英语口语学习网 » 英语沙龙

“脑袋大”的人就一定是“天才”？(图)

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:53:04 +0000

“脑袋大”的人就一定是“天才”？

　　At Einstein’s autopsy in 1955, his brain was something of a disappointment: it turned out to be a tad smaller than the average Joe’s. Indeed, later studies have suggested a minimal link between brain size and intelligence. It seems brain quality rather than quantity is key。

　　在1955 年对爱因斯坦尸体的解剖中，他的大脑多少让人有些失望——它比一个成年男子大脑的平均体积还稍微小一点。其实后来的研究也指出，大脑的体积与智力的关系极微，似乎“质”比“量”更为关键。

　　One important factor seems to be how well our neurons can talk to each other. Martijn van den Heuvel, a neuroscientist at Utrecht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, found that smarter brains seem to have more efficient networks between neurons – in other words, it takes fewer steps to relay a message between different regions of the brain. That could explain about a third of the variation in a population’s IQ, he says。

　　一个重要的因素就是我们大脑中的神经元相互的交流度有多好。荷兰乌特勒支大学医学中心的神经科学家马丁·范登·赫维尔发现，较聪明的大脑似乎拥有更加有效的神经元网络，换句话说就是信息在大脑不同区域间传递所花费的步骤更少。他说，人类1/3 的智力差异都是由于这个原因。

　　Another key factor is the insulating fatty sheath encasing neuron fibers, which affects the speed of electrical signals. Paul Thompson at the University of California, Los Angeles, has found a correlation between IQ and the quality of the sheaths。

　　另一个关键要素是将神经纤维与外界隔离的脂肪鞘，它可以影响电信号的传输速度。加利福尼亚大学洛杉矶分校的保罗·汤普森发现，智力与脂肪鞘质量之间是有关联的。

　　We still don’t know exactly how much genes contribute to intelligence, with various studies coming up with estimates rangingfrom 40 to 80 per cent. This wide range of estimates might have arisen because genes contribute more to IQ as we get older, according to a study published last year. By comparing the intelligence of 11,000 pairs of twins, Robert Plomin of King’s College London found that at age 9, genes explain 40 per cent of the variation, but by 17 they account for roughly two-thirds。

　　对于基因对智力起的作用占多少，各种研究估计出的比例从40% 到 80% 不等，我们仍然无法确定具体数字。根据去年公布的一项研究，这个宽泛的估计值可能会升高，因为随着年龄的增长，基因对智力的作用会越来越大。通过对1.1 万对双胞胎智力的比较，伦敦国王学院的罗伯特·普洛明发现，9岁的时候，40%的智力差异是由基因影响的，而到了17 岁，比例升到了大概2/3。

　　How could that be? Perhaps the genes affect how our brain rewires itself as we mature. Alternatively, they may dictate whether someone is likely to seek out stimulating experiences to help their brain grow and develop. “If we are predisposed to have a talent, we may actively seek out an environment to suit it,” says Thompson。

　　这种结果是如何产生的呢？也许是因为随着我们长大，基因会影响我们的大脑如何进行神经重塑，要么就是基因会支配一个人是否愿意去寻找有刺激性的体验来帮助他们的大脑生长发育。汤普森说，“如果我们预先决定要创造出一个天才，那我们可能就要积极地去寻找一个环境来配合他的成长”。(《英语沙龙》时尚版)

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:经济萎靡，全球品牌纷纷讨好中国年轻消费者

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:18:20 +0000

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:经济萎靡，全球品牌纷纷讨好中国年轻消费者

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:如何写大学书面作业写作并不神秘

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:16:26 +0000

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:如何写大学书面作业写作并不神秘

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:为什么我们那么多人都去了华尔街？

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:49:49 +0000

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:为什么我们那么多人都去了华尔街？(音频)

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:武术—文化交流

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:44:19 +0000

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:武术—文化交流、建立友情、愉悦自己和自我发现的手段(音频)

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:在纽约

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:32:54 +0000

2010年1月英语沙龙实战版:在纽约(音频)

斯德哥尔摩辉煌的昨天与今天–2009年英语沙龙阅读版01

wuhuaitang — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:59:07 +0000

斯德哥尔摩辉煌的昨天与今天–09年英语沙龙阅读版01

英语沙龙:A Special Occasion特殊的场合

wuhuaitang — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:53:03 +0000

第 1 ：英语原文

A Special Occasion

My brother－in－law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue－wrapped package．“This，”he said，“is not a slip．This is lingerie1)．”He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip．

It was exquisite，silk，handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace．The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached．

“Jan bought this the first time we went to New York，at least ８or９years ago．She never wore it．She was saving it for a special occasion．”

Well，I guess this is the occasion．

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed，with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician2)．His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment，then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me．“Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion．Every day you’re alive is a special occasion．”

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death．I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister’s family lives．I thought about all the things that she hadn’t seen or heard or done．I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special．

I’m still thinking about his words，and they’ve changed the weeds in the garden．I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings．Whenever possible，life should be a pattern of experience to savour3)，not endure．I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them．

I’m not “saving” anything；we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound，getting the sink unstopped，the first camellia4) blossom．．．I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it．My theory is if I look prosperous，I can shell out5) ＄２８.４９for one small bag of groceries without wincing．I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties；clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party going friends．

“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their grip6) on my vocabulary．If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing，I want to see and hear and do it now．I’m not sure what my sister would’ve done had she know that she wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted．

I think she would have called family members and a few close friends．She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles7). I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner，her favorite food．I’m guessing．I’ll never know．

