The Flowers of Valentine’s Day

情人節的花朵Discover the meaning behind some of your favorite flowers 探索你最喜愛的一些花朵的背後意涵 by Audrey Osment

Walk into a flower store and an amazing number of colors and smells greet you! How do you choose which flowers to give to that special someone? Believe it or not, flowers can convey many messages. You can "say it with flowers."

The power of flowers
Even before the first Valentine's Day, people celebrated events by giving flowers. Back in the 1700s, people believed every flower had a special meaning. When they gave flowers, they chose the ones that best expressed their feelings.
Remember that not everyone agrees on these meanings. But to help you make your choice, here are some flowers and the ideas they can stand for.

Red roses
Each color of rose has its own meaning, and red roses often show romantic feelings.

Peruvian lilies
These flowers suggest both loyalty and the bond between friends.

Forget-me-nots
These cleverly named flowers are associated with cherished memories.

Sweet peas
These sweet-smelling flowers are often given when people move and are saying good-bye.

In the end, it doesn't matter which flowers you choose. They will always carry your own personal meaning.

Information
If you plan on giving roses to that special someone today, you should know that different colored roses give different messages.
There's a color that symbolizes love at first sight, a color for appreciation, a color for friendship, and a color that expresses wishes for good health. Now, be careful with black roses because the very unromantic message they send is : the relationship is over!

Grammar Tips
Walk into a flower store and an amazing number of colors and smells greet you!
Different flowers have different meanings so let's take a look at the meaning behind some of your favorite flowers.
Walk into a flower store
Last week, while I was crossing a street in the rain with two heavy bags of grocery, a taxi driver honked at me impatiently.
Growing up I enjoyed spending time with my grandmother. Although she had never attended school, I learned more from her than from any class or teacher.

Vocabulary Tips:
convey- 傳達，表達saying or telling something to someone.
In the article, the reporter conveyed his opposition toward the new foreign policy.
I tried to convey, in my letter, how grateful I am for his help. 極其的感謝
celebrate-慶祝
We're throwing a surprise party tonight to celebrate Henry's birthday.

Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries.農曆年，舊曆年

celebration -慶祝。
*The couple invited many friends to join their anniversary celebration.
cherish- 珍貴的 cherished是 cherish 的過去式， 當 (adj)-寶貴的，珍愛的。
*These cherished love letters were kept in a beautiful wooden box. 珍貴的情書
*His most cherished possession is his Harley motorcycle. 最珍貴的擁有物。。。

Chat Room:
birth flower-生日花。在美國，每個月都有一种代表每個月的花。
daffodil -三月的水仙花
corsage-在正式場合上，女性胸前或手腕上戴的花，(kor-'sa-dge)
boutonniere -在正式場合上， 男性上裝口袋上或鈕扣上插的花。(bu-'tang-nir)
florist - (flo- rist) -花商，花匠，或是花卉的栽培者。

Christmas at the Biltmore House

到全美最大豪宅過聖誕America’s largest home sparkles with magic at Christmastime 全美最大的豪宅在聖誕節期間閃耀著奇幻光芒by Pamela Osment

On Christmas Eve in 1895, George Washington Vanderbilt of New York City unveiled his mountaintop masterpiece. This beautiful house had taken 1,000 men six years to construct. But what had inspired Vanderbilt to choose this remote location in the mountains near at Asheville, N.C., for his summer home and "little mountain escape"?

Where it began
In the 1800s, Vanderbilt's grandfather Cornelius amassed a fortune in the shipping and railroad business. By the turn of the century, the Vanderbilts were some of the world's richest people and faced some of the same privacy issues as today's celebrities.

This prompted George Vanderbilt to begin searching for a getaway - a place where he and his family could escape the ever-watchful press. While traveling in eastern North Carolina, Vanderbilt was captivated by the region's scenery. He chose a mountain of location there that would provide privacy and allow him to pursue hisinterests in art and horticulture.

A castle fit for a king
If Vanderbilt's Christmas Eve guests had expected a modest second home, they must have been amazed as they crossed his 120,000-acre estate. The carriages then delivered them to the 250-room French chateau equipped with a swimming pool, bowling alley and much more!

"A Vanderbilt Christmas Celebration"
Visitors today are equally awed by the beautiful estate-though it's smaller now at around 7,000 acres- and the palatial house with 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces.

