Life in Nepal: Part 1

I jumped at the opportunity to visit this interesting country
尼泊爾生活筆記（一）      
我把握機會造訪這個引人入勝的國家 .

The first time I remember hearing about Nepal was in 2007. I was browsing through odd Internet news. One of Nepal Airlines' jets was having technical problems. So the airline sacrificed two goats in front of the jet to satisfy the Hindu god of sky protection. I admit I thought that was strange. But the news also made me curious. What was life like in this foreign country? What was the country like? What were the people like? I never completely forgot that incident or my desire to learn more about the place.

A few years later I was in my second year of graduate school. I needed an internship overseas to graduate. I wasn't having much luck finding a good position even though any country but the U.S. would do. My professor mentioned a possibility she knew about. She had a friend who was a director at a nonprofit organization in Nepal. Nepal! That place where they sacrifice goats at the airport! I remembered. I couldn't miss this chance, I had to go.

The director of the nonprofit in Nepal was named Colleen. By phone and email she interviewed me and helped prepare me for the experience of an 11 week stay in Nepal. She warned me that it would be difficult and that I'd have moments of puree frustration She advised me that being flexible would be the key. Nepal is a developing country in South Asia - little to nothing there is similar to life in the U.S. Things are unorganized, I couldn't let it bother me.

My professor gave me advice, too. She had never been to Nepal but had experience living in Southeast Asia. Take lots of stomach medicine and some antibiotics. Get vaccines before you go. Watch out for mosquitoes and dirty water. But I think the most valuable advice she gave me was this - take a jar of peanut butter. It's a familiar taste when the homesickness gets bad.

With their words in mind, I packed my backpack, took a deep breath and boarded the plane to Negal.



Grammar Gym:
"I wasn't having much luck finding a good position even though any country but the U.S. would do."
(something) would do - something is good enough or sufficient.
May I have a cup please? Any cup would do, thank you.
You need sugar to make this kind of candy - but not just any kind of sugar would do; you must use brown sugar.

Vocabulary Tips:
professor - a teacher in college or university, has a high level of education with special quality and skills. 'pro' -大众，公开的。  'profess' - 宣称，公开申明。 professor -公开对大众说话的人，教授。
*Alex is now an assistant professor at Harvard University.
profession (n) - work field, career.职业。
*He's a lawyer by profession.
nonprofit - 非以营利为目的的。'non'- not,  'profit' -利润。
*This nonprofit agency is famous for helping AIDS babies.
*This nonprofit program helps homeless kids stay in school.
for-profit - opposite of nonprofit. -以营利为目的的。
browse - quickly look around or look through. 浏览，翻阅。
*Samuel browsed through all his textbooks before the semester started.
browse - take look at the store with no specific buying target. 随意看看。
*I'm not looking for any particular items; I'm just browsing.
sacrificed (v) - give animal life to their god. 牺牲，献祭。
*The elder of the tribe sacrificed a goat to worship their god.
sacrifice (n) -牺牲。
*Louise sacrificed her career to take care of her family.
*many parents are willing to make sacrifices for their kids.
technical - not human problem, is machine operating problem.
incident - something that happen is called incident, is not normal, is look odd.
Any luck?  Do you have any luck? - people try to do something (shopping a specific item, or some conversation or relationship.....), you would like to find out the result, you can say " Any luck" , or 'do you have any luck? "
antibiotic - 抗生素1（多用复数 antibiotics.）。 'anti' - 对抗，. 'bio' - 生命。生物。
*after finishing a full course of antibiotics, the patient was released from the hospital.
*Billy is on antibiotics for pneumonia. 肺炎
homesickness (n) -思乡病 long for home.
*Teresa was overcome by homesickness and decided to cut her journey short.
homesick (adj) - miss home, think of home.想家的。
*Melissa got homesick when she became ill on her trip.
flexible - 有弹性的，灵活的，可变通的。'flex' -弯曲。
*The company's flexible working hours attract many college graduates.
*Our prices are very flexible.
flexibility (n) - 有弹性。
*Online learning offers great flexibility for people with busy schedules.
unorganized - 'un' -not, not organized, very messy. 杂乱无序，没有条理的，缺乏组织的。
*The unorganized protests turned into terrible riots. 缺乏组织的示威。。。可怕的暴动
organized - everything in order. 条理有序的，有条有理的，仅仅有条的。
*Patricia is a organized and highly efficient secretary. 效率极高的
a piece of something ： a piece of advice, a piece of music, a piece of information.
have moment of something ：have moment of frustration. have moment of enjoyment, have moment of peace.
frustrating - feeling bad about something that you are not getting the thing down or the way what you want. frustrated, frustration (n).

