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Red - travels

Yellow - books

Blue - homework, self study

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"Thoughts to Himself" is a fascinating journey into the world of ancient philosophy, brought to life by Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of Rome. This book is not just a collection of personal thoughts, but a practical guide to living a wise and balanced life.

Marcus Aurelius wrote these thoughts during military campaigns and political challenges, and this deepens his impact.

The opera is an honest and introspective diary, revealing his struggles and reflections on life, morality and human nature.

The most valuable lesson I have learned is that happiness does not depend on external circumstances, but on our attitude towards them.

I will share some significant quotes from the book:

"You must therefore stand upright, not kept upright."

"You will not succeed in human affairs without considering the divine; nor vice versa."

"Everything that happens, happens according to a righteous order."

"The best way to protect yourself from those who harm you is not to resemble them."

"Accustom to treat carefully what is said to you by the other and, as far as possible, penetrate into the soul of the one who speaks."

"Loss is nothing but a transformation."

"Stop talking about the quality of a good man and be such a man."

"Love only what falls your way and is fated to you. What could suit you more than that?"

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The most successful New Year's Eve was when we decided to celebrate in Strasbourg in 2022 with friends from high school. Comparing cottage prices, we realized we could travel within our budget, so we chose to visit a friend's aunt living there. We booked plane tickets to Germany and continued by car with an older cousin who joined the group. We explored the city, took bike tours, admired the European Parliament, enjoyed tarte flambée, saw the oldest wine in the region and soaked in museums and scenery. On January 1st, we headed to Frankfurt, and one group member had a funny mishap landing in the wrong Frankfurt (it was funny only after we solved the situation). We all rallied to secure transportation to the correct airport, and ironically, at the boarding gate, we remarked that we had escaped the worst. Upon reaching Cluj Napoca, unexpected fog led us to land in another airport - BUDAPEST! We spent 3 hours in the Hungarian airport in the middle of the night, then safely arrived home in the morning by bus. A humorous note was that my mom was sleeping, thinking I had arrived home and were in my room. She even woke up and tried not to make any noise for not waking me up. I haven't called her in order to let her sleep well. I only informed her, at 10 am, that we would arrive in an hour from Budapest by bus. This trip became a source of amusement for the entire year, especially at the geography class, and now I am sharing this memorable memory with you.

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12 RULES FOR LIFE : AN ANTIDOTE TO CHAOS by Jordan B. Peterson

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12 RULES FOR LIFE : AN ANTIDOTE TO CHAOS by Jordan B. Peterson

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Jordan B. Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist and professor known for his views on psychology, philosophy, and social issues.

"12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos", provides 12 practical rules for navigating life's chaos and finding meaning. In the book's introduction, Peterson emphasizes that life is filled with challenges, and the 12 rules serve as a guide to achieving balance and understanding in our complex world. Each rule is supported by examples and explanations, offering readers a practical framework to improve aspects of their lives and confidently face challenges.

I read this life-changing book in November, and I promised myself to follow each rule daily. I highly recommend reading it to everyone. I hope the 12 rules listed below will bring the best into your life and my favourites are highlighted:

1. Stand up straight with your shoulders back.

2. Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.

3. Make friends with people who want the best for you.

4. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.

5. Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them.

6. Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.

7. Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).

8. Tell the truth, or at least don't lie.

9. Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don't.

10. Be precise in your speech.

11. Do not bother children when they are skateboarding.

12. Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street.

