American English Conversations Elementary Intermediate and Advance Level
hometowns
Beth hey Beth how’s it going Ali hi I’m
fine how are you fine thanks Beth this
is Lee Lee this is my friend Beth nice
to meet you
nice to meet you are you from around
here
no I’m from Seoul Korea really that’s
interesting
Seoul’s the capital of Korea isn’t it
yes that’s right how about you what’s
your hometown I’m from San Anselmo
California San Anselmo is that a big
city
no it’s a small town in Northern
California there are about 20,000 people
there what’s the population of Seoul
it’s a really big city there are over 10
million people in Seoul wow that’s a lot
of people yes it is but there’s good
public transportation so it isn’t bad
how about the nightlife are there any
good clubs or discos are you kidding
there are hundreds Seoul has fantastic
nightlife
oh I have to run the library closes in
10 minutes
see you guys later bye Beth take care
Beth you too bye
shopping
hi Beth come on in hi Alicia how are you
doing pretty good
Alicia this is my friend Ali he’s from
Silver Spring Maryland hi Ali
it’s nice to meet you nice to meet you
too well please come in and have a seat
Thanks can I get you something
coffee soda oh no thanks no thank you
I’m fine
so Alicia we’re going to go shopping do
you want to come gee I don’t know
I shop mostly online these days really
why is that because it saves time and
gas all right what do you mean well you
don’t have to drive your car right and
you don’t have to look for parking the
mall is so crowded these days
yeah but online you can’t see things
very well and you can’t touch them and
with clothes you can’t try them on I
like to browse when I go shopping me too
and it’s such a nice day why do you want
to sit in front of a computer screen
yeah I see what you mean but I don’t
have much money no problem
you can come with us and save money how
we aren’t going to take any money or
credit cards with us and we aren’t going
to spend any money we’re just going to
look around that’s right
we’re going window shopping great idea
then I am going
bein in touch
li are you okay what’s the matter
yeah Li why are you so sad I’m reading
an email from my mom in Korea is she all
right
yes she’s fine but I miss her and I miss
my other family and friends in Korea
I guess I’m homesick yeah I sometimes
get homesick for my family me too
I really want to see my family and
friends in California soon how often do
you hear from your family Li besides
email I get two or three letters a month
how about you I usually call home I
usually stay in touch just by phone
because it’s easy well I really want to
talk to my family email just isn’t the
same but it’s expensive to call Korea Oh
call them lis just talk for three
minutes yeah
that’s not very expensive in fact you
can use my phone card good idea call now
before we go to the movies there’s a pay
phone over there you’re right I really
need to talk to them but wait for me
okay great
calling a hospital
welcome to Faber Hospital and Clinics if
this is an emergency please hang up and
call 9-1-1 please listen carefully as
our menu options have changed for the
24-hour pharmacy please press one for
family medicine press 2 for the health
clinic press 3 to speak to the operator
please press zero or just stay on the
line hmm I need the clinic I’ll press 3
health clinic can I help you
yes I think I have the flu I feel awful
would you like to make an appointment
yes I’d like to see a doctor all right
could you come in tomorrow afternoon at
1 o’clock yes I can come then Oh should
I bring any money no just your ID and
insurance card okay now could I have
your name and insurance number yes my
family name is halal H al al my first
name is Ali a li and my insurance number
is zero zero zero four eight one six two
four okay you’re all set don’t forget to
bring your health insurance card when
you come in tomorrow okay all right
we’ll see you tomorrow at 1:00 yes thank
you thank you very much bye-bye
going out
okay great I’ll see you tomorrow at 7
o’clock right bye
hmm who was that yeah someone special
that was Michelle a really nice guy in
my computer science class he asked me
out
I accepted so so one phone call and now
you have a boyfriend
oh come on Alicia he’s not my boyfriend
yet
well it sounds nice I need my parent’s
permission to go out on a date with a
boy yeah one of my friends here at the
college is from India and he says in his
country parents used to arrange all
dates and marriages too and sometimes
they still do wow that’s interesting hmm
you said your friend is from India
that’s right and your friend is a guy
right yes his name is Varun well a
girlfriend of mine in my math class is
from India too
her name is par veena do you think Varun
would like to meet her you mean on a
date sure why not
that’s a great idea Alicia I don’t know
