TO BE USED TO

TO BE USED TO

BE USED TO AND GET USED TO
 

ACOSTUMBRARSE

Be/get used to something

En español no es necesario especificar a lo que estás acostumbrado o acostumbrándote.  Se puede decir, por ejemplo:

Estoy acostumbrado.
Se acostumbró rápido.

En inglés hay que decir a lo que estás acostumbrado o acostumbrándote aunque sea sólo “to it”, por ejemplo:

I’m used to it.
He got used to it quickly.

 

Ejemplos:

Be used to

No estoy acostumbrado a comer carne.
I’m not used to eating meat.

¿Estás acostumbrado a vivir en una ciudad grande?
Are you used to living in a big city?

John no estaba acostumbrado a viajar.
John wasn’t used to travelling.

Get used to

Sofía aún necesita acostumbrarse a su nuevo jefe.
Sofía still needs to get used to her new boss.

Se están acostumbrando a vivir en una ciudad grande.
They’re getting used to living in a big city.

¿Cuánto tiempo tardasteis en acostumbraros a vivir en Londres?
How long did it take you to get used to living in London?

Be used to & Get used to

No estamos acostumbrados a la vida en Londres pero estoy seguro de que nos acostumbraremos dentro de poco.
We aren’t used to life in London but I‘m sure we’ll get used to it before long.



EVERY LAW HAS A LOOPHOLE

"EVERY LAW HAS A LOOPHOLE"

Este idiom significa "Hecha la ley, hecha la trampa". Significa que siempre hay vacíos legales y gracias a ellos se pueden beneficiar algunos delincuentes.

VINCENT VAN GOGH SUNFLOWERS

VINCENT VAN GOGH SUNFLOWERS

For nearly a century, Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh has been among the paintings most loved by the British public. According to Martin Bailey in his excellent book on the subject, The Sunflowers are Mine, the patch of floor in front of it “gets more scuffed” than that in front of any other work in the National Gallery, and its postcard outsells all others in the bookshop. Mrs Thatcher, displaying more enthusiasm than botanical precision on a visit to the museum, demanded to be shown “Van Gogh’s Chrysanthemums”, (and no curator dared correct her).
From today, there will be even more visitors’ feet on that much-used area of flooring, because the National Gallery’s Sunflowers is going to be reunited with another version of the same composition painted by Van Gogh a few months later, in what promises to be a remarkable exercise in artistic compare and contrast.
For, although the National Gallery’s picture is, in general estimation, the most important, daring and beautiful of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers it is by no means the only one. The artist, who lived from 1853 to 1890, tackled the theme on numerous occasions.
The flower that turns its bloom towards the sun has a long history as a symbol – of the Christian soul, among other things. In Britain, the sunflower motif was so popular with architects and designers of the Aesthetic movement that it was carved in stone and cast in metalwork that can still be seen across the city today. Before he became an artist, Van Gogh would have seen the emblem frequently during his early years in 1870s Britain, where he worked (unsuccessfully) as an art dealer, junior prep school master and lay preacher.

BORGES AND ESTELA CANTO

BORGES AND ESTELA CANTO

 Estela Canto and Jorge Luis Borges met in 1944. Estela was an intelligent, educated, beautiful and disturbing woman. She worked as a radio broadcaster, as an English translator and wanted to become a writer. Borges was shy, very attached to his mom and the employee of a modest Public Library. He was still unknown to the public. They began a very special relationship. A liberated woman, precursor of feminism and a timid man who asked his mom permission to go out and invite Estela to go for walks in San Telmo or Parque Lezama where they reflected upon life. They experienced amorous episodes, doubts, questioning of their friends, intrigues, pain. They mixed with the artists and poets of that time. They fell in love or at least Borges did. Meanwhile his mom and sister opposed this relationship. The relationship lasted five years till Estela abandoned Borges. Borges became a wreck and it took him a long time to overcome the break-up. All alone, he dedicated himself to writing and giving lectures.

