We were able to hear from Iraqis first hand about what life was and is like: how it has changed and whether things were getting better or worse over time.

我们因此得以从伊拉克人那里获得有关生活今昔对比的第一手情况：生活有哪些变化，情况是在好转还是在恶化？

youdao

Rodin held up his hand. "first things first, gentlemen. Are we willing to accept the proposals?"

罗丁举起手来，“先生们，首先，我们是否愿意接受这些条件？”

youdao

"Frankly,some of the first things that have happened subsequent to his extension of that open arm,open hand, have not been very encouraging, in terms of statements coming out of Tehran,".

VOA: standard.2009.05.05

While his hands-off executive style may have allowed things at Kaplan to get out of hand in the first place, his commitment to upholding the family legacy ultimately ensured a rigorous response.

FORBES: Magazine Article

It was admittedly not the rosiest of outlooks despite my own first hand knowledge of some of the great things that this generation has already accomplished to date.

FORBES: A Very Fast Future