Don't Take a Cat Nap! This Story's the Cat's Meow!

Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories.

            Cats are the most popular pets among Americans. So it is not surprising that there are many expressions about cats.
Some cats like to catch small birds, like canaries. If someone looks very proud or satisfied with himself, we say he “looks like the cat that ate the canary.” 

Sometimes, a cat likes to play with a small animal it catches. So if you “play cat and mouse” with someone, you change between different kinds of behavior when dealing with another person. For example, a child might offer something sweet to her little brother and then take it away when he reaches for it. A cat will often catch a small animal and present it to its owner. The saying that “looks like something the cat dragged in” describes something in bad condition.

            Two old and funny expressions describe something that is the best or finest. Americans might say that something is “the cat’s meow” and “the cat’s pajamas”. Children might call a child who is easily frightened a “fraidy-cat” or a “scaredy-cat.”

A “copycat” is someone who acts just like someone else or copies another person's work.
A “fat cat” is a person with a lot of money. 

            You may have known that cats spend most of their time sleeping. Sometimes people sleep for a short time during the day. This is called a “cat nap.”

            If you tell about something that was supposed to be a secret, we say you “let the cat out of the bag.” If you are not able to speak or answer a question someone might ask if “the cat has got your tongue.”

            Have you ever watched children in a classroom when their teacher leaves for a few minutes? “When the cat’s away, the mice will play” means people sometimes misbehave when there is no supervision.

            You may have heard this expression: “curiosity killed the cat.” This means being too concerned about things that are not your business might cause problems. If your home is very small, you might say “there is not enough room to swing a cat.” But you probably should not try this at home!
            If you ever had cats as pets, you know it is difficult to train them or to get them to do something. Cats are not like sheep or cows that can be moved in a group. So we say a difficult or impossible job “is like herding cats.”

We leave you with a song from the musical play, "Cats."    

This VOA Special English program Words and Their Stories was written by Shelley Gollust. I’m Faith Lapidus.

 
source : http://learningenglish.voanews.com

California Helps Lead Economic Recovery

Hello again, and welcome.  I’m Jim Tedder in Washington.  Today’s As It Is program is different.  Usually we take you around the world to hear about interesting people, places, and things.  But today we are staying closer to home.  You could call it an “all American” show.  First we will talk about money, jobs, and the economy.  It seems that one western state has been doing a bit better than others.  We will hear why California is the place to be.

Then, we will make stop in Houston, Texas, to hear about some young people who have been chosen to help the city grow and prosper.  And near the end of the program, some silliness, and just a touch of classic rock and roll music.  As It Is …helping you to learn English by way of your radio and computer.

The American economy is slowly improving from the recession of 2008 and 2009. Industries like construction and building repair are doing well. Unemployment, however, remains high throughout the United States. From state to state, the economic recovery appears uneven. But California is growing at a rate above the national average.

Rosalie Andersen is a real estate agent. Her job is to help people buy and sell homes. Today, she is attempting to sell a white house made of stucco in a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood. She hopes this house will sell for more than a million dollars. She says the housing market is getting better. 

“It’s kind of puzzling. We talk in the office, and we’re just wondering:  Where are these people getting all this cash from? But I think what a lot of people are doing is that they’re finally realizing that your best investment for money is a home.”

Last year, the California economy grew at rate of three-point-five percent. That is a full percentage point above the national average. But the growth rate differs from place to place.

Robert Kleinhenz is an economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. He says California’s ports are busier than other ports.

“We’re still well below the pre-recession peak levels of port activity that we had seen in 2007. We’ve seen some slight gains with each passing year. But there still is a ways to go.”

In downtown Los Angeles, the Chinese immigrant owner of a small business says he is doing well. His store sells t-shirts and slippers -- footwear normally worn around the house. Nearby, Henry Wong sells low-cost decorations and cloth imported from China. Mr. Wong says the cost to operate his business is low. When the economy is not good, he says, he and his employees work harder. Currently, Mr. Wong is doing well. He has six workers in his store, and more working in a building where the goods are stored.
                                                                         

High-technology companies are helping the American economy. But even in Silicon Valley, California’s high-technology center, the situation is mixed. Cisco Systems has reported good sales, but is cutting 4,000 jobs. The company says it is reacting to a changing market. Banking and professional services are doing well. The recreation and hospitality industry is expanding, adding jobs to hotels and visitor services.

