Will a bad marriage ruin my health?

An unhappy marriage could break your heart. Is it better to leave a difficult relationship that might make you ill – or to fix it?

Many researchers say that nowadays our health directly depends on our relationships with our partner. So, if we're happy with our lovers our organism also feels good. The study of married couples shows that a greater risk of getting a heart attack is in the stressful marriages. Stress not only increases blood pressure but also messes with your hormones sufficiently to reduce immunity, increase depression and make you fat. All the research suggests is that relationships of any sort have to be happy to make us healthier than single people.

Of course, if you have someone you really appreciate close to you, everything in your life is brighter, you become kinder, you feel something like butterflies inside. So what is it, if it's not the happiness?
I think, good emotions, wich people take from the spouses, always bring a good self-feeling. Even if sometimes there can be misunderstanding between them. It is harder for single people to survive in our world, because they don't receive proper support and protection, sometimes they feel themselves lonely. And without his (her) unique human and love emotions a single person can feel itself not only sad and boring, but can also suffer. There's no doubt that in this case a human psychologically make its health facing a danger.

But what we are to do if we are not alone, but our relationships are too broken to be saved? Here I agree with author's thought: everybody should work on the marriage as in the gym. If we really want to do something to stay healthy as we get older, to save the relationships, we should not press on each other, we should be kind, honest, try to notice good things that our lovers do. That's it because otherwise it can be the death not only of our happy marriage but also us.

For my groupmates. Do you think, the relationships influence on our health? Why? Have you ever felt that affect after the quarrels or some positive moments with your partner or the member of your family? Do you believe, that love is like a gym where you should work hard?

The article is taken from http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/30/will-bad-marriage-ruin-my-health

 I’ve just read a very interesting and a little bit funny article by  Natalie Schwartz, who conducts workshops on parent-teacher relationships. It’s about communication of parents and teachers, about some problems. Here we have top 10 things teachers don’t want to hear from parents. I would like to show you some of them.

“You give too much homework!”
I think it`s a very big problem for teachers patience. Most of  the parents have this opinion, they always thinks that their child is too «overworked» with homework.  Author explains, that when parents say this,  their kid gets the message that school is not important. Homework is a time when parents can see what their kids are learning and take an active role in their education. Here I`m agree with the author, because a think that professional teacher knows about homework burden for kids.

Next: «Jane is picking on my daughter. I want her punished!”
Nikki Wilson says all teachers should take bullying seriously, but some parents approach classroom conflicts the wrong way. “A lot of times, both kids are to blame. Parents only hear one side of the story,” says Wilson.  The most popular problem in every school, I think.

“Billy’s homework is not done because...”
Dance class, sports teams, and forgotten backpacks don’t apply,how explains teacher  it Stephen Kelley.
How  says Kelley, who teaches 3rd grade in Washington :
“I just wish that parents would let the kid come in and face the consequences”
 Another funny reason : «I know it’s only open house, but let me tell you about my daughter’s reading skills».
We can see a lots of parent such as « my son the best pupil at the class» or « my Helen has the most beautiful clothes and she so smart, all teachers loves her» Its really disgusting.  How this article says : “Don’t worry about it. You’ll have parent-teacher conferences in a month, anyway».

To sum up, this article was very interesting for me and funny in some moments. It can be necessary information for me, because  I would like to be a teacher in the future and work with children, and..with their parents. In my opinion there are sometimes a lot of  communicztion problems with parents. But if we can solve them, may be, some creative ways or with a little humor, everything is gonna be alright.
 Do you have any interesting stories about "parents vs teachers"?(may be from your own experience)

link: http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/10682-10-things-teachers-dont-want-to-hear-from-parents

