W7: New law about banishing Homeless

After observing a new law that is recently adopted in Portland, Oregon, Mayor Peter Carlisle by signing a bill that try to remove tents and other large objects that block city sidewalks in Honolulu during daytime. However, it may take up to a year for police to enforce the law actually. It is necessary to make a low for it because the city needs to define clearly the pedestrian use zones. Police officers also need to enforce the law to those homeless people who store their personal items on the sidewalk.

 This new law will be executed a block-by-block, and it based on priority, such as those with most complaints or some areas that were heavily used by pedestrians, according to government’s city estimates, it will clean about 25 blocks in the first year costing about $244,000. Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, who introduced the bill, said she doesn't think enforcement is an issue, nor that markings need to be on every block.

 I think that the government should have a considered and integrated plan for the homeless, not just banish them from one place to another.

1) Sidewalk (path): Noun. A paved path for pedestrians at the side of a road.

   Ex. Some homeless people sleep on the sidewalk.

2) Enforce (force): Verb. To make sure that people obey a particular law or rule.

   Ex. It is the job of the police to enforce the law.

3) Block (street): A group of buildings with streets on all sides.

   Ex. There is a good restaurant on next block.

4) Pedestrian (walker): Noun. A person walking in the street and not travelling in a vehicle.

   Ex. Hawaii is one of the highest pedestrian accidents states in the U.S.

5) Regulation (rule): Noun. An official rule made by a government or some other authority.

   Ex. There are too many rules and regulations.

W7: the grave problems of solar storm

           In most recent, scientists are trying their best to prevent impacts of solar storms. It is the first time that scientists predict that it is possible for a solar storm to hit our planet, just like how hurricanes can hit a coastline. From the warning, it allows airlines to switch their communication systems, so it will not be affected by the solar storm.
          However, some experts put the prediction of solar storms in question because this is their first prediction about the solar storm’s impact to our planet. One of the scientists, Baker said that the sun is entering another period of solar maximum, and it is expected to have the highest activity in 2013, and the activity matters on Earth because when the sun send out huge sheets of solar wind it can disrupt the magnetic field surrounding our planet. Even though, the solar storms may disrupt everything from GPS to airline communication, and the disturbances can be very costly and dangerous that airlines may need to reroute flights to avoid disconnection from communication between the plane and tower. On the other hand, these disturbances create beautiful auroras above the sky of the North and South Poles.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45589793/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/solar-weather-forecasting-vital-sun-gears-wild-ride/


1) Hurricane (storm): Noun. A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Ex. Hurricane hits this town every year.

2) Solar wind: Noun. The continuous flow of charged particles from the sun that permeates the solar system.
Ex. Solar wind contains flow of charged particles that may affect our electronic devices.

3) Magnetic field: Noun. An area around a magnet or magnetic object, where there is a force that will attract some metals towards it.
Ex. Without magnetic field, you will not be able to locate North or South on a compass.

4) Disturbance (trouble): Noun. Actions that make you stop what you are doing, or that upset the normal state that sth is in/
Ex. Construction had created constant noise, dust and disturbance in the neighborhood.

5) Aurora: Noun. A natural electrical phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, usually near the northern or southern magnetic pole.
Ex. One of the 100 things to do before you die is to see aurora in either North or South Poles.

W6:The king of sharks

It’s a Native American myth from Hawaii. Once upon a time, the king of sharks saw a beautiful girl who was swimming in the sea and he fell in love with her, so he decided to transform himself into a human. He followed her to her village. They married soon, and lived happily together in a house near a waterfall. The king of sharks went swimming in the pool of water beneath the falls for hours everyday. Her wife was curious why he stay long time underneath the water. He told his wife that he was making a place at the bottom of the pool for their son.

                Before the birth of the child, he returned to his people and disappeared. While the child was born, his mother saw a mark on the baby’s back which looked like the mouth of a shark. From that moment on, she realized who her husband had been. After he grew up as a youth, he knew who he was and wanted to protect the fish, so he asked fishermen where they intended to go and go warning the fish.  Therefore, The fishermen caught fewer and fewer fish and the people of the village were growing hungry. Then, they find out who did this and try to kill him. He ran away and dived into the pool, and the people threw big rocks to fill up it. They thought they had killed him. However, his mother believed that he was alive because she knew that her husband had made a place in the pool for their son. It’s a passage to the sea, and her son had joined his place.

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/08/the_king_of_sharks.html
 

1) Myth (legend): Noun. A story from ancient times, especially one that was told to explain natural events or to describe the early history of a people

    Ex. Each country has their myth.

