Boys at the Beach

Day 203 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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My two grandsons had a good time at our bayfront, flying kites, walking on the beach, and just throwing rocks into the water. Since they live inland, coming to a city with a beach is a treat. The boys were born almost one year apart, and this August they will be 6 and 7 years old. The day was absolutely awesome, cool, breezy, and sunny. The boys did not want to leave the park and beach, but they were already showing signs that they were getting tired. A good bath and nap would take care of that. (Grammar corrections of my Italian practice script below are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Vivo in una città costiera con una bellissima baia.
  I live in a coastal city with a beautiful bayfront.

• I miei nipoti e i loro genitori sono venuti a trovarci.
  My grandsons and their parents came to visit us.

• I ragazzi si divertivano a far volare gli aquiloni, camminando sulla spiaggia e entrando nell'acqua.
  The boys enjoyed flying kites, walking on the beach and getting in the water.

• I ragazzi vivono nell'entroterra e visitare una spiaggia è stato divertente per loro.
  The boys live inland and visiting a beach was fun for them.

Alla prossima!

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

An Italian Success Story

Vincenzo Sconza's Story

Day 202 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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It's interesting how things come together at times: I'm eating delicious candy and writing this post. My daughter, my son, and his two sons came to visit today. The boys are 5 and 6 years old. The oldest brought a bag of Jordan Candies for me. After my family guests left I noticed the brand of candy I had just been given -- Sconza. On the back is a brief story of how Vincenzo Sconza had come to the United States from Italy with the hope of a better life. Vincenzo and his wife Maria were soon working full-time making candy. Since 1939 the Sconza family has been making innovative confections, and now the tradition is carried on by the third generation of candy-makers, fulfilling Vincenzo's dream. Yes, I just placed an order online for three more bags of almonds and of cashews in delicious candy shells. (Grammar corrections in my practice Italian script below are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• I miei nipoti mi hanno dato un sacchetto di Jordan Almonds.
  My grandsons gave me a bag of Jordan Almonds.

• Le caramelle vengono prodotte dalla famiglia Sconza.
  The candy is made by the Sconza family.

• Vincenzo Sconza emigrò dall'Italia agli Stati Uniti nei primi anni del 1900.
  Vincenzo Sconza immigrated from Italy to the United States in early 1900's.

• Divenne un famoso produttore di caramelle.
  He became a famous candy-maker.

• Per saperne di più di questa storia straordinaria clicca qui.
  To read about this amazing success story click here.

[ Grazie ad Arben Kqiku ]
[ Grazie ad Anasdav ]

Alla prossima!

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

Seasonal Candy Treats

Day 201 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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As we approach Easter holidays, my wife and I prepared a basket with small jars filled with candy treats. In an adjacent community, there is a protective youth shelter that serves children in their time of family crisis. The shelter's mission is truly one of compassion for children. During various holiday seasons, I like to take some treats for the children who may be living at the shelter at the time. Our basket contains small jars that we filled with foil wrapped Easter candy eggs, and we decorated the jars with stickers of rabbits, chicks, carrots, butterflies and colorful eggs. Tomorrow we will deliver the gifts to the children's shelter, hopefully brightening up their Easter holiday. These children are away from family and friends. (Corrections for my Italian grammar in the following practice script are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Mia moglie ed io abbiamo preparato alcuni dolcetti di Pasqua per un rifugio per bambini.
  My wife and I have prepared some Easter candy treats for children at a protective shelter.

• Il rifugio protettivo aiuta i bambini che sono stati rimossi dai loro genitori.
  The protective shelter serves children who have been removed from their parents.

• Domani io e mia moglie consegneremo i vasetti decorati pieni di caramelle.
  Tomorrow my wife and I will deliver the decorated jars filled with candies.

• Spero che i regali sollevino lo spirito dei bambini mentre trascorrono le vacanze lontano dalle loro case.
  I hope the gifts will lift the children's spirits as they spend the holiday away from their homes.

[ Grazie ad Arben ]

Alla prossima!

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

Post #200

Day 200 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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This is post number 200. Two-hundred days ago I set out to establish a habit of practice a few sentences of Italian every day. So, I created this blog/journal with that goal in mind. It was a good move, for I have written short scripts in Italian to practice every day. Along the way some very nice helpers have taken some of their valuable time to send grammar corrections to me. This help from native speakers has been quite helpful, and beats what I can learn on my own. A 200-day habit is not bad at all. (Corrections to my Italian grammar in the short practice script below are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Questo è il mio 200 ° post sul mio blog Alscolta Questo.
  This is my 200th post in my Alscolta Questo blog.

