2025/7/26(土)*SMC*

Lecture

(1) Colorful Idioms: SM Yoko Narisawa

Fill in the blank.

1. “You are a ( d     ) to this family. How could you marry such a woman?” “ I love her, father. You should not talk about my wife in that way.”  = used to say that you are so bad or unacceptable that the people involved with you should feel ashamed

2. They cut him to ( p     s ). 

       = criticized him severely

3. Her story hit ( h     ).

    = made you realize how serious it was

4. I believe this book will certainly hit the ( m    ).

= succeed to have the desired effect

5. Tom said, “ I never ( w    ) out on a deal.”

 = stop doing something he has agreed to do or that he is responsible for

6. Nancy is a nice person but just ( r     s ) on and on.

         = talks quickly for a long time about boring things.

7. I know that the managers are trying to cut costs, but it wouldn’t ( h    ) to treat the staff to lunch now and then.

= used to say that something helps or cannot harm a situation

8. She said very little, but her face spoke ( v     s ).

              = clearly showed her feeling

9. At parties, Tony always interrupts conversations, stepping on others’ ( t     ).  = to disrupt or upset someone

10. He never tries to pull the ( w     ) over my eyes.

   = hide the truth from me and make me believe something is not true /

    deceive someone

11. She doesn’t see her grandchildren very often so she makes a real ( f    ) over them when she does.

 = gives her grandchildren an excessive amount of care or affection

12. He’s spent most of his life ( b     ) bars.

                        = in prison

13. I don’t want to ( d     ) to her tune anymore.

             = do what she wants

14. My mother is Italian ( t      ) and ( t     ).

                    = completely

15. I wanted to argue, but I had to bite my ( t     ).

= stop myself from speaking out

< Answer >

1. disgrace  2. pieces  3. home  4. mark  5. walk

6. rattles  7. hurt  8. volumes  9. toes  10. wool

11. fuss  12. behind  13. dance  14. through / through  15. tongue

(2) The Power of Prefixes: em- / en-: SM Kaneko

definitions

1: to improve something

2: pleasant and attracting your interest

3-1: to improve the quality of something, especially by adding things to it

 -2: to make someone richer

 -3: to increase the number of atoms in a NUCLEAR FUEL so that it produces more power

4: a wide wall of earth or stones built to stop water from flooding an area, or to support a road or railway

5-1: to give someone more control over their own life or situation

 -2: to give a person or organization the legal right to do something

6: to treat a dead body with chemicals, oils etc to prevent it from decaying

7: if you ________ something, or if it s, it increases in size or scale

8-1: to experience something, especially problems or opposition

 -2: to meet someone without planning to

9: to try very hard

10-1: to give someone the courage or confidence to do something OPP discourage

  -2: to persuade someone to do something OPP discourage

  -3: to make something more likely to exist, happen, or develop

11-1: to be a very good example of an idea or quality SYN represent

  -2: to include something

12-1: when you understand something clearly, or when you help someone do this

  -2: the final stage reached in the Buddhist and Hindu religions when you no longer suffer or feel desire and and you are at peace with the universe

13-1: to put your arms around someone and hold them in a friendly or loving way SYN hug

  -2: to eagerly accept a new idea, opinion, religion etc

  -3: to include something as part of a subject, discussion ezetc

14: to start something, especially something new, difficult or exciting

15-1: to officially stop particular goods being traded with another country SYN boycott

  -2: to stop information from being made public until a particular date or until permission is given SYN censor

16: to provide more information about something you have already mentioned

candidates

A.enlarge  B.enrich  C.encourage  D.enlarge on/upon  E.embody  F.encounter  G.embrace  H.enhance  I.endeavor  J.engaging  K.empower  L.enlightenment  M.embankment  N.embark on/upon  O.embalm  P. embargo

answers

1-H, 2-J, 3-B, 4-M, 5-K, 6-O, 7-A, 8-F, 9-I, 10-C, 11-E, 12-L, 13-G, 14-N, 15-P, 16-D

examples

1 Good lightning will enhance any room.

  The publicity has enhanced his reputation.

2 an engaging smile

3-1 Add fertilizer to enrich the soil.

    Education can greatly enrich your life.

5-1 The Voting Rights Act was needed to empower minority groups.

 -2 The president is empowered to appoint judges to the Supreme Court.

