Mr. Baseball

always around

My father was a baseball player, so I was always around baseball.

If you are always around someone or something it is a big and important part of your life. Notice the following:

1. She was always around famous athletes.
   
2. He was always around music as a young boy.
   

fortunate enough

My father was fortunate enough to play in the World Series.

If you are 'fortunate enough' to do something you are lucky to have an special experience.  Notice the following:

1. I was fortunate enough to remember my umbrella today.
   
2. Were you fortunate enough to go to college?
   

up through

I played baseball up through college and university.

The phrase 'up through college and university' means throughout the whole time you were in those places.  Notice the following:

1. I worked as a lawyer up through 2006.
   
2. I lived in Boston up through sixth grade.
   

get into

Now that I'm in Japan, I've gotten into sumo wrestling.

When you 'get into' an activity or a topic you become interested in it and direct your energy and attention toward it.  Notice the following:

1. I remember I got into making my own clothes for a while.
   
2. He is really getting into reading.
   

seen (something) live

Have you ever seen a sumo match live?

To 'see something live' means to go and watch it happening in front of you instead of on television.  Notice the following:

1. Did you see any live plays?
   
2. We saw U2 live in concert a few weeks ago.