Funny Tales

Funny Tales will be a feature of the blog where I share weird and humorous experiences that seem to happen to me on regular basis. 
I chose the title FUNNY TALES, because the word funny has both the meaning of strange and humorous, and the things that happen to me are usually a combination of both. 


So let's kick start the feature with the latest, which happened today, perhaps the best one so far this year!!


The tale begins with a meeting between me and a potential student called Daniel.  We had arranged to meet at Starbucks on rua Augusta.  I arrived first and sent him a message describing myself and he messaged back saying he was on his way.  While waiting a few people entered the coffee shop and in the usual manner I thought every person entering was him; however, none of them approached me.  


I then noticed one guy who seemed to be waiting for someone, so i decided to approach him and asked him if he was Daniel.  "Yes", he said.  I introduced myself, shook is hand and suggested we grabbed a coffee and had a chat.  All the while, Daniel, who I imagine could only understand half of what I was saying, came to the counter with me as we made our orders, for which I insisted on paying.  During this period a person behind me called my name "Lara"  when i turned i didn't recognise him, but he introduced himself as Daniel. At this point I was very confused and turned to other Daniel.  There I was almost paying for a couple of coffees between two Daniels, of which, only one was the one i was supposed to meet. So, I turned to the guy who knew my name and said "Are you Daniel?", to which he replied yes, and then i turned to the other Daniel for who i was buying coffee and said "Who are you then?" to which he replied Daniel....


Everyone, at this point, started laughing and I couldn't believe that I had accidentally met someone called Daniel in the same place and time I was meeting a person called Daniel. 


Whatever, this stuff always seems to happen to me!


Hope this made you chuckle.....keep reading for more. 

Article for your Interest

Financial Times: Brazil's Growing Pains
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/823bbcfe-8a37-11e1-93c9-00144feab49a.html#axzz1uDUflNJM

Follow the link  to check an interesting article related to the current topic of the SELIC and the poupança account. 


This month I have been going crazy over Florence and the Machine's new album "Ceremonials". 
Amazing voice and truly talented follow the link to Radio´s one live lounge mini concert.  Enjoy!!
Florence and the Machine: Radio One Live Lounge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6LLTVR_vx4&feature=related

Also, check out this amusing article about London
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/travel/a-profile-of-london-by-aa-gill.html

Hope you enjoyed the links more language tips are on the way.......


Thanks 

SNAP SNAP!!

Fun expressions with the word snap...........


A cold snap - Europe is definitely having a cold snap at the moment


Snap out of it - If you are depressed or really angry people usually tell you to snap out of it


Snap you fingers - can be used to make beats or get someone's attention, although the latter is considered rude


Holiday snaps - holiday photos 


Snap up - the new i phones were snapped up in minutes (bought very quickly)


Snap at someone - shout or be rude to someone


Snap to it - start to do something quickly 


Snap back to reality - To quickly return to reality 


ENJOY!!

Putting the world to rights !!!

Part One:      Speaking Your Mind

If you know me, then you'll know that sometimes i can get a real bee in my bonnet about certain things.  Today, for instance, I was walking back from my class and a man driving a typical, over priced, SUV (sports utility vehicle) decided to reverse without checking his rear view mirror.  Why? you may ask "ON THE FRICKING PHONE, of course!!  This is one thing that really gets my goat driving or maneuvering a car while talking on the phone.  I couldn't let it lie I'm afraid, so I tapped on the tinted, bullet proof window and gave the jerk a piece of my mind.  He apologised.

Continuing my mission I have just informed the prats at the CPTM (train service provider) that we could do without the heating today seeing as it is 27 degrees and pretty packed.

Glad to get it off my chest and have a chance to vent.

Language Focus 

The above rant uses many idiomatic expressions in bold if you want to know what they mean leave a comment and I'll be happy to get back to you!!  

Or share a comment about what really pisses you off!!

Problems with Pronunciation!!!

Hi Everyone, 


It might be a bit late in the year to wish you all Happy New Year, but I think 2012 will be a good year for all. 


Well, the holidays are well and truly over and the rapid pace of working life has returned.  2012 will hold many new things for sole to speak, as we sit here today, the small, fledgling company is rapidly expanding with many new students and teachers getting on board.  


English as a foreign language is in the spotlight as Brazil prepares itself for world sporting events and becoming an emerging superpower.  Last Sunday Folha de São Paulo published a special report on the growing demand for English over the country. 


So this brings me to my theme today regarding pronunciation and word stress.  Being able to speak without and accent is a difficult feat for any language learner, and sometimes a twinge of a foreign accent can add a certain charm and cuteness.  However, there are certain things that could land you in embarrassing moments for you and your listener.  let's take a look at some:


A women doing a presentation in front of some English and American guys pronounces the word shift like shit.  She precedes to tell the audience how at her company they have three shits a day.  One in the morning, one in the afternoon and then finally the last one at night.  


Another guy confused the word like with lick and said how he licks he girlfriend.  You can imagine how uncomfortable that must have been!!


Another classic example is when a Brazilian girl in London said to me "you like bitch", she was actually trying to say do you like the beach? two problems occurred here the first forgot her auxiliary verb and the second mispronounced the letter combinations "ea" .  


Once student told me of the discomfort of having a tit ache rather than tooth ache or teeth ache I think he was actually trying to say.  Are yes, the famous "th" sound always difficult.


Follow link to see the problems of learning English pronunciation:

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

Hope you enjoyed today's entry.