Complete and Creative

Pronunciation: The English “L” VS The English “R”

Many foreign language learners of English have trouble distinguishing the “L” and the “R.” You know who you are. If you’re reading this, you’re either an English speaker trying to figure out why those Japanese and Koreans always seem to get the “L” and the “R” mixed up or a Japanese or Korean learning English trying to figure out a way to produce the two sounds distinctly in your pronunciation. If anyone would like to throw in a few more linguistic groups that fit this description so I can sound more PC, go ahead.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Cultural Exchange, How To | 1 Comment »

How to Ride Cheaply in Japan

Just in case there is any ambiguity as to what kind of riding the title is referring to, I’m talking about public transportation. As in buses, trains, subways, trams, and all that good stuff that graciously saves you the trouble of driving and finding parking.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Asia, How To | 2 Comments »

Facebook, Facebook

On my recent trip to Prague, there were eight computers in the common area of the hostel where I stayed. The computers were typically occupied during the afternoon and evening hours. At night, travelers went out, drank, partied, and danced; in the morning, they recovered from all of the above.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Cultural Exchange | No Comments »

Moon Agent: Part 14 of 99(?)

…continued from

“Geez, I know you have an eight o’clock class on Mondays, but it’s only First Week. You shouldn’t be hallucinating yet.”

“Yeah…”

She pressed her lips tightly together so that she looked like a duck as she shook her head. Then she thrust her cup of cappuccino in his face. “Here, have a sip. You probably need this more than I do.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Moon Agent | No Comments »

Moon Agent: Part 13 of 99(?)

…continued from

Coming out of the bathroom changed from gym shorts to khaki pants and with his face freshly washed and his bladder newly emptied, Forest reached inside the closet for his ACS T-shirt, which all the ACS officers would be wearing tonight at Orientation. Once again, it had been designed by Grace Lei. It was red with a golden dragon lining the left shoulder, the name “UCLA ACS” printed in both English and Chinese on the front and back. He thought it was a rather good-looking T-shirt.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Moon Agent | No Comments »