WORDS for FUN !!!

Suzanne

YESTERDAY marked the end of our UTA classes for this session!!

What a ball! What a blast! What fun learning!

And you ALL stuck it out till the end!

This is a first! All fourteen of you!

I want to thank you for making this teaching experience as unique as you all are. Also for being as positive and as receptive as you could be. But most of all for your acceptance and encouragement of your 'fellow' and 'sister' sclassmates. The dynamics of this class are great and make everyone feel at ease to express themselves. This is such an important contribution from each and everyone of you! BRAVO!

WHAT A GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE!

And I name you: Roland, Normand and Guy,

the loveliest of gentlemen.

And THE GIRLS!

Arlette, Clémence, Jeanne and Gisèle, my friend Diane,

Blandine and Suzanne and Huguette

whom I will see this summer!

And Nicole, Louise and Lucie.

A VERY WARM THANK YOU FROM MY HEART!

***NOTE

I will continue to write on this blog, so don't forget to check it out once in a while.

And let me know that you are still out there!

Suzanne

Thank you!

Thank you very much!

Thanks a lot!

Thank you so very much!

Thanks ever such a lot.

Thanks a bundle!

You are too kind!

Cheers!

and from my British background;

'Ta very much!

Here are a few more ways to express 'my' gratitude:

WOW! How kind of you!

Thank you! That's good of you.

I don't know what to say ...

I'm overwhelmed ...

Thank you so much1

What can I say!

You are the best.

This present is so nice1

Oh! You shouldn't have ....

So many ways to express your thankfulness and appreciation.

Mine will be a simple

THANKS FOR THINKING OF ME ON MY BIRTHDAY!

Love 'ya! Suzanne

Suzanne

Are Horoscopes real?

Here’s mine! What do you think?

Aries --- 21st March to 20th April

Symbol: The Ram

Ruling Planet: Mars

Quality: Cardinal

Element: Fire

Basic Trait: I Am

Closest Metal: Iron

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Lucky Colors: Blood Red and other bold colors

Lucky Gems: Jasper and Ruby

Lucky Flowers: Geraniums

Strengths: Weaknesses

Adventurous Self-centered

Energetic Short-tempered

Courageous Impulsive

Confident Impatient

The moment you come across an Aries, the first thing that comes to your mind is her friendly nature. The friendliest person in your neighbourhood !!

Aries, the Ram, is the first sign of the zodiac, considered being the infant representing birth. Just like an infant, she is also aware only of himself and his needs. However, she is not selfish. It's just that she is totally ignorant of the fact that her needs may be causing you some inconvenience.

The innocence of Aries people is enough to cover their, sometimes, aggressive behaviour. This naiveté brings fearlessness, while at the same time making them highly vulnerable. She trusts people easily, gets hurt in the process, forgives and forgets, and then, trusts again.

An Aries person is beyond shrewdness and fallacy and can never lie, not even to save her life. She is what she seems to be. Qualities like subtlety, diplomacy or modesty just don't gel with Aries symbol. An Aries can be calm, wise and serious, but not before she has gone past youth. She is pretty impatient, but liberal with money and material things. Frankness, lack of stability, fear of physical pain, optimism and impulsiveness are some of the basic Aries characteristics. People having an Aries profile cannot tolerate injustice, always fight against it and will defend the weak.

One of the warmest and the most generous zodiac sign, Aries always prefers fame to money. She may get extremely angry in a minute, but the anger seldom lasts for a long time. Aries people never nurse a grudge and completely forgive and forget. They will never let you know that they are hurt.

They are never shy of apologizing, but they will be hurt if you remember the harsh words they said in anger, but didn't mean. Gossip does not interest an Aries and for her, people are either black or white, without any shades of grey.

There is one thing an Aries can never fall short of, conversation. She can speak about anything & everything under the sun. She lives in the present and is a realist, yet believes in miracles. Aries chase success, not waiting for it to fall in their lap, and don't accept defeat. Failure can never keep them down.

If an Aries does something for you, don't forget to express your gratitude. Otherwise, she will be deeply hurt. However, that would not stop her from helping again. Aries usually stick to their opinion and won't listen to anything they do not believe. They have a contemplative side to their personality. The simplicity is blended with the blind passion of a born crusader. Aries is mentally strong and always one of the pioneers.

So did you recognize some of my characteristics?!

Although I’m not a strong believer in horoscopes … Surprisingly accurate. But as always it’s a question of perception, right?!

Suzanne

On mountain climbers …

“They take pictures of mountain climbers at the top.

They are ecstatic, smiling, and triumphant.

They never take pictures of mountain climbers along the way.

We push ourselves because we have to.

The relentless climb to the next level,

nobody takes pictures of that;

nobody wants to remember.

We want to remember the view

from the top, at the edge of the world.

It keeps us climbing and

it’s worth the pain … that’s the crazy part!

It’s worth anything!”

-

- Quote from Grey’s Anatomy,

PUSH episode, March 11-2010.

These words struck me as both universal and personal. They apply to our trials and errors; our accomplishments or failures. With my birthday coming up I tend to have a look at the year that has just gone by or make an assessment of the past years. I did so last year when I resumed in so many words, Facebook obliging, my life up to then. This is what I wrote:

Suzanne Lord

63 !!! I cannot believe it ... it feels just like yesterday that I became a teacher, got married, got a divorce, went to Copper Cayon in Mexixo with Sylvie and Maxime, up a volcano in Guatemala, studied Spanish in Cuba, fell in love, lived in New-Zealand, grieved my loss for many years, retired from teaching, went to Italy, sold my home, graduated as a psychotherapist and started teaching again.

