Well, this one of those special songs I wrote about. So special it is that it deserves a separate post. I give you this song as a present, the singer is eye-candy Ronan Keating, enjoy it and you're welcome!
One of the messages behind this beautiful song, as I understand it, is "keep your inner child alive". We should never lose that ability to get amazed that we have when we are children and everything is new and wonderful and big. We should try to see what is around us as if we were watching it for the first time, and observe closely to really appreciate what suround us.
This song also talks about taking chances and making the most out of what life offers us, the good and the bad things. Overcoming hard times is a big part of living, it's what makes it interesting and worthy. Life is a unique experience, too precious to let it pass us by. Dance along, you don't need a partner for this piece. You can dance at your own pace, but keep on moving.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Next Year I Will...
The end of the year is getting closer, and holidays are just around the corner. This is a time of merryment in which the only thing on people's minds is celebrating.
Along with the celebrations come the New Year's resolutions, promises people make to improve their lives and be better in the future. Quit smoking, start on a serious diet, pick up some sport are amongst the common ones. What is common to all of them is that desire for a better future.
So the New Year arrives, and people is ready to dramatically change their lives. While january is with us you can and you will see how people strive to keep their promises, smokers become frantic lollipops eaters, those who have extra wieght replace hamburguers for fruits and sedentaries swet their way to a healthier life. Do they look happier? Surely not. They are not doing this gigantic effort because they really want it, they are doing it because they feel they should change. So by february, smokers are chimneys again, fatties are choking with fast food and couch potatoes are back on their sofas because all the struggle brought nothing but misery.
Picking up new habits, or giving up others, should be a decision taken out of conviction, out of real drive. When this is the case you don't wait until the beginning of the year or moday to start a diet, you start the diet immediately when you realise you are not happy with the way you are. Changing what's wrong in our life is not an easy task. especially if you take it as an obligation. Turming our lives around should be an enriching challenging experience done only because we feel it's absolutely necessary. It a decision that should makes us feel well about ourselves right away, even if we know it is going to be difficult.
So if you are thinking about your New Year's resolutions, come up with something you absolutely want to do, something that will bring you plesure and a sense of acomplishment. Don't say you will quit smoking because it's health damaging (you have known that for years?), quit smoking because right now it is your health the one being damaged.
Along with the celebrations come the New Year's resolutions, promises people make to improve their lives and be better in the future. Quit smoking, start on a serious diet, pick up some sport are amongst the common ones. What is common to all of them is that desire for a better future.
So the New Year arrives, and people is ready to dramatically change their lives. While january is with us you can and you will see how people strive to keep their promises, smokers become frantic lollipops eaters, those who have extra wieght replace hamburguers for fruits and sedentaries swet their way to a healthier life. Do they look happier? Surely not. They are not doing this gigantic effort because they really want it, they are doing it because they feel they should change. So by february, smokers are chimneys again, fatties are choking with fast food and couch potatoes are back on their sofas because all the struggle brought nothing but misery.
Picking up new habits, or giving up others, should be a decision taken out of conviction, out of real drive. When this is the case you don't wait until the beginning of the year or moday to start a diet, you start the diet immediately when you realise you are not happy with the way you are. Changing what's wrong in our life is not an easy task. especially if you take it as an obligation. Turming our lives around should be an enriching challenging experience done only because we feel it's absolutely necessary. It a decision that should makes us feel well about ourselves right away, even if we know it is going to be difficult.
So if you are thinking about your New Year's resolutions, come up with something you absolutely want to do, something that will bring you plesure and a sense of acomplishment. Don't say you will quit smoking because it's health damaging (you have known that for years?), quit smoking because right now it is your health the one being damaged.
Music
Sadly, I can't play any intruments or sing like a nightingale but music is a big part of my life. The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is turn on the radio, I need the sound of music around me to start my day.
I don't have a real favourite band or singer, I have several favourites from which I can't sinlge one out.
I find it amazing how music can change my mood in a blink, there are certain songs that put the biggest smile on my face whenever I listen to them. "Anna Julia" by George Harrison is one of those songs. It's its catchy chorus that makes you want to sing at the top of your voice that works the magic.
There are also songs that speak to you. These usually come at the right moment and give you comfort.You find in those words the strengh to go on, to hold on. Stuck in moment by U2 is definitely one of those songs, I even got a sort of motto out of it: "It's just a moment. This time will pass". The same happened to me with REM's "Everybody cries" a few weeks ago, when I listened carefully to it for the first time.
There are other songs that bring back memories of special moments, people, experiences. These songs have the wonderful abiltiy to take you back to that exact time, and are those we like to call classics. Perhaps they aren't the greatest songs in history, but they are part of your history and that's enough. "Coco Jambo" for example, it's surely one of the worst songs ever, but every time I listen I think of my sis. She hates the song, she's always had. I used to follow her around singing it just to annoy her. Another of these songs is "Voyage Voyage", which brings me vivid memories of my father and me when I was a child.
Music is there to amuse us, accompany us, inspire us. I'm always finding new songs to ensamble the soundtrack of my life. After all, what a better way to start a memory than with a song?
I don't have a real favourite band or singer, I have several favourites from which I can't sinlge one out.
