Here comes a cyclone!?
Oh no! A huge cyclone has developed near Queensland's coast line! I wonder if it will affect our flight back to Japan! I hope we are going to be OK.
Souvenir for my family and friends
17:03 |
Today Gori and I went to town to do some shopping. My purpose of it today was buying some chocolate as souvenir for my family and friends. I bought a lot of boxes of Lindor chocolate and lots of kinds of Tim Tam. Lindor is not technically Australian, actually it's from Switzerland but it's very tasty so I bought them. As for Tim Tam, I know Japanese people are very familiar with getting Tim Tams as souvenir of Australia ( or even sick of getting ones^^;) but usually those Tim Tams are original Tim Tams with milk chocolate. So I bought different kinds of Tim Tams even though I have never tried any of them (^^;) I hope they are yummy too!
I made custard this afternoon.
16:59 |
I made custard this afternoon. It was the best custard that I've ever made. Gori said it tasted very similar to his mum's, which is really really nice! I am going to make some for my family when I get back to Japan too!
Sorry for whinging. But I really needed to let it out.
16:04 |
I've spent so much time and effort on planning a trip for Gori's mate and his girlfriend. Well, acutally I've done that for Gori because if I hadn't done that, I knew he would be in a big trouble and extremely stressed when he was going along with them on their trip. Because they don't speak or understand Japanese at all!
But now I think I've wasted my time. I am not sure yet but I think they are not going to go on the trip any more. We sent the final detailed plan of their trip a few days ago and they started whinging about it. Yes, I admit that I've made a little bit of changes with the first plan so if you have trouble with them, I could change them back in your way, which is fair enough. But things are a bit different with this one; YOU had agreed with the first plan which involved 3 domestic flights and that's why we booked the flights and have bought the tickets. YOU agreed on it ! You CAN'T say that that was not what you had been expecting at this point! It's too late, mate! We've already bought the tickets! If you had had trouble with it, you could have said it when we showed you the first plan or even more, you could have made a plan yourself!! You didn't even bother to book the flights or doing anything!! You can't just whinge, with not doing anything! We are not your submissive travel agents!
Now things have become very complicated and awkward between them and us. I really feel that I shouldn't have started this planning thing in the first place. I wouldn't have done that if it wasn't for Gori and if driving was not involved. I am really really regretting this because after all, this is THEIR trip!!
Now I really hope that they are not going anymore. I am just sick of mucking around sorting out information about hotels and other stuff for them. I've just had it.
Sorry for whinging. But I really needed to let it out.
But now I think I've wasted my time. I am not sure yet but I think they are not going to go on the trip any more. We sent the final detailed plan of their trip a few days ago and they started whinging about it. Yes, I admit that I've made a little bit of changes with the first plan so if you have trouble with them, I could change them back in your way, which is fair enough. But things are a bit different with this one; YOU had agreed with the first plan which involved 3 domestic flights and that's why we booked the flights and have bought the tickets. YOU agreed on it ! You CAN'T say that that was not what you had been expecting at this point! It's too late, mate! We've already bought the tickets! If you had had trouble with it, you could have said it when we showed you the first plan or even more, you could have made a plan yourself!! You didn't even bother to book the flights or doing anything!! You can't just whinge, with not doing anything! We are not your submissive travel agents!
Now things have become very complicated and awkward between them and us. I really feel that I shouldn't have started this planning thing in the first place. I wouldn't have done that if it wasn't for Gori and if driving was not involved. I am really really regretting this because after all, this is THEIR trip!!
Now I really hope that they are not going anymore. I am just sick of mucking around sorting out information about hotels and other stuff for them. I've just had it.
Sorry for whinging. But I really needed to let it out.
A week to go before the trip (3/15)
15:56 |
I haven't made an entry in this blog for a while. That's simply because I have been too busy to get round to it(^^;) Ever since I decided to go back to Japan, there have been a lot of things to be done so I have been wrestling with them. Now I have a week to go before the trip. I am very thrilled and looking forward to it.
You really can't guess today's market, can you?(2/26)
09:48 |
The share market is deteriorating again! One of my favourite shares has gone down lower than its support level! Thank goodness that I didn't buy in yesterday. I could have been stopped-out and had to deal with the loss! There must be lots of investors and traders that have been having a hard & stressing time recently. You really can't guess today's market, can you?
