Real English Thirty One: Sounds like a plan

Obon Vacation is just around the corner.  

I have asked many people the following question:

"Do you have any plans over (the) Obon Vacation?"

Here are a bunch of the answers I got.

1.  Not really. I am just gonna take it easy, go to the spa, clean up the house, and maybe catch a movie or baseball game or something.

2.  Actually nothing at all because I have to work!! I am bummed out!  Can you believe my company is open every day during Obon?  What is my boss thinking?!

3.  I am going to go to Phuket with my family.  We go on a "family trip" overseas every other year.  I am really looking forward to it, but I am afraid that, for various reasons, this may be the last year that we will all be able to do it.

4.  I am not going anywhere, so I want to use this opportunity to catch up on things which I usually don't have time to do, like reading.

5.  I am going to Okinawa with my friends.  I have never been there before, and I know you have been there many times, so what do you recommend to do? to eat? to see?

6.  I am going back to my parent's house and we are going to do a "traditional Obon" and visit my ancestor's grave and stuff.  

7.  We are having a family "get together" at my brother-in-law's second house in Shizuoka Prefecture.  Everybody included, I think there are going to be about 20 relatives there.  The more the merrier!

8.  I am from Tokyo, and in Tokyo people do Obon in the end of July, not in August like the rest of Japan.  Really! I am serious!  Did you know that?

9. (My answer) I am going to go for some long distance jogs because I decided to run the Nishinomiya Half Marathon on November 4th.  I have to get ready for it!

10.  (Your answer!)

And my reply to all of the above answers is, "Sound like a plan!"

After I finish practicing for the marathon, I am going to drink "Hanshin Tigers Wine", one bottle of red and one bottle of white, while watching the Tigers on TV.  I can't wait!

Real English Thirty: hit the fan

It is still hot and humid, at times unbearable.  If I am home and I can't stand it anymore, I have three options:

The first option is to turn on the electric fan.

The second option is to turn on the brand new air conditioner.

And the third option is to take a cold shower, and then do one of the above.

And I just remembered that I have a "cold bed mat"..I totally forgot all about it! It is somewhere deep in the closet, collecting dust I think... Things have been quite hectic this summer so both kyoko and I completely forgot about it.  There is about one more month of summer left, so I will take it out of the closet and use it from tonight. As they say, "Better late than never!"

Yesterday when I read The Japan Times Online, I was interested in the following news stories .  

1.  Study: 8.1% of Japan secondary school students may be 'Internet addicts'

2.  Heavy rains soak Hokuriku

3.  Fuji climbers up 35% by late July

In addition, the Nikkei 225 (Tokyo Stock Market) went up 460 points yesterday.  However, earlier in the week, it dropped about that much.  Ahhh---and as another proverb goes, "What goes up must come down."  

When everything hits the fan, I hope I am ready...

Did you know that sunflowers are my favorite flower?  Well, if you didn't, now you know!

What is your favorite flower?

Real English Twenty Nine:  Take care

It has been two weeks since I last wrote a blog.  Sorry to keep you waiting!

Thanks to my mom, Kyoko and I could go on a nice date a few Saturdays ago.

Glenn:  Ma, can you do me a favor?

Mom:  Sure what is it?

Glenn:  I want to take Kyoko out for a nice dinner tonight because we haven't been out in a while.  Could you take care of Taiga?

Mom:  Anytime!  I'd love to babysit my adorable grandson!

Glenn:  Thanks a lot.  I am relieved to hear that.  Just so you know, if he becomes hysterical or there is a problem or something, call me on my cell!

Mom:  Don't worry so much!

Glenn:  I can't help it. It is in my genes. I got it from you!

Mom: Haha... Anyway, take care and have fun!

Glenn:  OK!  Take care of you, and Taiga, too!

Below are photos from that night.  We went to Lawry's Prime Rib in Umeda. Google it if you are interested.  It is a little pricey but I highly recommend it for a special occasion or a business dinner.  The food, atmosphere, service, really everything was top-notch!

Real English Twenty Eight: make sense

For the first time in over a year, I went to Umeda.  Unless I have some business to attend to, I almost never venture past Kita-Shinchi.  And, for the first time in more than 2 years, I went window shopping.  The reason is my mother wanted to check out Grand Front Osaka and she needed a date.  So, what's a son for!

