среда, 31 июля 2013 г.

Reading UP-WISH by Roger W Hancock

Andre Kosslick

Dreams and reality

Painter Konstantin Alaialov
Dear friends! Happy to see you again!
Today I want we to meet an interesting painter Konstantin Alaialov. Do you like this picture? Hope, you do! 
But , as usual, I have a task for you:let's continue the list of antonyms using this amazing picture: 

outside - inside, dreams- reality, happy- sad,colourful - colourless...

What is yours?

вторник, 30 июля 2013 г.

Improve your listening skills: Bridgit Mendler Ready or Not (video,song)





Dear friends!
  This is one more  exercise for improving your listening skills.  Will you listen to this popular song and fill in the gaps in the verses. Don't forget to check yourself !


I’m the kinda girl who doesn’t__ _ __
Who sits at the curb and waits__ __ __
I’m about to break out__ __ ___ ___
I’m like a crook____
I caught you  __ __  __and
I was thinking  ___
And now I’m ___ _ ___ and
I’m huntin’ for the ___
And I’m kinda shy you’re___ __
I could be your kryptonite

ohh ohh ohh
Light my heart up baby like a____
Ohh ohh ohh
And hit the gas____

 
Ready or not here I come
Where ___ __ __ ___ is young
In the crowd the___ ____ ___
I will find you
Ready or not here I come
I like your face ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Just sing it la la la la la la and
I will find you
Ready or not
Ready or not

Hello___ ____ ___
____ ____ ___ ___
I think you’re famous, where  ___ __ __ ___?
You’ll be my William I’ll be your Kate
Livin’ like a ____
We could have a __ ___ __ ___ Oprah
__ cars and a yacht down in Boca
___ ____ ___ where ever you say yeah
We could be setting ___

ohh ohh ohh
Light my heart up baby like a matchstick
ohh ohh ohh 

And __ __ __quick
 
Ready or not here I come
Where you at the night is___
In the crowd the____ ___ ___
__ __ __ __
Ready or not__ __ ___
I like your face, do you like my song?

Just sing it la la la la la la and
I will find you
Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not here I come here
I come

You’re like __ __ __ __ __ in my lungs
You and me dance from __ __ __ __ __
Ready or not here I come boy its on
Ready or not here I come here I come


Where you at the night is young
In the crowd the music’s loud but
I will find you
Ready or not here I come

I like your face do you like my song,
just sing it la la la la la la and
I will find you
Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not

Notes
•   
kryptonite- fictional mineral from the stories about Superman which is famous for for being the ultimate natural weakness of Superman
•    William, Kate- Duke and  Duchess of Cambridge
•    Oprah - Oprah Gail Winfrey (born January 29, 1954) is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist.
•    Boca - Boca Raton is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA It is one of the most popular resorts in America

Check yourself here. I'm sure , you are OK!
    
I’m the kinda girl who doesn’t say a word
Who sits at the curb and waits for the world
I’m about to break out about to break out
I’m like a crook tonight
I caught you staring at me and
I was thinking clearly
And now I’m like a bee and
I’m huntin’ for the honey
And I’m kinda shy you’re super fly
I could be your kryptonite

ohh ohh ohh
Light my heart up baby like a matchstick
Ohh ohh ohh

And hit the gas quick
Ready or not here I come
Where you at the night is young
In the crowd the music’s loud but
I will find you
Ready or not here I come
I like your face do you like my song
Just sing it la la la la la la and
I will find you
Ready or not
Ready or not

Hello my name is
Nice to meet you
I think you’re famous, where have I seen you?
You’ll be my William I’ll be your Kate
Livin’ like a fairytale
We could have a palace right next to Oprah
37 cars and a yacht down in Boca
Take me away where ever you say yeah
We could be setting sail

ohh ohh ohh
Light my heart up baby like a matchstick
ohh ohh ohh

And hit the gas quick
Ready or not here I come
Where you at the night is young
In the crowd the music’s loud but
I will find you
Ready or not here I come
I like your face, do you like my song?
Just sing it la la la la la la and
I will find you
Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not here I come here
I come

You’re like a breath of fresh air in my lungs
You and me dance from the night to the dawn
Ready or not here I come boy its on
Ready or not here I come here I come



Where you at the night is young
In the crowd the music’s loud but
I will find you
Ready or not here I come
I like your face do you like my song,
just sing it la la la la la la and
I will find you

Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not
Ready or not

воскресенье, 28 июля 2013 г.

