Friday, December 6, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Detroit Becomes Largest US City to File Bankruptcy
Detroit, once the symbol of American industrial power, has become the largest city in U.S. history to file for bankruptcy, a victim of its declining population and faltering auto industry.
A half-century ago, Detroit stood at the center of the country's booming auto industry and boasted a population of 1.8 million people, many of them assembly line factory workers drawn to the city by wages that led to a middle-class life. But when a state-appointed fiscal manager filed the city's bankruptcy papers Thursday, Detroit's population had dwindled to 700,000. Many of its neighborhoods are deserted and houses boarded up.
The bankruptcy filing gives the city protection from its creditors. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said he hopes the move will mark a new beginning for the city, which has been struggling with a budget deficit of more than $300 million and long-term debt that may total $18 billion or more.
"This is a very, very difficult day for me as I am sure it is for a lot of our citizens here in the city of Detroit," he said.
"When I took office over four years ago, I said Detroit was in a financial crisis and we tried to work our way through this situation over the last four years. But it has been very, very difficult."
In March, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder hired fiscal manager and bankruptcy expert Kevyn Orr to oversee Detroit's troubled finances, making it the largest U.S. city under state supervision. Orr said it soon became obvious that Detroit was on an unsustainable financial path.
"The reality is, that even a casual observer — a casual observer — has had to understand for some period of time now that Detroit simply was not on a sustainable footing, continuing to borrow, continuing to defer pension payments, continuing not to pay its bills on time, continuing a deepening insolvency.
Governor Snyder said the bankruptcy filing will give Detroit a chance to recover.
"Now is our opportunity to stop 60 years of decline," he said.
It is not entirely clear what happens next for the city. Orr said the city will maintain basic services, such as police and fire protection. But many of the city's street lights have already been cut off. The bankruptcy declaration also casts doubt about the future of public employee pensions and health care plans in Detroit, which has about 10,000 city employees.
A bankruptcy judge will be appointed to oversee the city's finances. Eventually, many of the city's creditors might only receive pennies on the dollar of the money they are owed.
Settlement of the case is expected to take a lengthy period of time, likely more than a year.
Other Municipal bankruptcies in the US
• City of San Bernardino, Cali filed 8/01/2012. Debt = $46 Million
• City of Stockton, Cali filed 6/28/2012. Debt = $26 Million
• Jefferson County, Alabama filed 1/9/2011. Debt = $4 Billion
Central Falls, Rhode Island filed 8/1/2011. Debt = $21 Million
VOA New
July 19, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
PARIS JACKSON
Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson was taken to a hospital in the early morning hours of June 5 after attempting suicide.
According to reports, Paris ingested 20 ibuprofen pills and cut her wrists. Her biological mother, Debbie Rowe, told Entertainment Tonight that Paris has had “a lot going on.”
The same morning she was rushed to the hospital, Paris Tweeted the Beatles’ song lyrics, “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they’re here to stay.” Jackson family lawyer Perry Sanders said in a statement, “Being a sensitive 15-year-old is difficult no matter who you are.
It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you [her father].
Paris is physically fine and is getting appropriate medical attention. Please respect her privacy and the family’s privacy.”
June 25 marks the fourth anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death.
According to reports, Paris ingested 20 ibuprofen pills and cut her wrists. Her biological mother, Debbie Rowe, told Entertainment Tonight that Paris has had “a lot going on.”
The same morning she was rushed to the hospital, Paris Tweeted the Beatles’ song lyrics, “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they’re here to stay.” Jackson family lawyer Perry Sanders said in a statement, “Being a sensitive 15-year-old is difficult no matter who you are.
It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you [her father].
Paris is physically fine and is getting appropriate medical attention. Please respect her privacy and the family’s privacy.”
June 25 marks the fourth anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Friday, June 7, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
GRAMMAR 15
GRAMMAR 15
1.Subject:
* Hello means tieng chao in Vietnamese.
* To say hello means chao in Vietnamese.
* Saying hello means viec chao in Vietnamese.
* How to say hello means how to greet someone.
* Who says hello means “Ai chao vay.”
* Who says hello?
* The song “Hello” means a lot to me.
* To pronounce “hello” seems to be a simple stuff.
* There are billions of people saying “hello.”
* Those who say hello are friendly people.
* From the room comes “ hello.”
* They say hello.
* That they say hello means that they are friendly.
* It’s good to say hello = To say hello is good.
