ChanomiTalk

ヌービーとしばらく外で遊んで今屋内にもどったところです。
ちなみに、屋外の気温は華氏１２度（摂氏−１１度）ですが、幸いにも晴天で陽のあたる所にいる限り寒くて我慢できないということはありません。

雪靴をはき、毛糸の帽子、厚手の手袋などでしっかり防寒さえしておけば大丈夫です。雪の反射から目を守る黒眼鏡も忘れないようにします。

米大陸中央平原地域に１０数年ぶりの寒波がやってくるとの予報は４、５日前から出ていました。


ここ連日天気番組で耳にする寒さの表現を書き出してみました。

arctic blast, arctic chill　(北極から吹き降りてくる寒波）
subzero temperature　零下の気温（摂氏では−１８度以下）
extremely cold, bitterly cold, brutally cold, dangerously cold　（種々の寒さの表現）
frost bite 　(しもやけ)
exposed skin　(防寒着なしの肌)
wind chill　(体感温度（寒さの))


このような極端な気候が続くとイソップの寓話「北風と太陽」を思い出します。

参拝というより、湘南の初詣の様子を見に出かけました。

寒川神社には、駅から大勢の人が列をなしていました。
境内は参拝客であふれ、食べ物の屋台もたくさん並んでいました。

藤沢の遊行寺は、ゆったりした雰囲気でした。
猿まわしのお猿さんが人気を呼んでいました。

一番下の祠（ほこら）は、目立たない小さな公園の片隅にありました。
近所の人がポツリポツリと参拝してる姿は風情がありました。

There are many things in this world that we can become addicted to. Such things as, food, medicine, work, exercise, sex, television, and on and on. Addictions can affect us in all kinds of ways. Some may start out as good addictions, but they usually end up becoming bad as they take away from our lives physically, mentally, emotionally and even relationally.

For instance, if a person is addicted to exercise, at first it feels good to look at a healthy body in the mirror, receive compliments, be able to lift heavy objects and the girls love great abs. But, after awhile, a person will exercise so much that they don’t have time for anything or anyone else in their lives. Or they may strain a muscle or even tear one leaving them incapacitated for weeks. And the muscles fade.

Some people are addicted to food. They eat so much that they become overweight, tired and depressed. The food may taste good, but once the pounds get out of control…YIKES!

Some people are addicted to sex. Sex can be so good to some people that they don’t care who they have it with and how much they have it. It’s good for a time, but without love and emotion it can turn into a talent that must be maintained with every partner. A person addicted to sex may even come in contact with a person that carries an STD. A person that hops from bed to bed can eventually be infected with HIV. Then sex becomes a bad thing.

Work addicts become workaholics. Stress builds in the body and the body eventually gives up. So do friends and spouses.

There are many kinds of addictions that can destroy one’s life. Are there any in your life that can be broken?

サンディエゴから、スコットがやってきました。
短い時間ですが、しっかり日本語の特訓をしたいと思います。

This is my first trip to Japan during the winter. I thought I was ready with my jacket and beanie but I was wrong. They did nothing for me. Even during the day my whole body freezes, from head to toe. I guess I’m lucky, it hasn’t rained or snowed since I arrived. If it did I would turn in to a Scott-cycle. But now I’m at the nice warm Nacos Fujisawa location drinking tea and reading many of my short stories (in Japanese).

Believe it or not, I’ve never made a New Year’s resolution that I stayed committed to. This year I will commit to my resolution to stay dedicated and help as many people around the world as I can. I also commit to travel to Japan to see how I can be of help there.

I also want to start 2014 with a new mind. There had been days in the past years that I wanted to accomplish great things that were in my heart to accomplish, but found ways to scare myself out of doing them. I don’t want to live in fear this year of what may not happen, what I want to do, but think I can’t for whatever reason. I want to make my every dream come true by doing what is in my heart to do. My motto this year is, “Make It Happen!” Another thing I am determined to do is speak fluent Japanese within the year. With Michiko’s help I will make it happen!

Thank you, Michiko, for your awesome help and support. I’m happy to have you as my Japanese language instructor. May you have a wonderful New Year!