2012-05-06

My reflection on the writing class this semester

This semester writing classes were interesting, because we had an opportunity to correct other students‘ essays. I liked it, because I could feel like a real teacher and watch what mistakes are usually the most common. Also we could express our views abut various things.

Despite of this, I faced some difficulties while writing reviews,essays, even if I had a whole week to do that. Sometimes I did not write anything at all, or my essays were wrong. Moreover, it is not lecturer‘s fault, because she has other lessons, but writing lectures began quite late, so it was difficult to concentrate on the things we had to accomplish.

Still, in general, I think that our writing lectures were good, and I would like to write essays on things,  about  which I had somthing to say, because in the last essay about euthanasia I had alomst nothing to say, just its advantages and disadvantages, because I had never confronted with it.

2012-05-04

Did my expectations which I had at the beginning of my studies at this university come true?

At the beginning of my studies I was a little bit scared. Everything was new to me: new environment, new teachers, new friends. Earlier I was thinking about my future and was expecting kind group friends and lecturers, and my expectations came true. My new friends are very helpful, I can talk about anything with each of them. Of course, studying English here is not very easy and sometimes we have to study a lot, but it is natural, I knew where I was going, so I think I will manage somehow. Also there are cases when there come some misunderstandings, but in spite of them I am happy about my studies.

The film review

The Vampire Diaries is a drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the books series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. The setting takes place in Virginia, in a small town called Mystic Falls, haunted by vampires. Prominent stars of the film: Nina Dobrev (as Elena Gilbert), Paul Wesley (as Stefan Salvatore), Ian Somerhalder (as Damon Salvatore), Steven R. Mc. Queen (as Jeremy Gilbert).

The series follow the life of 17 year–old girl Elena Gilbert (starring Nina Dobrev) who falls in love with Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), who appears to be a vampire. Their relationship become complicated, when Stefan‘s older brother Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) returs to the town with the idea to avenge to his younger brother. Both brothers fall in love with Elena, mainly because she is similar to their past love Katherine Pierce. Soon Elena appears to be a descendant of Katherine.

Many of the characters in this film have supernatural abilities, such as flight, super-strength, the ability to transform into animals. An important visual effect involves pulsing veins around the characters‘ eyes when he or she gets angry or hungry, reveals which of the characters‘ is a real vampire.

Talking about actors‘ makeup, makeup artist Beverly Jo Pryor tells that working with actors‘ is not a pleasure: „ To get into „Vamp Mode“, Somerhalder and Wesley must endure a apinstaking makeup process including prosthetics, contact lenses and specially fitted fangs, which are created from a mold taken of the individual actors teeth. There are special appliances used for the gore, the bites, all the different stages of attacs. Sometimes fake necks are used as well“.

All in all I can say that „The Vampire Diaries“ made a big impression for me. From the first series I could not move away from the computer screen, because I was interested to see what will happen next. Of course I also could not take my eyes from the beautiful actors, especially from Ian Somerhalder... I  recommend to watch this film for those, who like mystery and special effects and of course like watching unusual teenagers' lifes.

2012-04-29

What does it mean to be a good teacher

There are lots of people who want to be teachers. If you are planning to become a teacher you have to think a lot before doing this. It is not so easy to teach in school. You have to feel a passion for teaching, also you have to have good qualities and be well - prepared with your subjects.

Firstly, a real teacher is a person who feels a passion for teaching. There are lots of people in the world who have the job they do not like. In such cases every day becomes unbearable and then a person feels miserable. Of course there certainly are good teachers who love their pupils and  behave with them very well. So, if you want to be a perfect teacher you have to love your job and everything what is connected with it.

Secondly, teachers must have good qualities, such as self-confidence, curiousity, creativity. Furthermore, teachers have to be interested in their pupils needs and interests. A communication between teacher and children is very important not only during the classes, but also when the classes are over. Also, it is necessary to keep in touch with pupils‘ parents.

Thirdly, it is not a secret that teachers have to be well - prepared with their subjects. If people want to be teachers they have to know a lot of things about the subject which they are going to teach. Moreover, they have to do their best in all the lessons. Teachers have to explain everything what pupils are asking about and try to explain unknown things as clear as possible.

In conclusion I would like to say that the most important thing, which you have to do before becoming a teacher,  is to think a lot before making this decision. If you are already a teacher, you do not have to forget that teaching requires a lot of things to be done, such as loving your job, knowing your subject very well and being polite and communicative with pupils and your colleagues. A real teacher is a self – confident, responsible and sociable person who wants to help in every situation.

2012-03-05

Yesterday I was reading a quite interesting article. It was said that Lithuanian mobile Internet users on average spend about 20 minutes per day surfing the Internet. They are usually checking their e-mail, and the least - make use of online banking services. The company of research showed that every twelfth inhabitant of Lithuania surfs the Internet in one’s mobile phone.

Personally for me it was not the novelty. I also sometimes like surfing the Internet in my mobile phone for a chance to find a piece of information what I need. Furthermore, mobile devices, free wireless Internet access, smart phones, tablet PC’s  are slowly changing the behavior of consumers. Plus, all the necessary information about goods or services can be found immediately in one click. 

So in my opinion this number of people who use mobile Internet services will absolutely grow in the future, because of the modern technologies.

2012 - 02 - 24

Where do we want to live?

Every year people from all over the world search for a better place to live. Every country has problems with emigration, and Lithuania is no exception. Within the past few years a number of emigrants has increased a lot. Usually people, especially young, go to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany. Emigration rate among young people in Lithuania is getting higher. This kind of situation affects a number of factors, such as unemployment, low salaries, personal reasons.

Firstly, one of the main reasons why do people go abroad is unemployment. Emigrants try to find better living conditions in foreign countries because in Lithuania there are fewer opportunities for creating the future you like. Moreover,difficult conditions of employment appeared for young people. Even people with high education can not find a job. In this case, young graduated people are forsed to find a place, where all their merits would be needed. So emigration becomes like a natural decision, depending on circumstances.

Secondly, due to the small wages, many people leave our home country with hope to live better abroad. In this case Lithuania remains small part of young and strong people who still can work. Sometimes, despite the fact that people have little money in their pockets and do not know foreign language, they still go abroad, thinking that life is going to deal better than in Lithuania. Unfortunately,sometimes their wishes come true, and they remain to live beyond thousands of kilometres.

Thirdly, personal reasons also influences the spread of emigration. There are hundreds of reasons why do people leave their family members and friends and choose life in an unfamiliar country.

Of course, living abroad is not easy especially when family is left behind.  But nevertheless, sometimes it is easier to live separately. Furthermore, everything gets more difficult when person for the first time meets unfamiliar surrounding. In spite of this, still a big number of young people wish to live and work abroad than to live in their homeland.

All in all I can say that emigration makes danger for every countries population. For such a country as Lithuania, this process may cause many social and economical disadvantages in the future. Because of emigration, it is loosing not only the taxpayers but also citizens who determine the political fate. And still, it is difficult to predict what is going to happen next.

2011-12-12

1. In my opinion these kind of intergenerational activities are useful, but in Lithuania they won't have a chance to succeed. It is because our society doesn't think that people need development, or at least not now. Of course, it would be a benefit  for both the old and young ones.

2. Personally I don't think that the old and young ones will never agree. This story is an example that it is possible to rub along. Maybe both sides have different attitudes towards something, but it doesn't mean they can not communicate.

3. The best way to interact is to find common hobby. After all, in extremis, there has to be at least two people who both like same things. And if not, then I think there should be for example an evening for the presentation of favorite hobbies. Then perhaps in such a case someone would get interested and make firends.