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I have been going jogging regularly with two of my friends for the past twelve years. These friends of mine are often referred to as 'mom-friends.' We met when our children attended the same nursery school in Kyoto, and that is where we got to know each other. I became friends with several mothers there, and we formed a group of five friends. Despite our busy schedules with young toddlers, we managed to spend time together. It was a pleasure for me because we shared similar concerns, such as taking care of our children, managing household chores, and balancing work responsibilities.

I still remember how it all started. The five of us gathered at my place, sipping on glasses of wine and venting out our stress. Out of the blue, one of them began talking about her newfound habit of early morning jogging, as early as six o'clock. She explained how invigorating it felt to exercise when the day was just beginning. Curiously, she invited us to join her. Initially, I declined the offer, as it seemed impossible for me. I struggled with managing everyday life and was constantly fatigued. However, another friend in our group expressed interest in joining her. As they started discussing potential dates, the other two friends and I thought it sounded insane. But suddenly, it appeared to be a wonderful idea, and I felt a surge of motivation to make a change. Consequently, I ended up joining them.   

That was 12 years ago, and to this day, three of us still regularly gather for morning jogs on weekends. Over time, our circumstances shifted. One of my friends relocated to Osaka, while I moved to a different area of Kyoto. Throughout the years, we experienced some interruptions. One friend sustained a shoulder injury, while the other friend and I both tragically lost our respective parents, temporarily preventing us from having our morning runs. However, we made a point of maintaining our commitment to meet for our jogging sessions along the Kamo River in Kyoto, which serves as the most accessible meeting point for the three of us. Despite losing contact with our other mom-friends, the three of us have managed to maintain a strong connection. We not only meet for our exercise sessions but also gather for lunches and dinners, providing us with additional opportunities to spend time together.

Through this experience, I have learned that maintaining positive habits becomes easier when we feel connected to the people around us. Friendships endure when we engage in meaningful activities together, such as our morning jogs. Making friends as an adult can be challenging, but the bond I share with my jogging companions extends far beyond exercise. We actively create cherished moments during these shared experiences. Moreover, the consistent practice of jogging has not only contributed to my physical health but has also played a vital role in sustaining my mental well-being. Together with my friends, I have found a source of strength and support that positively impacts my overall wellness.

Q1. With how many friends have I regularly jogged? 

Q2. Where do I jog on weekends? 

Q3. How many years have we managed to get together for jogs?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

A1. two

A2. Along the Kamo River in Kyoto

A3. 12 years

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Did you know that Shiga Prefecture gets a lot of snow? This stunning region in Japan receives abundant snowfall in the winter due to its unique climate and geographical location. Nestled in the central part of Honshu, Japan's main island, Shiga offers a mix of both coastal and inland areas, making it a true winter wonderland.

During the winter season, Shiga is characterized by cold temperatures and frequent precipitation, often falling as snow due to its location in a mountainous region. Cold air from the continent flows over the Sea of Japan and picks up moisture, resulting in a snowfall paradise. Additionally, Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, is located in Shiga Prefecture and contributes to the prefecture's climate. During the winter, the lake's temperature is warmer than the surrounding air, leading to the formation of lake-effect snow when cold air passes over the warmer water. This can result in heavier snowfall in the areas around the lake, creating a breathtaking winter wonderland.

If you're looking for a place to embrace the snow, Gran Snow Okuibuki is a must-visit ski resort in Shiga. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Ibuki and offers a variety of skiing and snowboarding terrain for all levels of experience. With 18 runs ranging from beginner to advanced level, you'll find the perfect slope for your skill level. The resort also features a wide range of facilities, including ski and snowboard rentals, ski schools, and several restaurants and cafes.

One of the unique features of Gran Snow Okuibuki is its powder snow, which is highly sought after by skiers and snowboarders. The region receives abundant snowfall and is known for its light, dry powder snow that makes for excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions. Besides skiing and snowboarding, Gran Snow Okuibuki also offers a stunning view of Mount Ibuki and the surrounding natural scenery, making it a popular destination for sightseeing as well as winter sports.

