HitMe!

Me! e!

M H I T

FASHION MODELLING

»It’s not enough

just to be pretty and persistent, you have to be prepared to give up a lot.

« »CELICA«n!

Never ever a prison agai The place of freedom with the inspiration of youth…

MARYRUTH COLEMAN, Deputy Chief of Mission

»Well, I’m very impressed by the knowledge of English in Slovenia.«

Špela Jermol, Ljubljana

Katarina Obranovič, Šmarješke Toplice Luka Berden, Ljubljana

Janez Ferlin, Senovo Erika Šolar, Olševek

Mateja Mavec, Ljubljana

Matej Mlakar, Ljubljana Marjeta Skoberne, Ljubljana

Marjana Kožar, Dvorska vas

Manca Hočevar, Hrastovica Andreja Pintar, Dolenja vas

Mojca Debeljak, Retje

Peter Kočevar, Stranje Kristina Ravšelj, Viševek

Žiga Pižorn, Parižlje Ana Levstek, Nemška vas

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Urška Pečkaj H I, TLogatec

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Lucija Adamič, Želimlje

Nastja Ižanc, Rogaška Slatina

Urška Pečkaj, Logatec

Nina Knavs, Kot pri Ribnici

04 ŽELIMLJE

about the place of knowledge

06 THE AMERICANS

Dear Readers,

IN SLOVENIA

11 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES,

DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT LIVES

Hit Me! is a unique magazine, it comprises various aspects of life.

Students never cease to amaze you with their outstanding energy and creativity. Since this is our first magazine, I let them write about everything they wanted and, surprisingly, they came up with quite interesting, and above all, creative ideas.

14 A NIGHTLIFE OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN LJUBLJANA

15 FASHION MODELLING 19 PROBLEM PAGE 20 “CELICA” NEVER EVER A PRISON AGAIN! 22 RUSLANA

Writing a magazine is hard but extremely rewarding, it encourages team work, which is of great importance in the present time.

24 ADVENTURE SPORTS 26 THE FRENCH SCHOOL

IN SLOVENIA

26 SILA 27 “NOTHING IS TRUE,

EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED”

A critique of the first stage production of Alamut

28 DIFFERENT HOLIDAYS 30 WITH A SMILE IN HIS EYES

(not a typical summer story)

31 WHERE DID THE HIGHLANDERS

COME FROM?

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Our students tried themselves in writing interviews, presenting problems and joys of every one of us. They showed us their views, opinions and also solutions.

I am really glad that our students were willing to challenge themselves with something quite unknown to them, but most of all I am grateful that they used their knowledge of English in a more amusing, but still very demanding way.

Enjoy Hit Me!

2005/2006

Publisher Zavod sv. Frančiška Saleškega Address Želimlje 46, 1291 Škofljica Homepeage www.zelimlje.si Editor Maja Gerden Photography Zavod sv. Frančiška Saleškega & Reporters Design Marko Suhoveršnik Print Tiskarna Pleško, 2006

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ŽELIMLJE

about the place of knowledge

Pascual Chávez at Želimlje Želimlje – the place of knowledge, learning all day, friendship, fun …

And of course, corn, sheep, prayers and future nuns. Do not be afraid.

The statements are not all true. But the High School Želimlje is different from other schools. Some history and reasons follow … Maybe you do not know everything.

The village Želimlje is close to Pijava Gorica and between the hills around it. On the road to the High School, you are driving across a perfect countryside, which is a very strange place for a school with such a high reputation. No, you did not miss the crossing (by the church), it is just the first feeling. After driving through fields of corn, you catch sight of Joys of Winter

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a large building, if you are lucky and the corn is already cut down. You are right, that is your aim.

The valley under the free sun is a wellknown name for this valley. It is because of the historical meaning which contains also the Svarun Trail (Svarunova pot). The trail leads through places, which the writer and dramatist Fran Saleški Finžgar included in his historical novel »Pod svobodnim soncem« (Under the Free Sun).

Nowadays The John Bosco Institute (Zavod sv. Frančiška Saleškega) gives the place much fame. It was established (1966) by the Slovenian Salesians, whose wish is to provide good education to young people – they have been trying to continue don Bosco’s work since

Few romantic moments

Natural beauties of Želimlje 1901. For this reason they established the John Bosco Institute, including also a private high school, which became the first publicly recognised private school in independent Slovenia in 1991. Today the number of the Salesians is 18.000, in Slovenia about 100.

The High School Želimlje is small, but its students come from all over Slovenia, so almost two thirds of students live in a dormitory. You can see so many different dialects and habits only here.

Its smallness is shown in many ways. The best is that we are not only numbers, and first of all, we know (almost) everyone by their names. We get to know and help each other. Every now and then we do a naughty thing or two, but all we do is

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Nina Knavs

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harmless and innocent, compared to what they do in other schools.

Living in the dormitory is like we are all a very big family – with 184 boys and girls, divided in 7 educational groups.

And the best thing at our school is the

entertainment, because there are many places where they can have fun. We also have a good time, but in different ways – without alcohol, drugs …

Back to school. Thank God, lessons go on only in the morning. Some students (like

A Masquerade

last »interesting thing« is not in a good state. The famous hill Kurešček is a well known pilgrimage centre.

All these facts lead to the terrible truth - Catholic school! That means we pray days and nights and girls are

Having fun without alcohol, drugs ...

silence outside (and inside) the walls.

Every now and then you can hear only the sound of tractors, what you do not hear in Ljubljana, where there is the noise of cars and other vehicles all the time.

And what is better than the singing of birds in the morning, the clean and fresh air, which is sometimes enriched with the smells of rustic work (manuring)?

All you have to do is open your window.

Would you rather breathe the city air?

The school has a quite huge gymnasium with four areas, playgrounds for football, basketball and volleyball. Many other schools do not have their own gym and students have to cross streets to get to other places, which is quite risky. Young people in the cities can have a lot of

Adventure

me) have troubles with concentration already in the morning! But I would still rather sleep an hour or two more …

We have a school radio and a school newspaper called Preblisk. There are also a lot of activities and social, sporting and cultural performances. We can train football, basketball or volleyball, students can learn Italian, we also prepare theatrical shows, concerts and a lot more. Our speciality is the Latin language. Take it as positive or negative but we are at one of those rare schools with this language. At Želimlje, there are also the Majcen’s Hall (Majcnov dom), the Church of St. Vitus (Cerkev sv. Vida), and now privately owned 15th century hunting lodge of »manor« Nemršelj. The

Different excursions

all nuns already now. Thinking in this way is very wrong and causes a lot of unusual questions. In short, we build our relations in connection with God - faith, friendship … It is a pity that God does not hear our prayers for better grades if we do not study enough … Anyway, we made a choice by ourselves, and we decided to do something more than just learning for grades – we are learning and preparing for our independent lives.

The High School Želimlje is one of the hardest and best schools in Slovenia.

But nothing is perfect. One teacher said: »Each student can finish the school he chose no matter how hard it is if he has enough hope and a strong will.« Science subjects

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MARYRUTH COLEMAN, Deputy Chief of Mission from the American Embassy in Slovenia, talks about her impressions of Slovenia, Slovenian people and her life.

Katarina Obranovič, Ana Levstek, Urška Pečkaj, Janez Ferlin

Are there any differences between the American and Slovenian ways of life?

I think so. Basically now most of the American middle class has moved out of the city and lives in suburbia

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with the lawns and the children have schools and parks out there. So many people come to cities to work and they will go to the mall or to a giant grocery store,which usually are open almost all the time. And in the stores everything is avaliable. Here I find people love to go to the market. And they will go and buy things very fresh and they know exactly what’s fresh and you can’t get fish everywhere and it’s a different relationship to food.

Well, I can buy fruit and two weeks later they’re looking just about the same. Here you must eat it quickly or it will decay. So I’m learning not to buy so much at one time, buy a smaller amount so that things stay fresh. So, that’s one interesting difference.

What do you miss most when you are out of the States? Do you have any problems with homesickness?

Hmmm ...Well, of course I miss my family. When I was in Washington I didn’t see my family every week or anything but I could go up more frequently. Now, three times a year if I’m lucky I go and see them. When your parents are getting older you cherish every time you are together

when they are healthy, so I suppose all of us in a foreign service, whatever country you were in, that’s one thing you miss. The little child going from six months to two years old, from four years old to a teenager. You come back and the person has completely changed.

So, very precious times. As far as material things, very little. For example, in my apartment, I still am not quite sure how to turn the heat on. It is on, but I never did anything. And one day I touched the button and the floor turned on, which we don’t have in the United States. And I hurried around to turn it off, my feet were getting very hot. So I’m very, very pleased with my apartment, but certain things like that I am not in control of. So that’s unusual but it happens wherever I go, every country has something like that.

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You came to Slovenia around 4 months ago. What were your first impressions of Slovenia and Slovenian people?

OK, that’s easy. I had a wonderful impression of Slovenia and Slovenian people. When I first came, the weather was beautiful,the days were long. I live in a beautiful apartment behind the Križanke Theatre, and so every evening I saw the castle up above and I heard the music down below and thought I had gone just to a heavenly place.

I travelled to Piran, for the Tartini Festival, and I went to Izola for the diplomatic regatta, my work has taken me also to Maribor, we went to Litija and there was a jazz concert, actually spirituals, and I thought: »How could it be I have come all the way to Slovenia and here they are, clapping their hands and singing, just like you would find in the South of the US.« Very, very interesting, stimulating, beautiful.

Thank you for your question.

What would you change here if you had a chance?

What would I change? Well, maybe I guess, I suppose we find sometimes it’s a little expensive and I love to shop, I love to go to restaurants, too, so I’m slowly getting used to the prices and all. But the quality is lovely. I wouldn’t change very much, it’s wonderful. You can get out, see the countryside very easily, so I wouldn’t change much.

You said you worked in Moscow.

What differences are there between Moscow, which is a huge city, and Ljubljana, which is the size of a smaller village in the States? (laugh) Well, that is the main difference. When You are probably used to working all you are here for a week around the world. Where have you or even a week and a worked so far as a career diplomat? half, you begin to know Aha. Ok, my first posting as a diplomat where things are, the way to go to old was in Nigeria and there I had to get town, oh, there’s the Union hotel, here I used to some very different kinds of can find Maximarket to buy groceries, life. When we drove from the airport and here’s the Opera house. So things and we came to where we were going to are familiar, which gives you a sense live I thought: »Oh, this looks terrible, of comfort. In Moscow, the subway how will I survive here?« But after three system is huge, you have to learn weeks I realized it was the richest part it, many squares, many streets in the of the town, it was actually fabulous. neighbourhood are hard almost to find ...

And then I thought: »Oh thank God I live here!« So just learning the contacts Are you happy with your job? And is so important as a diplomat so that what exactly do you do? you feel like you know the society. (laugh) Well, I suppose my job now is After Nigeria I went back to the US very interesting.I used to be working to learn Russian and then I went to on political and economic matters.

Moscow. And I got to Moscow in And so every day I would go out and 1991, two weeks before the end of the meet Latvians or Russians and find out communism, practically. And that what’s happening in the economy, the very August, right across from our oil industry, what’s happening in the embassy, was the white house. All elections, what they think the future the students, exactly your age, were will bring and all and I would go back surrounding the white house to protect to the embassy and I would write a Jelcin and get to the army. And it was report so that I could help the US so unbelievably tense, very exciting and understand what is happening in this the students were so happy. And then country and what’s the best way to form all of the other countries, the Baltic a good cooperation. I loved that! And States came out, people with their flags, then when I was coming to this job, I Uzbekistan and Ukraine flag. Slowly, thought, »I wonder if I would like it,« out of nowhere came all those people because what I have to do is managing who were thinking it was a new stage of people and that means I have to make history. They were standing right there, sure that we have a good connection watching how it all happened. with the medical profession if some Then I went back to the United States child falls down, to work in Washington for a while. And I have to make sure that the marines then I went to Latvia. And there are some who are here are happy to be working similarities between Latvia and Slovenia: here. I have to look out for anyone who 2 million people, lots of farms, beautiful might suddenly become sad because city and people who wanted to be a part something bad is happening in their of Europe. So we were there for three family, to make sure that they take some years, while they took all the legislative vacation, don’t just stay working and steps to bring the laws in line. After I left, working and not take care of what’s not too long, they joined Nato and the EU. Then I worked in Washington and then ... the best: Slovenia.

important to them. I have to watch out for the budget of the whole embassy, how it is devided among the various parts of the embassy. And I have to advise the ambassador, make sure that when he gives a speech, that the speech is ready, and that when he has a reception, the right people are invited.

Now, of course I don’t do all that work, but I make sure that those who are responsible do it well, so that he feels comfortable, that he can one moment be talking about police and in the next minute he’s greeting some American citizens and next moment he’s talking about some other issue. And we try to make sure that he has what he needs to do that. So, that’s, I call it, an inside job. A lot of it is inside. But because when he goes I have to do his job. I need to know the Slovenian contacts, I need to know about the Slovenians, so I have an outside component of my job. Leading the mayor, leading the people in the foreign ministry, leading people in military area. When the ambassador was away, look, Katrina happened and there I was on TV or something else can happen and I need to be over there saying I need your help, there are some terrorists crossing the border, or something else has come up. So I have an inside and an outside job and I’m supposed to keep the balance right, because I don’t know how you find it, but as you are in your worklife, you can be so dominated by computer, the e-mails and you come in and you can just answer e-mails all day, never get up and go see your people and say: How are you doing?

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Go out and say to Slovenians: What’s new? What should I know about Slovenia? So, that’s the hard part of the job, balancing ?

And what do you do in your free time?

Ahh ... I do and I will be doing more wonderful things with my free time when my car arrives from the States.

So I think I’ll do like many of my fellow workers, drive around, take trips.

Do you think Slovenian people are well educated? What do you think about the knowledge of English in Slovenia?

Well, I’m very impressed by the knowledge of English in Slovenia.

I spoke to another high school yesterday and we talked about the novel The Great Gatsby (laugh) and we talked about working history and the first half of the 20th century and I was amazed.I’m sure we wouldn’t have the same discussion with real American students. And I kept saying: Do you understand me? And they said: Oh, yes! And then I told a couple of jokes, ‘cause you always know if people understand you if you tell a joke and no one laughs. And they all laughed and I was very impressed.

No, I think Slovenians have a marvellous background in languages.

Those students, I don’t know about yourselves, had also studied some German, Italian and because

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Slovenia is small it is very wise what you’re doing. Because the internet, technology, cell phones, business ... a lot is in English. And even though there are other beautiful languages, German, Italian, French, Russian ... most young people in China and Japan are also learning English, so as far as being ready for the world, I think English will often be one of the first foreign languages people will learn. And then, of course, they will have other tongues as well.

As far as the quality of education I would ask you that question. I mean it’s impressive that it seems to be a lot of hard work and strict requirements and when I was studying a little Slovenian I read that some feel that the education is too theoretical and not practical and if that’s the case, I’m sure wise heads can bring themselves together to change that.

A lot has been said about the influence of the American culture and language on the European youth, especially Slovenian youth.

Do you believe that we, as well as any other European nation, might lose our identity and language because of it? Do you find the Slovenian language easy to learn?

I don’t know, I feel that Slovenia right now is still in a very strong position to maintain its culture, its language.

Because the Slovenian nationality

constitutes of great majority of the people in this country. When I was in Latvia, in their capital city, something like sixty percents of the people were Russians. So if you had in your own capital, Ljubljana, sixty percents of the people speaking a foreign language, then you might feel worried about your ability and plus they were occupied for all those years and even in some areas, Latvian parents couldn’t find a school where Latvian was spoken, their children were educated in Russian. If the youth speak Slovenian at home and among themselves, but they can also speak other languages, if they can have fun with rock’n’roll or some other kinds of music, then I think it’s an international culture that’s very, very exciting and I don’t feel that it should be threatening to people. Because Slovenian has beautiful expressions in it, it has literature and it’s worth saving. But if Moscow exists with other languages, I’m hoping the youth will feel confident that Slovenian will survive. English and French and other international cultures are something that adds to life, doesn’t threaten. But you do have to watch it, because I come from Irish background and, of course, Irish people used to speak Gallic and now it’s almost entirely gone. Now, that doesn’t mean that Irish people don’t know that they’re Irish, but that language was considered as a language of rural people. And urban people wanted to speak English. Nowadays I think people are aware that this shouldn’t happen so they try to protect their culture.

What is your opinion about Slovenian food and Slovenian eating habits?

Do you think we have the same weight problems as the Americans?

No, I’m surprised because Slovenians do like to eat, sometimes meat, sometimes potatoes.

Well, you can eat too much of that, I suppose, but I think Slovenians love

to exercise. Slovenians love to bicycle, walk, climb mountains, and I think that keeps people in shape for the most part. Americans may not, they also eat a lot of junk food, because they are rushing from place to place, they don’t stop to have lunch, they are eating in the car or going by a quick place to have coffee and something and they are eating that in the car. That’s the problem. Always in the car. In fact, in my house in Washington I would leave my living room into the garage, get in the car, push the button, the door goes up and then I drive, drive to work, go into the basement, get out of my car, go up and sit at my computer. The most exercise is to go down to lunch, which is good. If you take the elevator, it’s really bad. So you really have to concentrate on the quality and balance of what you are eating. I think that the trouble is that you can develop a taste for things that are salty and have fat in them. And the trouble is that vegetables don’t taste sweet and so you have to train children right from the beginning that they would appreciate this taste.

