[Advanced] The Ups and Downs of Airplane Improvements (1)

Airlines recraft the cabin by adding and adjusting amenities inside jets

After decades of relatively little change, aircraft cabins in the United States are undergoing a renaissance that promises to make the flying experience more comfortable and enjoyable for passengers.

"We've seen in the last year or so some tremendous improvements in the passenger experience," said Mary Kirby, editor in chief of Airline Passenger Experience magazine. "Airlines were rather stagnant for many years in terms of what they offered."

But, airline executives facing stiff competition and high fuel costs are not making pricey changes out of benevolence. The best goodies are reserved for passengers toward the front of the plane, sanctuary for travelers willing to pay more or those with elite frequent-flier status.

Upgrades in some cases mean economy-class, believe it or not, will become more cramped. Fortunately, some in-cabin perks will trickle back to coach to distract attention from snug confines.

Legroom logistics

Personal space is the most coveted of passenger amenities — and the most expensive.

"What people care first and foremost about is getting the best possible price, and then they want to make sure that when they stand up from their airplane ride they can still feel their knees," said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst.

An aircraft fuselage has only so many square feet, so seat configuration is a zero-sum puzzle. If an airline gives seats.

Many airlines now allow you to pay for more legroom. Some airlines throw in a few extras too. For example, American allows priority boarding with upgrades to Main Cabin Extra.

In reality, this new class of seat is what business class used to be.

"Legroom is clearly what people value," said Joe Brancatelli, a business-travel writer. "They want it for free, of course, but they will pay for it."

Discussion Questions
- Would you pay extra for more legroom during a flight? If so, how much extra?
- What airline amenity do you value most and why?


Notes and Vocabulary
do any stand out
- How to Stand Out in an Interview?
- How do you make yourself more desirable to the interviewer?

turbulence n.
irregular and violent movements of air or water that are caused by the wind

amenity n. plural amenities [countable usually plural]
/əˈmɛnəti/
something that makes a place comfortable or easy to live in
-  The hotel has every amenity you could want.
- houses that lack basic amenities (=basic things that people need, such as heat and running water)

renaissance n. rebirth
/ˈrɛnəˌsɑ:ns/
a new interest in something, especially a particular form of art, music etc, that has not been popular for a long period

tremendous adj.
very big, fast, powerful; excellent

stagnant adj.
/ˈstægnənt/
1 stagnant water or air does not move or flow and often smells bad
2 not changing or making progress, and continuing to be in a bad condition

stiff adj.
difficult, strict, or severe

benevolence adj. the goodness of your heart
/bəˈnɛvələnt/
kind and generous;  organized to do good things for other people

sanctuary n.
/ˈsæŋktʃəˌweri,/
a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter

elite n.
a person who is a member of an elite : a successful and powerful person — usually plural

cramped adj.
a cramped room, building etc does not have enough space for the people in it;
unable to move properly and feeling uncomfortable because there is not enough space

perk v.

snug adj.
fitting closely and often too tightly; providing or enjoying warmth, shelter, and comfort : cozy

confine v.
to keep (someone or something) within limits : to prevent (someone or something) from going beyond a particular limit, area, etc. — usually + to

logistics n.
the things that must be done to plan and organize a complicated activity or event that involves many people  

foremost adj.
most important, priority

fuselage n.
/ˈfju:səˌlɑ:ʒ/
the main part of an airplane : the part of an airplane that holds the crew, passengers, and cargo


configuration n.
the way the parts of something are arranged   
mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130313ada628552ba3e0645705c6ae6a4a8576425.wma

Difficulties in German (1)

My successes – and failures – at studying German abroad

I will be the first admit that my German skills are quite poor. As a university student I decided to minor in German. For some reason, I really liked the language, but I was not particularly good at learning it. The grammar and word order confused me. Prepositions made no sense. All the nouns had genders, and I rarely remembered which noun was which. My only talent was spelling - I got an A+ on every vocabulary test I took.

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

The German I'd learned in university wasn't practical for everyday conversation. My book knowledge fell by the wayside as I figured out the basics of getting around, reading menus and chatting with my classmates. I was constantly on edge at school, worried about whether the professors would call on me in class and whether I'd understand their questions. I only relaxed a little around my eight roommates, who were willing to speak German slowly to me and didn't seem to mind my mistakes.

Grammar Gym
to be the first to + verb = when someone is admitting what they are responsible for something that is not so good
I will be the first to admit that my German skills are quite poor.
Although Tom comes from a family of accountants, he'll be the first to admit his math in very poor.
Dr. Nelson is a long-time expert in this field, but he'll be the first to admit he has no idea how we should handle this case.

Info Cloud
talent n. a natural ability to do something well天分
* He has a talent for music.
他有音樂天分
gift n.禮物；天分、才能
* He has a gift for music.
他有音樂天分
* He has a gift for languages.
他有語言天分
knack n. a natural skill or ability技巧、竅門
* Steve has a knack for teaching English.
Steve懂得教英文的技巧
genius n.
a very high level of intelligence, mental skill, or ability, which only a few people have
天才、技能、天賦
* He has a genius for music.
他有音樂天分

Language Lab
minor n.
the second main subject that you study at university for your degree [≠ major]


gender n.(語言中字詞的)陰陽性、(男女的)性別
In French, the word for "moon" takes a feminine gender.
在法文中，月亮這個字是陰性
The book talks about the differences between genders.
這本書探討兩性間的差異

resign v.
to officially announce that you have decided to leave your job or an organization
辭職；
to make yourself accept something that is bad but cannot be changed
屈從、使聽從、使順從
resign oneself to something只能如何如何
Because I have to work during the championship game, I resigned myself to watching the rerun.
因為我在冠亞軍比賽時要上班，我只好接受看重播

by the wayside
into a state of no longer being considered, used, etc.

start from scratch (idiom)
to start from the very beginning; to start from nothing. 從頭開始、白手起家
After the model for our science project was ruined, we had to start from scratch.
自從科學計畫的模型被毀了之後，我們一切得從頭開始
After closing his restaurant, Dan decided to start from scratch and open a clothing store.
結束餐廳營業後，Dan決定從頭開始，開一家服飾店

on edge (idiom) feeling nervous : not calm or relaxed  緊張不安、焦慮
Martha was on edge while waiting for the results of her interview.
Martha在等面試結果時很緊張
Sandra was feeling tense and on edge before the audition.
Sandra在試鏡之前，感覺緊張焦慮


mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130313_80e32.wmv

[Advanced] Building Your Brand (2)

The Benefit of Your Brand
Real branding is not about cosmetics, writes Vincent. It’s about making a promise and then delivering on it. As Vincent explains, branding works because of how the brain operates. A human brain is required to process much more data than anyone could possibly consciously process themselves; as a result, it relies on cues connected to a series of expectations, which, in turn, causes automatic (without "thinking") reactions. A red octagonal sign automatically causes you to stop because you know what to expect and what to do. If someone put the word "Go" in the middle of a red octagonal sign, you would probably still stop.

That is how brands work, Vincent writes. They cue your mind to expectations of a benefit. According to Vincent, the expectations or "benefit" of a brand can be grouped into six common strategic themes, including Access, such as low prices, extra hours or multiple locations; Features and Functions, which refers to differentiation through the best and/or most features; and Approach, or how the benefits are created — for example, a company that emphasizes its products are not outsourced is following an approach-driven brand strategy. The final three benefits are the Personality of the brand, the Cause or moral purpose attached to the brand and Lifestyle. Lifestyle brand strategies are the most common because they speak to a consumer’s aspirations.

Brand strategies are just one of the topics covered in Brand Real. Other topics include how to make brands memorable and how to create a brand architecture — the careful organization of brands and sub-brands that allow room for growth but without, in Vincent’s words, "sacrificing the essence of the brand’s bond with customers." One chapter also explores the mind of consumers and how they attach their identities to brands.

Through its detailed frameworks, succinct and relevant case studies, and its focus on aligning brand strategy to business practices, Brand Real explains how to harness the full potential and power of successful branding. No reader will mistake branding for stagecraft.


