CAE 2005

2005-12-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear girlies !!!!!! How are you all...?

We haven´t been in contact for so long !!! How are you doing?

I am willing to know about you, do drop a line here so that I learn about your lives after last November...;-)

I am still busy with exams, now looking forward to December 23, my last day at work...

How are you planning to celebrate Christmas? Where? And what about your final exams....?

Send you all my love, miss you!

Rita

2005-11-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

Rita: Here I send u my photo.. It's much better than the other one, isn't it?

2005-11-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

NEED AN ANSWER !!!!!

Who can be available on Saturday night, at 1 am (1st hour on Sunday 20) for a session with many teachers in the world, including Buth, where you'll speak about our Skype project we carried out in August...?

PLEASE, let me know as soon as you can, tonight (Thursday) if possible!

Love you all,

Rita

2005-11-07T18:17:00.001-08:00

PARTICIPATE AND WIN !!

Go to

http://www.britishcouncil.org/argentina-web_competition.htm

and win a prize !! But hurry up .........!!

2005-11-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

PARTICIPATE AND WIN !!

Go to

http://www.britishcouncil.org/argentina-web_competition.htm

and win a prize !! But hurry up .........!!

2005-11-07T03:46:00.000-08:00

Hi, dear girls!!

Do you know what a podcast is.....?
If you do, or of you don't, go to

http://a4esl.org/p/

where you'll be given the chance to know about how to use podcasting to practise your listening and speaking skills...

Love,

Rita

LISTENING PRACTICE

2005-11-03T14:51:00.000-08:00

My beautiful girlies,

Here goes the link to Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab. You’ll see tasks divided into Easy, Medium and Difficult….. You know which ones you should try….;-))

http://www.esl-lab.com/

Enjoy !

Rita

2005-10-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

2005-10-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Very dear Ani and Tati,

More than thanks to you two, for having been at the "virtual party" today. It was a pleasure to see you both there, sharing the experience with me and enjoying it all. I loved your participation, you did very well indeed!!

I hope more students like you profit from this new way of understanding "learning", which involves the computer as an indispensable tool for people like us, who live so far away from places where English is spoken.

Bravo, Tati and Ani!

2005-10-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

HI EVERYONE!!!! It' s passed a lot of time since I didn' t enter blog...But I want to say hello to everyone and tell u that I've already answered the 10 questions of the survey... see u all in classes...bye bye

2005-10-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

WANT TO SEE US ALL ....?

Then go to

http://www.geocities.com/vance_stevens/papers/evonline2002/convergence2005schedule.htm

and look for my name..... Then click on the link to the "presentation material"...., and find our photo !!!!!

2005-10-24T05:59:00.000-07:00

Hi, girlies!!

I´ve prepared a survey for a self-evaluation on the work we´ve done during the year and would be very thankful if you completed it.
Please, go to (or copy and paste the link) to start:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=543171447514

Love,

Rita

2005-10-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

In the end, I could manage to publish my photo.....I've reached my goal...I fell I'm over the moon....!!!! =)
Well, I had this photo taken when I was in Bariloche in the winter season of last year (2004). It was the first time that I had know "SNOW". I was really happy...for a while, because by the moment I got cold I desperately wanted to go back to the hotel!
Well...It was all for now....see you on classes my lovely friends!!!!!

2005-10-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! How are you? I’m sorry I haven’t written for so long, but I’ve been sitting for exams at college. However, I’ve taken some time off from my duties in order to show you what I’ve written with some quotes. I hope that you’ll enjoy it………..

WE MAKE OUR OWN REALITIES, OUR OWN FATE AND OUR OWN LUCK… that, is how powerful we are… and THAT is how powerful YOU are…

We have to remind of ourselves :

how POWERFUL we are,
HOW FAR we can reach, and
how much we DESERVE...

so that we can begin thriving as the giant we are, in a kingdom where you have indeed been given dominion over all things.

Ours dreams are not ours by accident. We have them for a reason, many reasons, not the least of which is to make them come true. Ours dreams are what's meant to be... we just have to do our part... a mighty tall order when we DON’T fully understand what our part is, nor the processes that make dreams come true, especially while the whole world wants we to believe suffering and sacrifice are the tickets! With UNDERSTANDING, however… we'll find that NOTHING COULD POSSIBLY BE EASIER than the way life really works.

There is nothing you can't do, nothing you can't have, and nothing you can't be...

We have the power, and
We are guided

Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, and it is yours.

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. We are new every day. Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.

While we are postponing, life speeds by. Time heals what reason cannot. The best way to predict the future is to invent it. Many of us spend half our time wishing for things we could have if we didn't spend half our time wishing. Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it. Do not think that what your thoughts dwell on does not matter. Your thoughts are making you.

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend -- or a meaningful day. We work not to produce but to give value to time.Whoever you are, there is some younger person who thinks you are perfect. There is some work that will never be done if you don't do it. There is someone who would miss you if you were gone. There is a place that you alone can fill.

