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8-27In just two weeks, well come together, as a nation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Well remember the innocent lives we lost. Well stand with the families who loved them. Well honor the heroic first responders who rushed to the scene and saved so many. And well pay tribute to our troops and military families, and all those who have served over the past ten years, to keep us safe and strong.Well also recall how the worst terrorist attack in American history brought out the best in the American people. How Americans lined up to give blood. How volunteers drove across the country to lend a hand. How schoolchildren donated their savings. How communities, faith groups and businesses collected food and clothing.We were united, and the outpouring of generosity and compassion reminded us that in times of challenge, we Americans move forward together, as one people.This September 11th, Michelle and I will join the commemorations at Ground Zero, in Shanksville, and at the Pentagon. But even if you cant be in New York, Pennsylvania or Virginia, every American can be part of this anniversary. Once again, 9/11 will be a National Day of Service and Remembrance. And in the days and weeks ahead, folks across the countryin all 50 stateswill come together, in their communities and neighborhoods, to honor the victims of 9/11 and to reaffirm the strength of our nation with acts of service and charity.In Minneapolis, volunteers will help restore a community center. In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, theyll hammer shingles and lay floors to give families a new home. In Tallahassee, Florida, theyll assemble care packages for our troops overseas and their families here at home. In Orange County, California, theyll renovate homes for our veterans. And once again, Michelle and I look forward to joining a local service project as well.There are so many ways to get involved, and every American can do something. To learn more about the opportunities where you live, just go online and visit S. Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost; a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.On this 10th anniversary, we still face great challenges as a nation. Were emerging from the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes. Were taking the fight to al Qaeda, ending the war in Iraq and starting to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. And were working to rebuild the foundation of our national strength here at home.None of this will be easy. And it cant be the work of government alone. As we saw after 9/11, the strength of America has always been the character and compassion of our people. So as we mark this solemn anniversary, lets summon that spirit once more. And lets show that the sense of common purpose that we need in America doesnt have to be a fleeting moment; it can be a lasting virtuenot just on one day, but every day.8-20Hello from the Country Corner Farm in Alpha, Illinois! For the past few days, Ive been traveling to small towns and farm towns here in the heartland of this country. I sat down with small business owners in Gutenberg, Iowa; and ranchers and farmers in Peosta. I had lunch with veterans in Cannon Falls, Minnesota; and talked to plant workers at a seed distributor in Atkinson, Illinois. And to the girls volleyball team at Maquoketa High School, let me just say one thing: Go Cardinals.Now, Im out here for one reason: I think Washington, DC can learn something from the folks in Atkinson and Peosta and Cannon Falls. I think our country would be a whole lot better off if our elected leaders showed the same kind of discipline and integrity and responsibility that most Americans demonstrate in their lives every single day.Because, the fact is, were going through a tough time right now. Were coming through a terrible recession; a lot of folks are still looking for work. A lot of people are getting by with smaller paychecks or less money in the cash register. So we need folks in Washington the people whose job it is to deal with the countrys problems, the people who you elected to serve we need them to put aside their differences to get things done.There are things we can do right now that will mean more customers for businesses and more jobs across the country. We can cut payroll taxes again, so families have an extra $1,000 to spend. We can pass a road construction bill so construction crews now sitting idle can head back to the worksite, rebuilding roads, bridges, and airports. Weve got brave, skilled Americans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Lets connect them with businesses that could use their skills. And lets pass trade deals to level the playing field for our businesses. We have Americans driving Hyundais and Kias. Well, I want to see folks