Fifth Harmony Biography

Fifth Harmony is an American girl group formed on the second season of The X Factor (2011). The group consists of members Ally Brooke Hernandez, Normani Kordei Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen, Camila Cabello, and Lauren Jauregui. They signed a joint deal with Syco Music, owned by Simon Cowell, and Epic Records, L.A. Reid's record label, after finishing in third place behind Tate Stevens and Carly Rose Sonenclar on the show. Approximately one month following the X Factor season 2 finale, on January 14, 2013, Fifth Harmony was voted the "Next Pop Superstar of 2013" by Popdust Magazine.Three of these covers received public praise from the original artists, namely Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande and Mikky Ekko. Fifth Harmony was also featured on Boyce Avenue's 2013 EP "Cover Collaborations, Volume 2", singing covers of "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake and "When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars.

On September 9, 2013, the group announced the title of their debut EP, Better Together, which was released on October 22, 2013.The EP debuted #6 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on iTunes album charts.The lead single from Fifth Harmony's debut EP Better Together is Miss Movin' On.The single debuted at #85 on the Billboard Hot 100 during its first week of release, making Fifth Harmony the first X Factor USA alumnae to chart on the Hot 100. The group performed the single for the first time on television on July 18, 2013, on the Today Show in New York City.Within three days of the single's music video being uploaded on Fifth Harmony's official Vevo account, over one million views were amassed. Miss Movin' On was certified Gold by the RIAA in June 2014.

The promotional single "Me & My Girls" was released exclusively to Radio Disney on July 13, 2013.Fifth Harmony also performed the song on the Today Show on July 18, 2013.On July 15, 2013, Radio Disney announced that Fifth Harmony would be the first artists featured on a reformatted version of The Next Big Thing, a program that chronicles an artist's journey from being discovered to becoming music's "next big thing"; with each segment appearing on Disney Channel, Radio Disney, Disney.com, and on social media, as well as live Radio Disney events in local markets.

Throughout the months of July and August 2013, Fifth Harmony performed at shopping malls across the United States in a tour titled "Harmonize America" .The pop-up concerts throughout the city included performances at the iHeartRadio Theater and Madison Square Park.The group was one of the opening acts for Cher Lloyd during her I Wish Tour which started on September 6, 2013.On September 11, 2013 the girl group revealed that they would be headlining their first concert hall tour "Fifth Harmony 2013", playing concert halls in Canada and the US.Their opening act is indie pop band AJR.

Fifth Harmony appeared at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards alongside Demi Lovato to present the Acuvue Inspire Award to Nick Jonas.On October 10, 2013, it was announced that Fifth Harmony will be performing on the red carpet at the 2013 American Music Awards on November 24.They performed an acoustic version of the single "Better Together."

The acoustic Spanish version artwork was also revealed. Both EPs were released on November 11, 2013."Juntos" and "Juntos Acoustic" debuted at 2 and 12 respectively on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. The English acoustic and remix EPs of "Better Together" were released on November 19 and November 25, 2013,respectively.

On January 23, 2014, Fifth Harmony headlined the MTV Artists To Watch concert, an annual concert which showcases breakout artists that will be promoted by MTV during the year. The 2014 concert also featured performances by Tori Kelly, Rixton, Echosmith and Jake Miller.

Demi Lovato revealed on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on September 30, 2013 that Fifth Harmony is one of two opening acts for her 2014 Neon Lights Tour playing 27 arenas across North America.

In early 2014, the girl group continued the recording process for their debut album that started in 2013. Fifth Harmony revealed in an interview with Billboard that following the end of the North American leg of the Neon Lights Tour, they will return to the studio to complete their album, which is expected to be released in mid-to-late 2014. Of the new songs already recorded, members of the group have stated that their music is taking on a "more mature sound" and is "more rhythmic... laidback... less pop". Fifth Harmony's fourth headlining tour was revealed at the end of March 2014, titled "Fifth Times a Charm Tour", with dates in Puerto Rico and the US.

On April 26, 2014, Fifth Harmony performed "Miss Movin On" at the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. That night, they were announced as the winners in both of the categories they were nominated in, Breakout Artist and Best Song to Rock Out To With Your BFF for "Me & My Girls".

