Hallowe'en... but not only!

GOOGLE HALLOWEEN DOODLE 2011 - A fun time-lapse video of the Google doodle team & friends carving giant pumpkins in the Halloween spirit. Shot on location at Google's Headquarters

For many, Oct 31st only means Hallowe'en but this has become a very important date for many and different reasons.
Surely you are all aware through the media that the United Nations Population Fund has designated today - 31st Oct 2011 - the Day of Seven Billion, a milestone to mark the planet's population growth based on data interpolated from 5-year-period estimates. However, did you also know that...

Source: moneybox clipart

- since 1924 this day has also been celebrated as World Savings Day ? Never in recent times has this thought become so relevant...at least a day devoted to the promotion of savings all over the World!!! But cheer up anyway if you're Portuguese and desperate with so many cuts: check an online platform  for donations and reuse of what has become useless to their owners presented today at Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation: dou.pt !
- on this day in 1892, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Connan Doyle was published? That's right: the first collection of the beloved British detective whose adventures the author had been publishing loose in magazines since 1887 ;)
- some centuries ago, back in 1517, Martin Luther posted the famous 95 theses? According to traditional accounts, this priest and scholar first nailed a piece of paper onto a church door containing the 95 revolutionary theses that marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

Source: Halloween clipart

As you can see, these are only some of the most important events on this day throughout history but relegated to the background (not to say to a state of oblivion) because of Hallowe'en euphoria.
As I've already posted here, here and here about Halloween for now check this: a gallery of gorgeous jack-o’-lanterns that honor literary greats like Edgar Alan Poe, William Shakespeare, and the Brothers Grimm!!!
It's getting late for those willing to face the cold and darkness for a trick or treat; as for myself, I will stay home with the family having a nice dinner. What about you?
Whatever the case...  HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!

The best of... Johnny English Reborn

Back from the cinema just a while ago after watching Johnny English Reborn and to tell you the truth what I most appreciated was to meet former adult learners of mine. It was so good to see them again! It was kind of going back to the glorious old days when they were still attending evening classes, engaged in learning, when school was still bustling with life... now, though our adult learners are as motivated as the former were, they are fewer and with irregular attendance, and the number of classes and learners attending each class do make difference. Let's hope that in spite of so many budget cuts, the government and our Department of Education approve more of these tailor-made courses and learning programmes to allow more adults to return to school at least to complete general education requirements. This second chance would surely be welcomed by both former dropouts, by those who need professional development and, last but not least, by us teachers!

Google images

Anyway, Johnny English Reborn is an action comedy film parodying the James Bond secret agent genre. As I said here before, it is the sequel to Johnny English (2003) also starring Rowan Atkinson as the main character.

Google images

English attempts to stop a group of international assassins before they eliminate the Chinese Premier and cause global chaos. After a disastrous mission in Mozambique, he has been in Tibet / Asia but when his agency superiors learn of this assassination attempt, they must hunt down Johnny English, their highly unorthodox agent. To prove he had been framed and to get redemption, he must employ the latest in hi-tech gadgets to unravel a web of conspiracy that runs throughout KGB, CIA and even his MI-7. Not my fave genre but ok for a laugh and relaxation :)
We all had a nice time together before and during the flick. We chatted and remembered the good old times at school before going in, laughed together during the film and afterwards - with some sadness - we said goodbye... just hope not for too long :)))

Johnny English Reborn

Johnny English theatrical poster

Well, here we go again to the movies, this time for Johnny English Reborn, a sequel to the 2003 Johnny English.
2011 has been a hard year but 2012 won't be better...By now we are all in need of a good laugh to lighten our burdens and inspire new hopes. Let's meet old acquaintances and friends and have fun: humor and laughter are proven to strengthen our immune system, boost our energy, diminish pain, and protect us from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use - even though we have to pay the tickets ;) it's surely worthwhile.

Have a look at the trailer: