E-Concussion

Gathering 11/25


Shavia Time : Reading
Paul Time : Vocabulary fill blank

A Market of One
The Emerging Demographic of Singles

The stigma of single people being a “threat to the public” is lifting. In fact, the population of singles has become a market force to be reckoned with.

According to statistics by the Taiwan Ministry of the Interior, the percentage of single women rose in the past decade from twenty-two percent to thirty-nine percent; their male counterparts went from thirty-six to fifty-two percent. There are nearly 7.5 million men and women in Taiwan of marriageable age who are not married, whether they have never been or are available again.

If these people spend an average of NT$10,000 a month, then they create hundreds of billions of dollars in business every year. Products aimed at these pocketbooks have sprouted in an attempt to cash in on the single crowd.

As the single population has expanded, studios and two-room condos that used to be a hard sell have become popular. These units have contributed nearly twenty percent of the total home sales in Taiwan in just the first half of this year. Financially independent singles who live alone see studios and small condos as ideal homes.

Travel packages are no longer designed only for “double occupancy”. The number of single travel packages featuring quality, in-depth travel has maintained a fifteen percent annual growth for the past three years. To cater to single men and women who prefer having fun on their own, a wide variety of options have emerged, covering every need imaginable.

The rise of single population as a strong market force has not only altered consumption patterns, but altered conventional marketing practices, too. In a time of economic downturn, it is important to modify marketing strategies. Strategies like free delivery for orders over a certain amount are no longer viable. At a time when a significant portion of the consuming public is single, businesses need to be aware of where the money lies, cater to this demographic and beat the ravages of an economic decline.

stigma 污名
force to be reckoned with 不容忽視
counterparts 對手
pocketbooks 財源
sprouted 萌芽
cash in on 從...獲得利益
in an attempt 嘗試
condos 小宅
occupancy 佔用
altered 改變
viable 可實行的
demographic 人口統計
ravages 災難
decline 衰退

A Holiday for Boat Racing
Sue: Ready to go, Dan?
Dan: OK! What part of Taipei are you going to show me today?
Sue: How about the Bitan Bridge?
Dan: Sure! Is that a good spot for sightseeing??

Sue: Well, there’s a dragon boat race today.
Dan: Today is the Dragon Boat Festival?
Sue: There’s no doubt about it!
Dan: But isn’t it on May 5th??

Sue: Yes, of the lunar calendar, which happens to be today!
Dan: Great! I‘ve always been fascinated with dragon boats!
Sue: I glad it strikes your fancy!
Dan: Yeah, let’s head out!

The Wise Man
Sue: We can get to Bitan just by taking the green line.
Dan: That sounds easy.
Sue: Can you tell that the MRT is unusually crowded today?
Dan: Yeah, I bet everyone’s going to see the race!

Sue: What do you know about this holiday?
Dan: It’s to honor a man from ancient China, right?
Sue: Right, a poet named Chu Yuan.
Dan: Did he fight off enemies or something?

Sue: No he committed suicide on May 5th, by jumping the river!
Dan: What you must be yanking my chain.
Sue: No! He was a wise man and a patriot.
Dan: I see…He must have been a great man.

Lucky Eggs
Sue: I can’t believe the other boat won!
Dan: Yeah, they showed very good sportsmanship.
Sue: What are all those people doing there?
Dan: Let go see what the fuss in all about.

Sue: It’s a bunch of kids playing around.
Dan: They’re all holding eggs!
Sue: Oh, they want to make the egg stand on its own.
Dan: What’s the point of that?

Sue: If its stands at noon today, you’ll be lucky for the rest of the year!
Dan: Cool! What other customs are there?
Sue: Children are also given fragrant sachets to prevent evil.
Dan: How interesting!

A popular Tradition
Sue: Now let’s go enjoy the most popular tradition.
Dan: What’s that?
Sue: Eating rice dumplings!
Dan: Is it that odd-shaped thing being sold over there?

Sue: Yes, it’s steamed rice wrapped in leaves.
Dan: just rice? Is there any filling?
Sue: Yes… peanuts, meat, or also red beans inside sweet ones.
Dan: What’s the story behind rice dumplings?

Sue: After Chu Yan died, they were thrown in the river for the fish.
Dan: To keep fish from chewing up his body?
Sue: How did you know that?
Dan: Oh! I just took a wild guess!


poet : one who writes verses of lasting artistic value possessing both beauty of thought and grace of language
patriot : one who loves and supports his government or native country
yank: . to jerk or pull quickly
fuss: confusion, disorder
fragrant: sweet-smelling
sachet: a small bag or packet
you must be yanking my chain:你一定是在捉弄我吧

The car arraning of Taichung Trip:

Vince's car - Vince, Yeh, Paul, Shavia, Lorene

Leo's car - Leo, Sharon, Carey, Louise, Peggy

Wally's car- Wally, James, Ben, Cindia & boyfriend

 

 

Angels & Demons
When Robert Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati -- the most powerful underground organization in history -- he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization's most despised enemy: the Catholic Church. When Langdon learns that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, he jets to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that mark the Vatican's only hope for survival.