The single, "BO$$", from the group's upcoming debut album was officially announced on 30 May, 2014, when Fifth Harmony played a teaser snippet of the track towards the end of their performance at the Kiss 108 FM Concert in Boston.The official music video for "BO$$" was released on July, 8, 2014.The music video was directed and choreographed by Fatima Robinson.

References

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5318269/bio

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Harmony

Easy Ways To Make Your Day Healthier

While many of us set long-term goals in regards to our health and fitness, there are many things you can do right now to boost your health each day. To improve your wellbeing and start feeling better, check out these 12 healthy changes to make to your day.

Plan to be healthy

Like most things worth having, a healthy lifestyle sadly won’t fall into your lap without any effort. To make healthy lifestyle choices a regular part of your day it is important to make a plan and schedule them in, at least until they become second nature. Rather than making vague plans to “eat more healthily” or “do some exercise”, make a menu for the day ahead detailing exactly what you will eat, or schedule in a date for exercise, establishing an exact time, activity and location. Whatever your health intentions, set your purpose for the day ahead and factor in some time to make it happen.

Ditch your alarm clock

Few of us would class the alarm clock as our favourite household appliance. However, if you find yourself waking up feeling sluggish and miserable and repeatedly pressing snooze, it may be worth investing in a gentler wake-up call. Ideally, our bodies our wired to wake up to natural light; however it is not always possible to do so. Instead, try purchasing a wake-up light which will wake you up gently as it gradually brightens, helping to regulate sleeping patterns and boost your mood and energy levels for the rest of the day.

Don’t over do your morning workout

While a daily workout is great for your health, research suggests that it may be best to leave your exercise session until later in the day. A study by a researcher from Brunel University, Middlesex, found that heavy training sessions early in the morning compromise the immune system and put athletes at increased risk of infection from bacteria and viruses. While a morning jog or gentle exercise session is unlikely to put you at great risk, try to save heavier workouts for later in the day.

Start your day on a positive note

Many of us start the day with a morning newspaper or by listening to the news. However, while it’s good to stay informed of what is happening in the world, it can also start the day off on a negative note. If you find yourself struggling to get in a positive frame of mind, try following your morning news update with some motivational reading, an inspirational quote or an email from a friend. Not only will starting your day with a more positive outlook help to boost your mood and productivity, but studies have shown that positive people are less likely to die of heart disease or stroke.

Don’t eat at your desk

Having a busy day? Try not to give in to the temptation to skip your lunch break and eat at your desk. Refusing to take a break is not only bad for your mental health, but eating while distracted may mean you are more likely to overeat. On top of this, spending your lunch hour at your desk can compromise your health by lengthening the time you are physically inactive and exposing you to bacteria. According to a study by the University of Arizona, your work station contains nearly 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat, making it a less than ideal place for dining.

Get more active, more often

According to a number of research studies, sitting for long periods of time puts you at risk of dangerous illnesses such as heart disease – regardless of whether you are otherwise physically active. To safeguard your health while in the office, make an effort to move more often throughout the day in any way you can. Set up an alert or write a post-it note reminding you to get up and stretch, take more trips to the water cooler, or organise your workspace so that things are out of reach. Even the smallest activities done regularly can make a difference to your health.

Listen to music

Whether you’re travelling to work, sat at your desk or having a workout, listening to your favourite music could do wonders for your health. Not only can playing music help you relax and boost your mood, research has also shown that listening to music you enjoy can promote good heart health, help manage pain and boost the immune system too. Furthermore, research by Brunel University found that listening to music while working out can boost exercise endurance by as much as 15 per cent.

Watch some comedy

While in an ideal world we would all opt to shun the TV in favour of going for a run or doing something productive, if you simply can’t resist the lure of an evening in front of the box, you can still look after your health by being selective about what you watch.  According to research by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, comedies are the way to go, with research findings suggesting that watching a funny movie or show is beneficial for your heart, while watching horror or war movies can cause mental stress.

Stop mindless snacking

Many people find themselves snacking during the day or evening out of boredom or habit. However, not only is this an easy way to pile on the pounds, but often we may not even enjoy what we’re eating. According to researchers from the University of Southern California, once people have established an eating habit they will continue eating that food whether or not it tastes good and regardless of whether they are hungry. To help stay trim, try being more aware of your eating habits and ask yourself why you are eating; whether it’s through hunger, boredom or simply out of habit.