Education

I've read an interesting article about girl's education in African countries which was published in the newspaper " New York Times". The headline of the article is "Bringing Education to African Girls". It is written by Christopher F. Schuetzenov.
The topic of the article is connected with international education. The author  in the article touches upon the problem of girl's education in such country as Zimbabwe.
As we know it's a poor country and families don't have anough money. And also parents think that girls don't have any opportunities to get a good job and because of that they don't want to pay for their education.
A British educator and philanthropist, Ann Cotton founded an organization "Camfed" that has helped millions of young girls in sub-Saharan Africa remain in school.
At the meeting’s opening by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, co-founder and chairwoman of the Qatar Foundation,  Ms. Cotton was awarded the $500,000 prize. Her early experience in Zimbabwe motivated her to found Camfed in 1993. She began to help and support more than 1.2 million students in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Also  “virtuous cycle”was created by the organization trains teachers, mentors and community activists. There they share their own experience and advise about teaching. Also author mentions about Ms. Husain, who founded the organisation, which eliminates the gender gap in primary schools in in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. Also here saing about evolution of global education and the author show us result of The Qatar Foundation survey, “School in 2030,” 645 education experts  took part n it.
 "Nearly half agreed that by 2030, most of what students learn will come from online, with 73 percent saying the role of the teacher would shift toward a guide and mentor for students and away from the traditional role as the source of knowledge, a role predicted by only 19 percent."
In my opinion it's really good idea to help students from poor countries because many people in such countries don't have any opportunuty to spend money on the education for their children. Everyone has the right to education. Nowadays our future depends on our education.If you don't have it you never can get a goog job.

So, what do you think about it?

The article:http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/world/africa/bringing-education-to-african-girls.html?ref=education

UK lung cancer survival rates among worst in Europe

I have read an article which touched upon the world wide issue of the highly spread problem of cancer. The author provided different kinds of statistics, leading generally to the fact that cancer is a global problem.

According to the statistics, in the UK survival rates are worse than in any part of the world, however breast cancer is successfully cured comparing to the whole world percentage. Although the difference between 1999 and 2009 are too small. England is still on the bottom of European and global list.

All around the world cancer survival percentage is still very low, for example North America shows only 15%-19%/ And so according to the professor Michael Coleman people should be more aware of symptoms and diagnosis. It's not just a question of disturbing a doctor.

If such gap in two types of cancer in different countries and in the UK is more or less understandable, then the difference in numbers in acute leukemia among children is terrific :the strikingly low percentage in African countries comparing to nearly 9 from 10 survival in highly developed countries.

Moreover such findings put up a question why this kind of gap exists between different countries though it shouldn't because of highly developing technologies of the 21st century. Claudia Allemani enumerated some causes, at least accessible to be changed in sense of improving health policy and investments in healthcare.

Among different kinds of reasons of cancer development the author distinguished the problems highly spread around the world - obesity. According to separate studies North America and Europe are both leaders of all rates.

And the UK with two third of overweight or even obese adults appeared as one of the leaders of an obesity- related male cancers, together with the Czech Republic, Jordan, Argentina and Malta. Furthermore some studies claimed that more than 100,000 cases could have never happened but for obesity. Such bursting out tendency will certainly touched South and North Africa. If this prevalence is ignored so the situation will get worse concerning not only obesity but cancer spreading as the consequence.

As a matter of fact I was astonished by this article survival rates. I didn't expect cancer being so easily cured, especially breast cancer that I supposed as the most difficult of woman cancers. However such intention in improvement of healthcare showed readiness to increase these brilliant results. And the statistics about leukemia is also surprising. But I don't think Russia can compete with Europe nor America in medication or technology. That's why a lot of different operations and expensive treatments are provided by foreign companies and clinics became a necessity and the only way for hopeless people. And it made me upset because Russia has everything to put into practice: special medical equipment, science laboratories, and of course human resources - practicing doctors and graduated students are ready to assume new methods and increase the level of their knowledge.

By all means I found the problem with a obesity really sharp in our world. Lack of physical exercises and inactive lifestyle, unwillingness to spend some time outside our own flats caused people being overweight. I was surprised that it also appeared as a cause of cancer development. And it certainly made me think of my own lifestyle - that it needed badly to be changed.

