February (89/02/01)
Today is the beginning of the second month of the year. An old name of this month in Japan was kisaragi and one of the explanations of this name is that another layer of clothes is put on during this cold month. In regard to the English name of this month, I find that when I speak slowly and distinctly, I pronounce it Feb-roo-er-e, but in normal conversation I may say Feb-yoo-er-e. That is to say, in the one case I pronounce the first "r" sound and in the other case I do not. According to the dictionary, either pronunciation is correct. This name comes from a Latin word referring to a festival of purification which was performed by the Romans preceding their new year which began in March. In fact, in the old Roman calendar, there were only ten months, from March to December. January and February were added later to the end of the year and then were changed to the beginning of the year. If you are thinking of putting on more clothes during this kisaragi month, may I suggest the clothes noted in the New Testament book of Colossians, chapter 3, verse 12, where it is written: "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (2824)
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (89/02/02)
How did the United States become the large country it is today? Much of the land was simply seized from the earlier inhabitants by explorers or settlers from Europe, but after the establishment of the U.S.A., additions to the original area were gained through purchases and wars. The Louisiana Territory was purchased from France. Florida was ceded by Spain and the Oregon Territory was gained through a treaty with Great Britain. Another large area of land officially became a part of the United States 141 years ago today, on February 2, 1848, through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which ended the war with Mexico. In this area are included all of the present states of California, Nevada and Utah and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. The problem of national boundaries continues to cause unrest, anger, hostility and fighting in the world today. To whom does a particular piece of land really belong? The Bible teaches that the earth belongs to the Lord and we who live on it are responsible to him. If the time ever comes when human beings recognize themselves as members of the same human family and consider their neighbors' interests as well as their own, property problems will find a fair solution.(2825)
Felix Mendelssohn (89/02/03)
Certain musical compositions have become so closely identified with certain events that simply hearing the melody stimulates particular emotions or memories. "Auld Lang Syne", the tune of Hotaru no Hikari, evokes sad memories of parting from friends, while "Wedding March", the melody played as a bride comes down the aisle of a church, evokes happy memories. The composer of this melody was born in Germany 180 years ago today, on February 3, 1809. His grandfather's name was Moses and his father's name was Abraham, so his Jewish lineage is very evident, but his father had converted to Christianity, so Felix Mendelssohn was raised in a Lutheran family. At the age of nine, he gave his first public concert in Berlin and from that time on, he began composing music, including chamber music, symphonies, oratorios and sonatas. His biblical oratories, St. Paul and Elijah, are considered his greatest works. The Sanbika used in Christian churches in Japan includes six melodies which were composed by Mendelssohn. Composers may express their feelings more clearly in music than in speech and Mendelssohn himself once said, "It's not that music is too imprecise for words, but too precise." (2826)
Fragrances (89/02/04)
An ultra-modern office building is now under construction in the Akasaka district of Tokyo. In this building, computers will not only control the lighting, heating and air conditioning, they will also blend and release fragrances in appropriate proportions through the building's ventilation system. Stress has become a social problem in modern life and it is thought that modern office buildings with their sterile and brightly lit offices may be partly responsible. It is hoped that natural aromas circulating through the building will have a beneficial effect upon employees. Lemon and jasmine fragrances are said to have a refreshing and reviving effect which may naturally spur workers out of drowsiness following their lunch periods. Lavender and rose fragrances are said to calm the mind and relieve stress. The scents will not be pumped directly into offices, which are not meant to be places for relaxation. Rather, they will be dispersed in the larger meeting rooms and the open central area, or atrium, of the eight-story structure. In the 12th chapter of the Gospel of John is the story of a woman who anointed Jesus with a very expensive perfume, whose odor filled the whole house. Although this odor symbolized the sincere love of the woman, it had an adverse effect on one of Jesus' disciples. (2827)
Ecclesiastes (89/02/05)
