Saturday, July 31, 2010
Hello sue.
I am sahar rahimi.I have a twin sister. Her name is saeede. I,m 21 years old and i,m a university student in music field. I play guiter and piano. I love music and i practice guitar every day. I have a question of you: Do you call every body by the first name or must you be allowed first? In our university we call each other by first names.
HI MIS SUE.
I am saeede. I am 21 years old.I have three sisters and one of them is my twin sister. Her name is sahar.Sahar and i come to english class together. Sahar,s field is music. She loves it very much. My field is operation room. It,s about surgry .in fact my task is help to surgeons. I love this work very much. I try look after patients in an operation room. I hope that can to speak english bether by come to english class. HAVE A GOOD DAY MIS SUE.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Collecting the Light
The Candle in the Window can inspire us as a symbol of hope as well as a hand in the darkness willing to share the warmth of life, itself. In her book, My Grandfather’s Blessings, Rachel Remen, a doctor who has specialized in the treatment of advanced cancer and who has, herself, also lived with a debilitating disease, tells us a story that her grandfather taught her when she was four years old. In the beginning, he said, the world was made of light. But by accident, the light was scattered, and became countless fragments of light that found their lodging in each and every bit of creation. He told her that the highest thing that man can use his life for is to look for this light, search out every possible place it can be—to gather it and mold it in order to repair the universe. Isn’t this a beautiful story? Isn’t this a superb meeting point for a life focus?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Faranak's writing
Dear Sue,
In Iran, students spend 5 years in a primary school, 3 years in a secondary school, 3 years in a high school and 1 year in a pre-university.
Most students are usually out of school in a summer, almost 3 months.
Students at university can take a summer semester and for this semester they can get a few lessons so they usually don't do this.
We don't have a winter holiday, instead of it we have Norooz holiday about 2 or 3 weeks.
Holidays in Iran are a lot, although we fall into this habit and like it, it is not good for us.
I can say about cost of schools,
In recent years, parents must pay during a registration and the cost depends on schools.
We have two types of schools: governmental and nonprofit.
Some costs of governmental schools are paid by parents and some by the government and the total cost of nonprofit schools are paid by parents so these schools get more money.
We have several types of universities: governmental, nonprofit, unattached,...
All universities except governmental ones get money and the costs of some of them are very high and the degree of a governmental university is more creditable than others.
In Iran, students spend 5 years in a primary school, 3 years in a secondary school, 3 years in a high school and 1 year in a pre-university.
Most students are usually out of school in a summer, almost 3 months.
Students at university can take a summer semester and for this semester they can get a few lessons so they usually don't do this.
We don't have a winter holiday, instead of it we have Norooz holiday about 2 or 3 weeks.
Holidays in Iran are a lot, although we fall into this habit and like it, it is not good for us.
I can say about cost of schools,
In recent years, parents must pay during a registration and the cost depends on schools.
We have two types of schools: governmental and nonprofit.
Some costs of governmental schools are paid by parents and some by the government and the total cost of nonprofit schools are paid by parents so these schools get more money.
We have several types of universities: governmental, nonprofit, unattached,...
All universities except governmental ones get money and the costs of some of them are very high and the degree of a governmental university is more creditable than others.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Prepositional Predicament
This is the name I myself gave to a piece I read in a magazine this morning. Here is the piece itself:
For a variety of reasons, learning English prepositions is notoriously difficult and a slow, gradual process for English as a Second Language (ESL) students. To begin, English prepositions typically are short, single-syllable or two-syllable words that are seldom stressed when speaking and therefore often not articulated clearly or heard distinctly. Another problem is that prepositions are often conceptually different from one language to the next, and direct translation cannot be relied on. For example, in English “we walk in the rain,” whereas in French we “walk under the rain (marcher sous la pluie).” Both formulations seem to make the same intrinsic sense; however, it would strike most English speakers as odd to say that we walk under the rain! This lack of correspondence means that a one-to-one translation will produce an ungrammatical sentence.
These difficulties are compounded by the loose grammatical rules governing the use of English prepositions. For example, one rule states that the prepositions at, on, and in are used to designate expressions of time. However, these very same prepositions also designate expressions of place and location, which often makes the selection of a preposition a matter of guesswork. The uncertainty about what preposition to use even extends to differences within British and American English. For example, in British (and South African) English it is common to speak of “filling in a form,” while American English speaks of “filling out a form.” The problem is further exacerbated by regional or social varieties of English that use prepositions in idiosyncratic ways. Then there are those unhelpful (even archaic) rules about prepositions that continue to hold sway, such as the rule about not ending a sentence with a preposition. As Winston Churchill tellingly joked, “The rule which forbids ending a sentence with a preposition is the kind of nonsense up with which I will not put.”
