Chapter 14 The Dance

(一）Words and Phrases

1. Surf: move from site to site on (the internet).

网上浏览

E.g. Surfing the web occupies most of our times when we look for some reference resources.

2. carve out a niche for oneself: establish or create something through painstaking efforts.

为自己谋得合适位置，挣下自己的一亩三分地

E.g. He carves out a niche for himself after so many suffering attempts.

3. Mess around: behave in a silly or playful way, especially so as to cause irritation; spend time doing something in a pleasantly desultory way, with no definite purpose or serious intent.

瞎折腾，惹事生非；游手好闲

E.g. Takeing time to mess around maybe  gives us  another angle to see the world rather than always being busy in routine.

4. Dabble in: take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way.

涉猎，略知一二

E.g. Dabbling in some new activities or programs  would help for understanding growing updated world.

5. Porn 色情文学

6. Chatterbox话匣子

7. Go-getter: 能干的，志在必得的

E.g. She was really a go-getter, who finished the work faster than others did.

8. Frugal, scrimp 节俭

9. Layaway: a system of paying a deposit to secure an item for later purchase.

预付定金购货法

E.g. Layaway can delay temporary pressure of payments but increase the unnecessary expenses.

10. Flex one's muscles: give a show of strength or power.

秀肌肉，显示实力

E.g. He flexed his muscles at the crucial moment.

11. Makeover: a complete transformation or remodeling of something, especially a person's hairstyle, makeup, or clothes.

改头换面

E.g. Constant learning inspires  a lifestyle makeover and increasing developments.

12. Mesmerize: 迷死人，催眠

E.g. The famous actress successfully mesmerized audiences.

13. Nowhere

The middle of nowhere: a place that is remote and isolated.

前不着村后不着店的蛮荒之地

E.g. The car broke down  in the middle of nowhere.

Out of nowhere: appearing or happening suddenly and unexpectedly.

E.g. The monster emerged out of nowhere.

(二）background resources

The Matrix 电影《黑客帝国》

the Holocaust 二战期间纳粹对于犹太人的大屠杀

Jim Crow种族隔离法

（三）Thought-provoking sentences

The trick to looking rich is to have one expensive item, and for the rest of the things go get basic, good-looking quality stuff.

每个人必须要有一项特长，其它的只要具备基本水准，就会让人高看一眼。不可能事事追求完美，这不现实也没必要。出类拔萃并不需要在各方面突出，所以努力的方向是在自己的强项秒杀众人，并且没有明显的弱项。