MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Dear all, I just wanted to wish you a wonderful X'mas celebration and a wonderful new year!!

WELCOME TO LOS ÁNGELES TIMES

Hello everybody,
I have created a newspaper for my students at Colegio Los Ángeles so that they can practise their English in a non-academic environment. However, if you are an ex-student feel free to participate and collaborate with us! Los Ángeles Times is a means of communication, a place to express your ideas, a virtual location to publish your creations! Don´t worry about the length of your articles... The only rule is to write in English. If you feel like participating, do not hesitate to contact me. Cheers!
David Leal.

http://losangelestimesnewspaper.blogspot.com/

WELCOME BACK!

Dear all,
I would like to officially welcome you back to the course and to wish you good luck at all levels in your life. As you know, you have to look for that luck and a good way to find it is by means of hard work. This year at school is going to be full of changes as you already know (for example, oral and listening exams. Ha,ha,ha,ha!). I have been thinking about creating a newspaper in English, but I need volunteers. If you are interested, please get in touch with me so that we can start creating something. Oh, if you are no longer at school and want to participate, you will always be welcome as well because you will always be a part of my class. Finally, if you´ve never been my student, but feel the need to add to this newspaper, feel free to try. Foreign participation is always welcome as well. Thanks in advance!!!

Two new sections at http://sites.google.com/site/englishleal/

There are two new sections available (More Online Grammar Activities and More Online Vocabulary Activities) at my site for you to check, practice and improve your English. Have fun!

The Death Bend (by Jose Maria)

In a dark night, a family guy drove to return home. It was raining a lot and he was driving along a secondary road, where nobody had been since a long time. Suddenly, he listened to a voice from the road sying: "Help me! Help me!." It was a female voice, but he couldn't see anyone or anything.
He continued his trip and when he was in a bend, he saw a girl with a nightgown doing hitch-hiking. He stopped the car and collected the girl, who sat in the rear seats.He asked her where she wanted to stop, but she didn't answer his question. Some minutes later, the girl said: "In the next bend, you are going to die." The man looked back and he didn't see the girl. She had disappeared!! In few seconds, he had lost the control of his car, which overturned.
The next day, the police found the dead man. However, they couldn't explain exactly what had happened.Then, the road was closed for some time. It has been reopened, but nobody wants to drive along it. Would you like to try?

The Sting (by Chiara, Delia, Costanza, Laura and Sara)

It was a dark and cloudy day when a young girl arrived in Forks, a city in the United States. She had left her home in Arizona, to go to live with her dad. She didn't know anyone and, so, she was sad and lonely.
The day after her arrival, she went to schools. She was very pretty and, so, everybody wanted to make friends with her. However, this was difficult because she was shy and not very easy-going.
When she was in Biology lesson, she sat near a handsome and strange guy who was rude to her. During the next week, he didn't come to school and she thought that it was her fault. When he came back to school, he was kind and friendly. She was very confused. They spent a lot of time together. Time passed and they fell in love.
While going out, she discovered he had some strange characteristics: he was handsome, but he had a freezing skin;he smelled good and was really fast and strong, but he didn't eat at all. She asked him questions about these traits and he confessed he was a vampire: he ususally ate animal blood. He told her that he liked her blood smell very much but also that he loved her and wouldn't attack her.
One day, when they were together, they went for a walk into the woods and there they met another vampire who wanted to kill her to drink her blood. The vampires started fighting and the evil one bit the girl. Thus, the poison started to flow in her blood. The in-love vampire killed the bad one afterwards and then he tried to save his girlfriend.
However, when he was sucking the poison off the blood, he liked it too much... He sucked hisgirlfriend's blood until he killed her. He was very depresed and he wanted to die, but, as you know,it is not very simple for vampires to die, so he had to live in death eternally in pain.

Classes with David (by Jaime)

It all began one day in July in Ireland. I had studied at Alpha College for a month. I started in pre-intermediate level , but, during the second week, I was promoted to the next level: intermediate. I was OK; I liked that until, in my first class, I met my teacher: David.
Apparently, he was a very polite and and extraordinary teacher, but when we really got started, he showed us his dark side. He was crazy!! He taught us the names of crimes and, then, he grabbed a knife from his bag and he demonstrated how to kill a person. Later, he read a story about a murderer rabbit which killed and skinned off different animals. The teacher got agitated at that!!
I was very scared, but he continued with his "class." He told us about a murder he saw in Spain some years ago....

