An act of kindness ^-^

Reading news is helpful in improving one's English skills especially with vocabulary. Today, let's study the news below about showing an act of kindness to other people.


"Putpockets" give a little extra cash

LONDON (Reuters) – Visitors to London always have to be on the look out for pickpockets, but now there's another, more positive phenomenon on the loose -- putpockets.
Aware that people are suffering in the economic crisis, 20 former pickpockets have turned over a new leaf and are now trawling London's tourist sites slipping money back into unsuspecting pockets.
Anything from 5 pounds ($8) to 20 pound notes is being surreptitiously deposited in unguarded pockets or open handbags in Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and other busy spots.
The initiative, which runs until the end of August in London before being rolled out countrywide, is being funded by a broadbrand provider, which says it wants to brighten up people's lives in unusual ways.
"It feels good to give something back for a change -- and Britons certainly need it in the current economic climate," said Chris Fitch, a former pickpocket who now heads TalkTalk's putpocketing initiative.
"Every time I put money back in someone's pocket, I feel less guilty about the fact I spent many years taking it out."
London's police have been briefed about the plan, which will see at least 100,000 pounds given away.

(Reporting by Luke Baker; Editing by Kate Kelland)

Source: www.yahoonews.com. '"Putpockets" give a little extra cash'. Reuters. August 19, 2009.


Let's study:

Vocabulary:
putpocketing / putpockets = opposite of pick-pocketing; placing something which you own into another person's possession, for entertainment or charitable manner.

pickpocketing / pickpockets = one who steals from pockets of another person in public places

on the loose = at large; able to act freely

turned over a new leaf = to change one's attitude for the better

trawling / trawl = go around


Practice: Fill the sentences with the correct word using the vocabularies above.
1. Amanda likes ______________ around the park.

2. Be careful! The pickpocketers are _________________ these days.

3. Samantha achieved her New Year's Resolution. She has __________________.

4. Her wallet was lost. _______________ is really common in their place.

5. The organization has good plans for their people. They will do ________________ starting tomorrow and they'll make sure that this will be unnoticed.


Discussion:
1. What is your opinion about the 'putpocketing'?

2. Do you think this kind of act is helpful?

3. Is pickpocketing or putpocketing common in your place?

4. What will you do if you experienced pickpocketing and putpocketing?

^-^

Lost for words...

Are you familiar with this expression?

Lost for words means somebody is unable to think of something to say.

This is actually the exact state I experienced for the past days.

Although it's like that, I tried to be productive not in words but in action.

As the popular saying goes, 'Action speaks louder than words.' ^-^

How about you?

Tell me. Have you experienced this kind of situation? How did you deal with it?

Let me know your thoughts!

I hope you're not lost in words now... hehe.


^-^

Garfield!

Yesterday, I went to the bookstore and I found a very interesting book. It's a dictionary to be exact.

The famous Merriam-Webster Dictionary produced another edition.

It's a Merriam-Webster and GARFIELD Dictionary!!!

Product Description:

Garfield makes using a dictionary fun and easy! Nearly every spread presents an entertaining comic strip illustrating the use of a featured word. It includes over 65,000 meanings, and Garfield's Daffy Definitions. Great for all ages!

(Source: www.amazon.com)

What do you think? Although I haven't bought this book yet, but I think it's a brilliant idea! Learning will never be boring since there's something in it which can entertain you.

For me, comic strips are also one of the reading materials I like to use when studying English and Garfield is one of the most entertaining and funny comic strips I like to read.

I think it's cool to study English especially if a funny and entertaining character like Garfield will be helping you on your Vocabulary improvement! Especially now that Garfield can be seen in the dictionary! hehe

You might ask why I like Garfield so much. Let me share to you some strips of Garfield and you'll know why it's a good way to learn English and be entertained by Garfield. (^_^)

1.

Are you familiar of the word 'mumu'?

Mumu or muumuu is a loose Hawaiian dress.

Tell me:

Do you have a pet like Garfield?

2.

Frolic means play.

Meadow is a grassy area.

Hang out means to spend time somewhere.

Tell me:

Where do you often hang out?

3.
Deal is an agreement between people.

Tell me:
Are you afraid of getting old?

^_^

Take a break. Have a joke!

One way of learning English is reading a funny story or even a comic written in English. It will increase your English comprehension and lighten your day.

Let me share to you some jokes I got from iteslj.com.


Teacher: Today, we're going to talk about the tenses. Now, if I say "I am beautiful," which tense is it?
Student: Obviously it is the past tense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Teacher: Why are you late?
Student: There was a man who lost a hundred dollar bill.
Teacher: That's nice. Were you helping him look for it?
Student: No. I was standing on it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Customer: Excuse me, but I saw your thumb in my soup when you were carrying it.
Waitress: Oh, that's okay. The soup isn't hot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A man goes to the doctor and says, "Doctor, wherever I touch, it hurts." The doctor asks, "What do you mean?" The man says, "When I touch my shoulder, it really hurts. If I touch my knee - OUCH! When I touch my forehead, it really, really hurts." The doctor says, "I know what's wrong with you - you've broken your finger!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two factory workers are talking.The woman says, "I can make the boss give me the day off."The man replies, "And how would you do that?"The woman says, "Just wait and see." She then hangs upside-down from the ceiling.The boss comes in and says, "What are you doing?"The woman replies, "I'm a light bulb."The boss then says, "You've been working so much that you've gone crazy. I think you need to take the day off."The man starts to follow her and the boss says, "Where are you going?"The man says, "I'm going home, too. I can't work in the dark."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fred is 32 years old and he is still single. One day a friend asked, "Why aren't you married? Can't you find a woman who will be a good wife?" Fred replied, "Actually, I've found many women I wanted to marry, but when I bring them home to meet my parents, my mother doesn't like them."
His friend thinks for a moment and says, "I've got the perfect solution, just find a girl who's just like your mother."
A few months later they meet again and his friend says, "Did you find the perfect girl? Did your mother like her?" With a frown on his face, Fred answers, "Yes, I found the perfect girl. She was just like my mother. You were right, my mother liked her very much."
The friend said, "Then what's the problem?" Fred replied, "My father doesn't like her."

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Laughter is the best medicine. When you’re down or feel bored in learning English, read a funny article, story or joke. It will change your mood and somehow make you feel good about studying English.

Tell me:

Share a joke you know. I’ll be waiting…

^_^