An even more spectacular treat, though, awaits those who visit during the annual "Christmas at Biltmore" event. Known as one of the largest Christmas displays in the Southeast, the event boasts nearly 100 decorated Christmas trees and more than 1,000 wreaths and bows. Thirty thousand lights illuminate the Biltmore House and another 150,000 lights light up the estate. During the holiday event, thousands of ornaments also decorate the Biltmore House and its grounds.

People visiting at night are greeted on the front lawn by a 55-foot spruce tree covered with 32,000 lights. Inside, Christmas music, candles and glowing fireplaces provide a festive setting for guests viewing the thousands of decorations spread throughout the house. More than 300,000 people are expected to attend this year's display entitled. "A Vanderbilt Christmas Celebration," which started in November and runs until January 2, 2011.

Thanks to the Vanderbilts' dedication to preserving the Biltmore estate, people today - like the original guests 115 years ago - can still experience the famed Vanderbilt hospitality.

More Information:
Imagine you go to the Biltmore during the Christmas holiday season and take a tour of the estate. After experiencing so much Biltmore Christmas magic, you realize that you are inspired to decorate your own home in a similar style. But, where do you begin? You start by joining a free Biltmore holiday decorating seminar where Biltmore staff offer Christmas decorating tips and fresh ideas for your own home.

Grammar:
A place where he and his family could escape the ever-watchful press.
"ever-watchful" = "always watchful"
"ever" + "-"+"something = always something.
the ever-changing scenery=an always changing scenery.
an ever-growing problem =an always growing problem.
ever-charming countryside= always charming countryside.

Vocabulary Tips:
unveil-去掉面紗，即“首次展露或公開。 "un"-否定的字首veil-面紗。
*The remote tribe's wedding ceremony traditions were unveiled for the first time in National Geographic.
*The new hybrid car will be unveiled today at the car show.
turn of the century-the time is end of one century and start another new century. for example: Year 1999 cross the year 2000 is turn of the century. 世紀之交，指一個世紀的結束與另一個世紀的開始的期間。
*The king's death at the turn of the century began a new era in the kingdom.
*The empire collapsed at the turn of the century.
getaway(n)-a place, is a location. 度假的去處。
*Larry sees his cabin in the mountain as his favorite getaway.
*The resort was listed as one of the favorite getaways for the rich and famous.度假中心。度假勝地
getaway-短的假期。
*Alex and his wife had a weekend getaway by the lake. 在湖邊渡了一個周末假期。
awe-使敬畏，使驚嘆。害怕，敬畏
*The tourists were awed by the spectacular view of the Grand Canyon.
*I was awed by the singer's beautiful voice.
awe-害怕， 敬畏
*I'm in awe of my grandfather, even though I'm an adult now.
equally awe of -不論年代，來參觀的人，感受到相同的驚嘆。
illuminate-照亮，用燈裝飾。啓發。
*The neon lights illuminate the dark night of the city.
*The windows of the bookstore were illuminated with Christmas lights.
illuminate-啓發
*His instruction really helped me by illuminating the complicated issue.
hospitality-款待，接待，好客
*Eileen always treats her guests with great hospitality and makes them feel very welcome in her home. 尚好的款待。。。賓至如歸。
*I sent a bouquet of flowers to show my gratitude for the hostess' hospitality. 對女主人的熱情款待。
palatial (adj)- palace like, like king's palace. very palatial....
wreath and bows- wreath is come out as a round shape,made of branches. usually hang on the door or wall. bows-wide ribbon fold as a butterfly shape.
captivated by something- something was draw someone's attention.
horticulture-cultivate, culture of something relate to make things as flower, grass, trees, plants to grow.

Chat Room:
privacy-隱私
paparazzi"，狗仔隊，是複數名詞，不分多寡都可說"paparazzi"。
Paparazzo-一個狗仔.
-------------------------------------
Thousands of ornaments decorate the Biltmore House and its grounds.
ground-地面
grounds- "ground" + "s" , 建築物周邊的庭院。動機，理由，基於。。,沉澱物.
These are private grounds.私人庭院
grounds-動機，理由，基於。。base on.., reason.
He resigned on the grounds of ill health.
grounds-沉澱物。
coffee grounds-咖啡渣

The Story of Easter

復活節的由來The real reason people celebrate Easter.人們慶祝復活節的真正理由What is the real reason that people celebrate Easter? by Pamela Osment

More than 2,000 years ago, a special baby named Jesus was born in Israel. Around age 30, Jesus began teaching people about God’s love, claiming that he was God’s son. People were amazed. They were also surprised by his ability to heal, and some traveled long distances to be healed. Jealous of Jesus’ popularity, the Jewish religious leaders began plotting to capture him.