For a variety of reasons, learning English prepositions is notoriously difficult and a slow, gradual process for English as a Second Language (ESL) students. To begin, English prepositions typically are short, single-syllable or two-syllable words that are seldom stressed when speaking and therefore often not articulated clearly or heard distinctly. Another problem is that prepositions are often conceptually different from one language to the next, and direct translation cannot be relied on. For example, in English “we walk in the rain,” whereas in French we “walk under the rain (marcher sous la pluie).” Both formulations seem to make the same intrinsic sense; however, it would strike most English speakers as odd to say that we walk under the rain! This lack of correspondence means that a one-to-one translation will produce an ungrammatical sentence.
These difficulties are compounded by the loose grammatical rules governing the use of English prepositions. For example, one rule states that the prepositions at, on, and in are used to designate expressions of time. However, these very same prepositions also designate expressions of place and location, which often makes the selection of a preposition a matter of guesswork. The uncertainty about what preposition to use even extends to differences within British and American English. For example, in British (and South African) English it is common to speak of “filling in a form,” while American English speaks of “filling out a form.” The problem is further exacerbated by regional or social varieties of English that use prepositions in idiosyncratic ways. Then there are those unhelpful (even archaic) rules about prepositions that continue to hold sway, such as the rule about not ending a sentence with a preposition. As Winston Churchill tellingly joked, “The rule which forbids ending a sentence with a preposition is the kind of nonsense up with which I will not put.”
Bahman's Writing
Dear Sue,
Thank you for correcting my letter. I try to study for master in these days. My study isn’t very good, because Tehran is very warm. One is weary when the weather is warm. We want to buy a new house and we go for seeing houses afternoons. I go to library mornings.
In Iran we have different languages for example Azari in Tabriz, Gilaki in north, Arabik in south, but Farsi is understood all over Iran. Have you different languages in the U.S?
Did you listen to Faramarze Payvar’s piece?
Take care, Bahman
Thank you for correcting my letter. I try to study for master in these days. My study isn’t very good, because Tehran is very warm. One is weary when the weather is warm. We want to buy a new house and we go for seeing houses afternoons. I go to library mornings.
In Iran we have different languages for example Azari in Tabriz, Gilaki in north, Arabik in south, but Farsi is understood all over Iran. Have you different languages in the U.S?
Did you listen to Faramarze Payvar’s piece?
Take care, Bahman
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sue's question and Pasternak's candle
Sue,
Thoreau said, "The sun is but a morning star." But that is for people who can see the sun. For those who are left in darkness like Pasternak, a candle is the revelation of all the stars that burn in all the galaxies of the whole universe. In a candle we find our dreams. In its flickering light fly our dreams to the places which are not "here", to somewhere else other than here.
T
Thoreau said, "The sun is but a morning star." But that is for people who can see the sun. For those who are left in darkness like Pasternak, a candle is the revelation of all the stars that burn in all the galaxies of the whole universe. In a candle we find our dreams. In its flickering light fly our dreams to the places which are not "here", to somewhere else other than here.
T
Sunday, July 25, 2010
And the candle again
Sue,
I just wanted you to know that every post you put on the site lights a beautiful candle in the heart of every member and myself.
T
I just wanted you to know that every post you put on the site lights a beautiful candle in the heart of every member and myself.
T
A Candle Was Burning?
"As they drove through Kamerger Street Yura noticed that a candle had
melted a patch in the icy crust on one of the windows. The light seemed
to look into the street almost consciously, as if it were watching the
passing carriages and waiting for someone.
'A candle burned on the table,a candle burned...' he whispered to
himself-the beginning of something confused,formless; he hoped that it
would take shape of itself, but nothing more came to him."
--Dr. Zhivago
From this formless beginning Pasternak wrote one of his most profound poems: Winter Night. I know of few poems that contain the wealth of human emotions as in Winter Night. How many of us have seen a candle burning in our mind's eye and knew that there was some meaning there, but what? Does it symbolize hope, faith, a sense of something beyond, what?? What does Pasternak's candle mean to you? What does it symbolize in Zhivago?
Winter Night
The snow swept through the land
To the ends of the earth.
On the table a candle,
A Candle was burning.
