September 18: Scotland´s referendum

Read an outsider's perspective on Scottish Independence: Scotland´s referendum...

Carmela

Escultura de Augusto Cid

Segundo a Embaixada dos Estados Unidos em Lisboa, Portugal foi o primeiro país do mundo a homenagear as vítimas dos atentados de 11 de Setembro de 2001. Aconteceu exactamente um mês depois com uma escultura em aço de August Cid, em Lisboa, situada na Av. dos Estados Unidos da América, que representa os destroços das Torres Gémeas em Nova Iorque.

The article I have been looking for...

Why do mosquitoes always bite me?

The origin of Piggy Banks

15th century "piggy bank"- Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The origin of piggy banks dates back nearly 600 years, in a time before real banks even existed, when people commonly stored their money at home . 

Dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called "pygg". When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as "pygg banks".

Vowels in early English had different sounds than they do today. As the English language evolved, the clay (pygg) and the animal came to be pronounced the same. So, in the 19th century when English potters received requests for pygg banks they started producing banks shaped like pigs. 

And it caught on...

Intact ones are rare since you had to smash them to get your money.

This explains where the “pig” part came from, but how about the word "bank"?

Algarve, Portugal: The best place to retire

“All things considered, nowhere in the world could you embrace a better overall being-retired experience than in Portugal's Algarve.”

Read more

British Pub Signs

Learn how to decode British Pub Menus

Why?

              

In golf, a caddy (or caddie) is the person who carries a player's bag and clubs, and gives insightful advice.

Where did the term 'Caddie' come from?

When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, the King of France  learned that she loved the Scots game 'golf.' He had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, the King hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when she returned to Scotland , she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into ‘caddie.’

Why are zero scores in tennis called "love"?

In France , where tennis became popular, the round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'the egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US , Americans (mis)pronounced it 'love.'

(e.g.15-0) is spoken "fifteen-love"; "to hold to love" means to win the game when serving with the opponent scoring zero points.

Kate, 32, is expecting second child

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their son George

Kensington Palace announced this morning the Duchess's second pregnancy. The child will be fourth in line to the throne. As with her first pregnancy, the Duchess suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes extreme sickness in pregnant women, and was required to cancel official engagements. 

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FLORA

FLORA- um livro de Raimundo Quintal

Today

Joan Rivers dies at 81

Joan Rivers, an American comedian, who used to cover the “red carpet show” with her daughter while I lived in USA, has died. Here are some of her famous quotes:

"People say that money is not the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made".

"You know you’ve reached middle age when you’re cautioned to slow down by your doctor, instead of by the police".

"I wish I had a twin, so I could know what I’d look like without plastic surgery".

"I am definitely going to watch the Emmys this year! My makeup team is nominated for ‘Best Special Effects.’"

Lagoa do Fogo

“Lagoa do Fogo is the hike you must add to your bucket list”- The Huffington Post

The world in an apple

After 30 Years of Teaching

Bogart´s Gin

Bogart’s Real English Gin was launched this week by the estate of the legendary actor Humphrey Bogart in partnership with Rok Drinks. Stephen Bogart, son of Humphrey Bogart and actress Lauren Bacall, said his father loved gin, so he was thrilled about this partnership.

Each bottle bears an image of the Casablanca actor, who was known as Bogie, as well as one of his memorable quotes, such as “never trust a man who doesn’t drink”.

Urgentemente

Es urgente el amor
Es urgente un barco en el mar

es urgente destruir ciertas palabras,
odio soledad crueldad,
ciertos lamentos,
muchas espadas.


Es urgente inventar alegría,
multiplicar los besos, los trigales

es urgente descubrir rosas y ríos

y mañanas claras.


Cae en los hombros el silencio y la luz
impura, hasta doler.
Es urgente el amor, es urgente
Permanecer.

Eugénio de Andrade

Once a teacher always a teacher

This cartoon reminded me of my teaching experience in ESR last year

30 Incorrectly Used Words That Can Make You Look Horrible

You´re invited...

...to visit the 10 best rooftop bars in Lisbon.

Let´s GO!