Dear XXX,
[name of the company]

This is [your name] of ABC.

I have been waiting for your report/paper/form* to arrive since last March. I would appreciate if you could let me know when you are ready to send it to me. If you have any questions or need help to fill it out, please let me know. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
[your name]
[your office]

Dear XXX,

How were your summer holidays?
Another new school year will start soon and you will be very busy with preparations.

Shota went to Gold Coast in Australia and had a very exciting time this summer. He was able to communicate with children in English there.  It was a big surprise for us to see him communicate in English so well. We thank you very much for all of your effort you put into teaching him English during the past school year.

Shota is going to bring 16 goodie bags to school next Monday. He would like to share the sweets with his friends from class. In case you need more, please let me know. You will also find two extra packs for you and your staff to also enjoy.

Shota still needs a little toilet training, so as always, I appreciate you looking after him.

Shota is looking forward to going back to school soon.

Best regards,
[your name]

Dear XXX,

Thank you for the email. It always makes us happy to hear from you.

You sound like you are enjoying your life in Hawaii. I did not know school starts on August 2nd in Hawaii. Mao goes to school in Shizuoka Japan. The autumn semester there starts on Aug.25.  It's still hot (30 degree C) and humid, so it is kind of tough for our  children to learn in a classroom without air conditioners.

Thank you for sending her a birthday card. We look forward to  receiving it.

Take care, and give my love to all your family.
[your name]

Dear Mr. & Mrs. XXX,

This is Mrs.[your name].
I thank you very much for offering your home to me while I am　in Germany. I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

I have had many experiences of being a host parent for foreigners in Japan. However,  I have only one experience of staying somewhere overseas. Last year I stayed at a home in Vietnam. I enjoyed differences in food and lifestyle there. I look forward to learning about the lifestyle and the differences of culture in Germany.

I am a housewife with three sons, who are now all grown up and work in different companies. My husband is manager of a construction company. My hobby is Ai-ki-do and I practice two times a week.  Do you know what Ai-ki-do is? You can see a small clip of the practice on YouTube. Please type in "Aikido Matsusaka".

I've recently got a book to help teach me some German. It is very hard for me to study the language by myself. It is quite different from Japanese. I hope I will practice it with you and your family.

Please give my best regards to your family.
Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Sincerely,
[your name]

Dear XXX,

It was nice meeting with you at the party in Sydney last month.

You said you had plans to come to Japan. When are you coming and where are you going to visit? Please let me know, I hope I will be able to see you again and show you around.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
[your name]

Dear XXX,

This is [your name].
Thank you for the invitation for the party you are having at your house. Thanks also for the detailed instructions, I am very excited. I look forward to seeing you and meeting many people there.

However, I am not good at speaking in English. I can read but I am poor at listening, speaking and writing in English. I hope I will be able to  communicate at the party.

Thank you again for your kindness.
See you soon.
[your name]

Dear XXX,

Thank you for your reply. I always appreciate your quick response. Thank you for taking your precious time for a fan.

When I wrote you and told you that my friend had bought your CD, you said that you had  also gotten other support from her, not just money. It's impressive.

I have been a fan of you since I was 14. Your music has encouraged me many times in my life when I had problems. I have experienced the way your music brings encouragement. This is the reason why I recommended your music to my friends. I hope they love your songs as much as I do and they are encouraged by your music just as I have been. I am proud of being a fan of you.

Thank you for your good music. I wish you every success in your performances.

Best wishes,
[your name]

Dear Mrs. XXX,

Thank you for informing us that the children's piano recital will be held at your home. My daughter, Mai and I will be attending.

I was just wondering if there was anything I can do  to help out for the big day.  I would appreciate it if you could let me know how I can help, such as preparing snacks, drinks, and etc.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
[your name]

Dear XXX,

I am so happy to know that you put your first CD on the market.
Congratulations!

It took quite a long time for me to get a copy of your music from Germany. I just now listened to it. It's exciting to me that I can listen to your music at home anytime I want to.

Since I listened to your LIVE piano for the first time at the concert in Saitama in 2006, I have been fascinated with your work. I look forward  to your next LIVE concert in the same place at the end of this year. I am happy to know that all the programs are Chopin. I can hardly wait for the day.

Wishing you a successful concert,
[your name]
A Japanese fan of you

Dear XXX,
Dad in Australia,

Happy birthday!
I wish you another healthy and happy year.

I have been studying English in Australia. I really enjoy it here and have made some really good friends. I will be here till next February. When the course is over, I would like to visit you again. I hope I will be able to talk with you and your family in English more fluently next time.

Please give my love to your family and people I met before.

Let me keep in touch,
[your name]

To Customers Service Office
[name of the company]

This is [your name]
Order number:1234567

I am writing about my concerns.
As I have already reported to you that the goods you sent me on April 5 were not what I ordered. So I contacted you and you agreed to send me the right items. We also agreed that I would send back the wrong items  to you at a mailing cost would be covered by your side. I also reported that it would take some time for me to return the wrong item. You agreed with that as well.