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, and find your eternity in each moment. Light tomorrow with today.

Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?' It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?' To that there is an answer.Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves... Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you will not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind...

2005-09-30T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hi, dear girlies!!

Anita told me she loves poems, so here I'm including a link to a site where you'll find poems and quotes. If you like any, do share it with all of us !!!

http://www.lovepoemsandquotes.com/

Enjoy!

Rita

2005-09-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody!!!! It’s a long time since I’ve last heard from you here in our blog. I’m sorry I haven’t written for ages, but let me tell you that I’ve been sitting for exams and I’m not going to finish until next October…so by the time being I make up the time to write to see how things are getting on !!!!

As you know, last 11th September here in Argentina was commemorated the “TEACHER’S DAY” so I thought about giving a special gift to Rita. I believe she is looked up to by the whole course and definitely this poem I wrote comes straight from the heart of everybody. She means every word of it.
I’ve look up some poems in the Internet as a resource of ideas, it doesn’t mean I don’t have imagination but I must admit that it was a great helping hand for me!!!!! I made a “MIX” with all the poems that I found so don’t be surprised about my artistic skills as a writer, isn’t a natural gift that I have, is all a simulation!

Here it is…….

Rita….you…
Paint your mind
and guide yours thoughts
Share your achievements
and advise your faults

Inspire a Love
of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth

For our future brightens
with each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach

For the dawn of each
poeteach philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring

From the bottom of your heart you know that a teenager is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit.
Here there is a lovely story that I’ve found irresistible since I’ve read it, so I thought about sharing it with you although it is very long…… but it is worthy to be readed!

THE CREATION OF THE TEACHER

The Good Lord was creating teachers. It was His sixth day of 'overtime' and He knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children. An angel appeared to Him and said, "You are taking a long time to figure this one out."
"Yes," said the Lord, " but have you read the specs on this order?"

TEACHER:
…must stand above all students, yet be on their level... must be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught... must run on coffee and leftovers,... must communicate vital knowledge to all students daily and be right most of the time... must have more time for others than for herself/himself... must have a smile that can endure through pay cuts, problematic children, and worried parents... must go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive... must have 6 pair of hands.
"Six pair of hands, " said the angel, "that's impossible""Well, " said the Lord, " it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the three pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty!"
The angel looked incredulous, " Three pairs of eyes...on a standard model?"
The Lord nodded His head, " One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labeled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher's head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in the front are only to look at the child as he/she 'acts out' in order to reflect, " I understand and I still believe in you", without so much as saying a word to the child."
"Lord, " said the angel, " this is a very large project and I think you should work on it tomorrow".
"I can't," said the Lord, " for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I have one that comes to work when he/she is sick.....teaches a class of children that do not want to learn....has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own.....understands the struggles of those who have difficulty....never takes the students for granted..."
The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating. "It is too soft-hearted, " said the angel.
"Yes," said the Lord, " but also tough, You can not imagine what this teacher can endure or do, if necessary".
"Can this teacher think?" asked the angel.
"Not only think," said the Lord,. "but reason and compromise."
The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger over the teacher's cheek.
"Well, Lord, " said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that you were putting too much into this model. You can not imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher."
The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher's cheek. It shone and glistened in the light.
"It is not a leak," He said, "It is a tear."
"A tear? What is that?" asked the angel, "What is a tear for?"
The Lord replied with great thought, " It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and it is for compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class."
"My, " said the angel, " The tear thing is a great idea...You are a genius!!"The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there."

2005-09-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

This is my little gem, my dear students... She´s lovable!

(still waiting to see your photos....)

2005-09-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Rita! It was great to heraing from you. I hope you can bring us some photos of your graddauther. We miss you a lot. Our lessons are so boring. Poor teachers!!. See you soon. Kisses.

2005-09-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hi, my dear kids !!! How are you all ??
I'm great, enjoying my lovely granddaughty, but also thinking about you :-)
How are you doing? Tell me something about you!
I'll be back next week, but hope to get a line from you all...
A hug from Connecticut,
Rita

skypeproject082005

2005-09-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

skypeproject082005
Originally uploaded by Buthaina al-Othman.

Hello, again everyone,

I took a screen shot of our project portal page where I addeed your photo and my students': < http://alothman-b.tripod.com/skypeproject_portal.htm >.

Please Notice that my class was taught in Spring 2003, but I had to use the photo you see becuase Ali is among them; I don't have a personal image of him.

I hope you like it.