NOTE: this story was found in a teenager's diary. He wasn't able to finish it because he disappeared from his new class.

The Elves want to dance (by Caroline, Tom and Fabian)

Once a upon a time, a handsome and fabulous man, whose name was Bastian, had to marry a beautiful woman who lived next to the forest. Bastian had to go through the forest to join his future wife. The night before their wedding, he travelled in the forest.
While he was walking, he came across a group of elves who were dancing. When the elves saw him, they were amazed by this young man.They ran to him and he was surprised. They asked hi to dance wit them. "I can't dance becauseI must marry tomorrow," he thought. So he refused their offer.
But the elves really wanted to dance with him, so they said "if you dance with us, you will have all the gold you want". Thus, they showed him some gold. "I can't dance, but I need gold", he thought. So, he stole the gold the elves were showing him and, then, he ran as fast as he could. One of the elves hit hi at his heart, but he ran again.
He thought the elf had missed his blow. He continued running and escaped the forest. He saw his future wife waiting for him in front of her house. They kissed and Bastian, the man, told her the story and showed her the gold. Later, the went to bed to sleep. Next morning, Bastian was dead!!!

Jealousy Murder (by Arthur)

One day, a boy whose name was Jose Maria met Costanza. They instantly fell in love.However, there was a thrid person, Jaime, who opposed their love because he loved her as well. Jaime decided to murder Jose MAria and thought about his plan. After a long time, he came up with a good idea: he would poison Jose Maria;s food.
Jaime organised a big dinner with a lot of of people in his castle in Dublin. For him, the plan was perfect; all elements were assembled. But, during dinner, there were some problems. Jaime had put the poison in a plate but he didn't know where the plate went exactly. At the end of supper, all people were in a good state, except one person who died: Constanza.
The war between the two guys had started. At the end of it, the two guys died after a long and difficult battle. Only one went to heaven with Constanza: Jose Maria, since he had died for his love. On the contrary, Jaime went to hell because he died for jealousy.

Once in Avila (by Ashwini and Blanca)

Long time ago, there was a strange event in Avila. Every night there was a security man looking after an archive. He was always in front of the main door, which was always closed. One dark night, he was in front of the closed door and, suddenly, the door was opened from the outside. He saw that nobody was there. He went and closed the door, which was reopened again.
"What is happening?"-the man thought. When he turned on the other side he saw an old man running in the woods. The security man said: "Don't move!!" He grabbed his gun and the old man disappeared. The security man was afraid and called his boss.
When the boss knew that there was a man around the archive, they went outdoors. They saw the old man again and the boss shot him, and, in a second, the mysterious runner disappeared again. They went to the place where they had shot him and there they found the old man's jacket with the bullet hole. Then, the old man was never seen again!!

Ghost stories, urban legends.... Fear!!!

Hi all,
in the next entries you'll find some stories my students have created in a very scary night!!! I hope you enjoy them

And... Dublin!!!

Hi all,
Dublin again!!I tell you... It's not the most beautiful city in the world. Not even a big city... But you MUST come! City life is wonderful with lots of activities and a great range of cultural events coming up everyday! Here you have some pictures and I will post new comments about specific places! Enjoy your summer!!!

Ireland, Ireland, Ireland...

Hello everyone,
I'm sorry for the delay to publish lately, but it's been technically impossible for me (no internet access until recently). Anyway, here I am again! Yes, I am back in Ireland with students from school. Our flight was good, but unfortunately one student got her suitcase lost in Madrid airport. She received it back after five days. So far, the weather hasn't been bad, although it has rained a little bit. I've been coming to Ireland for four or five years and I still love coming. It's got something. Maybe it's the atmosphere, the Irish character, the incredible landscapes... I don't know! I recommend you to come here and enjoy!!!

End of Course

Dear students,
I hope you have passed all (or most of) your subjects! Enjoy summer and don't forget English! I will try to keep posting entries, although everything will be slower, as you know I am leaving for Ireland in a few days. Of course, I want you to tell me your commentaries, experiences, jokes, ideas.... HUGS!!!

"Selectividad": Good Luck!

Hi all,


Iwould like you to have happy thoughts for my students in their second year of Bahillerato, as they start to face our "frightening" "selectividad." Good luck to all of you! Relax and don't worry. I hope your results match your hopes and wishes! Remember, be quiet and don't get nervous. You are prepared, so do not worry more than usual. Buena suerte a todos y a todas!!!

