Hey, everybody!
Don't know if you'll check the blog, but it's better to leave the warning anyway...
David asked us to bring Short Stories to class next Tuesday, meaning... November 27th, I think. In case you don't remember, Short Stories were a group of copies available at the University copy shop (or whatever it is called) containing a few short stories of various writers.
So... Don't forget to bring it and to read it. ;)
Maria
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Summary (15-11-07)
Today we started our work by finishing the basic error worksheet (that one with our own mistakes).
Then, we made the exercises 1, 2 and 3 (page 30) of our course book. These exercises were about the text “Imagined Ugly Syndrome” in the same page.
This text showed us how pretty women can feel so badly with themselves, with their body; because they feel they are ugly.
Forward, this took us to another level: Eating disorders. A problem that are affecting most of the time young people but that in particular cases can affect people who are a little bit older. Like those celebrities in the text (Uma Thurman, Geri Halliwel or Winona Ryder). They are beautiful and are having a great career. What takes us, again, to another level: The pression of paparazzi. They are everywhere, and this can explain the fear of look bad in their cameras perspective. After walls the photos will certainly appear in a magazine and the public eyes are very critical.
When we where almost finishing the class, David gave us a text and asked us to read it in load voice. The title was “Little miss perfect” and talked about Nazanin Afshin-Jam (“she’s a Miss World finalist, a pop star and a human-rights campaigner...”).
That’s all (I think).
Susana Costa
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Class Summary: November 13
Hi there!
I’m the one chosen to do the summary of Tuesday’s class, so...
We started off with a worksheet, in which we had to correct some mistakes of our self-presentations. David showed us our texts, already online. This was followed by the distribution of a printed, corrected and marked version of those same texts.
If you think you have problems with grammar or writing, go talk to David, because he told us about a nice grammar book that will help us surpass our difficulties.
For those who love theatre, David invited us to go watch a play called “The Virtuoso” (I searched about it and found this: http://lazer.publico.clix.pt/artigo.asp?id=186533) and told us to let him know if we’re interested or not.
Before the end of the class, we did exercises 1, pages 32 and 33. Finally, we discussed what women and men look for in a person: physical or psychological characteristics? Or both?
The last subject, to end up this summary, was about giving our opinion in what concerns our sociability: are we sociable nowadays? Do we (like to) go out with our friends? Or do we rather stay at home, chatting with them on the Internet?
That’s it, I think. :X
See you next Thursday!
Sara Santos *
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Cheila Rodrigues
"The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookha out of its mouth, and adressed her in a languid, sleepy voice'Who are you?' said the Caterpillar.This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, 'I-I hardly know, sir, just as present - at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.''What do you mean by that?' Said the Caterpillar sternly. 'Explain yourself!''I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, 'because I'm not myself, you see.'"
Lewis Carrol in Alice in Wonderland
My name is not Alice, at least I'm sure of that.
In a hot morning of July I was born in Leiria, at an old hospital that still rests by the Lis river. My home town is full of oak trees, and pines, and an everlasting castle that posesseses all the city, all the places... Those are the things I still carry inside of me, the peace of the low waters, the pollen's mark everywhere. My childhood was the most suitable world, a dream that only existed because of my innocence, magic and fantasy, breathing, hidden, even from me. I grew up near by my beloved grandmother, who took me into gardens, stories, and the far most important thing in my life, poetry. It was her as well that taught me to paint. I will always feel this debt towards her, and I will always embrace that memory of happiness for itself, and truth at its most elevated state.
The years kept passing by as the waters of the Lis. soon, not only the mirror told me how I was different from myself, but everything, inside or outside, for good and for bad, I was different. Much more different than the others, those who danced in circles, around my life, ghosts - still dancing by my grave.
and "Oh, the guilt", those years, those scars I drew around my days, madness and sadness, revolt inside my head. Those arrows that I was so eager to throw at something, as I wanted to throw the guilt at someone else. Someone who deserved it, who reclaimed it and back then couldn't afford to keep it. All those crossroads within my brain took me to places and journeys that have drawn, with the pencil of my childhood, the admirable net between the great decadence of any human, the imagination stuck inside, the need for shelter. And my shelter would be Unconsciousness. Travelling inside, I could again breathe freely, and run sincerely, without the need to impress or to avoid any contact. My golden silence echoed night after night in my head. I could hear it, and feel myself growing, blooming.
For everyone comes a lifetime experience that most of the people don't quite notice. It is the Enigma of Life. My enigma turned out to be the same one as Alice's. There was a wise Caterpillar smoking something new near to my mushroom. I was watching the clouds in their mutant parade, when the smell of smoke came to me. I looked into the caterpillar's eyes, and from its smooth voice I heard the words 'who are you?'. The question still haunts me. it still remains untouched. Who am I?
I share the same confusing feeling with Alice. All my short and distorted life I have been running after The White Rabit of Time, of Illusion. I have been drowned in my own pool of tears, and i fought my own batles against the Cheshire Cat inside of me, always finding a new way to lose myself. I have been the bad weed between the shining flowers. I have been the curiosity that burns forever in my eyes. Oh, and how hard I tried many times to explain myself to the caterpillar, even if it was just to answer myself in the end. I've been everything, like air and water, that common feeling of pagan peace. I've been blind with faith like a nun. But most of all I've been the other Alice, the one that didn't wake up at the end of the story. The one that never came out of the garden.
The leaves of my early youth are falling in my head.
Who am I still?
Who am I again?
Cheila S Collaço Rodrigues
Lewis Carrol in Alice in Wonderland
My name is not Alice, at least I'm sure of that.
In a hot morning of July I was born in Leiria, at an old hospital that still rests by the Lis river. My home town is full of oak trees, and pines, and an everlasting castle that posesseses all the city, all the places... Those are the things I still carry inside of me, the peace of the low waters, the pollen's mark everywhere. My childhood was the most suitable world, a dream that only existed because of my innocence, magic and fantasy, breathing, hidden, even from me. I grew up near by my beloved grandmother, who took me into gardens, stories, and the far most important thing in my life, poetry. It was her as well that taught me to paint. I will always feel this debt towards her, and I will always embrace that memory of happiness for itself, and truth at its most elevated state.
The years kept passing by as the waters of the Lis. soon, not only the mirror told me how I was different from myself, but everything, inside or outside, for good and for bad, I was different. Much more different than the others, those who danced in circles, around my life, ghosts - still dancing by my grave.
and "Oh, the guilt", those years, those scars I drew around my days, madness and sadness, revolt inside my head. Those arrows that I was so eager to throw at something, as I wanted to throw the guilt at someone else. Someone who deserved it, who reclaimed it and back then couldn't afford to keep it. All those crossroads within my brain took me to places and journeys that have drawn, with the pencil of my childhood, the admirable net between the great decadence of any human, the imagination stuck inside, the need for shelter. And my shelter would be Unconsciousness. Travelling inside, I could again breathe freely, and run sincerely, without the need to impress or to avoid any contact. My golden silence echoed night after night in my head. I could hear it, and feel myself growing, blooming.
For everyone comes a lifetime experience that most of the people don't quite notice. It is the Enigma of Life. My enigma turned out to be the same one as Alice's. There was a wise Caterpillar smoking something new near to my mushroom. I was watching the clouds in their mutant parade, when the smell of smoke came to me. I looked into the caterpillar's eyes, and from its smooth voice I heard the words 'who are you?'. The question still haunts me. it still remains untouched. Who am I?
