The Speedo 31/1/07 - 6/2/07

Finally it has started snowing! Everyone has been patiently waiting for it to begin snowing so we can have fun doing more winter sports! Downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country-skiing, sledding, snowball fighting - this is a great time of year for outdoor fun. Make sure to bundle up (bundle up means wear warm clothes - a hat, a scarf, gloves, a heavy coat) when you go outside - it may drop below freezing (below 0 degrees Celcius). Stay warm!!!!

Upcoming Clubs and Lectures:

Remember that SPEED Callan hosts many activities for you to practice using your English. If you want to stay inside during the cold winter months, take advantage of our fun clubs and lectures. REMEMBER - IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND A CLUB, YOU MUST SIGN UP WITH THE SECRETARIES FIRST!!!!!

Here is what's happening this week:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31ST- TERRI'S LECTURE: FAVORITE MUSIC

Terri will be bringing a variety of music from her vast (meaning large) collection of music. She will play many songs and introduce vocabulary used in the music world. Terri has FANTASTIC taste in music - that means she knows very good bands and songs. MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP IF YOU WANT TO COME!!!! It begins at 7:30pm at SPEED Callan.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND - GARY'S FAMOUS ROCK CLUB

Gary will meet students at SPEED Callan at 7:30pm. He will host a conversation on rock music, including Guns N Roses, Whitesnake, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Closterkeller, Brathanik, and many more. There will be a Rock Quiz, with PRIZES for the WINNERS! Make sure to sign up if you want to come!!!!

IDIOMS OF THE WEEK: phrases regarding the WEATHER

Weather means the state of the atmosphere - the wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc. In English, we often use weather words to discuss how we feel.

IDIOM #1: UNDER THE WEATHER - if a person is under the weather, it means that they feel ill. Maybe they have a cold, maybe they have a hangover. Either way, they need to drink some water, have soup, and get some sleep, then they will feel better.

Eric: You don't look so good, what is wrong?

Dean: I am feeling under the weather today.

Eric: You should get some sleep.

IDIOM #2: ON CLOUD NINE: if a person is on Cloud 9, they are EXTREMELY happy about something that happened.

John: You look like you are on Cloud 9 - what happeneded?

Greg: You are right! I found 100 zloty in my pocket!!!!

IDIOM #3: SEVEN SHEETS TO THE WIND: if a person is 7 sheets to the wind, they are very DRUNK!

Gary: I have been drinking all night at Rock Club and I am 7 sheets to the wind!

Jamie: Sounds like a fun night!!!!

IDIOM #4: TO WEATHER A STORM: If you weather a storm, you get through a crisis or hard times.

Lynsey: I had a horrible day yesterday, I lost my phone and keys and couldn't get into my flat.

Terri: Well, you made it through the day, you really weathered the storm.

VOCABULARY OF THE WEEK: Weather words

VERBS:

- To DRIZZLE - a very light rain, not hard

- To POUR - a very hard rain

- To FREEZE - below 0 degrees Celcius or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit

- To HAIL - when the rain is freezing, below 0 degrees

TEMPERATURE WORDS:

- SCORCHING - a really hot day

- MILD - fair weather, usually in Spring or Autumn.

- CHILLY - late Autumn weather - you would need a jacket

- FREEZING - below 0 degrees

- WINDY- the wind is blowing hard

- BREEZY - the wind is blowing, but very lightly

- FOGGY - the clouds are low to the ground, it is hard to see very far