每日学英语

jiayi

799# makalia

Nice to meet you. Welcome to here.

I am shy to speak English too. Some times I speak just words not entire sentences . Some one adviced me to think about some topics and how to organize it first , then try to talk with others. I think it's a good idea. I met a ESL teacher when I went to a playground with my daughter, she took her son there too. I planed to talk more topics with her.

I listen to the radio when I cook, but I can't understand most of them. My English is still too poor to work.

Any way, I think I can improve my English when the time past. I feel better than a year ago.

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3002988

ESL Podcast 221 – Long Distance Relationships

I met Diana last year when we were both working in New York City for the summer. I’m finishing college in California and Diana started her first job in Florida. Talk about a bicoastal relationship! We spent three great months together and we’ve been trying to maintain a long distance relationship ever since. It’s been really hard and I had a talk about it with my friend, Emily, who just got out of a relationship like this.

Enrique: I’m always worried that for her, it’s out of sight, out of mind.

Emily: I know what you mean, but is it that way with you?

Enrique: No, not at all. I think about her all the time. It’s not that there aren’t temptations, but I’m committed to Diana.

Emily: Don’t you get the same vibe from her?

Enrique: Sometimes I do, but a lot of times I don’t. It’s so easy to get into a fight on the phone. We have misunderstandings all the time or I hurt her feelings without realizing it. And plus, I’m still in school and she’s already out working, and it seems like we’re growing apart.

Emily: That’s what happened with Theo and me. We grew apart and we had less and less in common. After a year, we called it quits.

Enrique: I hope that’s not what Diana wants. I’ve got to have it out with her. If she wants to end this, then I’ll just have to deal with it.

Emily: It’s always better to know where you stand. Let me know how it goes.

Enrique: Sure. See you later.

******************************************************************
Bicoastal --- from the word coast, two coast

out of sight, out of mind --- you don’t think things that not close you

It’s not that there aren’t temptations --- it’s not true that….     Temptations: things that calls you to do sth that you may not want to do, your brain says it’s a bad idea but perhaps your heart says it’s a good idea

vibe --- the same feeling

growing apart --- as you get older you aren’t as close to another person as you were when you were younger

to have it out with --- you are going to have a argument perhaps but you are going to speak very honestly with the other person

know where you stand --- to know what your situation is

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3042760
ESL Podcast 222 – Alternative Medicine
I have been suffering from back pain for years. I’ve tried several treatments prescribed by my doctor, but nothing has had a lasting effect. I finally decided to try alternative medicine.

My friend, Amelia, swore by acupuncture. She said that her knee pain went away after only a few weeks of therapy. She was skeptical when she first started, but she knew after only a few sessions that it was working for her and that this was no New Age nonsense. She thought it might work for me, too.

My co-worker, Ray, suggested that I try some homeopathic treatments. He said that taking herbal supplements that are all natural has helped him recover after getting injured on the job a couple of months ago. He took these as complementary to the traditional medication his doctor gave him. He said that even though the herbs he takes haven’t undergone clinical trials, his own experience told him that they work.

I’m a little nervous about trying these unorthodox treatments, but after hearing about Amelia’s and Ray’s experiences, I’m willing to give them a try. Nothing has worked so far, so what do I have to lose?


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
******************************************************************
Prescribe --- doctor give a patient some medicine to take
alternative medicine --- different
swore by acupuncture ---  swear: to trust/believe/rely on sth.    acupuncture:  the person uses the little needles and stick them into your body
therapy --- a set of things or a kind of treatment that you have to reduce your pain  治疗  [ˈθerəpi]
skeptical --- to doubt/question [ˈskeptikəl]
New Age nonsense --- related to believe an idea almost religious idea about health that use to help make people feel better. Usually negative term
Homeopathic ---  a kind of medicine that uses small that uses small amount of sth to treat  [ˈhəumiəuˌpæθik] 同种疗法的,顺势疗法的herbal supplements
herbal supplements --- [ˈəbəl] comes from erb / erbs: which are plants and that you can made food/ medicine草药的                supplements: add sth addtional
complementary --- to take it in addition to     sth  complement sth else : means that matches / goes with
undergone clinical trials --- undergone :experience     clinical trials: are a scientific test that medical researchers do to make sure the drug actually works
unorthodox --- untraditional 非正统  [ʌnˈɔrθəˌdɑks]
Nothing has worked so far, so what do I have to lose --- it can hurt and it might help

makalia

I will pay attention to your diary, I'm also improve my English. cheer up together!

makalia

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3052703
ESL Podcast 223 – A Mistake in the Hotel Bill
Hotel clerk: Here’s the bill for your four- night stay. Would you like the incidentals charged to your credit card?