Trinity College Examinations: Congratulations!

I would like to congratulate all the students who took the Trinity Exam at our school last week. You all have passed your exams. You should feel proud of yourselves. Go on like this!!! Cheers!!!

Exams!!!

Yeah, exams. Most of you are students... time to panic!! Exams are come!! They're gonna blow your brains off! You are going to lose your social life, friends and family. Horror! Terror! Suffering! Pain! Nights without sleep! Coffee! Don't take me seriously, just kidding. Exams are a step towards your future. You have to take them as everybody had, has and will have to. Just some tips... Do get organized as soon as possible in order to take advantage of your time. It's good to feel nervous before an exam (but do not nerves control you) because that means you have studied enough to pass the exam. Don't get blocked! If you read a line 10 times and you don't remember even a bit, please, take a break. You need to sleep at least 8 hours. You know yourselves, so you know beforehand which subjects are the most difficult and the easiest for you. Try to isolate yourselves in your study room. A piece of advice: do not listen to music. You normally play music you like and your mind flies towards it. It seems you are studying, but you aren't. No distractions at all, please (TV, computers, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU SHOULDN'T BE READING THIS!!!). This will only last a couple weeks and you will survive, I promise! Finally, dont worry, be happy! Good luck!!!!

Congratulations to our Trinity College Students!

The examiner, Patrick, wants to express his congratulations to you and also wants to highlight your good behaviour! Cheers!

Selectivity Exams and Corrections: please, let students and friends know!

If you are about to go to Selectividad, you will find this link very important:

http://www.uc3m.es/portal/page/portal/selectividad/modelos_exam_correccion

Good luck!

Ads Incorporated

Hello everyone, I have inserted the codes to provide you with ads. So far, most of them are about travelling, tourism, flights... However, if you don't feel comfortable with them, just let me know and I will try to delete them as soon as possible. Finally and most importantly: the ads are provided by Google, so there isn't a direct relationship ads-blog-myself. In other words, I am not responsible for their products or offers. Thanks very much for reading this!

Just a question...

Dear all, would you like this blog to have ads? If so, would you like to have ads directly related to the topics we are dealing with? If not, what type of ads would you like to receive? I am not willing to have ads, but this is not only my blog, but your blog. Please, do let me know as soon as possible. Thanks!

In Loving Memory of Pío

Dear all, one of the most sensitive, humble, hard-working, and positive persons I have ever known has passed away. I will never forget you in my memories in your village, your home. How will I ever forget your smile, your tender and loving look, your humour...I can still picture you in my mind riding a bike with your straw hat on. You took care of my grandma when she was there; you took care of my family when help was needed; you took care of me when I was a child... You are no longer here, but you will always be in our hearts. I'm looking forward to meeting you some day a long way beyond this world.

"Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life." (John Muir)

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history -- dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death." (Robert Fulghum)

What can literature add to your life? (I)

Reading is a necessary activity if you want to improve your reading skills, your memorization process, your understanding level, etc. However, these different reasons for reading have a teleological aspect which isn't my point here. Reading also opens you up to the opportunity of getting to know new worlds, new realities...that are shaped by the reader or, in other words, YOU. It's you who shape your reading imagination. You can create your fictional reality is a more or less complex way. It's you who unconsciously decide because reading is an individual activity. This is one of the reasons why people who read a specific book do not like its adaptation (translation?) into cinema. You have your own adaptation; the script writers have theirs; the directors have theirs; etc. Anyway, going bak to our question... Look at the different aspects and opportunities reading creates for you. Imagine if we speak about literature. You also have that wonderful world of imagination, yeah. But, apart from that, you have different parallel worlds which can also be enjoyed. For example, you can enjoy the writer's use of language and literary techniques and resources, the structure of the work itself, the ideas concealed within, etc. These are some ideas about what literature can add to your life. Summing up, literature can add lovely experiences to you life. Will you reject them?

Feelings- a small interruption

Literature is a cathartic way to express you feelings. Well, if this is so, I'm feeling really down today. It's not that I'm feeling blue, but the darkest blue you can imagine! I want to believe that when a door is closed down, another one will be opened... Again, I want to apologize for this interruption. Please, do add your comments on literature, canon... or we will start our "classes"...

