A Habit App

Habit Bull

Day 172 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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When I created this blog my purpose was to establish the habit of studying Italian every day, even if but a few minutes. That was 171 daily posts ago -- habit established! A few days ago I came across a cell phone app that can be useful in helping to establish habits and to use the strategy of spaced study, and it is actually quite user-friendly. The name of the app is "Habit Bull." If you are interested you can learn more at http://www.habitbull.com.

Ascolta Questo:

• Formare una nuova abitudine può essere una sfida.
  Forming a new habit can be challenging.

• Ho sentito che ci vogliono circa 30 giorni di seguito per stabilire una nuova abitudine.
  I have heard that it takes about 30 consecutive days to establish a new habit.

• È un'app che può essere utile per creare una nuova abitudine.
  The is an app that can be useful in forming a new habit.

• Questa app si chiama "Habit Bull".
  This app is called "Habit Bull."

[ Grazie a Miky75 ]

[ Grazie a Fraenck ]

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

World's Largest Airplane

“Stratolaunch”

Day 171 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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One of the stories featured on the nationally televised news tonight was about the world's largest airplane. The “Stratolaunch” is described as a 500,000-pound beast with twin fuselages and a wingspan of 385 feet -- that's longer than a football field! What's the purpose of this huge airplane? -- lifting rockets into the stratosphere before launching them into space. The plane is still in development and has yet to fly. So, don't call your airline to book a seat just yet.

Ascolta Questo:

• L'aereo più grande del mondo è stato costruito.
  The world's largest airplane has been built.

• Il suo nome è Stratolanuch.
  Its name is Stratolanuch.

• Lo scopo di Stratolaunch è quello di sollevare i razzi nella stratosfera prima di lanciarli.
  The purpose of Stratolaunch is to lift rockets into the stratosphere before launching them.

• L'aereo ha in realtà due fusoliere.
  The airplane actually has two fuselages.

• Lo stratolounch è ancora in fase di sviluppo e non ha ancora lasciato il terreno.
  The Stratolaunch is still under development and has not yet left the ground.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Elderberry

 Day 170 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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With so much influenza spreading across the United States, some individuals are looking for natural sources to build personal immunity against the flu. Elderberries are the fruit of the flowering plant known as Sambucus. Claims are made that benefits of the elderberry include those in the chart below. Elderberry products are sold in the form of liquid, pills, tablets, and gummies. Note: This post is not medical advice -- only a summary of general information about the fruit.

Ascolta Questo:

• Consultare il proprio medico prima di assumere prodotti di sambuco.
  Consult your doctor before taking elderberry products.

• Non mangiare la pianta.
  Do not eat the plant.

• Quest'anno ci sono stati più casi di influenza rispetto all'anno scorso.
  This year there have been more cases of influenza than before.

• L'iniezione vaccinale di quest'anno è stata efficace al 30%.
  The immunization injection this year has been 30% effective.

• Alcuni individui si sono rivolti a fonti di immunità come il sambuco.
  Some individuals have been turning to immunity building sources such as elderberry.

• Ci sono molti vantaggi nel consumare i prodotti di sambuco.
  There are many benefits of consuming the elderberry products.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

The Tarantella

 Day 169 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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The Tarantella is a name I do recall from as early as my high school band days. What I never took the time to learn is where the dance originated. At britannica.com I found the following: "The tarantella's origin is connected with tarantism, a disease or form of hysteria that appeared in Italy in the 15th to the 17th century and that was obscurely associated with the bite of the tarantula spider; victims seemingly were cured by frenzied dancing." An interesting story.

Ascolta Questo:

• La Tarantella è una danza italiana.
  The Tarantella is an Italian dance.

• Storie interessanti circondano la tarantella.
  Interesting stories surround the tarantella.

• Uno dei primi riferimenti alla tarantella fu la danza di San Vito nel 1374.
  One of the earliest reference to the tarantella was the St. Vitus Dance in 1374.

• I cittadini suonavano musica per una persona morsa da un ragno e quella persona ballava senza sosta.
  Town folks would play music for a person bitten by a spider and that person would dance non-stop.

