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Johanna Frank

Bilder | Stadtchinesen - Der China-Blog - 7 views

www.stadtchinesen.de/bilder

shared by Johanna Frank on 18 Jan 13 - No Cached
    • Johanna Frank
      Johanna Frank on 18 Jan 13
       
      Working makes life sweet. I heard that idiom several times in my childhood because my parents thought work is the most important thing in life. When I came to visit China, I found out, that it's necessary to find a balance between work and freetime. Work is definetly necessary, but there should be time to relax too.
    • Karen Keifer-Boyd
      Karen Keifer-Boyd on 19 Jan 13
       
      What did you experience in your visit to China that changed your perceptions? How would you change the idiom?
    • Johanna Frank
      Johanna Frank on 19 Jan 13
       
      Well, I saw that people's only target in life is work. There is no time for sitting down and relax, there is only time for their job. In Europe we are used to have a cup of coffee, and a small chat with our friends when we are tired, but in China people connect everything with work. In China I would change the idiom to: Working makes life work and working makes people survive.
    • lauravattulainen
      lauravattulainen on 15 Feb 13
       
      I believe that the work should never be more important to your family and friends. Money and income are important in life, but they do not ever go over the family. Difficult moments in life family support you, the job is not.
    • kaciemcclintic
      kaciemcclintic on 21 Feb 13
       
      I like this idiom. I understand this as working is something that's not especially fun, but necessary economically and globally. In doing work the moments that truly make you happy in life will be so much better knowing you could be working. Just like you wouldn't know how well the good times are in life without the bad. As depicted with the guys frustration and the enjoyment of talking with others.
  • Johanna Frank on 18 Jan 13
     
    China
  • ...3 more comments...
  • Lindsay Bayer on 22 Jan 13
     
    Your idiom reminds me of the saying, "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." It seems that you saw a different sort of work ethic in China. In America, sometimes it seems as if there is a negative association with work, as the statement above suggests; working is something to be avoided.
  • minnvain on 22 Jan 13
     
    Interesting... In Finland it seems like there is two major ways of seeing work now days, some do what they love and work nearly always and everywhere as Lindsay pointed out and some work to support their free time and would like to work as little as possible. Free time is seen much more valuable than work and work is definitely seen mostly something that you should avoid if you can. Working life is thought to be too stressful an insecure. It`s interesting because we have a long tradition of high work ethics in our culture from Martin Luther and the Lutheranism.. The idiom I repeatedly heard when growing up is also a educational one and it directly goes something like this "The greedy one has a crappy ending" (in Finnish "Ahneella on paskanen loppu"). Apparently you have a saying whit a similar meaning "All covet, all lose". My mother used to say that to us (to me and my sister and brother) when we weren't grateful enough for the things that we had or when we didn't want to share our things or when it took a forever to choose a candy from a bowl meant for everyone or when we took too much to ourselves. It worked at least on me. To be a greedy and ungrateful person sounded awful and it still does. But when you look at the modern world and all the economic problems we have, especially how and who has caused them and what the solutions have been so far, it seems like the greedier you are the better. Let's hope that in the end the idiom will show its true meaning to all of these "wall street people" of the world... Here is a link to a bit macabre picture that illustrates the meaning of the idiom: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5186898309_d5e314f66c.jpg
  • Michael Tribone on 23 Jan 13
     
    Working makes life sweet. I can identify with it. I can also see the Communist propaganda in the message, too. My grandparents are the closest living representatives of that idiom, but it was introduced and reinforced by my great grandparents as new immigrants in America. My families came to the United States to make better lives for themselves and grabbed at opportunity. Working hard and working more than one job was how they achieved a level of success for their family and children. And that work ethic was passed down in subsequent generations. However, I think most of us in the family are trying to achieve more of a balance with work and life. My idiom is "The early bird gets the worm." Your post also makes me think of "Idle hands are the devil's work." Both I've heard from my Grandfather Joseph. Idle hands means that if you have nothing to do, Satan will make good use of them. Have something to do or Satan will use you for his bidding. Work or be the devil's pawn! Michael
  • Deb Ryland on 27 Jan 13
     