7 an operation to enlarge her breasts

  Police will have the pictures enlarged in an attempt to identify the thief

8-1 They encountered serious problems when two members of the expedition were injured.

    The government has encountered strong opposition to its plans to raise income tax.

    The doctor had encountered several similar cases in the past.

 -2 I first encountered him when studying at Cambridge.

9 We always endeavor to please our customers.

10-1 I want to thank everyone who has encouraged and supported me. 

     Cooder was encouraged to begin playing guitar by his father.

     Fleur encouraged Dana in her ambition to become a model.

  -2 Cantor didn't mind if they worked late; in fact, he actively encouraged it.

     A 10p rise in cigarette prices is not enough to encourage smokers to stop.

  -3 Violent TV programmers encourage anti-social behavior.

11-1 She embodies everything I admire in a teacher.

  -2 The latest model embodies many new improvements.

12-1 Isabel looked to Ron for enlightenment.

  -2 the quest for spiritual enlightenment

13-1 Jack warmly embraced his son.

     Maggie and Laura embraced.

  -2 We hope these regions will embrace democratic reforms.

  -3 Most West European countries have embraced the concept of high-speed rail networks with enthusiasm.

14 He embarked on a new career as a teacher.

15-1 Several countries embargoed arms shipments to Yugoslavia.

16 Mrs Maughan did not enlarge on what she meant.

Table Topic Speech

(1) What does your joy look like today?

(2) What questions do you often ask yourself?

(3) Where would you most like to go and why?

(4) Is there such a thing as perfect?

(5) If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

(6) When is love a weakness?

(7) What confuses you?

(8) Have you done anything lately worth remembering?

(9) When does silence convey more meaning?

Prepared Speech

(1) A Dance Cruise to Ogasawara: SM Koizumi

About a week before the trip, the news was focused on a typhoon near the Ogasawara Islands. Around this time of year, typhoons are always a concern. I was scheduled to board a cruise from Yokohama to Ogasawara as a ballroom dance instructor. During the day, I’d teach dance classes, and in the evenings, I’d host social dance parties for the guests.

 Our ship, the cruise liner, departed from a place called Hammerhead Pier—different from the usual Osanbashi or Daikoku piers I was used to. It was my first time departing from there, so I went early to check the location.

This was my second time visiting Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands. The islands are special—they’ve never been connected to any mainland, so they have their own unique ecosystems. There’s no airport, so ships are the only way in or out.

 On the first night, we held our first dance session in the beautiful Hall. It was like a dream—dancing first to CD music, then to a live band, surrounded by elegant sofas and a circular dance floor. Many beginners joined in, and I was happy to see them gradually become more confident. By the end, they were dancing with big smiles on their faces. That moment alone made everything worthwhile.

 The next day was spent at sea, surrounded by endless ocean. We saw rare seabirds and even passed small islands like Torishima and Sofu-gan. The peaceful sea and sky were deeply relaxing.

 Once we arrived at Ogasawara, I joined morning exercises on deck and explored the island. I hiked up to scenic viewpoints and held baby sea turtles at a local event—just hatched that morning!

 When it was time to leave, local fishing boats came to send us off. The fishermen and passengers shouted goodbyes, and just before the final farewell, some fishermen even jumped into the sea, waving from the water. It was a heartwarming, unforgettable send-off.

 We also had special performances onboard, adding music, dancing, and fun to the cruise.　For every guest—and for me too—this cruise became a memory to treasure. As a dance instructor, seeing the joy on everyone’s faces was the best reward.

(2) English Word Game: SM Noro

I sometimes play English word games when I have free time.

One game I often play is choosing one alphabet and writing down three nouns, verbs, adjectives or adverbs that start with the letter. Ideally, I try to come up with all the words quickly, with as few related words as possible for each one.

For example, if I choose the letter B, I might give the nouns book, bride and bacon; the verbs beat, believe and be; and the adjectives blue, bureaucratic and busy.

And then, as a next step, I try to make a reasonable sentence using the nine words. For example:

1. The bride tried to be calm down as she read a blue book about bureaucratic wedding procedures, but the smell of bacon and the busy kitchen beat her focus, making it hard to believe the big day had finally come.

One more example.

2. In a busy police station, the detective tried to believe the suspect’s story about a blue book, a runaway bride, and stolen bacon, but the bureaucratic system beat him down before the truth could be known.

