St. Patrick's Day (2)

Let's commemorate St. Patrick's Day

with some humour about the Irish...

An old Irish joke tells that …

Once upon a time three very good friends met in an Irish pub
 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Each of the three friends, Johnnie, Alister and Paddy, 
orders a pint of Guinness to the barman in the pub. 
After being served, each friend finds a fly in their pint of beer.
The three of them react in a very different way:  
Repulsed, the Englishman sends his back. 
The Scotsman gently flicks the fly out of his mug and begins drinking. 
And finally, the Irishman, carefully lifts the fly up by its wings and starts screaming…   

"Spit it out!... Spit it out!"

READING COMPREHENSION 

about the Joke (... and beyond):

1.- What are they celebrating?

2.- Which of the three friends is the Irish?

3.- Do you know the name of that colloquial Irish name?

4.- Who is the Englishman? And the Scotsman?

5.- Do you know where England, Scotland and Ireland 

are exactly on a map of the British Isles?

You can read more "Humour about the Irish" here .

*****

To celebrate this important date for the Irish, 
let's watch the following short film:

An Ode to Ireland on St. Patrick's Day.

 For Further Information about Ireland (in Spanish)
have a look at the following link

By the way, 

Talking about Ireland...

Which colour is the traditionally Irish one?

To answer that question, have a look at this video,

an example of St. Patrick's Day as a Global Celebration. :

* * *

And finally, to finish this post, 

listen to some music from an Irish band...

"Toss the Feathers", by The Corrs.

(Don't worry about the lyrics of the song ...
... It's just instrumental.)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.-

You also can have a look at the post published 

on St. Patrick's Day in 2011 at "English@Edrissis".

.

A Tribute to All Women

                                                    Logo


Today (March 8th) is International Women's Day.

Let's consider this post
Simply a Tribute to All Women
 and
Let's share a song and a poem for all Working Women:

First, the song ...

"I'm Every Woman"

by Chaka Khan

You can check the lyrics of the song here .

And Second, the poem...

"WORKING WOMEN"

 by Deedee

Every working woman wants to:

Perform meaningful tasks

Take pride in all her accomplishments

Set goals she can reach

Enhance her boss’ life

And make him look good

Every working woman wants to:

Have a position where she is needed

Make a difference in someone else’s life

Be able to get along with her co-workers

Be a team member

Be a team player

Every working woman wants to:

Make enough money to support herself

And have enough left over for pleasure

Have some meaningful time alone

Spend quality time with her mate

Not be stressed out at the end of her day

So she can love and nurture her children

And still be able to satisfy her man

But mostly, every working woman wants to:

Be taken seriously as a worker

And still be a woman.

***

 (Read more at: http://authspot.com/poetry/the-working-womans-prayer/#ixzz1oPE3ErRd )

DEBATE.-

This poem, according to her author, discusses the issues that are most important to every working woman.

Do you agree with all the statements mentioned on the poem?

Please, If you disagree with some of the statements, name them and reason your answer.

 *** 

Talking about...

Celebrating Working Women

on this International Women's day ...

Watch the following video as a summary of the role played by women in recent history. 

It provides a look at several interesting facts about the changes and developments 

that have impactted women in the workforce. 

 

A worthwhile video, isn't it?

  
***

And just to finish...

Have a look at the following video

dedicated to all the Modern Women I know...

 Have a lovely International Women's Day!

.

SPORTS & MUSIC IN SOCIETY

                                                        Photo by João Vicente/JVC, via Flickr

Sport and Music are part of society. They often go hand-in-hand.

We all know that Sport and Music have many things in common. 

Both of them are universal languages with the same objective: 

to bring people together.

Events such as football matches can be vehicles for promoting certain types of music.

An example of that are Spain’s biggest football teams: Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

For many people there is a connection between some songs and the mentioned football teams. 

Can you guess the songs we refer to?

The two selected songs are very popular among people in general, 

and especially popular among football players.

Watch the following videos and complete the chart:

VIDEO  1	VIDEO  2
Song:	Song:
Singer:	Band:

                    VIDEO  1

                                          

                                                                 VIDEO 2

                                                                                

* * * * *

Some NOTES about the two selected songs, taken from Wikipedia.

Notes on Video 1

“Popularity in football”

The song became extremely popular in Spain and all over Europe after Real Madrid players Marcelo Vieira and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated a goal dancing to the choreography of the song. Playing in the National Professional Football League of Spain, the dance was performed by the two players after Ronaldo scored the first goal against Málaga CF on October 22, 2011.