I find it amazing how music can change my mood in a blink, there are certain songs that put the biggest smile on my face whenever I listen to them. "Anna Julia" by George Harrison is one of those songs. It's its catchy chorus that makes you want to sing at the top of your voice that works the magic.
There are also songs that speak to you. These usually come at the right moment and give you comfort.You find in those words the strengh to go on, to hold on. Stuck in moment by U2 is definitely one of those songs, I even got a sort of motto out of it: "It's just a moment. This time will pass". The same happened to me with REM's "Everybody cries" a few weeks ago, when I listened carefully to it for the first time.
There are other songs that bring back memories of special moments, people, experiences. These songs have the wonderful abiltiy to take you back to that exact time, and are those we like to call classics. Perhaps they aren't the greatest songs in history, but they are part of your history and that's enough. "Coco Jambo" for example, it's surely one of the worst songs ever, but every time I listen I think of my sis. She hates the song, she's always had. I used to follow her around singing it just to annoy her. Another of these songs is "Voyage Voyage", which brings me vivid memories of my father and me when I was a child.
Music is there to amuse us, accompany us, inspire us. I'm always finding new songs to ensamble the soundtrack of my life. After all, what a better way to start a memory than with a song?
At Home
Being a young adult living in your parents' home has many advantages. You don't spend money on rent or food and the best part is that you still have mum to cook for you, to wash your clothes.
But being in your twneties and still living at home might be quite an ordeal. While you are under your parents' roof, you have to live by their rules. Of course, you are free to do whatever you want, but you have to come back early on week days, and go through an endless questionaire before setting foot on the street: who, where and when are just the starting point of a series of annoying questions you've been answering since you were twleve. By now you are fed up of having to give explanations of every little thing you do. And dad doesn't seem to realise you are not a teenager anymore, situation that leads to a terrible boundary-setting fight, the same you've been having for years.
What you want, what you need, what you crave for, is independence. You need your own space, sharing your room with a sibling is not as funny as it was, no matter how much you love your brother or sister. You're too old to be fighting over the computer, the remote or the radio, but you go on fighting because sharing has never been your forte, and it's your turn to use them. So the screams start, and even some punches come and go. You find yourself doing the exact same thing you did in your teens.
Living at home after a certain age delays the process of grwoing up, of taking reaponsabilities, but what is worst it wears out the relationship with your family. You can't stand them anymore, the sole sound of their voice makes you go mad. the same happens to them, for sure. Stayin at home is a torture you're not willing to take anymore.
The solution would be easy if you had the money to be on your own. But your salary is too low and you can't afford the rent and the many things living alone implies. So until you get your degree or a better job, the best you can do is try to find a way of putting up with your parents, keep a cool mind and don't comit suicide!
But being in your twneties and still living at home might be quite an ordeal. While you are under your parents' roof, you have to live by their rules. Of course, you are free to do whatever you want, but you have to come back early on week days, and go through an endless questionaire before setting foot on the street: who, where and when are just the starting point of a series of annoying questions you've been answering since you were twleve. By now you are fed up of having to give explanations of every little thing you do. And dad doesn't seem to realise you are not a teenager anymore, situation that leads to a terrible boundary-setting fight, the same you've been having for years.
What you want, what you need, what you crave for, is independence. You need your own space, sharing your room with a sibling is not as funny as it was, no matter how much you love your brother or sister. You're too old to be fighting over the computer, the remote or the radio, but you go on fighting because sharing has never been your forte, and it's your turn to use them. So the screams start, and even some punches come and go. You find yourself doing the exact same thing you did in your teens.
Living at home after a certain age delays the process of grwoing up, of taking reaponsabilities, but what is worst it wears out the relationship with your family. You can't stand them anymore, the sole sound of their voice makes you go mad. the same happens to them, for sure. Stayin at home is a torture you're not willing to take anymore.
The solution would be easy if you had the money to be on your own. But your salary is too low and you can't afford the rent and the many things living alone implies. So until you get your degree or a better job, the best you can do is try to find a way of putting up with your parents, keep a cool mind and don't comit suicide!
New Shoes
"Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
It's so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I don't need an excuse,
'cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes."
New Shoes - Paolo Nitini
When you put on new shoes, it certainly feels like a fresh start. Nothing can go wrong and all problems are forgotten, at least for a moment. You feel like you can take any obstacle life puts in front of you. It's amazing how such a simple thing can change our mood.
When you put on a new pair of shoes, boots or snickers, you feel them tight and some what uncomfortable. It is after all a new situation: you feel strange and out of your comfort zone - just as in life itself. Then you start to walk in them, you start to grow on them and a feeling of confidence invades you entirely. You walk with your head up, proudly. Nothing can stop you now! New shoes are a boost to our self-esteem
Being a woman, I love shoes. I have to admit that I hate buying them, but once I have my new shiny shoes, I'm the happiest person on Earth.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Gooey
In this movie the main characters are all CIA agents, and Bruce is obviously their leader. He is the usual tough guy who can kill a person without blinking.
So he is talking to one of the female characters and she tells her that he has always been "gooey". This is the first time I ever heard this word so it caught my attention at once.