The arrest and crucifixion
One night while Jesus was praying in a garden, soldiers arrested him. They took him to the local religious leaders for questioning. The leaders wanted to put him to death but could find no evidence. Then they took him to Pilate, the region's Roman governor, and he couldn't find Jesus guilty of anything either. However, the people, swayed by the local leaders, demanded his death. And so, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. After beating him, the soldiers hammered Jesus' hands and feet to a cross. With people mocking him as he suffered, Jesus displayed his love by asking God to forgive them. After about six hours, he breathed his final breath.

The resurrection
Jesus' friends took his body wrapped it in cloth, and placed it in a tomb. Jewish leaders, though, feared someone would steal it because Jesus had promised to come back to life on the third day. So Pilate ordered the massive stone at the tomb's opening be sealed and guarded.
Three days later, a violent earthquake occurred when an angel appeared and rolled the stone away, terrifying the guards. Later that morning as several women rushed to the place, the angel met them. He greeted them with the news that Jesus wasn't there he was alive! The women raced back to Jesus' disciples with the news.

When his followers met together that night, Jesus appeared in the midst of them. Naturally, they were frightened. But he ate with them and let them touch the wounds in his feet and hands, proving he was alive. Over the next 40 days, Jesus appeared to over 500 people. After that, his disciples confidently spread the word about Jesus' victory over death and that he truly was the Son of God!

More Information
What if you got caught doing something wrong like stealing? Then, just as you were about to be punished your friend stepped in and took the punishment for you. That's exactly what Jesus did for us. Jesus died so we wouldn't have to face the punishment for those bad things we've done. Because of Jesus' death we've all been given the chance to be forgiven!

Grammar
Jealous of Jesus' popularity, the Jewish religious leaders began plotting to capture him.
We may says" The Jewish religious leaders were Jealous of Jesus' popularity, so they began plotting to capture him." But it is just too wordy, and not simple. So we use following pattern:

Talk about the feeling of something

Adjective phrase + Subject +verb + follow action
"Jealous of Jesus' popularity" - Adjective phrase as Subject
"began" -verb
"Plotting to capture him" -follow action
*Confused about her test scores (a.d.), Teresa (s)called (v) her teacher for an explanation.
*Angry at his parents' decision(a.d.), Tom (s) stomped (v) back to his room.

Vocabulary
plot-计谋或小说或电影的情节，此指密谋，策划 plotting/plotted
*The prisoners plotted an escape but got caught
*The robbers were plotting to rob the bank on the corner.
crucify (v)-钉十字架, crucifixion(n)-把人钉死在十字架上hang people up and nailed them to die.
*The criminal was crucified.
*Sandra knew she would be crucified if her boss found out that she lost the important document. 也用于很严厉的对待，虐待，（有教人吃不完兜着走的意味）
mock-嘲笑，嘲弄或指嘲弄式的模仿某人的举止。
*Kids at school mocked the boy because of his height.
*The naughty students mocked the way the teacher spoke and acted.调皮捣蛋的学生摹仿
massive-大而重的，巨大的，大量的
*A massive monument was erected to honor the hero.巨大的纪念碑。。
*Massive clouds covered the sky as it started to rain.厚重的雲
*A massive crowd gathered in front of city hall to protest. 大批的群众
disciple-特指跟随耶稣的门徒.也指信徒,门徒,追随者.
*This painter considered himself a disciple of Andy Warhol.自认是..追随者
midst-中间,中央,或当中.
in the midst of-在。。之中， 或处于某种状况中
*I saw my son in the midst of the kids who just came out of school.
*Can you call me later? I'm in the midst of an important meeting.

Chat Room
cross- 十字架
a heavy cross to bear-背负重担，背负重的十字架，忍受痛苦，担负沉重的担子
cross-交叉
cross one's fingers-交叉食指与中指，求主保守的意思，平安求福的意思
I am crossing my fingers that nothing bad will happen to him.
Keep your fingers crossed
cross- 越过，出现，浮现。。
cross your mind.浮现脑海
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tomb坟墓（指高出地面的）/grave坟墓（埋在地底下的）/cemetery-墓园，墓地。

Lunar New Year Memories

話說農曆年Remembering Lunar New Year celebrations of the past 回憶往昔歡度農曆年的點點滴滴by Ruth Devlin

In the past during Lunar New Year time, businesses closed and families stayed home together. Nowadays, some families eat their New Year’s Eve dinner in a restaurant or go abroad for vacation. But children still anticipate red envelopes, and families enjoy lively conversation with relatives they rarely see.

