2025/6/14(土)*SMC*

Table Topic Speech

(1) What's the difference between living and existing?

(2) How would you describe your future in three words?

(3) When was the last time you tried something new?

(4) Based on your current daily actions and routines, where would you expect to be in five years?

(5) What's something most people don't know about you?

(6) When you help someone do you ever think, "What's in it for me?"

(7) When you look over the past month, what single moment stands out?

Lecture

(1) Fill-in-the-blank question: SM Takahata

(1) A: Hi, Kumiko. What’s up?

B: Same as usual, but I was *1 going (b       ) last week as I was buried in homework.

A: Are you all right?

B: Yeah, I *2 feel right as (r    ) today.

*1: = to become extremely angry or excited =（頭がおかしくなる）

*2: = to feel healthy or well again = (すこぶる元気)

(2) A: I’ll never *1 (t   ) into my retirement money unless I absolutely have to.

B: You’re really *2 (d    )-to-(e    ). I came near to buying a vacation condo in Atami.

*1:= to manage to use something in a way that brings good results = (活用する)

*2:= practical, reasonable and friendly = (堅実な)

(3) A: How was your weekend?

B: I was decluttering my room.

A: *1 That’s a (s      ). You’re such a *2 pack (r   ).

   B: I’ve decided to keep only the stuff that I actually need or brings me joy.  

*1: = used to say that something is a sudden change from what is usual = (変われば変わるものだ)

*2: = a person who collects or hoards especially unneeded items = (溜めこみ屋)

(4)A: I’ve decided to leave the company *1 to (s     ) out on my own.

B: You’re the most proactive person I know.

A: It’s sweet of you to *2 (s    ) up for me like that.

*1: = to start doing something or living independently = (自力で新しいことに挑戦する)

*2: = to support or defend someone or something, especially when that person or thing is being criticized = (応援する)

(5)A: Miki is *1 (n       ‘s) fool. She is always trying to pick up a rich entrepreneur.

  B: Good to know. That means she’s one of those *2 (g   ) diggers.

*1:= to not be stupid or easily deceived = (抜け目のない人)

*2: = someone, usually a woman, who tries to attract a rich person, usually a man, in order to get presents or money = (お金目当てで誘惑する人)

(6) A: It is sad to know that kids can find few politicians they can look up to.

   B: *1 (T   ) me about it! As far as I know, good politicians are *2 few and far (b        ).

*1: = used to say that you feel the same way or have had the same experience = (全くその通りだ)

*2: = not very many or not appearing very frequently = (とても稀な) 

(7) A: I’m trying to *1 (p     ) pennies on my husband’s small salary.

   B: I suggest you to go back to work. You’ve always been creative and *2 ahead of the (c      ).

*1: = to spend as little money as possible = (節約する)  

*2: = to be one of the first to change to a new idea or way of doing something that later becomes generally popular = (時代を先取りする)

(8) A: I want to *1 (p    ) myself as a creative novelist.

  B: Why don’t you go to the book fair this weekend? *2 Anyone who is (a       ) in the publishing business is there.

*1: = to market = (売り込む)

*2: = people who are important or influential = (お偉方)

(9) A: Do you have any *1 (l       ) with the president of the company?

     We’d like to push the negotiation.

  B: I’m sorry I can’t be of any help. I’m a *2 (l   ) man on the (t    ) pole.

*1: = the power to influence people and get the results you want = (影響力)

*2: = someone who has the least important position in an organization = (下っ端)

Answer: (1) *1 bananas *2 rain (2) *1 tap *2 down-to-earth (3) *1 switch *2 rat (4) *1 strike *2 stick (5) *1 nobody's *2 gold (6) *1 Tell *2 between (7) *1 pinch *2 curve (8) *1 pitch *2 anyone (9) *1 leverage  *2 low totem

(2) Brain Workout (Occupations): SM Noro

Jobs and Occupations – Match the jobs with their definitions!

Jobs

A butcher

B plumber

C counselor

D personal assistant

E sailor

F civil servant

G pharmacist

H travel agent

I firefighter

J scientist

K screenwriter

L librarian

M caretaker

N psychologist

O jeweler

P lecturer

Q carpenter

R translator

S judge

T vet

U lawyer

V receptionist

W surgeon

X chambermaid

Y tailor

Z engineer

Definitions

-a person who works in government offices or who is employed by the government = F

