America's Patriotic Songbook - Songs For the 4th of July

Nothing stirs the heart of a patriot in the United States like fireworks accompanied by a rousing rendition of God Bless America. The top songs of America are some of the most easily recognized pieces of music in the Western world. "America the Beautiful," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" are well-known and well-loved songs. They all have histories as rich and colorful as the nation they praise.

The words for "America the Beautiful" were written in 1893 by an English professor from Wellesley College named Katharine Lee Bates on a train trip to Colorado Springs. She was inspired by the sights outside her window, and she put her thoughts down on paper. It was published two years later in commemoration of the Fourth of July. The poem caught the public's attention, and the words were adapted to a tune from composer Samuel A. Ward, which was written in 1882. The song attained great popularity during the first two decades of the 20th century.

The tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" was written in approximately 1855 by William Steffe. The lyrics were different, and it was used as a campfire spiritual. An early version of the lyrics were written by Thomas Bishop around 1860, and they were used as a walking song entitled "John Brown's Body" by the Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War. Julia Ward Howe heard the song and changed the lyrics to the ones widely known today. It was originally published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862.

"God Bless America" was written by Irving Berlin in 1918. Berlin revised the song in 1938, and it then became a signature song of vocalist Kate Smith. He revived the song as World War II loomed on the horizon in the hopes of building national morale. Berlin wrote the song while serving in the U.S. Army at Camp Upton in New York. The song inspired Woody Guthrie to write another classic American anthem, "This Land is Your Land," in 1940.

Many other patriotic songs are popular, but "The Star Spangled Banner" is the official national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics were written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key as Royal Navy ships bombed Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812. The tune comes from a popular British drinking song called "To Anacreon in Heaven." It was composed by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a popular social club in London. It was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889. "Hail, Columbia" and various other songs previously served as the national anthem over the years, but they all paled in comparison to this moving tune. The song was officially designated as the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931, which was then signed by President Herbert Hoover. It is often sung at the beginning of sporting event, holidays and official state events.

Patriotic songs are as much a part of the rich tapestry of America as apple pie and baseball games. In fact, they often go hand in hand.

The 10 Best Beauty Products For 2010

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Vegetarian Movie Stars - Who Came First

It seems that every second Hollywood star is a vegetarian, giving up meat for health or moral reasons. Vegetarian societies can now provide long lists of entertainers who don't eat meat, including vegetarians like Clint Eastwood, Dustin Hoffman, Kate Winslet and Natalie Portman, and pescatarians like Hillary Swank (who eat fish, but no other animals).

With the list of notable vegetarians reading like an invitation list for Oscars night, it is not unusual for someone to ask "How did it all start?" Perhaps surprisingly, it is not a recent trend, but something that goes back some 90 years, to when the movie business was still new.

In the early days of the movies, Mary Pickford was the biggest star in Hollywood - even more popular than her friend and business partner, Charlie Chaplin. Specialising in playing cute children like Little Lord Fauntleroy and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (she was only five feet tall and had a young face), she was known as "America's Sweetheart" - and later, due to her global fame, "The World's Sweetheart".

Mary gave up meat and fish after reading "The Jungle", Upton Sinclair's disturbing expose of the meat industry in New York, with vivid descriptions of the assembly-line slaughterhouses. "It was too much for some of the visitors," wrote Sinclair (who himself became a vegetarian), "and the women would stand with hands clenched and the blood rushing to their faces, and the tears starting in their eyes."

Pickford, however, was not the only vegetarian Hollywood star of the early days. English actor George Arliss, already a popular star of the American theatre, entered movies in the 1921. At a time when vegetarianism in the West seemed peculiar and eccentric, he was a pioneer. "Doesn't it seem probable that many of our diseases are the result of meat eating?" he once asked. "It's an unpleasant habit... eating kidneys and liver and picking the bones... We shudder at the very thought of cannibals, but is there really any difference?"

Another great silent film star, Gloria Swanson, would also follow her rival Mary Pickford into a vegetarian diet. Other early stars dabbled in it. Marion Davies, one of the top comediennes of the 1920s, temporarily became a vegetarian after playing hostess to visiting Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, an outspoken member of the London Vegetarian Society.

However, though they might have been the first, these stars were not as outspoken about their vegetarianism as current stars. Unlike Woody Harrelson or Toni Collette, they did not campaign for animal rights, or publicly extol the virtues of a vegetarian diet to stay young and slim. Stars of 80 or 90 years ago were not encouraged to speak their minds in such a way.

However, as Pickford was Hollywood's most popular hostess, her meat-free diet would have been known to the fanzines and industry figures of the day (though it might have been considered eccentric). Today's stars, able to choose from a number of chic vegetarian cafs and restaurants around Hollywood, can salute her. In this way (along with many others), she was a pioneer among celebrities.

