Elected!

Fernando Haddad was elected last Sunday with 55 percent of votes. Now, he is the new Mayor of São Paulo, one of the biggest cities of the world. See more details http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-daily/pt-haddad-elected-sao-paulo-mayor/#

Photo credit: AP |      Fernando Haddad, Sao Paulo‘s Mayor-elect, right, kisses his wife Stela Haddad as his celebrates after winning Mayoral elections in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Voting Machines

Half a million of these machines were at work this Sunday in Brazil for the municipal elections. I have used one of them a few hours ago and I already know who is the new Mayor of São Paulo, one of the biggest cities of the world. The machine is very simple to use and the results can be quickly known. In the future, these beauties will identify the voters by reading their fingerprints.

Puppets

You do not know if your students would like to speak a foreign language or not. Let them make their own puppets and try. You will be amazed at the ability of children to use the language and with the joy they amuse themselves with it.

Los Secretos de Frida

Los Secretos de Frida

Vogue Mexico presents the exhibition “Las apariencias engañan: Los vestidos de Frida Kahlo”  (Smoke and Mirrors: The dresses of Frida Kahlo) with previously unseen files and more intimate pieces of the Mexican artist. The exhibition catches the essence of Frida’s work and its  relationship with fashion. It is also cover of their special edition in November. You can have more details in http://www.vogue.mx/. The site of Frida Kahlo’s Museum also worth a visit http://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx/EluniversointimoINGLES.html. I hope Frida lovers from other countries can also have their magazines.

Brazilian Indians threaten suicide over loss of land

Brazilian Indians threaten suicide over loss of land

Approximately 100 adults and 70 children members of the indigenous tribe Guarani-Kaiow announced this week that they prefer collective death to leave the Cambar’s farm in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, where they settled, than to accept the Federal Court rule that everyone should leave immediately.

 

Buying Books

I loved the idea of The Book Depository  sharing with us what books people are buying around the world. It was amazing!  The ones who love literature, just love, no explanation. Some may wonder what’s the point of looking at a map with names of books popping up all the time. However, I find it absolutely fascinating trying to figure out who those people are and why they’ve chosen this or that book. Were they motivated by personal interests? Is there any connection with current events in their countries? Media influence? Buzzword? Any connection with age? Profession? There is someone from Malta who bought Animal Farm , a fellow from Australia has just grabbed Waking The Tiger, whereas someone from Chile preferred Rede de Computadores and Ice Man was the favorite to someone in Poland, Cliffs of Insanity was just purchased  in Ireland, Art of the Japanese Postcard – Masterpieces  from Th Leonard A Lauder Collection (Hardback) has just been bought in Germany (might be gorgeous this one, I am curious). My choice was Once Upon a Time: on the Nature of Fairytale which I strongly recommend. That’s enough for a while, before they find out there is a crazy lady spying on their books, check the site, you might enjoy it  http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/live

Women’s Education

Why do they fear women’s education so much?

Malala Youzafzai’s Recovery

Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman because she campaigned for girls’ education. According to Dr David Rosser there were still some concerns about her smooth recovery as you’ll see in the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20001486

Three Cups of Tea

A few years ago, I was at the book shop and couldn’t resist the temptation to grab this book and start reading it straightway. It was my first contact with Pakistani people and their suffering in the hands of the Taliban, specially women. When I saw the sad episode of Malala Yousafzai in the news I had to write about it and also share with my readers that there are people who fight to change this situation. Express our indignation to what happened to young Malala might be a starting point to put an end to it. She refused to keep silent and set an example to us all. I would like to recommend some sites for more information http://www.gregmortenson.com/, http://www.threecupsoftea.com/, http://www.ikat.org/ and also http://www.stonesintoschools.com/. I hope you enjoy the books as  much as I did and Pakistani girls have the chance to attend school as it is their right.

Malala Yousafzai

She wants to be a doctor, her dearest ambition is to carry on her studies and help to ensure that every girl has the right to attend school in her country. Malala sets an example to us all on not to silence in the face of injustice. Unfortunately, she almost lost her life because of her ideas. The Pakistani girl was cowardly shot in the head by Taliban gunmen in Swat. She is currently in a serious condition and is being seen by doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Are Pakistani girls destined to have denied their rights to education?

“I felt hurt on opening my wardrobe and seeing my uniform, school bag and geometry box. Boys’ schools are opening tomorrow, but the Taliban have banned girls’ education”  Malala Yousafzai

Diary of a Pakistani Schoolgirl http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7889120.stm, visit also http://malalayousafzai.webnode.com/