Think first!

Two of my students told me an interesting story yesterday. I will leave out there names because they might be a little embarassed! But their initials are Mr. O and Ms. Y. They are both very intelligent and Mr. O is actaully a professional writer! Ms. Y used to be a member of a movie club and is now a member of an elite book club with Mr. O twice a month. Well anyway, last Saturday they had a book club gathering. They were studying and discussing the book very hard so of course they got hungry. Someone went to order take-out sushi at "Kurazushi", a 100 yen sushi shop. Later someone went to pick up the take-out sushi order. It was 3000 yen. When they opened the container there were 60 sushi! "WOW! 60 sushi for only 3000 yen. What a great deal! The clerk must have made a mistake because we only ordered 30 sushi! We are lucky!!!"...For 3 days the BELIEVED the clerk made a mistake! Until I informed them, at 100 yen sushi, one sushi is not 100 yen, 1 PLATE (=2 sushi) is 1oo yen. So the clerk didn`t make a mistake! You got just what you ordered! And in case you were wondering, yes, the 5 members of the book club ate ALL the sushi ;) Have a good day! and remember, THINK FIRST!

Useful English: 16. ALWAYS 17. SOMETIMES

always:*all the time
sometimes: *on some occassions but not all the time

I always brush my teeth before I go to sleep.
I always take a shower in the morning.

I sometimes go to a yakiniku shop.
I sometimes eat sweets.

The Olympics are officially over. Japan got just one medal, Arakawa`s gold! I am very happy for her, but disappointed that Japan didn`t get any other medals. The next big international sporting event is the World Cup this summer. I can`t wait! Now, next topic...

Arakawa gets the GOLD

Suguri: The agony of defeat

Arakawa did it! She skated beautifully! She said many times in interviews before the Olympics, "I can win." And she did! Good for her! And Japan finally got a medal. A Gold medal. Arakawa is the first asian woman to ever win the figure skating gold medal! She deserves it!

My prediction was off. But Suguri really did an unbelievable job! You can`t praise her emotion and effort enough! I think that she should have beaten the American girl and Russian girl for at least the bronze medal, but I`m not a judge. Sometimes, life doesn`t go as we want it to...Look at the pictures, and you can see in their faces the difference. But Suguri should hold her head high and be proud of herself!!!

Congrats to both of them for making all of Japan smile!

Useful English: 15 FLIGHT

*a journey in a plane or space shuttle

It`s about a 3 hours flight from Japan to Hawaii.
Have a safe flight!
The flight was realy bumpy and rough. We ran into some turbulence.

AWAZA GOLF SHOP

One of my students, Mr. I, owns a golf shop in Awaza. I know that many people are interested in Golf so I wanted to post the shop`s website! http://www.awazagolf.co.jp/
It`s close to Honmachi and I hope to go there soon to get some pointers for my (terrible) golf swing! Mr. I`s handicap is very low, maybe a 12. I bet he can give me some good advice!

Useful English: 14. VOYAGE

*a long journey in a ship or airplane

Bon voyage! (This is French for "Have a good trip!", but sometimes we use this expression in English too)

It all comes down to this...Japan`s last hopes for a medal

Miki had some trouble but still managed to finish in 8th place after the short program! She`s still got an outside chance at a medal if she can hit her "4-turn" Jump tonight!
Suguri, always emotional, is seen reflecting after her 4th place finish in the short program! On a side note, her family owns an Sake shop that has been in business for 18 generations! If she wins a medal, that sake is gonna taste even better!

Arakawa is presently in 3rd. She controls her own destiny. If she doesn`t make any mistakes, at least the bronze medal is hers! She skated wonderfully in the short program!

Do you think Japan will finally get a medal in these Olympics? If yes, who do you predict will get it? Tomorrow morning Japan time, we will know the final results. I wish they all could get a medal, but unfortunately life just isn`t that fair. I know you want to hear so I will give you my prediction...Suguri. Just a feeling. BUT, Good luck to all!!!

Useful English: 13 JOURNEY

*a long trip from one place to another

It was a journey to get back to Philly from Osaka. My plane was delayed at Kansai airport because of fog, I missed my connection in Detriot and had to stay over night, and all in all, it took 48 hours.

