h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Taamyu,

I'm just ing round hootoo and came across your site which looks .

So I thought I'd just drop you a line see if you fancied a chat. If you do I'll have and ready. If I'm not in please feel free to help yourself



Clip

Hello Clip
for popping into my space

It's lovely that I've got more and more friends here to chat even that's only short chat or we can only leave msgs here

Well, I do hope we'll keep in touch

Here, it's getting warmer and warmer day by day (in Oskaka)... Spring is approaching and we'll enjoy cherry blossoms blooming soon, though I prefer Plum tree or (Japanese) peach tree to cherry blossoms

i'm happy if you enjoy chatting to me with and

Take Care and Enjoy yourself

Taamyu

Konnichiwa Taamyu,

Kudasai suminasen, wakari masen Japanese, gomenasai!

Igirisu kara kimashita.

I hope my few Japanese phrases are understandable. I live in the North East of England. I am a married man and have one daughter who is 10 years old.

We do not live in a city; we live in the countryside, surrounded by fields, trees, sheep , and cows! It is a very tranquil place to return to after work.

Although I have not belonged to hootoo very long I have met some very nice people on this site and made friends.

I some times speak with a young lady from China who is studying Japanese in Tokyo and she says she is finding it a little difficult to study and work at the same time.

What is Oskaka like? Is it a large city like Tokyo? I will have to Google Earth when I return home to view your home town on the internet.

I enjoyed the and very much (wiping cream from my lips), thank you. How did you know that was one of my favourite foods?

I hope we can speak again soon.

Sayonara



Clip

Hello Crip
So sorry for not coming here earlier, as I've been so sleepy that I can't wake up the whole day

Yep, I understand your Japanese phrases though it seems bit strange

Kudasai = Give me. But in polite way, we use ----shite(do) Kudasai.
Suminasen = Excuse me, or I'm sorry.
I don't understand Japanese = Watashi wa (I) Nihongo (Japanese) ga Wakarimasen (don't understand)
Gomen nasai = I'm sorry, forgive me, etc.
Igirisu Kara Kimashita. this is perfect sentence!! though you may need put the subject, "who", If you want to say 'I'm from Italy', then you can say 'Watash wa (I) Igirisu (Italy) kar (from) Kimashita (come, be)'

Because Chinese Grammar is diffent from ours, it may be a bit difficult for the Chinese lady to learn Japanese. But we both use the similar(now it changes a lot between us) character, Kanji, so she can guess what it's written about. The thing is that we use 3 different type of characters, so it's bit confusing problem for you to learn.
I'm quite sure that Korean people can master Japanese much more quickly or easily than Chinese people because both Japanese and Korean Grammar is very similar so it's very easy for us to learn those language.

I hope this make sense of what Japanese is like for you

Me, middle-aged single female.... hahahahhaha I never get married. lol at the mo, I teach small kids English in where a friend of mine organises a very very small classes for learning English. I teach very small groups aged from 4 to 11 from Monday to Wednesday, three times a months.
As you can see, my English is very poor so I'm very sorry for s to learn with me. lol

Osaka... it's the busiest city in the world. It was famous for a merchant city. There are so many businessmen, high buildings in the centre of Osaka, but some places in countryside(out from the centre), you can enjoy nature, too I live in a rather countryside, a bit quieter. I love my hometown, called Sakai (city), where is very very famous that was the only independant marchant city before about 1600. Also it's famous as the city where the tea ceremony master lived and he established the tea ceremony manner. Though Sakai has also become a very big city and it's pity that many historical and traditional scenery has gone Now, I live a bit southern city of Sakai, called Kawachinagano.
Osaka is very merrily place. And not like Tokyo where so many countryside people come for work, there are still many local Osaka people in Osaka. lol.
I found one image of Japan, so that you can see where Osaka is and where Tokyo is
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/north_east_asia/japan/japan.htm

I'll write more about me if you want to, next time

Hope we can keep in touch

Have a Lovely Day


ps Sayonara = Bye, good-bye. Matane = see you

Konnichiwa Taamyu ,

I must apologise for not replying sooner, but I’ve been having trouble signing in to this site; also my family and I have been on holiday for a few days and we only returned home on Sunday last.

All the Japanese phrases I quoted I found on H2G2 site, so I was not quite sure if I used them in the correct context; I hope I did!

The young Chinese girl I spoke of has said the same thing about Korean grammar been similar to Japanese; I think she may be struggling a little. I know she was disappointed with her exam results. Unfortunately for her the exam came up at the same time she decided to move house and work, so she had too many things going on in her life at the wrong time. I could feel her disappointment in her words as she spoke with me; but she appears to be a person of strong character so she will persevere.