maybe they need their parents permission
oh come on me okay okay I don’t know why
you want to be a matchmaker but all
aspirin great and I’ll call Parveen up
sleep-deprived
Ali what’s the matter you look so sleepy
yeah can’t you wake up this morning no I
can’t I can hardly keep my eyes open I
was up late last night my friend had a
party I only got about four hours of
sleep why didn’t you sleep in this
morning I have to meet my study group at
the library we have a big test next week
a big test
why didn’t you study last night instead
of going to the party oh it’s okay I
studied a lot before the party maybe
that’s not a good idea why not I read a
research study it said that if you don’t
get enough sleep after you study you may
forget 30 percent of what you studied
especially if you studied something that
is very complex 30% that’s almost 1/3
yes that’s a lot
are you sure Alicia yes even two days
after you study if you don’t get enough
sleep
you forget a lot it’s called being
sleep-deprived well I read that eating
right can help you study you mean what
you eat helps you study yes there are
chemicals that help you stay alert
I think the best foods are fish eggs soy
rice and peanuts so you should get
enough sleep and eat the right foods
that sounds like good advice I’ll see
you two later where are you going Ollie
home to take a nap
looking for a summer job
thanks for coming with me to the
placement center Ollie don’t mention it
it’s nice to have your company besides I
need to find a summer job - what kind of
job are you looking for Ollie I’m hoping
to find one in my major public health
I’m sure you can do you have any
experience in public health yes I do I
worked part time in a lab in Maryland
last summer that’s great I want to find
a job writing for a local newspaper I’d
like to be a reporter your majors
journalism isn’t it uh-huh I had a great
job last summer when I was in Mexico
City really what did you do I worked
part time for Excelsior
it’s the biggest newspaper in Mexico
what did you do there I wrote local news
stories you know news about Mexico City
but someday I want to write
international news stories then I can
travel around the world and find out
what people are like in other places
that sounds wonderful
I’m sure you can do it are there any
jobs in public health on the bulletin
board no I don’t see anything
interesting you should try looking on
the web there are some great job sites
that’s how I found the job in Mexico
City that’s a good idea do I search for
Public Health
try jobs in public health or the names
of specific jobs I search for newspaper
reporter I’ll go to the computer lab
right now and try that see you later
at a food court
Wow look at all these different places
to eat you said it
there are so many choices American fast
food Chinese Italian vegetarian I can’t
decide what to eat what are you going to
have Dan I’m hungry I’m going to the
fast food place I want a double
cheeseburger and a large order of fries
oh how many cheeseburgers do you eat
every week you had a couple at the
picnic yesterday didn’t you yeah so what
I like cheeseburgers
I think that’s worried about you why I’m
healthy
but cheeseburgers have a lot of fat and
a lot of calories okay okay
what are you going to have I’m going to
have some tofu and rice at that Chinese
place oh I forgot you’re a vegetarian
right right hmm I think I’m going to
have a salad are you on a diet
no diet I just like to eat healthy food
what are you going to have to drink a
large Cola a large Cola but there’s lots
of sugar and soda Dan’s right and sugars
bad for your teeth
alright I’ll have a diet cola there’s no
sugar in that great and I’ll have a
salad too
arriving in San Francisco
look guys up ahead they’re San Francisco
we’re almost there
look at that skyline what’s that tall
triangular building it looks like a
tower that’s the Transamerica building
it’s one of San Francisco’s landmarks
it’s almost as famous now as the Golden
Gate Bridge the cable cars Chinatown
well I can’t wait to go to all those
places and Alcatraz - you said it
Alcatraz used to be the prison where the
most dangerous criminals in the United
States were put now it’s a really
interesting former prison and great
place to tour let’s try to go there
tomorrow then we can also do something
else tomorrow dan what’s wrong with the
car yeah why are we going slower oh no I
think we have a flat tire we have a
spare tire don’t we yes I think so I’ll
pull over there it is it is a flat tire
now who can help me change it I can I
can’t believe we have a flat tire
and just before we got to San Francisco
Oh it’ll take us just a few minutes to
change it then we can start to explore
the city
day
come in hi Alicia how’s it going hi Lee
I’m fine but busy what are you doing I’m
making a sign for Earth Day
Earth Day what’s that on Earth Day
