In UK, Mothering Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, ie three weeks before Easter. This year it falls on March 11th Sunday.

When did Mother's day celebrations begin?

Celebrations of mothers day can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. They held festivals in honor of the Mother Goddesses Rhea and Cybele.

During 16^th century,children and young people who were working as a domestic servants were given a day off to visit their families and return to their 'mother church'. The children were pick wild flowers along the way to place in the church or give it to their mothers. It was often the only time that whole families could gather together, Since on other days they were prevented by conflicting working hours. (Wikipedia)

Anna Jarvis(1864-1948) an  American social activist campaigned for an official day to honor mothers. In 1914, President Wilson declared the second Sunday in May,as Mother's day.

A vicars daughter Constance Penswick-Smith created the Mothering Sunday Movement, inspired by Anna Jarvis. By the 1950's Mothering Sunday was celebrated across all the UK. In May 1932 Mother's day was adopted in Japan.

Simnel Cake

Simnel cake is a light fruit cake which is covered with layer of marzipan. It's decorated with 11 0r 12 balls of marzipan. It's representing the 11 disciples and Jesus Christ. Simnel cake is traditionally eaten on Easter day, and the olden days the female servants bake their own cakes to take it to their mothers on mothering Sunday.

Happy Mother's Day to all the lovely mothers in EC.

My humble opinion is, our lovely mothers not only one day in a year been recognized and celebrated. They should remembered and looked after every single day. We should remember all their sacrifices and their tireless work to give us a better life.

Dear Friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I appreciate it.

I was inherited my grandma’s old Victorian house near the mountain after she passed away sadly. I am going to renovate it and rent it to people. Because I am living and working somewhere far and I am much comfortable where I am now I don't want to live in that house.

I took the builders today to show around and asked them for a quotation. While I am going through my grandma’s belongings, I found a letter she wrote it for me with her will. Here it is,

Dear Adaline, When you read this letter I won’t be next to you. I am up with the stars and looking down. Hope things are going good for you. I am happy the way you finished your education, got a job, and married the man who loves you dearly. I always wish the good things in life for you. With this letter I am leaving a little key for the jewelery box which I hide in one of the cave behind our house. I know it's not easy to find it. But I kept is safe for you.

I would like to tell you something nobody has an idea about as it is our family secret but I want to share it with you. Many years ago I went to the harbor and met there a man, who gave me this jewel box to look after it for him for few days. But he never return. But now it's for you.Please find it and make use of it. Love you lots,

Grandma.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading, I appreciate it.

My name is Emirzal, and I had lived in another country before I moved to London. Three years ago I met a girl called Dilara when she came to visit my country. We fell in love, we talked on Skype and messaged. Last year she came to my country and we got marry and she went back to London. I tried to get a job in London and my wife tried harder to bring me to London. But it was not as easy as we had thought. We counted the days, hours, minutes to our meeting and the beginning of our family life.

Finally came the day when my wife managed to get my visa and I had an interview through the phone for a job of a store manager. I made a plan of meeting with my lovely wife and made a collage of our photographs together and bought her a bag, a watch and a beautiful dress, hopefully she would like them all. I dressed nicely and kept on looking at my phone again and again. My wife ran up to me at the airport we hugged and cried. She drove me to her home. My wife was living in a beautiful house with a lovely garden. It was Spring.

Spring is certainly the most beautiful season of the year. Most of us are fond of this season. Many poets like to write about Spring. Spring is called the Queen of Seasons. My wife’s beautiful garden was full of dazzling flowers, bees were very busy tasting the honey. I stood there watching the garden. My wife opened the door and expected me to follow her but I was mesmerized by the birds twittering in the trees. The Spring brought happiness and relief to my life and I was so happy to start my new life in London, That Spring brought new growth into my life and the Spring said: 'Let’s party'. The long waiting winter had gone from my life, I said:”Good bye Winter & hello Spring!”

Dear Friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I appreciate you all!

Regret /rɪˈɡrɛt/

"I made a mistake, I deeply regret for", said Adam ,"Something told me not to pick up the phone while driving. Because it was my new girlfriend and I didn't want to upset her, I quickly tried to answer the phone call and I couldn't see the truck stopping in front of me and my Nissan Sunny with four of my friends crashed into the back of the truck. In that rear-end collision three of my friends died and one was seriously injured. I was saved with minor injuries. Today is the 10^th anniversary of my friends' death and we all are in the church. When I look back at some of the most painful moments of my life, I see myself sitting alone feeling either immense shame or regret".

