Hi everybody!!!!
I´m so sorry that I haven´t been able to post anything recently, but my computer crashed and I have to wait for ten days for my little brother to fix it. I really appreciate my little brother´s work because he is a real wizz kid when it comes to computers.
I coudn´t even imageine how hard life without a computer is, it is unbelievable.
Thank god, I printed out the Jayalking glossary beforehand so I could study the vocabulary.
A lot happened the last weeks, but nothing really interesting. I had to atudy a lot for my classes and didn´t have much time for socializing. Except last saturday, when I met this American and this Swedish guy which means that I always had to speak in English. The American bloke was quite impressed by my skills. (I´m now wondering if I should have a little sip of alcohol before every oral exam, because it makes me more talkative).
I promise that I wiill write some more before the end of the semester.
See you
Mittwoch, 20. Juni 2007
Donnerstag, 17. Mai 2007
I´m singing in the rain
Hi everybody!!
Today´s a bank holiday and instead of being outdoors, I´m sitting in my room, freezing and pouring hot liquid down my throat. I wish it would be April again. I miss the sunny weather. Alas, I can´t change the weather, so I´ve spent the afternoon reading in our beloved JWI book (chapter 22, hurray!!) and the rest of the time idling away, listening to music (I can really recommend "Arcade Fire - Neon Bible" as it is the perfect background music for such a day).
It´s evening now and I think I´m going to reread another book by Douglas Coupland: Eleanor Rigby, which is a fantastic novel. I really love Coupland´s style of writing. Especially this book. It´s about a quite lonely woman in her mid-thirties who suddenly gets to know her son which she had at the tender age of sixteen. But only for a short time, because her son is suffering from MS (multiple sclerosis) and dies after a few months. Nevertheless her short-term encounter with her son leads to further events (there is a very funny episode in a German jail involving a radioactive chunk) in her life, resulting in (of course) a happy end. Although it´s sometimes rather sad Coupland never loses his great sense of humor and therefore this book is wonderful to read.
Mittwoch, 16. Mai 2007
Our famous bliki/wiki
Hi everybody!!
I´m sitting in class right now and we have to work on our little bliki/wiki. For all of you who are reading my blog and don´t know what our bliki/wiki is, here is a little description:
It´s some sort of a homepage where we (Mr. Newman´s SUKFour Students) can write anything interesting into it. you can create new pages (but we try to shorten the main categories, otherwise it will be a little bit too confusing). But you can create as many subpages as you want.
Right now our main categories are books, movies, culture, expat interviews, videos and fun stuff. You can contribute anything that fits into one of these categories by copy/paste from your blog but if you feel the urge to write something new it´s even better. It´s as easy as pie to contribute.
I know that we all have an awful lot to do this semester but it doesn´t take a lot of time and the more the merrier. So if you want to apply to be a writer just send an e-mail to Mr. Newman.
Have a little look at our bliki/wiki and enjoy reading!!!
http://suk4.wetpaint.com
I´m sitting in class right now and we have to work on our little bliki/wiki. For all of you who are reading my blog and don´t know what our bliki/wiki is, here is a little description:
It´s some sort of a homepage where we (Mr. Newman´s SUKFour Students) can write anything interesting into it. you can create new pages (but we try to shorten the main categories, otherwise it will be a little bit too confusing). But you can create as many subpages as you want.
Right now our main categories are books, movies, culture, expat interviews, videos and fun stuff. You can contribute anything that fits into one of these categories by copy/paste from your blog but if you feel the urge to write something new it´s even better. It´s as easy as pie to contribute.
I know that we all have an awful lot to do this semester but it doesn´t take a lot of time and the more the merrier. So if you want to apply to be a writer just send an e-mail to Mr. Newman.
Have a little look at our bliki/wiki and enjoy reading!!!
http://suk4.wetpaint.com
Mittwoch, 9. Mai 2007
A Year in Provence vs. JWI
vs.
Hi everybody!!!
In this semester´s class we have to read two books about expatriates, one of which we could choose ourselves. I have chosen Peter Mayle´s “A Year in Provence” and I must admit that I like it much better than the compulsory one by David Monagan “Jaywalking with the Irish”.
