Shadowing Practice: I Tried Public Sleep Pods - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B1
Ryan: Apparently I didn't take a single nap last year.
198 sentences
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Ryan: Apparently I didn't take a single nap last year.
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I got notified of that yesterday. And then I spent like all day trying to remember the last time I took a nap. And I tracked it all the way back to 2016, right before I read 4 Hour Workweek.
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The self-help section of Barnes & Noble has single-handedly destroyed my circadian rhythm. So today I'm gonna try to fix it by going to Japan.
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They got a lot of cool places to take naps over there.
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Wish wish wish wish wish wish wish wish wish wish wish.
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I found those pots from the article.
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Yeah, I'm in Japan now.
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It's super fun. Shinjuku Station first.
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It's the cheapest one by far. Leighton said: "Pods. The pods smell like cigarette.
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Good for work, but come on!
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Who smoked?" Alright, this one's available.
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Let's get it! I don't know how much to...
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Here we go. Oh!
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That's cute. See you, guys!
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Okay. First nap of the day.
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I'm just kidding. Dude, you can just see people walking outside.
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It's so strange. Hypothetical figures.
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I wonder if they can see me out there.
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How about a quick tour?
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So there's not much in here.
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You've got a desktop monitor, comes with a chair.
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It spins around, but it doesn't move.
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Hand sanitizer.
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Not bad. Just before I came here, I stopped at a watch store, and this guy sold me a Rolex for, like, 20 bucks.
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It doesn't say Rolex on it.
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All right, I'm gonna try to take a nap now.
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Well, on to the next one.
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I missed my train on the way to the next pod, but I wasn't recording, so I set up a shot to show myself missing my train.
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Then, while I was trying to get a fun drink out of the vending machine, I missed it again. There are actually people napping everywhere.
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It's crazy.
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Okay, before I go to my next sleep pod, I'm gonna grab a little bite to eat.
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Let's just say...
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Let's just say it's on...
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Conveyer belt sushi!
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I was trying to think of a joke about the fish still moving and being alive.
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I don't know. Sour.
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I think it's alcoholic. Okay, my next sleep pod is like 1 hour...
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Google Maps: Proceed to the root.
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Ryan: Yeah, my next sleep pod is like 1 hour walk away.
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I'm feeling crazy after that sushi.
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I got a coffee afterwards.
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I am frankly, buzzing.
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Nice to meet you.
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Google Maps: Take a right on Hibiadoria Avenue!
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Then in 800ft, take a left at Etai Dori Avenue!
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Ryan: I was just about to add like a funny pop up on the screen of my ID and my name, legally being frankly buzzed. Google Maps: In 700ft, take a left at Etai Dori Avenue!
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Ryan: All right, I'm gonna put it on the screen right now.
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Hope you guys enjoy.
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Google Maps: In 900ft cross on Shibori Dori...
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Ryan: Hey! I'm gonna say something else.
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I don't like that. Shabam, I don't know.
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This is sleep pod 2.
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It's called Nine Hours.
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The pictures online look absolutely insane.
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It's literally like just little pods.
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I booked a 1 hour nap.
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You can literally book naps, so I gotta get to work.
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It literally says "capsule and run".
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That is literally me.
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Okay. Let's go!
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Alright. New pod, new place.
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This one's called Nine Hours.
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It's a little bit more expensive.
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Ophelia said: "My first time paying money to take a nap.
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Big spaceship vibe. Haha!
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I went to space. Don't tell my son!" I walked in and was greeted with a key to my room...or pod.
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I don't know what to call it. I don't even think there's a door.
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It's so quiet.
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This is the closest thing I've been to the world's quietest room, and I've been to the world's quietest room. Okay, how about a tour?
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Okay. So pretty self-explanatory.
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You've got a nice blind here.
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Shower sandals.
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They give you a sleeping gown.
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Hold on! No way!
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This is the cutest little shirt.
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Beautiful light and some, uh, charging supplies.
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Oh! That's dark.
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Oh, that's so cool. Very nice high quality comforter here.
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Oh, yeah. That's nice.
