Jordanians Send Anti-Terror Message Through Theater

In Jordan, some people are using theater to suggest a different path than terrorism. The goal is to use actors to show dangers facing young people who join the Islamic State or other terrorist groups. “Our role is to produce plays, TV drama, tackling the danger of extremism,” a Jordanian actor told VOA. “It is considered a powerful way to fight extremist ideology.” The goal is to offer another view than the one presented by terrorist groups through social media. He said terrorists are using social media “to seduce youth.” A Jordanian actress said she is playing a mother trying to protect her children from extremism. The theater group aims its shows at university students. The shows call for taking care of family and respect for all religions. The group mixes serious messages with humor. The actors say they cannot get their message across if they take a serious tone throughout the shows. In the United States, President Barack Obama recently visited a mosque. He talked about ways to combat terrorism. Obama said it is important for Americans to show respect for Muslims and all they do for the U.S., including serving in the military and Department of Homeland Security. “I want every American to remember how Muslim communities are standing up for others,” Obama said. “Because right now, as we speak, there are Muslims in Kenya who saved Christians from terrorists, and Muslims who just met in Morocco to protect religious minorities, including Christians and Jews.” He also said Muslim leaders should speak out against terrorism. And while Obama said Muslims should feel free to criticize the United States, a right belonging to all Americans, there should be a balance. “Muslim political leaders have to push back on the lie that the West oppresses Muslims and against conspiracy theories that say America is the cause of every ill in the Middle East,” Obama said. I'm Mario Ritter.   Haider al Abdadi reported on this story from Jordan for VOA. Bruce Alpert adapted the story for Learning English.  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   role – n. a part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation ideology – n. the set of ideas and beliefs of a group seduce – v. to persuade someone to do something tone – n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing conspiracy – adj. the believe that some people are engaging in a secret harmful or illegal activity

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Gravitational Waves Detected, Einstein Is Right

It took 100 years, but finally, scientists proved Albert Einstein’s theory that gravitational waves exist. The waves were predicted as part of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity nearly 100 years ago. It was the theory of the physics behind the workings of our world and the universe. The idea was that the waves are like ripples in space, caused by some of the violent and energetic processes in the Universe. For example, two black holes crashing into each other. Now a group of scientists, including ones from from CalTech, MIT and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration finally found the gravitational waves. David Reitze is the executive director of the LIGO observatory at CalTech. “We have detected gravitational waves. We did it! (applause)” Reitze spoke with others at a press conference in Washington, DC this past week. The scientists announced they were able to see ripples in the fabric of spacetime. This is what the waves sounded like. Listen for the “chirp” sound at the end: What are these gravitational waves? Well, imagine throwing a rock into a pond. When the rock hits the flat surface of the water, it creates ripples or waves. Spacetime is like the surface of the water. So that means gravitational waves are like the ripples moving out from where the rock hits the water. It might be hard to understand, but those gravitational waves expand and contract space and time as they move through space. And when they get to the Earth, the waves pass through, and contract and expand the planet as the wave goes by. It was Einstein who said these gravitational waves should be observable. But these are not huge waves. They are very, very small, which is why it took so long to find them. You cannot see them with your eyes. They are smaller than the size of an atom. How did the scientists find them? They used a giant scientific tool called LIGO—which stands for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. The billion-dollar LIGO project is two L-shaped observatories. One is in Louisiana and one in Washington state. Their job was to watch for these gravitational waves. They have been looking on and off since 2002. For years, scientists have been watching two black holes in another galaxy faraway. The two were spinning around each other, moving closer and closer together. When they finally crashed into each other, it was with such power and force, that gravitational waves rang throughout the universe, like a giant bell. Those waves, traveling at the speed of light, finally reached the Earth, some 1.3 billion years later. They are the same waves that the scientists announced this past week. The National Science Foundation tweeted that each of the black holes was thought to be 29 to 36 times the mass of our sun. So, what does this discovery mean? Abhay Ashtekar is a Penn State physicist, who was not on the discovery team. He said: “Our understanding of the heavens changed dramatically.” I’m Anne Ball.   Rick Pantaleo and Kevin Enochs reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think of this discovery? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. Journey of a Gravity Wave from LIGO Caltech Two Black Holes Merge Into One ​______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   gravitational wave - n. a distortion or movement like a ripple in the space, caused by violent and energetic processes in the Universe. ripple – n. a small wave or series of waves black hole - n. in space, an object with so much mass, nothing, not even light can escape its gravity. ripple in the fabric of space-time – phrase: wave moving through space atom –n. the smallest particle of a substance that can exist by itself or be combined with other atoms to form a molecule galaxy –n. any one of the very large group of stars that make up our universe bell - n.  a hollow object, typically made of metal, that sounds a clear musical note when struck