• I commenti che ho ricevuto sono stati utili mentre mi sforzo di imparare l'italiano.
  The comments I have received have been helpful as I strive to learn Italian.

• I commenti degli oratori italiani sono utili.
  Comments from native speakers is helpful.

• Studiare un po 'di italiano ogni giorno è ormai un'abitudine.
  Studying some Italian every day is now a habit.

Alla prossima!

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

CFL vs LED

Day 199 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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Several years ago I replaced all the candescent light bulbs in our house with compact fluorescent lamp bulbs (CFL). When some of the CLF bulbs burned out I started to replace them with LED bulbs. The latter type is now advertised as more economical to use and as emitting less heat. Since the CFL's contain mercury I often wondered why they had gained such popularity, other than they used less electricity. The CFL's do not last as long as advertised, but the reason may be that they are turned off and on too much in day to day use. (Grammar corrections for my Italian practice script below are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Le lampadine LED utilizzano meno energia elettrica rispetto alle lampadine CFL.
  The LED light bulbs use less electricity than CFL bulbs.

• Le lampadine LED emettono meno calore rispetto al tipo di lampadine di CFL.
  The LED light bulbs also emit less heat than the CFL type of light bulbs.

• Sostituzione di una singola lampadina Interrutore con un LED permetterebbe di risparmiare circa $288 in 20 anni.
  Replacing a single candescent bulb with an LED would save about $288 in 20 years.

• Moltiplicare per 10 lampadine e che è un risparmio di $2.880.
  Multiply that by 10 bulbs and that is a saving of $2,880.

( Source: www.earthled.com )

Alla prossima!

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

Infographics Program

Day 198 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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A few days ago I was creating a digital page for my granddaughter's drill team book with a  program called Piktochart. At the time I was not fully aware of the usefulness of Piktochart. Today a had some time to explore Piktochart and discovered how amazing the program is, not only for digital book pages but also for infographics. If you may be looking for a change of pace and a tool different from PowerPoint, give Piktochart a try. There is both a free and a paid membership -- the free membership still gives you a lot of features. Click the Piktochart logo to access the Piktochart website. (Grammar corrections for the following practice script in Italian are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Faccio presentazioni ai nostri studenti delle scuole superiori.
  I make presentations to our high school students.

• In passato, ho utilizzato PowerPoint e Prezi per le presentazioni.
  In the past, I have used PowerPoint and Prezi for presentations.

• Oggi ho imparato a usare Piktochart.
  Today I learned how to use Piktochart.

• Penso che mi piaccia Piktochart per le presentazioni scolastiche.
  I think I like Piktochart for school presentations.

• Se vuoi provare Piktochart, clicca qui per il sito web.
  If you want to try Piktochart, click here for the website.

Alla prossima!

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

WiFi Connection Problem

Day 197 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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I'll make this quick tonight. My desktop computer is having problems connecting to my WiFi, and I had to dig up my Chrome Book that I have had for some time and it still works with the help of a new battery. (Grammar corrections for my Italian in the following practice script are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Il mio computer desktop ha un problema.
  My desktop computer has a problem.

• Il problema è che ha problemi a rimanere connesso alla mia rete WiFi.
  The problem is that it has trouble staying connected to my WiFi network.

• Il mio vecchio computer portatile Chrome funziona ancora bene.
  My old Chrome notebook computer is still working well.

• Domani esaminerò il problema del desktop.
  I will look into the desktop's problem tomorrow.

Alla prossima!

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

Comic Book Characters

Day 196 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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One of the most fun and useful digital programs I have found is Book Creator (See post #126). I continue to use this program weekly to send one of my grandson's comic book style ebooks to encourage him to read. I send him small printed phonics books once a week and send him a link to the online ebook I create weekly as well. Along the way, I am getting more familiar with old super-heroes and have been learning about previously unfamiliar ones. This week and next I incorporate The Black Panther into the weekly ebook. The Black Panther first appeared in the Marvel Comic Book Fantastic Four Vol 1 #52, in July 1966. (Grammar corrections in my Italian practice script below are welcome -- I'm still very much a beginner.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Da quando ero un ragazzino mi sono divertito con i fumetti.
  Since I was a young boy I have enjoyed comic books.