What about MY canon?

Why can't I create a canon? Would it be a criminal action? An antisocial

activity? Well, if so... These books you can see are part of my canon. Are they part of yours? Surely not. Am I wrong? I don't think so... What would your canon be? Do we have to exclude? I don't like this idea of excluding... Why not including? Why not making our thoughts words? What are my reasons to construct my canon? And yours?

What if my canon is not the same?

Here you have a picture with literary works which weren't canonical at first but have already been included in that list: Yes, Westerners love lists! However, not all people wouldn't agree with me if I gravely confirm that all these authors are fully inserted within the canon. For example, Paul Auster... He's considered a literary genius in Europe (vive la France!) but not in his own country, the U.S.A. I consider him a fantastic writer as many other people, but why don't American literary experts think the same? Do we have a different sensibility? What are the parameters we use?

Is there a canon?

A literary canon is a list of works which represents the most important works in Literature. But, if there doesn't exist a stable definition for literature, how can there be a canon? In this picture, you can see some canonical authors but not all their works are canonical Why? Do you think they're canonical or not? Why? Are these authors canonical just because they're taught at University? Are only some of their works canonical for the same reason? If so, are Literature professors in charge of defining the canon? What about readers? Don't we have an opinion?

What is literature?

Well, this blog is also about literature, so let's start with it....

We are always told that it is necessary to read Literature, yes, with a capital "l." But what is literature? Have you ever tried to look up or create a definition of literature? Is any written production literature? Do we have to base our definition on the selling market? Is literature only what critics or experts define as literature? Is literature always published? Is there unpublished literature? Well, these are just some questions to think about.

Shakespeare or Cervantes are believed to be the WRITERS par excellence, but, according to whom? Yes, Shakespeare was famous when he wrote his plays, but what about Cervantes? He obtained post-humous glory. Does our definition have to be based on the parameters of each epoch? Then, if we change those parameters, do we have to ban literature written in the past and exclude it from the so-called canon? Yes, our canon....Our canon? My canon? Your canon? Who creates our Western Canon? Harold Bloom? James Joyce? Virginia Woolf? The multiple literary prizes worlwide? The Nobel Prize? WHAT OR WHO DEFINES MY CANON? WHAT OR WHO DEFINES YOURS? Think by yourselves and let me know your opinions....

Theatre News

Hello theatre-lovers! Good news! Sam Mendes and Kevin Spacey's group are coming to Teatro Español. They'll be here for two weeks (18th to 22nd; 25th to 29th) only and will be performing Cherry Orchard (by Anton Chéjov) and Winter's Tale (by William Shakespeare) with Etahn Hawke in Teatro Español. More information in the next web address:

http://www.esmadrid.com/teatroespanol/portal.do

If you go, I may see you there...

By the way...

Oh, I forgot to tell you. Enter my profile and, if you want, surf the different webpages I've written down. Cheers!

Just in Case

If any of you is interested in getting in touch with me to ask questions, express ideas and commentaries OUT OF THE TOPICS of this blog, you can send your emails to the following email address: ANCOLLA3@gmail.com. This way, I will be able to answer personally if you don't want to have your email published. If not, please, do get in touch with me through "Comentarios", as always. In any case, I promise I'll answer all emails, but I don't know how long it will take. That's all so far. Please, remember one crucial thing: you are the ones who make this possible. Without you, this blog and even a huge part of myself would not exist. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

A new look for (I wish) a positive change

Hello everyone,
our blog has suffered a positive change so that it can brighten your spirit if you happen to read an entry. I hope you like it!

PS: please, do enter my profile and check the different blogs I follow. They represent the most important interests in my life (apart from my wife, family and friends, of course). I will add some more in the future. Take a look and enjoy!

In Loving Memory of Santiago

Dear all,
today it's a sad day for everyone. A wonderful person has passed away and the world has lost one of the best humours and willingness to enjoy life that it has ever known. We will never forget you.

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy" (Eskimo proverb).

When I am dead, my dearest,

sing no sad songs for me;

plant thou no roses at my head,

nor shady cypress tree:

be the green grass above me

with showers and dewdrops wet;

and if thou wilt, remember,

and if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,

I shall not feel the rain;

I shall not hear the nightingale.