A goad, spelled g-o-a-d, is a long stick with a pointed end that is used to poke or prod animals to make them move. Lazy people may also need goading to cause them to do some necessary but disagreeable task. And others who are only interested in immediate, physical enjoyment need to be goaded to think more deeply about the meaning of life and the way to deeper, more lasting, more satisfying joy. The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes is a philosophical meditation on the meaning of life. Trying to look at life honestly, the writer repeatedly expressed his view that life was meaningless. Yet, he was not able to give up his belief in God even though he could not understand the ways of God. Near the end of the book, it is written that "the sayings of the wise are like goads ... which are given by one Shepherd". In the present day of emphasis upon material prosperity and selfish pleasure, the words of this philosopher may serve as goads to stimulate our thinking about our lives and their meaning. I hope readers of Ecclesiastes will also be goaded into reading other parts of the Bible that provide answers to the honest and troubling questions the writer raises. The conclusion to this book includes the exhortation: "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." (2828)
Ronald Reagan (89/02/06)
Today, February 6th, is the birthday of one of the most famous baseball players in American history. The man known as Babe Ruth was born on this day 94 years ago, in 1895. A famous home run hitter, he still holds the major league record for the most bases on balls. A sports announcer, who must have talked about Babe Ruth on his radio broadcasts, was also born on this day 78 years ago, in 1911. This man later became a movie actor, a state governor and then his nation's president. Two-and-a-half weeks ago, he stepped down from the presidency to retire to his home in California. His name is Ronald Reagan and he holds the record for being the oldest president in United States history. You may not be a famous athlete nor a world-renown politician, but you do have certain abilities which you should make good use of before your retirement. (2829)
Translation (89/02/07)
Any translator from one language to another is keenly aware of the difficulties of inter-cultural communication. Some words or concepts are peculiar to a culture and do not have exact equivalents in another language. In such cases, a word having a similar meaning may be chosen, a new word may be coined or the word may be simply transliterated into the other language. For example, the English word "God" has been translated, incorrectly, into Japanese as kami; which has caused confusion. It would have been preferable to use the word tenshu, which was newly-coined after Christianity was introduced into Japan. The third possibility is to put goddo into katakana and consider it a Japanese word. The same problem arises when putting Japanese terms into English. Since the common English translation of tenno as "emperor" also invites misunderstanding, I prefer using the Japanese word in English instead. At our meeting last week, listeners expressed their opinions regarding the advantages and disadvantages, the pros and cons of the tenno system. I would be happy to read your views on this subject. I will correct essays sent to me and publish them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama, Nagoya 463.(2830)
Jules Verne (89/02/08)
You are probably acquainted with the particular genre, or kind, of literature known as science fiction. In this style of fictional writing, actual or potential scientific discoveries and developments form a part of the plot. The man who may be considered the father of science fiction, French novelist Jules Verne, was born 161 years ago today, on February 8, 1828. Verne first studied law, but then his interest turned to literature. When he was 35-years-old, he published the first in a series of novels of extraordinary journeys which often included exciting scientific fantasies that foreshadowed future developments. He wrote more than fifty such books, sometimes producing more than one a year. A number of them have been made into movies, such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in Eighty Days. Verne had a fertile imagination which is a necessary characteristic of both novelists and inventors. According to the New Testament book of I Corinthians, chapter 2, verse 9, "Things beyond our seeing, things beyond our hearing, things beyond our imagining" have been prepared by God for those who believe in him. This is a part of the Christian's exciting hope for the future. (2831)
Red (89/02/09)
A religious leader of the Shiite sect of Islam is called an ayatollah. The present leader of Iran is the Ayatollah Khomeini. Last month, this ayatollah sent another ayatollah to the Soviet Union with a message for President Gorbachev. It was the first message sent to a foreign head of state by Mr. Khomeini, who became president of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1981. The Islamic clergyman was cordially received by the Soviet leader who sat politely for two hours while his message was read, but it was reported that the face of the Communist president turned red while listening to the message. Because red flags are used by Communists, that color is associated with Communism and a Communist or Marxist is sometimes called a "Red". Thus, Mr. Gorbachev was showing his true color when his face turned red as he heard the Ayatollah's view that Communism was out-dated and should be relegated to museums. But I wonder whether his red face was a sign of embarrassment or of anger. Red is also the color of blood and, according to the Old Testament book of Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 18, even if that is the color of our sins, God can purify us, making us as white as snow. (2832)
Boris Pasternak (89/02/10)
Ninety-nine years ago today, on February 10, 1890, Boris Pasternak was born in Moscow. During the Russian revolution, his parents fled to Germany, but he remained and earned his living as a workman. From the time he was young, Pasternak wrote poetry--lyrical, realistic, poignant poetry. During the Stalin regime, however, when artistic creativity was stifled, he confined himself to translations of Western poets such as Shakespeare and Goethe. In 1955, he completed his masterpiece, Dr. Zhivago, a novel describing the upheavals that had taken place in Russia. It was a realistic portrayal of the struggle between the old and new during the Revolution. Because publication of this great novel in the Soviet Union was not permitted, it was first published in Italy and then translated into other languages, receiving worldwide acclamation. Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for that novel, but official pressure in his homeland compelled him to refuse it. In a work entitled Remember, written the following year, Pasternak wrote, "In life it is more necessary to lose than to gain. A seed will only germinate if it dies." I am sure he must have been acquainted with the similar words of Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapter 12, verse 24. (2833)
Kenkoku-kinen-bi (89/02/11)
Today is a national holiday in Japan, called kenkoku-kinen-bi. This was one of three new holidays established 23 years ago. Personally, I consider it unfortunate that conservative forces under the misnamed Liberal Democratic Party finally succeeded in resurrecting the old Kigensetsu under this new name. In the light of the previous use made of kigensetsu and its mythological association, I consider it out of keeping with the atmosphere of the new Japan envisioned under its new Constitution. There is no historical data that gives any special significance to this 11th day of the 2nd month in the calendar now in use and I question the motives of those who finally succeeded in pushing through its reestablishment. Japan is one of many countries whose founding date cannot be precisely identified. Instead of resurrecting this old holiday with its unfortunate historical connections, the resurrected bunka-no-hi, the continuing tenno-tanjo-bi along with the new kenpo-kinen-bi, are sufficient to express both the old and continuing spirit of the nation along with its new birth as a democracy. As Japan celebrates its so-called National Foundation Day today, I pray that Japanese people will thoughtfully reconsider exactly what kind of foundation they desire for their nation's future.(2834)
Serpents (89/02/12)
On my New Year's card this year, I quoted a Bible verse found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 10, verse 16. It is a part of the instruction of Jesus to his disciples. I chose this verse because it includes a unique reference to serpents. In the Bible, "serpent" usually has a negative meaning, related to the devil or to evil. But in this passage, Jesus told his disciples they should be like serpents in a certain way and also resemble doves in another way. Each of the four modern English translations of the New Testament I often refer to use different words to translate the exemplary characteristic of a serpent. Here are their translations. Which one do you prefer? "Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves"; "Be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves"; "Be wary as serpents, innocent as doves"; "Be as cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves". "Wise", "cunning", "wary", "cautious"--all have a particular nuance, but all imply a keen use of our mental faculties. A healthy faith does not lull us into a dream world or separate us from reality. Rather, it sharpens our intellect and helps us to see through or beyond the physical world and grasp eternal, spiritual truths. (2835)
Bullying, Truancy (89/02/13)
A bully is a person who is cruel, especially to those who are smaller or weaker. The Tokyo Board of Education was pleased with the results of a survey of public schools in Tokyo which showed a dramatic decrease in bullying during the past school year. It concluded that its guidance programs to eradicate bullying have been effective. However, it was disappointed with the results that showed a disturbing increase in truancy. A truant is a person who is absent from school without permission and the survey indicated that the number of elementary and junior high school pupils who did not attend school for more than 50 days out of the year continues to increase. So now the Board of Education must provide guidance on how to handle this problem. The atmosphere of a school is an important element in the effort to provide an effective education. (2836)
Valentine cards (89/02/14)
Four years ago, Daiei Fukudenji, the 41-year-old deputy chief priest of the Daishō Temple in Sakutō, a small town in Okayama Prefecture, visited France and found a community there named Saint Valentine. Through his efforts, Saint Valentine and Sakuto became sister towns and his 1250-year-old Shingon sect temple embarked on a new type of service for romantically-inclined Japanese women. The new Valentine Post Office, located on the temple grounds, has been selling Valentine cards with a painting by a French artist, who lives in Saint Valentine, of a couple hugging each other for ¥1,000 and ¥1,200. These cards were then sent to France where they will be airmailed today to the addressees. Thus the cards will bear the postmark of Saint Valentine and the date of February 14th. It is reported that thousands of women have taken advantage of this new service. What is your impression of this interesting, novel enterprise begun by an innovative priest of an ancient temple? On this day when some folks think of love, it is well to remember the words of Plato that "All loves should be simply stepping-stones to the love of God." This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (2837)
St. Louis (89/02/15)
There have been 18 French kings named Louis. The 13th century Louis IX was a particularly able king who was also very religious. After his death, he was canonized by the church and thus became St. Louis (which is pronounced St. Loo-is, in English). An American town with that name is located in central Michigan, but there is a better-known city on the Mississippi River. This St. Louis, the largest city in Missouri and the 30th largest city in the country, was established 225 years ago today, on February 15, 1764, by two French fur traders. They originally meant to establish a trading post on the east bank of the Mississippi, but because that region was transferred to Great Britain, the post was built on the west bank instead. At that time, the king of France was Louis XV, and the city was named in honor of that king and of the saint whose name he bore. St. Louis became the gateway to the West and a 192 meter tall gateway arch is now the city's best-known landmark. In the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus spoke of two gates, a wide one leading to perdition and a narrow one leading to life. Which gate are you heading for? (2838)
"Friendship volunteers" (89/02/16)
A volunteer is a person who performs some service of his or her free will without any compulsion. Many religious, charitable or welfare groups are staffed by volunteer workers. Such people gain a kind of satisfaction from their work that cannot be measured in monetary terms. Some participate in volunteer work after their retirement, but others find time while holding a regular job to devote to volunteer activities. The Nagoya International Center is looking for persons who are willing to become "Friendship Volunteers" during the period of the World Design Exhibition to be held in Nagoya from mid-July to the end of November. It hopes to find 10,000 people who have an interest in a foreign language and in assisting foreigners who will be visiting Nagoya during that time. The aim is to be of help to visitors from overseas, to help make their visit more enjoyable and to show them that this area of Japan is a friendly place. If you would like to be one of these volunteers, contact the "Friendship Volunteer" Office at the Nagoya International Center. The phone number is 052-581-0100. If all of us worked at being friendship volunteers in our daily lives among all people, our lives would be happier and more satisfying. (2839)
Population of the United States (89/02/17)
Since 1960, the population of the United States has been growing about one percent a year. Along with its natural growth, that is, the number of births minus the number of deaths, there is a continuing influx of immigrants from other countries. A recent report indicates that its population is now over 245 million, making it the fourth most populous nation, after China, India and the Soviet Union. It also ranks fourth in size, behind the Soviet Union, Canada and China. From the time of its establishment, U. S. citizens have continued to move west and the far-western state of California, now the most populous state, continues to grow most rapidly. Eleven states have been losing population, but the midwest, which I consider the heartland of the country, partly because that's where my roots are, grew by 1.2 percent according to this report. In the so-called third world, over-population is a problem that must concern the whole world. Don Marquis, an American journalist, once wrote: "If the world were not so full of people, and most of them did not have to work so hard, there would be more time for them to get out and lie on the grass, and there would be more grass for them to lie on." (2840)
Procrastination (89/02/18)
Are you a procrastinator? The word "procrastinate" comes from Latin words meaning "for tomorrow", so a procrastinator is one who keeps putting off chores or duties until an indefinite future time. Sometimes a delay or postponement is unavoidable, but procrastination is the result of laziness or indifference and should be avoided. Edward Young, an English poet, has written, "Procrastination is the thief of time", and the American writer, Benjamin Franklin, left us the proverb, "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today". Similar in meaning to the proverbial Japanese "dyer's day-after-tomorrow," or kōya no asatte, is the English saying that "Tomorrow never comes". The English phrase, "one of these days", means sometime soon, but another English saying teaches us that "One of these days is none of these days". Another proverb, which exhorts us to "Make hay while the sun shines", reminds me of the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapter 9, verse 4: "We must work... while it is day; night comes, when no one can work." If you are a procrastinator, I would remind you of two other sayings: "Life is short and time is swift" and "There is no time like the present". (2841)
