KATE CHOPIN

You have read a novel by Kate Chopin: The Awakening, and a short story: The Story of an Hour.

Let's lear more about the author and her context.

I've taken great material from a webquest:

http://www.zunal.com/process.php?w=50307

I've assigned one question to each of you. We will deal with them in class next Tuesday 20, but if you want, you can start reading at home.

The Life and Times of Kate Chopin

Use the following hyperlinks to discover information about Kate Chopin and answer the questions that follow:
http://www.angelfire.com/nv/English243/Chopin.html
http://www.katechopin.org/
http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-bio/bl-kchopin.htm
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/virtualit/fiction/cultural.asp?e=2c
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/virtualit/fiction/cultural.asp?e=1b
http://www.legacy98.org/timeline.html

1. On what topic do Kate Chopin’s works focus? Ale
2. What reaction did her two novels, At Fault and The Awakening, receive? Lucila
3. When did Kate Chopin live and write? What were the social, political and legal realities for women of her time? Florencia
4. When did critics/scholars finally begin to accept The Awakening? After viewing a timeline of the women’s rights movement, suggest a reason for that acceptance. Noelia
5. Are Chopin’s own life/family background/beliefs evident in “The Story of an Hour”? Milena
6. Who were some of Chopin’s female contemporaries with whom she shared similar concerns? Cristian
7. Compare/contrast the following quotes taken from two of Chopin’s stories:

"Even as a child she had lived her own small life all within herself. At a very early period she had
apprehended instinctively the dual life—that outward existence which conforms, the inward life
which questions." Description of Edna Pontellier in The Awakening.

"There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There
would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe
they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature." Description of Mrs. Mallard in
"The Story of an Hour." Everybody

8. Choose a few lines from Chopin’s own words (her diaries or journals) and explain how those beliefs/concerns make her “a woman ahead of her times” and how they are reflected in “The Story of an Hour”. Vero

By reading we discover different worlds! Hope you enjoy the activity in spite of the effort it calls for!

THE YELLOW WALLPAPER by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Hi guys! Here's the first part of the production based on the short story. Please, go online and watch the rest of it.
What differences do you find between the written version and this televised production?

The Yellow Wallpaper PBS Masterpiece Theater 1989 part 1

http://youtu.be/BAJm6gFJb4I

In case you have any problems, here's the link to the 8 parts.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+Yellow+Wallpaper+PBS+Masterpiece+Theater+1989&aq=f

Yet, here's another link. It`s in five parts and apparently the sound is better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wod6aV8f1oo&feature=related

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper" (1913)

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper" (1913) This article originally appeared in the October 1913 issue of The Forerunner.

Many and many a reader has asked that. When the story first came out, in the New England Magazine about 1891, a Boston physician made protest in The Transcript. Such a story ought not to be written, he said; it was enough to drive anyone mad to read it.

Another physician, in Kansas I think, wrote to say that it was the best description of incipient insanity he had ever seen, and--begging my pardon--had I been there?

Now the story of the story is this:

For many years I suffered from a severe and continuous nervous breakdown tending to melancholia--and beyond. During about the third year of this trouble I went, in devout faith and some faint stir of hope, to a noted specialist in nervous diseases, the best known in the country. This wise man put me to bed and applied the rest cure, to which a still-good physique responded so promptly that he concluded there was nothing much the matter with me, and sent me home with solemn advice to "live as domestic a life as far as possible," to "have but two hours' intellectual life a day," and "never to touch pen, brush, or pencil again" as long as I lived. This was in 1887.

I went home and obeyed those directions for some three months, and came so near the borderline of utter mental ruin that I could see over.

Then, using the remnants of intelligence that remained, and helped by a wise friend, I cast the noted specialist's advice to the winds and went to work again--work, the normal life of every human being; work, in which is joy and growth and service, without which one is a pauper and a parasite--ultimately recovering some measure of power.

Being naturally moved to rejoicing by this narrow escape, I wrote The Yellow Wallpaper, with its embellishments and additions, to carry out the ideal (I never had hallucinations or objections to my mural decorations) and sent a copy to the physician who so nearly drove me mad. He never acknowledged it.

The little book is valued by alienists and as a good specimen of one kind of literature. It has, to my knowledge, saved one woman from a similar fate--so terrifying her family that they let her out into normal activity and she recovered.

But the best result is this. Many years later I was told that the great specialist had admitted to friends of his that he had altered his treatment of neurasthenia since reading The Yellow Wallpaper.

It was not intended to drive people crazy, but to save people from being driven crazy, and it worked.

---

Front page illustration for the original serialized version of The Yellow Wallpaper from the New England Magazine (1892).

Why WRITING???

"Like finely prepared food which not only nourishes but also gives pleasure, writing well and with pleasure nourishes the mind and gives satisfaction to the writer." Gabriele Rico

You probably find writing a hard task but when you come to think of it... the writing process forces you to organize your ideas, take stands, connect concepts and it definitely enhances knowledge of yourself and the world around you.
When you sit down to write, it's not only a question of WHAT to say but also HOW to say it.
Surfing the net, I came across a web page that I would like you to:

A) Have a look at, mainly the sections that deal with formal and informal language, though you are welcome to see the rest of it.

http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/eap/matching-formality.htm
http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/eap/matching-errors-formality.htm

And also this one which deals with Introductory Paragraph Techniques:
http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/eap/essayintrotype.htm

B) Comment (on the blog) about your writing process. How do you feel when you have to deal with a task? What do you think about Gabriele Rico's quotation? Do you believe writing adds something to your personal growth? You are welcome to include anything you would like to express as long as it's personal.

C) Writing assignment: Comparison and contrast. To be e-mailed. Due September 16.
In Unit 12 (from the coursebook), we've been dealing with time and talked quite a bit about the Futuro House. I would like you to do some research at home and find out what houses were like 50 to 70 years ago and compare them with dwellings in the XXI Century. In what ways have they changed? You can also think of the stuff we have in our houses that make our life easier... or not?? Please, include some of the expressions from the web pages you have to look at first and underline them. Also, pay attention to the differente paragraph introductions to make your essay interesting from the beginning.

LISTEN AND GIVE YOUR OPINION!

Hi! I came across this video and th0ught it was good. Please, watch it and react to it. Also, answer the question that appears at the end of the video.
Deadline: August 31

RELAX BEFORE THE MIDTERM EXAM AND HAVE A LAUGH!!

This is for all the germ conscious folks that worry about using cold water to clean.

John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather
in a very secluded, rural area of Saskatchewan

After spending a great evening chatting the night away,
the next morning John's grandfather prepared
breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.


However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate,
and questioned his grandfather asking,

'Are these plates clean?'

His grandfather replied,

'They're as clean as cold water can get em.
Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!'


For lunch the old man made hamburgers.

Again, John was concerned about the plates,
as his appeared to have tiny specks around
the edge that looked like dried egg and asked,

'Are you sure these plates are clean?'
Without looking up the old man said,
'I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as
clean as cold water can get them. Now don't you
fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!'
Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town
and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog
started to growl, and wouldn't let him pass.
John yelled and said, ‘Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car'.
Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV, the old man shouted!
'Coldwater, go lay down now, yah hear me!'

Meet Coldwater!

ACTIVITIES ON THE LISTENING 2!! From Fabiola Silvestre

Hi guys! I need to create a new posting because Fabiola's work has pictures which you can't include in a comment. Here it is.

1) Expressions
Staggering
Early on
To read people’s faces

2) I am between two minds about it. On the one hand, the interview is really interesting, especially for teachers who have to deal with growing cases of bullying at schools. It can be very useful for many educators to have some tips on how to teach empathy behaviour to the students. On the other hand, it is really disappointing that we have to rely on someone in order to learn how to teach children to be empathetic. I think that this is no a problem of the children who misbehave, but a problem of the adults who have to be a good model for the children. The question is: Are we a good example for children?


3) Look at the pictures below. Then, using the information provided by Doctor Mark Bracket in the interview, try to find a way of teaching empathy behaviour to the children in the photographs. Write your ideas (100-150 words).

FRANK O'CONNOR

Hi class!!! Before we deal with "My Oedipus Complex", let's read about its author.

