There's a way.

As I couldn't stand my pain in my shoulders and neck any longer, I went to see a doctor to have acupuncture this afternoon. I was a bit nervous because I had never experienced it. To tell the truth, I had been a bit skeptical about its effect on us until I made up my mind to try. Well, we have no choice when we suffer from something bad, don't we? As they say, "Seeing is believing." Now I feel very relaxed after having acupuncture.
I had an image of a remedy using needles as a kind of torture, but I found that's not true. As you can see in the picture, the needles they use are so teeny-weeny that we easily forget to have ones on our arms.

Somehow, I have been suffering stiff shoulders for 2 weeks. At first, I thought I caught a cold. I had a slight fever, and I felt drowsy all day even when I was watching my favorite films.

This morning, my husband asked me, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, why?"
"Well, I woke up in the middle of the night last night because of your pretty big snoring."
"Oh, my...."

I rarely snore when I was sleeping. When I snore, I'm always under the weather. Does it have to do with this terrible stiff shoulders? I'm writing this diary, bearing my pain in my back...

I felt very tired last night, so I went to bed earier than usual. Although it was 8 pm, I fell asleep at once. When I woke up this morning, my family had already got up. To my surprise, I kept sleeping for 13 hours!

エネミー・オブ・アメリカ (1999/12/22) ウィル・スミスジーン・ハックマン 商品詳細を見る

Somehow, I've never seen this film before. I'm going to rent the DVD this weekend, and I'll try to catch lines in the film for improving my listening comprehension. XD

I went to see a film with one of my friends today. The movie was "Eagle Eye," which was produced by Steven Spielberg. I tried to write down every line I managed to understand, but I'm not sure whether they are correct or not. Would you please tell me if you find some mistakes?


What do you suggest we do?

Which is your recommendation?

You'll never have choice.

How do you know?

You should skip a blockbuster thing.

Here we go.

That's the way it goes.

I thought you might be sleeping.

So, where are you this time?

You do whatever you want.

I'll have to take you.

How did you get this number?

This is obviously a mistake, right?

When did you see him last time?

You think I'm a terrorist?

I don't care where you worked for.

This is insane.

This isn't funny.

Your phone has been monitored.

Can you walk and talk at the same time?

You don't have choice.

You need to call me as soon as you get this message.

What did you say your name was?

Maybe I'll have this clear.

Let's get going.

You've received the package?

You've got to stop him.

What's this about?

Nice spree.

I'm not kidding, either.

You can't just leave.

You're four minutes behind the schedule.

Don't even think about it.

We're not hiding.

Welcome to Eagle Eye.

We know who you are.

You're different from him every way.

I'm sorry what I said.

What does he look like?

Please tell me where I'm going.

Something wrong?

We can help each other.

I'll take you to your seat.

We can handle it.

Thank you for remembering.

I'm glad you're here.


Thank you for reading all of them. XD

Conservationists are estimating that one in four species of mammals is threatened with extinction, and that the population of one in two is declining...　　　　　　　 The Japan Times ST

When I was a child, I didn't think of our extinction. It was in a story; however, the story has obviously been changing. How long have we discussed the global warming? How many people have warned us not to waste our resources? With many cautions, have we been doing well? Or, not? I don't mean to be an ecology fleak, but I'm terribly worried about how many of our children could survive under these circumstances...

"alan", who comes from Tibet, is one of the promising singers. She sings this song in two languages: Chinese and Japanese. Her Japanese is amazingly clear, but I can tell she is not Japanese from her accent here and there. Well, it doesn't bother me a bit. Just keep listening to her. She has a miraculous voice like Mariah Carey does. She sounds like a bird, I think.

I set up an English workshop for mothers in Fukuoka around four years ago. Now there are more than 8 members in it, and we have been learning together with a native English teacher.
When we had a workshop yesterday as usual, a lady showed up and asked me whether she could join us.
"Sure thing!" I said.
I was amazed by her. She spoke English fluently and gently; she had a large vocabulary. What's more, it turned out that she could speak Chinese as well! I've never seen anyone who had a command of two foreign languages. As you know, I've just started to study Chinese. Sometimes, destiny works in a wonderful way.

