Music to my ears

   

"It is music to my ears." Have you ever heard somebody use that idiom when they are happy to hear something positive? Have you ever used the idiom that I've mentioned? Well, if something that you hear is music to your ears, then music must be a good thing, right? I love music! There is a genre for every one of my emotions, which are usually based on the moment. If I'm happy, I may like to listen to something more upbeat, like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. If I have a headache or need some peace, I may listen to some classical music, or sounds of nature. When I'm relaxing, but still doing activities, like housework or grading, I like to listen to some French Jazz music or love listening to Billie Holiday!!!  When I'm running, I find that I like inspirational songs with a good beat that isn't too fast, or else my running pace will become too fast for me to keep up with and affect my workout. You may think that songs with a fast beat will inspire and push me. Yes, but you need to train your body for certain paces and distances. It comes with practice and patience. When I'm mad or have a moment that I would like to rock out, I find that I can never go wrong with some Metallica or Linkin Park. Now, some people may disagree with me and find that Metallica or Linkin Park is their "zen". I totally respect that and understand it as well. That is why I write this blog. What music genre do you listen to when you are sad, happy, mad, relaxed, sick, working out? Not only is music used to go alongside someone's emotion, but it is used in therapy treatments. Recently, I heard about a finding on NPR news on the radio, while driving to work, that playing familiar music for Alzheimer's patients, stimulates their minds and sometimes triggers memories that the patients can recall and even discuss. Music is "music to our ears" in many ways as we discover the many positive attributes that exist in music and its uses.

VOCABULARY:

idiom (noun) - an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its words, but has a separate meaning of its own

genre (noun) - a particular type or category of literature or art

upbeat (adjective) - lively, positive, happy

inspirational (adjective) - someone or something that makes a person want to do something or gives someone an idea to create or do something

pace (pace) - the speed that something or someone moves

affect (verb & noun) - to produce an effect on someone or something

zen (noun) - a Japanese form of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation; a moment of peace

finding (noun) - the results of an inquiry or investigation

trigger  (verb) - something that causes something else to happen

attributes  (noun) - a good quality that someone or something has

VOCABULARY EXERCISE:

Choose the correct word that completes each sentence.

1. Slow down, Paul! I can't keep up with your ____________.

a. feet          b. pace         c. music

2. There are so many __________ of films, but my favorite are comedies!

a. genres     b. uses         c. tickets

3. The candidate that has the best _________________ for the job, is the one that you should vote for this year.       a. power             b. attributes               c. people

4. Many acupuncture patients say that the hour of treatment is their __________ moment.

a.  only              b. work           c. zen

5. Many ENL students have trouble understanding _____________, because most of the time they are translated for their literal meaning. 

a. idioms          b. insects                c. planes

6. I like this song, because it is very ____________. It makes me want to dance!

a.  depressing             b. calm                  c. upbeat

7. What _________________ your dad to become angry?

a. triggers               b. feels               c. can

8. After a thorough investigation, the police department released their __________________.

a. answers            b. findings           c. dogs

9. That quote is very __________________! It makes me want to never give up in my studies.

a. inspirational         b. incorrect                   c. difficult

10. The student's behavior ___________________ the teacher for the remainder of the day.

a.  made            b. affecting             c. affected

GRAMMAR POINT:

Transition words and phrases are important devices for essays and papers that you will write in your classes. They improve the connections and transitions between sentences and paragraphs. Also, they give your writing assignment structure and organization. Some transition words that are used in this blog are now, also, and well. Please research 5 more transition words and compose a sentence for each transition word. Highlight your transition word in each sentence as well.