Culture Days 2013

A number of interesting culture topics, a “hot” atmosphere, a teacher sitting in front of a fan in order to be able to get through every presentation, and nervous students walking around hoping not to mess up their presentations while the rest was indecisive about which presentation to attend…of course, I am writing about the ‘Culture Days 2013’.

Although I had planned to go to exactly 10 presentations, I ended up seeing 19.

Irish topics: Abortion Law in Ireland- A pro-choice view; Ireland’s contribution to the world of videogames; The Irish Film Industry; The Life of Irish Traveller Women; Bloody Sunday; Gaelic and its use in Northern Ireland; Patrick Nee; Operation Demetrius; Oscar Wilde and William Yeats; The Integration of Islam in Ireland; Witchcraft in Ireland; Homophobic Bullying in Irish schools; Kilmainham Gaol; The hidden meanings of the children of Lir; Gerry Conlon; Cultural influences on Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels

American topics: Walt Disney; Oprah Winfrey; Harlem, New York

Overall, the topics were really interesting as well as greatly presented; however, since we have to pick five topics to be tested on in the KGP, I have chosen these five:

1. Gerry Conlon reflects on the case of the Guildford Four: I have never heard of this case before, but the topic and how they were tortured as well as the presentation really grabbed my attention.
2. The Life of Irish Traveller Women: I find their life, their history and traditions highly interesting.
3. Abortion Law in Ireland –A Pro-Choice View: How the pro-choice movement fight for women’s right to choose that has created heated debate in the Republic in Ireland-tremendously interesting!
4. Ireland- the birthplace of Witchcraft: I really liked the presentation and the topic and since I have never dealt with that topic before, I would really like to learn some more about it.
5. Homophobic Bullying in Irish schools: Serious and touching topic. Bullying has become a serious issue in the past 30, 40 years, especially among homosexual people, and should really be addressed. 

Disruptive Behaviour

I've recently read an article about disruptive pupils and that they should be put in separate classrooms as not to disturb the other students. Is this really the right solution to the problem? 

There is no doubt that disruptive pupils might have a negative impact on other students, and that their troublesome behaviour may deter ordinary students from studying; however, I still believe that gathering pupils with misbehaviour together to be taught separately would not improve the situation.

First of all, pupils are disruptive for all sorts of reasons. They might suffer from insecurity due to family problems; boredom, which can be caused by an uninspired curriculum; learning difficulties; or poor self-confidence that often leads to aggressiveness and conspicuous behaviour. When these factors are considered, it is certainly not a good idea to put all children with more or less the same problems in one classroom, simply because they would lack the opportunity to be positively influenced by well-behaved pupils in order to develop optimal behaviour. In fact, their behaviour might worsen, if they are solely surrounded by disruptive children.

While some people argue that separation would be beneficial not only to students but also to teachers who want to work without interruption, disruptive pupils could believe that they are being isolated because something is seriously wrong with them. As a result, they could feel excluded, which eventually lowers their self-esteem and might worsen their behaviour.

Last, but not least, the implementation of separate groups for noisy students demands additional expenses for school authorities, since extra teachers and rooms will have to be provided. Moreover, teachers will have to be prepared with professional training to deal with this kind of behaviour, which means increased costs.

To sum up, the idea of separate classes is not an effective solution to the problem of disruptive behaviour at school. In my opinion, it would be advantageous if teachers were equipped with strategies on how to tackle the problem.

Atypical Romantic Comedies

Almost universally, the film genre of comedy is both understood and well liked. Although there are numerous types of comedy and various viewer preferences, a light-hearted plot line, few focal characters, and happily ever after ending for the most part rarely disappoint. In recent years the romantic comedy, a sub-genre, has dramatically increased its appearance on the screen. Although the term is rather general and no particular definition of it is adhered to, a romantic element, comedic spin, and happy ending are undeniably essential to satisfy the general expectation of what a romantic comedy “should be.” Yet arguably the quality of these films has declined and their plot lines painfully overused. Boy meets girl, boy gets girl then loses her, one or both of their lives is changed forevermore, and eventually boy gets girl once again; add a few comedic scenes and voilà!—yet another romantic comedy is born.

Few directors have diverged from this standard formula, and fewer romantic comedies can be said to have unpredictable endings simply after viewing the first twenty minutes. Yet such deviant films do exist although they are few and far in between. In recent years, Chris and Paul Weitz have been rather adventurous with the genre, especially seen in their film About a Boy (Universal Pictures, 2002); and some decades ago, director George Cukor adapted George Bernard Shaw’s play entitled “Pygmalion” to the screen in another atypical romantic comedy and classic film, My Fair Lady (Warner Brothers, 1964). Both films have humor and some interplay of a love story—essential markers of a romantic comedy—but unconventionally the romance is not the center of either film.