EUROVISION HISTORY

EUROVISION HISTORY

At the beginning of the television age in the early 1950’s, the European television landscape offered the image of a political divided and technical fragmented continent. Despite this sober picture of the European television landscape, some rays of hope have risen up to the European television sky in the early 1950’s.

Under these rays of hope, the light of one star has shone very promising: the star of “Eurovision”. The Eurovision emblem is designed in 1954 by Timothy O'Brien (BBC).

At the end of January 1955, Marcel Bezençon (president of the EBU Programme Committee), meeting in Monte Carlo, approved a project for further study: "European song contest" The competition was based upon the existing Sanremo Music Festival, held in Italy, and was seen also as a technological experiment in live television: in those days, it was a very ambitious project to join many countries together in a wide-area international network

Meeting in the Palazzo Corsini in Rome on 19 October 1955 (chaired by Sir Ian Jacob, director general of the BBC) the EBU General Assembly agreed to the organizing of a European Grand Prix to be held in Lugano in the spring of 1956.

The name "Eurovision" was first mentioned in relation to the EBU's network in the London Evening Standard from the 5th of November 1951. Written by the British journalist George Campey, he dubbed the Contest "Eurovision Grand Prix". The "Grand Prix" name was adopted by the Francophone countries, where the Contest became known as "Le Grand-Prix Eurovision de la Chanson Européenne". The "Grand Prix" has since been dropped and replaced with "Concours" (contest).

The Eurovision Network is used to carry many news and sports programmes internationally, among other specialised events organised by the EBU. However, the Song Contest is by far the most high profile of these programmes, and has long since become synonymous with the name "Eurovision".



SELL-BY DATE

SELL-BY DATE

It's the latest date the manufactures recommend we should buy food.

STONEHENGE

STONEHENGE

The monument stands on a small mound in a vast plain of the Wiltshire countryside, not far from Salisbury. As you approach by road, the stones suddenly come into view far off in the distance. You can't help but feel excitement, awe, and perhaps a little fear. The sheer scale of the stones shocks you, despite the fact you've probably seen them in hundreds of pictures.

Stonehenge is made up of 2 concentric stone circles encircled by a deep trench in the earth. We think construction happened in stages spanning 1,600 years. The stones include Bluestone, Sarson and Welsh Sandstone, which travelled over 240 miles to reach Wiltshire. The heaviest stones weigh 50 tonnes - it would have taken 600 men to move just one!
We still don't know what its original purpose was. Some say it was a temple to worship the gods, while others describe it as an astronomical observatory, or prehistoric calendar, because of the way it aligns with the sun and moon. There are many theories, but one thing is certain; Stonehenge has endured millennia, and no matter what your beliefs, you'll feel there's something sacred about it.

The “V” Sign

The “V” Sign

This sign has two formats: one with the palm faced outwards, and another with the palm inwards. In the US, both ways refer to “victory” and peace: protesters against the Vietnam War and activists adopted the gesture as a sign of peace. Because the hippies of the day often flashed this sign (palm out) while saying “Peace”, it became popularly known (through association) as the peace sign.

In other places, such as in the UK, Australia and South Africa, the same gesture with the back of the hand facing the other person is considered to be an extremely insulting.

Next time you practice your new language skills remember to be sensitive with your hand gestures!

KRYPTOS

KRYPTOS

Kryptos is an encrypted sculpture by the American artist, Jim Sanborn, that is located on the grounds of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley, Virginia. Since its dedication on November 3, 1990, there has been much speculation about the meaning of the encrypted messages it bears. Of the four messages, three have been solved, with the fourth remaining one of the most famous unsolved codes in the world. The sculpture continues to provide a diversion for cryptanalysts, both amateur and professional, who are attempting to decipher the final section. The sculptor has given clues on several occasions.

CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH DIANA

CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32583432 DIANA

 



SOS

SOS

Popularmente se cree que esta señal significa "Save Our Ship" (salven nuestro barco), "Save Our Souls" (salven nuestras almas) o "Send Out Succour" (envíen socorro), sin embargo SOS no es la sigla de ninguna frase y fue seleccionada por su simplicidad. En Código Morse es …_ _ _...

 Fue aprobada durante una conferencia internacional en Berlín en 1906 para reemplazar la utilizada hasta entonces “CQD” en las transmisiones telegráficas en Código Morse.

MAY DAY FESTIVAL IN ENGLAND

MAY DAY FESTIVAL IN ENGLAND

CONTABLE AND UNCONTABLE

CONTABLE AND UNCONTABLE

 

BANK HOLIDAYS

Bank Holidays

What is a bank holiday?

In the United Kingdom and Ireland a bank holiday is a public holiday, when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day.

Bank holidays are often assumed to be so called because they are days upon which banks are shut, but days that banks are shut aren't always bank holidays. For example: Good Friday and Christmas Day are not bank holidays, they are common law' holidays. The dates for bank holidays are set out in statute or are proclaimed by royal decree. The term "bank holiday" was coined by Sir John Lubbock, who felt there was a need to differentiate the two types of holiday.

In England and Wales a bank holiday tends automatically to be a public holiday, so the day is generally observed as a holiday. A number of differences apply to Scotland. For example, Easter Monday is not a bank holiday, and, although they share the same name, the Summer Bank Holiday falls on the first Monday in August in Scotland as opposed to the last elsewhere in the UK.

Origins of bank holidays

Prior to 1834, the Bank of England observed about 33 saints' days and religious festivals as holidays, but in 1834, this was reduced to just four: 1 May, 1 November, Good Friday, and Christmas Day.

In 1871, Sir John Lubbock introduced the Bank Holidays Act, it introduced the concept of holidays with pay and designated four holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five in Scotland. These were Easter Monday, the first Monday in August, the 26th December, and Whit Monday (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and New Year's Day, Good Friday, the first Monday in May, the first Monday in August, and Christmas Day (Scotland). In England, Wales and Ireland, Good Friday and Christmas Day were considered traditional days of rest (as were Sundays) and therefore it was felt unnecessary to include them in the Act. The move was such a popular one and there were even suggestions that August Bank Holiday should be called St Lubbock's day!

In Ireland, in 1903, the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act added 17 March, Saint Patrick's Day, as a bank holiday, and in 1926 the Governor of Northern Ireland proclaimed 12 July (Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690) as a bank holiday too. This particular holiday is proclaimed annually by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

In 2006, the Scottish Parliament designated St Andrew's Day, November 30, as an official bank holiday in Scotland. But there is no public holiday for St David's Day in Wales, or St George's Day in England.

From 1965 the date of the August bank holiday was changed to the end of the month in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Whitsun bank holiday (Whit Monday) was replaced by the late spring bank holiday - fixed as the last Monday in May.

Bank holidays today

The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, is in force today and there are 8 permanent bank and public holidays in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland.

Ireland has the same eight holidays as England and Wales, plus St Patrick's Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

In Scotland, since the Scotland Act 1998 Scottish Ministers have the responsibility for setting bank holidays. There are other public or local holidays which can be determined by local authorities, based on local tradition. Since 2007, St Andrew's Day has been an alternative, voluntary public holiday, which can replace an existing local holiday. Businesses and schools are not necessarily closed on Scottish bank holidays, and the Scottish banks only follow the English and Welsh bank holidays for business reasons.

When the usual date of a bank or public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a 'substitute day' is given, normally the following Monday.

Once upon a time everything shut on a bank holiday; offices, banks, shops, but nowadays many offices and shops remain open, only banks are not allowed to operate on bank holidays. Nowadays, the only day that most things close in the UK is Christmas Day.

MOTHER'S DAY

MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day is a modern celebration honoring one's own mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father's Day and Siblings Day.

