E-Concussion

We take turns playing each other.

1. What did you eat for breakfast?
2. How did you go to work?
3. what did you eat for lunch?
4. What is the best thing happened today?

Shavia:
1. bread
2. walked
3. sticky rice and a cup of soup
4. was assigned a new task

Joyce
1. sandwich
2. rode a scooter to work
3. a rice box (bento)
4. attend our English Club

Leo
1. milk and bread
2. went to work by scooter
3. fried chicken
4. got an order

James
1. spring roll
2. rode a scooter
3. a bento
4. don't need to go back company working

Paul
1. a half piece of toast
2. by bus
3. a rice box
4. sleep at home

Peggy
1.+3. a sandwich and milk for brunch
2. don't work now
4. come to E-concussion

Sharon
1. bun
2. by bus
3. beef noodle
4. meet a new friend

Carey:
1. tost and ice coffee
2. by bus
3. cake
4. meet Louise

Wally:
1. rice roll and soybean milk
2. lives in the company
3. a lunch box
4. got a Chinese painting

Louise:
1. nothing
2. by bus
3. vegetable, rice and meat
4. join E-concussion

Amy:
1. milk and cereal
2. by MRT
3. a lunch box
4. meet Louise

Vocabulary--translation
1. paparazzi was taken into custody
2. 井字鍵
3. 中秋節
4. octopus and squid
5. 詐騙集團


Phrase
1. asleep at the _ _ _ _ _ = not doing job very carefully
2. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ driver = the advice is either wrong or unwelcome
3. right up your _ _ _ _ _ _ = something is ideal for you
4. call _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = gather
5. come _ _ _ _ _ _ = to think of an idea



Grammar
Passive Tense
1. He is writing the report now.
2. They are being helped by me.



Perfect Tense
3. 班已經好幾個月沒來讀書會了，他只喜歡跟我們出去玩。
4. 詹姆斯最近一直做傻事。
5. 里歐在服兵役前曾經跳過國標舞。




*****
The Answer Key:

1. 狗仔隊被拘禁
2. the pound key
3. mid-Autumn festival/Moon festival
4. 章魚和烏賊(也就是"魷魚")
5. the fraud gang

1. wheel
2. backseat
3. street
4. assemble
5. up with


1. The report is being written by him now.
2. I am helping them.

3. Ben has not come to E-concussion Club for several months cause he only likes to play outside with us.
4. James has been doing silly things recently.
5. Leo had played ballroom dance/international standard dance before he served in the army.

From: Shavia's book
Abraham Sung
Minerva Publications

~My neighbors~

Many of us live in housing estates. I live in one myself. The one thing living in a housing estate is that we have many neighbors.
Next to my house on the right lives a family whose parents seem to be always scolding the children. I do not know them very well because they always appear angry. Never a day passes without hearing the children crying and the parents shouting at the top of their voices.
On the other side of my house, however, lives a very quiet and polite family. Mr. Verghese is a quiet man who seems to manage his family very well. Though he has four children, which is one more than the other family, I never hear him scold his children. So his children never cry. What a wonderful family they are.
Further down the road is a family whose radio is switched on most of the time, except late at night. His immediate neighbors must have a tough time putting up with the noise of the radio.
Then there is a family whose members seem to live in a world of their own. Many times we have met along the road and not once has any of them even nod his or her head in acknowledgement. They are not blind or deaf. Yet they can walk straight past as if I am not there at all. I would not say that they are unfriendly. I guess they are simply not interested in knowing their neighbors.
On the opposite side of the road live Mr. Lim and his family. Mr. Lim is a bird-collector. So everyday a dozen or more birds sing melodious tunes right beneath his front porch. It is preferable to the blare of the other neighbor’s radio. However the bird droppings can give off an awful stench.
These are some of the neighbors living near me. There are others that I have yet to meet. However I am careful not to intrude on their privacy. The friendly ones smile or raise their hands. The not-so-friendly ones look away. I have to live among them, friendly or not.

Vocabulary:
1. housing estates: community
2. put up with: stand
3. acknowledgement: Recognition of another's existence
4. porch: roofed shelter over the entrance of a building
5. blare: loud and harsh sound
6. dropping: animal dung/shit
7. stench: foul/disgusting smell


~My classmates~

We are a noisy lot, that is what our teachers say about us. This is largely due to Ah Keong. He is the noisiest of us all. His voice is like that of a bull frog but volumes louder. It seems that he cannot talk softly. Actually he does not talk, he shouts. Perhaps his living with his family of ten children has something to do with it.
In this noisy bunch lives a boy who hardly ever opens his mouth. This is Padma, the boy who sits next to me. He is such a gentle and soft creature that one would think that he is a sissy. This is not so. No one dares call him one for he is a member of the school’s Karate club.
Then there is Doris, our class monitor. She sits right in front of the teacher’s table. She is such a model student that all the teachers love her. We all love her for she does not boss us around. She has given up doing that long ago. All she does is to make sure that the teachers have sufficient chalk and that the classroom is clean.
Right at the back of the class sits our class sleepyhead. Mat seems to need more sleep than others. He catches cat-naps in between lessons. The astounding thing is that he can fall asleep almost instantly. The moment the teacher leaves after a lesson, Mat’s snores start up and we know he is at it again. Remarkably he wakes up when the next teacher arrives.
Every class has a clown. Our class has Jack, otherwise known as “Jacko The Clown”. He is always up to some prank or other, putting tails on the boys’ pants, frogs in the girls’ desks and powdered chalk on the teacher’s chair. So when we hear a girl scream or see men-teachers strolling around with chalk on the seat of their pants, we know that Jacko has struck again.
The other classmates too have their own unique personalities. Each contributes his or her part to our class. All in all we are a group of young children who perhaps are a bit noisy at times, but on the whole are well-behaved and pleasant to be with.