Regret

Regret is a negative conscious and emotional reaction to personal past acts and behaviors. It’s a feeling of sadness about something sad or wrong or about a mistake that we have made, and a wish that it could have been different and better.

Other words for regret

Repentant, feel sad, disappointment, lamentation, sorrow, concern, and also self-condemnation we can used it instead of regret.

Example Sentences with regret

Please don’t say anything silly, you might regret later.

Tony deeply regret what he said at the conference

Angela does not regret leaving her abusive husband

Ahmad regretted having quit his job

The boss beginning to regret hiring lazy Sheila

Amir regrets having been rude to Mary

Raj beginning to regret not studying harder

He regret his past mistakes

I don’t regret the things I have done, I just regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance

Looking back at our lives can make us think we wish we had done some of the things differently.Don’t let your emotions make your decisions.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. Please share your thoughts. I appreciate you all.

This year is a  incredible year for me. I celebrated my first birthday in EC in August. I am just a year old in EC. believe me, in this one year EC brought lots of changes in to my life. My attitude towards life & work changed. Positivity covered me and I took things around me more enjoyable and fun.

EC friends:

I never wrote any thing in English before August 2015. When I wrote my first blog I wasn't sure about My EC friends and how they going to express. I must say I was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I received from my lovely EC friends. From that day my life was changed. When ever possible I post blogs. I would like to say ‘Every day is a chance to change your life’ If you willing to do it. I am glad I join in my EC and my life is completely changed. EC helped me to ‘Inhale possibility exhale creativity’.

Life is so beautiful, I wake up in the morning and I love the people who treat me right and forget about the ones who don’t. I am loved and cared by lovely EC friends. I learned, People can be very kind and caring and true in the virtual world too.

Dear friends, Look at all the beauty in your life and be happy! New year is coming and you know its time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings. Don’t allow anyone or anything to to stop you. Try to be creative and be positive. A year ago I wouldn’t never pictures my life the way it is now. A year ago everything was different and now that I look back, I realize that a year can do a lot to a person.

Thank you so much for taking your time reading I appreciate you all. This new year lets make a promise to follow the resolutions we make and achieve what we truly wish in our life. God bless you my lovely friends! Wish you all a very Happy New Year 2017!

A garden is a place where different types of plants specially flowers and fruits and vegetables are cultivated. We have an enormous back garden with lovely plants and trees. I love my garden. I spend most of my summer holidays in our garden. We got some big trees and small plants and we got a lovely garden shed where we can sit and read books, cook barbecue and relax. Our garden is a very calm and peaceful place and its my favorite place in our house. I love the fresh air when I walk through the garden. It’s not very formal, neat or lined up. Our garden is wild and covered with all sort of plants which attracts the birds and the animals.My mother in-law created this lovely garden.

Spring in our Garden

Autumn in our Garden                                                                                    

                                                          Garden in Winter!

Benefits of Gardening!

Gardening is an excellent way to get physical activity. Gardening is very good for our mind and body. Gardening can help us to overcome stress. Gardening and landscaping is an art. We get flowers fruits and vegetables. Gardening can be done by people almost any age or ability. Totally gardening is relaxation, fitness, family fun, delicious fruits and vegetables and great joy! Gardening is a great way to spend time in nature and its increase physical exercise and also its promote mental health. Gardening helps strengthen bones, muscles and joints and its helps decrease life style diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Gardening promote longer healthier lives. My 84 year old mother-in- law is leading a very healthy life,never goes to hospital and she spend lots of time in the garden what ever the weather is. Also we get apples, plums, pears, cherries, figs, gooseberries, raspberries, blueberries and so many fruits and vegetables.

The animals, birds and Insects in my garden

A fox family, Squirrel. rabbits, rats,butterflies, caterpillars, spiders, wasps, bees, crickets,ants,snails,frogs, pigeons, magpies lives in our garden.

The red fox and Magpies lives in our garden!

