Real English Thirteen-take a crash course

Play ball!
Opening Day of the baseball season began in Japan last night.
I predict the Tigers will win it all this year!  You can take it to the bank!
Who do you predict will win?

Concerning ball in America, I BELIEVE that my team, the Philadelphia Phillies, will be wearing their World Series rings when it is all said and done.

Speaking of baseball, Ms. S has a season ticket package for the Tigers.  The package includes a bunch of games at Koshien Stadium and also Kyocera Dome.  Koshien is the Tiger's true home field, but because of the big high school baseball tournament in the summer and also some other reasons, they must play inside at the Dome a few times during the year.  Anyway, she can't go to all of the games, so she gave her daughter some of the tickets.  Her daughter will take her boyfriend, but because she doesn't know anything about baseball, she has to take a crash course in baseball before her first game so she doesn't embarrass herself.

Actually,  I don't know why, but a lot of people seem to be taking crash courses in something this time of year.

Kyoko told me the other day, "My mother decided to take an Intensive English Study Course starting next week."

Then yesterday, my mother said to me, "I am going to come to Japan again this summer, so I just began a crash course in Japanese."

They are each motivated for different reasons of their own.

Except for English, what are you motivated to do?

Have you ever taken a crash course in anything?

Real English Twelve-up for grabs

I spoke to my dad on the phone yesterday.  We usually talk on the phone once a week, but we email daily.  

Dad:  Hey Glenn, how are you doing?
Glenn:  Alright, thanks.  How are you feeling?  How is life? work? 
Dad:  I've been better but basically can't complain for a guy who is closing in on 67.  Anyway, how has the week been so far in Japan?
Glenn:  This week began on a low note Monday when Japan was ousted from the WBC by Puerto Rico.  Did you watch the game?
Dad:  Yeah, what was the manager thinking when he gave the sign for a double steal with the clean-up batter at the plate?  Is that what they call "small baseball"?  Weak!
Glenn:  I read some articles about that in the paper.  A lot of writers are debating that call.  But needless to say, the two-time defending champions, losing to Puerto Rico, was an upset.  
Dad:  You got that right. And after that, with all of the favorites out of the tournament, the title was up for grabs!
Glenn:  Uh-huh.  On Tuesday, the Dominican Republic beat Holland, who was really the surprise of the tournament.  They held their own and played better than most people expected.  And then on Wednesday, the Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico and raised the trophy!  
Dad:  And Japan came home empty-handed.  
Glenn:  But maybe they were pleasantly surprised when they got back on Wednesday because the cherry blossoms began blooming in Tokyo, about 8 to 12 days earlier than usual.  I saw it on TV and it looked really beautiful.  Now they are in full bloom.  
Dad:  How about in Osaka?  
Glenn:  Not yet.  But Kyoko told me today that the blossoms are beginning to bloom in Utsubo Park, a park near here.  
Dad:  I read in the paper that many Japanese go to "cherry blossom viewing"?  Is that true?
Glenn:  Yep.  It is a big event here.  People prepare food and drinks and sit under the blossoms...like a picnic.  I usually do it too, but I don't like to do it at night, because it is too cold.
Dad:  Do you guys have any plans to view the blossoms?  
Glenn:  Yeah, this Sunday, we plan to go to Shukugawa, about an hour walk from the house, which is famous for cherry blossoms.  But the weather forecast for Sunday is overcast and rainy...so we will see how it goes.  
Dad:  Gotcha son. Anyway, hope the week ends on a high note for you. Thanks, you too!

Real English Eleven-off the charts

Who is that masked man?

In one class the other day, all three students were wearing masks.  It wasn't Halloween!!!  So, I asked them all, "Why are you wearing a mask?"

Their answers were as follows, and I quote:

Student A)  "I have a cold and I don't want to give it to anyone.  In other words, I am wearing a mask because I don't want to spread my germs."

Student B)  "The reason I am wearing a mask is because I don't want to get another person's cold!!  Plus, I want to protect myself from the PM2.5 and the "yellow sand" from China."

Student C)  "I have hay fever and the if you watch the news you should know...the pollen count this year is off the charts!"

