It is the time of year when many people try to turn a new leaf and make New Year’s resolutions in an attempt to improve their lives. Are any of the top 40 resolutions familiar to you? This list is the result of a research involving 2000 people and it reveals many of the problems typical of modern life.

Why should we make promises to ourselves? Perhaps because we know that resolutions are hard to stick to, especially when we want to give up a bad habit, like smoking, drinking, or eating too much chocolate. Another reason could be that they test our will-power. After all, going to the gym or cooking a healthy meal after a long day at work means making an extra effort. Traditionally, the beginning of a new year also brings the need for order, the need to get rid of the old stuff and magic some freshness and novelty into our boring daily lives. Selling old unwanted stuff on E-bay is definitely a modern solution to the problem and the money you get could help finance a resolution you’ve made, such as redecorating your home or renewing your hairstyle or wardrobe.

Many New Year’s resolutions focus on improving our health, fitness or finances, which often require sacrifices. Therefore, it is not difficult to see why so many of them last only for a month or so into the year. Why not pick something pleasant for 2018 instead? Taking up a hobby you’ve been postponing for years might make a difference in your stressful life. The poll also shows that many people try to focus on personal relationships as well: spending more time with the kids, meeting one’s friends in person rather than online or admitting that our relationship with our spouse or partner needs some improvement can lead to a more fulfilling life.

According to magazine Health, the top 10 healthiest resolutions include not only the old favourites of losing weight, giving up smoking, getting more sleep and cutting back on alcohol, but also some surprising suggestions: travelling, going back to school, volunteering and staying in touch with friends and family all contribute to our well-being. With this in mind, it might be worth establishing a new tradition, such as meeting up once a month for a meal with extended family or vowing to go hiking regularly with a group of friends. Staying clear of people who only add to your stress levels is also a wise decision, so this might be the right time to see which relationships only drain your energy. Research also shows that going back to school has a positive influence on both career and mental health, as people who learn something new as adults stay sharper in old age as well. Don’t hesitate to get out your books, now you have scientific proof for the extra benefits of regular English lessons.

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be very complicated in order to make your life more exciting. Extreme sports and bungee jumping can give you a thrill but many people are not cut out for this kind of thing. By saving a smaller sum of money every month, you could take the holiday you couldn’t afford last year, for instance. Another option is to try a new food every week or get together with friends for a film club and a chat. Take initiative and you’ll find small things can go a long way.

to turn a new leaf– új életet kezdeni
resolution– fogadalom
attempt – próba
to improve– javítani, javulni
familiar– ismerős
to reveal– felfedni, elárulni
to stick to something– kitart valami mellett
bad habit– rossz szokás
to test– próbára tenni
will-power– akaraterő
after all – végülis
gym – edzőterem
to make an effort– erőfeszítést tenni
order – rend
to get rid of something – megszabadulni valamitől
novelty– újdonság
to finance– pézel, pénzt biztosít valamire
to require sacrifices– áldozatot követel
therefore– következésképp, ezért
to last – tart (időben)
for a month or so– úgy egy hónapig
to take up– elkezdeni (hobbit, sportot)
to postpone – elhalasztani
to make a difference– számít, különbséget jelent
in person– személyesen
to admit– beismerni
spouse– házastárs
fulfilling– teljes
to cut back on– csökkenteni valamit
suggestion– javaslat
volunteering– önkénteskedni
to stay in touch– tartani a kapcsolatot
to contribute to– hozzájárulni valamihez
well-being– jólét
with this in mind– ezt szem előtt tartva
to be worth– érdemes
to establish– alapítani
extended family– nagycsalád
to vow – megfogadni valamit
to staying clear of– távol maradni
decision– döntés
to drain one’s energy– leszívja az energiáit
mental health– mentális egészség
sharp – éber, okos, éleseszű, értelmes
to hesitate– habozni
scientific proof– tudományos bizonyíték
benefits– jótékony hatás
in order to– azért, hogy
exciting – izgalmas
thrill– borzongás, izgalom
to be cut out for– valakinek való valami
to afford– megengedheti magának
to take initiative– kezdeményezni
to go a long way– sokat számítani