• Un personaggio di fumetti con cui non avevo familiarità è The Black Panther.
  A comic book character I was not familiar with is The Black Panther.

• Mando brevi libri sui personaggi dei fumetti a mio nipote che ha 6 anni.
  I send short books about comic book characters to my grandson who is 6-years old.

• La mia speranza è che mio nipote svilupperà l'amore per la lettura.
  My hope is that my grandson will develop a love of reading.

Alla prossima!

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

Radio Days - Part 2

Day 195 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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After last night's post, I thought I would add a bit more to the story about old radio programs. I was perhaps about 10 years old and most of my entertainment was both the movie theaters and the radio programs at home. This was around the 1950's. Here is a short list of some of the radio programs I remember: 1) The Lone Ranger, 2) Sky King, 3) Straight Arrow, 4) The Shadow, 5) The Inner Sanctum, 6) B-Bar-B Ranch, 7) Melody Ranch, and there were more. It was not until a few years later that we had a television set at home. Sounds rather primitive, right? Actually, I believe that my vivid imagination and ability to conceptualize comes from the experience of listening to radio programs and having to mentally imagine what was described only through sound. Those were more innocent times for our country as well. I recall even building a crystal radio set -- go look that one up! (Corrections of the Italian grammar in the following practice script are welcome -- I'm still at the beginner stage.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Quando ero ragazzo mi piaceva ascoltare i programmi radiofonici.When I was a young boy I like to listen to radio programs.

• Mi piaceva ascoltare The Lone Ranger, The Inner Sanctum, Sky King e altro ancora.
  I liked to listen to The Lone Ranger, The Inner Sanctum, Sky King, and more.

• Ascoltare la radio mi ha aiutato a sviluppare una vivida immaginazione.
  Listening to the radio helped me to develop a vivid imagination.

Click here to access the Old Radio Programs website, a large collection of old radio programs that are well categorized. Close your eyes, and let your imagination create the pictures in your mind. Enjoy.

Alla prossima!

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

Radio Days

Day 194 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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When I was a young boy I would listen to many different radio programs. This was before we had a television set. One of my favorite radio programs was The Shadow.

Ascolta Questo:

• Quando ero ragazzo mi piaceva ascoltare i programmi radiofonici.
  When I was a young boy I like to listen to radio programs.

• Il programma parlava di un misterioso uomo chiamato L'ombra.
  The program was about a mysterious man called The Shadow.

Here is the link to the website Old Radio World, where there are mp3 files of some of the old radio programs: http://www.oldradioworld.com/shows/The_Shadow.php.

[ Grazie a Carl ]

Alla prossima!

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

An Exceptional School Bandmaster

Day 193 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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In Texas, there is a long history of outstanding bandmasters. I have had the good fortune of knowing some of these exceptional musicians and band leaders. One of our relatives has been nominated for the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame. This will be quite an honor as he will join a roster of band teachers who have demonstrated exceptional excellence as musicians, teachers, and bandmasters. Phi Beta Mu is the International Bandmasters Fraternity. (Italian grammar corrections are welcome for the following practice script.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Phi Beta Mu è la Fraternità di Bandmaster della Scuola Internazionale.
  Phi Beta Mu is the International School Bandmaster Fraternity.

• Un mio cognato verrà inserito nella Hall of Fame del Texas Bandmaster.
  A brother-in-law of mine will be inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

• In Texas, c'è una lunga tradizione di bandmaster eccezionali e delle loro bande scolastiche.
  In Texas, there is a long tradition of outstanding bandmasters and their school bands.

• Le bande scolastiche hanno contribuito alla formazione di un carattere positivo per tutta la vita negli studenti della banda.
  School bands have helped in the formation of lifelong positive character in band students.

Alla prossima!

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

Lighthouses

Day 192 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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In a few previous posts, I have mentioned that I live on the coast of Texas and have the good fortune to be near a large body of water, the Gulf of Mexico. I have often wondered what it would be like to live in a lighthouse. This evening I was surfing the Internet looking at some of the lighthouses in Texas and then discovered a website that catalogs lighthouses in the United States and Canada. The website has a wealth of beautiful photographs, directions, histories, and GPS coordinates. I also looked for lighthouses in Italy and found a good listing on Wikipedia. Click the links below to access the two websites. (Italian grammar corrections for the practice script below are welcome.)

