The Lottery of Life

The Non-governmental organization Save the Children has this really interesting and eye-opening website where you can try the lottery of life: What would your life be like if you were born in a different country? Try it and you'll see the differences between countries and how lucky we are compared to others. Life is so unfair, don't you think? I've tried it three times and I've been born in Senegal, China and Niger. What about you? Check it out.
The Lottery of Life

Illustration by Donata Montanari from her book Children Around the World

Goodbye and Good Luck

This is not my last post as I will continue with my blog next year but it may well be my last post as a teacher at this school. This is my goodbye post:

As you probably know by now, I will be teaching at a different school next year. It is a change I've been wishing for for a long time now. After 14 years teaching at my present school, the time has come to start again. I've come at a standstill as a teacher, with no room for improvement and completely burnt out. The path I want to follow is not the present one. I don't fit in anymore: I feel restrained and frustrated and hampered by rules and people I don't agree with and I need a complete change. But before I go I want to say this: Despite the mixed feelings I have, it's been a great ride, maybe a bit bumpy at the end but nonetheless unforgettable, and I mean that in a good way.
I've met and worked with amazing teachers: hardworking, unwavering in their dedication to students, resilient and courageous, intelligent and funny, and I could go on endlessly.
And the same can be said of my students: You have been the best thing, the ones who make this job worth it in spite of all the obstacles. As frustrating and difficult as teaching you (or trying to) has been so many times, I wouldn't change a thing. You are all unique and outstanding in your own way even if you don't know it yet and I hope you will realise soon how amazing you are. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, not even yourselves.

This is my way of saying sorry and goodbye and good luck: with Forever Young, a wonderful song by Bob Dylan

Leonard Cohen, Prince of Asturias award for letters 2011

Today they've announced the Prince of Asturias for letters 2011, awarded to the Canadian singer-songwriter, novelist and poet Leonard Cohen. Considered one of the most influential authors of our time, his poems and songs have beautifully explored the major issues of humanity in great depth. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships. Famously reclusive, having once spent several years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, and possessing a persona frequently associated with mystique, he is extremely well regarded by critics for his literary accomplishments, for the richness of his lyrics, and for producing an output of work of high artistic quality over a five-decade career.(wikipedia)
When I was a teenager I was in love with his deep voice and the messages he sent, and I still am today. Wonderful man, wonderful songs. It's been hard to choose one for this post. Let me recommend a few: Take this waltz (where he translates and puts music to Lorca and his Poet in New York), Suzanne (my first love), Hey, that's no way to say goodbye...


Here's my final choice, Hallelujah. There are different versions of this song (with slightly different lyrics) and different covers by many artists. It is maybe his most popular song and one of the best in my opinion. I'm posting one of the original videos from the 1980s. My favourite verses are not included in this version though so I'm just including them here:

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in with you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It’s not a cry you can hear at night
It’s not somebody who has seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

And now, on with the song. Enjoy!



I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010. The following is a news clip  about the event: