Real English Fifty-Two: lucky to have (someone/somethings)

Earlier this year, Ms. M said to me, "Every night before I go to sleep, I say 5 things out loud which I am grateful for, or which I am lucky to have."

I thought, "That is a great idea, and a great way to end the day!"

So, after I tried it a few times, I thought, "I should do that more."

In 2014, I want to do it more. And that means I have to make effort to do it more.

And, even though it is not 2014 yet, I will start now!

Here are my five!

I am lucky to have my health.

I am lucky to have a job.

I am lucky to have good parents and a good brother, and good friends. (Is this only one?)

I am lucky to have a good wife.

I am lucky to have Taiga.

Thank you all for 2013!

 And, I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2014!!

Happy New Year!!!

Real English Fifty-One: by/until

Today is the last day of 2013.
Tonight, before the clock strikes 12, I will take some time to reflect on this year.
Needless to say, it has been a big year for me...

And I decided my New Year's resolution for 2014.
I have a few.

My first resolution is to continue to write 52 Real English segments in the year.
There are 52 weeks in a year, so basically this means that my aim is two write one Real English segment a week. 

My second resolution is to read one book a month.
So that means that I hope to read 12 books in the year.

My third resolution is to do 80 pull-ups in 30 minutes by the end of the year.
Not 80 pull-ups in a row! 80 pull-ups within 30 minutes!  So that means doing 10 pull-ups, then taking a break, then doing 10 more pull-ups is OK!

What is your New Year's resolution?

And tonight is New Year's eve.
I want to stay up until midnight and watch the apple drop, but maybe I can't.

Do you know how to use both "by" and "until" correctly?
Most learners of the English language don't know the difference between "by" and "until" and find it difficult to them.
Many people say, "It is confusing!" or "I am confused!"
In 2014, let's make sure we get it right!

Real English Fifty: shame

I got a Christmas card from Ms. N the other day.

She wrote,

"Merry Christmas! 

I hope everything is going well!

Please send us Taiga's shame!"

I thought, "'Shame', what is she talking about!!'"

Then I showed my wife the card and she said "Ms. N meant 'sha-me' which is an abbreviation for 'sha-meru,' which means 'cell phone photo.'"

I said, "There is a big difference between 'cell phone photo' and 'Shame'!!!" 

Here are some sentences using "shame," "ashamed," and "embarrassed."

1. It is a shame.

2. He is the shame of the company.

3.  I am ashamed. I made a terrible mistake...

4.  When I was teaching the other day, my fly was down. I was VERY embarrassed!!!

Real English Forty-Nine: hospitality

 So, we showed up at Mr. S's house for the party at on the 23rd at 12pm sharp.

Punctuality is important in Japan.

Mr. S's house is really cool!

He has a fireplace, a hammock, some goldfish, and many many toys!!

I really like it.

When we arrived there was quite a feast waiting for us!!

Homemade pizza cooked in the fireplace, pasta, rice balls, chicken, salad, beef...

We had a feast!

In Japan, you say H ・O・S・P・I・T・A・L・I・T・Y.

But in America, we say that is "southern hospitality."

I am from Philadelphia, so I was "Philadelphia hospitality."

If you ask any tourist in Japan, or any non-Japanese living in Japan, "What is the best thing about Japan?", the reply is always he same: "Japanese Hospitality is the best in the world!  The service is so good, so clean, amazing!

Real English Forty-Eight: RSVP

After we moved,  I visited my neighbor's house a few times. 
(Btw, his name is Mr. S.)  
In November, when I went to his house one time with Taiga, his wife invited my family to their house for a Christmas Party.
The following is our conversation:

Mrs. S:  Why don't we have a Christmas party? 
Me: That's sounds great.  But we're not Christian.
Mrs. S: Neither are we.  So, when is good for you?
Me: We are usually free on Sundays and national holidays.  But I have to check with my wife...
Mrs. S:  I understand, no problem. We will also check our schedule.

