20090630 -- Watches Tell More Than Time(2)

Watches Tell More Than Times

"Complication" - features that go beyond simple timekeeping - are an important part of a watch's image. Today's watches offer a host of features that suit almost any personality. These features include altitude trackers, compasses, lunar calendars, USB drives, and even devices that measure the effectiveness of gold swings!

Creativity is also a key element in today's watches. For example, Japanese watchmaker Tokyoflash make watches that don't even look like watches. The company's popular Shinshoku model uses different color lights to tell the time. It looks more like futuristic bracelet than a watch. Another Japanese watchmaker, EleeNo, makes a "handless" watch. Using a ring of circles to keep time, this watch makes an excellent conversation piece.

Whether a watch communicates fashion sense, creative flair or a love of sports, consumers want their timepieces to stand out. Nowadays, everyone has the same kind of gadget in their bags, so people want to make a statement on their wrists. Will this interest in wrist fashion last? Only time will tell!


altitude n. 高度
= elevation
-> the distance above the sea level
eg: When the climbers reached 4,000 meters, several of them experienced altitude sickness with bad headaches and nosebleeds.

creativity n.
-> the quality of being creative
eg: Working in our company's art department requires a lot of creativity.

future n. 未來
futuristic adj. 未來主義的/未來感的
-> look like that something will happen in the future
eg: The design of this building is very futuristic. It makes me feel like I'm going to outer space!
eg: The futuristic design of the building makes it the landmark of the city.
eg: This futuristic sci-fi novel(未來主義科幻小說) was adapted into a movie.

gadget n. 小器具
-> device
eg: Alex owns lots of gadgets. He got an MP3 player last month, and yesterday he bought a GPS.
eg: This kitchen gadget can open cans in just a few seconds.
eg: These office gadgets are nice gifts for colleagues or clients.
eg: This handy gadget peels(削) an apple and also cuts out the core.

flair n. 天份/才華(常用單數型)
flair for
eg: The girl has a flair for writing music.
eg: Samuel has a flair for solving difficult mathematics problems.

flair n. 特殊風格
eg: The new CEO has certainly got flair.


complication n. 混亂/複雜

a host of
= a large number of

bracelet n. 手鐲

conversation piece 易引起話題的東西

wrist n. 腕/腕關節

stand out 引人注目/脫穎而出
eg: Our daughter is a great dancer, she stands out above the rest.

//== Chat room ==//

hands 手錶的指針
face 手錶的表面

airplanes have nose

a table has legs 桌腳
a comb has teeth 梳子的齒狀物
a needle has an eye 針孔
a bottle has a neck 瓶頸

bottleneck 瓶頸
bottleneck traffic

end pieces of a loaf of bread (一條吐司最末端的部份)腳後跟
= heel 腳後跟

//== Grammer on the go ==//

It looks more like futuristic bracelet than a watch.
-> Tokyoflash watch doesn't look like a watch but more like a bracelet.

Sentence Pattern:
It looks more like an A than a B
-> how something should look in certain way but not

eg: Sarah's evening gown looks more like a coat than a dress.
eg: The artist's painting looks more like a child's artwork than a masterpiece.

20090629 -- Watches Tell More Than Time(1)

Watches Tell More Than Time

From cool Japanese styles to multi-function models, watches make a statement

In today’s world of cell phones, mini laptops and MP3 players, most people have at least one time-telling tool with them. Since these devices are so common, is time running out for the 500-year-old watch? According to some consumers, yes. New Jersey teenager Charlie Wollman says a watch is "an extra piece of equipment with no necessary function." Many young adults agree – and use their cell phones to tell time. Louis Galie, a senior vice president at Timex, said that fewer young people wear watches today than five years ago.

As a result, some people claim that the watch industry is at a crossroads. However, watchmakers optimistically say that watches regain popularity when consumers reach their 20s and 30s. By then, they are willing to spend money on a quality timepiece that doesn't just keep good time. Fifty years ago, watchmakers boasted about their products' accuracy. But in recent years, the watch industry has transformed itself into an accessory business. And for many today, the image a watch communicates has become more important than the time it tells


device n. 裝置
eg: With this mobile device, I can listen to music, play games and surf the
Internet.
eg: This special device shows where the patients are located in the
hospital.
eg: The device the doctor put in her chest regulates her heartbeats.

consume v. 消費
consumer n. 消費者
eg: Angry consumers called the stored to complain about the damaged
products they had purchased.
eg: The rise of oil prices impacts all consumers.
eg: Consumers should be educated about their rights.
eg: Consumers spending decreased dramatically last year.

