There's a way.

Since I started to keep a diary in English here, I've been interested in writing proper English. In fact, I've never really learned how to do so. My English is probably awful for someone of my age. I went to a library yesterday and borrowed some books for writing an essay in English.
I found one of them particularly interesting. The author says in this book that there is a style of English used by Japanese people that sounds unnatural to native speakers. Let me give you an example.

・Students need to make an effort to learn.

Of course, this sentense is grammatically correct. However, he says that many native speakers would say like this;

・Students need to try to learn.

They say Japanese people tend to use exaggerated phrases and words in their writings. This might be because we've been studying English for passing exams. We like to use new words in order to better memorize them, and I'm sure you can relate to that.

The author shows us some other examples of 「日本人英語」 in his book.

1)　I want to become a teacher.
2)　He was not able to go out.
3)　I hope she will win.
4)　It is difficult for me to get up early.
5)　Our plan is to help people.

Oh no. I may use all of them in my writing. XO
Do you really think they are typical of Japanese-English?

I've already read the last volume of Harry Potter in English one year ago. It was an extraordinary story like the previous works. Today, I purchased this published in Japanese for my daughter.
I have a blog about Harry Potter, and I'm looking forward to confirming whether my translations and explications are correct or not.

Harry Potter で English Time
http://49286315.at.webry.info/

そうめん流し ... Soumen-nagashi


We went for a drive and had 「そうめん流し」 for lunch last weekend. Let me try to explain what it is like in English.
1)　We use a halved bamboo tube to have 「そうめん流し」.
2)　「そうめん」 is a kind of Japanese noodle.
3)　We scoop up the 「そうめん」, which float by in the water running though the open bamboo tube, with chopsticks.

Oh, no. What a poor explanation that was! Maybe I need your help and imagination to make this better... 「そうめん流し」 is one of many Japanese summer traditions. I'm sure you'd love it. When you have an opportunity, why don't you try it?

One of my favorite books is "Anne of Green Gables." When I was 27 years old, I visited Prince Edward Island by myself despite my limited English abilities. I wasn't able to read the original at that time, but now I'm trying to read "Anne of Green Gables" in English to improve my reading skills.

"This is a fine kettle of fish."

This phrase is said by Marilla, one of the characters in "Anne of Green Gables." It means that "This is a piece of business." or "How tiresome!" or "What a mess!" However, don't you think it's a bit funny that there are two words "kettle" and "fish" getting together here? Why fish? Why kettle? No matter what kind of language is, our expressions can be beyond our imagination sometimes.

I enjoyed reading English newspapers on last Saturday morning. I used to subscribe to them for my study, but I stopped it in order to save some money. So, I read old papers.

Around 10 years ago, I couldn't read any article in English at all. Well, I was able to read some of them to a certain extent because I studied English as a subject for 6 years at school. However, I didn't "read" English at that time. I was looking at each letter without any grasp.

Although I'm not perfect yet, my reading skills seem to be getting better!

「人のふり見て、我がふり直せ」
"Hito no furi mite, waga furi naose"


This is my father's favorite saying and it means, "You should learn from other's attitudes irrespective of rights or wrongs."

1) 人 ... others
2) ふり ... attitude or behaviour
3) 我（わ）がふり ... my attitude or my behaviour
4) 直（なお）せ ... to change or to think it over

When you feel much annoyed with someone's act, all you need to do is just to avoid to be alike. Although we perfectly understand "Easier said than done," I believe the true meaning of my father's pet phrase lies in aiming for.

With my daughter's request, I usually serve a bowl of rice and miso soup for breakfast to my children. This morning, however, I didn't cook Japanese style breakfast. We had spaghetti for a change.

Ingredients
・pork
・mushrooms
・tomatoes
・dairy cream
・salt and pepper

I'm not much of a cook, but it took only 20 minutes to make. On top of that, it was quite tasty and kids thoroughly enjoyed it.

[VOON] How do you do?

My children, especially my 7-year-old son, crave for snacks after school. I'm a stay-at-home mother. I admit that I have plenty of time to cook sweets for them, but I haven't done it. I'd rather spend time just for myself (studying English, of course) as much as possible.

Dango always helps a selfish mother like me. It takes only 10 minutes to make, and you can vary its taste with Kinako or Anko. Have you ever had Kinako-dango? I'm sure you'd say, "Yummy!"

If you're interested in making dango. I'm sure this recipe site would be help for you.

I have been a would-be vegetarian since last week. I used to have meat for dinner every night, but I haven't had any beef or pork for my dish recently. I can't be a perfectionist for being a vegetarian, though. I cook for my family and I have to taste everything that I make. On top of that, my husband likes meat dishes very much. That's why I call myself "a would-be vegetarian."

Actually, I didn't have any interest in being a vegetarian. There are lots of foods around us, and I didn't understand why we had to limit ourselves to vegetables for the sake of our health. However, I've found that being a vegetarian could be a cure for my headaches. Without meats, I feel better!

I'm going to keep my new eating habit for my health.