I share the same confusing feeling with Alice. All my short and distorted life I have been running after The White Rabit of Time, of Illusion. I have been drowned in my own pool of tears, and i fought my own batles against the Cheshire Cat inside of me, always finding a new way to lose myself. I have been the bad weed between the shining flowers. I have been the curiosity that burns forever in my eyes. Oh, and how hard I tried many times to explain myself to the caterpillar, even if it was just to answer myself in the end. I've been everything, like air and water, that common feeling of pagan peace. I've been blind with faith like a nun. But most of all I've been the other Alice, the one that didn't wake up at the end of the story. The one that never came out of the garden.
The leaves of my early youth are falling in my head.
Who am I still?
Who am I again?
Cheila S Collaço Rodrigues
Jairo Santos
“…
I introduce myself to the world
Here one sets oneself free
By discovering the thread
In the pit of the labyrinth
All ages rule here at once
Faces fit onto faces
And distance finishes
By confusing us with ourselves
Time is a filled-in lagoon
A tongue of earth thrust from the water
A mythic eternal blue mountain
A pillar raised facing the bay
Here centuries die and are reborn
To nourish human desires
They leave all the better to return
Here the absent are never wrong…”
(Amina Saïd, translated by Marilyn Hacked)
I decided to introduce myself by using translated poetry, for two reasons: first of all, because I wanted you guys to focus on the kind of work we are going to be doing "very soon". Isn’t it an amazing art? For a long time I've wished to be a translator and of course it’s probably useless to say how happy I am to have joined this group.
However, it's not easy to be a student-worker, I just think that every day when I get up and come to university, I make one more step to making my dream come true, and then, the hours don't count anymore, neither those I work, not those I study nor those few I sleep. I just want to enjoy every single minute I share with you all and learn as much as I can. I only wish I had more time... well, that's life...
The second reason is because the text explains a little of what I feel when I meet you everyday; here we come together as one. All the differences don't exist anymore. We become a team and that's the beautiful part.
I’m Jairo, 36, Brazilian, and I work in a restaurant in Bairro Alto. I like my job very much however it takes a lot of my time. I love travelling, dancing (also if I don't do it very often); I like to go to the gym, to the cinema and of course I love to go out and have a good meal with friends. If you want to know more about myself, don't be shy, I already know you aren't, so, ask me :-)
I introduce myself to the world
Here one sets oneself free
By discovering the thread
In the pit of the labyrinth
All ages rule here at once
Faces fit onto faces
And distance finishes
By confusing us with ourselves
Time is a filled-in lagoon
A tongue of earth thrust from the water
A mythic eternal blue mountain
A pillar raised facing the bay
Here centuries die and are reborn
To nourish human desires
They leave all the better to return
Here the absent are never wrong…”
(Amina Saïd, translated by Marilyn Hacked)
I decided to introduce myself by using translated poetry, for two reasons: first of all, because I wanted you guys to focus on the kind of work we are going to be doing "very soon". Isn’t it an amazing art? For a long time I've wished to be a translator and of course it’s probably useless to say how happy I am to have joined this group.
However, it's not easy to be a student-worker, I just think that every day when I get up and come to university, I make one more step to making my dream come true, and then, the hours don't count anymore, neither those I work, not those I study nor those few I sleep. I just want to enjoy every single minute I share with you all and learn as much as I can. I only wish I had more time... well, that's life...
The second reason is because the text explains a little of what I feel when I meet you everyday; here we come together as one. All the differences don't exist anymore. We become a team and that's the beautiful part.
I’m Jairo, 36, Brazilian, and I work in a restaurant in Bairro Alto. I like my job very much however it takes a lot of my time. I love travelling, dancing (also if I don't do it very often); I like to go to the gym, to the cinema and of course I love to go out and have a good meal with friends. If you want to know more about myself, don't be shy, I already know you aren't, so, ask me :-)
Marlene Silva
I was born and raised in Portugal but I have African roots.
How old am I? Do the Maths – 10+10 that’s = to my age.
I live in Almada with my mother and 3 brothers.
I consider myself a good girl, friend of my friends and family.
My favourite thing to do in he world is to go out at night with my friends.
Did I tell you that I love to dance? OK!
You know, what annoys me more than anything is to be without doing anything. I don’t like to be alone just when I have to be.
My purpose in life is to be successful in everything I do. I don’t ask for much, just what any person would want to have, happiness. I guess this is all I want to say about myself.
I hope we can all continue to get on very well.
A big hug,
Marlene Silva.
How old am I? Do the Maths – 10+10 that’s = to my age.
I live in Almada with my mother and 3 brothers.
I consider myself a good girl, friend of my friends and family.
My favourite thing to do in he world is to go out at night with my friends.
Did I tell you that I love to dance? OK!
You know, what annoys me more than anything is to be without doing anything. I don’t like to be alone just when I have to be.
My purpose in life is to be successful in everything I do. I don’t ask for much, just what any person would want to have, happiness. I guess this is all I want to say about myself.
I hope we can all continue to get on very well.
A big hug,
Marlene Silva.
Carlos Walgood Santos
Hello my name is Carlos Walgood Santos and as you know I am your partner or pupil in the English class of David Hardisty, and I hope to be successful in this first semester in university, especially in English where I am not so comfortable as I am in my other language on the course.I am 19 years old.
I live in Rio de Mouro, Sintra, and I have many hobbies. One of my favourite hobbies is to listen to music, especially RAP or Hip Hop which for me are among the many types of music that have more of a message to pass to the listeners, and for me every type of music that has lyrics has to have a message. Without message or just with commercial lyrics I prefer not to listen.
But talking about more hobbies or subjects that interest me, I can say that I have a big interest in politics, and in important subjects for the people. This is linked to the fact of my being communist.
I can add to this list of hobbies doing sports such as Basketball, Football, and Cycling although, to my sorrow, I am not able to do them due to the lack of time that I have since the school year has started.
Well there is my introduction and I hope that this year could be good and great for all.
I live in Rio de Mouro, Sintra, and I have many hobbies. One of my favourite hobbies is to listen to music, especially RAP or Hip Hop which for me are among the many types of music that have more of a message to pass to the listeners, and for me every type of music that has lyrics has to have a message. Without message or just with commercial lyrics I prefer not to listen.
But talking about more hobbies or subjects that interest me, I can say that I have a big interest in politics, and in important subjects for the people. This is linked to the fact of my being communist.
I can add to this list of hobbies doing sports such as Basketball, Football, and Cycling although, to my sorrow, I am not able to do them due to the lack of time that I have since the school year has started.
Well there is my introduction and I hope that this year could be good and great for all.
Amélia Santos
My name is Amélia Santos, I am 18 years old and this is my first year at university, studying Translation.
I used to live in Serpa, in the Alentejo, with my parents but now I am living with three friends in an apartment near Saldanha. We are all at university and we like a lot to live together by ourselves because it is a new experience in our lives. We are experiencing the responsabilities of living without our parents: going shopping, making food, paying our bills. We have found out that it is easy to live with our parents taking care of everything but it is much more complicated to run a house by ourselves.
But not everything is bad! We have more responsabilities, it is true, but we also have more freedom to go out and to manage our money the way we think best. It is a way to prepare us for the future because we must discovery how to manage our lives without our parents' help.
My hobbies are very usual: I like to go out with my friends, I like to dance, I love to go shopping (like most of girls I think!) and the list goes on...I don't practise any sport at the moment but I have already practised swimming and dance, such as ballet, hip-hop and belly dance.
I hope this semester goes well and I also hope that our class matches David's expectations.
But not everything is bad! We have more responsabilities, it is true, but we also have more freedom to go out and to manage our money the way we think best. It is a way to prepare us for the future because we must discovery how to manage our lives without our parents' help.
