Text 12 Change your house to change your life!

People often wonder how to make their house more cosy and comfortable. One of the best ideas is a fireplace. Fire has been always associated with warmth and positive feelings. People like sitting at rainy days before the fireplace and drink coffee.

Appropriate furniture also gives the effect of a real home. Modern sofas and armchairs with plenty of cushions create a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Although people prefer minimalist style, it is important to put your family or friend’s photo on the wall, and place souvenirs from trips abroad either on the window –sill or wooden bookshelves. Electrical appliances like huge TV and video are never attractive-they are always difficult to hide.

My dream is to live in a big detached house surrounded by a big garden full of flowers and trees. I wouldn't like to live in an apartment with blocks of flats and rude neighbour’s making noise in the middle of the night. My dream house should be located outside the city, in a very picturesque place on the outskirts of town where I can find true peace and happiness. Therefore, my dream house should have the characteristics that represent my spiritual world and personality with its location as well as its inner and outer design.

From my point of view, the location of my dream house is very important and the surroundings and the position of a house should be carefully considered. I've always been fascinated by rivers and the sound of the birds in the mornings. I'd feel positive and lively if I was woken up by the sound of doves perched on the branches of the trees. In this respect, I imagine my dream house near a flowing river, built in the countryside. It would be located in such a place that I could find fresh water and air.

My dream house's interior design should be carefully planned because I believe that beauty lies within the details. Consequently, I'd like it to have a big, spacious hall since it is the first place that you see as you come in through the front door. At the end of the hall, there would be a staircase leading upstairs. I'd like to decorate the walls of the hall with famous artist's reproductions of still life paintings. For me, these paintings would give person feelings of relaxation and serenity. The first room on the right would be the living-room which is quite large and full of light. Day light is essential for me so I'd like to have big windows in the living room.

As for me I like flowers on the window-sill and a good carpet on the natural wooden floor. Keep everything tidy, because being tidy promotes positive energy. Everyone wants a beautifully decorated house or flat to feel warm and loved when they come back from a hard day’s work.

Text 13

Kyz-Zhybek and Tolegen

Kyz-Zhibek - Kazakh poetic folk legend of the 16th century. There are many versions of this legend but all agree on the essential details of this story of lovers. It tells about the period in the Kazakh nations history when people suffered from bloody feuds. In those times each province of the Kazakh nation had its own Khan and each tried to supersede the other. The love story of Tolegen, the brave warrior, and the beauty Zhibek ends tragically because of inter-family strife. Tolegen is deceitfully murdered by Bekejan (the batyr, or nobleman of the rival family), who earlier competed for the hand of Zhibek. Zhibekcommited suicide after learning about the death of Tolegen.

Victoria and Albert

In 1837 the 18-year-old Princess Victoria became the Queen of England. Three years later she married Albert, her first cousin from Germany, who was also 21. She was a cheerful girl and he was an honest, intelligent man, and throughout their marriage they were deeply in love. As Victoria was the Queen, Albert was not officially a king, but they were both highly respected and Victoria relied on Albert’s advice, especially regarding diplomatic matters. Yet his main devotion was to their family and their nine children. Albert died 40 years before Victoria, and devastated by the loss of her beloved prince, she never wore anything but black from then on.

Tristan and Isolde

There are many versions of this myth but all agree on the essential details of this story of star crossed lovers. Tristan was a knight sent to bring Isolde to his king, who she was supposed to marry. But before they reached the king’s court, Tristan and Isolde fell in love. The lovers had an affair but in the end separated. She married the king and he another girl. Yet, when he was dying from a poisoned wound, Tristan sent for Isolde. However, Tristan’s wife lied to him telling him that Isolde wasn’t coming. This news killed him. When Isolde arrived and found him dead, she died of a broken heart.