De Larissa, le 02/12/2011 02:09:19 - 60 commentaires
The saying goes “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. So true!
I think one of the most important reasons we have friends is to help and be helped when in times of trouble. Sometimes, however, I’ve made some serious errors of judgment and ended up regretting coming to the rescue of my needy pals. My natural instinct is to help people around me when I can, and it’s become necessary for me to learn where to draw the line (=determine a limit) and say “Enough is enough”.
For example: I’ve lost a LOT of money over the years lending it to friends in trouble, who are then unable or unwilling to pay it back. The worst thing about that, is that inevitably, I lose the friendship soon after. Either they’re too embarrassed to see me, or I’m angry at them for leaving me in the lurch (=to desert someone in difficulty). Sometimes they genuinely have unforeseen difficulties, and sometimes they’re just taking advantage of me (=abuse my good nature to gain something for themselves).
In the past few years, I’ve finally learnt to say no, particularly where money is concerned. However, I always have a shoulder to cry on (=emotional support for upset friends), a bed in the middle of the night when friends miss their last buses, and a hot meal for my culinary-disabled single male friends who are sick of eating fried eggs.
Do you enjoy helping your friends? Where do you draw the line?
De Larissa, le 30/11/2011 08:24:25 - 13 commentaires
I feel like I once had a lot of self-discipline (=ability to control and motivate yourself) and willpower (=the strength to carry out one’s plans or wishes). About 10 years ago I was seriously overweight, and managed to lose 35kg in 2 years, through exercise and healthy diet. Now I’ve put 15 of those back on, and I can’t seem to motivate myself to stop drinking beer, or get up a little earlier to exercise. I tend towards instant gratification naturally – i.e. instant pleasure instead of long term results. Staying home tonight and doing my work means more money at the end of the month, with which I can travel or enjoy myself. That would be a self-disciplined person’s choice. Going out tonight with my friends is instant gratification – I’ll enjoy myself today, but at the cost of a better reward later.
Self-discipline is an important in my work for Englishtown. Since I work from home, there’s nobody here to check on me, and no office that I must be in by 8am.
Apparently, people with higher self discipline have been shown to be less likely to be obese, happier on average, score higher on tests and earn more money. So how can we improve our willpower and self discipline in order to get what we want? Here are some steps.
Remove temptation. Whether that be chocolate in the house when you’re dieting, or removing games from your computer when you have to study.
Remove unnecessary stress. Not always easy, but perhaps you could try meditation or chamomile tea.
Get plenty of sleep, and get it early. Higher energy levels will help you achieve your goals each day.
Have a plan. I find writing a to-do list each morning helps me remember what must be done.
Practice. Self discipline is a habit, and practicing it will strengthen it. Practice on easy things, like drinking juice when you want soda, or getting up a little earlier each day to go for a walk.
Do you have willpower and discipline? When do you need it in your life?
De Larissa, le 27/11/2011 00:49:23 - 14 commentaires
They say that people are creatures of habit. I think the worst I ever developed was smoking cigarettes – I started when I was 16 and smoked on and off for 15 years! Luckily I kicked the habit (=quit, stopped doing it) 2 years ago.
They say that old habits die hard, but I think it’s only the BAD habits that do that! 10 years ago I woke up every day at 5:30am and went to the gym to exercise before my job. I also made a habit of going to sleep at 10am, so after I’d been doing it for a few months, it was easy. Unfortunately, I’m out of habit now, and I find it very difficult to get up before 8am.
According to author Stephen Covey, the 7 habits of highly effective people are as follows:
- Be proactive (=make things happen, don’t wait for things to come to you)
- Begin with the end in mind. Make sure what you’re doing now is leading towards where you want to be.
- Put first things first. Know your priorities and know when to say “No”.
- Think win-win. Look for solutions that are beneficial to everyone. Life is better as a cooperative arena, not a competitive one.
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Spend more time listening and paying attention to others.
