tHE sECRete oF happinEsS

vocabulary and phrases:

• down in the dumps: unhappy, miserable
  You're sounding a bit down in the dumps. 
• unfit: not healthy because you do to little exercise
  I 'm feeling unfit.
  i used to take plenty of exercise, but now i'm terribly unfit.
• put a smile on your face
  I've got some news today that might put a smile on your face. 
• put you in a good mood
  Hopefully this programme has put you in a good mood.
• has got to be
  it's got to be everything.
  you've got to be joking.
• worry (v.i.) : to think about problems or unpleasant things that might happen
  Don't worry.
  It's silly worrying about things are outside your control.
• worry (v.t.) : to make someone to feel unhappy and frightened because of problems or unpleasant things that might happen
  it worries me that he hasn't phoned yet.
  nothing worries me. 
• happy-go-lucky: describe someone who does not plan much and accepts what happens without becoming worried
  I am happy-go-lucky.
• rank
  She ranked the bottles in order of size along the shelf.
  the world happiness database has ranked countries in order of how happy their people are.
  my entry was ranked third in the flower show
  2012 must rank as the most difficult year for European since the 30s.
• a state of mind: how someone feels about their life at the present time
  happiness is a state of mind.
• content: pleased with your situation and not hoping for change
  he seems fairly content with his life.
  they're content to socialise with a very small circle of people.
  different things make different people content.
• holiday
  have you decided where you're going for your holidays this year?
  She is on holiday next week
  how many days' holiday do you get with your new job?
• hectic: full of activity, or very busy and fast; busy, lots of things going on
  a hectic schedule
  the hectic pace of city life
  I lead such a hectic life that i don't always get time to think about the future.
• rewarding: giving a reward, especially by making you feel satisfied that you have done something important or useful, or done something well
  having an active life is most important for a happy and rewarding life.
• over time
  our happiness changes over time.
• comforting: making you feel less sad or worried
  I found her words very comforting.
  that's comforting to know.
• cheer sb up
  you can cheer me up by telling me that i answered today's question correctly

CoLLocATiOn

It's actually very important and useful to learn collocations and phrases when you are learning new vocabulary or listening to a conversation. It helps you know how to use the words correctly. on top of that, once you learn them by heart, they can help you speak more fluently.

Collocations and phrase:

• mow the lawn
  you can't mow the lawn if it's wet. 
• mow sb down
  three people were mown down this afternoon when a drunken driver lost control of his car.
• come on in
  Come on in! we're just about to start dinner.
• at the moment: now
  I'm afraid she's not here at the moment
• for the moment:
  if you're doing sth for the moment, you are doing it now, but might do sth different in the future.
  Let's carry on with what we agreed for the moment.
• at the stage
  a part of an activity or a period of developement
  her youngest child is at the stage where she can say individual words but not full sentences.
• at the weekend / at weekends
  what did you do at the weekend?
  we usually go windsurfing at weekends.
• at the end of the day
  something that you say before you give the most important fact of a situation
  Of course I'll listen to what she has to say but at the end of the day, it's my decision.
• at times: sometimes
  you can be really annoying at times.
• at lunchtime
  are you free at lunchtime?
• at the age of
  in theory, women can have children at the age of 50. 
• at interals
  the bells ring at regular intervals through the day.
• in the first place: at the beginning
  the trousers shank when I washed them, but they weren't really big in the first place.
  Thankfully, he wasn't hurt, but he never should've been there in the first place. 
• in the media
  the issue has been much discussed in the media
• in a bit
  see you in a bit.
• Hello there
• after you
• a wide range of 
  she's got a wide rang of vocabulary.
• up and down
• dog walk
• sea level
  the top of Mount Everest is 8848 m above sea level.
• humble lunch

VoCAbulaRY

hu.....i've got a long list of new vocabulary since I came here but i haven't really take a good look at it. And I realised i didn't spend enough quality time learning and absorbing new vocabulary which is really not helpful to improve my english at all. so it's time to do that.