Keep a diary

If you can’t remember the last time you poured out your heart into the pages of a diary, it may be time to get back into the habit. Research has shown that regularly writing in a diary can boost the immune system, ease stress and depression and help you recover more successfully from traumatic events. Furthermore, reflecting on the good things in your life can help you to think more positively. Try to take a few minutes at the end of each evening to reflect on your day, taking time to count your blessings as well as reflecting on the things from which you can learn.

Manage stress in real time

The effect of repetitive stress wreaks havoc as toxic hormones flood our body. Long ago, we needed this "flight or fight" mode to survive. Today this response is more likely due to everyday stresses like conflicts with a partner or rushing to complete a deadline.

When a stressful situation presents itself, remove yourself as quickly as possible. Use breathing to calm yourself, count to ten, go for a walk, do what you need to do to stay calm. Taking a few moments during the day to meditate helps "train" you to implement calming techniques you can draw upon when needed.

Create a bedtime ritual

Just like our parents did for us and we do for our children, creating a simple bedtime routine ensures an easier time falling asleep, staying asleep and better quality sleep. Aim to retire at the same time every night. Turn off all screens and dim lights 1-2 hours before bedtime. Have a relaxing bath, listen to gentle music, massage lotion or oil onto your body and make yourself a cup of chamomile tea. You'll help reduce stress (fighting that nasty belly fat), depression, decrease inflammation and you'll look and feel better.

Set yourself up for success and view positive change as a gift to yourself, a way to acknowledge and honor your body, mind and spirit. Try some of these suggestions and kickstart your healthier life today.

References :

https://www.realbuzz.com/articles/10-ways-to-make-your-day-healthier/

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-16019/10-ways-to-make-your-day-a-little-healthier.html

How To Learn English Faster

Speak a little English every day and focus on your pronunciation. Consider attending an English class or discussion group. Listen to English on the radioor TV, and be sure to read and write as well. Train yourself to think in English and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

1. Read everything you can get your hands on

Classic literature, paperbacks, newspapers, websites, emails, your social media feed, cereal boxes: if it’s in English, read it. Why? Well, this content will be full of juicy new vocabulary, as well as a fair amount you already know. This helps you improve quickly, as re-exposure to learned vocabulary gives you new examples in context, therefore reinforcing those words in your mind. On the other hand, learning new words and expressions is essential to building your vocabulary arsenal, particularly in a language like English with so many words! However, don’t just read and move on – next, you’ve got to…

2. Actively take note of new vocabulary

This tip is a classic one for good reason: it works! When learning, we often enjoy a new word of phrase so much that forgetting it seems impossible. But trust us, not everything sticks the first time. To fight this, get into the habit of carrying around a funky notebook or using a tool like Evernote. Whenever you hear or read a new word or expression, write it down in context: that is, in a sentence and with its meaning noted. This saves you time as you won’t return to that word and ask yourself: “What did that word/expression mean again?”

3. Talk with real live humans

What is a language for if not to communicate? Sure, we humans have become experts at communicating without opening our mouths – thanks Whatsapp! – but when push comes to shove, it’s true that speaking a language helps it stick in your head far better than only reading or writing it. Just think of how many times you’ve heard people say that they “understand, but can’t speak English.” A lot of would-be English speakers have turned talking into a huge insurmountable barrier that only serves to psyche them out. Don’t be like that. Seek out native speakers for an informal language exchange, enroll in a course, or take classes online.

4. Subscribe to podcasts or Youtube channels (in English)

Like humor? Politics? Blogging? Cooking? With topics covering every interest imaginable, there’s an English-speaking podcast or Youtube channel out there for you. Subscribe to a few and listen while driving or watch during the commute to school or work. At first, you might find the native accents difficult, but stick with it and you’ll soon start to understand what you hear (as well as learning lots of new vocab from a native speaker!)

5. Go abroad

If there’s a better way to learn English than being immersed in it while living and studying in an English-speaking country, we’d love to know! It’s no secret that English is the most widely-spoken language in the world, and with a long list of countries to choose between, you can select your ideal learning environment based on hemisphere, weather, or favorite city. Think Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada, and South Africa to name a few!

6. Use your friends

Have friends who post online in English? Don’t gloss over them in your newsfeed: scan the items they share and commit to exploring one or two each day. They might be news or magazine articles, videos, talks, blog posts, songs, or anything else: if it’s in English and the topic interests you, it’s going to be helpful!

