CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter January,January, 201
20 1 6

W elcome to 2016, or The Year of
the Monkey in the Chinese calendar.
Also known as the Farmers’ Calendar, or
the Hsia Calendar, it not only records thepassage of time but also is a tool for
predicting your future. This widely-used
traditional fortune-telling system calculatesa person’s destiny from his or her birth
data as presented in the Hsia calendar
format. Information about time (year,month, day and hour) are presented interms of the five basic elements (metal,water, wood, fire and earth), which are
believed to be the basic components ofeverythingintheuniverse.
The
relationship between these five elements isused to predict one’s fortune and help
maximize good luck, or minimize bad luck,in life.
The Year of the Monkey is symbolized
Ellaby two elements: yang fire sitting on top ofmetal. According to the cycle of birth anddestruction, fire conquers metal; thus, theJanistwo
are on a collision course. Usually, suchconflicting elements indicate disharmony,suggesting international conflicts andclashes. However, yang fire sitting on themonkey is also a symbol of the “settingsun,” which is comparatively mild.
Moreover, yang fire as the sun always
brings optimism and warmth. As such, itwill be easier to reach agreements andtreaties to resolve conflicts and struggles.

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In terms ofbusiness, sectors thatwill perform wellin the year of theMonkey will berelated
to fire and waterelements.
Fire industries
includeenergy the stock
market,finance, and entertainment.
The water element
refers totransport, shipping andcommunication
In general, the Yang Fire Monkey year,with fire on top and metal below, is asymbol of optimism, flexibility andprogress. However, natural disasters suchas fire, explosions, nuclear issues, tornadoes
and environmental disasters will beprevalent.
For individuals, it’s a good year if you’rea monkey, one full of fun and creativity. But
it’s a bad time for those born in the year of
the tiger, which is in direct conflict with themonkey. This clash particularly causes
problems in relation to travel… accidentswill abound in the sea, on the roads and inthe air. So stay home if you’re a tiger. Thenagain, if you’re really a tiger, you won’t beafraid of a monkey. Nevertheless, themonkey creates a fire penalty with the tiger
and the snake, which in turn brings healthproblems related to inflammation andlungs. For those born in the year of thetiger, it is necessary to carry the pendant ofa snake as protection to repel the monkey.
But there’s good news for snakes, dragonsand rats. These animals are entering a yearof harmony. However, as with most thingsin life, there are no guarantees.

Here’s some highlights about the monkey year:
http://www.chinese-astrology.co.uk/monkey.html

Article by ColmJoshua Says: The New Year, “an unspoiled page in the book of time”; a time to set thecoming year with good intentions and high ambitions. Well, there is one resolution all ourstudents should set for this New Year (and every New Year, for that matter) .... “I’m going to try
harder this year to improve my English”... right? From January 1st, there are 12 months, or 52
weeks, or 365 days, or 8,760 hours or 525, 600 minutes or 31, 536,000 seconds ahead of us thisyear; plenty of time to do “10 minutes every day”, and much more! Happy New Year everyone!
Junko Says: Pantone the “Color Authority”, has announced the color of the year
and, for the first time, have selected two colors for 2016. They are Rose Quartz whichrepresents rosy warmth; and Serenity, which represents tranquility. They say thetwo colors make a natural pairing and, together, express compassion, stability,consistency, comfort and relaxation; the kinds of things many people are looking for.
Anyway, I’m sure you will see many electrical appliances with these colors this year.
Mark Says: New Year's Eve is probably the biggest party night of the year in NewZealand. People usually spend it at parties, in bars and clubs, at organised firework
displays or even out camping, around a large bonfire with fellow campers. I really missthe summer carnival atmosphere of a southern hemisphere New Year but I did verymuch enjoy this past December 31st in Japan with just my daughter and myself.
Colm Says: Out with the old and in with the new… it’s that time ofyear again. Will you make New Year’s resolutions only to abandon
them after a month or two? Or will you make changes for good? Andremember that you usually don’t gain something without losing
something. Happy New Year and good luck for 2016.
Danielle dit: Je vous souhaite à toutes et tous mes meilleurs vœux pourcette nouvelle année 2016. J’espère que vous avez pu profiter de la période desfêtes entre Noël et le nouvel an pour vous reposer (et manger plein de bonneschoses) afin de commencer cette année sur les chapeaux de roues ! Quellessont vos bonnes résolutions pour l’année à venir ?
ACROSS
1 when opposing forces meet, they...
8 part of the whole4
10 uniquely or distinctly characteristic
11 not suited or compatible together
13 one's inescapable future
14 telling the future
15 forced compensation for a wrongdoing
16 force back or reject by force
DOWN
11
2 represent with a image or model
3 in disagreement
4 make as small as possible
5 most frequent or common
6 bring to a final conclusion
7 an individual part on something
15
9 make as big as possible
12 plentiful(print version here)
www.CrosswordWeaver.com

123567891012131416

● “Now there are more overweight people in America than average
average--weight people.
So overweight people are now average. Which means you’ve met your New
Year’s resolution.” – Jay Leno
● “New Year’s Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does notencourage them to take up more of my time.” – James Agate● “He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.” –F.M. Knowles● “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words
await another voice. And toto make an end is to make a beginning.” – T.S. Eliot

Another fresh new year is here ⁄Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!
This bright New Year is given me
To live each day with zest ⁄To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!
"A Morning Wish". . .. W.R. Hunt

The month of January is named after
the Roman god Janus, anappropriate personification of thestart of the New Year. Thisparticular Roman god had two faces
so that he could look ahead to thefuture and back at the past, at thesame time.

We canÊt bring back time. Once it isgone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost
forever. And tomorrow is still
uncertain. We may look ahead at a fullyear ahead, but we really have no ideaof what will actually happen or even if
we will experience any of it at all.
D E B A U C H E R YMOAENSRTVSGHEP E R M I T T E DERGDOA T R O C I T YNLNENOP R O S E C U T E DOGOMV I R T U A L L YRIAPNI N T O X I C A T I O NAURTLS L A U G H T E R E D
M Y T HTP R E C U R S O R

The New Year is full of time. Will
you waste it, or will you makeevery minute count?

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution

ACROSS
1 excess of immoral activities
6 allowed
7 shockingly cruel or inhuman
10 accused of breaking the law
11 almost, but not quite all, complete orwhole
12 result from consuming too muchalcohol
14 killed (usually for food)
15 traditional story lacking proof of fact
16 preceding and indicating something
to comeDOWN
2 change from one state to another3 made or formed into one
4 selected for a special purpose
5 someone learned in religious theory
8 merge or unite into one
9 select someone for a position or
honour13 unorthodox system of religious
beliefs and customs

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