2007/02/12Monday





1.Love theme (25 mins)St. Valentine's Day February 14www.chinadaily.com.cnSt. Valentine's Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of the day is Cupid（爱神丘比特）, the Roman god of love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow.Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded（斩首）, not only because he was a Christian, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailer's daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailer's daughter a farewell letter, signing it "From Your Valentine." Another legend tells us that this same Valentine, well-loved by all, received notes to his jail cell from children and friends who missed him.Another Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time, AD 200. He was imprisoned because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman emperor. Some legends say he was burned at the stake. February 14 was also a Roman holiday, held in honor of a goddess. Young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!In AD 496 Sain Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as "Valentine's Day". Although it's not an official holiday, most Americans observe this day.Whatever the odd mixture of origins, St. Valentine's Day is now a day for sweethearts. It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses, the flower of love. Most people send "valentines," a greeting card named after the notes that St. Valentine received in jail. Valentines can be sentimental, romantic and heartfelt（真心真意的）. They can be funny and friendly. If the sender is shy, valentines can be anonymous.Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines. Handmade valentines created by cutting hearts out of colored paper, show that a lot of thought was put into making them personal. Valentines can be heart-shaped, or have hearts, the symbol of love, on them. In elementary schools children make valentines for their classmates and put them in a large decorated box, similar to a mailbox. On February 14, the teacher opens the box and distributes the valentines to each student. After the students read their valentines they have a small party with refreshments.For teenagers and adults, major newspapers throughout the country have a Valentine's Day offer. Anyone can send in a message, for a small fee of course, destined for a would-be sweetheart, a good friend, an acquaintance or even a spouse of fifty years. The message is printed in a special section of the newspaper on February 14.Valentine's Day 情人节, Date 约会, Bunch 花束, Rose 玫瑰, Candy 糖果, Chocolate 巧克力, Forget-Me-Not 勿忘我, Puppy Love/First Love 初恋, Cute Meet 浪漫的邂逅, Fall In Love 坠入爱河, Love At The First Sight 一见钟情, Propose 求婚, Valentine Cards 情人节卡片, Candlelight Dinner 烛光晚餐, Heart-Shaped/Cordate 心形的, Truelove 真爱, Enamored 倾心的, Saint Valentine's Day 情人节, The Chemical Feeling 奇妙的感觉，触电, Sweet Bitterness 甜蜜的痛苦, A Doomed Couple 天生一对, A Happy Ending 大团圆结局, Sweetheart 甜心, Lover 爱人, Cupid 爱神丘比特, Admirer 仰慕者, Romance 浪漫, Heartthrob 激情, Courtship 求爱, Infatuation 醉心, Promise/Pledge/Vow 誓言, Fidelity 忠心, Eternal/Immortal/Everlasting 永恒1. Thank you for comforting me when I'm sadLoving me when I'm madPicking me up when I'm downThank you for being my friend and being aroundTeaching me the meaning of loveEncouraging me when I need a shoveBut most of all thank you forLoving me for who I am2. Love is more than a word,it says so much.When I see these four letters,I almost feel your touch. This only happened sinceI fell in love with you.Why this word does this,I haven't got a clue.3. Sweetheart,My thoughts are deep into youFrom the moment that I wake upAnd to the whole day throughHappy Valentine's Day4. Thank you for standing behind meIn all that I doI hope you're as happy with meAs I am with you5. If I could save time in a bottlethe first thing that I'd like to dois to save every day until eternity passes awayjust to spend them with youif I could make days last foreverif words could make wishes come trueI'd save every day like a treasure and thenagain I would spend them with you6. To sweetheart or friend,words can mean much.Valentine heart to heart,conveys a loving touch.7. You're always there for meWhen things tend to go wrongIt's that faith you have in meThat makes our love strong8. It's your loving and your caringAnd knowing that you're nearThat gentle touch you haveMake my troubles disappear9. A better love I couldn't ask forWith your sweet and gently wayAnd knowing that your love for meGrows more everyday10. We share so much togetherAnd you always pull me throughThank you for standing behind meIn all that I do 2.Extensive reading (25 mins) Double Seventh FestivalThe Double Seventh Festival, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, is a traditional festival full of romance. It often goes into August in the Gregorian calendar.This festival is in mid-summer when the weather is warm and the grass and trees reveal their luxurious greens. At night when the sky is dotted with stars, and people can see the Milky Way spanning from the north to the south. On each bank of it is a bright star, which see each other from afar. They are the Cowherd and Weaver Maid, and about them there is a beautiful love story passed down from generation to generation.Long, long ago, there was an honest and kind-hearted fellow named Niu Lang (Cowhand). His parents died when he was a child. Later he was driven out of his home by his sister-in-law. So he lived by himself herding cattle and farming. One day, a fairy from heaven Zhi Nu (Weaver Maid) fell in love with him and came down secretly to earth and married him. The cowhand farmed in the field and the Weaver Maid wove at home. They lived a happy life and gave birth to a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, the God of Heaven soon found out the fact and ordered the Queen Mother of the Western Heavens to bring the Weaver Maid back. With the help of