Vocabulary:
1. lot: number of people or things of the same kind
2. bull frog: 牛蛙
3. chalk: similar colored substance used for drawing
4. astouding: shock with surprise
5. snore: snorting made during sleep
6. remarkbly: unusally, impressively
7. prank: piece of mischief
8. stroll: walk in a leisurely way; wonder


~An Forgettable Experience~

Carrying a passenger on a bicycle is an offence punished by law. Everyone knows that but still some of us do it.
I had done it many times before until something happened to teach me never to do it again. It was not the police. Rather it was an unforgettable, and unpleasant, experience.
It happened one evening when my friend Segaran and I wanted to go and visit another friend who lived some distance away. I had a bicycle. Segaran did not. So, as usual, he sat side-saddle on the horizontal bar of the bicycle while I pedaled. We had done it many times before, so it should not be any problem.
Near my friend’s house, we got onto a gravel path made slippery by the recent rain. Still we managed to wobble along, thoroughly enjoying the rough ride.
As we passed by a stream, I made the mistake of going too near the bank. The rain had softened the soil and it could not hold our combined weight. One moment we were going along merrily, the next we were tumbling head over heels into the stream as the bank gave way beneath us.
Splash! Splash! Splash! We plunged into the river bicycle first, followed by Segaran, then me. Normally the stream is only a few centimeters deep with clear water. When we fell in, it was a meter deep with foul black water. The water prevented us from getting badly injured but we also had to pay the price of gulping some of it. It tasted horrible. Segaran got the worst of it for being sandwiched between the bicycle and me, but it was not too bad. We had only a few cuts and bruises. Our pride was far more hurt.
We retrieved ourselves and the bicycle from the stream. We were both dirty and soaking wet. Obviously we were in no condition to visit anyone. So we decided to go home.
We walked all the way home. I had to push the bicycle because its front wheel was bent out of shape. From that moment I vowed never to carry anyone on a bicycle again. Never again do I want to be dirty and wet with cuts and bruises all over my body. Once was enough.

Vocabulary:
1. saddle: rider's seat on a horse, bicycle
2. pedal: work the part pused with the foot to control a machine
3. gravel: with small stones
4. wobble: move
5. bank: at the side of a river
6. tumble: fall
7. plumge: go down suddely

English Concussion Club time on 2007/10/24
Hostesses: Joyce and Shavia

＊Reading Essays (divide into two groups)
7:30-8:10:
We will read three essays, after reading, each of us has to choose one topic from three essays to write an essay as our homework.
PS: Shavia has found a website that can do free marking, you all can register as a member to make use of this website. http://www.language-exchanges.org/login.aspx
＊Quiz time (divide into two groups)
8:10-8:30:
.We will do a quiz to revise what we’ve learnt from past gatherings.

8:30-8:40 Take a break
＊Game time (together)
8:40-8:50 Play an English game together—Joyce is studying games.
＊Your Story
8:50-9:20 : Story time (divide into two groups)
Each of us has to prepare at least one her/his photo and tell us a story of the photo.

9:20-9:30 (combine groups together)
Each group have to be indicated by hosts for two persons to tell stories from their group


Joyce and Shavia

**Possible questions form this topic
(Direction: These might be the questions in our test, so try to memorize these parts.)
1. Make three sentences with frequency adverbs.
(always, often, usually, occasionally, rarely, never )
2. Salutation:
Which salutation shows respect: Mr. or Ms. (Last Name)
If you don’t know the recipient’ name what salutation can you use: To whom it May Concern, Dear Sir, or Dear Madam
3. Complimentary Close:
very formal: Respectfully yours
typical, less formal: Sincerely
polite, neutral: Very truly yours
friendly, informal: Cordially Yours
family, couple: With Love, With All My Love

**Vocabulary

1. Certified mail: class mail requiring proof of delivery. (掛號信)
2. confidential: secret; not to be told to others
3. Salutation:
Greetings indicating respect and affection; regards.
A word or phrase of greeting used to begin a letter or message.
4. compliment: express admiration( pleasure) of
5. sequel 續集ex: the sequel to the novel
6. Q: What grade are you in? A: I'm a fourth-grader or I'm in fourth grade
7. cousin: 堂(或表)兄弟;堂(或表)姐妹
8. nephew:外甥 niece: 外甥女
9. late for: 來不及
10 cordial:warm,friendly 熱忱的,友好的;衷心的;真摯的
11. Attn:It's a abbr of attention ,usually use in formail mail 有往上陳送,敬請知悉的意思

**Minutes
1. It better to separate the whole group into two parts.For speaking and concentrating more.
2. The least hosts should hold a quiz for E-concussioners.
3. We will always keep the free talk park, try to make a presentation.
Make sure you prepare your free talk, this is your right.
4. Set a goal for yourself.

This time we are going to talk about "MAIL", including mail formant and often use phrases:

7:30-8:20 First part—Mail time
(Divide into two group)
1. Introduce: The complete format of Business Email.
2. Brain-storming: Working in pairs writing a short Email.
Topic: request for quotation or notice for activity.
3. Learn the standard samples.

8:20-8:30 Have a break

8:30-9:00 Second part—Game time
(Play in one group)
Introduce the game (use the frequency adv…)
Draw a lot.
Let’s play the game.
Punishment time^^

9:00-9:30 Third part—Free talk time
(For talk more, dividing into two group)
Chat about ...
Your embarrassing experiences or anything you want to share.please parpare something to share with us ^ ^

Amy and Carey
If you can't come, please let us know!