Ninety-year-old Zhi-Nang Hung, whose family hails from Anhui (安徽) province, remembers his mother preparing two fish dishes for their New Year’s Eve dinner. One was eaten that night, and the other was kept intact for New Year’s Day, meaning the family would have plenty.Ninety-year-old artist Paul Wei recalls enjoying jiaozi (饺子）at New Year's celebrations in northern China. The adults would make the jiaozi, and someone would put an ancient coin into one. "One lucky person would find the coin. Then my grandparents would give him or her an extra red envelope symbolizing his or her good luck for the coming year." says Wei Eighty-two-year-old Yen-Su Tung Lee remembers celebrating Lunar New Year as a child in Kaohsiung. She reminisces, "My parents asked the relatives from Japan to bring me a new uniform. Everything was brand new from my head to my feet. We enjoyed a good dinner of chicken, duck and meat, which seldom appeared on our table except on special occasions."

Good food and new clothes no longer appear just at Lunar New Year, but the togetherness and hope for good fortune still hold a prominent place.

Grammar
...remembers his mother preparing two fish dishes for their New Year's Eve dinner.
...recalls enjoying jiao zi at New Year's celebrations in northern China.
...reminisces about her parents asking the relatives from Japan to bring her a new uniform.
remembers, recalls, reminisces, or remind, to think back, to recollect...different ways to describe "remember" , use different words to make the phrase interesting.
to think back-James likes to think back on his days as an athlete.
to recollect-Henry would meet with his old friends and recollect memories of their school days.

Vocabulary
anticipate-expecting, put hope for it.预期,期待,预料(某事件发生)
*Movie fans will all anticipate the film's sequel.影片的续集.
*Cathy anticipates having a lot of guests at her birthday party tonight.
hail from-来自于hail-呼喊,大声地招呼.
*People hail from all parts of the country in order to attend this seminar.
*Naomi hails from the Midwest.
reminisce-回忆,追想dad loves to reminisce about his days in the Navy.
*As traveling companions, we got together once a year to reminisce about our adventure in Africa.
prominent- very important
symbolize-a thing or picture for special meaning.象征.

Chat Room
intact/intake
intact-something is not harmed or damaged, kept in good shape, in whole piece.完整无缺,没有损伤的.
intact-The package arrived intact.
intake (n)- 摄取(名词),吸入.your daily intake of calories.
take in (v)-摄取(动词)How many calories do you take in each day?

New Year's Resolutions

新年新希望Tips for making lasting resolutions by新年正是在生活中力求改变得大好机会！ Pamela Osment

Happy New Year!
Today, many of us begin trying to keep our New Year’s resolutions. But unfortunately, most of us will give up on them before the month is over. Why do we bother to make these yearly pledges? And why are they so hard to keep?

Why make them?
Each new year brings the chance to start over and make a new beginning. It seems like the perfect time to deal with some of our habits that are not very desirable. During the holiday season, which begins with Thanksgiving, Americans usually eat too much. that could explain why the first resolution on many lists is to lose weight!
Along with eating too much comes spending too much At Christmastime, people sometimes spend more than they can afford. This often involves using credit cards instead of cash. After the holidays, many are ready to take control of their lives. And New Year's feels like the ideal time to start!

Why can't we keep them?
An American writer wrote, "No one likes change but babies in diapers." Making permanent changes can be difficult because it often involves changing the way we act. When doctors tell patients they will die unless they make lifestyle changes most don't listen. In fact researchers have found that only one in seven makes the necessary changes!
We cling to our habits even when they're not good for us. And we resist change even when it's our own idea. So how can we follow through on our resolutions?

Here are three tips can help us:
Make them positive
Negative language makes us feel like we're being punished. Replace "I won't eat sweets" with "I'll enjoy more of my favorite fruit each day.

Make them specific
Don't say, "I'll exercise more this year." Instead say, "I'll walk around the park four times a week.”

Make them realistic
After three months, review your goals. If they're not working, change or replace them with new ones. You'll have greater success keeping your resolutions if they realistically match your lifestyle.

Grammar
Along with eating too much comes spending too much.
"Along with something comes something else" is a great sentence patent to use when you try to describe "two things or two situating is about happening at the same time"
Along with having to take the dog out for walks comes bathing it regularly.
Along with the free buffet dinner comes a complimentary pass to the spa.

