Anastasia: Probably I haven't told you yet but my girlfriends and I - we established on online magazine one year ago. And I've been writing English articles there. Yesterday we had an official offline meeting with all the members and writers and we're discussing our results, our further plans and ideas). The development will be mind-blowing.

Stasya: Wow, I wish you the best in advancing this case

Anastasia: Thanks)))) And, believe it or not, one of the hot questions was modern school education.

So, mothers are very concerned about what's going on, and there's a bunch of different and contradictory opinions. And this what came to my mind ... I thought of an idea for my next article.
As you're a pupil, and I have one more school girl student of mine - we may have an interview asking directly the kids of what they think and want from their own lives and education. In English, of course.

Stasya: A very interesting idea, by the way.



Question #1

What do you think/feel concern your own parents about your education and your future? What do they want FOR you? What do they want you to learn?

Stasya: To be honest, I do not have the best relations with my parents, and they said that they themselves will decide where I will study, because they will pay for the education. On the one hand, I agree with them, but on the other hand, they must take into account my interests, because if they had a child, then they had to be ready to spend a lot of money on it

Anastasia: Okay. But it's a deeper question here, the importance of financial part is obvious for grown-ups, but what do they really wish for you to learn? For example, they gladly support your talents and interests in weaponry, or arts, or languages...

Stasya: Probably the most important thing for them is languages.

Sofia: I think my parents are not worried about the education itself, but what I will get after it, that is, the result. At school, we learn various skills such as communication skills, the ability to separate the main from the secondary. Also, in the school course, we develop our horizons, thanks to which we choose a profession for ourselves in the future. Therefore, my parents want me to find myself and correctly apply my talents in a particular area.



Question #2

(What) Have you heard about Home education? Homeschooling - Is it the same as offline? (Tricky question ????)

NB: Домашнее обучение (Обучение на дому, разг. Надомное обучение, надомка) — способ получения образования, который предполагает изучение общеобразовательных предметов вне школы (дома, в образовательных центрах). Учащиеся должны проходить обязательную аттестацию в школе (промежуточная), а также обязаны пройти итоговую аттестацию.

Домашнее обучение — самая древняя форма получения образования, которая появилась задолго до первых школ. На протяжении многих веков домашнее обучение было единственным способом получить образование. Изначально эта форма была доступна лишь обеспеченным семьям, у которых было время обучать собственных детей или средства нанять преподавателя. Впрочем, к домашнему обучению можно отнести и передачу основных навыков ведения домашнего хозяйства, и обучение ремёслам.

Sofia: These are completely different things. Homeschooling is primarily about self-discipline. For many it is very difficult. Plus, homeschooling has a big drawback - it's atmosphere. I can explain this by the fact that our brains are programmed to rest, as well as many factors that distract us from work. For example, cleaning or family. At school or university, as well as a home tutor is a signal for learning. But the school has its drawbacks, for example, bullying by teachers or students, failure to pass topics. Therefore, it is important to make the right choice and make sure of the most comfortable and effective option.

Anastasia: Homeschooling or home schooling, also known as home education or elective home education (EHE), is the education of school-aged children at home or a variety of places other than school. Usually conducted by a parent, tutor, or an online teacher, many homeschool families use less formal, more personalized methods of learning that are not always found in schools. The actual practice of homeschooling can look very different. The spectrum ranges from highly structured forms based on traditional school lessons to more open, free forms such as unschooling, which is a lesson- and curriculum-free implementation of homeschooling. Some families who initially attended a school go through a deschool phase to break away from their school habits and prepare for homeschooling…

Stasya: Homeschooling I experienced myself. I used to think that this is the best option for me. But over time, I began to miss live communication, in the first 2 months I really liked to go back to school again. But now, I'm already very tired of a huge number of lessons, homework and tests, so now I don't know which I like better: home schooling or offline studying

Anastasia: Lots of parents now are choosing this form of education for their kids - just because they are very very tired of ancient methods of ancient teachers at schools where kids are not educated with actual and practical knowledge but instead mostly bullied emotionally.