Frank O'connor
1903-1966

When some people write, they tend to associate their ideas and narratives around certain situations they have experienced in their own lives. Frank O'Connor is certainly an author who does just that. Often, when a person writes, they enjoy relating their masterpieces to their own lives. It helps to shape their characters and it grasps a better outlook on the theme of the story. "My Oedipus Complex" was definitely a story in which Frank O'Connor used his own memories and experiences to shape the young character, Larry. O'Connor's background can strongly be associated with the theme of this particular tale. Although the story is fictitious, it resembles O'Connor's life in such a way, that it could almost represent one of his own journal entries as he reflects on himself being a young boy.
Frank O'Connor was born in Cork, Ireland in 1903 named as Michael O'Donovan. O'Connor was born into a poor family and remained an only child. His mother Minnie, helped the household by working as a maid while his father pushed himself into debt by over exceeding his credit. His father, Michael, was a cruel drunk who forced Minnie to sell her belongings for drinking money. O'Connor's father never liked the idea that his son would rather read a book than wrestle with the boys. Therefore, his father outwardly called him a sissy and told him he was weak . Because of this degradation, O'Connor, as a young boy, would often seek refuge from his understanding mother. O'Connor always idolized his mother and he even admits that he was "mommy's boy". Although O'Connor could find shelter under his mother's wing, she would never tolerate hate-filled remarks that he made about his father. On the other hand, he always resented his father and hated him for what he did to his mother. Throughout his life, his relationship was a constant battle with his father. It is natural in the Irish culture for a boy to feel a strong relationship with his mother. However, it is wondered if it is this special attachment that caused O'Connor's first marriage to fail. It seems that their close bond seemed to hinder O'Connor's sexual relationships as a teenager.
O'Connor knew that the only thing to get him out of his horrifying family life was to become educated. He was always a bright boy, who loved people and he even managed to teach himself French and German. However, O'Connor had always stayed true to his native homeland, Ireland, because he thought there was much in his country to be proud of. As a member of the Irish Republican Army, O'Connor felt he represented his country in a justifiable way (Matthews 11). Although O'Connor lived in the United States, until five short years before his death, he could never sever his ties to his native homeland. After suffering a stroke while teaching at Stanford in 1961, O'Connor moved back to Dublin where he died in 1966.
Writing was always a passion for O'Connor. He still worked as the typical businessman, but he was always trying his hand at his wonderful gift of composition. His writing was a hobby, but it almost became a second job to him. In order to keep anonymity from his employers, he picked up the pseudonym of Frank O'Connor. O'Connor, being his mother's maiden name, seemed much more appropriate to him because he loved his mother so much. Rarely was he known as Michael O'Donovan, therefore, as a writer, he became known as Frank O'Connor. O'Connor's talent cranked out 150 short stories, novels, plays, poetry, and two autobiographies before his death.
At least 70 of O'Connor's short stories related to Irish family life and a majority of them related to his own life and experiences. "My Oedipus Complex" was one of those stories.
One cannot escape the conclusion that, though casting his protagonist as a little fellow, O'Connor is here aiming his satiric humor not only at the Oedipal relations which make every chap, falling in love with an attractive mother, want to murder his father, but also at the whole tragic condition of Irish life which finds boys, from their early adolescence, severely tied to their mothers' love.
When writing this story, O'Connor definitely had in mind, his relationship with his mother and the special attachment he felt towards her because of his cultural background. This particular story is known to have more of his personal focus (Matthews 69). This could possibly be because the story was written as a first-person narrative. Larry's family also symbolized Frank's family in many ways. O'Connor even admits that he has written about his father in various disguises.
An interesting aspect of O'Connor's family style writing involves the development of the character Larry Delaney. Larry is a recurring character in many of O'Connor's stories, "My Oedipus Complex" being one of them. Larry Delaney plays the protagonist in many stories and a different childhood experience is depicted in each one. Although Larry's personality rarely changes, his development is still shaped by his experiences.
It is obvious to the readers of such creative tales, that O'Connor interwove many of his own experiences into his stories. I believe that O'Connor used his writing as an escape method from reality, or even as a vent of frustration. Because of his experiences, O'Connor produced many creative tales while leaving bits and pieces of himself tucked away between the lines.

For more information go to:
http://frankoconnor.ucc.ie/essay-intro-to-foc.php

ACTIVITIES ON THE LISTENING!!

Hi class!
I would like you to solve these activities based on the listening activity on EMPATHY.
Do everything on the blog.

1- Choose three expressions you feel you would like to incorporate in your everyday language. Learn them!
2- Write a short response to the recording (about 100 words).
3- Desing an activiy to be solved by your classmates.
4- Choose an activity designed by one of your classmates and solve it!
5- Select two or three lines from the recording and rehearse them to reproduce in class. You mut sound as close to the model as possible!!! (To be done in class after the Winter recess).
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A GREAT TIME!

CLASSY LANGUAGE!!