Language Tips:
demonym - 一个国家居民的名称。
Angelenos - 居住在洛杉矶的居民的名称。
Floridians -居住在弗罗里达州的居民的名称
Italians - 意大利人
Asians - 亚洲人。
Earthlings - 地球人。
French (n), (adj) - 法国人，法国的。
Chinese (n) (adj) - 中国人，中国的
Nepal (n) 尼泊尔, Nepali (adj)- 尼泊尔的 , Nepalese (n) -尼泊尔人。
Mexico - 墨西哥的 (move last letter 'o' add 'an' ) to be Mexican - 墨西哥人.
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take / bring : 中国语文法，无论说话人是在哪儿，都用“带”，‘带来’，‘带去’。英文语法则有别。
take - 事情不是发生在现场时，用take， 此文中的教授或作者都不是在尼泊尔。
课文中的二句：
take a jar of peanut butter.
take lots of stomach medicine.
bring -事情发生在现场时，用bring。如：
Can you bring me a cup of coffee.
bring - 站在对方的立场说话，用bring，如：
What can I bring to the party?
waiter/waitress - take.
I will take this plat to the customer.
customer -bring.
Can you bring me a plat?


Notes taking of StudioClassroom

Tips for Souvenir Shopping

Avoid collecting vacation junk with these helpful tips買紀念品有訣竅  - 這些有用的訣竅能讓你在度假時 少買一堆無用的紀念品.

One of the fun parts of traveling is shopping for souvenirs. But I go to a lot of different places, and how many T-shirts, mugs and keychains from everywhere do I want? Plus, those things aren't usually cool or unique to me. With a bit of effort, I can find something better that will really awe my friends back home.

Here's what I do:
Pick and choose. Think: Do I really want this? I don't need a ton of things to help me remember my vacation. I buy myself two or three small things that I really like. They won't weight me down on my trip, and they won't clutter up my room when I get home.

Use it, I get so many compliments on clothes and jewelry I bring back from trips. I love saying, "Oh, I bought this at a little market in Thailand!" For you it might be wall art, bags or maybe music. Buy things you'll use; don't spend money on something that will just collect duct!

Get personal. Think of your friends and family I recently went to India and bought my mom a bracelet made out of seashell. It wasn't expensive, but I had my mom in mind when I bought it. And she loved it! small, colorful unique. Perfect. If you're buying a gift for someone, think about who they are and what they like.

Now get impersonal. You need to take something back for your class or office, but you can't buy something special for everyone. Buy a tasty snack or candy from the place you're visiting and bring it back to share.

Make an exception. I do collect one useless thing: flag patches. I like to buy one for every country I visit. Collecting the same thing from each place you visit is fun, and big collections are impressive. But pick something small and interesting.

The last tip? Enjoy the hunt! Shopping for souvenirs should be an entertaining part of your travel adventure, not a chore!


Grammar Gym:
They won't weigh me down on my trip......
'weigh me down' -
To weigh (someone) down - to feel the trouble of carrying or dealing with.
Janet is carrying a lot of shopping bags and they are weighing her down.
The stress from having three jobs and going to school every night is weighing Scott down.

Vocabulary Tips:
souvenir (n) -纪念品，纪念的物品。
*I bought some clothing as souvenir when I visit Taipei.
*Sandra kept a handmade bookmark as a souvenir of her summer vacation.
awe - impress someone. amazed. 使惊讶，使惊奇。
*the little kids were awed by the lions in the zoo.
*Everyone present was awed by the courage of the firefighters.
awe - amazed. in awe生出敬畏的心。
*you can't help but stand in awe of this rock legend.
clutter - messy, not organized. 弄乱或堆满（常用被动式）
*Tommy's desk was cluttered with newspaper and soft drink cans.
clutter - things pile up and messy. 乱七八糟的东西。
*Nancy is organized, so her home is tidy and free of clutter.仅仅有条。。。没有 乱七八糟的东西。
compliment - praise, say something nice when you notice about someone.恭维，赞美。
*About what you said before, I take it as a compliment.
*Mark loves to pay his wife many compliment, which made her very happy.
tons of something - a lot of something.
use it - something is useful to you that you will use it or wear it.
wall art - a piece of art that able to hang on the wall.
dust collector - something not use just laid on there for dust to pile up.
bracelet - something that you wear on your wrist.
*Sam bought a diamond bracelet for his wife as her birthday gift.
necklace - 项链
pendant - 项链上的坠子。
brooch - 别针。
anklet -脚寰。
impersonal -not very important to you. 不是针对个人的，一般的，针对大众的。
personal -very important friend or relative in your life. 针对个人的，个人的。
*The course can be tailored to your personal needs. 这课程是完全针对你个人需要而制定的。
impersonal - not personal. normal people.
*The boss comment is totally impersonal and objective.
patch - 布块，特别指印有文字或图案的布块。
*Mom loves to use colorful patches to decorate her bags.
patch - 补丁，补片，贴片。
*The boy wore a jacket with patches on the elbows.
entertaining (adj)- 有娱乐性的，有趣的。
entertain - 使有趣的，有娱乐性的。
*The movie is educational and also very entertaining.
entertainment (n) -娱乐。
*The multi-talented star is a role model in the entertainment business.
hunt - seriously seeking, searching for something.