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Lesson 2: Hello, I'm Anna!

Let's Learn English is a new course for English learners. Certified American English teachers designed the course for beginners. The course continues for 52 weeks. Each week, there will be a new lesson with video showing the lives of young Americans. The lesson includes instruction in speaking, vocabulary and writing. There are also printable worksheets, assessments and lesson plans for individual learners and English teachers. We encourage you to follow the weekly lessons and share your progress with us through comments and email.   Summary Anna moves to Washington, DC. She goes to her new apartment and meets a new friend. Conversation   JONATHAN: Hey, Pete! Who’s your friend? PETE: She is Anna. She is new to D.C. JONATHAN: Where are you from? ANNA: I am from a small town. JONATHAN: Well, welcome to D.C. ANNA: Thank you. JONATHAN: I am Jonathan. I am in apartment B4. ANNA: I am in apartment C2. Marsha is my roommate. JONATHAN: I know Marsha. She is nice. PETE: I have to go now. ANNA: Oh! PETE: Remember to call Marsha at work. Tell her you’re here. ANNA: Right, thanks, Pete. Nice to meet you! JONATHAN: You too, Bye. ANNA: Apartment C2 here I come!   Learning Strategies  Learning strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. This lesson's learning strategy is preview. To preview is to look over what you will study in advance. During the preview, remember what you already know about the topic and the language, and think of what you need to learn. For example, Mari previews the video for Lesson 2 of Let's Learn English. She sees the title is "Hello, I'm Anna." She thinks, "This lesson is about meeting people. What words do I know in English for when I meet people? What do people usually say and do?" She knows, "Nice to meet you" from Lesson 1. She remembers hearing "Where are you from?" in class. She wants to know if the new friends ask other questions. Mari keeps this in mind as she watches the video. When she hears Jonathan ask, "Where are you from?" she smiles and thinks, "I know what that means already!" She watches carefully to see how Anna answers the question. Preview is an important learning strategy because it helps you prepare for what you will learn. See the Lesson Plan for more details.   Listening Click on the video below to learn about the listening activity. Each question has a video. Play the video and choose the correct answer. Speaking Practice Listen to the speaker in the video. Use your computer or phone to record yourself saying the words. Listen to yourself, then listen to the video again. Can you say the words the same way? If not, listen carefully and try again. Pronunciation Practice Watch the video to learn about linked sounds.  Slow Speech: You are here. Fast speech: You’re here. Writing We often write our name and address on forms. Americans write and say an address this way: name, number, street city, state, zip code, country. How do people in your country address an envelope? Anna sends a letter to her family. Look at how she writes the address: Now download the worksheet and practice filling in a form and addressing an envelope. Now it's your turn. Write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson. To receive a free 2016 VOA Calendar, include your postal address (we will not publish the address, of course).  __________________________________________________________________ New Words   know - v. to have met and talked to (someone) meet - v.  to see and speak to (someone) for the first time. Anna meets Pete near her apartment.  call - v.  to make a telephone call. I call once a week to talk to my parents. friend - n. a person who you like and enjoy being with. Meet my friend, Anna. number - n.  a number or a set of numbers and other symbols that is used to identify a person or thing or a telephone number. I am in apartment number D7. remember - v. to have or keep an image or idea in your mind of (something or someone from the past) or to think of (something or someone from the past) again. Do you remember me?  roommate - n. a person who shares a room, apartment, or house with someone else. Anna and Marsha both live in apartment C2 because they are roommates. work - n.  the place where you do your job. She is not at work today.  

