My English competence in 2010.

Now it's time to choose my best written an oral evidences I have done in 2010. It has been difficult to pick up just one, but there are some compositions I have done which are better to forget and, obviously, there are some others worth romembering.

In my view, I've done my best composition this last term: 'Addicted to Facebook', probably because it's a subject I really like and feel familiar to it. This reflection is well structured with an introduction, a main body and a great conclusion. Moreover, I introduced some idioms (maybe the use of 'over my dead body' is a little bit exagerated) and I used many connectors. I think this reflection shows my maturity level and my ability to write good compositions in a foreign language.

In my opinion, my best oral evidence was done in the second term: 'Caffeine and tea'. It was about my research project (it sounds strange to pronounce it now that I've finished with it). I used technical words, which gave me a higher level of domination than my audience. However, I wasn't sure about the pronounciation, but I think I did a good job, well trained. What's more, I was familiar with the subject I was talking about; this fact made possible to improve if I didn't remember what I had to say.

In conclusion, I can say that I'm very proud of myself; at the first mail I said to Sònia that I had a special gift for writing and with Addicted to Facebook we can prove it.

My English progress from 2008-2010.

If I compare my first written document and my last composition or my first oral presentatiion with my last one, I notice a big difference (mostly in my oral).

First, let's have a look in my compositions. We can analyze the structure: in my first composition, there's no organization at all; I just vomit some words. However, in my last composition about mind-body therapies, I order my ideas in some paragraphs. What's more, in first of batxillerat I use the conjuction 'and' in an exaggerated way, for example when I say: "and we went to his swimming pool in the afternoon and we had dinner there, together". Comparing to my last entry this year, I have used synonims wether for this conjunction or other connectors; last year I didn't use as much linking words as I do. I also repeated the subject in some sentences, for example: "Laura, Nuri and I, we have passed our drive test exam".

If we focus in my oral presentation we can observe many differences too. In my opinion, my first oral presentation wasn't so bad, but we always can improve in everything of course. I remember I was really nervous, my voice was trembling and I rarely looked at my audience; I did a lot of gestures as well. Taking my London report into account, we must consider it's very different; not only because I have improved, but also because the context changes from a class to an open space. My audience was more reduced, so I was more relaxed (even the people on the street looked at us while we were recording). I think I was more confident in London because I was more used to do it than at first of batxillerat.
On the hole, I think I have improved in all aspects, yet I hope to continue developing my English level. My last compositions are more reasonable and well structured, and my orals have more fluence and self-confidence.

Mind-body therapies.

For thousands of years it is said that we are able to cure an illness by controlling our emotions; many people, however, think that mind-body therapies are a waste of time. In my opinion, they can help us to enhace our selfesteem.

First, people who suffer an illness need to be confident, sure of themselves to combat it. In my view, mind -body therapies can help them to control and mantain this feeling of superation.

What's more, they need to be relaxed. An illness, apart from being difficult, is also quite stressful because of the constant visits to the doctor, the whole treatment... So it's important for them to have a peaceful break-time.

To sum up I would say that people must believe in mind-body trerapies because they can help them to get over a difficult stage in their lives.

Smooth criminal, Michael Jackson.

As he came into the ______
It was the sound of a ________
He came in her apartment
He left the blood stains on the carpet
She sang underneath the table
He could see she was incredible
So she ran into the ________
She was struck up, it was her doom

CHORUS 1:
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok, Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok, Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok, Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, ____ ___ ___ __, ___ ___ __, Annie?

CHORUS 2 (put the sentences in order):
Then you ran into the bedroom

There's a sign in the window

Annie are you ok?
That he struck you - a crescendo Annie
He came into your apartment
He left the blood stains on the carpet
Will you tell us that you're ok?
It was your doom
You were struck down

CHORUS 1.

You've feel hit by
You've feel hit by - a _________ _________

So they came into the subway
It was _______ - what a black ____
Mouth to mouth resuscitation
Staring heartbeats - intimidations

CHORUS 1

CHORUS 2

Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
You've feel hit by
You've feel struck by - a _________ __________

 
Okay, I want anybody to clear the area _______ ______! 

Annie are you ok? (__ ______ ____)
Will you tell us, that you're ok?

There's a sign in the window

That he struck you - a crescendo Annie 

He came into your apartment 
Left blood stains on the carpet
I don't know why baby!
Then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom - Annie!