A Policeman's Impact in Our Lives

When we encounter a "true" policeman, we always have that feeling of being safe and secured. This is because they are the right authority who can address our concerns most especially on matters of safety. They are our defenders whenever we are in trouble and are compromised. They can be trusted upon and we can easily call them when we are in need of help and assistance. We associate them as peace makers, defenders, crime respondents and heroes who are born to serve mankind. Now, let us take a look on the lives our police officers chose to live to.

A twenty-four hour service to the public is attached to the police profession. Whenever they wear their respective uniforms, they just simply tell their selves that any thing could happen to them. Along with their uniforms, is a vowed duty that they are ready to risk their life to protect any man the best way they can.

What are the roles that police officers have in our society? They are the ones who attend to different complaints of every people from those of the biggest concerns such as burglaries, killings, and wars down to the simplest and manageable ones such as petty thefts. Our police officers can also be sought for support and for backing up events and traffics. Furthermore, they can also be asked to help us in cases of missing persons or properties. As we might know, they do not really have a specific routine of their schedules as they can be called for duty if circumstances arise. They are faced with threats and danger and even putting their own welfare at stake. As they correspond to a lot of unfortunate happenings such as bombings, robberies, and gang wars, their lives are in great danger as well.

As we already have looked upon on how demanding a police officer's life can be, we are much aware then that all these things they are doing are for one main reason. That is to maintain safety in every one, in every place, and in every circumstance. This is why they often have gadgets that may use in defending their selves and others. Aside from guns, some of our police officers carry a taser or a stun gun for this reason. They need such security weapons in order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as defenders of the people and the society.

Moreover, the type of profession that they chose signifies much courage and strength. They have fulfilled their vows with the best of their abilities and with all their heart, passion and might; the word coward has no room in them. They are truly expected that they will do whatever it takes to fulfill their obligations in keeping us all safe and protected.

With the work that our police officers have, it is therefore right that each of us should do our own share by simply showing them the respect that they fully deserve.

Apologize - Yes Or No (The Golliwog Doll Affair)

We live in sensitive times it seems. And "mistakes" are easily made. The question then is do you apologize or not. Is an apology a sign of strength, or weakness or neither of them?

Before yesterday I didn't know what a "Golliwog" was. It appears to be ... a character of children's literature created by Florence Kate Upton in the late 19th century, inspired by a blackface minstrel doll which Upton had as a child in America. (1)

Whether it is a coincidence or not, but a British newspaper reported twice an incident where this little dolls was involved.

The first one, yesterday, is about Carol Thatcher who was sacked by the BBC because she refused to apologize for using the word "golliwog".

A few pages later I noticed a similar story about the queen, a portrait of the doll was printed on the page. The queen on the other hand issued an apology after it was revealed that an official gift shop at her Sandringham estate was selling these dolls.

... the term ... was used both as a reference to the children's toy and as a generic, racist term for blacks.(1) That is the sensitive side of the story.

When I think of Thatcher's' daughter I immediately imagine an "iron daughter." Perhaps this is a prejudgment which it is, and I wonder whether this (iron) characteristic is the cause of her omitting an apology. Is an apology a sign of weakness?

I don't think so. Obviously the Queen doesn't feel weak but she is aware of the times we live in. And currently any insinuation can be read as an (racial) attack. When reading the story of Carol it reads like a racist's remark.

Besides this the question remains should one apologize and when?

The question is about valuing the truth in a technical discussion whether she did or did not mean to offend someone. But, beyond the technical truth lies a more commercial truth where it is not only important how a message is send, but how it is received instead.

In that case the BBC management can only be right in sacking their reporter.

An apology is not a sign of weakness but a necessity in human interaction. In case of doubt (which is a sign of weakness): use it!

Fastest Way To Produce Beats Beat Making Software

It has been quite challenging for many artists to produce the best beats for some music genres. This is why producers of music have been researching widely on ways of easily coming up with cool beats for any kind of music. Among the greatest, most recent developments in this area is the beat making software.

If you have ever dreamed of being a producer of music or a maker of beats, this software can give you the chance to achieve your dreams. The software is sold at a reasonable price that most consumers can afford to enable them realize their dreams. Before this innovation, only producers who were financially stable could afford beat production. Today, you can get a chance to produce beats without complications as long as you are talented.

This product comes with a very user friendly interface that makes it easy for learners to come up with their own beats within a very short time. The program works from any computer and also from any location enabling users to work from any part of the globe. The beginners also get a chance to learn directly from the software with the video tutoring that comes with it.

Today, the music industry is benefiting greatly from this beat making software. As an artist, you now do not have to spend a lot of cash on additional equipment. You do not need a big storage room as it can fit in small devices requiring minimal storage space. If you are in the music industry already or if you are planning to join, you would benefit greatly from use of such software.