If you're planning a trip to Gran Snow Okuibuki, there are several ways to get there from Kyoto. You can rent a car and drive to the resort, take a direct bus from Kyoto Station, or take the train to Maibara Station and then a bus or taxi to the resort. The journey is approximately two hours and will take you through some of the most breathtaking winter scenery you've ever seen.

Overall, Gran Snow Okuibuki is a highly regarded ski resort in Shiga Prefecture that offers a wide range of winter activities, excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions, and stunning natural scenery. We can't wait to see you there next winter!

Questions:

Q1. What makes Shiga Prefecture in Japan unique when it comes to snowfall?

Q2. What are some of the winter activities available at Gran Snow Okuibuki?

Q3. What are the different ways to get to Gran Snow Okuibuki from Kyoto?

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

A1. Its climate and geographical location.

A2. They are skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sledding.

A3. One option is to rent a car and drive to the resort. Another option is to take a direct bus from Kyoto Station. Also, you can take the train from Kyoto Station to Maibara Station and take a bus or taxi to Gran Snow Okuibuki. i.e., by car, bus, train, train and bus, or train and taxi.

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Have you been looking for something different to do while staying at home? How about learning to play a board game or having a game night? There are many types of games that can be played by yourself or with a group. Although you might think games are just for children, they can be enjoyed by adults too: from strategy games to family games to word games, there are many to choose from.

The game of chess has been growing in popularity, especially since The Queen’s Gambit was released on Netflix last year. The show is based on a book with the same title, and it refers to the name of an opening move in the game of chess. This fictional story follows chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she struggles with personal problems and strives to become the best chess player in the world. Because of this series, more and more people are buying chess sets, learning the rules, and following famous chess players online, like grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura. These new members of the chess community are practicing at home with their friends or family members, or they are playing online. Although the rules of chess are easy to understand, the strategy is difficult to master, so it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. In fact, my father taught me to play chess when I was an elementary school student, and although I don’t play it now, I remember the time we spent playing chess together.

During the stay-at-home period, some families have started a new tradition—game night. Game nights are a fun way to spend time together and not only play games but also talk. Over the past year, my family often played board games, and the one we have played the most is called Ticket to Ride. Two to five people are needed to play the game, so it is ideal for a game night with friends or family; however, there is also an app version if you want to play alone. The object of the game is to collect colored cards and then build train routes to connect cities across the board. There are various versions of the game, each based on a different map: The United States, Europe, and so on. Players earn points based on the length and point value of the train routes, and the winner is the person with the most points at the end of the game. Therefore, this game is a mixture of luck and strategy, so it is very fun to play on game night.

Games are good for the brain, and they can be a fun way to practice language skills too. Classic word games like Scrabble, Boggle, Scattergories, and Taboo are sure to challenge your English vocabulary skills, and most of them are available in both tabletop and online versions. No matter which one you choose, playing a game can be an excellent way to spend your leisure time.Questions:

Q1. According to the article, why has chess become popular recently?

A. It is easy to master the game of chess

B. There was a popular show about chess

C. A game of chess can be played quickly

Q2. What kind of game is Ticket to Ride?

A. A word game

B. A card game

C. A board game

Q3. Which benefits of game night are mentioned in the article? (Choose all correct answers.)

A. Competition

B. Communication

C. Tradition

D. Imagination

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1 – B

2 – C

3 – B & C

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Have you ever done any volunteering work before? If not, what kind of image do you have of them? My image toward volunteering work was something special and for only special people. However, my image was changed after I did some volunteer work in a Japanese class as a language facilitator when I was studying in the UK as a postgraduate student. 

Volunteer work became more familiar to me and made me realize that it can be a good way to deepen my interest or knowledge, especially when the volunteering work that I chose related to what I wanted to do in the future. As far as volunteering work in the UK, it seems normal for university students to do it before they start job hunting, and to write about volunteering work experience on their CV.

According to a survey conducted in 2019 by the Japanese Cabinet Office, 33.3 % of Japanese young people aged between 13 and 29 answered that they are interested in volunteer work. However, this was the lowest rank compared to other countries such as USA (65.4%), UK (52.7%), South Korea (52.6%), France (51.7%), Germany (49.6%) and Sweden (45.8%). In fact, 48.1 % of Japanese young people answered that they are not interested in volunteer work, which is 6.2 % higher than a previous survey in 2013.