• L'idea era di ballare senza sosta per sudare il veleno attraverso i pori.
  The idea was to dance non-stop in order to sweat the venom out through the pores.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Czech Polka Fest

Day 168 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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Right around noontime my wife and I headed for a popular restaurant. We had just left our home when we saw that a Czech organization was having a polka fest. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, there are 187,729 Czech-Americans living in Texas, the largest number of any state. We are not Czech, but we decided to pull into the Sokol Hall parking lot and have lunch at the festival. The lunch consisted of Czech sausage, green beans, and sauerkraut. The music was provided by a Czech polka band. Many who attended were dressed in Czech and polka costumes. We do not dance polka style, but we did have a good time. (Now for a short practice script in Italian -- grammar corrections are welcome, after all, I'm learning the language.)

Ascolta Questo:

• A mezzogiorno, mia moglie ed io stavamo andando a fare un po' di shopping.
  At noon time my wife and I were on the way to do some shopping.

• Abbiamo visto un festival della polka ceca nelle vicinanze.
  We saw a Czech polka fest nearby.

• Oltre alla musica polka, venivano venduti piatti da pranzo cechi.
  In addition to the polka music, Czech lunch plates were being sold.

• Io e mia moglie non ballavamo alla musica polka, ma abbiamo fatto un buon pranzo e ci siamo goduti la musica.
  My wife and I did not dance to the polka music, but we did have a good lunch and enjoyed the music.

• Anche se non siamo cechi, ci siamo divertiti.
  Even though we are not Czech, we did have a good time.

[ Grazie a sailorcya ]

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Public Library Service

Day 167 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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Learning a new language, as I am? Looking for good free language programs? I now have a good collection of books, apps, and PC programs to help me learn Italian. At times I look for new materials just to keep my interest and motivation going in learning new language skills. There is a program I discovered that is available through our local public library system. You may want to inquire at your own public library. With my public library membership, I was provided with access to "Transparent Language" at no cost, in the comfort of my own home. Over 100 languages are available. (Now for a short practice script in Italian.)

Ascolta Questo:

• "Transparent Language" è un programma di apprendimento delle lingue online.
  "Transparent Language" is an online language learning program.

• Sono disponibili oltre 100 lingue.
  Over 100 languages are available.

• Posso accedere al programma di apprendimento della lingua con la mia iscrizione a una biblioteca pubblica.
  I can access the language learning program with my public library membership.

• "Transparent Language" ti può anche inviare un'email con una nuova parola del giorno.
  "Transparent Language" can also send you an email with a new word of the day.

• Questo programma è molto utile.
  This program is very useful.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Italian Idioms

Day 166 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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In reading about the Italian language and some tips with regard to learning the language I came across some interesting idioms. In my post for Day 132 I wrote about "cavallo di battaglia" and I received some interesting replies with other expressions. Below are some recent idioms I have read.

Ascolta Questo:

• Pagare alla romana
  To go Dutch

• Acqua in bocca
  Keep it under your hat

• Avere fegato
  To have guts / nerve

• Portare i pantaloni
  To wear the pants

• Ad occhio e croce
  More or less

• Essere solo come un cane
  To be all alone

• Fare una vita da cani
  To live a dog's life

[ Grazie a Jan ]
[ Grazie a Anasdav ]
[ Grazie a Unonessuno ]

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Earbuds & Oud Music

Day 165 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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Interesting, just about the time I'm about to give up on a pair of wireless earbuds they connect to my PC. It's still rather amazing how such small electronic devices can function the way they do. The pair of earbuds are made by Rowkin, and the case is actually a charger -- nice package. The Bluetooth connect-ability is finicky. The sound quality is decent. Right now I'm listening to Oud music. The Oud is a short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped stringed instrument. (Now for a little practice with a short script in Italian -- grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• A volte ho problemi con i miei auricolari wireless.
  Sometimes I have trouble with my wireless earbuds.

• Dopo aver collegato gli auricolari al mio PC, ho cercato della musica interessante su youtube.com.
  After I did connect the earbuds to my PC I looked for some interesting music on youtube.com.

• C'è musica che elimina le barriere culturali.
  There is music that cuts through cultural barriers.

• Credo che la matematica e la  musica debbano essere lingue universali
  I believe that math and music must be universal languages.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Gli Spareggi

Day 164 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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At the end of our school day my wife, daughter and I will go watch some basketball playoff games. Both our girls' and our boys' basketball teams have been doing well this year. We will travel to George West, a community that is 63 miles away. Both teams are in high spirits. In fact, our entire school has been affected by the winning streak. (Following is a practice script in Italian -- grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Oggi mia moglie, mia figlia e io andremo a George West High School per guardare la pallacanestro..
  Today my wife, daughter and I will travel to George West High School to watch basketball games.

