Today is Christmas Day, and, the same way we have been celebrating it since i have memory, my whole family gathers in my Grandma's house. She loves it and so do us. We spend half the day cooking and getting ready for the meal. We also decorate the house with my little cousins. The other half we spend it eating or just talking around the table. Of course it is always full of Christmas treats or sweets.
This Christmas I'm responsible of my cousins, so that they don't bother the cookers. However, I like it. I feel that they are kind of brothers and sister that I don't have, so I have a really strong bond with them. The younger ones are twins, so they are twice as difficult to control, but I manage to keep them busy with some task. It feels good when they admire you when they ask for a drawing of, I don't know, a butterfly mermaid, and what you gave them is kind of a bad-drawed fish-tailed girl with wings and a bikini made of oysters. It really happened, though.
Anyway, what I like the most is being with my family the whole day. This year, one new thing is that my cousin Alex brought his girlfriend, Maria José. She happens to be one of my best friends, so I could spend the day with her too -Needless to say that I arranged their first date!!- I think this has been one of the best Christmas Days ever and I hope next year's to be the same or better.
Best wishes, Merry Christmas and Happy New year!!
viernes, 25 de diciembre de 2015
Pronunciation poem. FREEWRITING
A few days ago I read this poem in COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE. It was referred to how non-english people or spanish-speakers pronounce difficult words in English. I think that it is worth checking out. I hope you like it!
Dearest creature in creation,
Study english pronunciation.
I will teach you in my verse
sounds like corpse, corps,
horse, and worse.
I will keep you,Suzy, busy,
Make your head with heat
grow dizzy.
Tear in eye,
your dress will tear.
So shall I! Oh hear my prayer.
Just compare heart, beard,
and heard,
Dies and diet,
lord and word,
sword and sward,
retain and Britain.
(Mind the letter, how it’s written.)
Now I surely will not plague you
with such words as plaque and ague.
But be careful how you speak:
Say break and steak;
Cloven oven, how and low,
script, receipt, show, poem, and toe.
Hear me say, devoid of trickery,
daughter, laughter, and Terpsichore,
typhoid, measles, topsails, aisles.
Exiles, similes and reviles;
Scholar, vicar, and cigar,
solar, mica, war and far;
one, anemone, Balmoral,
kitchen, lichen, laundry, laurel;
Gertrude, German, wind and mind.
Scene, Melpomene, mankind.
Billet does not rhyme
with ballet, bouquet, wallet, mallet, chalet.
Blood, and flood are not like food,
nor is mould like should and would.
Viscous, viscount, load and broad,
toward, to forward, to reward.
And your pronunciation’s OK
when you correctly say croquet,
rounded, wounded, grieve and sieve,
friend and fiend, alive and live.
Ivy, privy, famous; clamour
and enamour rhyme with hammer.
river, rival, tomb, bomb, comb,
doll and roll and some and home.
stranger does not rhyme with anger,
neither does devour with clangour.
souls, but foul, haunt and aunt,
font, front, won’t, want, grand and grant,
shoes, goes, does.
Now first say finger, and then
singer, ginger, linger,
real, zeal, mauve, gauze, gouge and gauge,
marriage, foliage, mirage, and age.
Query does not rhyme with very,
nor does fury sound like bury.
Dost, lost, post, and doth, cloth, loth.
Job,nob, bosom, transom, oath.
Though the differences seem little,
we say actual but victual.
Refer does not rhyme with deafer.
Foeffer does, and zephyr, heifer.
mint, pint, senate and sedate;
Dull, bull, and George ate late.
Scenic, Arabic, Pacific,
science, conscience, scientific.
Liberty, library, heave and heaven,
Rachel, ache, mustache, eleven
We say allowed, but allowed,
people, leopard, towed, but vowed.
Mark the differences, moreover,
between mover, cover, clover;
Leeches, breeches, wise, precise,
Chalice, but police and lice;
Camel, constable, unstable,
principle, disciple, label.
Petal, panel, and canal,
wait, surprise, plait, promise, pal.
worm and storm, chaise, chaos, chair,
senator, spectator, mayor.
Tour, but our and succor, four.
Gas, alas, and Arkansas,
sea, idea, Korea, area,
Psalm, Maria but malaria.
Youth, south, southern,
cleanse and clean.
Doctrine, turpentine, and marine.