Take care and Ma'a Al Salamah, :-)

2005-08-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!!!I'm really sorry because I couldn't post the picture before as I had some problems to download it... But here it is (FINALLY!!) Here we are most of CAE "B" 2005 students for all of you who have been willing to watch it...
If Buth is reading this posting, she might want to know us... So, the ones who were present on Skype Session are: Rita (obviously) is the one on the left, Maria Jose who is the one on her left and Laura who is next to Maria Jose (next to her is Clara who couldn't go that day), just on Clara's left is Paula (or "Poly") (and the last one on the right of the photo is Cori), the one next to her (in pink sweater) is me, also Mariana who is the other girl next to Rita (below her) (and Florencia is between Mariana and me)... That's all, but this is not the whole class; there are some missing, for instance: Noe (who also talked, d' u remember her?) is not there... In our class there are 2 boys, too (who are in a pleasure trip... Lucky them!!!)
I hope u like it....
Bye bye...

2005-08-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

CAE Students Reminder

Hi, my dear students! This is just to remind you that, as a follow-up activity, you must hand in two written tasks on the Skype Project we all participated in.

Task 1: Choose any one entry in the blog, copy and paste it on a Word doc and edit it. Then, hand it in.

Task 2: Write a Report on the whole experience. Give it the following title:
"A Successful Cross-cultural Experience"

Even though the project is over, you are also reminded that this blog goes on being a place to share anything you find worth discussing, finding out, or just telling the group... It's so enjoyable to read a new posting with news !!

A good question I have at this point to ask you, now that enrolment is open, is whether you have enrolled for the CAE final exam or not, and why. This has to do with your plans for the near future, and maybe we can share reasons and queries beyond our classroom discussions.

Hope to see you back!

Rita

2005-08-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hi!! I am here because I was hoping to find our group´s picture posted! what happened with that??! are we expecting spring to arrive so that we would look better?! Well, what can I say now that we don´t have the project anymore? :( Rita! I hope you have a nice trip grandma!!! and girls I´ll see you all on Tuesday, I promise!! Bye, Marianita.

2005-08-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody !!

Our common project being over, it seems we have all relaxed...;-)

Anyway, It's been so good to share views and experiences that I myself miss getting your news, friends from Kuwait and Bahrain ! I even miss my own students' contributions, even when I see them 3 times a week! It's as if this corner is really more personal..., freer..., more fun.
This is why I've felt like greeting you all and wishing you a very good weekend, in the hope that somebody will say hi again and will post a few words...

Love to all,
Rita

PodCast of our Skype Rehearsal Session

2005-08-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

For those of you who couldn’t attend the skype rehearsal session, held on Wednesday, Aug 17, here is the link to the podcast of our skype conversation:
< http://worldbridges.com/webheads/audio/globalskype1.mp3 >

The recording was done by me, (Buthaina), using HotRecorder.com. Then, I posted the 2 ELP files to Jeff, founder and owner of WorldBridges LiveWire, who has converted the 2 files into one MP3 file and made it a podcast that is easy and simple for all of us to download.

Rita and I are so grateful to Jeff and his team member, Dave for their time and effort, supporting us during the Skype Project.

Enjoy listening to the recording, and stay tune to hear the recording of our final session to be webcasted through WorldBridges, soon.

2005-08-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hello! First of all, thank you very much Buth for listening and aswering all our quetions even though they may not have been for you of an easy issue to talk about.
As I couldn't attend the first session, it was my first skype's experience, and I must say that I really enjoyed it. (I have to admit that I was a little bit shy at first).
I was really amazed at the many cultural differences between our countries even though I already knew they were really different. It happens that many times we see things about our culture as something so common to us that we can't think of them in a different way or it's difficult for us to imagine people living without them.
I believe that the good thing about it, it's trying to get to know another ways of livng and respect them, even they aren't exactly like ours.

2005-08-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hello! It was really nice to have the chance to interview you and to know about your culture. I have to say that I was pretty surprised because of the differences of our cultures and I am so sorry if we offended you with our questions, I do apologize.

However it turns so interesting as we did not know that, for example, you do not celebrate weddings together (I mean both sexes) and we find it totally weird because is different to our way. As I told you, we throw big parties until the sun comes out and we dance all night even with guests we don´t know. About censorship, here all kind of scenes are allowed and talking about sports, girls play every kind of sport: volleyball, hockey, tennis. This was just a summery but we can tell you more.

I don´t know if we will have the opportunity to meet in skype again so whatever you want to find out about our culture or country, we are able to answer your questions. Bye and see you soon. It was a pleasure.

2005-08-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!! I'm writing to tell you it is impossible for me to make it to the meeting this afternoon... I hope you'll enjoy it.
CU on Tuesday

2005-08-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, dear friends from Kuwait and Bahrain!

This is some Argentinian music, by a well-known artist from Rosario. He's a national rock player called Fito Paez.

http://es.geocities.com/ritazeinstejer/fitopaez.mp3

Hope you enjoy it!

2005-08-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

LISTENING TASK: Tiffany´s interview

In my opinion, in all parts there´s always something interfering with the development of a good artist. This happens in every corner of the world, although in some cases the influence is much more direct (this is the case of kuwaiti people). Regarding Argentina, I don´t believe that artists don´t have enough freedom; however, they have to face other problems, that are of a different kind. For example, Economy, which is almost devastated and is trying to come to the surface again, is an essential factor of an artist´s career (the only way of succeeding is by selling). What´s more, our society is so culturally (indirectly) controlled by the northern part of our continent (U.S) that many people prefer to enjoy "american" artists´works than native artists´ masterpieces (at all levels).
Anyway, I believe that if you really want, you surely can. You will always have to face problems in any aspects of your life, it´s up to you the way you react to them...