ABBA: Happy New Year

No more ……………..
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
……………. and feeling blue
It’s the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now’s the time for us to say…

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a …………. now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well ………… and die
You and I

Sometimes I see
How the …………… new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a …………
And he thinks he’ll be okay,
……………. feet of clay
Never knowing he’s ………..
Keeps on going anyway…

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It’s the end of a ……………..
In another ten years time
Who can say what we’ll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine…

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well lay down and die
You and I

——————————————————————————-

ABBA: HAPPY NEW YEAR

No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It’s the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now’s the time for us to say…

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he’ll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he’s astray
Keeps on going anyway…

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don’t we might as well lay down and die
You and I

The story of how an 18th-century Scottish ballad became synonymous with the new year is tangled, involving both Calvinist theology’s traditional aversion to Christmas and the uniquely central role that watching television plays in American New Year’s celebrations.

As immortalized in When Harry Met Sally, a casual listener to the song is likely to be confused as to what the central opening lyric means.

The answer is that “Should old acquaintance be forgot?” is a rhetorical question. The speaker is asking whether old friends should be forgotten, as a way of stating that obviously one should not forget one’s old friends. The version of the song we sing today is based on a poem published by Robert Burns, which he attributed to “an old man’s singing,” noting that it was a traditional Scottish song. Fundamentally similar songs and poems existed in other forms in 18th-century Scotland.

What is the meaning of “Auld Lang Syne?”

Scottish people speak English with a distinctive accent, and we may also be aware of the existence of a language called Scottish Gaelic that is related to Irish and Welsh and is rarely spoken. But there is also what is known as the Scots language, which has clear similarities to English without truly being intelligible to English speakers — in much the way that Italian and Spanish are similar, but distinct, languages.

The point is that the phrase “auld lang syne” is not recognizable to English speakers because it is not an English phrase. Translated literally it means “old long since,” but the meaning is more like “old times” or “the olden days.”

When Harry Met Sally is right: It’s about old friends

As Meg Ryan’s character Sally says in the movie, this is a song about old friends. Old friends who haven’t seen each other in a while are meeting up again, having a drink, and reminiscing. If this were a song that you normally listened to in a quiet room at full length in English when sober, there would be no confusion. Since that’s basically the opposite of a New Year’s Eve party, which is when you usually hear the song, there is a lot of confusion. But the song itself is not especially complicated.

New Year’s is a big deal in Scotland

One reason a random Scottish folk song has come to be synonymous with the new year is that New Year’s celebrations (known as Hogmanay) loom unusually large in Scottish folk culture — so much so that Scotland’s official website has a whole Hogmanay section, which notes that, “Historically, Christmas was not observed as a festival and Hogmanay was the more traditional celebration in Scotland.”

Everyone likes a good party, and the end of one year and the beginning of the next seems like as good a thing to celebrate as anything else, so Scottish-inflected New Year’s celebrations — including the sentimental and appealingly nonspecific “Auld Lang Syne” — came naturally to the English-speaking world.

Canadian band leader Guy Lombardo made “Auld Lang Syne” an institution

From 1929 until 1976, first on radio and then on television, Americans tuned in to the New Year’s Eve broadcast by Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians, a big band act led by Lombardo, a Canadian whose parents immigrated from Italy. For decades, Lombardo owned December 31 — even earning the nickname “Mr. New Year’s Eve” — and every single year he played “Auld Lang Syne” to ring in the new year.

Then because of the influence of American movies and television shows on pop culture all around the world, conventional depictions of people ringing in the new year to “Auld Lang Syne” were beamed into living rooms globally. An 18th-century Scottish ballad thus became a midcentury American television ritual, and from there became a worldwide phenomenon — even though almost nobody understands the song.

source: www.vox.com

The lyrics of the song (Mariah Carey version):

“Auld Lang Syne (The New Year’s Anthem)”

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Eh…

Happy New Year, baby

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

Happy New Year, baby

Happy New Year, baby

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

In Hungarian we usually sing the following version:

„Jut még eszedbe, kedvesem,

A boldog ifjúság,

 Az erdőszéli kis patak,

S a régi jó barát.