My hobbies are very usual: I like to go out with my friends, I like to dance, I love to go shopping (like most of girls I think!) and the list goes on...I don't practise any sport at the moment but I have already practised swimming and dance, such as ballet, hip-hop and belly dance.
I hope this semester goes well and I also hope that our class matches David's expectations.
Ana Rodrigues
Well, I am going to start with some basic information about myself.
My name is Ana Rodrigues and I am 20 years old. I am from Vila Real. Back there I used to live with my mother and my 18 year old brother. Now I am living with two great friends of mine in Alto dos Moínhos, Lisbon.
I have come to Lisbon to do this degree(L.L.C.), simply because I love Literature and I have a growing interest in it. I have chosen Universidade Nova because I was told that the way of teaching was not old-fashioned and I was interested in a University that was not too close-minded, rather than one too conservative.
When I am not at the University I am usually doing what I enjoy, and frequently it is something connected with Literature or music, though I also like other kinds of art. I usually like strange things that most of the people do not seem to enjoy (at least is what some of my friends say).
One of my future goals is to learn Finnish and Norwegian. I do not know quite well why, but it seems I am developing a bigger interest for the culture of those Scandinavian countries. I also would like to be able to play guitar (I have one, but I actually do not know how to play).
Oh , one of my main passions are my cats. I simply love cats. Well, I like animals in general, but I have a special liking for cats, maybe because I have had cats since my childhood.
Carolina Castaňo
I do not feel I am always the same person.
Day by day, I see myself playing different roles. I am a dreamer: I can play the role of the confident girl ready to dance on the stage; the girl searching for an answer who sees no space or time; the nostalgic girl loving all the moments saved in photographs; the girl who laughs and cries…
All these girls have something in common. The passion for music, the power of words playing with melody; the passion for her friends, the belief in genuine feelings and relationships; the passion for images; the passion for the majority of arts. I have grown developing these passions, every chapter of my life has a song, a picture, a face. I can not separate my life from these features.
My current favourite artists are Jamie Cullum, Snow Patrol, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band, Jeff Buckley, Five Times August, Death Cab For Cutie, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Damien Rice, The Arcade Fire, Interpol, Bloc Party, Editors, Norah Jones, Daniel Bendingfield, Kate Nash and Justin Timberlake.
I love to walk, I like to discover Lisbon by foot, I often go to Baixa-Chiado and to Saldanha. I enjoy going to the cinema with my friends, specially a friend who lives in Brussels and visits me every vacation. I attend a lot of gigs with friends I invite. I like to see TV series with my brother. We watch “Prison Break”, “Lost”, “Dr. House”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Weeds” and “Heroes”. I have been thinking of collecting DVDs, specially of films and series I missed like “Six Feet Under”, “The O.C.” – the fourth season, “Moulin Rouge” – my favourite movie, and many more. One of my favourite hobbies is to follow Sporting play their its stadium. I am a season ticket holder and my seat is next to my family and I follow the training teams too. I usually meet my friends and we go out at night sometimes to some bars or discos.
My dream is to develop my skills in dance as much as I can and use them in various types of music genders, in spite of not having any training when I was little. I also have the hope of taking this dream to London as I also have a passion for this city. I collect photos, books and objects related to London.
I may not know the role I should play in my life, but I will always look for something that fills my passions and tastes.
Day by day, I see myself playing different roles. I am a dreamer: I can play the role of the confident girl ready to dance on the stage; the girl searching for an answer who sees no space or time; the nostalgic girl loving all the moments saved in photographs; the girl who laughs and cries…
All these girls have something in common. The passion for music, the power of words playing with melody; the passion for her friends, the belief in genuine feelings and relationships; the passion for images; the passion for the majority of arts. I have grown developing these passions, every chapter of my life has a song, a picture, a face. I can not separate my life from these features.
My current favourite artists are Jamie Cullum, Snow Patrol, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band, Jeff Buckley, Five Times August, Death Cab For Cutie, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Damien Rice, The Arcade Fire, Interpol, Bloc Party, Editors, Norah Jones, Daniel Bendingfield, Kate Nash and Justin Timberlake.
I love to walk, I like to discover Lisbon by foot, I often go to Baixa-Chiado and to Saldanha. I enjoy going to the cinema with my friends, specially a friend who lives in Brussels and visits me every vacation. I attend a lot of gigs with friends I invite. I like to see TV series with my brother. We watch “Prison Break”, “Lost”, “Dr. House”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Weeds” and “Heroes”. I have been thinking of collecting DVDs, specially of films and series I missed like “Six Feet Under”, “The O.C.” – the fourth season, “Moulin Rouge” – my favourite movie, and many more. One of my favourite hobbies is to follow Sporting play their its stadium. I am a season ticket holder and my seat is next to my family and I follow the training teams too. I usually meet my friends and we go out at night sometimes to some bars or discos.
My dream is to develop my skills in dance as much as I can and use them in various types of music genders, in spite of not having any training when I was little. I also have the hope of taking this dream to London as I also have a passion for this city. I collect photos, books and objects related to London.
I may not know the role I should play in my life, but I will always look for something that fills my passions and tastes.
Sandra Fernandes
Hello dear “colleagues”,
My name is Sandra Fernandes, this is my first experience as a University student and this is an attempt to present myself to you.
I was born on the 27th May 1975, in Porto. I lived there, studied there and at the end of the 12th grade I stopped studying so I could begin working. At that time I though, as probably as many of you might do, that I needed to become more independent from my parents and the only way to achieve that was getting a job and starting to have my own money. What a dreamer, what a fool! I’m sorry for those who still think like I did because if there’s something I regret in my life is the fact that I hadn’t continued my studies then. I don’t regret much in my life, almost every step I took I did it with full consciousness, but stopping studying is a huge exception.
Had a few jobs and at the age of 22 I left Porto and moved to Lisbon! I did it for love :-D yes, once again I admit that I’m a dreamer! Although this I do not regret!
Had a few jobs and at the age of 22 I left Porto and moved to Lisbon! I did it for love :-D yes, once again I admit that I’m a dreamer! Although this I do not regret!
After being in Lisbon for almost one year, I received a job offer to join the IT (Information Technologies) department of a new mobile phone company and began my career as a “Systems Engineer”. From that moment on I’ve been working in the same company.
Since I finished school I’ve been yearning to go to the University but I guess I never had the courage, and I had to keep up with my new duties (house, car, everything to pay from my own pocket!) so I couldn’t stop working. Now I regret I haven’t done it before, “I’m loving it” and after all, being away from school for 14 years makes a “nice” difference! It’s quite singular to be in a class with so many fresh minds… huuuummmm… how I miss those days, that vivacity, those “were the days”!!! So if you allow me to dare I’ll leave you a piece of advice: Enjoy it well, listen, observe, learn, and have loads of fun!
Since I finished school I’ve been yearning to go to the University but I guess I never had the courage, and I had to keep up with my new duties (house, car, everything to pay from my own pocket!) so I couldn’t stop working. Now I regret I haven’t done it before, “I’m loving it” and after all, being away from school for 14 years makes a “nice” difference! It’s quite singular to be in a class with so many fresh minds… huuuummmm… how I miss those days, that vivacity, those “were the days”!!! So if you allow me to dare I’ll leave you a piece of advice: Enjoy it well, listen, observe, learn, and have loads of fun!
I am a very nostalgic person! I have “saudades” of being younger, of living in Porto, of my family and friends (which are still living in Porto), of not having responsibilities :-D But being older hassn’t necessarily brought bad things to my life, I have my own house (don’t have one with a garden and a dog, YET), I have my bombastic Peugeot 206 who I gently baptized as my “Garanhão”! I have good friends who I know I can count on, I have a nice job with nice colleagues and even nicer salary which allows me to do the things I like the most, such as travelling and being here learning English with you…
What made me apply for this course were two main reasons:
First I’ve always loved learning languages, if I had continued studying at the age of 18, I would have probably become a teacher or an unemployed person :-D
The other reason that made me want to go back to school was the fact that I’ve always wanted to learn more all through these years I’ve been learning a lot, from the courses I took and all the jobs I had, but now I feel that it’s time to learn something that I choose, something to make me feel that when I’m studying I’m not just learning, I’m having great pleasure from this.
The other reason that made me want to go back to school was the fact that I’ve always wanted to learn more all through these years I’ve been learning a lot, from the courses I took and all the jobs I had, but now I feel that it’s time to learn something that I choose, something to make me feel that when I’m studying I’m not just learning, I’m having great pleasure from this.
And that’s all I’ll write about myself for the moment (as if 589405 words weren’t enough), I wish you all a pleasant journey throughout these 3 years!
See you next Tuesday,
Sandra
Sandra
Cynthia Tiny
Hi my name is Cynthia, I'm 20 soon turning 21.
I was born in lisbon but I'm really from Sao Tomé and Principe.
I've lived in different countries such as Congo, Cape Verde, Mozambique and most recently France. The change from France to Portugal is quite big - different cultures and people but specially getting to know a new country, but to be honest I love a challenge.
I've just started classes in translation and it's quite interesting. It's a big change from law. I came late so I missed "the hazing" which I was really looking forward too. That’s ok next year I'll be part of it.
I like to do a lot of stuff but mostly my hobbies are dancing, listening to music, traveling, shopping, reading and helping people in need.
I like to picture the world positively even though things aren't positive with wars, massacres, suicide bombings, fires, floods, hunger and poverty which are just examples. Our world is beautiful and it's amazing, I wish to do something to protect all of its beauty.
On a lighter notice I'd like to state that I think family and friends are treasures that should be cherished and loved, at least that’s what I do.
I'm really happy to be in this university. I think it has it flaws but falso it has strengths. I hope to learn and share experiences in this English class.
Felipe Vourakis
A very nice lady and I.
Well, same-o... Yellow! My name is Felipe Vourakis Barbosa, 27.
As practically all of you already know I am Brazilian and, as any other good Brazilian, I have Portuguese ancestry but I have got also Greek and only God knows what else.
It is been only 5 months since I have come to Portugal (Lisbon) and I am really enjoying life here despite all the go-back-to-your-country looks ‘they’ give me when my accent pops out into some conversation.
However, I have realized by now that ‘they’ are the saddest folks around (every country has got
some of them) and well, let us put the ironical idea of having Brazilians invading Portugal aside and understand that practically all nations are to have such immigration numbers nowadays due to simple facts, for example, that we have now more efficient ways of transportation. Lifestyles are changing at the speed of a jet plane…
I have not talked much about myself yet so, here I go:
I have got the nicest Brazilian girl as my girlfriend convinced to come to Portugal to live with me.
Her name is Flavia, 28, (the girl in the picture) and she is also a student of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, working on her master’s degree.
As some of you must know, it is kind of hard to be far away from home sometimes and by now, I am really missing my dear Brasilia but I find it is important for my personal development to live abroad, experimenting new cultures among new people.
See you good people in our good classroom in the presence of our good old teacher David.
Well, same-o... Yellow! My name is Felipe Vourakis Barbosa, 27.
As practically all of you already know I am Brazilian and, as any other good Brazilian, I have Portuguese ancestry but I have got also Greek and only God knows what else.
It is been only 5 months since I have come to Portugal (Lisbon) and I am really enjoying life here despite all the go-back-to-your-country looks ‘they’ give me when my accent pops out into some conversation.
However, I have realized by now that ‘they’ are the saddest folks around (every country has got
some of them) and well, let us put the ironical idea of having Brazilians invading Portugal aside and understand that practically all nations are to have such immigration numbers nowadays due to simple facts, for example, that we have now more efficient ways of transportation. Lifestyles are changing at the speed of a jet plane…
I have not talked much about myself yet so, here I go:
I have got the nicest Brazilian girl as my girlfriend convinced to come to Portugal to live with me.
Her name is Flavia, 28, (the girl in the picture) and she is also a student of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, working on her master’s degree.
As some of you must know, it is kind of hard to be far away from home sometimes and by now, I am really missing my dear Brasilia but I find it is important for my personal development to live abroad, experimenting new cultures among new people.
See you good people in our good classroom in the presence of our good old teacher David.
José Abreu II ^^
Hi there Class 2.1 of English =), for those who don’t know me, I’m José Abreu. I chose “Tradução” (yes, I know how to say translation, but tradução sounds manlier!! =P) course and my two languages are English and Spanish. As some of you already know, my workplace is at Vasco da Gama’s Worten; I work full-time at the after-sale support, thus the reason of not attending classes for a while now, soon I’ll be free to go every day.
Well, since this work is a mean to introduce ourselves, I guess I’ll start with the things I like to do. I like to rest! =) How’s that for an activity...No? Just kidding, I like very much to play football, even though I’m no Cristiano Ronaldo, I like streetwear, watches, Ball caps, I like to go shopping (yes girls! a boy who likes shopping!! ^^ ), and the thing I like, no, the thing I love most is to listening to music and making music!
I consider myself an eclectic person when it comes to listening music; every genre has its good and bad aspects. My preference goes to Rap Music. Not every kind of rap, I like real lyricists who can put up a song with double meaning, with lots of analogies, metaphors, and with nice cadence and rhythmic flow. I guess you’ll have plenty of time to get to know me and to know the things I like and dislike. See you at campus!
I have to thank David for being as understanding as he is concerning my work-study situation, I hope to be soon free to see you all in a daily bases!
José Abreu
Bruno Carvalho
Hello everybody! My name is Bruno Carvalho and this is my very own presentation.
I was born in 1984 (yes, that makes me older then the majority of you) and live in Almada.
I spent a couple of years trying to figure out what to do with myself, and finally decided to come to university. So here I am, still adapting to this new chapter of my life. So far, it is being a positive experience. Still, having to get up at 6.30 in the morning has been particularly difficult for me in these first weeks.
What more can I say about myself? My girlfriend (the lovely lady in the picture with me) calls me “Garfield”, not that I am fat and orange, but because I’m lazy. If I could, I would stay in bed all day. Unfortunately I can’t. I also enjoy doing things that don’t require me to move much, such as listening to music, watching movies, TV series and playing videogames.
When I’m not lying on the couch I like to play soccer with my friends, ride my bicycle down the hills and take my mini-Z (a small scale mini r/c car) to the race track.
This is all I can think at the moment, you will get to know me a bit more as soon as I start writing on our class blog. See you at eight!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Rita Ferrão
Hello, my name is Rita, I'm 32 years old and decided to "give it a try..."
Last May, having lost ANOTHER job, in one of my browsing-through-the-net days, I came across Universidade Nova's website and the LLC course caught my attention...In a flash, the possibility became an objective and the objective became a goal and before I realised what had really happened, there I was, first day in class: I'm at University!
I'm the eldest of 6 (four brothers and one sister ), I was born in Lisbon and apart from a year I spent in Scotland, I have lived most of my life in or around the capital.My life has been quite the "roller-coaster", in more ways than one, but all the "twists and turns" have their advantages and some of them taught me some of the most valuable things in my life: strength, knowledge, humility; and also brought me great things like true friends and some adventures...
