12/28 Talk about how the reverse mortgage system works.

One way of supporting yourself during your retirement years is to take out a reverse mortgage.
* reverse mortgage: 주택연금, 역모기지
* support oneself: 스스로를 경제적으로 부양하다.
ex> I took on part-time jobs to support myself through college.
* take out a loan: 대출을 받다.

The money they borrow will eventually be paid off with their home property.
* pay off: ~을 갚다, 청산하다.
ex> It took me several years to pay off my student loan.

If the house sells for more than the loaned amount, the family of the dead will receive the leftover money.
* leftover money: 남는 금액, 차액
ex> What do you want to do with the leftover money?

The concept of reverse mortgages hasn't really caught on in Korea.
* catch on: 보편화되다, 유행하다.
ex> Smart phones have really caught on all over the world.
ex> This design will surely catch on splendidly with young people.

This stems from the fact that it's common for parents to pass down a house to their children.
* pass down: 물려주다.
ex> The custom was passed down from our ancestors.

@ Can you scoot over a bit?  옆으로 조금만 비켜 볼래?

12/27 Talk about money gifts Koreans give for weddings and funerals.

It's customary for Koreans to give money at weddings and funerals.
* customary: 관습적인, 관례의
ex> It's customary to give tips to waiters in the West.

Planning a wedding or a funeral can put quite a dent in your wallet.
* put a dent in one's wallet: 금전적인 타격을 주다.
ex> I was able to avoid putting a dent in my wallet thanks to my insurance.

You sign your name in the guestbook at the entrance.
ex> Make sure to sign your name on the credit card receipt.

You give your monetary gift in a white envelope.
* monetary gift: 축의금, 부의금

You normally get the same amount back when it's your turn to hold an event.
ex> You get the same amount back at the end of the contract.


@ Let me check if it's okay with her.  괜찮다고 하는지 먼저 확인해 볼께.

12/25 Talk about how Koreans typically spend Christmas.

Christmas isn't necessarily a big family holiday in Korea as it is in the West.
* family holiday: 가족명절
ex> You don't have to necessarily attend the meeting.

It's considered more of a romantic holiday for couples in love.
* be more of: ~에 더 가깝다.
ex> This is more of a casual gathering than a formal meeting.

For some, Christmas Eve is simply an excuse for friends to hang out all night.
ex> Give me your excuse for being late.
ex> There are many people hanging out all night on weekends.

The rates are double the normal rates all across the board.
* normal rate: 평소 요금
* across the board: 전반적으로

Gift-giving isn't that big in Korea during Christmas.

Koreans tend to only give Christmas gifts to their children or significant others.
* significant other: 사랑하는 상대

That's only a tiny fraction of the list that most Americans shop for.
* tiny fraction: 극히 작은 분량

@  Be a little patient. 조금만 인내심을 가져. (= Have some patience)

12/24 Talk about how Koreans love to hike mountains.

Hiking is a very popular form of exercise among Koreans.
* hiking: 등산
ex> I go hiking with my friends every weekend.
ex> I need to start doing some form of exercise.

Everyone from celebrities to your middle-aged next door neighbor love to hit the mountains.
* hit the mountains: 등산하다, 산을 타다.
ex> All my friends like to hit the mountains whenever they have the time.

This is not surprising given that 70 percent of Korea is covered with mountains.
* given that: ~을 생각해보면, 고려해 보면
ex> It is understandable given that she has spent all her life doing this.

Many people are lucky enough to have a nice mountain close to their homes to hike up.

Mt. Bukhan and Gwanak are both near densely populated areas.
ex> Gyeonggi Province is one of the most densely populated areas.

This allows for people to squeeze in a brisk trek up the mountains every weekend.
* squeeze: 짬을 내서 ~을 하다
* trek up: 등산

@ We can knock that (one) out real quick.  눈깜짝할 사이에 해낼 수 있을 거야, 그건 금방 할 수 있어.

We have so many errands to run today.  오늘 해야 할 일이 너무 많아.

12/23 Talk about being the victim of theft or burglary.