Useful English: 12 TRIP

*a journey to a place and back again

How was your trip to India?
Kenji is on a business trip to Tokyo now.
Last weekend, I went on a day trip to Nara.
We had a lot of baggage, and had to make three trips to carry all the bags from the car to the house.

Useful English: 11. TRAVEL

*to go from one place to another, especially to distant places.

I`m really tired of traveling back and forth between my home and office everday.
I have traveled all the to Hokkaido by train before.
I love to travel to stange and exotic places.

Asahi Brewery

My friend went to the Asahi Brewery in Suita yesterday. Have you ever been there? I haven`t. There is a free tour of the brewery and after the tour there is a 20 minute "All-you-can-drink" session. You have to make a reservation for the tour. I know many people who have gone to this beer factory and participated in the tour. Everyone says that it`s a good time. I want to go some day because I like beer. But my favorite beer is Kirin Lager, not Asashi Super Dry.

Newborn Baby !

Ms. Hitomi just became an aunt!!! In the pic above is her brother and new nephew! Hitomi is a good friend and also made my home page for me! She helps me time and time again! I am very grateful for her help! I met Ms. Hit. about 5 years ago. The story of how I met her is interesting...but a little long. So I will save it for another time! I just wanted to congratulate her and her family!!!

Welcome board

Ring Pillow case

Bouquet

Look at the beautiful photos and ring pillow right above! My friend Ms. A has an internet bridal shop! She hand makes many of the bridal goods, like ring pillows and welcome boards, and bouquets! I think she imports some of the materials from Hawaii! Her work is really artistic and beautiful! If you want more info about her shop just click on this! http://www.b-crescendo.com/

COVENT GARDEN

This is my favorite bar in Horie! It is run by two self-proclaimed "beautiful" twins, Risa and Yuka. Judge for yourself! They are indentical twins. This pic was taken last year on their birthday! Guess how old they are!?! Looks can be deceiving, so be careful! ;) The bar has many events and live concerts. Food is pretty good and I especially recommend the cheese burger, chicken fingers, and nachos! Beer and drinks are all reasonable. They also have a vegetarian menu. And, they have table soccer! Have you ever played table soccer? In America, we call it "Foose Ball." Risa is the table soccer champion of the bar! I bet you can`t beat her! She`s good!! Anyway, if you are interested, here is their home page and blog: http://www.coventgarden-jp.com/ Check it out!

Look at that tongue!!! That`s a loooonnnnngggggggg tongue! ;) These are the best looking Toy Poodles I have ever seen! These are 3 members of "Sakura Family!" They are my student Ms. A`s pride and joy! They are so cute! If you want to see more of these cute pics and read about them check out Ms. A`s BLOG http://sakurafamily.cocolog-nifty.com/ It`s really cool!
Stretching before snack time!
Watch out! Here we come!!!! "Why am I the only one wearing a one piece?"
" That was a long walk. And it was cold!!! Getting ready for my nap..."

Useful English: 10. BOTHER

*to annoy, interrupt, sidetrack someone when they are trying to do something.

I`m sorry to interrupt/disturb/bother you.
I`m sorry for interrupting/disturbing/bothering you.

Sales telephone calls really bother me!
Don`t bother me now! I`m busy!

Useful English: 9. BUTT IN

*to interrupt a conversation rudely, abruptly, suddenly.

Stop butting in! This is none of your business.
I hate that neighbor. She always butts in when I am talking.

Look at the Wedding Party!

Ms. M went to a wedding party the other day! She`s the one in the dard red kimono. She and her friend practiced singing and dancing for weeks before the wedding! Fortunately, all the effort paid off!!! From what she told me, they did a fantastic job! And check out their BIG SMILES :) !!! They really look like they are enjoying themselves too. I could never sing and dance in front of people because I have stage fright...

The bride and the groom also look fabulous! But the groom`s eyes are closed...oops!

HAPPY VALENTINE`S DAY!

Valentine`s Day in America and in Japan are very different. In America, Valentine`s day is a day for couples. Couples exchange gifts. The TOP 5 gifts for women are: 1. A dozen red roses 2. Jewelry 3. Lingerie 4. Chocolate 5. Other? Gifts for men: 1. Clothes (a shirt, neck-tie, etc.) 2. Cologne 3. Silk boxers 4.(I don`t know). Usually couples go out for dinner or something to celebrate. In Japan, only women give chocolate to men. In a month there is "White day" and on this day men reciprocate and give white chocolate back to women. In America, there is no "White day." And in Japan, there is "duty chocolate", which is chocolate that women give to guy friends, co-workers, or bosses. This is unheard of in America. In Japan, Valentine`s Day is great for the chocolate industry. I heard that they make 70% of their yearly profit on February 14th. That`s crazy...I have already received some lovely chocolate from a few people. Thank you so much! But every year, I receive less and less chocolate...it`s a sign that i am getting older... ;( BUT, it`s not too late!! If anyone else wants to give me chocolate for Valentine`s Day, don`t be shy! Just bring it over any time you want. I don`t care if you are late a day, or two days, or een a week ;)

Tottori now...

It`s looking a little nippy! These pics were taken by my friend last weekend. The first pic is of a house, the second of the street, and the third of a famous japanese ryokan. It`s the complete oppsoite of what Tottori looked like when I went there this summer. Like night and day!

My friends and I made a beautiful bondfire while on the beach. The fire grew to be about 2 meters high at one point I think. It was really cool!! In the pic, I am sweating a lot and my shirt is dirty from carrying all of the wood from the forest. That fire was also really hot! Actually I burned my foot on a hot log! That heat is the complete opposite of the COLD now...

The wind up, the pitch...HOME RUN!!!

Playing baseball on the beach at sunset...truly beautiful

A DREAM...

This pic is from last summer in Tottori. It seems like so long ago but it is a nice reminder during the cold and grey winter that soon spring and summer and warm weather will come again. ;) In the pic I am walking up a big sand dune after swimming in the ocean. I remember that the water was very warm. I went with 4 friends but I was the only one to go down the steep sand slope. They were all wimps!! I really want to go back to Tottori again one day!

Roger....

One of my students loves Roger. Do you know who he is? Please read the COMMENTS for my student`s report on Roger!

Olympics...

Pretty soon the Olympics start. Does anyone know exactly when? I am only a little interested in the Olympics now. But I am sure after the opening ceremony, I will watch the highlights and get excited every night. I want to watch the Olympics live but I think there is maybe an 8 or 9 hour time difference between Italy and Japan. Maybe even more...So if I want to watch it live, I have to watch it in the middle of the night! That`s probably not going to happen.

Useful English: 9. SIDETRACK

*to distract someone. To make someone stop what they are doing by making them interested in something else.

I was sidetracked by my co-workers funny email.
Don`t let yourself get sidetracked! Stay focused and concentrate!

Useful English: 8. DISTRACT

*To make someone who is working or studying, etc., unable to continue because of a noise or disturbance.
*To make someone not notice something/someone.

My teacher told me off when I was in Junior High School for distracting other students.
One thief distracted the convenient store clerk while the other thief shoplifted 3 bottles of whiskey.

BUNDLE UP! IT`S GOING TO BE A CHILLY WEEKEND!

I am off to the airport soon, and at the airport it is even colder...burr burr ;(...I can`t imagine life without my winter hat, gloves and long underwear!! haha...;)Hope everyone has a good weekend!

7. Useful English: DISTURB

*to interrupt or bother someone so that they can not continue what they were doing. For example, by asking a question, making a noise, etc.
I`m sorry to disturb/interupt you.
That construction noise is such a disturbance. I can`t stand it!

Happy February!!

I was going to write this yesterday, but yesterday was a grey and rainy and dreary and gloomy day...so I wasn`t in the mood. On the other hand, today is a sunny and beautiful day, and I am in the mood ;) !!! In February many people in my family were born. Sometimes funny when I think of it. What is everyone doing 9 months before february? Is there some Holiday or something???!!! Anyway, one of those people is my brother, Keith. He will turn 30 on February 17th. For some people, turning 30 is a big deal!! Many people say that "Many things change when you turn 30"...I don`t know, maybe, maybe not. For me, some things did change when I became 30. For my bro, I don`t think he is too worried about turning 30 though. It`s just his wonderful personality! ;)