Tokyo

all in all

All in all, I've been in Tokyo now for about a year.

We use the phrase 'all in all' to sum up or give a concluding statement about something.  In the example sentence it can be replaced with 'in total.'   Notice the following:

1. I would say, all in all, it was a good experience.
   
2. All in all, it was a pretty good day.
   

find it hard

Sometimes, I find it hard because the culture is so different.

If you 'find something hard' it is difficult for you.  Notice the following:

1. He finds it hard to remember to call me.
   
2. I find it hard to fall asleep after a stressful day.
   

make friends

I find the people really friendly, and it's easy to make friends with them.

To 'make friends' is to become friends with someone.  Notice the following:

1. If you want to make friends you should talk to new people.
   
2. He made five new friends on the first day at his new school.
   

help out

Your Japanese friends will help you out with whatever you're doing.

If you 'help someone out' with something you assist them in doing something.  Notice the following:

1. Can you help me out with the problem?
   
2. I am going to help her out with moving this weekend.
   

evenings

I work in the evenings, so it's quite exciting to see the city at night.

The 'evening' is the part of the day after the afternoon and before the night.  It is from around 6 to 9pm.  Sometimes evening can mean the same as night.  Notice the following:

1. I have class three evenings a week.
   
2. What do you do in the evenings after work?