Ring out the Old, Ring in the New Year!

Around this time of year with only a couple of days -that are filled with mixed emotions - left in the calendar, I find myself curled up in my own good old blanket with a cup of tea, reminiscing about what it’s been like for the past 12 months. Has it treated me right? Yup, it has to a certain degree.

By the end of 2017, my husband and I had to be jet-setting between our old home in Illinois and this new place in Texas in the midst of the process of inter-States moving. Keeping the old house in tip top shape and presentable to sell in the local housing market was physically and mentally exhausting. (Especially, dealing with grass management ‘till our house was sold was so challenging when we are literally not living there anymore. What frustrated us more was coming to realize that our 10-year-old neighborhood had filed a report to the city about our UNKEMPT LAWNS so that we’d pay a fine. UGH. “Thank you very much for having been such a nice friend of ours for a decade before showing your true colors when we moved out, for God sake!!!”)

2018 came. As a driver who’s chronically bad with directions, especially in a crowded city full of nauseous traffic jam all the time, I had tended to seclude myself from the outside world in this new town by staying cooped up in my own room. Felt trapped, miserable, and so out of touch with people as a total stranger in this new place to live. Perimenopausal symptoms was another unwelcome experience that had made me sunk in thoughts and loneliness. Cervical polypectomy was conducted in early March. Simple surgery, but it seemed to render “runner Jean” into a “dormant mid-aged woman with weak muscles” like going into long, deep hibernation. To top it all off, hip bursitis had stopped me from running for a whole month in June. Besides, my son got injured by a small accident (when something awfully heavy fell on his shin), which made him bed-ridden throughout his Spring break. The final straw on camel’s back took place when Hans was rear-ended by a reckless driver in a busy street, and to make matters worse, Hans lost his driver’s license while exchanging ID and vehicle registration information with that villain.

This past year of the golden dog sounds like a very lousy year to me and my family, isn’t it? Well….I can’t agree more. However, I’d say “Could’ve been worse.” Let me rewind those gloomy incidents now. Although I miss my good old friends in Illinois living far away from them, they are always checking with me and asking if I am doing alright, which is not an easy thing to expect from anyone out of your sight. Thanks to our friendship, I had been feeling closely connected even far away from Illinois. As for the surgery, it turned out perfectly well enough for me to feel as if I became a fresh, young person again. In hindsight, the hip bursitis that deterred me from heading out to run for a month had taught me how to listen to my bodily pain more seriously than before. Due to the pain, I faithfully started to include yoga and pilates in my daily workout sessions, which had gradually but effectively mitigated the pain in my left hip. I became a better runner who knows how to truly savor running without thinking about PR. Lastly, through Hans’s bitter experience of being rear-ended and losing his ID, the first thing he realized was that the world out there is way harsher than expected for an easy mark like him. Secondly, on a worst case scenario, if the bad guy could have gone overboard in his misdeed.

Yes, this past year wasn’t bad at all. We survived all the waves of big or small hardships quite successfully. As another brand new year is fast approaching, I do not want rambunctious or super exciting celebration. There’ll be no parties where I’d plant a big wet smackeroos. My one and only wish for the upcoming new year is that I’ll be able to see myself, my beloved family, and friends to stay peaceful and healthy throughout 365 days ahead and more.

Adieu, 2018! Come on over, 2019! Come what may, let us keep our hopes up and smile.

Christmas Quiz

Got plans to celebrate the end-of-the-year and Christmas with your loved ones? Here are some easy breezy Christmas quiz for English learners. Ready to solve the fun quiz?

(source from https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=christmas-words)

1. This is a traditional Christmas drink made of beaten eggs, milk or cream and sugar.

A. Custard

B. Milkshake

C. Eggnog

 2. In places where winter is very cold, they usually have this place to make fires and to keep warm.

A. Fireplace

B. Chimney

C. Heater

 3. This plant is often used as a Christmas décor and people are given a kiss when they are found to be standing underneath it.

A. Mistletoe

B. Pine

C. Poinsettia

 4. Santa’s reindeers pulled this over ice and snow.

A. Car

B. Sleigh

C. Truck

 5. This is the scene showing the birth of Jesus Christ.

A. Nature scene

B. Christmas scene

C. Nativity scene

 6. They are Santa’s helpers; they help him prepare the gifts/ toys for the children.

A. Elves

B. Hobbits

C. Dwarfs

 7. This is a circle of fresh or dried flowers or leaves that people hang on their front door around Christmas time.

A. Wreath

B. Ring

C. Donut

 8. These are the thin strings of shiny paper used as decorations at Christmas.

A. Tinsel

B. Pompom

C. Christmas lights

 9. During Christmas Day, this is the traditional dessert made of dried fruits soaked in alcohol.

A. Pudding

B. Custard

C. Cake

 10. This is the traditional song during Christmas.

A. Rap song

B. Opera song

C. Carol

Answer Keys

    1.   C

    2.   A

    3.   A

    4.   B

    5.   C

    6.   A

    7.   A

    8.   A

    9.   A

    10.               C

Are you taking a Turnpike or a Shunpike?

