Have you ever wondered what the world's oldest musical instrument is ? Scientists believe the ocarina, a small, hollow flute shaped like an egg. Some are 4000 years old. Historians believe that the ocarina traveled along ancient trade routes with the Chinese into Southeast Asia and Europe 1000 years ago.
Every ocarina has a few small holes for the fingers and a big one for the mouth. The earliest ocarinas found in China were made of stone, wood, bone, shell, and gourd. They were often decorated with special designs of animals and humans. In museums, you can see ocarinas shaped like dogs, cows, horeses, and even turtles!
Ocarinas looked like animals because ancient people's lives were closely tied to nature. Possibly the first songs were made by people trying to imitate the sounds around them. Scientists believe that in ancient times, people would play the ocarina at important ceremonies. Sometimes old villagers would tell stories of magical animals and forests. While telling theses stories, they would also sing, dance and play the ocarina.
The ocarina may be the most popular instrument in the history of music. Anyone can pick it up and produce pleasing sounds within a few minutes. In fact, people from all over the world still make and play this little flute. The ocarina to pacify their enemies and win wars!
Any object that old certainly has stories and myths associated with it. The ocarina has myths of great masters who used its sweet sounds to tame wild beasts and monsters. There are also stories of great musicians who played the ocarina to pacify their enemies and win wars!
Though the ocarina is a simple thing, it can really make your imagination fly. If you play an ocarina today, you might be making exactly the same sound another person played long, long ago. It is almost as if you are "playing" history or traveling through time. How cool is that?
vocabulary:
1. produce 2. structure 3.master 4. enemy 5. exactly 6. imitate
my thinking:
This article talks about the history of ocarina. I love music so that I think the ocarina's voice beautiful. According to the article, I really realize the ocarina so special it is. It's not only to be a fish but to be like a Taiwan island. The ocarina can play beautiful's voice and it can carry easily. We can also learn it easily. Therefore, I know how magical the ocarina is!
2008年1月8日 星期二
2008年1月7日 星期一
Can Money Buy Happiness?
Many of us dreams of having thousands and thouands of dollars to spend on anything we desire. We buy lottery tickets, enter contest or spend hours building a business or playing the stock market. We're sure when we have plenty of money, we will be happy. But will we?
While having some money does have an impact on our level of happinese, having a lot of money does not. People in the United States whose income goes from 20000 US dollars a year to 50000 US dollars a year are more likely to be happy.
But after 50000 US dollars, happiness does not increase as salaries go up. Why is that? It's because we are never satisfied. "We always think if we just had a little more money, we'd be happier," says Catherine Sanderson, a psychology professor at Amherst College. "But when we get there, we're not. "
"The more you make, the more you want. The more you have, the less it brings you joy. " says Danile Gilbert, a psychology professor at Harvard. "We incorrectly assume we'll get more pleasure from more, and we don't."
The things money can buy don't make you happy either. A lot of research suggests that you won't find the " good life " buying expensive "toys." You finally buy that BMW you've always wanted and it soon loses its appeal. Then, instead of wondering if a new car is what really makes you happy, you decide you just need a different new car. It's an endless cycle.
To really be happy, you need to understand what makes you happy in the first plance. One secret of happiness: people. Surveys have found that people need people. Those who have five or more close friends are 50 percent more likely to describe themselves as "very happy." Good relationships have a far greater effect on happiness than large raises in salary. Andrew Oswald is an economist at England's University of Warwick. He says, "If you're looking for happiness in life, find the right husband or wife rather than trying to double your salary."
So invest your time and energy in people. The payoff is much bigger in terms of happiness!
vocabulary:
1. contest 2. impact 3. psychology 4. assume 5. appeal 6. survey 7. economist 8.invest
my thinking:
I love this article who let me get the inspiration about whether happiness can be bought. People usually earn much money so that we can buy many things and believe as long as have money we can buy everything we want. However, we ignore something which we can't buy using money. What's that? It's love and health. We can't use money to buy them. I am impressed I have seen the movie named "The pursuit of hapiness" Even though, the man had little money, he had a son. He worked hard to earn little money to live. I think it is important for love and health.Without them, we can't live for the future. We need money but it can't let us buy happiness.
