The Devoted Friend by Oscar Wilde

Are you a loyal friend or a fair-weather friend? If you are doubtful about it, you should go to the nearest book shop and get this short story in which, due to irrational behaviour, a close friendship among two men suddenly starts taking a negative turn. You will not only be reading a moving story but also a fascinating one from which you will learn to make your friendship even firmer.

SPARKLING

Think positive, and what you think will come to you

A year ago, my mother told me that she had something for me that she received from some person she knows. This book made her remember things that I have been repeating since I was born. I strongly agree with all the things the author writes in the book but in this article I am going to focus only on the law of attraction which I like to share with all of you.
Rhonda Byrne, who is the author, had faced a particularly difficult time in life and came out of it only after she learned The Secret, which is her term for what is commonly known as the law of attraction.
The law of attraction is the most powerful law in the universe, states that people experience the logical manifestations of their predominant thoughts, feelings, and words. This gives people direct control over their lives. A person’s thoughts (whether conscious or unconscious) and feelings bring about corresponding positive or negative manifestations.
Positive thoughts bring about positive manifestations while negative thoughts bring about negative manifestations. The theory is very simple. Because it is an absolute law, the law of attraction will always respond to your thoughts no matter what they are. Thus your thoughts become things. You are the most powerful power in the universe simply because whatever you think about will come to be.
Believe it or not, we shape our own lives and destiny through the power of our minds; we shape the world that exists around us. And we choose the people who are next to us. So, I know that it is so hard sometimes but think positive and put your thoughts into action, know what you really want and ask the universe for it. Feel and behave as if the object of your desire is on its way. And be open to receiving it. And the most important thing do not blame others for your bad choices!!!!
The book is ”The secret” by Rhonda Byrne
You can also see the DVD
For more information http://thesecret.tv/inicio.html

Pedro

Poodles

I have been breeding poodles for the last ten years of my life. And I must confess that thanks to them my life has changed for ever. But today, I am not going to tell you how they changed my life, what I want, is to tell you how this amazing breed is, the general appearance, character and sizes, colors and how to keep it.

If you decide to buy one, you should know that the general appearance of a Poddle is of a very active, intelligent, elegant-appearing, squarely built, and well proportioned dog that will always be moving soundly and carrying himself proudly

Although it is thought this dog is stupid, the Poodle, or better known in our country like Caniche, is considered one of the most intelligent breeds of dog. According to the standard of the breed in Argentina, we have different sizes: toy, miniature, medium, and the standard.

Regarding colors, here we have a great variety of coat colors. You usually see on streets the white ones but you could also find black, grey, brown and apricot. So, the alternative is it not only the size but you should also decide the color.

In order to keep your pet very attractive you should brush your dog’s coat and visit the dog’s groomer , at least, once every two months.Physical maintenance, like care of coat and nails, is also one of your dog's basic needs
Well, I can write a lot about them but I do not get you bored. May be next time I will tell you something more!!!

Pedro

Cromañon, the judgement

Unfortunately something happened that perhaps could have been avoided, now nothing is the same, I believe that “Callejeros” are not guilty, and I think that this tragedy should hurt them and much worse .The worst is the families who lost their children, who have spent years fighting for Justice, a year, two, a hundred do not return a son, and nor I would think the brothers who must live a hell in their homes in a climate of duel and eternal revenge, with these parents that do not bury definitely his dead son because it is very difficult. There is so much hate in the world, let us stop a little and pray for the victims and let them rest in peace. I hope God gives resignation to these families . What happened is not a warning for show´s organizers who sometimes numbers not closed them and lumped people, nor the public warned about this, because when they are told there is not much more place, they insist to come in. When do we learn?

Candy

Natural wonders

The Iguazu falls first head a global vote online. The result of the survey to determine the “seven new natural wonders” of the world will know next year .The Iguazu spearhead the start of the vote on the survey which seeks to seven new natural wonders of the world, whose final results will be announced next year. The vote is performed through the site officer New Seven Wonders and aims to elect the new seven wonders natural, opting for the best destinations within 28 places that were selected as finalists. At the start of the final stage, the Iguazu surprised to occupy the top of the preferences of voters. Even this partial result was unexpected for the official support, Committee members themselves that drove the candidature of this attraction located in the province of missions, on the border with Brazil.Eventually the 7 Wonders of the World corresponded to works of men and it was understandable that you qualify them; but I believe that the wonders of nature and the creation are innumerable and by the beauty of each, it is not possible to select one easily.