Notes and Vocabulary

Vegetable scraps break down into nutrients because of how composting works.

octagonal n.
/ˈɑ:ktəˌgɑ:n/
a flat shape with eight sides and eight angles

differentiation n. [noncount]
/ˌdɪfəˌrɛnʃiˈeɪʃən/

aspiration n.
a strong desire to have or achieve something [= ambition]

align v.
to publicly support a political group, country, or person that you agree with

Discussion Questions
- Name one thing that you would consider indispensable? Why?
- What is your favorite product brand? Why?


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130312ada0c3bfa12a5d243e74358481011425977.wma

Eat for Energy (2)

Fruit
Fruit of all kinds contain healthy carbohydrates, which will raise your energy level quickly. They have fiber, which will fill you up, and lots of vitamins. Bananas make especially good snacks because they have lots of potassium. This important mineral keeps your nerves and muscles working well.

Whole grains
Whole wheat, oats and brown rice give you fiber, good carbohydrates and vitamins. They provide energy that will stay with you until your next meal.

For a snack, try a sandwich on whole-wheat bread or whole-grain cereal sprinkled over yogurt. And speaking of yogurt...

Greek Yogurt
All yogurt is great for digestion. But thick Greek yogurt has extra protein for longer-lasting energy.

Dark chocolate
There's nothing wrong with enjoying an occasional treat - especially if it's chocolate. Chocolate provides minerals like iron that can increase your energy. But aim for chocolate that's at least 70 percent cacao. It provides more health benefits - and less sugar.

Info Cloud
fruit / fruits
Fruit of all kinds contain healthy carbohydrates.
各種水果含有健康的碳水化合物
一般水果是當不可數名詞, 所以不加 s
例如: fruit is delicious in the summertime,
如果用複數變成 fruits are delicious in the summertime
聽起來像科學家在用術語在做報告
複數可以用在: the fruits of my labor (=the results of my hard work)
勞動的果食, 意思就是努力的成果

Language Lab
carbohydrate n. 碳水化合物, 可簡稱 carb
/ˌkɑɚboʊˈhaɪˌdreɪt/
any one of various substances found in certain foods (such as bread, rice, and potatoes) that provide your body with heat and energy and are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen [count]
Henry's doctor suggested that he eat a diet high in carbs.
Henry的醫生建議他採取含碳水化合物的飲食
Ray is diabetic, so he should control his intake of carbohydrates.
Ray 有糖尿病, 所以他必需減少含碳水化合物的吸收量

vitamin n. 維生素, 維他命
vita 字根有生命的意思
a natural substance that is usually found in foods and that helps your body to be healthy;
a pill containing vitamins
Cherries are rich in Vitamin C.
櫻桃有大量的維他命C
Nancy bought a lot of vitamin supplements for her parents.
Nancy 替爸爸媽媽買了很多維他命的補充品
Vitamin A deficiency can affect one's sight.
缺乏維生素A 可能會影響一個人的視力

yogurt n. 優格
a food that is made when bacteria is added to milk and that is often flavored and chilled
plain yogurt 原味優格
This low-fat yogurt tastes as delicious as the regular kind.
這種低脂的優格跟一般的優格吃起來一樣好吃
Because yogurt contains active cultures, it is especially good for digestion.
因為優格有活菌所以對消化特別有幫助

benefit n.
1 a good or helpful result or effect 益處, 好處
One of the benefits of getting up early is have a little more than others.
早起的好處是比別人爭取到多一點點的時間
2 money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc.福利
The employees here enjoy great benefits including an annual bonus and free health insurance.
這裡的員工享受優厚的福利, 包括年度紅利以及免費的醫療保險

cacao n.
[noncount] : the dried seeds of a tropical tree that are used to make cocoa and chocolate

mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130312_c0d75.wmv

[Advanced] Building Your Brand (1)

Insightful advice to create a company on which customers can depend

One afternoon, brand consultant Laurence Vincent asked a potential client a few simple questions, including: How indispensable is your brand to your customers? What does your brand do better than any competitor, and why does it matter? If your brand disappeared tomorrow, why would anyone care? "On this particular occasion, his answer stunned me," writes Vincent in his book Brand Real: How Smart Companies Live Their Brand Promise and Inspire Fierce Customer Loyalty. "He said, ‘I’m not looking for a management consultant. I’m talking to you because I need a nice new brand to make up for the problems you just asked me about.’ And there it was: the trouble with modern branding..."

The trouble, according to Vincent, is that companies with deep core problems believe that all their problems can be solved with a new name or logo. In the case of this potential client (who never became a client), the company’s differentiating strategies consisted of aggressive pricing and cost-cutting, instead of adding value. In short, the company was a mess. No worries, thought the CEO, I’ll just hire a brand consultant to "design a better logo, tidy up the Web site, and clean up the advertising," Vincent writes. "That’s not branding. That’s stagecraft."


Notes and Vocabulary
insightful adj.
having or showing a very clear understanding of something : having or showing insight;
able to understand or showing that you understand what a situation or person is really like

indispensable adj.
extremely important and necessary
someone or something that is indispensable is so important or useful that it is impossible to manage without them [= essential]

fierce adj.
having or showing a lot of strong emotion : very strong or intense

stun v.
to surprise or upset someone so much that they do not react immediately

differentiate v.
to recognize or express the difference between things or people [= distinguish]

tidy or tidy up v.
to make (something) clean and organized


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130311ada88c76c45f8e8338c8c33988d5c18dda0.wma

Eat for Energy (1)

What kinds of food can you eat to increase your energy?
你該吃什麼食物來增加活力能量？

It's the middle of the afternoon. You've been working hard all day. But now you can't keep your eyes open, and your mind starts to wander. Suddenly, a pain in your stomach brings you back to reality. You need a snack.

You take a break and go to the nearest convenience store. You stare at the rows of ships, candy and soda. But before you grab just any snack, stop and think. What food will give you healthy, long-lasting energy?

Water
Yes, water. Your body uses water to absorb the things it needs. Water also helps your cells get the things they need to keep them working. Each day, make sure you are drinking enough water, especially if you are exercising.

Almonds
These little treats are full of protein, fiber and good fats. They help you stay full. Almonds can also reduce your risk of heart disease. And they contain lots of omega-3 fatty acids that can help keep you focused.

Grammar Gym 
just any + noun
just any snack = what kind of snack
But before you grab just any snack, stop and think.
I need to borrow a cup - just any cup is fine.
Not just anybody can come to this party; only personal friends of the boss are invited.

Info Cloud
literary narration 文學的敘述觀點
second-person narrative
第二人稱，本課作者直接稱讀者"你"的敘述方式，"你"就成了作品中的一個角色
third-person narrative
第三人稱，教科書、百科全書幾乎都用第三人稱
first-person narrative
第一人稱，小說中比較常用, 作者以"我"的敘述法，"我"是故事中的主角，交代自己的故事

Language Lab
wander v. 漫步, 漫遊
/ˈwɑ:ndɚ/
to walk slowly across or around an area, usually without a clear direction or purpose
The homeless people kept wandering around the streets.
這些無家可歸的人不停的在街上到處遊蕩
wander v. 蜿蜒 (不及物動詞-後面要加介系詞才能加受詞)
The river wanders down the valley.
這條河沿著山谷蜿蜒而下

convenience store n. a small store that is open for many hours of the day 便利商店
I bought a latte at a convenience store this morning.
我今天早上去便利商店買了杯拿鐵
The convenience store chain is making a great profit this year.
這家連鎖便利商店今年的營收非常好

long-lasting adj.
existing or continuing for a long time

absorb v. 吸收
to take in (something, such as a liquid) in a natural or gradual way
The medicine can be absorbed completely in 20 minutes.
這種藥在廿十分鐘內就可以被完全吸收
These solar panels absorb heat from the sun and transform it into energy.
這些太陽能板吸收太陽的熱，然後轉化成能量
Airbags can absorb the impact of car crashes.
氣囊可以吸收汽車衝撞的力量

protein n. a substance found in foods (such as meat, milk, eggs, and beans) that is an important part of the human diet [noncount]
[uncountable and countable] one of several natural substances that exist in food such as meat, eggs, and beans, and which your body needs in order to grow and remain strong and healthy 
Athletes need to take in a lot of protein to have strong muscles.
運動員需要吸收許多蛋白質，才有強壯的肌肉
Nuts and soybeans are rich in protein.
堅果和黃豆都含有豐富的蛋白質
White meat is a healthy source of protein.
白肉是健康的蛋白質來源

mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130311_a9322.wmv

[Advanced] The Future of TV (3)

Closing arguments - Where does TV go from here?