2) Underneath (below): Prep. Under or below sth else, especially when it is hidden or covered by the thing on top.

    Ex. Water leaked underneath the sink.

3) Thrill (excite): Verb. A strong feeling of excitement or pleasure.

    Ex. I was thrilled when I won the competition.

4) Gaze (look): Verb. To look steadily at sb/sth for a long time.

    Ex. For hours, he just gazes into wall.

5) Passage (road): Verb. A long narrow area with walls on either side that connects one room or place with another.

    Ex. Where will this small dark passage lead to?

W6: Ways To Prevent Car Thief

I read an article is called “How To Screw Up a Car Thief’s Day.”  The article teaches you how to prevent car thief and I think that is useful.

First, park your car in a populated area, since thieves prefer to work out of sight of people and electronic recording devices.

Second, take your keys with you, even if you just going into the convenience store, you should turn off your engine and take the keys with you. Even someone stay in the car because we had seemed so many examples in the reality or in the movies such as The Marine talks about how those car thief turn into a kidnapper.

Third, do not hide your keys anywhere within or outside the car, and you should know that thieves know better the places to hide keys than you do.

Fourth, disable your battery if you planned to park for a long period, since thief will not spend time trying to find out the engine problem, you may consider to disable one of the cable wire to your battery if you park your car along the roadside for more than a few days.

Last, you should mark your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)  to your trunk, doors, sound system components or any pricey parts that thieves are likely to take it with them. It’ll be more possible to find them back with the VIN once they are stolen.

1) Surveillance (observation): Noun. The act of carefully watching a person suspected of a crime or a place where a crime may be committed.

    Ex. Surveillance cameras are recommended to install in stores to prevent shoplifting.

2) Convenient (handy): Adj. The quality of being useful, easy or suitable for sb.

    Ex. Bus pass is convenient for those who take bus regularly.

3) Diagnose (identify): Verb. To say exactly what an illness or the cause of a problem is.

    Ex. Doctor had diagnosed where your problem is.

4) Apparent (obvious): Adj. Easy to see or understand.

    Ex. It is apparent to tell he is lying.

5) Embed (implant): Verb. To fix sth firmly into a substance or solid object.

    Ex. The bullet embedded itself in the wall.

W5: Comparison between 4 and 4s

                It was a little bit disappointed for those Apple fans, who were waiting for an iPhone 5. However, iPhone 4s still impresses public with its new features and huge improvements from the predecessor. 

                To compare with older version of iPhone 4, iPhone 4s came with two built-in antennas to avoid call drops when you move from one place to another, and A5 dual-core processor for faster internal processing speed. In addition, Apple has expanded the storage options. 64GB model is now available along with original 16GB and 32GB models. One of the main features of iPhone 4s is Siri, a voice recognition system, sound-controlled assistant. You will be amazed how Siri can do many things for you. You can not only able to send text messages and emails hands-free but also find the restaurants you want and get the directions as well through Siri. Another big improvements from previous iPhone was the camera that the iPhone 4s employs a new 8-megapixel camera to compare with iPhone 4’s 5-megapixel camera. It also supports up to 1080p HD video recording that almost beat off other competitors. Furthermore, iPhone 4s is faster to launch camera and to shoot photos than the previous, and photos are captured with more accurate color because of the 8-megapixel. 

                In conclusion, iPhone 4s are doing far better than the previous version compared to its improvements from 5-megapixel to 8-megapixel, added features of voice assistant Siri, and the extended storage of 64GB options from 16GB and 32GB.

1) Antenna (Aerial): Noun. A rod, wire, or other device used to transmit or receive radio or television signals.

    Ex. Wind had blown away my antenna!

2) Predecessor (Precursor): Noun. A thing that has been followed or replaced by another.

    Ex. This model is the predecessor of that one.

3) Dual (Double):Adj. Consisting of two parts, elements, or aspects.

    Ex. Most of the computers nowadays are built with dual-core Intel for faster performance.

4) Processor (Computer): Noun. A machine that processes something.

    Ex. Processor is the hardware that process commands user gave to a computer.

5) Megapixel: Noun. One million pixels, used as a measure of the resolution in digital cameras.

    Ex. I wish I had a 10-megapixel camera.