Anastasia: So it was still a tricky question! Homeschooling and online school studying - do you think it's the same?

Stasya: They are different. It seems to me that homeschooling is used by children who have weak immunity, or they have other activities and do not have enough time for everything... You go through the topics yourself, do your homework, and at the end of the month you come and write tests.

Online schools a forced measure when children are transferred to online learning with teachers indefinitely during a global disaster or pandemic.

Anastasia: So, what happened last year - was accidental and forced decision for public educational system, schools, to put you all to computers - but still going through the state public program. When we choose to learn something volunteerly, and choose our programs - it's just another story)))

Anastasia: Is Home Education better than school? There are so many articles now on the I-net on positive effects of homeschooling...

Stasya: As I wrote earlier, I don't know what is best for me. But most likely I will choose offline studying, because communication with friends makes my day more fun and less boring than when we studied online.



Question #3

If you could change absolutely anything in educational system right now what changes would you suggest?

Anastasia: I'm really interested here of how would you like it to be. How would you like to live and study? School? No school? How many years? For free or for money?

Stasya: If I could change the education system, I would add some of the lessons, such as psychology, sex education, self-defense lessons, and lessons that are useful for everyday life, such as how to pay utilities, safety rules and cooking theory. I would also allow the choice of subjects that you want to learn. For example, I have 3 physics lessons in my schedule, which I absolutely do not need. Why do we have as many physics lessons as Russian lessons in our schedule? The exam in Russian is written by everyone, and the exam in physics is written by 2 or 3 people. So why do we need as many as 3 physics lessons a week? This subject is absolutely not interesting to me, as well as chemistry lessons. Therefore, I have a lot of questions for the person who writes these lesson schedules.



Question #4

Could you image a future life where people didn't have to go to school at all? (Like no schools or kindergartens existed anymore) What would life routine look like then?

Stasya: No, I can't imagine a life like this. People will always need education to become a good and qualified a specialist. Kindergartens and schools are trying to teach children to communicate with people, give knowledge and so on. Therefore, it will be difficult for children to navigate the adult world

Новый год к нам мчится и скоро, конечно же, всё случится – мы начинаем мечтать о новогодних чудесах и снеге ещё до наступления официальной зимы, и фантазируем о том, как будем отдыхать и проводить праздники с семьёй и друзьями: вкусные ароматы чая и выпечки с корицей, теплые пледы и свитера, традиционные фильмы и, конечно же, фирменные русские недельные застолья.

В современном мире традиции и культуры новогодних праздников разных стран настолько смешались между собой – что сейчас для нас самое время ознакомится с основными ингредиентами.



As first snow starts coming down to the ground – we start dreaming of the best time and holidays of the year - time with great spiritual concentration and wishes. Though the customs and traditions may vary but in every country and place all over the world people celebrate the end of the old and the beginning of the new year. Throughout human culture it seems to be very significant tradition of any civilization. So let's see some interesting basic things about celebrations that are known in a modern world today.





Christmas comes but once a year = рождество раз в год бывает, но когда оно приходит - с собой веселие приносит (смысл: праздник бывает не каждый день)
= used as an excuse for over indulgence, whether on food or on gifts, on the basis that it doesn't happen often



Deck the halls = Украшайте свой дом= decking (or decorating) one's hall with branches from a holly tree is an old tradition



The more the merrier = чем больше, тем веселее; в тесноте, да не в обиде
= the more people or things there are, the better a given situation will be



The proof of the pudding (is in the eating) =
не узнаёшь, пока не попробуешь, все проверяется на практике
= in order to fully test something you need to experience it yourself



White Christmas = Рождество со снегопадом / Новогодние Праздники со снегом
= when it snows at Christmas time (something which we can place bets on in the UK as it happens so rarely!)



