English in Pics: Halloween Costumes

Hi!

My first Halloween experience ever was when one year a group of local kids showed up at our door and left flour on our doormat. I can't remember exactly if it was because we refused to give them sweets or ignored their angry doorbell ringing or gave them fruit and raisins... I just know that at that exact moment I thought: Trick-or-treating has arrived in Poland.

Since then they have been visiting us on and off and now I know better not to mess with them and offer them sweets obligingly. They don't like to be ignored, trick-or-treaters. They're an angry lot so just give them whatever they're asking for or you will be exposed to their wrath.

On Halloween, apart from being tricked of course, you may also carve a pumpkin and put a candle inside to make a jack-o'-lantern or decorate your house with all kinds of spooky Halloween paraphernalia such as plastic figures of ghosts, skeletons or spiders. Add a festive set of bright lights for good measure. You don't want your trick-or-treaters to stumble, or god forbid, twist their ankle.

On Halloween, party people are happy to attend all sorts of Halloween-themed or fancy-dress parties. The latter see party-goers dress up as horror movie, cartoon or fairy-tale characters, famous pop stars or anyone or anything you can think of. The more creative and out there you are on that day, the better. Some girls choose to wear clothes that are very skimpy and revealing and other people may refer to them as sluts.

This weekend I went to a wedding after party (my translation of the word poprawiny). We didn't dress up though. With all the dressing up the previous day I think it would have been an overkill;). But if I could go to a fancy-dress party this year, I know which costumes I would consider wearing. Let me present you with a list of my top 7 Halloween costumes.

In no particular order:

1. PIRATE

I'm choosing a pirate costume because a) it is cool and b) it's the favourite costume of my youngest 6-year-old student. 

 

Three things you might need for this look are: an eyeliner, an eyepatch and a bandanna. 

 

2. WIZARD/ WITCH

People who know me well know what a crazy Harry Potter fan I am. If I could go as a witch, I would be Hermione for sure.

Clothing items and accessories to be purchased or made: a robe with the emblem of your favourite house, a wand, a striped tie, a V-neck pullover, a pleated skirt and knee-high stockings or a pair of slacks. If you dress up as Harry, don't forget a nice pair of nerdy glasses.

3. CINDERELLA

To feel like a princess I would dress up as Cinderella. She wears a floor-length gown with puff sleeves as if she walked the red carpet. She travels in style thanks to her pumpkin carriage and she's got a tiara on her head!!!

4. PUMPKIN

If I could squeeze myself into a onesie (US) or a one-piece (UK), I would definitely never miss a chance to be a cute pumpkin on Halloween.

5. GHOST

If I were pressed for time or just plain lazy, I would pick a ghost costume. There is nothing easier than making three holes in a sheet.

 

6. REGULAR EVERYDAY NORMAL GUY

If I were a guy, I would go as a regular everyday normal guy. To get this look, wear what you would normally wear as long as it's not similar to this:

or that:

For more tips and tricks watch the following video:

7. HOBO

This is another effortless look.

Find a flannel shirt and a pair of distressed jeans; make a bindle out of a stick and a piece of fabric; smear your face and give yourself and unruly hairstyle and voila!

I hope some of you will find this post helpful. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend and stay safe on 1st November ;).

GLOSSARY:

flour – mąka

a doormat – wycieraczka

to refuse – odmówić

on and off – z przerwami

to mess with – podskakiwać komuś, narażać się komuś

obligingly – uprzejmie

an (angry) lot – gniewne/ rozzłoszczone towarzystwo

exposed to somebody's wrath – być narażonym na czyjś gniew

to carve a pumpkin – rzeźbić wzory w dyni

spooky – upiorne, straszne

paraphernalia – akcesoria

a skeleton – kościotrup

festive – świąteczny

for good measure – dodatkowo

to stumble – potknąć się

god forbid – broń boże

to twist your ankle – skręcić nogę w kostce

to attend (parties) – chodzić (na imprezy)