W5: introduction of Moulin Rouge

I read a review of Moulin Rouge (2001)http://skymovies.sky.com/moulin-rouge/review
  

It's one of my favorite movies, and I have saw this movie for over 5 times. It's a tragicomic musical movie. The story background set in 1900's Paris. The cabaret's star courtesan, Satine (Nicole Kidman), mistakenly fell in love with the poor writer, Cristian(Ewan McGregor) because she thought Cristian was the wealthy duke who was going to sponsor the new show in Moulin Rouge.

The real duke wanted Satine to be his woman so that he would go on his investment on Moulin Rouge. Therefore, Satine and Cristian could only love secretly. Their relationship was finally found by duke. He was very angry and hired a killer to kill Cristian. As Satine knew his plan, she wanted to save Cristian's life anyway. In fact, Satine was dying because of consumption, so she pretended that she didn't love Cristian at all and ask him to go away from her. Cristian couldn't believe this, so he decided to talk with Satine with his last hope. Even though he found out Satine's real mind, it's still nothing he could do. Satine died in his arms in the end.

It's like another version of Romeo and Juliet, and I was so surprised about Nicole Kidmam and Ewan McGregor's talents of singing. I enjoy this movie and their voices a lot.

1)      Tragicomedy: Noun.  A play that is both funny and sad.

Ex. This movie is a tragicomedy that combined funny and sad in the story .

2)      cabaret: Noun. Entertainment with singing and dancing that is performed in restaurants or clubs in the evenings.

Ex. Many people go to cabaret for having fun.

3)      courtesan: Noun. In the past a prostitute, especially one with rich customers.

Ex. The beautiful courtesan falls in love with a poor writer.

4)      duke: Noun. A nobleman of the highest rank.

Ex. The wealthy duke pays money to buy love.

5)      consumption(tuberculosis): Noun. A serious infectious disease of the lungs.

Ex. Consumption is a kind of lung diseases that is hard to be cured.

W4: The story of Thanksgiving

About four hundred years ago, the people from England, the Pilgrims, were forced to leave their country by some religious reasons. At first, they moved to Holland, and hired two vessels called Mayflower and Speedwell to take them to a place where they dream of.
However, Speedwell was not strong enough and go back Holland soon after sailing, so Mayflower went along to America. This journey was pretty long and difficult. The sea was not quiet and the foods on the boat actually were not enough. After they landed on America, they were too weak to passed the winter. Only half of them survived after the first winter. Then, the Indians who were the native residents there came and helped them. They taught the Pilgrims how to grow plants that could help them pass next winter comfortably with enough food. While the Pilgrims  harvest the plans, they invited their Indian friends to join the celebration, the first thanksgiving day, which they thanked God for the great harvest.


reference:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/thanksgiving/short-stories/the-first-thanksgiving.html



1) Pilgrims: Noun. A member of the group of English people who sailed to America on the ship The Mayflower.
Ex. Pilgrims came to America around 1620.

2) Naughty (bad): Adj. Behaving badly; not willing to obey.
Ex. Naughty child always give parents a headache.

3) Vessel (ship): Noun. A large ship or boat.
Ex. A blue vessel had arrived the harbor.

4) Pitched (sway): Verb. The movement of ship up and down in the water.
Ex. Rough sea caused the ship pitched all day.

5) Tiresome (wearisome): Adj. Making you feel annoyed and tire.
Ex. Stuck in the traffic can be very tiresome.

W4: Thanksgiving sale info.

            As you may know, Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays for shopping in U.S. There are numerous discounts offered by department stores, shopping mall, and even outlet. According to outlet’s information, they have extended their shopping hours for this Thanksgiving holidays:

·         Friday              November 25:             Midnight-10pm

·         Saturday          November 26:             8am-10pm

·         Sunday            November 27:             9am-8pm

While many stores extend their opening hours on Friday midnight, there are some selected stores open early at 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm Thursday November 24, so be sure to be there early because there will be traffic!

            In addition, I had found outlet website that provides information about discount from many popular stores that they would offer during the Thanksgiving holidays. I think this is a good chance for shopping,and you should not miss it before you go back to your country!

For more information, please visit outlet’s website at

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/special-sales-events/special-sales/waikele.asp

If you need to take bus or need information regarding the location of Waikele outlet

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/directions.asp?id=29

1) Polo: Noun. A game of Eastern origin resembling field hockey, played on horseback with a long- handled mallet.

     Ex. It would be hard to actual see a polo game nowadays.

2) Brook (river): Noun. A small stream

     Ex. There is a brook between the tribe.

3) Converse (talk): Verb. Engage in conversation.

     Ex. Customer support converse to customers on phone each day.

4) Madness (insanity): Noun. A state of frenzied or chaotic activity.