Temples (89/02/19)
Because the flat region on both sides of the forehead moves when a person chews rice, it is called komekami in Japanese. In English those areas are called temples. A different word with the same spelling and the same pronunciation signifies a place of worship. Buddhist and Hindu places of worship are called temples. In Japanese Shinto, the place of worship is called a shrine and in Islam, Muslim believers worship in a mosque. For Jews, the Temple in Jerusalem was considered the symbolic dwelling place of God. At first, Christians, who were Jews, continued to worship in the Temple, but they also gathered together in Christian assemblies called churches. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 16, the Apostle Paul wrote, "you are God's temple ... God's Spirit lives in you!" In Christian thought, the temple of God is not primarily a building called a church or a cathedral. We believe that the Spirit of God dwells among and within the people of God. In chapter 6, verse 19 of that same letter, Paul wrote, "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you." True worship of God is not confined to certain ceremonies in so-called sacred places. By means of our faith, the living God dwells within us and in the company of those who trust in God. (2842)
George (89/02/20)
This third Monday of February is now an annual holiday in the United States commemorating the birthday of its first president, who was born on February 22, 1732. You probably know that his name was George Washington, but you probably don't know the meaning of "George." This name comes from two Greek words meaning "earth" and "work". In Greek, georgos means a person who works the earth, that is, a farmer. Although George Washington was born on a farm, he worked as a surveyor before becoming a military leader and then president. Farming is an honorable occupation upon which the livelihood of a nation depends. In the New Testament Letter of James, chapter 5, verse 7, the farmer, or georgos, is used as an example of patience. After planting seed, the farmer patiently awaits nature's blessing and the expected harvest. We also must learn to be patient (2843)
Animal rights (89/02/21)
In recent years we have heard or read much about the evils of racism or sexism. Racism is discrimination based on race. If a certain racial or ethnic group considers itself superior, it may despise other ethnic groups and treat them inhumanely. Sexism is discrimination based on sex, usually discrimination against women. Although the word is not yet in dictionaries, another kind of discrimination is being called specism. It is the idea that human beings can treat animals as they desire without considering any animal rights. A new organization, formed eight years ago in the United States and now claiming 250,000 members is known as PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It is opposed to such practices as using animals for experimentation purposes, taking animals out of their natural habitats and putting them in cages to be viewed by people, mistreatment of domestic pets or even tossing live lobsters into boiling water to cook them. What do you think about so-called animal rights or about the treatment of animals in Japan or in other countries? I would be happy to read a short essay of yours on this theme which I will correct and publish in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (2844)
Black History Month (89/02/22)
Unfortunately, discrimination on the basis of ethnic or family background, religion, education, sex, social status, etc. is a fact of life in most, if not all, countries of the world. When we look around us and see the unfair treatment of other human beings simply on the basis of circumstances over which they had no control, we should make an effort to eliminate such injustice. We may not be able to do much by ourselves, but at least we can seek to raise the consciousness of others regarding the problem. Throughout the history of the United States, non-caucasian citizens or residents have often been discriminated against. It is impossible to undo the wrongs done to previous generations, but we can try to change the prejudicial attitudes of ourselves and others in the present and to gain a fairer view of history. As one attempt in that direction, the month of February has been designated Black History Month in the U.S.A., during which outstanding Black Americans are recognized for their contributions in various fields of endeavor. Because many history books as well as current articles are often written with a certain bias, we need to broaden our vision to see and pay respect to those who are often overlooked. Character, not color, should be the basis upon which our judgments of others are made.(2845)
Bars (89/02/23)