Ó gondolj, gondolj néha rám,

A sors bármerre hajt,

Emlékül küldöm, kedvesem

A régi-régi dalt.”

The start of the lunar year has begun, and millions of people across the world will be gathering with family to get out the firecrackers and celebrate the Chinese New Year.

This January denotes the beginning of the Year of the Rooster, defined by the Chinese zodiac cycle.

The day is traditionally marked with the giving of gifts and celebrations with family, as well as looking to what the sign of the Rooster will mean for the year ahead.

Here’s everything you need to know about  the Chinese New Year.

When is the Chinese New Year and why does the date change every year?

The Year of the Rooster begins on January 28, 2017.

Celebrations begin on January 27, New Year’s Eve, and typically last around two weeks, making this the longest holiday in the Chinese calendar.

This year the festivities are set to end on February 2.

The Chinese New Year takes place on a different date every year, because it is based on the lunar calendar.

In this calendar a month is two days shorter than in the solar calendar so to make up for it an extra month is added every few years.

The lunar calendar means the celebration always falls on a different date – unlike the January 1 New Year we are used to, based on the Gregorian calendar.

But the Chinese New Year always falls between the end of January and mid-February.

Each year is denoted by a different symbol from the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac, with this year being matched to the tenth sign. Last year was the Year of the Goat.

What animal represents this year?

The Chinese calendar attaches different animals from the zodiac to each lunar year in a cycle of 12 years.

This year is the Year of the Rooster.

But for people born in a rooster year – 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 – it is set to be an unlucky time because tradition denotes that the year of your birth makes for an unlucky 12 months.

Roosters are the tenth sign in the zodiac and are seen as confident, honest and hardworking. They also enjoy being around people but can be seen as attention seekers.

How is the Chinese New Year celebrated?

The Chinese New Year is celebrated with the ringing of bells, the lighting of firecrackers and watching traditional lion dances.

In China New Year’s Eve is seen as an important date, with families gathering together for a reunion dinner. Firecrackers are then let off to signal the end of last year and the beginning of next.

On New Year’s Day, families gather, clean their houses and sweep away bad fortune.

Red envelopes stuffed with “lucky money” are given to children, along with written wishes for their kids to grow up healthy.

However, the Chinese New Year has also been touched by the digital age, with red envelope apps – where people can exchange cyber money – being launched.

People also decorate their houses with red paper cut-outs, banners and special New Year paintings during the festive period. This year is also likely to see Rooster themed decorations.

source: Mirror

1. Just breathe.

Your body already has a built-in stress fighter: Your mind and your lungs. So find time just to breathe. The deeper the better.  

2. Go for a walk outside at least once a week.

Exercise ― even if it’s just walking ― can affect your mental and physical health in profound ways. But you may be missing out on a few added perks by keeping your workout indoors. Research shows taking a walk in nature can alleviate depressive symptoms and significantly increase your mood. There’s something to be said for a little sunshine with your stroll.

3. Try new experiences.

Forget retail therapy ― try adventure therapy. Studies show that spending money on experiences o ver material items will bring greater joy. Make 2017 the year you see your favorite band live or try zip lining. You’ll be happier for it.

4. Keep a gratitude journal.

Or any journal, for that matter. Research suggests writing down negative thoughts can help clear your mind and jotting the things you appreciate can help improve your mental well-being. And, bonus, it’ll allow you to go back and reflect on your year come next December. You may be amazed by the progress.

5. Talk to your friends.

There’s nothing better than sitting down with a friend and have a long talk. Social media platforms and chatting can never be a substitute for that.

6. Take a media break.

If you’re feeling down from all the horrible news of 2016, you’re not alone. Research shows that constant exposure to negative news can have a detrimental impact on mental health. If the cycle is weighing down on you, try unplugging or cutting back your media consumption for a period of time.