2005-08-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! First of all I have to say that I couldn´t do the listening task because my PC can´t open the file but I promise that I´ll try again on Monday before our meeting.

I have posted this photo because the topic I want to tall about in the project is "parties and celebrations" so this is an image of me and my friends (I am the one on the right) celebrating a 15th birthday. it is very common in our country to throw parties to girls who are 15 years old and this one was an example. We really enjoy dancing, talking and getting together because we are a close group and we love each other.

About the Listening & Writing Activities

2005-08-21T04:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I’m sorry that the sound files of the listening activities couldn’t be opened for some of you, like Laura. I’m not sure why this happened, but it’s all right if you understand the topic and have already gotten ideas to write about to present orally on Monday.

Actually, the purpose of the listening activity is to give you an idea about the life experience and dreams of some famous and ordinary people, like Vanessa Redgrave, the famous British actress, and Tiffany the ordinary university student, to help you see if you could relate to any of them.

Rita and I agreed on that listening to one or both interviews should help you find ideas to talk about for your oral presentations on Monday.

The purpose of the writing activity, on the other hand, is to help you organize these ideas in order to be able to remember them while you’re talking. This should help you speak fluently on Monday.

In order to make it easier for you to brainstorm ideas, here is a handout I created for my students that should be helpful:
< http://alothman-b.tripod.com/handout_brainstorm.htm >

If you prefer to directly outline your ideas, try to use this handout on the academic paragraph outline form at: < http://alothman-b.tripod.com/handout_parag.htm >

Please note that the two handouts, above were designed for students required to write a 8-sentence paragraph, but you don’t have to do that for this “Skype project”. You only need to provide 3 to 5-sentence paragraph, including:

General statement on the topic.

Your main idea (your hope or dream in life).

Reason(s) (notice that you could give 1-3 reasons on why you chose that hope).

Please don’t hesitate to post any inquiry on the listening and writing activities should you need further explanation.

I look forward to reading your paragraphs.

Good luck!

2005-08-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. I've just tried to do the task for the second week of the project, but I couldn't listen to it. I don't know what's wrong with my computer.
As I can't can't go to a cyber now, I'll see I can go tomorrow (Sunday) before evening, as Rita has asked us to do.
Apologies in advance in case in case I won't be able to make it. Anyway, I'll go to Monday's session.

2005-08-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

How are you all?? I would like to thank you Buth for your patience!! We annoyed you with so many questions on Wednesday and you were always so kind!! I was looking at the pictures you posted: Kuwait seems like a wonderful country! (as people who has been there told me) As I have said many times, I am not very keen on computers but for this kind of activities I have to recognize that is really useful…I mean it was like talking to a friend who lives nearby…!
Regarding the second week of this project, I do believe that we should all have the opportunity to do whatever make us happy, like Clarita said. In my opinion, if someone is or feel oblige to do something, like studying a particular career, it´s going to be much more difficult for him to do it right, because when you have the opportunity to choose what you would like to be in your future, although you could never succeed, as it happens all the time to young people in this country, you love what you are doing so you keep trying to do your best. Religions or states are really needed nowadays to clear this mess of the world but they should never limit the freedom of their people; in the end it would be worse for everyone.
I hope I could join you all in Skype on monday!! Actually I couldn´t come to class on Friday so I don´t know if someone else is coming that day….do I have to go?? Kisses, Marianita.

2005-08-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!! Rita and Buth, here is my piece of writing regarding the task for week 2 of "Skype Project".

As Buth has already told us, it is not easy for teenagers from conservative cultures to become singers, actors, and so on. I founded very interesting the interview to Tiffany (polish singer), who is not only dedicating time to music, but also to a great carreer such as architucture.
I think one has te right to choose whatever they'd like to become in the future. It is necessary that one bears in mine his/her wishes and willings for the future, because if not one does not dedicates as much time and effort that the choice of life requires.
I hope that not only people from Kuwait and Bahrain, but from all around the world, can get the necessary freedom for expressing their wishes and desires for their countries. I do also hope that everyone who has taken part in this project gets what he/she wants.

Thanks Rita and Buth for introducing as in this project. It was a very appealing one... I'd never thought it would be such a great expierence!!! I hope (to much repetition!!!) this project has been a benefit for all of us!!!
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Best wishes,
cLaRiTa...

Blogger for Word

2005-08-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Rita and everyone,

I’d like to let you know that I wrote this and the other few previous messages from Word. I’m using Blogger for Word, which you can download from Blogger.com. If you use Microsoft Word and have a blogger account, go to Blogger for Word , at: < http://buzz.blogger.com/bloggerforword.html > to download the new add-in. Blogging has never been so easy.

