陽光甜味咖啡館 Sun Sweet Cafe

We meet right here every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening.

Dare to dream!

勇敢夢!

LOVE YOURSELF!

愛自己!

平平安安 圓圓滿滿

感謝好友們2013年熱情支持  說吧!英文讀書會

2014年將於2/7周五新開張 敬請繼續給予支持

Billy   Serry 祝福您 春到好運到  福來常相隨 
                     平平安安      圓圓滿滿


                                                              

                                        

周二(1/28)1.時間管理2.送禮禮節

周二聚會點  丹提咖啡 寶慶店  晚上7:00~9:30
台北市延平南路107號
(西門捷運站3號出口 往前走30公尺 向左看到全家便利商店巷進入 / 在中山堂對面)
連絡電話: 0976217450   Billy
                     

新年吉祥萬福 祝福各位好友 圓圓滿滿 平平安安
1/28周二聚會 為本年度 最後一次聚會
將於新的一年 2/7周五開張
請各位好友 給于最大支持 踴躍參加

時間管理
 
相信大家都聽過 時間就是金錢 也多珍惜金錢 但隨著時間 一年一年逝去 似乎不那麼在意 甚至不知如何 好好運用時間 新年將來臨 來聊聊該如何 做好時間管理 讓來年更順利進步
也談談送禮的文化

6 Tips to Improve Your Time Management Skills

(By Donna M. White, LMHC, CACP)

1.Make a list.The thing about making lists is that you actually have to use them. You may want to set reminders on your phone and computer.Lists really do work if you use them. One of the most important things is to make sure your list feels attainable. No one wants a 30-item to-do list and have to, at the end of the day, look at the 20 items that didn’t get done. Prioritize yours and others’ needs and plan accordingly. You might even want to make three lists — personal, home and work.

2.Set deadlines. Again, there is no point in setting deadlines if you make executive decisions to always push them back. Set a deadline and try your best to stick to it. Set your deadline a few days before the task absolutely has to be done. This allows for the possibility that other things will get in the way, but also allow for you still to get the task done.

3.Stop multi-tasking. Multitaskers often seem to think they get more accomplished, but it’s not always the most productive or efficient route. Let’s face it, our minds work better when we are truly able to focus and concentrate on one thing.

4.Delegate responsibilities.  For those of us who like to be in control the very thought of this is likely to provoke a bit of anxiety. The truth of the matter is that no matter how good we are, we can’t do everything. Sometimes we take on more than we can handle. Delegation is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of intelligence. Find competent, reliable people and share some of the responsibilities. It will allow you to be less stressed and more productive.

5.Use your downtime. This tip requires some balance. Using all of your downtime for planning and prioritizing is bad and can lead to increased stress and burnout. However, if you find yourself sitting in early morning traffic, this may be a good time to start prioritizing your day or making plans for dinner. If you’re waiting in the doctor’s office, this may be a good time to write the grocery list. (Just don’t forget it.) If you have opportunities like these make the best of them, but also remember to use them for relaxation as needed.

6.Reward yourself.When you accomplish something, celebrate it! How you celebrate is up to you. My word of advice is to keep whatever you choose to do healthy, make sure it’s something you really enjoy, don’t do it in excess, and don’t let it cause you to get further behind.Time management skills are an essential part of making your day just a little easier. Find what works for you and stick to it.

Questions:

1. How to manage your time?

Simple steps to master your use of time?

2. What is the best ways to save time at work?

How do you prioritize your work load? How to write a to-do list?

3. Do you make plans before you do your personal matters?

Why is making plans important?

4. How to reward yourself?

5. Pros and cons of multitasking?

6. How to set future goals?

7. How to make an important decision?

Any holiday arrangements over the Chinese new year?
 
             
送禮禮節

Chinese Culture: Chinese Gift-Giving Etiquette
(By Lauren Mack)

Chinese New Year:
The amount of money in red envelopes given to children for Chinese New Year depends on age and the giver’s relationship to the child. For younger children, the equivalent of about $7 dollars is fine.

More money is given to older children and teenagers. The amount is usually enough for the child to buy himself his own gift like a T-shirt or DVD. Parents may give the child a more substantial amount since material gifts are usually not given during the holidays.

For employees at work, the year-end bonus is typically the equivalent of one month’s wage though the amount can vary from enough money to buy a small gift to more than one month’s wage.

Weddings:

If you go to a wedding, the money in the red envelope should be equivalent to a nice gift that would be given at a Western wedding. It should be enough money to cover the guest’s expense at the wedding. For example, if the wedding dinner costs the newlyweds US$35 per person, then the money in the envelope should be at least US$35. In Taiwan, typical amounts on money are: NT$1,200, NT$1,600, NT$2,200, NT$2,600, NT$3,200 and NT$3,600.