Annie are you ok?
Will you say us, that you're ok?
There's a sign in the _________
That he struck you - a __________ Annie
 

He came into your apartment
Left ________ stains on the carpet
Then you ran into the bedroom

You were struck up
It was our doom Annie!

Johnny Depp saves friend from mugger.

Johnny Depp saved a friend of him days ago in Los Angeles. When the mugger saw Depp, he recognized him immediately: he ain't stealing from Captain Jack. The man left the bottle he was acting with and Johnny Depp gave him some money and told to go away. 

Normally, celebrities say they don't like to be famous because people recognize them. Here we've got an example which proves that being famous can be also a good point. 

It's obvious that being famous has its pros and its cons, like everything. However, I think this situation has more cons than pros. Even though they got a lot of money (usually more than the one they deserve), they don't have a private life: journalists are always chasing them. 

Famous people can live their life in lustful conditions that normal people can't. If I became famous I'd like to have a huge and modern house in every country I wanted, with a big swimming pool and a beautiful garden. I would travel all around the world staying at the most expensive hotels, I would have my meals to the finest restaurants, I would buy many clothes with which I would fill my multiple wardrobes... Things that I can't do now actually I either need to.

Nevertheless there are different types of celebrities: people who has become famous for an important thing they've done (such as a discovery, films, music..), or people like Belén Esteban. It's shameful how our society treats these stupids as if they were people worth being admired.

Short news.

Addicted to facebook.

There's a group in facebook saying: 'I also should have my face in the book'. Another which says: 'Join if you should be studying'. There's no doubt we lose a lot of our precious time in this virtual space. We should think about it... The time we spend in front of our computers, we could spend it doing some other useful things. 

In my case, for example: I admit I'm a Facebook/messenger addicted. I arrive at home and I say to myself that over my dead body I'm going to connect on the Internet! But in some involuntary and uncontrolled way, I turn on my computer because I want (or I need) to connect with the world. Actually, now that I have an iPhone, I've also installed the ebuddy tool so I can connect it everywhere and every time. 

When I'm studying (and I know I go against the clock) I try to turn off the computer, but normally I just shut the screen of the laptop so then it's faster. Every 15 minutes I'm opening it and visiting Facebook again, just to see what's going on.

As a matter of fact, when I see the time goes by, I get into the right frame of mind, I switch off my laptop and I take it to another room, far from me; in that way, I feel lazy if I have to stand up and go for it. Although it usually works, I have another solution, just in case.. I go downstairs and I study at the kitchen.

School work on the computer: another problem. While I'm writing this entry, I'm constantly visiting my Facebook site and I'm on ebuddy. You can imagine that this task takes me a lot of time, because (even though I know I'm not absolutely concentrated) I can't help it. 

On the whole, I would make the most of my time if there weren't naughty machines and catchy technologies... Do you have any strategy to control your impulses and fight against them? Any advice for me?

Medicine vs vet.

Before finishing batxillerat, we'll have to take an important decision which will determine the rest of our lives: our degree. As you know I had practically decided it, yet I haven't now. I suppose I've noticed it's about to come and the possibility of taking the wrong decision scares me.

During my life, I've always been between veterinary science and medicine.

First I wanted to become a vet because of my love to animals and I'd like to treat and to care for them. Meanwhile, my grandfather tried to convince me that it's more satisfactory to help people than animals, but I wasn't completely sure about the idea; however, he finally conviced me and I decided to become a doctor. Since then, I've always defended it, insisting on my marks above all. 

Nevertheless, the confusion came back and now I have no idea about what I have to choose! (I think I'm stressing Júlia as well with my degree chaos..!)

Medicine would take me 6 years before the MIR exam, apart from 5 more to study my specialization. It would be lots of hours of study and work. Veterinary science would suppose me 'only' 5 years (full of work too) and when finished, I wouldn't have to do any specialization: I would be already a vet. 

 

On the other hand, I don't know where I want to study. If I finally chose veterinary, I will have to go to Barcelona because Bellaterra is the only university in Catalonia where these studies are given. The problem appears with medicine: should I go to Barcelona or may I stay in Girona? The mark in Barcelona is higher than in Girona, but I have to take a decision because I'll have to fill in my options list soon!

Well... I should make up my mind and chose: vet vs medicine, animals vs people.

Airline body IATA condemns 'European embarrassment'.

Last Wednesday 14th, an Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano eruption, left a mixture of glass, sand and rock particles in the air. It prevented planes from flying across Europe, which has caused a lot of social problems: there have been some modifications at the French railway company SNCF, many flights have been cancelled,  the next Saturday's Japanese MotoGP has been postponed...

