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News from the USA
Message de magmatic_rock posté le 05-07-2006 à 09:52:58 (S | E | F | I)
Hi folks, what's up?
It's 2.45am here, I now it's late but that's my day off so I take advantage of it!!! Last night, I mean, a few hours ago, I went out dinner in a restaurant with 5 others counselors who are in day off as well! It was awesome, first time I went out that camp since my arrival.
Well, that's such a good feeling to be able to give you some news from the USA. I've gone for 20days already and everything's awesome over here. Staff people are very kind, very patient, very helpful and the atmosphere between each other is really great. So in my camp, there about 70-80kids for 25counselors. There are several bunks (cabins) and I'm with the youngest boys (10 to 12). We're 6counselors for 5kids (just for that first session then I don't know). They're very cool and funny and above all one kid who is always speaking with a French accent in order to tease me! I spend my all days teaching football, tennis, street hockey (I had never played before
), boating (there's a lake), basketball .... But there are many other activities like low and high ropes, adventure (in the forest), archery, pottery, arts and crafts, nature .... By the way, during my first day at the camp I went to wander with 2counselors in the woods and we saw a bear! There are 2bears in those woods, the mom and the little and we saw the mom, maybe the little was in the trees but it's awesome because I took a picture and before showing my picture nobody believed us for it's has been more than one year since they've seen the bear for the last time!!! Awesome, it was so cute but huge enough, we were 30meters away or so.
Otherwise the boss is too awesome (I love this word
) because she allows us to watch all the games of our team and as the France goes on advancing the rounds I can watch all their games!!! Last time against Brazil, I yelled as a mad and she heard me from her office which is about 300meters away!!!
Well, as for my English, I'm still really struggling with it! First of all, I'm often running out of words and I often have to figure out the meaning of everything! Before leaving, I had almost never practiced my spoken English (I mean in comparison to my written English) and I wish I had worked harder because when I arrived here, I wasn't able to say 3words at a stretch without stuttering. Pronunciation is so important, I could have never ever thought! Of course my pronunciation is getting better but it's still pretty bad (but never mind I still got more than 7weeks 
). On the other hand, so far, I can't figure out a movie without subtitles or a "normal" conversation between English speaker. I can barely barely catch some words but not more! Something else pretty funny here as well it's when they speak, they often pronounce their "t" like a "d" or even sometimes they don't pronounce it!!! For instance, they say: tweny instead of twenty, thirdy, fordy but then they say fifty, sixty etc... They say: I'm not on deudy instead of duty, lighder instead of lighter, purpice instead of purpose etc......So when I'm with several American people I often don't try to figure out what they're speaking about because I keep up with them. I used to think that 2 or 3weeks would be sufficient to get used to the accent but not at all! First I can't get the hang of the people who say after 1month in an English speaking country, they are able to figure out a movie entirely. Then here, it's pretty hard because there are counselors from all over the word! Most of them are American but there are Turkish (understandable, they're pretty bad), Tunisian, English, Swedish, Russian, Taiwanese, Egyptian, and Scottish (What an accent 
) But I love all of them 
Otherwise, the 21st of July I'm going to NYC for a night and a half day (because a day off is from 6.00pm to 6.00pm the day following). I can't wait to get there even if I've already been last year for a week. It's about an hour and a half by bus from Connecticut (where I am, just to remind you).
A thing I don't like here, it's I can't call my parents often, the boss doesn't want we use internet and the phone a lot, and NO cell phone
I can barely call my parents for 10-20 minutes a week!!!
Well, to finish, don't worry for me, I feel very well over here, I really enjoy the place, the people etc... and I try to make the most of it. Sometimes some moments are difficult, I feel depressed but it's just I'd like to improve my English faster and I see there's no advance I get angry with myself. Some of you who know me rather well are going to say "it's no wonder"
Otherwise I don't really miss my family, my friends etc... so far because I tell myself to make the most of it as I only have 10weeks (and 3 are already over
). Fortunately I found a job here because I've been wondering how would I have been able to keep up with teachers in Canada next September???!!! I guess I'd have sunk and maybe given up after the first semester.
It's impressive to see how people do love to learn some French words and expressions! They do like us A girl learnt and knows 23words of the human body (like oeil, bouche....) If only you could listen to her saying "poitrine", that's awesome, that's the only word she can't pronounce properly.
Otherwise, one thing I don't like here it's the weather! I'm used to the sun, the heat, beaches... and here it can be 30degrees Celsius and 5minutes later it rains! And not a little rain but a pouring rain!
