The Winning Words (http://www.google.com)

National Spelling Bee:
The Winning Words

The National Spelling Bee was launched by the Louisville, Kentucky, Courier-Journal in 1925. With competitions, cash prizes, and a trip to the nation's capital, it was hoped the Bee would stimulate “general interest among pupils in a dull subject”. The Scripps Howard News Service took over the Bee in 1941. Over the years the national finals have grown from a mere 9 contestants to about 288. In 2009, Kavya Shivashankar from Olathe, Kans., took home over $40,000 in cash, scholarships and bonds, among other prizes, for correctly spelling Laodicean. Here are the winning words that made past spellers into national champions.

Read more about the history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Then, try the daily Fact Monster Spelling Bee.

1925 gladiolus 1926 abrogate 1927 luxuriance 1928 albumen 1929 asceticism 1930 fracas 1931 foulard 1932 knack 1933 propitiatory 1934 deteriorating 1935 intelligible 1936 interning 1937 promiscuous 1938 sanitarium 1939 canonical 1940 therapy 1941 initials 1942 sacrilegious 1943 NO BEE 1944 NO BEE 1945 NO BEE 1946 semaphore 1947 chlorophyll 1948 psychiatry 1949 dulcimer 1950 haruspex 1951 insouciant 1952 vignette 1953 soubrette 1954 transept 1955 custaceology 1956 condominium 1957 schappe 1958 syllepsis 1959 cacolet 1960 troche 1961 smaragdine 1962 esquamulose 1963 equipage 1964 sycophant 1965 eczema 1966 ratoon 1967 chihuahua

1968 abalone 1969 interlocutory 1970 croissant 1971 shalloon 1972 macerate 1973 vouchsafe 1974 hydrophyte 1975 incisor 1976 narcolepsy 1977 cambist 1978 deification 1979 maculature 1980 elucubrate 1981 sarcophagus 1982 psoriasis 1983 Purim 1984 luge 1985 milieu 1986 odontalgia 1987 staphylococci 1988 elegiacal 1989 spoliator 1990 fibranne 1991 antipyretic 1992 lyceum 1993 kamikaze 1994 antediluvian 1995 xanthosis 1996 vivisepulture 1997 euonym 1998 chiaroscurist 1999 logorrhea 2000 démarche 2001 succedaneum 2002 prospicience 2003 pococurante 2004 autochthonous 2005 appoggiatura 2006 ursprache 2007 serrefine 2008 guerdon 2009 Laodicean

Learning Styles (Modified File by Titser Imee)

10 Tips to Effective and Active Listening (on files)

10 Tips to Effective & Active Listening Skills

Written by Susie Michelle Cortright

10 Tips to Effective & Active Listening Skills

Written by

In our love relationships, greater communication brings greater intimacy. Parents listening to their kids helps build their self-esteem. In the business world, listening saves time and money by preventing misunderstandings. And we always learn more when we listen than when we talk.

Listening skills fuel our social, emotional and professional success, and studies prove that listening is a skill we can learn.

The Technique. Active listening is really an extension of the Golden Rule. To know how to listen to someone else, think about how you would want to be listened to.
While the ideas are largely intuitive, it might take some practice to develop (or re-develop) the skills. Here’s what good listeners know — and you should, too:

1. Face the speaker. Sit up straight or lean forward slightly to show your attentiveness through body language.

2. Maintain eye contact, to the degree that you all remain comfortable.

3. Minimize external distractions. Turn off the TV. Put down your book or magazine, and ask the speaker and other listeners to do the same.

4. Respond appropriately to show that you understand. Murmur (“uh-huh” and “um-hmm”) and nod. Raise your eyebrows. Say words such as “Really,” “Interesting,” as well as more direct prompts: “What did you do then?” and “What did she say?”

5. Focus solely on what the speaker is saying. Try not to think about what you are going to say next. The conversation will follow a logical flow after the speaker makes her point.

6. Minimize internal distractions. If your own thoughts keep horning in, simply let them go and continuously re-focus your attention on the speaker, much as you would during meditation.

7. Keep an open mind. Wait until the speaker is finished before deciding that you disagree. Try not to make assumptions about what the speaker is thinking.

