Chibi's ワン-Point English: Top 10 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter

Hi everyone,

Although Groundhog Day isn't until next week, it is already being predicted (予測されている) that the cold weather will continue all the way to April. I love winter, but Alan often complains about the cold (寒さについて文句を言う) and is always thinking of new ways to keep warm. He even asked his intermediate class (中級クラス) students for advice. Here are some of their ideas:

Top 10 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter
10. Work out (運動する) = Train = Exercise
9. Drink hot water with ginger (生姜湯)
8. Eat kimchi nabe
7. Use pocket body warmers (懐炉)
6. Use a futon drier (布団乾燥機) to warm up your bedding (寝具類)
5. Use a hot water bottle (湯たんぽ)
4. Wear thermal underwear/long johns (股引、パッチ、らくだ)
3. Wear a belly-warmer tie/belly band (腹巻)
2. Put on a short winter coat (半纏、ちゃんちゃんこ) and rest under a kotatsu while eating mandarin oranges (みかん) and drinking hot sake
1. Move to Okinawa . . . or Miami!

Stay cool and don't be a fool,

Chibi

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year from all of the E-Style teachers.

Every year I am asked: What do Americans do on New Year's? Well, this year I called my friend in Santa Rosa, California right before midnight and asked what was going on.

Just the same as a lot of people here in Japan, many at my friend's place were watching special New Year's Eve television programs. Just before midnight, people charged their glasses with champagne, and gave a toast. They said, "Happy New Year!"

While I was listening on the phone, all of this happened. It was very exciting. Then, suddenly, I could hear fireworks going off outside. People from the neighborhood were making a lot of noise. I even heard people outside yelling, "Happy New Year!"

The next day, I called again. Everyone was watching (American) football on TV. Football is the most popular sport in America. The playoffs to the championship start at the beginning of the year. So, many people who like this sport are glued to their TV's on New Year's Day.

New Year's Day is a national holiday in the United States. But, most people start work on January 2. This year, the holiday fell on a Sunday, so everyone was happy that they could take Monday off, and start work on January 3.

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Happy Holidays"

I asked Alan the other day (この間) why he says "Happy Holidays" more than "Merry Christmas" in December. He explained that since different people celebrate (祝う) different holidays during this season, he prefers "Happy Holidays" so as not to offend anyone (誰の感情も害さないため).

I then asked him why we never have a Christmas tree. He said that one reason was because he didn't want me to spread my "Christmas cheer" in the house. Then he told me the real reason: Because we're Jewish (ユダヤ人), we celebrate Hanukkah, also known as (a.k.a.) (～の別名でも知られる) the Festival of Lights (光の祭り).

Hanukkah lasts eight days, during which time we light a 9-branched menorah (9本枝の大燭台), starting with two candles on the first night and adding a candle each night. We also exchange presents (プレゼント交換) and eat special food like brisket of beef, latkes (potato pancakes), and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).

Our family enjoyed Hanukkah very much this year, in part thanks to R.T. and his wonderfully-timed present: The menorah in the above photo.

We wish the best for everyone during this holiday season.

Happy Holidays,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "I'm Only Sleeping"

Hi music lovers,

As many of you know, Alan's favorite band is the Beatles. Of all the great songs by the Fab Four, Alan says that he can't decide on (決定できない) which one he likes best, but MY favorite number (歌) is "I'm Only Sleeping" (僕は眠ってるだけなんだ).

Here are the lyrics (歌詞) from the first verse (序奏部、バース):

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When I wake up early in the morning (朝早く目覚めたときには)

Lift my head, I'm still yawning (頭をもたげてもまだあくびしてる)

When I'm in the middle of a dream (夢の中にいるときには)

Stay in bed, float upstream (ベッドの中でふわふわ浮いてる)

Please don't wake me (頼むよ、起こさないで)

No, don't shake me (だめだよ、揺すらないで)

Leave me where I am (このまま放っといて)

I'm only sleeping (僕は眠ってるだけなんだ)
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Goodnight Vienna,

Chibi

P.S. Click on the following link to hear the song (with all of the lyrics):
I'm Only Sleeping

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Take a nap"

Hi everybody,

As many of you know, my favorite activity (一番好きな活動) is going (for) walkies (散歩連れていってもらうこと). I also love taking naps (昼寝すること). In fact, I love to take a nap or two (or ten) every day. Alan says that taking a short nap every day is good for one's health (健康に良い). Here are some other healthy things that I "take" once in a while:
take a bath (風呂に入る)
take a bite (一口食べる)
take a break (休憩する)
take a chance (いちかばちかやってみる)
take a piss (小便する) (NEVER in the house!)
take a shower (シャワーを浴びる)
take a trip (旅行する) and of course, my favorite . . .
take a walk (散歩する)

Take it easy,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Walkies"

Hi everybody,

My name is Chibi and my favorite activity (一番好きな活動) is going (for) walkies (散歩連れていってもらうこと). Alan takes me for a walk at least (少なくとも) twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. Sometimes he walks me a third time late at night. I love going for walkies, but when it rains I have to endure (我慢しなきゃ) my least favorite activity (嫌いな活動): Taking a shower!

See you on the streets,

Chibi

Chibi's ワン-Point English: "Looking Back on the Dog Days of Summer"

Hi everyone,

Well, September is near and it's still hot and humid (蒸し暑い) here in Kagawa. I'm looking forward to the cooler days of autumn, but in the meantime, I'll have to endure (我慢しなきゃ) the muggy (蒸し暑い) weather.

The other day, Alan taught me about the "dog days" of summer (盛夏) between early July and early September. This period is the hottest time of the year and is called the "dog days" because it is when Sirius (the Dog Star) rises and sets with the Sun.

According to Alan (アランによると), people in ancient Rome (古代ローマ) used to sacrifice a brown dog at the start of the "dog days" every summer. This was to appease (なだめる) Sirius because they believed that the Dog Star was responsible for the sultry (蒸し暑い) weather.

Although I may complain of the heat, I am happy that I'm a white dog living in present-day Japan (現代日本).

Stay cool,

Chibi

P.S. I am Sirius . . . and don't call me Shirley!