Anchoring in Seattle

Recently, I have seen a film named “Anchoring in Seattle”. At first, I think it is just a romantic comedy. But after watching it, I found it’s not like what I thought before. The story began with a conversation between a officer and a girl named Wen Jiajia who was going to give birth to a baby in Seattle. After the conversation, she got the visa for six mouths. Then she went to the airport and waited for a long time, cold and lonely. It was at that time that Jiajia came across Frank who gave up his career and immigrated to US to look after his daughter. During the time that they lived together, they never stopped quarreling. Jiajia used money without thinking and she was used to find other’s faults. But when she knew that her lover disappeared and she really became poor, she started to change herself. During this period of time, they had done much for each other, and Jiajia did change a lot. After Jiajia giving birth to a boy, her rich lover appeared and brought her back to Beijing. Until she came back to Beijing she hadn’t been aware of it was not the life what she wanted. She determined to be independent and brought the baby up alone. Two years later, she went back to Seattle to find her true love. At the top of Empire State Building, she met Frank who had became a doctor and they got together again.

This movie passes positive energy to us: love is sweat and tranquil; life is peaceful and energetic, they love each other and decide to spend the rest life together.However,in China, so many people have to do what they can to buy a house in order to get married. They have to think about the money, status and so many things. But in this movie, their emotion is so pure without any impurity. With the beautiful sunrise and sunset in Seattle, their life looks so great. Only by imagining it can we straggle out of the reality and find the peace in heart. their accidentally meeting, knowing, and love like a dream in the reality. But, what if it’s a dream? At least we can have longing and yearning towards love, when facing the social pressure, we need not to be too negative. Step by step, we can find the true love belonging to us finally.

 

第二篇：sleepless-in-seattle西雅图不眠夜

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Sleepless in Seattle

(Romantic Comedy) ( 1993)? 2000 by Raymond Weschler

Major Characters

Sam Baldwin……………….Tom Hanks

An architect whose wife has recently died of cancer, who decides to movefrom Chicago to Seattle in order to start a new life.

Annie Reed………………….Meg Ryan

A Baltimore writer who hears of Sam’s story on the radio, and who

becomes convinced that it is her “fate” to be with Sam, even though shedoes not know him.

Jonah Baldwin………………Ross Malinger

Sam’s eight year old son who wants his dad to find a new wife that willmake them happy, and who tells the whole country this on a nationalradio talk show.

Walter…………………………….Bill Pullman

Annie’s fiancée, who is a nice man, but not a person that Annie is

passionately in love with.

Becky………………………………Rosie O’Donnell

Annie’s friend and co-worker at the newspaper where Annie works.

Victoria…………………………..Barbara Garrick

A woman who Sam tries to date, but who Jonah does not like.

Jessica……………………………..Gaby Hoffmann

Jonah’s friend, who tries to help him find the perfect new wife for Sam.Plot Summary

This film is a romantic comedy about Sam Baldwin and Annie Reed, two peoplewho have never really met each other. Sam is a nice young architect whose wifedies of cancer, who decides to move from Chicago to Seattle in order to start anew life with his son. He decides to change cities because everything in Chicagoreminds him of his wife, and he hopes moving to Seattle will end his depression.It doesn’t really, and thus Jonah, Sam’s sweet eight year old son, decides to dowhat he can to find his dad a new wife and himself a new mom.

One day, Jonah phones a national radio call-in show to tell the world that hisfather needs a new wife, and Sam suddenly finds himself talking to millions ofpeople, mostly women. One of those women is Annie, a very cute and

reasonably happy young writer in Baltimore, who is engaged to get married toWalter. Walter himself is a nice guy, but Annie is frustrated because she is not

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madly in love with him, and after hearing Sam and Jonah, she starts to thinkthat Sam is the man that she should truly be with.

After Annie sees what she thinks are a variety of “signs” that she and Sam aremeant to be together, she soon decides to do everything she can to meet him(even though he lives on the other side of the country). Ultimately, this is a sweetlittle movie about the nature of life in general, and whether the things that

happen to us are because of what some people call destiny, or simply a series ofevents with no particular cause.

Some Words and Expressions that You May not KnowSam and Jonah begin a new life in Seattle after the death of Sam’s wife,and in Baltimore, Annie prepares for a life with Walter.A “microwave oven” cooks food much faster than other ovens.