Compare alien with Italian,
dandelion, and battalion.
Sally, with ally, yeah, ye,
eye, I, ay, aye, whey, and key.
Say aver, but ever, fever,
neither, leisure, skein, deceiver.
Heron, granary, canary.
Crevice and device and aerie.
Face, but preface, not efface.
Phlegm, phlegmatic, ass, glass, bass,
Large, but target, gin, give, verging,
ought, out, joust and scour, scouring.
Ear, but earn and wear and tear
do not rhyme with here but ere.
Seven is right, but also is even,
hyphen, roughen, nephew Stephen,
monkey, donkey, Turk and jerk,
ask, gasp, wasp, and cork and work.
Pronunciation — Think of Psyche!
Is a paling stout and spiky?
Won’t make it lose your wits,
writing grants and saying grits?
It’s a dark abyss or tunnel:
Strewn with stones, stowed, solace,
gunwale, Islington and Isle of Wight,
housewife, verdict and indict.
Finally, which rhymes with enough
though, through, plough, or dough, or cough?
Hiccough has the sound of cup.
My advice is to give up!!
jueves, 24 de diciembre de 2015
#LoveWins. FREEWRITING.
On the 26th of June 2015, something awesome happened in USA: Gay weddings were legal in each one of the 50 states. The Hashtag #LoveWins became viral on the Internet and the world was pleased with this law.
When I saw this post, I though it was such an inspiration and a further glimpse of freedom beyond social conventions. I think love is love, doesn't matter which kind, genre, race or belief.
This post shows the first gay couple who got married on the US right after the Supreme Court legalized marriages. After 50 years of relationship, they finally accomplished their dream: Getting married in the US.
Congratulations Jack Evans and George Harris!!
miércoles, 23 de diciembre de 2015
History of Art in the UK: Westminster Abbey. FREEWRITING.
Last year, one of my favorite high school subjects was History of Art. With my teacher, Fuensanta, I learned a lot about a subject that I found at first a little hard. But at the end of the year, here I am, writing a blog entry just for fun about one of the most beautiful, incredible and complicated buildings in UK, the Westminster Abbey.
It is located in the City of Westminster. It’s a beautiful huge gothic abbey, made of stone, and surrounded by a large garden in the heart of the chaotic city of London. This Abbey was built in 10th Century, but it was rebuilt by King Edward the Confessor in order to have a royal burial church. Every king or queen from King William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth II has been crowned there.
In addition, the Abbey has a magnificent architecture; Its great height reminds us the path to heaven and to God himself -That is one of the most important characteristics of the Gothic style. The Abbey is ruled by the Dean of Westminster, and everyday the priests give sermons for everyone who wants to join the mass.
Due to its history, the Abbey has an enormous library which contains, paintings, books, manuscripts, a summary of the coronations and royal weddings, and so on… Also you can find chapels and memorials of kings and queens of England such as the Chapel of King Henry VII, The Chapel of St. Paul, The Royal Vault, Monuments to Mary and Elizabeth….
However, the Abbey suffered during the World War II. Its treasures were taken out of there and protected in country houses but some bombs were thrown to the building causing important damage.
Following the tradition, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned there in 1953. In 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton got married in the Abbey.
From my point of view, the Westminster Abbey is really interesting not only because of the obvious importance due to its great architecture, tombs and religious interests but also because of the history that contains.
COMPLEX ESSAY: In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie? COMPULSORY
As I consider myself kind of movie lover, it is quite difficult for me to point out some characteristics movies should have in order to be a good one. Besides not everybody thinks the same way, so it may be controversial in some ways. Movies are full of factors that can make it won prizes or do not even been released. Some of the components a good film should have are a good plot, wonderfully good actors and a soundtrack that sticks in your mind.
Firstly, I would say that the basic point of a good movie is the plot. Wether it is too odd or too innovative, it may bore the spectator. The typical boy-meets-girl love films are overused and has lost many fans over the years, with the exception of some of them who had included other items to the plot and had created high-crossing films. The same happens with action and horror films. On the other hand, if the plot is complicated and requires the 100% of the spectator’s attention in order to understand the film, it won’t success. This might happen with historical films or with specific-topic films like maths or the universe. So, from my point of view, the plot of a great film should be a mixture of those factors.
