Dusty having fun!

I told you Dusty is smart, but he is also strange. He likes to roll around on the chair, putting his head through the arm, and go around and around :)

He'll keep doing this until I get tired of pushing the chair, and I give up.

Hey, look a spider!

.

Dusty: Hey, look a spider! Let's get it.

Kuro: No, look at ME!
             Take a picture of ME!

Special guest - Wednesday May 4th

On May 4th, Real English will have a special 90 minute class with a special guest from Uganda (which is in East Africa). Josephine will speak about herself, her country, her job, etc.

I hope to have this type of class sometimes. It is a great chance to meet people from different cultures and learn about their life.

Talking with a Guest Special Class                          

When:   May 4th, Wednesday（in Golden Week）

Where:  Lala Garden, Lala Club room

Time:     1:15 – 2:45pm

Cost:      500yen (pay on the day when you enter the room)

Guest:   Josephine from Uganda (East Africa)

She is an experienced social worker with who has worked in international organizations like The European Union and the United Nations. She is currently studying at the University of Tsukuba.

Guest’s Topics:

- home country, what it was like growing up there

- culture and language

- job - why did you decide that job, the kind of work you have done

- why you came to Japan and what you think about Japan

- what you hope to do in the future

- hobbies

- family

- pets

- etc

You can ask her any questions you want to, and maybe she will ask you about Japanese culture, etc. {But please don’t ask her very sensitive topics.}

You can come on the day, but if possible, please send me an email to tell me you are coming, or tell me directly. 

外国人のゲストを迎え、特別クラスを開きます   

日時:      5月4日（ゴールデンウィーク）水曜日

場所:      Lala Garden, Lala Club room

時間:      午後1:15 – 2:45

費用:      500円 (同じ日の部屋に入る際にお支払い下さい)

ゲスト: Josephine　（ウガンダ[東アフリカ]から）

EU、国連のような国際組織で働いたことのある、経験豊かなソーシャルワーカーです。現在は筑波大学で勉強しています。

トピックス:

- 母国について、どのように育ったのか

- 文化と言語

- 仕事、なぜその仕事を選んだのか

- なぜ日本に来たのか、日本のことをどう思うか

- 将来は何をしたいか

- 趣味、 家族、 ペット、 他

彼女に聞きたいことを何でも質問して下さい。彼女もあなたに日本の文化について尋ねるかもしれません。ただし、あまりデリケートな質問はしないで下さい。

できれば出席される方は、事前にメールで知らせるか、直接口頭で私に言ってください。

Dusty is too smart

What is the smartest animal you know? A monkey, dog, dolphin?

Well, maybe it is a cat - to be specific, Dusty!

He can open almost all the doors in my house. He started with the door of the cats' room ...

 Then he progressed to the bathroom door, and next the living room door. 

This weekend he learned to open the living room door INWARDS! That means first he opens the lock by pulling on the handle, and next he pulls the door toward him.

And after that he sleeps in the window in the sun.

ate vs. have eaten

What is the difference between these two sentences?

I ate lunch.
I have eaten lunch.

Please don't think about the grammar terms (names) for the sentences. Just think about TIME. For a lot of grammar patterns, WHEN is the important nuance. I think it is best to draw a picture. It is better not to think of grammar words or translations into Japanese because then you will just think about study and you might not get the FEELING of the communication.

Here is my picture for the two sentences:

Click on the picture to make it bigger.

So let's look at the questions again ...
First of all, let's think that usual lunchtime begins about 11am and ends about 2pm.
Now it is 4pm. Lunchtime is finished. It would be a little strange to eat lunch at 4pm. So our question is simple past:
"Did you eat lunch?" Answer: "Yes, I ate a sandwich." 

Much grammar is like this because often native speakers use the simplest and easiest way. I think it is the same in Japanese.

But in Question 2, lunchtime hasn't finished. It is 1:30pm so it is possible that you have already eaten and it is possible that you haven't eaten yet. We often use grammar to show this longer period of time.

So my nuance in this question is that I understand maybe you have already eaten, but because it is still lunchtime, maybe you haven't eaten yet. In Japanese you use words like "mo/mada".

There is no correct and incorrect. It is case by case depending on the situation and the time now and the usual time for doing something.


Did you eat lunch? (I think you already ate it and I am just checking.)

Have you eaten lunch? (Maybe you ate it, maybe you haven't eaten it yet.)

What will you eat for lunch? (I think you haven't eaten it and you haven't decided what to eat.)
What are you going to eat for lunch?  (I think you haven't eaten it and you have decided what to eat.)

Your answer can be different to the question:
What did you eat for lunch?   I haven't eaten lunch yet.
Have you eaten lunch?   Yes, I ate something at 11am.