Enjoy it! (No comments required!! unless you feel like making one)

When Insults Had Class (no 4-letter words !!)
These glorious insults are from an era when cleverness with words was still valued, before a great portion of the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison," and he said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

"He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

"A modest little person, with much to be modest about." - Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" - Ernest Hemingway (about
William Faulkner)

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... if you have one." -
George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." - John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

LISTENING!!! HAVE A GO AT IT

Hi girls AND boy!
Our blog will also be used for your listening practice, so I've posted (previouly) something from Youtube. It's an interview on empathy which I think is very interesting.
Task: I want you to write the transcript. I know it's hard job but developing your understanding of the spoken language is worth the effort. We will check it in class, so no need to post it. Don't worry if you can't get all the words. However, I expect you to work really hard at it.
Deadline: June 28 (plenty of time but... don't leave it till the day before!)
Kindly,
Your teacher!

Teaching Empathy

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING.... final analysis

Hi class!!! I hope you liked watching the movie as much as I did!

Read this interesting info about the movie, taken from:
http://www.lariat.org/AtTheMovies/new/greekwedding.html

"Originally written and performed as a one-woman show by Nia Vardalos, it probably never would have been made into a movie had it not been for one particular Greek woman in the audience, Rita Wilson, who just happens to be married to a guy with some clout in the industry, Tom Hanks. Rita and Tom liked the stage show and thought it ought to be made into a movie. They not only had the good sense to make it into a movie (using Hanks' own production company), but they kept Vardalos as the lead actress. Smart move. Vardalos is a gifted actress, adept at both drama and physical comedy. She is also pretty, although not the usual Hollywood leading lady type."

Now, here's a few aspects of the movie for you to think about. We'll talk about them in class next week (Tuesday 14)
1- Theme/s the movie deals with.
2- Character analysis.
3- Personal comments about the movie.

Go online and look for a review of the movie. Publish it (giving the source) and comment on why you agree or disagree with it. Deadline: Tuesday 14.

My Family and Other Animals (1st 10min)

"MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS" by Gerald Durrell

I hope you've enjoyed watching the trailer of the first 10' of a BBC film based on the book My Family and Other Animals, from which Conversations is taken from.

Now, work on these questions. Do not post the answers as we'll discuss them in class.
1- Where's the family in the first scene?
2- What's wrong with: Margo, Leslie, Gerald?
3- Time of the year: .............
4- Where does Larry get the idea of moving to Corfu from?
5- Mother's comments about moving to Corfu: ............
6- Comment on the customs scene.
7- What's the dog's name?
8- What's the customs officer's excuse for not giving mother the suitcase?
9- Why does Margo get upset at the table?
10- What explanation does Larry give for the taxi drivers behaving in such a crazy way?
11- Why does Spiro speak English? Characterize his driving. What's his attitude once he gets to know the family?
12- Why do they move to another villa?
13- What do Larry and Leslie think of mother?
14- How old is mother?
15- Find at least 5 phrasal verbs used by the characters.

EDI: LLRH.... ONLY A CHILDREN'S STORY???

Hi everybody! I'm looking forward to the roleplaying of the session Wolf will have with his psychologist! LOL!!!
Here's a list of writing activities each of you has to carry out and publish on this blog.
- Milena: You are a journalist.
Choose one of the versions of LRRH and interview on of the characters
in the story. Write the dialogue.

- Noelia: You are a journalist.
Choose one of the versions of LRRH and write a newspater article of the
events. Use journalistic style.

- Florencia: Choose one of the
versions of LRRH in which the wolf doesn't die and write the retelling
of the story from the wolf's point of view.

- Verónica: take the poem OR the
rap and write a telephoe conversation between LLRH's mom and her Granma
after the incidents! Keep in mind attitudes and tone they may wish to
adopt.

- Alejandra: Write an article
that you will publish through Internet (on this blog, of course!) to
warn people about this type of incidents. Include advice too. Deadline: June 3

EDI: ART AND WRITING II

Hi girls!
This is the work done by Verónica, Alejandra and Milena.
It's based on Renoir's painting Il Ballo Del Moulin De La Galette.


Here's their story. Remember you have to change the end.


Il Ballo Del Moulin De La Galette

The
coming of the spring in France is an important event which is
celebrated every year at Moulin De La Gallette, the most attractive
garden in Paris. Of course, the aristocracy meets there to talk, drink
champagne and eat delicacies. At four p.m. when the orchestra starts playing, men look for a female partner and ask her to dance.