December 10th is the day of human rights, which are violated almost everywhere in the world, Slovenia is no exception.

American politicians always stress the importance of human rights, but now there is a lot of criticism of the American methods concerning the war against terrorism.

Is there a way to avoid such criticism, to respect everyone’s rights, and still win this miserable war?

That’s an excellent question and a lot of people are grabbling with that question. I think it’s because this is a different kind of a war and basically people have been able to go cross borders with false identities and potentially harm many, many people, and so law enforcement has had to adjust itself to this new reality. One aspect of the question that you mention is not really human rights, but it’s democratic or civil rights, and that’s the right to privacy.

Many people have said; should the government know what book I’m reading in a library, is that necessary to give up that right in order to catch terrorists? Cause terrorists are getting books out of the library on how to make a nuclear bomb or how to make any kind of bomb. So we talk about these things and I don’t know that anyone has the exact solution.

On human rights, we are deeply committed to human rights, of course, we have promoted human rights in the UN and in all these treaties. I think the thing is that, from what we are told, there are places like Guantanamo, where interrogation happens, but if we let the international human rights people get access and they can certify that what’s going on is questioning and not torture or other violations, and I think that our government is committed to be open to that kind of inspection, so that human rights are not violated.

And how do you see the future of the world and Slovenia as a part of it?

Well, I see that we are still grabbling with important issues of how to trade with each other, how to interrelate with each other, and try to have as many people the better off as a result of it.

I know, for example, there is a lot of controversy over globalization.We believe, because of our own experience inside our country, with Europe, with Japan and other partners, that trade makes all countries and peoples better, but it isn’t better, like the next day; sometimes it takes a number of

years. Some parts of the world feel that globalization has made things worse.

Our medicines are available in Africa as well as in the US, but Africans don’t have the buying power to get those medicines, so they criticize it, but we say, OK, wait a bit, competition will bring those prices down. So there’s a lot of debate over these relations across the world, so that people feel it’s just and that things will improve.

I’m an optimistic person by nature and I think that we will continue to develop, and as we do, the problems will come up, and we’ll try to solve them, and I think the bitter lessons of the war were such that we will try to avoid that, but on the other hand we did have that nuclear stand-off for many years so people have to be vigilant to search for peace to keep protecting human rights around the world, and I think now our policy is to promote democracy wherever we can, we would love Slovenia as our good partner in this.

And just generally speaking, how do you, Americans, see us? Do you think that the Americans know that we exist?

Well, you have to keep in mind that America is a very large country.And they often are inwardly focused, like a lot of people, and they travel to Canada or Mexico. But when it comes to Europe, I imagine there are some who mainly just know about England, France, Germany, Italy, because they probably came from there. But there are many young people who are sick and tired of travelling to the same country again and again, so things are changing.

Ms Coleman, thank you for your time.

We all wish you a pleasant staying here, in Slovenia.

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DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT LIVES Katarina Obranovič of the EU (May ‘04), population of nearly 2 million. That’s all I can remember.

Dan: Yes. I know it’s between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, but that’s about it James: Yup, I have heard of Slovenia. It’s a small country just east of Italy, with a population of around 2 million and is mainly rural. With many valleys and large areas of countryside.

here. It’s a place to be proud of with a long and great history.

But yes, I would rather live abroad. Sadly to me it seems since WW2 Great Britain has been in decline, it’s no longer a superpower. I think this is because of a mix of government not being strong enough and the emergence of anti social behaviour and yob culture.

Do you ever think about moving to any other country?

Do you like living in Britain?

Richard: The thought has crossed Why/Why not? my mind a few times before, Richard: Like any other country, Britain has its fair share of good but as of now I have neither the need nor means to do so. I doubt and bad points. At times I do that I would ever go ahead with enjoy living here; I live near such a move unless there was Manchester, so there is a lot a significant change in my life happening and many places which prompted me to. to go. I do dislike the state that Chieftain Tower, Manchester some areas are in, many cities in Rob: Absolutely – I fully intend this country have too much litter to move to another country, lying around on the streets, for perhaps not permanently but for 1 example. Another negative thing a significant amount of time.

We all know that people Have you ever heard of is the dull weather we usually In my opinion there is so much in different countries Slovenia? What do you know get, but it’s not always bad. out there to explore and it’s live different lives. But about it? many of us find those Richard: Yes, I have heard of Rob: Yeah, I love it. My quality plainly wrong to stay in one who have other opinions Slovenia. Unfortunately I do not of life here is very good and I’m place all your life. thankful for the way the country Scott: Yes, a lot. I think about inferior. This world that know much about the country moving to the USA. Not because we live in is huge, but itself, apart from the fact that it is is run in terms of the good quality, free health care. located in central Europe, near it’s a better place, but because then again, very small.

Scott: Yes, I do. Because Britain people there understand me That is why I decided to Austria and Croatia I believe. better. is my home country and I have do a little research about Rob: Yes, I’ve heard of it, but mates here.

English youth. I asked I honestly don’t know a thing Sarah: No (not yet). a few of my very good about it. I know it’s in Europe Sarah: I like Britain as a country, Dan: Think of moving to New friends (Richard,19; and around Croatia and Hungary. it has wonderful countryside Zealand maybe, but that’s a long (especially in the lake district). way off.

Rob,18; Scott,18; Sarah, Scott: Yes, I have but I haven’t 17; Dan, 21; James, 19) heard much about it.

Dan: It’s OK, never lived no James: Yes, I would love to to answer my questions. Sarah: Yes, it’s a country just where else so ... live in Japan. Although for And here’s what they had east of Italy (I think it has a James: Living in Britain is really most people Spain is the most to say for our magazine: border with it anyway) member nice and, of course, I do love it popular destination.

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Rob: Well, there’s Christmas and Easter, those are the main two holidays. Then, of course, there is the summer holiday season.

Scott: Well the usual ones.

Sarah: Three, Christmas/Easter/ summer.

Dan: There’s Easter and Christmas, then there’s a few bank holidays, two in May and one in August.

James: Christmas is the main holiday. Then Easter, then the six week summer holidays (for schools only).

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River Goddess, Birmingham

that we maintain a respect for religions that differ from our Are you religious? own; no one deserves to be persecuted for holding religious Richard: No. Rob: I used to be, for most of my beliefs, whatever they are.

Scott: I respect other religions life. Right now, I would say no. because it’s what they believe in.

Scott: No. Sarah: I have a very open Sarah: Yes, I’m a Christian. opinion. People have the right to Dan: Nope. believe in what they want.

James: I believe in God in a Dan: Load of rubbish, just Christian way, yes. another means of control.

What is your opinion about other James: Apart from Christianity, I believe that other religions are religions? wrong. I believe they have good Richard: I have no problems intentions, but that in the end, with any religions, but they do they are made up gods. I do not not interest me and I am not a try and change other people’s How many holidays/What are the believer of such. I am familiar views and no other person can with the basic principles of most change my views. Attending main holidays during the year? religions and I understand what one of the foremost Church of Richard: I would say that they attempt to preach, but I England primary schools would Christmas/New Year is the main choose not to be a part of any. have helped me in my view, but holiday period, Easter may also I do not think it is the reason be considered to be significant. Rob: I think it’s imperative Cwmbran Street why I have my beliefs.

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and build up your knowledge/ understanding of the world. They have to study hard at school/ college if they want to obtain qualifications that will help them on their way later in life.

Rob: Being a teenager is hard work – it’s an incredibly stressful time emotionally with all the changes that occur and the new experiences that happen. On the plus side, this can make the experience very exciting. You get feelings on both ends of the spectrum.

Scott: Advantages of being a teenager are being young and having time to think about life, disadvantages are being discriminated as a troublemaker because you are young.

Sarah: Advantages – you can experience things that in later life would be stupid.

Disadvantages – less responsibility and rights.

What, do you think, are the advantages and disadvantages of Dan: You don’t have to work but can’t drink, well legally. being a teenager?

Richard: Usually, being a teenager means that you can have fun, and enjoy life much more. Sadly being 19, my teenage years are almost over.

The disadvantage of being a teenager nowadays is that you are constantly pushed to learn,

James: The advantage is that you are still young and have lots to learn (you can choose which subject you want to become a ‘master’ in, in life). The disadvantages are stereotypes, ”Oh, he is a teenager, he must have mood swings, be grumpy, etc.”

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How do you usually spend Christmas and New year?

