Have you ever been to London ?

London BridgeBig Ben

Beefeater - Tower guardLondon Eye

Queen's guard

Click and take a look at these  beautiful videos.        
You'll feel as if you were sightseeing London!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZC0MrmRswc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l2X6fOEMF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QHjShZaM8g
                                                                       
Royal wedding - Diana and Charles -1981
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQTe47cR-Ws
Elton John- a tribute to Diana -1997
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eylQ6kUSYjg

and now... the British Royal Crown Jewels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhFffsB39t0

If you're happy -  Children's song   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrsM9WggCdo

Diana - funeral flowers

12 different sun signs - Zodiac

The Zodiac is made up of 12 different sun signs. Your date of birth determines which one you are. Read your sign below for complete detailed information on your sign:

Aries - March 21 - April 20

Taurus - April 21 - May 21

Gemini - May 22 - June 21

Cancer - June 22 - July 22

Leo - July 23 -August 21

Virgo - August 22 - September 23

Libra - September 24 - October 23

Scorpio - October 24 - November 22

Sagittarius - November 23 - December 22

Capricorn - December 23 - January 20 Aquarius - January 21 - February 19

Pisces - February 20- March 20

Your Sign Explained!

Traditional          

AriesTraits                                                                                                            

Adventurous and energetic

Pioneering and courageous

Enthusiastic and confident

Dynamic and quick-witted

On the dark side...
Selfish and quick-tempered
Impulsive and impatient
Foolhardy and daredevil

Traditional

Taurus Traits
Patient and reliable
Warmhearted and loving
Persistent and determined
Placid and security loving

On the dark side....
Jealous and possessive

Resentful and inflexible

Self-indulgent and greedy

Traditional

Gemini traits

Adaptable and versatile

Communicative and witty

Intellectual and eloquent

Youthful and lively

On the dark side....

Nervous and tense

Superficial and inconsistent

Cunning and inquisitive

Traditional

Cancer Traits

Emotional and loving
Intuitive and imaginative
Shrewd and cautious
Protective and sympathetic


On the dark side....
Changeable and moody
Overemotional and touchy
Clinging and unable to let go

Traditional

Leo Traits
Generous and warmhearted
Creative and enthusiastic
Broad-minded and expansive
Faithful and loving



On the dark side....
Pompous and patronizing
Bossy and interfering
Dogmatic and intolerant

Traditional

Virgo Traits

Modest and shy                                                      
Meticulous and reliable
Practical and diligent

Intelligent and analytical

On the dark side....
Fussy and a worrier
Overcritical and harsh
Perfectionist and conservative

Traditional

Libra Traits
Diplomatic and urbane
Romantic and charming
Easygoing and sociable
Idealistic and peaceable


On the dark side....
Indecisive and changeable
Gullible and easily infuenced
Flirtatious and self-indulgent


Traditional

Scorpio Traits

Determined and forceful
Emotional and intuitive
Powerful and passionate
Exciting and magnetic


On the dark side....
Jealous and resentful
Compulsive and obsessive

Traditional

Sagittarius Traits
Optimistic and freedom-loving
Jovial and good-humored
Honest and straightforward
Intellectual and philosophical
On the dark side....
Blindly optimistic and careless
Irresponsible and superficial
Tactless and restless

Traditional

Capricorn Traits

Practical and prudent                                     
Ambitious and disciplined

Patient and careful

Humorous and reserved


On the dark side....
Pessimistic and fatalistic
Miserly and grudging

Traditional

Aquarian Traits
Friendly and humanitarian
Honest and loyal
Original and inventive
Independent and intellectual


On the dark side....
Intractable and contrary
Perverse and unpredictable
Unemotional and detached

Traditional

Pisces Traits
Imaginative and sensitive
Compassionate and kind

Selfless and unworldly

Intuitive and sympathetic

On the dark side....
Escapist and idealistic
Secretive and vague
Weak-willed and easily led

Url to the video- A video for ESL  teachers to teach Western zodiac signs
                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElTdCP5wWSU
                             12 zodiac signs in love
                             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiYAp2K-z54
                             ? How each star sign walks ?
                             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOK0FFOS99M

Lyrics from the song

We Are The World (USA for Haiti)

Composed by: Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson

There comes a time when we hear a certain call

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying

and it's time to lend a hand to life
Their greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of Gods great big family
And the truth, you know,

Love is all we need

[Chorus:]

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day       

So let's start giving

There's a choice we're making
We're saving out own lives

it's true we'll make a better day                              

Just you and me                                               

We'll send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares                                                   

And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread

So we all must lend a helping hand                    

[Chorus:]

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making

We're saving out own lives                           

it's true we'll make a better  day                                                                                                Haiti - orphan childrenafter the terrible earthquake

Just you and me

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all

But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come

When we stand together as one

[Chorus:]

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making

We're saving out own lives

it's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

What's LOVE ?

                                                            This is LOVE
Url to the song : We are the world 25 for Haiti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI

CHALLENGE

Would you like to write a poem to celebrate St . Valentine's day?
Yes...Well, I'll help you.

If love is a flower, it will be ___

If love is a bird, it will be____

If love is an object, it will be ____

If love is a star, it will be____

If love is a musical instrument, it will be_____

If love is time, it will  _____

If love is a word, it will be_____

If love is a feeling, it will be_____

If love is a tree, it will be_____

If love is a fruit, it will be_______

If love is a place on earth,it will be_____

If love is a sweet, it will be___

If love is a drink , it will be____

If love is wind, it will _____

If love is rain, it will_____

If love is a season, it will be_____

If love is a dream, it will _________

Write your poem and email it to me " mariaallinone2010@gmail.com"

Colours of love

Love!

Love can be red, like the intense heat of a passionate kiss

....the color of sweetness

.....the color of strawberries

Love can be blue, like the comfort we take in a pair of denim jeans
.....the color of strength
.....the color of perfect skies
Love can be yellow, bright and warm like the morning sun
.....like the sounds of laughters of children on the merry-go-round
.....like the sounds of fun from the boys flying kites in the open fields
Love can be green, peaceful and serene I can hear your heart beats
.....it is the feeling of a loving hand that touches a grieving heart

.....it is the whispering of trusting words to a distressing soul

Love can be orange, the loudness of it can drive you up a wall

.....it can drive you to sing like nobody is listening

.....it can drive you to dance like nobody is watching

Love can be purple, the courage we need to love bravely and unselfishly

.....the moment I first kiss you I know that I am not afraid to risk involvement ...

the declaration of your love for me was made known to the world

 Arun Kumar

EASY RHYMES

Easy Rhymes

1. A Valentine’s color that rhymes with bed. __________________________

2. A Valentine’s color that rhymes with sink. __________________________

3.The archer of love that rhymes with stupid. __________________________

4. Something you give that rhymes with lift. ___________________________
5. Something you give that rhymes with yard. _________________________
6. What cupid shoots that rhymes with go. ____________________________
7. An emotion that rhymes with glove. _______________________________
8. What couples go on that rhymes with late. __________________________
9. A long, long time that rhymes with clever. ___________________________

10. A Valentine’s symbol that rhymes with art. _________________________

11. Something sweet that rhymes with dandy. _________________________

12. What couples do that rhymes with miss. __________________________

Hard Rhymes

1. Strong emotion that rhymes with fashion. _______________________________

2. A feeling of happiness that rhymes with toy. _____________________________

3. A way to hold someone that rhymes with bug. ____________________________

4. The taste of chocolate that rhymes with heat. _____________________________

ST .Valentine's day GAMES

                                                                    Word Scramble:

Find as many words as you can using the letters from:

                                        Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's day in Britain

St. Valentine's day breakfast

St Valentine's Day is celebrated with gaiety, enthusiasm and charm in Britain. Just as in many other countries, people in Britain express love for their beloved on this day by presenting them flowers, cards, chocolates and other special gifts. Different regions of the country have their specific traditions to celebrate Valentine's Day but one uniform custom is the singing of special songs by children. These children are rewarded with gifts of candy, fruit or money. In some regions delectable Valentine buns are baked with caraway seeds, plums or raisins.

