June CROSSROADS Language Studio’s Newsletter 2005

Going to the beach in the1800s was not a common
thing but once the railway
was established more andmore people scooted out of
the city to take a dip in the sea.
Covered from head to toe, a woman’sswimwear would be called a bathing dress.
Then, in the 1860’s wearing a two-piece
became acceptable. In the 1920’s, womenstarted wearing sleeveless tops, showing
more ankle, necklines were lowered andthe overdress shortened.
The swimwear evolution
came about slowly due toreligious believes and taboossurrounding sexuality. But
watch-out! Fashion changes caused a shockin 1929 with the introduction of shortpants, and even lower necklines. In the1930’s, we saw more playful designs inswimwear, with lower backs and shorter
skirts. From the 1940’s through to the 60’s,
corsets came in, helping to mold the figure
and produce the perfect shape.

The bikini was still thought of as
risqué
and suitable only for film stars or strippers,
although the modern version was actuallyinvented back in 1946 by Louis Reard. Thebikini finally came of age in the 70’s when itbecame popular among teenage girls.
So, we have gone from the full coverage
last seen in the 1920’s styles to today’s
minimum coverage. In the 1980’s in Europeand America, the G-string – the thong, also
called the Brazilian tanga - became
acceptable. By the 1990’s, the tanga become
the norm. But, a recent innovation sincethe 1990’s in swimwear has been the useof the kinds of fabrics that allow thesun’s rays to partially pass throughwhile wearing them. This allows for an
allover, or “total”, tan without
being naked.
So, this summer, if yougo to the beach have a lookat the various styles andfashions. And, while you’rethere, why not go for a dip
as well!

(These words are in color in the story)

Joshua Says: Things are really getting interesting at Crossroads these days. We have many new
courses including German with Marita on Fridays and, if you take a look at the “notice board” on page
three, you’ll see that we are going to start singing lessons with Steve. His brother, “B”, will be here inAugust to give piano lessons too (more on this in next month’s N/L). And, next month we’ll have a BarB-Q party on the rooftop (also, see the notice board). Like I say, “interesting”, don’t you agree?
Junko Says: That famous Okaido summer event is about to happen again. In fact, the “Saturday NighOpen Market” has been held on Saturday nights every summer since I was small. Okaido has continued tohold this event for a long time and so it has almost become a tradition. Even the people that come to themarket behave in the same way now! So, I think to myself how I would like to see something new, something
surprising for people when they come here. Well, anyway, Crossroads will have a booth in the market, soplease come and pay us a visit with your friends. The market goes from 25th June to the 30Th July.

Adam Says: Can you believe summer is almost here! Back in Canada, the changing of
seasons is so fast approaching. For instance, it was about half a month ago that it was stillsnowing. It may seem hard to believe, but that’s the way Mother Nature works her magic inCanada. I find Ehime or better yet, all of Japan, having a slow moderate change intemperatures. I feel this way is much more appealing than it is back in Canada.
Greg Says: Well, last week I had an unexpected one week holiday but the only place I went to, wasthe doctors…..actually various ones. I was feeling lifeless and spent one week laying down in bed
counting sheep. Now I am up and about and back into things as usual. Before I became ill, I beganlearning piano and have taken up the challenge of playing one piece during a students’ concert to beheld in August. I am already feeling nervous so I hate to think what I will be like come August!!!!
Natacha Says: I sometimes think of the weather as reflecting the mood of the earth.
What I like about Japan is its distinct seasons – including the rainy season and thetyphoon season. Every season has its respective duties in the natural cycle of the earth.
So, every time I have a rainy day, I know that I need it and accept it, just like the earth.
Steven Says: Last month in CrossTalk, Yuka wrote about getting back into eating natto
to improve her health. I want to give you a tasty alternative to the daily natto ritual: “Nattoon Toast”. Toast one slice of bread and then lightly butter the toast, or you can use Tahini(sesame paste). Mix some soy sauce with natto to a spread able consistency and pour thenatto onto the toast. Add a few sprinkles of shiso powder for an extra tangy flavor.
Magnolia Says: This month we welcome new students to the English yoga classes. It is nice tosee people caring about their health and wanting to make changes in their lifestyles. Some people
are hesitant to start yoga because they think that it is difficult or that their body is not flexible. The
truth is that anybody can do yoga – from babies to the elderly. Yoga is not one particular method.
As soon as a person starts thinking, “I want to be a better person”, that’s the start of yoga!
Natasha Says: I thought you might like to learn some more about the Faberge-Easter Eggs this month.
The most expensive are intricately designed eggs made of gold, silver and enamel encrusted withdiamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires or pearls. The Eggs would open to reveal miniature surprises suchas animals, flowers or even a carriage. 50 Eggs were created and you can see 19 of them at the Kremlin
Museum in Moscow. One Egg was valued at $24 million at a Sotheby’s Auction!! Not bad for an egg!!
Yuka Says: When you were a student, did you like your English grammar classes? I didn’t!
They were so boring and I didn’t take much interest in them. But, nowadays somehow or other I
enjoy reading English grammar books. I find some interesting rules and expressions every time Iread. There are a lot of interesting grammar books at the bookstore. It might be a good idea topick one you like. I’m sure you’ll find it helpful for improving your English conversation skills.

Yayoi_Says:_ During Golden week, my family and I performed tea ceremonies atNinomaru Park. We gave 6 different presentations. Last year this event was held at
Gudabutsuan. I have been studying the tea ceremony for 3 years. My grandmother is atea master and has 30 students. We performed two different styles, Sen-cha and Ma-cha.
My grandmother is a Sen-cha master. Two hundred people visited the Sen-cha marquee.
Next year’s tea ceremony will be held in Ninomaru Park. Hope to see you there!
Mikiko Says: Six months ago, I went on a 6 month trip to Nevada,
Arizona in the U.S. with my father. We are interested in world heritage
sites, so we had a great wish to visit the Grand Canyon. It was actually
better than we expected. We met many people from other countries andwe had a wonderful time. This trip left a great impression on us.
We are going to start anew Cosmopolitan classnext month - ‘Singing inEnglish’! Steven will be
exploring all styles ofmodern singing, including
vocal training exercises
to develop “the voicewithin”. Everyone canjoin, From beginners toadvanced!
So, join up with your friends andhave a ball (in English) at yournext karaoke night!!

End-of-Term
Roof-TopPARTY!
We’ll have a Bar-B-Q, some live
performances, welcome our new teacher“B” and have a great time! So, comealong, Bring your favorite food anddrinks and invite yourbest friends tojoin us……..
DATE: Sun. 24July
TIME: 5:30pm PLACE: CROSSROADS

NET LESSONS:
Are you too busy to come to CROSSROADS tostudy? Try our lessons on the internet!

CONTRACTIONS

It’s CROSSROADS in your home or office!
You get CROSSROADS’ great teachers,
teaching programs, even classmates, all online! Call for details.

When we want to shorten and combine
words we use contractions. Here are someexamples where two words have beencombined in this way:

NET SITE OF THE MONTH:To learn more about early swimwear fashion, log
onto:
http://fashion-era.com/early_swimwear.htmNET NOTEBOOK: Don’t forget to take alook at the Internet Activity Notebook in ourOpen-house lounge. You’ll find great games,
news and English study sites.

We’re = we areIt’s= it isI’ll= I will
Isn't= is notI’ve= I haveDon’t = do not
You’re = you are She’ll = she will
They're = they are They’ll = they will
Phone: 0120-21-7594
Tel: (089) 921-7595
Fax: (089) 921-7319
E-m ail:info@crossroadsco.com
WebSite:www.crossroadsco.com