Dear Econcussioners,

Thanks for your coming! The topic of last time was also a little bit difficult for me、but we learned more、right? And I’d like to say sorry for that I didn’t explain everything clear. OK! Let’s review the conditional sentences!

If it always happen、happens in the present or it will happen in the future:
If…… (will) + simple form

If it is impassible to happen in the present or it won’t happen in the future:
If…Verb (past tense)… would \ could + simple form

「Wish」 (in the present)
Wish + Verb (past tense)

It didn’t happen in the past、but you would rather it happened:
If…(past perfect)… would \ could have + Verb (past participle)

「Wish」 (in the past)
Wish + had Verb (past principle)
+ would \ could have Verb (past principle)


catchy adj. 引起注意(或興趣)的;(曲調等)動聽而易記的
易上當的;反覆不定的

quotation n. 引文; 引證; 估價單

warm to = start to like

rehearsal v. 排練,敘述

p.s. We will send you the handouts with exercise answers by email. Please check your email box.

*************************************************************************

Writing: How to write a summary

About the question: no/any + plural N. or singular N.?
Ans: It is ok to add plural or singular N. after "no" or "any".

Because "no" and "any" are indefinite pronouns(不定代名詞)、and they can be transfered into indefinite adjectives(不定形容詞)、it is possible to add plural or singular nouns after "no" and "any".

Since everyone wrote a summary about your sharing things. Please post your summary in the "E-column" in our blog、so that everyone can read what you wanted to share.

Thanks again for coming、hope everyone learned a lot!

**************************************************************************
Hosts for the following weeks:

10/3 Joyce + Sharon
10/10 Break
10/17 Amy + Carey
10/24 Joyce + Shavia
10/31 Peggy + Sharon
11/7 Leo + James


James & Peggy

WASHINGTON-Lonely people are more likely to get sick and die young, and reasearchers said on Thursday they may have found out why-their immune system are haywire.
They used a "gene chip" to look at the DNA of isolated people and found that people who described themselves as chronically lonely have distinct patterns of genetic activity, almost all of it involving the immune syatem.
The study does not show which came first-teh loneliness or the physical traits. But it does suggest there may be a way to hepl prevent the deadly effects of loneliness, said Steve Cole, a molecular biologist at the University of Califonia Los Angeles who worked on the study.
"What this study shows is that the biological impact of social isolation reaches down into some of our most basic internal processes-the activity of our genes," Cole said.
"We have known for years that there si this epidemiological relationship between social support-how many friends and family members you have around you-and a bunch of physical outcomes," he said in a telephone interview.
Many studies of large populations habe shown that people who decribe themselves as lonely or as having little social support are more likely to die prematurely and to have infections, high blood pressure, insomnia and cancer.
"There are two theories-the social provision theory, which basically is about what other people do for you in a tangible, material sence. Like, if I am sick and I have got people around me, they will take me to the doctors, they will see I take my pills," Cole said.
"The other is that there is something about being isolated and lonely that changes your body."
His team set out to investigate the second theory.

All The Lonely People
John Cacioppo, a psychology professor at the University of Chicago, has been studying the health effects of loneliness for years in a group of people who have allowed him to delve in-depth into their social lives and health.
Cole and Cacioppo's team studied 14 of these volunteers-six who scored in the top 15 percent of an accepted scale of loneliness.
"These are people who said for years straight 'there's really nobody that I feel that close to'," Cole said.
THe other eight were the least lonely of the group.
Cole's team took blood and studied the gene activity of their immune system cells-the white blood cells that protect from invaders such as viruses and bacteria.
All 22,000 human genes were studied and compared, and 209 stood out in the loneliest people.
"These 200 genes weren't sort of a random mishmash of genes. They were part of a highly suspicious conspiracy of genes. A big fraction of them seemed to be involved in the basic immune response to tissue dmage," Cole said.
Others were involved in the production of anitibodies-the tag the body uses to mark microbes or damage cells for removal, Cole said.
The findings suggest that the loneliest people had unhealthy levels of chronic inflammation, which has been associated with heart and artery disease, arthrits, Alzheimer's and other ills.
The next step is to see if this might be treated, Cole said." This is a biological target for intervention," he said." Maybe we can give these people aspirin."
Aspirin, an anti-inflammatory drug, is also a blood thinner taken regularly by many people to prevent heart attacks and stroke.

Vocabulary:

haywire:disorder
chronically:慢性 長期
distinct:clearly, obviously
traits:特徵
molecular:分子
epidemiological:流行病學
prematurely:too early, suddenly
insomnia:失眠症
delve:explore
scale:size
bacteria:virus
mishmash:混雜物
fraction: a little
conspiracy:陰謀
antibody:抗體
microbes:微生物
inflammation:infection
artery:動脈
arthritis:關節炎



Shavia

Hello guys,

Peggy and me are the hosts this time.
In the first hour we are going to practice "Conditional Sentences".
And in the second part, we need everyone to prepare an articl or joke, book, novel to share with us!
Please kindly have a general idea of your preparation before the gathering.


So the schedule is:

1st hour(7:30~8:30):
Grammar "Conditional Sentences"

2nd hour(8:30~9:30)
Share your preparation and... (you'll know what to do).


discussion(9:30~9:40)
1. New member's joining
2. The road map of Green Island trip


Have a nice weekend, see you Next Wed.

James

Vocabulary List:

Paragraph 1
ethics:倫理
interchangeably: can be substituted, changed
heritage:繼承物
contex:文章脈絡(上下文)
worthwhile: worth to spend time for

Paragraph 2
signifier:傳示意義的人或物/表示意義的符號,字,圖
impersonal:客觀(主觀:subjective)

Paragraph 3
lament:哀悼
superficial:膚淺
erosion:腐蝕

Paragraph 4
infamy:惡名
immortality:不朽
legendary:傳奇的

Paragraph 5
euthanasia:安樂死
implication:暗示
provoke:激怒
debate:辯論
wrench:曲解
pose:提出
dilemma:進退兩難
unconcionable:沒良心,無理

Paragraph 6
scenario:劇情 情節
percipitated:使突然陷入

Dear E-concussioners:
Thanks for your attention 、we really have a wonderful music night.
About Grammar doubt "ever"
I asked Steven and got one answer about "Ever"、
He said " I has read Shakespeare ever since I was a little baby.

"EVER" in this sentence is emphasize "since I was a little baby"
此句中的ever 不是作曾經用,是用來強調 "從我是個baby的時候,就看了唷".




New vocabularies:
1.long vi. (不及物動詞 intransitive verb)
渴望[+to-v][(+for/after)]
He longs for/after fame.
他渴望成名。
She longed to return home.
她極想回家。
She longed for her husband to return home.
她渴望丈夫早日歸來。




Next outing:深坑豆腐之旅
9/2 sunday. PM3:00 ,We meet at 木柵 MRT Station.

Host schedule:
9/5 Leo and Carey
9/12 Shavia and Amy
9/19 James and Peggy
9/26 Joyce and sharon

Please add your favorite song website on this page. Let's share it
**Close to you -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKh86kOoiWQ
**Hero->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlS8Oerx8o
**A Whole New World->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDj_Rdx1P8Q&mode=related&search=
**Where have all the flowers gone -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKvdPsnkPC0&mode=related&search=
**Listen->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMq92PDEKP4&mode=related&search=

About the song I shared(Leo's),please link to "Whitney Houston One Moment In Time" on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7BOo_yhYdQ
and please find the lyrics on website.^^

Share one song with you, when someone is depress or disappoint, remember the power of your hand. :)
Lay your hand-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6VbYndCE0I
Sharon

Hero 英雄

There's a hero 有一位英雄
If you look inside your heart 如果你往你的内心深处寻觅
You don't have to be afraid 你无需恐惧
Of what you are 自己是什么

There's an answer会有一个答案
If you reach into your soul 如果你往你的灵魂深处探索
And the sorrow that you know 你会了解悲伤
Will melt away 将会消散

And then a hero comes along 然后一位英雄孤独的走来
With the strength to carry on 伴随着力量前进
And you cast your fears aside 把你的恐惧甩到一旁
And you know you can survive 你明白你能活下来
So when you feel like hope is gone 所以当你感觉希望破灭之时
Look inside you and be strong 正视自己要坚强
And you'll finally see the truth 最后你终将发现这个事实
That a hero lies in you 你是一位英雄

It's a long road 这是一条漫长的路
When you face the world alone 当你孤独的面对这个世界
No one reaches out a hand 没有人伸手
For you to hold 将你紧握
You can find love 你能够发现爱
If you search within yourself 如果你往自身寻找
And the emptiness you felt 你感觉到的空虚
Will disappear 将会消散

And then a hero comes along 然后有一位英雄孤独走来
With the strength to carry on 伴随着力量前进
And you cast your fears aside 把你的恐惧甩到一旁
And you know you can survive 你明白你能活下来
So when you feel like hope is gone 所以当你感觉希望破灭之时
Look inside you and be strong 正视自己要坚强
And you'll finally see the truth 最后你终将发现这个事实
That a hero lies in you 你是一位英雄

Lord knows 上帝知道
Dreams are hard to follow 梦想总是很难跟随
But don't let anyone 但是不要让任何人
Tear them away, hey yeah 将梦想打碎
Hold on 紧握住
There will be tomorrow 明天即将来临
In time You'll find the way 你终将找到路

And then a hero comes along 然后有一位英雄孤独走来
With the strength to carry on 伴随着力量前进
And you cast your fears aside 把你的恐惧甩到一旁
And you know you can survive 你明白你能活下来
So when you feel like hope is gone 所以当你感觉希望破灭之时
Look inside you and be strong 正视自己要坚强
And you'll finally see the truth 最后你终将发现这个事实
That a hero lies in you 你是一位英雄

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlS8Oerx8o

Shavia

Dear E-concussioner:
This Wed.'s host are James and me

Part 1 : Let’s get concussion with Grammar! (Perfect Tense)
*First Hour: Discuss about Perfect Tense, I will email the handout for you, please remember print it out and preview it.

Part 2 :One song for you !
*Second Hour: James will share one song for you, maybe you can try to prepare your favorite song, tell us why do you like it or the meaning of the song.

Hope see you all on WED.
if you can't join us this time, please let me or James know.

Carey
18-AUG-07

Vocabulary References:
The Gettysburg Address
1st paragraph
fourscore:八十的
brought forth:生產
continent:大陸
proposition:提議

2nd paragraph
battlefild:戰地

3rd paragraph
consecrate:奉..為神聖
hallow:視..為神聖
detract:減損
vain:無益 no value
perish:消滅

The Gettysburg Address and the War Against Terrorism
2nd Paragrah
hallmark:標誌
Pentagon:五角大廈
Pennsylvania:賓夕法尼亞州

3rd Paragraph
Confederacy:南方聯盟
charge:使承擔責任

5th Paragraph
reiterated:重申

6th Paragraph
nebulous:朦朧
protracted:delayed
crumbling:broke into pieces
rubble:瓦礫
horrendous:terrible
rallied:團結
war-eradicating:put an end to war

Dear Econcussioners,

This was the first time we changed our modes of activities、and there were so many things that we have to adjust~ Anyway、I hope all of you did learn something from the activities on 8/8.

Here is the information of phrases & slang、grammar and reading below:
(sorry, the information is quite long, but we will send the phrases & articles by email)

+Phrases & Slang+
1) Take off (phr v):
1. to remove a piece of clothing ≠ put on
Charlie was taking off his shirt when the phone rang.
2. an aircraft rises into the air from the ground = lift off
I felt quite excited as the plane took off from Heathrow.
3. to suddenly start being successful
Mimi became jealous when Jack’s career started taking off.
4. to have a holiday from work on a particular day、or for a particular length of time
I rang my boss and arranged to take some time off.
Dad took the day off to come with me.

2) Take over (phr v): to take control of something
His only reason for investing the company was to take it over.

3) Be taken aback (phr v): to be very surprised about something
Emma was somewhat taken aback by his directness.

4) Let go (phr v):
1. to stop holding something or someone
Let go! You’re hurting me.
2. to accept that you cannot change something and stop thinking or worrying about it
Sometimes you just have to learn to let go.

5) Let down (phr v): to not do something that someone trusts or expects you to do
The worst feeling is having let our fans down.
She had been let down badly in the past.

6) Let off (phr v):
1. to not punish someone
I’ll let you off this time、but don’t do it again.
2. if someone in authority lets you off something you should do、they give you permission not to do it
You’ve worked hard all week、so I’ll let you off today.
3. to make something explore
One boy had let off a firework in class.

7) Draw back (phr v):
1. to move backwards、especially because you are frightened or surprised
Suddenly、she drew back、startled.
2. to decide not to do something、especially because you think it would be bad for you = withdraw from
In the end the government drew back from their extreme standpoint.
8) Come up against (phr v): to have to deal with problems or difficulties
We may find we come up against quite a lot of opposition from local people.

9) Come up with (phr v):
1. to think of an idea、answer etc.
Is that the best excuse you can come up with?
2. to produce and amount of money
We wanted to buy the house but we couldn’t come up with the cash.

10) Come over (phr v):
1. if someone comes over、they visit your place or country
Do you want to come over on Friday evening?
2. if a strong feeling comes over you、you suddenly experience it
A wave of sleepiness came over me.
3. if an idea comes over well、people can understand it easily
I thought that the points he was making came over quite clearly.

11) Run across (phr v): to meet someone or find something by chance
I ran across him at a conference in Milan.

12) Run after (phr v):
1. to chase someone or something
He ran after her、calling her name.
2. (informal) to try to start a sexual relationship with someone
He’s always running after younger women.
3. (spoken) to do a lot of things for someone else as thought you were their servant
I can’t keep running after you all day!

13) Run on (phr v): to continue happening for longer than expected or planned
There things always run on longer than people imagine.

14) Sink or swim: to fail or succeed through one’s own efforts = float or sink
They don’t give you a lot of guidance – you’re just left to sink or swim、really.

15) Dog-eat-dog: a ruthlessly competitive situation
I know that Carmon is upset I stole her boyfriend、but it’s a dog-eat-dog world.

16) Shatter one’s illusion: to disappoint someone
The heavy study load shattered Kim’s illusions about university life.

Call assemble: 召集
Call in question: 懷疑

Put in mind of : 使人想起; 回想
Ex: Nancy puts me in mind of a girl that I met a few days ago.
Put up with : 忍受; 容忍; 忍耐
Ex: I can’t put up with your nonsence any longer.

Make suit to: 邀寵; 求婚
Make at: 襲擊; 衝向

Go into: 討論; 進入; 從事於
Ex: They went into the spot of the meeting.
Why do you go into that matter now?
Go beyond: 超出; 超過

Set on: 前進; 決心; 迎擊
Ex: My son is set on becoming a doctor.
Set by: 保留

Look up to: 崇敬
Ex: A lot of people look up to you、so don’t let them down.
Look about on: 四下觀看; 安排
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.今日事，今日畢。
It’s better to give than to take.施比受更有福。
As you sow、so shall you reap.種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆。


+Grammar Focus:Preposition+
Please choose the best answer and fill the blank
1.He lives in Wanhua in Taipei.
2.Someone is knocking at the door.
3.Her school is in、on Chungking Road.
4.He lives at 125,Chungshan Road.
5.I met him in、on the street.
6.They are playing in the garden.
7.A bird is flying in the air.
8.The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
9.There are some books on、over the desk.
10.He started for Japan last week.
11.I got up at five this morning.
12.I met him on Sunday morning.
13.He was born on April 20,1950.
14.She has been ill on yesterday.
15.He is at present in Germany.
16.October comes between September and November.
17.School begins at eight o'clock.
18.He has been there since three months ago.
19.Father will be back in a few days.
20.I arrived there in the morning of the ninth of March.

The answer I asked Stephen to check for me. Sorry to gave you wrong answers.

Some words we mentioned
諧音 assonance
糖尿病 diabetes mellitus
遺憾 feel sorry; regret; sorrow; pity
皺眉頭 bend one’s brows; frown


+Reading+
The History of Father's Day
By Cheri Sicard
While many people believe that Father's Day is a holiday invented by the fine folks at Hallmark、it's not so. The celebration of Dad's special day can most likely be credited to Mrs. John B. Dodd、of Washington State、who first suggested the idea of the holiday in 1909.
Mrs. Dodd's father、civil war veteran William Smart、was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Despite the obvious hardships、Mr. Smart proceeded to raise the newborn along with his five other children、by himself.
It wasn't until Sonora Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. The original date chosen for the holiday was June 5、Mr. Smart's birthday、however the celebration was postponed until June 19、the third Sunday in June、because there was not enough time to prepare.
At about the same time in various towns and cities across America other people were beginning to celebrate a Father's Day. Some accounts credit Mrs. Charles Clayton of West Virginia、as the founder of Father's Day、although most histories give credit to Mrs. Dodd.
In early times、wearing flowers was a traditional way of celebrating Father's Day. Mrs. Dodd favored the red rose to honor a father still living、while a white flower honored a deceased dad. J.H. Berringer、who also held Father's Day celebrations in Washington State as early as 1912、chose a white lilac as the Father's Day Flower.
In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day、but it never became official until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson signed the presidential proclamation that set aside the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

From: http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/dadsday/dadsdayhistory.html

Astrological Signs Linked to Accident Rates
Reuters
InsuranceHotline.com looked at 100,000 North American drivers』 records from the past six years and found astrological signs can help predict accident and ticket rates. The study put Libras (September 23 – October 22) followed by Aquarians (January 20 – February 18) as the worst offenders.
Leos (July 23 – August 22) and then Geminis (May 21 – June 20) were found to be the best overall. The study may now make discrimination based on astrological sign a common practice in the insurance industry.

Vocabularies:
The History of Father's Day
1. be credited to sb/sth (v): if something is credited to someone or something、they have achieved it or are the reason for it
2. veteran (n): someone who has been a soldier、sailor etc in a war
3. widowed (v): [be widowed] someone’s husband or wife died
4. proceed to (phr v): go on to
5. account (n): a written or spoken description
6. favor (v): prefer
7. the deceased (n): someone who has died、especially recently
8. lilac (n): a small tree with pale purple or white flowers = mauve
9. proclamation (n): an official public statement about something that is important
10. set aside (phr v): to keep something、especially money、time、or a particular area、for a special purpose

Astrological Signs Linked to Accident Rates
1. astrology (n): the study of the positions and movements of the stars and how they might influence people and events astrological (adj)
2. offender (n): someone who is guilty of a crime
3. discrimination (n): the practice of treating one person or group differently from another in an unfair way
4. common practice (n): the usual and accepted way of doing something


+Father’s day sharing+
Leo's father is cook and can do every housework. Leo admires his dad very much、because his dad takes care of many thing of their family and has his mother lives a princess-like life.(I think Leo's mother is really happy married to his dad :P) And Leo's dad told him that he should learn everything、so that he doesn't have to find someone to take care of him~

Shavia said her dad was quite traditional and had different thoughts with her. So they often have some unhappy moments. I think some parent and children have a generation gap、and it is really hard to convice your parents to agree with you. But when we are old、we may have the same situation like Shavia and her father. This will happen in every generation~ And everyone、no matter parents or children have to stand in each other's shoes.

Joyce had a great relationship with her father when she was a little girl. She was her dad's princess. However、her dad seemed to scold her mon often. And this makes Joyce feel bad. Recently、Joyce finds a good way to make the siuation better. That is to threaten her parents not to quarrel. If they do、Joyce won't attend any blind dates arranged by her parents. Ha...children are really important media between their parents.

Peggy had a bad time with her dad in the morning of Father's day. She knew that she shouldn't do that、but she can't help to be willful and not thinking about others. Anyway、she respects her dad very much~

Amy: Her father was in 台中. So their family can’t celebrate father’s day with their father. It’s really a pity.

James: He sent a message by cell phone to his father. To say Happy Father’s day. It’s hard for him to say happy father’s day or father、I love you face to face. I thought it’s hard for everyone、too.

Carey: She let her father to eat some sweet food that her father shouldn’t eat that kind of food so much. But her father likes that food、it’s 羊羹、so she let her father eat a half and said if you eat the other half 、I didn’t need to buy anything to you. So maybe a half 羊羹 was the present that Carey gave to her father.

Sharon: This year、she didn’t give any present or card to her father. Because her father didn’t need anything. In the past year、she and her sisters would take turns to wrote card for their father. But this year、she just said happy father’s day to her father.

Yesterday, we played two games about vocabularies, I believed all of you learned lots of new words. Here are the words that we mentioned yesterday.

Hope that can make you remember the word easier and straight.^ ^

air-condition vt. (及物動詞 transitive verb)
給...裝上空氣調節設備
用空氣調節設備調節(空氣)
air conditioner ph. (片語 phrase)
空氣調節裝置;冷氣機
air conditioning ph. (片語 phrase)
空氣調節
socket 插座
plug 插頭
stapler 訂書機(小)
bookbinding machine 裝訂機
column 段
plum 梅子
elbow 手肘
joint 關節
razor or shave 刮鬍刀
squid 魷魚
faucet 水龍頭
(Am.) a shopping bag; (Br.) a carrier bag 購物袋
peace-keeper; peacemaker 和事佬
wealth manage 財富管理
sentiments 感想
boom 景氣
dissolve; melt; solution; dissolution 溶解
foam; lather; spume 泡沫
dormitory 宿舍
interior; spirit 心靈
crash helmet 安全帽
offshore fund 海外基金
reliable 可信賴的
boating 划船
advantage 優點
depart 出發
familiar 熟悉的
torture 折磨; 拷打
satellite 衛星
handicap 障礙
weakness 弱點
essential 必要的
gasoline 汽油
innovation 創新
aborigine 原住民
mortgage 扺押
scout 童子軍
hemisphere 半球
reputation 名聲
hesitate 猶豫
pregnant 懷孕
flatter 高興
harass 煩擾
abortion 墮胎
religion 宗教
trend 趨勢


attention 立正
at ease 稍息
convulsion 大笑
slots 吃角子老虎機
Jack pot 吃角子老虎機最大的獎
guardman 衛兵
guard (V.) 守衛


Here I recorded about our group’s “First”.
Peggy: She shared a book about “Offshore Fund”, I thought it’s also her
first time to read this kind of book. She wanted to learning how
to invest to make more money. So she bought a book to know
how. And we believed that she can learn very fast. Because she
is a smart girl. Hope she can teach us about fund in the future.

James: He shared his “First Performance”, his first performance played
in 台科大, and he play guitar by his own, when he walk on the
stairs, he almost forgot the lyrics of the song “kiss me”, but
when he was on the stage, he can recall the lyrics. I thought he
did a good job at the time. It’s an unforgettable memory for him.

Joyce: She said she met her ex-boyfriend yesterday in a coincidence.
When she with Amy on the way to econcussion. She teached Amy how to ride a scooter. At that time, she turned to her left side and she saw her ex-boyfriend. She was astonished. No matter what her feel, I believe she will find a good guy in the future.

Sharon: She talk about “First Job”, her first job started at junior high
school. She helped her aunt in the breakfast store. But she
was too young to innocent, so when she saw a big cockroach
walked through her feet, she just yell out and said cockroach.
Her aunt walked to her and stare at her, because there were
still lots of customers stand there. After that experience, when
she go to help her aunt again, she will keep her mouth quiet.
It’s really a deep impression for her.
---
I am Carey about free talk in my group, Shavia, Amy and Leo shared their funny experience to me, let me share to you as well.

Shavia: When she was 16 years old, she went to U.S.A that was she first time went there, within 2 weeks she visited so many beautiful places such as Hollywood, San Francisco and Great Canyon and so on, she has saw the display of the movie “Back to the future” and played the slots in Las Vegas, by the way she met a handsome boy when she in the U.S.A.

Amy: When she was a college student, she learned how to ride a bicycle and after that she learn scooter too, and another experience is in her childhood one day afternoon when she was eating a green bean soup, her father hit her forehead by a hammer unexpectedly.

Leo: The first experience been an army, during that time many things are limited under the order. One word only can have one action even eating. Such as attention and at ease, the most unforgettable thing is fight shower. It means you need to finish your washing in 3 minutes including take off and put on your clothes. Leo said when he saw everyone take off their clothes at the same time, He almost convulsion

Carey: I shared my first impression of everyone in our club.
Shavia: My first time met Shavia was in our club time, I felt nervous and Shavia said Hi to me , helps me to conquer my nervous, and I think Shavia is a warm person.

Amy: Happy personality and loves to help everyone, I suggest if you feel upset you can talk to Amy, I think she is a good listener.

Leo: Leo has special style of humor, before I know him I think Leo is a serious man, but the fact shows he is a funny guy and a good leader as well.

Peggy: Wow such a beautiful girl and good at English. That’s my first impression, after familiar with Peggy I felt she loves to help everyone and loves to take ugly pictures and I think she is a good adviser.

Joyce: I know you are a nice person when I first time saw you. Please keep your good habits that are easy to say compliments to others.

Sharon: Funny personality and generous,always smile and love to help everyone that's my first impression about you.

James: You are a funny guy, after familiar with you I felt you are a thoughtful person too.

**********************In the future we will*************************
We will modify our program in the future, more reading and grammar practice. In first one hour, still have game but content of grammar. Second hour Host better to prepare an article for us then everyone have to read it out and discuss together.

I post the information about how to get to Sharon's place, check it please:



If you take bus,bus number:292,640,227,14 can reach the station:博愛新村.Before you take the bus,you can check the bus route,you can't miss it.When you get off,you can call me,I will go to the station to pick you up.If you get lost or you have any question,just let me know.
time at 16:00pm

Sharon

Hi、all the clubmates,

I believe it was a challenge for group A to be reporters、but actually it was really interesting. I saw that every reporter had done their best to do their jobs. Maybe we could have a similar game again someday.

In terms of the vocabularies、I’ve jotted down some which I remembered. They are:
頭期款：down payment 性質：character 救生員：lifeguard
泳鏡：swimming goggles 頭巾：headscarf、hood 麻醉：anesthetize (v.)
Saga: 傳說，英雄世蹟 debut: 初次登台，首次露面 repellent: 驅蟲劑、防水劑

Waiting for James to add his part...

Of course、reporters could copy and paste your news releases here...


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

James' speaking,

administrator: 管理人;行政官員
nag: 不斷嘮叨;責罵不休
nag at: 不斷找..碴 (Stop nagging at him)

I've sent you all the News I prepared.
And i found from this website:
http://www.pthc.chc.edu.tw/english_websites.htm
And I like the "Reader's Digest" very much、It's a good resource for reading i think.

Wish you all a new、lucky week as following!



*****************************************************************************

BIG NEWS From :Carey Chen
A brave cop,David Hsu have arrested 2 strong robbers without use any weapon
and any fear. The first feeling came up with his mind was "I want to do my duty and finish the bad guy",David said.
According to David said,he has learned China 功夫 for 15 years,and after arrested bad guys,he just wants to go back his normal life and keep going his mission. David said he really wants to promo China功夫,when he retire,
"It's a really good exercise not only for my three chlidren but also for everyone".


A patient's telling from Sharon Lin
The girl I meet was happy,her name is Amy.Now,she is away from Breast Cancer.A good doctor named Vincent cure her Cancer.The surgery was to cut her breast,and gave her a fake one to make her looks the same to before.When she suffered from Breast Cancer,sometimes she feels negative and depress,and her husband seldom help her to do housework.Before she decided to do the surgery,she was hesitate.Because she has to lost one of her Breast.The doctor gave her a fake Breast after the furgery to make her won't feel different from others.Now,she doesn't need to take any medicine,but still has to go back to the hospital for sure she is in a good condition every two month.Let bless her.


"Won Won My Love Shaved Ice Store" from Peggy
Mrs. Won Won is 38 years old opened a shaved ice store with her husband. Only had NT$50,000 to open the 1st store 8 years ago, now they have 10 branches and earn 100,000,000 each year. They set 10 branches in the parks in mountains and some spots that people do exercises. After people do exercises, they can buy some shaved ice if they feel hot and thirsty. The most special part of their shaved ice store is that they only use natural fruits & minal water for making ice. And their friends grow fruits for them, so they don't have to spend much costs on that.
Mrs. Won Won said that they put all their love into the ice, hoping their customers can feel love when eating the ice. However, it's pity that people in northern Taiwan can't have the chance to taste "Won Won My Love Ice" now, because they only have branches in middle & southern Taiwan. Let's expect their next branch will be opened in Taipei in the near future!

Yesterday,we really have(had) fun through play(playing)the games of idioms.I think(thought) the first person got the most simple(simplest) one,then the idioms were more hard(harder) to explain.Through this game,we reminded some idioms that we seldom use in our daily life.Hope we can have this game next time,because there are still lots of idioms we can guess.

The second games it's(second game was)fun,too.Because the questions were more close(closer) to our life.I think(thought) everyone(were)interested in these topics.I forgot(that) the loser(losers) will be punished,otherwise I will(would) let my partner(partners) to guess the question"cities in U.S.A",it's(they were) easier than the other two.

And thanks(thanked) to Wally,he also prepare(prepared) some questions to let us(for us to) guess.Some questions we could guess out,but some we couldn't.It's(was) a little bit hard to guess.Hope next time we can have more simple(simpler) questions.

The last part,we discuss(discussed) our favorite cartoons and which role we would like to be and why.
Leo said he would like to be 幽助of幽遊白書,because he like(likes)to fight(fighting).Fighting make(makes) him exciting(feel excited).No matter he beats others or others beats him,that would make him happy and exciting(feel excited).He has been addicted to(learn or learning?)Japanese when he was 14 years old.So he learned Japanese at that time.That's why he's good at Japanese.It's kind of inspiration.

Amy said she would like to be 鐵馬頑童.It's a leading role of(the)comic.Because she used to don't know how to ride(she didn't know how to ride), a bicycle, so(有because後不用再加so) she admire(admired) him.She liked the spirit of the leading role.This role tried to challenge the hill with his bicycle.It's(was) a(no a) difficult to make it.But I think he made it.That's the inspiration to Amy.

Carey said she would like to be Snoopy the most.Because when Snoopy show(shows) up,he always plays many different roles.And he is good at writing,too.So that's the reason why Carey wants to be him(it).

About me,my favorite role is Winnie Pooh(althought I didn't watch this cartoon many times).In my impression,he(it) was a little bit silly,full of caring,with no thoughtful consideration(這好像是形容正面的，心機應該有別的說法？).And he(it) has many good friends,(a)little pig,(a)donkey,(a)tiger and (a)rabbit.Because of his silly with no thoughtful consideration,his friends likes(like) him and would like to help him a lots.I hope I could learn from Winnie,to be a no thoughtful consideration person and have many good friends.

I don't know what the other group talk(ed) about,so I couldn't write any record of theirs.But all of us knew that Peggy's hand write in English is pretty.And James shared a movie called "刺激一九九五",(it)seems (that)everyone(was)interested in this movie.We can watch together next time.

Here are some words we mention(ed) yesterday:
Plum:梅子
Litchi:荔枝
前十集：the first ten collection
肉麻：disgusting
配音：dubbing
電影配音：soundtrack
心機：thoughtful consideration
越獄：escapes from prison
監獄：jail
典獄長：chief prison warden
逃稅：evades taxes
獄卒:prison guard
上吊：hangs oneself

Next time's hostess will be Leo and James.Enjoy your weekend,see you.

Sharon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi, Sharon
Sorry to modify your paragraphs by so many ()s. Because I thought everyone in our club has the right to learn and use correct English. Hope you don't mind.
Any questions or opinions, let me know please.
Leo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry,I post this article very late,hope you don't mind it.
Well,on Wed night,I thought we were in a hopeless tangle.We have no idea what should do.Thanks to Shavia gave us a topic to keep move on.Each of us wrote five idioms,and then we have to describe the idiom we pick,but we can't explain it word by word, we have said sth to explain the idiom means.It's a little bit difficult,but we can still guess right.In this exercise,Peggy got the first one,she is the winner.Joyce and I were last two,so we have to punished by Peggy,Carey and Leo.We do have fun through this game.It's a pity that somebody can't join with us.This is the first part.
About second part,we discuss about how to arrange Leo's birthday.Joyce's idea is let Leo pick a movie,and we can go to see together.And Peggy had a video wants to share with us,we can choose a place to watch,maybe Peggy's home,or James's home,or Sharon's Place on the top of the building.Wherever you like,we can discuss it next Wed.
And we considered should we need some change about our club to make you enjoy the econcussion time.We can try to invite our friends who interested in English and like to learn about it.Something like that.Hope someone can give some advice to us.
Next time the hostess will be Shavia and Sharon,we will let you know what should we play and discuss later.
Here are some vocabulary we mentioned on Wed night:
1.彈耳朵:ball ear,flip ear(I think "flip" is ok)
2.腸胃炎：enterogastritis
3.遺傳：inherit,inheritance(性格、特徵上的遺傳）
　　　　heredity,propagation（生理上的遺傳）
4.打點滴：inject intravenous drip
5.靜態的：static state
If next Wed,we still play the idiom game,maybe we will prefer to prepare like American slang or byword,it really need some prepare,otherwise you won't guess out.So,have a good day,hope you guys have wonderful weekend.
expect to see you next Wed
Sharon