It's my second news related to environmental problems, in this case, related to the atmosphere. Again,  we prove our planet is uncontrollable and we just can do nothing against it. 

Volcanoes are really dangerous. 1916, a year later of Waterloo War, is know as the 'year with no summer' because it was really cold, it had no spring... A century later, the reason was discovered: the Tambora volcano eruption in Sumbawa (Indonesia) in April of 1815. So I mean it's incredible how natural disasters afect the future of our planet!

This ash can seriously afect the atmosphere for several months; there are experts who also confirms that it can last for a year. I personally think it affects, in an indirectly way, to the economic crisis: if Spain (or any other country) was specting to receive tourists during this days, the Eyjafjallajoekull eruption has stopped any movement.

BBC news.

Landslide derails train in Italy.

Last Monday, in Bolzano (Italy), a train was overturned by a landslide. It was travelling on the Val Venosta line, passing through a strait valley when the landslide came and left the train near the border of a cliff near the river. The situation was not good: there were at least 7 victims and among the 20 injured people, 4 of them were in very serious conditions.

Earth is unpredictable. Although sometimes we believe we can control and dominate it, it's seen that we can't.

In Earth sciences subject, besides other matters, we study this type of Earth movements. Landslides occur with a change in the stability of a slope (from a stable to an unstable condition), caused by multiple factors such as erosion, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, groundwater pressure... Moreover, they are aggravated by human activities, for example deforestation or construction.

My opinion in this case is that the construction of the rail caused instability in the valley. First of all, the valley land could withstand this modification on its relief. Then, when the train was inaugurated and it started to circulate, the valley started to withstand more pressure, as well as the vibrations caused when the train passed; as a result, the ground there was altered. Finally, it gave way and it took place this landslide. Even though it has caused many injured and victims, fortunately the train stopped because of the vegetation. If there had not been trees, the train would have felt down the cliff and it would have been worse.

CNN video.

London quiz.

1. Find the Rosetta Stone. Why is it so important?

Because it made possible to translate Egyptian into Greek.

2. What's the most popular food in London?

Fish and chips.

3. What time do pubs close? What happens when the bell rings in a pub?
They usually close around 11pm/12pm, though some close later at 2am if they have a late or a music license etc..When the bell rings people go out of the pub.

4. What's an ale?
It's a type of beer with a high degree of fermentation.

5. Name six of the most common ingredients in a traditional English breakfast.

Coffee, bacon, eggs, toasts, sausages, tea...

6. The Globe Theatre: is it the same theatre where Shakespeare used to perform his plays? What happened?

No, the real Globe thatre burned.

7. What's the real nome of China Town street?

Gerrard Street.

8. Why are there so many ravens kept in the Tower of London? What do they do to them so as they don't escape?
Because the legend saig that if ravens left the Tower, the kingdom would fall.

9. Have you seen any Beefeaters? What do they do? What's their real name? Where does the name Beefeater originate from?

Yes. They are guardians of the Tower of London and in practice they act as tour guides. Their real name is Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London. This name's origin is uncertain. One origin can be from the french term: buffetier.

10. Can you buy a living animal in Harrods? Which one?
Yes, a dog.

11. What is one of Harrods most important customer?
Rich people.

12. Establish the relationship between Diana and the owner of Harrods.

Diana was the girlfriend of the owner's son.

13. Where do Londoners celebrate the welcoming of the New Year?

In Trafalgar Square and actually, in Central London.

14. Who was Nelson? Where can you fins his statue? 

He was the almiral who won the war against USA. We can find its statue in the middle of Trafalgar Square. 

15. Find a Greek God in Picadilly Circus. What's his name? 

Eros, the Greek God of love. 

16. Name at least four wax figures you can see in Madame Tussaud's.
Will Smith, Nelson Mandela, George Clooney, Tiger Woods, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Amy Whinehouse, Julia Roberts, Elvis Presley... 

17. What's the other name given to the London underground? 

Subway or tube. 

18. Where was Sherlock Holmes supposed to live?

In 221B Baker Street.

19. What are the London Dungeons? What did Londoners use them for?
Is a tourist attraction based in Tooley Street about various tortures from the Medieval age.

20. What is the newest bridge across the Thames called? Who designed it?

Millenium Bridge, designed by Norman Foster.

21. Where does the Big Ben take its name? What is it?
Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster.

22. Find all about the Union Jack. 

It's the flag in the UK.

