End of the semester!

Hello, dear classmates and teacher!
The semester is gone and make a reflexion about this subject is necessary. For all of us, this is the last English level in the university (duty is complete!)
I really enjoy pass my time with you, because I had the possibility to know you a little more. This group was awesome, very nice and I will remember you like the "always somnolent and hungry group" haha.
About learning, speaking was the most important area for me, because I can lose my shyness and I can "think in English" faster. The activities in the first hour were interesting and the activities in the second hour were very useful. I liked the PET exercises, because they were a challenge! I enjoyed the blog, because I can read about the important things for my partners.
Now... about negative aspects... Maybe, we could practice listening more, I don't feel ready for understand the words of a native person, but the hope is the last thing that we lost!
Thank you miss for your dedication and patience. Classmates: I send you my better wishes in this new phase; I know that all of you're going to be great professionals.

Regards! <3

New: Can food psychology help Alzheimer’s patients?

Summary:

Youssed, the chef, talks about the power of the senses when we eat something. He worked with Oxford professor Charles Spence who probed the psychology of diners. In that moment, the Kitchen Theory was born; it’s about the influence of the different senses in the perception of a meal and consists in a “synaesthesia” experience, in other words: all the senses interact when people eat. There’s a multisensory nature of flavors, incorporating sight, sound, smell, taste and touch; all this factors make people have expectations thanks their perceptions, and there’re psychological studies about that, for example: a research about sounds discovered that loud white noise can affect the taste of food, finding sweetness and sourness to correlated with high sound; a research about vision discovered that looking at images of high-calorie food is linked to a rise in levels of an appetite-inducing hormone, while research the following year found that looking ar images of salty foods decreased enjoyment of eating a salted snack. Many scientist follow this line of investigation. Even though this results can help to big companies make money, Spence and Youseef want apply his insights to hospitals: for the medication in cancer patients and  using multisensory stimuli to help Alzheimer’s patients.  

My reason why I chose it:
I choose this new because the Alzheimer's disease is very current in this moment of my life. My grandmother lives with us and she suffers it. I think that psychology's advances can help a lot of people whit their problems, and in this case, psychology can give a great contribution for this hard complaint. Hopefully, the professionals can discover any kind of cure someday.  


The link: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/sep/20/food-psychology-alzheimers-patients-multisensory-eating-kitchen-theory

Cinco panes y dos peces - Elisa

Hi classmates and teacher, today,(P) in this blog I will (WE) talk (WO) about the book that I am reading at the moment, it is (WF) when I have free time.

Hi classmates and teacher, today I'm going to talk about the book that I am reading at the moment, when I have free time, in this blog.  

The name of the book is “Cinco panes y dos peces”. His principal objective is show the experience of a catholic bishop that was prisoner in a Vietnamese camp. This bishop is called François Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. 

The name of the book is "Cinco panes y dos peces". Its principal objective is show the experience of a catholic bishop that was prisoner in a Vietnamese camp. This bishop is called  François Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. 

I am not sure which genre it is, but I think that belong to the (WW) novel, because the author –that who is (?) the same bishop- narrate (C) the history (WW) as a novel. He divides the storyline of the book in seven parts. 

I am not sure which genre it is, but I think that belong a novel, because the author - the same bishop - narrates the story as a novel. He divides the storyline of the book in seven parts. 

First he talks about the five breads, in each one _(v)he tell (C) the moments since that (?) he was taken prisoner until that (?) he was released. In this part he remembers many people,persons important (WO) in his life. Finality (WW)(P) he tells about the two fishes, in this moment he speaks of (WW) the products before (?) of this experience.

First he talks about the five breads, in each one of them he tells the moments since he was taken prisoner until he was released.  In this part he remembers many people, important persons in his life. Finally, he tells about the two fishes, in this moment he speaks about the products after of this experience.

Is (v) a short book, is (v) very simple, but for me is (v) very interesting_(P) because in the book not only shows an experience from a religious perspective, also from the human experience,(P) it shows us a reset mechanism to intense trauma.

It's a short book, It's very simple, but for me it's very interesting, because in the book not only shows an experience from a religious perspective, also from the human experience; it shows us a reset mechanism to intense trauma.

I think _(v) the experience of imprisonment and torture is one of those experiences thatcertainly (?) more brand to the humans (WO). For me it is a great mystery, how they manage to recover from this. I want have (WE) more time for reading (T) this story with more dedication!

I think that the experience of imprisonment and torture is one of those experiences that more brand to the humans more. For me it is a great mystery, how they manage to recover from this. I want to have more time for read this story with more dedication!

Snoopy!

Hello people! I hope you have a great weekend.

At the moment I'm reading "Snoopy", the Charles M. Schulz's creation. It's a comic book. Well... I like this genre because it's something different to others, because there's more draws than text. I really enjoy read other kinds of books, more serious to put it another way, but sometimes take relax and laugh is good. I'm enjoying this book because I saw Snoopy when I was a child, but I hadn’t a book about it never before!

Snoopy is an American Beagle in the comic strip Peanuts, its owner is Charlie Brown, a shy kid, and his dog always makes his life more interesting. Snoopy has many “fantasy lives”, including a writer, a college student (Joe Cool) and a World War I flying ace; sometimes it’s the “Easter Beagle”, and it gives chocolate eggs to everybody!

My book is divided in 5 parts: “The school”, “At home”, “Dinner time”, “In the garden” and “Baseball”. In the first part all the characters live adventures in the classroom, with teachers and doing homework; in the second part they against problems with their families; in the third part Snoopy ask for food (it’s gluttony); in the fourth part all characters stay in the grass under the sun; and in the fifth part they play their favorite sport!

I enjoy the draws, because they're so sweet!

Free topic!

Hello classmates and teacher!

Today I'm going to talk about pets… actually about the names of my pets! The animals have been very important in my life; I'd pets since I can remember. There’s a big dog in my house when I was a child, its name was “Toki” and it was a German shepherd. Then, we had a little lab rat, its name was “Blanquita”. After that, we had a funny canary, but I don’t remember its name. When I grew, I’d my own dog, it was a mix between Pekingese and unknown breed, but it was great in any case, its name was “Hikari” and it died this year sadly :(. I lived 13 years with it and for that, it will be the pet of my heart always <3 In house there was parakeet too (“Lolo”, “Lala” and “Cucky” were mine), two loving hamsters (“Almendra” and “Luna”) and today still there’s 5 chickens on backyard (I can remember now, when I had a chicken only for me, and I named it “Clarita”, and it was absolutely black xD). You can ask me: Where is the cats in your count? Well… the cats are out there! On my patio, on the roof above my head! I could never have a cat :( because it’s free and rebel (maybe it’s a very personal prejudice), nevertheless I invent names for all of that cats :D and there was one very strange: “Gato Harvey Zombie”, why “Gato”? Because it was a cat :D, why Harvey? It’s a long story, It loved fight on the roof against other cats, and one night it came back home with a disaster on the middle of face… Like Harvey Dent in Batman, when he burned and transformed in “Two faces” (yes, I know, this reference is so DC fan). And why zombie? Because other night it came with a disgusting and stinky wound in its paw but in three days it was splendid again.

Well… I wrote a lot. But I can say that I couldn’t live without animals, wither my own pets or wild creatures around my house.    

See you :D   

My performance (English tests)

Well... In the Part 1 of the Reading test I got 5/7. In the Part 2 of the same test I got 7/7 and in the last part I got 4/5. Principally, in the Part 1, I failed in the speed of reading and I forgot the details. In the part 3 I had confuse, but I understood later. 

In the Part 1 of the Listening I got 5/7. The problem was the connecting between words; I don't understood very well the sentences. In the Part 2 of the Listening I got 4/6; the same thing, in addition I lost in the story.  

 I got 25/33 in the Vocabulary test. I failed in the synonymous and antonymous, because there are words strangers for me. Maybe, the rest of mistakes were for fault in reading comprehension. This part was the most comfortable for me, because my vocabulary is better than before.     

Bone Sculpture

Hello, classmates and teacher!

Today, I chose to write about a Chilean artist. Maybe, someone in this course know him. His artist name is "Necro" and his real name is Michael Benítez. He's a underground sculptor and painter.   