Mike Proulx
Senior VP and Director of Digital Strategy, Hill Holliday

The New Media Advocate

"Simply put, television can no longer be categorized as traditional media but instead must be approached as new media. The real threat to cable companies comes if the masses can easily access the same content at the same time in the same or better ways at a materially lower price point. People will flock to where the content is, period. After all, our loyalty lies with the content itself--individual TV shows--not necessarily TV networks or TV providers. That takes us back to the monthly tiered subscription model. I feel a bit of deja vu from the days when we were forced to buy entire music albums if we wanted merely a couple of songs. Smart-TV technology and mass accessibility will only continue to improve, which heightens the need for television providers to innovate and deliver value.

Rob Marcus
President and COO, Time Warner Cable

The Cable Honcho

"I think there's a tendency to overestimate the moment you're living in. But it does seem like the pace of change in everything is faster than it used to be, and TV is part of that. Until recently, we were working largely with proprietary technology. It was a relatively self-contained ecosystem. But increasingly we're taking advantage of IP-based technologies. We'll have a programming guide hosted in the cloud next year; that will allow us a lot more flexibility to change the look and functionality. It'll be written in HTML5. We want to work with game consoles, Android. We'll clearly be on smart TVs. We are open to trying anything.

Individual TV viewing is something like 150 hours a month. If you divide a typical cable bill by the number of hours they're watching, it's still a pretty good value compared with other forms of entertainment."

Notes and Vocabulary
flock v.
if people flock to a place, they go there in large numbers because something interesting or exciting is happening there

deja vu n.

the feeling that what is happening now has happened before in exactly the same way

tendency n.
/ˈtɛndənsi/
if someone or something has a tendency to do or become a particular thing, they are likely to do or become it

console n.
a flat board that contains the controls for a machine, piece of electrical equipment, computer etc
game console 

proprietary adj.
relating to who owns something

honcho n.
an important person who controls something, especially a business [= boss]

the head honcho

Discussion Questions
- How do you watch your favorite TV shows? Are you pleased with this method?
- Is Google TV something you would use? Why or why not?
- Are you worried that you may be watching too many hours of TV each week? Explain.

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130309ada6ab88f731fbeed485aa296f25d5d54eb.wma

Financing Your Business (2)

Bob: Instead of borrowing right away, we waited until the business was a little better established. Then we borrowed money and used it to expand the business.

Ben: How did waiting help?

Bob: Well, by the time we took out the loan, we had an income stream and a healthy balance sheet, so we were less of a risk for lenders. That meant we were able to borrow on better terms.

Ben: So you think we should wait before getting a loan?

Bob: Practically speaking, most small businesses inevitably go through several rounds of financing as they grow. Like your company, most small businesses are started with seed money from their owner's savings or family members. The businesses aren't usually started with money from a loan.

Ben: How will I know when the time is right to borrow?

Bob: Once companies are more established, the owners have a lot more choices. They might, for example, get a line of credit, take on a partner or get a loan. If borrowing money will make you money, then it's time to consider it.

Ben: So it's all a matter of timing?

Bob: That's right. And right now, it's time for lunch.

Ben: Sounds good. Where should we go?

Info Cloud
in the red/ in the black/ break even
in the red 有虧損(因會計做帳負的會用紅筆)
in the black 有盈餘 (因會計做帳正的會用黑筆)
break even 損益平衡 (沒有虧損也沒有盈餘)
the level of business activity at which a company is making neither a profit nor a loss
You need to earn $3000 to break even.
你要有3000的收入才會損益平衡

Language Lab
established adj.already in use or existing for a long period of time 穩固的, 被建立的
We visited several established fashion houses during our trip to Milan.
我們去米蘭的旅行途中訪問了幾間知名的時尚品牌
establish v.
1 to start a company, organization, system, etc that is intended to exist or continue for a long time
2 to begin a relationship with someone or a situation that will continue
3 to find out facts that will prove that something is true
4 to make people accept that you can do something, or that you have a particular quality

balance sheet n.
a statement of how much money a business has earned and how much money it has paid for goods and services


line of credit n. 信用額度
the maximum credit that a customer is allowed.
credit 信用貸款
Bob requested a line of credit from the bank.
Bob 請銀行批准他的信用額度
The company's line of credit was cancelled because of a delay of the loan payment.
這間公司的信用額度因為沒有付貸款而被取消了

inevitably adv.必然的 無可必免的
used for saying that something is certain to happen and cannot be avoided
Inevitably, over-expansion soon caused a financial burden for the company.
過度擴充很快造成公司上財物上的負擔
inevitable adj.
The scandal has had some inevitable effects on the image of this public figure.
這件醜聞對於這個公眾人物的形象有了無可必免的影響

seed money n.
the money you have available to start a new business 種子基金 創業基金
seed 種子
Mike borrowed his seed money for his bakery from his in-laws.
Mike 的麵包店創業基金是像親家借的
That charity organization offers seed money for low-income families to start their own businesses.
這家慈善基構提供低收入家庭創業基金

mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130309_826fc.wmv

[Advanced] The Future of TV (2)

Rishi Chandra
Director of Product Management, Google TV

The Adapters

Preloaded in certain smart TVs or available as a separate device, Google TV is a platform that allows users to navigate both online video and a cable or satellite TV package.

Lessons learned at Google TV

1. SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY
"At first, users thought the overall experience was too complicated. We narrowed it down to an application model, where if you want YouTube, you just open up the YouTube application. We also made sure the experience you got on your TV felt like a TV experience. So when you're flipping between YouTube channels, it feels as simple and fast as flipping between TV channels."

2. HELP DEVELOPERS
"Companies were already creating great apps for Android phones and tablets. We realized it was important to structure Google TV so that it was easy for developers to adapt those existing apps to TV.

3. IMPROVE DISCOVERY
The discovery engine debuted with our software update last fall. We're now working on a feature that--with your permission--uses information from your Google account to infer movies and TV shows you might like and recommend them to you."

4. GET HARDWARE FEEDBACK EARLY
"Google TV comes in several forms--sometimes built directly into a TV, sometimes in a separate set-top box--and there's a learning curve with creating hardware. One big lesson we learned with Android is the earlier we start engaging with manufacturers, the better, because it gives hardware makers more time to iterate and improve their products."

5. UNITE THE DEVICES
Sometimes you're going to discover what to watch on a phone or tablet or PC, so the ability for all these devices to work really well together is something else that we believe is going to be fundamental for shaping our road map going forward."


Notes and Vocabulary

Avner Ronen CEO, Boxee:
I think big changes are coming. It’s a humongous industry. Compared with music and publishing, it dwarfs them. And it has a huge effect on culture.”

simplify v. keep it simple
to make (something) easier to do or understand

flip v.
to turn (something) on or off with a switch

discovery engine
search engine

debut v.
to appear in public for the first time
to show or provide (something, such as a product, television show, etc.) to the public for the first time

infer v.
to form (an opinion) from evidence : to reach (a conclusion) based on known facts
to hint or suggest (something): imply

curve n.
a curved line on a graph that shows how something changes or is affected by one or more conditions

iterate v.
to say or do again or again and again

road map n.
a map showing roads especially for automobile travel 
a detailed plan to guide progress toward a goal

humongous adj.
extremely large: huge

dwarfs them
it makes them look very small

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130308ada720bca52b2d0b559446362bd159320f9.wma

Financing Your Business (1)

Finding the money you need to keep your business running

As Ben and Sandy Johnson continue setting up their new company, Uncle Bob offers them some valuable advice about financing.