17 Again
What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike's glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned. But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.




From: http://movies.yahoo.com/

work bank:
Angels & Demons
resurgence (n): the reappearance and growth of something that was common in the past
despise (v): to dislike and have a low opinion of someone or something
jet (v): travel by plane
enigmatic (a): mysterious and difficult to understand
embark on (v): to start something
crypt (n): a room under a church, used in the past for burying people
catacomb (n): an area underground where dead people are buried
cathedral (n): the main church of a particular area under the control of a bishop
vault (n): a room where people from the same family are buried, often under the floor of a church

17 Again
scout (n): someone whose job is to look for good sports players, musicians etc.
the stands (n): a building where people stand or sit to watch the game at a sports ground
in sb’s grasp: sb’s ability to achieve or gain something
decidedly (adv): definitely
fall apart (v): to be in very bad condition
pass sb. over (v): ignore sb. and choose someone else for a job
be reduced to (v): to be in poorer condition than you were before
nerd (n): geek, someone who seems only interested in computers and other technical things
outlook (n): your general attitude to life and the world

Dear all,

The hosts for next round:

6/3    Paul + Peggy

6/10  Leo + Vince

6/17  James + Shavia

6/24  Carey + Sharon

 

Be Aware With Common Allergy Myths

Allergies can be very serious and would also evolve into a life threatening condition, if left untreated.

So, it is very crucial for every one to understand them in detail. Here are a few allergy myths that everyone must be aware of.

1. Allergies are not triggered among adults

2. Short haired pets don't cause allergies

3. Local honey can prevent seasonal allergies

4. You can outgrow allergies

1. How To Deal With Allergy Nose?

   1. Consider nasal irrigation

   2. Use nasal sprays

   3. Inhale steam

   4. Eat well balanced diet

   
   

   5 Ways to Stop Spring Allergies

   Taking an antihistamine isn't the only way to battle seasonal allergies. Here's what else you should be doing.

   1. Overhaul Your Home

   2. Eat the Right Foods

   3. Lose Your Extra Pounds

   4. Reduce Stress

   5. Complement Your Regular Allergy Medication

Dear all,

The host for next round:

5/6     Leo+Carey

5/13   James+Sharon

5/20   Joseph+Peggy

5/27   Shavia+(someone else: Vince/Paul/Yeh)

 

Taiwan

Many people in Taiwan celebrate the end of the year with concerts in most of the cities and recently using a big screen on the stage to communicate with cities around the island by shouting Happy New Year to each other. The most crowded city is the capital Taipei where most people gather around Taipei 101 located in the shopping and financial area. People gather around the roads around Taipei 101 and together they shout from 10 to 0. With each number they count, one of the layers of Taipei 101 (eight floors per layer) lights up until 0, the fireworks shoot out from the top of each layer (eight layers excluding a layer under the antenna) in different directions.

Spain

Spanish New Year's Eve (Nochevieja or Fin de Año in Spanish, Cap d'Any in Catalan) celebrations usually begin with a family dinner, traditionally including shrimp and lamb or turkey. Spanish tradition says that wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve brings good luck. The actual countdown is primarily followed from the clock on top of the Casa de Correos building in Puerta del Sol square in Madrid (馬德里太陽門廣場). It is traditional to eat twelve grapes, one on each chime of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had had that year. Nowadays, the tradition is followed by almost every Spaniard, and the twelve grapes have become synonymous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine such as cava or champagne, or alternatively with cider.

After the family dinner and the grapes, many young people attend New Year parties at pubs, discotheques and similar places (these parties are called cotillones de nochevieja, after the Spanish word cotillón, which refers to party supplies like confetti, party blowers, party hats, etc.). Parties usually last until the next morning and range from small, personal celebrations at local bars to huge parties with guests numbering the thousands at hotel convention rooms. Early next morning, party attendees usually gather to have the traditional winter breakfast of chocolate con churros (hot chocolate and fried pastry).

United States

In the United States, New Year's Eve is a major social holiday. One of the top destination cities for New Year's Eve from 2003 to 2006 has been New York. Las Vegas is also attracting a large number of New Year's Eve party goers with the famous Las Vegas strip (拉斯維加斯大道) being closed to vehicles and buses.