  Snails

We got lots of snails and slugs in our garden and we don't destroy them. But we can control the snails and slugs by pulling the weeds, keep all the decaying matter cleaned of your garden beds, the leaves are the good shelter for slugs and snails. Try to prune branches of any plants which are laying on the ground. Keep the shaded areas clean and weed and litter free.

Few garden words and tools

House plants: Indoor plants

Lawn: A lawn is an area of soil covered land planted with grasses or other plants and maintained at a short height to used it for aesthetic and recreational purposes.

Pruning: Pruning is trim or cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems to encourage growth.

Greenhouse: a glass building in which plants that need protection from cold weather

Our garden tools: We use spades, digging tools, pruners, cutting tools, rakes, wheelbarrows, composters and incinerator bins

Fruits from my garden

I hope you enjoy reading about my garden.  Also I would like to share one of my favorite restaurant garden here. It's a  Turkish restaurant near my  home maintaining their lovely garden through out year. They even got a plantain tree, olive tree and so many, you can see them below,

I've always enjoyed gardening and spend quality time with nature. It's helping me to lead a healthy and happy life. It's so nice to hear the early morning birdsong from the garden, and the lovely smell from the plants and flowers. I was fascinated by the worms, snails, slugs, lady birds, spiders and caterpillars and exploring the nature.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I really appreciate you. Wish you all 'Happy Holidays'!                                                                     

                                                               (Thank you Google images)

My name is Charlie and this is my friend Daisy. Two years ago we were given to Maria a 70-year-old woman living on her own in her double bed room flat. Maria’s son and daughter bought us from the pet shop, so mum can get a company while they living on their own houses faraway from mum. Our life was Okay for few months. Maria did took good care of us and we been fed properly and she took us for a walk twice a day, we had nice and warm bath and we had story time before bed.

Unfortunately Maria couldn't take care of us because she is showing signs of alzheimer’s. We left without food for many days, no wash, no walk. After a long suffering one day animal rescue people saved us from that hell. Currently me and Daisy were living in this shelter and waiting for adoption.

My dear EC friends, I just want to write this because this is festive season some of us may be thinking about giving a pet as a present to our loved ones. I am not a big fan of giving pet as a present. We planned to have our children the same way we have to plan to have our pets too. Because they are going to live us 10 to 20 years. It’s a long commitment. I would like to say surprising family and friends with a puppy or kitten is not a good idea. It may be work well for few days. Caring for a dog or cat is a big responsibility and it’s a long time commitment. Please think!

Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I really appreciate it. Please share your thoughts .

Dear Luci, Thank you for the challenge. Here it’s my cup of water, coffee & tea.

water jug & cup

This is my water jug and cup. I prefer to keep and drink water in a glass jug and cup and I try my best to avoid plastics.

Water is the main component of the human body drinking water is so beneficial to our body. Our body is about 60% water, and the majority of our blood and every cell in our body is composed with water, our brain is 90% water. So that we need water to function properly. If we drink enough water we don’t get headache and migraines. Water increases energy, promote weight loss, flushes out toxins, moisturizes skin, boosts immune system, prevents cramps and sprains and help digestion. The amount of water we consume everyday plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body. If its boring drinking water we can add a squirt of lemon, a squeeze of lime, few sprigs of mint, ginger, orange or cucumber.

coffee pot.

I make coffee and pour it in the pot and when I drink I add little bit warm milk and sugar with that

cappuccino cup,

Coffee is favorite drink for many of us and we start our day with coffee. Many of us drinking coffee for many years and apparently have no health issues. Harward University has declared that drinking three cups of coffee a day could help us live longer. (Thank you: The Telegraph). An American Diabetes Association review of coffee research and found evidence that drinking coffee could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 33 percent for both and women. Many studies have linked higher caffeine intake a significantly reduced risk of developing diseases that involve degeneration log brain cells including Parkinsons  and Alzheimers. But I think coffee has both positive and negative effects on our body and mind.

Tea& milk pots and cup

This is my tea and milk pot. I put a tea bag in the pot and add hot water and takes the tea bags quickly because I drink very light tea. I add warm milk with the tea when I drink. Back home we boil the tea leaf and make tea.