Here's the meaning:
1. sticky, soft, and often sweet
2. oversweet and sentimental
2. oversweet and sentimental
I think it's a nice word, it even listens funny!
Every Cloud Has a Sliver Lining
Someone told me a time ago I should change the dialogue I keep with my own life. This person noticed that I tend to express my thoughts using negative statements instead of using positive ones. Also it was pointed out to me that I usually relate to what happens to me in a negative way by focusing blindly on the downsides of any given situation.
When I heard this, a skeptical look appeared on my face, the idea of a dialogue with life seemed like crazy talk to me. But when I gave it a second thought, it made perfect sense. The idea is that we should relate positively to what happens to us, no matter how difficult or bad that thing is. Focusing on the negative sides only makes us lose sight of what the possible solutions are.
I've been trying to change my ways, and it hasn't been easy. Those who know me well, can tell that I'm a proffesional complainer and that I even get certain pleasure from putting all my rage out there. What's more, I used to think that complaining was some sort of release. After this new point of view, grumbling just seems useless. I'm not saying I won't do it again, but at least I'm trying to complain less.
It's not easy either looking at the bright side. We tend, by nature, to focus on what's going wrong with us and what we are missing instead of concentrating on what we are doing right and on what we do have. The idea is breaking free from that instinct for negativeness and start enjoying all that's good in our life, that surely is a lot.
We have the quality of life we want. Positive thoughts and positive views may help us improve our life.
When I heard this, a skeptical look appeared on my face, the idea of a dialogue with life seemed like crazy talk to me. But when I gave it a second thought, it made perfect sense. The idea is that we should relate positively to what happens to us, no matter how difficult or bad that thing is. Focusing on the negative sides only makes us lose sight of what the possible solutions are.
I've been trying to change my ways, and it hasn't been easy. Those who know me well, can tell that I'm a proffesional complainer and that I even get certain pleasure from putting all my rage out there. What's more, I used to think that complaining was some sort of release. After this new point of view, grumbling just seems useless. I'm not saying I won't do it again, but at least I'm trying to complain less.
It's not easy either looking at the bright side. We tend, by nature, to focus on what's going wrong with us and what we are missing instead of concentrating on what we are doing right and on what we do have. The idea is breaking free from that instinct for negativeness and start enjoying all that's good in our life, that surely is a lot.
We have the quality of life we want. Positive thoughts and positive views may help us improve our life.
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Builders
Builders at home are always problematic. While I can take the dust and the mess quite well, there's a characteristic common to all that really gets on my nerves.
I have never met such unpunctual people, "I'll be here at 8 tomorrow" they say. So you go to bed early, knowing that you will have to wake up at 7 to get yourself decent. So the alarm clocks rings and you get up, in the worst of moods, because it was your "late-in-bed day". You get out of your PJs, make yourself a cup of coffee to shake the sleepyness away, and sit confortably waiting for the bell to ring. It's ten to eight and you try to enjoy the last ten minutes of silence you will have for the rest of day. You look at the clock again, 8 sharp, no one at the door. He must be on his way, you think. 8.15, you have finished your coffee, and the beautiful silence is now annoying irresponsability. "I have to be on my way after lunch, he'd better finishes before that because..." and you start planning all the things you are going to say to him when he comes, he will have a piece of your mind the instant you open the door.
8.30 and finally the knock on the door. You open it, ready to fire when you encounter his smilie face apologising for the delay. "It's OK" you say, swallowing all your words. And the hammering starts. Oh the hammering! "Why on earth I deciced to open that wall?" You breath in, and put up with the mess; after all you called the builder because it was absolutely necessary.
I have never met such unpunctual people, "I'll be here at 8 tomorrow" they say. So you go to bed early, knowing that you will have to wake up at 7 to get yourself decent. So the alarm clocks rings and you get up, in the worst of moods, because it was your "late-in-bed day". You get out of your PJs, make yourself a cup of coffee to shake the sleepyness away, and sit confortably waiting for the bell to ring. It's ten to eight and you try to enjoy the last ten minutes of silence you will have for the rest of day. You look at the clock again, 8 sharp, no one at the door. He must be on his way, you think. 8.15, you have finished your coffee, and the beautiful silence is now annoying irresponsability. "I have to be on my way after lunch, he'd better finishes before that because..." and you start planning all the things you are going to say to him when he comes, he will have a piece of your mind the instant you open the door.
8.30 and finally the knock on the door. You open it, ready to fire when you encounter his smilie face apologising for the delay. "It's OK" you say, swallowing all your words. And the hammering starts. Oh the hammering! "Why on earth I deciced to open that wall?" You breath in, and put up with the mess; after all you called the builder because it was absolutely necessary.
Thursday 4 November 2010
August Rush
I saw this movie last weekend, apart from being absolutely sweet and tender, it has a great soundtrack that I'm sure you'll enjoy.
What called my attention here is the play on words in its name. A play that you come to understand after you have watched the movie.
The word rush has many meanings, let's have a look at some of them:
- a sudden surge towards someone or something
- a sudden surge of sensation, esp produced by a drug
- a sudden forward motion.
- surging emotion: a rush of shame.