About a Boy did not receive nearly as much critical acclaim as the eight-time Academy Award winning musical My Fair Lady, and the two films differ greatly from one another in several respects; at the same time they also share some striking similarities as off-the-beaten-path romantic comedies both set in London, England. To begin with, because My Fair Lady is set in the Edwardian period—the first decade of the twentieth century—the mannerisms and more importantly the ideals of the era straight away contrast with those found in About a Boy, which is set in modern times.     

To sum up, About a Boy and My Fair Lady were each in their own time unique in plot line and quite different from the typical romantic comedy standard. With an emphasis on personality flaws, isolation, the “weaker” transforming the life of the “younger,” and an inconclusive romantic ending, both films stray from the usual expectations of the sub-genre to give refreshing new plot lines to viewers. And in so doing, newer dimensions to romantic comedy have been added and the frontier of the sub genre has broadened not only for the sake of the art of film itself but intellectuals invested in it.

About a Boy Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO4pbtwisBE

My Fair Lady Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHrgSXPxr9w

The Power of Smiling

Hey Everyone :)

Today was a good day. Well, at first, as usually around that time of the year, I was worried and anxious thinking about all the exams I have yet to study for and other stuff I have to do. On the train, however, while I was going through my notes once again and desperately trying to memorize a few more things, I noticed an old lady smiling at me—and I couldn’t help myself from smiling back. She then began talking to me, telling me not to take things too seriously but to take it one step at a time and everything will work out great in the end.    

That encounter reminded me of a quote I really like. Mother Teresa once said "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing". A lot of what Mother Teresa said during her life was concerning smiling, helping the poor and sharing/spreading love. I agree with her on all her quotes concerning smiling, and what this little gesture can do to people. Indeed, a smile can save someone’s day. There are a few small smiles I encountered that not only managed to save my day but managed to get me through life’s burdens (thanks to my family). What I am referring to now is surely something you have all encountered before. There must have been someone that smiled at you and you knew if it weren't for that smile you could've ended up pretty bad in life. I am happy I had people smile at me. There is definitely more to a smile than just opening your mouth wide and showing your lovely (hopefully clean) teeth. It is (like Mother Teresa said) "an action of love, a gift... a beautiful thing". This is why I encourage you to smile wherever you go. SMILE. Life’s just too short to be making long faces and worrying about all kinds of things all the time. Show people you love them; show the stranger that today is a good day. Help the old lady get on the train with a smile on your face, showing her that we are all happy to help her out. Why? (There doesn’t always have to be something good in return just for you to do good, but) I could assure you that once you help her on the train you will see the sweetest smile ever. Yes, she probably doesn’t have any teeth, but she definitely knows how to make your day.

The City of Alexandria

One of my favorite places in the world is certainly Alexandria, Egypt's largest seaport. To me the second largest city in Egypt, located directly on the Mediterranean coast, is one of the most stunning as well as welcoming places I have ever been to. Also known as "“The Pearl of the Mediterranean”, it is well-known for its cultural heritage, its beautiful beaches and its convivial and warm atmosphere-undoubtedly a city steeped in history, from its famous admirable library and the lighthouse of the pharos to the marvelous monuments and its numerous museums. However, apart from all the great sights you can see and the countless summer resorts you can visit to spend some time just lazing around, I think there is one important thing that makes this city so unique: the people. Austria’s social life is nowhere near as lively as it is in Egypt. No matter what time of the day it is in Alexandria, you will always find cheerful people, for instance taking a walk along the stunning bay or sitting in one of the lovely cafes, laughing and enjoying themselves, regardless of the country’s political situation or their own personal circumstances. They are simple people, yet they give the city life and make tourists feel welcomed, which is why this city is such a special place. I really miss it and especially my family and friends there and looking forward to visiting this great city soon. :)

Why study abroad?

While it is generally believed that studying abroad is one of the greatest life-changing experiences students can make not only to hone their language skills but also to develop an independent mind, other people argue that spending a year abroad only entails hardships. However, despite some inconveniences, I still believe that spending a certain time period abroad is tremendously beneficial to Austrian students who study English.

Although some students have to deal with financial difficulties due to the increasing costs of attending university and the monthly living expenses, one can safely say that it is not impossible to afford the costs, owing to the opportunities students have nowadays, such as the ERASMUS program or financial benefits.

Students might also end up suffering from homesickness and feel overburdened as a result of new challenges; however, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It is rather an opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities in order to be able to cope with new tasks and overcome difficulties. In fact, students eventually become more self-confident and independent.

Undoubtedly, there is no better and more effective way to speak a language fluently than to live in a culture where the language is practiced on a daily basis. An extended stay in a foreign country does not only enable students to take courses not offered at their home universities, but also provides them with the possibility to become acquainted with the culture and come across new people at the same time, which is certainly an invaluable gain in experience.

To sum up, there are both advantages and disadvantages in studying abroad; but ultimately, the advantages seem to prevail over the difficulties students may encounter.

Cleopatra VII

Hey Everyone ;)

I was just thinking what to blog about, when I remembered one of the books I read, Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra. Because I’ve heard so much about this historical character, and also because I am Egyptian myself and intrigued by the ancient history of my country, I decided to write a short biography about the latest Pharaoh that even Julius Caesar hadn’t been able to resist.

“For (as they say) it was not because her beauty in itself was so striking that it stunned the onlooker, but the inescapable impression produced by daily contact with her: the attractiveness in the persuasiveness of her talk, and the character that surrounded her conversation was stimulating. It was a pleasure to hear the sound of her voice, and she tuned her tongue like a many-stringed instrument expertly to whatever language she chose…” (From Plutarch’s Life of Mark Anthony)

Cleopatra VII, also known as Cleopatra Thea Philopater (meaning “the Goddess Cleopatra, the beloved of her father”), was born in 69 B.C. in the City of Alexandria (Egypt), and died aged only 39. In 51 B.C., Pharaoh Ptolemy XII passed away and left his kingdom to his eighteen year old daughter, Cleopatra, and her only twelve-year-old brother Ptolemy XIII, because a woman was legally oblige d to have either a brother or a son for her consort. However, she soon dropped his name from any official documents and did what was best for her country, regardless of the Ptolemaic rule. She was the last and most well-known queen of Egypt (the last of the Ptolemy dynasty), before the rule of Egypt finally passed to the Romans under the rule of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus. Though she was not of Egyptian but of Macedonian origin, she was a compassionate ruler, who truly cared for her folk. She had broken almost 300 years of Ptolemaic rule that had been filled with rebellion and high taxes. And to prove her loyalty to her people, she used the country’s native language to communicate with them, lowered taxes for farmers and helped to boost Egypt’s economy. Cassius Dio, one of the great ancient sources, describes her as the woman who was brilliant enough to use her feminine charm to captivate the two greatest Romans of her day, in order to maintain Egypt’s power. Her charisma, strength and indomitability made her one the greatest queens- and inspired scores of writers and artists through the centuries.

Shakespeare’s Cleopatra is portrayed as the unparalleled beauty, which is jealous, possessive, but fiercely loyal to the love of her life: Marc Anthony. No matter how often they fight, they always come back to each other, as if there is nothing more important than their love for each other. She has an obvious fondness for high drama, and wants to keep Anthony all by herself; of course, he can’t withstand her charm, and even neglects his duties as a Roman ruler. After Anthony’s tragic death, she feels that there is no reason for her to live and decides to follow his example to meet him in afterlife.

Do It Yoursef

Hey Everyone :)

Although I came across several, interesting kinds of food blogs this week, there was one in particular that struck me the most: http://www.livelovepasta.com/. LiveLovePasta is more like a family blog, set up by Kara, her husband Cliff and her sister Kelly, who started this blog to share their passion for food. Each day, one of them posts a recipe with step-by-step photos on various categories, from appetizers to desserts, including vegan and vegetarian recipes as well. With this blog, it’s all about creativity, and the best part is that most of the recipes don’t require a long preparation time and are super easy on the cook.

My sister and I tried like three dessert recipes (yeah, we definitely have a sweet tooth) and were really impressed by just how easy they were to do, and not to mention how delicious they were, especially the “Nutella Mug Cake” which took us only 5 minutes to do. Seriously. At first, we thought there is definitely a spelling mistake, because it said the preparation time was about 1,5-3 minutes in the microwave, but it turned out to be true. It’s simply delicious and perfect for those late night study sessions when you’re craving for something sweet and don’t want to settle for some old cookies. ;) So go ahead and give it a try!

Here is how it’s done:

Ingredients
3 tablespoons self-rising flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons Nutella
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug. Whisk well with a fork until smooth. Microwave on high for 1½– 3 minutes. (Time depends on microwave)

ENJOY!