向友人报告初抵美国函

August 20, 2005
Dear Yulin,
Here I am in America! Everything is so big and spread out. The streets seem empty because they are so wide. Los Angeles is a huge city in terms of area; it takes forever to drive from one side to the other. But it’s not nearly as crowded as Taipei. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to get around without a car, so it’s no wonder there is a lot of smog.
The people I have met so far have been very friendly, though I get really nervous talking to them. I don’t feel like my English is good enough yet. Everyone talks so fast! I hope I can get used to it. My host family is very nice to me. I’ll probably feel homesick after I’ve been here longer, but right now I’m too excited.
Sincerely,
Julie Chen

亲爱的玉琳：
我现在就在美国！一切都又大又分散。马路看来很空旷，因为它们太宽敞了。就面积来看，洛杉矶是个大城市；从一边开到另一边须要花非常久的时间。但是它一点儿也不像台北那样拥挤。不幸地是，没车就想到处走走几乎是不可能的，所以难怪会烟雾沵漫。
到目前为止，我所遇到的人都很友善，但是我在和他们说话时都很紧张。我觉得我的英文尚不够好。每个人讲话都非常快！希望我能习惯它。我寄宿的家庭对我很好。来这里久后，我可能会想家，不过，我现在却是兴奋得不得了。
陈茱莉　敬上
2005年8月20日

字词解释：

1.spread 宽阔；伸展
例：The police spread out around the house where the criminal was hiding.

2.huge 巨大的

3.in terms of..就...而言
例：The novel isn't bad in terms of plot,but the characterrization isn't very good.

4.not nearly 远不及
例：The test was not nearly as hard as i thought it would be.

5.get around 随处走动
例：A bicycle is the best way to get around this town.

6.no wonder 难怪
例：No wonder ou can't turn your computer on,you haven't plugged it in!

7.smog 烟雾