Secondly, the cast chosen is really important too. I think that it doesn’t matter if the actors are not worldwide known in order to do a good job with the character. I think it is quite important for the film that the actors look similarly to their characters, and this might even be compulsory if the film is book-based. Otherwise the film itself might lose some of its power. The characterization is other important skill actors and actresses should have. I think they have to be emotionally linked to the character in order to make us feel his or her emotions.
Lastly, another factor films must have in my opinion is an amazing soundtrack. I think this is so important in order to add intensity and emotion to the film. As I see it, a song can often say more than words. It does not even have to have lyrics, it might not be the central part of the sequence, but even if it is instrumental and sounds in the back while the characters are doing something it transmit you feelings of joy, sadness or mystery.
Bearing this in mind, I feel that, even if a film accomplishes all those factors, not many of them have the power to delight you in every way. In my opinion, directors should be more aware of what is the audience looking for. At this point, the promotion of the works has to be pretty extended in the society so as to attract as much audience as possible, and it can be made by several ways such as Internet, TV, radio, advertisements and so on…
To sum up, the facts that a film must include in order to be successful are the later mentioned plot, actors and actresses and the OST. However, a movie can’t only be judged by its content, but by the way it is done and promoted in order to be more successful in theaters.
-Irene.
Between the twilight and the dawn. FREEWRITING
There is nothing more stressful that our lives at this very moment. We are no longer the happy, unconscious young-adults we used to be about four months ago. Harsh reality. We have to study.
However, I’m determined to turn down that great feeling —Irony— of being trapped in a four-wall box for the rest of my Christmas Holidays. You may ask: If you do not do that and you do not get enough study you will fail the tests! Thank you, I did not thought about that until now.
No, the thing is that for sure I’m going to study a lot this Christmas, not only because of failing but also because I take the studies as a moral principle and I think it’s my job to get good grades and eventually have my degree. And that is what I am up for. But also I think that “We'll never be as young as we are tonight.” —I read this somewhere on the internet and I thought it was worth thinking about it a little. We have to enjoy our life right now, before it is too late.
Having said that, I’m taking my handbag, my coat and a fluffy scarf and I’ll just wander around the city with my friends for a couple of hours. If this doesn’t make us feel alive and “infinite” again, I don’t now what can.
—Irene.
lunes, 21 de diciembre de 2015
Writing thesis statements. COMPULSORY
- Due to the fact that technologies are everywhere nowadays, kids grow up attached to those devices in their younger ages.
- Families are one of the most important pillars of our society and are quite meaningful to develop ourselves.
- Discrimination against prostitution shouldn't be happening as in the 21th Century we are all aware of our liberties and everyone should respect each other's decisions.
- The government should be more aware about violence against women and make stricter laws against this practice.
- Alcohol is a bad practice that is widely extended between teenagers.
- University exams must be accurately marked.
- Technology is going to change our lives the same way it had been doing lately.
- Nowadays, novels doesn't have as much quality as before.
sábado, 19 de diciembre de 2015
Punctuation mistakes. COMPULSORY
1. The men in question (Harold Keene, Jim Peterson, and Gerald Greene) deserve awards.1. The men in question (Harold Keene, Jim Peterson, and Gerald Greene) deserve awards.
2. Several countries participated in the airlift: Italy, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg.
3. ‘Only one course was open to us: surrender,’ said the ex-major, ‘and we did.’
4. Judge Carswell - later to be nominated for the Supreme Court- had ruled against civil rights.
5. In last week's New Yorker, one of my favorite magazines, I enjoyed reading Leland's article ‘How Not to Go Camping.’
6. ‘Yes,’ Jim said, ‘I'll be home by ten.’
7. There was only one thing to do - study till dawn.
8. Montaigne wrote the following: ‘A wise man never loses anything, if he has himself.’
9. The following are the primary colors: red, blue, and yellow.
10. Arriving on the 8:10 plane were Liz Brooks, my old roommate; her husband; and Tim, their son.
11. When the teacher commented that her spelling was poor, Lynn replied, ‘All
the members of my family are poor spellers. Why not me?'
12. He used the phrase ‘you know’ so often that I finally said, ‘No, I don't know.’
13. The automobile dealer handled three makes of cars: Volkswagens, Porsches, and Mercedes Benz.
14. Though Phil said he would arrive on the 9:19 flight, he came instead on the 10:36 flight.
15. ‘Whoever thought,’ said Helen, ‘that Jack would be elected class president?’
