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!"