1. Do you think Russian people suffer from obesity?
2. Have you ever heard about somebody recovered from cancer?
3. Does the current level of health care in our country and in the world is good enough for the modern 21st century?


http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/26/uk-lung-cancer-rates-worst-europe-breast-cancer

     I've just read a very specific and rather interesting article by the famous hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds.The article was published in Time magazine on America's upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and it's called "What I'm Thankful For" but it's not really about the holiday. Mr. Reynolds recalls the profound family moment when he decided to have his ear pierced. Before doing such thing Reynolds knew that his father would be furious when he'd found out about it. I really liked Ryan Reynolds' thoughts about it:

 "I was terrified. Not terrified to have a hole punched through my virginal ear, but terrified about the hole that would be punched through my future, when my father found out."

 But still he was eager to pierce his ear. He was the youngest of four brothers so he decided ask them for advice.Of couse they figured out that he's "be dead" by dinner if he'd do so. Even though they didn't really have a good relationship:

"I often felt less like a little brother and more like a moving target."

 they inspired Reynolds to write this article and they are the ones he thanking. To cut the story short, he pierced his ear and when the dinner time came and his father was about to found out, the unexpected happen. All three brothers also got their ears pierced just to save the youngest one from the trouble he was about to get. Reynolds compares this act with Blue Moons which are happen rare. He thanks his brothers for teaching him about rising to the occasion. Just to do the right thing at the right time.
    I think Reynolds' story shows us exactly what he ment by saying this:

  "Actions speak louder than words."

 In my opinion, family is important for every person. In family people stand by each other no matter what. May be sometimes they don't say things like "I love you" but it doesn't mean they don't. I think this article was published on Thanksgiving Day on purpose,because it's a family holiday. Usually families get together, have a great feast and...thank each other and may be in this exact moment became grateful for just having a family.
   I know in our country we don't celebrate Thanksgiving,it's traditionally American holiday. But I think we all have something to be grateful for. So what are YOU thankful for?

The article:  http://time.com/3595466/ryan-reynolds-time-for-thanks/

Social behavior

I've read an article about a Swedish organization that conducted a social experiment on domestic violence. The male actors physically assaulted women while members of the public were in the lift .One shouted, while pinning the woman to the wall: “You are not worth anything, I hope you get that! The result of the experiment even shocked the scientists who conducted the study, because most of the eyewitnesses ignored the incidents. Only one person from 53 people reacted, but it was expected that about 50 % would intervene.

In my opinion, indifference to other people is a fearful social phenomenon. People don’t pay attention to other’s misfortunes. In a different situation, when somebody needs help, we stay cool and selfish. But if someone close to us gets into a similar situation, we become puzzled as to why nobody will help. And we will accuse of indifference people. But what will we do in such case? Will we pass by them or help? I think we need to think about it. We are people and we must stay humane. When I watched the video after I read the article, I was unpleasantly surprised because of the reactions given from the men. Since the dawn of time, it is generally agreed that the male sex is stronger than the female sex. But in the video, the men stayed in the corner and did nothing. They didn't try to defend the miserable woman from the aggressor. I have watched a similar social experiment where an actor played a man who was on the road and began to writhe. A lot of people overpassed the man but of course, others stopped to help and asked what happened. In conclusion, I want to say that I support such experiment forces us to think about our behavior and calls us not to be so indifferent.

What do you think about it? Why do people become indifferent to others? Have you ever been in a such situation?
Reference :http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/14/swedish-social-experiment-shows-people-ignoring-domestic-abuse-in-a-lift

Holiday from hell? How to claim compensation

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/sep/06/holiday-hell-compensation-claim-summer-break

What a shame it is when you arrive at your hotel to find the pool’s out of action for the next two weeks, or that there’s a building site next door with drilling starts at 7 each morning – just hours after the nearby nightclub stops pounding.

Miles Brignall told what we can - and can't - claim for if our summer break went seriously wrong.

