こんばんは、岩田です。
2021年になり、「明治神宮」で今回もおみくじを引いてきました。
明治神宮のおみくじは吉凶を占うものではありません。
御祭神である明治天皇の御製（ぎょせい＝天皇の作られた詩文・和歌）、昭憲皇太后の御歌（みうた＝皇后・皇太后・皇太子などのよまれた和歌）が書かれている「大御心（おおみごころ）」と言われるものです。
以前は英語バージョンがあったのですが、今は日本語バージョンに英語も表記されています。
引いたのは、
— とき遅ひたがひはあれどつらぬかぬ
ことなきものは誠なりけり
（明治天皇）
物事をなし遂げるまでには、人によって早い遅いの違いはありますが、どんな時でも、誠実な心さえあれば、その志を貫き通すことができます。
誠から出発したことは、必ずなし遂げられます。どんなに巧みな手段方法でも、真実がなければ、成功は危ぶまれます。正直者が馬鹿をみるといいますが、最後の勝利は誠実にあるのです。
（誠実は最高の土台です）
Although some are slow
Still we will never fail
To reach our goal
If we hold within our hearts
Those thoughts of sincerity.
by Emperor Meiji
—
上記の具体的な解説と英文は裏面に書いてあります。
・although S V SはVだけれど、
・still それでも
・never fail to… 「fail to…」は「…しそこなう」という意味で、それを強い否定のneverで否定することによって、「…しそこなうことは絶対にない→必ず…する」という意味になります
・reach one’s goal 目標を達成する
・hold… …をいだく
・sincerity 誠実、正直
2021年、「誠 sincerity」を胸に精進していきます……。
Following last week’s article, we are focusing on the PM’s advances regarding the pandemic. PM Suga has asked bar and restaurant owners to close by 8 PM and those who do not abide will be publicly announced and listed. In addition to that, the PM will impose a fine (罰金). He has not disclosed (打ち明ける) how much it would be, but this would be strictly implemented, he said.
ー初めにー
Today’s Fill-In-The-Blanks Quiz:
Here’s last week’s song:
(Fast forward to 01:07)
We’re like diamonds in the sky; I knew that we’d become one right away
Oh, right away; At first sight I felt the energy of sun rays
I saw the life inside your eyes; So shine bright, tonight you and I
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky; Eye to eye, so alive
Here’s this week’s song:
(Fast forward to 00:55)
Here comes bad news ______ this and that
Well ____ me all you got, don’t ____ back
Well I should _____ warn you I’ll be just fine
No ______ to you don’t _____ your time
Here’s why
ー続いてー
Today’s Youtube Recommendation:
This is more of something casual and inspirational. This is Leah Wei, a Youtuber based in Canada. She uses easy-to-understand English, so following what she’s saying would be easy, and what she usually talks about is something fun and highly entertaining!She usually talks about what has happened over the week, as well as some pieces of advice and tips. Also, she’s vegan, so if you want to be healthier for the year 2021, following her videos would give you some recipes on what to make the next time you want to cook something scrumptious (美味しい), yet healthy!
Apart from US President’s Trump’s second impeachment, which by the way is a first in US history, Indonesia will start vaccinations very soon. However, their approach to it is the polar opposite of most, if not all, countries. They would start vaccinating the younger population and their reasoning behind it is that the younger generation is more active compared to the elderly. They are aiming for herd immunity (集団免疫), which means that at least 60-70% of the population must be vaccinated. Another concern they’ve raised is that whether the vaccine is halal or not. Chinese pharmaceutical company disclosed that while it doesn’t have pig, it has monkeys in the vaccine.
—
サンドラ：「何があなたを駆り立てているの？」
“What makes you tick?”
モード：「さぁ……」
“I don’t know”
「私は多くを望まないから」
“I don’t want for much, you know?”
「絵筆が目の前にあれば満足なの」
“As long as I got a brush in front of me, I don’t care”
I have asked a lot of my friends about what they think of the vaccines against Coronavirus. A few of them have said they’ll get vaccinated, but some have voiced out their concern regarding why Japan has not made their own vaccine, and at the same time, their reluctance (不本意) to get vaccinated.Apparently, it relates back to previous incidents that has happened in Japan and vaccines. Read more into it and let me know if you agree or disagree.
ー初めにー
Today’s Fill-In-The-Blanks Quiz:
Here’s last week’s song:
(Fast forward to 02:30)
I tiptoe, too slow; Out of the door to your house
I know you know; That this way leads me out
Outside, too bright; You’re within I’m without
You’re within
Here’s this week’s song:
(Fast forward to 01:07)
We’re like ________ in the sky; I knew that we’d ______ one right away
Oh, right away; At first ___ I felt the energy of sun rays
I saw the life ______ your eyes; So shine ______, tonight you and I
We’re _______ like diamonds in the sky; Eye to eye, so ____
ー続いてー
Today’s Youtube Recommendation:
When I’m commuting, I always listen to music because I like to appreciate good music or songs I enjoy listening to. However, I’m also interested in trying out new things. So, in case you’re someone like me, I highly recommend theneedledrop, who rates and comments on new (and old) albums! He gives detailed descriptions of different albums, which would be good for vocabulary and sentence construction!
Following the events that occurred a few days ago in the US, major social platforms and companies are dropping those who did not do enough to prevent it from happening. For example, tech giants like Amazon and Apple are making the application “Parler” unavailable on their stores. They said it’s because Parler management didn’t filter and prevent those who grouped to protest. On another note, Twitter has permanently banned Trump’s account. What do you think of major companies taking a political step?Are you for or against it?
Before 2020 ended, PM Suga has announced stricter rules with regard to incoming travelers. Only those from selected countries can enter the country AND they must either have a permanent or a working VISA. From tonight onward, Tokyo, together with other neighboring cities, are again, under a state of emergency. This state of emergency is less strict compared to the one last year, however, shops and restaurants are asked to close at 8 PM. Also, schools and universities are not asked to close. According to this news website, those who will follow would be able to receive a compensation of up to 60,000 yen, and those who don’t will be publicly announced. What do you think of the PM’s current decision?
ー初めにー
Today’s Fill-In-The-Blanks Quiz:
Here’s last week’s song:
(Fast forward to 0:09)
A little chance encounter, Could be the one you’ve waited for
Just squeeze a bit more
Tonight we’re on a mission, tonight’s the casting call
If this is the real audition, oh, God, help us all
Here’s this week’s song:
(Fast forward to 02:30)
I _____, too slow; Out of the door to your house
I ____ you ____; That this way _____ me out
Outside, too ______; You’re ________ I’m without
You’re _______
ー続いてー
Today’s Youtube Recommendation:
For today, my recommendation is a channel called “JCS – Criminal Psychology”. This video has easy to moderate vocabulary, but the speaking speed is natural, so it is quite fast. I suggest going through the difficult parts several times to be able to understand completely what they’re saying. In this channel, the narrator talks about different convicted people who are guilty of varying crimes. It talks about their interview, different verbal and non-verbal cues, mannerisms, etc. It’s very interesting, especially because you get to understand how different people communicate when they feel guilty or anxious.
This just in, a lot of Trump supporters have breached privacy by forcefully going in The Capitol, which is the meeting place of the US’ legislative branch. The reason for their action is because they don’t believe in the election results. Instead, they believe that the results were unfair and unjust. This link shows the distinction/differences between the protest that happened earlier today and the one for Black Lives Matter back in June.There are pictures on the link showing how the government has treated the two protests differently. What do you think?
