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10 .19Sleep Tight!
Do you have a good sleeping habit? How many hours do you sleep every night?
A lot of people may think academic studies, jobs, and relationships are often more important than sleep. However, you shouldn’t take sleep lightly. Sleep actually has a very important role for both human bodies and minds, and even for learning. Let’s have a closer look.
First, as for bodies, lack of sleep can cause daytime drowsiness and low energy. It hurts the body’s ability to stay healthy because the immune system can be impaired by poor sleep quality. The immune system goes to work recharging itself and fighting infection while you’re in the deepest levels of sleep. If sleep time is cut short, the immune system doesn’t get the time it needs to stay healthy.
Second, lack of sleep can also affect your mood significantly. It causes irritability and anger, and you may find it difficult to cope with stress. Chronic sleepiness can put you at greater risk for depression. Depression is closely linked to sleep deprivation.
Third, sleep also plays a significant role for memory and learning. Let’s see some effects of sleep on memory and learning. Sleep has been considered very important for memory and learning, but until recently, there was no proof. A research team at Rutgers University recently discovered a type of brain activity that happens during sleep. The activity is important for memory and learning as it transfers new information from the hippocampus to the neocortex. The hippocampus is a part of the brain which plays a key role in memory and how knowledge is obtained. The neocortex stores long-term memories. As for long-term memories, it’s a type of memory which relates to memory and learning. The biggest categories of memory are “short-term memory (or working memory)” and “long-term memory,” based on the amount of time the memory is stored. As you would imagine, long-term memories are much more complex than short-term ones. We store different types of information such as procedures, life experiences and language, with separate memory systems.
Back to the study at Rutgers University, the team showed how we create long-term memories. The wave activity transfers short-term memories from the hippocampus to the neocortex. Then the neocortex turns the sharp wave ripples into long-term memories. Sleep encourages this brain activity. Therefore, the new information doesn’t have a chance to leave the hippocampus and go to the neocortex if sleep is deprived. In other words, short sleep has negative effects on memory and learning. According to current research, most undergraduates need 8.5 to 9.25 hours of sleep, and most adults, 7 to 9 hours. So, university students need to sleep for at least 8 hours if they want a healthier body and mind, and greater chances for academic success!
Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio @pexels.com
Blog Quiz
Read the following sentences. Choose T(true) or F(false).
1. Sleep has an import role in learning.
2. A type of brain activity that is important for memory and learning happens during sleep.
3. Most university students need 6 to 7 hours of sleep.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. T
2. T
3. F
BBP Staff -
10 .12Have you ever been provoked by the power of colors?
As for me, one of my favorite activities is coordinating colors.
At first, due to my interest in fashion, I used to learn “color analysis,” selecting the most suitable colors based on a person’s skin tone. At that time, I was surprised to know that a person looks more cheerful and confident when wearing appropriate types of colors. This experience increased my interest in colors and escalated my motivation to learn more about the world of colors. Not only coordinating colors for clothes, but also thinking about creating color coordination for everyday things, such as interior design, is a big part of who I am.
How about you? Do you seriously consider what colors to wear or select when buying new things? Well, here’s something to think about.In general, many researchers show that colors have a powerful influence on our mood and even physiological reactions. In other words, colors are strongly associated with our feelings and behaviors.To be a successful learner in any field, knowing the colors that influence us to learn positively and help us to make the most use of them can be worth taking into consideration!
I would like to share some tips for you to create an environment which fosters your learning.
Colors that promote learning:1) BlueThis color helps you to be calm both mentally and physically. If you study something complicated or overwhelming, this color creates a safe and calm mood to focus on the matter. According to some research, people with highly intellectual work such as computer programmers and researchers, tend to be more productive in a blue environment. It is also said that using blue is beneficial for improving reading comprehension, as well as studying any challenging material.Why not consider using blue ink or a blue highlighter when you have to read a thick complex textbook?2) Orange / YellowThese colors help you to be cheerful and more energetic. Orange and yellow are the colors that we see from the sun. When feeling the sunshine on your face, these warm and bright colors will help you to lift your mood. If you feel down because of a bad mark on your test, trouble with your friends etc., why don’t you use orange or yellow stationary? You will regain your energy for studying!However, one thing you should keep in mind about these colors is that you should be careful how long you look at them. Looking at bright colors for a long time will make your eyes tired.3) GreenThis color helps you to improve your concentration. As you have probably heard before, looking at green, which is the color of the forest, promotes relaxation and restfulness. Green is the most restful color for the human eye! Moreover, it improves efficiency and long-term concentration, so it is an excellent color to be used at the workplace. Some studies show that people who work in green offices have a higher rate of job satisfaction. So, why don’t you paint your study room a nice green?Whether you believe this or not is totally up to you, yet I hope this information will help you when you study next time! Enjoy bringing colors into your life!Photo Credit: Sharon McCutcheon @pexels.comBlog Quiz