By using this product, it is now easier for you to produce beats. Before invention of this software, you would be required to be armed with all sorts of equipment to produce even the simplest beat. Today, you only require very few equipment to make beats. You can even produce complex beats that are adorable with only your laptop.

It is now possible to get this product easily even via the internet. Those who are interested in having a copy of the product can now download it freely or even buy from the different firms that provide it. Making beats could also enable producers to make some money as they can sell the beats to music producers at a good price.

The industry has experienced high growth rates since the introduction of this product. It has brought about the introduction of additional genres giving lovers of music a wider variety to listen to. Fans of music have increased too since music that suits a variety of tastes can now be produced. Even those considered producers of low profile have risen up and become more visible.

This new has become very useful today in the music world. As an artist you do not have to spend a lot of cash purchasing additional equipment. You also do not need a big storage room as it can fit in little devices requiring very little space for storage. If you are planning on joining the music industry or if you are already a member, you could find this product essential.

Mens Underware What Should I Ware

Most men don't take much time when it comes to fashion. For most guys, it's just throwing on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. But first, a man has to make perhaps his most difficult fashion decision of the day: What type of underwear to wear? While women's underwear gets way more attention, the right undergarments can be just as important for a man. Finding the right pair of underwear isn't just about utility. It's also about finding something that can be both comfortable and visually appealing.

For years, the standard underwear for men was the white cotton brief, otherwise known as the "Tighty Whitey". These may be acceptable when you're 7 years old, but for an adult, they're just poor form. Tighty Whities have gained a stigma of being worn by old, unattractive males. If you're looking to impress a member of the opposite sex, these aren't going to do it. Luckily, the number of different styles of men's underwear has exploded in recent years, meaning that a man looking to upgrade his underwear wardrobe has a multitude of options, with many great brands like c-in2 and n2n Bodywear .

Perhaps the most commonly worn type of underwear for younger men is the boxer. Boxers offer a man the maximum in comfort due to their loose fit. The other advantage to boxers is that they come in a variety of fabrics, from cotton to polyester, to silk. They can also come in a variety of fun designs and patterns.

Another style that is quickly gaining popularity is the boxer brief. As the name suggests, it is a cross between the boxer and the cottom brief. It is tight-fitting like a brief, while being a little longer in length like a boxer. This style gives a man both the comfort of a boxer, while still giving him some much-needed support. Because it is tight-fitting, it is more visually appealing to the opposite sex, like boxers, while not carrying the stigma of the cotton brief.

Similar to the boxer brief is the style known as the trunk. Trunks look very similar to boxer briefs, except that they have a higher natural inseam and are worn slightly lower on the hips than boxer briefs. This style is more popular in Europe than it is in the United States, but is gaining popularity due to their sexy nature.

While those underwear are very good for everyday usage. Sometimes a little something extra is required. For those special occasions, a man may choose to go for something a little sexier, that highlights his profile a little more. One style for this is the thong. Similar to the female thong, the male thong covers very little in the back, and the tight fit in the front allows him to have a night profile. The other style for more intimate settings is known as the pouch. True to its name, a man's genitalia is encased in a pouch to give him a little more support and a nicer profile.

There are many great underwear choices out there. With so much to choose from, every man should be able to find something that is both comfortable to wear, and visually appealing.

London Biggest Football Stadiums

Londoners take their football seriously, and five of the 15 largest stadiums in English football by capacity are located in the city. The stadiums are in order: Wembley Stadium, Emirates Stadium, Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane, and The Boleyn Ground.

Wembley Stadium

The home of the England national football team, Wembley Stadium holds up to 90,000 and is the largest stadium in the United Kingdom. The venue also acts as the country's national stadium and it is the second largest stadium in Europe. Wembley is owned by the Football Association, the ruling organization of football in England.

Emirates Stadium

Emirates is the home of the Arsenal football club in the Premier League, and it has a capacity of 60,355. Also called Ashburton Grove, this is the largest club stadium in London and it is the second largest venue in the Premier League after Machester United's Old Trafford. Emirates is also the third largest stadium of any kind in London after Wembley and rugby union stadium Twickehnam.

Stamford Bridge

Home to Chelsea F.C. in the Premier League, Stamford Bridge can accommodate 42,055 fans. The venue is the ninth largest football stadium in English football in addition to ranking as the third largest in London. Stamford Bridge, or "The Bridge" as it is known by fans, ranks seventh in the Premier League and it is located in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, west London.

White Hart Lane

With a capacity of 36,310, White Hart Lane is the fourth largest stadium in London and the 13 largest in England. The stadium is the ninth largest in the Premier League, and is home to the Tottenham Hotspur football club. The venue also hosts the England national team and England under-21 football play. A new 58,000 stadium is planned that will located to the north of White Hart Lane.

