When's the last time you changed the channel without using the remote? Walked to the store for milk instead of driving? Took the stairs instead of the elevator, or parked at the far end of the parking lot instead of circling around for five minutes looking for a closer space? If you're like most people, it's been awhile. Desk jobs, television addiction, and convenience devices like remote controls and riding lawn mowers, coupled with our fixation on cars, have created a sedentary nation, with more than 6 out of 10 adults either inactive or under-active. It is a small wonder that this country is in the midst of an obesity-epidemic.

What does this have to do with your heart? Everything. Moderate exercise alone isn't going to lower your cholesterol significantly, but it will help you avoid a heart attack -- most likely the reason you wanted to lower your cholesterol in the first place. Exercise is a virtual panacea for the cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure, reducing resting heart rate (so your heart doesn't have to work so hard to pump blood), making the blood less likely to form dangerous clots.

A Duke University Medical Center study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed for the first time that exercise, by itself, has beneficial effects on cholesterol, even without any accompanying weight loss. In the study the participants did the caloric equivalent of walking briskly or jogging 12 or 20 miles a week, exercising either vigorously or moderately. In terms of cholesterol benefits, the intensity made no difference; what was important was the amount of exercise.

You simply cannot achieve a healthier heart without exercising because exercise is so vital to the overall health of your heart and blood vessels. It also facilitates weight loss. Even if you don't lose weight, physical activity can still help you live longer.

What does it mean?

1. it's been awhile
2. a sedentary nation
3. It is small wonder that this country is in the midst of an obesity epidemic.
4. Exercise is a virtual panacea for the cardiovascular system
5. Exercise, by itself, has beneficial effects on cholesterol, even without any accompanying weight loss.

What do you think?

1. How would you describe your present physical condition? Is it excellent, good or poor?
2. What do you think are the bad effects of a lazy lifestyle to our body?
3. How many hours of walking do you do everyday? Do you think walking is a good form of exercise?
4. Which do you prefer to exercise — in a health club or at home? Why?
5. How would you describe the present condition of Koreans? Are they getting healthier or lazier when it comes to exercise or walking?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.femalefirst.co.uk/health4322004.htm

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Clothing sense is what may be called the sense of wearing clothes in good taste and for fashion at the same time. Thinking of how far man has come in his development of clothing allows us to wear clothes with dignity.

So what is your fashion? Some people of all kinds just follow the going trends in the clothing industry. Others dress according to what their peers think are cool. Still others couldn’t care less about clothes at all. This is obvious by what they wear and by how they wear it. Did you know that the clothes that you wear give observers an impression of who you appear to be to them? Do you wear clothes to impress or shock? Some do this quite regularly. Gangs wear certain colors and clothes to identify themselves. Certain positions of employment require employees to dress a certain way. Again your clothing sense does send a mental perception to others about who you are, may be, or want to be.

While the clothes that a person wears does not tell others who they truly are it does reveal how they feel about the views of others. In fashion there can be a balance and modesty and moderation that can be met. Though we should not cater to every thought of others we should have a healthy and selfless concern with how we dress around them. We should also be concerned with how our fashion sense will affect our fellow man. So how is your clothing sense? Clothes are fun and they can identify us and protect us so whatever you wear, wear it well.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Do you think you’re fashionable?
• What is your basic style?
• How long does it take you to get dressed?
• Do you like shopping for new clothes?
• Where do you usually buy clothes?
• Have you bought any clothes recently? What?
• Do you like any particular brands of clothes?
• What kind of clothes are in fashion now?
• What colors do you think look good on you?
• What color clothes do you like? light or dark?
• Who do you look up to in terms of fashion?
• Do you sometimes experiment on different styles?
• Who do you think is the most fashionable celebrity?
• Do you think people feel different when they wear different clothes?
• Do you think that the clothes we wear reflect what is inside us ?
• What colors do you choose to wear when you are happy?
• What do you think of women who wear short mini-skirts?
• Is it possible to be beautiful without wearing any make-up, earrings or other accessories?
• Do fashionable clothes really change the way a person looks?
• What are some of the strangest fashions you have seen?
• Are you brand conscious?
• What do you consider first brand, price or quality?
• Have you ever bought something you don’t really need?
• Have you ever bought anything outrageously expensive?
• Do you like shopping for other people?

PHOTO CREDIT: ahliessa.wordpress.com/.../26/fashion-70s-ngs/

fobfashion.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

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Do you know the expression "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" It means that when things are going badly, you should try to find the positive. Look for opportunity even when things seem hopeless.

Here, in the height of the financial crisis - when it doesn't seem to be possible that things can get any worse (famous last words!) - we have the opportunity to learn some new vocabulary and improve our English. The vocabulary of crisis! Join me as I squeeze some lemons at the end of a very rough week and explore a few important English expressions.

From an article in the Wall Street Journal today:

Wild Day Caps Worst Week Ever for Stocks: Dow Swings 1019 Points in Index's Most-Volatile Session; Despite 'Fire-Sale Prices,' Buyers Mostly Stand Back

The Dow Jones Industrial Average capped the worst week in its 112-year history with its most volatile day ever, as hopes for a major international bank-rescue plan were overwhelmed at day's end by another wave of selling.

Some investors who normally would be jumping to buy beaten-down stocks after a 22% decline over eight trading days said the relentless declines have left them shell-shocked and unwilling to take new risks. Some spent the day trying to protect themselves from further declines.

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Okay, time to make that lemonade and learn some vocabulary:

Vocabulary:

fire-sale prices: cheap prices; low prices; prices much lower than normal. This American expression originally meant goods actually damaged by a fire. They were sold at a reduced price due to the fire damage.

(to) stand back: to wait; to not take any action.

volatile: when talking about stocks, this means that they tend to go up and down a lot. Over the past week, the stock market has been very volatile!

beaten-down: lowered; depressed - beaten-down stocks are ones that have been sold heavily. Their prices are much lower than before. People with beaten-down stocks are likely to also feel beaten-down (as in sad or depressed).

shell-shocked: confused; stunned; suffering from an unexpected difficulty. This term comes to us from World War 1. Many soldiers suffered great trauma - then called "shell shock" and now referred to more commonly as "post-traumatic stress." People who watch their retirement plans shrink up or their life savings go down are most understandably shell-shocked!

