NZ confirms Silver Fern as flag referendum candidate

BBC news
NZ confirms Silver Fern as flag referendum candidate

Summary
On March, New Zealand flag will probably be changed because the current flag is too similar whih Australia's and it is time to remove the Union Jack from the current one, said  Prime Minister John Key.　
Both flags are designed with the Southern Cross on Blue Ensign. Southern Cross means that the country is in the Pacific Ocean. Originally, Southern Cross is five stars, including a small star. In the New Zealand flag, small star is omitted. Four stars are colored with red. In the Australian flag, the Southern Cross is added with seven pointing one star and six stars are colored with white.
This time, the black, white and blue silver fern design was chosen by a referendum. A second referendum will be held in March.

How to tie your shoes

TED
Terry Moore: How to tie your shoes
Summary
Many people who are already adults and have high skills for something won't know that there are two ways to tie your shoelaces. 
When you pull tied shoelaces, you will see that the bow will orient itself down the long axis of the shoe, this is a weak form of the knot.
However, when you start over and simply go the other direction around the bow, you will able to tie for the strong form of the knot. The bow will orient itself along the transverse axis of the shoe when you pull it. It is clean but it is not easy to get loose. It looks also better.
This is a small realization. You must think that it is ludicrous, but sometimes a small thing leads to a good result and it helps you.
◆Viewpoints&Discussion
 1. What do you think of this video?
I think that this is an interesting and good story, because the speaker he is moved when he is taught a good way to tie.  Standing on the TED stage to share is great and summarize stories shortly, easily and happily is very important.
 ( By the way, in my case, I was scolded by my mother when I tied something in a wrong way when I was a child. I think that although I could remember how to a good way  to tie, it was a bad memory.)
2. What do you think is his message to the audience in having this talk?
There are many small ideas that you don't realize still, it will make you happy and will lead to a good result for you. This lesson is everybody is not perfect.
3. Do you find this TED talk educational? If so, what have you learned?
Yes, I think so. I learned that we don't realize some good ideas that is very close to us.  It made our life happier before.  A small realization is also important, you must not think it is ludicrous.  It is important for one story to summarize and talk shortly, easily and happily. Someday, I want to stand on the TED stage.

How to succeed? Get more sleep

TED
Arianna Huffington: How to succeed? Get more sleep

When I heard this speech, I couldn't understand many points that audiences were laughing. I want to become able to laugh with them, that's why I chose this article.

Summary
You must have heard that people brag about their sleep deprivation, especially men who set some important positions. They and also us think that they are incredibly busy, productive and good leaders. However, some of them had made serious mistakes. 
Not to be bragged about their sleep deprivation, but you have to get enough sleep.
Sleep has power that can unlock billions of big ideas that lie inside us. It leads to best for the world, especially, for women.
◆Viewpoints&Discussion
1.How many hours of sleep do you usually have? Do you think it’s enough for you or not?
My sleeping time is about 6 hours every day, I go to bed around 12:30pm and I get up around 6:30am. I thought that 6 hours was not short because my sleep was very deep. I never wake up in the middle of my night.
However, recently, I have read one book about sleep. It said that it is necessary to sleep 7 hours to increase good memory. I have thought that this has been my reason that I was not able to remember English. I have to sleep to speak English well.
2.Which is better to be successful, having enough sleep, or “no sleep” at all?
Of course, I think that  being successful is necessary to have enough sleep. It leads us to being beautiful, youthful and healthy. Having enough sleep also can give us good concentration and better memory. Those are very important way to be successful.
3. What should you do if you want to have enough sleep?
This is very difficult question. I have a lot of things that I want to do. I don't think that I make time to have more sleep. I want to work, study and love. If I want to have enough sleep, I think that I have to give up those.

