English Recordings

Today was supposed to be one of the days our debate club meets.

As soon as the leader of the club e-mailed us to say that she was not able to make it, people started canceling one after another. It was funny to see this sort of chain-reaction, but I was also engulfed in it.

Starting early morning, I was torn between going and not going. But, I didn't feel like attending it. To be honest, I was very relieved to find out that the leader had canceled because it acted as a trigger for my decision.

We have a word in Japanese, "tariki-hongan"(他力本願), which is translated as "reliance upon others."

Today's incident was similar--expecting some great power somewhere else to solve problems.

I actually feel at ease now, and I've started making out a new schedule for myself today. I'm happy about that.

We sometimes waver between choosing two possible courses of action. What causes you to make your decisions?

Today's case was a conflict between my true feelings and my feelings of duty for the person who took charge of the club this month.

Maybe it's better to prioritize myself? However, if I mainly follow my heart, I wonder how I would associate with others?

Today's debate club was canceled, because there were only two people who were going to attend.

Greg is a great swimmer, a kayaker, a travel blogger, a certified life guard and an adventurer. He has already worked overseas and in property management.

Little Mouse is looking in the mirror
Little mouse wants to be as big as a pig
Little mouse wants to be as long as a lizard
Little mouse wants to be as fat as a cat
Little mouse wants to be as big as a giraffe
the pig is rolling in the mud
the lizard is lazing in the sun
the cat is sleeping on the floor
the giraffe is stretching her neck
Tiny ladybird wants to be as big as a mouse
why can’t I be as big as a pig? Why am I so small?
Why can’t I be as fat as a cat?
Why can’t I be as long as a lizard?
Why can’t I be as tall as a giraffe?
Why can’t I be as big as an elephant?
why can’t I be as big as a mouse?
You’re not so small
You’re very tall, and long, and fat and round.

Weght is caused by the gravitational attraction of the earth.

I've got one dog and one canary, but I haven't got a cat.

I haven't got a cat but I've got one canary and two iguanas.

I've got two dogs and one canary but I haven't got an iguana.

I've got one dog, one iguana and two cats, but I haven't got a canary.

I've got two iguanas, one canary and one cat.

I've got two canaries and one dog but I haven't got an iguana.

I've got two cats and one dog but I haven't got a canary.

I haven't got a canary but I've got a dog and an iguana.

If you had to write a song to make a social change in Chile, what would you write about?

I have an itch on my back. Could you scratch it for me please?

Many winning athletes make money from product endorsements.

If you were to have the chance...

Stop pulling my leg, I know perfectly well what you're up to!

If you had the chance...

How did it break on you?

If you had had to go to the hospital, would you have gone?

I built a small model of a house using popsicle sticks and glue.

If you had had to go to the hospital, would you have gone?

I would appreciate it if I can have next Friday off since I have to attend to some personal matters out of the city. Is that possible?

Did you see the scissors?

Do not throw that paper because you'll be littering the beach.

The last time I saw them, your mother had them. She must have put them away.

If the ice pop makes your lips or tongue stained, your teeth will also suffer staining.

"Put your toys up when you finish playing with them.

It all depends on how you want to term it. Is it cheap or is it inexpensive?

The caretaker who works in the building where my father lives is called Vicente

The weather forecast predicts showers, so you'd better bring your raincoat with you.