First, we met up at Garb, a casual Italian restaurant, which is right next to GFO, for lunch.  It was  hopping, nice atmosphere, good food...I recommend it!  Next, we walked on every floor of both the North and South Building of GFO and checked out the various shops, restaurants, facilities, etc.  To be honest, I was blown away!  As you know, I hate shopping. So, I hate to admit it, but the whole complex is quite impressive!  Have you been there yet? If not, I think it's a good idea just to check it out...just for the experience.  (But it may be better to avoid going on the weekends/a national holiday because I don't even want to imagine, but it must be unbelievably crowded...)

The only complaint my mother had about the whole place can be found in the conversation below which we had outside on the deck on the 7th floor (you better check that, I forget exactly which floor it is on, but it was high up for sure) at Starbucks at GFO:

Glenn:  Hot enough for ya?

Mom:  Wow!  The sun is scorching...I am glad I brought my sunglasses for the glare!  I am even considering getting a parasol, like all the Japanese ladies use to protect themselves from the sun.  Parasols are not popular in America, but it is a good idea! Japanese ladies are smart!!  

Glenn:  Yes, for sure!

Mom:  But sitting in the shade up here, drinking my 'caramel frappachino, feels nice!

Glenn:  My 'short cake frappachino' ain't that bad either. So, was there anything you don't like about GFO?

Mom:  Actually, yes there is.  I have one complaint!  THE NAME!  The name, 'Grand Front Osaka', doesn't make any sense.  Why would they make such a fabulous place and then give it such a terrible name.  The name doesn't mean anything in English!!

Glenn:  I know what you mean.  That's why it took me so long to remember it.  For months now, I have said "Grand something something Osaka."  Not until recently, because of talking about it with you so much, could I finally remember the name.  

Mom:  Do Japanese people understand the meaning?

Glenn:  Well, Kyoko said that most Japanese understand the meaning because, you see, there are some expressions in Japanese, which use English, but have no meaning in English.  Of course, native speakers can't understand them, but Japanese people can.  These expressions are called 'Japanese English.'

Mom:  So what did Kyoko say "Grand Front Osaka" means?

Glenn:  She said it means "the big front entrance to Osaka."  But when I ran that by a friend of mine, he said she was wrong.  He said that, in fact, it means "the big front entrance to THE WORLD!"

Mom:  Haha...such an exaggeration!

Glenn:  I know!  But maybe they are trying to attract foreign tourists, especially Chinese!

Real English Twenty Seven: "have one's fair share of ～"

I have had my fair share of flight trouble, but my father's flight from KIX to SFO last Saturday takes the cake.

When he finally arrived in Philly around 1pm on Sunday the 7th, he sent me this email:

"I made it!! I don't know where to start, so I will just start at the beginning.  First of all, as usual, the taxi to the airport was great! Thanks!  That was the highlight of my trip actually!! All down hill from there...My United flight from KIX was delayed an hour and a half, which wasn't so bad because I just had a couple of drinks while waiting.  After departure around 6pm, the flight was real smooth, no turbulence or anything.  As you know, I hate flying, so I was relieved.  But I knew it was too good to be true...

So anyway, just after finishing breakfast, about 1 hour or so before the scheduled arrival time, the pilot came on the loudspeaker and made the following announcement:  

'Ladies and Gentleman. I have some bad news. Due to an accident at SFO, the airport has been shut down indefinitely, and our flight has been diverted to Sacremento Airport.  Please stay calm.  We will have you on the ground in 20 minutes.'

Unbelievable!!!  Just my luck!!  I thought "There goes my easy flight!"

But as they say, `there is no use crying over spilled milk`, so it wasn't easy, but I kept my cool.  Besides, I couldn't afford to break down.

Once on the ground, we had to stay in the plane in Sacremento for about 3 hours.  We couldn't leave the plane because Sacremento  is not an international airport, and that means no Customs nor Immigration.  The plane was refueled on the runway.  I took pictures of fire trucks coming up to the plane.  Wanna see?

Finally, after we got permission to fly again, we flew to LA, and after going through Customs and Immigration, I had to stand in a 4+ hour re-booking line.  Absolutely miserable...  While in line, I noticed that unlike the Japanese who were very patient and quiet, the Americans were loud and obnoxious...

