I heard many English teacher comment that learning English can be more fun if we do it in pleasant ways, reading favorite books or watching movies for example. As well as the English teachers, my hubby who is native speaker himself suggests to read a lot of English to improve my English. Reading is a great way to know more vocabulary, and to learn grammar automatically without realizing we've been learning English. And this way is not just practiced in learning English but all languages.

As well as reading, watching favorite movie is effective method while learning English. The latter method is the most fun to do in learning English.

Since I watch Meteor Garden in its original language I begin interested in not just learning English, but also learning other languages like Spanish and Mandarin. I have interested in learning Mandarin since I was younger, but because English was more priority to study on that era, so I focused only in English.

Anyway, there is a very touching song in one of the Meteor Garden episodes. It's when Da's and Shan Cai were holiday in Spain. Whether because the song is match with their story or maybe because it is a lovely song even without its Da's and Shan Cai story involves.

"Promise me, next time you get lose, don't move, I'll be back to you"

However, somebody has nicely upload the song together with all the scenes when Da's and Shan Cai were together (whether I'm too fans of MG or because it is a lovely song, I could watch this video over and over again!). The song title that is sang in Spanish called Yo Te Amo which means I Love You.

I have to put my hat off  to this person who puts the video as he has successfully made a lovely video for all MG's fans. They are all so matching, the opening scene of the song on this video and the last scene as well. You'll see the scene begins when Da's and Shan Cai were talking about a lovely cathedral at front of them, Shan Cai admired the creator while Da's has thought differently from her. Shan Cai then commented to Das' thought that he's idiot as he didn't know about arts. Da's replied her with: "You are right, I'm an idiot. So many beautiful girls in this world, why I'm only seeing an idiot woman".

There is also a scene on this song where Da's and Shan Cai separate from each other. The most touching video is when they meet after losing from each others, they're hugging and Da's told San Chai in the most amorousness: "Promise me, next time you get lose, don't move, I'll be back to you".

Here is the original video which sang by Chayanne:

As this song is so touching me and I don't understand at all what they lyrics mean so I'm so curious to know its lyrics in English, and here is the translation of Yo Te Amo in English:

In simple words, I miss you

Many of us refer that English is a language that easy to follow although in fact we don't speak or understand English clearly. Well, some people think English is easy, some think it's hard to learn. There so many English schools provide English language today as the main subject of foreign language must study in school. 

English, English, English! Is' all about English, and why it's so important?

I remember how many years I learn English - starting from Secondary school (in 1980s English was not part of a subject had to learn), and another three years in High school. So many grammars I studied, yet none of them got into my head. 

It was much easier to learn English when I live in native speaker country perhaps that because the situation demands that make must learn it.

Today, I try to revise my years of learning English; I see a progress in some area, such as in conversation and writing. I do this because my current job require person who fluent in English - you know no matter how good your English some words sometimes are difficult to understand by natives. I've noticed since I do so many travel how important English and not just you can speak or understand English, but fluent in English. I never realise till today that I must more keen to learn English.

The progress is actually not what like I'm expecting (seeing the advantages living in native English country thought I can fluent so fast), anyway, I'm a little happy. I realise the slow of my English progress is because I thought I'm good enough and so I jump into the next level too quickly: This is a common assumption what people often think in learning English:  jumping into the highest level is easier than learning from basic level.

In fact, English has a 'rule' where can be found in the basic level (Beginners). My hubby refers that understanding the basic is very crucial as that how make us understand how to use the language. Imagine if you speak English like on this example below:

"I go to a shop yesterday and I meet my friend"

The second common assumption is I often heard from many people: the important thing is native speaker can understand what we say and we understand what they say. 

You're right. Native speakers would surely still understand if you say sentences like the example above. This 'not' even English basic level is surely enough if you think English isn't important.

Beginner levels learn about how to use English properly. If you know how to use tenses then the next level will be much easier to follow. I've once jumped into a level English where I never study before, and I couldn't follow at all what on its book said though I force to keep going, yet it didn't work.

I remember of my friend's research about giving a value to those Indonesians who speak little English without judging their accent. The value was based on how they pronounced the words. And I must admit that I couldn't resist myself not to laugh every time I listen to their English. If I could just upload one of those samples in here.

Based on my this story so it will be so obvious when somebody learns English little and force to speak, even those who live in native country if they don't study English properly. 

So is English really important?