In the past 100 years the “ball dropping” (降球儀式) on top of One Times Square in New York City, broadcast to all of America (and rebroadcast in many other countries), is a major component of the New Year celebration. The 11,875-pound (5,386 kg), 12-foot (3.7 m) diameter Waterford crystal ball located high above Times Square is lowered, starting at 11:59:00pm and reaching the bottom of its tower 60 seconds later, at the stroke of midnight (12:00:00am). This is repeated for all four time zones in the continental US. It is sometimes referred to as "the big apple" like the city itself; the custom derives from the time signal that used to be given at noon in harbors.

From 1981 to 1988, New York City dropped an enlarged apple in recognition of its nickname.

Germany

Germans call New Year's Eve Silvester. Since 1972, each New Year's Eve, several German television stations broadcast a short English theatrical performance titled Dinner for One. A punch line from the comedy sketch, "same procedure as every year", has become a catch phrase in Germany. Every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in all of Europe which is attended by over a million people. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate and the fireworks at midnight centered around that location. Germans have a reputation of spending large amounts of money on firecrackers and fireworks.

Italy

Italians call New Year's Eve Capodanno or Notte di San Silvestro. Tradition provides a set of rituals for the new year, as dress red underwear or get rid of old or unused items (this one is almost dropped).

Dinner, taken with parents and friend, uses to include zampone or cotechino (kind of spiced Italian sausage) and lentils. At half past eight pm, The President of the Republic reads the television message of greetings to Italians.

At midnight strike, fireworks are displayed across whole Italy.

Japan

The day is a preparation day to welcome toshigami (年神), new year's god. Therefore, traditionally, people clean their home and prepare Kadomatsu (門松, gate pine) and/or Shimenawa (標繩, 注連繩, 七五三繩, Shimenawa, enclosing rope) to welcome the god before New Year's Eve.

Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times on midnight, during 31 December to 1 January. These bell rings are called as joya no kane (除夜の鐘) in Japanese which means "bell rings on new year eve's night." Each bell rings represent 108 elements of bonnō (煩悩), defilements, or Kilesa in Sanskrit, which is said people have in their mind. The bells are rung to repent 108 of the bonnō.

On TV, the Red and White Year-end Song Festival is an over 50-year-old tradition involving a singing contest between male and female teams of celebrity singers.

India

Most celebrations take place in the larger cities of India like Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Events such as, sporting contests and mules races, live concerts and dances by bollywood stars. Families often get together to celebrate the New Year.

Australia

Each major city around Australia holds New Year’s Eve celebrations, usually accompanied by a fireworks display amongst other events. Gloucester Park, a racecourse in central Perth, is the largest and most recognised display in Perth. In Brisbane 50,000 people annually gather at sites around the Brisbane River in the city to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the city and at Southbank.

The two largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia are held in its two largest cities, Melbourne(墨爾本) and Sydney. In Sydney the celebrations are usually accompanied by a theme which is displayed in light shows and a large symbol in the middle of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over 1.5 million people gathered around Port Jackson. Sydney attendance of 2 million people. The fireworks display last from 15 to 25 minutes and is followed by music shows set on several stages throughout the beach.

As one of the first major New Year's celebrations each year (due to time zones), Sydney's fireworks display is often broadcast throughout the world during the day of December 31.

Canada

In Canada, New Year's traditions and celebrations vary from region to region. Generally, New Year's Eve (also known as New Year's Eve Day) in Canada is a social holiday. In major metropolitan areas such as Toronto and Montreal, major celebrations with music and fireworks are often held at Midnight. Other common New Year's Eve celebrations such as late-night partying are also major events in these cities and other places around Canada. In some areas, such as in rural Quebec, people ice fish and drink with their friends until the early hours of January 1. Celebrations are also similar to neighboring United States. Traditions from other countries are also common due to Canada's cultural makeup.

 

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year’s_Eve

Please check the link for more information of New Year’s Eve celebrations in other countries.

Vocabularies:

chime [n]: the bell ring

Spaniard [n]: people in Spain

Spanish [a]: of Spaniard; of Spain

synonymous [a]: having the same meaning

toast [v]: to drink wine and thank someone, wish someone luck, or celebrate something

cava [n]: a kind of plant

discotheque [n]: a place to dance

in recognition of: public respect and thanks for someone’s work or achievements

punch line: good and interesting sentence, powerful sentence

sketch [n]: a short humorous scene on TV program

catch phrase: a short well-known phrase made popular by an entertainer or politician

focal point: the thing you pay most attention to

lentil [n]: 扁豆

defilement [n]: making something less pure, especially by showing no respect

Sanskrit [n]: 梵文

repent [v]: to regret, to be sorry for something and wish you had not done it

mule [n]: an animal that has a donkey and horse as parents

rural [a]: relating to countryside

ice fish [v]: catch fish through a hole in the ice on a lake of river

makeup [n]: quality, character

 

Yankees sign Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract

The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract for $5 million, avoiding arbitration.

