Thank you all for 1.000.000 hits on Movie Segments to Assess Grammar Goals. This is a motivating number that will certainly make me keep on sharing my activities!

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Gosh, it's been an entire week since I last posted... well guys, because you are so awesome and patient this is what I am going to do to reward you, I'm going to throw a contest, a "end-of-the-school-year contest" because my classes end in a week and a half, and then I'm all yours. Will post everything tomorrow (promise) today I shall count my box full of books I plan to giveaway...

On to last week's book! It was...

Something Strange and Deadly

Goodreads

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: July 24th 2012

by HarperTeen

I like the title, I like the font, I like the dark feel of the cover, I am just not sure I like the model. Strange...

Here's how it went, the grand majority said maybe, still on the fence, probably waiting for the cover to reveal itself (I get you) but when it came to yeses or nos it was mostly no. Why? It seems this blog following is not a fan of the zombies! (or at least the people who commented) I understand though, I'm not a fan of ZOmbies myself. And one follower pointed out that the summary had her right until it describes how "hawt" the guy crush was, and then she ran to the hills. That part of the summary also made me cringe, like we would only read something if you could imagine the guy being gorgeous... *sigh*

After seeing the cover, how many of your minds have changed?

On to the next one then!

Let's play another little game shall we? I am going to give you guys a summary of a book that may or may not sound good (you be the judge) but I am not going to give you an image to accompany the book. This way we can find out if you would read it or not even if the image of the book sucks a lot.

This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won.

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters.... 

 This week's I have to let you know, it's a little troublesome all on itself. Just read the summary... It sounds a lot like another book on my to-read list, by a very loved author... I shall not give my opinion on it till next week though because I don't want to dissuade your opinion on the matter. But next week you shall get an earful!

 So, now, all you have to do is say if you would read it or not!

(Yes or no will suffice if you don't wanna write a lot)

Next Wednesday I will post a new summary with no image,

I will also post the cover and book information of this week.

PS; If you know the name, image or whatever of this book do not say anything. Don't give any sort of information away please.

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I love this Australian animated movie. Here the student plays bingo with what they will see in the movie in order to practice of the verb THERE + TO BE. This class was really fun!

A. You are going to see a movie segment that shows Lamington Drive in Waverly, Australia. Look at the phrases below and complete the bingo chart with 9 of the given phrases that you think you will see in the scene.

a pair of boots on the wires / a football on the roof / a fast trolley / a sprinkler in the garden / a pair of roller skates on the grass / trash cans on the street / kids playing rugby/ different mailboxes / a brown bicycle / a barbecue grill / different statues / beautiful flowers/ an underwear on a line / very tall buildings / a bird cage/ an I-pod/ hot dog stands

BINGO

B. Watch the movie segment now and check your bingo chart. The winner is the student who bingoes or who guesses the most correct items.





C. Now rewite the phrases in your chart, using there is (not) or there are (not)

Ex: There is a pair of roller skates on the grass

2. ............................................................

3. ............................................................

4. ...........................................................

5. ...........................................................

6. ..........................................................

7. ...........................................................

8. ...........................................................

9. ...........................................................

MOVIE SEGMENT - MARY AND MAX

WORKSHEET


Answer key - Possible items:

a pair of boots on the wires / a football on the roof / a sprinkler in the garden / a pair of rollerskates on the grass / trash cans on the street / mailboxes / a barbecue grill / different statues / an underwear on a line

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792

 acrylic on canvas 12x16" sold

Paris-Madrid 1903

Mors Gabriel

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791

acrylic on canvas 24x30"sold

Steve perez

Porsche 911

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Last week's book was... For Darkness Shows the Stars

For Darkness Shows the Stars

by Diana Peterfreund

Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: June 12th 2012

by Balzer + Bray

It is a jaw dropping cover, very a la Across the Universe. I specially like the font, and how the colors come together.

So, here is how it went:

-11- said "hell's yeah I'll read it!"

-8- said "Maybe..."

-6- "Nah, not my style/ Nah"

After seeing the cover, how many of your minds have changed?

On to the next one then!

Let's play another little game shall we? I am going to give you guys a summary of a book that may or may not sound good (you be the judge) but I am not going to give you an image to accompany the book. This way we can find out if you would read it or not even if the image of the book sucks a lot.

There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…  

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper— 

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia. 

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother. 

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

 So, now, all you have to do is say if you would read it or not!

(Yes or no will suffice if you don't wanna write a lot)

Next Wednesday I will post a new summary with no image,

I will also post the cover and book information of this week.

PS; If you know the name, image or whatever of this book do not say anything. Don't give any sort of information away please.

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They are just plain delightful. Some people hate them to no end, I just happen to love them, and any book I see with a cover like this I have the irresistible urge to pick up and read, which is how I ended up reading Charlaine Harris, Nicole Peeler, Tate Hallaway (yes, she doesn't just write Young Adult Vampire Novels, she also writes Adult)...

  

(Any cover of any book by Charlaine Harris essentially)

 

 

I can't freaking wait to get my hands on one or two of Dakota Cassidy's books,

they sound like so much freaking fun!

 

Speaking of such covers, the new cover for the new Sookie Stackhouse novel is out (finally, this book is taking forever) and here it is:

The summary, unfortunately, is minuscule at the moment...

"From Charlaine's blog, Sookie gets kidnapped and a character (a man) that Charlaine thought was dead, isn't."

But at least some process is being done! Hallelujah!

Anyways, what is really funny about this type of covers is that they are all essentially Adult books! In YA they use flashy amazingly done covers, and in Adult they use silly type girls-just-want-to-have-fun covers. Maybe some YA books should catch on to this trend, I would so pick up any YA book with a fun cartoonish cover!

Would you pick up any of these books basing your judgement solely on the cover and title (which is often hilarious as well)? That's how I picked up Dead Until Dark, and I thank my lucky stars for that!

PS; Little late on posting right? Oh well, content over quantity I say!

PPS; please, ladies and gentlemen, don't forget to vote.to.your.left. on the polls! It would really be so nice of you, extra brownie points to anyone who has done so and everyone that will do so!

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Teaching figures of speech are occasionally necessary. This is a fun way to practice identifying onomatopoeia. REMEMBER:

Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech that employs a word, or occasionally, a grouping of words, that imitates, echoes, or suggests the object it is describing, such as "bang", "click", "fizz", "hush" or "buzz", or animal noises such as "moo", "quack" or "meow".

I. Match the animals or things below and the onomatopoeia you believe the sound they make suggests. There may be more than only one matching for each of the items. Try to figure out the "sound" the verbs may have to identify the corresponding noun.




1. Wind

2. River

3. Wings

4. Bird

5. Eagle

6. Geyser





( ) rumble

( ) swoosh

( ) flutter

( ) screech

( ) chirp

( ) spout

( ) blow








II. Watch the movie segment and check your answers:











WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - STALLION SPIRIT OF THE CIMARRON




Answer Key:


river: rumble

wings: swoosh, flutter

eagle: screech

bird: chirp

geyser: spout

wind: blow

bird: chirp

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I will most likely post tomorrow about Harry Potter world, cause I'm going there as part of my b day present!!! But for today I got nothing, zip, zero. I have a sort of review on Fahrenheit 451if you are interested, but is more like a comment on the classic.

Goodreads

I am not going to actually review this because it was just a college assignment, but even though the writing is choppy and made me want to hit the writer with his own book, the story is what matters and this story is a good one.

If I DIDN'T have to read it for my final test then maybe I would have sincerely enjoyed it more. But from here you can see the foundation of so many other dystopian YA novels, it's truly uncanny.

That's it, a comment. I am starting to read Heartless by Gail Carriger today, so expect a review of that one soon!

For now you all have a great weekend!

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790

 acrylic on panel 8x12"

CanAm!!



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789

 acrylic on panel 8x12"

1st lap at the Spanish Grand Prix

Barcelona 1971

the ferrari's up front....

but not for long

Stewart is lurking



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Let's play a little game shall we? I am going to give you guys a summary of a book that may or may not sound good (you be the judge) but I am not going to give you an image to accompany the book. This way we can find out if you would read it or not even if the image of the book sucks a lot.