Like moths in the summer
Attracted by flames,
Crowding and rushing
--snowflakes at the window.
The blizzard had drawn
White circles and arrows.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.
Shadows softly mingling
On the luminous ceiling,
Arms and legs intertwining,
Destinies crossing.
Two tiny slippers
Fell to the floor,
And the candle was weeping
Wax tears on her dress.
All swirling in the darkness,
Snowy and grey.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.
The candle was almost
Put out by a draft.
The heat of temptation
Raised its wings like an angel.
A February blizzard,
Lasting a month.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.
melted a patch in the icy crust on one of the windows. The light seemed
to look into the street almost consciously, as if it were watching the
passing carriages and waiting for someone.
'A candle burned on the table,a candle burned...' he whispered to
himself-the beginning of something confused,formless; he hoped that it
would take shape of itself, but nothing more came to him."
--Dr. Zhivago
From this formless beginning Pasternak wrote one of his most profound poems: Winter Night. I know of few poems that contain the wealth of human emotions as in Winter Night. How many of us have seen a candle burning in our mind's eye and knew that there was some meaning there, but what? Does it symbolize hope, faith, a sense of something beyond, what?? What does Pasternak's candle mean to you? What does it symbolize in Zhivago?
Winter Night
The snow swept through the land
To the ends of the earth.
On the table a candle,
A Candle was burning.
Like moths in the summer
Attracted by flames,
Crowding and rushing
--snowflakes at the window.
The blizzard had drawn
White circles and arrows.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.
Shadows softly mingling
On the luminous ceiling,
Arms and legs intertwining,
Destinies crossing.
Two tiny slippers
Fell to the floor,
And the candle was weeping
Wax tears on her dress.
All swirling in the darkness,
Snowy and grey.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.
The candle was almost
Put out by a draft.
The heat of temptation
Raised its wings like an angel.
A February blizzard,
Lasting a month.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Bahman's Writings
Dear Sue,
Nice to hear from you. Mashhad is mountainous. But it has no very mountain. There are mountains environs Mashhad. They are in Torghabe and Shandiz that they were beautiful villages in vicinity Mashhad. Now they are little cities. My Santour is not very good. I play only 2 years. If you go to below address you can take a beautiful piece from Faramarze Payvar.
http://www.4shared.com/file/171361879/e6ca294e/__________.html
Thank you that you tell me my mistakes. I had a funny mistake in my last letter. How is Denver climate? Is it warm or cold? Has it jungle? Is it big city or little city?
Nice to hear from you. Mashhad is mountainous. But it has no very mountain. There are mountains environs Mashhad. They are in Torghabe and Shandiz that they were beautiful villages in vicinity Mashhad. Now they are little cities. My Santour is not very good. I play only 2 years. If you go to below address you can take a beautiful piece from Faramarze Payvar.
http://www.4shared.com/file/171361879/e6ca294e/__________.html
Thank you that you tell me my mistakes. I had a funny mistake in my last letter. How is Denver climate? Is it warm or cold? Has it jungle? Is it big city or little city?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Bahman's Writing
Dear Sue,
I was in holy Mashhad. A hot summer has started here. I try to write mo re than before spend more time on Santour and music. I work 4 hours in a day with my Taxi. I have ket (key English test) next month. I must practice English more than before. I hope I can pass the exam. I had a good semester in the university. I bear in Tehran. My father bears in Tehran too but my grandfather was born in our village.
I was in holy Mashhad. A hot summer has started here. I try to write mo re than before spend more time on Santour and music. I work 4 hours in a day with my Taxi. I have ket (key English test) next month. I must practice English more than before. I hope I can pass the exam. I had a good semester in the university. I bear in Tehran. My father bears in Tehran too but my grandfather was born in our village.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hamlet by Boris Pasternak
I just ran to the library and they had held a copy of Pasternak's book of poems, "My Sister, Life" for me. The public library is a wonderful thing. Do you have libraries in Iran?
It is a beautiful book full of his poetry, in both Russian and English, and teeming with pictures of Russia. What a book of Love! Here is a poem from this book that I thought you might like:
Hamlet
The roaring stops. I walk onstage.
I lean against the doorframe
And try to catch,like Hamlet,
The echo of all that will happen in my time.
The night stares darkly.
And a thousand opera glasses,
On their handles, stare. I implore you,
Abba, Father, take this cup away!
I respect your stubborn planning.
I agree to act this part,
But another play is now unfolding,
Take me off the stage tonight.