Ah, do you know which word I learnt the first here and that everybody knows? BUG!!!!!!! It's incredible how we get eaten alive by them! Even the bug spray is pointless!
One last thing, "th", these 2letters like in toothbrush, anthem etc.... piss me off (I hope it's not a rude expression, for myself it means "ca me saoule") because I'm not able to pronounce those kind of words properly.
Well I tried not to forget anything and I'd like to say, some of you sent me an or several emails and I couldn't been able to reply so I apologize and I hope that through that kinda letter I answered all your questions etc...
I hope you're all doing well and welcome back mp27
, I'm very happy to see you back.
Take care everyone
-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 05-07-2006 15:54
forum vie du site ;rrr
-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 05-07-2006 16:04
Let's go back to the English only forum !!!! and speak only English of course !!
Message de magmatic_rock posté le 05-07-2006 à 09:52:58 (S | E | F | I)
Hi folks, what's up?
It's 2.45am here, I now it's late but that's my day off so I take advantage of it!!! Last night, I mean, a few hours ago, I went out dinner in a restaurant with 5 others counselors who are in day off as well! It was awesome, first time I went out that camp since my arrival.
Well, that's such a good feeling to be able to give you some news from the USA. I've gone for 20days already and everything's awesome over here. Staff people are very kind, very patient, very helpful and the atmosphere between each other is really great. So in my camp, there about 70-80kids for 25counselors. There are several bunks (cabins) and I'm with the youngest boys (10 to 12). We're 6counselors for 5kids (just for that first session then I don't know). They're very cool and funny and above all one kid who is always speaking with a French accent in order to tease me! I spend my all days teaching football, tennis, street hockey (I had never played before
), boating (there's a lake), basketball .... But there are many other activities like low and high ropes, adventure (in the forest), archery, pottery, arts and crafts, nature .... By the way, during my first day at the camp I went to wander with 2counselors in the woods and we saw a bear! There are 2bears in those woods, the mom and the little and we saw the mom, maybe the little was in the trees but it's awesome because I took a picture and before showing my picture nobody believed us for it's has been more than one year since they've seen the bear for the last time!!! Awesome, it was so cute but huge enough, we were 30meters away or so.Otherwise the boss is too awesome (I love this word
) because she allows us to watch all the games of our team and as the France goes on advancing the rounds I can watch all their games!!! Last time against Brazil, I yelled as a mad and she heard me from her office which is about 300meters away!!! Well, as for my English, I'm still really struggling with it! First of all, I'm often running out of words and I often have to figure out the meaning of everything! Before leaving, I had almost never practiced my spoken English (I mean in comparison to my written English) and I wish I had worked harder because when I arrived here, I wasn't able to say 3words at a stretch without stuttering. Pronunciation is so important, I could have never ever thought!
Of course my pronunciation is getting better but it's still pretty bad (but never mind I still got more than 7weeks ). On the other hand, so far, I can't figure out a movie without subtitles or a "normal" conversation between English speaker. I can barely barely catch some words but not more! Something else pretty funny here as well it's when they speak, they often pronounce their "t" like a "d" or even sometimes they don't pronounce it!!! For instance, they say: tweny instead of twenty, thirdy, fordy but then they say fifty, sixty etc... They say: I'm not on deudy instead of duty, lighder instead of lighter, purpice instead of purpose etc......So when I'm with several American people I often don't try to figure out what they're speaking about because I keep up with them. I used to think that 2 or 3weeks would be sufficient to get used to the accent but not at all! First I can't get the hang of the people who say after 1month in an English speaking country, they are able to figure out a movie entirely. Then here, it's pretty hard because there are counselors from all over the word! Most of them are American but there are Turkish (understandable, they're pretty bad), Tunisian, English, Swedish, Russian, Taiwanese, Egyptian, and Scottish (What an accent ) But I love all of them Otherwise, the 21st of July I'm going to NYC for a night and a half day (because a day off is from 6.00pm to 6.00pm the day following). I can't wait to get there even if I've already been last year for a week. It's about an hour and a half by bus from Connecticut (where I am, just to remind you).
