1

INTERVIEW WITH THE ENGLISH TEACHER

NIKOLINA ENCHEVA

1. Could you please tell us your happiest

childhood memory?

My childhood was a very long time ago, but

on the whole I remember it as a happy time. I

cannot say which my happiest memory is,

maybe it was the times my family and I went to

the seaside. I love the sea and the summer a lot

and the memory of the long, hot happy days are

still with me.

2. Have you always wanted to be a

teacher? Why?

When I was a child I liked the games of

teachers and students, later I had some

hesitations about what job to choose. I was also

attracted by the doctor’s profession, but finally

decided to be a teacher. I was good at English at

school, so the choice to be a teacher of English

came naturally. I must have seen it as a noble

job, and idealized it at the time. Reality turned

out to be very different, but I do not regret my

choice of a job.

3. What has been your life-long

ambition?

My ambition as a teacher is to have eager and

intelligent students and to be able to give them

all knowledge and skills I possess. A good

teacher is surpassed by his/her students. I think I

have achieved this with a lot of my ex-students.

Unfortunately, the desire for knowledge has

declined in the recent years.

4. Have you ever done something you

later regretted? What?

I have regretted about a lot of my actions.

Most of them are too personal to be shared here.

Regretting about the past is stupid, though. We

must live in the present and be careful not to

repeat the mistakes of the past. As someone

said, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a

mystery, today is a gift. That is why it is called

the present”

5. What are your biggest fears? Do you

like taking risks? My greatest fear is of oversleeping for the

first class at school. (joking) It sometimes

happens.

I cannot say I like taking risks and that is a

big mistake. People who take risks are rewarded

by destiny.

6. What is your biggest dream?

Too personal, again

In general, to achieve happiness (whatever

that means) and to be able to make the people

around me happy.

I have two wonderful children. I want to see

them accomplished as good professionals and

happy in their personal life.

7. What would you say to the students in

Hristo Botev Secondary School?

I want to wish them to be thirsty for

knowledge, to expand their horizons, to learn to

see the beauty in life, nature and art, to travel a

lot and have interesting experiences.

Treat people the way you want to be treated

by them.

Remember that your life tomorrow will be

the result of your attitudes and the choices you

make today, so choose wisely.

TEEN SPIRIT

School

Hristo Botev

Nova Zagora

2012

2

It’s beginning to look a lot like

Christmas!

There may be a lot of different holidays during the year

that bring the family together. There may be a lot of national

holidays that make us feel proud of our country and its

history. But one holiday that makes people feel good and do

good deeds is Christmas – the most wonderful time of the

year. There is nothing better than the smell of the Christmas

tree in the living room, or the view of the sparkling Christmas decorations in the city. And even

though some people say they are tired of the same movies or the same songs that we watch and

listen to every December, nobody can help but laugh at the thieves in “Home Alone”, or nod their

heads and tap their feet when they hear “Jingle Bell Rock”. We all know where Christmas came from

so in this article I want to share with you some facts about Christmas that are not so well-known and

also to wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

10 facts you didn’t know:

1. Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.

2. Bing Crosby ‘s ‘White Christmas’ was released in 1942 and is considered to be the best-selling Christmas song

of all time!

3. 832 – The number of homes Santa visits every second to deliver all his presents.

4. The popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells” was actually written for Thanksgiving.

5. 17% of people will embarrass themselves at office Christmas parties.

6. “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens took him only six weeks to write.

7. Coca-Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa Claus for a winter promotion.

8. For every Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 more are planted in its place.

9. Contrary to expectations, suicide rates actually go down at Christmas.

10. Years ago, if you were under mistletoe you were supposed to kiss only if there was a berry in it. No berry –

no kiss.

3

Horoscope for 2013Year 2013 will have many ups and downs

for you. You will be experiencing some very

cheerful moments but even then you won’t feel

satisfied with your life. Don't believe in fake

promises as being overconfident might prove

harmful. Lies from a loved one may also leave

you hurt. 2013 Horoscope foretells that

someone you love might try to defame you in a controversy.

Since Jupiter is in the first house, your mind

will be focused and thoughtful. As a result, you

will take great interest in studies. You might fall

in love with someone new. Try and avoid being

aggressive and psychotic. Astrology 2013

predicts that you will take care of the elders at

home with utmost devotion.

