2008年5月29日 星期四

No Sweat


A man finally calls the woman he has liked for a while and asks her out on a date. She says yes and they go to the movies. Halfway through the film, the woman reaches over to hold the man''s hand. As soon as she does this, she feels a wet, cold palm. Both the man and woman give each other a fake smile. The man knows his date has been ruined when the woman slowly pulls her hand away and slips to the bathroom. Things were going fine until the woman felt his sweaty hand. He knows he has to do something about his problem. Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating on one or more parts of the body. This can include the hands, feet, forehead, and underarms. Scientists believe that hyperhidrosis is hereditary and activated by extreme anxiety. Certain foods and drinks, along with nicotine, can also cause increased perspiration.Sweating profusely can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.Luckily, there are simple treatments for those with minor hyperhidrosis, including wearing deodorant or taking medication. If a person has a serious case of hyperhidrosis, they can take extreme measures.This includes getting Botox injections, which disable the sweat glands for four to six months at a time. Also, sweat glands can be removed or diminished with minor surgery that takes less than an hour. With these treatments, sufferers of hyperhidrosis don''t have to let the condition put a damper on their lives.
----------------------------------
1.This artical is about hyperhidrosis.
2.
a.
palm n. 手掌
hyperhidrosis n. 多汗症
hereditary a. 遺傳的
perspiration n. 流汗
b.
minor a. 不嚴重的;較小的
sweat profusely  汗流浹背
3.I chose this artical because one of my friend has this problem. When summer coming, her both of hands always sweaty. So she does not like to hand in hand with others. and when we play basketball, the ball always wet. i think that is really imbarrassing her.

Calla Lily Festival in Yangmingshan Park opens


Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin opened the 2008 Calla Lily Festival in Yangmingshan National Park at a ceremony last month.
The annual blooming season of the calla lily in a secluded valley in Zhuzihu, or Bamboo Lake, will run for 33 days until April 30. The event is expected to attract over 700,000 visitors.
Hau walked into a flower field, together with underprivileged children from the Taipei Municipal Yangming Home for the Disabled, and plucked bundles of calla lilies and distributed the flowers among guests.
According to the Beitou Farmers' Association, the festival, held in about 13 hectares of calla lily fields owned by 30 farming households in the Zhuzihu Valley, will remain open daily until 8 p.m. throughout the season to allow visitors to pick the flowers they like.
The association indicated that the flower fields will produce some three million calla lilies this year, and that the current price is around NT$100 for a dozen, about 33 percent to 50 percent cheaper than last year, mainly because of a good harvest.
Calla lilies grown at Bamboo Lake are mostly pristine white. They are chalice-shaped with a strong stem and are a favored choice in flower arrangements because they are long lasting.
Festival activities include a landscape show featuring the use of calla lilies, a photography contest and live music every afternoon from 2 p.m.

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

1.This artical is about the calla lily Festival in Yangmingshan National Park.

2

a.pristine (adj.) 純樸的;原始的

chalice (n.) 酒杯;酒杯狀物

b.

flower arrangement 花卉擺飾;插花擺飾

long lasting 持久的;耐久的

3.I chose this artical because Zhuzihu is near by our school. Although I did not go to see the lily in Calla Lily Festival ,my parent had went there. They picked lots of flowers and took photos. Next year I will go there with my senior high school friends. i think it must be fun.

2008年5月28日 星期三

Big earthquake in California likely by 2037: forecasters


California faces an almost certain risk of being rocked by a strong earthquake by 2037, scientists said last month in the first statewide temblor forecast.
New calculations reveal there is a 99.7 percent chance a magnitude-6.7 quake or larger will strike in the next 30 years. The odds of such an event are higher in Southern California than Northern California, 97 percent versus 93 percent.
The last time a jolt this size rattled California was the 1994 Northridge disaster, which killed 72 people, injured more than 9,000 and caused US$25 billion in damage.
California is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. More than 300 faults crisscross the state, which sits atop two of Earth's major tectonic plates, the Pacific and North American plates. About 10,000 quakes each year rattle Southern California alone, although most of them are too small to be felt.
The analysis is the first comprehensive effort by the USGS, Southern California Earthquake Center and California Geological Survey to calculate earthquake probabilities for the entire state using newly available data. Previous quake probabilities focused on specific regions and used various methodologies that made it difficult to compare.
Scientists still cannot predict exactly where in the state such a quake will occur or when. But they say the analysis should be a wake-up call for residents to prepare for a natural disaster in earthquake country.
-------------------------------------------------------------
1.This artical is about a big erathquake may happen in Californi in the future.
2.
a.
seismically (adv.) 地震地;地震活動地
tectonic plate (地殼)板塊
comprehensive (adj.) 總括性的;通盤的
b.
to sit atop 位於…之上;座落
wake-up call 警訊;警告
3.I chose this artical because the earthquake in 四川 is very dangers. A lot of people die in this natural disaster. When I saw the news in TV , i felt sad. Much of children dead in the school. and some of them who did not die become orphan. That was so heartbreaking.

