One of the amazing things about Taiwan is the fruit. This is a great place for fruit and vegetables, so, I love being here. That’s why I’m so slender and slim—that’s why I look like I’m ten years younger. Because this is the good life here—I am living the good life in Taiwan. So, I feel like Superman and, you know, and uh, it’s all because of this; great fruit, vegetables, and of course, fish, that are in Taiwan.
This is a grapefruit. This is a grapefruit. And, uh, I know it looks like it was just outside of a nuclear power plant. Maybe the radiation got to this thing. But this is actually a giant grapefruit that is grown here in Taiwan. Can you believe this thing?
I don’t know what this thing weighs—it weighs about, oh, I don’t know, this thing is about 8 pounds. It’s about an 8 pound, maybe a 4 kilogram grapefruit. So, that is an amazing piece of fruit. This is a grapefruit.
The taste is kind of “hai hao”, “so-so”, right? It loses something when it gets so big, but isn’t that an amazing thing?
All the fruit is much bigger here in Taiwan. Not only can you eat this grapefruit, you can also wear it. It is, it becomes a very stylish hat. So if it’s raining outside, then you can go outside, and it will protect your head, keep you dry.
Taiwan fruit—serves many purposes, and keeps you healthy. See you next time.
Key Words (and example sentences)
Amazing (adj) – Bill’s opera performance was amazing.
Slender (adj) – You look so slender after losing five pounds, Bill!
Slim (adj) – You look so slim, Bill. That’s amazing!
Radiation (noun) – The radiation from the X-ray machine made Bill’s hair fall out.
Stylish (adj) – Bill always looks so stylish in his Armani suits.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
You Are What You Eat
Okay, come on, Michael, Michael, give me my soup. Give me my soup! I want my soup! Alright.
What kind of soup is this?
“Mushroom”
Mushroom! Aaaah! I love mushroom soup! The soup, the mushroom soup here at Casa Della Pasta is, uh, delicious—it’s my favorite.
So, I’ve gotta speak up a little bit louder. Anyways, you are what you eat, so keep that in mind. Don’t eat junk food, or your body will turn into junk. Your body is a temple—treat it like, with the respect it deserves.
So, um, the reason I say this is because~~~see, I had a blood test this morning. I have to get, um, I have to get my blood checked every three months or so, because my cholesterol is really high. So, I have to be really careful about that. So, you need to be careful about how much fat you take in.
Potato chips, hamburgers, junk food, things like that. Stuff you buy at the convenience store has a lot of fat and cholesterol in it—a lot of “trans fats”, we say.
So, keep that in mind, don’t be eating all this junk food on a daily basis. Be careful about what you eat.
That’s why I come here every day. I eat the same thing because it’s healthy stuff. So, make sure you eat enough fruit and vegetables, and, um fish is really good for you. Try and avoid a lot of red meats—stuff with high fat and high cholesterol. You’ll be fine, but then, after about twenty or thirty years of that, that cholesterol hits you, then boom! Goodbye!
See you next time.
Key Words
Cholesterol (noun)
Trans fats (noun)
What kind of soup is this?
“Mushroom”
Mushroom! Aaaah! I love mushroom soup! The soup, the mushroom soup here at Casa Della Pasta is, uh, delicious—it’s my favorite.
So, I’ve gotta speak up a little bit louder. Anyways, you are what you eat, so keep that in mind. Don’t eat junk food, or your body will turn into junk. Your body is a temple—treat it like, with the respect it deserves.
So, um, the reason I say this is because~~~see, I had a blood test this morning. I have to get, um, I have to get my blood checked every three months or so, because my cholesterol is really high. So, I have to be really careful about that. So, you need to be careful about how much fat you take in.
Potato chips, hamburgers, junk food, things like that. Stuff you buy at the convenience store has a lot of fat and cholesterol in it—a lot of “trans fats”, we say.
So, keep that in mind, don’t be eating all this junk food on a daily basis. Be careful about what you eat.