Candy

Influenza A: Argentina is the most affected region in Latin America

The amount of influenza in Latin America - the most affected region of the world - deaths surpassed this week, 1,300 after an upgrade several governments, Argentina leads the rankings of deaths by the disease. The number of deaths linked to influenza A (H1N1) increased to 368 in Brazil, slightly lower than of Argentina, with 404 deaths confirmed to August 13th, the second most affected country in the world behind us (477 deaths). South America has undergone rapid expansion of the virus, within the framework of a harsh winter, and in several countries cases of swine influenza outweigh those of seasonal influenza. Chile on Wednesday reported an increase the amount of deceased by influenza A (H1N1), 116 in Colombia rose 23 and in El Salvador to 15.In my opinion, The State always is absent with health, in security with dead, and wounded injured everyday by criminal acts, and malnutrition in the country die 8 guys per day.It seems that Mrs Kirchner insists with beat all record. She likes to be the cover note. It is incredible plays with a country as if nothing. According to this, we live in the world of dreams of Moreno. But it is only a feel...

Candy

“Many lives, many masters” by Brian Weiss

I’ve always had a strong feeling inside that there must be more in the universe that the life time. Furthermore, I’m very interested in those questions of the life after the death, angels, spirits and reincarnation, and I found lots of answers in this book. The author is a well-respected psychiatrist that uses hypnosis as a powerful tool in healing emotional problems and phobias. During the theraphy of Catherine, one of his patients, he discovered that the regression session went beyond her present life. She described different past lives with lots of details and talked about an intermediate state after death and before reincarnation, where there are spirit guides that help each person learn from their previous life. I don’t know if you believe in this kind of things (I’m not sure I believe them either) but if you have at least curiosity about the topic, this book could be a good choice to start thinking about the probability of having more than one opportunity to live.

Atlantis

' Can Laws stop the obssessed?'

This comment is based on an article taken from a newspaper. The article deals with the crime of 'stalking'. Stalking consists of the crime of following and watching someone over a long period of time in a way that is annoying or frightening. The writer tells the reader that there are not laws to deal specifically with stalking in Britain. In 1990 California became the first state to institute anti-stalking laws. Nowadays 31 states have laws which protect people from stalking. In addition, convicted stalkers face prison sentences ranging from30 days to 7 years and they may be fined. The article also explains that there is an International Security Management, an American firm that assesses threats of companies around the globe. The company according to this article, has input more than 500 letters and photographs onto its system, then noted phone calls, visits and other attempts to intimidate victims, as well as some of the stakers' characteristics. The writer investigations conclude in three basic types of stalkers, those who refuse to give up real relationships that have gone wrong, those who become obssessed with a superficial relationship through leisure activities or work; and those who invent completely artificial relationships with someone, usually a celebrity, whom they have never met. Finally, the last type is known as the celebrity stalker and seems to be the most difficult to track. According to the writer it is quite difficult to detect and prevent the victim from one attack. An example of this, is the experience of the 21 year old actress Rebbeca Schaeffer, who was used to receiving fan mails from admirers. She was a rising star. Robert Bardo, sent Rebbeca a lot of presents, besides he paid a detective to find Rebbeca's home. Robert called on her home one morning, and when she answered the door, he shot her once in her chest. As a consequence of the shot she died. A consultor of I.S.M says that ' people who express love are often more threatening than those who express hate or direct aggression.' I think that here in Argentina it would be very useful to create some law to protect people from stalkers. What do you think?

Angels

An Unforgettable Journey

Three years ago, I suggested that my family, my sister’s family and I should go fishing to a quiet and peaceful place. We wanted to go to Monte in two different cars: my car and my sister’s. I went with my husband and my children, and my sister went with her husband and their daughters. We left home early in the morning and it was a beautiful and warm day. We were travelling on the road to Monte for two hours, and then I stopped to buy some things on the way. From the moment we had left the place my sister’s car engine started hiccupping and it suddenly stopped. After that, my husband towed the car to the nearest garage but there wasn’t one nearby. Consequently, we decided to go back home but I suggested stopping to fish near a lake I had seen. I didn’t realize the lake was in the middle of nowhere. Later on we spent the night and we caught a lot of fish. Late at night, while everybody was sleeping, I heard a strange noise. Suddenly I saw my car moving backwards and it sank in the lake. I woke everyone up immediately and we tied a piece of rope to the front bumper to pull it out of the water.I felt very surprised and I couldn’t understand how that had happened. The following day, we decided to go back home early since we had gone through an unhappy situation.Fortunately, I could tow my sister’s car home. It was a long and tiring journey and we were all exhausted.I will never go fishing again because it was a bad experience to me! What do you think?

