Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[airi@home]

"I love hearig about your days. They seem so perfect and full of peace."

I think my days don't sound so perfect or full of peace.
Is it greeting or something American write at the end of email?
(It isn't sarcasm. We are good friends and email each other almost every day.)

[bud]

No, Ari, it is not a standard closing. It is quite poetic, though. Perhaps your friend did not really mean the events of your days, but your spirit which gets you through your days? Anyway, that's my guess.

[airi@home]

Thank you bud .
Yes, you are right! I emailed my friend back and asked it.
He said,"I really do think that about you, maybe it is partly because you are on the other side of the world and I think that is romantic or something that I would dream about (a far off place)."

Now I have new questions.
1)What is a far off place? Is it the same as a far place?
2)Does it mean he has wanted a good firend outside of his country?

I could ask him again, but I don't want to ask about the same thing again very much.......

[bud]

1. "A far place" is not really a common English expression. "A far off place" means what you probably mean with "a far place." It is a place that is very distant from your own home. And since it is so distant, it implies an entirely different culture from your own, too.

2. Well, it doesn't exactly say that, but it is an obvious conclusion to make. English has an expression for that (making obvious conclusions from what was actually said) - reading between the lines.

Also, Airi, I wouldn't worry too much about asking him twice or more about the same thing. It's very natural that a student of any subject does not completely understand a topic the first time. Well, maybe not for Albert Einstein, but it is for the rest of us.

Good luck!

[airi@home]

Thank you, bud

Now I understand my question 1)
And let me make sure my queston 2)
His expression makes an obvious conclution, which is that he is happy to have a good fiend, me, and he feels like so maybe because I am living very distant from his home.

It is really hard for me to guess an obvious conclution...
I think it is a nice compliment and I am happy to hear it, but it also makes me a little sad because if we lived close each other, he might not be my friend...

I will see him soon, then I can ask him about many things until he says, that's enough!

[bud]

No, that's not what it implies. It is a compliment. I'm sure he would still be your friend even if you lived in the same town. That you live in a far off place is not enough to maintain a friendship. Rather, it is one more thing he likes about you among many other things.

Have a good visit. I bet you will not hear "That's enough!"

[airi@home]

Thank you so much, bud
Finally I understand.
It is a compliment, just a complement, which I should be happy to hear it.

Thank you!

[bud]

Absolutely, Airi... and you're welcome.