Language Tips:
tourist trap -专门以高价卖敲诈游客的地方。
Don't go to that store, it's a tourist trap.
touristy -观光客的，或是观光客喜欢的。也有比较负面的意思“过度观光化，观光气息的。
I don't like that area. It's too touristy. 太过于观光化，观光气息的。
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errand / chore - 杂事，跑腿 （要出家门去做的杂事。 / 作杂物，家中一些固定有重复的杂事。（在家中做的）
chore - 单数不加“ s”是指“令人讨厌的事，一件非做不可又不喜欢的事”。
chores - routine things you are doing it at home. always 用 复数 加“s”。 
household chores -  such as take trash out, wash dishes, do laundry etc. 家事杂物。
errand - 跑腿办理一些杂事，出门做一些或一件琐碎的事
go on an errand / run an errand - go to bank or post office, run to a store to get something. 出门跑腿。
chore - A thing that is unhappy, not present  to do.
It's such a chore to file taxes. 报税是一件令人讨厌又不得不作的事。


Study notes taking of StudioClassroom.

How I Learned to Read and Write Korean

My adventures in South Korea began with an important language lesson
我學會韓文的好玩方式 - 我在南韓的冒險旅程從一堂重要 的語言課程開始

After university, I decided to move to Daegu, South Korea, to teach English for a year. All my research told me it wasn't necessary to learn Korean. I thought I would need to study it, but every website, blog and forum  said no. So when I left for Korea, the only Korean word in my vocabulary was kimchi. When I arrived in Seoul, I felt baffled by the unusual Korean writing. Lines and circles were everywhere I looked; only some were translated into English.

On the bus ride to Daegu, Korean was on every sign we passed. It bothered me that I couldn't read anything. I looked at the bus ticket in my hands - more lines and circles My eyes settled on one symbol - it looked like a phone hanging on a wall. I decided to play a game of I Spy with myself. I searched the passing scenery for this same symbol. Later I would discover this symbol, the "symbol" is the first in the name "Daegu, my new home.

The first word I learned to read in Korean was bibimbap (food cook in the stone bow), a famous Korean dish. My Irish coworker taught it to me at a restaurant. "It's easy to find on a menu," she said. "It has so many 'b' sounds in the name. " She wrote out the whole Korean alphabet and described how to put letters together. I learned that the letters go together to form "blocks," or syllables. Blocks go together to form words.

From then on I learned written Korean quickly. Every day held dozens of opportunities to practice. I sounded out words I read on subway ads. I sounded out items on menus. I even sounded out movie titles that appeared on TV. It became a fun game! My students loved it when I wrote Korean and helped me learn even more.

Learning to read and write Korean didn't equal fluency. Most of what I read I didn't understand. But mastering this small skill was a big step in adjusting to my new life in Korean.

Grammar Gym:
"Learning to read and write Korean didn't equal fluency."
"equal " - One plus two equals three. (math.).
"equal" - to be as good as....
Having a higher job position equals greater responsibility.
Poor time management at work equals less productivity
Having the latest technological gadget does not equal being cool.
Being rich does not equal being happy.

Vocabulary Tips:
forum -针对某个议题的论坛或是讨论会。针对那个议题用“on ”。
*Representatives from many countries attended the forum on global warming.
forum -toward a special topic to display one's thinking.
*The website is a forum on political issues.。。。讨论政治议题的平台。
baffle - to be confused, don't understand it at all. 令人困惑的，令人不解的。
direction baffled me。 I am just baffled.
*The software's complicated installment procedure really baffled me.
baffling (adj) -
*There seems to be no reason for her baffling symptoms. 看来似乎没有任何理由。。
settle on -目光落在某处。或注视某处。
settle -定居。
*the director's eyes settled on Melody, a brilliant and magnetic performer.
scenery - beautiful nature, or things passing by when you on the bus that every thing you see. 风景，风光。景色，景致。周遭的环境。
*The photo can't capture the beautiful scenery of the valley.美丽的山谷。
scenery -舞台布景。
*The musical's scenery was designed and built by the seniors.舞台布景。。全是高三学生做的。
coworker - 同事，尤指同一个部门或执行同一个案子的同事。co -‘一起‘
*Marian used to be my coworker at IBM.
colleague - coworker.同在一间公司上班的同事。
*George and his colleagues are throwing a "welcome-back" party for their boss.
syllable - 音节sy -lla - ble : sound three syllables.。每音部都有单独发音的母音。
*The word "attack" has two syllables.
*The stress of the word "computer" is on the second syllable. 重音在第二音节。
*When you say the word "debut" accent the last syllable. 重音发音在最后音节。
antidisertablishmentarianism -音节最长的字。
sound out - read it out with sound.念出来，发声读出来。说出来，发音。
*It's hard for some people to sound out the "r" sound.
*Chelsea tried to sound out the complicated word. 复杂的。。
fluency ( 不可数n) -know a language very well, can communicate with others.流利，流畅。对语文的认识和发表上的畅顺。
fluency in - 在哪方面很流利。
*William's fluency in English helps him excel in his job.
fluent (adj)-流利的，流畅的。
*frank is fluent in three languages.
everywhere one looks - everywhere you look, all over around you.
translate - make a language into another language.
I spy myself - I play a spy game with myself.
play spy game - one person pick an object, give out clue to another person, let another person to guess the object.