Wang, 28, was 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 15 starts for the Yankees in 2008 before being placed on the disabled list on June 17 for the remainder of the season with a mid-foot sprain of the Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of the peroneal longus tendon in his right foot. He began the season 6-0, including a 5-0 mark in April, and was the Yankees' Opening Day starter in the final season opener at Yankee Stadium on April 1, defeating Toronto, 3-2.

A disappointed Chien-Ming Wang talked to reporters for the first time since partially tearing the Lisfranc ligament in his right foot Sunday. Wang will be out at least 10 weeks, and possibly the whole season. "I'll try to come back early," Wang said.
Wang will wear a soft cast for at least six weeks. He must use crutches and is not permitted to put weight on his foot.

Despite missing most of the 2008 season, Wang's 46 wins since 2006 are tied for the third-most in the American League and eighth-most in the Majors. His .754 combined winning percentage over the last three seasons (2006-08) is the second-highest in the Majors behind Boston's Jon Lester (.771, 27-8). He recorded back-to-back seasons with 19 wins in 2006 and 2007, becoming the first Yankee to win as many games in each of two consecutive seasons since Tommy John in 1979-80.

On April 22, 2008, in his 85th career start, Wang became the third-fastest Major League pitcher in the last 50 years to reach 50 career wins behind Dwight Gooden (82nd start) and the Yankees' Ron Guidry (82nd start), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on May 5, 2000, Wang has won more games than any Taiwanese-born pitcher and ranks third all-time in wins by Asian-born pitchers behind Japan's Hideo Nomo (123) and South Korea's Chan Ho Park (117).

Lisfranc ligament :「右腳韌帶蹠跗關節拉傷」
peroneal longus tendon :「右腳腓骨長肌腱部分撕裂傷」

R/ Run = 得分
H/ Hit = 安打數
E/ Error = 失誤

P/ Pitcher = 投手
C/ Catcher = 捕手
1B/ First Baseman = 一壘手
2B/ Second Baseman = 二壘手
3B/ Third Baseman = 三壘手
SS/ Short Stop = 游擊手
LF/ Left Fielder = 左外野手
CF/ Center Fielder = 中外野手
RF/ Right Fielder = 右外野手
DH/ Designated Hitter = 指定打者
PH/ Pinch Hitter = 代打
PR/ Pinch Runner = 代跑
RBI/ Runner Batted In = 打點
Hit a Cycle: 完全打擊
Back to Back Homerun = 連續兩棒擊出全壘打
Grand Slam = 滿壘全壘打
Solo Homerun/ Solo Shot (美俚語) = 陽春全壘打


ERA/ Earned Run Average = 投手防禦率
IP/ Inning Pitched = 投球局數
BB/ Base Balled/ Walk/ = 四壞球
R/ Run = 失分
ER/ Earned Run = 自責分
Perfect Game = 完全比賽

I.                  Basic -- Introducing Taiwan -- Translation

      1. At the airport:
  A: 妳是凱莉嗎？ B: 是的。 A: 我是台灣旅行社的保羅。 B: 喔，我知道了。
 （A: Are you Carey? B: Yes, I am. A: I am Paul from Taiwan Travel Agency. B: Oh,

           I see.）

      2. On the way to the Hotel:
        A: 這是妳第一次來台灣觀光嗎？ B: 是的，我好興奮。 A: 看樣子也是。 B: 這

        將是一次美好的旅行！
       （A: Is this your first time to visit Taiwan? B: Yes, I am so excited. C: You look so. B: 
       This will be a good trip【I will have a good time】!）
      3. Getting Information for sightseeing:
        B: 我今晚想去遊覽。你建議哪一項？ A: 恩，我們有三種不同的夜遊。我推薦
        你這項「帝王之旅」。 B: 多少錢呢？ A: 八百元，包括晚餐。 B: 聽起來不
        錯！就這項吧!

（B: I want to take a tour tonight. Which one do you suggest? A: Well, we have three different night tours. I would recommend【advise/suggest】 you to take the “Imperial Tour.” B: How much does it cost? A: $800, including dinner. B: That sounds good. I’ll take it! ）

      4. Going out for Shopping:
        B: 恕我冒昧。最近的百貨公司在哪裡？ A: 走出門後左轉。在第一個轉角處再 
       左轉，並直走過五條街。在你左側就是遠東百貨公司。 B: 謝謝。
       （B: Excuse me. Where is the nearest department store? A: Turn left after going out the

door. Turn left again at the first corner and walk straight five blocks. You can see the Far East Department Store on your left side. A: Thank you.）

II.   Advanced -- Concern, Clarification, Empathy, and Suggestions

      1. Ranking Activity: How Stressful Is It?
        Use the scale from 1 to 4 to show how stressful you personally find the situation. Then

        discuss your list with your partner. 1: not stressful; 4: very stressful.