May: Incidentals? I think there’s some mistake. I didn’t order any pay-per-view movies and I never ordered room service. And, I didn’t have any spa services, either.

Hotel clerk: Are you sure? We show three movies and two room service orders.

May: I’m positive. Could I speak to a supervisor, please?

Hotel clerk: He’s not on duty right now, but let me see if I can resolve this for you. How many of these charges were made in error?

May: All of the them. Is it possible that my bill was switched with another room’s? As I said, I didn’t order any movies, I haven’t had any room service, and I haven’t visited the spa since I checked in to the hotel.

Hotel clerk: I see. I’ll need to check with each of those departments to determine whether a mistake has been made.

May: How long will this take?

Hotel clerk: Not long, I’m sure. If you could take a seat in the lobby...

May: I have a plane to catch and I don’t have a lot of time. Is there a general manager I can speak to?

Hotel clerk: I’m not sure. If you’ll have a seat, I’ll see if I can get Ms. Cardenes for you.

May: Thank you. I’d appreciate it.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
******************************************************************
Incidentals --- extra/ additional course that you have to pay for附属费用

pay-per-view movies --- movies that you can watch in hotel room that you pay extra for

I’m positive --- absolutely sure

Lobby --- main part of the hotel where you can sit and people can wait 大堂

I have a plane to catch

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3062646
ESL Podcast 224 – Holiday Promotions
My boss asked me to come up with some holiday promotion ideas so that we can make inroads into the gift-buying market. For us to stay competitive, our company has to increase retail sales for this important sales cycle. My boss is expecting some innovative ideas from me.

Since we’re an online business and not a brick- and-mortar store, we can’t just put signs in the window or do other types of traditional advertising. Lucky for us, though, consumers are increasingly computer savvy and are more likely than ever to buy online. That’s something we want to capitalize on.

Like other companies, we’re willing to slash prices to attract holiday shoppers. We have a large inventory and we don’t have to worry about running out of stock. The trick is, how do we increase sales without resorting to gimmicks? Dressing up salespeople to look like Santa Claus may work for some businesses but not ours.

I’m just hoping that I can come up with some fresh ideas to jump-start this sales season. I know that my boss is counting on me.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
******************************************************************
Make Inroads into a new area --- make progress
retail sales --- retail: things that you go and buy in a store. 零售业    Opposite: whole sale
brick- and-mortar store --- the physical store.  Mortar:  things that keep the bricks together
computer savvy ---- savvy: knowledgeable about sth
more likely than ever --- have better choice to do it than before
capitalize on --- to take advantage of
slash prices --- slash: cut/reduce
inventory --- how much a particular products you have库存
gimmick --- unusual trick that encourage sb do/buy sth花招
jump-start --- to begin sth quickly, usually to begin sth that is difficult to start

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3072589
ESL Podcast 225 – Feeling Homesick
Annie: Why the long face?

Luis: I don’t know. I guess I’m feeling a little homesick.

Annie: I thought you got over that. I know the adjustment was hard when you first got here, but I thought you were coping pretty well.

Luis: I was. It’s just that the holidays are coming up and I won’t be able to go home because I can’t afford the airfare. I’m just longing for some of the comforts of home, like my mom’s cooking and being around my family.

Annie: Yeah, it can get pretty lonely over the holidays. When I first got here, I’d get depressed and nostalgic for anything that reminded me of home. But, you know, I think I was just seeing things through rose-colored glasses.

Luis: What do you mean?

Annie: Well, things back home weren’t really that idyllic, but from this distance, all I could think of was the good stuff and none of the bad.

Luis: I see what you mean, but I’m still bummed out.

Annie: I have an idea. Why don’t we put on our own little holiday celebration? We can have it at my place and we can invite all of our friends who are on their own this time of year. We’ll each do something that’ll remind us of home. What do you say? Misery loves company, as they say.

