ESLPodcast 16 - Summertime Vacations (Fast)

I think the best summer vacation I've ever taken was when I went out East a few years ago. Two of my friends and I went on a two-week road trip. At the time, I was living in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the Midwest of the United States. Anyway, we started off by camping every night, but that got real old, real fast. So we started checking in to hotels after about the third day. We were headed for Washington, DC first. Checking in at the hotel was always a bit of a hassle. I wanted to sleep in a double bed, my friends wanted to get a king to share. Lodging is more expensive at a hotel than in a campground, but its much, much more comfortable!

We went to the major tourist attractions in Washington, D.C.—the capitol, Lincoln's Memorial, the White House. We then headed north, passing through Boston headed towards Canada, to Quebec City. When we arrived at the Canadian border, we had to pass through customs and immigration. Customs was easy—we had nothing to declare. Immigration more of a pain. We were ask the standard questions. How long will you be staying in Canada? What is the nature of your visit? Finally, we were permitted to enter, and we drove on to our destination.

Quebec City was beautiful! Unlike many cities, there were no tourist traps to sidetrack you. We spent two days there, then drove on to Montreal. Of course, we had to pass customs and immigration again when we re-entered the United States. Our bags were searched in customs, but other than that we got through fairly easily. A few days later, we were back in Minnesota--home sweet home.

to go out East = to go to the eastern coast in the US
to go out West = to go to the western coast in the US
a road trip = a trip that you drive somewhere (to go on a two-week road trip)
let's take a road trip (informal) = let's drive somewhere on the spur at the moment
on the spur at the moment = without a lot of planning
to get old (informal) = to get tiresome, to be boring, to be not very interesting anymore
(ex. going to the movies every Friday gets old. = going to the movies every Friday is boring if you do it all the time. , Talking to my friend Bob gets old after a while. = Talking to my friend Bob gets boring after a while.)
to get (real) old, real fast = to get old very quickly, to get boring very quickly
to head somewhere, to be headed for/to somewhere = to go (in the direction of) somewhere (Where are you headed? I am headed to the dining room. I'm hungry. / I am headed to Chicago to see my sister. (You can use this expression for short distances and long distances.))
(a bit of) a hassle /n = ความยุ่งยาก, ปัญหา, having a problem of sth. (ex. It's a real hassle to go through immigration. = It's a real bother, It always causes some problems. )
hassle /vt. = to cause sb. problems (ex. Don't hassle me. = Don't cause me any problems.)

The type of bed that you are sleeping
1. a king (size bed) = one of the largest bed you can get (you can sleep two people very comfortably.)
2. a California king = bigger than a regular king (the biggest bed you can get in the hotel in the US)
3. a double bed = a smaller than a king (two people can fit if they are good friends, sleeping close together)

Lodging (ลอจ'จิง) = การพำนัก, การเข้าพัก, a general term we use to cover any place where you are sleeping or staying overnight or in some temporary situation (typically including a campground, a hotel, etc.)
[a/the major] tourist attraction = anything that someone visiting that place would want to see, including a museum, a memorial, a historical site, etc.)
to declare sth. / to make a declaration (when you go through customs) = you have something you are bringing in that requires usually that you get permission or that you pay a tax.
a pain (เพน) (informal) = a hassle, a problem, sth that causes you problems
the standard sth = the normal/regular sth
the nature of your visit = the reason of your visit: for business, for pleasure, or for relaxing
the nature of sth = the most important quality of sth (ex. The nature of jogging is that you get tired. = The center of jogging is after a while you get tired.)
a tourist trap = a type of tourist attractions that is designed mostly to take your money, but not necessary be very enteraining. It would be any place that someone go that is not very enjoyable but it costs a lot of money.
to sidetrack = to get off the track (the track = the path, the road that you are on)
to be sidetrack = to be put off, directed away from where you are going
to sidetrack sb = to get them talking about or interested in a different topic than the one was interested in before (ex. I )
sidetrack /n. (-) (ex. I don't want to get sidetrack. = I want to focus on the most important thing and not things that are less important.)
to search sth = to look in sth (used when you go to customs or are stopped by the police (ex. to search your car, to search your bag, to search your house))
home sweet home = I glad to be home. It's nice to be here. (home referring to the place where you live (your physical home, your home city, your home stage))
1. sweet /n = candy
2. sweet /adj = very nice (ex. She is a sweet girl. She is a sweet person. = She is very nice. She is very polite.)
to take a (summer) vacation = หยุดไปเที่ยวพักผ่อน
At the time, ... = เมื่อ, ครั้น, เมื่อนั้น, ครั้นเมื่อ
campground /n. = An area used for setting up a camp or holding a camp meeting.
capitol /n. = อาคารรัฐสภาของสหรัฐอเมริกา,อาคารนิติบัญญัติของรัฐ,ศาลากลาง
memorial /n = สิ่งเตือนความทรงจำ, ที่ระลึก, อนุสรณ์
pass through somewhere = เดินทางผ่านที่ไหน
head towards somewhere = มุ่งหน้าไปทางไหน
get through = ผ่าน (อะไร)