Vocabulary
resolution -决心,决定Nothing can change her resolution to go to college.
New Year Resolution-新年新希望
My new Year's resolution was to read a good book each week.
pledge-保证,誓言,宣誓
The candidate made the pledge to lower taxes and decrease unemployment失业
Will the president keep his pledge to improve national health care?
Both countries pledged to a cease fire.宣誓停火(停止开战)
desirable-令人想要的,中意的或吸引人的.able to be desired (wanted). desire (v)渴望
Being a doctor is considered a desirable job. 理想的工作.People respect them, and the job pays well.受到人们的尊敬,收入菲浅.
Prior experience is desirable to obtain the job, but not necessary.过去的经验比较有益于.
cling-坚持,墨守The manager was criticized for clinging to old ideas. 过去式或过去分词-clung
The mother clung to the hope that her son would return home safely one day.坚持
resist-抗拒,抵制The soldiers tried to resist the invasion of the enemy but failed. re-有对抗之意
The older residents of this building resist the idea of renovation.老住客抵制.整修的想法
realistic-务实的,实事求是的, 脚踏实地的,real (adj)真实的
For now, renting an apartment seems a more realistic option than buying a house.

Chat Room
Lose Weight vs. Weight loss 减肥
Lose Weight is verb phrase. "I want to lose weight this year."
Weight loss is noun phrase, (adj. 用来形容technique or program) 减肥方法或减肥课程.
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Change-改变,改换
a change of diapers-换尿布
"No one likes change but babies in diapers".所有人都不喜欢改环,给婴孩换尿布除外.即是说"要做出永久的改变,更是难上加难".

A story about Jesus

December 25, 2009

The one in the Bible, about a baby to be born,His name is Jesus. He loved us so much that He came down to earth from heaven to save us and help us from our wrong doing. He died on the cross and paid the big price for us. His resurrection brought us eternal life, and His forgiveness gave us peace and hope, the peace He gave is that the world can not take away, the hope is that the hope of living and the hope of glory.
Jesus came had changed the world and make you and I, our lives so wonderful.

Gingerbread Houses

薑餅屋A popular, classic holiday treat
做薑餅屋來慶祝聖誕節吧Making gingerbread houses is one way to celebrate the holidays by Pamela Osment

You can cook with it. You can make candy from it. You can put it into drinks or take it as medicine. Ginger has many uses, but none as beautiful as when it is used in a gingerbread house.

Past and present
Ginger – the key ingredient in gingerbread and the houses themselves – has a long history. It is believed that ginger was used as early as 2,000 B.C. in China. Gingerbread houses were first written about during the 15th century. But it was the 19th-century fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” that started a trend. As European immigrants made their way around the world, so did gingerbread houses!

One example occurred in the town of Belleville, Ill., in the 1850s. As large numbers of German immigrants moved there, many brought along their gingerbread-house recipes. Today, during the holidays, Belleville hosts a "Gingerbread Walk" through its downtown area. Along the path, shop owners display beautifully made gingerbread houses and other gingerbread creations. The event allows visitors and locals alike to enjoy Belleville's tastiest tradition.

Grammar
As European immigrants made their way around the world, so did gingerbread houses!
to make one's way =to go in a certain direction with some effort.
With all these shoppers in the store, it's hard for Martha to make her way to the cashier's counter.
It was hard for Paula to make her way down the airplane aisle while holding her baby and pulling a carry-on suitcase.

Vocabulary
ginger (n)-My mom puts a little ginger in her cookies to make them taste good.
ingredient (n)-烹调的原料Cheese is a key ingredient for many Mexican dishes.
*The ingredients of this cake include flour, eggs, sugar and milk.
*Mutual understanding is a key ingredient for a good marriage.要素,不可或缺的东西 immigrant (n)-移入的移民 im－有进来的意思 ,Emigrant-移出去的移民
Many Italian immigrants settled in the northeastern part of the U.S.
*Many Italian immigrants live in Little Italy in Manhattan, New York.
*The illegal immigrants will be deported today.
creation(n)-当可数名词是"创作的作品，不可数名词是指"创造，创作"
"Paul's chocolate creations were unique and delicious too!
*Picasso's art creations were copied and studied by many people.摸仿和研究
*The creation of this symphony took over 5 years.这交响乐曲的创作
construct (v)-to build, 建造，构成，
They have constructed a newer, wider bridge across the river.
*The engineers spent years constructing this building.
*Brenda is still constructing her speech.构思演讲稿
*The construction of this bridge is almost an impossible mission.建盖这桥
ton (n)- 顿，重量单位，众多的意思You'll need a ton of bricks to build a wall that long.
creative (adj)-创造力 The teacher said my story was the most creative and interesting.
kit (n)-组，成套的，成套的工具或配件
The birthday party kit has everything you'll need for the party games and prizes.
*Dad bought a tool kit but never once used it.
*I put a first-aid kit in the trunk of my car.
*All the art kits are on sale for the beginning of the new semester.美术用品组
edible-need to be eaten可食用的The chef used some edible flowers to decorate the dessert.
*The homeless men and women looked through the garbage trying to find something edible.