Butterfly Life by Roger W Hancock

     Painter    Friedrich Hechelmanns

            Butterfly Life
       by Roger W Hancock
 
A butterfly but first a bug.
Squiggly crawling eating leaves,
curling up in pupa cocoon.
Time elapse, a transformation,
to emerge as a beauty-fly.
Flying free in beauty glory,
a mate to join, then eggs to lay.
 
Metamorphosis of life
be lessons in change.
Changes inevitable,
in all forms of life.
 
Beauty we enjoy of the butterfly.
Motion, beauty a metaphor,
of the life we wish to live.
Struggles in life a surety,
must come first before success.
In those trials, we must remember,
the butterfly was first a bug.

пятница, 26 июля 2013 г.

Take a warning, happy lover! by Henry S. Leigh.

                                                           Painter        Harrison Fisher

Oh, the days were ever shiny
    When I ran to meet my love;
When I press'd her hand so tiny
    Through her tiny tiny glove.
Was I very deeply smitten?
    Oh, I loved like anything!
But my love she is a kitten,
    And my heart's a ball of string.

She was pleasingly poetic,
    And she loved my little rhymes;
For our tastes were sympathetic,
    In the old and happy times.
Oh, the ballads I have written,
    And have taught my love to sing!
But my love she is a kitten,
    And my heart's a ball of string.

Would she listen to my offer,
    On my knees I would impart
A sincere and ready proffer
    Of my hand and of my heart.
And below her dainty mitten
    I would fix a wedding ring--
But my love she is a kitten,
    And my heart's a ball of string.

Take a warning, happy lover,
    From the moral that I show;
Or too late you may discover
    What I learn'd a month ago.
We are scratch'd or we are bitten
    By the pets to whom we cling.
Oh, my love she is a kitten,
    And my heart's a ball of string.

                                 Henry S. Leigh.      

четверг, 25 июля 2013 г.

Reading Alexander Blok "The girl was singing in a church choir,"

 
  The girl was singing in a church choir,
  About the weary abroad, far away,
  About the ships in the sea, so dire,
  And those who'd forgotten their happy day.
 
  So sweet was her voice flying up into highness
  With shimmering beam on her shoulder of white,
  And every one listened watching from darkness
  The way the white garment was singing in light.
 
  And everyone thought that the joy was there,
  That the ships were all in a quiet bay,
  And the weary people abroad, full of care,
  Were now all blessed with a happy day.
 
  The voice was sweet, and the beam was shining,
  And only up there at the royal rack
  A child, conversant with secret, was crying
  That nobody, really, would ever come back. 
 Translator Alik Vagapov http://www.litr.pageforyou.ru/works/show.php?id=358

  Девушка пела в церковном хоре
  О всех усталых в чужом краю,
  О всех кораблях, ушедших в море,
  О всех забывших радость свою.
 
  Так пел её голос, летящий в купол,
  И луч сиял на белом плече,
  И каждый из мрака смотрел и слушал,
  Как белое платье пело в луче.
 
  И всем казалось, что радость будет,
  Что в тихой заводи все корабли,
  Что на чужбине усталые люди
  Светлую жизнь себе обрели.
 
  И голос был сладок, и луч был тонок,
  И только высоко, у Царских Врат,
  Причастный Тайнам, - плакал ребёнок
  О том, что никто не придёт назад.
 
  Август 1905

вторник, 23 июля 2013 г.

This is a boy!



The world has seen the royal baby for the first time as the future king left hospital with his ecstatic parents this evening, who revealed they had not yet chosen him a name.
Prince William and Kate waved and smiled broadly to the waiting cameras as they held their prince on the steps of the private Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London, 26 hours after he was delivered, weighing 8lbs 6oz.


Speaking for the first time since giving birth, an obviously moved Duchess of Cambridge said: 'It's been very emotional. Any parent will know what this feeling is like.'
As they left St Mary's carefully cradling their precious child, the Duke of Cambridge followed the steps his parents Charles and Diana took with him 31 years ago, when he was born there on June 21, 1982.
'He's a big boy, quite heavy. We're still working on a name,' he told reporters, adding: 'Well he has a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure.'
Confirming that the prince was overdue, William said: ‘I will remind him of his tardiness when he is older.’
With a huge smile he then added: ‘He’s got her looks thankfully’ to which the Duchess responded ‘No, no, no I’m not sure about that.’
The Duchess wore a lilac purple dress, with her long hair falling in waves around her face. The new father wore a blue open neck shirt rolled up to his sleeves with black trousers.
The couple then returned to the hospital as William held his son, swaddled in a blanket, before bringing him out again in his car seat
William then visibly breathed a sigh of relief when he successfully installed his baby on the back seat with his wife, before driving them home to Kensington Palace cheered on by a huge crowd.  

