Welcome to
The Point
The First All English Newspaper in Kumamoto City, Japan
A video shows an entire alligator being removed from inside a large Burmese python. The python which had been euthanized had swallowed the alligator whole. Scientists say this shows the invasive pythons in Florida's ecosystem. The viral video shows scientists cutting into in 18-foot python to remove a 5-foot alligator. The video was first posted on Instagram. Field workers euthanized the snake to take it back to their lab. They were called and told that there was a large object inside it. We thought it was either a deer or an alligator. When the python was cut open, it was very shocking to see an alligator inside it. Burmese pythons have to be euthanized in Florida because they are a real danger to the indigenous wildlife in the unique ecosystem of the everglades in Florida. This discovery highlights the invasive pythons in South Florida's National Park as the reptiles reproduce quickly, have long life spans and feed on a wide variety of animals. Burmese pythons are not native to Florida. It's believed that they were released into the wild by irresponsible exotic pet owners and after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 which destroyed a python breeding facility and released countless snakes into the nearby swamps.
Exchange emails with a native speaker of English
If you really want to improve your English skills, you should practice exchanging emails with a native speaker. Answer the questions below and send your answers to one of our staff members. You can also practice your speaking by skype or meeting in person.
Topic: School
1. What high school did you go to?
2. How did you get to school?
3. What teachers did you like?
4. What teachers did you dislike?
5. Did you play sports in school?
6. Did you wear a high school uniform?
7. Did you get along with your classmates?
8. How did you celebrate your high school graduation?
Send your answers to someone on our staff. We will correct your English and answer you. Write the staff’s name in the subject. Email: bluehillesl@yahoo.com
Male Female
David (USA) Sharon (Canada)
Randall (USA) Lisa (Canada)
Grammar 1
in advance = before
Ex. I want to know the artists in advance of going to the concert.
1. I want to know what hotel we are staying at in advance of going.
2. He wants to see a picture of your friend in advance of meeting her.
3. Tell me the restaurant in advance of us going.
4. Tell me if I can wear a skirt in advance of us going.
Grammar 2
Ex. In the meantime, look at some magazines.
1. In the meantime, go shopping.
2. In the meantime, can I play some video games?
3. In the meantime, go window shopping.
4. In the meantime, let's go get something to eat.
Foreigner's Voice
I was sitting in my apartment one afternoon and I was getting hungry. I decided to go to Hotto Motto which was close to my apartment. It was such a beautiful and sunny day, I decided to walk to get my food. On my way, I saw a police car pass me. I just kept walking and to my surprise, the same police car had made a u-turn. The two police officers in the car turned the red and blue lights on and pulled in front of me. I wasn't nervous because I had not done anything illegal. The first police officer got out of the car and walked up to me. He asked me for my passport of foreigner card. I asked the police officer, "What did I do wrong?" I had only been in Japan for a few months so I could not speak much Japanese. The second police officer got out of the car and told me that I had not done anything wrong. The officers were just stopping me to check my papers to make sure I was in Japan legally. I thought this was not a good way to welcome foreigners into Japan. While I was standing there with the police car lights on, the Japanese in their cars passed by and slowing down wondering what I had done wrong. I felt like a criminal even though I had not done anything wrong. It was so embarrassing so I wondered how many Japanese citizens know that Japanese police stop foreigners at random to check their papers. I didn't feel good so I never walked anywhere again. I hate when Japanese people ask me if I like living in Japan because this bad memory always comes to mind.
English Idioms
Idiom 1 - under the weather = be sick
Example:
Sam: You don't look so good today.
Ben: I'm a bit under the weather.
Idiom 2 - fed up = I had enough
Example:
Jill: Danny is always late to pick me up.
Ray: I'm fed up with him being late.
Idiom 3 - hook up = to connect
Example:
Charles: I think Lisa and Travis will make a good couple.
Rachel: We should hook them up.
Idiom 4 - Knock it off - stop
Example:
Student: Please don't touch my coffee cup.
Teacher: Hey, knock it off. I asked you nicely.
May 2022
American Culture
There are so many bars in America is each state that each bar usually wants to make their bar different from other bars. Most bars have large TVs so customers can watch sports. There are usually more than one TV. Some bars can have more than 20 TVs showing different sports on each TV. Americans like crowded bars so they can mingle and make new friends. Bars in America are usually a chance for men to talk to women and for women to talk to men. It is also a place to eat finger foods like chicken nuggets, buffalo wings. It is also a place to sit with your friends and talk while drinking an alcoholic beverage.
Jesse Owens
Jesse Cleveland Owens, known as J.C. and then as Jesse was born on September 12, 1913 in Danville, Alabama. Jesse worked in the cotton fields as a child. He was small for his age and quite shy. To earn spending money, he scrubbed kitchen floors and worked at a shoeshine stand.
In high school Jesse tried out for track. He won seventy-five races during his high school career. His coach especially admired Jesse’s spirit and sense of fair play.
Jesse earned an athletic scholarship to Ohio State College. He gave record-breaking performances every track season, and made the 1936 Olympic track team.
At the Olympics in Berlin, Germany, Jesse won four gold medals. He set three records and tied a fourth at the Games. He set world records for sprinting, broad jumping and the 400 meter relay. He tied the world record in the 100 yard dash.
Martin: You're all probably wondering why I called you here.
Pam: Hell yea. You dragged us out on a stormy night. What's wrong with you fool?
Gina: and why did you want us all in black?
Martin: I'm setting my scene. Now I have news about my CD player. SIT DOWN! Cole sit your $5 ass down before I make change.
Cole: You want change? Anybody got change for $5?
Gina: Martin. Just what is your news please?
Martin: I know who stole my CD player. And the person is in this room right now. Anybody want to tell me who? Come on now. Don't you all speak at once. Now, come on now. Don't anybody know nothing? Yeah, I mean come on now. Gina, Cole, Pam, Tommy I know somebody knows something. Ain't that right?
From the TV show Martin
Youtube: Martin Famous Dog Scene
Genre: Comedy