ESLPodcast 15 - Going to a Concert II (Fast)

My friend Ben and I have been waiting a month to see our favorite band in concert. This was the night. We were so excited. In a small venue like the Whiskey, there wouldn't be a bad seat in the house.

So, we get to the Whiskey really early to find street parking and snagged a spot about four blocks away. Then, we got in line which was already about 20 deep. There were two bouncers outside of the bar and they weren't letting anybody in yet. We waited and waited in line. Finally, the line started to move. When we got to the head of it, one of the bouncers checked our tickets and one of the other employees of the club put a wrist band on each of us. I guess this was to let the employees in the bar know that we belonged there and we weren't crashing the party.

Anyway, we got inside and tried to get as close to the stage as possible. There were already a bunch of people standing in front of the stage in a special roped-off section. These were probably VIP's or maybe they were groupies. Who knows? Anyway, I just know that security wasn't letting anyone get that close.

Before too long, people started to cheer and I knew that the opening act was about to come on. This was a band I'd never heard of before so I wasn't that excited to hear them. They did come out and they started played a set. I couldn't believe it. They were really horrible. The people standing next to Ben and me started boo-ing the band. Other people started throwing things on the stage, like their drinks and their food. After a little while, the boo-ing got so loud, you could hardly hear the band. Finally, they finished their song and left the stage.

The concert-goers were pretty rowdy by this time. Some were yelling, others were getting up on top of the bar and dancing. Just when I thought there was going to be riot, someone got on the microphone and started to introduced the headlining band. All of a sudden, everybody calmed down and started cheering. The band came on stage and started their first number. Then, the room was full of happy campers. Ben and I were both a little nervous for a second there. We didn't know if things were going to get out of hand. But when the band started playing, we knew that everything would be ok. This was turning out to be a great night, just like we'd imagined.