    I have enjoyed reading the postings on Johanna's idiom on "working makes life sweet". I see it as working makes you appreciate the life you have outside of the work place; you appreciate vacations and time off more. Without work, though, a lot of us wouldn't be able to enjoy a vacation because they usually cost money. It is a vicious cycle that we continue to live by. It is also the way people "view" one another here in the U.S. First thing we usually ask someone is "what do you do for a living?" It is assumed that you work and if you don't...wow, you must be rich or lost your job. It is a shame because the economy is so bad and a lot of people need to work but can't find a job. Minnvain's visual that ties into the idiom "the greedy one has a crappy ending" is perfect! I never heard the saying before. The greedy one usually does have a crappy ending. It makes me think of the game shows we see on television. There is always that one contestant that thinks they should go on rather than stop and take the prize they have already won. This can also apply to those who go gambling. Sometimes, "Lady Luck" isn't on your side!
  • Krista Lehman on 20 Feb 13
     
    I definitely agree with lauravattulainen. Work should not consume your life; You only live once, which seems to be a fitting idiom seen a lot in the Penn State area. When your too busy with work, you miss out on important things life has to offer. For example a husband missing out on his children growing up because he is too involved in his career is a prime example. Experiencing your children growing up only happens once in your life and you should create a separation between work and your personal life so you experience these things life has to offer. That is only one example, but the moral is take your time to enjoy life, there is more to it than just work!
Krista Lehman

A ED 322 , Section 001: VISCULT/ED TECH - 2 views

cms.psu.edu/...default.asp

shared by Krista Lehman on 20 Feb 13 - No Cached
    • Krista Lehman
      Krista Lehman on 20 Feb 13
       
      You're beating a dead horse: This idiom means to waste time doing something that has already been attempted or to bring up an issue that has already been concluded so you're seen as wasting your time. I have definitely heard this idiom a lot growing up. Most of the time I heard it used when people are in an argument and one person just couldn't get the other to see their point of view and they would refer to their altercation as beating a dead horse because it's redundant. If a horse is already dead their is no use to beat it. Just like when in an argument, if a person is not understanding your point of view then there is no point in trying to make them understand because repeating how you feel over and over won't make them change their mind.
Annu Kangas

Julkiset veistokset - 0 views

www.taidemuseo.fi/...veistossivu.html

shared by Annu Kangas on 10 Feb 13 - No Cached
    • Annu Kangas
      Annu Kangas on 10 Feb 13
       
      Hi everyone! My theme inside the theme Making Visible is music. I got the idea when I saw a picture in a book, a picture of this Sibelius monument. It has been made for the honor of our national composer Jean Sibelius who, by the way, apparently was a synaesthete. I've seen the monument many times here in Helsinki but this time I suddenly started to think: "What do I hear when I look at this picture?" Combining different art forms has always interested me. I play the piano and sometimes playing and painting give me a similar feeling, a special kind of flow. I'm now picking up songs and pieces of music I want to make visible and trying to figure out how to do it. Does anyone else get really strong visual thoughts while listening to certain pieces of music? :)
    • Karen Keifer-Boyd
      Karen Keifer-Boyd on 11 Feb 13
       
      I see colors, shapes, visual stories when I listen closely to music. I can sometimes hear the rhythms, volume, and tempo of visual art more so through body sensing loud and soft rather than sounds.
    • Annu Kangas
      Annu Kangas on 17 Feb 13
       
      Hi Karen! Nice to hear that others have similar experiences. :) I got to thinking about what you said about sensing the visual art more through your body. First it sounded odd, but then I realized that I feel it too sometimes. But it needs to be a very strong piece of art, something that really speaks to me. This always causes a strong need to touch and feel with hands. :)
  • Karen Keifer-Boyd on 17 Feb 13
     
    From my experience, art that is felt as powerful is felt throughout the body--with whatever sensory attentiveness is heightened.
lklampi

Diigolet | Diigo - 2 views

www.diigo.com/diigolet

shared by lklampi on 23 Jan 13 - Cached
    • lklampi
      lklampi on 23 Jan 13
       
      "Hope springs eternal" Hi! My name is Laura and I'm studying special education in University of Helsinki. My saying is " Toivossa on hyvä elää", which means (as I see it) that it's good to live with a hopeful mind because you won't get as much as you wish for. It's a saying with a hint of sarcasm.. 
  • Deb Ryland on 26 Jan 13
     
