Jhorman Calderon
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 9
ARABY
At the beginning this story was really confuse for me to be understood, but through the reading I could see the way the writer wanted to show us the idealization of the love in a little boy.
I enjoyed very much this story because of the descriptive language, the way each episode was developed; that’s why the whole reading called my attention.
I have a question, I don’t know if the boy had the sexual intention in his childhood or if he had a trauma about the relationship between a man and a woman.
I felt sadness when the boy found closed the bazaar, because his intention was good, but unfortunately his uncle was negligent at arriving early at home.
James Joyce was the author who made a lot of criticisms to the Irish community; he fight against the narrows of mind, against the intellectual paralysis and his style as a writer was characterized by the stream of consciousness and for me the Araby is a great example of it. I could see it, when the boy thought about the girl, about the feelings she could feel for him.
Finally, I think that this story is very interesting and has many aspects to be seriously analyzed.
May 17 – 2009
ARABY
James Joyce
UNKNOWN WORDS
- Dusk: the time just before night when the day is losing its light but it is not yet dark
- Gauntlet: a long thick glove (= covering for the hand), worn for protection
- Flaring: to burn brightly either for a short time or irregularly
- Throng: a large group of people
- Foes: an enemy, or a competitor
- Bosom: a woman's breasts or the front of a person's chest, esp. when thought of as the center of human feelings
- Impinge: to have an effect on (something), often by limiting it in some way
The Supreme Court will decide if the new communications bill impinges on the Constitutional right to free speech.
- Veil: a piece of thin material worn to protect or hide the face or head
- Twinkling: (of light) to shine brightly then weakly, as if quickly flashing on and off
- Humbly: I humbly ask your pardon.
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
3. Have you ever felt a platonic love?
4. What do you think about the uncle’s behavior?
QUOTES
- “When we met in the street the houses had grown somber.”(607)
- “She was waiting for us, her figure defined by the light from the half-opened door.” (607)
- “I kept her brown figure always in my eye and, when we came near the point at which our ways diverged, I quickened my pace and passed her.” (607)
- “I thought little of the future” (607)
- “I did no know whether I would ever speak to her or not or, if I spoke to her , how I could tell her of my confused adoration”. (607)
- “I could not find any sixpenny entrance and, fearing that the bazaar would be closed”. (608)
OPINION
It’s very interesting to try to understand why the author wrote such a short and nice story.
Monday, May 18, 2009
EIGHTH JOURNAL
Jhorman Calderon
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 8
JUST LATHER, THAT’S ALL
When I was reading this story, I could understand the importance of having values in our daily routine; the important of being honest and I felt the need of being considerable with other people.
In my opinion I’ve ever considered that one must never judge anybody; because nobody knows anything about others and for that reason is much better stay quietly; but, there are a lot of circumstances that let us act in the right way; I mean that if we know that something is going wrong, is our duty to change the situation trying to do what we can do it.
I consider that as human beings, we can’t look for revenge, especially when we don’t know the reasons people have to do something unusual.
I don’t know what to say about the development of the story, because it made me think that this life is a mixture; a mixture between feelings and duties and what is worse, most of the time we act as if we were blind people, without knowledge.
This story is a great example that show that every person is a different world; I liked very much the end of the story when Captain Torres show that his life was completely unhappy and that was why he had killed many people; no because he was a bad person, but the circumstances of his life encourage him to kill people. And he try to explain that that’s no an easy job.
I felt proud because this story was written by a Colombian author…
May 10- 2009
JUST LATHER, THAT’S ALL
Hernando Tellez
UNKNOWN WORDS
- Razor: a device with a sharp blade for removing hair from the skin's surface
- an electric razor
- Foam: a mass of small, usually white, bubbles formed on the surface of a liquid Stain: to leave a mark that is difficult to remove.
- Endure: to experience and bear something painful or unpleasant, esp. for a long time.
- Lather: a mass of small white bubbles produced esp. when soap is mixed with water.
- If you are in a lather, you are upset or excited: Sly: (on the sly) adjective: cunning or wily: sly as a fox. Stealthy, insidious, or secret.
- Flounder: To move awkwardly, or to be in an awkward, difficult situation.
- Tangled: Messy mass of things.
- Swirl: to move quickly with a twisting circular movement, or to cause (something) to move this way.