Language Tips:
after university - 大学毕业后。
university/college -大学。
after college = after university.
I go to college - (not say I go to university.)我 上大学。
college student - ( we are not saying 'university student.) 大学生。
university-比较大的学院，有好几个学院。同时也提供高级学位。university also provide advanced degrees:
master's degree -硕士学位。
doctoral degree -博士学位
college -小学院，只提供一个学位的。

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subway - 在地底下的通道，道路。
subway - （英）供行人过马路用的地下道。
subway - （美）地铁。
the New York City Subway -纽约市地铁。
the L =the elevated.芝加哥的地铁是建在街道之上的高架桥，不在地地下的。叫“ the L"
the Underground = the Tube. 伦敦的地铁。
the Metro -华府，巴黎，和墨斯科的地铁采用metro. "the Metro"来称地铁。


Note taking of StudioClassroom

A Taste for Travel

You can watch your health and still eat like a local!
旅遊嚐鮮 - 確保個人健康，享受當地美食！

I love street food. Wherever I go I'm always looking for chances to eat like a local. In many places, some of the best ethnic food is served from a cart! From fish and chips in Edinburgh to pad thai in Bangkok. I've tried some delicious stuff! But there's a dark side to all this good food - food poisoning. I once had a bad case of it in Nepal.

I was in bed for two days and unable to eat much for weeks after. I was in a rural area, so I had no access to clean water or food. I couldn't help getting sick.

Most travelers have a horror story or two about food poisoning. It's a risk we all take when we eat strange foods. But there are ways to enjoy good local food and avoid an upset stomach. A few precautions might save you a lot of pain. The following tips will help keep you safe and healthy.

*** Drink clean water. In many places, tap water isn't safe to drink. In these places, avoid ordering drinks made with water or served with ice. Drink bottled water or soda instead.

*** Skip the fresh fruit, It might look and taste delicious. But if it's been washed in dirty water, it may make you sick. You can't tell by looking at it, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

*** Choose meat that has been cooked recently and well. Meat and seafood that have been left out for a long time are dangerous to eat. If it doesn't took or smell OK, move on.

*** Watch the locals. They will avoid a food cart that has made them sick before.

*** Be prepared. Take medicines that can ease your symptoms. These won't cure whatever bug you've picked up. But they will help with the pain when there's no place to rest and recover.

With thee tips in mind, you're ready to dig in! Street food is part of the travel adventure, don't be afraid to try   something different. You never know - you might discover a new favorite dish!


Grammar Tips:
"Most travelers have a horror story or two about food poisoning."
"story of two" - some stories. (informal way saying"
"one or two" - a small but indefinite amount of something.
Although Martha is not a nurse, she does know a thing or two about taking care of sick people.
Eric likes to read a book or two when he has free time.