- Synergize. Two heads are better than one, as the expression goes! Seek creative cooperation and teamwork. Value differences in others, and have an open mind.
- Sharpen the saw. Continually improve yourself physically, mentally, spiritually and socially.
What good and bad habits do you have? Which of these seven habits do you already possess?
De Larissa, le 26/11/2011 00:19:18 - 6 commentaires
How are you feeling today? Are you on cloud nine (=very happy) or down in the dumps (=very unhappy)?
Buddhism teaches us to strive for joy unaffected by our external circumstances, but for most of us, that’s not too easy. Some people seem to remain in a baseline level of happiness with few disturbances to their peace of mind, and some – like me – seem to go on a rollercoaster of emotion every day. I’m either over the moon (=ecstatic, extremely happy), blowing a fuse (=getting very angry) with everyone around me, or wallowing in the depths of my own misery (=being very sad). Sometimes the variety of strong emotions I experience every day leaves me exhausted!
I’ve read a lot of books about happiness, two of my favourites being The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama, and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Ruiz says the four steps to happiness are as follows:
- Be impeccable (=honest, truthful, with good intentions) with your word. Don’t lie, gossip (=talk about other people), or criticize.
- Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. When you are immune to (=unable to be affected by) the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of unnecessary suffering.
- Don’t make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama.
- Always do your best. Remember that our best changes from moment to moment. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.
Do you think these four steps could help you? How? What do you think is the key to real happiness?
De Larissa, le 18/11/2011 22:47:50 - 9 commentaires
“You better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.” - Bob Dylan
Yep, I think Bob said it best – The times they are a-changin, and we don’t have much choice but to adapt and change with them. Greek philosopher Heraclitus was expressing the same sentiment many years earlier when he said…
“There is nothing permanent except change.”
I’ve always been something of a change-addict to be honest, and I’m a big devotee of the expression “A change is as good as a holiday.” It’s for this reason that I’ve been travelling for 11 years, and have visited around 35 different countries, stopping to live in 5 or 6 of them. When one place isn’t fun anymore I move on to the next, changing jobs, friends, scenery, language, and whatever else is necessary. Out with the old, in with the new! There’s nothing like a change of pace (=a variation in routine) to make life interesting again. I’ve been in this city for 2 years now and I’m currently trying to figure out a way of moving back to a beach. Waking up to the sea breeze would be – figuratively and literally –a breath of fresh air (=anything new and welcome, a relief, a pleasant change).
Of course, once I’m on the beach for a year I miss the noise and variety of the city and generally go off in search for one. I’d get bored really quickly if I couldn’t shake things up (=change things a lot) from time to time.
Do you suffer from fear of change, or do you embrace it? What major changes have occurred in your life? Were they welcome?
De Larissa, le 16/11/2011 10:25:14 - 5 commentaires
I’ve lived in several different countries, and I always find it interesting to note the differences in gender roles. In Australia – my home country – we seem to be becoming quite androgynous (=not being strongly male or female). Women are working and choosing not to have children at all, and I even know a few men who have taken on the role of childcare while their wives worked. Men no longer open doors, help you off a bus, or pay for your dinner, and women are far from the subservient (=obedient, submissive) dependent creatures they once were. In fact, a lot of them would consider a man offering to carry her bag to be chauvinistic (=having an attitude of superiority towards women)! Men are becoming rather metrosexual (=a straight man who displays traits of being homosexual or female), and it’s fashionable now for them to have good grooming and cook gourmet meals for their dates.
In Colombia, I truly enjoyed the chivalrous (=polite, gentlemanly) manner of men there. I don’t think I ever once stepped off a bus without being assisted by the outstretched hand of a random man, and I love the fact that guys all over Latin America will even carry their girlfriends’ handbags. Several times I’ve seen men in clubs with 3 or 4 girly bags hanging off them while their female friends dance, unhindered, nearby.