The Boleyn Ground

Home to the West Ham United football club, The Boleyn Ground (Upton Park) can hold up to 35,303 spectators. The stadium is the 14th largest in England and the ranks 10th in the Premier League. Located in Upton Park, East London, this stadium was formerly home to Charlton Athletic F. C.

Football fans travelling from outside the city can usually find a cheap hotel in London near the game stadium. Spending the night in the city can lessen the stress caused by the mad rush so often associated with big matches.

Singapore English

Singapore is a small island (about 650 sq km) located in South-East Asia just north of the equator. Its population is about 4.8 million, of which 3.6 million are classified as "Singapore Residents" (). The resident population is 77% ethnically Chinese, 14% Malay, 8% Indian, and 1% "Others".

In view of this multiracial mix, the government promotes four official languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil. See, for example, the sign on the right, which incorporates all four languages. (This sign is displayed at the front and also the back of all subway (MRT) trains.) English is nearly always used as the lingua franca between the different races.

Not surprisingly, the English used in this multilingual society has been influenced by a range of other languages and has therefore emerged with its own distinct flavour. In his five-stage Dynamic Model of the development of postcolonial Englishes, claims that Singapore English is in the fourth stage, which suggests that it is developing its own norms quite independent of external varieties, even if historically British English has constituted the superstrate language.

This article will provide a brief overview of the features of Singapore English, including its phonology, grammar, lexis and discourse. But first we need to consider variation in Singapore English.

Varieties of Singapore EnglishThere is a huge range in the English spoken in Singapore (). Crucially, most speakers are able to switch between a formal variety that has been termed Singapore Standard English (SStdE) and a more colloquial variety that has been labelled Singapore Colloquial English (SCE). It is the latter that is often described as "Singlish". describes these two distinct varieties in terms of diglossia, with SStdE forming the H(igh) variety while SCE is the L(ow) variety.

Quite apart from this diglossic situation with SStdE and SCE, there is substantial variation between the speech of the different ethnic groups. For example, show that listeners can identify whether a Singaporean speaker is ethnically Chinese or Malay with a success rate of over 90% on the basis of just 10 seconds of conversational speech, though reports that this difference mainly arises from intonation, so the pronunciation of the vowels and consonants may be mostly shared by the different groups.

Phonology VowelsMost analyses claim that there are fewer vowel phonemes in Singapore English than many other varieties of English (; ; ). For example (using the keywords used by ): there is often no differentiation between long and short vowels with the result that FLEECE and KIT may be merged, and so are GOOSE and FOOT; and the non-close front vowels DRESS and TRAP are also generally not distinguished.

In addition, FACE and GOAT are generally pronounced as monophthongs that might be represented as [e] and [o].

This gives the following inventory of vowels:

Monophthongs Diphthongs

Vowel Example Words

i beat, bit

e made, egg

beg, bag, bare

mark, muck

sport, spot

o coat

u pool, pull

bird, about

Vowel Example Words

ai nice

au house

i boy

i beer

u poor

One comment is needed regarding the monophthongs listed above: egg is included with made rather than with beg/bad/bare as might be expected, for it has been shown that egg rhymes with vague rather than beg and peg. The plot on the right (from ) shows that measurements of the vowels of educated speakers (who use SStdE) confirm the close quality of egg: all but one of the tokens of egg belong with vague in the top left-hand corner.

Other words that have this unexpected close vowel are bed and next.

Finally, there are fewer reduced vowels (schwas) in Singapore than many other varieties of English. For example, the function words that, as and of are nearly always said with a full vowel, as indeed are the vowels in the first syllables of concern and advice. This does not mean that Singapore English does not use [], as the indefinite article a and the first syllable of about do have this reduced vowel. However, reduced vowels are less common than in some varieties of English, such as British English.

ConsonantsPerhaps the best-known feature of the pronunciation of Singapore English is the avoidance of the dental fricatives [, ], with [t] and [d] being used in their place in initial position while [f] occurs in final position, so that with is generally [wif]. As a result, thin and tin are generally homophones, as are then and den. However, there is substantial variation, and shows that even a single speaker recorded on one occasion exhibited considerable variation, sometimes using [] and sometimes [t] at the start of a word such as three in an apparently unpredictable pattern. In SCE, the dental fricatives are generally avoided entirely; but in SStdE, educated speakers are more likely to vary.

Another common feature is the tendency to simplify final consonant clusters, usually by omitting the final one. So the [t] may be omitted in fist and the [k] in ask. found that deletion of [t] and [d] was equally common whether the final sound represented a final -ed suffix or not.

RhythmPartly as a result of the limited occurrence of reduced vowels, Singapore English tends to have relatively evenly timed syllables, so we say its rhythm is more syllable-based than many other varieties of English (; ). In the past, some people have described this as the 'staccato effect' ().