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Benjamin Banneker: Surveyor, Mathematician, Astronomer

Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore County, Maryland in 1731. His mother was a free black. His father was a freed slave. At the time, the American colonies were heavily engaged in the slave trade from Africa. Around the time Banneker was born, about 37,000 enslaved people arrived in the colonies. Free black people such as Banneker were rare. Free blacks also faced the risk of being kidnapped and sold as slaves. A talented youth                                  Young Benjamin Banneker showed remarkable skill in mathematics and mechanics. He did not regularly go to school because of his work on the family farm. But he did briefly attend a local Quaker school. Quakers are a religious community who believe in racial equality, an unusual idea at the time. The mechanics of machines greatly interested young Banneker. He showed his mechanical abilities by building an accurate clock made of wood, at the age of 22. Some say it was the only clock of its kind in the Americas. The device continued to run for many years until it was destroyed by fire. Banneker also used his mathematical knowledge to calculate the time of a solar eclipse. That knowledge was also useful in calculating longitude and latitude, methods for finding a place’s position on the globe. Planning the nation’s capital As a young man, Banneker developed a working relationship with a surveyor named Andrew Ellicott. Surveying is the measuring and mapping of land. It was an important task in a young country where land records needed to be made. Many influential men, including George Washington, worked as surveyors. In 1791, Ellicott was given the task of surveying land for the new federal district that would become the capital of the United States. Ellicott hired Banneker to help him. They worked to set accurate boundaries for the District of Columbia. Banneker is credited with positioning the starting point at Jones Point in Alexandria, Virginia. An almanac Banneker put his abilities to use in other ways, too. He began publishing an almanac in 1792. Almanacs are books containing a wide range of information. They often include times and dates for astronomical events, like sunrise and sunset and for high and low tides. It was the kind of information that farmers or fishermen around the Chesapeake Bay would need and use. In addition, Banneker’s almanac gave times for meetings of the courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as essays and other interesting writings. The almanac was titled the “Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanac and Ephemeris.” Creating it gave Banneker an idea. The year before the first copy was published, he sent an early version to Thomas Jefferson, who was then the secretary of state. With the book, Banneker sent a letter. Letter to Jefferson Jefferson was known throughout the country as the author of the Declaration of Independence. Banneker knew the document stated that “all men are created equal.” It also said that all men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Banneker considered it unfair that those rights should not be recognized for all people in the country. He said in his letter that Jefferson proposed to safeguard the rights of the people when he wrote his famous document. “This, Sir, was a time when you clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery, and in which you had just apprehensions of the horrors of its condition.” Jefferson, then the nation’s secretary of state, replied to Banneker’s letter. He said, “No body wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given to our black brethren, talents equal to those of the other colors of men.” The letter and Jefferson’s reply to it raise important questions about the condition of slaves and the young nation’s dedication to liberty. But it also questioned the thoughts and opinions of one of the most famous politicians and thinkers in America at the time. These questions are not easy to answer and they can be asked again and again by successive generations. Banneker published six almanacs in 28 editions. He continued to live on his farm until his death in 1806. By that time, Thomas Jefferson was serving his second term as President of the United States. The letter to Benjamin Banneker from Thomas Jefferson can be found online at the Library of Congress website.   Mario Ritter wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly J. Kelly and Kathleen Struck were the editors. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   accurate –adj. able to produce results that are correct longitude –n. the distance measured by degrees from east to west around the globe latitude –n. the distance measured in degrees north to south ephemeris –n. an document that gives times, dates and position for astronomical objects in the sky like the sun, moon and planets unalienable –adj. impossible to take away or give up apprehensions –n. fear that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen, worries brethren –n. a formal way to say brothers or to refer to fellow members of a church

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English in a Minute: Fly Under the Radar

This saying has to do with avoiding attention. But, how could "flying" under something help you avoid attention? Let Anna, Jonathan, and Ashley explain this week's English in a Minute expression!