     Ex. Students at bars turn into madness after finals.

5) Maternity (motherhood): Noun. Clothes dressed during the period of pregnancy.

     Ex. There is a pregnant woman with fashion maternity dress.

W3: Parental Discipline & Child Abuse

I read an editorial news that the issues is about “parental discipline”. A 23 year-old woman posted a video that she captured with hidden camera seven years ago.  Her father, a Texas judge, was hitting on her with powerful belt lashes for illegally downloading music. Some people who have watched this video said “That’s not discipline, it’s a beating!”

Expects also tell readers that if you are going to punish your children, never spank them while you are in the moment of anger. The anger will make you mad. The line between parental discipline and child abuse is always hard to be distinct, but in this case, the father whipped his daughter with belt, this is absolutely a mind-losing lashing. He has been forced to leave temporally from his position until this event is cleaned up.

Most of us might become parent someday, and has you ever think about what kind of parent you want to be? It will be a big difficulty for us in the future.

1) ferocious (fierce): Adj. Very aggressive or violent; very strong

Ex. Some contents in the movie are ferocious.

2) spank (slap): Verb. To hit sb, especially a child, several times on their bottom as a punishment

Ex. There is an issue and debate over spanking a child.

3) bruises (injure): Noun. A blue, brown or purple mark that appears on the skin after sb has fallen, been hit, etc.

Ex. After a trip to ski, I had some bruises on my leg.

4) corporal punishment (penalty): Adj. The physical punishment of people, especially by hitting them.

Ex. Corporal punishment should be banned and disallowed.

5) outrageous (shocking): Adj. Unacceptable and very unusual.

Ex. Crucial corporal punishment is outrageous!

W3: J. K. Rowling

You might not know who J.K. Rowling is, but you must know about “Harry Potter”!  Yes, she is the author of the seven-book fantasy series about a boy wizard which has  broken publishing record, the most best-Selling book ever.

Rowling said that she did not expect that this story will bring her fame and money, and she just wrote it as a bed time story for children. The idea of Harry Potter came out to her while she was riding a train in England from Manchester to London. She becomes extraordinary because of this story, but she deeply hopes that she could be treated as a regular person.

She has finished the whole story of Harry Potter and she also stated that she won’t write anything as popular as this one. This piece is considered to be her representative work in her writing career and a miracle in the publishing industry.

 1) illusion (delusion): Noun. A false idea or belief, especially about sb or about a situation

Ex. In the dream, everything is illusion.

2) phenomenal (extraordinary): Adj. Very great or impressive

Ex. The research result has gotten a phenomenal success.

3)devastated (overwhelmed): Adj. extremely upset and shocked

Ex. This boy is devastated with his father’s death.

4) stroller (buggy): Noun. A type of light folding chair on wheels in which a baby or small child is pushed along.

Ex. Mothers nowadays are more preferred with stroller than carry on their backs.

5) enrapture (captivate): Verb. To give sb great pleasure or joy.

Ex. People can easily be enraptured by the TV dramas.

W2: A couple was arrested for $5 sandwich

I read a news about “a couple was arrested for $5 sandwich.” This couple was arrested after paying for $50 in groceries but not paying for the sandwich they ate while shopping.  They said that they are not intent to steal the sandwich, but just forgot to pay for it. The woman who is 30-weeks pregnant felt dizzy because of hungry during shopping, so she decided to eat the sandwich. The store manager insist to call the police. When the police arrived, the couple were arrested, and their 3-yeay-old daughter was taken away right from the grocery store. They even did not know where their daughter was, and worried about her very much. She was returned to her parents 18 hours later. The couple was angry about the way the deal with this case. This could have been handled differently. The store admitted that they handled the situation in the moment inappropriately. 

reference:

http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/story/Makiki-couple-arrested-over-5-sandwich/h-yUAH_SuEOvm_PZfXUcZA.cspx

W2: My strategies for memorizing words

To memorize vocabulary it is never enough if you just read the definition of the word.

One of the most important skills of my strategy for memorizing vocabulary is to analyze the word’s pronunciation. First, you should know how to pronounce the word, such as, check the word’s IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), so that you can find out all the syllables in the word.

For example:

“entrepreneurial” -> entre-pre-neu-rial

This step would be helpful for you to memorize even long and difficult words easily. And that also helps you to recognize the word next time when you hear it from other place.

Another important thing is to make sure that you really know the word’s part of speech. This is a necessary process, because it makes you know how to apply the word in your sentence with a correct grammar.

I hope these methods would be helpful for you guys!