This week’s assignment, the sixth, is a carte blanche! (How could you do this to us Marika??) We have to decide on our own what we are going to write about. This requires a lot from us! and it is not easy. Through the weeks I have been thinking what my topic would be about, and even up till now I haven’t made up my mind. Our work should be coherent, focused and structured….and interesting of course.
I don’t know if this is an interesting thing to read about, but it is something that I often think about, and would improve if I could.
Sometimes, or often, I get really upset over my lack of rapidness when it comes to answering back. For example if a person answers you back in a not friendly tone, I get so surprised or paralyzed and I can’t find anything to say. It is not until after, when the person is long gone, that I find the words. (By then the sentences are so good, of course)!
I wish that I could be more relaxed when I talk to people that I don’t know. Because when I talk to someone that I do know, and who is very familiar to me, I have no problem at all finding words. I realize that this is a common thing, and that almost everyone feels this way. Nevertheless I wish that I was one of these people that had a “fast tongue”. Because there is a few people that have this rapid mind, and will answer back with something clever.
It is not just when I meet horrible people I would like to be a “quick thinker”. It could be when I talk to my boss for example. I remember one year, when I still was in school (to become a teacher) and went up to my former job - I was going to work there for the summer. My boss gave me my timetable for the weeks that I was going to work. I had told her that I didn’t want to work at midsummer. (This work was in a hospital and then you work throughout the week, it doesn’t matter that it is Christmas, midsummer or whatever)! I saw that she had put me up for midsummer-eve and I questioned her decision. She then told me that I didn’t work last midsummer and it was my turn to do it. I got numb and didn’t find anything to say – until I got home, and then it was too late. I was angry at myself that I didn’t tell her that it was really my decision when to work, because I was no longer there full time. She should be glad that I wanted to work there at all. In a way I think that she thought that she did me a favor, and I thought that I did her one. You maybe wonder how it ended – if I said something, I mean?! No, of course I didn’t. I went to work on Midsummer-eve and thought: Ok! it will pay off, anyway. On midsummer-eve, you see, you get more money. So I went there with this on my mind! (It feels really good to get this out of my chest – now…about thirteen years later).
I think that it isn’t just my brain that goes bananas and get blackouts when it comes to this. I’m really a coward, and it is easier to say something to someone when they don’t hear. I think that I get more courageous as I get older and this is something to look forward to, isn’t it? Maybe it is one good thing with getting older; you learn to stick up for yourself and answer back when you meet stupid people.
This is all I have to say for now!
I think that this has been a very nice and good way to learn how to write in English. (Blogging I mean). It has been hard but really fun too.
To all the readers out there: I wish you all a nice summer!
/Annelie
söndag 10 maj 2009
söndag 26 april 2009
Assignment 5
This week’s assignment is about democracy and freedom. How democratic is a country, if you’re increasing the people’s freedom with cameras and other controlling things. If you are always being watched and controlled, can you then call yourself free? The question that Marika want us to write about is:
What is good and bad about restricting the freedom of a democratic country in order to preserve democracy itself?
On one hand cameras can be good if you want to protect something, like at the school that I work. At evenings and weekends there are plenty of teenagers that are staying outside, on the playground. And it has happened, several times, that windows and other things have been broken. Maybe a camera would protect the schools property. Maybe the youngsters would let things be, and think twice before they broke something?
It would be easier to discover terrorists if we had cameras that controls the surroundings. If I remember correctly a terrorist attack were stopped because of cameras that caught the terrorists’ preparations. So you can say: thanks to the cameras a lot of peoples’ lives were saved that time.
Another positive thing with cameras would be to protect citizens late at night. It has been more dangerous to walk alone, in or outside the city at nighttime. I don’t know if it actually has been more dangerous. I don’t know if it’s because of my age that I feel more scared, and think that it’s rather frightening to walk by myself at night. It happens a lot of scary things anyway, and maybe there wouldn’t be as much if there were cameras in every corner, watching over you?
On the other hand cameras could make you feel a bit paranoid, I think. I wouldn’t feel comfortable if I knew that I’m being watched all the time.
What is the next step? Maybe you have to leave a picture of yourself and maybe even a film sequence where you can see how your body moves (if the cameras show a man/woman from a long distance). What’s the point having a camera if you can’t recognize the people that they are showing? Then we have come to a society that really has increased the freedom and democracy. It has become a little bit less democratic, I believe.