Magician breaks world record for holding one's breath


Magician David Blaine set a new world record last month for breath-holding: 17 minutes and 4 seconds.
The feat was broadcast live during "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and the studio audience cheered as divers pulled Blaine from a water-filled sphere. He looked relaxed afterward and said the record was "a lifelong dream."
The previous record was 16 minutes and 32 seconds, set Feb. 10 by Switzerland's Peter Colat, according to Guinness World Records.
Before he entered the sphere, Blaine inhaled pure oxygen through a mask to saturate his blood with oxygen and flush out carbon dioxide. Guinness says up to 30 minutes of so-called "oxygen hyperventilation" is allowed under their guidelines.
Blaine took on a Zen-like appearance in the water tank as the minutes ticked, but Winfrey was anything but calm.
She fidgeted in her chair, pursed her lips, placed her head in her hands, and kept seeking reassurance from the doctor at her side about the 35-year-old magician's persistently high heart rate. She told Blaine the endurance feat was "nerve-racking to witness."
Next, Blaine said he plans to try to break the world record for staying awake. The current record is 11.5 days, he said. Blaine's previous stunts include being buried alive for a week in a see-through coffin and being encased in a block of ice for 63 hours.
-----------------------------------------
1. This artical is about a magician broke a world record and he want to brake another world record.
2.
a.
feat (n.) 壯舉;技藝
to inhale (v.) 吸入;呼吸
hyperventilation (n.) 過度呼吸;急速換氣
b.
to saturate (v.) 使飽和;充分吸收
see-through 透明的;極薄的
to be encased in 裝在、放入(密閉空間)裡
3.I chose this artical because it is really scaring me that a man who breath-hoding:17 minutes and 4 seconds. I just cannot imagine it. If I do not breath for 3 minutes, i must die. How wizardly he is.

2008年4月30日 星期三

Got Hard Bread and Cheese? Fondue Is for You

In the rugged mountains of 18th-century Switzerland, winters could be bitterly cold and last many months. The residents of Canton Neuchatel devised a clever way to make those difficult months a lot more delicious. At that time, most food in Switzerland was produced during the summer and fall, and large quantities of easily-preserved food like bread, cheese, and wine had to be stockpiled to be eaten during the winter months. That worked well enough,but after being stored for long periods, the cheese became rock solid, and the bread became so hard that it had to be chopped with an ax. With brick-like food and cold bodies, the Swiss would gather around a pot hanging over a stove and toss in the hard cheese with some wine and local spices. Mixing the cheese and wine over the heat produced a rich, creamy sauce. The hard bread was dipped into the sauce and quickly made soft and delicious. The word fondue comes from the French word for "to melt."

The idea spread throughout Europe, and numerous local varieties sprang up incorporating local cheeses and spices. However, people found the traditional recipe so tasty that even after modern storage techniques were invented, they continued to indulge in it. French peasants working in vineyards also created their own version. They dipped chunks of uncooked meat into boiling oil and then dipped the meat into other sauces that often included melted cheese. American tourists discovered the dish in the 1950s, and it became widely popular in the US.
Chocolate fondue is a modern adaptation in which chocolate is heated, liquefied, and sometimes cycled through a fountain. Lucky diners dip pieces of fruit in the melted chocolate for a truly delectable treat. Yummy!
-------------------
1.This artical is about the fondue .
2.
a.incorporate vt. 包含;併入
bitterly adv. 非常地;嚴厲地
stockpile vt. 貯存

b.indulge in...  沉溺於∕放縱於……
3.I chose this artical because i very like to eat hot pot. and i also like the fondue. The fruit like banana or apple throw into the melt chocolate. it really delicious.