Teaching young children must be hard work, I could imagine them to be easily distracted from their studies. You must be a very patient lady!

Your English is much better than my knowledge of Japanese, which is nothing. I can easily understand what you are saying.

I am writing to you at the moment from my place of work, during a break for meals; so I cannot follow your link. When I arrive home this morning I will follow your link then.

Have you ever heard of Google Earth? Use the Google search engine and type in Google Earth. This is a tremendous site and you can download Google Earth free. With this site you can travel the world at a key-stroke. Not only view the world from above, but zoom in to ground level and view it in 3D. Once you have mastered the basics of the compass controls you can travel across the world, or travel through canyons and valleys between mountain ranges. But beware!! It is very addictive.

I must finish now.

Sayonara Taamyu

Clip

Hiya Clip Thank you for your msg You don't have to appolgise for not replying, as I'm very slow writer, too You now know how strange I am, though I'm very bad, slow at write, I've registered here I've been studying English for ages, but its' still very slow/difficult to do quick chat If you read my latest journal about on Japanese article http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/F137158?thread=3985077&latest=1 you can find how many misunderstandings about japan or haw many Wesstern people still confused with Asian cultures if you can show these article to her or you tell her about this, she would understand what I want to say... As for the written Japanese as language, we imported Chinese characters and we used them as written language, but as you may understand all spoken languages are different each others. We, ancient Japanese developed written language, and they invented our own written letters/characters, too. And we now use all (we've got three types of written characters and used them as written Japanese) Korean people developed/invented their own languages, too and they also used both written characters, I supposed about 10 years ago or so, but they hardly use Chinese characters now. So old Korean or middle aged Korean people can read Chinese characters, but most of young Korean people can't read Chinese characters, and now it's become a bit serious problem as if they don't understand Chinese chractres, they can't read neither chinese books nor old Korean books. Yep, I someties used google Earth that was very fun to see , but because my computer worked very bad, I gave up using it hahahhaha. I'll try to download it again when my brain has become more clearer Hope you enjoy some links that I showed Have a Lovely day, Clip See you soon, Take Care and Enjoy yourself Taamyu ps: Sayonara means 'goodbye/bye' in English. See you soon = 'Matane' in Japanese. ** 'Ma' pronounce like Mam's 'Ma', 'ta' for 'tata for now''s 'ta' and 'ne' for 'neck''s 'ne' or we say bye bye as 'Japanese English' hahahhaha when we say sayonara (I use this as well though)

Konnichiwa Taamyu ,

I have been on my holidays and only returned to work last week. My family and I went to an English seaside resort called Blackpool; have you heard of it?

I do not like Blackpool very much but the girls like it and it is a place for ‘younger’ people. We also spent a few days in the country, which I enjoyed very much; it was peaceful and tranquil after the noise and rush of Blackpool, just what I needed!

There is another download you could use instead of Google Earth, Google Flash Earth, it’s good; it does not have the 3D capabilities of Google E.

The links you have posted are first-class, I liked the pictures of the sakura, most beautiful. I have heard before that the Japanese people adore the time of the sakura and prize it highly.

It is 1.25 in the morning over here and I am very tired, so I will wish you good night until we speak again.

Take care.
Matane Taamyu,

Konnichiwa Taamyu ,

I hope you are well and that the weather is kind and warm to you.

During the course of my conversations with you I have mentioned that I speak with a nice young Chinese girl who is studying your language in Tokyo.

Her name is Angela and I have mentioned I speak with you. I was wondering if you would like to speak with her. I asked her and she said she would like very much to speak with you. Before I introduce her to you I first explained to Angela I could only do so with your permission.

Would you like to speak to Angela? If yes, you will find her in my lists of friends on my PS. Her full title is Angela_w_s_465.

I hope you do not feel I have been too forward, I do not wish to offend you.

Sayonara Taamyu

Clip

Hiya Clip
First of all, please forgive me for delayed reply as I've been so sleepy that I can popped in here very very shortly.

Glad to know that you enjoyed your holiday with your family...
I know Blackpool, though I've never been to there, a friend of mine lives there .. I'm quite sure when I go back to England next time (hopefully quite soon), I'll visit Blackpool.
I should go to Blackpool and make it sure if the thing that you told is correct
My friends whom met while I was Exeter live in London and Rugby, and some friends whom I met here after I came home live.... many places.. mostly I suppose, frome midland to York.
I love Yorkshire. As you may know (if you read my space), I studied Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, so why I didn't visit Haworth(Emily lived there most of her life)? and I found that it was really beautiful place.

London is like Tokyo, but I like bad smelling London underground hahahahahaha.

I'll try to Google Flash Earth

Most people love Sakura... I like sakura at night. It is so beautiful to see sakura at night.
But I prefer Chinese plum tree (u me) or Japanese peach tree (mo mo) to sakura. they are so pretty as well.

http://kata2.image.wablog.com/page/102.jpg (ume)
http://www.hana300.com/momo0018.jpg (momo)

***********
I'm glad that you introduce your friend, Angela. I don't mine if you introduce me to her Please tell you to drop a msg here

Thank you for your kind offer.

Take Care and enjoy yourself,
Chat soon, Clip

Taeko (my real first name. There is no Japanese name as Taamyu. So you can call me Tammyu or Taeko or both )

Konnichiwa Taeko ,

Thank you for agreeing to speak with Angela, she is a very nice young lady, I feel sure you will enjoy each others company.

My abbreviated hootoo name, Clip, is the phonetic sound of my initials. My real name is Christopher, please call me Chris.

Blackpool is not my favourite destination for a holiday, but my wife and daughter like it and that is all that matters. Having said that, the weather was very warm and bright and we all enjoyed our stay.

My home county is Yorkshire and I love and miss it very much, but I visit it every time I can; it is the most beautiful of places, so diverse in its scenery and people.

London is not to my liking and I too found the underground stuffy and smelly, though I do like the museums and art galleries that one can visit.

Flash Earth has a little more to offer in the number of places to visit, it certainly shows more than Google Earth. It’s worth a look at.

As I write this I am on my break at work and we are not allowed to follow internet links, so I shall use your links when I arrive home in the morning.

I will have to wish you Good night, or is it Good morning in your country?

Until we speak again, take care,

Take care.

Matane Taeko

Hiya Chris,
Lovely to know your name
I'm looking forward to a message from your Chinese friend, Angela

Envy you that your home county is Yorkshire It's really beautiful place, though I visited there only twice.

London is busy place like the centre of Osaka, but there are lots more greens in London than the Centre of Osaka. I like Hyde Park in where Peter Pan's stature is

Now we're in a rather bigger holidays through one week. The thing is that we've got national holidays (bank holidays) frequently... so if we're lucky, we'll have over 7 days holidays depending on each year's calender.
29th of April, 3rd, 4th and 5th of May are national hoilidays here. And luckily they are between last weeekend to this weekend so, many people will have long day off and have a short trip or go on picnic with family, friends, blah blah blah.
Me? No plan as I don't like crowd. So the best way to avoid crowd and noisy people is to stay at home and concentrate on myself.

There ise 8 hours time differece between us in summer and 9 hours time difference after your summer time is over. We are 8 hours ahead to you. So, if it's 00.00 am 5th in England means 08.00 am 5th here, in Japan. Hope you gotcha

Hope you'll have a lovely pleasant afternoon

Chat soon,

Take Care ane Enjoy Yourself,

Taeko

Konnichiwa Taeko,

Angela is a very nice young lady, but I think she may be a little homesick, which is quite natural, it does not make it any easier for her; I’m sure you’ll be good friends.

Like you Taeko, I do not like crowds, but for my family’s sake I put up with it for short periods.
Monday 7th May is a Bank Holiday in the (UK), it is a little early this year but I do not know why. So this weekend I am taking my family back to Blackpool for 4 days; there is large Zoo there I never saw the last time, so I’m looking forward to seeing all the animals and exhibitions.

We live in the country so we have peace and quiet all the time. Our next door neighbour is a farmer with his wife, and that’s all there is; so peaceful and relaxing, therefore a few days in a crowd does not bother me so much.

As I write this, the time here is 2130 hours Thursday 3rd May, so your time now must be 0530 hours Friday 4th May; quite a big difference, you are most probably in bed asleep and I have just started a night shift at work!

Wishing you a peaceful and tranquil holiday

Take care

Matane Taeko

Hiya Chris ,

It seems that you left most of messages at work

I've been to ZOO for ages. Are your children young???
As I've got allergy for animal fur, I can't stop sneezing when I go to zoo But I like cute animals, not scared ones

It's good to know that you live in countryside(York? or other county?). Me as well

I sleep a lot, but I don't sleep ACTUALLY. I mean I dream a lot while I'm sleeping... I think I lye on bed but not sleep, that's why I 'sleep' the whole days

I understand what you told about Angela. btw, does she come from China or England? I don't mind where she's from, but If she is Chinese English, it's understandable that she popped into here, hootoo. hahahahaha if not, she likes England, like me
I'll wait for her message with patient Thank you for telling her about me. I hope both me and Angela enjoy chatting

Have Lovely Weekend, Chris
Take Care and Enjoy yourself,

Chat soon

Taeko

Konnichiwa Taeko ,

The holiday is over and I am now back at work, on a night shift.