The only problem is that you cannot post an image from Word, but I’m sure the developer team at Blogger will soon figure out the how to and let us all know.

Enjoy!

2005-08-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!! First of all, I would like to thank Buth for all the information she has provided us from Kuwait... and also for the picturess and maps she send us.
I'm looking forwaard to our next meeting on Monday, though I don't no if it will be possible for me to come here at Cultura, because I've got to study, but I'll try to do my best.
Best Wishes,
cLaRiTa...

2005-08-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Buth, thanks for all the information you have provided us. We have learnt a lot about your country and we are really glad to be in contact again with you and your students next Monday.
Thanks again and see you...

Sharq Market / "Soug Sharg"

2005-08-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

Sharq Market
Originally uploaded by Buthaina al-Othman.

Sharq Market or as we say in Kuwaiti-Arabic, "Soug Sharg" is a famous mall in Kuwait where teenagers like to hangout in weekends at Starbucks and McDonalds. It is located on the old side of the costal area, known as “Al-Nigaa, currently called the fishing harbor, called”. It has 2 movie theaters that were hit by Iraqi missiles, during the war in 2003.

A Church in Kuwait City

2005-08-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

church_kuwaitcity
Originally uploaded by Buthaina al-Othman.

This is a famous church in Kuwait City. As I mentioned, during our last Skype session there are five or six Christian Kuwaiti families. However, we have thousands of expatriates who are mainly Christians from Asian countries. Usually it’s very crowded in front of this church on Sundays that it’s almost impossible to find a parking spot for your car.

Map of the State of Kuwait

2005-08-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

Map of the State of Kuwait
Originally uploaded by Buthaina al-Othman.

Al khiran, which is located in the southern part of Kuwait on the map, is a popular Resort where people rent beach houses to spend the weekends. The area between Al Khiran and Mina Abdallah is where private beach houses are located.

A "SpanRabic" Song!

2005-08-19T05:02:00.000-07:00

While I was searching the Net for a Kuwaiti song to post here, I came across a cool Kuwaiti song with lots of switching in Spanish, by the popular Kuwaiti group, “Miami”. Ali and I have agreed on introducing this group to you since it’s a creative group comprising four (4) Kuwaiti male singers who started very young and have made their dreams come true. They are now almost recognized internationally. Their songs including some Kuwaiti Raps are heard in the U.S.A and in some European countries. Here is the “Spanrabic” song that Ali and I would like to dedicate to all of you; please go to

“Miami”, at this URL:

<http://mailafriend.guide.real.com/index.html?link=http%3a%2f%2fsong.6arab.com%2fmiami..senyooretta.rm >

If the link, above doesn’t work, please try this tiny url: < http://tinyurl.com/dmg4j >

Enjoy!

My EfS Class of Spring 2003 - (Ali's there)

2005-08-19T01:32:00.000-07:00

stud_pic1
Originally uploaded by Buthaina al-Othman.

Hello all,

This is a photo showing a group of students from my English for Science, (EfS)class of Spring 2003. Ali is the one on the right hand. Ali is joining us for our next Skype session,on Monday, Aug 22.

2005-08-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody...
sorry I couldn't attend skype project yestreday, acutally i forgot. Ms.Buth told me that you had a great time. I hope to attend the next skype project.

A Website about Kuwaiti Culture!

2005-08-18T02:16:00.000-07:00

Hello again, everyone,

Here is a link to a website about Kuwait. It has pages on Kuwaiti Culture and traditions:

<http://demo.sakhr.com/diwan/emain/Story_Of_Kuwait/Kuwait_before_Oil/Social_Life/media/sk-kbo-life->

If the above link doesn’t work, try this tiny url: < http://tinyurl.com/cb4a5 >

The site can be read in English, Spanish, and French; of course, you’re going to choose the English version, right? :-)

Enjoy!

Recording of our First Skype Session

2005-08-18T01:17:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I listened to the three sound files of the recording. I’ve already sent one of them to Rita and trying to figure out how to post the other two files to the blog here. It’s an ELP file that is not supported by the programs I use.

Anyway, I’ll try to find a way and if I don’t succeed I’ll email them to Rita, so that you could hear them at your c-lab. You need to download and install HardRecorder.com on your computers to be able to listen to those sound files.

Laura and the other students, who couldn’t make it to our first skype session, can also enjoy listening to our skyped conversation.

Best wishes and warm regards from Kuwait, (

2005-08-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

Hi people!! I couldn't go to class today, just when you chat altogether throught Skype. I bumped into Majo at university and she told me it was great.
I read what Buth has written and I could see that you talked about many things including kuwaiti music, so I would like someone to tell me something about it to catch up with you.
Thanks

THANK YOU!

2005-08-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hello, Students,

This message is to thank you all for meeting me live online at Skype. I’m so grateful to you and to your EFL instructor, Rita for your time, and effort participating in this skype project.

I had a wonderful time with you. I liked and enjoyed all your questions, which were focused on the topic of our project, “Freedom & Future Dreams in Different Cultures”. I was also impressed that you were the first international students who asked me about Kuwaiti music. This was so flattering for me. I will try to find a short Kuwaiti song to post to the blog, here, so that you could hear it.

BTW, I’m sorry if I talked too much but I was so happy and excited like I was talking to old friends, ( the interesting part was that we all managed to communicate very well in English. You were so clear and I understood everything you said. I really wish that we all meet face-to-face either here in Kuwait or in Rosario, Argentina.

Thank you for your time and effort to join in our first voice-session at http://skype.com/ , and I look forward to meeting you all again there on Monday.

Cheers,

2005-08-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!! I am another student and I really enjoy learning English with Rita. She is an excellent teacher that knows how to entretain us while learning. I am at secondary school because I am 17 years old and next year I will study law as Anita. I find English a way of learning a new culture and meeting new friends and I do like it. I would also like to speak other languages like French or Italian because I consider that they are important if you want to travel around the world and communicate. This blog is so useful to contact with people from different places and to have a nice relationship with them, first by chat and then, with the passing of time, meeting them in person and having the opportunity to have a friendship forever.

2005-08-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody!!!!!!!! Let me introduce myself ; my full name is Ana Julia but I don’t like it very much that people call me in this way , every time that someone calls me “Ana Julia” it reminds me to my mother……she calls me like that and is always scolding me …like mothers always do, so let’s just call me : “Ana”...is shorter and less serious!!!!! lol!!!!!!!
I’m 19 years old and I’ve been studying English since I was 10 years of age……believe or not believe I study English as a hobby… I find in English a way to get out of my own world….!!!!!!! Can you understand what I mean? You may think I’m a bit crazy….and you’re right…lol!!!!!!!
This year I started a new stage in my life: COLLEGE!
I study Law…I love my career…I’ve wanted to study that since I were 7 and now I’m here learning all about that! It’s my vocation, I can fell that so I’m very happy !!!!!!
Other thing about me is that I love the “Cyber World”, I spend and waste (both…) hours in the net trying to know a bit more about English and the World….that’s why I find this project very helpful for our English and also is an engaging way to get to know different things about our cultures!!!!!!
I become interested very much in your government structure and all about the “Emir” (is something new for me….we don’t have this representative here , so I want to know all about that). Also, I’m curious in the way that your country is organized… How do you choose the “Emir” without politic parties? That’s another difference between our countries, here we have a democratic government and politic parities are essential, because through them citizens can get involve in the direction of the country!
Well….Another approach to me is that in classes I’m of those students who are always making jokes and funny comments … once I start I can’t stop…lol!!!
I’m always with a smile in my face because I’ve learnt that smiling is an enjoyable way to take pleasure in life . I ‘m myself a good laughing and I like sharing that with the people who love me!
Well, that’s all from me right now…… I’m anxious to get any notice from you… Bye bye!
Ana!

2005-08-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

Skype Project

Week 2

It's so nice to see you all here, sharing views and interesting information !
Week 1 is over now, so the Instructions for Week 2 are ready. Go to

http://alothman-b.tripod.com/skypeproject_activities.htm

to find the Activities for this second week. We hope that you will all participate, even those who might not be available for all the sessions ...

Remember we are counting on YOU for this project...., so we'll be happy to read what you post and to listen to what you think !

Thank you all!

Buth and Rita

2005-08-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is a view on Kuwait city (the capital). As you can see Kuwait towers are appearing clearly and am going to talk about them briefly.

Kuwait Towers at the Arabian Gulf Road. Designed by a swedish architectural firm and opened in 1979 they have become the Kuwait's main landmark. The largest of the three towers rises to a height to 187 metres. The lower globe on the largest tower is used to store water in lower half and have a restaurant in upper half, and the smaller globe is rotating to view all Kuwait city. The single globe on the middle tower is used to store water only. The small tower with no globes is used to light up the other two.

2005-08-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm Clara, one of Rita's students. I'm 18 years old, and at the moment I'm studying Accountancy in the university. Apart from university, I'm also studying english, a language which I've been studying for many years. I also like going to the gym... where I meet friends, have a good time, and get fit too.
I also find appealing climbing mountains... with my family... last weekend me and some relatives went to "The Champaqui", the highest mountain in the province of Córdoba, which I like very much and spend whole summers in a town in that province. the excursion took us three days, and was exhausting... but we really enjoyed it, it was a great way to spend with my cousins, uncle, father and sister...
In the picture I posted I'm the one with the green dress.
I think "Skype project" is a very appealing one, thow I'm not very keen on computers. It would be interesting to know how do you spend your time in Kuwait and what do you find appealing doing and what you don't like.
Today's meeting was very succesful... we learn many things about Kuwait and their lifestyle. It was an interesting way to get to know how a different culture (though as we spoke with Buth, I notice we have lot of things in common). It was very nice "meeting" Buth.
Hope to get news from you.

