http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/rss neginohana's latest journal entries Lang-8 Inc. Thu May 23 12:58:57 UTC 2013 Thu May 23 12:58:57 UTC 2013 Lang-8 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Lang-8
I've been wondering how to use the phrase, "be said."
I'm trying to write some examples.

#1 It is said that he loves me.
#2 He is said to love me.
#3 I was said to be loved by him.

These three have almost the same meaning, right? It sounds everyone around have already known that he loves me, but I guess neither of the examples don't mean he directly said it to me.

How about the following examples?

#4 I was said, "I love you" by him yesterday.
#5 I was said by him that he loved me yesterday.
#6 I was said by him to be his love yesterday.

I hear that #4 is incorrect. I should say:
#7 I was told, "I love you" by him yesterday.
Is it correct?

Maybe you don't use the passive in this situation in English, whereas we usually say "昨日、彼に好きだと言われた" instead of "昨日、彼が私に好きだと言った," in Japanese.

Imagine another situation.
My aunt said, "you really take after your mother," one month ago.
My teacher also said so two weeks ago.
One of my friends also said so yesterday.
Today, I met my mother's old friend and she said, "You really take after your mother."
I would reply:

#8 I am often said so.
#9 I am often told so.
#10 I am often said to the same thing.
#11 I often hear people say so.

I've always wanted to know how to translate "よくそう言われます" into English.
Is there any perfect translation for this?


Posted at Mon May 20 00:54:29 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/281304614132099403197071854941942449829 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/281304614132099403197071854941942449829 neginohana Mon May 20 00:54:29 UTC 2013
The other day, I wrote about my failing "trying something new for 30 days" project.
http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/272011999354474602126122273066053508708/%25E2%2580%259CTry-something-new-for-30-days%25E2%2580%259D

I wanted to find a proper goal for May that I could achieve.
Something new, practical, that I've always wanted to do.
I did my best to choose carefully and finally managed to decide.

I decided to clean the floor by wiping with a rug or an old towel after dinner.

I started it on May 1st, and I'm doing well so far. I sometimes forgot to do that just after dinner and did it late at night, though.

By the way, I found two things about this, which I didn't realize before.

How dirty the floor gets every day! Of course, I never wear shoes inside the house like other Japanese people, so no mud comes in. However, every time I wipe the floor, the cloth turns dirty with dust, tiny fragment of food, and something else. After doing it, I feel comfortable to walk with bare feet. This is a good thing.

Wiping the floor is also an exercise. I'm on my knees and hands, then move one hand widely from left to right. I didn't expect it as an exercise, but it really is. My body gets hot and I almost sweat. Now I expect it to do good for my body.

It's about the half way of this project.
Now I'm quite positive to achieve this 30-day challenge.




Posted at Mon May 13 00:37:09 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/83837455035525708184312253345379780261 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/83837455035525708184312253345379780261 neginohana Mon May 13 00:37:09 UTC 2013
I'm not sure about the meanings and usages of "between" and "in between."
It seems they can sometimes be replaced by each other but not always.
I'm trying to write some examples below. I wonder if they are correct, if there are any different nuances.

#1 I lay down between my two sons, who were fast asleep.
#2 I lay down in between my two sons, who were fast asleep.

#3 Insert this piece of paper between page 10 and page 11 of this book.
#4 Insert this piece of paper in between page 10 and page 11 of this book.

#5 Because of the strong wind, trains between Liverpool and Manchester are not running this morning.
#6 Because of the strong wind, trains in between Liverpool and Manchester are not running this morning.

#7 The fight between Tom and Jim lasted two hours.
#8 The fight in between Tom and Jim lasted two hours.

#9 Set the two white plates on the end of the table and the yellow one in between.
#10 Set the two white plates on the end of the table and the yellow one between them.

#11 I'll be out of town between April 29th and May 6th.
#12 I'm available until April 29th and after May 6th, but not in between.

I doubt that #6 is correct.
As for #10 and #12, I think I can't replace "between" with "in between" automatically, so I changed the sentence partly.


Posted at Mon May 06 07:21:53 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/213545480964435985893335190549352285861 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/213545480964435985893335190549352285861 neginohana Mon May 06 07:21:53 UTC 2013
One of my friends often sends me e-cards on my birthday, Christmas, and some other special days. I appreciate her kindness but somehow I don't like getting e-cards.