Penning of verses is another extremely popular tradition of Valentine's Day. Weeks before the festival tabloids and magazines publish sonnets and verses to commemorate St Valentine's Day. The custom owes its origin to the poets of Britain who have penned the majority of the best-loved romantic verses associated with Saint Valentine.

Saint Valentine - Who was He?

The history of St Valentine's Day

     Victorian Valentine's card     

Valentine's Day - the popular festival of love and romances traces its origin to ancient Roman festival and has not been created by card companies as some people believe it to be. There are various legends associated with the festival along with the belief that birds began to mate from this day. Popularity of the Valentine's Day festival stems from the combined effects of all these legends, beliefs and of course the wish to glorify the unparalleled feeling of love.

Feast of Lupercalia

Historians trace the origin of Valentine's Day to ancient Roman Empire. It is said that in the Rome of ancient times people observed a holiday on February 14th to honor Juno - the Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also regarded Juno as the Goddess of Women and Marriage. On the following day, February 15th began the fertility festival called 'Feast of Lupercalia'. The festival of Lupercalia was celebrated to honor the Gods Lupercus and Faunus - the Roman God of Agriculture besides the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.            

An interesting custom was followed in the Feast of Lupercalia to bring together young boys and girls who otherwise were strictly separated. On the eve of the festival names of young Roman girls were written on a slip of paper and placed into jars. Each young man drew out a girl's name from the jar and was paired with the girl for the duration of Lupercalia. Sometimes pairing lasted for a year until next year's celebration. Quite often, the couple would fall in love with each other and later marry. The custom lasted for a long time until people felt that the custom was un-Christian  and that mates should be choosen by sight, not by chance.Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D.

The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed.                                                                                                                         

Defiance by Saint Valentine  

The pairing of young boys and girls did set the mood of the Valentine's Day Festival as we know today. But it was actually due to the efforts and daring of a priest St Valentine that the festival got its name and clearer meaning. The story goes that during the reign of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in several bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius found it tough to get soldiers and felt the reason was men did not join army because they did not wish to leave their wives and families. As a result Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. A romantic at heart priest of Rome Saint Valentine defied Claudius's unjustified order. Along with Saint Marius, St Valentine secretly married couples. When his defiance was discovered, Valentine was brutally beaten and put to death on February 14, about 270 AD. After his death Valentine was named a Saint.

According to another version of legend Valentine was killed because he attempted to help Christians escape from the Roman prison as they were being tortured and beaten there. Yet another popular version of the legend states that while in prison Valentine or Valentinus fell in love with jailer's daughter who visited him during confinement. Before his death Valentine wrote a farewell letter to his sweetheart from the jail and signed ‘From your Valentine'. The expression became quite popular amongst love struck and is still very much in vogue.

By the Middle Ages, Valentine assumed the image of heroic and romantic figure amongst the masses in England and France. Later, when Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14. Around 498 AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day to honor the martyr Valentinus and to end the pagan celebration.

Beginning of Birds Mating Season 

During the Middle Ages, people in England and France held a belief that birds started to look for their mate from February 14. This popular notion further helped to link Valentine's Day - celebrated in the middle of the February, with love and romance. Over the period of time, St Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and they began to celebrate Valentine's Day as a day of romance by exchanging love notes and simple gifts such as flowers.

Popularity of St Valentines Day 

Valentine's Day festival gradually grew in popularity amongst the masses due to the combined effect of all the above said reasons. To mark the day lovers began to exchange love notes called ‘Valentines' with their sweethearts. In the beginning the trend was to send handmade cards but this was changed in the beginning of 19th century and mass-produced greeting cards caught the fancy of the people. In the course of time, Valentine's day came to be regarded as the festival that celebrates love and not just romantic love. Today, Valentine's Day cards are gifted to teachers, parents, friends, siblings and sweethearts. Popularity of Valentine's Day has spread in countries across the seven continents and is still increasing by the year.

Url to the songs: St. Valentine's day song - A love story

                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJaYh8HL82o

                              I love U - a funny song
                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXf9AUsYpDc

U