Word of the Week - 36

BRAND NEW

Welcome to the first word of the week of 2009! Seeings though we are in a new year I thought that the first word of the week should be related to being new. So the 36th word of the week is an adjective meaning just that. It actually means completely new and not yet used, so not just new to you but new to everyone.

How can you afford to buy a brand new car this soon after Christmas?
He told me he was homeless but his shoes and coat looked brand new!

Sometimes you may here natives saying that something is 'brand, spanking new'. This is to emphasise just how new something is. Spanking is an old-fashioned word meaning 'very' or 'completely'.

Expression of the Fortnight - 5

TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

The first Expression of the Fortnight of 2009 is related to making new year's resolutions in a way because it means to start behaving in a better way or to change your life for the better.

I'm turning over a new leaf, I've decided to quit smoking.

Our son has really turned over a new leaf, he studies more and he is doing well at school.

Although the picture above shows a leaf from a tree, I think the true meaning of the word leaf here is a page in a book. You can imagine turning the page to find a new, clean surface. A new life.

Resolutions for 2009

It's another new year and therefore it's that time again when people tend to make themselves promises about things that they will change in their lives or things they will endeavour to achieve in the forthcoming year. In English we call this 'making New Year's resolutions.

Here is the list of the top ten resolutions for 2009, have you resolved to do any of these things?

• Make more time for family and friends
• Quit smoking
• Start exercising
• Go back to school / take a class
• Get out of debt
• Advance in your career (N.B. your professional life!), make more money
• Get into philanthropy and community involvement
• Quit drinking
• Lose weight
• Get out of a bad relationship / find true love

Let us know what your New Year's resolutions are by writing a comment under the post. I personally choose not to make resolutions because I know that I will always break them, as the cartoon above suggests. If you do make them and would like some tips on how to keep them why not check out this website, it will tell you how to do this and many other things too!

Happy Epiphany

I hope the three Kings left you lots of lovely gifts in your newly polished shoes this year.

I know you probably know all about this special day, but why not get some extra English vocabulary and reading practice by visiting this website which tells you all about customs in Latin America and Spain.

Three Kings Day Reading > > >

Happy Three Kings Day to all x

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you had a fab time seeing in the new year with your family and friends whether you were swallowing 12 grapes or singing Auld Lang Syne.