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Escaping Exam Stress: A One-Day Getaway

It all started with the question <<Where are we going to make the photoshoot forgraduation album?>>. I discussed with my 2 best highschool friends, the ones I travelled to Stasbourg. We made jokes that all the spots in Cluj got boring and we should take pictures somewhere else. We explored the option of Sibiu, but one of them decided to look for a flight, completely random. We found a great deal: 15 euros direct flight to Milan. We convinced other two classmates and went to Milan for 24 hours. The funny part is after we booked the flight, our math teacher changed the date of BAC simuation to exactly that day, but we've already had the tickets. We missed the exam, but it was woth it. We took a stroll in Milan until 3 am in the morning, we've slept for 3 hours, and then went to Duomo Di Milano at surise to make a photoshoot (this is where the photo was taken). Then we visited The Modern Art museum and the Duomo, I drank an authentic Italian Espresso (I'm a coffee lover) and walked a lot. We felt like we've seen almost everything and, for only 5 euros, we took a train to Lake Como. We ate a pizza there and enjoyed the views, and then we headed up to the airport. For others, 24 hours may seem meaningless, but for us, it felt like 3 days. We had an amazing adventure and I am smply grateful for having such amazing classmates.

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I watched a video from the YouTube channel "English with Lucy" about a fluency test. Here’s how the signs of being fluent in English apply to me:

1. You know how to swear properly.

I don’t know many swear words in English. I learned some from Lucy's channel:

"Bugger off!" - A slightly rude way to tell someone to go away.

"Sod it!" - Used to express frustration or resignation.

"Bollocks!" - Used to express disbelief or frustration.

2. You are aware of the mistakes you make.

This is true for me. I know when I say something wrong, which makes me nervous about speaking in public. I need to practice more to overcome this.

3. Sometimes you don’t realize you are hearing or reading in English.

This happens to me because I listen to a lot of English content. Sometimes I don’t even realize a YouTube video is in English because I understand everything. It depends on the topic, mostly American English rather than British English.

4. You can understand and participate in humor.

This is not true for me. Native speakers often speak fast and use tricky words or puns in jokes that I don’t understand.

5. People don’t adapt to your speaking level.

False for me. I still need to improve to reach that level, but I hope to get there someday.

6. You have a dream about the language you’re learning.

This has happened to me. I once had a dream where I was speaking English. When I woke up, I realized I had dreamed in English. This happened right before my Cambridge exam and really helped me.

7. You can do all the things a native speaker can do.

It depends. For example, I can explain symptoms to a doctor in English. But for banking or business, I don’t have a large enough vocabulary.

8. You stop having to reach for words.

I’m not at that level yet. I often have to stop and think about what I want to say because I can’t remember the right words.

9. You can watch films without subtitles.

Yes, I can do this. I can understand movies without needing subtitles, unless it’s a complex documentary. For normal TV shows or simple films, I don’t need subtitles.

10. You stop looking for opportunities to practice.

False for me. I always look for opportunities to practice because I’m not fluent yet. I get rusty if I don’t speak English for a while, so I need to keep practicing.

11. You know when Google Translate is wrong.

Yes, I can tell when Google Translate is wrong. Sometimes my parents use it, and I correct them, showing the right way.

12. People can’t tell where you’re from.

False for me. I’m 100% Romanian, and if someone doesn’t know where I’m from, they often guess I’m Russian. I don’t know Russian, but I would like to learn it someday.

FINAL RESULT: 5/12

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FLUENCY TEST - how fluent are you, really?

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This book is not just about money. It's about how we are taught to think; how we are programmed by schools, family, and friends to look at the rich as greedy and opportunities as risks. It is an attempt to reprogram minds to look at why we do what we do... why do we buy all these shoes, clothes, cars, jewelry... have we earned it or are we just trying to maintain an image?

To me the most important thing it teaches is that being educated is the key... educated in our motives, in money, in the world around us... educated does not always mean a degree lessons can be learned anywhere at anytime...

The book is great for people like me who think in pictures and in theory. He explains his financial theories clearly and adds diagrams to explain how money flows into and out of our wallets.

Here is one of my favorite lines from it, approximately quoted: "I have never met a rich man who hasn't lost a lot of money, but I have met a lot of poor men who have never lost a dime."

