Beautiful buildings
Hi Soyoung,
How are you today? Better than your sister, I hope. Here, too, it is cold, grey and miserable today. Lucy is off school with a heavy cold. It’s the first time she’s missed a day of school for almost four years. I’ve spent the morning making her a tasty breakfast (poached eggs with ‘soldiers’), a hot toddy and, now, some tomato soup for lunch. She’s feeling much better now and I hope she’ll be at school tomorrow.
I’m sorry to hear your sister isn’t well. I guess she’s happy now that your mum’s back home and can look after her. Your mum sounds full of energy. I liked the way you described her personality as outgoing (a good word) and cheerful.
You are probably right when you say that most of us in the west think that the cultures of the Far East are very similar or the same. Of course it’s not true, and I think your photographs illustrate the different architectural styles very well.
I remember when I lived in China, between 1980 and 1982, I used to travel from Xi’an (where I lived and worked) to Beijing, about once a month for meetings. I always tried to visit The Forbidden City and The Temple of Heaven (my favourite building in China) on every trip. The rich dark red and deep yellow colours were so beautiful, and I love the dark blue roof tiles of The Temple of Heaven.
To my eyes Osaka Castle looks very stylish. I like its austere, more minimal decorative style. It looks very Japanese, to me.
I am sorry to say that I know very little about Korean architectural styles – or even about the dynastic history of your country. So, there’s something else for me to learn; another little project for me when I get back from Kenya at the end of next month.
You didn’t say what you plan to write about tomorrow. How about a bit more family history? You seem to have a large family. Do you have any old photos of your parents and grand-parents, or your aunts and uncles, which you could scan and upload? It could be fascinating.
Whatever you choose to write about, I’m looking forward, as ever, to hearing from you.
Take care.
Very best wishes,
STEPHEN
PS: A little note to our readers
We read and enjoy all your comments, so don’t be shy – write to us at the end of our daily blogs. We soon begin to feel lonely if we don’t hear from you.
SOME USEFUL WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
miserable
Miserable weather is rainy, dull and grey.
off school
If you are off school you are not at school, usually because you are unwell. We use the same structure about not being at work (EXAMPLE: My colleague, Susan, was off work today with a terrible headache.).
poached
cooked gently in boiling water
The difference between a ‘poached’ egg and a ‘boiled’ egg is that when you poach an egg you break open the shell and pour the egg carefully onto the surface of the boiling water. A boiled egg is cooked inside its shell.
‘soldiers’This use of the word means long, thin strips of toast which are only usually cut like this to be eaten with poached or soft-boiled eggs.
hot toddy
a winter drink made by pouring lemon juice, honey and a little whisky (or cognac) into a mug of hot water
outgoing
An outgoing person is friendly and likes meeting people
stylish
smart, elegant, (perhaps ‘fashionable’)
austere
plain, not decorated
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Look again, Soyoung, at the sentences you wrote about your sister, at the beginning of your blog, today, and then compare them with the re-written and corrected version, below. Look carefully at the use of a relative pronoun, at the past tense form of the verb ‘to catch’ and at the structure ‘too weak to go…’:
My younger sister, who lives with me, caught a cold last week. Maybe it’s flu because she is too weak to go to work today.
Now look again at the sentences you wrote about your mum. Compare them with the re-written and corrected version below. Look at the use of idiomatic expressions, such as ‘take it easy’.
She understands her health better than I do so I don’t need to tell her to take it easy.
Finally, look again at the passage you wrote about Korean dynastic history. Compare it with the following and focus on (a) the use of articles, (b) prepositions with dates, (c) vocabulary, and (d) the use of passive structures:
I like to go to palaces such as Kyung Bok Kung and Chang Kyung Kung, in Seoul. Seoul has been the capital of Korea since the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Kyung Bok Kung Palace was built in 1394 when the Joseon Dynasty was founded. It was burned down several times during various battles, but was rebuilt. There are several palaces where the kings of the Joseon Dynasty lived. The dynastic period ended when the Joseon Dynasty ended. Now we don’t have a king any more.
Soyoung, you perhaps think that there are a lot of corrections here. Actually, there are not many, but they are important ones. Remember my advice last week: it is better for you to write more, shorter sentences than fewer long ones.
Comments
Hello, and nice and healthy day!! I,vill surely this practically, hard learning never regret, sounds crazy? My niece,Lucia,15, desire to travel to the US (the Hollywood would be the best) to learn the English (not much the?) thoroughly. But as I have learning to paint on my own mistakes, I think this way should be good with the language, too. Thanks to the BBC and to everyone!