Bob: Hey, Ben, how's the business coming along?

Ben: Well, Uncle Bob, we followed your advice and signed up for a small business program through our local community development association. The crucial challenge now is financing.

Obviously, we will fund the company with our savings, but I'm  worried that we've underestimated costs and could run out of money.

Bob: That is a very important issue for small business to deal with. After all, undercapitalization is one of the major reasons that small businesses often fail.

Bob: I know. We're looking into small business loans, but the interest rates seem really high. How did you pay your hardware store when you first started?

Ben: To be honest, I actually didn't start the first store. Instead, your Anut June and I used our savings to buy into an existing business. Later, we bought out our business partner and then expanded the business.

Bob: So you didn't arrange outside financing?

Ben: Not at first. Like you said, lenders often charge a premium for small business loans because they are so risky. We were worried that cost of servicing a loan would actually hurt the business.

Bob: I hadn't thought of that.

Info Cloud
advice/suggestion
advice n. [noncount]
an opinion or suggestion about what someone should do (concept)
three pieces of advice
suggestions n.  [count]
an idea about what someone should do or how someone should behave (quality)
three suggestions

information uncountable
airplanes / aircraft no s

Grammar Gym
to look into = to investigate
"We're looking into small business loans,..."
The mayor promised the widow that he would personally look into the case of her missing child.
The boss is busy and has asked his secretary to look into this matter.

Language Lab
How's... coming along?
How's the project coming along?
How's the job search coming along?
How's your homework coming along?
It's coming along. = It's in process, not finish yet.

crucial adj. extremely important 重要的, 決定性的
/ˈkru:ʃəl/
A healthy and nutritious diet is crucial for children.
健康又營養的飲食對兒童來說非常重要
Puberty is a crucial stage of life. Parents need to be wise and patient.
青春期是人生重要時刻. 家長必需要有智慧和耐心
This decision is crucial for my future.
When you doing a speech, timing is crucial.

puberty n.
/ˈpju:bɚti/
the period of life when a person's sexual organs mature and he or she becomes able to have children

undercapitalization n. [noncount]  資金不足
under 不足 不及
capitalization 資本額
The company suffered from undercapitalization from the beginning.
這家公司一開始就保受資金不足之苦
undercapitalize v.投資不足
The restaurant was severely undercapitalized, so it only stayed in business for three months.
餐廳嚴重的資金不足, 所以只維持了三個月

buy out [v phrase] take over: take over ownership of; of corporations and companies 買斷,收購
We decided to buy out the store's whole inventory.
我們決定要買斷這家店所有的存貨
The shares owned by the original owner were bought out by a competitor.
原先老闆的股份被他的競爭對手給買斷了

service v. to pay interest on (a loan or debt) 支付利息
David bought a convertible on impulse, and now 30% of his monthly income goes to service his car loan.
David 一時衝動買了一部跑車, 現在他每個月收入的百分之三十都要付車貸的利息
service v. to do the work that is needed to keep (a machine or vehicle) in good condition  維修
I had my car serviced last week.
我的車上個星期維修過了

premium n. 
An amount to be paid for an insurance policy; A sum added to an ordinary price or charge.

mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130308_f28e9.wmv

[Advanced] The Future of TV (1)

The way you watch your favorite TV shows may be changing

The price of cable TV continues to grow. Better online video content and streaming devices have spawned cord-cutters. What did these movements mean for the future of TV? Disrupters and cable insiders offer a sneak peek.

Avner Ronen CEO, Boxee
The reform cord-cutter

Boxee’s recent tuner add-on lets users of the Boxee Box--an open-source media-streaming device--watch HD broadcast stations on their televisions.

"When we started, we weren’t as intimately familiar with how this industry worked. Just telling people, 'Yeah, you should go ahead and cut the cord' without being able to watch the Olympics doesn’t work. That’s why we decided to concentrate on providing the broadcast networks to our users. If you can offer broadcast network, and add them to Netflix and Hulu and YouTube, for many people that would be a great experience. And a more affordable one.

TV should not be free

We believe that content makers need to be compensated for their work. We’re not advocating that the future of TV should be free. Stuff is being produced for YouTube that is getting. We have to make sure the incumbents understand: We are not trying to destroy their business.

Anand Subramanian CEO, NimbleTV
The Visionary

NimbleTV's technology streams a cable or satellite subscriber's programming to the web, enabling TV viewing on virtually any device connected to the Internet.

"I'm sure I wasn't the first to wonder, Why can't we watch live TV--stuff we pay a cable subscription for--on the device of our choosing? So I met with cable operators and stations, and learned. They're bound by a complex patchwork of old contracts and regulations. But a third party like me is unbound by all of this. I'd never succeed by disrupting the industry model, so I'm working within it. To use NimbleTV, you have to pay for a cable subscription. That way, everyone's still getting paid. And I'm making it easy; you won't even need a cable box anymore. 


Notes and Vocabulary
streaming adj.
playing continuously as data is sent to a computer over the Internet

spawn v.
1 to produce or lay eggs in water — used of animals such as fish or frogs
2 to cause (something) to develop or begin : to produce or create (something)

intimately adv.
very complete

incumbent
a person who holds a particular office or position

visionary adj.
having or showing clear ideas about what should happen or be done in the future ;
having or showing a powerful imagination

patchwork n.
1 something that is made up of different things
2 pieces of cloth of different colors and shapes that are sewn together in a pattern


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130307adae909dced2090cef3c397f157a7744488.wma

March

"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb"

Happy World Book Day! In the United Kingdom and Ireland, students again celebrate the first Thursday of March as World Book Day. On this day, students receive special coupons for free or discounted books from some bookstores. The United States celebrated the National Education Associations' Read Across America Day on March 1 this year - the day before Dr. Seuss' birthday.

March is not just a month that celebrates the joy of reading, however. In the U.S., March is celebrated as Women's History Month and American Red Cross Month. In addition, on the first Wednesday of March, mathematics - World Maths Day - is celebrated. For math enthusiasts, the mathematical constant Pi, 3.14159, also has a special day on March 14.

March's gemstone, aquamarine, reminds people to stay calm while its flower, the daffodil, symbolizes friendship and happy homes.

For these living in the northern hemisphere, March can have very dynamic weather changes. This is due to the shift between seasons. "Lion" weather often begins the month with cold temperatures and wind. By the end, "lamb" - or mild - spring weather has arrived. This is the time that animals begin to wake up from their winter slumber and look for food.

Info Cloud
day/date
What day is it today? Thursday. 今天星期幾
What is the date today? Today is March 7th. 今天幾月幾號
ordinal numbers 日期要用序數報, first, second, third, fourth...
像是今天是3/7 the seventh of March 三月的第七天
可用縮寫: first 1st / second 2nd / third 3rd /其餘的都是在數字後面加 th

Grammar Gym
For those + verb-ing
For these living in the northern hemisphere, March can have very dynamic weather changes.
For those living... = For the people who are living...
For those waiting to get back on the plane, the delay seemed like an eternity.
For those choosing to walk instead of riding the cable car, the trail is a great way to experience nature.

