英語學習筆記

    The boy's name Dominic is of Latin origin and its meaning is "belonging to the Lord." Several saints have born this name, including the 13th-century founder of the Dominican order. Name similar to Dominic include Dominique, Domingo, and Nick. Famous people with this name include movie star Dominic West (The Forgotten) and director Dominic Sena (Swordfish).
   
    The girl's name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "we, female sheep

Haight-Ashbury
"The Haight" gained much of its reputation as the center of counterculture and flower power from the famous musicians that lived and wrote about life there.

Raquel: What's new?
Nick: I have a piece of good news for a chocoholic like you. According to a story I read in the China Post, chocolate may help lower one's blood pressure. Now you have a good reason to gobble up chocolates!
Raquel: Haha! If that's true, I can

SOMA
I really want to check out the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) while I'm in SOMA. Even the building itself is a work of art. It's designed around a striking cylindrical skylight finished in zebra-like bands of black and while marble.

Rae: Sitting all day long is not good for your health. Want to join a swimming class with me?
Dominique: I'm too lazy to exercise! Besides, I've never been in the habit of exercising regularly. Starting now won't make me healthier all of sudden!

North Beach
I'm so tired, I think I'll take a nap on the tranquil lawns of Washington Square. There's a statue of Benjamin Franklin here, donated by a wealthy teetotaler

Rachael: How come every time I see you. You have a cigarette in your hand? You are really a chain smoker!
Domingo: I don't know. When I'm bored, I just feel like smoking

China's Next Aim: Healthy Market
    After several attempts, China's authorities apparently have succeeded in taking some froth out of the country's red-hot stock market. But regulators still have their work cut out for them in building the market into a stable element of the country's economy.
    After a bull run that saw the Shanghai Composite Index quadruple in less than two years, Chinese stocks where throws into a sharp decline last week when the government tripled the stamp duty on share trades, just weeks after the central bank announced a fresh series of tightening measures.
    With the market showing signs of settling down in the past two sessions -- the Shanghai index rose 0.2% yesterday and 2.6% Tuesday after falling 8.3% Monday -- analysts say Chinese authorities may be ready to switch their focus from constraining the market to supporting its health.
    "In view of the sharp decline in the last few days, we would not be surprised if the government started to change its tone, perhaps emphasizing the importance of stock-market development to the national economy," Credit Suisse said in a note, adding it expects the government to move more slowly in introducing further monetary tightening measures.

Nob Hill
A dominant feature of the Nob Hill skyline is grace cathedral. Modeled after Notre Dame in Paris, it's an impressive example of Gothic architecture. After the earlier church was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, it took 54 years to build the current one. I hear that it also has some labyrinths

Rachel: What happened? You look so depressed.
Dominic: I feel dragged out from working so much. Besides, my boss is hard on me all the time.
Rachel: I suggest doing some exercise. It can help you release some of the pressure you're feeling.
Dominic: Won't that just make me more tired?