Vocabulary:

• loo:
  I'll go to the loo.
  where is the loo?
• sensational: very good, exciting, unusual
  she looks sensational in her new dress.
  sensational report
  related words: amazing, brilliant, awesome, incredible, superb, terrific, outstanding
• sensation: feeling
  I had the odd sensation that someone was following me.
  i can remember the first time I went sailing -- it was a wonderful sensation.
• terrific: very good
  you look terrific.
  a terrific opportunity
• genuine:
  if something is genuine, it is real and exactly what it appears to be
  if people or emotions are genuine, they are honest and sincere.
  Genuine leather
  he's a very genuine person
• genuinely: really
  i'm genuinely sorry for what i said, I really am. 
• wary: not completely trusting or certain about something or someone
  i'm a bit wary of/about giving people my address when i don't know them very well.
• timid: shy and nervous; easily frightened; without much confidence
  She is a rather timid child.
  "uh, excuse me" he said timidly
• frosty: very cold; with a thin layer of white ice covering everything
  if people are frosty, they are unfriendly and not welcoming.
  it was a cold and frosty morning
  he gave me a frosty look.
• dialect: a form of a language that people speak in a particular part of a country
  the poem is written in northern dialect.
• colloquial / cooloquially: informal and more suitable for use in speech than in writing
  colloquial speech
• wonky: not firm, weak
  one of the legs on this chair is wonky
• pavement: a path with a hard surface on one or both side of a road that people walk on
  keep to the pavement.
  US. sidewalk
  pavement art, pavement artist
• league: a group of teams playing a sport who take part in competitions with each other
  who do you think will win the league championship this year?
  Liverpool were top of the football league last year.
  they are currently bottom of the league.
• overlook:
  (v.)provide a view of, especially from above
  our hotel room overlooked the harbour.
  (n.) a viewpoint
  there are lots of scenic overlooks along the road
• forgetful: often forgetting things
  she's getting very forgetful in her old age
• forgetfulness / forgetfully

[house]

• bungalow: a house only has one storey
  relating words: flat, apartment, barracks, terraced house
• patio: an area outside a house with a solid floor but no roof, used in good weather for relaxing or eating
  in the summer we have breakfast out on the patio.
  relating words: on the garden, terrace, arcade, passage, corridor, in the hall, hallway
• chubby: fat in a pleasant and attractive way
  chubby cheeks
  related words: ample, fatty
• conservatory: a room with glass walls and roof, used for growing plants or for relaxing in
• feature wall

I'm thinking how to make myself memorise new vocabulary sooner, faster and not forget them easily. 

I already knew that i have to know the usage of the new words otherwise i cant remember at all, and even i remember i still don't know how to use them or when to use them. recently i heard a method recommended by the podcast, which is keep relating vocabulary in the same category when you are learning. actually i found it's easier said than done, because sometime they are just scatter in you mind and not easy to categorise them. Anyway, I still have to try! 

FuN

Sometimes I just forgot how fun learning English is. Just like I learned French, i did it because I enjoy it. I put too much pressure on myself to speak good english rather than enjoy the learning process.

tIMEtABle

the first month, I was preparing for all the document i'd need for living and working in the UK whilst i was getting familiar with the environment and going sightseeing as a tourist. I'd got my NI number and bank account as expected at the end of March. 

the second month, I focused on looking for a part-time job which can support my expense here. I was lucky enough that i'd got a job in a restaurant soon. When almost everything went as my plan, one of my best friend decided to visit me in London unexpectedly. Thus I kept exploring the city and doing some sightseeing in the second month. 

The third month, I started to focus on looking for an IT job. It lasted for about 3 month, May, Jun and July. During these 3 months, I had lots of fun with my great italian flatmates. It made my life much more fun when I felt stressed by interviews. I moved out in June. However, I can't really think of what happened during these two months. I started work 40-hour per week in July which means i finally had my expense and income balanced. When I was about to give up looking for a job and plan my next step. I was delighted by the good news that I've got a job offer. see? things change everyday. 

