First class at CPE London course

March 8th 2016 – Tuesday

It is funny how differently we can feel time, depending on what situation we are, what we are doing, and (mainly) on how happy we feel.

From now on (I don’t really know if I will be able to do it every day) I’ve decided to write the diary in English, after being to class this morning, actually my first CPE class, and realized I need lots of practice, in all the skills. So far, the best skill I have is reading, probably because this was what I did most of the time in college. Speaking is still a challenge, but, not more than listening. Writing may be a little better than those, although not as good as reading.

I will do my best. That’s why I am here. And that’s also why I am particularly happy today. I have the feeling that I am exactly in the right place, doing exactly what I wanted. The level of the course is really a CPE one and the teacher and other students are very interesting.

The first class was about ‘giving opinion about movies’. I simply loved it. We learned a lot of new vocab, expressions and besides, the teacher knows a lot about movies. And guess what, he is a philosopher! How amazing! He is funny, witty, linguistically competent and friendly.

He could be a little less centered, you know, the TTT stuff, but it is ok.

I met a girl from Morroco, who is kind of shy and a little moody. There is another one from Switzerland, the French part of it. She seems to be cool.

The classes take long: from 8 am to 1pm (and there is one hour of self-study in the study center, which is optional). There will be days I will probably stay there and study, but others I may want to come home and do it here.

I was kind of worried about my meals,  because I wasn’t able to find  a healthy and cheap place to eat yet, apart from Subway, where I can get a salad and chicken. This is good, because I pay 5 pounds and the chicken is hot. Today I went to a place called ‘Let’s eat’. It is the same as Subway, but a little more expensive. And the chicken is not hot. So, this is not really a better option than Subway.

Today I was able to shop at Sainsburry. They have very nice things there and the price is a bit better than here, close to my home. Here I shop at M&S, that is in kIng’s Cross (St. Pancras) station. I like it better, though.

It was nice that I could study in the afternoon even though I was really tired, especially because I did not have a good night sleep yesterday. Maybe I was anxious for the class or worried about shopping, or everything together.

There are a few students in my groups, so I like it better.

The second class of the day was Literature, with a very outgoing teacher. He is really friendly and talkative. We learned some vocab in poems, we discussed ‘love’. The level of the discussion was superficial and the audience was not academic, but the conversation was nice and the vocab really added to my English.

I did my vocab book today and I started the induction in K+ tools (the online database of exercises). I just LOVED it. It is an outstanding tool. We can practice reading, writing, listening and grammar everywhere, because we can do it through mobile phone, laptop or in the school.

There is also something really good about K+ tools : I can write my texts and it goes straight to my teacher, who will mark them and give them back to me with the feedback. Isn’t that fantastic?

I feel so divided by my excitement for London and all the attractions, and my interest in the course and the chance to get really prepared for a certificate that will be extremely important to my career in Brazil.

Oh my God, how short this month has become for me!!

Today I heard from Mara, in Brazil. She told me everything is ok there. Uhhh  what a relief. I think about my cats, especially Rain. She is the apple of my eyes. I think about my nephew too. I would like him to have a chance to see and experience everything I am experiencing now.

I think of my mum. When I got here, on the following day ( on Sunday) it  was Mother’s day. =)

I wish my mum, my dad and my brothers  were in a better life situation, I would be so happy to share with them everything I am learning, living, trying and growing here.

My aunt sent me another message, inviting me to go there. But I don’t think it is a good idea at the moment.

I can’t even communicate with my father. He does not use any modern devices and my phone is not working for calls or text messages.  

I hope I can do it tomorrow. (fix this thing with my mobile).  I have to go to a store called ‘Three’.

I also hope I can study more tomorrow, practice some physical exercises and have a better meal.

I bought myself a French (onion) soup for dinner that I could hardly eat. I hated it, so I had to make myself a sandwich and a yogurt.

I will have some reading before sleeping.

Meditation is also helping a lot during this trip, especially the ‘techniques’ Iearned with Ekhart Toll, in his book “O poder do agora”. This is incredibly significant for someone who wants to understand about meditation. I am enjoying it completely.

That’s all for today (but never fully convinced that the day has finished!)