Richard: Usually with family and friends, sometimes we travel to relatives or they come here.

Sadly this year it was just me and my parents.

Rob: Christmas and New Years have generally been family occasions for me in the past, often we’d get together in a group of about 12, with our closest family, and just celebrate the days together.

Scott: At home with family.

Sarah: Christmas is spent with the family, we have our Christmas meal on Christmas eve and open presents on Christmas day and boxing day. New year’s is usually with friends having some good time.

Dan: With Family.

James: Christmas is spent opening presents in the morning and having dinner with family in the evening. This is the way all families celebrate Christmas in Britain. Also dedicated Christan followers will go to church in the morning too, maybe before or after opening presents, I am not sure about this.

Me! e! 11 M H I T

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How do you get on with your parents?

Richard: I generally get on well with my parents. Although they sometimes argue and disagree with me, they have always helped out in the past when I needed it.

Rob: Very well in general. Of course, we have odd arguments and irritate each other but I’m very grateful for the way in which I have been raised and the care they have given me.

Scott: Quite Well.

Sarah: I get on very well with my parents, I enjoy spending time with them when I am at home.

Dan: OK, do as they say and there’s no trouble.

James: Very well.

Rob: I spend a lot of the time on my computer as it’s one of my main passions. Working part time as a web designer, I have clients who have requirements that I have to fulfil. Added to which, I enjoy speaking with friends all over the world on instant messaging applications.

My other main passion is music, in all its forms, and I enjoy playing on my keyboard and What kind of music do you composing. listen to?

Scott: A typical day would be Richard: I listen to many go to college, I like to spend my variations of Rock and Metal free time either out with mates Rob: I would guess I’m a fan of or on the net. I don’t spend that Indy-Pop – that’s to say, bands much time on the comp that are slightly more obscure as I used to. and less commercialised but Sarah: My typical day – wake fairly inoffensive audibly. up between 07:00 and 07:30, Scott: Rock. shower and have some breakfast.

Sarah: I will listen to any music, Then usually at uni from 09:00, How often do you go to parties? but really enjoy Rock and Punk for about 4 -5 hours of lectures or lab sessions (with 1 hour Richard: Not very often. Some of music. lunch break), then home at about my friends do frequently go to Dan: Anything good, so no rap 16:00 – 17:00. I usually have a parties, but I usually prefer to just or recent r’n’b. meal at about 18:00, depending go out with a few friends instead. James: Anything from Classic, on what else I have planned for Rob: At university, a few times to Rock to Pop. Depends on my the day. In my spare time I am a week we’ll have something morale, and it depends on the usually on my computer or I go resembling a party. song itself, not song type. If to see my friends I like the song, then it does not Dan: Well, I’m on the computer Scott: Not that often. matter what genre it is to me. when I’m not out, and if I’m not Sarah: About once a month. on the computer I’m at school Dan: Not often, I’m not that What is your typical day like? or doing homework. popular.

How do you spend your free James: I spend a lot of time in James: I seldom go to parties time? How much time do you because even though my friends spend in front of your computer? front of my computer because I can gain a wealth of are there, I don’t enjoy them.

Richard: Sadly not much is That’s my honest opinion. happening right now, I’m not Maybe once a month or once currently in school nor do I every two months. have a job at this time (which is subject to change). So, I What is your perfect day like? don’t really have any specific Richard: A warm sunny day schedule. As of now I’m just accompanied by a cool breeze, occasionally helping out at relaxing with friends and having home, and meeting/talking a laugh. with friends. When in my room Rob: That’s such a vague I tend to spend a significant question, I have no idea how to amount of time in front of my answer it. computer, usually chatting Scott: Chilling with mates, and with people or browsing the having a good time. internet.

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Sarah: Hmmmm, perfect day.

Very hard to describe.

Dan: Sleep all day - all night and day, life is bliss when asleep ...

James: Waking up with my wife (if I had one), doing something nice for the day (such as visiting somewhere), then dinner and then a relaxing night before sleep.

information from the internet and also chat and mail my friends online. My typical day is working for Tesco PLC. In my free time I like to exercise and to eat out at a nice restaurant, go to the cinema and also to travel, especially to Japan.

What’s your favourite sport?

Richard: I have to admit I’m not really dedicated to any particular sport, nor do I play frequently, but when the chance comes, I enjoy playing football, tennis and table tennis (if that even counts).

Rob: I honestly couldn’t say – I’ve never been particularly interested in sport, but I do enjoy watching football when it’s on.

Scott: I am not a Sporting Man. Sarah: Ultimate frisbee (it is a real sport, there’s even a European competition).

Dan: I would say football, I guess, but I do like cricket.

James: Football.

Do you remember any cartoons that you watched when you were a child?

Richard: Yes, I remember a fair amount; one that immediately springs to mind is ’Ren + Stimpy’. I also recall frequently watching ’Tom & Jerry’.

Double decker

to wear a shirt, tie and jacket. I didn’t enjoy wearing a uniform; I would have definitely preferred to wear my own clothes.

Rob: Computer Networks & Security.

Scott: I study Art and Design while working at Argos part time. No uniforms at College but in school we had to and I Havin’ fun didn’t like them but I suppose it showed a solidarity.

Dan: An hour, I’m lazy.

Rob: Plenty. There were all the Disney classics of course, plus James: Main GCSE subject is Sarah: At the moment I am things like The Racoons, Biker studying for a degree in 2 years, College subject is Mice from Mars, Chip ‘n’ Dale Chemistry (we do not have to 2 years, but is more intensive.

Rescue Rangers ... Saturday wear any uniforms, I think that morning stuff. uniforms can be good in earlier What subjects do you usually education (high school) as Scott: Yes, I remember CITV take in high school/college? it can help with uniformity of as a kid.

Richard: At College I took Art, behaviour).

Sarah: Only a few and not very Design & Technology and I.C.T. much of them.

I am currently taking a gap year, Dan: I work.

Dan: Button Moon, Thundercats, but I have a place at a University James: I study Japanese, Bajiquan, swordplay, Finance to take a Creating imaging Teenage Munt Ninja Turtles, and Shares and anything I think (Graphic Design) course next James: Hundreds ... the will improve myself. I study year.

Flintstones, Tom and Jerry, things in short periods to find Rob: I’m at university and I’m Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, if they are useful and to gain Disney in general, Mutant Ninja taking a degree in Computer knowledge about the world Networks & Security.

Turtles, Garfield etc., etc. around me.

Scott: Art and Design.

3 Sarah: Secondary school How long does an average study (high school) , the compulsory When do you usually move away from your parents in your take? subjects are – English literature country? and language, Maths, Science, Richard: By that I presume Richard: My guess would a foreign language. you mean a lesson. At my old be either when we go off to college, lessons/studies were Dan: English, Maths, Science, broken down into one hour long Business Studies, P. E., French, University (if we have the chance to, and want to do so) or periods. In some cases students Geography, think that’s it. after we have been working and would have the same subject James: Physics, Chemistry, saving for a sufficient amount of back to back on their timetable, Biology, Maths and English time, i.e. enough to move out. meaning that they would have literature and langauage are Rob: At age 18 most people go two periods for that lesson. compulsory. to university, and the majority In these circumstances the of them live in university lesson would last two hours, as What do you study?/What do accommodation away from their opposed to the usual two. you do? parents. I was actually living Rob: I don’t understand the (if you’re studying: Do you have away for various reasons from question. to wear uniforms in your present the age of 17.

Scott: About an hour. school/Uni? What do you think Scott: Never. of wearing uniforms?)

Sarah: Average study – Sarah: When you go to university junior school - 6 years, Richard: As already stated, (about 18/19 years old). secondary school – 5 years, I’m taking a gap year. At my Dan: When they throw us out, so it College – 2 years, University – old high school we did have a 3 -4 years. uniform, and at college we had could be 18 up to nothing like 30.

.

James: Personally I would say 21 years of age, but this varies greatly.

How do you see yourself in the future?

Richard: That’s a tough one.

Hopefully I will have succeeded at University and been rewarded by getting a job I enjoy doing (and that pays a descent wage of course). I generally like to see myself being involved in something graphical, perhaps in advertising or something along those lines ... who knows what the future holds?

Rob: I look forward to finishing my university course in a few years and moving on in the world of work. I also want to travel and see the world, something I’d like to continue with in the coming year.

Scott: Hopefully with a stable job and a family.

Sarah: In the future I hope to have a good job in chemical research.

Dan: Not sure, guess I hope to have a nice job, nice wife and a house, usual family stuff, childhood dreams like going to the moon are out the window really.

