Happy New Year!

Many readers of this blog will be celebrating the New Year on a different date, but for me the calendar year is ending tomorrow.
2011 has been memorable! I started a wonderful new job and have gotten to work with amazing and truly generous people. I traveled more than any other year, and was fortunate to have a new book published. Good health and good fortune accompanied me through the months, and when I reflect on the year, my sense is one of deepest gratitude! Other people have taken care of me and shared their love and wisdom, and they are the real reason I will remember 2011 with great appreciation.
I hope that your year, however you measure it, has been a great one, and that the days ahead of you are marked by the things you value and enjoy...

Time will tell

Time will tell means that we will know the result of something after some time passes. I suppose this expression has a little skepticism attached to it, in the sense that the person who says it may doubt the results of the thing in question. Here's an example:

You: I think the new program to reduce costs will be really successful. What do you think?

Your coworker: Well, it sounds good, but I'm not sure it will work... Time will tell.

Turn over a new leaf

To turn over a new leaf means to change something about yourself or your life. Here are a few examples:

He must have turned over a new leaf; he used to frown all the time and now he's always smiling!

I've decided to turn over a new leaf and start taking yoga classes.

A lot of people decide to turn over a new leaf on January 1.

Read a children's book

One of the three kings brought a very nice book the other day: Otto, El Oso de Libro.

This book is great! And in these days before Christmas, I see a lot of children's books in bookshops, and some of them are wonderful. So I was very happy to receive a book in Spanish, with marvelous illustrations! I could read it very easily and I learned some new words too!

So, why not read a children's or young person's book in English? You probably read a lot of them in your native language, and I bet you learned a lot of words and expressions as you went along... So, don't be shy! Pick out a great book like Where the Wild Things Are, or something by Dr. Seuss, and start some delightful reading!

See the light at the end of the tunnel

A tunnel is a dark place you have to pass through to arrive somewhere.
To see the light at the end of the tunnel is to begin to see the end of a difficult situation or period. Here are a few examples:
After working continuously for the past three months, we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
You'll feel better when you see the light at the end of the tunnel!
The worst part of a project is when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

See you later, alligator!

Okay, maybe I didn't get quite enough sleep last night.

Or maybe I'm just in a good mood after Spanish class with the incomparable María.

In any case, I can't resist posting this expression.

We say this to kids when we're saying goodbye. Here's an example:

You: See you later, alligator!

Your seven-year-old: In a while, crocodile!

Try it. I guarantee at least one of you will smile!

This post is dedicated to my dad, who always makes me smile!

Long time, no see!

If you haven't seen a person for a long time, you can say "long time, no see!"
You could also say this ironically, if you have just seen the person.
This expression is very informal.