This blog is about anything and everything. We post about anything we think is interesting, and of course, we post the subjects which we are suggested by e-mail (indigoandart@gmail.com). We post about things we've learnt, about fun stuff-anything that comes to our minds!
For the first time in the UK, a badger cull – the killing of many badgers – is to go ahead. It’s to stop a disease called Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) spreading from badgers to cows. Thousands of badgers could be killed in the next few weeks – but many people are protesting.
Campaigners – including the animal charity RSPCA – say that it would be much better to give the badgers medicine to stop the TB disease from spreading. But this would cost money – and the government argues that it is better to spend the money on schools, hospitals and services for people, not on the badgers.
Many farmers have a different opinion. They argue the controversial cull is necessary, because without it their cows would die from the disease. Cows are essential for farmers’ livelihoods, and for the many millions of Brits who eat beef and drink milk.
It's 3:15 am and I just can't sleep. My cousin is listening to really loud music through her headphones an my sister is arguing with her to keep it down. Waaah. I need sleep...
I get frustrated when I have many things to do and the people around me keep bugging me about them. I need to do things at my own pace. When people keep urging me to do things, I adds stress and frustration. These two factors do not help me concentrate and end up making me procrastinate.
When I do actually get stressed and frustrated, I nee to find my ways to relieve them. Yoga, music and camomile with honey (in winter) or cold fruit (in summer) are my remedies.
The whole system of Yoga is built on three main structures: exercise, breathing, and meditation. The exercises of Yoga are designed to put pressure on the glandular systems of the body, thereby increasing its efficiency and total health. The body is looked upon as the primary instrument that enables us to work and evolve in the world, and so a Yoga student treats it with great care and respect. Breathing techniques are based on the concept that breath is the source of life in the body. The Yoga student gently increases breath control to improve the health and function of both body and mind. These two systems of exercise and breathing then prepare the body and mind for meditation, and the student finds an easy approach to a quiet mind that allows silence and healing from everyday stress. Regular daily practice of all three parts of this structure of Yoga produce a clear, bright mind and a strong, capable body.
This is my favourite yoga video. Its easy yet effective.
Music is my way of expressing myself, besides listening to music, I play my guitar. I also release my anger on it by playing a piece with a complicated strumming pattern. When it comes to listening to music, any genre will do as long as I have headphones and the volume is full on.
I like drinking Camomile cause of it's cleansing smell and the sweet taste of the honey dissolved in it. The cold fruit is refreshing and sweet cause of the summer fruit.
I would love to hear from you guys about what you do to relieve frustration or stress. Leave a comment or send us an email.
Back when I was still a small kid, the phone was only used by my parents. It never really did interest me much as I had no one to call....
But now it does. I call my best friend (yes, CC) practically every single day. We talk for hours about everything, from the most pressing teenage crisis to the craziest things ever. Sometimes, well, most of the times, really; we just goof off. Once we even discussed or favourite songs from when we were little, which mostly were songs from the Disney Princess movies. And even after we don't have anything interesting to say, we just stay surfing the Internet on our respective cell phones or computers, or watching T.V. as long as we are enjoying each other's company, we're glad.
It's not the first time one of us calls cause we have a problem in homework (mostly Physics, heh) and end up talking about something else... Until we hear our mothers screaming for us to get off the phone. ;)
The phone is my lifesaver when my parents take away my cell or IPod and is the only way I can contact my friends fast. Thankfully, our phone fees are payed with a Ready-payed contract... So the phone bill does not have a never ending price. Hehehe
All this does actually prove that I have the phone bug. Do you have it? Comment or send us an email.
Boomshakalaka
Ok. So I was at my guitar lesson last Thursday with my phone in my front-jean-shorts-pocket. My tutor was watching me practice my exam piece when my phone started ringing. At first I didn't hear it cause it was low, but then it got really loud: "From Rio to Jamaica, we are the party shakers, so welcome everybody, let's party, tonight! We'll sip until we're wasted, they call us trouble makers, but we just wanna party, just party, all night!" (Party Shakers - Rio)
I couldn't get it out of my pocket since my guitar was on my lap, so I had to get up and jiggle it out while it's still SCREAMING. This also happened at my St. John's Ambulance Cadets' session the day after, though my phone was in my saddle bag which I could not open. I must add that in both situations, people did laugh and I got totally embarrassed.