8. Avoid letting the speaker know how you handled a similar situation. Unless they specifically ask for advice, assume they just need to talk it out.

9. Even if the speaker is launching a complaint against you, wait until they finish to defend yourself. The speaker will feel as though their point had been made. They won’t feel the need to repeat it, and you’ll know the whole argument before you respond. Research shows that, on average, we can hear four times faster than we can talk, so we have the ability to sort ideas as they come in…and be ready for more.

10. Engage yourself. Ask questions for clarification, but, once again, wait until the speaker has finished. That way, you won’t interrupt their train of thought. After you ask questions, paraphrase their point to make sure you didn’t misunderstand. Start with: “So you’re saying…”

As you work on developing your listening skills, you may feel a bit panicky when there is a natural pause in the conversation. What should you say next? Learn to settle into the silence and use it to better understand all points of view.

Ironically, as your listening skills improve, so will your aptitude for conversation. A friend of my partner once complimented me on my conversational skills. I hadn’t said more than four words, but I had listened to him for 25 minutes.

Understand the Listening Situation

1.    Many people believe if they are breathing and not talking, then they are listening. Not true. Hearing and listening are not the same thing. Effective listening is an active process. You have to decide to listen. It is also very important to recognize that different types of listening situations require different behaviors and skills on the part of the listener. Listening to your favorite CD is one thing. Listening to an important presentation at work is a very different task. Are you listening for pleasure? Are you listening for information? Are you listening to help a friend or family member?

Five Stages of Listening

2.    Step 1: Receive the information. In this step you must focus you attention on what is being said. Shut out any distractions. Avoid interrupting or prejudging the speaker. Step 2: Understand the information. Now you need to compare what you have heard to what you already know. Attempt to understand the speaker's point of view. Ask questions if you need clarification. Step 3: Remember what you've heard. Take note of the key ideas. Most adults forget 50 percent of what they hear within 24 hours of hearing it. Step 4: Evaluate what you hear. Consider the speaker's credibility. Recognize your own biases about the topic. Step 5: Respond to what you hear. Give the speaker verbal and nonverbal feedback about what he or she has told you.

Be an Active Participant

3.    Take in the total picture. Give eye contact to the speaker so you can listen to the words but also take in the nonverbal clues in a person's facial expression, tone of voice, body language. In other words, "listen with your eyes and your ears." Listen for both content and relational messages. What is she saying? How does she feel about what she is saying? Paraphrase important or difficult things the speaker is saying. Avoid judging the speaker or his words before he is finished speaking. Finally, avoid interrupting or planning your rebuttal while someone is speaking.

On any given day your listening skills will be put to the test. However, most people have not been taught to listen effectively. The good news is that listening is a skill that can be learned. And it is worth learning because people who listen effectively are more successful personally and professionally.

In our love relationships, greater communication brings greater intimacy. Parents listening to their kids helps build their self-esteem. In the business world, listening saves time and money by preventing misunderstandings. And we always learn more when we listen than when we talk.

Listening skills fuel our social, emotional and professional success, and studies prove that listening is a skill we can learn.

The Technique. Active listening is really an extension of the Golden Rule. To know how to listen to someone else, think about how you would want to be listened to.
While the ideas are largely intuitive, it might take some practice to develop (or re-develop) the skills. Here’s what good listeners know — and you should, too:

1. Face the speaker. Sit up straight or lean forward slightly to show your attentiveness through body language.

2. Maintain eye contact, to the degree that you all remain comfortable.

3. Minimize external distractions. Turn off the TV. Put down your book or magazine, and ask the speaker and other listeners to do the same.

4. Respond appropriately to show that you understand. Murmur (“uh-huh” and “um-hmm”) and nod. Raise your eyebrows. Say words such as “Really,” “Interesting,” as well as more direct prompts: “What did you do then?” and “What did she say?”

5. Focus solely on what the speaker is saying. Try not to think about what you are going to say next. The conversation will follow a logical flow after the speaker makes her point.

6. Minimize internal distractions. If your own thoughts keep horning in, simply let them go and continuously re-focus your attention on the speaker, much as you would during meditation.

