4/1 Topic: Paparazzi

Recently in the gossip column, we’ve got bunch of big news. We’ve got 大小戀 in Taiwan and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in the British. However, any intention to spy others’ privacy causes confrontation. Let’s read related news and talk about the paradox as an audience.

Royal Wedding explainer: Schedule of events

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/02/15/royal.wedding.essential.facts/index.html

Comparing Kate with Diana is futile

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/14/uk.monica.ali.comment/index.html?hpt=Sbin

1. What’s your favorite column in the newspaper? Do you usually read the gossip column?

2. Why paparazzi are so nasty yet so popular in the society nowadays?

3. Now social network is everywhere, such as Facebook, weibo, etc., it seems like everyone likes to share his life and to get a glimpse of others’ lives, what’s your preference while using the above programs? And what’s the purpose of using them?

4. Following the above question, how do you live in public while keeping your own privacy?

5. If you were a celebrity, how will you deal with the pressure from media? Are you the person who is afraid of public opinion?

3/25 From earthquake, tsunami to nuclear crisis

March 11, a devastating day on which multiple disasters deprived Northeastern Japan of innumerable lives that all Japanese can never forget, and a historic event that might change the fate of human beings. It’s the most powerful calamity Japan had since World War II. Japan is probably the best-prepared country for earthquake and tsunami, but they are inevitably suffering from the great loss of natural disasters. However, the deep-rooted Japanese spirit and samurai culture are well-presented in their performance after the dismal catastrophe, with which Japanese are still disciplinary, organized, and calm. All humans are supposed to get a great lesson from Japanese. Let’s see what you have learned from them.

Series of rolling disasters

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/18/japan.disaster.week.sweep/index.html

How does Japan remain so calm?

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/16/japan.cultural.order/index.html

Japan’s nuclear plant heroes

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/16/japan.nuclear.heroes/index.html

Questions

1. What’s your opinion of the measures taken by the Japanese government handling the multiple disasters?

2. How do you perceive the calmness and stoicism presented by Japanese in such a terrible catastrophe?

3. I suppose you have watched a lot of news coverage either from foreign sources or of Taiwanese media. How do you feel about their professionalism and attitude? What’s the difference between foreign and Taiwanese media? How can we improve the standard of Taiwanese media?

4. Do you still have faith in nuclear power plant? Is it a good idea to put The Fourth Nuclear Power Plant on hold in Taiwan?

5. What is your take on the volunteer sacrifices of the 50 Heroes?

Enjoy Work?

Have you ever felt tired of 9-to-(5+N) life? Do you think you have been working hard but the dream is still far, far away from you? This week we are going to talk about work, life and career. Following are some links that you can find tips giving us a guideline for enjoying work. Feel free to share your opinions.

(A)
How to Enjoy Work?
http://www.ehow.com/how_4725412_enjoy-work.html

(B)
When is it time to move on?
http://managementcraft.typepad.com/management_craft/2005/09/when_is_it_time.html

(C)
Nigel Marsh: How to make work-life balance work
http://www.ted.com/talks/nigel_marsh_how_to_make_work_life_balance_work.html

Q:
1. Do you love your work? Why or why not?
2. If everything is possible, what is your ideal job?
3. What is the most important factor that makes you accept a job offer?
4. When you feel frustrated at work, how do you find your ways out and return to the energetic status?
5. If you can have your own business, what will you do? Do you have any concrete plans (e.g. what, when, how) ?

How to Build a Fat Loss Diet by Sadie Bell

Hi folks,
Here is this week's topic--How to Build a Fat Loss Diet. Since most of Taiwanese have become fatter and fatter especially after lunar new year so that here comes this topic.

Deciding you want to lose weight is a big deal. However, if you want to be successful, you need to make realistic goals and set forth a plan that you're capable of sticking to. This includes building a diet intended to help you lose fat. You should always consult your physician before starting a new diet or exercise plan.

1. Log your everyday eating habits in a notebook or journal for one week. This will allow you to see what your habits are and help you make better choices. Not only log what you're eating but also emotional states so you know where your highs and lows sit with your food consumption. Track your time, food and portions, mood, how hungry you are and who you're eating with.

2. Track caloric intake for each meal or day. Tracking your caloric intake will help you understand when and what you're eating that could be contributing too many calories to your diet.

3. Review your food journal and identify what your major contributing factors are when it comes to weight gain. Decide on food to remove, when you eat too much and why, how frequently you eat and whether or not you eat when you're hungry. Decide on how you will cut back your caloric intake by removing high calorie foods and replacing them with foods lower in calories and higher in fiber like fruits and vegetables.

4. Plan your food week by building a menu that takes in account breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. With your week menu in hand, stick to it as much as possible. Detouring from the menu too much may put you over your needed caloric intake. For breakfast, try eating whole grain toast with a piece of fruit and water. Try a salad filled with dark leafy greens, a low-fat dressing and chicken breast for lunch. For dinner, eat grilled fish with steamed vegetables. Fresh fruit, vegetable sticks with low-fat dip -- or a handful of almonds for protein are healthy snack choices.

5. Include a simple workout routine into your fat loss diet. Eating better will not always help you lose weight by itself. Adding small workout sessions everyday can help burn fat and keep you under your needed caloric intake.

Discussion:
1. Do you think you are fat or thin? Why? Why not?
2. What’s your way to lose weight? How? Did you succeed? Share it with us.
3. Have you ever gone to gym or workout? How was it?
4. What’s your ideal weight and height? Do you care about your figure? Why? Why not?
5. Do you think a bit workout can lose your weight more or eating less?