Vocabulary Tips:
street food - walk around the street try different local food. 街上的小吃。
taste -have a taste for something (coffee, English learning at Studio Classroom...) something you enjoy about it.
Ethnic - the food or music or clothing represent their tribe or country.民族的，某个人种的。
ethnic music -民族音乐。
ethnic clothing -民族服饰
*All the ethnic outfits on display were handmade. 展示的民族服饰
*The government is trying to ease the conflicts among the country's ethnic groups. 缓和冲突。。
*Jason loves to listen to ethnic music.
eat like a local - like local people eat.
horror (n) -scary, scary experience, scary movie or story, something cause to scare. 恐怖，惊恐。
horror / horrible -  if talk about movie,
horror- it's a very scary movie but the movie is well done.
horrible (adj) - terrible. done badly, the movie did not do well, we said this is a horrible movie, not worth to watch it.
*I felt numb with horror when I saw the robber beating the old lady.
horrify (v) -使震惊，使感到恐怖。。
* Treo was horrified by the terrible scene caused by the fire.可怕的火场景象。。吓坏了。
upset (adj) -unhappy, not comfortable.不舒服，不适的。feel upset=feel unhappy =feel angry.
*Irene has an upset stomach. 肚子不舒服。-stomach feel unhappy, not feel well.
upset (adj) -生气的，不高兴的。
*Eddie was upset about losing the game. 因为比赛失败而不高兴。
upset (v) - 使生气。过去式，过去分词都是upset.
What she said really upset me. 令我很火大。
I couldn't help - just happen, nothing I can do.
risk you take - take the risk.
precautions - use cautions  before something happen.事先提高警觉。 "pre" - before something. 事先。
food poison - food is not fresh, food is bad, food had contaminated, food has bacterial, people eat them will get sick.食物中毒。
*The patient with food poisoning was given an IV and a pain-reliever.
*There are over a hundred cases of food poisoning in this junior high school.
rural -第一个'r"不发音。 , countryside, away from city.
tap water - water from the sink, water get by turn on the water at sink. 从水龙头里直接流出来的水。
tap -水龙头。
*The tap water in Colorado tastes as good as mineral water.矿泉水
drinking water -饮用水。
distilled water -蒸馏水。
skip - (skipping/ skipped) -jump over, pass through, pass it. not take.跳过，越过。
*Sean skipped dessert because he's watching his weight.
skip -not take or not doing a normal task. 不参加或不做某件平常要做的事。
*Mike skipped school today.。。今天没去上学。
bug (n) - insect, here is mean some kind virus that can cause you sick.小虫。也指“病菌”
pick up a bug - catch a virus.染上某种病菌。
*Larry picked up a flu bug and got really sick.感染了流行性病毒。。。
bug -problem, trouble, defect or damage something cause not working.电脑里的故障，或错误。
*The engineer caught a bug in their newly developed software.在。。发现了故障。
dig in - (dug -过去式 , digging ) enjoy food, go and relax to eat.
*Mom prepared a feast, and everyone dug in. 丰盛的大餐。。大快朵颐。
adventure - take a bit of risk to explore something.
adventurous (adj) -冒险的。
you never know - you don't know until you try.

Language Tips:
Edinburgh -念"e-dn-bro " -Scotland capital city.
Magdalene -念 "mag-'del-len" -英国剑桥学院的Magdalene
Auchinleck -念" 'a-thi -'lek"
Postwick -念 "pa-'sick"
Mckay - 马阶（医院）念 "ma-'kai "，不念“Mc-kei"
(美国的 ) Glu-chester -念"gla-ster"。
英国有很多字，发音不照着字面的拼字念。如果你照字面拼音念它，别人也能理解，因为不只是非英国人在发音上会犯错，就是英国人自己也常念错。
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Better...than......-两个选择，都不理想，但是相较之下，前者还是个比较好些的选择。
It's better to be safe than sorry.-小心总比后悔好。
better late than never - 晚一点但总比永远不做强。
better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. 最好保持缄默，让人把你当傻子，而不要一开口，别人就把你看穿了。(知道了你的心意）。或是最好保持缄默，让人以为你不懂，而不要一开口，别人看清楚你真是个傻瓜。



Taking notes of study "Studio Classroom"

Difficulties in German

My successes – and failures – at studying German abroad
德語何其難 - 我在海外研習德語的成功與失敗經驗.

I will be the first to admit that my German skills are quite poor. As a university student I decided to minor in German. For some reason, I really liked the language, but I was not particularly good at learning it. 

The grammar and word order confused me. Prepositions made no sense. All the nouns had genders and I rarely remembered which noun was which. My only talent was spelling - I got an A+ on every vocabulary test I took.

After two years of studies, I resigned myself to communication in broken German, and signed up to study in Germany to complete my degree. It was the hardest semester I would ever have. Once in Germany, I felt like I was starting from scratch. 

The German I'd learned in university wasn't practical for everyday conversation. My book knowledge fell by the wayside as I figured out the basics of getting around reading menus and chatting with my classmates.

I was constantly on edge at school, worried about whether the professors would call on me in class and whether I'd understand their questions. I only relaxed a little around my eight roommates, who were willing to speak German slowly to me and didn't seem to mind my mistakes.

I had enrolled in four classes - literature, grammar, reading and writing, and history. All were in German and difficult, but the history lecture was the worst. The professor spoke fast almost everything he said flew right over my head. I sat in the front, took notes and even recorded the lectures, but nothing helped.  I had no idea what the class was about.

At the end of the semester, I summoned all of my courage and ask my history professor for a form saying I'd attended the class. He said yes and told all the foreign students who wanted this form to meet at his office at a certain time.

I'd like to say I got the form and took it back to my university for class credit... but I didn't. I was too afraid to be in his office and reveal how little I could really understand I was sure I was the only one in the class at such a low level. So I flaked and skipped the meeting. 

Years have passed, but I still remember how it felt to struggle so hard at learning another language. I think my failures that semester taught me just as much as my successes.

Grammar Gym:
"I will be the first to admit that my German skills are quite poor."
 to be the first to + verb. 
"to be the first to admit." -describe about something that you are not good at it.
Although Tom comes from a family of accountants he'll be the first to admit his math is very poor.
Dr. Nelson is a long-time expert in this field, but he'll be the first to admit he has no idea how we should handle this case.

Vocabulary Tip:
gender -male or female.男，女性别，言语中致词中的阴阳性。
* In French the word for "moon" takes a feminine gender.阴性。
* The book talks a bout the differences between genders。 。。。 .俩性的不同。
resign -give up a bit.  辞职，此为“屈从”，勉强接受，“只能如此的”。
resign oneself to something -只能如何如何。（to+介系词+名词）
*Because I have to work during the championship game. I resigned myself to watching the rerun.只能勉强自己。。
start from scratch -从零开始，从头开始，白手起家。very beginning, make something from scratch.
scratch -起跑点，归零状态。nothing, nothing is prepared.
*After the model for our science project was ruined, we had to start from scratch.
*After closing his restaurant, Dan decided to start from scratch and open a clothing store.
edge -边缘，
on edge -nervous, nerve breaking. imaging a feeling that you stand on the thin ice. or thin edge.很紧张，焦虑，
*Martha was on edge while waiting for the results of her interview.
*Sandra was feeling tense and on edge before the audition.
over one's head -fly over your head, not stay and don't get it.超过自己的头，意即：超过自己能理解的范围能力。
*What the science teacher taught today went over our heads.
*The philosophy lecture this morning was too hard it went right over my head.太难了，非我能理解的。
summon - an authority call you. gather up.唤起，鼓起。召唤。
*After hiking, I could't even summon up the strength to take a shower. I fell asleep on the couch.唤起
*George summed up all his courage and proposed to his girlfriend.鼓起
flake -（很口语的用法）临阵爽约，临阵脱逃。
*Wesley promised to host the banquet, but he flaked and didn't even show up.
flake (n)-碎片，箔片。
*corn flake -玉米箔片。
*flakes of paint-旧油漆脱落下来的碎片。
flake out - 黄牛。
flaky person -靠不住。。
skip -跳过，超过，越过，略过，没有做的事。
skipped/skipping -
*Charlie skipped school and went to a move today.
*Molly skipped breakfast because she got up too late.。。。没吃早餐。。。
book knowledge - knowledge received from book.  not "street smart".
enroll - sign up for something.
wayside - not important. Don't be wayside - take care the important thing. fall by the wayside.
get around - physically know the city and streets, not get lost or confuse, easy to get to all places.
*They get around a lot - they are able to go to many places.
I'd like to say..... -something you did not do which you should do, you regret it.
major -主修
minor -副修。
make sense - understand that.
make no sense - would not understand that.

Language Tips:
talent /gift -天分。
He has a gift for music.-音乐的天分。
He has a gift for languages.-语言的天分。
knack -技巧，窍门。
Steven has a knack for teaching English.
genius -天才。天资更好的，特别的天分。
He has a genius for music.音乐天才。
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If you want to study English well, you need to practice, practice and practice.
reading English text or magazine or something 15 minute a day. Do it regularly and daily.

学英语，不止是勤于练习，还要懂得活用每一个字。 会应用你所学的字，那字才真正成为你的，不是只死记单子。
学英语，勤于练习是不可缺少的。


Taking notes of study "Studio Classroom".

Packing in Practice

Sometimes a well-packed bag takes a little practice!
練習打包 - 有時，要把行李打包好，還是需 要一點練習！

I was nearly in tears as I dragged my three pieces of luggage through the deep snow. I was cold, tired and embarrassed. My two classmates had a backpack and one piece of luggage each. I felt judged for bringing more. I was in Freiburg, Germany, hiking along cobblestone streets on my way to the university. This was the last part of a very long journey from  the U.S.

After landing first in Zurich, Swizerland, we made our way north to Germany. I carried my things up and down stairs, on and off trains. I squeezed myself onto crowded streetcars and elevators. We were staying at the University of Freiburg for just a semester. 

But I suspected that I'd packed enough for a year. I'd pack enough for a year. I'd barely arrived, and already I was wondering how I'd get my things home. When at last I got to my apartment, I frowned at my luggage. This was not going to happen again.

