here.

//== Chat room ==//

set foo in 地方 踏入某個地方

= go to a place

set foot in a library

set foot in a place

set foot in a bookstore

eg: I set foot in my new house for the first time.

eg: I set foot in New York City.

set foot on the road 踏上旅途/上路

eg: I set foot on the New York City's sidewalk.

set out to do something 開始著手做某事

eg: I set out to find a new job.

//== More Information ==//

A super Synopsis

Superman was born on the planet Krypton.

He arrived by rocket ship on Earth and was raised by the Kents, a childless farm couple in the fictional town of Smallville Kan Clark Kent then moved to the city of Metropolis to work at the Daily Planet newspaper as a reporter. There he met his trusty colleagues - reporter Lois Lane and photographer Jimmy Olsen.

20100609 The Art of Cosplay (1)

The Art of Cosplay

From scienc-fiction origins

Although the term cosplay originated in Japan, the idea for it seems to have been born in the United States. In 1939, Forrest J. Ackerman attended the 1st World Sciencde Fiction Convention in New York wearing a space suit. Forty-five years later, Japanese native Nov Takahashi attended a similar convention in Los Angeles. Impressed by the many costumes at the convention, Takahashi returned home and coined the term cosplay. Soon after, he began writing about it in Japanese sci-fi magazines. Word about cosplay quickly spread throughout Japan, and the rest is history.

Cosplay today

Today, people all around the world are taking part in cosplay's fantasy fun. While anime and manga are deeply rooted in Japanese cosplay, the art often looks different in the West. There, films like Star Wars, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings have inspired a new generation of cosplay fans. The goal of cosplay is to dress up, have fun and bring fantasy to life. Whether a person is a novice cosplayer or an experienced pro, cosplay is fun for everyone!

origin n. 起源/由來

originate v. 發源於/源自於

=> come from

eg: The custom originated among the natives of the island.

=> 這個習俗源自於這個島嶼的原住民。

eg: The technology originated in Germany, but it developed in the States.

=> 這項技術源自於德國，但卻是在美國發展起來的。

the rest is history 其餘或剩下來的都是眾所皆知的

eg: The famous soccer player and the pop star met at a party. It was love at first sight, - and the rest is history.

=> 這位有名的足球球員和這位流行音樂歌星在一常宴會中遇見。他們一見鍾情，接下來的故事大家就都知道了。

novice n. 新手/初學者

=> a beginner

eg: For a novice graphic designer, this project is way too difficult.

=> 對一位平面設計的新手而言，這個案子實在是太困難了。

eg: I've never played golf before. I'm a complete novice.

=> 我從來都沒打過高爾夫球。我是一個完完全全的新手。

inspire v. 鼓舞/激勵/驅使

convention n.

=> a large gathering

coined the term

=> create the tearm

sci-fi

= science fiction

//== Chat room ==//

science fiction 科幻小說

fantasy 幻想小說

science fiction通常是發生在未來，而且牽涉到science幾乎和太空有關，像是

Star Trek 星際爭霸戰

Alien 異形

Avatar 阿凡達

fantasy都是發生在幻想的奇幻世界當中，而且主角通常都有一個quest，像是

Lord of the Rings 魔戒

20100608 The Art of Cosplay (1)

The Art of Cosplay

Fantasy meets reality with cosplay

If you visit Tokyo's famous Harajuku district, you'll notice a distinct part of Japanese culture coming to life on its streets. That's because anime and manga fans literally bring their favorite characters to life through cosplay. Combining the words costume and play. cosplay is becoming an increasingly popular form of performance art.

What exactly is cosplay? First, it involves cosplayers - people who participate in the art. Cosplayers buy or make an elaborate costume of their favorite animated or fantasy character and then dress up in it.

But the fun doesn't stop there. In addition to looking like a character, cosplayers must also learn to imitate a character's personality, facial expressions and behaviors. This accounts for the "play" in cosplay. Once cosplayers have perfected their character, they take their talents to the streets. On weekends in Japan, cosplayers can be found outdoors posing for pictures and checking out others' costumes. The goal is to win the approval of fellow cosplayers. If approval is won, a cosplayer may consider entering a costume contest.

distinct adj. 明顯的/清晰的/清楚的

eg: The distinct smell of the flower repels insects.