James: Hopefully with a nice salary to live on, a wife and a daughter. x

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Manchester Street

Me! e! 13 M H I T

In our High School there are not many who would go out on Fridays and would drink heavily. In high schools in Ljubljana this behaviour is much more common. We decided to check this phenomenon in one of the well attended clubs. We decided to go to The Party of All High Schools in Ljubljana, which was organized in Bachus club on Thursday, 3rd November.

The entrance fee is not too high, so the more students could come the better for Bachus Club. Actually, we noticed that such clubs abuse parties like this one to earn a lot in one night. As soon as we came close to the area where the club is located ,we unintentionally joined the current of young people who were slowly moving towards the entrance. There we already met few drunk adolescents. After getting into the club and accustoming to the loud music and darkness, we started to ask few people about their age. It is funny that seventeen out of twenty people, who were drinking alcoholic drinks, were under eighteen and not even for one was their drink the first one with alcohol.

F

At that time we stopped observing for a while and decided to have some good time ourselves. That was at half past eleven pm. We couldn’t stand the noise, so we decided to

A Nightlife of a High School Student in Ljubljana Luka Berden, Matej Mlakar

have a look at outside and we were quite shocked after arriving on the street. Quite many young girls were lying around the park, vomiting, so that the contents of their stomachs could see the night and be well known to other passers-by by their smell. Because of the circumstances we decided that the noise affected us less than the smell, so we went back in, where it became really hot because of many young bodies, half naked, moving in the sound of dance music. After meeting a totally intoxicated friend from primary school, who desperately wanted to hug one of us, we decided that we had seen enough, so we escaped from the crowd which was going crazy.

After resting at home, we met the next day at the same place, Bachus Lounge, to drink a cup of coffee and discuss what to write in this report. We wanted to describe the nightlife of a high school student in Ljubljana, but we can only say it in two words: DRINKING HEAVILY.

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FASHION

MODELLING Erika Šolar, Manca Hočevar

F

ashion modelling today is quite popular. In other countries even more than in Slovenia. But also some of our girls decide to try themselves in modelling.

Maybe you do not even know that one of the students at our school has a lot of potencial to become a very successful model. Eva Ahačevčič (3th class) told us how she had started and what her plans for the future were.

In the beginning of the year 2005 she decided to try something new. And how did it all begin?

She was in Ljubljana when she met a person who was working for an agency Hering models & promotion. A nice lady showed her some pictures and Eva gave her her address. She was really excited about all that, but she soon forgot all about it. A month later she got an invitation for an audition. She had nothing to lose, so she tried.

There were about 150 girls, who were all enthusiastic and they were all very pretty. The owner of the agency introduced them the way of working as a model. After the introduction they measured them (weight, height, size of shoes ...) and took some photos. She was among those 25 girls who fit the standards.

She soon took a course of walking as a model.

It lasted 16 hours and cost 35 000 sit. They also learned how to behave and pose in front of photographers. It was hard for her, because it was all new to her, not only the steps but also people around her. The next weekend they had to perform in front of 11 experienced models, who all voted for her. There were 13 girls who were chosen. She thought the hardest part was over, but the worst was just beginning. Losing weight! She got a menu, which she had to follow and she still does.

At first her sizes were: breasts 89, belt 67, hips 98 and now 82 – 60 – 88.

»

Me! e! 15 M H I T

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HIT

Eva Ahačevčič

FASHION MODELLING

FASHION MODELLING

»

She had to accept a completely new way of life (just vegetables and fruits, no bread, pasta, candies, meat…) and become a stronger personality.

Without endurance, courage, taking risks, she surely would not succeed. When she made a portfolio (10 photographs with 3 different stylings) in July, she became a formal model of the agency, and now she is very proud of it.

In September she started with her first castings, where she realized that her competition was bigger than she thought it would be. There were new and also very experienced models.

Everything is easier with money, but if you are persistent, hard working, you can be very successful.

In the end of September she was offered to go to Korea (Seul) for two months. Her second offer was travelling to New York, also for two months. This was her chance to become a professional model. But her parents did not agree with the idea, because she would fall behind with her work at school.

As well as in any other business, self-discipline is very important. By all means you need somebody who is there for you, who inspires you. Eva has always had her family and her best friend to lean on in times of her crisis. Some people look at her with a lot of excitement, the others are jealous or envious, but she does not care about anyone’s opinion.

Some day she wishes to become a successful and famous model, but she would also be satisfied with what she has achieved so far, in case she does not make it.

Eva’s story shows us that it is not so easy to become a world’s famous celebrity. It takes a lot of effort to be someone who appears on TV a lot and is adored by people. We cannot even imagine how hard it is to succeed in such a big competition.

Especially in fashion modelling, where it is not enough just to be pretty and persistent but you have to be prepared to give up a lot. We do not really see how much work there is in the background and how many girls have not been strong enough to survive this way of life so far.

That is why we should be proud of Eva and wish her all the best.

x‹

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PROBLEM Dear Little Rose, This is a serious problem and it is nice of you to be worried about your sister.

This really shows your love for her. Have you tried to talk to her and tell her what you think? It is important that you do that, because you may be wrong and she might really think you are trying to mess things up for her and cause troubles.

You must be 100% sure about your assumption, and then, if you still think that you are right about this, try to talk to your parents. But first tell your sister that your parents should be aware of all this and that you intend to tell them.

I really hope everything turns right for you and mainly for your sister.

Your Friend No 1 Dear Little Rose, I can imagine how awful you feel but there is one thing you have to realize; if you tell your parents what you think, you will not cause your sister troubles but you will help her. And that is what you actually want, isn’t it?If you are right, and your sister is on drugs, she will probably feel offended and betrayed when she hears you told your parents about her. But that is the only way to help her.I am sure one day she will be thankful to you! You know your parents well enough, so I am positive that you will find the best way possible to let them know about what has been going on.

Your Friend No 4

Dear Little Rose, I am aware that your problem is not as easy as it seems at first sight.

You have to know that your sister needs your help.

Even though you do not get on, you are the only one who could change her life.If you love her, you will do everything for her. So, I think it would not be good to talk to your sister about it because she would not tell you anything. First you have to make sure that she is really taking drugs and that you are not wrong.

It would be very useful if you talked to your parents, but you need serious arguments.

If they do not believe you, talk to another adult person who you can trust.

When you are prepared enough, start talking to your sister. It will be hard but be persistent. Do not give her any money before you know what she needs it for. Try to find her new friends, be with her, invite her to a party without drugs and alcohol ... Just let her know you are worried about her.And do not forget, it will not cause any troubles to your family, but it may save your sister’s life.

Your Friend No 3

Hi! I’m really worried about my sister. She started to act very strangely and I’m afraid she’s taking drugs.

She’s never at home, she hides her arms from us and she always spends all her money immediately; now she’s asking for my pocket money. I don’t know what to do. My parents would be very angry if I told them what I think and I don’t want to cause her troubles. Please, tell me what to do!

Little Rose

PAGE

Dear Little Rose, First you have to ask your sister what she needs your money for. If you assume that she wants it for something bad, then you have to tell her what you have noticed in her behaviour. You have to be firm and tell her that you care about her. You can give her two options; she can choose to tell her problem to her parents herself or you can tell them. Your sister needs to know that she cannot solve her problems by herself. She needs help and strong support from her family.

Your Friend No 2 Dear Sad Twins, You should talk to your mother about your third sister. It seems like she had her reasons why she did not tell you more about it.

It must have been a shock for her, too, when you told her that you are aware of having another sister. If you really want to know more about it, you should try to find some more information. But be careful that you do not hurt your mother. Be patient and considerate to her, and also respect the decision that your parents made a long time ago.

Your Friend No 1

ERIKA [OLAR, LUCIJA ADAMI^ MANCA HO^EVAR, KATARINA OBRANOVI^ MOJCA DEBELJAK, KRISTINA RAV[ELJ

Dear Sad Twins,

I understand you and beg you not to be sad and miserable. You need a lot of energy and perseverance to solve this problem. But it will not be too hard if you are together. It is obvious that you two have another sister. You said you saw your father very seldom but when you next see him, just ask him about the history of your family.

It is important that you know it, although it may hurt. Why don’t you ask your mother about the photo of the three of you? She should tell you everything and should allow you to meet your other sister. Do not be annoying but do not stop asking questions. Arrange a meeting with your father, then ask him about his daughters. I am sure you Dear Sad Twins, have his telephone number at home.

This truly is an unusual matter. But if I think better And this other girl surely wants to have more ... Maybe you should contacts with her mother ask your mother to tell and even with you.She you more about that. You may not even know that have to understand that it probably is not easy for her you two exist. So, now right now when you found is the right time to get to out about your other sister. know your whole family.

I wish you luck!

Getting divorced, Your Friend No 3 I am sure, was already painful enough for your Dear Sad Twins, mother and being forced You need to tell your to give up your own child is the worst thing that can mother that this is not fair to you and your sister. happen to a parent. So You need to know what you two have to show her happened in the past, understanding. And after there should be no more all, getting in touch with hide-and-seek. Your your father would not be such a bad idea either. Just mother should know that try to do your best and do you are old enough to not hesitate because time know the truth. Then you spent with your sister can suggest to her to arrange be so precious. Good luck! a meeting with the whole Your Friend No 4 family and to talk about this secret.

Your Friend No 2

Hello!

I am really miserable and I don’t know how to solve my problem. Recently I was going through my mum’s things and I found a photo of me and my sister, and also of another girl who looked totally like me and my twin sister. Our parents are divorced- our father lives in Canada and we see him very seldom and always alone. We asked our mother about that and she said that we truly have a sister but that we don’t have any contacts any more. She didn’t tell us anything else. Please, tell me what to do because my sister and I would like to see her as soon as possible.

Sad Twins

Me! e! 19 M H I T

»CELICA« NEVER EVER A PRISON AGAIN!

The place of freedom with ... come and see, everything the inspiration of youth ... is open for the eye to see!

Katarina Obranovič Lucija Adamič Janez Ferlin

On a beautiful day, November 4th, we (Lucija, Katarina and Janez) decided to visit quite a new youth hostel in Ljubljana, the capital of the wonderful country of ours.

The hostel is only 5 minutes walking distance from the main railway and bus station. It is situated in a historical building, constructed in 1882 as a military prison of the Austro – Hungarian army. In 1993 the ten-year process of renovation and artistic transformation of the former barracks into a modern and comfortable Hostel Celica began. More than 80 artists from all over the world, associated in the Society of Sestava, carried this project. In July 2003 the first guests were given a warm welcome.

Every cell has its own author or a group of authors that projected the creative transformation from the prison cell into a unique hostel cell. The 20 cells have mantained the original cell bars on the door and on the window. The hostel Celica offers 92 beds in 29 rooms, a guest kitchen, where young travellers can make themselves a warm meal, a place of peace (the only former cell that today doesn’t have cell bars. This special room is dedicated to prayer, meditation and contemplation.), tourist info point, where visitors can get all the information on tourist sights and events in Ljubljana and Slovenia.

The dining facilities of the hostel, which consist of three smaller areas, are perfect for different guests.

The East area is designed as an Oriental cafe, the west area as a cyber cafe and the central area as a »Slovenska gostilna«.

Prices are around 3.500 – 5.250 SIT. They include overnight, linen, self service breakfast and towels.

However, we met many backpackers from different countries. We decided to ask them about the hostel and some general things about the way they see and like Slovenia. Here’s what they said:

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»Yes, this is our first visit in Slovenia. We usually don’t travel a lot. We came here by train. We were in Macedonia and we are going to Paris and so that we don’t only cross all these countries we decided to make a pause in Slovenia. It’s our first day here, so we haven’t seen much yet. The first impression … I think it’s a typical country of the West, as far as I’ve noticed.

We like the hostel. It’s very tidy and clean!!

And the location is great!« DANA, 20 and ANNELISE, 21, DENMARK

Photos: Souhostel Institute, Hostel “Celica” archive »I’m here for the first time. I’m staying in Ljubljana for two, three days. I was in Zagreb before I came here, and I’m going to Bled today. So it’s more a journey around central Europe.

I love the hostel. It’s so modern and well arty.

The prices in Slovenia are a little high, the food and drinks, but then again if I think how modern everything is ... However, Ljubljana is great, a beautiful town, beautiful streets. You don’t get this in the States. Very different.« PATRICIA, 26, USA

»Yeah, our first time in Slovenia. We’re just chilling. We used to travel a lot, but now Mark has been working quite hard for the past few years. And he only got a week off work so we couldn’t really go too far. It’s just a two-hour filght and since the flights aren’t that expensive we thought Slovenia would be interesting. And yup, it’s a great place, honestly! So quiet, relaxing. Ljubljana is really cool for young people.

We also went to lake Bled, spent there a few days and now we came down here to see the city life.

We were checking B&B things and the prices are similar to the ones in England. Well we usually go out for a meal and it’s OK. The food is wonderful and not very expensive. And the beer, it’s so cheap!!! (laughing) The hostel? We were quite shocked when we arrived. We certainly didn’t expect such a modern accommodation. We simply love it!« MARK, 28 and MARTIN, 28, MANCHESTER, UK

»It’s my first time here. I’m with a group of 15 people and we are doing some project . I love it here. It’s interesting, Ljubljana and all the cities are lovely. It’s so different.

First day we went to Trenta and to the mountains, which have left such an impression on me!

The prices here? No, the food isn’t really expensive and clothes ... It’s like in Luxembourg. We just didn’t know we had to pay the tourist tax everytime. So we were calculating in our heads and realized that was quite a lot of money. We’ve never seen this before.

The hostel is really good, beautiful. And the people are so friendly here. If you ask someone where to go or something, they are all very kind. Because in Luxembourg they’d be like ‘What do you want?!’ So yes, once again, it’s a great place!« LINDA, 18, LUXEMBOURG

»I haven’t visited Slovenia before, so it’s my first time here. I’ve been here since Sunday.

Well, I do notice a big difference between Slovenia and the States. The signs are all different. But I like it. Its a small country, that’s true, but there’s plenty to see. There are more natural things and the cities aren’t that big, which is good.

This is actually my first big travel for 6 months now. I travel alone, yeah. I met some Slovenians last month in Ireland and they recommended visiting Slovenia and it was a great idea!

I like the hostel, it’s beautiful. I got the last bed, so it must be busy. It is a little bit more expensive than I expected. But the people here are nice and friendly.

I find other things like food and drink quite expensive, especially according to your salaries as I was told, so ... I had to do math in my head for the first few days.(laughing) I definitely will recommend Slovenia to all my friends in the States!« PAUL, 26, USA

So, considering what we’ve heard, Slovenia is a great place. Not only for older people, who come here because of many health resorts, or for the elders and betters, who can spend money on our national dishes and different wines, but also for students, backpackers who get here to see the way of life we live, the cities which can’t be compared to any other in the world and quess what? Obviously they like it!

Me! e! 21 M H I T

RUSLANA

Peter Kočevar »On a mountain peak you will see life in a different way The rhythm of the dance goes round and round and round The body feels the vibrations of the Mountains Wild heart thirsts for fire You are a part of this dance« I didn’t see her before. Then I got her CD with all her music. She

How I Learnt about Her and What She Means to Me It was 15th May 2004. I saw her two days before, on the semifinal, but that evening was the most important to me, it was my birthday.

I was having fun with friends and I was watching TV. The songs were going one by one and there was the sixteenth song, Wild dances of Ruslana Lyzhicko. She represented Ukraine and she wasn’t alone. There was a dance group with her and they danced wildly in their western Ukrainian style.

The appearance was the best. Their clothes, rhythm, long hair, whips, the light, everything was specific. And so she won the 49th Eurovision Song Contest. I was very happy and I knew that she had a great career ahead. She started travelling around the world. She was almost in all European countries. She was in Slovenia, too. She said if you wanted to be successful in the Eurovision Song Contest, you should find a new style of music and dance.

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sang a lot before the Eurovision. She made two albums before:

Ruslana - Dobry vechir tobi Ruslana presents Christmas hits of Ukrainian stars.

Ruslana - Myt’ Vesny (Dzvinkyj Viter Live) In fact, there are two albums on this CD. The first is studio record “Myt’ Vesny”, and the second is live “Dzvinky Viter”.

She was the most popular singer in Ukraine. Everyone knew her song »Svitanok«. They were waiting for her new album for five years, because she was composing songs and making a big surprise for people, she was preparing to show them her new style-wild style:

Ruslana - Dyki Tanci (Wild dances) Almost five years Ruslana was preparing material for her new album. It is a new dance music based on a hutsul folklore directed to wide public.

THE SAME STAR Baby if you look up Whenever you’re down I will hear you calling out Before you make a sound We can climb this mountainside We can cross the sea ‘Cos all I am is you And all you are is me Wherever you are I am with you ‘Cos we wish on the same star ‘Cos I can feel you If you are near or far ‘Cos we wish on the same star I would give my hand but You would need my heart I could give it to you Before we fell apart I would give my all you’d see But only if I knew That all you are is me And all I am is you.

On the same star ...

Sometimes a caged bird sings When a free bird flies away In the waterfall of stars You’re calling out my name We can climb this mountainside We can cross the sea ‘Cos all I am is you And all you are is me

Ukrainian people were really surprised by her and so she went to the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Turkey. She won and impressed me and my dance group MagicFire, so we started to prepare choreography on her songs.