I love motorbikes. I follow MotoGp - Motorcycling World Championship passionately on the television. know some riders and characters by heart and had the chance to meet some when they came by Estoril, where I try to go every year. I have a lot of friends amongst the motorcycling comunity and try to be at some of the main bike meetings that take place in Portugal (and occasionally Spain) during the summer.
I also had the chance to take a motorcycle mechanics course two years ago but unfortunately, due to the difficulties our Economy is going through, I never saw a proper opportunity to work as a mechanic and be decentely paid for it so I had to make some options. But "it's in my blood" so suspect it will keep on being a passion until... the last of my days!
(P.S.: The photo was taken by a friend at at bikemeeting in Vidigueira (Alentejo) and the "tough look" is to disguise discomfort when being photographed...lol)
Maria Pereira
My name is Maria and I am 21 years old.
I am here to study Translation. I had never viewed this course as a possibility until I started subtitling Lost episodes whenever the downloads with brand new episodes were available.
I work at the Lisbon Zoo as a guide during the school year and as a youth worker during the holidays. During Summer, I work with groups of kids from 6 to 15 years old and entertain them with activities in the Zoo. If it paid well enough, I would already have found my dream job.
I spent 2 years in Nursing School, but I dropped out because that was not for me. It is a very rewarding and respectful profession, but I do not fit well in it. Besides Translation, I am also currently attending the 2nd year of an Acupuncture degree at APA-DA.
During my free time, I try to keep myself busy. I spend a lot of time with my best friends, mostly doing crazy activities. I love going to the cinema and watching TV shows and I must confess I am kind of geeky in as far as those matters are concerned. I also write every now and then.
I am funny and brutally honest and I do not like secrets, because I believe they make people unhappy. So, if there is anything you would like to know, just ask me, I am an open book.
I am here to study Translation. I had never viewed this course as a possibility until I started subtitling Lost episodes whenever the downloads with brand new episodes were available.
I work at the Lisbon Zoo as a guide during the school year and as a youth worker during the holidays. During Summer, I work with groups of kids from 6 to 15 years old and entertain them with activities in the Zoo. If it paid well enough, I would already have found my dream job.
I spent 2 years in Nursing School, but I dropped out because that was not for me. It is a very rewarding and respectful profession, but I do not fit well in it. Besides Translation, I am also currently attending the 2nd year of an Acupuncture degree at APA-DA.
During my free time, I try to keep myself busy. I spend a lot of time with my best friends, mostly doing crazy activities. I love going to the cinema and watching TV shows and I must confess I am kind of geeky in as far as those matters are concerned. I also write every now and then.
I am funny and brutally honest and I do not like secrets, because I believe they make people unhappy. So, if there is anything you would like to know, just ask me, I am an open book.
Renata Azevedo
My name is Renata. I was born in the north of Portugal, in a small city called São João da Madeira, and lived there until I came to Lisbon four years ago.
This is not my first year at university. In fact, I am finishing a degree in Theatre – Acting at the School of Theatre and Film (ex-Conservatoire), which makes this my fifth year of university studies.
I studied in Bratislava for three months last year – one of the strongest life experiences I have ever had. I have also had other small adventures, as I used to spend the holidays with my parents, siblings and family friends, travelling around West Europe in a caravan.
I love learning, reading, watching films, writing, travelling and (unfortunately) sleeping. Together with learning languages, you can understand why I chose Translation (also because my wallet can not be happy onlywith a theatre producer’s wage ).
Yes, in fact I studied acting but work as a producer. I founded my own theatre company with three friends last March and we are poor but very happy. Oh well… We do theatre for young students (5th to 12th grade), and we aim to give them a different view of Portuguese literature (less serious, less formal) through comedy.
I have a passion for books. I used to eat pieces of magazines even before I could walk. I guess that was my way of reading: I devoured books. George Orwell, Bertrand Russell and Somerset Maugham are between my favourite writers (and yes, I would tell the French teacher the same).
This is not my first year at university. In fact, I am finishing a degree in Theatre – Acting at the School of Theatre and Film (ex-Conservatoire), which makes this my fifth year of university studies.
I studied in Bratislava for three months last year – one of the strongest life experiences I have ever had. I have also had other small adventures, as I used to spend the holidays with my parents, siblings and family friends, travelling around West Europe in a caravan.
I love learning, reading, watching films, writing, travelling and (unfortunately) sleeping. Together with learning languages, you can understand why I chose Translation (also because my wallet can not be happy onlywith a theatre producer’s wage ).
Yes, in fact I studied acting but work as a producer. I founded my own theatre company with three friends last March and we are poor but very happy. Oh well… We do theatre for young students (5th to 12th grade), and we aim to give them a different view of Portuguese literature (less serious, less formal) through comedy.
I have a passion for books. I used to eat pieces of magazines even before I could walk. I guess that was my way of reading: I devoured books. George Orwell, Bertrand Russell and Somerset Maugham are between my favourite writers (and yes, I would tell the French teacher the same).
Luís Dragonov
Please allow me to introduce myself.
Name's Luís and I'm pretty much your average, world-weary, 20-year-young man. I wish I could say I was a man of wealth but I guess I'll stick with being a man of taste. I enjoy art of all kinds but I have to admit I'm not eager to bask in the modern, abstract arts with all their violent expressions, vague imagery or bled colours splayed across a canvas, of a bunch of cans welded together or a crack running through the floor. After all, art is an expression – an expression of the artist's soul. If its point and meaning is left entirely to the audience, then it is not art. It is a prop and the artist becomes little more than a fisherman, casting a line and trying to pick on alien and outside-born sentiments.
Name's Luís and I'm pretty much your average, world-weary, 20-year-young man. I wish I could say I was a man of wealth but I guess I'll stick with being a man of taste. I enjoy art of all kinds but I have to admit I'm not eager to bask in the modern, abstract arts with all their violent expressions, vague imagery or bled colours splayed across a canvas, of a bunch of cans welded together or a crack running through the floor. After all, art is an expression – an expression of the artist's soul. If its point and meaning is left entirely to the audience, then it is not art. It is a prop and the artist becomes little more than a fisherman, casting a line and trying to pick on alien and outside-born sentiments.
Most would say that I have a rather sardonic and all-pervasive sense of humor but I don't relish or enjoy it. It's amusing to see others laugh and giggle but it tires me and I wish I could be more serious. I just can't help it – it's like being stuck on automatic, your mouth speaking before your brain can stop and perk its brow at what's commng out of it. I wish I could just stop being excessively funny.
College has been, thus far, a new experience that is both cathartic and frightening. It is my first taste, albeit a bit dim and gentle, of the real world – a world where you have to chase your own goals through your own means. It's scary, much akin to not knowing where your next step will land, but it is also a learning experience. And not just in the academic sense but also on a very real, very personal manner.
On the academic side, however, it's a bit more vague than I was expecting. There's hardly a yardstick to continuously measure my progress and the quality of my work. Seriously? I never thought I would miss the torrent of monthly tests that I endured throughout my primary and secondary schooling years, but I do!
I suppose I'm still getting used to it – 'it' being the routine, the faculty and the people. I can feel my voice tangling up before I read and I kind of jump at the questions, trying to (I suppose) prove myself in one way or the other, only to, of course, fail most of the time.
But things are looking up. I am growing, both as a young adult and as a future professional, and I'm getting to know my collegues better. Hopefully I'll be able to show what I'm really capable of.
Sara Santos
Hello classmates!
I’m Sara Santos and I’m 18 years old.
I’m Sara Santos and I’m 18 years old.
I live in Seixal, with my mother and my female dog. I have two sisters (Patrícia, 27 and Marisa, 32) and four nephews with ages from 1 to 7 years.