Luis: You know, I could really go for that. You don’t mind all of the trouble?

Annie: What trouble? As long as I don’t have to cook, I’m up for it.

Luis: Cool. I’ll ask around to see who else wants to come.

Annie: Okay. I’ll do the same.

Luis: Thanks. I’m feeling better already.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
******************************************************************
Coping --- manage/deal with a difficult situation     ‘When …. I can’t cope’
longing for --- v. to want sth very badly, to strong want sth
depressed and nostalgic --- depressed :to be very sad    nostalgic: think about sth in the past and to be a little sad remembering sb/someplace in the past that is part of happy memory怀旧的
rose-colored glasses --- to think sth is better than it really is
idyllic --- to be perfect田园诗般的, 田园风光的;平和欢畅的[aɪˈdɪlɪk]
bummed out --- disappointed  ‘ I am really bummed about….’
Misery loves company --- old expression.  Misery : Sth that cause you sad.  Company: here people.
People who are sad like other people who are sad , want to be with him.
up for --- willing to do sth   ‘I’m up for it.’

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3191905
ESL Podcast 226 – Holiday Decorating
Now that the holidays are here, it’s time to decorate the house. Every year, we always go all out. We buy a Christmas tree and the kids decorate it with ornaments that we’ve bought and made over the years, and with silver and gold tinsel. We also hang a wreath on our front door and I make sure that there’s mistletoe above every door. Around the chimney, we hang our stockings, and when we get holiday cards from our friends and neighbors, we put them all around the room.

Outside of the house, we have lawn ornaments that we put in the front yard. People who visit our house will see snowmen (and snowwomen), reindeer, and of course, Santa Claus. The best part is the outdoor lights. I string them across the front of the house, around our trees, and in our fence. When I turn them all on, you can probably see our house from miles away. It’s no wonder that people come from all over town just to see our house at night. I have to say that I enjoy the holiday season as much as the kids...and maybe just a little more!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
******************************************************************
Decorate --- make sth more beautiful ,usually by put objects
go all out --- put all of your energy into sth
ornament ---  an object that you use to decorate
tinsel --- narrow piece of a shining material, that use to decorate金属丝
wreath --- circle around thing that is made of tree branches/ flowers
mistletoe ---  a special plant that has green leaves and little white berries, used in Christmas
chimney ---烟囱
reindeer ---  驯鹿 麋鹿

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3201848
ESL Podcast 227 – Describing Symptoms to a Doctor
Dr. van Eyck: Good morning, I’m Dr. van Eyck. I understand that you’re not feeling well.

Nico: That’s right, doctor. I’ve had a stomachache for three days. The pain comes and goes, but I also have heartburn and I am feeling bloated all the time.

Dr. van Eyck: Well, let’s take a look. Have you felt nauseous? Does it hurt when I press here?

Nico: Oh yes, that hurts, and I feel nauseous all the time. But, doctor, that’s not all. I’ve also had bad headaches in the past week and I feel fatigued all the time.

Dr. van Eyck: Have you had a stuffy nose, a cough, a sore throat, or an earache?

Nico: Yes, I’ve had all of those.

Dr. van Eyck: You have? All of them?

Nico: And, there’s more. I’ve been feeling pains in my leg. Sometimes it feels stiff and sometimes I lose feeling in it. I’m having a lot of trouble walking.

Dr. van Eyck: I have to say that you have an unusual combination of symptoms. Have there been any significant changes in your life in the past few days?

Nico: Well, my in-laws are visiting from out of town. Do you think you’ll need to admit me into the hospital for tests?

Dr. van Eyck: I’m not sure that’s necessary. Are things really that bad at home?

Nico: You have no idea!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
******************************************************************
Bloated --- to feel like you are full of water/food and your body feels too full发胀的
Nauseous ---令人作呕的[ˈnɔʃəs, -ziəs]
Fatigued --- feel very tired
stiff --- difficult to move
symptoms --- 症状
to admit --- to send sb to a hospital
comes and goes , heartburn, stuffy nose, sore throat

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3112361
ESL Podcast 228 – A Christmas Feast
This year, our family decided that the more the merrier and invited Adriano and his family to have Christmas dinner with us. We were thrilled when they accepted our invitation.

