February 2007BBC Learning English Goodbyes and HellosWell, it has been a fantastic two months on our blogs. A big thank you everyone and, in particular, Stephen, our teacher blogger, and Soyoung and Federico, our student bloggers.
Each day has been brightened in various ways by your blogs and the comments. I've looked forward to reading them across each week and it's obvious that others have too. I hope that everyone has found the experience useful.
Sadly, at the end of each month we need to say goodbye. So, farewell and good luck Soyoung, I wish you the all the best for the future. Stephen, this is only a short goodbye because you will be writing a column for us very soon - more details on that later.
I now have the pleasure to offer a warm welcome to our new student blogger, Lemlem, and our new teacher blogger, Samantha. Good luck to you both. I'll leave it to you to introduce yourselves.
Paul posted on Monday, 05 February 2007 | comment on this postEthiopian millenniumI just want to share something about Ethiopia calendar and our millennium. Based on our calendar today is January (it called Tire in Amharic) 28, 1999. Our new year is September 11. We have thirteen months, twelve months with 30 days each and one month with 5 days and 13th month have 6 days in every four years. This month called Pagume I do not know in English. So September 11, 2007 will be our millennium day. If some one who missed European millennium will have a chance at list to celebrate it once. posted on Monday, 05 February 2007 | comment on this postsorryDear Samantha ,
thank you very much for your feedback on my bolg and very sorry for not bolging for the last two days I was so busy on preparing tools for HIV and AIDS project technical capacity assessment.
To make it clear I am working on HIV and AIDS prevention and control program. My major duty is to provide technical support to provide up to standard services and prevention programs. For local nongovernmental organizations who work with Concern Ethiopia on the fight against the epidemic. Based on this next week I will be in north part of Ethiopia a place known as Komablcah it is 345 km from Addis Ababa (capital city) to conduct HIV and AIDS project technical capacity assessment for one of our partners in the north.
I will writ on HIV and AIDS situation in Ethiopia and the prevention activities we are doing to fight against it.
Think you so much for your support
Lemlem
posted on Thursday, 08 February 2007 | comment on this postFrom BBC Learning EnglishFrom BBC Learning English
Dear all,
Unfortunately Lemlem is unable to continue with the blog. There is nothing wrong except that Lemlem has been too busy to be able to write regular blogs.
However, I am pleased to say that another person has agreed to takeover until the end of February. Please say hello and welcome to Juliette Perreard. As usual, I'll let Juliette introduce herself.
Thanks
Paul posted on Thursday, 15 February 2007 | comment on this postGoodbye everyone ! AU REVOIR !FROM JULIETTE
Here we go, my virtual friend, this is my last blog before I'll pass it on another virtual friend.
It's been such a pleasure to write my thoughts and feelings and to get responses from around the world. I'll definitely keep reading other's students blog from time to time.
I really enjoyed your comments about your own work environment and specifically the one from Adriana from Brazil. She's a dentist and she described our day to day work with teeth. It was really fascinating. However, I could picture myself on the chair listening to the unpleasant sound of the dentist tolls and didn’t really enjoy it at the end.
Yesterday evening, I had an evening out with my colleagues because one of them is going on maternity leave. The party was held in an Indian restaurant and it was a little bit chaotic as in India I guess. Nevertheless, the food was delicious and the service quick. As we were 12 of us, we were setting in a special room and there was a giant plasma screen on the wall broadcasting India movies. I couldn't help watching it as it was just above our table and these movies are so entertaining, colourful and the actors dance all the time. I've notice that women and men dance together in a very flirty way but they never got to kiss even if the dances are very suggestive. My colleague who is Indian told me that it's part of their culture. How interesting! Another thing I've notice is that they nod their head very often but not as western people do from forward to backward but from right to left and it's apparently to let us know that they don't know the answer or simply don't want to say it. How disconcerting is this when you're not use to this cultural behaviour but apart from that, I had a very nice evening far from London.
