CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter J a n uary,uary , 201
20 1 5It’s the year of the sheep, so to celebrate
we’ll look at an episode in the life of one of thegreatest escape artists in New Zealand’s
history.
The protagonist in this story was namedShrek. Shrek lived as a fugitive determined toevade capture at all costs no matter what hismisdeeds might, or might not, have been. He
would never submit to an uncertain fate at thehands of his pursuers. Shrek remained free forsix years before he was finally apprehended.
For those six years Shrek hid in caves
cautiously keeping a look-out and evading hiswould-be captors at every turn.
Every year he witnessed his friends andrelatives being rounded up and led off only toreturn looking gaunt and frail, mere shadowsof their former selves. Whatever washappening year after year to his friends, Shrek
would have none of it and so he became arenegade cleverly evading detection while
hiding in his cave.
But he was much too cleaver for his own
good! Over time, Shrek grew wearier, moved
slower and felt altogether weaker. He was even
beginning to lose his sight! He was carrying,
literally, more and more weight on hisshoulders as time went on, and it was slowing
him down. What was making him feel sosluggish? If this feeling continued, surely hewould not be able to escape his pursuers formuch longer.
And so it came topass. In 2004 his burden
had become too much tobear and, at age 9,
Shrek
wasfinallyapprehended.
Hisfreedom was “clipped” Shrek in his renegade daysand so was this fleece.

When the shearers were finished with him,
Shrek had yielded a world record 27kgs of wool.
That was enough wool to make 20 large men’ssuits! As for how Shrek felt about this, whoknows? At least he could see better.
Shrek
passedaway in 2011 at age
17. But he had
seeded a revolution!
- of sorts.
In 2005 anotherrenegade hit theAfter the big cut
news. Shrek 2 wasdiscovered hiding out, also in N.Z. This Shrek
had been evading capture even longer – a full 7years! And he topped Shrek 1’s record for themost wool from a single sheep as well; awhopping 30kgs and measuring 3 meters inlength.
Not to be outdone by the Kiwis, Shaun, an
Australian sheep, from the island state of
Tasmania made an attempt at the record. He
was also six years on the lam, evading theshear’s clips, but could only manage to yield
23.5kgs of wool. Third place to Shaun.
What made these sheep so afraid of theshearer? To be released from the burden of allthat wool weighing them down year after year
would be, one could surmise, a relief. Perhaps
going to the shearer for a sheep is something
like going to the dentist for us. Who knows?
But in this year of the sheep, let’s pay tributeto the rebels and free thinkers among us andwish all a Happy New Year!

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons through the net!
SITE OF THE MONTH: Go here for Shrek’s story:
http://www.earthporm.com/shrek-sheep-escaped-shearing-6-years/

Joshua Says: This month it’s my pleasure to welcome Mark to our teaching staff. Markis from New Zealand. This is not the first time Mark has lived in Japan. In fact, he has been
here, on and off, for a total of 8 years prior to joining us. Mark has a lot of experience to offer
and we are looking forward to seeing some great results from our students. In addition tomark, I have asked Aaron to contribute regularly to this page. Aaron has been working with
us for a few months now and is fast becoming an important addition on our teaching staff.
Junko Says: When some people have difficulty in going to sleep, they may
start to count sheep. People say this originated in England where people say
the sound of the word “sheep” is close to the sound of “sleep”. One may be able
to persuade oneself to go to sleep while repeating (counting) the word “sheep”,
which sounds similar to the sound of soft breathing. The relaxing effect caneventually send you to sleep! So, when you can’t go to sleep, try counting sheep!
Mark Says: Hello to everyone, or as we often say in New Zealand – Kia Ora. I’ve only beenworking here at Crossroads for a week or two but already it has been my great pleasure to meetmany of you. If we haven’t yet been introduced, please feel free to approach me for a chat when
you see me around the school. It’s hard to believe that only a couple of weeks ago I was sitting on asummer beach in New Zealand and now I am on the other side of the world in the midst of a cool
winter. Although it is not my first time in Ehime, I’d love to hear some ideas and recommendations
from you all on things I should see and experience while living here in Matsuyama.

Aaron Says: Howdy ya'll! It has been great getting to know everybody in
the Crossroads family, everybody is so kind. Matsuyama is quite a bit
different from my native city of Dallas, Texas but I really like it here.
The beautiful mountain scenery is quite different to the flat plains I
grew up with. I am tremendously excited to be working with suchdedicated students and supportive colleagues!
Danielle dit; Bonjour et bonne année ! En décembre, j'ai reçu des amis a lamaison pour un repas de Noel traditionnel : la dinde farcie, la sauce maison,les pommes de terre. Nous avons joue au Bingo en français ! Ensuite, j'ai fait
un autre repas : un gigot d'agneau et une paella ! Nous nous sommes régales !
Mes amis japonais adorent essayer de nouveaux mets. J'ai aussi prépare unesole meunière aux câpres et une quiche lorraine !
1ACROSS

2 physically and/or mentally tired
5 very thin
7 being nothing more than
8 a person who cuts the wool off sheep
10 something given as an expression of esteem
11 very large
14 give in to the will of another person or thing
16 someone who become an outlaw

23456

78
9
10

DOWN

1 escape from
3 take into custody, arrest
4 moving slowly
6 the main character in a work of fiction
9 someone running from the law
12 go in search of or hunt for
13 prevent from being seen
15 support or carry(print version here)

11

12

13
14

15
16

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

Here’s a great idea to keep in touch with other Crossroads students, and practice English at
the same time. Some students would like to link up through Facebook and create an English-fan“club”. It is a way to share experiences, keep in touch outside of the school and to practiceEnglish together. We support this idea 100%, and we’d like to join in too!
All you needto do isto leave yourFacebook
address withus andwe’ll pass it on. Your “like” hits to grow fasterthan ever! And so will your English!!

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M I N I M I Z EECN A V I G A T I O NSLOC O R R E S P O N D I N G

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS

DOWN

1 to gain an advantage, to win
2 having no matter including air
3 change from thing into another6 emitting light through heating
4 keep something in good working order
9 joined or united into one
5 the first person to think of or make10 give off, expel, discharge
something
11 making an important discovery
7 change a thing or its position for another14 make small or less important
8 capable or able to do a task
15 ship or airplane guidance
16 similar to especially in position 12 relating to light and sight
13 a device to receive singles
or purpose

Lamo and his pet dog, July
As it is the Year of the Sheep, you might expect us to feature a pet sheep
here. Well, we have something better to offer than that to celebrate pets in thesheep world. Meet Lamo. Lamo is not your average sheep. In fact, Lamo
refuses to even associate with other sheep! According to his owner, Jennifer
Jones, Lamo prefers the company of humans and, contrary to the nature ofsheep, he even prefers the company of dogs to sheep. Ms. Jones says, “Hefollows us around everywhere, likes to go on walks with the family dogs andeven goes for a swim with them every now and then. He is always getting up
to mischief!” In fact, as you can see from the photos on the left, he evenconsiders one of the family dogs as his own personal pet! Lamo takes July, hispet dog, with him everywhere he goes – on his back!
Don’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.