Use English to chart with friends – Novermber

If I don’t read the book, I have no idea about the Thanksgiving Day at the Thursday of last week of  November. It’s famous in the USA though, we had better not take it for granted that everybody have heard about it.

• You had better not take everything for granted.
• Don’t take it for granted that I will do it.
• I take it for granted that you love it. I don’t know the fact that you don’t like apple.

• Do you believe that you can succeed without working hard?
• Do you believe that people would like the new flavor?

To talk about a festival – we could use these :

1. Like most (….), I/My … always (do …)
2. Why don’t you join us this year? My family will be happy to meet you.
3. (Today) is a time to (do sth…)
4. Loads of people (do sth…) on (someday).
5. We could …. while (my Mum …)
6. We’ll have ….like (…eg… and…)
7. On this special festival, I want to …
8. I am thankful for being able to spend the holiday with people I love.

Now, let me quickly divert the topic to about buying souvenir(s) :

Don’t take it for granted that everybody would like to buy souvenir(s) when they travel aboard. It is a question of courtesy though. Anyway, have you ever received any  exquisite sculpture or functional key ring? Even though I feel some of souvenirs I bought that are nothing special or only some commercial products, I did saw some distinctive memento(es) inside the showcase of museum’s souvenir shop. For example, I saw  hand-made chocolate, wooden-made model of that museum and tribal thingy. I sincerely hope that you like my souvenir(s) if you receive any.

• I sincerely hope that I could spend more time with my family.
• I sincerely hope that you can find a better solution.
• I sincerely hope that you could accept my apology.
• I sincerely hope that you could give me one more chance.

• It’s best to ask your supervisor for advice if you have trouble at work.
• It’s best to start boarding if you don’t want to delay the flight.
• It’s best to go to sleep if you don’t want be looking worn out tomorrow.

To talk about with friends about traveling :

1. When I go traveling aboard, I (always,usually/near always,often,sometimes, rarely, never) (do sth…), preferably ….
2. This (hand-made postcard/functional key ring/phial of perfume/exquisite figure) is special to me because it was given to me by (someone)
   NOTE: “phial of” = small glass bottle
3. Do you know where (I could buy this / the nearest MTR station is)?
4. I believe that I’ve got to buy some memento for my collage.
5. Let’s go to …. to (do sth).
6. I guess Peter would like this.
7. I’d like to buy something more (practical/functional) for my friend, like ….
8. (sth) is a good choice / (sth) are good choices.
9. I’ll expect you won’t buy something fragile that needs to be handle with caution.
10. (sth) remind me of the good times I have spent in UK.

Well, do you play any instrument? I don’t know at all, what a shame! I played the piano though, I am not that type of material, perhaps there is not no relative genes within my DNA. I’ve never think to be a pianist, nor a composer (作曲家) although I enjoy listening to classical music (古典音樂) and symphony (交響樂).  I was so do done with reading the notation (樂譜) , the musical note is really really boring. Having to say that playing an instrument, use piano for example, need time to practice so as to master the skills – practice makes perfect. Do you really believe that we could be skillful?

• No worry! We are going to spare no effort to finish our tasks!
• I am going to spare no effort to achieve my goal – become an airline pilot!

• Would you mind carrying this tool box to the bulk?
• Would you mind if I use the lavatory?

To talk about learning (music) :

1. I still have trouble (about) aligning to the center line of the RWY somehow because I’ve just begun to learn to fly.
2. I feel (musical instrument/ sth) is/are difficult to learn because I have no passion and enthusiasm at them.
3.  There is a saying that goes “practice makes perfect”.
4. I am learning to …
5. I have to work on ….  as I am not used to (doing sth) a lot  [我必須在…方面努力, 因為我不習慣經常…]
6. Do you know how to conduct a “crab” landing ? 
7. I make use of a metronome (節拍器) to practice at different tempos (節奏) .
8. I hope to advance to a higher level.
9. (Doing sport) is my favorite pastime.

How do you spend your spare time at the university ? Joining a club would be a good suggestion. Have you ever dream of hang out with various friends sharing mutual hobby? Indeed, we would probably have a chance to improve different skills through the daily practicing. The experience you accumulating in the club would be also useful and favorable for the future career.

Notes:
spirited – enthusiastic and determined

• I didn’t have a chance to talk with you about it.
• Don’t worry. You’ll have a chance to get it a go.
• I’m glad to have a chance to take this interview.

• I guess I can talk dad into going Japan instead of Thailand.
  NOTE: talk (somebody) into (doing sth) –  to persuade somebody to do sth
• I feel I can give it a shot.
• I believe I can solve this problem within an hour.
• I don’t believe you could pretend nothing has happened.

To talk about Joining a club :

1. The school webpage says that there are more than/approximately thirty students’ clubs and organizations for us to choose from.
2. We could enhance our social and interpersonal skills by joining a club and making new friends there.
3. Did it take much time to join a club?
4. When and how often does the club meet? (社團咩時間同幾耐聚會一次?)
5. I’ve narrowed my choices down to three: the Hong Kong-er Association, the Mountaineering Club, the table-tennis club