Training

I did my training in the Lukiskiu prison. The aim of the training was to familiarize with the work in such institutions, to try to arrange some meetings and conversations with the prisoners. I was workin with underage criminals. Most of them are 16-17 years old and they got caught for second or even third time. The most popular crime is stealing mobile phones and money from younger people in the streets. But there were on e murderer, who was sentenced for 8 years of imprisonment. Though, it was kind of scary to go in there for the first time, in fact it was very interesting and useful experience for me.

Online Podcast

I listened to two different podcasts.

The first one is called "ScotFoot:Thursday 8th November 07". It can be found here - http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/scotland/scotfoot/scotfoot_20071108-1209.mp3
It is about the football match between Glasgow "Rangers" and "Barcelona". Listened one time. Native speakers, fast speaking and using football related vocabulary. But since I am a football fan it was not hard for me to understand them.

The second one is called "Amanda Penrose Hart: New Paintings". It can be found here - http://arttalk.podomatic.com/enclosure/2007-09-14T23_41_26-07_00.mp3
The host is talking with Amanda Penrose Hart about her new paintings, paint usage, light/shadow technics. Native speakers, speaking rate is average, but the vocabulary is rather sophisticated, since I am not into painting very much. So I listened to it twice, just to be sure that I understood everything right.

Gunnar Heinsohn "Sohne und Weltmacht: Terror im Aufstieg und Fall der Nationen"

I have recently read a review for this book written by a sociologist, economist and genocide researcher of the Bremen university. In his book he tells about the causes of waves of violence in third world countries, of frequent terrorist attacks and so on. His theory is, that if the percentage of the young men (15-29 year old) in the country is bigger than 30%, then there will be a risk of violent acts. He studied the demographic situation in Germany and in many countries nowadays. In Germany the proportion between 40-44 year old men and 15-29 old men is 100/50, whereas in Afganistan it is 100/403. Bigger number of young people creates tension, because young people are more energetic, they can act, protest against something. And it is a force, soldiers, who can fight real or imaginative enemies.
There are more interesting thoughts, examples and conclusions there. And I seem to agree with the writer's point of view.

Thoughts About Modern Cinema

One day I was comfortably sitting in my chair having a supper, when I decided to turn on TV. I am not a fan of TV-watching, in fact I don't do it at all for my own reasons. But it was like a voice from the inside telling me to do this. So I did it. I can't remember what the channel was, but there were a lot of smart-dressed people in a room talking about modern cinema. Most of the movies that they were referring to were mainstream popcorn flicks, such as Spiderman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Resident Evil, Transformers, etc. And those 40-50 year-old men and women were so angry and amazed by the modern cinema, that their faces were just turning red when they were spitting negative reviews of these movies. Moreover they were talking that the cinema itself, as a form of art doesn't have a future. I should say that was very funny. Serious people talking about movies for kids and teenagers and searching for deep thoughts, perfect acting abilities and intelligent screenplays. I wonder if they are familiar with movies by David Lynch, David Fincher, Nolan and Coen brothers, Emir Kusturica, Lars von Trier, Aleksandr Sokurov, Takeshi Kitano and many many other talented filmakers. Or they are so closed-minded that they watch only those movies that are being shown in the local movie-theaters...

Choosing a Student Exchange Program to Come to the US

Student Exchange Program is a very good option for young people to travel abroad, to learn languages, try to live among people with other traditions and culture. They can develop communicating skills, become more independent, self-determined and responsible. Moreover, foreign students are always welcome and everyone can count on warm 'hello'.
But on the other hand, young people feel lonely in their new and strange home. Al of their friends and relatives are faraway and can cause some psychological problems, students can become unstable, nervous and stressed.
All in all, it is excellent to go to other places, meet with new people, but it also can be stressful, so the person must be prepared for such negative outcomes.

Virginia Tech: "As Strong a Place As It Has Always Been"

At Virginia university in April 16 of this year 23 years old man Cho Seung-Hui killed 32 people and later committed a suicide.
It is the bloodiest event in high school in the history of the USA. Millions of people all around the world were shocked and terrified to hear about it. A lot of questions began appearing in the newspapers and on TV. "Is it democracy,or anarchy?". And it is true. The political system in the USA is one of the most developed systems in the world. But sometimes anarchy can occur in the society. It is known that a human is a creature with a very complicated thinking. Everyone have some differences from others. People's thoughts, points of view, ideas are different and often human beings feel unsafe and alone. And when they have an option to go to the nearest shop,buy some weapons and just kill anybody they want, because of their own problems. Often music and movies are being blaimed for such a destructive acts.Movies and music don't kill, guns do...

Employment Law Summary

Employment law began in the 19th century and is regulating relations between employers,employees and trade unions. All employment rights are guaranteed by the Employment Protection Act. In the most of the countries it is guaranteed that the worker will get a minimum wage, that they won't be dismissed unfairly. All workers have the same rights,despite sex,race,nationality or religion.
Moreover, workers have the right to make the strike,when the majority votes for it. Although, during such a period workers lose their money, in the future they can get better working conditions and bigger payments.
Because of the differences in culture and traditions,in Japan employess do not have the same rights as in the European countries. Women have less rights and options, when it comes to the choosing of job. Despite these facts, Japanese are certain that they won't be dismissed unfairly and women almost always return to their working places after the pregnancy period.