I''ve Got to Hand It to You

n the 1930s, actresses on the silver screen looked elegant and sophisticated. What was the finishing touch to their look that made women across the Western world wish to imitate them? It was the perfect polish on their long fingernails. Manicuring and painting nails is not a new thing. The first known instances of nail care date back to China in 3000 BC when members of the royal family used a mixture of silver, gold, egg whites, and beeswax to color and protect their nails. The paint used on fingernails in the 1930s and today, however, was actually made possible as a result of innovations in the automotive paint industry.

The cosmetics company Revlon was started in 1932. Its founders used nail polishes that were pigment-based instead of dyes, and they had polishes available in a variety of colors. Up until that point, nail polish was only available in various shades of red. Revlon also brought in vogue the idea of matching nail and lip color.
During the first half of the 20th century, men would receive manicures along with a haircut, shave, and shoeshine in a package deal. Over time, manicures for men went out of fashion. Yet, in the 1990''s, men once again started to care about the appearance of their nails. Now, men and women alike can be seen in nail salons getting their nails cleaned, trimmed, polished, and even painted. From natural to acrylic, fingernails come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Getting a manicure is one way to pamper yourself and look well kept without breaking the bank.

-----------------
1.This artical is about the nail art to the women and men.
2.
a.manicure vt. 修剪(指甲)& n. 修指甲
sophisticated a. 世故的;
pigment-based a. 以顏料為底的精緻的
trim vt. 修整

b.go/be out of fashion  不流行
in vogue  蔚為風尚
break the bank  花大錢

3.I chose this artical because i love nail art. It is very beautiful. I had been nail art once. my sister bought a lot of nail polish. She is a patient person. She drow my fingernail abou one hour. and the product were very cute. But actually two days after.when i wash my hand, they were broken....

A Good Diet

Diet fads are always coming and going. Almost every month, there's a hot new way to lose weight and get in shape.In 2003, the Atkins Diet (also known as the Atkins Nutritional Approach) reached such a high popularity that almost 1 in 10 Americans was using it to lose weight.
Dr. Atkins believed that obesity had become a problem in the Western world because people were consuming too many carbohydrates. Through many trials, Dr. Atkins found that lowering carbohydrate intake helped patients lose weight and stay healthy. Atkins also claimed that too much blame was laid on fatty foods for America's obesity problems, and that the real culprits were carbohydrates.
Controversy over the real health benefits of Dr. Atkins' methods came about when some patients ended up suffering from heart disease. Elevated protein intake from fatty meats was most likely the problem. One dieter even attempted to sue Atkins after he underwent heart surgery for conditions which he believed were caused by use of the Atkins Diet.
A good diet is more than likely based on a balanced intake of food and daily exercise. It doesn't need to be complicated. Foods high in fat or sugar should only be eaten occasionally. Fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean meats are excellent daily sources of the nutrition we need to lead healthy lives. People who want to avoid the need for extreme diets should exercise every day and eat a logical, healthy balance of foods.
------------------------
1. This artical is about diet. How can it become more effciently,but not to hurt people's health.
2.
a.obesity n. 肥胖
carbohydrate n. 碳水化合物
culprit n. 問題的起因;罪犯


b.come and go  來來去去;時有時無
attempt to V  企圖∕試圖(做)……
3.I chose this artical because i ever been to going a diet. i konw that is very difficul to lose weight. Although there are a lot of directions to lose weught, i think that exerciseing everyday is really a good way . because it is very healthly . So i often went to swim with my mother when i decided to go on a diet. And it's really work.

