VOA标准英语2010年-All You Need is Love

Sunday, Feb. 14, is Valentine's Day in America.

To mark the occasion, many Americans will spend big bucks¹ on chocolates and other candy. But in a New York pizza parlor², a young woman named Christy explains that her high school boyfriend has other ways of letting her know he cares. "Like remembering that I don't like chocolate, first of all, and that I like flowers, but not roses."

Just outside, on this cold February evening, a homeless man named Mathew is happily aware of this romantic holiday, even as he shivers and solicits³ change from passersby⁴. "It's the spirit of Valentine's Day, the love and the affection and the warmth that people have to offer."

When asked what he loves most on this special day Mathew is quick to answer. "Maybe a Valentine's gift, a nice hug, kiss, a special kiss that's very profound. And its warming, you know," he laughs.

Down the street, Mary Ellen also pairs love with warmth, especially in its liquid form. "It's the first cup of coffee on the dresser when you are in the shower and it's warming up the car before you get into it on a wintry morning," says Mary Ellen. "It's spontaneous thoughtfulness that really touches the heart, that sympathetic connection that makes you feel cherished."

One man, who did not give his name, has been single for a long time. But he is clear about what he would cherish in a future partner.

"Just feeling there was somebody who I could unite with, somebody to share joys and sorrows with." He says he appreciates everyday intimacies⁵. "A few words exchanged or small things shared very simply. It could be just having breakfast together or just walking together for a few blocks. It could anything."

In a nearby restaurant, a police cadet named Amanda cherishes laughter with her love. "The thing that makes me loved the most is when [my friends] trust me enough to make terrible, terrible jokes -- whether they are just bad, or don't make any sense, or are really offensive -- and they know that I get, at least, where they are coming from. So the relationship basically turns into a bunch of inside jokes that nobody else gets."

Indeed, for Amanda, it seems to be sharing something personal with another that no one else shares. "When you have your own secret language, that's what makes it magic," she says.

For Julia, who is sitting at a nearby table, the magic often happens when life itself seems un-magical. "I know somebody loves me is when I'm sick and I look terrible and that person is right next to me telling me I look beautiful (while) holding up my hair when I am puking my brains out in the toilet." She adds that while such devotion may not always cure her stomach pains "it makes me feel loved and like somebody in the world out there cares."

For Wassim, love for his wife is all inclusive. He embraces everything about their family life.

The words "love and care" seems to sum up Wassim's home life this Valentine's Day. He takes a moment between sales and grinding coffee to reflect on his wife and small children.

"Just knowing they are there, is enough for me to know that they love me. They are my life." When asked to mention one thing in particular, his wife does that telegraphs that message, Wassim balks⁶. "I don't have one thing. Everything she does is what makes me feel special about her. When she is home and waits for me and makes the food and everybody sits at the table, that's love."

Love is an overused word in some circles, but for Wassim, it still holds terrific power. "When you say to somebody 'I love you,' it includes everything in your life."
 

1 bucks   

n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃

参考例句：

• They cost ten bucks. 这些值十元钱。
• They are hunting for bucks. 他们正在猎雄兔。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 parlor   

n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅

参考例句：

• She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
• Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店？

3 solicits   

恳请

参考例句：

• They were planning to solicit funds from a number of organizations. 他们正计划向一些机构募集资金。
• May I solicit your advice on a matter of some importance? 我有一件要事可以请教你吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 passersby   

n. 过路人(行人,经过者)

参考例句：

• He had terrorized Oxford Street,where passersby had seen only his footprints. 他曾使牛津街笼罩了一片恐怖气氛，因为那儿的行人只能看到他的脚印，看不到他的人。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学
• A person is marceling on a street, watching passersby passing. 街边烫发者打量着匆匆行人。

5 intimacies   

亲密( intimacy的名词复数 )； 密切； 亲昵的言行； 性行为

参考例句：

• He is exchanging intimacies with his friends. 他正在和密友们亲切地交谈。
• The stiffness of the meeting soon gave way before their popular manners and more diffused intimacies. 他们的洒脱不羁和亲密气氛的增加很快驱散了会场上的拘谨。

6 balks   

v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的第三人称单数 )；（指马）不肯跑

参考例句：

• They braced up the old house with balks of timber. 他们用梁木加固旧房子。 来自《简明英汉词典》