Humans Sleep Less, Better Than Other Animals

VOA news
Study: Humans Sleep Less, Better Than Other Animals
Summary
A deeper stage of sleep is called rapid eye movement sleep, or REM. The study showed that in human, REM sleep reached  25 percent, in other primates, it didn't recah 5 percent. It concluded that a human's sleep is higher quality and more efficient. Human can prosper with an average of seven hours of sleep a day. Compared human ancestors, human's sleep habits evolved.

Discussion
1.Do you have trouble sleeping? What do you do to fall asleep easily?
No, I don't. I fall asleep easily after I go to bed.  I sleep easily. Even if I saw smartphone while lying on the bed, I have fallen easily and my smartphone often fell on my face.
2.Why is sleep important for us?
According to some books I have read, it is very important for us to be beautiful, youthful and healthy. It is necessary for you to have your good memory and to do the work with good efficiency.
3.What could be the effects of sleeplessness?
The effects of sleeplessness are that you can't have concentration and a good memory, it causes some diseases like depression or obesity.  Your mistakes will also increase during work.

Top 10 New Year's Questions.

Top 10 New Year's Questions 2016.
I summarized about this past year to help my plan for 2016.
1. What did you learn about yourself from this past year(2015)?
This year I learned  that having knowledge of correct Japanese language and news are very important to study English.
2. Which relationship meant the most to you this past year and why?
My officemate often helped me when I have mistakes or when I was depressed.
3. What was one of the biggest challenges you faced this past year and how did you handle it?
Now, Japan has fallen into recession. In this situation, it's very hard for a small company most specially. To continue the work is my biggest challenge. I always think that our company products will make customers happy.
To take an English lesson once day for 50 minutes is also my big challenge. However, I am sometimes absent when I am not able to prepare  my lesson and I don't speak well during the lesson.
4. What was one of your proudest moments from this past year and why?
Although many times, my offer was rejected, I was able to try and make new customers. This is my proudest moment, it's the same as last year.
5. What was one of the most meaningful compliments you received this past year? Why was it so meaningful to you?
My teacher often told me my English skill is improving . It encourages me, that's why I continue studying.
6. What did you do for fun this past year? What was one of your favorite memories?
To try singing some English songs is very fun. Yet, I was not able to sing one whole song. When I have difficulties or I feel sad, it encourages me.
7. If you could change one thing from this past year, what would you change and why?
I want to change to sleep early because according to the book I have read, I  needs to sleep for over 7 hours to improve my memory .  If I walk up at 5:30 am, I have to go to bed at 10:30 pm.
8. What was the most meaningful thing someone did for you this past year? What was the most meaningful thing you did for someone else?
This past year, very good news didn't happen, however, very bad news didn't happen also. I think that  continuing ordinary everyday life is happy for me. 
The end of this year, I am going to go to Osaka to see my parents.  Although I saw my parents every year, I haven't been there for over ten years. It will be the most meaningful thing I do for my parents.
9. If you were to brag about one of your accomplishments from this past year, which one would it be and why?
It's a difficult question, I don't have something to brag. Cntinuing to work might be able to brag a little bit and it's also continuing to study English. Even if those are very hard,  I enjoy those in my life. These are the things I can brag.
10. Given all your experiences, insights, and lessons learned from 2015, what's the best advice you could give yourself for 2016?
Continue to make an effort is important. Aim for good timing.  I will do my best.