Chat Room
ginger-薑，也可是女孩名．
ginger ale-is a kind of soda with ginger flavour．ale-light bear (England)
gingerbread cookies, or gingerbread man (the cookie shape is like man) both are can be soft or hard taste.
gingerbread snap is always hard taste.
gingerly (adverb) - take great care, nothing to do with ginger.小心翼翼，极为谨慎-
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Smell-闻起来The cake smells有味道的（负面的it means that cake is really bad
smell bad=smelly, bad smell。
smelly socks/smelly trash-臭袜子/臭垃圾
Stinky tofu臭豆腐 has really bad smell.
fragrant (something with pleasing smell) is opposite of smelly
fragrant spices/fragrant candles
scented-有香味的rose-scented lotion玫瑰香味的乳液。
scent-香气，香味，气味
unscented-没有气味（香味）的

Moon Cakes

中秋月餅
Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with this Chinese treat
探索這種中秋節最受喜愛的點心的歷史演變吧 by Lisa Holl Chang

Today is Mid-Autumn Festival – and the best way to celebrate is by eating a moon cake! Packed with meaning, round moon cakes suggest the moon, which is full tonight. Moon cakes also represent family gatherings. The word for family gatherings, tuan yuan (團圓) includes the character for round.
Traditional moon cakes have paste fillings covered with pastry. Flavors vary by location, with Cantonese-style cakes being the most popular. But bakeries and hotels now offer unique – and nontraditional – flavors like green tea, chocolate and even durian! The trend started 29 years ago in Hong Kong with “snow-skin” moon cakes. The outer layer is made of rice cake. Snow-skin moon cakes come in colors like pink, purple and yellow and in a variety of flavors. Ice-cream moon cakes are selling like hot cakes. A few years ago, some stores began offering ice-cream moon cakes coated with chocolate. In some locations, these cakes sell so quickly that people need to order them in advance! Moon cakes with their tasty flavors and happy meanings bring out the joy of the holiday.

Grammar
In some locations, these cakes sell so quickly that people need to order them in advance!
" in advance" is a fancy way to say "early".
You need to prepare your ingredients in advance.
Get your concert tickets in advance.

Vocabulary
represent (v)-表示,象征（自由），symbolize something.代表某个对象。
Lisa's wedding ring represents her husband's love and commitment to her.
*Owning a car represents freedom.
*In this painting, the rainbow represents hope.
*Josh represented his company at the regional meeting.
filling (n)-食物馅料，内容，填充物This chocolate cake has a cream filling inside it. fill-充满
*The cream filling inside the puffs is made of non-fat milk. 麭肤
*The filling of these pillows is 100% goose down.
trends-trend of foot or fashion
Valerie loves following fashion trends. She's always buying different clothes!
sell like the hot cakes (idiom)-very popular and quick sale.大卖，十分畅销，很抢手，被抢购。need order in advance-早先预定 hot cakes- pan cake薄的煎饼- made by flour, milk, egg and water
These colorful MP3 players are selling like hot cakes. You'd better buy one soon!
*The little girl's first album is selling like hot cakes in England.
*Batteries sell like hot cakes before typhoons hit.
packed with meaning-contain with, full of.
equinox-depending on the time of the year occurs.

Chat Room
the autumnal equinox-秋分，中秋看见的月亮是满月，最靠近秋分，秋分前后出现的月亮是满月。
the Harvest Moon-full moon
blue moon-同一个月出现两次满月，第二个满月叫"blue moon" 非常难得，很不寻常。
I haven't seen her in a blue moon.-I haven't seen her in a long time.
gibbous moon-gibbous：凸月，between full moon and half moon.是半月到满月
half moon=quarter moon-半月,half circle, or 人们看到的半月其实是满月的1/4。
crescent moon-crescent牛角形状，弯弯的，a quarter of moon, new moon。moon like a crescent roll.

