Dear all, 

It's been a while since last time I posted something over here. Yet, I am glad I'm back. 

You know, we all go through different experiences an their lessons. However, we sometimes have that feeling about 'why things didn't happen as we wanted to, as we planned to and probably as we think we deserved it'. I don't want to sound desperate or 'sad' but I am curious about how things end up so different as we wanted it and it is not what we actually expected - you get disappointed -. 

I read - some days ago- something that really caught my attention: " Maybe you're not the same person that made those old plans and life is showing you a different path. " What do you think about it?

Also, years are passing by and you're in the same place, same point, same ordinary things over and over, stuck probably in the past and you ask yourself "what do I have to do next? ". Taking the risk is 'risky' but maybe it's even worse wondering "what If ...".

Yes, too many things I wanted to accomplish and I couldn't, too many goals I couldn't reach, too many dreams that won't ever come true and so on. So, I tell myself "Ori... life doesn't always go your way...! and so on. 

I'll move on, maybe. 

Cheers, 

Ori.

Dear all, 

I am so happy to be back home: EC. 

I've been away for several reasons but the main one is WORK. 

Ok, as you may know, I teach English in high school and nowadays I have been noticing something really uncomfortable among my teenage students. They think I am a bit "crazy" because I preach love, friendship , good manners and peace but it seems these words and actions are for "crazy people". They treat each other with too much hate, bad words, they hit one another and they say "that's normal and common"  They also claim that saying "I love you" is for stupid people, instead of using their names, they use bad and terrible nicknames, they use their social networking such as Facebook, twitter and Instagram to insult themselves, upload photos of other classmates without their permissions and so on. 

Now, this morning during my class, I was teaching them how to write love letters (in English) to friends and people they love and they refused to do that - at the beginning- because "that's for stupid people.... nobody loves ..love does not exist, teacher.." and I was like " seriously?" and they replied " Teacher, you're too naive.. we're not... teacher, wake up .. this is a horrible world " and I said "The world is not terrible, WE are terrible because we let bad things to penetrate our souls..."

So, it's not only among my students but people in general, couples don't see each other but Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter are more important, internet is more important... but.. real life... having physical contact , having some coffee together or a delicious meal is just in the past.... WHAT'S GOING ON?

Dear friends , 

Let me use this few lines to express my current happiness. 

Due to the fact that I come from a very very humble family, when I was child I never expected to travel abroad. Actually, I didn't even imagine I could get on a plane. It wasn't my first time travelling by  plane but an International trip? Never, and Russia? WOW 

Yes, finally, after saving money, making lots of sacrifices,  trying to tight my  belt, wearing the same clothes during the whole year, and so on , I could pay my trip and here I am: LIVING MY DREAM.... I AM TRAVELLING ABROAD...  

I went to Saint Petersbugr first and now I am staying in a city called Veliky Novgorod. It is amazing. 

I couldn't be happier =) 

PS: By the way, my trip lasted 17 hours, I first had to land in Frankfurt (Germany) for four hours and then more two hours to Saint Petersburg =) 

Hi, everyone. 

First of all, receive my warmest regards 

Well, here I am again writing a few lines to express my feelings about EC. 

When I first came to EC in 2005 , I was barely an English teacher trainee and I was scared of making grammar mistakes on the forums. However, several members made feel comfortable to write as much as I could so that I would practice more and more. 

But I didn't come by chance. My "English I" professor asked me (us, my classmates and I) to meet people abroad and exchange culture,traditions and opinions about the English learning process. Yes. It was such an amazing experience for me. I met people from all around the world and actually I made many friends here who ARE STILL my friends: for 8 YEARS!! Imagine. 

After 5 years , I became a teacher and now I am returning the favor. Yes; English is not my native language but I love sharing the little English I know. I always remember this line " If you want to multiply your happiness, DIVIDE IT.." . So, I do my best , as much as I can and to be connected to EC  to spend some time with my virtual family, my EC family. 

So, EC: Thank you so much for being in my LIFE. 

Thank you!!!

PS: Here you can read my very first post in 2005. http://www.englishclub.com/esl-forums/viewtopic.php?f=128&t=24510&p=199808#p199808 

Hi =)

Well, I know this is very asked question, but sometimes we start the English learning process without any purpose. Just because of YES, and that's it!

*MY EXPERIENCE*

When I was 4-5 years old and I was at the Kindergarten, my father used to teach me the vowels in Spanish ( my native language), and at the same time , he would teach me them in English. GREAT!I began to like it. However, I couldn't understand the reason why I would learn the language and even worse, I didn't know what English was.