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited．Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with someday．Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days．Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them．

I’m trying very hard not to put off，hold back，or save anything that would add laughter and lustre8) to our lives．

And every morning when I open my eyes，I tell myself that every day，every minute，every breath truly，is．．．a gift from God．

第 2 ：中文翻译

特殊的场合

妹夫打开了妹妹衣柜最底层抽屉，拿出一个用薄纸裹着的小包。“这个，”他说，“不是衬裙，是件内衣。

”他把薄纸去掉，递给了我那件内衣。它很精致、丝质、手工缝制，周围有一圈密密的花边。上面还有价签，价签上的数字高得惊人。

“这是我们第一次去纽约时简买的，至少已是八、九年前的事了。她从没有穿过它。她在为一个特殊的场合珍藏着它。

”唉，我想现在便是那特殊的场合了。

妹夫从我手中拿过内衣放在床上，和其他我们要带给殡仪人员的衣服放在一起。他的手在那柔软的丝织品上抚摸了一会儿，随即砰然关上抽屉，转身对我说：“不要把任何东西留给什么特殊场合。每天你活着就是一个特殊的场合。”

这两句话久久在我耳边回响着，伴我度过了葬礼和帮妹夫、外甥女处理妹妹意外死亡后的伤心后事的那几天。我从中西部某城妹妹家乘飞机返回加利福尼亚州时还在想这两句话。我想到妹妹从没看过、听过或做过的事。我想到她做过的，但未曾意识到其特殊性的事情。

我还在想着妹夫说过的那两句话，正是这两句话帮我理清了思绪。我要花更多的时间与家人和朋友在一起，少花些时间在那些委员会会议上。无论何时，生活应该是去品尝而非忍受。我要认识到并珍惜现在的时光。

我不再去“珍藏”任何东西；我们为每一特殊事件享用我们精美的瓷器和水晶制品，比如说当体重减了一磅的时候，当厨房水槽通畅了的时候，当第一朵山茶花绽放的时候……如果我想穿，我就穿上我鲜艳的外衣去市场购物。我的理论是如果我看上去还富足的话，我可以毫不心疼地为一小袋食品付出２８．４９美元。我不再为特殊的晚会而珍藏我上好的香水；五金商店售货员和银行出纳员们的嗅觉和我晚会上朋友们的一样灵敏。

有朝一日”和“某一天”这样的字眼正从我的常用词汇中淡出。如果值得去看、去听或去做，我当即就要去看、去听或去做。我不清楚假如妹妹知道她不会有大家都认为不成问题的明天了，她会做些什么。

我想她会给家人和几位密友打电话。她可能还会给几位昔日朋友打电话主动道歉，捐弃前嫌。我想她可能会外出吃顿她喜欢的中式餐。我只是猜想而已。我永远也不会知道。

假如我知道我的时间不多了，那些没来得及做的小事会让我恼火。恼火是因为我一拖再拖没能去看看我想某一天去联系的好友们。恼火是因为我还没有写出我打算这一两天要写的信。恼火与内疚是因为我没能更经常地告诉我的丈夫和女儿我是多么真切地爱他们。

我正努力不再拖延、保留或珍藏那些能给我们生活带来欢笑和光彩的东西。每天清晨当我睁开双眼，我便告诉自己每一天、每一分钟、每一瞬间都真是……上帝赐予的礼物。

第 3 ：词汇注释

1. lingerie [7lAnVE5ri] n. 妇女贴身内衣

2. mortician [mC:5tiFEn] n. 殡仪业者

3. savour [5seivE] v. 品尝

4. camellia [kE5mi:liE] n. [植]茶属, 茶花, 山茶

5. shell out 交付, 支付

6. grip [^rip] n. 掌握, 控制

7. squabble [5skwCbl] v. 争论

8. luster [`lQstE(r)] n. 光彩, 光泽

英语沙龙:Think of What You Have Instead of What You Want

wuhuaitang — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:49:10 +0000

第 1 ：英语原文

Think of What You Have Instead of What You Want

In over a dozen years as a stress consultant1)，one of the most pervasive2) and destructive3) mental tendencies4) I’ve seen is that of focusing on what we want instead of what we have．It doesn’t seem to make any difference how much we have；we just keep expanding our list of desires，which guarantees we will remain dissatisfied．The mind－set that says“I’ll be happy when this desire is fulfilled” is the same mind－set that will repeat itself once that desire is met．

A friend of ours closed escrow5) on his new home on a Sunday．The very next time we saw him he was talking about his next house that was going to be even bigger．He isn’t alone．Most of us do the very same thing．We want this or that．If we don’ t get what we want we keep thinking about all that we don’t have－－and we remain dissatisfied．If we do get what we want，we simply recreate the same thinking in our new circumstances．So，despite getting what we want，we still remain unhappy．Happiness can’t be found when we are yearning for new desires6)．

Luckily，there is a way to be happy．It involves changing the emphasis of our thinking from what we want to what we have．Rather than wishing y our spouse was different，try thinking about her wonderful qualities．Instead of complaining about your salary，be grateful that you have a job．Rather than wishing you were able to take a vacation to Hawaii，think of how much fun you have had close to home．The list of possibilities is endless．Each time you notice yourself falling into the “I wish life were different ” trap，back off and start over．Take a breath and remember all that you have to be grateful．When you focus not on what you want，but on what you have，you end up getting more of what you want anyway．If you focus on the good qualities of your spouse，she’ll be more loving．If you are grateful for your job rather than complaining about it，you’ll do a better job，be more productive，and probably end up getting a raise any way．If you focus on ways to enjoy yourself around home rather than waiting to enjoy yourself in Hawaii，you’ll end up having more fun．If you ever do get to Hawaii，you’ll be in the habit of enjoying yourself．And，if by some chance you don’ t，you’ll have a great life anyway．

