CINEMA IN VIETNAM

In the past, Vietnam cinema has witnessed its golden age in early of 1990s when people had to get into long queue-up line to get the ticket for their favourite films. At that time, there was actually an idolization wave in their fans. People considered actors and actresses as stars in their hearts. Posters of them were sticked numerously on the wall. Their faces appeared massively on newspaper and their personal information was a hot and juicy news for readers.
However, things totally changed in late 1995. The glamour just suddenly disappeared like it never existed. After that, all cinemas just fell into a long sleep like as fairy tales.
In 2003, GAI NHAY made a big boom which helped Vietnam movies turning to another page. Following its buzz, a chain of made-in Vietnam movies hit the cinema in last few years which drew audiences back to cinema.
Capturing that demand, many investors have pumped their money into building cinema complex in which Galaxy is a pioneer for example. It has set up a new way of movie entertainment : high-quality cinema with air conditioner, surrounding-sound system and modern accommodation with better and professional service. Megastar is a fresh player but it has made its identity to audience with many cinema complexes across Vietnam and its service.
In Vietnam, Tet is a hot season for movies. Nu Hon Than Chet was a blockbuster in Tet 2008.
Today we will discuss more about Vietnamese movie and cinema. We would like to hear your ideas of it.

Questions:

1/ Have you recently gone to the cinema? If yes, what cinema? And what movie?
2/ What do you think of that movie?
3/ How about the service and infrastructure of that cinema?
Is there any difference between now and in the past?
4/ What do you think about the price of drink in cinema?
5/ What do you think of ticket price? Is it high for you?
6/ Do you think who usually go to the cinema? Why?
7/ Some people say they would rent/buy a DVD and watch movie at home. It is cheap and you can watch movie as soon as it is shown in US. What do you think of it?
8/ Did you watch Tet movies in cinema in 2008? What movies?
9/ Which one did you like best? Tell us why?
10/ Did you have any difficulty for booking the ticket?

What are your plans in 2008?

Everyone has own aims and targets and we usually have plans to get them. Plans can be big or small ones and this depends on the extent of targets of everybody. It is not easy at all to have suitable plans which can help us find the efficient and logical ways to have exactly what we want. The problem is what the secret of good planning is. According to a Managing Director of a Traveling company in USA, the most important thing of a good planning is to know exactly what it is that we want to achieve, and define it, and define by when we want to achieve it and with that information, then we can set a deadline and identify the tasks that are necessary to achieve that goal, basically get on with them to a timetable.
There are some things which are clearly out of our control. Plans sometimes go wrong and what should we do if this happens? In my opinion, we can do ourselves to accept that, not worry too much about that. When things change sometimes not for the better, we should be calm to step back, reassess the situation and redefine the goals. This might even mean changing the end goal but I think knowing exactly what it is that we want to achieve is always the important thing.
New year is coming and of course we have a lot plans for this year or our life alike so why don’t you tell us your goals and your plans to reach those goals? Hope some ideas from the presentation above can help you find it easier in making suitable and smart plans.
And now it’s time for us to discuss this topic and these are some questions:

1/ Did you have any target last year?
2/ Have you achieved that? If yes, what have you done to hit that? If not, why? What are the reasons?
3/ Have you got any target or goal in your life? What are they? (in your career, study, love, ect.)
4/ What do you often do to get your goals?
- Do you usually make plans to get your targets or just think that” what will be will be”?
- After having plans, what do you do to put your plans into practice?
5/ Could you tell us your goals this year and your plans to achieve them?
- What exactly will you do to achieve the goals that you have set up?
6/ In your opinion, if your plans go wrong and this might corrupt your long-term project which you put your heart in, what would you do?
7/ “ Plans are nothing; planning is everything”- Dwight D Eisenhower (1890-1969), 34th President of the United States.
- Do you agree with above sentence? Why or why not?

FURTHER READING:
How to Succeed in Life
by Andrew Carnegie
From The Pittsburg Bulletin, 19 December 1903. Reprinted from the New York Tribune.
Everybody wants to preach to the young, and tell them to be good and they will be happy. I shall not enter far upon that field, but confine myself to presenting from a business man's standpoint of view, a few rules, which, I believe, lie at the root of business success.

First--Never enter a bar-room. Do not drink liquor as a beverage. I will not paint the evil of drunkenness, or the moral crime; but I suggest to you that it is low and common to enter a bar-room, unworthy of any self-respecting man, and sure to fasten upon you a taint which will operate to your disadvantage in life, whether you ever become a drunkard or not.