people think about pollution and other
problems with the environment
really when is Earth Day next Monday and
is it every year yes it is the first
Earth Day was in 1970 and it now happens
every year on April 22nd on that day
people talk and learn about problems
with the environment like how well one
year thousands of people came to
Washington DC to support clean energy in
Italy 150 towns and cities had car less
weekends when nobody could drive you
mean Earth Day happens all over the
world yes it sure does Earth Day happens
in many countries and what’s going on
here at the college there’s a lot
happening at the college at the student
union
there will be exhibits on pollution
students will also plant some trees
around the college campus so what are
you planning to do on Earth Day I’m
planning to give a speech about
pollution also I’m going to carry this
sign what does it say save the earth
that’s great Alicia can I go with you
and help I want to help the environment
too Shirley would you like to carry a
sign too yes I sure would
meeting new friends
hi how are you doing hi
you’re Jack right yeah and sorry you’re
Peter Peter Reilly oh yeah we met on
campus last week Peter this is my friend
Ming Lee she’s just moved into the
building
hi Ming Lee nice to meet you
you can just call me Ming Lee’s my last
name
Oh mang that sounds Chinese oh so you’re
from from San Francisco my parents came
over from Hong Kong before I was born
oh that’s cool actually I was thinking
of taking Chinese this term maybe you
could help me
well my Chinese really isn’t very good
listen Peter we’re really hungry did you
want to get something to eat with us
sorry I can’t I have to go meet my new
roommate
oh okay well stop by sometime I’m up in
212 hey I’m on the same floor I’m in 220
no kidding
well nice meeting you Ming I’m sure I’ll
see you guys soon
see you later
you
vacation plans
Wow look it’s raining cats and dogs
again I hate this weather wind is winter
break start winter break it’s only
October I know but I’m sick of studying
I want to go someplace warm and lie on
the beach for a week someplace where
it’s sunny and dry Florida or Hawaii
maybe yeah where we can go swimming and
snorkeling and get a great tan now
that’s my idea of a perfect vacation not
mine I can’t swim very well and I don’t
like lying in the Sun oh yeah how come I
don’t know I just prefer the mountains
especially in winter I love snowboarding
in fact I’m planning to go to Bear
Mountain with some friends in December
do you guys want to come no thanks I
went there last year I was freezing the
whole time anyway I don’t know how to
ski very well last year I fell about a
hundred times
Peter how about you sorry I’m like Jack
I don’t want to go anyplace where it’s
below 70 degrees by the way what’s the
weather forecast for tomorrow the same
as today cloudy cold and a 90% chance of
rain oh no I left my umbrella at the
library you can borrow mine I’ve got an
extra one
shopping for food
well I got a few groceries that aren’t
on the list I can see that we’re not
shopping for an army you know I always
do this when I’m hungry well let’s see
what you have here some nice fresh
strawberries for only a dollar 79 a
pound well that’s fine they always have
nice produce here but why do you have
all these cookies don’t you like them oh
I don’t know I hope you got a box of
tofu well I think I forgot where’s the
aisle with the Asian foods again aisle
three I’ll go get it
wait this steak you got looks really
expensive well it isn’t it’s on sale for
just three dollars 99 cents a pound and
what’s this
more ice cream we already have a quart
at home why don’t you put it back
meanwhile I’ll get in line right here
I’m sorry miss this is the Express line
and it looks like you’ve got more than
ten items oh and we don’t take checks
here
in the city
Peter are you going downtown today
uh-huh
why can you give me a ride I have to run
some errands where do you need to go a
lot of places first I have to go to the
bank could you drop me off at the corner
of King Boulevard and 2nd Avenue King
and second oh sure I know where that is
but why are you going to the bank why
don’t you use the ATM machine on campus
cuz my debit card isn’t working I’ve got
to get a new one and the cleaners is
next door to the bank I have to pick up
some clothes there anyway why don’t you
use the laundry room here in the
building
I’m not picking up laundry it’s dry
cleaning by the way is there a computer
repair shop near there I need to drop
off my laptop computer repair oh yeah
there’s a good buy across the street
from the bank they fix computers there
oh that’s convenient so what are you
going to do downtown I’m going to the
courthouse I’ve got to pay a traffic
ticket no kidding I have to pay a ticket
too
I just got a ticket last week but Kenji
