Travelers in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa have been adjusting their eating habits during the month-long Islamic fasting days of Ramadan. Each country has its own set of customs, but in general, citizens do not take any food or drink in public from sunrise until sundown. Many restaurants are closed during the daytime and many food delivery services are also shut down. The sunset ceremony of breaking the fast, called "Iftar" involves a family meal, a trip to a restaurant, or a visit to a Mosque where a prayer service and a light meal are offered. Many hotels in popular cities serve special meals at large banquet halls. Of the world's population, roughly one in five people observes the religion of Islam. The period of fasting will end this year on August 7th.

all day long

Hitomi: Can you help me at the beach bar today? I need to play music as a DJ for a couple of hours.

Viktor: Sure, I love music. I could help you with that all day long!

Explanation: When someone says that they can do something "all day long" it means that they can do it from the morning to the evening without getting tired, and without worrying about the time.

hypoglycemia

Patient: I went jogging the other day, and I collapsed, and felt so sick for hours.

Doctor Lucas: You have a history of hypoglycemia. I have to advise you to carry some sugar candies and fruit juice with you whenever you go out for exercise.

Explanation: The term "hypoglycemia" simply means a lack of sugar. It is important to talk in simple terms with the patient and say that it's a lack of sugar in the blood, and that the patient needs to take some food or drink with sugar in it.

opportunity cost

Dear Kimberly:

I know that you are working hard on the fabric imports this year, but I want you to start up a metals import division. I know that your fabric imports are making money, but we have to think of the opportunity costs. The metals business could bring us more money.

Explanation: Whenever you are working on one project, you are losing the opportunity of working on another project. This is called an "opportunity cost." It means the time that you lose when you are doing one thing instead of another.