2.Object:
* Chao in Vietnamese means hello.
* Chao in Vietnamese means to say hello.
*”Viec chao hoi” in VNese means saying hello.
* I teach how to say hello.
* I like who says hello.
* I sing the song “Hello”.
* A simple stuff seems to be to pronounce “hello”.
* Billions of people saying hello are there.
* Friendly people are those who say hello.
* “Hello” comes from the room.
* I teach them that they should say hello.
* I teach them.
3. Complement:
* Subject identifier:
They are who say hello.
* Subject modifier:
They are friendly.
* Object identifier:
I meet them who say hello.
* Object modifier:
I make them friendly.
4. Noun structure:
* As objects:
They know how to say hello.
They know about that.
They know the meaning of saying hello.
They know why they say hello.
They want to say hello.
*As complements:
I tell them how to say hello.
I tell them about that.
I tell them the meaning of saying hello.
I tell them why they say hello.
I tell them to say hello.
5. Adjective:
They to say hello want to be friendly.
They saying hello want to be friendly.
They who say hello want to be friendly.
I like them whose saying hello is nice.
Their way of saying hello means a lot to me.
They are good.
6. Adverb:
They say hello to say.
They say hello politely.
They say hello because they are polite.
They say hello as politely as I want to hear.
They say hello when they are polite.
They say hello that politely.
7. P. Group (Prepositional phrase):
* To tell the time:
They say it for a long time.
* To tell the space:
They say it up stairs.
* To tell the direction:
They say it into the microphone.
* To tell the mood:
They say it without inspiration.
* To tell the manner:
They say it for fun.
* To tell the opposition:
They say it in stead of smiling.
8. ING- Group:
* Introduction:
Stepping forward, they say hello.
* Functioning as adjective:
They like anyone saying hello.
* The second verb in a sentence:
They drink a lot saying hello all the time.
* Subject:
Saying hello means saying ”Chao” in Vietnamese.
* Object:
Saying Chao in Vietnamese means saying hello.
* Do+the+ING :
They do the saying hello.
* Adjective:
They learn a saying hello lesson.
* With be – continuous tense:
They will be saying hello.
9. To Group :
* Subject:
To say hello is easy.
* Object:
They look for “to say hello”.
* Adverb:
They come to say hello.
* Object complement:
They want me to say hello.
10. ED- Group:
* Introduction:
Married to an American, She speaks well.
(She speaks well because she has an American husband.)
* Adjective:
I teach a woman married to an American.
* Subject-like:
Attached is a file of my CV.
* Have thing ED- group:
I have a file of my CV attached.
* Be +ED group: (passive voice)
My CV will be attached.
* Have + ED group: (present perfect)
They have attached my file.
11. Sub-ordinate Clause (Cau phu):
It is a common clause with a marker in the beginning.
They say hello.
When they say hello, I say hello.
Although they say hello, I say nothing.
Because they say hello, I say hello.
Whether they say hello or not, I say nothing.
Until they say hello, I say nothing.
If they say hello, I say hello too.
While they say hello, I say nothing.
Since they said hello, I have said a lot more.
Unless they say hello, I say nothing.
As soon as they say hello, I say hello too.
No matter how they say hello, I say nothing.
Sometimes a marker changes the common clause into a new
subject and then there comes a new sentence.
That they say hello surprises me.
How they say hello doesn’t bother me.
How often they say hello is not important.
Why they say hello is not known.
12. Verb tense:
We put WILL, HAVE ..+ ED and BE..ING to tell the time
* They will say hello.
* They will be saying hello as I say it.
* They will have said hello until I say it.
* They will have been saying hello as I say it.
* They have been saying hello since I said it.
* They have said hello since I said it.
* They had been saying hello as I said it.
* They had said hello then I said it.
* They said hello.
* They are saying hello.
* They were saying hello when I said it.
* They say hello.
13. If Clause:
* If they say hello, I say hello. – 100%
* If they say hello, I will say hello. – 85%
* If they said hello, I would say hello. -5%
* If they had said hello, I would have said hello.- 0%
14. Direct- indirect speech:
There are 2 ways to tell about one event.
*She says sorry.
She says that she is sorry (that she feels sorry).
*She said to me “I love you”
She said to me that she loved me.
*She declared “I will do it”
She declared she would do it.
*She asks him “Do you love me?”
She asks him if he loves her.
15. Seven modifiers:
In stead of using 7 different sentences to describe something, here
is such a short way, isn’t it?
