http://www.npr.org/2011/04/04/135043787/being-bilingual-may-boost-your-brain-power?sc=tw&cc=share

HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT & LEND A HELPING HAND

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_newsroom/20110311/wl_yblog_newsroom/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help

TRES TRISTES TIGRES-
Tres tristes tigres
tragaban trigo en un trigal,
¿Cuál de los tres tristes tigres
tragaba más?

TRANSLATION: THREE SAD TIGERS-

Three sad tigers ate wheat in a wheat field.

Which of the three sad tigers ate more?

PRONUNCIATION:

Treh-s-tree-s-teh-s-tee-greh-s-trah-gah-bah-n-tree-goh

eh-n-ooh-n-tree-gah-l

Koo-ah-l-deh-los-treh-s-trah-gah-bah-mah-s

VOCABULARY:
tigres= tigers
triste= sad
trigo=wheat
trigal=wheatfield
tragar= to swallow whole, eating(only when speaking of animals)
más= more
Cuál= which
de= of

Now another installment of a section I like to call “Mexican Manners”.  One of the many fun,  interesting things when it comes to learning about other cultures is studying manners and customs. If you want to impress Mexicans friends/acquaintances, this section will provide some tips for you.

Today’s Tip is: WATCH YOUR BACK.

I think this is a custom observed in most Hispanic cultures, not sure if it’s observed in other cultures, though. I’ve been with people who aren’t Hispanic and don’t follow the “watch your back” rule.  They didn’t mean anything by it, it’s just a custom they don’t observe. In Mexican  culture  though it’s an important rule. Why? Because,  it is considered very rude to have your back turned to someone.  This is called “dar la espalda” = give someone your back. It’s considered  as a sign of  ignoring someone, a physical affront…etc.  In all fairness, there are times when you must turn away from someone to talk to someone else, and certain situations when due to positioning, having your back face someone can’t be helped.  For politeness sake though,  it’s best to keep the location of your back in mind and try to position yourself  at an angle where you’re not directly turning your back to anyone. Or if you do turn your back, excuse yourself & try and try not to do  it for too long.

More on this story:

http://www.thedailyswarm.com/headlines/usps-announces-latin-music-legends-series-stamps-featuring-selena-tito-puente/

SELENA’S WIKI PAGE:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena

A parent might tell their child “ponte las pilas” if he or she brings home a not so great report card.

If a girl has a not so great boyfriend, her friends might  say “ponte las pilas” & advise her to look for a better man.

If  someone wants a promotion, but there’s a lot of competition they could be told : “ponte las pilas” and you’ll get it.

ABOUT THE VIDEO: ”A team of international scientists explore a Mexican cave filled with giant crystals. With temperatures near 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 Celsius), and over 80 per cent humidity, the cave is one of the deadliest environments on earth. Without specialized suits and equipment, the scientists would die in minutes. Their mission: to unlock the secrets of the mysterious ancient crystals, some of the largest ever discovered.” -DocumentalesMexic0 at YouTube.com

NAICA CAVE’S OFFICIAL WEBSTITE:

http://www.naica.com.mx/english/index.htm

Video, aerial view of the band’s formation spelling ”Mexico”:

http://univision34.univision.com/felicesfiestas/desfile-de-las-rosas/videos/video/2011-01-01/ilos-delfines-dieron-lo-mejor

Parade float with folkloric dancers :

http://univision34.univision.com/felicesfiestas/desfile-de-las-rosas/videos/video/2011-01-01/carroza-con-sabor-hispano

New Years is just around the corner.

In Spanish a popular saying about the new is

:”Año Nuevo, Vida nueva” =  ”A new year, a new life”

Los Peces en El Rio= The Fish in the River

Va a nevar= It’s gonna snow (Let it snow Spanish Version)

El Niño Tamborilero = Little Drumer Boy