When I was 14, I loved the film titled "Satomi-Hakkenden." Around that time, I was a fan of Hiroko Yakushimaru, who played the leading part in the film. The story was based on "Nansou Satomi-Hakkenden" written by Bakin Takizawa in the Edo period. In the story, there were eight samurai who fought againt evil to allow the family of Satomi to regain its power.
Other than Hiroko Yakushimaru, we can see another wonderful young Japanese actor in this film. His name is Hiroyuki Sanada, who played in "The Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. He was a talented action star in Japan, and today he is one of the hottest actors who has been active internationally,
Oh, by the way, do you understand the Japanese lines in this trailer? Let me show you.

Sizu : Shinbei.

Shinbei : Nandai?
(What?)

Sizu : Naze watashi wo turete nigeta?
(Why did you escape with me?)

As for the last line, I'd say we have other ways to translate. For example, we'd say "Why didn't you adandon me?" or "Why did you help me out?" or "What made you decide to take me?" Translations allow us to have some options, and I think these options make us confused. To make a wonderful translation, we need to have the sense, don't you think?

Actually, I didn't have interests in Chinese films until I realized my enthusiasm for their language, Chinese. I fall in love with Chinese now. It sounds like music to my ears. I always need films when I learn foreign languages. I can speak English a little, because I've learned a lot of expressions from Hollywood movies. Learning is more fun with films, don't you think? That's why I went to a video shop yesterday and rented one. The film "Promise" was produced by a Chinese director, Chen Kaige. He picked some foreign actors in his film: Jang Dong-Gun from Korea and Hiroyuki Sanada from Japan. I was moved by its fantastic creativity. I was also amazed to hear Hiroyuki Sanada speaking Chinese. I thought he could speak only English outside Japan. How has he learned? How does his Chinese sound to native speakers? Hiroyuki Sanada, he was quite wonderful.

When I was younger, I didn't gain weight no matter how much I ate. Needless to say, it's good old days. Things have changed and I've needed to keep my eye on my weight since I had my children. I have to be careful what to eat and I'm on a diat right now, but I can't keep away "tempura" from our dinner: it is very delicious. I had some pieces of salmon, cheese, and Japanese basil yesterday. I used all of them and made tempura. How does it look?

超右脳つぶやき中国語トレーニング (2004/12) 陳 安怡田 莉 商品詳細を見る

I've just started to study Chinese. Actually, I was interested in Chinese before falling love with English. I was a huge fan of Jackie Chan and I liked Chinese history. Having said that, I perfectly understand that Chinese is one of difficult languages to master in terms of pronunciation. I'm not sure how long it will take, but I'll try. I do want to communicate with people in Chinese one day.

I went to see a film titled "Nights in Rodanthe." The story was a bit boring, but I was fascinated by Diane Lane. It was over 20 years ago when I first saw her on screen. Diane was called a "cool beauty" around that time, and she was always the center of the Hollywood movies.
She looks older now of course, but I prefer the current "Diane Lane." She has not only beauty but also warm smiles. Diane is still forty-something, but I suppose she is one who can age gracefully.
I wish I could be like her...

I've been wanting to see the film titled "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." This was supposed to come out this year at first, but somehow we need to wait for it until next summer. Having a PC has paid off. We can enjoy its trailer!

Dumbledore : I wish you to look at the memories. In this case, potenting one wanted to visual. This is perhaps the most important memories commit to. I'd like you to see it.

Woman : You'll know who he is. Tom's been here. He's never wanted to have a visitor.

Tom : You're a doctor, aren't you?

Dumbledore : No.

Tom : Who are you?

Dumbledore : Like what I said you, Tom. I'm different.

Tom : Prove it. I can make things (　　　　　) without touching. I can make bad things happen to be (　　　　　). I can speak to snakes, too. They find me. Wisper things.

Harry : Did you know, sir? Then...

Dumbledore : Did I know what he'd be the most dangerous dark wizard at all time? No.

I'd like to understand what they are saying, and I tried writing down their lines word for word. Sad to say, it was beyond my listening skill. I can't get some words here and there. On top of that, some phrases I wrote don't make any sense at all!
Would you please help me out?


My friend, Michael, kindly helped me understand the whole dialogue in the trailer. If you are interested in, please check his comment! I'm very embarrassed to show you my poor listening comprehension, but I'll leave it as it is. That's because I believe this post will lift me up to keep studying English.
Thank you, Michael. I owe you one(again?). You are splendid!