 1. Loss of value - This should represent the difference in price between the holiday you paid for and what you got. For example, if you were moved to a cheaper hotel because of overbooking, you should claim the difference in price between the two hotels.

2. Out-of-pocket-expenses  -  If the hotel food provided as part of a package was inedible, or the room inhabitable – and you were forced to buy alternatives – claim back the cost.

3. Loss of enjoyment This is money to compensate you for the disappointment and distress caused by things going wrong (for example, the pool was out of action or the promised children club was cancelled).

It is greatly help claims if you will show your diary of how the problems affected you with photos, videos, adresses and names.

You should complain to the trader in writing within 28 days, and send the claim by recorded delivery – with copies (not the originals) of all supporting evidence. Also it's necessary to keep a log of the claims process.

But if the claim is rejected you should appeal to an independent arbitration service or to the small claims court. 

Also if your flight has been cancelled or delayed you are entitled to meals (and accommodation if overnight) regardless of the cause of the delay. Once delayed more than three hours on a flight originating or ending within the EU you can also claim compensation of €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance – except in extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control, such as the weather conditions or strikes. 

I think that it's awfull when it turns out that scheduled vacations do not correspond to the reality for which you have paid. Because you've worked hard, you've carefully selected and planned your holidays! It's not fair! So I think each person having occured in such situation should not be lazy! He (She) should definetly claim compensation! But still... holidays would be spoiled and it means you don't have a rest well. I am glad that it hasn't ever occured to me, but also I find this article quite useful, at least now i know my rights.

Questions for groupmates:

1. How do you plan your holidays? (maybe you use travel agency services)

2. Have you ever had such holiday from hell?

3. If you were in such situation, what would you do?

Mass Media

Jaymi Hensley(right) and his boyfriend

The article is taken from -   http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/nov/14/attitude-magazine-gay-teenagers-ateen

It isn't a secret that today a lot of attention is paid to LGBT community and no wonder that the idea of particularized on-line magazine for gays took into Christian Guiltenane head. The magazine is called aTEEN and  already available in the Internet. There are two covers. On the first cover people can see Jaymi Hensley, who became popular after participating on the X Factor. He is engaged to Olly Marmon and planning a wedding for 2015. The alternative cover shows Charlie King, who quit the reality show The Only Way Is Essex last year. Young gays will find a lot of necessary information in aTEEN - about safe sex, advice from This Morning’s Dr Ranj, and pieces by young gay men about relationships, sex and HIV. Also there will be a diary by Charlie King where he will share the ideas about depression in his twenties that he believes was triggered by not being true to himself and discuss stories about his difficulties at school.

The topic of such magazine is too controversial, as all topics that touch LGBT community. It's interesting if the magazine will be recouped. Actually, I suppose that there are too much attention to gays and I wonder why they can't read usual publication for young people or special editions for girls if there will be columns for such subjects. On the other hand it's essential for them to know about HIV or safe sex and they must know that it's not a shame today and people support them and in the case aTEEN is a gift for them. To tell the truth, I would read such publication once just to know about their lives and problems and perhaps it can help to understand better them and their choice. Also the magazine can be useful for gays' parents. All in all, I agree that it wasn't a bad idea to create the magazine but its realization will show the results more accurately.

Questions for groupmates:
1) What do you think about gays and if they need some magazines, in your opinion?
2) Do you want to read such magazine?
3) Do you think that it's essential to found such magazine in Russia?

http://www.theguardian.com/education/mind-your-language/2014/apr/02/what-british-dialects-tell-us-about-national-character?commentpage=1

Language peculiarities.

What Britain's county dialects can tell us about the national character.

I've read the article about some aspects of the English language. Everybody knows that it has plenty of different accents and dialects such as Cockney, Essaxon, Anglo-Cornish, Yorkshire, etc. The author suggests if all the representatives met, they would have a huge difficulty in understanding each other! But it shows the diversity and richness of the language, and such interesting words, frases, neologisms can help to understand the historical originality of each small group of Enlish speakers in different territories. 

