胡敏读故事记单词托福词汇224

（单词翻译）

　　My triumph in English class was no trivial matter. I trudged¹ to class everyday, even in the most trying of times, over the tundra² that marks the winter here. I had a turbulent time coming up with the tuition for the class as well, once working as a collector of firewood and twigs³ to place in the fireplaces of rich families. But once it began, i put all that turmoil⁴ behind me, forgetting all that was troublesome in my life so that i could concentrate on learning English. I attended extra tutorials and even hired a private tutor. The trumpet⁵ sounded in the morning, and i tried my best to trot⁶ to class with a happy look on my face. Sometimes an overwhelming feeling of failure tugged⁷ at me, however. I would tumble into a theater and enjoy the entertaining machinations of an acting⁸ troupe⁹. This usually made me feel better. Whenever I felt my self getting bored with English, I would try to twine¹⁰ my interest in language with my interest in philosophy. I would seek out translations of Chinese philosophy books that I had already read in my native language. I would take a taxi down the turnpike and buy some books at a famous bookshop. On one occasion, I bought a turquoise¹¹ colored reading lamp at a gift shop next to the bookstore. I still have it. Tackling a foreign language is no easy task. I am truculent¹² by nature.When I found myself getting angry at something I did not understand, I would tightly squeeze a tube of toothpaste. It also helped to sit in the tub and take a long, hot bath.
Well, in the end, all the hard work paid off. I have my trustworthy teachers to thank. Tomorrow, visa in hand, I am heading off for the tropical sun of southern California.