July CROSSROADS Language StudioÊs Newsletter 2006

At about this time last year we looked at theheat-relieving properties of Ice-cream. This year
we’ll look at these same properties in a more,
shall we say, “adult” context; Beer!
Well, everybody knows that beer has a long
history. In fact, it’s the world’s oldest and mostpopular alcoholic beverage. Today, there are morethan 133 billion liters consumed every year world
wide! Some say our distant nomadic ancestors
discovered the delights of beer about 10,000 to
15,000 years ago. Although this can not beverified, we can show that beer production dates
back, at least, some 6,000 years.
The earliest written records of beer production
are attributed to the Sumerians. It is said that they
discovered it by chance, although nobody knows
exactly how the story goes: Perhaps a piece ofbread, or some grain, became wet and wasinadvertently left to ferment. Along came a hungry
beggar, saw a free meal, ate the bread, got “high”
and, being smart, patented the recipe, made afortune and lived (very) happily ever after!
Who knows?
But, about 2,000 years later, or about
4,000 years ago, records tell us that beer
consumption had made considerable
progress in Sumerian society. A “Hymn”
devoted to “Ninkasi”, the Goddess ofbrewing, comes from that era. This
“Hymn” also contains a recipe for making beer!

Beer was passed on from the Sumerians to theBabylonians, whose records referring to beer datefrom at least the 2nd century BC. These records tellus that the Babylonians actually brewed 20
different varieties of beer. From Babylonia thebrewing tradition was passed to the Egyptians andthen on to the Greeks up into Roman times (beforewine became the beverage of choice). In all ofthese ancient cultures, beer was, more often thannot, bartered rather than sold. In fact, in many
ancient cultures (as noted in Babylonians times)
up until relatively recent times, beer wasconsidered sacred to the Gods because of its
supernatural “mood-altering” properties.
However, in those ancient times, beer was
cloudy and unfiltered and consumption had to be
aided by “drinking straws” to help the drinker
avoid brewing residue – which, from all accounts,
was very bitter to the taste. So, it would seem, thecommon drinking straw has a long
history too, thanks to beer!
Whether or not you believe beer is“heaven sent”, and irrespective ofwhether or not you prefer to drink
your beer with a straw, pause for a
moment or two before taking yourfirst sip to reflect on the long andcolourful history that comes with thatcool, refreshing brew you are now
holding in your hand!

(These words are in colour in the story)
nomadic 遊動民のdelight 楽しさを与える力
attributed ～のものであるとされるinadvertently 偶然に
ancient 古代のbartered 物々交換された
residue 澱(おり)verified 立証される
ferment 発酵を起こす
irrespective

Joshua Says: Again, we have to say a, partial, “good-bye” to one of our teachers. Marita,
our German teacher must return to Germany, but just like Natacha last month, she willcontinue teaching our German students through the internet. Her husband, Matius, whowill remain in Matsuyama, will also help out with our German lessons. Good luck inGermany Marita, and we look forward to your internet German lessons, too!
Junko Says: I’ve noticed something very pleasing recently. Some of our younger
students have taken to reading books from our new library while waiting for theirlessons to start. Watching them makes me feel very happy, especially as they seemto be getting into the books with a very “serious” look of concentration on theirfaces. It’s great to see this happening. They are a good example for all our students.
Iain Says: Beer really is an acquired taste. When I was young I could never understand why adults would

want to drink the bitter stuff. Over the years, however I would try a little at parties with friends. And, when I
came to Japan eight years ago I was happily surprised to find that the beer was quite good! These days I’mtrying to lose a little weight so I have given up beer for a little while. I picked a bad time to stop. When it gets hotout in the summer time, I just love to cool down with a nice cold beer. Now there are about six cans of ice-cold
Kirin in my refrigerator calling to me, but I have to resist for a few more months.

Greg Says: What is your dream? I am surprised to hear so many people who tell me they

don’t know or they don’t have one. To me a dream is something you strive to obtain; something
you set your sights on and take step after step until you achieve it….Is your dream to travel toan exotic country? Is your dream to create an international business? Is your dream to be thebest person you can be? Is it to create something for future generations? What is your dream?