7. Make a mental health playlist.

When you’re feeling anxious, just press play. Research indicates that a specific tune may reduce your anxiety by up to 65 percent, Inc. reported. Anxiety specialists clinically identified “the most relaxing song in the world,” “Weightless” by Marconi Union, based on measures like brain activity and heart rates of participants in the study. Here are some additional options to add to your de-stress list.

8. Go to bed an hour earlier.

Sleep is a magical elixir when it comes to mental health. Research shows that losing Zs can make it difficult to regulate emotions and make you more irritable. Not to mention too little rest can lead to physical health setbacks.

9. Try cutting down on alcohol.

Sure, a good glass of red wine at the end of a long day is one thing. But too many gin and tonics after a rough work week ― and the subsequent hangover ― may not be doing anyone any favors when it comes to psychological health. Some research suggests that heavy drinking can lead to an increase in anxiety.

10. Cut out toxic people.

It’s one thing if your good pal is going through a rough time and you’re there to help them through it. It’s another thing to be around someone who is constantly stressed over every single situation. It could be hurting your well-being: Research shows stress is contagious. The good news? So is happiness. Choose your squad wisely.

11. Tell people when you’re feeling anxious.

There’s power in sharing your emotions, as Sarah Jessica Parker discovered. And experts agree: Talking about your anxiety is key to managing and abating it.

“I used to not ever tell anybody because I thought that too many people were reliant on me to not be anxious, like they were all looking at me to make them feel better,” Parker told The Coveteur earlier this year. “Like anything, until the minute you talk about something it feels as if you are a balloon that’s been blown up and you have too much air in you. You just need somebody to let a little out.”

12. Donate time or money to a meaningful organization.

“In addition to improving the lives of others, there is compelling evidence that volunteering can really improve the mental health of the volunteer by increasing a sense of purpose and strengthening social connections,” Srijan Sen, a professor at the University of Michigan Depression Center, told The Huffington Post.

13. Or just perform a random act of kindness.

Paying it forward can go a long way. Purchase a stranger’s coffee, take somebody out to lunch or just hold the door open for someone who clearly needs a little help. Research even shows that it can boost your mood and compel you perform more acts of kindness.

“Putting love out in the world is an amazing way to help someone else ― and you ― feel happy,” Liz Eddy, director of communications at the Crisis Text Line, told HuffPost.

14. Allow yourself to feel sad.

Yep, you read that correctly. Human beings experience a spectrum of emotions and each one deserves attention. Research shows that crying can be cathartic and allows you to process whatever is upsetting you better. Grab those tissues and let it flow.

15. Plan a vacation.

The act of anticipation is just as much of a reward as the vacation itself. Research suggests that planning a trip can increase your happiness. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend adventure or an excuse to use up your vacation days, start looking into hitting the road.

16. Recite self affirmations.

Inner dialogues can be incredibly brutal. But promising research shows that self affirmations ― or the act of focusing on your strengths and what you value ― can help combat some of the negativity your brain tends to churn out.

For example, are you a creative type? Think about how you discovered that and the ways you’ve expressed your creativity in the past. Experts say this technique has a way of buffering you against stress and gets you thinking about items that feed into a positive sense of self.

17. Give yourself a break.

So often human beings put pressure on themselves to “do it all,” which can lead to burnout and guilt. You’re your own worst critic. Cut yourself some slack next year and start accepting yourself wholly (research shows it’s the key to a happier life, but a habit many rarely practice). Sooner or later you’ll be on your way to being more exuberant and tranquil.

Cheers to 2017!

source: Huffington Post

Should or shouldn’t? Fill in the gaps in the sentences.

1. You …… find time to breathe.

2. You …… work out only indooors. Outdoors exercise has its perks.

3. You …… stick to retail therapy, try adventure therapy instead.

4. You …… jot down in a journal what you appreciate in your life.

5. You …… take a media break if the always negative news saddens you.

6. You …… more to be able to regulate your emotions more effectively.

7. You …… cut down on alcohol.

8. You …… let other people continuously dampen your mood with their depression.

9. You …… be ashamed of feeling sad and showing it.

10. You …… find some charity and start volunteering.

Key

1. should

2. shouldn’t

3. shouldn’t

4. should

5. should

6. should

7. should

8. shouldn’t

9. shouldn’t

10. should

London has been revealed as one of the world’s most expensive destinations to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Research conducted by Travelex showed that 24 per cent of Britons prefer to celebrate abroad in cities such as Prague and Budapest where the cost of alcohol and food is cheaper. Traditionally one of the most lavish nights of the year, the survey showed that Londoners and visitors spend £336.14 per person in the capital on December 31 based on the average cost of a pint of beer, a bottle of champagne, an evening meal and admission to fireworks displays.

However, the same night out in New York was said to be £118.60, while in Budapest it was even cheaper, costing £66.81 – with the price of a meal for two as little as £22. The cheapest destination out of those surveyed was found to be Prague, where dinner and drinks were shown to cost an average of just £42.90.

Of each of the six destinations surveyed, chosen because they are within a six-hour flight of London, the UK capital was the only city that is charging to see fireworks. London Mayor Boris Johnson recently confirmed the famous Thames fireworks will have an entry fee of £10 for the first time ever. Only half the number of attendees from previous years will be let in – meaning many families won’t be able to enjoy the traditional celebration, which was previously free.

Britons would need to budget for around £245 to ring in the New Year in Paris. Although it’s not cheap, spending New Year’s Eve in the French capital is still shown to be almost £100 cheaper than in the UK capital. Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 30 per cent of people said would like to spend their New Year in New York. The Canadian city of Toronto was also found to be good value for Britons looking to celebrate abroad.

The survey also reveals that men are much more likely than women to splash the cash on New Year’s Eve, with the average UK man spending £200 on the event – 18 per cent more than the women’s average of £169.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Fill in the gaps with the right word from the table. There is one extra.

1. Not many people have enough money ……………….. these days.

2. An ……………….. student can’t afford to fly to the USA.

3. How much do you ……………….. for the house for a week?

4. You need to ……………….. about $35o for a round trip to Canada.

5. Mary decided to travel ……………….. she was afraid of flying.

answers: 1-to splash the cash 2-average 3-charge 4-budget 5-although

January first. The beginning of a new year. As far back in history as we can tell, people have celebrated the start of a new year. Today, most people celebrate New Year’s Day on January first. People observe the New Year’s holiday in many different ways. The idea of admitting mistakes and finishing the business of the old year is found in many cultures. So is the idea of making New Year’s resolutions. A resolution is a promise to change or do something different in the coming year. Making New Year’s resolutions is a common tradition.

TOP 10 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

1.     I’ll work out and keep fit.

2.     I’ll spend more time with the family.

3.     I’ll eat more healthily.

4.     I’ll quit smoking.

5.     I’ll quit drinking.

6.     I’ll get out of my debts!

7.     I’ll enjoy life more!

8.     I’ll help others.

9.     I’ll get more organized.

10.   I’ll learn something new.

the beginning of … – valaminek a kezdete
as far as – olyan messze/régen, mint
to celebrate – ünnepelni
to observe – megfigyel 
in many different way – sokféle különböző módon
to admit – bevall
business – ügy
resolution – fogadalom
promise – ígéret
a common tradition – bevett szokás

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Q:    Do you make resolutions at New year’s Eve?
A:    I generally make one or two resolutions at New Year’s Eve, such as being more organised or spending less money on clothes.
Q:    What resolutions did you make this year?
A:    Last year I promised myself to quit smoking.
Q:    Did you break your resolutions or did you keep them?
A:    I decided to quit smoking, and I also bought nicotine patches at the chemist’s. I managed to keep my resolution for a few months, but then I broke it, and started smoking again.

A fogadalmakkal kapcsolatban tanulj meg 3 fontos kifejezést:

to MAKE a resolution – fogadalmat tesz

to KEEP a resolution – megtartja a fogadalmát

to BREAK a resolution – megszegi a fogadalmát