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What causes negativity at work? It's a serious problem that companies, managers, and staff need to watch. Negativity reduces performance. Negativity causes more people to quit, so more time and money are wasted always training new employees. And because usually the best employees quit and find another job, it makes successful companies less competitive.

Here are some other reasons that create a negative environment at work.

• There is too much work. This complaint is very common when some employees quit or are fired, but new people aren't hired. There is more work for everyone but without any raises.
• Management isn't competent, effective, or qualified. Their decisions and policies cause problems in the office. In fact, some managers blame employees for the problems! Of course, these are the very worst managers who cause a lot of grumbling.
• Employees are worried about the future. For example, the economy is bad, some employees might lose their job, or the company might close.
• Employees are bored at work..
• Employees don't get praise or recognition for their hard work.
• The pay is low or it doesn't equal the amount of work required for the job.

A lot of these reasons come from inside the company. The managers and their decisions cause employees to dislike work. But sometimes outside problems cause negativity. For example, if sales are down, then workers might not get a raise or a promotion. If the economy is very bad, then some people might lose their job.

So is your office negative? Do you have any ideas to make it a more positive place?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Do you like your job? Why do you like it? (Or why don't you like it?)
• Is your job easy or difficult? Please explain.
• Is money more important than job satisfaction? Please explain.
• When you were younger, did you have a part-time job? What was it?
  What do you do?
• What do you want to do in the future? What job don't you want to do?
• Why did you start to work at your company? Please explain.
• Why did you start to work in your field? Please explain.
• What is the world's most boring job? How about the most interesting job? How about the most dangerous job? Please explain.
• What is the worst job you have ever had? Why was it so terrible?
• What do you think about people who refuse to work?
• Would you like to retire young? If yes, what would you do?
• Would you want to start your own company? Why/not?
• Have you ever been fired? If yes, what happened?
• Have you ever quit a job? If yes, why did you quit?
• Which job is more difficult, housewife or department manager? How much should each job get paid?
• How many times should a person change their careers?

Which jobs would you want to try? Rank the following jobs from best to worst:

• 1) fisherman
• 2) English teacher
• 3) CEO of a large, multinational company
• 4) President or Prime Minister
• 5) soldier

PHOTO CREDIT: www.landingthedeal.com/200609/getting_b...ment.html

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by Gary Verderamo

A recovery in the second half of this year will be 'moderate,' according to a report from the National Association for Business Economics.

The end of the recession is in sight, according to a new survey of leading economists. While the economy is showing signs of stabilizing, the recovery will be more moderate than is typical following a severe downturn, said the National Association for Business Economics Outlook in a report released Wednesday.

The panel of 45 economists said it expects economic growth will rebound in the second half of 2009. However, the group still expects to see a decline in second-quarter economic activity. The good news is that the NABE panel expects economic growth to turn positive in the second half of this year, with the pace of job losses narrowing sharply over the remainder of this year and employment turning up in early 2010," said NABE president Chris Varvares in a written statement.

Almost three out of four survey respondents expect the recession will end by the third quarter of 2009, the report said.

But 19% predicted that a turnaround won't come until the fourth quarter, and 7% said it may not come until early 2010. None of the panelists expected the recession to continue past the first quarter of next year.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What do you think are the chances of the U.S. economy coming out of its recession before 2010?

When do you think the economy in the U.S. will rebound?

How long do you think it will be before the recovery of the U.S. economy starts to affect Korea’s economy?

Do you think a resurgent U.S. economy will have a positive or negative effect on the global economy? Or just on Korea’s economy specifically if you prefer.

What do you think will be the most important indicator that the economy has ended its recession period?

Assuming the economists’ predictions are correct, what do you think was the most important factor(s) in the U.S. economy’s recovery?

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The British are said to be fond of animals. For many of them a dog or a cat is part of the family and must be well looked after.

Large sums of money are spent on veterinary bills and pet food. A trip to a supermarket will reveal whole aisles dedicated to our animal friends.

However, in the same supermarket, you can find battery chickens which have been factory farmed in cramped conditions and injected with antibiotics to contain disease, growth hormones to fatten them for market and tranquillizers to stop them from going mad.

Aware of the contradictions in their treatment of animals and the risks of mad cow disease, many British people are turning to vegetarian diets. Some have joined animal rights groups and have taken part in protests against the meat trade, especially the export of live animals for slaughter overseas.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Many vegetarians believe that factory farming is a cruel and unnecessary practice and that our diets would be healthier if we ate less meat. Do you agree?

2. Animal rights protesters argue that the export of live animals for slaughter is uncivilized and should be prohibited under international law. Do you agree?

3. "Keeping animals in zoos and circuses to entertain human-beings is selfish and inhumane." Do you agree?

4. Bullfighting, fox-hunting and whale-hunting are part of some countries’ traditions. Do you think that Spain, England and Japan have a right to continue these traditions?

5. "The British spend far too much money on household pets. They would do better to have fewer cats and dogs and to use the money to help poor and hungry people." What do you think?

6. Would you ever wear a fur coat?

7. Is it right to use animals for medical research or to test cosmetics?

PHOTO CREDIT: profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...159004095

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President Obama is praising the passage of a major anti-smoking bill. The bill is historically important because it will give the government sweeping authority over tobacco products. Obama has declared that he intends to quickly sign the bill into law. When he does, the Food and Drug Administration will then have the power and ability to regulate tobacco products.

The fight over the bill has lasted more than half a century. It's taken years and years to weaken the immense power of the tobacco companies. Just twenty-five years ago, cigarette packages had no warnings. Consumers didn't fully understand all the health risks of tobacco. Just thirty-five years ago, tobacco was advertised on TV. The commercials reached millions and millions of viewers, suggesting that smoking was cool and fashionable. The new bill will likely save at least 400,000 lives per year. In addition, it's expected to save the government and health care companies more than $100 billion. Smoking-related illnesses cost this much each and every year.