2013 Horoscope has seen that this year

you might have health issues. There will be

stress due to some financial problem or some

enemy. You will have to safeguard your

relationship from issues that are small and can

create misunderstanding. Your loved one might

have some health problems too. This is not a

good year for education. You will not get results

as expected. Though you have great intellectual ability that

will remain hidden and you will feel a loss of mental capacity.

Horoscope 2013 predicts that you might be

blamed for things in which you have had

negligible involvement. Health wise this is not a

great year. This year will be positive for love. 2013 Horoscope suggests you to try and do

your work well and deal with difficult issues with

intelligence.

From point of view of family this will be a

great year for you. Something favorable is

going to happen home. Matters related to

heart, this is a great year. Leaving minor issues

here and there, this year will give you great

satisfaction in terms of love. You will be really

moved by love and closeness shown by a

relative or well-known friend.

As per 2013 Astrology, you might feel

insecure home. In terms of health, for a greater

part this year's favorable. This is a great month

for matters related to heart. Those who do not

have a partner so far will find a suitable match. Astrology 2013 predicts that the first half of the

year is favorable for students. You might have

to face obstacles in the second half.

Horoscope 2013 predicts that this

is not a great year in terms of health

issues. From the eye of Horoscope

2013, this will not be a good year for

matters related to heart. If you act

careless and exaggerate small things

then your relationship might come to an

end. Your loved one might betray you and lie to you.

This year will bring mixed results as

far as family matters are concerned. In

the first half of the year the family

atmosphere will remain peaceful. Astrology says this is a good year for

matters of heart in the first half. You will

enjoy great time with your loved one

and also undertake travel with him/her.

In the beginning of the year your

health remains down. You will slowly

feel a loss of energy. The year is not

too great for the matters of heart. Your

stubborn attitude might create

differences. Take care in matters of

heart and likewise take care of your

near dear ones. You will not get successful results in

competitive exams. Try and avoid being lazy, however you

will get success in the latter half of the year.

You might build new relationships

and get involved with those from a

higher status or lower class. Don't

neglect old relationships for new one.

This is a positive year. 2013 Horoscope

predicts that you will stay in the

company of intelligent people this year

and will take the right decision in

matters related to learning.

This year gives mixed results in

matters related to heart. The start of

the year might create differences. Your

partner might get upset and so try and

avoid getting too bent on something. For those who work hard this year will

bring positive results and those who act

lazy might have to see failure.

In family matters this is not a good

year for you, so be careful in family

related issues. From the eye of

Horoscope 2013, this is not a good

year for matters related to heart. In

case you plan to sail on two boats then

this is not right. Try and take the right

decision and exercise patience in matters of heart.

4

Students’ Workshop

Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven

Nowadays there are many people who do not

support their opinion and views. In three simple

words they prefer to serve in heaven. But for it is

better to reign in hell than to serve someone.

First those who chose to reign in hell are mostly

above those who serve. In the past they used to rule

the weak ones and didn’t let them have opinion or

point of view. They were just slaves who serve their

masters. In present-days it is not the same, though

there are some similarities. Those who choose to

serve are the people working in big companies as

just staff and their bosses are those who pay them

and decide weather they will work or not.

Secondly if you just “serve” someone else and let

him trample upon you, you will never rise above this

person. Neither physically nor mentally. For

example when you are arguing with someone and

you finally say: The smarter steps back. And by this

you give in your arguments, and in some kind of

way you “serve” this person.

Furthermore it is proved that being a good person

and “serve” to people who think that they are better

than you don’t always help, even sometimes can

have negative effect on you. A person with no

opinion can get no respect.

Finally it is better to be King of Nothing than to

serve someone else, or as I would say it: Better die

as king of beasts than live as lamb scared and weak.

Stanimir Todorov XI a

A tasteless joke

I switched on the TV news and couldn’t believe

what I was seeing or hearing from the presenter. The

woman looked worried and announced something

terrifying. She reported that astronomers had just

discovered that a 150-foot wide asteroid which

weighed around 140 000 tons was going to hit Earth

in a month’s time. Scientists have been determining

the path of the asteroid for around 3 months and

were sure that is was going to fell in the Atlantic

Ocean near the coasts of Portugal, Spain, France and

Great Britain. It was said to cause great damage and

massive loss of life.