A thing I don't like here, it's I can't call my parents often, the boss doesn't want we use internet and the phone a lot, and NO cell phone
I can barely call my parents for 10-20 minutes a week!!!Well, to finish, don't worry for me, I feel very well over here, I really enjoy the place, the people etc... and I try to make the most of it. Sometimes some moments are difficult, I feel depressed but it's just I'd like to improve my English faster and I see there's no advance I get angry with myself. Some of you who know me rather well are going to say "it's no wonder"
Otherwise I don't really miss my family, my friends etc... so far because I tell myself to make the most of it as I only have 10weeks (and 3 are already over
). Fortunately I found a job here because I've been wondering how would I have been able to keep up with teachers in Canada next September???!!! I guess I'd have sunk and maybe given up after the first semester.It's impressive to see how people do love to learn some French words and expressions! They do like us
A girl learnt and knows 23words of the human body (like oeil, bouche....) If only you could listen to her saying "poitrine", that's awesome, that's the only word she can't pronounce properly.Otherwise, one thing I don't like here it's the weather! I'm used to the sun, the heat, beaches... and here it can be 30degrees Celsius and 5minutes later it rains! And not a little rain but a pouring rain!
Ah, do you know which word I learnt the first here and that everybody knows? BUG!!!!!!!
It's incredible how we get eaten alive by them! Even the bug spray is pointless! One last thing, "th", these 2letters like in toothbrush, anthem etc.... piss me off (I hope it's not a rude expression, for myself it means "ca me saoule") because I'm not able to pronounce those kind of words properly.
Well I tried not to forget anything and I'd like to say, some of you sent me an or several emails and I couldn't been able to reply so I apologize and I hope that through that kinda letter I answered all your questions etc...
I hope you're all doing well and welcome back mp27
, I'm very happy to see you back.Take care everyone
-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 05-07-2006 15:54
forum vie du site ;
rrr-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 05-07-2006 16:04
Let's go back to the English only forum !!!! and speak only English of course !!
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 05-07-2006 à 09:57:43 (S | E)
Hahahaha good luck to read everything
I figured why I took more than one hour to write down all that!!!
Réponse: News from the USA de nanette33, postée le 05-07-2006 à 10:41:53 (S | E)
Hello Magma,
Juste un petit bonjour avant de relire "à tête reposée" ce long récit. Que de bonnes nouvelles ! C'est formidable de pouvoir écrire autant et aussi bien ! tu vas devenir "really fluent"
.Et avec toutes ces activités sportives, tu vas pouvoir bientôt concourir...surtout dans la catégorie "supporter" (ah, le cri du supporter devant son poste, ça ne s'invente pas !).
Bon courage, have a good time ! et tiens-nous au courant...
Amicalement.
Nanette
Réponse: de bobine, postée le 05-07-2006 à 10:41:56 (S | E)
Hello Magma,
Glad to see you're well and every things get well too.
I miss you but I'm happy for you.
How awesome your US experience is !!!! 
a new word for me!! it sounds pretty 
Pay attention on the bears
Give us some news if you can.
Take care!! kisses . Bobine
Réponse: News from the USA de zodiac97500, postée le 05-07-2006 à 13:52:23 (S | E)
Hello Magmatic-roc
Welcome in North America .
Are you going to eat a TV meal off laps tonight ?
Be care full with the expressions (you Piss me off )
Tu me fait proprement ch... )Mais à part ça il semble que tout soit normal
Take care et :Allez France !
Réponse: News from the USA de shamrock, postée le 05-07-2006 à 14:41:23 (S | E)
Hi Magma !!!!
You know what I think about this great experience since we chatted not too long ago. So I'll just say one word : awesome !!!!!
Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care and have fun !!!!!!
Shamrock
Réponse: News from the USA de johnlannon, postée le 05-07-2006 à 15:05:16 (S | E)
Hello,
I don't know you but I took time to read your book
and I think it's interesting for us to discover some new expressions or words and for you to share your experience.Because I did the same when I was in England for two months and it did me well to write about that. First cause I was proud of it, second cause it was necessary psychologically.
What a chance you have...
Don't avoid to send us some other news (and no some other guy!
Bye!
ps: allez les Bleus (qui sont blancs des fois
)Réponse: News from the USA de lucile83, postée le 05-07-2006 à 15:49:04 (S | E)
Hello magma !!!!!
How happy I was when reading your message !!!! your English or American is quite good ! you made me laugh a lot when telling about the girl learning French words !!! I think that we were lucky you stopped telling us before the end
Have a great time over there !!!!!!!!!!
I think of you,
Love
-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 05-07-2006 16:08
Réponse: News from the USA de lucile83, postée le 05-07-2006 à 16:12:15 (S | E)
Hello nanette , johnlannon, zodiac...........this is the English only forum !!!!!!!!!!!
no French allowed !!!!!
