[ Study ] Getting help from strangers

The following is a kind of simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.

- Getting help from strangers
* What might you have to ask a stranger to help you with?

(They are talking in Osaka, Japan.)
A: Excuse me, but ... I was wondering if I could use your cell phone. It's just that I need to make an urgent phone call to my wife.
B: Well... Why don't you use yours?
A: The battery of mine seems to run out. Would that be OK with you?
B: Maybe OK, but ... Could I possibly ask you a question?
A: Of course.
B: I'd like to know where your wife lives.
A: Ah.....
B: What's wrong? Is there any problem?
A: Actually... My wife live in the U.S.A.....
B: Sorry. I absolutely can't help you! BYE NOW!
A: (I should have told him that my wife lived in Osaka....)

*New Words

hesitate : [intransitive] to pause before saying or doing something because you are nervous or not sure
pharmacy : chemist(British)
prescription [noun] : a piece of paper on which a doctor writes what medicine a sick person should have, so that they can get it from a pharmacist [prescribe]
convince [transitive] : to make someone feel certain that something is true
interact [intransitive] : if people interact with each other, they talk to each other, work together etc. [interact with someone or something]
awkward [adj] : making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say [=difficult]
untie [transitive] : to take the knots out of something, or unfasten something that has been tied

*Others(Tips etc.)

Could I -> couldai
Would I -> Woodai
How convenient!
drag store : used in the USA ONLY
have got = have ex)I've only got a ten dollars on me. Sorry. ex2)I've got to = I have to

| English study |

[ Study ] Talking about exciting sports

The following is a kind of simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.

- Talking about exciting sports
* Have you ever tried an exciting sport? Which sports would you like to try?

A: Do you like summer sports?
B: Yes, in a way, I prefer winter sports nowadays.
A: Do you? Why is that?
B: Actually, I'm really worried about not only getting bald but also getting fat. So I don't show anyone my naked body and my hair wet, which is as thin as my wallet.
A: Oh, come on! Don't worry about those things. By the way, why is it OK for you to do winter sports?
B: Because I can have on a lot of clothes and a hat or a helmet in order to hide my ashamed parts.
A: ha-ha... ROFL. But I can't stand cold weather. Maybe I can't make it if you ask me to do the sports together - such as skiing, snowboarding. I love summer sports - such as scuba diving and paragliding.
B: Aren't afraid of heights and water?
A: No. I don't mind them. Have you ever tried them?
B: No never. I'm not afraid of heights, either. So I've tried bungee jumping several times. Would you like to try it?
A: No, not really.
B: Why not?
A: To tell the truth..... I'm worried about getting bald as you.
B: Heeey, you don't look getting bald. And also, what relations are there between getting bald and bungee jumping?
A: Actually... I'm really worried about coming off my WIG due to the strong wind when bungee jumping!
B: Wow! You're wearing a WIG! I've never noticed that for a long time!
A: But the wig is super great. It's OK to get soaked.
B: Awesome! I was wondering if you could tell me where I can buy the one. And then I'd like to do summer sports with you, Mr. m(_ _)m
A: That's more like it! (^o^)/


* New Words

snap : to break with a sudden sharp noise, or to make something break with a sudden sharp noise
encourage : to give someone the courage or confidence to do something
trapeze : a short bar hanging from two ropes high above the ground, used by acrobats
disposal : when you get rid of something (ex.)bomb disposal experts
quadruple : four times as big or as many
somersault : a movement in which someone rolls or jumps forwards or backwards so that their feet go over their head before they stand up again
plunge : to move, fall, or be thrown suddenly forwards or downwards
spectator : someone who is watching an event or game
despite = in spite of
death-defying : a death-defying action is very dangerous
cage : a structure made of wires or bars in which birds or animals can be kept
blow : an action or event that causes difficulty or sadness for someone (ex.)body blow
senseless : happening or done for no good reason or with no purpose
swallow : to make food or drink go down your throat and towards your stomach
regain : to get something back, especially an ability or quality, that you have lost [= recover]
overall : considering or including everything
landmine : a bomb hidden in the ground that explodes when someone walks or drives over it
grenade : a small bomb that can be thrown by hand or fired from a gun
glamorous : attractive, exciting, and related to wealth and success
assessment : a process in which you make a judgment about a person or situation, or the judgment you make
seasick : feeling ill when you travel in a boat, because of the movement of the boat in the water
glide : to move smoothly and quietly, as if without effort
bounce: if a ball or other object bounces, or you bounce it, it immediately moves up or away from a surface after hitting it

* Others(Tips etc.)

some similar phrases(be scared of, be terrified of, be afraid of)
S+(be willing to)+do : It's OK for S to do and S don't have no reason to not want to do it.
I could never do it. -> I cou neva do it.
Better you than me. : You are better than me.
when it's over : when it finishes
You're as white as a sheet = extremely pale

| English study |

[Study] Choosing, giving and receiving gifts

The following is a kind of simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.

