HULLO!
My Blog
group provided the following prompt for this week’s FTSF Blog Hop post:
“A typical
day in my life looks like….. a mountain of paper!”
I seem to
spend my time covered in paper work, to such an extent that I very often shout:
“I hate papers!”
I think
that when I die and somebody buries me, my coffin will be lined with all the
printed pages of paper that keep falling on top of me every time I try to move
something.
What with
the numerous handouts for my students, the lists of exercises I provide for
homework, the various printouts I use in class and the screed of documents I
normally work with, I always seem to be carting piles of paper around all the
time.
This is
especially true because at the moment I have no whiteboard and no laptop, so
I’m using paper, paper and more paper!
As I have
recently been obliged to go back to writing with “pen-and-paper”, I have
discovered that I’m more creative and the words seem to flow more easily. I
think this is because of my age. I learnt to use a computer when I was over 50
and words on the screen don’t speak to me like words on paper do. So I will
probably end up collecting more and more pages with notes, jotted ideas and so
on. Paper, paper, paper!
Luckily my training
for academic work is good; I actually can work quite fast and get a lot done in
spite of not using a computer for everything.
This brings
me to my chosen topic for this post: my Alma Mater, the University of
Concepcion, Chile.
THE
“UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION”, AN OUTSTANDING HIGHER LEARNING CENTER IN SPANISH
AMERICA.
ENTRANCE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CONCEPCION
Source: Tomas Jorquera, CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons
This
University occupies a large campus in my home town, Concepcion. It has an
interesting history due to the fact that it was founded by a group of city
fathers at the start of the twentieth century (1919). To begin with there were three main
areas, the School of Dentistry, the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy and the
School of Education for teachers of English.
The land on
which the main campus is situated was part of a farm on the outskirts of the
city, and was donated by the owner of this property.
A lottery
was also authorized by the government, so as to provide funds for the
maintenance and development of the University. This lottery still exists and
the amount of the main prize has increased to an incredible sum. Every few
months a new multimillionaire is born!
The
founders were free-thinking professionals. A high percentage of them were
Masons and they set the tone and style of the center of learning they created.
I’m happy
to say that this University has survived through many events of a disruptive
nature, such as civil unrest, dictatorships of various types, and natural
catastrophes that have devastated the locality, such as the terrible major
earthquakes of 1939, 1960 and 2010.
A TRIBUTE TO THE FOUNDERS OF THE UNIVERSITY
Source: Tomas Ravassa Coronel, CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons
AN ANECDOTE
OF THE 1960 EARTHQUAKE.
One
particular anecdote relates to the catastrophic 1960 earthquakes that devastated
the south of Chile, tsunami included.
The
University had just inaugurated the broadcasts from the new radio station, an
important technological achievement at that time.
Along came
the earthquakes and the entire southern area of Chile lost all communication
with the rest of the country and with the central government.
Some
enterprising engineers volunteered to set the radio going again, and as there
was a total blackout, they dismantled a bicycle and attached it to a generator,
and a few hours later the radio was up and running.
All sorts
of people took turns in shifts to pedal on the static bicycle and generate
enough energy for a very weak signal that fortunately was picked up by amateur
radio enthusiasts. The information was relayed in this manner through a chain
of voluntary operators that stayed by their equipment round the clock, helping
to get the news out to the central authorities and to the various emergency
services, both national and international.
I remember
sitting in the dark with my family, lit by a couple of candles, and the thrill
of actually hearing the first transmissions in the midst of the terrible
after-shakes.
We were
without electricity for about ten days, and that bicycle never flagged!
I must
point out that the series of earthquakes we suffered in 1960 included the strongest
one every registered world-wide, 9.5 on the Richter scale. The tsunami was of
course included in the general devastation.
You can
find more about these earthquakes in my article at Hubpages, the link is:
THE SYMBOLS
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONCEPCION.
There are
two main symbols: the Emblem and the Anthem.
Both of
them reflect the spirit with which the University started life: the power of
free thinking!
The emblem.
The central
image is a torch that represents the “Torch of Learning”
THE EMBLEM
Source: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
The Anthem
The verses
express the following ideas:
- “For the free development of the spirit, the University will ever stand.”
- “Ideas are like torches that fire the soul”
- “The use of reason will always be highlighted!”
- “Our hearts will ever be courageous”
- “Sing! And let the wind carry our song!”
HERE IS THE VIDEO!
LAST WORDS
This post
has provided me with some pleasant moments, remembering my Alma Mater, the
University at Concepcion, Chile. I do hope you have found this interesting.
Just
yesterday there was an article in the local newspaper about the welcoming
ceremony for the newly arrived interchange students for this semester. There
are 70 in all, and they come from North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
They have all received scholarships from their home Universities that maintain exchange
programs with our local University here in Concepción. It was a colorful
ceremony, presided by the Vice-Rector!
The “Universidad de
Concepción” rocks!
See you on
the next post!
PARTIAL VIEW OF THE MURAL "PRESENCE OF LATIN AMERICA
PAINTER: JORGE GONZALEZ CAMAREA, MEXICO
Source: Farison, CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons
ANOTHER SYMBOL
Source: Farison, CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons
SPANISH
VERSION
(This Blog
is bilingual)
HOLA!
El desafío propuesto
por mi grupo para el Blog Hop FTSF de
esta semana, consistió en ¡describir un día típico en mi vida!
Lo más típico en mi
diario vivir son las pilas de papel impreso que parecen marcar mi destino. Es
increíble como se me juntan las páginas y páginas de material, considerando las
listas de ejercicios para mis alumnos, el material de apoyo para realizar mis
clases y los diversos textos que uso como material de lectura y referencia en
general.