Why don't you try this word play too?

If I choose the letter D, I might give the words, dog, door and diamond, dance, deal with, and deliver, dangerous, deep and delightful.

Ex. The big pet dog ran to the door when my boyfriend came to deliver a diamond, and though the situation seemed dangerous, it turned into a deep and delightful moment as we danced to deal with the surprise.

If you change the rules to suit your own needs, you can kill a lot of time for sure.

Please consider.

(3) Awakening the Entrepreneur in Me: SM Kei Narisawa

I’ve been job hunting - not for money, but to stay connected with society. The only job I found was as an assistant English teacher at a conversation school for kids. But the idea of sitting in a corner while children run around me for just 1,500 yen an hour didn’t appeal to me. If the pay is the same, I’d rather teach 

adults.

A few days ago, Mr. Noro and I went swimming. He’s a great swimmer - I'm not. After 175 meters, I escaped to the sauna - like warm room. There, we talked. He told me he’s 

retiring in a year and wants to do something on his own using English. I agreed. I suggested we try 

teaching English to adults at a local community center.

If we charge 200 yen per student and get five people, we can make minimum wage. It’s like a mini culture center, but run by SMC members - people still learning, but passionate about sharing.

I’d love to teach English through jokes and games. Mr. Noro is great with idioms. Mr. Koizumi could teach dance in English. Each of us has something to offer.

I hope some of you will join us. Let’s improve our English by teaching, and give our students more than 

their money’s worth.

(4) Let It Be – A Message of Grace and Resilience: SM Ishimura

Today, I’d like to reflect on one of the simplest yet most powerful phrases in the English language: “Let it be.”

This isn’t just a famous lyric from a Beatles song. It’s a way of thinking—a quiet message of wisdom that speaks to us through life’s noise.

Many of you may recognize it from the Beatles’ timeless classic. Paul McCartney wrote “Let It Be” during a period of uncertainty and emotional tension, both for the band and the world. In a dream, his late mother Mary appeared to him and gently said, “Let it be.” When he woke, those words became a comforting anthem that continues to resonate today.

So what does “let it be” really mean?

In English, it conveys acceptance—not as passive defeat, but as graceful understanding. It encourages us to stop struggling against things we cannot control. It’s about knowing when to take action and when to step back, allowing life to unfold as it will.

We all face stress—whether it’s relationships, health, work, or even the weather! Often, we try so hard to manage and control everything. But imagine if, just for a moment, we simply let it be. Tension eases. Our hearts feel lighter.

There’s a beautiful Japanese expression: 流れに身を任せる—to entrust yourself to the flow. It echoes the same idea. When storms pass through our lives, we don’t always need to resist. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is wait, listen, and trust.

“Let it be” is more than comforting—it's poetic. It’s spoken to those in grief, offered strength to those feeling lost, and reminded us that clarity will come.

As the lyrics say:“When the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me.”

This isn't blind optimism. It's quiet hope.

So the next time life feels uncertain, remember:

📍 Not everything needs to be fixed.

📍 Not every silence needs to be filled.

📍 Not every storm needs to be fought.

Take a breath. Be still. And let it be.

(5) Journey of Studying English: SM M.G

(6) Our Family History and Utsukushi-gahara: SM Eda

(7) Stomach Endoscopy: SM Takahata

Do you all get regular health checkups? I usually go for a full medical checkup sometime between summer and fall. There are a bunch of standard tests, but every year I find myself wondering what to do about the anesthesia for the stomach endoscopy. Swallowing a big dose of that barium drink and dealing with the discomfort afterward is just not worth it. So, the barium test is totally out for me.

With a normal endoscopy, they just use a local anesthetic on your throat. But if you pay extra, you can get a stronger sedative and sleep through the whole thing.

For the first few years, I went with just the local anesthesia, but about ten years ago I switched to the sedated version. The first time I tried it, I was honestly amazed. Everything was over while I was asleep.

One of my friends still chooses the local anesthesia, though. She says the cool part is getting to watch the live video of your esophagus and stomach during the procedure.

What about you? Which would you choose? In the end, I booked the sleepy version again this year for September. I hope it goes smoothly again!

Meeting Schedule

In-person: 9:30 AM on Aug. 9 at Oyama Community Center (small conference room)

(Coordinator: SM Kei Narisawa)