Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year

Happiness happens silently when we are able to face our fears to be happy out of established patterns. It is essencial to manage and live our life our own way, our own style. After all, we know how things really are. And one day, each one of us will figure out that we are unique and special to the magic cycle of life and will only do to others what we expect for ourselves. That we all grow stronger and aware of the universe and love power this coming year. 2008 sums up 10 which is the Wheel of Fortune in tarot cards, giving us a chance this year to think repeated patterns over and break the cycle of whatever is overwhelming and depressing for us. And the 10 sums up 1, which is The Magician in Tarot cards. This figure tells us that in 2008 we can all do magic if we have faith. The Magician has this special wand to point up to the sky and ask for a blessing in any of the four areas represented on the rock next to his feet: material life, family issues or any sort of emotional struggle, love matters and finally the spiritual life. So let us choose one of these four areas and go for it, hoping for the best and a lot of changes. We will have the power of the Magician to change our life around and be involved in a lot of action and movement, starting a new journey. Blessings to us all in 2008.

Blessings :)

" Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." (Thoreau)
So let's count our blessings and move on, building a nest of pleasant and happy thoughts!

Congratulations Pedro!

My dear and precious student Pedro went to Canada as an exchange student. He is going to attend high School for a year and I`m just so proud of him and his beautiful soul :) I send him my best wishes and all my love and energy. I remember vividly when I was an exchange student in Idaho, with all the ups and downs of exploring a new culture, feeling homesick every now and then and making new and precious friends I still keep in touch and hold close to my heart and soul. I wish my sweet Pedro all the luck and special moments in his journey!! This is going to be an unforgetable experience in his life, making him tougher, more open-minded and culturally-aware, it is something every teenager should fight for! I plant a big kiss in your heart Pedro today and always!!!!!
Your teacher and friend!!!

Life is funny and bring us special gifts sometimes :)

I was thinking about all the people we meet in life and the situations we come across. If we stop to think about it, they all bring a special message for us, something we are supposed to learn or deal with at the moment. And all these special encounters seem to happen at the right timing, tuned to the part of universe we hold inside. Some people we bump into become good and precious friends, some we just share a few good words or energy and move on and some become part of our soul. Through this magical interaction we are able to go a step further in life and be aware of the importance of special encounters. Sometimes we do most of the sharing and people take our energy with them, without leaving much behind. But every now and then people engage themselves in such a synchronicity that both of them are privileged with the learning and good memories from their meetings and conversations and these words and gestures become somehow part of us. Unfortunately sometimes we are so centered on our own little world that we miss the great opportunity of sharing magic moments with people we come across, and that moment will never be repeated by the universe flow. I regret for all the moments I was not alert enough to know the importance of learning and interaction with people and I am so grateful for the moments I was able to share my light and energy with others, laughing and enjoying life. Most of all, grateful for being able to learn from such encounters and hold to the things and energy people were kindly able to share and leave behind with me, honoring each step of a true friendship or relationship.

Welcome to Class after this amazing Winter break!

Robert Frost Poetry

The Freedom of the Moon

I've tried the new moon tilted in the air
Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster
As you might try a jewel in your hair.
I've tried it fine with little breadth of luster,
Alone, or in one ornament combining
With one first-water start almost shining.
I put it shining anywhere I please.
By walking slowly on some evening later,
I've pulled it from a crate of crooked trees,
And brought it over glossy water, greater,
And dropped it in, and seen the image wallow,
The color run, all sorts of wonder follow.

Rubem Alves

I just finished a book by Rubem Alves called "Perguntaram-me se acredito em Deus" ( Someone asked me if I believed in God). As a teacher and someone who loves the magical power of words, I've always looked up to this amazing man who comes from Minas. If you ever run into this book, it's worth the journey! He uses a story teller to interpret some passages of the Bible and the interaction we silently and uniquely have with the God we carry in our hearts. He shapes it all beautifully, full of love, life, hope and poetry. I just have to be thankful to have such a wonderful writer and educator lightening up my steps all these years. God bless his work and his gardens spread all over Brazil in people`s hearts and souls!