1. According to the blog, what is color analysis?
A. Using color to predict your future.
B. Choosing colors that best match your skin color.
C. Coordinating your clothes with the seasons.
2. According to the blog, what is the benefit of the colors yellow and orange?
A. They help to cheer you up.
B. They make you feel more relaxed.
C. They encourage you to work harder.
3. According to the blog, what color should you use if you want to concentrate on a difficult task?
A. Blue.
B. Orange or yellow.
C. Green.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. B
2. A
3. C
Nagisa Kikuchi -
10 .05How to Make Friends Online
It is always good to be making more friends. University is probably THE best time in your life to make lifelong friends. At university, we have constant encounters in class and on campus with many people in our peer group. The people we connect with the most we can then easily spend more time with and deepen those relationships. Many of those close friends will be people who are with you all through your life.
Meeting people at university is natural and not that different from meeting people at high school but then there was COVID-19. Suddenly we must do it all online and the rules are a bit different and a bit harder. Here are some hints to help you.
Send the right signals to others
First, turn on your camera when you can and when it is appropriate. Most importantly, pay attention to your body language on camera. Smile and make eye contact by looking into the camera. Try to have a relaxed body posture. Ask yourself, “Do I seem approachable and friendly?” Offer greetings to others and ask questions when you can.
Invite dialogue
You need to actively follow and engage with others online. Share something of yourself FIRST and invite others with questions. Ask questions about others’ contributions and leave thoughtful comments that show you have read or heard someone’s post. Continue to do this even if you have a minimal response. It may take time, but people will respond. After any interaction thank the other person for talking to you and say how much you enjoyed their company.
Keep the conversation going
Once you have made a connection in class with others you can make friends outside of class. Privately offer YOUR contact information to others you want to be friends with so you can talk outside of class. Don’t be too disappointed if someone doesn’t follow up. They are probably just busy, and your effort is still appreciated. If someone offers you their contact information, try to follow up soon even if it is just to say it was nice talking to them.
You can be an organizer
Sometimes everyone is waiting for someone to take the initiative. You can be the person. Everyone will be grateful to you. Arrange a study group online. Organize a movie-watching party on Zoom. Trade recommendations on school, shopping, food, etc. on other SNSs or by email. We may not be able to often meet in person, but we can still keep in contact.
Don’t give up
It may be a little harder to make friends online than it is on campus, but don’t give up. Keep being friendly and open to interaction and you are sure to make friends that will continue once we are back to face-to-face classes.
Photo Credit: Ivan Samkov @pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. According to the blog, why is it more difficult to make friends now?
A. Because the social rules in university are different from high school.
B. Because Coronavirus means we must interact online.
C. Because people don't try to make friends anymore.
2. According to the blog, what does 'invite dialog' mean?
A. Share information about yourself, ask questions and make comments.
B. Organize a party.
C. Arrange an online study group.
3. According to the blog, how can you keep a conversation going?
A. Go to the pub.
B. Ask for someone's phone number.
C. Privately offer your own contact details.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. B
2. A
3. C
Michael Wilkins -
09 .28Teching Out (Getting tired of technology)
The Internet wasn’t always so popular as it is now. In the early years of the Internet, it was really a very exclusive platform for people to use. Even after it moved from research and academics into the public, it was still only for those curious enough to try. My older brother and I had connected to a local bulletin board system (BBS) using a dial-up modem that was annoying for the family because it used our one telephone line (we eventually got a second phone number for the computer).