We have to be able to rely on each other and the society has to rely on people. I think it is difficult to do so if the society has decided that everyone of us is a potential terrorist, rapist or murderer. Maybe we get more scared and look over our shoulders more often because of this. Instead of making us feel secure, the cameras make us feel more frightened.
To preserve democracy we have to have a control system. We have to have different sorts of organizations that protect us and the democracy itself. But I think it is important to really think twice before you letting new things in.
This week’s assignment is about democracy and freedom. How democratic is a country, if you’re increasing the people’s freedom with cameras and other controlling things. If you are always being watched and controlled, can you then call yourself free? The question that Marika want us to write about is:
What is good and bad about restricting the freedom of a democratic country in order to preserve democracy itself?
On one hand cameras can be good if you want to protect something, like at the school that I work. At evenings and weekends there are plenty of teenagers that are staying outside, on the playground. And it has happened, several times, that windows and other things have been broken. Maybe a camera would protect the schools property. Maybe the youngsters would let things be, and think twice before they broke something?
It would be easier to discover terrorists if we had cameras that controls the surroundings. If I remember correctly a terrorist attack were stopped because of cameras that caught the terrorists’ preparations. So you can say: thanks to the cameras a lot of peoples’ lives were saved that time.
Another positive thing with cameras would be to protect citizens late at night. It has been more dangerous to walk alone, in or outside the city at nighttime. I don’t know if it actually has been more dangerous. I don’t know if it’s because of my age that I feel more scared, and think that it’s rather frightening to walk by myself at night. It happens a lot of scary things anyway, and maybe there wouldn’t be as much if there were cameras in every corner, watching over you?
On the other hand cameras could make you feel a bit paranoid, I think. I wouldn’t feel comfortable if I knew that I’m being watched all the time.
What is the next step? Maybe you have to leave a picture of yourself and maybe even a film sequence where you can see how your body moves (if the cameras show a man/woman from a long distance). What’s the point having a camera if you can’t recognize the people that they are showing? Then we have come to a society that really has increased the freedom and democracy. It has become a little bit less democratic, I believe.
We have to be able to rely on each other and the society has to rely on people. I think it is difficult to do so if the society has decided that everyone of us is a potential terrorist, rapist or murderer. Maybe we get more scared and look over our shoulders more often because of this. Instead of making us feel secure, the cameras make us feel more frightened.
To preserve democracy we have to have a control system. We have to have different sorts of organizations that protect us and the democracy itself. But I think it is important to really think twice before you letting new things in.
lördag 18 april 2009
Assignment 4
Grades is not good for everyone and cannot ever become a fair confirmation on what you really can.
My grades were never very good. I wasn’t a hard working student. I know I could have got higher grades if I had put my mind up to it, but I never made the effort. But it wasn’t until I got older I realized that.
I remember when we got our first grades, and I opened them in the school’s toilet. When I saw that I got the grade 2 in sport class, I got really upset. I played soccer in the summer and (outdoor-) bandy in the winter, and I thought that that would give me a higher grade. I never missed a class either (unless I was sick). I always attended the super boring lessons where we played volleyball (I really hated volleyball. The ball always hurt my arms, and I was always injured after the class) or had strength training (I hated that too). He wasn’t so versatile, our dear teacher! Anyway, I really thought that my skills in sports would give me some benefits, but no! The teacher only saw me in class (and didn’t bother notice what I did in my spare time) and, since I hated the two things he made us do, he thought that I should have that grade.
For many pupils it doesn’t even depend on their effort, when it comes to different subjects in school. Many pupils have a hard time in school and if we should grade them, on top of their already low self esteem, and give them a paper where it’s written “you are no good”! it could make them give up.
As a teacher you should give the children tools. Tools so you can cope, on your own! The grades are usual a measuring on some tests that you’ve taken. You have been studied hard and learnt what you are supposed to, and then you forget about it. Already after a few days there is only a little amount of what you read and taught that is still left. There’s so much more than the actual test. You have to learn for life, and how do you grade that??
A teacher gets to know their pupils, of course. I think it must be very hard to grade someone you know. You have the work that the student have done, but how do you grade a student you really like and have gotten to know, but he /she have done a terrible work? On the other hand how do you grade an unpleasant person who has done a terrific job? I don’t say that every teacher lets their own feelings in the grading, but I think it would be easy to do so. Even if we are professionals, we are also humans!