While having some money does have an impact on our level of happinese, having a lot of money does not. People in the United States whose income goes from 20000 US dollars a year to 50000 US dollars a year are more likely to be happy.
But after 50000 US dollars, happiness does not increase as salaries go up. Why is that? It's because we are never satisfied. "We always think if we just had a little more money, we'd be happier," says Catherine Sanderson, a psychology professor at Amherst College. "But when we get there, we're not. "
"The more you make, the more you want. The more you have, the less it brings you joy. " says Danile Gilbert, a psychology professor at Harvard. "We incorrectly assume we'll get more pleasure from more, and we don't."
The things money can buy don't make you happy either. A lot of research suggests that you won't find the " good life " buying expensive "toys." You finally buy that BMW you've always wanted and it soon loses its appeal. Then, instead of wondering if a new car is what really makes you happy, you decide you just need a different new car. It's an endless cycle.
To really be happy, you need to understand what makes you happy in the first plance. One secret of happiness: people. Surveys have found that people need people. Those who have five or more close friends are 50 percent more likely to describe themselves as "very happy." Good relationships have a far greater effect on happiness than large raises in salary. Andrew Oswald is an economist at England's University of Warwick. He says, "If you're looking for happiness in life, find the right husband or wife rather than trying to double your salary."
So invest your time and energy in people. The payoff is much bigger in terms of happiness!
vocabulary:
1. contest 2. impact 3. psychology 4. assume 5. appeal 6. survey 7. economist 8.invest
my thinking:
I love this article who let me get the inspiration about whether happiness can be bought. People usually earn much money so that we can buy many things and believe as long as have money we can buy everything we want. However, we ignore something which we can't buy using money. What's that? It's love and health. We can't use money to buy them. I am impressed I have seen the movie named "The pursuit of hapiness" Even though, the man had little money, he had a son. He worked hard to earn little money to live. I think it is important for love and health.Without them, we can't live for the future. We need money but it can't let us buy happiness.
2008年1月6日 星期日
Saying "Thank You"
Some friends invite you over and serve you a delicious dinner. Someone loans you his car while yours is being repaired. You are sick, and a friend brings you a meal and cares for you. How do you show your gratitude?
Sometimes simply saying thank you is enough. Other times, it is thoughful to say thank you in a more specific way. Be sure to tell that person what it is you appreciate and why you appreciate it.
Here are some common ways to say thank you. You can write a thank-you note. People are very busy theses days. A handwritten note shows you took the time to tell someone you appreciate him or her. Or you can call and thank the person. You would be surprised how this can make someone's day. Another idea is to send a thank-you e-mail or e-card. This is not quite as personal, but it still shows your appreciation.
vocabulary:
1.gratitude 2. specific 3. handwritten 4. make one's day
my thinking:
Using "Thank You", it is polite to people. For example, treat a friend to a movie, meal, snack or coffee. Or presents the with a basket of fresh fruit or a homemade treat. Or select some flowers from your garden or the florist. Attach a thank-you note.
As you can see, there are many ways to say thank you. Think of some ways of the ideas, and the person being thanked will feel good too. It's a win-win situation.
Sometimes simply saying thank you is enough. Other times, it is thoughful to say thank you in a more specific way. Be sure to tell that person what it is you appreciate and why you appreciate it.
Here are some common ways to say thank you. You can write a thank-you note. People are very busy theses days. A handwritten note shows you took the time to tell someone you appreciate him or her. Or you can call and thank the person. You would be surprised how this can make someone's day. Another idea is to send a thank-you e-mail or e-card. This is not quite as personal, but it still shows your appreciation.
vocabulary:
1.gratitude 2. specific 3. handwritten 4. make one's day
my thinking:
Using "Thank You", it is polite to people. For example, treat a friend to a movie, meal, snack or coffee. Or presents the with a basket of fresh fruit or a homemade treat. Or select some flowers from your garden or the florist. Attach a thank-you note.
