Hi Michael
May I remind you that it’s also an opportunity? 8) 
Amy
Hi Amy!
Of course, you may remind me. But what are you referring to ? Now I?m in a doghouse. :shock:
Michael
Sorry, Michael
I meant to insert the quote, but I didn’t. (Must be early Alzheimers symptoms… ) 8)
Amy
Hi Amy!
It doesn?t matter! Think about:
Is there mishmash in your thoughts,
to forgive you, doesn?t need efforts 
:lol:
By the way, what did I intend to say? :shock:
Michael
:shock: :shock: :shock:
I’ve forgotten, Michael! I was hoping you would remind me. :lol: :lol:
Amy
Hi Michael.
Sorry, if I scared you a bit
Your suspicious is right, I actually have (in anamnesis :D) some academic background (took part in a couple of projects for Russian Academy of Sciences). And Degree in Computing. By the way
Hmm. Definitely, I have a bad habit to use dictionaries, encyclopaedias etc to get ‘a clear picture’ instead of just asking other huma… I mean people
Let me remind )) you that my English is bookish and doesn’t sound naturally.
So… I need to find right boots )) and just go…
from time to time reminding myself of the eastern proverb (it’s not an idiom):
The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
Yes, lots of idioms and very often…
[size=84]Being a fan of reference books )) I can’t resist and not to say that[/size] some of idioms have equivalents in other languages (I have ‘A Book of Idioms in Five Languages’ for 100 generally used idioms in English, Russian, French, Spanish and Dutch), I can undestand them clearly and sometimes even succeed to use
Another ones (which I hear quite often) came from some very specific areas (cricket, horse races, fishing…) and, what is mostly hard for me is that using them in the contexts, far from sport, people say them not in full, but only two or three words – just to denote… It enough for native speakers to catch the main idea (and to exercise their wit ) - but not for me…
P.S
I’d just like to say ‘thank you, Michael, for your posts and for your second wind
For me this is important.
Hi Tamara, you didn?t scare or annoy or what ever negative would be possible me. I?ve been surprised only about your way of finding out the difference between humans and people. It is always better to have correct definitions than assumptions only. 8)
The way you?ve worked out the explanation reminded me to some lessons while I was studying mechanic. The headline of this lessons had been something that sounds like scientific (Thank you!) orientated work out.You know Introduction-Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis, something like that. :roll: Oh my goodness, it?s fiveteen years ago now!
To start your journey may I give you some reference to some of Sir Alan?s topics in the forum ?What do you want to talk about??
[color=blue]Are you under the weather?
Dogs (idioms and expressions)
chip
What you say? (expression: ?a stone?s throw away?)
What you say? (bush expressions)
Sorry, I joined to this site in April but I havn?t any clue yet how this goddamned link to another topic works.
For the moment the wind abated. I only wanted to say communicating with you makes me a fortune too. Thanks back!
Hope to see you soon!
Michael
P.S.: Last but not least: Amy, you wanted to refer me to the topic about problems (damned Alzheimer; I?ve forgotten the headline) :roll: But what was that what I?d liked to tell you? :?
Hi, Michael,
Thank you for offering me the wonderful Alan’s boots
As far as I have time, I read
English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms , What do you want to talk about? (and ESL lessons of course) every day (and some nights )
As well as listening audios and writing lots of essays (,goddamned accounts, formal letters, informal letters,…)
On 28-30, June, I am taking ESOL exams…
That’s not easy – psychologically – being adult (long since. Oh my goodness… ) to feel me again as a child just because of my poor English.
They (as well as other decorations of your text, such as using colours, different fonts, images etc) are written out in some version of another language – HTML (let‘s consider it as a special Internet English dialect )
As it is a formal language (with no phrasal verbs with their goddamned
slipping away meanings )) ), learning and using it is much more easy than colloquial English…
You can use the syntax clause: (this is not a special clue for mechanics and for the Forum )
http://www… [/b]] Name of the link at your choice [b]
for example:
http://www.yahoo.com/] Yahoo! [b]
will produces the link: Yahoo!
or use button URL in the reply window.