popular adj. 受歡迎的
popularity n. 受到大眾歡迎/流行
eg: Social networking websites are increasing in popularity. Even my grandmother uses one!
eg: The movie's success boosted(提升) the actor's popularity(知名度)
eg: Many companies have started to notice the increasing popularity of
organic food.

accuracy n. 精確度
-> how correct/exactly something is
eg: Some universities don't allow students to use information from wikis
because of problems with the sites' accuracy.

crossroads n. 十字路口/轉折點/重大的抉擇時刻
-> two roads come together to form a shape of cross

timepiece n.錶/鐘/計時器
-> a piece of equipment that tells time

accessory n. 附件/配件/附加物件
eg: A radio is an accessory to a car.

//=== Chat room ==//

tool
tools of the trade 專業器具

utensils (不用插電的) 廚房的用具(鍋婉瓢盆)
appliance (要插電的) 家電

instrument 精密工具/儀器
eg: scalpel 解剖刀(屬於instrument)

20090625 -- American Parties (2)

American Parties

Conversation A

A: Where are you off to, Laura?
B: Jordan's baby shower is next week, so I'm going to buy her a gift.


A: What are you going to get?
B: I'm thinking about getting her a blanket. But she is registered at Target, so I'm going there to look at her list first.

A: Just buy her some baby clothes. Infants grow out of them so fast.
B: New mothers need more than just baby clothes. They need diapers, toys and other things.

A: Well, don't spend too much money!
B: I won't. I should be able to get her something nice for under %50.

Conversation B
Jack comes into the kitchen

A: Mmmm, I can smell that cake all over the house. Can I have a piece?
B: Not now. I'm taking it to the neighborhood potluck tomorrow.

A: I'm looking forwad to that. There are some great cooks in our neighborhood! I'll make sure I have a good appetite!
B: You always do! I think six people are bringing desserts, and the rest are bringing salads.

A: And we have to bring our own meat to barbecue, right?
B: Right, I already bought some steaks.
A: I can't wait!


register v. 新婚夫婦到喜歡的商店登記他們所需要的東西的清單
eg: The couple decided to register for dishes at the department store.


infant n. 嬰兒(還不會走路)
eg: Brenda's infant is only 6 weeks old.
eg: The lotion(乳液) is very mild, and it's suitable for infants.

infant adj. 嬰兒的
eg: My sister gave me some of her daughter's infant clothing.

toddler n. 會走路的幼兒
eg: These active toddlers have really worn me down(讓我累垮了).

diaper n.
eg: Babies need their diapers changed often.

neighborhood n.
eg: Three new families moved into our neighborhood last summer.

look forward to N/Ving 期待某件事的發生
eg: Ava is really looking forward to her birthday party.
eg: Everyone is looking forward to the senior high prom(高中畢業舞會).
eg: We're looking forward to your visit.

//== Chat room ==//

Can I have a piece (of cake)?
Can I have a cake? ( asking for whole cake ) 一整個蛋糕
one pizza ( one entire pizza )


a piece of cake 輕而易舉的事情
eg: That test was a piece of cake.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. 魚與熊掌不能兼得

20090624 -- American Parties (1)

American Parties

Any excuse for a party!

Americans love parties, and most people choose to entertain in their homes. A gathering can be just a small dinner party for friends. Or it may be a big celebration of a special occasion like a birthday or a wedding anniversary.

One special kind of party, called a shower, celebrates an upcoming wedding or birth. Usually only women attend a wedding shower or baby shower. At the party, women "shower" the bride-to-be or mother-to-be with gifts. Everyone plays games, watches the guest of honor open her gifts, and enjoys refreshments.

A potluck is another popular kind of party that can be held for any reason. At a potluck, everyone brings a dish to share. It might be a main dish, salad or dessert. Sometimes the hostess will tell people what kind of food to bring -- so everyone won't bring the same thing. Whatever the reason for the party, people enjoy sharing food and conversation with their friends.



entertain v. 請客/招待/款待
-> invite someone to your home. Give them food, drinks.
eg: The Smiths entertain often. This weekend they have invited 10 people to dinner.
eg: We entertained our neighbors and friends with BBQ in our backyard.
eg: Mark and his wife don't entertain much.

entertain v. 育樂
eg: Johnny's parents hired a clown to entertain him and his friends.

anniversary n. 週年紀念會/週年紀念日
-> a day of a year which something special happens
ann- 年
eg: John and Joan celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last week.
eg: Dad and Mom will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in Paris.
eg: Tomorrow will be the 20th anniversary of our company.