As you can see, there are many ways to say thank you. Think of some ways of the ideas, and the person being thanked will feel good too. It's a win-win situation.
2008年1月4日 星期五
Where in the World Did You Learn to Speak English?
A Global Language
If someone told you, "Let's grab a jumper,throw the Esky in the boot, and hit the frog and toad," would you know what they were talking about? You would if you were Australian. The same suggestion in the United States would be, "Let's grab a sweater, throw the cooler in the trunk, and hit the road!"
If you can speak English, you can get by in just about any country in the world. That is what we are told. But oftentimes when you arrive in the foreign land of your choosing, the people there speak an entirely different type of English from what you are used to! You may find youself confused, misunderstand, or --worse yet--laughed at.
Over 370 million people the world speak English as a native language and even more speak it as a second language. Not surprisingly, numerous English dialects have developed.These variations have been heavily influenced by the other language spoken in each region, by geographic isolation, and by modern technology and lifestyles. And when it comes to English slang and colloquialism in a particular place, you had better consult a dictionary to avoid embarrassment.
The Queen's English
After settling in North America, British colonists' English began to change.
Many of the changes can be attributed to Noah Webster, who wrote a dictionary with spellings based on the simplest possible pronunciation of words and his own personal choices.Centre became center, color became backyard. American English also differs in its syntax, or the way sentences are put together. Speakers of British English would say that were going away "at the weekend," while Americans would say they were going away"on the weekend."
Modern invention and innovations also played their part in shaping American English, as popular brand names such as"Kleenex," "Band-Aid," and "Frisbee" have become part of the vocabulary.
Adapted froms of British English are spoken outside the UK in most countries that were part of the British Empire, such as Australia and New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, and the Caribbean. Canadian English is usually British in its spelling, but many of the pronunciations and usuages are strongly influenced by French and by Canada's American neighbors to the south.
All of these variations in English may be intimidating, but remember: a friendly smile is part of the universal language.
vocabulary:
1.jumper 2.toad 3. dialects 4. geographic 5. slang 6.colloquialism 7.colonist 8. syntax
my thinking:
English is an important language all around of the world. We should use it to communicate with foreigners. Maybe, I should not feel scared; instead, We must speak English bravely because of going forward to the international stage. We aren't only to stay Taiwan. Therefore, we must strengthen our English because it is like our bridge to connect to the foreginers. Although, some country which use English differ from some country, I think it is ok.
It makes no difference to care about the English details. It's for us enough to communicate with people who understand. Most of important thing is we must let our English get better.
If someone told you, "Let's grab a jumper,throw the Esky in the boot, and hit the frog and toad," would you know what they were talking about? You would if you were Australian. The same suggestion in the United States would be, "Let's grab a sweater, throw the cooler in the trunk, and hit the road!"
If you can speak English, you can get by in just about any country in the world. That is what we are told. But oftentimes when you arrive in the foreign land of your choosing, the people there speak an entirely different type of English from what you are used to! You may find youself confused, misunderstand, or --worse yet--laughed at.
Over 370 million people the world speak English as a native language and even more speak it as a second language. Not surprisingly, numerous English dialects have developed.These variations have been heavily influenced by the other language spoken in each region, by geographic isolation, and by modern technology and lifestyles. And when it comes to English slang and colloquialism in a particular place, you had better consult a dictionary to avoid embarrassment.
The Queen's English
After settling in North America, British colonists' English began to change.
Many of the changes can be attributed to Noah Webster, who wrote a dictionary with spellings based on the simplest possible pronunciation of words and his own personal choices.Centre became center, color became backyard. American English also differs in its syntax, or the way sentences are put together. Speakers of British English would say that were going away "at the weekend," while Americans would say they were going away"on the weekend."
