Real English Twenty One-doze off

The other day, I dozed off on the train and missed the stop, Amagasaki, where I have to change trains.  

Unfortunately, it was the last train.

However, luckily, I woke up at Itami Station, which is only a 3000yen taxi to my place.  If I had slept through that, I would have ended up in Sanda, which is very far and quite expensive to get back.

Speaking of last trains, I read in the paper a few weeks ago that the Osaka Government is debating introducing a new train schedule which would run 24 hours a day.

According to the paper, the people involved in making this decision think that a "24-hour train schedule" would stimulate business/the economy.

What do you think about this?  Do you agree with it, or disagree with it?

As far as I know, in Japan the trains only run all day and all night on New Year's Eve, December 31st.  

Can you explain the reason for this?

Oh yeah, by the way, my wife was in labor for over 30 hours.  During that time, we were together.  My role was to rub her back, rube her back, and rub her back more.  I forget exactly when, but at some point I dozed off...This was a BIG MISTAKE and she noticed it immediately and became furious and screamed, "Now, at this time, while I am in excruciating pain, how can you sleep?!"

I frantically said, "I am really sorry, I dozed off for only a minute...It will never happen again...Please forgive me..."

I learned an important lesson through this experience.  Let me share my new-found wisdom:  NEVER DOZE OFF WHEN YOUR WIFE IS IN LABOR AND YOU ARE IN THE SAME ROOM. 

And FYI, since then, I have my tail between my legs...I am in the dog house, permanently.

But tonight, for the first time in 37 nights, my wife will be waiting for me when I get home.  And even better, she will be with Taiga!

Taiga, welcome to this World! 

First Name: Taiga

Middle Name: Morris

Last Name: Gross

Birth Date: 2013 May 22nd

Birth Time: 2:06am

Weight: 5.56 lbs.

Height: 17.87 inches

First, I have to thank my wife Kyoko, for everything...

Second, I have to thank the doctors, nurses, technicians and staff 

at Koshida Clinic and Hyogo Ken-Ritsu Nishinomiya Hospital.  

Without you all and all of your medical science, Taiga would not be here today.

Third, I would like to thank my parents and brother and sister-in-law, kyoko's mom, and the rest of our families and friends for their support.

Thank you ALL!

And Taiga, thanks for coming!

Real English Twenty-I can't afford it.

Mr. T bought a new bicycle the other day.  

Glenn:  What's going on?

Mr. T: I bought a new bicycle the other day.  I have a photo of it on my i-pad, you wanna see it?

Glenn:  Love to.

Glenn:  Wow! Cool! What kind of bike is it?

Mr. T:  It is made by Moulton Bicycle Company.  Have you ever heard of it?

Glenn:  No, I haven't.  Is it a famous company?

Mr. T: Yes. Very. Google it if you are interested.

Glenn:  Will do.  In the meantime, tell me about your new wheels!

Mr. T:  It took about one year to make.  I placed the order sometime last year. It is totally custom-made.  After taking my measurements, for example my height, weight, length of arms, legs, etc.,  they designed the bike specially for me.  It is truly "MY BI-cycle!" There is no other bicycle in the world like it.  It is one of a kind!  They say "it is the most efficient bicycle in the world."

Glenn:  Did you already take it for a test ride?

Mr. T:  You bet ya, as soon as I got it! Over the Golden Week Vacation, I rode about 300k in all, on average 50k a day. I had 6 days off.  

Glenn:  How was it?

Mr. T:  It was a smoooooooth ride! Like Silk!

Glenn:  But it looks small.  Is it fast?

Mr. T:  Yes, and very light.  The highest speed that I can reach is about 45kph, but if my legs were stronger I could ride a lot faster.

Glenn:  Do you wear a helmet?

Mr. T:  Of course.

Glenn:  How much is it?

Mr. T:  Guess!

Glenn:  I have no idea.  Just tell me.

Mr T:  2.5 million yen.

Glenn:  2.5 million?!  Are you serious?!  It costs as much as a car!

Mr. T:  Yes, it does.  Do you wanna get one?

Glenn:  I wish I could, but I can't afford it.

Real English Nineteen- out of nowhere

Look at this little fella! He appeared out of nowhere the other day on the beach down The Shore. ("The Shore" is a common term used to refer to the beach in New Jersey.)  To my knowledge, he is the first seal to have ever done this-make an appearance in Ocean City, New Jersey.  Quite amazing!

Do you like the beach?

I do. Actually, that is an understatement.  I love it!!!

But, I don't like swimming in the ocean so much because I am scared of sharks...

I look stronger than I am! :)

Real English Seventeen and Eighteen- Take (something) for granted/Boston Strong

Today is the last day of the Golden Week Vacation. According to this morning's news, the airports and highways and trains are all packed with people returning to their homes.  I don't even want to imagine how crowded it is...

For me, well...the past two or so weeks have been quite hectic.  To say the least, this year's GW Vacation will be one that I will never forget.

First, Real English Seventeen, "Take (something) for granted."

We all take many things, for example health, family, friends, work, "normal time", for granted.  This means that we think that these things will always be here, and don't take time to be thankful for them in our everyday lives.

I learned recently that you shouldn't take anything for granted.

So my words of advice for today are:

Don't take anything for granted!

(Because it could be gone tomorrow...)

Take a moment and be thankful you, and your family and friends, are healthy.

Tell your family and friends that they are special to you and you love them and you are grateful for their support and friendship.

Remember you are lucky to have a job!  (Even if it may not be the ideal job or job of your dreams!)

And appreciate the "normal time" that you have doing nothing, relaxing, exercising, taking a bath, watching a movie, listening to music, etc.

Second, Real English Eighteen-"Boston Strong!"

This phrase caught on after the bombings.  This phrase is a rallying call for all of the people in Boston.  It is meant to remind them to join together and fight and under no circumstances let this thing beat them because they are stronger than that.

When you are in a pinch, in other words in a bad situation, you can use "(something/someone) strong!" for you, or your family or friends, or company.

For example, my father recently often says "Gross Strong!"

Some other meanings of "strong":

1.  He is a strong guy.

2.  My coffee is too strong.

3.  Dinner was strong!

4.  In the past few months, the economy has been really strong.