-themed – o motywie przewodnim

a fancy-dress party – ball przebierańców

to dress up as – przebierać się za

fairy-tale – baśniowe

out there – zwiariowany, dziwny

skimpy – skąpy, kusy

revealing – skąpy, kusy

sluts – puszczalskie

an overkill – za dużo czegoś

in no particular order: w przypadkowej kolejności

a wizard – czarodziej

a witch – czarodziejka/ czarownica

a clothing item – część stroju

to purchase – kupić

a robe – tut. szata czarodzieja

an emblem – godło

a wand – różdżka

striped – w paski

pleated – plisowany

slacks – spodnie z materiału

Cinderella – Kopciuszek

a gown – suknia

puff sleeves – bufiaste rękawy

a carriage – karoca, powóz

a tiara – diadem

to squeeze (myself) into – wcisnąć się w

a onesie/ one-piece – ubranko jednoczęściowe dla dziecka

be pressed for time – nie mieć czasu

a hobo – włóczęga

effortless – niewymagający wysiłku

distressed – poszarpane

to smear – ubrudzić, umazać

fabric – materiał

unruly – w nieładzie

All the best to the young couple Kasia and Bartek. Wishing you a beautiful life together :).

My Digs: MOJO

Hello!

Today's blog post is dedicated to just one English word: MOJO. It is short and sweet but there is a lot of meaning packed into those four letters.

The meaning of the word is a little bit elusive and a dictionary isn't of much help either:

MOJO: a quality that attracts people to you and makes you successful and full of energy (Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

What can we do then? Let's turn to House for some help.

TV SHOW

The following bit comes from the episode called Small Sacrifices, in which Taub (the short balding guy) has to deal with some personal drama and seems to crumble under the pressure:

House: [to Taub] Trying to catch your wife cheating?

Taub: Oh… Why would you say that?

House: Missing mojo. Posture's slumped. Expression defeated. Didn't try to back up your theory. And Chase told me. Go. Find your mojo.

What happens here is that Taub has a theory about what the patient could be suffering from but lacks the guts to stand by it, which in turn makes House excited because now he can rub it into Taub's face that he is aware of his marriage problems. Taub is worried that his wife might be cheating on him and that's why his mojo is missing and why he's being a lousy worker.

In this particular case, mojo means “the ability to deliver”, to do your work professionally, effectively and with self-confidence.
 

THE ECONOMIST

Now let's look at some more examples of how the word mojo can be used. This time let's analyse two sentences from the Economist:

1. If America is going to hold on to its technological mojo, it needs all the help it can get.

2. Can America find its entrepreneurial mojo again?

In examples (1) and (2) mojo could be replaced with words such as advantage or edge to show America's position when it comes to technology and business. The first sentence suggests that America's dominance in the technology sector could end soon and the second one says that America used to be a much more friendly place for entrepreneurs and it needs a change.

URBAN DICTIONARY

For an informal definition and usage of mojo, let me refer to Urban Dictionary, which defines it as: self-confidence, sex-appeal, talent, magic, charisma, energy, personal magnetism or charm:

He lost his mojo when she dumped him.

I've got my mojo working tonight.

He ain't got enough mojo to get her.

God help me, I think I've lost my mojo!

RAP MUSIC

Regular people can lose and find their mojo. Rappers' mojo is so active that it may even spill:

Woke up in the room and my mojo was active.

(Kid Cudi)

I caught her looking at my Rollie as my mojo spills.

(Big Sean)

REAL LIFE

As far as real life goes, here's some instruction.

You experience the power of mojo when:

• you've got more swagger to your walk;
• you feel on top of the world;
• it seems that you float above the ground;
• everything goes smoothly;
• you're just happy and nothing can kill your good mood;
• You want to say: “Excuse my charisma. (Lil Wayne)”.

In order to attract mojo:

• get a good night's sleep;
• have breakfast in the morning;
• dress nicely;
• don't overuse hair products or cologne (guys);
• don't overuse foundation (girls),
• drink coffee, brown pop or whatever puts you in a good mood and gets your body moving;

and voilà. Mojo will find you. ;)