you don’t drive I know I got a ticket
for jaywalking really yeah I didn’t know
it’s illegal to cross in the middle of
the street
finding the right apartment
I’m so stressed out
my landlord just raised my rent I think
I’ll have to move really you know my
building has some vacancies it’s a
pretty nice place and it’s just 10
minutes from campus oh yeah how much is
the rent for a studio there are no
studio apartments in our building my
neighbor just moved out of a one-bedroom
he paid $850 a month I think well that’s
not bad
tell me more well one bedrooms come with
a bathroom a kitchen a fireplace in the
living room pretty big closets and are
you looking for a furnished or
unfurnished place unfurnished I have all
my own stuff what about parking and
laundry there’s no garage you have to
park on the street but there is a
laundry room downstairs hmm I think I’m
interested could you give me the address
sure it’s twelve thirteen Rose Avenue
the manager’s name is mr. Azizi call him
up or just stop by and talk to him
thanks Ming I’m going to do that
tomorrow for sure
learning new customs
so salma is this your first trip to the
United States yes it is and what’s your
impression so far well the people are
really friendly and the city is
beautiful but the food well it’s not so
good oh yeah that’s what I thought too
when I first got here but I’m used to
American food now I actually love hot
dogs and french fries
so last night I took Salma to a Mexican
restaurant I wanted her to try something
exotic did you like it yeah the food was
pretty good but it was too much I
couldn’t finish it all
someone was amazed when I took the
leftovers home in a doggie bag yeah
that’s funny isn’t it they call it a
doggy bag but it’s for people anyway
what else surprised you that the
restaurant was so cold
we don’t use air-conditioning so much in
my country oh and the water had ice in
it too I had to put on my sweater I was
so cold excuse me hello oh hi Eduardo
excuse me miss but we don’t allow cell
phones in the restaurant oh sorry I
didn’t know
Eduardo I’ll have to call you back
that’s strange for me in Lebanon we use
phones everywhere I mean we try to talk
quietly in a place like this but same in
Japan this kind of rule is getting more
popular though I’m sorry Salma no no
it’s okay When in Rome do as the Romans
do
during a health club
hi I’m Adele I’m sure you’re going to
like it here let me show you around
here’s the weight room we’ve got the
newest machines our instructors can show
you how to use them this is cool
yeah I really need to start lifting
weights and here is a cardio class I’ve
never tried cardio it’s just dancing
isn’t it not really actually they’re
working harder than you think and cardio
is very good for your heart it sure is
but you should do it at least three
times a week if you want to be in good
shape well I already jog three times a
week that’s terrific
you also have boxing and yoga classes
here don’t you yes I’ll give you a
schedule of classes when we finish our
tour now here’s our swimming pool Wow
look at that woman in the middle lane
she’s really fast isn’t she oh yeah
that’s Ellen one of our instructors I’d
like to take lessons from her you’re not
the only one come on I’ll show you the
showers in the locker room you know if
you want to join our gym you ought to do
it before the end of the month
really why well because we have a
special discount for students this month
let’s go to my office and I’ll tell you
all about it
watching TV
hey listen to this
the average American watches four hours
of TV a day a day you’re joking no it
says so right here in this newspaper hmm
I guess you’re an average American Jack
you always have your TV on come on are
you saying I’m a couch potato yeah I
really think watching TV is a waste of
time
oh come on some programs are bad like
those soap operas but what about sports
or the news you watch those sometimes
don’t you well actually for the news I
prefer the newspaper or the Internet
why first because they give you a lot
more information and I can read them
anytime I want plus I hate all the
commercials I know what you mean that’s
why when the commercials come on I just
turned down the volume or change
channels yeah I noticed that channel
surfing drives me crazy okay next time
you come over I’ll let you have the
remote control oh that’s so sweet
but I have a better idea next time I
come over let’s just turn the TV off
meeting old friends
mean look I can’t believe it it’s Dan
hey Dan how are you
Yolanda Ming Wow
I haven’t seen you guys since graduation
night I know you look great Thanks
so do you so what have you been up to
well I go to Faber College really do you
like it yeah so far but I’ve been
studying really hard sure you have so
what’s your major it’s computer science
ah that makes sense you always were good
at math and science thanks anyway what
