15

In this post I'm going to write some words about my study at English course.
Firstly, I think that my studies at this course was really useful for me, because now I make grammar and spelling mistakes more seldom than I did at the beginning of this course. My essays become more logical. Secondly, I've learnt how to organize my speech in correct way. It should be interesting and simply understand for audience. Thirdly, I start to understand easier English speech and now I mostly understand all films I watch in English and music with English words. So, I consider I really improve my writing and speaking skills.
Now about what I'm waiting from the English course next term. As it is a reading course, I suppose I'll improve my reading skills, start to read faster and know many of new words. Anyway, this skill will be very useful for me. Also, I'm planning to start speak English more correctly than I do it now. But now I'm sure that my English will become better. I think, that it's because I spent time learning English (including our classes) more than any when. So, that's all for now, and I sincerely wish everyone to spend their holidays in the best way and to sleep enough.

14

I suppose this is the last our free-choise post, but I don't know what to write about.
When I listen on radio or see on the TV that there are only two weeks before the New Year I'm surprising very much. Maybe it's because I haven't a free time at all and that's why I'm counting days not before 1st January, but before the beginning of holidays. However there are too much deadlines and important tests before it that I don't even know from which to start. Because of it I often forget about some of my assignments.  For example, I remembered that I should write a post in my blog today only ten minutes ago, when I was doing my biology assignments. And I afraid to forget to bring a laptop on tomorrow English lesson, because all creative part of my presentation is there. I thought that the presentation is the only work I should do to my English class on tomorrow. But there wasn't. The worst thing for me now that tomorrow will be a very important math test, which will be a 40% from our final grade, but I haven't enough time to get ready for it because of other course assignments. It's seems to me that this week, especially wednesday and Thursday are the hardest days on this semester. At next week there are only two midterms, including English writing practice, so that week will be easier.
That's all for now, I'm going to continue doing biology.

13

It's not easy to write a critique, because I think, that my essay is perfect. So I'm gonna to get for it 100%.

It was a kind of a strange joke, or maybe sarcasm, I don't know. But the truth is that I'm really tired now, because it is 4 a. m. Frankly speaking, it's the first time I going to bed so late (or maybe so early) because of studies. I have never thought that I would study so hard, as I do it know. 

Now about my essay. I suppose, the best pert of my essay is its theme. Unfortunately, I don't know does it really suit to David's assignment, but I really like it. It was really interesting for me to know more about the gap year in UK, and, in my opinion, this theme more interesting than economics researches or something like that. Maybe the reason is that I am not as big fan of economics as others students of HSE-NES. 

Now about my essay weaknesses the most weak part of my essay is "Work sited page". Now, I think, I can't improve it more, but it was very difficult for me to follow its rules, and I'm not sure I follow all of them. But it's too routine work for me, because I hate spending many time on the one type work.

Someone can say that I'm too critical, but I'm really tired at the moment I'm writing this post, so be indulgent, please.

12. Hard weekends

Yesterday I wake up quite early in the morning for weekend and decided to write an essay on social anthropology and do my math homework. But when I came to the laptop I understood that the charger doesn't work. After short inspection I realize that the problem is inside, because something burnt there. So, I went to the electronic shops, but in only one shop I found the charger that I was needed. But when I return home there was a time to go to the cinema, because I have already had an appointment with my friend. 

We decided to go on "Twilight. Saga. Breaking dawn. part 2" because  there were not other good films, but I haven't seen the first parts of "Twilight", and it was difficult for me to understand the essence of the film, so I asked all questions to my friend and she explained me. The strange thing that I mention at the cinema was that most of people went there not because they are interesting in film, but because they want to laugh on it. Many people were laughing at not funny moments and even at sad. 

It was nearly 9 p. m. when I came home and remembered that there is a deadline to the essay on social anthropology at 10, so I started to write it very fast. Of cause, I was late, but only on a half of an hour. But when I sent it on my.nes I was said that the deadline was postponed at the next day evening. At night I was trying to solve the 3 assignment from math homework, but that try wasn't successful and I went to bed about 3 a.m.