Notes on Video 2

“Sporting usage”

The song also became the anthem of Spanish football club FC Barcelona during the 2008-09 season. It turned out to be a season of unprecedented success for the Spanish club in 2009, as they won all six competitions they could possible be involved in, which no football club has managed before in history. The song was selected by the manager of the club, Guardiola - himself a fan - to help motivate and encourage his team. It is often played at the Camp Nou before the start of a Barcelona match.

 * * * * *

Now, considering the 2 SONGS and the 2 Football Teams,
Real Madrid and FCBarcelona, ...

... Can you guess which song is connected with each football team?

	VIDEO  1	VIDEO  2
FOOTBALL TEAM

ANSWERS.-

ANSWER  -  VIDEO 1

 

ANSWER - VIDEO 2

* * * * *

... And you?

Do you know other examples of music related to sports?

.

Watsap ? Wassup ? or Whatsup ?

                                                                                     W.  logo

 

Perhaps you use it everyday,

Or a friend of yours uses it frequently.

I’m sure you know what it is.

And probably, you pronounce it correctly 
( ... even with an English accent ).

But … 

 ... How do you write it properly?

…??

Watsap ?  Wassup ?  or  Whatsup ?

… ??

(No idea ??)

 

It’s…  “WhatsApp” !!

And “WhatsApp” comes from English:

WhatsApp =  
What  +  App (Application)

… and playing with words…

You also have, in English, the expression

“What’s up?” (meaning “What is it going on?”),

pronounced in a very similar way.

*****

 What is a “WhatsApp" ?

According to the English version of Wikipedia,

“WhatsApp Messenger is an instant messaging application for smartphones. In addition to basic messaging WhatsApp Messenger users can send each other images, video and audio media messages.” (…)

According to the Spanish version of Wikipedia,

“WhatsApp es un software de mensajería instantánea para smartphones. Además del envío de texto, permite la transmisión de imágenes, video y audio, así como la localización del usuario siempre y cuando exista la posibilidad. La aplicación utiliza la red de datos del dispositivo móvil en el que se esté ejecutando, por lo tanto funciona conectada a internet a diferencia de los servicios tradicionales de mensajes cortos o multimedia.” (…)

***

FURTHER READING.- (English  &  Spanish)

You can read more about “WhatsApp”, 
its advantages and disadvantages, 
on the following blog .

***

But, If you are a user of “WhatsApp”,

… Be careful !!

“WhatsApp” can be “dangerous” on some occasions.

As an example of it,

Have a look at the following 
short film “Doble_Check”

(in Spanish with English subtitles):

 

And you… ??

Do you …“WhatsApp”  ??

 

*** 

A HUMOROUS  ENDING.-

Let’s finish this post with a video from the “Carnival of Cádiz” (a well-known city from the South of Spain, famous by its Carnival).  The feeling of this Carnival is the sharp criticism and the funny play on words. The most famous groups are the “chirigotas”; satiric popular groups singing about politics and household topics, wearing the same costume.

The following video is a song about “WhatsApp” , by a “chirigota” called “Los Puretas del Caribe” from the 2012 edition of the “Carnival of Cádiz”.

Hope you like it !

 ¡¡ Menuda "guasa" !!

.

Valentine's Day

Some Orchids and a Song...

To all those who are STILL in LOVE

 

 

"Orchids", by Meral Alkan

Let's celebrate Valentine's Day

with a picture (taken by a friend of mine)

and a well-known song.

 

 

Let me share both of them

with all of you.

 

 

Listen to the song

"You're still the one"

by Shania Twain

and smell (?) the "Orchids"

by Meral Alkan.

 

 

*************************************************************************    SONG 

Thank you, Meral

Thank you, Shania

.

Karaoke-addiction

If an "alcoholic" is a person addicted to alcohol,

a "chocaholic" is a person addicted to chocolate,

and a "workaholic" is a person addicted to work,...

... How can you call a person addicted to "Karaoke"?
...

... "Karaholic" ??
  ?!?!?!?

I don't think so.

Nowadays, there are many new words in the English language ending with "-holic" and meaning: "addicted to (something)". In fact, We can hear today to the man / woman in the street using words such as...

 "alcoholic","chocaholic","workaholic","sexaholic","shopaholic","wikiholic", etc; 

So,... why not using "Karaholic" ??

Perhaps, it is because it doesn't sound very well...

At least, ... to the Spanish speakers!!

Anyway,... 

whether you have a "Karaoke-addiction" or not,
you can practise Karaoke and have a good time!!

It is not bad. It can be a great fun!!
...

Karaoke (according to Wikipedia) is a form of interactive entertainment in which people sing along with recorded music, while the lyrics of the song are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol or changing color to guide the singer.

Why don't try singing Karaoke with the help of ...,
for example,... 
Whitney Houston?