I knew him thank's TV: When I was 13 years old, in a Vía X's segment, he showed his works. Necro's a great studious about anatomy, but in the "strange way": His creations are made with bones, yes, real bones (actually, he sculpt man-made skulls in many cases, but he pick up animal bones for parts of his works). He studied Art pedagogy in UMCE (surprise!) and today he was 34 years old.

In the beginning of his career, he made some works, like lamps and chairs, but now, he has a great curriculum: Necro made the "Throne of bones", used in many metal concerts; the "Necrobar", decorated with skulls in the superior part and provided with alcohol for all the preferences; and the "Necrobus", used in the last Black Sabbath's concert in our country. 

The people could think that meet Necro is an impossible dream, but he's near: you can find him and talk with him in Facebook or see him in Biobio fair, when he sells "little" pieces of art (compared to the monsters named previously).  

I know him, but I never ask him two thing: Why do you like bones?, how do you inspired everyday?   

Eco-life

Hello, classmates and teacher!

I think that being "green" is a great idea and a marvelous initiative, but only some people being green in the reallity. Actually, I think that our lifestyles are so far to be ecological. In my case, I know about the man's damage against the planet, I know about clean energies and other cleaner options, althougt I don't feel that the change depends of me or of my little power. I imagine a lot of people doing the same good things for environment and that's could be a solution. 

Whatever, in my daily life I try to recycling in simple things: when I wash the vegetables, then I use the same wather for irrigate plants; I walk a lot; I off lights that I don't use; I close the water tap when I wash my tooths; sometimes I recycle paper or I put my garbage in my pocket when I walk in the street... 

I like being "green" spirit, buy in the present I'm not member for any eco-organisation, because I don't know some of them. I try to respect the plans of other persons about the matter, for example, I separate my waste in the public route.

I consider that the problem is the ignorant about the own possibilities and the inconstancy in the public education. The nature's care is a civil duty and that's the point to understand. The solutions will come the coaching. 

Education

When I head something about education I feel mixed emotions. On one hand, I know about the crisis in the national system and I have a worry. But, on other hand, I feel displeasure because it's a topic very well used.

In my first year of University, I had to live the 2011 movilization, and that was an upsetting year. I remember the daily assemblies in the career, the State's threats weren't exciting for the movement and after a few month, it's all over.  

Even so, I think that Chilean education is mediocre, the powerfuls use education like a business and that's badly. The students of different social classes don't lear in the same way and for that, the opportunities of future are unequal.

In my case, I studied in a subsidize school, and money was more important than the learning. We had to study a lot for own initiative to go to a good University.    

My mom is teacher, and her case is similar: the student's profile was getting worse, MINEDUC's programs was made for a good mark in standarized test, the teachers were nonconformist with the learning...  

The system must change, that's evident, but I don't have real hopes in a short term. I think that the final goal needs a lot of work and comprimise. The important people in the power should understand that the quality of education is the pillar for a good society.

Aerobics sports!

Hello, dear classmates and teacher! 

The sport is necessary to have a good health. Some physical problems are caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Today I’m going to talk about sport in my life.

One year ago I started going to aerobic classes, because I wanted to lose some weight; I mean, I was so tired to be in bad condition. I said to myself: “Okay, it’s time to make something for me, only for me”. At the beginning was so painful, you know, the first days in almost everything are in that way. By the way, it took me around two weeks to habituate the rhythm of the exercise.

In the gym, the trainer learns us about aerobox, step and zumba. Classes are three days a week before dinner. At this time, one year after, that’s a part of my life; it’s so strange to me a day without exercise, the sentence what I heard was true: the body demand physical activity.

If I felt depress before, today my feelings are better and positives. It’s a good hobby; we are all the things and choreographies with Latin music, like salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton and samba. That’s a great point for me; I liked to dance since I was a child.    

Aerobic sports, especially recreation sports, are necessary for a happy and complete life. I think more people should to practice them.

A special book.