Adrienne Says: Last Saturday the ladies in my 10:00am Mitsukoshi class gave me very sensible advice
on how to solve my sock crisis. They seemed to think that my children’s socks are disappearing due to myown incompetence. They recommend that I put all the socks into a net (after scrubbing them by hand!) andthen put them into the washing machine. After that, I should dry them in pairs outside. I will now try thisvery sensible approach to my sock crisis. The ladies also had very sensible ideas on how to solve the North
Korean missile crisis. I will tell you about their ideas in next month’s Newsletter.
Marita Says: “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” This quote by JohnLennon proves to be true again. Germany is calling and, sadly, I must leave beautiful Matsuyama. Butmaybe we will meet again in the “virtual world” of the internet, where we can still communicate and learn
from each other. Even John Lennon would have appreciated this, as Yoko quotes: “New technology issomething he always embraced, and this is something he would have loved.” So, even though I will missface-to-face communication with my students, I hope to keep in touch this way… With love…

Dean Says: Hello everyone! I am very happy to join the staff here at Crossroads. I am anAustralian and have been living here in Matsuyama for the past 4 years. Prior to coming toJapan, I lived in Thailand for 3 years and India and Nepal for 3 years. I have been practicing
Yoga and KiKo for around twenty years. I also enjoy cooking. I have started teaching EnglishYoga and English-Cooking here at Crossroads. I am also a registered Nurse and I have studiedand worked as a Traditional Oriental Medicine Doctor. I’m looking forward to meeting you.

The heat is on! It's time for beach music, ocean
tunes, and the sound of the sun. I have dreams of my home inNewfoundland, Canada - swimming at the beach with friends, andplaying music all night long.
William Says:

Yuka Says: I saw an interesting TV program the other day. It was about a “Language Club” inIndia. A local physician dreamed up laughter therapy. He got his patients to do laughing exercises for
10 or 15 minutes a day and it worked like a charm. It is said that a big belly-laugh is good for mentalhealth, the immune system and blood pressure. I thought the idea was great. With pressure at workand a constant stream of bad news from the media, I think laughter is the best medicine.

Nana Says: I have been a student here for a year and a half. I
work at Sympa near Kinokuniya. Come and visit me sometime! I
like to read books. I especially like mystery novels. One of myfavorite authors is Keigo Higasino. He is a brilliant story teller.
His books are exquisitely composed. If I were to recommend one
book, it would be, “Himitsu”, or “Secret” in English. I hope you canenjoy reading as much as I do.
Megumi Says: Hello, everyone! I like to draw. I started when I wasfour years old and I have never stopped since. My favorite style ofart is illustration and I like to paint with colored ink. Here is one ofmy pictures. It’s drawn with pencils. The model is an actress fromthe Takarazuka Revue. One of my favorite artists is Syoumei You
and this is a copy of one of his pictures. Do you like it?

Study “overseas” here atCrossroads!
Marita will begin German lessons
from her home in Germany very
soon…

Don’t forget

Along with great
Food, Fun and Sun,
we’ll have
performances andpresentations
too!

…and, Natacha is already giving French
lessons from Canada to her students here at
Crossroads!

….Through the NET….!

Our Roof-top B-B-Q
Party on Sunday, August
27th at 5:00pm –Bring your favourite
food and drinks, andinvite your friends tojoin in thefun with us!

For those interested, get the details from Junko in the office.

Courses you can take at CROSSROADS
NET LESSONS:

Are you too busy to come to CROSSROADS to study? Try ourlessons on the internet! --- It’s CROSSROADS in your homeor office! You get CROSSROADS’ great teachers, teaching
programs, even classmates, all on-line! Call for details.

GENERAL COURSES:
2 x’s 60mins / week
1 x’s 90mins / week
Private 1 x / week
Semi-Private 1 x /week

NET SITE OF THE MONTH:
Here’s a pretty comprehensive history of beer…
FRENCH with Natacha
http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/history_of_beer_main.htm SPANISH with Patricio
NET NOTEBOOK: Don’t forget to take a look at theInternet activity notebook in our open-house. You’ll findgames, news and English learning sites.

RUSSIAN with Natasha
GERMAN with Marita & Matthias
CHINESE with Noriko
KOREAN with Kim

MOTHER & CHILD, group or private
KIDS, group or private
COSMOPOLITAN COURSES:“Singing in English” with William
Yoga with Dean
Guitar with William“Cooking in English” with Dean
“Magic in English” with Iain
Piano with Adrienne
Drumming with William
NETLESSONS:
group or private

Phone: 0120-21-7594
Tel: (089) 921-7595
Fax: (089) 921-7319
E-mail:info@crossroadsco.com
Web Site: www.crossroadsco.com