Some specific points of the new legislation include:

1: Tobacco companies won't be able to sponsor sporting or entertainment events.
2: Outdoor tobacco advertising will be banned within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.
3: Tobacco won't be sweetened, nor will it contain herbs, spices, or other flavors. As a result, fewer younger smokers will pick up the habit because unflavored tobacco may taste too strong.
4: Cigarettes labeled as "light" or "mild" give the wrong impression of being less harmful. These won't be sold.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you think the new law can really be called "sweeping?" What do you think will really happen?
2. Do you think a similar law would get passed in your country? Why/not?
3. Do you think that someday smoking will completely disappear? Why/not?
4. Do you think that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol will be made illegal like other drugs?
5. Why is Obama so keen on passing this bill? Please explain.
6. What do you think about smoking and smokers? Please explain.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.flickr.com/photos/dubby/474185294/

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I have been planning to commit suicide for a long time. Although I haven’t yet actually attempted it I have come close enough so that I no longer fear death. When the time comes I have every intention of doing it right.

When I hear of someone who has taken his or her life, I silently applaud the decision. When I hear of homeless people living in boxes under bridges, of people who are trapped in dysfunctional bodies, and of those who are dying a slow death and are racked with pain, I wonder why they feel that life is so precious that they want to continue to live.

Experts tell people who are harboring suicidal thoughts to seek professional help, but they never tell them why. When it comes right down to it, no one is indispensable. We will all die eventually, so of life is lousy, why stick around?

I have found that life’s trials and tribulations are not temporary. When an agonizing situation ends a new one pops up to take its place. I no longer believe that God does not give us more trouble than we can endure or a by life’s cruel blows opt for sleeping pills, a rope, or a bullet in the brain. I see nothing wrong with that. The only reason I am still alive is because I am waiting for my elderly mother to die. She is the only person in my life I care enough about not to hurt. When she goes, I go.

What does it mean?

• Who are trapped in dysfunctional bodies
• Harboring suicidal thoughts
• When it comes right down to it, no one is indispensable.
• We will all die eventually, so of life is lousy, why stick around?
• Life’s trials and tribulations are not temporary.
• When an agonizing situation ends a new one pops up to take its place.
• Sleeping pills
• A rope
• A bullet in the brain

What do you think?

• Talk about why adults commit suicide.
• Talk about why children commit suicide.
• If you knew a man who really wanted to attempt suicide, would you say, “Go ahead?” How could you persuade him not to attempt it?
• If you saw someone trying to commit suicide, what would you do?
• What do you think makes people hesitate to kill themselves even though they’re having suicidal thoughts?

PHOTO CREDIT: consumeraffairs.com/news042005/fda_strattera.html

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Two American journalists in North Korea have been in jail since the middle of March. The country convicted the two women to twelve years of hard labor. North Korea said that the Americans were spying, not reporting the news.

The trial took five days, and the decision came from the country's highest court. Therefore the decision cannot be changed. Nor can the decision be tried in a different court. The two Americans have no options, and will move to the prison camp within ten days.

However, most experts agree that the two reporters have now become important in negotiations with the US. North Korea can use the women for aid, for example. North Korea can also use the two reporters when discussing their recent nuclear tests.

Not much is known about the country's labor camps. However, harsh labor and frequent beatings are probably common.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What do you know about North Korea? Please explain.
2. What do you think about North Korea? Please explain.
3. Do you think the journalists were really spying? Why/not?
4. What do you think will happen to the journalists?
5. Should journalists be able to report on anything freely?
6. Should reporters be put in jail for doing their job?

PHOTO CREDIT: koreatimes.com

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South Korea has become the sixth nation in the world and the first Asian to reach the World Cup finals for the seventh straight time after it ousted the United Arab Emirates in a 2-0 win Sunday morning. The national team, led by coach Huh Jung-moo, qualified for a berth in the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa regardless of the outcome of its two remaining games in the qualifying round.

Korea first appeared in the quadrennial event in Switzerland in 1954, but then failed to qualify for the World Cup before advancing in the 1986 competition in Mexico. Since then the team has been a regular attendant.

Among the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members, Korea is the only team to secure seven straight berths to the finals and its eight appearances are also the most. Middle East powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which is tied for second with North Korea in Group B, is seeking its fifth consecutive qualification while archrival Japan has already pulled off its fourth-straight attendance. Both have played four times in the tournament.

As of Sunday, at the international level, five-time champion Brazil has shown up in all 18 events since its establishment in 1930, followed by Germany, which has won three titles, with 16 appearances in total, including 14 consecutive ones, and defending champion Italy with 14 overall appearances, including a 12 competition streak. Argentina and Spain have played at the World Cup for nine and eight times straight, respectively, along with combined 12 and 13 berths. England, Mexico and Belgium qualified for the World Cup finals six times in a row, but their streaks are up now. The United States, which has qualified for the past five World Cups, is now bidding for its sixth consecutive participation.

SOURCE: koreatimes.com

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The traditional ideas between work and leisure have blurred a lot in recent years. Business and individuals both have had to reevaluate the nine-to-five workday. Instead of the daily grind at the office, work now invades leisure time and leisure time invades work. The phenomenon has been called "weisure time" by sociologist Dalton Conley. The concept explains the next step in the evolving balance between the personal and professional lives of adults.

In part, one reason for weisure time is due to the increased responsibilities at work. And because people work more than ever before, they must keep in touch with colleagues and business associates while hanging out with their families on the weekends. A lot of work also relies on creativity and teamwork these days, which also means employees keep in touch because they also want to. In short, not only are people busier, but many people enjoy their jobs more than before. They don't mind if both sides of their lives mix.

The computer and social networks are also important in weisure time. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media services encourage people to stay connected during business hours. Social technology stimulates a pleasure response in people's brains, so people desire the connections with friends. Talking with friends online also makes the business day move much faster. What's more, it encourages people to maintain connections with the coworkers during off time.

Conley explains that at some point there could be a backlash because there is less and less time to relax. Although people see weisure time as a solution for now, they may not always be willing to mix the personal and professional. At the moment, though, work and more work fuels the need for weisure time.