Fortunately I could get a flight that night out of LA to Chicago. I got on standby.  Of course I wanted to fly direct to Philly, like my original ticket, but there weren't any flights til the next day, and they couldn't guarantee me a seat on any of those flights.  So I didn't want to take any chances, and I took what I could get.

After the red eye flight, I arrived in Chicago about 8am, and then hustled and got on the first flight to Philly, which was one flight earlier than I expected, so I finally got home to Elkins Park sometime after 1pm.

I feel fine and am too tired to have jet lag now.

By the way, how is your mother doing? "

Answer:  She is doing great!  While you were going through that ordeal, she was shopping! :)

Real English Twenty-six: pop

Real English Twenty-six: pop

My folks came to Japan the other day.  Their flight wasn't so bad.  They departed Philadelphia International Airport at 8am and arrived in San Fran about 5 hours later.  The layover in SF was supposed to only be 3 hours, but due to mechanical trouble, the plane was delayed and they had to wait a total of 6 hours in SF.  Fortunately, they had a pass to go to the VIP Lounge, so it could have been worse.  Then after the 10-hour flight to KIX, and the 1-hour taxi ride to my house, they arrived in Nishinomiya about 6:30 pm.  So far, we are having a great time together.

Now, to Real English.  Check out he below sentences.

1.  My parents were surprised when they bought a "Special" Mango juice at Mitsukoshi Department Store in Umeda.  The reason they were shocked was because that "Special" Mango juice was 1250 yen a pop!

2.  Upon arrival, I pulled the cork out of a bottle of champagne with a pop!

3.  I gave my mother a pop quiz to see how much she improved since she took that crash course in Japanese.

4.  My father buys pop from the vending machine outside my place every day.

5.  My ears always pop when I fly.

6.  Taiga popped me in the face the other day when we were sleeping.

7.  Taiga calls my father, his grandfather, "Pop".

Real English Twenty-five: make (someone's) day

On Monday I went for a walk in the park.  I often do that when I want to take a breather, and there isn't a better place to do so in Osaka than Utsubo Park!!  As some of you know, I wear a cute tee-shirt advertising Ez English which stands out quite a bit when I walk around Honmachi and on my commute.  Many people often ask me, "Why do you wear it?"  And I have two token answers. One is, "Why not?"  The other is, "Because I want as many people as possible to see the name of the school, and I can't think of a more effective and cost-efficient way."  So anyway, while I was taking my stroll, a lady pushing a stroller walked up to me and said...

Lady:  Excuse for bothering you, but are you Glenn?

Me:  No worries about bothering me.  Yes, I am.  Have I met you before?  

Lady:  No.  But I saw you walking here before, and I couldn't miss your shirt so I checked out your home page and have been following your blog ever since.  It is really interesting and I can learn a lot of new words and expressions which I didn't know before.

Me:  Really?

Lady: Yes, it is the truth.

Me:  Well, thank you very much for telling me that today.  You know what?  You made my day!  Thanks a lot!

Lady:  My pleasure! And I am looking forward to your next blog so hurry up and finish your walking and get on it!! 

Me:  Roger!

I was lucky that day.  Has anyone or anything made your day recently?

     

Real English Twenty-four: When it rains it pours

It has been raining all day.  In fact, on and off it has been pouring all day.  Pouring, then drizzling, then pouring again, then back to drizzling.  According to the weather forecast,  there might be thunder storms tonight and Typhoon #4 may be coming soon...(Does anyone know Typhoon #4's name?  I don't.)  In addition, there is a 40% or more chance of rain in Osaka for the next 6 days.  (I don't know about after that because that is as far as the forecast on yahoo goes.)  In America, there is an expression, "When it rains it pours."  Simply put, it means that,  "when good things happen, they tend to happen all at once and a lot...in the same manners, when bad things happen, they tend to happen all at once and a lot...sort of like a domino effect."

Take a whack at it and try to use this expression when the opportunity arises.

Real English Twenty-three: Take your pick

Last week on Monday, I called an old friend, Mr. O, to tell him the news.  He told me he was coming to Osaka (he lives in Kanazawa) and the following is our conversation from there:

Glenn:  If you have time, would you like to go out to lunch together?

Mr. O:  Love to.  Where do you wanna go?

Glenn:  It's not so romantic, but I always eat a sandwich from Subway Station or udon (white and thick wheat oodles).  So, take your pick! 

Mr. O: Sandwiches don't do it for me. So, udon

Glenn:  Great, then it's a date.

Regarding lunch in general, I usually go to Subway and get a sandwich about 4 times a week.  The other day, I get udon with sweet-fried tofu or soba (buckwheat noodles) with the same.  The first  is nicknamed "The Fox" and the latter is called "The Raccoon", but I don't know why...

The below is the basic correspondence at a Subway Station shop for a first time customer.

Clerk:  How may I help you?

Glenn:  I'd like the "Special Sub" please.

Clerk:  OK. The "Special Sub" of the day is Turkey Breast.  What kind of bread would you like?

Glenn:  Wheat, please.

Clerk:  Would you like it toasted?

Glenn:  No, thanks.

Clerk:  Would you like a topping? I recommend bacon.

Glenn:  Pass.

Clerk:  OK, please wait a moment.

...

Clerk #2:  Are there any vegetables which you don't like?

Glenn:  No olives please.

Clerk #2:  OK, then one Turkey Sandwich without the olives.  I recommend mayonnaise as a dressing.

Glenn:  I'd like salt and pepper and hot peppers only, please.

Clerk #2:  OK. Anything else?  A drink or some fries or a set?

Glenn:  No thanks, that's all.

Clerk #2:  For here or to go?

Glenn: To go please. And please wrap it in paper.

Clerk #3:  OK, that's 320yen.

Glenn:  Here you go.

Clerk #3:  Thank you. Here's your change, 680yen.

Glenn:  Thanks a lot.

Now, after you go there one million times like I have, the conversation with the staff is much shorter, something like this:

Clerk:  Good afternoon! One "Special Sub," is that correct sir?

Glenn: Yes.

Clerk: Wheat bread, as is, not toasted.  Right?

Glenn: Yep.

Clerk #2:  Without olives, all of the other vegetables "super-sized," right?

Glenn: That's correct.

Clerk #2:  Salt, pepper, hot peppers and to go, in paper, right sir?

Glenn:  You got it.

Clerk #3:  May I have your card sir?

Glenn: Here you go.

Clerk: Thank you very much and have a good day!

Glenn:  Thanks, and you too.

Real English Twenty-Two: catch up 

The below is a phone conversation I had the other day.

Mom:  Hey Glenn. How are you doing?
Glenn: Alright, thanks. What's up?
Mom:  I was just a little concerned because recently you haven't updated the blog recently...
Glenn:  I am sorry but give me a break!  As you know, the past month and a half or so have been crazy, so I am behind on the blog...
Mom:  Only the blog?  Are you behind on anything else?
Glenn:  Yeah, a few things.  For example, I really need to catch up on sleep, news, gossip, study...
Mom:  I wouldn't worry too much about it.  You can make up for it later.
Glenn:  Yeah, I know. But I plan to catch up on some of it, especially the blog and sleep, this weekend. 
Mom:  Sounds like a good plan!
Glenn: Oh yeah! I forgot to tell ya.  I got i-phone 5 on Wednesday of this week!  It is my first smart phone.  Everyone always said to me, "You still have a regular cell phone!!  You are so behind the times!!  Get with it!"  So I got up the courage to overcome my fear of gadgets and technology and finally made the big step into the modern world!  So, please, give me some credit! I finally caught up with the times!!
Mom:  That's great news! See you in Facetime! 

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.

Real English Sixteen-I don't have a clue!

On Tuesday morning, I got the following text from my father.

Dad:  Bombs go off at Boston marathon.

The following is our correspondence which followed:  

Me:  Really?

Dad:  Yes. I don't have all the details yet, but it looks like there are casualties, and many wounded.

Me:  Do they know who did it?

Dad:  No one has claimed responsibility yet. The police are searching for clues as we speak.

As soon as I arrived at the classroom, I checked the net to get up to date on what was going on. Since then, I have been glued to CNN for the latest news.

Sorry for writing about depressing news.  But this is the crazy world we live in...

Now let's get to Real English Sixteen.

"Clue" is used in many expressions.

Refer to the below:

1.  I don't have a clue.=I am clueless.

2.  The police are looking for clues(=evidence).

3.  