A “shrink” is a very slangy but widely used word for a psychologist.

.

A “spouse” is a husband or wife, and a “support group” is a group of

people with the same type of problem who come together to support

each other emotionally.“To hug” a person is to hold them close

to your chest, or to embrace them.In this case, “to see a person through” a difficult

situation is to help them survive it.

him; He’s just a guy who lost his wife.“Don’t mind” him is a way of telling a person

to ignore or not pay attention to him.“To take off” some time from work is leave

the job in order to relax or go on vacation.

.

“To move on” from a difficult situation is to leave it behind.

“Boom” is the word used for the sound of an explosion, or as here,

a sudden or dramatic change. If a person is “fine,” they’re doing OK.

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Seattle. Chicago. Baltimore.

Three important American cities: Seattle is in the state of Washington, onthe West coast, Chicago is in Illinois, in the Midwest, and Baltimore is inMaryland, on the East Coast.“To run off” with a person is to go away with them. It can

imply, as in this case, in order to have a sexual affair.

He came back, because Irene “To threaten” a person is to warn them that they face punishment orother bad consequences if they do not act in a certain way. “To put ananimal to sleep” is a very gentle way of saying to kill them, often becausethey are suffering.The Internal Revenue System, which is the US government

organization that is responsible for collecting taxes.A “pyramid scheme” is an illegal (and stupid) investment in which peoplegamble on the hope that others will join the club in order so that they canmake money (A “pyramid” is a triangular structure shaped like those inEgypt, and a “scheme” is often an illegal plan that is created by oneperson in order to get money from others).

Am I what they have in mind?

“Am I the type of person they are thinking about?”

Walter and I are !

If two people are “engaged,” they have decided to get married.If a person is “allergic” to something, they start to cough

and get sick if they eat it, or even get too close to it.A “hypodermic” is a medical needle that is used to give shots.

“Adrenaline” is a hormone or chemical in the blood.If something “swells up,” it increases in size.In this case, “parole” is the act of being released from prison early, undercertain conditions, such as promising not to leave the country.

Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

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This is a famous line from a speech that the baseball star Lou Gherig gavein 1939 to fans at Yankee Stadium, after it was announced that he wasdying of a mysterious disease (now called “Lou Gherig’s Disease”).“To propose a toast” is usually to raise up a glass of champagne at a mealand say kind words about somebody. A person’s “kid sister” is theiryounger sister. A common term of affection.“Lovely” is a British word that generally

means good, admirable or attractive.A widely used word for parents, or sometimes, people.Washington DC, which is the US Capital.which of course, he was allergic to.

A type of sandwich, which is usually served with a type of meatsuch as roast beef or tuna (Whole wheat is the type of bread).

How “Amazing” is a powerful and common adjective meaning wonderful,remarkable or incredible. If a person “orders take out,” they ask arestaurant for food to be eaten elsewhere (often at home).

takes a hand!“Destiny” is another word for fate, or something that had to have

happened, perhaps because God or the universe wanted it to.

“Destiny takes a hand” is a way of saying fate has changed life.Destiny is something we’ve invented because we the fact that everything that happens is accidental.If a person “can’t stand” something, they hate it, or in this case, they

can’t accept it. The above sentence shows that many people do not believein destiny or fate, but simply believe that things just happen without anyparticular cause.

In this case. “a sign” is way of saying that a particular event is

representative of a person’s fate, destiny or larger plan. A “coincidence” isthe occurrence of two events that look like they are related but in fact justhappen by chance.A “pier” is a narrow piece of land or man-made

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structure that sticks out into the water.If a name is “formal,” it is official, ceremonial or conservative.To get “in the sack” with a person is to get into bed with

them, or more specifically, to have sex with them.

It took several years before everything“To work like clockwork” is a slangy way of saying to work

well or efficiently (Here, Annie’s mom is talking about sex).

When we’re old and gray, you’ll have to remind me to put my teeth in, or I’ll be“To smack” something is to hit or slap it. “Gums” are

the part of the mouth that your teeth are attached to.Jonah lets the world know that Sam needs a new wife, and soonthousands of women, including Annie, want to be her.