-Choosing, giving and receiving gifts
(What's the best present you've ever received? What was the occasion?)

[ A, B: Both are women. ]

A: It's Bryan's birthday on Sunday. What should I get for Bryan?
B: I think you should get him a Japanese fan. You know, he's into Japanese culture.
A: That's a good idea. By the way it's my father's birthday on Saturday.
B: Did you get him anything yet?
A: No. I have no idea.
B: I know. I never know what to get for my boyfriend, either.
A: Why are men so hard to shop for?
B: I don't know. Why don't you get him fishing rods or something.
A: Yeah, he's into fishing as you know, but he already has hundreds of rods. I really want to him something different this year.
B: Hundreds of rods!? He seems to be really crazy about fishing.
A: You said it. He has only two hands, but he has tons of rods. Exactly crazy! And my family member have to eat fish everyday in summer due to his hobby. I'm tired of having fish!
B: I think you should get him tickets to go abroad.
A: That's a great idea! He must be happy to get it and we would be happy not to have fish!
B: Yup! That's a good way to get two birds with one stone!
A: If I give him one way ticket, we would be much happier... hehe.
B: You're really a bad girl....


* New Words

certificate
mostly
makeover
nocturnal
voucher = credit ?
clue
stuffed animal
camping gear
refurbishment = similar to rebuild?
impressionist
be delighted with
struggle
be believed to

* Others(Tips etc.)

get him -> gedim(pronunciation)
get her -> geder(pronunciation)
so far so good
In the end, I decided to give her a birthday card.
It's not such a big deal.
go with : The red tie will go with his new suit.
I'll pitch in fifty dollars to buy the present.
invite someone over for .....
I'm believed to be a nice guy, but I'm not. :)

- When giving a gift
Here. This is from all of us.
It's just a little something to say thanks.
It's not much, but I hope you like it.

- When receiving a gift
Can I open it now?
Oh, you shouldn't have!
For me? Wow, thanks!

| English study |

[ Study ] Talking about health and lifestyle

The following is a kind of simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.

- Talking about health and lifestyle
(What advice do people give for healthy living and a long life?)

A:I think It's really unhealthy to get stressed out. What about you?
B:Yeah, that's right. I think so, too. Do you have any ideas to relieve your stress?
A:As a matter of fact, my wife and I often get stressed out.
B:Oh, you do ?
A:Yes. So we sometimes quarrel with each other.
B:That's too bad...
A:No, no. Quarreling is kind of the way to relieve our stress. We often try to do that.
B:Your wife and you are exactly a strange couple, I suppose.
A:Strange? If you ask me, I think we are unique!
B:NO! YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY STRANGE!
A:Ah, do you get stressed out and want to quarrel with me in order to relieve it ?
B:......Be my guest... I can't keep up with you.....
A:OK! Let me try to quarrel with you!
B:Have done!


* New Words

underneath
serving
couch potato
asthma
starchy food
somehow

* Others(Tips etc.)

If you ask me, ....(when saying opposite opinions)


| English study |

[ Study ] Keeping in touch with friends

The following is a kind of simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.

- Keeping in touch with friends
(When was the last time you heard from a friend?)
(How did you get in touch ? Did they have any news?)

A:Have you heard from your ex-coworkers lately?
B:Yeah, my friend Shinji sent me cell phone email last week.
A:What did he say?
B:He said that he loved Matsuyama. He asked when we were coming to visit.
A:How long does it take?
B:It takes about 1 hour by airplane. But these days some of Japan's airline companies sometimes don't do maintain rightly. So I can't make it.
A:By the way, any news from Masaaki?
B:No, not even an email.
A:Ah, I've just remembered I got an email from Takae. She asked me a favor.
B:What did she want ?
A:She apparently wants to visit Osaka with her family and go see "Universal Studio Japan". But...
B:But? Are there any problems ? Go on.
A:Actually, she was asking if she could stay with you or me. But my house is too small for them. Because there are 12 in her family ! I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD ask you a favor...
B:No way! I can't make it, even you ask me politely! My house is much smaller than yours!

* New Words

be off to : leave for
anyhow
How's it going ?(friendly)
so far(till now)

* Others(Tips etc.)

CUL8R:See you later
R U go 2 party ?
B4:before
r:are
u:you
2:to
c:see
ur:your
TTYL:Talk to you later
TTYS:Talk to you soon
BCNU:Beeing seeing you

| English study |

[ Study ] - Sharing and responding to news about friends and acquaintances

The following is a kind of the simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.


- Sharing and responding to news about friends and acquaintances
(When you catch up with a friend, what kinds of things do you talk about ?)

A:Guess what! Masuo got engaged to a nurse !
B:No kidding ! How'd you find out ?
A:By the email he sent me last month.
B:Do you know if they're going to have a big wedding ?
A:Well, apparently they are planning to invite a huge amount of guests !
B:I guess so, too. I also know they've both got big families.
A:That's right.
B:By the way, do you know how they got to know each other ?
A:I heard from him they got to know each other by his friend's introduction.
B:Do you know why he decided to get engaged to her ?
A:Actually, his partner is a nurse as I've just told you. He expect her to take care of him in his old age.
B:hahaha ! Like him !