Lucy: I’m so glad you guys could all make it.

Adriano: We wouldn’t have missed it for anything. We brought a fruitcake.

Lucy: Oh, thanks. Make yourselves comfortable. We’re just about to sit down to dinner.

Adriano: Wow, it looks like you’ve prepared a feast.

Lucy: Yeah, we did go a little overboard this year. We’ve got a turkey, a roast and a ham, and all the trimmings: stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Help yourself to some eggnog.

Adriano: Thanks. Did you do all of the cooking yourself?

Lucy: I had some help and everybody brought different desserts. Save room for the pumpkin pie, the gingerbread house, and the Christmas cookies. Okay everybody, dinner’s ready. Adriano, would you carve the bird?

Adriano: I’d be happy to do the honors.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
the more the merrier --- the more people you have the more happy
thrilled --- very happy, delighted
feast --- a large meal , usually for many different people
overboard --- to do beyond what you normally to do
turkey --- 火鸡
ham --- one type of pork
trimmings --- when we talk about food are the things other than the meat dish 辅料
stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce --- 填充物, 洋芋, 土豆泥 , 小红莓酱
eggnog --- special holiday drink that is made from milk, eggs, a little alcohol
carve the bird --- to cut the turkey .  carve a chicken/duck
save room for sth

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3122304
ESL Podcast 229 – Irritating Co-workers
Since our office reorganization, I’ve been sharing an office with Isabel. We’ve been getting on each other’s nerves.

Pete: Hey, Isabel, can you cut that out?

Isabel: Cut what out? I’m not doing anything.

Pete: You’re tapping your pencil on your desk. It’s driving me crazy.

Isabel: Okay, I will if you’ll stop slurping your coffee.

Pete: I don’t slurp my coffee. And plus, how can you hear it when you’re shouting into your phone all the time?

Isabel: You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re complaining about me talking on the phone when your friend Deepak stops by ten times a day to shoot the breeze? I can’t stand that guy.

Pete: It’s no skin off my nose if you don’t like Deepak. Look, we have a lot of pent-up anger from working in these close quarters, and it’s probably okay to let off steam once in a while. But, it’s probably not a good idea to keep it up. I’m willing to forgive and forget if you are.

Isabel: Fine. Let’s call a truce. I’ll try to be more considerate and to keep the noise down.

Pete: Yeah, I’ll try to do the same.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
******************************************************************
Irritating  --- To get sb mad or to bother sb
getting on someone’s nerves --- irritate, another way to say bother, annoy
cut that out --- to stop it, informal expression
slurp --- make noise when you are drinking sth
to shoot the breeze --- to talk, usually not about anything very serious, to have relax conversation,
no skin off my nose --- sth isn’t important/doesn’t matter to sb,  I don’t care
pent-up anger --- it’s building up over time ,usually emotions that you haven’t expressed, anger for example被压抑的
close quarters --- close space/area
let off steam --- to do sth to get rid  of those negative motions
keep it up --- continue to do sth.  ‘ Keep it up, you are doing a good job ‘
truce --- agrement to stop fighting, usually two countries.
Considerate --- to be nice to someone, to be careful not to hurt sb’s feeling体贴的

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3152133
ESL Podcast 230 – A New Year’s Cruise
My friends and I decided to do something a little different this year. Instead of going to a crowded club or throwing a party on New Year’s Eve, we decided to take a harbor cruise instead. The cruise would be four hours long, and it included dinner, music, dancing, and a great view of the fireworks.

On that day, we drove to the marina and we were among the first to board the ship. This was no little boat. It was a large ship with an upper and a lower deck. The crew helped us get on board and showed us where the life jackets were in case of an emergency. Even the captain came out to welcome the passengers.

We had a great time. I didn’t get seasick as I’d feared, and we didn’t have to call out the Coast Guard, either. We had so much fun, we didn’t want to go back on shore. Finally, the captain joked that if we didn’t leave, he’d make us walk the plank!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
Cruise --- usually a relaxing trip that you take on an ocean
Harbor --- an area in the ocean that is next to the land, usually it has laws that are built to protect the boats/ships.   港口
Marina --- a harbor that is built especially for small boat    小艇停靠区
upper and a lower deck --- deck: level, also use it talk about bus
crew --- people who work on the boat, the stuff
Coast Guard --- people who protect the coast
walk the plank --- 走跳板：被海盗等逼迫走出伸出船边缘的木板而被淹死

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3132247
ESL Podcast 231 – The Supermarket Checkout
I went to the supermarket to do my weekly shopping. The cashiers at this market are usually pretty friendly, but this one must have been having a hard day.

