ローカルガールの華麗な生活2001-08-11　Keepsakes

August 7, 2001　Keepsakes

I surprised my Grandma at my recent wedding reception with my bridal bouquet. It’s fairly common practice nowadays for a bride to present her bouquet to someone special in her life, usually her mother. However, after talking about it with my mother, I decided to honor my grandmother with my bouquet. We both agreed that it would be an important thing for me to do, especially since we are so close, and because she is the only living grandmother my husband and I have.

When it came time for my bouquet presentation, I was nervous but happy. My grandma later told me that she was wondering where my mother was, assuming that she’d be the one who would receive the bouquet. So when I called her name instead, she was anything but prepared. It was a memorable moment in my life ﾐ short and sweet, but full of love and meaning. For those who knew my grandma, and for those who knew my relationship with my grandma, it was especially touching.

After the wedding, Grandma sent me a long letter, thanking me for presenting her with my bouquet. I had to tell her that my intention was for me to thank her for everything she has done for me and all that she means to me.

So it shouldn’t have fazed me when Grandma surprised me this past Sunday with a gift made from my bridal bouquet. But, it did. Apparently, Grandma had saved some of the flowers from my bouquet, and pressed them. From the pressed flowers, she put together some placemats for Kyle and I to have. A keepsake, she called it.

My grandma constantly amazes me with her thoughtfulness, creativity, generosity, and humility. She is one of the most amazing people in this world.

My friends would tell me that if the tables were turned, and I were the one receiving the bouquet, I’d also do something like Grandma did. I’d like to think so, and I try to do things “like Grandma would” in many of my life experiences. However, as much as I try, I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable saying that I’m “just like Grandma.”

Susan Sensei’s English Lesson #85（スーザン先生の英語講座）

For two years I taught English in Japan, and was “スーザン先生” to my students in Ikaho town, Gunma Prefecture. I will try and introduce new words and phrases for the Japanese visitor to Hawaii. Here is this week’s situation:

【今週のレッスン】
昨日、たまたまニーマン･マーカスでクリニークの化粧品を買いました。$35以上買い物をすればフリーギフトがもらえるとあったからです。買う必要のある物やと欲しいなあ、と思ってた物を買うときにこういった特典はとってもうれしいですよね。でも化粧品には値段表示のない場合が多々あり、合計がいくらになっているのか、その特典を受けるのに充分な買い物をしたのかわからない…　そんなときは店員さんにこのように尋ねましょう：
I just bought some Clinique cosmetics from Neiman Marcus yesterday because they are having a special bonus offer – Buy $35 worth of Clinique merchandise, and receive a free gift. This is a great way to buy something that you already need, or always wanted to try, because you get something for spending your money. However, cosmetics usually don’t have prices on them, so you don’t really know how much you’ve spent, and whether or not you qualify for the “bonus.” In this case, simply ask the sales person:

“How much is this?” or “How much more do I need to spend to get the Bonus Gift?”
「これはいくらですか？あといくら買えばギフトをもらえることができますか？」

Loco Girl’s Profile（ロコ・ガールのプロフィール） Born in Hilo, I grew up going fishing with Dad, shopping with Mom, and trying to be a good “big sister” to a younger sister and brother. A Waiakea High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa alumni, I taught English in Japan for two years on the JET Program. I love doing a lot of things-shopping, reading, lettering, making jewelry & crafts, watching Friends-and that’s just the start of my list! I like being busy, and am active with the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) and the Honolulu Junior Japanese Chamber of Commerce (HJJCC.) My family and friends are, of course, very important to me, and are why I live a very typical, happy, local-style life in Hawaii and will never leave!