英語5分間トレーニング　徹底活用学習ブログ

デスパレートな妻たち　Episode1-07

Today's scene is a flashback to Mary Alice was still alive and all five women got together and talked about philanderers' excuses over a cup of coffee. We can see through their talk that Mary Alice was a considerate person and she might lend her ear for the troubles of others. I can say she was reliable. So it was very shocking that such a fine woman killed herself with a gun.(Mary Alice) So what did Karl say when you confronted him? (Susan) You'll love this. He said, "It doesn't mean anything. It was just sex."(Bree) Ah, that's the page one of philanderer's handbook.(Susan) Yeah. Then he got this Zen look on his face and said, "You know, Susan, most men live lives of quite desperation."(Lynette) Please tell me you punched him. (Susan) No. I said, "Really?" and "what do most women lead? Lives of noisy fulfillment?""(Mary Alice) Good for you.(Susan) I mean, of all peaple, did he have to bang his secretary? I had that woman over for brunch." (Gabrielle)It's like my grandmother always said. An erect penis doesn't have a conscious. (Lynette) Even limp ones aren't all that ethical.(Bree) This is the reason I joined the NRA. When Rex started going to those medical conferences, I wanted it in the back of his mind that he had a loving wife at home with a loaded Smith & Wesson.(Mary Alice) Lenny, Tom's always away on business. Do you ever worry he might?(Lynette) Oh, please. The man's gotten me pregnant three times in four years. I wish he was having sex with someone else.(Bree) So, Susan, is he gonna stop seeing that woman?(Susan) I don't know. I'm sorry, you guys. I just don't know how I'm gonna survive this.(Mary Alice) Listen to me. We all have moments of desperation. But if we face them head-on, that's when we find out just how strong we really are.◆philanderer a man having a lot of casual sexual relationship with women◆bang to have sex ◆limp soft or weak when it should be firm or strong

英語マンガ（９）

I wish I could get these toilet paper for every subjects in my school days!

英作文課題　My first task of writing an essay in English

I'd been working on my first writing task given by Englishtown the whole yesterday evening. The subject was "Writing about your best friend from 100 to 150 words."It seemed easy with no difficulty at first. But, it wasn't.I havn't exercised myself in getting my thought in shape withing the restricted number of words since I quitted my job, that is, since I became a mother. This time, I had many good points about my best friend I wanted to write. But if I wrote those things just as they came up in my mind, my essay became so distracted that people couldn't understand what I wanted to say. It was a very good brain excercise for me, but it was also true it had been hard and I got tired.Anyway, my first writing task is below. It can't avoid to give an impression that I put the last sentense just to finish my writing.I'm looking forward to giving it back to me after it is checked by a native instructor.My best friend is ****. She lives in Tokyo, Japan, with her beloved son. We met each other and became friends in our university days. I respect her very much because she's a practical person with the ability of making a good analysis. Here's a good example. She was a housewife three years ago. Then her husband left her for a woman he met on business. In such situation, I suppose most women may spend just crying out of desperation. But she didn't. She considered what she could do, though she was in great sorrow of her husband's betrayal, and swiftly moved into action for job hunting. Now she works as a school counselor and takes care of her son by herself.I'm looking forward to getting together for lunch and talking to her next time.イングリッシュタウンのライティング課題に初めて挑戦しました。「親友について１００～１５０字で書きなさい」なんて簡単じゃんと初めは思ったものの、難しかったです～。だいたい仕事をやめて主婦になって以来、自分の考えを決められた字数内にまとめて表現するなんてことを１度もやっていません。書きたいことはいっぱいあるのに思いついたままに書いてしまうと散漫な文章になり、結局何が言いたいのか分からなくなります。ともあれネイティブインストラクターが添削して返してくれるので、それを楽しみにしています。

デスパレートな妻たち　Episode1-06

The last main charactor is Susan Mayer, who is bad at cooking. Her only favorite recipe is macaroni and cheese, and she rarely cooked well. I'm not sure this is the main reason or not, but anyway her husband left home behind Susan and their daughter.This teen-age daughter, Julie, is very considerate for her age. She comforted her mother, who was in the middle of sorrow when her husband left home, patting her arm. How thoughtful, she was! I like her.And so far, there was one thing which was new to me. It's the culture difference after funerals. In USA, people who go to pay their respects bring food. In Japan, the family who has the funeral prepare food for them. It's interesting. Susan Mayer, who lives across the street, brought macaroni and cheese. Her husband, Karl, always teased her, saying it was the only thing she knew how to cook, and she rarely made it well. It was too salty the night she and Karl moved into their house. It was too watery the night she found lipstick on Karl's shirt.She burned it the night Karl told her he was leaving her for his secretary.A year had passed since the divorce. Susan had started to think how nice it would be to have a man in her life, even one who would make fun of her cooking.(Julie) Mom, why would someone kill themselves?(Susan) Well, sometimes people are so unhappy, they think that's the only way they can solve their problems. (Julie) But Mrs. Young always seemed happy. (Susan) Yeah. But sometimes, people pretend to be one way on the outside, when they're totally different on the inside. (Julie) Oh, you mean like how Dad's girlfriend is always smiling and says nice things, but deep down, we just know she's a bitch? (Susan) I don't like that word, Julie. But yeah, that's a great example.◆teased to laugh them or to make jokes about them in order to embararrass, annoy, upset them◆watery you dislike it because it contains too much water, or has no flavor ex) watery coffee◆make fun of to laugh at them, tease them, or make jokes about them in a way that causes them to see ridiculous

迷信深いわけではないけれど　 I'm not a superstitious person, but...

Are you a superstitious person? As for me, I don't think so.In Japan, we have a lot of superstitions like "You shouldn't cut your nails after evening" and "If you clean your toilet during your pregnancy, your baby girl becomes pretty."I don't care about these things. I often cut my nails just before I go to bed because I don't have much time in day time. During my whole pregnant period of my daughter and son, my doctor kept me at absolute rest, so I didn't clean not only my toilet but the entire house. However, my kids are very pretty!I asked some of my friends if they follow these things, they said, "Nonsense! Besides, they have no scietific reasons." I agree. But I think we have one superstition that we, especially mothers, might follow. This one is exceptional, I suppose. That is, "If you don't put away Hina dolls right after Doll Festival, your daughter will miss the chance to marry at her marriageable age."In Japan, we have Doll Festival, or Girls Day, on March 3rd. We set up ornamental dolls which represent the Emperor and Empress's wedding, and celebrate this day with a wish that our daughter will grow up in good health.After Doll Festival, I follow that superstition for my daughter. Of course, I know it has no scientific reason, but I just can't ignore this superstition. And all of my friends, they were mothers having daughters though, said they followed to it like me. I think this is very interesting. So, in this point, I can say I'm kind of a superstitious person.How about you?「あなたは迷信深い人ですか」と聞かれたら、「いや、別に」と答える人がほとんどではないでしょうか。「夜はつめを切るな」、「妊娠中にトイレの掃除をすると生まれる女の子は美人になる」、どれも科学的根拠のないものばかりだし、いちいち従っていられるほど暇じゃないというものだってあるでしょう。でもひとつだけ、特に女の子の母親だったら必ず従っているであろう迷信があります。それは「雛人形をさっさと片付けないと娘が婚期を逃す」というものです。私もすぐ片付けるし、私の友達もこれだけはやるといってました。あなたはどうですか？