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America's Destinations 'On the Rise'

New York City may be the most popular place to visit in America, but the country has many small towns that are worth exploring, too. Here are the 2016 “Destinations on the Rise,” chosen by the travel website TripAdvisor. The expression ‘on the rise’ means that something is becoming better and more popular. The list includes the 10 destinations that saw the largest increase in positive TripAdvisor traveler reviews in the past year. Most of the cities on the list are small, with less than 20,000 people. Four of the destinations -- including the number-one pick -- are next to some of America’s most famous national parks.   1. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Number one on the list is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is best known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most-visited national park. Gatlinburg offers hiking, fishing, and horseback riding in all seasons. Visitors can ride up to the top of the 100-meter Gatlinburg Space Needle for views of the Smoky Mountains. The area’s scenery attracts painters, photographers and other artists.       2. Orange Beach, Alabama Number two on the list is Orange Beach, Alabama. Orange Beach sits along the Gulf of Mexico. It is a popular place for travelers looking for rest and calm on the white sand beaches. Orange Beach serves up excellent Gulf Coast seafood, like fried oysters and seafood gumbo. It is known as an excellent location for deep-sea fishing.   ​3. Destin, Florida Just two hours east of Orange Beach is Destin, Florida, the third pick on the list. The beach town calls itself the “world’s luckiest fishing village.” It is home to several kilometers of white sand beaches along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The town of 12,000 people welcomes more than 4 million visitors a year. Destin even holds a yearly “Fishing Rodeo.”   4. South Lake Tahoe, California Number four is South Lake Tahoe, California. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Tahoe is along the California-Nevada border. The area offers outdoor adventures and beautiful views. One way to enjoy the mountains and lake view is on the 5-kilometer ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola. In the winter, the gondola takes you up to Tahoe’s famous ski areas. In summer, the same area offers hiking opportunities.   ​ 5. Jackson, Wyoming Next on the list is #5 - Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson is in the valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and just six kilometers from Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is also close to Yellowstone, the world’s first national park. Like Tahoe, people come to Jackson Hole in the winter to ski. The spring and summer offer hiking and plenty of chances to see wildflowers and wildlife, from elk to bison to black bears. The Grand Teton Music Festival brings classical music to the mountains every summer. Summer visitors can also go to a rodeo to experience the Old West.   6. Estes Park, Colorado Our sixth destination is Estes Park, Colorado. Estes Park sits 2,300 meters above sea level in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The area is a paradise for nature lovers. Estes Park’s main street is lined with art galleries and shops. The city is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, which provides visitors with scenic drives, rock climbing, and world-class hiking.   7. Anchorage, Alaska Number seven is Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage is Alaska’s biggest city. It is located near several of the state’s eight national parks, including the Kenai Fjords National Park, known for its glaciers and wildlife. Anchorage marks the start of the famous Iditarod dog sled race, which takes place every year in March. Anchorage is also home to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where visitors can learn about Alaska’s native people.   8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh is known as the Steel City. It is home to more than 400 bridges and 300 steel-related businesses. Pittsburgh is also often called “America’s Best Sports City” because of its many professional sports teams. The city has 90 neighborhoods, which represent the diverse history of Pittsburgh. In 2004, the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Central Northside started providing international writers in exile a place to live through a program called City of Asylum.   9. Portland, Maine Portland, Maine is #9 on the list. Portland is on southern Maine’s rocky coast. Portland’s city motto is, “Yes. Life’s good here.” The city is famous for its food, art, and nature. Visitors come to eat Maine lobster at one of Portland’s downtown restaurants. Nearby are many beaches, walking trails, and places to go boating or fishing.   10. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Our 10th and final destination 'on the rise' is Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The Big Island of Hawaii has eight of the world’s 13 climate zones. The historic fishing village of Kailua-Kona is on the western, “dry side” of the Big Island. The area grows some of the most prized coffee beans in the world, Kona coffee. From Kailua-Kona, visitors can explore the Mauna Kea volcano. The 4,200-meter top is home to the world’s largest observatory for astronomy. The research center has high-powered telescopes that visitors can use to explore the night sky. I’m Ashley Thompson. And I’m Caty Weaver. Join us next week when we reveal the world’s top destinations 'on the rise!' ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   destination - n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sent gateway - n. near the entry to a place hike - v. to walk a long distance especially for pleasure or exercise​ scenery - n. a view of natural features (such as mountains, hills, valleys, etc.) that is pleasing to look at rodeo - n. an event in which people compete at riding horses and bulls, catching animals with ropes, etc. alpine - adj. existing in high mountains gondola - n.  a vehicle that hangs from a cable and is used for carrying passengers (such as skiers) especially up a mountain festival - n. an organized series of performances paradise - n. a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect gallery - n. a business that sells paintings, sculptures, etc. world-class - adj. among the best in the world sled - n. a small vehicle that has a flat bottom or long, narrow strips of metal or wood on the bottom and that is used for moving over snow or ice diverse - adj. made up of people or things that are different from each other asylum - n. protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmed​ downtown - n. the main or central part of a city or town 

