Empires...

What do we know about Empires; about the Romans, the Americans, the Chinese…? One often wanders what’s left after an Empire becomes obsolete, and especially what’s left from their minor surrounding or domineered neighbours or peers.
I was very pleasantly surprised at the exhibition in Caixa Forum about the Etruscans; a civilization prior to the Romans with great Hellenistic influences whose vestiges are scarce. The Romans did a good job as they eliminated all the traits of the Etruscan civilization in order to overcome a lesser warrior like culture than their own.

I saw beautiful sculptures, statuettes, kitchen utensils, jewels, vases with engravings that suggested a pleasant way of enjoying life and contains of the tombs that suggest a peaceful way of understanding their afterlife. All these items range from the 6th to the 5th century BC. Worth seeing it! Don’t miss it!!!

A quick post, as the teacher suggests, in times of craziness and extra work.

Uncanny woods

When my grandfather died I was in a state of shock. Sad as I was, I could not speak, I could not listen. I had always thought he was eternal but, all of a sudden I realized he was not. He was ephemeral. In spite of his mental and physical strength, he passed away. Right after his death I imagined him everywhere, I talked to him even though I could not see him but I could sense him, just sense him without seeing him. It was a few months later when I began to have that impulse… Yes, I needed to go the woods nearby. That place where he always asked me to take him, as in a game, when he was alive, that magical place…
He always told me that the woods, if mysterious enough, have the power to transform your thoughts, to materialise your ideas.
Have you ever experienced that?


I go to that very spot once or twice a year, when I feel my energy is decreasing, low, for one reason or another, and I have a long conversation with my grandpa. You cannot have the faintest idea of how I feel after that.
Can you believe it?

____________________________________________

After reading Karmelinda's post I thought of a really uncanny story but I am not the author. Have a look, it's hilarious, just like all Tim Burton's films!!!



I hope you enjoy it!

"The Holiday"

Island Castaway got the message. I retake his idea; we have to write, actually we MUST write more often if we want to master the language, the teacher says. So, here I am as well trying to think of a topic that is suitable for the blog. A topic that can make us think and help us learn in a pleasant way. Island Castaway says songs… I say films, yes watching films can be a great source of inspiration and an entertaining listening strategy . I was watching the film “The Holiday” last night (in English of course!!) tired as I was after work but suddenly I completely forgot all my troubles, even my own tiredness. I was immersed in the film. I was fascinated at the British and American accents of the characters and as the film went on “everything was plain sailing” and I understood some of the phrasal verbs and collocations we have been working in class.
By the way have you watched the film? Here you have a little taste of it!



I recommend it to you, not as an intellectual exercise but as an easy and somehow relaxing entertainment. And… I felt really proud of myself when I saw that I could understand so much. Try it!

I wanted to write about love after the film, unrequited love, real love… all kinds of love but that, at that time of the evening, it was almost impossible. Maybe next time.

Mothers

I do fancy, my own life right now, yes! I’ve grown up, my mum sees me as an independent woman, respects and even admires my partner, so, I’d like to tell you about my lunch today with my mother by the sea. She’s a fanatic. Anywhere we go needs to be near the sea. It was long ago that I last saw her and I found, being mature as she is, she is in a great state of mind: healthily curious, energetic, clever and witty. She was thus in the past but I am enjoying her more and more as days go by. I have noticed too that she has become a better listener and a more independent person. She was too motherly in the past. When I remember the quarrels I’ve had with her it seems impossible to have such a fluent relationship as the one we have right now and I must admit that age had done a good job on her! What a constant surprise she is!
Is it the same with you? Do you get along with your mothers?

Wars!!!

What do I think of wars? I’d like to spend some days thinking why people start wars. Why are we altogether unable to stop them? Why sometimes they become endless, destroying countries, people, values, history, cultures… Why do we become so insensitive after a while? Why do we become blind and do not want to speak about the problems behind these wars.

I have to admit I was pleasantly shocked with the documents “War made easy” posted by the teacher. I would certainly love to learn the ways to make people sensitive towards this issue. But not only that; I’d also like to develop the capacity to make people react against injustice, sometimes, the reason of war. Sometimes people feel so oppressed that they have to give a response. Where is the balance? I wonder, in front of inexplicable deeds such as this one…



And of course! we continue developing pictures… in 10 minutes!

Generation X

I was born under the label of Generation X . Hard-hitting times were to come to my mother, my older sister and me shortly after I was born… When dad was home we lived near the sea but suddenly he left us three. My mum said, she could not bear that and we moved away, not to see, not to feel. I had to follow her for I was little at the time but I complained, of course! I had to abandon all my friends from school, from the neighbourhood, such a painful time was this! I regret having complained now because I really adore her and I understand and realize at my age that I would probably have done the same.

We had lived in four different houses before I left my mother’s home to live with my partner. Each house had a different personality; some of them far from the city, others within. There was always some charm in these houses. I guess it was my mum’s wish to gather in a cosy and pleasant environment. She had a special sense to choose her spaces and even though I know she wouldn’t choose the place I live in now for herself, she likes my house and admits I have almost found my place in this world.

I am interested in many things. In fact my most honourable wish would be to change the world, make it a better place to live. Many people say I’m a utopian person but I’m still young and I know I’ll see things happening soon that will benefit mankind… Is it an optimistic view? Maybe but I always like to hope for the best! Being realistic, though I have to say that I am now involved in a very creative project and I’m really thrilled! So, as far as work is concerned, I’m happy with my job and even though I get home really tired in the evening, I feel the happiest creature on earth.