I were trying to remember about a particular gift... or something. It's a difficult matter. But in the last time, I received a nice present that change one aspect of my life. In April of this year, I knew a guy, he's a literature graduate and an emerging writer. We knew us through instagram first, facebook later, and finally in person. I saw that he wrote a book: "Oh, this is interesting, finally something new between my contacts!"- I said. We talked a lot about many topics, and I really wanted buy the book because the curiosity and sympathy grew every day a little more.
Whatever... One day in May, he invited me to his home, we drank a delicious green tea and he gave me his book like a present. In less than 24 hours I read it. In simple words, it's a realistic novel about a chaotic love story (with some autobiographic components indeed). "In this world don't exist a better way to know this guy"- I thought.
In short, with total honesty, the gift was only a excuse for to be more closer from one another, but it was the "cornerstone" of our actual relationship and it likes me for that reason (well... it's very enjoyable too).
I have read that book many times, maybe four or five, and today it's in my backpack most of the time or in my bedroom.

Fiestas Patrias

Hello classmates and teacher!
Today I going to talk about my last patriotic celebration.

I think that Chileans wait this date all the year, because they can drink and eat without blame and it's a fantastic date for take a break of the daily rutine.
In general, I celebrate with my family and my friends. Sometimes I can go out Santiago, but this year I was here, in Parque O'Higgins, in the boyfriend's home and in my home.
I must be honest, I ate a lot, my diet went to hell... Maybe I drunk a little in the first day of celebration, ok... I drunk a lot too. But I was with my parents, and that's important, because the last year my dad wasn't with us. This year was the first time in the Gonzalo's home, he's my new boyfriend and good friend, and his home's very similar to my home, all people in there are lovely persons and I'm very happy to be with him in this important dates.    
If you ask me about the best Fiestas Patrias, I should say "Fonda de la Alcachofa". When I was a child, I invented this name for the Fiestas Patrias in my house, I even painted a poster... It was funny, because the artichoke in the paper was very ugly, but my family was happy with my splendid art work.
I like the traditional games, I don't practice them but I would like to learn. In the other hand, I think that rodeo is a unnecessary sport, because it only brings animal stress and suffering.  
Well... Like many people, I miss Fiestas Patrias, but my birthday is coming in October and that's more party for me :D

September 11th

The september 11th is an important date for the country and my family, I feel displeasure in this day, because it recalls violence and abuse. My pather was priosioner in the beginning of dictatorship, and my mom live this period of time when she was student. For these reasons it's a dilicate topic in home. 
About violation of human rights, I think that the people have all the arguments for complain about them,  the law and the civil society should punish responsiblis, but, in my opinion, the political separatism shouldn't separate the persons in daily life, especially in the present, because the healing is impossible without community. 
I think that state of Chile's solutions are insufficient, because there are a lot of families without answers or compensation still. Also, the are many offenders without a just punish. 
About hoodeds or lawbreacker people who be violent to police foces or destroy public property, I think that that kind of character was more sense in dictatorship time; today they generate caos and everybody forget the real meaning of this day: the end of democracy. 
This date isn't outdated, because dictatorship's recent in the history. Also, there are wounds that nobody can cure. 
September 11th affect the life of young people because isn't a normal day. Sometimes, activities are interrupted or is very dangerous walk in the street. 

Places!

I have traveled only a little in my life and all these travels have been into the country. Chile's a beautiful place to know, I have thought we should know our country before other sides. But now I have a lot of wishes to go Buenos Aires. The best part is the proximity, I mean: Chile and Argentina are neighbor countries! This travel appears easier than other options. Well, you know... Buenos Aires is "the city of fury", all things about it are painted with bohemian colors and interesting stories; I imagine its streets very similar to Santiago's streets, the same king of foul air, the same charming in the architecture, the same inspiration for writers, painters, musicians and photographers. I've clarity about this mysticism, but that's exactly the best part. If Buenos Aires isn't the city of my smoker dreams I don't care, but the sensation in my stomach, when I will cross the Andes Mountains, will be enought (Ok, that sounds sickly sweet. Maybe the food, clothes, CDs and books are motivation too).

I like my country and my city very much. I don't want live in any other place, but one season being tourist never hurt anyone 1313