- an anxious and eager movement to get to or from a place
Drawn
I don't generally like video games. I never had the coordination needed to play them, too many buttons to be pushed at the same time. It was frustrating for me when thr little man on the screen didn't do what I wanted him to do. So I retired from the video games world until resently, when I found the right kind of game for me: hidden objects games.
My last discovery is one called "Drawn". It is a story based game, in which you have to help a little girl save her world by restoring paintings. It is a game in which observation and deduction are fundamental to solve the many puzzles and riddles you find along the way. I can assure you that you are completely "drawn" into it.
Another one of my favourites is "Dream Chronicles", a saga in which you have to save different characters by solving intricated puzzles. In these two games you are required to find objects in the scenes which are necessary to do some other task. They are not easy though, since their graphics are relly good, and findig what's missing can take you a while.
So if you are bored, and don't know what to do, try one of these games. You'll find them most entertaining while at the same time. challenging.
My last discovery is one called "Drawn". It is a story based game, in which you have to help a little girl save her world by restoring paintings. It is a game in which observation and deduction are fundamental to solve the many puzzles and riddles you find along the way. I can assure you that you are completely "drawn" into it.
Another one of my favourites is "Dream Chronicles", a saga in which you have to save different characters by solving intricated puzzles. In these two games you are required to find objects in the scenes which are necessary to do some other task. They are not easy though, since their graphics are relly good, and findig what's missing can take you a while.
So if you are bored, and don't know what to do, try one of these games. You'll find them most entertaining while at the same time. challenging.
Horizons
When I hear the word “horizon” I can’t help thinking in an orange sunset, by the sea. That far away line telling us our world is finite. But as you know, the horizon can never be reached, one step closer you take, one step further you are. Here is a paradox, a limit that can’t be reached.
Now, when we talk about Horizons, we are not referring to that “physical limit” but to the limit of our ideas, knowledge, and experience – the paradox again. The word Horizons includes all the aspects related to the development of a person as a rational being. Has somebody set a limit for your intellectual growth? Is there someone telling you “this is as far as you can go”? Well, the answer is YES. Yourself. You are the one that decides what, when and how. Everyday, there’s a whole range of new experiences to be lived, of ideas to be discovered, of knowledge to be gained. What you get from this world, what you are ready to take in and make yours is entirely up to you.
So, I’m sure you have heard the expression “expand you horizons” many times before. And one question comes to my mind, How? How do we expand our horizons? Easier said than done? Not really. Expanding our horizons is a simple thing to do.
Acquiring new knowledge allows us to form opinions, to give sound arguments, and to reconsider what we’ve taken for granted. What better way to gain knowledge than reading? Reading is way of broadening our horizons. The first thing that comes to my mind is books, but we are growing reluctant to books. Thanks God we live in the XXI c. Technology has made access to knowledge a whole lot easier for us. Anything, from recipes to quantum theory, can be found online these days. It’s just one click away. Search engines save time and effort when looking for that new thing that caught our eye or ear. What’s great of this, is the amount of information they offer, we have the chance to read about that topic from various sources, in only one afternoon. Sure we need time, but we can make ourselves some time to read every now and then.
Life is made up of experiences. And these experiences, whether good or bad, are great opportunities to grow. It’s not just a matter of accumulating anecdotes; if we are to grow from what happens to us, we should always look back and reflect on our successes and failures. Sometimes, we feel like nothing ever happens to us, that our life is monotonous and boring. If this is the case, then we should break the routine. Opening to life is also a great way of expanding our horizons. Life is what we make of it, the decisions we take. Thinking out the box and breaking behaviour patterns might prove effective when trying to change our daily life. Exposing ourselves to the unknown, getting out of our comfort zone is the only way of proving how capable and strong we are. Maybe a good starting point is simply doing all those things we are always too busy to do or too scared to do. Make the most of every situation and take chances!
Relating to people is another way in which we can increase our knowledge and develop new ideas, especially if these people are different from us. Reality is subjective and each person perceives it in a different way. Everything is relative they say – and it is. What I accept as a clear truth, may not be so clear for someone else. When our values and beliefs are questioned, and confronted to the values and beliefs of somebody else, we are in the need to look for the perfect argument that would prove us right. Sometimes, we find it easily, sometimes, we struggle. In both cases, we are given the chance to find out what we really think of any given topic, which help us to figure out who we are.
It may also be the case that we start seeing things in a new light because of the people we relate with. What seemed absolutely crazy and nonsensical turns to something completely obvious and rational. Other people influence on what we believe, whether by questioning our opinion or by helping us change our point of view. It takes a lot of humility to acknowledge somebody else’s opinion as valid, and a lot of courage to stand for what we believe in. I think that we should strike a balance here, keeping an open mind to other people’s ideas while at the same time holding on to our own opinion.
We usually relate to people who are similar to us, same tastes in music, clothes, or career choice. Not that doing this is wrong, but if we are looking for new perspectives, a good idea is to relate with people different from who we are. Some times we are not as bold as that, and making friends with someone new is not that easy, especially in a face to face situation. As you know, as we grow older, making new relations is a difficult thing to do. Again technology is working wonders in bringing people together, no matter how shy you are. Thanks to social networks and online communities we are able to meet people from all over the world, getting to know new cultures and lifestyles. Going on line and chatting with someone on the other side of the world is priceless when it comes down to broadening horizons, especially for those of us who can’t afford travelling.