DISCUSSION:
Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. What do you think of weisure time? Please explain.
2. How regularly do you mix professional time during evenings and weekends? Why?
3. How regularly do you mix personal time during business hours? Why?
4. What is your office like? How would you describe it?
5. What is the future of work? Why do you think so?

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In this lesson we will practice conversation on everyday business situations and use most important idioms and expressions related to jobs and the workplace.

Talking about a New Project

Carl, Greg, and Anne work for WaterSonic Corporation. Recently, the company has come up with an idea for a new electric toothbrush.

Dialogue Practice:

Carl: I think we’ve come up with a winner.
Anne: I agree. The new Brush-o-matic toothbrush should be a blockbuster!
Carl: Our designers have already made up some prototypes. The toothbrushes have a tooth-whitening attachment and many other bells and whistles.
Greg: We should fast track this project. Let’s try to launch it in time for the holiday season.
Anne: This will be a great stocking stuffer!
Carl: We definitely need a big win for the holidays.
Anne: This is a great idea. We’re going to make a killing.
Greg: Let’s not talk about this project to anybody who doesn’t need to know. We’ll keep it under wraps.
Carl: I agree. Mum’s the word. We don’t want any of our competitors to get wind of the idea and rip it off!
Anne: Right. Let’s meet again on Monday morning and discuss our game plan for getting this project off the ground!

IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS

(to) come up with a winner to think up a very good idea
EXAMPLE: Everybody likes Pepsi’s new advertising campaign. Their advertising agency has come up with a winner.

blockbuster a big success; a huge hit
EXAMPLE: Eli Lilly made a lot of money with the prescription drug, Prozac. It was a real blockbuster.

bells and whistles extra product features, usually using the latest technologies; product features which are attractive, but not essential for the product to function
EXAMPLE: Our office just got a new copier with all the bells and whistles. I’ll probably never learn how to use all of its features!

(to) fast track a project to make a project a high priority; to speed up the time frame of a project
EXAMPLE: Let’s fast track this project. We’ve heard rumors that our competitors are developing similar products.

stocking stuffer a small gift given at Christmas time
EXAMPLE: These new mini travel pillows will make great stocking stuffers!

big win a huge success; a successful product
EXAMPLE: The drug company spent millions on research and development, hoping that one of their new products would be a big win.

(to) make a killing to make a lot of money
EXAMPLE: Suzanne made a killing on her Google stock and retired at 40.
SYNONYM: to make a fortune

(to) keep something under wraps to keep something secret; to not let anybody know about a new project or plan
EXAMPLE: I’m sorry I can’t tell you anything about the project I’m working on. My boss told me to keep it under wraps.

mum’s the word let’s keep quiet about this; I agree not to tell anyone about this
EXAMPLE: Please don’t tell anybody about our new project. Remember: mum’s the word!

(to) get wind of to find out about something, often sensitive information
EXAMPLE: When the restaurant owner got wind of the fact that one of his waiters was stealing money from the cash register, he was furious.

(to) rip off to copy an idea; to steal
EXAMPLE: Why doesn’t the Donox Company ever think up any original ideas? All they ever do is rip off their competitors!

EXAMPLE: The software company’s game plan is to expand its operations into China and India over the next year.

(to) get something off the groundto get started on something, often a project
EXAMPLE: We’ve been sitting around talking about this project for months. It’s time to take action and get it off the ground!

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Britain’s Office for National Statistics has reported a sharp and alarming rise in the number of people dying from alcohol abuse. Binge drinking has become part of British culture and is now a serious social issue - people are literally drinking themselves to death. The figures are of near epidemic proportions. Alcohol-related fatalities among British adults doubled from 4,144 in 1991 to 8,758 in 2006. The steepest increase was the 132 percent rise in deaths among men in the 35 to 54 age bracket. They are suffering from liver failure and stomach cancers at a younger age than ever before. The figures for women in the same age group also show a dramatic rise of over 100 percent. These disturbing figures seem to be a legacy of people partying and drinking heavily in their twenties and early thirties.

Professor Ian Gilmore, a leading British doctor, said: "Liver disease is often symptomless until it becomes very serious, and so people often have no warning that they are destroying their liver until it is almost too late.” Frank Soodeen from the group Alcohol Concern called for immediate action: "It is vital that the government finally starts investing more in alcohol treatment to help problem drinkers address these issues before the situation becomes irretrievable,” he said. Britain’s public health minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was launching a $20m campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of too much alcohol, and was reviewing alcohol pricing and advertising. However, she warned: "We know we're not going to change people's attitudes to alcohol overnight - it's going to take time.”

VOCABULARY BANK:

Binge
• noun a short period of excessive indulgence; an act of excessive or compulsive consumption.
sharp
• adverb suddenly or abruptly.
social
• adjective relating to society, its organization, or hierarchy.
epidemic
• noun a sudden, widespread occurrence of something undesirable.
fatality
• noun an occurrence of death by accident, in war, or from disease.
steep
• adjective rising or falling rapidly.
bracket
• noun a category of similar people or things:
liver failure
• noun severe failure of the liver to function properly, especially as a cause of death.
warning
• noun a statement or event that indicates a possible or impending danger or problem, cautionary advice.
vital
• adjective absolutely necessary; essential; important.
address
• verb think about and begin to deal with.
launch
• verb begin or introduce.

GUIDE QUESTIONS

• Does alcohol cause any social problems in your country?
• Do you think alcohol is dangerous?
• What part does alcohol play in the culture of your country?
• Why do you think British people binge drink?
• What’s the most you’ve ever drunk in one night?
• Do you think people should stop partying heavily in the twenties?
• Do you worry about the effects on your body of drugs like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, etc?
• Do you do anything in life that might be / is destroying or harming your body?
• Do you think alcohol abuse in countries like Britain is an irretrievable problem?
• Do you think societies would be better if alcohol was banned?
• What immediate action do you think the government should carry out?

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new study has found that having a child can make a couple less happy with each other. Researchers from the University of Denver conducted an eight-year study of 218 sets of parents. Their report is called “The effect of the transition to parenthood on relationship quality”. It is published in the March 2009 edition of the ‘Journal of Personality and Social Psychology’. The psychologists examined how happy couples were in the eight years after the birth of their first child. They concluded that the first baby put a lot of stress and pressure on a marriage. Ninety percent of couples experienced a decrease in marital bliss immediately following the birth of their first child. Unmarried couples experienced bigger problems.

It’s not all bad news for would-be parents. Some couples in the research said their relationship was stronger after their baby was born. Parents who were married for a long time before starting a family were happier. Couples on higher incomes also seemed to have fewer problems. Researcher Scott Stanley said his team’s findings did not mean children bring unhappiness in life. He said that parents may be happier as part of a family than as a childless couple. He noted that “this type of happiness can be powerful and positive”. Stanley also pointed out that couples who did not have children also became unhappier with each other over time. However, he said parenthood accelerated levels of unhappiness.

Discussion:

1. What are the secrets of a happy marriage?

2. What are the pros/cons of the following situations? Will you or won't you do the following?

a. Say “I love you”

b. Have children
c. Share the housework
d. Let him drive
e. She controls finances
f. Buy lots of presents

3. Rate these things in order of which bring greatest happiness to parents.

___baby’s birth

___baby’s first walk

___child’s first day at school

___child’s first A+ at school

___the first boy/girl friend

___graduation from university

___marriage
___the first grandchild

4. What did you think when you read the headline?
5. What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘marriage’?
6. Were you surprised by the Uni. of Denver’s research findings?
7. Do you think this research would make couples think twice about having children?
8. What’s the best number of children to have?
9. What do you think it is about having children that reduces marital bliss?
10. What is the “transition to parenthood”? Do you think it’s difficult?
11. What stresses and pressures does a first child bring?
12. Why do unmarried couples have more problems after having a child?
13. What is marital bliss? How long does it last?
14. What do would-be parents think about before starting a family?

PHOTO CREDIT: munfitnessblog.com/the-non-v...n-silence

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Genes are probably more to blame for weight gain than an appetite for cream buns, a new study has suggested. Scientists have found that ease of putting on weight in school children is mostly inherited.

A study of more than 5,000 pairs of twins aged eight to 11 showed that genes contributed 77% of the amount by which their body mass and waist circumference varied. Only 23% of the differences between the children were due to home environment.

People born with "fat" genes are not inevitably overweight, but have to work extra hard to stay slim, said study leader Professor Jane Wardle, from University College London.

"In today's environment, which provides unprecedented opportunities for people to over-eat and be sedentary, it is not surprising these tendencies result in weight gain," she added.

Source: PA News

focus on talking

• What is wrong with being fat? What bad consequences of obesity can you list?
• Obese people come up with different explanations for their condition. Which of these explanations do you find credible?
  
  ‣ I’m big-boned.
  ‣ It’s glandular.
  ‣ It’s because of my genes.
  ‣ I’ve quit smoking.
  ‣ It’s caused by the medicine I’m taking.
  
• What ways of losing weight do you know? Which of them do you consider effective?
• Which food products do you believe to be especially fattening? Do you avoid eating and drinking some products because you are afraid of putting on weight?
• Have you ever been on a diet? What is the most popular diet at the moment?
• Is obesity a big problem in your country? Is it worse or better than in other countries?
• What are the reasons for this situation?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.users.drew.edu/rdrakesavethewhales2.html

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Everyone lies. In fact, lies are an important aspect of humanity. For example, research shows that two acquaintances lie several times in the average ten minute conversation. Although we are told to always tell the truth from a very young age, parents lie about Santa Clause or about the pet dog's death. Parents also smile and say "thank you" when receiving a gift, then possibly belittle it at home. These conflicting messages signal children to regard lies as okay.

We lie to ourselves all the time to make problems, fears, and failures seem less troublesome. A New Year's resolution can be considered a lie, too, because in most cases we don't intend to keep the promise -- we've only deceived ourselves. Or consider the next time a friend or colleague asks, "How are you?" That person doesn't want to hear that you're tired, overworked, underpaid, and have problems with your significant other. Social rules demand that you reply, "I'm fine."

Psychologist Paul Ekman offers some basic reasons for lying. We lie to escape punishment, to get out of uncomfortable situations, to boost our egos, to receive a reward, to protect someone, or to control the flow of information. Everything from a large exaggeration to a small lie falls into one of these categories.

Despite the fact that lying is an indivisible part of our psyche, we can only catch a lie about fifty percent of the time. The success rate is quite low, and suggests that we don't want to know that another person isn't being honest. Lies, some experts suggest, are the glue which holds society together.

Do you agree or disagree

1. Everyone lies.
2. Everyone lies every day.
3. It's impossible not to lie sometimes.
4. Lying is an important part of society.
5. I have told three or more lies today.

LYING DISCUSSION:

• Are you an ethical person? Why do you think so?
• Do you have any friends who often lie? If yes, what do they lie about?
• How often do you think you lie? Is it too much? Why?
• If a store clerk gave you too much change, would you tell him? Why/not?
• Have you ever stolen something? If yes, please explain.
• Are white lies okay? Why/not?
• What situations would it be better to lie than to tell the truth? Why do you think so?
• What is the difference between a lie and an exaggeration?
• When is lying a good thing? Why do you think so?
• Who lies more, men or women? Why do you think so?
• Which nationality do you think lies the most? Why do you think so?
• How often do you lie? Is it too much? Why?
• Do you agree or disagree? The best liars are politicians. Why/not?
• What qualities do you think an ethical person has? Why do you think so?
• Would you lie on a job resume? (Or have you ever lied on a job resume?) Why/not? How about at a job interview?
• Do you trust people easily? Why/not?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.flickr.com/photos/chantellemaris/2219540825/

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New Zealand police are hunting for a couple who received nearly US$8 million by mistake from their bank. The couple applied to Westpac Bank for a NZ$10,000 overdraft. Bank employees made a huge mistake. They deposited NZ$10 million into their customers’ bank account instead of giving them the loan facility. The couple probably thanked their lucky stars. They took the money and ran. The pair, an Asian man and his New Zealand girlfriend, left the country immediately. However, they did not take all of the money with them. New Zealand police have told Interpol about the couple leaving the country, so there is now an international manhunt for them. Westpac officials are keeping how much the couple took a secret.

