Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.

Each time I read or hear this quotation, I travel in time and move back to amazing months that I spent in Ireland a couple of years ago. Whenever I grab a picture of my new friends and me, I wish I were there right now. It is my longing to this country, its unique atmosphere, out-going people and breathtaking landscape that pushed me to gather my 'free' thoughts and to create a website (http://secretsofireland.republika.pl/).
I hope it will become my precious 'baby' in the nearest future. Obviously, as soon as I have more spare time for myself. Nevertheless, at this moment I would like to invite everyone to visit this website because it might turn out that there are more such freaks like me. Not to mention, those who are fond of English speaking countries and those who are eager to do several exercises for practise. What I can say more is: Enjoy!!!

Never say never...

As far as I remember I have always been able to imagine myself working in different places; firms and countries; but not at school. The sound of the word teacher gave my the creeps. I couldn't understand people who made a conscious decision to become a member of the staff and to deal with a crowd of noisy students day by day. I thought it is necessary to be extremelly patient and strict at the same time in order to get the learners to respect you. I've defended my opinion up to the hilt till one sunny day at in the middle of September. I changed my mind as soon as I switched places with my English teacher at the primary school in my hometown. I stood in front of the "little bastards" sitting behind their desks staring at me and my first impression was that I would not manage to conduct that lesson. Hardly could I think about those students in a different way than as juicy creatures eager to spoil my lesson and undermine the effort that I had made during the preparation. What made my bewildered was the fact that I was completely wrong in my attitude. The kids turned out to be awesome. If they had not been so full of possitive energy, the lesson would probably not pass like a blink of an eye. I realized that this was a group of children who desired only little attention to themselves, their opinions, their problems and needs. Each of them wanted to be noticed, to be praised and listened to.
From the perspective of time I' m ready to confess that working as a teacher might be even more pleasurable than I expected. As I have always sworn not to become one of them, now I am not so sure about my future...

"I don't know that there are any shortcuts to doing a good job."
Sandra Day O'Connor

Born in El Paso, Texas, Sandra Day O'Connor escaped from leading ordinary life on the family farm and entered the complicated world of politics. She was forced to deal with the obstacles in her path of becoming of a competent and successful lawyer. Nevertheless, she has never complained about what happened to her because she knew how to take a lesson and learn from it. She once said: "Do the best you can in every task, now matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about the problem than the person at the bottom." This statement evokes the feeling of respect toward her and stimulates me to work even harder
. Sandra Day O'Connor is known for having been the first female member of the Supreme Court in the United States. It was President Ronald Raegan who noticed her potential and appointed her in 1981. The friends of hers were not taken aback by his decision because, according to them, she definitely deserved it.
She is perceived as a hard woman who has often cast a swing vote on the court, especially on issues including abortion, affirmative action, death penalty or religious freedom. Additionally, her decisions about sex discrimination may have had some roots on her own experience. After her graduation from Stanford University she had problems with finding a job in a private law firm. All what made her stuck in such an inconvenient position was her sex. As a matter of fact, she treated it as a challenge to which she felt obliged to respond. Even when she devoted herself to her family and raising her sons, she never abandoned the political life. She remained involved by being a volunteer in civic activities, which lifted her to the top.
I feel considerable respect for her talents as a mother, wife and politician. Not only did she find time for her family but also showed chief concern about other people's lives.

I woke up today and immediately got mad. I looked through my window and I saw snow... plenty of it. One question is constantly spinning on in my mind: "Will spring finally come???" I can't wait, colder it is getting, the more frustrated I become. Undoubtedly, there is, at least, a flicker of hope that it will happen in the nearest future :)

To be honest, hardly can I recall anything from the time when I attended my primary school. I've got the impression that that part of my life lasted as 'long' as an eye blink and nothing became deeply rooted in my mind. I have plenty of difficulties in evoking some feelings and bringing memories back to life, although I still remain in contact with a few childhood friends of mine. For instance, Aga is a unique person on who I can always rely. When I come up with an obstace, there is not even a fraction of a second during which the feeling of hesitation may occur. I know that she would never leave me alone with my problems, conversely she would bring a bottle of red wine and help me to figure everything out and come up with a reasonable solution. What comes to my mind is that she knows me almost as well as my twin sister and it might be the chief reason why we became bossom friend. Each time we meet, something unexpeted happens and it all should be balmed on our temperaments. Once someone told me that I am like a volcano and I burst without a warning. The same is with Aga, our heads are crammed with a bunch of ideas which is supposed to be put into practice immediately. Any delay is unwelcome because it makes us nuts ;)
If i had never met Aga halfway through, I would probably feel the void in my life now. Lucky me that I have such a kindred spirit in the reach of my hand.

Survival of the fittest

KJO's Podcast

I'm stuck at work and I have nothing to do ;( Do you have any interesting ideas how to make the time go faster? I will add it' freaking cold here...