Our Day Out
Hey up Satya and everyone!
(Thought I’d start this one with a Yorkshire greeting – Yorkshire is the county where I’m originally from in England, in the north east. Anyway, we often say “hey up” to greet people.)
How are you all doing? Hope you’re enjoying the weekend – I guess for some of you Sunday won’t have started yet, as it’s only mid-afternoon here (Owen is asleep again). Satya, I’m sorry your robot wasn’t as successful as you’d hoped, but I hope the rest of the conference is living up to your expectations. I’d love to hear more about your childhood experiences (especially stealing exam papers!) when you have a bit more time …
Well, as I promised, I’m going to tell you a bit about what we did on the public holiday last Monday, and I have a little quiz for you! Everyone in NSW* had the day off because it was Labour Day (the rest of Australia had to work! Ha ha!) We went on a trip to a wildlife park in the west of Sydney (about 45 mins drive from where we live), which is full of Australian animals and birds. It’s very hands-on; there are some enclosures where the animals are free to roam about, and you can buy food for them and feed them yourself. We spent the whole morning there and had a ball – Owen loved looking at all the animals (apart from when he found a gate and found that more interesting than anything else – he was opening and closing it for about half an hour before we decided we’d had enough and dragged him away!), especially the lizards and the owls. It was really hot, though, about 38° - normally in Sydney it’s quite nice at this time of year, around 22 or 23, but Monday was a scorcher! It’s cooled down again now, though, thank goodness – one thing I really find hard about living here is the heat!
*NSW = New South Wales, the state of which Sydney is the capital city.
So I thought I would show you some of the animals we saw there and see if you know what they are: I’ll start off with two really easy ones, and I’ll put the answers below.
1.This animal only eats Eucalyptus leaves and spends a lot of its time sleeping.
2. This animal is a marsupial – it has a pouch. It moves around by jumping (Owen says it goes: “boinga boinga”) and its baby is called a Joey.
3. This bird is related to the kingfisher family, and makes a noise that sounds like laughter.
4. This animal is covered in spines and has a long snout to sniff out food. (Extra points if you can identify the other creatures in the background!)
5. This animal is also a marsupial and is mainly nocturnal.
6. This animal was introduced to Australia from Asia by the Aborigines around 5,000 years ago.
So how did you do? Here are the answers, just in case you need them!
1. Koala
2. Kangaroo
3. Kookaburra
4. Echidna (and Chris and Owen!)
5. Wombat (these are my favourites!)
6. Dingo
One great thing about Australia is the diversity of wildlife, and parks like this one are fantastic in being able to display this variety. I have actually seen five out of these six in the wild (no dingoes yet) and I have to say it gives me a real thrill – maybe in that sense I’m still a bit of a tourist; Chris does not get excited about seeing a kangaroo, whereas I do. I have to say, though, I’m not a fan of Aussie spiders – some of them are enormous, and Australia is home to the ten deadliest species of spider in the world. Not good for someone who is terrified at the thought of one!
Anyway, I’ll stop scaring myself (and maybe some of you – sorry!) and move on to happier things – like English!! Hurray!
Well done to all of you on the homework from Wednesday – I have indeed used the present tense to make the story more vivid and immediate! This is more common in spoken English (and especially in jokes), but can be used for effect in written English.
Thank you also for all your excellent suggestions on how to record vocabulary, and I’m really impressed that so many of you are so diligent about it. If anyone reading this is new, or hasn’t had chance to read the comments, here’s a quick summary from what everyone said:
• work out the meaning from the context
• write down the word as part of a sentence
• make a word tree (nouns, adjectives etc that can be made from the word)
• sort the words into themes
• use a computer dictionary that you can edit
• keep a notebook especially for new vocabulary
• make a mind map
• write each word on a card with pronunciation, meaning etc (Chris used to do this at University when he was learning Ancient Greek and found it really helpful. He used to keep them in a hat and play ”Hat Greek” to test himself.)
• make up some sentences using the word
• use the new vocab as much as you can
Great stuff! Seriously, I couldn’t have suggested anything better myself, so well done!
Satya, thanks for your last set of questions; I’ll attempt to answer them …
After sleeping for more than 10 hours, I woke* up now. I have decided to spend this day sleeping in my room. My friends had* gone to watch another Robotics event. So, I stayed all the day alone in my room.
I would use the present perfect for the first sentence because you’ve used the word “now” and the sentence is relating the past (being asleep) to the present (waking up):
After sleeping for more than 10 hours, I have woken up now.