Those times were much more experimental and friendly than what I’ve seen in recent years. You knew that the other person you were talking to was a human being, and the owner of the BBS even hosted some get-togethers in the real world for people who used it. There weren’t people trying to attack and insult others because of tiny differences, but most often things were just talked about. Part of that is because the software wasn’t ready for the general public, but I also think it attracted a smaller group of people whom genuinely cared about what the Internet could be used for.
This slowly began to change as software improved. Chat rooms became a common feature with easier interfaces, and people who couldn’t handle the technical requirements earlier now had access. The Internet became more of a tool to connect people, but it also challenged what was comfortable for most people. That’s when I began hearing more about people who would eventually become what we know now as trolls. While this wasn’t new to me since I had already developed an understanding of the Internet, it began to turn me off a little bit to what the Internet was becoming.
During college, even though the university had cable Internet access (a revolution at the time), I was less attracted to it. Computers also became an expensive business, so the friendliness of building computers was complicated by convenience. After graduating, I worked in developing countries, and getting the newest, most expensive computers seemed silly. I continued to have technology as a part of my life, but I found the changes made to the Internet less interesting than how they were in the beginning.
Now, the Internet is tightly woven in the fabric of society, especially because of more recent events. In the past it was more of an optional, leisure time outlet for people, recently the Internet’s role as a tool seems to have been made more important. The idea of technology just for the sake of more technology seems less interesting when people just need it to work. In a way, things have returned a little bit to the way things were in the beginning because the Internet is taking a more fundamental role in society. It isn’t easy, but, to some extent, the life side of it makes the “tech” side of everything less obvious. Tech is being replaced by living.
Photo Credit: Burst@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. According to the blog what is a ‘troll’?
a) An ugly mythical creature who lives under a bridge
b) A person who intentionally upsets people on the internet by posting inflammatory messages
c) A small spade used for gardening
2. How did the author’s experiences in a third world country change his view of technology?
a) He realized there were more important things in life than having the latest technologies.
b) He decided to donate all his money to charity
c) He became more interested in travel than technology
3. According to the author why is technology becoming less obvious?
a) People can’t understand technology
b) People who build computers aren’t friendly
c) Technology is taking a more fundamental role in society
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. B
2. A
3. C
Jesse Patterson -
09 .21How to eat a MammothScientists say the last mammoths died about 4,000 years ago, but someday you may be able to enjoy a mammoth steak.
Maybe you have seen mammoths as pictures in a book or models in museums. It is also possible to see bones and other parts in museums and private collections around the world. Frozen mammoths have been found in parts of Russia, and more are being found every year. These discoveries have been great for researchers and museums, but how does a mammoth get onto our plates?
For many years people have told stories of discovering frozen mammoths in perfect condition. The first recorded discovery was in 1692. Since then more and more frozen mammoths have been found, mostly in the Siberian areas of Russia. Ever since frozen mammoths were uncovered, people have told stories about unfreezing and eating the mammoth meat. It’s an easy to understand idea, but no one is really sure if these stories are true. Finding frozen mammoths with muscle tissue is very rare, and after 5,000 years in the ice it is almost impossible to find something you could actually eat. Many scientists believe these stories are fake, made up by explorers and salesmen to increase their popularity and sales.
In 1951 at the Roosevelt hotel, a 5-star hotel in New York City, a special dinner was hosted. A group of famous and wealthy people called the Explorer’s Club hosted the dinner with a menu of rare and unusual foods. The star dish was a mammoth filet, cut from a 250,000-year-old frozen mammoth discovered in Alaska. The Explorer Club’s dinner became a popular news story and was reported in newspapers world-wide. But, was it mammoth? For many years people believed the story, but there was no way to test and make sure. Many years later, recent members of the Explorer’s Club discovered a small piece of the meat that had been saved from the 1951 dinner. Researchers at Yale tested the DNA of the sample and discovered the meat was actually from a green sea turtle.
So, is there still any chance to some mammoth barbecue? Maybe.
In 2008 researchers at Penn State (USA) were able to study and map the DNA of the wooly mammoth. Since then many scientists, including some from Kyoto University, have tried to use this DNA to create and grow mammoth-elephant hybrids. So far there has not been any success. However, more research, improved DNA engineering techniques, and other improvements in technology are making it more likely we will see a living version in the future.
