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When it comes to a holiday celebrating the economic and social achievements of workers, there are two dates which come to mind, depending which part of the world you live in. The US and Canada celebrate it in September and call it Labor Day. However, in the majority of countries there is an annual holiday celebrated on May 1, and it is popularly known as International Workers' Day. The celebration of International Workers' Day has its origins in the Eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. The 8-hour movement culminated in Chicago, in the strike on May First, 1886, forming by itself a glorious chapter in the fighting history of the American working class. The date is thus chosen to commemorate the event. The holiday has eventually become internationalised and several countries hold multi-day celebrations including parades, shows and other patriotic and labour-oriented events. ▪ I. P.
The Meaning of
Flowers
2
Europe Day 3
Farewell Seionrs 4
Let’s try this 6
News from schools 7
Dealing with
Burnout
8
Inside this issue:
Issue 13/14
May 2014
CONTRIBUTORS
TO THIS ISSUE:
Ivan Lukovečki, cartoon artist Dario Vidić, High School Čazma
Monthly newsletter for and by English learners and teachers
Editors:
Maja Ivanović, prof. Komercijalna i trgovačka škola Bjelovar
May is the one true spring month, with everything in full bloom. This is probably the reason why different cultures have days and even weeks dedicated to flowers all throughout May. As always, we're trying to be up-to-date...
Flowers have a language of their own. They can express every sentiment you can think of and send powerful messages, speaking volumes
instead of you. What is more, as one leading psychologist said flowers are a perfect replica of human life ... planting... growth...bloom... withering.
CARNATIONS
As one of the most popular flowers in
the world, the carnation is widely
appreciated and enjoyed. Carnations
are available in a variety of colours
and are generally symbolic of love and
fascination. Different messages can also
be expressed with the flower’s different
colour varieties. Light red carnations
are often used to convey admiration,
whereas the dark red version expresses
deeper sentiments of love and
affection. White carnations are
associated with purity and luck, and
pink carnations are often given as a
sign of gratitude. Carnations are the
official flower of Mother’s Day and
International Women's Day.
GERBERA DAISIES
Distinguished by their large, beautiful
blooms and wide assortment of vibrant
colours, gerbera daisies have become a
favourite flower choice for expressing
cheerful sentiments. The traditional flower
meanings are beauty and innocence but it
can also mean purity, and cheerfulness.
These large daisy variations come in a
number of vibrant colours and sending them
is the perfect way to brighten someone’s
day.
IRIS FLOWERS
Few other flowers can match the elegant
beauty of the iris. Representing faith,
hope and wisdom, the iris is a flower that
can be used for many different occasions.
While it is most known for its distinctive
blue varieties, the iris can also be found in
other colours and bear additional
meanings as well.
SUNFLOWERS
With their bright yellow petals spreading from their centre,
sunflowers not only resemble the sun, they will also turn to
face the sun as the day progresses. Gifts of radiant
warmth, sunflowers are the happiest of flowers, and their
meanings include loyalty and longevity. No flower can lift
spirits quite like sunflowers can. Bright and cheery, bold yet
comfortable, the sunflower is a warm and caring gift.
TULIPS
With their flower meaning being perfect love,
tulips can impart a sense of grace and
elegance. Still, they are a comfortable flower
choice. They are not too romantic, too big or
too bright; they are just right. They are like a
favourite pair of jeans or your mom’s
fresh-baked cookies in that the meanings of
tulips express genuine cosiness and comfort in
all of the right ways. ▪ I.P.
ORCHIDS
With an exotic appearance, orchids have
come to represent rare and delicate beauty.
Those seeking to make a lasting impression
with a unique flower have found the orchid
to be a perfect choice. Although they are of
the largest flowering plant families, orchids
have always carried an impression of rarity
and have consequently become a sign of
luxury and refined tastes.
"Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a
single plan. It will be built through concrete
achievements which first create a de facto solidarity."
~Robert Schuman~
Page 3 THIS MONTH’S BUZZ -- EUROPE DAY
May 9th – European Union's birthday - Celebrating the creation of the European Union
"World peace cannot be safeguarded without the
making of creative efforts proportionate to the
dangers which threaten it."
~Robert Schuman~
9 May is celebrated in various forms in most member
states of the European Union and EU candidate
countries. The purpose of the day is to teach and
share information about the EU and to speak in
favour of European integration.