Don't be a Scrooge! = не будь Скруджем, не жмись, не скупись!
= don't be stingy, don't be negative around Christmas holidays, spoiling others fun (comes from the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol).



'Tis the season to be jolly = Хороших Вам Праздников!
= taken from a Christmas carol, this phrase serves as a reminder to put on a happy face over the festive period ('Tis is an old method of contracting it and is, but is rarely used these days)



1. Вы суеверны? (Вы верите в суеверия?)
Are you superstitious?

2. Многие суеверия имеют свои корни в дохристианской Европе. Если на Рождество идёт снег, то Пасха будет зелёной.
Many superstitions take their roots in pre-Christian Europe - if it snows on Christmas Day, Easter will be green.

3. Если ты откажешься от пирожка с мясом в Рождественский ужин – тебя ждёт неудача.
If you refuse a mince pie at Christmas dinner, you will have bad luck.

4. Остролист приносит удачу в ваш дом.
Holly brings luck into your household.

5. Язычники использовали ветки ели, чтобы украшать свои дома во время зимнего солнцестояния.
Pagans used fir tree branches to decorate their houses during Winter Solstice.

6. Омела в Рождество оберегает дома от злых духов.
Mistletoe keeps evil spirits away from the houses.

7. Нельзя отказываться от поцелуя, если стоишь под омелой.
You can't refuse to be kissed if you're standing under the mistletoe.

8. В чулки, висящие на камине у огня, попадают подарки от Св. Николая.
Presents from St. Nicolas get into the stockings hung on the fireplace.

9. Традиционные карамельные трости в бело-красную полоску со вкусом мяты. Их раздавали детям в церкви, чтобы они молча сидели во время службы. Леденцы напоминали форму пастушьих посохов.
Traditional candy canes are red and white stripped with peppermint flavor. They were given to children in churches in order to keep them quiet during worship services. Candy canes represented the shape of a shepherd's crook.

10. Если ты положишь несколько листьев плюща себе под подушку – тебе приснится твой будущий муж.
If you put several leaves of ivy under your pillow – you'll dream of your future husband.

11. Рождественский пудинг – очень традиционный десерт. Он окружен многими суевериями. Пудинг лучше готовить вместе всей семьёй! Каждый член семьи по очереди мешает пудинг и загадывает желание.
Christmas pudding is a very traditional dessert. It's surrounded by many superstitions. It's better when all the family help to make the pudding. Every member of the family takes turns to stir the pudding and makes a wish.

12. Как встретишь Новый Год, так его и проведёшь!

A good year beginning makes the whole year good.

The beginning of the year sets the tone of its run.

A fulfillment of an upcoming year depends on how you spend your New Year's Eve.

The way you meet the New Year is the way you will live it.

The first day of the year will stand for the whole year.



In Great Britain, United States and most of other English-speaking countries, Christmas Day is the most popular holiday of the year, and it's normally spent at home, with the family, and it is regarded as a celebration of the family and its continuity. Preparations start well in advance, with the sending of Christmas cards and installation of a decorated Christmas tree in a prominent place in the house.

Before Christmas groups of singers go from house to house, collecting money for charity, and sing traditional Christmas songs – carols. Many churches hold a carol service on the Sunday before Christmas. Houses are decorated with evergreens – plants that don't lose their leaves in winter and have become an essential part of winter celebrations as they symbolize strength that lasts even throughout the harshest winters. You can always see a wreath of holly on the front door and garlands of holly, ivy and fir indoors. Bunches of mistletoe are often hung above the doorways – any couple passing underneath must exchange kisses! Traditional food is prepared: sweet mince pies, a rich Christmas cake and Christmas pudding. Everyone has their own recipe, but they're all packed full of spices, nuts, dried fruit and brandy. Presents are bought and wrapped, and traditionally placed under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Christmas is both a secular and a religious holiday, and many families like to attend a midnight service at church on Christmas Eve, or celebrate Christmas in church on Christmas morning.

