少人数制で楽しく身につく英会話教室・英会話スクールなら「アミックインターナショナル」

Each story we hear or read has a similar structure: a beginning – introducing the characters and setting; a middle – what the characters were doing and why, this usually includes a climatic and exciting event; finally an end – how the characters achieved their goal and any consequences of that. This format does not however, guarantee a good story – it is what is happening in our brain that determines whether we perceive the story as good, bad or indifferent.
So what’s going on behind the eyes? Firstly, there is a process called neural coupling taking place. This process activates areas in the brain which allow the listener, or reader, to associate the story to their own ideas and experiences. Secondly, the process of mirroring comes into effect, research shows that listeners and readers experience similar brain activity to the writer or narrator. This can determine the popularity of the story. Thirdly, the brain releases a hormone called dopamine when it experiences an emotionally charged event (remember the climatic and exciting event?). Dopamine allows people to recall more easily and with greater accuracy. Finally, the extent of cortex activities also have an major impact on a story, when we process facts two areas of the brain are activated, whereas a well told story engages many additional areas such as the motor cortex, sensory cortex and frontal cortex. This gives us more connections with the story and more avenues in order to recall in greater detail.

In spring, one of the best-loved symbols of Japan makes a dramatic sweep across the country.
Sakura (cherry blossoms) bloom usually from the end of March through April in a kind of wave starting in southern Kyushu and working its way northeast. News reports keep the populace up to date on the best places to enjoy hanami (lit. flower viewing).
The undeniable beauty of the delicate pink flowers is offset by a sense of melancholy at their all-too-brief appearance. This is often compared to our own short time spent on the earth. This mixture of feelings is best expressed when completely drunk, of course. And so every year, hundreds of thousands of Japanese of all ages gather beneath the pink blooms, sing karaoke, dance and drink till they fall over.

Enjoy while it lasts!

P.s. Don’t forget the beer!

So it’s spring and I think it’s safe to assume that we are all well aware of how beautiful the cherry blossoms all over Japan are this time of year. Unfortunately the estimated full bloom of the sakura trees in Ehime coincides with a string of rainy days at the end of this week, so that may ruin hanami plans for some people.

The funny thing is that I haven’t really noticed the cherry blossoms near my house (since they are only now blooming), but instead I’ve been admiring the deep pink of the peach blossoms that a kind old woman in my neighbourhood has outside her house. Those peach blossoms may take the place of the usual cherry blossoms for my hanami this year, but I’m okay with that. They have another kind of beauty to appreciate.

Here’s a photo I took:

Joe

One of the popular topics that comes into conversation around this time is Ohanami– cherry blosson viewing. While reading up on this custom online, I came across an unusual idea called Air hanami.
The first time I read the title my initial thought was that it was when people would go out to have a picnic under a cherry blossom tree without it actually having bloomed yet – thus, just air!
But, that was not the case. It is described as a hassle-free, indirect, indoor, hanami experience.
Most people have said that it’s a strange trend, with some saying that it’s utterly absurd.
Here is a link to Kirin’s website to help you get an idea of the concept behind it.

http://air-hanami.kirin.jp/age.html

Air hanami has its perks, but I always prefer the outdoors.
What do you think?

Many successful creatives attribute their success to a “muse”. This can be a person or a personified force which gives inspiration to an individual. There are many factors which are attributed to success, natural talent, passion, skills and luck. Such a topic has been exposed to a great many academic theorising and research. The “muse” gives an outlet of explanation to things which we find very difficult to define. There is an element of superstition involved, which has persisted through centuries of successful artists, creatives and business people. Originating from Greek mythology, when Goddesses could favor those who pleased them with extraordinary gifts. The gifted would claim that without their “muse” they would not have gained, or would lose the success which they obtained. However, skeptics would argue that a “muse” is simply a construct of the person’s imagination – a subconscious outlet creating an awareness of the situation, or the world, which allows them to exploit their chosen route. Although we have many different methods which are recommended to be successful, none are a guarantee of success. There certainly seems to be an element of success which has eluded our definition and practical application.

The practice of Wife Carrying – a race hosted annually in The Nower, Dorking, in which men carry their partner along a hilly 380m course – has a significantly less jovial history than the modern event suggests.
Dating back to the Viking invasion of 793 AD, the race evolved out of the Nordics’ rampage, in which a monastery was destroyed and local women were carried off against their will. It was only in 2008 that the tradition was revived in the UK – albeit with a whole new, 21st century set of rules (principally that women participate willingly).
The conditions of competing?
Wives must weigh at least 50kg – and those lacking in kilos must make up the weight in the equivalent of baked bean cans – and must wear a helmet; and competitors must complete the course (beset by hay-bale hurdles and the occasional cold-water hazard).
The prizes?
£100 and a barrel of Pilgrim ale for the winning couple, who will go on to participate in the world championships in Finland; a pound of sausage for the carrier of the heaviest wife, and mini-kegs for the runners up. The losers can look forward to receiving a ceremonial tin of dog food and a Pot Noodle.