On my family, and Christie's mysteries...
Today I will try to answer some of your questions.
Farha, you asked about my family. My immediate family – my parents and my sister – all live in the same house as I do, except for my brother, who’d got a job in Warsaw and had to move to live there.
Let me tell you a little about them. My mother is the oldest member of my family – she’s 60. Her name is Barbara; she is a doctor, specializing in psychiatry, and she’s really keen on her job. Despite her age she is still working more than any one of us, having a number of (part-time) jobs in a number of hospitals and clinics in Poznan. I think she has the idea that she would grow old much faster if she didn’t keep herself busy! But whenever she has some free time, she will either read, or go for a walk with Pirat. Main characteristics: hates cooking, and must have everything tidy and neat in the house. Not an easy person to have for a wife, you will think, and you will probably be right :) Fortunately, my father is a lot more relaxed about things.
My father’s name is Marian (this sounds, I think, like a female name in English, but in Polish it’s a man’s name), and he’s 2 years younger than my mother. He got his degree in Economics and worked for many years as a foreign trade specialist, then had his own company which imported animal food into Poland: this was quite successful for a number of years, which allowed my parents to build the house we live in now. But then things changed, and large international corporations entered the Polish market, and there was no longer any room for such a small player. Now he works from home helping some other companies trade rapeseed oil used for biofuels, or something of that kind – I’m not too well informed...
My sister, Helena, is 17 at the moment, and is going to turn 18 this December. This is going to be a big event for her, as the age of 18 is, according to the Polish law, the threshold of maturity – once you turn 18, you can buy alcohol, apply for a driving licence, get your ID card, even get married!
Oops, I skipped my brother. He’s 28, living in the capital city of Warsaw, and he’s focused on his export manager’s career, thus following in my father’s footsteps, so to speak. But he’s even more devoted as an entrepreneur, always coming to me with some new ideas for a business (his latest one: let’s open a Sushi bar in Poznan! :) His name’s Andrzej (Andrew in English).
So this is my family, and I’m really happy that we all get on really well with one another, and that we’ve never had any major problems amongst ourselves.
I will also try to take some photographs of my family soon so that you can see them as well!
Well, I got carried away as usual.
As for other questions, ‘gee’ is I think an exclamation showing surprise or other emotions, I remember the kids at my IB school used it quite often, I think mostly to avoid using ‘bad’ words. Probably better to use it in speech than in writing!
Now, on reading in English. I have to say I’ve got an author whose books I enjoy far more than any other written English texts – when it comes to vocabulary, style, and humour. I will not be original, I’m sure, but I’m talking about Agatha Christie. I like detective stories, but it’s not the plot that matters most; I thoroughly enjoy the wit with which she describes people and places, and the lightness of her tone (I hate moralizing books!). So if you don’t mind a slightly old-fashioned language, try her novels. I’ve tried many other books in English (some, obviously, more informative, more humorous, and often having more ingenious story to tell) but to me none of them matched Christie’s style – easy but fun.
OK, time to go. To be continued :-)
Comments
Hello Lukasz. In Spain there is a name that is similar to yours "Lucas", I think them both might being the same name. I like Agatha Christie's novels very much and I think that in my youth I must have read almost all her novels, but in Spanish. In English most of what I've read have been retold or shortened books but a few months ago I plucked up courage and decided it was time to try original books. Since then I've read "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End" by Ken Follet, and nowadays I'm reading Harry Potter's books by J. K. Rowling and I can tell you that I'm enjoying with them very much. By the way, I've never read them in Spanish. See you soon.
Hi Lukasz, my son Amjad says Hello, he liked Pirat. He always insists on keeping a dog... but you know we're living in an apartment and it's totally out of question. Waiting to see the photos of your family. Tried to picture them in my mind. Let's how far my picture is near to reality...Best, H.
Hi Lukasz! You have got a realy nice family. Pass warm greetings on all of them! I´ve looked at the map,too, and Poznaň is a pretty big city like the whole your country. You know we are only a little one. Hey, I was perplexed a little at the new title of your blog today awaiting you was buying some painting at an auktion. I was just reading in our newspaper that here was sold a picture from Fulla (1902-1980) on such occasion for 99 065eur, a pretty nice price in our part of the world. But then I agree that to read Agata Christie in English is a good reading, though, I own and have read only her biography befor. Bye for now!