* I find something to eat
for dinner
alive
colorful and easily digested
to my Mom for making her healthy
made in China
which I can afford.
HCMC Aug 24, 08
Luong Ngoc Thanh, B.A
luongngocthanh19855@yahoo.com
Teacher & translator
1.Subject:
* Hello means tieng chao in Vietnamese.
* To say hello means chao in Vietnamese.
* Saying hello means viec chao in Vietnamese.
* How to say hello means how to greet someone.
* Who says hello means “Ai chao vay.”
* Who says hello?
* The song “Hello” means a lot to me.
* To pronounce “hello” seems to be a simple stuff.
* There are billions of people saying “hello.”
* Those who say hello are friendly people.
* From the room comes “ hello.”
* They say hello.
* That they say hello means that they are friendly.
* It’s good to say hello = To say hello is good.
2.Object:
* Chao in Vietnamese means hello.
* Chao in Vietnamese means to say hello.
*”Viec chao hoi” in VNese means saying hello.
* I teach how to say hello.
* I like who says hello.
* I sing the song “Hello”.
* A simple stuff seems to be to pronounce “hello”.
* Billions of people saying hello are there.
* Friendly people are those who say hello.
* “Hello” comes from the room.
* I teach them that they should say hello.
* I teach them.
3. Complement:
* Subject identifier:
They are who say hello.
* Subject modifier:
They are friendly.
* Object identifier:
I meet them who say hello.
* Object modifier:
I make them friendly.
4. Noun structure:
* As objects:
They know how to say hello.
They know about that.
They know the meaning of saying hello.
They know why they say hello.
They want to say hello.
*As complements:
I tell them how to say hello.
I tell them about that.
I tell them the meaning of saying hello.
I tell them why they say hello.
I tell them to say hello.
5. Adjective:
They to say hello want to be friendly.
They saying hello want to be friendly.
They who say hello want to be friendly.
I like them whose saying hello is nice.
Their way of saying hello means a lot to me.
They are good.
6. Adverb:
They say hello to say.
They say hello politely.
They say hello because they are polite.
They say hello as politely as I want to hear.
They say hello when they are polite.
They say hello that politely.
7. P. Group (Prepositional phrase):
* To tell the time:
They say it for a long time.
* To tell the space:
They say it up stairs.
* To tell the direction:
They say it into the microphone.
* To tell the mood:
They say it without inspiration.
* To tell the manner:
They say it for fun.
* To tell the opposition:
They say it in stead of smiling.
8. ING- Group:
* Introduction:
Stepping forward, they say hello.
* Functioning as adjective:
They like anyone saying hello.
* The second verb in a sentence:
They drink a lot saying hello all the time.
* Subject:
Saying hello means saying ”Chao” in Vietnamese.
* Object:
Saying Chao in Vietnamese means saying hello.
* Do+the+ING :
They do the saying hello.
* Adjective:
They learn a saying hello lesson.
* With be – continuous tense:
They will be saying hello.
9. To Group :
* Subject:
To say hello is easy.
* Object:
They look for “to say hello”.
* Adverb:
They come to say hello.
* Object complement:
They want me to say hello.
10. ED- Group:
* Introduction:
Married to an American, She speaks well.
(She speaks well because she has an American husband.)
* Adjective:
I teach a woman married to an American.
* Subject-like:
Attached is a file of my CV.
* Have thing ED- group:
I have a file of my CV attached.
* Be +ED group: (passive voice)
My CV will be attached.
* Have + ED group: (present perfect)
They have attached my file.
11. Sub-ordinate Clause (Cau phu):
It is a common clause with a marker in the beginning.
They say hello.
When they say hello, I say hello.
Although they say hello, I say nothing.
Because they say hello, I say hello.
Whether they say hello or not, I say nothing.
Until they say hello, I say nothing.
If they say hello, I say hello too.
While they say hello, I say nothing.
Since they said hello, I have said a lot more.
Unless they say hello, I say nothing.
As soon as they say hello, I say hello too.
No matter how they say hello, I say nothing.
Sometimes a marker changes the common clause into a new
subject and then there comes a new sentence.
That they say hello surprises me.
How they say hello doesn’t bother me.
How often they say hello is not important.
Why they say hello is not known.
12. Verb tense:
We put WILL, HAVE ..+ ED and BE..ING to tell the time
* They will say hello.
* They will be saying hello as I say it.