• Quest'anno le squadre di pallacadestro delle nostre ragazze e quelle dei nostri ragazzi hanno giocato molto bene.
  Both our girls basketball and our boys basketball teams played extremely well this year.

• Questi sono i playoff.
  These are the playoff games.

[ Grazie a Fracis23 ]
[ Grazie a Miky75 ]
[ Grazie a Erchomai ]

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Dividing Time Between Reading, Writing, and Speaking When Learning a New Language

Day 163 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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From time to time I look at where my Italian learning time is going. One language learning expert I heard on youtube placed great emphasis on reading, especially at the beginning stage. I have been spending a majority of tilme on reading and writing. On a video-cast, I saw recently the suggestion was to place more time on listening and speaking. So I'm going to shift more of the limited time I have to listen more to native speakers online, and to practicing monologues since I learning Italian on my own. Books, I have plenty of books. I'll see where the shift of time leads me. (Next is a practice script in Italian -- grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Mentre leggo sull'apprendimento di una nuova lingua, trovo diversi suggerimenti su dove iniziare.
  As I read about learning a new language I find different suggestions about where to start.

• Alcuni suggerimenti sottolineano l'ascolto, altri la lettura, altri ancora parlano.
  Some suggestions emphasis listening, others reading, yet others speaking.

• Per me leggere un nuovo linguaggio sembra un modo più semplice per iniziare.
  For me reading a new language seems easier.

• La sfida per me è il parlare.
  The challenge for me is the speaking.

• Sposterò più tempo per ascoltare e parlare.
  I will shift more time to listening and to speaking.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Dwarf Planet Pluto

Day 162 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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On February 18, 1930, Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh, at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. Pluto was thought to be the ninth planet. With a surface temperature of about -360 Fahrenheit, it was given the Roman name for the god of the underworld. In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union announced that Pluto would no longer be considered a planet because its oblong orbit overlaps with that of Neptune. (The following is a practice script in Italian -- grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Una volta considerato un pianeta, Pluto fu scoperto il 18 febbraio 1930.
  Once considered a planet, Pluto was discovered on February 18, 1930.

• L'astronomo Clyde W. Tombaugh ha scoperto Plutone.
  Astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh discovered Pluto.

• La scoperta è stata fatta presso l'Osservatorio Lowell.
  The discovery was made at the Lowell Observatory.

• Plutone ha cinque lune.
  Pluto has five moons.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Working in the Yard

Day 161 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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After many days of inclement weather, the morning was nice and sunny. So, off I went to get a can of gasoline for my lawnmower. It was time not only to mow the lawn but also to spread some lawn food and weed killer. The back lawn was a field of clover – however, no time to look for a four-leaf clover. By the time I was done, the temperature had risen to 80 degrees (Fahrenheit). The hard work of the morning was an excellent excuse to take it easy in the afternoon. (Now for the practice script in Italian -- grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Questa mattina è stata un momento eccellente per occuparsi del prato.
  This morning was excellent for working on the lawn.

• Per prima cosa ho dovuto prendere una lattina di benzina per il tosaerba.
  First I had to get a can of gasoline for the lawnmower.

• Ho tagliato la maggior parte dell'erba del prato e mia moglie ha deciso di aiutarmi.
  I mowed most of the lawn and my wife decided to help me.

• Quando ho terminato il lavoro  sul prato, la temperatura era salita a 80 gradi Fahrenheit.
  By the time I complete the lawn work, the temperature had risen to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

[ Grazie a Andrea_DM ]
[ Grazie a loganmeyerinthehouse ]

[ Grazie a MarcoCo ]
[ Grazie a Anasdav ]
[ Grazie a michele16ml ]
[ Grazie a _ADM_ ]

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Cowboy Bread (Pan de Campo)

Day 160 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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After work today, my wife and I drove a short distance to a nearby church fundraiser for fried fish dinners. The fish was excellent. Then we looked for a small bakery we had heard about that sells “pan de campo” – also known as “cowboy bread.” We found the place and met the owners, a mother, and her daughter. We waited about 10 minutes for the cowboy bread to be baked, and as we waited we were served samples of the cowboy bread with butter – amazingly delicious. Traditionally, cowboys baked this type of bread in a Dutch oven, with hot coals beneath and over the Dutch oven. (Now for a short practice script in Italian, and grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Oggi pomeriggio io e mia moglie abbiamo cercato una pasticceria di cui avevamo sentito parlare.
  This afternoon my wife and I looked for a bakery we had heard about.