23. What does de Monument represent?

It pay tribute to the Great fire of London. 

24. Find the Serpentine in Hyde Park, what is it?
It's a place that divides the park in two parts.

25. Add three of your own discoveries.
-Bus stops are built on the other side of the road, I suppose because of the rain.
-Police there is really strict.
-People there are more civilized, quiet and ordered than here in Catalonia.

London report.

Informal letter.

Hi mummy,

I arrived in Cameroon just 5 days ago but I'm ejoying a lot my stay here although I have a lot of work too.

Before leaving, I didn't imagine what life here is like. You know, I thought I would find poverty and desperation. Besides, there's a hope, a feeling of progress among people in this village.

People in Cameroon are very polite and they welcomed me with a lot of entusiasm. When I treat an ill person, he respects me; it's not like in Catalonia, where patients always want to be right. Even so, they sometimes break down because they understand their life's still in bad conditions and they know they can do nothing.

I must say to you I sometimes feel angry with our government, because I think they should do something to help developing countries. Now I realise we live in such good conditions compared with them...

I hope everything's alright at home. Write me soon!

Lots of kisses,

Kate.

60-year-old Australian man fights for his life against a wombat.

A 60-year-old man lost his house due to a fire in Australia. He had to live in a caravan while his home was being repaired and during his stay there, he had to fight against a wombat, a big Australian animal which bit him. 

In my opinion, this man was lucky for not being killed by the wombat. There are people who think animals and humans can be friends, but I would ask them with which kind of animals can we establish a friendship? They'll probably answer me 'all of them'.

Obviously, I don't think so. In my view we can't pretend to be friends with wild animals, because they aren't born to be our friends; they are wild and, as a matter of fact, they'll always live independently in their own way. 

However, there are many animals which we can establish a relationship and the best and easiest example are dogs. They are the most faithful humans' friends. I've always wanted to have one, but I've never had because my parents didn't allow it to me, but someday I know I will... I just have to wait till I have my own house. 

Short news.

Broken watch, Orson.

I just don't know what to do,

Jo ja no sé què fer,
I just don't work right without you.

ja no funciono bé sense tu.
I get busted up, need fixing up now baby.

Em trenco, necessito reparar-me ja, baby.

My senses stop making sense.

Les meves frases han deixat de tenir sentit.
No wait, that don't make no sense...

No, espera, això no té sentit...
I get thrown off by my own balance, baby

M'he despistat del meu equilibri, baby.

These city lights only shine down for you,

Aquestes llums de la ciutat només brillen per a tu,
this place is just too big without you.

aquest lloc és massa gran sense tu.
I just don't know what it is about you,

No sé què n'és de tu,
I just know that I'm no good without you.

només sé que no estic bé sense tu. 

Girl you gotta know everytime you go out the door that it's not alright.

Nena, has de saber que cada vegada que te'n vas per la porta, que no està bé.
Girl you gotta know everytime you go out the door that it's not alright.

Nena, has de saber que cada vegada que te'n vas per la porta, que no està bé.
It feels like everything stops just an old broken watch

Es nota com si tot es parés com un rellotge vell i espatllat

when you're not around.

quan no estàs a prop. 

My jokes ain't funny no more,

Les meves bromes ja no fan gràcia,
they weren't that funny before.

tampoc en feien abans.
The joke is always on the joker, baby.

La broma està sempre en el bromista, baby.

And I forget how to dress,

I m'he oblidat de com vestir,
no one around to impress.

no tinc ningú a qui impressionar.
My dress is messy at best now baby.

El meu vestit és brut a més no poder ara, baby.

These city lights only shine down for you,

Aquestes llums de la ciutat només brillen per a tu,
this place is just too big without you.

aquest lloc és massa gran sense tu.
I just don't know what it is about you,

No sé què n'és de tu,
I just know that I'm no good without you.

només sé que no estic bé sense tu. 

Girl you gotta know everytime you go out the door that it's not alright.

Nena, has de saber que cada vegada que te'n vas per la porta, que no està bé.
Girl you gotta know everytime you go out the door that it's not alright.

Nena, has de saber que cada vegada que te'n vas per la porta, que no està bé.
It feels like everything stops just an old broken watch

Es nota com si tot es parés com un rellotge vell i espatllat

when you're not around.

quan no estàs a prop.

Castelló gets white.

For the last entry of this term, I'm not going to comment on a news. I think the biggest news this week has been the incredible snowfall in Catalonia on March the 8th.

