I mean it doesn't happen that often that you spend a whole month at home and it's not just that we have to stay at home. All the consequences that the Covid-19 pandemic brings are very unusual for me and properly also for others. A whole month that the world holds its breath. A month in which we do not meet friends, in which we do not go outside to eat an ice cream although the sun is shining, in which the shopping streets and pedestrian zones of the inner cities are empty, in which we cannot celebrate our birthdays as usual, in which we cannot go and train as we like because the gyms and public sport facilities are closed. But even if it looks like the world stopped completely it is not totally like this. Because even if a lot of things happen in front of the computer screens in the living rooms of the world, something happens. Also here even if it is not exactly like it was happening before the pandemic. For example, my German lessons. Even if there were somewhat difficult conditions this month, we tried to make the lessons as good as possible. via zoom and with the arrow on the split screen, instead of the finger on the PowerPoint presentation on the canvas in the office. But the mood is still good because even if everyone is at home alone now, we are making progress without forgetting the fun. So, it happens from time to time that we drift away from the actual topic for 5 or even 10 minutes. But in my opinion, such things are some of the most beautiful things in class, because it's not just about learning, it's also about talking to each other and getting to know each other better and better. You also have to admit that sometimes it is a little more interesting what you experience and how you feel than learning a little more grammar. Of course, it's not like we're just talking and having fun. but sometimes you have to take it a bit easier.
Just like I teach German to the Internet, I now also have the lessons in which I learn Slovene from home. I have to say that I have made some progress and that my Slovenian has already improved. Of course, it was not too difficult since I didn't speak a single word Slovene before I came to Maribor. In the meantime, however, I am able to introduce myself, handle some situations while shopping and in the supermarket in Slovenian, do some small talk and even a bit more. Should also be so, because the course is as good as finished and only the final test is still pending. Of course, I hope that I will do well or at least mediocre in this test. Anyway, I will try to stay positive and do my best. And without a doubt I'll let you know what the outcome of this final test was. But for the moment I have spoken enough about learning languages, because there are also other things that were special for me this month. The RUBRIKA: FILMOPEKA project ended this month. It was definitely one of my favorite projects and I learned a lot. I will remember all the things that I learned and the fun I had and take them with me. I am especially grateful that I had the chance to try something in this project that I always wanted to try but still never had done before. I was able to do my first reviews guided by a real professional, with all the support I needed and in a safe environment. The final task was a review of one of my favorite films. After a few deliberations, I decided to go with Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece "The Godfather. I like the film, which was released in 1972, so much that I could watch it every day, literally. In addition to the brilliant acting by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Robert Duvall, but also on the pop-cultural iconized phrases such as: "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse". I enjoyed writing the review for "the godfather". However, the end of RUBRIKA: FILMOPEKA left me with a laughing and a crying eye. I will keep the nice memories of this project, but I am also a little sad that it is over.
Therefore, we had two events as part of the aunt Rosa library. It was the first time for me that we had an event like this as a webinar. That was really new and exciting for me. The first of the two events was about Simone de Beauvoir and her book “The Second Sex”. Simone de Beauvoir was a famous French writer, social theorist, political activist, feminist, and philosopher. Originally published in the French language, in two volumes and is 1949 is “The Second Sex” a lengthy study of the sources of women's inequality. The webinar was very good because we first had a brief presentation about her and the contents of the book followed by a discussion round. The discussion was very insightful for me because I could hear the ideas, opinions and convictions of others and talk to them about my own.
The second event was centered about Donna Haraway’s life and work. Also, at this event on the world book day, our webinar was structured in the same way as the previous one. I also enjoyed this event. One of my last jobs in April was to interview the psychologist Juan. I was able to ask him some questions about the current situation and get his expertise. In addition, I was able to find out how he takes care of himself during times of lockdown and which tricks he would recommend. So even if it looks like the world is standing still, there was a lot to do. In conclusion, I can only say that I have tried to make the best of the time and that I hope that from now on it will go up again.
Lucas
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