After Eurovision she made the CD with the songs from her former CD, but she made these songs better and she composed some new songs:

Ruslana - Wild Dances (Welcome to My Wild World) She has an Internet forum and everyone can correspond with her fans, I know five of them here, in Slovenia. The Dj-s from European countries, who like Ruslana, made remixes of her songs, and in November 2005 she made a new album with these remixes: Here are some things about her from her Internet Pages: www.ruslana.com.ua www.ruslana.org Ruslana - Club’in

An album of remixes of Ruslana called “Ruslana - Wild

Club’in” was released on 25 November 2005.

Her Internet pages say that her new album will be out in the spring 2006.

So, she is my favourite eastern European singer, who makes me wild and people around me know what this wild world looks like.

BIOGRAPHY Ruslana was born in Lvov, a regional center in western Ukraine. Since she was four years old she studied at an experimental music school and sang in a band.

A microphone was her first toy. Her brightest childhood memories are connected to her stage experiences. It was then when it was determined for sure that she would dedicate all her life to music. When Ruslana graduated from of the conservatory, she obtained two educational qualifications in the field music as a piano player and a symphonic orchestra conductor.

Ruslana’s father is from the western Ukrainian place of the Hutsuls; the dwellers of the Ukrainian Carpathian mountains. They have a unique culture with an ancient and rich history, which inspired Ruslana to create her song “Wild Dances”. “The origin of the Hutsuls is a mystery of Eastern Europe”. After Ruslana conducted her own expeditions to the mountains with ethnographers, musicians, designers, jewellery makers and craftsmen, she based her overall show on surprising and sometimes mystical rituals, traditions, motives, which were preserved in the Land of the Hutsuls throughout the centuries since pre-Christian times.

Me! e! 23 M H I T

Adventure sports are mostly known for releasing adrenalin and beingdangerous.

Because I have a lot to do with this kind of sports I am going to present some of them.

Soaring Soaring or flying with a sailplane is my favorite one. Last summer I passed the student’s license. This year I hope to succeed in flying a better plane.

Flying is much less complex than people may think. There are several activities you have to do simultaneously: you have to fly the plane, always know where exactly you are, look for a new cloud, listen to the radio and watch out for another plane. None of these things, except for flying, are difficult, but all combined are pretty hard to manage. Flying is a more precise work. You have to maintain the right speed, use the pedals and the rod simultaneously and form the balanced curves.

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Theoretical training begins in January and lasts for six weeks every Saturday. Then you have two weeks’ time to study, before you take the test. Almost all pass the test, but it is after the exam that a real selection begins. In AC (Aeroklub Celje) all the theoretical training is free, so are the instructors. The only thing you have to pay is fuel and materials. So to get in the selection of eight, six or four (that depends on interest of the students) you have to spend all weekends from March to July on the airfield of the AC. You work there, and you can fly sometimes, so you get the experience if flying is something that you can manage. Then, if you are selected, training begins. Sixty flights with an instructor, and if you are good enough some solo flights. Then next year soaring training begins and you pass to better planes, and get a license.

ŽIGA PIŽORN

ATV ATV or the so-called all terrain vehicle is actually a motorcycle on four wheels. Its powerful engine is the reason why it can be used on all terrains, snow, ice, mud ... I got interested in them because of my friend and I still enjoy the sound of a motor, the smell of gasoline and satisfaction after you go through a hardly manageable curve.

In Slovenia ATVs have been known for only a decade, but the number of them is increasing fast.

Most of the ATVs are Bombardier or Polaris. Both are from Canada, which is the country of ATVs and snowmobiles.

Snowmobiles They go up to 180 km/h, and are resistant to jumps, and that is what makes them the ultimate adrenalin machine. Because you drive on snow, major injuries can be avoided and there is enough land so you can have freedom and safety. In Slovenia, there are a few laws that prohibit driving them everywhere, so you must be aware of that. We have different types of snowmobiles: Racing, Enduro, freestyle and travel snowmobiles.

Adventure sports are full of adrenaline but unfortunately the most expensive ones.

So most of the people that do them hire a snowmobile, an ATV, or a plane. If you become a pro, the sponsors will do your finances.

In Slovenia we have a few racing teams, but we have a lot of good pilots. If you are interested, contact your local dealer with snowmobiles and ATVs, or go to the nearest airfield for pilot training.

Me! e! 25 M H I T

The French School in Slovenia

Marjana Kožar, Andreja Pintar

The primary school Livada

It guarantees a schooling continuity with the programme of the French Ministry of Education. It enrolls children of all nationalities from the younger section of kindergarten (Petite Section Maternelle (three-year-old children) to the end of primary school (CM2 - Course Moyen Deuxieme Annee (ten-year-old children) ). The teachers of the primary section are French and usually stay in Slovenia for three years. They can be helped by Slovenian assistants, especially for the kindergarten and for the Slovenian language teaching. From class de 6eme to class of 3eme (“College”) (from eleven to fifteen-year-old pupils) two tutors provide guidance and teach in CNED courses (Distance Learning Centre). After the “College” they have to go to a “Lycee” (a three-year high school) as “Lycee français de Vienne” in Austria.

It is located within a Slovene school (OŠ Livada) and so teachers and pupils can have access to facilities such as a

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The French school in Slovenia started in 1991, and is located in Ljubljana.

The first pupils were the children of the employees of Renault, then came the different diplomats’ children. It has been linked by convention to AEFE (Agency for French Teaching Abroad) since September 2001 and accepts everyone who wants to follow the French curriculum.

gymnasium - twice a week, a canteen for lunches, a music room where they can perform .... The Slovene staff is very helpful and the relations have improved. Both schools try to work together on common subjects (this year it will be Africa). The first Slovene grade has been to the French Institut Charles Nodiers in Ljubljana with French classes in order to listen to and play French fairy tales (Le Petit Chaperon Rouge - Red Hiding Hood).

The French school day starts at 8.15 a.m. everyday, except Saturday and Sunday, and ends at 15.30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays. On Wednesdays and Fridays it ends at 12.15. Lunch time is between 12.15 13.30. There is a break between 10.00 and 10.30. The primary pupils do not have any homework. They start learning English as the first foreign language in the third grade. And they already learn Slovene in the kindergarten.

SILA Si l a st an d s for Sl ove n i an an d International Ladies Association. It is an organization the diplomats’ wives created in 1993. They collect money for charity (blind children, medical supplies, homeless people ...). Every year at the end of November a bazaar is organized and products from different countries are sold.

The ladies start to bring products (wine,cheese, beer, books, jewellery ...) from their countries at the beginning of the year or they make them by themselves (cookies, marmalades, cakes, biscuits, aprons, scarves ...).

This year there were 33 countries, among them South Korea, which sold their products for the first time.

The variety of countries makes it all so interesting. You can buy French cheese, Russian dolls, Serbian clothes, Indian jewellery ... It is a place where common people have the opportunity to meet important and powerful people. You can see ambassadors chatting, buying and even selling some products.

WELCOME TO THE NEXT BAZAAR.

AEFE - Agency for French Teaching Abroad

To improve their relationship with Slovenia they try to exchange pupils with Slovenian schools and organize a lot of trips, even a week outings all around Slovenia (skiing at Rogla, learning to make wine in Ljutomer, hiking around Bled ...).

With the cooperation of Mrs Beatrice Moisan, headmistress of the French school

A critique of the first stage production of Alamut

»NOTHING IS TRUE, EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED« Špela Jermol

Spectators are slowly finding way to their seats while fedayeen (young men undergoing military training) are already training on the stage. They are taking us on a journey into the very heart of Alamut. This fort is founded on the principle of discipline, loyalty, religion and their physical endurance. An act is being performed in front of us with an invisible beginning and no end.

Not only the performance, but also the novel on which the dramatization of Dušan Jovanovi} is based as well as the historic facts that fuelled Bartol’s imagination for his novel Alamut, they all seem to be with an invisible beginning and endless. Muslim culture, dating centuries ago, has always had a sort of terrorism in blood. I think it is rather ironic that a kind of Osama bin Laden happened more than nine hundred years ago and the story was written more than sixty years ago but it is only now that it has become so popular.

The Alamut, Vladimir Bartol’s novel, is the world’s famous Slovenian novel, as it has been translated into numerous languages and lately also into English. There were many editions and you can buy it also in Iran. This success is exactly the opposite of the reaction of critics in 1938, when the book was first published. Especially Catholic circles criticised the nihilism and extremism while others disliked the erotica and mixture of philosophy and eroticism.