Sing on, as if in pain:

and dreaming through the twilight

that doth not rise nor set,

haply I may remember,

and haply may forget.
(Christina Georgina Rossetti)

Places to visit in London (XIII): a neverending list

Do you want more? Then, have it! London is a huge city with a fantastic rythm. Try and lose yourself around the streets. The best way to know a city is to walk. Please, walk along London. Yeah, of course, you will sometimes need to use public transport (double-deckers or subway). For that purpose, get an Oyster card in any underground station because it has the best prices. Now, more places to visit: Portobello Market, Notting Hill, Charing Cross Street, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, the Mansion House, the Bank of England, Downing Street (residence of the Prime Minister), Guildhall, the Royal Exchange, the Barbican, the Museum of London, London Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, the River Bank Walkways, Parliament Square, Horse Guards, Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Victoria Tower Gardens, St. James Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Victoria Station, Camden Market, Hampton Court, Wimbledon, Victoria Memorial, Admiralty Arch, Royal Albert Hall of Arys and Science, Regent's Park, Grosvenor Square, Leicester Square, Millennium Bridge, Southwark Cathedral, HMM Belfast, Hays Gallery... More? Well, some more museums are theTate Modern and Tate Britain, National Portrait Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Dickens House Museum, Imperial War Museum, Natural History Museum (lovely buiding and collection, I promise), Science Museum...

In conclusion, London is such a huge city that you will never get bored! I have just come back and I am willing to return as soon as possible!

Places to Visit in London (XII): you need to stop

You need to stop at some points in your stage. Please, do visit one of the multiple typical pubs and bars not only to have a drink, but also to have breakfast or lunch. It's fun to see workers gathering and having a snack or a drink with their colleagues. Furthermore, some of these places are really beautiful and old. At night, you can have dinner in many places at a reasonable place (from 10 to 15 pounds). One final recommedation is Covent Garden, a good place to have dinner or a coffee at any time because it is full of musicioans and artists. Enjoy!

Places to visit in London (XI): Piccadilly Circus

Although this place is always exciting, I'd recommend you to go at night to see the neon signs and the meeting point for Londoners who are about to go out at night. From this place, you can walk to Oxford Circus and Carnaby Street.

Places to visit in London (XI): Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

The Great Shakespeare... A great theatre with lots of activities, exhibitions, performances, plays... Yeah, it is a must as well. It's part not only of British history, but also of world literature history. I have been there some times and I have to tell you that when I'm there I can visualize how plays were performed in the past; I can also imagine the actors performing and I can finally become a spectator... Why don''t you try? By the way, London is one of the most important places for theatre across the world. There are plent of theatres where you can see from classical morality plays to the most modern performances (Sarah Kane, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard). We could also learn from this...

Places to visit in London (X): Harrods

Please, don't crucify me yet! Everything has got an explanation. Shopping in London is typical for tourists and the place where they go is Harrods. You will tell a visitor from a Londoner by the way se or she looks at the prices and finally buys a Harrods bag, a Harrods pen or a Harrods pencil. It is ostentation in essence, that's true, but the building at night is beautiful and it's enjoyable to walk along the different sections. Have a look at clothes and food: you can find everything and if you don't, don't worry because Harrods will order it for you.

PS: compare Harrods and El Corte Inglés. Can you notice any difference?

Places to visit in London (IX): the London Eye

Yes, I know. It's not history or literature or art. But it's fun! Enjoy the best views of London from a unique point of view! It's good to have a different view of the city that you will not find anywhere else. Try and tell me!

Places to visit (VIII): Westminster Abbey

My favourite place to visit in London. Enormous, magnificent, wonderful, gorgeous, historical... There aren't enough adjectives to describe Westminster Abbey. It is an example of early English Gothic and was founded by Edward III in 1605, although mainly built with Richard III. All the flags, tombs, graves, ornamentation, kings and queens crowning ceremonies, wedding ceremonies... It is not only part of the history of England, but the History of England itself. Never mind the queues: you must visit it wether you like it or not. Is it clear? I love the Poet's Corner with Shakespeare, Donne, Melville... and actors such as Groucho Marx. In a few words, incredible, gorgeous and unforgettable. I always visit it when I'm in London...

