Today we're looking at 2 ways to talk about working a lot more hours than you usually would. These are "to burn the midnight oil" and "to burn the candle at both ends". I hope you find them useful!

DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

Wow, you're working so late today!

今天，我们来看看道德经的第一章。Now let's look at the first chapter of Tao Te Ching.
"道，可道，非常道。名，可名，非常名。无名，天地之始；有名，万物之母 。故常无欲，以观其妙；常有欲，以观其徼。此两者同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。"
The Tao that can be followed is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth.
While naming is the origin of the myriad things.
Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery
Ever desiring, you see the manifestations.
These two are the same
When they appear they are named differently.
This sameness is the mystery,
Mystery within mystery;
The door to all marvels. 
(Translated by Yi-Ping Ong)


Wisdom From the Past 古典智慧拾贝

古典智慧拾贝之道德经第一章 Tao Te Ching Chapter One

Is it as easy for you to make friends now as it was in primary school?

Speak English With Muki

Episode 9: Making Friends now versus in Primary school

近所にコミュニティーカフェがあります。「ふらっとサロン」といいます。のみものは　ひとつ100円。安いでしょう？だから、毎日来るお客さんもいます。私は2週間に1回、働きに行きますが、お金はもらいません。ボランティアです。きっさ店とちがうのは、みんな、だれかと話したくて来る店だというところです。まだ、マスクは必要ですが、最近忙しくなりました。さて、どんなお客さんが来るのでしょうか。
スクリプトと文法や言葉のリストはこちら。
https://chivalrous-wallaby-f5c.notion.site/30-a00fbd70e2804744a9e054b982a187a2
楽しみ方は、こちらを見てください。
https://www.notion.so/116c436c16ed4055a68ddb2c4624cd96
じゃあ、またね。

すずまりの日本語「ききみみ」ずきん

第30話「ふらっとサロン」へようこそ

1富强粉分几次加入清水，用筷子搅拌成絮状
2揉成面团，盖上湿布醒面
3西葫芦洗净去皮，用擦子擦成丝，要转着擦，当露出瓜瓤就转动一下，逐渐留出柱状的瓜瓤，丢弃不用（我是图省事，也可以切开挖去瓜瓤后再擦丝）
4西葫芦丝中撒少许盐，5-10分钟会杀出不少水
5捞起一团西葫芦丝用双手挤出水分，分次直至全部挤完6肉馅加料酒、生抽、香油、胡椒粉、五香粉、盐、葱姜碎，拌匀调味
 7将西葫芦丝加入肉馅中拌匀
 8面团揉匀，搓长条，下剂子
 9将剂子擀成中间厚，周边薄的饺子皮
 10对着光可以看出中厚边薄的效果
 11取一个饺子皮在中间放上饺子馅
12对折，捏出花纹，一定要捏紧，不然一煮就破
13包好的饺子放在盘子上等待下锅，盘子上事先撒干面防粘
14水烧开下饺子，盖盖，水再次烧开时倒入少许凉水，盖盖，再烧开，加凉水，盖盖，直至再次烧开，开盖，再煮1分钟饺子就熟了
 15盛出装盘，蘸上自己喜欢的料汁，就着自家泡的腊八蒜，再有口小酒，齐了~

中国美食简介

西葫芦猪肉饺子

Esta es la segunda parte del episodio en el que Jon (Madrid) y Joan (Barcelona) comparan sus rutinas: un profesor online vs. un profesor presencial. Una persona de Madrid vs. una persona de Barcelona. Un español vs. un holandés. Esto y mucho más aquí, en ¡Qué Pasa! ¡Relájate y escúchanos!


¡Qué Pasa! Podcast en Español

LA RUTINA en España - Parte 2

PHIL: What time is that soccer game on? I thought it started 
at noon.
JACK: We must have had the wrong time. Oh, well … soccer’s not my 
favorite sport anyway. I much prefer basketball.
PHIL: Oh, really? I thought your favorite sport was tennis! I’m a big
fan of basketball, too.
JACK: How about a game sometime?
PHIL: Sure thing! Why don’t we go shoot some hoops now since the 
soccer game isn’t on?
JACK: Excellent idea. Let’s go.



LANGUAGE NOTES
• What time is that soccer game on? means “When does the soccer game start?” 
“What time” plus something plus “on” is a common expression used to ask about the 
start time of a TV show or a movie.
• I much prefer basketball here means “I like basketball a lot more than soccer.” Notice 
how “much” is stressed to show that the speaker really likes basketball.
• Oh, really? Notice the rising intonation on “really.” This shows that the speaker is 
surprised. He thought that Jack liked tennis the best.
• I’m a big fan of basketball is a way of saying “I like basketball very much” (“to be a 
fan of” is a casual expression used to describe something you really like).
• How about a game here means “Let’s play a basketball game.”
• Sure thing! This is a casual expression used to mean “OK.”
• Shoot some hoops means to play an informal game of basketball. This is a casual 
expression used between friends

English Conversation practice (30-day challenge)

Day 23: Favorite sport

“For years now, I've dreamed about taking an adventure in Vietnam, and I feel like I’m finally ready to take the plunge! I would be super excited to explore the lush jungles, cruise the bustling cities, and experience the unique culture of this vibrant country.

I’d definitely want to go on this adventure with my best buddy John, as he’s also really into travel and adventure, as well as always up for anything.

I would really like to get out and experience all that Vietnam has to offer. I would love to be able to climb the incredibly beautiful limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, which I’ve seen on a few different documentaries, and is on the top of my bucket list. 

Another adventurous thing I’d really want to try would be scuba diving in the gorgeous coral reefs, as well as relaxing on some of the stunning beaches. I'm sure I would also be able to enjoy some amazing local food, and maybe even take a few cooking classes. As well as that, I’d also love to learn more about the fascinating history of the country.

I guess I would be a little nervous about the whole trip, but I’d also be very eager to get out there and explore. I'm sure there would be some bumps along the way, but hey, that would be all part of the adventure. I'm always ready to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unknown.

I'm so looking forward to having an epic adventure in Vietnam one of these days, and I'm sure it would be an incredible experience and I’d have so many wonderful stories to share with everyone back home. I'm sure it won't be long before I'm actually packing my bags and hitting the road!


Thank you.”

IELTS 85 Speaking

IELTS speaking part 2 - an adventure you would like to go on

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yj2jMngCzXXQ94kgo9QNbCs-gqspPVG8/view?usp=drivesdk