デスパレートな妻たち　Episode1-05

Bree is one of the important characters as well as Gabrielle and Lynette. She is known as a charismatic housewife among the entire neighborhood.In this scene, Bree appeares to offer her condolences to Alice's husband and son, well-groomed with her home-made bread. She seems a perfect wife and mother, but her family doesn't think so at all. Just pay attention to the face of her husband which we can see behind Bree. It really tells something. His face is a study in this scene!Bree Van De Kamp, who lives next door, brought baskets of muffins she baked from scratch. Bree was known for her cooking, and for making her own clothes, and for doing her own gardening, and for re-upholstering her own furniture. Yes, Bree's many talents were known throughout the neighborhood. And everyone on Wisteria Lane thought of Bree as the perfect wife and mother. Everyone, that is, except her own family.(Bree) Paul, Zachary.(Zachary) Hello, Mrs.Van De Kamp.(Paul) Bree, you shouldn't have gone through all this trouble.(Bree) It was no trouble at all. Now the bascket with red ribbon filled with dessert is for your guests. But the one with the blue ribbon is for you and Zachary. It's got roles, muffins, breakfast type things.(Paul) Thank you.(Bree) The least I could do was make sure you boys had a decent meal to look forward to in the morning. I know you're out of your minds with grief.(Paul) Yes, we are.(Bree) Of course, I will need the basckets back once you're done.(Paul) Of course.◆from scratch　you do it without making use of anything that has been done before.Ex) Building a home from scratch can be both exciting and challenging.◆decent　is used to describe something which is considered to be of an acceptable standard or quality

ご自由にどうぞ　Free

Let me introduce you a funny short story from "Reader's Digest."My husband had a perfectly good set of tyres that he no longer wanted. He put it outside the garage with a sign that read "Free."After a few weeks with no takers, he changed the sign to "20$."The next day, they were stolen.Next time when I need to thraw away large garbage, I'll try this method!不用品タイアを「どうぞご自由に」と張り紙をして出しておいたら、誰も持っていってくれなかった。そこで「２０ドルです」と張り紙の文句を変えると、翌日にはキレイさっぱり持っていかれていたという話。私も今度粗大ごみの処分に困ったら、これ、やろう。

英語マンガ（８）

Jee, this blood transfusion method would be one of the most useful inventions in a disastrous situation.

デスパレートな妻たち　Episode1-04

Gabrielle Solis is also one of the main characters. She used to be a model in New York. During her modeling days, she got proposed and married to a successful and rich man, Carlos Solis. I think gorgeos Gabrielle is a trophy wife for Carlos.Gabrielle Solis, who lives down the block, brought a spicy paella.Since her modeling days in New York, Gabrielle had developed a taste for rich food and rich men.Carlos, who worked in mergers and acquisitions, proposed on their third date. Gabrielle was touched when tears welled up in his eyes. But she soon discovered that this happened every time Carlos closed a big deal.Gabrielle liked her paella piping hot. However, her relationship with her husband was considerably cooler.(Carlos) If you talk to Al Mason at this thing, I want you to casually mention how much I paid for your necklace.(Gabrielle) Why don't I just pin the receipt to my chest? (Carlos) He let me know how much he had paid for his wife's new convertible. Listen, just work it into the conversation.(Gabrielle) There is no way I can just wark it into the conversation, Carlos.(Carlos)Why not? At the Donahue party, everyone was talking mutual funds and you found a way to mention that you slept with half of the Yankee outfielders. (Gabrielle) I'm telling you, it came up in the context of the conversation. (Carlos) Hey! People are starting to stare. Can you keep your voice down, please? (Gabrielle) Absolutely. We wouldn't want them to think we're not happy.◆piping hot very hot◆work it to manage well　

デスパレートな妻たち　Episode1-03

Lynette Scavo is one of the main characters in this show. She was a gung-ho career woman, but now she is a stay-at-home mother with three naughty boys and one baby, suffering from fatigue of caring for her children. I'm interested in the scene where she uses Santa to stop their bad behavior. In any culture, mothers always use Santa as an ace in a hole.I was laid to rest on Monday. After the funeral, all the residents of Wisteria Lane came to pay their respects. And as people do in these situations, they brought food.Lynette Scavo brought fried chicken.Lynette had a great family recipe for fried chicken. Of course, she didn't cook much while she was moving up the corporate ladder.She didn't have the time.But when her doctor announced Lynette was pregnant, her husband, Tom, had an idea. 'Why not quit your job? Kids do better with stay-at-home moms. It would be so much less stressful.'But this was not the case. In fact, Lynette's life had become so hectic, she was now forced to get her fried chicken from a fast-food restaurant.Lynette would have appreciated the irony if she had stopped to think about it. But she couldn't. She didn't have the time.(Lynette)Stop it, stop it, stop it.(Twim)But, mum.(Lynette)No. You are going to behave today. I'm not going to be humiliated in front of the entire neighborhood. And, just so you know how serious I am...(Twin)What's that? (Lynette)Santa's cell-phone number. (Twin)How did you get that? (Lynette)I know someone who knows someone who knows an elf. And if any of you acts up, so help me, I will call Santa and tell him you want socks for Christmas. Are you willing to risk that?Ok, let's get this over with.◆pay one's respect you go to see them or speak to them.Ex) He had asked him to visit the hospital and to pay his respects to her.◆climb up the ladder to progress up in such as a company, organization and society◆stay-up-home If you describe someone as a stay-at-home, you mean they stay at home rather than going out to work or travelling.Ex) I had been a stay-at-home mum before my husband lost his job.◆hectic A hectic situation is one that is very busy and involves a lot of rushed activities.Ex) Despite his hectic schedule, he rarely suffers from poor health.◆behave to act in the way that people think is correct and properEx) You should behave. ◆act up If a child is acting up, they are behaving badly.◆get this over with make it finish◆so help me I mean it

デスパレートな妻たち　Episode1-02

In today's scene, we're going to know about one of the important side characters, Mrs.Huber. She is a curious neighbor, too curious about other people's business. I guess there must be at least one person like her around you.Anyway, because of her curiosity, Mary Alice's body is found. And we can see one of the black humor here which this popular TV show has. That is where Mrs. Huber tastes spilt tomato juice. Everyone must think it is the blood of Mary Alice!And the label on a blender caught my eyes! It says,"Property of Mary Alice Young". In Japan, when we write our name on our belongings, we just write our name only. I think Mary Alice must have been a methodical person. My body was discovered by my neighbor, Mrs. Martha Huber, who had been startled by a strange popping sound. Her curiosity aroused. Mrs. Huber tried to think of a reason for dropping in on me unannounced.After some initial hesitation, she decided to return the blender she had borrowed six months before.(Huber)It's my neighbor. I think she's been shot. There's blood everywhere! Yes, you've got to send an ambulance. You've got to send one right now!And for a moment, Mrs. Huber stood motionless in her kitchen, grief-stricken by this senseless tragedy. But only for a moment.And if there's one thing Mrs. Huber was known for,it was her ability to look on the bright side.◆startle If something sudden and unexpected startles you, it surprises and frightens you slightly.Ex) The phone ring startled him.◆dropping in on me you visit someone informally, usually without having arranged it

真実の愛　What is "true love"?