Today morning I wake up because my dog ran to my room with loudly barking and after him was running my mum trying to catch him. I was said that the reason of such strange behavior is that my dog's hairdresser came, but he knows that woman and scared her very much. So, even at my weekend I couldn't sleep enough. I think, I'll finish at such a sad moment.

11.Internship

This post we should write about internship, based on two texts. The first one is “Take This Internship and Shove It” and the second “No Pay?  Many Interns Say, ‘No Problem’”. These texts support two different points of view: should the internship be paid or unpaid. I think that both opinions are partly right.

Firstly, during work students get many very useful skills and knowledge required for their future work. So this experience even without salary is profitable for students finished internship. Secondly, I suppose that students after internship get higher salaries, than students who finished magistracy and decided not to continue their education. So, in my opinion it is right that internship is unpaid, because it will pay off itself in future. 

From the other side, when employers choose which student to hire: a magister with quite high salary or a magister studying in the internship without salary, I think, employers will choose seconds, because it’s more profitable for them. The author of the first text writеs the same thing about this problem: “They create an oversupply of people willing to work for low wages, or in the case of interns, literally nothing”. 

I think, that unpaid internship has as advantageous as disadvantages, so I can’t support at all any of these points of view.

10. The New Year

If you ask Russian which holiday is his or her favorite, he or she with a high probability will say that it is the New Year. In my opinion, it's the most popular and famous holiday in Russia. As you guess the New Year is celebrating at night from 31^st December to 1^st January, and unlike Christmas in Europe or America it has nothing common with religious holidays. 

At the New Year all Russians buy a fir-tree and put on it many different colorful toys, those toys are mostly are made of glass, but sometimes you can find even a wooden toy on a fir-tree. There is also a luminous garland on it. The New Year is considered to be a family holiday. The whole family gathers around the table, eats different tasty things, communicates and decides was the last year good or not. After that, at 12.00 pm whole family listens the president’s speech and counts punches of one of Kremlin’s towers clock. When there were twelfth punch, all drink a full glass of champagne, make a wish and congratulate each other. There are many beautiful fireworks at the streets, so most people go out and shoot their own fireworks and watch fireworks of others. There is also another one nice New Year tradition. If there are little children in family a Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka is invited (in Russian he is called Ded Moroz). Father Frost asks children to sing him a song, or to tell a poem, or to dance. Then Ded Moroz and Snegurocka give children their presents (of course, if they were good and obedient children this year).

So, the New Year is very cool holiday and everyone likes it very much.

9

Unfortunately, I've never been in the USA, so I decided to compare Russia and Italy. 

1. People. When you arrive to Italy the first thing that you mention is always smiling and very emotional people. They talk loudly, with expressive intonation and many gestures. It’s a bit strange for Russian people, because in our culture it’s considered that people with good manners speak quietly and patiently; it’s very impolite to speak in a raised voice with others, of course, if they are not your friends.  Also in Russia it’s difficult to find a smiling man in Russia, especially in metro. All people are gloomy, tired and dissatisfied there. But in Italy you can see many smiling people in the streets, even if they are walking along.

2. The weather, climate and landscape. I like Italian climate very much. In summer it’s warm, sometimes hot, and always sunny. Winters are not as cold as Russian’s. Also there is a sea in Italy, and that’s why the air is wetter and fresher there. In European part of Russia the landscape is very flat, everywhere are plains. Of course, there are many plains in Italy too, but the terrain is hillier, and in north and west part of the country you can see quite high mountains.

3. Cities and towns. There are so narrow streets in Italian cities, except Rome. Also there is too little space and, as in others Europeans cities, there are no roads between buildings. Buildings in Russia more modern and mostly higher than in Italy. In Italy you can see many beautiful historical buildings preserved from Roman times.

I love Italy very much, but I think Russia is more suited to me.