- Feign: to pretend to have (a feeling or condition)
He feigned sickness so he wouldn't have to go to school.
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
1. Have you ever felt the need to kill somebody?
2. Would you like to revenge something that had passed in your life?
QUOTES
- I took the razor, opened up the two protective arms, exposed the blade and began the job, from one of the sideburns downward. (429)
- I was now about to take into my hands. It was not an unpleasant face, certainly. (428)
- And what of all this? Murderer or hero? My destiny depends on the edge of this blade. (430)
- “They told me that you’d kill me. I came to find out. But killing isn’t easy. You can take my word for it.” (431)
OPINION
Interesting, this is a very interesting story; I liked the way the writer explain such a controversial situation.
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 8
JUST LATHER, THAT’S ALL
When I was reading this story, I could understand the importance of having values in our daily routine; the important of being honest and I felt the need of being considerable with other people.
In my opinion I’ve ever considered that one must never judge anybody; because nobody knows anything about others and for that reason is much better stay quietly; but, there are a lot of circumstances that let us act in the right way; I mean that if we know that something is going wrong, is our duty to change the situation trying to do what we can do it.
I consider that as human beings, we can’t look for revenge, especially when we don’t know the reasons people have to do something unusual.
I don’t know what to say about the development of the story, because it made me think that this life is a mixture; a mixture between feelings and duties and what is worse, most of the time we act as if we were blind people, without knowledge.
This story is a great example that show that every person is a different world; I liked very much the end of the story when Captain Torres show that his life was completely unhappy and that was why he had killed many people; no because he was a bad person, but the circumstances of his life encourage him to kill people. And he try to explain that that’s no an easy job.
I felt proud because this story was written by a Colombian author…
May 10- 2009
JUST LATHER, THAT’S ALL
Hernando Tellez
UNKNOWN WORDS
- Razor: a device with a sharp blade for removing hair from the skin's surface
- an electric razor
- Foam: a mass of small, usually white, bubbles formed on the surface of a liquid Stain: to leave a mark that is difficult to remove.
- Endure: to experience and bear something painful or unpleasant, esp. for a long time.
- Lather: a mass of small white bubbles produced esp. when soap is mixed with water.
- If you are in a lather, you are upset or excited: Sly: (on the sly) adjective: cunning or wily: sly as a fox. Stealthy, insidious, or secret.
- Flounder: To move awkwardly, or to be in an awkward, difficult situation.
- Tangled: Messy mass of things.
- Swirl: to move quickly with a twisting circular movement, or to cause (something) to move this way.
- Feign: to pretend to have (a feeling or condition)
He feigned sickness so he wouldn't have to go to school.
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
1. Have you ever felt the need to kill somebody?
2. Would you like to revenge something that had passed in your life?
QUOTES
- I took the razor, opened up the two protective arms, exposed the blade and began the job, from one of the sideburns downward. (429)
- I was now about to take into my hands. It was not an unpleasant face, certainly. (428)
- And what of all this? Murderer or hero? My destiny depends on the edge of this blade. (430)
- “They told me that you’d kill me. I came to find out. But killing isn’t easy. You can take my word for it.” (431)
OPINION
Interesting, this is a very interesting story; I liked the way the writer explain such a controversial situation.
SEVENTH JOURNAL
Jhorman Calderon
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 7
THE YELLOW WALL PAPER
When I was reading this story! I got bored because is so descriptive and there’s no interesting actions.
I think that this reading is an interesting one, but there must be something that we don’t understand at first sight. I mean the context throughout the story seems to be very strange, very complex and for that reason it was so difficult for me to understand it very well.
On the other hand, I consider that the attitude of the John and Jennie is very suspicious; sometimes I think that the woman was schizophrenia person; maybe she had a secret or affective problem. I don’t know!
Finally I want to refer myself to the relationship between them, I think that the man loved her, suffered by her condition, but he didn’t pay much attention to her, maybe because he knew that she was crazy or something like that.
In other words; I’d like to know why she got so obsessed by the room if at the beginning she hated the room and especially she got obsessive for the wall-paper. The only answer I found out is that she was sick or getting closely to death.
Interesting reading was this one but really strange or difficult to be understood.
05th May 2009
THE YELLOW WALL PAPER
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
UNKNOWN WORDS
- Gloomily: feeling of hopelessness.