That’s why I come here every day. I eat the same thing because it’s healthy stuff. So, make sure you eat enough fruit and vegetables, and, um fish is really good for you. Try and avoid a lot of red meats—stuff with high fat and high cholesterol. You’ll be fine, but then, after about twenty or thirty years of that, that cholesterol hits you, then boom! Goodbye!
See you next time.
Key Words
Cholesterol (noun)
Trans fats (noun)
Friday, January 8, 2010
2010 New Year's Resolutions
Alright, I’m here at my favorite restaurant, Casa Della Pasta. My man Ivan, he’s got me all set up with my favorite dish. I order the same thing every time I come here—I like to keep things simple. Maybe you should keep things simple to; it makes life a lot easier.
Anyways, it’s New Year’s—people make New Year’s resolutions, and instead of worrying about making a million dollars, or getting a new job, finding love, or some other great, grand thing, I was thinking about my New Year’s resolutions, and I need to keep things simple. And I thought of “Be first”, be first. For instance, maybe I should be the first person to acknowledge people, to say hello to people. Like when you see them in the street or in the store, the convenience store. Everybody normally, when we cross paths, we always do this—right? We always look away. Why don’t you be the first person to say hello? Don’t wait for them to say hello.
I was in Shanghai last week—it’s a city of twenty-million strangers—people just don’t say hello, or acknowledge each other. That’s one thing—be first.
Be first to say you’re sorry. Maybe you had a disagreement, or an argument with a friend, family member, co-worker, somebody like that. Don’t wait for them to be the first person to say “I’m sorry”. You just do it, and say you’re sorry. Don’t worry about who’s right or wrong—just do it, say you’re sorry, get some kind of dialogue started.
So—how ‘bout this for a resolution: be punctual, be on time, show up for things on time. Don’t make your friends wait. It’s actually very inconsiderate to make people wait for you. So, that’s a resolution I need to keep this year, try and be punctual.
And, um, I got a couple other things as far as, um, you know, telling the truth. Try and tell the truth as much as you can. Don’t try and manipulate, uh, situations so that you can get a certain outcome.
These are just some ideas for some resolutions that I need to keep in mind, and I just want to offer that to you, maybe some ideas for 2010.
Whatever you do, Happy New Year, Xin Nian Kuai Le, Gon Shi Fa Tsai, and have a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous 2010.
Happy New Year!
Key Words
Resolution (noun) – a goal that you wish to accomplish.
Acknowledge (verb) – to notice, recognize something or someone.
Dialogue (noun) – conversation between two people.
Punctual (adj) – to be on time for events, dates, meetings.
Inconsiderate (adj) – not caring or responsible toward others.
Manipulate (verb) – trying to control words, actions, thoughts of others.
Anyways, it’s New Year’s—people make New Year’s resolutions, and instead of worrying about making a million dollars, or getting a new job, finding love, or some other great, grand thing, I was thinking about my New Year’s resolutions, and I need to keep things simple. And I thought of “Be first”, be first. For instance, maybe I should be the first person to acknowledge people, to say hello to people. Like when you see them in the street or in the store, the convenience store. Everybody normally, when we cross paths, we always do this—right? We always look away. Why don’t you be the first person to say hello? Don’t wait for them to say hello.
I was in Shanghai last week—it’s a city of twenty-million strangers—people just don’t say hello, or acknowledge each other. That’s one thing—be first.
Be first to say you’re sorry. Maybe you had a disagreement, or an argument with a friend, family member, co-worker, somebody like that. Don’t wait for them to be the first person to say “I’m sorry”. You just do it, and say you’re sorry. Don’t worry about who’s right or wrong—just do it, say you’re sorry, get some kind of dialogue started.
So—how ‘bout this for a resolution: be punctual, be on time, show up for things on time. Don’t make your friends wait. It’s actually very inconsiderate to make people wait for you. So, that’s a resolution I need to keep this year, try and be punctual.
And, um, I got a couple other things as far as, um, you know, telling the truth. Try and tell the truth as much as you can. Don’t try and manipulate, uh, situations so that you can get a certain outcome.
These are just some ideas for some resolutions that I need to keep in mind, and I just want to offer that to you, maybe some ideas for 2010.