there is not a bad seat in the house. = there is not a bad seat or a bad place to sit in the theater, concert hall, bar, or whatever that place or venue is.
street parking = ที่จอดรถข้างถนน, parking on the street instead of parking in a lot
to snag sth. (สแนก) = to get sth. , to obtain sth. (refer to something that difficult to obtain (ex. ของลดราคาใน super market แล้วคุณสามารถแย่งชิงมันมาได้จากคนอื่นๆ))
to snag a spot = to snag a parking spot
bouncer = คนเฝ้าหน้าร้านที่คอยโยนผู้ไม่ได้รับอนุญาตเข้าออกมา, a person, usually a big, strong, muscular man who stand outside of a bar, a concert venue, to prevent people from coming in who don't belong there. It is sort of like a security person for a bar.
to get to the head of the line = to get to the front of the line
to check your ticket = to look at your ticket and make sure it is the right one.
a wrist band = a piece of plastic that go around the wrist of your arm that often used for bars in the US when there are concerts or some sorts to show that you paid or you have your ticket and it is OK to go in.
to crash the party = to go to a party or a concert where you do not belong (refer not just to parties or celebrations but to any event or situation when someone does not belong.)
to rope off /vt. = to take rope and put it around a place to prevent other people from coming there.
VIP = Very Important People
a groupy (slang) = refer to sb who is a very die-hard fan of a particular music group. a fanatic person about a particular music group.
the opening act = the warmup act = the first band that comes on the stage before the main, the most important, or the most famous band comes on.
act = a group performing
warmup = getting the audiences ready for the main band
to boo (sb) = โห่ใส่ใคร
to be rowdy (เรา'ดี) /adj. = เอะอะตึงตัง, เกเร, พาล, อันธพาล, to be out of control
riot (ไร'เอิท) /n = การจลาจล, การก่อความไม่สงบ
the headlining band = the main band = the band that people have paid to come to see
to start their first/last number = to start playing their first/last song. (a song can be refered to the word "number") (ex. What was their first/last number? = What was their first/last song that they played?)
camper = a person who camps or goes outside to stay in a tent or in some of other temporaly places.
happy campers (informal, slang) = every one satisfied or happy (ex. We have a group of happy campers when the main band comes on after having waiting for a long time.)
belong /vi* = เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของ, อยู่ใน, อยู่สังกัด, เป็นสมาชิกของ
bunch (บันชฺ) = หมู่คน, พวก, กลุ่ม, group (ex. a bunch of people)
a little while /adv.= ชั่วครู่, ประเดี๋ยวเดียว, for a while, a moment, a minute, a second, a short time
a concert-goer = ผู้ที่มาชม concert
yell /vi.,vt.,n = (การ) ตะโกน,โห่,ร้อง,แผดเสียง,ถ้อยคำที่ใช้ร้องเชียร์

ESLPodcast 14 - Going to a Concert I (Fast)

I heard on the radio this morning that my favorite band was going to be in concert here next month. I was so excited. The first thing I did was to call my friend Ben who is also a big fan of the band. Not only was the band playing in town, they were going to play at a bar called the Whiskey. The Whiskey is known as a small, intimate venue so we'd be able to get close to the band. It's not a big amphitheater where you can't even see the band from the nose-bleed section. This would be the ultimate concert experience…if only we can get tickets.

I was sure that the tickets would sell out fast when they went on sale on Saturday morning. So, Ben and I decided to camp out in front of the box office on Friday night. That way, when the box office opened on Saturday morning, we would definitely get tickets. We grabbed a bite to eat on Friday night, then we got dressed in our warmest clothes and took our sleeping bags to the ticket office. This was around 8pm. When we got there, I couldn't believe it! There were already about 15 people in line! And, I was sure we'd be the first ones. Oh well.

Ben and I got into the back of the line and we barely got any sleep all night. We talked to the other people there and we just hung out all night. Nothing got out of hand, though, so we didn't get hassled by the cops. By morning, there were more than 50 die-hard fans in line.

Well, it paid off. When the box office opened at 9 am, we filed up to the window one by one and got our tickets. It was all worth it. I heard afterwards that the concert sold out in less than a half hour! I'm so glad we braved the elements and camped out. I really can't wait until next month!