GrammarThere are many different features that mark the grammar of Singapore English as different from that of other Englishes. and offer valuable overviews. Here we will just mention some of the most salient features. All will be illustrated using genuine examples, from the recorded data of a 34-year-old female Chinese trainee teacher whose speech is analysed in . (The chapter and item numbers are provided, so you can listen to the data from the link provided in the References at the end.)

Number markingSometimes, logically countable things such as furniture, luggage and lighting have a plural -s suffix (. In the data included here, we have fictions, companies and tuitions ():

and reading some fictions (ch3, no.10)

quite a few of my friends are in here also, doing their honours, yah, so I mean, there are companies ah (ch3, no.11)

will I want to stop, I mean erm, teaching in schools but go into tuitions (ch3, no.12)

Tenses

There is a tendency to slip into the present tense when narrating a story once the past time of the event has been established. Note the use of didn't at the start of the following example, but then the occurrence of don't later on, even though the speaker is still talking about things that happened in the past ():

so didn't really enjoy the three weeks there, I guess it's because I know that I'm only be there for three weeks and um ... mmm ... er ... so don't know whether to um ... to put all my heart in there (ch3, no.30)

willThe modal very will is often used to refer to a regular event ():

basically my sisters, they will buy .. magazines like Her World, Cleo, er female magazines, yah, then I will just um ... take the opportunity to to read them (ch3, no.32)

wouldThe past tense modal would is often used to indicate something tentative (Deterding, 2007: 50):

so if I can, I would hope to learn to swim (ch3, no.42)

if I'm going to teach in a primary school, I feel that maybe English would be more appropriate (ch3, no.43)

Null subjects

There is a tendency to omit the subject of a sentence, perhaps influenced by the null subject natures of Chinese (; ). In the following extract, the null subject is marked by the symbol '' (Deterding, 2007: 58):

so in the end ... didn't didn't try out the rides, so initially want to to take the ferris wheel ... but then ... the queue is very long and too expensive, so didn't, didn't take any ... spent about two hours there looking at the things (ch3, no.73)

LexiconWe will consider word usage under three categories: borrowings, shifted meanings, and initialisms.

BorrowingsMany words from the other languages spoken in Singapore get borrowed into English. Two of the commonest examples are: kiasu ("fear of losing out", from Hokkien) and makan ("to eat", from Malay). offers a substantial list of such borrowings.

Borrowings are perhaps most common in more colloquial varieties of Singapore English (SCE). In the data from an educated speaker in , we find almost no borrowings, though in the NIECSSE data from other trainee teachers that is also analysed in that book, we find kampung ("rural village", from Malay) and pasar malam ("night market", from Malay) ():

I was born in a kampung, somewhere near Novena (ch4, no.47)

the food over ... at those wet markets, you know those pasar malam markets ... are very much better I think (ch4, no.50)

Shifted meaning

The meaning of some words is shifted compared to how they are used in many other Englishes. For example, send can mean "to accompany someone somewhere" (). In the following examples from , bring is used where take might be more common in other varieties of English, and stay indicates long-term residence:

play with me niece and nephews, yup, bring them out ... to the library (ch4, no. 68)

my grandmother, my aunt and uncle also stay next door (ch4, no. 73)

Initialisms

There is a tendency to create lexical items out of initial letters, so HDB (Housing Development Board) refers to public housing, MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) is the subway system, and CPF (Central Providence Fund) is the compulsory savings system. All these abbreviations are sanctioned by the government.

Institutes of higher education also have three letter versions, so Nanyang Technological University is NTU, the National Institute of Education is NIE, the National University of Singapore is NUS, and the more recently founded Singapore Management University continues the trend, being known as SMU. Similarly, the expressways all have three-letter abbreviations, so the Pan Island Expressway is PIE, and the Kranji Expressway is KJE. Four of these abbreviations are found on a single road sign near the NTU campus, as shown on the right (from ).

DiscourseTwo discourse features will be discussed here: topic fronting, and pragmatic particles. As before, attempts will be made to use genuine examples, and to allow you to listen to them if you choose.

Topic fronting

It is standard in all varieties of English to place the topic at the start. But this process seems to be particularly strong in Signapore English, perhaps influenced by the topic-comment nature of Chinese. Some examples from are:

Australia, I've been to Sydney .. and Perth (ch4, no. 5)

er this campus, I guess, mmm ... I guess I like the library the most, yah (ch4, no. 6)

Discourse particles

Perhaps the best-known of all aspects of Singapore English is the use of the lah particle, which can indicate a variety of meanings, including: intimacy, disapproval, highlighting an item, pointing out the obvious (). Some examples from are:

for us it's not that serious lah, yeah (ch7, no.4)

although people there is quite OK lah, I mean they are quite OK (ch7, no.9)

more than that, more than that lah, a half year, I don't know (ch7, no.16)

No attempt will be made here to determine which exact meaning of lah each of these carries. There is some debate about the origin of the lah particle, for example whether it comes from Hokkien or Malay or maybe a combination of the two.