The sequences have been arranged,
It is the end, the road is running out.
I am alone among the PHarisees.
To live a life is not to cross a field.
It is a beautiful book full of his poetry, in both Russian and English, and teeming with pictures of Russia. What a book of Love! Here is a poem from this book that I thought you might like:
Hamlet
The roaring stops. I walk onstage.
I lean against the doorframe
And try to catch,like Hamlet,
The echo of all that will happen in my time.
The night stares darkly.
And a thousand opera glasses,
On their handles, stare. I implore you,
Abba, Father, take this cup away!
I respect your stubborn planning.
I agree to act this part,
But another play is now unfolding,
Take me off the stage tonight.
The sequences have been arranged,
It is the end, the road is running out.
I am alone among the PHarisees.
To live a life is not to cross a field.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Faranak's Writing
Dear Sue,
I have a question about how to take exams in U.S., what is important, concepts or mnemonics?
In Iran, Some of professors give an exam and just student who can memorize better or read a lot lessons can give good a mark and it is wrong.
Last term, I had a proffessor who give marks with different methods. Our final exam was open book and that was just one question. The exam take for about 4 hours and take one hour and half to understand the question and after proffessor guidnace we could almost understand what question is.
Indeed, He wanted us to design new thing rather than use the mnemonic and student who understand good can solve the question.
at the end, we must complete a project which it was a calculator,It was hard for us. For the proffessor what important was how much we learn from the project(saying this sentense is difficult, I think I have a lot of mistakes, please say me errors). Some student couldn't display any things on a little LCD but he said: "Don't worry, it isn't important, I want you learn and you almost give completely mark."
I think understanding more important than memorizing and this method is very effective and useful.
Take care, Faranak.
I have a question about how to take exams in U.S., what is important, concepts or mnemonics?
In Iran, Some of professors give an exam and just student who can memorize better or read a lot lessons can give good a mark and it is wrong.
Last term, I had a proffessor who give marks with different methods. Our final exam was open book and that was just one question. The exam take for about 4 hours and take one hour and half to understand the question and after proffessor guidnace we could almost understand what question is.
Indeed, He wanted us to design new thing rather than use the mnemonic and student who understand good can solve the question.
at the end, we must complete a project which it was a calculator,It was hard for us. For the proffessor what important was how much we learn from the project(saying this sentense is difficult, I think I have a lot of mistakes, please say me errors). Some student couldn't display any things on a little LCD but he said: "Don't worry, it isn't important, I want you learn and you almost give completely mark."
I think understanding more important than memorizing and this method is very effective and useful.
Take care, Faranak.
Love, Pasternak's way
Yes Sue, The way odds were against him and people like him, he should have left Russia. But here is a piece from the film where Zhivago has realised that the right thing for him to do is to leave Lara. To me Lara depicts Russia: just see how Camerovsky, Strelnikov and Zhivago all love her in their own special ways and why.
Lara: Yes my darling, do as best.
Zhivago: I'm not coming back.
Lara watching him with tearful eyes says, "I understand." Zhivago asks again: "Do you understand?" With eyes soaked in tears, she can't say yes to this question and only nodds. Zhivago emphasizes: "But never, Lara. Do you understand?" Lara nods again and then comes Zhivago's last and most difficult question: "Do you believe me?" And Lara says no.
Just as Russia never believed that Pasternak would ever leave her. Zhivago, Strelnikov and Camerovsky all die in the end and in their own special ways. Future belongs to Yuri's child.
Pasternak never left Russia to accept the Nobel prize. Perhaps it was because he knew that if he had done so he would have never had a chance to return.
Lara: Yes my darling, do as best.
Zhivago: I'm not coming back.
Lara watching him with tearful eyes says, "I understand." Zhivago asks again: "Do you understand?" With eyes soaked in tears, she can't say yes to this question and only nodds. Zhivago emphasizes: "But never, Lara. Do you understand?" Lara nods again and then comes Zhivago's last and most difficult question: "Do you believe me?" And Lara says no.
Just as Russia never believed that Pasternak would ever leave her. Zhivago, Strelnikov and Camerovsky all die in the end and in their own special ways. Future belongs to Yuri's child.
Pasternak never left Russia to accept the Nobel prize. Perhaps it was because he knew that if he had done so he would have never had a chance to return.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Lesson plan
To all classes:
Please print Sue's writings "This and That" and "The American Experiment" to study in the next classes.