In terms of the word “volunteer”, Cambridge Dictionary says that volunteer means: a person who does something, especially helping other people, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it. What’s more, PATIMES.ORG [https://patimes.org/the-origins-of-the-word-volunteer/] explains that the origin of the word volunteer comes from the Latin word voluntaries, which has the meaning of willing or of one’s own choice. With reference to the benefits of volunteer work, [https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm] it explains that there are four good reasons to do such work;

1. Volunteering connects you to others. This means that volunteering can give you a chance to make new friends and expand your network.

2. Volunteering is good for your mind and body. According to the researchers, helping other people can make you feel happy and increase self-confidence.

3. Volunteering can advance your career. Volunteering can teach you some important skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management and organization.

4. Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life.

It is said that volunteering can be an easy way to discover your interests and passions. Why don’t you learn not only from the textbooks but also from doing some volunteer work?

Questions:

Q1.What percent of young Japanese people are interested in volunteer work?

A. 49.6%

B. 45.8%

C. 33.3%

Q2. What does the Latin word "voluntaries" mean?

A. Explosions.

B. Willing or of one’s own choice.

C. Giving things away free

Q3. What can people receive by doing volunteer work?

A. More Self-confidence.

B. Bigger pay

C. Free lunch

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1 C

2 B

3 A

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I have been reading a lot recently, now that I have more time stuck at home… I have been wanting to be a better person and make good use of the time I have now. I am sure my old self would have been stuck in front of the TV watching Netflix or locked on the computer screen, stuck on the latest YouTube videos. A book that is changing my life is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. I recommend you pick it up, it is an easy read, but it can change your life. {Jamesclear.com[https://jamesclear.com/]}

Here are a few of the many good ideas in the first chapter, but that is just the beginning… Everyone has habits, and did you know that the habits that you have now, whether they are getting up early, or turning off the lights when you leave a room, came to you without effort? Of course, your bad habits, like procrastinating or eating an unhealthy meal come very easy too, but did you know that those little decisions make up who we are? These little decisions, good or bad, add up. These “1% decisions” are not noticeable but are very meaningful. As you repeat and do small things, day by day, those habits will have an impact on the way your life will be heading. If you stay up late and finish up work you were putting off, sure you can survive on three or four hours of sleep that next day, but one day in the future, you will wake up late and miss something important or make a mistake because you were sleepy.

The author says, “Success is the product of daily habits – not once-in-a-life-time transformations.” You might be thinking that you need to change every little thing in your life… no… start with one thing that will make your actions successful. Just like when you chop a tree down, you pick up your axe, and start swinging, you cannot cut down a tree with one blow, it takes many strikes at the tree to bring it down. Just like starting a new habit, it takes many times of doing something to start a new habit, or stop a bad one. At first, it is exciting to start something new and you can see wood chips flying, but after a while you get tired and you hit and hit but you do not see change. When you finally fell that tree, the whole world will look at you and say how great your achievement was, but you know it was the work that you did when you did not see any results was the work that made things possible. Fighting on through hard times will make future success.

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision.” It is a new year now and people talk about “New Year’s Resolutions” (新年の抱負) . More than making a goal this school year, plan on making a “system” that will make your goals a reality. Just like every Olympic athlete has the goal to win the gold medal, if you improve the way you train and make the environment easy for you to get better, improve your training system… you will have a better outcome. Also, achieving that goal will be good, but the result of meeting that goal is nothing if your life is not changed. If you diet and lose those kilograms you wanted to lose but go back to eating as you did before the diet, you will just rebound back. You need to change your eating and exercise system so you will have those great results (lost weight and fitting into those jeans) for the rest of your life.

These are just some of the great ideas waiting for you in the book. Please read it and come to the BBP and let’s talk about it. Everything counts.

Reference: Clear, J. (2018) Atomic Habits. Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

 Questions:

1. What did the author do this past year?

A. watch a lot of TV and YouTube videos

B. sleep a lot

C. read books

2. What is the book "Atomic Habits" about?

A. making good habits

B. studying atoms

C. a boy named "Tom"

3. The book's author said, "All big things come from ___________"

A. big things

B. small beginnings

C. once in a lifetime events

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answers:

1 C

2 A

3 B