I remember being a victim to a pickpocket a few years back.
* be a victim to: ~의 희생자가 되다.
* pickpocket: 소매치기
ex> She was a victim to domestic violence.  그녀는 가정폭력의 희생자였다.

I got pushed and shoved a few times because the streets were crowded.
* got pushed and shoved: 떠밀리다.
ex> In these desperate times, we get pushed and shoved from every side.
It was the perfect opportunity for a pickpocket to snatch up my wallet.
* snatch up: ~을 낚아채가다.
ex> My brother snatched up my car keys and took off.

Someone broke into his home and robbed him of all his valuables.
* break into: ~에 무단으로 침입하다.
* valuables: 귀중품
ex> I lost some of my valuables while moving.

Burglars entered her home and cleaned out her jewelry box.
* clean out: 온통 훔쳐가다. 비우다.
ex> I need to clean out my locker before the end of the term.

They took off with millions of won in cash as well.
ex> I have 100,000 won in cash with me right now.

@ We owned them! (=We beat them so badly.)  우리가 그쪽을 완파했어, 코를 납작하게 해줬어.

12/22 How are Korean households heated in the winter?

Korean households depend on the on-dol system to get through the cold winters.
* household: 가정, family
* get through the winter: 겨울을 버티다.

The on-dol system is different from the central air system used in the West.
* central air (system): 중앙 공조 시스템
ex> The building is heated and cooled through central air.

Central air systems use air vents to blow heated air throughout the home.
* air vent: 통풍구, 환기구
cf> vent out frustration/anger: if you vent your feeling, you express them forcefully.

The on-dol system, on the other hand, actually uses the hot water itself.
ex> I want to tell you the truth, but on the other hand, I don't want to hurt your feelings.

The hot water flows through pipes laid underneath the rooms.
* laid underneath: ~의 아래에 설치된
ex> In most Korean households, water pipes are laid underneath the floors.

The heat created from the floor eventually circulates and makes the room warmer.
ex> I heard that his pictures are circulating on the internet.

@ I'm just going to shadow you.  너 하는 거 그대로 따라할께.

12/21 What do you think of corporal punishment at homes?

 I do think some degree of corporal punishment is necessary at home.
* corporal punishment: 체벌
ex> Corporal punishment is effective only when it is used properly.

There's a line between corporal punishment and child abuse.
* there is a line between: ~간에는 엄연한 차이가 있다.
ex> There's a clear line between constructive criticism and sheer complaining.
* child abuse: 아동학대
ex> Child abuse must not be tolerated no matter what.

Spanking your child occasionally to correct his/her ways is okay.
ex> It may be necessary for you to spank your child if he or she did something seriously wrong.

Inflicting serious physical harm on him/her is another matter.
* inflict harm/damage on: ~에게 피해를 끼치다.
ex> The prolonged labor dispute inflicted great damage on the overall business.
ex> Getting extra funding for the project is another matter.

Corporal punishment is no longer appropriate if the child's wellbeing is being compromised.
* be compromised: 손상되다. 저해되다
ex> We don't want the quality of the products to be compromised.


@ I have to pop a pill every night.  매일 밤 약을 한 알씩 복용해야 돼.

12/20 Explain the honorifics in the Korean language.

Honorifics are one of the biggest characteristics of the Korean language.
* honorifics: 존댓말
ex> Do you have honorifics in your language?
ex> One of main characteristic of the Korean culture is respect for the elderly.

You typically use honorifics for people who are older than you or in higher positions of authority.
ex> Korean people typically bow their heads when they greet people who are older than them.

You almost always use honorifics when meeting someone for the first time.
ex> The temperature fell below zero in October for the first time in 10 years.

There are also different levels of honorifics.
ex> You should use different level of honorifics depending on the situation.

If it ends with yo, that's the casual form of honorifics, whereas if it ends with ni-da, it's more formal.
ex> The movie ends with big twist.
* twist: 반전

@ He just shot right up in the last few years.  지난 몇 년간 키가 무섭게 자랐어.

12/18 Talk about a typical Korean meal.

There are three basic components to a typical Korean meal.
ex> Water is one of basic components of the human body.

There's your bowl of rice - one of Korea's staple foods.
* staple foods: 주식
ex> In most Asian countries, rice is the staple food.