Maybe I am too lazy to go to the website and open the e-card. Maybe I don't like it when she easily gives my mail address to the e-card company. Maybe I don't feel good that I can't read her own message unless first I see inflated animation with music which some professionals had made.

I know she wants to make me happy with the e-card. She must have spent considerable time choosing one that would be the best for me.
How can I tell her my feelings?
I wish I could say, “Please stop sending e-cards to me. Opening e-cards always bother me.　Just send me your simple messages instead. That would like that much better. ”
However I don't want to make her disappointed.




Posted at Mon Apr 29 05:28:09 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/197158186428986486499761098903750575781 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/197158186428986486499761098903750575781 neginohana Mon Apr 29 05:28:09 UTC 2013
I watched a TED video titled “Try something new for 30 days” by Matt Cutts. His English is so clear that I was able to understand it easily. I found his speech interesting and inspiring. It made me feel like trying something new for 30 days.

http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html

One of my friends started a 3-minute stretch exercise every night. What should I try? I already have a habit to do 80 sit-ups every night, so it's not new.

Well, I always regret my eating habit between meals, so how about “No snacks for 30 days?”

I announced it on twitter and started. How was it going?

A few days later, I started to doubt if it was a proper try. It is not as clear as doing stretching even night. For example, when I feel like eating something half an hour after lunch, I tend to convince myself to think it as a dessert not a snack. When I cook dinner and want to eat something from the fridge, I say to myself, “This is not a snack, but a taste.” Sometimes I had both an early light lunch and a late lunch.
Soon after, I no longer knew if I was keeping the challenge.

I should have chosen a clearer one. Something like “No ice cream for 30 days” or “Never eat between 2pm and 6pm” would have been better. Hmm, they look like quite challenges.

By the way, in this video, he says “Every November, tens of thousands of people try to write their own 50,000-word novel from scratch.” I didn't imagine why it's November at all. Shouldn't it be natural on January or September to start something?

After I saw the video several times, I noticed the words “National Novel Writing Month” on the screen. Is this a national event in the U.S.? Is this set on November because both words “November” and “novel” start with NOVE?

Now I'm looking for another thing to try.


Posted at Mon Apr 22 03:57:49 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/272011999354474602126122273066053508708 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/272011999354474602126122273066053508708 neginohana Mon Apr 22 03:57:49 UTC 2013
The Meaning of a Certain Dream

I have had a dream that I suddenly lost all of my teeth a couple of times. It was a scary dream. Although I didn't hit anything on my mouth or bite anything hard, all of my teeth came out at once. Each time I was so shocked that I woke up. Then I realized that it was just a dream, searched for my teeth with the tongue and relieved.

I wonder if this terrible dream means anything special.

I know it is said that a dream of a fire, like burning your house or something, is a lucky sign. I think the meaning is made to encourage people who had this kind of dream because it is an uncomfortable and depressing dream.

Then maybe my dream should have some good meanings because losing all your teeth is really bad event that no one wants to experience.

I googled it.
Oh, no. Unfortunately, my guess seemed to be wrong.
Some articles say that teeth are a symbol of your property, so losing your teeth means you would lose some money or something important. After you had that the dream, you will run out of money.

Since my dream was extreme, because I lost ALL of my teeth in the dream, so I should have lost a fortune.

Well, did such a tragedy happen to me after having that dream?
Unfortunately or fortunately, I can't remember at all.


Posted at Sun Apr 14 22:47:58 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/120187808823916058376235834545496104548 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/120187808823916058376235834545496104548 neginohana Sun Apr 14 22:47:58 UTC 2013


The Name of This Adorable Flower

Oo-inu-no-fuguri (the first picture) is a kind of weed, but its flowers are loved by many people. You can feel happy to realize the arrival of spring with these tiny adorable flowers. It's seen everywhere in Japan now.

However, its name is far from adorable. “Oo-inu-no-fuguri” literally means “big dog's scrota.” What kind of people named this? The word “fuguri” is no longer used today, so some Japanese people don't know the real meaning of its name, though. They must be surprised to know its original meaning.

I googled it and figure out where the strange name came from.
In Japan, there has been a plant named “Inu-no-fuguri,” whose flower resembles that of Oo-inu-no-fuguri. Inu-no-fuguri means “dog's scrota.” The name came from the shape of its fruit. Look at the second picture. The right one is its fruit. I can't deny that the shape of it looks like a dog’s balls.

When Oo-inu-no-fuguri is introduced to Japan from abroad, it was named Oo-inu-no-fuguri (“big” Inu-no-fuguri) because its flower is a little bigger than Inu-no-fuguri's.