And present perfect again for your other question: your friends went to a Robotics event with the result that you are alone now.
So, if we look at the whole paragraph, I think it would be better to say:
After sleeping for more than 10 hours, I have woken up now. I decided to spend this day sleeping in my room. My friends have gone to watch another Robotics event. So, I have stayed alone in my room all day.
This assumes that at the time you are writing:
• you woke up very recently
• you decided before you went to sleep that you would spend the day in your room
• your friends are not there – they’re at another event
• you haven’t seen your friends since you went to sleep
Does that make sense? I hope so! I also hope it’s what you meant (let me know if not and I’ll have another look).
Sometimes, when I stay alone, my thought process gets accelerated. I become more* philosophical.
That’s fine – no problem!
(I don't think you need "gets", though - just use "accelerates".)
One day, I wish I would be a writer*...
You’re right to pick up on this as a mistake; it’s quite a common problem in English. It would be better to say:
I wish I could be a writer
In English, we use wish + could or would rather than wish + can or will, so well done for getting that part right. However, there’s a difference in meaning between could and would in this case.
If we use wish + would, we are expressing annoyance or criticism of someone else, e.g.:
Owen, I wish you would stop playing with that gate!
Chris, I wish you would turn the cricket off – it’s really boring!
(Yes, these are real life examples – did you guess?!)
We can express a future hope like this:
I wish I could be a writer
I’d like to be a writer
I hope to be a writer
Wish + past simple is talking about the present:
I wish I was / were at the beach (but I’m not, I’m sitting at the computer)
I wish I had more time to write about this (but I don’t – Owen will be awake soon)I wish I could go back to England more often (but I can’t – it’s too far)
Wish + past perfect is talking about a past regret:
I wish I had started writing this post earlier (but I didn’t and now I have no time)
Satya wishes that the wire hadn’t burned (but it did and now the robot doesn’t work)
If you like, here are a couple of sentences to practise this. Before you answer, think about whether it’s the past, the present or the future, and whether you’re criticising someone. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate verb form.
1. I wish I …………eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now.
2. Owen, I wish you ………… stop putting your toys in the fridge.
3. I wish I ………… a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages!
4. I wish I …………be the BBC teacher blogger again next year.
If anyone is really keen for more practice, try writing a couple of sentences about yourself and post them as comments and I’ll have a look at them.
Phew! So much grammar! I think I’ll stop here before I put you off English completely!
Next time I write I’ll have a chat with all of you individually, so keep the comments coming!
Bye for now, possums*,
Rachel
Today’s vocab:
to live up to your expectations (expr)
hands-on (adj)
to roam about (phr vb)
to have a ball (expr)
scorcher (n)
marsupial (n)
spines (n.pl)
thrill (n)
deadly (adj)
diligent (adj)
put you off (phr vb)
And a final thought … I wrote: Everyone in NSW had the day off
Is there a difference between have the day off and take the day off?
If so, what is it?
*A very famous Australian TV personality (Dame Edna Everage) says this at the end of her show.
Comments
Hello Rachel I really enjoy reading your entries in the blog, they are very helpful and at the same time entertaining. Now for the homework: 1. I wish I hadn't eaten so much for lunch - I feel really sick now. 2. Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection - uploading this post will take ages!. 4. I wish a could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. And now a couple of sentences of my own: 5. I wish I had learnt English when a was a child. 6. I wish I could speak English as soon as possible. And for the final question. - When you have the day off, you don't have to go to work. - When you take the day off, you decides not to work and do anything else. I liked very much the photos you sent us in this blog. Best wishes.
Hey up. Rachel, the sunday afternoon is beggining here. Oh Rachel, the koala's skin seems to be so soft like a carpet in this picture. Only Owen, with his rosy cheeks, is cuter. I've heard about the numerous kangaroos that has been causing problems to the drivers along the country. Is that true? Your homework: 1- I wish I had not eaten so much for lunch; 2- I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge; 3- I wish I had had a faster internet connection; 4- I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. Now, my sentences: 1- I wish I was there to experience the sensation of touching the koala's skin not only by a second hand. 2- I wish Rachel could post one day a picture of the aborigenes playing didjeridoos and talk about the aborigenal art. The vocab: 1- diligent: devoted; 2- put you off: to make us dislike or lose interest in the language; 3- to live up to your expectations: to meet your expectations; 4- hands-on: doing and becoming involved in it; 5- To roam about: To move around freely; 6- To have a ball: To enjoy; 7- Scorcher: very hot; 8- marsupial: A female animal with a pouch in its stomach for carrying its baby; 9- Spines: sharp edges covering the animal's skin; 10- thrill: adventure; 11- deadly: something that cause death. I loved the photos! Bye Rachel.