Make a note to yourself to start thinking more about what you have than what you want．If you do，your life will start appearing much better than before．For perhaps the first time in your life，you’ll know what it means to feel satisfied．

by Richard Carlson

第 2 ：中文翻译

想想你所拥有的而非你所想得到的

在作压力咨询顾问这十几年期间，我所见到的最为普遍最具毁灭性的心理趋向，就是专注于我们想要得到的而非我们所拥有的。我们到底拥有多少似乎并不重要；我们只是一味地扩展我们的欲望单，而这就注定我们永远不会满足。“这一欲望得到满足后我就会幸福”—这种心态在该欲望真的满足后又会有。

我们的一位朋友于某个星期天履行完他新房子的契约。就在我们再次见到他时，他大谈他下一栋更大的房子。他这样的人并不罕见。我们大多数人做着类似的事情。我们要这要那，如果我们没有得到自己想要的，便不住地想我们没有的—于是我们就老是不满。可如果我们真地得到了自己想要的，又会在新的情况下抱同样的想法。于是，尽管我们得到了自己想要的，我们依然不快活。当我们不断渴求新的欲望时，幸福无法驻留我们的心间。

幸运的是，有一种办法能让我们幸福，这便是把我们考虑的重点从我们想要得到的转到我们所拥有的。与其希望你的配偶应该怎样怎样，不妨想想她可爱的品质。与其抱怨你的薪水，不妨感激你有一份工作。与其希望你能够去夏威夷度假，不妨想想你在家门口已找到了多少乐趣。这种可能性的单子是列不完的。每当你发现自己陷入“我多么希望生活是另一番景象”这一陷阱时，赶紧抽身重新想一想，吸一口气，记住你所拥有的，这样心里就会感激。你如果注重你所拥有的而非你想要得到的，你最终得到的比你想要的要多。如果你注重的是你配偶的良好品质，她会更加温柔体贴。如果你对你的工作心存感激而非一味抱怨，你会做得更好，更有成果，或许最终也会加薪。如果你琢磨的是如何在家门口玩得开心，而非等着去夏威夷玩儿，你最终会得到更多的乐趣。如果你真能去成夏威夷，那么你就已经很会玩儿个痛快了。即使由于某些原因你没能去成，你的生活依然是丰富多彩的。

记住要开始多想想自己拥有的而不是自己渴求的。如果你做到的话，你的生活就会显得比以往要美好得多。也许这是生平第一次，但你会领悟到心满意足的意义。

第 3 ：词汇注释

stress consultant 压力咨询

pervasive [pE:5veisiv] adj. 普遍深入的

destructive [dis5trQktiv] adj. 破坏(性)的

mental tendency 心理趋势

escrow [es5krEu] n. 由第三者保存附带条件委付盖印的契约

desire [di5zaiE] n. 愿望, 心愿, 要求

英语沙龙:Room For The Future未来大有可为

wuhuaitang — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:39:01 +0000

第 1 ：英语原文

Room For The Future

At the age of forty－five，my usually well－ordered life became fraught with changes．

After twenty－two years of working for a major financial institution，a downsizing initiative and a major bank merger resulted in the elimination of over one hundred jobs，mine being one of them．

My once secure future became a fallacy．However，I was one of the lucky ones．I was not a single parent，nor dependent solely on my income，but just like the other ex－bankers，I had become a disposable employee，and a statistician．

My mantra has always been，“change is good，change is progress，”but when it affected my livelihood，I had to revise it to，“accept change and make the most of it．”From the beginning，I chose to look at this occurrence not as a misfortune，but as a welcome opportunity．I refused to become depressed or bitter；instead，I eagerly anticipated doing something new and different．

Having a positive attitude made all the difference in the way I perceived the future．First，I decided to return to college and graduate，several decades later than I should have．Doing this at my age took more than a little courage．Not being a graduate had never held me back in my career with the bank，but now it was a personal goal I longed to achieve．With a little trepidation and a lot of determination，I registered for evening classes，and became an adult student．

Oral presentations were often required for one class．I remember thinking that if I had known this beforehand，I would have taken something else to achieve my required accreditation．By nature，I am a rather reticent individual，and speaking in front of people terrified me．As I stood in front of the other adults with whom I shared a common goal，my knees were visibly knocking，and my heartbeat almost audible．Somehow，I found my voice and squeaked out my presentation．The next time it was easier，and soon，I was starting to enjoy it a little．Later in the year，I even voluntarily interviewed a local reporter for an English assignment，much to the amazement of my teacher．My confidence level soared．Suddenly I felt like I could accomplish anything．

During this time，I realized that no matter what life throws our way，personal growth never stops．It comes from within，and needs only to be challenged in order to surface．It is entirely possible to step out of one’s comfort zone to learn something new. My experience of going back to school ended up being far more valuable than just acquiring a diploma．

The second thing I did to improve my inner self was to reevaluate my life．It used to be filled with endless，and sometimes meaningless，events．Now，instead of working towards materialistic things and personal glorification，my heart and life are firmly entwined around people I care for．

Yes，having a fulfilling career is important，but it is no longer my reason for being．When I rejoin the “rat race”，it will be on my terms，as nurturing my soul is my first priority．Having simplified my life，I am enjoying living now，instead of just existing to make a living．

Is there life after banking？You bet there is．

The loss of my job was responsible for some positive changes in my life．Revisiting the past made room for the future．As I contemplate the meaning of my mantra，“change is good，change is progress”，I realize that I have accepted the change，and am making the most of it．

And，I have only just begun．The best is yet to come．

第 2 ：中文翻译

未来大有可为

在45岁时，我一向有条不紊的生活风云骤起，充满变数。

供职于一家重要的金融机构22年后，我突然失去了工作。原因是一次裁员和一次重大的银行并购导致100多名员工被裁，其中便有我。

一夜之间，我对未来曾抱有的安全感被证明是毫无根据的。然而，我还是幸运的。我不是单亲，工薪也不是我的惟一收入来源，但是正像其他前银行职员一样，我成了一名可有可无的雇员，一名统计人员。

我的祷文一向是，“变是好事，变是进步”，但当它真的影响到我的生活时，我不得不将之改为“接受变并善加利用”。我一开始就愿把这一生活变化视为一个很好的机会，而不是一种不幸。我拒绝抑郁、愤懑，而是热切地期望尝试新的、不同以往的事情。

这种积极的态度使我对未来的看法完全变了。首先，我决定重返大学，拿下毕业文凭，虽然已晚了几十年。这般年龄采取如此行动是需要拿出些勇气的。没有大学文凭并没有影响我在银行的职业生涯，但获得学位确是我的平生夙愿。我有些忐忑不安，但决心很大，我在夜校班报了名，成为一名成人学生。有一门课程常常要求学生进行口头陈述。记得我曾想过，如果我事先知道这一要求，我会选择别的课程来挣够学分。我天性少言寡语，在众人面前说话令我十分畏惧。当我站在其他和我有着共同目标的成人面前时，我的双膝直打颤，心都快跳到嗓子眼儿了。但我终于开了口，勉勉强强把陈述做了下来。第二次就容易多了。不久，我开始有点喜欢上这种课堂活动了。那年，我竟主动为一项英语作业采访了一位当地记者，让我的老师惊叹不已。我的自信大增。忽然我感觉没有我做不成的事情。

在这期间，我意识到，不管我们在人生的旅途中有何种遭遇，个人的成长是永无止境的，它是内在的需要，只有迎接挑战，才能超越自我。跳出自己的“舒适圈”去学些新的东西是完全可能的。重返学校，我收获良多，远远超过一张学位证书。

我完善自我的第二件事是重新审视我的生活道路。我过去的生活尽是些没完没了的事情，有时毫无意义，总之是逃不脱名利二字。现在，我的身心与我所关心的人紧紧地连在一起。

是的，事业有成是重要的，但它已不再是我生活的目标。如果我重返“激烈的竞争”，那必须是按照我的条件，因为我把滋养灵魂视为第一重要。简化了生活之后，我是真正在享受生活，而不是为生计而生存。

银行生涯之后还有生活吗？当然有。

丢了工作促成了我生活中一些积极的改变。重访过去为未来打开了空间。当我细细琢磨我的祷文“变是好事，变是进步”时，我意识到我已接受了变，并在充分利用它。

新生活刚刚开始。精彩的还在后头。

第 3 ：词汇注释

elimination [i7limi5neiFEn] n. 去掉, 消除

fallacy [5fAlEsi] n. 谬误, 谬论

disposable [dis5pEuzEbl] adj. 可任意使用的

mantra [5mQntrE, 5mAn-] 颂歌, 祷文(尤指四吠陀经典内作为咒文或祷告唱念的)

trepidation [trepi5deiFEn] n. 颤抖

reticent [5retisEnt] adj. 沉默寡言的

reevaluate [9ri:I`vAljJeIt] v. 再评估, 再评价

rat race n. 激烈的竞争, 你死我活的竞争

英语沙龙:Santa Claus:The True Story-圣诞老人:一个真实的故事

wuhuaitang — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:32:55 +0000

第 1 ：英语原文

Santa Claus: The True Story

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma．I was just a kid．I remember tearing1) across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb：“There is no Santa Claus，”she jeered．“ Even dummies2) know that.”

My grandma was not the gushy3) kind，never had been．I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me．I knew Grandma always told the truth，and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world－famous cinnamon4) buns．

Grandma was home，and the buns were still warm．Between bites，I told her everything．She was ready for me．“No Santa Claus．”She snorted．“Ridiculous5). Don’t believe it．That rumor6) has been going around for years，and it makes me mad，plain mad．Now，put on your coat，and let’s go．”

“Go？Go where，Grandma？”I asked．I hadn’t even finished my second cinnamon bun．

“Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store，the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything．As we walked through its doors，Grandma handed me ten dollars．That was a bundle in those days．“Take this money and buy something for someone who needs it．I’ll wait for you in the car” Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s．

I was only eight years old．I’d often gone shopping with my mother，but never had I shopped for anything all by myself．The store seemed big and crowded，full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping．For a few moments I just stood there，confused，clutching that ten－dollar bill，wondering what to buy，and who on earth to buy it for．

I thought of everybody I knew：my family，my friends，my neighbors，the kids at school，and the people who went to my church．I was just about thought out，when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker．He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair，and he sat right behind me in Mrs．Pollack’s second grade class．

Bobbie Decker didn’t have a coat．I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter．His mother always wrote a note，telling the teacher that he had a cough，but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn’t have a cough，and he didn’t have a coat．I fingered the ten－dollar bill with growing excitement．I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat．I settled on7) a red corduroy8) one that had a hood to it．It looked real warm，and he would like that．

“Is this a Christmas present for someone？” the lady behind the counter asked me kindly，as I laid my ten dollars down．

“Yes，”I replied shyly．“It’s．．．for Bobbie.”

The nice lady smiled at me．I didn’t get any change，but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas．

That evening，Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons，and write，“To Bobbie，From Santa Claus” on it．Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy．Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker’s house，explaining as we went that I was now forever officially one of Santa’s helps．

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie’s house，and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk．Then Grandma gave me a nudge9)．“ All right，Santa Claus，”she whispered，“get going．”

I took a deep breath，dashed for his front door，threw the present down on his step，pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma．Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open．Finally it did，and there stood Bobbie．

Forty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering，beside my grandma，in Bobbie Decker’s bushes．That night，I realized that t hose awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were：ridiculous．Santa was alive and well，and we were on his team．

第 2 ：中文翻译

圣诞老人：一个真实的故事

我记得小时候和奶奶一起过的第一次圣诞晚会。我当时还只是个孩子。我记得姐姐嘲弄的话好似晴空霹雳：“根本没有圣诞老人，连傻子都知道。”我哪里受得了这个，马上骑上自行车穿过镇上的街道直奔奶奶家。

奶奶不是个浮夸鼓噪的人，从不夸夸其谈。我找她因为我知道她肯定会告诉我真相。我知道奶奶讲的总是真的；而且，吃着奶奶那举世闻名的桂皮面包，她讲的话就更加中听了。

奶奶在家。她的桂皮面包才出炉不久。我一边嚼着面包，一边把姐姐的话告诉她。她对此早有准备，大声大气地说：“没有圣诞老人。简直胡说八道。你可别信那些。这个谣言散布了好些年了，真让我上火。来，把外套穿上，咱们走。”

“走？上哪儿呀，奶奶？”我问道。我还没吃完第二个桂皮面包呢。

那个“哪儿”原来是克比百货店，镇上惟一的百货店。进了门，奶奶递给我１０块钱。那个时候１０块钱可值钱呐。“买些东西给需要的人。我在车里等你。”她转身就出了店门。

我那时只有８岁。虽然常跟着妈妈逛商店，可从来没自个儿买过东西。那个又大又挤的商店塞满了为圣诞节购物的人。我捏着那张钞票，呆立了好一会儿，茫然不知该买什么，究竟买给谁。

我在脑里搜寻着每一个认得的人：家人、朋友、邻居、同学、教友。所有的人都快想了个遍，忽地想起了博比·德克尔。他有口臭和一头乱发。我们都在波拉克夫人教的二年级班上。他坐我后面。

我知道博比·德克尔没有大衣，因为他在冬天课间休息时从来也没出过教室。他母亲总是写条子给老师说他咳嗽。但我们都知道他不是咳嗽，而是没大衣。摸弄着那１０块钱，我越想越兴奋，我要为博比·德克尔买一件大衣。我看准一件红色灯芯绒带帽子的，看起来真暖和。博比会喜欢的。

“是送别人的圣诞礼物吗？”当我把１０块钱放在柜台上的时候，女店员很亲切地问道。

“是的，”我难为情地答道。“是给博比的。”

她对着我笑了。我以为她会找钱给我，但她没有，而是把大衣装进袋子里并祝我圣诞快乐。

那天晚上，奶奶帮我用彩纸和缎带把大衣包装起来，并题上了字：“给博比，圣诞老人赠。”奶奶说圣诞老人总坚持送礼得秘密进行。然后在开车送我去博比家的路上，她告诉我今后我将永远正式成为圣诞老人的助手之一了。

奶奶把车停在离博比家不远处的街边。我们悄悄地挨近他家，躲在房前过道的矮树丛里。奶奶轻轻用肘推了我一下。“好了，圣诞老人，”她低声地说，“开始行动。”

我深深吸了口气，冲到前门口，把礼物扔在门阶上，使劲按门铃，再飞奔回树丛里，和奶奶一块儿躲着。我们在黑暗中屏息等待前门开启。门终于开了，博比出现在门口。

４０年光阴未曾减弱我在博比·德克尔家前的矮树丛中挨着奶奶颤抖时所感受到的激动。就在那天晚上，我认识到，那些有关圣诞老人的恶劣谣传，正如奶奶所说，全是“胡说八道”。圣诞老人活得好好的，而我们都是他的好帮手。

第 3 ：词汇注释

NOTE 注释：

1. tear [teE(r)] vi.[口]狂奔，疾弛，匆忙行动

2. dummy [5dQmi] n. [口] 笨人，蠢货

3. gushy [5^QFi] adj. 装腔作势的

4. cinnamon [5sinEmEn] adj. 用桂皮调味的

5. ridiculous [ri5dikjulEs] adj. 荒谬的, 可笑的

6. rumor [5ru:mE] n. 流言, 谣言, 传闻

7. settle on 选定

8. corduroy [5kC:dErCi] adj. 用灯芯绒做的

9. nudge [nQdV] n. 用肘轻推, 轻推为引起注意

英语沙龙:Life Is To Be Whole人生在于完整

wuhuaitang — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:49:14 +0000

　　第 1 ：英语原文

　　Life Is To Be Whole

　　Once a circle missed a wedge.The circle wanted to be whole，so it went around looking for its missing piece．But because it was incomplete and therefore could roll only very slowly，it admired the flowers along the way．It chatted with worms．It enjoyed the sunshine．It found lots of different pieces，but none of them fit．So it left them all by the side of the road and kept on searching．Then one day the circle found a piece that fit perfectly．It was so happy．Now it could be whole，with nothing missing．It incorporated the missing piece into itself and began to roll．Now that it was a perfect circle，it could roll very fast，too fast to notice the flowers or talking to the worms．When it realized how different the world seemed when it rolled so quickly，it stopped，left its found piece by the side of the road and rolled slowly away．

　　The lesson of the story，I suggested，was that in some strange sense we are more whole when we are missing something．The man who has everything is in some ways a poor man．He will never know what it feels like to yearn，to hope，to nourish his soul with the dream of something better．He will never know the experience of having someone who loves him give him something he has always wanted or never had．

　　There is a wholeness about the person who has come to terms with his limitations，who has been brave enough to let go of his unrealistic dreams and not feel like a failure for doing so．There is a wholeness about the man or woman who has learned that he or she is strong enough to go through a tragedy and survive，who can lose someone and still feel like a complete person．

　　Life is not a trap set for us by God so that he can condemn us for failing．Life is not a spelling bee，where no matter how many words you’ve gotten right，you’re disqualified if you make one mistake．Life is more like a baseball season，where even the best team loses one－third of its games and even the worst team has its days of brilliance．Our goal is to win more games than we lose．

　　When we accept that imperfection is part of being human，and when we can continue rolling through life and appreciate it，we will have achieved a wholeness that others can only aspire to．That，I believe，is what God asks of us－－not “Be perfect”，not “Don’t even make a mistake”,but “Be whole．”

　　If we are brave enough to love，strong enough to forgive，generous enough to rejoice in another’s happiness，and wise enough to know there is enough love to go around for us all，then we can achieve a fulfillment5) that no other living creature will ever know．

　　第 2 ：中文翻译

　　人生在于完整

　　从前有一只圆圈缺了一块楔子。圆圈想保持完整，便四处寻找失去的那块楔子。由于它不完整，所以只能滚动很慢。一路上，它对花儿露出羡慕之色。它与蠕虫谈天侃地。它还欣赏到了阳光之美。圆圈找到了许许多多不同的配件，但是没有一件能完美地与它相配。所以，它将它们统统弃置路旁，继续寻觅。终于有一天，它找到了一个完美的配件。圆圈是那样地高兴，现在它可以说是完美无缺了。它装好配件，然后滚动起来。既然它已成了一个完整的圆圈，所以滚动得非常快，快得以至于无暇观赏花儿，也无暇与蠕虫倾诉心声。圆圈快奔急骋，发现眼中的世界变得如此不同，于是，它不禁停了下来，将找到的那个配件留在路旁，又开始了慢慢地滚动。

　　我觉得这个故事告诉我们，从某种奇妙意义上讲，当我们失去了一些东西时反而感到更加完整。一个拥有一切的人其实在某些方面是个穷人。他永远也体会不到什么是渴望、期待以及对美好梦想的感悟。他也永远不会有这样一种体验：一个爱他的人送给他某种他梦寐以求的或者从未拥有过的东西意味什么。

　　人生的完整性在于一个人知道如何面对他的缺陷，如何勇敢地摒弃那些不现实的幻想而又不以此为缺憾。人生的完整性还在于一个男人或女人懂得这样一个道理：他（她）发现自己能勇敢面对人生悲剧而继续生存，能够在失去亲人后依然表现出一个完整的人的风范。

　　人生不是上帝为谴责我们的缺陷而给我们布下的陷阱。人生也不是一场拼字游戏比赛。不管你拼出多少单词，一旦出现了一个错误，你便前功尽弃。人生更像是一个棒球赛季。即使最好的球队比赛也会输掉１／３，而最差的球队也有春风得意的日子。我们的目标就是多赢球，少输球。

　　我们接受了不完整性是人类本性的一部分，我们不断地进行人生滚动并能意识到其价值，我们就会完成完整人生的过程。而对于别人来讲，这只能是一个梦想。我相信这就是上帝对我们的要求：不求“完美”，也不求“永不犯错误”，而是求得人生的“完整”。

　　如果我们勇敢得能够去爱，坚强得能够去宽容，大度得能够去分享他人的幸福，明智得能够理解身边充满爱，那么我们就能取得别的生物所不能取得的成就。

　　第 3 ：词汇注释

　　wedge [wedV] n. 楔

　　tragedy [5trAdVidi] n. 悲剧, 惨案, 悲惨, 灾难

　　trap [trAp] n. 圈套, 陷阱

　　condemn [kEn5dem] vt. 谴责

　　fulfillment [ful5filmEnt] n. 成就

英语沙龙:Thanks, Before & After之前之后的感激

wuhuaitang — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:45:59 +0000

　　英语原文：

　　Thanks, Before & After

　　I never intended to tell you anything about this，but since I became an adult I discovered that the meaning of Thanksgiving sure isn’t what it used to be．

　　When I was younger，I remember receiving the inevitable homework assignment to write an essay on “Something I Am Thankful For．” Then，I’d spend a lot of time sitting in my room trying to figure out just what in the world that could possibly be，and I’d end up writing down everything I could think of from God to environmental consciousness．

　　But after having children，my priorities have clearly changed．

　　Before children：I was thankful to have been born in the United States of America－－the most powerful，free，democracy in the world．

　　After children：I am thankful for Velcro1) tennis shoes．As well as saving valuable time，now I can hear the sound of my son taking off his shoes which gives me three extra seconds to activate the safety locks on the backseat windows right before he hurls2) them out of the car and onto the freeway．