Thank you, T
Please print Sue's writings "This and That" and "The American Experiment" to study in the next classes.
Thank you, T
A letter of gratitude
Sue,
Mahshid and Monireh had been asking me to send their letters to you for ages, really. On several occasions I lost their letters. My apologies to you and to them. Thank you for answering them and thanks a lot for your time.
Faranak has asked me a question which I think is not for me to answer. She asks, "Are there any limitations and restrictions for American writers to publish their books?" Sue, it is totally beyond our belief to imagine a society where people are able to publish whatever they wish to. Unfortunately many of us believe that we MUST be restricted to live in a safer society. I know part of the answer -- I think, but I would love to hear your answer.
T
Mahshid and Monireh had been asking me to send their letters to you for ages, really. On several occasions I lost their letters. My apologies to you and to them. Thank you for answering them and thanks a lot for your time.
Faranak has asked me a question which I think is not for me to answer. She asks, "Are there any limitations and restrictions for American writers to publish their books?" Sue, it is totally beyond our belief to imagine a society where people are able to publish whatever they wish to. Unfortunately many of us believe that we MUST be restricted to live in a safer society. I know part of the answer -- I think, but I would love to hear your answer.
T
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A letter from Mahshid to Sue
Sue, Mahshid is 17. Here's her letter:
In the name of God
Dear Sue,
I hope you are well. We listened to your voice which was very nice.
Does your time allow you to answer my questions? My questions are these:
is thee a so called paradise water fall in South America and is there a forgotten land in this place?
My teacher said to me you have two grand children. Can I ask you to send their photos?
Mrs Sue, I love America very much. What is your favorite soccer team? my favorite soccer player is Ronaldo what about you?
Thank you very much. Your friend, Mahshid.
In the name of God
Dear Sue,
I hope you are well. We listened to your voice which was very nice.
Does your time allow you to answer my questions? My questions are these:
is thee a so called paradise water fall in South America and is there a forgotten land in this place?
My teacher said to me you have two grand children. Can I ask you to send their photos?
Mrs Sue, I love America very much. What is your favorite soccer team? my favorite soccer player is Ronaldo what about you?
Thank you very much. Your friend, Mahshid.
A letter from Monire to Sue
Sue, Monire does not have direct access to the internet from her house. She is 12 years old. She has asked me to send you this letter.
In the name of God
Dear Sue,
How are you? I hope you are well. We listened to your voice. It was very good. Will you please answer my questions? Are you a thin woman? Do you wear glasses? I like to see you. Can you send a photo of you for me and Mahshid, please? We like to see you.
I like America very much. I like to live there and learn my lessons in America. My teacher Mr. Taghdarreh said that you have a garden. Please write for me about your garden and your house.
Thank you very much.
Monire
In the name of God
Dear Sue,
How are you? I hope you are well. We listened to your voice. It was very good. Will you please answer my questions? Are you a thin woman? Do you wear glasses? I like to see you. Can you send a photo of you for me and Mahshid, please? We like to see you.
I like America very much. I like to live there and learn my lessons in America. My teacher Mr. Taghdarreh said that you have a garden. Please write for me about your garden and your house.
Thank you very much.
Monire
Love is the mother of poetry
To follow our pleasant discussion about the necessity of poetry with Sue a while ago here is a piece from the film “How the West was Won.”
Linus is a man who has spent his whole life in forests with bears and beasts, but when the time comes even he has to resort to poetry to reveal his love for a girl. Just see:
"Eve... Eve, you make me feel like a man standing on a narrow ledge... ...comin' face to face with a grizzly bear. There just ain't no ignorin' the situation."
Linus is a man who has spent his whole life in forests with bears and beasts, but when the time comes even he has to resort to poetry to reveal his love for a girl. Just see:
"Eve... Eve, you make me feel like a man standing on a narrow ledge... ...comin' face to face with a grizzly bear. There just ain't no ignorin' the situation."
Monday, July 12, 2010
Proposition
Sue, I think it would be a wonderful idea to pick up good films for our classes and then discuss its language. To make the film more useful we can later swim deeper and discuss its plot and our own interpretation of the film's meaning. We can also choose short stories that are available on the internet, a piece of poetry or a newspaper article for this same purpose.
Would you perhaps be able to find articles from important, daily American newspapers?
T
Would you perhaps be able to find articles from important, daily American newspapers?