If we are talking about experiences, the start time is the time when we were born:

Have you been to Hawaii? 
(From the time you were born, up to now, have you had the experience of going to Hawaii?)

But if that thing is not possible any longer because there is no future (it is not possible in the future), then time is cut so please use simple past:

Did you meet Princess Diana? 
(She passed away so you cannot use any nuance of future.)


Often there are two choices, and your choice shows the nuance:

I studied that book. (I finished it and I won't study it again.)
I have studied that book. (I recently studied it/I will study it again.)

Earthquakes DO happen in Australia

Recently many people have asked me if earthquakes happen in Australia, and my answer has been "Very rarely, and usually imperceptible* to humans." Sorry, maybe that is not true ....

Today a M5.2 hit north Queensland. But it was a rare event - here is what one expert said:

Geoscience Australia seismologist David Jepsen says today's earthquake was a rare event and the state's biggest in more than 70 years.

"There have been quite a few in the early 1900s and the last big one was a 5.5 in 1935 west of Fraser Island. And then there was one near Charters Towers in 1913, about 5.7. Queensland doesn't get too many of this magnitude type event," he said.

You can read the whole story on the ABC website:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/16/3193477.htm?section=justin

Unfortunately, just a few minutes after the Queensland quake, a M5.3 hit Christchurch in NZ again, but there have been no reports of damage.

The Earth really does seem angry lately, doesn't it?


* imperceptible = cannot perceive = do not feel/do not notice

Potato mochi

I tried making my own version of potato mochi. Hmm, they were delicious but they took too long (about 45 minutes in total).

First, I peeled, cut, and boiled potatoes.
Next, mash them with a little butter and milk.
Add potato starch.
Make 'pancakes' with the mixture.
Cook until golden on both sides.
Keep them warm in the toaster oven while you cook more.
Serve with sliced pork.

* For the second half of the cakes, I added fresh, chopped herbs.

Pepper Jack (I call it "Fire Cheese")

A few months ago I was reading a novel in which the character ate a sandwich that contained Pepper Jack cheese. I remembered I saw it at the import shop in Dayztown, so the next time I was near there I dropped by and bought some. Since then I've become addicted to it!

It is a simple kind of cheese but it contains small pieces of hot peppers - maybe jalapeño peppers and it is SPICY! It is great melted on toast or melted over cooked sasami chicken.

I forget how much it costs, but it is expensive so not something I will buy often. Hmm, I wonder if I could buy chilli peppers and put them on top of Japanese cheese? If possible I try not to buy imported food, so in future I'll experiment and tell you how it goes. But I'll have to wait until summer when red and green chilli peppers are in season :)

Mini hanami

I couldn't enjoy a real hanami this year but this is my very mini blossom viewing. I took the picture on the 4th of April, in my garden.

Please guess what kind of blossoms they are and tell me next time we meet :)

Sample email - friends

Here is a sample email you could send to your friends:

Dear Jane,


Thanks so much for your email and for worrying about me. My family and I are all fine.


Yes, we did have a big aftershock yesterday evening and some this morning, too, but everything is okay. 
Last week the children started kindy and school. They were really looking forward to seeing their friends again. They were at home yesterday when the aftershock hit. They were a bit scared but I think I worry more than they do!


Please don't worry about the radiation. Tsukuba is about 170km from the nuclear reactor. The BBC reported that the level of seriousness of the accident increased, but the situation hasn't changed in the past few days. Our daily life is basically normal. Yesterday the phone lines were busy for a while, but our electricity and water were not cut. 


I'm sending some pictures of the cherry blossoms in the park near our house. Having a picnic under the cherry trees is called "hanami". This year it was very quiet but we could enjoy the nice weather.


love,
Hanako

Sample email - business

Here is a sample email you could use to send to a research friend abroad who is worried about you.

Dear Dr. Brown,

Thank you for your email regarding the situation in Tsukuba.

The first earthquake in March did damage some of our equipment but our building is structurally okay. No one was injured at all. Mostly we just had a lot of cleaning up to do.

The aftershocks yesterday didn’t cause any further damage, and we expect work will continue as normal.

Thank you for your concern and I’m looking forward to seeing you at the ABC Symposium in May.

Best regards,

Taro Tanaka

And here are some sample phrases you can use:

Thank you for your email.

Thank you for your kind email.

Thank you for your recent email and I apologize for my late reply.

Everyone is fine. I’ve heard that there no-one was injured in Tsukuba, which is great news.

My laboratory suffered some slight damage, but the building is fine.

Some equipment was broken but we think it can be repaired.

Unfortunately, some equipment was broken and it will take some time to repair or replace it.

It was such a large quake that the utilities were cut for many hours. Unfortunately, our backup generators failed because they had no water to cool the motors and our refrigerators were down. We lost all our samples. I guess it will take several months to recover them.

Our project is still on track and we’ll be able to meet the deadline.

