NEW Lessons this Week (December 26, 2016)

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………

ON MONDAY
Daily English 1272 – Returning and Exchanging Merchandise

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to exchange”and “as-is.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Common Return-policy Terms.”
“When ‘making a purchase’ (buying something), buyers should know a store’s ‘return policy,’ or the conditions…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

ON WEDNESDAY
Cultural English 587

Topics: The Mayflower and the Mayflower Compact; to encompass versus to comprise; edge versus margin; do me right

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “The Mayflower Doctrine.”
“In 1941, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the ‘Mayflower Doctrine,’ which ‘prohibited’ (did not allow)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

ON FRIDAY
Daily English 1273 – Improving School Security

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “in light of” and “time.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Types of School Drills and Safety Procedures.”
“Most schools have ‘drills’ (actions that are practiced and repeated many times) and safety procedures ‘designed’…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide

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24 Responses to NEW Lessons this Week (December 26, 2016)

  1. emiliano says:

    (Written some time ago)

    LIFE AS A
    As a cat I could see and listen nearly everything which happens in the house, they think I can´t ecause it seems I am always sleeping.
    But do humans know how cats sleep?. Of course not.
    I feel when Emiliano is going through troubles, when he is sad, when is is worried about some things that sincerely I don´t understand. Why humans are so complicated?. He has shelter, a bed to sleep, free time as he is always indoors, and having all his necessities covered he use to be worried I don´t know why or what for.
    What is inside Cuca´s mind?. This is a little more complicated, women have their minds more closed for a cat like me. Some how they are differents from men, her mind is not easy or simple as it is the mind of a man.
    She use to suffers in silence, she doesn´t like to complain nearly about nothing. Some times despite she is not in good health she doesn´t said a single word about her pain. It could be because she knows that Emiliano is always worried about her health.
    Everything here at home use to be quiet, not too much tv., twice or three times only along the day, but there is always some little noise they called music. It is nice, but Emiliano likes to listen to this noise along hours. I don´t care, after so many time I got acustomed to this kind of sound.
    Outside home there is a world I don´t know anything about. I could see a big space through something clear, I don´t know what is it, where some time pass other people that I am not interested at all. Different noises come from outside, voices, big boxes that moves up and down without any sense to a cat. The worst it is they make too much noise, other time they remains hours without any movement, it is crazy. People come, open little doors and go into the big box, and after a Little while the box started to move making that horrible noise that I don´t like absolutely.

    There is nothing of my interest outsie, only the sun, I like to be after the clear space taking the sun, yes I know that is taken the sun because that is how Emiliano and Cuca call it when I was under that light so warm and agreeble. But where is the sun?. Lately I don´t see it, but today here it was again and I was happy close to the clear light that warm me so much. Doing that I am happy.
    They use to say, look to Gatufo he is taken the sun, and that is the reason I know what taken the sun is. Yes, there is something that comes from outside and it is the only thing I like.
    The best site of the house it is on the lap of Emiliano, over there I feel sure. He use to touch me and it makes me feel happy, loved, his hands are so soft. I would like to play with him more times but he seems to be occupied always. With not enough time to play with me and it make me feel sad some times.
    Again hot is here, why?. Too much for me, I don´t know how this my world goes on. Some times there is too much hot, and other too much cold, and I can´t see any reason for that.
    Usually I like hot, but it seems that when there is too much hot Emiliano doesn´t like to have me on his lap. He move up and down continuosly having not a moment to rest, to be quiet in peace and I dislike him going from a place to another. Sit down and do not move I would like to say him in his extrange language that I can´t pronounce.
    Why do they need to talk so much one with another, it is so easy to know what is happening inside their minds, at least for me. It seems, after all, they are not so smart as I am, as cats use to be. We don´t need to talk, we read the feelings of our groupt, of our similar cats. Of course, these big creatures are different from me, despite they have to be cat also, or not, how cats are?.who knows?. Never I have seen one.
    They call me cat, but they call themselves humans, what could be the differences…..well I don´t know and don´t care at all.
    Cat? Humans? What is the difference?. I like to say somethings to Emiliano and sometimes he seems to know what I mean, but other time he doesn´t, it depends of the day or the humor he has.

    I love Emiliano and Cuca, they love me too, I am happy at their side so for me it is more tan enough.
    I have my wáter, my food always in my will, I do wich ever thing I like to do, I clim up their bed and like to sleep together, just in the middle and they say nothing.
    Emiliano makes a big sound when he sleeps but I like the sound, it makes me happy as I know he is happy resting for the next day.
    Life as a cat here is good, very good indeed.
    I would tell you more things about these my people, about this my house, and of course this my life together with Emiliano and Cuca.

    el gatufo (emiliano)

  2. Tania says:

    Hi,

    Dear Emiliano, in the English Cafe 586, Jeff gives us the answer at the Gatufo’s question.
    The difference between a cat and a human being is that that “we are rational animals”, and not only that.
    Anyway, I like the Gatufo’s thoughts.

    Best wishes,

    Tania

  3. Tania says:

    Hi,

    As it is still the Christmas…

    “Dear Santa,
    Here’s the sleigh!

    Very well,
    Let’s fly away!

    Christmas is fun,
    Merry Christmas, everyone!”

  4. Tania says:

    Hi,

    “Santa Claus,
    You’re really here!

    Dear Santa, we thank you,
    And you know… we love you!”

  5. Tania says:

    Hi,

    “Merry Christmas, everyone!
    Let’s have lots and lots of fun!”

  6. Tania says:

    Hi,

    A Christmas joke:

    “It was the third Christmas Day. The old judge was in a merry mood as
    he asked the very young prisoner:
    – What are you charged with?
    – Doing my Christmas shopping early, answered the defendant. Much too early.
    – And how early were you doing your shopping? asked the judge again.
    – Well, a little before the shop was opened, answered the prisoner.”