    Interesting idiom Laura. It's fascinating because of how you interpret the idiom. When I read the same idiom, I see a religious meaning behind the words. If we have no hope, what do we have to live for? It is very enlightening to hear other's points of view on this same idiom. Did you have an image that accompanies this idiom? I am curious.
  • ...3 more comments...
  • Karoliina Jokinen on 28 Jan 13
     
    Hahaa! I see a little piece of Finnish pessimism and dark humor in that idiom... I am also curious to see your picture.
  • lklampi on 29 Jan 13
     
    Thank you for your comments! I totally forgot to add the picture so here it is! It is a picture of lottery coupon. I think it reflects my idiom quite well, at least some way.. http://yle.fi/uutiset/veikkaus_samanlaiset_lottokupongit_myyjan_virhe/5978043#galleria744
  • Santeri Savonlahti on 29 Jan 13
     
    As Katariina I see the idiom in sarcastic light. In my experience Finns use it like something will never happen. For example on the web forums where OP (original poster) is promising to report back: http://tinyurl.com/am97e58
  • lklampi on 30 Jan 13
     
    Great example!
  • Karen Keifer-Boyd on 12 Feb 13
     
    Idioms convey cultural ways of seeing-MAKING VISIBLE values through culturally specific humor often conveyed through images directly (e.g., omelette, curl, chin) or indirectly as with the selected images (e.g., lottery ticket, waiting so long one becomes a skeleton, nail in hand) that communicate transculturally.
Janie Leck-Grela

http://www.tuttobimbo.it/resized.php/300x800/images/articoli/cap.jpg - 6 views

www.tuttobimbo.it/...cap.jpg

shared by Janie Leck-Grela on 23 Jan 13 - No Cached
    • Teresa Maria Federici
      Teresa Maria Federici on 23 Jan 13
       
      Idiom: Ricci capricci (For each curl one whim) Meaning: Curly headed people, children in particular, are supposed (and - why not? - allowed) to have one whim for each curl. I heard this idiom throughout all my childhood: I was a very curly girl, and my grandmother was used to say that idiom to my mum when I did some mess. Her intent was justifying me at my mum eyes, but for my mum this had another meaning: since I was a little curly girl, I was supposed to stomp my feet forever and ever and therefore she could resign to the idea of having a capricious daughter. But there was a third meaning, the last one: as far as I understood, for me it was simply a very funny rhyme that reminds me of a quite popular dialectal italian song, whose refrain says exactly my grandmother words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md8zdZL1wW0 (I can translate it if you are curious!) Teresa
    • Teresa Maria Federici
      Teresa Maria Federici on 27 Jan 13
       
      Ok then! I'm happy that you like it. First, this is the italian lyrics: http://wikitesti.com/index.php/La_donna_riccia It's the speech of a man explaining (probably a friend) why he doesn't have to marry a curly headed woman, NEVER! And he says: Take who you want, if you want to get married, BUT don't choose a curly headed woman. With her pretty curls she'll bewitch you but after only two months she'll leave you! Refrain: No, no, no! No, no, no! Curly headed, no! Because for each curl there is a whim! That's why I don't want a curly headed girl: Because for each curl there is a whim! That's why I don't want a curly headed girl! I don't want a culry headed girl! First he kisses you then she leaves you: you can't understand anything at all! She's like a tangled hank! She ties and unties you till that you get crazy, but if she caresses you, you surrender! Refrain (2 times): No, no, no... - So, do you want a curly headed girl? - No, no, no! - So, do you want a curly headed girl? - No, no, no! - Ok, but why? Because for each curl there is a whim! That's why I don't want a curly headed girl: I don't want a culry headed girl! I don't want a culry headed girl! No, no, no! Hope you enjoy it! Let me know! :) Teresa
    • Deb Ryland
      Deb Ryland on 31 Jan 13
       
      That is very funny! Thanks for the translation...now I have words to go with the tune!
    • Janie Leck-Grela
      Janie Leck-Grela on 27 Jan 13
       
