In the heart of Italy, amidst the festive cheer and joyous celebrations of the holiday season, a unique and enchanting tradition unfolds on the 6th of January – the Italian bank holiday known as Befana . Rooted in ancient folklore, Befana has become a cherished and whimsical celebration, blending history, legend, and the magic of Epiphany. ORIGINS The origins of Befana trace back to a tapestry of legends that have woven together over centuries. The most widely accepted tale

Every festive season draws us closer to our loved ones, but there is something uniquely magical about Christmas that casts a radiant spell on our lives. I invite you to fully embrace the true essence of this season by crafting heartfelt Christmas greetings for your family, friends, and colleagues . Elevate your Christmas cards this year with my  expert tips on composing the perfect message. Life can get hectic and it requires a dedicated effort to stay connected amidst our wo

War has always been the inevitable result of human mismanagement of conflicts. War has many faces and facets, and we all tend to experience it at some point in our daily interactions, although most of us are as lucky as to still live in the safety of our homes. My thoughts are with all those who are now involved in a real war, the Many among civilians and soldiers undergoing bombardments, facing violence and deprivation of their basic human rights as a consequence of the dis

War has always been the inevitable result of human mismanagement of conflicts. War has many faces and facets, and we all tend to experience it at some point in our daily interactions, although most of us are as lucky as to still live in the safety of our homes. My thoughts are with all those who are now involved in a real war, the Many among civilians and soldiers undergoing bombardments, facing violence and deprivation of their basic human rights as a consequence of the dis

Exploring Canadian Halloween - Customs & Traditions of The Great White North Also in this post: · HOW TO CARVE HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS · 50 PRINTABLE PUMPKIN STENCILS · HOW TO PRESERVE CARVED PUMKINS LONGER Origins of Halloween At Halloween in Canada, families from coast to coast come together to celebrate a Celtic festival that began around 400 BC . The festivities most likely commemorate the end of summer and the start of a new year on the Celtic calendar. I

When we talk about 'English', we often think of it as a single language. But what do the dialects spoken in dozens of countries around the world have in common with each other, or with the writings of Chaucer? Claire Bowern traces the language from the present day back to its ancient roots, showing how English has evolved through generations of speakers. Click to practice your English Listening while you Watch the Video! Happy Listening! Stay sharp, train with purpose, and l

Introducing yourself to someone for the first time can be an intimidating experience. You want to make a good impression and let the other person know that you are an interesting and capable individual. However, it can be difficult to know exactly how to introduce yourself in a way that makes people care. Fortunately, there are a few tips you can use to help you make a great first impression. First , keep it simple. Introduce yourself with your name and a little bit about who

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman ★★★★★ PREP TIME 45 minutes COOK TIME 180 minutes SERVES 10 (adjust proportions and cooking time for smaller quantities, eg turkey breast for two only) This is my favourite Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe , it is my version of a mix of recipes found on the Internet and some good old aunt advice. I believe cooking is a very personal enticing experience and we should all experiment until we create the perfect recipe to match our taste! If you wish to k

Canadian Thanksgiving differs from the more well-known US version. What really matters, though, is to take time to be Grateful. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year for families and friends to come together and give thanks for all they have. A cozy family meal is a great way to start the festivities, with a large spread of delicious food to share. Everyone gathers around the table, full of laughter and conversation, while catching up with each other. After eating, it’s ti

The English language, also known as the lingua franca of the world, is a fascinating and complex language. With speakers from all around the globe, it’s no wonder that English has had such a huge impact on the world. It’s estimated that there are over one billion people who speak English as a first language, and even more who use it as a second language. Here are some interesting facts about the English language that you may not know. English is actually a Germanic language,

Lera Boroditsky's TED Talk, "How Language Shapes the Way We Think," is a fascinating exploration into the power of language and its influence on the way humans think and perceive the world . In her talk, she argues that language shapes our cognition and influences how we think about and interact with the world. Boroditsky starts off by exploring the idea of linguistic relativity, which suggests that the language we speak affects the way we think about the world. She cites ex

In today's digital age, books are no longer just physical objects that you can get from your local library or book store. With the rise of the internet, books are increasingly becoming available in digital formats, such as ebooks. This has made it easier than ever to get your hands on a variety of different books, no matter what your interests are.

Atul Gawande's TED Talk on the significance of having a coach or mentor is an electrifying and thought-provoking speech that is sure to inspire anyone striving for greatness. He passionately emphasizes the importance of practice, feedback, and the right coach or mentor to help you reach your full potential . Gawande explains that even the most talented individuals have coaches and mentors to help them reach their highest level of success. He outlines the three steps of the co

It's a well-known fact that having a good time is an integral part of life, but what if it were also the secret to a healthier life? That's the premise put forth by award-winning health journalist, Catherine Price, in her TED Talk, "Why Having Fun is the Secret to a Healthy Life". Ms. Price argues that having fun is key to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, as it can reduce stress, enhance creativity, and boost the immune system. Plus, it's what motivates us to make h

In today's digital world, it is increasingly important to be aware of the dangers that come with using public technology. One of the...

Successful people often hire coaches to help them reach the next level of success, whether it's in the business world, in the military, athletics, or in their personal lives. For instance, executives may hire an executive coach to help them increase their productivity, athletes may hire a strength coach to improve their performance, and entrepreneurs may hire a business coach to help them grow their business. What is business coaching? Business Coaching is an incredibly powe

As a linguist and a fan of hip hop , I’ve found this Ted Talk extremely intriguing and fun! I’m sure you’ll understand once you listen to this speaker show off how “articulate” she actually is. I love how Ms Lyiscott highlighted how we linguistically approach different contexts in distinct ways, and how this displays the various identities our language conceals. As an early-stage coordinate bilingual (well, trilingual actually), I’ve always wondered why it felt so different w

HOW TO improve your English by watching movies

A Coronation is a momentous Ceremonial Event which takes place early in a monarch’s reign. It is conducted in accordance with a number of Traditions and is centred around a Religious Ceremony. Westminster Abbey lists three Key Purposes Of Coronations: · Religious significance: the monarch makes promises to God during the coronation ceremony. · Public significance: the monarch makes promises to the people they serve during the ceremony (and p eople watching the