The excitement and fun for children start on Christmas Eve, the 24^th of December, when they hang up their stockings around the fireplace or at the foot of the bed, hoping that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and fill them with presents: toys and sweets. Christmas is a family holiday. Relatives meet for Christmas dinner of traditionally roast turkey, but some families prefer goose or roast beef, followed by Christmas pudding, brought to the table flaming hot. Brandy is poured over the pudding then lit. Everybody gives and receives presents. The day ends with everyone relaxing, watching television, playing games or just falling asleep.

The next day, 26^th of December is Boxing Day – it's so called because it's time to receive a 'Christmas Box' – some money in appreciation of the work they've carried out all year. Traditionally it's an extra holiday after Christmas Day, time for visiting family and friends, including more feasting.

Christmas is now celebrated by people around the world, whether they are Christians or not. It's a time when family and friends come together and remember the good things they have. People, and especially children, also like Christmas as it's a time when you give and receive presents – why not to like it?!

New Year can be not as popular and spiritual as Christmas but it's still celebrated – in every country with its own traditions. In Britain and the USA New Year is often launched with a party – either at home with family and friends or a gathering in the local pubs and clubs. The stroke of midnight is the cue for much cheering, hooting, whistling, kissing and the drinking of toasts.



Russia is the largest country in the world and there is also a bunch of countries in CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States – which are used to having and sharing common New Year traditions and celebrations; and they are quite different from western culture. So, what are they? New Year is the most popular holiday and people celebrate it all over the country. There is a funny thing that you can meet the beginning of the New Year several times in Russia – because of 11 different time zones New Year comes to every house step by step. So when you prepare your salads in Moscow at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, it is already a New Year in the eastern Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

All cities, streets, shops, offices and of course houses are decorated for New Year holidays. Everything dresses up in tons of bright lights and beautiful decorations. The most important character of Russian New Year for everybody from little children to grown-ups is Father Frost or how we call him more respectfully – Grandfather Frost. He wears a long blue or red furcoat, a matching hat and felt boots and carries gifts in a large sack on his back. Grandfather Frost uses a magical stick that has the power to freeze everything around him like a magic wand. Unlike Santa, Grandfather Frost doesn't rely on reindeer to fly him around, but instead walks and skies a lot or drives his magical team of three horses - Troika. Everybody respects him very much and sincerely waits for him to come on New Year's night. Children usually prepare to tell little poems for Grandfather Frost, and then they'll receive presents from him. Snow Maiden is Grandfather Frost's granddaughter, and she always helps him to bring happiness and merriment to everybody on New Year. She wears a blue or white furcoat and has a long blond braid. Normally any wildlife creature from birds and rabbits to horses and deer are willing to help her too.

Many people consider New Year's Day to be a family holiday. But the young mostly prefer to have New Year parties of their own. Anyway and no matter what, you can hardly imagine Russian New Year without traditional cooking of Olivier salad, watching the most traditional New Year movie which is 40 years old now The Irony of Fate, eating kilos of mandarins, enjoying snow, having big dinner feast and greeting with simple "To the New Year, to the New Happiness!" Just before midnight everybody listens to the President's address to people. The Russian President addresses the nation with a short speech in which he reflects on the past year and thanks the people for their support. Right after the speech, the chiming clock on the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower is shown counting down the last few seconds of the year.

Modern New Year Festivities run for 10 days, almost nobody works, families visit their relatives and friends, go skating and skiing, attend fairs and other outdoor activities. It's a very active and peaceful time simultaneously – you can go travelling and visit places you were thinking to go during the year or enjoy quiet family gatherings in the countryside with lots of cooking, watching TV, playing board games and relaxing all together.

