Last night, my sister and I went to Rally Barrionuevo`s concert in the Alberdi theatre. The place was full of people. The show started a bit later than it was appointed. But it was worth waiting. For those who do not know who Rally is, I can say that he is one of the best folklore singers I have ever heard. He is from Frias, a city in santiago del Estero. He started singing when he was at High school where he participated in several festivals. Nowadays, he lives in Cordoba with his family. He has a very little band that accompanies him.
In last night show, he played like three hours on a roll. He played all songs and also some news. The good thing is that you heard them as it was the first time. Anyway, the show lasted for three hours. We truly enjoy being there. We danced chacareras and we dreamed with the songs lyrics. One of my favourite songs is zamba y acuarela. It is a beautiful zamba.
Anyway, I wish I could stay there forever listening to his songs.
Friday, 27 April 2007
My first teaching experince with children
I have just finished work today. And it has been a long day indeed. This is my second day working with children at school. I teach English in 1st and 2nd grade. I really love working with them because they are sweet and kind. They are very friendly. But sometimes they behave so badly that you want to run away inmediately.
Personally speaking, I beleive that this age is the best period in any individual`s life. And I would really want to go back at this point again. It happens to me that when I see them play I want to be part of their games. Sometimes I do play. And I feel a child again.
As a teacher, I think that working with children is a great challenge because you have to learn to draw, to sing and so many other things that you do not imagine. When you see that the children are engage in the game or they enjoy the activities you present them you feel happy.
On the other hand, there are times when they misbehave all the time. They speak to you all tagether. They want you to correct every single thing they do. Anyway, I think I will need to be more patient with them. I hope I can because sometimes I feel that tolerance will not last long.
Personally speaking, I beleive that this age is the best period in any individual`s life. And I would really want to go back at this point again. It happens to me that when I see them play I want to be part of their games. Sometimes I do play. And I feel a child again.
As a teacher, I think that working with children is a great challenge because you have to learn to draw, to sing and so many other things that you do not imagine. When you see that the children are engage in the game or they enjoy the activities you present them you feel happy.
On the other hand, there are times when they misbehave all the time. They speak to you all tagether. They want you to correct every single thing they do. Anyway, I think I will need to be more patient with them. I hope I can because sometimes I feel that tolerance will not last long.
Sunday, 22 April 2007
My experience at University
I dedicate this piece to some of my teachers at U.N.T. I wish they could read it some day.
After finishing Secondary school, I went to study English at Facultad de Filosofia y Letras. The firs two years were really great. I could pass all the subjects I had to with no difficulty except for one: English Grammar II. The following year I had to take the third year course, which indeed I took. But I was not able to finish it due to the fact that I had to pass Grammar II first. Having this in mind, I spent a whole summer devoting my reading to only one book: A Student’s Grammar of English by Randolph Quirk, which I believe many must have known. Finally, the exam day came. But the outcome was not as I wanted it to be. But I did not give up, and since that moment I tried six times to pass this subject. I cannot tell you how painful those moments were. I felt as if the whole world was upon my shoulders. Because of this, I had to loose one whole year, as I could not sit for the exams of the Subjects belonging to the third course. At that moment, my biggest dream was taken away from me. AND NOTHING HAS BEEN THE SAME SINCE THEN. But after some time, I could see some things I did not perceive before. Namely, that my teachers at university did not care much about their students. That they only cared about their own pride and prejudice. They believed themselves to be like gods, and they had to be respected for that. I think that most of these teachers tend to forget that they were students once. I did not want them to help me pass all the subjects, but to be there when I needed to solve my difficulties with certain topics related to the English Grammar and some other stuff because it is a tough subject to learn, as we do not have a solid knowledge about the Spanish Grammar.
Anyway, the last time I sat for Grammar I passed the written part, but not the oral. God knows why I didn’t because up until now I still cannot figure it out. What is even sadder is that there are still many students who still are in the same situation I was three years ago. I hope they are able to pass Grammar some day, and they can become English teachers at last.
The best decision I could have ever taken was to go to Lola Mora Institute because there I could prove myself I was not such a looser, and that I had a future ahead of me. And I realised that for teaching two things are required: knowledge and love for teaching. Otherwise, we can have a Master degree but if we do not have passion for helping others know more, we have failed in our profession.
If I am mistaken, please let me know.
I dedicate this piece to some of my teachers at U.N.T. I wish they could read it some day.
After finishing Secondary school, I went to study English at Facultad de Filosofia y Letras. The firs two years were really great. I could pass all the subjects I had to with no difficulty except for one: English Grammar II. The following year I had to take the third year course, which indeed I took. But I was not able to finish it due to the fact that I had to pass Grammar II first. Having this in mind, I spent a whole summer devoting my reading to only one book: A Student’s Grammar of English by Randolph Quirk, which I believe many must have known. Finally, the exam day came. But the outcome was not as I wanted it to be. But I did not give up, and since that moment I tried six times to pass this subject. I cannot tell you how painful those moments were. I felt as if the whole world was upon my shoulders. Because of this, I had to loose one whole year, as I could not sit for the exams of the Subjects belonging to the third course. At that moment, my biggest dream was taken away from me. AND NOTHING HAS BEEN THE SAME SINCE THEN. But after some time, I could see some things I did not perceive before. Namely, that my teachers at university did not care much about their students. That they only cared about their own pride and prejudice. They believed themselves to be like gods, and they had to be respected for that. I think that most of these teachers tend to forget that they were students once. I did not want them to help me pass all the subjects, but to be there when I needed to solve my difficulties with certain topics related to the English Grammar and some other stuff because it is a tough subject to learn, as we do not have a solid knowledge about the Spanish Grammar.