Although both authors have to deal with the problems they came across when moving to a different country for a certain period of time, Peter Mayle does a better job describing them than David Monagan. I would not go so far and call Monagan´s book bad because it certainly has its moments but on the whole Peter Mayle´s style of writing is wittier and more captivating. I think that he is a better author than Monagan because despite being an educated man he does not use such complicated vocabulary, thus making his book more enjoyable to read (for us students at least). Although his book is not packed with polysyllabic words Mayle´s is a fantastic and not in the least bit shallow read and it makes you want to move to Provence instantly. Monagan on the other hand, is trying too hard to convince the readers that his story is the wittiest and funniest one they have ever read. As a result his book can sometimes be quite exhausting to read.
Another reason for my preferring the other book is that Peter Mayle moved to Provence in the South of France and I am sure that the cultural shock he had to suffer from was much greater, because he could not even speak the same language which definitely complicated the whole process of getting accustomed to the new environment. Not having to learn a new language made things a lot easier for Monagan when it comes to things such as inviting new friends to his house.
What is more, Monagan already spent some time in Ireland when he was a young man. He also mentions his previous trips in the book, so he is not coming to Ireland totally unprepared. Of course a lot of things have changed since he as living there as a student back in the 70´s but at least he has a faint idea of what he could expect. Mayle did not have the slightest clue of what was coming his way and this making the book funnier and more interesting to read. For example, nobody told him that it could be very cold in winter due to the fierce wind, the mistral.
For these reasons and one or two others I really think that Peter Mayle´s book is superior to “Jaywalking with the Irish”. Mayle is a better writer and he can describe people, places and situations in simple, clear English. I can recommend this book to everyone who loves a good read.
Although both authors have to deal with the problems they came across when moving to a different country for a certain period of time, Peter Mayle does a better job describing them than David Monagan. I would not go so far and call Monagan´s book bad because it certainly has its moments but on the whole Peter Mayle´s style of writing is wittier and more captivating. I think that he is a better author than Monagan because despite being an educated man he does not use such complicated vocabulary, thus making his book more enjoyable to read (for us students at least). Although his book is not packed with polysyllabic words Mayle´s is a fantastic and not in the least bit shallow read and it makes you want to move to Provence instantly. Monagan on the other hand, is trying too hard to convince the readers that his story is the wittiest and funniest one they have ever read. As a result his book can sometimes be quite exhausting to read.
Another reason for my preferring the other book is that Peter Mayle moved to Provence in the South of France and I am sure that the cultural shock he had to suffer from was much greater, because he could not even speak the same language which definitely complicated the whole process of getting accustomed to the new environment. Not having to learn a new language made things a lot easier for Monagan when it comes to things such as inviting new friends to his house.
What is more, Monagan already spent some time in Ireland when he was a young man. He also mentions his previous trips in the book, so he is not coming to Ireland totally unprepared. Of course a lot of things have changed since he as living there as a student back in the 70´s but at least he has a faint idea of what he could expect. Mayle did not have the slightest clue of what was coming his way and this making the book funnier and more interesting to read. For example, nobody told him that it could be very cold in winter due to the fierce wind, the mistral.
For these reasons and one or two others I really think that Peter Mayle´s book is superior to “Jaywalking with the Irish”. Mayle is a better writer and he can describe people, places and situations in simple, clear English. I can recommend this book to everyone who loves a good read.
Montag, 7. Mai 2007
Bravely bold Sir Robin
Hello everybody!!
Last week I had two exams, so I spent the weekend relaxing and for recreational purposes. I watched the fantastic Monthy Python movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" once again. I even know some dialogues by heart. I just love this movie.
It´s about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table searching for the Holy Grail. They are making fun of everything, especially the French (sorry, but I meant no offense Claire). It´s absolutely hilarious. So here are the lyrics of one song, sung in the movie by Sir Robin´s minstrel (who unfortunately was eaten later in the movie by the other knights)
Bravely bold Sir Robin rode forth from Camelot
He was not afraid to die, O brave Sir Robin
He was not at all afraid to be killed in nasty ways
Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin
He was not in the least bit scared to be mashed into a pulp
Or to have his eyes gouged out and his elbows broken
To have his kneecaps split and his body burned away
And all his limbs hacked and mangled, brave Sir Robin
His head smashed in and his heart cut out
And his liver removed and his his bowles unplugged
And his nostrils raped and his bottom burnt off and his penis....