8

7

Good evening everyone!
It's really good for me, because I had very good weekends and even did my math homework in time!
I'd like to write about it in details, but there is an assignment to our seventh blog, so I should write about my progress in English class.
To be honest, I've never done my homework to English lessons in school, because I was studying in math lyceum and English was for us a lesson where we could relax, chat with friends and laugh. So, I don't know English very well, but, I think, I made a big progress since I've entered a university. Firstly, I want to mention that, in my opinion, it's really cool that David is American and can't speak Russian. At English lessons in school I find it a bit strange when all Russian people speak English, despite, it's easier for all to communicate in Russian. Of course, I understood that we should do it to improve our speaking skills and someday I would speak English with a foreigner. But when I didn't know how to explain something to my teacher in English, I always said it in Russian and there wasn't any problem.  when your teacher is American, you can't speak Russian because he wouldn't understood you, and he also can't explain you something in Russian, so it's quite a big stimulation to improve your speaking and listening skills. In addition, due to the Microsoft Word where I type my essays and David's comments my grammar and punctuation skills become better and now I don't make mistakes in every word, as it was at the beginning. Also, I've learnt how to write essays with right structure, and this skill even sometimes helps when I'm writing essays to economics class. Furthermore, David's lessons aren't boring in contrast with my school English lessons, where we mostly did some grammar exercises.
In conclusion I wanna say that I really like David's lessons and find it very useful for me. I hope, speak, write and read in English as easy as in Russian, so I' m going to continue work hard in this class.

6

Hi everyone!
I don't know what to write in blog today, so I decided to turn on my imagination and dream a little. I'm very tired now and I'm looking forward to the consultation week, when I'm planning to have some rest and go shopping, because, unfortunately, I haven't time on it during the semester. Despite, all my friends will be studying hard at that time I hope to meet them and spend some time together. But I don't want to go on crowded and noisy parties with them, because I'm really tired of it and, to tell the truth, I can't do there what I really want to. In addition, I will be very happy if the snow falls and the weather is a little frosty. I'm in fond of snowy winters since early childhood, maybe it's because I associate it with the New Year's fairy-tales, when all dreams come truth, but to be honest, with my wishes it's happening very seldom, so I think it's rather a coincidence, than magic. Also, I hope to watch some of my favorites films at our consultation week. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to do this all, because of big homework.
So, that's all for today.
Maria

5

Today I'm going to tell you about one strange case which happened to me about week ago.

As usual, I was going home from the train station with my friend. Our way comes through the school where we were studied less than 5 month ago, so we were talking about our coming there to the party apropos the Lyceum Day which will be at the October 19. For the moment I saw something little and green in the pavement. Later when I looked there with more attention I understood that it was the parrot. As you know it’s not normal for cold Russian climate and nature to have such birds, so we decided that the parrot had flown from someone’s flat through the window. However, no one was looking for it, so we started catch it. Soon two boys joined us and we were trying to catch a parrot together. One of boys had two parrots at home, so he agreed to take it into his home. But it flaw really good and one time the parrot flaw from us to balcony of the 2 floor. In case of that, all our attempts finished unsuccessfully and we were forced to go home without saved parrot. No one knows what happened with it later, but I sincerely hope it is alive and safe now.

Thanks for reading my blog,

Maria

4

Hi!

I don't know what to write today, so I decided to tell you about my graduation party. It's was really cool.
Firstly, I want say something about my expectation from it. From one side, I was looking forward to this event since I was in four's form, but from other - there were so many friends of mine, that when i was thinking that I would see them more seldom than twice a month, I can't even imagine how can it happen. Frequently, I thought that all my problems will be solved after leaving school and all my dreams will become true. But sometimes, it seems that all my easy and happy life will be finished after graduation party. Maybe you find that strange, but in 6 and 7 forms I considered it really will be so. Anyway, the time was going fast and graduation approaches.
Now, about graduation itself. It was at the end of June and the weather was quite warm. All boys from my class were in new elegant suites and all girls in pretty dressers. The party began with presentation certificates in which were wrote that we successfully ended the school. After that, we went to the monument to the soldiers killed in the Second World War and lay flowers on that and realized balloons. We did it, because in 22 June, 61 years ago began the first German attack to the USSR and many boys, who had graduation only a day before were forced to leave home and go to protect our country and all world. After our return to the lyceum, the disco started went on before 6 a.m. When it was ended I with my friends decided to go to the Sparrow Hills and continued our celebration there. So we were walking there all morning.
At all, I liked our graduation party very much and I think that it was one of the best holidays in school.

