Home Away From Home (1)

New experiences are waiting for everyone

We are finally settled down in a suburb near Washington, D.C. This is where we will be staying for three years. When my husband was asked to transfer to his company's office here, we knew our lives would change.

My two teenage daughters had to leave their friends and comfort zone in Taipei. They will need to adjust to a new educational system. Will they be able to "survive" at a new school? Can they function well in a foreign language? Will they feel frustrated and homesick a lot? Only time will tell.

But we decided to accept the offer, so we are bravely embracing this challenge. We have decided we can overcome any difficulties. We also decided to make the most of it. We plan to travel, explore and learn about "real" American culture and life.

Large numbers of tourists come here to see the White House, the Pentagon, Capitol Hill and the Smithsonian. We plan to go, too!

Grammar Gym
to settle down: 
to being living in a place in a stable and orderly way
- We are finally settled down in a suburb near Washington, D.C.
- After working in Asia for several years, the American businessman decided to settle down in Hong Kong.
- Mr. and Mrs. Lin wish their children could settle down near them , but all three sons live overseas.

Info Cloud
adolescence n.
the time, usually between the ages of 12 and 18, when a young person is developing into an adult
adolescent 青少年
a young person, usually between the ages of 12 and 18, who is developing into an adult
other words meaning young:
teenager 青少年
used to describe someone who is between 13 and 19
本文作者提到他有二個青春期的女兒 two teenage daughters
9~12歲是少年, 英文用 preteen,
relating to or made for children who are 9 tp 12 years old
也可以用英文 tween, 這個字是從 teen, between 組合成的一個新字
minor
a young person who is not yet legally an adult
the time when someone is young: childhood the time when you are a child
youth
the time when you are no longer a child but you are still young

Language Lab
comfort zone n. 可以感到舒服或放鬆的範圍 [comfort 舒適/ zone區域]
your comfort zone is the range of activities or situations that you feel happy and confident in
- Studying abroad means stepping out of one's comfort zone.
到國外讀書代表要離開自己舒適的範圍
- Staying in your comfort zone only limits your growth.
待在自己舒適的地方只會限制自己的成長

suburb n.
an area where people live which is away from the centre of a town or city

frustrate v. 挫折, 阻撓
to cause (someone) to feel angry, discouraged, or upset because of not being able to do something
- All these difficult math questions frustrate me.
這一大堆困難的數學題目讓我覺得很挫折
frustrated adj. 感到挫折的, 洩氣的
- The coach feels frustrated because he can't see any effort from the team.
教練覺得很挫敗, 因為他看不到任何球員的努力

embrace v.
1 擁抱
to put your arms around someone and hold them in a friendly or loving way [= hug
- As soon as Bob arrived at the gate, his son came forward to embrace him.
2  欣然接受(本文) to eagerly accept a new idea, opinion, religion etc
- Greg embraced a golden opportunity to work at the top law firm in the state.
Greg 欣然接受在美國頂尖法律公司提供的工作的大好機會

make the most of 充份利用某個事物[most 最大限度]
use to the best advantage
- We made the most of the facilities at the hotel while we were staying there.
我們住在這家旅館的時候, 充份了利用他們所有的設施
- During the banquet, Edward made the most of an opportunity to make connections.
宴會的時候, Edward 利用機會建立他的人脈

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