In my opinion it's very interesting to learn local dialects of Scotland, Walse and others. You can know much about the British character through the English language. One of the more interesting aspects of English is the love of identifying action and sound through semi-onomatopoeic phrases (for instance "winky-pinky"is a Yorkshire nursery word for sleepy, "boris-norris"(Dorset) is forcareless, reckless). And also the most distinctive feature is a rhyming slang which is popular in Cockney. That means the using a rhyming pair of words instead of one word,which make funny meaning (examples: "trouble and strife" means "wife", "loaf of bread" is "head"!).

I think it shows the country's light-hearted humour, patriotism and respect for own small ethnic group and their traditions. Such aspects also can indicate the interests, ancient antiquities, symbols and the specific features of the historical development.

For the groupmates: would you prefer to have the same kind of language all over the country to make understanding better or not?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/11/uk-drops-security-claim-blocking-pakistanis-lawsuit-us-torture

Foreign Policy. UK drops security claim blocking Pakistani’s lawsuit over ‘torture’ by Richard Norton-Taylor.

This article is about relationships between UK and the US which were damaged by American mistreatment of detainees. A Pakistani citizen, Yunus Rahmatullah, who claims he was tortured by British and American troops sued for damages in court. But Tom Pickering said that in spite of this fact there are no damage for UK and the US relationships because public has already known about that. The main idea of the article is that court should achieve the justice.

I think there should be justice and Yunus Rahmatullah should get what he wanted. But also there should be no harm to US-UK ties because they are good allies and depend on each other.
What do you think American mistreatment of detanees should be punished?

A crash course in Italian hand gestures

     It’s a well-known fact that Italians are gesturing a lot, more than other nations, that’s why they seem so emotional. Italians use around 250 gestures daily, according to an article in the New York Times. According to the text, one of the reasons why people gesticulate is "to make yourself more visible, to make the body move more – to take up a bigger space". There are different kinds of gestures: some of them can indicate character traits and express feelings, others can insult people. To sum up, non-verbal communication is important especially when you are travelling. It has both sides: the person can be hurt by gestures or can be understood without words. Sometimes it’s more convenient to show your intentions, requests or delight by gestures. However, don’t forget to be careful in your gesticulation. Different countries understand and define gestures in different ways. That’s why the author of the article gives advice to keep in mind most common and necessary gestures which can help you in your holidays in Italy.

Pinch your fingers together
and moved your hand up and down
for "what do you want?"

     To Italians, gesturing comes naturally. But it doesn’t mean that other nations freeze up and place his arms flat against the sides while they are talking. They gesticulate too but not so loud. I’ve read in other article that some Italians joke that gesturing may even begin before birth. They joke that in the ultrasound the baby is saying to doctor what he or she wants from him or her. In my opinion, the article will be useful for people who are going to visit Italy. Indeed, the main point is to help people to avoid misunderstandings with native speakers during their holidays.

     For my groupmates. Do you learn gestures before going abroad? Do you know gestures which have one meaning in our country and absolutely different in others? Give an example. Can you tell that sometimes you feel yourself like an Italin (I mean that you are gesturing a lot)? Have you ever seen native Italian-speakers? Are they really so emotional?

P.S. Some gestures were just described but not illustrated, that’s why I decided to add some of them which have been already mentioned in the article.

   Knock with the fist of one hand on the palm of the other for "stubborn".

Pull down the skin below your eye with your index finger to indicate "cunning, and not necessarily in a good way".

 Raise both hands to say "So sorry", "I surrender" or "Thank you!" – choose your context carefully.

 Put your two index fingers side by side and press together, and people are getting along, and possibly having sexual relations.

Set your two index fingers with the tips against each other and people really aren't getting on.

     The article is taken from “The Guardian”. (http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/jul/02/how-speak-italian-with-hand-gestures).