My heart was clamoring for the review section at the Linguist after I went through Sumiko’s word list and Steve’s podcast with Jill.
I did the a review test for the first time! It was fun! Actually, “clamor for” was in the list. Unfortunately though, the server was went down when as I was assiduously checking my words. Therefore, I decided to update my diary after I chatted with Yukiko to make sure if it was my PC or their server. (Thanks, Yukiko!)
SoNow, here I am! Let me share with you one of my interesting discussion from the other night.
I came home from work at around 9 p.m. from my work on Thursday. I was about to eat dinner when I noticed that my Skype was ringing. So I put down the small plate with a piece of mouth-watering meatloaf that my friend had cooked. I knew I had booked the a discussion but cancelled it immediately a few weeks ago. I actually checked my speaking schedule on the previous night. I was sure that the call was a mistake. However, when I saw that Satomi was on, I immediately answered to join the discussion! There were three speaking credits left, so I thought I would report this discussion to The Linguist later. Then, a strange thing happened. The tutor, whose icon was still there on the Skype, seemed to be disconnected. First, we were kind of at a loss. However, we decided to introduce ourselves at least, before we logged off. Satomi was so friendly that we started our conversation very smoothly. Then I noticed another friend, Marianne, was also the a member! See, I did not remember her Skype name, so I almost jumped with joy when I found out that she was on. The other member, Toshi, who speaks English with a beautiful American accent, started wondering why the three girls (?) sounded so familiar with each other! So we told him about the VOX where we communicate with a lot of The Linguist members.
It was another convivial moment and worth giving up the meatloaf!
I have experienced something for the first time in my life...Yes, podcasting!
You know, Shashi has been posting his audio files (podcast) on his blog. He asked me if I wanted to join his podcasting on Saturday by Skype and he called me back on Monday night!
Gosh! WE ARE living in a modern world, he has already podcasted our conversation as:
Episode#14 - Hitomi: An enthusiatic Linguist member from Japan
He commented about me so nice (actually too nice)! I am flattered! I am simple person, so his words made me feel I have to study harder.
I have no time to peek through my blog or any other Vox blogs, not to mention The Linguist web during the day... these days. Time management is my big task. I finally feel that I am a decent person in a real society, though.
I will keep on enjoying my friends' Vox blogs even for a short time because they give me lots of courage to carry on my days, and I will visit The Linguist web for at least 30 min to review my file and update my record. I listen to the downloaded content on train daily for about 30 min. That makes one hour of my English study as total... As for a convivial person like me, it is important to continue to learn English no matter how long.
By the way, Shashi sounded very intelligent, just as I imagined. He is from the country of Mahatma Gandhi whom I respect very much!
Let me thank Shashi for giving me such great opportunity and I do hope to get chances talk to many other Linguist members!
Today's THY
We had a new member, Mai, joined our group! She is Japanese. Her English was IS very good. I am always surprised to meet Japanese members who speak beautiful English. I hope she enjoyed the discussion also and comes back again! I enjoy talking to my group so much and I get too convivial.....even without alcohol....! I hope I didn't scare her!
A little bit about my new boss: (I need some time to be Carrie Bradshaw yet)
She must be a tough and smart lady to work at her current position. Certainly, working in a Japanese society is not easy for her. However, she never stops smiling at our colleagues. When she sees somebody sitting there who looks unhappy, or someone who people never care to look wat when they pass by , she calls their names and says, "Hi, Mr. Suzuki, how are you?" while wearing her beautiful smile! Those people look puzzled at first. However, by the time they see her again, they look up and call her name and greet her nicely.
There is a New Yorker at work who is kind of isolated because of his character (he does no work but talks too much). He came up to her and said, "I am glad that I have you here. We have non-Japanese committees." She smiled even at him, but said, "You know, you can't survive by yourself living in Japan. You need Japanese people to help you! Actually, it is not the nationality that matters, but your appreciation of other people, which eventually helps yourself!" He turned very red with embarrasement and looked miserable. When I saw him later on, he was talking to his Japanese colleagues and he was doing what he was supposed to do at work, and doing it happily.
My new boss knows how to treat people! She says, "if you want other people to change for you, you change yourself first. Then, naturaly, you can influence other people to change."
I am lucky to be her personal assistant. .....to be continued.....
腰元Cappuccino in matsuken samba kimono
