Blog

New Year’s – What is it to you?

Paul Huber

On Christmas Eve, a blanket of wispy fog hovered our skies- which gave the day an extra boost of holiday spirit. Here in Orange County, we do not get snow. Your best bet will be the Disneyland Winter show. Yes, soap bubbles! To some, this might come off as absurd.  However, in retrospect, there are people in America who have never seen real snow; there are people from all corners of the globe who have never seen snow; there are a handful of ESL students here at Poly Languages who have never stepped in snow, even some of our staff that are native Californians! To these people, and then some, the substance that is known to them as a cleaning agent (soap) transforms into a holiday spectacle that will remain in their memories for time to come.  

 

Once Christmas celebrations are over, the holiday spirit isn’t over. In America, at least, the festive spirit remains because of the soon-to-come New Year. Like the soap-bubbles snow, people see New Year’s Day in different ways. In many countries, the New Year’s date is determined by astronomical and astrological factors.  Though some other countries’ New Year’s Day are practiced in the United States, there is one day that the nation recognizes as a national holiday. The U.S. New Year is observed on January 1st on the modern Gregorian and Julian calendar.

 

Traditionally, the New Year is an occasion where people spend time with their loved ones. The night is accompanied by fireworks and parties. Probably the most famous New Year’s Day celebration is held in New York City. The famous Times Square Ball is lowered with a countdown a minute before midnight. A gigantic series of celebrations is followed by the New Year announcement. A great display of fireworks, music, live performances, and shows are put on. People can also enjoy these grand spectacles in the comfort of their own home–on television.  

 

There is more to the New Year’s Day tradition in America. A common practice done by many Americans is to make New Year’s resolutions. We’ve all made promises or goals during our lives, and these resolutions are no different. What makes New Year’s resolutions so significant? To some, it signifies a new cycle of life–shed last year’s mistakes and woes and start off on a clean slate. It’s definitely a positive mindset. To others, it serves as a motivational tool. Some find similarities in their resolutions and work together to achieve them. Regardless of the rationality, New Year’s resolutions reflect the holiday spirit of bringing people together.

 

Whether it’s soapy snow, fireworks, music, a giant ball being dropped in Times Square, or making resolutions, the holidays are a time of celebration and community.

The Essence of the Holidays

Paul Huber

Winter has finally hit Southern California.

It’s cold and breezy and a perfect temperature for Christmas. December is a month of celebrations.

I love this time of year. I marvel in my heightened senses; the fresh smell of pines, the shimmering lights, the accessorized picture perfect homes, the jolly tunes and melodic beats. Every time I step out, I sense the excitement and anticipation as shoppers intently run around, joyfully searching for the perfect gifts to give away. I’ve never understood what shopping has to do with Christ, but this time of the year is a true testament to the spirit of kindness, the joy of giving, and the happiness the holidays bring.

I’m not a big shopper, but I have to admit that on a grander scheme, all the shopping does indeed turn the wheels of our global economy—the wheels that all inter-connectivity depends on, no matter where we live on the spherical globe. All the mindless shopping we engage in at this time of the year, as frivolous as it may seem, shapes our purpose.

It’s an empowering feeling to know that through the click of my finger on my iPhone, I have given the ability of earnings to someone hundreds of miles away. I have helped an impoverished man, woman or child living in a village on the other side of the world. My finger has suddenly unleashed a slew of actions. Starting from making the product, to boxing it, to sorting it, to flying it on a plane across the globe, to driving it to a distribution center, to sorting it again and finally, to driving it to its final home. I have employed multiple people in an effort to purchase one product. It’s mind boggling thinking of all the hundreds of millions of products and all the subsequent actions that they set in motion. In fact, at this very second, there are thousands of people clicking their devices and making a purchase. Though the true essence of the season is about love and kindness and not about purchasing, one can’t deny the two opposites are more closely tied than they appear.