No Info till next Wednesday

Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology. 

Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him. 

But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—-one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever.

So, now, all you have to do is say if you would read it or not!

(Yes or no will suffice if you don't wanna write a lot)

Next Wednesday I will post a new summary with no image,

I will also post the cover and book information of this week.

PS; If you know the name, image or whatever of this book do not say anything. Don't give any sort of information away please.

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Title: The Iron Knight
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey
Book #: 4
Pages: 361
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 4.51
Published: Oct. 25th, 2011
by Harlequin Teen

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing. 

Unless he can earn a soul. 

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. 

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. 

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side. 

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale. 

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Taschima's POV:

The Iron Knight was the cherry on top of the sublime journey that was The Iron Fey series. The Iron Queen is one of the most perfect and heart breaking endings. I loved how everything went down, but we all knew it couldn't end like that. We are romantics and while a sad ending like that might have been poetic we are all deep inside looking for that happy ending. That is what The Iron Knight is for, to give us closure and make us live happily ever after along with our favorite characters.

We have one adventure left. Ash made a promise to a queen to be beside her and protect her forever, and he plans to keep it. But for this he must journey to the end of the world, and back. He can't do this alone though, not that Puck would let him go at it alone. Puck, Grimalkin, and a third party who shall be left unnamed, will accompany Ash, because if he went alone, well, where would the laughs come from? We all need the bickering between Puck and Ash.

The best thing is that we get closure on so many different things, even things we didn't think needed closure. Ash and Puck's history comes back to bite them in the ass. But it does give them an opportunity to mend their friendship. Ash finally gets a straight answer on the whole Meghan issue. It was just so great! The only thing I would complain about is that for a minute there Julie Kagawa had me worried about Ash and Meghan's future. In a part of the book it shows you a possible future, and this part had me very very worried. I believe some pulling of my hairs might have occurred... But, as always, Julie Kagawa manages to surprise us once more and give us the thing we needed to be happy.

This book reflected Ash's personality in every way. It's dark and emotional. It answers so many questions about some of our favorite characters! And how everything was dealt with... so magical, so awesome!!

The Iron Knight isn't as epic as The Iron Queen was, but it gives the reader the closure we needed. It's more about Ash and Meghan and unsolved problems. It was just right. I loved it, and if you are an Iron Fey fan you will love it as well.

Goodreads Status Updates:

07/24 page 386 100.0%

07/23 page 360 93.0% ":D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D"

07/23 page 319 83.0% "It seems that no matter his choice his future will suck, I wonder what will actually happen..."

07/23 page 163 42.0% "That part was freaky and horrible, I hope that never happens, though it would make for a hell of a story."

07/20 page 83 27.0% "Whaaaaat!?"

07/20 page 60 20.0%  *Spoiler* "Learning more about Ariella. Hmm I seem to like her o.o she is very different from the cold heartless girl I pictured every time she was mentioned before." *Spoiler*

07/19 page 38 13.0% "Oh yes, that's my Ash, giving someone some well deserved ass kicking <3"

07/19 page 18 6.0% ""I will be with her again, or I will die. There aren't any other options.""

-Exclusive Q&A with Julie Kagawa!!!-

· Do you keep a glossary of characters so you don't get confused with all of the monsters and creatures of Nevernever?

            -Not really.  They sort of all live up in my head, and wow, that sounded schizophrenic.  Little known fact about authors?  We listen to the voices in our heads. ;-)

· Is Puck going to get his own book? Are you going to do any spin offs of other characters now that Ash and Meghan are together? Any chance for a novella of Ash and Meghan's new life together in the Iron Kingdom?

            -There is a spin off series in the works.  This time it's Ethan Chase, Meghan's younger brother, as the protagonist, and I'm sure there will be many a cameo, including the original four.  But that's all I can reveal at this time.  

· Do you try to incorporate what you learned in your kung-fu classes into your novels?