Ginger tea cup

This is my ginger tea cup. I mostly use fresh ginger, lemon and honey. Some times I used this one in the packet. Ginger tea helps the body absorb nutrients and alleviate the stomach pain. Ginger helps weight loss and its good for fighting against cancer. Ginger helps manage glucose levels, its improve circulation and food digestion and stimulate appetite.

favorite cup at work

This is my favorite cup at work, you can see why. I got this from the School management so its extra special. At work we all make tea for each other. Who ever going to kitchen makes tea for every one. My friends remembers to make tea in my favorite cup.

That's all my dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I really appreciate you all.

Traditional food

Food and dishes that are passed through generations are called traditional food. The food in their original form as they were created and not modernized,not processed and not packaged. Traditional food that have a long history of supporting good health. Foods that are whole and nutrient dense and also foods that are very simple and basic, like meat and poultry,eggs, wholegrain, fish, beans, vegetables, fruits nuts , seeds and dairy are called traditional food.

Today I am going to share how to cook Biryaniˌ/bɪrɪˈɑːni/ . It is a rice based meal. Originating in Persia and popular in India and the Middle East. The word ‘Biryani’ is an Urdu word derived from Persian language. We can cook Biryani with meat, seafood, chicken and also vegetables.

Biryani is normally made with basmati rice and flavored with all those Indian spices. Delhi Biryani, Sindi Biryani, Hyderabadi Biryani, Malabar Biryani, Calcutta Biryani, Ambur Vaniyambadi Biryani, Navayathu Biryani, Kutchi Biryani, Dindugul Biryani and Kalyani Biryani are some of the Biryani varieties. Biryani is also popular in other International countries like Afghanistan, Burma, Middle East, Iran and Indonesia. Nasi Kebuli is an Indonesian spicy steamed rice cooked in goat broth, milk and ghee is similar to Biryani.

                                Ingredients

• meat

• basmati rice

• onions

• garlic

• ginger

• tomatoes

• curry leaves

• chili powder

• turmeric powder

• coriander powder

• bay leaf

• cinnamon stick

• black pepper

• cloves

• nutmeg

• green cardamoms

• star anise

• fennel seed

• salt

• coconut milk

• yogurt

• green chillies

• vegetable oil

Preparation:

Add two table spoon oil or butter to to the pot or pressure cooker. I am using pressure cooker. Add dry spices, and saute till they begin to sizzle and then add curry leaves and onions fry till they turn brown. Add ginger and garlic paste.

Fry till the raw smell goes off and add the meat (chicken, lamb or beef) and salt to taste , fry till the color slightly change. Add tomatoes, yogurt, and coriander leaves and mint.

Mix well and cook till the meat turn soft. Add coconut milk and then add the rice. I drain the rice and fried little bit.

Turn on the flame to very low. It takes only five minute to cook the rice. If you like you can add some ghee (melted butter). Serve it with boiled eggs and vegetables.

Nutrition information

For a serving size of 1 tray (365 g)

Calories:520, Fat: 12g, Saturated fat:3.5g, Cholesterol: 40mg, Sodium: 1240mg, Potassium: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 81g, Fiber:3g, Glucose: 13g, Protein: 23g

(Thank you: eatthismuch.com)

Thank you for taking your time reading, I really appreciate it. I cook food and serve it with love and its tastes nice too. Hope you enjoy reading. I know many of you cook Biryani at home in different ways If you are not familiar with all these spices please buy a ready-made Biryani mix powder and enjoy cooking!

My roommate Tomy’s funeral was today. I was so tired after the funeral, I came home had a shower and went to bed. In the middle of the night I heard the knock at the door. I opened the door, It was Tomy standing by the door and  says' I forgot to get my phone’. I fainted!

Dear friends, Thank you for reading my little story, I try to write some thing for Halloween. If you got time please share few lines Scary story with us. Thank you!

The sun wouldn’t rise fully until 10am in some parts of Scotland in Winter and the dairy farmers who wake up before 5am would have to work for hours in the dark. Construction workers who need sunlight to perform their jobs would end up having to work later into the evening. Many people couldn't cope with the cold winter months.                                             

                                                                     William Willet

                                                      Picture: Thank you William willet learning trust)

In 1907 a man called William Willet introduced the idea of British Summer time also known as Daylight Saving Time. William wanted to prevent people from wasting hours of light during Summer mornings and forced to work in the Winter evenings.

What year was British Summer time introduced?

