Darth Vader killed my mate's Dad!
Dear Ana Paula,
I would have posted sooner had I not ventured down south to the village of Cirala (spellıng is different actually with Turkish letters but they would probably show up funny on the web!) next to Olympos (which is actually now called Adrasan and near the city of Antalya). Check it out on the web. I can say that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Actually last time I was here I met a lady from Brazil and she gave the beach a ten out of ten rating. I'll post some pictures later.
Regarding books I have to say that my all time favourite author is Toni Morrison for her book Beloved. I believe that this is the best book writtten in the twentieth century (even though I haven't read them all, I'm quite confident about this). In my opinion, she is a contemporary writer yet writes very much in line with the modernist tradition following Virginia Woolf and James Joyce (as well as African griot style of storytelling) but I believe that she succeeded where Joyce (with Ulysses) "failed". This is not to say that Ulysses is not a masterpiece, it surely is, however she has managed to tell American history using a stream of consciousness style which is accessible, poetic, real and compelling for anyone and not just diehard avantgarde literary freaks. Perhaps you have read it? If you haven't drop everything and start this one - "Beloved"!! I also like what I have read of Dostoyevsky however I have only read "Notes from the Underground" and parts of "Crime and Punishment" but after your reminder, I shall return to this great writer once more...
I'm glad that you liked the show again Ana Paula! Thanks for tuning in again!!
Star Wars. You know I remember when this first came out at the cinema. My whole family went on a special outing to Birmingham Odeon (in the city of Birmingham some miles out from Stratford) to see the first film premiere there! It was really a special occasion and we were absolutely blown away by the film! I also have a great story to tell about that film - you know when Darth Vader first appears in the film and he talks to one of the workers on the Death Star and lifts him up with one hand and strangles him? Well the actor who played that soldier is my friend's Dad!!! As you can imagine, many actors lived and settled in my hometown of Stratford On Avon...
Well I'm going to wrap this up now but before I go I can share with you the good news (for me at least) that I will continue as Teacher Blogger next month! I'm really happy about this!! However, I suppose that there will be a new Student Blogger starting soon. Of course I am always happy to make new friends but I must say that I will miss you as the student blogger Ana Paula. I really feel like I have gained a good friend in you so I hope you will continue your comments and that we can hook up through facebook and Skype etc! So this is definately not a goodbye to you Ana Paula but a very sincere thank-you and a see-you!
Take Care my friend!!!
Comments
Hi Simon. First of all, Congrations on continuing as Teacher blogger next month!! Glad that I can enjoy your blogs one more month. By the way, I put 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison in my reading list. I'll try to read that book hopefully soon. Are there any more books you recommend for all those who study Englsih? Best wishes Sora
Darth Vader certainly was a charismatic man. Most of seem to remember him fondly and yet he was rather evil. We are pleased that you are continuing to be our tutor Simon, it was also good to hear your holiday went well.
Oh Simon, I'm so sorry for your Dad's mate's end. I hope he's survived in real life. ;-0 As soon as I can, I'll tune in to listen your show. I'm totally intrigued by that. Well...this is not a god bye 'cause I know you are keeping on blogging but I'd like to say that this month has been fascinating with a guru like you and a diligent student like Ana. Thank very much for everything.
It's really great to know that a brazilian student is in charge of the blog for a while. You know dear Simon, There are lots of brazilian students who have fallen in love with this amazazing language, especially the british accent. I'm really glad that I can count me in despite the fact I still need to make a lot of progress. By the way, I need to improve my fluency. How can I get some british people skype? I'm looking forward to reading the answer. Take care mate...see ya
Hi Simon! The news is very welcome and the last posting as well! I am happy about the book recommendation. Actualy, I had to drop my last choice of book some days ago. In September, after some months break(!) I succeed in completing ´Unbearable lightness of being´, Milan Kundera. It is czech writer living in Paris and I read it in English. The long break was because there were too many unknown words at the begining, though, the sentence´s construction was good undrestandable as well as the plot (I lived that life after all). Thenafter I started one Nabokov book and the reading scenario repeats again. As I´d started completely unknown language. My conclusion - there are so many English and the only way is to continue (and torture) here to get more understanding in this language.
Hi Simon, it's nice to know you'll still be guiding us one more month on this delightfull journey of english learning. We'll all miss Ana a lot, but at least we won't lose you both at the same time. Now it's time to welcome our new friend Linda. It's also great to meet new people. See you. Bye.
Hey Simon! I hope you have a great time with your family in southern Turkey. And sunny days of course! This country must be very touristic being next to the Mediterranean. Would you by chance be a diver? Once I snorkelled near an island across from Marseille.It was really wonderful with quite a lot of fishes to look at. You seem to have been enthralled by "Beloved" it makes me feel like reading it. I've just read a kind of summary which sets the scene. Well I'll read it after the two books (Doris Lessing and Dan Brown) I already have to read. The autumn is really taking hold of the country, the nights are drawing out little by little so evenings are going longer and longer, then a lot of time to indulge in reading. Tell us more about your holiday... So long.
I'm really happy to know that you continue as our teacher this month. I am very lazy. I haven't read so many English book. I sometimes borrow an easy reading English book from a library.
Hi Simon! Darth Vader was my nightmare when I was a child! I was really awfully afraid of him! brrrrr!!!!! My condolences to Dad :)
It seems you had a good holiday and thanks for sharing with us the nice photos.
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