If we are really to make the most of our lives in order to expand our minds, we should always be critical, we should never accept anything as an absolute truth; we should question everything before jumping to conclusions. Don’t take anything at face value. Get out there, life is there to be lived, and remember that it is you who gets to decide how far to go. As I said in the beginning, expanding your horizons is entirely up to you. Sky is the limit, they say.
Now, when we talk about Horizons, we are not referring to that “physical limit” but to the limit of our ideas, knowledge, and experience – the paradox again. The word Horizons includes all the aspects related to the development of a person as a rational being. Has somebody set a limit for your intellectual growth? Is there someone telling you “this is as far as you can go”? Well, the answer is YES. Yourself. You are the one that decides what, when and how. Everyday, there’s a whole range of new experiences to be lived, of ideas to be discovered, of knowledge to be gained. What you get from this world, what you are ready to take in and make yours is entirely up to you.
So, I’m sure you have heard the expression “expand you horizons” many times before. And one question comes to my mind, How? How do we expand our horizons? Easier said than done? Not really. Expanding our horizons is a simple thing to do.
Acquiring new knowledge allows us to form opinions, to give sound arguments, and to reconsider what we’ve taken for granted. What better way to gain knowledge than reading? Reading is way of broadening our horizons. The first thing that comes to my mind is books, but we are growing reluctant to books. Thanks God we live in the XXI c. Technology has made access to knowledge a whole lot easier for us. Anything, from recipes to quantum theory, can be found online these days. It’s just one click away. Search engines save time and effort when looking for that new thing that caught our eye or ear. What’s great of this, is the amount of information they offer, we have the chance to read about that topic from various sources, in only one afternoon. Sure we need time, but we can make ourselves some time to read every now and then.
Life is made up of experiences. And these experiences, whether good or bad, are great opportunities to grow. It’s not just a matter of accumulating anecdotes; if we are to grow from what happens to us, we should always look back and reflect on our successes and failures. Sometimes, we feel like nothing ever happens to us, that our life is monotonous and boring. If this is the case, then we should break the routine. Opening to life is also a great way of expanding our horizons. Life is what we make of it, the decisions we take. Thinking out the box and breaking behaviour patterns might prove effective when trying to change our daily life. Exposing ourselves to the unknown, getting out of our comfort zone is the only way of proving how capable and strong we are. Maybe a good starting point is simply doing all those things we are always too busy to do or too scared to do. Make the most of every situation and take chances!
Relating to people is another way in which we can increase our knowledge and develop new ideas, especially if these people are different from us. Reality is subjective and each person perceives it in a different way. Everything is relative they say – and it is. What I accept as a clear truth, may not be so clear for someone else. When our values and beliefs are questioned, and confronted to the values and beliefs of somebody else, we are in the need to look for the perfect argument that would prove us right. Sometimes, we find it easily, sometimes, we struggle. In both cases, we are given the chance to find out what we really think of any given topic, which help us to figure out who we are.
It may also be the case that we start seeing things in a new light because of the people we relate with. What seemed absolutely crazy and nonsensical turns to something completely obvious and rational. Other people influence on what we believe, whether by questioning our opinion or by helping us change our point of view. It takes a lot of humility to acknowledge somebody else’s opinion as valid, and a lot of courage to stand for what we believe in. I think that we should strike a balance here, keeping an open mind to other people’s ideas while at the same time holding on to our own opinion.
We usually relate to people who are similar to us, same tastes in music, clothes, or career choice. Not that doing this is wrong, but if we are looking for new perspectives, a good idea is to relate with people different from who we are. Some times we are not as bold as that, and making friends with someone new is not that easy, especially in a face to face situation. As you know, as we grow older, making new relations is a difficult thing to do. Again technology is working wonders in bringing people together, no matter how shy you are. Thanks to social networks and online communities we are able to meet people from all over the world, getting to know new cultures and lifestyles. Going on line and chatting with someone on the other side of the world is priceless when it comes down to broadening horizons, especially for those of us who can’t afford travelling.
If we are really to make the most of our lives in order to expand our minds, we should always be critical, we should never accept anything as an absolute truth; we should question everything before jumping to conclusions. Don’t take anything at face value. Get out there, life is there to be lived, and remember that it is you who gets to decide how far to go. As I said in the beginning, expanding your horizons is entirely up to you. Sky is the limit, they say.
TV, my way of relaxing
Many people may argue that TV nowadays is not what it used to be. And contradicting that opinion is not easy, especially if you look at the content of our television. Argentinian shows can be described as shallow, low quality programmes that can't even meet their key obejective: entertain. Our TV is basically a collection of gossip shows, in which a bunch of characters parade just to get their moments in the limelight. Fiction is not usually better. Soap operas' plots have been repeated for years, so much so that you can tell how it is going to end after watching it for a week. Plots are so unnecessarily intricated that bore the audience to death. There are, however, great pieces of work in this area, but they are never given the prime time, which makes them go practically unnoticed.
