May CROSSROADS Language Studio’s Newsletter 2004
The Story of Mother’s Day
May, isvery often
associated withMother’sDay. It is a timefor thanking
our mothers for all
they have done
for us, and telling them how much weappreciate their love and understanding.
But, do you know how Mother’s Day
came into being?
It all started with an American
woman named Anna Jarvis. Anna,wanted to establish a Mother’s Day inorder to remember the hard work her
mother had done during her life. She wasvery proud of her mother, and wanted torepay her for her thoughtfulness
and dedication.
Anna thought that it would be a
day that women would appreciate.
She wanted to call this special day
Mother’s Work Day. Her quest to havethis day set aside for mothers led her towrite to numerous politicians for several
years, hoping that they would support
her campaign. She also organized achurch service at her mother’s church
to celebrate Mother’s Day. She held iton the second anniversary of her
mother’s death, the second Sunday ofMay. She gave out white carnations topeople who attended, because they wereher mother’s favourite flowers.
Her hard work paid off in 1913.
The House of Representatives in
America asked officials of the federal
government to start wearing carnations
on the second Sunday of May.
Finally, on 8 t h May 1914,
President Woodrow Wilson made animportant announcement. He statedthat the second Sunday of May would
be designated as Mother’s Day, hence,
making it a national holiday. Anna
Jarvis’ dream had at last become true.
Happy Mother’s Day, and I hopethat you decide to do something special
for your mother this year!!
Story by Grace(These words are in color in the story)

Joshua Says: Well, of course, the big news this month is our move to a new locationin Okaido. And, what an effort it took! Builders, movers, packing, unpacking - not tomention some pretty hard labour in the process. But I am very pleased with theresults. The new school has just about everything we could possibly want for a greatteaching environment. I know you are all going to really “love” the new place!
Junko Says: I’m so thrilled with our new school. At Crossroads, we can now give not
only foreign languages lessons, but we can also experience some of the culture theselanguages come from. Learn English while cooking foreign dishes, or write originalsongs; how about studying various forms of foreign etiquette? And, of course, there is
now space for drama lessons and performances again!
Grace Says: Mother Nature sure works in marvellous ways.
The cherry blossoms are an excellent example. It’s one of themost beautiful scenes I’ve seen in nature. The colours were so
magical and pretty, and the ambiance very serene and joyful.

Rachael Says: I'm glad to be back in Japan and feeling satisfied with working insuch a progressive school. I'm looking forward to meeting all the students at
Crossroads. If you see me walking around Matsuyama, please say "Hello" andintroduce yourself – in English, of course. Don't be shy, be confident. The best way to
improve your English is to use it!
Greg Says: I look forward to May as it brings with it the warmer weather. However
it won’t be too long until the weather gets too hot and we will be all looking forward tothe colder months again. May was also the month I first arrived in this country(Sendai, Miyagi) many years ago. I remember it clearly but I can’t believe how quickly
time has flown by…
Richard Says: The saying, “once a teacher, always a teacher” rang true when I
spread the news of my voyage to Matsuyama. A former headmaster exclaimed, “Oh,Matsuyama! Mountain of pine trees, lovely place. No pine trees left, of course”. Well,
it just so happens that even a headmaster can make a mistake. I found themountain, and the pine trees… and I am pleased about it too!!
Natasha Neronova: Zdravstvuyte (Hello)! My name is Neronova Natalia and I am fromSakhalin, Russia. I live in Komatsu now. I am a professional Russian Language
teacher and am very happy to be teaching at Crossroads. Every April, we celebrate
Easter by going to church, painting eggs, exchanging cards…etc. I hope you enjoy
studying Russian and our culture with me. Do svidaniya (“Good-bye”)…for now!
Yuka Says:: Now that Spring has come, I think it’s the best time to start something
new. I began going to the gym and found an interesting way to study English more
effectively. How? “Repeating English while jogging!” You may think this sounds
ridiculous, but it works! You can learn to speak rhythmically this way. Why don’t
you try it?

Daisaburo Says: I went to Budapest, Vienna andPrague for the first time at the end of March. This trip
was very exciting and enjoyable. I especially liked theRomanesque and Gothic architecture. I bought someBohemian glasses, Helend’s dishes and vases. In the nearfuture, when I open my new restaurant, I’m going todecorate it with my new souvenirs.

Congratulations to Ayano for
obtaining a second part-time job! She iscurrently working for Iyotetsu Catering
Services as a waitress. She is sent todifferent hotels and restaurants, where
she serves food and drinks at all sorts ofparties and weddings. Lots of good luck
juggling those plates!!

NET LESSONS: Are you too busy tocome to CROSSROADS to study? Try ourlessons on the internet!
It’s CROSSROADS in your home or office! You
get CROSSROADS’ great teachers, teaching
programs, even classmates, all on-line! Call fordetails.

NET SITE OF THE MONTH:
You can send your family and friends freepersonalized e-cards for different occasions at
this web site:www.123greetings.com
Don’t forget to take a look at the N E TNOTEBOOK in our Open-house lounge. You’ll
find games, news and English study sites.

In honour of Mother’s Day, here aresome idioms which include the word
“mother.”
Watch Over something or someone likea Mother Hawk: To watch carefullyand protect.
When Beatrice takes her children tothe park, she watches over them like amother hawk.
Claire is very fond of her flower
garden. She watches over it like amother hawk.
Tied to Your Mother’s Apron Strings:
To be dependent on mom.
Michelle still lives at home. She is tied
to her mother’s apron strings.
Walter constantly asks his mother formoney. He is tied to his mother’s apron
strings.

Phone: 0120-21-7594
Tel: (089) 921-7595
Fax: (089) 921-7319
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Web Site: www.crossroadsco.com