Look at the third picture. The left one is Oo-inu-no-fuguri and the right one is Inu-no-fuguri. I don't think Oo-inu-no-fuguri's fruit reminds anyone of dog's balls.

Inu-no-fuguri isn't commonly seen any more, while OO-inu-no-fuguri is seen everywhere. Maybe it's replaced by Oo-inu-no-fuguri.

I feel sorry for Oo-inu-no-fuguri. I would name it “Spring-drop” or “Elfin's footprint” because of its tiny cute flowers.
If Oo-inu-no-fuguri was native in Japan and Inu-no-fuguri was an immigrant plant, both of them wouldn't have such shameful names.


Posted at Sun Apr 07 23:50:35 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/320810999586962887725798455975920646569 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/320810999586962887725798455975920646569 neginohana Sun Apr 07 23:50:35 UTC 2013
In Japan, the school year starts in April. Students start going to their new schools, new classes, meet new classmates, and new teachers. Many companies give promotions or transportation in this season, too. We feel a sense of refreshment in April.

I didn't realize why it is in April, not like America or many other foreign countries, in which a school year starts in September. However, when I moved to this rural area, I immediately got it. A new year practically does start in April. That’s not because people decided to do so, but because the nature is made for it.

During the winter, rice fields are empty. Vegetable fields have spinach, daikon or Chinese raddish, and some other vegetables, but they are quietly there. You don’t have to take care of them daily.

When the spring comes, it seems as if farmers and fields are awake. Many farmers are seen working on the fields. They plow them, and start seeding rice in the nursing beds.

It does look like the start of the year. Everyone and everything seem to get energetic and vigorous.

I like spring.


Posted at Mon Apr 01 05:38:29 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/130480005386875551997049145033618566624 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/130480005386875551997049145033618566624 neginohana Mon Apr 01 05:38:29 UTC 2013
I usually brush my teeth for 20 or 30 minutes every night. It takes that long if I try to clean my teeth perfectly, and I can't stand going to bed with any dental plaque on them.

This often surprises my friends, who brush their teeth for only a few minutes. Some of them say brushing your teeth too long can harm them and you'll eventually lose them. Is it true?

Some people go to the dentist to checkup their teeth once a year or twice, and get them cleaned. However, when I went to the dentist for the first time for a few years, he said my teeth were really clean and there was no need for medical cleaning. Actually I always try to brush my teeth the way dentists suggest. Don't press your brush too hard on your teeth. Brush each tooth one by one, shaking your brush quickly.

My sister says she feels good after getting her teeth cleaned at a dental clinic because she feels her teeth very smooth when she touches them by the tongue. Actually I feel that every night.


Posted at Mon Mar 25 03:24:59 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/195429464200891071749305950677383487076 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/195429464200891071749305950677383487076 neginohana Mon Mar 25 03:24:59 UTC 2013
I sometimes hear that some couples have never had fights since they started their relationships. I've always wondered why. As for me, I often have quarrels with my partner, though I always try to be good to him.

Recently I think I found out the reason.

When you get mad and express your anger with your words, tone of your voice, or your behavior, that usually offends the opposite. Then two of you are getting all steamed up by each other's words or action.

However, there seem to be people who almost never get angry. They don't have to make an effort to stay calm or to bottle up their anger. They just don't get angry. Even when the opposites get angry and say harsh words, they stay calm and never yell back. In that case fights can't take place.

I wish I had that kind of personality. If I never get angry and always stay peaceful, I would be happier.




Posted at Mon Mar 18 12:19:38 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/34909171696606849158512851474033804965 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/34909171696606849158512851474033804965 neginohana Mon Mar 18 12:19:38 UTC 2013
It was when I was watching the movie, “You've Got Mail” that I came across a Knock-knock Joke for the first time. I didn't understand what it meant at that time, so I asked several American friends. Now I know it's a typical pattern of English joke and find it funny. I also tried making my original Knock-knock Jokes. I wonder if they make sense.

#1 [A dangerous pet]
A: Knock-knock.
B: Who's there?
A: Melon.
B: Melon who?
A: Melon is breaking your house.

#2 [Waiting]
A: Knock-knock.
B: Who's there?
A: Kiwi.
B: Kiwi who?
A:.Kiwi-ll be here soon.

#3 [Rejection]
A: Knock-knock.
B: Who's there?
A:Banana.
B: Banana who?
A: Banana-f your business!