Looking back on my life, especially here in the States, I’ve come to realize that I have always been viewed by people around me as the one in a rush most of the time. “Hurry! Make it quick! Bustle around! Step on it! No time to lose!” must have been the unhealthy modus vivendi that’s been established deep inside of my life.

Back in my days during master’s program of TESOL, I studied night and day to understand all the theories and concepts of teaching ESL/EFL, trying hard to stay ahead of course schedules. Topics for term papers were chosen in two weeks, written and revised by week 3, and then submitted way in advance. Even for the four-day long ‘take-home comprehensive exam’, I had prepared for the culminating project by making myriads of example questions and answers that could be on the test since one full year before the D-day, and was lucky enough to complete the 26 page-long papers to turn in only within two days. I’d even told my little son Hans to turn in his arts-and-crafts homework without having to embellish his less-than-perfect creations.

 The nail artist friends of mine named “My” and “Lily” had always said “Jean, you got somewhere to go right after this? Just wait ‘till your nails are fully dry and good to go.” At the post office, I have been the only one who seems impatient, grumbling to myself in a low voice ‘How come this post office is ALWAYS crowded?!!!’, in the long line of people waiting for their turns to send their mail. At the gym, I have been the very one that was running to my favorite treadmill without even stopping by lady’s locker room or rest room. At the shopping mall, I have never entered a store where I haven’t been to unless it carries the item on my shopping list. The road is no the exception. Being stuck in heavy traffic, I’ve been swearing four letter words at random slow drivers ahead of me, wishing they might have read my lips. “Hurry, you slow poke!”

Now that I moved to this South Central region of this country, my morbidly ingrown snappishness in life stands out more in the crowd. Most people here are very laid-back and scarcely lose their temper or throw a fit over trivial matters. Hmm….maybe it’s time for me to shift gears in the second round of my life.

The famous artist, illustrator, and author of children’s book named Tasha Tudor said “Nowadays, people are so jeezled up. If they took some chamomile tea and spent more time rocking on the porch in the evening listening to the liquid song of the hermit thrush, they might enjoy life more.” Like she mentioned, I am thinking about taking a slow shunpike rather than a turnpike with speed for the rest of my life, for the purpose of being truly savoring here and now.

Expressions

   1.   Step on it!: (phrase) Move briskly! / Hurry!

   2.   to be good to go: (phrase) ready to leave or to start doing something

   3.   morbidly: (adverb) suggesting an unhealthy mental state or attitude; in an unwholesomely gloomy way or extremely

   4.   to throw a fit: (verb) to get very angry and fly into a rage

   5.   shunpike: (noun) a side road taken instead of a turnpike or expressway to avoid tolls or to travel at a leisurely pace

   6.   turnpike: (noun) express ways or main road with a toll gate

Idioms related to Shopping

Idioms related to Shopping

Black Friday shopping spree is not just the American culture anymore. The blast-off sale right after Thanksgiving or Christmas has become a major occasion for shopaholics to mark the calendar for in many other countries in the world as well. This week, let us work on some interesting idiomatic expressions related to shopping and spending money.

(resource from https://www.learnenglish.de/vocabulary/shoppingidioms.html, https://www.learn-english-today.com/idioms/idiom-categories/shopping/shopping.html)  

   1.   to pay over the odds: (verb) to overpay for something/ to pay too much for something

   2.   to shop till one drop(s): (verb) to go on an extremely long shopping trip until one feels exhausted

   3.   retail therapy/ shopping therapy: (noun) the idea that buying things can cheer you up or make you feel better (especially when you’re under pressure or stressed out) as an outlet for frustration and a reliever of stress

   4.   doorbuster: (in retailing) a special discount price available for a limited period, typically during special early-opening hours

   5.   to put (something) on/in layaway: (verb) to purchase something by paying part of the price initially, and not receiving the goods until all the money has been paid

   6.   to slash prices: (verb) to cut/reduce/decrease prices (the cost of something)

   7.   a killer deal: (noun) something of high value has a very great price that is surprisingly low and affordable

   8.   splash out: (verb) to buy something even though it costs a lot of money

   9.   bargain hunting: (nouns) spending time in the shops looking for items to buy at the lowest price

   10.  cyber Monday: (noun created by online retailers) also called as Black Monday, which is an e-commerce term that refers to the Monday following the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend.