In case you’re wondering about it, they are not that “cute” (specially when they’re all together, they become real devils) and yes, I shout a lot. (I present to you the “dark side” of Sara! >_<)
I love to laugh (I laugh so much that I hiccup sometimes). I also like to sleep, to watch television (I’m totally addicted to it), to go out (as I’ve mentioned), to read, etc. I’m addicted to music, gums, computers, games, TV series, movies, anime, chocolate…and some other things I can’t remember right now.
I’m stubborn, I like to be in command and I get (really) annoyed when things aren’t the way I want them to be. Well, nobody is perfect. Now I’ll let you know about my “bright side”: I see myself as a person who is funny, extrovert, humble, different, that likes to listen and be heard, that worries about her family and friends…I could continue, but I can’t think of any more adjectives that would fit my description and, let’s be honest, it would take away all the fun.
I’m not that evil, so you can talk with me anytime, if you want to get to know me better. ;) *
José Abreu
Hi there Class 2.1 of English =)
For those who don’t know me, I’m José Abreu.
For those who don’t know me, I’m José Abreu.
I chose the “Tradução” (yes, I know how to say translation, but tradução sounds manlier!! =P) course and my two languages are English and Spanish. As some of you already know, my place of work is at Vasco da Gama’s Worten; I work full-time in the after-sale’s support, hence the reason of not attending classes for a while now, but soon I’ll be free to go every day.
Well, since this assignment is a means of introducing ourselves, I guess I’ll start with the things I like to do. I like to rest! =) How’s that for an activity...No? Just kidding. I like to play football very much, even though I’m no Cristiano Ronaldo, I like streetwear, watches, Ball caps. I like to go shopping (yes girls! a boy who likes shopping!! ^^ ), and the thing I like, no, the thing I love most is to listening to music and making music!
I consider myself an eclectic person when it comes to listening to music; every genre has its good and bad aspects. My preference goes to Rap Music. Not every kind of rap; I like real lyricists who can put out a song with double meaning, with lots of analogies, metaphors, and with a nice cadence and rhythmic flow.
I consider myself an eclectic person when it comes to listening to music; every genre has its good and bad aspects. My preference goes to Rap Music. Not every kind of rap; I like real lyricists who can put out a song with double meaning, with lots of analogies, metaphors, and with a nice cadence and rhythmic flow.
I guess you’ll have plenty of time to get to know me and to know the things I like and dislike. See you on campus!
Saul Santos
Hello.
My name is Saul Santos, I'm 17 years old, my hair is black and my eyes are green. I love to skate, I love music, I love to laugh, and I love my friends.
I could go on with a description of how I think I am, but I had a better idea. Why not ask my friends what their opinion about me is. That's what I did. Here's what they say about me:
Luis, Cartaxo: Saul is a great friend. He is always there when you need him, gives good advice, is loyal to his friends and he always manages to make those around him laugh. He is a pacifier, although insecure and pessimistic sometimes.
Vanessa, Aveiras de Cima:Well, starting with his qualities, I really think he is a 5-star friend. You have a never-ending patience to hear other people's problems. You give advice that really helps. You are very nice and funny. I really like your eyes. . . ehehe. Now. . . defects. . . let me think about them. . . I guess you don't have any :D. I really think you are a really nice guy.
Sandra, University:You're a very nice kid, happy and extremely funny, and you are a good friend. One of your defects is that you're very noisy, that is, you're never unnoticed. You're one of those persons who are always goofing around but, if a serious conversation is necessary, you'll quit the goofing and have a serious talk. You're a little childish sometimes though. Sara,
Godmother:Saul’s one of the best friends you could ever have! He's bright, helpful and always has a smile to cheer you up! He's also a little bit pessimistic and thinks too much about his problems, but hey, no one's perfect! If you want to have fun, he's the best person to choose! That's it. . . I haven't made any changes to their statements. . . I just translated them, I didn't cheat :D. . . But, I really think you should get to know me in person and make your own opinion.
Don't be afraid of speaking to me. I'm friendly :D. ---That's it. I hope it is ok. See you tomorrow.
Saul Santos
Ana Teresa Sousa
Hello David!
My name is Ana Teresa Sousa and I am one of your English students.
I am 18 years old and I live in Oeiras, which is awful, because it takes me more than one hour to arrive at the university! I live with my parents and my younger sister Carolina. My sister and I have a good relationship and in spite of being only 16 she’s very mature for her age and she’s a great artist too.
I’m studying Translation and this first month of classes gave me a good impression about the course. I do not have any complaints (yet)!
I like music, as everyone of my age. I listen to all kinds of music but I prefer older bands from the 60’s to the 90’s. THEY ROCK :)
Well, my favorite band of all time is the Rolling Stones. I started listening to the Stones when I was about 10 because of my father. We actually went together to their shows here in Portugal and seeing dad rocking there was really funny!
I love almost all the music of the 80’s and 90’s from rock to “Brit pop” like Blur or Oasis. But now I’m really into an alternative rock, sort of indie like The Libertines.
Well, my favorite band of all time is the Rolling Stones. I started listening to the Stones when I was about 10 because of my father. We actually went together to their shows here in Portugal and seeing dad rocking there was really funny!
I love almost all the music of the 80’s and 90’s from rock to “Brit pop” like Blur or Oasis. But now I’m really into an alternative rock, sort of indie like The Libertines.
In my free time I also enjoy reading, writing and drawing. But now my favorite thing to do is playing with my cats! YEAH J One month ago my female cat Duquesa had a baby. And my sister and I decided to call him Pavarotti because he is really really fat and has a lot of hair (they are Persian cats). He is learning to walk and he’s always falling over, especially when he tries to run! He’s adorable and as you can see I love cats.
I’ve got nothing more to say, so see you. J
Isabel Ruivo
Dear Teacher and Colleagues,
My name is Isabel Ruivo and I am a student from this English Class (B2.1) in the first semester.
It is my first year as a student at this University and, from what I have already seen and experienced, I am really enjoying it. I am enjoying the place, people (teachers and students) and the subjects. I was a little bit afraid of what would await me when I chose this degree (Languages, Literatures and Culture – Portuguese/English), but I think it has, at least for now, been easy to adapt.
I am not from Lisbon,, but from Evora (a city in Alto Alentejo for those who do not know) and I have been living on a farm near the city for two years.
I have two brothers: an older sister, Inês (twenty years old), who also studies in Lisbon and is taking a degree on Maths, and a younger brother, João (seventeen years old), who is in High School.
In Lisbon I am living in Arroios with my sister, a friend of our who studies at “Instituto Superior Técnico”, Ricardo, and another girl who also studies at my University, Cláudia.
In my free time, I like to read, to go to the cinema, listen to music (which I am always doing, by the way) and go out with my friends.
In my free time, I like to read, to go to the cinema, listen to music (which I am always doing, by the way) and go out with my friends.
I hope I can do my best in this subject (as in all the others, of course). I really hope I can “reach my own goals”, which means, improve myself and be always learning.
I also hope I can make and maintain friends here, because, in my opinion, it makes everything easier!
Isabel
I also hope I can make and maintain friends here, because, in my opinion, it makes everything easier!
Isabel
Melissa Coelho
Dear teacher and students,
If you didn’t know yet, my name is Mélissa Coelho-Carpentier and I’m in your class of English for the first semester. As you can see from my last name, I’m Portuguese and Canadian. I was born in Montréal. I moved here two years ago... two wonderful years. It was my decision to come and live here and I have never regretted it. Even when I came to see my grandparents a few times, I fell in love with Portugal.
