WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

William Shakespeare Birth:


William Shakespeare was born in April, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, about 100 miles northwest of London. According to the records of Stratford's Holy Trinity Church, he was baptized on April 26. It was customary to baptize infants within days of their birth, so the traditional birth date of Shakespeare is April 23rd, St. George's day, the patron saint of England.

William Shakespeare Death:

William Shakespeare died in Stratford on April 23, 1616 and was buried on April 25, 1616.

William Shakespeare Marriage:

William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 27, 1582, or at least that's when the marriage certificate was issued. Shakespeare was 18; Anne was 26, eight years older than him.



Susanna was born around May 26, 1583; twins, Hamnet and Judith, were born around February 2, 1585.

William Shakespeare Education:

William Shakespeare was likely educated at the grammar school in Stratford from the age of six or seven.

William Shakespeare Accomplishments:

William Shakespeare published his first poem, "Venus and Adonis," in 1593. He then wrote 154 poems and 37 plays, and his fame has only increased with time.

William Shakespeare Lines From "Sonnet 18":

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date..."

William Shakespeare Lines from "Hamlet":

"To be, or not to be: that is the question."

- (Act III, Scene I)



"This above all: to thine own self be true."

-Act I, Scene III



"Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't."

-Act II, Scene II



"The play 's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king."

-Act II, Scene II



"Brevity is the soul of wit."

-Act II, Scene II



"Doubt that the sun doth move, doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt I love."

-Act II, Scene II



"I will speak daggers to her, but use none." -Act III, Scene II

William Shakespeare Lines from "As You Like It":

"All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts..."

-Act II, Scene VII



"How bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes!"

-Act V, Scene II



"Blow, blow, thou winter wind! Thou art not so unkind as man's ingratitude."

-Act II, Scene VII



"True is it that we have seen better days."

-Act II, Scene VII

William Shakespeare Lines from "Macbeth":

"There's daggers in men's smiles."

-Act II, Scene III



"Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it; he died as one that had been studied in his death to throw away the dearest thing he owed, as 't were a careless trifle."

-Act I, Scene IV



"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

-Act V, Scene V

William Shakespeare Brief Biography:

(1564-1616) British writer. William Shakespeare is recognized as one of the greatest writers of all time, known for works like "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Romeo and Juliet," "Othello," "The Tempest," and many other works.



With the 154 poems and 37 plays of Shakespeare's literary career, his body of works are among the most quoted in literature. Shakespeare created comedies, histories, tragedies, and poetry. Despite the authorship controversies that have surrounded his works, the name of Shakespeare continues to be revered by scholars and writers from around the world.
 
(from: http://classiclit.about.com/cs/profileswriters/p/aa_wshakespeare.htm)

Epiphany and the Magi

Names of the Magi

In the conventional version of the Christmas story, the wise men or magi:

·                        Gaspar,

·                        Melchior and

·                        Balthasar

started the gift-giving custom of Christmas by bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child on Epiphany, the day on which the infant was presented. The 3 magi have been described not only as wise men, but also as kings or Persian priests and astrologers.

Epiphany is the end of the Christmas season, 12 days after Christmas, which is, literally, the mass for Christ

Other Names for the Magi

The magi were given other names, as well, including Apellus, Amerus and Damasius, which were used in Peter Comestor's medieval Historia Scholastica (source: "A Lexicon of Christian Iconography," by Bruce M. Metzger; Church History, Vol. 45, No. 1 (Mar., 1976), pp. 5-15.).

Christ + Mass = Christmas

Christmas is often celebrated the evening before Christmas day, and Epiphany is often celebrated as the Twelfth Night. Gift-giving in some cultures extends throughout the 12 days of Christmas and in some places is limited to January 5 or 6. Similarly, for those who celebrate only Christmas, gifts are exchanged on either December 24, Christmas Eve, or December 25, Christmas Day. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 because of the difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

(By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide)

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs dead at 56

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - APPLE (AAPL.NQ)Inc co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on Wednesday at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues.

Jobs' death was announced by Apple in a statement late on Wednesday. The Apple.com homepage featured a black-and-white picture of him with the words "Steve Jobs, 1955-2011."

The Silicon Valley icon who gave the world the iPod and the iPhone had resigned as CEO of the world's largest technology corporation in August, handing the reins to current chief executive Tim Cook.

A survivor of a rare form of pancreatic cancer, he was deemed the heart and soul of a company that rivals Exxon Mobil as the most valuable in America.

"Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve," Apple said in a statement announcing Jobs' passing.

"His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

Job's health had been a controversial topic for years. His battle with cancer had been a deep concern to Apple fans, investors and the company's board alike. In past years, even board members have confided to friends their concern that Jobs, in his quest for privacy, wasn't being forthcoming enough with directors about the true condition of his health.

Now, despite investor confidence in Cook, who has stood in for his boss during three leaves of absence, there remain concerns about whether the company would stay a creative force to be reckoned with beyond the next year or so without its founder and visionary at the helm.

The news triggered an immediate outpouring of sympathy. Among others, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he will miss Jobs "immensely".

APPLE, NEXT, IPHONE

A college dropout, Buddhist and son of adoptive parents, Jobs started Apple Computer with friend Steve Wozniak in the late 1970s. The company soon introduced the Apple 1 computer.

But it was the Apple II that became a huge success and gave Apple its position as a critical player in the then-nascent PC industry, culminating in a 1980 IPO that made Jobs a multimillionaire.

Despite the subsequent success of the Mac, Jobs' relationship with top management and the board soured. The company removed most of his powers and then in 1985 he was fired.

Apple's fortunes waned after that. However, its purchase of NeXT -- the computer company Jobs founded after leaving Apple -- in 1997 brought him back into the fold. Later that year, he became interim CEO and in 2000, the company dropped "interim" from his title.

Along the way Jobs also had managed to revolutionize computer animation with his other company, Pixar, but it was the iPhone in 2007 that capped his legacy in the annals of modern technology history.

Two years before the gadget that forever transformed the way people around the world access and use the Internet, Jobs talked about how a sense of his mortality was a major driver behind that vision.

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life," Jobs said during a Stanford commencement ceremony in 2005.

"Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important."

"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." (Reporting by Edwin Chan; Editing by Gary Hill -

www.eleconomista.es)

THE BASSET-HOUND

THE BASSET-HOUND

The Basset was not familiarly known to British sportsmen before 1863, in which year specimens of the breed were seen at the first exhibition of dogs held in Paris, and caused general curiosity and admiration among English visitors. In France, however, this hound has been used for generations, much as we use our Spaniel, as a finder of game in covert, and it has long been a popular sporting dog in Russia and Germany. In early times it was chiefly to be found in Artois and Flanders, where it is supposed to have had its origin; but the home of the better type of Basset is now chiefly in La Vendee, in which department some remarkably fine strains have been produced.

There are three main strains of the French Basset--the Lane, the Couteulx, and the Griffon. The Griffon Basset is a hound with a hard bristly coat, and short, crooked legs. It has never found great favour here. The Lane hounds are derived from the kennels of M. Lane, of Franqueville, Baos, Seine-Inferieure, and are also very little appreciated in this country. They are a lemon and white variety, with _torse_ or bent legs. The Couteulx hounds were a type bred up into a strain by Comte le Couteulx de Canteleu. They were tricolour, with straight, short legs, of sounder constitution than other strains, with the make generally of a more agile hound, and in the pedigree of the best Bassets owned in this country fifteen years ago, when the breed was in considerable demand, Comte de Couteulx's strain was prominent and always sought for.

With careful selection and judicious breeding we have now produced a beautiful hound of fine smooth coat, and a rich admixture of markings, with a head of noble character and the best of legs and feet. Their short, twinkling legs make our Bassets more suitable for covert hunting than for hunting hares in the open, to which latter purpose they have frequently been adapted with some success. Their note is resonant, with wonderful power for so small a dog, and in tone it resembles the voice of the Bloodhound.

The Basset-hound is usually very good tempered and not inclined to be quarrelsome with his kennel mates; but he is wilful, and loves to roam apart in search of game, and is not very amenable to discipline when alone. On the other hand, he works admirably with his companions in the pack, when he is most painstaking and indefatigable. Endowed with remarkable powers of scent, he will hunt a drag with keen intelligence.

There are now several packs of Bassets kept in England, and they show very fair sport after the hares; but it is not their natural vocation, and their massive build is against the possibility of their becoming popular as harriers. The general custom is to follow them on foot, although occasionally some sportsmen use ponies. Their pace, however, hardly warrants the latter expedient. On the Continent, where big game is more common than with us, the employment of the Basset is varied. He is a valuable help in the tracking of boar, wolf, and deer, and he is also frequently engaged in the lighter pastimes of pheasant and partridge shooting.