Now, standing at another turning point, I look forward to writing down new stories of mine.

cHunKs OF THouGhTs

Today is 29th July. I've been living here for about 5 months, from the coldest and longest winter to the hottest summer. I just finished a job in a restaurant where i had worked for about 4 months. Now I am anxiously waiting for my new job in Windsor. It's gonna be a new adventure and challenge for me.

During this 5 months, loads of things happened. Some of them brought me laughter, and some of them brought me tears. But one thing for sure is they all became my unforgettable memories.

Although in this trip i made many decisions and tried many things i hand't tried before, I still feel that I am more like a thinker rather than a doer. (So maybe being a hacker is never part of my nature. :P )

To give up everything I had in Taiwan and head off, there were actually several questions I had to ask myself. Of course one of the must-ask is why I want to go. It's actually also the hardest one to me. I spent about 5 months thinking, reflecting and clarifying my mind to help myself not making an regrettable decision.

There are three goals. first is to experience the life in the UK. I know it sounds vague, but actually this one was all i could tell other people. It's vague just because of it's unknown. I didn't know what I should expect or what experience I would get. But it just gave the undeniable reason to start. the second is I want to learning English. living in the environment surrounded the language you want to learn is the best way to learn it. I didn't have chance to live abroad or study oversea. Now I've got the opportunity, haven't I? The third goal of mine is working oversea. to be honest, when I was in the primary school, i always imagined working around the world and speaking various language. When I 'm getting older, I realise how hard it can be. Now the working holiday VISA opens a door to it. I should try, although everyone around me told me not to expect too much in case I feel too bad to enjoy my adventure.

After living here for a while, I start to think that maybe I am the kind of person needing regular travels. I've found that I fall to settle down easily and get bored easily. Yes, I've got to admit it that I think it also reflects on my work life and relationships I had. If that is me, i've got to find the suitable life style to fit it. Now what I can think of is travelling, exploring the unknown regularly and inspiring me new thought and refreshing my feelings.

As to language, I still feel a bit depressed. I don't feel I make a great improvement on my English, especially the speaking. I've found that it may because I live a life too independent. I feel great to be independent. I enjoy going to the cinema alone, walking alone, exploring new places alone. I didn't think too much about having friends is a must. I just consider it as a plus. However, now I reckon it is a must if i wanna improve my english. I also realise that what is important is actually enjoying communication, knowing people and being interested in the world, not the language itself. only when I bear it in mind, I can really start to make progress.

The most different thing here is i can plan my life for only one month. If you ask me the things beyond one month, I really can't give any answer firmly.  Life is full of uncertainty. Although i can't have specific plan of my time, i have certain mindset that can lead me through my whole adventure. It's just like building your long trip by small pieces of short term goals.

Balance. the longer i live in London by myself, the more important of balance i realise. I think the balance varies by people. Maybe someone needs more work but less travelling, and someone needs more sleep but less social life. It doesn't matter the percentages, as long as you feel your life well-balanced. I think that is what I've been seeking for.

REflECTion

Something in my mind that i just cant let it go

have to dig in to know the root

have to think through

have to fix it once and for all............



tomorrow......let's have a cleaning day!

iBOOk

Before I start my new job, i reckon i can do something, like write something about my working holidays down. two days ago, i met one of my professor. he really encouraged me to share my adventure and experience via words. Actually i've wanted to do this since i decided to come to London. but it's easier said than done. Just like writing an essay, I'm not really sure how to start and make it right!

But I think if i dont do it right away, i may not make it in the end. so, let's do it!

buYing SHoeS

Yesterday I went to Westfileds in the Straford City to buy a pair of shoes and some shorts for this summer. I cant wear my water-proof boots in the summer. it's way too hot.

But, when i was trying to communicate with the staff, I'd found that i'd got too few words to express myself. It's good that it wasn't too busy in the shop and the staff were quite nice and patient.