  7. emiliano says:

    Sorry Tania but I don´t agree with Jeff either with you if you think the same
    like him.
    Cats are more rational than humans just the same happens with dogs.

    Nice Christmas. emiliano

  8. emiliano says:

    Have you aver see dogs killing other dogs or cats killing other cats?. Even more have you seen other animals killing each other in the way humans do along thousand o years, some time by pleasure or by money?.
    No, evidently not, so

    Who are more rationals?

  9. Mary Carmen says:

    Hello
    Haha, Tania, it is a funny joke.

    This morning i sadly found that George Michael passed away yesterday. Last Christmas, Freedom, Faith, Careless Whispers, Older, Everything she wants,Killer, I knew you were waiting for me, and so many songs he performed so well with his powerful presence and voice… pure esence of the eighties.
    Rest in peace, George Michael.

    Bye

  10. Mary Carmen says:

    How could I forget Father figure, Jesus to a child, Praying for time and Don’t let the sun on me with Elton John? Just a bunch of wonderful songs.
    Bye again

  11. Mary Carmen says:

    Hello everyone

    I wonder where and how is Dan.
    Dan, won’t you be so kind to come and tell something? Will you?, just a quick hello.
    Hey, Dan, come on, I miss your sparkly words.

    Mari Carmen

  12. emiliano says:

    So many singers passed away this year, it has been a dreadful year for them, and
    now George Michael son young, it is a tragedy for millions of his fans.
    Rest en Peace and my condolences for all his family and friends, specially for
    the person, his loved one, who share his life with him.

    emiliano

  13. Dan says:

    Hello Mary.

    Thank you for asking.

    Frankly speaking, I am doing so-so or fairly well.

    Still reading a lot. I am 800 pages into War and Peace with is 1900 pages long. Enjoying it even if I don’t like the attitude of those aristocrats, but you know, at that time it was like that.

    Trying to enjoy my Christmas with long walks and avoiding trucks when that is possible of course…wink wink nudge nugde.

    Tomorrow I will be driving my mom at the hospital for her chemio. Luckily this week I am home. But she still has all 2017 to get chemiotised..Hey! I think I just invented a new word there.

    That’s it, just my usual simple frugal lifestyle.

    Thanks, happy holidays. Ciao.

    Dan

  14. Mary Carmen says:

    Hello Dan, thank you for your reply.

    I see you keep quite busy reading War and Peace.
    I hope your mom will be recovering from her illness soon.
    If I may make a suggestion, take care of both, you and her.

    Bye

  15. Tania says:

    Hi Mary Carmen, hi Dan,

    Glad to meet you again on our blog.

    Best wishes,

    Tania

  16. Tania says:

    Hi,

    I have forgotten Marcos. Hi, Marcos.

    Best wishes,

    Tania

  17. Tania says:

    Hi,

    I am very glad to share with you one of my pleasure.
    On Christmas night I watched on TV a great concert , Andrea Bocelli at
    Holywood hall, Great Cinema and Great Music.
    Thanks to Jeff, I could recognize a lot of famous songs and movies.
    First, Moon River (English Cafe 534) from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s based on the same work by Truman Capote (English Cafe 585).
    And many other film scores from movies mentioned by Jeff like:
    The God Father, Ben -Hur, Love Story, Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber
    (Don’t Cry for me Argentina), and of course
    “Por Una Cabeza” , the famous tango from The scent of Woman.

  18. Tania says:

    Hi,

    I have not known where I know of Ben – Hur from.
    Oh, I remember. Ben – Hur from the English Cafe 553 about famous Americans, Lew Wallace with his 1880 novel, Ben – Hur, now a 2016 movie.

    Andrew Lloyd Webber… you often mentioned him.

    A great thank you, dear Jeff and dear ESL Podcast team.

  19. Tania says:

    Hi,
    I have seen the movie The Eddge starring Anthony Hopkins,
    directed by David Mamet.
    David Mamet…I recognized the name , but who is David Mamet?
    Oh, the English Cafe 514/ 2015.

    Thank you , dear Jeff, as thanks to you I can make my first paces in the
    American culture.

  20. Tania says:

    Hi,
    As we know that Moon River song from the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s
    is one of the Jeff’s favourite songs… he told us in the English Cafe 534/ 2015…
    may we sing together this song?

    Moon River, wider than a mile,
    I’m crossing you in style some day.
    Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
    Where you’re going I’m going your way.
    Two drifters off to see the world.
    There’s such a lot of world to see.
    We’re after the same rainbow’s end –
    waiting’ round the bend,
    my huckleberry friend,
    Moon River and me.

  21. Tania says:

    Hi,
    Reading the Truman Capote biography, I have found and his work,
    Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
    I like very much our translation, Sandwiches With Diamonds.

  22. emiliano says:

    Have you see the movie Tania?
    One of my loving star worked in the movie.
    ?Audrey Hepburn.

    Every young man was in love with her.
    Really I love her very much, when I found Cuca
    she was so similar that fall in love at first sight.
    Ja Ja, really true.
    Cuca knows it.

    By the way I love her cat too.
    He is like Gatufo, just the same cat.

    Happy new year for all of you dear.

    gatufo

  23. emiliano says:

    It´s funny I have seen that in September 2007 the first comment
    written here in the Blog it was of a chap named emiliano.
    The note was written by a nice girl named Lucy, it has been a long time
    since them, more than nine years.
    Oh I was so young then, what a pity and my dear love Cuca
    was with me.
    Time goes on so fast……..

  24. Francisco says:

    It would be very interesting if the dates and times of posts were together with the MP3 and PDF files.

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