Hey up Rachel :-)!!! Right now is 10.40 am, and after I had my breakfast I´m here writing this comment to you. Well, I hope you are also fine, and I´m happy to see you, Cris and Owen had a great time last Monday. Here in Brazil we celebrate Labour Day on May 1st. Oh besides that, I really loved seeing the pictures you have taken, but I have to confess that I only knew the English name of three animals :-). By the way Rachel, I didn´t know about the terrifying Aussie spiders. One of my teachers has lived in Australia for a while, and she came back to Brazil with a strong Aussie accent, hmm... I think I´m changing the subject :-). Well actually, she has never told us about the spiders, maybe she doesn´t want scared us :-). Anyway, I have a go at the homework: 1. I wish I hadn´t eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now. 2. Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge ( does he really do this Rachel?). 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages! 4. I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. And now my sentences: a) It´s a beautiful sunny Sunday today. I wish I were on the beach now. b) Rosana(my sister) I wish you would turn the radio down! I can´t concentrate on my writing with this noise! In answer to your question Rachel, I think you used 'had the day off' because it was just the holiday, one specific day. And take the day off is used for a limited of days, like three days off. Vocab: to live up to your expectations (expr): to be equal to your expectations. hands-on (adj): very participative; to roam about (phr vb): to wonder; to have a ball (expr): enjoy oneself greatly; scorcher (n): an extremely hot day; marsupial (n): a nonplacental mammal like kangaroos, opossums, bandicoots, and wombats, found principally in Australia and Americas; spines (n.pl): any of pointed projections, processes, or appendages of animals; thrill (n): a sudden and intense sensation of greatly excitement; deadly (adj): a fatal, something that cause ot tend to cause death; diligent (adj): to persevere; put you off (phr vb): make someone not like someone or something, or not want to do something. Phew! I guess my comment is too long today, isn´t it? :-) Good bye Rachel, have a nice week, Ana Paula.
Dear Rachel, I have day off generally on Tuesday but I had taken of yesterday (Saturday) in stead of Tuesday. In the weekend I can’t take of due to main business days for us. I feel really lucky to see the photographs of animals. When I start to talk with my boss-he is an American-, I try to use phrasal verb as much I can. He noticed that I am learning how to use phrasal verb and tries to explain me using phrasal verb but sometimes, using phrasal verb make me in difficult position because I can not trace meaning of phrasal immediately. 1. I wish I had eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now. 2. Owen, I wish you should stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages! 4. I wish I would be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. 1.to live up to your expectations (expr) –as good as expectation 2.hands-on (adj) – knowledge gained by experience. 3.to roam about (phr vb) - to move about or travel, especially without a clear idea of what you are going to do 4.to have a ball (expr) - to enjoy yourself very much 5.scorcher (n) - an extremely hot and sunny day 6.marsupial (n) - a type of mammal which is not completely developed when it is born and is carried around in a pocket on the mother's body where it is fed and protected until it is completely developed 7.spines (n.pl) –spikes attached to body. 8.thrill (n) - a feeling of extreme excitement, usually caused by something pleasant 9.deadly (adj) -extreme 10.diligent (adj) – Hard working 11.put you off (phr vb)- to cause someone to be unable to continue what they are doing by stopping them from giving all their attention to it
Hello Rachel, It seems you had a whale of time at the wildlife park and Owen even more (playing with the gate:>). It made me laugh to read his antics:>. Does he really put his toys in the fridge? If so, he really must be keeping you on your toes. Here are my answers to the exercise:1)had not,2)could,3)had,4)could. The answer to the use of have and take: Here 'had' has been used to show that you had an official holiday, and if you had used 'took' it would mean that you managed to take a day off from your everyday routine. Your explanation will guide us better:>. Naheed
What a shame. I can only recognize the Kangaroo - the symbol of Australia. By the way I can not differentiate the Dingo and the Wolf. The answer for the "Wish + " 1, had 2, would 3, had 4, could The anser for your final thought : There is a difference between "have the day off" and "take the day off". you have a day off if it is a public holiday. If you take a day off you are using your personal holiday account.