Gui`s posting

Gui,Thank you for posting the tip on my blog about the movie What the bleep do we know? I checked the blog you suggested!http://dragaodagaragem.blogspot.com and I completely understand your point of view. I started reading about quantu Physics long ago with a book Muito além do aqui e do agora, later on I was exposed to O Tao da Física. Even though I understand and believe in data and the power of traditional science,I feel and sense there is much more within us than what we already KNOW with all the scientific data we collect through life! Don't get me wrong, but not in Physics, but in Applied Linguistics, human interaction and discourse, I am a researcher myself. I finished my Master's degree at UFRJ and I'm going for my PhD in the same field. You are young and have a long road to cross. I agree with you about the production, soundtracks, acting, director and all there is in the package! The movie is shitty, but NOT THE CONCEPTS. The blog you suggested mentioned Uranus and Neptune and the importance of their discovery, go deeper into Astrology and you will see there is much more out there. We are not here saying we want to BAN science and Physics, but there are things that cannot be explained or described through data or fancy exams like the blog you suggested mentioned, scanning your brain for example. The technology is cool and I'm in favor of it, I'm a survivor from brain aneurism , so I know and I FEEL what I'm talking about. There is no war or gap between science and mysterious issues, only understanding and bridges to better build this society. Think about it. I agree with you that sometimes when they bring up these topics, they do not have the best production in terms of film making. And people that are knowledgeable out there do not want to take a step further,they are masters who are not willing to seek, but to be found! That is the whole difference, huh?Science and the unknown or the unseen have a great interaction for those who are aware of the universe and its representation in small or bigger fractions. I have a researcher's mind for the data I analyze in my classroom, but I go deep into studying the Cabala, Greek Mithology, Tarot cards and symbols, and all the mysterious language there is out there! It is my hobby and it's my pleasure.I wrote to you in English because I know for sure you can communicate in a foreign language as a person focused on research and science as you are. And I only answer my postings in English. After all, that's the language of my blog. I hope we can get together and become friends, explore all the beauty of the universe in interesting and amazing discussions. I believe in data , it`s my every day work as a classroom researcher, but I also believe in feelings and energy. I wish you the very best in life! Be cool and be happy!
roberta_fonseca@uol.com.br

My precious daughter

The Secret

Even though Veja criticized the book, it's worth reading it. Check the website below!

"The Secret is the culmination of many centuries of great thinkers, scientists, artists and philosophers. All of the people involved behind the scenes with The Secret are honored to stand on the shoulders of these great people cherishing the ideas that have come before us. "

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

http://www.thesecret.tv

We can change the world!

I really believe we can change reality around us with our attitudes of mind and actions. I'm proud of my students who really make a difference and fight their way through, reaching for their goals and respecting their parents. I love being a teacher because each day the universe sends me a message or a sign saying that it is possible to build a better neighborhood, a better nation, a better earth, a better universe. All of us will reach such consciousness someday!

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it - always."- Mahatma Gandhi

What are we doing here and now?

WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW?! is a new type of film. It is part documentary, part story, and part elaborate and inspiring visual effects and animations. The protagonist, Amanda, played by Marlee Matlin, finds herself in a fantastic Alice in Wonderland experience when her daily, uninspired life literally begins to unravel, revealing the uncertain world of the quantum field hidden behind what we consider to be our normal, waking reality.
www.whatthebleep.com

It's really worth watching it in order to think life over!!!! Take a look!!!