In 1916 one year after Willet’s death, British Summer Time introduced. It’s began on 21^st May and ended on 1^st October. This year marks 100 years since British Summer Time was first introduced. The clocks will be going back an hour tomorrow (October 30th) and its comes to an end and we revert to GMT Greenwich Mean Time.

Benefits of time change

Lighter evenings would have positive benefit for public health, because people drop their physical activity in Winter. People can save their energy costs because in summer people use less light and heating. The latest research says that around 100-lives would be saved a year by preventing accidents in the dark. Also its good for UK business,  they can join with the Central European Time. In UK many of the criminal offenses take place in the hours of darkness in the late afternoon or evening. Lighter evenings help reduce crime. Another good thing about time change is lighter evenings increase the tourism earnings.

Personally I don’t like the idea of going backwards an hour. Because I am so used to wake up at five o’clock. From tomorrow I will be up from four. I can’t change my inner clock. I am so used to it. But its good for young children, because they have to walk to School in a cold ,frosty ,windy, rainy and dark morning.

The coming Monday many workers will be late to work an hour, the same excuse every one will say ‘I didn’t realize the clock gone backwards today, I am so sorry’ :))

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I appreciate it. If you are living in one of the countries which change their time please share your experience about the time change. You are much appreciated. Thank you!

In August 1914 Lt.Harry Colebourn purchased a young bear cub for $20 at a train stop in Ontario, Canada. Colebourn named the bear ‘Winnipeg’ Winnie’ for short, after his home city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Colebourn brought Winnie to England. Before leaving for France Colebourn left Winnie at the ‘London Zoo’. Winnie was one of the attraction in London Zoo. Winne was much loved for her playfulness and gentleness and she was fed honey through out day many times.

                                               (Lovely black furred Winnie eating honey. Colebourn)

One of her fans was A.A. Milne’s son Christopher Robin. Who named his teddy bear ‘Winnie the pooh’. He is the one inspiration for his father’s story about ‘Winnie-the-pooh’.

                                                         (Christopher with his teddy Winnie the pooh)

Winnie died at the London Zoo in 1934 at the age of 20. Winnipeg’s skull was kept after her death in the Odontological Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons Hunterian Museum in London.

                                                              (real skull of Winnie the pooh)

A recent examination of the skull shows that she suffered from chronic periodontists and inflammation and loss of connective tissues supporting or surrounding the teeth. Which can be caused by poor diet such as the honey Christopher Robin  and other people feeding the animal. Many pictures shows that the bear enjoying eating honey.

The average five-year old consumes the equivalent of their body weight in sugar in the course of a year according to health officials. (the telegraph).

                                                                              (thanks:telegraph)

In my School most of the children when they starts School, they come with a bottle of sugary drink, chocolates, candy, crisps and unhealthy lunch. But we got a healthy eating policy. Parents are being urged to take control of their children’s eating habits.Some parents are not happy, and they try to say, 'but my child wont eat any other food, I don’t have any other choice I have to give it to him/her what he/she wants'. So I was decided to tell my parents about the Winnie the pooh story and its seems works and children were coming with more fruits and vegetables now.

Thousands of children age between five and nine years old were admitted to hospital with dental problems and diabetes. Many children are obese or overweight. Children are having too much sugar, three times the maximum recommended amount.It's our responsibility to keep the little one's healthy.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I appreciate it. If you are a parent please reduce your children’s fruit juice, fizzy drinks, smoothies, sweets and chocolates. Stay happy and Healthy!

Please share your valuable thoughts, opinions and suggestions.You are much appreciated. Thank you

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated by millions of people across the world every year in Autumn. It's spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.

Diwali or Deepavali means army of lights. Although it was originally a Hindu celebration, Diwali is now enjoyed by people of every religion. It is a family celebration. Diwali is a time for fun, joy and rejoicing with family. Where ever we live we try to go back to our home and join with our family to get blessings from our elders.

The house must be thoroughly cleaned  and decorated with candles and colorful lights and windows widely opened for the Goddess Lakshmi ( Goddess of wealth) to come in. People light up their homes using many clay oil lambs (traditional earthen diyas) to welcome the Goddess.

In India we put colorful art work called Rangoli using the rice flour in-front of our houses.