You then have a colorful array of side dishes called banchan.
* an array of: 각양각색의, 다양한
ex> The resturant always serves a wide array of side dishes.

Korean meals aren't divided into courses like some Western meals.

Koreans finish off their meals with fruits or a dessert drink.
* finish off with: ~으로 끝내다.
ex> We finished off the meal with a toast.

@ He was knocking back drink after drink.  그는 계속해서 술을 원샷을 했어.

12/17 Talk about how you keep your financial ledger.

Good money management is important when you start living on your own two feet.
* financial ledger: 가계부
* money management: 금전관리
* on one's own two feet: 스스로, 독립적으로
ex> If you can't manage money well, you will not able to live on your own two feet.

A ledger can help you to keep track of the money flowing in and out.
ex> The money flowing in and out of domestic equity funds affects the stock market.
cf> go with the flow: 자연스런 흐름에 맡기다.
ex> I never fight the trend. I just go with the flow.

I'm always looking for ways to cut costs.
* cut costs: thrifty, 비용을 절감하다.
ex> We are looking for ways to manage our staff more effectively.

My ledger helps me to organize my costs and pick out things I can cut out.
* cut out: 제거하다, 잘라내다.
ex> We need to cut out expenses that are not necessary.

My ledger helps to confirm that I'm being paid correctly and on time.
* No one will be pain on time this month because the hospital is having financial difficulties.

I used to actually log my finances by hand, but recently switched to using a computer spreadsheet for convenience purposes.
* log: 기록하다,
* for convenience purposes: 편의상

@ Tilt your head back a little.  머리를 뒤로 약간만 젖혀봐.

12/16 Talk about typical conflicts with in-laws in Korea.

It's quite common for married couples in Korea to bump heads with their in-laws.
* bump heads with: ~와 갈등을 겪다.
ex> My brother and I always used to bump heads when we were kids.

They feel that their mother-in-laws are stepping on their toes.
* step on one's toes: 간섭하다, 영역을 침범하다.
ex> I didn't mean to step on your toes.

Some old fashioned in-laws will frown upon wives buying store-bought side dishes.
* frown upon [fraun]: ~에 눈쌀을 찌푸리다. wrinkle
* store-bought: 가게에서 산

Wives often take it as nagging because they then have to do more work.
* nag: 잔소리하다, 귀찮게하다.
ex> Please don't take this as nagging.

Holidays also bring about conflicts because of the large family get-togethers.
* We will be having the usual family get-together during the New year's holiday.

Wives expect their husbands to stand up for them.
ex> You have to stand up for me.

It's not easy for the husbands to go against their parents.
* go against: 거스르다.

@ That smell is making my stomach turn over.  저 냄새 때문에 넘어올 것 같아, 속이 미식거려.
My dog did his business on my sofa this morning.

12/15 Talk about carom billiards.

Korean guys are more used to playing carom billiards than regular pool.
* carom billiards: 4구
cf> carom ball: 흰공(치는 공), object ball: 빨간공(맞는 공)
* pool: 포켓볼
ex> I'm good at playing pool, but not carom billiards.

The goal is to hit the white ball into the two red balls, while avoiding the other white ball.
ex> Hit the balls into the pockets.

You earn a point and can continue playing if you do that.

I'm just an average player shooting around 150.
ex> I shoot around 200 in carom.

You have to hit both red balls one final time, managing to hit three banks in between.

@ Let me just google it.  내가 인터넷에서 검색해 볼께.

12/14 Talk about incidents that occurred due to your forgetfulness.

I have a whole list of incidents that stem from my forgetfulness.
* forgetfulness (= absent-mindedness), 건망증
* stem from: ~에서 비롯되다.
ex> Even my family members crack jokes about my forgetfulness.
ex> A whole list of celebrities will attend the party.

The most common type is, of course, misplacing my belongings.
* misplace: 잘못두다, ~을 놓고 잊어버리다.
cf) displace: 밀려나다.
ex> I misplaced my keys somewhere in the house.