- Fancy: (verb) imagine that something is so. Like or wish for.
- Stain: to leave a mark that is difficult to remove.
- Endure: to experience and bear something painful or unpleasant, esp. for a long time.
- Streak: mark.
- Sly: (on the sly) adjective: cunning or wily: sly as a fox. Stealthy, insidious, or secret. Playfully artful, mischievous, or
- Flounder: To move awkwardly, or to be in an awkward, difficult situation.
- Tangled: Messy mass of things.
- Moist: Slightly wet.
- Thaw: To cause something frozen to become warmer or liquid.
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
7. What do you do if the person you love most star having a strange behavior?
8. What do you think about John’s behavior?
QUOTES
- Jennie looked at the wall in amazement, but I told her merrily that I did out of pure spite at the vicious thing” (400)
- “For outside you have to creep on the ground, and everything is green instead yellow” (401).
- But here I can creep smoothly on the floor, and my shoulder just fits in that long smooch around the wall, so I cannot lose my way” (401).
- She said I slept a good deal in the daytime. John knows I don’t sleep very well at night, for all I’m so quiet! (399)
- “Such a peculiar odor, too! I have spent hour in trying to analyze it, to find what it smelled like.” (398)
- “The color is hideous enough, and unreliable enough, and infuriating enough, but the pattern is torturing.” (396)
OPINION
Personally I didn’t enjoy this reading, but I consider that there are important moments to be analyzed.
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 7
THE YELLOW WALL PAPER
When I was reading this story! I got bored because is so descriptive and there’s no interesting actions.
I think that this reading is an interesting one, but there must be something that we don’t understand at first sight. I mean the context throughout the story seems to be very strange, very complex and for that reason it was so difficult for me to understand it very well.
On the other hand, I consider that the attitude of the John and Jennie is very suspicious; sometimes I think that the woman was schizophrenia person; maybe she had a secret or affective problem. I don’t know!
Finally I want to refer myself to the relationship between them, I think that the man loved her, suffered by her condition, but he didn’t pay much attention to her, maybe because he knew that she was crazy or something like that.
In other words; I’d like to know why she got so obsessed by the room if at the beginning she hated the room and especially she got obsessive for the wall-paper. The only answer I found out is that she was sick or getting closely to death.
Interesting reading was this one but really strange or difficult to be understood.
05th May 2009
THE YELLOW WALL PAPER
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
UNKNOWN WORDS
- Gloomily: feeling of hopelessness.
- Fancy: (verb) imagine that something is so. Like or wish for.
- Stain: to leave a mark that is difficult to remove.
- Endure: to experience and bear something painful or unpleasant, esp. for a long time.
- Streak: mark.
- Sly: (on the sly) adjective: cunning or wily: sly as a fox. Stealthy, insidious, or secret. Playfully artful, mischievous, or
- Flounder: To move awkwardly, or to be in an awkward, difficult situation.
- Tangled: Messy mass of things.
- Moist: Slightly wet.
- Thaw: To cause something frozen to become warmer or liquid.
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
7. What do you do if the person you love most star having a strange behavior?
8. What do you think about John’s behavior?
QUOTES
- Jennie looked at the wall in amazement, but I told her merrily that I did out of pure spite at the vicious thing” (400)
- “For outside you have to creep on the ground, and everything is green instead yellow” (401).
- But here I can creep smoothly on the floor, and my shoulder just fits in that long smooch around the wall, so I cannot lose my way” (401).
- She said I slept a good deal in the daytime. John knows I don’t sleep very well at night, for all I’m so quiet! (399)
- “Such a peculiar odor, too! I have spent hour in trying to analyze it, to find what it smelled like.” (398)
- “The color is hideous enough, and unreliable enough, and infuriating enough, but the pattern is torturing.” (396)
OPINION
Personally I didn’t enjoy this reading, but I consider that there are important moments to be analyzed.
SIXTH JOURNAL
Jhorman Calderon
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 6
TO BUILD A FIRE
I enjoy reading this story because is quiet macabre and very descriptive with the pain of a man without protection in an unlivable place.
I consider that this story teach us the importance of constructing a good relationship with other human being; something more is that when we made a mistake, we can be punished anytime. For me, the life itself is concern about our behavior and duties in this world.
According to the before paragraph if one day you do something wrong to the nature; for me, is logical to think that in a sorpressive moment the nature is going to take revenge against you.
I liked the way Jack London wrote this story because he transmits to the readers the feelings of loneliness, impotence, neediness and anger. Personally I couldn’t imaging such a tragic ending. There’s no doubt that the author gain his pretention at writing something different.
This reading help me to understand that in a determine moment we can`t do anything and nobody can`t help you, so, you need to find the soluti0on by yourself and no more.
Finally, I hope to become a writer with writings like this one; I know that its no an easy job but I find it completely excited and an interesting one to be read!
25th April 2009
TO BUILD A FIRE
Jack London
UNKNOWN WORDS
- To turn over or to turn over in the water.
- Blot: To dry.
- Poignant: feeling of sadness.
- Drowsy: Feeling sleepy.
- Numb: when a part of the body is unable to feel anything.
- Bough: Large branch of a tree.
- Spat (Spit) Force out.
- Flounder: To move awkwardly, or to be in an awkward, difficult situation.
- Capsizing
- Tangled: Messy mass of things.
- Moist: Slightly wet.
- Thaw: To cause something frozen to become warmer or liquid.
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
5. Have you thought living a similar situation?
6. Do you consider that is very important to be precautions in our life?
QUOTES
- “[The dog] experienced a vague but menacing apprehension that subdued it and made it slink along at the man’s heels, and made it question eagerly every unwonted movement of the man as it expecting him to go into camp or to seek shelter” (378)
- “…he had nothing to think about save that he would eat lunch at forks and that at six o’clock he would be in camp with the boys” (379).
- “To get his feet wet in such a temperature meant trouble and danger” (385).
- “He was afraid of the panic” (385).
- “… it crept close to the man and caught the scent of death. This made the animal bristle and back away” (388).
OPINION
I wouldn’t be afraid of living something like this, I like adventurous experiences and I enjoy imagining unimaginable things, dangerous situations and so on.
One day, no far of today I’m going to be a successful writer…
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 6
TO BUILD A FIRE
I enjoy reading this story because is quiet macabre and very descriptive with the pain of a man without protection in an unlivable place.
I consider that this story teach us the importance of constructing a good relationship with other human being; something more is that when we made a mistake, we can be punished anytime. For me, the life itself is concern about our behavior and duties in this world.
According to the before paragraph if one day you do something wrong to the nature; for me, is logical to think that in a sorpressive moment the nature is going to take revenge against you.
I liked the way Jack London wrote this story because he transmits to the readers the feelings of loneliness, impotence, neediness and anger. Personally I couldn’t imaging such a tragic ending. There’s no doubt that the author gain his pretention at writing something different.
This reading help me to understand that in a determine moment we can`t do anything and nobody can`t help you, so, you need to find the soluti0on by yourself and no more.
Finally, I hope to become a writer with writings like this one; I know that its no an easy job but I find it completely excited and an interesting one to be read!
25th April 2009
TO BUILD A FIRE
Jack London
UNKNOWN WORDS
- To turn over or to turn over in the water.
- Blot: To dry.
- Poignant: feeling of sadness.
- Drowsy: Feeling sleepy.
- Numb: when a part of the body is unable to feel anything.
- Bough: Large branch of a tree.
- Spat (Spit) Force out.
- Flounder: To move awkwardly, or to be in an awkward, difficult situation.
- Capsizing
- Tangled: Messy mass of things.
- Moist: Slightly wet.
- Thaw: To cause something frozen to become warmer or liquid.
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
5. Have you thought living a similar situation?
6. Do you consider that is very important to be precautions in our life?
QUOTES
- “[The dog] experienced a vague but menacing apprehension that subdued it and made it slink along at the man’s heels, and made it question eagerly every unwonted movement of the man as it expecting him to go into camp or to seek shelter” (378)
- “…he had nothing to think about save that he would eat lunch at forks and that at six o’clock he would be in camp with the boys” (379).
- “To get his feet wet in such a temperature meant trouble and danger” (385).
- “He was afraid of the panic” (385).
- “… it crept close to the man and caught the scent of death. This made the animal bristle and back away” (388).
OPINION
I wouldn’t be afraid of living something like this, I like adventurous experiences and I enjoy imagining unimaginable things, dangerous situations and so on.