Grit: The power of passion and perseverance

TED 2013
Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: The power of passion and perseverance
The key to success? Grit
Summary
It was a fascinating story for me, because I didn't have a high scores IQ.
Usually, people often think IQ but having high IQ scores equal that they are doing so well and get a good grade. And then they are successful. Is it really true?  The speaker said no. It is not equal and true.
The speaker's noticed about one characteristic after several years of teaching, because her studens who did not get a good grade or have a high scores IQ could learn hard materials if they worked hard and long enough.  So it wasn't social intelligence, it wasn't good looks, physical health, and it wasn't IQ. It was grit that was key to succeed.
Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is living life like it's a marathon with stamina. How is it built in us?  Not only teachers, parents but also speaker  did still not know it well.
So far, it is important to believe that the ability to learn is not fixed, that it can change with your efforts.  Your brain can learn to persevere when you fail but its failure doesn't continue. This is growth mindset that is a great idea for building grit.
Speaker's said that it is necessary to know and test about grit more to be gritty. It leads to get grittier.
I could hear that it could be built in adults. Be gritty and continue. It leads to be successful.
◆Viewpoints&Discussion
1. Do you think IQ is the only measure of a person’s intelligence?  Why or why not?
No,I don't think that it is not the only,IQ can measure person intelliget though other ways will show people who have good behavior, are artistic, being intelligent.
2. How do you define success? And how can you tell if you are already successful?
I think that success is that you achieve goals that you decided. I am not successful yet, I just now try to succeed in business.
3. Who do you think will succeed more, those people who are intelligent enough or those who managed to accomplish things with grit? Please explain your reason.
I think that success is that you achieve goals that you decided. All people have chance of success. however all of them are not intelligent but don't manage to accomplish things with grit. It is possible for people who are tricky also to succeed, but people who dodn't give up and people are gritty definitely succeed.
4. Do you think passion and perseverance can lead to more success in the future? Why or why not?
Yes, I do, becaous all people have chance of success. I think that people who dodn't give up and people are gritty definitely succeed.
5. How do you handle yourself when you encounter a failure of your plans?
I will change my ways when I encounter a failure of your plans. First, I check my goals, propuses and plans that I want do. I read many books to find some ways to improve my action.
It is important the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle.
Words in this article
success / the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. However, success is not just defined by being rich, power, or fame. success is about living a good quality of life.
Grit noun verb, Gritty adjective
persevere verb,Perseverance noun
patiently adverb, patient adj, patience noun
passionate adj, passion noun, assionately adverb

8 secrets of success

TED 
Richard St. John’s: 8 secrets of  success.
I was very surprised when I heard this TED speech, because that was a time when I was just thinking about the similar thing: TED has a key that is my success,that's why I chose this article.
Summary
There are many successful people on the TED stage.  He interviewed them and summarized it as 8 secrets of success.
Those keywords are passion, work, good, focus, push, serve, ideas, and persist.
TEDsters have passion, good things and good ideas.  They work hard but they are being fun. However, what they have to do is only one thing. It's focused. They also have something that pushes themselves. They serve society. They persist even if they are painful with believing in themselves.
There is no  magic. Those are the big eight things that will lead you to success, and let's take part in TED!
◆Viewpoints&Discussion
1.Have you ever been successful at something you’ve done? What did you do to achieve that success?
No,I haven't, because I failed high school and university entrance exams. However, right now, I try. I want to be successful in my work. I'm working very hard to succeed.
2.How did you feel when you were successful about something?
Now, Although I am in pain I feel fun and happy, because I can imagine what I am successful. It also pushes myselfe.
3.Which factor mentioned above is more important to be successful
I think that passion is more important to be successful.

How You Should Be Giving Back This Season, Based On Your Personality

ELITE DAILY
How You Should Be Giving Back This Season, Based On Your Personality
People know some activities of volunteer and charity are very important. However, many people definitely think that they don't want to take part in it or they aren't able to do it, because they are busy but they don't know how to participate well. For you, this article shows how to volunteer that you can do  smoothly. It will remove something to spare yourself. If you’re saddened by adults who’ve given up on their dreams, you will be able to make a donation to the future projects. If you hate when sticky kids try to touch you, you will be able to volunteer at your local nursing home. If you love interacting with new people, it will be good for you to participate in some new programs in your community. If you love spending your entire bank account on shoes. You will be able to donate your stuff. If you want to help to girl power, you will be able to help raise money for some activities for women. If you hate animals, however, you will be able to educate about other animals. You will willingly give back, when you choose  your suitable way. In the end of the year, what you could spend on safety must be appreciated.