See you soon
Réponse: News from the USA de traviskidd, postée le 05-07-2006 à 16:37:35 (S | E)
Hello magma!! I'm very glad to hear you're having such an "awesome" time here in the US! I figured you would like it here.
And I'm very impressed with your English, it has gotten (and is still getting) much better and much more natural ... at least in writing. I can't speak
for your spoken English -- maybe it is still as bad as you say, but I'm sure you are improving in that realm too.I want to provide some corrections to your missive
, but I don't want to edit your post directly because I don't want to change what you've said from the heart. So in my next post I will copy-paste your message and do corrections there. I also won't correct your bad grammar if it is clear that you are trying to speak naturally (as we do ), but I will just correct certain "tournures" (there's not really a good English translation of this word, yet it's what I want to say!) that are not really used here, so that your text will seem even more natural.I'm happy to hear that you are learning American pronunciation!! Yes, we do omit the /t/ sound from certain words, and in other words we pronounce it like /d/. In fact here are some rules of thumb about pronouncing /t/:
- If /nt/ falls between two vowel sounds, and the second one is not accentuated, then the /t/ is ignored, and only the /n/ is pronounced. (twenty -> "twenny")
- If /t/ falls between two syllables, and the second one is not accentuated and does not end in /n/ , then the /t/ will be pronounced like /d/. (thirty -> "thirdy")
- If a) /nt/ is followed by a consonant, or b) /t/ falls between two syllables and the second one is not accentuated and does end in /n/, then the /t/ is pronounced as a glottal stop /?/. (paintbrush -> "pain?brush", beaten -> "bea?en")
Hopefully these rules will help you attune your ear to American pronunciation.
In any case, welcome again to the US! I hope you continue having fun here, and I'm glad to see you can sneak away to use the Intenet from time to time to keep us updated as to how your stay is going!
Take care
Réponse: News from the USA de nanette33, postée le 05-07-2006 à 16:42:18 (S | E)
Sorry !!! Forgive me ! I wrote :Hello Magma,
Just a little "hello" before reading this long story when I've got some peace and quiet. It's wonderful to be able to write so much and so well. You will soon speak fluently and, with all these sports activities, you will soon be able to compete especially in the category "supporter" (ah! (ou Oh?my god?)
the shout of the supporter in front of his television, that doesn't invent...)Have a good time !
Very good exercise...
Réponse: News from the USA de traviskidd, postée le 05-07-2006 à 17:08:24 (S | E)
As promised, here's my (quasi-)correction of your text. Enjoy
------------------------
Hi folks, what's up?
It's 2:45am here, I know it's late but
Well,
), boating (there's a lake), basketball .... But there are many other activities like low and high ropes, adventure (in the forest), archery, pottery, arts and crafts, nature .... By the way, during my first day at the camp I went to wander with 2 counselors in the woods and we saw a bear! There are 2 bears in those woods, the mom and the Otherwise the boss is too awesome (I love this word
) because she allows us to watch all the games of our team and as Well, as for my English, I'm still really struggling with it! First of all, I'm often running out of words and I often have to figure out the meaning of everything! Before leaving, I had almost never practiced my spoken English (I mean in comparison to my written English) and I wish I had worked harder because when I arrived here, I wasn't able to say 3 words at a stretch without stuttering. Pronunciation is so important, I could have never ever thought!
Of course my pronunciation is getting better but it's still pretty bad (but never mind I still got more than 7 weeks ). On the other hand, so far, I can't figure out a movie without subtitles or a "normal" conversation between English speaker. I can barely catch some words but not more! Something else pretty funny here as well it's when they speak, they often pronounce their "t" like a "d" or even sometimes they don't pronounce it!!! For instance, they say: tweny instead of twenty, thirdy, fordy but then they say fifty, sixty etc... They say: I'm not on deudy instead of duty, lighder instead of lighter, purpice instead of purpose etc......So when I'm with several American people I often don't (have to 
) try to figure out what they're speaking about because I keep up with them. I used to think that 2 or 3 weeks would be sufficient to get used to the accent but not at all! First I can't get the hang of the people who say after 1 month in an English speaking country, they are able to figure out a movie entirely. Then here, it's pretty hard because there are counselors from all over the world! Most of them are American but there are Turkish (understandable, they're pretty bad), Tunisian, English, Swedish, Russian, Taiwanese, Egyptian, and Scottish (What an accent ) But I love all of them I can barely call my parents for 10-20 minutes a week!!!Well, to finish, don't worry for me, I feel very well over here, I really enjoy the place, the people etc... and I am trying to make the most of it. Sometimes some moments are difficult, I feel depressed but it's just I'd like to improve my English faster and when I see there's no advancement I get angry with myself. Some of you who know me rather well are going to say "it's no wonder"
Otherwise I don't really miss my family, my friends etc... so far because I tell myself to make the most of it as I only have 10 weeks (and 3 are already over
). Fortunately I found a job here because I've been wondering how would I have been able to keep up with teachers in Canada next September???!!! I guess I'd have sunk and maybe given up after the first semester.It's impressive to see how people do love to learn some French words and expressions! They do like us
A girl learn) and knows 23 words of the human body (like oeil, bouche....) If only you could listen to her saying "poitrine", Otherwise, one thing I don't like here it's the weather! I'm used to the sun, the heat, beaches... and here it can be 30 degrees Celsius and 5 minutes later it rains! And not a little rain but a pouring rain!