Two weeks later, Mr. S and his two daughters knocked on my door.
I was VERY embarrassed because I had just gotten out of the bath with Taiga, and I was wearing my wife's robe! It is purple and very short!!  When I opened the door, Mr. S must have thought I was a lunatic! His two daughters looked shocked and couldn't hold in their laughter.
After they all stopped giggling, the below is what we said:

Mr. S:  Is this a bad time?
Me: Not really.  But I just got out of the bath with Taiga, and I am alone, so my hands are kinda tied.
Mr. S:  Gotcha! Then I will make it quick.  
Me: Thanks!
Mr. S:  Here is an invitation to the Christmas Party we talked about the other day.  Please RSVP by next Sunday, the 7th.
Me:  Thank you very much!  You didn't have to come over here, in the dark, in the cold, just to give me the invitation...you could have just called!
Mr. S: Not a problem.  We wanted to get some fresh air anyway. 
(Then with a smirk on his face)
Mr. S:  Do you always wear this purple robe around the house?!?
Me: No!!! Get outta here! I'll contact you soon!  Later!

Real English Forty-Seven: to be safe

One day when I was contemplating buying my house, 

I thought to myself, 

"I trust my realtor, but just to be safe, I should ask some of the neighbors a few questions...

For example:  

'What do you think of the area?' 

'Is it safe at night?' 

'Have the irrigation ducts ever overflowed?'  

'How are the schools?'

etc."

So later that day, I went for a walk with Taiga in the neighborhood of the house on purpose.

Asking the neighbors questions was my sole objective!  I walked in circles, up and down the same streets, for about thirty minutes...I was nervous, plus I couldn't find anyone.  

Plus, I didn't want to knock on the doors, and say, 

"Hi, I am Glenn. I am thinking about buying that house over there. What do you think?"  

That would've been too unnatural, and creepy!

Finally, I seized the opportunity and went up to a guy who parked his car in the parking lot next to the house.  After he got out of his car, I approached him and said something similar to the above (I only thought it was unnatural if I knocked on doors...am I strange?).  

He politely answered my questions and I was satisfied. Right after that, I saw another guy playing with a child who I thought must be his daughter.  

She looked like she was learning to ride a bicycle.  I thought, 

"I don't want to disturb them...ah---this is difficult, plus I am shy, so maybe I should just give up..."  

But then I remembered, "I am thinking about buying a house!!! This is a big purchase!!!"  

So I overcame my shyness and got up the courage to go up to the guy and his daughter. 

It was one of the top 10 best decisions I have made this year. 

He was unbelievably nice and helpful, and he invited me into his house immediately and introduced his family to Taiga and I.  

And after that, we became "good neighbors." (I think.)

We have some things in common, for instance, we both like beer. 

And by coincidence, he also works in Osaka, actually very close to Honmachi.  

to be continued...

Real English Forty-Six:  to be/get lost

Fortunately, the flight my parents took arrived at KIX on time.  Unfortunately, the taxi which picked them up at the airport got lost on the way to my house, so instead of taking 1 hour, it took one hour and forty minutes.  The below is the dialogue according to my mom:

Taxi Driver: I am so sorry. I am lost, so it is going to take a little longer than I expected.

My Dad: Stop the meter!

Taxi Driver: OK, no problem.  

Mom: Why don't you call my daughter-in-law? Maybe she can give you directions...here's her number. 

Taxi Driver: Can she speak Japanese?

Mom:  Of course! Her name is Kyoko.

Taxi Driver: Thank god!!

Then, the driver called Kyoko.

Ring ring...

Kyoko:  Hello.

Taxi Driver:  Hello. This is Tanaka from ABC Taxi. I can't find your place. Can you help me?

Kyoko:  Where are you? Can you give me a landmark or something?  What do you see around you?

Taxi Driver:  I am right next to Mukogawa River, in front of a vending machine. I can see XYZ building and a big green driving range net behind that.

Kyoko: Oh! You are right around the corner.  Go to the entrance of the driving range. Then go straight, north, on that street, until you see a bread shop. Go past the bread shop one block and you should see a rice field on your left. At that intersection, turn right, and our house is about 200 meters straight ahead.  You can't miss it!

Taxi Driver:  Thanks a lot. I'll give it a try.

Kyoko: Good. If you can't find it, just call me and we will try again. Bye.

Real English Forty-Five: ETA

This morning, a student and I had the following conversation:

Me:  My parents are coming to Japan today?

