My friend Fuyuki has opened a gym. So far it's been a great success. Outstanding customer service is a decisive factor in the success of his gym. Of course the quality of the gym and shower equipment has a pivotal role in the company's success as well. He asked whether I could find a good manager for him. I said "I can't make any promises but I'll see what I can do" My friend Tomiko has an interview for a marketing director in his company. He laid particular stress on the need for leadership qualities. He also stressed that clear communication skill is a crucial factor in the outcome of the interview. The interview stresses her out. I said "Try not to stress too much about it. Just set your mind at ease." My brother too said "Dont stress over it. Put your mind at rest." My girlfriend said too "Rest easy. Dont stress yourself out" Last week we had supper at her place. Her younger brother got some Japanese homework to do. He said "I have to do part A but I haven't got to do part B" I said "I'll leave you doing your work" He soaks up new vocabularies and grammar patterns very quickly. During a japanese class he's like a sponge and soaks up everything the teacher says. When "Fukushima"is a Japanese word the stress is on the second third and last syllables. But when it's an English word you should only stress the third syllable. When he reads a novel he soaks up the story. If he encounters computer problems he'll find Joe whos an expert and soak the advice up he offers. His elder brother has a viola exam next week. He said "after this exam I'll take grade eight a year later or better still I'll directly take the diploma exam."After chatting with him in his room for a while I said "I'd better leave you to get on with your practice." My brother too said "I had better leave you to practise your exam pieces" Some milk spilt down the chair onto the floor so tomiko soaked it up with a dishcloth. After supper her eldest brother went to meditate in his room so I left him to himself. Her sister booked a massage session. She asked "had I better leave my wallet on the nightstand?" i said "you had better not leave it on the bedside table as someone might steal it" My brother said "hadnt you better leave it in your locker so that its safe?" I can swim after a fashion. Tomiko is a swimming champion who easily outshines me in any swimming styles. Recently Fuyuki shouted at his sister and called her a liar because of a misunderstanding. I said "I can't believe you would say that to her." my brother said "I can't believe you said that"He'll be throwing a birthday party at his home next week but alas I can't attend as I got work to do. when he invited me at first I said "we'll see" Happy birthday Fuyuki. I'm sure your friends will join mr in wishing you.a very happy birthday. Last year he got a recliner for my birthday. I remember I said "I can't believe you got me a recliner" His brother sometimes has a snooze at lunchtime because he has so much work to do that he feels drained. He usually snoozes on the sofa or at his desk by the fireplace when everyone else's eating lunch outside. He once brought his work along to a library where I saw him doze off at the end. Taking a nap especially in front of the fire is a marvelous way to recharge your energy though. His sister has just completed her phd at tokyo university and is on the way to becoming a professor. Japan's on the way to becoming the world's strongest economy.