Queen Elizabeth's birthday

Elizabeth II has seen her birthday be celebrated several times this year. Do you know why? Check out this video, it explains why she has had no less than THREE celebrations this year: Queen Elizabeth's three celebrations

There have been massive celebrations around the world, not just in London or all around the UK, remember she is also the Head of the Commonwealth. Does that sound familiar?Check it out if it is something you have never heard of before.

I really recommend you to watch the following video, too. It shows how still at 90, Queen Elizabeth is in excellent shape. You can listen and watch the Queen deliver a very short speech (1 minute). Make sure you watch it until the end, there's a joke there. 
Enjoy her pronunciation, there sure is a reason why the 'standard' (meaning posh) variety of English is called the 'Queen's English'.

Here is the transcript if you want to read along:

'To everyone here today, and to those holding street parties elsewhere, I would like to say thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you continue to give me.

I hope these happy celebrations will remind us of the many benefits that can flow when people come together for a common purpose, as families, friends, or neighbours.  And I pay tribute to the commitment, selfless devotion and generosity-of-spirit shown by the hundreds of charities and voluntary organisations represented here today.  You are an example to us all.

I much appreciate the kindness of all your birthday wishes, and have been delighted and moved by the many cards and messages I have received.  How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday to me in December, remains to be seen!'

How well do you treat your pet?

Do you have any pets at home? Let me guess...most of you I'm sure have a dog or a cat. Am I right? Lots of people are very fond of having animals at home. 

Have a look at the following pictures, did you know these celebrity pets?

Freddie Mercury and his cat Tiffany 

 Salvador Dalí and his cat Babou

Cara Delevingne and her dog Leo

And what about Queen Elizabeth II? It is known that Queen Elizabeth II absolutely LOVES Corgis. All the dogs she has had are descendants of the first one which was given to her as a gift many, many years ago:

 

Her Majesty with Holly and Willow

 

The Queen and more Welsh Corgis

Official Corgi handlers (what a job!)

How well do you think the Queen treats her dogs? I bet you can't even imagine! Have a look at the following article: Daily Mail Article Link. The title is:

Who made a dog's dinner of cooking supper for one's corgis? Queen's shock as beloved dogs are fed reheated meals instead of freshly cooked

It is known she once said about the dogs 'they are family'. 

If you like the article take a look at the comments, many people approving and disapproving in an equally intense manner!

Once you have a look, tell me: how well do YOU treat your pets? Do you know anyone who treats their pets similarly? Have you heard about any celebrity who does this? Let me know!!

I have to admit that if I could, I maybe would do the same as she does :)

And the word of the year is...

Binge-watch has been selected by Collins English Dictionary as the word of the year for 2015. 

Want to know what it means? CLICK HERE to read an article about it and find some other words that have grown in popularity during this last year.

Oh, there's also a wonderful video of Lord Michael Dobbs and his brilliant British pronunciation to go with it... so at least have a look at that.

Never confuse education with intelligence

Interesting...

A couple of weeks ago there was a debate contest between inmates from a prison in New York and students from Harvard University. Any guess who won?

WINNERS!! =><==WINNERS!!

The thing is that while in prison, inmates have the possibility of attending a variety of different lessons. In these lessons, the standards for passing exams are vey high - the same any university would hold. 

Click here to check this news in the British newspaper The Telegraph to read a bit more about this (there is a video at the end, too).