Farewell to February

Good Morning Boston Life Members,

And welcome to the final day of February. While there is still a fresh coat of snow on the ground, don’t be alarmed because spring is on its way. If any of you are as antsy as we are to get some warmer weather, stay tuned. Rising steadily, temperatures will begin to reach the high 40’s later this week, and with that some snow melting rain. As we mentioned before, we are approaching the rainy season, so make sure you haven’t set aside your rain coat and boots.

On a different note, this weekend was host to one of our favorite events of the year: The Academy Awards.

Best Picture-‘The King’s Speech’

Best Actor- Colin Firth ‘The King’s Speech’

Best Actress- Natalie Portman ‘Black Swan’

Best Supporting Actor-Christian Bale ‘The Fighter”

Best Supporting Actress-Melissa Leo ‘The Fighter’

Recap:

http://oscars.nytimes.com/dashboard?hp

Red Carpet at the Oscars:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/02/27/movies/awardsseason/oscars-red-carpet.html?hp

Trailer of this year’s Best Picture:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCsHz8erBR8

Besides the Oscars this weekend, few were aware that this past Saturday two of our very own colleges, Boston College and Northeastern University took to the field in Fort Myers, Florida to play against our own Boston Red Sox. Both college teams unfortunately lost, but it was a good effort on their part. (For baseball fans out there, the countdown has begun, T-32 days until the season opener).

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bos

In other news:

The discovery landed at the International Space Station (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12599246)

Alcohol in moderation can help prevent heart disease. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12531837)

Hopefully this will tide you over until tomorrow, and with that take care Boston Life Members.

Until tomorrow,

Boston Life

The End of February

Hello Boston Life Members,

As we begin to approach the yearly transition from February into March, be prepared, for the rainy season has commenced. From here on out you should expect flooding from both the rain and melting snow, and if you have stored your rain gear away, you’re going to want to pull that out.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/02/rain_and_snow_o.html?p1=News_links

On the bright side, this weekend is host to the 83^rd annual Academy Awards. So if you would rather stay indoors this weekend, here is an event which is both entertaining and worthwhile. In other news, bellow are listed a number of interesting articles that staff members have been talking about. So go ahead and take a peak, maybe in your next lesson you could discuss it with your teacher.

The Discovery’s Final Voyage:

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/24/134034008/final-countdown-discovery-readies-for-last-liftoff

A Cure to the Common Cold:

http://www.good.is/post/can-zinc-really-cure-a-cold/

A Government Shutdown Is No Joke:

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/24/134000945/analysts-say-a-government-shutdown-is-no-joke

Until Monday,

Boston Life

Program Update!

Good evening Boston Life Members,

Hopefully you all had another enjoyable day in sunny and slightly warmer Boston. If you happen to be a high school student here at Boston Life, then this information might be of use to you. Currently we are promoting our newly refined TOEFL Programs. Offering either private or group lessons, we have a flexible schedule and would love for you to take them into consideration. Lessons will run for two hours, and the minimum amount of hours you can purchase is 10 hours for private, and 20 hours for group classes. We hope you all keep this in mind, and spread the word to your friends.

Now on a completely random note, but one of interest to many, bellow are posted a number of articles that will if not already, be causing some rifts within society. So keep an eye on these stories:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/us/24marriage.html?ref=us

http://www.good.is/post/poll-white-republicans-believe-their-children-will-have-the-worst-future-ever/

Until tomorrow,

Boston Life

Getting Back into the Groove

Good evening Boston Life Members,

Welcome to another installment of our daily blog. We here at the center hope that you had a great President’s Weekend and are refreshed for the short week ahead. This week looks to be a sunny one, so get out and be active. If you are looking for something to do there are a number of book stores in the area that are hosting some very good authors, so if you find yourself free and near one of these places, drop in and listen to what these authors have to say:

http://www.harvard.com/events/2011/02/

http://brooklinebooksmith.com/events/mainevent.html

Now for some of you spring break is quickly approaching, so this would be a good time to start deciding what you want to do, or more importantly where you want to go. Kayak.com offers fairly good air-fares as well as southwest and priceline.com.  There are so many cheap ways to travel these days that realistically there isn’t a good reason not to. If you’re hesitant or just unsure of where to go, take some pointers from your peers, over the past few weeks your peers have mentioned going to: Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, Burlington, San Diego, Seattle and even as far west as Hawaii! There is no limit to your imagination, so be creative and see another side of America that you normally wouldn’t get to see.