Anyway, I love watching television, I could spend hours in front of the so called stupid box. But as you can imagine, national TV is not my first choice. I love watching American sitcoms and series, not that I believe everything they do is excellent, because they can and they have produced many bad shows, but in general I find their TV programmes much more interesting and well developed. It still amazes me how they can make shows run for years. I've been following shows for over 6 years now, without losing interest for a second.
Whether national or American, TV is there to entertain; I have to admit that it's sheer pleasure what I get from watching TV, just a few hours of complete and absolutely abstraction: no responsibilities, no problems, no nothing. It's a simple way of shaking a stressful day off.
Anyway, I love watching television, I could spend hours in front of the so called stupid box. But as you can imagine, national TV is not my first choice. I love watching American sitcoms and series, not that I believe everything they do is excellent, because they can and they have produced many bad shows, but in general I find their TV programmes much more interesting and well developed. It still amazes me how they can make shows run for years. I've been following shows for over 6 years now, without losing interest for a second.
Whether national or American, TV is there to entertain; I have to admit that it's sheer pleasure what I get from watching TV, just a few hours of complete and absolutely abstraction: no responsibilities, no problems, no nothing. It's a simple way of shaking a stressful day off.
Sunday 3 October 2010
I'm not sure why we were asked to look at pieces of art. I feel very much insecure when analising or interpreting a work of art. I know knothing about painting, to be honest. So what you're about to read it's just my humble opinion and reactions to this painting.
When I saw this painting I related what I saw in it as a result of this kind of development. People are given little room in this picture, a detail that reflects the instrumental role of man in our society.
The architectural clash in the background show the advancement of cities and how traditions are left behind. I think this picture is a reflection of our society. Ads are huge, selling all kinds of products which are result of different kinds of scientific development.
Petcha What?
We were asked to put a petcha kutcha presentation together. 6,40 minutes, 20 slides, sounds like a piece of cake, doesn't it?
I presented mine some time ago, and the experience was absolutely stressful. Once I had chosen my topic, I had to come up with ideas to talk about for almost 7 minutes. 7 minutes it's not such a long time, but when you hace to fill them with good sounding arguments, each minute it's like an hour. I managed to write something I really liked. I was voicing my thoughts, it sounded convincing - a bit chlichè at times, but it was all me.
When the writing was over, it came the troublesome task of finding the perfect picture for each idea. The problem was that I had alerady seen the presentation on my head, and had a clear idea of what kind of pictures I wanted, it was just a matter of finding them online. I must have looked at hundreds of pictures, trying to find the ones that most resembled those in mind. It certainly took a lot of time, Thanks God, I could find most of the images I wanted, so I felt quite confident about my slide presentation too.
The dat of the presentation came along. I felt so nervous when speaking. I had too many things going on in my mind while spaking: my lines, the slides, the time. The time! Timing was everything in this kind of presentation. I think I managed quite well in the end.
There's still something I can't quite figure out: how is it that I felt so nervous while giving my presentation, when I spend my days speaking in front of a class?
I presented mine some time ago, and the experience was absolutely stressful. Once I had chosen my topic, I had to come up with ideas to talk about for almost 7 minutes. 7 minutes it's not such a long time, but when you hace to fill them with good sounding arguments, each minute it's like an hour. I managed to write something I really liked. I was voicing my thoughts, it sounded convincing - a bit chlichè at times, but it was all me.
When the writing was over, it came the troublesome task of finding the perfect picture for each idea. The problem was that I had alerady seen the presentation on my head, and had a clear idea of what kind of pictures I wanted, it was just a matter of finding them online. I must have looked at hundreds of pictures, trying to find the ones that most resembled those in mind. It certainly took a lot of time, Thanks God, I could find most of the images I wanted, so I felt quite confident about my slide presentation too.
The dat of the presentation came along. I felt so nervous when speaking. I had too many things going on in my mind while spaking: my lines, the slides, the time. The time! Timing was everything in this kind of presentation. I think I managed quite well in the end.
There's still something I can't quite figure out: how is it that I felt so nervous while giving my presentation, when I spend my days speaking in front of a class?
Friday 3 September 2010
How long shall I wait for him?
This was a question a friend of mine published on a well-known social network last week, and it got me thinking. Why is it us the ones that wait? Then it struk me: since we are little children, we, girls, are taught to wait; to wait for Prince Charming in shining armour.
Think of all the fairy tales we were told while growing up. Snow White, poisoned by apple, waits for someone to wake her up with a kiss; Sleeping Beauty, poisoned by spinning wheel, waits for someone to wake her up with a kiss; Rapunzel, locked in a tower, waiting for someone to rescue her, and the list goes on... They all WAIT! So what is it that we learn from these stories? To wait. It's seems to me that we were assigned a passive role in all this romantic scene.
Now, life isn't a fairy tale, we are not princesses, yet we wait. What if I don't want to wait any more? What if I refuse to accept the role assigned? Then I have to put up with society's judging eye. Women have come a long a way in changing stereotypes, but this is one that seems the hardest to brake. If a woman is ready to get out there and get herself a "prince", she is considered a tramp. Unfair, isn't it?
