Celebration at Fazenda Ipanema

Today we joined in order to celebrate Bia's and Paulo's achievements: their doctoral titles.
It was celebrated at Fazenda Ipanema, a very calm and beautiful place, where children can play, we can rest and find some peace having our friends as company.
It was a very special moment, kind of magical, which we could enjoy together, talk to very gentle and intelligent people, and laugh a lot, which was what some of us needed, in order to relieve all the tension of these last days.
It was an opportunity to straiten the ties of friendship betweeen people who sometimes don't have time to know each other, and to change the idea that sometimes we make about them.
The barbecue was excellent, Bia's children ( how cute they are) and her supportive husband Claudio, Paulo and his friendly and pretty mother, and brother, sister, niece and nephews, all of them, plus all of us (their students), turned it in a very special day, to be remembered forever.

Dr.Beatriz Gama Rodrigues' defense

Last time I talked to you, my reader (which means, myself, at least), I told you about Paulo Edson's Doctoral thesis defense.
At this moment, full of joy, I turn here to talk about the same topic. But, this time to talk about Bia's.
If I mentioned all the excitement I felt at that occasion, you can triple it. It was wonderful to see our beloved teacher talking with all the passion that we know she has, and defending her ideas in front of a group of people who were there looking for any fault she could have had.
There was nothing they could consider as a point to be rethought. Only some adjustment, normal in a work like this.
On the contrary, they complimented her, for her effort in order to make it come true, in this little period of time.
It was really moving the moment that Dr.Cellani commented all the pressure Bia was constantly submitted (thing that all of us knew about), and the surprise and joyment they felt when they eventually had the thesis on their hands, and could admire the quality and recognize that she really overcome all the problems.
We know exactly (it's a lie, only you know...never mind...) what you passed throught.
But even considering that you, Bia, are not entirely conscious of what happened (at least, not today), tomorrow the day will be different for you, with a different bright, and full of new opportunities.
Be sure we're very proud of you, and please, don't consider the idea of changing the way you are.
Tomorrow we'll be together in order to celebrate these two especial achievements.
So, again, congratulations on both of you, Bia and Paulo!!!
See you tomorrow.

Congratulations Dr.Paulo Edson Alves

Yesterday I went to USP with Bia and other students from fifth semester, in order to see Paulo
Edson's doctoral thesis defense and I have to admit, it was very exciting!!
Of course who knows Paulo Edson with his unease, would find it a little bit strange to see him there, sit and answering the questions asked by the examinators, who looked like pop stars with all the lights on them.I don't think they were too much cruel to him. It must be because the research is very well based and written. For sure, it'll be better after the changes recommended by the examinators, in order to be published.
Paula was there and sent hugs and kisses to all of us, and she said she misses us, and I think she was being sincere. She remembers us and mentions curious facts related to us. She is really impressive. She was one of the gods and goddesses who evaluated Paulo's thesis. It's true!! It looks like they are in the Olympus and the others are ordinary, mortal people.
But, what is really important is that Paulo overcame the most difficult part in his career, and is ready to enjoy the glory he finally achieved. He deserves it .
Good luck for him!!!
Now, talking about doctoral thesis defense, Bia is the next.
I'm sure she is going to do very well, she is very well prepared, and there is nothing to worry about, isn't it true, Bia?
Bia, please, don't worry about the "bonfire of vanity"!! Keep your focus, go there and do what you know you are very good at. We are all supporting you, and cheering wildly.
We'll be there, with you, as we know that you are always there for us. Count on us, ok!!!

Seminars

I didn't have opportunity to see all the seminars presented in Didactic, but what I saw I liked very much. Everybody has been researching a lot, looking for different things to present, very well-based, trying to use plenty of source, doing their best.
In my opinion, it is a proof of the maturity which the class has reached. Maturity to face things seriously, prioritizing what is really important, and showing it during the presentation itself.
Only one more thing: we really need to learn how to listen to some criticism and not to take it as something personal. Otherwise we will always witness some unpleasant scenes as we had some days ago. We don't need to confront "that" seriously because of our different ideas. Let's respect the differences and keep on doing our good job.

Mother's Day

If you're a mother, congratulations on you, Happy Mother's Day.
If you aren't, I hope you had celebrated it happily with yours.
If you don't have a mother anymore, what a pity! I'm sad for you.
People say that the word Mother is one of the most beautiful ones, even in different languages.
But, isn't it a little bit romanticized? Is it really true?
Are people conscious about the importance of this person in our lives, being our guard angel, praying for us, looking for us, taking care of our things with all her love?
I spent the day with my mom and sons today, and I hope I continue doing it for a long time!
However, I know sometimes I fail her because I'm stressed, or busy, whatever... There's no excuse...
What I'll do tomorrow, first thing: tell her how much I love her. Tell her clearly and with no embarrassment. Because it is important to let people know how important they are for us.

A lot of contributions

Last Friday ( May 4th), it started the presentation of the students' projects for classes, as part of Bia's subject, Writing Abilities. It was hard being the first, then, congratulations on these three brave students, Bruna, Luiz and Isis.
All of them presented things for different ages, levels, and completely different approaches.
Bruna, with all simplicity ( I'm very proud of you), presented an efficient way of reaching young children and having them connected to us.
Luiz, (he says he doesn't want to give classes, to be a teacher, but with his acting he would conquer all his students), was a little bit romantic in his ideas, because it could be a little hard to get students, and mainly parents, involved in something like that all the time, but, as I said, I think a teacher like Luiz could keep things on because of his charisma. And talking about being romantic, in my point of view is positive, it sometimes helps us.
Isis, she chose a very hard topic to talk about, but as she said it is something she likes dealing with, I think she would be able to manage any situation. And it is important to work with themes we feel comfortable and safe. The presentation properly was excellent! So, Isis, don't be afraid of anything. You are capable of whatever you want!
I hope, rather, I'm sure all the presentations will be valuable to us in order to enrich our ways of seeing the act of teaching.

Why not Labor's Day?

Question:

Recently I was asked why we say " Mother's Day" but " Labor Day" (not "Labor's Day"). Why not " Laborers' day"? After all, we labor so hard, we are actually "laborers".
We have also "Father's Day" but " Christmas Day" (not Christmas's day).

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( English teacher )

"Mother" and "father' are people and the days chosen to honor them are called their days. So the possessive forms of "mother and "father" respectively are used to name their days, i.e.. "Mother's Day" and Father's Day".

"Labor Day" is a day that has been chosen to honor all working people. "Labor" refers to the work done as well as the workers collectively. we don't normally use an apostrophe 's' after the word "labor" to indicate possession. Thus "Labor Day" is used.

"Laborer's Day" does not sound so neat.

As for " Christmas", the word means " the mass or festival of Christ". "Christmas" is not a person, so we can't put an apostrophe 's' after it. "Christmas Day' means "the day of the festival of Christ".

I was looking for some information about the holiday we are celebrating today here in Brazil, and I found this interesting fact. I asked something about Labor's Day and Google corrected me. I confess that, even though, I was in doubt. Up to the moment I found this interesting address, where we can solve a lot of other question. Take a look and see if you don't agree with me!!

http://www.englishdaily626.com/qna.php?015

This is my contribution for the day! Have a nice holiday!!!!!