Graduation Speech
June 6, 2010, 3:55 pm by Alex
11th form ladies show off their amazing graduation dresses.
Emma and I attended our second graduation ceremony here last week, and I gave my second graduation speech. I wrote the thing in English (as simple English as possible), translated it myself, and then got help from my Russian tutor to correct the mistakes. Then I practiced it for a week. My Russian’s improved over the year, but it still took a lot of repetitions to get to the point where I wouldn’t stumble over the tough words.
Here’s the text side-by-side. You can also watch the video below!
| There’s an ancient Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times!” Well, with the economic crisis, quarantines, “real” winter, and presidential elections – it seems right now that Ukraine is going through some interesting times. Ukraine is a very young democracy ¬– about as young as our graduates. Things are changing, and this can cause many new problems. But changes also bring new ideas, challenges, and opportunities. I am an optimist, and I believe that Ukraine is setting out to becoming a strong and prosperous country. As the first generation to have seen only the new independent Ukraine, you were certainly born into “interesting” times and you have a great opportunity to affect your country’s future. Far from being a curse, I think this is a great time to be a Ukrainian.
Graduates, your parents, teachers, and administrators have done their best to prepare you for life in the new Ukraine. Now, some of you will go to work, some to higher education, some will maybe go straight to the cafe – I don’t know. Whatever you choose to do next, the knowledge, skills, and experiences you received in school will give you confidence in the years ahead. Don’t forget to thank the people who worked so hard to get you this far. So, graduating class of 2010, in all your endevours I wish for you to be happy, healthy, and successful. May you indeed be living in interesting times – the good kind. Congratulations and all the best in these times. |
Существует древнее китайское поверье, что жить в интересное время – время перемен – это проклятие. Экономическим крисисом, карантином, настоящей зимой, выборами президента – кажется Украина доказывает, что переживает интересные времена. Украина – страна с очень молодой демократией – примерно вашего возраста, выпускники. Идут перемены, и они могут быть причиной многих новых проблем. Но, перемены несут и новые идеи, и испытания, и возможности. Я оптимист, так что верю, что Украина станет сильной, преуспевающей страной. Как у поколения, которое родилось в новой независимой Украине, у вас есть прекрасный шанс повлиять на будушее вашей страны. Отнюдь не проклятие, я думаю жить во времена перемен. Сейчас замечательное время проявить себя украинцем.
Выпускники, ваше родители, учителя, и администрация, попытались в меру своих возможностьей подготовить вас к жизни в новой Украине. Теперь, некоторые из вас пойдут на работу, некоторые – на учёбу в высшие учебные заведения, некоторые – сразу в кафе – я не знаю. Куда бы вы ни пошли, знания, навыки, и опыт, которые вы получили в школе, вам дадут уверенность в будушем. Не забудьте поблагодарить этих людей которые работали много и усердно, чтобы привести вас к сегодняшнему дню. Выпускники 2010-ого года, во всех начинаниях стремлениях желаю вам счастья, здоровья, и успехов. Да, на самом деле жить во времена перемен – это здорово! Поздравляю, и всего хорошего! |
Earth Day
May 14, 2010, 9:25 pm by EmmaIn more work-related news, I thought I’d share an activity our school did for Earth Day this year. Below is what I wrote when I nominated them for an award that is being given out by volunteers in PC Ukraine’s Environmental Working Group. I don’t know that we did anything award-winning, but it was pretty interesting!
Students line up in three teams to prepare for the Earth Day competition.
“My lyceum had a very unique way to celebrate Earth Day this year, which is why I’d like to nominate them for the Earth Day Network Environmental Award. On April 21st, three teams of students (about 40 total) competed in an “igra-quest” (игра-квест: game-quest) competition. The competition consisted of a scavenger hunt around town. When each team arrived at a destination, they had to complete a task before receiving the clue to send them on to their next location and task. The tasks included composing a poem about Earth Day, making an art composition out of trash, sidewalk drawing with chalk, and picking up trash from a designated part of town (in the park, near a cafe/bar, behind the house of culture). Additionally, each team of students came up with a little chant/cheer and all wore green ribbons or paper designs in honor of Earth Day. At the end, awards were given to the “fastest” team, “most creative” team, and “most active” team.
Class ОКН-КС 2/9 writes their Earth Day poem.
“My original plan for Earth Day consisted of a simple lesson plan and trash cleanup in town. Fortunately, my co-workers had a better idea! The igra-quest, planned with the help of a few older students who led the teams, was much more effective in getting students to consider the Earth and the responsibilities they have to it. By turning it into an entertaining competition, a greater number of students were involved and participated more actively than had they just been sitting in class or picking up trash.”
My school has done a number of igra-quests, as well as some geocaching competitions. The geocaching games are similar, except that each task point is programmed into a GPS receiver. (Borrowed from a UN organization located in a nearby city.) The teams use the receivers to locate each point. The students really enjoy these activities. There’s definitely potential for some sort of geocaching club next year; maybe I’ll even write a grant for us to buy our own GPS receivers.
Vita shows off the "living art composition" made out of trash by Class ОКН-КС 2/9.
Class ОКН-КС 2/9 filled up their large bag with trash collected from behind a local cafe/bar.
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