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.