On the horns of a dilemma
12:28 |
Well, I am getting sick of just watching my trading platform and not making any action. The shares that I've keeping an eye on are very close to their buying points but just not yet. One of them has hit very close to its support level, so I could buy in at the price but there is also slight possibility that it might keep going down like one of them did a few days ago. I was feeling dilemma whether I should buy in now or not, but this time I had decided to play it safe so I resisted my urge again! I will wait, I have to wait, which is soooooo frustrating. I hope the shares make breakthroughs very soon! By the way I am still not feeling 100 %. What's going on with me??
I feel tired this morning.. (2/25)
08:53 |
Yesterday I had another Skype English session. We discussed pets( Are you a dog person or cat person?) and animal abuse & cruelty( battery hens and animal testing). The last two topics were very controversial and tricky topics to discuss, but I enjoyed it. I went to bed early last night because I felt a bit sick. I think I've had more than enough sleep last night but I am still tired(^^;) My head is fuzzy. By the way, this tweet entry is the 100th one!! Good on me!!
I am happy that I got to save money!
11:54 |
Yesterday I was wrestling with my black printer ink. Its ink had run out so I refilled it and put it back in the printer like I usually do but it didn't work yesterday. I tried many times but the printer didn't recognized the ink for some reason! It was frustrating! After a while I came to the conclusion that we'd been using the same cartridge for more than 2 years so it had just had it so we would need to buy new original one, which cost us about 40 bucks( very expensive, isn't it?)It's typical! This kind of thing( unexpected expense) happens when you need to save money. I really didn't want to spend money on it, so this morning I tried it again with a little bit of hope of miracle. And guess what?! It worked! This time I found the cause! There was a piece of tape caught between the ink cartridge and its lid! I didn't notice it at all yesterday! I am happy that I got to save money!
All I have to do is wait a little longer.
10:15 |
The share market has been going up and down recently ( it happens even within a day!)Thank goodness that I am not in it at the moment. There are some shares that I've been watching very closely,but none of them haven't reached the point at which I want to buy in. There were some moments when I feel like jumping on them impulsively , but luckily my educated guess and senses resisted the urge. All I have to do is wait a little longer.
Do I need a break??(2/24)
09:23 |
It's been 5 days since I've incorporated pilates into my exercise routine. I was a bit apprehensive about my back at first, but it seems to be doing OK. I've been pushing myself a bit hard in terms of my workout because as you may know, Gori and I are going back to Japan next month for about a month! There are lots of things I'd love to do in Japan, which means I will be very busy so I want to become fit and strong before I go. It would be fantastic if I can lose some weight as well but I am not that worried about it at the moment. I am more focusing on how I build up my strength so that I can do things more energetically without feeling tiredness, which will definitely enhance the quality of my life. Well having said that, I am a bit tired now. Do I need a break??
Whinging...
12:04 |
There are so many things to do and I am kind of overwhelmed by them. Plus I was struggling with a new music playing software which Gori discovered for me. When you try something new, especially when it is something that is not in your comfort zone, it is very stressing to tackle it until you get the hang of it, isn't it? Anyway I feel a bit grumpy and stressed because I am behind schedule. Well, I have to snap out of it and move on. What can I do to pull myself together and be more productive.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
Gori's mishap (2/20)
10:08 |
Last night before going to bed, Gori started to complain that there was something wrong with his left eye and it was killing him. At first I thought it was just an eyelash or something that was annoying him but I couldn't find anything in the eye at the first glance. Then he brought a torch to take a very close look at it and then we found that there was a tiny bit of something on the eyeball, right next to the pupil. We assumed that it might be a fragment of steel from grinding or welding because he had been working on this new project, which was building a bike stand for the last several days and he was grinding and welding its steel frames last night. We tried everything we could think of to get the bit out of his eye but it wouldn't budge an inch. We even used a magnet but it didn't work, either. So this morning Gori's dad took him to the hospital and the doctor said there were many fragments of steel on his eyeball and one of them was actually in it too. He anesthetized his eye and chucked out almost all the fragments using a needle!! Gori said he almost passed out! It's scary, isn't it? Anyway he is not completely OK yet but I'm relived to hear that it was not that serious.
He is getting cuter and cuter! (2/18)
10:14 |
Mick used to be a very chunky dog with a big head and a lot of puppy fat around his neck but not any more! He has slimmed down and his face is much smaller now. As a matter of fact, he is getting cuter and cuter every day! I thought Ambi was way cuter than Mick before but now they are neck and neck!
They are not our threats!! （2/16)
08:43 |
I just got up half an hour ago. I feel tired... because I couldn't sleep last night! The dogs were constantly barking at the cows or something, which kept me awake!! Come dogs! Forget about the cows! They are not our threats!! I just checked the share market, seems like I will be sitting out today too.