The Earl of Onslow and the late Sir John Everett Millais were among the earliest importers of the breed into England. They both had recourse to the kennels of Count Couteulx. Sir John Millais' Model was the first Basset-hound exhibited at an English dog show, at Wolverhampton in 1875. Later owners and breeders of prominence were Mr. G. Krehl, Mrs. Stokes, Mrs. C. C. Ellis and Mrs. Mabel Tottie.

As with most imported breeds, the Basset-hound when first exhibited was required to undergo a probationary period as a foreign dog in the variety class at the principal shows. It was not until 1880 that a class was provided for it by the Kennel Club.

It is to be regretted that owners of this beautiful hound are not more numerous. Admirable specimens are still to be seen at the leading exhibitions, but the breed is greatly in need of encouragement. At the present time the smooth dog hound taking the foremost place in the estimate of our most capable judges is Mr. W. W. M. White's Ch. Loo-Loo-Loo, bred by Mrs. Tottie, by Ch. Louis Le Beau out of Sibella. Mr. Croxton Smith's Waverer is also a dog of remarkably fine type. Among bitch hounds Sandringham Dido, the favourite of Her Majesty the Queen, ranks as the most perfect of her kind.

The rough or Griffon-Basset, introduced into England at a later date than the smooth, has failed for some reason to receive great attention. In type it resembles the shaggy Otterhound, and as at present favoured it is larger and higher on the leg than the smooth variety. Their colouring is less distinct, and they seem generally to be lemon and white, grey and sandy red. Their note is not so rich as that of the smooth variety. In France the rough and the smooth Bassets are not regarded as of the same race, but here some breeders have crossed the two varieties, with indifferent consequences.

Some beautiful specimens of the rough Basset have from time to time been sent to exhibition from the Sandringham kennels. His Majesty the King has always given affectionate attention to this breed, and has taken several first prizes at the leading shows, latterly with Sandringham Bobs, bred in the home kennels by Sandringham Babil ex Saracenesca.

Perhaps the most explicit description of the perfect Basset-hound is still that compiled twenty-five years ago by Sir John Millais. It is at least sufficiently comprehensive and exact to serve as a guide:--

"The Basset, for its size, has more bone, perhaps, than nearly any other dog.
"The skull should be peaked like that of the Bloodhound, with the same dignity and expression, the nose black (although some of my own have white about theirs), and well flewed. For the size of the hound I think the teeth are extremely small. However, as they are not intended to destroy life, this is probably the reason.
"The ears should hang like the Bloodhound's, and are like the softest velvet drapery.
"The eyes are a deep brown, and are brimful of affection and intelligence. They are pretty deeply set, and should show a considerable haw. A Basset is one of those hounds incapable of having a wicked eye.
"The neck is long, but of great power; and in the _Basset a jambes torses_ the flews extend very nearly down to the chest. The chest is more expansive than even in the Bulldog, and should in the _Bassets a jambes torses_ be not more than two inches from the ground. In the case of the _Bassets a jambes demi-torses_ and _jambes droites_, being generally lighter, their chests do not, of course, come so low.
"The shoulders are of great power, and terminate in the crooked feet of the Basset, which appear to be a mass of joints. The back and ribs are strong, and the former of great length.
"The stern is carried gaily, like that of hounds in general, and when the hound is on the scent of game this portion of his body gets extremely animated, and tells me, in my own hounds, when they have struck a fresh or a cold scent, and I even know when the foremost hound will give tongue.
"The hind-quarters are very strong and muscular, the muscles standing rigidly out down to the hocks.
"The skin is soft in the smooth haired dogs, and like that of any other hound, but in the rough variety it is like that of the Otterhound's.
"Colour, of course, is a matter of fancy, although I infinitely prefer the tricolour, which has a tan head and a black and white body."

from: Dogs and All About Them by Robert Leighton

STUDENTS´S DAY - SPRING DAY

Student’s day is a day of the year celebrated in many countries and is usually related with youth and spring.

In Argentina, Student’s day is celebrated September 21st this also coincides with the beginning of spring and the day of the repatriation of the remains of the famous Argentinean teacher and president Domingo F. Sarmiento. Therefore there is a kind of unification of three events and the day is celebrated by everyone in Argentina.

Its origin is traced back to a proposal made by Salvador Debenedetti (a student at the moment, then he became a famous archeologist) in 1902 when he was the president of a Student Center of the University of Buenos Aires. His proposal was accepted and applied first in the University and then in the rest of the country.