Despite a preference for 9 May, with the European
Union's greater visibility, 5 May is still observed by
some Europeans due to the Council's role in seeking to
defend human rights, parliamentary democracy, and
the rule of law. Ukraine, since 2003, celebrates
Europe Day on the third Saturday of May.
Europe Day is celebrated under a different motto
evey year and, every year, the poster that best
captures the idea of the EU is selected to represent
Europe Day. Here are some of the posters from the
previous years.
Europe Day commemorates 9 May 1950, when the
then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman
presented his proposal on the creation of an
organised Europe, to help maintain peaceful relations
between European countries. This proposal, known as
the 'Schuman declaration', is considered to be the act
that created what is now the European Union.
"We do not need magic to
change the world, we carry
all the power we need inside
ourselves already: we have
the power to imagine better.”
~JK Rowling~
"Share your sparkle
wherever you are."
~Dodinsky~
“Be who you are and say
what you feel, because those
who mind don't matter and
those who matter don't
mind.”
~Dr. Seuss~
"Your time is limited, so
don't waste it living someone
else's life. Don't let the noise
of others' opinions drown
out your own inner voice.
And most important, have
the courage to follow your
heart and intuition."
~Steve Jobs~
“As long as you’re going to be
thinking anyway, think big.”
~Donald Trump~
“Education is an admirable
thing, but it is well to
remember from time to time
that nothing worth knowing
can be taught.”
~Oscar Wilde~
“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in
the clouds.” ~ G. K. Chesterton~
Page 4 STUDENTS’ CORNER
Career Possibilities
Learn as much as you can about career
opportunities in fields you're passionate
about. Try to make a link between your
passion and a position - it will make it
easier to find a job or choose a field to
study.
Overseas Options If you don't feel like studying anymore,
you might wish to put off college in
favour of experiencing a foreign culture
through time spent abroad. Find
information about opportunities to
spend some time abroad.
Choosing Where to Study Of course, when considering going to
university, most students worry about
available majors. However, the school’s
academic reputation in the professional
world is also an important factor to take
into consideration. The same degree from
different universities may be perceived
differently by potential employers.
Financial Obligations One of the things the world of adulthood
brings is managing your finances. High
school graduates should know the ins and
outs of balancing their bank statements,
planning a monthly personal expenses
budget and managing credit card
accounts. Unfortunately, that's not
taught in school, so make sure you learn
it in time.
Adult Accountability Yes, being an adult is great - you are
finally free to do whatever you want.
However, the freedom you'll have after
high school comes with the price of a
greater accountability for your actions.
Think about alcohol abuse, drunk driving,
drug usage and sexual activity. These
temptations are something you'll have to
deal with on your own.
Life Skills Moving away from home means you will
no longer have a parent around to make
your meals or do your laundry. While
academics are important, as seniors you
should also know the basic skills needed
to maintain your personal health and
hygiene.▪ I.P.
Personal Passions Knowing your personal passion helps you
find career paths to which you can happily
devote your entire life. If you still haven't
done this, it’s high time to take a hard
look at your true passions, whether
academic subjects, extracurricular
activities or an outside interest.
With graduation approaching, most high school graduates feel there is
nothing more to life than choosing a university to
attend or finding a job. However, there is more to it... So, here are seven
things seniors should know when planning their future.
A Slap on the Wrist
This idiom refers to a
very mild punishment. To
be slapped on the wrist
doesn’t hurt much; it is
more of a warning and
should be a deterrent
from misbehaving again.
Page 5
Bite Your Tongue!
Gently stick your tongue between your
teeth and try to speak. You can’t say a
word, can you? To bite one’s tongue
means to stay quiet: literally to hold the
tongue still so it can’t make a sound. This
goes along with the next idiom...
Put a Sock in It
The idea behind this is that if you stuffed
a sock in your mouth, you’d be quiet… so
if you tell someone to “put a sock in it”,
you’re telling them to shut up.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
If a couple of dogs had been fighting
and are now sleeping peacefully, it’s best
to just leave them alone. The idea behind
this one is to avoid bringing up old
arguments so they’ll just be argued about
again.
Foam at the Mouth
This idiom describes what a rabid dog
whose mouth is foamy as he jumps
around like crazy and tries to bite peo-
ple does. So, this means to hiss and
snarl in anger.
LANGUAGE TITBITS
To honour Star Wars Day , which is an unofficial holiday for Star Wars fans to