이번주 강의 ― Annie's Mailbox

[조국현]

Annie's Mailbox의 문장이나 단어는

저널리스트가 아닌 일반 미국인들이

일상생활에서 쓰는 표현들을 고루 담고 있기 때문에

영작이나 영어회화 자료로 훌륭합니다.

쉬운 단어라도

나라면 이 자리에 이런 표현을 쓸 수 있는지 고민해 보고,

그럴 수 없는 표현이라면 한국인에게 중요한 표현입니다.

그게 진짜, 콩글리쉬가 아닌 잉글리쉬이니까요.

시사영어가

세상사에 대한 이해력과 분석력, 그리고 예측력을 길러주는 멘토라면,

Annie's Mailbox는

Annie의 통찰력 있는 충고를 감상하며

토론 실력과 설득력을 위한 훌륭한 멘토입니다.

영어 실력도 기르고, 삶의 지혜도 얻을 수 있는 Annie's Mailbox,

저와 함께 감상하시죠.

In Limbo

Dear Annie: I have been with “Tony” for three years. When I started seeing him, I didn’t realize he was still legally married to a woman who cheated on him. He promised to divorce, but things remain the same. He claims “it’s just a piece of paper” and we are married in our hearts. I’ve tried explaining that it feels disrespectful, but he doesn’t get it.

Tony and his wife wanted to avoid court, so they drew up papers with a mediator. But each time she sends them, he finds she has hidden something that goes against what they agreed, and he refuses to sign until the papers are fixed. But Tony always waits for her to make the next move. In the past, whenever he pushed for resolution, she made it difficult for him to see their children.

It annoys me that Tony doesn’t try harder to end this. Worse, he and his wife still have a joint checking account. He keeps saying he’ll close it, but he hasn’t. Tony is a known procrastinator, but I am hurt and frustrated. Enough is enough.

I don’t want to throw away what we have, but I’m beginning to resent him and his promises. I think the only way he will open his eyes is if I leave. But I love him, and our family is happy together. Am I being unreasonable? — Tired of Waiting

Dear Tired: Tony doesn’t want to rock the boat and figures you’ll stick it out. But it could take a long time, and his wife enjoys holding the puppet strings. (And there is absolutely no excuse to be sharing a bank account.) Tony needs to see a lawyer who will establish visitation rights and make sure the wife sticks to the agreement. If he refuses, it is your choice whether your life is better with him or without him.

How good is too good for a grade?

Dear Annie: I am a high school junior and attend a competitive school. I make good grades, and my parents have always been supportive.

I recently scored a 1,412 on the PSAT, which is terrific. But when I told my mom the results, she seemed disappointed. She said in order to be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, my score has to be over 1,450. She shows no pride in my accomplishment.

I’ve expressed to her how disheartening this is, but she simply restates that I need a higher score for the scholarship. Annie, my family is not financially needy. I am more than capable of getting into a good school and finding other ways to get scholarships. Is she right to be so unenthusiastic? — Feeling Unappreciated

Dear Feeling: We’re not sure why your mother is so convinced you didn’t qualify. The PSAT score required to be a National Merit Scholarship finalist varies from year to year, state to state. Last year’s winning score may not be this year’s, and the results won’t be out until September. We think she may be afraid of jinxing you, and that’s why she has put a damper on her excitement. So from us: Way to go!