In this type of celebration, youth is the main protagonist. There are usually all kinds of outdoor activities, live shows, concerts, etc. The Argentineans celebrate mostly by getting together with friends, having picnics and enjoying the outdoor life.

GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTIONS

Formal Greetings: Arriving

Good morning / afternoon / evening.
Hello (name), how are you?
Good day Sir / Madam (very formal)

Informal Greetings: Arriving

Hi / Hello
How are you?
What's up? (very informal)
How are you doing? (very informal)

It's important to note that the question "How are you?" or "What's up?" doesn't necessary need a response. If you do respond, these phrases are generally expected:

Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)
Fine / Great (informal)

Formal Greetings: Departing

Good morning / afternoon / evening.
It was a pleasure seeing you.
Goodbye.
Note: After 8 p.m. - Good night.

Informal Greetings: Departing

Goodbye / Bye.
See you (later).
Later (very informal

More Social Language Key Phrases

Introductions
Greetings
Special Days
Speaking to Strangers
Traveling phrases

2011 - YEAR OF THE RABBIT

What Is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is the most important of the Chinese holidays, and is a time of feasting with the family, celebration, fireworks, and gift-giving. It is a 15-day holiday, beginning on the first day of a new moon and ending with the full moon on the day of the Lantern Festival.

The Chinese calendar is based on the lunar year, so the date of Chinese New Year changes every year. The Chinese calendar follows a 12-year pattern with each year named after an animal. There are various stories which explain this. The simplest is that Buddha (or the Jade Emperor) invited all of the animals to join him for a New Year celebration, but only 12 animals turned up.

To reward the animals that did come, Buddha named a year after each of them in the order that they arrived, starting with the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. (Find another version of the story to print, below)
Depending on the year you are born, you are believed to have the various character traits of that year's animal.

Ancient Chinese legends tell of the Nian, a man-eating beast from the mountains which came out every winter to feast on humans. To scare the Nian away, the people used loud noises such as firecrackers and fireworks, and bright colors, particularly red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR YOU ALL!!!

VERBS FOLLOWED BY PREPOSITIONS

This list will help you remember English verbs and prepositions. Practise using them as much as possible to feel more confident.

accuse someone of something
"He accused her of stealing."

agree with someone / something
"I agree with you – you are absolutely right."

agree to do something
"She agreed to wait for him."

agree on something
"We've agreed on all the major points."

apply for
"I'm going to apply for a new job."

apologise for something
"She apologised for being late."

ask someone to do something
"She asked him to do the shopping for her."

ask someone for something
"She asked her boss for a day off."

believe in
"I believe in hard work."

belong to
"This pen belongs to me."

blame someone for doing something
"He blamed her for driving too fast."

blame something on someone
"He blamed the accident on her."

borrow something from someone
"He borrowed some money from the bank."

care about something
"I don't care about money."

care for someone
"She really cares for her grandmother."

take care of something / someone
"Please take care of yourself on holiday."

complain to someone (about something)
"He complained to her about the food."

concentrate on something
"The student concentrated on her homework."

congratulate someone on doing something
"He congratulated her on passing her exam."

consist of something
"The department consists of five people."

depend on someone
"She depended on her friends for support."

explain something to someone
"She explained the new system to them."

listen to someone
"The students listened to their teacher."

look at something
"Look at that view – it's wonderful."

look for something / someone
"Will you help me look for my book?"

look after someone
"I need to look after my mother – she's ill."

pay someone for something
"Can you pay me for the shopping later?"

prefer someone / something to someone
"I prefer coffee to tea."

protect someone from something
"A scarf will protect you from the cold."

provide someone with something
"They provide families with housing."

regard someone as
"She regarded her sister as her best friend."

rely on someone / something
"Can I rely on you to get the shopping?"

search for someone / something
"The police searched the building for bombs."

spend money / time on
"I spent all my money on books as a student."

think about someone / something
"I think about you all the time."

think about / of doing something
"I'm thinking about / of buying a new car."

think of something
"I've just thought of a new idea."
"What do you think of the new magazine?"

translate from something into something else
"Don't translate from English into French."

wait for someone
"I waited an hour for him, then went home."

warn someone about
"The doctor warned her about smoking."