On the other hand, for those of you who do not have a spring break, or are currently tied to Boston, take this time to load up on classes. Recently we have added a number of eager and exciting new teachers to our staff, meaning more opportunities are available for TOEFL classes, conversation classes, or even the specialized classes. February is almost over, and that means spring will soon be here, so get the most out of our services.

Until tomorrow,

Boston Life

President’s Weekend

Good evening Boston Life Members,

Lace up those dancing shoes and let’s hit the town. Today reached heights of 59˚F (15˚C) and now it’s time to celebrate. Besides it being the beginning of President’s Weekend, it is yet again the end to another business/academic week. So let’s go have some fun!

Bellow we have posted a list of wintery drinks that will hopefully inspire you to be a little conversational tonight. Again by going out and conversing with people throughout the city, your English will improve immensely, so don’t hold back and enjoy yourself. http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/nightlife/gallery/winterdrinks11/

For those of you, who are scheduled for Monday classes, remember the center is CLOSED this Monday for President’s Day. And bellow is also posted a link of more stores and public services that will be open/closed this Monday. http://search.boston.com/local/Search.do?s.sm.query=Presidents’+Day+&p12=hot&p1=Well_HotTopics_links

Before we leave you, there is one more item of interest. Recently on Boston.com an article appeared relaying the positive effects being bi-lingual has on alzheimers. So take a look whenever you’re free, and continue doing what you’re doing. http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/02/18/speaking_2_languages_may_delay_getting_alzheimers/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed2_HP

Until Tuesday,

Boston Life

Staying Active

Hello and welcome to another beautiful evening in the Boston area. Hopefully you all were able to spend some time out of doors today if not tomorrow looks to be just as promising. Reaching a peak of 59˚F (15˚C) Bostonians were given a small taste of what spring feels like. Unfortunately though our luck will not continue, this coming week looks to be quite frigid, so get out while you can, soak up all the vitamin D, and brace yourself for another bone chilling week ahead.

                While the cold seems to be creeping back into our lives, we here at the center hope that doesn’t inhibit you from being active. While many of you are regulars here at the Boston Life Center, we are challenging you to take your conversation skills outside of the classroom. Try speaking to people on the street, or in a coffee shop. One of our interns suggests signing up to volunteer somewhere. Boston Cares http://www.bostoncares.org/ or Boston.com http://dogood.boston.com/ offer a number of great opportunities that not only keep you talking but also keep you active during these winter months.

                If speaking to a stranger proves to be a little daunting then put your pencil to the page and start writing. GOOD Magazine has issued yet another project, Project: Nominate Someone Awesome. The gist is to bring awareness to influential and amazing people in your life. So give it some thought, and try using those English skills that you all have been refining.

Until tomorrow,

Boston Life

Going Through the Motions

Good afternoon Boston Life, and welcome to a frigid, yet sunny afternoon. If Monday gave you a taste of what spring felt like, then you will be happy to learn that later this week we are in store for some warmer temperatures. Steadily rising from the 40’s we are rumored to reach 50°F (10°C) this Friday.

 

In recent news:

China is ordering TV and film makers to reduce the amount of smoking that is portrayed on the big screen. In an attempt to reduce the amount of overall smokers, the Chinese government is finally taking their first steps. A more detailed account can be found here: http://www.good.is/post/china-removes-smoking-from-movies-will-it-stop-chinese-smoking/

 

BP is at it again, this time partnering with Russia to pursue off-shore drilling in the Arctic. Hopefully the BP oil company won’t make the same mistake as they did in the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/business/global/16arctic.html?ref=global-home

 

The United States, with Hilary Clinton leading the way, is verbally attacking repressive states, who restrict online free speech. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12475829

 

 

Hopefully these articles will tide you over until Thursday, until then we here at Boston Life wish you a safe and pleasant evening. Stay warm out there and have a good evening.

 

 

Until Thursday ,

Boston Life

 

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Good morning Boston Life Members, and welcome to another beautiful day here in (slightly warmer) Boston, MA. For those of you who have not yet gone outside today, be prepared for temperatures to be a littler warmer: 41°F (5°C). It is promising to be a beautiful day, so make sure you take advantage of it.