We have one daughter who is ten years old, and costs a fortune to maintain; but like my daughter is always saying, she is worth every penny”!

The weekend went very well, the weather was kind to us and we all enjoyed ourselves. I was surprised as Blackpool was not as crowded as I had thought, considering it was a Bank Holiday weekend.

Our daughter loved the zoo; some of the animals made her laugh as they did the silliest things. In the grounds of the zoo chickens were allowed to run wild; our daughter thought it was great to chase them all over the place, along with all the other children!

We live in county Durham, but we are Yorkshire by birth; both counties verge with each other so I often get the chance to return to Yorkshire; some day we shall take our daughter to the Viking Museum in York City. York is beautiful old City which is drenched in history.

Angela is Chinese; she comes from a town called Anji, if my memory serves me correct. Her home town is known for growing tea, the tea is called Anji also. From what Angela has told me about her home, it sounds a really beautiful place.

Angela and I have been speaking together for quite some time now, I find her to be a lovely young woman. She is far from home and misses her family and her home town; which is understandable. I feel certain you will enjoy Angela’s company as much as I do.

Take care, until we talk again,



Matane Taeko

Hi Chris,
Lovely to know that you enjoy your holiday I'm sure your daugher is lovely cute
We have had uneasy gloomy weather now. In most of Japan, we have Rainy Season in June. And it gets sticky, dark and hot day by day, then we'll have the really terrible STICKY heat in summer, I hate hot summer!! I love English dry weather, and I miss it so much
I really envy you cos you can return to York time to time
Yup, Angela told me that she was 100% Chinese and she had never been to England. As you know, in the past (over decade ago...), There were so many Hong Kong Chinease or Singarpore Chinese lived there. When I was there, most of Chinese whom I met were from Hong Kong. So, I guessed if she was Hong Kong Chinese as I had no idea if Chinese popped into/found H2G2 lol. It seems that she's a lovely young 'lass/lady' and hope we'll keep in touch as much as we can. Thank you for introducing her to me.
I found an image of Anji
http://lohaslife.co.jp/pic-labo/ajfj.jpg
Looks nice

Well, well, I do hope my English isn't getting worse because it has been AGES since I came back from Enland

Take Care Chris,
Looking forward to hearing from you soon

Taeko x

Konnichiwa Taeko,

Our weather is not too good at the moment; it changed in the last 24 hours. It is wet but warm, so we’ve nothing to complain about really. I also do not like the ‘sticky heat’; it wears me down and can make me a little irritable!

Angela told me about the tea which is produced from her home town, apparently it is white; I’ve never seen white tea. I have tried most of the Chinese supermarkets in my area, but none stock it claiming it would be too expensive, and would not sell. However I’ll keep trying to get some. I’ll try posting on the BBC food websites, some one will surely know of it.

It was my pleasure to introduce you to each other; and yes Angela is a lovely ‘lass’ and I hope you both become firm friends.

I’ll check out your link of Anji when I arrive home in the morning, I never thought of doing that, I should have though!

H2G2 appears to be a global institution now. People from all nationalities join in; I think that is just wonderful. The world is getting smaller by the electronic minute, and I for one am pleased.

Take care and

Matane Taeko

Chris x

Hi Chris
My other English friend told me that it had been very bad weather in England
hahahahah I know what English weather is like However, I prefer Enlglish weather to Japanese weather esp in Summer I never ever experienced English Winter, so I have to go to England between Autumn and Winter which is the worst time in England, I heard

As far as the Chinese 'white' tea is concerned, I didn't know that till you mentioned, it.
I prefer English tea to Chinese tea... lol I like Japanese green tea, too, but I rarely drink hahahahha I love mineral WATER better thatn any other drink
at the moment I am absorbed with Korean food, jujube lol It's like prune. I heard that it's good for circulculation, mental exhaustion, or cold body It smells nice, too. I like Japanese food, but I am quite sure that Korean food is also healthy and good for our health
http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/koujien/img1011760335.jpeg
http://www.bigme.jp/000-000-05-10/05-10-25/05-10-20-natume.gif

As you told, BBC is very world wide broadcast and nowadays so many non-English spoken people find h2g2 like me I feel very complicated as I registered h2g2 because I was able to learn live English conversation
I think that Angela is my first Chinese friend I really thank you for your kindness But it doesn't seem that she haven't popped into here for weeks hope both of us, me and you, can chat to her soon.

