The ELT Mini Conference in Bihać & Other News

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Last month my dear colleague Nizama and I had the honour of presenting our work to English teachers from the Una-Sana Canton at the “ELT Mini Conference: Linguistic Approach to Teaching” in Bihać. Organised by TETA and American Corner Bihać, this one-day seminar was the perfect opportunity to share the knowledge with fellow English teachers – and so much fun to do! The photo above shows us all against the wonderful Una backdrop, and I think the only one who’s missing is the lovely Mirela Midžić from the AC – thank you for everything, especially the “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” (she knew I love Stephen King because my students come to her to loan his books XD)! Also, big kudos to colleagues Elma and Edin, as well as everyone who came that day to our mini conference.

In case you were wondering, Nizama and I recently did a research on teaching phrasal verbs using conceptual domains – fascinating stuff!

Here’s us at the beginning of our presentation:

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This wasn’t the only such event in the past few months – there was also the amazing IATEFL Conference in Slovenia, then a couple of school seminars in Teslić and Sarajevo, and right now I’m preparing for the 4th International FLTAL Conference in Sarajevo next week (presenting a paper on metaphors in politics – wish me luck!)

Some visuals from Slovenia (with Nizama, Lisa, Elma, and Danka):

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Soon I will also have news on my second book. Until then:

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“The Greatest Fight On Earth”

Deathstars_Andreas_Salzburg_01Things often happen in my life that have an obvious serendipitous nature. While Claudia and I were waiting for the Hurts gig to start (past Sunday), we were talking about Deathstars and their upcoming album – five minutes later, I saw the announcements for future events in Gasometer, one of them being the Deathstars gig on my birthday next year! My love for Deathstars marked a big part of my life, especially after I met Andreas and the gang on EXIT Festival in 2006 (remember that night, Olga?) Their particular brand of darkness always suited my palate, so to speak. Time to enjoy old memories of hanging out with the guys with two of my favourite songs by them, “Syndrome” and “The Greatest Fight On Earth” – until spring, my darlings!

(Andreas and I, Salzburg, Austria, April 2007)

/Such a violent syndrome tapped to your spine
It’s a virus storm and it’s about to be born

Such a violent word that wants to be heard
You got me deep within and under your skin

I’m gonna touch you inside
I’m gonna be your little child
Right where your blood runs wild
Inside, that’s where I’ll hide/

/Absorb all their fears, Collect all their minds
We’ll be the snakes wherever they’ll play
And we’ll be the demons whenever they’ll pray
…It’ will be the greatest fight on the earth

Snatch the wings of a fly
Spit on them and nail them to my spine
Say ”little insect now fly away”
But I’ll be the demon in every psalm you pray

The disease, the love, the claws, the blood
The empty clinics of savaged hearts
The rusty nails in lidless eyes
…And the skin won’t ever be cleansed from the dirt…

Come here
Now come here
Let me smell your fears/

World Animal Day & World Teachers’ Day Celebrations!

Last Friday, October 4th, marked a great day – World Animal Day Celebration under the title “B&H Has A Heart For Animals” was held in our school and more than 200 pupils danced, sang, drew and melted their big hearts into an even bigger one for animals!

I am so happy to have such great friends and family who helped me organize the whole thing. It was a blast! Next to such human souls, it’s very easy to be the World Animal Day ambassador for Bosnia and Herzegovina.^^

Here are some photos from the celebration:

Here’s the link to the official news on the website of our Animal Protection Society “Warm Paw”, and here’s the link to the site of our local radio station.

The same night my colleagues from almost every school in my town and I celebrated World Teachers’ Day (even though it was technically the day after, on October 5th), and the wonderful evening up on our Old Castle reminded me just how much I love my job! Or should I say: I job my love? ^^

I had a special vegan dinner, courtesy of my syndicate representative Almira!

Not even the fact that earlier that day I cut my finger so badly I had to go to the ER in the afternoon to get a stitch or two didn’t ruin this perfect day! Which brings me to the song of the day: