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Mark and Steve talk about these words that sound a bit grumpy and grouchy and, in fact, are.Difficulty: Intermediate Category: English usage Duration: 12:56Click here to see the full transcript of this podcastClick here to listen to Growl, groan and mutter

Does acupuncture work? The ancient Chinese medical art of puncturing the skin with tiny needles has now been approved in British Columbia and qualifies as a medical service covered by the public health insurance system. An opinion piece in the National Post today pointed out that while there is no scientific proof of why acupuncture works, a recent study in Germany showed that for back pain, patients treated with acupuncture did better than those treated with medicine and excercise. However, those treated by experts trained in the correct locations of the Qi meridians did about as well as those treated with random pin pricks. Go figure.

there is no excuse whatsoever!i have totally ignored this blog despite the tons of things happening all over Baguio the whole year of 2007.My apologies...anyweiz....now that everyone's out for lunch and my lil' tod is busy with his ps2, i got a bit of a much needed peace and quiet to write my first post for the year 2008. January is almost over and in Baguio, this only means one thing....nope, not Valentines Day! For the highlanders, there is a much bigger day that they are most anticipating of....that is, Panagbenga! (flower festival) A day when tourists from all over the world including, i dare say, almost half of the population of the city comes out of their own little nookies and flock Session road to prove yet again that two people can actually occupy one space. Fine, am exaggerating! But try joining all the fun and chaos of panagbenga and you'll see what i mean. I tried once when i was young (by forced since my photography class in UP required me to do so), and i was left trapped in an overpass. Human traffic much! But what's a festival without all the chaos, the bludgeoning sounds of speakers and instruments, pickpockets and scorching heat. Panagbenga would still be one of the best highlights of this year, or the next year and the year after that....(kids dancing in their most creative costumes, cultural dances, exciting competitions, arts! arts! arts!) So just put on your best shades, your money in the darkest, safest place (your underwear sweetheart!), and slather all the SPF 40 lotion you can get and you're good to go!Me, you say? well...i'll be at home watching the parade on TV (wink!)

Though according to most Chinese predictions that this year will be a year full of arial accidents (am so not taking a plane the whole year this year....cancel our boracay or palawan flight plans honey!) and economic instability (you mean MORE economic instability!), a New Year remains a symbol of a new hope, new chance and a new set of resolutions (which was ironically, actually last year's list).