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25–Christmas Day–has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

THE LOST MEANING OF HALLOWEEN

Ancient Origins of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).
The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred.
On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future.
For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.
During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.
The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.
Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

Choose a Topic for Your Essay (part 2)

Topic Has Been Assigned

You may have no choice as to your topic. If this is the case, you still may not be ready to jump to the next step.
Think about the type of paper you are expected to produce. Should it be a general overview, or a specific analysis of the topic? If it should be an overview, then you are probably ready to move to the next step. If it should be a specific analysis, make sure your topic is fairly specific. If it is too general, you must choose a narrower subtopic to discuss.
For example, the topic "KENYA" is a general one. If your objective is to write an overview, this topic is suitable. If your objective is to write a specific analysis, this topic is too general. You must narrow it to something like "Politics in Kenya" or "Kenya's Culture."
Once you have determined that your topic will be suitable, you can move on.

________________________________________
Topic Has Not Been Assigned

If you have not been assigned a topic, then the whole world lies before you. Sometimes that seems to make the task of starting even more intimidating. Actually, this means that you are free to choose a topic of interest to you, which will often make your essay a stronger one.
Define Your Purpose
The first thing you must do is think about the purpose of the essay you must write. Is your purpose to persuade people to believe as you do, to explain to people how to complete a particular task, to educate people about some person, place, thing or idea, or something else entirely? Whatever topic you choose must fit that purpose.
Brainstorm Subjects of Interest
Once you have determined the purpose of your essay, write down some subjects that interest you. No matter what the purpose of your essay is, an endless number of topics will be suitable.
If you have trouble thinking of subjects, start by looking around you. Is there anything in your surroundings that interests you? Think about your life. What occupies most of your time? That might make for a good topic. Don't evaluate the subjects yet; just write down anything that springs to mind.
Evaluate Each Potential Topic
If you can think of at least a few topics that would be appropriate, you must simply consider each one individually. Think about how you feel about that topic. If you must educate, be sure it is a subject about which you are particularly well-informed. If you must persuade, be sure it is a subject about which you are at least moderately passionate. Of course, the most important factor in choosing a topic is the number of ideas you have about that topic.
Even if none of the subjects you thought of seem particularly appealing, try just choosing one to work with. It may turn out to be a better topic than you at first thought.
Before you are ready to move on in the essay-writing process, look one more time at the topic you have selected. Think about the type of paper you are expected to produce. Should it be a general overview, or a specific analysis of the topic? If it should be an overview, then you are probably ready to move to the next step. If it should be a specific analysis, make sure your topic is fairly specific. If it is too general, you must choose a narrower subtopic to discuss.
For example, the topic "KENYA" is a general one. If your objective is to write an overview, this topic is suitable. If your objective is to write a specific analysis, this topic is too general. You must narrow it to something like "Politics in Kenya" or "Kenya's Culture."
Once you have determined that your topic will be suitable, you can move on.

(http://Iklivngston.tripod.com/essay/thesis.html)

How to write an Essay -part 1

HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY
An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same no matter what. You may be writing an essay to argue for a particular point of view or to explain the steps necessary to complete a task.
Either way, your essay will have the same basic format.
If you follow a few simple steps, you will find that the essay almost writes itself. You will be responsible only for supplying ideas, which are the important part of the essay anyway.
Don't let the thought of putting pen to paper daunt you.
Get started!
________________________________________
These simple steps will guide you through the essay writing process:
• Decide on your topic.
• Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas.
• Write your thesis statement.
• Write the body.
o Write the main points.
o Write the subpoints.
o Elaborate on the subpoints.
• Write the introduction.
• Write the conclusion.
• Add the finishing touches.

(I´ll include more details en next issues)

Prefer, would rather, had better

Prefer and would rather can be used interchangeably. As you indicate, Omar, when we are talking about general preferences, prefer is followed by verb-ing, thus:
• I prefer listening to music to watching TV.
• I'd rather listen to music than watch TV.

'd rather
However, when we are talking about specifics, would rather is used as an alternative to would prefer to followed by an infinitive. Would rather is very common in spoken English and is often abbreviated to 'd rather. It is used in this form with all personal pronouns:
I'd / you'd / he'd / she'd / we'd / they'd rather…
Study these examples:
• Would you like to go out for dinner tonight? ~ No, I think I'd rather eat at home / I'd prefer to eat at home.
• Would you rather drink beer or wine with the curry ~ I'd rather drink beer. What about you?
• They'd rather have the strawberries by themselves, but I'd prefer to have them with cream.

Note that would rather is followed by a bare infinitive without to, whereas prefer requires to + infinitive. Would rather (but not would prefer to) is also followed by a past tense when we want to involve other people in the action, even though it has a present or future meaning. Study the following:
• Shall we go out for dinner tonight? ~ No, I'd rather we ate at home, if you don't mind.
• Shall I write to Harry and tell him that we've sold the car? ~ I'd rather you didn't.
• My mother would rather we caught the bus, rather than walk home after the party.

