If you haven’t been listening to the radio recently, then you’ve been missing out on Jully Black’s new amazing track “Seven Day Fool”. This song is so catchy… I feel like dancing 60’s-Hairspray-style whenever I hear it. :D
Visit her official site to check out new images (holy legs!) and to listen to “Seven Day Fool” if you haven’t been privileged to already! Don’t forget to visit her MySpace site as well.
Jully’s new album Revival drop October 9th. Make sure to pick yourself up a copy. Trust me, all the tracks are amazing… you’ll be bumpin’ them 24/7.
I’ve been a tad skeptical about those language learning software and audio kits. So I surprised myself by purchasing Michel Thomas’ Speak French For Beginners program. I haven’t heard this much French since I took the Summer Language Bursary Program (now known as Explore) when I was in university. The 5-week language program (in Trois Pistoles, Quebec) I took was one of the best experiences I ever had. I made new friends, experienced different cultures and activities, and most importantly, I greatly improved on my French (I fairly recollected my one year of high school french). Of course as soon as I left Trois Pistoles and returned to Toronto, I forgot a good deal of what I learned because I was re-immersed into an 99% anglophone city.
I would love to learn French on a more conversational level. Speaking a second-lanuage definitely has it’s benefits. And when I do learn French to an extent, I won’t have to worry about strangers asking me, “Oh, you’re name is Monique. Do you speak French?” :D
I’ve heard positive things about Michel Thomas‘ teaching methods, so when I noticed that it was on sale at Chapters.Indigo.ca for 34% off the regular $99.99 price tag, I jumped on it (I also got an additinal 5% off with my iRewards card, and had a $5 coupon, so I wound up paying only $60 with free shipping). It probably would’ve been cheaper if I purchased it from amazon.com, but I wasn’t sure about all those extra customs charges at the border.
Yesterday I started with disc one, and this morning I listened to the second one on my way to work. Honestly, the reviews aren’t kidding: his way of teaching actually makes me retain what I’m learning. I don’t have to worry about writing anything down, reviewing homework, or memorization. And the program is done as Michel teaches two students, so you actually feel like you’re learning as part of the class. Using your pause button on your mp3/CD player, you’ll try to translate the English phrase Michel asks into French phrases before the students. Part of the process is also learning from the mistakes the students may make before Michel corrects them.
Almost 20% into the entire package, I have a basic understanding of words, phrases and vocab that could get me to feel a little more comfortable with speaking simple French–a lot more than I remember from when I was taking French in high school.  The programs breaks down the language, so you’re able to piece together each ‘building block’ into a proper sentence. I’m actually beginning to understand more of the French language and how it works.
No books. No writing. No drills. And nothing to memorize– ever! With his patented method, Michel Thomas has taught languages to top celebrities and–through his bestselling audio programs–more than a million everyday learners around the world. At the end of this ten-CD beginner’s program, you will have acquired:
* A full working vocabulary
* Essential comprehension skills
* Complete language confidence
Don’t try to memorize specific words or expressions. It is a basic principle of the Michel Thomasâ„¢ method that the responsibility for the student’s learning lies with the teacher. With Michel Thomas as your teacher, your learning will be based on understanding–and what you understand, you do not forget!
Included in the package:
* 10 audio CDs–including the two-CD Speak French Get Started Kit and 2 review CDs
* Program booklet
* Zippered travel case
I can’t wait until I reach the end of the 10-disc course to see how much I really have learned! Now writing en Français is another story. It’s a good thing I also picked up Barron’s French Verb book! I’ll be sure to keep you guys informed on my progress.
One of my good friends gave me this recipe for guacamole and I altered it a bit. Now I think I’m going to be making it a lot more often because it ended up tasting so delicious!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
3 ripe avocados (peeled, pitted and diced)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic (crushed)
1 small roma tomato OR 1/2 regular tomato (chopped)
1/4 (about 3 tablespoons) of a sweet onion (finely chopped)
salt and pepper to taste
a few drops hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
Place the diced avocados into a medium mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice and garlic and mash the mixture with a fork or potato masher.
Add the chopped onion and tomato. If you want a smoother guacamole, you can choose to blend the tomato before adding it to the avocado mixture.
Continue mashing the mixture, adding some salt, pepper and hot sauce until the desired taste and consistency is reached.
If desired, cover with plastic wrap and chill for about 45 minutes before eating.
Hosting a BBQ has it’s ups and downs… the up part being hanging out with friends and family, the down part eating too much food and junk conking out. I just woke up from a 2 hour nap after a day of marinating, grilling, eating and chatting. Good times! I’m heading out to go see Rush Hour 3 now, but I’ll be posting some of the recipes I used in my BBQ today and posting them tomorrow (as well as the guacamole dip I was talking about before).
Superbad was supergood. The film follows a pair of not-so-popular best friends, foul-mouthed Seth and sweet-natured Evan, who goal is to de-virginize themselves before they graduate high school and go on their separate ways before college. The interaction between Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) is fun to watch as they tackle their way through the challenge of scoring alcohol for a graduation party that’s hosted by Seth’s dream girl.
Enter McLovin, aka geek icon Fogell (played by newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse). With his fake ID, McLovin is the third wheel to this enjoyable duo, and adds lots of laughs to the film. When two wacky cops (played by the Seth Rogen and Bill Hader) take McLovin under their wing a long, wild night ensues.
Real life friends Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg actually wrote the script when they were back in high school (hence the names of the title characters). Judd Apatow co-produces the film alongside Shauna Robertson (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and the aforementioned duo. Greg Mottola directs.
A witty script, Superbad certainly has it share of R-rated dialogue (including a rather graphic recollection of one of the character’s former penis-drawing addiction). The jokes are constant and each member of the cast plays off each other well and with ease. At the times in the film where it looks like the jokes have gone too far or have been overplayed, it’s made up by the heart of the story and the likable characters. You’ll definitely have fun watching this movie. I superdid.
I’ve been a tad skeptical about those language learning software and audio kits. So I surprised myself by purchasing 
