Au pair

I’m thinking about going abroad for a couple of months (probably a year). To be honest I’m quite uncertain where to go and what to do. Studying, working as an au pair… Not an easy decision. Anyway, for all of you who intent to work as an au pair I can recommend you this website, which is really reliable.

Some of my friends worked in France and England for this organisation. They had a really nice family and suitable accommodation, but most importantly they felt welcomed.

Check it out; hopefully it’ll help you.

http://www.au-pair4you.at/anmeldung.htm

Tunnel between Russia and the USA

Today I’ve read that a new tunnel is supposed to be built between Russia and the USA. Seems to be an extremely expensive affair. As a matter of fact, some are concerned about the technical feasibility of this project. Nevertheless, Russians are eager to realize it because it would increase trade between Asia and North America. In addition, travel coast could be cut.

I was surprised by the fact that the inspiration to build a tunnel across the 85-kilometre Bering Strait is not new. 100 years ago people thought about this project, but in became less important during the Soviet era.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/0704/070420-tunnel.html

!!This link includes a listening task, which is quite useful!!

Pub Quiz

Every Tuesday in the Office Pub, which is near Tummelplatz, there is a weekly Pub Quiz. It’s a great opportunity to meet natives and improve your speaking skills. Furthermore, you can meet interesting people, while enjoying a great atmosphere and having a beer (or two).

Usually it begins at 8 pm. You’ve to pay € 1, which is given to a pot and the best team can win the collected money.

I’ve joined a team, the Smiths. However, if you’re interested you could select your own team. All you’ve to do is to sign up at http://www.theofficepub.at/.

I’ve to admit that the asked questions aren’t really easy, in addition you’ll have a great amount of competition. The Green Monsters, one of their team members is Mr. Newman if I’m not mistaken, are one of the participants, which are hard to beat. One the other hand that shouldn’t frighten you. Take it as a challenge.

Hopefully I’ll see some of you tomorrow.

YouTube

I’m definitely a YouTube addict. Whenever I want to catch a glimpse of something on youtube I end up watching video clips for hours. Most of the time funny ones or music clips, since I’m not any more in the habit of downloading them. I had to stop this pastime activity.

These are one of my favourites from the Late Late Show, which is hosted by Craig Ferguson.

Have a look and maybe you can take the time to see more of them! They are really funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WhArN5PYl4 (about Arnold Schwarzenegger)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irOFAjsnSg0 (about George Bush)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA (about his former life as an alcoholic)

Flann O'Brien

(1911-1966)

Flann O’Brien, who was a humorous writer, was known under several names but his real name was Brian O'Nuallai (Nolan). He was born in County Tyrone, on 5 October 1911, as one of twelve brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, he grew up in Dublin and was a civil servant for eighteen years.

He was powerfully influenced by James Joyce and even attended the same college, University College Dublin. In the 1930s he began writing for the Irish Times under the name Myles na Gopaleen (Myles of the Small Horses). He also wrote a column for the Nationalist and Leinster Times but never used his real name.

O’Brien graduated with an MA in 1935. During his time at college he discovered a gift for debate, writing, editing and a love for drink (--> read the interview by Tim Pat Coogan).

Myles na gCopaleen or Myles na Gopaleen were the names he used when writing Irish novels and his newspaper columns. His English novels appeared under the name of Flann O’Brien.

His works, under the name Flann O’Brien, include:

-The Dalkey Archive

-The Hard Life: An Exegesis of Squalor

-The Third Policeman

-At Swim-Two-Birds

-An Béal Bocht (The Poor Mouth)

An interview with Flann O’Brien in 1964 by Tim Pat Coogan (after the publication of The Dalkey Archive)

The interview was carefully planned. Apart from getting him to talk, there was one other main objective: to keep O’Brien away from the drink. It was to take place at 8.30 on a Saturday morning so that he could be returned home before the pubs opened. But the wily O’Brien escaped the television crew’s vigilance. Disappearing to the toilet in his house when the camera man called for him, he was hauled out some twenty five minutes later, drunk as a lord. He had hidden a bottle of whisky in the cistern and downed the lot while the crew were eating breakfast. Somehow the interview went ahead – O’Brien demanding more drink as he rambled on – with the result that on the only surviving recording of his voice we hear a man slurring his words, obviously drunk. Praised by the producer as one of the “classics of Irish broadcasting,” it was unbroadcastable in 1960s Ireland and is hardly a fitting tribute to its subject.

For further imformaion:
http://www.necessaryprose.com/obrien.html
http://www.necessaryprose.com/obrien.html

About the French

Finally, I have found my book and here are some facts about the French:

• Fitting in and making friends was harder than she had expected because of the fact that the French are not used to meeting foreigners. For them, friendships form over years, at school or university.
  
• On drink parties serving alcohol is very much a male domain.
  
• In France oblique messages are rewarded as subtle and sophisticated while direct language is considered too blunt.
  
• The book French or Foe, which was written by another expat, advised her that she should pretend to be a chair on cocktail parties. So it would be easier for her when she is ignored. Who would make an effort to speak with an chair? (But they are not rude, they are simply French).
  
• In Paris parks you are not allowed to sit on the grass-you are supposed to admire it, not use it.
  
• Dressing up is very important. No matter where you go. Even if you only rush to the bakery, dress up. In Paris, failure to dress up leads to instant condemnation.
  
• Women, as well as men, are expected to pay close attention to their appearances. To make the most of yourself is a important rule.
  
• The only drunks you see in Paris are clochards, people who live on the street. For Sarah, this seemed surreal compared to Australia.
  
