The past perfect tense

The positive - make it with 'had' + the past participle (usually made by adding 'ed' to the infinitive, but a few verbs have irregular past participles)

The short form for 'had' is 'd. 

• I had been (I'd been)
• You had gone (you'd gone)
• She had met (she'd met)

(Be careful not to confuse it with 'would'. Would is followed by the infinitive - 'I'd go', whereas had is followed by the past participle - 'I'd gone').

For the negative just add 'not':

• I had not been (I hadn't been)
• And to make a 'yes / no' question put 'had' before the subject:
  • Had I come?
  • Had you eaten?
  • Had she gone?
  For 'wh' questions put the question word at the beginning:
• When had I come?
• Why had you eaten?
• Where had she gone?
• When had it rained?
• How had we met?

Finally here's an exercise about past perfect questions. Go to:  http://www.montsemorales.com/gramatica/PastPerfect1.htm

The day of the dead

El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), a Mexican celebration, is a day to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have departed. On this day in Mexico, the streets near the cemeteries are filled with decorations of papel picado , flowers, candy calaveras (skeletons and skulls), and parades.It is believed that the spirit of the dead visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2.

In order to celebrate, the families make altars and place ofrendas (offerings) of food such as pan de muertos baked in shapes of skulls and figures, candles, incense, yellow marigolds known as cempazuchitl (also spelled zempasuchil) and most importantly a photo of the departed soul is placed on the altar.

Women's day

International Women's Day is celebrates the world over, every year on the eight day of March.  It celebrates womanhood and pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of women across the globe.

 It's root lies in the early 1900s when oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. The first National Woman's Day was more or less a political event, observed across the United States on 28 February. It was the initiative of Socialist Party of America.

Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. A global network of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

Mother´s day

Mother’s Day is a day for many people to show their appreciation towards mothers and mother figures worldwide. It is an annual event but is held at different dates in the calendar, depending on the country.

Many people remember their mothers and mother figures on Mother’s Day. Mother figures may include stepmothers, relatives, mothers-in-law, a guardian (eg. a foster parent), or a family friend. There are many different ways to celebrate Mother’s Day. They include (but are not limited to):

• Giving cards, flowers, or cakes.
• Family gatherings or visits.
• Family breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners either at home, at a café or at a restaurant.
• Personal phone calls, particularly from children who live away from their mothers and/or mother figures.
• Mother’s Day poems and messages.
• Gifts of chocolate, jewelry, accessories, clothing, hobby equipment or tools, handmade items, or gift vouchers.
•  A day at the movies with mothers and/or mother figures.

Mother’s Day is celebrated in different countries, including China where carnations are popular Mother’s Day presents. Some groups in Samoa organize elaborate song and dance performances throughout the country. They celebrate the contributions that mothers make to Samoan society.