So, whatever you do, do not, I repeat; DO NOT, go to a class with your phone on Loud.
So I'm on my terrace enjoying the nice Summer breeze and a cool drink; and decided to blog a bit while I'm relaxed and don't have writer's block. I was in the mood for some more brain teasers and decided to write more after the last edition's success.
These are my favourite types of brain teasers: "What am I?"
What's bigger than an elephant but has no weight?
-An elephant's shadow
What can you break without even touching it?
-A promise
What is so fragile that simply sound can break it?
-Silence
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?
-Footsteps
What goes up but never comes down?
-Your age
What's always coming but never really arrives?
-Tomorrow
What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich need it and if you eat it you'll die?
-Nothing.
I've found a video that will surely make you split your sides with laughter!!! Gather 'round all your friends and see who can hold in the laughter. A friend showed it to me the other day and I though "I should definately blog this!" This clip is apparently from A British reality T.V show where a contestant has to pick one from three dates. The third date (the one featured in the clip, heh) is a Maltese woman who emigrated to Britain. I must say, she portrays a misguided image of what Maltese people really are. I don't have much to say to that cause the clip says it all... like one of those 'No Comment' sesions on CNN News.
I know, I know, I havent posted in a loooong while. I am so sorry. I've been going through a massive writer's block since my exams. Seems like my brain has come to a halt. I've finally gotten a few ideas and ! am ready to hit the blog. Have a great summer guys!
-Gillianne
Ok, so I'm a massive One Direction fan, a Directioner. I know all their songs and a lot of facts. I've decide to do an article on them. For those of you who don't know, One Direction is a British boyband. The members are: Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Mallik. They are amazing and really talanted. Here are a few facts about them:
Liam is afraid of spoons.
Louis really likes carrots.
Harry once had a whole conversation with a cat when he was drunk.
Niall is afraid of pigeons.
Zayn thinks they are paid in chocolate-covered peanuts.
Harry has 4 nipples.
Louis had a pet plastic pigeon called Kevin. He lost it during travel ;)
Liam has one kidney.
Louis and Zayn escaped a hotel in Australia.
Liam's favourite song is Moments.
The band's favourite song is Up All Night.
Harry showers twice a day.
Louis' favourite animal is the monkey.
Niall is claustrophobic.
Ok, so us here in malta, we aren't very known around the world. So I've decided to dedicate this post (and more to come) on local bands, singers, etc...
Winter Moods
Winter Moods was formed in mid-eighties. Two young musicians, including bassist Joseph Rizzo were in a band in search for a vocalist. They took on a friend still in his teens, Ivan Grech. They preferred music over everything else in life. They met frequently in a garage in Senglea on cold grey days to put together their own original songs. Thus the mood, thus the name of the band – Winter Moods.
The early years were all about playing in front of a crowd. The local music scene was ripe with activity. Bands came and went, some making more noise than others. Only one band stood the test of time, evolving and adapting itself to the changes in the music scene.
Etienne Robinich joined on keyboards. During the nineties the emergence of new radio stations put an emphasis on airplay. Winter Moods released their first single ‘Sarah’, which was an instant hit with listeners. This song remains one of the band’s most popular tracks to this day. ‘Sarah’ was included in the band’s first CD album released in 1996. Self-titled Winter Moods, the album was reminiscent of the members’ original influences.
Guitarist Melvin Caruana was the last member to join the band in 1997. Shortly after, in 2000, the band went on to launch their next CD album, ‘Morning Ale’ which produced hit songs ‘Jamaica’, ‘Ride’ and ‘Everyday Song’ – awarded the best song of all time.
Winter Moods’ third CD album, ‘Butterfly House’ was released in April 2003. It featured the top hit ‘Come To You’, and following on its predecessor’s success, this album reached the top of the local charts within days of its release. Winter Moods’ fourth album ‘Ordinary Men’ combines the band’s musical expertise with new styles. ‘Ordinary Men’ became the band’s best selling album to date, and includes the band’s most famous song ‘Marigold’.
The band’s youngest member, Karl Fenech joined in 2009 to play on drums.
Winter Moods celebrated their silver anniversary in 2010 with the launch of a new album , ‘Argento’.