Tomorrow, I also have another work party but not for the reason. Someone is leaving the BBC because her contract hasn't been renewed or I should say in order to avoid the metaphor, she's been sacked after 20 years of working for the BBC. How hard is that? The economic world is going through very tough time at the moment for employees. Especially within the BBC were they are "restructuring" it. The leitmotiv is More money for programmes and so, less people are needed apparently. From my point of view, I agree that restructuration is a good thing to stay dynamic and competitive on the global market but however it's also important for companies to bear in mind that human being are invaluable too. I believe Companies have got an universal responsibility towards us and must realise how important is the work labour and human creativity. As far as I'm concerned, countries will run better if the priority was the well-being of all of us, inhabitant of the planet.
Here we go, my virtual friend, that was my last thought shared with you.
What do you think about universal responsibility?
Take all good care of yourself
Juliette
posted on Friday, 16 February 2007 | comment on this postMore about my adventure in England.FROM JULIETTE
Hello everyone,
It's so nice to read so many comments and so many warm welcome from you. Thanks also for the Chinese New Year wishes. I was in Chinatown in London this week-end with friends and it's was packed but great.
I'm also glad to know that my writing English is not that bad. I will pay more attention on tenses and make sure I read twice my blog.
You want to know more about my adventure! I'll be happy to share it with you. I went through very hard time but I don't regret a thing.
To tell you the truth, my move to England was made of different reasons.
The main reason was that I had already lived in England for one year a long time ago. It was just after my Baccalaureat (a-level), and didn't know what to do after my exams. I didn’t want to study anymore; I wanted to discover the world and other culture. Big problem, I was not good at all in English. I've changed my plans and decided to improve my English instead of travelling round the world. You can imagine that my parents were really pleased about my 'wise' decision.
I had a great time there in England because I was a student at that time and Bristol, where I was, is a lovely city, a medium-size city. I ended up my gap year with more fluency in English but I only managed to pass the first certificate instead of the intermediate level. I didn't matter; I had had a great time.
Back to France, went to University but wanted to go back to England.
12 years passed by and I started working in Media. One day, I meet a lovely English man, I had finish my freelance contract in Geneva and decided to move to England. He was from London. I moved to London. Our relation didn't work out but I decided to stay.
If ever one day you decide to move to another country, especially in a country where they speak a foreign language, make sure you've got or lots of money or a good job. London is like a jungle, an urban jungle. Geographically, England is very close from France but suprisingly sometimes I've got the feeling to live on another planet. The hardest part is to get to know the way things works, they way people communicate with each other and make friends.
My feeling about London is mix. Some days I love it, some days I hate it.
Some days I wish I was living in a tiny village with a nice café where I would hang out with my friends with a glass of Wine and some cheese.
The hardest part here in London, it's to meet people and make friends. It's such a big city that even when you have friends, it's hard to meet each other spontaneously. People are too busy and distances are too big. You become lazy.
Food: Ah! The food topic. I love to eat. I love to cook and I love London for that (Yes, Yes that's right) because you can find all kind of food. Thai, Korean, Brazilian, Mongolian, Argentinean, Italian, Japonese and so on (for French I cook it myself).
A quick answer to Adriana from Brazil. I don't know why French Woman are slim (not all of them) but I've noticed that French People eat a lots of vegetable, use Olive oil, some wine, and some cheese and that's all good for you. Absolutely. Cheese and wine are good for you. I think someone wrote a book about this topic.
Ah la la, my dear friend bloggers, I think my blog is too long, I've too many things to tell you. I stop here. Part 2 tomorrow.....
Have a nice evening.
Juliette
posted on Monday, 19 February 2007 | comment on this postPArt 2 - the Urban Jungle adventureFROM JULIETTE
It's me again. I had never write a blog before but I really enjoy it. First of all because It's got a special purpose (improving our English), second of all, it gives me a sense of bond with you all and I love it. I'm so happy to share my adventure with you and feel that you are going through similar situation or just enjoying reading it.
Samantha describes my adventure pretty well when she say 'This experience is usually both difficult and rewarding, and you always grow from it as a person.' This is absolutely true.I feel so much stronger now.
After few months working with temporary job agencies, I finally got a job for three months in an NGO called MRG.Their aim is to fight for Minority rights around the world. A similar organization would be Amnesty International but on a bigger scale. I really enjoyed it.I was working with people from all around the world and learned a lot about minority rights. unfortunalty, it was a short contract. Then, I got this job at the BBC radio and I believe this is the most amazing thing which happened to me since I moved here in London. I still can't really realize how lucky I am but when I share my story with you and get your feedback, it's how I realize. Thank you all.
How is it to work in such a big world reknowned media organization? It's great, exciting and also really hard. Probably not for everyone but for me, it is.
Oh, one important point I forgot to tell you is that I work in the News and Currents Affairs department for the World Today programme. That's why It's so hard sometimes and also because I've set up my goal quite high and I have to be patiente. Becoming a journalist, I mean an investigative news journalist, is really hard work and moreover, much looked after.
But keep an eye on BBC TV documentaries, you might see my name one day! Probably in five or ten years time..... It's so nice to dream a little bit, isn't it?
I've notice that lots of comments are from brazil. I've never been to brazil but I'd love to go one day and travel down the Amazon river. and also to China, and to India, and to Cambodia, and in fact.........round the world.
See you tomorrow
Juliette
MRG -
Amnesty International -
BBC World Service
posted on Tuesday, 20 February 2007 | comment on this postLovely sunny day.Hi everyone,
Today is my mum's birthday and I'd love to be overthere with her and celebrate with a big French cake.. Instead, I gave her a call this morning and she was really happy about it. As a surprise, my older sister showed up with her three lovely boys for lunch. Nice one! I wish I was there. I'd have played with them in the garden after lunch. It's great....They jump on me all the times, we do gym, football, we cuttle each other as well. To sum up, I'm juliette the aunty. I love it. I've got only the good side of them because three boys in a house can be a night mare for the parents sometimes. In my family, we are three sisters and my dad missed having boy, now he's got three and he's a great grand-father. He teaches them gardening, mountains climbing, skiing and DIY work. The older boy teaches him how to use video games.
Anyway, it's my mum birthday today and I wish her a lovely day.
Since I've been here, I haven't travelled that much in the country. Only twice. I should take advantages of being here but I found it hard to get organize when weeks are running so fast. I go back to my home town quite at least 4 times a year and when I'm in England, I try to visit London. There are so many things to visit here. I love when friends and family come and visit me because it's when I can also discover new part of London or actually revisit the same one all the time.
However, two weeks ago, a friend and I rent a car and went to the countryside, to the Cotswold. It is said to be the typical English countryside you would think of. It's true. It's lovely.
The weather was really terrible on Saturday but Sunday was sunny.
I really enjoyed being away from London. You don't realize until you're out of town how stressful it is.....
I've promise myself to do it more often.
But this week-end, I'll stay in London.
Juliette
posted on Wednesday, 21 February 2007 | comment on this postNot sunny anymore I'm afraidFROM JULIETTE
Mon blog
Today is saturday and I realize I didn`t write for two days. I would like to apologise and bring to my defence that the last two days at work were very busy. On top of it, internet we don't have at home neither which doesn't help and as I want to improve my writing as all of us, It needs time to be written and corrected.
As you will probably notice, I'm using as much linking word as I can throught the blog. It's true It makes a story nicer, it flows better when you read it. However, it's hard for me as I also learn to write scripts for radio and they teach you to get rid of the linking words, to keep your writing as simple as possible. Futhermore, I've never used them before but i'll try.
Today, the weather isn't very nice, it's raining and windy. Nevertheless, I can't say that the weather is that bad in England. Unlike Geneva town where grey is the color of the sky during winter most of the time, I find the weather here in London quite nice. The reason of the grey sky in geneva is due to the geographical situation, indeed the town is situated between two mountains chains; one is called the Jura and the other one the Alps and can be compared to a basin. For example, If one's drive 20 km away from town into the mountains one's will find a bright, pure immaculate blue sky. I'm always amazed as it's only 30 minutes away from the town. That the reason why I find the weather here much better than in Geneva, nevertheless the weather can change a lot within the day. One's can wake up in the morning and discover a great sunny sky, you'll go to work wearing a skirt or thin trousers which matches with your flip flop, when lunch break time rings at Big Ben clock, you'll find ourself stock in the canteen as it'll be raining and windy, moaning at your own stupidity you didn't bring your umbrella, At the end of your day, you can wether find a great sunny sky or still have to face the heavy rain or simply the cold wind with your flip flop and lovely thin skirt. So, mu advice whenever you come to England whatever the season, always carry with you umbrella and sunglasses in your bag. That'd be the best way to be prepared in order to enjoy visiting the country.