Just press it before and after the web address and the name of the link to form your link clause properly
P.S Thanks a lot for your suspicion Nouns, adjectives…
PPS
I wish I’ll be long distance runner, as well as you. A marathoneer, not sprinter…
Hi Tamara!
Thanks for your advice regarding the URL?s. I?m a bit sorry that I must disappoint you now but the way of writing a link to another website I knew. :oops: But as I?m a lazy bone I thought about a less uncomfortable way to refer to another topic at this site.
On the other hand it is good to know that you are a computer proficient. If I have any question I?d like to ask you if you allow me that as I sometimes have my problem (sorry “issue” :roll: God bless you! 
Thanks) with this damned machines!
What you mentioned? A three days lasting exam! :shock: Oh my dear, I don?t envy you. Would you please tell me more about that? I?ve never done any tests in English like that, although it might be really worthy for my profession.
See you soon?
Michael
Hi Michael,
as self-willed as Arabian horses?
Of course, you’re welcome. And any my possible help with your Russian, as well
Oh, I see But as I undestand, here and now there is no any simpler way for your but just direct putting a full URL into your post. It works.
Ok.
This time I am taking four exams: writing, reading, listening and speaking – all at the same level.
(The system is slightly stupid: to get a whole certificate at a particular level you need to pass full set of exams EXACTLY at the level.
This means, if, for example, your reading skills are higher – as in my case, because I am a quite good reader – and you have passed it at Level 2, but writing, listening and speaking at only Level 1, then for the system it DOES NOT mean automatically that your reading skill are at Level 1
So nobody gives you the whole certificate, while you get Level 1 at reading, as well 
If you are interested, here are some more details about ESOL (UK) exam procedure (at my level):
From last year Listening and Speaking exams are joined (it seems reasonable). Now it consists of two components:
the first contains three tasks: (1) telling a story in the past (Past Simple, Past Perfect) + brief (fluent ) dialogue with the examiner, (2) describing a process (Present Continuous + Passive voice, impersonal style), (2) role-play or other everyday situation at the examiner’s choice;
the second include a discussion at a small group on everyday problems. It can be planning some joint actions or a weekend, asking for advice, informal negotiations, financial concerns or whatever.
ESOL Reading exam is quite usual – lot’s of tests and closed questions. Just read carefully & tick. And, of course, schedule yourself (lime is very limited).
Writing exam usually includes three tasks – (1) formal impersonal writing (like a report or an account) with brief plan & draft, (2) formal letter (request, complaint, proposal, your opinion on something for the newspaper,…), (3) informal letter or notes on the proposed topic and in the proposed context. All about two hours, with no dictionary.
P.S. Just to comment: ESOL certificate is reasonable only if you are residing in the UK. The ESOL certification is national (UK), not international as TOEFL.
Tamara
Hi Tamara!
With your recent reply you gave me interesting information. I?d like to talk to you more. Unfortunately, today I have few time only because I?m preparing my hay for pressing and later I?m used to put it in the stable. I?m happy: This year have been [color=green]supercalifragilisticexpedialdocious whether for making the first hay! 8)
See you later
Michael
Michael, I wish you (and your horse) every success with your hay.
See you,
Tamara
Hi Team English-test.net,
Just to comment: you (nothing personal) have changed the title of my thread at your choice, without asking me and with no any explanation. That’s strange…
Tamara
Hi Tamara!
As you see, I didn?t have had much time this afternoon. Of course I meant supercalifragilisticexpedialdocious weather! After putting the hay into the stable, I think my horses and I will enjoy the hay. Thank you for your good wishes. 8)
About the changing of your headline: I think, Torsten did that as he had the impression that you enjoy this site. I also think that he didn?t have a bad intention while he changed your title. For me, it was his impression that you like the site. Torsten is a really kind and positive person, who shows his impressions this way because he is really buisy. I?m sure he followed our talk and changed your title from this reason.
By the way, what interested me, why did you chose the title : as is…))? :?
Michael
Hi Michael,
I also didn’t have any bad intention when saying (in fact): I’d generally just like to be sure that my words (expressions, sentences) saying or writing in a context, remain my words, even though they are not the best.