16. In baseball, a ‘show boat’ is a man who shows off.
17. The minister quoted Isaiah 5:21 in last Sunday's sermon.
18. There was a very interesting article entitled ‘The New Rage for Folk Singing’ in last Sunday's New York Times newspaper.
19. ‘Whoever is elected secretary of the club -Ashley, or Chandra, or Aisha-must be prepared to do a great deal of work,’ said Jumita, the previous secretary.
20. Darwin's the Origin of Species (1859) caused a great controversy when it appeared.
21. We had a great time in France – the kids really enjoyed it.
22. Some people work best in the mornings; others do better in the evenings.
23. What are you doing next weekend?
24. Mother had to go into hospital: she had heart problems.
25. Did you understand why I was upset?
26. It is a fine idea; let us hope that it is going to work.
27. We will be arriving on Monday morning, at least, I think so.
28. A textbook can be a ‘wall’ between teacher and class.
29. The girl’s father sat in a corner.
30. In the words of Murphy’s Law: ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.’
My Rollercoaster. FREEWRITING
“And if home is really where the heart is
Then we're the smartest kids I know
Because wherever we are in this great big world
We'll never be more than a few hours from home
And that's important because I need to travel
I've had this itchin' in my shoes since I was just a little kid
And before I had a mini van I road the Greyhound bus
My mom would say "I hope some day you get paid for being Kimya Dawson”.”
—My Rollercoaster by Kimya Dawson.
This lyrics are taken from the song “My Rollercoaster” by Kimya Dawson. Some of her songs are best known for being the soundtrack of the film “Juno”. Although she is not very famous, I think she is a really good singer, not as ordinary and simple as other artists.
From this lyrics I can understand her will of rebelling against what is “normal” nowadays. She has an impulse of living so strong that she just leaves home and what was the proper way of living, and therefore she actually starts living her life.
“Wherever we are in this great big world / We’ll never be more than a few hours from home” — This verses are so simple and so complicated at the same time that I hadn’t thought about it in my whole life. And they are right.
Home is where your heart is, but the question you should ask yourself is: Where is it? Is it with my family? With my friends? With my spouse? Is it lost in the woods or swimming in the ocean? Is it on the pages of a book? Is it hidden in a work of art?
The answer, from my point of view, is so simple: We don’t know until we know.
-Irene
Again. FREEWRITING
Here I am, again. Another Thursday at the library, again.
Alone, again.
And I wonder… Why are you doing this to me? What have I done so bad? Do I deserve this? All I’ve done since I’ve met you is care about you and is this the way you pay me back?
—“Yes, let’s break her tiny, dark, iced heart into pieces, who cares?” —You may think.
Some months ago, I would have thought the same if I was other person… Who would like to have a person like me wandering around?
But… Bloody hell…
Maybe now my heart is growing bigger.
Maybe now it is becoming colorful.
Maybe the ice is melting.
But you have left me.
Alone, again.
martes, 1 de diciembre de 2015
Helena Bonham Carter. FREEWRITING
One of my favorite actress is Helena Bonham Carter. In my opinion, she has some incredible skills in order to perform any play or role, doesn’t matter whether it is a perturbed witch, a pure little girl, a singer, a dancer, or even the Queen —She nails each role. However, she is often undervalued and little known, maybe because she rejects having the typical life of a celebrity, she doesn’t make exhibitions of herself or their family. She was born in London, England, in 1966, and her father was a distinguished banker which belonged to a theatrical and political family. She married Kenneth Branagh and Tim Burton, but got divorced from both. She also has two children.
She is also known for some iconic roles like the role as the evil and cruel Bellatrix Lestrange in the film adaptations of Harry Potter (She played the role since the fifth movie), as the Red Queen in “Alice in Wonderland”, as the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in “the king’s Speech”, as Madame Thénardier in “Les Misérables” and most recently as the Fairy Godmother in “Cinderella”.
In the media, we can say that her style is quite unconventional and controversial. Although, she has been named in Vanity Fair’s 2010 Best-Dressed List and has been selected for several designers for their fashion campaigns like Mark Jacobs. In addition, she is focused in some national ONGs, like the charity Action Duchenne.
To sum up, Helena Bonham Carter is my favorite actress for many reasons, but the most important are her ability to perform any role that steps in her way but also because she is different from any celebrity nowadays.
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