Rangoli is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘rangavalli’. It’s an art which precedes sculpture and painting. The aim of drawing Rangoli are revelation of beauty and the acquisition of auspiciousness. The curved line produces a better effect of beauty than a straight line.

During Diwali families and friends share sweets and gifts and also we got a strong belief in giving to those in need. Diwali is a fabulous festival and fireworks play a important role. Fire works attracts all age groups whether they are children, youngsters or older people.

                                                                   (Thank you: Google images)

Every one enjoy fire works. Lights and fireworks have a significant role to play in this festival, thats why its called festival of lights.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I appreciate it. I wish you all a Happy Diwali filled with joy and a new year blessed with prosperity.

For many species, its inhumane to keep wild animals as pets.Some people cannot meet the behavioral, social, nutritional and psychological needs of the wild animal. But we got a wild animal family as our pets. Its a red fox family lives in our back garden.

The red fox is the most widely distributed and populous canid in the world. A male fox is called a ‘dog, a female fox is called a ‘vixen’, and baby fox is called a ‘kit’,’pub’ ‘or ‘cub’. A group of foxes is called ‘skulk' 

(relaxing)   

Like its name red foxes have rusty reddish-brown fur. Their long, bushy tail known as a ‘brush’ or ‘sweep’. During the autumn and winter, the red fox will grow more fur to keep themselves warm in colder environments. The fox sheds their fur at he beginning of the spring. Red fox is remarkably resourceful animal and able to cope in a different environmental conditions.

                                                                     (waiting for breakfast)  

This red fox family is living in my back garden for many decades. Every morning they come for its chicken drumsticks and fish fingers. They are so friendly but not cuddly. When the new babies arrive the mums won’t come for food, and the dad will take the food to mum. Some times the foxes catch squirrels , mice, grasshoppers, beetles from the garden or its goes to the nearest park to hunt for rabbits.

Although we don't have any pets at home we got a fox family living in our back garden. It’s very difficult to provide an appropriate environment for the wild animal at home. But they are safe and happy in the garden. Many types of animals make great companions for us foxes too, if we know to keep our distance.

                                                                          (looking for beetles)

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I appreciate it.

  Katrina is a medical student, she is staying in the University hostel with her friends. Today is her final practical exam. Katrina is nervous, her friend Roza said to her, 'You can relax about the exam'. Katrina turned and said, Roza said I could try to relax and shouldn't be so worried about the exam.  The girls in the next room came to see Katrina. 'we will help you with your tidy up', they said. Katrina told Roza that 'they said they would help me with my tidy up' so after the exam we can go home early.

 Katrina finished her exam. 'I am very tired' Katrina says. Roza told her roommate 'Katrina said that she was very tired' lets help her to pack up things and we can go home quickly. Someone knock at the door Katrina opened the door, her teacher was standing there and she said 'Katrina has not made any mistakes in her practical exam '. Roza calls her friends and said that Katrina was not made any mistakes in her practical exams. 'I have cleaned up your room' said Roza. Katrina told her friends, Roza said that she was cleaned up the room and we can go now. Friends were getting ready to go home after a long four years of hostel life.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading, I appreciate it. 

Reena is a singer, she participate in this years 'X' factor singing competition. She is interested in acting as well. 'I want to be a heroine' announced Reena. Mum was reading the news paper and shouted at me,' Did you hear that? 'Reena announced that she wanted to be a heroine. I said, 'Is it mum?'. When I walked to the door Elle came in, I was wearing a purple  jacket, 'I like your jacket' commented Elle. I told mum  'Elle commented that she liked my jacket'. 'Shall we get one for her mum?' Mum said, 'okay'.

'I want my breakfast now' demanded brother. Mum! Brother demanded that he wanted his breakfast now' I said . Mum said, she was going to make now, wait little bit please'.

The sports world getting ready to welcome 'Olympic'. Lets learn little bit about Olympic today. Although we heard about this many times before, It's good to remind ourselves.

When were the first Olympic games started?

The Greeks loved sport and the Olympic Games. The first known Olympic Games was recorded in around 776 BC in Olympia, South West Greece. The Olympic games began over 2,700 years ago. The ancient games were also related to their religious festival celebrated in honor of Zeus, the king of Gods.

What is a truce for the sacred games?

Before the Olympic games started, messengers were sent out to publicize a sacred truce or a peace. That means any wars should stop so people could travel safely to Olympia.

