To Feel It in One's Bones

The idiom: "to feel something in your bones" means that you are instinctively sure something is true, although it cannot be proven

For example: I knew I'd get the job; I could just feel it in my bones. So, I was not at all surprised when I got the call saying that I can start on Monday.

Image courtesy of QT Pie Kennels

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE USA

CAPITAL: Washington, DC
INDEPENDENCE DAY: July 4, 1776
MOTTO: In God We Trust
NATIONAL ANTHEM: The Star-Spangled Banner
AREA (50 states and District of Columbia  only): 9,631,418 sq km 
NATIONAL BIRD: Bald Eagle
NATIONAL FLOWER: Rose
LARGEST STATE: Alaska
SMALLEST STATE: Rhode Island
LARGEST CITIES: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio
POPULATION: 295,734,134
LANGUAGES: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific Island 2.7%, other 0.7%
RELIGIONS: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10%



Adapted from the CIA World Factbook

Image courtesy of Photobucket

IDIOM: "SLAP ON THE WRIST"

Idiom: A common expression understood figuratively, as the literal definition makes no sense.

When the senator got caught stealing , everyone thought he would receive a severe punishment, but all she got was a slap on the wrist.

Can you guess the meaning of this idiom from the context of this sentence?

If someone gets a slap on the wrist, they get a very minor punishment when they could have been punished more severely.

THINGS TO DO IN NYC - The Hester Street Fair

One of the most wonderful things to do in the spring time in New York is to stroll the streets leisurely. Even better, imagine you happen upon a street fair during your stroll where you can shop and eat. One of the best street fairs in NYC is the Hester Street Fair
In the Lower East Side on a tree-lined street is the Hester Market where you can find chic clothes, accessories, home furnishings and savor some deliciuos foods such as cupcakes, ice cream and pies. You can even take a quick yoga class for $1.

              Hester St at Essex St (hesterstreetfair.com). Sat 10am--6pm. Opens Apr 28.

Dumb Laws throughout the United States

In order for our country to have order, we do need laws. However some of the laws are just plain stupid or outdated. This site allows you to find out what "dumb" laws are still on the books in many states. These are real laws, but many of these laws were written ages ago, and they were never repealed (taken out of the lawbooks). For instance:
-It is illegal for a driver to wear a blindfold while driving a car in Alabama.
-In New York, you have to buy a license to hang clothes on a clothesline.
-In Michigan, alligators may not be tied to fire hydrants.

Go to the following website and click on the name of the state to learn about these dumb laws:

http://www.dumblaws.com/

Things to Do in New York City: Macy's Flower Show

Macy's Flower Show runs from March 25 - April 7, from 10am to 9pm


Macy's is a well-known chain of mid- to high-range department stores (over 800) in the US. It was founded in 1858. Its flagship store is located right here, in Herald Square.
Macy's has played a role in New York City's culture for nearly a century. Since 1924, it has produced the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the City's annual Fourth of July fireworks display since 1976.


Each spring 5 Macy's stores throughout the US, host a Flower Show. Here, in New York City, Macy's celebrates the blossom of Brazil in an outdoor show entitled: "Gardens in Paradise"


As its website describes: "Bursting with color, excitement and energy, our Flower Show is like taking a walk through Brasil itself! Experience the vast, lush wonders of the Amazon rainforest as you walk by towering palms, tropical plants and exotic birds. Take a trip to Brasil – no passport required! Step into our Gardens in Paradise and be swept away to a bold, lush, tropical world inspired by the vibrant plants and flowers of Brasil..." 

For more information go to www.macys.com

"Necessity Is the Mother of Invention"

This idiomatic expression means that if you want to or need to do something very much, you will think of a way to do it. 


For example: Since we don't have any gift-wrapping paper, let's use the old newspaper to wrap the present. After all, necessity is the mother of invention.

This idea is exhibited in the story of "The Crow and the Pitcher" by Aesop,  a Greek storyteller from the 6th Century B.C.:


"A crow, perishing with thirst, saw a pitcher, and, hoping to find water, flew to it with great delight. When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach, and thus saved his life."

Source:

Aesop's Fables
Copyright 1881
Translator: unknown
WM. L. Allison, New York
Illustrator: Harrison Weir, John Tenniel, Ernest Griset, et.al.