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.