Impression difference of languages

I wrote about the book "Tuesdays with Morrie" I was impressed veru much.

I finished reading and wasted little time in borrowing the Japanese version, and finished reading it for one day.

I thought I could understand the story more. But my impression was lower than when I read the English version. Why? I wonder because I read it already. Or translation damages something of the original?

But the end of the story, I was impressed much more than when I read the original.

Hmm... languages are very important. It seems that each language give us different atmosphere. Language is not just language. Language is one of the cultures.

Movie: The Shawshank Redemption

I had wanted to watch "the Sawshamk Redemption" and I did.

What the leading character did at last surprised me. I didn't expect it. It convinced me that it is based on Stephen King's novel.

The theme of this movie is "HOPE." I wonder what is my REAL hope.

Like doughnuts

I wrote about the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts landed to Japan December and always long line.
http://sandfriend.blogspot.com/2007/01/krispy-kreme-landing-to-japan.html

I happened to pass the shop this morning, about 7:10am. In spite of early morning 7:10am!! there had been a long line already. I can't believe! The shop sells such special doughnuts? Or Japanese are strange? I heard the Krispy Kreme has their secret special seasoning. But it's just Doughnuts, isn't it?

"My friend" vs. "a friend of mine"

I can't understand a difference between "my friend" and "a friend of mine" for a long time.
One textbook describes the difference as follows.

a friend of mine ==> refer to one of friends vaguely
my friend ==> refer to a specific friend

What? I can't understand.

I always use "my friend", I guess because it's simple and easy. But most native speakers (Americans) say "a friend of mine."
Should I use "a friend of mine"?

Woolly

I'm falling into a glooming mood these days.
I feel woolly.
There are many sighs.
And my life become irregular hours and lazy.
It's the worst situation.

I have to find a cue to get out of this situation.

What a job offer expresses

For example, you got a job offer after having interviews with a company. They have asked your current salary and desired figure, but the offer is lower than those. And although the position was manager, the offer is assistant manager position. What do you think?

I always think details of offers express 2 things.
- How they value my skills and experience.
- How they want me join to their company.

From those points of view, the company I mentioned above doesn't want you so much and their evaluation of you is low. At least I think it is not happy situation to work for such a company, even if I'm interested in the position very much.

What would you do if you are very interested in the position and an offer is like above?

Expanding my repertoire of cooking #3

"Nikujaga" is one of the most popular and famous Japanese home-style dishes. It's boiled beef and potato.

The other day, one TV program introduced a dish of Nikujaga arranged for Western style. Nikujaga boiled in tomato soup.

I got the recipe from the internet and tried to cook it. Hmm... I think something is missing. I wonder what it is. OK, I will add mirin next time.

*mirin
It is one of Japanese seasonings. According to a dictionary, it is sweet cooking rice wine.

My new cooking of past;
http://sandfriend.blogspot.com/2007/01/expanding-my-repertoire-of-cooking-2.html

"Tuesdays with Morrie"

I often hear that "extensive reading" is good for learning English. So I have started to read English book. My first English book is "Tuesday with Morrie". Many people and learning books recommend this book for English learner.

I haven't finished reading but I'm impressed! It's a very good book. Although I can't understand 100% because of English, I am sometimes nearly moved to tears. I will read the Japanese version!!

Childish conversation

I talked about my job with CEO today, of curse in English. His speaking is very fast (for me) so I couldn't understand well what he said. I often asked him to repeat questions, and I'm not sure that my answers matched his questions. Terrible. Our conversation looked like one between an adult and a child. It's difficult to speak in English about job... I'm depressed.