In English, the word "bar" has a variety of meanings. Basically, it is a long, straight, rigid piece of solid material. Bars are used as tools, as structural supports, as gymnastic equipment and on prison windows. An oblong block of a softer substance may also be called a bar, such as a bar of soap or a chocolate bar. A long counter at which people eat or at which drinks are served is a bar, and the railing in a courtroom behind which judges sit is also a bar. In fact, the court itself and the legal profession is sometimes called a bar. In order to become a certified lawyer, one must pass a bar examination. "Bar" also indicates a unit of atmospheric pressure, and the instrument used to measure such pressure is called a barometer. The severely cold weather in Alaska this winter has caused the barometric pressure to rise to record levels, even beyond the normal capacity of barometer gauges. Consequently, airplanes have been barred from making instrument landings because their instruments might not be functioning correctly. Much of modern life is dependent upon machines or instruments and if they are not dependable, lives will be endangered. And what will be the result if the guiding principles of our lives are found to be undependable?(2846)
Hirohito (89/02/24)
This is the day of the funeral of a man who began his reign as a living kami and ended it as a frail human being. Under the old Constitution, this man was the supreme authority, and military encroachments into foreign countries, with their accompanying acts of cruelty, were done in his name. In my youth, Hirohito, the Tenno of Japan, Hitler, the Fuhrer of Germany, and Mussolini, the Duce of Italy, were similarly portrayed as heartless warmongers. Later, Hitler committed suicide, Mussolini was executed and Hirohito was transformed into a "symbol of the State". In countries that suffered from Japanese attacks, some people still harbor resentment against this man because of the acts that were committed by those under his legal authority. Since coming to Japan, I have a different view of the lonely figure who never really escaped from the prison-like palace in which he was born and raised, from which he theoretically ruled and in which he died, without being told the nature of his illness. I feel sad because of his passing away and pray that the new tenno will refuse to become the captive of undesirable forces, will be a wholesome example to his people and to the world and will use his symbolic influence to move this nation into a healthier democratic direction.(2847)
Stupid act (89/02/25)
Robbers and burglars both are thieves. A robber forcibly takes something from someone, while a burglar breaks into a building in order to steal. Some burglars are very astute; others are quite stupid. The man who broke into an apartment in Wisconsin in the United States a few months ago fits into the latter category. This man not only stole jewelry, cassette tapes and a calculator, he also took vitamin pills and aspirin--and chicken patties from the freezer. But the stupid act that proved his downfall was making a long-distance telephone call to his grandmother in Florida from the apartment he was burglarizing. After the victim received her phone bill, which included the number that was called, the 27-year-old grandson confessed and returned two necklaces, a set of earrings and the calculator. He had already disposed of the vitamin pills, the aspirin and the chicken patties. There are different ways of stealing what belongs to others. In the present day, some of them are very sophisticated and difficult to prove, but they are still immoral even if they are not illegal. In the words of Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 28, "The thief must give up stealing, and instead work hard and honestly with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the needy." (2848)
Light (89/02/26)
According to the poetic creation story in the first chapter of Genesis, in the very beginning, everything was engulfed in total darkness and the first act of God was to cause light to shine into the chaos. God's first word was, "Let there be light". He created the sun and moon and placed them in the sky to give light to the earth. This story indicates a basic characteristic of the biblical God. God brings light into darkness. The rest of the Bible includes many examples of how God continued to shine divine light into the darkness of human society and of human hearts. Biblical prophets spoke or wrote of a future day when the sun and moon would no longer be needed for God himself would be the eternal light. When Jesus, the Christ, came into the world, he was called "the Light of the world" and Christians believe that the light of God's truth and love is seen most clearly in the life, death and resurrection of this Man. But Jesus taught his disciples, in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5, verse 14, "You are the light of the world". Christ's disciples today also feel they have a responsibility to share the light of God's salvation which they have received through their faith in Christ to make the world a brighter, better place.(2849)
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (89/02/02)
Felix Mendelssohn (89/02/03)
Fragrances (89/02/04)
Ecclesiastes (89/02/05)
Ronald Reagan (89/02/06)
Translation (89/02/07)
Jules Verne (89/02/08)
Red (89/02/09)
Boris Pasternak (89/02/10)
Kenkoku-kinen-bi (89/02/11)
Serpents (89/02/12)
Bullying, Truancy (89/02/13)
Valentine cards (89/02/14)
St. Louis (89/02/15)
"Friendship volunteers" (89/02/16)
Population of the United States (89/02/17)
Procrastination (89/02/18)
Temples (89/02/19)
George (89/02/20)
Animal rights (89/02/21)
Black History Month (89/02/22)
Bars (89/02/23)
Hirohito (89/02/24)
Stupid act (89/02/25)
Light (89/02/26)
Dominican Republic (89/02/27)
Essay (89/02/28)
February (89/02/01)