I'm rummaging through my things to find my wallet or car keys.
* rummage: 뒤지다, 뒤적이다, search for

I end up turning my house upside down in the process.
* turn something upside down: ~을 뒤집어 놓다.
ex> The incident turned everything upside down.

I've left my cell phone or umbrella behind somewhere so many times.
* leave sth behind: ~을 두고 오다.
ex> Make sure you don't leave anything behind.

The same goes for my glasses when I rest them on my head.
* the same goes for: ~도 마찬가지다.

I wish there was a cure for absent-mindedness!

@ They knocked him around.  그들은 그를 때리고 그랬어.

12/13 How can we maintain our health in the winter?

It's harder to stay healthy during the winter season.
* stay healthy: 건강을 유지하다.

We're more susceptible to catching colds because our immune system gets weaker
* be susceptible to (= be prone to): ~하기 쉽다.
* catch a cold (= get a cold): 감기에 걸리다.
ex> The elderly are more susceptible to getting the flu.

Because windows and doors are tightly shut, the air inside gets trapped.
* get trapped: 갇히다.

The stuffy air is the perfect envirnment for the germs to spread.
* stuffy air: 탁한 공기, Lacking sufficient ventilation; close. cf> stuffy nose: 코가 막히다.
* germ: bacteria

People also tend to put on some extra pounds.
* put on extra pounds(kilos): 체중이 늘다.

One thing we can do to avoid getting a cold is to bundle up.
* bundle up: dressed warmly; as, bundled-up sailors and soldiers. 따뜻하게 껴입다.
ex> You should bundle up if you want to play in the snow.

We should try to get some fresh air as often as possible in the winter.

Our joints tend to get stiffer, making us more prone to injury.
ex> My neck gets stiffer in the evening.

You must eat healthy foods and stay as active as you can.
ex> I've been trying to stay active by playing various sports.

@ We're going to need some back-up.  우리 지원이 조금 필요할 거야.
cf> back me up. = help me out.

12/11 Talk about a time when you dozed off on public transportation.

There's something about the bus and subway that makes me doze off all the time.
* doze off: 졸다. drift off, fall asleep, snooze
ex> There's something about him that attracts people.

If I'm lucky enough to get a seat, it's a given that I'll fall asleep.
* It's given: 당연하다.
ex> I don't think it's given.

My eyelids will start drooping within a matter of minutes.
* droop: 축 늘어지다, 쳐지다, sag, hang down
ex> They completely cover the Sun's surface, giving it its characteristic grainy or stippled look, and form and break up within a matter of minutes.

I can't even tell you how many times I've missed my stop.
* miss the stop: 정거장을 놓치다.

I was snoozing on a bus.
* snooze: 잠깐 잠들다, 눈을 붙이다.
ex> He's probably having a snooze somewhere.

@ He's really fidgety. 한시도 가만히 있지를 못해, 쉴 새 없이 꼼지락거려. 

12/10 Talk about some Korean birthday traditions.

An age-old birthday tradition in Korea is to eat mi-yeok-gook.
* seaweed soup: 미역국, cf> laver
* age-old: 아주 오래된
ex> It's an age-old tradition.

They celebrate birthdays by blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.
* blow out candles: 촛불을 끄다.
ex> Make a wish before you blow out the candles.

Koreans don't like the idea of opening their presents in front of others.
ex> I really don't like the idea of ignoring mistakes like this.

The birthday person foots the bill of a birthday party or meal.
* foot the bill, get the bill, pay the bill: 돈을 내다, 비용을 지불하다.
ex> It may be odd for Westerners that the birthday person foots the bill.

A baby's first birthday and one's 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays are celebrated with much fanfare.
* with much fanfare: 크게, 요란하게
ex> The research center opened with much fanfare in 2008.

@ She is my venting buddy.  답답할때 속마음을 털어놓는 친구야.

12/9 Talk about the so-called quick service in Korea.

There's a speedy delivery service in Korea called quick service.
* bike courier: 자전거 배달 서비스
ex> The shopping mall offeres home delivery services.

Motorcycles can zip around and avoid congested areas.
* zip around: 빠르게 움직이다.
* congested area: 교통 체증이 있는 지역
ex> We zipped around downtown to run several errands.

