Hello there, I hope you are doing well.
Gone are the rainy days and we’ll be expecting cold, sunny days from here until the foreseeable future. Any plans for this weekend?
Let’s start the article with a bit of domestic news. Ex-prime minister Shinzo Abe is now being questioned for his “cherry blossom viewing parties” he held when he was in position. Officials are saying that he has spent millions of yen, as well as has invited his supporters. Some say this equates to vote buying, that of which is frowned upon and illegal. Read more into it and let me know what you think!
ー初めにー
Today’s Fill-In-The-Blanks Quiz:
Here’s last week’s song:
(Fast forward to 1:12)
I’ve been walking through, a world gone blind
Can’t stop thinking of your diamond mind
Careful creature, made friends with time
He left her lonely with a diamond mind and those ocean eyes
Here’s this week’s song:
(Fast forward to 0:47)
Do you got plans _______ ?
I’m a _______ hundred miles from _____ and I
And I was thinking if I could ___ to your hotel tonight
Cause I can’t get you off my _____
Can’t ___ you off my ____
ー続いてー
Today’s Idiom:
“a wake-up call”
It can be taken either in its literal form (文字通り), which means a call to wake you up when you need to, or its figurative/metaphorical meaning (比喩表現), which means to take action when something needs to change or be changed.
Here’s a sample dialogue:
A: Honestly, I was feeling lazy these past few weeks, but then my TV broke and I had nothing to do at home, but think.
B: Oh, no! You’re going to miss out on the variety shows we both love!
A: Yeah, but also it’s a wake-up call for me. I have to start working on my projects again before I can relax.
This phrase can be used in both formal and casual situations and for additional help, here’s a video of the same idiom explained in a simpler way:
I hope this helps!
ー最後にー
Today’s Column:
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/nov/25/christmas-and-covid-is-mixing-households-a-good-idea
In the UK, the government has imposed a three-household rule, which means that for the holidays, three people at most can stay indoors to celebrate. In this article, we’ll look into what four people think about this rule. Some will gladly take it to be able to take a step back and enjoy the moment with their family or friends, but others will choose to stay away from their loved ones for safety and a peace of mind.
Remember to take care of yourself and stay safe.
Ryo