Kicking myself
It's about 9am and I've just been to take the rubbish out. It's a cool, grey morning and the ground is wet after last night's rain. I think autumn maybe on its way to Japan.
It's a shame you could only say 'hi' to your daughter when she registered on the computer the other day. I sometimes experience a similar situation with my friends or family in the UK because of the time difference. My parents usually come online quite late, so when they are online I'm usually starting to nod off. I hope Csilla and her friends get the internet connected soon, so she doesn't have to go through the hassle of going to the library every time you want to have a chinwag with her. Having said that, she'll be home in a couple of days...
You described the unpleasant journey very well. I could easily imagine the situation. Indeed, I've experienced something similar in Japan on a few occasions. When I first met Tomono’s parents I couldn't speak a word of Japanese, so when Tomono wasn't in the room we just sat there in silence until she came back.
Another time was when I went to a local take-away to pick up some fried noodles. The owner is very friendly and there are usually lots of customers sitting and waiting for their food in the entrance to the shop. The owner chats with everyone and entertains them while they are waiting. When I entered he immediately started talking to me, asking me where I was from and why I came to Japan and so on. I understood his questions and did my best to answer them. However, he then started making a few jokes and saying some things which I couldn't quite catch and everyone started laughing. I didn't have a clue what he was saying, so I started to feel uncomfortable. "Is he making fun of me?" I thought, which was silly because he was just trying to be friendly. For the next few minutes I did my best to make out what he was saying, but I just couldn't. I eventually got my order and left the shop. On the way home I felt terrible and was kicking myself about my poor Japanese. However, it really made me determined to study more. I'm still not great, but I can get by in Japanese now. I've been back to that shop many times since then because I can't resist the smell of those noodles wafting down the street when I walk past.
Well, it's time I was off. I've got to go to the gym to do a little exercise. I've just put lots of great new songs on my iPod, but I'll have to resist the urge to sing along while I'm running or I'll be given a few funny looks by the other members.
Lewis
Some useful phrases from today's post:
(to) take the rubbish out (for collection)
(to) nod off
(to) get/have the internet connected (by someone)
(to) go through the hassle (of doing something)
(to) have a chinwag (informal)
(to be) unable to speak a word (of a language)
(to) sit in silence OR (to) sit silently
(to) make a joke
(to be) unable to catch (what someone is saying)
(to) not have a clue (what someone is saying)
(to) make out (what someone is saying)
(to) kick yourself (about something)
(to) get by (in a language)
(to) do exercise
(to) resist the urge (to do something)
(to) give someone a funny/dirty/strange/angry look
Comments
Hello Sir, Very nice to read your blog. You wrote "I'll be given a few funny looks by the other members" Will you plz give me some more examples of this prase. Thanks
I wish my husband were like you. He says he would devote his time and energy to learning Korean, but I still can't see any sign of that.When he makes me angry i tend to speak bad language in Korean.The funnist thing is that he understands the words very well and gives me angry look.
People often give you funny looks if you are doing something strange or unusual like singing in public. I'm sure each country has different reasons for giving people funny looks. Oh and please just call me Lewis.
It is a pleasure to read your diary regularly. I find it a good source to improve my English. It is very useful for me having a collection of phrasal verbs and expressions everyday in your blog. Thank you very much and best wishes for you. Reza
A few days ago I discovered this blog and read what Anita wrote and then your comments. It is very good for me this way of practicing English. Sometimes I want to know the literal translation into Spanish (I would like to be a real translator, sometimes I do that job unofficially). Could you explain the expression at the end of your note, it's time to... I think I did not know it. And Congratulations for learning Japanese!
I have a similar experience. At the very begining I came to London. My English is very poor, particularly in speaking. At the time, I was curious in Christianity. I remembered one day I went to the local church. I hardly catched any words what that man said. I think I had a confused face. Then he think I do not know English at all. Becuase I sat there silently with a puzzled face. Now I can get by English. But experience is good for me.
Hi Lewis, I really enjoy reading your blog and I find lots of useful phrases! I have a question. Can we say that we "have the internet connection in our flat"? Connection instead of connected? Thank you very much, Tina
Hey, teacher Lewis. I had listened to music while I was doing exercises before. But I quit this habit now. Several month ago, I wanted to buy a new earphone for my mp3,and I got an important information from the earphone forum. It was said that listening to music is very harmful while you are doing exercises and sleeping.It will make your ear get tired or run out of its function more quickly. So you'd better take care of it.
Thanks for all your comments. Tina, you can say 'we have an internet connection in our flat' rather than 'we have the internet connected'. Both are fine. David, thanks for your advice. I'll bear it in mind.
Hi Lewis,it's my first time to read your blog and I'm so happy to find it's easy for me to understand, I have the confidence to learn English well! And I really enjoy your experiences in Japan, thanks for sharing !>_<
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