#4 [compulsion]
A: Knock-knock.
B: Who's there?
A: Pear.
B: Pear who?
A: Pear with my awful joke.

#5 [I love parties]
A: Knock-knock.
B: Who's there?
A: strawberry.
B: Strawberry who?
A: Strawberry parties, please.

#6 [From Antarctic]
A: Knock-knock.
B: Who's there?
A: Grape.
B: Grape who?
A: Grape-nguins are marching toward your house.

****************
#1 My lion is breaking your house.
#2 He will be here soon.
#3 But none of your business!
#4 Bear with my awful joke.
#5 Throw many parties, please.
#6 Gray penguins are marching toward your house.



Posted at Mon Mar 11 12:54:17 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/266769410349728075024734553768417271396 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/266769410349728075024734553768417271396 neginohana Mon Mar 11 12:54:17 UTC 2013
I have a Japanese friend, who is a professor of a university in the U.S. She speaks perfect English as if she was a native English speaker. Actually she says that she is often considered as a Japanese-American.

She was the one who encouraged me to study English. She says that pronunciation is important. Even if you speak English fluently, with a Japanese accent, you won't be respected. It would be good to take some pronunciation training from a specialist.
I assume she has been struggling in the U.S. It must be tough for a Japanese woman to make a career there, but she did.

When I visited Canada many years ago, I called a B&B to make a reservation. After a few words I spoke, I was asked, “Are you from Japan?” I realized I did have a strong Japanese accent. However, she was friendly and kind to me.

Some people say that English is no longer for its native speakers. A lot of people all over the world use English as a communication tool. They have their accent influenced by their native languages, but that's no problem.

I don't think I will be able to speak like American even with every effort. I rather want to believe that as long as I make myself understood, my Japanese accent is accepted as a part of my character.


Posted at Mon Mar 04 14:21:13 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/261478873420201749685944930242217849248 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/261478873420201749685944930242217849248 neginohana Mon Mar 04 14:21:13 UTC 2013
I got a lot of comments on my previous entry. All of them are very impressive and food for thought for me. Maybe I should reply to each of them, but I have too much to write and want everyone to know what I think after reading the comments, so I decided to write another entry here.

If anyone hasn't read the entry, here is the link.
http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/115381408879871035453165902028291581438/Should-I-give-up-Japanese-courtesy-when-I-speak-English%253F

When I watched the video, I felt uncomfortable and even upset although I’d already known that apologizing for your poor English can annoy English speaking people.
Why didn't I like the man in the video?

Maybe that’s because it sounds like a foreigner is criticizing Japanese customs. We tend to be too modest about our own ability, but it doesn't mean we like to hear bad things about it from others.

Tony-san says that my saying “ I believe that most native English speakers tend to make themselves look great and sometimes even exaggerate their abilities” is rude and insulting. S-san says “It sounds like this man thinks his culture's way is better, and you think the Japanese way is better.”

I didn't intend to say either culture’s way is better or worse, but maybe I sounded like Japanese one is better. It’s natural for anyone to be defensive when others criticize their own culture.
Since I was a kid, my mother has always said to me, “When you get married, never ever say bad things about your husband’s parents or relatives.” It’s probably true between different cultures.
As s-san says, the guy in the video should have been more sensitive in his wording, and so should I.

As Jonadab-san says, we shouldn't be a braggart and at the same time, we shouldn't adamantly argue and refuse to allow any compliment at all. Despite the difference between cultures, this is a common courtesy, I think.

As for the guy in the video again, he should encourage his students to have confidence and not to mind their poor ability instead of criticizing their apologizing. Japanese people who keep apologizing for their poor English are probably afraid of making mistakes and tend to hesitate to speak English. If he simply forced them to stop apologizing, they may not be able to speak anything at all.

I’m glad to know that most of those who gave comments seem to understand Japanese culture and respect it. They learn not only Japanese language but Japanese culture.
YellowMega-san says, “When you learn a foreign language, it is good to also learn culture, because language and culture work together.” I totally agree. Learning different cultures is part of learning foreign language, and I enjoy it.