A delivery person will come and pick up your package and take it to your desired destination immediately (right away).
* delivery person: 배달 기사
ex> Pizza delivery person came late.

You can choose to either pay before or have the receiver pay on arrival.
* pay on(upon) arrival: 착불로 요금을 내다.
ex> I had him pay for the cost on arrival.

They are very reliable as you can call for their help 24/7.
* 24/7: 연중 내내, 연중 무휴로

@ I'm so pumped.  나 완전 신났어, excited..

12/8 Talk about the driver-for-hire service in Korea.

The driver-for-hire service in Korea comes in handy when you've had too much to drink.
* driver-for-hire service: 대리운전 서비스
* come in handy: 편리하다, useful
ex> It will come in handy someday.

It's basically a service that provides a driver to drive your car home.
ex> I drove my friend's car home for him because he was drunk.

The coast is almost similar to a taxi ride.
ex> It's only a five-minute taxi ride away. A taxi ride from the airport to hotel cost around 30,000 won.

The driver-for-hire has been around for several years.

It has created a new part-time job sector and helps society practice safe-driving habits.
* practice: put into action.

Services circulate fliers and advertise all over the place.
* flier: 전단지, 광고지
ex> It is prohibited to circulate fliers on campus.

@ I just whizzed through it.  일사천리로 끝냈어, 식은 죽 먹기였어.

* Studying really does pay off.  공부한 보람이 있다.
* I take it that you did well on your math quiz?  너 수학 시험 잘 본 거구나?

12/7 Talk about your experience of studying in a study group.

I've always been a fan of studying in groups.
ex> I'm a big fan of ~: really enjoy,

I'm in a study group that meets every week to practice English speaking.

It makes learning a lot more enjoyable and motivating.
ex> There are something uplifting and motivating about studying in a group.

We all take turns in being the group leader for a week.

We practice giving our own personal responses to the daily topics provided in the book.
* You have to give your response to his proposal.

We then give each other constructive feedback.

We also try to follow an English-only policy during our dtudy sessions.
* English-only policy: 영어로만 말하는 규칙.

@ He had us rolling.  그는 우리를 포복절도하게 했어.

12/6 How are movies rated in Korea?

Films in Korea are rated by a nine-member committee called the Korea Media Ratings Board.
ex> The original film was rated " restricted for minors" but the edited version was rated "15 and above."

The members consist of movie directors, film experts, parents, and legal professionals.

They rate movies based on the theme, nudity, sexual content, violence, and vulgarity.
* vulgarity: 저속함
* sexual content: 선정성
* nudity: 노출

The majority of votes will determine what category the film will be rated under.
ex> Her new movie was rated under the "general audience" category.

There are five categories: general audience, 12 and above, 15 and above, restricted for minors, and restricted screening.
* restricted for minors: 청소년 관람불가
* restricted screening: 제한 상영가
* general  audience: 전체 관람가

@ Just jot it dowm somewhere.  어디에 받아 적어 놔.

12/4 Talk about your experience of visiting someone at a hospital.

People who are hospitalized are likely to appreciate company.
* be hospitalized: 입원하다.
* company: 함께 있어 주는 사람.
ex> I'm sure she'll appreciate our company.
ex> I could use some company. 누가 같이 가줬으면 좋겠다.
* visit somone at/in a hospital: 병문안 가다.

I make it a rule to not show up empty-handed.

I bring light snacks in case they just wnat to munch on something.
* munch: 우적우적 먹다.
ex> I have to stop munching on snacks while I'm working.

I opt to bring flowers to brighten up the dreary hospital rooms.
* dreary: sad, groomy
ex> Can I take/bring my friends with me?  데리고 가다.

When it comes down to it though, the most important thing to bring is a positive attitude.
* when it comes down to it: 정작, 결과적으로는

@ Forget I even mentioned it.  안 들은 걸로 해.

12/3 Talk about end-of-year parties in Korea.

Koreans get extra busy in December due to end-of-year parties.
* end-of-year party (blowout): 송년회
* alma mater: one's old school, 모교
ex> I've been extra busy this week.
ex> I've been drinking way too much because of all those end-of-year parties I've been attending.

Companies typically organize an end-of-year blowout to appreciate a year's worth of hard work.
ex> Thank you for organizing this wonderful event.

Some companies even hold raffle drawings and give away prizes.
* raffle drawing: 추첨행사
* give away: 나누어 주다.

End-of-year get-togethers with friends are a bit more low-key, but equally enjoyable.
* get-together: 모임
* low-key: 절제된, 덜 화려한
ex> Their wedding was a very low-key affair.

There are also many school reunions held during this time.
* school reunion: 동문회

A typical Korean adult would attend three or four of these parties on average.

@ Can I jump in with you?  너하고 같이 타고 가도 되니?

12/2 Talk about some winter sports you engage in.

I take as much time off as possible to go snowboarding.
* take time off: 시간을 내다.
* go snowboarding: 스노보드를 타러 가다.
ex> I can't take any time off to go snowboarding this year.

It's more economical to buy a season pass to my favorite ski resort.
* season pass: 시즌권
ex> It's more economical to buy things in bulk.

We all get excited because we love to hit the slopes.
* hit the slope: 슬로프를 타다. 스키장에 가다.
ex> We are planning to hit the slopes all winter this year.

I'm not a pro or anything, but I'm not that bad either.

I eventually got the hang of it after several days.
* get the hang of: ~의 요령을 터득하다, 감이 오다.
ex> It may take a little while to get the hang of it.

@ It got old.  진부해졌어, 구식이 되어 버렸어.
* I just lost interest.  흥미를 잃었어.

12/1 Talk about how people get excited when the first snow falls.

Snow triggers excitement and even nostalgia for many people.

I kind of get sentimental when the first snow falls.
* get sentimental: 감상적이 되다.
ex> Some people get a little sentimental when Fall comes.

Many become a bit of a romantic when they see the first snowfall.
ex> People become a bit of romantic when they fall in love.
ex> He's a bit of snob.  그는 약간 속물 근성이 있어.

Many Koreans call or text their loved ones when it snows.

Couples like to walk hand-in-hand in the snow.
ex> Isn't it romantic to walk hand-in-hand in the snow?

@ I'm still not over him.  나는 아직도 그를 잊지 못했어.
* I'm still getting over my breakup with Chris.  난 아직도 크리스와 헤어진 거 정리 못했어.
= I still not moved on.

11/30 Talk about a painful breakup you had.

I can never forget the agony of my last breakup.
* agony: extreme physical or mental suffering, pain
ex> Breaking up with a person you love is one of the hardest things in life.

I had been dating this girl for a while when she dropped the bombshell that she would be moving abroad with her family.
* drop a bomshell: an unexpected and surprising event, unpleasant one.
ex> He dropped the bombshell that I had never expected.
* move abroad: 해외로 이민 가다.

We both made a conscious effort to keep in touch.
* make a conscious effort: 의식적으로 노력하다.

Lo and behold, a few weeks later she admitted to having feelings for the guy and thus ended things with me.
* Lo and behold: 어이없게도
 ex> I walked into the resturant and, lo and behold, there was my boss with his wife.
* have feelings for: ~에게 좋아하는 감정을 가지다.
* end things with: ~와 결별하다, 끝내다.
ex> I don't know how to end things with him without hurting him.

I was devastated for months and I don't think I've yet completely moved on.
* devastate: cause (someone) severe and overwhelming shock or grief.
ex> She was devastated by the loss of Damian.
* move on: 털어 버리고 일어서다.

@ Don't quote me on this.  정확한 건지는 모르겠어.

11/29 Talk about Korea's political system.

The President gets a five-year single term and is elected through a direct vote.

The Presdent appoints the Prime Minister and the Ministers of each Ministry.
ex> Ministers that are appointed by the President must undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing.
* parliamentary confirmation hearing: 국회 인사 청문회

The National Assembly acts as the legislative body in the central government.
* legislative body: 입법부
* central government: 중앙정부

There are a total of 299 members of parliament that are elected every four years.
* parliament(=national assembly): 국회
ex> In order for a new bill to take effect, it must be passed by the parliament.