It will take many years to reach success, but eventually we may see living mammoths in the wild or in a zoo. And who knows, maybe even in the kitchen.
Photo Credit: @Petr Novák, Wikipedia
Blog Quiz
1. When was the first frozen mammoth found?
A. 1692
B. 1951
C. 2008
2. Where have large numbers of mammoth remains been found?
A. New York City
B. Siberia
C. Alaska
3. What did people eat at the Explorer’s club dinner in 1951?
A. Chicken
B. 250,000 year old frozen mammoth
C. Green sea turtle
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A
B
C
Owen Kozlowski -
09 .14Enjoy Birding!
Because of the recent pandemic, many people choose to stay inside. If they do go out, it is only to stock up on food or other necessities. We need to remember to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Parks and bike-ways can be places to enjoy nature and still respect social distancing rules. Some people say “But what is there to do outside? There’s nothing to see…” A hobby I started long ago in childhood has stayed with me all these years. It is a way to enjoy the outdoors and see and learn about some fascinating things. What is it? Bird watching! Yes, observing birds in your local area is a great way to connect to the environment and become aware of the amazing diversity of birds and their behaviors. It will also give you motivation for getting outdoors.
How do you ‘bird watch”?
The best way is to have a pair of decent binoculars and a bird book for your local area. It is possible to bird without binocs, but you really miss a lot of details as birds tend to be small and quick. You can also find many pictures of birds with descriptions on the Internet. Don’t forget birds make a variety of calls and songs as well. It’s one more way of identifying a species. You will begin to notice that bird species can occupy different habitats. I like to visit forests, lakes, riversides, and open parks. You can start right around your home. How many different species can you observe just there? After you get a few species names under your belt, you might want to try a different area away from your home. You can find birds in places crowded with people as well as in unpopulated areas.
Here’s a few kinds of birds I have seen just from bird watching around my apartment in the city: Sparrows, Doves, Pigeons, Ravens, Thrushes, Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Bulbuls, Lapwings, Woodpeckers, White-Eyes, Redstarts, Swallows, Hawks…The list goes on.
The next time you walk to the store, try to catch sight of a few birds. Are they all the same? Different? Do they make the same noises? Are they the same shape, color, or size? When you start learning species names, try keeping a list and you can add to it as you learn more about birds and bird watching. And finally, if it’s possible, birding can be more fun with a partner or two along to enjoy the time outdoors.
Photo Credit: Pixabay@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. Why does the author recommend bird watching?
A. It helps people connect with nature.
B. It is a safe activity during the pandemic.
C. Both A and B.
2. Which is NOT mentioned as a way birds can be identified?
A. By listening to their sounds.
B. By watching television.
C. By using a book.
3. In the last sentence, what does ‘birding’ mean?
A. Catching birds.
B. Looking for birds.
C. Studying about birds.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. C
2. B
3. B
The BBP Staff -
09 .07Interesting Vending Machines Around the World
Did you know there are many varieties of vending machines in the world? I have seen some interesting ones that I would like to share with you today, but before I do, let me start with some history.
Modern, coin-operated vending machines were invented in the late 1800s in England. Originally, they sold envelopes, postcards and note paper but soon they included chocolate, tickets, and cigarettes. In 1962, vending machines were introduced to Japan selling drinks from American beverage makers. There are about 4,940,000 vending machines all over Japan now. The sales from these machines reach about 4.73 trillion yen per year. In the event of a natural disaster, you can get drinks for free, charge your smartphones, and get the news from an electric bulletin board on some vending machines. In Japan, you see them everywhere on streets; however, in foreign countries, you usually see them inside of buildings. Now that you know a little about vending machines, here are my quiz questions.
Photo Credit: Jenna Hamra @ pexels.comBlog QuizQ1. Why is it that vending machines are rarely found outside in foreign countries?
A) Because the lights are too bright and people complain about them.
B) Because the vending machines are not perfectly made and when it rains, the water enters the machines and the products get wet.
C) Because people break the machines and steal the products.
D) Because there is no electricity available on streets.
Q2. In the U.S.A., I have seen vending machines selling which of these items?