have you guys been up to well I’m a
sales rep for a publishing company no
kidding
how do you like that oh I love it
I’m on the road a lot but I get to meet
some interesting people that’s terrific
and how about you Yolanda I’m studying
pre-med at State College Wow
you can be my doctor you always were
good at science too
well it was great seeing you both let’s
keep in touch from now on email me
sometime here’s my address
explaining a sport
okay guys let’s warm up and stretch
we’ve got to work on balance and
flexibility so men when did you get into
this karate stuff Karate zappa knees
Ming’s showing us Taekwondo and it’s
Korean cool so what’s the difference
Taekwondo uses hundreds of different
kicking moves but karate
well Kenji it sounds like you know
something about karate yeah
karate uses more punches and blocks too
maybe you’ve seen guys break wooden
boards with punches you know like I
learned that when I was in school that’s
great I wish I could do that
so Ming why did you get into Taekwondo I
had a Korean friend in middle school and
he said it could help me get in shape
and build my confidence so I tried it
and I really liked it it looks like you
succeeded well I’m still working on it
I’ve really improved my speed and power
it also helps you focus you’ll see
awesome let’s get started
college campus
excuse me could you tell me where
Kimball hall is oh you mean Campbell
Hall oh yeah right do you see that brown
building over there uh behind the
fountain yeah that’s it come on I’m
going there too are you here for the
English placement test yes I am how
about you actually I’m one of the
English teachers here oh really
maybe I’ll be in your class it’s
possible what’s your name
ma Rico Honda but most people call me
Mari and you
I’m Nancy Anderson so where are you from
Japan aha and how long have you been
here just three weeks really but your
English sounds great
Thanks that’s because my family used to
come here every summer to visit my
grandmother when I was little I can
speak pretty well mm-hmm but now I want
to go to college here so I need to
improve my skills especially writing
yeah so that’s why I signed up for this
English program I see what do you want
to major in international business my
father has an import-export company and
he does a lot of business here in the
States
oh oh I see and I also want to take art
classes because I’m really into art art
and business wow that’s an interesting
combination but can’t you study those
things in Japan well sure but you have
to speak good English these days to get
ahead in business
it’s better for my career if I go to
college here
well here’s Campbell Hall good luck on
the placement exam it was nice meeting
you Mari Thanks you too see you later
bye bye
being a place to live
hello may I speak to Nancy please
speaking uh hi my name is Mari and I’m
calling about the room for rent I saw
your ad at the campus housing office oh
right okay
uh are you a student well right now I’m
just studying English but I’m planning
to start college full-time in March I
see oh where are you living now I’ve
been living in a house with some other
students but I don’t like it there why
what’s the problem well first of all
it’s really noisy and it’s not very
clean the other people in the house are
real slobs I mean they never lift a
finger to clean up after themselves it
really bugs me I need a place that’s
cleaner and more private
well it’s really quiet here we’re not
home very much what do you do I teach
English at the college wait a minute
didn’t we meet yesterday at the
placement exam oh you’re the girl from
Japan what was your name again Mari
right what a small world it really is by
the way who else lives in the house the
ad said there are three people well
besides me there’s my husband Andrew and
my cousin Jeff he’s a musician and a
part-time student uh are you okay with
having male roommates sure as long as
they’re clean and not too noisy don’t
worry they’re both easy to live with
okay um is the neighborhood safe oh sure
we haven’t had any problems and you can
walk to school from here well it sounds
really nice when can I come by and see
it can you make it this evening around
5:00
then you can meet the guys - yeah five
o’clock is good what’s the address
it’s three four seven five Hayworth
Avenue do you know where that is no I
don’t okay from University Village you
go seven blocks east on Olympic Avenue
at the intersection of Olympic and
Alfred there’s a stoplight turn left and
go up one and a half blocks our house is
in the middle of the block on the left
that sounds easy yeah
you can’t miss it listen I’ve got to go
someone’s at the door
see you this evening okay see you later
bye bye bye
borrowing money
hello hi dad Jeff how are you I’m fine
dad how’s mom did she get over her cold
yes she’s fine now she went back to work