I thrashed him!! (2/14)
12:08 |
Gori and I played Canasta (a card game) this morning. Guess what? I thrashed him!! I struggled a bit in the last game but I won! Actually I haven't lost Canasta games against Gori for a long time. Have my skills for it been improving or is it just that I have been very lucky?!
Tomorrow is Valentine's day.
16:12 |
Tomorrow is Valentine's day. I baked a chocolate cake for Gori for this occasion. The cake turned out to be very fluffy and light. I tasted it a bit but as soon as I put some in my mouth, it melted and disappeared! I cut down on sugar when I made it so it's not that sweet, either. It goes very well with cream. I am glad that Gori likes it!
Back pain is back here.
14:22 |
I did the treadmill for 5.6 km yesterday. I was very happy because I was able to jog for 1 km straight, which was big progress. But today sadly my back is not feeling right. I feel some dull pain in there. I haven't had this kind of pain for a long time. So honestly I'm a little gutted, but just a little bit. Did I pushed myself too much yesterday? Well maybe jogging for 1 km was a bit too much. I wonder if a foot bath will help for my back. I should give it a go, shouldn't I?
Gori is very keen on cycling.(2/13)
08:53 |
Gori is gone cycling this morning. He goes for a bike-riding with his cycling mates every weekend. He gets up before 5 and comes back around 9 to 9:30. This has become a part of his routine. He says he cycles for about 70 km, which is very impressive, isn't it? His passion and achievement surely help me keep myself motivated for my work-out.
You know, ladies never stop talking!（2/11)
08:49 |
Hello. Gori and I went out for dinner with his co-workers last night. We went to a restaurant called Charlie's Hotel. Gori had been there a few times previously and he had a high opinion of it. So I had been looking forward to eating there and finally got around to it. I ordered a steak which he had been raving about but unfortunately it was a bit of a let-down,,, tough and chewy. We ordered medium-rare but Gori's steak was nowhere near it, it was very rare. Gori was disappointed too. Anyway his colleagues were all very nice and I enjoyed the dinner and conversation, in which I was mainly on the listening side because there were 5 ladies(plus Gori )! You know, ladies never stop talking!
I feel better today^^(2/9)
14:29 |
Hi, there! I am feeling much better today.(^^) I've been sitting all day studying and share-trading, so my back is getting stiff! I want to do some treadmilling to loosen it up but I will wait until Gori comes back from work and goes for a bike-riding. He wants to shed some kilos and become very fit too!
I feel so lethargic..
15:04 |
Hi, everyone. I managed to study English for about 2 hours. I'm glad that I've made at least some progress. But it was pretty hard for me to concentrate. I've got a sore back, which is one of the distractions from studying. I want to do some treadmilling but I think it could make my condition worse. I have been eating crappy & fatty food recently so my belly feels a bit flabbier...I hope I can do a lot more tomorrow. Oh boy I feel so lethargic...
I don't feel like doing anything but..(2/8)
10:36 |
I don't feel like doing anything because I have a stomach pain from my period. But there are a lot of things I have to & I want to do; for example, I want to come up with my opinion for the next discussion, (I have one more question to go), I have to finish up studying the articles for the discussion which I got from the net and to read useful sentences out loud, and share-trading study. OK, I will pull myself together and tackle them one by one! Wish me luck!
I wanted to help her out. (2/7)
10:55 |
Hello. I have been a bit busy recently. Gori's mum had a surgery on her right middle finger several days ago so since then she has been having a little trouble doing housework. I wanted to help her out because I owe her a lot. So yesterday I invited her and Gori's dad for dinner. The dish I made was very simple stir-fry with tomato salad so it's nothing fancy but they said they enjoyed it. I'm glad we had a good time.
oops!
11:22 |
The last tweet was way toooooo long! But I just wanted to tell you about how Mick is doing. That's all.... I am getting hungry! I'll eat lunch first !
Mick is on the mend ( 2/3)
10:59 |
Morning. I haven't filled you in about what happened to Mick's cuts since I last mentioned about it (×yet) so here's how things turned out. After Gori came back from Brisbane, he had a very close look at his cuts and we discussed it and decided to turn to his mum and dad for some advice about what we should do with him. They said he should be alright without any stitches and also said they had some antibiotic powder for animals, so we used it on Mick's cuts several times. It's (×It) very helpful. I should have talked to them much earlier. Since then his cuts have been on the mend, healing very well. I am so relieved because I was worried that he might suffer from infection or something since his cuts had been exposed but luckily he is (×was) OK now.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
Roger Federer is such a nice guy!
