LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR JOB…

What kind of work do you do?

Well now, I’m an athletic trainer in a small gym, and I also have to help out at the reception desk and also in the retail shop we run. I guess you can say that I have to wear many hats.

Why did you choose that kind of work?

Ok, that’s quite an easy question. It’s because I’ve always been keen on sports, so when I was trying to find a job, I decided to look for something I’m familiar with. Luckily I found a golden opportunity at the gym just down the road from my house.

Is there anything you don’t like about your job?

Well there are some things I don’t like, but it’s not related to the job itself. I mean this job is great, I love to guide people about how to exercise, it’s meaningful. However, the one thing I don’t like is that there is not much team spirit amongst my co-workers. I guess you could say that my gym has low workplace morale. I think this is the only thing bothering me.

 

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR STUDIES…

Where are you studying?

I’m studying at Sydney University. It’s a very prestigious university, and the lecturers are really demanding and give lots of assignments, so I often have to study until the wee hours. [Underlined words are explained below in the idioms section.]

Why did you choose to study there?

Actually I chose the school for a few reasons. Most importantly, I chose to study there because it has the most up-to-date knowledge in my area. As well as this, the University has a student centered approach, so I feel my learning needs are really taken care of.

What would you like to do after you finish your studies?

Well I think it depends. I think that my course will help me to set the stage for my future career. I’d like to join one of the top five accounting companies, but if my grades aren’t high enough I will go to work at my uncle’s accounting firm.

 

LET’S TALK ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE:

Do you live in a house or in an apartment?

I live in a modern high-rise apartment complex. It’s a wonderful place to live because it has lots of amenities such as a gym, sauna, and swimming pool.

Which room of your apartment do you like most?

Oh, it’s definitely the living room. I live on the 25th floor and it has lots of windows that give me a bird’s eye view of the city. I love to sit on the sofa and drink my coffee in the morning and enjoy the fantastic view.

If you could change one thing about your home, what would it be?

There are a couple of things. I guess the main thing is that it has become a bit run down. My dad really needs to renovate our apartment…you know…paint the walls…that sort of thing.

 

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR HOMETOWN

What’s the name of your hometown?

Perth is my hometown it’s a city located in the west of my country.

Is it a big or a small place?

Actually, it is a small city with slightly over than 1 million people. It has beautiful beaches. In addition, due to the increasing economy, a number of businesses, especially in mining, are investing in my hometown that turns it into a promising area.

What do you like most about your hometown?

I like the hospitality and the goodwill of people there. Everyone is willing to give others a hand when they need help. In addition, There are a lot of parks and recreational areas.

 

LET DISCUSS SINGING

How often do you sing?

I absolutely love singing. When I’m into a song, I can’t help myself from singing it all day and night. Although my family hate it when I sing and they complain that it’s not sounding great.

When do you like to sing?

I sing whenever I feel like to, you know, when I’m bored or when I’m in a good mood. And since I’m not that type of a so-called performer, most of the time I sing for myself.

Do you like to hear other people sing?

Well, it really depends who it is. My mother has an excellent voice and I love to hear her sing. However, my little sister has an annoying high pitch tone and I can’t stand to hear her sing.

Have you ever wanted to be a singer?

Well, from what I’ve known, being a singer is not easy at all. It’s not just about performing, but it also involves in interaction with fans and other colleagues. Based on what I’ve known about showbiz, and even the music industry in general, I think that I don’t belong to that world.

 

LET’S TALK ABOUT SUNNY DAYS

Do you like sunny weather?

I definitely love sunny days, on which I can hang out with friends or do some sports. It is even better when the winds blowing. Sunny days are also good days to hang out laundry as well as cleaning both inside and outside the house.

What do you like to do when it’s a sunny day?

I love to participate in some outdoor activities under the sun like meeting up with some friends or do some sports, especially swimming. Or I grab the chance to do some photography. Everything becomes so clear and stunning on sunny days, no matter it’s early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as long as the sun shines, I’m sure I’ll find inspiration almost everywhere.

Do you do anything to protect yourself from the sun?

Absolutely, I know all about skin cancer and when I go out I always like to put on sun screen and wear a hat. As well as this, to protect my eyes from the glare and UV rays of the sun I wear sunglasses.

Are there many sunny days where you live?

It is a modern big city so unless it’s our rainy season, otherwise the sun would shine most of the time, either during one day or the whole year. Sometimes the temperature rises so high that it feels like burning, that’s when people prefer staying indoor enjoying the cool air produced by air conditioners.

 

NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT WEEKENDS

What do you do at the weekend?

Usually I prefer staying at home, I spend my spare time on my hobbies such as gardening and pottery. Usually, in the evening I like listening to some music and going onto some social networking site such as Facebook or Instagram.

What did you do last weekend?

Like every weekend I had a big sleep in both Saturday and Sunday mornings. I spent most of Saturday chilling out and cooked myself a big yummy meal and watched some TV. Besides, Sunday I spent most of the day online chatting with my friends and at night I went to bed early.

What are you going to do next weekend?

I don’t have any actual plan for this weekend, to be honest. If the weather is nice, I will probably have a barbeque and chit chat with my friends, since we don’t see each other often during weekdays. Otherwise, if it’s wet I’ll just stay home, continue with my homework and watch a bit of TV.

Do you feel that weekends now are more important to you than when you were a child?

Yes, weekends or day offs are becoming more important to me. Since working time accounts for higher proportion of my schedule, I barely have time for family or friends, not to mention taking care of ourselves. Back then I was of course more relaxed. There were no pressure, no deadlines and I have my parents take care of me.

 

LET’S MOVE ON AND DISCUSS ART

Do you like art?

I have had a lifelong passion for art since I was a child. Beside official art class in school, I also participated in some drawing competitions back then. Until now I still draw in my free time, although not as often as I used to do.

How often do you visit art galleries?

To tell you the truth, I have never visited art galleries before. Unless I had a guide to acknowledge me, art galleries would be quite boring for me. Well, I suppose if I went overseas I might visit some of the famous galleries.

Do you think art should be a compulsory school subject? 

Yes I do. Learning arts, especially at a young age, can help stimulate children’s cognitive development and encourage them to think outside the box. So, I think it’s important for every student to take this subject.

What kind of paintings do people like in your country?

In my opinion, people love hanging landscape paintings at home. Bringing in the beauty of Mother Nature somehow ease people’s mind after a long day at work. Another style that most people like is portraits. It could be portraits of someone important to them or even their lovely pets.

 

LET’S TALK ABOUT HATS

Do you like to wear hats?

Although hats help shield your hair and face from direct sunlight, to be honest I don’t really like wearing hats daily. My hair is always a mess after I take them off. Instead of wearing hats, I think I prefer bringing an umbrella with me.

What kinds of hats do you have?

Well as I’ve mentioned, wearing hats is definitely not my daily style, so generally I don’t have any hats at home. There is the only type of hat I’m particularly fond of, which is baseball caps. This kind of hat can give me a sporty and strong look, you know.

Did you wear hats when you were a child?

Yes. My school uniform had a grey cap in it and we had to wear our cap to and from school, but we did not wear it when we were inside the classroom.  My mother also used to make me wear a hat when I went to the beach to prevent sunburn.

Is wearing a hat popular in your country?

Well in my country motorbikes are the most common means of transportation, and we must wear a helmet whenever we ride a motorbike for safety. Other than that it’s not common to where anything on our head.