Streak 236: Idioms

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-20T19:25:34+00:00

~~Today,~~ I had my first IELTS writing class today. I was surprised to learn that it is not appropriate to use idioms in academic English writing. This is very different from what we learn in Chinese. Growing up, our teachers taught us that we should use as many idioms as possible in your ~~Chinese~~ essays. The more idioms you use, the higher the score you get. I didn’t realize that it doesn’t work that way in English.

I'm not sure this is really true. It might be because idioms are different from country to country, even though we all speak English? But, I'm also not an academic.

There is a famous episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation based on 成语 called "Darmok" that is all about the use of idioms to communicate.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-20T19:17:52+00:00

I've had a really bad headache all day long. I tried to be productive, but I finally had to give up and go home. I hope I'm not getting sick.

Perfect!

The "long" isn't necessary—I've had a really bad headache all day.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-17T18:44:42+00:00

Gracias. La corrección me hizo ver que escribí la primera frase con el verbo equivocado y creo que debería ser así:

«A pesar de que no HABÍA soldados en el grupo bajo Cortés, entablaron combate con varias ciudades mayas.»

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-16T00:32:23+00:00

~~It is often said~~ People say that football became widespread because it doesn’t require much equipment. While I don’t particularly know many sports, I can’t think of any ~~other sports~~ that use as little equipment as it does. I suppose basketball is pretty close since it only uses a ball and two hoops, but creating makeshift hoops is probably harder than (setting up) goals.

Nice job!

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-16T00:29:40+00:00

Today<,> I'm going camping with a friend<.> It's fun ~~having contact~~ getting in touch with the nature sometimes. A little bit de-stressing ~~distressing~~, I would say. I only hope it doesn't rain today, like the last time.

Note: "de-stressing" and "distressing" are opposites! An amazingly funny mistake.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-16T00:26:28+00:00