I went to the chat room of ET last night, and there already were a few females. All of them were Asians from Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan. One of them said, "Let's talk about something romantic.", and one of others replied, "OK. How about true love?" TRUE LOVE. Ok, ladies, I'm in. Let's talk.But before that, I just asked her about her definition of true love, because I thought it differed in individuals.She answered my question."True love is something that can change the world. Playing sex isn't true love."Yes, she asserted so with confidence.Uh-oh. She must have had a high thinking about love because she was from one of those Asian countries. You know, its religion must have worked on her. I could guess what she wanted to say, and that was, for example, some good deeds what Mother Teresa did in her great life. But I'm sorry. I'm not such a great person and I think I won't be.Besides, I've been busy performing daily household chores and taking care of my family and myself, especially now I can't walk well yet because of my this broken leg. For me, "the world" means my beloved kids and husband. In fact, I don't have any room in my heart to think over performing such high thought of true love. So after she asserted, I couldn't say anything. I couldn't just come across the idea what I should say.But now, I can tell her about the true love for me. While I was taking a bath, I thought it over and over. "You said playing sex isn't true love. But I think making love is true love. I think it's worthy to make every efforts to build and keep a better and more reliable relationship with the man you love through this profound act."I don't know if she was married or not. Maybe she wasn't. But everybody will agree to the opinion that it's quite difficult to keep love which must have existed just when they've fallen in love each other. To keep loveing someone sometimes requires sacrifices, forgiveness and generosity from you. Making sure that I'm loved and vice versa, I believe your heart can be filled with joy, happiness, peace and kindness, and you can build much better relationship with your partner.And if you are a mother, I'm sure this works in good way to make a better relationship between you and your kids and you can make your family happy.I believe this is also true love which is respectworthy.昨夜チャットで一緒したのは中国、韓国、台湾、日本からのアジア女性たち。「真実の愛について話しましょうよ」ということになりました。それ、乗った！でも、いったい「真実の愛」て何？　そんなの人によって解釈はいろいろなんじゃない？するとひとりのアジア女性が自信たっぷりに言ってくださいました。「それは世界を変えるほどの何かよ。セックスなんて真実の愛じゃないわ」あちゃ～、と思いました。きっと彼女は自国の宗教の教えをモロに受けてるのかもしれません。彼女の言わんとすることは十分想像できます。きっとマザー・テレサがその偉大な生涯で成した立派な行いのようなことを言いたいんでしょう。でも、ごめん。私はそんな立派な人間じゃないし、これからもそうなりそうにはないです。第一、子どものため、ダンナのための毎日の家事をこなすので忙しい。特に今は足の骨を折ってまともに歩けないため、そんな崇高なことを考えるような心の余裕は皆無です。彼女に断言されて、何も言えなくなりました。なんと言っていいのか、言葉に詰まっちゃった感じです。でも、今なら私は言えます。お風呂に入りながら考えに考えましたから。「playing sex は真実の愛じゃないとあなたは言ったけど、わたしは making love は真実の愛だと思うよ」と。お互いを理解しあい関係をよりベターなものにするために、セックスはとても有用だし意味のあることです。それに、２人が恋に落ちたときには確かにそこに在った愛を長年維持するのはとても大変なことで、愛し続けるという行為はときに犠牲、許す心を要求しますよね。でも、私は愛されている、愛していると確信すると、心は喜び、幸福感、穏やかさで満たされ、その立場が母親というものであれば、子どもともいい関係を作るのに大いに役立つと思うのです。ひいては家族を幸せにできるんですから。これだって立派な愛だと思います。

デスパレートな妻たち　Episode1-01

This very first episode opens with such an unexpected accident. Mary Alice Young, who is becoming a pilot of this story, shoots herself all of a sudden, though all of us thinks she must be happy with no worries. I gasped in surprise! I was hooked at the very beginning. My name is Mary Alice Young. When you read this morning's paper, you may come across an article about the unusual day I had last week.Normally, there is never anything newsworthy about my life. But that all changed last Thursday.Of course, everything seemed quite normal at first.I made breakfast for my family. I performed my chores. I completed my projects. I ran my errands.In truth, I spent the day as I spent every other day, quietly polishing the routine of my life, until it gleamed with perfection. That's why it was so astonishing when I decided to go to my hallway closet and retrieve a revolver that had never been used.◆come across You find or meet something or someone by chance.eg) I came across children playing.◆newsworthy considered to be interesting enough to be reported in newspapers or on the radio or TVeg) The number of death makes the story newsworthy.◆chore tasks such as cleaning, washing and ironing that have to be done regularly at homeEx) My husband and I both go out to work so we share the household chores.◆errand a short trip that you make in order to do a job for someoneEx) She runs errands for her housebound grandmother. ◆routine a way of life that is unintersting and ordinaryeg) a mundane routine of my life◆retrieve you get it back from the place where you left if.

英語マンガ（７）

In this terrible situation, I might give a birth in the car!!

「ドリームガールズ」　Dreamgirls

The movie I'm now interested in the most is "Dreamgirls"."Dreamgirls" is a film version of a Broadway musical play. It's about the singing group of three girls, Deena, Lorell and Effie, who became famous during the 1960's. Deena is a sweet girl, Lorell is her best friend and Effie is a diva with the amazing voice.According to cinematic reviews I read, all of them seemed to agree to the opinion that Jennifer Hudson, the role of Effie, leaves stronger impression on us than Beyonce Knowles who plays the leading character, Deena. This film is the first to play for Jennifer Hudson, the finalist of "American Idol" TV show, and she shows us her powerful and amazing voice in the film. Reviews says it is understandable that she gets nominated for the Academy Award as best supporting actress.And there is another person in this film I have interested in. That is Eddie Murphy. Actually, I don't like him so much. That's because I've not felt empathy for any characters Murphy had played before. But this time seems quite different. It is said he plays one of the main characters lively who tumbles from the peak of his life to the wreck of his life. Eddie Murphy gets also nominated for the Academy Award as best supporting actor. "Dreamgirls" recieved eight Academy Award nominations. This is the most of the any movie released last year. Now you can see the trailer on this site, and you can hear the VOA report of this film here.I'm sure you can have a little experience what a gorgeous and powerful musical this film is. In fact, I got goose bumps.今もっとも興味ある映画は「ドリームガールズ」です。なんといっても主役のビヨンセを喰ってしまっていると評判のジェニファー・ハドソンの歌が聞いてみたい！　またこれまであまり好きになれなかったエディ・マーフィーの演技がいいというので、これもぜひ見てみたい！ご両人ともアカデミー助演女優賞、助演男優賞にノミネートですものね。上記リンクサイトで映画予告編などが見られます。興味ある方はどうぞ。私は鳥肌が立ちました。

「デスパレートな妻たち」 Desperate Housewives

"Desperate Housewives" is American TV series which is so popular to be considered as the greatest TV show in this time. In Japan, NHK began broadcasting it from last fall. But actually, when I tried to watch it, its episode was almost the last one. So I gave up watching it, though I knew it was one of the hottest topic among bloggers who learn English.And at last, I watched it this morning on DVD. It was interesting! I could understand the reason why it held so mamy people's mind.The first episode open with a suicide. One housewife, who spent the morning with her family as usual, shoots herself into the head suddenly. This is enough to hook us! In fact, I gasped in surprise for this unexpected beginning. This series also includes the element of mystery, thriller, satire and comedy.I watched it in Japanese, so next time I'm watching in English. 「デスパレートな妻たち」をＮＨＫで見ようと思ったときにはすでに最終話にちかく、見るのをあきらめました。英語学習ブロガーの間ではとてもホットな話題だったのになあ。でも今朝やっとＤＶＤで見られました。おもしろかったです。いつもとまったく変わらぬ朝を過ごしていた主婦の突然のピストル自殺。これでつかみはＯＫでしょう。私は意外なスタートに息を呑みました。ミステリ、スリラー、風刺、コメディーの要素がこの物語には詰まっています。

システムエラー？　The system error?

I can't write this blog now. Is this a problem of Rakuten side?