Let us practice using the above expressions in sentences by filling in the given blanks now!

   

   

   1.   Terry had her eye on a gorgeous winter coat, but she couldn’t afford to buy it at that price. So, she waited for the time when there’s a _________________ deal on line. Yes, ________________ Monday shopping is her thing!

   2.   Devin has ________________________ out this last Christmas to buy something big for his fiancé. Now he’s dead broke.

   3.   He once saw a woman get smashed against a window and break her nose, and knows what it's like when people get injured in the dash for ________________________ at shopping malls.

   4.   Melissa does not want to pay ________________________ for a designer purse just to distinguish herself through what she buys.

   5.   Quite a lot of women shop ‘till they _______________ at duty free shops, which would often result in breaking their banks by the end of the month of their travels. LOL

   6.   Jeffrey only buys his high-end DIY tools at Home Depot when they _________________ prices.

   7.   When my mom was bummed out about something, she’d go shopping for clothes or cosmetics. Yes, _________________ therapy works for her.

   8.   Mimi put the huge Christmas decoration on _________________, because she can’t afford to buy that pricey ornament at the moment.

   9.   If you wish to get this nice pair of highly cushioned running shoes, just wait until next week. They’ll be on blast off sale as of next Tuesday for shoppers like you who love ___________________ hunting.

Answer Keys

   1.   killer, Cyber

   2.   splashed

   3.   doorbusters

   4.   over the odds

   5.   drop

   6.   slash

   7.   retail

   8.   layaway

   9.   bargain

Poem by Jean Lee: Trees

Trees

By Jean Lee

Are you the one that has been in my yesterday?

Am I still in your memory?

You know my stories and quiet moments of silence in somber overlay

That from time to time emerge in a way so peremptory.

In the morning, you whisper sounds of hopes through balmy sunray

At dusk, you bring me to tears pointing toward the sky where my father is so gingerly.

Trees, you are listening when I pray

Then keep me stay peaceful in my trajectory.

Each time I get lost in a maze to my dismay,

Your changing colors of leaves have taught me life is full of mystery.

Will you be there for me in my twilight years in the same way?

I know you won’t judge me and say “now you’re an old lady who’s so peppery”.

Leaning on your wide and sturdy trunk as I lay,

I’d ask for a long, long whispering of the good old time so savory.

The stories would never seem dull or bewhiskered to me.

Sunday Word Puzzle from NPR

Let me share the interesting Sunday Puzzle, which is an on-air challenge, on National Public Radio (NPR). (October 28th, 2018) This Sunday, the caller was supposed to give a word or name that has the accented syllable of the sound "row" somewhere inside it.

For example, what is the word meaning savagely violent? The answer is FEROCIOUS

1. What is the noun meaning ‘a smell, especially an inviting one’?

2. Name the Kraft pasta product with cheese.

3. Brand name of the Mexican beer usually served with a lime wedge.

4. What are the vigorous physical exercises that you might do in a class or any exercises designed to strengthen the heart and lungs?

5. Name the capital of Liberia.

6. Name the capital of Kenya.

7. What is the adjective meaning ‘brave, courageous, valiant, valorous, intrepid’ as in the act of a lifeguard saving a drowning person or a hero saving people in need.

8. Give me the adjective meaning ‘not correct as a statement’.

9. Name the woman in Greek myth after whom a continent was named. She is the mother of King Minos of Crete.

10. Name the setting for "two gentlemen", which is Shakespeare’s first play.

11. Name the Polish dumpling.

12. What is this adjective meaning ‘related to a church parish or Catholic schools’?

13. Give me the name of the fort captured by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys in 1775.

Answer Keys

   1.   aroma

   2.   macaroni

   3.   Corona

   4.   aerobics

   5.   Monrovia

   6.   Nairobi

   7.   heroic

   8.   erroneous

   9.   Europa

   10. Verona

   11. Pierogi

   12. parochial

   13. Ticonderoga

What Keeps Me Going

I have always been a morning person who wakes up in the wee hours no matter how late I go to bed. Although I do not have to get out of bed that early to go somewhere for work, I just do. Being wide awake in the hours of serenity that is only sporadically interrupted by birdcalls like owl’s hooting or some random cars with loud engine noise out there in a distance brings me to the sense of peace. Doing my daily pre-run stretching, I wonder where and why the sounds out there are being made. It feels good to know that I am not the only one being awake in this quiet time slot. Even with those total strangers, some kind of comradeship is coming to my mind hearing the sounds.