California’s $44 billion farming industry helps feed the nation and is growing. The state’s unemployment rate is 8.7 percent, down from over 12 percent three years ago. The national unemployment rate is 7.4 and improving. But Mr. Kleinhenz says the numbers are not what they should be.

“The unemployment rate has been coming down. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has been growing. The problem is, they continue to tell us that the economy is growing at a slower pace than we would really like to see.”


Houston Looks for Young Leaders


The Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently held a graduation ceremony for 34 young adults who completed its Emerging Leaders Institute. The program’s purpose is to increase their skills -- and their confidence that they can help the future of this busy city in the state of Texas.  Christopher Cruise tells us more.

Participants in the program are students, or those who recently completed their studies at a university in the Houston area.
Most graduates of the Houston Emerging Leaders Institute are Hispanic, but others also take part. Huyen Do is a good example.  She says she is ready to be a leader.

The program includes business leaders and civil engineers, biologists, bankers and politicians.  Laura Murillo leads the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation.  She says the program is aimed at helping make progress in a city that is changing both ethnically and economically.

Shipping industry employs many people in Houston.

"Houston is diverse, in terms of the people who are here, and it is diverse in terms of the careers that are available. So we want to get and identify all those great people out there, put them in this program and prepare them to lead Houston."


Program members like Mercedes Sanchez said they learned from working with others in the class of 2013.

"I think that one of the many benefits of having such a diverse group is that you really get to learn from each other, and it enriches the experience that you have."

Participant Jo Anna Castilleja works for Shell Oil. She said she needed guidance about the business world because she was the first in her family to complete college.

"My parents came from elementary and secondary education, and I needed to ask for help from someone who had that kind of (college) experience."

Sonia Gonzalez was one of Miz Castilleja's guides, or mentors.  Miz Gonzalez said the training has produced better workers and citizens.  She noted that the program combined Miz Castilleja's work experience with a wider understanding of what is happening in the city.  And, she said that made her a more valuable employee.


Although the students have graduated from the program, they may return one day as a mentor to a new young participant.  I’m Christopher Cruise.

And I’m Jim Tedder in Washington.  Thank you for spending some time with us on this Thursday, October 9^th.   Today is International Top Spinning Day, a day to spin your small wooden toy, and then email the Spinning Top and Yo Yo Museum in Burlington, Wisconsin, to tell them you participated!

Today is also the National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day.  After all, the poor little fellow rarely gets out of the house anymore.

And American singer and songwriter Jackson Browne is celebrating his 63rd birthday today.

There are more Learning English programs coming your way, and world news at the beginning of every hour on VOA.

source : http://learningenglish.voanews.com

ADVERTISING TASK 4

8 Korean Beauty Secrets You Should Definitely Know

cc licensed ( BY SA ) flickr photo shared by Kim Min Ai

SuZy Bae

Koreans spend a great deal of time and money in nurturing their skin and are known to be very skin conscious.

All over the world people envy Korean beauties because of their looks and skin. In fact, when Korean Actress Go Hyun Jung published her beauty secrets in a documentary titled ‘Go Hyun Jung’s Texture’, it was a best seller & all copies were sold out within two days of its launch in 2011.

Here are few Korean beauty secrets & tips to get a gorgeous looking healthy skin. 

1. Adequate Hydration:

Koreans believe that drinking lots of fluids helps to add a healthy glow to their skin, hence they start their day by drinking a cup of water & splashing their face with cold water for a few minutes. Fruits & vegetables are the most important part of their meals & they consume foods with very less sodium to maintain the hydration in their body.

2. Regular Cleansing, Toning & Moisturising:

They have a unique way of applying skin care products because they believe it yields better results.

Cleansing : Korean actress Suzy Bae talks about the ‘424’ technique, where you must clean your face with an oil (coconut, almond or any cleansing oil) for 4 minutes , follow it with a foaming cleanser for 2 minutes & then rinsing your face for 4 minutes, start with lukewarm water ending with cold water to close all opened pores.

Toning: Koreans prefer tapping the toner with fingertips for better absorption.

Moisturising:  By rubbing the hands together, the product is warmed on the fingertips & then applied all over the face in an outward & downward manner. 

