English class

This year has been different.
For the last four years, I've been learning several languages in the EOI' schools, and I'm quite proud of it.
I like a lot learning languages. For me it is a real thing to do in life...You know, the typical "I'm going to do it when I'll be older”.
There is another reason. When I was a twenty years old Economics student, I tried to know what to do in life. A good professor, Santiago Roldan told some of us about "Técnico Comercial del Estado" and it seemed perfect to me: official career, into the "Diplomatic Corps" travelling around the world...Perfect!! Yes, a lot of study to do but it was ok for me; I was studying deeply at that time. But one more thing: I needed to speak perfectly two languages, in fact the more languages I'd speak, the better. That was a really “cold water shower" for me. I hardly spoke French!
So, I didn't do it.
Then I chose the second option of a good work and there were no languages involved in it, but likewise I began with some English classes.
Now I’m old enough, as I told you at the beginning of this essay, to do what I didn’t do when I was young. Now it is useless, but anyway I’m enjoying doing it, and when I’ll fall sleep I’m going to dream that I am “Técnico Comercial del Estado” and doing a good job around the world.
I always thought I didn’t like writing but I’m not so sure now, because right now I’m doing it in a language that is not mine and it can be pleasant…
On the other hand, during this course, I’ve learned about computers. I usually use computers, but I hadn’t ever done a Blog before. After all, it has been a good experience.

Urban stories

I think, an urban story is a type or a sort of uncanny story....
One of the differences is the audience to whom it is directed.
Another difference, probably the most important, is that uncanny story can have a good ending, while an urban story can never have a good ending because the intention is to give a lesson: common sense, moral, good behaviour... the typical "grandmother's tale" but modern, present-day.
All this explanation is done before my research in the internet...but I'm so sure of it!
You'll tell me!

put oneself into someone else's shoes

I like this expression and I like its meaning too.
These days I'm worried about empathy, I mean the lack of empathy.
First I have the responsibility of explaining what empathy is. It is defined as "feeling or expressing emotion for another". It’s the ability to understand the feelings, the needs and problems of others, putting oneself in their place and answering in consequence.

Nowadays people are concerned about their own life and nothing else but gossip. On one hand, “Hola” “semana” “whatever”….there are a lot of magazines explaining people lives. On the other hand, there are TV programs talking about famous or not so famous people, or also the reality shows, all these kinds of Big Brother shows. Besides, even the news bulletins have this sort of gossip style!

In our daily life, we have friends, colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors, partners, fellows. Most of the time, routine takes place over us; we are not able to “see” them. We should talk with all these people around us as people used to do some time ago, trying to put a little of empathy in our relationship with all of them. I’m sure we will be happier than now.
At least we should try.

I’m going to put myself into someone else’s shoes.

awake continuation: BLACKBIRD

Blackbird lyrics. Paul McCartney

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see.
All your life,You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Blackbird, fly. Blackbird, fly,
Into the light of a dark black night.

Blackbird, fly. Blackbird, fly,
Into the light of a dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
You were only waiting, for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting, for this moment to arise.

awake

It is five o’ clock in the morning. I've been awake since three. I’m tired but I cannot sleep any more so I’m going to write some words.
Just now, there is a little bird singing. Every time I hear it, I remember Romeo and Juliet’s dialog after their first love night “Es el ruiseñor(nightingale) no la alondra(lark or skylark)”….I’m going to search this dialog in English because it could be a good exercise, a good reading exercise, besides it is the original language of Romeo and Juliet.
Is the Shakespeare’s language easy to read? I have no idea and I’ m going to check up on it…some day.
I like this bird because it makes me feel less alone and it’s a sign the night is ending and obviously a new day is coming. Let me tell you that when you are awake all night without nothing to do, the night becomes endless. Probably, next day, it's going to be a sunny day or not, but for sure with people, not only the bird and me.
Now I realize, I really need to know if it is the nightingale o the lark who sings when the day is coming and which one of them sings in the middle of the night.
Ok I have an investigation to do. Bye
I found it! In a fantastic web “pájaros de nuestros campos”or "pájaros de España"www.usuarios.com/ib305742. Now, I am a little disappointed because I think the bird that is with me through the night is a blackbird(mirlo).
On that web, there are pictures of the birds, some of them with a real sound of birds singing.
I’m not like Romeo and Juliet
¡What a pity!
See you

Romeo & Juliet act 3 scene5

Juliet
"Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day.
It was the nightingale, and not the lark,
That pierced the fear-full hollow of thine ear.
Nightly she sings on yon pom'granate tree.
Believe me, it was the nightingale.
Romeo
it was the lark, the herald of the morn,
no nightingale. Look, love, what envious streaks
Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east.
Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day
Stand tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.
I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
.........

Done. Very nice.

reality bites

Nowadays all of us want to have a degree.
The dream of all parents is their children should have a career.
When I think about it, I always remember a German industrial man I knew in a classmate’s house.
They were a large wealthy family of eleven and at that moment the five older sons were studying in some kind of University
The German was horrified about that. He told to the father in a perfect Spanish that this was a terrible mistake.
The father of my classmate told him everybody in Spain was trying to give this kind of education to their children, and the German was more and more horrified.
I can’t remember the total explanation but the idea: A healthy society needs people graduated in intermediate craft degrees not only university doctors : Technicians, mechanics, farmers, electricians, carpenters.
I remember thinking he was right, and I still do.
I know it's not so easy, I know.
Because in our society, a university degree is synonym of culture and that is a half truth: I have to recognize that I know narrow-minded students and very cultivated and open-minded electricians.
Since then, a lot of changes have happened in our society. For example, nowadays there are a lot of recognized intermediate studies and they are working successfully.
I think it’s just what he meant.
What do you think: Was the German right?

About butterflies

I have always liked butterflies and I still do.
Besides, for me butterflies have a magical meaning. They live only one or two days and they grow from a caterpillar…very special. They are so beautiful and light, so colourful and …whatever. I like them.
The thing is some years ago a friend of mine told me about Mrs E. Kübler-Ross, who was here in Barcelona to give some conferences in Sta Madrona Nurse’s college and my friend told to me how special Mrs Kübler Ross was.
A sunny summer day I was reading a book, if I remember well, from Sanchez Drago, and suddenly there it was! Elisabet Kübler-Ross and butterflies were together. The writer explained that E. Kübler Ross realized that when children have the intuition they’re going to die, they draw butterflies. They did it in the extermination Camp and they are doing it in Hospitals.
Since then, I’ve been reading all books by her.
I recommend you to do it.
A piece of advice, if you are sensitive you should have a handkerchief…