Student:  Really?!  What time?

Me: Their ETA is 4:25pm at KIX.

Student:  Glenn, I don't understand the meaning of ETA.  What does it mean?

Me:  ETA stands for "estimated time of arrival."

Student:  I see.  Are you gong to pick them up at the airport?

Me: No, I'm not because I have to work. Instead, I arranged for a taxi to pick them up at the airport and take them to my house.

Student:  How much does it cost?

Me: It depends on the route and traffic, but I think about 12,000 yen.

Student:  Plus tip?

Me:  No, including gratuity.

Student:  How long are they staying?

Me: About a month.

Student: A month!?!?

Me:  Yeah. You sound just like my wife!!

Student:  Do you have any plans over New Year's Vacation? Are you going to go anywhere, like a hot springs or something?

Me: As of now, we don't have any big plans. We are just going to take it easy and enjoy the time together.

Student:  Sounds good.  I hope they have a good time!

Me:  Thanks! I hope so too!

Below are beautiful photos of the foliage taken by miss e.  

It's a shame my parents missed the fall leaves because I am sure they would've loved to see these brilliant colors!

Real English Forty-Four: know one's stuff

As many of you know, I bought a house this year.

After talking to the realtor when he showed us the house for the first time, 

I thought  two things, "He really knows his stuff" and "If I buy a house, I'd could buy one from him."

Tomorrow will be two months since I moved.

I want to use this space to write a thank you note to our realtor.

Dear Mr. Suzuki,

Thank you very much for being patient with us!

Thank you for answering all of our (many, many) questions!

Thank you for negotiating, and finally coming down on the price!

And most of all, thank you for helping us purchase the house!

Thanks to you, the three of us are now living there happily!

In addition to the house itself, we really love the area!

I don't know how to express myself accurately, 

but I want to say that I really appreciate everything you did for us!

Hope you enjoy the Holiday Season!

Regards, 

Glenn

Real English Forty-three: special of the day

Last week was Thanksgiving in America.

On the same day, I went to an American restaurant for dinner.

After looking at the menu, 

I asked the waitress,  "What is the special of the day?"

She said, "You are American, right?"

I said, "Yes."

Then she said, "Well then, today is your lucky day!  The special of the day is turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie for dessert."

I said, "I'll take it."

Speaking of food, recently Taiga began to eat a little.  

You can see his brunch the other day below.

It is all home-made, nothing frozen, and it takes my wife a long time and a lot of energy and thoughts and planning to make.

Taiga shows his appreciation of all of her hard work by never leaving even a morsel of food.

Even if he falls asleep in the middle of the meal, which he sometimes does, he always finishes everything.

As some people recently tell me, he resembles his grandfather more and more every day.

From the left, then top to bottom:

 tomato, rice, carrots, turnip, and last but not least pumpkin.

FYI, Taiga doesn't like tomato so much but likes pumpkin a lot! (just like his father!)  Actually, in my case, I didn't like pumpkin when I was a child, 

but after I became an adult, I changed. 

Now, I love it!!!)

Real English Forty-two: Grow

I had a check-up the other day.
It is the first time I got my height measured in about 20 years.
And, to my surprise, I grew 1.6 cm!
20 years ago, I was 175 cm tall (5 feet 10 inches tall=5'10").
But the other day, when I got checked, I was 176.6 cm tall!
I thought my growth spurt was finished after high school, but I was wrong.

My wife asked me, "Why do you think you grew?"
I said, "It must be the white rice!"

Also, some more personal news, Taiga became six months old on November 22nd.  He has grown a lot over the past 6 months. To be exact, now he is 65 cm tall and 9.3 kg.  

Here are some other expressions/sentences which use "grow":

1. 
A)  Where did you grow up?
B) I grew up in Philadelphia

2. Last night my wife said this to me:
"Grow up!"

3.  
A)  I want to grow vegetables in my garden next year.
B)  Really? What kind?
A) I haven't decided yet? Have you ever grown vegetables before?
B)  As a matter of fact, yes I have.
A) What kind?
B)  Tomatoes, carrots, and pumpkin.