Hi Lukasz, You seem to have a nice and hard-working family. What your mother thinks it's true, movement keeps you young. Send my regards to her and the other members of your family (including Pirat of course :-)) I love Agatha Christie too. Her books keep you immerse. Looking forward to your next blog ...with pictures of Poznan and your family........ Have a nice day. Cris
Hi Lukasz! “How could you bear to live with a psychologist? Write and tell us, if you do. “– these words are our former teacher blogger’s, Stephen Keeler words. Well, my daughter has just graduated with first –class degree in psychology from the University of Reading, UK. But I cannot answer the question because she is living far away from me. She has moved to London from Reading and she is working there, too. I am very proud of her and I feel that I am the happiest mother all over the world at the moment. I am looking forward to her graduation ceremony and I am getting excited about our trip to the UK. Best wishes,
Hi Lukasz! What ru upto? I like all of the pics u have send even the ppic of pirate:). Also i think u have a nice big family. Im not into reading much so i cant say anything. Anyways, waiting for ur next blog. Tata.
Hello Lukasz I'm from Romania, I didn't write to you until now but I read all your blogs and they are very interesting. I found many similarities between life in Poland and life in Romania. I also like cycling and climbing mountains, and I live near Fagaras Mountains which are the highest in Romania. I am proud to say that I conquered the Moldoveanu Peak which is the highest peak from my country(2544 m).I live in Sibiu, maybe you heard about it, last year was together with Luxembourg, The European Capital of Culture. So this is a little part of my story life. Bye-Bye
Hi Lukasz! Well, I´ve read a couple of Agatha Christie´s books and they are really good indeed. Thanks for telling about your family. Your blog entrances are always very interesting. Keep up the good job! Ana Paula.
Thanks, that you have noticed my request and respond in detailed post. You have got a wonderful family. Your mom is really a great lady with disciplined life style. I really got impressed by your mom. I personally like the people who do hard work and have organized life. It sounds good that your all family members live together and love each other. We have got here a strong family system and mostly families like to live together. You said that your mom is a doctor it means that I can share my problems with her (joking). How is the weather over there now a day? Here it is too hot as the summer season is going on and the months of June and July are too hot, here the temperature is in between 40 and 45. In my country there are places where the temperature goes above 50 you can’t imagine how the people live in that much warm environment and when there is a frequent electricity breakdown as well. I haven’t read any English author’s books can I have the books of Agatha Crstie on line, if yes plz send the address of that site. Looking forward for you daily post bye till then.
Hi Lukasz, You have a wonderful family. I Likes the personalities like your mother who is hard worker, keeps herself busy, keep everything organised, tidy and in order. Being doctor your mother know the importance of cleaniness & hygenicness which is needed for our own (say humanity also) existance also. Thank you.
Hello Lukasz. I have to say that I really liked your writting. You succeeded to make it clear to us and to well express yourself. Congratulations. I just want you to tell us some of your pesonal tips on how you reached this level of English. Thanks a lot in advance.
Hello Lukasz, as I was reading about your family I started missing my family.i.e my daughter, wife & parents. My wife is like your mother she teaches chemistry in senior school. She is so passionate about her job, that i feel being cared less when I go to her place, which we are not used to in india. I too thus try to keep myself busy in work. I realised that bonding with childrens & wife develop when we stay together. Like for one moment you forgot your brother who is not staying with you, not to suggest that you love him less, but we get used to their absence. I have one book of Agatha Christie, however i couldn't move beyond first two or three pages. How do you manage to read it? i personally like Jeffrey Archer, Arthur Hailey,Robert Ludlum,John Grisham.
Hello Lukasz, as I was reading about your family I started thinking my family. my kids and , wife & parents. My is like your mother she famer in senior . about her job, that i feel being cared less when I go to her place, which we are not used to in kenya . I too thus try to keep myself busy in work. I realised that bonding with childrens & my wife develop when we stay together. Like for one moment you forgot your brother who is not staying with you, not to suggest that you love him less, but we get used to their absence. I have one book of wroking , however i couldn't move beyond first two or three pages. How do you manage to read it? i personally like writing
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