About relative adverbs, slowing down, books and metamorphosis...

Last class we learned about relative adverbs.

The principal we used was “the reason why… is…”. To fix this relative adverb we read two texts and we did phrases with it of each topic of the texts.

The first text was about downshifting. Speaking in a superficial way, this is the practice of work less to have time to enjoy the good things of life.

I think this idea very interesting and it’s adopted by many people who wants to have a simpler and more sustainable life. In my case it won’t work, at least for now, and the reason is a simple one: I don’t know what to do with my free time. To tell you the truth, I know what to do but at this moment I’m so mentally tired that when I have some time to rest or do anything else that is not working or studying, my body and my mind are so tired that I don’t want to wake up. I want to sleep as long as possible and when I wake up, I wake up tired already and thinking about to sleep again. I know is a very sad situation, but at this moment I just can’t quit the job or quit the college. I know I could find some another job but I don’t think my situation will get better, I will still have to work and to study, and my actual job helps me to pay my college. So I feel like selling my soul for a determined time. But I believe things will be better.

The second text was about Slow Books Movement. This is a movement which encourages people to read more. To turn off the tv or the internet and read a good book. I’m used to do it, but now, with all my lack of time, I’m just reading texts to my college. Of all the things I don’t have time to do, read books is the only one which I miss almost physically. I used to read 2 – 4 books a week, and now I take almost a month to read only one. The reason I chose to become a translator was my passion for literature.

I love what books can do for me! I can travel going to nowhere, I can imagine myself on another life, with another choices, with another idea how life supposed to be, and the most important, I always change my thoughts about everything. I think to change your mind is something very good. To see the same situation with different eyes is something almost magical. Be able to choose the best way how to handle with some situation, only opening your mind, is something unique. So, as Raul Seixas would say, I prefer to be a metamorphosis! And books help me to be it. So, what are you expecting to start reading now?

Fashion... or judgment?

Last week we have a debate about fashion. What do I think about it?

According to the text, your clothes and accessories should tell to the world about your personality, but there are occasions that you must dress yourself in a certain way. Occasions like job interview, you are expected to wear more formal clothes.

I think this argument is true up to a point. When you chose something to wear, you unconsciously show how you are feeling.

But to judge someone based on the way this person is dressed is bullshit. To tell you the truth I think that every way of judgment is something irrational and prejudiced. But I know to judge others is part of human condition. Is something that we can avoid. But if I have to choose a reason to judge someone, it is for his/her actions.

Clothes, music, books, movies can give a glimpse about our personality, but it is not all.

World will be a better place when people stop to judge others and worry more about their lives. 

Picking up a book, and let it go...

What do you think about to pick up a book on a bus-stop or in a restaurant?

I think it’s a lovely idea. Picking up a book which someone loved and left it to share its story, must be an unique experience. Think about it: you read a book and immediately needs to share with the world this amazing story, what’s the best way to do it? BookCrossing is the answer.

First of all, chose a book which you like to share with other people. Go to BookCrossing website and register your book. This register will generate a unique code and a label where the purpose of this travelling book is explained. After that you can go to an OBCZs (official BookCrossing zone) or leave it where people can find it.

The idea is very interesting and the motto is: “If you love your books, let them go”. I think it is a very poetical idea, books like something else, needs to grow up, and it’s only possible spreading its story to as many readers as possible.

I think if I would be able to leave one of my books, I love them and I want to have a personal library, but it was very cool to share a beautiful story with someone who you don’t know. I think everyone wanted to talk about some book with another person at least once in their life. So, this is a very good way to put it in practice. A really good book needs to be read, spread your words and ideas and make a reader someone better.

Like a very avid reader, I’m considering to start use this different way to read. Now that I know about this project, at the moments when I want to read different literary styles, there will be a good way to get indications about very good books, that maybe I would never pick up to read for lack of information or something else. I just need to detach, and how the motto says, let my books go…