1. I wish I had not eaten so much for lunch - I feel really sick now. 2. Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection - uploading this post will take ages. 4. I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. Practice Sentences: 1. I wish I were able to comment on your posts more frequently. 2. I wish I could be abroad before December this year. 3. I wish I could just stop whining about things and be more pragmatic. :-) 4. I wish I could read the entire content on the BBC LE website in a day. To have a day off is a holiday either national, religious, regional; whereas to take a day off means when you "apply" to be allowed not to come to work etc. for some reason - I'm not very sure though, just guessing.
Hello, Rachel and all the “commentators”! I’ve been keeping an eye on teacher’s blog since august. I always find here some of useful information. At least I picked up all my courage and overcame my laziness and decided to leave a comment :) So, Rachel, I want to thank you for your stories, photos and your sense of humor! These things made me start “active learning” :) My first homework: (filling the gaps) 1. I wish I hadn’t eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now. /regret for the past/ 2. Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. /annoyance/ 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages! /present situation/ 4. I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. /future hopes/ (vocabulary) to live up to your expectations = to meet your enquiries hands-on = practical, convenient, useful, something that is down-to-earth to roam about = to walk around without clear purpose, to wander to have a ball = to spend your time with pleasure, to get a kick of it scorcher = hot day marsupial = animal with a natural “pocket” on the belly spines = long sharp needle-like things growing out of an animal thrill = a feeling of pleasant excitement deadly = fatal, causing death diligent = careful and using a lot of effort put you off = to arouse disgust to smth (your final question) I think, when we “have the day off” we are free of work anyway! When we say “to take the day off” we mean “to ask for permission to have the day off”. Yours
Hi Rachel. How are you doing? Thanks a lot for the wonderful pictures you shared with us! (I didn't know the names of some animals) Just like you, I'm not so keen on spiders, but I really hate cockroaches...I can´t avoid screaming while running away like a mad woman whenever I see one of them. Homework: 1. I wish I …had’nt………eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now. 2. Owen, I wish you ……would…… stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3. I wish I ……had…… a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages! 4. I wish I ……could……be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. Today’s vocab: to live up to your expectations (expr) to be as good as you expect hands-on (adj) providing practical experience of something by letting people do it themselves to roam about (phr vb) to walk or travel, usually for a long time with no clear purpose or direction to have a ball (expr) to have a very good time scorcher (n) an extremely hot day marsupial (n) an animal which carries its babies in a pocket of skin on its body spines (n.pl) a stiff sharp point on an animal thrill (n) a sudden strong feeling of excitement and pleasure deadly (adj) likely to cause death diligent (adj) someone who is diligent works hard and is careful and thorough put you off (phr vb) to make you dislike something or not want to do something Everyone in NSW had the day off because it was Labour Day.Is there a difference between have the day off and take the day off? -"have the day off" means that you don't have to go to work -"take the day off" means that you decide not to go to work. Well Rachel I must go...I love sports and the match between Los Pumas and Scotland is starting!! Best regards, Carolina.
I think the meaning of have the day off is other person said this day is off but,take the day off is ourself want that. I think it's true and not completely confidence.
Hello Rachel, funny photo-quiz you´ve come up with! Thanks! I wish I could spend a visit to the wildlife park. I wish I would hav already found a place for my professional traing. I wish I hadn´t been out of job last years. I wish I could be a writer too. 1. I wish I hadn´t eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now. 2. Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3. I wish I could have a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages! 4. I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. And a final thought … I wrote: Everyone in NSW had the day off Is there a difference between have the day off and take the day off? If so, what is it? The difference is when you have a day off, it is a day offered to you as free because of national holiday for instance or you are on planned holiday. If you take a day off, you decide to go not to work because you are ill or unable to work by other causes. The status of being long-time unemployed is annoying me, but I stay motivated. I wish I could build up my own business. Thank you for your explanations and I am looking forward to your comment. I would like to write additional to that that I would like to spend some time practising English and working in the UK and I also would like to read more about the place you come from and of course - Oz! Yours, Yvonne
Hi Rachel,you all had a whale of time at the wild life park. Except Kangaroo, I couldn’t recognize any of other animals in your photo, even the Dingo from Asia. Actually the Dingo looks like a fox. Is it a dangerous animal? Do you know which is our national animal and bird? Tiger is our national animal and peacock is our national bird. There are plenty of peacocks in our place. Your can certainly enjoy the beauty of male peacocks at the time of black clouds gathering before rain. It dances. Male peacock is more beautiful than the female one. This is much difference from other things. Usually we can see the beauty in female creatures. Don’t us. I could see the tiger in the zoo and circus. I couldn’t have a chance to visit any one of Tiger sanctuary. The numbers of tigers were more in India in the past but not now. The animal lovers express concern about this. I really appreciate the Australians take care of the animals. 1. I wish I had eaten so much for lunch- I feel really sick now. 2. Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection- uploading this post will take ages. 4. I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. I wish I could be a good English writer. I wish I could be a BBC English student blogger someday. I wish I had started learning new words everyday. I wish you would stop smoking. I wish you would stop gossiping.