Another common particle is ah, which can be used to indicate that more is to follow in the conversation (). In the following examples (from ), ah seems to be marking off the topic of the utterance, or maybe it acts as a king of audible comma:

the locals ah, actually want ... erm advised us to go there (ch7, no.5)

there's one time they approach me ask me ah, where certain place is (ch7, no.12)

There are a whole host of other particles, such as meh, wat, hor, lor .... It is not possible in this brief overview to list them all or to determine the exact meaning of each one.

References

. 'The grammar of Singapore English'. In: Joseph Foley et al. (eds.) English in New Cultural Contexts: Reflections from Singapore (pp. 127-151). Singapore: Oxford University Press.

. 'The sounds of Singapore English'. In: Joseph Foley et al. (eds.) English in New Cultural Contexts: Reflections from Singapore (pp. 152-174). Singapore: Oxford University Press.

. 'The staccato effect in the pronunciation of English in Malaysia and Singapore'. In: Joseph Foley (ed.), New Englishes: the Case of Singapore (pp. 115?8). Singapore: Singapore University Press.

. Singapore English in a Nutshell: An Alphabetical Description of its Features. Singapore: Federal.

. 'Past tense suffixes and other final plosives in Singapore English'. In David Deterding, Adam Brown and Low Ee Ling (eds.), English in Singapore: Phonetic Research on a Corpus (pp. 26-36). Singapore: McGraw-Hill

. The measurement of rhythm: a comparison of Singapore and British English. Journal of Phonetics, 29, 217-230.

. 'Emergent patterns in the vowels of Singapore English'. English World-Wide, 26, 179-197.

Singapore English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. ()

. 'To what extent can the ethnic group of young Singaporeans be identified from their speech?' In Adam Brown, David Deterding & Lo Ee Ling (eds.) The English Language in Singapore: Research on Pronunciation (pp. 1-9). Singapore: Singapore Association for Applied Linguistics.

. The Step-Tongue: Children's English in Singapore. Clevedon, UK: Multimedia Matters.

. 'Subject omission in Singapore Colloquial English'. In David Deterding, Low Ee Ling & Adam Brown (eds.) English in Singapore: Research on Grammar (pp. 11-21). Singapore: McGraw-Hill.

. 'Ethnic group differences aligned? Intonation patterns of Chinese, Indian and Malay Singaporean English'. In Adam Brown, David Deterding & Lo Ee Ling (eds.) The English Language in Singapore: Research on Pronunciation (pp. 10-21). Singapore: Singapore Association for Applied Linguistics.

. ounding Singaporean? In Lisa Lim (ed.), Singapore English: A Grammatical Description (pp. 19-56). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

. English in Singapore: an Introduction. SingaporeL McGraw-Hill

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. 'Quantitative characterizations of speech rhythm: syllable-timing in Singapore English'. Journal of Phonetics, 29, 217-230.

. 'The range and depth of English-knowing bilinguals in Singapore'. World Englishes, 10, 167-179.

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. ingapore English: Phonology? In Edgar W. Schneider, Kate Burridge, Bernd Kortmann, Rajend Mesthrie & Clive Upton (eds.), A Handbook of Varieties of English. Volume 1: Phonology (pp. 1017?033). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

. ingapore English: Morphology and syntax? In Bernd Kortmann, Kate Burridge, Rajend Mesthrie, Edgar W. Schneider & Clive Upton (eds.), A Handbook of Varieties of English. Volume 2: Morphology and Syntax (pp. 1058-1072). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

Accents of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Why Building a Plastic Scale Model Kit is a Leading Hobby Nowadays

Scale model kit construction has become an interest worldwide. It fascinates children, teenagers and older people alike. This activity opens up a world of diversity of innovative machines, dating back to the industrial revolution in the 1800s. Advanced engineering has brought interest among ardent modeling hobbyist with the satisfaction it delivers when assembling models.

Why is plastic model assembling a fascination? It's just plain ridiculous to think of owning, say, an aircraft, vessel, lorries, engines or military vehicles in your own home. The best way is to purchase a scaled-down version, without the interiors.

In addition, passion takes on a crucial part. This passion is sometimes not easy to convey in words or texts. As a result, one may want to exhibit scale model building as a form of their own personal expertise. Building models can be just for fun; built as collector items.