Anyway, the last time I sat for Grammar I passed the written part, but not the oral. God knows why I didn’t because up until now I still cannot figure it out. What is even sadder is that there are still many students who still are in the same situation I was three years ago. I hope they are able to pass Grammar some day, and they can become English teachers at last.
The best decision I could have ever taken was to go to Lola Mora Institute because there I could prove myself I was not such a looser, and that I had a future ahead of me. And I realised that for teaching two things are required: knowledge and love for teaching. Otherwise, we can have a Master degree but if we do not have passion for helping others know more, we have failed in our profession.
If I am mistaken, please let me know.
One Fine Day
Today I do not have anything to write about. Therefore, this passage will be about today. Because today is a fine day!!! Today I woke up and the sun was shinning. Today I felt lucky because I had the opportunity to have a bed to sleep on, a cup of coffee and to receive a letter from a good friend who is thousands of miles away. Today is a beautiful day because I could go to work and come home, and be surrounded by those I love. Today is a fine day because I have food to eat and a place to study. Today is a fine day because I have a lot of friends with whom I share my dreams. Today is a fine day because I am alive. Today is a fine day because I have the opportunity to choose what I want to do. Today is a fine day because I was able to help a friend. Today is a fine day because I could feel how people love, and I could be loved in return. Today is a fine day because I saw some birds in the sky.
Today is a fine day because I could see a child laugh. Today is a fine day because I could give something to someone. Today is a fine day because I could stop being selfish and start thinking about others. Today is a fine day because the world is in peace. Today is a fine day because I could learn something else. Today is a fine day because I can see the beauty of Earth. Today is a fine day because I have money in my pocket. Today is a fine day because I have hopes and fears. Today is a fine day because I no longer care about what other people will think. Today is a fine day because I could be thankful for the things I have, and not feeling sad for those I lack.
Today is a fine day because I am lucky enough to be writing these things to you!!
Today I do not have anything to write about. Therefore, this passage will be about today. Because today is a fine day!!! Today I woke up and the sun was shinning. Today I felt lucky because I had the opportunity to have a bed to sleep on, a cup of coffee and to receive a letter from a good friend who is thousands of miles away. Today is a beautiful day because I could go to work and come home, and be surrounded by those I love. Today is a fine day because I have food to eat and a place to study. Today is a fine day because I have a lot of friends with whom I share my dreams. Today is a fine day because I am alive. Today is a fine day because I have the opportunity to choose what I want to do. Today is a fine day because I was able to help a friend. Today is a fine day because I could feel how people love, and I could be loved in return. Today is a fine day because I saw some birds in the sky.
Today is a fine day because I could see a child laugh. Today is a fine day because I could give something to someone. Today is a fine day because I could stop being selfish and start thinking about others. Today is a fine day because the world is in peace. Today is a fine day because I could learn something else. Today is a fine day because I can see the beauty of Earth. Today is a fine day because I have money in my pocket. Today is a fine day because I have hopes and fears. Today is a fine day because I no longer care about what other people will think. Today is a fine day because I could be thankful for the things I have, and not feeling sad for those I lack.
Today is a fine day because I am lucky enough to be writing these things to you!!
My Fears
In our Literature class, we discussed a poem by Raymond Carver in which he reflected upon his fears. So, I decided to write about my own fears, those feelings that I keep only to myself.
Anyway, I think that my biggest fear right now is not finishing college this year. I have been studying English for thirteen years, and I really want to put an end to going to classes, keeping up with homework, having parciales and many other things. It is not that I believe that this is wrong or that the process of learning will come to an end after I graduate. What I mean is that for the first time ever I want to decide which books I would like to read, no matter how long it takes me. And, more importantly, being the owner of my time. For me, the educational process has always been a time of constant learning, but also of sharing the same ideals, hopes, joys, sorrows with my partners. And I am very grateful for having the opportunity to study at a college level. I hope my dream of becoming an English teacher can come true at the end of this 2007.
My other fears, I guess, are related with my own personality. And they have been inside me for a long time, and I think they won’t disappear for quite a long time. Namely, I fear not being able to fulfil all my dreams like having my own family, being happy doing what I love, not being able to finish the activities I have already started. Moreover, I fear of running away from those who love me and not being able to love them in return.
As humans, I guess we all have our fears, that I am not the only one. If what I share with you is too stupid and childish, I apologise. I just wanted to share this with those who are reading. And as in everything in our life, these fears will go away some day. And, in a way, they help me keep my feet on the ground and to know who really Silvia is, the girl that has still a lot to learn, and a lot to give.