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New Land, New Customs

As refugees and migrants flood Europe, Finland is teaching its new arrivals about appropriate behavior. Over 1 million migrants arrived in Europe in 2015. Most were fleeing struggling economies and war in places like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and East Africa. Many of these people arrive in new countries like Germany, Sweden or Finland and expect life to become easier almost immediately, a recent news story by the BBC explained. After all, they just traveled months by foot and by boat just to get to a new country and start fresh. But when they arrive, the migrants face a world that can be confusing in many ways. Melissa Fogg is the program manager for the Philadelphia Refugee Mental Health Collaborative (PRMHC). The PRMHC is an organization that helps refugees entering the U.S. build their lives in their new country. The PRMHC teaches the refugees skills and helps them adjust to living in a different environment. Fogg told VOA that weather, language and safety issues are only some of the things that can cause problems. "A lot of immigrants and refugees … when they come, they have a very idealized version of the United States from movies, magazines, the media … And a lot of that is just not true. … Generally, our country is very welcoming and very accepting of immigrants. But it can be a tough environment to come into, with a lot of barriers." What seems normal in one country might be illegal in another country. For example, men and woman have equal rights under the law in Finland and the U.S. One male student from Mali told the BBC, "It's quite amazing. … In my country a woman should not go out without her husband or brother." There are laws about gender equality in many countries. These laws can be hard for new arrivals to understand. But that is not the only confusing thing about being in a different country. Some laws and rules are written down. You can learn about them before you arrive. But there are lots of "unwritten rules," too. Unwritten rules are behaviors that no one talks about, but that most people understand. People in a host country might think their behavior is normal, while newcomers might find it offensive or inappropriate. Fogg said that these differences can make becoming part of a new culture seem impossible. "When people come to a new country, at first they’re very excited... Shortly after that, there is reality that sets in. America’s not a perfect country." But, after some time and a lot of work, most new arrivals begin to feel like they belong, Fogg said. Also, it is important to know that not all differences are major. Often there can be small differences between places that share a border and a language. A person from Canada might find people in the United States are less polite. Likewise, Americans might find Canadians too reserved. Fogg and VOA worked together to create a list of five important issues any new arrival to the U.S. should know about. Be "on time." In some cultures, time is not a big issue. If you tell your friend to meet you at 2 p.m. and you arrive at 2:45 p.m., there is no problem. In the U.S., people feel that being on time is a sign of respect. If you are late by more than a few minutes, people will think you do not care. They will feel you are wasting their time. They will take your lateness as an insult. Being on time is even more important in a professional or formal situation, such as a job interview or when you plan to see a doctor. Be sure you always "tip." In many countries, after you eat at a restaurant, you only pay the amount shown on the bill. But, in the U.S., people who work in restaurants and bars often earn a low hourly wage. So, they try to provide excellent service, hoping the customer will give them a “tip,” meaning a little extra. Tips are extra money you pay above the cost of the meal. People in the U.S. tip between 15 percent and 20 percent of the bill. You also give tips to taxi drivers, hotel employees and the people who cut your hair. Be careful what you say. Any place you go there will be some things that are appropriate to talk about and some things that are not. Would you talk about how good you feel with a person who is very sick? Probably not. In addition, many people in the U.S. can feel strongly about some topics that people in other cultures have no problem discussing. Assuming that people have the same beliefs as you is a bad idea. In the past decade, people in the U.S. have become more open about discussing strong political and religious views. But it is still best to listen to people share their opinions first and then decide about sharing your own. Also, there are several topics you should avoid asking questions about: how much money a person makes and if they are married. But if a person offers this information, then there is no problem. Be aware of "personal space." Physical contact is the best way to show someone they are your friend or loved one in some cultures. Other cultures feel that showing affection in public is highly inappropriate. People in the U.S. fall somewhere in the middle on this issue. Two people usually do not kiss when saying “Hello,” unless they are family members or very close friends. Shaking hands is the most common thing to do when meeting someone. Also, people in the U.S. dislike it when strangers stand very near them. Be polite for the situation. People in the U.S. define being polite in very special ways. For example, waiting in line involves a strong set of rules in this country. You must wait until the people in front of you have done what they are waiting to do. When going through a door, the person behind you expects you to hold the door for them. Also, it is common for people you do not know to say some form of hello to you when passing you. But this does not always mean they are inviting you to stop and talk for a long time! Many times the person is just being friendly. If you don’t say hello back to them they may think you are being unfriendly. You should examine the situation and think about what you want to do next. I’m Dan Friedell. And I’m Pete Musto.   Dan Friedell and Pete Musto wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck and George Grow were the editors. We want to hear from you. What are some situations you faced while visiting the U.S. that you were not prepared for? What are some things people should know about the culture before visiting your country? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   appropriate – adj. right or suited for some purpose or situation migrant(s) – n. a person who goes from one place to another especially to find work confusing – adj. difficult to understand adjust – v. to change in order to work or do better in a new situation idealized - adj. someone or something that people think of as being perfect tough – adj. very difficult to do or deal with quite – adv. to a very noticeable degree or extent amazing – adj. causing great surprise or wonder set(s) in – p.v. to begin to be present or show something unpleasant or unwanted that often lasts for a long time polite – adj. having or showing good manners or respect for other people newcomer(s) – n. a person who has recently arrived somewhere reserved – adj. not openly expressing feelings or opinions customer – n. someone who buys goods or services from a business assuming – v. thinking that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true  