to wait in line to do sth. = ต่อแถวรอคิวเพื่อที่จะทำอะไร
to be in concert (here)/(at somewhere.) = มาเล่่นคอนเสิร์ต (ที่ไหน) (ex. the musical group, a band, is going to be coming to your town. (= They are going to be in concert here.))
venue (เวน'นิว) = สถานที่ผู้คนมาพบปะหรือชุมนุมกัน, สถานที่ผู้คนมาทำกิจกรรมร่วมกัน ,where you here music (ex. bar)
music venue = concert hall, anywhere you can play music and listen to a concert
intimate /adj. = คุ้นเคย, ใกล้ชิด, สนิทสนม, very close to each other in a place
amphitheater (แอม' ฟิเธียเทอะ) /n = อัฒจันทร์, ที่นั่งชมการแสดงรูปวงกลมที่ไม่มีหลังคา, a huge, very large theater or auditorium for listening to music. (traditionally associated with the amphitheater of ancient Greek that were built up on the side of the hill with the Greek comedy or tragedy were seen)
the nose-bleed section (informal) = a place so far away from the stage or high up in the venue (You will get a nose-bleed from it.)
1. to sell out = /vt. ขายสินค้าไปหมด, /vi. ถูกขายออกไปหมด, (มักใช้กับ ticket) to sell all the tickets that are available (ex. that band is very popular, their concert is sure to sell out. (So, the concert is sold out.))
2. to sell out = to compromise your principle, to do something that is against your own believe for money or for some rewards
1. to go on sale (ใช้กับสินค้าทุกชนิด) = to be ready to be sold, to start selling a particular thing
2. to go on sale (ใช้กับสินค้าทุกชนิด) = to being be sold at a discount.
to put sth. on sale = to discount the price of sth.
to camp out = to go and stay and sleep overnight outdoors
the box office = the place where any kinds of tickets are sold.
to grab a bite to eat (informal) = to get sth. to eat, usually a small meal.
to hang out = to talk to or to be with other people in a very relaxed informal setting, not in a big hurry. (ex. we were hanging out at the cafe yesterday.)
to get out of hand = to get unruly, rowdy, violent, noisy, out of control
not to let sth. get out of hand = not to let sth. go to such a extent that you cannot no longer control it.
to hassle sb = to bother sb = รบกวน, ก่อกวน (ex. Don't hassle me about going to the gym. I know I have to go.)
the cops (informal, slang, slicely negative expression) = police officers
die-hard = sb who is very commited, serious about sth.
die-hard fan = sb who is fanatical, love, or is very much interested in this particular group or thing. (ex. I am a die-hard fan of football.)
a big fan of the band = ให้สังเกตว่าใช้ big เป็น adj ของ fan ก็ได้
commited /adj. = ผูกมัด, , มีพันธะ
to pay off = to be successful (ex. I hope that the work I put into this project pays off. = I hope it is successful.)
to put into sth. = พยายามทำ (บางสิ่ง)
to brave the elements = to go out into bad weather, to go outside when the weather is not very good. (It is maybe raining, cold, or snowing.)
1. ultimate /adj. = ที่สุด, ที่มากที่สุด, Syn. greatest, extreme
2. ultimate /adj. = สุดท้าย, Syn. final
3. ultimate /adj. = พื้นฐาน, Syn. fundamental
a sleeping bag = ถุงนอน
That way, ... = ด้วยวิธีที่กล่าวไปข้างต้น
to get dressed in some clothes = แต่งตัวด้วยเสื้อผ้าอะไรบางอย่าง
to get there = ไปถึงที่นั่น
There are about xx people in line = มีคนอยู่ประมาณ xx คนในแถว
I couldn't believe it! = ฉันไม่อยากจะเชื่อเลย!
not to get any sleep all night = ไม่ได้หลับไม่ได้นอนทั้งคืน
file up to somewhere = เดินเรียงแถวไปยัง ...
one by one /adv. = ทีละคน
afterwards /adv. = หลังจากนั้น, จากนั้น, ต่อมา, ต่อจากนั้น, คราวหน้า, ครั้งต่อไป

ESLPodcast 13 - Dining at a Restaurant II (Fast)

I love coming to this Italian restaurant. The appetizers and desserts are to die for. When the waiter came to our table to take our order, my friend ordered a lobster ravioli dish, and I asked for my favorite, lasagna. The waiter then asked us, "Would you like a soup or salad with that?" My friend said yes; I passed on both.

The vibe in the restaurant is pretty laid back, not at all uptight like you find in some of the ritzier restaurants in Beverly Hills. The wait staff is courteous, although sometimes the hostesses can be a bit snooty.

