Saturday, May 11, 2024

Celebrating Achievements: Graduation.

Title: Celebrating Achievements: Graduation Ceremonies and Parties as Gateways to Precious Memories

with students in China (2023)

Introduction: Graduation marks a significant milestone in one's academic journey, signifying the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and growth. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and the creation of memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. Both graduation ceremonies and parties provide a unique opportunity to commemorate achievements, bond with loved ones, and serve as reminders of past victories, motivating us to strive for future success.

The Importance of Graduation Ceremonies: Graduation ceremonies hold a special place in our hearts. They symbolize the official recognition of our accomplishments and serve as a collective moment of pride for graduates, their families, and friends. Stepping onto the stage, donning the traditional cap and gown, and receiving that hard-earned diploma are experiences that create lasting memories. The solemnity of the occasion, the speeches filled with wisdom and inspiration, and the presence of fellow graduates foster a sense of camaraderie and unity, reinforcing the shared journey toward academic success.

Capturing the Essence of Graduation Parties: While graduation ceremonies evoke a sense of formality, graduation parties provide a joyful and lively atmosphere for celebrating this remarkable milestone. Parties offer an opportunity to mingle, relax, and revel in the achievements alongside friends and family. From the laughter-filled conversations to the congratulatory toasts, these gatherings create an ambiance of festivity that serves as the backdrop for creating cherished memories. Whether it's a small intimate gathering or a grand celebration, the collective joy and support expressed during graduation parties strengthen our sense of accomplishment and remind us of the people who have contributed to our success.

The Power of Memories: Memories have a profound impact on our lives. They serve as reminders of who we are, where we come from, and what we have achieved. The memories we make during graduation ceremonies and parties hold a special place in our personal narratives. They allow us to relive the excitement, pride, and joy of the moment, even years down the line. Memories have the power to transport us back in time, reigniting the emotions and motivation we felt during those pivotal moments. They remind us that we have conquered challenges before, serving as a driving force to propel us forward in future endeavors.

My graduation from Londrina State University (UEL) - 1994

The Role of Memories in Impelling Future Success: By relishing the memories of graduation ceremonies and parties, we gain an invaluable perspective on our capabilities and achievements. They remind us that we are capable of overcoming obstacles, and they reinforce the belief that we have what it takes to succeed in the face of future challenges. Memories of celebrating with loved ones, the encouragement received, and the pride witnessed can serve as a wellspring of motivation during times of doubt or hardship. They instill within us a sense of resilience and determination, urging us to continue striving for excellence.

my MBA graduation in Salt Lake City - 1999

Conclusion: Graduation ceremonies and parties provide the perfect platform to celebrate our academic achievements and create cherished memories. They serve as reminders of our past victories and propel us toward future success. By relishing these moments and treasuring the memories they create, we tap into a well of inspiration and confidence, knowing that we have the strength and ability to overcome any future obstacles. So, let us revel in the joy, embrace the camaraderie, and commemorate our achievements, for these memories are precious treasures that will guide us on our path to greatness.

As a teacher in china I got invitations to graduation parties. (watch in YouTube)

Another Graduation Party (watch in YouTube video1 / video2)

Article by Marcelo Gameiro
Published 07 Jun 2023

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Exploring Perspectives: Insights and Reflections

This week I did host the English Corner metting, and it was my third time discussing this topic, I did in Zhuzhou, Jiujiang and now here in Zhengzhou. it was about dating.

As I mentioned in previous posts, my status in China is always a topic of curiosity among the students. I have never hidden anything from them, so I have no problem sharing everything about my situation. I have been divorced for almost 10 years, even though I didn't want the divorce. Sometimes, I feel alone and so on, but I don't hesitate to discuss these things with my students.

On the other hand, I have also become curious about how things work in China, particularly the perspectives of the new generation regarding life, jobs, and relationships. This curiosity gave me an opportunity to ask them about their plans for the future. Surprisingly, I received more answers than I had expected saying marriage is not part of their plans. Many people, especially girls, expressed their lack of interest in getting married. They blamed the boys, claiming that they are not suitable for marriage.