T
This and That
Zhivago is a wonderful movie with many plots, sub-plots, and subjective human reactions that intrigue us and make us think long after the movie is over. For example, I am intrigued with Zhivao's brother--hard, directed tool of the establishment, yet there is a sympathetic and caring note in him that extends beyond the hardness of the system. How deep does that kindness run, one wonders and who would it encompass? More on this later.
Today my mind was considering some of the more modern expressions that young Americans use. With your classes starting, I know you will have a lot of young people who might be interested.
I can think of two:
1. "She's a really nice person." Not!! The not completely negates the preceding sentence.
2. Everything is 'cool' man. Trans: Everything is great, friend.
Today my mind was considering some of the more modern expressions that young Americans use. With your classes starting, I know you will have a lot of young people who might be interested.
I can think of two:
1. "She's a really nice person." Not!! The not completely negates the preceding sentence.
2. Everything is 'cool' man. Trans: Everything is great, friend.
Smiles yet again
Despite the agony going on in Dr. Zhivago, the film is not completely void of hopes and happiness -- just as life itself with all its miseries. Every now and then in the film the famous, charming music flows in the air with something nice and pleasant emerging from it: smiles on some lips or the petals of many flowers after an icy winter! I am glad that David Lean or Boris pasternak for that matter do not suffocate us in agonies.
Henry David Thoreau and Boris Pasternak both witnessed a revolution in their countries. A very fundamental question is that why and how one brought so many miseries to humanity while the other created a "relatively free country!"
I love the film Dr. Zhivago. Thank you Faranak for giving me the film. I appreciate your kindness. I had been looking for this film for ages.
T
Henry David Thoreau and Boris Pasternak both witnessed a revolution in their countries. A very fundamental question is that why and how one brought so many miseries to humanity while the other created a "relatively free country!"
I love the film Dr. Zhivago. Thank you Faranak for giving me the film. I appreciate your kindness. I had been looking for this film for ages.
T
Saturday, July 10, 2010
You are the one
Hi Sue,
Does your time allow you to tell the meaning of the expression: "You are the one"? In the context I heard it, it seems to mean "you are too clever, you are mischivous" or something like that.
Thanks.
Ali
Does your time allow you to tell the meaning of the expression: "You are the one"? In the context I heard it, it seems to mean "you are too clever, you are mischivous" or something like that.
Thanks.
Ali
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
The Rope
The story tells about a mountain climber who wanted to climb the highest mountain.
He decided to climb the mountain alone. The night fell heavily in the heights of the mountain and the man could not see anything. As he was climbing,only a few feet away from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air. All of a sudden he felt the rope tied to pulled his waist and pulled him very hard. His body was hanging the air... . Only the rope was holding him. And in that moment of stillness he had no other choice but to scream: "Help me God!"
All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the sky answered: "What do you want me to do?"
"Save me God!"
"Do you really think I can save you?"
"Of course I believe you can."
"Then cut the rope tied to your waist of..."
There was a moment of silence...
And the man decided to hold the rope with all his strength.
The rescue team tells that the next day a climbers was found dead and frozen. His body hanging from a rope, his hands holding tight to it, Only three feet away from the ground.
And you? How attached are you to your rope? Will you let it go?
Don't even doubt one thing from God. Don't never should say that He has forgotten you.
Don't even think that He dose not take care of you. Remember that he is always holding you with His hand.
perhaps you heard and read it. I like this story, What do you think about this?
He decided to climb the mountain alone. The night fell heavily in the heights of the mountain and the man could not see anything. As he was climbing,only a few feet away from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air. All of a sudden he felt the rope tied to pulled his waist and pulled him very hard. His body was hanging the air... . Only the rope was holding him. And in that moment of stillness he had no other choice but to scream: "Help me God!"
All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the sky answered: "What do you want me to do?"
"Save me God!"
"Do you really think I can save you?"
"Of course I believe you can."
"Then cut the rope tied to your waist of..."
There was a moment of silence...
And the man decided to hold the rope with all his strength.
The rescue team tells that the next day a climbers was found dead and frozen. His body hanging from a rope, his hands holding tight to it, Only three feet away from the ground.
And you? How attached are you to your rope? Will you let it go?
Don't even doubt one thing from God. Don't never should say that He has forgotten you.
Don't even think that He dose not take care of you. Remember that he is always holding you with His hand.
perhaps you heard and read it. I like this story, What do you think about this?
Monday, July 05, 2010
Bahman's Writing
Dear Sue,
Nice to hear from you again. Thank you for correcting my letter. I’m sorry for my mistakes. I found difference in my Oxford Dictionary.
Arak is a city in Iran. Iraq is a country Asia. Arak is a city in center of Iran. It is a land with warm climate. We have a lake in our village. It is very very salty. When you swim in this you will not go under the water. One is like a ball that he will come on the water.
It is very interesting. You cannot go under the water. I will go to my village in end of the week.
Take care,
Bahman
Nice to hear from you again. Thank you for correcting my letter. I’m sorry for my mistakes. I found difference in my Oxford Dictionary.
Arak is a city in Iran. Iraq is a country Asia. Arak is a city in center of Iran. It is a land with warm climate. We have a lake in our village. It is very very salty. When you swim in this you will not go under the water. One is like a ball that he will come on the water.
It is very interesting. You cannot go under the water. I will go to my village in end of the week.
Take care,
Bahman
Sunday, July 04, 2010
The American Experiment:
Americans declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776, and what followed was the American Revolutionary War and our attempt to create a Democratic Republic. Since our nation is so new, our effort has played out on the pages of recorded history, leaving our stains there for all to see, and sometimes hiding our dreams.
In 1997 Paul Johnson, a British historian, wrote "A History of the American People", and dedicated his book to "The American People: strong, outspoken, intense in their convictions, sometimes wrong-headed but always generous and brave, with a passion for justice."
Generalities like this never hit a mark, in my opinion, but I do see America as a work toward a democratic ideal which may, or may not come to fruition. Our Declaration of Independence, written on July 4, 1776 when we declared our freedom from Great Britain, says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." 234 years later, the dream still lives. Inalienable means that these rights cannot be given or transferred to any one else. They belong to every individual. It also means that if I want these rights for myself, I must allow them for others. I doubt if our Utopian idea will become a reality in my lifetime, but I firmly believe that it is a goal worth cherishing.
In 1997 Paul Johnson, a British historian, wrote "A History of the American People", and dedicated his book to "The American People: strong, outspoken, intense in their convictions, sometimes wrong-headed but always generous and brave, with a passion for justice."
Generalities like this never hit a mark, in my opinion, but I do see America as a work toward a democratic ideal which may, or may not come to fruition. Our Declaration of Independence, written on July 4, 1776 when we declared our freedom from Great Britain, says, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." 234 years later, the dream still lives. Inalienable means that these rights cannot be given or transferred to any one else. They belong to every individual. It also means that if I want these rights for myself, I must allow them for others. I doubt if our Utopian idea will become a reality in my lifetime, but I firmly believe that it is a goal worth cherishing.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Bahman's Writings
Dear Sue,
Nice to hear from you again. Ali told me my mistakes in last letter.
Soccer is a game that that in this players play by two teams of 11 players, using a round ball whick players kick up and down the playing field. Teams try to kick the ball into the other team’s goal.
Rugby is a game by two teams of 13 or 15 players, using an oval ball which may be kicked of carried. Teams try to put the ball over the other team’s line. Hope this helps.
I had no class in last week because I was in Arak. I try to write more.
Take care,
Bahman
Nice to hear from you again. Ali told me my mistakes in last letter.
Soccer is a game that that in this players play by two teams of 11 players, using a round ball whick players kick up and down the playing field. Teams try to kick the ball into the other team’s goal.
Rugby is a game by two teams of 13 or 15 players, using an oval ball which may be kicked of carried. Teams try to put the ball over the other team’s line. Hope this helps.
I had no class in last week because I was in Arak. I try to write more.
Take care,
Bahman
Atonement?
Have you ever read a book that your mind's eye cannot dismiss? Ian McEwan wrote Atonement in 200l, and I have found it unforgettable. Atonement is the story set in the English countryside and the main character, Briony, is, at the start of the story, a young girl of 13. She has a childish crush on a servant's son, Robbie, who, in turn, is in love with Briony's older sister, Cecilia. Briony's jealousy leads her to tell a vicious lie about Robbie which leads to his arrest and a choice between jail and the army.
He and Cecilia, although much in love, never see one another after this, and he dies a terrible death at Dunkirk prior to WWII. Cecilia is killed in a London bombing incident, and so, although she wishes to atone, or make amends, for her lie, Briony is unable to do so, and she knows that her selfish action as a young woman absolutely ruined the lives of two young people. In the end, Briony becomes a writer, and writes a story in which the two do not die, but come together in love and happiness.
