A New Era?

The Obama’s oath was undoubtedly historical moment. The USA have the first Afro-American president in their history. I have nothing personal against Obama or the USA and if I were American I would be proud that Obama won. However, as far as I’m concerned, that is where the uniqueness of this presidency ends. I'm rather pessimistic about the Obama's presidency. I think Americans are too excited about the Obama's presidency. Nothing is going to change, especially when we take into account relations between the USA and Poland. The USA have never treated Poland as an equal and respectful partner. President Obama as well as the former president Bush didn’t even think about “making a call” to Polish President because they don’t treat relations with Poland seriously. Apart from this, the American Presidents called French and German Presidents. One striking example how disrespectful Americans are for Poland is the fact that many countries in Eastern Europe received permission to travel to the USA without visas, however, not Poland. Despite the fact that Poles supported American troops in Iraq and cooperate with the USA Poland still is not considered an serious partner. Obama won’t change anything in this area. Maybe for Americans something will change. However, if Obama doesn’t manage to improve economic situation in the USA his greatest supporters will become his bitter enemies. Anyway, the time will show what is going to happen… Hopefully my predictions turn out to be too dramatic. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Obama!

My teaching experience

I have to admit that teaching was a fascinating mystery for me. Before my first lesson I was both terrified and excited. I had a lot of thoughts in my mind. First, I was afraid if I manage to maintain discipline in the classroom. My second serious concern was whether I cope with keeping students interested and involved in the lesson. My friends and some of my family members were making jokes that the students will dominate the lesson and that I wouldn’t manage to conduct a lesson especially in the senior classes of Technikum Samochodowe because the students of these classes were mainly nineteen-years-old boys. My relatives couldn’t imagine myself standing in the front of fifteen boys and making them to listen to me. The reason for my relatives’ jokes was mainly because I make impression of being shy, silent and gentle. Fortunately, their as well as mine concerns turned out to be unnecessary.


During my first lesson, which I conducted in the forth class of Technikum Samochodowe, I did manage to maintain discipline and conduct the whole lesson. Much to my surprise, students were actually interested and involved in the lesson. However, not every lesson went so smoothly.


When I started teaching at Junior High School I was fearful. Students were rebellious the didn’t pay attention to what the teacher was saying as well as they weren’t following teachers instructions. The worst classes in Junior High were the senior classes. Unfortunately, the first lesson that I was to conduct in Junior High was the lesson with the class 3g. I was petrified as I heard about having lesson with this class. Before the lesson I decided to make impression to be strict, demanding as well as easy-going because I knew from my learning experience that students always respect and obey such teachers. Surprisingly, my strategy was successful. At the beginning of the lesson some of the students were testing my patience. As soon as they realized that I didn’t let them spoil the lesson and that there will be consequences for misbehavior most of the students gave up and focus. Of course the students sometimes became distracted however, that was normal short-term lost of concentration that happens during every lesson. The students were fascinated by the fact that I was talking in English all the time. Their teacher wasn’t talking as much in English as I did. When the lesson finished the students who misbehaved at the beginning of the lesson turned out to like the lesson the most and they asked me when I was going to have next class with them. Apart from the above mentioned, positive memories I have also some unpleasant experience. I will remember my first lesson with class 3h for the rest of my life. Some of the students were rude, vulgar and rebellious. They weren’t following my requests not to mention ignoring what I was saying. Any of my punishments was successful for longer time. There was some time during the lesson when they calmed down but it was only a short break. Despite the difficulties, I managed somehow to finish the lesson. However, I know the lesson wasn’t successful. The students who were trying to learn something didn’t have adequate conditions to focus.


The most pleasant memories that I gained during my teacher practice are the ones that I acquired when I was teaching pupils in primary school. Little students are very grateful for being taught and they have a lot of enthusiasm for learning. I think that maybe in the future I would like to teach children.

Christmas memories

When I was a child we used to spend Christmas at my grandparents. I remember when my grandmother, my aunt and my mum were preparing food for Christmas. There was always a lot of work to do especially a few days before Christmas and I was always helping them to prepare a cake or bake cookies. Everyone has something to do therefore my dad always brought Christmas tree and he prepared carp. There was always a lot of laughter. We used to listen to Christmas songs while we were preparing supper.

I was not willing to believe in Santa Claus but when he finally was about to come I was both excited and a little frightened. However when I was older I became wiser and I was able to immediately identify who was pretending to be Santa Claus. I remember one situation when my aunt was a Santa Claus and as I was sitting on her knees talking to her I saw her watch and I started telling that I know that she is not a Santa Claus that she is my aunt. On the other hand when my dad was a Santa I knew that he was pretending to be Santa Claus but still I was a little bit afraid and I was doing what he told me to do. I had always a task to do, e.g. saying prayer, singing song and I was doing it without any discussion. The mask that my dad was wearing was rather frightening.

When my grandmother was alive we used to sing carols after supper and during next two holidays. We spent a lot of time together. We were playing cards or other games like “Człowieku nie irytuj się”. My grandmother lived in the country and that is why during Christmas we used to spent some time outside. When there was snow we used to build snowman, sledge or there was a huge snowball fight between adults and children.

Christmas has always been a joyful and family time for me.

