You Say You Want a Resolution!

Happy New Year!

Hello students of English,

I hope that you have been enjoying 2024 so far (今までのところ). 

Classes at E-Style resumed this past Monday, January 8th. All this week, I have been asking my students what their New Year's resolutions (新年の抱負[誓い・決意]) are for this year. I am happy to report that several people answered "I resolve to improve my English." In this sentence, the word "resolve" is the verb form (動詞の形態) of "resolution." In Japanese, "resolve to 〜" is 「〜を決心する」while "improve〜" means 「〜を上達する」. 

As I have resolved to continue to help you improve your English, here is a list of some of the most popular resolutions in the United States:

• I resolve to lose weight (痩せる).
• I resolve to exercise more (もっと運動する). / I resolve to get in shape (体を鍛える).
• I resolve to quit smoking (たばこをやめる).
• I resolve to quit drinking (酒をやめる). / I resolve to drink less (酒を控えめにする).
• I resolve to make money (お金を稼ぐ). / I resolve to save money (お金を貯める).

Good luck in achieving (達成すること) all of your goals in 2024!

Resolutely yours,

Alan

As this year fades out . . .

Dear students,

Just a quick blog entry to remind you (思い出させるため) that E-Style will be closed for two weeks from tomorrow. Our English conversation classes will start up again (再び始まる) on Monday, January 8, 2024.

As this year fades out, Jack and I would like to thank you for attending classes at E-Style and/or for reading this blog in 2023. We wish all of you a happy and healthy New Year and look forward to continuing to help you achieve (達成する) your English-speaking goals in Reiwa 6.

See you in the Year of the Dragon 🐉,

Alan

Happy All Hallows' Eve!

Greetings ghouls (食屍鬼達)  and goblins (小鬼達),

I hope that your treats outweigh your tricks (あなたのもらうお菓子の量があなたがするいたずらの数を上回る) this All Hallows' Eve (万聖節 [諸聖人の日] の前夜 = ハロウィーン). In western countries, children are usually told "Don't take candy from strangers" (「知らない人からお菓子をもらうな」). Halloween, however, seems to be the exception to the rule (規則に対する例外), for kids are allowed to go trick-or-treating with the specific goal (具体的な目的) of getting as many goodies (美味いもの) as possible from neighbors that they don't even know. One year, I went trick-or-treating for nearly four hours, venturing into other neighborhoods (思い切って他の近所に入った). I got so much candy (which in the States includes chocolate bars, caramel, and nearly anything sweet) that I was enjoying treats until the end of December! 

So, have fun, stay safe, and be sure to get as much candy as you can! Happy Halloween!

Ghoulishly yours,

The Woolfeman

The Month of Leaves

Hi Leafers,

Here we are in August, which I already knew (既に知っていた) was the hottest month of the year in Japan. What I didn't know (or had forgotten) was that its old name was Hazuki, written in kanji as 葉月. Comprising the characters for both leaves (葉) and month (月), the literal meaning of Hazuki (葉月の文字どおりの意味) is "the month of leaves." 

Although it doesn't feel like fall now, in the old Japanese lunisolar calendar (太陰太陽暦), the beginning of autumn (立秋) was on or around August eighth. As autumn brings the changing and falling of the leaves, the eighth month of the year is traditionally (伝統的に) known as Hazuki.

Falling for autumn,

Alan

P.S. Hazuki is also used (sometimes with different kanji) as either a family name (名字) or a given name (下の名前) here in Japan.

Happy 半寿, Sir Paul!

Hi Beatle Ed (and fellow Fab Four fans),

🎵They say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday

Happy birthday to you🎵

Although it is not my birthday today, it is, in fact, Sir Paul McCartney's!

Born on June 18, 1942 (1942年6月18日生まれ), "Beatle Ed" turns 81 today (今日81歳になる). In Japan, one's 81st birthday is known as Hanju (半寿と知られている). The term comes from the kanji character for "half," which is made up of the numbers 8 (八), 10 (十), and 1 (一). If you multiply (かける) the first two numbers and add (足す) the third, it equals eighty-one: 8 x 10 = 80 + 1 = 81.

Setting mathematics aside (数学はともかくとして), I just wanted to wish Macca a Happy 81st.

Happy Hanju, Sir Paul!

All the best,

Alan

Riddle Me This

28 Days

Hi riddle lovers,

Recently (最近), I have been asking my students riddles (なぞなぞ) in class. Trying to answer these puzzling questions (不可欠な問題) is an excellent way (素晴らしい方法) to exercise the brain (脳を働かせる・鍛える). Naturally (当然), trying to solve (解く) riddles in a foreign language (外国語) is an even bigger challenge!

So, as today is the last day of February, and since it is not a leap year (閏年ではない), riddle me this (このなぞなぞに答えて): 

How many months of the year have 28 days? 

Check below for the answer!

Good luck,

The Riddler

28 Days       28 Days       28 Days       28 Days       28 Days       28 Days   

P.S. The answer is "12" or "All of them" because every month has at least (少なくとも) 28 days!

P.P.S. If the question had been "How many months of the year have only 28 days?" then the answer would have been "1 (February)."

Special 8-Lesson Term

Hi students of English,

A special 8-lesson term will begin at E-Style this coming Monday, January 30th. Feel free to contact us (お気軽にご連絡ください) if you are interested in studying English conversation over the next few months. The five levels offered at our school are as follows:

• Kids (キッズ [小１〜６])
• Beginner (入門)
• Elementary (初級)
• Intermediate (中級)
• Advanced (上級)

For a detailed explanation of the classes (授業の詳細な説明), please check out the KIDS and LESSONS/FEES pages on our website.

Jack and I hope to see you at E-Style.

Sincerely,

Alan