Question 1

I just started growing plants in my mini garden about two months ago. I am trying to grow some herbs but the seeds have just started to sprout. I'll have to be more patient to see more progress.

Question 2

I can cook simple dishes like steak and fried dishes. I don't consider myself a good cook. I've made terrible mistakes in the kitchen and my husband is a better cook than me. I am trying to improve though, I take down notes whenever students share cooking recipes, and Jon another teacher here at EP has also been giving me some cooking tips.

Question 3

I have never learned to mend clothes on my own. My mother was a seamstress so I've always relied on her when it comes to mending clothes. She can also make clothes from scratch so whenever we have special occasions that require a costume, she can easily make one for me and my sister.

Question 4

I've done a lot of DIY projects. It's one of my hobbies. When I arrived in Japan, my husband's apartment did not have a shoe rack so I made one out of discarded wooden crates. Now that we have moved to a bigger apartment with its own shoe cabinet, I have repurposed it as a plant shelf.

Question 5

I prefer to pack things myself but I would hire a moving company to transfer them. I'm quite meticulous when it comes to storing my things so I'd like to pack them in specific boxes. As for the transfer, I don't mind if the moving company does it themselves as long as fragile items have been wrapped properly and they are careful not to make scratches or dents on my items.

Question 6

I would like to learn how to sew. I've always asked my mother to teach me but she didn't have the patience to do so. I've given my mother sketches of dresses that I want to make but she always says my designs are impractical. If I can learn to sew on my own, I can make any customized clothing I want.

Tough Vocabulary

Question 1

I had a garden for a few years when I lived in Hyogo prefecture. I had many kinds of flowers each season and enjoyed growing a few kinds of vegetables. My favorites to grow were onions, green peppers, and paprika. I hope to have a garden again someday. It's hard work, but so fulfilling.

Question 2

I can cook, but I'm far from chef material. I like to make simple dishes like curry, stir fry, or pasta. I really do enjoy eating what I make. I just need to learn how to make more dishes.

Question 3

I take really good care of my things, including my clothes. When they get worn out I wear them until the damage is easily noticable, then I throw them away. I tried learning how to sew, but it was difficult. Since my clothing is not expensive I don't mind replacing it because I always wear things for a very long time.

Question 4

When I lived in Osaka I was in a very old house. The owner didn't really care about repairing it, so after waiting for months for the repair company to come I decided to redo the caulking in the shower myself since it was leaking and causing damage. I did a very good job for a beginner. If it's necessary, I can do a few DIY projects.

Question 5

I prefer to box things up myself and even move them myself. I am quite attached to my belongings and I worry about things being broken, so I like to be in charge of everything. I also like to move things at my own pace. Slow and steady.

Question 6

I would really like to learn more about gardening, really. I would study the different types of plants and how to take care of them and keep the soil conditioned nicely. I could use this skill later on when I live in the countryside and have my own garden again on a larger scale.

Tough Vocabulary