(Of course, I know, my English is not very good and millions of people could rewrite or express my own feelings or to present myself much better than me ).
I am also familiar with rules of moderation and submit them. If I break a law ) I am ready not to find in the early morning some evening posts
Hmm… Good question.
I suppose you know the meaning of ‘be yourself’?
I think, the main reason was (and is) psychological: my intention when presenting me, with my poor English, to be myself. ‘Don’t glamour it/me up’. As is
That’s not very easy You know, (m)any of us can appear to be better when we are. Especially when we feel lack of confidence…
(Also It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice. – do you know such kind of rules?..)
So, the phrase ‘As is’ expressed my basic position.
You [I, he, she, they] cannot improve something (or start to be treated to get over illnesses) unless you apply your actual level, as is, with no brightening it up. It’s very important thing…
P.S. And I really, really enjoy an atmosphere at this ESL Forum!
Have a nice day and fine weather!
Tamara
Hey Michael!
Since you’re a haymaker, I’m sure you’ll be interested in knowing that there are a few idioms and expressions in English that use the word hay.
So, let’s make hay while the sun shines (take advantage of the opportunity):
- Some people have an allergic condition called hay fever.
- If things go terribly wrong, you can say they’ve gone haywire.
- If you’re very tired and need sleep, you should hit the hay (go to bed).
- If you need to hit the hay because you desperately need sleep and can barely keep your eyes open, you probably don’t have enough energy for a roll in the hay. :oops:
- You can use Google to find the definition for ‘a roll in the hay’. It probably won’t be like looking for a needle in a haystack. It’s not an impossible task. You can find it quite easily. 8) :lol:
Have I now made hay of your haymaking? :lol:
Amy
Hi Amy!
You showed a lot interesting sayings about hay. But this is really theme number one in the world. If you ever had a roll in the hay in the most true sense of the saying please tell me your impressions! :shock: :lol:
I mean, you probably would have felt the big tickle at parts of your body you didn?t want to experience at? :lol:
Michael
Hi Tamara!
Yes, I know such sayings. But in my opinion the truth of them depend on your own sight of the things. If you more like to be nice, this saying would do fit. Only many people think that to be important could bring them the big satisfaction. So they do things that were expected of them, not really knowing that they often will become used up only! :shock:
Thanks a lot. I have been relaxing the whole day, as our yesterday?s action was really hart. And today afternoon I saw my first WM soccer match: Netherlands vs. Serbia-Montenegro. The weather was really hot. What about the weather at your residence? Did you lighten up your grill as it was sunday? Have you sat in the garden with a salad and a piece of meat and some drinks while sweating? Or was you sitting at your English lessons? Whatever you did, I hope you did enjoy the day too. 8)
Michael
Hi Michael!
Absolutely!
But ‘being nice for everybody’ too often means to lose your-Self…
You know, it’s a matter of belief, not of mathematical (logical) true/false…
Again, my general belief is that ‘being yourself’ is better, even though my personality is not always very nice
Oh, I see. These days Britain is even more football country than usual…
My son is a big fan and now I have a happy opportunity to hear his yells
Today my head, my heart and me in whole were not in hard condition…
28 degrees of centigrade (and I am not even wish to think about how much it is in Fahrenheits … the day before yesterday, yesterday, today, tomorrow…
In my family we usually make up (?) barbecue on Saturdays. In the garden, indeed
You must be joking… At almost 30 degrees? On Sunday?!… Nooo aaany lessonsssszzz…
Today there was the celebration of a town anniversary and I went to see the show (with two of my (Russian) friends). Lot’s of people and entertainments, excellent dog show (decorative doggies, security dogs, shepherd dogs, honestly performing their tasks for people being languid with the heat…), etc.
Great!
I also ‘succeeded’ to have two dialogues with people speaking in cockney (I could hardly understand cockney and mainly smiled and nodded to keep the ball of conversation rolling. And being nice :-)).
And had an quite interesting (but brief) conversation with a soldier (each year they show some army equipment and guns being adopted in British Army) and even was allowed to take aim at a large and heavy gun, a little similar to ‘Kalashnikov’
…And now it’s time to hit the hay
See you,
Tamara