Winter Moods etched their name in Maltese music history by performing in front of 10,000 people at The Granaries (Il-Fossos) , Floriana in July 2010. It was the largest ever Maltese crowd to attend a paying concert by a Maltese artist. Winter Moods only superseded their own 2008 record when over 7500 people had turned up for their concert at the Valletta Waterfront.
Through their career, Winter Moods had to opportunity to meet and perform with some of their idols, namely Bryan Adams, Elton John, Roger Hodgson (ex-Supertramp), Bob Geldof, Fish (ex-Marillion), Antonello Venditti, Deep Purple and the SAS Band. The SAS Band was made up of Spike Edney (ex-Queen keyboardist), Paul Young, Fish and Chris Thompson, with whom Ivan also sang ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’.
Winter Moods also performed alongside Maroon 5, Enrique Iglesias and Akon in the Isle of MTV Malta Special. In 2007 the band supported the CiaO’Scia concert held in Malta featuring Claudio Baglioni, Gianni Morandi and Riccardo Cocciante. Baglioni sang Winter Moods’ ‘Marigold’ together with the band.
Winter Moods performed at number of music festivals in Europe. In June 2000, the band performed at the Belfort Rock Festival in France, in September 2002 Winter Moods participated at the National Youth Rock Festival in Cyprus. In July 2003 Winter Moods were invited to perform at the Hard Rock Café in Rome. In 2004, following the success in German radio WDR2′s competition – Europa XXL, where Winter Moods placed first amongst 10 bands from Europe, and was invited to perform at the Ring Fest held in Cologne, Germany.
Over the years Winter Moods garnered several awards. The band was voted as the Best Band at six editions of the Malta Music Awards (1997, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010). Winter Moods also received the Best Song award for their timeless hit ‘Marigold’ (2007) and ‘My Neverland’ (2010), and the Best Song Writer award for Ivan Grech in 2007 and 2010. In 2008 the band was awarded the Legends Award – the first time such an award was handed out.
During the Bay Music Awards 2004 Winter Moods were awarded the Icon Award for their on going contribution to the Maltese music scene and for the success their countless singles have had on 89.7 Bay. During the Bay Music Awards 2005 the band won best single of the year award for ‘Closer’ and the best single of all time award for ‘Everyday Song’. In 2007 the band garnered a further three BMAs this time for Best Band, Best Song (Marigold) and the Viewers’ Choice.
Now, (Maltese) international tenor and worldwide sensation, Joseph Calleja, has joined forces with Winter Moods in a collaboration on the band’s latest hit ballad, Miss You. The song recently topped Maltese charts for five weeks and has already become a favourite with many. The special version with Joseph Calleja be heard here and on Maltese radio stations from Monday.
"We are delighted and honoured to collaborate with Joseph on a song, especially on a ballad like Miss You,” said Ivan Grech, Winter Moods’ frontman. “Joseph’s unique voice takes the song to a whole new level, and we are certain that our followers, who have already fallen in love with Miss You, will also appreciate this new version."
It's fun to solve brain teasers. I've heard your brain is like a muscle, so i f you exercise it (by teasing it) you'll have a fit brain. Even if that's not true, I still like to solve them. If you know some good brain teasers, please leave them in a comment.
"*Ahem* Ladies and genlemen, let the Eurovision 2012, begin!" That is how Eurovision 2012 presenters, Eldar, Leyla and Nargiz, kicked off this year's Eurovision song contest. Those of you who don't live in Europe might not know what this contest is. Well, as the name suggests, the Eurovision song contest is indeed a song contest where European countries send one band/singer/whatever to perform 1 song. Then, these songs undergo a semi-final in which 10 songs are chosen, which then, in turn, go through the final, where the winning song is chosen. This year, the Eurovision was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, as they one last year's edition with the song Running Scared sung by Ell and Nicki.http://youtu.be/vvZlEAP5Z28
This year, the Eurovision was won by Sweden, with the song Euphoria sung by Loreen. http://youtu.be/4nJcmLMb5to
Now, to be honest, I am very proud of my country's performance this year, and making it to the final is a great achievement in itself. This year, us here in Malta chose the song This Is The Night sung by Kurt Callejahttp://youtu.be/ZHog5Vg53t8to to represent us in the Eurovision, and we came in 21st in the final.
