More English Lessons

Ted came home from work on Thursday morning (as I was heading to work) in an exceptionally good mood. I thought it was appropriate to bid him farewell with "see you later, alligator", which required a quick game of charades (with my arms playing the role of the alligator's mouth) and a look in the Polish/English dictionary. And then I of course had to introduce the phrase "in a while, crocodile."

We haven't had a chance to practice the exchange, but I'll let you know when Ted's passed the exam. Here's the Answer Key-

A-L: See you later, alligator.

Ted: In a while, crocodile.

Geography

Report from Sister Maria:

This morning in the car on the way to Gloria's, Aila said: "I don't want to go to Spain when I'm 5. I want to go to the big school."

So I responded with "There are big schools in Spain, and besides when we go to Spain we'll be closer to Anna Lisa."

My little geography girl replied: "Anna Lisa lives in Scotland, not Spain!"

I stand corrected.

Airport Journey

Last Thursday morning I escorted Ted to the airport. He was heading back to Poland for two weeks to visit his wife and kids, and was quite worried about going to the airport alone, and figuring out where to check in, etc.

But I wasn't being totally selfless. I didn't get up an hour early just so I could help Ted, and make sure he got on his flight ok. I was banking on the fact that on the journey between the flat and the airport, he would say something hilarious, like 'grandbrother' or 'sister-in-love' or 'tennis problem'.

No such luck. Ted's English is getting too good. I might have to exchange him. Mr. Squirrel said 'Kitty problem' last night (because he thought Kitty was confused by the fact that he had built a shelf above her litter tray), so I suppose he's thrown his hat in the ring. And as an added bonus, Mrs. Squirrel is a darn good cook.

Ted, redeem yourself.

Mr. & Mrs. Squirrel Come to Town

Flatmate Justyna's parents are here from Poland, for 10 days. They don't really speak English, so we speak the international language of vodka and cured meats. It turns out their last name is Polish for 'squirrel', which is probably why Kitty has adopted Mr. Squirrel as her foster mother.

Conversation, via interpreter Justyna, which took place after I caught Mr. Squirrel feeding Kitty pieces of pork off his plate...

A-L: She's for sale. I have papers to prove she's only had fleas once.

Mr. Squirrel (to Kitty): Oh, you can come back to Poland with me.

(Kitty: I need to be hand-fed cured meat.)

A-L: She doesn't have a passport though.

Mrs. Squirrel: She can be on our family passport. If they question us at the airport, we'll just say "it's two squirrels and a cat."

Two days later, Mrs. Squirrel changes her tune...this time no interpreter was present. A Polski/English dictionary, and lotsa hand signals resulted in this conversation:

Mrs. Squirrel: We saw a sign today, for a missing cat.

A-L: Yeah, I was thinking of copying the layout to make a poster saying I've found a cat.

Mr. Squirrel: The cat on the missing poster looks remarkably like Kitty.

Gordon to A-L: Have you told the Squirrels that Kitty is stolen?

A-L: Pipe down, or you won't get any more speaking lines.

Mrs. Squirrel: By my calculations, that cat is worth 150 GBP.

Gordon to A-L: Mrs. Squirrel just referred to Kitty as 'that cat'.

A-L: I know, she's lovely. Kitty hates her too.