Hank's Customized Maps

Hank's Google Maps
Lubbock Supermarkets & Stores

Lubbock Recycling Center


It is interesting Google allows the users to customize their own maps and share them with their friends. Half year ago, I planned to visit San Antonio so I used it to mark all excellent restaurants my friend Lance recommended. Now, I make my own maps just for fun. I am the guy who always like to try something new. Here are two examples, stores and recycling centers in Lubbock. I will probably make another one (e.g. restaurants).

重拾睡前閱讀的樂趣

這一個月來，研究與課業的事情有增無減，
不過我發覺自己我的心情比以前平靜許多，
睡前輕鬆地小讀片刻，不但讓我每天放鬆一下，也讓我漸漸找回自我。



上個月去Houston參加Conference的時候，
順道拜訪了一下Alice與Lance，
雖說是拜訪，但是沒車哪裡也去不了，
最後還是請兩位在地的台客開著轎車來載我到一家
女服務生都有挑選過的道地台菜餐聽吃飯聊天,
我點了一份客家小炒與一杯招牌綠奶茶，正港台灣口味，好吃極了，
真期盼Lubbock也能有間純正且不混雜任何異國風味的中餐館。
大飽口福一頓之後，我們就到黃金超市去補貨，
雖然超市應有盡有，礙於生鮮不好帶上飛機，
我就買了一些乾貨跟餅乾，拿回去好好孝敬自己跟ANDY。


回程路上，三個人就開始閒聊起來，聊著聊著，
我們就談到睡眠時間的話題，
LANCE就說到:「他每天晚上不看書沒辦法睡覺，
他睡前一定會花一段時間看看書。」
聽到這句話實在耳熟，熟悉的原因
不是因為我以前常聽到這句話，
而是我以前也常常跟我朋友講這句話，
還沒來美國之前，
我每天晚上也會看個半小時到一小時的書才上床睡覺，
不過到美國之後，
我就很少看書了，
一來是中文書籍取得不易，
二來每天看期刊論文都看到眼睛快脫窗了，
實在沒有心情睡前還邊查英漢字典邊看英文書。


去年爸媽過來的時候，我請他們帶了一堆中文書過來，
加上之前幾位同學幫我順便帶過來的書，
我的書櫃現在也有二十幾本中文書，
從Houston回來之後，我就決定要重拾睡前閱讀的樂趣，
雖然每天還是很多事要忙，不過我硬是空出一段時間，
每天讓自己靜下來，看幾頁小說或是散文，好好放鬆一下，
閱讀書本就像是運動，是一種習慣，是一種生活方式
常常做就會愈來愈進入狀況，樂趣與成就感也愈大。


以前不知道聽誰說過，生活忙錄沒關係，
但是要忙得優雅，要忙出自我的節奏
我想，
閱讀不但讓我心沉靜下來，思緒更加清晰，
也讓我逐漸找回自我輕快的生活節奏。

American English (3)

moustache = hair that grows on a man's upper lip

beard = hair that grows around a man's chin (下巴) and cheeks (臉頰)

mutton chops = hair that grows on the sides of man's cheeks (絡腮鬍)

sideburns = hair that grows down the sides of a man's face in front of his ears (連鬢鬍子)

five o'clock shadow = the dark color on a man's chin where the hair has grown during the day (早上刮過晚上又長出的)鬍鬚

goatee = 山羊鬍子

American English (2)

audit = to attend a course at university without intending to take examinations in it or get a credit for it 旁聽

EX: Instead of enrolling in basic statistical course, I decide to audit it because I have taken enough credits for graduation.

racquetball = 壁球

racquet = racket 球拍

EX: racquetball/badminton/tennis racquet

mascot = an animal or a person dressed as an animal, that represents a team or organization, and is thought to bring them good luck 吉祥物

EX: The mascot of Texas Tech is masked raider.

rec room/center = recreation room/center

EX: In Texas Tech, rec center is actually the place where students do exercise.

Ultimate ( Ultimate Frisbee) = Ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech plastic disc on a field similar to football 一種像美式足球的飛盤競賽

American English (1)

whoop = to defeat badly

EX: Texas Tech whooped Northwestern State 75-7 in 2007 season.

dude = a man [C]

EX: Dude! What's up?

dudette = a woman [C]

tater = a potato [C]

Texan English

When in Texas, do as the Texans do.

To be a Texan, the first step is to learn Texan English.

I am glad to show several Texan words I learned from my friend Jonathan.

y'all = you all ( People use "you guys" in the north region of America, e.g. Chicago )

EX: Y’all are always welcome here.

EX: I'm going home now. See y'all later.

Howdy = Hello, originating as a shortened form of "How do you do?"

EX: Howdy folks, and welcome to Lubbock!!

fixin' = intending

EX: I am fixin' to do it.