7. Keep an open mind. Wait until the speaker is finished before deciding that you disagree. Try not to make assumptions about what the speaker is thinking.

8. Avoid letting the speaker know how you handled a similar situation. Unless they specifically ask for advice, assume they just need to talk it out.

9. Even if the speaker is launching a complaint against you, wait until they finish to defend yourself. The speaker will feel as though their point had been made. They won’t feel the need to repeat it, and you’ll know the whole argument before you respond. Research shows that, on average, we can hear four times faster than we can talk, so we have the ability to sort ideas as they come in…and be ready for more.

10. Engage yourself. Ask questions for clarification, but, once again, wait until the speaker has finished. That way, you won’t interrupt their train of thought. After you ask questions, paraphrase their point to make sure you didn’t misunderstand. Start with: “So you’re saying…”

As you work on developing your listening skills, you may feel a bit panicky when there is a natural pause in the conversation. What should you say next? Learn to settle into the silence and use it to better understand all points of view.

Ironically, as your listening skills improve, so will your aptitude for conversation. A friend of my partner once complimented me on my conversational skills. I hadn’t said more than four words, but I had listened to him for 25 minutes.

Understand the Listening Situation

1.    Many people believe if they are breathing and not talking, then they are listening. Not true. Hearing and listening are not the same thing. Effective listening is an active process. You have to decide to listen. It is also very important to recognize that different types of listening situations require different behaviors and skills on the part of the listener. Listening to your favorite CD is one thing. Listening to an important presentation at work is a very different task. Are you listening for pleasure? Are you listening for information? Are you listening to help a friend or family member?

Five Stages of Listening

2.    Step 1: Receive the information. In this step you must focus you attention on what is being said. Shut out any distractions. Avoid interrupting or prejudging the speaker. Step 2: Understand the information. Now you need to compare what you have heard to what you already know. Attempt to understand the speaker's point of view. Ask questions if you need clarification. Step 3: Remember what you've heard. Take note of the key ideas. Most adults forget 50 percent of what they hear within 24 hours of hearing it. Step 4: Evaluate what you hear. Consider the speaker's credibility. Recognize your own biases about the topic. Step 5: Respond to what you hear. Give the speaker verbal and nonverbal feedback about what he or she has told you.

Be an Active Participant

3.    Take in the total picture. Give eye contact to the speaker so you can listen to the words but also take in the nonverbal clues in a person's facial expression, tone of voice, body language. In other words, "listen with your eyes and your ears." Listen for both content and relational messages. What is she saying? How does she feel about what she is saying? Paraphrase important or difficult things the speaker is saying. Avoid judging the speaker or his words before he is finished speaking. Finally, avoid interrupting or planning your rebuttal while someone is speaking.

On any given day your listening skills will be put to the test. However, most people have not been taught to listen effectively. The good news is that listening is a skill that can be learned. And it is worth learning because people who listen effectively are more successful personally and professionally.

Susie Michelle CortrightListening makes our loved ones feel worthy, appreciated, interesting, and respected. Ordinary conversations emerge on a deeper level, as do our relationships. When we listen, we foster the skill in others by acting as a model for positive and effective communication.Listening makes our loved ones feel worthy, appreciated, interesting, and respected. Ordinary conversations emerge on a deeper level, as do our relationships. When we listen, we foster the skill in others by acting as a model for positive and effective communication.

Magna Carta (Filipino Language Version from Islesv.net source)

Wedding Script by Titser Imee

THE WEDDING SCRIPT

(emceed by Titser Imee during the Wedding of Pepito Tagaytay and Cindy Lou Sanchez)

Call to Enjoin

NOTE: Test microphone before speaking.

Good noon Ladies and Gentlemen, please be at ease and be comfortable as we are about to start now our lunch reception.

Let us begin this celebration with a prayer. Let us all stand and put ourselves in the presence of God.

Opening Prayer

Almighty Father, Today we are witnesses to the Love shared by PIPS and  CINDY we thank you Lord for giving us the opportunity to spend the abundance of love manifested in the maturity of marriage.