      I love this idiom. My three-year old daughter is a head strong curly girl. I had never hear the phrase before- but will use it now! I think it is intersting how we can endear even the most stubborn attributes in the ones we love.
  • Deb Ryland on 27 Jan 13
     
    YES...please translate Teresa. I enjoyed the upbeat rhythm of the song and would love to know what he is singing about! Your idiom is very humorous and I never heard it before. For a curly headed child who loves to be "curious", this is a blessing! ha!
  • Karoliina Jokinen on 28 Jan 13
     
    This idiom was very nice and positive! I might use it sometimes when I do have whims that someone don't understand...:D Luckily I have curls!
  • Karen Keifer-Boyd on 12 Feb 13
     
    Ah, that's why my family is whimsical--we all are curly heads :)
Kelli Reppart

Visual Therapy » What Goes Around Comes Around // Big Ant International - 2 views

www.visualtherapyonline.com/?p=1684

shared by Kelli Reppart on 24 Jan 13 - No Cached
    • Kelli Reppart
      Kelli Reppart on 24 Jan 13
       
      "What goes around, comes around." Meaning: they way you treat others will be the way you are treated. I often heard this saying as a child but it was more in response to fighting with my sisters than a broader worldview. I do not think it is limited to relationships but to how we interact with our world: emotionally, geographically, environmentally, etc. Another great illustration of this can be found with the stop-motion animation by Blu called "Big Bang, Big Boom". At about 8 minutes there is a sequence that shows the evolution of man and weapons and it literally comes around.
    • Deb Ryland
      Deb Ryland on 25 Jan 13
       
      Wow...what a powerful visual to go with your idiom! It's very close to Annu's idiom but in a very different light. You are so right...this message is one we should always keep in mind as we travel through this life especially if we want a life that is worth living for our children. I can't wait to check out the "Big Bang, Big Boom". I'll post on that later.
    • Deb Ryland
      Deb Ryland on 29 Jan 13
       
      I just viewed the video "Big Bang, Big Boom". I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process as well as the meaning behind the entire piece. Most of the work was enjoyable and then the ending...BOOM...it literally gave me a feeling of uneasiness and sickness to my stomach. Thanks for making me aware of this powerful video. On an up-beat note...your idiom also speaks about the fashion trends!
  • Karoliina Jokinen on 28 Jan 13
     
    I liked the picture you chose for your idiom. It was hilarious and same time quite influential. I also liked your idiom. I think it honours the circle of life and reminds that everythings is related to each others. Animation Big Bang, Big Boom is also very nice fast journey to see how our planet has developed.
  • lklampi on 31 Jan 13
     
    I really liked your idiom and the picture says it all! I also started thinking about my thoughts about this idiom and it says to me that everything you deny will come back to you eventually, maybe stronger than before.
Michael Tribone

Malachi at the Riparian Zone | Flickr - Photo Sharing! - 2 views

www.flickr.com/...photostream

shared by Michael Tribone on 23 Jan 13 - No Cached
    • Michael Tribone
      Michael Tribone on 23 Jan 13
       
      The early bird gets the worm. It's something that my grandfather, Joseph, said quite often. He meant that if you get up and get going and get it done that you'll succeed in life. Don't wait around, get up and get going. Don't wait to be told what to do, get up and do what you need to do. I thought about finding images of sunrises, birds, and such but it just doesn't fit for me. So I chose a photo of my dog. My dog's name is Malachi. We get up and do it everyday. Rain or shine. Sick or in good health. There's no design by committee. There's no pontification. It's get up and get going. Lead or be lead. Results are immediate.The early bird gets the worm says to me that you get right to the heart of he matter. It's not about being first or getting up at the crack of dawn. It means that you're laser beam focused on the task at hand and that task ay hand deserves your attention.
  • Teresa Maria Federici on 30 Jan 13
     
    Hi Michael. It's a new idiom for me, I haven't heard this before. But in Italy we have a lot of way of saying that seem to me have the same meaning. For example it reminds me of "if you sleep you won't take fish". I think they could be both very suitable for lazy people, but I love the meaning that you have found. In some ways I can see also a sense of responsability in your idiom. I have never thought about it. Thank you!
Santeri Savonlahti