A) Clocks
B) Cosmetics
C) Sandwiches
D) Dishes
Q3. In Japan, there are vending machines that brew coffee after you insert money so that you can drink freshly brewed coffee. Of course, there are similar vending machines in Italy. I think the quality of the coffee might be better than in Japan because Italian people love coffee. There is another thing Italians love so they made vending machines to sell it. What do you think it is?
A) Soccer balls
B) Spaghetti
C) Sunglasses
D) Lottery tickets
Q4. There are many interesting vending machines around the world; however, Japan also has many interesting ones. What do you think those vending machines sell?
A) Instant noodles
B) Fruits
C) Takoyaki
D) Hamburgers
E) Batteries
There are many more interesting vending machines around the world. I hope you can find some of them.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
Q1. The answer is C. You will probably not see a vending machine standing by itself in the middle of nowhere like in Japan. In addition, it is not rare for vending machines to be broken and only eat money without giving you any products.
Q2. The answers are B and C. I do not know how fresh the sandwiches are… but they exist.
Q3. The answer is D. I saw the lottery ticket vending machines quite often in Italy.
Q4. The answers are all A to E. I have seen A, B, C, and E personally, but I have heard of D before. Maybe you know where they are?
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.
Aoi Katagiri -
08 .31Moving and Cleaning Up
Housing issues are always annoying. One visits many real estate agencies before finding a property. When one finds a good property, it still takes time to settle in. While it is exciting to begin a new life in a new place, all the processes involved can be irritating. Some students may have started their lives in new apartments this Spring, while others still need to find rooms for the Fall semester.
Having had several experiences of looking for accommodation and moving, I have two tips that I would like to share with you.
My priority is that my apartment has sufficient sunlight because I had the unpleasant experience of living in a very dark room previously. The rent was affordable, the room was quite large, and I found the new kitchen appliances to be attractive. However, the lack of sunlight was simply awful. Although the room had a balcony on the south side, the room was dark because there was a factory just in front of it. Therefore, I had to keep the lights on all the time, even during the day; my bedding grew mould even in summer, and the room was icy cold in winter, even when the heater was on. I now believe that the power of sunlight gives me the energy to wake up and tells me when it is time to relax as it moves from east to west.
The second point is that after moving several times, I realised that it was easier to live with limited furnishings. When I embarked on my life in Tokyo as an undergraduate student, it was fun to buy ornaments and put them on shelves. At the same time, I had a part-time job at a clothing store, which increased the amount of ‘stuff’ in my cupboards. When I graduated from university, I moved to a new apartment. At that time, when the staff at the moving company saw my room, they said, “Wow, this is a big job…” They were right. I had too many things that I did not use often, or never used at all. Since then, I have attempted to decrease my possessions. I am not a minimalist, but I feel good when I keep my closet and kitchen shelves tidy.
By the time I moved into a student dormitory in London, I was surprised to find that I could pack everything I needed into two suitcases that I had brought from Japan. When I arrived in London, I purchased some pans and blankets to live a comfortable life as a student there. I began to wonder why I felt that I needed so many things when I was an undergraduate. Our society is materialistic, and the economy is based on consumption; however, the number of possessions someone has does not indicate whether the person is happy or wealthy.
Photo Credit: cottonbro@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. Why did the author dislike the dark room he lived in?
A. It was cold.
B. Mold grew easily.
C. Both A and B.
2. In paragraph 4, what does the author mean by ‘minimalist’?
A. A small room.
B. A person with few possessions.
C. A person who hates moving.
3. How does the author currently feel about possessions?
A. He thinks they are not that important for happiness.
B. He needs more pans and blankets.
C. He wants to be more materialistic.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. C
2. B
3. A
Yosuke Takeuchi -
08 .24National Cuisine as an Ice-Breaker
“What is a typical dish from your country?”
Food is a great topic when meeting people of other nationalities. The question above is good for breaking the ice and can lead to interesting discussions. Japanese people have many answers to choose from when hearing this question; sushi, tonkatsu, okonomiyaki, tempura, udon… These are undeniably good examples of Japanese cuisine.
What is interesting is the deceiving nature of the question. This is because the person asking might think it means the same as asking “What food is typically eaten in your country?” Indeed, for Japanese people, the dishes mentioned above could answer either question, so the distinction between the two questions could seem unimportant; however, the point of answering is a little problematic for me.
I am often asked the first question “What is a typical dish from your country?” when Japanese people are getting to know me, and they likely expect an interesting answer that can teach them something new. However, it is tricky because my quick and simple answer cannot carry over as a reply to the second question (like it does for Japanese). Why is that?
The reason is because I am from Canada. What is typical food in Canada? Well, a quick and simple answer is pasta, pizza, hamburgers, steak, dumplings, curry… and sushi! However, surely those are unexpected responses for a Japanese person to hear—especially those who have not been abroad. I am not Italian, German, American, Chinese, Indian, or Japanese. I am Canadian.
The point of difference between “from your country” and “in your country” is what I wish to address, and this can also nudge into the spotlight the feature of the so-called Canadian mosaic.
There is a story I like to tell whenever I get asked about Canadian food. When I was young, after school I often went to a friend’s place. Depending on the day or friend, I might stay for dinner, and over a span of years this amounted to a wonderful introduction to international cuisine because everyone I knew was either an immigrant or a child of immigrants. One day I might eat homemade Indian food. On other days it might be homemade Italian, Chinese, British, and—especially in my hometown of Edmonton—Ukrainian food. Then when it was my friend’s turn to visit my house, my mother would cook Cuban food.
I am not joking when I say that the food I ate as a young Canadian varied among such delicious dishes as homemade spaghetti, Chinese-style dumplings, Ukrainian-style dumplings, curry with naan, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding (from Britain), and fried plantain (a Caribbean dish).
True Canadian food? Look that up on {Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_cuisine]} and I cannot say that I experienced—as far as typical food is concerned—what is listed as examples: poutine, salmon jerky, Montreal-style bagels, ginger beef, and butter tarts. I look forward to trying all those when I return, though. I hear they are more available now than when I was young.
Photo Credit: Social Soup@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. What does the author’s first question usually mean?
A. What is the most popular food in your country?
B. What food is commonly eaten in your country?
C. What food represents your country’s cuisine?
2. Why did the author eat many different cuisines when he was young?
A. Because there were many restaurants with foreign cuisine in Edmonton.
B. Because he didn’t like typical Canadian food.
C. Because his friend’s families were immigrants.
3. Which of these dishes would the author like to try on his next visit home?
A. fried plantain
B. salmon jerky
C. Yorkshire pudding
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. C
2. C
3. B
Angel Figueroa -
08 .17American Subculture in England: Basketball (Part 2)
(continued from last week)
Alternatively, Japanese sports education and culture has quite a long history of basketball. In 1917, Japan entered a basketball team in the Olympic games for the first time. When I first came to Japan to teach English, I was so jealous to realize that much like American children, Japanese children have grown up for generations learning the game that I had grown to love.
In my middle school’s changing rooms, our sports teachers decorated the walls with posters of various famous sports stars. I knew a lot of those faces from watching TV, but there was one poster in particular that caught my attention. It was a photo taken from above the basketball ring, looking down. There was a tall handsome man training on his own, jumping high into the air with a basketball in one hand. In the bottom left corner of the poster was a small red box with the word ‘Nike’ in it. I didn’t know who he was then, but that is my first clear memory of seeing the world-famous Michael Jordan. I wanted to know more.
A few years later at high school, I got my first chance to learn how to play. The school had an old indoor court that had no 3-point line, and three larger spaces in a building that we nicknamed ‘the shed’. I made new friends with other boys and girls, some who knew more about basketball than me, and we began to practice and teach each other. Although the high school had a team, it was nothing like a Japanese school’s sports clubs. Practice was only once a week. Some of the older students told us about a private club that was being run at evenings and weekends by a professional player in the neighboring town called Gateshead. We nervously made the journey over there to see if we could take part. I remember walking onto my first proper basketball court and being amazed by the speed and intensity of the game and the players. I was hooked. I must have played, watched, and talked about basketball every day between the ages of 15 to 22. I was never a great player, but I loved the game and I still do now.
Photo Credit: Markus Spiske@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. When did Japan first enter a basketball team into the Olympic games?
2. What famous sport star did the author become interested in as a middle school student?
3. How often did the author’s high school basketball team practice?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
1. 1917
2. Michael Jordan
3. Once a week
Ben McDonough