2012年1月27日
Free Stuff (Feedback)
I'm in Hokkaido now, and it is very cold! I'm staying at Marukoma Onsen near Shikotsu-ko tonight, so I will be warming myself in the lovely onsen in the very near future.
I went shopping today, and I bought two new pairs of skis - one for telemarking, and one for regular skiing. My old telemark skis were more than 10 years old, and I was a bit worried that they might break. I didn't have a pair of regular skis because I lost one of my old ones while I was night skiing in Niseko a few years ago, and I haven't been to a ski resort since then. Anyway, I have all the gear now, so I will be doing lots of skiing next week.
Thanks for your comments on this week's topic. Here is some feedback for you...
On the New Year's day,
(On New Year's day,)
I was playing some games on my sister's husband's iPad,
(Nice sentence. A lot of people don't realize that you can use 's more than once.)
I almost gave up the idea of fixing the iPad myself,
(This is tricky: "I almost gave up on the idea of fixing the iPad myself" or "I almost gave up trying to fix it by myself" or even just "I almost gave up.")
I had my kitchen and bathroom remodeled last Feb.
(Nice sentence.)
All in all, our decision was successful, and we were satisfied with our new kitchen and bathroom.
("All in all, we made the right decision" or "All in all, we were pleased with our decision.")
Actually my husband I were planning to buy another heater, so we were happy with that unexpected present.
(Another nice sentence. Your English is very different now to how it was a couple of years ago. Well done!)
I don't know much about digital equipment too ,
(I don't know much about digital equipment either,)
I may get off track, but my youngest often gets lucky and gets nice gifts by some kinds of drawing.
(I may be getting of track a bit, but my youngest often gets lucky and wins nice things in draws and raffles.)
And most people are weak at free gifts
(I'm guessing that you want to say 〜に弱い here. We don't really have a formal expression for that in English, but in conversation, we might say "most people are suckers for free gifts.")
I can't remember that I have gotten any unexpected stuff, but
(I can't remember ever having gotten any free stuff, but...)
Are you on the way to Hokkaido or you are already there?
(Nice sentence.)
At Yamada Denki, we can try a slot game
(Remember that you should use "you" in English when you mean "anyone.")
I think when something is given free, there is always a string attached.
(A nice sentence, and very true!)
If so, I'm wondering how people from foreign countries felt when they received free ad pocket tissues on the road for the first time.
(Very strange! Especially when the tissues have pictures of half-naked teenage girls on them!)
Several years ago, I had a funny but a bit frustrating experience.
("Several years ago, I had a funny but slightly frustrating experience" or "Several years ago, I had an experience that was funny, but a bit frustrating.")
My daughter applied for it and and got a prize for a lovely little toy house.
(Nice sentence.)
I don't know its name in English name.
(I don't know what it's called in English.) [I think it's a lettuce spinner, isn't it? I have one too.]
That's all for today. Have a great weekend, and I'll be back with a new entry on Monday. (I already know what the topic is going to be because I heard a statistic this week that really frightened me.)
I'm off to the bath now.
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Comments
Hi David & everyone,
I'm sorry that I made many mistakes in my last post. I did not have time to look over it.
'A lettuce spinner', that's it. Thanks.>David
Thoguh it is very cold outside, I'm going to run soon.
- Gussan
- 2012年1月28日 05:02
Hi David,
Thanks for your feedback as always.
I hope you had a relaxing time in onsen.
How is the weather in Hokkaido? It's freezing even here in Nagoya, but thinking of people in Hokuriku, I can't complain about this coldness.
Oh, it sounds very nice skiing in Hokkaido. Enjoy yourself!
Hi Ponyo,
Nice to meet you. Looking forward to hearing from you when you have time.
Hi Gussan,
Did you get back from running? If I were you, I would give up running in this weather!
Hi Zim and panda,
I love Royce's sweets, especially chocolate,too!
The flu is spreading. Take care of yourself,everyone,
Bye for now,
Anne
- Anne
- 2012年1月28日 05:56
It's me again. I forgot to add one more thing.
I have no idea what you are talking about next Monday! What is the statistic that frightened you?
Hmmm... About weight? marriage? or tax? Anyway, looking forward to your new entry.
Anne
- Anne
- 2012年1月28日 08:30
Hi David and everyone,
Thank you for your feedback.
Onsen and skiing. I'm jealous of you.
>And most people are weak at free gifts
Yes, I want to say ～に弱い。
Now I remembered we talked about this before on this blog. There is no equivalent for ～に弱いin English.
I don't think my English progress recently. I feel, after I reached certain level, my English is stagnant.
I study English every day and learn new words and phrases. But if I memorize one word, I forget one word which I already know. Maybe the capacity I can stock in my brain is limited. That's why when one new word came in, the older one will be pushed away. I'll take TOEIC test on march. What are good ways to study? I'm studying using some 対策本、問題集。As you know, concentration and how much we achieve in limited time is the key to get better score. It's a tough test for me.
I'm wondering what the topic is going to be, too.
Have a lovely weekend, everone!
Hi Ponyo,
Nice to meet you! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Fumie
- Fumie
- 2012年1月29日 05:48
Hi David,
Thanks for your feedback, and I always count on it;) By the way, how was the onset? Hope you had a relaxing time.
Hi everyone,
I am on the way to work. I am on duty today, and I believe nobody envy me(lol) Anyway, I am going to take a day off on Tuesday so I won't complain.
Oh I've got to go,
Bye for now,
amo
- amo
- 2012年1月29日 09:13
Hi David,
Thanks for your feedback. I hope you had a lovely time in the onsen:)
Hi Ponyo,
Nice to have you with us. Look forward to reading your comments!
Hi Gussan,
I read the article you mentioned on the last entry. Amelia Earhart was an amazing woman!
Hope you are all having a nice weekend,
Tomo
- Tomo
- 2012年1月29日 20:07
Hi Tomo,
You read the story. That's good.
Recently I've been hooked by voaspecialeglish because its vocabulary is not too difficult for me to read, and it gives many interesting stories. We can also listen to them.
I think Amelia Earhart lived in a good age in the U.S.
However, forty year life span is a little too short.
Thank you.
Gussan
- Gussan
- 2012年1月30日 04:47
Good morning everyone !
Thank you David for your feedback.
I wonder Hokkaido must be a cold but it's also beautiful season in Hokkaido.
Anyway my wife has had a cold since last Friday . And maybe me and daughter either ...
It's not flu I guess .
You should take care yourself everyone, as Anne mentioned .
looking forward to new entry.
My work about to start .
Bye for now .
Zim.
- Zim
- 2012年1月30日 07:58
Hi, David
Thanks for your feedback.
>At Yamada Denki, we can try a slot game
(Remember that you should use "you" in English when you mean "anyone.")
Yes. I should have used 'you', instead of 'we'.
Hi, Gussan
I read the article, too. Her life was amazing, and too short.
I liked the site. It has many interesting stories, and easy to read.
Hi, Fumie
I feel the same way when I learn English, but
even if our capacity of the brain is limited, I don't think we cannot improve. I recommend you to read many books to extend your vocabulary. 多読 is a very good way to learn new words, and to remember the words you are about to forget.
Hi, Zim
Please take care of yourself. Get well soon!
- panda
- 2012年1月30日 11:03
Hello David and everyone!
I'm Ponyo. This is the first time for me to make a comment on this blog.
Now I stay in Germany on business and I have some trouble with communication in English with my colleagues because I'm not good at English.
This blog is very useful for me and I will learn a lot.
Enjoy your trip in Hokkaido!!