Sometimes words are not enough...

This song is a wonderful way to celebrate memory of The Great Pole John Paul II. It is special to me because it reminds me of the words that The Pope once said "Szukałem Was, a teraz Wy przyszliście do mnie..."

Szymon Wydra Carpe Diem "Poza czas"

SHANTIES:)

As far as I can remember when I was only a few years old I sang sea songs whenever I can. I have a memory of one particular situation from my childhood when I was spending holidays at my grandparents. One sunny day I was sitting in the hammock with my grandpa and singing shanties with him. I was a little child then and later on I forgot about that situation. After a few years I began to recollect words of the songs at first I didn't know where I knew these words from, I couldn't remember the titles of the songs. In my memories I just saw myself sitting in the hammock with my grandpa and singing these songs but I couldn't remember what are these songs. Only after some time did I realize that the songs which words I was recollecting were shanties. Maybe that is the reason why shanties are so special to me. I find that this music easily catches one's ear. Moreover it is cheerful, danceable and I have great memories from my childhood connected with it:)
Below you have one shantie that I liked singing when I was a child. I have to admit that this see song is still one of my favourite.


Jurek Porębski "Cztery piwka"



Jurek Porębski "Gdzie ta keja"



Apart from shanties I listen to other music as well. I don't have one favourite music type beside shanties. I listen to everything that catches my ear.
Below you have some songs that I like.


The OC season 3 finale "Speeding cars"




Crazy Beautiful movie finale "Perfect"



Love Story




Dżem "Whiskey"




Scarlet "Independent love song"




Bon Jovi "Living on a prayer"

CMG Mogilno – I love this town:)

I wonder how many of you knows where Mogilno is. I can assume that many of you have heard about Mogilno mainly because it is one of the stations where the trains that head to the seaside, stop.

Although I was born in Inowrocław I have spent all my life in Mogilno. I have grown up here and I have made a lot of friends hereJ

Mogilno is small town, situated in central Poland on the border of two regions Kujawy and Wielkopolska.

On the map of Poland you can see where Mogilno is situated.

Mogilno is situated on Piastowski Trail, not far from many popular touristic places. It is easy to get from here to many very popular touristic spots such as: Kruszwica with Misia Tower, Gniezno first capital of Poland, Biskupin historical settlement, Trzemeszno and Strzelno.

Piastowski Trail

Saint Benedict is the patron of Mogilno. Three yellow swords on blue background are the symbol of the town.

Symbol of Mogilno

Mogilno is one of the oldest settlements in Poland. As early as in the tenth century Polan’s settlement existed here. The beginnings of the town are as well connected with the settlement of Benedictine Abbey by Kazimierz Odnowiciel in Mogilno and the creation of Church which is now called Klasztor.

There are many historical monuments in Mogilno. One of the most well known monuments is Klasztor.

Saint John’s Church

The cellar is considered one of the most important monuments in the whole Church.

Cellar of Saint John’s Church

Klasztor is not only historical monument and religious place but also it fulfills different functions. The headquaters of European Meeting Centre are situated in Klasztor. Many young people from all over the world come here to become acquainted with Polish culture, meet with their Polish peers as well as deepen their faith. Klasztor is also hotel for religious tourists.

The corridor in European Meeting Centre.

Moreover, Mausoleum on Cemetery and Museum of Mogileńska Land in Chabsko are places worth visiting.

Mogilno is the place where famous Pole – Piotr Wawrzyniak spent twelve years of his life. Piotr Wawrzyniak spent a lot of time in Fara – Kościół Świętego Jakuba. His monument is situated on the Cemetery and is considered one of the most interesting in Wielkopolska.

Saint Jacob's Church

Apart from many historical monuments Mogilno has numerous natural values that are attractive for visitors. Public Park with Mogileńskie Lake that is situated in the city centre is one of the most popular places for relaxation, walks and often is visited by inhabitants especially at spring, summer or even autumn, sunny weekends.

City park

Moreover, during summer holidays people who like sports can rent canoes or pedal boats and see the city and its monuments from a different perspective. What is more, beautiful landscapes and not crowded roads encourage people to cycle. Mogilno is surrounded by many lakes and forests that makes it even more attractive. There are many summer resorts in the closest neighborhood of Mogilno. The most well known are Przyjezierze, Gąsawka, Wiktorowo, Wenecja, Gołąbki.

Przyjezierze

Furthermore there are many small and peaceful “resorts”: Wiecanowo, Chałupska, Kopczyn. Chwałowo, Józefowo or Żabno. In addition to it, there is a stud farm In Chabsko 5 kilometers from Mogilno, where people can learn and enjoy horseriding. Moreover, there are numerous bicycle paths that encourage people to cycle.

Bicycle paths around Mogilno

In winter and on rainy, cold days people who love swimming can always go to swimming pool to relax.

For young people Mogilno also offers a variety of possibilities to spend leasure time. Even though Mogilno doesn’t provide young people with as many attractions as Poznan does, there are a few pubs where young people can meet with their friends. As far as I’m concerned, the most important advantage of pubs is that you can always meet your friends unexpectedly and you know many people that is why you are always surrounded by acquaintances.

Mogilno seen from different perspective

Hi there:)

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