Nick’s DLS 英会話 Blog

Well, it’s another World Cup.  I think it is always a very exciting tournament with most of the best football players in the world.  It was interesting to see Maradona last night, a real character.  Unfortunately England slipped up against the USA and drew 1 each.  It was a goalkeeping error.  Spain, who are the favourites, lost their game against Switzerland.  The World Cup is always full of surprises!  Japan did well to beat Cameroon but they are in a tough group and play Holland next, who are a very strong team.  If you have been watching the World Cup, enjoy it, it only comes around every four years!

With the start of the Winter Olympics, my mind drifted back to my childhood, when the first British competitor to represent Great Britain in ski jumping took part in the 1988 Calgary winter Olympics.  His real name was Michael Edwards and he was the world number nine in amateur speed skiing (106.8mph) (I didn’t even know there was such a thing!) and the stunt jumping world record holder (10 cars/ 6 buses).

Eddie finished last in both the 70m and 90m events….

I have just returned from a trip to the Philippines.  An interesting country.  I was surprised that most people speak English very well.  On Philippine TV, they switch between Tagalog and English.  January is part of the dry season.  I played golf but the dry course was difficult for me.  Fresh fruit is very good in the Philippines.  Most people were friendly towards me.  All in all, a good trip, though it is more dangerous than Japan.

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you all had an enjoyable New Year break.

I want to write a little about New Year in England.  It is a very big event based around the countdown 10 seconds before 12am, and the first day of the new year.  Most people either go to a house party, a club, a restaurant or a pub.  Wherever you may be, there is bound be a lot of alcohol, a lot of people, and a lot of noise!

Fireworks are a big part of New Years eve in the UK.  Some people even build bonfires to stay warm outside while they are watching the fireworks.  I always remember a a New Year’s eve spent at a high-school friends house.  He actually used an empty oil drum to build the bonfire in.  The flames got so big, he almost set fire to his garden fence!  That would have been one big surprise for his neighbour!

Anyway, whatever you did over New Years eve, I hope you enjoyed it, and I wish you all the best for 2010!

If you were born between November 23rd and December 21st, you are a Sagittarius.

Good points

Philosophical and intellectual

Honest and straightforward

Jovial and good-humoured

Optimistic and freedom-loving

Bad points

Restless and tactless

Blindly optimistic and careless

Irresponsible and superficial

Sagittarius is optimistic and energetic. They are an extrovert. They continue to have a positive outlook even when their ideas are put down. Sagittarius always takes the side of the underdog. They have good judgment and enjoy starting projects. They have a nagging need to feel free, which can get them into trouble. They also tend to be impatient.

If you were born between October 24th and November 22nd, your star sign is Scorpio.  The Scorpio is the most intense of the star signs.  They are passionate, intelligent, and determined.

Scorpios are very loyal friends and treat their friends very well.

However, they have a dark side.  If Scorpios are deceived or abused they will remember this occasion and possibly use it against the offender in the future.  They may even seek revenge.

Scorpios are very curious, particularly about the unexplained, for example UFOs, ghosts, and space.

They will often ask intelligent questions in a conversation.

For the past 3 or 4 months I have been helping a group here in Sapporo.  The band is called “Lovelight” and they play ambient music.  They have produced a CD called “Living in the Earth” which was released this year and a vinyl album called “Inner and Outer Space”.

Using a variety of instruments including synthesizers, drums, djembe, percussion, and African and Japanese vocals, their music gives the feeling of being in space.

It is a very relaxing and unique sound.

You can hear samples and buy their music on the following web page:

Download:  http://www.junodownload.com/labels/Lightworker+Music+Japan

If your birthday is between August 23rd and September 22nd your star sign is Virgo.

Virgos are the most structured, creative and successful of all the signs, when confident.

Many Virgos work in the service industry, for example doctors, and school-teachers, and also practice natural forms of healing like herbal remedies, massage etc.

An amazing thing thing about Virgos is their ability to maintain faith in other people, no matter how many times life or romance turns sour on them.  Even after such disappointment they refuse to become cynical.

There is ingenuity around this sign.  A Virgo is kind-hearted, but unfortunately this is taken advantage of by others.  Virgos can often become victims of relationship power-games, in which they are mistreated.

They are creative, sensitive and shy, and are happy to allow others to take centre-stage.  They often put time and energy in to making those they love, happy or successful.

Virgos tend to give more than they receive and when you are in trouble and need advice and companionship the most, Virgos are most likely to be at hand.

Virgos have a better understanding of human frailties than most, because they are so deep and reflective themselves.  With a Virgo in your life, you have a caring and understanding person and any friendship or romance based on these qualities is certain to be mutually rewarding.

If your birthday is between July 23rd and August 22nd, your star sign is Leo.

Leo loves life and all of its pleasure.  Leo is a natural entertainer and gets pleasure from helping others enjoy life as much as he/she does.

Leo is enthusiastic and generous which inspires the affection of some people but turns others who are less popular green with envy.

On the negative side, Leo has a lazy streak and if given the opportunity will take the easy option, especially when the situation offers little fun or glory.

Leos can often get addicted to rich food and when the cat starts getting older he/she puts on weight.  Leo is gregarious and so finds it hard to stick to boring, solitary fitness routines.  Leos often enjoy dancing, swimming and various sports.