Tung trees were once a great source of income for the Hakka people. Villagers sold the water-resistant oil they made from Tung seeds until more profitable materials were later discovered. But the Hakka still have a deep sense of appreciation for the part the Tung tree has played in their lives.
As the seasons change, so does the Tung tree. In the spring, the tree is covered in small white blossoms. Lush green leaves replace the blossoms in the summer. The leaves then turn yellow in the fall before the wind blows them away. In winter, the trees appear to be dead, only to produce fresh growth again in the spring.
The Tung tree's four seasons have often been compared to the history and the perseverance of the Hakka people. Over the years, the Hakka have experienced many hardships. But they've protected their culture and hoped for a better future.
In the Hakka community, the annual Tung Blossom Festival is more than just a commericial enterprise. It's a chance to cherish Hakka traditions and the Tung tree's importance.
Info Cloud
my neck of the woods
Hello, friends. Welcome to Info Cloud. I love spring. The weather is so mild, and the air is so fresh. Don't you think so?
No! It's already getting hot down in my neck of the woods.
Oh. Let me take a minute to explain what Anne Marie means by that phrase. Neck of the woods just means the place, city or area that you live. She means that where she lives, the weather is hotter.
Thanks for explaining, Rex. There are several different theories about how this phrase began to come into use.
As English is a language derived from many different languages, one idea is that this phrase came from German. The words "meine ecke" in German means my corner. The sound is pretty similar sounding to "my neck."
Another interesting possible explanation is that this word came from the Algonquian language. The Algonquians are a tribe of Native Americans. There is a word in their language spelled N-A-I-A-C-K, which means point or corn.
With the USA being such a mix of different cultures, it's easy to see how other languages have influenced American English.
You're absolutely right. Are there any special phrases you say in your neck of the woods?
英文有一些有趣的用語可以用來形容你住的地區，像是今天介紹的 my neck of the woods 就是指我住的社區。從字面上看，my neck是我的脖子，woods就是樹林，my neck of the woods聽起來有點怪怪的，原來這個用語是從德文 meine ecke 衍生而來。
meine ecke是我的角落或是我的地盤，聽起來像是英文的my neck，因此，my neck of the woods 就用來形容我居住的地區。It’s getting hot in my neck of the woods. 我住的地區開始變熱了。
Language Lab
profitable adj.有營利的、有益的
making money; producing good or helpful results or effects
- This small business has finally turned profitable after many years.
這間小企業多年後就終於開始獲利。
- Jackie had a very profitable conversation with her teacher this afternoon.
Jackie 今天下午跟他老師有一番很有收穫的對話。
profit n. 利潤、好處
money that is made in a business, through investing, etc., after all the costs and expenses are paid : a financial gain
- This restaurant is making a good profit after hiring a new manager.
這家餐廳在聘請一位新的店經理後，開始有不錯的營利。
profit v. 賺錢、獲益
to earn or get money by or from something
- Susie really profited a lot from working with her supervisor.
Susie 從跟她主管共事當中，獲益良多。
replace v.
to do the job or duty of (someone) 取代、替換
- When the new manager came to the company, he replaced the workers with his own team of people.
新的經理來到公司後，把所有的員工換成他自己的人。
- Alfred is always replacing his car with a newer and faster one.
Alfred 老是把他的車換成更新更快的。
to be used instead of (something) 更換
- This flashlight doesn’t work because you didn’t replace the batteries.
這支手電筒不能用，因為你沒有更換電池。
- After Frank repainted his house and replaced all the windows and doors, the house looks new again.
Frank 漆了房子又更換所有的門窗後，就讓整棟房子像新的一樣。
commercial adj. 商業的
related to or used in the buying and selling of goods and services
- Dorothy’s new apartment is very close to the commercial zone.
Dorothy的新公寓離商業區很近。
- Although the festival is a cultural celebration, it has also become a commercial opportunity for local businesses.
這項活動雖然是個文化慶典，但也為當地商人帶來商機。
[more commercial; most commercial] a : concerned with earning money (某產品、活動、節目) 商業化、純粹是為了營利的
- The local residents don’t like the new zoo because it is too commercial.
當地居民並不喜歡新的動物園，因為太商業化了。
commercial n. 商業廣告
an advertisement on radio or television
- The television program was so boring that even the commercials were more interesting to watch.
那個電視節目超無聊，連廣告都比它有趣。
cherish v. 珍惜、愛護 、 珍愛
to feel or show great love for (someone or something)
to remember or hold (an idea, belief, etc.) in a deeply felt way
- Carol is rarely home, so when she is home, she cherishes her time with her family.
Carol 很少在家，所以只要在家，她都會很珍惜與家人共處的時間。
- The old lady might seem mean to her grandchildren, but she really does cherish them.
那位老婦人也許看起來對她的孫子很兇，但她其實很愛護他們的。
- Although the rich man lives in a mansion full of wonderful things, the thing he cherishes the most is an old toy given to him by his grandfather.
那位富翁雖然住在一棟裝潢富麗華美的豪宅，但他最珍愛的東西卻是他爺爺送他的舊玩具。