08:33 |
As I said in the previous tweet, I watched the Australian Open men's final last night. Roger beat Andy Murray in straight sets. He won the first 2 sets relatively easily but he seemed to be (×a bit) struggling in the final set, actually they were kind of neck and neck so it was very thrilling to watch. Both of them were brilliant athletes. I really like Roger because he is a very nice guy and he also has class! I envy his wife! They are going to have twin daughters soon, aren't they?
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
seem を使うときの注意！アクションを表現する場合（この場合試合中苦戦しているというアクション）seem to に進行形のbe strugglingで表す。単純に感情を表す場合はseem 形容詞でOK。（例 He seemed happy.)
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
seem を使うときの注意！アクションを表現する場合（この場合試合中苦戦しているというアクション）seem to に進行形のbe strugglingで表す。単純に感情を表す場合はseem 形容詞でOK。（例 He seemed happy.)
Slow progress ( 2/1)
08:20 |
Morning. Yesterday I was supposed to finish up summarizing the important contents in the share-trading book and I did some of it but I ate out for lunch with Gori and we watched the Australian Open men's final on TV in the evening so I didn't make (×a ) good progress on it. I am going to finish it off today!
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
progress は不加算名詞なのでaはつかない！
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
progress は不加算名詞なのでaはつかない！
I had my Mum's English lesson (1/30)
12:27 |
I had my Mum's English lesson this morning. We covered interrogative pronouns such as what, when, who, and how etc. I have been teaching her English for a while but I can definitely tell that her English is improving. She can't speak much yet but she understands what I am asking with less effort (×efforts) and she answers (×to) my questions with more confidence. I am going to teach her basic grammar to the level that junior high school students learn for 3 years. Then here comes the (×a) fun part. We are going to train speaking by listening and repeating useful English sentences, which will (×could) boost her English fluency!
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
effortの用法！記事のeffort は努力というエネルギーなしで質問に答えると言う意味なので不加算名詞扱いとなり複数形は×。でも努力をするとか励むと言う意味では努力する事（attempt）を何度も繰り返すということになるので加算名詞となる（例 You need to make an effort to pass the exam. His efforts to lose weight haven't been very successful.）
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
effortの用法！記事のeffort は努力というエネルギーなしで質問に答えると言う意味なので不加算名詞扱いとなり複数形は×。でも努力をするとか励むと言う意味では努力する事（attempt）を何度も繰り返すということになるので加算名詞となる（例 You need to make an effort to pass the exam. His efforts to lose weight haven't been very successful.）
I''ve finished reading the book!
14:41 |
I've finally finished reading the share-trading book ( Stan Weinstein's Secrets for Profiting in Bull and Bear Markets.)! It took me a looong time to finish it off but it's OK because it's worth way more than the time I spent on it. The book is very informative, educational and extremely useful. It has given me a real insight into share-trading and a lot of information and strategies in order to become a winner in the market. I am going to sum up the important rules he pointed out and apply them in my trading.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
Movie' Changeling' (1/29)
08:27 |
Morning. Last night Gori and I watched a movie called ' Changeling', which one of his co-workers strongly recommended (×us to watch) . It starred Angelina Jolie(×It was starred by Angelina Jolie )and was directed by Clint Eastwood. I am not going to tell you it's detailed story but it was a really good and compelling movie based on a true story of a single mother back in 1928. You may experience a lot of mixed feelings when you watch this movie, which could be a strong disgust and hatred, absolute fear and horror and a sense of justice as well as (×and) a little bit of relief. Angelina was very thin in this movie so I found her less attractive this time but she pulled off an (×a) outstanding performance.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
star：〔映画などが俳優を〕主役として使う、〔演劇や映画で〕主役を演じる ＊star in~で主役を演じる a starring role:主役
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
star：〔映画などが俳優を〕主役として使う、〔演劇や映画で〕主役を演じる ＊star in~で主役を演じる a starring role:主役
Yesterday's Skype session.(1/28)
07:40 |
Morning. I attended another Skype English session yesterday and I had a very good time! My head was much clearer and more active so I was very happy about it. We had a bit of a discussion, the (×whose) topic was ' Is it essential to learn grammar when you learn and master a language?' This is a profound question for language learners. I was the one who brought this up and I did that without any previous notice. So honestly I was a bit worried if I might have dragged the other members into trouble (^^;) But I could really use other language learners' opinions so I took the plunge. Anyway we had a lively discussion and I feel I have come to my conclusion about this topic.