However, here in Latin America, I’m constantly frustrated by the comments of my male friends, deriding (=ridiculing, insulting, putting down) the girls who go out drinking and smoking all night. Are we not in the 21st century people?? They all want nice, well-behaved responsible girlfriends – who will wait for them at home while they themselves go out partying with the ‘crazy’ girls!
How are gender roles defined in your country?
De Larissa, le 11/11/2011 08:03:07 - 4 commentaires
I love cooking, and I love having friends around to appreciate what I prepare. Here are 10 tips for throwing a memorable and economical dinner party!
- Serve a signature cocktail (=one you have invented exclusively for this party). It doesn’t need to include expensive liqueurs! Be inventive with inexpensive ingredients.
- Prepare as much as possible before guests arrive. Premix the cocktails, cut all vegetables, prepare desserts, have glasses clean and polished.
- Serve snacks in decorative bowls. This way guests won’t go hungry while they wait, and all snacks look good in nice bowls. Try olives, nuts, or anything you can eat with your fingers or on a toothpick.
- Dim (=make less bright) the lighting. Use lamps or candles instead of bright overhead lights to set the mood. It makes a huge difference to the ambience (=mood, feel of the environment)
- Choose appropriate music. Nothing to slow (it will put them to sleep), or too loud and fast (it’s a dinner, not a disco). Latin or chill-out beats often set a good mood.
- Cook familiar food. Don’t take risks with exotic dishes (=unusual or foreign food) you’ve never tried before – if things go wrong right before your guests arrive, you’ll have to order pizza!
- Serve a simple dessert. It can be ice cream, or store-bought cake with a raspberry or passionfruit sauce – it doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated.
- Set the table before guests arrive. Decorate with flowers, use cloth napkins.
- Don’t rush them out the door. Provide space for guests to sit, listen to music, drink coffee or wine, and relax until the party winds up (=comes to an end) naturally. Depending on what kind of people you invited, you could prepare games. Let people finish the night feeling good and with good memories.
- Focus on your guests. Give them your full attention and make sure they’re having a good time. Don’t start cleaning up until they’re gone!
De Larissa, le 09/11/2011 01:17:28 - 4 commentaires
A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket (=die)!
In the movie The Bucket List, the two main characters decide to fulfil their ‘bucket lists’. They go skydiving together, climb the Pyramids, drive a Shelby Mustang, fly over the North Pole, eat dinner at Chevre d'Or in France, visit and praise the beauty and history of Taj Mahal, India, ride motorcycles on the Great Wall of China, and attend a lion safari in Africa.
Of course, the items on your list don’t have to be all about memorable experiences in foreign lands. Most people include items of personal development, personal achievement, and social contribution as well.
Although most of us don’t like to think too much about our deaths, sometimes facing your mortality (=accepting that we don’t live forever) can help put a sense of urgency on our plans and goals. I’ve never made a bucket list, but in writing this blog, I’ve thought about some things I would add to such a document. It might look something like this.
- Learn to play the guitar
- Make a difference in the lives of at least a few seriously underprivileged people
- Professionally record a CD of my own compositions
- Learn to ride a large, non-automatic motorbike
- Develop some degree of patience and learn to hold my temper
- Go on Safari in Africa
- Attend a meditation retreat in India
- Start my own business
- Sing in a jazz club in New Orleans
What would you put on your bucket list?
De Larissa, le 03/11/2011 06:32:32 - 6 commentaires
Here in Latin America, they love to kick up their heels (=dance) to a good tune. Since I arrived in Mexico 5 years ago I’ve attempted all sorts of dance styles – salsa, samba, bregga, reggae (here it’s a couples dance), merengue, cumbia, punta, forró … and I’ve not been particularly good at any of them. The rhythm I have, but the moves and style I do not.
Samba no pé is very popular here in Brazil, and is danced solo. There are 3 steps per measure, and the foot movements (step-ball-change) with an outturning of the toe result in a rather provocative swaying of one’s behind.
Here in the state of Pará, reggae is danced in couples, with the man’s knee locked between the woman’s thighs. The music is in 4/4 time and follows a kind of left-right-left-pause, right-left-right-pause movement. it is generally danced in quite a sensual way.