in Korea driving Fords, Chevys and Chryslers. I want more products sold around the globe stamped with three words: Made in America.These are commonsense ideas ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans. The only thing holding them back is politics. The only thing preventing us from passing these bills is the refusal by some in Congress to put country ahead of party. Thats the problem we have right now. Thats whats holding this country back. Thats what we have to change.Because, for all the knocks weve taken, despite all the challenges we face, this is still the greatest country on earth. We still have the best workers and farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses, students and scientists. And you can see that here in Alpha. You can see it along the country roads that connect these small towns and farmlands.These past few days, Ive been seeing little kids with American flags and grandparents in lawn chairs. Ive shaken hands with folks outside machine shops and churches, corner stores and farms. It reminds me why I got into public service in the first place. Getting out of Washington and spending time with the people of this country seeing how hard youre working, how creative you are, how resourceful you are, how determined you are that only makes me more determined to serve you as best I can as President. And it only makes me more confident in our future.Thats why its so important that folks in Washington put country before party. Thats why its so important that our elected leaders get past their differences to help grow the economy and put this nation back to work. Because here in Alpha it couldnt be more clear: if we can come together, theres no stopping the United States of America. Theres no doubt that our future is bright.Thanks, and have a great weekend.Talking about yogaMike: Whatre you doing up so early, Amanda? Have you decided to take up jogging in the park like me? Amanda: No, Mike. You know I really cant stand jogging. Ive joined a yoga class at our local fitness center. I hear its a great way to stay fit. Want to join me? Mike: No way! Yoga is for girls. Id rather do some weights or cardio at the gym than contort my body into painful postures. Amanda: Come on, theres more to yoga than that! Its perfect for physical and spiritual well-being. It also helps your body become more flexible. Mike: No thanksI think all of this is just a moneymaking gimmick. Im telling you Amanda, dont buy into it! Amanda: Mike, we just learn three new postures every day and do some meditation. My yoga guru is going to teach us about breathing today. Did you know that we dont even breathe properly anymore? Mike: Count me out! I dont need anyone to tell me how to breathe! Just because celebrities are doing yoga, everyones jumping on the bandwagon. Amanda: Thats not true! Youre always reluctant to try something new. Give it a chanceyou might enjoy it. Mike: Okay, but only if you promise Ill end up with a body like Matthew McConaughey!to contort (v.) 扭曲；曲解Peters face contorted with rage when he found out his sister had broken his laptop computer.posture (n.) 姿勢；姿態(tài)He maintained a good posture even in old age by sitting straight instead of slouching.flexible (adj.) 可彎曲的；柔韌有彈性的The dancer is so flexible that she can touch her head with her foot.guru (n.) 導師；大師Many people in the U.S. consider Martha Stewart to be a lifestyle guru.reluctant (adj.) 不情愿的；勉強的Sharon was reluctant to leave the children alone with the babysitter, but she had no other choice.spiritual well-being 心靈上的平靜；心靈上的喜悅A: Arent you glad we decided to take a trip to the Himalayas instead of New York?B: Yes, the peaceful atmosphere and fresh air have been good for my spiritual well-being.moneymaking gimmick 賺錢的技倆；賺錢的花招A: Guess what? The department store is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on all clothes and jewelry!B: Come on, thats just a moneymaking gimmick to attract more customers.to end up with 最后；結果A: Why are we here so early? The concert doesnt start until an hour later!B: I wanted to find good seatsI always end up with seats in the back row when I arrive lateTalking about poetry 談談詩歌Amanda: Hi, Mike. What are you reading? Mike: Oh, these are just some books I picked up at a local poetry festival that took place a couple of weeks ago. Even though a lot of what the featured poets read wasnt in English, it was still neat to see that there are so many people who appreciate poetry in Taiwan. Amanda: I didnt know you were such a poetry lover, Mike. Personally, Ive always found that stuff a little bit boring and hard to understand. All that flowery language gives me a headache! Id rather read a nice long novel any day. Mike: Ill admit that poetrys an acquired taste. But once you learn more about it, youll find that poems arent all flowery and incomprehensiblethey dont even have to rhyme! One of my favorite poets is Billy Collins, who writes really funny, clever poems in simple everyday English. Amanda: Ill have to look him up. Say, have you ever written any poetry of your own? Some love sonnets, perhaps? Mike: No love sonnets, but I did try to write some poems a long time ago. They were all really bad. Once I spent three hours trying to come up with a word that rhymes with panda! Amanda: Silly Mike! How could you not think of Amanda?poetry (n.) 