In our Literature class, we discussed a poem by Raymond Carver in which he reflected upon his fears. So, I decided to write about my own fears, those feelings that I keep only to myself.
Anyway, I think that my biggest fear right now is not finishing college this year. I have been studying English for thirteen years, and I really want to put an end to going to classes, keeping up with homework, having parciales and many other things. It is not that I believe that this is wrong or that the process of learning will come to an end after I graduate. What I mean is that for the first time ever I want to decide which books I would like to read, no matter how long it takes me. And, more importantly, being the owner of my time. For me, the educational process has always been a time of constant learning, but also of sharing the same ideals, hopes, joys, sorrows with my partners. And I am very grateful for having the opportunity to study at a college level. I hope my dream of becoming an English teacher can come true at the end of this 2007.
My other fears, I guess, are related with my own personality. And they have been inside me for a long time, and I think they won’t disappear for quite a long time. Namely, I fear not being able to fulfil all my dreams like having my own family, being happy doing what I love, not being able to finish the activities I have already started. Moreover, I fear of running away from those who love me and not being able to love them in return.
As humans, I guess we all have our fears, that I am not the only one. If what I share with you is too stupid and childish, I apologise. I just wanted to share this with those who are reading. And as in everything in our life, these fears will go away some day. And, in a way, they help me keep my feet on the ground and to know who really Silvia is, the girl that has still a lot to learn, and a lot to give.
Thursday, 19 April 2007
The Magic of Books
1263
There is no Fragate like a book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Courses like a Page
of prancing PoetryThis Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soul
Emily Dickinson
Sometimes we cannot afford to buy a plane ticket, and travel to distant places. What we can do is travel through the pages of a book. Therefore, I wanted to share this short poem with you, so this idea is better illustrated. Firstly, I would like to explain something about the poem´s meaning, and then I would like to share some of my own thoughts. I do not know if any of those who are kindly enough as to readthis piece, had the chance to read any of Emily Dickinson´s writings. if not, I strongly recommend that you put it into consideration. As you have probably notice after reading the poem above, She compares books with a frigate which "will take us lands away". All of us, at least once in our life, have had the feeling that we were transported to the exact place where the story of the book we were reading took place. In line five, Dickinson writes "this Traverse may the poorest take". The good thing about reading is that it is cheap, and everybody can do it. Moreover, it is cheaper to travel with the mind. I beleive that once you are enchanted by the magic of books, you cannot scape from it. Another consequence of travelling through books is that you get to know a lot of characters you never saw before in your life. Therefore, you take a glimpse at their deepest thoughts and emotions. And, more often than not, you get to love some of them and to hate others. But, again, this is part of the trip. Finally, for those who are already travellers within these imaginary trips, I encourage them to go on being part of this. For those who are not, I tell them to join us . You won´t regret it.
Thursday, 12 April 2007
If you were a college professor of the course “Life 101,” what would you teach your students?
If I were a professor of the course “Life 101,” I would teach my students to enjoy every moment of life as if it were the last. That sometimes life can be an ever lasting hell but there is always a wayout. That life is the most precious gift we can get. That we always have the chance to help others in order to make their life special. That life is full of special moments that are worth living. That in one´s life there is always the opportunity to find that person that will make us fell complete and loved. That there will also be sorrows and pain but they are only part of the person´s growth. That life can bring a lot of friends and also a lot of enemies. That if a person wants to be successful in life, he/she has to fight for what he/she wants.
But, above all, that life is ruled by one special feeling called LOVE. And we must try to love as much as possible because in there lies the magic ingredient of LIFE.
But, above all, that life is ruled by one special feeling called LOVE. And we must try to love as much as possible because in there lies the magic ingredient of LIFE.
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Hello. I did not choose any of the topics that were published on the main page.
What I would like to write about on this first entry is violence. As we all have known, on this long weekend, an innocent teacher called Carlos Fuentealba has been killed. he was a teacher who was complainning about a more decent salary for teachers throughout the country.
He was assessinated in view of others who were fighting for the same cause.
To tell you the truth, I was tremendously shocked by this event because I am a teacher too, and it seems that this proffession is on a constant struggle with this violence that will last forever and ever. It is not possible that we have to stop classes and have our students lose classes to go to demonstrations to ask for things that are obligatory for us teachers by law.
I wonder if this would ever get to an end. I am afraid of the future of this proffesion and all the chalenges we will have to overcome to survive.
What I would like to write about on this first entry is violence. As we all have known, on this long weekend, an innocent teacher called Carlos Fuentealba has been killed. he was a teacher who was complainning about a more decent salary for teachers throughout the country.
He was assessinated in view of others who were fighting for the same cause.
To tell you the truth, I was tremendously shocked by this event because I am a teacher too, and it seems that this proffession is on a constant struggle with this violence that will last forever and ever. It is not possible that we have to stop classes and have our students lose classes to go to demonstrations to ask for things that are obligatory for us teachers by law.
I wonder if this would ever get to an end. I am afraid of the future of this proffesion and all the chalenges we will have to overcome to survive.
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