My Favorite Beautiful Words in the English Language

What does a beautiful word consist of? How does one classify a word as being beautiful? On what criteria are beautiful words chosen? Who decides which word is considered beautiful, and which is not? These are the questions I ask when searching through lists which are deemed to be the most beautiful words in the English language.

I have a few favourites of my own, which I'll list a little further on. Some I've chosen based on there meaning, others on the way they sound when spoken aloud, and some based on a personal connection and familiarity with them. But firstly I researched what people consider to be the most beautiful words, to see what criteria people use when listing favourite words.

Perhaps Robert Beard's list of the 100 Most Beautiful Words in the English Language would be a reliable selection to choose from. He is in fact, the author of various Dictionaries, poems, and word lists; from which he's been writing for over the past 40 years. However, even then I find myself wondering what criteria he used to choose these words. Was it based on the meaning behind the word, or the way it sounded? Because the first word on his list - Ailurophile, a cat lover, doesn't sound like a word that was chosen on the basis of meaning. However, that is unless he's a big fan of cats? Cats aside, in this case, I'll assume he was choosing based on the way the words sound when spoken aloud.
 

In Berlin, Germany, a competition entitled; The Most Beautiful ABC of the World was held and the first prize was selected by a jury from around 2500 words around the world that were deemed to be beautiful. The Turkish word "yakamoz" won first place. The word itself means; the reflection of the moon in water. It wasn't so much the sound of the word but rather it's meaning. It was selected because it expresses in one word, what can only be expressed in many words in other languages. To me, this is a word that deserves to make the cut.

Along with "yakamoz", are words that one doesn't hear often but have lovely, odd meanings, such as; peregrination – traveling from place to place by foot, petrichor – the way the earth smells when it rains after a dry spell, terpsichorean – a dancer, related to dancing, and tintinnabulation – the ringing of bells.

Then there are words that would be considered beautiful for the image that they evoke in your mind; such as tranquility, passion, smile, love, or eternity.

Most of the words that I've chosen as personal favourites are those that roll of the tongue, or sound nice when you speak them aloud. I can't really recall my own favourites so I chose ones that I liked throughout the lists that I read. So here they are; luscious, quintessential, plethora, serendipity, talisman, denouement, effervescent, lullaby, and elixir. For some reason I love the word elixir. It just sounds nice when you say it.

Anyhow, I want to know what you deem as beautiful words. Share your own opinion. What makes your list, and on what basis? Are the words you deem beautiful, based on their meaning, the way they sound, or a personal attachment to them? Let me know, give me a list. Maybe you're a fan of The 100 Funniest Words in the English Language, rather than the most beautiful? (:

For Robert Beard's list of The 100 Most  Beautiful Words in the English Language, feel free to follow the link below; http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/100_most_beautiful_words.

Egypt's Protests

The Egyptian Revolution of 2011 has inspired a new decade of civil protest. After Hosni Mubarak's 30 years of rule the people have united to bring down his regime. This mass hysteria has now reached other countries. Muammar Qaddafi is Libya's longest ruling dictator. The people of Libya have endured his 40 years of power and are now joining forces to bring down his regime.

Bring back the power to the people! Give the people the democratic right to choose the leader who will inspire them to live as productive, contributing citizens to a fair and democratic society. Never underestimate the power of a united group of people. When communities unite to become one voice, there is no bystander who cannot hear their message. The decade of civil liberty is here for those countries that have been denied and have lived in dictatorship countries.

Continue to join strength and raise your voices, for life is worth rejoicing when freedom and civil liberties are granted. What community and Inspiration for all others.

Moscow Bombing

On January 24th, 2011, at approximately 4:32 pm., in the heart of Russia; Moscow's Domedovo Airport, a suicide bomber strikes, killing 35 and injuring over 130, another terrorist attack. These are the wars of the new millennium. How will future generations prepare themselves for these unexpected attacks?

The battlefields are strategically chosen where thousands of innocent people converge.  The attacker straps himself with explosives, full of self assurance and a faithful belief that all is being done in the name of Alah, in the name of God.

There are no fighter planes swarming above, no air raid sirens, and no military personnel in uniforms to clearly identify whose side they represent.  The innocent are murdered. These are considered as senseless acts, but never the less these are the attacks of a new type of war. How will the western world train and prepare for these types of attacks? 