Anyway, when our meals arrived, everything was cooked to perfection. Since I didn't order any appetizers, soup, or salad, I was starved. Even though I was really hungry, I tried not to gobble down my food too quickly. I didn't want my friend to think I was a pig! But even though I tried not to, I still overate. When the waiter asked if we wanted any dessert or after dinner drinks, I just couldn't resist getting the apple-filled crepes. They are the best.

When we got our check, my friend and I split the bill, as we're accustomed to do. I frankly prefer to go Dutch when I eat out with friends. So that was the end of a really great meal. Now I have to hit the gym if I'm going to lose any of this extra weight I gained from eating that lasagna!

to be to die for = ตายเพื่อมันได้เลย! (แสดงให้เห็นว่านามข้างหน้า absolutely wonderful, great, excellent ส่วนใหญ่ใช้กับพวกอาหารที่ชื่นชอบเป็นพิเศษ)
to take sb's order = (waiter) มารับ order ของใคร (ex. Execute me. Could you ask the waiter to come over and take my order?)
to pass (on sth) (informal) = ขอผ่าน(อะไรซักอย่าง)ละกัน, to refuse/decline sth. , to decide to not have any (ex1. I pass on going to the operate tonight. Instead, I'm going to stay home and watch TV.) (Do you want to go to my friend's house? -> I pass!/Pass!)
vibe (ไวบ์) (informal) = บรรยากาศ, อารมณ์ความรู้สึกที่มีต่อคน สิ่งของ สถานที่หรือเหตุการณ์, the atmosphere, the feeling, the general tone or the way that you perceive the environment (มักใช้กับพวก a restaurant, a night club, or a place ไwhere you will go dancing. That sort of thing!)
to be (pretty) laid back (informal) = to be (very) relaxed
at all /adv. = ทั้งสิ้น, ทั้งหมด, แต่อย่างใด, แต่ประการใด
to be (so) uptight (informal) = ตึงเครียด, to be worried, to be so concerned that you bother other people
Don't be so uptight. = Don't be so anxious. , Don't be so worried about what is happening.
not at all uptight = not getting anxious over anything
ritzy /adj (informal) =หรูหรา, โอ่อ่า, ฟู่ฟ่า, expensive, very high class (usually say about a hotel and a restaurant)
wait staff = Those who are waiters, hosts, or hostesses.
to be (a bit) snooty (-) = หัวสูง, วางมาด, ทำอวดหยิ่ง, who are think that they are better than someone else, they don't talk to people who don't think are their equal.
to hang around with someone = to associate with someone = คบหากับใครเป็นเพื่อน, สนิทสนมกับ
to be starved (informal) = to be very hungry
gobble (กอบ'เบิล) /vt = กลืนกินอย่างรวดเร็ว, สวาปาม, ยัด
to gobble down sb's food = to eat it very/too quickly
I am a pig. = I eat too much.
to overeat = to eat too much
They are the best. = They are the best possible.
check = bill (usually use these words in a restaurant)
Could you bring our bill, please? = Excuse me, could we have our check now? = เก็บเงินด้วย
split the bill = we are going to going to pay whatever we ate or 50%.
to go Dutch = Each person pays for his own meal in restaurant.
to drop weight/ตัวเลข pounds (a bit informal) = to lose weight/ตัวเลข pounds = น้ำหนักลด/ลดน้ำหนัก (ลงกี่ปอนด์)
lobster (ลอบ'สเทอะ) = กุ้งทะเลขนาดใหญ่
ravioli = อาหารอิตาเลียน
lasagna = ชื่่ออาหารอิตาลีชนิดหนึ่ง ประกอบด้วยเส้นพาสต้า, ซอส, เนยแข็ง และอาจมีผักหรือเนื้อ แล้วนำไปอบ
courteous (เคอ'เทียส) adj. = สุภาพนอบน้อม
perfection = ความดีเลิศ, ความสมบูรณ์แบบ, ลักษณะที่ดีพร้อม, ลักษณะที่สมบูรณ์แบบ
resist /vt = ต่อต้าน, ต้านทาน, อดทน
crepe = เครป (ขนมชนิดหนึ่งคล้ายแพนเค้กแต่บางกว่า)
to hit the gym = ไปออกกำลังกายที่โรงยิม

ESLPodcast 12 - Dining at a Restaurant I (Fast)

Well, I love going out to restaurants to eat. One of the best experiences I've had recently was at a place here in Los Angeles called Il Fornaio. It's an Italian restaurant in a very nice part of Beverly Hills. I don't go there very often—I can't really afford it, but every once in a while I'll treat myself.