Listening Lenka - Everything At Once (Music Video)

Dear friends!
Today I'd like to propose you an interesting exercise for improving your listening skills.  You can listen to this amazing song and fill in the gaps in the verses:
 Everything At Once

As___ as a fox, as strong as an____.
As ____ as a hare, as brave as a ____.
As ___ as a bird, as neat as a ____.
As ____ as a mouse, as big as a _____.

All I wanna be, all I wanna be, oh.
All I wanna be is _____.

As ____ as a wolf, as sharp as a ______.
As _____as a bite, as dark as the ____.
As_____ as a song, as right as a _____.
As ____as a road, as ugly as a ____.

As _____ as a picture hanging from a ______.
_______ like a family, strong as I wanna be.
____ as day, as light as ______.
As _____ as nails, as grand as a _____.

All I wanna be oh, all I wanna be, oh.
All I wanna be is everything.
Everything at once.
Everything at once, oh.
Everything at once.

As warm as the sun, as silly as fun.
As cool as a tree, as scary as the sea.
As hot as fire, cold as ice.
Sweet as sugar and everything nice.

As ____as time, as straight as a ____.
As ____ as a queen, as buzzed as a ____.
_____ as a tiger, smooth as a _____.
_____ as a melody, pure as I wanna be.

All I wanna be oh, all I wanna be, oh.
All I wanna be is everything.
Everything at once.

Wish you good luck!

 Here is the full version:      
Everything At Once

As sly as a fox, as strong as an ox.
As fast as a hare, as brave as a bear.
As free as a bird, as neat as a word.
As quiet as a mouse, as big as a house.

All I wanna be, all I wanna be, oh.
All I wanna be is everything.

As mean as a wolf, as sharp as a tooth.
As deep as a bite, as dark as the night.
As sweet as a song, as right as a wrong.
As long as a road, as ugly as a toad.

As pretty as a picture hanging from a fixture.
Strong like a family, strong as I wanna be.
Bright as day, as light as play.
As hard as nails, as grand as a whale.

All I wanna be oh, all I wanna be, oh.
All I wanna be is everything.
Everything at once.
Everything at once, oh.
Everything at once.

As warm as the sun, as silly as fun.
As cool as a tree, as scary as the sea.
As hot as fire, cold as ice.
Sweet as sugar and everything nice.

As old as time, as straight as a line.
As royal as a queen, as buzzed as a bee.
Stealth as a tiger, smooth as a glider.
Pure as a melody, pure as I wanna be.

All I wanna be oh, all I wanna be, oh.
All I wanna be is everything.
Everything at once.
       


Love & Relationships - expressions and vocabulary Video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RudHRLUpKlQ

воскресенье, 21 июля 2013 г.

Happy Monday!


Reading. Be close to nature to understand yourself

                         Painter   T.C. Chiu

“How I go to the woods

Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.

I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.

Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.

If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.”

 Mary Oliver, Swan: Poems and Prose Poems

пятница, 19 июля 2013 г.

Just for fun: We'll diet tomorrow!

Ladies Who Love life! Bernyi Parker Designs

Phrasal Verbs : to be


                      Examples:

  • Molly is after a new doll for her birthday.
  • Many people are against this law.
  • The lesson is over. Good bye!
  • We are out of milk.  Who will go shopping?
  • What's up? Is something wrong?

Past Simple Tense


A WOMAN IS LIKE A FLOWER.

    Painter         Gerard Le Nalbaut

A WOMAN IS LIKE A FLOWER...
A woman is like a flower, to make her bloom you must shower her with tenderness and love. For passion to grow she will need to open the windows of her heart and mind. As a man it is important for to get to know a womans essence, her spirit. You than can see and uncover all that she is and will be to you. Who is she really beneath her looks? A womans fragrance, her smile, and the way she cares for herself when no one is looking will reveal to all who she is and what she will become to her lover. Men are drawn by the quiet in a womans way, the inner person. The way she moves, and the words she chooses to express her love.
A woman of elegance and warmth draws quality men to herself. One who will risk her diginity to show love for her man, knowing that by so doing, he will care for her deeply and tenderly. His need to protect such a precious jewel will overcome him completely. A spontaneous and sensual woman who likes to love emotionally, physically, and intimately. But who also knows that if you can not laugh together, you will not love each other. That is what men are looking for. Are you that like that flower?