The judicial body is completely independent from the two branches of government.
* judicial body: 사법부
ex> There also agencies that should be fully independent from the government.


@ This place is beyond our means.  이 곳은 우리에게는 너무 부담스러운 곳이예요.

11/27 State your opinion on animal rights.

Just because animals can't speak up for themselves, that doesn't mean we can take advantage of them.
* speak up for oneself: speak in support of, 스스로를 변호하다.
ex> There was no independent body to speak up for press freedoms.

I'm a strong advocate of animal rights.
* advocate: a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy

We as human beings should treat our furry friends with more compassion.
* furry: covered with fur
* compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
ex> With a little bit of compassion, we can help many people around the world.

Many medical and cosmetic products were tested on animals.
ex> When I choose a lipstick, I test it on the back of my hand first.

~ working out the kinks of a new product.
* work out: 개선하다, 해결하다.
* kink: a sharp twist or curve in something that is otherwise staight.
ex> take care to avoid kinking the wire.

Even worse is people killing beautiful creatures for the sake of fashion!

We can find more humane ways of killing animals that are raised for meat.
* humane way: 인도적인/인간적인 방법
* be raised for: ~의 목적으로 길러지다.
ex> I believe there are more humane ways to conduct animal testing.

@ I have reservations.  예약했어요.
* It's under Kim.  예약자 이름이 김이예요.

11/26 Talk about Korea's national health insurance and pension system.

When it comes to health insurance in Korea, almost everyone is covered under a universal system.
* universal system: 범용 체계
* be covered under: ~에 의해 보장받다.
ex> Korea has a universal healthcare system under which everyone is covered.

The monthly insurance fee is determined by factors such as your income, property value, and even what kind of car you drive.

There is a different category of private health insurance policies too.
* private health insurance: 사설 의료 보험
ex> People with private health insurance get extra coverage for major illnesses like cancer.

These mainly target life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.

Most people with an income are bound by law to join this pension system.
* be bound by law: 법적인 의무가 있다.
ex> Men are bound by law to serve in the military.

@ It's first come, first served.  선착순이야.
* We have to head down extra early.  시작 전에 한참 일찍 도착해야 돼.

11/25 Talk about monthly bills you pay.

I receive a monthly invoice from my management office.
* monthly invoice: 월별 청구서.
* management office: 관리사무소
ex> Can I have my monthly invoice reissued?

I'm billed for major services such as electricity, water, cleaning and maintenance.

My cell phone bill comes up to somewhere around 80,000 won a month.
* come up to:~에 도달하다.
* somewhere: used to an approximate amount, ex> It cost somewhere around two thousand dollars.
ex> What do they come (up) to altogether?  다 합하면 얼마예요?

I also have several monthly insurance and pension payments I need to cover.
* pension payment: 연금 납입금
ex> I can't cover the cost with my current income.

I pay all of my monthly bills via automatic bank transfer.

@ What's your area of expertise?  전문 분야가 뭐예요?
* I'm currently between jobs.  일자리 알아보고 있어.
* Do you know of any openings?  어디 자리 난 데 있을까?

11/24 Talk about how Korean students clean their won classrooms.

Korean students all chip in to do their part to keep their classrooms spic-and-span.
* chip in: 십시일반하다, 힘을 보태다.
* spic(spick)-and-span: neat, clean, and well looked after.

The entire class is split into groups and the workload is then divvied up.
* divvy up: 나누다, 배분하다, share out
ex> The household chores must be divvied up in a fair way.

Normally the groups go around cleaning in turns.
ex> Each student goes around to serve as a leader of the team in turn.

Some students are assigned to clean as their punishment.
* be assigned to:~의 임무가 주어지다.
ex> I was assigned to work at the new branch downtown.

The desks and chairs are shoved into the back corner of the classroom.
*shove: push (something, someone) roughly
ex> She shoved the books into her briefcase.  The old furniture was shoved into the corner of the attic.
* mop: clean or soak up liquid from by wiping, 걸레질하다.

There are students designated for the restrooms and hallways.
ex> There are several spaces that are designated for handicapped parking.

@ I'm living paycheck to paycheck. 하루 벌어 하루 먹고 살아요.