Our project will be delayed by several months.

I’m sorry, but the symposium has been postponed until further notice.

I’m very sorry to have to tell you that our project has been put on hold until further notice.

We’ve decided to move the project to our lab in the west of Japan for the next several months.

Could I ask for an extension on the deadline? I’ll be able to complete the work by May 25th, 2011.

Wednesday and Lala classes okay :)

See everyone tomorrow as usual.

Lala is okay from 1:05pm.

Until then,
A.K.

Tuesday 4/12 lessons cancelled

Lessons cancelled today 4/12

I'm sorry, many members feel upset today and some people must go to work.

Today's lessons are cancelled all day and all evening.

The classroom is fine and I am fine.

If you have any work you need checked, or any questions you need me to answer, please email me and I can work from home.

Take care.
Andrea

Today's earthquakes - lessons cancelled Monday night

Hello,
We are okay.
I was in the classroom. It was okay, but very scary. The nets work really well :)

Many members cannot come tonight, and the aftershocks keep happening, so lessons are cancelled.

a.

Birdwatching

The cats' apartment is in the window so they can watch the birds, people walking dogs, and this season - the farmers going to work in the fields near our house.

They are purely indoor cats, so they never, ever go outside. Birdwatching is one opportunity for them to feel like wild cats :)  Kuro is more 'wild' than Dusty and he will spend hours watching. Dusty watches for a short time and then goes to play somewhere else.

Sometimes I put bird seed on a tray in the garden and recently wood pigeons (kiji-bato) come every day. They are actually quite greedy and will eat most of the seed, starting with their favorite type.

One thing that is important is to get a balance when feeding wild birds. It's important that they don't become dependent on the food - they should still find most food for themselves.

If you are wondering why the birds come despite the fact that two cats are watching, please look at the next photo. I took it from outside, looking in, and as you can see, the glass reflects the trees. The pole you can see is the reflection of the rail where I hang towels or other heavy items. 

But I'm sure the birds feel "eyes" watching them :)

Something sad this season is the the pheasant hasn't returned to my area. He has come every spring for the past 5 years but not yet this year. I hope he is okay.

The cats' apartment

I promised some of you that I would take pictures of the cats' apartment, and here it is!

Recently in the day time I put it by the patio window in the kitchen that looks out onto the small Japanese garden. (Unfortunately that view is also the veranda where we hang our laundry this season, so please forgive the towels and clothes that you can see hanging in some pictures later.)

Dusty inside on the second floor, Kuro on top, Dusty attacking Kuro, pushing each other on top, and ...

Sitting nicely together. (A rare thing.)

Side view, front view, and an inside view with Makurokurosuke peeping out!

By the way, the apartment is for both cats. Therefore, I have to write the cats' apartment. The apostrophe ' is after the S. 

The cats' apartment. = belongs to both cats

The cat's apartment. = belongs to only one cat

Of course in speaking, we don't know where the apostrophe is so you must explain. 

It's the cats' apartment for both cats.

These are my sisters' books, they belong to both sisters, not just one.

and/or/both??? や。。。と

Someone asked me a tough question about the translation of the Japanese 'ya' and 'to'  :(   I think many times it is difficult to translate them easily with simple grammar.

Here are some examples that I will write in English and then put the translations at the bottom.

1. I like Dusty and Kuro. = both

2. You can buy bagels and small cakes at Tsukuba Bagel. = both

3. I can play tennis and badminton. = both (but not at the same time!)

4. Let's eat spaghetti and salad for dinner. = both

5. I went to Ueno, Ginza and Shibuya. = all 3 places, only these places

6. Please catch Dusty and Kuro. = both

7. Please catch Dusty or Kuro. = 1 of them, either is ok

8. Please catch either Dusty or Kuro. = 1 of them, either is okay, nuance is there are also other cats here

9. I will buy bagels or sandwiches for lunch. = only 1, either is ok

10. Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner? = only 1, either is ok

11. I want spaghetti and pizza. = both

12. I want both spaghetti and pizza. = both (stronger feeling)

13. Sorry, you can have either spaghetti or pizza. = only 1, (stronger feeling)

14. I went to Ueno, Ginaza, Shibuya, etc. = 3 places plus other places

1. I like Dusty and Kuro. = both

ダスティとクロが好きです。

2. You can buy bagels and small cakes at Tsukuba Bagel. = both

つくばベーグルでは、ベーグルと小さなケーキが買えます。

3. I can play tennis and badminton. = both (but not at the same time!)

私はテニスとバトミントンができます。

私はテニスやバトミントンができます。

4. Let's eat spaghetti and salad for dinner. = both

夕食にはスパゲッティとサラダを食べましょう。

5. I went to Ueno, Ginza and Shibuya. = all 3 places, only these places

上野と銀座と渋谷に行きました。

6. Please catch Dusty and Kuro. = both

ダスティとクロを捕まえてください。

7. Please catch Dusty or Kuro. = 1 of them, either is ok

ダスティかクロを捕まえてください。

8. Please catch either Dusty or Kuro. = 1 of them, either is okay, nuance is there are also other cats here

ダスティかクロを捕まえてください。

9. I will buy bagels or sandwiches for lunch. = only 1, either is ok

昼食にはベーグルかサンドイッチを買います。

10. Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner? = only 1, either is ok