Whatever you do, Happy New Year, Xin Nian Kuai Le, Gon Shi Fa Tsai, and have a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous 2010.
Happy New Year!
Key Words
Resolution (noun) – a goal that you wish to accomplish.
Acknowledge (verb) – to notice, recognize something or someone.
Dialogue (noun) – conversation between two people.
Punctual (adj) – to be on time for events, dates, meetings.
Inconsiderate (adj) – not caring or responsible toward others.
Manipulate (verb) – trying to control words, actions, thoughts of others.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
CT Scan Machine
This is the type of X-ray machine used by Brent Seales, mentioned in the article "Reading Buried History". Normally, it is used to examine human beings, but he's using it to try and read ancient scrolls that were buried when Mt. Vesuvius erupted.
I had a CT exam a few months ago. I had to lay down on the "bed", and they elevated it, then slid the bed into the hole of the "doughnut". It wasn't bad, only seven or eight minutes. Much less stressful than an MRI exam (which I also had, and lasted an hour---ugh!).
Friday, October 2, 2009
2009 Deaflympics Taipei
Teacher Bill here in Taipei. This is the 2009 Deaflympics, and we have track and field events, here. There’s the men, men’s Decathlon going on, also the ladies Javelin toss, and we’ve got the men’s Triple Jump. So, we’ll take a look around and see what’s happening with these events.
The brand new Taipei Stadium, and they just finished this, maybe 8 months ago. And, uh, seats about 35,000 people, at this stadium. It’s actually very nice—well laid-out stadium. Here for the Deaflympics they have it decorated in kind of an Aboriginal motif to welcome all of the Deaflympians here to Taiwan. And, uh, we’ve got the Javelin toss—it’s actually part of, the uh,--uh, I think that’s women’s Javelin toss going on down there.
And we’ve got the high jump happening down at that end—which is actually part of the men’s Decathlon. Oh!—we haven’t seen many successful jumps.
That’s actually the, uh, Olympic flame—the Deaflympic flame up there. It’s been burning up top of the tower. That’s a big drum right below that—they used that drum during the Opening Ceremonies. I’m sure they’ll use it for the Closing Ceremonies, for some music performances.
A high jump—Ohhhh! Not quite high enough.
Another good toss on the javelin.
He’s from the USA? Here’s somebody from the United States. Ohhhh! Too much gravity.
Okay, I think the Italian will be attempting the high jump. Oh, yes! Successful.
Alright, the Javelin throw—Javelin toss, make that.
Alright, the flag from China raised for the Gold. Looks like the Korean flag for Bronze. I don’t know what flag that is—the green and white, for the Silver.
Alright, the Triple Jump.
Oooh—good toss.
Ah, this is the beginning of the final event in the men’s Decathlon. The fifteen hundred, 1,500 meter race. So, I don’t know who is leading the competition—they’ve already had nine events in the Decathlon, which is the ultimate competition in the Olympics. And, um, this is going to determine the winner. Very exciting time here tonight. We’ll check back with these guys later, see how they do.
Okay, that was a Triple Jump attempt.
The guys are over there running the fifteen hundred meters.
I, there’s some High Jump going on, and there’s Javelin tosses. So, stuff going on all over the place here.
These guys have to pace themselves, don’t use up all their energy too soon.
Yeah, wow, it’s the end of the 1,500 race. Wow, that guy had a big kick at the end. Wow! What a finish.
Okay, this guy’s going for a new world record—Deaflympics record, 2.13. Ohhh!
Ah, good toss.
Okay, this is the women’s 800 meter final. They’ll go around 2 times. Okay, here they come, uh, second and final lap. There’s a guy triple-jumping, there.
800 meters women’s final. They run faster than I do.
The men’s 800 meter semifinal. We’ve got, uh, runners from Venezuela, Kenya, Greece, U.S., Spain, Russia, Russia, and Kenya. Okay.
He’s giving a report for a station, TV station—uh, sounds like Spain, or somewhere in South America.
So, it’s time for the men’s 800 semifinals.