Places to visit in London (VIII): the Houses of Parliament

Next to the cherished Big Ben, you can find the Houses of Parliament. It's the equivalent to our "Congreso de los Diputados", but, in my opinion, the building itself is much more gorgeous. It has had this function since the eleventh century, although it was from 1547 onwards that it has permanently been the site for England's government. The original structure of the building was destroyed in 1834 and the present buildings are Neogothic and were finished around 1850. Witness to many historical decisions, the Houses of Parliament survived the Gunpowder Conspiration in 1605 which was around to blow them off. It is divided into the House of Commons and the House of Lords. If you're lucky, you will be able to enter the Houses of Parliament and witness a political session as it appears on TV.

Big Ben (II): more pictures

Places to Visit in London (VII): Big Ben

Yes, the epitome of London, although Big Ben only refers to the name of the bell. When there is a light on over the clock, it means that the House of Commons is meeting at that moment. It is next to the Houses of Parliament and near Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. If you don't see the Big Ben, please do not say you've been in London!

Places to Visit in London (VI): Buckingham Palace

If you happen to be lucky, you will see the British flag on top, which means that the Queen is in the palace. It's a regular palace which is atractive, but not much if we compare it to other royal palaces as Versalles or even our Royal Palace in Madrid. Anyway, an obligatory visit. It is interesting to see the change of guards because you can see the horses, a sort of militar dance and lots of exciment issuing from visitors. Oh, walk to Buckingham along St. James Park coming from Westmisnter Abbey. Enjoy!

Places to visit in London (V): the British Museum

Well, a classic in the world of museums. It has a huge collection of painting, sculpture, ethnographical objects, antiquities... Due to the British Empire, this museum has got objects and treasures from most places in the worl. If you visit the Parthenon in Athens, you will be told that some of the chariatids are here...and it's true! An unforgettable experience is to visit the Egyptian pavillion with its mummies; take a look at the Rosseta Stone... And, of course, as the picture shows... its library!

Places to visit in London IV): Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

Trafalgar...probably one of the symbols not only of London, but also of England. Yes, roaring lions greet the visitor as they approach the squa

re on foot. A huge square which is wonderful to visit at any time. However, it has a magic atmosphere in Christmas time because it is like our Plaza Mayor up to some point. It celebrates Nelson's victory in 1805. With its lions and fountains, it is a perfect meeting point fot Londoners. Moreover, the National Gallery is situated in Trafalgar Square. It has one of the most important collections of painting around the world ( Piero Della Francesca, Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Rafael, Velázquez, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Monet...). As an infamous Spanish bullfighter would say: incredible.

Places to Visit in London (III): St. Paul's Cathedral

Built by Sir Christopher Wren, Saint Paul's Cathedral stands on different older temples, with the last one being destroyed in The Great Fire of London (1666). It is one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings. Its dome is only surpassed by the one in San Pedro (Rome). It's surroundings are really interesting because it turns out that this cathedral is inserted in the middle of a business area. Surprisingly, St. Paul's is in complete harmony with this awkward area. Walk around it to discover magnificient details and, of course, visit it!

Tower of London

A second glance of the Tower of London. By the way, I forgot to tell you about the Beefeaters (the Yeomen Warders, a special group of guards to be found at this place), the Crown Jewels, armours, weapons, art and, of course, the traditional ravens!

Places to visit in London (II): Tower of London

Just some metres from Tower Bridge, The Tower of London rises in the horizon defining the medieval character of the city. Most history of London is condensed in this place. It is the oldest building in the city and was always used as fortress, although it has also been a Royal Palace (with Charles II and Henry III), as a prison (for criminals, but also for kings and queens), as the treasury and even as the Royal Zoo for three hundred years. The Tower of London is divided in different areas (The White Tower, Tower Hill, The Traitor's Gate, The Salt Tower, etc.). It's a compulsory visit if you ever go to London. Don't miss it!

Tower Bridge

Just another picture to enjoy Tower Bridge!

Places to visit in London (I)

Apart from the previously mentioned Carnaby Street, there is an endless list of places to visit in London. In the following entries, you will find a reduced selection of the "must-visit" in the English capital. We start with Tower Bridge. You have seen a poetic picture at the beginning. Do you like it? I hope you do. It's a lovely place that

you love as soo as you see it. Built as a way to improve transportation in London in the XIX century, it became a symbol of modernity and has become a symbol of London itself. It offers a permanent exhibition about its construction and history. Furthermore, it also allows the visitor to enjoy breathtaking views of London. Please, don't forget to go!

Back in London one more time!