60 Tons of Paint

If you''d lived in Paris between 1889 and 1930, you would have enjoyed the sight of the world''s tallest building. La Tour Eiffel was named after its head contractor, Gustave Eiffel, and was built to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. It remained the world''s tallest structure until it was surpassed by New York City''s 319-meter-high Chrysler Building in 1931.
Today''s towers built close to the Eiffel''s height are most often used for communication. Television, radio, and cell phone companies depend on such towers to transmit their signals. But the Eiffel Tower was built before radio communication was necessary, and even before the radio was invented.
As one of the world''s most famous monuments, the tower has attracted a lot of attention, but not all Parisians welcomed its construction. The French writer Guy De Maupassant supposedly hated the structure, but ate at its restaurant every day. When asked why, he remarked that it was the only place in the city from which he couldn''t see the tower. During the years between 1925 and 1930, the tower acted as the world''s largest sign, advertising cars for the French company, Citroen. When the German army invaded Paris in 1940, the lift cables were cut as Hitler''s men stormed the city. However, German soldiers still climbed all the way to the tower''s flagpole in order to fly the swastika.
Modern structures make the Eiffel Tower look small in comparison. Today''s architects design populated buildings that surpass 500 meters—nearly double the height of the Eiffel Tower. Even so, the romance continues, and the tower welcomes over 6 million visitors per year. To keep the 118-year-old structure looking fresh, 60 tons of paint are reapplied every 8 years! Through it all, the grand old tower lives on.


---------------------
1. This artical is about The Eiffel Tower in Paris.

2.
a. storm vt. 猛攻,突襲 & vi. 氣沖沖地走
centennial n. 一百年(紀念)
swastika n. 納粹黨徽(反卍字形)

b. through it all  經歷風風雨雨
in comparison  相較之下
supposedly adv. 據稱,據說

3.I chose this artical because I think the Eiffel Tower is very beautiful. I really want that one day I can go there. To see the building and eat their food and so on in Paris.

2008年3月30日 星期日

A Reader''s Struggle

A Reader''s Struggle
 

by Zoe Catsiff

Many individuals struggle with a life-long condition known as dyslexia. These individuals have difficulty reading, writing, and spelling accurately. They may reverse words or confuse letters that have similar shapes, such as q and b. However, dyslexia has nothing to do with one''s level of intelligence, nor does it come from visual or hearing damage. Instead, it is the result of a neurological disorder that interferes with the brain''s ability to process language, and it can affect people across the entire spectrum of intellectual ability.
The term "dyslexia" was coined by Rudolph Berlin, a doctor in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1887. He used the word to describe a young patient who had difficulty reading and writing despite showing an above-average level of intelligence. Another doctor, neurologist Samuel T. Orton, began studying dyslexia in 1925 and pioneered a basic treatment for dyslexia that is still in use today. Neurologists and psychologists have continued to study the condition in the years since. Currently, the most popular, well-researched theory is that dyslexia results from the brain''s difficulty connecting spoken language with writing.
In the United States, researchers estimate that five to nine percent of school-aged children have dyslexia. Although there is no cure for dyslexia, dyslexic people can learn to read and write through therapy and education. Despite having to struggle harder to learn to read than other students, and often feeling stupid or frustrated, dyslexic people can overcome their condition and go on to lead successful lives. Today, there are many doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other professionals who have learned to live with dyslexia.
------------------------------------------------------
1.This artical is about some people who is struggle of reading called dyslexia .
2.
a.
dyslexia n. 閱讀障礙
coin vt. 創造
spectrum n. 範圍
b.
be in use  在使用中
interfere with...  妨礙……
3.i chose this artical because when i was a little girl, i often cannot tell "b , p ,q"apart. So i learned very hardly. now i can tell them apart. i think that if some people is a dyslexia, it is very hard. they really need a lot of time to overcome it.

Switzerland: Armed and Peaceful

 


by Jerri Graham

Switzerland may be known for its high-quality chocolates and precision timepieces, but there is more to this landlocked country than sweets and watches.
Switzerland''s 7.5 million citizens have managed to avoid the wars and conflicts of other nations. In fact, the country has vowed that it will never get involved in an armed conflict. However, for its own defense, Switzerland still has a strong military with an arsenal of the most technologically advanced equipment available.
Known as the Swiss Armed Forces, Switzerland''s military consists of a regular army and air force and a militia made up of everyday citizens with a willingness to fight for their homeland. The backbone of the Swiss army is the country''s able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 19 and 31 who are required to serve as part-time soldiers. Women also serve voluntarily in the military.
In many countries, getting troops ready for action can take weeks or months. The Swiss, however, require all males to keep a rifle, ammunition, and a uniform in their homes. As a result, within 12 hours, the entire Swiss army can be ready to take on any task. Furthermore, Switzerland has enough room in bomb shelters for every citizen, and the country''s bridges and tunnels have explosives on them so they can be destroyed in case of invasion. Though Switzerland is neutral, its proximity to many major wars in the past has taught the nation to be prepared.
Switzerland may remain on the outside of the world''s military conflicts, but this tiny country isn''t all about peace. The Swiss are ready to defend themselves should the need arise.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.This artical is about Switzerland which is not only have the army but also peaceful.
2.
a.
mobilize vt. 動員,調動
timepiece n. 鐘錶
bomb shelter n. 防空洞
b.
defend vt. 保衛
able-bodied a. 身體健全的
get/be involved in...  涉及∕捲入……
3.I chose this artical because i love Switzerland . Their scene is very beautiful. i often dream that if i was the people living there,might i was not need to wear glasses. and if oneday i can go oversea, i want to go Switzerland . That would be really wonderful.