By the way, I translated all of the comments I got into Japanese and wrote on another website I often use. It took me more than 8 hours. Please take a look at it and if there are any problems, let me know.
http://q-eng.com/diary/12172


Posted at Mon Feb 25 12:34:32 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/240579110683527678788156841156756348516 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/240579110683527678788156841156756348516 neginohana Mon Feb 25 12:34:32 UTC 2013
I saw a video on YouTube, in which an English teacher suggests that Japanese people should not apologize about their English speaking ability. He says that it's frustrating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC9oLa-4Ry0&feature=youtu.be

I have a mixed feeling about it. I believe that most native English speakers tend to make themselves look great and sometimes even exaggerate their abilities. I hear that when American (or maybe other Western) people say that they are in a level of intermediate in Japanese, that means they can speak only a few Japanese phrases.

On the other hand, Japanese people tend to avoid saying they are great. We don't want to look like we are showing off our abilities. So if Japanese people say they can speak English (without adding "a little"), it means they are really great at speaking English.
This kind of humility is considered to be a good manner in Japan. That's a part of Japanese culture.
Should I give it up when I speak English?

Maybe I should, when I hop into American society. I don't want to be misunderstood or frustrating.

However, I felt uncomfortable when I saw the video. The teacher seems to be complaining to his students or other Japanese people. Since he is in Japan and even temporary he is a member of Japanese society, he should not deny Japanese culture. It sounds that he insists Japanese courtesy is wrong.

He says he is frustrated, but I think he should learn about Japanese culture. Then he can suggest that his students should be proud of their ability and show off it without hesitation when they talk with native English speakers.

He says that if you say bad thing about yourself, it stops the conversation, that it could mean you don't like learning English, and that it makes very hard for the person you're speaking to talk about learning English.

I don't think so.
As for me, I sometimes feel uncomfortable with compliments about my English ability and can't help saying bad things about it. However, I can explain my feelings. I would say I don't have enough English ability because I do know I have a lot more to learn. I don't want to think I'm satisfied at this level. I can only understand about a half of lines in movies in English, I find a lot of English words that I don't know when I listen to news or read books.

Although I don't feel good about his speech, I must admit that speaking English can mean giving up some of our native culture. That's why I sometimes feel I become a different person when I speak English.


Posted at Mon Feb 18 02:31:45 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/115381408879871035453165902028291581438 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/115381408879871035453165902028291581438 neginohana Mon Feb 18 02:31:45 UTC 2013
When I was out of town on Monday, I wrote an entry afterwards. In this way, I've kept posting once a week for 2 years.

I wish I could write more often, but once a week seems to be enough for me. I often have trouble finding something I can write about. I sometimes think it might be okay to skip one week or two. However, I also think if I give it up once, I will get used to spoiling myself. Maybe I will not be able to write regularly again.

Kind friends who correct me or leave comments on my entry encourage me. I really appreciate that.

I will keep writing on Mondays.


Posted at Mon Feb 11 06:51:47 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/171897392659293922723759442353604659646 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/171897392659293922723759442353604659646 neginohana Mon Feb 11 06:51:47 UTC 2013
When my favorite book becomes a movie, I usually make a point to avoid seeing it. I've already read the book, so I've had a certain image of the characters. I can hardly stand it when the actors or actresses are different from my image, and it happens so often. Plus, movies are not always faithful to the original books. Some movies have different plots and some scenes are cut off. I can't help complaining about the changes. “This is not correct!” I might feel like shouting at the screen.

On the contrary, when I don't like the book very much, I sometimes try seeing the movie based on it. I may like the movie better than the book. I have experienced this pattern several times.

Now, I haven't read the book and the movie is coming soon. In this case, which should I take first? I think I should see the movie first.
Maybe I can enjoy the picture, sound, and the story. Then if I would like to know the details, I can read the original book. I probably can't shed off the image of the characters in the movie, but I can enjoy the book, too. If there is some difference from the movie, I accept it because it IS the original one. Books are usually longer and more profound, so I won't be bored even though I've known the story.

I hope this always works well.


Posted at Mon Feb 04 03:29:54 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/48592275296280997505133857951049987320 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/48592275296280997505133857951049987320 neginohana Mon Feb 04 03:29:54 UTC 2013
I got interested in idioms related to dogs and looked into it on dictionaries and websites.
I found some other idioms that have kind of negative image of dogs.

One of them is “a dog in the manger.” It means someone who keeps something just because he/she doesn't want anyone else to have it, although he/ she doesn't really want nor need it.
A dog doesn't eat food for horses or cattle, but stays in the manger in order to prevent those animals having it. I understand.
However, is a dog considered as such a mean animal?

There are a lot more: “go to the dogs,” “not have a dog's chance,” “It's a dog's life,” and “throw someone to the dogs.”
In these phrases, dogs imply something very bad, disgusting, or boring.
A lot of people keep dogs as pets and love them as if they are members of the family. However, maybe dogs are dogs, not equal to people.