Difference in Death Penalties in Canada and the U.S.

In Canada, for all first degree murder charges, the convicted are charged with a mandatory life sentence without possibility of parole for 25 years. The convicted are imprisoned and forced to live with the persecution and the horrors of their personal tormented minds. Is this not a slow and agonizing death, a lengthy sentence where the criminal has the opportunity to repent their sins or wallow in the darkness of their own dead soul? 

The death penalty was abolished in Canada completely in 1976, while executions in the U.S. continue to drop; 37 executions in 2010. This is mainly due to the many legal challenges, where states are in the process of reviewing their capital punishment policies, and procedures. Also, there are many religious groups who believe the killing of another human to be morally wrong and therefore capital punishment should be abolished.

Have societies become more sympathetic and tolerant to the tormented criminal minds?   Do we, as human beings, feel we can cure, heal, and assist in the reintegration or socialization of the criminal mind? Is capital punishment barbaric? Or do you feel that the death penalty should be reinstated in Canada? If so, who would hold the power to convict, a judge or a jury? Someone ultimately carries the burden of choosing if a human being has a right to live or die. 

Black Swan Review

    Directed by Darren Aronofsky of the Wrestler, Black Swan tells the story of a ballet dancer who earns the lead role in the classic "Swan Lake". Taking place in New York City, Nina - played by the brilliant Natalie Portman, a featured dancer finds herself slipping into a web of competitive intrigue. Her rival at the company, being none other than Mila Kunis. This psychological thriller leads the audience through the transformations of a young ballerina's psyche, whose lead role as swan queen becomes even more fitting.

    Now, I may be biased, because I dance and I have a certain respect for the art itself. But, this film is without a doubt the best movie I have paid for in a long time. I can't recall the last time I left a movie theatre feeling...well anything that moving. I feel as though I need to see it again, just so I can attempt at processing what it is that I absorbed from the twisted story.

     I thought I would be disappointed with Natalie Portman's acting, because it's a difficult task to portray a dancer, without being one. But she proved me wrong, not only did she train for the part and do a magnificent job of portraying a ballerina, but she did a marvellous job of expressing the psychological transformation of a young girl whose hallucinations and conscience drive her mad. She deserves more than a little recognition, along with Mila Kunis for her role as vivacious, young, competitor.

    Now, don't get me started on Aronofsky, because he is absolutely brilliant! He did what every director should be able to do, and that's to make the audience feel something. Not just any something, but something moving. I know I'm not alone when I say that I left the theatre feeling oddly off balance. It's hard to explain the toll this movie takes on an individual. Discussing with other Black Swan enthusiasts, I've come to the conclusion that Aronofsky has to be an extraordinary visionary to have been able to reinforce such a powerful psychological transformation. When I've been rendered speechless by a film, the director has to have exceeded all of my expectations. Going into the theatre, I had expected a good movie, but nothing as moving and stunning as this. I would recommend this film to anyone, anyone who has an appreciation for film, the arts, or simply would like to see an impressive movie.

     Black Swan has exceeded my expectations and rendered me speechless. I will definitely be buying a copy of the DVD for my own collection. There are no words to describe how powerful this film is. All I can say is see the movie yourself and you’ll understand what I mean by speechless.

Black Swan is refreshing. Black Swan is altering. Black Swan is manipulative. Black Swan is dark. Black Swan is breathtaking...

You've heard what I have to say, now see it for yourself, and let me know what you think, and you felt.

For the Official Black Swan Trailer, follow the link below;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jaI1XOB-bs

Deadlines

  We all have to meet deadlines at some point or another. Whether they're school related, job-oriented, extracurricular, or personal, we all have individual objectives or tasks that need to be completed by a specific point in time. The greatest issue pertaining to deadlines is most likely procrastination. Or at least that’s my biggest issue. When it comes to completing tasks on time, procrastination and A.D.D. tend to get the best of me. Of course this isn't an issue for everyone. Some people have no problem meeting deadlines, because they have impressive self-discipline, motivation and time management. Where as other people - like myself, find it difficult to focus on the tasks at hand, or require some form of inspiration or motivation. Not to mention, deadlines become more and more difficult to meet when they overlap each other. The more tasks at hand, the more difficult it becomes to manage. The quality of the task at hand will also vary depending on how much time the person has to put into it. The more time, the easier it will be to complete the task, and the better the results will be. The more tasks at hand, the harder it will be to meet the deadline, and to accomplish the task effectively. 

