CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter August,August , 202
20 2 1

Japan is a country with high humidity andhot summer days and people living in thiscorner of the world often complain ofsignificant discomfort from excess humidity
and heat.
As we all know, humans are highly
adaptable to a variety of climatic conditions
and over the generations, humans in their
specific climatic regions have evolved coping
mechanisms for what the weather throws atthem.
Our skin is particularly at the receiving
end of the sunlight and wind, and it has toprotect us from damage and prolonged
exposure to the elements. The skin isn’t justthere to cover our muscles and bones. It is,de facto, an organ, with multiple functions
that are essential to our very survival.

EllaJanis

Composed of 3 distinct layers – epidermis,
dermis and subcutaneous fat layer, ourskin’s primary function is to protect us fromphysical damage (utilizing a layer of fat);store water in the dermis and regulate bodyheat; and providing sensory stimuli and a
medium of communication with the outside
world through the characteristics ofepidermis.

We constantly touch, scratch and cut ourskin on a daily basis, so the epidermis has tobe very elastic and resist contact witheverything around us. To achieve that, it
constantly renews itself. Over a month’stime it completely recycles and replaces all
cells in its structure.
The skin is capable of protecting us from
infections and superficial wounds, byemploying a whole host of beneficial
bacteria, living on the skin, which keeps us
healthy-looking with their contribution.
Yet, we often forget how much we owe ourown skin for keeping us healthy. Using
cosmetics, tattoos, sun-beds and airconditioners, these modern lifestyle choices
constantly compromise the hard work of ourskin in pursuit of an attractive appearance
and smell.
However, natural characteristics of theskin can make us feel attracted to anotherperson, if we allow the skin to do its job.
Consuming colorful fruit and veggies, suchas tomatoes and oranges, improves theattractiveness of the skin, regardless of aperson’s ethnicity. Our natural body odor ismuch more effective at “turning heads” ofadorers, even if we deem our personal BOdisagreeable. Through inflammations andother dermal conditions, our skin can inform
us of an imbalance in our gut bacteria, butalso shows that we might live in anexcessively stressful environment.
We should be more in tune with our bodyand read the signs our skin manifests.

Article by Marek

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
Check out this link for a further reading:https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/533889/facts-about-skinJoshua Says: The second largest ice-sheet in the world after the one
covering Antarctica is in Greenland and something has happened
there to make scientists and others worry; it rained! Temperatures
got above freezing also. This is the first time in recorded history that
this has happened and, scientists say, “it’s a warning sign”. It would
seem that the effects of climate change are truly global.
Junko Says: It has been raining since the 2nd week of this month and thishas been a relief from the summer heat. It appears that the summer season
has finished and the typhoon season is already here. In recent years, I havenoticed that the seasonal changes have continuously come 3-4 weeks earlier
than usual and I wonder what’s causing this phenomenon. Has anyone else
noticed this? What do you think is happening??
Marek Says: I am generally against using any kind of man-made medicine,relying more on my immune system or using natural remedies for myailments. For the last 2 months I’ve battled with a skin infection on the toes of
my left foot. I kept the foot dry and exposed to sunlight applying Vaseline andfresh juice of aloe leaf at night as often as possible. And I failed. One
application of steroid cream healed in a day. I feel defeated.
Mandcy dit: À votre avis, quel est le magasin le plus important pour les francais??
C'est la boulangerie ! En effet, les français sont capables d' y aller 3 fois par jours. Le
matin, on achète la baguette pour le petit-dejeuner. Le midi, on prends un delicieux
sandwich, car on a pas le temps de cuisiner. Et le soir, un petit croissant pour legoûter. La boulangerie est donc vitale et importante. Le pain, c'est la vie. D'ailleurs,les japonais aussi adorent le pain, depuis deux ans, ils consomment aussi plus de painque de riz. Le pain est devenu l'aliment le plus important.
ACROSS
2 important in effect, meaning or size
5 most important
8 absolutely necessary
9 a vast number of
11 having more than one part
13 lengthened in time
14 something that arouses action
15 without change
16 people who greatly admire
someone/thing
18 adjust, make conform
19 in spite of

1

2

34

56

7

8

911DOWN
1 body tissue’s response to injury
3 capable of changing to a new situation
4 in search of
6 especially distinct from others 14
7 understood as a conviction or
point of view
8 relating to a separate race or cultural group
10 not serious or significant
12 use for a particular purpose
19
17 obligation to pay or repay

10

12

13

15

16

18

(print version here)

17Here is another idiom quiz. See if you can get the answers fromthe image clues.
1. My friend’s ___ these days. He never has time to relax.
2. We’ve been lucky. It’s been ___ from the beginning.
3. he was ___ after he won the race.
4. You need to ___ for this problem. It requires a lot ofconcentration.
5. Alan ___ during the negotiations for the business deal.
6. Franklin went from ___ in his life. He started withnothing and ended up a very rich person.
7. Some artists are lucky and have a huge hit earlyin life. Then they ___ for many years afterwards.
8. My boss ___me ___ at work because it was my first week.
9. The judge told her to ___ while the witness was talking.
10. his doctor told him to ___ or it would eventually kill him.
A. hold her tongue
B. showed me the ropes
C. ride the gravy train
D. rags to riches

E. kick the habit
F. put on your thinking cap
G. showed his handCR
R A V A G E D
R E C O G N I Z A B L E
PSO
VTP
N
D I F F E R
I
E
O
I
A
VCMVL
E
TA
C O M P A N I O N SITNNVOI M P O S E DROEPREXCORPIOEW E I R DV A R I O U SMITEUMA
U N A M B I G U O U SS Y M P T O M SNENTU N I V E R S A L L Y
B L E S S E DTY

H. smooth sailingI. as busy as a bee
J. as proud as a peacock

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS
3 cause extensive destruction
4 to be aware of
6 not the same
7 in the company of friends
9 forced with authority
12 very odd or unusual
13 different kinds of
14 having no doubt ormisunderstanding
15 indicating illness or disease16 everywhere
17 to call on God's protection

DOWN
1 being confined as in a prison
2 considered individually
3 make clear or visible
5 words that imitate sounds
6 having the nature of a deity
8 nasty, offensive, disgusting
9 things that annoy or disturb
10 in the place of something
11 under normal, usual conditions

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