GLOSSARY: 

elusive – trudny do zrozumienia

not be of much help – na nic się nie zdać

a quality – cecha

to turn to – zwrócić się do kogoś

an episode – odcinek

a sacrifice – poświęcenie

balding – łysiejący

to deal with – tut. zmagać się

personal drama – problemy osobiste

to crumble under pressure – pękać/ załamywać się pod presją

posture slumped – przygarbiona postawa

expression defeated – wyraz twarzy świadczący o tym, że ktoś się poddał (to defeat – pokonywać)

to lack the guts to – nie mieć odwagi

rub something into somebody's face – komuś coś wypominać

lousy – kiepski

deliver – spełniać oczekiwania, wywiązywać się ze swoich obowiązków

to hold on to – utrzymać coś (nie stracić)

entrepreneurial – związany z przedsiębiorczością

be replaced with – być zastąpionym czymś

an advantage/ edge – przewaga

an entrepreneur – przedsiębiorca

usage – użycie

magnetism – magnetyzm

charm – urok

to dump somebody – rzucić, zostawić

to spill – wylewać się

Rollie – Rollex (b. drogi zegarek)

have more swagger to your walk – chodzić bardziej zamaszyście

float – unosić się

smoothly – gładko

mood – nastrój

Excuse my charisma. – Wybacz mi, że jestem taki/taka charyzmatyczny/a.

get a good night's sleep – dobrze się wyspać

to overuse – użyć za dużo

cologne – woda kolońska

foundation – podkład (makijaż)

brown pop – Cola lub Pepsi

Oh and one more thing before I go:

I would like to thank Michał from Flow events (www.flowevents.pl) for making this amazing banner for me. I hope you all like it :).

English in Pics: Who Wears the Trousers?

Hello!

I have been getting feedback from some of you, my lovely readers, and I know that you are now in love with snuggies. I am too. 

Today I would like to talk about trousers or, as they call them in America, pants. Worn by both genders, trousers offer protection and warmth for our legs and bums. Metaphorically, they are also a status symbol in a relationship. He or she is said to wear the trousers when he or she has the final say on pretty much everything. A little bit vague? I know. That's why I decided to break it down for you. 

You might be the one who wears the trousers in your relationship if you:

• choose pizza toppings;

• hold the remote (not applicable when there are two TV sets where you are);
• select music while in a car;
• get things scheduled for both of you (also without consulting your significant other);
• pick the movie to watch in the movie theatre;
• are a Leo, a Taurus or a Scorpio;
• are single.

This definition is in no way scientific, but I hope it helps a bit. Just remember one thing: two people can't wear the trousers in the same relationship at the same time.

Now onto trousers in the literal sense of the word. There are couple of types to choose from, and I'm going to go over a few of them.

1. CARGO PANTS (US)/ CARGO TROUSERS (UK)

Cargo pants are baggy trousers with numerous pockets. They may come in handy in all-you-can-eat buffets but you're not going to be perceived as very fashion-forward if you decide to wear them.

2. CORDUROYS

Corduroys (cords for short) are also associated with comfort rather than having a fashion sense.

 

 3. SWEATPANTS (US)/ TRACKSUIT BOTTOMS (UK)

Sweatpants are a must have when you hang around your house. Don't forget a nice pair of fluffy slippers to go with them.

4. SLACKS

Slacks are worn at a prom, for work or school assemblies.

5. SKINNY JEANS/ SKINNIES

As the name suggests, skinny jeans are for skinny people. Their cut is extremely slim-fitting but the stretchy denim makes them more  wearable.

It should be noted that skinny jeans for boys are looser around the crotch so wearing doesn't make you sterile, as a lot of ignorant emo haters claim. (Urban Dictionary)

6. JEGGINGS

Jeggings are stretchy and tight-fitting like leggings but they look like a pair of jeans.

7. HOT PANTS

Hot pants are shorts that could not possibly be shorter (UD)

8. OVERALLS (US)/ DUNGAREES (UK)

Some people argue that dungarees should only be worn by pregnant women and plumbers and it is difficult not to agree with them. Definitely the least flattering cut of all.

That's all I've got for you today. Hope you enjoyed it :).

GLOSSARY:

feedback – opinie

a gender – płeć

warmth – ciepło

to wear the trousers/ to wear the pants – rządzić w rodzinie/ związku

to have the final say – ostatecznie decydować

vague – niejasne

to break something down – przeanalizować

a topping – dodatek to pizzy (kukurydza, pieczarki, oliwki itp)

not applicable – nie ma zastosowania

to schedule – planować, umawiać się

your significant other – druga połówka

to pick – wybierać

Taurus – Byk

now onto – a teraz przejdźmy to

literal – dosłowne

to go over – omówić

baggy – luźne

to come in handy – przydać się

perceived as – postrzegany jako

fashion-forward – modny, na czasie

for short  – w skrócie

associated with  – kojarzone z

a fashion sense  –  styl  

fluffy – puchate

slippers – kapcie

a prom – ball

a school assembly – apel

skinny – tut. szczupły

a cut  – krój

slim-fitting – obcisły, dopasowany

stretchy – elastyczny

denim – dżins

wearable – tut. wygodne

looser – luźniejsze

a crotch – krok

sterile – bezpłodny

tight-fitting – obcisły, dopasowany

plumbers – hydraulik

the least flattering cut – najmniej twarzowy krój

Story of My Life: Can't Draw

Hello everybody!

