A NARRATIVE

It was my first time in Thailand. Thailand is an Asian country whose capital city is Bangkok. We decided to go there because neither of us had been in this country and we thought that it was a great idea to relax in a good atmosphere. Last summer, we rented a holiday home, where there were more families near us, to spend a whole week. Our holiday home had amazing views of the exotic landscape.

As soon as we arrived, my sister and I went to the private Jacuzzi. While my mother and my father were sunbathing, there were a few chefs who were cooking a typical meal. At dinner, we were eating when suddenly people wearing typical costumes appeared and danced for us. It was so exciting! It is said that what happened is a sign of good luck.

One day, we decided to take a tour around the city. We went to the Great Palace of Bangkok, which was so big with lots of monuments. Then we went to a Buddhist temple, where we saw other Spanish tourists. There were a lot of interesting things. The thing that I liked the most was the man who was sitting by the temple without moving. The next day, we went to a little zoo near our villa. There were a few animals and too many people too! My father and my sister are so brave that they took a photo with a long snake. Later, I wanted to take one with an elephant, but when I stood by his side, the elephant’s trunk struck my head. It is thought that I’ll be unlucky in love. Oh my God!

We were all the way back home reminding all our stories. All in all, I rather go on holiday with my family than rest at home bored. These are the holidays that I have liked the most, although I have had other experiences afterwards. Actually, I had such a great time that I hope to repeat this. 

Donald Trump

I am going to write about the new US president. Donald John Trump was born on 14th June, 1946 in NY. He is an American businessman, politician and even a reality personality and writer. In fact, he has his own Star of Fame in the mytical Hollywood Walk of the Fame. Since he is the President-elect, he is going to be the 45th president of the history of the USA on 20th January 2017.

What can we say about his personal life? He has been married twice. Nowadays he is married with Melania Trump, who is famous for her career as a model. He has five children and also eight grandchildren.

On the one hand, he is president of Trump Organisation and founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. He also bought shares in the Miss World Organisation. He has built many office towers, hotels, casinos…

On the other hand, his campaing to the White House has been caracterized by all his polemic declarations like building a wall at the frontier between Mexico and the USA, saying inappropriate things about South American people in his speeches… He is such a wealthy man that he hasn’t needed any support from the Republican Party.

All in all, many Americans hope that he doesn’t carry out his projects during the next four years, but people might have chosen him because they wanted to change some things. 

Bob Dylan, the minstrel of the 21st Century

To begin with, I’m going to write about Bob Dylan. He is an American songwriter, singer, artist and writer who was born on 24th May, 1941 in Duluth, USA. He is 75 years old and he has been working in the world of music since 1959. Nowadays, he lives in Malibu, CA. He has been married twice and has six children. He usually plays the guitar, although he plays the keyboard and the harmonica too. His songs have social, political, philosophical and literary contents. The most famous are Blowing in the wind, Hurricane, Like a rolling Stone… He has won lots of prizes. Among them, we can mention the Prince of Asturias Awards in 2007 and the Nobel Prize for Literature this year, in 2016. It was said that he didn’t want it, but this week he called the Swedish Academy an accepted the award.

And now I am going to write about  Hurricane Carter too. Rubin Carter was an American boxer. He was born on 6th May in 1937 and died on 20th April in 2014. He fought from 1961 to 1966, the year that he was arrested by a triple homicide. In 1975, Bob Dylan wrote a song inspired in his story called Hurricane to report this unjustice.

All in all, although I’m not so fond of Bod Dylan music, I think his music is fantastic with  great contents.

A description of a person - Louis

I’m going to describe my friend Louis. We have been friends since I started the secondary school. I have chosen him because he’s the one who often listens to my problems and helps me in everything. He usually gives me useful pieces of advice. Actually, he is very important for me, although we have had quite a few arguments.

Louis isn’t in the same class as me because he is slightly older than me and he lives in a different town. He is much taller than me. He’s médium-weight and he’s got short black hair and brown eyes. He is so sweet! The first time that I saw him I thought he had such a lovely smile.

He looks a bit shy, but he’s really talkative and friendly. He is so generous and he doesn’t hesitate helping the others. He loves playing basketball and he plays in the school basketball team. He also likes reading, in fact, his marks in literature are brilliant. Last year, he even won a poetry contest.