“To broadcast live” is to send out a radio or TV show that is being heardor seen as it’s being made (not from a tape). The Sears Tower is the tallestbuilding in the United States.

An outdoor platform, usually made of wood,

where people often relax and eat.

woman!“Wretched” is a powerful adjective that means much

hated and useless, or perhaps extremely poor and pitiful.

Wanna bet?

Note that “want to”---> “wanna” in fast speech. “To bet” is to gamble.“To yell” at somebody is to scream at them.

“To tune in” to a radio show is to start to listen to it,

perhaps after searching around for other radio stations.

6A “hibachi” is a type of Japanese frying pan (And

ginza knives are a brand of very sharp Japanese knife).

You are !

To be “on the air” is to be in the process

of being broadcast over TV or radio.

“Come on” is the most versatile phrasal verb in English, here meaning

“Be reasonable!” If you “go through” something, you experience orsurvive it.

Talk to her. She’s a doctor. :: Of what?

Note that a doctor is usually a doctor of medicine, but in fact a personwith a Ph.D. can have a doctorate degree in such fields as history or art.Dr. Marsha, I don’t mean to be …

A very good word for impolite or disagreeable.“To invade a person’s privacy” is to try and find out things about

them that are personal, intimate or that they don’t want to talk about.We had a pretty If a person has had a “tough time,” they have had a lot of seriousproblems, difficulties or even tragedies. “To deal with” somethingis to accept it or perhaps to learn to try and work with it.A poetic way of saying to be depressed or very sad.In this case, “to get into” a topic is to begin to seriously discuss it.In this case, a reference to the listeners of a radio talk show

that call into the host to express their views on the air.Here, “to dump on” a person is a very slangy

way of saying to severely criticize them.

he’s tall with a “I bet” is an extremely common way for a person to say that they are

certain about something. “Cute” is a great little word for adorable orprecious, and a person’s “butt” is their ass or derriere.

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give him a little gift for New Year’s Eve.

“To hustle oneself” to another place is a slangy way of saying to go there,often with great effort because there is no easy transportation.A common short word for refrigerator.

I wouldn’t kick this guy out of bed forA very common and colloquial way of

saying “Do you understand what I mean?”

People who truly loved once are far more likely to love again.

An interesting bit of popular psychology.

After a while, I won’t have to think aboutA grammatically curious way of saying “I had a great life.”it just meant that we were supposed to be together.

“Tiny little” is a poetic use of two similar adjectives that has in fact becomefairly common. “To add up” a group of things is to add them together tomake a greater whole.

.

“To wrap up” a project is to finish it. Colloquial and common.If a person asks “How’s it going?,” they’re asking how life is in general.(Note that “Sleepless in Seattle” is the nickname that’s given to Sam).A person who is mean is rude, abusive or unpleasant.If phone service is “tied up,” it is difficult to make a call because too manypeople are trying to use the phone at the same time. A “phone-in” radioshow is a talk show in which listeners get a chance to express themselveson the air.A ridiculous way of referring to a female psychologist.

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“60 Minutes” is a famous TV news show. If a person gets “zapped,” theyare suddenly struck, perhaps by a bolt of actual electricity from alightening storm. Michigan and Wisconsin are Midwestern states.Those parts where the daughter gives the motherA “bow” is a knot formed by two or more curved pieces, oftenmade of cloth or other material that is used for a decoration.In this case, a colloquial way of saying “that makes me laugh a lot.”They’re a lot of desperate women out thereIn this context, “over a certain age” is a diplomatic way

of referring to a woman who is older than about 35.

It’s easier to be killed by a terrorist than to get married over the age of 40.

This is a cynical (or cruel) way of telling a woman that it is extremelyunlikely that an unmarried woman can find a husband after age 40.“To bring up” a topic is to be the first to talk about it in a conversation.A “widower” is a man whose wife has died (while a

“widow” is a woman whose husband has died).

?! Something is wrong.A common and colloquial way of asking a person what is wrong with

them when they are acting strangely. Often said with great emotion?A “crackhead” is addicted to the horrible drug crack cocaine, a

“transvestite” is a person who dresses in the clothes of the oppositesex and a “junkie” is a drug addict. A “chainsaw” is an electric toolthat is used to cut down trees (and sometimes kill people!)