yesterday that’s good um dad I need to
ask you something
sure son what is it well the truth is
I’m broke again could you lend me $200
just till the end of the month broke
again Jeff when you moved in with Nancy
and Andrew you said you could make ends
meet but this is the third time you’ve
asked me for help I know I know I’m
sorry but see my old guitar broke and I
had to buy a new one I can’t play on a
broken guitar right look Jeff if you
want to play in a band that’s okay with
me
but you can’t keep asking me to pay for
it okay okay you’re right
but what do you think I ought to do
everything costs an arm and a leg around
here well first of all I think you’d
better go on a budget make a list of all
your income and all your expenses and
then it’s simple don’t spend more than
you earn but that’s exactly the problem
my expenses are always larger than my
income that’s why I need to borrow money
from you then maybe you should work more
hours at the computer store dad I
already work 15 hours a week how can I
study and work and find time to play
with my band come on Jeff when I was
your age I know I know
when you were my age you were already
married and working and going to school
that’s right and if I could do it why
can’t you because I’m not you dad that’s
why
all right Jeff calm down I don’t expect
you to be like me but I can’t lend you
any more money your mother and I are on
a budget too you know
maybe I should just drop out of school
work full-time and play in the band in
the evenings I can go back to school
later I wouldn’t do that if I were you
yeah but you’re not me remember it’s my
life all right Jeff
let’s not argue why don’t you think
about this very carefully
and call me back in a few days and in
the meantime you’d better find a way to
pay for that new guitar yes dad all
right goodbye son
finding a job
hey Jeff what’s going on oh I’m looking
at the classified ads it looks like I
have to get a job I thought you had a
job at a computer store or something
yeah but that’s part time I need
something full-time really but what
about school what about your band
how can you work full-time well to tell
you the truth I’m probably going to drop
out of school for a while I’m just not
in the mood for studying these days I’d
rather spend my time playing with my
band but my father won’t support me if
I’m not in school I see well what kind
of job do you want to get well ideally
something involving music like in a
record store but if that’s not possible
I don’t know but whatever I do it’ll be
better than my first job oh yeah
what was that believe it or not the
summer after I finished high school I
worked at Burger ranch you in a
fast-food place what did you do there I
was a burger flipper you know I made
hamburgers all day long that sounds like
a pretty boring job it was the worst and
I haven’t gone inside a burger ranch
since I quit that job hi
what’s so funny do you remember my job
at the burger ranch oh yeah that was
pretty awful but actually it doesn’t
sound so bad to me right now why Nancy
what’s wrong
oh I’m just really really tired I’m
teaching four different classes this
term and two of them are really large
sometimes I think I’ve been teaching too
long how long have you been teaching 12
years maybe it’s time to try something
else
like what
well I’ve always wanted to be a writer I
could work at home oh don’t listen to
her Mari she always talks this way when
she’s had a bad day at school at least
you have a good job Nancy look at me
I’m broke and dad won’t lend me any more
money oh stop complaining if you’re so
poor why don’t you go back to the burger
ranch listen you two stop arguing look
at me I can’t work at all because I’m an
international student okay okay I’m
sorry Nancy tell you what let’s go out
to dinner
I’ll pay but you’re broke alright you
pay
a single mother
who’s there it’s Sharon and Joey hi come
on in
what’s happening Jeff can you do me a
big favor I just got a call from the
office they want me to look into a
computer problem right away would you
mind watching Joey until I get back
sure no problem is he asleep yeah he
just fell asleep 10 minutes ago he
usually sleeps for a couple of hours at
this time of day but if he wakes up just
give him a bottle oh what a cute baby
he’s so little
mari this is our neighbor Sharon and her
son Joey Sharon
this is our new roommate mari nice to
meet you you too
listen I’ve got to take off thanks so
much Jeff for helping me out bye
hey Jeff I didn’t know you liked babies
well Joey is special I take care of him
from time to time when Sharon’s busy and
then she does favors for me in return
like last week she lent me her car and
her husband is he she’s not married I
don’t think she ever was actually never
nope never I think she’s happy being a
single mother
oh is that pretty common in America well