____ getting caught in traffic or missing the bus

____ money problems, the state of economy
____ overcrowding/noise

____ crime
____ academic pressure: grades, assignments, deadlines

____ environmental dangers

____ break-up of relationship (divorce, separation, etc.)

____ political situations (war, boundary disputes, etc.)
____ lack of privacy
____ pressure of balancing work and family
Discuss: Which item on the list do you find most stressful? Why?

      2. Language you can use:
            Expressing Concern: I’m really worried/concerned because … / I’m  

            concerned/worried about… / Something that concerns/worries me is… / 
Asking for Clarification: So, what you really mean is… / What exactly are you

             getting at?

Giving Clarification: What I’m trying to say is… / What I mean is…
Expressing Empathy: I understand how you can feel that way… / I’m sorry that you…

Making a Suggestion: Have you thought about…? / Why don’t you…? / Maybe you could… / You should（ought to）…   

      3. Using New Lauguage:
        A(expressing Concern): I’m really worried about the final exam.
        B(asking for clarification): What exactly are you getting at?
        A(giving clarification): What I mean is I don’t think I’ve understood a lot of the

        material, and I don’t think I don’t feel prepared.
        B(expressing empathy): I understand how you can feel that way. We’ve covered

        some very difficult concepts. (making a suggestion) Have you thought about getting   

        some help from the professor during her office hours?  

      4. Write down your own conversation using above patterns:

      

 

Dear All,

The next round hosts.

1/7 Joseph + Shavia
1/14 Vince + Joyce
1/21 Paul + Peggy
2/4 James + Carey
2/11 Leo + Sharon

Next week we are having a Christmas Eve Party.
The gathering place in 台北新故鄉。
Please prepare
1. Exchange Gift -- within NT$100 gift
2. Dress Code -- please wear green, red or gold clothes that day

And next week we will to discuss our New Year party.

Vince

Vocabulary

boost 推動;幫助;促進 a boost to their morale 對他們士氣的激勵
bid 企圖;努力[(+for)][+to-v] He made a bid for middle class support.
contemplate 思忖,思量,仔細考慮[+v-ing]
outlay (錢、精力等的)花費
snatch 奪走,奪得 He snatched the ball out of my hand.
outdo 勝過;超越 She outdid him in mathematics.
fund 提供(事業,活動等的)資金 Who is funding the project?
handout (政府機構等發佈的)聲明,新聞資料
incentive 刺激;鼓勵;動機[U][C][(+to)][+to-v]
               The child has no incentive to study harder because his parents cannot afford to send him to college.

統一發票 uniform invoice
蚵仔煎 Fried Oyster with Egg
蚵嗲 oyster pancake
moisture 濕氣,潮氣;水分[U]
道地 genuine; pure

Dec. 24 Christmas Party Motion

Carey wants to hold a small party for Econcussion.
The hosts on Dec. 24 please work with Carey on the project.

We have two ideas now for that party:
1. Exchange Gift -- within NT$100 gift
2. Dress Code -- please wear green, red or gold clothes that day

Let's have our own Christmas Gathering!

God and angels be with us! 

Consumption Contest

In a bid to boost the city’s local economy, Taipei City government is considering plans to offer an extra NT$400 NT dollars to anyone who spends their NT$3,600 government consumption vouchers in the central Taiwanese city. While neighboring Taichung County also began contemplating the idea, local leaders are yet to provide details of how to finance the outlay.

Political leaders in Taichung City are looking at ways of snatching a bigger piece of the spending pie for their city by offering an extra NT$400 to people who spend their consumption vouchers in Taichung.

Ho Ming-chen
Taichung City Councilor
We want to turn Taichung City into a consumer city enterprise, said city councilor Ho Ming-chen.

Taichung County officials are also looking at adopting the plan for their county too. But not to be outdone, Taichung City officials weren’t finished, calling on businesses to give them back their advantage.

Jason Hu
Taichung City Mayor
If businesses work with us, it could be even better, said Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu. The city government will offer NT$400 per person and if businesses can offer another NT$400, Taichung will be taking money off of people all over Taiwan.

Taichung officials are yet to provide any details as to how they plan to fund the handout.

In Chiayi County meanwhile, county councilors passed a motion in favor of the DPP’s suggestion to hand out NT$3,800 in cash rather than the NT$3,600 vouchers. Chiayi councilors reasoned that vouchers would only prove inconvenient for residents in remote areas to collect and spend.



Wannian Festival Cuisine

The Wannian Festival being held in Kaohsiung's Zuoying comes to an end this weekend but visitors to the festival over its last two days will have plenty of local cuisine to try. Many of southern Taiwan's old-time favorite snacks and delicacies await those who wander along to Zuoying this weekend.