=> 這種花獨特的氣味能驅趕蚊蟲。

eg: There's a distinct parking area reserved for the VIP customers.

=> 有一塊特別的停車場是專門保留給VIP顧客的。

distinct adj. 不同的

=> obviously different

eg: The two writers' styles are quite distinct from each other.

=> 這二位作家寫作的風格截然不同。

imitate v. 模仿

=> behave in the same way one do

eg: Patrick loves to imitate his big brother Frank. He talks and acts just like Frank does.

=> Patrick 很喜歡模仿他的哥哥Frank。他說話和舉動都和Frank一模一樣。

eg: The actress perfectly imitated a French accent in the movie.

=> 這位女演員在電影中完美地模仿了法國口音。

check out 看看/了解一下/試試看

=> examine closely

eg: Did you check out my new bike?

=> 您看過我的新自行車了嗎？

eg: I heard the new restaurant is great. Do you want to check it out with me tonight?

=> 我聽說這家新的餐館很棒。要不要今晚和我去試試看?

Harajuku district

distinct adj. 與其他不同的/有區別的

manga n. 日本連環漫畫冊

anime n. 動漫畫

=> animate films

increasingly adv. 漸增地/越來越多地

=> become more and more ...

This accounts for the "play" in cosplay.

=> This help explain the "play" in cosplay.

//== Chat room ==//

dress up 精心打扮/化妝

dress up in costumes 化妝成不同的人物

dress up 穿上聖裝/穿著正式的服裝

dress down 穿上休閒裝

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

If you visit Tokyo's famous Harajuku district, you'll notice a distinct part of Japanese culture coming to life on its streets.

coming to life

=> how something that is not alive or not moving and seems suddenly to become alive and started to move around

come to life

=> how something that isn't real seems to be alive

eg: A great sculptor can make his artwork look like they're coming to life.

eg: Computer generated special effects have made extinct animals come to life on movie screens.

come to life

=> how someone is waking up

eg: Henry doesn't come to life until he has had two cups of coffee.

eg: After sleeping for ten hours. Sarah is finally coming to life.

20100607 Milk's Big Month (1)

Milk's Big Month

Eat or drink something made from milk this month

In America, June is "Dairy Month," and there is no better time to learn about milk! Do you know the answers to these questions?

Q: How much milk does one cow make?

A: Cows produce an average of six gallons or 90 glasses of milk a day. For each gallon of milk produced, a cow must drink two gallons of water. Cows are milked two or three times a day.

Q: Is milk the only way to get calcium?

A: No, beans and green leafy vegetables also contain calcium.

Your body absorbs the same amount of calcium from two cups of broccoli as it does from one cup of milk. Most people, though, still consider eating dairy products the tastiest way to consume calcium.

Q: How much milk goes into one pound of cheese?

A: Ten pounds of milk are needed for just one pound of cheese! People have enjoyed cheese since at least 6,000 B.C. Today there are more than 2,000 varieties available. Drink a cup of milk, eat a piece of cheese, or enjoy some yogurt today!

diary n. 日記/日誌/日記簿

dairy adj. 牛奶做的/乳製的

=> food that is made of milk

eg: dairy products

eg: Dairy products must be stored in low temperatures to stay fresh.

=> 乳製品必須存放在低溫來保持新鮮。

eg: The dairy farm owns over 200 dairy cattle.

=> 這個牧場擁有超過200隻乳牛。

consume v. 吃/喝

eg: My kids can consume over a whole loaf of bread every day.

=> 我的孩子能每天吃掉一整條麵包。

consume v. 攝取

eg: Eating all sorts of vegetables and fruits is the best way to consume vitamins.

=> 吃各種各樣的蔬菜和水果是攝取維生素最好的方式。

yogurt n. 酸乳酪

=> 英式拼法: yoghurt

eg: Helen eats plain yogurt with fruits every morning.

=> 海倫每天早晨都吃原味酸乳酪加上水果。

eg: Gina only had a strawberry yogurt for lunch.

