SpeaknLearn.English's Posts (4)

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My EC friend Tara Benwell introduced me to a very interesting link called Storybird. It's a fun way of storytelling. I find it very effective for young readers and learners. Thank you Tara! 

 

For my first Storybird, "I Love Counting Balloons" I kept it simple just like child's play. I hope you like it, just like my granny kids Dwan and Eunice do.   http://storybird.com/books/i-love-counting-balloons/   

Happy reading!

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Do you know what day it is on Sunday, 8th of May? It's Mother's Day. 

 

It's the second Sunday of May and most countries honor mothers and motherhood. It is celebrated as Mother’s Day.  Share us your stories about how it is celebrated in your country. This is a nice time to remember how we love our mother. And it is great to know how people from other countries express their love for  their moms. To name a few of the countries that celebrate this special day on the second Sunday of May are Belgium, Australia, Philippines, United States of America, Venezuela, Taiwan, Canada, Japan, Malaysia New Zealand, and Malta.

 

In the Philippines, it is a time to spend with our mother. She becomes the center of affection and recognition for all her unselfish love of bringing up the children and taking care of the family. Members of the family gather together for a simple feast at home. In a simple but loving way, we give her tokens of appreciation. She enjoys receiving a flower, or a greeting card, or a special meal, or  we watch a movie together , or just stay home enjoying the day.  If it is not possible to be home on that day, children call home and greet their mom  or send her cards and flowers.  In our country she is fondly called Ina, Inay, Nanay, Inang, Mama, Mamang, Mommy, Mader, Ma and Mamita.

 

Today I remember my most loved mother, and I want to share with you my poem for her. 

 

I Love my Mama..

I remember her fragile hand when I touched her

Her whispers full of love and care when I was troubled

Her wisdom she shared to me when I seeked her advice

Her smiling face when I have given birth to my eldest

Her caring ways when she looked after my sons while I was at work

I remember the late nights we stayed up sharing endless stories

The early walks we had in the morning

The delicious meal we prepared together

The sweet lullaby she sang to my baby

The special fried chicken she saved for me after school

The all-time-favorite spaghetti she always cooked for us

The hard earned money she saved to buy me my Prang

Her favorite reminder to all of us to “Love One Another”

Her unparalleled patience, kindness and love

Her sacrifice being a mom to all six of us.

I love you Ma.  -  SLE-MCE 06052011

 

On that special how do you celebrate Mother’s Day?  Come and join the discussion.

 

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Listen and Relax

After a long day at work and with all the hustle and bustle of the day, I always  take time to relax with music, sorting out my thoughts. Today it was Queen’s “Too much love will kill you” that caught my attention. It is a song written by Queen guitarist Brian May, Frank Musker, and Elizabeth Lamers. It was released four years after Freddy Mercury's death.

 

It is a very powerful song. While I was listening, I gave it a thought. I wondered what was on the guitarist’ mind  when he wrote the song. It is a love song meant  to move listeners' hearts. Is it a song of defeat or success? Of longing or freedom from “the lover and the love you leave behind” ?

 

And I heard Pavarotti’s version of the song too.. Wow! Queen’s Roger Taylor and Brian May  with Pavarotti rendition was a blast. The singing in English and Italian combination added a very rare and  amazing musical experience.

 

I share to my EC friends, the lyrics.  And I have included the link so you can listen to it too.

 

 

I’m just the pieces of the man I used to be

Too many bitter tears are raining down on me

I’m far away from home

And I’ve been facing this alone

for much too long ooh...

 

(Luciano Pavarotti )

Io sento che qualcuno non mai

ha detto mai su come

poi si riesce a vivere così

nella mente mia confusa

guardo indietro

per capire dove sbagliai Oh.. Oh.. oohh

 

Brian May or Freddy Mercury

 

Too much love will kill you

If you can’t make up your mind

Torn between the lover and the love you leave behind

You’re headed for disaster ’cos you never read the signs

Too much love will kill you, every time

 

(Luciano Pavarotti )

Son solo l’ombra di quell’uomo che ero io

e sembra che non trovo un’latra via per te

io a te portavo il sole

adesso quel che faccio butto giù

Oh.. Oh.. oohh

 

Brian May or Freddy Mercury

 

How would it be if you were standing in my shoes

Can’t you see that it’s impossible to choose

No there’s no making sense of it

Every way I go I have to lose

yeah....

 

(Luciano Pavarotti )

Troppo amor ti uccide

ma nessuno amore no

ma la forza che tu hai dentro

che ti fa gridar ancor

di dolore impazzirai

sei la vittima e lo sai

Troppo amor ti uccide

e lo sai

 

Brian May’s Solo Guitar Part

 

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♪ ♫♪ ♪♫♫

 

(Luciano Pavarotti )

Troppo amor ti uccide

la tua vita è una bugia

 

Brian May or Freddy Mercury

Yes, too much love will kill you

And you won’t understand why

You’d give your life you’d sell your soul

But here it comes again

 

Luciano Pavarotti

Too much love will kill you... uuh

 

Both or all... kind of

 

In the end... In the end In the end...

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6522l_queen-pavarotti-too-much-love-will_music

 

 

 

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Have you heard of a nice song today? how did you feel listening to the song? What is your favorite song?

 

I heard this song from a friend's page (Learner) here in EC. BROKEN ANGEL by Arash. It is the first time i heard it. I got interested to browse and google it. I found the artist' page on MYSpace and related links in YouTube for it's video.

 

the song has that effect on me i had to play it a couple of times for the lyrics to sink in. " im so lonely broken angel .. listen to my heart.."  is it because i feel lonely today? or the video is so emotionally captivating with its effects ? 

 

Have you heard of a nice song today? how did you feel? What is your favorite song? 

 

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