Back to New York
Mari ends her stay in Australia and says goodbye to her landlady and offers to help her in the future.
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Shirley
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Mari
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Shirley: Oh hi Mari, how are you?
Mari: I have something that I need to talk to you about.
Shirley: Yeah, you're heading off in a couple of months, right? So, I guess you're starting to think about packing already.
Mari: Uh, more like next week.
Shirley: Sorry?
Mari: I've been put on a new project back in New York so it looks like I'll be heading back next week to the States.
Shirley: Oh, really?
Mari: My company asked me about the deposit stuff. I know that I was supposed to give you a month's notice so would I be footing the whole entire deposit if I leave next week?
Shirley: Um, yes I'm sorry to say you would be. As I think I explained to you when you first came here and if you have a look at the terms of your contract you'll see that you were committed right up for the full 12 months and if you leave any time earlier or part of the month you are still required to pay, make the full payment for that month.
Mari: Okay. It shouldn't be a problem. After all, my company is paying for it. They just wanted me to ask and reconfirm I guess.
Shirley: Okay. Well, as I said, yes, I'm afraid we can't make any changes to that because we are required by government regulations to abide by the terms of the contract.
Mari: Okay. Alright, so that's not a problem but I will be leaving next week.
Shirley: Okay then, so that must have been a bit of a surprise for you, was it?
Mari: Yeah but I'm actually looking forward to going back to New York. I actually really missed home so I'm looking forward to going back. You are always welcome to stay with me if you ever make a trip out there.
Mari Goes to Australia
Part 1: Any Vacancies?
Part 2: About the Apartment
Part 3: Money Details
Part 4: Getting Connected
Part 5: Quiet Foo-foo!
Part 6: Dinner
Part 7: Leaving
Shirley: Really? Oh well you know what? Actually, I'm going to be in New York the month after next. I'm going over to visit a friend who has been working there for awhile and she doesn't know the area very well so it would be nice to know someone who does know their way around New York.
Mari: Yeah, please. I'll give you my contact info. Contact me, I'll show you around. You can stay with me if you like as well.
Shirley: Okay well, that would be fantastic. Thank you. And if there is anything I can do to help your rather preemptive departure get away a little bit earlier then please let me know.
Mari: Thanks Shirley. I'll talk to you later.
Shirley: Alright, bye.
head off
You are heading off in a couple of months.
When you head off to someplace, that just means you go there. If for instance you are returning home, then you are heading home, or heading back home.
If you are going to school, then you are heading to school or heading off to school. We use this term because your 'head' is facing the area it is going. Here are a few more examples:
- Where are you heading off to?
- I am just heading over to my friends house.
put on
I've been put on a new project.
Here the phrasal verb 'put on' means 'assigned to', so in this instance, the speaker has been assigned to a new project.
We use the phrase 'put on' because one's name was likely written to a list for the activity in question. Notice the following:
- I have been put on a waiting list for my flight.
- My work just put me on the safety committee.
foot the deposit (bill)
I will be footing the whole deposit.
When you foot the deposit, that means you pay the deposit without any help, even though perhaps others should pay for it.
Another common expression is 'foot the bill'. Here are some examples:
- I had to foot all my expenses in college because my parents were poor.
- When everyone left without paying, he had to foot the bill.
abide by
We must abide by the terms of the contract.
To abide by something basically means to follow the rules, agreement, or instructions as written down on paper and agreed upon by all participants.
So, if you sign a contract for anything, you need to abide by the terms written in the contract. Notice the following:
- Players in sports need to abide by the rules.
- If you sign a contract, you need to abide by the terms of agreement.
know my way around
I know my way around New York.
When you know your way around a place, that means you are very familiar with it and you do not need any assistance or help getting around.
You know all the streets, stores, places, etc. Notice the following:
- I just moved here so I don't know my around the city at all.
- Once you know your way around the area, things will be easier.
Keep Listening
Here are some more great lessons!
Vocabulary Challenge
head off • abide by