Brick Lane

Monday November 30th.

Today, we saw a film at school named Brick Lane. The film, finding place in London, is directed by Sarah Gavron. The story is adapted from the novel, also named Brick Lane, by Monica Ali. The movie was released in November 2007, and the actors starring are persons as Tannishtha Chatterjee, Satish Kaushik, Christopher Simpson and Naeema Begum.

The sotry is about a woman, Nazneen, who grew up in Bangladesh but moved to London, in Brick Lane, at the age of 17. Her marriage was arranged, and her husband was twice her age. Her sister stays in Bangladesh, and the two girls keep exchanging letters where they write about their life. Later on, a young, handsome man appears in Nazneens life, and they are having an affair.

The film deals with hard and important problems as religion and politics, and some of the plot keywords are words as immigrants, Muslims, Allah, letter writing, longing, distance, fear, arranged marriage, drowning, England, Bangladesh, 1980s. The film has won several awards, especially for its direction and actors.

I have to admit I was looking forward to watch Bend It Like Beckham, but Brick Lane was no disappointment at all. I liked the movie, especially with the setting and the sound tracks. I know now that watching a movie at school isn't simply for relaxing, and I guess my teacher always has a point of showing us such movies. To learn, of course. I also think I get more value of a film when I am working on it after I have watched it. Then the main themes will be clearer, and the messages from the director will not be so well hidden anymore.

Reflection, My Year So Far

The English lessons at Greåker vgs these months have been different than what I was used to from last year. I can see that the requirements are much higher, and the demands are visibly increasing. I have found it hard to analyze some of the texts we have worked on, especially to figure out the main themes. It's hard to find out what the author actually wants to tell us. Blogging is something I have never done before. I have read several blogs earlier, but never really published my own texts on such a webpage. It has been a bit weird, I think, but still a lot of fun. It sure is a different way of learning English!
I think I have decided to go the direction of science subjects next year, which means I will probably lose the English lessons, something I find quite sad, actually. I think it is fun to learn other languages, especially when you notice how useful they are.

To improve my English I can write more, read more and do more tasks, but to be completely honest - I think the best way to learn the language is to go to the country and live there for a while, whether you are going to school, or simply staying there for holidays. A friend of mine is thinking about going abroad next year as an exchange student. I envy him for his guts to do such thing. I bet he will have a great time, and come home as a perfect-speaking Englishman! Personally I would really like to go to the USA, but at this moment I don't think I'm ready to travel alone around the world. I hope, in some years, that I will go abroad and learn the English language. Maybe for studies during my education!

Hated by a Car

Today, as every Sundays lately, I've been out driving. My driving-theory teacher told me that the best drivers are the ones who start as early as possible. With thought of my (fairly bad) conditions in relation to cars, I think I really need the time...I didn't know before that is was possible to feel hated by a car. It hates me so much I'm sure the car does everything on purpose, simply to be mean and cause me problems. The clutch is an annoying and frustrating unnecessary detail, I think. It has gone so far that when everyone says the word 'clutch' it gives me the chills. My knowledge about cars and engines, mainly traffic in general is a bit low. (I figured that knowing all the signs unfortunately didn't make me the perfect driver. Sigh...) So I thought it would be the most safe for me (and for others) to get some more time [read: some more years] of practice before I throw myself out in the big, dangerous road.
The week of blogging I had to do has already passed, and to my surprise it was more fun than I expected.

This is probably the official end of this blog for now. (If my teacher doesn't give me more tasks.) So everyone: Take care and drive safe(!!!), please.

Rome Wasn't Build in a Day

I have been thinking that maybe we should be a little more patient. Generally, I mean. Things take time, and we just have to deal with it. The English proverb "Rome wasn't build in a day" is telling us that things actually take time, and we have to be patient. Whether it's homework, reaching a personal goal, a sport, etc. It takes time for something to become good, or really great. And when I thought about it, I found out that maybe it will be better if I put some more time and effort to it, than if I didn't. So we shouldn't expect to accomplish something or achieve success immediately.

A Watched Pot Never Boils

It has been two years since I celebrated Christmas. Last year I spent the holidays abroad, in Asia. It's now the end of November. Christmas is right around the corner. It is going to be soon, which I indeed know very well, but somehow it still seems like forever to wait. I am still as excited as a little child for Christmas. It is, with no doubt, my favorite time of the year. Snow. Family and friends. Presents. Santa Claus.

But, as said; A watched pot never boils. A watched phone never rings. A watched mailbox will never get any letter.

So, my conclusion for the time to pass by a bit quicker, is not to wait for it at all. Because if you don't wait for it, it will be here in a second...

Rainy Thursday Saved by Oreos

Thursdays mainly consist of hard work in French, English and especially math. It's almost funny how exhausted everyone are after Thursdays. The rain pouring down outside the window didn't make the day any better. However, the grey day was soon saved when I found some Oreos at home! I've never really believed that it helped whenever someone told me to 'go get some sugar' when I was in a bad mood. Today I can honestly say: They weren't joking. So, if you're ever in a bad mood, now for example? - Go get some sugar.

Knowledge Is Power

I've always heard people say that knowledge is power. I've listened to people telling me that I should work hard to become smart, so I'll get a great influence in the society. Knowledge gives you power. Power gives you respect. Get the picture? Sure...

One day I will definitely change the world! Maybe I'll solve the cancer problem, make world peace, and figure out how to reduce the global warming or save all the hungry children in Africa!

Well, one day... In the meantime I will start by finishing my homework for tomorrow. Let's save the world another day 8-)