英語時差:父母反對子女旅游計劃
Dear Annie:
I am in my early 30s with a small child. I recently went through some hard times and moved back home with my parents. I have never asked my parents for money. I work two jobs and have put a little away in savings. I'd like to take a small vacation. The only major expense would be the airfare, and I have enough for that.
My parents are completely against the trip. They feel I would not be able to afford the airfare if they hadn't been helping me for the last few months. I agree, but on the other hand, I need a little time with friends to relax and just have a good time. I'm an adult. Can my parents still treat me as a child? － Tired in OmahaDear Tired:
When adult children live at home, parents are prone to treat them as children. Your parents want you to save enough to have your own place and need to know their efforts to help you are not being frittered away on less-than-necessary things. They also may not want to baby-sit for your child while you are away, in which case you should make other arrangements. Thank your parents for their concern and say you need a break from your two-job routine so you can come back refreshed and productive.
hard times 缺錢；遇到瓶頸savings (n.) 存款；儲蓄expense (n.) 支出；費用airfare (n.) 搭飛機(jī)的費用to afford (v.) 付得起；負(fù)擔(dān)得起on the other hand 然而；另一方面來說to be prone to 易于；有…的傾向to fritter away 浪費；消耗to baby-sit 充當(dāng)臨時保姆；照顧小孩productive (adj.) 有生產(chǎn)力的；多產(chǎn)的