it’s certainly becoming more and more
common even Nancy used to talk about it
you know before she got married hi guys
hi hi uh what were you saying about me
that you used to talk about having a
baby by yourself
before you met Andrew oh yeah I worried
that time was running out you know like
what if I never got married maybe I’m
old-fashioned but I could never bring up
a baby by myself I think it would be so
difficult
yeah raising a child is tough I’m really
lucky I met Andrew and if you have a
baby you’ll have Jeff here to help you
with babysitting we’ll see
speaking of babysitting I’d better check
up on Joey
using technology to stay in touch
come in
am i interrupting it’s okay I was just
catching up on my blog oh yeah what’s it
about mostly it’s about hip hop like
here’s a comment from a guy named Hassan
talking about let’s see hip hop in
Istanbul in Turkey Turkish hip hop sure
and here’s one from my friend Hiroshi
the drummer in Tokyo hmm
maybe I should start a blog about
learning English well it’s a great way
to meet new people that’s for sure and
all you need is an internet connection
well speaking of the Internet I wanted
to ask your advice about something okay
what’s up well I just got my cell phone
bill for last month and it was $160 ouch
yeah I can’t believe it
cellphone calls are so expensive here
are they cheaper in Japan much cheaper
and we use our cell phones for email to
a lot of people don’t even own a
computer amazing what you can do with
cell phones these days talk take
pictures send email yeah but anyway Jeff
I need to find a cheaper way to stay in
touch with my parents and my friends in
Japan and I heard there’s a way you can
call overseas for free using your
computer do you know anything about that
of course it’s a technology called voice
over Internet I use it all the time how
does it work well you need a computer
with a sound card if you’ve got that
yeah I do and you also need a microphone
and a headset hmm I don’t have those no
sweat
you can buy them at any electronics
store okay what else well then you’ll
need to download the software which is
free and then if the person you’re
calling installs the same soft
where there’s no cost for calling but
what if they don’t
can I call from my computer to someone’s
phone yes there’s a charge for that but
it’s a lot cheaper than using your cell
phone believe me could you show me how
it works on your computer right now
no it’s night time in Japan now can we
do it in about three hours
no problem I’ll be here great see you
later
what do people really mean
Yolanda hi hi Mari how are you fine
thanks um is anyone sitting here no have
a seat Thanks so how have you been oh
you know busy I’ve got school and work
and I’m getting ready for my brother’s
wedding next month oh yeah anyway it’s
gonna be a huge wedding and excuse me uh
Nancy over here hi Nancy this is Yolanda
she works in the library Yolanda this is
my housemate Nancy she teaches English
here
nice to meet you Yolanda you too well
listen actually I’ve got to go I have to
be at work in ten minutes I’ll see you
soon Mari we’ll go to a movie or
something
sure how about Thursday night I have to
check my calendar I’ll call you okay
okay see you ah I don’t understand
Americans huh did you hear what she said
I’ll call you we’ll go to a movie but
every time I try to pick a specific day
or time she says she’s busy she has to
check her calendar and then she doesn’t
call mm-hmm why do Americans say things
they don’t mean they act so nice like
they always say how are you but then
they keep on walking and don’t even wait
for your answer there’s so how do you
say it
two-faced I know it seems that way
sometimes Mari but it’s not true it’s
just that for Americans friendliness and
friendship aren’t always the same thing
what do you mean well as you know
Americans can be very open and friendly
like they invite you to sit down they
ask you questions they tell you all
about their families so naturally you
think they’re trying to make friends
with you but actually friendship real
friendship doesn’t happen so quickly
so when people say how are you they’re
just being polite
they don’t really care not exactly the
thing you have to understand is that how
are you isn’t a real question it’s more
like a greeting a way of saying hello
aha I get it and have a nice days just a
friendly way to say goodbye exactly
now you’re catching on but I’m still in
the dark about Yolanda does she want to
be my friend or not it’s hard to say
maybe she’s just too busy these days I
guess you’ll just have to be patient hmm
that’s good advice I guess Thanks
what do you like to do for fun
come in hi hey Dan how you doing great
thanks hey I burned you some new CDs
cool hi you were at our show last night
right yeah I was sorry Mari this is Dan
dan this is Mari it’s nice to meet you