The above quotes are verbatim.  I didn't edit, or touch them up in any way.  And since their replies were are all grammatically perfect, and natural, I said to them, "I am impressed.  Your English is off the charts today!  Great job! "  

In Japan, a lot of people wear masks for various reasons.  On the other hand, in America, even though of course there is pollen and hay fever, and also many germs, I have not seen many people wearing masks.  

However, according to my mother, my grandfather wore a mask whenever someone around him was sick.  I think it was unusual in those days, and even now. (But my grandfather was a piece of work sometimes...)  

In my case, I have only worn a mask once in my life.  It was at my mother-in-law's house about 5 years ago.  I didn't have much of a choice.  I had a cold and my sister-in-law was pregnant.  So I was quarantined in a "side room" for 3 days and told  "Wear a mask or else you can't come out of quarantine to receive your meals."  I am just joking!!!  Kimiko (that's my mother-in-law's name) is very kind to me always!!!

Thanks for the beautiful photos Ms. K!!

Real English 10-wiped out

I filed my taxes at the tax office yesterday.  It was my first time to do it by computer (e-tax), and it was easier than I expected. And also much faster.  I plan to do it the same way next year.

And at the tax office, I ran into an old friend.  
My friend said, "Glenn, is everything OK? You look wiped out!"
I replied, "For the past couple of weeks, I have been up to my ears in receipts! That's all! With a few days of rest, I am sure I will be fine! Thanks for your concern."

This Monday, the 11th, marks the two year memorial of the Tohoku Earthquake and the Tsunami which triggered the nuclear disaster.  That tsunami wiped out many towns...
What were you doing at 2:46pm when the earthquake hit?
I was teaching Mr. T at that time.  

This weekend, I would like to take some time to remember what happened that day and the days after...It is important to remember, because we must never forget.

Real English Nine-Dress the part

Last Saturday, this was the dialogue of MC's class.

MC:  I have a big complaint, Glenn

Glenn:  Really...(my palms were clammy) What's wrong?

MC:  The link to the dictionary on your blog disappeared! So, I couldn't look up the words which I didn't understand.

Glenn:  I am very sorry. I apologize for the inconvenience.  And please let me explain. I wanted to try to make the blog more "reader friendly" so I made a few minor changes.  One of them was deleting the links.  Another one was changing the background color to white, so it doesn't stand out so much.  And I also cleaned up the archives a little.  Anyway, this is the link to that dictionary: http://www.alc.co.jp/.    

It's great.  Please continue to use it.

MC: I will.  Thanks.

Glenn:  May I change the subject?

MC:  Sure.  What is it?

Glenn:  Why are you so dressed up today?  (MC is a business man.  He always wears a nice suit on the weekdays.  But on the weekends, he wears casual clothes (like me).  We have the same sense of fashion.  After class, MC often goes to his office for a few hours to work.)

MC: Ah, the other day one of my subordinates, he is younger, around 25 years old, said to me, 'MC, you are too underdressed for the office.  I know it is Saturday, but still, you have to dress the part and lead by example! After all, you are the manager.'  I don't know what he was talking about, but I decided to dress up once a month to make him happy.

Glenn:  That was very nice of you I think.  A lot of younger guys are into fashion these days, I don't understand it...But, to each their own!

As you all can see and know, I am not Mr. Fashion.  But I do know a lot of idioms using "clothes" in them.  Do you understand all of the below?

1.  He's moody.  His mood changes at the drop of a hat.

2.  Don't open the door! I am in my birthday suit!!!

3.  She passed the test by the seat of her pants.

4.  You'll never catch me with my pants down.

5.  That baby is cute as a button!

6.  He's got deep pockets.  He always treats everybody!

7.  She is a tough negotiator.  She really dug her heels in and refused to budge.

8.  Stop dragging your heels. Just do it already!

9.  

You are dressed to kill! (situation:  before a big presentation)

You are dressed to the nines! (situation: before an Awards Ceremony)

10.  Closing that deal is a real feather in your cap.

"clothes idioms" to be continued another day...

Phenomenal Photos from Shoko's trip to New Zealand