3 Ways The Fight For Women's Rights Continues 95 Years After Suffrage

ELITE DAILY
3 Ways The Fight For Women's Rights Continues 95 Years After Suffrage
America separated from Britain in 1776. On August 18, 1920, American women got the vote. Before the independence the women's suffrage is referred, it needed time over more than 144 years from it. 95 years have passed since then, however, women's rights are not complete. It is considered　that the United State whose politics, economy and culture are advanced　though the women's rights still have some problems. One of the issues is the pay gap, it is between men to women is even wider. Especially, it's against women who work as full time working or who graduate from college. By taking on maternity leave the pay gap is also widely due to not guarantteeing paid maternity leave but for some reasons, when females have children, their earnigs decrease, however, when males have children, their earnigs increase. Nowadays, there are some contries where is being particularly progressive toward women or have a female president though America has never. In the business  also female leaders who are CEOs are extremely less than males, however labor force of women and men are almost the same percent. We have to know that we have to work for establishing a freer and fairer of women among those hard realities. 95 years have passed since American women got the vote, however, for women's rights the fight continues.                                                          
Words in this story
democracy / the ​belief in ​freedom and ​equality between ​people, or a ​system of ​government ​based on this ​belief, in which ​power is either ​held by ​elected ​representatives or ​directly by the ​people themselves.
quip / a witty remark.
suffrage / the right to vote in political elections.

Lies, damned lies and statistics (about TEDTalks)

TED
Sebastian Wernicke: Lies, damned lies and statistics (about TEDTalks)
My reading impressions essay and summary.
I was sorry that I mistook damned for damand, lies for to line. I had read this article while I thought that it was lined on many important things. Therefore, I strongly  thought that someone who thought that someday they want to session on TEDTalk and me must watch this, but by watching this, I might be able to create an ultimate story.
There are three things that has being analyzed in TEDTalk: those are the topic you should choose, how you should deliver it and the visuals onstage.  Everyone seems to like that something makes "your""brain""happy"!  To fake intellectual capacity is good. You must provide service what you can give. However, you never say you can't have. Then a longer story is okay that you seem to be able to talk until someone drag you off the stage.  It seems good to wear your glasses.
I think that I am not the only one who is interested by this TEDTalk. Many people are being inspired by this.  Next year this will not be damned lies. I think that TEDTalks have power to attract many people. It is wonderful to be able to talk such a story.
◆Viewpoints&Discussion
1. Which part in the video are you interested with?
In the video, I was interested with the part of the list of the top ten words that statistically stick out in the most favorite.  Everyone has liked the word happiness.
Next is  the visuals. It is better to wear glasses. I like this statistic, it is because I wear glasses.
The part I didn't understand well was time. It was strange that many people have liked longer taly until someone drags you off the stage.
In my point of view short talk is better, because I heard that it was difficult for concentration for a long time.
However, the author said that it was better for beautiful, inspiring or funny TEDTalks to be brief. I like those.
2. Have you ever made a presentation? Please share your ideas on how to make a presentation.
I have an experience of making a presentation, and  I  have 3 ideas. First there should be a funny point where people can laugh that leads to be good mood.
Second is to prepar some samples, because they not only listen to my story but I should also use some actions.  By they can touch samples, they will be able to be confirmed whether it has a good touch feeling.
Next is how to make a question that is agreeable to everyone.  It will be good to be able to draw out yes. It will lead to draw out good contracts, especially Japanese language case.
3. What is the best TED talk for you and Why?
For me the best TED talk  is " BLACK: My journey to yo-yo mastery", I was really touched when I listened to it. It is because he is a Japanese, his English is not that good, but short. Even though he was not famous in Japan but he was courageous to tell us that yo-yo is interesting and it had changed his life for the better because it his passion. It taught me that is not necessary to talk a lot. Having courage and passion and talk about something that you want to share is more important.