Lilo

Course for teachers

Course: “La enseñanza del inglés con los géneros discursivos en los contextos escolares” (capacitación docente para educación primaria)

Tuesdays from 18 to 21 at CIE La Plata. The course begins on August 18

Teacher: Marcela Jalo

Please, spread the news about this course. Thanks.
Anahí

“Barriers”, Rolando Niella.

Of all the four skills (listening, speaking ,reading and writing) speaking seems intuitively the most important: people who know a language are referred to as speakers of that language…as if speaking included all other “kinds of knowing”, and many, if not most, foreign language learners are primarily interested in learning to speak. However, one wonders whether that is when the story ends…What they really seek for is far beyond the mere fact of being able to speak a language…They want to achieve that vital phenomenon of communication which can sometimes, if not always, frustrate second language learners. Communication implies not only being able to produce utterances, but being prepared for interaction, dealing with a wide range of cultural patterns, different accents, pronunciation, intonation and certain customs one might have never had the chance to be exposed to.

Throughout this essay, Rolando Neilla, illustrates pretty clearly how he has had to manage to survive when faced whit this crucial phenomenon of daily conversation, even though he has been studying English for several years in his native country, Paraguay, and for one year as an exchange student in the United States. What is more, now that he is about entering collage in Massachusetts, he is still studying to become hopefully, one day, a “competent foreigner language speaker”…

The best way he attempts to explain these complex feelings created by his communication dilemma was by associating it to his experience of learning tennis, which has been also hurting his pride. Of the many wisely descriptive examples, one is confronted to; I would not say there is one that most effectively explains what it is meant to be second languages “user”, since all of them confront one to the many skills a proficient speaker is due to handle.

From his first comparison, of tennis players starting with a strong service with that of people speaking at an incredibly speed; to that of contrasting basic tennis game plans opponents can easily master, with lacking the experience of handling certain cultural patterns of expressing feelings and moods. Even, when he clarifies the fact of being unable to distinguish the different connotations of words and, as a consequence, not understanding the point his “opponents” are trying to make .All of them efficiently sum up what is meant to be a second language speaker. As he says “In tennis I’m not very good at predicting what “play” my opponent is trying to use; and when I do it is usually too late”. Reaction comes to late when one lacks the knack.

Playing tennis for him in general is a stressful, uncomfortable situation, which he can not enjoy at all. Likewise, everyday conversation is also very annoying; since he has to pay so much attention to things that should be automatic and to give too much thought to almost every word other people is making use of.

However when he expresses his feelings of not being natural and the fact that he often starts questioning the way...the “how to” communicate and relate to people, I would say that fact does not actually describes what a foreign language speaker is meant to be. Since that linguistic and cultural code will always be his second.

One can always aim at being fully experienced once, practising hard and even getting that feeling of mastering that language…But let’s face it; one will always be a second and not a native speaker.


One final thought…English has become a truly global language, and it is important for everyone from every country to have a clear understanding of English.
Because of the vast prevalence of English in today's world, English as a second language (ESL) is becoming increasingly vital. Those who study the English language have a wealth of opportunity ahead of them, and they also make themselves open to communication with millions and millions of people worldwide.
However, there will always be barriers… Slang, among others, has much to do with this phenomenon. Just think of the language you use while text messaging and on the Internet ("LOL" instead of "laughing out loud"). And would that be a friend on the receiving end of your message, or a mate? In Australia, the two words mean the same thing, but in America, "mate" takes on a much more romantic connotation.
For this reason, among others, it is very important for ESL teachers, especially non-native mentors, to give emphasis not only on the speaking aspect of the learners, but on the communicative as well as intercultural competence.