* They will have said hello until I say it.
* They will have been saying hello as I say it.
* They have been saying hello since I said it.
* They have said hello since I said it.
* They had been saying hello as I said it.
* They had said hello then I said it.
* They said hello.
* They are saying hello.
* They were saying hello when I said it.
* They say hello.
13. If Clause:
* If they say hello, I say hello. – 100%
* If they say hello, I will say hello. – 85%
* If they said hello, I would say hello. -5%
* If they had said hello, I would have said hello.- 0%
14. Direct- indirect speech:
There are 2 ways to tell about one event.
*She says sorry.
She says that she is sorry (that she feels sorry).
*She said to me “I love you”
She said to me that she loved me.
*She declared “I will do it”
She declared she would do it.
*She asks him “Do you love me?”
She asks him if he loves her.
15. Seven modifiers:
In stead of using 7 different sentences to describe something, here
is such a short way, isn’t it?
* I find something to eat
for dinner
alive
colorful and easily digested
to my Mom for making her healthy
made in China
which I can afford.
HCMC Aug 24, 08
Luong Ngoc Thanh, B.A
luongngocthanh19855@yahoo.com
Teacher & translator
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
WRITING
Millions of students have been taught a formula that has nothing to do with chemistry.
The formula is for how to write a five-paragraph essay.
First, write an introductory paragraph to state the argument.
Then, add three paragraphs of evidence.
Finally, write a conclusion.
Linda Bergmann is director of the Writing Lab at Purdue University in Indiana.
Her job is to help students, including international students, improve their writing.
Professor Bergmann has worked with many students who learned this traditional five-paragraph formula.
She says international students sometimes have difficulty with this formula if they learned a different writing structure.
But just knowing how to write a five-paragraph essay is not going to be enough for a college student who has to write a longer academic paper.
As Professor Bergmann points out, the formula is too simple to deal with subjects that require deeper thought and investigation.
In her words, "Essentially, it is way too simplistic to handle more intellectually sophisticated topics which involve actual inquiry."
Karen Gocsik is executive director of courses in the Institute for Writing and Rhetoric at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
The institute has an extensive library of online writing materials on its website.
So what are the qualities that make up good writing? Ms. Gocsik says there are no simple answers -- except maybe for one.
That is, there is no formula that students can follow to guarantee a well-written paper.
She says, "What we try to teach students to do in college is to listen to their ideas, and that the idea should be able to tell you what form it needs to take."
She says moving from secondary-school writing to college-level writing can be difficult, but students should not be afraid.
American college students are usually expected to state their thesis at the beginning of a paper.
In some cultures, students organize their paragraphs to build toward the main idea at the end.
And, while students in some cultures use lots of descriptive words, American professors generally want shorter sentences.
The formula is for how to write a five-paragraph essay.
First, write an introductory paragraph to state the argument.
Then, add three paragraphs of evidence.
Finally, write a conclusion.
Linda Bergmann is director of the Writing Lab at Purdue University in Indiana.
Her job is to help students, including international students, improve their writing.
Professor Bergmann has worked with many students who learned this traditional five-paragraph formula.
She says international students sometimes have difficulty with this formula if they learned a different writing structure.
But just knowing how to write a five-paragraph essay is not going to be enough for a college student who has to write a longer academic paper.
As Professor Bergmann points out, the formula is too simple to deal with subjects that require deeper thought and investigation.
In her words, "Essentially, it is way too simplistic to handle more intellectually sophisticated topics which involve actual inquiry."
Karen Gocsik is executive director of courses in the Institute for Writing and Rhetoric at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
The institute has an extensive library of online writing materials on its website.
So what are the qualities that make up good writing? Ms. Gocsik says there are no simple answers -- except maybe for one.
That is, there is no formula that students can follow to guarantee a well-written paper.
She says, "What we try to teach students to do in college is to listen to their ideas, and that the idea should be able to tell you what form it needs to take."
She says moving from secondary-school writing to college-level writing can be difficult, but students should not be afraid.
American college students are usually expected to state their thesis at the beginning of a paper.
In some cultures, students organize their paragraphs to build toward the main idea at the end.
And, while students in some cultures use lots of descriptive words, American professors generally want shorter sentences.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
A PERFECT WOMAN
* She does not speak.
* She does not get fat.
* She never has money.
* She does not pass gas.
* She never goes shopping.
* She does not get angry.
* She does not have a mother.