The celebration of Mother's Day began in the United States in the early 20th century; it is not related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration (originally a celebration of the mother church, not motherhood).Despite this, in some countries Mother's Day has become synonymous with these older traditions.



DIFERENCIA ENTRE REMEMBER Y REMIND

DIFERENCIA ENTRE REMEMBER Y REMIND

Remember

No me acuerdo.

I don´t remember.

Acuérdate de llamarlo.

Remember to call him.

(Notice the use of to+infinitive when we refer to something that needs to be done).

Siempre me acordaré de ti.

I will always remember

Remind

¿Puedes recordarme cuando es el exámen?

Can you remind me when is the exam?

Recuérdale a tu hermano que tiene que estudiar

Remind your brother that he has to study

DIFERENCIA ENTRE REMEMBER Y REMIND

DIFERENCIA ENTRE REMEMBER Y REMIND

Remember

No me acuerdo.

I don´t remember.

Acuérdate de llamarlo.

Remember to call him.

(Notice the use of to+infinitive when we refer to something that needs to be done).

Siempre me acordaré de ti.

I will always remember

Remind

¿Puedes recordarme cuando es el exámen?

Can you remind me when is the exam?

Recuérdale a tu hermano que tiene que estudiar

Remind your brother that he has to study

WATER CYCLE

WATER CYCLE

LABOUR DAY FOR CHILDREN

History of Labor day

• Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It’s a day dedicated to the everyday worker. This holiday gives tribute to the working class contributions to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Labor Day became an official national holiday in 1894. This holiday is usually celebrated with summer activities – swimming, camping, picnics, etc. Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer in the Northern part of the U.S. Most schools usually start sometime during the week after Labor Day.

Labor Day became a National Holiday on June 28, 1894

Labor Day Activities and Ideas:

•This labor day why not have a family program in your living room and show your children what labor you perform in your comunity. Maybe you are a doctor, teacher, salesman or nurse. If the timing is right go on a field trip and show them where you work. You might round out the program by having each person in your family share what it is they think would be the most fun work to do when they grow up. Then don’t forget the treats.
• Take some time, at dinner for example, and talk about all the contributions children can and do make. Here are some ideas – Baby sit, Deliver newspapers, magazines or flyers, Walk dogs/care for pets, Do yard work, grass cutting, Help a neighbor with chores, Do chores in your own home, Be a tutor, Help out at kids clubs, Teach computer skills, Volunteer. All of these things are important because they contribute to society – kids do make a difference.

LABOUR DAY

LABOUR DAY

Labour Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of worker. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. For many countries, Labour Day is synonymous with, or linked with, International Worker's day, which occurs on 1 May. For other countries, Labour Day is celebrated on a different date, often one with special significance for the labour movement in that country. In Canada and the USA, it is celebrated on the first Monday of September and considered the official end of the summer holiday for most of the respective countries, as public school and university students return to school that week or the following week.

COMPARATIVOS IRREGULARES

COMPARATIVOS  IRREGULARES

POSITIVO	COMPARATIVO	SUPERLATIVO
Bad: malo	Worse: peor	Worst: el peor
Beneath: debajo	Nether: inferior	Nethermost: el más bajo
Fore: delantero	Former: anterior	Foremost: el primero
Far: lejano	Farther: más lejano	Farthest: el más lejano
	Further	Furthest
Good: bueno	Better: mejor	Best: el mejor
Hind: trasero	Hinder: posterior	Hindmost: el trasero
In: dentro	Inner: interior	Inmost: el más profundo
Late: tardí­o	Later: más tarde, después	Latest: el más reciente
Little: poco	Less: menos	Least: el menos
Many: muchos (contables)	More: más	Most: lo más
Much: muchos (incontables)	More: más	Most: lo más
Nigh: cerca	Nigher: más cercano	Nighest: el más cercano
Near: cerca	Nearer: más cercano	Nearest: el más cercano
Old: viejo	Older: más viejo	Oldest: el más viejo
	Elder	Eldest