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I am a quick learner with a strong aptitude for problem-solving and critical thinking. My potential lies in my adaptability and eagerness to embrace new challenges. I excel in collaborative environments, effectively communicating and working within diverse teams. I possess strong analytical skills and a passion for technology, which positions me well for future roles in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and space exploration. I am also highly creative, capable of thinking outside the box to develop innovative solutions. My commitment to continuous learning ensures that I will stay ahead of industry trends, making me a valuable asset for jobs that may not even exist today.

Topic 3 - hw

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I think you surely know the protagonist of Avatar, Jake Sully, right? Well, the Australian actor who portrays him, Sam Worthington, has changed completly the genre to something profoundly powerful. Now, he brings his talents to ''The Shack'', a story that promises to captivate with its depth and emotional resonance.

After the abduction and presumed death of Mackenzie Allen Phillips' youngest daughter, Missy, Mack receives a letter and suspects it is from God, asking him to return to The Shack where Missy may have been murdered. After contemplating it, he leaves his home to go to The Shack for the first time since Missy's abduction and an encounter that will change his life forever, finding the power of forgivness and love, learning healing and coping with tragedies and sufferings.

Having watched the movie first and fallen in love with it, I was compelled to read the book. Remarkably, it was one of those rare instances where the movie faithfully captured almost every aspect of the book. However, as expected, the book offered a deeper insight and a more touching experience, leaving a truly impressive impact.

Here are the lessons learned:

Suffering in Inevitable

God Understands our Suffering

God Always has our Best Interests in Mind
Humans have Limited Understanding

Healing requires confrontation and takes work.

Salvation and healing is an invitation to freedom.

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Step into the heart-wrenching journey of fifteen-year-old Lina Vilkas in Ruta Sepetys book. Forced from her Lithuanian home to the brutal landscapes of Siberia during World War II, Lina's tale is a personal and poignant exploration of survival. Through her eyes, we witness the strength of the human spirit amidst the horrors of Stalin's regime.

After being captivated by Ruta Sepetys ''Salt to the Sea'', a powerful novel about a little-known maritime tragedy in World War II, I was eager for more. This led me to pick up 'Between Shades of Gray,' and once again, Sepetys delivered an emotional and eye-opening story. It's incredible how she brings hidden histories to life.

"Between Shades of Gray" uncovers a part of World War II history we rarely hear about. Ruta Sepetys tells the story of Lithuanians facing deportation under Stalin's rule. It's a side of the war that isn't often taught in schools, revealing the untold struggles and sacrifices of ordinary people. Through the main character Lina, the book brings to light a forgotten chapter of history that deserves our attention.

P.S. Recently, she launched a new book about Romania titled 'I Must Betray You.' I can't wait to dive into this latest chapter of history she unveils.

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= one of the most fascinating books I've ever read

"1984" is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell and published in 1949. Set in a totalitarian society ruled by the Party led by the enigmatic Big Brother, the story follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the Party who becomes disillusioned with its oppressive regime. He is responsible for rewriting the history, but a seed of rebellion has begun to grow in Winston's heart - one that could have devastating consequences: seeking the truth and questioning everything.

The most fascinating things about this book is its:

Prophetic character (the dangers of totalitarianism and mass surveillance)

Thought-provoking concepts (The concepts introduced in the book, such as Big Brother, thoughtcrime, and doublethink, have become ingrained in popular culture and are widely referenced in discussions about political manipulation and societal control)

Psychological Depth (the psychological depth of the protagonist, Winston Smith, and his internal struggles resonate with readers; the exploration of the human spirit's resistance against oppression)

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As a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, I was thrilled to discover the "Learn English with Sherlock" video on the "English with Lucy" YouTube channel. This episode offers a unique way to learn English through one of my favorite TV shows and book series. The video presents new vocabulary and phrases in an engaging and entertaining format, making learning enjoyable and memorable.