All in all, Louis and I aren’t very different, so we get on really well. I think he’s a great person, especially a great friend. Everyone should have a friend like him in his life.

An informal letter

11 Espinar St.

Lobres, 18610

20th September, 2016

Dear Maia, 

How are things? We haven't spoken for ages and I've got a lot to say. I'm going to tell you about my interests so that we get to know each other better.

To begin with, one of my main interests is listening to music. I'm really into it. I love listening to all types of music, especially pop. I am always listening to music, when I wake up, because it helps me to be more active, when I go to school, when I go back home... I also like singing. I really enjoy singing in karaokes and dancing with my friends when we go out. It's so funny.

On the contrary, another interest is watching reality shows, especially Keeping Up With The Kardashians, one of the most famous reality shows about the life of the Kardashian-Jenner's family. I usually watch it having lunch with my little sister. We like watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Millonaire Matchmaker, too. Romantic stuff!

All in all, I'm never bored. If I am not singing or dancing, I'm watching TV. But I prefer listening to music, because music inspires life. 

By the way, what are your interests? Tell me everything. I would like to meet you during Christmas holidays. What do you think about it?

Best Regards,

Andrea

PS. Write soon!!

A letter to Antonio

11 Espinar St

Lobres, 18610

16th September, 2016

Hi Antonio,

How are you? What did you do last summer? I'm going to tell you about my fantastic summer.

I went to USA, because I love the glamour of Hollywood, as you know. I went exactly to CA, and I rented an apartement in Long Beach, where I met a friend called Luisa. One day, we ate in a famous restaurant. While we were eating, Kim Kardashian with her little daughter North appeared. What a surprise! Luisa and I took a photo with them. That night we also went to a Kanye West's concert. It was so incredible. The next day we visited Hollywood and walked along the Walk of Fame, next we visited the Max Factor building, where we saw lots of famous women. The last day we went to Malibu, where we stayed in a little beach house. At evening, we went to Los Angeles with Luisa's family. We had such a great time. 

My plans for the coming school year are different. First, I will do the exam for the B2 in the Official Language School, although it will be a bit difficult. And the exam for the B1 in French too. I would like to go to the study trip to Edimburgh, I would like to repeat the experience.

Best wishes,

Andrea

Our golden boy Calderón quits ÑBA

For a start, I am going to write about José Manuel Calderón. He was born in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain on 28th September, 1981. He is a prefessional basketball player; he plays so well that he is often called Mr. Catering. Nowadays, he plays in Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA as base and wears the number 5. Since 2009 he has collaborated with UNICEF. 

On the one hand, he has played in the Toronto Raptors,Detroit Piston, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks. He also played in Spanish teams before he went to NBA.

On the other hand, he has won three Olympic medals, silver in 2008 and in 2012 and bronze this year. With the Spanish national team he also has too many important awards. He won four Eurobasket titles, a gold among them and another gold in the FIBA World Championship in 2011, which was celebrated in Lithuania.

All in all, he is the fourth Spanish that plays in the NBA, after Fernando Martín, Pau Gasol and Raúl López. I think he is such a great player. He might have a bigger impact in LA, because he decided to quit the Spanish national team to concentrate more in his team.

US nuclear force still uses floppy disks

To begin with, a floppy disk, diskette or disk became popular in the 1970s. A standard 8in, the same as 200mm, floppy disk had 237.25kB of storage space, it was enough for 15 seconds of audio. Dell stopped making computers with unbuilt floppy disks in 2003. Nowadays, very few manufactures make them, and they are used by the US nuclear weapons force.

On the one hand, The Pentagon is the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, which is located in Airlington in Virginia. It was designed by an American architect called George Bergstrom. It is one of the largest building in the world.

A report said that the Pentagon from now until 2020 will replace all the system, because the replacement parts for the system are difficult to find as they are so obsolete.

On the other hand, “give up” means stop doing, trying and surrender. 

A foreigner in Britain

Lack of commitment in our society and bipolar disorder

 For a start, commitment means both dedication and promise. Lack of commitment happens when someone says one thing and does another. 

On the one hand, politicians get used to do this because they often promise that they will do what people want and finally they don’t, so people discover what they are really like and they protest. Nowadays, being a politician should be a difficult job as they are under scrutiny every moment. About teens, I don’t think that there is a great lack of commitment because each one is different from the others and it depends on everyone’s lifestyle.