Nicole,
who is an American 15 year-old girl, is travelling around Europe with
her rich aunt Mary Jane, with the purpose of learning about European
culture and acquiring good manners to become a distinguished lady.

Nicole and Mary Jane are sitting on a bench at the celebration,

Mary
Jane: Oh girl! What a change you have done, before coming here you were
like a caterpillar but now you have become a butterfly.

Nicole: that is a very sweet compliment. Thank you, thank you auntie!

Mary Jane: you know I’m right, you didn’t even know how to dress properly or how to talk to other people.

Nicole: oh auntie! You have been such a great inspiration to me, now I know how to be a cold witch.

With a slight cough a young man interrupts the conversation,

Francois: excuse me! Where do these beautiful ladies come from? Let me guess…hum maybe America?

Mary Jane: oh what a clever young man! Nicole, are you listening?

Nicole -distracted looking at another boy-: yes, yes we are American

Mary Jane: how did you recognize our accent?

Fracoise:
well I am a businessman and I have been there a couple of times. Let me
intrdoduce myself, I’m Francois Brontë. I’m the owner of the
magnificent house by the lake in the entrance of the city and I have a
new chariot but I haven’t found the love of my life yet.

Meanwhile, Mary Jane whispers on Nicole’s ear: girl, this is your opportunity, he has a lot of money and good looking.

Nicole: Aunt Marie! I think I’m falling in love (she sighs with a smile)

Mary
Jane: this is my niece Nicole and my name is Mary Jane. Nice to meet
you (Mary Jane stretches her hand to be kissed by Francois)

Francois: the pleasure is mine, and which is the reason we are honored with your presence?

Nicole: I am in Europe to learn how to be a refined lady.

Mary Jane: oh yes! And she has proved to be such a good student, she could be an excellent wife for any noble man.

Francois: and definitely her beauty lights up this party.

Nicole: thanks! Well I think we have talked too much and now it is time to dance…

Francois: would you mind…

Nicole goes away to dance with the young man she has been looking at since she arrived

Mary Jane: Nicole, Nicole come here! … well it seems Nicole is gone, so, let’s dance…

Francois: but.. no! no!

Francois
and Mary Jane just dance for few minutes and he leaves the party,
feeling disappointed. On the contrary, Nicole feels she is dancing in
the sky and Mary Jane starts talking to another handsome man.

**********

I hope you enjoy the photos too!

How about your family?

Last week in the movie, we saw the difference between Ian's small family and Toula's big and loud family! What kind of family do you have? How about your extended family, i.e. aunts, uncles, cousins...
In my case, I have two sons, three sisters, two brothers in law, two nieces and a nephew, whom I love very much! Most of us get together on Sundays. We are definitely a close family.
As for my extended family.... we are hundreds!!, just like the Portokalos, thought Italian and Spanish but kind of loud too. For the last few years, cousins in my family are getting together once a year and we eat (a lot, just like the Greek), laugh and even sing together. It's a real joy!!!
I enjoy family life very much. To have a family is a real support in life and one of the best ways to experience the real meaning of love.
I'm looking forward to reading about you.

EDI: art and writing

Hi everybody!!!
Task: read the stories and change the end of the one written by your class mates.

This is the story by Florencia and Noelia based on a Berni's painting.