No doubt, I love the sights, smells and the sounds of X-mas. But for the first time, I don’t feel much guilt in buying another camera for my husband who already has a few, or gadgets and candy for my kids which they’d probably be better off without. At least now I know, the action of my finger, among the millions of other fingers, is making a difference in someone’s life way across the globe.

Susan Massoudnia
Dec. 2018

Student Event – Ice Skating in Pasadena

Paul Huber

There are plenty of well-known winter sports, but perhaps none as widely known and elegant as the sport of ice-skating. Where men and women alike strap on shoes with a single sharp blade attached at the bottom, and glide around a rink (or lake) of ice. Unlike hockey, many of these athletes travel backwards with ease, sometimes doing tricks, skips, turns, and jumps for scores. Ice-skating isn’t always a singular sport either. Pairs lift, fling, and dance in unison with their partner across the ice giving an expressive and artistic showing to the people watching. There is no question that this is a beautiful and graceful sport, but the best part about it is, it’s not just for the professionals. It can be incredibly fun for beginner skaters as well! In fact, particularly in the winter months (December thru February), children and adults from across the country strap on a pair of skates and go to the rink for some great times with family and friends. POLY Languages Institute is no different!

On December 21st, our English students will be enjoying the finest December chill that California has to offer at the Pasadena Ice-Skating Center located at 300 E. Green St in Pasadena CA, 91101. Students from Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Irvine alike will come together for a fun night filled with gliding, grooving, and some all-around good fun. The event will be from 7pm to 9pm with $11 for admission and $4 for skate rentals. Don’t forget to wear those warm clothes you thought you’d never need when you relocated to sunny California. Come learn some new cold weather vocabulary and meet students and staff from all of our wonderful locations. Bring your family too – kids, spouses, and friends are welcome to join in on the fun! Come watch the skills of one of our students from the Philippines, who was a professional ice-skater back in the day. Or you can watch some of the more inexperienced staff fall on their butts. Either way, it should be a great time for everyone! We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Idioms – leisure

Paul Huber

American English Idioms

An idiom is a phrase (group of words) that usually has a figurative meaning. The use of idioms is wide spread in the English language; native English speakers use idioms almost every day.  Therefore, studying idioms is critical for effective communication, whether in listening, speaking, reading, or writing.  Studying idioms not only improves your understanding of the English language but also gives you a deeper insight into American culture.  The idiomatic expressions (idioms) introduced are based on a theme chosen.

 

Idioms Related to Leisure

at (one’s) leisure – at one’s convenience or to do something at one’s pace (without haste)

Example:

If you’re done with your homework, you can spend the rest of the day at (your) leisure.

I plan to complete all my work today so that I can relax tomorrow. I would like to spend at least once a week at (my) leisure.

 

have a blast – have a great time

Blast means an explosion. It seems that the word in this contest is to express intensity of excitement or enjoyment.

Example:

The Thanksgiving potluck by school was great. We had a blast.

Let’s have a blast tonight. Everyone at the party is very friendly and cool.

 

take it easy – 1) to be calm or relaxed 2) take care, be careful

Example:

1) I am going to take it easy this weekend. I’ve been studying too hard for the finals.

2) Take it easy! Let’s keep in touch.

 

in one’s element – to do or be in state of something comfortable

out of one’s element – to do or be in state of something uncomfortable

Example:

Jane is in her element when she’s drawing. She loves to draw and sits still for hours drawing. However, Jane is out of her element when she’s doing her math homework. She cannot sit still beyond 10 minutes.

 

barrel of laughs – very funny or having great fun
‘Barrel’ is a big container. The ‘barrel’ in this context means ‘lot of’ laughter or fun. *The expression is often used in a sarcastic context.

Example:

For Jason, the English literature course isn’t a barrel of laughs.  To a non-native English speaker, it is a very challenging course.

*Heidi is always nagging, if not very demanding. She’s a barrel of laughs.

 

Do you have similar idioms in your own country related to the English idioms here?

Do you have good sample sentences for the idioms introduced here?

Please share to reinforce the idioms you’ve studied here. Study English by learning idioms regularly.