　　Before children：I was thankful for fresh，organic vegetables．

　　After children：I am thankful for microwavable macaroni3) and cheese－－without which my children would be surviving on about three bites of cereal and their own spit．

　　Before children：I was thankful for the opportunity to obtain a college education and have a higher quality of life than my ancestors．

　　After children：I am thankful to finish a complete thought without being interrupted．

　　Before children：I was thankful for holistic4) medicine and natural herbs．

　　After children：I am thankful for any pediatric5) cough syrup6) guaranteed to “cause drowsiness7)” in young children．

　　Before children：I was thankful for the opportunity to vacation in exotic foreign countries so I could experience a different way of life in a new culture．

　　After children：I am thankful to have time to make it all the way down the driveway to get the mail．

　　Before children：I was thankful for a warm，cozy home to share with my loved ones．

　　After children：I am thankful for the lock on the bathroom door．

　　Before children：I was thankful for material objects like custom8) furniture，a nice car，and trendy clothes．

　　After children：I am thankful when the baby spits up and messes my good shoes．

　　Before children：I was thankful for my wonderful family．

　　After children：I am thankful for my wonderful family．

　　中文翻译：

　　之前之后的感激

　　我从没有想过要告诉你这些，但是自从我成年后，我发现“感恩”的意思的确跟以前不同了。

　　小时候，我记得做过一个必做的家庭作业，即写一篇《我所感激的事情》。我记得我花费了大量时间坐在自己的房间里苦思冥想世上有什么可让我心存感激，结果我把我所能想到的都写了下来，从上帝到环保意识。

　　但是自从有了孩子后，孰轻孰重已有了明显的变化。

　　有孩子前：我感激我出生在美利坚合众国—世界上最强大、自由、民主的国家。

　　有孩子后：我感激有维可牢尼龙搭扣的网球鞋。它们不光节省宝贵的时间，还能让我在听到儿子脱鞋的声音后有３秒钟时间启动后座车窗安全锁，以防他把鞋子甩出车窗扔到高速路上。

　　有孩子前：我感激有新鲜的、用有机肥料培植的蔬菜。

　　有孩子后：我感激有用微波炉加热后即可食用的通心面和奶酪—没有它们，我的孩子们恐怕只能靠三口麦片粥和他们自己的唾液勉强维持生命了。

　　有孩子前：我感激有机会受到高等教育，能比我的祖先们享受更高质量的生活。

　　有孩子后：我感激能潜心思考而不被孩子打断。

　　有孩子前：我感激有整体医学和天然药草。

　　有孩子后：我感激有保证能让幼儿“发困”的小儿咳嗽糖浆。

　　有孩子前：我感激有机会去富有异国情调的外国度假，那样我可以在一种新的文化氛围里体验不同的生活方式。

　　有孩子后：我感激能有时间径直走到车道处去拿邮件。

　　有孩子前：我感激有一个和我家人分享的温暖舒适的家。

　　有孩子后：我感激卫生间的门上装了锁。

　　有孩子前：我感激有物质享受，如定做的家具、高档的汽车、时髦的衣服。

　　有孩子后：我感激孩子乱吐口水，把我的好鞋子弄得一团糟。

　　有孩子前：我感激有个美妙的家。

　　有孩子后：我感激有个美妙的家。

　　词汇注释：

　　1. Velcro [velkrEu] n. 维可牢尼龙搭扣（商标名称）

　　2. hurl [hE:l] vt. 用力投掷

　　3. macaroni [7mAkE5rEuni] n. [食]通心面

　　4. holistic [hEJ`lIstIk] adj. [医] 整体主义的

　　5. pediatric [7pi:di5Atrik] adj. 小儿科的

　　6. syrup [5sirEp] n. 糖浆, 果汁

　　7. drowsiness [5drauzinIs] n. 睡意

　　8. custom [5kQstEm] adj. 定制的

双语：办公室的日常礼仪

wuhuaitang — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:10:57 +0000

Everyday Etiquette for Office Life

Many offices are virtual beehives1 of social life, complete with their own patterns of gift giving, party schedules, and customs and traditions.

Collections2 It is the custom in many American offices to take up collections to buy presents for births, weddings, birthdays, and other happy occasions. Many people willingly participate in this tradition, but many more undoubtedly resent3 the continual expense.

Office collections only work among co-workers who genuinely have some fondness for one another and when the demands aren’t too high. They don’t work when you’re in an enormous office and you barely recognize the person to whom you’re expected to give money. They also don’t work when a set amount, which is often beyond some people’s means, is expected.

Asking people to kick in a dollar or two is okay. Asking for ten or twenty dollars usually is not. Those who know the person and want to give more money may, but no one should ever feel obliged to give more than a dollar or two to an office collection.

If you’re taking up the collection, you can ease the situation by asking only those who really know the recipient4 to participate. Rather than exclude anyone, though, offer the choice to someone who may not want to contribute:” I’m taking up a collection to buy Mary a wedding gift, but I know you don’t know her, so I don’t feel it’s right to ask you.” That leaves the decision entirely in the hands5 of the giver. From the giver’s point of view, once someone has let you off the hook6 in this way, you should feel no pressure to contribute. Another solution used in some offices is to pass around an envelope. Each person may anonymously7 contribute what he or she likes.

Office Parties Another office tradition is giving parties to celebrate big events–baby showers,wedding showers, retirement parties,and the ubiquitous8 birthday parties. Strictly speaking,these ought not to be held on office time or premises9,but they often are.Whenever possible,give major parties for co-workers at another location.Parties that take place at work, say, for a retirement or a birthday, should be kept fairly brief and subdued10. Some large offices merge11 events–that is,they have one birthday party in a month rather than a series of birthday celebrations.