Lord, we seek your guidance and protection, comfort us and free us from any harm. At the same Lord we invite your presence to light the path of PIPS and CINDY as they journey together in their new lives. Prepare them Lord in your blessed altar the matrimony of living together no matter what will happen in the near future. Give them the wisdom and the serenity of their hearts as we partake with them today our prayers for a wonderful life. This we ask you through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Welcome Address

A wonderful noon to everyone and welcome to PIPS and CINDY Lunch Reception. We had just concluded the solemn part of the newly-wed couple’s nuptial. And for those who just join in, Welcome! And so, here we are at the KIT venue for the lunch reception  for our newlyweds in celebration of the beginning of their new life together. So sit down, relax and enjoy the rest of the hours as we make ourselves present today together with them.

I am IMELDA L. QUIJANO, I had been given the task by the newly-weds to be your emcee for today. We thank you all for giving your precious time in this blissful occasion especially to those of you who have made yourselves present todaay with us. in behalf of PEPITO and CINDY, I would like to express their unfathomable gratitude for your availability in giving yourselves to them. Indeed! it is a wonderful pleasure to have you all today, sharing with the newly-weds this very special moment of their lives.

MARRIAGE is the ultimate union of husband and wife. And the center of it is LOVE. It is love that serves as a creative driving force in order to attract two persons of different personalities to stick together, to understand each other, and to live with each no matter what, no matter how. This is the magic of love.

Love is patient, kind, without envy. It is not boastful or arrogant. It is not ill-mannered or does it seek its own interest. Love overcomes anger and forgets offenses. It does not take delight in wrong, but rejoices in truth. Love excuses everything, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love will never end. Prophecies may cease, tongues to be silent and knowledge disappear.  For knowledge seizes something of the truth and prophecy as well. And what is perfect comes, everything imperfect will pass away.

“ Ladies and gentlemen let us all be witnesses to the Nuptial of PEPITO TAGAYTAY  and CINDY LOU SANCHEZ, as we see them to bind themselves together in this wedlock ceremony of their lives.”

 In love we come to understand why even the impossible things are happening. Why even in the worst situations we calm, and why even despite of one’s failure and frailties in life we appreciate the beauty of pains.

Love seized the magic of living together and of sharing together. As love foretold its revelation, let us all prepare ourselves to give way to the entourage in arrays;

            Let us now welcome the PRINCIPAL  SPONSORS and the SECONDARY SPONSORS

                                    (refer to the invitation)

            (Read all the names first of the bearers)

Ring symbolizes God’s eternal love because it has no beginning and no end.  It also symbolizes the Groom’s declaration of his intention to love his bride forever. Our ring bearer is _________________________

To imbibe luck and blessings in the lives of the wedded couple we have the Coin bearer_________________. The arrhae or the coins were both given and received, not in a spirit of reciprocate but in a give and take relationship. Nowadays, the coins are a reminder that the couple will dedicate themselves to one another, support each other, their children and the world around them.

To fruitfully guide the lives of the couple we have the bible bearer, ___________________.

The veil covers the couple today reminding them and us that Christ covers us in His love. Their new home will be a place where God dwells because his couple chooses to be under the mantle of his love.

            The cord on the other hand, symbolizes the love of God which brings the hearts and souls of the couple together. Its infinity symbol conjures up all sorts of paradoxes to make their love stronger and bind them closer together through years, from here to eternity. It also reminds them to face their lives together courageously and to be mutual in support of each other in carrying out their responsibilities as a couple.

            The cord, looped and crosses in the middle is wrapped around the bride and groom to symbolize the Blesses Trinity; The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit who are one and the same. The cord symbolizes the same union and the infinite nature of marriage.

To shower the aisles with flowers, we have the flower girls … (refer to the invitation)

ENTRANCE OF THE NEWLY-WEDS

The promise of love wouldn’t be realized without the man who stands for making this        sacred ceremony today to make happen and it wouldn’t be made possible without the woman, whom man considered as the sharer of this heavenly LOVE from God. Ladies and gentlemen, here now is our groom

                   PEPItO and  our bride, CINDY LOU

Introduction and Acknowledgements

Parents of the Newlyweds

At this point in time allow me to acknowledge the important persons in the lives of the newly-weds who have been the strong pedestal to hold them together.