Coming Of Age: How 9/11 Accidentally Helped Shape This Generation

ELITE DAILY
Coming Of Age: How 9/11 Accidentally Helped Shape This Generation
On September 11, 2001, in America one plane has flown into the World Trade Center.  It has broken the hearts of all Americans, it has shocked all of the world. Many people still clearly remember, but it might increase a day when it is not remembered or thought of those. However, the day of this anniversary is remembered every year. 14 years have passed since then. Children who were junior high school students of around 12 years old are quite grown up now. This generation is called Millennials. Their school life has suddenly changed since then. They haven't been able to experience school trip and extracurricular activities.  Some measures that were thought safetly  was done though it didn't know that it was right. Children had asked to help their parents though parents also seek someone's help. As they were children, not only they didn't know how to proceed but adults and teachers didn't Children Millennials looked for recovery. However, they didn't know how to treat this wound. There was only the fact that 9/11. The answer that everyone expects has not come yet. 9/11 has been an accident. However, maybe what people have experienced in life is necessary. Houman is fragile. However, maybe it will make you strong. This anniversary is remembered every year. There is no right answer as to how to remember that.  9/11 is continuing to give pain to them and life goes on, life must go on.
Words of this story
subconscious  / of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.
patriot / a ​person who ​loves his or her ​country and ​defends it when ​necessary
identity / a close similarity or affinity.
Millennials / a person reaching young adulthood around the year 2000. a Generation Yer.
reckless /  without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action.

The Long Walk to Freedom

Movies
The Long Walk to Freedom
I regret that my favorite movie was the Shawshank Redemption since I watched a movie that is  Long Walk to Freedom because I didn't notice that those movies gave me some strong messages.
The Shawshank Redemption is a very old movie. Even now, many people think that this is a good movie.  It was recommended from my friend. After watching this movie, it gave me a pleasant feeling because a prison break was a surprising success. In this movie, at first, the main character was suspected to be the killer, finally, it was not confirmed that the main character was not the killer. Then little by little he planned to run away and he succeeded. I thought that he is great to chose other ways in spite of never resolving this doubt. Then he could catch big success even though he spent in a prison for a long time.
The Long Walk to Freedom is the movie about Nelson Mandela who is the first democratically elected president of South Africa. He also spent in prison for over many decades. I was shocked that I didn't know well about him and the racial discrimination. There are many injustices in the world. This is a true story.  Even if he was elected president, the days when he spent in a prison never return.
Your life is not finished with one success and failure. You have to continue seeking something you have to complete your mission.

 

After Years on Death Row, Freed Man Helps Others

VOA news
After Years on Death Row, Freed Man Helps Others
Summary
It's difficult to judge others and to be judged. A person is othen tempted by human desires, money, emotion, race and religion. Many people think that the people have to conform to the justice system. It will be right, and it is difficult to change this system but in our crimnal justice system, the injustice might be going on.
This article is about man who had spent in jail for over 10 years in spite of he was being innocent but after he was cleared of the murder charges, he continued fighting to other people who are placed in the same situation and to change the justice system.
Discussion
1. What do you think of this story?
This story is like the movies.  I felt very bitter and painful after reading this story. Anthony Graves spent in  jail over 10 years. It is too long for me to think. However, he is great to continue doing his mission. I think that many people hope that the same thing that is as misconduct  never happen again.
2. Are you satisfied with the justice system in your country?
No, I am not satisfied. It takes too much time until one case ends.
I think that we should have an opportunity to discuss about the justice system.  However, justice in Japan, sometimes Saiban-in (lay judges) are used. It means that selected citizens participate as judges in trials.  I don't think that this system has good judgements. And I think that Japanese people don't know how to contact well with attorneys .
3.If you can change the justice system in your country, what would it be?
I think that there are many cases that are related with much money.  I hope that it changes.