     How do you deal with deadlines? Do you find them hard to meet? Are you constantly struggling to stay on task? Or are you always on time, and constantly up to speed? Let me know what works for you, or what you find irritating regarding deadlines.

Mid-term Marks

     With Mid-term report card marks due at the end of the month, grade twelve graduates have a lot on their plate. Considering Mid-term marks will be the marks that universities receive come February, it's important that grades are more than satisfactory. Students are stressing because they're concerned that this report card is the one that determines our entire future. However, we all know that isn't the case. Of course grades are important right now, but just because they might not be as high as someone else's, or one class might be lower than the other, it doesn't mean you won’t get accepted at your school or program of choice, nor will you never end up in a career that you're happy with. Now, that's also not to say that you shouldn't work hard and try your best. It's honestly a matter of each individual's situation and goals. Some students may be applying to specific scholarships that require a set average, others may be applying to extremely competitive programs, and some may not even know whether they're going to University yet.

    Without a doubt students are still under an immense amount of pressure. Teachers, parents, piers, and individuals themselves are stressing grade 12 marks as being crucial if you plan on going anywhere in life. Even if one does plan on working extremely hard, it can be quite difficult to juggle classes, part-time jobs and extra curricular...not to mention every teacher assigns tests and assignments to be due all within the same week before marks are due.

     In any case, what happens happens. No matter what, there are always opportunities. I know I’m stressing over assignments right now because I need the marks, and it's a matter of personal goals, but I know it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Seasonal Affective Disorder...It's SAD

     Seasonal Affective Disorder or ‘SAD’ is a mood disorder which generally only affects an individual during the winter months, or less frequently during any other season of the year. It is for this reason that the disorder is commonly referred to as 'winter blues' or 'winter depression'.

     It is thought to be associated with the seasonal variations in light, more noticeably in the winter. SAD may affect some children and teenagers, but mainly those that are over the age of twenty. It is also said that it is more common amongst women. Symptoms of SAD often include things such as; difficulty waking up in the morning, a tendency to oversleep, lack of energy, fatigue, irritability, feelings of annoyance and despair, and avoidance of social situations.

     Most treatment is basic common sense - Increase exposure to sunlight, exercise, take a vacation, and monitor sleeping patterns. Some even suggest artificial light therapy, or prescription drugs, depending on the severity of the patient’s disorder and mental state.

     I'm not going to lie, I believe I read an article on this disorder sometime last year, mid-winter, and was almost convinced that I had the peculiar mood disorder. Last year, I was overjoyed when the snow melted and the days got longer. I remember feeling depressed and pessimistic, and irritable throughout the summer months. I couldn't focus, and I was lacking motivation. That's when I realised I was lacking exposure to sunlight. I know because walking home from school one afternoon the sun came out and for five minutes as I walked home from the bus stop to my front door, and the sun quickly disappeared behind my house, I was simply happy. Of course, I most likely didn't have the disorder, but I can understand how others may acquire a more serious case of SAD. Depending on their location, and the person's individual circumstances, I can only imagine some people being more prone to the disorder.

     Hey, what do I know? Maybe I'm just a moody person in general. All I'm saying is that I understand what they're referring to when they mention 'winter blues' or 'winter depression'. You can only take so many cloudy, cold days, and mornings that feel like nigh time. Wow. I just realised how excited I am for spring to come!

Pulse on Tour 2011!

Welcome to Pulse on Tour 2011!

     On the weekend of February 11th to the 13th 2011, Pulse on Tour will be visiting Toronto, Ontario, in hopes of enlightening and educating aspiring dancers of all ages and training calibers. Excited dancers from all around the Ontario area will be making their way down to the Westin Harber Castle in the downtown Toronto area, to spend an entire weekend dedicated to dance. Not to mention, they are being given the opportunity to learn from their idols. People who dance as a profession and have choreographed for Broadway musicals, music videos and are even featured as choreographers and judges on So You Think You Dance.

     This weekend provides dancers with a unique opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced people in the business. Not only are participants taught choreography for two days straight, but they are given the chance to showcase their talent which takes place Sunday evening at the end of the weekend. Dancers are also granted a meet and greet with the guest choreographers where there is a question and answer session.

