Wednesday 31 July 2013

Murphy’s Laws

We all have some terribly bad days sometimes, and admit it: the best thing we can do is to learn how to laugh at ourselves. Fortunately, once there was a man named Edward Murphy, who made several laws of everyday-life. It’s weird, but these funny laws can really work, especially on those mentioned days… Check your knowledge! How many of these laws have you known?


If something just cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong.


If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which something can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
Smile . . . tomorrow will be worse.


The other line always moves faster.


Everything goes wrong all at once.
In nature, nothing is ever right. Therefore, if everything is going right . . . something is wrong.
When working toward the solution of a problem, it always helps if you know the answer.
Corollary: Provided, of course, that you know there is a problem.
Everything takes longer than you think.
Everything takes longer than it takes.


You cannot successfully determine beforehand which side of the bread to butter.


The chance of the buttered side of the bread falling face down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.


A knowledge of Murphy's Law is no help in any situation.

Don't worry about Murphy's Law, you know it's gonna happen anyway, so just get on with it and get it over with!



Monday 29 July 2013

Popular festivals of Hungary II.

Cervinus Art Fesztivál
You can find several different cultural programs from classical music concerts to historical plays here – Cervinus Art Fesztivál is a perfect destination for the whole family. While their children are taking part in archery and other sport events, parents can enjoy various theatrical performances.



Művészetek Völgye
This festival became popular for its classical-, and folk music concerts, plays, literary evenings and exhibitions. If you like arts, music and literature, Művészetek Völgye in Kapolcs is a great place to visit!



Bor, Mámor, Bénye
Oanophiles are waiting for enquirers in Tokaj, where Bor, Mámor, Bénye gastrocultural festival is organized. The original aim of this event was to show people the famous wines, growers and manufacturers of Tokaj.



Ördögkatlan Fesztivál
Simplicity and quality at the same place! There are so many and so various programs – it’s impossible to make a list of the handcrafting, music and family events. The only thing you can be sure about is wherever you go, you meet kindness and love in Ördögkatlan Fesztivál!



Hungarikum Fesztivál – Szeged
It’s a lot more than a simple festival – all products you see are Hungarian made by Hungarian people and reflects Hungarian culture! Purchase the best wines, taste the hot fish soup and feel the atmosphere of Hungarikum Fesztivál!



Debreceni Virágkarnevál
It started about a century ago with some bouquets but nowadays it’s getting more and more popular due to the huge statues made from flowers. The procession and fireworks attract thousands of people and children to Debrecen every year.



Nemzetközi Tiszai Halfesztivál
Imagine plenty of cauldrons and the smell of spicy fishsoup in the air on the bank of the River Tisza. Moreover, there are many different programs, and the market to purchase the goods of local traders.



Csabai Kolbászfesztivál
Don’t miss Csabai Kolbászfesztivál if you like sausages and Hungarian spices! Békés County is famous for its products and traditional methods of sausage-making. Hundreds of respecters arrive every year from around the world to purchase this popular and delicious speciality.


Friday 26 July 2013

Gemeinsam helfen im Internet



Im Internet wird nicht nur Geld für junge Unternehmen gesammelt, das System des Crowdfunding hilft auch kleineren Entwicklungsprojekten. So werden für Schüler in Afrika Mal-Workshops finanziell unterstützt.
„Ich male etwas über den Frieden“, sagt der junge Mohamed Adam aus einem Slum der ghanaischen Hauptstadt Accra. Er und andere Kinder malen nach der Schule Bilder in einem Kunstatelier für Kinder. Das Atelier gehört dem Künstler-Kollektiv „Nima Muhinmanchi Art“. Die Künstler wollen Kindern aus armen Verhältnissen Kunst näherbringen.

Um diesen 
Workshop zu organisieren, wurden 1000 Dollar benötigt. Die Unterstützungskampagne lief auf der weltweit größten Crowdfunding-Plattform indiegogo.com. Fast 1600 Dollar spendeten Internet-Nutzer für das Projekt. Dafür bekamen sie – je nach Höhe ihrer Spende – Postkarten, T-Shirts oder sogar Original-Gemälde der Kinder.

