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Hi everyone! My name is Aleksandra and I trying to learn english and swedish languages.
My english is kinda good, I can read and understand what I read, but I'm pretty bad in pronunciation and writing. In my country we say about it "I'm like a dog - understand everything, but can't speak".
And I hope that this blog will help me to practice my english.
And my swedish too, maybe? I just start to learn it and can't speaking at all. But it will be useful reading some swedish blog. Or blog about Sweden. Actually, I'm lazy and I have not enough language practice because of it.
My hobby is reading books and comics (DC is my favorite, but I also like Marvel). I regularly watch movie and playing computer games. My favorite genre is horror.
I specially love Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and George R. R. Martin.
I have a degree in philology and know a lot about world literature, folklore and mythology. This is my specialization and hobby for life.
I apologize in advance for my bad English. It's hard to feel unable to fully express my thoughts, but without practice I will not learn to do it at all.
If I write with errors - please indicate me! Thank you in advance! (:
no subject
18 February 2019 11:311. Comment on this entry saying Rhubarb!, and I'll pick three things from you profile interests. If you don't have any listed, link your intro post or tags, and I'll choose three of your fandoms or other interests you've mentioned.
2. Make a post in your journal or comment here and talk about the word and phrases I picked!
Here are my answers![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
swen
1. American Gothic
2. sea
3. svenska
1. I do not know why I like this style, but it is. I have never been to the USA, but I read a lot of books and watched a lot of films related to the aesthetics of the Southern States. And all these colonial mansions, magnificent ladies' dresses, and picturesque nature enchant me.
I don't think in the sense that I would like to live there, but definitely in the sense of good scenery for a detective story, for example.
2. I like the sea and everything connected with it. Ships, the underwater world, fishing ... In my hometown there is no access to the sea, so it has always been something amazing to me. And now my life is firmly connected with it, because my fiance is working at sea with ships.
3. I am trying to learn Swedish on my own, as I plan to move to Sweden in the coming years. The process is slow, but I try my best.
Swedish is a very interesting language, but it is the third one I need to use daily. My brain is clearly not designed for three languages at the same time!
2. Make a post in your journal or comment here and talk about the word and phrases I picked!
Here are my answers
swen 1. American Gothic
2. sea
3. svenska
1. I do not know why I like this style, but it is. I have never been to the USA, but I read a lot of books and watched a lot of films related to the aesthetics of the Southern States. And all these colonial mansions, magnificent ladies' dresses, and picturesque nature enchant me.
I don't think in the sense that I would like to live there, but definitely in the sense of good scenery for a detective story, for example.
2. I like the sea and everything connected with it. Ships, the underwater world, fishing ... In my hometown there is no access to the sea, so it has always been something amazing to me. And now my life is firmly connected with it, because my fiance is working at sea with ships.
3. I am trying to learn Swedish on my own, as I plan to move to Sweden in the coming years. The process is slow, but I try my best.
Swedish is a very interesting language, but it is the third one I need to use daily. My brain is clearly not designed for three languages at the same time!
no subject
18 February 2019 11:10Oh, that's been hard period in my life. Not hardest, but definitely not the best.
My mother had heart surgery. One more. I was worried and nervous. But now you can breathe easy. The operation was successful, my mother has already returned home, and I can finally go back to my business.
The operation was completely sudden (it all started with a routine checkup with her attending physician), so she and I were taken by surprise.
I still feel confused and do not know what to do first.
Obviously, for starters, I decided to write a post and watch a video of Bob Ross all day. It's make me calm.
My mother had heart surgery. One more. I was worried and nervous. But now you can breathe easy. The operation was successful, my mother has already returned home, and I can finally go back to my business.
The operation was completely sudden (it all started with a routine checkup with her attending physician), so she and I were taken by surprise.
I still feel confused and do not know what to do first.
Obviously, for starters, I decided to write a post and watch a video of Bob Ross all day. It's make me calm.
