Books I ....

I love reading...

Ever since I remember myself being able to spell words, I rememeber the fascination and excitement it is to open a new book, to unveil the stories, dramas, mystery and magic brought by the pages of books.

A book is a treasure of knowledge. Books are meant to be touched, to be read and they certainly can offer us so much...

I love reading a book, and I always read whenever I can.

So, from time to time, I'll write about one.

Here is the first book review!

A Fórmula de Deus is the lastest book I read. It was a Christmas gift.

José Rodrigues dos Santos, the author, a well-known journalist, is a master with words. The plot contains all the right ingredients to keep readers in suspense till the end. The story is plausible, and what I most admire in his books is the scientific knowledge and rigour, combined with interesting characters.

The almost six hundred pages capture your attention all the way...no one gets bored.

I loved it...

And the Winner is...

Today, The Oscars' Ceremony is once again held in the famous Kodac Theatre.

Great expectations...

Great films...

Every year the rituals are to be repeated. Nominations under different categories, for different types of films. The Academy has the harsh task to select the winner among some of the best films , actors, producers and the list goes on.

However, The Oscars' night is a show in itself. The red carpet awaits for the beautiful and the famous. The ladies compete to be the most glamourous, the most elegant. Exclusive fashion designer dresses, jewelry, make up...

Lights, cameras and action...

The show must go on!

Paradise...

Where I would like to be...

Paradise on Zakinthos, Greece.

Impossible as tomorrow I'll be back into my routine... Students, lessons plans , tests and many other tasks.

I'll let my imagination fly, fly far away!

Mardi Gras...

Mardi Gras is the day before Ash Wednesday, and is also called "Shrove Tuesday" or "Pancake Day". It is the final day of Carnival .

Perhaps the cities most famous for their Mardi Gras celebrations include New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Venice, Salvador da Bahia, and Mazatlán.

Many other places have important Mardi Gras celebrations as well. The carnival is an important celebration in most of Europe , and in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world
The New Orleans Carnival season, with roots in Catholic ritual, starts on Twelfth Night (January 6). The season of parades, balls (some of them masquerade balls), and king cake parties begins on that date.
From about two weeks before, through Fat Tuesday, there is at least one major parade each day. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the season. In the final week of Carnival many events large and small occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities.
The parades in New Orleans are organized by Carnival krewes. Krewe float riders toss throws to the crowds; the most common throws are strings, usually made of plastic colorful beads, doubloons...
To New Orleanians, "Mardi Gras" refers only to the final and most elaborate day of the Carnival Season; visitors tend to refer to the entire Carnival as "Mardi Gras."

Have a Nice Weekend...

To all ...
A nice weekend...in spite of the rain!

Be my Valentine...

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need; by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath.

Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrnett Browning

Dedicated to the one I love!...

The Big Apple...

New York...

Here are some facts about the city...

If we are able to fight against all odds, we'll visit it soon!

New York City (officially the City of New York) is the most populous city in the United States and one of the major global cities of the world. The city's business, financial and trading organizations play a significant role in the economy of the nation and of the world and contribute to the largest regional economy in the country. The city is also one of the world's most important cultural centers and is the home of the United Nations.
New York City has a population of 8.1 million within a land area of 321 square miles (830 km²), making it the most densely populated city in North America. With a population of 18.7 million, the New York metropolitan area is one of the largest urban areas in the world. The southwestern fringe of New York City is only 46 miles from the northeastern boundary of Philadelphia (and the downtowns of each are approximately 80 miles apart), creating an expansive metropolitan area with two of the five most populous cities in the United States in such close proximity.
New York City has been a center of the world's financial system since World War II and home to many of the world's most influential stock markets and financial institutions. In addition, it is the birthplace of many American cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance in literature, abstract expressionism in visual art, and hip hop in music. The city's cultural vitality has been fueled by immigration since its founding by Dutch settlers in 1623. In 2005, 36.6% of the city's population was foreign born. New York City is also notable for having the lowest crime rate among the ten largest American cities

Notes of Wisdom...

The following are some quotes about smiles.

O riso é um amortecedor que suaviza os golpes da vida-autor desconhecido

O homem distingue-se das demais criaturas pela capacidade de rir -Joseph Addison

A ausência total de humor torna a vida impossível -Colette

Um homem não é pobre se ainda consegue rir -Hitchcock

O riso é o sol que afasta o Inverno dos rostos humanos - Victor Hugo

Um dia sem riso é um dia desperdiçado -Charlie Chaplin

My apologies for the use of the Portuguese.

Smiling...

We should smile a lot...It is proved that we must smile, laugh as it has so many benefits.

Smiling:

. regulates our blood pressure

. strengths our immunitary system

. protects our heart

. improves our brain functioning

. increases energy, and

. alliviates pain.

This isn't bad for such an easy and elementar gesture . We should also think that smiling reduces stress or even eliminates depressive feelings of guilt, anger, anxiety, aggressiveness or simply makes you feel happier.

They certainly are good reasons to smile, aren't they?

And if the problem is that you believe there's not a reason to smile, then take some time and dedicate it to yourself. Look for what makes you smile. Look for positive, funny people and friends and learn to cheer up.

It's worth to discover small things, apparently insignificant ones but that will make a difference in our lives.

Let's learn with kids to smile...the simplest things in life are quite often the best source of inspiration for a smile...for a sound, pleasurable laugh!

Almourol...

The Almourol castle is a medieval monument that evokes the memory of the Templars in our country.

In 1129, the date when this part of Portugal ( southern centre) was taken by D. Afonso Henriques - the first Portuguese king - it was already built.

Another Portuguese wonder, a beautiful place worth a visit...

For You...

kisses.

... a thousand kisses for today it's your birthday.

Love.

...for love is my present. Today and tomorrow...!