* New Words

apparently
mention
acquaintance
knock over
exaggerate
swear

| English study | Sharing and responding |

[ Study ] - Discussing fears and phobias

The following is a kind of the simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.

- Discussing fears and phobias

I don't really like going to the barber's. I have an terrifying experience. The barber made a terrible mistake when he was shaving my beard. He cut my face ! I was bleeding a lot !
My wife can't stand being in a car for a long time.
I'm absolutely terrified of my wife. Can I say I have terrible wifephobia ? :-p
I'm so scared of snakes.
It makes me nervous just thinking about working for a computer system company. That's why I quit my former job.
I get dizzy if I stand on the top of building.
The sound of police cars scares me. It really send chills down my spine !

* New Words

dizzy
faint
pound
shore
confined space
phobia
leech
bleeding
blood-letting
diabetes
amnesia
presbyopia = old sight
injection
reptile
make sure = confirm, check
horrify
have a shot
send chills down one's spine
hysterical

* Others(Tips etc.)

I get a bit nervous when I am with so many beautiful women.
I guess I'm a bit nervous about speaking English.
My eldest son often bothers me.
My daughter doesn't bother me.
I don't mind making presentations in front of so many people. Because I would often make them at many exhibitions - such as Chiba Makuhari Messe and Tokyo Big Sight, when I was a computer system engineer.
There's no way I could ride a motorbike.

[ Technical names ]
fear of confined spaces = claustrophobia
fear of open spaces/crowds = agoraphobia
fear of spiders = arachnophobia
fear of heights = acrophobia

| English study | fears and phobias |

[ Study ] - Deciding on a plan

March 23, 2006

The following is a kind of the simulation for my review of the English lessons I've taken before.


- Deciding on a plan

A:Maybe we should go get a drink first after work.
B:Sounds good to me, but I'd like to go shopping before going for a drink.
Do you mind going shopping with me ?
A:No, I don't mind. Let's go get a drink after shopping.
B:Yeah !

A:Why don't we go to the restaurant first, and then the karaoke room after dinner ?
B:Fine by me if it's OK with you.
(Fine by me if you're certain.)
(Fine by me if you're sure.)

A:I'd like to see the movie. How about you ?
B:I'd prefer shopping [to seeing the movie, rather than seeing the movie].
(I'd rather go shopping [than see the movie].)
A:Where should we meet after the movie ?
B:How long will you be at the movie theater ?
A:About 2 hours. I expect to see the movie soon. There isn't always a long line.
B:Let's meet back in front of the station at about 3 pm.
A:OK. See you there.

* New Words

I('d) prefer A (to B, rather than B) A,B - nouns
I'd rather A (than B) A,B - verbs
Fine by me if it's OK with you.
Fine by me, if you're certain.
Fine by me, if you're sure.
I don't mind ....(normal)
I wouldn't mind .....(polite)
go for
catch a show
We should leave shopping to last.
meet up
get soaked
In that case, ....
.... on the way out
Say, .......(when you speak to someone.)
What's the time now ? = What time is it now ? = Do you have the time ?
chant
What have you been up to this weekend ?

* Others, tips

"-ish" : when something is hard to describe exactly
with times, colors, and appearance.
- Why don't we meet back here about five-ish ?
- His pants are a kind of blue-ish green.
- Her hair's kind of long-ish.

| English study | Deciding on a plan |

[ Study ] - Meeting people

March 22, 2006

I've just decided to review all the English lessons which I've ever taken at an English school. Of course I'll have to do it from the start !

The following is a kind of simulation. :-)


- Meeting people I've heard about

Hi, We've never met before, but my name's RUSSELL CROWE. haha. Just kidding. An American English teacher has ever said to me before that I look like Japanese RUSSELL CROWE. If he(Mr. CROWE) heard that, he must get angry. hehe. Anyway, just call me Takashi.
You must be Kazuyoshi's friend Kunihiro. It's great to finally meet you in person ! Kazuyoshi told me so much about you. Yes ! I've heard so much about you ! Eh ? You heard a lot about me, too ??? Nothing bad, I hope ! haha.
Actually, Kazuyoshi is a friend of mine from work. So, how do you know Kazuyoshi ? Eh ? a co-worker ? I used to be one of his co-workers ! So, I hear you're an excellent computer programmer and good at playing the guitar, right ? Plus he tells me you're going to rise to a section manager.

* New Words, tips

in person
mingling at a party
Be confident, yet modest - Accept compliments, but don't brag.
Remember not only names, but also something about the person.

* Others

I wish I were more athletic.
I wish I could have more hair.... haha.
(Good weather).... I hope it lasts.
It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person.
fuel-efficient = doesn't waste gas.

| English study | Meeting people |