Gifts Most offices indulge in12 some form of gift giving, usually at holiday time. Bosses typically give gifts to their staff members, while employees are not obliged to give gifts in return. The exception is the secretary or personal assistant who wishes to give the boss a present. This gift can be very modest13, even if the boss’s gift was lavish14. It would, in fact, be inappropriate for an employee to give an employer an elaborate15 or expensive gift. Some offices have a grab bag16 gift exchange, where everyone puts his name in a bag also draws the name of another worker. When these are the custom, the gifts should be small, and it is a good idea to set a dollar limit, usually five to ten dollars.

The best office gifts are impersonal17 but clearly chosen with an individual’s interests in mind. Books, compact discs, food, desk accessories18, datebooks, umbrellas, and impersonal items of clothing such as scarves and gloves are all acceptable. Joke gifts are fine and popular in many offices as long as they are not overly offensive.

Employers should also keep in mind that a bonus19 is not a present. It is part of the reimbursement20 package and as such should never be referred to or considered a present. Apart from any specific office rituals, gift exchanges among co-workers are the same as gift exchanges among friends.

办公室的日常礼仪

许多办公室实际上是社交生活的热闹场所，有自己完备的赠送礼物、安排聚会以及习俗和传统的模式。

凑份子许多美国办公室有为新生儿降临、新人结婚、生日和其他喜庆的场合凑钱买礼品的习俗。许多人愿意参加这一传统活动，但也有不少人肯定对这种没完没了的支出有反感。

办公室凑份子活动只在同事彼此真有好感、并且所交的那份钱不是太多的情况下才能进行。如果在一大型办公室你几乎不认识你要凑份子送礼品的对象，这种活动就无法进行。如果这份钱数定得过高，超过同事的承受能力，凑份子活动也难以进行。

让同事出一两美元没问题。但要一二十元通常就行不通了。那些认识送礼对象想多给钱的人可以多给，但对于办公室凑份子活动，谁也没必要非得给多于一两元。

如果你负责凑份子活动，你可以只让那些真正认识送礼对象的人来参加，这样会好办些。但是与其把任何外人排除，不如让那些可能不想凑份子的同事自己选择：”我正在让大家凑份子，给玛丽买一结婚礼物，我知道你不认识她，所以我不好意思让你出钱。”这样，你就把决定权完全交给了对方。从出钱人的角度来看，如果有人让你自作决定而不让你为难，你便不会感到有压力了。在某些办公室还有一种做法是传递个信封。每位同事可不记名地放入他或她愿意给的数目。

办公室聚会办公室的另一种传统是聚会，庆祝重大事件–分娩送礼会、结婚送礼会、退休欢送会，普遍性的生日晚会等等。严格而言，这些聚会不应在办公时间或场所举行，但它们经常就在办公室举办。如果可能的话最好还是另找一个地方举办较大的同事聚会。在办公时间举办的聚会如退休欢送会或庆祝生日活动应简短为好而且不可过分热闹。有些大公司集中举行庆祝活动–即他们一个月搞一次生日聚会而不是开一系列生日晚会。

礼品多数办公室喜好某种礼品赠送形式，通常在节日之际，老板往往送雇员礼品，而雇员没有必要回赠礼物。除非秘书或私人助理想给老板一件礼物。这一礼品可以是非常普通的物品，尽管老板的礼品可能相当昂贵。实际上雇员若送给雇主一件精致或昂贵的礼品，那是不合适的。有些办公室设有礼品交换袋，每个人将自己的名字放入袋中再抓另一位同事的名字。如果实行的是这种习俗，礼品应是小礼物，不妨设定个金额限制，通常是在5到10美元之间。

最好的办公室礼物是一般性的，但选择时显然要考虑到个人兴趣。书籍、光盘、食品、办公桌装饰品、记事台历、雨伞，和一般性的服饰物件如围巾、手套等都是不错的选择。带有开玩笑性质的礼品在许多办公室也颇为流行，只要不过分伤人。

雇主应该切记奖金不是礼品。那是整个酬金补偿的一部分，绝不应被称为或被认为是一种礼物。除了特殊的办公室习俗，同事间的礼物交换同朋友间的礼物交换是一样的。

重点词汇：

1.beehive[5bi:7haiv]n.拥挤吵闹的地方(或场面)

2.collection[kE5lekFEn]n.募集的钱，募捐

3.resent[ri5zent]vt.对…表示忿恨，怨恨

4.recipient[ri5sipiEnt]n.接受者，收受者

5.hands[hAnd]n.支配，掌管

6.offthehook[口]摆脱责任，脱离困境

7.anonymously[E5nCnimEsli]adv.匿名地，无名地

8.ubiquitous[ju:5bikwitEs]adj.无所不在的，普通存在的

9.premise[5premis]n.[～s]事务所，办公室

10.subdued[sQb5dju:]adj.减弱的，低调的

11.merge[mE:dV]vt.使合为一体

12.indulge[in5dQldV]vi.(与in连用)让自己高兴一下

13.modest[5mCdist]adj.朴实无华的

14.lavish[5lAviF]adj.慷慨的，大方的

15.elaborate[I5lAbErEt]adj.精制的

16.grabbag[美]摸彩袋

17.impersonal[im5pE:sEnl]adj.一般的

18.accessory[Ak5sesEri]n.[复]装饰品

19.bonus[5bEunEs]n.奖金

20.reimbursement[7ri:im5bE:s]n.(费用的)偿还，补偿

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