* She never ever gets headaches.
* She does not go to the hairdresser.
* She does not watch people outside.
* She does not care what I watch on TV.
* She does not use internet.
* She will never have a cell phone.
* She will not get jealous if I come home late.
* She does not get fat.
* She never has money.
* She does not pass gas.
* She never goes shopping.
* She does not get angry.
* She does not have a mother.
* She never ever gets headaches.
* She does not go to the hairdresser.
* She does not watch people outside.
* She does not care what I watch on TV.
* She does not use internet.
* She will never have a cell phone.
* She will not get jealous if I come home late.
Monday, May 13, 2013
THERE ARE 3 SORTS OF PEOPLE
"There are three sorts of people in the world:
Those who are immovable, people who don't get, they don't want to get it, they're going to do anything about it.
There are people who are movable, people who see the need for change and are prepared to listen to it.
And there are people who move, people who make things happen." Benjamin Franklin
Those who are immovable, people who don't get, they don't want to get it, they're going to do anything about it.
There are people who are movable, people who see the need for change and are prepared to listen to it.
And there are people who move, people who make things happen." Benjamin Franklin
Friday, May 10, 2013
CẦN THƠ- MỐI TÌNH CỦA TÀI BỘT
Trong khi về Cần Thơ để có một thời gian tốt nhất cho việc luyện, ôn thi đại học, Tài Bột có một mối tình éo le, lãng mạng mà ít ai có thể nghĩ ra.
Sau khi an vị tại nhà tôi được 2 ngày, Tài Bột nhờ tôi chở hắn đến nhà của người cháu bà con của mẹ hắn. Theo con hẻm dọc theo kinh Tham Tướng, vào đến khúc quẹo bị che khuất um tùm vì những chòm tre, khóm trúc, chúng tôi hỏi ra nhà của ông Út Tốn. Bị bệnh gan vàng da gần 10 năm nay, tuổi đời lớn hơn chút ít, nhưng ông Tốn trông già hơn chúng tôi rất nhiều. Theo vai vế, ông Tốn gọi Tài Bột bằng anh. Mừng vì có khách đến nhà, ông hoạt bát hẳn lên. Gọi con gái pha trà, ông cố gắng kéo ghế mời chúng tôi ngồi. Vừa rót nước trà mời khách, vừa hỏi chuyện chúng tôi. Ông Tốn rung giọng hỏi tôi.
“Nhà anh Thành có xa đây lắm không?”
“Tôi ở đường Lê Lai. Đi xe gắn máy đến đây khoảng 10 phút thôi.”
“Tôi sẽ viết thư xin Bác Mộc, mẹ của anh Tài để anh ấy về đây trú tại nhà tôi. Chúng ôi mang ơn của Bác Mộc nhiều. Nay chắc Bác cho chúng tôi một dịp để đền đáp.”
Thằng bạn học hiền lành như ông bụt, trắng như bột sau đó dọn đến nhà anh Tốn.
Hai cô con gái của anh Tốn nhỏ nhắn, gọi Tài Bột bằng Cậu. Mất mẹ từ lúc lên 12, Phương Mai nào phải vừa chăm lo cho em, Phương Thảo, vừa phải quán xuyến công việc nhà và chạy chữa cho bố. Làm lò rượu nhiều năm, nhắm nháp quá nhiều loại rượu, uống quá nhiều với khách hàng, bố của Phương Mai bị đau gan và mất sức làm việc. Cô gái nhỏ nhắn ấy trở thành người lao động chính. Dù có hai người thợ phụ việc, Phương Mai vẩn phải đầu tắt mặt tối 30 ngày một tháng. Cái chuồng lợn sau vườn cũng do một tay Mai tạo dựng. Cô em gái nhỏ Phương Thảo chỉ có việc đi học và rửa bát đĩa khi có thì giờ.
Vốn vất vả, mồ côi mẹ từ bé, Phương Mai không hề hé răng than thở một điều gì. Thức dậy trước 4 giờ sáng là điều mà cô trưởng nữ ấy đã quen thuộc từ lâu nay. Có một ông khách quý, Mai dậy sớm hơn một tí. Vừa đánh thức cậu Tài xong, Mai mang đến cái thau nhôm nước mưa và cái khăn sạch để cậu rửa mặt. Cái bàn chải của Cậu Tài đã được Mai cẩn thận quẹt kem lên từ lúc nào. Trong khi cậu Tài còn đang dở dang chuyện vệ sinh buổi sáng, Mai cũng đang chuẩn bị pha cà phê và ấm trà ngon cho cậu. Cái mát lạnh tĩnh mịch của sáng sớm trong khu vực này và sự phục vụ chu đáo của cô cháu gái đã khiến cho ông bạn của tôi học rất “vô” trong 2 tuần đầu.