Ah, do you know which word I learn
It's incredible how we get eaten alive by them! Even One last thing, "th", these 2 letters like in toothbrush, anthem etc....
Well I tried not to forget anything and I'd like to say, some of you sent me an or several emails and I
I hope you're all doing well and welcome back mp27
, I'm very happy to see you back.Take care everyone
Réponse: News from the USA de serena, postée le 06-07-2006 à 02:48:52 (S | E)
Hi Magma !
It’s always so delightful to read you! Thanks for the news, so nice of you to share your great experience with us. I’m glad to know things are going better for you over there.
Yes, as it’s been said above, your writing skills are really amazing, but not so surprising: I’ve always believed in you. And I’m sure you won’t be struggling with your speaking for long. I understand that "ça te saoule" sometimes
, but never mind, you’ll make it. So...awaiting your next report!
Take care!
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 08-07-2006 à 22:48:06 (S | E)
Hi buddies
Thank you for your messages and thanks a lot Travis for your correction, I could realize that I was very tired through some mistakes even about a lot of them! But some of them I didn't know so that's great!
Ok I can't stay so just an "ALLEZ LES BLEUS" for tomorrow and see you the next message.
I miss all of you.
Réponse: News from the USA de jasonwade, postée le 09-07-2006 à 02:46:29 (S | E)
Hi there,
I read your message and fell quite the same about the improvement of my English...I'd like it to get better much faster but it takes time...
About the 'th' sounds, I had some troubles saying 'em...but now I got 'em. the thing is to put your tongue outta your mouth, I first thought it was weird to do that, but they actually do it...and don't hesitate to exagerate it. As much as you can, try and read aloud to an English speaker and ask him or her to correct you when you mispronounce a word, it really helps me out with my pronouciation...
So long.
-------------------
Modifié par traviskidd le 09-07-2006 19:49
You say you have mastered the 'th', yet you write 'em instead of them? Shame on you!
Réponse: News from the USA de mp27, postée le 09-07-2006 à 14:32:38 (S | E)
Hi magma!
Have we all become your "buddies"..., dear "awsome" Magmatic_rock?
Yes, I guess American English is "growing on you"! (even for "mum" becoming "mom").
As far as your understanding and speaking English is concerned, I'm not a dreamer! I don't believe in overnight miracles.
Keep at it,
Stick with it,
Hang on in there (slang for "don't give up")
and.... Give it your best shot!
and of course, enjoy every moment of it...
You'll get there!
May "LES BLEUS" follow the example given by the French Amélie M.,
- yes, she won the Wimbledon Ladies Single Championship yesterday!All the best!
-------------------
Modifié par mp27 le 10-07-2006 00:17: Congratulations to Italy... and terribly sorry for France!
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 11-07-2006 à 05:07:49 (S | E)
Travis, the sound "th" of "them" is not the same as in "thief" (for instance). It's much easier!!!
However I think we should not write 'em instead of them in our message because we are here to learn the "good" English, the English grammatically correct, the same for "outta" and in my message I hadn't seen before, but I had written "kinda".
Here, for example, they say: go get the book, come see the rabbit etc....(instead of go TO get the book, come AND see the rabbit) and when I told them it was grammatically wrong, they (I mean, some of them not everybody) went to see someone else to ask because they didn't know!!!!
Réponse: News from the USA de nick27, postée le 11-07-2006 à 12:34:06 (S | E)
Hey magmatic_rock !
How are you doing?