On the 6^th of January we celebrate an officially renewed holiday of Christmas. It has a long history of being prohibited and permitted again. During the Soviet period, religious celebrations were discouraged by the officially atheist state. Christmas tree and related celebrations were gradually eradicated after the October Revolution. In 1935, in a surprising turn of state politics, the Christmas tradition was adopted as part of the secular New Year celebration. And as we know since 1992 Christmas has become a national holiday in Russia, as part of the ten-day holiday at the start of every New Year. This holiday is religious and many people go to church services on that day. But it also has a great spiritual power – when on Christmas Eve (the night from the 6^th to the 7^th of January) people bond and stick closer to the ones they love, respecting and supporting them, and sharing their best time. And even at the era of World Wide Web and nanotechnologies no one can prevent you from enjoying innocent and nice fortunetelling at this night!

У кого-то английский реально не прёт, а кому-то даётся.

В современном мире изучение иностранных языков сводится совершенно не к деланию «топиков» из учебников, не к хождению на курсы и не к достижению какого-то определённого уровня в сертификате….
Изучение современных языков, иностранных, также, как и изучение самих себя – это процесс работы над своим внутренним миром, своими мыслями, своими словами, чувствами и эмоциями. Ведь что мы хотим, когда заявляем вслух, что «Я хочу учить английский»?

Что мы вкладываем в этот вопрос (запрос), что я хочу… как мы себе это представляем, как люди себе это представляют? Изучение английского языка.

Раньше это … Представления большинства людей связаны со стереотипами о том, что они открывают учебник и изучают Грамматику. Практически самое первое предложение/запрос/утверждение, которое я слышу от большинства своих новых студентов, новых людей с которыми собираюсь работать, которые приходят ко мне – они заявляют «у меня полная путаница с временами». Второе - это «я могу читать, могу писать, но мне очень тяжело говорить», я понимаю «как собака», вот практически это фраза у всех «я как собака понимаю, но сказать не могу». Вот два момента.

Почему не прёт с такими утверждениями? Потому что язык иностранный - это всё такой же язык.

И он не создан как отдельный инструмент, как молоток или детская коляска))

С помощью языка мы взаимодействуем в этом мире, поэтому он не может изучаться отдельно от вас в этом мире, от своего осознания себя в нём. Потому что на любом языке, родной он или иностранный, вы заявляете о том, кто вы есть, чем вы занимаетесь, что вы думаете, что вы чувствуете. Поэтому очень здесь много направлений.

Английский не существует отдельно сам по себе, отдельно стоящим чем-то непонятным, учебником грамматики на полке, который вы искренне ненавидите, потому что вы якобы путаетесь в временах. Нет. Это такая же сторона вашей личности, как и всё остальное. Поэтому чтобы попёрло, его нужно принять также, как вы принимаете новое платье в своём гардеробе, новую стрижку, новое украшение, свежий маникюр, поездку на пикник со своей семьёй, прогулку со своими домашними питомцами. Это такая же приятная описывающая вас сторона жизни, как и всё остальное.
Поэтому мы начнём с маленьких шажочков, понимая, как соотносятся эти разные стороны нас в разных языковых культурах.

Например, у нас в Москве существует карта для проезда в общественном транспорте под названием Тройка = meaning a trio of horses, а в Лондоне, например, эта карта называется Oyster, что переводится как «устрица», и это не просто так, а отсюда следуют различные предыстории и выражения, которые можно использовать в языке. Поэтому, когда к вам приедут иностранные гости, друзья, родственники, вы им будете предлагать карту Troika, а когда вы поедете в Лондон, вам нужно будет приобрести в специальном месте карту Oyster. У нас эта карта продаётся в кассах метро, а в Лондоне эту карту нужно покупать в магазинчике, где продаются напитки, жвачки, сигаретки.

Oyster card = Oyster cards can hold period tickets; travel permits and; most commonly, credit for travel ("Pay as you go"), which must be added to the card before travel. Passengers touch it on an electronic reader when entering and leaving the transport system in order to validate it or deduct funds from the stored credit. Can be bought at ticket offices and newsagent's shops. The Oyster name was agreed on major relevance of the popular idiom "the world is your oyster" - If the world is your oyster, you can do what you want or go where you want.