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I feel like I'm at a sleepover.
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This is so fun. The only thing left to do is: try to take a nap.
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No luck. But this was definitely one of my favorite experiences so far in Japan.
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I haven't been here that long.
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All right, on to the next one.
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Okay, it's dark outside now.
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City life. It's so cool here. It is insane. Look at this! Bruh!
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Oh, my goodness!
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Oh, my goodness! This is the busiest crosswalk in the world.
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Literally, I looked it up.
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Look at all these people ready to walk!
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Oh, my gosh!
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Look at that group over there!
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Guys, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna walk across the busiest crosswalk in the world.
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Sorry! Oh, sorry.
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How does this functionally work?
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There's so many people.
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All right, guys, for dinner, I'm gonna grab some authentic Japanese local cuisine.
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You ready? It was a joke.
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I hear the McDonald's here are way better, so...let's get it!
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The Japanese menu at McDonald's was unbelievable.
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So many fun menu items.
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Here's what I ordered: Samurai Mc, the Mc Fry Potato, Green Fanta, and a chocolate macaron. Even the trays are a different color in Japan.
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Just like old times, I'm gonna eat this McDonald's quick.
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On to the next sleep pod.
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Sleep pod 3 is The Millennials.
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I'm Gen Z, but it'll do. Bro!
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Sorry about that! It's best if we just go inside.
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Yeah. Sleep on 3.
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This one is definitely more expensive, but it's also overnight.
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And Alison said: "Loved my stay here.
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But the bed was a bit tight with my boyfriend and his uncle with me. But would come back". I walked in, played some Temple Run on the iPad...
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Just kidding. Just checking in.
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And the nice lady at the front gave me a bag of goodies for the night.
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Yeah, this one is public public. Voila.
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The only thing separating me from sleeping with 50 strangers is this pull down fabric.
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Well, this one is definitely nicer, but it's so quiet in here.
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Like, I literally feel like I'm screaming.
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Like I'm literally about to burst my eardrum.
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They actually just got hit with a wave of fatigue.
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I'm so sleepy.
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But first: a tour.
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We've got plugs, we've got a full sized bed, a mirror.
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I put my stuff up there, and it comes with this iPod.
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Let's see if this works!
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Whoa! Definitively speaking, a nap is less than 1 hour.
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I woke up 10 hours later.
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Uh...Although my stay was over, I had one last thing to take care of.
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Oh, my gosh!
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Howdy! It's morning. Morning time.
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Feeling quite chilled this morning.
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Feeling quite calm, even on the busiest crosswalk in the world.
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But it's time I head to my next sleep pod.
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I'm lost. Thank you, Duolingo!
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Has this guy lost his mind or what?
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He doesn't have a head.
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Pod 4: Nescafé.
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I'm feeling pretty chilled.
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Let's see if we can get this nap in!
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I'm not coming back for the camera.
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This is truly me walking up to the...to the spot.
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I'm feeling relaxed.
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This might be the pod that breaks my 7 year nap plague. Andrew says: "I come here daily.
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Coffee+nap. Doesn't add up on paper.
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Jungle sounds". I followed Rico into the pod and confirmed Andrew's statements.
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You really can't tell, but it is so dark in here.
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I feel like I'm literally in a rainforest.
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This speaker over here is so relaxing.
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This is really nice.
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How about a tour? Alright, so first things first: it comes with these slippers.
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Um...I don't think I'm gonna put them on.
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What the heck? We've also got hot coffee, cream and sugar.
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Beautiful sandwich, cozy lamp, couple pillows.
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Blanket. Ah!
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That's good. It's so relaxing in here.
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I think I'm gonna try to take a nap.
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Another napless day.
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Although that was the most expensive pod, I still had one final frontier. Early.
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I'm wearing an apron.
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So you might have noticed: in every single frame of this video, I was wearing an article of clothing that said a word.
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"Howdy". This is called subliminal messaging.
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Guys: "Wait a minute! What does he mean by that?" Ryan: This is ramen, and this is the sponsor of this video.
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It's Shopify. I know, it's so fun.
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I have dreamed of coming to Japan since I was in high school.