The couple lives in the town of Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island. They ran a gas station which had money problems. They applied for the overdraft to help with their financial difficulties. Locals say the pair left a note on the door of the gas station saying it had closed down. A banking lecturer, Claire Matthews from New Zealand’s Massey University, told the local Newstalk ZB radio station that the couple’s luck would soon run out. She said: "They've taken funds that they're not entitled to, that are not theirs….They've [really] become thieves.” She said it would only be a matter of time before the police caught them. A Westpac Bank spokesman said the bank and police were treating the couple as criminals.

MISTAKES DISCUSSION:

• What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘mistake’?
• Has a bank ever made a mistake with your bank account?
• What would you do if you saw $10,000,000 in your bank account?
• What do you think will happen to the person who made the mistake?
• Have you ever had a loan or overdraft?
• How often do you have money problems or experience financial difficulties?
• Do you think this mistake will damage Westpac Bank’s reputation?
• If a bank mistakenly gave you $10,000,000, would you take the money and run?
• Are you lucky or unlucky with money? Why do you think so?
• Do you think the couple in this story is really thieves?
• What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made in your life?
• What was the last mistake you made?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.katv.com

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Illness (sometimes referred to as ill-health or ail) can be defined as a state of poor health. It is sometimes considered a synonym for disease.

The mode of being healthy includes, as defined by the World Health Organization, a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the presence of disease or infirmity". When these conditions are not fulfilled, then one can be considered to have an illness or be ill. Medication and the science of pharmacology is used to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical conditions. Developmental disability is a term used to describe severe, life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical impairments.

DISCUSSION:

• Do you regularly go to work even if you're sick? Why/not?
• Have you ever been bed-ridden? If yes, what happened and how long were you like that? If no, can you imagine being in the condition?
• Have you ever had to stay in the hospital? If yes, what happened that required the stay?
• Have you ever had an operation? If yes, tell your partner about it.
• How many times have you been sick this year? Is that more or less than usual? Please explain.
• When you have a cold, what do you usually tend to do? Please explain.
• What are some home remedies for the common cold in your country? How effective are these remedies? Please explain.
• What do you think is the most frightening disease out there? Why do you think so?
• If your friend were sick and in the hospital, what would you do to cheer him up? What gift(s) would you buy him?
• What do you know about the following diseases?:
• 1) HIV
• 2) cancer
• 3) influenza
• 4) heart disease
• 5) dementia
  
• Have you ever had side effects from medicine? If yes, please explain.
• If you died prematurely, would you want your organs donated? Why/not?
• If your husband, wife, or child died prematurely, would you donate their organs? Why/not?
• Some people have a dislike or lack of trust of doctors. How about you?
• Some people have an intense dislike or fear of needles. How about you?
• Some people have a dislike of medicine, avoiding them unless absolutely necessary. How about you?
• What do you think the "Friday Monday Syndrome" means? Discuss possible answers with a partner. Remember to support your ideas.
• "Prevent is better than the cure." What do you think this means? Discuss possible answers with a partner. Remember to support your ideas.
• What is the average age of death in your country? Has it increased or decreased in recent years? How does it compare with other countries?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.babyboomercaretaker.com/senior-care/chron...

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Some people feel that having a hobby is a waste of time. But, hobby is an interesting occupation for one’s leisure time. Hobbies keep us active and make us forget worries and the boredom in life. Having a hobby is like making a jolly-ride without the compulsion of reaching a destination in time. We can choose any activity by which we get immense pleasure as our hobby.

The hobby helps us in shaping our character. Sometimes, we may earn income from hobby. Our attitude will change when we have a good hobby. Commonly, people keep gardening, reading books, writing articles, watching TV, stamp-collecting, horse riding, hunting, painting, photography, traveling and nursing the poor and sick as their hobbies. For some people, the hobby of others is a livelihood. Some hobbies are costly and well to do people only can have it.

Our hobby is an ongoing adventure and a journey of discovery. We all have something we like and greatly enjoy doing. Times change and people change. Nowadays, world is defined by the world speed, time has never been so compressed as it is today and work is overwhelming. Surprisingly, there are individuals who understand that life is so much more than that, and they try to enlarge their spare time and take the advantages of it. Hobbies are real sources pleasure for one who refuses to be bored by the dreary, drab, stereotyped existence in the world.

DISCUSSION:

• If you could do your hobby every day, would you want to? Why/not?
• Does your hobby help you relax? If yes, how does it help you relax?
• Would you like to try something dangerous, like skydiving? Why/not?
• Would you like to try something quiet, like chess? Why/not?
• What is your hobby? (Or what are your hobbies?)
• How often do you do you hobby? Is this enough? Please explain.
• How did you become interested in your hobby? Please explain.
• What were your hobbies when you were younger?
• What hobby or activity would you want to try someday? Why do you want to try it?
• What hobby or activity would you definitely never want to try someday? Why don't you want to try it?
• Rank the following hobbies from most interesting to least interesting:
• 1) mountain climbing
• 2) watching movies
• 3) learning a language
• 4) cooking
• 5) building models (airplanes, cars, robots, and so on)
• Does your best friend, boy/girlfriend, or husband/wife have the same hobbies as you?
• Can you think of any strange hobbies? Why are these hobbies strange?
• Do you have any embarrassing hobbies? If yes, do you want to talk about it?
• What have you tried but didn't like? Please explain.
• What do hobbies and interests tell about a person?
• What do your hobbies and interests tell about you?
• Imagine how your hobbies would change if you had $10,000,000. Please explain.

Article Source: http://www.saching.com/

PHOTO CREDIT: www.alstrainshobby.com/

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A bucket list is a "to do" list before you kick the bucket, or die. Many people want to learn a foreign language someday, skydive, or travel to exotic locations around the world. The list should be inspirational, which balances the more boring facets of everyday life. You don't need to live each day as though it were your last day. Yet the list should help you plan imaginative, colorful, and even courageous acts. Explore your imagination, for human nature requires more than an endless series of identical days. In addition, the list can contain items which enrich the lives of others, too.