Language Lab
coupon n.
1 a usually small piece of printed paper that lets you get a service or product for free or at a lower price
2 a section of an advertisement that you can cut out and mail to a company in order to request information or to order a product or service
I clipped a coupon from a magazine for two dollars off on baby formula.
我從雜誌上剪下一張嬰兒配方奶折價二塊錢的折價卷
The coupon expired last week.
這張優惠卷上週已經過期了
This coupon gives a three-dollar discount off the price of the lunch special.
午餐特餐使用這張折價卷可以抵用三塊錢

enthusiast n. a person who enjoys something very much
The convention is the most important event for sci-fi movie enthusiasts.
這個特展對科換片熱愛者是重要的盛事
enthusiastic adj. feeling or showing strong excitement about something
/ɪnˌθu:ziˈæstɪk/ 重音在後面
We're all enthusiastic about the idea.
我們對這個點子都很興致勃勃

dynamic adj.
1 always active or changing 不斷變化的 (引申為變化多端的)
The relationship between a couple is a dynamic process.
夫妻間的關係是不斷變化的過程
2  having or showing a lot of energy 動力的, 充滿活力的
The company needs new blood - people who are creative and dynamic.
公司需要有創力和動力的人來做為新血

slumber n. sleep
The boy fell into a deep slumber after the football game.
這個男足球比賽後就陷入熟睡
We hope that the new policy will bring the economy out of its slumber.
這個新的政策希望可以讓經濟託離停滯的狀態

due to because of (something)

shift v.
1 to move or to cause (something or someone) to move to a different place, position, etc. [+ obj]
2 to change or to cause (something) to change to a different opinion, belief, etc. [no obj]
3 to go or to cause (something) to go from one person or thing to another [+ obj]
4 to change the gear you are using in a vehicle [no obj]

mathematical constant 數學常數

About Dr. Seuss: http://www.seussville.com/#/author

mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130307_3841a.wmv

[Advanced] Washington’s Orcas Island (3)

Back on the road just below Turtleback, we pulled into Coffelt Farm, another recently preserved Orcas treasure — a 185-acre Crow Valley farm.

"It’s one of the more productive and complete farms on the island," Bormann said.

"We just had a pig that had 11 babies, and we had 120 lambs this year!" said farmworker Ruthie Dougherty, who was at the counter of the farm’s little shop, which that day offered everything from organic Purple Majesty potatoes and fresh rhubarb to socks made from the farm’s wool. There’s also a freezer full of meats, all from Coffelt Farm.

Pick up dinner fixings, take one of the farm’s occasional workshops, such as Beekeeping Basics, or come for Summer Farm Tour.

(15:00) The Island's Art Scene

Orcas has a sophisticated population of retirees, and the arts are a big part of island life. Galleries are easy to find in Eastsound, and Orcas Island Artworks in Olga is a good reason to drive across the island to see the output of local visual artists and crafts-people.

Residents and visitors alike can also enjoy artwork, dance and theater at Orcas Center, a publicly funded cultural center.

Or if you prefer no-cost entertainment that’s been an Orcas Island staple for years, head to Rosario Resort, where manager Christopher Peacock sets the Moran mansion’s foundation shaking with his gleeful renditions of “Phantom of the Opera” themes on the mansion’s 1,972-pipe Aeolian organ.

(15:53) The Autumn Season

Visit Orcas in autumn and end your day with a thrill ride: Have a friend drive you to the top of Mount Constitution, then mountain-bike all the way down on trails that are open to bikers Sept. 15 to May 15. If you accidentally veer into a patch of nettles: Get revenge. Go for pizza.    


Notes and Vocabulary
preserve v.
1 to keep (something) in its original state or in good condition
2 to keep (something) safe from harm or loss
3 to prevent (food) from decaying

staple n. main thing
an important food that is eaten very often; the main product of a country, area, company, etc.

gleeful n.
a strong feeling of happiness : great pleasure or satisfaction

rendition n.
a performance of something

thrill ride n.
a very exciting ride (such as a roller coaster) at an amusement park — often used figuratively

veer v.
to change direction quickly or suddenly

Purple Majesty potatoes:


rhubarb:

picture from google images

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130306adae4360f8e69544f1e72e27123b05edee9.wma

Zanzibar (3)

We returned to Stone Town, and my friends left. I stayed longer to explore Stone Town's big old houses. Hundreds of years ago, the city had been a huge trading port for slaves and ivory. All shipments going east to the Indian Ocean stopped in Stone Town.

At that time, the city was rich, and wealthy people built big houses with beautiful doors. But then it became illegal to trade slaves and ivory.

Stone Town is a magical place for picture taking. Old doors with ornate designs still mark the entryways to all of the houses. The narrow streets are filled with shops selling paintings, jewelry, spices, etc. I also visited a museum in Stone Town that used to be the royal palace. I learned how Zanzibar had been influenced by the Kingdom of Oman until the 1960s. That is why the people look like they are from North Africa.

Zanzibar - a magical place with friendly people, good food, and fun activities. I am very glad that I went!


Grammar Gym
"Old doors with ornate designs still mark the entryways to all of the houses."
mark = "to characterize"
A huge painting marks the wall in the lobby of the museum.
An old fountain marks the center of the village square.

Info Cloud
"The narrow streets are filled with shops selling paintings, jewelry, spices, etc."
狹窄的街道二旁都是商店, 販賣圖畫,珠寶, 香料, 等...
本文句子提到的 jewelry 和 jewel 有什麼不同?
jewelry n.[noncount] [不可數的集合名詞] 戒指 項鍊 手鐲
decorative objects (such as rings, necklaces, and earrings) that people wear on their body 
jewel :  gem寶石 diamond 鑽石 ruby 紅寶石 emerald 綠寶石 amethyst 紫水晶 opal 淡白石
a valuable stone (such as a ruby or diamond) that has been cut and polished
穿戴在身上用 wear
鑲嵌在裝飾品上的寶石用 setting

Language Lab
slave n.
1. someone who is legally owned by another person and is forced to work for that person without pay 奴隸 苦工
The slaves were traded openly in the marketplace.
奴隸被公然的在巿場上買賣
2. disapproving : a person who is strongly influenced and controlled by something — + to or of
奴隸般受控制的人; 擺脫不了某種習慣(或影響)的人[(+to/of)]
Tanya is a slave to fashion. She spends most of her income on clothing.
Tanya 深受流行趨勢所影響, 她大部份的收入都花在買衣服

ivory n.
1. a hard white substance that forms the tusks of elephants and other animals 象牙
Trading ivory is illegal.買賣象牙是違法的
These exquisite ivory carvings cost the collector a fortune.
這些精緻的象牙雕刻品讓這位收藏家鎖費不資
2. a slightly yellowish white color 象牙色 乳白色
The ivory paint really made the kitchen brighter.
這個象牙白的油漆真的讓廚房的顏色更明亮
3. a piano key - usually plural
To tickle the ivories is to play the piano.
* tickle the ivories 彈鋼琴

magical adj. very pleasant or exciting 神奇的, 迷人的
The magical moment of love at first sight is the theme of many love stories.
一見鐘情的神奇時刻是許多愛情故事的主題
magic n. having the power to make impossible things happen; involving the skill of doing tricks that seem to be impossible 魔術
The ship disappeared in the fog like magic.

ornate adj.
/oɚˈneɪt/
1: covered with decorations : covered with fancy patterns and shapes 裝飾華麗的
The hotel's ornate decorations attract many customers.
這間旅館的華麗裝飾吸引了許多客人
The architect is famous for his ornate styles.
這位建築師以華麗的風格著稱
2: using many fancy words
an ornate writing style

ornament n.
a small, fancy object that is put on something else to make it more attractive
Christmas ornaments [=small balls, figures, etc., that are hung on a Christmas tree for decoration]

entryway n.
a place for entering something

palace n.
the official home of a king, queen, president, etc.

mansion n.
a large and impressive house : the large house of a wealthy person

wealthy adj. rich
having a lot of money and possessions


mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130306_8dea1.wmv

[Advanced] Washington’s Orcas Island (2)

Catching the Highlights

The island's most famous geographic feature is Mount Constitution. The San Juans' highest point, at 2,400 feet, is the crowning glory of 5,000-acre Moran State Park. Visitors can drive (or ambitiously bike or hike) up to a stone lookout tower offering views of snow-clad Mount Baker and soaring eagles, along with eagle-eye views of boats of all sizes threading among islands spread below like blue-green lumps of clay waiting for a sculptor.

These days, another landmark beckons hikers, bikers and equestrians, thanks to local conservationists' 2006 purchase of Turtleback Mountain, which occupies a chunk of the island’s western half.