Eldritch Horror
27 January 2019 02:35New Year's Eve and the first few days of the new year I spent playing board games with friends. Eldritch Horror! Finally! I wanted to play lovecraftian board games for so long!
Lovecraft is one of my favorite writers, now I am reading a collection of short stories written by his followers / students / fans. I always loved atmospheric horrors about small towns and communities cut off from the outside world.
Board games are always hard to get started. Reading the rules, trying to understand the mechanics of the game... The first few games we played according to our own rules, as we discovered later. But then sort of sorted out.
Eldritch Horror is very intresting and suitable even for beginners. All that I like in board games minus all that I do not like. Perfect! Really fun (:
Lovecraft is one of my favorite writers, now I am reading a collection of short stories written by his followers / students / fans. I always loved atmospheric horrors about small towns and communities cut off from the outside world.
Board games are always hard to get started. Reading the rules, trying to understand the mechanics of the game... The first few games we played according to our own rules, as we discovered later. But then sort of sorted out.
Eldritch Horror is very intresting and suitable even for beginners. All that I like in board games minus all that I do not like. Perfect! Really fun (:
Games:
Books:
- BloodRayne
- Dead Space 2
- Shadow Warrior
- Lucid Dream
- Unforgiving - A Northern Hymn
- The Walking Dead: A New Frontier
- The Council
- Arch of Triumph by Erich Maria Remarque
- Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady's Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners by Therese Oneill
- All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
- Winner Take Nothing by Ernest Hemingway
- Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima
- The Abominable by Dan Simmons
- The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
- Preacher by Garth Ennis
Accidentally discovered a very interesting writer and YouTube-blogger Caitlin Doughty. She is mortician and talks about her work easily and cheerfully. Her videos are devoted to the peculiarities of the work in funeral home, the traditions of burial in different cultures, historical notes about everything related to death.
Caitlin Doughty author of two bestselling books - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory (her biography) and From Here to Eternity; Traveling the World to Find the Good Death (about the tradition of death in different cultures).
Caitlin Doughty author of two bestselling books - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory (her biography) and From Here to Eternity; Traveling the World to Find the Good Death (about the tradition of death in different cultures).
The Shining
16 January 2019 01:48I trying to make my dreamwidth-space more comfortable and choose cozy layout. Something even work. But I constantly doubt everything. That's OK.
And also I try to write regularly, but ... It does not work at all.Stop being so lazy!
Since mid-December everything is covered with snow. Sometimes it snows for several days in a row, and the roads turn into a snow desert. I do not want to leave my apartment because I do not see anything pleasant in this weather. At least it's not very cold right now. Snow is better than frost.
When Christmas came, I read Stephen King's The Shining. It's been atmospheric - snow and blizzard outside, and in the book too.
Freakin' love King's personality and most of his books (especially those written by a pen name Richard Bachman), however, have never read The Shining. Why? I don't know.
Like the Kubrick film very much, I think this is a masterpiece. Incredible Jack Nicholson - what is his game! Awesome actor, one of my favorites, btw.
I always wondered why Stephen himself didn’t like this adaptation of his novel. But when I read it, I understood it well.
( Spoiler alert )
And also I try to write regularly, but ... It does not work at all.
Since mid-December everything is covered with snow. Sometimes it snows for several days in a row, and the roads turn into a snow desert. I do not want to leave my apartment because I do not see anything pleasant in this weather. At least it's not very cold right now. Snow is better than frost.
When Christmas came, I read Stephen King's The Shining. It's been atmospheric - snow and blizzard outside, and in the book too.
Freakin' love King's personality and most of his books (especially those written by a pen name Richard Bachman), however, have never read The Shining. Why? I don't know.
Like the Kubrick film very much, I think this is a masterpiece. Incredible Jack Nicholson - what is his game! Awesome actor, one of my favorites, btw.
I always wondered why Stephen himself didn’t like this adaptation of his novel. But when I read it, I understood it well.
( Spoiler alert )
- I'm better from afar. I'm all scars up close.