Come to think of it, there are some set phrases like them in Japanese, too.
“夫婦げんかは犬も食わない”(No dogs want to eat fights between married couples.) means fights between married couples are nothing to think serious about for others, because the guilty parties are soon reconcile by themselves.
“犬死に”(to die like dogs do) means a meaningless death.
“犬の遠吠え” (dog's howling) means someone who criticizes others only when they are not around because he/she doesn't have courage to do that directly to them.

Dogs have lived with us for a very long time, so it’s no wonder there are lots of idioms about dogs.



Posted at Mon Jan 28 00:46:09 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/36415541016777685170916209724919899723 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/36415541016777685170916209724919899723 neginohana Mon Jan 28 00:46:09 UTC 2013


“Doraemon” is a very popular comic book or anime. I've liked it since I was a small kid.
The anime is broadcasted in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, The middle and Near East. It’s very popular in these countries, too.

However, it's not been introduced to the United States, where many other Japanese comics and amine are popular. Why is it?

They say that's because of the story.
Doraemon is a robot came from future by time-machine in order to help the main character Nobita. Nobita is poor at school, sports, and almost anything. He’s also very lazy. He doesn't even try to make efforts. Whenever he is in trouble, he asks Doraemon to lend him some magical tools. Nobita happily uses the tools, but he always ends up with bigger trouble.

Nobita is far from an American type of hero, so they think “Doraemon” won't be accepted or loved in the U.S. Is it true?

I think “Doraemon” is a kind of comedy and it's not necessary for the main character to be a hero. No kids want to be like Nobita. He is never a role model.
You can just laugh and enjoy what he does and what happens to him.

By the way, my favorite tool of Doraemon is “Dokodemo door.” You can go anywhere you want, directly through the door.


Posted at Mon Jan 21 13:24:01 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/279150310361330401668476350547320104523 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/279150310361330401668476350547320104523 neginohana Mon Jan 21 13:24:01 UTC 2013
I was surprised to see him paying. While he was waiting for the casher to give him the change, he already opened the bottle and started drinking in front of the register.

Is it ok with American manners? I believe it is considered rude or against the manner in Japan. We should finish paying and go out with the stuff, and then we can open the package and drink or eat, unless there is some space with benches or tables and chairs for eating or drinking in the store.

Recently I hear that some American people open products in a supermarket and drink or eat before paying for them. I can hardly believe that. Until you finish paying, they belong to the store. How can be that behavior allowed?

I have never seen Japanese people doing so but small children who don’t know what they are doing.

Maybe American stores are more generous than Japanese ones.


Posted at Mon Jan 14 08:24:35 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/282024279471235767225267050929100652419 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/282024279471235767225267050929100652419 neginohana Mon Jan 14 08:24:35 UTC 2013

I'm planning to buy a new portable audio recorder. The one I have now is 10 years old and it often has problems.

First, I went to some electronics shops and looked around. I picked out several models and got their pamphlets. When I got home, I read them carefully and wrote down functions so that I can compare them easily. It was time-consuming, though.

Then, I started to look into each product through the Internet. There are a lot of reviews written by people who’d purchased them and used. Some of them are satisfied and others are not.

I ended up reading them and considering for a couple of days and I haven't been able to decide which to buy. Those reviews seem to be useful, but at the same time, they can make me confused.. The more I read them, the more difficult it seems to become for me to choose one.

What should I do?


Posted at Mon Jan 07 07:45:15 UTC 2013
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/59762763415721363361388784735526398402 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/59762763415721363361388784735526398402 neginohana Mon Jan 07 07:45:15 UTC 2013 I've always wanted to reply to them that I don't think so at all, but I usually just nod or smile. I feel they are somehow in good mood saying that and I don't want to ruin it.

As for me, I remember that I've passed through all the year and that I've done some things on each month. I rather feel last January is far away behind.

I wonder if what they say is just like a greeting or if they really mean it.


Posted at Mon Dec 31 10:51:40 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/19981098906024612187250058541189516499 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/19981098906024612187250058541189516499 neginohana Mon Dec 31 10:51:40 UTC 2012
I wonder if this sentence is correct and natural.
I came across the example “I'm glad I meet you” on the Internet the other day.
When I saw it, I felt a little weird. I would say, “I'm glad to meet you,” when I first met someone.