celestial cattle, the Cowhand flew to heaven with his son and daughter. At the time when he was about to catch up with his wife, the Queen Mother took off one of her gold hairpins and made a stroke. One billowy river appeared in front of the Cowhand. The Cowhand and Weaver Maid were separated on the two banks forever and could only feel their tears. Their loyalty to love touched magpies, so tens of thousands of magpies came to build a bridge for the Cowhand and Weaver Maid to meet each other. The Queen Mother was eventually moved and allowed them to meet each year on the 7th of the 7th lunar month. Hence their meeting date has been called "Qi Xi" (Double Seventh).Scholars have shown the Double Seventh Festival originated from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD220). Historical documents from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD371-420) mention the festival, while records from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) depict the grand evening banquet of Emperor Taizong and his concubines. By the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, special articles for the "Qi Xi" were seen being sold on markets in the capital. The bustling markets demonstrated the significance of the festival.Today some traditional customs are still observed in rural areas of China, but have been weakened or diluted in urban cities. However, the legend of the Cowhand and Weaver Maid has taken root in the hearts of the people. In recent years, in particular, urban youths have celebrated it as Valentine's Day in China. As a result, owners of flower shops, bars and stores are full of joy as they sell more commodities for love. 3.Randall’s listening (20 mins) Daily ScheduleIDIOMS! 1． burn the candle at both ends = work to excess that affects your physical and emotional well-beingIt's just not wise to burn the candle at both ends; it's just impossible to work full time, go to school, and spend time with family. 2． work one's tail off = work very hardI have to work my tail off just to pay my rent.Key Vocabulary [Top]1．catch (verb): to get on- I have to catch a bus in front of the bus station.2．get off work (verb): finish work- She seldom gets off work before 6:00 p.m.3．dinner (noun): sometimes supper- We seldom eat dinner after 8:00 p.m.4．stay up (verb): not go to bed- I almost never stay up past midnight.5．set aside (verb): reserve, allow, or give a certain amount to- You have to set aside enough time to study for your classes.6．toughest (adjective): most difficult, hardest- The toughest part about being a parent is setting aside time for both work, family, and self.7．take care of (verb): watch, look after- You should take care of yourself so you don't get sick.8．groceries (noun): food and other items at a supermarket- Mom is going to pick up some groceries from the store for dinner.1. What time does the man get up?A. at 5:00 a.m. B. at 6:00 a.m.C. at 7:00 a.m.2. What time does he get to work?A. at 7:00 a.m. B. at 8:00 a.m.C. at 9:00 a.m.3. What does he do with his family around 6:30 p.m.?A. They read books together.B. They play games.C. They eat dinner.4. What do the man and his wife do after the kids go to bed?A. They watch TV. B. They clean the house.C. They listen to music.5. What is one thing the man does NOT say about his wife?A. She has to take the their children to school.B. She helps the kids with their homework.C. She goes shopping for food.Woman: So, what's your usual day like? You always seem so busy.Man: Well, I usually get up around 5:00 a.m. and work on the computer until 6:00 a.m.Woman: Why do you get up so early?Man: Well, I have to leave home at twenty to seven (6:40 a.m.) so I can catch a bus at 7:00 o'clock . It takes me about twenty minutes to walk to the bus stop from my house.Woman: And what time do you get to work?Man: Uh, my bus takes about an hour to get there, but it stops right in front of my office.Woman: That's nice. And what time do you get off work?Man: Uh, around 5:00 o'clock. Then, we eat dinner around 6:30, and my wife and I read and play with the kids until 8:00 or so.Woman: So, when do you work on your website? You said one time that you create it at home?Man: Well, my wife and I often watch TV or talk until 10:00 o'clock. She then often reads while I work on my site, and I sometimes stay up until the early hours of the morning, but I try to finish everything by one or two. Woman: And then you get up at 5:00 a.m.?Man: Well, yeah, but it's important to live a balanced life. I enjoy what I do, but you have to set aside time for family and yourself. Woman: I agree.Man: But I think my wife has the toughest job. She spends her whole day taking care of our family . . . taking the kids to school, working in the garden, buying groceries, taking the kids to piano lessons . . . [Wow!] That's a full-time job, but she enjoys what she does.Woman: Well, it sounds you're a busy, but lucky man.Man: I think so too.4．An English song of love (15 mins)The Power Of Love Sung By "Celine Dion"

The whispers in the morning

Of lovers sleeping tight

Are rolling like thunder now

As I look in your eyes

I hold on to your body

And feel each move you make

Your voice is warm and tender

A love that I could not forsake

(First Chorus)

'Coz I am your lady

And you are my man

Whenever you reach for me

I'll do all that I can

Lost is how I'm feeling lying in your arms

When the world outside's too

Much to take

That all ends when I'm with you

Even though there may be times

It seems I'm far away

(But) Never wonder where I am

'Coz I am always by your side

(Second Chorus)

We're heading for something

Somewhere I've never been

Sometimes I am frightened

But I'm ready to learn

('Bout) Of the power of love

The power of love

The sound of your heart beating

Made it clear suddenly

The feeling that I can't go on

Is light years away

[ 本帖最后由 gsm0002 于 2007-2-11 15:31 编辑 ]