- You know of kintsugi? It is the practice of making art by breaking something special and gluing it back together with gold. Your scars do not mean you are broken. They are proof you are healed. Breaking is healing. Kintsugi.
- You know of kintsugi? It is the practice of making art by breaking something special and gluing it back together with gold. Your scars do not mean you are broken. They are proof you are healed. Breaking is healing. Kintsugi.
Jeff, a famous children's television icon, struggles to retain his sanity as his family falls apart. Depression, self-doubt, fear of life, disappointment in others hunting him every moment of his life. He is not the person he wanted to be. Failed as a father, as a husband, as a son.
But the faint light of hope is still warm in his heart, and Jeff is desperately seeking the strength to correct all mistakes.
Sad, wisdom and sometimes even cruel series about the life of a lost person. Lost as we all are.
no subject
10 January 2019 18:58Oh, New Year is come. I fell out of reality for week or two.
Meeting with friends, some good news, some bad news and so on. Now I'm back to reality and 2019 is waiting.
I ate so much chocolate I must die. But there is nothing to regret! (:
2019 is frightening. A lot of things ahead. The year will be intense.
And now is the time to relax until the end of January. Shopping, sleeping, reading.
Meeting with friends, some good news, some bad news and so on. Now I'm back to reality and 2019 is waiting.
I ate so much chocolate I must die. But there is nothing to regret! (:
2019 is frightening. A lot of things ahead. The year will be intense.
And now is the time to relax until the end of January. Shopping, sleeping, reading.
no subject
28 December 2018 07:31I like dreamwidth. Community, web-politics, even design. But it is quite difficult to understand how it works.
I'm still confused in the settings, buttons, and so on. So much information! Actually, not so much, BUT.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to complete goodreads 2018 reading challenge. I have 29/100 books left and I decided to read short comics.
I wanted to read new issues The Hellblazer, but something gone wrong and I started to read Red Sonja.
The plot seems boring, but the pictures are good.
I freakin' love the Conan's universe — books and movies, but I never read comics. Maybe not worth it.
Ok, Sonja is beautiful and red. This may well be the cause.
( hot hot hot )
I'm still confused in the settings, buttons, and so on. So much information! Actually, not so much, BUT.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to complete goodreads 2018 reading challenge. I have 29/100 books left and I decided to read short comics.
I wanted to read new issues The Hellblazer, but something gone wrong and I started to read Red Sonja.
The plot seems boring, but the pictures are good.
I freakin' love the Conan's universe — books and movies, but I never read comics. Maybe not worth it.
Ok, Sonja is beautiful and red. This may well be the cause.
( hot hot hot )
The Beguiled
27 December 2018 06:20Everything Sofia Coppola has created is wonderful. Especially in visual aesthetics. I'm in love with "Marie Antoinette" and now with "The Beguiled".
Don't watched original movie with Clint Eastwood, but modern adaptation are cool. I like stories about American Civil War. And the aesthetics of the southern states — dresses, crinolines, mansions with columns... Just like at "Gone with the Wind". Need to re-watch, btw.
I just can't stop admiring! Looks great.And the plot is also good. A little bit thriller makes everything better!
Merry Xmas to everyone, who celebrating. Best wishes ♥
I am not a Christian, but I freakin' love the winter holidays. And stupid xmas movies too!
I want ugly xmas sweater. Yeah, that is.
And also I like Xmas cause it comes from a pagan holiday that originated hundreds of years before Jesus. Just like Halloween.
I am not a Christian, but I freakin' love the winter holidays. And stupid xmas movies too!
I want ugly xmas sweater. Yeah, that is.
And also I like Xmas cause it comes from a pagan holiday that originated hundreds of years before Jesus. Just like Halloween.
Thank u, next
25 December 2018 07:37Well, here is the end of the year. I try to summarize. It seems, 2018 - one of the best year in my life. Maybe the best. I traveled a lot, trying many new things and feeling myself happy.