「プリンセス・マサコ」　Princess Masako

This is the book which has been causing a great sensation now in Japan. This book has topped the English book sales ranking on Amazon.co.jp."Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne; the Tragic True Story of Japan's Crown Princess"According to the explanation of this book, this was written by one of Australia's leading journalists and foreign correspondents, Mr.Hills. He interviewed with many people who are, and were, in close positions with Princess Masako. And according to some sources, he mentioned the possibility of Princess Masako's pregnancy through in vitro fertilization in this book. There must be other subjects in the book which the Imperial Household Agency doesn't want us to talk or know. So, I suppose, it protested against Mr. Hills about its contents.But Mr. hills didn't seem to anwere it. This made another sensation, and a publisher quitted publishing a Japanese version of this book, I've heard.Anyway I can't have any opinion about the dispute if I don't read it. I think there're many Japanese who think like me, so this book has topped the sales ranking. This is a very healthy idea. I've ordered this book. 世間を騒がしている本が「プリンセス・マサコ」。この本はオーストラリアジャーナリスト、ヒル氏が執筆。雅子妃に近しい人たちにインタビューをして書かれているそうです。その中で妃殿下の体外受精の可能性についても触れられているとか。宮内庁にとっては「とんでも本」ということになるんでしょう。抗議書が送られ、それにともない日本での出版計画も立ち消えになったそうです。これだけ話題になっても読まないことには何も言えない、そう思った人が多かったんでしょう。アマゾン洋書ランキングでは１位でした。私も買ってみました。

大切な日　The Big Day

In any culture, couples get excited on their big day, especially when they have thier first baby. Is your husband likely to do something like this?お産という一大イベントには奥さんはもちろんダンナさんだって普通ではいられないですよね。初めての子どもならなおさらです。あなたのダンナさんはこんなことをしそうですか？

WOWOW

Wowow is a satellite TV station in Japan. If we want to watch its programs, we need to apply and pay for it. The fee in a month is about 50US$, I guess, though I haven't become a member of it.About 10 something years ago, I think Wowow had a good reputation for its programs. It was said Wowow broadcasted valuable programs which we couldn't watch on other TV stations. For example, when it broadcasted "Twin Peaks", one of a popular American TV drama, I think many people joined Wowow to watch its programs.But after that, I didn't hear any good reputaion of the TV station. The only thing I heard was Wowow had a trouble getting its users these days.To get its members, Wowow is now giving us a chance that we can watch all of its programs for free till the end of March.Knowing this, my husband applied to this campaign. And I got a decoder to watch its programs on my TV today. So I can watch as much as I want from today till the end of next month! I looked into the TV program list. What programs does it broadcast?But there is no program I want to watch even if it's for free! All the movies Wowow plans to broadcast are available if I don't join the members. I can watch them anytime I want because I can rent them at DVD stores. And almost all the sports seem to be soccor games. I'm not so much interested in watching them. There are no news programs at all. What should I watch on this satellite TV? Now I can get the reason why Wowow has a trouble getting its users.一昔前、Ｗｏｗｏｗは人気があったように思います。特に「ツイン・ピークス」を放送していたころなど加入していた人は多かったんじゃないでしょうか。でも今は加入者獲得が難しくて苦労している放送局だぐらいしかわたしは知りません。そんなＷＯＷＯＷが３月まで無料で視聴できるキャンペーンをやっていて、主人が契約しました。デコーダーが届いたので今日から見放題です。それなのに、見たい番組が一つもありません！映画はどれもレンタルして好きなときに見られるし、スポーツ番組はサッカーばっかりみたいだし、それにニュースがない！タダとはいっても、いったい何を見ればよいのでしょう？ユーザー獲得に苦労している理由が分かりました。

旧正月　　Ｔhe lunar New Year

In Chinese culture, today is the lunar New Year. So in the chat room of Englishtown, they, whose cultures follow Chinese one, seemed very excited! They have two New Year's Day. But the lunar New Year is much more important than Jan. 1st for them. They say, "Happy New Year!" on this day, and acturally, in the chat room, I could often hear the word "Happy New Year!" exchanging.One woman told me that she had cleaned her room and washed her clothes to celebrate this lunar New Year. She was supposed to visit her relatives and parents. And there was a woman from taiwan talling me that she was going shopping. They sounded happy! If I hadn't joined Englishtown, I woudn't have known the fact that today is the most important day in the countries which have a Chinese culture. Thanks, Englishtown. And "Happy New Year!" from me!中国文化の国々では今日は旧正月です。彼らには正月が２つあることになりますが、１月１日の正月より旧正月である今日のほうがずっと大切だそうです。イングリッシュタウンのチャットルームでも「ハッピーニューイヤー」が頻繁に交わされていました。旧正月を迎えるにあたり部屋を掃除して服を洗ったという女性は親戚や親を訪問するそうです。買い物に行くのよ、という台湾からの女性もいました。総じてみんなうきうきしているようでしたよ。旧正月なんて、私、今まで意識したことすらありませんでした。またひとつ、イングリッシュタウンで世界が小さくなりました。「ハッピーニューイヤー！」

主婦に万歳！　 Hurrah for housewives！

I enjoyed chatting online at Englishtown twice today. The first time was in the afternoon and the second was in the evening. And there, I joined Japanese women! I talked with 5 or 6 Japanese women today and they were all housewives! Wow. It was an exciting experience for me.Now, I don't have any chances to join and talk such many housewives at one time because I can't go outside so often due to my broken leg. For that matter, I talked with all of them for the first time. One of them was in her 50's, but I thought she was in her late 20's at first! I was so amazed to know she was in her 50's! Her voice sounded so younnnng! She said she had younger friends and it helped her keep in a young condition.We talked about yoga exercise and how much money we could spend as an allowance in a month.In the evening, we talked about Girl's Day, or Doll Festival. And there was one girl from taiwan, so we tried to explain to her what Girl's Day was and what kind of food we usually cooked on this day. I think we could explain well after all, because she was very pleased to know that.Through today's chats, I got the impression that they'd kept learning English even though their student days had been very far away. They seemed to enjoy gathering there and keep trying to improve their English speaking skill.Now I can think housewives are not so bad after all! We still have a bright future ahead of us! Hurrah for housewives!今日の午後と夕方のイングリッシュタウンのチャットでは、珍しいことに日本人の、それも主婦の方ばかりとご一緒しました。なかでも驚いたのは、20歳後半ぐらいと思っていた女性が実は５０代だったということ。その方の声、すごく若々しかったんです。若いお友達がいらっしゃるそうで、だから自分は若くいられるんだろうとおっしゃってました。１か月のお小遣いはいくらぐらいかに始まって、ヨガの話で盛り上がり、ひな祭りのことをみんなで台湾の女性に説明してあげたり。普通の英会話教室やサークルにいくと、きっとこうやって盛り上がれるんでしょうね。今日のチャットで、日本の主婦もまだまだ捨てたもんじゃない、と確信しました。みんな集まって英語のスピーキング力をあげようと一生懸命な感じを受けました。主婦の前途はまだまだ明るい！　主婦にばんざ～い！

溥儀「末代皇帝」 Puyi：The Last Emperor

I've had interested in Puyi(溥儀), or The Last Emperor, and the time when he lived since I watched Japanese TV drama "Li Xianglan, or Ri Kohran(李香蘭)" the other day. So I looked into his life on the Internet.And then, I got the information about a certain Chinese TV drama. Its title is "末代皇帝, or The Last Emperor". This drama is based on Puyi's autobiography "The former half of my life(我が半生)", and is made under the supervision of his real brother, Pujie(溥傑).Compared with the dramatized film "The Last Emperor" made by Bernardo Bertolucci, it is said that this Chinese TV version is faithful to historical facts and Puyi's life.Having got these information, I was eager to watch this drama.And luckily enough, I found that we could wacth it on Yahoo Japan Movies for free till the end of this month! There're 28 stories. It's a some epic.Now I've been watching three stories each night and I'm lack of sleep during the day. 「李香蘭」を見て以来、あの時代と最後の皇帝、溥儀に興味がわきました。ネットで調べると、ヤフー動画で中国テレビドラマ「末代皇帝」が今月末まで無料で見られることが判明！このドラマは溥儀の自伝をもとに、弟の溥傑の監修のもと作られたんだそうです。なので物語化されたといわれるベルトルッチ監督の「ラストエンペラー」よりも史実に忠実だとか。全２８話。結構な大作です。一晩に３話ずつ見てるので、日中は眠いよ～。

フィンランドはオーロラ　Speaking of Finland, auroras are famous.　