So what's on your bucket list?

Do you agree or disagree?:

1. I want to quit my job and follow my dreams.
2. Life is boring!
3. There are many things I want to see and do before I die.
4. There are many things I want to see and do before I die, but I probably won't have the opportunity.
5. Dreams and life goals are very important.

Comprehension: Talk about the following questions. Remember to support your answers!

1. What are some activities you would put on your bucket list?
2. What are some popular activities that appear on many bucket lists? Why do you think these are popular?
3. How realistic is it to write a bucket list, and then do the activities listed? Please explain.
4. What kind of dreams do you have? Will any of these dreams come true? Why/not?
5. Why is it important to have dreams or goals to work towards?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.flickr.com/photos/er3465/2280650380/

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Is human life just a dream, from which we never really awake, as some great thinkers claim? Are we submerged by our feelings, by our loves and hates, by our ideas of good, bad, beautiful, awful? Are we incapable of knowing beyond those ideas and feelings?

The way we answer these questions will provide the ultimate context for everything else we do with our lives. If we place any value on our lives at all, we must give some consideration to these questions.

We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep… ~William Shakespeare

FOCUS ON TALKING:

• Are you a busy person? Why do/don't you think so?
• Are you a friendly person? Why do/don't you think so?
• Are you an ambitious person? Why do/don't you think so?
• Rate your life on a scale from one to ten. Ten is the highest rating, and means your life is perfect. One is the lowest rating, and means that your life is terrible. Now answer this question: Why did you give this rating to your life?
• Everyone has a routine. What's your routine in the morning?
• Everyone has a routine. What's your routine in the evening?
• What do you love to do in the summer?
• What do you love to do in the winter?
• What are your hobbies? Have these changed from time to time during your life?
• Please describe the perfect weekend.
• Please describe the perfect vacation.
• Would you want to change your name? Why/not?
• Would you want to change where you were born, such as in a different country?
• Was your childhood good or bad? If it were possible, would you want to be a child again? Please explain.
• What do you want to do/be in the future? Why?
• What were the best years of your life? (Or do you think the best years are in the future?) Why do you think so?
• What is the best memory of your life? How about the worst? What makes these memories so good or so bad?

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1. He thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
2. Rubber baby buggy bumpers
3. Frivolous fat Fannie fried fresh fish furiously
4. Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager managing an imaginary menagerie.
5. I slit a sheet, a sheet I slit, upon a slitted sheet I sit.
6. A big black bug bit a big black bear. But where is the big black bear that the big black bug bit?
7. Round and round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran.
8 The winkle ship sank and the shrimp ship swam.
9. Excited executioner exercising his excising powers excessively.
10. Hi-Tech Traveling Tractor Trailor Truck Tracker
11. How many yaks could a yak pack pack if a yak pack could pack yaks?
12. Nick knits Nixon's knickers.

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Do social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter promote social interaction, or do they encourage people to become recluses? The sites - and there are dozens and dozens of them - have now caught on with working professionals. In fact, people over twenty-five are the largest growing demographic of users, primarily because of the increased demands placed on time. People are more harried than ever, with demands at work and at home clamoring for immediate attention. Social networking sites allow people to stay in contact with friends and family, and without scheduling face time.

But other reasons than time management exist. Social networking sites allow users to keep in contact with "proximity friends "- people who are or were close physically but not personally. Think of ex-classmates, ex-colleagues, parents of the children your kids play with in the neighborhood, and friends of friends. We may send these people holiday and birthday cards, call with congratulations of a wedding or a newborn, or express condolences of a death in the family. Face to face contact, however, remains largely nonexistent.

Although people "talk" with one another more frequently, they rarely do so without the forced solitude of a computer. Social networking sites beg the following question then: Are people becoming social hermits?

Do you agree or disagree? Why?

1. My schedule is busier than ever these days.
2. I couldn't live without email.
3. I couldn't live without social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.
4. Friendships are less important these days.
5. Friendships are shallower these days.

Comprehension: Talk about the following questions . Remember to support your answers!

1. Why do you think more and more people have begun to use social networking sites? Please explain.
2. Are people better or worse communicators because of social network sites? Why/not?
3. What is a social hermit? What images or ideas does this phrase raise?
4. How might social networking sites be used for business or education? What benefits might there be?
5. If there were no sites like Facebook or MySpace, would people once again regularly meet face to face?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.socialmediawatch.net/.../

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• Do you blog? Why/not?
• Do you use social network sites like MySpace or Facebook? Why/not?
• Have you ever considered making a website or blog? Why/not?
• Are you worried about security online? Why/not?
• Do you agree or disagree? The Internet is the most important invention of the past fifty years.
• Do you agree or disagree? The Internet is the most important invention ever.
• When did you start to use the Internet? Why did you start to use it? Please explain.
• What kind of sites do you usually visit on the Internet? Please explain.
• What is your favorite website (or favorite websites)? Why do you like it (or them) so much?
• How often do you use the Internet? Is this too much or not enough? Why?
• What are some positive things about the Internet? Why do you think so?
• What are some negative things about the Internet? Why do you think so?
• Has the Internet changed society around the world? If yes, how has the Internet changed society? If no, why don’t you think so? Please explain.
• Could you live without the Internet? Why/not?
• Would you want to live without the Internet? Why/not?
• How can the Internet help people learn English? Please explain.
• How can the Internet help education in general? Please explain.
• How do you use the Internet for work or for study? Has it helped you? Please explain.
• How do you use the Internet in general? Please explain.

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FOR ADVANCE STUDENT

The common phrases used to describe the rich world include "the developed countries" and "the advanced industrial countries". To describe very poor countries, we usually refer to "The Third World". It can be more diplomatic to speak of "the developing countries", though this description is often applied to countries which are not so very poor.

Economists also refer to "the North South divide" to emphasize that countries in the northern hemisphere are generally richer than those in the southern hemisphere - namely Africa and Latin America.