An argument for grades in the earlier classes is that many children need them to make some attempts. I can understand this argument, but I still think that you lose more than you gain. The children who have an easy time in school and get through school without too much trouble, will do so, with or without grades. The children who have a hard time in school could be damaged for life if they are graded in early years. They need cheers and optimism instead of grades. We can see the small steps they take, and we have to make them realize that they will manage but it will take time, and that it doesn’t matter. The small steps that they make are ok because they get forward. The main thing is that they make small successes every day and that they will be alright. Grades is not for these children, wouldn’t you agree with me??
My grades were never very good. I wasn’t a hard working student. I know I could have got higher grades if I had put my mind up to it, but I never made the effort. But it wasn’t until I got older I realized that.
I remember when we got our first grades, and I opened them in the school’s toilet. When I saw that I got the grade 2 in sport class, I got really upset. I played soccer in the summer and (outdoor-) bandy in the winter, and I thought that that would give me a higher grade. I never missed a class either (unless I was sick). I always attended the super boring lessons where we played volleyball (I really hated volleyball. The ball always hurt my arms, and I was always injured after the class) or had strength training (I hated that too). He wasn’t so versatile, our dear teacher! Anyway, I really thought that my skills in sports would give me some benefits, but no! The teacher only saw me in class (and didn’t bother notice what I did in my spare time) and, since I hated the two things he made us do, he thought that I should have that grade.
For many pupils it doesn’t even depend on their effort, when it comes to different subjects in school. Many pupils have a hard time in school and if we should grade them, on top of their already low self esteem, and give them a paper where it’s written “you are no good”! it could make them give up.
As a teacher you should give the children tools. Tools so you can cope, on your own! The grades are usual a measuring on some tests that you’ve taken. You have been studied hard and learnt what you are supposed to, and then you forget about it. Already after a few days there is only a little amount of what you read and taught that is still left. There’s so much more than the actual test. You have to learn for life, and how do you grade that??
A teacher gets to know their pupils, of course. I think it must be very hard to grade someone you know. You have the work that the student have done, but how do you grade a student you really like and have gotten to know, but he /she have done a terrible work? On the other hand how do you grade an unpleasant person who has done a terrific job? I don’t say that every teacher lets their own feelings in the grading, but I think it would be easy to do so. Even if we are professionals, we are also humans!
An argument for grades in the earlier classes is that many children need them to make some attempts. I can understand this argument, but I still think that you lose more than you gain. The children who have an easy time in school and get through school without too much trouble, will do so, with or without grades. The children who have a hard time in school could be damaged for life if they are graded in early years. They need cheers and optimism instead of grades. We can see the small steps they take, and we have to make them realize that they will manage but it will take time, and that it doesn’t matter. The small steps that they make are ok because they get forward. The main thing is that they make small successes every day and that they will be alright. Grades is not for these children, wouldn’t you agree with me??
onsdag 1 april 2009
Assignment 3
Where does the ignorance of climate change come from?
The climate change has been known since the middle of the 1950’s, according to Marika. I think it’s hard for anyone to escape this fact. Everyone knows about the climate change today, or at least have heard of it. But still there’s not so much done about it. Why is this?
If it has been known for so long, why is it that we are still destroying our world? Maybe it wasn’t for everyone to know, to start with? Did the scientists know what it was that made the change? Did they tell? It took several years for us ordinary people to find out, and realize, how significant this was for the environment. The scientist that discovered the climate change did not cry out this alarming thing that was about to happen. Now we do now and there are still not much done.
I think that many people think that it doesn’t matter what they do, because one man can’t make a difference. So they go on doing their thing. I also believe that many people think that the climate change has natural causes. The climate has always gone in cycles, and that’s what is happening right now. We’re only in a change in the cycle, and it’s nothing we can do about it! We have not been exposed to the climate change yet. A reason for peoples’ unawareness can be that we haven’t seen, or it has hardly been noted, that there is a climate change in coming! And when we notice, it is too late!
Maybe it was neglected at first when many people/industries saw the negative consequences this would bring. If you have to make drawbacks in some of your productions, because they are polluting the environment, then maybe you close your eyes, shut your ears and pretend that it is raining? I think that is what many industries have done. They will go on with their pollution until there is a law saying you can’t anymore. (Even then many factories ignore the laws and rather pay the fines instead).
Money is the most important factor in this battle towards a cleaner environment. If it wasn’t for the money, the factories/industries wouldn’t continue this disastrous way. Profit is of course what drives the industries further, but often at the expense of the environment.