4.  
A) How was business this year?
B) Pretty good. Sales are growing.

5.  
A) Your beard looks good! 
B) Thanks for the compliment. I decided to grow a beard during my vacation, and I like it, so I haven't shaved it yet.  What do you think? Should I keep it?
A) Absolutely!

Real English Forty-one: Stock

The other day, when I was going for a walk in the park and pushing Taiga along in his stroller. 
A lady stopped me and said...
Here is our conversation:

Lady: Wow!  A boy or a girl?
Me: Of course a boy!  You can't tell?
Lady: Well his eyes are very big so I thought maybe he was a girl.  How old is he..7 months?
Me: No! He is about 5 and a half months.
Lady: Really?! I can't believe it. He is BIG!  How much does he weigh?
Me: About 9 kg.
Lady: He is so cute and chubby!
Me: He is not chubby! He is stocky!!
Lady:  What does stocky mean?
Me: Stocky means "short, wide, and muscular!"
Lady:  That's a funny one! He doesn't have any muscle yet! He is just a baby!

The word "stock" has many meanings.
Do you understand the below?

1.  The forecast is for a snow storm this weekend so we better stock up on food and water before it comes!
2.  I tried to buy that best-seller on Amazon last night but it was out of stock. I will try again next week...I really hope it is in stock then.
3.  I check the Tokyo Stock Exchange every day because I have some stock.
4.  The scandal considerably lowered the draft prospect's stock.
5.  Be sure you take stock of the situation before you make a decision.
6. My friend is a livestock breeder.

Real English Forty: determined

On the day of the race, some nice things happened to me.

First, I got a few emails from some friends and family on the morning of the race saying;

"Good Luck!"

"Do your best!"

"I hope you can smile when you finish the race!"

"Don't hurt yourself!"

I thought, "I am really lucky to have such good friends and family!"

I really appreciate everyone's support!

Then, at around the 16K point, I saw Kyoko and Taiga.  But, they didn't see me...

(How they didn't notice ME, running is my flashy advertisement tee-shirt, I don't know...but they didn't!!!)

So, I made a u-turn because I wanted to say HI and THANK YOU, hug them, take a photo, and also take a little break! ;)

After that, I was fired up to finish the race and get home, so I picked up the pace.

But after about running 1K, I ran out of gas and my knee hurt, so I stopped at a "first-aid tent" to get some spray for my knee.

It was my first time to use such spray, and it worked.  My knee felt a little better after I used it.

As I began running again, I heard a deep voice scream out "Glenn, Glenn!!!"

I didn't know where the voice was coming from...

Then I looked up and I saw Makoto.

I was really surprised!!

I stopped and we took a photo together, and then I said, "I can't believe you came out to see me!

He said, "No problem. Actually, I waited at the starting line, but couldn't find you. Then I went to the 4K point, and then the 10K point, but no luck.  However, I didn't give up because I was determined to find you!!!

I said, "Well, your effort paid off...because you found me!!  Anyway, why don't you run the last 2K with me?"

He said, "Sure! Let's do it!"

I said, "OK. Then I challenge you to a race. From here, to the finish line! Ready....GO!"

And with that, I took off like a rocket!!!

But about 50 meters before the finish line, Makoto, who is 10 years older than me and smoked for over 20 years from when he was 18 til about 40, caught up to me and easily passed me.

He won. 

I lost.

FYI, Makoto is an amateur triathlon athlete. When he participates in a race, he usually finishes in the top two or three in his age bracket, 40-49.

After the race, we walked together to the station.

Below is our conversation:

Makoto:  Good job Glenn. As you said, you finished under two and a half hours.  How much did you practice?

Glenn:  Actually, I didn't "practice" at all for this race.

Makoto:  Really?! I can't believe it.  Why not?

Glenn:  I just didn't have time because on the weekend's it is my turn to take care of Taiga.

Makoto:  I can't imagine not practicing at all for a race...

Glenn:  Even though I didn't "practice," I still did my "daily exercise."

Makoto: What's that?

Glenn:  Well, I walk over 1 hour every day, I commute by bicycle, which takes about 70 or so each way, once a week, and I do the "step machine" at the gym for about 30 minutes 2 or 3 times a week.  Basically, contrary to your opinion, I am not in bad shape!!  So, I thought, barring some big injury, that I could finish around two and a half.