From a distance it looks like a turtle, with a dark green "shell" and the hump of a "head" at one end. The late Weyerhaeuser tycoon and one-time Boy Scouts of America president Norton Clapp owned it for many years as a retreat with only a tiny cabin at the top.

"It is truly the most iconic property on the islands, because it’s the most visible from all the islands -  from San Juan, Lopez and Shaw, it’s this beacon," said Lincoln Bormann, director of the San Juan County Land Bank, as he led me up one of the trails developed by his agency, which manages Turtleback’s 1,576 acres as a nature preserve.

Trails meander up through fir and hemlock woods and break out into steep meadows of dry grass dotted with glacially-scraped rocks and gnarled Garry oaks.

"There’s Tiptop Mountain and Spieden Island and Yellow Island," Bormann recited fondly as he looked out at views to the northwest. New in the past year: the Lost Oak Trail, built by volunteers and the Washington Conservation Corps, creating almost seven miles of trails on the mountain


Notes and Vocabulary

crowning adj.
greatest or most complete

soar v.
to fly or sail often at a great height by floating on air currents

lump n.
a small piece or mass of something

beckon v.
/ˈbɛkən/
1 to signal (someone) with your arm or hand in order to tell that person to come closer
2 a [no obj] : to appear attractive or inviting /b [+ obj] : to attract (someone or something)

equestrian adj.

of or relating to the riding of horses

conservationist n.
someone who works to protect animals, plants, and natural resources or to prevent the loss or waste of natural resources : a person who is involved in conservation

hump n.
a rounded lump on the surface of something: such as a : a raised, rounded part of a road

meander v.
to have a lot of curves instead of going in a straight or direct line : to follow a winding course
glacially adj.

gnarled adj.
of wood : having many twists and hard bumps or knots

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130305adadb92027fe42a01a6c97e886a1ff999d7.wma

Zanzibar (2)

The next day we went to a beach on a small island nearby. We snorkeled, played Frisbee and ate fresh seafood on the beach! The third day we decided to go and stay at a beach called Paje.

Our hotel was right on the beach, and the floors in our rooms were the sand! We swam, read and danced to African music. The warm, shallow water makes kite surfing very popular there.
Very early on the morning of the fifth day, we journeyed to the island's southern tip. There we met a fisherman, who, when he saw us, said, "Are you ready to swim with dolphins?" Dolphins! He told us the dolphins came every morning to eat and play. So we rode out and waited in the boat until we saw a dolphin fin.

The fisherman drove the boat near the dolphins and urged us to jump in. So we did! The dolphins were shy, but we could hear them talking to each other. Eventually they swam closer. One came so close I could have touched it!

Info Cloud
sand n. [noncount] 不可數名詞, 不加s
* There is a lot of sand at the beach. 海灘上有很多砂
a grain of sand 一粒砂
* There is one grain in my eye. 我的眼睛裡有一粒砂
唯一用複數是 the sands of time 古老文言用法, 指的是時間, 光陰, 歲月
* the sands of time are running out 長日將盡, 時間不多了
hourglass
carpe dime 拉丁文,
意思是 seize the day 把握今天, 不要虛度時光

Language Lab
snorkel v. to swim underwater while using a snorkel 浮淺
* We snorkeled in the famous tropical bay for hours.
我們在這個有名的熱帶海灣浮淺了好幾個小時
snorkel n. a special tube that makes it possible to breathe while you are swimming with your head underwater 浮淺用的水下通器管
* William packed his mask, fins and snorkel for his trip to the Bahamas.
William 將蛙鏡, 蛙鞋, 呼及管打包, 準備帶去巴哈馬

right + prep.
rigth on [something]

shallow adj. not deep 淺的:用來形容水, 器具, 呼吸
The dish was displayed on a shallow plate.
這道菜被展示在淺的盤子上
* The patient's breathing was fast and shallow.
這名病患的呼吸又快又淺
shallow  敷淺的 not caring about or involving serious or important things
The model was often criticized as being arrogant and shallow.
這名模特兒常常被批評既驕傲又敷淺

jump in [phrasal verb]

urge v. 催促, 極力主張
to ask people to do or support (something) in a way that shows that you believe it is very important;
to try to persuade (someone) in a serious way to do something
The congressman urged the Congress to pass the bill.
這位國會議員極力主張國會要通過這個法案
urge n.強烈的慾望或衝動
I fought the urge to fall asleep throughout the entire session.
我整堂課都在跟想睡覺的衝動對抗

eventually adv. at some later time : in the end  終於, 終究
* After a long delay, the flight eventually took off.
經過很長時間的誤點, 這個航班終於起發了
eventually 幾經波折, 後來終於發生
finally adv. at the end of a period of time 對這個事物的發生, 長時間的期待
My mail order finally arrived.
我郵購的東西終於到了


mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130305_353f9.wmv

[Advanced] Washington’s Orcas Island (1)

Eat naturally and play hard on this horseshoe-shaped island in the San Juans by Bryan J. Cantwell 　

If life hands you lemons, you make lemonade, right? But if life hands you nettles, and you’re on Orcas Island? You make pizza.

Elsewhere, nettles are one of nature’s nuisances, but on Orcas they’re an asset, and that speaks volumes about the down-to-earth vibe on this largest “rock” of the San Juan archipelago. Besides its rich growth of nettles, Orcas is distinguished for the pristine forests and lakes of Moran State Park, trail-laced mountains, and little farms pocketed among hills and dales from which black-faced lambs look up to watch cars pass every time a ferry arrives.

The people also seem a little different from the “big town” of Friday Harbor, the county seat that’s a 40-minute ferry ride away on San Juan Island.“I think we’re more eclectic here … more involved with culture and sustainability,” said [resident] Morgan Meadows.

Finding fault—missing the beauty

A longtime islander bemoaned that visitors “are smitten” when they first come, but if they move to Orcas, too many then find fault with things such as the rural public services without appreciating “every splendid thing, like the ridgelines and the valleys and the inviting glimpses of coves and little beaches that are magical, and the osprey by Cascade Lake, the oystercatchers along Crescent Beach or the ouzels in the streams at the state park.”

Orcas, shaped like a giant horseshoe cleaved almost in two by the waters of East Sound, feels more geographically diverse than other islands in the San Juans. It’s the only island with more than one official U.S. Post Office—in fact, it has four in Eastsound, Orcas village, Deer Harbor and even the tiny hamlet of Olga, where a “For Rent” sign fills the window of the only store.

Each village has its own personality...      

Notes & Vocabulary

nettle n.
/ˈnɛtl/
a tall plant that has leaves with hairs that sting you if you touch them

nuisance n.
/ˈnu:sns/
a person, thing, or situation that is annoying or that causes trouble or problems — usually singular

down-to-earth adj.
1 : informal and easy to talk to 2 : practical and sensible

vibe n.
informal : a feeling that someone or something gives you

archipelago n.
/ˌɑɚkəˈpɛləˌgoʊ/
a group of islands
pristine adj. looks like new
/ˈprɪˌsti:n/ 1 : in perfect condition : completely clean, fresh, neat, etc.
2 : not changed by people : left in its natural state

distinguished adj.
1 : known by many people because of some quality or achievement
2 : making someone seem important and worth respect

dale n.
old-fashioned: valley
1 : an area of low land between hills or mountains 2 : a low period, point, or level

eclectic adj.
/ɪˈklɛktɪk/
including things taken from many different sources

sustainability n.
sustainable adj.
1 : able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed
2 : involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources
3 : able to last or continue for a long time
bemoan v. [+ obj] : to say that you are unhappy about (something)

rural adj.
of or relating to the country and the people who live there instead of the city
splendid adj.
1 : very impressive and beautiful
2 somewhat old-fashioned : very good

glimpse v.
[+ obj] : to look at or see (something or someone) for a very short time
osprey n.
a large bird that eats fish



mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130304adaab6fd7d38d2d6d0ab724ac905abd4b7e.wma

Zanzibar (1)

Adventures in Africa
慢活桑給巴爾 非洲探險記

Off the coast of Tanzania lies the exotic island of Zanzibar. This amazing place is home to beautiful old houses, leafy forests and white sandy beaches. Some friends and I had the adventure of a lifetime there last year.

