会話の中でよく使われるフレーズやたのしいイディオムをシェアします。
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TAXTAXTAXTAXTAXTAXTAXTAXTAXタイトルをクリックしてください
Before my computer crashed last year, I was planning on talking about the new 10% sales tax in my next post. Unfortunately, my computer was down for three months, and now it's "old news". Oh well, better late than never right? On October 1st, the Japanese sales (consumption) tax, went up from 8% to 10%. I was wondering how this compares to other countries. Here are a few to compare. For a complete list, look here. The highest is, Bhutan, 50%!!! The lowest is, Oman and the USA, 0%!!! (see below). These countries are all the same as Japan, at 10%: Afghanistan Australia Cambodia Comoros Djibouti Haiti Indonesia Japan Laos Malaysia Mongolia Papua New Guinea Paraguay Solomon Islands Somalia South Korea Suriname Vietnam Here are some of the highest countries, at 24-27%: Hungary Croatia Denmark Norway Sweden Finland Greece Iceland While the USA doesn't have a national sales tax, there is a state sales tax that differs from state to state. Click here to see a complete list. Alaska is 0%. (but there are some local taxes). California is the highest at 7.25%. My home state, Utah is 4.85%, confusing!! What do you think of the new tax? More on this next week. Today's BGM,
Taxman The Beatles One, two, three, four, one, two Let me tell you how it will be There's one for you, nineteen for me 'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman Should five per cent appear too small Be thankful I don't take it all 'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman If you drive a car, I'll tax the street If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet 'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman Don't ask me what I want it for (Ah ah, Mr. Wilson) If you don't want to pay some more (Ah ah, Mr. Heath) 'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman Now my advice for those who die (taxman!) Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman!) 'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman And you're working for no one but me (taxman!)
Making a conch horn.タイトルをクリックしてください
As many of you know, I was born in Samoa. Even though I don't have many memories, I feel a strong connection.
I had a Samoan conch horn in my home in America. I often blew on it.
A few months ago, I found this conch shell in a used shop in Akita, and decided to make my own horn.
After watching a few "how to" videos on YouTube, I started.
Cutting through the shell was much more difficult than I imagined.
It took over an hour and I tried out many different kinds of saws.
Finally I was able to look inside.
Next I drilled out the core to make an opening.
Here is the final product.
[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="http://mj-eikaiwa.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/200125_1429325.mp4"][/video]
So what do you think? I'm satisfied. I'm still practicing and getting better little by little. I'll show you this week.
Rats!!!タイトルをクリックしてください
As promised, Happy New Year, Part 2. Rats. I found many more idioms about rats than mice. Here are a few.
- Rat on someone. Tell someone about bad things you know.
Year of the Mouse . . . or Rat?タイトルをクリックしてください
I hope you are enjoying this holiday with your family and friends. I am.
2020 is the year of the mouse/rat. I've noticed it's described differently in different places. Which is correct?
This is a mouse:
This is a rat:
In any case, we have many phrases about both in English. Here are five about mice. Next week, rats
2. When the cats away the mice will play.
Hey the boss is home for the holidays! Let's have a party! You know what they say, "when the cats away the mice will play".
3. As quiet as a mouse.
The baby is finally sleeping, if we want to sleep, we'll have to be as quiet as a mouse.
4, Play cat and mouse with.
He has been talking to her about marriage for years. I think he's just playing cat and mouse with her.
5. As poor as a church mouse.
All my New Year's expenses and shopping, have left me as poor as a mouse.
- Are you a man or a mouse?
2. When the cats away the mice will play.
Hey the boss is home for the holidays! Let's have a party! You know what they say, "when the cats away the mice will play".
3. As quiet as a mouse.
The baby is finally sleeping, if we want to sleep, we'll have to be as quiet as a mouse.
4, Play cat and mouse with.
He has been talking to her about marriage for years. I think he's just playing cat and mouse with her.
5. As poor as a church mouse.
All my New Year's expenses and shopping, have left me as poor as a mouse.
I'm back at last.タイトルをクリックしてください
So sorry for the long absence, my old computer started dying in October, and was completely dead in November. It has taken this long to buy and learn to use my new computer. I'm beginning to look like this:
But at least I'm back. Thanks for waiting.
So, since last time,
Happy Halloween:
And finally, Happy New Year!
Hope next year is wonderful for all of you, and for Japan . . . OLYMPICS!!
Next year I will keep up my phrase page much better. I promise!
Rugby: Japan VS Samoaタイトルをクリックしてください
Congratulation to Japan on their unexpected victory over Ireland last Saturday!
The next game is Japan VS Samoa. As some of you know, I was born in Samoa . . . long ago. Although I don't have any memories from that time. I always have a soft spot in my heart for the land of my birth.
So with this in mind, I will be cheering for Samoa this Saturday. Good luck to both teams. May the best team win!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC8MiS-0zbY
A few beautiful photos of Samoan landscape.
Back to workタイトルをクリックしてください
As promised two weeks ago, today's topic is "back to work". Is fall a busy time for you? It is for me! All the schools seem to pack these four months full of classes, plus every weekend I have weddings. Here are some common phrases we use when talking about going back to work, especially after a vacation.
- back to the grindstone
- back to the salt mines
- back in the rat race
- back on the hamster wheel
- back in the rut
- I'm an eager beaver
- I'm rarin' to go
- I'm champing at the bit
- You look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
- He eats, sleeps and breathes snowboarding