• Roots are everything in France. They are attached to the region where they grew up.
  
• The women in France, particularly Parisian women, perceive those of the same sex as rivals, not as potential friends.
  
• French women didn’t get the vote right until 1944 (three decades later than women in Britain). They haven’t fought for their rights because the haven been treated with respect.
  
• Being funny isn’t considered as feminine.
  
• When the French do something, they like to be good at it. They don’t want to look funny or foolish (e.g. when they are dancing).
  
• Lateness is institutionalised in Paris. If you arrive for dinner on time your hosts might not be pleased.

Sarah’s conclusion: It just takes time in France.

Home Remedies

Because of the fact that I live for almost 15 years in Austria I'm aware of their use of home remedies instead of chemical solutions. What shall I say, it is never amazingly enjoyable but I could swear it helps :)

Today I've read Pam Model’s contribution about home remedies on her blog www.nerdseyeview.com. Solutions like 'Topfenwickel', to wrap someone in onions etc. if she/he gets ill, seem to have been an absolutely new experience to her.

I really enjoy reading her blog. Her posts are lively written and most of the time soooo funny.

Do me favour!

Please guys do me a favour!

A few minutes ago I have read one of your blogs and now I am devastated. Having just 50 pages to read I was so exited about the ending of 'Jaywalking with the Irish'. And now, I unfortunately already know the end of the book, which I was absorbing the last few days.

So pllleeeaaassse when you blog about books you have read, never ever mention the ending!

Blog_Stefanie Wilfling

Yet I haven't managed to have a look at all webblogs. However, one I really enjoy to read is http://stefwilfling.blogspot.com/.

Why? Because of the fact that Stefanie travels a lot (which I absolutely admire), which gives me the opportunity the experience different cultures from her point of view. Route 66, Sydney etc. and I hope she will continue to let us take part in her adventures and experiences.

The Easter Proclamation

Was a document issued by the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army.

Click on the picture to follow the link and see a more readable version.

Michael Collins

Irish Patriot (1890-1922)Commander-in-Chief, Irish Free State Army

Michel Collins is mentioned in the book related to the War of Independence. (Chapter Two, Page 26)




Michael Collins was born on 16 October 1890 near Sam's Cross, a small village in West Cork.

He attended national school at Lisavaird, where he had a close relationship with his schoolmaster, who was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. The purpose of this association was to oust the British from Ireland. Furthermore, this secret organisation wanted to strengthen the sense of pride of the Irish as a race. This principle held the greatest meaning for Michael Collins.

Michel spent nine years in London. Later on he became the first the secretary and then the president of the IRB.

In 1916 he returned to Dublin to be part of the planned revolt, Easter Rising, which was a military disaster. The IRB was not in the position to defend most of their prominent buildings, like the GPO (General Post Office). As a consequence of the war sixteen rebellion leaders were killed by the British troops, which resulted in a shift in the Irish public opinion. They felt anger at the British reaction. Therefore Black and Tans and the 'Auxies' were used by the British Army to spread fear throughout Ireland, which lead to more violence on both sides.

In 1917, he was elected to the Sinn Fein executive and by mid-1919 had been made President of the IRB Supreme Council. At the same time, he was Minister for Finance in the Dail government and the commander of the IRA.
In October 1921 Collins was sent to Ireland by Eamonn de Valera, who was a leading republican politician in Ireland, to negotiate a treaty. After three months it was decided, that Ireland could govern itself but remain within the British Empire. However, his actual goal was the full independence of Ireland.

"Yerra, they'll never shoot me in my own county", said Michael Collins. Nevertheless, he was killed on August 22nd, 1922 in Beal na mBlath in West Cork.

Additional Information:

• He had a love for older people and children.
  
• In 1920 he was wanted by the British and had a price of 10,000 stg. on his head.


• Provoked England to war.
  
• Collins believed that physical force was the only route to independence.

http://www2.cruzio.com/~sbarrett/mcollins.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/michael_collins.htm

‘Jaywalking With The Irish’

I am in Croatia as usual over our long Easter break. My grandparents live in an quite isolated town. Besides watching the cows crazing, there is nothing more I could do to while away the time. No shopping centres, cinemas, coffee shops, internet, friends J… However, my pastimes over the next few days will be reading and grammar.

Today I have started to read ‘Jaywalking With The Irish’ by David Monagan. Because of the fact that I was able to focus on reading the whole day I have managed to read the first ten chapters.

First of all, the book is full of vocabulary and phrases I have never heard before, but you will absolutely be able to follow his train of thoughts.

As all of us are supposed to read the book and additionally we will have presentations on JI, I am not going to sum up each chapter in detail. When reading a book I am in the habit of underlining facts I find interesting or information I would like to know more about.
On my blog you will be able to find, when following the link ‘Jaywalking With The Irish’, further information about several topics mentioned in the book, for example, Michael Collins, Driving in Ireland, Famine, Black and Tans etc.

Almost French

‘Driving over Lemons’ by Chris Stewart was a little bit disappointing in view of a lively written expat experience. Quite the contrary was ‘Almost French’ by Sarah Turnbull.

This is her story. Sarah, an Australian journalist, felt in love with a Frenchman, whom she decided to visit in Paris. However, what had happened is that it went extraordinary well that she decided to stay with him (but I can guarantee you, it is definitely not one of these trashy love stories).

One might think it is not hard to live in Paris but Sarah proves that the French have their own codes of behaviour furthermore it is almost impossible to get by without adopting to them.

While reading the book I have tried to underline most of the differences between the French and Australian culture, which may help you. Unfortunately I can not find it the book, but I will try to catch up on this as soon as possible.