On the other hand, I have read the book Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, where I saw the bipolar disorder that Dr Jekyll suffered. It is curious seeing how a person has different behaviours. The story tells probably about Deacon Brudie, who lived in Edinburgh. Its author, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island, A Child’s Garden of Verses, Kidnapped, too. 

All in all, I think that if you say one thing, you have to do it, like that, you’ll have a great success in your life. 
   

VINCENT VAN GOGH

To begin with, Vincent van Gogh was a famous Dutch painter. He was born on 30th March 1853 in Zundert, which is in Netherlands and died on 29th July in Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

Since he was a child he was into the drawing and painting. When he became older, he turned to Religion, like a preacher in southern Belgium. Later he was keenly aware of modernist trends in art, music and literature. Theo, who was his younger brother, supported him financially. In 1886 he moved to Paris, where he discovered the French Impressionism movement.
He worked in too many artworks during his life; the majority created in his last two years, which had influence on 20th century art. He belonged to the Post Impressionist movement. 

About his ear, it is thought that he had a violent encounter with Gauguin, who he had some arguments with due to their different personalities. Van Gogh threatened him with a razor, and finally in a rage, he cut off most of his own right ear.
He committed suicide when he was 37 because he had a mental illness.

All in all, although it is curious that he sold only one painting during his life, I think he is a great painter and one of the most famous in the world besides his works like Starry Night, Sunflowers, Bedroom in Arles, Sorrow and Portrait of Dr Gachet.... 

Diabetes, a rising disease

To begin with, diabetes is a condition where the body can't control the amount of glucose (or sugar) in the blood, and if left untreated, it can cause many complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.

Diabetes is on the rise, particulary two types. One of them includes obesity. It is caused because people eat fast food and unhealthy food more and more and they don't do as much exercise as they used to do, because their lifestyle has changed. They rather stay at home watching TV, chatting on the mobile... than going out to do some exercise. Like kids, now adults have jobs that don’t demand so much physical activity.

Diabetes International Federation, which is in Belgium, says that an estimated 415 million people have diabetes worldwide. In fact, in Mexico sugary drinks have decreased in sales because of the sugar tax, measure which has actually worked so far. 

This world is going bananas!!!

For a start, it is true that this world is going bananas, actually it is going crazy.

Two weeks ago Jo Cox, who was a politician and belonged to the British Labour Party, was murdered by a fifty-two-year-man. It is said that her killing was politically motivated. This incident touched everybody, days before the Brexit referendum.

Another event was the Orlando massacre in a nightclub, where 49 people were killed by a terrorist. Something that caught my eyes was the man who was chatting with her mother minutes before die. It was such a pity!

Regarding the Euro 2016 at the start there were some problems, for example, English and Russians fans quarrelled among each other before and after the match on the streets. How much violence! But now, it is nearly the end and there isn't any problem any more. Besides Portugal won the final. I think that Portugal have played so well, especially Cristiano Ronaldo.

Three things that I couldn't imagine living without

Firstly, I couldn't imagine living without my mobile phone. I always carry it with me. I use it in many aspects of real life, but mainly to keep in touch with my friends, even with my parents too, so they can always find out where I am!

Another thing I couldn't imagine living without are my headphones. I am really keen on music. I listen to music very often during the day. I use my headphones when I want to listen to music with the volume as high as possible, so that I don't bother anybody and I don't listen to anybody, either.

The third thing are my glasses, although I only use them when I am in class or studying. If I hadn't them during exam time, I wouldn't study well. My eyes wouldn't be very happy, either!

Don't leave it for tomorrow!!! Start now and you'll be ready for next school year.

Regarding what means Don't leave it for tomorrow, it means doing things at the moment and not later.

On the one hand, I think that students tend to procrastinate everything or almost everything that they have to do because they have other things to spend time on them. Teens usually say that they have to meet friends, go out, go to parties, and now in summer, they rather go to the beach than stay at home doing something. Most of them say that among other smells, the smell of sunbathe reminds them of their childhood.

On the other hand, it is true that if you start now you will be ready for the next school year or whatever. I rather do some homework during the summer than have to do all of them during the school year, when I have to do a lots things more.

All in all, if you can do things at the moment, do them, because later you might not be able to do them because of different things.