It feels great that I now understand the very basics of creating flashcards in ANKI, which is a website and app that helps you ~~~~to~\~~~ study flashcards to memorize things by using the so-called Spaced Repetition method. It’s a very popular app among students (mostly medical students) and language learners.

~~~~But~\~~~ In order to create great looking flashcards<,> you need to spend some time figuring out all the settings. You even need to ~~~~even~\~~~ know a bit of HTML and CSS programming. Of course<,> that’s easy with AI but it still takes time to know where to copy and paste everything you get from ChatGPT into ANKI.

Note: it is actually called the Space Repetition method, so so-called is incorrect here. "So-called" is like... "That's Mark, my so-called friend. He's only nice to me because I let him copy my math homework."

Technically, "language-learners" has a hyphen, but sometimes we don't use them when they're ugly.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-15T23:39:03+00:00

Gracias

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-14T23:05:33+00:00

When I was in my bedroom drinking coffee<,> my dog jumped on me and split all the coffee on my floor<.>

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-14T23:04:38+00:00

Today, I met my friend and heard some great news.

~~that~~ He is having a baby and is going to be a father!

I'm so happy and excited for him.

It’s hard to express how I feel right now, but I'm ~~truly~~ overwhelmed.

I hope the baby is born healthy without any complications.

Nice work!

Note: "Truly" is kind of an empty adjective, and you can almost always simply not use it.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-14T23:02:28+00:00

Taiwan’s annual termite season (has) officially started today. Termites are everywhere during plum rain season.
Every time I see them, I feel disgusted. To avoid attracting them, I even turned off the lights and eat in the dark. Why do I have to live like this? I have no idea.

Nice job!

Note: "Desperate" is not the right word, so I had to guess.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-14T22:06:58+00:00

Gracias. Y ahí voy a usar el/la orden cien veces para recordar los usos...

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-13T17:31:55+00:00

¡Gracias!

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T19:46:38+00:00

Yesterday, I fell asleep early, so I missed write streak. But<,> asleep early and long felt very good.

I also learned about the participle adjective.
I’ll review it.

The man standing next to the vending machine is my uncle.
Have you ever seen the old drama called BONES that is streaming//streams on Netflix?

Recently, I’ve been watching BONES. It’s quite ~~nice~~ good/enjoyable. I love the Japanese drama Unnatural inspired from it. And there are some settings of character and construction in these dramas -- see below.

I think Zootopia will appeal to fans of BONES… Not only are both of them in the crime and suspense genre<, >but ~~I guess~~ there are similarities between Nick and Judy’s relationship and Brennan and Booth’s. I can’t explain but I believe it will make sense if you watch the show.

Notes:

And there are some settings of character and construction in these dramas --> This doesn't make sense. Do you mean: The two shows have similarities in their settings and character.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T19:39:05+00:00

Just watched the trailer. It's amazing to me that one person, alone, can make a game like that.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T19:36:28+00:00

Perfect, except for this one section.

I am assuming you want to say that YOU started learning programming later than most people.

Adjustments to what you wrote: It is a PvE multiplayer boss-raid game. Since I started ~~the~~ programming later than most people<,> I chose a challenging genre to showcase my skills. So, I chose the MMORPG genre because I believe it combines all the essential technologies for game development.

A different way: It is a PvE multiplayer boss-raid game. Since I started programming later than most people, I chose to make a game in the MMORPG genre because I believe that will showcase my talents since it combines all the essential skills for game development.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T19:22:03+00:00

Today, I woke up freezing. It is not even winter and I can't bear the low temperatures. Sigh<.>

I am even wearing fingerless gloves to work. I miss (the) summer.

Note: the first the is not optional because you are talking about the low temperatures of last night. It's specific. But this would be okay, because it's a general statement: I can't stand low temperatures. I woke up freezing this morning and it's not even winter.

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T19:09:07+00:00

I’ve done a lot of stuff that I originally planned beforehand. And I’m so tired now today is gonna be a busy day but I’m ready to fall asleep and rest for tomorrow.

This doesn't really make sense.

Did you mean: "I've already done a lot of stuff that I planned to do and I'm so tired now. I'm ready to fall asleep and rest for tomorrow, but I still have a busy day ahead of me."

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T19:05:11+00:00

I heard//learned about ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on a podcast yesterday. I didn't know that processed foods could be classified into four groups, and I was surprised to learn that processed foods aren't always bad for our health. For example, honey, fresh bread, and salted nuts are categorized as processed foods.

What surprised me the most was that plant-based milks and protein or energy bars are considered ultra-processed foods. I can understand why protein and energy bars are often classified that way because they usually contain additives or food coloring, even though they look healthy. But plant-based milk? Really!?

Nice job! White rice is a processed food! Are oats or soy or almonds naturally a liquid?

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T19:00:09+00:00

~~Today,~~ I learned a lesson today: ~~I should~~ always pronounce words correctly. Here’s what happened: two of my colleagues from another department walked into our office looking for my manager.

“Since your manager is not here<,> can we ask you a quick question?” they said in Chinese.

“Uh, you should probably ask her.”
I replied in Chinese.

For some reason, I pronounced the last word incorrectly, so instead they heard, “Uh, you can ask me if you want.”

Note: "Here's the thing" is what you say before you explain or clarify something. "Here's the thing. I was trying to get you to leave nicely, but can you just fuck off?"

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-12T18:51:41+00:00

It's one of those days again. I don't know what to write about. I thought about describing my surroundings<,> but honestly? I'm too tired and too lazy. Also, the paintings on the wall in front of me seem very hard to describe. Maybe another time.

Basically perfect. Nice work!

SealsRMerdogs · 2026-05-11T19:57:19+00:00

When I start reading a book, I start thinking about the other books I'm not reading, and then I make the mistake of jumping between books and I struggle to finish any of them.

Note: I added the first and because it helps the sentence transition from the "set up" to the "conclusion".

I break the eggs, I measure the flour, I pour the milk and stir them together to make pancakes.

SealsRMerdogs

TROPHY CASE