Now, we’re getting down to it!

Here, a slangy way of saying “Now we’re finding out the truth.”A “convention” is usually a large meeting of professionals from manydifferent places. “To switch over” to a new computer system is to changefrom an old system to that new one.

Valentine’s Day.

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A day of celebration for people in love, and other romantic couples.If a couple “register” before getting married, they give their friends thename of a store that has a list of things that they would like to receive as awedding present.

How about it?!

A way of asking “What do you think?” or perhaps “Do you agree?”A popular type of Chinese food that is served at breakfast

(It includes small portions of fresh breads, meats and vegetables).Two well known lines from Hollywood movies

that are used to express affection or good luck.In this case, a “dispatcher” is a person who tells police

and firemen where to go after calls for help are made.

It’s so nice when a man can express his feelings.

Note that it is often thought that men, unlike women, are very

bad at expressing their emotions, or what they are feeling inside.“To toss and turn” in bed is to move around a lot while

sleeping. A “platter” is a large plate for serving food.In this case, to “redo” something is to build it again. “Cabinets” arestorage spaces, often found in kitchens for storing plates and glasses.A “bearing wall ” is the most important wall in a structure such

as a house, which is used to support the weight of the building.Another word for destiny, or the pre-determined course of one’s life.If two lines “intersect,” they cross each other. “The Bermuda Triangle” is awell known area in the Caribbean Sea where there have been manyairplane crashes over the years.A movement in the chest which stops breathing for a second.

10Annie becomes obsessed with Sam, and Sam learns anew about the world of romance and dating.A curious way of asking “Why did you…?”Dear ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ you’re the most

“To lay eyes on” a person is a poetic way of saying

to see them, but “to lay ears on” is never used.“To rule out” a possibility is to not even consider it.

See what I mean?A common way of asking a person

if they understand what you’re saying.

In the movie, the women are always scratching up the man’sCommon filler words which have no particular meaning.

A reference to cable television, which has lots of channels.

To be “marooned” is to be stuck or stranded, usually on a beach.A “trumpet” is a musical instrument, and “fireworks” are colorful lightshows produced by small explosives. Together, they suggest lotsof excitement and romance.

Betty said we had to or get married. So, we got married.

If a couple “break up,” they separate and often no longer see each other.When you first met her, did you believe she was the onlyBoth “mystical” and “cosmic” are powerful adjectives that referto the nature or energy of the entire universe, or perhaps of a

supernatural force. If something is “fated,” it is certain to happen, perhapsbecause it was predetermined by a God or nature.

When you’re attracted to someone, it just means your

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A person’s “subconscious” is that part of their mind that is unawareof their own actions. An important word from modern psychology,though the line above is completely ridiculous.A person who has “neurosis” is mentally disturbed and often unableto function well in society because of nervousness. If a couple are “aperfect match,” they seem made for each other and are happy together.A “fantasy” is a desire in the form of a dream, often about sex.have happened and knowing I could have done something.

“To end up” doing something is to finish by doing that thing last.To get “cold feet” before doing something is to become extremely

nervous about it. “To panic” is to become so nervous or agitated that youcan’t control your own body or actions.In this case, “to blow off” something is to decide to forget about it.A person who lifts metal weights in order to develop big muscles

(Note the use of ‘like’ in the second sentence, which is a common fillerword, and which helps to replace the much simpler sentence “Her neck isnot bigger than her head”).

I’m not asking you to .

“To set up” one person with another is to arrange for them to meetto see if they might become romantically involved with each other.“Pecs” are a slang word for chest muscles.

You can’t even turn on the news nowadays withoutA “babe” is a very colloquial way of referring to a pretty woman.In this case, if something “catches on”

with the public, it becomes very popular.If a group of students is “graded on a curve,” each student’s test gradeis based on how well they do compared to other students in the class(as opposed to a system where 90% correct is an A, 80% is a B, etc.)

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When was the last time you were out there? :: Jimmy Carter, 1978.

This film takes place in the early 1990s, and

Jimmy Carter was President from 1977 to 1981.“To neck” is very old-fashioned verb that describes the act of

kissing, touching and other sexual activities that couples do.A reference to tests for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.“To split” a check at a restaurant is to share the cost of the meal.me to do it to her and I won’t know what it is.

This is a delicious Italian desert made with cake and

rum (and despite the line above, it is not a verb!).In this case, “tough” means hard or difficult.A well known brand of watch.

Color schemes.

A way of referring to different colors and how they look together.“To see through” something is to see the real

truth behind the words or acts of somebody.If a person is “suave,” they act in a very elegant, seductive or

refined way (Cary Grant was a very famous and suave actor).

This is amazing; If you play it backwards, it says Paul is dead.

A reference to a famous 1968 Beatles album in which it was believedthere was a secret message saying that Paul McCartney had died.

H.N.G.

Jessica’s never used abbreviation for “hi and goodbye.”This is the safest way to ask out a person who you would

like to possibly become romantically involved with.

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A common and fond way of looking back at earlier times.

You’re .

An excellent slang expression that refers to anyone who is hopeless,pathetic, or simply acting in an incredibly stupid or pitiful way.

He’s so unexpected. You’d think you could what he’s like just by looking at him, but you can’t.

Note that “to tell” is often used as to see or to know.A person’s “destiny” is their fate or pre-determined future, and a person’s“doom” is their future destruction, disaster or death.The tallest building in New York City (Since September 11, 2001!)“To squeeze in” a meeting is to make enough time for

it when there really isn’t much time to work with.

I would never have bought the house withA complicated way of saying “which is the reason why…”A good word for very scary.

We’d be to let that happen, if this passes by.

A “fool” is a very silly or stupid person.

Men never this movie.

In this case, “to get” is to understand, or possibly appreciate.The idea that a person’s soul continues to live after they physically die.“To peel” a fruit is to take its skin off. “Girlie” is a silly way of saying girl-like, and a “strip” is a long and narrow piece of something.Annie makes her first contacts with Sam, but it doesn’t work out as she had planned.

An educated word for great sadness,

often caused by a death in the family.

14“Beloved” is a formal word for greatly loved. “In lieu of” means insteadof, and a “horticultural society” is a group of people who

work with plants and gardens.A legal word for the theft or stealing of

something very valuable, such as a car.A “record holder” has accomplished something no other person has in afield such as sports or business. The “javelin toss” is an Olympic sport inwhich a long pole is thrown through the air.A “detective” investigates crimes or other

actions that people would prefer to keep secret.A “background check” is often a police investigation into

a person’s past to make sure they have no criminal record.A poetic way of saying if something horrible happens.A doctor who specializes in children.

; I look like I’m trying to be tall.

The “heel” is the bottom part of a shoe or foot. If something is

“grotesque,” it is totally disgusting or revolting. A powerful adjective.And as long as I’m on the subject, let’s just say right now

rdA defensive position in the game of baseball.

.

In this case, Annie’s way of saying

evidence of a person’s destiny or fate.

I’m out of here.

A popular and slangy way of saying “I’m leaving.”“To strangle” a person is to kill them by choking them

and cutting off their air supply so they can’t breath.

15“To book” a plane is to reserve a seat on it, and an

“excursion fare” is generally a cheap price for the ticket.A colloquial way of saying “She has already used six painters…”A “brick” is a common hard baked clay used for building,

and thus to “rebrick” a structure is to rebuild it with new bricks.Whenever she wants anything done, sheTo go through a “song and dance” is to desperately try to accomplishsomething, often by spending a lot of time explaining to someone whythings need to be done in a certain way.everything on one side is now on the other?

“To flip” something is to turn it completely around.and then I could get in with the garage-door opener?

A “hinge” is a metal part on which a door swings open and shut.“Box seats” are special seats in a stadium that are bought for the entireseason of a sports team. The Mariner’s are Seattle’s baseball team.Sam’s silly way of saying that he and Jonah love rice.someone is right or wrong for him?

“To be the judge of” something is to decide

whether or not it is right or wrong.A silly but popular slang word for a sexually promiscuous

woman, or more specifically, a prostitute or whore.A very dangerous spider with a well known marking on its stomach.and I will calmly come over and take care of it.

An insect that is “poisonous” is very dangerous because it hasa deadly type of chemical that it shoots into whatever it bites.

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It turned out the guy lives in Duluth.

Duluth is a small town in Minnesota, not North Dakota!If a person’s life is “in place,” it is well organized and going well.This is Jessica’s way of saying “your only hope.” Never used!“To look into” something is to research or investigate it.A plane’s “cruising altitude” is the height at which it travels

from one place to another after taking off and before landing.A “betrayal” is the act of hurting somebody by being

unfaithful to them, after they have come to trust you.A “souvenir” is a little gift that reminds a person of a particular place.

A “snow cone” is usually a dessert made of crushed ice and flavored witha sweet syrup, though here it is a small knick-knack or gift.

All children are at the age of eight.

“Hideous” is a very strong adjective that means disgusting or horrible.Note that normally a person is “good at” doing

something, not at being a particular age.If a person “tosses” their hair, they shake their head in a way

that their hair falls on their head in different ways or styles.A “twitch” is an involuntary body movement, such as the brief and rapidshaking of a person’s shoulders. A “barrette” is a small object

that keeps a woman’s hair in place. her.

“To get to the bottom of” something is to investigate it so that youunderstand it completely. “To date” a person is to go out with themas a couple, with possible romantic intentions.

Can you appreciate the difference?

“Can you understand how these two things are different?”

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They try other people on and see how they fit.

This is Sam’s way of telling Jonah that people date each other in order toget to know one another, to see if they would make a good couple (Theverb “to fit” is usually applied to clothes, when discussing if

they are the right size).“An adjustment” is a small change, in this case in attitude or expectations,in order to get comfortable with another person.“Reincarnation” is the idea that a person

comes back as somebody else after they die.

Your hearts are like puzzles with missing pieces,

and when you get together, the puzzle is complete.

A romantic view of two people who are destined to find each other

and fall in love (A “puzzle” is a picture made of small pieces that are puttogether to form the whole).“Cosmic forces” refers to those supernatural forces of the universe thatfew can really understand, such as God or nature.

Is this crazy? :: No, that’s the part about it.

“Weird” is an excellent word for strange or bizarre.

You know that dream where you’re walking in the“To stare” at a person is to continuously look at them

for several seconds or more, without turning away.“Humiliation” is the feeling of being totally embarrassed or ashamed infront of others (Note that to humiliate is also a powerful verb).Since the minute I listened to that I’ve been a complete .

An important word that means idiot, moron or perhaps ass.“To be crazy about” a person is to love or like them passionately.“Neat” is a much loved word that, beyond clean and organized,is used to mean good, positive, or more colloquially, cool.

MFEO.

Jessica’s way of saying “made for each other” (Her way of

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referring to a perfect couple). This is fun, but again, never used!Annie returns to Baltimore and accepts that Walter isher man, and Sam prepares for a very big date.So he can’t write. .If something is a “big deal,” it’s very important, though it is

often said sarcastically, as here, to mean that it is not important. need for it is what gets us into so much trouble.If a skill is “overrated,” it is considered more important than it really is.

If something is “pathetic,” it is worthless, hopeless or deserving of pity.A curious way of saying “if he still wants to be with me.”someone we would have been friends.

A silly but popular word for a prostitute or whore.“Déjà vu” is a French word that refers to the feeling ofhaving already seen or experienced something once before.

At least you’re out there seeing people; That’s .

A good alternative to great or excellent.A wild dog-like animal that cries with a laugh-like sound.

Another way of saying kind of, or perhaps approximately.If someone is “obsessed” with another person,

they are constantly thinking about them.A somewhat dated word for handicapped or physically disabled.And he’s very , and you think he’s going to just walk outthe door and never know why she was just lying there…

“Bitter” is a powerful adjective referring to

emotions of anger, hate and sadness.

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If a person’s skin is “shriveled,” it is old and wrinkled.A funny way of referring to a film that is liked mostly by women

(A “chick” is a ridiculous slang word for a woman or teenage girl).Just because someone is looking for a nice guy doesn’t makeIf a person is “rapacious,” they are extremely greedy or hungry and willtake anything they can, often by force. If a person is “love-starved,” theyare usually lonely and in need of love or friendship.someone I can have a conversation with over dinner.

