Golden Week or “Gaman” Week?

Are you enjoying your vacation?  The daily increase of Covid 19 cases in Japan and Akita, have put a huge damper on Golden Week this year.  25 cases yesterday!!!(May 1st)

In English, “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” is a distress call, just like SOS.  I guess it’s fitting that we had the most cases in Akita on that day.  Somebody HELP US!

I’m trying to “Enjoy Home” this week.  The same as last year!

So, today, let’s talk about 我慢.

In English, it is usually translated as “endurance”, or “patience”, but these two words have very different meanings.

Five phrases about endurance:

  1.  My car is old, but it can still take a licking and keep on ticking.Takes a licking - Keeps on ticking Card | Zazzle.com
  2. The sudden change of teaching style has been a trial by fire for many teachers.Trial by fire: This year will expose the best and worst tech startups | VentureBeat
  3. I’m going to pound out this marathon even if it kills me!15,000 pound out marathon - PressReader
  4. Are you ready to go the distance in this marriage?I Can Go The Distance! - Hercules - Magnet | TeePublic
  5. My P.E. teacher’s favorite motto was; “when the going gets tough, the tough get going“.When the going gets tough, only the tough get going: Funny and intelligent Notebook, Diary And Journal for everybody with 120 Lined Pages 6x9 inches | Notebooks, Willys Wisdom |本 | 通販 | Amazon

Now five phrases about patience.

  1. Give him some time, you know Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Don’t expect him to speak perfect English this week!ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY – Canvas 888
  2. We have to take this one step at a time, or we will end up being overwhelmed.Determination - happens one step at a time. - Coaching Focus
  3. You know what they say; “a watched pot never boils“, give him some space.A watched pot never boils
  4. You know all things come to those who wait . . . .so . . .WAIT!!Good things come to those who wait | Wisdom Life Quotes
  5. I don’t really expect results in the next 10 years, I’m playing the long game.  Someday the stock prices will shoot up I’m sure.Digital Marketing Is A Long Game | LeFace

So, what do you think is the best word for 我慢?  Endurance, or patience.  If you can think of a better word, please tell me.

 

Today’s BGM:

Go the Distance

From Disney’s Hercules

Sung my Michael Bolton

I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a hero’s welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying, “This is where I’m meant to be”

I’ll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I’ll know every mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, I’ll be right where I belong

Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you

And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I’ll see it through

And I won’t look back, I can go the distance
And I’ll stay on track, no I won’t accept defeat
It’s an uphill slope, but I won’t lose hope
‘Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete, Ooh-Yeah

But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero’s strength is measured by his heart

(Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh, Eh-Eh)

Like a shooting star, I can go the distance
I will search this world, and I will face its harms
I don’t care how far, ’cause I can go the distance
‘Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in your arms

I will search this world, and I will face its harms
Until I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in your arms.