Second--I wish young men would not use tobacco--not that it is morally wrong, except in so far as it is used in excess and injures health, which the medical faculty declares it does. But the use of tobacco requires young men to withdraw themselves from the society of women to indulge the habit. I think the absence of women from any assembly tends to lower the tone of that assembly. The habit of smoking tends to carry young men into the society of men whom it is not desirable that they should choose as their intimate associates. The practice of chewing tobacco was once common. Now it is considered offensive. I believe the race is soon to take another step forward, and that the coming man is to consider smoking as offensive as chewing was formally considered. As it is practically abandoned now, so I believe smoking will be.

Third--Having entered upon work, continue in that line of work. Fight it out on that line (except in extreme cases), for it matters little what avenue a young man finds first. Success can be attained in any branch of human labor. There is always room at the top in every pursuit. Concentrate all your thought and energy upon the performance of your duties. Put all your eggs into one basket and then watch that basket, do not scatter your shot. The man who is director in a half dozen railroads and three or four manufacturing companies, or who tries at one and the same time to work a farm, a factory, a line of street cars, a political party and a store, rarely amounts to much. He may be concerned in the management of more than one business enterprise, but they should all be of the one kind, which he understands. The great successes of life are made by concentration.

Fourth--Do not think a man has done his full duty when he has performed the work assigned him. A man will never rise if he does only this. Promotion comes from exceptional work. A man must discover where his employer's interests can be served beyond the range of the special work allotted to him; and whenever he sees his employer's interests suffer, or wherever the latter's interests can be promoted, tell him so. Differ from your employers upon what you think his mistakes. You will never make much of a success if you do not learn the needs and opportunities of your own branch much better than your employer can possibly do. You have been told to "obey orders if you break owners." Do no such foolish thing. If your employer starts upon a course which you think will prove injurious, tell him so, protest, give your reasons, and stand to them unless convinced you are wrong. It is the young man who does this, that capital wants for a partner or for a son-in-law.

Fifth--Whatever your wages are, save a little. Live within your means. The heads of stores, farms, banks, lawyers' offices, physicians' offices, insurance companies, mills and factories are not seeking capital; they are seeking brains and business habits. The man who saves a little from his income has given the surest indication of the qualities which every employer is seeking for.

Sixth--Never speculate. Never buy or sell grain or stocks upon a margin. If you have savings, invest them in solid securities, lands or property. The man who gambles upon the exchanges is in the condition of the man who gambles at the gaming table. He rarely, if ever, makes a permanent success. His judgment goes; his faculties are snapped; and his end, as a rule, is nervous prostration after an unworthy and useless life.

Seventh--If you ever enter business for yourself, never indorse for others. It is dishonest. All your resources and all your credit are the sacred property of the men who have trusted you; and until you have surplus cash and owe no man, it is dishonest to give your name as an indorser to others. Give the cash you can spare, if you wish, to help a friend. Your name is too sacred to give.
Do not make riches, but usefulness, your first aim; and let your chief pride be that your daily occupation is in the line of progress and development; that your work, in whatever capacity it may be, is useful work, honestly conducted, and as such ennobling to your life.

To sum up, do not drink, do not smoke, do not indorse, do not speculate. Concentrate, perform more than your prescribed duties; be strictly honest in word and deed. And may all who read these words be just as happy and prosperous and long lived as I wish them all to be. And let this great fact always cheer them: It is impossible for any one to be cheated out of an honorable career unless he cheats himself.

STUDY CORNER:
Some idoms:
1. (to be) up in the air = not yet determined; uncertain.
ex: It might rain later, so our plans for the picnic are still up in the air.
2. (to be) down in the dumps = to feel sad, be depressed
ex: It’s not surprising that Lisa’s down in the dumps. Susan, the cat she had for 20 year, just died.
3. (to) hang out = to spend time (often doing nothing)
ex: Ted spent all of last summer hanging out by his girlfriend’s pool.
4. take it easy = relax, don’t worry.
Ex: you lost your key? Take it easy, I’m sure you’ll find it.
5. (to be) crazy about = to like very much.
Ex: Amy is so crazy about John, she wants to meet him every day.
6. (to) take something the wrong way = to take offense.
Ex: Don’t take this the wrong way, but I liked your hair better before you got it cut.
7. Cup of tea = the type of person or thing that one generally likes.
Ex: Football is not my cup of tea. I prefer baseball.
8. (to) drop by = to pay a short, often unannounced visit.
Ex: If we have time before the movie, let’s drop by Bill’s house.

VALENTINE'S DAY FOR THE SINGLES

Centuries ago, when the first societies had been found or earlier than that time, the human has begun to define one thing that every nation has a word to explain. In English, it is called “LOVE”.

