English Progress

【The Rose】

Hubby & I went Karaoke last night.
The Karaoke bar gave us 2 free tickets for a UFO catcher.
We tried it…and guess what…!
I caught 2 mascots, Winnie Pooh!
How lucky I was!

We spent 2 hours at the Karaoke bar.
In 13 numbers I sang last night, I would like to introducea lyric of “The Rose.”
“Rose” was originally sung by Bette Midler in the movie ’The Rose(1979)’
which modeled after Janis Joplin.
You can hear the song here.↓
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Rose-Original-Soundtrack-Recording/dp/B000002J5A

Ken Hirai also covered this song in his CD “Ken’s Bar(2003).”
Since I like his arranged version,
I choose his song 2 degree higher than the original key at Karaoke.

♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪
【The Rose】 Written & Composed by Amanda McBroom

Some say love it is a river that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love it is a hunger an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower and you its only seed

It’s the heart afraid of breakin’ that never learns to dance
It’s the dream afraid of making that never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dyin’ that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love
In the spring becomes the rose
♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪

Whenever I sing the last part
“Lies the seed that with sun’s love…”,
I can’t help tearing…I don’t know why.
This song touches me a lot.

【Word of the day】
*delineate vt.①to draw, sketch ②to depict in words
*espousal n.①a wedding ②advocacy
*cult n.①a system of religious worship or ritual
②devoted attachment to a person, principle
*relevant adj. relating to the matter under consideration
Her espousal of the cult of feeling and the doctrine of
free expression was more relevant than ever.
*candor n. honesty or frankness in expressing oneself
*ardour=ardor n.①emotional warmth, passion ②zeal
*suitor n. a man courting a woman

Pride and Prejudice

I happened to find a NHK radio program of reading a masterpiece which was written
in English. Now, “Pride and Prejudice” written by Jane Austen, is on the air.
I bought a book yesterday.

The reciting program is consisted of two parts.
One part is that the professor emeritus translates the story from English into
Japanese. Sometimes he interprets the background of British culture at the time.
Another part is that Ann Rees Jones, who is a British actress, recites the novel.

Jane Austen is British writer. “Pride and Prejudice” was published in 1813.
In spite of old English was used, it is quite interesting.
It may be effective that the reciting person has a British accent.
I can feel the British society in 19th century.

In 2006, a movie “Pride and Prejudice” was released in Japan,
in which Keira Kinghtley performed of a main role.
I haven’t seen it yet. When I have a chance, I would like to see it.

Talking about a movie originated by Jane Austen, it remind me of
“Sense and Sensibility (1995)” played by Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant.
It was quite a charming movie. After seeing the movie I bought the book, too.
I’m going to read it again.

【Word of the day】
abridge vt. to shorten (a piece of writing) while keeping the substance
contemporaneous adj. happening in the same period
epistle n.①a letter ②［E-］any of the letters in the New Testament
progenitor n.①an ancestor in direct line ②a precursor

Driving Shoes【Negroni】

Almost 2 years ago, I gave Negroni's driving shoes
to my hubby as his birthday present.
They were made to order and the custmers
can choose the colors of the shoes' parts.
http://negroni.jp/collection/sportivo.html

He wanted a pair of driving shoes which go well with his business suit,
so he chose the dark color of "Negroni Uomo Sportivo."
They were very light, so he seemed to like them.

As 2 years went by, the shoes' soles are worn-out,
especially right heel part.
So I asked that it is possible to replace the sole part to the maker.
They have a service to fix their products and can replace both soles.
It will take about 1 month and will cost about 7,000Yen.

It may be easy to buy a new one.
However, if possible, it is better to fix, especially on the shoes,
because old shoes are fit very well and comfortable.
Now, we are looking forward to the call from the maker
which let us know the completion.

Gardening

Yesterday, it was such a lovely day.
I enjoyed planting some flowers and pulling up weeds from my flower bed.
When I take care of flowers and plants, I feel relaxed.

I heard that there is a gardening therapy in the field of clinical psychology.
It may show that gardening makes them reduce stress, heal mental wounds,
and relaxed, somehow.

According to the Bible, the first occupation of man was a gardener.
Is that a reason why I feel confortable and relaxed by garding?

cf.)Genesis2:15
The LOAD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden
to work it and take care of it.