[Idiom]"One doesn't have to go fishing further than the sea" - 2 views

i.imgur.com/3PCOv.jpg

Idiom Happiness

shared by Santeri Savonlahti on 29 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Santeri Savonlahti on 29 Jan 13
     
    "Ei tarvitse mennä merta edemmäs kalaan." There is no need to seek happiness far away. I see that happiness consists of small things that can be found near you. It's a matter of own thinking. In the picture there is two Moomin characters enjoying their day on Moomin valley. Moomin are very popular and liked in Finland. More info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moomin
  • Iina Ruuskanen on 29 Jan 13
     
    Santeri, you captured my thoughts with your idiom and I totally agree: Moomins are the greatest philosopher ever. Though I was wondering if sometimes you have to go far to find happiness. (Have you ever read a novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho?) The idiom is about sailing at the sea. One can sail here at the Gulf of Finland or go further to the Pacific Ocean. In the end, it's the same sea.
  • Santeri Savonlahti on 29 Jan 13
     
    Iina: Thanks for commenting. Actually I have NOT thought it that way. Excellent =) It's been been years since I read The Alchemist, and don't even remember the plot anymore. I enjoyed reading it, though,
Neus Mondaray Posada

Idiom - Daydreaming - 2 views

enjalonate.blogspot.fi/...infinito.html

shared by Neus Mondaray Posada on 23 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • Neus Mondaray Posada on 23 Jan 13
     
    Since I was very young I've been hearing the idiom "ser un somia-truites", which literally means "to be an omelette-dreamer". It is used to explain that someone is too dreamy, not focused on the real world or the important things. It is quite similar to "to be a daydreamer". I have been accused of being an "omelette-dreamer" some times, and this is because I have many crazy-like ideas, maybe not very realistic, or difficult to put in practice. However, more than once I have proved that it was actually possible to make that unrealistic idea became a reality. This is why I love so much that expression: to me it is like they are challenging me. Otherwise, there are many things I wouldn't have even tried to do.  So every time I have a crazy idea I call myself an "omelette-dreamer" (if there are no volunteers), so at least I try to make it happen.  Because everything that has somewhen been done, had previously been an idea or a dream. 
  • ...1 more comment...
  • Lindsay Bayer on 25 Jan 13
     
    I think our idioms are quite similar. They both express aspects of being absent from the present moment or the realities of the world. (My idiom is, "Having your head in the clouds.") I like how you relate your idiom to a personal challenge; that you CAN accomplish various dreams and that ideas are not always as outlandish as they may appear to others. How does the image you chose reflect your personal association with the idiom, or does it at all?
  • Deb Ryland on 26 Jan 13
     
    I agree that both of your idioms (Lindsay & Neus) are very similar in their translation to the viewer. I loved the visual Neus Mondaray Posada attached to his posting. As I read your texts, I also thought about the surrealist artist Victor Stabin. Check out his website if you have time...his images allow you to dream and feel dream-like. http://www.victorstabinprints.com/
  • Neus Mondaray Posada on 28 Jan 13
     
    Answering to Lindsay: Well, when choosing the image maybe I focused more on the feeling that the idiom transmits to me, rather than an illustration of all my explanation, and the final result it's quite confusing... The thing is that, to me, all that self-challenging and the belief that everything can be done is even relaxing. It always made me feel apart from the others .It's not too good in the beginning, but you can always try to be optimist and make the most of every situation. So, maybe this image makes more sense: http://jv.gilead.org.il/rpaul/Autour%20de%20la%20lune/images/038.jpg It's an illustration of a book by Jules Verne. He is actually the reason why I am a daydreamer. And Deb, I didn't know that artist, but his work is interesting. I love the paintings I've seen so far. Thank you for the link!
Annu Kangas

Kaiken keskellä Kristus - 0 views

www.sana.fi/...kaiken_keskella_kristus

shared by Annu Kangas on 23 Jan 13 - No Cached
    • Annu Kangas
      Annu Kangas on 23 Jan 13
       