Among the people who had shared my mornings through the years, the exercise cohort at dawn and the fitness coach (who is also the gym manager) are always the most important and precious group of friends in my life. We are different ages with different backgrounds in life, but all single-hearted when it comes to starting a day in active ways. There have been countless starry skies, full moons (but we are certain that we’re NOT moonstruck to be out here at the gym in this hour), serene daybreaks harmonized with woodnotes, moments of laughter, and the saddest news of Ray’s passing….to name a few in our mornings. No matter what had brought us all to that same place at the same time for a decade, what bonded us together was warm thoughts for one another. We didn’t need to be a humdinger to have each other’s hooly attention. I have counted each of my friends there more than twice every time I count my blessings.

Now that I am currently living in another State away from those loving buddies of mine, my mornings do not look or feel the same at all. Lonely, unaccompanied, isolated, desolate, and still. However, I am still getting up early in the dark and lace up my shoes in the hope of finding my niche somewhere out here at a local gym. I am open to new culture and atmosphere, but what keeps me strong and poised enough to carry on is my good ol’ friends and their TLC. Patty, Brian, Julie, Mary, Margo, Laura, Amy, Merri, Penny, Sarah, Linda, Andre, April, Lynn, John, Barb, and Ray.....I miss you all so much.

Expressions

   

   1.  comradeship: fellowship/ solidarity/ companionship

   

   2.  single-hearted: sincere and dedicated

   

   3.  moon-struck: mad/ crazy/ mentally deranged

   4.  woodnote: a song or call of a woodland bird

   5.  humdinger: one that is extraordinary or remarkable

   6.  hooly: careful/ gentle

   7.   niche: a situation or activity specially suited to a person's interests, abilities, or nature

A new batch of Idiomatic Expressions (which has COLD words)

The time has come to feel wintry chill in the North hemisphere. Even in this State where Summer never seems to go, it has started to feel chilly. With a decade in the Midwest town in my life, the memory of shoveling the snow from our driveway will always be fresh enough to give me goosebumps. Why don’t we brace ourselves to survive the upcoming winter and brush up on some interesting English idioms that have “cold” words that are or are not related to cold weather. (source from https://www.kaplaninternational.com/blog/winter-idioms-vocabulary-english-lesson)

   1.   to put ….. on ice: to stop (doing) something or to postpone/ delay acting on something

   2.   the snowball effect: when something small keeps growing in importance or significance

   3.   to weather the storm: to survive a difficult situation/ to find one’s way out of troubles

   4.   pure as the driven snow: absolutely virtuous or chaste; unsullied by sin or immoral behavior

   5.   the lull before the storm: a quiet time or calm before a busy or difficult time

   6.   brass-monkey (weather): (noun = adjective) very chilly/ brutally cold (weather)

   7.   be snowed under: to be very busy

   8.   a storm in a teacup:  a lot of fuss over something small

   9.   a snowball's chance: very little chance (as much chance as a snowball has in hell)/ not have any possibility

   10.  to get cold feet: to suddenly become too scared to do something planned   

Let us practice the above expressions in sentences below!

   1.     There’s a ________________ chance that Peter would lace up his shoes for a morning workout. He hates getting out of bed, especially in the seasons when we have a _________________________ weather.

   2.   The singer had always been viewed as a very innocent and pure girl-next-door for years. People were stunned to learn that she was not as __________________________________.

   3.   Dan thinks he’d better put his rehearsal for the concert _____________________ today. He feels too exhausted to deal with the rigor of daily practice for hours now.

   4.   Joshua has recently been fired, but he’ll be able to ______________________ the storm with his severance pay.

   5.   Nike’s brave decision to hire Colin Kaepernick for ad campaign had a ________________________ effect in Sports business industry.

   6.   Jenn is _______________________________ at work day and night these days. She owes it to herself to go on some retreat even for a few days.

   7.   What if a princess-to-be got _______________________ right before her Royal wedding?!

   8.   Having a tavern built near our residential area would not be a matter of _______________________________, because most parents in this area are totally against the idea of seeing drunkards around.

   9.   The weeks right before Summer break is a _______________________ before the storm. Once the kids are out of school, moms need to cope with super busy days.

Answer Keys

1.   snowball’s, brass monkey

2.   pure as a driven snow

3.   on ice

4.   weather

5.   snowball

6.   snowed under

7.   cold feet

8.   a storm in a teacup

9.   lull