I just stood speechless wondered what I was

supposed to do. My sister, friends and all my

possessions were in France so did that mean I was

going to die? Then my sister rang on the phone. She

was as horrified as me and proposed to move to a

safer place far from the coast. The initial shock was

over and I told myself the sooner, the better so I

started preparing for moving out.

I quickly packed my luggage and called at the

airport to book tickets. I was amazed to find out that

there were only two places left and according to the

employee it was because everyone was trying to get

away from the asteroid.

I got in touch with my sister again and we set off

for the airport. Just before we were called for our

flight, a man from the Information Centre announced

that the local Channel 7 apologizes for the

inconvenience and wishes everyone Happy April

Fools’ day and longevity. Ultimately it all turned out

to be just a tasteless joke!

Rositsa Georgieva XII a

The Revolution

I’m a huge fan of English history so if I had the

chance to be reborn in the past I would choose the

last half of 18th century also known as the time of

The American Revolution.

Given the chance I would gladly join the ranks of

the American patriots from the thirteen colonies in

North America who joined together to break free

from the British Empire. To see in person the great

American commander George Washington. To hear

his inspiring speeches which ignited the hearts of the

patriots to make a stand against the loyalists. I would

also like to see for myself some of the most

important events of that time like the Boston

massacre where civilians were killed by the loyalists

because they tried to defend their rights or the

Boston tea party which was an act against the tax

policy of the British government.

The historical period known as the American

Revolution is full of legendary figures like

Washington and events like the Boston Massacre

which Show the people’s desire for freedom and

equal rights. Considering all that, if I had the chance

I would definitely like to be reborn in that time.

Sabi Simeonov XIIa

5

Have fun and study hard We, students are always complaining about how much we have to study, how terrible and boring it is to stay at home and

study rather than have fun with friends or watch some interesting movies. However, now I have a surprise for you! If you

find studying too boring and difficult, there are some ways to make you change your mind. When you read this article you

will find the answer to the question how to improve your ways of studying in order to make them more entertaining, will

improve your concentration and turn the educational process into an interesting and pleasant thing…and yes, even fun (well,

almost).

It is said, that the human brain is a great thing. Unfortunately we don’t know how to use it. Usually, when we have a test,

for instance, we learn everything by heart and after a few days we forget everything. So, if you want to keep the information

in your head, you have to study properly in an effective way.

My first suggestion is to combine both study and fun. When you learn a long unit, for example, it is better for you and for

your brain to take a break from time to time. In this way, you both relax and try to consolidate the information.

Everyone has heard myths such as when you become older, you lose your ability to learn. Or that when you put a tape

recorder under your pillow, playing soothing but improving messages to your brain you are recharging your tissue. So now it

is time to break the myths and find the raw truth. When you become older you don’t lose the ability to study, you just lose

your grip, and the information sticks in our brains with more difficulty. The other trick with the recorder is a total fiction!

Learning is an active process, and the chance to learn something from the all night- repeated information is very small. It

would only happen, when you have just woken up and you are still drowsy.

So forget about all the tricks you have seen in the cartoon animations, stop complaining how stupid you are, sit on your

…., and start studying! Now read some tips how to make the studying process funnier.

1) Schedule time slots for study and other times for play. Don't make your study a never-ending process. Give it its timeslot

and devote yourself to it during these times and then reward yourself with the things you really feel like doing afterwards.

2) Get a pet to encourage you! If you have a household friend, such as a cat or a fish, you can have them around you as you

study. What’s more, purring cats provide a great source of rhythmical comfort that can ease the studying time and a fish

swimming around and around can do wonders for reminding you that it's worth studying so that you can become a bigger fish

in a sea of many.

3) If you like music, create a short song about the general points of what you're studying.

4) Go over your notes and draw pictures. We usually do this when we are totally bored by what we are doing, but if we use

drawing as a way of studying it could be more pleasant.

5) If you are reading your textbook, use funny accents or weird voices. Moreover in this way you improve your spelling

and communicational skills.