So, now I've done some homework and here are some vocabulary you might need in a shoes stores.

• bottom
• lace
• sockliner
• perforate / perforation
• turned tongue
• plaid
• breathability / breathable
• slippery
• water-proof
• light / lightweight

BrAvE

回頭想想

也覺得自己滿佩服自己的

i've been to London for about 4 months. Actually many people i met were surprised that i came to London alone without any friends here and told me that i was really brave. Frankly speaking, i didn't think I was that brave, because I believe there are loads of people out there are just like me.

However, now when i look back these days, i suddenly reckon, yeah, actually I was quite brave! It's not because I came to London alone and live alone, instead, because I chose to gave up many things I'd already got and pushed myself into an unknown adventure. I'd got a nicely paid job that was interesting and new to me, I'd earned some money, although it's definitely not much. I'd lived with my family and a cute new born baby (of course not mine). I'd got my own comfy room with a double bed. I'd got my friends to hang out with when I was bored, sad, or happy. I'd got my own life in Taiwan. Ya. but I chose leave it and head off for working holidays that I was even not sure what could I gain or learn from it. What I only knew was I would need to get a job to support my living in London. It might be highly physical demanding, very tiring, with minimum wages, or so.

How brave I was! I'm certain that not everyone would like to do that, because I was the one who hesitated for a long time! Now I'm glad the decision I finally made, because I somewhat feel proud of myself. (I hope the feeling can stay with me even I go back to Taiwan in the future.)

cALm DowN

Enjoy every moment.

Become a doer. 

Learn and do as much and as fast as possible and you'll find more fun. 

Calm down and know yourself. 

RemINDeR

hmmm....after almost two weeks without doing anything special, it's time to pick up the original plan and head off.

as a reminder, I list several things down now.
first of all, learn english, focusing on speaking and listening. I think my listening has been improving a bit, since I've found myself understanding people more often even they spoke a bit fast. However, my spoken English hasn't made any tangible improvement. What is my goal? speak fluently and speak with the accent i like. Although the objective is quite high, I still love to take on the challenge to see how far i can go for. Don't forget that now is the best time to do what i've wanted to do for ages -- fully concentrate on learning english. Never waste the chance. I heard an interesting hypothesis from a podcast that if you choose a person you like to sound like, and learn and mimic the sound and rhythm he or she speaks, after a while, you'll be sound like that person. I quite agree this idea since I had the similar experience before. Thus, I started wondering whom shall I choose as my "English language" role modle? "Ah! that girl works at the Bar!". that's the first thought came across my mind. but it's a bit hard to listen to her speaking very often and repeat as many times as I want. Recently, i've just got the idea -- Jamie Oliver. I reckon I'd love to sound like him. When I heard of he's speaking at the first time, his English impressed me a lot and it sounded really nice and interesting to me. Yes, I've made the decision. He's got loads of videos online that i may find the learning materials without hassles.

Next, keep studying Android and iOS. it was a shame that I didn't continue my study on Android that I'd learnt it when it was in very early stage. Now, I've got plenty of time to do so. But, sometimes one thought haunted me that "Hey, you're in the UK! why do u spend your time doing the thing you can also do in Taiwan?" Well, I will figure it out.

Finally, experiencing and exploring as much as possible here. (TBD. i've got to sleep now. )

reFLecTioN

 after very quick review of my days of June, I have to reset my mind again and prepare myself well to move on. dont be lazy and never forget what I want and what is the goal.

fReE YOur minD

damn... have to let it go.

free my mind.

I always have this kind of problems but in the end they all turn out to be tragedies.

Stop and free yourself.

You have much more important goals to reach.
You have much interesting things to experience.
You have much more freedom to own.
You have much more fun to have.
You can't ruin yourself and your trip at this point.

Changes have to be made now.