Cashier: Excuse me, sir, this lane is for 15 items or less. It looks like you have more than that.

Yong: No, actually I have exactly 15. I have some coupons, too.

Cashier: Just put those down on the belt and push the cart through, please.

Yong: Okay. Can you tell me how much these potatoes are per pound?

Cashier: I’ll have to do a price check. Do you have a club card?

Yong: Yes, here it is.

Cashier: Swipe it through the machine, sir. Your total is $47.52. Debit or credit?

Yong: Debit. Could I get cash back?

Cashier: [sigh] How much do you want?

Yong: I’d like $40.

Cashier: Paper or plastic?

Yong: Paper, please.

Cashier: Are these tabloids yours, too?

Yong: Uh, yes, those magazines are mine.

Cashier: Do you need any help out?

Yong: No, I’m fine. Thanks.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
Tabloid --- a kind of newspaper/magazine, usually one that has very shock stories, many these is about famous people   [ˈtæblɔid] 小报, 通俗小报（版面通常比大报小一半, 文章短, 图片多, 经常报道名人佚事）

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3162076
ESL Podcast 232 – Business Bookkeeping
I have a day job, but I recently started a small business on the side. I didn’t know anything about accounting and my friend, Roland, said he would give me some advice.

Roland: So, the reason that you need to do your bookkeeping is so you can manage your cash flow. Even if you have a lot of orders, you may still have problems paying your bills.

Magdalena: I see what you mean. Is this the kind of ledger I should be keeping?

Roland: Yes, definitely. You want to list your debits on this side and your credits on this side. This will help you figure out important things like your break- even point, your assets and liabilities, your administrative expenses, and whether you’re staying within your budget.

Magdalena: I wish I had an accounts payable department to help me with all this. I don’t even know how to create a balance sheet.

Roland: It’s not that hard if you use the right accounting program. The first thing to do is to keep track of your expenses. How do you do that now?

Magdalena: Oh, I have a system. I keep all my receipts in this bag.

Roland: Oh. Well, it’s good that you’re keeping your receipts but you’ll have to keep better track of them. What would you do if you were audited by the IRS?

Magdalena: Don’t even mention the IRS! I’ve got enough problems without worrying about them!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
---------------------------------------------------------
Bookkeeping --- keeping correct records of the money that you spend and receive, usually this is something that  company/organization does

on the side --- extra,  addition

Ledger --- a book or computer program where a business puts down the money that it spends and receives, a tool that you use in bookkeeping, it’s a list of things you have spent your money on and receive money for.

break- even point --- when you are getting more money in than you are spending收支平衡点；损益平衡点

assets and liabilities --- things you can keep track of/make sure you have a list of in a treasure.  
Asset: Things that have worth money   资产    liabilities: the things that you owe to someone else负债

accounts payable department,  opposite:  account receivable

balance sheet --- a document that tells you how much money you have assets and how much money you have paid, how much you have owed people.

audited by the IRS ---  look very carefully at the money that they have spent to make sure that it is correct.审计
Internal revenue service, a department in the government that takes care of all of the taxes in USA

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3172019
ESL Podcast 233 – Asking for a Date
I admit it. I’m a player. I work in an office where there are a lot of attractive women. Take Debra, for example. I heard that she just broke up with her boyfriend last week so I decided to ask her out.

Liam: Hi, Debra. How’s it going?

Debra: Okay, I guess. How about you?

Liam: I’m doing okay. You know, I’m going to an art show this Saturday. Would you like to come with me?

Debra: Geez, I’m pretty busy this weekend.

Liam: That’s too bad. How about going for a drink after work today?

Debra: Well, I don’t know...

Liam: Come on. It’ll be fun and we can try that new place down the street.

Debra: I guess that’ll be okay, but just a drink, right?