2005-08-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

Can you see Rosario in this map...?

Many people in the world know us by our football players, or by the "tango"...

What do you know about our country...?

2005-08-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hi, friends from Kuwait and Bahrain!

This is a view of Rosario, the 2nd biggest city in Argentina, by the river Parana. It has 1.000.000 inhabitants and we all speak Spanish.

2005-08-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

Hi! I' m another Rita's student and I'm very interested in knowing some things about your lifestyle and your country as we've read so may compelling things that cought my attention. How is a typical day in your life? Here in Argentina teenagers have an extremely active life... Most of us study another language (English is the most studied, but also Portugeses and French), is very common to play some sport (girls are very keen on voleyball or hockey, while boys -almost everyone- on FOOTBALL or rugby, but both sexes agree with the idea of going to a GYM), and of course we go either to the secondary school or the college.

Personally, I really enjoy studying English (and I'm planning to study for be an English teacher) and I've recently started going to a GYM. I'm almost 19 years old and I'm finishing the secondary school (I'm studying in a school in which I've to assit 1 year more and some days I must go by the morning and the afternoon. But I've chosen it and I love spendig my days there)

I hope u have days as lively as we have (and that u can share your experiences with us)... We' ll be waiting for an answer... Adriana ("Tati")

2005-08-12T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody!! My name is Agustina and I´m one of Rita´s students. I don´t like computers too much but I believe that tihs will be a great experience. I am 18 years old and at the moment I am studying law. I like sports very much and I play volleyball in a club near my house. In the photo I posted I am the one on the right (the others are my little sister and a friend from Buenos Aires). (sorry but I couldn´t post the photo :S)
I hope we will get in touch very soon!!
Agus

2005-08-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to meet you, Buth and Ali !

My students are also delighted, they all look forward to learning more about you and your country, and they have lots of questions to ask you...

Our weekend starts right now, Friday evening, and this particular weekend is longer than the others because next Monday is a holiday. But on Tuesday we are coming back to school.

What are your weekends like...? What do you enjoy doing ? Do you go out with friends? Can young people come back home late at night ? Is that dangerous?

Look forward to your news !

Rita

2005-08-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hi!!! I´m Poly, one of Rita´s students. I´m 21 years old and I´m studing Business Administration in the States University. I live in Rosario with all my family. I´ve been studying English for many years. I find this experience an exellent opportunity not only to learn more English, but also to get in touch with people from other places.
I would like to know how teenagers live in different countries, which things they enjoy doing and which ones they hate. Also, I´m interested in knowing the difference between their culture and our own.
I hope we all enjoy this experience!!!

2005-08-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hi!!! I'm Florencia Matteo and I'm really glad of having this oportunity... To start knowing each other I could say that I'm 17 and I'm still at Secondary School. I don't live in the city of Rosario, I live in a small town called General Lagos,but I travel three times a week to attend English classes. I'm finishing school in november and planning to study Economy in Rosario next year.
It would be great if you could tell us something about you... For example, How do you spend your day? What do you do on weekends? It will be wonderful to know the different aspects of kuwaitis' life... Don't hesitate about asking whatever you want... Keep in touch!!!

2005-08-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody. My name is Ali, am 20 years old. Iam one of Ms.Buth students. Iam studying biological science in Kuwait university. I've just creat my account here and I hope to learn more english and more about you and your country. Thank you

2005-08-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hi!! I´m Mariana, one of Rita's students. I´m 20 years old and I´m studying International Relations at university.
I hope this Skype project work out, it might be really interesting!. I´ve been doing some research about Kuwaitis as I didn´t know so much about you (shame on me!) and I finded out that, althoug I could read all the pages on the internet about Kuwait or other country, I know nothing compare to what you could tell us about your lifestyle!! or going there of course but it´s a little more difficult! I hope the same happens to you so you can find this project appealing.

2005-08-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

Skype Project
Week 1

Welcome to this project, Buthaina and Ali !!
We are looking forward to meeting you in this cybercorner, where we communicate and share beyond our clasroom door .

We are very interested in knowing about you, about the Kuwait people, about your customs and your culture. And we are ready to share our own, to learn and interact together.

So feel free to introduce yourselves so that we start getting to know each other ....

2005-07-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

How good a detective can you be???
Would you like to know....?
Then go to

click here

2005-07-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!! I am really enjoying my holidays. I have to tell you that on Wednesday I went with my friend to a bar in Parque Urquiza and we spent together a graet afternoon. Apart from this, I am preparing for my trip to Bariloche, I am buying some staff that I need like clothes and sweets. As my mum bought a DVD, we are watching films every day so if any of you want to see one, ask me because I have seen all of them.
I hope you are enjoying your holidays as much as I am. See you soon...kisses.