Deep-fried tofu is just one of the snacks on offer.

Oyster pancakes are another trademark of the old restaurants and stands that line these streets.

*****
They are crispy on the outside and full of moisture on the inside, said this visitor.

With the arrival of the cold weather, wonton soup that has been sold here for 44 years, is a great way to warm up.

Beef noodles are another local delicacy not to be missed.

This starfruit juice store has plenty of long-serving customers who swear the taste hasn’t changed a bit in the past 30 years.

*****
The starfruit taste is very strong, said this customer. It’s stronger than other places.

The Wannian Festival comes to an end in Kaohsiung’s Zuoying this weekend, leaving just a few more days to sample all of the old-time delicacies this part of Taiwan has to offer.

Sorry, I forgot to post the schedule for the hosts.

12/3 Joyce + Paul

12/10 Carey + James

12/17 Shavia + Vince (the last team)

Today, we talked about having a Christmas Eve Party on Christmas Eve (Wed.).
Maybe we can start to discuss the details of the party from next week.
So, Joyce and Paul, please leave some time for talking about this event.

Peggy

Useful Proverbs & idioms

1. Rome was not built in a day. 羅馬不是一天造成的

2. A friend in need is a friend indeed. 患難見真情。

3. A good medicine tastes bitter. 良藥苦口。

4. Actions speak louder than words. 事實勝於雄辯。

5. All roads lead to Rome. 條條大路通羅馬。

6. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. 一天一蘋果，不用請醫生。

7. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. 一日之計在於晨。

8. A rolling stone gathers no moss. 滾石不生苔，轉業不聚財

9. Blood is thicker than water. 血濃於水。

10. Do as the Romans do. 入鄉隨俗。

11. Every man has his weak side. 人人都有弱點。

12. Failure is the mother of success. 失敗是成功之母。

13. It is never too old to learn. 活到老，學到老。

14. It is no use crying over spilt milk. 覆水難收。

15. Kill two birds with one stone. 一箭雙雕。


Vocabulary

自行車環島旅遊 A bike tour around the island

B&B = Bed and Breakfast 民宿 (提供住宿及早餐的旅館)

備胎 a spare tire

1.This is the only nature food that doesn't spoil. What is this? 1.Tomoto sauce 2.Cholate 3. Honey

2.What animal can last loner without water than a camel? 1. Dog 2. Rat 3. Cow.

3.Butterflies taste with their 1. Wings 2. Feet 3. Head.

4.A snail can sleep 1. 2 days 2. Two months 3.three years

5.Coca-Cola was originally 1.black 2. Green 3. White.

6.An average person uses the bathroom 1. 6 times 2. 8 times 3. 10 times per day.

7.More artists live in 1. Canada 2.California 3.China than any other state in the United States. There are 10,000 arts organizations in California.

8.What human being ‘s food can be killed dogs? 1. Candy 2.Lemon 3. Chocolate.

Chocolate can be killed dogs! True, chocolate affects a dog's heart and nervous system. A few ounces is enough to kill a small sized dog.

9.Ketchup was sold in the 1830's as a 1.medicine.2.Drink 3. Snacks.

10.There are no 1.bench 2.clocks 3.Computer in Las Vegas gambling casinos.

11.The first product to have a bar code was 1. Coca cola 2.a set of glass cup 3 .Wrigley's gum.

12. The average person falls asleep in 1. seven 2. Ten 3. Twelve minutes.

13.The only domestic animal not mentioned in the Bible is the 1. Cow 2. Dog 3.cat.

14.Rubber bands last longer when 1. refrigerated. 2. To Step on 3. Heated

15. 1. Ants 2. Shrimp 3. cockroach can live for 10 days without a head.

16. 1. Canada 2.Taiwan 3.Mexico City sinks abut 10 inches a year.

17.1.White 2.Blue 3.red is the favorite color of 80 percent of Americans.

18.When a person shakes their head from side to side, he is saying 1.Hi 2. NO 3."yes" in Sri Lanka.

19.There are more 1.dog 2. chickens 3. Sheeps than people in the world.

20. 1.Chewing gum 2.Sing a song 3.Dance while peeling onions will keep you from crying.

21.1.China 2.India 3. Singapare has more English speakers than the United States.

22 Women 1.get weight 2. Cry 3.blink nearly twice as much as men!!

23.If you ate too many 1.carrots. 2. Pumpkin 3.orange , you would turn to orange.