The car industries make cars that run on diesel and gasoline when there is much more “improved” fuel they can choose from. Fuel that is not that dangerous to the atmosphere like these oil based energies. But the oil companies are very powerful. They force the car industries to still make cars that run on diesel and gasoline. If the car factories made more (or only) “green” cars, then the oil companies would go bankrupt. All these companies ignore the facts of the climate change.
We have to do something about this of course! But who is going to take action. Even most of the politicians are ignorant when it comes to climate change!
The climate change has been known since the middle of the 1950’s, according to Marika. I think it’s hard for anyone to escape this fact. Everyone knows about the climate change today, or at least have heard of it. But still there’s not so much done about it. Why is this?
If it has been known for so long, why is it that we are still destroying our world? Maybe it wasn’t for everyone to know, to start with? Did the scientists know what it was that made the change? Did they tell? It took several years for us ordinary people to find out, and realize, how significant this was for the environment. The scientist that discovered the climate change did not cry out this alarming thing that was about to happen. Now we do now and there are still not much done.
I think that many people think that it doesn’t matter what they do, because one man can’t make a difference. So they go on doing their thing. I also believe that many people think that the climate change has natural causes. The climate has always gone in cycles, and that’s what is happening right now. We’re only in a change in the cycle, and it’s nothing we can do about it! We have not been exposed to the climate change yet. A reason for peoples’ unawareness can be that we haven’t seen, or it has hardly been noted, that there is a climate change in coming! And when we notice, it is too late!
Maybe it was neglected at first when many people/industries saw the negative consequences this would bring. If you have to make drawbacks in some of your productions, because they are polluting the environment, then maybe you close your eyes, shut your ears and pretend that it is raining? I think that is what many industries have done. They will go on with their pollution until there is a law saying you can’t anymore. (Even then many factories ignore the laws and rather pay the fines instead).
Money is the most important factor in this battle towards a cleaner environment. If it wasn’t for the money, the factories/industries wouldn’t continue this disastrous way. Profit is of course what drives the industries further, but often at the expense of the environment.
The car industries make cars that run on diesel and gasoline when there is much more “improved” fuel they can choose from. Fuel that is not that dangerous to the atmosphere like these oil based energies. But the oil companies are very powerful. They force the car industries to still make cars that run on diesel and gasoline. If the car factories made more (or only) “green” cars, then the oil companies would go bankrupt. All these companies ignore the facts of the climate change.
We have to do something about this of course! But who is going to take action. Even most of the politicians are ignorant when it comes to climate change!
tisdag 10 mars 2009
Assignment 2
This time we are going to write about our TV-habits and the main question is:
What is it about my favourite TV-series that makes me love it?
I really like this assignment and I think that it fits me like a glove. My boyfriend thinks that I'm the number one TV-expert. My sister in law use to phone me to check what's on (TV) for the evening. Usually I can answer her which program to see, and when it starts. I have useful skills, don't you think?
My boyfriend (Michael) isn't a heavy TV-watcher and I would estimate his time in front of the TV to approximately 30 minutes per day. Me, on the other hand, is a heavy TV-user, you could even say abuser...no..I have actually ended a habit I had earlier - but I'm still watching TV a lot. Back to Michael; even though he lacks TV-interest, he went out last week and bought a flat screen TV. And it's big!!! I have always said that a TV that big, is too big for our livingroom. I thought it would be dreadful and appalling! and that it would be the only thing you see in the room. So I questioned his purchase. He doesn't even watch TV that much! Why did he have to buy this TV? Was it for me? (out of love, I mean? ha ha!!!) Or was it just a "show of" thing? (He hasn't answered my question, but now I think it's because the Hockey Playoffs). Anyway, now we have this big TV and I have changed my mind, about it being to large - it isn't!!
I love our new TV.
Michael used to say that I broke our last sofa, I wore it out!! because I was always in it (in front of the TV of course). And I must admit that lying in the sofa watching a good TV-show, or documentary, is something I really enjoy doing!
You can say it's a hobby of mine! Ha ha!
This is our new sofa, and I have to say that this is even better than the last one. I use to take my pillow and a blanket with me and lay down to watch something on TV, and if I could I would purr like a cat.
This is me lying in our sofa, watching something on the large TV!!