Makoto:  Got ya! By the way, have you ever ran a full marathon?

Glenn: Yeah. I ran the Fukuchiyama Marathon twice. Once when I was 23, and the other 10 years later, when I was 33.  

Makoto: What was your time?

Glenn: Three hours and 35 minutes and Four hours and 42 minutes, respectively.

Makoto:  Do you want to run a full marathon again?

Glenn:  No. Never. It is too much for my knees...

Makoto: How do you feel now? Are you sore?

Glenn:  Yes, my knees hurt a lot. I bet my muscles, especially my knees, will be sore tomorrow!

Makoto:  Take a long bath and you will be alright!

Glenn: Thanks for the advice!  Ah-, here's the station. Do you have time for a beer before going home?

Makoto: I have time, but I have to drive tonight, so can I take a rain check?

Glenn: Of course! And Makoto, thanks again! Because of you today, I learned again that determination can make a difference!

Real English Thirty-eight: challenge

Many Japanese misuse the word "challenge."

Many people say, "I challenge!" when they should say "I want to try it. " or "I will try it."

Or they say "Challenge" instead of "Try it."

Below are some correct uses of the word "challenge":

-to challenge oneself

Me) I am going to run the Nishinomiya Half marathon next month?

My friend) Why?

Me) Because I want to challenge myself.

-to be a challenge

-to be challenging

Me) I finished.

My friend)  Good job! How was it?

Me) It was a challenge (=It was challenging), but it was a great day and I am glad I did it.

Real English Thirty-Seven: essential

Breaking news! 

The U.S. Government will re-open.  

For those of you who didn't know, the U.S. Government was shut down for a while.  During this time, the Government labeled employees two ways,  "essential employees" and "non-essential employees."  The "essentials" could stay and work. The non-essentials were sent home on furlough.  My cousin works for the government. He was furloughed.

"Essential" basically means "necessary".

"It is essential" equals "It is necessary".

Recently, I have had many "discussions" with my wife about what is essential and not essential for our new house.

For example, I said "Curtains are not essential."

She disagreed with me.

Then, she said "A new dining table and chairs are essential."

I disagreed with her.

FYI, we are getting both new curtains and a new dining table and chairs!!!

You can guess who wears the pants in the house :(

And then, the other day she said to me, "Do you remember that you said you would by me a new vacuum if we buy this house?"

I said, "I vaguely remember that..."

She said, "Are you going to be a man and keep your word?"

 I said, "Of course."

So, the next day I went to an electrical appliance store to buy the most essential house item for my wife; a vacuum.

She vacuums not twice a week, not once a day, but twice or three times every day. Thanks to her, our house is always spotless!

Believe me, if I were dust, I 

wouldn't come to my house!

The below is the conversation I had at the electrical appliance store.

Clerk: Can I help you?

Me: I am looking for a vacuum.  

Clerk: Right this way sir...

Me: My wife said she wants a cordless vacuum, because our house is 3 stories.

Clerk: I understand. Then, I highly recommend this one. 

Me: Is it made in Japan?

Clerk: No. The maker is Company D.

Me: Why do you recommend it?

Clerk:  Actually, I have one myself. I love it and couldn't live without it. 

Me:  What is so special about it?

Clerk:  It is light, so it is easy for women to hold with even one hand.  And stylish, and easy to store or put away. You can attach it to the wall if you want.  And unbelievably powerful!! 

Me: How powerful? 

Clerk:  You have to see it to believe it!  Give it a try!

(I proceeded to "test" the vacuum.  The clerk wasn't kidding!!  Just as she said, it was strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Me: I don't understand one thing.  It is cordless so that means there is no plug... how does it work?

Clerk: It has a battery. You have to charge it. It takes 3 and a half hours to charge the battery  Then, you can use the vacuum for 20 minutes on "regular power" or for 5 minutes on "super power."

Me: What is the difference between "regular power" and "super power"?

Clerk:  When the vacuum is in "super power" mode, it can suck up very small pieces of dust...minute particles!  It is especially useful to clean futons.  It sucks up all the dust and even mites in a futon.