Some of the sporting events at the ancient Olympics

Running

In this event the runners wearing armour and carrying a shield, could weigh up to 25Kg!

The competitors lined up along a starting block. If some one accidentally tried to get a head start they were disqualified and beaten for cheating.

Discus

In this game, athletes would compete to throw a stone or a metal discus as far as they could. The discus was much larger and heavier than the ones we use today

Javelin

The old Javelins were sharpened wooden sticks with metal point  at the end.

Long Jump

The ancient long jump is entirely different from the modern day ones. There was no run up and jumpers propelled themselves by swinging weights called halteres in their arms. The lovely thing come with this is athlete would be accompanied by a man playing flute. They used the rhythm of the music to their jump.

Wrestling and boxing

The ancient wrestling is lot more violent than the modern ones. Pankration is the toughest event with hardly any rules. The two things competitors should avoid is bite or poke in their eyes. The fighters wore leather gloves and boxer was allowed to keep hitting the opponent even after he knocked him to the ground.

Horse racing

Horse race took place on a race track called hippodrome. Spectators watched from the sides of the nearby hills. Only the owners of the horse considered as the winners, not the jockeys.

Olympic and Women

Only boys, men and unmarried women were allowed to participate at the ancient Olympic. Married women barred from attending the games. If they were caught, they could be thrown off the side of a mountain for punishment!

What prizes did Olympic victors get?

A victor received a crown made from olive leaves and entitled to have a statue of himself set up at Olympia.

History of flame & torch

The ancient Greeks were believed that fire was given to human by Prometheus and considered that fire got sacred qualities. mirror were used to focus the sun's rays to ignite flames that would burn perpetually in front of Greek temples. Greek rituals also included torch relays, although its not part of Olympic games.

Dear Friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I really appreciate it. Hope you find it useful.Thank you!

The village was getting ready to welcome Justina who won the gold medal in women's 200M freestyle swimming and in 100m backstroke in the Olympics. Justina's father was overwhelmed by her success. Justina is a 17 year old high School student. Besides swimming, Justina likes windsurfing and skiing. Everyone in Justina's family went to the airport to welcome Justina, except her disabled mum. At the airport the reporters surrounded and interviewed her. Justina said, ''except for my father, no one else understands how hard  I worked for it. My father sacrificed a lot for me. He worked extra hours and weekends to pay for my swimming lessons and cared for my mum''. Besides the medals, there are many prizes awarded by companies.  It showed that all the hard work and all the sacrifice paid off. If you put your mind to it and you believe it and you work hard for it you can achieve it.

Dear friends, Thank you so much for taking your time reading. I really appreciate it.

Rebecca is a 17 year old girl and is her disabled mum's full time carer. After high school she couldn't go to college and stayed home to look after her mum. Rebecca has never been out with her friends because she took a responsibility that is inappropriate for her age. She is a kind and caring young girl. She is so used to living in such a way. A children's charity found out about her and they decided to help her. Rebecca told them, 'you don't really realize you miss some thing if you are not used to it, but I  realize I am different from other girls of my age and I couldn't develop any social skills like my friends'.

The charity decided to give Rebecca's mum, a full time carer and and to help her continue her study. Rebecca couldn't look after her self for a long time. The charity decided to give her a makeover. Hair stylist showed her up-to-date hair styles for women and she chose one. After her hair she had her make up too. When they showed her new look she burst in tears.

Rebecca is attending college now and her mum is looked after by a lovely carer. She is much happier than ever. Her life is up to standards now. Thanks to the lovely charity.

Jace used to work as a mechanic in a car company. He got a lovely house and a car. His life was good. A year ago he had an accident, and he couldn't  work after that. He got heavily in debt with credit cards, catalogue debts and store cards. He got council tax arrears and rent arrears. He couldn't pay his gas and electricity  bills. He is up to his neck in debt. He decided to approach Citizens Advice Bureau to ask for guidance.

Today Jace is going to Citizen's Advice Bureau, he is up to high doh. He can feel his heart beat. The building was renovated recently and up to date. Jace didn't let his wife knows where he was going . His wife called and asks 'where are you?'. Jace said, I am up to no good. I am going to ask help, If I couldn't succeed you may not see me again!