Salsa is my favourite, since it can be danced up close with someone you’re intimate with, or at an arm’s length with a stranger. There are many styles of salsa, but I particularly love it when it involves a lot of spinning and fun under-the-arm moves! Dancing salsa is a really popular form of socializing in Colombia and many other Latin American countries.
In Honduras I discovered the Punta – possibly the sexiest dance I’ve ever seen which involves seductive rapid gyration of the buttocks and hips while the upper half of your body stays still.
Do you like to dance? What are some popular forms of dance in your country?
De Larissa, le 25/10/2011 09:21:05 - 10 commentaires
I’m lucky. After many, many disastrous roommate (=a person with whom you share a house, but in a non-romantic way) relationships, I now have a great one. Billy’s laidback (=relaxed), considerate, always pays the rent and bills on time, he owns a fridge and washing machine (which I don’t) and the best part – he’s usually not here!
Here are some tips for good roommate living.
- Be clear from the beginning about your expectations and theirs. If you hate dirty dishes, or if you love your loud music, get it out in the open from the start.
- If something bothers you, address it before it becomes a huge frustrating problem in your head.
- Let the small stuff slide (=forget about unimportant things). A dirty dish here, or a onetime late night door slam isn’t worth making a big deal (=starting a big discussion or argument) about. Be relaxed about everything that doesn’t actually affect your wellbeing. It’s not worth starting something just for the sake of making a point (=trying to show you’re right).
- Respect their stuff. Don’t borrow things unless you’re SURE it’s ok.
- Keep their stuff safe. Don’t bring strangers home, and always lock up (=lock doors and windows) behind you.
- Know their schedules and respect them. If your roommate works at 7am, don’t bring your drunk friends home at 3am.
- Don’t talk about sensitive topics that are likely to lead to tension or fights. Billy and I never discuss my exboyfriend (who makes me insane) or the way he treats girls (which I disagree with)!
- Make rules in the beginning, but don’t go overboard. In our house, for example, smoking inside is banned (Billy smokes, I don’t), and I have to wash my clothes during the week since Billy is only in the house on Sundays. In the beginning we disagreed on housework policies, so we decided to pay someone to come once a week and clean.
Have you ever had a roommate? What do you think are the keys to a successful roommate relationship?
De Larissa, le 20/10/2011 01:16:14 - 10 commentaires
Ah, stress. People don’t really understand how it’s possible I ever have it, giving my current work activities involve only singing and blogging for Englishtown, and stress is so often associated with heavy workloads and long periods of time in the office.
But actually, I get stressed very easily.
Here in Brazil, people are very relaxed about time, and it drives me insane (=make me uncontrollably angry). I always find myself tearing my hair out (=becoming extremely stressed) when members of my band are late for yet another rehearsal, or when I’m waiting for an hour in a queue. I lose my temper (=get angry) quickly and people are often confused what I’m upset about. If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me “Relaxa Larissa!” or “Calma!” (Portugese, but I’m sure you can figure out what they mean), I wouldn’t be here writing this blog, because I’d be on a Caribbean holiday without any stress at all!
I get stressed out (=become very stressed) when we have a show scheduled in 2 days and we still haven’t had a rehearsal. I get seriously on edge (=nervous and tense) when someone is LATE for a rehearsal.
If something is causing me severe stress, particularly relationship problems or money problems, I suffer from insomnia (=sleeplessness) and mild depression (=unreasonable sadness). Inability to sleep is always the first sign that I have to sort out a problem in my life, along with really vivid dreams that wake me with a start with clear messages.
What causes you stress? What are your stress related symptoms?
De Larissa, le 18/10/2011 10:11:42 - 5 commentaires
They say time really flies when you’re having fun, and that was certainly true last weekend, it seemed like I was back in the city in no time! I went to the beach to sing reggae with my new band, and we had a great time. The trip took a long time, but we killed time playing games and chatting.