Die Idee des Crowdfunding ist einfach: Auch wer nur einen Dollar oder Euro spendet, hilft mit. Dabei ist die Summe der Unterstützer wichtiger als die gespendete Summe, meint Joana Breidenbach. Sie hat im Jahr 2007 betterplace.org 
mitgegründet. Bisher hat die Crowdfunding-Plattform für fast 5000 Projekte in 147 Ländern zehn Millionen Euro gesammelt.

Breidenbach kennt das Geheimnis einer erfolgreichen Kampagne: Eine gute Idee und vor allem gute
Vernetzung. Sie verrät: „Die Projekte, die richtig gut laufen, sind die, die eine coole Geschichte haben … Das Zielpublikum, meistens jung und auf sozialen Netzwerken unterwegs, engagiert sich gern, wenn es sich angesprochen fühlt“, so Breidenbach. Dieses Engagement brauchen Künstler wie „Nima Muhinmanchi Art“, um ihre wichtige Arbeit fortzusetzen.
 
Glossar

Entwicklungsprojekt, -e (n.) – ein Projekt, das die wirtschaftliche Lage von Menschen oder Ländern der Dritten Welt verbessert
Spende, -n (f.) – Geld, mit dem man Menschen oder Organisationen hilft
sozial – hier:so, dass man damit Menschen hilft
Slum, -s (m., aus dem Englischen) – Stadtteil, in dem viele arme Menschen leben
Atelier, -s (n., aus dem Französischen) – der Raum, in dem man Kunst macht
Kollektiv, -e (n.) – die Gemeinschaft oder Gruppe, in der man zusammenarbeitet
aus armen Verhältnissen – mit armen Familien; in Armut lebend
jemandem etwas näher|bringen – jemanden mit etwas bekannt machen
Workshop, s (m., aus dem Englischen) – Kurs, in dem Teilnehmer etwas lernen und üben
benötigen – brauchen
Kampagne, -n (f.) – hier: Aktion, mit der auf etwas aufmerksam gemacht wird
laufen – hier: stattfinden; auch: funktionieren
weltweit – auf der ganzen Welt
Crowdfunding (n., aus dem Englischen) – Sammeln von Spenden im Internet
je nach – im Verhältnis zu
mit|gründen – gemeinsam mit anderen etwas gründen
Vernetzung (f., nur im Singular) – hier: die Tatsache, dass viele Menschen miteinander in Kontakt sind und einander informieren
Zielpublikum (n., nur im Singular) – die Menschen, die mit einer Kampagne angesprochen werden sollen
sich engagieren – sich für etwas einsetzen; bei etwas helfen
sich angesprochen fühlen – sich für eine Sache interessieren, weil sie zu den eigenen Ideen und Gedanken passt
etwas fortsetzen – mit etwas weitermachen; etwas nicht beenden

Autorin/Autor:Anne Le Touzé-Schmitz/Michael Stegemann
Redaktion: Shirin Kasraeian

DW.DE

 


forrás (még több érdekes cikk és feladat): www.dw.de/deutschlernen

Friday 19 July 2013

Popular festivals of Hungary I.

EFOTT
It was the summer of ’76 when some enthusiastic undergraduates organized the first EFOTT party in Abaliget after their exams. Since then it has been grown into a huge festival but still has a familiar tone that makes it so special.

Rockmaraton
As its name shows Rockmaraton is a really hard festival with rock and metal music in Pécs. You really can’t remonstrate its quality as it offers several sport and cultural programs – so you simply can’t be bored.

Hegyalja Fesztivál
It was more than a decade ago when the first Hegyalja Fesztivál was organised in Tokaj due to environmental protection. Of course it’s a great opportunity to taste the famous wines of the region, and admire the sights as well.

Volt Fesztivál
Volt is one of Hungary’s favourite festivals as the place, Sopron where it is organised makes it unforgettable. The historical city with its old and beautiful buildings and statues creates a fantastic atmosphere, especially at night.