However, today I was shocked to get the email from you saying that the return policy was within 30 days and my cancellation was invalid because of the time limit.  I contacted you and got an agreement from you within the 30 days.  As far as I understand, my case is special and not against the rules.

I am sending you the wrong order understanding that you will still be sending me the correct order.  I also ordered with the mailing costs covered by your side.

Just for your information:
My name:
The item I ordered:
The item to be sent back to you:
The return mailing charge:

Looking forward to getting the right items soon,

Sincerely,
[your name]

◎　検索機能を改善しました。

Goolge カスタム検索のボックス　に　「キーワード」　をタイプすると、キーワードに関連する例文が多数表示できるようになりました。

◎　お勧めの検索方法
Goolge カスタム検索のボックスに　あなたが伝えたい内容や言葉を直接タイプしてください。

「結婚」と一つのキーワードをタイプすると、結婚に関連する例文が多数表示されます。

また、「ホテル　予約」などと複数のキーワードを後にスペースを入れてタイプすると、多数の例文が表示されます。

また、「旅行　インド　お礼」　などとキーワードを重ねることによって、あなたの探している例文に近い例文を表示させることができます。

◎　改善にご協力をお願いします。
お蔭さまで例文が多くなりました。　書きたいメール例文がすぐに出てくるように検索方法を充実させたいと思います。

不具合やご要望などありましたら、「お問い合わせフォーム」から、質問と同じ方法で、送ってください。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

Chisato & Write-for-you Team
July 13 2010

◎　お詫びします。

 Goolge カスタム検索のボックスの検索方法に不具合があることに気がつきました。
ご不便をおかけして申し訳ありません。 

Goolge カスタム検索のボックス　に　「キーワード」　をタイプすると、
キーワードに関連する例文が多数表示されるはずでしたが、表示されません。

特に、Goolge カスタム検索のボックス上にポップアップで表示されるマニュアル通りには検索が行われないことがわかりました。ご不快な思いをさせて本当に申し訳ありません。

◎　お勧めの検索方法
Goolge カスタム検索のボックスには、あなたが伝えたい内容やことばを直接タイプしてみてください。

「がんばって」　とか　「旅行　お礼　インド」　などと。

◎　改善したい！
これから少し時間ができますので、検索方法を改善します。
例文が多くなりましたので、検索方法を充実させたいと思います。

不具合やご要望など、「お問い合わせフォーム」から、質問と同じ方法で、送っていただければ助かります。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

不便をおかけしましたことを心からお詫び申し上げます。

Chisato
July 13 3010

写真はクリーブランド (Cleveland, Australia) の外房を走るボート。
海なのに湖みたいに湖面が安定していた。

オーストラリアは日本の２０倍も大きいので、目にする地図は相当縮小されたものを見ることが多い。しかし、特定の場所を詳細に調べるために拡大してみると、海と接する地形は結構、複雑に入り込んでいる。入り江あり、内海ありで、太平洋上でありながら、静かな海がいくつもあった。遊べる海がいっぱい。

この海に友人が　house　boat　をレンタルして３泊４日の旅に連れて行ってくれた。

１１人乗りで、人数分のベッドがあって、トイレやシャワーもついていた。　キッチンには、料理用の電気ストーブやシンク、冷蔵庫も備えられていて、釣れた魚で食事を楽しむことができた。

友人夫妻はボートの運転免許を持っていたので、自分たちで運転して、行きたいところに行き、泊まりたいところに泊まった。みんなで船の操縦を試したり（違反デス！）、釣りをしたり、ゴムボートで小さな島を探検したりして、自然人に戻って生きていることを楽しんだ。

海外でアウトドアをするたびに思うことがある。
アウトドアを楽しみたいなら、日々準備しておくことがたくさんある。

ボートの旅に限って言えば、ボートの運転免許を持っていると役立つ。
引き潮や満ち潮の知識とネットでの調べ方も大切。

釣り。海釣り。えさの用意、えさのつけ方、釣った魚を網で捕まえることができること。
釣り竿の知識は当然のこと、魚の種類の見分け方、キャッチしてよい魚、リリースしなければいけないサイズなど、結構必要な知識がたくさんある。

そして魚をさばいて、おいしい魚料理を作れることも極めて重要。
魚の味を引き立てるワインの知識も欠かせない。
カクテルを作れたら、パーティはそれだけでレベルアップする。

英語が話せても、ボートの旅の間中、何もお手伝いできないとしたら、、、、。

楽しく遊ぶにはやっておかなければならないことがたくさんあることに気がついた。

Essay by Chisato
Photo by T. Tanaka
July 12 2010
Spain がFIFA World Cup 2010を制した日