We didn’t play as many times as I would have liked, but next time we’ll be more organized and book more shows. We wasted a lot of time talking to the wrong people in the wrong venues, but we’ll know better next time. I ran into a friend of mine, a singer who I hadn’t seen in a really long time, and he introduced me to some bar owners who booked gigs with us for the end of the month. His percussionist was interested in me and kept trying to hug and kiss me, but I didn’t give him the time of day.
I hurt my leg on Saturday so I had a hard time getting around in the soft sand. That was disappointing because I was stuck in one place, but at the same time it was good that I couldn’t go out partying every night and ruin my voice! Even without being able to walk around a lot, I had the time of my life in Algodoal. I really love going to the beach from time to time, it takes the stress out of city living. However, for the time being I’m stuck in the city writing blogs for Englishtown.
;)
Do you know any other expressions using the word time?
De Larissa, le 13/10/2011 08:10:15 - 5 commentaires
Anyone who says they’re not afraid of anything is lying. When we’re young our fears usually involve monsters or ghosts, and as we get older they become more realistic. Public speaking, growing old, being alone… we all fear something, whether we admit it or not.
Walking outside in the dark gives me the jitters (=makes me very nervous and shaky), I guess because I’ve been robbed so many times at night. Then if a bicycle comes towards me, my blood runs cold (=I become very frightened and get a chill)! I’ve been assaulted by men on bikes several times, so it really makes me jump out of my skin (=I literally jerk with fear) when one of them gets too close to me, particularly if there are two boys or young men on one bike.
I’m a singer, and going on stage to sing in front of large numbers of people has never given me a problem… but I often get butterflies in my stomach (=I feel nervous) when I teach a new English class for the first time. Worse still is when I have to give bad news to someone. Particularly if that bad news is related to something I’ve done wrong, like if I’ve borrowed something from a friend and lost it, or made a big mistake that affects them… I always find myself with my heart in my mouth (=feeling anxious) and a little bit tongue-tied (=stuttering, unable to speak clearly) when I have to tell them what happened.
What are you afraid of?
De Larissa, le 11/10/2011 03:23:00 - 2 commentaires
In Australia (where I come from), gambling is an extremely common past time. Now, for better or for worse, many bars and restaurants have a pokie room (pokie is short for Poker Machine). I never really got a taste for it (probably for the best), since statistically you’re only going to lose money, and I seem to lose more than most when I do give it a go.
There are a lot of common expressions that originated in gambling, here are some of the most well-used.
You think that guy isn’t married? Do you wanna bet? (I don’t believe that’s true)
I really hit the jackpot when I met my girlfriend! (I got extremely lucky)
You can bet your bottom dollar those two are having an affair. (I’m extremely sure it’s true)
She told me she hadn’t taken my money with a poker face. (without giving away anything with facial expressions)
I told him I’d leave my job if he didn’t increase my salary, and he called my bluff. (forced me to go through with a threat)
I thought I’d won the argument, but he had an ace up his sleeve (an advantage that he was keeping hidden)
I laid my cards on the table and told him I was interested in somebody else. (revealed everything)
Can you use these expressions in sentences of your own?
De Larissa, le 06/10/2011 00:24:53 - 3 commentaires
They say Friendship is like money – easier to make than to keep. In my life this has certainly become true, probably because of the amount of travelling I do. I’ve become accustomed to staying a short period of time in many different places, so I make new friends easily, but sometimes neglect them after a few months. I have to really be conscious about maintaining the relationships I start.
Here are some tips for being a good friend.
- Listen. Really pay attention to what they say, this is one of the most important aspects of a friendship.
- Don’t gossip (=spread rumours or stories) about them. Seriously. It WILL get back to them sooner or later.
- Keep their secrets (=don’t tell them to anyone). Once the trust is gone in a friendship it’s extremely difficult to get back, and if word gets out (=other people know about it) that you’re a big mouth, other people won’t trust you either.