Balaton Sound
Balaton Sound is a quite new and modern festival by Lake Balaton in Zamárdi, with tecktonic, dubstep and house music. It has already had several famous performers such as Moby, Fatboy Slim and David Guetta.

DUDIK
Thanks to the College of Dunaújváros, DUDIK has been organised every year since 2009. This festival is the only thing that lures hundreds of people to Dunaújváros.

VeszprémFest
With the most selective music and programs VeszprémFest became such famous that it has several visitors from around the country and abroad, as well. Fanciers of classical music, opera and jazz mustn’t miss the opportunity to spend a night in the city of Veszprém!

Sziget Fesztivál
There are many great festivals in Hungary, but Sziget Fesztivál is the best-known of all of them. It received awards such as UK Festival Awards for - Best Overseas Festival, and Europen Festival Awards - Best Major Festival which definitely shows that it has got no opponents.

Wednesday 17 July 2013

The 10 Most-Clichéd Tourist Photos

After travelling around the world, people want to bring back some evidence of their latest trip – of course not just postcards and fridge magnets. Much like how there are hundreds of must-visit destinations, there're now must-take photos at landmarks around the world, too.
Below you can find a repertory of our favourite tourist-photos.

                       
Holding the Eiffel Tower


Posing as Christ the Redeemer


Pinching the Statue of Liberty


Drinking From a Parisian Fountain


Touching the Top of the Great Pyramid of Giza


Feeding Pigeons in St. Mark's Square


Crossing Abbey Road


Star-Walking on Hollywood Boulevard


Pushing the Leaning Tower of Pisa


Posing With a Royal Guard

Probably the guards of Buckingham Palace know the most jokes around the world – as they hear at least 100 every day due to tourists who want to make them laugh.


Monday 15 July 2013

Recycling – The highest level

Have you ever wondered what happens to your beer bottles once you've finished drinking the beer and threw away or recycled the bottle? There are some extraordinary buildings that may give you an answer why recycling is such a great and useful thing!


Buddhist temple built from beer bottles

When you’re free-associating about Buddhist monks, beer probably isn’t the first thing that comes to your mind. Drinking is forbidden in Buddhism indeed, but they certainly don’t have any issues with building temples from beer bottles.


In the north-east of Thailand, there is a temple built from more than 1.5 million recycled beer bottles, called Wat Lan Kuad, the Temple of a Million Bottles.


Using Heineken bottles (green) and Chang Beer bottles (brown) monks were able to clean up the local pollution and create a useful structure. The bottles do not lose their colour, provide good lighting and are easy to clean.


The monks have created a complex of around 20 buildings, comprising the main temple over a lake, crematorium, prayer rooms, a hall, water tower, tourist bathrooms and several small bungalows raised off the ground which serve as monks quarters.


They also created decorative mosaics with the leftover bottle caps. The only part they didn’t use is the actual beer.



The beer can house

In 1968, John Milkovisch was just another retired employee of Southern Pacific railroad. He lived in an undistinguished house in an undistinguished suburban neighborhood of Houston. Then John got antsy: he turned his 6-pack a day habit (he believed it was the cure to whatever ailed him) into an 18-year home renovation project. John decorated his Houston, Texas house with aluminum siding made from flattened cans, streamers of beer can pull-tabs, and an odd assortment of beer can sculptures.


Milkovisch started his project in 1968 inlaying thousands of marbles, rocks, brass figures and metal pieces in concrete blocks and redwood, all of which were used to make patios, fences, flower boxes, and an array of other items. The result was a yard with no grass, as the entire front and back yards were covered with cement. When asked why he did it, John simply answered, “I got sick of mowing the grass.”


John considered his work an enjoyable hobby rather than a work of art, but he did enjoy people's reaction to his creations. He once said, "It tickles me to watch people screech to a halt. They get embarrassed. Sometimes they drive around the block a couple of times. Later they come back with a car-load of friends..."