Modern invention and innovations also played their part in shaping American English, as popular brand names such as"Kleenex," "Band-Aid," and "Frisbee" have become part of the vocabulary.
Adapted froms of British English are spoken outside the UK in most countries that were part of the British Empire, such as Australia and New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, and the Caribbean. Canadian English is usually British in its spelling, but many of the pronunciations and usuages are strongly influenced by French and by Canada's American neighbors to the south.
All of these variations in English may be intimidating, but remember: a friendly smile is part of the universal language.
vocabulary:
1.jumper 2.toad 3. dialects 4. geographic 5. slang 6.colloquialism 7.colonist 8. syntax
my thinking:
English is an important language all around of the world. We should use it to communicate with foreigners. Maybe, I should not feel scared; instead, We must speak English bravely because of going forward to the international stage. We aren't only to stay Taiwan. Therefore, we must strengthen our English because it is like our bridge to connect to the foreginers. Although, some country which use English differ from some country, I think it is ok.
It makes no difference to care about the English details. It's for us enough to communicate with people who understand. Most of important thing is we must let our English get better.
2008年1月2日 星期三
Beijing's Olympic Volunteer Team
Planning on checking out Beijing's 2008 OLympic Games? If so, keep your eyes open for one special team. The members of this team won't rowing, wrestling or canoeing. Instead, they might be found greeting fans at the airport, directing pedestrian traffic in Tiananmen Square, or perhaps even selling Beijing duck at a concession near the Olympic Stadium. Who are they ? They're the team of Olympic volunteers.
For Beijing's 2008 Olympic Games, a staggering number of vounteer are needed to help make the Games a success. Never before has such a large vounteer drive been con-ducted in China. Recruiting and coordinating all those vounteers presents a big challenge for BOCOG(Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad), the administrative body in charge of planning China's Games. The good news is that BOCOG has already developed objectives for its vounteer drive. After the summer Olympics in Athens concluded, Advanced magazine tapped sources close to BOCOG, getting an early insight into the recruitment process.
Help wanted
First , BOCOG needs an astounding 100,000 volunteer for Beijing alone. Smaller volunteer teams are also needed for China's other Olympic venue cities: Qingdao, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinghuangdao have room for another 17000 volunteers in total.
What kind of jobs will the Olympic volunteers do? They will handle security, traffic control, computer support, first aid, and just about every imaginable task in between.
Volunteers with specific skills can apply to the professional category, taking position such as IT specialists, nurses, engineers or translators. Volunteers without special training can apply to the common category, where ticket takers, greetsers, guards and other support staff are needed.
Higher, faster, stronger
Beyond demonstrating a particular ability, Beijing's Olympic volunteers must have a good attitude and a commitment to their jobs. Acting as ambassadors for the Games, the volunteers will need to learn basic Olympic history, facts about Beijing, and most importantly, basic English competency will be a fundamental expectation of all the volunteers.
The training commitment required for each Olympic volunteer is 80 hours of instruction over a two-week period. Volunteers aren't remunerated for their service, but they do gain useful experience. Moever, the chance to participate in China's biggestever sporting event is perhaps its own reward. After the 2008 Games, all volunteer names will be permanently memorialized in a sculpture called the "road of volunteer."
Becoming an Olympian
Who can apply to be an Olympic volunteer? Almost anyone! Though university students in Beijing are the most desirable applicants, BOCOG's volunteer drive will extend across China and also the world. Chinese in other provinces, overseas Chinese and even foreigners have an apportunity to take part. If you'd like to become an Olympic volunteer, keep your eye on the BOCOG Web site:en.beijing2008.com Starting in the summer of 2006, BOCOG will begin its volunteer drive in earnest. Further details will be presented at that time.