Here I am: twenty years old and I’m the second child of a family of four. I have one older sister and two younger brothers. Oh! And I have been an aunt for four months and a half and I am really proud (“Tia babada”).
I am now living in Saldanha with my six cousins! Living with them is a great experience. I enjoy living here in Lisbon. Definitely, I prefer big cities. In my free time, I like practicing sports: volleyball, tennis and swimming. I also like watching movies and dancing…I love dancing!
I hope I’ll finish my degree course, Languages, Literatures and Cultures (French and English) in three years and learn as much as possible.
If you didn’t know yet, my name is Mélissa Coelho-Carpentier and I’m in your class of English for the first semester. As you can see from my last name, I’m Portuguese and Canadian. I was born in Montréal. I moved here two years ago... two wonderful years. It was my decision to come and live here and I have never regretted it. Even when I came to see my grandparents a few times, I fell in love with Portugal.
Here I am: twenty years old and I’m the second child of a family of four. I have one older sister and two younger brothers. Oh! And I have been an aunt for four months and a half and I am really proud (“Tia babada”).
I am now living in Saldanha with my six cousins! Living with them is a great experience. I enjoy living here in Lisbon. Definitely, I prefer big cities. In my free time, I like practicing sports: volleyball, tennis and swimming. I also like watching movies and dancing…I love dancing!
I hope I’ll finish my degree course, Languages, Literatures and Cultures (French and English) in three years and learn as much as possible.
Sara Ribeiro
Hello! My name is Sara and I am in this English class with David Hardisty, our teacher. I am 17 and I live in Infantado, Loures. but my father is from Guimarães, where this picture was taken. Ok, maybe it was not taken there but I am sure it was somewhere near - I cannot remember precisely.
I have a 5-year-old brother whose teeth have just begun falling out making him even more funny and cute than he was before. My father is a musician and my mother works in a bank, which are two very different areas of society but that was never a problem for us. Well, living with an artist is not always easy but it is very helpful when you want to get tickets for free.
I used to be a classical dancer, at least I was trying to become one, when I was a little girl but I had to quit at the age of ten, which still makes me feel sad even today. One of my passions is writing, though I am always afraid to show what I write to others. Since I can remember, I always had a book next to my bed. My friends thought I was crazy and now I can see that maybe they were right because any normal 9-year-old girl does not read Anne Frank’s Diary and I did.
I am a huge fan of Formula 1 though my knowledge about cars is not that big. At this moment I am very happy because my favourite driver has just won the championship and it is my belief that it was that which gave me the inspiration to write this presentation. I also like cooking but everyone around me says that I am not very good at it. However, I will keep trying and maybe one day I will surprise them all, at least I hope so.
Síliva Jesus
'Hello David! Hello everyone!
My name is Sílvia Jesus, I am 20 years old (really close to 21 \o/ ) and I am a worker student - at least for a little longer...I work at a law firm as a secretary (I will have to quit in order to attend classes because the job is from 9:00 to 18:30 - totally incompatible!).
I live in Cacém with my parents, my boyfriend and my crazy dog whose name is Limp - that's because when he was a puppy he could not walk in a straight line. He is fine now though! Soon I'll be moving to my own new place ( :D ). I am just waiting for the paperwork to be ready... it seems to take forever!
My favourite things in life are sleeping (yes I am quite lazy)... watching horror movies (I always shut my eyes and say it is too much for my stomach, but I love them!) and enjoy my quietness when I have it (and that is pretty much never...). I LOVE cooking too David. My favourite thing is ravioli or tortellini with my own special sauce which I keep changing it whenever I do it...
This is a photo of me and the person I love the most in my life,my cousin Rafael, at my grandmother's house. Rafael is a little over a year old and he loves to dance (or at least he tries to...) to the sound of anything that has a tune even if it's just a commercial on the television. Well, that's all I guess, see you next class!!'
Monday, November 5, 2007
Online Communities
Hello, this is Ana Pires again, nice to see you. :)
Last time I wrote a post here, I said I'd do another one soon about my favorite online communities. You can look me up on any of them, as I'm pretty active on these that I'm going to post. So here they go:
I know I might sound a bit obsessed here, but again with PostSecret. There's a community now, and it's the nicest and most comprehensive place online, so if you want to meet nice people, or just share your secrets, go there.
Because most of us are on a course related to languages, here is PhraseBase. It deals with pretty much every language there is. Besides being able to get and to offer help, you can go into "language exchange", which means you help someone with a language you know, and that someone helps you with a language they know.
Again, for friends and practicing fluency, E-pal World. The name pretty much explains itself, so I'll leave it at that.
For you music lovers out there who, like me, enjoy finding new and great bands, PureVolume. You can either create an "Artist" or a "Listener" account.
DeviantArt. One of my biggest online passions, and one that I really enjoy spending money in. DeviantArt is the biggest Art community online, with categories ranging from Photography to Traditional to Film to Culinary Art, and with artists both proffessional and amateur. Not only that, they do a lot for the real world as well, being actively involved in several charity events.
As you probably noticed, these are all English, and if you want to be understood in any of them, you'll have to speak English. So yay, more fluency for us! :)
Also, if there's any community you love and that I don't know of (or didn't post), feel free to tell me and get me addicted.
Enjoy!
Last time I wrote a post here, I said I'd do another one soon about my favorite online communities. You can look me up on any of them, as I'm pretty active on these that I'm going to post. So here they go:
I know I might sound a bit obsessed here, but again with PostSecret. There's a community now, and it's the nicest and most comprehensive place online, so if you want to meet nice people, or just share your secrets, go there.
Because most of us are on a course related to languages, here is PhraseBase. It deals with pretty much every language there is. Besides being able to get and to offer help, you can go into "language exchange", which means you help someone with a language you know, and that someone helps you with a language they know.
Again, for friends and practicing fluency, E-pal World. The name pretty much explains itself, so I'll leave it at that.
For you music lovers out there who, like me, enjoy finding new and great bands, PureVolume. You can either create an "Artist" or a "Listener" account.
DeviantArt. One of my biggest online passions, and one that I really enjoy spending money in. DeviantArt is the biggest Art community online, with categories ranging from Photography to Traditional to Film to Culinary Art, and with artists both proffessional and amateur. Not only that, they do a lot for the real world as well, being actively involved in several charity events.
As you probably noticed, these are all English, and if you want to be understood in any of them, you'll have to speak English. So yay, more fluency for us! :)
Also, if there's any community you love and that I don't know of (or didn't post), feel free to tell me and get me addicted.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Music
We didn't have this blog running when we talked about music. You made some great comments about music in the writing you did that day. Perhaps you could share some thoughts (either as comments to this post or, if larger, as posts in themsevles - you choose!).
David
PS I'll start the comments!
David
PS I'll start the comments!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare - Abridged (As Obras Completas de William Shakespeare em 97 minutos)
Hello there!
If you have time don't miss this play http://www.companhiateatraldochiado.pt/.
It's not in English but it's extremely amusing and it's all about William Shakespeare!
Enjoy it!!!
Sandra
If you have time don't miss this play http://www.companhiateatraldochiado.pt/.
It's not in English but it's extremely amusing and it's all about William Shakespeare!
Enjoy it!!!
Sandra
Class Summary: 30/10/07
Hello!
I don't know if I'm supposed to do this for this lesson, but whatever.
We started the class with exercises 1 and 2 on page 53 of the coursebook. Then we did the Speaking exercise on page 52 and talked about writing as well as reading.
We went on talking about the differences between men and women when it comes to reading and writing and David distributed two articles about that subject.
We pretty much spent the class talking about interesting issues. In English, of course. =P
Maria
I don't know if I'm supposed to do this for this lesson, but whatever.
