CROSSROADS Language StudioÊs Newsletter, January 2009
Perhaps the most famous recordsof this ancient sport can be found inarcheological sites on Crete. The
Minoan civilization flourished there
Well, Ox actually. Or, is it steer?
about 4,000 years ago and, going by
Perhaps buffalo, cow, bison? Kouprey? the evidence, they enjoyed sport –Zebu? Yak? Heifer? These are only some especially “bull-leaping”. Both young menof the names we have for this genus of and women participated in this sport.
animal! And, this is their year! The Unlike modern day bull-fighting, bullYear of the OX,… Bull, Bison…
leaping does not harm the bull, although
From the very
it’s pretty dangerous for the “leaper”! The
beginningofidea is to face a charging bull, grab its
civilization, andhorns as it reaches you and, using thein all corners ofbull’s instinctive urge to raise its head at
the world, man
the moment of impact, fly into the air, land
has relied uponon the bull’s back and summersault onto
Cave painting at Lascaux in France –perhaps 25,000 years old
this animal for foodthe ground behind the bull as it charges
and clothing, as well as for labor when away! Now, that’s a Sport!
the going gets too tough for man alone. IsEvidence of thisit any wonder that we have venerated kind of bull-leaping
this animal for thousands of years?
has been found in
Without the cow and her cousins, other ancient cultures
where would we be? We have even from about the same
included bulls and cows in our sports. time and the practiceEveryone is aware of Spain’s famous still exists today in“Bull Fights” with its ritual splendor, southern France and northern Spain (althoughmatadors, toreadors and all; and, of cows are used more often than bulls).
course, the killing of the bulls. But this Happy New, Bull, Year Everyone!!!
“sport” is only a relatively new version
of a much older – one could say “kinder”(to the bulls, at least) - sport thatexisted in the ancient world many NET LESSONS: Are you too busy to come to
CROSSROADS?.... Try our lessons on the Internet!
thousands of years ago.
This frescocomes fromthe palace ofKnossos, thecentre of theMinoancivilisation onCrete about
1,600-1,800
BC

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NET SITE OF THE MONTH:
Check out “cows from A to Z” here:
http://www.geocities.com/abecedarius/Cows.html
NET NOTEBOOK: Don’t forget to take a look at
the Internet activity notebook in our open-house.
You’ll find games, news and English learning sites.

Joshua Says: A new Greg has joined our teaching staff. Greg (2) is fromAmerica and I would like, on behalf of our students and staff, to welcome
him to our school. Emilie has also returned from a short stay in Paris(check out her photos on P3). Indeed, we are all back from the New Year
break, and ready to go! Never mind about the gloomy economic forecasts
for this year, let’s make this the best year ever! Happy New Year to all!!
Junko Says: January is named for “Janus”, the God of gates, doors and doorways
in Roman mythology. January is the doorway to the New Year and, as Janus standson the boundary of the beginning and the ending of the year, some say Janus alsostands at the boundary of the past and the future. In Japan, there is a God (in Shinto)
who is said to visit every family on the first day of the year to protect the family
throughout the year. Placing kadomatsu (pine decorations) at the gate is in gratitude
for receiving this God’s blessings. I hope that God blesses all of you this year.
Owen Says: How was the start to your new year? On New Year's Eve, I
met with friends for a few drinks. Shortly after midnight, we made ourway to a shrine to pay our respects and ask for good fortune in the year
ahead. I took a fortune slip and was told it was the best fortune to havepicked! The prayer must have worked! I really do think it's going to be anexciting year. Let's see how much we can progress in our language studies.
Greg Says: Happy New Year to everyone at Crossroads and best wishes
for a successful 2009. Well, it is resolution time where people make theirown personal promises with regards to their daily lives. Have you madeany resolutions this year? Mine usually last all but a few weeks before I
throw them in the “too hard basket”. My resolution this year is to spend
more time with my family, but in doing that, not miss any opportunities
that come knocking on my door. Stay safe and have a super year.
Gregory Says: Hello Crossroads students. My name is Greg and I am so happy
to be here. I come from America and have been fortunate enough to have traveled
to many places around the world, but my lifelong dream has always been to live
and work in Japan and now here I am! Why Matsuyama? This is my wife's
hometown. She is even a Crossroads alumni, having worked here 15 years ago. I
look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks and helping you toimprove your English. Please say hello if you happen to see me around the school.
Emilie Dit: Je viens de passer un mois entier à Paris et je rentre àMatsuyama des rêves plein la tête. Paris est magnifique en hiver. La
blancheur des façades s’accorde très bien avec la ligne noire des arbres
déplumés. Le ciel, souvent amer, tire vers le gris, et nimbe Paris de mystère.
En pointillés, quelques illuminations de Noël palpitent. Déambuler dansParis, c’est se perdre dans une douce rêverie mélancolique.

Emilie recently visited herhome-town, Paris, where she
took these pictures from the“The Big Wheel”. She wasvisiting her family and took
the chance to reacquaintherself with some of the sitesof central Paris. You cancatch her comments on
page 2. Oh, if you can’t
read French, you canalso ask her about her
trip when you see her inthe school.

Don’t forget you can Talk It Overin a 1 to 1 counselling session.
That’s our new system of counselling. You can arrange a FREE 15 minutesession with one of your teachers to discuss your progress, find out yourlevel, get help with your weak points, review class work, catch up if you
missed a class, go over any problems you might be havingwith homework and get tips on how to study out of class.
It’s simple to arrange a meeting; just sign up!
For more details, have a chat with Junko in the office.

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