2012年1月23日「モバイル英語学習]第136号(エッセイ): Wagashi

Notes:
confectioner: 菓子屋; 菓子製造人;
outlet: 小売店,特約店;
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Kyoto and Kanazawa are well known for Wagashi, as is Matsue. Matsue has been known as a Wagashi-producing town since the late Edo period. Harusato Matsudaira (1751-1818), who was a lord of the Matsue domain, promoted the tea ceremony. Because of these two connections Wagashi is often served with ceremonial tea (matcha) and has gained popularity throughout Matsue and beyond.  Surprisingly to some, Wagashi confectioners of Matsue even sell Wagashi in New York City. First, they started to hold annual promotional events in 2004, after which Wagashi started appearing in supermarkets around 2009. Moreover, two new outlets started to sell Wagashi in October last year. I hope this project will be successful and that Wagashi continues to become more popular all over the world.  (written by student Mr. Harada, edited by Prof. Simon Smith)
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2012年1月10日「モバイル英語学習」第132号(エッセイ): What is your theme song?

Notes:
occasion: 状況、時、場合;
hurdle:ハードル、障害;
overcome:克服する;
revise:復習する、見直す;
intense:激しい;
pre-exam:テスト前の;
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Do you have a song for different occasions? The reason why I ask such a question is because we are now entering the exam season where many hurdles must be overcome so that we can advance to the next level. As I reflect on last year’s study I remember that I had specific songs for each subject that I revised. When I revised linguistic related subjects, for example, I listened to Yo-Yo Ma, and when I studied math I listened to more intense and vivid songs by singers such as Avril Lavigne. On the very day of one exam, I repeatedly listened to Taylor Swift’s album to motivate myself and to remove some pre-exam anxiety. I recently came across that very song, and it brought back vividly all those same feelings that I went through last year. What songs are you listening to this year? (Written by medical student T, edited  by Prof. Simon Smith)
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