Hey up Rachel! Your post, especially the grammar is like a gem, so well orgenized! If you hadn´t told us you are a Pom I might say you come from Germany.(I worked more than 20 mins on this sentence.) It is nice to know Chris studied such an unusual language. (In Australia?) How many languages has he studied? 1.I wish I hadn´t eaten so much for lunch - 2.Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3.I wish I had a faster internet connection - 4.I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. (And we will be pleased very much if that come true!) In my town is the most beautiful ZOO in our country because of the scenery where it is situated .I have read with suprise wombats may be seen in the wild easily. I´ve read they live in the swamps making burrows down under the soil. Best wishes!
Hello Rachel :-) I'd like to begin with doing your exercise: 1. I wish I hadn't eaten... 2. Owen, I wish you would stop... 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection... 4. I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger... I wish I hadn't made too many mistakes. Your grammar explanations are very intelligible, I wish they could be as clear as they have been so far. By the way, Weren't you afraid to let Owen approach so close to the cangaroo? All best wishes.
Hello Rachel! First of all, I would like to say that I am a lover of Australian animals, so the photos are liked me very much. I will have a go with the homework: 1. I wish I “hadn’t” eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now 2. Owen, I wish you “would” stop putting your toys in the fridge. 3. I wish I “had” a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages! 4. I wish I “could” be the BBC teacher blogger again next year My own phrases:-I wish I were on holidays in Australia, but I'm working in Spain.-I wish I could speak English as a Pom.-I wish my dog would stop biting the furniture-I wish I hadn't put my foot on the hole (but I did and now I have a sprain ankle). Bye for now
Hi Rachel, thanks for wonderful pictures of wild life park tour. I like your blog and explaination for grammer. I will finish home work now. (1) I wish I had not eaten so much for lunch – I feel really sick now. (2). Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. (3). I wish I had a faster internet connection – uploading this post will take ages! (4). I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. ================================== Then some more sentences like this: (a) I wish I had writing skills like you. (b) I wish I could be student blogger on this site. (c) I wish aeroplane noise would stop bothering me while I am writing this example. ================================= (a) to live up to your expectations (expr)= happen what you wanted. (b) hands-on (adj) = have experience on (c) to roam about (phr vb)= to wonder around. (d) to have a ball (expr) = don't know (e) scorcher (n) =extremely hot (marsupial (n) (f) spines (n.pl) = (g) thrill (n)= excited (h) deadly (adj)= extremely dangerous (i)put you off (phr vb)= to get disinterested in. that's all. wait to read your next blog to find out the rest. Cheers, Manans
Hi Rachel, Thanks for the explanations about “wish + something”. I won’t answer the vocabulary. I know or guess some of them, others I have no idea. But concerning the “have or take the day off”, I think I have the explanation. When you “have it” you do not have (need) to ask for it (introduce a demand for holiday or day off), when you “take it” you have (need) to introduce a demand for it. Sorry for that mishmash of “have”. Antonio
Hello Rachel and all you student possums out there, here one possum wishing I was down under right now. A total bombshell (positive) to see, that we students are being tutored from the land of plenty. I used to take part in writing these blogs rather diligently some time ago until my life changed totally (for better) and I was forced to quit for a while. Since my total change of life (and I don´t mean menopause) I haven´t had a chance to visit the site until tonight and may I say, what a thrill it was to see an Aussie (well almost) Sheila writing a blog. What a marvel! And what made my day so complete, that you Rachel mentioned Dame Edna Everage. You made my day Rachel!