詩Most people have heard of Ernest Hemingways short stories, but did you know that he wrote poetry as well?festival (n.) 節(jié)慶At this years international food festival, I tried a lot of dishes that Id never had before.headache (n.) 頭痛I didnt get much sleep last night, so Ive had a headache all day long.incomprehensible (adj.) 難懂的；無法理解的Lisa didnt know anything about the stock market, so most of what her friends were discussing was incomprehensible to her.to rhyme (v.) 押韻Sandi Landys friends often teased her because her name rhymed.flowery language 瑰麗的詞藻A: How did you do on your essay?B: Better than I expected. I was afraid Id used too much flowery language, but my teacher still gave me a good grade.love sonnet 十四行情詩A: Can you think of a good way to impress the girl I like?B: Maybe you should memorize a few love sonnets and recite them to her.to come up with 想出A: This math problem is so hard!B: Relax. Im sure if we work on it together well be able to come up with the correct answerSchooling and Education It is commonly believed in United States that school is where people go to get an education. Nevertheless, it has been said that today children interrupt their education to go to school. The distinction between schooling and education implied by this remark is important. Education is much more open-ended and all-inclusive than schooling. Education knows no bounds. It can take place anywhere, whether in the shower or in the job, whether in a kitchen or on a tractor. It includes both the formal learning that takes place in schools and the whole universe of informal learning. The agents of education can range from a revered grandparent to the people debating politics on the radio, from a child to a distinguished scientist. Whereas schooling has a certain predictability, education quite often produces surprises. A chance conversation with a stranger may lead a person to discover how little is known of other religions. People are engaged in education from infancy on. Education, then, is a very broad, inclusive term. It is a lifelong process, a process that starts long before the start of school, and one that should be an integral part of ones entire life. Schooling, on the other hand, is a specific, formalized process, whose general pattern varies little from one setting to the next. Throughout a country, children arrive at school at approximately the same time, take assigned seats, are taught by an adult, use similar textbooks, do homework, take exams, and so on. The slices of reality that are to be learned, whether they are the alphabet or an understanding of the working of government, have usually been limited by the boundaries of the subject being taught. For example, high school students know that there not likely to find out in their classes the truth about political problems in their communities or what the newest filmmakers are experimenting with. There are definite conditions surrounding the formalized process of schooling.上學與受教育在美國，人們通常認為上學是為了受教育。 而現在卻有人認為孩子們上學打斷了他們受教育的過程。 這種觀念中的上學與受教育之間的區(qū)別非常重要。 與上學相比，教育更具開放性，內容更廣泛。 教育不受任何限制。 它可以在任何場合下進行，在淋浴時，在工作時，在廚房里或拖拉機上。 它既包括在學校所受的正規(guī)教育，也包括一切非正規(guī)教育。 傳授知識的人可以是德高望重的老者，可以是收音機里進行政治辯論的人們，可以是小孩子，也可以是知名的科學家。 上學讀書多少有點可預見性，而教育往往能帶來意外的發(fā)現。 與陌生人的一次隨意談話可能會使人認識到自己對其它宗教其實所知甚少。 人們從幼時起就開始受教育。 因此，教育是一個內涵很豐富的詞，它自始至終伴隨人的一生，早在人們上學之前就開始了。 教育應成為人生命中不可缺少的一部分。然而，上學卻是一個特定的形式化了的過程。 在不同場合下，它的基本形式大同小異。 在全國各地，孩子們幾乎在同一時刻到達學校，坐在指定的座位上，由一位成年人傳授知識，使用大致相同的教材，做作業(yè)，考試等等。 他們所學的現實生活中的一些片斷，如字母表或政府的運作，往往受到科目范圍的限制。 例如，高中生們知道，在課堂上他們沒法弄清楚他們社區(qū)里政治問題的真情，也不會了解到最新潮的電影制片人在做哪些嘗試。 學校教育這一形式化的過程是有特定的限制的。 The Language of Music A painter hangs his or her finished pictures on a wall, and everyone can see it. A composer writes a work, but no one can hear it until it is performed. Professional singers and players have great responsibilities, for the composer is utterly dependent on them. A student of music needs as long and as arduous a training to become a performer as a medical student needs to become a doctor. Most training is concerned with technique, for musicians have to have the muscular proficiency of an athlete or a ballet dancer. Singers practice breathing every day, as their vocal chords would be inadequate without controlled muscular support. String players practice moving the fingers of the left hand up and down, while drawing the bow to and fro with the right armtwo entirely different movements. Singers and instruments