What's UP YOUR ALLEY?

An alley in the Beacon Hill area of Boston, Masachusetts

You might say, "There's a garbage can up my alley," or "There's a bunch of trash up my alley." Alleys or alleyways are tiny, narrow paths or passages between buildings. They're usually dark and dirty although once in a while you'll run into a clean one like this alley in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts.

• ONCE IN A WHILE - sometimes
• RUN INTO - find; meet; come across

The idiomatic expression "UP YOUR ALLEY," however, has nothing to do with a physical alleyway; it has more to do with someone's interest or expertise. For example, if you're a web designer, then designing web pages is UP YOUR ALLEY. If you're a car mechanic, fixing cars is UP YOUR ALLEY. If you're studying film, then perhaps acting or directing or film editing is UP YOUR ALLEY. You get the picture.

• YOU GET THE PICTURE - You get the idea; you understand

Some ideas for a fantastic spring in NYC!

Spring has finally arrived in New York City after one of the longest and coldest winters in NYC history! Some days are still a bit chilly, but the weather is gradually warming up and the flowers are starting to bloom. Are you excited?

Some may say that NYC is at its best in the spring due to its endless events and flower shows. Here are a few that we think you should check out.

Image credit: NY Post

The Macy's Flower Show is the department store's second largest event of the year (after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade) The Macy's in Herald Square on 34th street dresses its store with beautiful flowers -Yes, real flowers!- And has events going through April 3 inside the store, where guests can conveniently go shopping after checking out the flower exhibits!

Everyone's Irish on St. Patty's Day!

Photo Credit: Crazy-Frankenstein.com

March 17th commemorates Saint Patrick's Day, the Irish celebration of Ireland's beloved patron saint. This is the oldest Irish tradition in the United States, dating back to 1762 before the U.S. Declaration of Independence. 

The parade in New York City was started by Irish immigrants centuries ago who felt homesick and wanted to keep their traditions alive. The parade this year celebrates 253 years of Irish merrymaking. 

Getting Around & Getting Around To

When you're very busy and don't have a lot of extra time, GETTING AROUND TO buying your groceries can be challenging. On the other hand, some people find ways to GET AROUND going to the supermarket by shopping online and having their groceries delivered. 

GET AROUND and GET AROUND TO look very similar but these phrasal verbs actually have very different meanings that are kind of opposite from each other. One means to avoid doing something, while the other means to manage to do something.

GETTING AROUND means to stay away from a requirement or something annoying or unpleasant. We usually use this phrasal verb when we talk about avoiding a necessary activity that we don't like. If we say, "We can't GET AROUND taking that exam," or "There's no GETTING AROUND that exam," we mean that the exam is a requirement and that everyone has to take it. We can't avoid it if we want to get a certificate or receive a degree or apply to college.

March Student Activities at NYLC

 

March has arrived! March 20 marks the beginning of Spring, hopefully the warm weather will start approaching soon. This month's activities start off with our popular Nets game on Wednesday, March 4th. Get your tickets before they sell out!