Excessive consumerism. Part I

Shopping deprivation has become my worst nightmare.

The modern society has imposed on us some rules. As you may know, I'm a private tutor. In recent years I've met people from different social classes. I've spent time with many victims of excessive consumerism what lead me to... let my guard down. Obviously, I was criticizing them, but I was doing it with kindness because I'm polite :D 

To my mind, we are overwhelmed by advertisements that are telling us what we need. I have never been so impulsive in the way in which I spend my money. A clear example of this is the burning desire of spending 179 zł in a simple red bra. Intimissimi has launched an aggressive advertising campaign which attacks my most vulnerable point. I adore Christmas. The intensive red color of the bra reminds me of Christmas. Consequently, it has captivated me (I've already seen the bra on Facebook, TV, at a leaflet etc.). Normally I try to acquire only the goods that I need. Nevertheless, I purchased plenty of clothes because of perceiving some of it as work of art.

Helping people

Let me say a few words about helping people

 Being a compassionate person bring a lot of people to poor and unlucky group of countries - Latin America. In 2010, the torrential rain and the widespread flooding as the result of it brought aid workers to Panama and Venezuela. As you will see, the trait of character that I've already mentioned is not obligatory. A friend of mine confessed me that she went there because some rich people paid her ticket so she saved money. After faked a truly need of deliver aid, she set up to visit Argentina.

Undoubtedly, the work of charity workers is underestimated. They're trying to improve the lives of the less privileged through many actions. An opportunity to have an education or thepossibilityy to get a job is given to them by volunteers who, for example, give classes. UNICEF is one of theorganizationss that have saved many kids by providing vaccines o other medication. The other dimension of their support is related to sanitation, education, nutrition etc. Opponents of UNICEF claim that the consequences of some methods that they use can be damaging. The containers that they offer to the Mayantribess in order to keep water there are pretty dangerous. The aim is to give access to drinking water but eventually in that specia the ambient temperature and conditions water goes bad quickly.

Marriage based on love?

Have you ever heard about the TV show "Married At First Sight"(Ślub od pierwszego wejrzenia). No? OK. Can you imagine that people decide voluntarily to marry a complete stranger? Does it sound to you like an arranged marriage? You may also have heard that "the war is what we should experience" when somebody is wasting food. Undoubtedly, it's a cruel what I have already written. As far as I'm concerned in developed countries the economic well--being or, in general, well-being has lead us to stupidity.

Seeking love isn't pathetic, but the way of looking for it may be ridiculous. In "Married At First Sight" the expertise of some psychologist allows to estimate the level of compatibility of future spouses. To my mind, It is highly likely that they will get divorced. On the other hand, a "normal" marriage also can be a total failure. As time passed by, frequently it results that a perfectly matched couple completes perfectly divorce papers. 

Why the participants are so impatient? They have to be completely desperate. Obviously, not everybody is able to enjoy the single life or can wait for Mr Right. If I were old (with an enormous wrinkle on my forehead) and single I would sing up for the show. It would be better to have somebody who could help me with all the tiring household chores.

I still haven't miss any episode because I laugh to tears. 

Procrastination. level 122551125

I perfectly know how I' m going to waste time in January. Honestly, it's pretty discouraging. Every year I observe the same behaviour pattern. I have become an expert in "how to successfully avoid studying".

Last year when I was overwhelmed by work I used to fire up my laptop, put on my lap a piece of freshly baked cake and start my search for cheap flights. Preparing for a test will never be a pleasure, but an apple pie provides... it gives you two hours more to serenity. It is said that doing all the household chores before exams is a perfect example of procrastination. Seriously? If I were this type of student I would be glad. Unfortunately, going on trips has always been my innate weakness. I would like to live in a clean room rather than in a messy one. On the other hand, the opportunity of seeing views that last forever sounds totally appealing. My scruffy room is a a type of view that you will never forget... And the obnoxious smell will attack your poor nose :D
Having organized a trip to Albania, I finally took notes of some pages from the textbook. After studying 15 minutes, I realised that I had to prepare a travel check list. I subconsciously found another lame excuse. I was filled with joy while I was packing my suitcase (a month earlier). The truth is that ty travel list was quite ridiculous but you never know what will need. I'm a "precise" traveller. Let me show you a small thing. Having this is a vital part of every trip. 