Hopefully you all had a fulfilling weekend and are prepared for another week. To recap the weekend briefly, this Sunday was host to the 53^rd Annual Grammy Awards, and if you were not aware, Arcade Fire (you can listen to some of their work here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ArcadeFireVEVO?feature=artistob) took home the Grammy for Album of the Year. To many viewers this win was unexpected, and an upset for many of the other nominees. Among the contenders were, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Katy Perry, and Lady Antebellum. Regardless, it was an amazing show and if you missed it you can view the winners here: http://www.grammy.com/nominees, and the performances here: http://music.aol.com/grammys.

Now on to the week ahead.

• Today is Valentine’s Day, Single Awareness Day, or even Batman Sticker Day, choose which ever one floats your boat, but hopefully you have set aside some time to share with those people (be is significant other, friends, family, or even yourself) how much you appreciate and love them. It doesn’t have to be a Hallmark holiday, nor does it have to cost anything. Today is all about sincerity, and the more heart that goes into what ever you do, the better.
• This Monday night is also the Bean Pot Championship. The Consolation Game starts at 4:30pm ET (Boston University vs. Harvard), and the Championship Game starts at 7:30pm ET (Boston College vs. Northeastern University). For Bostonians this tournament has become less anticipated every year, but hopefully with Northeastern in the final game, the tournament will have a certain revival. http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_hockey/articles/2011/02/14/northeastern_attempts_to_end_beanpot_drought/
• Wednesday the Boston Celtics play the New Jersey Nets at 7:30ET.
• Friday temperatures are supposed to get up to 53°F (11.6°C), but don’t celebrate quite yet. We are in for a yo-yo of a week temperature wise, and winter has not left quite yet.

So hopefully that will tide you over for the day, and we here at Boston Life wish you a lovely Valentine’s Day, and we’ll see you at the Center.

 

Until tomorrow,

Boston Life

 

It’s Friday Alrighty!

Good Evening Boston Life Members,

Hopefully you all got a chance to enjoy the lovely weather we have been having these past few days. If you haven’t found time don’t fret, it looks like it will be sticking around for a while. In fact, it is even rumored that this coming Thursday will reach 50! Hopefully you all are crossing your fingers, because we here at the center are sure hoping for some warmer weather.

If you haven’t picked up a paper, you might want to today or tomorrow morning. After a three week protest, citizens of Egypt have reason to cheer, as President Hosni Mubarak finally stepped down.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html?_r=1&hp

http://www.good.is/post/video-mubarak-resigns-egpytian-rejoice/

In sports:

If you are a Celtics fan, then you will be happy to learn that Ray Allen set the new 3-point record in the NBA last night against the L.A. Lakers.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2011/02/11/lakers_ruin_allens_party_as_celtics_fall/

Health:

As the winter continues to hold New England in its grasp, another villain begins to encroach upon us, and her name is: The Flu.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2011/02/11/lakers_ruin_allens_party_as_celtics_fall/

Now hopefully you all have planned a safe, yet exciting weekend. So go have fun!

Until Monday,

Boston Life

Check it Out!

Good evening Boston Life Members,

Tonight this post will be short but hopefully filled with beneficial information. While some of you might be busy planning for Valentine’s Day, or just tired from the week, hopefully we can serve as a mini-break and list some articles from the internet, that we here thought might be of interest to you.

See below:

Are you buying roses for Valentine’s Day? Beware some companies are not fair-trade and therefore treat their employees unjustly and without respect.

http://www.good.is/post/here-s-how-to-avoid-roses-that-support-violent-labor-abuses-this-valentine-s-day/

Do you find yourself stalking your roommate, friends, ex’s, or family members? New research has determined that looking through their photos might be detrimental to your own happiness.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2011/02/07/facebook_its_not_me_its_you/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5_HP

Are you wondering how America will become more interconnected? In Obama’s State of the Union Address he expressed his desire to connect 98% of the country via wireless internet, now he is sharing his plan to execute this desire.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/10/AR2011021005765.html

Are you getting frustrated by the freezing temperatures? No worries, weather forecaster Alan Dunham explains how we will be seeing the snow melt sooner than not.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/02/nice_orderly_sn.html?p1=News_links

Are you feeling daring this year? GOOD Magazine is issuing challenges throughout 2011 and this month’s is giving up processed foods.

http://www.good.is/post/the-good-challenge-give-up-processed-food-for-a-month/

Looking for an alternative to Valentine’s Day? Well batman has you covered.

http://willfain.com/bsd/bsd.html

So hopefully these will help you take a breather from your busy schedules, and with that take care.

Until tomorrow,

Boston Life