            -Lol, actually, I take Kali as well as Kung Fu, which is a Filipino martial art using sticks, swords, and knives.  And yes, it has been tremendously helpful in staging fight scenes.  Totally worth the "badges of courage" I bring home every so often.

· Your new series is a post-apocalyptic vampire series. That sounds really different from the Iron Fey series! Did you find it harder to write about vampires than feys?

            -It was very different.  I think the hardest thing to deal with was the fact that the vampire story takes place in the real (thoughpost-apocalyptic) world, and I have to have things make sense.  I can't just explain things with: "they got there through faery magic," lol.

I love this woman!! I can't wait for all her new books to come out, I'll be the first one in line for every single one of them!

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788

 acrylic on panel 8x12"

Latvala,,,beating Loeb for a change

in Wales Ralio GB 2011

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Title: Kiss of Death
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Series
Book #: 8
Pages: 241
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: .8
Goodreads Rating: 4.22
Published: April 27th, 2010
by Signet

Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he's been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael's all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell...

Taschima's POV:

Possible spoilers for books 1 (Glass Houses), 2 (The Dead Girl's Dance), 3 (Midnight Alley), 4 (Feast of Fools), 5 (Lord of Misrule), 6 (Carpe Corpus) and 7 (Fade Out). This is book 8 in the series, if you have come here for a review you probably know whats been going on by now.

So in this book we get to get out of Morganville for a little. Michael gets the attention of some big time music people and is invited to Dallas to do some recording. Big chance right? The only way to get out of Morganville is in a body bag, and even then they might just bury you in their backyard to save the trouble. But believe it or not, Amelie grants Michael, Eve, Shane and Claire 4 passes to get out of town for a weekend in order to do Michael's thing and then come right back. Only catch is, they have to put up with Oliver too cause he is tagging along.

So the four friends hurry the hell out of Morganville because as always they have some other vamp who wants to eat them for lunch. This time is Morley. He wants Claire to pull some strings and get him and some other vamps out of Morganville, but Claire can't do such a thing. She tried, didn't work. But Morley is not giving up that easily, and the lengths he is willing to go to get what he wants are unbelievable.

To tell you the truth I devoured this novel. But the story even though interesting it wasn't a big story like the Bishop story, and by now I'm starting to wonder if Rachel Caine will be able to top that one off. The last two books have been fun, but mild in the plot section. Maybe this is the calm before the story... I sure as hell hope it is.

My biggest disappointed about this novel is this: No Myrnin. Say WHAT!?! He is my favorite character, and I had to read an entire book in which he wasn't in it. It's okay, I had Claire and she was actually more fun to read than I anticipated. She is growing into a fine deadly lady.

The thing that happens in this book is, very resident evily. I felt like I was in a video game for reals while reading Kiss of Death, vamp to the left, vamp to the right, oh no look out! It was fun, but again not a strong lasting plot line.

It was interesting to see the outside world through the eyes of Morganville people, at times our world seemed a lot more dangerous than Morganville, but I'm ready to go back to our little vamp town. And see Myrnin again.

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Sorry for the long title guys, but Ive been searching online for about 30 minutes for the trailer so I can at least post something for you guys and I found two venues. One is a Youtube video of the full trailer and the other one is the full trailer but only for those who have Quicktime in their computers. Itunes is a b****.

The other fullest trailer can be found at Apple's Page. If you CLICK HERE you will be able to go directly there and feast in the awesomeness.

Right now I'm in class, and so I could only see the trailer and not really hear it (I saw the youtube video since my friend doesn't like Quicktime and I'm on her laptop) but, from what I saw, it was a damn good trailer! Everything looked just like I thought it would, and I can't wait to get home and see it again!

**Update: The first blog post I did about it wouldn't show the video for some strange Blogger reason (I'm glaring at you Blogger Logo; so I had to do it again) but this one has a trailer! I hope you enjoy! I reallyyyy liked it, I think the movie will live up to the books and be all kinds of awesome. The part with Prim? Everything!!

What do YOU think?! Did it live up to your expectations?

PS; Remember to please vote at the poll on your left side, only takes one click!

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