Being clumsy forces me to be well-equipped. That's the reason why I always carry a small tool to fix everything that I will spoil. Surprisingly, this tape can work as a bandage. It may be painful a little bit but it's still better than spending five euro in sticking plasters.

3 Catalonia

 It is believed that Catalonia wants the independence because of funds that they have lost recently. Perhaps it can be one of the reasons. Barcelona is one of the wealthiest regions in Spain. Consequently, a pretty big part of the high taxes go to the poorest regions. Catalonia has always been considered "the industrial heartland of Spain". It's painful to observe how the economic situation is changing. For investors the escalation of the conflict is connected with risk which they prefer to avoid. I spent a few months in a small city near to Tarragona. I perfectly understand why the want to declare independence from Spain. They have their own culture and language what make them feel like a community. The unity makes them strong as if they were a big family. I went to a manifestation during Diada which is the National Day of Catalonia. As its gathers a thousands of demonstrators, the atmosphere there was as unique as their culture.

 

As far as I'm concerned they will never abandon their attempts to be an independent state. I have to say that some of them are vain and think that Catalonia is better than stinky Spain. Many Catalans didn't want to speak Spanish unless I begged them. Ok, no more malicious comments.  During the dictatorship of Francisco Franco it was strictly forbidden to speak Catalan. All the political activity was carried out with only one aim. Destroy the language and customs. Undoubtedly, people became instruments of politics and ideology. 3,500 people were killed at the Battle of Ebro in 1938 because of political ambitions of Franco. This battle is called the bloodiest one of the Civil War.

 

The truth is that their culture differ from the Spanish one. The Catalan authorities were determined

to achieve theirs goal without bloodshed. As there there isn't a legal basis for treating Catalonia as an independentt state, the situation will deteriorate.

 

 

2 Zoos

Last week I visited one of Polish zoos. If I had known something more about that place I wouldn't have gone there. However, it was a rich experience. I haven't visited many zoos because of being too gentle. Nobody is willing to see how an animal can suffer. Recently many improvements have been implemented but even with rigorous inspections the number of zoos that should be closed down is alarming. There're many happenings or events which aim is to draw attention to this problem. 

On the world map we can find many places like Cabarceno. It's an enormous area which were created to keep animals from all over the world in semi-liberty. If you want to see the whole park it's not recommended to on foot or by bicycle. You can drive your own car. As you can see it's not totally environmentally friendly because of the exhaust fumes. 

I'm not sure if they keep many species that are going to extinct or animals in danger of extinction. I remember that they have some endangered species, especially predatory birds. They also offer a spectacular display with birds of prey.

Despite being against animals in captivity the idea of Cabarceno is less damaging than keeping animals in a traditional zoo. It is said that zoos protect animals from starvation, drought or another natural disaster. But why have we always tried to interfere with the nature?

1 A nice evening

If I were an animal I would be the most skittish one. I'm getting scared for no reason. As you can guess, that's makes me furious. If I were brave I would do so many exciting things! I have been trying to become courageous. I was truly convinced that a shock therapy would work. I went on a trip with some intrepid friends. We decided to visit historical places. They let my guard down. Because of violent deaths every place or even a treacherous road can become spooky. Historical places meant for them creepy castles... They wanted to go to a site of a gruesome murder. I didn't believe them so I asked if they had known what's really gruesome? A day at my university. It really hurts when you are making a joke and, surprisingly, results that you have chosen a bad moment to be funny... 

We got into the castle with (totally useless because of the profound darkness) flashlights. Everybody was willing to hear another ghost story except me. My friend was wandering around the castle's room and... suddenly he gave me a fright! I started to scream. I also heard a pent laughter. I realised what had happened and then I was going to kill him. Dying of daggering would be a nice death. When I managed to get out I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. 

No creepy places, please!