Money

cash
現金

Example:
I've got no cash on me; can I use credit?
今現金持ってない、カードでもいい？

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paycheck
給料

Example:
I get my paycheck on Saturday.
土曜日に給料をもらう。

Comment:
Paycheck actually means the check (小切手) that one receives their money as, but many people will use paycheck to mean the money rather than the slip of paper. By the way, in the United States, it is very rare to be paid in cash; it is most common to be paid by check, and possibly direct-deposit into a bank account if you work at a bigger company.

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loaded
お金持ち

Example:
I just got my paycheck yesterday so I'm loaded right now.
昨日給料をもらったばっかやから、今はお金持ちや。

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dirt poor
めちゃ貧乏

Example:
I am dirt poor now after buying that BMW.
あのBMWを買ったからめちゃ貧乏になった。

Dessert

Some of these probably exist in Japan too, others probably don't.

If you're in the lab and want to try one of these, let me know and I'll gather ingredients and make it for you.

Brownie



Delicious and pretty common

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Fudge



Sort of like brownies, but softer and richer.

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Cookies



Well cookies they obviously have in Japan, but what about M&M cookies?!

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Cupcake



Cupcakes are in the same class as brownies (very standard dessert snack).

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Hershey's Kiss



Just a normal chocolate, but interesting shape and interesting name.

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Roasted Marshmallows



Popular when camping, set up a campfire and roast marshmallows to golden-brown deliciousness.

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Smore


Take a roasted marshmallow, put it in between two graham crackers and chocolate, and have a tasty treat. Substitute microwave for campfire if at home.

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Pumpkin Cake



Popular during Halloween (due to it's pumpkin-ness)

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Cherry Ice Cream



Popular during Summer when the cherries are especially fresh and delicious.

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Banana Split



Only item on this list I've never had. It's an old-fashioned dish, and you would probably see it in movies set in the 1960-70s (Grease, etc). Looks really rich...

The Politics of Guns

Supreme Court
最高裁判所

ban
禁止令

unconstitutional
憲法違反

right to bear arms
銃砲所持の権利

militia
民兵

right-wing (the right)
右翼 (右翼の奴ら)

NRA (National Rifle Association)
全米ライフル協会

gun control law
銃規制法

overturn
撤廃する

Example:
In a 5-4 decision, the American Supreme Court declared the handgun ban in Washington DC unconstitutional.
5対4の判定の上、アメリカの最高裁判所はワシントンの拳銃禁止令が憲法違反だとの判断を下ろした。

Comment:
The right to bear arms was written into the US Constitution over two hundred years ago to allow unofficial militia to protect the country in the absence of police. Now that we have police, we don't need guns, but the idiots on the right just don't give up. Of course, now the NRA is rushing to get every other gun control law in the country overturned...