=> Gina午餐只吃了一罐草莓酸乳酪。

eg: Brenda bought some low-fat yogurt for her snack.

=> Brenda買了一些低脂肪酸乳酪當作點心。

gallon n. 加侖

=> one gallon is about 3.8 liters

calcium n. 鈣

broccoli n. 球花甘藍

//== Chat room ==//

whole milk 全脂鮮乳

low-fat milk 低脂鮮乳

低脂鮮乳又分成one percent和two percent兩種，這兩個百分比表示乳脂肪的成分

skim v. 將液體最上層的部分拿掉

skim milk 脫脂牛奶

=> 牛奶經過處理過後，脂肪會漂浮在水面上，skim milk就是將牛奶最上層的脂肪拿掉之後所剩下的脫脂牛奶

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

Most people, though, still consider eating dairy products the tastiest way to consume calcium.

=> Most people still think that if they want to consume calcium eating dairy products is the tastiest way.

subject + considers object the way to + verb phrase

=> express how someone believe that a certain action is the way to get a certain result

eg: Many health experts consider exercising the best way to lose weight.

eg: Most people consider taking the metro the most convenient way to travel around the city;

somebody considers an activity the way to do something.

//== More Information ==//

What is a Cow?

Cows are always female.

A cow's offspring is called a calf.

A female calf is called a heifer until she has had her first calf and starts producing milk, at which time she officiall becomes a cow.

Males are called either bulls, which can have offspring or steers, which cannot.

All of these animals together, are collectively known as cattle.

20100605 The Perfect Cup of Coffee (2)

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

SC: Does it matter how beans are ground?

VT: It doesn't matter how beans are ground by hand or machine, but the coarseness of the granules does matter. Coarse granules are usually for French presses or drip coffees; finer ones are good for espresso machines. When you grind the beans is also important. Our shop grinds beans only when an order is placed. If you store ground beans, they won't stay fresh very long.

SC: What do you need to make your own great coffee at home?

VT: You need to have a good espresso machine and coffee grinder. You also need a stainless steel milk pitcher and a tamper to press down the coffee. I would also recommend getting a brush to clean the machine. Maintaining your machine will help it last a long time.

SC: Do you have anything you'd like to add?

VT: I drink coffee every day and I feel very passionate about it. There are so many things you can do with coffee and coffee flavors. It's not just coffee. It's an experience.

grind v. 碾碎/把...磨成粉

grine ground ground

eg: Coffee beans need to be roasted before they are ground.

=> 咖啡豆在研磨之前需要被烤過。

ground adj. 磨碎的/切碎的

eg: ground pepper 胡椒粒

eg: ground beef 牛絞肉

coarse adj. 粗糙的

coarseness n. 粗糙

=> not very smooth

eg: The coarseness of the fabric makes it really uncomfortable to wear.

=> 這個布料很粗糙穿起來很不舒服。

coarseness n. 態度或是言語的粗魯

eg: The boy was rejected by his peers due to his coarseness.

=> 這個男孩因為很粗魯被同輩排擠。

recommend v. 建議/勸告

=> suggest

eg: The doctor recommended that Ceorge take a vacation to help ease his stress.

=> 醫生建議Ceorge需要一個假期幫助他紓解的壓力。

recommend v. 推薦

eg: Willia's former surpervisor recommended him for a new position.

=> Willia之前的主管推薦他一個新的職位。

granule n. 細粒

=> small piece of something

stainless steel 不鏽鋼

pitcher n. 水壺

=> a container hold the liquid

tamper n.

coffee grinder 咖啡研磨機

passionate adj. 熱情的

=> have a lot of feeling about it

//== Chat room ==//

How do you take your coffee? 你想要什麼樣的咖啡?

I'm a little tired. I'll take the regular black coffee.

black 不加糖的黑咖啡

with cream only 只要加奶精

with cream and sugar 加奶精和糖

regular

decaf

= decaffeinated coffee 無(低)咖啡因咖啡

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

When you grind the beans is also important.

=> The time when you grind the beans is also important.

When you grind the beans...

