Jacques Brel (1929–1978) was a Belgian singer-songwriter whose
thoughtful and theatrical songs generated a large, devoted following in
Belgium, France and throughout the world.
Although he recorded most of his
songs in French, he became a major influence on English-speaking songwriters
and performers such as Rod McKuen, Leonard Cohen, Barbra Streisand and David Bowie.
If we only have love
We can reach those in
pain We can heal all our
wounds
After centuries of duelling to survive against others like him, an
immortal Scottish swordsman faces his final opponent: a bloodthirsty barbarian
who has chased him across time to 1985 New York City, where they fight for the
Prize: the spiritual ability to know everything.
The Grandma has been visiting Scotland these last days. Homeland of Sean Connery, Robert Louis
Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, a special person for The Holmes, Walter Scott, Annie Lennox, Rod Stewart
or Amy MacDonald, Scotland is a country where History and
Tradition are mixed creating an incredible atmosphere.
She has had a
meeting with Connor MacLeod, an old
friend of her. After talking about the beauty of Scottish Highlands and the last studies about the existence of Nessie, they were to a bagpipe
concert.
Today, The Grandma is in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
She’s enjoying Scottish hospitality and buying tonnes of Scottish herbs, her
favourite drink.
Despite of
this travel, The Grandma continues in
her search of new material to The Holmes. In
this case, again, to prepare the listening part, some audios about Express English.
Today, The Grandma has visited Dublin to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in the capital of
Ireland. Dublin is an incredible
city plenty of beautiful buildings like Saint
Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle,
the Gaiety Theatre, Trinity College or Ha’Penny Bridge but the most special place for The Grandma is the MollyMalone Statue, whose story she loves.
Ireland is a
marvellous country plenty of culture, folklore and nice people who believe and
respect their culture strongly. Lots of Irish songs and poems have influenced world’s
literature and music, from Oscar Wilde
to U2, from James Joyce to Sinéad O’Connor,
from Jonathan Swift to Clannad, from William Butler Yeats to Enya,
from Bram Stoker to The Cranberries, from Samuel Beckett to Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh… the list is endless!
Tomorrow,
she is going to travel to Scotland
to visit Conan MacLeod, an old Scottish
friend, who lives in the Highlands.
By the way, The Grandma continues offering new
material to The Holmes. In this
case, to prepare the listening part, some audios about English at Work.
Mrs. McGraw
lived on the seashore
For the space of seven long years or more
'Till she saw big ship sailing in the bay
"Hallelu, babbelu, I think it's he!"
The Grandma has been some days in Andorra. She has been skiing, enjoying her country and its culture
and she has been controlling her fortune and legacy. Yesterday, she
celebrated her 92-birthday. It was a strange day because she was thinking in
all her families and hoping the best wishes for all of them. She remembered
incredible moments with The Collins,
The Addams and The Holmes and plenty of energy she’s returning to London to
continue supporting her last family in its objective: PET.
Today, The Grandma, who is a great admirer of
public British television, BBC, has
decided to share this channel with her family to help them in their studies. In
this case, she offers a link to BBC to prepare the Listening Part.
This afternoon,
The Grandma has received some
incredible news. An old friend, someone who loves Archaeology like her, is
going to return very soon. She’s very happy and expectant.
Since today,
the final countdown has started. The Holmes have 60 days to arrive to the final
and she is going to work as hard as them to reach it.
Come on Holmes, this is the beginning of the end…
Archaeology
is the search for fact... not truth. If it's truth you're looking for, Doctor
Tyree's philosophy class is right down the hall.
Good planning is important. I've also regarded a sense
of humour as one of the most important things on a big expedition. When you're
in a difficult or dangerous situation, or when you're depressed about the
chances of success, someone who can make you laugh eases the tension.
Edmund Hillary
Harry Potter
She was
leaving the centre when she saw the ambulance.
What has happened? –she asked to the receptionist.Another bad day! Too many nerves! –replied
the nice woman.
Another bad day. How many bad days must we suffer before finding
happiness? –she asked herself.
While she was
going to her car, the phone rang. A whatsapp explained another bad experience. Resist or serve, she thought, thinking
in her favourite TV series.
She opened
the door of her small car and drove to find another chance in another
publishing house. Eleven of them, in last two weeks had refused her new book.
It was a question of continuing in this unstoppable searching of success; it
was a question of keeping alive in the middle of a desperate society. In the radio, Billy Joel sang Piano Man,
and she thought about the song. Yes, the song was beautiful, good and deep
lyrics, but how important is music to transform some good lyrics in a great
song and how important is the person who tunes the instrument. All is connected
and one human’s success never arrives alone. It depends of the sum of lots of
coincidences. We needpeople around to
help us in difficult moments someone who sings us a good song.
She was
driving when the phone sounded again. More instant messages arrived giving
support and reclaiming more chances. It was the moment of trying again. She
parked the car and went to a new publishing house knowing that this time
something was going to change. All her friends told her about the quality of
her books and she believed in them when she tried to write something different
but with all the heart, as always. Thirty minutes later, after a short speaking
with the publisher, she was outside, in front of her car blaming herself and all
the whole heaven. How was possible? Yes, how was possible that nobody wanted
her book when she was JKR the author of one of the most incredible, beautiful
and best sellers in the history of literature!
Last Monday,
The Holmes revised some aspects of EnglishGrammar. They’re preparing their PET exam with determination. In that case, they studied Reported Speech. Before, they had
received the visit of a man who wanted to control The Grandma’s business, Fernando.
On Tuesday,
they continued with Reported Speech
and they finished the last chapter of Charles
Dickens’ A Carol Christmas, a
beautiful masterpiece which talks about human feelings and attitudes.
Yesterday, it
was the last day of English classes
and they celebrated it with some examples of PET
Speaking and some snacks.
Today, the
family has received the visit of another person, David, who has been talking about Occupational Health Hazards and Safety.
The Grandma has returned to Andorra, her hometown. She must pay
attention to her business during some weeks but she doesn’t leave her family
alone, she will continue trying to help them in their crusade: PET exam.
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando.
Technique: the base.