Hi Rachel,thanks for the pics they´re lovely. I´ll try to answer your question,the difference to have the day off (is a day given)and take the day off(is a day you take by own choice)am I right? I hope so ;) let me know please... Best wishes !!! Rocio
Hello Rache, this's my frist time to come here, say hi to everybody, i promise i will come often,and i find this is really a good way to improve our English, so i wanna say thank you Rache. this i like Kangaroo,because this anmial looks very lovely,especially when it carry the baby kangaroo in its pouch. But when my friend told me, people in Austrial often eat kangaroo meat, which really surprise me. Anyaway i remerber there is a vivid saying to discripe this 'one man's meat another man's poision'.but i don't fancy the idea to cook Kangaroo
Hello Rachel! You had a great time on Labour Day. I like the photos especially the one of Owen with the lying Kangaroo. Owen is cute! I wonder what he would do? Did he dare to touch the Kangaroo? Rachel, you don't put me off English. I find it interesting. Thank you for explaning the difference between wish + could or would. So I should make sentences to engrave them on my memory. I wish I could see those animals including dingoes in the wild. But I wish I would not see any Aussie spiders in my life. Now here are your homework: 1/ I wish I hadn't eaten so much for luch - I feel really sick now. 2/ Owen, I wish you would stop putting your toys in the fridge. (Does he? :-)) 3/ I wish I got/had a faster internet connection - uploading this post will take ages. 4/ I wish I could be the BBC teacher blogger again next year. (I hope so!). And the last one, I think there is a difference between 'have and take the day off'. If not, you won't ask us. But sorry I can't tell what it is. I will read the ideas from our readers' comments while waiting for you. Please help me! Thank you so much. Best wishes, Myen.
Hi Rachel, I hope you are doing well with the rest of your family.Thanks for telling us littel bit about your public holiday, it sound that you had great time with Owen and Chris.I whish I had been in wildlife park with you and enjoy from seeing the cute and lovely animals. As you know that Afghanistan is one of the most warturn and most ravaged nation of the world and we have one zoo here in kabul that have few animals. I wish we would have a very big zoo here. I have a question that how i can improve my speaking and writing.If you give me some advice, i will be highly appreciated.I'm looking forward to hear more about Sydney. Best regards,
Hi Rachel.It's very enjoyable reading your entries. I love when you write about Owen of show his photos. He's a cute little boy.Well, you've asked us to write something about us. Are you really sure that you will be possible to correct everyone? I wish you lucky and a thirty six-hour day!To begin,I’m fourth two-year-old Brazilian woman but I‘ve been living in The Hague (Netherlands) for 7 years. I’m now a stay-at-home mother but I was a gynecologist in Brazil and I’ve worked here as a nurse. That can be pretty difficult to understand but it is even harder to explain, believe me. I have a six-year-old boy called Tiago. It’s a bible name so that I’m sure there’s a version in English. I discovered that blog few months ago but I haven’t had time to follow it properly. Although I don’t work at the moment, I’m involved in several activities. I though I used to have a quite good English at the university (Nutrition and Medicine). Furthermore, I do passed the Cambridge exam 27 years ago. Oh Gosh! I’m really old. But since I started speaking Dutch, my English is completed messed up. Of it wasn’t as good as I though. I made the IELTS academic on 1st September and for my deception I had scored 6 while I had to score 7. To Conclude, I must practice a lot.Neverthless I don't send my homework, I do make it all.Anyway, I always want to read everything (student and teacher entries) before I make a comment, even though it still cost me a lot of time and I’m glad I did today. Moreover, I wish I could be able and have courage to write you again. I’m Web shy.Thank you for your interest! Best regards, Josie.
Hi Rachel! We celebrate Labour Day on May 1st in Italy. Every year the trade unions organise a big free concert in Rome. Here are my answers: 1. had not. 2. would 3. had 4. could. I love koalas too. All the best
Hi Rachel, My name is Hualan. I am originally from China and am currently in Melbourne. I’ve been to Sydney once. But I didn’t have much time to do the sightseeing. So it’s good to know Sydney bit by bit from your blog. I know all the animals that you are talking about. But I don’t think I will get the spelling right. Koala is my favourite. They are just so cute. We will have our public holiday next month. It's only in Melbourne, not the whole VIC. I guess you know what holiday it is. Cheers, Hualan :)
Hi Rachel, I really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for enlightening us about the some of the exclusive animals of Australia, some of them are I have never heard or seen before. Off all I liked the picture of Koala the best. I found it very cute and cuddly. Looking at the pictures I can sense that Owen had a ball too. My answers are 1. I wish I had not eaten so much for lunch. 2.Owen, I wish you would stop 3. I wish I had a faster internet connection. 4. I wish I could be the BBC teacher. Live up to your expectation- met your expectation, roam about- move around freely, to have a ball- to have a wildly enjoyable time, scorcher- a very hot day, marsupial- amamal, spines- sharp, pointed, thrill- exciting, diligent - hard working, put you off- to feel discomfort by someone's behavior.
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