Why It’s Never Too Late To Switch Your Dreams And Change Your Plans

ELITE DAILY
Why It’s Never Too Late To Switch Your Dreams And Change Your Plans
Summary
Probably, there are many people who didn't do anything what you wanted to do well when you were a kid. In your school days you should have tried those.  After college it will be difficult for you to alter your career, plan or progressing directions. You should feel it so, and a sense of obligation to follow through on old ideals or usual method. You confine and leave those, you might not excite to see or remember those. It should be too boring to spend.  It will not be easy to try  those what you wanted to do or want to do.
Even if you ask someone else good answers,  you cannot get it, because someone else is not you.  Your plans can be changed not only just you admire but also you can stop that road you are currently walking and turn to some roads you wanted to go and want to go again. It's never too late.
The words in this story
burn one's bridges / to make decisions that cannot be changed in the future.

People Say Something Is ‘Impossible’ Because It’s Impossible For Them

ELITE DAILY
People Say Something Is ‘Impossible’ Because It’s Impossible For Them
I like to read such  a reading matter as this.
It encourages me. Thank you always!
Summary
All things won't become possible but living forever is impossible.
However, many things became possible that was said to be impossible in the past. What is the difference between something is possible and something is impossible?  This is your recognition that is in your subconscious. You can accomplish and change anything when you think strongly and you haven't been limiting yourself.  First, change might not be comfortable, there might be some risks or sacrifices. Your friends might say that it is impossible. Yes, it is impossible for them who think so.  You don't think so, this is important to achieve  your success.

Why Millennials Born In The Internet Age Will Never Be Forgotten

ELITE DAILY
Why Millennials Born In The Internet Age Will Never Be Forgotten
Summary
Nowadays, there won't be a day when many people who are especially young generations don't check the websites. They post and share a lot of pictures on it. It is fun, and you can use lots of sites for free.
The pictures are checked and searched by various people, many angles and many times.  You won't know who the owner is for those pictres you are always checking on websites. There is a possibility that a picture you posted is like that, you won't be able to erase it at all. It is not only pictures but also words and sentences.
You have the right to be forgotten is a way of protection of your privacy on the internet.  It has the right which is that you can ask the search engine to remove personal information from the search results. However, it will be difficult to delete all things you want to erase from the web pages, it will already be kept stored somewhere in a site or server. You will have to pay attention but you want and continue to do it.

Bill Gross 2: The single biggest reason why startups succeed

TED 2015
Bill Gross 2: The single biggest reason why startups succeed (script)
Summary
The title is "The single biggest reason why startups succeed" and the speaker is Bill Gross. He has been  starting business himself since he was 12 years old. He has experienced that to start a lot of companies, many succeed, and many fail. He analyzed that the startup organization is so great though why so many fail among those. He focused on five factors.
First is the idea. Others are the team and execution, the business model, the funding, and  the timing. Those five factors are thought that all are important for the successful companies. He looked at those very carefully what the differences are between successful and failed companies. The funding and business model lined the last two. This was because you can start out without the business model and add it later, and get funding later also in today 's age. The idea was put in the third, the second was the team and execution. It showed the most important thing is the timing. You can know that from some companies are successful now. There are examples,
companies succeed now though their ideas or  business models were not thought that to be good in the past.  Ironically, there is the business model which failed some years ago though the similar one is successful now. This is a matter of timing. You have to assess the timing if you have something you love and you want to push it forward. This information will be able to help you.
◆Viewpoints&Discussion
1. Do you want to build your own business? Would you like to have your own business?
Yes, in fact, this is my own business that I am doing now.
2. If yes, what would it be?
This speaker also said.
I love our company propdcuts and I want it to be known by many people in the world. I want to push it forward.  I feel happy when cosumers use our company propdcuts with joy. I want to keep that up forever.
3. What do you think of this idea?
I couldn't agree more.  I feel that there are many things that I could not do,  even if I have enough money in the company. In the team,  member quarrels sometimes and all don't have the same thoughts. Our business model and idea is not big, special nor unique, similar idea is likely thought, but from now we are running. This was beautifully timed. We can succeed if we can look at the beautiful timing.