3

I think everyone has his or her favorite place. For some people it can be a quiet place where they relax alone, for others - crowded square where they chat with friends.
Of course, I'm not an exception, and have such a nice place. But it is located neither in my native town nor in Moscow. Maybe it's strange, but it is in Saint-Petersburg. So, my favorite place is Anichkov Bridge over the Fontanka. As you have already guessed, it's in the city center and it's the part of the Nevskiy Avenue. I like that place for it's nontransferable atmosphere and unforgettable feeling of freedom which appears when you are staying on it and looking at ancient buildings, tourist boats and people who are always in harry, but despite that always late. Also you can smell a fresh sea air there, because Fontanka flows into the Gulf of Finland. When you look at Anichkov Bridge from the coast, you can see four statues of beautiful horses, made in natural size. It's seems, they are alive and can run away in every moment, however it will never happen. There are always a lot of noise and many cars and people, but it only help you to understand the difference between great ancient monument which is very static and everyday life with hectic people. At last, I'd like to recommend you to visit Anichkov Bridge and i hope, you'll like it very much.

2

Hi everyone! 

Although, studying year have just started, I have already very tired of waking up early in the mornings and doing homework all my free time. In addition, in this year autumn in Russia is very cold and cloudy, so that makes the situation worse.
That's why today I'd like to tell you about my pastime in this summer. When I think about my summer, there are three things that go to my mind firstly: my trip to the Saint-Peterburg, my cousin's coming and our family journey to Italy.
So, I'll start with our trip to the Saint-Petersburg. I went there with my friend, so it was quite funny and interesting for me. At first days we were walking at Nevskiy avenue (the most famous street there), went to the Hermitage and Russian museum. After excursion part we decided to have some fun and went for a walk, but when we were crossing Fontanka (the river) we listened strange screams. Despite white nights, it have already been too dark to see immediately where it was coming from, but after some time we understood, that there was someone in the water. It was the women screaming and asking to call to rescue service. We did that, but she couldn't swim any more, so we asked passing us guys to save her. When they dragged her to the ground she was alive and in mind, some time later emergency comes. After that case, we returned to the hotel and decided not to go anywhere. In our last time in Saint-Petersburg we went to the Petergof. In summary, I liked our trip very much and find it very useful and interesting to me.
The second thing coming to my mind when I'm thinking about my summer - my cousin's coming. I have two younger cousins, but unfortunately they live in Canada. So, I can see them very seldom and I was really glad to meet them again. They were living with us in our dacha for 4 weeks, so we had enough time to communicate with each other.
And finally the last, our journey to Italy. It wasn't the first time I've been there, but the place, where we was that time is really the best. It is near Milan, but on the coast. We were living in the small town called Santa- Margarita, but we also were in Genua, Portofino and Camolie - the nearest towns from our location. So, during all our trip we were enjoying ourselves sunbathing and swimming in crystal clear water. In other words, I like this trip so much, that I'm going to go there next year again.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that this holidays was really interesting and sometimes even unusual for me, so i'm looking forward to the next holidays.

1

Hi, David! My name is Maria, I am a NES student and now I'm writing this blog for you. According to your assignment, in first post I should introduce myself, but, to be honest, I don't know what to say.

I was born in Moscow, but  now I live in Korolev, not big town in Moscow region. Maybe you know, who is Korolev, but if you don't,  I remind you that he was the man who built a first spaceship. Today there is a space control center in my town. The population of Korolev is about 250.000 and i find my town quiet green, clean and pretty.

The last four years I was studied in the lyceum with science and engineering profile, and i liked it. I'm not really keen on physics and math, but there weren't many difficult  homework and classwork. Also I had many friends there and we've enjoyed studying process together. So it was quiet funny.

In childhood I have been engaged in ballroom dancing for 9 years, but in age of 13 for some reasons I decided to quit.

So, I think I wrote enough about myself, and now about my expectations from this class. I have been studied English since I was 6, but I don't know it well. So firstly I'd like to improve my grammar and reading skills. Despite that I think all parts of English course will be very useful for me.

I think it's all for today, meet you in class!