Englishman in New York by Sting

Englishman in New York is a very catchy song by Sting, in which the writer compares New York with his hometown in England. On the one hand, the story describes typical English habits that he has to leave aside, such as the tea tradition. Besides, he highlights his culture’s values and customs like good manners and sobriety. On the other hand, the composer criticizes some negative characteristics of the new society that really annoy him. For example, their violent behaviour. In my opinion, the author can only see the worst part of American society, because he feels like “an alien” that can not fit in. However, I think that the problem is not only the difficulty to accept a new culture, but also the hard task that giving up his previous life means. In addition, this song is a great piece of music that you can enjoy even if you don’t want to analyse the lyrics.

Atlantis

"Exámenes" (by Nelly Fernández Tiscornia)

Last weekend I went to the theatre .It wasn't in English , but the topic is very related to our job . This play is about a student that has failed a final exam five times .His father is furious about this situation and appears in scene begging for his son in the head master's presence .It is a moving scene because he remembers his school days and an English teacher that had left the examination board because he was not ready to be objective due to his difficult behaviour during the whole year.But the scene in which the audience gave them a big round of applause was when the history teacher appears.He is the typical teacher of the old days :strict,severe,interested only in the knowledge.Unlike this teacher,a substitute teacher comes to change his narrow-minded point of view.I strongly recommend it.(Sala Armando Discepolo 12 62 y 63)

Sky

Ginger for the heart by Paul Yee

This story takes place in China. There, the buildings are stoutly constructed of bricks.
Chang, who is a merchant tailor, lives in a tower room and he rents the others. His wife and his daughter, Yenna, work together. Yenna is a really beautiful girl. All day long, she and her mum sit by the tower window and sew. They like singing while they work.
One day, a young man comes into the store, because he needs some mending. After seeing the girl, he goes there many times. They fall deeply in love. But as spring comes, he has to leave. She gives him a ginger, and tells him that she will wait for him.
After some years, the man comes back. He wants to marry her and goes to live in a farm. But she can’t go with him, because her dad can’t stay alone…
The reason that I don’t write the end of the story is because that may be you want it to discover it by your own.
I hope you like it.

Anush

The "Tomatina"

Yesterday I saw an advertisement about the world greatest tomato fight. Do you know what it is?. Well, it is called the "Tomatina". This celebration is not a religious one or even with a political significance. The first "Tomatina" took place in the mid 1940s. There, the participants must throw tomatoes each other. They have to pay for the 40,000 kilos of tomatoes used during the fight. Nowadays, this festival is an international affair and people from all over the world come to Buñol every year to enjoy the fun. Isn´t it fantastic?

Miss Squirrel

Festival of Lights in India

Last day I read an article that explained how the festival of lights was in India. As you know Diwali is the name of that festival which takes place in the Hindu month of Aswin (October/November), and it lasts four days and ends with the celebration of the Hindu New Year. On the first day, people decorate their places with rangolis, traditional patterns which people draw on the floor with different coloured powders. On the second day, people get up early and take a bath before sunrise. On the third day, they celebrate with an enormous fireworks display. Finally, the fourth day arrives and most families celebrate by dressing in new clothes and wearing jewellery. Diwalli is also celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Do you know another important celebration like this? Please answer my question because I am interested in knowing different cultures.
Miss Squirrel

The Devoted Friend by Oscar Wilde

Are you a loyal friend or a fair-weather friend? If you are doubtful about it, you should go to the nearest book shop and get this short story in which, due to irrational behaviour, a close friendship among two men suddenly starts taking a negative turn. You will not only be reading a moving story but also a fascinating one from which you will learn to make your friendship even firmer.

SPARKLING

Think positive, and what you think will come to you

A year ago, my mother told me that she had something for me that she received from some person she knows. This book made her remember things that I have been repeating since I was born. I strongly agree with all the things the author writes in the book but in this article I am going to focus only on the law of attraction which I like to share with all of you.
Rhonda Byrne, who is the author, had faced a particularly difficult time in life and came out of it only after she learned The Secret, which is her term for what is commonly known as the law of attraction.
The law of attraction is the most powerful law in the universe, states that people experience the logical manifestations of their predominant thoughts, feelings, and words. This gives people direct control over their lives. A person’s thoughts (whether conscious or unconscious) and feelings bring about corresponding positive or negative manifestations.
Positive thoughts bring about positive manifestations while negative thoughts bring about negative manifestations. The theory is very simple. Because it is an absolute law, the law of attraction will always respond to your thoughts no matter what they are. Thus your thoughts become things. You are the most powerful power in the universe simply because whatever you think about will come to be.
Believe it or not, we shape our own lives and destiny through the power of our minds; we shape the world that exists around us. And we choose the people who are next to us. So, I know that it is so hard sometimes but think positive and put your thoughts into action, know what you really want and ask the universe for it. Feel and behave as if the object of your desire is on its way. And be open to receiving it. And the most important thing do not blame others for your bad choices!!!!
The book is ”The secret” by Rhonda Byrne
You can also see the DVD
For more information http://thesecret.tv/inicio.html

Pedro