24. Plastics take 1. 500 2. 300 3. 1000 years to break down.

25. A normal person laughs 1. zeron 2. five 3. ten times in a day.

26. Elephants are the only mammal that can't 1. jump 2. run 3. climb

27. By raising your 1. bottom 2. chest 3. legs and . lying on the back, you can’t sink in quicksand.

28. The blood of mammals is red, the blood of insects is 1.green 2. yellow 3. colorless

29. The blood of a lobster? 1. red 2. pink 3. blue

30. The Ancient Japanese thought there was a giant 1. dragon 2. spider 3.snake living under the earth, and each time it moved, it caused the earth to quake

*Vocabulary
柚子 a pomelo; a grapefruit
農藥 insecticides; pesticides

CNN Life article
Fishy Feet—Friendly Flesh Eaters Spell Relief for Tortured Toes

CNN Anchor
An Asian form of pedicure made its way all the way to American. It involves the world’s smallest pedicurists, and they’re called doctor fish or nibble fish, as reporter Derek McGinty found out first hand, or fist foot.

Unidentified female
It’s like having your feet in champagne.

Derek Mcginty, Wusa Reporter
Believe it or not, these friendly flesh eaters are giving these feet a pedicure, one bite at a time.
This isn’t like sticking your foot in with Jaws, right?

John Ho, Yvonne Hair Salon
Nope. You stick four toes in there, you come out with four toes—if you have four.

Derek Mcginty, Wusa Reporter
But you also come out without much of the callus and dead flesh you hate.

Unidentified Female
Feels pretty darn good.

Derek
But which these fish apparently can’t get enough of.

John
They’re actually nibbling on your feet.

Derek
Does this hurt?

John
No, it doesn’t hurt in any way. It tickles like hell, though.


Derek
John Ho traveled all the way to China to learn the art of using these tiny garra ruga, or doctor fish, to eat the dead skin off your feet. Smoother and more sanitary than a razor, these particular fish take their meals at Yvonne Hair Salon, run by Ho and his wife in Alexandria.

John
They loved it. I have people coming back many, many times to try it.

Derek
Ho insists the doctor fish have had their fill of thousands of local feet, and we found more than one customer coming back to offer second and third helpings.

Unidentified female
It’s starting to feel like a massage more than a pedicure.

Unidentified female
And this is my first time. It feels great.

Derek
I know you guys weren’t gonna be satisfied unless I took the plunge, so here we go. Oh! Oh! Oh, man.
But as these fish go to town on my battered tootsies, you gotta wonder…
Do the fish ever get full?

John
They never get full.

*Vocab
1. spell: produce as a result
2. tortured: inflict torture on
3. pedicurist: a person who cares or treats the feet and toenails
4. manicure: a person who takes care of hands
5. nibble: take small quick or gentle bites
6. callus: patch or hardened skin
7. darn: =damn=very much; completely
8. Garra Rufa: doctor fish 生長於中東 2006年被引進於亞洲度假村（resort）
9. tickle: touch or stroke lightly so as to cause a slight tingling刺痛的 sensation
10. sanitary: a. hygienic 衛生的
11. battered: hit hard and often 飽受風霜
12. tootsy: feet

Quiz 1—use the words above
1. The boy tickled the baby’s nose with a feather.
2. It’s more sanitary if you bring your own chopsticks.
3. The warm bath soothed James’ tortured muscles.
4. Louise may be a pedicurist as well.
5. The battered old bus pulled into the roadside station.

Phrases
1. take the plunge 豁出去
2. plunge into 使陷入某情況
3. go to town on 卯起來做
4. on the town 城裡尋歡
5. a one-horse town 窮鄉僻壤

Quiz 2—Use the phrases above, one can be used more than one time.
1. The war plunged the country into economic depression.
2. Before gaining fame, Carey grew up in a tiny one-horse town.
3. Hungry Vince went to town on the extra-large pizza.
4. Paul and Yeah took the plunge and got married.

(CBS) It may not be smart to retain your wisdom teeth, new research indicates.

Wisdom teeth are the molars that are farthest back in your mouth, Dr. Nancy Rosen told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. They come in between the ages of 17 and 25.

They're called "wisdom teeth" because people are said to get wiser during that time.

Smith asked Rosen, his personal dentist, why she hasn't suggested he have his wisdom teeth removed.

"Yours are fully erupted," she said, "meaning they are aligned, they are above the gum tissue, and they are clean as a whistle. So you can keep them."

But if they're not fully erupted, Rosen said, it can be a problem. "It can cause an opening around the tooth and bacteria can get around the tooth, cause swelling, infection, inflammation, and a lot of pain."

According to new research, Rosen says, if you can't keep wisdom teeth clean, "a lot of plaque is going to accumulate around them. This is going to cause infection, gum and bone disease, and this can increase the risk of premature birth or it can complicate other health problems, like heart problems or diabetes."