Birthdays:

Less money is given for birthdays than is given for Chinese New Year and weddings because it is viewed as the least important of the three occasions. Nowadays, people often just bring gifts for birthdays.

All Occassions:

For all occasions, certain amounts of money are to be avoided. Anything with a four is best avoided because (sì, four) sounds similar to (sǐ, death). Even numbers, except four, are better than odd. Eight is a particularly auspicious number.

The money inside a red envelope should always be new and crisp. Folding the money or giving dirty or wrinkled bills is in bad taste. Coins and checks are avoided, the former because change is not worth much and the latter because checks are not widely used in Asia.

How Should I Wrap the Gift?

Chinese gifts can be wrapped with wrapping paper and bows, just like gifts in the West. However, some colors should be avoided. Red is lucky. Pink and yellow symbolize happiness. Gold is for fortune and wealth. So wrapping paper, ribbon and bows in these colors are best. Avoid white, which is used in funerals and connotes death. Black and blue also symbolize death and should not be used.
 
If you include a greeting card or gift tag, do not write in red ink as this signifies death. Never write a Chinese person’s name in red ink as this is considered bad luck.

If you are giving a red envelope, there are a few points to remember. Unlike a Western greeting card, red envelopes given at Chinese New Year are typically left unsigned. For birthdays or weddings, a short message, typically a four character expression, and signature is optional. Some four character expressions appropriate for a wedding red envelope are 天作之合 (tiānzuò zhīhé, marriage made in heaven) or 百年好合 (bǎinián hǎo hé, happy union for one hundred years).

The money inside a red envelope should always be new and crisp. Folding the money or giving dirty or wrinkled bills is in bad taste. Coins and checks are avoided, the former because change is not worth much and the latter because checks are not widely used in Asia.
 
Questions:
1. What does the red on the envelope for Chinese new year stand for?
What do firecrackers symbolize?
2. Is money a good new year gift/birthday gift?
3. What to do with your year-end bonus?
4. What are the Chinese gift giving superstitions?
Is it bad luck to give a knife as a gift?
Is giving or receiving a wrist watch as a gift bad luck?
5. How to select the right gift?
How to react to a gift you do not like?
What do you do if receive gifts you don't like?
How to handle receiving a gift you have never used?
6. Why some numbers are considered lucky and some unlucky? -
Why is 7 considered to be a lucky number
Why is number 8 a lucky number?
7. What color is considered to be lucky?
What colors are considered to be unlucky?

 
 
 
 

 

 
                                   

周五(11/24)1.擁抱大笑益健康2.百萬租女友過年?

周五聚會地點: 快提café  7:00PM-- 9:30PM
新北市板橋區文化路一段38710
(沿著新埔捷運站1出口左方向前走約100公尺 經過新埔郵局看到康是美
從信義房屋旁的巷子進入) 連絡電話: 0976217450   Billy
說吧!英文讀書會  完全免費  練習英文  交流知識  交友談心的平台  我們歡迎  老朋友
朋友 不設限  只要您想學英文   100%歡迎您  直接到聚會地點參加   地址在本會網頁上
只要您有熱誠  說一口流利英文不是問題  新朋友們 如感閱讀文章較深澀  建議到周六班

有英文口語訓練

活動報告: 來哦! 快來哦! 趕快來過年! 說吧! 英文讀書會 率先過年 創造歡樂時光 與好朋友們先行歡樂
1/26 year end party 13:00--15:00  說吧! 英文讀書會 有紅包抽獎 歡樂禮物拍賣 唱歌活動  聚會點 中華泳協 忠孝東路六段79  板南線 後山埤4號出口 參加來賓請自行帶一到菜
為確定人數 請先報名 一同歡樂的感覺真好!   0987217314 Sherry  0976217450 Billy
 (周六1/25文章 在下方 請多支持/請點選周六框格)
©  All copy rights reserved. Neither this material nor its presentation may be published, broadcast, reritten or redistributed.
              
擁抱大笑益健康
Reasons Why We Need at Least 8 Hugs a Day (mindbodygreen.com)

Research shows that hugging (and also laughter) is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress.

1. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication.
 
2. Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.

3. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one's serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.
 
4. Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.

5. Hugging boosts self-esteem. From the time we're born our family's touch shows us that we're loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. The cuddles we received from our Mom and Dad while growing up remain imprinted at a cellular level, and hugs remind us at a somatic level of that. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.

6. Hugs teach us how to give and receive. There is equal value in receiving and being receptive to warmth, as to giving and sharing. Hugs educate us how love flows both ways.