Manuscript Contest

Journey is a manuscript of a woman who decides to write a journal about her insights during a trip to the beach. Her experiences and tough moments are described in 22 small chapters, having the symbolic messages and myths of the 22 tarot cards implicitly shown on the background. She figures all the answers are within us and we are instruments from up above to interpret the signs and messages we come across. When we are born we all receive a gift to change reality around us, moving away from patterns we were conditioned to, seeking for different roads and opportunities. After a long and relaxing stay on the beach she wraps up her journal, aware that things in life are interconnected and feeling ready to start over with her family, moving on, respecting the universe flow and willing to share her story and insights with others. She finally understands God and the miracle of creation gave her a heart to love, to forgive, to feel, to cry and to smile. A heart with full capacity to dream and reach up high, restless and beating nonstop, looking forward to figuring out what is within us and spread all over the universe. This strong-willed and intense woman who uses writing as a means of therapy or release moves a step forward each day, using the sunset and the ocean’s breeze as witnesses. Suddenly her heart, mind, body and soul are filled with a different light and she offers her existence to the universe and its mysterious creation process, thankful for all her gifts and blessings. Her heart is no longer only hers, it is part of something much bigger, something connected to a great deal of things and thinking. With her soul filled up with peace, there is no room left over for anger or hard feelings and she finally discovers her special prayer to feel mature and to understand all the consequences of true love.

I decided to sign up for this contest and let's see how it turns out!!!!

Honor Society 2006

I'm very proud of your performance in 2006!
Congratulations and a tight hug for outstanding oral skills. I listed the names according to the schedule, from Monday thru Friday.
– Aline Barreto
– Nathália Santos
– Ana Maria
– Sarah Santos
– Marina Gussen
– Ana Paula Corrêa
– Gabriel Ferreira
– Leonardo Gussen
– Rafael Hayashi
– Hugo Amaral
– Iana Carboni
– Lucas Bona
– Gabriela Guedes
– Júlia Guedes

Honors to you!

Songs to be used in the classroom

Hello everyone, I'm waiting for suggestions for 2007. So far Fábia and I selected 2 Cds for you guys, but I'm looking forward to hearing from you in order to please everybody's taste. So what do you have in mind for this coming semester? Let me know what your favorite songs are,OK? And if you have any other suggestions about our classes, feel free to comment! I'm all ears! As a matter of fact, I love to listen and have insights afterwards. My email link is available on my profile. Message me anytime.

Start applying for SAT at UFJF when you are a freshman in High School

The program is called PISM and it is really worth trying. Juiz de Fora has a lot to offer to students. I attended school there and I really like the campus. If you need any tips about the city, feel free to get in touch. I'll help you out!

Buy your textbooks at Veredas Bookstore in Pontual Shopping

Interchange 1,2 e 3 (3rd edition), New Interchange 1,2 e 3 (2nd edition), Passages 1 e 2 and Communicating in Business, all published by Cambridge University Press are available at Veredas in Pontual Shopping. Talk to Marcelo to find exactly what you are looking for.
http://www.veredas.com.br

TV Shows to practice your English

We have a great deal of new and old shows to practice and learn new expressions. My favorites right now are The New Adventures of Old Christine, she is AWESOME, Two and a Half Men and Gilmore Girls. I like Close to Home and The O.C. too, but not as much as the first ones I mentioned. Old Christine and Two and a half men make me laugh out loud after a tough long day and I really enjoy the ride!!!! They are all available on Warner channel, but I watch Sony every now and then too.
http://www2.warnerbros.com
http://www.sonypictures.com

Cool Photos

http://martinwinter.blogspot.com/

2007

Ever since we were born each one of us has a project of happiness and love and this year we will have another chance to reach this goal again or even for the first time, it does not really matter... What really matters is that our interaction with others will bring happy moments, peace, faith and love to the universe. Our eyes will spread hope, our smiles will share our light and faith and we will be able to grow a beautiful and magic garden, full of juicy fruits of feelings and insights! A wonderful and magic New Year to all of us, blessed as we are for being alive and for being able to share with others what we have learned so far, reaching high all the time for evolution.