What I Learned:

AKA

Elaborate (Can you please elaborate? - a phrase I will use more)

The thrill of the Chase

‘Z’ for The American's, ‘S’ s for the British

memorize vs memorize, realize vs realise, apologize vs apologise

<<This is your heart and this is why you should never let it rule your head>> That's a line from a conversation between Sherlock and Irene and I wanted to note it because I always use the term ‘control’ and now I can use 'rule' instead.

Also, in this video, I had the chance to exercise my pronunciation in British versus American accent for example: ‘amuse’, ‘disadvantage’, ‘class’.

At the end of the video I took a listening test from what

I've learned in this video and I took it all correctly.

While familiar with these words, the video served as a pleasant reminder of their usage, sparking a renewed interest in incorporating them more frequently into my vocabulary.

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I found this video on the channel, and I was eager to watch it because listening to British English and native speakers is the most challenging for me. Even during the Cambridge exam, it was the hardest part. I struggle to understand their pronunciation and speech.

Common problems

1. The first issue might be that sometimes people articulate words in unfamiliar ways. For example, Josh Whitakam says "being" but sort of blurts it out, making it sound more like "bringing." This can be an unfamiliar sound, especially for non-native English speakers. When someone pronounces something in an unfamiliar way and you don’t understand, it can cause confusion, making you struggle to figure out what was said. As you try to catch up, you might miss the rest of the sentence. This is just the nature of spontaneous speech; sometimes we say things in strange or unfamiliar ways, and that’s okay. It's just a natural part of conversation.

2. Not knowing vocabulary impairs understanding, whereas grammar mistakes might still allow for comprehension. This suggests that focusing more on learning vocabulary than grammar can be beneficial, as missing vocabulary can mean missing the entire meaning of a sentence.

3. A third issue is the way sounds and words are blended together. Ed Sheeran used connected speech, blending "do you" into "d'you." This connected speech, particularly assimilation, makes speaking easier but can be hard to understand. Even proficient English speakers might not catch everything when speech is too fast and blended. For example, Josh Whitakam didn’t understand Ed Sheeran initially and had to ask for clarification.

Some tips:

1. To better understand fast speech, a good technique is to slow the clip down and focus on the details. This helps in grasping how words and sounds are blended and recognizing the vocabulary used.

2. Shifting focus more towards vocabulary learning, accepting that people might say things in unfamiliar ways, and practicing connected speech can significantly improve comprehension.

3. Learn how proficient English speakersUse connective speech To blend sounds together.

4. Study English in bite-sized chunks

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How to Understand Fast English Speech (featuring Ed Sheeran)

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Leading in the Covid 19 crisis - New Zeeland vs Brazil

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Leading in the Covid 19 crisis - New Zeeland vs Brazil

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Best Country: New Zealand

Key Strategies:

1. Early Lockdowns: Quick implementation of strict lockdown measures for prevention.

2. Clear Communication: Consistent and transparent messaging from the government, avoiding any paradox.

3. Effective Contact Tracing: Efficient system to track and isolate cases, preventing dissipation of efforts.

4. Quarantine Measures: Strict protocols for incoming travelers to bolster public health.

5. Financial Support: Comprehensive support for individuals and businesses, avoiding economic devastation.

Outcomes:

Low infection and death rates.

Quicker economic recovery and fewer disruptions to daily life.

Avoided the humiliation of poor crisis management.

Worst Country: Brazil

Key Failures:

1. Delayed Response: Slow implementation of preventive measures.

2. Mixed Messages: Downplaying the severity of the virus, creating a paradox of trust and misinformation.

3. Overwhelmed Healthcare: Insufficient infrastructure and supplies led to widespread devastation.

4. Lack of Coordination: Inconsistent measures between federal and state governments caused dissipation of efforts.

5. Weak Enforcement: Poor enforcement of quarantine and social distancing, failing to bolster public confidence.

Outcomes:

High infection and death rates.

Significant economic challenges and long-lasting public health impacts.

Public and governmental humiliation due to poor crisis management.

P.S. I've tried to use as many words from Topic 5 as possible.

