FINAL REFLECTION

DIFFERENCES AND PROGRESS

Now I’m writing my last two posts, I’m going to try to do it the best possible I can because if I have to compare it with the first one I did when I was at 4th of ESO, I have to make the difference and the progress remarkable. 

My first writing (which you can find by clicking this link http://ainaenglishblog.blogspot.com.es/2014/10/my-dream.html) was about my dreams and I can asure that I did it as better as I could and I remember searching words in the dictionary in order to make it more worship. However, when I’ve read it again, I’ve seen that there’s no words that make it mature and the vocabulary is quite plane. The structures tend to be simple and short. 

If I compare it with the most recent one, which is the one I’m writing right now, I can say that words come to my mind easily and there’s no need to be constantly checking the dictionary, and I think I’m using a lot of new word which I have learn in this two years. The syntax is more complex and I use lots of different verbal tense that we have been looking through in batxillerat. What I can remark the most, is the use of phrasal verbs which has increased considerably and it always make the writing and the speaking sound more fluently. 

If I had to talk about my oral presentations, I have no hesitation in saying that I have gained confidence in myself and my voice and body reflects it perfectly. What I think it has helped me the most is the preparation I did days before the official TDRs oral presentation. I presented it to my family and my friends and they were correcting me and advising me about what I could do and what I had to avoid to do: like moving a lot, let nervous take me over, etc. 

In the first one oral presentation (which you can find by clicking this link http://ainavesamartinez.blogspot.com.es/2015/11/self-evaluation-of-our-oral-presentation.html) it is obvious that I’m really nervous and the vocabulary and the structures we use are simple and they aren’t too much inovative and complex. 

Comparing it with the last one (which you can find by clicking this link http://ainawanderlust.blogspot.com.es/2016/12/presentation-10-you-use-any-resources.html) the words I use are more refined look and I try to use the vocabulary I’ve learn in second batxillerat. I also try to avoid grammatical mistakes and I think that I did a good job but where I can spot the big difference is when my sentences become longer and complex, where it’s easier to commit a mistake. 

MY ENGLISH COMPETENCE 2017

If I had to choose my ‘favourite’ or my best oral presentation I think I would choose the one I did with Marta about Instagram and social networks and how they affect society nowadays. It’s a pity because we couldn’t post it and now we can not link it, but I suppose that Lourdes can remember it. Marta and I were talking about how we all want to have the lives that appear in Instagram and how it makes us feel uncomfortable or empty. We prepared it a lot and we were practising it for a few days, maybe because we were interested in the topic. 

I think it was my best oral presentation because we gave examples and we asked for the collaboration of the rest of the class. They answered the questions we asked them and they realize that what we were saying was exactly what they feel when they are at home connected in the social networks. 

Apart from it, we also try to find fitting and new words to make it more mature and to make it sound ‘more english’. 

Now, if I had to choose my best written post, I would say that is the one that talks abou ‘White Helmets” (http://ainawanderlust.blogspot.com.es/2017/03/news_12.html). 

I think I really enjoy it and I just let my mind fly away. I was really inspired and my words came to my mind like if english was my first language. I used expressions like ‘cry for fewer people’ that make it sound more english. I wrote long sentences and complex ones.

After all, now we have finished batxillerat, I would like to make a fast view through this last year and I would like to say that my english has definitely improve, my vocabulary is richer and my oral expression is more fluently. 

What I think it has helped me the most is watching television in english. When they first told me I wasn’t used to watch it in a different language, but when I first decided I should change my habits, I finally got to watch one episode of Grey’s anatomy in english. From that moment, I have been listening lots of films, series and songs in english so it’s easier for me to understand the listening we do at english class.

One thing I would like to propose to the high school is to teach the students more phrasal verbs and expressions because they are what english people really use and sometimes, when you are taught in some way and then you hear people talking and using expressions you didn’t hear before, it become more difficult to understand. 

Finally, I would like to thank you, Lourdes, for helping me to improve my english and taking me into account. It has been great to spend my last year of batxillerat with a teacher who puts all her efforts in their students. 

INFORMAL LETTER

12 Devonshire Street

17486, London

9th May, 2017

Complejo de la Moncloa

Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n

28071 Madrid

Spain

Dear Mr. President Rajoy, 

I am writing to express my concern regarding the weath distribution that is being carried out in the Spanish government. 

I would like to point out that, in my own opinion, lots of millions of euros are being allocated to the army and useless infraestructures.

I think that lots of other aspects should be taken into consideration: almost 20% of the Spanish population is unemployed, hundreds of families have been, and still are, foreclosed, university taxes are one of the most expensive of Europe and so on.

I would like you to know, with my more truthful respect, that the wealth distribution needs to take another route and you should assume the responsibility to reduce the difference between weath and poverty. 

I strongly urge you to take my request into account and you lay out policies and laws that help to improve social conditions, in order to built a new better society.

Your sincerely,  

Aina Vesa Martínez.

YOURSAY

LAST DAYS...

We are almost finishing our last year in the highschool what it means that we are not going to be all together in the same class like we have been being during this years. 

We are really exited to start a new road and we are all wanting to go at university because we know we are going to be a little bit more independent: we will have our own flat (not all of us, but the majority of us), we will have to be responsible in the decisions we take from then to forward, we will have to learn how to distribute our money, etc. 

But in some way, it's too sad to say goodbye to those who have been with you, in class, helping you with homework, complaining about the same to the teachers, celebrating eighteen's parties, laughing, and so on. 

It is usually to say that we can meet again and the contact won't be lost, but apart of that it's really complicated to meet all together, it won't be the same.

So now, while I'm writing about my last post, I would like to say that even it has been a long and a difficult road, we see the end and it's important to know that your colleagues can see them too, becuase it means they have achieved to end up their own road and they have overcome this period by your side. We all know how we all feel nowadays, how tired we are, how much we want to leave the highschool, and how much we want to enjoy the summer, because we are all walking to the same direction and we are passing through the same obstacles. 

Finally I just want to say thank you to all the people who has been part of my road and who has help me to finish it. 

YOURSAY

POLITICAL SYSTEM NEEDS A CHANGE

I've decided to write about spanish political system because I think it gives too much to talk about, especially questions and contradictions that must be solve. 

As I wrote in my formal letter, I think that kits if millions of euros are being intended to army and I would beg to the government to reassess and reorganize the general budget of the state. 

First of all, the money should be distribuated in a different way, reducing the huge difference between wealth and poor people. Those who are unemployed should have the chance to attend to free training laboral sessions because if they stay at home, with nothing to do, they are not going to improve in any field and when they decide to find a job, the enterprises won't want them because of their non-knowledgment or experience.

Also, I would like to propose to those business men and women who have money enough to live in a very good conditions, as Amancio Ortega, to share their benefits with their workers and, the government should lay out some laws and policies to control the laboral conditions that are offered to the lowest workers of these companies. 

Finally I would like to focus on one point that must improve in spanish society and it is family reconciliation.

Women who have children have to stay at home when they give birth and they are not able to go to work. Even with this overload and the effort that it represents, their wages are significally reduced. 

After all, I've written about it just to show all the aspects we have to improve if we want to build a better society. 

YOURSAY

READING

I wasn't use to read, but because of my parents force me to read when I was young, now I love it and it is really easy form me. 

When I was young, my mother and my father told me stories before I went to sleep every night. If I remember correctly, the first book that has been read to me in my entire life was "The Little Red Riding Hood". When I grew up, I started to read book on my own: I read "Hansel and Gretel", "The three pigs", etc. 

When I was 5 years old, aproximately, I began to be drawn to books in general and I read all the collection of Geromino Stilton, all the comics of Asterix and Obelix, Tintín, , and so on which I can't even remember. 

Once I started primary education, we should all choose one book to read at home, but sometimes they make me bored and I didn't finish them. My mother loved that idea and because of we had to read in our summer holidays, my mum bought the trilogy of Narnia, some Carlos Ruiz Zafón books, among others. 

Nowadays, I love reading but just if the book hooked me. What I love of reading is that you can imagine all the spaces and the characters that are described in the different books and you can contribuate in the story you have between your hands. 

You can learn a lot from the characters you are reading about: their actitudes, their ways to act, etc. You can feel identify with some of them and you can realize, trough them, which are your weaknesses and the points you can improve from your way to be. 

With what it helps the most is of your maturity and your capacity to think and express your opinion. It is essencial to read because it helps you to face the reality and the problems you can find outside. 

YOURSAY

"SIMÓN, NO; SAIMON"

Child maltreatment is one of the literature topics. "Simón, no; Saimon" is the first novel of Jorge Gamero. It has about 190 pages in which is narrated an educative and a little bit dramatic story, typical feature in mistreatment. 

It is only necesary to see the cover image, made by Getty Images, to know that this story will be about a student that seems to be brash student but because of the non atention and support of his family. Thanks to the love and the dedication given by Ángel, the teacher who pays the consequences of Simon's default, and César, the mediator of conflicts, they manage to help the student and they achieve that his parents show more interest in his son education than months ago. 

One of the expressions that I would like to highlight is "Just those who can improve are those who have fail one day".

What I can deduce from it is that everybody fails and it is natural from human nature. At the same time, those who has learn from the fails, those who has learn to grow and overcome their problems are those who has improve what they have done one day. 

I think it is really important to recognize your own mistakes and then try to solve it by the best possible way. You should be mature enough to solve problems and even to ask for help if it's a hard challenge to face with. 

Use our rational part; this is what makes the difference between human and other kind of beings. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAaRWW27Dv4 (Jorge Gamero words)

YOURSAY

LONDON TRIP

From 4th to 8th of April, we went to London with the school and we spent a great time with friends.

Apart from being a cultural and educative trip, it was kind of farewell because the next year we will be following different roads (like university, training cycles, working, etc.)

What I thought when i was in London, when we fisrt arrived in fact, was that it seems like an industrial revolution city: the buildings were made of brick and they were like dirty by smoke, the houses were typical from XIX, and bars were so traditional also.

However, the main places like Big Ben, Picadilly Square, cathedreals, and so on, have been refomed and they are more cleaned and easy on the eyes.

About how the trip has set in motion, I could say that it has a brilliant experience and I have no hesitation in recomended it to those who never have been there. I think it is a "must" place and we should all visit it. And, if you have the chance to share the experience with your friends, you will enjoy it and spend a great time.

FREEDOM OF THOUGHT

It’s difficult to define what human rights are but one way to explain it is the rights we all have simply because we’re born: rights to live, to born free and equal, to choose your religion, etc.

It’s not really known where and when they were created but it’s considered that the Cyrus cylinder was the first writing where feature the human rights. At the very first beginning there wasn’t any rights, you were in the crowd or not. Then the Cyrus Cylinder came up in 535 b.C., After that, different events happened and they marked historical dates where human rights were vindicated: Natural Law (27 b. C.), Magna Carta (1215 a. C), American Constitution (1776), French Revolution and Natural rights (1789), Napoleon defeat (1800), Ghandi (1915), World Wars (1914-1917, 1939-1945) and finally United Nations (1946).

In every event there were written different human rights, but nowadays the ones who are remaining are thirty, for example: Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights or Article 2: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

There are lots of human rights that must be respected and I can't hightlight one of them. But if I could talk about one of them I would choose freedom of thought.
What makes the difference between people and animals is the capacity to think and call the shots that we think benefit us. We can valorate different people because of what they say or how they act.  If we repress this right, in what we become? Our identity principle dissipates and our values disappeares.
We must have the freedom of speech and express what we think, make the difference and share opinions. Find the best way to progress and there is no better way of do that, that sharing opinions and discusting about which one is the best.

SPEECH TO UNO

Yes, we can say we have progress in technology. We can also asure it in education, in medications and with lots of other aspects. It's easy to feel the progress just if we focus on what really they (the government and the high positions) are interested to show us, but what is the dark side? What is hidding behind the progress? Or preferably, what do they want to disguise?

Money has brought lots of benefits nowadays but it aslo has accentuated corruption. It's the worst evil imaginable in human beings and it makes them forget about what human rights are and represent. 

What we thought we had overcome, has resurfaced again and harder than ever. 

They let people suffer and they ignore absolutely thei suffering, and their families suffering. 

What about investing money in the struggle for justice? We should lay aside money interests and work for what you really create UNO. 

Fight for equality and human rights, we all have the same oportunities and chances to live. 

NOMOPHOBIA

14 Castelló d'Empúries

Girona

18th April 2017

Dear Xènia, 

How are you doing? Hope you are really good. 

I just have deided to write you because I think you should know how your mobil phone addiction is affecting you and I would like to talk to you about nomophobia. I think you are constantly topping up your battery life, you are always checking your phone just to make sure you don't have missed messages or calls, you are worrying about losing it and even you feel panic and anxiety when you are separated from it. 

What I would recomend you is to try to leave it apart and try to stay for a week, minimum, without the phone. If you need to contact someone and talk to them, you can send a message to meet them and leave it again. Also, you can try to entretain yourself by doing some activities like outdoor sports, watching films, reading books or chating with your friends or family members. 

After all, you just have to want to overcome this nomophobia beacuse if you don't put all your effort, it will be wasted advice. 

So, I'll see you next day and hope you take into consideration what I've told you. 

All the best, 

Kisses from Aina. 

NEWS

NORTH KOREA HAS NEARLY COMPLETED WORK ON ITS ADVANCED SUBMARINE MISSILE PROGRAM

A United Nations report suggests North Korea has made 'rapid developments', so it is believed the country is developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles and North Korea has said missile tests will be carried out at least once a week.

I’ve tried to summarize the news a much as I can because I just want to focus in the fact that power positions are occupied by mad people. On one side, Trump and on the other hand Kim Jong-un (EEUU and North Korea). 

It means that an argument between them can lead the world into a disaster and I’m sure that if a war take place, the entire lands will be devastated and the majority of them will suffer innocently. 

As I said in the last posts, we have progress in lots of aspects that can help our society lead it into a better world with new medicines, new ways of communication, etc. But at the same time, progress can fall in evil hands and it can be use in a painful way. 

I think society must change nowadays and we have to start thinking what can happen if we don’t stop these situations, if we let mad people stay in the power. We can’t not wait until all ends and we must avoid any disaster because, at the end, changing or not is in our hands.

Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4429746/North-Korea-nearly-completes-work-missile-program.html

NEWS

A HOLIDAY FOR THE FILTHY RICH

The much-anticipated XXII Carat holiday villa complex in Dubai is set to be finished later in the year. There are 22 seven-bedroom villas on the market, each with landscaped gardens and a 24-hour concierge. 30% of the luxury properties - costing between £8.5million and £19million - have already been snapped up.

This is one of the reasons why I wanted to study something related with hotels, but is also the reason why I realize that just few people can afford it and while they waste their money in sleep over the most comfortable MATALÀS in the world or in having a bath wrapped in gold, hundreds of millions of people are trying to find any shelter to rest the night.
Hotels show really good the difference that has come up between rich and poor people and it increase every day a little bit more. 1% of population has the 99% of the world wealth while 99% of them has the other 1% and it must be one of the change proposal along the history. However, I consider it is something that will never happen taking in consideration that money corrupts people and it makes them greedier.

Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-4433058/Holiday-villas-Dubai-come-complete-1m-bathtubs.html

NEWS

EXHAUSTED LONDON MARATHON RUNNER

Just 200 yards before the finish line runner David Wyeth's legs turned to jelly but Matthew Rees, of the Swansea Harriers, stopped running and turned around. He grabbed him and supported him across the line as race organizers stepped in. 

Viewers on social media have heaped praise on Rees, calling him a hero. 

What I can say about this news is that sometimes sport can contribute to make people more solidarity and even though it’s difficult to renounce competition and ease the loss of the first position, people learn to grow up developing some other aspects and values that makes them more winners than those who gets the first place. 

I think that one activity that helps boosting solidarity and respect and lots of other values is sport. We are used to hear that group sports are better than single ones, but today we have an example that shows it doesn’t matter which kind of sport you practice is just what you learn from it what  you can apply in real life.

Link:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4437374/Exhausted-London-Marathon-runner-collapses-carried.html

NO MEN BEYOND THIS POINT

“In a world where women have become asexual and are no longer giving birth to males, a quiet, unassuming housekeeper named Andrew Myers finds himself at the centre of a battle to keep men from going extinct.”

I must say that while we were watching the film we all feel a little bit estrange about it because we were, and we aren’t nowadays, used to imagine a world without men. But, however, it has been interesting to see how the world would change in this situation.

When you watch this film you realize that men are most of the time the main causes of many problems we have at present. Their nature is usually more aggressive than women’s character and it brings them to start wars, arguments, gender-based violence, and threats, among others. And it doesn’t end up here; women are usually more organized than men and they really know how to share a flat, to show solidarity with the rest, be helpful when they are called for help, respect themselves and the life space of everyone, etc.