= The time when you grind the beans

Where - Where we're going to spend the night will be arranged by the travel agent.

Why - Why he made such a decision was beyond everyone's understanding.

Who - Who Brent's going to marry is none of our business.

What - What we're going to do with the property will be discussed at the meeting.

How - How the prisoner was able to escape remains a mystery.

20100604 The Perfect Cup of Coffee (1)

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

Making one of the world's most popular drinks

SC: How do you make great coffee?

VT: There are many ways to make coffee - espressos, drip coffees and siphon-made coffees. Different combinations of beans and equipment will produce very different beverages. Most importantly, you need to have clean, high-quality water and good-quality coffee. Water temperature is also fundamental. For example, espresso machines need to keep water at a very consistent temperature.

SC: How does coffee go from the plant to the pot?

VT: It's a long and complicated process. Basically, coffee beans are the seeds of coffee trees. There are both hand-picked and mechanically harvested beans. Hand picking means the beans that are taken are all ripe. In contrast, mechanical harvesting takes ripe and unripe beans, leaves - everything. The seeds, or beans, are removed from the fruit. Then they are washed, dried and roasted.

SC: How do you keep your coffee beans fresh?

VT: Some people say to put them in the refrigerator, but don't do that. Just put them in a vacuum-sealed glass jar and use them up within seven to 14 days.

combination n. 組合(體)

eg: The cookbook has a combination of Thai and Italian recipes.

=> 這本食譜是泰式和義式食譜的結合。

eg: The combination of tiredness and boredom caused the kid to feel frustrated.

=> 疲倦和無聊讓這些孩子感到挫折

beverage n. 飲料

=> something you drink

eg: Hot beverages such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate are complimentary.

=> 熱的飲料例如咖啡、茶和熱可可是免費招待的。

eg: Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in teh students' cafeteria.

=> 學生自助餐廳是禁止酒精類的飲料 。

beverage 含酒精和不含酒精的飲料(含意較廣)

drink 含酒精的飲料

vacuum v. 使成現真空的狀態

sealed adj. 密封的

vacuum-sealed adj. 真空包裝的

= vacuum-packed

eg: These vacuum-packed dried bananas can be stored for 6 months.

=> 這些真空包裝的香蕉乾可以被存放6個月。

eg: The vacuum-packed beef jerky tastes really well.

=> 這種真空包裝的牛肉乾真地非常好吃。

siphon v. 通過虹吸管/由虹吸管輸送

fundamental adj. 基礎的/根本的/十分重要的

=> one of the most important of something

mechanically adv. 機械方面地/機械地/物理上地

consistent adj. 始終如一的/前後一致的

=> stand the same and not change

eg: consistent temperature

ripe adj. 成熟的

unripe adj. 未成熟的

//== Chat room ==//

coffee 咖啡

caffeine 咖啡因

addicted 上隱的/沈溺於某種(尤其是不良的)嗜好的/入了迷的

be addicted to something 對...上癮

eg: He is addicted to coffee. 他喝咖啡成癮

eg: He is addicted to alcohol. 他喝酒成癮

20100603 Undersea Robots Go Green (1)

Undersea Robots Go Green

Undersea robots no longer depend on batteries for power

What can stay at sea for possibly years at a time, run on natural energy and will do what you tell it with no questions asked? It's certainly not a human or a sea creature. Is it an alien from another pianet? No! It's an undersea robotic glider now being used for the exploration of our oceans' abysses.

The first green undersea robot

Scientists have been experimenting with this torpedo-shaped, undersea robotic glider since December 2007. This green glider, powered by heat energy harvested from the ocean, is the first self-propelled undersea vehicle to journey great distances for long periods of time. However, since this glider depends on battery power to operate the onboard instruments and rudder, it is technically a hybrid.

Its potential

Unlike most battery-powered undersea robotic gliders, this one's energy source is virtually unlimited. Consequently, study of the oceans' depths around the clock for multiple years at a time is no longer out of the question. Gliders in this category are designed for long-term, long distance journeys that are impossible or impractical for humans to make. Thanks to this glider and other inventions of this nature, exploring our blue oceans is becoming more efficient and greener all the time.

exploration n. 勘查/探測/探索

eg: Human exploration of space never seems to cease.