Let's make a list of good things of 2018 in my life:
So many "the first time in my life", actually. ^^
2018 was epic. Thank u, next.
( PS And my memory photo )
Let's make a list of good things of 2018 in my life:
- I visited Italy for the first time in my life
- I visited Sweden for the first time in my life
- I dyed my redhead
- I began to learn Swedish
- I went fishing for the first time in my life (and caught a fish)
- I baked the cookies by myself
- I started to love myself and take care of myself much more
- I've been happy with my sweetheart for two years now (it's the most important)
So many "the first time in my life", actually. ^^
2018 was epic. Thank u, next.
( PS And my memory photo )
Ingredients (for 4 servings)
SAUCE
7 cups crushed tomato (1.4 kg)
⅓ cup onion, chopped (50 g)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
MEATBALLS
1 lb beef (455 g)
1 lb mild sausage (455 g)
1 cup breadcrumb (115 g)
⅓ cup onion, chopped (50 g)
¼ cup parmesan cheese (25 g)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
4 sticks mozzarella cheese, cut into 4-5 even pieces each
½ cup whole milk
½ cup parsley
Preparation:
Watch
SAUCE
7 cups crushed tomato (1.4 kg)
⅓ cup onion, chopped (50 g)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon salt
MEATBALLS
1 lb beef (455 g)
1 lb mild sausage (455 g)
1 cup breadcrumb (115 g)
⅓ cup onion, chopped (50 g)
¼ cup parmesan cheese (25 g)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
4 sticks mozzarella cheese, cut into 4-5 even pieces each
½ cup whole milk
½ cup parsley
Preparation:
- Combine all sauce ingredients in slow cooker and stir. Set to high and cover while making meatballs, or for 30 minutes. (Or use pre-made/canned sauce.)
- Combine all meatball ingredients except the mozzarella in a large bowl. Using your hands, mix until fully combined.
- Take a golf ball sized piece of the ground beef mixture and place a piece of mozzarella in the middle. Press meat around the piece of cheese, fully enclosing it. Repeat until all meat is used.
- Place meatballs in slow cooker and submerge in sauce.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-2½ hours, or until meat is fully cooked.
- Serve by itself or over pasta.
- Enjoy!
Watch
Ingredients (for 5 servings)
CHICKEN MARINADE
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ cup plain yogurt (125 g)
Juice of 1 lemon
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons paprika
SAUCE
3 tablespoons oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced ginger
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 tablespoon tomato puree
3 ½ cups tomato sauce (800 g)
1 ¼ cups water
1 cup heavy cream (250 mL)
chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
cooked rice, for serving
naan bread, for serving
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
Bamboo or wooden skewers
Preparation:
Watch
CHICKEN MARINADE
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ cup plain yogurt (125 g)
Juice of 1 lemon
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons paprika
SAUCE
3 tablespoons oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced ginger
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 tablespoon tomato puree
3 ½ cups tomato sauce (800 g)
1 ¼ cups water
1 cup heavy cream (250 mL)
chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
cooked rice, for serving
naan bread, for serving
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
Bamboo or wooden skewers
Preparation:
- Slice the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Combine the cubed chicken with the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, salt, cumin, garam masala, and paprika and stir until well-coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C). Line a high-sided baking pan or roasting tray with parchment paper.
- Place the marinated chicken pieces on bamboo or wooden skewers, then set them over the prepared baking pan, making sure there is space underneath the chicken to help distribute the heat more evenly. Bake for about 15 minutes, until slightly dark brown on the edges.
- Make the sauce: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, then sauté the onions, ginger, and garlic until tender but not browned. Add the cumin, turmeric, coriander, paprika, chili powder, and garam masala and stir constantly for about 30 seconds, until the spices are fragrant. Stir in the tomato puree, tomato sauce, and 1 ¼ cups of water, then bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes. Pour in the cream.
- Remove the chicken from the skewers and add to the sauce, cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice or alongside naan bread.
- Enjoy!
Watch