Unsung heroes
No Olympic Games would succeed without the contributions of its volunteers, and we acknowledge and appreciate them. It's a noble thing for them to offer their time and effort to take part in something important, especially if their work is behind the scenes. As modern Olympic Games founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin said, "The most importmant thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part."
vocabulary
1.pedestrian 2.staggering 3.astounding 4. competency 5.remunerate 6.memorialize
7.in earest
My thinking
I'm pleased because Beijing's Olympic will be coming. I love sports so I want to understand about the Olympic. According to this article, I can know the China's Government wants to look for the volunteers who can serve people. Although, they have no salary, I think they can learn how to serve people and how to help people. Ithink it's a good way to let us grow up. What's best, we can have a great experience. We can cherish the experience even though we can share it for everyone who want to know.Beijing Olympic is a important activity. It needs to help by all around the world. I want to join the volunteer team. I can't wait.
Let the recruiting begin
For Beijing's 2008 Olympic Games, a staggering number of vounteer are needed to help make the Games a success. Never before has such a large vounteer drive been con-ducted in China. Recruiting and coordinating all those vounteers presents a big challenge for BOCOG(Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad), the administrative body in charge of planning China's Games. The good news is that BOCOG has already developed objectives for its vounteer drive. After the summer Olympics in Athens concluded, Advanced magazine tapped sources close to BOCOG, getting an early insight into the recruitment process.
Help wanted
First , BOCOG needs an astounding 100,000 volunteer for Beijing alone. Smaller volunteer teams are also needed for China's other Olympic venue cities: Qingdao, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinghuangdao have room for another 17000 volunteers in total.
What kind of jobs will the Olympic volunteers do? They will handle security, traffic control, computer support, first aid, and just about every imaginable task in between.
Volunteers with specific skills can apply to the professional category, taking position such as IT specialists, nurses, engineers or translators. Volunteers without special training can apply to the common category, where ticket takers, greetsers, guards and other support staff are needed.
Higher, faster, stronger
Beyond demonstrating a particular ability, Beijing's Olympic volunteers must have a good attitude and a commitment to their jobs. Acting as ambassadors for the Games, the volunteers will need to learn basic Olympic history, facts about Beijing, and most importantly, basic English competency will be a fundamental expectation of all the volunteers.
The training commitment required for each Olympic volunteer is 80 hours of instruction over a two-week period. Volunteers aren't remunerated for their service, but they do gain useful experience. Moever, the chance to participate in China's biggestever sporting event is perhaps its own reward. After the 2008 Games, all volunteer names will be permanently memorialized in a sculpture called the "road of volunteer."
Becoming an Olympian
Who can apply to be an Olympic volunteer? Almost anyone! Though university students in Beijing are the most desirable applicants, BOCOG's volunteer drive will extend across China and also the world. Chinese in other provinces, overseas Chinese and even foreigners have an apportunity to take part. If you'd like to become an Olympic volunteer, keep your eye on the BOCOG Web site:en.beijing2008.com Starting in the summer of 2006, BOCOG will begin its volunteer drive in earnest. Further details will be presented at that time.
Unsung heroes
No Olympic Games would succeed without the contributions of its volunteers, and we acknowledge and appreciate them. It's a noble thing for them to offer their time and effort to take part in something important, especially if their work is behind the scenes. As modern Olympic Games founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin said, "The most importmant thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part."
vocabulary
1.pedestrian 2.staggering 3.astounding 4. competency 5.remunerate 6.memorialize
7.in earest
My thinking
I'm pleased because Beijing's Olympic will be coming. I love sports so I want to understand about the Olympic. According to this article, I can know the China's Government wants to look for the volunteers who can serve people. Although, they have no salary, I think they can learn how to serve people and how to help people. Ithink it's a good way to let us grow up. What's best, we can have a great experience. We can cherish the experience even though we can share it for everyone who want to know.Beijing Olympic is a important activity. It needs to help by all around the world. I want to join the volunteer team. I can't wait.
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