Por estos días estoy
escribiendo con “papel y lápiz” porque no cuento con un computador portátil, y
he encontrado que mis ideas fluyen en forma más creativa que usando la pantalla
electrónica.
Pero sigo acumulando
papeles y más papeles. Considero que soy afortunada en cuanto a mi preparación
académica, gracias a mis estudios realizados en la Universidad de Concepción
(Chile), mi Alma Mater.
¡Este es el tema de
este Blog post sobre la América Hispana!
LA UNIVERSIDAD DE
CONCEPCION,
IMPORTANTE CENTRO DE
EDUCACION SUPERIOR EN LA AMERICA HISPANA.
Esta Universidad ocupa
un amplio campus en la ciudad de Concepción, Chile.
Su historia es interesante,
ya que fue creada por un grupo de ilustres ciudadanos de esta ciudad de larga
historia. Su creación data desde Mayo de 1919 y sus actividades iniciales se
repartieron en tres Facultades: Odontología, Química y Farmacia y Pedagogía en
Inglés.
El terreno que ocupa
el campus era parte de una propiedad agrícola en las afueras de la ciudad, y
fue donado por el dueño de esta propiedad.
Simultáneamente se
inició una lotería, que fue autorizada por el gobierno central, con el fin de
proveer fondos para la mantención y el desarrollo de la Universidad.
La Lotería de
Concepción todavía existe y su premio mayor ha crecido enormemente, de modo que
cada cierto tiempo ¡un ganador se transforma en un nuevo multi-millonario!
Los fundadores eran
profesionales muy libre pensadores. Un alto porcentaje de ellos pertenecía a la
Masonería. Ellos establecieron el sello del centro de estudios que crearon: ¡Por
el Desarrollo Libre del Espíritu!
Puedo afirmar con
orgullo que la Universidad de Concepción ha perdurado a través de épocas de
inestabilidad social, de las dictaduras de diversos tipos y de catástrofes
naturales que han devastado la localidad, tales como los terribles mega terremotos
de 1939, 1960 y 2010.
Una particular anécdota
se relaciona con los grandes terremotos de 1960. La Universidad de Concepción
había recién inaugurado sus transmisiones radiales a través de su nueva radio,
un importante logro tecnológico en esa época. El terremoto azotó la zona y todo
Chile desde Concepción hasta el extremo sur quedó sin comunicación con el resto
del país y con el gobierno central.
Algunos ingenieros
emprendedores se ofrecieron voluntariamente para echar a andar la radio
nuevamente, y debido a la falta total de energía eléctrica, desmantelaron una
bicicleta y la conectaron a un generador. Pocas horas más tarde, la radio
volvió a salir al aire. Numerosos voluntarios se turnaron para pedalear en la
bicicleta y así generar suficiente energía para transmitir una débil señal. Las
transmisiones fueron captadas por varios radio-aficionados, quienes formaron
una cadena para hacer llegar las informaciones al gobierno central y a las
estaciones de emergencias tanto nacionales como internacionales.
Recuerdo estar sentada
en la oscuridad con mi familia, iluminada por un par de velas, y la emoción que
sentimos cuando captamos nuevamente las transmisiones de la Radio de la
Universidad de Concepción, en medio de las terribles réplicas del terremoto.
Estuvimos sin energía
durante unos diez días ¡y la famosa bicicleta nunca se detuvo en todo ese
tiempo!
Cabe señalar que los
devastadores sismos de 1960 con tsunami incluido han sido lo9s más intensos
registrados en el mundo a la fecha, grado 9.5 Richter.
(Ver mi artículo en
inglés en el link proporcionado más arriba)
SÍMBOLOS DE LA
UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION.
Hay dos símbolos
principales: El Emblema y el Himno.
El Emblema.
Es una antorcha: “La
Antorcha del Saber”
El Himno.
La letra es la
siguiente:
Por el desarrollo
libre del espíritu
Universitarios arriba,
arriba, de pie.
La idea es antorcha
que enciende las almas
Y es flecha que toca,
los astros, la fe.
Siempre en las alturas
puesta el pensamiento
Arca de heroísmo hecho
el corazón.
¡Cantemos! ¡Cantemos!
Y llenen la boca del
viento
Las líricas voces de
nuestra canción.
Por el desarrollo
libre del espíritu
Universitarios arriba,
arriba, de pie.
PALABRAS FINALES.
El Emblema y el Himno son
un fiel reflejo de la filosofía que anima a la Universidad de Concepción en su
actuar.
Espero les haya
gustado este post, y ¡los veré en la próxima!
More about similar topics in a future post. Más sobre temas similares en un
próximo post.
LANGUAGE TIPS FOR ENGLISH
Words that go together! * Have a haircut - * Take
a rest - * Catch a thief - * Save someone a seat – * Get a job
LANGUAGE
TIPS FOR SPANISH.
Expresiones
de uso frecuente: * Hacer borrón y cuenta nueva - * La esperanza es lo último
que se pierde - * Mal de muchos,
consuelo de tontos
How is your level of comprehension? ¿Cómo está su nivel de
comprensión?
© 2013
joanveronica (Joan Robertson)
I will be very happy to receive your comments! Just
click the word “comments” lower down.
Beautiful tribute Joan and I totally here you in living in a world of papers!! Thank you as always for linking up with us and hope you are having a great weekend!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Janine! Many thanks for your comment! I will be back to read the Blogs entered by the Hoppers, don't have time now! Have a good day!
DeleteThat's a lot of information! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi there, so happy to have you visit! I do tend to include a lot of information, although from my perspective, my blog posts are so short! It's just that there is so much to write about, and I'm really passionate on the topics! Hope to see you soon,and have a good day!
Delete