Ah, he is actually from Columbia. So, he’ll be filing a report back to his TV station, back in Columbia.
Now, back the action—final lap of the men’s 800 meter semifinal. Oh, yeah, I use to run like that—use to.
Wow, very exciting, what an ending! Man it’s going down to the wire. Wow! What a finish. I don’t know. We’re gonna have to go to the replay. They don’t even know—the runners aren’t even sure who won.
Look at that! Four guys. Four guys right at the finish line.
Who won? I don’t know, how do you pick a winner? Four guys, that’s amazing.
They don’t even know, the runners don’t even know, the judges don’t even know. They’re gonna do it with paper-scissors-stone—that’s how they’re going to determine the winner.
Here’s the finish, of that exciting men’s 800 meter semifinal race. A four-way heat, right down at the wire. A four-way heat. Amazing!
Okay, this is the second semifinal of the men’s 800 meters race. I don’t know, we’ll see if we have, we’ll see if we have four guys finish in a tie, again.
Got the Nigerian—he’s taking off.
Okay, second and final lap in the 800 meters, and the pace-setter from Nigeria seems to be fading.
Alright, there’s the finish, the second semifinal. Oh my gosh, another guy fell—we had three guys fall in that race. I think they just, uh, fatigued—too much fatigue.
The brand new Taipei Stadium, and they just finished this, maybe 8 months ago. And, uh, seats about 35,000 people, at this stadium. It’s actually very nice—well laid-out stadium. Here for the Deaflympics they have it decorated in kind of an Aboriginal motif to welcome all of the Deaflympians here to Taiwan. And, uh, we’ve got the Javelin toss—it’s actually part of, the uh,--uh, I think that’s women’s Javelin toss going on down there.
And we’ve got the high jump happening down at that end—which is actually part of the men’s Decathlon. Oh!—we haven’t seen many successful jumps.
That’s actually the, uh, Olympic flame—the Deaflympic flame up there. It’s been burning up top of the tower. That’s a big drum right below that—they used that drum during the Opening Ceremonies. I’m sure they’ll use it for the Closing Ceremonies, for some music performances.
A high jump—Ohhhh! Not quite high enough.
Another good toss on the javelin.
He’s from the USA? Here’s somebody from the United States. Ohhhh! Too much gravity.
Okay, I think the Italian will be attempting the high jump. Oh, yes! Successful.
Alright, the Javelin throw—Javelin toss, make that.
Alright, the flag from China raised for the Gold. Looks like the Korean flag for Bronze. I don’t know what flag that is—the green and white, for the Silver.
Alright, the Triple Jump.
Oooh—good toss.
Ah, this is the beginning of the final event in the men’s Decathlon. The fifteen hundred, 1,500 meter race. So, I don’t know who is leading the competition—they’ve already had nine events in the Decathlon, which is the ultimate competition in the Olympics. And, um, this is going to determine the winner. Very exciting time here tonight. We’ll check back with these guys later, see how they do.
Okay, that was a Triple Jump attempt.
The guys are over there running the fifteen hundred meters.
I, there’s some High Jump going on, and there’s Javelin tosses. So, stuff going on all over the place here.
These guys have to pace themselves, don’t use up all their energy too soon.
Yeah, wow, it’s the end of the 1,500 race. Wow, that guy had a big kick at the end. Wow! What a finish.
Okay, this guy’s going for a new world record—Deaflympics record, 2.13. Ohhh!
Ah, good toss.
Okay, this is the women’s 800 meter final. They’ll go around 2 times. Okay, here they come, uh, second and final lap. There’s a guy triple-jumping, there.
800 meters women’s final. They run faster than I do.
The men’s 800 meter semifinal. We’ve got, uh, runners from Venezuela, Kenya, Greece, U.S., Spain, Russia, Russia, and Kenya. Okay.
He’s giving a report for a station, TV station—uh, sounds like Spain, or somewhere in South America.
So, it’s time for the men’s 800 semifinals.
Ah, he is actually from Columbia. So, he’ll be filing a report back to his TV station, back in Columbia.