As the years add on, I’ve been there at the top of the mountain quite a few times. I’ve chosen my mountains and created my own mountain climbing style! Just as I remember the ones where I didn’t get to the top. The ones when I got stuck half way or very close to the top. And ended up having to go back down … But that has never stopped me! I’m still moving forward even though there are places where I am still stuck, and places where I’m only half the way. What I remember and keep on remembering are the steps and the achievements and lessons on my path and many a time, off the beaten track!

Some days I am really hard on myself; some days come and go without a thought; some days are Zen-like and just float by calmly and peacefully; some days are a real big smile; some days are a chocker, like this week when I found out that I have high blood-pressure; some days are gifts for my self-esteem and from friends; some days I give to others; some days, nothing eventful happens! And some days are just the best in the world!

So, now approaching 64, I have a new mountain to climb! I have to buy new equipment; get prepared rationally and emotionally and physically for this climb; find some climbing experts, partners, and friends to help me along the way! I am aware that it will take more time which is okay because I now wish to take the time and take a good look at the path I have chosen. This time it’s all about looking around to appreciate the scenery and also looking ahead because this time around, the effort of getting there is a more experienced one, a less painful one because I will be using what I have gained in skill, expertise, know-how and knowledge. But and there is a but, I am still open to learning still more and more, and that’s where I will never ever reach the end!

AND IT’S MY BIRTHDAY again!

And it will be again and again.

My celebrations will go on and on

For many years to come!!!

SUZANNE

Still two weeks to go at 63!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

It’s 11:13.

And just for another moment of FUN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK-ePq2l6RY

Suzanne

Women Are Like Apples and

Men Are Like Grapes.

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they sometimes take the apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy. The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

What are men like? Men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to enjoy with dinner.

As my friend Guy would say, "Sans malice!" And I would add "without prejudice" towards men or women. There has always been a lot to say about our differences. You can be scientific or factual about the subject. You can choose to present the emotional or rational side of things. You can use humour in a visual or wordplay form. But it all comes down to one thing, we can believe everything that is said or we can laugh about it!

Suzanne

Once again let's keep an open mind!

Of course this kind of humour brings up the topic

of stereotypes of men and women.

But sometimes can we also be politically 'uncorrect'.

The key word here is SOMETIMES,

so we can laugh at ourselves.

If you don't agree, let me know!

Here goes:

OK!
He didn't actually hear anything you said, but he's learned that if he doesn't say something when you talk, you'll keep talking.
Five Minutes ...
Somewhere between "in a little while" and "the end of time". Never actually means five minutes unless you gave that as a time limit, in which case it means five minutes, timed to the closest millisecond.
Of Course I Love You for You!
He loves you for your body. If that goes, so will he.
Is it OK if I...?
He's already done it, so you may as well approve.
Loud Sigh
Although not actually a word, the loud sigh accompanies the realization that he's going to have to figure out a way to undo something he's already done in the hopes that you'd approve.
Nothing ...
He forgot what he was going to say, most likely because he was distracted by the subtle ...

*** Note "Joking aside" (blague à part)
Below you will find a link to read about Alison Armstrong. She is a relationship expert and she is the person being interviewed in the sound bite embedded in the title. You can read some of her articles or find the titles to the books she has written.
You can also go on YouTube and enter her name. There are a few videos you can listen to. She has a very 'touching' approach towards explaining men's behaviour. It is a very enlightening subject for women.
http://consciousloving.com/cgi-bin/resources.pl?id=21

Suzanne

...

Words and expressions that women use.

Of course you have to have a sense of humour to appreciate this. I wonder who wrote this, a man or a woman!?

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the football before helping around the house.
3. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
4. A Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer quickly to No 9 for the meaning of nothing.)
5. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
6. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot', which is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' - that will bring on No. 7).
7. Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying, "F-- YOU!"
8. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to No.
9. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in "Fine".

Suzanne

This past week I posted a lot of funny as in humourous or comical images and texts. I hope they made you laugh or smile. I wanted 'to tickle your funny bone'! An expression referring to your sense of humour. We all have different reactions to humour, don't we?

This time I would like to introduce FUNNY WORDS. As you already know, the English language is full of weird words that are oddly amusing and even a tad confusing at times. I would like to introduce by category words that are really quite tame once you make their acquaintance!

Funny as in strange, odd, unusual, surprising,

unfamiliar, and out of the ordinary.

Are they funny? Sometimes !

People would say: " This is a funny word!", meaning strange!

It could be strange because you have never heard of it before,

or because of the spelling, the sound or

not part of your 'English experience' ... yet!

So, get ready for some bizarre vocabulary but still very useful and to add to your own list! And, keep up the good work and adding onto your vocabulary list of words, expressions, phrases, idioms, collocations and more ...

Suzanne

One of Québec's creations Les Têtes à claques from Michel Beaudet, was translated into English last year.

It has taken a while to find just the right person for the voice and the face, (mouth and eyes). The texts (scenarios) were Canadianized also! It has been renamed . TAC TV (Têtes à claques)

Better known in Quebec and in Europe as "Les têtes à claques", these funny characters have a new clip every week. It's stupid, it's simple, but it's taken off like a rocket in French. For those with an open mind and who love humour you can see a few of the translations into English.

I chose the Halloween one (click on title)

even though we're closer to Spring than Fall,

because this is one of their most popular and wellknown!

ENJOY!