6) Are you an IT/computer person? If the answer is YES, then use your computer to study. When you study from the

internet you don’t think about your lessons as an obligation, which you have to learn.

7) Replace the word WORD with the word PLAY or GAME.

So, what is the lesson you have to draw? You have to lie your brain and

exchange the word “study” with the word “fun”. And moreover never

forget to:

6

1. What is the traditional dessert

in England on December 25?

A. Christmas Pudding

B. Sticky toffee pudding

C. Apple Pie

D. Pecan Pie

2. Which of these is NOT one of

Santa’s reindeer?

A. Rudolph

B. Dasher

C. Dixen

D. Donner

3. At Christmas it is customary to

exchange kisses beneath a spring

of which plant?

A. Holly

B. Poinsetta

C. Mistletoe

D. Ivy

4. Santa Claus is also know by his

Saint name. What is it?

A. Saint Petar

B. Saint Kiril

C. Saint Nicolas

D. Saint Christmas

5. When is the “The feast of

Stephen”?

A. December 6

B. December 27

C. January 1

D. December 12

6. How many reindeer usually pull

Santa’s sleigh on a clear night?

A. none

B. 1

C. 20

D. 8

7. In the Christmas song “Rudolph

the Red Nosed Reindeer” how is

his nose described? “You would

even say it…”

A. Runs

B. Glows

C. Sneezes

D. Blows

8. Santa has a favourite snack.

Children often leave it out for him

on Christmas Eve. What is it?

A. Hamburger

B. Grilled steak

C. Cookies and milk

D. Coca-Cola

9. What was the poem commonly

known as “The nights before

Christmas” originally called?

A. The Night Visitor

B. Santa Claus is coming to

town

C. A visit from Saint Nicolas

D. A Christmas Visit

Answers on page 8.

7

/Fill the missing words in the brackets/

Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is you I don't want a lot for (1)……………….. There is just one thing I need I don't care about the (2)……………… (3)…………………. the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my (4) …………. come true All I want for Christmas Is (5) ……….. I don't need to hang my (6) ……………….. There upon the (7) ………………… (8)………………….. won't make me happy With a toy on Christmas Day Oh I won't ask for much this Christmas I won't even wish for (9) …………….. And I'm just gonna keep on waiting (10) …………………… the mistletoe I won't make a (11) ………… and send it To the North Pole for Saint Nick I won't even stay awake to Hear those (12) ……………. reindeer click 'Cause I just want you here (13)…………. Holding on to me so tight What more can I do? (14)…………. all I want for Christmas is you Oh all the (15)………….. are shining So brightly everywhere And the (16)……………… of children's Laughter fills the air And everyone is (17)………………. I hear those sleigh (18)………………. ringing Santa won't you bring me the one I really need? Oh I just want you for my (19)………… More than you could ever know Make my wish come (20)……….. Baby all I want for Christmas is You baby

Now it’s time to sing and celebrate!

8

TEACHER OF THE YEAR SURVEY

1) The teacher of the Year is

Stella Stefanova

2) The most demanding teacher

1st: Radost Kostova & Nikolina Encheva

2nd: Galya Dohcheva

3rd: Dotka Markova

3) The strictest teacher

1st: Vanya Hazarosova

2nd: Nikolina Encheva

3rd: Mariela Simeonova

4) The funniest teacher

1st: Lyuben Yovchev

2nd: Mitio Marinov & Stella Stefanova

5) The kindest teacher

1st: Iveta Saramova

2nd: Lena Lapkova

3rd: Nadya Bardarova

6) The most easy-going teacher

1st: Mitio Marinov

2nd: Iveta Saramova

3rd: Lena Lapkova

7) The teacher with the most charming smile

1st: Tanya Zlateva

2nd: Stella Stefanova

3rd: Kremena Todorova

Answers from page 6: 1-C; 2-D; 3-C; 4-C; 5-B; 6-D; 7-B; 8-C; 9-B

The newspaper was made by:

Maria Stoianova Kamelia Malakova Stanimir Grozev Lachezar Serdarski

Petia Georgieva Elena Zaharieva Viktoria Radanova Viktoria Mateva Alexandra Sergeeva