Tom和Vivian是香港一家跨国公司的雇员。Vivian被升职，要调到美国奥兰多的办事处。她知道Tom是从芝加哥调到香港来的，所以向Tom征求意见。Tom谈到利弊时说：
T: On a financial note, you'll probably be able to save a lot more of your salary and have more disposable income, as rents and living costs in that area are reasonable.
V: Yes. From a financial standpoint relocating makes sense, but I just want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot. Happiness is important, right?
Tom说，要说钱，奥兰多房租、生活费用很合理，reasonable, 所以Vivian会有更多可支配的收入，disposable income.
Vivian表示，如果光看钱，去奥兰多确实很合适，make sense, 但是她不愿意搬起石头砸自己的脚，I just want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot. 因为开心还是很重要的。
T: Oh, absolutely. But Florida is a beautiful state with a nice climate. You'll be able to enjoy the beaches and take vacations in Miami!
V: Sounds good. It's just such a hard decision for me. I want to branch out and spread my wings, but there's so many "unknowns."
Vivian说，她想扩大发展，展开双臂，branch out and spread my wings, 但是又有太多的未知数，Unknowns.
T: Yeah, I also had mixed emotions when they first offered me this job. But I have a favorite quote by the poet John Berryman that helped me a lot.
V: Which is?
T: "We must travel in the direction of our fear."
V: That's a great quotation. So let's say I'm leaning towards relocating. Got any practical tips?
Tom用诗人John Berryman的一句话鼓励 Vivian. "We must travel in the direction of our fear." 我们必须要面对恐惧前行。Tom还有哪些建议呢？
T: Yeah...do your homework. Get online and research where you're going. Learn about the history, geography, climate...etc. Then when you get there, you'll feel like you already know the place a bit.
V: How long did it take you to settle into your new environment?
T: I have to be honest. For the first 3 months I was pretty unhappy. I didn't like the food, couldn't figure out the subway system and, for me, Hong Kong is a noisy place. But after the four month-mark, I began to feel much better.
Do your homework? 这是英语里很常用的一种说法，意思是事先准备。Tom建议Vivian去了解一下奥兰多的情况。 Tom还说，他刚来香港的时候，也很不习惯。你记得他是什么时候开始适应的吗？没错，四个月。
V: Now how does it feel? You've been here for a full year, right?
T: My one-year anniversary is next week, and I have to say, I've never been happier.
V: Thanks for sharing your experiences with me, Tom. I really appreciate it. You helped me clarify my own feelings.
T: Glad to be of help. Don't forget to invite me to your going away party!
V: I won't!
Vivian谢谢Tom帮忙，Tom说，不要忘记请我参加你的going away party临行聚会。 |