SLeep-RELateD LanguAGe

Vocabulary and phrase:

• forty winks
• lethargic
• sleep deprivation
• getting their head's down
• hit the sack 
• mood swings
• turn in
• tetchy
• grumpy
• affluent 
• tempt
• siesta
• take account of sth / take sth into account
• pupil
• run on empty
• doze / doze off

iNDepENDencE

I quite enjoy the life here, not just because I am living in a foreign country, but also the attitude I have here.

Yes, almost everything I did alone--- flying to here, looking for accommodation, seeking for a part-time job and full-time job, going sightseeing, exploring unknown areas, shops, stores, and everything, being turned down by the manager, walking to home in the late night, etc. What I really enjoy is being independent. I didn't know it is incredibly enjoyable to me. I am responsible for my own life, physically and mentally. No one I shall complain about. Every choice is made by my own thought and consideration. I have to balance the reality, my desire and my goals. I am getting to know myself better. I always know that I am quite mentally independent, since I have asked for myself when I was really young. But I also know that I am totally not physically independent due to lacking of some life skills, such as cooking!

the more I have been through, the more confidence I gain, no matter it's happy or sad.

So far, everything went quite smoothly and followed my original plan. in the first month, I focused on getting myself ready for work in the next month and exploring the city as more as possible. All the document like National Insurance Number and bank account got ready by time and I started to apply part-time job so that I could have some money to support my life here. I was lucky that I've really got a part-time job in the restaurant. The second month, one of my best friend visited me. Although it was not in my plan, of course, I still enjoy different kind of exploration. Sharing happiness with friend is definitely different kind of joy. after my friend had gone back to Taiwan, my third month was coming. I have started proactively seeking for a full-time job. It is one of my goal for this trip to the UK. I spent less time go sightseeing. I have found a balance between work, live, study and looking for a job, although I think it still has room to improve my time management.

my forth month is coming soon. my plan has a bit changed because I wanna put more efforts on learning English whilst looking for a job. I decided to give myself 2 more moths to do so since what I have earned from the part-time job allows me to extend my time staying in London.

hOW noISy iS "tOo NoiSY"

today's english lesson of 6 minute english from bbclearningenglish.com

todays' topic is quite interesting especially after i have ever gone to a musical in London that makes me can imagine the situation more likely. 

some english vocabulary and usage:

• dB(decibels)
  what percentage of people in Europe are exposed to road traffic noise levels which are higher than 55 decibels (dB)?
• gutsy (adj.) / gustiness (n.):
  i admire her gustiness.
  if you're gusty, you're brave and aren't scared of something.
• fuss:a show of anger, worry or excitement that is unnecessary or greater than the situation deserves
  I am too polite to complain. I don't like to make a fuss. 
• put up with it: to accept or continue accept an unpleasant situation or someone who behaves unpleasantly
  I'd probably put up with it and try to ignore it. 
• get on sb's nerves: to annoy someone a lot
  what noises get on your nerves? 
• tell sb off: to speak angrily to someone they have done something wrong
  the actress was interrupted by some very loud drumming from a festival outside and so went out to tell the drummers off.
• hilarious: extremely funny and causing a lot of laughter
  I think it's hilarious that she went out and made the peace for a lot of other people
• punter: members of public
  If she hadn't been on stage, then she would have been enjoying it with the other punters.
• steaming: very angry
  If you're steaming with rage, you are very angry, indeed.
  I was, like, steaming. 
• drill: to make a hole in something by using a special tool
  i don't like very loud, repetitive noises -- like drilling concrete in the street, for example.
• less than royal language
  the drummers were promoting a gay festival, and some who saw their conductor being given a lecture in less than royal language weren't happy. 
• swear: to use words that are rude or offensive as a way of emphasising what you mean
  Here, 'less than royal language' suggests that she was angry -- perhaps even swearing. 
• ovation: an occasion when a crowd of people express their great enjoyment and/or approval of something with loud and long clapping
  standing ovation
  the actress received a round f applause and a standing ovation, when she returned to the theatre. 
• give someone a peace of your mind: speak angrily at them or tell them off
  she, still dressed as a queen, can be seen giving the drummers a peace of her mind during the interval of Saturday's performance of 'the audience' at the theatre.
• at the theatre/cinema
  in the street
• give sb a headache