nice to meet you too oh let me get that
I’ll be right back okay
so Mari did you have a good time at the
club last night yeah it was pretty wild
what did you think of our band well your
music is great for dancing but to tell
you the truth it was kind of loud I
guess I really prefer jazz do you go to
concerts much no not very often I can’t
afford them they’re so expensive yeah I
know what you mean
well what do you like to do for fun I
love to eat I love going to different
ethnic restaurants and trying new dishes
what’s your favorite kind of food well
Japanese of course what about you well
I’m not crazy about sushi or sashimi but
I really like Mexican food oh I can’t
stand beans and I don’t like cheese uh
what about Indian food
I don’t care for it too spicy
do you like American food you know
hamburgers hot dogs french fries yuck
all that fat and salt and sugar we don’t
see eye to eye on anything do we well
let’s see what’s your opinion of Modern
Art there’s a wonderful show at the
County Museum right now to be honest I
don’t get the modern stuff I prefer 19th
century art you know Monet van Gogh
Renoir hmm how do you feel about sports
are you interested in football American
football I
hate it basketball it’s okay
how about tall musicians with curly hair
it depends okay I got it
how about tall musicians with curly hair
who invite you to a movie
science-fiction sounds great finally we
agree on something
to clone or not to clone
your dog is so adorable Nancy how old is
he 11
wow that’s pretty old yeah I just love
him so much I don’t know what I’ll do
when he’s gone well you can clone him
you know clone him you’re joking right
yeah of course but actually it is
possible scientists in Korea have cloned
a dog you know I saw a picture of it in
Time magazine really I’ve heard of
cloned sheep and mice and rabbits but
not pets like dogs oh yeah
believe it or not there is a company in
California that offers a pet cloning
service for fifteen thousand dollars you
can have an exact copy of your pet
that’s so weird
actually it kind of scares me pretty
soon they’ll start cloning people and no
I don’t think that’s gonna happen
I think cloning will be used in positive
ways like what like saving endangered
species for example scientists could
save the giant panda and other animals
before they become extinct
oh yeah and another thing I heard that
scientists will be able to clone body
parts you know just grow a new heart or
a new tooth uh-huh
that’s what stem-cell research is all
about which is similar to cloning a lot
of medical problems are going to be
solved with that for sure well I’m all
for that
especially if it can help us live longer
or if they can help your dog live longer
right right
you
a baby shower
hi Jeff hi Sharon look what I got in the
Hey hi Mari join us for a baby shower
honoring Nancy Anderson April 5th 11
a.m.
hosted by Sharon Smith and Carolyn
Freeman oh good you got the invitation
so can you make it I think so but well
what does a baby shower exactly you know
it’s a party for a woman who’s going to
have a baby um it’s like a welcoming
ceremony for the new baby
it’s a party then why do you call it a
shower because the custom is to shower
the woman with gifts for the baby
get it I see are you invited to Jeff no
way no man allowed really well not
exactly lots of baby showers include men
these days but traditionally showers are
hosted by a woman’s girlfriends or
female relatives and they’re only for
women hmm
but is it Nancy and Andrews baby due at
the end of May and this invitation says
April 5th well yes the custom is to have
a shower before the baby is born when
the woman is 7 or 8 months pregnant very
interesting and everybody brings a gift
right something for the baby
you know toys or clothes or something
for the baby’s room ok the invitation
says it’s for lunch so yeah we’ll have
lunch and afterwards we’ll play games
games what kind of games girl games
silly games like bingo or guessing games
or baby trivia games and the winners get
small prizes it sounds like fun it is
and then at the end of the party there
is usually a cake with baby decorations
and then the mother-to-be
opens her presents well the guests are
still there sure that’s my favorite part
everybody gets to see the gifts and go
ooh
ah and see how happy the woman is wow
that’s so different from our custom in
Japan we usually don’t open a gift in
front of guests really that is different
well what kind of gift do you think I
should get for her she’s registered
online so you can see what she’s already
gotten and what she still needs would
you like me to write down the Internet
address for you sure that would be great
is there anything I can do to help with
the party maybe do the flower
arrangements or something oh thanks but
it’s not necessary everything is all
taken care of just come and have fun