Anyway, I have always liked fairy tales and happy endings. I do like to believe in true love and that there's someone out there for me Am I waiting? Probably, I am.
Think of all the fairy tales we were told while growing up. Snow White, poisoned by apple, waits for someone to wake her up with a kiss; Sleeping Beauty, poisoned by spinning wheel, waits for someone to wake her up with a kiss; Rapunzel, locked in a tower, waiting for someone to rescue her, and the list goes on... They all WAIT! So what is it that we learn from these stories? To wait. It's seems to me that we were assigned a passive role in all this romantic scene.
Now, life isn't a fairy tale, we are not princesses, yet we wait. What if I don't want to wait any more? What if I refuse to accept the role assigned? Then I have to put up with society's judging eye. Women have come a long a way in changing stereotypes, but this is one that seems the hardest to brake. If a woman is ready to get out there and get herself a "prince", she is considered a tramp. Unfair, isn't it?
Anyway, I have always liked fairy tales and happy endings. I do like to believe in true love and that there's someone out there for me Am I waiting? Probably, I am.
Friday 2 July 2010
A Poem
When I was little I used to spend a lot of time in my primary school library. I used to borrow a new book as soon as I finished a previous one. I enjoyed every story and lived each one as if I was there. I still remember some of the images my head created while reading. Funny thing, a vivid memory from something that happened in my mind.
One of my favourite writers was and is Elsa Bornemann. I won't write here her bio, it's not my intention, you can google her. I just want to share with you my experience with her. I want to share this poem with you. Romance del País que No Conoci
Elsa Bornemann writes books for children, and is amazing how she can understand us, I'm including myself, because she understood me when I was one.
Back on my primary school days I was always in love with someone, always. Once in sixth grade I fell for a 7th-grade boy, and he was my boyfriend for a while -the only one my mother really liked. To make a long story short, it didn't end well -we stopped holding hands. That was the first time someone broke my heart, or that I got my own heart broken. At that time, I was reading this book by Elsa, in which this beautiful poem was included. I felt it was written for me, to put into words everything I couldn't say. So I copied the poem on a beautiful paper, and I gave it to the boy. He never said a word about it. Now, I look at those days and I laugh, I've always been a bit melodramatic, I have to admit, but those were my feelings, right?
A few months ago, I read this poem again. I still find it absolutely beautiful and I hope you like it too.
One of my favourite writers was and is Elsa Bornemann. I won't write here her bio, it's not my intention, you can google her. I just want to share with you my experience with her. I want to share this poem with you. Romance del País que No Conoci
Elsa Bornemann writes books for children, and is amazing how she can understand us, I'm including myself, because she understood me when I was one.
Back on my primary school days I was always in love with someone, always. Once in sixth grade I fell for a 7th-grade boy, and he was my boyfriend for a while -the only one my mother really liked. To make a long story short, it didn't end well -we stopped holding hands. That was the first time someone broke my heart, or that I got my own heart broken. At that time, I was reading this book by Elsa, in which this beautiful poem was included. I felt it was written for me, to put into words everything I couldn't say. So I copied the poem on a beautiful paper, and I gave it to the boy. He never said a word about it. Now, I look at those days and I laugh, I've always been a bit melodramatic, I have to admit, but those were my feelings, right?
A few months ago, I read this poem again. I still find it absolutely beautiful and I hope you like it too.
Thick as Thieves
This another expression I found.
It's actually the name of a film, which I haven't seen yet. In fact, I had never heard of it until a month ago or so. The thing was like this. My brother in law started to tell me about this movie he had seen, and when I asked him for the name of the movie he mumbled "The Code" and this little phrase. Of course I needed to know what its meaning was, and here it is: Cliché very close-knit; friendly; allied. It makes reference to the closeness and intedepence existing in gangs of thieves. The word thick is used in its sense of 'densely arranged' as in thick hair, grass (from: http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayingst.htm).
I don't see myself using this phrase, but I found the combination of words interesting. I think it shows how creative we can be with the language. Everytime I come across these idiomatic expressions, in Spanish or English, I wonder who said it for the first time, and how it became popular. I think that this phrases are legacies from other times. Someone sharing a little piece of their present with us. Some become outdated, and lose popularity, but it is funny tosee how language is recycled. New generations take older expressions, assign new meanings or not to them, and bring them back to life, bridging the gaps between generations.
It's actually the name of a film, which I haven't seen yet. In fact, I had never heard of it until a month ago or so. The thing was like this. My brother in law started to tell me about this movie he had seen, and when I asked him for the name of the movie he mumbled "The Code" and this little phrase. Of course I needed to know what its meaning was, and here it is: Cliché very close-knit; friendly; allied. It makes reference to the closeness and intedepence existing in gangs of thieves. The word thick is used in its sense of 'densely arranged' as in thick hair, grass (from: http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayingst.htm).
I don't see myself using this phrase, but I found the combination of words interesting. I think it shows how creative we can be with the language. Everytime I come across these idiomatic expressions, in Spanish or English, I wonder who said it for the first time, and how it became popular. I think that this phrases are legacies from other times. Someone sharing a little piece of their present with us. Some become outdated, and lose popularity, but it is funny tosee how language is recycled. New generations take older expressions, assign new meanings or not to them, and bring them back to life, bridging the gaps between generations.