TiMe is MOney

no time to make all of my thoughts as an articles. Time is money, especially when I am living in London. Some simple quick thoughts flashed in my mind:

• When you enjoy the moments you are consuming, also keep in mind that you have to create values, in any aspect, at the same time. the value I mentioned here does not directly refer to money. Instead, it is more like an abstract concept of value. It can be the value of yourself, like learning something, accumulating experience, even absorbing joy which can make the rest of your day happier, taking a rest to resume energy. 
• I always think work is important, but don't really know why. Now the reason has become clearer that it is not only because earning money is essential, but also the feeling of growing and achievement in my mind. That explains why I may get anxious while I've found I didn't do something I was planning to do or I would like to do. 
• I like travelling. Facing new things, people, and environments makes me stressed but energetic. I understand no one is flawless and being true to your emotions and abilities is nothing you should shame on. Only being able to truly face to yourself and human nature can make yourself calm and confident to take over the challenges coming to you. 
• Understanding yourself, including body conditions, mindset, and values, is important. It can help you to make decisions that you won't regret for, to balance your own life, to feel comfortable about yourself. 

MaKEOveR

Today's lesson from BBC's The English We Speak.

Vocabulary:

• blusher: a power or cream that is put on the cheeks to make them look pink
  you've changed the eyeshadow, blusher, and lipstick. 
• makeover: a set of changes that are intended to make a person or place more attractive
  usage: have a make over, get a makeover, give something a makeover
  Not only people but things can have makeovers.
• be fed up with: bored, annoyed, or disappointed, especially by something that you have experienced for too long
  I was so fed up with the way my husband dressed. 
• untidy
  he looked untidy all the time. 
• wardrobe: a tall cupboard which you hang your clothes
  She is showing me her new fitted wardrobes. 
• old-fashioned
  the room looked so old-fashioned.

[UK] 就這樣發生了

就這樣匆匆忙忙的來到英國了

什麼事情都做得非常的趕

不過總是把該準備的弄好

形隻影單的飛到異地來探索一下

跟之前出國一樣

出發前都沒啥感覺

這次也差不多

就像幫自己排了課表一樣

幾點到機場

幾點轉機

轉機要做什麼（畢竟也是第一次在香港機場過夜）

幾點上飛機等等等等等

就只是順著該做的事情做下去

心情上沒啥太大起伏

直到.............跨出機艙門的那一秒鐘

冷冽的空氣突然提醒我

“Hey, you are in London!"

果然眼前的主色系就是灰色

如果再亮一點點

那就很棒了吧


在紐航上始終還沒辦法適應紐西蘭的腔調

到了英國機場也是一樣

不過倒也無所謂啦～我就是“歪果仁”咩



買了Oyster Card，坐在地鐵看著乘客上上下下，

怎麼覺得每個英國中學生都長得好像哈利坡特裡面的隆恩啊 XDDDDDD

不過整個地鐵過程算很順利

其實還滿好上手就能理解的

到了Pimlico Station，超冷大風直直吹著出口

二話不說，馬上掏出毛帽備戰，我還得走好一段路到我的Hostel啊

好久沒有在手無google map direction 的協助下找路了

路標又很不明顯

好在冤枉路沒有走多少開心地看到我的Hostel/Pub出現在地平線上（你以為你在航海啊XD）

第一次走進這種Pub經營的Hostel

感覺真的很微妙

但是很快就感受到好處和溫暖

Bar裡的工作人員一邊幫我check-in，還問我要不要喝點什麼

掛著冷到不能控制的鼻涕在臉上的我馬上要了一杯熱茶！（就甘心）

來到房間

連上了網路




終於，我這“抵達英國”的27小時任務宣告完成了！心安了！