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exercise 6:

1. I took Mr Fuller, who is a client, to lunch.

2. Employees who travel on company business will be sent a form by email each month.

3. The expenses claims system, which will be implemented next month, will cut costs considerably.

4. I received the expenses claim reminder that you sent to me last week.

5. Those are the employees whose expenses we paid last week.

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Exercise 1:

1. demand

2. supervision

3. predictions

4. shortage

5. recruiting

6. barrier

7. sponsor

Exercise 2:

1. assess

2. offers

3. arranges

4. conclude

5. fulfils

6. compare

7. recommend

8. is made

9. are assessed

Exercise 3:

2. growing, future

3. global, financial, strict, sector

4. skills, professionals

5. system, language, experience, qualifications

Exercise 4:

1. Both companies are based in the USA.

2. Neither company has a global presence.

3. Unlike Company A, Company B focuses on sustainability.

4. Company A specializes in electronics, whereas Company B specializes in clothing.

5. Like Company A, Company B values customer feedback.

6. In terms of innovation, Company A is better.

Exercise 5:

1. Job opportunities are greater than in many European countries.

2. The range of leisure activities is now more varied than ever before.

3. Australia has one of the fastest growing economies.

4. Employment costs in Germany are among the highest in the world.

5. The scenery is more spectacular than I expected.

6. Sydney is among the most interesting cities in the world.

7. There are good reasons for relocating, but there are even better reasons for relocating to Australia.

8. When natural disasters occur, demand for construction workers is higher.

9. Come to Australia. You'll feel at home more quickly than you thought.

10. Australia has stricter supervision of the banking sector than other countries.

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Ex6

Indirect questions:

1. Could you tell me where we could check in?

2. I'd like to know when we could take off.

3. Is it possible to ask if this ticket is refundable?

4. Could you tell me why there is a delay?

5. Could you tell me if we could get a meal on board?

Ex7

1. Could you please inform me if there is any in-flight entertainment available?

2. Do you happen to offer a frequent flyer programme, by any chance?

3. Excuse me, could you direct me to the location of the business lounge?

4. Could you kindly inform me of the departure time?

5. I was wondering if the seats are reclining?

6. Where might I find a place to exchange money, please?

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 Ethical Tourism Writing Task (last page)

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 Ethical Tourism Writing Task (last page)

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Ethical tourism involves responsible travel practices, minimizing negative impacts on destinations and respecting local cultures. Unethical behaviors, such as wildlife exploitation and environmental damage, can harm communities and ecosystems. To be ethical, travelers should research destinations, support local businesses, and engage in sustainable activities. While tourism can benefit economies, mass tourism often causes environmental and social problems, including overdevelopment and economic leakage.

Striking a balance between economic gains and ethical considerations is crucial. Promoting sustainable practices like ecotourism and slow tourism, which benefit ecologically important places and encourage longer, slower travel, can help mitigate negative impacts. Additionally, voluntourism, where tourists volunteer in destinations, can contribute positively to local communities. By embracing ethical tourism principles, we can ensure that travel benefits both destinations and travelers alike.

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Exercise 1:

1. impressive

2. fast-growing

3. easy

4. numerous

5. immediate

6. wide-range

7. major

8. available

Exercise 3:

Subject: Directions to Our Office at Pl. Jean Moulin Site

Dear Client,

I'm excited for your visit next week! From the Metro Station, walk straight to Baker Street, turn left onto Regent Street, and continue until you reach Place Jean Moulin. Our office is number 5. Any issues, call me at the number attached below.

See you soon!

Best regards,

Cristina Pop

Exercise 4:

1. When is the office space available?

2. How many floors are available?

3. Is there parking available?

4. How far are the underground stations from the building?

5. Can you send me some more information?

Exercise 6:

1. tenant

2. appointment

3. renovation

4. location

5. premises

6. square metres

7. property

Exercise 7:

1. excited

2. confusing

3. interested

4. disappointed

5. shocked

6. fascinating