The last time I went, I walked in with a friend and I was greeted by the hostess. She asked how many people were in my party, and I said, "Just two." "Right this way! I'll show you to your table" she said. She was very polite. When we reached our table by the window, she asked us, "Is this all right?" We said, "Of course!," and then she handed us the menus, along with the wine list. The place setting with the silverware was very complete. There were two forks (one for the salad course, one for the main course), a spoon, a knife, a dinner plate, a dessert spoon on top, a wine glass and a water glass, a cup and saucer for coffee, and a bread basket. I was already getting hungry!

"Your waiter will be with you shortly," the hostess said. So we looked over the menus—so many choices, especially for a lover of Italian food like me.

The waiter came up to the table a few minutes later and said, "Good evening. My name is Giorgio, and I'll be your waiter this evening. Is there anything I can get you started with—a cocktail, a glass of wine?" Well, my friend and I are not exactly big drinkers, so we just ordered a couple of iced teas. "Would you like a few minutes to look at the menu?" he said. We nodded our heads, and he went off to get our drinks.

As I was looking at the appetizers, I spotted one of my favorite dishes—crab cakes! I told my friend that the crab cakes were a must. Just then the waiter returned to our table, with our drinks on a large tray. I was ready to order.

to be able to afford st. = you have money to pay for st.
every once in a while = every so often, not everyday for example, but maybe with less frequency (=เป็นครั้งคราว, บางครั้ง)
to treat myself = to give yourself a present or a gift or something that you really want that just for you something special that you would not normally go out and buy or do
how many people are in your party? = how many people are going to be having lunch or having dinner with you?
party = the number of people in your group
to show sb. to sb's table/door = to take sb. and lead sb. to wherever sb. be going
a lover of sth. = describe sb. who really is an expert or like sth. a great deal, or is very much in love with a certain thing
Is there anything I can get you started with—a cocktail, a glass of wine? = Whether you want an appetizer, a before meal course, or if you want a cocktail or some wine
to be a big drinker (informal) = like to drink a lot of alcohol
to spot sth. = to look, to see, and to find sth (ex. I spotted my friend yesterday at the cafe.) [not necessary because you were looking for it]
a dish = the physical plate, a part of the meal
to be a must = sth. that necessary for me, that I absolutely must have, to express sth. that we have a strong desire for (ex. For me, listening to music in the morning is a must.)
by the window = ใกล้หน้าต่าง (by/prep. = ใกล้)
to hand sb sth = ยื่นอะไรให้ใคร
silverware = เครื่องเงิน
fork (ฟอร์ค) = ส้อม
dessert (ดิเซิร์ท') = ของหวาน, ขนมหวาน
dessert spoon = ช้อนสำหรับตักของหวาน
saucer (ซอ'เซอะ) = จานรองแก้ว,จานรองถ้วย
look over sth = พิจารณา (บางสิ่ง), ไตร่ตรอง (บางสิ่ง)
to nod sb's head = พยักหน้ารับ
go off to do sth = เดินออกไปทำอะไร
appetizer = อาหารเรียกน้ำย่อย
tray(เทร) = ถาด, กระบะ
to be ready to do sth = พร้อมที่จะทำอะไร
crab = ปู
course = ชุดหนึ่ง (อาหาร)
hostess = ผู้หญิงที่ทำหน้าที่ต้อนรับและเลี้ยงดูแขก
waiter = บริกรชาย, พนักงานรับใช้ในร้านอาหารที่เป็นชาย
shortly = ในไม่ช้า, ในเร็วๆ นี้ ex. "Your waiter will be with you shortly,"