Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
Post categories: Teacher blog
| 20:50 UK time, Thursday, 30 September 2010
The title of this blog post is a quote from the children's author Dr Seuss. I was looking for a few nice quotes about goodbyes and this one caught my eye. There were lots of other interesting ones too. Which one do you like best?
A goodbye isn't painful unless you're never going to say hello again.
We only part to meet again.Why does it take a minute to say hello and forever to say goodbye?
Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love.
There are a million ways to say goodbye in English (well that may be a slight exaggeration...). I use lots of different phrases every day with different people and in different situations. I use 'See ya' with friends, and sometimes 'See you later'. I say 'Goodbye' to the receptionist at work. I say 'mata ne' to Tomono and Oscar (but that's Japanese so don't worry about that one). Oscar usually says 'bye-bye' to me. When I'm on the phone I usually say 'speak to you later' with friends and family. At work I might say 'bye for now'. If I'm in a funny mood I might say 'cheerio' (it sounds a bit posh). After seeing friends I say 'Cheers' (even though there are no drinks!).
Hmmm...I'm sure I've missed out a few more too. Can you help me out?
Lots of my favourite singers and groups have written songs about saying goodbye (and hello). Here are a few of my favourites:
I really love the Jeff Buckley song. It is an incredibly melancholic ode to love lost that gives me goose bumps when I listen to it. It reminds me of being a university student, probably after just splitting up with an ex. I actually hadn't listened to that song for a few years and memories just came flooding back to me .
So it is time to say farewell from me. I have enjoyed the last month reading Dommi's blog and helping her with her English. It's also been a blast catching up with a few students from my time blogging 4 years ago, and of course meeting lots of lovely new students.
So what's next for the Davies family? Well, Tomono will be busy with cocoro, I'll be shooting off all over the place for work and we'll both be having fun with Oscar (especially with the holiday season coming up...).
And who knows, maybe I'll be back in another 4 years to tell you all about it.
Until then, so long and thanks for all the fish.
Lewis
Useful phrases:
(something) catches your eye
(something) gives you goose bumps
(to) split up with someone
memories come flooding back (to you)
"It's been a blast"
(to) catch up with someone
Comment number 1.
At 1st Oct 2010, Lime wrote:Hi Lewis,
I am new here :)
I don't like saying good-bye as I feel that I may not see that person again. So I try to avoid saying good-bye by using phrases like see you later, catch you later, Take care etc...
You had better come back before 4 years!!!
Cheers,
Lime
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Comment number 2.
At 1st Oct 2010, Dommi wrote:4 years!? seriously?! thank you for all your posts. i made the english dictionnary my best friend thanks to you Lewis! why struggling to say goodbye, saying goodbye is awfull! just say "see you later" !!! i wish you all the best to you, Tomono and Oscar!! see you later (^_^)
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Comment number 3.
At 1st Oct 2010, nastya wrote:Hi Lewis!
This is the first time I've left a comment in your blog but I read all your previous posts. They were wonderful - not very long but rich in language. There's a nice Russian proverb which could be literally translated as "Brevity is a sister of talent" (well, they usually translate it as "Brevity is the soul of wit" but it has a little different meaning). I think the proverb can be applied to you and your blog and it's not just flattery - I mean it. I wrote down almost all words and expressions you'd given us. Thanks for them :)
I like the quote in the title best though other quotes are nice too. And I really hope to hear from you earlier than in 4 years' time :) I wish all the best to you and your wonderful family.
Good luck!
Nastya, Russia
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Comment number 4.
At 1st Oct 2010, bbllmm wrote:Hi Lewis! Oh dear, sweet but short was this meeting with you and your lovely Family. And, I am only going to be able write ´Good by´ deeply convinced that we are parting now just to meet again! Hopefuly, my memory don´t let me down entirely with my poor knowledge of your language till then. This is my only use of it. So, go on live in full that I might hear nice stories again! Sincerely,marianna,Bojnice,Slovakia
Cheers!
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Comment number 5.
At 1st Oct 2010, Anita wrote:Hello Lewis,
Well, September is over and I was sad to read that you had already bidden us farewell. I have enjoyed reading your entries again. I really had a ball last month. For me September means without a shadow of a doubt the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ blogs. I want just to say how nice it was to catch up with you again and old friends as well.
Take care, and please give my warmest wishes to your family.
Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
Your ex-student, who is still mad about English :)
Anita from Slovakia
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Comment number 6.
At 1st Oct 2010, aliozturk wrote:"Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love"
THIS IS REALY GOOD.(I' M READING IN CAPITAL BECAUSE MY COMPUTER HAVE SOME PROBLEM.SORRY!)
SECOND VIDEO IS REALY GOOD. I DON'T LIKE BEATLES.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER MY WAY WILL PASS ENGLAND SOMEDAY, BUT IF YOU VISIT JAPAN, I'M HERE FOR A WHILE, PLEASE CALL ME.
WRITE HEARE, I'M AT JAPAN, WE CAN MEET SOMEWHERE AT JAPAN,
TILL MEETING, SAY GOODBAY UNNLESS...
This is our last goodbye
I hate to feel the love between us die.
But it's over
Just hear this and then I'll go:
You gave me more to live for,
More than you'll ever know.
Well, this is our last embrace,
Must I dream and always see your face?
Why can't we overcome this wall?
Baby, maybe it's just because I didn't know you at all.
Kiss me, please kiss me,
But kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation.
Oh, you know it makes me so angry 'cause I know that in time
I'll only make you cry, this is our last goodbye.
Did you say, "No, this can't happen to me"?
And did you rush to the phone to call?
Was there a voice unkind in the back of your mind saying,
"Maybe, you didn't know him at all,
you didn't know him at all,
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Comment number 7.
At 1st Oct 2010, Svetlana wrote:Hi Lewis!
Judging by your posts you are a good family man. Your wife Tomono (she is a beauty by the way) and your son (he is adorable) were always on the front page of your posts (I wonder if it is correct to say so in English). To my mind a family is the most important thing in life. Please take good care of your family! I wish you, Tomono, and Oscar all the best from the bottom of my heart.
Bye!
Svetlana, Russia
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Comment number 8.
At 2nd Oct 2010, Emat from Kazakhstan wrote:Hi Dear Lewis,
in September the Teacher blog was really very special by contents, by Teacher's tips. Thank you. Greeting to your lovely Family from me!
Personally, I wish you will be teaching us in the coming month also, because in the last one I couldn't take part in by some unknown technical cause, I rely on October:)
Best wishes,
Emat.
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Comment number 9.
At 6th Oct 2010, sero_03 wrote:I just found out there are many ways to say good bye without saying it, I usually say "hugs" or just "love" to my friends at the end of my letters. Of all the quotes above I like the second one.
so maybe we meet at the restaurant at the end of the universe
xx
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