Rather than means instead of and can be used in combination with would prefer to and would rather. Study the following and note the intricacies of the verb forms:
• Rather than lose precious sleep discussing it now, I think we should go to bed and talk about it in the morning.
• My mother would prefer us to email each other once a week, rather than spend half an hour on the phone every night.
• My mother would rather we emailed each other once a week instead of spending half an hour on the phone every night. In fact, she insists on it. So we'd better do that, I suppose.

'd better
Note that 'd better, which is similar structurally to 'd rather, is used to suggest necessary action. In this case however, 'd is the abbreviated form of had, not would. Like 'd rather, 'd better is followed by the bare infinitive without to. Study the following:
• We'd better not be late for the Ambasador's party. It would be unforgivable to arrive late.
• You'd better phone him and tell him that you're not going.
• They'd better buy me a Christmas present or I shall never forgive them.
Note that it is sometimes slightly threatening in tone, as in the last example. Had better is always more urgent than should or ought to and has the same force as I would advise you strongly to…. or We must / we mustn't….

English phrasal verbs with "up"

Here are some common English phrasal verbs that you can use in business situations. All these phrasal verbs use "up".

Build up = to make a business bigger, to develop contacts or a presence in the market: "We have built up the business over the years and it now employs over 20 people."

Come up = happen unexpectedly: "I'm afraid I can't make the meeting tomorrow. Something has come up."

Divide up = distribute : "We can divide up the commission among the sales staff."
Drive up = force up the prices or costs: "The uncertainty in the markets is driving up labour costs."

Meet up = make an arrangement to meet: "What time should we meet up on Wednesday?"

Open up = make a new market accessible: "The new laws have opened up trade in many markets."

Pass up = to not take an opportunity: "We can't pass up this chance of increasing productivity."

Set up = establish a company or arrange a meeting: "They set up the company in 1999."
"I've set up a meeting between you and the suppliers for 11 am tomorrow."

Start up = to start something new: "They've started up a new division in Southern Europe."

(A start up is a new company, often internet-based.)

Write up = write a report or minutes: "It'll take him at least a week to write up his findings."

Idiom Category: Transport & Travel

Idiom Category: Transport & Travel

As much use as a handbrake on a canoe
This idiom is used to describe someone or something as worthless or pointless.
Asleep at the wheel
If someone is asleep at the wheel, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at the switch' is an alternative.
Backseat driver
A backseat driver is an annoying person who is fond of giving advice to the person performing a task or doing something, especially when the advice is either wrong or unwelcome.
Beam me up, Scotty
Something someone says when they want to get out of a place or situation, meaning 'Get me out of here!'. (It comes from the TV series and movies Star Trek, though the exact words used were a little different.)
Circle the wagons
(USA) If you circle the wagons, you stop communicating with people who don't think the same way as you to avoid their ideas. It can also mean to bring everyone together to defend a group against an attack.
Climb on the bandwagon
When people climb on the bandwagon they do something because it is popular and everyone else is doing it.
Country mile
(USA) A country mile is used to describe a long distance.
Fall off the back of a lorry
(UK) If someone tries to sell you something that has fallen of the back of a lorry, they are trying to sell you stolen goods.
Fall off the wagon
If someone falls off the wagon, they start drinking after having given up completely for a time.
Fifth wheel
(USA) A fifth wheel is something unnecessary or useless.
Full throttle
If you do something full throttle, you do it with as much speed and energy as you can.
Go play in traffic
This is used as a way of telling someone to go away.
Hit the road
When people hit the road, they leave a place to go somewhere else.
I'll cross that road when I come to it
I'll think about something just when it happens, not in advance.
In high gear
(USA) If something is in high gear, it is in a quick-paced mode. If someone is in high gear, they are feverishly on the fast track.
In the driver's seat
If you are in the driver's seat, you are in charge of something or in control of a situation.
Jump on the bandwagon
If people jump on the bandwagon, they get involved in something that has recently become very popular.
Off the track
If something puts or throws you off your track, it distracts you or keeps you from achieving what you want.
On the wagon
If someone is on the wagon, they have stopped drinking alcohol.
Put the carriage before the horse
If you put the carriage before the horse, you try to do things in the wrong order.
Put the pedal to the metal
If you put the pedal to the metal, you go faster.
Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic
(UK) If people are rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, they are making small changes that will have no effect as the project, company, etc, is in very serious trouble.
Reinvent the wheel
If someone reinvents the wheel, they waste their time doing something that has already been done by other people, when they could be doing something more worthwhile.
Right up my alley
If something is right up your alley, it suits you perfectly.
Right up your street
If something is ideal for you, it is right up your street.
Running on fumes
If someone has used all their energy on something, but must continue, they are running on fumes. It is an expression used when driving a car when the needle is on empty but still running. We say it is 'running on fumes'.
Ship came in
If your ship has come in, something very good has happened to you.
Smooth sailing
If something is smooth sailing, then you can progress without difficulty. ('Plain sailing' is also used.)
Squeaky wheel gets the grease
(USA) When people say that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they mean that the person who complains or protests the loudest attracts attention and service.
Sunday driver
A Sunday driver drives very slowly and makes unexpected manoeuvres.
Take for a test drive
If you take something for a test driver, you try something to see if you like it.
That ship has sailed
A particular opportunity has passed you by when that ship has sailed.
There's never a road without a turning
No situation in life stays the same forever.
Throw someone under the bus
To throw someone under the bus is to get the person in trouble either by placing blame on that person or not standing up for him.
Traffucked
If you are traffucked, you are stuck in heavy traffic and get where you need to be.
Train of thought
A train of thought is a sequence of thoughts, especially when you are talking to someone and you forget what you were going to say.
Whatever floats your boat
When people say this, they mean that you should do whatever makes you happy.
Wheels fall off
When the wheels fall off something, it goes wrong or fails. ('Wheels come off' is an alternative.)
Where the rubber meets the road
(USA) Where the rubber meets the road is the most important point for something, the moment of truth. An athlete can train all day, but the race is where the rubber meets the road and they'll know how good they really are.