I read your post a few days ago but didn't have time to answer ... Now I do. So, I see you're having a great time there in America !! I'm very glad for you !! I'm dying to go to America one day and I hope this dream will come true soon - As I'm going to study languages at University, I guess I'll have to go to different countries where English is spoken. So why not go to America
- It's great to see your american English is improving day after day ! I really like the way Americans speak ... It's great !
That's all I wanted to say; hope you'll keep having a great time there !
I'm looking forward to reading news from you soon
Bye bye
Réponse: News from the USA de traviskidd, postée le 11-07-2006 à 15:49:42 (S | E)
LOL ... I'm not sure whether it's "grammaticaly correct" or not, but we often omit "to" or "and" when it's between "come" or "go" and another verb, provided that the base forms of both verbs appear.
For example:
Come see a movie with us. (omission allowed)
Did you go see that movie yesterday? (omission allowed, because the base form of "go" appears, even though it is used as part of a past tense.)
Yes, I went and saw (or "went to see") that movie yesterday. (omission not allowed)
Tomorrow I will go see another movie. (omission allowed)
Will you come visit me? (omission allowed)
When are you going to come visit me? (omission allowed)
When are you coming to visit me? (omission not allowed)
As for one "th" being easier to pronounce than the other ... I'm really not sure how that's possible, because the only difference between the two is the use of the vocal cords!
Réponse: News from the USA de mp27, postée le 11-07-2006 à 17:24:30 (S | E)
to traviskidd,
Interesting to read your examples with the "allowed and not allowed" omissions. It is also a bit confusing
. Any "rule"? Is it dictated by common practise? and does it apply to everywhere in the States?
Do the allowed/not allowed omissions apply specifically to the spoken language? For ex, would a child be corrected at school if he wrote: ....and the following day, Jim will go see another movie --- or---, Jim said next week he would go see another movie".
to Magma,
If it's you who say to them: Come and see the rabbit / Go and get the book, do they understand?
If they do, so, that's not too bad!
Have a great time!
Réponse: News from the USA de traviskidd, postée le 11-07-2006 à 17:38:01 (S | E)
Yes, there is a rule, and I thought I had explained it.
As long as both verbs appear in their base form (whether or not as part of another tense), and as long as the first verb is "come" or "go", then the omission is allowed. Otherwise it is not.
It's been many years since I was in grammar school, so I don't really know whether or not this omission would be corrected if made in a written text. My guess is that it probably would not be corrected unless perhaps if the teacher were super-strict.
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 11-07-2006 à 17:55:59 (S | E)
Of course they get me mp27!!!!!!
If you only knew how many mistakes I make when I speak that I realize after speaking, but they can figure me out all the same!!!
But I'm proud of me because I can notice that my English is doing better and I can express myself with far less mistakes and faster and stuttering less too!!
I just need to figure out how to get them
I'm still not used to!See you
Réponse: News from the USA de lethidee, postée le 11-07-2006 à 22:11:20 (S | E)
Hello Magma
I'm very happy to read your messages and I notice how lucky you are to live this great experience.
Your English is very good and you can be very proud about your progress.
Have a good time in your new life
-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 12-07-2006 08:32
Réponse: News from the USA de yed, postée le 11-07-2006 à 22:49:44 (S | E)
it is a very long message. Let me read it correctly. I
-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 12-07-2006 08:33
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 17-07-2006 à 09:42:35 (S | E)
Hi guys, what's up?
What about getting acquainted with Buddy today?
Yes, I can't sleep and I miss you so much that I left my bed to give you some news
By the way, who's Buddy? Buddy is our new horse in the farm!!!! I don't know what race of horse he is, because he's already 8 years old and quite short. So it's not a race horse like we are used to see. Actually, for 2 days, we got a new horse and 2 goats in our farm, that's awesome!
Besides, Buddy ran me over two days ago! I was showing off in front the kids, walking Buddy rather quickly, and suddenly he changed his way, his back hit my thigh and I went over his back! Nice trip Buddy, next time I'll get you
Otherwise, tomorrow, with my bunk, we're going to camp out. Actually, every session, each cabin spends one night camping out. I must confess I'm not really up for it!!! That's true, after one night sleeping on the ground, my back is very painful and I feel sleepy the whole following day!
This session is very funny; there is group of 4-5 girls which do like me!
