Fragile Dreams


Book Description

"In Fragile Dreams, John A. Gould examines Central European communism, why it failed, and what has come since. Moving loosely chronologically from 1989 to the present, each chapter focuses on topics of importance to the fields of comparative politics, sociology, and feminist and gender studies. He addresses literature and key events related to the following: uprisings and social movements; communism and liberalism; the 20th century communist experience; post-communist liberal economic and political reform; politicized identity (with a focus on nation, gender and sexual orientation); democratization and EU accession; homophobia; and finally, populism and democratic decline. He draws heavily from his own research and experience as well as case studies of the former Czechoslovakia, Western Balkans, and Hungary-but much of the analysis has general applicability to the broader postcommunist region. Broad in its coverage, this academically rigorous book is ideal for students, travelers, and general readers. Gould writes in the first person and seamlessly blends theory with stories both from the existing literature and from 30 years of regional personal experience with family and friends. Throughout, Gould introduces key concepts, players, and events with precise definitions. Wherever possible, he emphasizes marginalized narratives, centering theory and stories that are often overlooked in standard comparative political science literature"--




Our Fragile Dreams


Book Description

This is Johnny Perrems first publication. These poems were written between 2004 and 2017. The subject matter covers a broad range of topics: his parents; some of his eleven siblings (both alive and deceased); his wife, Bernadette; his children, Nathan and Lucy; and his granddaughters Nessa and Elizabeth, both born about one year ago. His experiences in and feelings about fighting several cancers (four) are explored. Some are reflections about previous relationships with special women over the years since his youth. He describes his thoughts and feelings about a few friends and his eldest stepdaughter, Aoife. A few deal with political events.




Fragile Dreams and Old Photographs


Book Description

A young woman taken in by her best friend's family falls in love with his brother.




I Had the Strangest Dream...


Book Description

In the mega-selling tradition of The Dreamer’s Dictionary comes a comprehensive, contemporary guide to understanding dreams and the unconscious mind. With over 3,500 symbols and a 7-step guide to applying their definitions to one’s life, this is the ultimate guide for today’s dreamer. It's a double-caf low-fat Frappuccino-kind of world, and all that bustle doesn't stop just because it's time for bed. While you sleep, your mind is busy going over everything you've experienced during the day. Now, with the only dream book that interprets both classic and new twenty-first century symbols - everything from speed dating and Botox to text messages and iPods - you can tap into your unconscious with the turn of a page. Discover the messages hidden in your dreams, your hopes, your fears, your unrealized strengths and potential. You'll learn how to recognize life-altering opportunities and become the person you've always dreamed of being.




The ball


Book Description

It is the story of a woman and a man, whose existences cross and intertwine: a chance encounter overturns the lives of the two protagonists, catapulting them into new worlds, in search of what perhaps they never had. An introspective novel, at times claustrophobic, interrupted, for rapid and impromptu moments, by amazing glimpses of light. A tortuous and ironic journey into the middle generation, suspended between the X and the Y. The life of a boy, perhaps a man, intersects with that of a girl, perhaps a woman. The intertwining of the two's lives spreads in a deep dive into the insecurities and impulses of an indefinable and undefined generation, in search of answers that nothing and nobody seems able to provide. Perhaps the real answer is just a simple dream, to be treasured in your privacy and to be shared with someone special. Or maybe not, because a real answer doesn't exist. Translator: Emanuela Paganucci PUBLISHER: TEKTIME




The History of Danish Dreams


Book Description

Through a series of vividly imaginative and wildly colorful characters, Hoeg gives us a very different account of the twentieth century, which in Denmark encompasses the transition from a medieval society to a modern welfare state with its accompanying cultural revolutions. Reminiscent of the work of the magical realists but with a distinctive Nordic twist, The History of Danish Dreams is a truly magical novel.