Me: How long does the battery last?

Clerk: About a year and a half to two years.  A new battery costs about 8000 yen.

Me: How much the vacuum?

Clerk:  69,800 yen.

Me: Excuse me? (I couldn't believe my ears...)

Clerk: Sixty-nine thousand and eight hundred yen.

Me: I see...I'll take it. (I didn't have a choice...)

Clerk: Thank you very much.  Will you be paying with cash or by credit card?

Me: Cash.

So, I bought the most expensive vacuum I have ever heard of...

But a man's word is a man's word.

Anyway, I really hope my wife likes it!  

And I don't know how well the vacuum sucks up dust, but I can tell you one thing it sucks up really well................................my money!!!

It sucked the money right out of my wallet!

Below are Ms. C's photos from her trip to America! Amazing!

Real English Thirty-Six: and then some

Since a few months ago, every time Mr. F comes to class, he annoyingly says:

"I am going to get you back...and then some "

"I am gonna return the favor...and then some."

"I will get back at you...and then some."

"I am going to give you a taste of your own medicine...and then some."

He is obsessed with the phrase.

He stole it from Mr. Hanzawa Naoki, who is the main character (a banker) in the TV show "Hanzawa Naoki", which was one of the most popular shows of the year.

Actually, the final episode recorded a TV rating of 42.2%, a new high!

Did you watch the show?

If yes, can you explain what it is about?

If no, are you interested in watching a rerun, or getting the DVD/blu-ray disc?

Real English Thirty-Five: music to my ears

It is October.
When I think of October, I think of playoff baseball, Okinawa and typhoons, and pumpkins, witches, and Halloween.
What comes to your mind first when you hear "October"?

And, as I have told many of you, I will move in a few weeks.
So, the other day, after my wife placed an inquiry on some "moving company site". Immediately after she placed the inquiry, about 5 companies contacted us.  We asked the first three companies which called to come to our apartment to give us an estimate.  We thought 3 was enough. So, we had to reject the two companies which called after the first three.  You could say that those last two companies "Missed the boat!"

On the phone, I told each of the three companies the same thing:
"I will be here from 2 to 4 pm, so please come any during that time.  Also, please know that there may be another moving company here while you are here.  If that is a problem, please let me know."
They all said, "No problem."

First, a salesman from company A arrived. He gave us a small bag of rice, was very professional and politely and patiently listened to all of our requests.  I liked him. And the estimate he gave us, 147,000 yen for everything included, was just under my budget of 150, so I thought, "Not bad."  The next guy who gave us an estimate was from company B.  I don't remember if he gave us any gift or not. He was also professional.  The two big differences between the salesman from company A and B were:
1. The Company B Guy was much faster than Company A Guy. Company B Guy was in and out of our place, in total about 20 minutes.  In a good way, you could say he was efficient.  In a bad way, you could say he was too fast.  In comparison, Company A Guy spent about 45 minutes to an hour there.
2.  Company B Guy's estimate was considerably more expensive than Company A's...about 180,000, not including trash removal.  His company doesn't do that. Instead, he recommended a "trash and recycling company" which handles that.

So, now, the only guy left in our apartment was from Company C. To be honest, I was thinking  "Come on buddy, speed it up" because I wanted him to leave as soon as possible so I could get on with my day.  In addition, I had 99.9 % already decided on Company A.  In my head, I was like, "I am gonna use Company A. I am sure that Company C's estimate will be around the same as Company A, and the guy from Company A was nice, plus my wife likes him..."

So after what seemed like an eternity, the guy from Company C said, "When can you decide by?"
I said, "Sometime this week."
He said, "Well, if you can decide now, then I can do it all for 100,000."
I was very surprised....pleasantly surprised.
I said, "Sir, that is music to my ears!! Give me a pen and where do I sign!"

That goes to show you. It ain't over til it's over.  You never know about that .1%.

Real English Thirty-Four: get a kick out of

What were you doing at 5:30am on Sunday September 6th when the IOC President announced said, "And the city that will host the 2020 Olympics is...TOKYO!"

I was watching it live!