【Word of the day】
*dilettante n. a dabbler in an art or a field of knowledge
*virtuoso n. a person with masterly skill or technique in any field
*Chimera n. in Greek myth, a fire-breathing she-monster usually
represented as a composite of lion, goat, and serpent

Diffrent type of movies

Last weekend, my husband & I saw 2 movies.
On Saturday, we went to a movie "Rocky The Final."
On Sunday, "Letters From IWO JIMA" on DVD at home.

They were totally different type of Hollywood films,
however, each of them had certain messages to audience.
I didn't expect them too mach, but they were not so bad at all.

【Words of the day】
*deliverance n.
*deliver v.
①to give forth or produce ②to set free ③to produce what is expected make good
*fellow adj. being of the same kind, group, occupation
*preserve v. ①to protect from injury or peril ②to keep or maintain intact
*utter adj. complete, absolute, entire
*deed n. ①an act, feat, exploit ②Action or performance in general
"Deed, not words, matter most."

As for “ a legal alien”…

On April 16, I wrote down the lyric "Englishman in NY."
In the lyric, there was such a phrase "Wow, oh! I'm an alien. I'm a legal alien."
The word of “a legal alien” reminds me of
IRS(Internal Revenue Service) 1040 Tax form.
1040 is a document form for tax return. In Japan, it is like 確定申告.
In the tax document, I was a “resident alien on tax purpose,”
when I lived in the U.S.A.

The term “alien” also reminds me of the scary movie “Alien.”
Well, well, well…
I can’t believe that the ugly THING and I are called the same name!

【Words of the day】
*fetter n. a chain or shackle for the ankles
*calamity n. a disaster
*strike-struck-struck, stricken
*grant
v. ①to consent to the fulfillment of ②to accord as a favor
He granted them deliverance, guidance, and protection.
*manifest
v. to show plainly, reveal
n. a list of cargo or passengers
adj. clealy aparent to the sight or understanding; obvious

【Englishman In New York】

Husband and I went to KARAOKE last night.
We both enjoy singing some English songs.
One of my favorite songs is “Englishman In New York,”
which is jazzy and sort of adult-contemporary like, I guess.

“Englishman In New York”is in the album of STING "Noting Like The Sun."
This CD-album released in 1987.
Saxophone was performed by Branford Marsalis.

You can try listening to the sample, which is only well-known phrase.
↓
http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail.asp?sku=18498

I sing this song 2 degree higher than original key.
There are some words which I don’t know in the lyric.
So, I write down the lyric listening to “Englishman In New York” on iTunes.

【Englishman In New York】 Performed by STING
I don’t drink coffee. I take tea my dear.
I like my toast done on one side.
As you can hear it in my accent when I talk,
I’m an Englishman in New York.

See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
Take it everywhere I walk
I’m an Englishman in New York.

*Wow, Oh. I’m an alien. I’m a legal alien.
I’m an Englishman in New York.

**If “Manners maketh man” as someone said
Then he’s the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say.

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle’s brighter than the sun.

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
(Omit the repeat part)

【Words of the day】
*maketh (old English) =make the
*propriety n.①the quality of being proper; appropriateness
②conformity to prevailing customs and usages
③proprieties. The usages and customs of polite society.
*notoriety n.
→notorious adj. known widely and usually unfavorably; infamous
*Sobriety n. ①seriousness or gravity; solemnity ②absence of alcoholic intoxication

The reason I am into Yoga.

In this afternoon, I took a Yoga class at the sports club in which I signed.
There are some Yoga teachers, but I always attend a certain Yoga teacher's class.

Guess why?
Because, the teacher's talk is like a "satand-up comedian's talk."
Her class is quite cheerful and laughs never stop in the studio.

The following saying may be true: "Laugh makes healthy body and soul."
I'm getting more flexible than before.
After taking the Yoga class, I always feel great!

Aromatherapy

I took an aroma oil massage therapy.
It refleshed me very much.
Today's essential oils were lavender, geranium, and juniper.

My therapist, who is fifty something female, has treated me for almost 2 years.
Since she is also skilled chiropractor and reflexologist, she can treat me
what my body needs today.

It is lucky for me to have an expert with whom I can talk about my body condition.

This is my dog.

I live with Pappillon dog. She is 3 years old.
She seems to like me, because she follows me everywhere.
When I cook in my kitchen, she watches me all the time.
She may be waiting that I drop someting yummy!