• List of lighthouses in the United States & Canada.
• List of lighthouses in Italy.

Ascolta Questo:

• Penso che i fari siano interessanti.
  I think lighthouses are interesting.

• Mi chiedo se mi piacerebbe vivere in un faro.
  I wonder if I wouldlike to live in a lighthouse.

• Il Faro di Alessandria fu il primo faro del mondo e la costruzione iniziò nel 290 a.C.
  The Lighthouse of Alexandria was the first lighthouse in the world, and the construction began in 290 BC.

• Giulio Cesare menziona il Faro di Alessandria nei suoi scritti.
  Julius Caesar mentions the Lighthouse of Alexandria in his writings.

[ Grazie a francesca_It ]
[ Grazie a xBivo ]

Alla prossima!

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

High School Students Donate Blood

Coastal Bend Blood Center Mobile Unit

Day 191 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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Our school campus blood drive was successful today. We had 30+ donors signup to donate blood units. The eligible students donate as a community service for the Coastal Bend Blood Center. The blood center relies heavily on the donations of high school students. Our school is relatively small with 300 high school students. To be eligible as a donor, students must be at least 17 years old. High school 12th graders who successfully participate the Red Cord Heroes program receive a red graduation cord to be worn at the high school graduation ceremonies. (Italian grammar corrections are welcome for the following practice script.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Alcuni dei nostri studenti hanno donato il sangue per il Centro del Sangue di Coastal Bend.
  Some of our students donated blood for the Coastal Bend Blood Center.

• Ogni unità di sangue donata può salvare la vita di tre persone.
  Each unit of blood donated can save the lives of three persons.

• Nella foto sopra puoi vedere l'unità mobile.
  In the photo above you can see the mobile unit.

• Il nostro studente dona sangue per aiutare le persone bisognose.
  Our student donate blood to help persons in need.

[ Grazie a maryts_95 ] [ Grazie a Danyonce ]

Alla prossima!

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

Spring Break 2018 Ends

Day 190 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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Spring Break is coming to an end. This year I played it close to home. It was a good time to catch up on some reading and get a couple of new books going. For this coming work week, I have several major tasks on my to-do-list. The first is a school campus blood drive. Interestingly enough on the local televised news was a spot about the great need for blood donors at this time of the year, with so many people traveling and the increase in auto accidents. Our high school students are generous and eager to donate blood for our area blood center. A mobile blood collection unit will be on our campus tomorrow. (Grammar corrections in my Italian practice script below are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Spring Break 2018 è finita.
  Spring Break 2018 is over.

• È stato un buon tempo per rilassarsi.
  It has been a good time to relax.

• Quest'anno non ho viaggiato su Spring Break.
  This year I did not travel on Spring Break.

• Domani torno al lavoro e una settimana intensa.
  Tomorrow I return to work and a busy week.

Alla prossima!

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

4-Leaf Clover

Day 189 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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A lucky surprise? Since today is St. Patrick's Day I thought it would be interesting to look into the chances of finding a four-leaf clover. After a bit of surfing on the Internet, I came to The Science Explorer website at www.thescienceexplorer.com. There I learned several "new" things. What is commonly referred to as the leaves are actually "leaflets" of the same leaf. So, it's actually a one-leaf clover. The odds of finding a "four-leaf" clover are 1 to 10,000 -- and that's in an area of about 12.9 square feet or 1.2 square meters. Below I have embedded a Scientific American video about the four-leaf clover. (Corrections on my Italian grammar in the practice script below are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Hai visto un quadrifoglio?
  Have you seen a four-leaf clover?

• Le foglie sono in realtà volantini.
  The leaves are actually leaflets.

• Le probabilità di trovare un quadrifoglio sono da 1 a 10.000.
  The chances of finding a four-leaf clover are 1 to 10,000.

• La casa automobilistica italiana Alfa Romeo dipingeva un quadrifoglio sul lato delle loro auto da corsa.
  Italian automobile maker Alfa Romeo used to paint a four-leaf clover, or quadrifoglio, on the side of their racing cars.

Scientific Amercian Video About the 4-Leaf Clover

Alla prossima!