Let me start with the parents of the bride _______________ and ________________

Mr. __________ is a ________________________________________________ and Mrs. _____________________________is a _________________________________. A round of applause please.

And of course, we are truly happy to have here with us the Parents of the Groom, represented by His brother, the ever- supportive Mr. Arnulfo C. Castor , School Head of Monching National High School and _______________________, a big hand please.

Principal Sponsors

This time let me acknowledge our Principal Sponsors.

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So there you have it ladies and gentlemen, our most respected set of principal sponsors. Let us once again give them a big round of applause.

Family and Friends

One special occasion to be with our loved ones, families and friends is the wedding celebration. Amidst the distance, the hectic schedule, the meetings and the appointments to attend we cancelled them all just to give our presence to the newly-weds. For those friends and families whom, the newly-weds haven’t  met for a long time and may have been forgotten because of the crazy word “busy” now is the perfect time to refresh what has been missed. Truly it’s a wonderful feeling. Please make a stand as your name is called.

(NOTE: Call each of the relatives and friends of the newly-weds)

From the Bride’s Side and Friends (friends to be mentioned last)

2.  

And from the Groom’s  Side and Friends (friends to be mentioned last)

Prayer Before Meals:

Well I guess the food is now ready and lunch will commence shortly. May I call on __________________ to say the prayer before meals.

LUNCH TIME:

Thank you ________________________. So there you have it ladies and gentleman. Lunch is serve. Please enjoy it.

WEDDING PROPER

Wedding is a ritual ceremony for the union of man and woman. It speaks about the efficacy of love. And it sparks every man and woman’s desire in the attainment of a blessed life.

Traditions of different cultures from generation to generation have told us varied observance of wedding rites. But what makes the essence of this celebration meaningful is the fact that the “FACETS OF LOVE” underscores the lives of the couple.

This time ladies and gentlemen let us witness some of the practices which are being observed in every wedding ceremony.

Dove Release

May I request the newly weds to please come forward for the dove release.

The dove symbolizes purity in faith and in spirit. A Dove is always seeking comfort to his/her mate, that’s why it entails the efficacy of love beyond the aging of time. It epitomizes the freedom of reciprocity and patience in seeking their hearts desires.

Let us now observe the couple as they set free the dove, cushioned on it their dreams and aspirations as they journey life together beginning today and the years to come.

I think, PIPS and CINDY are now ready. At the count of three release the dove. Ready when you are. One... Two... Three... and... off they go!!! Wow! That was awesome

.

Bridal Dance

The couple may have danced too much and savoured those dances, but what makes their dance today special and different is of course because as new husband and wife they share it with love and passion being fascinated with joy as they swing their spirit together. I believe what makes it more wonderful is when it is danced out of love and joy. Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you PIPS  and CINDY LOU for their First Dance!

                                                        (SOUNDTRACK)

So there we have it ladies and gentlemen, Let us once again give them a big round of applause.

Table Hopping for Souvenir Pictures

At this juncture the newlyweds would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone personally for your presence. They will be going to each table to personally thank you and to have a pose for the picture taking. At the same time, some members of the bridal entourage may now do the chance to distribute the give-aways and I would like to request also the Maid of Honour to distribute the tokens to both our Principal and Secondary Sponsors. So stay put where you are while waiting for them.

After the table hopping for Souvenir pictures the Newlyweds are requested to also have their picture taking with their Parents, Relatives of both sides, Principal and Secondary Sponsors and with their friends out there.

The Slicing of the Wedding Cake

The Wedding Cake symbolizes the perfect moment for the couple, where love seized the sweetest word that the heart can express.

Let me now call on PIPS and CINDY LOU to come forward for the slicing of the wedding cake and our groom is requested to let the bride to taste it lusciously.

Optional: May I request the assistance of the waiters to please serve the cake to our guests.

 Toss by the Bride and the Groom

In many Greek ways wine harvest in the grapevine calls for the beginning of merry-making and bountiful season festivity. Since then, it was adopted by many cultures especially present from a simple ceremony to a more formal event. This tendency allows us to also experience what Bacchus, the Greek God of wine had offered to all mankind.

 This time ladies and gentlemen, let us observe the tossing of wine by the couple.

