Friday, May 30, 2014

Anna Karenina: Jealousy x Envy




Complete the blanks with ENVY/JEALOUS/ENVIOUS/JEALOUS
 
_____________ - DEFINITION

To bear a grudged toward someone due to coveting what that person has or enjoys. In a milder sense, it means the longing for something someone else has without any ill will intended toward that person

_____________ - DEFINITION

To be apprehensive or vengeful out of fear of being replaced by someone else. It can also mean watchful, anxiously suspicious, zealous, or expecting complete devotion.

Example:

I always ____________ his possessions or situation.

I am ______________ that you like him over me.

______________ is a desire to possess what someone else has.

She was ___________ of her friend who vacationed in exotic places and posted her pictures on Facebook.

_________________ is the fear that what you possess will be taken from you.

Jane's harmless flirting with the valet was enough to throw her boyfriend into a fit of _____________ rage.



Key: Envy/Jealousy/envy/jealous/Envy/envious/Jealousy/jealous


Watch the movie segment and complete the blank with envy, jealousy, or their different word forms.


1. Princess Kitty was  _____________ of her fiance. She didn't trust him.

2. Anna Karenina was asked to dance by Kitty's fiance. This made her even more ______________.

3. When Kitty decided to dance with her fiance again, ____________________ was evident in Anna Karenina's eyes.

4. Some people are not as rich as the hosts. This makes some of them ________________  their possessions.

5. Some women looked down on them, clearly disapproving their behavior. They were probably _____ of their love.


Key: jealous/jealous/jealousy/envy/envious


Discuss the questions.

1. How jealous are you? What makes you jealous?

2. How envious are you? What makes you envious?

3. How do you control your jealousy?

4. What is worst? Jealousy or envy?

5. If someone is not jealous of their lover, doe sit mean he/she does not love him;her enough?

6. Is jealousy a healthy feeling? What about envy?


MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - ANNA KARENINA

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Despicable Me 2: Happiness

Despicable Me 2 is one rare case of a sequel that is as good as or even better than the first one. I love Gru, his contradictory personality, and the little girls, especially Agnes. The topic of this post - Happiness -  was a suggestion I received from a reader of this blog. The song Happy by Pharrell Williams and this scene are perfect to trigger schemata. Thanks for the suggestion. 



I. Talk to a partner:

1. What is happiness in your own words?

2. Tell each other five things that make you happy.

3. Tell each other three things that make you unhappy.

4. Many people say that no one is really happy. They claim that people have moments of happiness in their lives, but that no one is really happy. What do you think about this idea?


According to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, here is the definition of happiness:

a state of well-being and contentment
a pleasurable or satisfying experience  


        
5.  Did you define happiness (Ex: 1) the same way as the dictionary did? How different or similar are yours and the dictionary's definition?

6. Read some other people's definition of happiness. Then decide if you agree with them and why (not).

Quotes taken from http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2008/07/03/what-is-happiness-10-definitions-of-happiness/

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.Mahatma Gandhi
Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values.Ayn Rand
Happiness is something that you are and it comes from the way you think.Wayne Dyer
Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation.William H. Sheldon
Happiness is not a reward – it is a consequence.Robert Ingersoll
Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing.George Sheehan
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.Aristotle
Happiness is not something you experience, it’s something you remember.Oscar Levant
Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.
Margaret Lee Runbeck
Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.Denis Waitley
II. Watch the movie segment and answer the questions:



1. Why was Gru so happy?

2. What are some of the things that make him happy?

3. How does his happiness affect the people around him?

4. Was he truly happy or was it just pleasure? Or both? Or neither?

5. Agnes asked Gru what he could do to help himself. What should he do?

6. Have you ever felt like Gru? Talk about it.

7. What are some of the things that make both Gru and yourself happy?

8. How can people look for happiness? What do you do to be happy?

III. Sing the movie's song:


It might seem crazy what I'm about to say
Sunshine she's here, you can take away
I'm a hot air balloon, I could go to space
With the air, like I don't care baby by the way

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don't hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don't waste your time
Here's why

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Happy, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Happy, bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy to bring me down
Can't nothing, bring me down
I said 

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do


MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - DESPICABLE ME 2

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Blue Jasmine - Financial Literacy

I love Woody Allen and this movie is one of his best. The actors are superb and the story is a mixture of funny and dramatic situations. It's a must for Woody Allen's fans.











I. Discuss the questions below with a partner.

1. What is financial literacy, in your opinion.
2. How can financial literacy benefit consumers of all ages?
3. How informed are people about financial literacy?
4. How does your level of financial literacy affect your quality of life?

II. Now read the text below and check your answers:

Taken from the informative site:




Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one donates to charity) to help others.
In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand how money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping – by investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To understand money and how it works, it’s important to understand common financial literacy principles such as; financial goals, budgeting, investments, superannuation, contracts and employment models.


Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown that most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the concept of compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out financial information before making financial decisions. Most financial consumers lack the ability to choose and manage a credit card efficiently, and lack of financial literacy education is responsible for lack of money management skills and financial planning for business and retirement.


Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing for retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on financial risks without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a large proportion of the population because of financial illiteracy. Youth on average are less financially capable than their elders.


Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income levels. For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can provide basic tools for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt can be kept controlled. Financial education can help families acquire the discipline to save for their own home and/or for their children’s education. It can help older workers ensure that they have enough savings for a comfortable retirement by providing them with the information and skills to make wise investment choices with their individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help low-income people make the most of what they are able to save and help them avoid the high cost charged for financial transactions by non-financial institutions.


Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and family, your attitude to money and investment, as well as your contribution to your community. Financial literacy enables people to understand what is needed to achieve a lifestyle that is financially balanced, sustainable, ethical and responsible. It also helps entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for business to generate sales and profits.



III. Watch the segment from the movie Blue Jasmine and discuss the questions in small groups.





1. How financially literate is Jasmine? Explain it.

2. What about her ex-husband?

3. How did the way they dealt with their finances affect their lives? What advice would you give them both?

4. How does Jasmine manage her finances now? Is she financially literate now? Justify it.

5. How do you see yourself? Are you financially literate? Why (not)?

6. How can you you improve your finances now?

7. Do you take care of your future? Do you have retirement plans? Investments? Debts? Explain how you manage your financial life?

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - BLUE JASMINE
Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one donates to charity) to help others.
In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand how money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping – by investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To understand money and how it works, it’s important to understand common financial literacy principles such as; financial goals, budgeting, investments, superannuation, contracts and employment models.
Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown that most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the concept of compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out financial information before making financial decisions. Most financial consumers lack the ability to choose and manage a credit card efficiently, and lack of financial literacy education is responsible for lack of money management skills and financial planning for business and retirement.
Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing for retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on financial risks without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a large proportion of the population because of financial illiteracy. Youth on average are less financially capable than their elders.
Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income levels. For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can provide basic tools for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt can be kept controlled. Financial education can help families acquire the discipline to save for their own home and/or for their children’s education. It can help older workers ensure that they have enough savings for a comfortable retirement by providing them with the information and skills to make wise investment choices with their individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help low-income people make the most of what they are able to save and help them avoid the high cost charged for financial transactions by non-financial institutions.
Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and family, your attitude to money and investment, as well as your contribution to your community. Financial literacy enables people to understand what is needed to achieve a lifestyle that is financially balanced, sustainable, ethical and responsible. It also helps entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for business to generate sales and profits.
- See more at: http://www.cybf.ca/2013/meaning-financial-literacy/#sthash.InvtV2DI.dpuf
Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one donates to charity) to help others.
In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand how money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping – by investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To understand money and how it works, it’s important to understand common financial literacy principles such as; financial goals, budgeting, investments, superannuation, contracts and employment models.
Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown that most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the concept of compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out financial information before making financial decisions. Most financial consumers lack the ability to choose and manage a credit card efficiently, and lack of financial literacy education is responsible for lack of money management skills and financial planning for business and retirement.
Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing for retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on financial risks without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a large proportion of the population because of financial illiteracy. Youth on average are less financially capable than their elders.
Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income levels. For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can provide basic tools for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt can be kept controlled. Financial education can help families acquire the discipline to save for their own home and/or for their children’s education. It can help older workers ensure that they have enough savings for a comfortable retirement by providing them with the information and skills to make wise investment choices with their individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help low-income people make the most of what they are able to save and help them avoid the high cost charged for financial transactions by non-financial institutions.
Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and family, your attitude to money and investment, as well as your contribution to your community. Financial literacy enables people to understand what is needed to achieve a lifestyle that is financially balanced, sustainable, ethical and responsible. It also helps entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for business to generate sales and profits.
- See more at: http://www.cybf.ca/2013/meaning-financial-literacy/#sthash.InvtV2DI.dpuf
Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works: how someone makes, manages and invests it, and also expends it (especially when one donates to charity) to help others.
In-depth knowledge of financial literacy is required to understand how money works and how it can work for you – even when you’re sleeping – by investing in profitable areas like the stock or money market. To understand money and how it works, it’s important to understand common financial literacy principles such as; financial goals, budgeting, investments, superannuation, contracts and employment models.
Research studies across countries on financial literacy have shown that most individuals (including entrepreneurs) don’t understand the concept of compound interest and some consumers don’t actively seek out financial information before making financial decisions. Most financial consumers lack the ability to choose and manage a credit card efficiently, and lack of financial literacy education is responsible for lack of money management skills and financial planning for business and retirement.
Most potential retirees lack information about saving and investing for retirement. Many people fail to plan ahead and they take on financial risks without realizing it. Problems of debt are severe for a large proportion of the population because of financial illiteracy. Youth on average are less financially capable than their elders.
Financial education can benefit consumers of all ages and income levels. For young adults just beginning their working lives, it can provide basic tools for budgeting and saving so that expenses and debt can be kept controlled. Financial education can help families acquire the discipline to save for their own home and/or for their children’s education. It can help older workers ensure that they have enough savings for a comfortable retirement by providing them with the information and skills to make wise investment choices with their individual pension and savings plans. Financial education can help low-income people make the most of what they are able to save and help them avoid the high cost charged for financial transactions by non-financial institutions.
Your level of financial literacy affects your quality of life significantly. It affects your ability to provide for yourself and family, your attitude to money and investment, as well as your contribution to your community. Financial literacy enables people to understand what is needed to achieve a lifestyle that is financially balanced, sustainable, ethical and responsible. It also helps entrepreneurs leverage other people’s money for business to generate sales and profits.
- See more at: http://www.cybf.ca/2013/meaning-financial-literacy/#sthash.InvtV2DI.dpuf