Last evening, I was on the chat line of Englishtown with one woman. She was from Finland.Finland! Speaking of Finland, my only knowledge is that it has much snow in winter and that it's very cold country. I didn't know they can swim in summer in Finland. So I asked her some questions, which sounded very queer to her, from my ignorance. But she spared me some time to talk, though she said she had some work to do.And I knew Finland is very famous for auroras.Auroras!! Wow! Sounds amazing to me!And she said auroras are not special in Finland. They can see them quite often. In fact, she said she'd seen them many times. And auroras are more beautiful to see in a northren part of Finland. How lucky she is that she can see beautiful auroras so often!Thanks for her, I could spend very interesting time and I was glad to get to know that Finland is famous for not only its coldness but other things such as auroras. This is a website she taught me. She lives in this city, Kemi, which is near the border with Sweden.On the chat line of Englishtown, I can talk with many people from various countries. Yes, they are from much more various countries than I've expected! So sometimes I have few knowledge about their countries and I may ask them queer questions like this time. I'm very happy to know about their countries and the people living there through this Englishtown.イングリッシュタウンのチャットでフィンランドの女性と一緒になりました。フィンランドといえば、雪がいっぱいあってすごく寒いんだろうということしか知りません。まさか夏には泳げるなんて！　無知ゆえに、私、ずいぶん変な質問を彼女にしました。そしてフィンランドはオーロラで有名ということを知りました。彼女いわく、オーロラはフィンランドではそんなに珍しいものではないそうです。実際に彼女もこれまで何度も見たとか。お国柄とはいえ、うらやましいなあー。イングリッシュタウンには想像を超えるたくさんの国の人たちが集まってます。だからときにはその人の国のことをほとんど何も知らないということもあります。でもお話しすることによって世界の国々のことがもっとわかるようになれるのが嬉しいです。

ヴァレンタインデー Valentain's Day

Ken and Paolo are talking about how to spend Valentain's day of this year.Ken Ok, it's settled. I'm taking Amy to the first restaurant we went to on the date.Paolo Sounds romantic! Where is it?Ken It's the small pizza place near my apartment.Paolo That had been torn down, didn't you notice? I think I'll cook Emily a romantic dinner at her apartment. I've ordered roses for her, too.Ken Wow, that's sounds amazing! Can Amy and I join you?Paolo Ken, it's Valentain's day. We are best friends, but I can't spend Valentain's day with you!◆torn down < tear down＝If you tear something down, you destroy it or remove it completely.Ken Ok、決まりだ。僕はAmyを最初のデートで行ったレストランに連れて行こう。 Paolo それはロマンチックだね！どこの店だい？Ken 僕のアパートの近くの小さなピザ屋さ。Paolo あの店は潰れたよ。気づかなかったのか？僕はEmilyに彼女の部屋でロマンチックなディナーを作ってあげようと思ってるんだ。プレゼントのバラの花も注文済みさ。 Ken　Wow、すごいな！Amyと僕も参加していいかい？　Paolo　Ken、バレンタインデーなんだぜ。僕たちは親友だけど君とバレンタインデーを一緒には過ごせないなあ！ I think there are a very few in Japan who cook dinner for his special girlfriend like Paolo. Actually, I believe my husband is one of such a very rare type of men. He cooked me dinner on our second date. I still remember that steak, though it got burned a little! This was my first experience that a man, except my father, cooked for me! 日本ではパオロのようにガールフレンドのために料理を作ってくれる男性ってあまりいないんじゃないでしょうか。実は私の夫はその数少ない稀有な存在の１人です。２度目のデートのとき、夕食を作ってくれました。ちょっと焦げたあのステーキ、今でも覚えてます。父親以外の男性が私のためだけに料理してくれたのは、あれが初めての経験でした。

李香蘭　Li Xianglan, or Ri Kohran

TV drama "LiXianglan(李香蘭)" had been broadcasted for two evenings, yesterday and the before yesterday. Aya Ueto, a young Japanese TV talent, played LiXianglan, and other famous Japanese actors and actresses appeared on it.I didn't know about LiXianglan, so I wasn't interested in this drama at all first. But my 13-year old daughter really wanted to watch it. "Mom, if you don't have any TV programs you want to watch tonight, I'd like to watch "LiXianglan". I'm really looking forward to it", she said many times to me. It seemed that the article and some pictures which introduced the drama on the fashion magazine made her feel like watching it. According to the article, LiXianglan is a Japanese singer and actress born in China before the last war. Her Japanese birth name is Yoshiko Yamaguchi. She made her debut as "LiXianglan", a Chinese actress and singer, in China. She was a beautiful girl and she became a big star in Japan and China in an instant.But, to tell the truth, the films she appeared were "National Policy Films". The time was 1940's. All people, whether they liked it or not, had entered a period of war. So we can say that she was used as a propaganda tool by Dai Nippon Teikoku, or Empire of Greater Japan.After the war, she was arrested and tried for treason against China. But fortunately, she could avoid execution. After that, she came back to Japan and started a new career as an actress here in Japan, under the name of Yoshiko Yamaguchi.Having got those knowledge from the magazine, my daughter and I watched the drama. In the drama, Aya Ueto, a young Japanese TV talent, played Li Xianglan very well. I was amazed that she sang all songs in Chinese by herself. And the story was very good. I guess it was a little difficult for my daughter, who learned just outline of Showa era. That's because the famous and sometimes notorious events and the persons in the beginning of the era were in the drama, such as Yoshiko Kawashima and Manshukoku（満州国）. But once she turned on the TV, she got drawn into the story. And after watching the drama, she seemed to have a great interest in that period. Maybe she could get something important from the drama. It might be the way of life which were sported by history and fortune and never gave up to live.She said she wanted to watch "The Last Emperor" next time.２夜連続でやった「李香蘭」を見ました。どんな人物かまったく知らなかっただけに、感動しました。娘は昭和史をさらーっと習っただけなので難しいかなと思いましたが、ドラマに引き込まれて見てたようです。あの時代に生きる、生き抜く大変さを感じ取ったのかもしれません。今度は『ラスト・エンペラー』を観たいと言ってます。

英語マンガ（４）　　

What if your date for the first time is the guy like this? Even if you were not Mindy, I'm sure you would be sick and tired of him!うへ～、いくら「ユーモアのセンスがある人」ったって、こんなんじゃミンディでなくたってさようならだわ。

牡蠣鍋　Kakinabe, or paned oysters　

I often cook nabemono in winter for our supper. In Japan, it's very popular cuisine during winter. It's easy to cook because we can cook it with only one pot. And it's very healthy because we can eat a various kind of ingredients that we want to eat.I could get good oysters the other day. So I decided to cook kakinabe, or one-pot hot dish which oysters and other vegetables are in, for supper. Actually, I had something on my mind before I cooked it. My son hadn't eaten kakinabe before. I knew he liked kakifurai, or fried oysters, very much. But when I changed the way of cooking, he doesn't sometimes eat at all.Anyway, I wanted him to know that oysters paned with vegetables and tofu are delicious, so I cooked kakinabe for supper.Howevere, once he ate kakinabe, it turned out that it wasn't necessary to worry. "Wow! It's so good! I love it! Give me more! I want to eat more!", he said with pleasure.I felt very glad to hear that. Yes, my boy, there are many ways of cooking for oysters!He should like kakinabe so much. The next morning, he said at the breakfast table, "I dreamt of kakinabe! And in that kakinabe, only oysters were in the pot!"Wow, I want to eat such expensive kakinabe! 冬といえば鍋。いい牡蠣が手に入ったので牡蠣鍋にしました。実は息子は牡蠣といえば牡蠣フライしか食べたことがありません。牡蠣鍋を作って食べなかったらどうしようと心配だったけど、「うわー、うまい！！」と大喜びで食べました。よほど気に入ったんでしょう。その晩牡蠣鍋の夢まで見てしまったほど。その牡蠣鍋には牡蠣しか入ったなかったんだそうです。うわ、そんな鍋、私も食べたい。高くつくなあ。

英語マンガ （３）

Some of them are also really aggressive in Japan! I'm sure their behavior violates the election law.こういう人、日本にもいます。非常に強引だったりします。おい、それって選挙法違反だろうと思うこともあるんです。