7. Hugs are so much like meditation and laughter. They teach us to let go and be present in the moment. They encourage us to flow with the energy of life. Hugs get you out of your circular thinking patterns and connect you with your heart and your feelings and your breath.

8. The energy exchange between the people hugging is an investment in the relationship. It encourages empathy and understanding. And, it's synergistic, which means the whole is more than the sum of its parts: 1 1 = 3 or more! This synergy is more likely to result in win-win outcomes.

Laughter is the Best Medicine (helpguide.org)

Humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use

Questions:

1. What are the health benefits of hugging? Reasons why we need hugging?

2. What are the ways to show someone that you care?

How to build trust in your relationship?

3. How to be a good friend? What are the ways to build trust in friendship?


4. How often do you laugh a day?

Ways to laugh? What are the health benefits of laughter?
 
5. How to deal with loneliness? How to make people happy?What are the tips for being happier?

6. Are you a humorous person? Are you a fun person to be around?
Telling us the importance of humor?
7. Do you think that humor is a key to success? Why? or Why not?
Man Offers to Hire Girlfriend for 1 Million Yuan    
This young man offers on his microblog to hire a girlfriend for 1 million yuan (US$ 165,200) to take home for the Spring Festival.

百萬租女友過年?

Man Offers to Hire Girlfriend for 1 Million Yuan  [china.org.cn]

A Chinese man's microblog post offering to hire a temporary girlfriend for 1 million yuan (US$ 165,200) to take home to his family in central China's Henan Province, for the Chinese New Year has gone viral online. 

 The message was discovered and circulated by a radio operator in Henan. It offers to pay 20,000 yuan (US$ 3,304) in advance for the girl, to be selected on January 23 and take her home by private jet. A photo of the man sitting behind piles of money on a desk was posted with the message on January 17.  

 In the message, the man asked for a good-looking girl younger than 25 years old, over 168 centimeters high and weighing no more than 50 kilograms to satisfy his parents who have been pressing him to get married. The girl should have at least a bachelor's degree, and he offered 10 percent extra if the girl was a PhD or a virgin. By yesterday, the message had attracted more than 5 thousand applicants and over 10 thousand views. 

 "One million yuan for seven days -- this payment is as high as for an A-grade actress," one netizen said. "This super rich man is renting a girlfriend, and mediocre young men have no futures," another comment said. "If I were a woman, I would not miss the opportunity to marry into a wealthy family," one man joked.  

 However, the man who posted the advertisement denied an interview request from the Zhengzhou Evening News, a Chinese newspaper in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, saying that he did not want to reveal his personal information, nor did he intend to let his parents know his plan. But he confirmed that the online post was genuine.  

Questions:

1. What do you think about the idea of renting a girlfriend home for the new year?.
Is it a good idea? Are you willing be a hire girlfriend for a million dollar?

2. Do you feel that it's really difficult to find the right woman/man? Reasons why it's so difficult to find a right woman/man?


3. How to find the right guy/ woman?


4. What do you think about the wealthy people?
What do you think about the Chinese second generation rich?
 
5. Which is more important, money or love?
 
6. Why pretty girl only likes rich men? How do you know if she's a gold digger?
 
7. The benefits of marrying late?
The benefits of being single"?
The advantages of being married?


    

100萬租女友回家過年 網友熱議
【世界日報╱北京20日電】 2014.01.20
一位新浪實名認證用戶「河南新聞廣播某主持人」日前爆料,稱在移動交友應用「微聚」中竟然發現神級土豪,稱願意花100萬租女友回家過年,23日選出來就給訂金20萬,還有私人飛機接送。據鄭州晚報報導,此信息引起該網友吐槽:「100萬能在鄭州二環買兩間套房、能買三輛奧迪A6,能抵15年不吃不喝的工資,只需演7天女朋友!」發帖人表示百萬現金租女友是事實,但是不願透露自己的個人信息,也不希望父母知道這件事。
報導稱,昨日微聚首頁排名第一的就是該帖子,照片上男主角坐在桌子後面,一堆百元大鈔在其面前的桌子上擺成「前墻」。該男主角網名為「大默飛鷹百萬現金租女友」,目前只發了這個帖子,內容不到140個字:「本人長期各地忙項目,老媽催結婚心切,所以特誠心租女友回家過年。百萬現金酬勞,本人包機接送往返深圳鄭州。要求女方:25歲以內,身高168cm以上,體重50kg以內,長相甜美,個人至少本科以上學歷,博士或者處女優先,並額外增加10%酬勞!出發當天付20萬訂金,結束後付全款。有興趣的報名發聯繫方式,通過審核即有專人聯繫面試!」
「招租」消息一爆出,立刻引來了網友的熱議。「演7天就掙100萬,堪比一線女星啊!」、「連土豪都重金租女友了,男屌絲們看不見未來啦!」甚至有網友感嘆「恨自己不是女人,錯過這嫁入豪門難得的機會。」
據報導,該消息也引來許多質疑,不少人留言表示,該事件只是炒作,有的說這些錢是不是男主角的有待查證,更有網友善意地建議男主角「你發錯地方,你應該去非誠勿擾。」
然大家爭議不斷,但該條微博在一天內就引發評論一萬多次。而面對如此大的「誘惑」,截至19日下午,已有5264人應徵報名「競選」女友。
 