Brave Sir Robin ran away
Bravely ran away... away...
When danger reared its ugly head
He bravely turned his tail and fled
Yes, Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin
He is packing it in and packing it up
And sneaking away and buggering up
And chickening out and pissing off home
Yes, bravely he is throwing in the sponge
Enjoy reading
(P.S. Also have a look at my sidebar!!)
Mittwoch, 2. Mai 2007
All families are psychotic
Hi everybody!!!
I´ve just finished my first Progress Test and I´m totally exhausted. I´ve
written lots and lots about vocab and Jaywalking and the different handouts we were given before. I had no idea how much work it really was.
I spent the last week studying for my English and my Spanish exam so I didn´t have a lot of time for doing interesting things. This week I will certainly try out some of the tools Mr. Newman showed us last time.
Although I had a lot to study for my classes I was able to finish a book by Douglas Coupland called "All families are psychotic". It is absolutely worth reading as it has a captivating story and a lot of interesting, weird, psychotic and terminally ill characters. Three of the main characters are dying from AIDS and one is suffering from liver cancer but this doesn´t mean that the story is sad or depressing. It´s about a littl
e family reunion and of course it all went horribly wrong with the main characters ending up in a wild pursuit for an enveleope, containing a little note from prince William (yes, the one who recently broke up with his girlfriend), for his dead mother. Apparently this envelope was stolen from Diana´s coffin at her burial. Some dubious and very rich Swiss businessman needs the envelope because of the DNA that´s on it in order to clone prince William,...Poor boy.
I´ve just finished my first Progress Test and I´m totally exhausted. I´ve
written lots and lots about vocab and Jaywalking and the different handouts we were given before. I had no idea how much work it really was.I spent the last week studying for my English and my Spanish exam so I didn´t have a lot of time for doing interesting things. This week I will certainly try out some of the tools Mr. Newman showed us last time.
Although I had a lot to study for my classes I was able to finish a book by Douglas Coupland called "All families are psychotic". It is absolutely worth reading as it has a captivating story and a lot of interesting, weird, psychotic and terminally ill characters. Three of the main characters are dying from AIDS and one is suffering from liver cancer but this doesn´t mean that the story is sad or depressing. It´s about a littl
e family reunion and of course it all went horribly wrong with the main characters ending up in a wild pursuit for an enveleope, containing a little note from prince William (yes, the one who recently broke up with his girlfriend), for his dead mother. Apparently this envelope was stolen from Diana´s coffin at her burial. Some dubious and very rich Swiss businessman needs the envelope because of the DNA that´s on it in order to clone prince William,...Poor boy. It´s definitely a good read.
Mittwoch, 25. April 2007
I´m back from the dead!!
Hi everybody!!!
After two weeks of suffering a severe flu I´m back from the dead. I´m gathering all my strength in order to write an entry. I was bedridden for about ten days and I couldn´t do anything but sniffing and coughing. It was feeling really bad.
But now I am feeling much better and I hope that I can fulfill my weekly quota of blog entries. After looking through the other blogs I came across a lot of interesting topics.
After two weeks of suffering a severe flu I´m back from the dead. I´m gathering all my strength in order to write an entry. I was bedridden for about ten days and I couldn´t do anything but sniffing and coughing. It was feeling really bad.
But now I am feeling much better and I hope that I can fulfill my weekly quota of blog entries. After looking through the other blogs I came across a lot of interesting topics.
The last few days I was reading quite a lot of interesting articles from the New York Times. There was one that really caught my eye. It was about some insurance companies that were trying to deny the claims of their policyholders. Most of them are elderly people who payed a lot of money for the insurance in order to go into a home for elderly people. Instead they have to fight for their rights in court and in most cases they even lose the lawsuit. I really was taken aback by the cunning methods the insurance companies use in order to avoid to pay their clients. There was an example of a 92 year old man who was given a wrong form to fill out ( on purpose!!!) and when it comes to paying him they denied his claim because of invalid paperwork.
The main point of the article was that most of these insurance companies were making a lot of money by denying claims of elderly people and they wait so long until they die. I really was shocked.
In other news: Mr. Newman showed us some wonderful new gadgets we can use to spice up our blogs. I just try and I hope it is working. Just have a look at my side bar!!
Enjoy reading!!
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