Dear all,

I've been some days back in London. It has been a long time since I last went there and I have to say that I still love it. Yes, the city has undergone a series of changes and it is still undergoing them. This show that this city is alive: alive! A city shows the character of its population and the continuous changes demonstrate that this city is still one of the most important places on earth culturally speaking. With a multicultural population, it vibrates with every living soul that inhabits and lives it. People from different origins, different cultural backgrounds, varied religious beliefs inhabit, live and coexist in a perfect harmony which cannot be found except in very specific places in the world. It's deliciouous to see this city growing, assimilating and taking advantage of all its citizens in the good sense of the word. If only we could learn a little bit... By the way, a good example of cultural diversity and vibration is to be found in Carnaby Street...

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to remind you that it is St. Patrick's Day today around the world. By the way, did you know that the first parade was performend in the U.S.A. and not in Ireland? It was the Irish-Americans' way to celebrate their origins and roots! If you want to read some information on St. Patrick and his festivity, please, do visit:

http://www.history.com/content/stpatricksday/st.-patrick-s-day-facts

Here you will find, data, anecdotes, videos... I hope you enjoy this festivity here in Spain (there are lots of Irish pubs which celebrate this event) or abroad (Dublin, the U.S.A., Canada and a long etcetera). Be careful with leprechauns and hope you are lucky enough to find a four leaf shamrock! Sloncha!

PS: there won't probably be any more translations into Spanish, as you are supposed to read, understand and produce English!!

English and Friendship

It's been a long time since I last created a new entry in my blog. I would like to speak about English not from a teleological or professional point of view (we all know the importance of English in the real world), but from a more personal one. When I started learning English, it was as though I was just learning a language so that I could improve my marks at school or high-school. Of course, this is the first idea everyone usually bears in kind. How wrong I was!Yes, it is important to learn English to try and improve our professional future, but there's more to it.
Do you know what I felt when I realised that what I was learning was real, alive and growing? That was the first step that made me start an intense interest in languages. I began my B.A. in English due to this fact up to some point. I had to read novels, poetry, drama and Philosophy, which seems a bit boring from the outside, doesn't it? But no! I discovered a new world of ideas different to mine and it was wonderful. Yes, I know that you may not be interested in this but you should explore and see what happens.Moreover, I started meeting native English speakers, foreign English speakers and even writers who were eager to help me through my journey. Then, I had the opportunity to study in the U.S.A and met new friends who have shown to be true friends...
This is the most important aspect that English has brought up into my life. Friends, true friends, caring friends who are always at hand not only when life is good, but also when life isn't that good or is full of problems. Friends: one of the most precious components of life.

Inglés y Amistad

Ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que creé por última vez una nueva entrada en mi blog. Me gustaría hablar sobre el inglés no desde un punto de vista teleológico o profesional (todos conocemos la importancia del inglés en el mundo real), sino desde uno más personal. Cuando comencé a aprender inglés, era como si estuviese simplemente aprendiendo un idioma para mejorar mis notas en el colegio o en el instituto. Por supuesto, ésta es la primera idea que todo el mundo tiene en la cabeza normalmente. ¡Que equivocado estaba! Sí, es importante aprender inglés para intentar mejorar nuestro futuro profesional, pero hay más en ello.
¿Sabéis lo que sentí cuando me di cuenta de que lo que estaba aprendiendo era real, estaba vivo y creciendo? Ese fue el primer paso que me hizo comenzar un intenso interés por los idiomas. Comencé Filología Inglesa por este hecho hasta cierto punto. Tenía que leer novelas, poesía, teatro y filosofía, lo cual parece un poco aburrido desde fuera, ¿no? ¡Pero no! Descubrí un nuevo mundo de ideas diferentes a las mías y fue maravilloso. Sí, sé que puede que no estéis interesados en esto pero deberíais explorar y ver qué pasa.
Además, empecé a conocer a hablantes nativos de inglés, hablantes extranjeros de inglés e incluso escritores dispuestos a ayudarme a través de mi viaje. Entonces tuve la oportunidad de estudiar en los Estados Unidos y conocer nuevos amigos que han demostrado ser verdaderos amigos...
Este es el aspecto más importante que ha aportado el inglés a mi vida. Amigos, amigos de verdad, amigos que te cuidan y que están siempre a mano no sólo cuando la vida es buena, sino que también están cuando la vida no es tan buena o está llena de problemas. Amigos: uno de los componentes más preciados de la vida.