Creative Ways to Thank Your Teacher

感謝老師的創意方式
Show appreciation to the teachers in your life 教师节勇创意来向老师表达感谢吧
by Chelsea Ewald

They spend innumerable hours planning lessons, grading papers, and encouraging and challenging students. Don’t let your teacher’s work go unnoticed. Say “thank you” in a creative way!

Create a book
Present your teacher with a one-of-a-kind book made especially for him or her. Each student in the class can create a page showing his or her thanks. On that page, they can draw a picture, write a poem, or express gratitude through a letter. Finally, have all of the pages bound inexpensively at a copy shop.

Surprise with a personalized basket
Everyone enjoys a surprise and teachers are no exception! Surprise a teacher in your life by putting together a basket of all of his or her favorite things. If your teacher loves to read, include books and magazines. If it's sports that catch your teacher's eye, include tickets to a sporting event in your teacher's basket with other sports -oriented gifts. Or, fill the basket with necessary classroom supplies like pens and paper clips.

Plan an event
Organize a fun, after-school event in honor of your teachers. Invite them to join students, parents, and administrators for a time of games and refreshments together. However you decide to say thanks, it will make your teacher's day.

Grammar
Don't let your teacher's work go unnoticed.
go unnoticed-to continue on with no one paying any attention.
Don't let your teachers' work continue on with nobody showing any appreciation for it.
This is a serious problem; how could anyone let it go unnoticed?
It's hard to imagine that Vincent Van Gogh's paintings went almost unnoticed during his life time.

Vocabulary
innumerable (adj)-多到数不清的,无数的. in-否定的字根 numerable可以数算的
Elvis Presley had innumerable hit songs in the '50s and '60s. Even today, his CDs still sell many copies worldwide.
*When you're the owner of a business, you'll have to solve innumerable problems.
*Innumerable fans' calls poured in to inquire about the singer's next concert. 涌进来寻问
bind (v)-bound (p, pp)-装订,订在一起.
Before he handed in his thesis, Jim had it bound at the university print shop.
*In the past, people used leather to bind books.皮革
*I found a beautifully bound journal in the attic. 精美的日记本,搁楼里
exception (n)-例外 except (pr) 除外,除此之外,
The special effects were the one exception to the disappointing movie-they were great!
*Most women like fashion, but Hannah is the exception.
no exception-His books are always best-sellers, and this one is no exception. 排行榜前几名,这本也
make one's day (idiom)-It made my day when I learned that I had won a free trip to Hong Kong!
catch someone's eye-get a person attention.
move out the way- let me move out the way, I'd better move out the way.

Chat Room
don't let your teacher's work go unnoticed
go-此处指变成，处于某种状态。continually and in a condition..
food may go bad 变腐坏, Child may go hungry变饿, go bald头变秃, go gray髮變白, my hair is gone gray.
go- 被称为 you go by ken. William often goes by Bill, He goes by Jimmy 一般人称他为Bill (Jimmy)
go-I go this way, you go that way.
go-叙述或说一件事 speaking or describe something, I go "Martha," She goes " Hi"
no-go (哩语)- go, or no-go- 不成功,无效,无法达成(成行) The trip is no-go because of the weather.

A Day for Dad

屬於爸爸的日子Get ready to celebrate Dadʼs big day by Lisa Holl Chang
父親節到了！幫爸爸好好慶祝這個大日子吧

Day in, day out, dads take on the many complex responsibilities of parenting. Now, a special day to thank them has come. What can we do? The answer may be simpler than you think. The following dads open up about what’s important to them on Father’s Day.

“The great thing about being a father,” says Andrew, an expatriate in Hong Kong, “is seeing your kids grow up. The trick is to learn how to enjoy every stage!” For Father’s Day, “The best thing I can get is TIME with my daughter and two sons: a chance to chat, eat and drink, and enjoy each other’s company!” He adds, “Of course they should pay!”

Time with their families ranked high on many dads' lists. Christian from Canada says, “ I would like my whole family together again (for Father's Day). My daughter and son-in-law live far away. It would be great to share a day with everyone."

Vascily, who is from Russia, expresses a similar sentiment, "I would like to have all my kids, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles ..30 to 40 people come together for a meal at my house."

For fathers with young children, a simple gesture of appreciation is more than enough for Father's Day. Chris from Los Angeles has three children under under the age of 7. He says, "I would love any sort of card or picture or note that they have made to tell me that they love me as a father. I will treasure those forever."

