New Year, new challenges, new BLOG

[Marcelo Monteiro de Mello]

I have never taught about having a blog. I've already read some interesting ones, but I did not write one by myself. But after the Listening Plus course I decided to explore differents tools in order to improve my English skills, thanks to Carla who shows us so many ways to keep practicing and improving our English. So, I decided to begin and keep a blog about my hardest challenge for 2008: My Master Course. At this blog I intend to share knowledge and ideas about my course and subjects around it. I believe that it is a very good way to keep our "learning process together" on and on. In this way, from next year I will put posts here about my new course and I hope you put comments and take part of this important period of my life.

Best regards.

Marcelo Mello

[Marcelo Monteiro de Mello]

Of course Carla. You are absolutely right. Blogging my experience has a lot of advantages, but the most important is to keep in touch with my friends around the world. You and Dennis are fantastic people and I've been learning a lot from you. Thanks for all support and encouragement. Best wishes.

Marcelo Mello

[Carla Arena]

Dear Marcelo,

Just like Dennis mentioned, I'm also interested in learning more about your journey, your insights and perspective in this new stage of your professional development.

Also, by blogging your experience, you'll have a portfolio of your experience and will have an overview of your learning path. Besides, it's free thinking in English. What a great way to practice the language, right?

[Dennis Oliver]

Oí, Marcelo.

Congratulations on the beginning of your Master's degree program! It's obvious that this will be an important part of your life goals, and I'm happy that you're ready to embark on such an important journey!

I look forward to hearing more about your classes, the new insights you will develop, the new questions that will arise, and the general excitement you will feel as you explore new areas.

I wish you all success!

I also hope YOU have an excellent Sunday!

Very best wishes—

Dennis in Phoenix

[Marcelo Monteiro de Mello]

Hi Everybody.

Tomorrow is the big day when I will start the "jorney" of my Master Degree Program and, by sure, I am very anxious about that. I consider that course very very important to the achievement of my life goals, so I will do my best in it.
There are no classes at the first day, but only a presentation of the staff members of the University. So, my classes will start on next Friday.
I will be back soon to keep you fully informed about the way things are.


See you and have a excellent Sunday.

Marcelo Mello

[Carla Arena]

Nice Marcelo that you can spend some time with the family. I'm dying to see mine, too. The great thing is that I get to see my sister who lives in the US more frequently and we talk on the phone almost every day.

Key West is the only hot place in America at this time of the year, and I just love it! I'm having lots of friends visiting. It started in December with Erika and family, and it will go on until February. It's just great that they can come and visit me. Now I'm getting set to start moderating a 6-week online session for educators around the globe. We have already more than 100 members! It will be fun and challenging.

More later.
Carla

[Marcelo Monteiro de Mello]

Thank you for your kind words Carla. It's true, I've been working hard and study a lot in order to be a good professional and give my best to my company and I'm very happy about my promotion. About your Master's program I hope you start it and I'm sure you will be completely sucessful in it.
I'm spending my vacation in Paraná, between to cities: Siqueira Campos (city of my parents) and Telêmaco Borba (city of my wife's parents). And about you, how is being this January at Key West?

Best regards,

Marcelo Mello

[Carla Arena]

Dear Marcelo,

Congratulations! I'm sure you've been working hard in order to achieve your professional goals. By applying to a Master's degree, you show you're committed to always evolving and improving. I'm looking forward to reading your blog posts about this experience as I'm really considering starting in a Master's program when I go back to Brazil. By the way, where are you spending vacation?

Enjoy!

[Marcelo Monteiro de Mello]

Hello everybody. It´s good to "see" you again Carla. Firstly I'd like to thank you for the support to my blog. I believe (thanks Carla and Dennis) that it is really possible to continue our learning process using all the tools that were shown us during the Listening Plus Course. So, my idea is to keep learning and sharing knowledge with you. By the way, My Master's course will start at February 18th and I'm very excited about it. And I have another victory to share with you. By the end of the last year I got a promotion and now I am a manager of a team of software developers. I'm very happy about that and I want you be happy with me.
Friends, I'm in my vacation, but soon I will be back to Brasília and so I'll post more information about my new job and my Master's Course. See ya.

[Carla Arena]

Marcelo,

I'm just smiling here! It's been a while that I don't come here, for I took some time off to be with Erika and family. Also because I'm involved in a big online session for educators around the globe, but you made my day with your post, and I do hope you keep us updated on your Master's course. It will be a chance for reflection and you'll keep practicing English. Just a perfect combination!

Happy new Blogging year! You'll see what a wonderful personal development tool it is!

Carla

[Dennis Oliver]

Oí, Marcelo.

I think your blog is a wonderful idea, and I guarantee that if you keep writing in it regularly and responding to what others post in their comments, you will gain both confidence and skill in communicating your thoughts in written English.

I look forward to reading your next post!

Dennis in Phoenix