 Quintin Gunn, USA

 http://www.voicesnet.org/displayonepoem.aspx?poemid=110450

четверг, 18 июля 2013 г.

Reading : Raindrops by Helen H. Moore


Raindrops

rain
drops
drip
down
all
day
long.
drip down,
slip down,
splashing out their song.
thunder-crashing
splishing
splashing,
slipping,
dripping,
raining down
their rainy
raindrop
song.
Helen H. Moore (1921-2005).

среда, 17 июля 2013 г.

All the best for you!


Interesting reading: description of a person.

  



Today online newspaper Mail Online ( 17.07.13) gives English learners an example of the description of a person. You can find it in the article "Comfy but certainly not chic:Sorry Jessica alba but not even you can pull off this summer's trend for dungarees" written by Joanna Crawley:

"She may be blessed with gorgeous features and a stunning figure but even Jessica Alba fails to make dungarees look stylish.
The 32-year-old actress was spotted making her way to her office in sunny Santa Monica on Tuesday, dressed in the unflattering denim overalls.
The Fantastic Four actress paired her rolled up dungarees with a striped sleeveless top and polka dot espadrille shoes.
It looks like Jess doesn’t do office-wear as the overall look was very casual. The star had slicked back her honey coloured locks into a top knot as she wore minimal make-up for her busy day out and about.
With a bright blue tote slung over her arm and carrying a water bottle and lunch bag, it looked like Jessica was preparing for a busy day at work."


 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2366694/Jessica-Alba-pull-summers-trend-dungarees.html#comments








Interesting reading: Carnival by Rebecca Lindenberg


вторник, 16 июля 2013 г.

For my readers!

White lie ?



It’s safe to say US President Barack Obama had no idea the trouble he’d find himself in after telling a kid journalist recently that his favourite food was broccoli.

Since then, comedians and Twitter users have served up entrée-sized servings of accusations that the president was dishonest with the pint-sized reporter.
If he did stretch the truth, Obama, a father of two, has plenty of company.

Some 84 percent of parents lie to their kids in the name of good parenting, according to a study released in November by the International Journal of Psychology

Are they right? 

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20130715-honesty-always-the-best-policy

Just for fun! Steps to your goal


The Flowers by Robert Louis Stevenson


Grammar : PAST SIMPLE vs USED TO

Learn more about Past Simple

пятница, 12 июля 2013 г.

Silver penny for babies sharing royal birthday


Silver penny to commemorate the birth of the Royal baby   
The silver penny has been stamped with the year 2013 and is worth £28
 

The Royal Mint is to give a "lucky" silver penny to babies born on the same day as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child.
More than 2,013 commemorative coins have been created to give to babies who share a birthday with the third in line to the throne.
Prince William hopes to be present for the birth, expected in mid-July, if his RAF duties allow.
The 1p silver coin has been stamped with the year 2013 and is worth £28.
The penny, which will be presented in a pink or blue pouch, features a shield of the Royal Arms, which can be seen in its entirety on the £1 coin.
Designer Matthew Dent chose the Royal Arms shield because it was in keeping with "the basis of coinage design in Britain for hundreds of years".


 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23176999

Living in London


среда, 10 июля 2013 г.

Meals and Meal Times.Breakfast in Britaine

Meals and Meal Times


Woodlands Junior School is in the south-east corner of England
Some people have their biggest meal in the middle of the day and some have it in the evening, but most people today have a small mid-day meal - usually sandwiches, and perhaps some crisps and some fruit.
We have three main meals a day:
  • Breakfast - between 7:00 and 9:00,
  • Lunch - between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m.
  • Dinner (sometimes called Supper) - The main meal. Eaten anytime between 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. (Evening meal)
Traditionally, and for some people still, the meals are called:
  • Breakfast - between 7:00 and 9:00,
  • Dinner (The main meal) - between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m.
  • Tea - anywhere from 5:30 at night to 6:30 p.m.
On Sundays the main meal of the day is often eaten at midday instead of in the evening. This meal usually is a Roast Dinner consisting of a roast meat, yorkshire pudding and two or three kinds of vegetables.
BREAKFAST
What is a typical English Breakfast?
Most people around the world seem to think a typical English breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, fried bread, mushrooms and baked beans all washed down with a cup of coffee. Now-a-days, however, a typical English breakfast is more likely to be a bowl of cereals, a slice of toast, orange juice and a cup of coffee.
Many people, especially children, in England will eat a bowl of cereal. They are made with different grains such as corn, wheat, oats etc.
In the winter many people will eat "porridge" or boiled oats.
What is the traditional English Breakfast?