Now, back the action—final lap of the men’s 800 meter semifinal. Oh, yeah, I use to run like that—use to.
Wow, very exciting, what an ending! Man it’s going down to the wire. Wow! What a finish. I don’t know. We’re gonna have to go to the replay. They don’t even know—the runners aren’t even sure who won.
Look at that! Four guys. Four guys right at the finish line.
Who won? I don’t know, how do you pick a winner? Four guys, that’s amazing.
They don’t even know, the runners don’t even know, the judges don’t even know. They’re gonna do it with paper-scissors-stone—that’s how they’re going to determine the winner.
Here’s the finish, of that exciting men’s 800 meter semifinal race. A four-way heat, right down at the wire. A four-way heat. Amazing!
Okay, this is the second semifinal of the men’s 800 meters race. I don’t know, we’ll see if we have, we’ll see if we have four guys finish in a tie, again.
Got the Nigerian—he’s taking off.
Okay, second and final lap in the 800 meters, and the pace-setter from Nigeria seems to be fading.
Alright, there’s the finish, the second semifinal. Oh my gosh, another guy fell—we had three guys fall in that race. I think they just, uh, fatigued—too much fatigue.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Mega Computers - Math Software - Feb. News
Boss: Johnson! Johnson! Come in here!
Johnson: Yes sir, Mr. Schmedley, how may I help you?
Boss: I thought there was one more chocolate doughnut in here. I wonder where it went to. Hmmm. Well, anyway Johnson, I was just reading this month’s Advanced Magazine’s Newsworthy Clips, and it got me to thinking.
Johnson: Yes sir, you’re always thinking.
Boss: Well, that’s how I come up with all of my brilliant ideas. See, this news clip about Math Disguised as a Video game. Johnson, we need to increase our sales to kids. Mega Computers is the leader in P.C. s for business, but we’re just not selling enough computers to kids.
Johnson: How do you propose that we do that, sir?
Boss: Math, Johnson, math!
Johnson: Math? But math is boring, Mr. Schmedley. Kids don’t want math, they want games.
Boss: You, Johnson, are my software genius. You can make math engaging! You like math, don’t you?
Johnson: I love math, sir. I really like multiplication and division. And square roots, and . . .
Boss: See! Now what I want you to do is design a game for our computers, and sneak into the software all sorts of math exercises. Make it so they don’t even know they’re doing math.
Johnson: I see—make it a game, but have them do math as a way of getting good scores.
Boss: That’s right, Johnson. Be creative—make it kind of an adventure, something like a scavenger hunt. Kids love hunting for things and solving problems.
Johnson: How difficult should I make it, sir.
Boss: Not too difficult, Johnson—I need to be able to play it, you know, test it out. If it’s good, we can give away some free computers to the local schools.
Johnson: So we can be educational philanthropists, and help the students.
Boss: Exactly, Johnson. That way, Mega Computers looks good, and we can sell more!
Johnson: You’re a genius, boss!
Boss: I know Johnson—that’s why I’m the boss around here. Now, before you start work on that new math computer, go and get me a chocolate doughnut, and some of that Moonbucks coffee.
Johnson: Yes sir!
Boss: And get a chocolate doughnut for yourself, too, Johnson.
Johnson: Oh, I already had one sir.
Key Words
engaging-adj-something that is interesting, to be involved in.
sneak-v-secretly put something in, or to move without being noticed.
scavenger hunt-n.phr-a game where you must find items, follow directions, in a limited time.
philanthropist-n-a generous person, one who gives money or gifts to those in need.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Ten-Year Decision
Okay, there is the neighborhood dog—Xiao Hei. He has been, uh, she has actually been adopted by the , uh, foot massage place, right here. So, at least they’re taking care of this dog.
Xiao Hei’s actually very lucky, because most street dogs here in Taipei, uh, don’t get taken care of by anybody.
Oh, yeah, you’re beautiful, beautiful, yeah.
Now, Xiao Hei is three years old, and I think, about uh, maybe 60 kilograms. So, this is a fat dog.