When I heard the sweet sound of "Tokyo", I got goosebumps down my spine...then stood up and pumped my fists, and almost screamed!  Luckily for me, I held my scream in.  If I hadn't had such superior self-control, I would have woken my wife up and then I am sure that my wife would have kicked me out of the house.  At 5:30am in the morning in Nishinomiya, there aren't too many exciting places to go...

Speaking of the Olympics, I was really impressed with presentations done by Team Japan!

If you search You Tube using "2020 Olympics Presentation by Tokyo, Japan," I bet you will find some videos of the presentations.

If you watch the videos, not only can you study English, but you can also study:

how to give a presentation.

how to deliver a speech.

how to make gestures.

how to project your voice.

how to make eye contact.

All of the above will help to make your speech or demonstration or whatever better!

They are all "Enhancement Factors"!!

Honestly, I really can't say enough about the presentations...

To all of the Presenters, Congratulations on a job well done!!

In particular, I got a kick out of the presentations done by Crystal Takigawa, Mami Sato, and Yuki Ota.

Mami's was my favorite, and I think it will be used in Japanese English textbooks in the future.

Real English Thirty-Three: Keep one's fingers crossed

Within 12 hours, we will all know the answer to the following question:  

Who will host the 2020 Olympics?

I am keeping my fingers crossed...

I really want the Olympics to come to Tokyo...

So, I am begging you, please keep your fingers crossed too!

We need all the luck we can get!!!

For those of you who don't know (I doubt there are many, but I am sure there are a few), there are three candidates; Tokyo, Madrid, and Istanbul.  

As of now, it is a very close race. 

According to the latest news reports, Tokyo and Madrid are neck and neck.  

And Istanbul is out of it.  

However, these news reports vary and are constantly changing, plus there are rumors are flying around, so it is difficult to tell...

Without a doubt, it is going to go down to the wire.

If Tokyo wins, and that is a big IF, I am going to say "Let's drink to that!"

Of course with my favorite side dish, eda-mame! : )

Real English Thirty Two: Rain Check

It is already September...Time flies!

Time flies when you are busy.

And, time flies when you are having fun.

In my case, both of the above apply.

Let me tell you about the past few weeks.

I had a very nice time over Obon Vacation.  Except for one day, when I went out with my friend to Koshien Stadium to watch the High School Baseball Tournament, I stayed home and took care of Taiga every day.  It was both fun and tough at the same time.  And to be honest, it was much harder than I expected.

Then, on the 25th, I signed a letter of commitment and made a down payment to buy a house.  Buying a new house is exciting, but negotiating, dealing with the real estate agent, going over the contract, applying to take out a mortgage, moving, packing, unpacking...the list goes on and on...are, to say the least, all not so much fun.  So since about a month ago, I have had a lot on my plate...

Oh yeah, do you remember the 25th?  It poured that morning. To be exact, there was torrential rain where I live in Nishinomiya City.  In the car on the way back from the Real Estate Agency, many streets were under water.  Later that night, I saw on TV that some shopping arcades and roads were flooded in Osaka.  For this area, that much rainfall in such a short time is unprecedented.  

Now, let's get to Real English.  The below is a conversation I had the other day.

Makoto:  Glenn, my friends and I are doing a long run, and after that going to a spa and having a BBQ in the end of September.  Would you like to come?

Glenn:  I would love to, but I can't.  Can I take a rain check?

Makoto:  Of course! Why?

Glenn:  As I told you, it is my turn to take care of Taiga on the weekends.  

Makoto:  So why don't you bring Taiga and your wife?

Glenn:  During that time, my wife re-charges her batteries.  Plus with moving and packing and stuff, the time just isn't good now.  I hope you can understand.

Makoto:  Absolutely.  Do what you have to do, and don't worry, I will invite you again another time.

Glenn:  Thanks a lot.  I appreciate it.

To change the subject, I tried "cold ramen" a few weeks ago.  This is really something for me, because before I tried it, I believed that "ramen must be hot."  Even though I am stubborn, I decided to try a new and different thing, so you could say I broke out of my shell...And, to y pleasant surprise, it was much better than I expected.  So the "new and improved" Glenn believes that "ramen can be both hot and cold!"