She advises asking your dentist whether you should have your wisdom teeth removed. "They just need to take an X-ray and evaluate the position and if there is any decay, or if you're able to keep them clean."
Removing them can be a pain. Literally.
"I'm not going to lie," Rosen said. "It is definitely a little uncomfortable. But I think if you need to have them taken out, the pros outweigh the cons."

Molars : any of the large teeth at the back of the mouth used for breaking up food

co-anchor: together with, the person that provides support and a feeling of safty

erupt: a teeth to come up through the skin of the gum

align: to bring, form, or arrange into a line or set of lines

gum tissue: gum: either of the two areas of firm pink flesh in which the teeth are fixed, at the top and bottom of the mouth
tissue: the material formed by animal or plant cells
口腔組織

swelling: to gradually increase in fullness and roundness to beyond the usual or original size

inflammation: swelling and soreness on or in the body, which is often red and hot to the touch

plaque: a substance that forms on teeth, and in which bacteria can live and breed
齒菌斑

premature birth: a baby or birth born or happening after less than the usual period of time inside the mother’s body

decay: fall to a lower or worse state

Literally: really

God and the man
A man visits God and says "God, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" God says "No, ask me anything at all." So the man says "God, you've been around for a very long time,
so, for you, how long is a thousand years?"God replies "For me, a thousand years is only five minutes." The man then says "That's interesting God. And, for you,
how much is a million dollars?" God replies "For me, a million dollars is only five cents."
The man says "Really? Well then God, could you lend me
five cents please?" God looks at the man, smiles, and says "Of course my son.
Just wait five minutes!"
Genie joke
A woman is walking along a beach when she finds an old oil lamp.
She picks it up and rubs it, and out comes a genie.The genie says to the woman, "Thank you for freeing me from the oil lamp.I will grant you three wishes, but whatever you wish for, your horrible ex-husband will get twice as much. What is your first wish?"The woman says, "I'd like a million dollars in my bank account, please!" The genie says, "You now have a million dollars in your bank account, and your ex-husband now has two million dollars. What is your second wish?" The woman says, "I've always wanted a nice car. I'd like a brand new Rolls-Royce, please!"
The genie says, "You now have a new Rolls-Royce in your garage
at home, and your ex-husband now has two new Rolls-Royces.
What is your third wish?"The woman thought for a while and then said, "I'd like you to remove one of my kidneys, please!"
What's 3 x 2? A little boy returned home from school and told his father that he
had failed the maths test. His father asked him, "Why did you fail?" The boy replied, "The teacher asked me 'How much is 3 x 2?' and I said
'3 x 2 is 6'." "Well, that's right" said his father. The little boy continued, "Then she asked me 'How much is 2 x 3?" "What the hell is the difference?" asked the father. The son replied, "That's exactly what I said to my teacher and that's
why I failed the maths test.
2 x 11 Why is two times ten the same as two times eleven? Because two times ten is twenty, and two times eleven is twenty, too!
Long grass
One afternoon a wealthy laywer was sitting in the back of his ,
limousine being driven to work, when he saw two men eating grass
by the side of the road.He ordered his driver to stop, and then he got out to investigate. "Why are you eating grass?" he asked the men."Sir, we don't have any money for food," one of the men replied. "Come along with me," instructed the lawyer. The first man said, "But sir, I have a wife and two children. Theyare also hungry." "Bring them along too," replied the lawyer. The second man said, "Sir, I have a wife and six children. Can they
come as well, please?""No problem, bring them as well," answered the lawyer as he climbedback into his limo. Finally, they were all in the limo - the lawyer, the two men, their
two wives and eight children.One of the men said, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all
of us with you."
The lawyer replied, "No problem, there will be plenty to eat at my home.
The grass is almost half a metre tall."

Dear all,

Although there are only 6 of us yesterday, we still had a good time.
Econcussioners are talktive, even though there are only few people.

Yesterday, we talked about how we can hold the gathering, here are some suggestions from some of us:
Joyce-
1. Change the place
2. Set topics, hold competition, such as sentences, vocabs, etc.
3. Shorten the time to 9:00pm
4. Enforce our police: only speak in English

Carey & Sharon-
If we don't have any ideas of the hosting everytime, we can take a break (stop gathering) for few weeks.
So everyone can spend some time to think about what he/she can do in the future gathering.

Peggy-
Maybe we can just get together at a restaurant or a place, having dinner and chatting together, if we really don't have any ideas to host.

Conclusion-
Since everyone is busy working and sometimes is too tired to prepare the hosting things, we don't want eveyone to be so stressed. We become Econcussion because we want to improve our English in many ways (speaking, listening, reading, or writing). Sometimes we can just be relaxed and talk to each other in English, that is also a way to practice. So don't feel so pressured if we don't have any ideas, just come and share your life or everything with us.

If others have any other ideas, please share with us on the blog or in the gathering. Thank you~