2008年3月29日 星期六

20280329

Chances are you''ve enjoyed a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Since the opening of the first Starbucks in 1971 as a vendor of high-quality coffee beans and brewing equipment, the company has expanded to become the most popular coffeehouse chain in the world. Its 14,000 stores in 43 countries sell coffee beverages, beans, teas, brewing equipment, pastries, and more. How did this happen?
Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz took over the company in 1987. He recognized an untapped market in busy individuals in urban areas who could afford fine coffees. In 1995, Schultz hired Anna Niess and Will Chassaing to redesign his booming chain. In addition to laying the groundwork for Starbucks'' well-known symbols and distinctive style, they created a program that led to opening one store per day throughout the 1990s.
One thing that makes Starbucks so popular is the company''s vision of their stores as a "third place" to spend time in addition to work and home. It''s a cozy environment that serves as a meeting place. This attracts a loyal following of customers that come not only to drink coffee, but to relax, work, socialize, and attend cultural events.
Schultz still sees a great deal of potential for his company. Starbucks plans to have 40,000 stores worldwide with 20,000 in the US and Canada. Starbucks is not always welcomed with open arms, of course. The store located inside Beijing''s Forbidden City was finally closed in July 2007 due to protests that it was trampling on Chinese culture. Despite this setback, the company has been a huge success and is now a household name around the world.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.This artical is about how the starbucks created.
2.
A.
brewing a. 烹煮的;釀造的
chain n. 連鎖店
pastry n. 糕餅
B.
trample on...  蹂躪∕傷害……
be a household name  家喻戶曉的人∕物
3.I chose this artical because i like starbucks. their coffee is very fragant. Whenever i across the starbucks i will fell comfortable. Their light is very pacific and i like to sit there watching people walk around or think a lot of things. i am really enjoy the moment.

2008年1月7日 星期一

The Tube — By You, for You, and Starring You

專屬您的影音分享網站 
by Julia Koprak

As the Internet continues to grow, more and more people are turning away from newspapers and TV. Instead, they rely on the Internet as their main source of information. In the past few years, every big media company from MTV to CNN has begun to provide online video clips for the public. Now, everyone can catch the latest news, sports events, movie previews, and more with a click of the mouse.
Up until recently, this online technology was reserved only for skilled people with ultra-high speed web access. However, with the advent of cell phone video cameras and various video-sharing websites, it has become much easier for everyday people to display their filmmaking ability on the Internet. Most of these websites are totally free, and allow users to upload short clips that are viewable by the public. In addition, it is fast and simple to pass along videos to your friends. All you have to do is copy a link in an email or embed the video in a webpage.
But not everyone is happy with the recent video-sharing craze on the web. Not surprisingly, the content that people upload extends well beyond the realm of personal home videos; some of the videos may have inappropriate or even illegal content. Although many of these sites contain filters to control the spread of copyrighted or obscene material, with thousands of different videos being uploaded every day, it is difficult for these website owners to maintain control over what is posted. They often only restrict certain videos when an offense has been brought to their attention by outside sources.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.This artical is about the tube.Why it become so popular ? and what it bring the bad things to the word.
2.
a.
embed vt. 嵌進
obscene a. 猥褻的
well adv. 遠遠地
b.
with the advent of...  隨著……的到來∕出現

3.I chose this artical because i like to link to you tube. there were a lot of clips, the movie's preview and the singer's MV. I like to watch MV. When I was boring , I linked to you tube and saw lots of views. The view was classify lots of kinds. My mom like to watch the funny views. When her saw the view, she would laugh to die. And then she would talk to me that "You must coming to see it".