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Give me a break!
Holidays, vacations, break, leave. Call it what you want, for me all these words mean the same: RELAXING! And the winter break can't come soon enough. One week to go, 5 days, 3 days, 2 days... I keep saying to myself so as not to lose it and end up killing someone...
I've never felt this tired before. I had done so many things this term that I can't tell. Workshop, Language, Workshop III. Not that many subjects, I know, but they are all very demanding. So much so that I even dream I'm planning! I feel like going mad at times. I'm sure you know what I mean.
I've reached a point in which my body doesn't obey my brain anymore: it takes me ages to finish a sentence, I bump into things all the time, I forget things, and of couse I fall asleep everywhere.
Being close to end of the term and looking back on it, I wonder: was it worth it? Every minute! I've learnt so many things and, I've grown so much. The sense of accomplishment is doping!
Anyway, I'm planning to enjoy my holidays as much as possible, sleep late, catch up with friends, and do all those girly things I've been leaving aside.
I've never felt this tired before. I had done so many things this term that I can't tell. Workshop, Language, Workshop III. Not that many subjects, I know, but they are all very demanding. So much so that I even dream I'm planning! I feel like going mad at times. I'm sure you know what I mean.
I've reached a point in which my body doesn't obey my brain anymore: it takes me ages to finish a sentence, I bump into things all the time, I forget things, and of couse I fall asleep everywhere.
Being close to end of the term and looking back on it, I wonder: was it worth it? Every minute! I've learnt so many things and, I've grown so much. The sense of accomplishment is doping!
Anyway, I'm planning to enjoy my holidays as much as possible, sleep late, catch up with friends, and do all those girly things I've been leaving aside.
Monday 21 June 2010
No Man is an Island
"...No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind;..."
I always get a bit anxious when I know we are going to write in teams, but I always find this experience of co-writing very enriching. Writing is a process that starts in our heads, what and how to write are questions that we answer before even grabbing a pen (or putting a finger on the keyboard). The thing is that when we write in teams, we have to consider other people's whats and hows -not an easy task.
When writitng in teams, compromising is key. Accepting that other point of view, that other way of putting an idea is what makes this process worthy. It opens your head, it widens your perception and it sharpens your sense or appropriacy -if she, that is part of the process, doesn't get it, an outsider won't get it either. Let's change this!-
What's also good about this way of working is that you are not alone. Sometimes we get so stucked in our thoughts, that we fail to see our mistakes or we can't find the correct form of saying something. Working in teams means having someone to rely on, someone at hand to help you see what you have missed.
Every time I work in teams, I take something with me -either a new word, a new strucutre, a new way of seeing things or a funny memory- which, I feel, is the whole idea of struggling to find common grounds.
John Donne.
I chose this quiotation for this topic beacuse in a way it is connected. Just change death for life, and diminish for heighten, and I hope you see it the way I see it.
Well, our first writing assignment is over... I always get a bit anxious when I know we are going to write in teams, but I always find this experience of co-writing very enriching. Writing is a process that starts in our heads, what and how to write are questions that we answer before even grabbing a pen (or putting a finger on the keyboard). The thing is that when we write in teams, we have to consider other people's whats and hows -not an easy task.
When writitng in teams, compromising is key. Accepting that other point of view, that other way of putting an idea is what makes this process worthy. It opens your head, it widens your perception and it sharpens your sense or appropriacy -if she, that is part of the process, doesn't get it, an outsider won't get it either. Let's change this!-
What's also good about this way of working is that you are not alone. Sometimes we get so stucked in our thoughts, that we fail to see our mistakes or we can't find the correct form of saying something. Working in teams means having someone to rely on, someone at hand to help you see what you have missed.
Every time I work in teams, I take something with me -either a new word, a new strucutre, a new way of seeing things or a funny memory- which, I feel, is the whole idea of struggling to find common grounds.
About this specific task, I feel we worked very well together and I'm more than happy with our final version.
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Sticks and Stones
I was watching a movie last weekend, when I picked up this cute little phrase. As a good language student, I ran to my dic only to find that its definition was not there. My next step was, of course, to google it. And there it was...
The movie I was watching was "The Blind Side", Sandra Bullock's latest movie. The situation was simple: All of the main characters were at a football match. They were on the audience, and together with them there was this man cheering for the other team, but he would only shout insults, obviously, to his opponents. So SJ, the younger son of the family, turned to him, he was ready to give the man a piece of his mind when his mother, Sandra Bullock, stopped him saying sticks and stones.
I looked it up, as I said, and this is what I found:
Sticks and stones is the beginning of a proverb which goes like this: "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." And the Free Dictionary by Farlex gives the following definitions:
1- "something that you say which means that people cannot hurt you with bad things they say or write about you Criticism has never bothered me. Sticks and stones may break my bones, and all that."
2- "Prov. You do not hurt me by calling me names. (A reply to someone who has called you names. Primarily used by children; sounds childish when used by adults.)"
I hope you find this interesting.
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