When I'm huddled up in the sofa, I like to see documentaries or programs like "Sex and the city", "Lipstick Jungle" or "House". "Californication" is another show I really enjoyed. However they send it to late in the evening, when I'm allready in bed, so I haven't been able to follow it this season. "Lipstick Jungle" is the number one program now I think. (This season has just ended, and I can hardly wait for the next one) It has it all!! What does a good show require then? In my opinion it has to have drama, money and loooove! It also has to have some sort of realism. Even if I know it is fiction the story must be "possible" in a way - if you know what I mean? (Science fiction does nothing for me, for example).
"Lipstick Jungle" is about three girlfriends who are in their fortys. (I can really relate to that, ha ha)! All three have well-paid jobs. (This is something I don't have, and it is so nice to follow those who have. To see their "problemfree" lives... and dream away). Two of the girls have similar jobs and they are both high up in the hierarchy. The third girl is a designer and has her own brand and company! Naturally all three of them have someone (or even two) to love, and of course these men loves them....endlessly.
My time in the sofa, watching TV is a kind of therapy for me, I think. I relax and think of nothing but the TV. In fact I'm not even thinking about the TV either! I only watch and do not need to think at all. And how good is that? In a way I think it is good for me. It's one of the things that makes me cope....I mean with job, family (4 children) and english course!! (And at the same time you have to be an outgoing, funny person with a radiant personality).
The conclusion is:
I think it's not just the TV-show I love so much - it's everything around it.
TV+Show+Sofa=Relaxation
tisdag 17 februari 2009
Assignment 1
In our first assignment our teacher, Marika, wants us to tell her about what experiences I would like the children of the world to have, as they grow up. What is the most important thing for a child? What are the responsibilities of the adult world?
The experiences I would give all the children in the world if I could, can be summerized into these words:
Love Peace Freedom
These things are important for a child. I will explain why I think that:
To be loved is the most important thing, I think, and that is why I put that word first. I child who doesn´t get love or doesn´t get pampered will get (as I wish everyone knew) severe problems or even damages, that wont be repairable. There are too many children in the world who don´t get love! I would like every child in the world to experience love. Love from their parents or other important adults. If you are loved you can tolerate a lot of things that may happen to you. You have something to fall back on to.
To live in peace is another important ingredient for a happy upbringing, and further, a happy life. Many children live their whole childhood in countries in war. Don´t you wish for these children to have peace instead. To live in peace in the family is also important. Too many children lives in families with frequent violence. I would like every child in the world to experience peace.
Freedom is a word that includes many different things. Freedom can mean free from anyone who will do you harm. Freedom can mean free from feeling cold. Freedom can mean free from poverty. Freedom can mean free from hunger, and so on. Thats why I chose the word Freedom, it can mean so much! And I choose to only see the positive sides of the word!! I would like every child in the world to experience freedom - att all time!
The responsebilities of the adult world is to make all those things real and to make them happen. We have to give our children love, peace and freedom. We have to teach the children the importance, and the meanings, of these words aswell. And we must help them, who can´t give their children these things.
The experiences I would give all the children in the world if I could, can be summerized into these words:
Love Peace Freedom
These things are important for a child. I will explain why I think that:
To be loved is the most important thing, I think, and that is why I put that word first. I child who doesn´t get love or doesn´t get pampered will get (as I wish everyone knew) severe problems or even damages, that wont be repairable. There are too many children in the world who don´t get love! I would like every child in the world to experience love. Love from their parents or other important adults. If you are loved you can tolerate a lot of things that may happen to you. You have something to fall back on to.
To live in peace is another important ingredient for a happy upbringing, and further, a happy life. Many children live their whole childhood in countries in war. Don´t you wish for these children to have peace instead. To live in peace in the family is also important. Too many children lives in families with frequent violence. I would like every child in the world to experience peace.
Freedom is a word that includes many different things. Freedom can mean free from anyone who will do you harm. Freedom can mean free from feeling cold. Freedom can mean free from poverty. Freedom can mean free from hunger, and so on. Thats why I chose the word Freedom, it can mean so much! And I choose to only see the positive sides of the word!! I would like every child in the world to experience freedom - att all time!
The responsebilities of the adult world is to make all those things real and to make them happen. We have to give our children love, peace and freedom. We have to teach the children the importance, and the meanings, of these words aswell. And we must help them, who can´t give their children these things.
måndag 2 februari 2009
My blog!
I have started a blog! and it wasn´t that hard. We´re supposed to start a blog, and I have! This is one of the assigments in the grammar course I´m taking. I really don´t know what we are going to write about, but our teacher Marika, will tell us soon I hope.
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