Monday, May 15th  “Things I’ve been wanting to do”

There are some things I’ve been wanting to do.

First, I’ve been wanting to go to a restaurant called Tonpachi.  It’s in Tsurumai so I can get there in about 15 minutes on my bicycle.  Although it’s pretty close, I haven’t been able to check it out.  They serve Miso Katsu and it’s supposed to be better than Yabaton.  My hairstylist has told me about it a couple of months ago and I’ve been wanting to go there. 

Secondly, I’ve been wanting to read some Japanese novels.  I’ve bought them but I haven’t touched them yet.  I mainly read English teaching books or business books so I’d like to read a novel for a change.  

Thirdly, I’ve been wanting to see a new movie.  It’s been a while since I last saw a movie at the movie theater.   In June, there will be a movie called Hans Solo.  It’s one of Star Wars Trilogy.  I’ll definitely go see that one.  I can’t wait to see it.  

I’ve been wanting to  「前からしたいと思っている」

supposed to be  「〜らしい」

for a change 「気分転換に」

 Wednesday, May 16th  “Air Mattress”

When I went to my sister’s place last time, I slept on an air mattress.   I was surprised how good it was.   If you are having guests over to your house, it’s really nice to have one available.   First of all, it’s not that expensive.  It ranges from ¥5000~¥10,000.  Secondly, it does not take up space.  If you take the air out, it becomes really small.  Some people buy Futon when they have guests over but a futon takes up so much space!  Thirdly, it’s amazingly comfortable. If you spend around 8,000 yen, you can get a really comfortable one.  

You might think that it’s hard to put air in and take the air out but it’s basically automatic. You’ll be amazed how easy it is!  You just push a button and it does it by itself.  I guarantee you’ll find it really useful!

I was surprised how good it was. 「その良さに驚いた。」

You’ll be amazed how easy it is. 「その簡単さに驚くだろう。」

Available 「利用可能」

First of all  「まず」

ranges 「範囲」

take up space 「場所を取る」

take out 「出す」

put in 「入れる」

guarantee 「保証する」

This one is really good.   

↓↓↓↓

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/kyoshin-fiber/10000004/

Friday, May 18th   “May Blues”

In Japan, there’s a mental and physical condition called “May Blues“.  It’s when people get burned out from all the changes that occur in the month of April.  In April, people go through a lot of changes like starting a new school or job.   Some people can deal with the changes but for many people, they struggle to adapt to the new environment.    They become depressed or unmotivated.  I guess this is the common explanation of the May Blues but recently a student told me a different version.  She said May Blues can come from physical fatigue because of the changes in weather.  Weather in May can be cold one day and like summer the next day.  Our bodies can’t adapt to the changes in weather and we feel exhausted.  This explanation makes more sense to me.  

 In the U.S., people get “January Blues”.   People feel down in January because all the fun that happened in December like Christmas and New Year are over.   They have to go back to work or school and that’s when they feel down.  

May Blues 「5月病」

burned out 「燃え尽きる。」「うんざりする」

deal with 「なんとかする」

struggle 「苦労する」

adapt 「対応する」

environment 「環境」

common explanation 「よくある説明」

fatigue 「疲労」

exhausted 「疲れ果てる」

feel down 「落ち込む」