Okay everybody may I request you to stand and please enjoin me in saying this line. We’re wishing both of you good health, happiness, good luck and prosperity. Cheers!!!

Thank you ladies and gentlemen, you may now be seated.

Well Wishes from Family and Friends

At this point let us hear some words of wisdom truly experienced by the well wishers to be instilled in the minds of the couple. What their parents and godparents would say about the newlyweds, well let us hear it personally from them. Let us first call on the Mother of the bride MRS.______________________.

Thank you very much ma’am I am pretty sure that the couple will have something to reap in your brewing ground of experiences.  And now we would like to call on the Brother of the Groom, Mr. Arnulfo C. Castor to say a few words of wisdom to our newlyweds.

Thank you very much Sir. We have just heard the messages of the parents of the Groom and Bride. This time let us take the opportunity to hear some words of wisdom also from our Principal Sponsors.

Note:

1 Male Principal Sponsor and 1 Female Principal Sponsor

Thank you very much Sir and Ma’am for your inspiring insights. For sure PIPS and CINDY LOU will have something to reckon as they journey life together and beyond.

Bouquet Throw

Ok now let us all have some fun and its time for the traditional Bouquet Throw. At this point we would like to request all the single ladies to please come forward for the bouquet throw. We would also like to request the bride to come forward and take her place at the center stage.

Ladies, place have a queue behind the bride and be prepared to catch the bouquet. Well, who among them will become the next bride?, let us just watch with excitement. So is everyone in? Ready when you are at the count of three the bride will throw her bouquet. May I also request the audience to please join me in the counting.

Let us now do the countdown. One….Two….Three……and there it goes.

May I request for the lady who was able to catch the bouquet to please come forward.

Congratulations Miss, May I have your name please.

Ok let’s give a big hand to Miss ___________. Please have a seat beside the bride and in a moment we shall find your match in the garter toss.

Retrieval of the Garter

Before we go on with the Garter Toss, the groom is requested to retrieve the garter from his bride. So may we request PIPS and CINDY LOU to please come at the center stage and do the garter retrieval ritual.

(A chair is brought onstage for the bride to sit. while groom kneels down at the bride's feet ready to retrieve the garter)

Ladies and gentleman the groom will now retrieve the garter from the bride.

(Groom retrieves the garter from the bride.)

There you have it ladies and gentlemen; the groom was finally able to retrieve the garter. Let us give him a big hand.

Garter Toss

Ok it is now the gentlemen's turn and we will now do the garter toss. May I now request all the single men to please come forward for the Garter Toss.

Gentlemen please take your place behind the groom and be ready to catch the garter. So is everyone ready? At the count of three the groom will throw the garter and again we request the audience to participate in the countdown.

Ok ready when you are guys. One….. Two……Three…… and .....off it goes !!!!

Matchmaking Ritual

Congratulations Sir. May I have your name please.

Thank you Mr. ___________, Friends lets give this gentleman a big hand.

There we have it ladies and gentlemen. Finally we have found a perfect match. Soon to be the next bride and groom (tickle with a crack of joke)

So this time we will request Mr. ________________ to put on the garter to Ms. ____________.

 (Lady takes a seat while gentleman puts the garter on her.)

There you have it ladies and gentlemen. Our new lovely pair, Mr. __________ and Ms. _______.

Thank you Mr. _______ and Ms ________, Let us give them both a round of applause.

The newlyweds will now pose with our lovely new pair.

Message of Thanks from the Newlyweds

This momentous celebration has almost come to an end but to the newlyweds it signals a new life for them, a new beginning and a new hope. May this moment be a moment of wonderment and happiness as the two, PIPS and CINDY LOU will start living together as what was ascribed in what a Christian family expects to manifest. It will not be complete without listening words of gratitude coming from them. So at this juncture let us have the newlyweds to say some words of gratitude.

Closing Remarks

Ladies and gentlemen we have just concluded our program but let us first take this opportunity to thank the Operation Manager of Kabasalan Institute of Technology for the sumptuous food and the wonderful accommodation and services that they offered us here. And of course a word of thanks also to our photographer who gets the perfect snapshots for our couple and our poses as well and to our cameraman, for the footage.  And again thank you everybody it has been a great day with you all. God bless.