- Give and take. It’s extremely important not only that you give what you can to your friends, both emotionally and materially, but also that you allow the other person to give to you.
- Be there for them. Even if you don’t agree entirely with the decision they’ve made, it’s important to be supportive. If she’s fighting again with the boyfriend you never liked, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be there for her with a hug and a tissue.
- Forgive them. Nobody is perfect, including you! So forgive their mistakes and failures as you want them to forgive yours.
- Make time for your friends, even when you’re busy.
- Be trusting and trustworthy.
What tips do you have for being a good friend?
De Larissa, le 04/10/2011 00:56:07 - 1 commentaire
“42” says Arthur Dent in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Very funny book, by the way… but let’s not digress. We’ve all asked these questions at some stage of our lives. Why are we here?", "What is life all about?", and "What is the meaning of it all?"
Forgetting religion for now, let’s look at some of the philosophical viewpoints that have been taken on this question over the years.
Platonism – Plato writes that the Form of the Good is the ultimate object of knowledge, and from the Good, things that are just gain their usefulness and value. Humans must pursue the good. He suggests that justice, truth, equality, and beauty ultimately come from the Form of the Good.
Cynicism – the Cynic philosophers said that the purpose of life is living a life of Virtue that agrees with Nature. Happiness depends upon being self-sufficient and master of one's mental attitude; suffering is consequence of false judgments, which cause negative emotions and a vicious character. The Cynical life rejects conventional desires for wealth, power, health, and fame.
Utilitarianism – says "that the good is whatever brings the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people". He defined the meaning of life as the "greatest happiness principle".
Nihilism rejects any authority's claims to knowledge and truth, and so explores the significance of existence without knowable truth. The nihilist says: "Nothing is of value", morals are valueless, they only serve as society's false ideals.
Cyrenaicism emphasizes one side of Socrates's teachings—that happiness is one of the ends of moral action and that pleasure is the supreme good; and bodily gratification is more intense than mental pleasure. Cyrenaics prefer immediate gratification to the long-term gain of delayed gratification; denial is unpleasant unhappiness.
What do YOU think is the meaning of life?
De Larissa, le 30/09/2011 05:45:12 - 0 commentaires
Nobody likes going to funerals (=a ceremony held for the burial of a dead person), least of all me. In my family, people tend to be cremated (=incinerated, burned to ashes) and then have wakes, where we try to celebrate the deceased’s life, rather than mourn (=feel sad for the loss of a loved one) their deaths. Even the cremations are performed privately by the professionals, and not attended by any family members. I’ve lost my father and 3 grandparents, and they’ve all done this.
Whether you attend a funeral or a wake, it’s important that you offer your condolences (=sympathy for one who is suffering from the loss of a loved one). The main purpose of this is to ease the suffering of the people closest to the person who has passed away (=died). Here are some useful phrases you can use.
“I’m so sorry for your loss”
“If there’s anything I can do, please call me.”
“I realise things must be very difficult for you right now, but if there’s any way I can help, please let me know.”
Of course, if the people are involved are of a particular religion, this makes a big difference. God and concepts of the afterlife (=any spiritual concept of what happens after you die physically, such as Heaven or reincarnation) generally bring comfort to those who believe in them. It can help to tell a humorous story or any story about the deceased that reminds the bereaved (=someone suffering the loss of a loved one) how much joy the deceased brought.
Do NOT say things like this.
“I know just what you’re going through.” No you don’t. Everybody has a different experience and relationship with those they have lost.
“You must be relieved that it’s all over.” Or “This is for the best.”
“Look on the bright side” or “It’s time to move on and be happy again.” You can’t rush someone else’s grieving process.
Have you had to offer condolences to someone? Have you been to a lot of funerals or wakes?
De Larissa, le 27/09/2011 10:02:56 - 1 commentaire
Ah, weddings. The smiling bride (=woman getting married) glides down the aisle to the arms of her waiting groom (=man getting married), they tie the knot (=get married) in front of friends and family, then they’re off on their honeymoon (=holiday for the newly married couple) and they all live happily ever after.