I had very sleepy lazy weekend as usual How about you? Hope you had lovely weekend with your family.

Chat soon, Chris,
Taeko

Konnichiwa Taeko,

The weather in the UK has been very changeable and localized, but on the whole it has not been too bad. The early morning Spring weather is much to my liking; early ground mist blanketing the countryside, then steaming away as the sun burns through, quite pretty.

I had never heard of white tea until Angela told me of it; I will keep on trying to get some in the UK; I need to be in a big city where I will find a large Chinese supermarket. My favourite tea is Earl Grey; a gentle tea flavoured with bergamot, giving the tea a slight lemon taste, very refreshing, but no milk or sugar as this spoils the flavour, or as Angela said, “ to taste the spirit of the tea..”, she is quite correct.

The links you have posted I will have to try when I arrive home, I cannot access them from my work’s terminal. I have never tried Korean food or Japanese food. I believe the Japanese eat the fish raw! Forgive me but I do not find this to my taste; though it is popular in London.

It was my pleasure to introduce you to Angela. Angela does not always reply immediately even to me. Angela is a very busy young lady. Recently she moved her living quarters, started a new term at University and is looking for part-time work. Add all this with the desire of a young person to meet new friends and socializing, and she will not have too much free time.

I also believe Angela to be a little shy, she is also considerate; she would not wish to intrude too much up on your privacy, but she will reply.

I have been at work all this weekend and do not finish until Monday morning, and then I have seven days off. I work a night shift, seven days at work, then seven days at home! So I am looking forward to my time with my family this coming week.

I have finished my super break and must start work again, so until we speak again,

Take care and

Matane Taeko

Chris x

Hi Chris,
I'm happy to tell you that Angela replied me before you replied me . She must be busier than me as she has to study at university

Yeah, I know that English weather is VERY changable But it's also fun to me. I mean it's your culture, isn't it?

I love earl grey tea, too but with milk without sugar as far as earl grey is concerned Especially I like TESCO'S Earl grey best I don't know why, but I thought Tesco's Earl Grey tasted nicer than any other shops's Earl Grey. I miss Tesco's earl grey I love CREAM TEA especially tea and scorn with 'Devon cream'
Yup, we have raw fish. And I like raw fish(as I can't eat properly, I hardley have it), but I don't have raw fish except for very very fresh and good one When my granddad is alive, I was used to have very fresh raw fish as my gran love fish. So that I can find what is fresh and good tasted one And I can't find the same fish with ones I was used to have with my gran (it's very expensive lol), so I hardley have it. We also have cooked fish, and it tastes good, too Better than English one

Hope you don't work too much and can have enough rest during @ work. But hope you won't have 20 winks

it been find day since last Sunday, but it gets hotter and hotter day by day.
I hope I won't die with Japanese sweltering heat

Have a lovely day, Chris.
Take Care,
Taeko x

Konnichiwa Taeko,

I’m pleased to hear Angela has replied and I agree she is a busy young lady.

Our weather now is very cold and rainy with strong winds, but tomorrow it could be so different; we take it as it comes !

The best Earl Grey tea I have tasted is ‘Fair Trade’, really nice, but we can’t seem to get it now; so we use Twinning's decaffeinated Earl Grey, it’s nice and relaxing. As for Devon and Cornish cream teas, Oh yes! With clotted cream and strawberry jam ….mmm…I could eat some now!

Fish is very expensive now in the UK, and becoming more so! There is not the quantity available as there used to be, hence the price rise.

When you say your cooked fish is better than ours, I bet you’re argument is based on fried fish in batter the kind you would have bought from a Fish and Chip shop! Well when we cook fish at home it is always steamed, usually in parcels in the oven, or in our steamer. We marinate the fish for a while in herbs or spices, ginger is my favourite.

The fish is cooked delicately and the taste is wonderful. Some times we marinate the fish for a few hours and then steam it or poach it, gorgeous! Or fried very quickly in a pan (without batter by the way), the fish firstly drenched in flour, skin side only, and then dusted off and fried skin side down in a hot pan. When the skin is crispy turn it over add a little butter and a splash of white wine….mmm!

I work one week on and then have one week off, but my working week is 80 hours long! But it is nice to have the week’s rest after a full week; I have lots of time to spend with my family.

Take care and

Matane Taeko

Chris x