Hey CC, you were getting a bit out of the point about that constantly reading thing... but I have to agree, reading a lot helps A LOT in your written language (I should know, cause like CC here, I'm always in some great book). But you need to practise reading aloud too (you were sounding like our maltese teacher at that point *Hi Mr. Borg!*)... it really is good advice. If it helps, hold your breath for a few seconds and calm yourself down, that's what I did today before my Italian oral exam. Practice speaking clearly. Speak how you would want any other person you are listening to to speak. Calmly, confidently, fluently.
I have my own tips now. These really have to do with those kinda subjects where you have to study theory like Biology, the written Art exam and in some cases, Physics. MAKE YOUR OWN NOTES. Nothing too formal needed, a few sheets of paper a pen and highlighters (optional for those who like colourful notes, like yours truly). Simply jot down the important stuff in a format you relate to. For example, I sometimes do mine in bullet form, other times, I have arrows joining one phrase to the next. Another tip is music. I love music, it is my way of life, my means of expressing myself. Those who know me are very aware of it. When I study, I listen to music from my headphones. I don't play it too loud. Then, during the exam, I play that song in my head, and whatever I studied while lstening to that song comes to mind.
That's all I really have to say.... so.... caw! (caw- maltese for bye, pronounced like the italian word: ciao)
P.S.: You might be wondering why were suddenly posting about studying, well, we are undergoing the final exams at school and that's almost the most prominent thing at the moment.... Come on CC, only a couple of weeks of exams left, then it's Summer!
The point of wearing make up is to compliment certain features and create different looks and styles. It allows for individuality and creativity with your appearance.
When choosing colours to express yourself, the possibilities are endless. When choosing colours, you should consider your skin tone (and eye colour) as this will effect the colours that you should go with.
Generally, there are 4 different skin tone categories that people fall into - Fair, Fair/Medium, Medium and Dark. Each of these 4 skin tones also has a different undertone.
To help determine your undertone, look at the inside of your wrist. You can usually tell what undertone you have in your skin as this area does not see much sun, and therefore shows your base colour.
When choosing makeup, it's important to look at the undertone in the product. Most make up products have pink undertones, which can make it difficult for people with other undertones to choose the right make up for them.
Skin Tone
Under Tone
Fair
Pink
Fair-Medium
Yellow
Medium
Olive
Dark
Brown
When you go to the store to buy foundation, try a little bit on the inside of your wrist, or on your jaw line – make sure that the foundation blends in, because you don’t want to be going around with a noticeable line where your foundation ends. Keep in mind that foundations ALWAYS look darker in the bottles than they will once you put them on. The powder that you use on your face should be similar in tone to your foundation.
Hide the dark circles under your eyes with concealer. The colour of those dark circles is going to determine the type of concealer you’re going to choose – if the circles are more in the blue tonal range, you’ll want a yellow concealer; if the circles are redder, then you should try a concealer with a bit of green in it. If, however, the circles are more brown than any other colour, you’ll want a blueish concealer. If your circles are puffy, then try a concealer that is a little bit darker than your foundation, but if they are recessed, try a concealer a little bit lighter that your foundation.
The colours you choose to wear on your eyes, cheeks and lips will make a big difference in how you look every day – but make sure you choose colours that look good with your skin tones.
Fair-skinned people look great in pastels, especially colours with pinks or peaches in them, as it compliments your skin colour as well as warming it a little bit. Other pastels usually look good on fair-skinned people, as well as neutral browns of all shades. Sheer lipsticks are a great finishing touch.
People with a Fair-Medium skin tone should avoid makeup with a brown or yellow tone to avoid washing out their features. Blues, reds and purples look great on people with yellow skin tones. Try something with a bit of pink or peach in it.
Medium skin tones look great with neutral shades, darker purples and blues, as well as lighter pinks, golds and apricots. When using blush, avoiding anything really light. A really true red won’t look good with your skin tone, but a red with a bit of purple or brown in it, will look quite stunning.
Dark skin tones look great with rusts, berries and burnt orange colours, as well as almost any shade of pink, green or blue. Neutral shades also work great to compliment your natural colouring. Keep in mind that you will need more pigment in what you buy. Avoid anything with an orange tone to it.
Remember, when choosing colours, be sure to match them to your skin tone. The last thing you want is to appear washed out. The more complimenting the colours, the more compliments you'll receive! - Gulie98
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