A “mail order bride” is a woman that a man decides to marry through abusiness that arranges meetings between women and men from

different countries. In this context, “decent” means good or reasonable.If a person is “weeping,” they are crying with great sadness.“Hand grenades” are explosives that soldiers carry and throw.An “air shaft” is usually an underground tunnel or narrow

space in which air can get through.“To bust” something is to break it into pieces. “To parachute” is to jumpfrom a plane with a device that lets you float gently to the ground. In awar, “enemy lines” are points on the ground to which soldiers from theenemy country have advanced.If something is “shiny,” it looks polished or bright, and often reflectslight. A “helmet” is a protective metal head protector, often worn bypeople who ride bikes or motorcycles.“To keep an eye on” something is to watch

over it to make sure it is not hurt or stolen.The “aisle” in a plane is the walking corridor between the seats.Note that “rather” before a verb means to prefer.

20A person who is “unaccompanied” is alone. A “stewardess” serves mealson an airplane, and “stuff” is a common way of referring to things ingeneral.

Do you want me to say you’re really short for your age and“To hurt a person’s feelings” is to make them feel sad or hurt, often byinsulting them or making them feel they’ve done something very bad.If a person is “mortified,” they are deeply shocked or upset.

If something is “remote,” it is distant or far away.An interesting expression: If it is said that a person “is history,” this is anegative or cynical way of saying that they are no longer relevant, orperhaps even that they are about to die or be destroyed.

Ever since Christmas, you’ve been kind of .

If a person is “distracted,” they are being disturbed by something,or they have trouble concentrating on one thing because they

can’t help thinking of another

I started to wonder if we were the humanA well known expression is “two wrongs don’t make a right”

(Used to explain why one should not do one bad act in reactionto a previous bad act).“Kismet” is another word for fate or destiny.fantasies about how exciting your life is gonna be.

An “adolescent” is a teenager, and a “fantasy” is a great wish

in the form of a dream, for such things as money or sex.In this case, “china” is fine plates and silverware.A “place setting” is a plate, silverware, napkin and glass for one person.A colloquial way of saying no, or no way.

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If something is “overrated,” it is seen as better than it really is.The name of a ridiculous movie that had

several sequels (though not as many as 12!).

Don’t try anything , understand?

If doing something is “tricky,” it is difficult to do,

or perhapsit is done secretly, or in a clever way.A poisonous plant that can cause a person’s eyes and

other body parts to become itchy and swollen (blown up).

No one’s going to pack it on ice and take you to the hospitalA “break through” is a great advance in science or some other field.“Laser surgery” allows a doctor to perform an operation with lasers,which are beams of light, so that no actual knives are needed.A “stitch” is a piece of thread that is used to sew up a cloth,

or in the case of people, an open wound or injury on the skin.“To get laid” is a crude but common way of saying to have sex.There is no way that we are going on a plane to meet

some woman who could be a crazy sick .

A “lunatic” is a crazy person whose behavior is unpredictable.A well known and scary film about a woman

who becomes obsessed with a married man.“To scare the shit out of” a person is to intensely scare them

(Another crude but truly excellent colloquial expression).“Opera” is reference to Oprah Winfrey, a famous African-Americanwoman who has an afternoon talk show on national television.“Holiday Inn” is a well known hotel, located throughout the US.Sam, Annie and Jonah find destiny in New York.

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Jonah’s father is very .

An important word for angry, unhappy or perhaps worried.The edge of the sidewalk, next to the gutter in the street.“To settle for” a romantic partner is to accept them, but perhaps onlybecause a more desirable or attractive person could not be found.If somebody has “low expectations” of another person, they do notexpect very much, perhaps because they don’t think highly of them.Note that there are different ways to “put” or express the sameopinion, depending on the words that one chooses to use.

We’re doing OK. Have I for the both of us?

“To screw up” something is to do it badly, or in

such a way as to cause harm or damage.

Observation deck.

The place at the top of a tall building where people can lookat beautiful views, often with the help of telescopes.“Shall” is the British equivalent of “should” (Rarely used in the US).

Sleepless in Seattle

Possible Topics for ESL Class Discussion

1. When two people meet and fall in love, is it “destiny,”

or just a random event?

2. Do you believe in fate?

3. Does this movie have too romantic a view of love and romance?

4. Is there such a thing as “the perfect wife” (or husband)?

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5. Can people fall in love without actually meeting each other?

6. What did you like and not like about this movie?