After all of it we could say that maybe a world without men would be a great idea and it will eradicate numerous troubles we have today. But if I had to choice which world I would prefer I wouldn’t have the hesitation to choice the world with men; nevertheless I would like to signify that men should value much more what women do for them and they should take in consideration all the great ideas that women can have and how useful they can result, letting them to hold a position plenty of responsibilities, like president.

And according to the film, the best way to make them realize about all of this stuff is to reach the borderline and it would be then, when they are going to react. As is often said, you don’t realize about what you have until you lose it. 

ABOUT LONDON

1- Locate our hostel  "Safestay Elephant and Castle" in google. Check out the facilities and regulations of the hotel. What you can do and what you mustn't do. 

FACILITIES
- Central city location
- Bar and restaurant
- Key card security system
- Full CCTV coverage
- 24-hour reception
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
- Laundry room
- Social areas including TV and chill-out rooms
- Private garden at Kensington Holland Park and Elephant & Castle
- Private terrace at York
- Great social spaces at Edinburgh

REGULATIONS

- At Check-in, groups are required to leave a security deposit of £250 (£500 for Stag and Hen Parties) to cover any damages caused during the stay at the hostel. The deposit will be returned on departure subject to no damages being reported or detected. The deposit is payable via cash, debit or credit card.

- The comfort of all of our guests is of paramount importance. Any guests who in the opinion of our staff compromise the comfort, safety, or security of other guests, staff or local residents will be requested to leave the hostel premises and will not be issued a refund.

- On arrival, at least one leader will be required to sign a statement of intention to uphold the rules set in place for groups upon arrival. The group leaders must ensure that all members of their group behave in an acceptable manor.

- The group leader will be responsible for any wilful damage that is caused to the rooms, furnishings or hostel, for any theft of hostel property by any member of the group or in the case of guest complaints due to the behaviour of the group. Damages will be deducted from the security deposit paid and remaining costs will be required to be paid, or a payment agreement reached prior to departure.

- Should damage come to light after the group has departed, we reserve the right to make a charge to the group's credit / debit card, or send an invoice for the amount to the registered address. We will however make every effort to rectify any damage internally prior to contracting specialists to make the repairs, and therefore will make every effort to keep any costs that the guest would incur to a minimum.

- Smoking is strictly forbidden anywhere on Safestay premises. Any group member found smoking within the building will be charged a fee of £250.00 in order to cover the extensive cost of restoring the room to a smoke-free condition. Further failure to comply will result in the group being asked to leave the premises immediately and will not be offered a refund. If you wish to smoke please ask reception staff about designated smoking areas on arrival.

2- In google maps:

What can you visit near our hotel? (30 minutes on foot)

How far is the hostel from the center Piccadilly Circus?

How can you get to the center by bus and by tube?  UNDERGROUND

SAFESTAY ELEPHANT AND CASTLE

BIG BEN

LONDON EYE

GERALDINE MARY HARMSWORTH PARK

Piccadilly Circus is about 52 minutes on food and 17 minutes on underground if we take it in Bakerloo.

2. How can you get to the restaurants for dinner? and from the restaurants to the hostel?

On the 4th of April: LEICESTER ARMS (844 Glasshouse Street, Picadilly)

On the 6th of April:  ZETLAND 82 Bute Street, kensington)

To go to the first restaurant, we should take the underground from Bakerloo until Piccadilly Circus Station. And the same to go back to the hostel: take the underground from Piccadilly Circus Station to Bakerloo.

The second one, we should take the underground from South Kensington Station until Westminster Station and then take the underground from Westminster Station Bridge Street (Stop H) until Larcom Street (Stop A). So this is the way from Zetland to our hostel. 

3. Look for 3 must-see landmarks in London you definitely would like to visit.

Write 50 words about each landmark and how to get there from our hostel by bus or tube.

LONDON EYE → The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. Also known as the Millennium Wheel, it has also been called by its owners the British Airways London Eye, the Merlin Entertainments London Eye, the EDF Energy London Eye and, as of mid-January 2015, the Coca-Cola London Eye. 

BIG BEN → Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London and is usually extended to refer to both the clock and the clock tower as well. The tower is officially known as Elizabeth Tower, renamed to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012; previously, it was known simply as the Clock Tower.

