英語学習にも役立つ、札幌の外国人英語教師の英語日記 札幌 英会話 [ステップアップ]

Wine!

2014年2月28日 (金)

Recently my husband and I went to Sunday dinner at a friend’s house. It was a very typical French dining experience, with “aperitif” before the meal, then the appetizer, the main course and dessert. A different wine or champagne was enjoyed with each course. But there was something I didn’t expect: I got a chance to taste a wine that was worth 3,000 Euros a bottle!

Actually, our friend didn’t pay 3,000 Euros for the wine; he bought it 21 years ago, when it (the wine) was still young. At the time, the bottle – a Bordeaux – only cost about 10 Euros and it wasn’t a very special wine. But later, people discovered that this wine aged very well, and became better and better as it got older.

The wine was delicious, smooth and aromatic, with a complex, full flavor and a strong oak finish. Tasting this wine made me think about the culture of wine drinking in France and how it is different from other parts of the world like America, Japan and Australia. In America, we are accustomed to drinking wine with a “standardized” flavor. Usually only one or two varieties (種類) of grape are used, and because of this, the flavor is not very complex and usually one red wine is not very different from another.

But in France, wine makers often use several varieties of grape and work hard to develop a perfect balance of flavors. So when you taste a good French wine, you can taste the complex balance of all of these different varieties of grape. Some wine-tasting experts can even tell you exactly where the wine was grown and whether the vineyard (ブドウ園) was facing South or East!

I now realize that although I have always enjoyed drinking it, I never really understood wine until I moved to France. Now I can truly appreciate the ritual of wine drinking: observing the color, smelling, tasting, and really experiencing the wine with all of your senses. Next time you have a glass of wine, why don’t you try it?

Slipping and sliding

2014年2月11日 (火)

Well, the snow festival is winding down and the city remains as it does every year at this time – a virtual ice-rink. It’s true that some days are warmer and slushier than others, but overall the roads, bridges and sidewalks are fairly treacherous. Not only are they slick with snow and ice – they’re narrow, as well. Lines on the road are barely visible (if at all) and two lanes are now actually one and a half. I haven’t had any problems driving about thus far, perhaps because of daily reminders like the one featured in this picture.
As busy as I know we all are, it’s worth the extra minute to go a little slower, excercise a bit more patience and yield when you might normally go first. The city is a crowded place – drive defensively so that it’s safe for all of us, yeah?

I`m back from England! (2)

2014年1月20日 (月)

Picture 2

I`m back from England!

2014年1月20日 (月)

Happy New Year everyone! I know I am a little late to write my diary about my recent trip to England but I hadn`t had chance to go through ALL my photographs.
Firstly, I am from Lincoln. Lincoln is a city in the east midlands. I absolutely ADORE this city because it is full of heritage and culture. The city itself is split into two sections; an old part with cobbled (stoned) roads and old building and a new part with a new university and modern housing. The best thing about the city is the breath-taking cathedral which stands on top of a hill. It is a very famous cathedral in the UK and was eveing used in the filming of “The Da Vinici Code”. In my opinion this city is one of the hidden treasures of the UK. Of course I was born in Manchester so everywhere seems beautiful compared to Manchester.

The second thing my home city is famous for is…. FISH AND CHIPS! I always say that London`s fish and chips are no way as delicious as my county`s fish and chips. These are old school fish and chips and I just love them! They probably have somewhere near 2000 kcal so they aren’t something you can eat every day. Anyway, I had a great trip back home for Christmas and really enjoyed the beauty of England. I really hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. Here`s to 2014

Happy New Year

2014年1月9日 (木)

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a peaceful and fun Christmas and New Year.

2013 was a pretty good year for me. I visited my family in America twice! Once in the spring, and once in the fall. In the fall I went with my husband and we took a road trip through the southwest, or the “Wild West”, as it is sometimes called. We saw some amazing sights, like the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley. Below is a photo of Monument Valley, which was our favorite place on our journey. Many Western movies have been filmed there.

The summer of 2013 was also interesting for me. As many of you may know, my husband works as a set decorator for films and I had an opportunity last summer to work on the set of an American-produced film with him. The filming was done mostly in France, in a small town called Saint Antonin Noble Val. My husband was responsible for recreating an idyllic French market in the town. It was a big project! My job title was “Set Decoration Trainee”. My job was not so important; it was probably the lowest job on a film set. I did things like decorating shop windows in the town, washing cloths used in the decorations, and helping to carry materials used on the sets – lots of odd jobs. I learned some interesting things about how films are made, and it was fascinating to see all the work and skill that goes into making a film. One thing I know for sure is that working on a film is very stressful and fast-pace – too stressful for me! My husband likes the challenge of this kind of work, but I need a more calm working environment! The film is called “The Hundred Foot Journey” and is planned for release in August of this year.

Now I am looking forward to new and interesting experiences in 2014! May you all have a prosperous and fulfilling year!