Try  Vevolyrics ...

I hope you like it!! 

Good luck & Enjoy your singing!!

.

GOODBYE, WHITNEY !!

Whitney Houston dies at 48

Today, Legendary Pop Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48.

BREAKING NEWS.-

You can read more about this BREAKING NEWS either in English or in  Spanish.

* * *

Let’s pay tribute to Whitney Houston, 

remembering her first film role in “The Bodyguard”, 

released in 1992 and co-starring Kevin Costner.

The film's soundtrack, like the film itself, also enjoyed a big success. 

She produced and contributed with six songs for the film's soundtrack of that film. 

The main single was "I Will Always Love You".

Houston's version of the song was acclaimed by many critics, regarding it as her "signature song".

* * *

 Listen to

"I Will Always Love You"

I hope you like it!

... And if you have not watched yet

"The Bodyguard" ("El Guardaespaldas") ...

here you are some images of the film

illustrated by the previous song.

      

                                
                                                                               Good-bye Whitney

R.I.P.

(Rest In Peace)

WORLD CANCER DAY 2012

Photo "Reflection on the Window"

by Meral Alkan

Today is World Cancer Day.

World Cancer Day is marked on February 4

to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage

its prevention, detection and treatment.

Don't forget that...

Cancer can be prevented !!

It can be prevented, according to experts, through changing your lifestyles habits.

This year 2012 the campaign "Stand Up and Do Something" emphasizes

that 40 % of cancers can be prevented through different healthy behaviours...

For example:

- Provide a smoke-free environment

- Be physically active

- Eat a balanced, healthy diet, and avoid obesity

- Learn about vaccines against viruses that cause cancers

- Avoid over-exposure to the sun

Have a look at the following video about the mentioned campaign...

"STAND  UP  TO  CANCER"

For Further Information about it you can have a look at this link .

***

To commemorate this date,
let's listen to the song "Just Stand Up"
performed by different artists:

Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Mariah Carey,
Natasha Bedingfield, Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood,
Leona Lewis, Keyshia Cole, Nicole Scherzinger, Ashanti and Ciara.

There is a mesage in this song

and this is what it's about...

Can you complete such a message:

_____  _____  up,

_____  _____  up !!

SELF-CORRECTION:

You can check your anwers at the lyrics of the song (line 18)

***

Remember that...
Cancer can be prevented !!

.

PEACE DAY (II)

"Non-violence is a weapon of the strong". 

Mahatma Ghandi

What is peace? 

Peace is when you care for others,
Peace is when there is no violence in the world,
Peace is much more powerful then evil,
Peace is easily found when you give others what you desire,
Peace is the answer to all the wars in the world,
Peace is when there is unity among all the people,
Peace is when your soul can rest,
Peace is when there is hope of good above,
Peace is when there is love for others,
Peace is when there is acceptance in the world,
Peace is bringing joy to the world,
Peace is in helping others

This is what Peace is,
This and much more!

                                                       by Uzma Nadeem

                                                                            (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-is-peace-4)

                                                                                                              

SCHOOL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE AND PEACE

DÍA ESCOLAR DE LA PAZ Y LA NO VIOLENCIA

The School Day of Non-violence and Peace is a pioneering, non-state, non-governmental, non official, independent, free and voluntary initiative of Non-violent and Pacifying Education, which is now practised in schools all over the world and in which centres of education, teachers and students of all levels and from all countries are invited to take part.

It is celebrated on January 30 every year, on the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi. 

It advocates a permanent education in and for harmony, tolerance, solidarity, respect for human rights, non-violence and peace.

Its basic message is:

“Universal Love, Non-violence and Peace.Universal Love is better than egoism, Non-violence is better than violence, and Peace is better than war”.

*  *  *  *  *

Why don't we celebrate the School Peace Day with one of the live concerts with "Pavarotti & Friends" ?

We refer to the Classic "We are the World", performed by Pavarotti and a group of famous singers, like Laura Pausini, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Joe Cocker, ...

ACTIVITIES

* LISTENING ACTIVITY:   JUMBLED LINES

1.- Listen to "We are the World", by Pavarotti & Friends, and...
*Put the 8 lines of the Chorus into the correct order:

Chorus:

..... Just you and me
..... It's true we'll make a better day
..... We're saving our own lives
..... There is a choice we're making
..... So let's start giving
..... We are the ones who make a brighter day
..... We are the children
..... We are the world

SELF-CORRECTION.- 

You can check you answers here .

* MUSICAL STYLES:

DID YOU KNOW THAT...?

In music, like in life itself, 

different voices and different musical styles 

can be together in perfect harmony.

The previous video is a clear example of that;

don't you think so? 