7. Ask a lot of questions

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it also propelled the language learner to fluency! As you learn English, you’ll soon collect a mountain of questions. Don’t sit on your doubts – be curious and resolve them! If you’re enrolled in a course, ask your teacher (it’s what they’re there for, after all). But if you’re learning alone, don’t worry: find answers in blogs or language websites, ask other learners, or read through forums. You’ll be happy you did!

8. Take a lead from the stars

Mix up your learning by picking a native English-speaking actor or singer you like. Now, head online, find a bunch of interviews they’ve given – and watch them! Watch once for gist, then again, taking time to note down interesting expressions and words you hear. The slang, stories, humor, and anecdotes that come out of these interview are sure to give you plenty to work with!

9. Start with what you really need

Your English studies are likely to go far more quickly if you constantly remind yourself of your motives for learning. Are you going on a study exchange? Then, focus on vocabulary related to your studies. Have an overseas conference? Brush up on conversation starters to use with the other participants. Going on a gap year? Looks like travel and tourism vocabulary will be your guide. If you simply launch into learning English hoping to magically learn anything and everything at once, you’re likely to end up confused and burned out. Which brings us to…

10. Don’t kick yourself while you’re down

When you start to feel like you’re not making ground – which happens to all learners at some point – don’t say, “I don’t speak English,” or “I’ll never get this.” In fact, ban those phrases from your vocabulary! They only blur your understanding of the progress you’re making and convince you that your dreams of speaking English well are impossible. Instead, say “I’m learning English and making improvements everyday,” “It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it,” “I’m so much better that I was six months ago,” and other phrases to remind yourself of the big picture.

References

http://www.ef.com/blog/language/how-to-learn-english-faster/

http://www.wikihow.com/Learn-English

Motivational Quotes That Will Inspire You to Be Successful

·      A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done. - Vince Lombardi

·      The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them. - Denis Watiley

·      You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life. - Steve Jobs

·       Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life — think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. - Swami Vivekananda

·        People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed. Similarly, when someone is failing, the tendency is to get on a downward spiral that can even become a self-fulfilling prophecy. - Tony Robbins

·      There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed. - Ray Goforth

·       Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. - Maya Angelou

·   Success is...knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others. -  John C. Maxwell

·     Time is too short in this one life, to be able to do everything, but it definitely is long enough at least to be able to develop the will to do anything & everything. - Sujit Lalwani

·   Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly. - Robert Schuller

·   The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. – Confucius

·      Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later. – Og Mandino

·       Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. - Thomas A. Edison

·     Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. - John Wooden

·      You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. - Zig Ziglar

·      Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. - Theodore N. Vail

·     Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all. - Dale Carnegie

·        Times will change for the better when you change. - Maxwell Maltz

·     Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose. - Lyndon Johnson

·      I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.  - Stephen Covey

References :

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lolly-daskal-/100-motivational-quotes-t_b_4505356.html

https://www.codeofliving.com/quotes/77-motivational-quotes-will-inspire-you-become-successful

English Tenses : Present Progressive Tense

Definition Of The Present Progressive Tense

 The present continuous tense (also called the present progressive tense) is commonly used in English for actions happening right now, or in the future. This page will explain the rules for forming the tense with regular verbs.

The above story is an example of the present progressive tense.

Functions Of The Present Progressive

As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action or event. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete.

Use Of the Present Progressive Tense

·         Happening now 
Example :

·       It is raining

·       I’m eating lunch now

·         Temporary actions

Example : I’m working in New York this week

·         Fixed plans (often in the near future)

Example : I’m meeting my friends after work

·         Longer actions in progress now

Examples :

·       She’s studying to be a doctor

·       He’s training for a marathon

·         Trends 
Example : more and more people are using cell phones to access the internet

Signal Words

·         Now

·         Currently

·         At this time

·         At present

·         At this moment

·         Nowadays

·         Look!

·                              Listen!

Form

to be (am, are, is) + Infinitiv + -ing

Examples

·         Affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive

·         Negative sentences in the Present Progressive

·         Questions in the Present Progressive

References :

Hanafi, Tommy. 2011. Pasti Cepat Bisa 16 Tenses. Jogjakarta : Javalitera.

https://americanenglish.state.gov/

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/pres_pro.htm

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/pcont.htm

http://www.ef.com/english-resources/english-grammar/simple-past-tense/