Go ahead. This is a fat dog, so, and eh, she should not be this fat. So, three years old, 60 kilograms, right.
So, the problem is, people don’t take care of their dogs, properly. I’ll come back to you in just a moment.
Hey! Xiao Hei almost got run over.
Come here, Xiao Hei!
Xiao Hei, you want a hamburger, right?
There’s a couple problems, what happens with dogs here in Taipei, and many other places, is that, um, people just, they don’t understand the decision to buy a dog. It is a ten-year decision. Let me repeat that, buying a dog is a ten-year decision. And too many people go watch a movie, and they see a dog like, uh, the Labrador in “Marley and Me”, or maybe the Husky in “Eight Below”, and, uh, they just don’t understand they’re not ready for that decision.
This is like inviting another person to live into your home
And then they bring these big dogs home, and live in these tiny apartments. A big dog needs a lot of room, and, uh, needs a lot of exercise, needs a lot of space.
And then what happens is also the dogs, uh, er, the people actually, they become bored after one year. Their children become disinterested—the children promised to take care of the puppy FOREVER—and of course, that never happens.
But, um, what we need to do is think about a decision to buy a dog. Don’t just go watch a movie and buy a dog because you think they’re cute.
And don’t just go and buy a dog in the market place because you see a puppy. This is a ten-year decision; why would you only take five minutes, or even an hour-and-a-half and consider that decision.
So—and then what happens is people just end up getting rid of the dogs, and, uh, they put them out on the street—like Xiao Hei here. Three years old.
We also need to feed the dogs properly. Don’t be giving them chocolate or fried chicken—they need dry dog food.
So, I hope I don’t see too many more dogs like Xiao Hei, here.
Alright everybody, take care.
Key Words
Adopted-v-taken in taken care of by a different family, person or group of people.
Properly-adv-to do something in the right way.
Disinterested-adj-not interested anymore, not caring about something.
Xiao Hei’s actually very lucky, because most street dogs here in Taipei, uh, don’t get taken care of by anybody.
Oh, yeah, you’re beautiful, beautiful, yeah.
Now, Xiao Hei is three years old, and I think, about uh, maybe 60 kilograms. So, this is a fat dog.
Go ahead. This is a fat dog, so, and eh, she should not be this fat. So, three years old, 60 kilograms, right.
So, the problem is, people don’t take care of their dogs, properly. I’ll come back to you in just a moment.
Hey! Xiao Hei almost got run over.
Come here, Xiao Hei!
Xiao Hei, you want a hamburger, right?
There’s a couple problems, what happens with dogs here in Taipei, and many other places, is that, um, people just, they don’t understand the decision to buy a dog. It is a ten-year decision. Let me repeat that, buying a dog is a ten-year decision. And too many people go watch a movie, and they see a dog like, uh, the Labrador in “Marley and Me”, or maybe the Husky in “Eight Below”, and, uh, they just don’t understand they’re not ready for that decision.
This is like inviting another person to live into your home
And then they bring these big dogs home, and live in these tiny apartments. A big dog needs a lot of room, and, uh, needs a lot of exercise, needs a lot of space.
And then what happens is also the dogs, uh, er, the people actually, they become bored after one year. Their children become disinterested—the children promised to take care of the puppy FOREVER—and of course, that never happens.
But, um, what we need to do is think about a decision to buy a dog. Don’t just go watch a movie and buy a dog because you think they’re cute.
And don’t just go and buy a dog in the market place because you see a puppy. This is a ten-year decision; why would you only take five minutes, or even an hour-and-a-half and consider that decision.
So—and then what happens is people just end up getting rid of the dogs, and, uh, they put them out on the street—like Xiao Hei here. Three years old.
We also need to feed the dogs properly. Don’t be giving them chocolate or fried chicken—they need dry dog food.
So, I hope I don’t see too many more dogs like Xiao Hei, here.
Alright everybody, take care.
Key Words
Adopted-v-taken in taken care of by a different family, person or group of people.
Properly-adv-to do something in the right way.
Disinterested-adj-not interested anymore, not caring about something.
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