All vehicles, both military and civilian, have been produced into scale model kits. Each brand name is obtainable in the market. Prominent brand names, such as Airfix, Revell, and Tamiya, have been popular since the 1970s. They serve the largest selection of plastic models. Various other favorite brands can also be found.

Aircraft scale models are considered the most in-demand variety. The military jets are the favorite of many, particularly the larger scale models. Next favorite goes to the military vehicles of all kinds and designs. Military models can be used in extravagant dioramas; dedicated modelers can produce life-like scenery based on photographs showcasing the models. Some have gone as far as building accurate scale warship models on turbulent waters. Dioramas are an enjoyable aspect of scale model kit building, and options for materials are numerous. You are only limited by your imagination and creativity.

Scale plastic models are generally molded from polystyrene. Companies favor this plastic because it is soft, and it's easier to trim, sand and carve by the modeller. It is also easy to glue by means of liquid adhesive. Polystyrene plastic models can be very attractive and can even be offered in small sheets, too. This has several favorable aspects. For example, a World War II fighter plane, the Spitfire model, can be customized into a number of variations. There are no plastic model that are not molded from polystyrene. It would be hard to confuse with the scale die-cast metal versions. Normally, die-cast scale metal models are already put together and are tough to customize.

As a whole, constructing plastic scale model kits is simple, but it is not for the impatient ones. The time frame it takes to construct a model can be immense. Model kit building often requires hours and even days to finish. Positive results and excellent quality relies on how well you pay attention to details. In contrast, regardless of experience level, one should enjoy assembling plastic models.

How to Write an Attention Grabbing Title

A few authors extend little if any significance towards the actual titles of an article. Unfortunately with regards to article marketing and advertising this is actually a really large error or slip-up. The titles associated with the actual content articles you put out perform an essential part in the general failure or success of this article.

Article Headings - Get Interest

The actual titles associated with your own content articles should catch the interest of two unique audiences. Initially, you would like the article to catch the interest of somebody thinking about publishing the actual article on their website. You need to do this by looking into making certain there is actually a search term or search term expression within the actual title of this article being sent out.

Individuals searching for content material pertaining to their own internet site usually search for content articles including the actual key phrases they're concentrating his or her advertising initiatives upon. If these people discover the key phrase within the title for your article they shall be more likely to include the article for their website.

Your next objective along with composing article titles would be to catch the interest of people who tend to be browsing the actual web as well as looking for info. A new brief, sharp title is actually exactly how you may seize his or her interest as well as help to make all of them wish to search deeper.

Methods to Catch Interest with Titles

There are numerous confirmed methods to catch the interest of people using your article titles. One method would be to raise a question. The normal desire for the majority of individuals would be to wish to answer the particular query to see if perhaps they happen to be correct. To do that they are going to study your article.

"Question" Titles

Here are a few examples of queries as titles:

* Will Acid Reflux Wreck Your Evening?

* What's the Best-value Family Four-door Sedan on the Market?

* When Is It Time For You To Shed Pounds?

* Will Olive Oil Truly Enhance Your Skin?

These types of brief titles you are using may lead individuals to wish to examine the article as well as find out more about the subject.

"Surprise" Titles

A different way to catch interest is by using a surprising title. If you surprise somebody using the title of the article they'll be prone to study it. Here are a few types of shocking titles upon comparable subjects as the titles utilized earlier:

* Prevent Acid Reflux From Destroying Your Love life!

* The Worst Family Sedans Available On The Market

* Hello Fatty! It's Time For You To Shed Pounds!

* Elixir Of Youth Found!

The objective using all your titles should be to catch interest.

Do think about using queries or alarming claims. They are very effective.

Two Wongs Don Make Awight

When it comes to relationships, there is one undeniable truth. It doesn matter how attractive a girl may be, how delightful her personality or how sparkling her conversation; sooner or later, the bint going to start to grate.

As a result, a decline in physical intimacy is a natural consequence. After making sweet music with the same partner for a number of months, it perfectly natural to want to replace the duet with a solo.

The female can often sense the male losing interest, and will go to desperate lengths to reignite the spark. The wife asked if there was anything I like her to do differently in the bedroom; I probably shouldn have responded with: idy it.?br />

After persuading me with a couple of left hooks to take the problem more seriously, I decided to an up?and face the consequences. I reluctantly agreed to give oleplaying?a whirl, but I was unhappy with her decision to play a tubby Scot.

The wife then suggested a?mage ?trois? but her only pals who aren alcoholics are the Wong twins, and I can stand the idea of two women complaining about me to their mother.

In the end, we settled on the outdoor frolic. It was just my luck to be nicked on our first attempt. The copper understandably arrested me for flouting public decency, and that was just for letting the wife out of the house.

The evil one has now added S&M to the horrifying mix. I now lumbered with the female equivalent of Fulham FC; she wants to be spanked away from home every other weekend. Wigan will continue this time-honoured tradition at 6/5.