3. Face Pack/ Mask/ Sheets:

Korean face sheets are infused with ingredients that were tried & tested by their ancestors and today they are most sought out skincare product all over the world. A routine of using two masks – a cleansing mask & a nourishing mask simultaneously once a week helps reduce the puffiness of the face. Using a mask made up of silkworm cocoon powder called baekgangjam helps in achieving white skin. Besides this, homemade masks with egg white & honey mixture are an all time favourite. 

4. Neck Care:

Actress Go Hyun Jung applies her neck cream from jawline to décolletage as stated by her in her documentary for it to be more affective. 
 

5. Beauty Sleep:

Sleeping for at least 6 – 8 hours is as important for a healthy skin. 

6. Skin Care Products:

Asian brands are gaining more popularity these days all over the world for their good properties and Koreans use about 10- 20 products each day for their skincare. 

7. Facial Stretching Exercise:

This is a common practice among Korean actors & actresses, where ‘Ma Me Mi Mo Mu’ is repeated 10 times for exercising their lip & cheek muscles. In addition to this, co-ordinated stretching of facial muscles with breathing is also recommended. 

8. Subtle Make-up:

Koreans keep it simple.

• Eyes are kept minimal with warm hues over the lid, lined by a black eye-liner.

• Loads of mascara for the lashes

• Eyebrows are kept tidy with brow gel

• A hint of pink for flushed cheeks

• Natural colours for luscious lips
•  

Remember, the most important Korean beauty secret is Less Make-up, More Skincare.
Hope you find this article useful.

Source : http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/8-korean-beauty-secrets-you-should-definitely-know/

ADVERTISING TASK

ADVERTISING TASK 2

ADVERTISING is mass media content intended to persuade audiences of readers, viewers or listeners to take action on products, services and ideas.
The idea is to drive consumer behavior in a particular way in regard to a product, service or concept.

Definition of advertising

Advertising is the paid, impersonal, one-way marketing of persuasive information from an identified sponsor disseminated through channels of mass communication to promote the adoption of goods, services or ideas.

Any mass medium can deliver advertising. Some random examples:

newspapers, magazines, radio and television broadcasts, films,websites,etc

Difference Between Commercial Advertising And Non-Commercial Advertising

Commercial and non-commercial advertising are both strategies that are designed to reach the public and motivate them to become more interested in the subject matter of the advertisements. While sharing a common goal, that of generating consumer interest, the two forms of advertising do focus on different types of products. Essentially, commercial advertising has to do with selling goods and services, while non-commercial advertising is more about providing information and motivating people to act after being exposed to that information. There are examples of campaigns in which marketers combine elements of commercial and non-commercial advertising to create an approach that both informs and motivates consumers to buy.

Understanding the difference between commercial and non-commercial advertising involves identifying the purpose for the advertisements. With commercial advertising, the idea is to sell something to a consumer that will allow the manufacturer of the product to earn a return from that sale. Advertisements for consumer goods like electronics, food products, and even vacation packages are all marketed and sold as part of a commercial advertising campaign.

By contrast, non-commercial advertising is about sharing information that hopefully people will put to good use. For example, a non-profit may implement an advertising campaign to increase public awareness and education about a certain health issue. As part of the advertising, information about what the disease is, who it can affect, and how it can be treated may be included. In addition, information on how people can help the non-profit spread the information and also promote further research is also likely to be shared. In this scenario, information is being sold, but there is not necessarily an expectation of receiving monetary compensation for the effort, although this type of campaign does normally motivate some people to donate funds for research or to the sponsoring non-profit.

When thinking of the difference between commercial and non-commercial advertising, it is often easiest to consider the former as being targeted to generate sales and revenue. At the same time, the latter is focused more on educating people and providing them with opportunities to act on that acquired knowledge. In some cases, the lines between commercial and non-commercial advertising will blur somewhat, with some manufacturers of goods and services using an advertising strategy that is intended to inform and educate while also promoting a product for sale. This hybrid approach to the advertising task can in fact be very successful, in that the effort to educate consumers will often equip them to make informed decisions regarding the product or products offered, which means they are more likely to be satisfied with the purchase, as long as the product does in fact provide the benefits mentioned in the advertising.

Examples Of Public Service Advertisements

source :  http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-commercial-and-non-commercial-advertising.htm#didyouknowout

http://www.uncp.edu/home/acurtis/Courses/ResourcesForCourses/Advertising/AdvertisingWhatIsIt.html

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