Phương Mai nhỏ hơn Tài Bột một tuổi. Thuở thơ ấu của nàng đã không đẹp đẻ lắm vì bố mẹ nghèo, họ là hai nhân công cho mẹ của Tài. Sau khi bố nghiện rượu nặng, mẹ nàng buồn lo đến nỗi mắc bệnh. Họ dời về Cần Thơ khi Mai vừa lên 5. Họ lập một lò rượu để có rượu ngon cho ông Tốn uống và để giử chân ông tại nhà. Lúc lên 7 Phương Mai đã biết cho lợn ăn, rắc men rượu lên sàn cơm vừa đủ ấm, đo độ cồn các hủ rượu…
Thương mẹ vất vả, Mai nghỉ học năm học hết lớp đệ tứ. Sau khi mất mẹ, nàng gánh vác hết những việc trong nhà. Chăm sóc cha bệnh, lo cho em học, nuôi một đàn heo chuồng, trông coi một lò rượu nhỏ là việc của nàng. Không có chút vui thú gì của tuổi dậy thì, nàng lớn lên theo cách của một thanh niên mạnh mẽ, nhiều cá tánh, cương quyết. Trông bề ngoài, nàng rắn rỏi bao nhiêu, thì trong lòng, nàng mềm mại bấy nhiêu. Tài Bột là người thanh niên đầu tiên nàng để tâm đến. Những gì Mai thiếu thốn là những gì Tài Bột có thừa. Điều Phương Mai khâm phục Tài cũng là điều nhiều người thiếu nữ khác đồng tình, con nhà khá giả từ Biên Hòa lên Bảo Lộc học 3 năm và về Cần Thơ 3 tháng để ôn thi vào đại học.
Tài Bột bổng nhận ra rằng Phương Mai không phải chăm sóc cậu theo cái cách một ân nhân của gia đình, một vị khách quý mà là một sĩ tử, một người thanh niên nàng đang âm thầm yêu thương. Sau cà phê, trà và món điểm tâm hàng sáng, buổi trưa nào Tài cũng được một mâm thức ăn ngon, rau tươi, và khăn lạnh. Buổi cơm chiều nào Tài cũng được thêm một món đặc sản của Cần Thơ cậu chưa hề biết qua. Chiều tối Tài Bột được trái cây, chè lạnh và thức ăn khuya. Chưa bao giờ Tài Bột được chăm sóc như thế. Chưa bao giờ Tài Bột được quan tâm đến như thế.
Cậu nhớ lại những tháng năm trên Bảo Lộc. Trước hết, cậu phải chịu đựng nhóm bạn cùng phòng ồn ào không bao giờ để tâm đến sách vỡ. Dọn đến ở chung với một anh chàng khác người hút thuốc lá liên tục, la cà suốt với chúng bạn sau giờ học. Ở chung phòng với tôi, hắn yên tâm hơn nhưng rất đổi cô đơn vì chúng tôi có một cách biệt lớn. Hắn chọn thi khối A còn tôi chọn khối B. Hắn rụt rè khi quyết định việc gì đó còn tôi thì cương quyết làm cho bằng được điều tôi muốn làm. Hắn học từ sau buổi cơm chiều đến 1 giờ sáng lúc mà tôi thức dậy để “mài”. Chủ nhật hắn đi lễ sáng rồi về phòng trong khi tôi rời phòng trọ vào trường để học suốt ngày. Hắn không có chi trong đầu để ray rức, lo toan trong khi tôi có đầy trong tim trong óc những chuyện không thể nói ra được.
Nó đến nhà tôi để tâm sự với tôi sau một buổi lễ chiều ,
“Mai chăm sóc tao như một người yêu chứ không phải một người cậu.”
Tôi tra gạn nó,
“Làm sao mi biết?”
“Cái ánh mắt, cử chỉ và gương mặt ửng hồng khi tao hỏi hoặc cảm ơn. Mai còn có vẻ chải chuốt hơn trước nữa cơ.”
“Thế mi thấy thế nào.”