How to spend € 150,000 - but not all on yourself

If I had € 150,000, and I couldn't spend all on myself, I know what I would do. First of all, I'd buy four plane tickets for my family and me to go on a trip to Hawaii on summer holidays. I think we deserve it, we have worked hard during all the year, therefore I think it would be a good idea for relaxing.

Next, I'd buy a new car, but it would be mine, as in two years' time I'll be able to drive it. Therefore, I would visit lot of places with my friends.

The third thing I'd do is to save some money for my university degree. Although I don't know what I'll do yet, I know that it is too expensive. 

Finally, I would donate some money to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).

Batman strikes again!

Regarding bats, they are mammals although few people don't think so. In Australia it has been declared an emergency to help the state of New South Wales, which has been besieged by tens of thousands of them. The authorities will spend about $8m to move the bats to a different place. Therefore, this situation has created problems for local residents.

On the other hand, I have seen some films connected with the figure of Batman. I really like The Dark Knight Rises which was released on 2012. In this film Christian Bale plays the role of Batman and Anne Hathaway like Catwoman. It is an action and suspense film besides it belongs to the Dark Knight trilogy. The latest film about Batman is Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Ben Affleck is Batman and Superman is Henry Cavill. 

I haven't seen it yet, but I think that it is really good. I also like The Avengers, Thor, Captain America, Spiderman... In Thor's film appears Chris Hemsworth, who is the husband of our Spanish actress Elsa Pataky.

Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo in his last adventure!!

I am going to talk about our Spanish Marco Polo. Miguel de la Quadra Salcedo was born in Madrid on April 30, 1932. Although he was born there, he moved to Pamplona when he was five.

He died on May 20, 2016.He was a great athlete and he was nine times champion of Spain in the javelin. Later he started to work as reporter. A lot of important personalities were interviewed by him, like Pablo Neruda, Dalai, Salvador Allende... He worked with Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente and Cesar Perez Tudela too. He also covered some wars like the Vietnam war, but he is most known for 'Adventure 92', later called Ruta Quetzal. For all of that, he won a lots of awards. 
Ruta Quetzal is about sixteen years old among all Spanish-speaking countries who have the opportunity to discover different cultures. It was sponsored by Juan Carlos I and it was declared in 1990 of universal interest by the UNESCO. 
Nowadays, we know his nephew Telmo Aldaz de la Quadra Salcedo, who appeared in 'Mares' on Discovery MAX. Mares it is a programme where we can see the Strait of Gibraltar.

Refugees

Chernobyl, Hillsborough...sad anniversaries. Years pass for people and even for Big Ben, a British emblem

I am going to write about Hillborough disaster. The semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest took place on Saturday, 15^th April, 1989. More than 53,000 fans went to see the match. When the match started, an avalanche of people came up. They hit the fences,which were knocked down by the pressure of the people pushing and the people began to fall down and crashed into others. 96 people died, all of them were fans of Liverpool.

The investigation said that the fact happened since there were too many people and the stadium was in bad conditions.

Talking about disasters, Chernobyl was another one. It was a nuclear accident that happened on 26th April 1986. It took place at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Pripyat, nowadays Ukraine. There was an explosion when workers were doing experiments. 31 people died and 116,000 were evacuated. There was radiation, at less in 13 countries of central and eastern Europe. This produced many deaths and long-term illnesses like cancers.

Regarding the Big Ben, it is a British emblem actually. It was built by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin in 1858. It measures 96 metres and it is located in Westminster Palace (The Parliament).

Dad, you're behind the curve!!

To start, being behind the curve means not keeping up with current thinking or trends and the opposite ahead of the curve.
In Dublin I had to pay cash, because I don't have any credit cards or similars. Tap-and-go would be a good idea, for example when you go abroad, as you don't have to worry about carrying money or no. Nowadays, we can pay via mobile phone, contactless cards, and using your finger.

On the other hand, I knew that Taylor Swift breaks Grammy records with her album 1989.Her first album of the year was in 2010 with Fearless. Here one of her latest song,Out of the woods.
She was born on 13th December 1989. She is a singer and composer. The twenty-six-aged girl started into music with only fourteen in the genre 'country'. She launched her first album in 2006 called like her. Since she started to sing, Taylor has won a lots of awards around the world. In addition, she has appeared on the small and great screen. In films like Jonas Brothers, Valentine's Day, The Giver and in series like CSI, Saturday Night Live...