We took a two-hour ferry ride from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Stone Town. After scouting around for a hotel, we chose a simple one with clean rooms and a rooftop restaurant.

Then we hired a guide and headed to Zanzibar's famous spice farms. Cloves, peppers, cinnamon and ginger are just a few of the spices that grow there.

Tourism and spices are the island's biggest industries. Many spices are tropical and grow on trees and vines. It was like walking through a forest. At each new plant, our guide pulled off a small bit of the spice.

We smelled it and guessed which one it was. Then he told us about the spice. I bought some saffron and vanilla. After the tour, we picked out some crab and fish at the seafood market for the cooks to prepare. Then we went to bed fat and happy.

Info Cloud
cooker 是一個電鍋, 不是廚師, 這是一個 appliance 電器用品
slow cooker n.
a large electric pot used for cooking food, esp. stews, very slowly.
廚師的英文叫做 cook
* Who's the cook of this delicious meal? 誰是這一餐美食的廚師
本文提到 for the cooks to prepare 意思是讓廚師們烹煮
chef 這個字源自於法文 chief 長官, 領袖,
/ˈʃɛf/
所以 chef 指的是廚房裡的領袖, 大廚, 主廚


Language Lab
home to...
this is where they come from, this is where they are mainly located
* Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings.
* The bamboo forest of China is home to the giant panda.

... of a lifetime
the thrill of a lifetime [=a great thrill; the most exciting moment or event of a person's life] ▪ This is the opportunity of a lifetime. = This sort of opportunity comes along once in a lifetime. [=this is a very rare opportunity] — often used before another noun ▪ He won a lifetime supply of ice cream. [=free ice cream for the rest of his life] ▪ She was presented with a lifetime achievement award. [=an award for all the work she has done in her life] ▪ a baseball player's lifetime batting average [=batting average measured over a baseball player's full career]

ferry n. boat
to carry or move (someone or something) on a vehicle (such as a boat or a car) usually for a short distance between two places

scout v. 搜尋, 尋找
* A team was sent to scout for a safer hiding site.
一隻隊伍被送出去為了要尋找更安全的躲藏處
scout n. 偵查, 偵查者
a talent scout 星探
a boy scout 男童子軍 a girl scout 女童軍
1 a always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to search an area or place for something or someone
1 b [+ obj] : to explore (an area) in order to find information about it
2 : to watch or look at (someone or something) in order to decide if that person or thing is suited for a particular job or purpose [+ obj]

spice n. 香料, 調味品
* Ginger is one spice that is widely used in Asian cooking.
薑是亞洲食物裡常常用的香料
spice v. 使活潑生動, 增添趣味
* The comedian's acting really spiced up the movie.
這位喜劇演員的演出真的讓這部電影增色不少

tourism n.[noncount] 旅遊業, 觀光業
tour v. 旅遊, 旅行
* The country's foreign earnings mostly come from tourism.
這個國家外來的收入主要來自觀光業
tourist 觀光客
* The town is packed with tourists during the summer.
這個城陣在夏季的時候擠滿了觀光客
1 : the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure 2 : the business of providing hotels, restaurants, entertainment, etc., for people who are traveling

pick out [phrasal verb] 挑選出, 揀出
* The editor picked out several photos for the magazine cover.
編輯挑了幾張照片當雜誌封面
pick out 突顯, 辨示出
* Phil's yellow cap makes it easy to pick hime out in the crowd.
Phil 黃色的棒球帽使他容易在人群中被找到
1 pick (something) out or pick out (something) a : to choose or select (the best or most appropriate person or thing) from a group
b : to play (a song, melody, etc.) by playing each note separately
2 pick (someone or something) out or pick out (someone or something) : to see and identify (someone or something)



mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130304_a8ea7.wmv

Whose Name? (2)

The 14th-century Dutch fisherman Willem Beukelz began to pickle fish. His method of preserving fish spread, but British traders didn't pronounce his name correctly. Soon "pickles" became popular in many countries.

The Chinese dish kung pao chicken (宮保雞丁) was created in Sichuan province by Ding Baozhen (丁寶楨). He served the spicy dish when he was governor of the province from 1876 to 1886. After Ding died, people named the dish for him.

More than just foods take people's names. Many enjoy riding on a Ferris wheel, named for engineer George W. G. Ferris. He designed the first one for Chiago's World Columbian Exposition in 1893.

Many places measure temperature in Celsius. Anders Celsius was a Swedish scientist. He invented a thermometer where water's boiling point was 0 degrees and its freezing point 100 degrees. After his death in 1744, the scale was changed to its present from. Scientific laws, diseases, sports terms and places around the world use people's names. You can't escape them; they're everywhere!


Info Cloud
omnipresent / ubiquitous 無所不在
這二個字都表示無所不在, 但用法有很大的不同
omnipresent 到處都存在, 像是空氣, 上帝
ubiquitous 形容很多的, 同一類的東西, 像是計程車在一個大都巿到處都有
或是手機, 每個人都有手機
本文說到: You can't escape them; they're everywhere!
在這裡就可以用 ubiquitous 來形容
ubiquitous adj.
[more ubiquitous; most ubiquitous] : seeming to be seen everywhere
omnipresent adj.
present in all places at all times


Language Lab
preserve v.
1. 保鮮, 醃漬物
serv 字根有保留的意思
* Mom preserved the cabbage with salt and red chili powder.
媽媽用鹽和辣椒粉來醃漬白菜
2. 保留, 保存
The historical building is well preserved so it's very beautiful.
這棟歷史性的建築物被保存的很好所以非常漂亮

governor n.州長
The governor made a commitment to cut taxes in his campaign pamphlet.
州長在他競選宣傳單中做了減稅的承諾
govern v. 統治, 管理
* The election will decide who will govern the country in the coming four years.
這場選舉會決定在未來四年誰會統治我們的國家

engineer n. 工程師
a software engineer  電腦軟體工程師
a civil engineer 土木工程師
engineering n. 工程, 工式, 工程學
* The design of the bridge is a breakthrough in structural engineering.
這做穚的設計是結構工程學的突破之舉

scientific adj.科學的
science n.科學
* The use of animal in scientific experiments is banned in many countries.
在科學實中使用動物來實驗在許多國家是禁止的
* It seems that there's no scientific explanation for this phenomenon.
這個現象似乎沒有科學的解釋
1 : of or relating to science
2 [more scientific; most scientific] : done in an organized way that agrees with the methods and principles of science

conserve v.
1 : to keep (something) safe from being damaged or destroyed
2 : to use (something) carefully in order to prevent loss or waste

thermometer
an instrument used for measuring temperature    

there is no escaping
— used to say that something is certainly true, real, etc., and cannot be avoided or denied


mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130302_f7a90.wmv

[Advanced] The New Face of Robots (2)

-Military use. Within 10 years, squadrons of unmanned planes will swarm enemy sites like killer bees, launching missiles and avoiding detection with sophisticated jamming devices. Self-programmed submarines will replace dolphins to detect and disarm mines. Crablike robots will crawl into buildings to sniff out chemical stashes. The transition to mechanized weaponry is key to the military's transformation from heavy ground forces to smaller human units fortified with robotic weapons.

-Search-and-rescue missions. The palm-size winged schematic sitting on a table at Carnegie Mellon's robotics lab is a "vampire bat" bot for above-the-fray surveillance of action scenes, and search and rescue. The 100-gram, foot-wide bot, is propelled from the ground by an internal spring. Once airborne, it glides with the wind and would be part of a "swarm" of bots that communicate with each other.

-Research. Liquid Robotics makes a surfboard-shape device for collecting data underwater, such as ocean depth, post-hurricane damage, fish density populations, weather forecasting and shark surveillance. The service would be sold to researchers. Wave Glider is its first marine robot. "It operates in environments where you don't want to send people," Vass said. "Our bots go out in 35-foot waves and 100-mph winds."