Practical phrases for young parents for surviving in a big city public transport:

1. Я смогу здесь проехать на коляске со своим карапузом?Can I transit here with a stroller and my little munchkin?

2. Закажите мне, пожалуйста, такси с детским сиденьем.Can you order me a taxi with a safety baby chair, please?

3. Как ты справляешься с поездками на общественном транспорте с ребёнком, в чём твой секрет?What are your survival techniques to get around on public transport with a toddler?

4. Я стараюсь планировать поездки не в час пик и под дневной сон своего малыша.I try to time my journey outside of peak hours and during my child's nap time.

5. В (здешнем) метро есть специальные места для детских колясок?Are there any specific stroller parking areas in (local) underground?

6. Я использую мобильное приложение для своих маршрутов, чтобы не таскать коляску по лестницам и эскалаторам.I find the best routes using app, avoiding lifting the heavy stroller up the escalator or flights of stairs.

7. В вашем городе легко передвигаться с детьми?Is your city baby friendly maneuvering?

8. Что лучше выбрать для поездки на автобусе: коляску или слинг?What should I chose for the bus ride: a stroller or baby carrier?

9. Сколько стоит билет туда и обратно на всю мою семью?How much does the family round ticket cost?

10. Вы не могли бы, пожалуйста, помочь мне поднять коляску по лестнице?Could you, please, help me to carry my buggy up the stairs?

11. **И не забывайте, что кормить грудью своих детей - это ваше право, даже в общественном транспорте.And don't forget, it's absolutely your right to breastfeed in public places including public transport, such as buses and trains.

When you all of sudden start feeling really unhappy with whatever your life is, or after having been too overwhelmed for a really long time, you get so obsessed and disappointed with events going on and on in your urban social life – your friends just cheer you up with "Come on, mate! It's not the end of the world!" Well, in the story I am going to tell you – it literally is.

It is the End of the World.

I have never thought that I would ever, ever even imagine that it existed, I mean in my personal mind map. There are so many places indeed you can't even realize exist until you read them somewhere in Wikipedia. And until you actually go there. That Argentinian trip idea as usual came out of the blue and stuck in so intensively that we couldn't get rid of it. Anyhow. So we went. We could not have done it any other way.

It may take long overloaded pages with descriptions of how big and unpredictable that country can be, with its distances from the north to the south, and always mixing up the climate conditions with going either to the north or the south – it's vice versa of what we are used to, ah, people living in the northern hemisphere. So we were just experiencing the local life in Buenos Aires and surroundings, planning some long-weekend getaways from time to time.

So when it came to my 30^th Birthday celebration my friend and I wondered if we should go north or south, "I don't actually mind – whatever floats your boat."

In the far far away, across the oceans and miles away of the bitten road tracks there is a Land. The Land of Fire. Some magical piece of earth – as magical as its name is. Tierra del Fuego. And no boring facts about the etymology or history or economy of this place, or whatever, no. Just pure magic.

It's just magic to find yourself there for no particular reason. To come and see. And breathe. And smell. And taste. And realize – that's what the End of the World looks like. Piece of land with no rush, no rat race, so peaceful and quiet (although, back in the ages of conquests it was pretty cruel and bloody, but where it wasn't like that, huh?), frozen with nobility of almighty nature.

STAR WARS The Heritage of the 20th Century

Since studying at schools we usually learn about great people who did much for development of human culture, its present and future and life itself. There is a number of famous people from different countries known all over the globe. Poets, writers, scientists, warriors, politicians. Last centuries gave us as well another dozen of talented mass culture celebrities. Performers, singers, actors, scriptwriters and directors. The reasons of that may be various, but the result is still the same: we talk about these people, discuss them whether we like them or not, we estimate their work, and can find their names anywhere, from encyclopedia to the endless pages of the Internet. The name of the person who created a whole independent Expanded Universe is familiar on six continents of the world. It seems he was heard at least once by everybody. But for most modern young people of developing countries he's a decent man. George Lucas. Created in 1970s Star Wars have never been needed to be updated. The philosophy of the Force and personal fighting for Freedom will never stop attracting millions of Star Wars fans.