Today I would like you to think about what skill you have never been able to master. Think about what you are always going to suck at whatever you do and however hard you try.

For me it has always been drawing. Everyone knows that I draw like a five-year-old and I'm not going to use this post to prove them wrong. On the contrary, I'm going to admit it proudly, and you are going to learn why. Just give me a minute or so.

In the kindergarten, I was the kid who would always colour outside the lines. I don't mean that in a good way when smart and creative children are said to think outside the box because their drawings have unexpected colour patterns. Oh no! My drawings were messy and pitiful and they were definitely not cute. Trust me on that.

What happened in primary school times? Let's just say that my brother's friends would outsource drawing to their sisters. (Boys will be boys.) My brother, however, would never let me near his art assignments and you have already learnt why.

In secondary school, I had to attend the art class where we learnt the theory of art and on occasions we were required to produce a piece of art ourselves. I did struggle a lot and didn't enjoy this class one bit. Imagine worrying about history, biology, chemistry and on top of that – art.

Sad as this story sounds, there was an expected turn of events. It was during our abstract drawing assignment. The whole class got really engaged and were doing their best to submit something impressive. That got me stressed out even more. But then all of a sudden I was struck by the thought: ”Screw that. I'm just going to do my best and if my best sucks then so be it.”

And I got a 4 plus and I think that my teacher might have even called my work interesting!

But it's not the end of the story. There's a follow-up right in the middle of my studies. It was a writing class. Our teacher played us a conspiracy theory video and asked us to write an argumentative essay based on it. I knew it was important to pay attention and to write down as many details as possible so I focused hard and started doodling...

I don't know how it happened (I probably got bored) but at one point I drew a stick figure and added a speech bubble. The drawing looked similar to that:

I know it looks kinda lame to you but back then it seemed really funny. I showed the picture to my friends, Mick and Justyna and they loved it; especially Justyna, who later asked me if she could keep it. And she did and she even put it on her student apartment wall ;).

What I'm trying to say here is that no matter what you suck at and how badly you suck at it, you should still do it and have fun with it. Don't let other people judge how you draw, sing or play football and take away all the fun. As long as you enjoy doing something, you should carry on and if the results are appalling, there will always be loving people around who will tell you that your appalling picture is lovely.

GLOSSARY:

to master a skill – opanować umiejętność

to suck at something – być do bani

to prove somebody wrong – udowodnić, że ktoś się myli

on the contrary – wręcz przeciwnie

or so – tut. lub trochę więcej

to colour outside the lines – wychodzić poza line podczas kolorowania obrazka

to think outside the box – myśleć twórczo, kreatywnie

messy – niechlujny

pitiful – żałosny

Trust me on that. – Uwierzcie mi w tym przypadku.

to outsource – zlecać

to let somebody near something – pozwalać komuś zbliżyć się do czegoś

an assignment – tut. praca

be required to – mieć obowiązek coś zrobić

to struggle – tut. męczyć się

(not) one bit – ani trochę

on top of that – do tego

an unexpected turn of events – niespodziewana zmiana przebiegu zdarzeń

engaged – zaabsorbowany

to do one's best – dać z siebie wszystko

to submit – oddać

impressive – robiąca wrażenie

Screw that! – Olać to!

Then so be it. – Niech tak będzie.

a follow-up – kontynuacja

a conspiracy theory – teoria spisku

based on that video – w oparciu o ten film

to pay attention – skupić się, słuchać uważnie

to doodle – gryzmolić, rysować różne figury, kwiatki itp.

a stick figure – (kreskowy) ludzik ;)

a speech bubble – chmurka

kinda lame – raczej słabe

to carry on – kontynuować

appalling – okropne, fatalne

Oh, one more thing. I would like to give a shout-out to my friends, Justyna and Mick, both of whom are abroad, in Mexico and France respectively. Sending virtual hugs :)).