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The Power of Touch

From VOA Learning English, this is the Health and Lifestyle report. What is your first language? French? Chinese? Russian? Or English? How about none of the above? The first language of all humans is touch. In the womb we begin touching our face in an effort to learn about ourselves. As infants we are calmed and soothed by our mother’s touch. Through all stages of our lives, we are comforted, we are helped, by touch. Students who receive a supportive touch participate more in class. Athletes have better games if they receive a high-five or a slap on the back from a teammate. Clinical studies done over the years have found that a loving touch can lower our blood pressure, reduce anxiety and stress, and raise the levels of our good hormones. Matt Hertenstein is an experimental psychologist at DePauw University in Indiana. He studies how touching can affect a person’s physical and emotional health. Hertenstein has written many articles on the power of touch. He writes in a 2010 report that if a child does not have enough loving touches early in life, the brain does not grow to normal size. Also, the connections between neurons do not develop properly. In a recent interview with National Public Radio (NPR), Hertenstein said he found that loving touches can lower levels of cortisol – sometimes called the “stress hormone” -- and raise levels of oxytocin -- sometimes called the “cuddle” or “bonding hormone.” Even simple hand-holding causes levels of the stress hormone cortisol to drop. You don’t have to be a researcher to know this. In his song “Human Touch,” Bruce Springsteen sings about it. I ain't lookin' for prayers or pity I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch I just want someone to talk to And a little of that human touch Just a little of that human touch But besides studies and rock songs, I am sure we all have stories about how a loving, caring touch helped to make a bad situation better. Here is my first-person story. It is a winter day and I am walking home from work. It is cold and windy. I cross my arms against my body, trying to make myself warmer. My head points down against the wind. I curse myself for not wearing a warmer coat.     The pavement goes by quickly under my feet, as I think about my undone work waiting for me on my computer. I think about the mistakes I made and what I could’ve done better. I remind myself to pay the bills. I think about what I’m going to cook for dinner. Taking inventory in my mind, I worry. There are no fresh vegetables in my house. None. Not even a pea. I need to shop. My mind is miles and miles away. Then I notice her. She is walking in front of me on the sidewalk. Well, she is not really walking, more like shuffling along in her house slippers. Her back is hunched over. She is not wearing a coat and her short, gray hair is messy. As I pass her, she turns and smiles. Her smile lights up her face. I see that she is well into her 80s, maybe even early 90s. And she is holding some letters in her hands. I walk on and arrive at the traffic light. Waiting there, I see the mailbox across the street. The light turns green for me to cross the street. But I pretend to check my phone and wait for her to catch up to me. In this neighborhood, even crossing with the green light is dangerous. Drivers often drive wildly through red lights and stop signs. When she reaches me on the sidewalk, we wait, side-by-side, for the light to change. I want to speak to her, but I’m not sure. People are often untrusting of strangers in the city, and rightfully so. But I turn to her and gently touch her on the arm. “Excuse me ma’am. Can I help you?” She smiles and answers in a language I do not understand. Is it Polish? Hungarian? It sounds Eastern European. But then she waves her hand as if to say, “We don’t need to talk, my dear.” She seems like the kind of woman who would call me “dear.” She takes my hand in hers and holds it. Her small hand is soft and warm. So, now we’re waiting hand-in-hand for the light to change. What might have felt awkward, feels comfortable. The light changes and we walk together slowly across the street. I drop the letters in the mailbox and take her back across the street. When safely across, she says, “thank you” in beautifully accented English and waves good-bye. As I walk home the rest of the way home I can still feel the warmth of her hand in my own. I touch my hand to my cheek. As a cold wind blows across my face, I look up to meet it. The night sky is beautiful and the air is crystal clear. A baby waves at me from inside a passing car. I watch a clumsy squirrel jump onto a tree branch and miss. I laugh and laugh. Even as I write this, thinking of her, I can still feel her soft, warm hand in mine. I’m Anna Matteo. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   shuffling – v. to bend your body forward and down so that your back is rounded to slide your feet along the ground or back and forth without lifting them completely hunched – v. to bend your body forward and down so that your back is rounded messy – adj. not clean or tidy; not neat pretend – v. to make believe pavement – n. the artificially covered surface of a public thoroughfare inventory ­– n. a complete list of the things that are in a place awkward – adj. causing embarrassment comfortable – adj. allowing you to be relaxed : causing no worries, difficulty, or uncertainty crystal clear – adj. perfectly clear : able to be seen through completely clumsy – adj. moving or doing things in a very awkward way and tending to drop or break things

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Valentine's Day Love Lost and Found

Joyce Morris and Norwood Thomas met in 1944 during the height of World War ll. The war tore them apart. Is there a happy ending 72 years later?