=> 人類對太空的探索似乎從未停止。

eg: The research team started an in-depth exploration of the South Pole last year.

=> 這個研究團隊去年開始在南極深度的勘查。

propell v. 推進

self-propelled adj. 不用人拉動的/自力推進的/機動式的

=> push itself forward

eg: a self-propelled vacuum cleaner 自行推動的自動吸塵器

eg: a self-propelled boat 機器推動的船

around the clock 日以繼夜地(當副詞片語使用)

eg: Three shifts of workers worked together around the clock to meet the deadline.

=> 三個班的工作者日以繼夜地趕工要在限期內完工。

eg: The witness was guarded by the police around the clock.

=> 證人二十四小時受到警方的保護

abyss n. 深淵/深坑/深處

torpedo-shaped 魚雷形狀的

glider n. 滑翔機

rudder n. (船的)舵/(飛機的)方向舵

=> a rudder guides the direction of the ship

virtually adv. 差不多

=> almost entirely

virtually unlimited

=> almost entirely unlimited

//== Chat room ==//

an alien from another planet

alien n. 外星人/外國的/不同性質的

alien n. 外國人/外僑

定居在外國的外僑可能是resident alien或是illegal alien

resident alien 合法居留者

illegal alien 非法居留者

immigrant 移民的人

immigration 移民/移居

immigration 入出境管理

Customs 海關

eg: go through immigration

immigration lost

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

Consequently, study of the ocean depths around the clock for mltiple years at a time is no longer out of the question.

=> The study of the ocean depth around the clock for multiple years at a time is possbile.

out of the question 不可能

=> impossible

out of the question

eg: For Sarah, taking a vacation this summer is out of the question.

eg: Try to use my cellphone to make a phonecall is completely out of the question.

======================================

out of question 無庸置疑

這裡的question為抽象名詞，意思為質疑

=> 因此out of question變成了質疑之外，也就是「無庸置疑」了

=> 請和out of the question區分

//== More Information ==//

Sending humans down to explore the ocean depths can be very dangerous. However, with the development of undersea robots, the danger factor has been removed making the impossible possible. Here are three once impossible things undersea robots have helped humans do.

Discover Titanic's grave

Recover gold and other treasures from ships that sunk centunes ago

Extract oil from the Gulf of Mexico

20100602 Gustavo Dudamel - the New Face of Classical Music (2)

Gustavo Dudamel - the New Face of Classical Music

At 17, Dudamel became the music director of the same orchestra he had grown up in. In 2004, he traveled to Germany for a conducting competition where he won first place. One of the judges was Esa-Pekka Salonen, then director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. With great excitement. Saloenen contacted orchestra president Deboraih Borda about this amazing young musician. Wasting no time, she booked Dudamel for his U.S. debut. Other invitations also arrived from lsrael, Stockholm and London, and Dudamel's life changed forever.

The move to Los Angeles

Borda continued watching Dudamel with interest. Eventually, her orchestra invited him to become its music director following Salonen's retirement. On Octorber 3, 2009, an all-day free event introduced Dudamel to the city. Eighteen thousand people arrived, watching enthusiastically for the trademark smile and flying hair. Dudamel's performance didn't disappoint them, bringing the cheering crowd to its feet repeatedly. Fireworks spelled out his name in the sky as the music world declared its latest star.

debut n. 首次露面/初次演出

=> first public appearence/display/performance

make one's debut 某人首次演出

eg: The dancer made her professional debut in the musical "Cats."

=> 這位舞蹈家做了她在"Cats"的專業首演.

eg: The famous director made his debut in 1997 with his first feature film.

=> 這位有名的導演在1997年做了他的第一部劇情片中首次指導。

retire v. 退休

retirement n. 退休

=> stop working

eg: The popular quarterback announced his retirement after his team won the championship.

=> 這位極受歡迎的四分衛在球隊贏取了冠軍之後，宣佈退休。

eg: Dave decided to take an early retirement to spend more time with his family.