Having been married and divorced myself, I understand how loneliness can be detrimental. Coming back to an empty home at the end of the day can be quite challenging. However, I try to focus my attention on my work and appreciate the adventure I am experiencing in China, which wouldn't have been possible if I were still married. So, overall, my life isn't that bad. Additionally, I am earning a good income. However, as I mentioned before and want to emphasize again, money alone doesn't bring happiness. It only makes life more comfortable, not necessarily happier.

I have attempted to highlight the advantages of getting married because I believe it can be a positive experience. I have witnessed the potential for happiness and personal growth through my parents' relationship. They stayed together for over 50 years until my father passed away last year.

My argument for marriage is that when it is done properly, it can lead to personal growth, maturity, and unimaginable happiness. I often refer to an experiment where people nearing the end of their lives were asked to answer a questionnaire about their lives. Not a single person stated that they wished they had spent more time working to make more money. Instead, they regretted not spending enough time with their loved ones (you can find that questionnaire in this post about dating).

Dating is a process that can lead to finding suitable partners for potential marriage. If the dating phase goes well, there is a good chance that marrying that person would work out. However, it is important to know what you are doing and pay attention to important aspects. If you date with the right intentions and considerations, the argument most students present for not wanting to get married would fall apart. It is possible to find good people with whom life would be better than staying alone.

Perhaps this is just my humble opinion, but in today's world with the internet, it is easy to find numerous women on social media who focused on their careers and remained single. Now, many of them regret that decision, especially since it is not as easy as it once was in their twenties to find a husband.

I am writing this post in the hope of providing a different perspective to those who disagree with me or are not considering marriage in their future. If they are wise, they will research this subject further to determine whether this is just someone's opinion or if there is some truth to it. It is crucial to consider all options before it becomes too late to change direction.

As a teacher, my main role is to teach students to think for themselves and make good decisions in life. Getting married is perhaps one of the most important decisions someone can make because it can have a profound impact on their life.

I hope this post prompts you to reflect, at least to some extent. Farewell for now.

You can watch it in YouTube or YouKu

PS: I have the recording of this week's English corner activity, where we delved into the topic of dating. It was an incredibly enjoyable and enlightening session. Not only was I able to share valuable insights and advice with the students, but I also learned a great deal from them. I absolutely adore these kinds of activities that allow me to spend quality time with students while engaging in such an awesome discussion.

I usually prepared the spirit of the student for such an activity with the quotes below in the social media group.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

An ordinary Saturday

Although my Saturday night didn't resemble John Travolta's iconic experience in the movie "Saturday Night Fever" from 1977, it was still incredibly enjoyable. Being alone in China could have potentially led to feelings of loneliness, but I discovered a simple solution to combat that. All I needed to do was take a trip to the university canteen, where I could find some company and potentially make new friends. Engaging in a pleasant conversation, playing a game, and having an amazing time were all part of the plan.

You may have noticed that I am a person who finds joy in the simple things. I don't require anything extravagant to appreciate life, nor do I feel the need to spend excessive amounts of money or seek attention. In fact, lavish activities lose their appeal when you're alone. Today, I didn't have anything particularly extraordinary planned. Instead, I spent time with some fellow students, enjoyed a delicious meal, and engaged in a lively card game for pure fun and enjoyment.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Not the results I expected.

Unexpected Results

If you have been following my posts, it won't come as a surprise that I eat with the students every day and befriend them. That's why I usually eat at the canteen. I also encourage the students to do the same, to not just eat at the canteen, but to also make new friends with other students as well.

However, what most of them fail to understand is that I also face rejections when trying to make friends. There can be various reasons for that, but the main one is my inability to speak Chinese, which leads to many misunderstandings.

Let me give you an example of what happened yesterday. I was standing in front of a food booth, trying to decide whether to eat there or not, when a student greeted me and mentioned that the food there was delicious. They offered to help me get the food if I had any trouble. At that point, I thought we would eating together, so I agreed to get the food from there. After getting my food, I noticed that they weren't getting any themselves, and after I got my food they said goodbye because they were going to eat on another floor. That was not what I expected, so I looked for another student to sit and talk with while eating. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side, as I ended up sitting with a student who didn't speak English and avoided engaging in conversation with me. After two attempts, most people would give up and call it a day, but I decided to give anther try.

Since I was still hungry, I got something else to eat and attempted to find another student to sit with. On the third try, I finally found the best student for my situation, those are the students who are majoring in English so they were proficient in English, and most of the time when I sit with kind of student, we had enjoyable conversations and a good time together because there was no language barrier. It also served as English practice for them, so they appreciate the opportunity as well.

After eating with them, I even got something else to eat on the first floor. I suppose I was quite hungry yesterday. Coincidentally, as I was leaving the second floor, I greeted a couple of students and noticed that they were now eating on the first floor. Naturally, I joined them and engaged in conversation. Usually people who say “Hi” to you , or greet you, or even establish eye contact from a distance, are the one you can approach expecting a very good interaction.

The lesson from this experience is that you can't lose many times in a row. If someone rejects you or you don't get what you want on the first try, it means you are one step closer to achieving your goal. If you didn't succeed the second time, now you are two steps closer. Keep trying because success may be just around the corner.

Fortunately, I recorded those incidents yesterday. However, I am only posting the positive interactions on YouTube, so the first 2 rejections was not in the video, but rest assured, I did fail twice before finding good company to eat with yesterday.

I believe life is like that for everybody, and knowing this, I hope you continue to strive for what you want. Success usually follows failure, and those who are afraid to try because of the fear of failure will never succeed. This applies to almost anything in life, not just making friends like I was attempting to do yesterday.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

The reason I skip English Corner Yesterday

Unlocking Opportunities: English Speech Contest and Its Benefits for Students

The reason I didn't go to the English corner yesterday was because I received an invitation to participate in an English speech contest. Initially, I was unaware of the purpose of the invitation, but it turned out that I was invited to be one of the judges. Coincidentally, I also met some of my friends from the English corner at the event.

Participating in the English speech contest was a delightful experience. Towards the end of the event, I was called upon to deliver a few words. I had recorded my remarks, which you can find on YouTube. During my speech, I emphasized the significance of such activities in providing students with opportunities to practice public speaking and overcome their nervousness. Only through practice can one truly develop these skills.

Moreover, engaging in these activities offers a safe environment where there is little at stake. The risks are minimal, perhaps only a few points, unlike real-life business situations where one's job or clients may be at risk. Students can enhance their abilities without endangering anything and have a great time in the process. Personally, I thoroughly enjoy attending such activities and sincerely hope to receive more invitations in the future.

Those who choose not to participate or attend such activities are unaware of what they are missing out on. It's possible that later in life, they may regret having missed the opportunity to improve themselves in a skill that holds significant importance in both business and job settings.

Saturday, April 6, 2024

Engaging Students with a Free Book Giveaway

Today I did something different. I got the idea from observing students on campus who found a way to make extra money by selling items. They would place their items on a bench, and others could choose what they wanted and pay for them. The prices were not high, and they relied on the honesty of the person picking up the product, as there was no one monitoring the transactions.

This is where I got the idea from.

My intention was to have fun and engage with students in a new way. However, if they didn't want to pay the small amount of 1 or 2 Yuan required, I would still give them the book. The main goal was to enjoy the experience and not make money.

While doing this, I recorded a video that was quite enjoyable. Many students passed by without responding to my invitation, probably assuming that I was selling something and they weren't interested in purchasing. However, those who stopped to see what it was all about walked away with a free book.

Watch on YouTube

The book I offered was the first volume of my 10-volume collection titled "The World in Your Hands: A Guide to Every Nation." Inside the book, I included a link to the audiobook version.

Buy it here

Links

Saturday, May 11, 2024