LONDON TOWER

1066 : William the Conqueror establishes the Tower to keep hostile Londoners at bay.

1080s: Work on the White Tower is under way.

1101: Ranulf Flambard, the first known prisoner at the Tower, makes a daring escape.

1155: Thomas Becket, keeper of the works at the Tower, carries out repairs.

1220s: Henry III starts a major expansion of the royal palace.

1251 : A polar bear joins the Tower menagerie.

1263: Henry III surrenders the Tower to Simon de Montfort.

1275-79: Edward I builds St Thomas’s Tower and the watergate now known as Traitors' Gate.

1360 : John II ‘the Good’ of France lives in great splendour as a prisoner.

1381: Simon of Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, is dragged out of the Tower and murdered on Tower Hill during the Peasants’ Revolt. 

1389: Geoffrey Chaucer, clerk of works, oversees completion of Tower Wharf. Chaucer is better known for having written The Canterbury Tales.

1483: The Princes in the Tower disappear, presumed murdered.

1485: Henry VII founds the body ofYeoman Warders or 'Beefeaters'.

1536: Queen Anne Boleyn is beheaded on Tower Green by a swordsman brought especially from France.

1554: Lady Jane Grey, the ‘nine days queen’, is executed. Princess Elizabeth, later Elizabeth I, is imprisoned in the Tower.

1605: Guy Fawkes is tortured at the Tower following the failed Gunpowder Plot to assassinate James I and blow up Parliament.

1671: Colonel Blood attempts to steal the Crown Jewels.

1780: The last hanging takes place on Tower Hill.

1826: Duke of Wellington becomes Constable of the Tower and appoints Yeoman Warders based on their exemplary military service.

1835: Tower Menagerie closes. The animals are transferred to the new London Zoo.

1841: Crown Jewels are saved from fire.

1850: Koh-i-noor diamond is presented to Queen Victoria.

1952: East end London gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray are held at the Tower.

2012: The Crown Jewels exhibition opens.

CAN LOVE LAST FOREVER?

Love is something difficult to define and even up to poets have tried to do that like something very personal. Nevertheless, over the past few years, there are researchers who are trying to give an explanation to this feeling. 

One of them is the psychologist Robert Sternberg who talks about the “triangular love Theory”: intimacy (emotional closeness), passion (sexual attraction) and commitment (be together). 

On the basis of this theory, we can define an enduring love as that which comply with and respect these three rules. But, can we keep this foundations forever? 

Thanks to all the investigations that have been taken over recent years, we know that the biggest source of all what happens to us when we fall in love is dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increase and produce pleasant symptoms. But it doesn’t act alone, because noradrenaline steps in also, and it makes us focus our attention in one object (love object in this case). We have to add a decline in serotonin which is the responsible to generate obsessive thoughts related with our love. 

This could sound as a real love and we could say outright that love will last forever if people could maintain their feelings on the top, but it has been demonstrated that chemical love ends in 2 or 3 years after the first crush. 

In light of the anthropologist Helen Fisher, two patters were repeated: women had children every four years, exactly the average of expiration time of marriage. Coincidence? The anthropologist wraps up that in couples it tends to repeat a cycle: a first stage of crush which the priority is sexual contact; the other one called love or affection, where the objective is to have a child; and the last one which ends up with the splitting.  

Notwithstanding, it is just a theory but not a science. Passion can increase or decrease depending on the chemical fluctuations, but along the time other elements can raise like solidarity or fellowship, which will contribute to feed the passion. 

If we are able to keep passion in equal measures as affection and solidarity, everything improves. 

On the other hand we can compare two different opinions between teenagers and elderly people. What we are going to obtain is a large percentage of teenagers that deny the possibility of “love for ever” and, in contrast, the majority of elderly people would believe in eternal love. 

The reasons why we obtain these answers are: nowadays technology and social networks are all around and we are much more open to the society considering all the chances that lie ahead; today, and thanks to all those who fight for it, we have the freedom to choose with who we want to stay and we have the right of divorce in comparison with the madness that was meant to split up with your couple. 

In conclusion, we can say that we must take into consideration the three rules of the “triangular love Theory” if we want to love someone forever and we should keep the fire burning if we want prolong the chemical love that appears when we crush with someone.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

TED’S àhttps://www.ted.com/talks/alec_soth_stacey_baker_this_is_what_enduring_love_looks_like  [09.03.2017]

https://www.ted.com/talks/helen_fisher_tells_us_why_we_love_cheat [09.03.2017]

https://www.ted.com/talks/jenna_mccarthy_what_you_don_t_know_about_marriage [09.03.2017]

ARTICLES à

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hold-me-tight/201006/can-love-last-lifetime [09.03.2017]

https://www.babble.com/relationships/ways-to-tell-if-your-love-will-last-forever/  [09.03.2017]

NEWS

THE MOST DANGEROUS JOB IN THE WORLD

The landscape of Syria has changed this few years: cities have been destroyed, loss of homes, businesses and human lifes, etc. 

In Aleppo, there have been volunteers, more known as “White Helmets”, who delve into the ruins of Syria’s cities and retrieve survivors from the danger. Because of it, this job has been considered the most dangerous job in the world. Firstly, because they have to run towards a pile of rubble; and secondly, because they there are “double taps”, which are the secondary bombs sent down with the explicit purpose of attacking the first responders. Unfortunately, there were 470,000 deads among White Helmets in 2015.

They used to be tailors and electricians, bakers and civilians, leading pretty ordinary lives in Syria. In 2012, the year of White Helmets creation, there were 25 and nowadays they have increased until 3000. 

As if this were not enough, White Helmet have been accused from the Syrian government and Russia who says they have become politicized and help extremist group. They have answered that they would help anyone trapped in those buildings, regardless of what side they were fighting on.

What’s easily guess is that they are making a difference savining tens of thousands of lives. 

On Friday 10th of March I was at Maria Baguer’s home and we had a friend’s dinner. We were Maria Baguer, Marta Juncà, Cèlia Víudez, Ona Dorca and I and we decided to watch something on Tv. Maria had Netflix and we went through it to see with what we could spend the night watching at when coincidentally we found a documentary called “White Helmets” and we knew it was been nominated to the Peace Nobel Prize last year and, this year, it has won an Oscar. Finally we decided to play it. 

It was really dramatic because there were authentic images and you could see how people die in the middle of bombings, the White Helmets putting their lives in risk, leaving their lives for this solidary and humanity job, etc. But and the same time it was really touching. While I was watching it I feel like they should appear and be remembered along our society history, because what this group of volunteers are doing every day is something unique and courageous. 

Again, we are not conscious how fortunate we are having stable and regular jobs and lives. We should all do the effort for time to time to get into someone else shoes and start to appreciate what we have and value what we can do for the others. 

There’s no clearer example than White Helmets and what they are doing to help others. They are not stand idle complaining about what is happening in their country and crying for those who are dying, they are acting and helping as much lives as they can in order to cry for fewer people. 

So yes, they are making a difference, they've potentially saved tens of thousands of lives. It would be very easy for them not to do it, and yet they do it. I think that's real bravery, and that’s why I think they must be mentioned and remembered for what they are doing and what they are losing and we should all do our best to help them and, consequently, to end wars, being Syria or any country.

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Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/19/health/my-hero-hala-gorani-white-helmets-syria/index.html

NEWS

BEST PEDIGREE CHUMS!

Joel Sayer is boy who suffered from autism: he couldn’t go outside, he was trapped in a silent existence and he was unable to speak to people. 

Now, aged 13, with the overwhelming help of Caddie, a six-year-old Labrador from the company Dogs for Good charity, the world has opened up to him and his family. He is really happy now, and thanks to his guardian angel –as he says- , he has turned from muddled into calm and safe.

When they met, it was the first time Joel went outside and smiled. From that moment, his parents knew that the suggestion of Joel’s pediatrician to adopt an autistic assistance dog will make a meaningful turnaround in their lifes. 

This new attracted my attention a lot because I’m a real big lover of animals and I love to see how they can help people to overcome their difficulties and troubles. 

Since I was a baby, I have been living surrounded by animals and it is incredible how it affects in your personal life. They can give you almost as much as a person can and above all, they will never try to hurt you but to protect you and make sure you feel happy and comfortable.

They are those who always listen to you, who always play with you, those who accept any activity you propose, who stay with you make you feel coupled and they are also the best pranks partners, among others.

This is why I consider that having a pet can help you a lot in human beings aspect and can provide you lots of values you can’t appreciate without them. 

Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4304738/Dog-Crufts-award-changing-autistic-boy-s-life.html

WHY FASHION ENCHANTS US?

Everybody have to dress up, but nobody has to follow the fashion trends. Despite everything, the majority we do it with the most of the pleasures. Because fashion is pure seduction: always something new, something different, sometimes glittering, sometimes shocking…

Fashion is something more than just clothes. There isn’t any comparison. The essential difference is if the silhouette is correct, if the proportions are appropriated or if the colour contrasts harmonize. Fashion is a sign of civilization: the fact of get dressed make the difference between people and animals. 

Fashion took a lot of time in catch on, it was in 1860 when Charles Frederick Worth, get the idea to put a label with his name in every cloth he designed and tailored, like if they were art treasures. From that moment, all the ladies wanted to wear signed dresses. That was fashion, and whatnot was simply clothing.

Since then, all the biggest fashion masters have created their artworks and have signed them giving them an enormous value: Paul Poiret, John Galliano, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Martin Margiela, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel or Giorgio Armani, among other. Regardless of if they have preferred focus on their job, on the art or on the commercial aspect, all of them have fought for giving an expression of their perfection idea. They give their best on their collections and this is why fashion touch us. 

REFUGEES

Few days ago, in class, we were talking about what is happening nowadays with people who run away from Syria’s war and we discussed whether we should open our country doors or not. 

If we go back in time, in 1936, we could remember what our ancestors suffered. The Civil War broke out and there were lots of families who had to migrate to another country, for example France. Witnesses have never complained about if they has difficulties to be good welcomed or not, because they had West-European culture, so there were no problem to be accepted. But, what happens with people who is from another culture, Islamic for example? Haven’t they equal rights as any person in this world? Why we don’t let them shelter in our lands?

It’s hard to see how, day after day, people has to leave all their lifes behind because a war is taking place in their countries. And it is even more upsetting to see how they can’t find any place to restart their life or just a place to wait safely until the war ends. 

I absolutely agree with open them the doors, but I also think that there’s something wrong. I mean, we can greet a certain number of people and there is a limit where we have to say “enough”. We can offer them as much facilities as we can but there’s also local population to maintain. For this reason, I think we should warn and ask to countries with the same culture, as Arabia Saudi, among others, to make an effort to accommodate a part of these immigrants. I think European countries are trying to do their best and even they can improve the facilities they offer, other countries not even have started. 

Finally, I would like to mention one last thing. If there’s a water leak you can put a container under it and collect all the water leaving but you will have to keep an eye on it because it has to be changed to avoid that water flows. If rather than put a container you take direct action to problem focus you can stopped it forever. So the same happens with this war. If the same governments which are getting immigrants help them finishing the war, the infinity flow of refugees will stop. But which is the problem? The same governments who should act against the war are the same who are selling weapons to the war militaries

NEWS

HERE’S WHY SELF-DRIVING CARS MAY NEVER REALLY BE SELF-DRIVING

Two self-driving cars are headed down the highway when the lead car decides to   speed up to avoid being rear-ended by the second. That car, in turn, slows down to avoid hitting the first. Then a third car suddenly comes between the two, prompting the slower car to change lanes to avoid and accident. But, the problem is that, there are cars in the lanes on either side of it.

The scenario is called "a ripple factor" and it's one of many researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) are studying to understand how embedded software could  address a myriad number of unexpected situations that could cause accidents as self-driving vehicles speed toward reality.

One problem with trusting autonomous vehicle software is that if a software glitch exists in one vehicle, it exists in the entire line of cars or trucks.

As we have been talking about in class, it’s true that technology progresses can bring advantages forward and by making a “good use” of it we can spread our knowledge and reach as much expertise as we already have. 

But, on the other hand, there’s a part of technology we don’t really like. Maybe this part can damage us because we don’t know about it enough, but it’s possible that we certainly know about it but we make a “bad use” of it. 

Here, in the new we have already comment, we talk about technology we can’t rule properly. Although we progress in a breakneck speed, we must be sure that everything it’s controlled before make some product commercially available. And like the tittle says, the car might seem like if it works by itself but the driver is who will have to pay the consequences. 

Link: http://www.networkworld.com/article/3173629/hardware/heres-why-self-driving-cars-may-never-really-be-self-driving.html