Depend on how you'd describe your career future. Maybe you think that English is needed only if you move abroad or live in native speaker country; the fact is many company (locally or internationally) require a person who fluent in English. So think about this, no matter where you work or live (especially if you work with a foreign company), always prioritizing your English as this might help you into the next career.

October is usually the month when winter begins in Ireland, starting with getting darker early, very windy, cold and raining. Last Wednesday was predicted to have snow, but fortunately it didn't happen. Snow isn't bad all, I miss snow sometimes - thinking that I can't get snow in Indonesia that makes me feel lucky enough to be here. 

For the past two years snow hits Ireland very badly. According to Irish person who I know, 2009 was the worst winter ever since the last of 40 years. I didn't feel bad at all when snow falls all the days or even weeks. I'd prefer winter with snow than raining and very windy. Snow gives me different atmosphere - when I see outside the house surrounded by snow, all looks so white and clean, and somewhat I feel happy.

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I heard someone said about the stages of young, mature and older life. The young stage is the most adventure life compare the other stages, got the energy but no money. The mature stage gives more opportunities to pursuit better life, got the energy and money but no time to enjoy themselves. Luckily, my mature stage has plenty of  times - to enjoy myself and to use it even more useful (specially when I'm motivated).

Back To College 

Some friends of mine who are in their 30s something are afraid of going back to college, particularly those married women with kids - the images of being older according to them is difficult to understand a lesson. 

In fact, research scientist has discovered that to keep our brain healthier is by activate the neurons brain. So it obvious when we never try to a bit 'push' the brain then the neurons refuse to anything that make the brain works.

Long time a go, I hated Math very badly (percentage particularly!), for me it's a subject that could torture my brain. When I couldn't understand the lesson, I would give up and never came back again, and would copy my friend's work! 

When My mom asked me to take Accounting subject (and she knew how dislike I was with this subject), I instantly refused her suggestion (but at the end I still took it!). I told her it might because I wasn't good at Math, but she commented that because I didn't try hard enough.

Until gradually getting older it takes a while for me to understand how to work it out the percentage in my head - but I did it at last!

Going back to college in mature stage isn't the same when we're younger; in mature stage anything we spend would feel more value, so the time and money for college will be likely spent more wisely. 

If you're working and in a good career, entering college can be a good idea to gain more qualifications for your resume. 

I consider myself everyday has grown up as older woman. I don't usually put myself down to think about it - that I'm getting older (a depressing thought, I believe): unfortunately, it's true, so I can't avoid the fact of this. Fortunately, women (especially mature women) have dozen ideas to keep them well-preserved, or their feeling young. 

Things most mature women do when considering their old age are: go to exercise, appear in new looks style, eating healthier foods, do surgery and last thing is back to college.

I recently do the performer and the latter. Back to years ago when I was very much younger exercise and college are two things that I didn't enjoy most (does camp activity include exercise?). However, till today, I mean since my age turns into 30s, I've been considering them a lot more.

Exercise

Exercise is a great practical to keep us well-preserved. Although it's not 100 % gives you a look ten years much younger - sometimes people have it from doing exercise a lot, I'm not the expert for this, but I see people that do more exercise looks very much younger than those who never or rarely exercise. Every so often my hubby impress with the looks of my two buddy's face although in fact they are about seven or ten much older than him. In fact my buddies are people who enjoy so much doing exercise. 

However, many people don't really enjoy with this activity - and neither do I. Yet, since I'm back again to gym few months ago I find exercise is more interesting and enjoyable. First thing I would recommend to you  to like exercise is: Do only exercise that you like most. Pushing yourself to exercise (especially if you dislike it), won't help your goal. I did some Gym-Do's to goal my lose weight program, I even booked a gym trainer, however I didn't really enjoy it. The worst is the more I tried harder in exercise the tired and frustrated I got instead (as I knew I dislike it and wouldn't help my goal). 

Then I change my way to get excited with exercise (my buddy from EEC refers to look another way if you find what you do give no results) - and he is absolutely right.

I go to class programs where I can find more socialable and enjoyable. As there more people in the class I can more have fun and not thinking too much about how much calories I've spent: exercise in the gym machine would make me thinking about spending calories and push myself too hard.

I attend some classes like Aerobic class, Step Aerobic (my favourite!), and recently I go to Spin class. The latter class is a bit tough but challenging. Without considering how much calories I've spent in exercise I don't think or feel that I exercise!

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