Sweden is celebrating the 250th year of freedom of the press. They were the first country in the world to establish laws that gave these rights to all citizens.
http://www.government.se/articles/2016/06/the-swedish-press-act-250-years-of-freedom-of-the-press/
A healthy democracy needs a free press, which was something I learned years ago from my favorite movie, Gandhi.
It is interesting that I am dealing with two new modes of communication today.
First, I received a publication offer for my dissertation today. Thanks to my adviser opening doors for me, I have this wonderful opportunity. Now, I have to figure out the details. I won’t get rich of this, but it is an important next step in the professional development journey.
Second, my employer handed me a new iPhone. They determined that it was less expensive to give everyone new mobile phones that to put in a new telephone system in an old building after the old system crashed. Anya was excited to check out the new iPhone. Now I have to figure out the details of this phone and guidelines for use.
For this morning’s class, I had 100 minutes for the Book of Isaiah, as I was able to use 10 minutes from the previous lecture taught by my colleague. There is too much to talk about all the forms of communication utilized in class, but this was the first time my colleague heard me teach. He was very encouraging and commented that he was impressed with the preparations that go into using PowerPoint in class. This session was just in English, because I didn’t enough time to prepare the slides to be bilingual, even with working many hours over the weekend. I’m fortunate to be with a great group of students who are not only eager to learn but are gracious in coping with me speaking English.
I didn’t work every waking hour over the weekend, as Sunday included church and dinner with our first-month’s host family.
They had friends from New Zealand over, and we had wonderful conversations. The two PhD-holding medical researchers work for a governmental organization that studies adverse drug reactions. Fascinating stuff and quirky humor! Another researcher is an expert in toxins in food. It is great to converse with people who are perpetually inquisitive about everything and very informed for conversation with a couple of us biblical theologians. And is it always refreshing to have several hours to communicate in English! Whew!
After lunch today, I joined my conversations partners to practice Swedish. I was really tired, but I was able to make the most of it. I have difficulty asking questions. The word order changes, but I’m also learning that we ask many question with “do” in them. How do I do this? What do I do with this? Do I need this? Can it be done? When is it done? Do you know if its done? However, I believe that “do” really doesn’t show up in Swedish questions. No wonder I’ve been confused with the do/make verb. I can not just translate my English questions into Swedish. So now, how do I do this?
On a positive note, Anya did the laundry today!
With blessings,
Beth