Changes in company policy have come about gradually as the market has grown.
Marpessa came across the picture of her former classmate while reading a magazine.
My brother doesn't like my friend Mpholo, and I'm afraid he's coming between us.
Fernanda came by to see us before she went to visit her grandparents.
The success of the project all comes down to teamwork.
When we were on vacation, my daughter came down with a bad cold.
A witness came forward to help the police with their investigation.
Yesterday it came out that the mayor had received a bribe for awarding the contract.
Robert lost a lot of money when the economy was bad, but he managed to come through it and build up his business again.
That proposal came up at the last meeting.
*
Joop didn't dress warmly enough, so he came down with a cold.
I don't know how it came about, but Isa broke her arm.
When police checked his story, it came out that he was lying.
People thought Lars and Erika would stay together forever, but his long hours at the office came between them.
Kimiko came across your sisters when she was in Osaka.
When the doctor announced that the hospital needed blood after the accident, many people came forward.
Marcello came by the new office last Friday.
When I bought my TV, it came down to which store gave the best discount.
Although it was a hard time for us, we came through.
Your name came up at the meeting yesterday.
*
Everyone was surprised when the news came out that she was leaving the company.
Dan came between the two friends when he offered Mandy the job that Carla wanted.
I'm very grateful to all of you for helping the company to come through a very difficult period.
Your name came up at the party on Saturday.
When the boss asked for volunteers to work late to finish the project, Alia came forward.
I came across two former colleagues of yours at the conference in Istanbul.
I asked Hi-won to come by my office on Thursday to discuss her paper.
How did it come about that Jackie decided to tell the truth?
I'd love to go to France with you, but it all comes down to whether my boss will give me the time off.
Claire had to take a week off because she came down with the flu.

Talia arrived at 10:00. I'd been waiting for three hours to hear the tape.
I just found out that Dean had been lying the whole time.
He hadn't been practicing with the team.
By 10 o'clock, I'd been waiting for three hours.
I just found out that Dean had been lying the whole time.
It was late. When Talia finally arrived, Tony and I had been waiting for three hours.
*
A: When did you become a reporter?
B: In 2000. I'd been working as a researcher before that.
*
A: Had you been expecting a promotion?
B: No, but I was very happy about it.
*
A: How do you like your new apartment?
B: I love it. Before I moved in, I'd been living with three roommates.
*
A: Did you finish the report for class?
B: No. When I started it, I'd been unpacking boxes all afternoon. I was too tired to finish.
*
A: So why did you get so angry at Dean?
B: I found out that he hadn't been planning to help me with my career at all.
*
A: I called you at 3:00, but you'd already left work.
B: I covered a story early this morning. By 3:00, I'd been working for twelve hours.
*
Sally Curran started her journalism career a lot earlier than most reporters. Curran was born in Washington, D.C., in 1985, but grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Before the Curran family moved to Raleigh, both her parents had been working for a TV news show in Washington, D.C. In Raleigh, her father became the news reporter for a local TV show, and her mother worked for a national newspaper. In middle school in 1995, Curran decided to publish a newsletter, The Cul-de-Sac, to report neighborhood news. Her interest in reporting wasn't surprising – by 1995, she had been watching her father report the evening news for years. The Cul-de-Sac printed Curran's first big story, a local pollution scandal. "This factory had been throwing its waste into our river for years when I reported it," Curran said. By the time she became editor of her high school newspaper, Curran had been covering neighborhood news for several years.

If Nick had the evidence, he would be very happy.
If Talia didn't work so hard, she would have more time for fun.
If I had his phone number now, I'd call him.
If I told your coach, the Soccer Federation might let you play again.
If we had the proof, I could play again.
If Tony and John were here, they would help us.
If Amy were here, she would help us.
If I were you, I wouldn't blame myself.
It wouldn't matter if he believed you.
*
If Marta had a video camera, she would film the party.
If Jason had time, he would go to the game with us tomorrow night.
If I were you, I would tell the truth.
Dina would join the health club if it were closer to her office.
If Chen Lu weren't a reporter, she'd be a teacher.
Tyler would eat at Valentino's if he could afford it.
*
A: Dean is going to be so angry at me!
B: If I were you, I would stay away from him.
*
A: Why do you need Amy's address?
B: If I had it, I could send her a postcard.
*
A: Are you going to tell Les the truth?
B: I don't think so. If I told him, he would not believe me.
*
A: Is Jackie a good actress?
B: Not really. If she were good, she would get more parts.
*
A: A few of us are going to Valentino's next Friday. Why don't you come, too?
B: Sorry, but I can't. If I didn't have so much work, I would join you.
*
A: I'm exhausted. I would take a vacation right now if I had the time.
B: Where would you go?

For Mother's day 13th March 2013 : a poem

Every mouse and bumblebee
Every bird up in a tree,
Every caterpillar and ladybug,
Loves to feel his mother's hug.
Every bear so fat and funny
Loves his mother more than honey.
Just as woodland creatures do
I love my mother - oh yes I do!"