Hắn nhìn vào mắt tôi,
“Thành Xì ơi. Tao ngại quá! Bận lòng quá tao học “không vô.” Thật đấy! .”
Tôi chặt lưỡi,
“Bà bác có biết chuyện này không?”
“Làm sao mẹ tớ hay biết gì! Nhưng ông Tốn có vẻ đoán ra được chuyện này.”
“Thế thì gay đấy. Hay là cậu quay về đây với tớ nhé.”
Tuần sau cũng vào chiều Chủ nhật, Tài Bột quay lại nhà tôi bằng chiếc Honda Dam với hai bàn tay không.
“Ơ hay? Sao thế?”
Tài Bột gải tai bức tóc,
“Mai khóc quá chừng khi nghe tao muốn dọn đi. Cô ta… cô ta đã nói yêu tao.”
“Thế cơ à? Rồi cậu nói làm thế nào?”
Xoay xoay cái đôi dép sandal nó đang mang, hai bàn tay nó đan xen vào nhau, Tài Bột thật sự khó nói.
“Tớ nín thin.”
“Nhưng có ai nghe thấy gì không?”
“Hôm qua, lúc sáng sớm tinh mơ, ai đâu mà người ta biết chứ?”
Hai đứa tôi yên lặng một đỗi. Tôi chợt thở ra,
“Cậu cứ bảo với Mai là chờ cậu thi xong đi cậu sẽ trả lời, nhé.”
Được tôi cố vấn, Tài Bột, người cùng ở chung phòng với tôi một năm học, ra về với vẻ an tâm hơn lúc hắn đến.
(Còn tiếp)
Thursday, May 9, 2013
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Sunday, May 5, 2013
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013
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Monday, April 1, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
4 NEW WAYS TO PRACTICE SPEAKING
No matter what you hear and how much you understand it,
Apply 4 ways;
1. Reponses:
2. Expressions:
No way.
Not me
Don’t look at me..
It’s hard to say.
It’s a piece of cake.
No need to say.
Like father like son.
Around the clock.
3. Ask for details:
Exactly?
Are you sure?
What do you mean?
What exactly do you mean?
What’d you mean by that term?
4. If clause:
If you were me, what would you say?
If I were a billionair, I would never go.
If I were young again, I would study in Australia.
After listening, knowing nothing, keep talking to the speaker using 4 ways.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Soccer's bid to train the brain
Mind over matter: Soccer's bid to train the brain-(CNN) –
Today's soccer professionals have a battery of physios, fitness trainers and doctors all striving to fine-tune their players' physique for optimum performance.
But are football clubs missing a trick in overlooking dedicated training for the most important organ of all -- the brain?
Scientists at London's Brunel University believe the game's top talents, such as Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, have mental faculties that are better programmed to anticipate their opponents' moves.
Research published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that of 39 players tested, the more experienced footballers were able to suppress the urge to act instinctively, making them less susceptible to feints or tricks from their opponents.
SOME CNN QUESTIONS
What is the "Harlem Shake"?
Why do you think that this has become popular?
How have some artists made money from video streams of their music? How might viral videos impact the music industry?
What are some factors that contribute to the price of gas?
What do you think might cause fluctuations in gas prices?
Can anything be done to minimize the impact of gas prices?
Explain.
Have gas prices affected you and your family?
If so, how?
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
THAT'S WHERE WE KEEP IT
It`s not that we don`t think about the future, because we do.
But we don`t live there, we live here,
and that`s where we keep it.
But we don`t live there, we live here,
and that`s where we keep it.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Asians Usher in Year of the Snake - VOA News-February 10, 2013
More than a billion Asians around the globe are ushering in the Lunar New Year, or the Year of the Snake, with fireworks, celebrations, feasts and visits to families.
Much of China is on the move in a massive annual spring migration, or “chunyun” as it is called, with hundreds of millions of migrant workers packing trains, buses, aircraft and boats to spend the 15-day festival with their families.
For many Chinese, this is their only holiday of the year.
The capital of Beijing put on a gala variety show during the countdown to the New Year Saturday evening, featuring a host of stars, including Canadian singer Celine Dion, who sang a traditional folk song, Jasmine Flower, in Mandarin.
However, this year's fireworks displays were muted, with the government concerned about the city's pollution.
In China, the snake has traditionally been seen as a symbol of wisdom, wealth and longevity, but is considered less auspicious than other animals in the 12-year Chinese Zodiac, such as the dragon.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
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