October CROSSROADS Language Studio’s Newsletter 2004

Halloween

is anexcellent opportunity for both young andold to dress up as something or someone
different for a while, go “trick ortreating” and attend costume parties.
Masks, which come in manydifferent shapes and sizes, were once
worn for protection against evil spirits.
In the past, people believed that on
Halloween night, souls of dead people
and other entities came back to Earth.
People donned masks because they
thought that it was a perfect way to hidefrom these horrible spirits. They couldblend in and not be seen or caught bythese lost souls.
Witches have been a part ofHalloween for a long time. In the Middle
Ages, people believed that witches
belonged to cults that were devoted
to Satan. They were thought to haveweekly meetings called Witches
Sabbath, and the most important
one was held on the eve of
Halloween. On this night they ate,drank and had a great time.

Then they would change into otherforms and cast spells on people andgenerally cause havoc. They would beaccompanied by their cats and at theend of the night they would fly off ontheir broomsticks.
Lastly, Halloween
just wouldn’t be Halloween
without pumpkins. Pumpkins, are usedas jack-o-lanterns by carving faces onthem. This practice goes back to an
Irish legend involving a farmer named
Jack. He tricked the Devil into a tree
and told him that he would let him
down only if he never sent him to Hell.
The Devil agreed. When Jack died, hewas refused entry into Heaven and theDevil wouldn’t let him into Hell. So,Jack carved out one of his turnips, puta candle in it, and wandered Earthtrying to find a resting place.
Have a Happy Halloween everyone!!

Story by Grace(These words are in color in the story)

Joshua Says: Well, we stopped the presses for this one! Yes! The West Japan Cricket
Tourney was finally held at Tobe Athletic Ground. The MCC (that’s our team) came
second out of 5 teams after winning our first two games, only to go on and lose in aclosely fought final to Oita. But win or loose, it was a great experience and a very
successful event. Next year,…… we’ll win!!!
Junko Says: I have had little time off recently as many of you can imagine, but thismonth on the 31st we are going to have a Halloween Party at the school. This event willturn out to be a great opportunity for everybody to let their hair down and have some fun.
So, everyone, come along, wear outrageous costumes, get into the spirit of the night, andask your friends along too! Check with me in the office or with your teachers for details.
Grace Says: I spent four exhilarating days in Tokyo last month. I visited several
museums and gardens, Ginza and Tokyo Tower to get a night view of the city. I also
took a tour with Hato Bus, which included a pleasant bay cruise, and walked aroundin different neighbourhoods simply soaking up the pulse of the city!! I had some freetime on my last day and managed to do a little early Christmas shopping too!!
Naomi Says: Sadly, I have to leave Matsuyama. I have really enjoyed my time inJapan… almost entirely in Matsuyama, but, regretfully, now family commitments
mean I shall have to return to New Zealand. I wish everyone at Crossroads, mystudents and the staff, the very best of luck with your lessons and your lives ahead.
Perhaps I will get the chance to return someday and meet you all again, who knows?

Greg says: Well last month was full of activities. The Cricket in Tobe was great fun, although I
was trying to find the support crew from Crossroads (students) and could only find 1 student whocame out to cheer……albeit not for our team……but she was there. There were also a host of parties
for one of the cricket members and tournament MVP, Dave, who sadly left the Asian shores for New
Zealand, with a few pit-stops on the way. Now that the daily parties are done, I have a lot of sleep tocatch up on..
Adam Says: Have you ever thought about some of the natural wonders of theworld? Or perhaps you haven't…..? The city I come from in Canada shows a great
example of a natural wonder. The natural wonder I’m speaking of is Niagara Falls.
This magnificent wonder can be viewed 365 days a year and is very breathtaking. If
you have any curious questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me.
Natasha Says: When I was in Moscow, I had eye-surgery. Eye-surgery techniques in Russian are
the best in the world. At the hospital I met many patients from countries such as America, Germanyand Japan.For me, glasses and lenses were not comfortable...so I decided on surgery. I had a thoroughexamination for 3 hours, then, only5 minutes of surgery. After1 hour, ALL my problems were gone!I
hear the same surgery costs too much in Japan. In Russia the price is very reasonable,...so I
recommend you fly to Moscow. Do not worry, they speak English there.
Yuka Says: My daughter beg an to read the Jap anese version of “HarryPotter an d the Order of the Phoen ix” an d she said, “It’s so interesti ngtha t I ca nnot stop reading it!” These w ords made me decid e to read th atthi ck book (it has 76 6 page s) as well. I hope I wil l be enjoyin g thewon derful world of Ha rry Potter a ll thi s autu mn.

Katsuyuki Says: I went mountain climbing inNagano with my friends. At first we went toSarukara at the foot of Shirouma Mountain, but
it was raining heavily so we changed our plans
and went to Tsugaike and stayed at Tsugaike
Mountain villa. The next day it was fine so wewent to Norikura Mountain, Habuba Big Pond
andreached Renge Hot Spring.
We want to re-challenge
Shirouma Mountain the next
chance we get.

Last chance!!
Crossroads is offering
a 10% discount to all
new students in our
New School Opening
Campaign… But,
only to the end of
this month. So tell
all your friends notto miss out!

BIGHalloween Party!
Place: Crossroads’
Date: Sun. 31st. Oct. 2004
Time: 6:30pm to… ….?
Wear: A Costume!!
Bring: food/drinks
and……all yourfriends!!!
There will be prizes, Fortune
telling, Ghost stories….. andlots and lots of FUN!!!

Yukiko Says: I went toIndonesia with my daughter.
This was the first time for meto visit an Asian country. I was
so impressed byIndonesia, especially Bali. Bali is a fantasticisland. We were so attracted by the elegance ofLegon Dancing that we enjoyed watching it
twice.

VERBS, VERBS, VERBS!

NET LESSONS:

Some verbs are SO inconvenient!! Forirregular verbs we have to change thespelling completely to get the pasttense:Are you too busy to come to CROSSROADS
to study? Try our lessons on the internet!
It’s CROSSROADS in your home or office!
You get CROSSROADS’ great teachers,
teaching programs, even classmates, all online! Call for details.

NET SITE OF THE MONTH: If you

BuybuiedboughtSamantha bought an impressionist
painting at an auction last Sunday.
Wear
wearedwore
Kyle wore an elegant suit at his
brother’s wedding.

want to be frightened at Halloween, you canread some scary stories at this web site:www.halloweenghoststories.com

Seeseedsaw
We s a w an interesting play at thetheater.

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.

Catchcatchedcaught
Trevor and Jackie caught many fish on
their fishing trip.
Phone: 0120-21-7594
Tel: (089) 921-7595
Fax: (089) 921-7319
E-m ail:info@crossroadsco.com
Web Site: www.crossroadsco.com