Monday, August 21, 2006

Mondayitis on a Friday!

In English, many disease names end in “itis.” For example, hepatitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, appendicitis, bronchitis – the list could go on forever!

Across the world, many workers and school students feel a kind of sickness in their stomachs on Sunday night as they’re getting ready for bed or when they first wake up on Monday morning. Do you know that feeling? It’s a physical reaction by your body caused by the fact that you don’t really want to go back to school or work. In English, we call this sick feeling “Mondayitis” – a sickness caused by Mondays!

Now, I love my job! No! I really do!!! However, last week it was Obon, a special period when Japanese people believe their ancestors come back to visit them. Our school had a 6-day holiday – a rarity these days! We didn’t go away. Instead, we stayed close to home and did something special every day: dinners with friends, a BBQ at a friend’s house, “super-slide” rides in the park, a trip to the beach, and even a couple of movies on DVD. It was great!

Our school opened again on Friday. I’ve got to be honest, even though I love my job, I found going back to work a little hard because I’d had such a good holiday. I was suffering from Mondayitis on Friday!

It’s Monday. I’ve been back at work for 3 days (I even worked yesterday!) so I’m over my Mondayitis now. I’m already forgetting what fun I had on my summer holiday. I guess I’ll have to wait until…

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Chastised, Scolded, Roused At!

To chastise, scold or rouse at someone means to speak angrily to someone because they’ve done something wrong or haven’t done something they should have.

Last night, our student Tomoko severely (very strongly) chastised me because I haven’t been updating this Blog often enough. Also, Yasuyo, Yoshi & Takumi have all commented on the fact that my last entry was at the beginning of July. I’m sorry! I’m a procrastinator & I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking!

However, I promise I’ll post a new entry here very soon. Really!!!

Tomoko Ticked Off! (And she knows aikido!!!)

PS Rouse at is Australian English, most commonly used with children. I've been trying to check the spelling but can't find it in any dictionaries. If you use it, use it with care!
PPS Ticked off means angry