Confession time: I packed a lot of stuff when I travel. My goal is to take the minimum, but that rarely works out. Something in my mind cries, "Jo! You will need more jeans and shirts! Bring all the DVDs and books you own in case you get bored! Pack some knitting needles because you like to knit sometimes! Better pack a chess set so you can play with the new friends you make!" The packing goes downhill from there.

They say practice makes perfect, and I've had a lot of practice since Germany. That trip -my first abroad - was a difficult but valuable lesson. When I'm packing for a trip now, I remember how I felt then. I assume all my bags will be my responsibility. If I want to take something, am I willing to carry it everywhere? Usually the extras aren't worth the effort. There's nothing like stairs and crowded spaces to set your packing priority straight!

Grammar Tips:
"Better pack a chess set so you can play with the new friends you make!"
"better" = " you had better"
Better bring an umbrella because it might rain!
Better have some extra cash in case you want to buy something at a convenience store.

Vocabulary Tips:
luggage (not countable noun) -suitcase, baggage that you carry when you travel.（不可数名词）行李
a piece of luggage, two pieces of luggage, luggage no add "s" if more than one.
*Each passenger is allowed to carry one 25 kilo piece of luggage.
suitcase - (countable noun) - luggage, two suitcases,  one suitcase, five suitcases.（可数名词）行李
backpack (n) - pack is carrying on the back.背包。
*The boy's backpack is full of treats and game cards.
backpack (v)- carrying backpack.背上背包。
*We backpacked around Italy.背上背包旅游意大利
backpacker (n) - people who carrying a big backpack and travel from one place to another.背包客
suspect (v)- （重音在第二节）怀疑，推测。
*We suspected that Larry was stealing long  before we caught him.
suspect (n) -（重音在第一节）嫌疑犯。
*Photos of the suspect were posted everywhere.
frown (v) -not a happy feeling, feeling bad, feeling sad.担心不悦而皱眉，难过得。
*Reading her son's report card, Rita shook her head and frowned.
Frown at -对什么事而担心不悦而皱眉用"at"
*Ellen frowned at her messy kitchen.
frown (n) - I feel I am a frown.
turn that frown up side down - cheery up.
feel judged - get a feeling of someone may thinking of you in a negative way.
squeeze -try to make room in the situation that is full of people or stuff. squeeze lemon or orange to get some  juice out.
* Let me squeeze in my thought.
confession -tell the truth, tell people let them know. 自白，认罪。
*The suspect signed his confession.嫌犯在自白书签了字。
*The novel is actually the author's confession. 这本小说事实上是作者的自白。
confess (v) -认罪，承认。
* I confess I lose my temper very often.承认自己时常发脾气。
minimum -at least.  'mini' - very small，小的. 至少，最低的限度，最低值，最低的。
*A trip to the nearest hospital will take a minimum of one hour.去最近的医院最少要花上一个小时。
*He doesn't even reach the minimum height requirement of entering the police academy.
maximum - is opposite of minimum.最多
responsibility -take care, in charge.职责，责任。
*It's the responsibility of the person who leaves last to lock all the doors and windows.
*The kitchen is your responsibility this week.
priority - very important, first consideration.优先事项，最重要的。当务之急。
*If you set your priorities in order, you won't waste time.
*My priority in life is to take care of my kids.
set something priority straight.- put something first consideration.
top priority - first priority.
work out - succeed. didn't work.
downhill - not succeed, getting trouble to pack all in the luggage. Things are going bad.
worthwhile - very practical.
there's nothing like .....to .- nothings are like .... There's nothing better like hot chocolate to get your body warm.

Language Tips:
packing light -打包轻省，行李轻便。（别打包过多的行李）。
packing light for many seasons :行李轻便的好处有：
lest headache - 少烦恼。
save frustration - 避免懊恼，沮丧。
extra mobility -更多一些行动能力。
flexibility -更富弹性。
save money - Some airline charges traveler's check-in luggage.省钱。
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carry it everywhere - 多想想带着行李满街跑的不便，就不会 over-packed.
over-packed -超重， 超带，装的过多。

***To prove that your luggage is not over-packed, just carry your packed  luggage walk around the block 5 times,or lift it up for 10 minutes if you are not sweat or tired.


Taking notes of study "Studio Classroom".

A Lesson in Culture

I found a foreign land in my home country

上一門文化課 - 我在家鄉發現了異地

I've had many opportunities to experience living in a foreign culture, but my first experience came in an unexpected place - my own country. When I was 20, I got an internship in New York City. It was my first time to live outside of my home state of Texas.

With my move north came culture shock. I grew up in a big city in Texas. But it was no comparison to the tightly packed Boroughs of New York with their 8 million residents. My new home was in Time Square, a hub constantly filled with traffic, noise, people and lights, I was used to life at a relaxed pace; New York moved fast. The saying is true - this city never sleeps. I had to adjust.