English idioms relating to TRAVEL - TRANSPORT

In the same boat If two or more parties in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant
or difficult situation.
"When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves in the
same boat.
Miss the boat If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because
you don't act quickly enough.
"I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer - but
I nearly missed the boat!
Rock the boat If you tell someone not to rock the boat, you are asking them to do
nothing that might cause trouble or upset a stable situation.
"After the recent riots, it was decided not to rock the boat by introducing
strict measures.
Paddle one's own canoe If you paddle your own canoe, you do what you want to do without help
or interference from anyone.
"He decided to paddle his own canoe and set up his own company."
Put the cart before the horse A person who puts the cart before the horse is doing things in the wrong order.
"Building a school before knowing the age of the population is putting the cart
before the horse.
Drive a hard bargain A person who drives a hard bargain always makes sure they gain advantage
in a business deal.
"Be prepared for tough negotiations with Stuart - he drives a bard bargain."
Drive someone up the wall If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something
that greatly annoys or irritates you.
"I can't concentrate with all the noise - it's driving me up the wall!
Backseat driver A backseat driver is a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice
to the driver.
"I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!"
Jump on the bandwagon If a person or organization jumps on the bandwagon, they decide
to do something when it is already successful or fashionable.
"When organic food became popular, certain stores were quick to jump on
the bandwagon and promote it.
As much use as a handbrake on a canoe This expression refers to something which is completely useless or
serves no purpose.
"With no electricity, a refrigerator would be as much use as a
handbrake on a canoe. "
Fender bender This expression refers to a minor car accident in which there is little
damage and no injuries.
"It's hard to believe that a small fender bender can cause a major
traffic jam!"
On the home stretch To say that you're on the home stretch means that you are approaching
the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey.
"Don't give up - we're on the the home stretch now."
Itchy feet A person who has itchy feet is someone who wants to move
somewhere new or do something different.
Fall off the back of a lorry If you buy goods that have fallen off the back of a lorry, they are
stolen goods.
"Judging by the price of that camera, it must have fallen off the back
of a lorry!"
Any port in a storm When you are in difficulty, any port in a storm refers to a solution
you accept, which in normal circumstances you would find unacceptable.
"The hotel was substandard, but it was a case of any port in a storm;
all the others were full.
Take someone for a ride To take someone for a ride means to cheat or deceive them.
"I discovered he had charged me double the normal fee. He really
took me for a ride!"
Hit the road When you hit the road, you begin a journey.
"It's getting late and we've got a long way to go. Let's hit the road."
Road rage Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other
drivers.
"A number of car accidents today are a result of road rage."
Get the show on the road If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show
on the road.
"OK! We've got all we need, so let's get the show on the road!"
Sail through something If you sail through something, for example a test or an exam,
you succeed in doing it without difficulty.
"The English test was no problem for Tom. He sailed through it!"
Shank's pony If you go somewhere on Shank's pony, you have to walk rather than
travel by bus, car, etc.
"It was impossible to find a taxi after the party so it was Shank's pony
for us!
Like ships that pass in the night This expression is used to refer to people who meet briefly and are
not likely to meet again.
"The two men met once, like ships that pass in the night, and never
met again."
Live out of a suitcase Someone who lives out of a suitcase travels a lot, moving from
place to place, and is therefore restricted to the contents of their
suitcase.
"Sarah's new job involves so much travelling that she lives out of a
suitcase most of the time."
Train of thought A sequence of connected ideas is called a train of thought.
"I was considering the different options when the noise outside broke
my train of thought."
Gravy train If someone is on the gravy train, they have found an easy way
to make money, one that requires little effort and is without risk.
"Since the village has become fashionable he charges for every
photograph taken of his house - he's on the gravy train!"
Travel light When you travel light, you travel with as little luggage as possible.
"If you intend to go trekking, you'd better travel light."
Hitch one's wagon to a star Someone who hitches their wagon to a star has great ambitions
and is very determined to reach their goal.
"At an early age she decided to hitch her wagon to a star and become
rich and famous.
On the wagon Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol.
"No wine for me please. I'm on the wagon.