Liam: That’s all and I promise I won’t even try to buy you dinner.

Debra: [laughs] Okay, then. I’ll see you after work.

I ask women out wherever I see them, even ones I’ve never met before. At a restaurant, if I see a woman eating by herself, I usually say: “I just hate eating alone. Do you mind if I join you?” The other day, I saw a woman at the grocery store and tried my luck.

Liam: Hi.

Monica: Hi.

Liam: I’ve just moved to this area and was wondering if you could recommend a good restaurant around here.

Monica: That depends on what kind of food you like. There’s a good Italian restaurant on Elm Street, or there’s a good Thai place on Lyndon Avenue.

Liam: Which one do you prefer?

Monica: I like them both, but I’d probably go for the Italian place.

Liam: In that case, would you like to join me for dinner sometime?

Monica: I’m not sure. I don’t even know you.

Liam: You’re right, but you seem really nice and I’d like to get to know you better. What do you say?

Monica: Well, maybe. Here’s my number. Call me and we’ll talk about it.

Liam: I’ll do that. I’m looking forward to talking with you again.

It’s as easy as that. I don’t try to be a player. All it takes is a little charm and a little flattery, and the women will find you irresistible.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
--------------
Geez --- use to express surprise
All it takes --- all that necessary, all that you need
charm and a little flattery --- charm: the power to attract other people. ‘He is very charming’--- other people like him.    Flattery: are words that you use to make them feel good about themselves.
irresistible --- impossible for them to say no.

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3221734
ESL Podcast 234 – Seeing an Eye Doctor
I’ve been getting a lot of headaches the past few weeks and my co-worker suggested I go see an optometrist.

Dr. Olho: Okay, let’s take a look. Do you wear glasses or contacts?

Virginia: I used to, but I had laser eye surgery three years ago and I don’t wear them anymore.

Dr. Olho: I see. Well, let’s check your vision. It may be that even though your vision was 20/20 after the surgery, it’s changed and you are now either near- sighted or far-sighted. Cover your left eye and take a look at the eye chart. Read the last line that you can make out.

Virginia: I can read the fourth line down – X, C, D, O, M, A.

Dr. Olho: Hmmm...okay. Cover your other eye and do the same. Good. I’m going to have you look through this machine and I want you to tell me if A or B is sharper and clearer. Okay, A or B, A or B?

Virginia: A is a little blurry. I think B is better.

Dr. Olho: Okay, I think that you’ve developed some far-sightedness and will need reading glasses. I’m writing out a prescription for you. When you’ve pick out a frame, give them the prescription and they’ll make your lenses. Any questions?

Virginia: So, do you really think I need reading glasses? I’m not that old.

Dr. Olho: I’m sorry to say that you do. Some people have to get them earlier than others. At least you’re not having any serious eye problems like glaucoma.

Virginia: Yeah, I guess that’s one thing to be grateful for.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
Optometrist --- a doctor for your eyes
Contacts --- little lenses that you put right on your eyes
blurry --- can’t see very well
glaucoma --- a certain disease of the eye that can make someone blind  青光眼
laser eye surgery,  check your vision , near- sighted or far-sighted , eye chart

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3231677
ESL Podcast 235 – Parking Instructions
I arrived for my meeting at the headquarters of Woon Enterprises and I stopped at the kiosk to ask for directions. It’s a huge organization and the offices are located on a 30-acre compound, so it’s very hard to find your way around without some help.

Guard: Good morning.

Edyta: Good morning. I’m here for a meeting with Mark Johnson. Could you tell me how to get to the right building?

Guard: Sure. Take this road and follow the bend to the right. When you see the fork in the road, take the road on your right. Follow that to the parking structure. You can’t miss it.

Edyta: Okay, so when the road splits, I should veer right.

Guard: That’s right. Here’s a guest parking permit. Make sure it’s visible on your dash at all times. Drive past the lot and go into the parking structure. You can park on any level and in any space that isn’t reserved. The building right next to the structure is where Mark Johnson’s office is.

Edyta: Thanks, I think I’ve got all that.