2005-07-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

I like both things: blog and intranet. But I think we can't compare them, as they are very different...
In this one, we can write and read very interested comments; while in intranet, we can practise, read and be in contact with others sites of the big net... I think intranet is much more useful for us (as part of a class) but blog will keep us in contact when we finish CAE.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FOR EVERYONE!!!!

2005-07-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

I still BELIEVE that we CAN (and SHOULD) CHANGE the WORLD!!
WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
blessings!

2005-07-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

I would like to talk about what happened in London. I believe that it was an attack on the humanity expressed by bombs in one of the safest cities in the world. I realize that Al qaeda took an advantage of the meeting of the "group of 8" (that was taking place in Scotland) because it represents manipulating all the international press and the public opinion around the world.
many journalists argue that the objetive of the succession of terrorist attacks is to slipt the world into two bloks, the Muslim and the western.
I can make a contrast out between those who are looking for finishing the problems of poverty, hunger, SIDA, environment and terrorism while others are killing innocent people. It is really ironic, isn´t it?
What I find curious is that on 11 March, 2004, the attack in Atocha, spain, like this one, were caused in the transport system and it is not a coincidence. Again in a big city, again in the undergrounds bacause these trains are the heart of Europe and this continent is closed by these undergrounds.
Apart from the political impact of this movement that goes further on the nuber of victims, the presssaid that the next target may be Italy and Denmark. as you can see, nobody can escape from this. Do you believe that this is fair. I don´t think so but what can we do?.The great shock that this represents in the world and the feeling or horror that everybody is suffering make me think about the different viewpoints about the meaning of LIFE. I can´t believe my eyes!. Where is the respect of the human being and the dignity?What do we have to do to live in a safe world without this violent situations? How can people be so evil that do not care at all about killing innocent lives? The answer of this questions will never be found out. We are destroying our planet letting this ideologies exist.

2005-07-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone: I've managed to enter (as I received Rita's mail - of course) I want to share with u this picture...
Look my hair... (that's when I was 15!!) Which style d' u like most (short or long)? I hope your honest answer... because most of the peole like it long...! :P
I've found this great! and also the experience that we passed through "Skype". I'm so happy that our English class es is not only that... We learn new things and we're more communicated among us and with the world...

2005-07-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hi, my dear students! Would you like to play a game online....?
Here's the link...., it's fun!

game

2005-07-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody!!! ... I have to say that I´m not coming to english today because I have a lot of things to prepair for my trip, so I´ll see you after holidays...I´m so sorry I can´t say goodbye f2f....But good luck and enjoy your holidays, take care.... kisses

2005-07-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'm the only one who writes in here??? jeje! I'll tell you, Rita, that we (Noe and me) have made a "copied and pasted" version of our chat on Skype on Saturday... I'm going to take to our class a sheet with the most interesting facts that the boys told us, ok?

2005-06-30T01:50:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I´m trying out this blog... It´s interesting... And I'm learning how to upload images... je!
See you on Friday... Blessings!

2005-06-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm supposed to share a message with all of you, but as I've been tranlsating the whole afternoon (yesterday), I've no news at all... what I can really describe it's the operation of a machine called "recovery boiler", that I don't know but that I'm trying to understand... je! Well, I should restart working... see you in a few hours... blessings!

2005-06-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

I am happy to read your postings, Alvaro and Marianita!!! Thank you for writing !

I'm keeping my fingers crossed...,almost sure I will be there next Tuesday !

Enjoy your long weekend, with a lot of love,

Rita

2005-06-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Rita nice to hear from you. I hope you come soon because I feel like quitting english. About this page I can say i like it, the colour (black) is great. Good Bye.
P.D.: Try not to walk....... very hard.

2005-06-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

Rita!!!!!! What is this????? I really don´t know what to say because noone has written yet. But I think this is interesting....new! We all miss you a lot!!!! classes are boring without you...you are the only one who can keep us awake at three in the afternoon!!! I hope to see you soon!! and that someone enters to this place too...

2005-06-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

I was going to my physiotherapy session today when I heard somebody called my name...
I turned round in surprise, and there they were, Noe and Agus, 2 of my beloved CAE students whom I missed soooooo much !!

This unexpected meeting and the short chat we had made my day... I felt so happy I needed to be nearer all of you, that's why I decided to invite you to join me in this experiment.

I am sure you have not heard about "blogging" yet (don't you worry, most people don't have a clue ;-)), but...., well, I'm not going to describe what a "blog" is here. I am inviting you to share this experience writing in this space. It's aimed at connecting all of us who want to be connected...
ANYTHING that comes to your mind will be ok; it doesn't have to be related with our English classes (though if it is, welcome!!). It can be about any event, any encounter, any story in our daily life which you want to write about, any idea you want to discuss with your mates and with me...

You can upload photos, suggest links to visit, add whatever you feel like sharing...
And I invite you to see the difference between this space and our Intranet...
What's different ? How do you like it?

I guess you should start publishing rightaway to understand and feel how it works...
So....., come on !!! Join me !!!

I do hope it will be fun!!!