My first reaction was fear. Fear I would fail at my new internship in the 54-story office building. Fear of getting lost on the subway. Fear that the locals wouldn't have patience for my frequent moments of confusion. My anxieties ranged from reasonable to ridiculous. But I faced my fears and kept trying.

I learned quickly never to assume a New Yorker speaks English and to be respectful of lifestyles that were new to me. New York is home to people of all walks of life, from all corners of the world. My coworkers were Polish, Colombian, Puerto Rican, Greek and Armenian, to name a few. I ran errands to a shop where all the male employees were Orthodox Jews and wore their hair in traditional curls. I spent hours wandering Canal Street in Chinatown - the closest I'd ever been to an Asian country.

By the end of my internship. I was a little older, a little wiser and sick of big city life. I hated the skyscrapers, tourists and the high price I had to pay for a cheeseburger and fries. But I had grown, too. I was quicker, smarter and more independent. I knew I would miss that feeling of having the world right at my doorstep. But it was good preparation for the life of travel I'd soon begin.

Grammar Gyms:
Fear I would fail at my new internship in the 54-story office building.
Fear of getting lost on the subway.
Fear that the locals wouldn't have patience for my frequent moments of confusion.
Repeat wording because the writer wants people to know how much fear she is facing.
Example:
This past month has been really crazy for Jan and she is tired.
*Tired of all the work she has to do.
*Tired of taking care of the bills at home.
*Tired of being yelled at by everybody.

Vocabulary Tips:
internship -实习的工作，医生的实习阶段。
*Victor completed his internship at the county hospital.
*Joshua got an internship at Microsoft.
intern (n)-实习生，实习医生。
culture shock - 文化冲击。experience something that you are not used to, not very pleasant experience.
culture - 文化，shock -冲击。
*When we first moved to the States, we went through quite a culture shock.
constantly - always, happen often. 不断地，时常地。
*Sherry is constantly checking her cellphone.
constant (adj)-持续的。
*His constant nagging really annoys me.
confusion - not sure, someone tell you this and reality is another. 混乱，困惑
*There was a lot of confusion about who was the head of the project.
foreign - something new you never know or try or outside the country. 外国的，陌生的。
no comparison - can not compare at all, totally different.
tightly packed - very packed, no room between. 拥挤。
hub - crowd, a lot of going on.
moment of something - not always happen,  it happen for a short period of time.
many moments of something-
range - a lot of space between something to another.
respectful (adj)-尊敬的，尊重的。
respect -尊敬。
*You need to be respectful of other people's opinions.
disrespectful -dis + respectful, - not respect. 不尊重的。
errand - common daily work. 差事，
do errands or run errands. 办差事，或是[跑腿做事。
*The boss just sent her secretary out on an errand.
*I have to run some errands for my mother this morning.。。。 我必须为我母亲跑腿办些事。
at one's doorstep - it means that go any where or do anything is very convenience just right in front of your house. 离自己很近。触手可及的地方。
doorstep - the front area of the door.门階。
*When you enter the world of the internet, it feels like all the info you need is right at your doorstep.
preparation (不可数n)-准备
*My experience as a server was good preparation for running a restaurant.
preparation (可数n) -预备工作。
*Mom is really busy with preparations for my sister's wedding.
walk of life - lifestyle and background. (people from all over the world has different living style and background.)
all corners of the world - every area, every parts of the world.
just to name a few - there is a lot, just say or name a few.
curl -curly (adj) -卷曲的，卷的。
sick of - tire of, not want to do it anymore.厌倦。
I hate that - not really enjoy or like it. 讨厌，不喜欢的。
compound words - two word put together to make a word, such as skyscrapers, doorstep, lifestyle, cheeseburger, Chinatown, popcorn......just to name a few.

Language Tips:
urban - 城市。都市
urban families -城市，都市家庭。
suburban (adj) - sub+urban =都市外圈的近郊。
suburbs (n)-都市外圈的近郊。都市外圈有很多的近郊区域，多用复数。。
The suburbs - 整体统称“都市外圈的近郊” 在前面加上定冠词"the"。
rural -乡村，小镇。
rural area -乡村，小镇地区。
megacity - huge, giant city with more than 10 million people live in there.巨型都市，人口至少在1千万人以上。 （全世界只有27个，15个在亚洲）
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assume/ presume : 假设，猜想。
assume - wild guess. 乱枪打鸟，没有任何证据的猜测。
I learned quickly never to assume a New Yorker speaks English. 学会不要随便猜测每一个。。。说英文。
presume -educated guess.依据经验，知识所做的猜测，或是有一定依据才做的假定。例如：看到一位男子无名指上戴有戒子而猜他是已婚的男士。（猜测依据知识及经验，习俗而假设的）