hi new people!

[howsmyenglish]

Dear new people,

just wanted to say hi and welcome and add that

- my username really means that I wonder about my English, so should you ever feel the need to comment on it, go right ahead! I'll be grateful for usable feedback.

- 5 questions (two and one) are a great way to start to get to know each other: do let me know, if you'd like your set of questions.

- I have a Christmas game going and I'm terrified that all you new people will suddenly decide to play, but since this is not going to happen: welcome, anyone who's brave and bold and selfless enough!

- There are no hidden posts in my journal, so I don't see the point of "granting access", but if you feel that you'd like it just let me know!


And here's just something nice that might or might not improve your day:

My physiotherapist has been telling me for a long time already that I don't breathe well... not deep enough, not conscious enough etc... so, this last week I finally took it seriously and did my best to do a lot of breathing exercises, to breathe as good as I can, to notice when my breath goes shallow again and to do something about that... And you know what? It turns out, your mood is way better, when you breathe deeply. This is amazing. Try it! Or don't, if you don't like to :)

*big bright smile*

Comments

[quantumcupcakes]

I always find my posture is better when I pay attention to my breathing, I sit up straighter, I stop hunching my shoulders and I feel more... aware of my surroundings. It's one of my favourite things in yoga practice

[howsmyenglish]

Our yoga teacher used to say that when we do our daily practice, we should always include some things that we love and some things that we hate. It was funny and interesting to see that I never knew what the things were that I hated... because, the things you love are the things you do well and the things you hate are things you have issues with and it's not easy to force yourself to deal with those... So, yeah - it took me years to realize that I need to do a lot of pranayama, maybe more than actual physical exercises. But I'm happy I finally did.
And, yes, now that you say it I notice that it does improve my posture. Yay! :)

[notliketonight]

- my username really means that I wonder about my English, so should you ever feel the need to comment on it, go right ahead! I'll be grateful for usable feedback.
Your English is so good that if you had not mentioned that it was not your mother tongue, nothing would have suggested that you were not born using this language. I thought you should know :)
My username is part of a Depeche Mode song, "But Not Tonight"

- 5 questions (two and one) are a great way to start to get to know each other: do let me know, if you'd like your set of questions.
I'll add mine on your original post if you don't mind :-P
And feel free to ask me anything.

- I have a Christmas game going and I'm terrified that all you new people will suddenly decide to play, but since this is not going to happen: welcome, anyone who's brave and bold and selfless enough!
Of course, I'm in!



- There are no hidden posts in my journal, so I don't see the point of "granting access", but if you feel that you'd like it just let me know!
I've not thought about this before. I've protected my entries, mainly because I have to admit I fear trolls. People do enjoy being nasty on the internet and it's something I hate with all my heart. As I was not sure exactly how all this DW worked, for a while I'll let my entries protected, but you made a good point there ;)


And here's just something nice that might or might not improve your day:
Do you have an app to guide you through your breathing exercises? It sounds really nice, I could use something like this any day!

[howsmyenglish]

About English: Thanks! That's so nice of you to say :)

About the Christmas game: really?! Just like that? Great!
*muttering: I have to go and read at least ten of your posts to figure out what I might send...*
Anyhow, if you're really in (still having trouble believing it;)), send me your address as a private message; you might also add what kind of things you'd like to get, otherwise you depend on my fantasy ;)

Don't want to say anything about trolls in case they hear it... *big eyes*

About breathing: no apps, I use yoga (pranayama) and exercises people taught me... there's a lot of information on the net, for instance, there's this place, you can browse through videos at the bottom of the page, in "Style" pick "Pranayama yoga". Enjoy!

PS: I like your username!

[thewayne]

I think your English is pretty good. I notice some things that hint that it's not your first language, but it's pretty darn good. There was a Japanese woman who worked at my wife's observatory, her English was perfect. One night I asked her where she went to school. She got this puzzled look and said 'Japan!' I thought she was born over here! She said her written English, which I'd never seen, was terrible.

Breathing is important. I strongly encourage it.

And good luck with your PhD program! My wife had a tough time completing hers, but astronomy/astrophysics is a tough field. She had ulcers before she was done, people sometimes have nervous breakdowns completing that program. About the only time she uses her Dr. title is when she's on TV.

[howsmyenglish]

Thank you! This is probably the best moment to tell you that I've never lived in an English speaking country and jump happily up and down!
(do countries speak?;)

We ordered new credit cards a year ago and my husband added a "Dr." on mine. For encouragement, he said. Now I have to finish the PhD to stop feeling like an impostor.

By the way, re - I notice some things that hint that it's not your first language - I appreciate people pointing out those things to me. I mean, you don't have to, but I'd be grateful if you did. :)

[thewayne]

I'll look over your more recent posts and see if I can spot any 'tells'.  Your English usage is quite good, so it'll be a matter of idioms or uncommon structure. :-)