Atonement is a simple story of human jealousy later regretted, and we forgive Briony saying, "She was only a child!" "She didn't know what she was doing!" True, but what has haunted me from the time I read this, (and later saw the movie in 2007) is the undeniable fact that sometimes we cannot atone for wrongs we have committed even though we might want to do so. Writing a story in which everything comes out roses just doesn't make up for the wrong done. Our actions can be indelible on the lives of those around us.
He and Cecilia, although much in love, never see one another after this, and he dies a terrible death at Dunkirk prior to WWII. Cecilia is killed in a London bombing incident, and so, although she wishes to atone, or make amends, for her lie, Briony is unable to do so, and she knows that her selfish action as a young woman absolutely ruined the lives of two young people. In the end, Briony becomes a writer, and writes a story in which the two do not die, but come together in love and happiness.
Atonement is a simple story of human jealousy later regretted, and we forgive Briony saying, "She was only a child!" "She didn't know what she was doing!" True, but what has haunted me from the time I read this, (and later saw the movie in 2007) is the undeniable fact that sometimes we cannot atone for wrongs we have committed even though we might want to do so. Writing a story in which everything comes out roses just doesn't make up for the wrong done. Our actions can be indelible on the lives of those around us.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Faranak's writing
Dear Sue,
Thank you very much, your corrections are very useful for me, I became very happy when saw that you read my letter and wrote it again and corrected my mistakes, It is very valuable for me.
Sue, you are very good friend and very good teacher, all the time, I learn a lot of things from you.
Your friend, Faranak
Thank you very much, your corrections are very useful for me, I became very happy when saw that you read my letter and wrote it again and corrected my mistakes, It is very valuable for me.
Sue, you are very good friend and very good teacher, all the time, I learn a lot of things from you.
Your friend, Faranak
Praise Away!
Human beings are very complicated, don't you think? The older I get, the more I realize that we all have this deep personal hollow that needs to be filled. Henry Thoreau answered a friend's letter by telling him thanks for the compliment and to "praise away!" Every one of us needs to be loved and feel needed.
When Mother had Alzheimer's Disease she could get quite upset and nervous at times, and there was NO way to reason with her. I could talk myself blue in the face and it didn't help. Then I learned that a hug and few words of love was all she really wanted. She would calm down and lean heavily on my arm, totally delighted by the attention. Even though she had lost all reasoning ability, she never lost the emotional part of her being. She loved and wanted love till the end.
I find that we Americans sometimes hate to show our feelings, and we put up a tough front to protect that soft interior from harm. I think we are all alike in that regard. I guess the old American expression "You can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar" would be an American way of saying what I mean.
Your friend in America, Sue
When Mother had Alzheimer's Disease she could get quite upset and nervous at times, and there was NO way to reason with her. I could talk myself blue in the face and it didn't help. Then I learned that a hug and few words of love was all she really wanted. She would calm down and lean heavily on my arm, totally delighted by the attention. Even though she had lost all reasoning ability, she never lost the emotional part of her being. She loved and wanted love till the end.
I find that we Americans sometimes hate to show our feelings, and we put up a tough front to protect that soft interior from harm. I think we are all alike in that regard. I guess the old American expression "You can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar" would be an American way of saying what I mean.
Your friend in America, Sue
Faranak's writing
Hi Sue,
I couldn't written about 2weeks because I had exams.
I spent very hard days, my exams were very compressed and I had 7exams in 10 days.
After that(now), I have to give 2 projects. One of them is hardware and I want to design and make a very small calculator with very very limited operations. Other is about design of elevator.
Sue, in this summer I have a novitiate.
Novitiate is a lessen that most of students have to spend it in a governmental office or a private company about 300hours.
My novitiate is in Ministry of Industries. I have to go there from 8 am up to 4 pm. It is for from my house.
This summer, Tehran's weather is very very hot and quartering is very hard. How is the weather in Us? Is it very hot,too?
Take care, your friend Faranak
I couldn't written about 2weeks because I had exams.
I spent very hard days, my exams were very compressed and I had 7exams in 10 days.
After that(now), I have to give 2 projects. One of them is hardware and I want to design and make a very small calculator with very very limited operations. Other is about design of elevator.
Sue, in this summer I have a novitiate.
Novitiate is a lessen that most of students have to spend it in a governmental office or a private company about 300hours.
My novitiate is in Ministry of Industries. I have to go there from 8 am up to 4 pm. It is for from my house.
This summer, Tehran's weather is very very hot and quartering is very hard. How is the weather in Us? Is it very hot,too?
Take care, your friend Faranak
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