This unstable weather could be explained simply by the fact that England is an island and so the climatic changes are quicker than on a bigger continent, the other explanation would be due to the global climate changes that the world is facing. It's a big issue nowadays. I don't know if you're talking and feeling the changes wherever you are but here in England, they said the weather in England has never been so warm with so little rain. I remember last summer, I was nicely suprised how hot it was, probably not as hot as in Brazil, but as hot as in the South of France some days.
This winter was absolutely dreadful for ski resorts in France and Switzerland, not enough snow could be found on the slops and so the customers. Besides the economic consideration, it's much more than that. It's the entire planet which suffer and that means more Tsunami, more dryness, more flood all over the world.
The BBC media has decided to broadcast programmes tackling the topic. Something has to be done and done quickly. Environment specialists say it's already too late. From my point of you, It's not too late but a true engagement from our governements has to be made in order to counter changes. I'm glad the BBC took the decision to highlight the problems as I know the power of the media and their influence towards people and decision-makers. However, Governments MUST take responsability for it. This isn't an individual responsability, it's a universal one.
Here we go, my virtual friends, I feel like going to war with the world now. I love nature and my planet, It deserves to be respected as it brings us food and oxygen and I feel useless sometimes. I want governments to really face the problem as if it was the most important thing in the world and I believe it is with poverty.
Instead of going to war tonight, I'll have dinner with my spanish flatmate but next week i'll try to propose ideas to our programmes department.
Tell me what you think about the climate changes? Don't you also feel useless sometimes about it? What would you like to hear on the radio about it? What would you like your governements to do about it?
Have a great week-end
Juliette
posted on Saturday, 24 February 2007 | comment on this postTuesday, nearly the week-end!FROM JULIETTE
I'm very pleased to know that my two hours and a half spent writing my blog on Saturday have paid back. However, I'm hoping to be able to write quicker sooner. It's so frustrating sometimes but I must admit that after publishing my blog, I had a great feeling of achievement. Now, it seems that I should write like that everyday but I don't believe it'll be possible. It can be compared as cooking a cake. Some are good and quick to prepare, some are very good but harder as it will need more time and more ingredients.
As an example, here is an easy recipe of what we call a "Quatre quarts" in France. It's delicious in the morning and takes only few minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. As the name tells, it's four part of four ingredients.
All you need is Eggs, sugar, flower and butter. The measure is 4 eggs, 100g of Flower, 100g of Sugar and 100g of butter.
You put it all in a bowl, mix it, put it in a cake tin and cook it for 30 minutes at 200 Degrees. 30 minutes later, took it out of the oven, wait a little before serving it for tea time or Breakfast...
It's what I call comfort food for me. So today, my writing will be comfort food as I don't have time to write but I still want to communicate with you, my virtual friends, because I really enjoy reading all your comments.
Have a great evening and see you tomorrow
Juliette
posted on Tuesday, 27 February 2007 | comment on this postRainy day in London. What a surprise!FROM JULIETTE
Oh la la, it's nearly the end of the day and I still haven't written my blog.
Working in a media environment makes my weeks looks different every day. On one hand, it's because of the content of the job. Dealing with news makes your days looks always different. However, it can be sometimes frustrating not to be able to spend more than a day or two on a topic. On the other hand, it's because my week is divided in two-parts and so, for two days a week, I work in the same room but from a different desk. Despite the different views, it gives me a different perspective of people as well and it's very interesting from a sociologic point of view.
The room is a huge open-space office full of computers but it's not as tidy as in a normal office. You have TV and screen everywhere and moreover, it can be very messy with desks full of newspapers, headphones, rolec (thingy to listen to the radio round the world), food and drinks left over from the night team.
Before I started my job, I was picturing a very busy and very noisy office but despite this big open-plan office, it's not so noisy. Busy it is, but the sound isn't so bad except when someone is trying to call an interviewee in India and that the phone line is really bad. Everybody in the office is able to follow the interview and give feed back about it. I don’t know why I had this image of noisy environment with phone ringing all the time, probably from movies, I must admit that I was a little bit disappointed. Now, after 10 months working there, I'm very happy that it's not like in movies as I would have headache every single evening after work.
How is it like for you in your work environment?
Juliette
posted on Wednesday, 28 February 2007 | comment on this post | February 2007
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