Emma

“Spirits of the railway” by Paul Lee

Based on a variety of experiences of Chinese immigrants who once went to Canada to build the Pacific railway, Paul Lee embarked on several stories in his original collection of “Tales from Gold Mountain”.
In one of them, “Spirits of the railway”, a young fellow tried to rescue his father who had unfortunately died under the most horrible conditions inside a mountain when building a tunnel. His father as well as some other Chinese railway workers had turned into ghosts and could not possibly rest in peace for they were never to have a respectful burial. Chu, the son, was asked by his father to appease the spirits of all the dead by consigning all their souls to grave on the top of a high cliff so that they could all leave calmly to the next world. In good time, he could eventually honor his father’s request.
The place was no longer haunted … “And spirits never again disturbed (…), nor the long trains that came later”.
A genuinely artistic as well as interesting collection of stories…You can’t miss them!
Blog-partners, could you please leave a review on some of the others?
Hope to “read” from you soon,

Emma

"The Solipsist" by Fredic Brown

In my opinion, this is a very interesting and intelligent piece of writing that catches the readers’ attention from beginning to end. The author analises egoism and selfishness through a fictional short story narrated in an ironical style. He calls the protagonist Walter B. Jehovah, who believes that there is nothing but himself and his imagination, and that he has the power of finishing the existence of everything and everybody with his mind. The name of the main character is not a coincidence because through the story you can find connections between his life and Creation. I particularly enjoyed the way the writer creates suspense and at the same time gives the audience clues about the different possibilities of ending the story. I am not going to tell you the final part because you may read it some day, but I can say that the end is the beginning of lots of questions.
Click HERE to read the story.

Atlantis

Mona Lisa Smile

I’d like to share with you an enjoyable film with the performance of Julia Roberts: Mona Lisa Smile. If you have already seen the film I hope you you will enjoy this reminder, and if you have not seen it yet, you should see it without further delay.
This film depicts American society in 1953, a transition period after which the modern independent woman will emerge.The story is set up at Wellesley College, a conservative girl’s college with prestigious reputation for academic excellence. Katherine Watson gets a teaching position in the Art History Department with the intention of making a difference by changing women’s attitudes towards their roles in society.
There are several aspects that lead to a confrontation between Katherine and the school’s directors: her ways of teaching, her points of views about feminism and the future of women, and the interaction with students.
Her methods are contrary to the ones considered acceptable by the school’s directors. Instead of following the programme stipulated, she bases her classes on modern art dealing with, at that moment, controversial and still not accepted painters such as Picasso.
Katherine strongly believes that women are not meant to become just housewives and mothers, but that they can match these roles with a career. She wants to show girls the point of attending high school which is not waiting until getting married but starting a career. She tries to open the student’s minds to their freedom to do whatever they want with their lives.
In order to achieve her objectives she interacts with students as no other teacher does. She gives them advice and helps them to find their way. She even tells a student not to get marry and helps her to apply for a university. When the student decides getting married and forgetting about university, she becomes upset because she thinks the student is wasting her future.
Though Katherine wanted to provoke the students to think for themselves and arrive at their own judgements of things, she actually tries to make them find her way and follow the path she had choosen.

Cheeps

Wishes

I was reading the article about the couple who won the lottery last week and I imagine that if I won the lottery, I’d like to stop working or because I love travelling, I’d like to go to an exotic country, such as Thailand or Australia to meet people and learn from them new words and a new way of life. I mean, the good thing about being rich is you can do the things that you have always dreamt of and you can get what you want wherever you are. What would you do if you won the lottery?

Miss Squirrel

The Legacy

When Angela died, her husband Gilbert would have never thought that she could leave him such a legacy.One day, six weeks after Angela's death, Gilbert was waiting for Sissi Miller, Angela's secretary, to give her what his wife had left.At that moment, he noticed surprisingly that all his wife's properties were prepared to be given as a legacy to some of her friends.Unexpectely, she had left him her diary.For years neither she hadn't allowed him to read it nor to put a hand on it. He opened it slowly and carefully, and while reading he was not only surprised but sad because he realizes Angela's desire to have children or work outside, her feelings for being ignored by him.He didn't seem to have much respect for her as a person. He considered his wife to be a simple woman without much intelligence. He just wanted her to take care of him and the house and be his wife. He also learned that during a long time she had meeting a man called B.M. He read on, but the full name never appeared. While he was reading, he heared a voice in the room, it was Sissi Miller. When she entered the room, he asked her, if she knew who B.M was. She stared at him and said: " He was my brother". He was her brother, her brother who has killed himself. At that point, he could understand it sadly, she has left him his legacy: the whole truth. Desesperatelly, she has stepped off the kerb to rejoin her lover and had stepped of the kerb to scape from her lonely life.

Black Angels