• Abbiamo sentito che il panificio produceva pane da cowboy.
  We heard the bakery made cowboy bread.

• La piccola panetteria è di proprietà di una madre e sua figlia.
  The small bakery is owned by a mother and her daughter.

• Stavamo cercando il pane da cowboy; chiamato "pad de campo" in spagnolo.
  We were looking for cowboy bread; called "pad de campo" in Spanish.

• Il pane da cowboy era cotto mentre aspettavamo.
  The cowboy bread was baked while we waited.

• Il pane da cowboy valeva assolutamente la pena aspettare.
  The cowboy bread was absolutely worth the wait.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

La Passeggiata

Day 159 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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This evening I read about "La passeggiata" custom in Italy. For my wife and I, the two visits to Italy were quick-paced, except for a few afternoons and nights. As tourists, we stood out, while the elderly Italians were quite dressed up and strolled at a leisurely pace. The whole idea of "la passeggiata" is great. I work at being more mindful of what an amazing world we live in, and how much we take for granted. (Now for a short practice script in Italian . . . grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• La "passeggiata" italiana è un promemoria per rallentare e stare con amici e parenti.
  The Italian "passeggiata" is a reminder to slow down and be with friends and relatives.

• I turisti nel loro abbigliamento casual sono in contrasto con gli italiani che si vestono per la "passeggiata".
  Tourists in their casual dress are in contrast to the Italians who dress up for the "passeggiata."

• Sono certo che la "passeggiata" aiuta a rallentare la frenetica vita moderna.
  I am certain that the "passeggiata" helps to slow down the hectic modern life.

• Altre persone potrebbero beneficiare di una "passeggiata" regolare anche se non è in Italia.
  More people could benefit from a regular "passeggiata" even if it is not in Italy.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

St. Valentine

Day 158 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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It is believed that St. Valentine was as a priest in third century Rome. In those days, Emperor Claudius II had a standing decree that young single men were not to marry. because he thought that marriage and children were a distraction to men of fighting age who were needed to serve as soldiers. St. Valentine continued to marry young couples in secret until he was imprisoned for his actions and later beheaded. There are also some thoughts that there were three different St. Valentine. In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius officially set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine. (Following is a practice script in Italian . . . grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Il 14 febbraio è il giorno di San Valentino.
  February 14th is St. Valentine's Day.

• San Valentino era un prete di Roma del III secolo.
  St. Valentine was a priest in the third century Rome.

• L'Imperatore Claudio II emanò un decreto secondo cui i giovani non potevano sposarsi.
  Emperor Claudius II had a decree that young men were not to get married.

• San Valentino disobbedì al decreto e continuò a sposare giovani coppie in segreto.
  St. Valentine disobeyed the decree and continued to marry young couples in secret.

• San Valentino fu imprigionato e successivamente decapitato.
  St. Valentine was imprisoned and later beheaded.

[ Grazie a Anasdav ]
[ Grazie a Brainless4ever ]

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.

Natalie Cressman

Day 157 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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What a pleasant surprise. I had noticed audio problems with my PC. Then I suspected that the issue could be my wireless headphones. Then I was becoming concerned that the culprit was my PC – the thought of replacing it was not pleasing, since I do have quite a bit of software programs loaded. Recalling the old question, Is it plugged in? I began tracing wires and connections. Solution? – the power plug for the external speakers was not completely plugged in. Then, to test the sound production again I searched on youtube for some music to play. I came across Natalie Cressman, whom I had never heard before. Natalie is an American jazz vocalist and trombonist. II was simply enchanted, not only by her beautiful voice, but also by her trombone artistry. Below I have embedded one of her youtube videos.(Followiing the video is a practice script in Italian . . . grammar corrections welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Stasera ho trovato la talentuosa Natalie Cressman su youtube.com.
  Tonight I found the talented Natalie Cressman on youtbe.com.

• Natalie è una cantante di jazz americana e trombonista.
  Natalie is an American jazz singer and trombonist.

• Ho intenziono di ascoltare Nalalie nei giorni a venire.
  I plan to listen to Nalalie in the days to come.

• Ho un tale pregiudizio per il trombone.
  I have such a bias for the trombone.

Alla prossima!

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*Note: This is my personal journal of daily practice in learning Italian. I welcome Italian grammar corrections. Grazie.