仁徳天皇稜　The tomb of Emperor Nintoku

Qestion: "Is there anything in your country that could be a wonder of the world?"Yes! We have the tomb of Emperor Nintoku. I'd like to introduce it to you.Emperor Nintoku was the 16th emperor of Japan. It's said that he'd ruled Japan during the early 4th centry A.D. The reason why I'd like to introduce his tomb as a wonder of Japan is that his tomb is the biggest in the world. You might think the biggest tomb in the world is Great Pyramid of Giz, but actually the tomb of Emperor Nintoku is larger than the Pyraid and the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, who built Great Wall in China, in the point of the size of the land.In Japan, mainly in the west part, there're several tombs of ancient emperors. They are called Kofun. And I think this Kofun of Emperor Nintoku is the most famous among Japanese. That's because, I'm sure, even if they haven't visited it, every Japanese have seen the picture of this Kofun at least once on a history textbook in their elementary school days.According to one research, it took over 16 years to build it, and more than 2000 people worked in a day.But for me, it's a real wonder that such a largest tomb in the world can exist in this small and narrow country, Japan. Unfortunately, I haven't visited it. If I have a chance to go, I'd like to walk and see around it.「日本にある世界の不思議として紹介できるもの」。その私の答えは「仁徳天皇稜」です。世界ではギザのピラミッドが世界一大きい王の墓として有名かもしれませんが、実は日本の仁徳天皇稜のほうが面積の観点で世界一大きいのです。一説によると、建設には毎日２０００人以上の人が携わり、１６年以上の歳月を費やしたとか。でも本当の驚きは何かって、こんな小さな狭い国にそんな世界最大のお墓があることでしょうか。

世界七不思議 The Seven Wonders of the World

What do you recall when you hear the word "The Seven Wonders of the World"?Great Pyramid of Giz? Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Actually, they're called "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World".And if you recall Great Wall of China or Leaning Tower of Pisa, they're categorized as "The Seven Wonders of the Medieval World". Now you can imagine that we have "The Seven Wonders of the Modern World", "The Seven Wonders of the Natural World" and so on.Which do you like better, "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" or "The Seven Wonders of the Modern World"?I prefer "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" because I'm interested in history. So when I see these pictures, I can feel the certain existence of the people and it makes me excited.They are what we were talking at my first time englishtown live lesson.At the end of the class, we were given 3 questions. We didn't need to answere all of them, but we chose one and answered it with a reason.I chose the question; "Is there anything in your country that could be a wonder of the world?” Well, well, do we have something in Japan we can introduce to the world as a wonder?Oh, yeah!! We have!Next time, I'll try to summarize on the blog what I told them in the lesson.　イングリッシュタウンの初ライブレッスントピックは「世界七不思議」でした。私は歴史が好きなのでピラミッドやバビロン空中庭園などの話は好きです。古代の息吹を感じますね～。「あなたの国には不思議なものがありますか」という質問に、さーて、何があったろう……。しばし考えたあげく思い出しましたよ、昔、歴史の先生が言っていたことを！それはまた次回。

英語まんが（３）　Culture lessons　習い事

Also here in Japan, children usually take some lessons after school. In fact, some mothers are eager to make their kids learn something. I think swimming, ballet and playing the piano are the top 3, and learning English has become very popular these days. And mothers are usually very busy in taking their kids to and from the lessons. I was no exception, I think.My two kids have begun taking swimming lessons since they were 4 years old. That's because I heard swimming was the most effective for children to make their health in good condition. (Now my daughter has a ten-year swimming career and she can swim so well! I'm proud of her not to quit swimming lessons for such a long time.)How about your kids? 小さい子でも１つ２つの習い事は当たり前になってますよね。水泳、ピアノ、バレエなどが習い事トップ３でしょうか。最近はそれに英会話も加わってきてます。世のママたちは子どもの送り迎えで誰も皆忙しいのです。ウチの娘と息子も健康にいいという理由から、幼稚園時代に水泳を始めました。いまや娘に至っては水泳歴１０年です。こんなに続けていること自体、立派だと我が子ながら思います！

初英会話ライブレッスン　Took English conversation "live lesson" for the first time

I joined the "live lesson" of englishtown online for the first time today. It was so interesting for me!When I entered the classroom, there were already 4 students, who were from China, Korea, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Two of them were males and the other two were females. And the instructor whose mother tongue was English was female, too.She welcomed me warm-heartedly, and after we introduced ourselves one by one, today's lesson was started! (I was so excited!)The topic of today's lesson was "The Seven Wonders of the World". First, we were given several words and phrases which we used on this topic. Then we could ask the instructor the meaning we didin't know. "Ingenuity" and "awe-inspiring" were the words which one of the students and I asked. And here are thier meanings the instructor gave us.◆ingenuity＝inventive skill or imagination: cleavernessEx) Mobile phone is a device of great ingenuity.◆awe-inspiring＝amazing, awesome, woderfulEx) The Great Wall is awe-inspiring.And then, we did a warm-up activity.On the screen of PC, the instructor showed us some pictures which were said to be "The Seven Wonders of the Modern World". If we could understand which picture was what, we raised our hand and answered what it was.Actually, at that time, I hesitated to become the first to raise my hand even though I knew some answers.You know, Japanese often act like that because we're used to the thought that we shouldn't stand out among people. We're sometimes relieved to behave in the way others do. That was why I hesitated to raise my hand immediately.But other students raised their hands as soon as they could understand what the pictures were. I could feel their enthusiastic attitudes and they were very likable.Then I noticed I was not in Japan. I was now in the international community; English Town. It was not the time I hesitated! I should raise my hand quickly and appeal to them I was there!After that, I tried to become the first to answere, and the instructor praised me for my enthusiasm. Later, We discussed "The Seven Wonders of the World", and I could take the initiative telling them my opinion. What was my opinion? Well, it's another story. It's already passed midnight. I'm going to sleep.It was a 45-minute lesson, and for me, the time went so quickly. I really enjoyed today's live lesson.イングリッシュタウンのライブレッスンに初めて参加しました。トピックは「世界七不思議」。進んで手を上げて発言すれば誰だってきっと楽しめます！　４５分間があっという間でした。

イングリッシュタウン　Englishtown

The headset I'd waited for came to me the other day. Now I can join the live lessons of Englishtown.Today's topic is "The Seven Wonders in the World". I'm going to prepare for it and take my first lesson this evening!「イングリッシュタウン」に入会して楽しみにしていたヘッドセットが届きました。これから初めてのライヴレッスンを受けてきます。今日のトピックは「世界七不思議」。プレパしてから行こうっと。

細かいことにうるさい！　Fussy

This is a dialogue between Bob and Laura. They are co-workers and now talking about a new poster design of their product.Bob What do you think of this new poster design?Laura Hmmm...generally good, but I think it needs more work.Bob Oh, yeah?Laura I don't like this font. And the pink should be a little softer.Bob Why's that?Laura The picture of product would stand out more.Bob Oh yeah, you're right.Laura Ask Ken's opinion, too.Bob But he's so fussy about every little detail.Laura Yes, but that's good. We need a good poster, right?Bob I see your point.◆fussy＝Someone who is fussy is very concerned with unimportant details and difficul to please.Bob この新しいポスターのデザイン、どう思う？Laura うーん・・・全体的にはいいんだけど、もうちょっと手を加えたほうが良いと思うわ。Bob そう?Laura このフォントは好きじゃないわ。それに、ピンク色はもう少し淡い方がいいな。Bob どうして?Laura そのほうが私たちの製品の写真がもっと目立つから。Bob ああ、なるほど。そうだね。Laura ケンにも聞いてみて。Bob でも彼は本当に細かいことにうるさいからな。Laura ええ、でもそれが良いのよ。いいポスターがいるんでしょ。Bob よくわかったよ。　I think mothers are often fussy to their children, and children usually get sick of their complaints. I'm no exception. How about you? I try to keep it in my mind not to being fussy, but I find myself telling my kids to do this and that. I'm certain it makes them feel sick. Uh-oh!母親は子どもに口うるさいですよね。私もそうです。がみがみ言っちゃいけないって思ってても、あれしろ、これしろとつい言っちゃいます。それを聞いて息子がうんざりしてるのが分かってるのにね。　　5minutes.co.jp

あなたは死なない　You won't die!