guest of honor n. 貴賓
eg: Grandma will be the guest of honor at her 90th birthday party.

refresh v. 使精神振作
refreshment n. 點心/茶點(常作複數型)
-> snack
eg: At the party, Ashley served tea and cake for refreshments.
eg: Refreshments are served at the back of the conference hall.
eg: We stopped and had some light refreshments at a cafe.

gathering
-> get together with people

baby shower

potluck n. 百樂餐(參加聚餐者每人各帶菜餚共享的餐會)

hostess n. 女主人

//== Chat room ==//

political parties 政黨
Republican Party 美國民主黨
Democratic Party 美國共和黨

How big is your party? (去餐廳時，老闆會問)你們這一組人有幾位
Mr. Lee's party 李先生名字登記的派對，所有跟李先生一起用餐的人就屬於Mr. Lee's party

party (法律)關係人/當事人

injured party
third party 第三者
interested party 利害關係者

become a party to something (參與某件壞事)共謀

//== Grammer on the go ==//

Whatever the reason for the party, people enjoy sharing food and conversation with their friends.
= No matter what the reason may be for the party, people enjoy sharing food and conversation with their friends.

Whatever the reason
= No matter what the reason may be

20090623 -- The Picnic (2)

The Picnic
"Yes, of course," Auntie smiled.
"Just don't pick up anything from people's plates,"
she warned her nephews.
"People don't like sharing their lunches with ants --
although I don't know why not.
After all, we eat so little. Anyway," she continued.
"run along and get your food, I'll pick out a spot to eat."

So the two cousins scurried off before long.
Anthony found a delicious bit of cookie.
But Tyrant was picky. He wasn't satisfied with anything.
He picked through some leftover chips.
He found a chicken bone that had been picked clean.
"Yuck! This food is crummy," he complained.
"It's all been picked over. I don't want any of it."
But just then, he saw something he did want --
a piece of cake with chocolate frosting.
"Looks delicious," he said.
"So what if it's on someone's plates.
I'm getting a piece anyway."

"But you mustn't" cried Anthony.
"You heard what Auntie said."
"Oh, what does she know?" laughed Tyrant.
And disoveying Auntie, he marched onto
the paper plate where the cake was sitting.
"Mmmm -- tasty," he grinned as he picked at the chocolate icing.

Suddenly the plate shifted. It was being picked up.
"Whaaoo!" Tyrant hold on.
A plastic fork cut into the cake just above his head.
A bite-sized piece of cake disappeared.
"Help!" screamed the naughty little ant.

But it was too late.
"Ooooh, ants!" a loud voice sounded.
And suddenly Tyrant was strucked by the plastic fork.
Bits of cake, piece of icing and Tyrant tumbled to the ground.
And Auntie and Anthony are still picking up the pieces.


picky adj. 挑剔的
-> only like certain things
picky about
eg: Vivian eats only the finest food. She's very picky.
eg: Nancy knows how to deal with picky clients.
eg: Amanda is picky about what she eats. She only eats gourmet food (美食).

crummy adj. 品質很差的/劣等的
-> discusting
eg: The hotel we stayed in was dirty and cold. It was a crummy place.
eg: The service at this restaurant is crummy. No wonder there aren't many customers.
eg: I can't believe that the hotel charged me $100 per night for such a crummy room.

disobedience n. 反抗
disobey v. 反抗
-> don't obey
dis- 否定
eg: If you disobey the law, you might go to jail.
eg: That soldier was punished for disobeying his superior.
eg: His disobedience really caused a lot of problems at school.

pick out a spot
-> choose/select a spot

scurry v. 急匆匆地跑
-> run very quickly

pick through
-> have several options. Picking through several options
eg: I have a lot of popcorn. I picked through only the best of the popcorn.

pick over

grin v. 露齒而笑

strucked
-> hit

tumble v. 墜落
eg: Tom tumbled over and hit his head on the concrete.



ants in your pants 熱鍋上的螞蟻
-> cannot sit still

//== Grammer on the go ==//

So what if it's on someone's plates.
= Who cares if it's on someone's plates.

So what 那有如何
-> who cares or what does it matter

eg: So what if white shoes aren't popular right now. If you like them, wear them.
eg: So what if I have a lot of work to do. I have a family emergency, so I need to leave now.

//== Chat room ==//

a piece of cake with chocolate frosting
chocolate icing

frosting/icing (蛋糕上面的)糖衣/糖霜
frosting 東北/中西/美西常用
icing 南方常用

icing on the cake 錦上添花
-> additional benefits to something that are already good