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

Exotic Resort Zoo

Click To View Website

Day 188 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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It does not seem as if it was ten years ago that some of our family members and one granddaughter lodged in a rustic cabin at the Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City, about 50 miles west of Austin, Texas. Our granddaughter was about 5 years old at the time and we would go camping often. Now she is 15 years old and would probably be bored on a return trip. However, I now have two grandsons, almost six and seven years old, and I have been thinking about inviting them to spend two days at this interesting place. There are six cabins in the center of 137 wooded acres, including several creeks and watering holes, where you will see over 700 animals from 45+ different species. (The following is a practice script in Italian, and grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Come ti piacerebbe dormire nel bel mezzo di uno zoo di 137 acri?
  How would you like to sleep in the middle of a 137-acre zoo?

• In una cabina circondata da una recinzione, ovviamente.
  In a cabin encircled by a fence, of course.

• Ti alzi all'alba e vedi molti degli animali che aspettano di essere nutriti.
  You wake up at sunrise and see many of the animals waiting to be fed.

• L'Exotic Resort Zoo offre tale opportunità.
  The Exotic Resort Zoo provides such an opportunity.

• È un entusiasmante viaggio in campeggio per bambini piccoli.
  It is an exciting camping trip for young children.

• Le visite guidate sono anche molto educative.
  The tours are also very educational.
  
  [ Grazie ad Arben Kqiku ]

Alla prossima!

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

Elizabeth Blackwell

Day 187 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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I often find myself going from one book to another, as I find references to interesting people and topics. Thus I found myself looking up Elizabeth Blackwell -- the first woman doctor in the United States. She was born on February 3, 1821, in Bristol, England, and came to the United States as a young girl later becoming the first woman to receive her M.D., overcoming many social obstacles in the United States. She created a medical school for women in the late 1860's. I am rather surprised that more has not been heard about Elizabeth Blackwell during the women's movement.
Eventually, she returned to England and set up a private practice. (Next is a practice script in Italian . . . grammar corrections are welcome.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Elizabeth Blackwell è stata la primo donna medico donna negli Stati Uniti. Blackwell was the first woman physician in the United States.

• È nata in Inghilterra ed è arrivata negli Stati Uniti da ragazzina.
  She was born in England and came to the United States as a young girl.

• Nonostante l'opposizione diffusa, entrò nel college di medicina e si laureò per prima nella sua classe.
  Despite widespread opposition, she entered medical college and graduated first in her class.

• Ha creato una scuola medica per donne alla fine del 1860.
  She created a medical school for women in the late 1860's.

• Alla fine è tornata in Inghilterra e ha aperto uno studio privato.
  Eventually, she returned to England and set up a private practice.

[ Grazie ad Arben Kqiku ]

Alla prossima!

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

A Peruvian Mystery

Day 186 of My Italian Learning Journal*

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Do you like a mystery? Here's one I read about many years ago: The Nazca Lines of Peru. The reason I was thinking about this topics is that one of the new cafeteria servers at our school came from Peru. The renowned Nazca lines have been the subject of mystery for over 80 years. The image at right resembles a humming bird. From ground level the lines are just lines; however, from the air the lines take shape: bird, monkey, spider, and more. The lines were only first brought to public awareness with the advent of flight—by pilots flying commercial planes over Peru in the 1930's. The largest figures are up to 370 m (1,200 ft) long. One theory is that the Nazca people created large ancient geoglyphs to be seen by their gods in the sky. (Grammar corrections are welcome for the following practice script in Italian.)

Ascolta Questo:

• Nel deserto di Nazca, nel sud del Perù, c'è un mistero.
  In the Nazca Desert of southern Peru there is a mystery.

• Queste sono conosciute come le Linee di Nazca.
  These are known as the Nazca Lines.

• Le linee prendono una forma reale solo se viste dall'aria.
  The lines only take real shape when viewed from the air.

• Negli anni '30 i piloti hanno notato il profilo di un uccello, una scimmia, un ragno e altri animali.
  In the 1930's pilots notice the outline of a bird, monkey, spider, and other shapes.

• Il clima del deserto ha preservato le linee misteriose.
  The dessert climate has preserved the mysterious lines.

• Sono state designate come patrimonio mondiale dell'UNESCO nel 1994.
  They were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

[ Grazie ad _ADM_ ]
[ Grazie ad Arben Kqiku ]

Alla prossima!

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