;-)

* Watch the video again and pay attention to the following artists when they sing "solo" 

and put them in chronological order (order of appearance in the video):

1st:......Lionel Richie......            4th:...........................

 2nd:.............................                5th:...........................

  3rd:.................................               6th:..........................

Gloria Estefan  -  Lionel Richie  -  Laura Pausini  -  Ricky Martin  -  Joe Cocker  -  Boyzone   

****

Just to finish,

Let's remember Gandhi's words:

"Love is better than egoism,

Non-violence is better than violence, 

Peace is better than war".

For Further Information.-

You can read and learn about Peace Heroes 

all over the world, like Mahatma Ghandi .

PS. (1): Answers to the previous activity about MUSICAL STYLES: 1st:Lionel Richie / 2nd: Gloria Estefan / 3rd: Joe Cocker  / 4th: Ricky Martin / 5th: Boyzone / 6th: Laura Pausini . 
PS. (2): You can also have a look at the post "PEACE DAY" published on this "English@Edrissis" on January 30, 2011

 

CAN YOU...

... "SET FIRE TO THE RAIN" ?

Really it is very difficult, if not impossible...

However, Adele can do it!

“Singing is literally my life, my hobby,

                               my love, my freedom and my job.”                             

Adele (London, 1988)

Do you know ADELE ?

Adele (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer-songwriter.
Today her music is a real success in the UK and in the US and she is number one as female solo artist.
She is the first artist to sell more than 3 million copies of an album in a year in the UK.
Adele became the first living artist to achieve the feat of two top five hits in both the UK Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously since the Beatles in 1964.
Adele has also received two Grammy Awards, for "Best New Artist" and "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance". For many critics, she is considered an artist in love and passion for music, with an amazing voice singing about real things.

* * * *

If you don't know her music yet, let me introduce it to you with her song...

"SET FIRE TO THE RAIN".

Watch the following video-clip
with her performance at "The Royal Albert Hall".

Close your eyes 

& 

Enjoy her voice !!

Do you like it?
;-) ... I hope so!

Now, To get to know her music in more detail, let's try the following...

ACTIVITIES

 * LYRICS:

1.- Listen to the song again and fill in the gaps using the following parts of the body
(There are 2 extra words that aren't used):


Heart (2)     feet      nose     arms     knees
Face (3)      eyes      legs       hands     lips

                

"Set Fire To The Rain"

I let it fall, my _____ (1),
And as it fell you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my _____ (2)
and you saved me

My _____ (3), they're strong
But my _____ (4) were far too weak
To stand in your _____ (5)
Without falling to your _____ (6)

But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew.
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true,
And the games you play
You would always win, always win.

[Chorus:]
But I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your _____ (7),
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name!

When laying with you
I could stay there
Close my _____ (8)
Feel you here forever
You and me together
Nothing is better

'Cause there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew,
All the things you'd say,
They were never true, never true,
And the games you play
You would always win, always win.

[Chorus:]
But I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your _____ (9),
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name!

I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
Well, it felt something die
'Cause I knew that there was the last time, the last time!

Sometimes I wake up by the door,
That _____ (10) you caught must be waiting for you
Even now when we're already over
I can't help myself from looking for you.

[Chorus:]
I set fire to the rain,
Watched it pour as I touched your _____ (11),
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name

I set fire to the rain,
And I threw us into the flames
Well, it felt something die
'Cause I knew that, that was the last time, the last time, oh, ohhhh!

Oh noooo
Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh
Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh
Let it burn
Oh oh ohhhh

SELF-CORRECTION.-

Check your answers here .

* READING / LISTENING COMPREHENSION:

1.- Many people think that Adele “writes poetry” in her songs.
In “Set Fire to the Rain” she uses the word “rain” as a metaphor to refer to …

a) bath
b) shower
c) cry

2.-The song describes …

a) a happy woman with economic problems
b) a sad man with no money
c) the contradictory elements of a relationship and the impossibility of letting go

3.- Reason your previous answer with the lyrics of the song:

a) “It was dark and I was over/Until you kissed my lips and you saved me.”
b) “My hands, they're strong/But my knees were far too weak.”
c) "You and me together, nothing gets better/But there’s a side to you that I never knew, never knew/All the things you'd say, they were never true, never true/And the games you play, you would always win."


* PERSONAL OPINION:

According to her opinion, ...

"She wants to make music as personal as possible" . 

What do you think about that statement? Do you think she achieves her purpose?                                                              

                                                                           *  *  *

For Further Information.-

Have a look at her official website, that includes:

biography, blog, news, photos, videos and forum.

PS. Answers to the previous READING / LISTENING COMPREHENSION questions:
1.c / 2.c / 3.c