If I have a good friend and I appreciate the opportunity I got to know her, I would say, “I'm glad I met you,” or “I'm glad I've met you.”

What exactly does “I'm glad I meet you” mean? I learned that the present tense is used when you regularly do it. In that case, “I'm glad I meet you” should mean “I'm glad I'm in a situation where I can meet you regularly, right? It sounds awkward to me, though.


Posted at Mon Dec 24 12:22:14 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/187386954456275261610334092005611645358 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/187386954456275261610334092005611645358 neginohana Mon Dec 24 12:22:14 UTC 2012
In Japan, it’s different.
One of my friends said that her husband slept in a different room from her, but they seemed to get along really well.

Japanese parents usually sleep with their kids at least until their kids reach about 5 years old or so.

The thing is that she and her kid sleep in one room and her husband sleeps in another room. At first, she probably thought she didn't want to bother her husband when the baby cried at night.

However, she implied some other benefit of having two different bedrooms. After she put the baby in bed, she could visit her husband’s room for a while. In that case, the couple wouldn't bother their kid.


Posted at Mon Dec 17 08:22:55 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/326095559515070211534016572127397783982 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/326095559515070211534016572127397783982 neginohana Mon Dec 17 08:22:55 UTC 2012
One of my American friends happily told me how her husband had proposed her more than 10 years ago. He and his friends set everything in the park and surprised her. I don't remember the details, but it seemed like a big project and I assumed there had been a lot of people who took part in it.

I also see those scenes on TV or You Tube lately.
I googled "surprise proposal" and it hit 10,600 videos.
The couples and people around them look happy. Most women who were proposed cried for joy.
More over, those who look those videos all over the world, not even knowing the couples at all, seem to enjoy it and feel happy as well.

However, I don't like them. I think proposal should be a private matter, just between the two. It shouldn't involve anyone else. It shouldn't be open to others like a show. Recording the scene and broadcasting or updating it on the Internet look horrible to me.

Why do the man only expect YES as the answer? He's probably sure that the overly designed proposal would impress her and she would say YES.
What if she doesn't really want to marry him? He seems to force her to say YES.

Am I the only one who feels so?
I have never met anyone who agrees with me.


Posted at Mon Dec 10 06:52:30 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/56808937855401711289358304157778291118 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/56808937855401711289358304157778291118 neginohana Mon Dec 10 06:52:30 UTC 2012
Quote
When your entire world is unraveling, you tend to crave order, and I found it in knitting.
Unquote

In this context, I assumed that “unraveling” means “disorder” or “not organized.”
However, my dictionary says “unravel : undo (twisted, knitted, or woven threads)”
What?
Then “unravel” has a positive meaning?

I also looked “ravel” into the dictionary.
“ravel : untangle something, confuse or complicate”
I’m confused.

Usually “un-“ means “to do opposite,” I believe, but “unravel” and “ravel” seem to have the same meaning. Moreover, it seems “ravel” has two contradictory senses.

One of my American friends says that “Ravel” used to mean to complicate, but now it means the same thing as “unravel”. Nobody ever says “ravel”.
Then “unravel” means “untangle,” “solve or explain something complicated” or “get things straight”?

Look at the sentence in the book again.
Does it make sense?

It’s too complicated for me.


Posted at Mon Dec 03 08:29:12 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1807647 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1807647 neginohana Mon Dec 03 08:29:12 UTC 2012
It is said that “さすが” is a kind of a magical word, which makes people happy and feel honored.

The other day, I went to a hair salon and got a perm. After the hair dresser used a hair iron on my hair, I said to him “さすがですね。一度も熱くありませんでした” or “I knew you’re a good hair dresser, and you did even better than I had expected. You’ve never made me feel hot on my head. You’re a real professional.” I said so because I was really impressed, but his reaction surprised me. He obviously became extremely happy and delighted. He smiled all the rest of time working on my hair and talked to me cheerfully.
He was probably proud of his skills and my words satisfied his self-esteem.

“さすがですね” means “I knew you are good at it, but now you did much better than I had expected. I’m really impressed with your work or knowledge. I don’t think many other people can do it like you. ”
This word is much more powerful than usual words to praise such as “上手ですね” or “すごいですね.”

I hear that it is especially effective to men because men always want to receive other’s high praise for their ability.


Posted at Mon Nov 26 13:56:32 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1797145 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1797145 neginohana Mon Nov 26 13:56:32 UTC 2012
The other day, I was watching TV. In the program, a Japanese girl bought some candles that are intended to be put on water in a bathtub. Soaking in a bathtub with the candles floating on the water sounded romantic. She said she liked to make her place “ムーディー”or ”moody.” She even said that she would like to be called as “Moody XXX” (XXX is her name) as her nickname.

“Moody?” I wondered if it had a good meaning. I could guess that she wanted to mean “in romantic atmosphere” or something, but I felt uncomfortable to hear the word “moody” in this situation.

In Japanese, “ムード” usually mean “a good mood.” “ムードがある” literally means “There is a mood” but in Japanese, it means “There’s a good or romantic atmosphere.”

However, I believe that “mood” doesn’t always have a good meaning in English. Especially when you say “in a mood” without any adjectives, it does have a negative meaning. “Moody” refers to someone’s character who often and quickly changes his/her mood, or someone who is bad-tempered or upset. I don’t think she would like to be referred as “moody.”

On the other hand, “mood music” refers to music intended to provide a relaxing soothing atmosphere, just like “ムード音楽” in Japanese, right?

How about “mood maker?” In Japanese, “ムードメーカー” means someone who affects others to cheer up. I found an English article that contains “Water is a mood maker for the garden” in it. In this sentence, “mood maker” seems to be used just like in Japanese.

I’m often confused with “和製英語” or English words coined in Japan.


Posted at Mon Nov 19 02:50:24 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1786920 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1786920 neginohana Mon Nov 19 02:50:24 UTC 2012

A shark has “jaws”. A man has “lips”. Then I thought a bird has “beaks (or bills).” However, it seems a bird has a beak (or a bill). That confuses me. A beak consists of two parts just like jaws or lips. How come it is counted one?

As for “mouth,” a man has a mouth. A bird has a mouth, right? It sounds natural to me because “mouth” means an opening in the face. One animal usually has one mouth.

However, a beak is different. It obviously looks like two separate parts. They look even more clearly separated than lips.

Maybe I should just memorize it to be single.
We rarely care the number of things in Japanese, so to be singular or plural is one of the most difficult parts of English for me.


Posted at Mon Nov 12 00:11:23 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1775721 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1775721 neginohana Mon Nov 12 00:11:23 UTC 2012

I have always liked chocolate very much. I don't think I'm addicted to it, but I know I love it.

If no chocolate available at home, I don't feel any desperate need for it. Actually I didn't have any for weeks, until I happened to see some chocolate at a store the other day. Once I saw it and decided to indulge myself with some of it, I couldn't stop myself.

I bought too much for me alone. I said to myself, "I don't need to eat at once. I can eat one piece or two a day so that it will last long."
How could I do that?
I knew there were a lot of chocolate in the kitchen. I couldn't stop eating it too much every day. Every day, I said, but it means only a few days. It didn't last long. I ate one after another, until finally I ate all.

What happened next? The next day I finished it, I found a pimple or two on my face!
After all, I had to pay for what I did.


Posted at Mon Nov 05 03:14:10 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1764437 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1764437 neginohana Mon Nov 05 03:14:10 UTC 2012
A few days ago, I read the news on the Internet saying “Amazon announced the release of its first Japanese-language Kindle.” Some of my Internet friends are excited about the news and I’m also interested in it.

I hear that in America e-book sales have overtaken printed book sales. However, I don’t think e-books are not so common here in Japan so far.

Actually I have never tried e-books. I don’t want to read books on my pc or any other liquid crystal display panels. I don’t feel comfortable reading on LCD for a long time.
I’m interested in Kindle because they say it can be read just like a printed paper.

They say that one of the good points of e-books is that you can save room to store the books. That seems to be true. You can keep hundreds (or thousands?) of book in a small tablet.
I usually borrow books from the library or buy at used book stores and sell it back after reading, so I don’t have a problem about storage space of books.
However, when I went on a trip to America, I brought 7 books with me but ran out of books to read on the plane coming back to Japan. I felt the good 7 books is already too heavy, so I was shocked when it turned out not to be enough. If only I had had a kindle then.

Another point I’m attracted about e-books is the searching function. When I am reading a book with a lot of characters, I sometimes can’t recognize them. “Robert? Who is this man? Where has he appeared before?” In that case, I wish I could search the name.

I don’t think I will buy a Kindle sometime soon, though. I will just keep an eye on it.


Posted at Mon Oct 29 02:34:21 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1753159 http://lang-8.com/43673/journals/1753159 neginohana Mon Oct 29 02:34:21 UTC 2012