This is a dialogue between a woman and her doctor, and it has a punch line. Do you get it?Woman I feel very ill, doctor. I think I'm going to die.Doctor Nonsense! You won't die.Woman How do you know? I have a really serious disease. Many people die of my disease.Doctor Exactly. And that's why I know you won't die. Let me explain. Statistics show that nine out of ten of all the people who have your disease die of it.Woman Nine out of Ten! Then why?Doctor Let me finish. Now, I have had ten patients, including you, with this disease. And nine of them have died already. So you won't die, will you?　 Wow, what a doc he is! １０人中９人の確率で亡くなるなんて、とんでもない病気じゃないの！　「でも、あなたは大丈夫」とお医者さま。「その理由はね、僕が観た患者さんは、もうその病気で９人亡くなっているから」。　え、なに、それ！

英語マンガ（２）

He looks intelligent and enjoys rowing! No wonder he gets on their nerves.どこから見ても、浮いてるよね。彼。

床みがき　　Scrub the floor

For these several years, I've only vacuumed the floor of our dining kitchen but have never scrubbed it. To tell the truth, I didn't feel like scrubbing it at all because I was always busy with my job and with my dance lessons. But now, due to the accident I got my leg broken, I've been off work and dance lessons for 2 months in a row.Everyday, except when I go out for shopping or rehabilitation to the clinic, I'm at home. And I've noticed the dirt on the floor! For these years, dust and grease have accumulated on it and they've made the floor get dirty. Once I've noticed this fact, I can't help feeling that I should scrub it! So I devided the floor into several parts and decided to scrub it one by one everyday.Look at these before and after photos! ⇒　 After scrubbing, the floor becomes very white and it makes me feel good!忙しいことにかこつけて掃除機はかけても磨かなかったダイニングキッチンの床。長年の汚れが気になってしかたなくなり、ついに毎日少しずつ磨きはじめました。やっぱりきれいになると気持ちいいなあ。

犬に吠えられる　Barked by dogs　　

It has passed two months after I got surgery on my broken leg. Still I've been walking on my crutches. Crutches are necessary for me to walk on the street outside. And I've noticed something.Every dogs bark at me when they see me walking on my crutches.Yesterday, I was barked again on my way back from the clinic. The dog was a big one, and he barked very menacingly.It was understandable that the figure of my walking on my crutches made him feel afraid.But just when the dog began barking, I stopped walking because I got frightened at the ferocious barks.At that moment, however, the lady, the owner of the dog, scolded the dog."Stop barking! Look at her. Her leg hurts so much that she needs these crutches. So you don't need to bark at her. Do you understand?"I don't know the dog can understand Japanese; one of human languages. Maybe he can't.But the dog suddenly became obedient, and he seemed to be listening to her and his face looked to be apologizing to her.Japan is now in the middle of a pet dog boom. I'm sure there're some owners who don't train their dogs in a right way. But having seen that lady and her dog, I could feel their strong bonds and it was very likable for me. I became to feel like I could forgive him the behavior against me. 松葉杖で歩く私の姿は犬にとってみればびっくりしちゃうものなんでしょう。でも毎回吠えられてちょっとうんざりです。そんな折の心ある飼い主さんの言葉と犬を躾ける姿がうれしくなりました。

奇跡のカモ「パーキィー」　A miracle duck: Perky

This is a true story. In Florida, one man was hunting for ducks. He shot one, took it home and put it in a plastic bag in his refrigerator. Usually, this is where a story ends.But 2 days later, his wife opened the fridge and got shocked to see the duck lifting its head and looking at her! Wow! If I were her, I would get so shocked that I might faint!Anyway, she took the duck to a veterinary clinic and the dock got surgery on her injured wing, leg and beak.During the operation, it stopped breathing twice. So the doctor annouced that the duck had gone really.But God gave it life again! The duck started moving its wings after the doctor's announcement!One of the clinic staffs said, "She is such a perky little thing!" That's how "Perky" the duck got her new name.Now she's recovering with a pin in her fractured wing. After the operation, she's lived in a sanctuary, not in the wild, and she will. Volunteers are selling T shirts to raise money for her long-term care. The T shirt has a picture of Perky on it and says: "I helped the lucky duck."This is a miracle God works! I want the T shirt. Enjoy your left life, Perky!銃で撃たれて今夜のおかずになる運命だったカモ。冷蔵庫に入れられ、奥さんが料理しようと開けてみたらビックリ！　死んだはずのカモが首をもたげてこっちを見ていた！きゃー、どうしよう～！獣医さんで緊急オペが行われ、生き返ったカモ。そして命名されたのは「パーキィー（perky＝元気）」。今は動物保護地区で暮らしているそうです。

オンライン英会話入会　Signed up for the online English school.

Because I got my leg broken and I've been off work, I have much time in the daytime to do something. So I wondered I joined in an English conversation school, or in a local English coversation club. But I couldn't find a suitable one in the terms of location, money, levels and members. So I almost gave up. But God helped me! I luckily found one on the Internet.It's called "Englishtowm.com". I've just signed up this morning, and now I can use all the contents except "live lessons". (In the live lessons, you can talk with foreign instructors whose mother language is English, and with other students all over the world.)To join in this "live lessons", you need a headset. You talk with others through this headset. I don't have one, so I'm waiting for it coming to me.After signed up, I took a lever check test first. The result was I'm in the "higher intermediate" class. So I decided to start from the "intermediate". I made my level one rank lower so that I can start to learn without any difficulty.The fee is about 3,000yen per a month. I can use the "live lessons" eight times in a month. (You can use it 30 times if you pay over 5,000yen.) Moreover I can learn reading, grammer, speaking and writing. As far as writing, they correct my writing and give me back within 48 hours after I sent.Now I'm really excited to learn there.If you are a member of "@nifty", you can join in "Englishtown" here. You can get a headset for free and you can take the lessons at no cost for the first month. I signed up from this website.

ビーチバレー　While playing volleyball on the beach...

Two boys are talking about their trip. During the trip, they played volleyball on the beach. But something happened and…….（A）いちばん楽しかったのはビーチバレーをしたことだな。できるもんなら毎日ビーチに行きたいよ。（B）僕たちのそばに座ってた女の人にボールが当たっちゃったの、覚えてる？（A）あれは危なかったなあ。君がボールを取りそこねなきゃ当たらなかったのに。（B）何とでも言えばいいさ。あの女がどけばぶつからなかったんだから。（A）彼氏がマジで怒っちゃったよな。あいつ、君をぶん殴りにいくかと思ったよ。もし何かしたら、助けにいったよ。（B）そんなこと信じられるかって。あいつが現れたとたん、「泳いでくる」って逃げたじゃないか。（A）僕を弱虫と思ったんだったら、それは違うぞ。（B）まあ、楽しい旅だったな。もし行けたら来年も行きたいよ。（A）My favorite part was playing volleyball on the beach. If I could, I would be at the beach every day.（B）Remember when the ball hit that lady sitting close to us?（A）That was scary. If you hadn't missed the ball, it wouldn’t have hit her.（B）Whatever. You know, the lady was sitting too close to us. If she had moved, she would have been safe.（A）Her boyfriend got really angry. I thought he was going to beat you up. If he had tried anything, I would have backed you up.（B）Why don't I believe you? As soon as he showed up, you ran off for “a swim”.（A）If you thought I was a chicken, you're wrong.（B）Anyway, it was a great trip. I’d like to go next year if we can.過去の事実に反する仮定がいっぱい出てきて参考になるなあ。あ～、そ～か、”would have pp” を使うのか。