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
whose の関係代名詞の非制限用法（そしてその人の～）は人のみに使える。
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
whose の関係代名詞の非制限用法（そしてその人の～）は人のみに使える。
I was a bit acting wild like a small kid (1/27)
09:55 |
Morning. Yesterday Gori and I went up to his mum and dad's house to have a swim in their swimming pool. I hadn't swum since when I was 14 so I was wondering if I still remembered how to swim. When I stepped into the swimming pool, a very funny feeling came over me and I don't know why but I couldn't stop laughing! I was a bit acting wild (×I was a bit going wild acting) like a small kid but that's what I needed! Having said that I got a bit carried away and soon after that my throat got pretty sore and felt a bit sick. But I had (×a)fun and I felt refreshed! As for swimming, Yes, I could swim!
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
fun は不加算名詞なのでaはつかない！
*This entry has been corrected by Gori.
fun は不加算名詞なのでaはつかない！
Australia day (1/26)
08:52 |
Morning. Yesterday Gori and I went to his mum and dad's house and played darts. It was fun! I beat him twice!( Gori gave me a big handicap though^^;) Today is a national holiday called Australia day. It's a national foundation day and seems like they designated this day as national foundation day based on the time when British immigrants ( most of them were prisoners) landed Australia back in 1788, which has not been taken very kindly by Aborigines, who have been inhabiting (×in) this continent since around fifty to sixty thousand years ago. Anyway, I wonder what I want to do today. Oh yes! I'd love to have a swim in the afternoon!
＊This entry has been corrected by Gori.
＊This entry has been corrected by Gori.
I wonder if I can talk him into it.(1/25)
13:07 |
Well, I really like my timetable (×time table) system but I have to admit that I am kind of getting into a rut. I have been using this system for about 2 weeks. It's working very well but I need to do something different, something away from studying, something fun and exciting!! I feel like playing ping-pong and darts at Gori's mum and dad's place or playing some card games for a change. Gori's teaching job restarted today so he might come back tired. I wonder if I can talk him into it.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
My allergy symptoms are worse these days.
17:20 |
My allergy symptoms are worse these days. Is that because of walking? I hope not. Maybe it's (×that's) happening due to the direction of the wind. Pollen (×Pollens) is (×are) coming inside through the screen door, I guess. I should keep closing the thick door but if I do that, my dogs might feel isolated and sad. By the way, Mick is watching me very intensely through the screen door now. He wants to play with his ball.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
pollen は不可算名詞!
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
pollen は不可算名詞!
I'm concerned about Mick's cuts
12:45 |
Mick has been quiet. Is that because of the heat or is he in pain(×he is in pain?) I am a little worried about him. I thought he had a cut on his thigh but actually there are two.. Gori has been away from home so I haven't been able to do anything for him...Since his cuts look pretty bad, we might need to take him to the vet... One of the cuts is (×are) pretty deep and the flesh (×fresh) is exposed so I think he might need some stitches..Anyway I have to wait until Gori comes back home and see what he thinks about it.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
one of them~のミスは痛い（＾＾；）flesh は『肉』、freshは『新鮮な』やし（＾＾；）気をつけましょう！
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
one of them~のミスは痛い（＾＾；）flesh は『肉』、freshは『新鮮な』やし（＾＾；）気をつけましょう！
Oh- my body is a bit stiff!
10:57 |
I walked for 5 km on the treadmill yesterday so my body is a bit stiff and sore. My head is fuzzy too. I'm tired, aren't I? Gori is coming back from Brisbane around lunch time. He went there last Friday to learn about gas-fitting from one of his mates, who is a plumber. Oh boy, I am getting hungry.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
My timetable system is working so well!(1/24)
08:24 |
Morning. I am pretty happy this morning because I studied English for more than 6 hours yesterday! This includes reading a share trading book and articles on technical analysis(×but they are both written in English). My timetable system is working really (×so) well! I'm glad that I've incorporated this into my life. My ordinary life has became more lively and much more rewarding (×one)!
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
Wish me luck! (1/23)
07:53 |
Morning. It was a bit difficult to sleep last night. I kept sneezing, my nose was running and what's more, our (×my) dogs were barking at the cows at 4 am! Come on, dogs! I hope these symptoms didn't come from walking on the treadmill yesterday. I restarted treadmilling two days ago. I did 3.5 km for 50 minutes yesterday. Recently I've noticed this dreadful reality...that is..my pants are getting tighter! Oh no, I'm in trouble! I have to put more energy into exercising!
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
* This entry has been corrected by Gori.
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