Some of the Choreographers/Dancers confirmed for the tour include:

I personally can't wait for this event to hit Toronto. I'll be packing up my dance wear and driving down for the weekend to hit the floor and dance amongst other enthusiasts. I hope to see you there!

For more information on Pulse on Tour 2011 and more tour dates, follow the link below;
http://www.thepulseontour.com/index.html

Semester Vs. Non-Semester

      Unlike all other schools in Ontario, Colonel By Secondary School is non-semestered. Now what's the difference between semestered and non-semestered you may be asking? Well, lets find out.

     Generally speaking, semestered High Schools consist of two semesters per year. During the first semester students will most likely take half of the classes they've registered for, and come about mid-January, they will officially complete the courses, with the course examinations. Then, come second semester, after a short break, students will than enrol in the second half of their year with new courses, and again complete the required examinations come the end of the semester.

     In a semestered school, the year is generally comprised of three terms; however the difference is that you're taking all courses throughout the entire year. All examinations are completed within a two-week span, at the end of the year.

     So what are the pros and cons of semestered and non-semestered schools? Well, it depends. Being at a non-semestered school, means there’s usually a lot going on at once. Having all your courses at the same time can bring on a heavy work load. Not to mention, all of the exams, tests, and summatives are usually due around the same time of year. However, being in a non-semestered school, the classes generally rotate and this usually allows a sufficient amount of time between classes for homework and any questions you may have for the teacher regarding the course material. Also a great benefit includes the fact that students are given more time to learn the material throughout the year. Being in a semestered school, what some may consider pros, may include the fact that you’re not forced to take all your courses at once, but rather you can focus on a few for the first half of the year, and the second half during the second semester. On the other hand, some may believe that it’s more difficult to handle the workload and homework, because students in the semestered program generally have the same classes every day. This may take any time in between classes, to get any issues worked out. Not to mention, students may feel that the material they are learning is more rushed and they have less time to learn the subject matter.

     Jonathan Dalton, a grade 12 student at Colonel By Secondary School, stated that; "In semestered schools, it's harder to catch up on school work if you fall behind. However, with non-semestered schools, you have to remember everything from the entire year when you go in to write the exam...there are pros and cons either way."

     So, it truly is a matter of personal preference. It depends on the person, and their requirements, and whether or not the school system is right for them. So, if you could choose between semestered or non-semestered, which would you choose? Even if you're done with High School, looking back, would you have liked to have chosen a different semester system?

     Personally, presently being in a non-semestered school, I understand the negative aspects of my choice, however I've learnt to cope with it for the last four years, and I wouldn't know it any other way. I'd like to know what it would be like to get half of my courses done with halfway through the year, and to see whether or not my grades would be higher due to the fact that I'd get the opportunity to focus on a more manageable amount of courses. Who knows where I'd be had I'd chosen a different High School completely. I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. So I have no regrets. Do you? Let me know your opinion on the matter.

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's resolutions; we've all heard of them at some point or another. Every year, on the first of January the question is; What are your New Year's resolutions?

New Year's resolutions are personal goals, aspirations or objectives set by an individual with intentions of leading towards a more positive lifestyle change or an improvement of some sort. Examples of resolutions may include anything general from improvements in health, finances, career and education, to anything as simple as procrastinating less, reading a book a month, or walking the dog more often. It's a matter of personal ambitions and aspirations.

The issue is whether people can actually accomplish the resolutions they claim to make at the beginning of the year. Come February, some people may tend to forget the silent promises they'd made to themselves at the beginning of the year. I guess it depends on the individual and how self-motivated they are. It depends on the character. In any case, many don't even think of coming up with resolutions, or giving the topic a second thought. The New Year, in other words, is a strange sort of clean slate for many, and that's most likely the reason we choose to make what have come to be known as 'New Year's Resolutions'.

So, do you believe in New year's resolutions? If so, what are your resolutions for the year 2011? What is it that you want to accomplish? What is it that you want to succeed, or excel in? What is it that you want to do for yourself and no one else or for others? And lastly, what is it that you want to see happen in 2011?


As for myself, I'm undecided with regards to resolutions. Considering I haven't really kept loyal to previous self-promises, I want to make realistic goals in which I'll be able to achieve and insure that those goals will be ones that will benefit not only myself but everyone else in my life.


So, let me know what you have planned for 2011!


Oh, and by the way, happy New Year! (: