Saturday, July 01, 2006

Show 89 Friday 30 June


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STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. This is Stick News. Today the New Zealand government announced that more immigrants will be accepted into the country to meet the need for more skilled workers.

New Zealand is said to suffer from something called a “brain drain”. This means that many skilled workers leave the country.
Unemployment is low in New Zealand and many employers say it is difficult to find skilled employees.
To solve this problem, the country welcomes immigrants - especially those with skills.
Then the situation is more like a “brain exchange”.
The work areas with the biggest shortages include IT professionals, plumbers and engineers.
The government announced today that the country will be accepting more immigrants. This year the total number of places will be up to 52,000.


The government also said it will now recognize skills from applicants in India and China. Previously, they weren’t recognized since those countries were considered to have non-comparable labour markets.
And that was Stick News for Friday the 30th of June.
Kia Ora.



conversations with sarah
# 59 Would you like it gift-wrapped? part 2
This conversation is from the movie Love Actually.

Harry is shopping for a necklace for his lover. He wants the assistant to hurry and finish before his wife gets back, but the assistant is taking a long time.
Step 1: Repeat Harry’s lines.
Step 2: Read Harry’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Harry What’s that?

Rufus It’s a cinnamon stick, sir.

Harry Actually, I really can’t wait.

Rufus You won’t regret it, sir.

Harry Want a bet?

Rufus ‘Tis but the work of a moment. There. Almost finished.

Harry Almost finished? What else can there be – are you going to dip it in yoghurt and cover it with chocolate buttons?

Rufus No, sir. We’re going to pop it in this Christmas box.

Harry But I don’t want it in a Christmas box.

Rufus But you said you wanted it gift-wrapped, sir.

Harry I did - but ...

Rufus This is the final flourish ...

Harry Can I just pay?

Rufus All I need now is a sprig of holly ...

Harry No! No!! No bloody holly!

Rufus But sir ...

Harry Leave it – leave it, just leave it.



Links:

Today's news.

Music by Drop Trio.
From the album Big Dipper.
Used with permission from magnatune.com