(16:19) Becoming reality

Robots are becoming de rigueur as populations age and working couples look for help while at work. Toyota and Honda (maker of the Asimo) are building robo-servants to help Japan's aging population. Experts expect dog-walking bots and driverless cars in the near future.

Probably not surprising, then, that people increasingly are more comfortable with walking, talking machines, said Eric Schweikardt, design director of Modular Robotics. He points to newfangled dishwashers and refrigerators as entry-level household robots powered by microprocessors.

"Robots will be bigger than the PC in 10 to 20 years, but it will be linked to your computing device either in the cloud or on your person," said Paul Berberian, CEO of Orbotix, which makes Sphero, a robot ball controlled by smartphones.

Like others in the industry, Berberian envisions affordable toy robots for the mass market first, followed by larger devices. "While specific-task home robots are cool, the big play will be entertainment," he said.

"Tons of technology starts out in the game/entertainment sector and then migrates to performing common tasks."


Vocabulary
squadron n. [count]
/ˈskwɑ:drən/
a military unit consisting of soldiers, ships, or aircraft

swarm v.
1. to be surrounded or filled with a large group of insects, people, etc., moving together
2. to surround (something or someone) with a large group
swarm n.
a very large number of insects moving together

missile n. an object that is thrown, shot, or launched as a weapon

jam v.
to make (a radio signal or broadcast) impossible to understand by sending out signals or messages that weaken or block it
* jam a radio broadcast

to sniff v.
to discover or find (something) by smelling — usually + out

mechanize v.
to change (a process or an activity) so that it is done with machines instead of by people or animals

above the fray not directly involved in an angry or difficult struggle or disagreement

surveillance n.[noncount]
the act of carefully watching someone or something especially in order to prevent or detect a crime

de rigueur adj. common, everyday, normal
/dəˌriˈgɚ/
necessary if you want to be fashionable, popular, socially acceptable, etc.
- The phrase de rigueur comes from French.

newfangled adj. [always used before a noun]
recently invented or developed and hard to understand

envisions v.
to think of (something that you believe might exist or happen in the future) ;
to picture (something) in your mind


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130302adac2cda5c570ff77a6e7d97935062c04af.wma

[Advanced] The New Face of Robots (1)

New technologies help robots make inroads on daily life

Robots, it seems, are everywhere - ranging from microbots, to gigantic models. The mechanical march is gaining steam.

Warp Speed Ahead
To date, robots have mostly been used by automakers and semiconductor firms to produce goods in high volume. But cheap, powerful cameras, advanced sensors and other electronics now form the basis of robotics projects. "It sounds like 'Star Wars,' but it's coming," said Bill Vass, CEO of Liquid Robotics. "A perfect storm of technology is occurring for robotics", he said, ticking off the convergence of technologies such as GPS, advances in cell and wireless communications, open-source software and new ARM processors on smartphones.

The Future Edges Closer
It's hard to gauge the commercial potential for robotics, as the technology is in its infancy and, once ready, the bots could do just about anything. What's certain, though, is that bots will be ubiquitous in all shapes and sizes for:

-Industrial use. Factory robots, are now commingling with people because of cheaper and more advanced sensor technology.

Japan's Kawada Industries, and other companies are developing dexterous robots capable of assembling smartphones and working safely in close proximity to people. Kawada's NextAge bot, which could pass for the robot character WALL-E in the animated film of the same name, is one such model. These more efficient tools for repetitive tasks could slice labor costs of consumer-electronic products makers, and free up humans for other jobs.


Notes & Vocabulary

Metaphor: The mechanical march is gaining steam.
warp speed ahead (from Star Trek)

inroad n.
[count] — used to describe a situation in which someone or something becomes more successful or important often by making someone or something else less successful — usually plural
▪ We need to protect our company against the inroads of competitors.
— usually used with make
▪ Despite the recent inroads made by competitors in the industry, the company is still doing well.
▪ The party hopes to make serious inroads in Congress. [=the party hopes that many more of its members will be elected to serve in Congress]
▪ The sport is making inroads in the U.S. [=it is becoming more popular in the U.S.]

range v.
ranges - ranged - ranging
to include everything between specified limits

microbot n.
a small mobile robot equipped with a microcontroller

gigantic adj.
extremely large

mechanical adj.
1 a : of or relating to machinery b : having or using machinery
2 [more mechanical; most mechanical] disapproving : happening or done without thought or without any effort to be different or interesting
3 technical : of or relating to physical energy and forces : relating to the science of mechanic

to date
up to now : until the present time

robotics n. [noncount]
technology that is used to design, build, and operate robots

tick off [phrasal verb]
to count or mark things as they pass

convergence v.
1 : to move toward one point and join together : to come together and meet
2 : to meet or come together to form a crowd or group
3 : to come together and have one interest, purpose, or goal

processors n. [count]
1 : a machine, company, etc., that treats, prepares, or handles something 2 : cpu

ubiquitous adj.
[more ubiquitous; most ubiquitous] : seeming to be seen everywhere

commingling n. [noncount]
formal : to join or mix together

dexterous adj.
having or showing great skill or cleverness : showing dexterity

proximity n. [noncount]
the state of being near

repetitive adj.
happening again and again : repeated many times


mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130301adafd44b11d649ddab7eb2984cb9ef1ee2a.wma

Whose Name? (1)

People give their names to all kinds of things  by Ruth Devlin
摩天輪為什麼叫Ferris Wheel? 人們以自己的名字為各種事物命名

Some people can never be forgotten. That's because their names become common words. As many as 50,000 word in the English language get their meaning from people's names. Some are real people; others are characters in books or stories.

Often a new dish is given the name of its inventor. The sandwich gets its name from the 4th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu (1718-1792). He spent long hours working or gambling and didn't wish to stop for a meal. He had his servants put meat between two slices of bread to eat while he worked. His friends began to ask for similar snacks, and the name "sandwich" came into common use.

Granny Smith apples are named for Maria Ann Smith, a grandmother. Born into a farm family in 1799, Maria married Thomas Smith at 19. They were persuaded by the British government to move to Australia. On their farm near Sydney, they grew apple trees. Their special variety of tart apple became known as a Granny Smith.

Grammar Gym
[Someone] spends long hours [doing something] and didn't wish to stop for a [something else].
He spent long hours working or gambling and didn't wish to stop for a meal.
* The artist has spent hours working on his painting and doesn't wish to stop for a break.
* Tom spent long hours writing his paper and didn't wish to stop for a snack.

Info Cloud
要表示某人出生於什麼樣的家庭, 介系詞用 into (born into)
* He was born into a musical family. 他出生音樂世家
born with a silver spoon in his mouth 出生於有錢人家/含著銀湯匙
中文是說含著金湯匙出生, 但英文是用銀湯匙,
因為傳統上, 有錢人家生小孩都會送純銀的湯匙當禮物

Language Lab
character n.電影戲劇/書中角色人物
* The actors who played the main characters in the musical were mainly from Britain.
飾演這音樂劇的主要角色的演員們大多來至英國
* The star made his character lovable and charming.
這位名星把自己的角色演的既可愛又迷人

inventor n. 發明者
invent v. 發明
or字尾 人的意思
* The inventor of this computer software is only a college student.
這個電腦發明的發明者才只是一個大學生
invention n.
* The invention of Facebook created a new era.
臉書的發明開啟了一個新的世代

slice n. 食物切下來的薄片
I put some slices of ham on my sub.
我在我的淺水艇三明治放了幾片火腿
slice v. 將食物切成薄片
* You need a sharp knife to slice the roast beef.
你需要一把銳利的刀才能切烤牛肉

persuade v. 說服 勸說 使相信
* Jonathan was persuaded to join this club by his friend.
Jonathan 是因為朋友勸說參加了這個社團
* It was the great benefits that persuaded Sean to accept the job offer.
優渥的福利讓Sean接受了這份工作


mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20130301_b60fe.wmv