      Idiomi: Niin metsä vastaa kuin sinne huutaa. This idiom translates "The forest answers the same way you shout in it" and it means that the way you treat other people defines the way they treat you. This implies that one should treat other people well and with respect. I think this saying is very close to Jeesus's teatching of how to treat one another (that's why the Leonardo da Vinci's Last supper). Altough nobody has ever repeated these sayings to me, I think the idea has been a major part of my upbringing.
    • Michael Tribone
      Michael Tribone on 24 Jan 13
       
      You get back what you give. There's a Zen or Taoist saying about negativity and it making a sound like wind through the trees. I need to find it, but the idea is that although it makes a sound it passes through.
    • Deb Ryland
      Deb Ryland on 25 Jan 13
       
      This is a great idiom to live by Annu! If only the entire world felt the same way. Reading this idiom and how it translates also reminds me of the "Golden Rule" explained to us through church lessons. This is perfect since it ties in with your visual. I also thought about the Greek Goddess named "Echo" as I read the idiom. My son is learning about Greek mythology (which in turm refreshes my knowledge in the subject). Michael...I would be interested to read your saying if you find it. I'm not quite sure what you mean as the "sound passes through". I must be missing something! :)
lauravattulainen

Best content in MAKING VISIBLE: Transcultural Dialogues Spring 2013 | Diigo - Groups - 4 views

groups.diigo.com/...making-visible-2013

shared by lauravattulainen on 21 Jan 13 - No Cached
    • Deb Ryland
      Deb Ryland on 21 Jan 13
       
      After vewing the Finnish advertisement for milk, I feel that subjectivity is constructed through the young woman's apparel, written text and glass of milk placement. The subjectivity is constructed by the viewer; which in this instance, is me. The culturally influenced apparel leads me to believe that there is a history being highlighted in the ad. There is an assumption that the viewer can read the text. Since I cannot, I assume that the young lady is telling me that milk is a good thing. Her aura is pure and innocent. By the size of the dress in comparison with the size of the milk drinking glass, I can only believe that milk adds pounds to the body. Her face and body are the first things I notice. Same with Gisele's milk ad (posted by Karen below), you notice the face and body but each ad has two totally different body images...same strategic placement of the glass (not the first thing you see). Visual arts are an important part of contemporary art because we are such a visual society/culture. We need to "see" products, text, people, etc. in order to communicate our thoughts and needs. This form of art also helps us determine who we are and who we want to be.
    • lauravattulainen
      lauravattulainen on 21 Jan 13
       
      Irmeli Huhtala's artwork of a milk advertising. How is subjectivity constructed in the image, and whose subjectivity is constructed? In the Valio's original add blond Finnish woman advertises milk in a same position. It represents traditional and stereotypical picture of milk's advertising: clean nature, raw material, beautiful woman etc. Irmeli Huhtala challenges this view by chancing the Finnish woman to Romanian woman. Romanians have been linguistic and cultural minority for 500 years so why Romanian couldn't be the face of Finnish milk. What prior knowledge is assumed? The advertisement assumes that the spectator knows Valio's value of Finnish brand and its strong heritage in our country. In the traditional advertising, Valio's milk has been advertised by young blond girls surrounded by cows in the field. Spectators are also assumed to know the Romanian's position in Finnish culture. Making visible in visual art (what does that mean in contemporary art)? The contemporary art tries wake people up to see the differences of many cultures. Concentrating on global matters, for example women's status and meaning in developing countries, could bring more publicity to contemporary arts. Combining different techniques, humor and irony also reflects the phenomenon and the contemporary art.
    • lauravattulainen
      lauravattulainen on 21 Jan 13
       
      Hello, My name is Laura, and I am a fourth year student at University of Helsinki. I will be teacher of lower degree. I come from Joensuu and I moved to Helsinki this autumn. I like to spend time with my friends and family.  My metaphor could be "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken", by Oscar Wilde, which means in Finnish: "Ole oma itsesi, kaikki muut ovat jo käytössä"  My picture:  http://sani-valoakohti.blogspot.fi/2011/03/huhtikuun-teema-ole-oma-itsesi.html  It is okay to be different, it is okay to be you:) that is what I would like to say in my metaphor and picture.
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