The guard raised the arm of the gate and let me through. As I drove through the huge compound to the parking structure, I couldn’t help thinking that this Woon must be one very successful businessman.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
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Kiosk --- a small building where you can ask information/instructions
Compound --- a group of buildings, often surrounded by a lawn
Bend --- talking about a road is curve, it usually will goes to the left/right, not corner, not 90 degrees, it goes one side
fork in the road --- a point one road divides into two
veer --- to make change in the direction
dash --- as a n. the front part of your car, usually the part is right behind your car’s front window.
lot --- a place to park but it’s not inside of building ,It’s flat, piece of land.   Another parking space: parking structure
hard to find your way around some where ,  You can’t miss it

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3251563
ESL Podcast 236 – An On-Site Estimate
I work for a building contractor and I spend most of my workday giving on-site estimates. I mainly go to people’s homes, discuss the work they want done, inspect the site, and give them a quote.

Robert: You want to expand your kitchen, is that right?

Abigail: Yes, with our growing family, we need more room.

Robert: It looks like it’s about 200 square feet right now. You want to double the size?

Abigail: That’s the idea, but I want to get it done quickly, say within two months. Is that possible?

Robert: Well, we’ve finished jobs like this before in under three months, but that’s without any delays. Sometimes getting the exact materials the client wants or finding structural problems that don’t appear until we start work can set us back.

Abigail: That’s my greatest fear. I’m afraid of delays and cost overruns.

Robert: Well, we try to be upfront with our clients by giving them a breakdown of the costs of the materials and labor involved in the project. We also give them a schedule of when the work will be completed. You’ll get a detailed estimate in writing, at no charge and with no obligation.

Abigail: How long does it take to get the estimate?

Robert: We usually mail or fax the estimate within two days.

Abigail: That’s great. Let me tell you exactly what we have in mind...


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
---------------------------------------------------------
on-site estimates --- someone who comes to your home/office and gives you the guess/estimate of how much sth would cost.                  On-site: sth taking place in a particular place, usually your home/office.
give them a quote --- quote: a more formal estimate of how much sth would cost
set (us) back ---  have a delay
cost overruns --- sth cost more than estimate
upfront --- to be honest
breakdown --- n. a detail listing where you see each individual thing that you going to pay for
break down: sth stop working
sth in writing --- on a piece of paper
at no charge --- free
and with no obligation --- obligation:requirement, sth that you have to do

jiayi

http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=3261506
ESL Podcast 237 – Getting Revenge
Jaime: I don’t know what’s wrong with Liam lately. The guy is short-tempered and jumps down my throat about every little thing.

Debra: [laughs]

Jaime: What’s so funny?

Debra: I have a feeling that he’s not getting enough sleep.

Jaime: You don’t mean you and Liam...

Debra: No way! It’s just that the women in this office are paying him back for the way he’s treated them, two-timing them and leading them on.

Jaime: Are you serious?

Debra: Yeah, there are quite a few women with an axe to grind and wouldn’t mind getting even with him. You’re not going to tell him, are you?

Jaime: No, I won’t, but what are you doing exactly?

Debra: We’re all taking turns keeping him up at night by calling his home phone and his cell phone, and we’re also ordering food to be delivered at all hours of the night. It’s no wonder he’s feeling a little grouchy.

Jaime: That explains it. It’s no skin off my nose, but isn’t that going overboard?

Debra: Not in the least. If you knew some of the rotten things he’s done, you’d know that it’s no more than he deserves.

Jaime: If you say so. It’s certainly a good reminder that, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenge --- you hurt someone because they hurt you, to get back at someone, pay someone back
short-tempered  --- get mad/angry very easily
jumps down my throat --- be very angry with someone ,to yell someone
two-timing --- to date two/more people at the same time without letting the other person know
leading them on --- act in a way that they’ll think you are interested them but in truth you don’t
an axe to grind --- to have negative feelings, to want to have revenge   grind:磨
getting even --- take revenge
at all hours --- at any time
grouchy --- bad mood, very easy to be angry
It’s no skin off my nose --- it doesn’t matter to me
going overboard ---  to do something too much
Not in the least --- not at all
Rotten --- very bad/terrible/horrible
Deserves --- get something because of something you have done in the past, could be good/bad thing
‘you deserve it’: it’s right that you should get this thing(good/bad)
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned --- old expression, if you do sth badly to a woman that she’ll get back at you, she’ll do sth bad much worse to you