Although Lucas is by far not a solitary one who made Star Wars what they are now. There are plenty of creative people from author of the book to producers and production crew who aren't as famous as Lucas but still without them Star Wars couldn't be possible at all.

Where to start if you ask what Star Wars are about? And not less important question – where to end?

There will be no point describing all the story and events, characters and relationships which pervades the whole Universe. Anyway one text can't do that. You definitely need to watch them at least once. To see is to know. But still here is some tips to bring you up to date with the story.

The plot is set in "a Galaxy far, far away" in the far far future. The events depicted a fictional galaxy with many species of alien creatures (often humanoid) and robotic droids that are generally built to serve their owners. Space travel is common, and many planets in the galaxy are members of a Galactic Republic, later reorganized as the Galactic Empire. One of the prominent elements of Star Wars is the "Force", an omnipresent energy that can be harnessed by those with that ability, known as Force-sensitives. It is described as "an energy field created by all living things that surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." The Force allows users to perform various supernatural feats (such as telekinesis, clairvoyance, precognition, and mind control) and can amplify certain physical traits, such as speed and reflexes; these abilities vary between characters and can be improved through training. While the Force can be used for good, it has a dark side that, when pursued, imbues users with hatred, aggression, and malevolence. The six films feature the Jedi, who use the Force for good, to bring peace and harmony to people, planets, and cultures. They are trained to use the force for good purposes. They are sworn enemies with the Sith. Usually, they use green, blue, orange, yellow or purple lightsabers. The Sith use the dark side as a power source for evil in an attempt to take over the galaxy, to gain power in battles with their enemy who are the Jedi. They bring destruction to the universe and anything in their way. They are the bad guys, and they usually use red lightsabers. The Sith are normally two people: a master and an apprentice.



Anakin Skywalker is a young boy who meets Obi-Wan Kenobi and learns the ways of the Jedi. Although Jedi are not allowed to get married, as an adult Anakin falls in love with Senator Padmé Amidala and they get married. Anakin later goes to the Dark Side and turns against Obi-Wan Kenobi and the rest of the Jedi. Before he turned against his wife, Anakin has two children with Senator Amidala, Leia and Luke Skywalker, that he does not know about. Senator Amidala dies after giving birth to their twins. After birth, the twins are separated to prevent the Dark Side from finding and hurting the children. Obi-Wan Kenobi sends Luke to a planet called Tatooine to live with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. Leia is raised by Senator Bail Organa of the planet Alderaan; she is called Princess Leia Organa. When they get older, Luke and Leia meet again. At first they don't know that they're brother and sister, but they eventually find out. They help fight the evil government, called the Galactic Empire. Luke also learns the ways of the Jedi from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. In the end, they defeat the Empire, and Luke helps his father Anakin to become good again. The galaxy is saved for a while.


With many twists and turns in the story of all six Star Wars movies there is only one hero that is always in the right place at the right time saving the Universe and everybody around. R2-D2 (pronounced Artoo-Detoo and often referred to as Artoo) is an astromech droid and one of the most favourite characters of Star Wars Galaxy. Resourceful and spunky, the droid developed an adventurous personality during his many decades of operation. Inside of his cylindrical frame there is a bunch of arms, sensors, and other tools that could be extended to fulfill various needs, such as slicing computers, extinguishing fires, projecting holograms, repairing starships, and even flying. Like other astromech droids, R2-D2 can walk on two legs or use a third leg to roll across the ground. Along with his counterpart, the protocol droid C-3PO, R2-D2 constantly found himself directly involved in pivotal moments of galactic history. His bravery, coupled with his many gadgets, played large roles in saving the galaxy time and time again.



