Idioms

Idioms may sound difficult, but unnoticeably, they are spoken everywhere. Start eavesdropping whenever you hear an English conversation on the street!

1. A Wild Goose Chase = Futile search

(Futile = useless, pointless)

Example : It was indeed a wild goose chase as I could not find find my book in the house. In the end, I found it on my office table top. 

2. All over the place = Everywhere

Example : I have looked all over the place, but I didn't find your earring still. 

3. Face the music = Face consequences later, usually negative consequences

Example : I would have to face the music when I get back, my mum knew I sneaked out to go to the karaoke instead of studying. 

4. Break the ice = Overcome shyness

Example 1: I will break the ice by speaking to her first.

Example 2: (In the party...) The ice breaking session will start in 5 minutes.

Autumn's weather vocabulary

Hail - pellets of frozen rain that fall in showers

Sleet - a form of precipitation consisting of ice pellets, often mixed with rain or snow

Ice pellets - ice cubes

Precipitation - water/moisture drops

Thunderstorm - Thunder, rain and wind

Rainstorm - heavy rain with strong wind

Pelting - Hitting hard
Example: The rain was starting to pelt as I rushed over to the balcony to retrieve my sun dried clothes.

Homophones

We all love speaking English, don't we? However so, the tricky things are words with the same sound, but they are actually written differently. They are known as 'Homophones'.

Well, it's not all bad. Sometimes, the similar sounds make you remember how could you pronounce the other same sound word!

Here are some pairings to enjoy:

1. bare-bear 
2. where-wear 
3. there-their-they're  
4. rite-right 
5. hare-hair 
6. throne-thrown 
7. raise-raze 
8. flour-flower 
9. pair-pear 
10. ate-eight 
11. size-sighs 
12. wait-weight 
13. roam-Rome 
14. wood-would 
15. site-sight 
16. feat-feet 
17. weight-wait 
18. beet-beat 

‘My friends and I’ or ‘me and my friends’?

‘My friends and I’ or ‘me and my friends’? Both can be correct!! Let's take a look.

"Me and my friends"

Look at these two sentences:

1. My father is taking me and my friends out to dinner.
2. My father is taking my friends and I out to dinner.

In this case, the first sentence is correct. The test is to shorten the sentences:

1. My father is taking me out to dinner. (Correct)
2. My father is taking I out to dinner. (Incorrect)

The correct version is:

1. My father is taking me and my friends out to dinner.

"My friends and I"

A similar test can be applied with the following two sentences:

1. My friends and I are going out for dinner.
2. Me and my friends are going out for dinner.

Just shorten the sentences:

1. I am going out for dinner. (Correct)
2. Me is going out for dinner. (Incorrect)

The correct version is:

1. I am going out for dinner.

However, remember that when speaking or writing in a casual/informal style, it’s not a hanging offense to break these rules! English is a flexible language, so don't be afraid to make mistakes, as sometimes, the mistakes often go unnoticed. After all, the best way to learn is always to make mistakes. 

Courtesy of http://wordwatchtowers.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/my-friends-and-i-or-me-and-my-friends/

Make an art wherever you are!

LIFE IS AN ART

                                          Make Good Art 

-Neil Gaiman

Les Misérables

Les Misérables is a musical that is ought not to be missed. 'Les Misérables' is in French, which means 'The Wretched' in English. Les Misérables originally written by Victor Hugo, and published in 1892. It is one of the greatest novel in the 19th century, which I do strongly agree. 

The tale tells about the poverty of France, at a time of monarchy ruling, where only the barricades could bring a change. Slavery, prostitution, opportunists reigned the grey skies back then. The story also highlights succulent romanticism and admirable life principles which depicts strong faith in humanity. We all learn from movies and novels, and this, nonetheless teaches us about keeping up the faith to find the silver lining behind the clouds. 

A full life performance of 'One Day More' on the Oscar night by the original actors and actresses:

My favourite piece from the movie is "Do You Hear The People Sing?" And a lyrical preview of the piece to enjoy:

Do you hear the people sing?

Singing a song of angry men?

It is the music of a people

Who will not be slaves again!

When the beating of your heart

Echoes the beating of the drums

There is a life about to start

When tomorrow comes! 

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger

A great weekend to everyone! Forget the workload, and clink a few glasses of drinks in the best evening of the week! Thus far, don't look back in anger!