Traditional English breakfast

The traditional English breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, sausages, fried bread, baked beans and mushrooms. Even though not many people will eat this for breakfast today, it is always served in hotels and guest houses around Britain.
The traditional English breakfast is called the 'Full English' and sometimes referred to as 'The Full English Fry-up'.

 resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/food/meals.htm

Installing British Summer


понедельник, 8 июля 2013 г.

How to pronounce the "th" sound !


https://www.facebook.com/LondonEnglishSummer?fref=ts

Let's improve our writing skills! A letter from a holiday resort .




Summer is the season when we have our vacations, it means, we have more  time for travelling. We visit fabulous places, try exotic food, do unusual activities. This is often called “summer life”. No doubt, we want to share our feelings and experiences with our friends or readers  of our blogs.

So, we have to learn the rules of writing a letter from a holiday resort describing your staying there.
Hope, you remember main parts of  any English composition! As far as you know, they are:

  •  Introduction.
Here you should greet your friends and inform them where you are staying. 
Hello friends! Greetings from Madrid!
Hi! I’m on holiday in Greece!
 Dear Paul,I’m writing to you from Italy! 
  • Main part includes some points. 
  1.  The first paragraph is about the place you are staying : where it is, what it is like, when you arrived there; accommodation you are staying in;
  2. Then you should describe the weather;
  3. After this you can tell your friends about sights you have visited and activities you have been doing since you arrived;
  4.  Don’t forget to tell your readers about your good and bad experience and your impressions.
  •  Conclusion.Here use phrases like these:
 I’m having so much fun!
I’m having the time of my life!
  • End the letter with such words:
More news later.
Hope to see you soon.



Vocabulary you can use:

Tropical, exciting, intoxicating, sunny, warm, tan, tranquil, lazy, cloudless sky, blue sky and azure water, play, casino, boating, swimming, cool water, warm sunny days, snorkeling, fishing, fresh fish, luscious lobster, colorful tropical fruits, golden coconut rum, placid blue waters, tropical,  fragant, luscious, quiet, relaxed, awesome,  resort I've ever stayed at...

A Dancing Girl By Frances Sargent Osgood

                                    Andrey Atroshenko Tancovschica s veerom
A Dancing Girl
 
By Frances Sargent Osgood


SHE comes—the spirit of the dance!   
  And but for those large, eloquent eyes,   
Where passion speaks in every glance,   
  She ’d seem a wanderer from the skies.   

So light that, gazing breathless there,           
  Lest the celestial dream should go,   
You ’d think the music in the air   
  Waved the fair vision to and fro!   

Or that the melody’s sweet flow   
  Within the radiant creature played,           
And those soft wreathing arms of snow   
  And white sylph feet the music made.   

Now gliding slow with dreamy grace,   
  Her eyes beneath their lashes lost,   
Now motionless, with lifted face,           
  And small hands on her bosom crossed.   

And now with flashing eyes she springs,—   
  Her whole bright figure raised in air,   
As if her soul had spread its wings   
  And poised her one wild instant there!           

She spoke not; but, so richly fraught   
  With language are her glance and smile,   
That, when the curtain fell, I thought   
  She had been talking all the while.   
 


Some interesting facts about Elizabeth II.



The Queen is Head of State of the UK and 15 other Commonwealth realms. The elder daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, she was born in 1926 and became Queen at the age of 25, and has reigned through more than five decades of enormous social change and development. The Queen is married to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and has four children and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.


Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten announce their engagement on 9 July 1947.




The couple, who had known each other for many years, were married in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. The event was fairly simple, as Britain was still recovering from the war, and Princess Elizabeth had to collect clothing coupons for her dress, like any other young bride. 


Lieutenant Mountbatten, now His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria. The Queen has paid public tribute to her husband on several occasions, recalling his loyal support and service to the country. 


Family life has been an essential support to The Queen throughout her reign. The family usually spends Christmas together at Sandringham in Norfolk, attending church on Christmas Day.
http://www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/Marriageandfamily/Marriageandfamily.aspx

суббота, 6 июля 2013 г.

Let's improve our English skills! Order of adjectives.





When there are two or more adjectives in a sentence , they usually go in this order :
  • opinion adjective
  • size
  • age
  • shape
  • colour
  • origin
  • material

 She often wears her amazing big new round white and yellow Arabian gold necklace .

But be careful! You shouldn't use a long list of adjectives. A noun is usually  described by one,two or tree adjectives at the most:

Look at that charming young American girl ! She is wearing a fashionable red silk dress.