a flock of budgies
When I was in high school, I used to have a pair of budgies. Both my parents were always working, I don't have siblings and we used to live on 4th floor in a block of flats, so there was no way we could keep a bigger animal. And although I was used to being alone for hours since I can remember, I wished for some companionship. My cousin had had a budgie, and it was so sociable and fun, coming to get rubbed like a dog, stealing cheese from sandwiches and 'talking back',so I convinced my parents we wanted one as well. But in the end we got two of them, 'cause opposite to my cousin's house, ours was empty for at least 8 hours daily, and we didn't want the poor thing to suffer loneliness just because I wanted a birdie.
Of course Stella and Vesper (I was latin-freak at that time, yes) never got even half as sociable as my cousin's bird. They had each other and never cared for us at all, unless we tried to touch them which lead to domestic violence with uncontrollable beak-use.
OK, but why am I telling you this now?
Next week will be Nadeshiko group's first test. They were shocked when they heard it, but they had no questions. They obviously didn't want it, but they couldn't find anything they would want to have explained again or work more on. They make mistakes but say they understand, they just don't remember.
They have a serious asking issue. That applies to virtually all new students, but usually with some time they get used to the fact that indeed they not only can but SHOULD ask. I guess after a month or so they learn the hard way that I meant it when I said I'm not taking their 'no questions' answer as being nice. I'm taking it as 'no questions', and saying that triggers new grammar popping out before them.
Another thing is, naturally, that they have to get used to me, and here's when the budgie story comes in handy. Because Nadeshiko's take a lot of time. They are a lot like three budgies instead of one. We spent some time together already but they're still wild. Even though I do my absolute best to always keep a smile when explaining the same thing for the umpteenth time. I am fairly good at it after all these lessons, but still when they actually ask anything, a big red 'I'm so sorry, don't kill me please!' sign appears on their foreheads.
(It's not like they can read this, but I feel the need)
Dear Oさん, Kさん, Tさん
You pay.
I'm there for you.
I'm putting up with your three sons running, crying, exploring my bag, demanding to be patted, distracting you and me, and you again, making noise, not-making noise (worse, suspicious), fighting, eating each other(Ken), riding each other(Ken), and expressing indefinite interest in kitchen cupboards, electronics and a wooden sword almost as big as themselves (Iちゃん).
Your questions are no problem, really.
Use me. If I didn't do well enough the first time, use me again.
If I actually write USE ME, I'M ALL YOURS on my face, will they?
Well, next week it's the test and we'll see if they really had no questions at all...
Of course Stella and Vesper (I was latin-freak at that time, yes) never got even half as sociable as my cousin's bird. They had each other and never cared for us at all, unless we tried to touch them which lead to domestic violence with uncontrollable beak-use.
OK, but why am I telling you this now?
Next week will be Nadeshiko group's first test. They were shocked when they heard it, but they had no questions. They obviously didn't want it, but they couldn't find anything they would want to have explained again or work more on. They make mistakes but say they understand, they just don't remember.
They have a serious asking issue. That applies to virtually all new students, but usually with some time they get used to the fact that indeed they not only can but SHOULD ask. I guess after a month or so they learn the hard way that I meant it when I said I'm not taking their 'no questions' answer as being nice. I'm taking it as 'no questions', and saying that triggers new grammar popping out before them.
Another thing is, naturally, that they have to get used to me, and here's when the budgie story comes in handy. Because Nadeshiko's take a lot of time. They are a lot like three budgies instead of one. We spent some time together already but they're still wild. Even though I do my absolute best to always keep a smile when explaining the same thing for the umpteenth time. I am fairly good at it after all these lessons, but still when they actually ask anything, a big red 'I'm so sorry, don't kill me please!' sign appears on their foreheads.
(It's not like they can read this, but I feel the need)
Dear Oさん, Kさん, Tさん
You pay.
I'm there for you.
I'm putting up with your three sons running, crying, exploring my bag, demanding to be patted, distracting you and me, and you again, making noise, not-making noise (worse, suspicious), fighting, eating each other(Ken), riding each other(Ken), and expressing indefinite interest in kitchen cupboards, electronics and a wooden sword almost as big as themselves (Iちゃん).
Your questions are no problem, really.
Use me. If I didn't do well enough the first time, use me again.
If I actually write USE ME, I'M ALL YOURS on my face, will they?
Well, next week it's the test and we'll see if they really had no questions at all...