以下為  周六1/25文章
            
陽光微笑力量大
Benefits of Sunlight
(Dr. Michael Murray care2.com)
Sunlight may help prevent cancer.
It’s not just plants that metabolize sunlight. Humans do too. Through a complex process, our bodies turn sunlight into life-giving vitamin D. The connection between vitamin D deficiency and cancer was first made by Drs. Frank and Cedric Garland from the University of California, San Diego. After finding that the incidence of colon cancer was nearly three times higher in New York than in New Mexico, the Garland brothers hypothesized that lack of sun exposure, resulting in a vitamin D deficiency, played a role. Research now indicates that being deficient in vitamin D increases the risk of many cancers, especially breast and colon. For example, a four-year, placebo-controlled study involving 1,179 postmenopausal women concluded that vitamin D supplementation produced a dramatic 60% drop in the risk of developing any form of cancer.
 
 Sunlight can ease mild depression.
 There has been a lot of research on the link between sunlight and mood. One solid study found that sunlight actually increases levels of a natural antidepressant in the brain. On sunny days, the brain produces more of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin than on darker days.
 Sunlight can improve sleep quality.
 When sunlight hits your eyes, your optic nerve sends a message to the gland in the brain that produces melatonin (a hormone that helps you sleep); the gland decreases its secretions of melatonin until the sun goes down again. In other words, exposure to sunlight during the day increases the natural production of melatonin at night. Low levels of melatonin production are linked to poor sleep quality, especially in older adults.
Reasons to smile
(By Mark Stibich, Ph.D. longevity.about.com)
 
Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.
 
Smiling Is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.
 
Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.
 
Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.
 
Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
 
Questions:

What are the benefits of smiling?

What are the Benefits of Happiness?

What kind of actvities you like to do in winter?

What are the Benefits of Smiling and Laughing ?

What are the Health effects of sun exposure?

What are amazing health benefits of sunlight ?

情緒智商用途

The Purpose of Emotions   By Kendra Cherry

Emotions can help us make decisions.

Our emotions have a major influence on the decisions we make, from what we decide to have for breakfast to which candidates we choose to vote for in political elections. Researchers have also found that people with certain types of brain damage that impairs their ability to experience emotions also have an decreased ability to make good decisions. Even in situations where we believe our decisions are guided purely by logic and rationality, emotions play a key role. Emotional intelligence, or our ability to understand and manage emotions, has been shown to play an important role in decision-making.
Q: What do think about the influence of emotions?

新聞討論

Chiayi City has nation's lowest jobless rate thanks to tourism
Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) A booming tourism industry in Chiayi City, fed mainly by visitors from China, has contributed greatly to the southern city's 3.9 percent unemployment rate for 2013, the lowest in the country, the city government said Wednesday.
Q: What do think about the unemployment rate in Taiwan?

Q: What do think about the visitors from China?

Tighter inspections announced for freeway toll operator
Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) The operator of Taiwan's glitch-plagued electronic freeway toll system will be subject to a daily fine of up to NT$500,000 (US$16,500) if it fails to improve service quality and the system's stability, the National Freeway Bureau said Monday amid mounting public anger.
Q: What do think about the electronic freeway toll system?

Overseas travelers warned against flu, norovirus outbreaks
Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Monday warned travelers heading overseas for winter vacation to be on guard after reports of outbreaks of various diseases at popular destinations.
These include flu in China, Hong Kong and North America; norovirus in South Korea and Japan; and dengue fever and measles in Southeast Asia, according to the CDC.
Q: How to prevent from flu?

Cold surge to hit Taiwan Monday night
Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) A cold spell could start to bring temperatures down across Taiwan from late Monday, causing areas as far south as Chiayi likely to see daytime lows of 8 degrees Celsius over the next three days, the Central Weather Bureau said.
Lows on Tuesday could range from 8 to 11 degrees in the north, 9 to 13 degrees in central Taiwan, and 8 to 14 degrees in the south.
Q: How to keep yourself warm during the cold temperatures?
英文口語練習講義現場分發