Unless you have been hiding in a mousehole for the past 2 weeks, you should by now know that "Ratatouille" is the title of an animated movie about a RAT.
Now, if you have an animated movie about a BEE, how would you name it?
"Bee Movie"?
Yes! Haha, no kidding. This is the title of a new animation to be released by Dreamworks later this year.
How unimaginative, I thought.
Until I found out it was meant to be a play on the term "B movie". But then again, why would any reputable film studio wants to associate itself with a second-grade/low-budget movie?! Guess it's all in the name of good fun.
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Anyway, when I hear "Spelling Bee", a friend inevitably pops to mind.
He had a lot of fun in organising a sort of spelling bee game segment for the company a couple of years back. It was one of his first major projects he undertook as a fresh blood, and he generously contributed his enthusiasm and energy. I'm quite sure it has proven to be an invaluable lesson and a rewarding experience for him and those involved.
Still vivid in my mind were images of a bunch of us putting our heads together to think of the most ridiculously difficult words for the contestants to spell. Ha.. Those were the good old days indeed.
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By the way, ever wondered how the "Bee" got into Spelling Bee?
In other words, why is it called Spelling Bee?
Back in the old days, the word "bee" was first used to describe a social event, because people were sociable and busy as bees. The term evolved to describe people coming together for specific activities, whether work or play.
Gradually, there were husking bee, quilting bee, singing bee, etc.. and of course, spelling bee. So that was how it came about!
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Still on Spelling Bee, there is movie called "Akeelah and the Bee", released some time last year.
No, this is not a cartoon. It is about Akeelah, a bright young black American girl whose aspirations are stifled by the distractions of a poor environment. Fate somehow led her to represent her school in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This spelling bee competition is highly regarded on a national level, and attracts the best spelling talents from across the country every year.
The film tells the story of how this 11 year old overcomes the odds, finds her calling, and eventually takes control of her own life. It also explores issues of education in the black community. The relatively unknown cast makes this movie surprisingly much more watchable than "Bee Season", another similarly themed movie starring Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche.
The black girl who plays Akeelah is a natural; she injects the right mix of vulnerability and gritty determination into her character. Despite her tender age, she manages to hold her own opposite Laurence Fishburne who plays her coach.
A simple story that should inspire and move you in some ways.
And who knows, you may even get to learn a new word or two. In fact, it is in this movie that I first picked up the word "Ratatouille", which I found out is a type of dish in French cuisine.
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Anyway, without the help of a dictionary, try looking at the list of 15 words below. How many words are mispelled below? No cheating.
- accommodation
- acknowledgment
- cemetery
- committed
- diarrhea
- embarrass
- harass
- mediterranean
- millionaire
- occurrence
- pastime
- questionnaire
- separate
- supercede
- vaccinate
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By the way, has it ever occurred to you that the word "FAMILY" aptly stands for "Father and Mother, I Love You"!! On the anniversary of this fateful day, let's remind one another to cherish life and people dear to us.
6 comments:
GB
这真是一篇名副其实的“散”文！！ But I enjoy reading it..
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. So that's what "Scattered Literature" looks like at the hands of a "budding" writer :P
Yes, I remembered the "Spelling Bee" event organised by our young friend...it was like yesterday...
By the way, I had watched "Akeelah and the Bee" too, shortly after the "Spelling Bee" event.
I was inspired by a poetry the coach shared with that young girl.
Title: Our Deepest Fear
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, whom am I to be brillant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are we not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
You are born to make manifest the glory of God.
That is within us.
It's not just some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
- Marianne Williamson
Hope this will encourage you as well as you embark on a new journey for your career.
CS
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." Yeah I still remember those words from the movie. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I do believe your posting is long overdue here.
Anyway, for those who gamely tried your hand at the spelling test, none of the 15 words were misspelled. In fact, it was the word "mispelled" that was misspelled! Heh
Better late than never...;-p
CS
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