Up to now, there are a lot of love stories. And the most favorite one is Valentine - a vicar who lived in Roman’s Empire.
King of Roman wanted to have a strong army. He thought that if a man lived without love, he would be more powerful. And he made a decree that no one in country can get married!. But Valentine didn’t think so. He understood love was one of the elements to make human’s life. Therefore, he organized a wedding party for a couple. The King was very angry and he killed the Vicar. That was 14th February.
Since that time, that day has become a day for lovers. Every year, millions of people show their loves to their boyfriends or girlfriends. On that day, they make a date, give presents and say sweet words.
But that is the story of lovers, how about the singles?

QUESTION:
1. Do you know this legend? Do you know any other stories that explain the origin of Valentine’s Day?
2. What makes you notice that the Valentine’s day is coming?
3. What are differences between Valentine’s day and other holidays in term of preparation and celebration?
4. How do you feel when valentine’s day is coming?
5. Do you have boyfriend or girlfriend?
6. If yes, what will you do to your boyfriend(s) or girlfriend(s) on valentine’s day?
(With or without “s”, it’s up to you)?
7. If no, what do you do on that holiday?
8. What is a sweetest thing you expect your (future) boyfriend/girlfriend will do for you on this valentine’s day?
9. Do you think money is needed for love? Why?
10. Many ones love two or more people at the same time, share us you idea(s)?

Futher Reading
15 Ways To Celebrate Valentine's Day as A Single
It's Valentine's Day, and you're currently without a significant other. This small, but crucial, fact can mean the difference between enjoying this holiday, or ranking it as one of the year's low points (and hey, it's only February…). It's not enough that red, white, and pink roses are popping up everywhere and there are ONLY mushy cards in the card store, and all the commercials focus on just how incredibly diamond studded Valentine's Day could be - for you - IF you were in a romantic relationship. What's billed as the “most romantic night” of the year for couples can leave singles feeling a bit… odd and left out, to say the least.
What's a single person to do?

1) First, recognize that you're definitely not the only one. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 80 million people will spend this holiday as a single.

2) Decide what your vision is for Valentine's Day. Is it a day you want to celebrate? Or would you prefer to treat it like just another day? If you choose the latter, then go through your normal routine for February 14, knowing that February 15 will arrive and life will be back to normal (at least until next year…).

3) If you choose to celebrate Valentine's Day consider making it a date night with yourself. Make or order your favorite meal, chill something wonderful to drink. Rent a favorite movie, or buy a new book - whatever makes you feel special and cherished. Make this night sacred time for you to think your thoughts and dream your dreams.

4) If you've been invited to a Valentine's Day party definitely considering going. There's a pretty good chance that you'll meet some other singles to spend time with. This is especially important if you belong to a church or social group which is hosting an event - this could be a high level attraction venue for you, as it will draw others with similar backgrounds or interests. Make sure you look and feel your best.

5) If you have several single friends, consider throwing your own Valentine's Day party. Have every invitee bring a guest - you're likely to meet new people and have fun doing so!

6) If throwing a party feels like too much work, consider getting a group together to go out for dinner and/or dancing. Try to go to a “fun” restaurant such as Planet Hollywood or Hard Rock Café - someplace that is too loud for intimate dinners.

7) Use this day to try (or buy) something new. Pick up a hobby or a craft, cook a new kind of cuisine, work on a home decorating or improvement project. Time will pass quickly while you're beautifying your surroundings.

8) Exercise today! This will clear your skin, tone your body, and keep the endorphins flowing. You'll also feel more relaxed and will sleep better.

9) If you like children, consider offering to watch your friends' kids while they go out to celebrate. You may have a great time baking cookies and building furniture forts and will earn your friends' gratitude in the process.
10) Spend Valentine's Day giving and sharing your talents with other people. Give of yourself on this day- maybe by volunteering or helping out - you'll find yourself tapping in to great joy.

11) Use the night to catch up on your overdue correspondence such as emails, letters, thank you cards. It's another way of reaching out and staying in touch. Plus it will be a relief to clear those off your “to-do” list.

12) Consider spending the evening listening to live music, or hanging out at a local coffee house or bookstore café. You can do your own thing but still be with other people.

13) Draw names and trade Valentines with your friends. They can be fun or silly but they are a great way to solidify your friendships.

14) Use the night to catch up on your sleep. Get ready for bed a bit earlier and wind down sooner. Americans are generally sleep deprived so catch up when you can!

15) Finally, remind yourself that by not spending Valentine's Day with just anyone, you're taking great care of YOU and preparing for a wonderful, life-long relationship!

Happy Valentine's Day!