The Star Trek Adventure Continues

On September 8^th, 1966, the very first episode of Star Trek was aired on American TV. I was nearly 3 years old. American TV shows were usually broadcast 3 or 4 years later in Australia. I was 6 or 7 when Star Trek had its first run in Australia. It was groundbreaking [trying new things] TV, addressing such taboo [not usually talked about] subjects for the time as sexual equality & liberation, racial descrimination and integration, the futility of war, and even the explotation of the working class – dangerous topics for the establishment [government & big businesses] to allow in the middle of the Cold and Vietnam Wars. (As I was only 6 or 7, these topics were not the main attraction – I was mostly interested in the monsters!) For this reason, the program ran very late – around 11:00pm (just before the TV stations used to turn off for the night!). I used to beg my parents to let me stay up and watch it. Sometimes they did!

The original series only ran for 3 years. However, apparentlty I wasn't the only 6 or 7-year-old begging his parents to let him stay up late. After the show was cancelled, it just became more and more popular. Eventually, it was the basis of 5 new TV series and 10 movies! (Click here for more info in English or Click here for more info in Japanese)

And it's not over yet! Today the newest movie starts in Japan. Whether you're a big fan or totally new to the series, I recommend you “boldly go” to the movies this weekend to check it out.

Captain Kirk & Mr Spock – then and now!

For photos of the 35th anniversary of Star Trek party we held in 2001 (Click here!)

Live long and prosper!

Click here for Japanese translation!

Happy Birthday, Batman!

I was talking to a student recently about the new Star Trek movie (more about that soon!). I mentioned to her that we held a party to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Star Trek way back in 2001 (Click here for photos!). It suddenly occurred to me that this year is the 70th anniversary of Batman. That’s right! The first Batman comic was published in May, 1939 – which means Batman is 70! Happy birthday, Batman!

The cover of the first ever Batman comic (Copyright DC Comics)

If you don’t know the story of how Bruce Wayne became the Batman, I recommend you check out Batman Begins , starring Christian Bale.

Click here for Japanese translation!

Photos from the Star Trek 35th Anniversary Party in 2001

The Winners of the costume contest

The Borg Queen behind the bar with Mayumi

Rigby with the Borg Collective

The Pig Flew!

In Japanese, the new flu that’s been spreading around the world is called buta influenza (“pig influenza”). In English, it is most commonly called swine flu. Swine is a general word for pigs. Flu is the commonly-used short form of influenza.

In English, we have many different expressions using the word “pig.” One common expression is “when pigs fly!” It’s impossible for pigs to fly. Therefore, when someone asks you when you’re going to do something, if the answer is never, you can say, “When pigs fly!”

If Mayumi asks me, “When are you going to start eating natto?”

I can answer, “When pigs fly!”

After that, if she ever caught me eating natto, I guess she could say, “The pig flew!”

Click Here For Japanese Translation

お知らせ

大阪府内での新型インフルエンザウイルス検出に伴い、当校でもより一層の除菌に努めていくことにしました。

レッスンに来られたら、まず除菌用ハンドジェルにて手指の消毒をお願い致します。レッスン毎に机やイスも除菌クロスでふきとりをしていきます。 "Better safe than sorry"（用心に越したことはない）の精神です！

ご協力に感謝します。

Be & Me 英会話 Club

Harry Potter's Japan Connection

Mayumi & one of our students dressed as Harry & Ron one Halloween

Mayumi's reading the 5^th Harry Potter book at the moment. She was surprised to find the Japanese word “satsuma” in a description of a room. Do you know what a satsuma is in English? To find out, visit Mayumi's Blog （Click here!).

Online Calendar & Announcements Pages Updated in Japanese!

We've just updated our online Calendar & Announcements pages. By visiting them, you can check our Service Lesson time, Kids' Classes Model Lesson dates, holidays, and special events – all in Japanese!

To check them out, go to http://www.be-and-me.com/ Then click on the “スクールカレンダー” or "生徒のみなさんへ" buttons. Or click on the links below;

スクールカレンダー [The School Calendar]:

http://beandme.blog6.fc2.com/blog-category-3.html

生徒のみなさんへ [Be & Me Announcements]:

http://beandme.blog6.fc2.com/blog-category-5.html