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Let's Talk About Love, Baby

From VOA Learning English, this is Words and Their Stories. In English, some people like to say that “Love makes the world go ‘round.” This means that of the many things we experience, love is the most important. And Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love. Let’s start at the beginning. Step 1: Meet someone To be in love, you first have to meet someone special. When two people meet and really hit it off, they get along from the start. This is an informal expression – something used in everyday speech. To hit it off does not mean that you and the other person are in love. At least not yet!                                           But let's say you meet someone and from the very first moment you set eyes on them, they seem to have a strange power over you. That is not simply hitting it off. That is what we call love at first sight.              Another informal saying is to have a crush on someone. Not only is crushing on someone informal, it is more likely to involve young people. So, you might hear a teenager say they have a crush on someone. A crush is usually not serious. A crush can also be called puppy love. Again, these are all informal expressions. So it is better not to use these expressions in a formal way to talk about a love interest that is serious.  If you are nervous about getting closer to the object of your affections, you can say you admire them or love them from afar. This is something an adult might say.                                          When you are smitten with someone, you think of that person all the time. You hang on every word they say. They are your one and only. And you only have eyes for them, which means everyone else seems to just disappear. If you meet someone and fall head over heels in love, you fall in love … hard. True love can sweep you off your feet. Love can take your breath away. Love can make your heart beat faster and give you other physical symptoms that are similar to feeling sick. Step 2: Become a couple After you and that special someone are in a serious relationship, people might call you a match made in heaven. This does not mean that the two of you should be making plans for spending the afterlife together. And it doesn’t mean that you met in a house of worship. A match made in heaven simply means two people have much in common or that each person makes the other better.  Another expression that means the same thing is soul mate. This is one way to describe a really close friend who understands you. If you love someone completely, you can say you love them with all your heart and soul. “Heart and soul. I fell in love in with you heart and soul, The way a fool would do -- madly, because you held me tight …” Step 3: Marry or break-up? If your love relationship is going well, that special someone may pop the question. That is, “Will you marry me? But sometimes love does not make it down the aisle. In other words, problems arise in the relationship before you get married. If your relationship hits a difficult period, you can say it is on the rocks. This saying comes from boating. When a boat or ship is on the rocks, it runs aground and breaks apart. The expression “on the rocks” has been used to mean disasters since the late 1800s. Neil Diamond sings about a relationship in trouble in his hit song, “Love on the Rocks.” "Love on the rocks ain't no surprise Pour me a drink, And I'll tell you some lies, Got nothing to lose, So you just sing the blues, all the time..." Many relationships that are on the rocks end in a break-up. But if your relationship ends, do not be sad for long. We have another expression in English: “It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” From VOA Learning English, I’m Anna Matteo. Happy Valentine's Day! "And I will always love you ..."   