I've never seen a trace of snow in Castelló; I remember years ago it snowed in Roses and my school got absolutely white. It was really beautiful too, but in Castelló didn't snow. I thought I would never see the snow again in Roses; actually, I thought I would never see snow if it wasn't in the mountains. 

On Monday, we were in Catalan class and I looked through the window and shouted: it's snowing! I love winter and I love snow, so white, so bright.. It's so incredible water can turn into something so beautiful! I think nature is a big mystery, really changeable. 

I spent all Monday at home. It was really cold and... what a bind having to go out in the street! So I just went out when it was necessary, that is, just to go lunch and I was useful to take some photos. At the afternoon I studied my last exams and I played games and cards with my mom. 

In my opinion, it was great to see the snow, but when light, heating and water went away and I had no computer, no TV and no iPhone... I won't have stood it no more.

Mr Darcy.

Dolphins turn diabetes on and off.

 
Dolphins are second only to humans in the ratio between body and brain size. They are very intelligent animals and very similar to us; even both animals are mammals, people and these clever animals have very different metabolisms.

It is said that dolphins have a type of diabetes 2 that they can switch on and switch off by the way they need it. In other words: they turn it on and produce insulin during their night, and turn it off after breakfast the next morning. 

I’ve always liked dolphins, I find them very amusing animals. Actually I love animals, except of bees, spiders... you know, all those creepy crawlies.

In my opinion, it’s great to investigate how to solve human illnesses with animal resources; they are more helpful than we think. The pity is that not all cures are discovered already... And before scientists and researchers discover the solution for an illness, there are a lot of people dying for it, who will never enjoy life as future patients will be able to do.

Research is a very important branch of science. Humans are able to control illnesses and solve them, but the question is how many time will we be waiting before we find a solution for cancers, AIDS, malaria and all those lethal and grave illness?

Bloodstreams: torrent sanguini

Kidney: fallo renal

Overnight: nit

National Geographic

Caffeine and tea.

VIDEO

POWERPOINT 

My research project

View more presentations from guest90efba.

COMMENT

Presentation

In my oral presentation I used PowerPoint which contained real images about my work in the laboratory. My focus was caffeine extraction, so my resources were really focused on my topic and they supported my explanation. This time, my timing was better than the first one, because it was 6 minutes. 

Body language and eye contact

I didn't read my notes, because I prepared and practised my speech a lot before making it. I tried to look at the audience the most of the time, and I think I succeeded because I rarely look to the PowerPoint. I haven't improved with my body language, because this time I just also moved my arms. 

Structure

I wasn't as original as I was the first time to introduce my exposition, just because I had no other way to do it. I organised my ideas in orther of importance; actually, it was how I carried out my research project. I used many makers to help the audience and I repeated my key ideas at the end, to remember them and understand the conclusions. 

Content

All the information I introduced to my audience was new, because it was a specialized topic. My information was detailed and extensive, and I think it was very clear, easy to understand. I referenced all my information and I justified them all. 

Language

My grammar was correct and simple, easy to comprehend my speech. My vocabulary was rich and varied, because I introduced new and topic-related words. I also used sentence connectors and fillers. 

Pronunciation and intonation

I think I’ve got a good pronunciation and it was comprehensible. My tone of voice wasn't monotone but I think I could do it better. I spoke in a fluid continuum; however, I think I talked a little bit slowly. 

EVALUATION

Presentation 10%	10
Body language 10%	8
Structure 10%	9
Content 40%	40
Language 20%	16
Pronunciation 10%	8
TOTAL 100%	91%

Should human rights be enforced by law or optional?

Nowadays, human rights don't exist everywhere, or they aren't respected all over the world. Should there be a law saying taht human rights must be respected?

The point is that law exists to protect people and pleople have those human rights. It's necessary to enforce human rights by law, because there must be something, somre kind of model to help us against society. 

However, it's not an easy task to do. For instance, not all countries are provided with all the economic resources necessary to give a good education. What's more, religion can also change and influence the law and people: a muslin won't defend the same human rights than a catholic. In addition, there are alse political reasons that make people have a different point of view of all human rights. 

In conclusion, a lot of variety of cultures and religions makes impossible to enforce all human rights in a law, but there should exist different laws for different groups of societies.

Cupid's chemistry.

Why are we attracted to some people? What's cupid's chemistry about? Scientists have studied it and it seems love interacts with some substances, like adrenalin. Love has three phases: interest using romantic signals, attraction (the 'lovesick stage) and finally the attachment, when the spark of love starts to diminish.