A fortune teller is in her house preparing a strange potion when a very
concerned and nervous woman knocks the door. “Who is it?” the old woman
asks. “I need your help! I’m desperate!” the strange lady answers.
Some seconds later the big door is opened and a tall woman enters the
house suspiciously. The fortune teller is on a table with her crystal
ball and some cards. The young woman is scared of her pale skin; she
seems like a dead person.
Fortune teller -Don’t tell me, you’re here because you hear weird
noises and you feel as is someone is following you wherever you go.
Woman –I’m surprised! How do you know that? I didn’t talk to anybody
about my situation.
Fortune teller –I can’t tell you that… we, fortune tellers, are obliged
not to reveal our secrets.
Woman –So, if you know everything… please tell me, why am I hearing
such noises?
Fortune teller –Perhaps something inside your mind is bothering you.
Why don’t you tell me which words did you hear?
Woman –First, they were screams, then, they became words.
Fortune teller –Do you remember the situation?
Woman –Yes, I was at home alone admiring my diamond ring when I heard
someone shouting at me: “liar!”
Fortune teller –Do you have any idea why that person thinks you’re a
liar?
Woman –Nooo! Because I’m not a liar! Another day, I was putting a
bracelet on my safe when I heard the same voice saying: “you’re
guilty!”
Fortune teller –Mmm… Interesting… Do you have enemies or a person who
wants to hurt or scare you?
Woman –No, it’s impossible! I’m such a nice person and I’ve never done
anything bad to anyone. That’s why I’m here. I have no idea who is
disturbing me.
Fortune teller –Maybe you’ve done something bad and you don’t want to
accept it. Continue describing your experiences.
Woman –Well, last night, I was in front of the mirror contemplating my
necklace set with emeralds when I heard: “you should be on his place!”
and I felt someone breathing angrily behind me. Everything was so cold
and suddenly the lights went off. Ten minutes later lights went on and
I found my desk opened and the key of my safe was no longer there.
Fortune teller –So, you were victim of a robbery, but… weren’t you a
thief before? You’re not such a nice person, you’ve done bad things and
I know them.
Woman –you’re confusing me with someone else.
Fortune teller –No, I know who you are. You are Ramona. You’re 30 years
old and your boyfriend was Nicholas but he’s in jail now.
Woman –How do you know that? I’ve never mentioned neither my name nor
my ex-boyfriend’s name.
Fortune teller –I know Nicholas very well. Wait and I will show you.
The old woman stands up, goes to her bedroom and looks for an album.
Meanwhile, Ramona has a look at he things around her but makes a noise
that calls the fortune teller’s attention, who rapidly comes to the
living room. She puts the album on the table and asks Ramona to have a
look at it.
Woman - What do you want to show me?
Fortune teller – Look at the photos, you’ll find yourself the answer.
Woman – Wait, you’re in this photo with him.... Who are you?
Fortune teller – He’s my son. And now I’ll answer all your questions.
Woman – Who is disturbing me and why did he or she steal the key of my
safe? Does he or she want to steal my jewells?
Fortune teller – Well, those are not your jewells. You stole them. But
you blamed Nicholas, that’s why he is in jail now. I got depressed
because of his situation and some days later I killed myself. I was
very annoyed with you and wanted you to pay for what you’ve done. I was
the person who spoke to you all the time.
Woman – Well, but you can’t do anything, he is in jail and I’m free.
Fortune teller – But I have the key of your safe and that will prove
that you are guilty. I have already sent it to the police with a note
saying that there they would finde the stolen jewells.
The doorbell rings and the fortune teller says: that is the police, you
have no way out. You’ll pay for what you’ve done.

Some photos of the role-play for you to enjoy.

MY BIG FAT GRRRRRRREEK WEDDING

Hi class!!! I'm having a lot of fun with the movie and I hope you're enjoying it too. In last night's scene we watched Mr Portokalo's reaction to his children's initiative. I'm sure we've all experienced joy when an idea of ours was accepted and disappointment when it was rejected or not taken into account. I invite you to reflect upon the topic. You may want to share with the rest of us a recollection you have about it or may be you would like to expand on the importance of boosting people's initiative and how to do it... Write!!!!

Take a stand!!!

Hi everybody!!! Did you all enjoy the long Easter week.-end? I hope you haven't had tooooo much chocolate and you have all turned up to classes in good health this afternoon !
As you can see, I decided to make another posting after the holiday and not before! Not that I thought you would all be desperately reading the blog, of course!! But... it made me feel better to think I was letting you take a good rest.

Anyway, here's my question.
In My dream job we read: "... dreams come true if you really make them happen." However, in My big fat Greek wedding, Toula says: "... I wish I was braver, prettier or happy, but it's useless to dream because nothing ever changes."
What's your viewpoint?

A little bit about you!

Hi class!!!

We've discussed the term "self-starter". Do you consider yourself one? What kind of person are you when it comes to working, whether it is in a regular job or as a student?

It will be good to get to know a little bit more about you!

Looking forward to reading your comments!

Your teacher

I hope it's not your case!!

How do you like working with technology? Here's a video for you to watch. I love it because it somehow describes a familiar situation. I've been there!!! Have you? After watching the video, please write a comment. You are all welcome also to comment about previous postings by classmates. Enjoy!! And let's read each other... it's fun!

WELCOME!!!

Dear students, I hope you enjoy this blog and whatever we do on it. It's meant to be another chance to practice your English and establish informal communication among us. I expect eveybody to feel free to express ideas, opinios and feelings. Let's use this blog like a bridge that will join us wherever we are. I wish you all a GRRRREAT year. Liliana