夕食はスパゲッティもしくはピザどちらにしますか。

11. I want spaghetti and pizza. = both

スパゲッティとピザが食べたい。

12. I want both spaghetti and pizza. = both (stronger feeling)

スパゲッティとピザの両方が食べたい。

13. Sorry, you can have either spaghetti or pizza. = only 1, (stronger feeling)

すみませんが、スパゲッティかピザどちらか食べれます。

14. I went to Ueno, Ginaza, Shibuya, etc. = 3 places plus other places

上野と銀座と渋谷に行きました。

15. Do you use refill packs for your household cleaners and toiletries?

家庭用洗剤と洗面用洗剤の詰め替えパックを使いますか?

家庭用洗剤や洗面用洗剤の詰め替えパックを使いますか?

In Japanese "to" is clearly a limit of ONLY those things. "ya" means those things plus other things. So "ya" is the same as "etcetera" in English :)  Sometimes we use etc or another word if we really want to show there are more choices, but most of the time it is not necessary.

3. I can play tennis and badminton. = 

私はテニスとバトミントンができます。

私はテニスやバトミントンができます。

Maybe I can play other sports, too, but I am focusing on tennis and badminton. If other sports are important, I can say:

I can play tennis, badminton, etc.

I can play tennis, badminton and some other sports.

Would you like tea and coffee? = both (this is strange English)

Would you like tea or coffee? = only 1

Would you like tea, coffee or something else to drink? = tea is ok, coffee is ok, a different thing is ok

"ya" is really difficult :(   I don't like it in Japanese so I never use it. I only use "to", "ka", "nado", "nanika"
You should read this Japanese page and study kokugo :)  Then you will agree with me that English is MUCH easier!

http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/thsrs/17181/m0u/%E3%82%84/

Introducing .... Baby Boar and Baby Black Pig

Let me introduce Inoshishi-chan and Kurobuta-chan, who are from Miyako Island and came to live at our house last autumn.

Inoshishi-chan is supposed to be for Dusty to play with, and Kurobuta-chan is for Kuro. But Dusty isn't interested in playing, so Kuro plays with both.

He carries them around in his mouth and puts them here and there. In this photo, they are together, where he left them after playing. If you look closely, you can see their noses have become really pointed. He likes to pull on their noses so now their original cute flat pig noses have changed to look like mice :)

Sometimes I will find one or the other on my bed where Kuro left it after playing.

Sakura season, again.

It is almost the start of the cherry blossom season in Tsukuba, but almost the END of the sakura flavored sweets season. (Soon it will change to Boys' Day sweets, such as Kashiwa-mochi).

Here are some sakura things that I enjoyed in early March:

Tea from Lupicia. Black/green/hoji tea with sakura, a sample pack of 2 of each kind. The hoji tea was not so nice, so I don't recommend it.

 'Roll your own' sakura mochi!!! Cherry leaves, red beans and regular rice :)  It might be really, really strange, but it tastes great! You should try it.

Hagendaaz vanilla ice-cream mixed with chopped cherry leaf. Why don't they make sakura ice-cream?

Lunch in Tokyo

Yesterday I had lunch in Tokyo. It was something that had been planned for many months and that I had been looking forward to.

I used to live in Tokyo and I'm familiar with the old downtown districts in Arakawa and Taito Wards. But in these past few years I only go to the metropolis a few times a year. Of course there are many things to do in Tokyo but sometimes too many things and I can never decide which one to choose :) Tsukuba is becoming more and more convenient for shopping so it has been a long time since I needed to go to Tokyo for something I couldn't get here or on the Internet.

I really like the Hibiya Line subway, followed by the Ginza Line. Especially the Hibiya Line stations are in parts of historical Tokyo where you can find things that haven't changed much in decades. Some shops date back to the Edo Period. Yesterday I could use both lines to get to Akasaka-mitsuke -- very modern Tokyo :) And so quiet on a weekend because it is almost all office buildings.

Except for many escalators that were cordoned off and not working (to save electricity) the city was exactly the same as always. For most Tokyoites, life is perfectly normal :)


date back to the Edo Period = are from the Edo Period = were built in the Edo Period


And so quiet = And therefore quiet


Tokyoites = people who live in Tokyo  {---ites, ---ers}