We started the class with exercises 1 and 2 on page 53 of the coursebook. Then we did the Speaking exercise on page 52 and talked about writing as well as reading.
We went on talking about the differences between men and women when it comes to reading and writing and David distributed two articles about that subject.
We pretty much spent the class talking about interesting issues. In English, of course. =P
Maria
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Blog addictions, some links
Hello, this is Ana Pires writing. How are you? :)
So, I love writing on my blog. And I love reading other blogs. I like some so much, I thought I should share. That and... I'm bored out of my mind. Anyway...
As Maria has already linked on the links section, there's the always amazing PostSecret. PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I know it may seem a bit too "heavy" or deep, but go there, you might just find a secret of yours sent and posted by someone else. I know I do, every single Sunday.
Life Hack, hacks, tips and tricks that get things done quickly by automating, increase productivity and organizing. I'm aware this might not sound so much fun, but give it a try, you'll end up finding something that'll interest you.
Engadget.com, a popular technology blog, for you geeks out there.
Cool Podcasts, a h.u.g.e list of podcasts you can subscribe to. It's guaranteed you'll find something that fits your tastes there.
Just a cute blog, Overheard In New York. It basically collects pieces of conversations the authors overhear in New York. Strangely addictive.
Indexed, a really simple, intelligent and funny blog.
To finish up, and not to make this just a normal list of links. Do you know what lolcats are? Some of you may find it a bit silly. Some, however, may find it hilarious, like me. I don't know if it's the cuteness, or the terrible, eye-hurting English. I just find it funny. And disclaimer: don't write like that, it's funny there, not in a paper for University :P
I Can Has Cheezburger? (no spelling mistakes here, that's really the blog's name)
It's kind of what David said. If you can find something that you enjoy, and that happens to be in English, hold on to it. I'll probably make another post soon with my favourite online communities (something that has helped my fluency a great deal) but right now, I hope you enjoy reading the blogs and that they'll help you with your English.
Thank you for reading! :)
So, I love writing on my blog. And I love reading other blogs. I like some so much, I thought I should share. That and... I'm bored out of my mind. Anyway...
As Maria has already linked on the links section, there's the always amazing PostSecret. PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. I know it may seem a bit too "heavy" or deep, but go there, you might just find a secret of yours sent and posted by someone else. I know I do, every single Sunday.
Life Hack, hacks, tips and tricks that get things done quickly by automating, increase productivity and organizing. I'm aware this might not sound so much fun, but give it a try, you'll end up finding something that'll interest you.
Engadget.com, a popular technology blog, for you geeks out there.
Cool Podcasts, a h.u.g.e list of podcasts you can subscribe to. It's guaranteed you'll find something that fits your tastes there.
Just a cute blog, Overheard In New York. It basically collects pieces of conversations the authors overhear in New York. Strangely addictive.
Indexed, a really simple, intelligent and funny blog.
To finish up, and not to make this just a normal list of links. Do you know what lolcats are? Some of you may find it a bit silly. Some, however, may find it hilarious, like me. I don't know if it's the cuteness, or the terrible, eye-hurting English. I just find it funny. And disclaimer: don't write like that, it's funny there, not in a paper for University :P
I Can Has Cheezburger? (no spelling mistakes here, that's really the blog's name)
It's kind of what David said. If you can find something that you enjoy, and that happens to be in English, hold on to it. I'll probably make another post soon with my favourite online communities (something that has helped my fluency a great deal) but right now, I hope you enjoy reading the blogs and that they'll help you with your English.
Thank you for reading! :)
Class Summary: 25/10/07
I'm not very good at summaries, because I have the memory of a fish, but I'll do my best.
The class was about movies and we started with a few exercises about Girl With a Pearl Earring on pages 130 and 131. While we were doing them, we were focused on movie-related vocabulary.
Then we worked together in pairs and chose a movie of our preferences to introduce to the class. And, well, we pretty much spent the rest of the time talking about movies.
Near the end, David showed us the content of the coursebook CD and a few more websites.
For more "official" information, check out http://englishateight.blogspot.com .
Maria
The class was about movies and we started with a few exercises about Girl With a Pearl Earring on pages 130 and 131. While we were doing them, we were focused on movie-related vocabulary.
Then we worked together in pairs and chose a movie of our preferences to introduce to the class. And, well, we pretty much spent the rest of the time talking about movies.
Near the end, David showed us the content of the coursebook CD and a few more websites.
For more "official" information, check out http://englishateight.blogspot.com .
Maria
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A Few Links to Explore
The Internet is a nice and democratic place (so far, anyway) and there are always refreshing links to surprise us.
David knows a few ones and he would like us to explore them and well, why not?
Here they are:
- http://www.freerice.com - the one we talked about in class, where we donate rice by training our vocabulary (who would ever think of that? xD)
- http://www.macmillanenglish.com/straightforward/ - a website with activities related to our coursebook
Go and try them out, always good for our english. =)
Maria
David knows a few ones and he would like us to explore them and well, why not?
Here they are:
- http://www.freerice.com - the one we talked about in class, where we donate rice by training our vocabulary (who would ever think of that? xD)
- http://www.macmillanenglish.com/straightforward/ - a website with activities related to our coursebook
Go and try them out, always good for our english. =)
Maria
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Logging on
To log on, go to Login, top right of screen, insert the blog mail englishclass8@gmail.com and talk to a classmate who knows the password.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Suggested Rules (To Be Agreed Upon in Class)
Hello again!
I talked to David a few days ago and he suggested a few rules we could follow in order to our blog be correctly used.
Here are the rules, so far:
"1. This blog is for English students to express their creativity. If text, in English (you could start a blog for Portuguese...)". You could always post videos or images and avoid the English speaking!xD But the main idea is to write in English when you want to express yourself through words.
"2. We respect each other, so do not make fun of anyone's creations - praise when we want, but leave criticism aside."
That's all, folks!
See you tomorrow.
Maria
I talked to David a few days ago and he suggested a few rules we could follow in order to our blog be correctly used.
Here are the rules, so far:
"1. This blog is for English students to express their creativity. If text, in English (you could start a blog for Portuguese...)". You could always post videos or images and avoid the English speaking!xD But the main idea is to write in English when you want to express yourself through words.
"2. We respect each other, so do not make fun of anyone's creations - praise when we want, but leave criticism aside."
That's all, folks!
See you tomorrow.
Maria
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Hello!
Hey, everybody!
This is a shy attempt of a blog. There's a brand new post to welcome everyone, there are links on the side and that's about it so far. I took the liberty to put David's blogs (for both the English class and Informática da Tradução) and a few of my personal favorites on the Link list, you can add yours later if you want to. Or ask me to do it, I'm easy to convince. x)
The blog mail is: englishclass8@gmail.com. I'll give you the password on Tuesday so everyone can join the party.
If you find the template lame or disagree about any matter, you can complain and suggest better options.
I don't think I have anything else to say, so have a nice weekend!=) And David, forgive any mistakes you may find here. eheh
Maria
This is a shy attempt of a blog. There's a brand new post to welcome everyone, there are links on the side and that's about it so far. I took the liberty to put David's blogs (for both the English class and Informática da Tradução) and a few of my personal favorites on the Link list, you can add yours later if you want to. Or ask me to do it, I'm easy to convince. x)
The blog mail is: englishclass8@gmail.com. I'll give you the password on Tuesday so everyone can join the party.
If you find the template lame or disagree about any matter, you can complain and suggest better options.
I don't think I have anything else to say, so have a nice weekend!=) And David, forgive any mistakes you may find here. eheh
Maria
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)