Anna Matteo wrote this Words and Their Stories for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Love Songs in This Story   The music for “Heart and Soul” was written by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics were written by Frank Loesser. This original 1938 version is performed by Larry Clinton & his Orchestra, featuring Bea Wain. "Love on the Rocks" is written by Neil Diamond and Gilbert Bécaud. The song won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song for the 1980 movie The Jazz Singer. It is performed here and in the film by Neil Diamond. "I Will Always Love You" is a song written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It is sung here by Whitney Houston.

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Olympic Athletes Concerned About Zika Virus

With the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, national Olympic committees are discussing whether to send their athletes to the Games. Brazil reported the first case of Zika virus in May 2015. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus could be linked to 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly in Brazil. Microcephaly is when babies are born with small heads. Their brains do not develop properly. It is a form of brain damage. Last week, the WHO declared the spread of Zika a global public health emergency. It said the virus could infect as many as 4 million people across the Americas. The news came as Brazil’s second-largest city, Rio de Janeiro, is getting ready to host the Olympic Games in August. Brazil President Dilma Rousseff said her “entire government is working on fighting this emergency.” And its sports minister said the country has no plans to cancel the Games. Alan Ashley is the sport performance director for the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). He said to the Reuters news agency that no athletes should go to Brazil “if they don’t feel comfortable going.” The USA women’s soccer team had an Olympic qualifying game against Costa Rica earlier this week in Texas. There, many American athletes were asked if they were concerned about Zika. Hope Solo is the goalie for the U.S. national team. She has won two Olympic gold medals and helped the USA team win the Women’s World Cup last summer. Solo said even though she has no plans to become pregnant, she might not go to Brazil unless conditions related to Zika change. “If I had to make the choice today, I wouldn’t go,” she told Sports Illustrated before the game. “I would never take the risk of having an unhealthy child.” Solo explained that women athletes have different considerations than men. “Competing in the Olympics should be a safe environment for every athlete, male and female alike. Female athletes should not be forced to make a decision that could sacrifice the health of a child.” And the USOC said it is taking the threat of Zika seriously. Team USA won the most medals at the 2012 Olympics in London, finishing ahead of China, 103-88. If some key athletes from the USA do not attend the Olympics, it could affect the standings. In Kenya, officials said it is too early to consider not going to the Games. Also, the Olympics will take place during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, which should limit the mosquito population due to cooler weather. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting by Reuters, Sports Illustrated, and the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor.   How do you think fears of Zika will affect the Olympics? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   outbreak – n. a sudden start or increase of disease goalie – n. the player that defends the goal in sports like soccer and hockey standings – n. a list that shows the positions of the players or teams that are competing against each other defect – n. a problem or fault that makes someone or something not perfect mosquito – n. a small flying insect that bites the skin of people and animals and sucks their blood

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