Bruce lives in Beijing and has a 2-year-old daughter, Emma. He says, "what I really want for Father's Day is a hug, a kiss, a smile and a picture she painted." He continues, "I also want to see Emma share her blessings with other kids and help with kids in orphanages."

Sun Wen-Der in Hualian jokes that it would be great if a family member could "win the lottery" and buy him a car for Father's Day. But, he concludes that it's not the stuff that's important. "The significance of Father's Day is in children respecting their parents, making them happy." He says "Regarding how to celebrate, or whether or not to eat cake or give gifts, these are all small matters." of course, the best way to know just what your dad wants is simple: Ask him!

Did you know
What do fathers want for Father's Day? An online poll taken by InteractiveDad.com in 2008 had some interesting results:36% of fathers said they wanted to eat cut with their family. 13% said they wanted something electronic, like a cell phone, iPod or GPS device. And 8% of fathers said what they wanted most was time alone to do what they want.

day in, day out (idiom)- doing something every single day and never fail. 日复一日
Day in, day out, Ben sits in his desk, he is always in his office.
*Day in, day out, we go to the same places, do the same kind of work, and eat the same kind of food.
*Day in, and day out, no matter what the weather is like, Sandy jogs 5 miles.
open up (phr v)-open up heart to share or talk about something with people. 打开，解开东西，此指愿意将心敞开，畅谈心理感受与想法。
David opened up and told us his mother had passed away when he was young.
trick (n)-a clever way to doing something. 原指恶作剧的意思，此是秘诀，招数，手法。
The trick to liking coffee is drinking it often.
*The article tells you 10 tricks to make microwave food delicious. 10个招数，秘诀
*The trick of staying Young is to laugh a lot every day.
open up about something-
*After was with the boy several days, he finally opened up about his tragic past.
in law (n) -relatives by lay because of marriage. immediately family, extended family.
Jessie's mother-in-law often asks when she will have a child.
try to work hard to get along with them.
parenting-brought up children. 教养小孩
expatriate-person who live in a foreign country.
sentiment-feeling or idea
gesture-action (more than just giving him something, also showing respect)手势，姿势。
The card from Becky was a wonderful gesture of friendship.
*Hugging is a gesture of friendship in many western cultures. 拥抱，西方文化
*A toast from the host is considered a gesture of respect. 主任敬酒是一种尊敬的表示
*The natives here communicate with us through gestures. 用手势与我们沟通。
orphanage-孤儿院，育幼院 orphan孤儿
The goal of this orphanage is to find a family for each of the children.
*The orphanage is in desperate need of more funds so it can continue to operate.急切，急迫须要经费，。继续运作。（经营）
*Many orphans in Vietnam were adopted by Americans after the Vietnam War. 越战之后，被领养。
lottery-Buy a ticket for this lottery. The winner gets a new car!
regarding (prep)-有关的某件事或某人
Regarding my trip in October, I haven't made any final plans yet.
*Regarding the annual budget, the accounting department will give us a full report. 年度预算，完整的报告。
*The teacher called and said that he needed to discuss some matters regarding my son.讨轮有关事项。

Grammar
Time with their families ranked high on many dads' lists.
ranked high-to be placed in a top position on a scale of importance.
Many dads would view time with their families as one of their top choices.
Finding a part-time job ranks high on Frank's of things to do.
For weeks, the singer's newest album has ranked high on every music chart around the world.

Chat Room 1
parent (n)-
parenting , 教养小孩(adj)-parenting styles -教养的技能
parenting skills-教养的方式 strict-严格
lenient-宽大，不严格
parenting tips
parenting period-from little kids till adulthood
empty nest syndrome-general feeling of loneliness and depression due to the kids are grown and left home. 空巢症候群。（感到孤单，沮丧因小孩长大而离家）
nest 鸟巢, syndrome 症候群

Chat room 2
significance-重大的，重要的。
It's matter of great significance 重要性
important-It's matter of important
significant=important 可通用，写作时，可用以互换着用，以增加文章的生动性。
an important day=a significant (adj) day
a significant increase-a very large amount increase, it express increase. 显著的增加。
a significant gesture 暗示的手势。
a significant other-someone who share long term relationship with you.主要得另一位，指你的伴侣，最爱，最重要的那位。
significant-更强烈的形容词，重要，有意义，具关键性，影响性的意味， 显著的，具有某种暗示的。