Hi Stephen! Well, I read your blog every day now, as an aditional way of studying English, you know, for my Teacher's Training College entrance exam. I find it so useful, I mean you advices and correction also. I' ve noticed that there are very few comments lately, I can't imagine why. I look up to you very much, I am quite impressed by your personality, and how many countries you have been to! I love the relationship you have with your daughter, I couldn't experienced one like that because my father passed away at the age of 83 when I was only 21. I was quite inmature and did not enjoy our time together, besides he wasn't so highly educated as you are. I'm toying with the idea of entering next blog's competition, it could be really interesting and encouraging!
Hello, Stephen! How come you are feeling lonely? You don´t need it, because there are many students like me looking forward to reading your and Soyoung´s blogs!
I begin to be addicted. Your blog is so good that I could not stop reading.You use very simple words and You can tell us so many. Thanks!
Hi Stephen,I have read your(also Soyoung's)blogs for three weeks.I really like the style you share in the blogs.Although I sometimes cound't understand your meaning I will try to guess.I never give up reading.I think if I keep on reading more I will understanding more,right?Thanks for your teaching.By the way I got a cold last week and still ill today.I hope everybody looking the website take care and be healthy!Oh....The weather in Taiwan is caprices.Yesterday was a little warmer and mild.Today is rainy ,cold and windy.Maybe that's because I live near ocean!Who knows?
It's a relief to know the meaning of these words. If someone asked me to bring "soldiers" and "hot toddy" for breakfast before this post, I would bring my son's toys and a cup of hot chocolate respectively ("Toddy" here is a famous brand of chocolate).
The cold weather often brings cold and flu. Here we have a brightly sunshine day.I hope that Lucy feels better soon. Regards.
Hello Stephen, This is Ricardo one of your shy readers. I really like the BBC learning English Blog. It is a terrific way to learn about very interesting people, like Soyoung, different cultures and english as well. It would be fantastic if you can share with us,your enthusiastic readers, some of the pictures you will take in your Kilimanjaro adventure. Take care . I will read you soon.
Hi Stephen, I am an international student in US. This is an interesting and wonderful blog for people who wants to learn English, even like us studying in US. I like the way you write the blog and give the advices. It's clear! I have one question though. In the sentence, "She understands her health better than I do so I don’t need to tell her to take it easy.", I get confused on the second "her." Does it mean "mum" or "sister"? I occasionally have the same problem in my own writings. Anyway, thank you and Soyoung for sharing your daily life and writing this wonderful blog.
Hi, Stephen. I'm sorry I'm late. I want to let you know that everyday I come here and read your blog, even if I didn't post a comment. I'm very happy to read the beautiful sentences you wrote. You said that you came to China and worked in Xi'an between 1980 to 82. I was born in 1982. It's the same year! Sounds great! Have you come to China recent years? China changed a lot and China is changing everyday! China is different from many of your previous experiences and may shock you in many ways! Please come to Beijing and have a good trip if you have time! I have gone to The Forbidden City twice, and The Temple of Heaven only once. If you come here, please give me a chance to pay you a visit to the places you mentioned.:) ^_^ Nowadays it's very cold here. I do hope Lucy get better now. Keep healthy! And wish you a good day!
Hello,Stephen, How are Lucy today.I hope she have been at school now.Because I am in Shanghai,you are in London.It is 4:30PM in China and 8:30AM in London.It is cold and shower in Shanghai.How's weather in your country? I am freetime to write it, and between you and me,My boss have left an hour ago,I have been skiving an hour--just playing on the internet.Please don't think I am a sliver,yes,I am not very often.I have read your blog in BBC learning english.I admire you,because you work freelance and do little a bit of teaching.I am looking forward to be a freelance,but now,I am just an officergirl.I am glad you lived in XIAN(1980--1982),I graduated at XIAN Technology University(1996--2000).But now,I work at the futures industry in Shanghai Exchange.I know you will to climb Kilmanjaro Mount.I hope you will have a good journey and hope you have a personal blog.When you will have returned from Kilimanjaro,all readers(include me) will be able to read your new articals about Kenya. Best wishes. Fenny.
I am sorry to hear that Lucy is in severe cold,I wish she could be recovered soon,with your carefully and warmly tendance,she will be better indeed:)
Hi, Stephen. I hope very much that the Sun is in your home again!
Hi Stephen, if you have time, please come and visit China again, you will find many things changed. It will shock you, believe me. If you come here, please give me a change to pay you a visit. Wish you a good day!
well. I am learning english, i like read this page because we have different expresion about this language!
hi! I love reading page! There are a lot of imformation.
Hi, Stephen! i hope you are happy! I enjoy reading your page and i love the imformation! I am looking forward to read some other pages the you wrote
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