-person who puts out fires = I

-person who is trained to give medical care to animals = T

-someone who gives people advice on where to spend their holidays = H

-doctor who does operations in a hospital = W

-female worker whose job it is to clean up rooms in a hotel =X

-tries to find out why people behave in a certain way = N

-someone who works as a secretary for a single person = D

-someone whose job it is to make clothes that fit perfectly for a customer = Y

-someone whose job it is to advise people and help them with problems = C

-a person who prepares meat and sells it = A

-person who designs and creates buildings, bridges etc.. = Z

-someone whose job it is to welcome people at a hotel = V

-person who works on a ship = E

-person who works in a laboratory and does experiments = J

-repairs broken pipes, heating and the water system in your house = B

-person whose job it is to advise people about legal problems and defend them in court = U

-person who teaches at a university = P

-someone who prepares medicine in a house or hospital = G

-someone who looks after buildings, especially schools, hospitals and other public houses = M

-person who makes things out of wood and repairs them =Q

-someone who buys, sells and repairs rings, bracelets, necklaces etc.. =O

-someone who changes writing into another language = R

-official who is in control of a court and decides how criminals should be punished = S

-person who cares for books and lends them to people = L

-someone who writes scripts for films and plays = K

Prepared Speech

(1) The Beauty of Transience—Lessons from Tsurezuregusa

When you see something beautiful, which moment resonates with you the most? Is it the full bloom of cherry blossoms, the clear and radiant full moon, or perhaps the falling petals and the moon obscured by clouds?

In Tsurezuregusa, Yoshida Kenkō wrote:

"Hana wa sakari ni, tsuki wa kumo naki wo nomi miru mono ka wa."

This phrase means: "Flowers are not only beautiful when in full bloom, and the moon is not only beautiful when completely unobscured. There is beauty in the fleeting, in the imperfect."

This idea is fundamental to Japanese aesthetics. Rather than seeking perfection, we find profound beauty in the transient and the incomplete.

For example, when cherry blossoms begin to fall in late spring, we see in them the beauty of impermanence. Or, when the moon is partially hidden by clouds, we imagine the light beyond, creating a deeper sense of appreciation.

This philosophy extends beyond art and nature—it applies to life itself. Our lives are never completely perfect. We face hardships, disappointments, and uncertainties. But in those imperfections, there is meaning, depth, and beauty.

Thus, we should cherish each moment and find beauty in the ever-changing nature of life.

Even after 700 years, Yoshida Kenkō’s words still speak to us. Beauty is not just what we see with our eyes; it is what we feel in our hearts.

Recently, I have been deeply moved by Tsurezuregusa (Essays in Idleness). It made me reflect on my own imperfections, and I realized that striving for absolute perfection is not the answer. Instead, I believe in embracing what I love and finding joy in learning every day—just like I do with my English studies. Rather than chasing flawless mastery, I cherish the process of discovery and growth, making each step meaningful in its own way.

So, I would like to embrace the beauty of impermanence in my daily life.

(2) The update on myself: SM Kei Narisawa

Not too long ago, I made an announcement that I would give a lesson in the form of a demonstration at Atugi Culture Center. We recruited no more than one person. Then we had no choice but to postpone the demonstration until July 13. I hope a lot more people sign up for the demonstration and the classes this time. Lastly, what's important is I should speak simple English, for the class is for beginners. In order to rehearse, we played a game called 'Simon says'. I hope my would-be students will get a kick out of it as much as the SMC members did today.

(3)  "Is the Trash Luck?": SM Kaneko

Introduction The other day, while I was out for a walk, I spotted something on the ground—a small laundry clip, the kind you use for a laundry pole. It was a little dirty, but somehow it looked like it had been sitting there for a long time, almost like a forgotten fairy. As part of my personal town-cleaning habit, I picked it up and brought it home.

Main Point That moment reminded me of a story I heard about the baseball player Shohei Ohtani. He was taught that picking up trash brings luck, so he always picks up any trash he sees—whether on the baseball field or elsewhere.

Development I had just started my 45-minute walk and picked up the clip within the first 5 minutes. For the next 40 minutes, I held onto it, thinking about Shohei’s story. Then I realized something: this little clip actually gave my fingers a bit of exercise. Maybe walking with trash like this can be a form of light training!

Conclusion So… is trash really luck? Maybe. But if it is, then we should never litter—because throwing away luck doesn’t sound very smart.

(4) Freedom of Speech: SM M. G

Tom Cruise didn't mention his opinion about tariffs when he received a question from a interviewer at a press conference. I think it's a good idea for him not to discuss political matters because he is an actor, and also has a very strong influence. Celebrities or famous people have to consider their responsibility for what they say and the consequences after their speech.

(5) The Bright Sides: SM Eda

Meeting Schedule

In-person: 9:30 AM on Jun. 28 at Oyama Community Center (tea room)

(Coordinator: SM Koizumi)