I Bought It From a Vending Machine

我在販賣機裡買到房子Vending machines don’t just sell junk food anymore by Simon Stopps
不但能從這款販賣機裡買到衣服、車子──甚至還能購屋喔

For years now, vending machines have offered convenience and comfort to rushed travelers, students and business people alike. But at a vending machine in the Mondrian South Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida, guests can get much more than toothbrushes and snack foods.

The Mondrian Semi-Automatic, a $250,000 high-end vending machine, offers 90 items ranging in price from $5 to $1.2 million. Among other things, the Semi-Automatic peddles T-shirts, consumer electronics and dinner cruises. The giant purple and white machine holds rows of shiny, white boxes. The machine also has two small screens that let customers view images and details of each product.

To make a purchase, customers swipe a credit card and make a selection. For larger items, the machine issues cards that can be exchanged for the purchases at the hotel's front desk. The largest items - such as cars and condominiums-require a non-refundable $1,500 deposit. Once the deposit has been paid, staff take customers to view their item before they make the final purchase. So don't be surprised the next time you ask someone where she got her designer dress and she says, " I bought it from a vending machine."

More Info
How old is the vending machine? Believe it or not, the first documented vending machine dates back to about 215 B.C., when the mathematician hero invented a device that accepted bronze coins and dispensed holy water in the temples of Alexandria. Egypt. In A.D. 1076, Chinese inventors developed a pencil vendor. Coin-activated tobacco boxes appeared in English taverns during the 1700s.

Grammar
Among other things, the Semi-Automatic peddles T-shirts, consumer electronics and dinner cruises.
"among other things" -It means many things to talk about but only mention a few. This phrase can be put in the front or in the middle or at the end of the sentence.
The art exhibition was, among other things, a very creative expression of the artist's interpretation of current events.
Janis is responsible for many chores; she needs to do the dishes, mop the floor, and take out the trash, among other things.

Vocabulary
vending machine (n)-販賣機Ted is angry because the vending machine took his money-again.
peddle (v)-兜售 , 叫賣The shops in the market peddle a variety of local foods.
* Vacuum cleaner salesmen peddle from door to door trying to sell their product.
*The drug dealer was arrested last weekend for peddling drugs to an undercover police officer.
swipe (v)-刷卡的動作 swiped, swiping
To get onto the train, passengers swipe their ticket at the entrance gate.
*All you have to do to enter the office building is swipe your ID card.
*The clerk swiped the credit card several times but it was continuously rejected.
non-refundable (adj) - Charlene can return the bottled water to the store, but the fruit is non-refundable.
*The application fee is non-refundable whether you're accepted or not.
refundable (adj)- 可以退還的
The apartment deposit is only refundable for two weeks. After that you can't get your money back.

Chat Room
semi- half or part of , half circle.
semi circle-半圓的
semi sweet-微甜的
semi final-準決賽
semi-automatic-半自動
semi-monthly meeting　一個月二次
"bi"： bi-weekly, every other week, every two weeks.
semi-weekly: two times a week