「おつりは取っといて」　　Keep the change

Are you a type of person who say, "Keep the change" when you take a taxi? I'm not.I've never used this phrase, and I think I won't. When I pay more money than the fare, I always receive the change even if it's small.I'm a housewife after all, and I know the importance of one yen to make ends meet. But my father, who died of kidney failure last spring, used to say to drivers, "It's just all right. Keep the change." Every time when I heard this phrase, I thought what a waste he did! He must have felt good through this behavior. Maybe he liked to show the world he was generous. Or he may have been generous really.I'm his daughter, but I can't behave like him.I think this behavior can be often applied to men, rather then women. What do you think?みなさんはタクシーに乗ったとき「おつりは取っといて」って言いますか？私は言いません（きっぱり！）。料金より多く渡したら、必ずおつりをもらいます。主婦だもんね。１円の重みを知ってます。１円を粗末にすると１円に泣くのだ！

英語マンガ(1)

ラスベガスのカジノ　　Casinos in Las Vegas

Have you ever went to the casinos in Las Vegas? I haven't. But my husband has about ten years ago. It was his company trip and he went there with all workers. (What a rich company he had worked!) He said there were all kinds of gambling such as slot machines, blackjack, and whatever you wanted to play. He played them, of course, and he lost money. So he'd had to eat cheap hamburgers everyday till he left. He was a loser during that trip. How pity!But among other workers, there were some guys who could make money on gambling. They became rich, so they could eat at expensive restaurants and go see the gorgeous shows.Losers are always in the poor, and winners are always in the rich.And when I come to think of casinos, I remember there's a public casino in the Tokyo government building. Governor Ishihara introduced it several years ago. It must be still there. I've never heard it closed. I think I'll try in future. I can't become bold. So if I lose for a few times in a row, I stop gambling at that moment.

貧乏神 bad luck

Mike and Shizuka are at a casino in Las Vegas now, and Shizuka is playing a slot machine. Can she win a lot of money? Here's today's dialogue.（M）あのスロット・マシーンで凄く勝ったね！（S）ええ。ラスベガスって最高！（M）あらら、あれは負けだね、それもね。うわぁ、連続３敗じゃないか。（S） おかしいわね。さっきまでは調子良かったのに。あなたはどこにいたの？（M）僕はブラックジャックをしてたんだ。君、また負けたよ。（S）報告はもういいわよ。どうだった？（M）いまいちだったよ。実は、全部すっちゃったんだ。今の君みたいにね。（S）あなたが来るまで調子良かったのに。今は負けてるわ。あなたがいなくなれば、また勝ち始めるかも。（M）僕が悪運とは思えないけど。じゃあ、バーで一杯やってるよ。少しお金を貸してくれない？（M）You've won a lot of money on that slot machine.（S）I know. I like Las Vegas.（M）Oh, too bad you lost one. And that one. Wow, three looses in a row.（S）That's strange. I've been doing so well for the last hour. Where have you been?（M）I was playing blackjack. You lost again.（S）Thanks for the updating. How did you do?（M）Not that great. Actually, I lost almost everything like you're doing now.（S） I was doing great before you showed up. Now I'm losing. If you went away, I'd start winning again.（M）I don't think I'm bad luck. But I'm going to the bar and have a drink. Can I borrow some money?

もううんざり！　Made me sick!

Last evening, I became suddenly unable to get e-mails on my PC. It was very strange. Here's what happened.I sent 3 e-mails at almost the same time from my cellular phone to my PC last evening. But the PC could only get one of them. At first, I supposed it was just some kind of slight failure. I've heard PCs are never God, so they can make troubles, which should never occur. Or I supposed it just took some time for the other two e-mails to reach my PC. This kind of trouble also can happen, I know. So I thought it should be all right if I restarted the machine.But even if I restarted it again and again, my PC couldn't get e-mails. New e-mails which I sent had to be there in the mail box, but each time the small window poped up on the screen and showed the message; No new e-mails. And there were another strange thing happened. My PC couldn't recieve any e-mails, but it turned out to be able to send e-mails to others. Why? What did it mean?At that moment, I realized some serious troubles happened on my PC, and I began to read the operating manual even though it was past one.I did as the manual said, but it didn't work at all. The more I read and tried, the more it turned out I could't deal with it by myself. I became irritated, exhausted and very sleepy. It was almost three! So I decided to go to bed. But I couldn't fall asleep soon. Even if I closed my eyes, the figure of my PC appeared and bothered me. I got really sick and tired of the machine! This morning, I called the Internet service provider tech support and asked some advice. She gave me some instructions and I followed them.After doing this and that, we knew the PC had become suddenly unable to authenticate the password which I'd used over ten years without any trouble. So I changed it to new one, and this tough troble was solved. Now I can get e-mails smoothly.But one question is still left. Why did the PC become to unable to authenticate it all of a sudden? She couldn't work out the proper reason at last.

展覧会　　The exhibition

I went to the exhibition with my kids today. A cap, which my son made from paper in his school art class, was selected, and they displayed it at the exhibit.This is the cap my son made.The shape is very simple, having no decoration. It is easily recognized as a cap. Simple is the best, I think.And I like his use of color. It is broadly believed color expresses what we have in our mind. So I have no doubt his mental condition is full of enjoyment and happiness, choosing these bright color. It makes people happy.Actually, when he was making this cap in art class, one of his classmates gave him a heartless word."It sucks!" Hearing this, my son got very dissapointed. But he knew only his work was selected among his classmates by the art teacher, he recovered his confidence.I think your cap is cute and it makes us feel very gentle. I like it, my boy!These're the works of other elementary school students. They're all wonderful efforts! (Left) Stained glasses made from colored cellophane. They are so beautiful that I breathed a sigh!(2nd from left) Very colorful ukuleles made from wood. They can produce soft sound.(2nd from right) Beautiful lanterns. They produce fantastic space around them.(Right) Spaceships made from mainly plastic bottles. But if you watch them carefully, you can realize that clothespins, spoons, chopsticks, ballpoint pen and other close things are used. They're cool!

英検４級受験　　Took STEP 4th grade test　　

My daughter took STEP (Society for Testing English Proficiency) 4th grade test yesterday at school.As soon as she opened the door when she came back home, she said to me, "I couldn't answer to several grammatical questions! And I became so nervous when I took the listening comprehenshion test that I couldn't catch some of them. But I think I could answer to the reading comprehension test."Ok, ok. Well done!It is said the level of the 4th grade is for 2nd-year junior high school students. She's still in the 1st year, so the level is a little higher than that of hers. And I think she may need to take the test at least twice in order to pass it. But among her friends, some took the 3rd grade and some took the pre-2nd grade. So she was encouraged by them and wanted to take higher grade next time. "I'll try to take the 3rd grade next time. So I'm going to the book store and buy a workbook tommorrow."Wait a minute. Next time? If I remember correctly, next STEP is in May or June, and the 3rd grade includes not only reading, listening and grammatical examination but oral one.Wow... You have a lot to prepare for it. Never give up! Stick to it, Bonkochan! 　　

お赤飯　Red rice

I like Sekihan, or red rice. All of my family members like it very much. I've never met anyone who doesn't like it.Here's conversation which my daughter had with her classmates today. (Her words are written in green and her classmates' are written in blue.)"What did you eat for breakfast?""Red rice.""What? Red rice for breakfast? Do you have a happy event or something?""Not really.""Then why did you eat red rice? We eat it on the special occasion.""That's right. My mother only cook it, for example, on March 3rd, the Doll's Festival, or when I can pass some kinds of exams. So I can hardly eat it.""My mother often cooks red rice for us because my brother loves it. So I eat it at least once in a month.""I envy you. I wish your mother were mine. If so, I could eat it more often!"Mothers, you should cook sekihan for your children sometimes. I'm sure your kids will become happy if you do so.