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High school is also when I started my first small business. I would knock on doors in my hometown, trying to sell people water bottles. And eventually I was so scared to talk to people. I decided to try to just talk to a camera, and that's why I started a YouTube channel. So I've been a fan of Shopify, like my entire YouTube career.
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So in year 6 of my journey here, I've started a new thing, called "Howdy Howdy".
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Guys: Okay.
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Got it. I get it now.
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Ryan: So all the clothing I'm wearing in this video is from our new drop, "Howdy Space Program".
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I did a DIY photo shoot, super cute.
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Look at me! I'm like an astronaut.
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This was the sketch whenever I envisioned it, by the way. Super professional, I know. I've been having a lot of fun starting a new small business.
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It's helped me to be more creative, and Shopify's support has been incredible.
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Both their emotional support and literally their support team is fantastic.
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So if you wanna check out the new capsule, it's on howdyhowdy.com, but it's also on the shop app.
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And if you've had an idea and you've been waiting for a sign to start a small business, this is it. This is the one. You can sign up for Shopify at shopify.com/ryantrahan.
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Link in the description.
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I'm gonna eat this ramen now.
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My friends, the final frontier.
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The final nap pod is not a pod at all.
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I'm just gonna sit here and try to take a nap.
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I'm at the busiest crosswalk in the world, by the way.
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Clearly, it's possible. This might be my craziest stunt yet.
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We're rolling? We're rolling? We're rolling?
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I only have one camera. That took me like 10 minutes to set up the shots, but...
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Alright, there's no more running from it.
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I have a full belly from that ramen.
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It's go time.
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I'm not sure how to go.
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I love Japan, because they really value rest.
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Like all of these public sleep pods are here, because people are commuting and want a place to take a break. In fact, naps are actually respected as a sign of hard work here.
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I realize I struggle to take naps, because I'm anxious that I'm wasting time...every day.
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Another napless day.
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I fell asleep for like 12 minutes, but it counts.
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Also, this guy just gave me an energy drink.
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How cool...how cool is that?
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My new goal in life for the foreseeable future.
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Slow down, take naps, and stop going to the self-help section of Barnes & Noble!
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Have a great day, guys! Love you.
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Context & Background
In this engaging and light-hearted video, Ryan shares his experience of trying out public sleep pods in Japan. The concept revolves around exploring unique ways to take naps amid the bustling city life, showcasing both the excitement and challenges of this adventure. Ryan humorously discusses how he tracked back his last nap to 2016, illustrating the impact of a busy lifestyle on his sleep habits. This fun narrative not only entertains but also provides a glimpse into the Japanese culture of efficiency and relaxation, making it a perfect video for those looking to enhance their English language skills through real-life contexts.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- “I tried to remember…” – Great for discussing past experiences.
- “How about a quick tour?” – Useful when inviting someone to explore a place.
- “I missed my train…” – A practical phrase for sharing travel experiences.
- “Let’s just say…” – Helpful for introducing a humorous or unexpected statement.
- “Nice to meet you.” – A friendly way to greet someone new.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
If you want to improve your English speaking skills using this video, the shadowing technique can be particularly effective. Shadowing involves listening to the speaker and repeating what they say in real-time, which can enhance pronunciation, intonation, and fluency. Here’s how to tackle the specifics of this video:
- Watch the video once: Familiarize yourself with the content and context. Pay attention to Ryan's tone and expressions.
- Rewind and repeat: Choose a short segment (10-20 seconds) and listen carefully. Play it multiple times to capture every word.
- Pause and mimic: After listening, pause the video and try to repeat what Ryan said. Focus on matching his pace and emotional tone.
- Record yourself: Use your phone or a recording device to capture your voice while you shadow. Listening back will help you identify areas for improvement.
- Practice regularly: Aim for daily sessions. Gradually increase the complexity of the segments as your confidence grows.
This method not only bolsters your speaking skills but also immerses you in practical, everyday language, making it one of the best ways to learn English with YouTube. Plus, it can serve as valuable IELTS speaking practice, especially in developing your conversational fluency.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
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