Telephone English

Telephone English
Learning how to communicate well on the telephone is one of the top priorities for many students who need to use English at work. Learning the common phrases that are used on the telephone helps students know what to expect. However, what students often need most is practice, practice, and more practice. While helpful, practicing a role-play in the classroom is not always the best way to improve telephoning skills. Telephoning requires special skills as there are a number of difficulties that arise when telephoning that are specific to telephoning. The first and foremost difficulty is not being able to see the person you are communicating with. This lack of visual communication often makes students, who can communicate quite successfully in other situations, nervous and thereby hinders their communicative abilities. Add to this the typical hectic pace of business communication, and you have a particularly difficult situation.

Telephone English - Important Phrases
There are a number of phrases and idioms that are only used when telephoning. Let's first take a look at an example dialogue: Here are the most common:

Operator: Hello, Frank and Brothers, How can I help you?
Peter: This is Peter Jackson. Can I have extension 3421?
Operator: Certainly, hold on a minute, I'll put you through...
Frank: Bob Peterson's office, Frank speaking.
Peter: This is Peter Jackson calling, is Bob in?
Frank: I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I take a message?
Peter: Yes, Could you ask him to call me at . I need to talk to him about the Nuovo line, it's urgent.
Frank: Could you repeat the number please?
Peter: Yes, that's , and this is Peter Jackson.
Frank: Thank you Mr Jackson, I'll make sure Bob gets this asap.
Peter: Thanks, bye.
Frank: Bye.
As you can see, the language is rather informal and there are some important differences to everyday English. Look at the chart below for key language and phrases used in telephone English:

Introducing yourself
This is Ken.
Ken speaking

Asking who is on the telephone
Excuse me, who is this?
Can I ask who is calling, please?
Asking for Someone
Can I have extension 321? (extensions are internal numbers at a company)
Could I speak to...? (Can I - more informal / May I - more formal)
Is Jack in? (informal idiom meaning: Is Jack in the office?
Connecting Someone
I'll put you through (put through - phrasal verb meaning 'connect')
Can you hold the line? Can you hold on a moment?
How to reply when someone is not available
I'm afraid ... is not available at the moment
The line is busy... (when the extension requested is being used)
Mr Jackson isn't in... Mr Jackson is out at the moment...
Taking a Message
Could (Can, May) I take a message?
Could (Can, May) I tell him who is calling?
Would you like to leave a message?

(more practice on video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGuug8vShQg)

Mendoza

Mendoza (pronounced /mɛnˈdohsəh/) is the capital city of Mendoza Province, in Argentina. It is located in the northern-central part of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, on the eastern side of the Andes. As of the 2001 census [INDEC], Mendoza's population was 110,993. The metropolitan population was 848,660 in 2001, making Greater Mendoza the fourth largest census metropolitan area in the country.

Ruta Nacional 7, the major road running between Buenos Aires and Santiago, runs through Mendoza. The city is a frequent stopover for climbers on their way to Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere) and for adventure travelers interested in mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, and other sports. In the winter, skiers come to the city for its easy access to the Andes.

Two of the main industries of the Mendoza area are wine making and olive oil production.