Except that 50% of marriages end in divorce, don’t you know?
My friend’s brother got married recently and my friend rang me lamenting the appearance of Bridezilla. Bridezilla is what becomes of nice, ordinary women that become so stressed about their weddings that they become unbearable, screaming crying monsters. After a year of planning and a shocking budget, the poor woman didn’t enjoy her own wedding! She even complained constantly and bitterly about the appearance of a (relatively harmless and mostly amusing) stripper (=man or woman paid to dance naked) at her bachelorette party (=the last party a woman has with her female friends before marrying). Her friends should know her better than that, apparently…
Around 1% of brides and grooms get left at the altar (=abandoned at the actual wedding) when their partner gets cold feet (=becomes too frightened to get married).
22% of men and 14% of women admit to having affairs (=sleeping with other people) during the course of their marriage. And I’m sure there are a lot more people cheating (=sleeping with someone who isn’t their spouse) who aren’t telling!
As you can probably guess, I’m single and cynical…. ;)
Do you know anyone who has suffered any of these situations, or had any other kinds of disasters related to their wedding or marriage?
De Larissa, le 23/09/2011 02:49:26 - 4 commentaires
Road rage – an aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of an automobile or other motor vehicle.
We were driving to a beach town in some really heavy (but still fast) traffic last Friday, the roads were a nightmare, and people were getting stressed. My friend was getting really irritated because he was being tailgaited (=when someone drives very close behind you) by the car behind him, as though the guy thought driving closer to us would speed up his arrival. My friend hit the brakes lightly a few times to signal for the guy to back off (=slow down, make more space), and he responded by pushing into the lane beside us, swerving (=move sideways very quickly and suddenly) angrily in front of our car then slamming on his brakes (=braking very hard and fast)! We braked hard as well and the guy turned left, leaving the highway and giving us the finger (=raising his middle finger in a rude gesture).
The point is, if we hadn’t braked quickly enough, we would have rear-ended (=hit him from behind) the guy, and rear-ending another car always results in blame for the car behind. But if we’d totaled (=destroyed completely) his car and perhaps even hurt the driver, would that blame make him feel better?? And what if someone in our car had been hurt, could he have lived with that without guilt? The situation left us all a little shaken up (=stressed and a little shocked) and my friend pulled the car over to calm down (=relax) before returning to the road, so he wouldn’t pass on any anger or irritation of his own, making the roads more dangerous still.
Have you had any experiences with road rage?
De Larissa, le 20/09/2011 02:04:38 - 5 commentaires
It happens to all of us, and once we get into our twenties, it’s seldom welcome. Women in particular fight this process with all the power they can gather – creams, facials, laser treatments, botox injections, (=a toxin injected into your face to reduce lines), facelifts (=surgical modification that removes excess fat or tightens muscles)… the industry is worth millions!
I started noticing my own crow’s feet (=fine lines at the corners of your eyes) a couple of years back, around the same time I hit 30. I know that these are in part my own fault, with years of careless sun exposure and cigarette smoking, but I’ve quit smoking now and I always wear sun cream outside of the house, so I hope their development will at least slow down a little.
Apart from the fine lines around my eyes, I gain weight more easily and handle a hangover far less effectively. Am I wiser? I like to think so, although I do sometimes notice myself making the same mistakes I made 10-15 years ago!
I hope I can grow old gracefully, accept the grey hairs when they come, and not resort to expensive chemical treatments or go under the knife (=have surgery) in a bid to reverse the ageing process. I do admit to using an expensive anti-wrinkle treatment cream, although I’m not really sure that it does anything… people often mistake me for 27 or 28 so I’d like to believe that I don’t look my age, but I think perhaps sometimes it’s more than I don’t ACT my age!
Still, at 34 I’m far from over the hill (=old, past one’s prime) so apart from a few healthy changes to my lifestyle, I’m not worrying about it too much yet!
Do you worry about getting older?
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