=> Dave決定要提早退休多花點時間和他的家人相處。

trademark 商標/本課指的是人的特徵

=> unique/a remark

eg: Diamond gloves are Michael Jackson's trademark.

=> 鑽石手套是 Michael Jackson的特色。

eg: Julia Roberts gave one of her trademark smiles during the interview.

=> 茱莉亞羅伯茲在訪問過重中展現了她的招牌笑容。

Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra 洛杉磯愛好音樂樂隊

amazing adj. 驚人的/令人吃驚的

=> impressive

forever adv. 永遠

=> for all time

eventually adv. 最終

=> in the end

firework n. 煙火

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trademark n. (廣義)人或物的特徵/標記

a trademark smile 獨特的笑容

a trademark style 獨特的風格

trademark n. (狹義)商標

registered trademark 註冊商標

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Wasting no time, she booked Gustavo for his U.S. debut.

Wasting no time

=> right away

=> immediately

eg: When jeremy heard that he was hired, he wasted no time in letting his family know.

eg: Pamela was excited about her vacation and wasted no time in getting her tickets booked.

20100601 Gustavo Dudamel - the New Face of Classical Music (1)

Gustavo Dudamel - the New Face of Classical Music

This young director from Venezuela has been called one of the most exciting musicians of our time!

With arms waving and hair bouncing, Gustavo Dudamel excites crowds with his unique conducting style. Children, young people and adults all respond to his energy and enthusiasm. As a result, Dudamel is doing something others before him have been unable to do. He's making classical music cool.

His early years

The 29-year-old conductor was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, on January 26, 1981. His parents, who are both musicians, began teaching Dudamel about music before he could talk. He was a willing student.

While Dudamel was still quite little, his mother gave him a set of toy soldiers. But instead of preparing them for battle, the young boy arranged them into an orchestra. Then he began to conduct them.

Music clearly was already his passion. His formal studies began at 5 when Dudamel began studying music in Venezuela's orchestra for children. He started by singing in the chorus but soon began playing the violin. Conducting came at 15. And each new teacher spotted the boy's extraordinary talent.

bounce v. 上下跳動/蹦蹦跳跳

=> move up and down

eg: The ping-pong ball bounced off the table.

=> 乒乓球彈出桌面外。

eg: The kids bounced on the bed laughing.

=> 小朋友一邊笑一邊在床上跳。

eg: Her school bag bounced up and down as she walked.

=> 她一邊走路書包一邊上上下下地跳動著。

conduct v. 指揮

eg: Mr. Rush will conduct this orchestra today.

=> Rush先生今天會指揮這個管弦樂團。

conduct v. 實施/執行

eg: The research was conducted by a group of top scientists.

=> 這個實驗是由一群頂尖科學家所執行的。

conductor n. 指揮

=> the person who direct musician

eg: When the conductor raised his baton, the audience held their breath.

=> 當指揮揚起他的指揮棒時，所有觀眾都屏住呼息。

passion n. 熱愛的事物

eg: Sean's passion is cooking, which makes him an excellent chef.

=> Sean最熱愛的就是烹調，讓他成為一位優秀的廚師。

eg: Tennis and golf are Grandfather's lifelong passions.

=> 網球和高爾夫球是祖父一生最熱愛的事物。

classical music 古典音樂

orchestra n. 管弦樂隊

=> a large of group of musicians who play together and play many different instruments all the same time

passion n.

=> strong feeling about something

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conduct v. 指揮

conductor 指揮家

conduct v. 執行/經營/處理

eg: conduct research 進行研究

eg: conduct business 作生意

conduct v. 行為的表現

eg: He conducted himself very well.

=> 他有好的行為舉止

conduct n. 行為/品行

the code of conduct 行為的規範/行為的準則

//== More Information ==//

Dudamel's music career began in el Sistema,

Venezuela's youth orchestra system. "The System" as

it's called in English, is more than a music program, it's a

social program, designed to give underprivileged youth

an alternative to the temptations and dangers

of street life. Now, with Dudamel leading the

Los Anglies Philnarmonic Orchestra, there are plans to

have a "System" up and running in Southen

California in a few years.