Astonishingly, games involving Manchester United have produced the fewest number of goals in the Premiership this season. United lack of firepower has led to Fergie swapping the wine for the whisky: he allegedly had a shot on the rocks on Monday. The 5/2 for a draw between Everton and Manchester United has taken my breath away.

The Arsenal players will be ready to celebrate after the club announced the greatest signing of the season; theye tied up Arsene Wenger to a long-term deal. If there a better bet than Arsenal to leave White Hart Lane with three points at 13/8, it must be hiding with Bin Laden.

Portsmouth will soon be in the Michael Barrymore position, theye going to seriously regret hosting a Pool party. Liverpool haven conceded a goal from open play this season, the 4/5 is bordering on a gift.

Steve Bruce may look like he should be sitting on a wall outside a mansion, but his strength of character is beyond dispute. I not sitting on the fence in the Birmingham v Bolton meet; I on the Blues at 7/5.

Robbie Savage believes a dumb blonde will fly Concorde to the moon before John Toshack takes Wales to a World Cup. I agree that Toshack faces an uphill task, but the odds have improved dramatically since he dumped the deadwood on his arrival. I whinging like a little girl about only receiving 2/5 for a Chelsea win over Blackburn.

Middlesbrough recent record at Upton Park is shabbier than Britney Spears; theye been absolutely hammered on their last five visits. I happier than Frank Lampard at an ll you can eat?buffet with the even money for another West Ham win.

Thaksin Shinawatra is like Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies, he worried about an oriental fellow sneaking up on him and banging him up. The 9/4 for a draw between Manchester City and Aston Villa is beyond reproach.

You can expect to stay in the Premiership if youe leaking goals, and Derby have the flimsiest defence since Kate McCann. Nobody is questioning the 10/11 for a Newcastle win at Pride Park.

With the exception of Craig Gordon, the Sunderland squad looks incredibly weak. It takes a skilled horticulturist to grow roses using manure, and I haven seen Roy Keane with a wheelbarrow since he signed his last contract at Manchester United. Reading look a great shout at 9/4 to leave the Stadium of Light with a point.

The wife has bought an dult?DVD in another misguided attempt to rejuvenate my flagging libido. I praying that the weekend accer of Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea and Newcastle obliges at 12/1, as i need a good excuse to avoid an hour and a half of unviewable filth. There a real chance it might be he Best of Jim Davidson?

Ed Hardy Handbags announced handbags Spring 2011 Campaign

Now all hangbag brands are busy with their new colletion campaign for 2011 Spring.There is no doubt that are one of brands.In order to help you know more about the latest handbags trend for 2011, our blog will share you some famous brand handbags campaign for you. Ed Hardy Handbags

The first bag come into your sight is Ed Hardy Secret Garden Blake Grande Satchel. This collection includes two colors for you to choose.With the popularity in ,the ed hardy handbags are aslo many fashionistas' love. Enter into a world of magically captivating style with the .Satchel are made of soft polyurethane. It can hold your wallet, sunglasses, personal technology and a small cosmetic case.With colorful flower print blossoms from the bottom, the satchel collection can be your best choice for 2011.

Marc Ecko Handbags

With the sexy 90210 star,AnnaLynne McCord goes topless for Marc Ecko latest handbag campaign. She is wearing nothing but Marc Ecko Handbags and AnnaLynne seems to be enjoying it.

Shot by Tony Duran at Siren Studios in Hollywood, Marc Ecko Ad features long-legged blonde bombshell AnnaLynne McCord behind a handbag flaunting Marc Ecko Spring 2011 line in a sizzling way.

had so much fun shooting the Marc Ecko campaign, wearing nothing but the amazing handbagshe ads are going to be so sexy,?/b> 23-year-old said.

Guess Accessories Spring 2011 Campaign

Guess Accessories Spring 2011 Campaign is all about sizzling hot model flaunting brand accessories and posing in quite seductive way. Yes!! Brand tapped sexy model Kate Upton who is heating up the campaign by showing off label girly accessories in a chic way.The Guess Accessories Campaign is mainly about Guess Handbags.

Photographed by Yu Tsai, Blonde babe glams up the ad in sultry poses by slipping in skimpy outfits that make it difficult for onlooker to keep his eyes off.

Kate Upton Guess Accessories Campaign features hot red-lipped model holding a collection of pretty purses that looks must have for colorful spring season.

Kate looks perfect to flaunt girly pieces from Guess Spring 2011 Collection like black, red, blue handbags and chic pieces.

Most of the pictures are shot indoors and Kate is spicing up the bedroom with playful and seductive poses. Location looks like a luxurious hotel room with luxury settings.

Stay connected with , we will share more fashion trend about and for you to help you choose your favorite ones.