The Dream Thieves


Book Description

The Dream Thieves Dream thieves steal people's aspirations until they encounter a dream so powerful, it threatens the fabric of their reality. In Summary: In "The Dream Thieves," the beautiful town of Aspira is shown to be a place where dreams are more than just scary images. This delicate balance is threatened by the Dream Thieves, mysterious beings from another world who eat dreams and disappear where happiness and creativity used to grow. In this case, Eli, a young resident of Aspira, is in the middle of a trip that will change his life. The Dream Thieves are interested in his visions because they are bright and full of healing and inspiration. This starts an epic story that will ultimately decide everyone's fate. As the story goes on, Eli's run-in with the Dream Thieves sets him on a mission to find out what dreams are really about and get back his stolen dreams. His journey shows how the dream and real worlds are complicatedly connected, and he has to find his way through a road full of danger, new discoveries, and the chance to meet new people. The Dream Thieves change from enemies to friends in the end because Eli keeps believing in the power of dreams and wants to make things right for everyone. Because they had hurt the Heart of Dreams, which is where all dream power in Aspira comes from, they set out to fix it. The most important part of the story is Eli's huge sacrifice: he gives up part of his own dream to save the dying Heart of Dreams. In both areas, it shows how powerfully personal dreams can affect the well-being of everyone. The Dream Thieves' future is changed by this brave and selfless act. Not only does it restore the flow of dreams, but it also forces them to become Protectors of Dreams, watching over the dream realm in case it is threatened again. The sad ending of "The Dream Thieves" is a bittersweet reminder of how dreams can bring about change, heal wounds, and bring people together. By following Eli's journey, readers are encouraged to think about how their own goals relate to reality and how they can work together to change it. Aspira wakes to a new era of peace and creativity. The story has a timeless lesson about how important it is to love and protect our dreams because they are the seeds from which amazing things can grow. Chapter 1: The Amazing Dream of Eli. This was the first dream of its kind that Eli had ever had. Not only was he drawn to the city's beautiful textures and bright colors, but he was also drawn to the never-ending thrill and freedom he felt as he explored this amazing world. If you remember Eli's dream, he was on top of a cloud and looked down at a city that seemed to defy gravity. They were connected by bridges that looked like they were made of light and hung loosely in the air. They were made of bright materials that he wasn't sure what they were. There were buses and flying cars buzzing around him in the sky. They darted between buildings like fish in a river. The animals that roamed the city streets and sky, on the other hand, were what made this dream unique. These animals weren't like other animals; they talked to people like people, telling stories about their adventures and meeting people who came by. Eli remembers seeing a dog that could run faster than the flying cars and a cat whose wings sounded like old stories and whose laughter could be heard in the wind. When Eli woke up, his heart was still racing from an exciting dream. He lay in bed for a while, holding on to the dim memories of the city in the sky and the people who lived there. When Eli opened his eyes, he thought he might be back in the dream because it felt so real and solid. Eli felt he had to talk about what he had seen, even though the dream details were blurring and scenes from his own room were taking their place. He wasn't sure if his friends would believe him when he told them about the flying city and the talking animals, or if they would just think it was another dream. However, Eli knew that this dream was different. It didn't seem like something out of his mind; it was like a doorway into a world that was linked to his own in some way. The town of Aspira, where Eli lived, needed some magic. It had slowly lost its shine and life, and now there was a pall of darkness around it. It was hard for the people of Aspira to live happy lives because their daily lives were so boring and hard. The streets of town were not as busy as they used to be, and kids laughing wasn't heard very often. Eli had always thought that Aspira was missing something, something that could bring back the wonder and joy that had faded over time. While Eli thought about his dream, he began to wonder if Aspira needed a reminder of the magic in the world, the magic that could make the town happy again. Eli hurried to meet his friends because he was excited and wanted to tell them about his idea. His passionate story about his dream, which included detailed accounts of floating buildings, flying cars, and animals that talked, wowed his coworkers. They paid close attention as Eli told them about a world full of magic and excitement. Aspira seemed to suddenly feel better as they sat together. The sadness that had been there seemed to lift, and a glimpse of hope and promise took its place. What Eli dreamed brought back the wonder and joy that his friends had lost for too long. They talked about their own dreams and told each other about strange animals and places they had seen in their sleep. They could believe in the impossible again after Eli's dream seemed to have opened a door. They thought that Eli's dream might not have been a dream at all as they talked. It could have been a challenge to them to find the magic in their own lives and bring it back to Aspira. In response to Eli's idea, they came up with a plan. Instead of in the sky, they were going to build their own flying city on Aspira. They would start with small projects like making models of flying structures and their own talking animals to bring some of Eli's ideas to life. Each project was meant to bring the wonder and happiness that Eli's dream had given them to as many people in the town as possible. It was their time to work when something amazing happened. Aspira's population grew because Eli and his friends were happy and interested. By stating their own goals and ideas, they added their knowledge and creativity to the movement that was already strong. The town slowly changed from being dead and boring to busy and creative. Paintings on the walls showed scenes from Eli's dream, and the talking animal statues in the town square made everyone happy. Eli's wonderful dream had started a movement in Aspira and given him a short break from real life. People in the town were told that magic isn't just in dreams, but also in the strength of groups and creativity. Aspira's streets went from being sad to being full of hope because of them. They brought Eli's skyscraper city to life. Eli realized that remembering what a place used to be is sometimes better than trying to change it. As the town began to come to life with the spirit of the dream, he realized this. Chapter 2: The Burglars in the Venereal Area It was dark and strange in the peaceful town of Aspira, and something bad was going on. The Dream Thieves, a name for a group of mysterious and interesting people, walked quietly through the streets. They moved through the darkness with a grace that was both beautiful and scary. Their presence was almost ghostly, and you could feel it more than see it. These were not your average thieves; instead, they were looking for the most valuable and mysterious things in people. What they hoped for. They used ethereal nets and gadgets from an unknown world to record the dreams of the people who slept in Aspira. They were driven by need, not greed or spite. Dreams were more than just mental illusions for them; they were an important part of their world, like how air and water are for us. In the Dream Thieves' country, people's dreams became real. Over time, this fabric had started to fray and fall apart, which put their world's future at risk. To fix it, they needed dreams from people, full of color and feeling. The Dream Thieves waited for the Aspira people to go to sleep every night so they could steal their dreams, which rose up like smoke. These dreams ranged from normal to strange, from vivid memories of the previous day to trips into the future to places no one had been before. For the Dream Thieves, every dream was an important resource because it gave them energy to keep their world going for a little while longer. As they moved around Aspira, the Dream Thieves worked quickly but with respect for the dreams they stole. They knew how much the things they stole were worth and how their acts had hurt the people they borrowed from. But they were in great need, and the survival of their country was in danger. Aspira started to change a little with each dream that was written down. People in town felt like their mornings were missing something, but they couldn't put their finger on it. The intense dreams they had seemed to fade, leaving them with an unsettling feeling of emptiness and pain. They felt like something had cast a shadow over who they were, making them less inspired, happy, and living. Even though there was ethereal silence after the Dream Thieves' visits, people in Aspira were getting restless. They talked in whispers about their dying dreams, telling stories of lost adventures at night and strangely sad mornings. Some people started to wonder if the Dream Thieves stories, which had been written off as lies before, might actually be true. Could there really be beings that only lived in people's dreams, wiping out wonder and imagination in the process? The thought scared and interested the people in the town, who were all interested in the mysterious people who walked the streets at night. The bad guys in this story, though, were not the Dream Thieves. In their society, taking dreams was not a crime, that was okay. It was a heavy duty that was taken on in the hopes that one day there would be no need to take from people, that their reality could be fixed, and that their worlds would be balanced again. They wished there was a way for everyone to live together and enjoy the beauty of dreams without putting anyone in danger or using up all their resources. During their nighttime walks, each dream they gathered had a whispered plea for peace, understanding, and a time when dreams can freely move between their world and the human world.




