Oscars 2013

História do Oscar

O Oscar é o mais conhecido e cobiçado prêmio do cinema hollywoodiano. Oferecido anualmente pela Academia de Artes e Ciências Cinematográficas (no original: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ou AMPAS) desde 1929, o prêmio foi uma idéia de Louis B. Mayer, chefe do estúdio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). No primeiro ano, os ganhadores do troféu iam para a noite de cerimônias já sabendo quem tinha ganhado em cada categoria. Depois, a Academia passou a liberar os vencedores para a imprensa, que poderia estampar suas manchetes na manhã seguinte. Mas tudo mudou depois que o Los Angeles Times publicou a lista antes da premiação, estragando as surpresas. E assim, desde 1941, os envelopes são abertos apenas na cerimônia de entrega dos prêmios.

http://omelete.uol.com.br/oscar/

Here are the nominees for Best Picture 2013:

Amour

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild (Indomável Sonhadora)

Django Unchained

Les Misérables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook (O Lado Bom da Vida)

Zero Dark Thirty

Poem : New Beginnings

Brazilians say that the year begins officially only after carnival.
Well, here is a poem for a reflection about beginnings:

New beginnings

By Francis Jock

A new beginning is something we need once in awhile,
To make fresh start and wear a broad smile.
To forgive and forget is not quite the same,
As starting again with a mundane new name.

A change of the air, a place left unseen,
Perhaps a new face, not of a beauty queen.
A new house and a home, where no one cares
Who I am or once was, or the name that I bear.

Just over that mountain and across the sea,
Is where I'll find a new beginning for me.
In a land far away, in a port left alone,
I'll set up my shop and have a new home.

Tho' birthdays and holidays may come to pass,
Forgotten I'll be, no one's calling at last.
I can sleep in peace, not a wink will be lost,
On pillows so sweet, downy and soft.

Let me find this place where beginnings begin,
And yesterday's sorrows aren't welcome within.
A place that's secret and sunny and fair,
Oh, how I wish I could always be there.

But tomorrow will come and my life's incomplete,
Without fans and cameras and pundits replete.
I guess I'll get dressed and head down the stairs,
To see what today awaits me there.

Beginnings will come and beginnings will go,
Today I'll dance, tomorrow I'll stroll.
And every morning I'll say a short prayer,
New beginnings and tomorrows will always be there.

http://www.helium.com/items/2023205-poem-new-beginnings-a-fresh-start

Crazy English

Christmas in the USA

The United States has such a diversity of cultures and traditions, it is actually quite difficult to say what is uniquely American. Many of the Christmas holiday activities vary from family to family and often depend on the cultural heritage of the family members. A typical Christmas celebration in America mix Irish, Austrian, Polish and Belgian traditions into something that is its own. 

Notwithstanding the variety of cultures and nationalities, there is an 'ideal' Christmas tradition which seems to be accepted by many is that Christmas is a family time with a great deal of travel happening over the holidays. The differing climates of the United States also have an influence on what happens at Christmas time. For some places the idea of a Christmas with a sparkling blanket of snow is perfect, for some planning to spend the day at the beach is ideal while some look forward to warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. 

The Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree plays an important part in the holiday tradition. Often times it is topped by a star to represent the Star of Bethlehem, or by an angel which announces the birth of Christ. Many family trees have ornaments from more than one generation. Often times the heritage of the families are represented by the kind of decorations on the trees. Lights are a must and the more the better. The tree is often placed so that it can be viewed by passers-by in the street. Many living or family rooms are on the street-side in American homes. 

Decorations
Many families also decorate outside of the home with regional traditions and according to the weather. Some form of lighting are often used on the homes and in the yards during the holidays. There are snowmen, Santas, manger scenes, snowflakes, reindeer, and other lighted displays in many neighborhoods. Others outline the architectural features of their homes in lights. There is sometimes a creche placed that represents the stable wherein the Christ child was born and has Mary, Joseph, the Child and various animals in attendance. 

Food
Food plays an important part in the American Christmas. It is often a time of an extended open house with friends dropping by to bring gifts or just to wish everyone a happy holiday. At this time it is appropriate to offer these guests food and beverage, so many homes have a variety of treats prepared in advance for these occasions. Although many families serve a variety of menus for Christmas dinner, the standard fare seems to include turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, a salad and some sort of dessert. 

Churches
Various churches play an important part in the American Christmas. Many families feel that it is important to go to church on Christmas. There are also a variety of associated activities such as church dinners, live Nativity scenes, choir concerts, special church services, and a fostering of the spirit of giving to those less fortunate.

Source:
http://www.happywink.org/christmas-day/christmas-in-america.html

Anagrams

Do you like playing with words?
Try to solve these anagrams!
Example: ARE // a part of the head - EAR

1. TOOLS // a seat without a back or arms 
2. MILES // an expression which means that you are pleased 
3. MEAT // a group of players in a competitive game 
4. READ // a person you esteem 
5. DEEPS // velocity 
6. LEADER // a player who gives cards in a game 
7. LISTEN // not making any noise 
8. MASTER // a small, narrow river 
9. TAVERNS // a person that serves others 
10. ADMIRER // not single  

Idioms related to Shopping

Thank God, Christmas is coming!
That means summer, vacation, beach... but before all that, shopping!
Have you shopped for any Christmas presents yet?
Well, to help your English learning, here are some idioms related to shopping:

shop around	If you shop around, you visit a number of shops selling similar articles in order to compare the prices.You can usually save money by shopping around.
shop till you drop	If you shop till you drop, you go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted.In Brazil, people usually shop till they drop the day before Christmas.
shopping spree	If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually with much spending of money.Many Brazilias go on a shopping spree as soon as they get their thirteenth salary.
shopping therapy	This term refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better.A little shopping therapy can usually cheer up some women.
window shopping	When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.I haven't been paid yet, so I can only go window shopping.

Funny Sentences!

1. I’ll buy you 11 Roses; 10 real and 1 fake. And I’ll love you until the last rose dies.
2. I am a nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect.
3. I stepped on a cornflake, and now I am a cereal killer.
4. Isn’t having a smoking section in a restaurant like having a peeing section in a swimming pool?
5. Future depends on your dreams. So go to sleep.
6. You all laugh because I’m different – I laugh because you’re all the same.
7. Children in backseats cause accidents. Accidents in backseats cause children.
8. Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.
9. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and then used against you.
10. Behind every successful man, there is a woman. And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two or more.