Friend) Come one! Clue me in!

Glenn)  OK. I will clue you in.

And because I want to end on a lighter note, let's talk about 4-leaf clovers.

Have you ever seen one of these four-leaf clover cabs?

I haven't.

I heard they are rare.

Do you know anything about them?

Have you ever seen one? 

How about ridden in one?

Real English Fifteen-Don't get ahead of yourself!

I didn't expect that at 5:30am this morning.
As I am sure all of you know, there was a magnitude 6ish earthquake this morning.
It woke me and Kyoko up immediately.
We both sat up and Kyoko handed me a blanket, and said "Put this over your head Glenn!!!"
I said, "I don't think the blanket is going to do much to protect me from any falling objects..."
I don't know for sure, but it felt like the tremor lasted for about 15 seconds.
We stayed on the floor stunned for a few minutes and after that  Kyoko got up and said, 
"I have to get my stuff ready in case we have to evacuate."
I got up to check the TV, and even though I wanted to go back to sleep, I couldn't because 
my adrenaline was flowing...And once i get up, I can't go back to sleep.

Because this earthquake happened early in the morning at just about the same time as the Big Hanshin Earthquake about 17 or 18 years ago, many people remembered that and were scared...
Fortunately, as far as I know, there weren't any casualties.
I heard there were some minor injuries though...

When I went to work a few hour later, I was surprised that my train, JR, was still not moving.  
So I took a taxi to Honmachi.
Actually, if I would have checked the net before I left my house I could have known that 
JR was stopped.  And then I could've taken the Hankyu Train instead, because my house is in between both stops.  But I didn't check because I just assumed that the trains would be up and running...But I was wrong and I regretted it.

Anyway, to change the subject, now I want to get to Real English Fifteen.

The scene: Last Thursday morning as I stepped into the entrance way and was about to leave for work.

Kyoko;  Glenn, what are you doing?!  Why aren't you wearing a jacket?
Glenn:  No reason...it is sunny and it looks warm outside.  I don't think I need it.
Kyoko:  Don't get ahead of yourself!!  The weather forecast guy just said 'Don't forget your jacket today!  It is gonna be chilly'  I don't want you to catch a cold!
Glenn:  OK. Thank you! Can you hand me my jacket?
Kyoko: Sure.  Have a nice day and see you later tonight!

When I stepped outside into the brisk and cold wind, I thought, "Wow am I lucky.  First, to have a great wife! And second, to have a jacket!!  Because it sure is chilly today, and I would definitely have caught a cold if Kyoko hadn't said that to me.

Real English Fourteen-Roll the dice!

Sometimes you have to roll the dice!
I talked to Makoto about this die the other day.
The following is our conversation.

Glenn:  Where did you get that die?
Makoto:  I got it at an exhibition which was held in a museum in Kanazawa Prefecture a few years back.
Glenn:  How much was it?
Makoto: I forget exactly, but around 500 yen.
Glenn:  Not bad.  It's pretty cool!  Did they have any other die with a theme?
Makoto: Yeah, a bunch.  
Glenn:  Like what?
Makoto:  Like "Drink-Don't drink", "Work out-Don't work out", "Eat in-Eat out", "Night out with Wife-Night out with Friend"!
Glenn:  Really?!
Makoto:  Yeah, about every one except the last one.
Glenn:  I thought so.  Anyway, do you really use it?
Makoto:  You bet!  
Glenn:  When?
Makoto:  Sometimes, after coming home late after drinking with my buddies, which is often, and I can't decide whether or not to have a late snack, I let it fly.  If my wife was awake, she would lead me in the right direction like she always does and just say "What are you crazy! It is 2am!  Just go to sleep already!!"  But like the rest of the world, she is usually sleeping in the wee hours of the night so I let the die decide for me.
Glenn:  That's an easy way out, but also actually a pretty intelligent way to decide.  Do you always "listen" to the die?
Makoto: Yes, I do.  The die has the final word! There are no "second rolls"!!
Glenn:  I want one so bad!!! It seems so easy and you don't even have to think!  I don't like to think late at night either.  Instead of a die, I use a coin sometimes, like a quarter or nickel, and flip the coin to decide whether to do something or not.  
Makoto:  Birds of a feather flock together!
Glenn:  Not exactly, but something like that!

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!