The Bouncing Back Daily Devotional


Book Description

Life in general is comprised of a series of ups and downs. What life has thought me over the years is that whether one is experiencing either the upside or the downside of life, it is never permanent. Everything that we are faced with in this journey of life is just a season, and seasons have an expiry date. Nothing is permanent on this side of eternity, no matter how painful or how pleasant the season is I have learned that it passes. So, no matter what you are going through at the moment it shall come to pass in due season. But when the season pass you shall remain standing, especially if your life is anchored on a sure foundation of HOPE. As I typed this devotional day after day, the Lord impressed one thought on my mind, “You can Bounce Back” from any season. Never doubt the power of bouncing back. Resilience is in your DNA, you have been created to overcome and survive everything that life throws at you. In this Daily Devotional I pray that you find inspiration to Bounce Back from whatever life throws at you. Whether you choose to make it a morning or evening devotional I hope you are inspired. The Bounce back Daily Devotional will infuse your day or evening with a dose of inspiration.




Powerful Beyond Measure


Book Description

For many of us, the word 'power' conjures up disturbing feelings of control and dominance, of winning at all costs - and often at the expense of others. Indeed, from our earliest days this is how we have been taught to view the world in order to survive; it is at the heart of the story of man's evolution, and at the heart of much conflict and pain. But now, in Powerful Beyond Measure, Nick Williams reveals the basis of a different kind of power - a power that does not rely on winners or losers, but on a love that feeds our soul and a faith that frees us from the need to control. Here, as he draws upon fascinating case studies and timeless wisdom, Nick reveals how we can: ·Access the innate spiritual power that lies within each of us to find strength and inspiration every day of our lives ·Experience true connection with the world around us as we learn to trust ourselves and others ·Abandon our fears and doubts in order to discover the essence of who we truly are and all that we have to offer Complete with sound, practical advice and based on his experience as one of our most sought-after personal coaches, Nick Williams illuminates the path to a more rewarding life of hope, forgiveness and freedom - a life that is powerful beyond measure. 'Read and learn how to save your life, live in your heart and let the magic happen...' Bernie Siegel, author of Love, Medicine and Miracles




Education Beyond Education


Book Description

Developing a theme in dialogue with Maxine Greene's philosophy, this book introduces the reader to what animates Greene's passionate work: the self and the imaginary. It illuminates how Greene empowers us all as learners of the possible, by identifying learning with the power of the imagination. Greene's work promises hope beyond the impasse that often occurs when learning is reified by educational systems. Education Beyond Education illustrates how Greene redefines the notion of the imaginary - and with it, that of the imagination - as that which expands the possibilities of learning beyond the boundaries by which education is often narrowly defined and practiced. Tracing Greene's key arguments, Education Beyond Education offers a strikingly original and empowering way to see and re-position education beyond its customary limits.