Let's prevent bullying at all times

What is really happening around us? Even though I faced some difficult times throughout my classroom experience with teenagers, I strongly feel we can make a difference and change the world for the better as a team. It is just a matter of framing students whenever we feel a mood or words of harassment, wrapping people instead of a hug or a smile. After all, it is our time of sharing and instruction and we cannot allow people talking to others in a harsh way inside or outside the classroom, being mean just for the sake of it, spreading rumors and that kind of stuff. After talking to my students I believe they calm down and realize they need to behave in a community in a healthy way, respecting differences and all that. After being framed with love and respect by their teachers and parents, I believe they can understand they are supposed to be kind to people, no matter what is going on around them. Somehow they start figuring out it is just NOT nice to harrass other people just because they are different or they seem to face life in a different way. They can suddenly realize there is a problem in their own behavior bullying their school buddies and everybody wants to feel loved and respected. Once a bullie is spotted and framed with love and respect about his behavior with others, he or she will face the necessity of changing. I mean, people are watching and noticing their bevavior and comments towards others and that is just not good for them, right? After all, how they can be so mean to others? So I'm really looking forward to 2007 and the possibility of watching my students discussing IDEAS and NOT PEOPLE! For those of you who never got involved in bullying, CONGRATULATIONS, I'm very proud of you guys! And for those of you who somehow, somewhere got involved in it, I tell you: Bullying sucks!!!!! And CONGRATULATIONS too because I am certain you are about to change, right?! I respect and LOVE all of you!!!!

"Children, after all, learn from what they see us do, rather than from what we say. When adults do not intervene, bullies may feel there is nothing wrong with their actions. Targets may feel they deserve the bullying.
Adults can intervene effectively to reduce bullying. The first step is to identify bullying. It includes:
Physical bullying: hitting, kicking, pushing, choking, punching
Verbal bullying: threatening, taunting, teasing, starting rumors, hate speech.
Exclusion from activities: This does not mean that a child should not have the right to choose to play, or not to play, with another child; it does mean that children should not be allowed to systematically exclude others: "No one play with Mary;" "No one wants to play with him;" "Don't be her friend."
Bullying is like spouse abuse or sexual harassment in that it:
Done by someone with more power or social support to someone with less power or social support
Often includes the abuser blaming the target for the abuse
Often it leads to the target blaming him or herself for the abuse.
As a culture, we are focusing new attention on childhood bullying and harassment. As we watch children being crushed by bullying, we often feel powerless. No more!There are ways to stop bullying, based on decades of research.
We sometimes see bullying as an inevitable part of childhood. Yet, according to world-wide research, 50% reductions in rates of bullying are possible. The Stop Bullying Now intervention is based on the work of many researchers in bullying prevention. "
"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college she attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."Eleanor Roosevelt"In gentleness and compassion, we tell what we know to be true."From a prayer preceding staff bullying prevention training at Holy Angels School in Delaware, August 2005. "When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent humanmisery rather than avenge it?"Eleanor Roosevelt
http://www.stopbullyingnow.com

Beautiful Prayer

God is my strength, my eternal guiding light. He stands with me in the sunshine, calms me through the stormy nights.
He stands with me on the mountain tops. He walks with me upon the beach, when it is His guidance
That my heart does seek.
Always there to pick me up,
When I fall on bended knees; He is The Captain of my ship,
As we sail across the seas.
He is in each and every breath I take, in every path within my sight. When I take life's daily journey, I pray my choices have been right.
He greets me with the morning,
As each new day awakes. His canvas is the earth and sky.What a beautiful sight it makes.
He renews the strength with in my heart. My faith shall never falter. For, when I sing His loving praise, my soul becomes even stronger. (Unknown author)

English Tests on line

Dear Students :)

In my classroom I give my best shot to teach you important communication skills with cool expresssions based on all the movies we watch together, but we cannot forget the importance of grammar and certain rules. I know we work together in class with the exercises and activities presented in the textbooks we use, but it is definetely worth practicing certain rules outside the classroom. I would appreciate if you could get engaged in english tests on line in order to test your different levels and grammar topics. I suggest the link below, it's pratical and you can get your score afterwards.

http://english-test.net