Simplicity.They can come in all kinds of colours and sizes but essentially they are just two long sticks.There's hardly anything more simple than two bits of wood being pushed together.With new technology being released everyday and adverts bombarding us with the need to be able to do more with less multi-tasking and multiple-use devices,it is sort of refreshing to still have something which has just one use-simply to eat.Chopsticks are a living example that simplicity simply works,and we don't need to keep developing,improving and fixing things all the time.
Versatility.Chopsticks can be used for picking up all kinds of food-meat,veg,rice,even the bones from fish,because by nature,their simplicity means that they are adaptable.Instead of aiming for a niche in an attempt to find a"gap in the market",or to fill a hole that probably doesn't need filling,they cater to a wide range purposes.Imagine being like chopsticks in this way,able to appeal to many people because you are useful,without worrying about being"more innovative"or"better"in anyway.They just do what they are made to do; they just are.
Aim.If you've ever tried using them,you know that you can't get what you want by just haphazardly stabbing at the plate.To be able to get what you want,you have to aim for it.There's no way you can pick up everything in one go.Know what you want,and just do it.Sometimes,a little bit of focus makes the difference between failure and success.
Practice.Using chopsticks doesn't come naturally.You have to learn to use them and practice it.But how will you learn Should you just read about it Most would agree that there's no better way to practice than to look at the delicious food in front of you and tell yourself that you can't have any until you can use the chopsticks to get it.In real life,you can read as much as you like about all the things you want to do,but it will just amount to dreams and theory if you don't try actually doing it.Don't just watch others eating,put yourself out there and give the chopsticks a go.
Slowing Down.A common health tip is to try to eat with chopsticks when you can.Why Because it slows you down and allows your stomach to tell your brain you're full before you overeat.Eating with chopsticks is a slower process,but that is not necessarily a bad thing.Sometimes we need to slow down and take things one step at a time,break it down at each stage so that we have time to think,to realise that we're actually full and that we don't have to keep charging full speed through life.
Sometimes it's nice to enjoy each morsel of life as it comes.
疑难解析
dig into 开始(大)吃(或喝)
utensil [ju:'tensl] n.器皿,用具
gadget ['ɡdit] n.小玩意儿
advert [d'v:t] n.<;英口>; 广告
bombard [bm'bɑ:d,"bmbɑ:d] vt.炮击;轰炸
versatilityn.多用途,多功能
adaptable ['dptbl] adj.能适应的,可修改的
niche [ni:,nit] n.(有利可图的)市场一隅
appeal to 有感染力;有吸引力;投合所好
innovative ['inuveitiv] adj.革新的,新颖的
haphazardly [,hp'hzdli] adv.随意地,偶然地
stab [stb] vi.刺,戳
in one go一口气
amount to(在意义、效果、价值等方面)等同;接近
morsel ['m:sel] n.(食物的)一口,小份
参考译文
人生如筷
筷子。现如今,当数不尽的工具、器具和产品都已被时间淘汰,只有筷子经受住了时间的考验,成千上万的人们用它们来夹取食物。那么它们到底有什么特别之处呢?
从这简简单单的筷子中,我们能学到什么?
对于我个人而言,我一生都在使用筷子,但直到最近,我才认识到它们深深地影响了许多人的生活方式。它们教会了我们许多重要的事:简简单单。虽然筷子颜色各异,长短不同,但实质上,它们就是两根长棍。没有比两根靠在一起就能使用的木棍更简单的东西了。在科技日新月异的今天,铺天盖地的广告告诉我们应该使用那些事半功倍的多功能设备,筷子却仍旧保持着其单一的用途--就只是用来吃饭,这还真是与众不同啊。而筷子这个活生生的实例说明:简单的东西照样能派上大用场,我们并不需要一直改善更新,发展再发展。
运用广泛。筷子能用来夹取各种各样的食物,诸如肉、蔬菜、米饭等,还能用来挑鱼骨头,因为它们简单的本质意味着能屈能伸、适应性强。它们能满足各种广泛的要求,而非只瞄准于弥补某些市场缺口或者填补那些可能没必要填补的空白。想想筷子的哲学--用途广泛且不用担心被革新或被改善,所以深受人们喜爱。筷子只是做它本应做的,筷子就是筷子。
目标明确。如果你曾经试过用筷子吃饭,就会知道在餐盘上乱戳是夹不到你想要的东西的,必须得瞄准目标下筷。你不可能一下夹到所有东西,而应认清你要什么,然后努力得到它。成功或失败有时就在于那一点点的准确性。
熟能生巧。没人生来就会使用筷子。你必须要学着使用并不断练习。但是怎样学习呢?仅仅只是看使用说明吗?大部分人都同意最好的练习方法就是看着摆在眼前的美味食物,告诉自己不用筷子夹就不能吃。在现实生活中,你能(从书中)阅读到任何你想要做的事情,但是如果你不去试着实践,它们就仅仅只是梦想和理论。不要只看着别人吃,自己也去拿双筷子试试看。
放慢节奏。有一个众所周知的健康技巧是尽可能使用筷子吃饭。为什么呢?因为它能让你放慢节奏,让肚子在吃撑前告诉大脑:你饱了。虽然用筷子吃饭是个较慢的过程,但这不见得是件坏事。有时我们需要放慢节奏,一步一步来,每个阶段停顿一下,以使我们有时间思考,认识到自己实际上已经饱了我们没有必要总是保持高速冲刺的生活。
有时候,按部就班地享受生活的一点一滴是很幸福的。
22
Inviting
请客
今天玛丽邀请我到他们家里做客,这是我第一次到一位美国朋友家去做客,很多他们这边的礼仪虽然以前也听说过但毕竟没有亲身经历,所以心里一点底也没有很是紧张,希望到时不要出什么差错就好。
1、句子
01
Jasmine,would you be interested in dinner with me
茉莉,一起吃个饭怎么样?
02
Which food do you like best Chinese food or western food
你喜欢吃那种餐?中餐还是西餐?
03
Please give me a table for two.
我想订一个两人的餐桌。
04
I prefer some Chinese traditional food.
我喜欢中国传统的饭菜。
05
I'd love to,but I'm working late tonight.
我很想去,但是今晚要工作到很晚。
06
I'll pick you up at 6:00
我六点去接你。
07
What would you like to eat Fried rice with soy sauce or west lake beef soup
你想吃什么?酱油炒饭还是西湖牛肉羹?
2、对话
Dinner Is Ready
Mary's mom:Dinner is ready.Please go to the table.
Mary:This is your seat,Jasmine.Sit down,please.
Jasmine:Thank you.I'm really a bit nervous now.I know nothing about your table manners.
Mary:Don't worry,Jasmine.As for table manners,there is only one rule you must observe.That's to make yourself at home.
饭菜已经准备好了
玛丽的妈妈:饭菜已经准备好了,请入席吧。
玛丽:茉莉,这是你的座位。请坐。
茉莉:谢谢你,我真有点紧张,我对你们的宴会礼节一点也不懂。
玛丽:不要担心,茉莉。至于宴会礼节,只有一项你要遵守,那就是不要客气。
3文化加油站(心灵鸡汤)
The Love Story of Ariadne and Dionysus
The Greek myth of Ariadne offers hope to all who have felt the sting of love rejected.It tells of triumph after defeat,and of sweetest success after the harshest sorrow.