Word of the Day 02/17/2014

Bifurcate

verb
ˈbīfərˌkāt/
1.
divide into two branches or forks.
"just below Cairo the river bifurcates"
adjective
bīˈfərkāt,ˈbīfərkit/
1.
forked; branched.
"a bifurcate tree"

The stream bifurcated into two narrow winding channels.

Song of the Week 02/17/2014

I was thinking of what song could be fit into today's theme, "professionals." Then I thought of this song, because several questions are in forms of "money vs. _________", such as "money vs fame" (Kevin), "money vs loyalty" (Chenling), "money/benefits vs ownership/freedom" (Frank). And one question is "If money is not an issue, would you...." (Lorraine).....Are you thinking of the song I'm thinking of?

Word of the Day 02/10/2014

Prestige


1. widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a perception of their achievements or quality.

2. Admired and respected because it looks important and expensive


Example:   a prestige job

There is a lot of prestige attached to owning a car like this. 
                                                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                                                                Yeah,  I can definitely relate a lot to this. Nam also mentioned having a Cadillac is a prestige. So I played jokes with Loraine.

Table Topics 02/10/2014 Love and Marriage

Thanks Phil for his challenging but interesting table topic questions!



Love and marriage; Go together like a horse and carriage.  An old song from Frank Sinatra. Sherry won the prize. She told what the song is by listening just the prelude. Great job! 

1. “Do you think that arranged marriage will still work in 21st Century?”  >>>>Jian

Jian considered arrange marriage as a old version of online dating, which simplyprovides a channel for singles to know each other.  Very interesting. 

2.  What would your dream date be?  >>>>Mark 

3.  This Friday, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. What is your plan to impress your dream date? >>>> Lee (Guest)

4. An increasing number of couple now live together prior to getting married. What’s your thought of that? >>>> Sherry

I think it's a very tough question. Any moral related questions are tough. I like Sherry's answer because she emphasized both sides and expressed her personal opinion, avoiding acting like a judge. 

5.  As marriage consultant, your opinion of #1 reason of divorce? >>>>>Ruth (Guest)

Failure of commitment can be a large problem.---I like that
(There are family members) You'll cry in their funerals but never want to go vacation with them. ---very interesting statement


6. You probably heard prenuptial agreements from celebrities’ weddings but now they aren't just for the rich and famous, Will you consider a prenuptial agreement for marrying your love one? >>>> Daniel 

I've heard that sort of thing in Chinese, but never knew the English word. So, at least but not last, I learned something! Let me repeat it, prenuptial! 

I put it as a kind of protection, for both sides. It only protects people from material assets loss. But no material assets are more important than love, to me. But I respect and understand that material assets might very important to some others. That's their prestige. Word of the day. mission complete!

7. Describe your version of romantic getaway vacation.   >>>>> Stephen? 

8. If you’re granted a magic power to change your spouse only one thing BIGGER, what will it be and why? >>>> Sunny.  

Oh, What a confidential question! The answer should not be video taped!  :D
.....  so....neither did I take note about Sunny's answer. I remember nothing but I laughed hard. 

9. Another song was played. This time Ruth, the guest won the prize, it's "Love will keep us together." I don't remember where I heard it. After I went back home, I found out it once was used in the Mr. and Mrs. Smith. 

Your advises to married couples what to keep them together in addition to love? >>>> Nam 

Nam talked about how well he and his wife knew each other and learned to be more into each other's interests and hobbies. Wonderful love story! 

Love is not just a short-time passion but a genuine life-long life style. 


By the way, “Love will keep us together” was sung by Captain & (Toni) Tennille, who filed legal docs in Arizona, claiming the marriage was "irretrievably broken." They've been married for 39 years. 

Song of the Week 02/10/2014

Guess what's the song for this week?....
Of course, it's this "Love and Marriage" by Frank Sinatra.

I heard of Frank Sinatra because of that very famous <New York, New York>. and here is a short introduction of him.

Frank Sinatra was arguably the most important popular music figure of the 20th century, his only real rivals for the title being Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. In a professional career that lasted 60 years, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to maintain his appeal and pursue his musical goals despite often countervailing trends.