People in the rich world have mixed attitudes towards giving aid to Third World countries. Some take the view that charity begins at home. It is true that there are many people in need in Britain. However, the people who are making the most generous donations to domestic charities are often the ones who are supporting emergency appeals for the victims of conflicts and disasters overseas. Church-based campaigns such as "Christian Aid" and secular ones such as "Children in Need" direct themselves to both national and international causes.

The obligation of the rich world towards the poor world is not based on history alone. As a former colonial power, Britain was once responsible for the slave trade and the exploitation of other countries' resources. But today, together with other rich countries, we continue to dominate world markets, setting the terms of trade in our favour. We continue to sell arms to oppressive regimes, which accumulate debt and do little to alleviate hunger among their own populations.

Discussion question:

1. What can you say about your country's development for the past 10 years? Do you think that there is a big improvement or progress?

2. Would you consider living or working to Third World Countries?

3. What kind of aid should the governments of rich countries give to poor countries?

4. Do you think population control is more important in poor countries than in rich countries?

5. Is it right for rich countries to have strict immigration controls to stop people from poorer countries entering them and sharing in their better standard of living?

6. In some countries, people tend to discriminate people from other third world countries. Do you have the same situation in Korea? Do you also have a tendency to discriminate someone if he/she came from the Third world country?

7. Do you agree that Immigration should not be limited to people of similar race and culture and we should welcome the opportunity of a truly multi-racial society?

8. Everybody should be encouraged to do Voluntary Service Overseas (i.e. to live and work in the Third World) so that we can understand the problems of poorer countries and make a contribution to help them.

9. Would you like to be an overseas volunteer in a Third World country? If so, which one and how could you contribute to that country’s development?

10. Are the poor poor because they are poor or because they are lazy?

11. Do you believe that nowadays the poor become poorer while the rich become richer?

PHOTO CREDIT: www.boston.com/business/gallery/stimuluspackages

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A Worldwide Flu Alert

Schools in Mexico were shut down last week. Public events were canceled. Mexico is at the center of a swine flu outbreak. By April 29, more than 2,000 cases and 100 deaths were suspected there.

Swine A/H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs. Humans do not normally get swine flu. But when they do, infections can spread from person to person.

The flu has made its way to other countries. Last week, cases were confirmed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel and New Zealand.

Governments are taking steps to stop the spread of the illness. No one wants a pandemic, or worldwide outbreak.

In 1918, the "Spanish flu" killed an estimated 40 to 50 million people worldwide. But the world is better prepared for a flu outbreak today. Antiviral drugs can help fight flu. Doctors and hospitals are better equipped than they were 100 years ago.

Doctors say that you can help stop the spread of flu by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue. Throw it in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm. Tell your parents if you are not feeling well. Stay home if you are sick.

Warm Up: Do you agree or disagree? Why?

1. The swine flu is a serious and dangerous disease.
2. The swine flu will soon spread around the world.
3. I'm very concerned about the swine flu.
4. The news cannot be trusted.
5. The end of the world will soon arrive!

Comprehension:
Talk about the following questions. Remember to support your answers!

1. What do you think about the swine flu? Please explain.
2. Is there any real possibility that millions of people could die from the swine flu? Why/not?
3. What do you think about the media and their reporting of the swine flu? Please explain.
4. If the swine flu spread around the world in a worst-case scenario, how would your life change?
5. What can be done to prevent this virus and others from annihilating the modern world?
6. Is your country's government prepared for an outbreak of swine flu?

PHOTO CREDIT: news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/090511/481/0bc9c73dc...aad629cbd

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1. Drink eight glasses of water each day
The authors found references as early as 1945 suggesting that healthy people should stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water each day. But they say there’s a complete lack of evidence supporting that recommendation. Studies also show that most people get enough fluids through daily consumption of juice, milk and even caffeinated drinks.

2. People only use 10 percent of their brains
This myth has been around for more than a century. Some believe it came from Albert Einstein, although the authors found no evidence of that. What they did find were studies that show people use much more than 10 percent of their brains. For example, when almost any area of the brain is damaged, it has “specific and lasting effects on mental, vegetative and behavioral capabilities.” Also, imaging studies have found no area of the brain is completely inactive.

3. Hair and fingernails keep growing after death
While it’s impossible for the body to continue the complex hormone regulation needed to cause hair and nails to grow after death, this myth does have a basis in a biological phenomenon that sometimes occurs after death.

When someone dies, dehydration of the body can cause the skin around the hair or nails to retract, creating the appearance of increased length. But the authors say this is an optical illusion.

4. Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight
While reading in dim light can cause eye strain, and the uncomfortable effects that go along with it such as dryness and difficulty focusing, it does not cause permanent damage, the authors say.

5. Eating turkey makes you especially tired
The authors say turkey doesn’t contain “an exceptional amount of tryptophan.” In fact, turkey, chicken and minced beef contain nearly the same amounts of the amino acid.

Perhaps the reason turkey has long been accused of making people extra sleepy is because of all the overeating we do on Thanksgiving. Studies show that eating any large, solid meal can make you tired because blood flow and oxygenation to the brain decreases. Plus, meals that are high in protein or carbohydrates can cause sleepiness. So can wine.

6. Cell phones cause significant electromagnetic interference in hospitals
Hospitals widely banned cell phone use after a front page Wall Street Journal story cited an article detailing more than 100 reports of suspected electromagnetic interference with medical devices before 1993. But an internet search by the study’s authors could not find any cases of death caused by use of a mobile phone in a hospital. They did find reports of less serious events, such as false alarms or incorrect medical readings.

Meanwhile, subsequent studies show little or no interference. For example, a 2007 study examining mobile phones “used in a normal way” found no interference in 300 tests in 75 treatment rooms.

VOCABULARY
Medical Myths - commonly-held beliefs, rarely based in fact, that people have grown up with

Other Medical myths

Which ones do you believe in? Why / why not?

1. Too many carrots will turn skin orange

2. Eating sugar causes diabetes
3. Cold, wet weather causes colds and flu
4. Don’t cross your eyes they might stick

5. Chocolate causes acne
6. Worry and stress can turn your hair gray
7. Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker, or coarser

Focus on talking

• Do you know any other medical myths? What are they?
• How do medical myths originate?

• Do you believe that medical myths are harmless?

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