As I was growing up, I realized how much I liked ENGLISH: I could sing in English ( Yes, I am a singer and most of the songs I sing are in English); I could read magazines, newspapers ( all in English), I could watch T.V. in English, TV. shows and of course, my grades in high school were the highest ones =)

So, when I turned 15, I decided to study English as a career at the university. I even loved it MORE. So, I graduated as a Teacher of English in 2010 =)

English has helped me a lot. I have had great opportunities: I have worked as a teacher, international translator, I have helped others, I have made friends abroad and now I will accomplish one more goal: I am traveling abroad thanks to my English. 

Even I am not an English native speaker, I THINK I can speak it quite well. I just keep on practicing and practicing and use the language every single day of my life. 

*ON THE OTHER HAND*

As a teacher, I have had students that started learning English just because their parents wanted them to. However, through what I have experienced so far, there are students that really love the language. Oh, by the way, the payment is awful. Too bad that the teaching careers are not well-paid =(. Although, I love teaching and this is what I do.  

BY THE WAY: I LOVE EC!!!!

And you? WHY DID YOU DECIDED TO LEAR ENGLISH? Is it USEFUL for you? Has it given you OPPORTUNITIES? Is it an ADVANTAGE FOR YOU?

Hi, there!

This is me again. I had posted this previously but I accidentally removed it...So, let's see. my question is: How would you like to be remembered after death? 

I know that thinking about our own death is a little bit "creepy" maybe, but it is important for us, at least to know how people would keep us in their minds, hearts and memories after our death. In my case, I would like to be remembered as a big dreamer, hardworking and self-centered person, of course as a great teacher and mom even I don't have any kids yet. Sometimes, I'm stubborn , dramatic and an impatient person.

On the other hand, Why do we care too much about what others think about us even when we're dead already? Isn't it enough caring about it in life? Is it pretty important for you? If so, please, be free to share it with the rest of us. 

So, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

I'd LOVE reading your opinions =)

Hello, friends.

Being here, reading some posts, comments and chat conversations, I have realized that not so many people have clear that "America" is a continent and not a country. So, I decided to write about it. Let's begin.

Venezuela is my homeland. Do know where it is? Yes. It is in AMERICA. How come? Yes, in South America. But, it is not only USA the american country? Well, AMERICA is divided into three sections:

-North America : Canada, The United states of America and Mexico.

-Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic ( Spanish is spoken in all of the central countries except Belize).

(Caribbean Islands)

-South America: Argentina, Bolivia , Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay and the best country ever: Venezuela. Spanish is spoken in all of the countries except Brazil ( Portuguese)  French Guyana ( French) and Guyana ( British English). Guyana used to be Venezuelan territory, actually, there is still a dispute about it. Let's see what happens. 

So, I am American... Can you believe it? Yes, I am American without being born in the US. Why? Because I live IN the continent. That makes me American, too. 

I hope you like this information, mates. 

Let's keep in touch. 

Greetings...

Hi everyone. 

I am starting my first entry with a very particular topic that is increasing in my country, Venezuela,nowadays. 

It seems that being naturally beautiful is not enough. The society ( Magazines, models, T.V, movies and some others) is telling us that we need to go through changes so that we can be accepted in this probably fake circle, which everybody is trying to be someone else. What do you think?

On the other hand, I just noticed that having some extra pounds or kilograms of weight is a sin and it is even banned. Being skinny is beautiful, though Why? Psychological speaking, being accepted is what everybody wants (obvious) but at what prize? Is it necessary going through a surgery, having new breast, nose, stomach ( unless you have had a baby and want to remove that extra skin) and perfecting your body in order to be liked by others?

I just see young ladies are very fond of surgeries , wasting and spending their money ( or their parents')  on surgeries but not for college, studies, a nice house or even a nice trip abroad. why? 

When I was 18 years old ( I'm 25 years old, now) I wanted to have breast augmentation, but, Was it going to be worthy? Was it going to raise my self-esteem? What for? No way. I changed my mind. I kept on studying and being beautiful just how I am like. (I'm graduated as a Teacher of English, now).

I just think plastic surgery has got a "cosmetic" connotation rather than a corrective one. Yes. If you have gone through breast cancer, you have been burn or had an accident, you MUST have a plastic/corrective surgery, of course and I agree with it, but... having it to be liked/loved/accepted/ by others? Or just because you have low self-esteem?

And you? What do you think?

Oriana Díaz. 

Venezuela.