Sebastijan Horvat, the director of the first stage production, said that the adventurous story of Alamut was a golden mirror that enabled us to find our own identity. He wants to say that we all want to see somebody who is worse than we are. In this way we get confirmation that we are not so bad and rotten. This performance is made as a real mirror of any spectator that can jump into Oriental-American mixture. It is a catharsis as well as warning to all dictators, including media as the hidden one but the strongest ’dictator’. The supreme maxim of Izmail’s sect “Nothing is true, everything is permitted” is common to terrorist attacks on one side and Hollywood glamour on the other. The director wants to remind us that while glamorous stars are smilingly walking down the red carpet the American soldiers are dying in Iraq.

There was a great variety of critiques of the production, both positive and negative. It seems the story of Alamut always produces fierce reactions. From my point of view the performance is modern in an extraordinary way and very up-to-date, so that nobody can remain unaffected. I believe that the right moments of the story are stressed. The cast is excellent and very well chosen and numerous unusual objects are used.

Some people would prefer a more classic performance, with more female figures, but I think that the shocking interpretation was needed for the first production to attract attention. Horvat well deserved the Young Director Award for the best director in the programme Young Director Project on the world famous summer festival Salzburger Festspile 2005.

In the end I would like to invite you all to see Sebastijan Horvat’s Alamut and have an unforgettable evening of manipulation, loyalty and love in order to find your own interpretation of the world of Alamut.

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Me! e! 27 M H I T

DIFFERENT

HOLIDAYS

Janez Ferlin

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I

n the times of the highest point of cheese-making development it was widely known that farmers sent their cattle in the mountains for the summer. It was given to a shepherd who took care of them throughout the summer.

Usually the shepherd was one of the farmer’s already grown, but not yet married children. The milk was taken to a cheese dairy, where the cheese maker made cheese, curd, butter and sour milk. With leftovers he usually fed the pigs that were also up there.

Today there are a few very well known mountains that offer great Sunday trips and are big tourist attractions. For example, Velika planina.But not many people know that there are other, smaller mountains beside these few well known that offer even better trips with more to see. One of them is Krstenica, which is rising just northern of Bohinj. It is situated on the southern side of Krsteniški Stog, so that it has a lot of sun and a magnificent view on Bohinj’s southern mountain range of the Julian Alps. But if you go a little higher on Krsteniški Stog, you can see also Triglav.

Today, on Krstenica, there is only one shepherdess and cheese maker, both in one person. But as it is hard to do all the work by herself, she always has a few children during summer holidays to help her. They usually get up rather early, find the cows, milk them and move them to their chosen pasture for that day. Because of that someone must also go and search for them and then milk them in the evening. Then they make cheese and the rest of the milk products. The hardest part of the day, in the morning, when everyone has to work, is soon over. And in the afternoon everyone can choose what they want to do. The choice goes from card games, crossword puzzles, parlour games, books, outdoor games and TV all the way to hiking. The last is not often chosen but it can still be a daily activity.

Adults usually go to sleep or hiking, read books or solve crossword puzzles and never run out of things to discuss.

Children have a wider circle of other possible activities. They play cards, watch TV, solve crossword puzzles, play other games or just do something else that they have come up with at the time of general rest. Of course, there is always the possibility of going to sleep.

Not many people know what it is like up there in the mountains. Some would think it is hard living without modern gadgetry. But in reality, people in such situations just remember the things they did in the past, do something they have been putting aside for a long time or just learn new things.

What is there about life that attracts someone to spend his whole summer holidays on 1600 meters away from the things that he usually does, to do things he has never dreamt of?

Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe trying out something new.

New experience, new people, new knowledge. That might work for some. Others may prefer life in nature, fresh air, some even the possibility of wandering around with no aim. Everyone can find something.

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Me! e! 29 M H I T

With a Smile in His Eyes (not a typical summer story) Man, just stop for awhile and think ...

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The sun was shining and a gentle wind was blowing. It was almost a perfect day at the seaside. I was looking at Jenny. We have been best friends since childhood.

We always did everything together, we were inseparable. This summer we made a decision. OK, Jenny did.

One day, together, when we were at home and were bored, she suddenly said: »Tash, we should have holidays! I mean, real holidays. No parents, just us! We are 17, the best time of life!« And it was so. You know, Jenny does not stand protests. People think she is too authoritative. But this is fine for me because I am pretty shy and quiet, strange for my age. That is what Jenny believes.

Anyway, we went to Krf, the island of fun. Our first holidays without parents, without anybody. The beach was amazing and our hotel, too. We had a nice room with a wonderful view. While Jenny was in the bathroom (it took about 2 hours), I looked through the window and admired the sunset. At that time I had time only for me. I was really happy. But not for long. Every evening Jenny dragged me out. She lived in the belief that she must find a boyfriend for me. In that moment I hated her but, of course, I did not object. So I went with her. She was pretty in a short skirt and white T-shirt. I was really jealous of her. She danced like Shakira and what about me? I was by her like a puppy and fluttered with my hands. One night a guy was dancing near me and I hit him by accident. He said angrily to me: »Piss off, you clumsy goat!« These words really hurt me. I went away to get some fresh air and to think about everything. I felt so worthless. I started crying when I saw someone. It was a boy, about 19 years old and he looked at me. I turned away because I wanted to be alone. But he did not stop looking. He said: »Excuse me, what is the time?« Such a bad excuse. »It is 10 p.m.« »Thank you. And what are you doing here alone?« He had a really friendly voice and he did not look so bad.

On the contrary, he was cute and I was so lonely. »Oh, nothing special, I am chilling out. What about you?« We started to talk about everything; holidays, friends, love,

Nastja Ižanc, Ilustration Meta Stražišar school. I was unusually relaxed with him. I knew he was the right one. I do not know why, I just felt it. Once Jenny came to see if everything was all right with me (thank you, my friend, in these 5 hours somebody could have killed me) but I did not worry about that. Tom was fantastic. Since then everything was great. Too good to be true. We were meeting each other every day. During the day we were on the beach, we were swimming, lying on the beach and talking. When the night came, we were walking, laughing, running and enjoying every single moment.

At the same time Jenny and I were moving apart faster and faster. She had her own world with her friends and their freaky parties.

And I had him. That was enough for me.

One evening there was a beautiful sunset. There was positive energy in the air. We were walking on the beach and looking at the sea. He stopped and looked at my eyes. He looked at me with his big brown eyes. I will never forget that moment. He moved nearer and he kissed me. Lovingly and gently. It was a friendly kiss. But for me it was like a dream.

When I opened my eyes I saw him crying. He was crying like a baby, inconsolably. I was surprised and I asked: » What ...? What is wrong, Tom?« He was still crying. Then he said: »Sorry, Tash. I am so sorry. I could not tell you. It is really hard for me. You are a wonderful woman. But ... I must tell you, I am sick. Two years ago they told me I am HIV positive.

I have AIDS.« I was in shock. I just stood there and I did not say anything.

In the background I heard a song.

Why? This question was in my head. Why? Why? Why? This cursed why!

I took him in my arms. I was kissing his tears away. And I was crying too. I do not know how long we were standing there; we were just hugging with no words.

In that time something changed in me. I opened my heart. I opened it just for our special friendship. For our special love.

It has been five years from that now. Tom is dead. He passed away two years after our first meeting He died happy, in peace, with a smile in his eyes.

Tom ... I miss you. I miss you so much. Everytime I pray, I remember you. Every step I take, every move I make, you are always on my mind and I feel you are standing by my side. I will never forget your big brown eyes, your attractive smile, your friendly advice, the moments with you, you.

You have a special place in my heart. This place belongs only to you. And here you will never die. Because you mean too much to me.

I hope we will meet again. Any place, anywhere, any time.

With a smile in our eyes.

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Bring me some new cows otherwise I’ll kill myself!

Once upon a time there was a big castle.

The people living in that big castle were:

And one night she had an awful dream.

She believed in dreams and she was very scared of that. She thought that he demanded some new cows, so she started to breed some cows with very long mane. She named them Highlanders.

Her Highness, Queen Wilma II and

Marjeta Skoberne, Mateja Mavec

WHERE DID THE HIGHLANDERS COME FROM?

In her despair she was often angry with Prince William, although she loved him very much. But she simply couldn’t understand how stupid cows could mean more to prince William than his mother, the Queen.

her cranky son, Prince William. He adored cows, so he spent all his time with them. He really enjoyed milking them and talking to them.

Queen Wilma was often home alone and bored. She missed her son and she desperately wanted her son to spend some time with her and not with cows.

Prince William was very happy because he got new cows and he took his mother on a trip to Venice and they lived happily ever after.

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There is no saying ‘I can’t do it’ at High School Želimlje.

We challenge ourselves, we fight our fears and constantly seek new ways.

Curiosity, enthusiasm and creativity can never fail you.

Come to our beautiful valley and check it out yourself.