An email from a friend
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.
Preparation
Hi!
I've been meaning to write for ages and finally today I'm actually doing something about it. Not that I'm trying to make excuses for myself, it's been really hard to sit down and write, as I've been moving around so much. Since we last saw each other I've unpacked my bags in four different cities. This job has turned out to be more of a whirlwind than I expected, but it's all good!
I went from London to Prague to set up a new regional office there. You know I'd always wanted to go, but maybe I was imagining Prague in spring when I used to talk about that. Winter was really hard, with minus 15 degrees in the mornings and dark really early in the evening. But at least it was blue skies and white snow and not days on end of grey skies and rain, like at home. It's tough being away from home over Christmas, though, and Skype on Christmas Day wasn't really the same as being with everyone.
From there I was on another three-month mission to oversee the set-up of the office in New York. Loved, loved, loved New York! It's like being in one big TV show, as everywhere looks just a little bit familiar. I did every tourist thing you can think of when I wasn't working, and must have spent most of my salary on eating out. It was really hard to leave for the next job, especially as I kind of met someone (!) More about Michael later ...
So then I was posted to LA, which felt like a whole other country compared with the East Coast. I could definitely get used to that kind of outdoor, beach lifestyle, but I didn't spend as much time getting to know California as I could have because I was flying back to see Michael every other weekend. He came to see me when he could, but his job means he's often working at weekends, so he couldn't make the flight very often. Those three months flew by and then I was off again, to Frankfurt, which is where I am now. And … so is Michael! He got a month off work and we're trying to work out how we can be in the same place at the same time for a while. We figure the first step in that direction is getting married, which is also why I wanted to write – I can't get married without my oldest friend there! The wedding's going to be at home in London in September and I hope you can come!
Anyway, tell me all your news and I promise not to leave it so long this time!
Hello Dil,
That sounds like a very smart approach! I'm glad to hear that you're finding the site useful.
Good luck with your continuing studies!
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news?
If I wanted to share some important news with my old friends, I’d do it in a close and personal way. I’d probably call them or send a voice message on WhatsApp so it feels more natural. If they were nearby, I’d try to meet up in person too, so I could see their reactions and share the moment together. I think the most important thing is that it feels like a sincere and caring conversation, just like it’s always been between friends.
What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news?
Nowadays, I think it's not that common to use email to get in contact with your loved ones. When I want to talk to an old friend, I send them a whatsapp or a message on another social media platform if I don't have their phone number.
I don't like talking on the phone with people except for my boyfriend.
If it's a very personal or big news story, I'd prefer a phone call, or if we're in different countries, a video call. I feel that important news deserves to hear the other person's voice and reaction.
What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news?
I tend to gravitate towards Messenger because in my country, everyone tend to use this app to maintain communication and connections with others. I rarely have importants news to tell my old friends but I sometimes ask them what's going on, how have you been etc. I am about to graduate from university so I think I would inform them about this event via Messenger, this is a good way to do so.
What form of communication would you use to tell old friends important news?
I would use an email telling them what it is happening over my life for a long time ago. I was also thinking in use Instagram social media, if we have already had contact, I would set up a brief message and attached relevant emojis to catch the attentation of my old friends.
Actually, I am using social media, especially Facebook, to inform my old friends regarding any essential situation in my life. I remember when I posted about my bachelor graduation and wedding ceremony, and in recent years I also posted about obtaining my master’s degree. So I am keeping them updated about my travel destinations and anything important to me.
I have gained a lot of knowledge through this site, and working with it is really easy. It has helped me a lot.