Because during the first two days I did any activity with all of them but the other French in the camp did. And they are always trying to learn some French words, willing to help us with English, pronunciation etc... and they were a bit angry with the other French because he pronounced a word badly and was pissed real fast when they corrected him. And during my first activity with them, we went for a hike through the woods, we were talking and there was a word which was impossible for me to pronounce properly. This word is "southern", and I needed maybe 15-20 minutes to pronounce it properly, and meanwhile, I was always trying to get the hang of it but always smiling etc... (I feel so happy when someone helps me like that, I could spend all my days bothering people to be helped but I try not to be too tiring ) So, since that day, as soon as they cath sight of me, they come up to me and speak with me, learn me some news words, expressions and the appropriate pronunciation Well, everything still goes well over here and now I'm starting to count how many weeks are left; so far, 6 more weeks!
Catch you on the flip side
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Modifié par magmatic_rock le 17-07-2006 09:43
Réponse: News from the USA de nick27, postée le 17-07-2006 à 20:07:24 (S | E)
Hi there !
Glad to hear news from you
!I see you're doing well
. That's great ... You seem to have a great time ! I'm very happy for you. How's Buddy now? It wasn't very kind of him to run you over ... But if you're good now, it's the most important. Well, I hope you'll keep enjoying your stay
See you!
Bye bye
Réponse: News from the USA de lethidee, postée le 17-07-2006 à 22:29:49 (S | E)
Hello Magma
I think that your story with Buddy will be a very funny memory in several years when you'll remember of your time there.
I'm very glad for you and have good time during this foreigner period of your life!
Réponse: News from the USA de mp27, postée le 20-07-2006 à 02:50:33 (S | E)
Hello magmatic_rock!
I've got a problem with my Maths.
You first said there were 70-80 children in your camp, and 25 "counselors" -- 6 counselors for 5 kids". Lucky kids, yes but...
that would make more counselors than kids!?? and you said there were 25. 
I'm lost! You said your camp has got 70-80 kids. How many camps are there altogether?
I bet that, by now, the first batch of children have gone home. How are the "new" kids?
How is Buddy the horse these days?
I have replied to your question about that specific point in pronunciation ("Comment prononcer...?) and I sent it separately to the Forum. I hope you'll practise every day with "Giles'story"... written specially for you! Some other members might have a go at it too. Nothing very poetic. It's just for practising, a few lines at a time... and , yes, it can be fun!
And what about your trip to New York? Coming soon?
Have a great time!
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 20-07-2006 à 18:03:14 (S | E)
mp27, sorry for the misunderstanding.The first session there were 76 kids for 25 counselors and in my cabin there were 6 counselors for 5 kids. But a session is 2 weeks and now we already are into the 2nd session. For this session there are 82 kids for still 25 counselors and in my cabin, there still are 6 counselors but for 15 kids. Does it make sense now?
My trip in NYC is coming very soon since I'm leaving this afternoon at 6.00pm.
Sorry I've to go.
See you
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 13-08-2006 à 21:34:19 (S | E)
Hi folks,
it's been such a long time since I had written my last news!!!
We've got a lot of problems here with 2 counselors so that we no longer can use the computer whenever we wish!!!!
I can barely get a connection 2 or 3 times a week and for only 15 minutes tops, that's why I couldn't get in touch with you because during those 15 minutes I speak with my family and try to read the news in Europe because we don't have any newspapers here!!!
Well, otherwise everything still works out and I'll get back to France within 2 weeks!!!
I confess I can't wait
So I guess I'll write you down a long summary once I'm in France because here I'm running out of time!
Well, don't forget I miss you, I think about you and look forward to being back along with you.
See you very soon now
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Modifié par lucile83 le 15-08-2006 15:19
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Modifié par traviskidd le 21-08-2006 05:30
Réponse: News from the USA de bobine, postée le 13-08-2006 à 22:03:47 (S | E)
Hello Magma,
Nice to see you are well.I'm waiting for your long summary since you're in France. I'm sure you have plenty of things to write and many pictures in your mind for many years.
Big kisses
See you soon !! Welcome in France
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Modifié par lucile83 le 14-08-2006 15:29
Réponse: News from the USA de port58, postée le 14-08-2006 à 09:23:45 (S | E)
Hello magmatic rock
Congratulations for your writings. It's impressing me, so long narration and so few mistakes ....
Réponse: News from the USA de serena, postée le 16-08-2006 à 06:11:12 (S | E)
Hi Magma!
It's a pity those 2 counselors did something surely stupid...well, at least you still have the opportunity to tell us all your news.
Still 9 days left. You'll soon see again family and friends. In the meantime, enjoy the days you're spending over there. 'Cause when you're back home, you'll feel like...returning to the USA.
Take care!
Your friends miss you too.
Réponse: News from the USA de cooltrois, postée le 16-08-2006 à 17:21:51 (S | E)
congratulation for your writting.
Réponse: News from the USA de magmatic_rock, postée le 28-08-2006 à 07:06:26 (S | E)
Hi all,
that's it I'm back and so pleased to be in France!
Pleased because I'm only staying here til very early next Monday. So I'm going to make the most of this week and catch up with my friends and family. Last night was a short night, I felt quite jet lagged (and still do), went to bed pretty late and woke up at 4.00am today
I can even imagine how I'll be, back to North America with 7 hours of time difference!!!
Well this summer....
That was wonderful, the best summer ever! I played sports every day, the staff, the boss were so friendly, I got on well with almost everyone and now I have stacks of very good friends through all the world. That was the magic of that camp and hopefully I'll be able to go back next summer (but it'll be pretty hard due to my studies). I'll always remember all those awesome moments I lived; the football games every Thursday against another camp (7 victories to 1 defeat
), the carnival, the olympic games set up etc.... My moments spent to teach campers sports, those spent in the cabin, in the staff lounge during our periods off, whatever the place I did enjoy that experience! I just regret the last week for miscellaneous facts that I prefer not to talk about (just with the campers nothing with the staff or the boss don't worry).
Moreover, I went back to NYC, even if it was for a day, I went to New Haven (visited Yale College), I unfortunately didn't go to Boston as planned because the journey would have taken 7 hours by bus, just to get there! I went to Lake Compouce, this is an amusement park with both water ride and roller coaster.
Well, last November when I went to Paris for my interview I was quite scared but but I've realised eventually that the experience was worth trying! Now, I feel more confident about my English, so, my stay in US will make my studies in Canada much easier, as far as the language is concerned...
I recommend that experience to whoever is interested in. For about 5 to 6 weeks, I may say I had a hard time expressing myself and understanding the others, then, it started to become easier and I could notice my progress. It is obvious to me that I still have a lot to learn. At least, I feel that the comparison between the state of my spoken English, 10 weeks ago, and now, is rather amazing. To the parents who read this, I'd like to say that, if you would be interested in the idea of sending your children to a summer camp, they would certainly have fun and, at the same time, they would improve their English. So, here is a link to the camp's website where I worked this summer: Lien Internet
A few foreign campers come every year. This summer, during the first session, an 11 years old French girl came and really enjoyed herself, despite of the language!
English speakers do love chatting with foreigners and teaching us many words and expressions. Besides, they love our accent!
Well, I'm available for any question if you are interested.
Here we are. I hope you enjoyed reading the last “episode” of my summer experience in USA – if you did, I would be very happy! Anyway, telling you about my experience was not only a good opportunity for me to put my ideas in writing, but, it was also very relaxing.
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Modifié par magmatic_rock le 30-08-2006 09:17
Grand grand
à mp27 pour toute son aide pour m'avoir corrigé quelques grosses fautes!-------------------
Modifié par magmatic_rock le 30-08-2006 14:29
de nombreuse grosses fautes,
j'ai vraiment honte, encore mp27 Réponse: News from the USA de lucile83, postée le 28-08-2006 à 08:59:08 (S | E)
Hello magma !
Glad to see you again here ! and glad to read your English letter
I was sure you would improve a lot, and you did.
See you soon
Réponse: News from the USA de aimen7, postée le 28-08-2006 à 09:41:01 (S | E)
Hello magma,
Cap in hand for the language! You have made huge progress, bravo.
Welcome home again!
Réponse: News from the USA de felin, postée le 28-08-2006 à 11:52:13 (S | E)
Hello Magma
It's nice to see you again. Your English is improving very much.I'm proud of you.
Keep going.
Réponse: News from the USA de nanette33, postée le 28-08-2006 à 12:46:37 (S | E)
Hello Magma,
and . Tes progrès sont impressionnants !Et bon courage pour la reprise.
Réponse: News from the USA de mp27, postée le 28-08-2006 à 16:01:40 (S | E)
Hello Magma!
Your summer 2006 will be unforgettable!
You're now ready for Canada! No doubt about that!
All the best for your studies in Geology over there!...
Enjoy these last few days!
Réponse: News from the USA de nick27, postée le 28-08-2006 à 16:54:59 (S | E)
Hi
Sure! It's an unforgettable trip for you
. Anyway, I'm glad you had a great time over there and it's great to see you've made a lot of improvements !See you
INDISPENSABLES : 