omnipresent [ɒmniˈprɛz(ə)nt] - вездесущий

harness [ˈhɑːnəs] - использовать энергию

to surround [səˈraʊnd] - окружать

to penetrate [ˈpɛnitreit] - проникать

to bind [baind] - связывать

clairvoyance [klɛːˈvɔiəns] - ясновидение

precognition [ˌpriːkɒɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n] - предвидение

to amplify [ˈæmplifai] – увеличивать, расширять

to imbue [imˈbju] – насыщать, пропитывать

hatred [ˈheɪtrid] - ненависть

malevolence [məˈlɛv(ə)l(ə)ns] – злость, злорадство

apprentice [əˈprɛntis] – ученик, подмастерье

resourceful [riˈsɔːsfʊl] – находчивый, изобретательный

spunky [ˈspʌnki] – храбрый, мужественный

counterpart [ˈkaʊntəpɑːt] – неотъемлемый напарник

pivotal [ˈpɪvətl] - основополагающий

There is a nice movie story in my humble opinion so clearly representing American attitude to school social layer relationship both featuring one of my favourite at that time young stars Heat Ledger and Joseph-Gordon Levitt – 10 Things I Hate about You. Teenage classic of 1999 and all zero years to me. We were about 16 years old when it was released, and I guess I've watched it about 50 thousand times since that. Like I told you – Classic! The story is pretty trivial and actually based on Shakespeare's Taming of The Shrew. But still – one of my best memories of being a teen.

It has an amazing soundtrack and really gets us back to the far away 1999.

A new student named Cameron comes to the High School in Padua and immediately falls in love with Bianca, a cute, but still strange girl, who happened to have a strict father and a socially annoyed sister. These girls have only two house rules in their lives: "no dating till graduation" and "no dating till graduation". Bianca happens to like being adored while her sister Katerine doesn't even care what other people think of her. That's why their always quarrel and don't appreciate each other. One day their father decided to modify the rules and here comes a new one: "Bianca can date, if Kat does". And here starts all the interesting. Cameron finds the way to go out with Bianca by asking the other guy to date Kat.

What I like most in the movie is their classification of the student groups. And I always ask myself the same question – is it really like that? Every student body always have their "stars", and losers, geeks, rebels, hippies, handsome guys, cheerleaders squad, sporties and who knows what else! Where are normal people there? Why there are always have to be some boundaries?


In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes,
For they in thee a thousand errors note,

But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise,

Who in despite of view is pleased to dote.

Nor are mine ears with thy tongue's tune delighted,

Nor tender feeling to base touches prone,

Nor taste, nor smell, desire to be invited

To any sensual feast with thee alone;

But my five wits nor my five senses can

Dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee,

Who leaves unswayed the likeness of a man,

Thy proud heart's slave and vassal wretch to be.

Only my plague thus far I count my gain,

That she that makes me sin awards me pain.

(Sonnet 141 by William Shakespeare)





I hate the way you talk to me,

and the way you cut your hair.

I hate the way you drive my car.

I hate it when you stare.

I hate your big dumb combat boots,

and the way you read my mind.

I hate you so much it makes me sick;

it even makes me rhyme.
I hate it, I hate the way you're always right.

I hate it when you lie.

I hate it when you make me laugh,

even worse when you make me cry.

I hate it when you're not around,

and the fact that you didn't call.

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you.

Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

(Kat Stratford 10 Things I hate about you)


We're done now –

I want you to go out with her –

I provide generous compensation –

Take it or leave it –

The world makes sense again –

We are screwed –

When I shell out 50, I expect results –

You don't buy black lingerie unless you want someone to see it! –

- It's just a party!

- And hell is just a sauna.

I'm not a picnic myself –