One day, no far of today I’m going to be a successful writer…
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Criticisms to the earth hour event!
1. The Christian Science Monitor said that most candles are made from paraffin, a heavy hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, a fossil fuel, and that depending on how many candles a person burns (if one uses candles during Earth Hour), whether or not they normally use compact fluorescent light bulbs, and what source of energy is used to produce their electricity, in some cases, replacing light bulbs with candles will cause an increase, instead of a decrease, in carbon dioxide emissions.
2. Bjorn Lomborg, author of The Skeptical Environmentalist, wrote, "It is vital to make solar and other new technology cheaper than fossil fuels quickly so we can turn off carbon energy sources for a lot longer than one hour and keep the planet running... Fossil fuels literally gave us enlightenment, by lighting our world and giving us protection from the fury of the elements. It is ironic that today's pure symbolism should hark back to a darker age."
3. The Ayn Rand Institute wrote, "Participants spend an enjoyable sixty minutes in the dark, safe in the knowledge that the life-saving benefits of industrial civilization are just a light switch away... Forget one measly hour with just the lights off. How about Earth Month... Try spending a month shivering in the dark without heating, electricity, refrigeration; without power plants or generators; without any of the labor-saving, time-saving, and therefore life-saving products that industrial energy makes possible.
2. Bjorn Lomborg, author of The Skeptical Environmentalist, wrote, "It is vital to make solar and other new technology cheaper than fossil fuels quickly so we can turn off carbon energy sources for a lot longer than one hour and keep the planet running... Fossil fuels literally gave us enlightenment, by lighting our world and giving us protection from the fury of the elements. It is ironic that today's pure symbolism should hark back to a darker age."
3. The Ayn Rand Institute wrote, "Participants spend an enjoyable sixty minutes in the dark, safe in the knowledge that the life-saving benefits of industrial civilization are just a light switch away... Forget one measly hour with just the lights off. How about Earth Month... Try spending a month shivering in the dark without heating, electricity, refrigeration; without power plants or generators; without any of the labor-saving, time-saving, and therefore life-saving products that industrial energy makes possible.
TRMENDOUS SPEECH...
Severn Suzuki | E.C.O. 1992 | Environmental Childrens Organization
“Hello, I am Severn Suzuki speaking for E.C.O - the Environmental Children’s Organization. We are a group of 12 and 13 year-olds trying to make a difference, Vanessa Suttie, Morgan Geisler, Michelle Quigg and me. We’ve raised all the money to come here ourselves, to come 5,000 miles to tell you adults you must change your ways. Coming up here today, I have no hidden agenda. I am fighting for my future. Losing my future is not like losing an election, or a few points on the stock market.”
“I am here to speak for all generations to come. I am here to speak on behalf of the starving children around the world whose cries go unheard. I am here to speak for the countless animals dying across this planet, because they have nowhere left to go. I am afraid to go out in the sun now, because of the holes in our ozone. I am afraid to breathe the air, because I don’t know what chemicals are in it. I used to go fishing in Vancouver, my home, with my Dad until, just a few years ago, we found a fish full of cancers. And now we hear of animals and plants going extinct every day, vanishing forever. In my life, I have dreamt of seeing the great herds of wild animals, jungles and rainforests full of birds and butterflies, but now I wonder if they will even exist for my children to see.”
“Did you have to worry of these things when you were my age? All this is happening before our eyes and yet we act as if we have all the time we want and all the solutions. I’m only a child and I don’t have all the solutions, but I want you to realize, neither do you. You don’t know how to fix the holes in our ozone layer. You don’t know how to bring the salmon back up a dead stream. You don’t know how to bring back an animal now extinct. And you can’t bring back the forest that once grew where there is now a desert. If you don’t know how to fix it, please stop breaking it.”
“Here you may be delegates of your governments, business people, organizers, reporters or politicians. But, really, you’re mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles and all of you are someone’s child. I’m only a child, yet I know we are all part of a family, 5 billion strong, in fact 30 million species strong. And borders and governments will never change that. I’m only a child, yet I know we are all in this together and should act as one single world towards one single goal.”
“In my anger, I am not blind and in my fear I am not afraid of telling the world how I feel. In my country we make so much waste, we buy and throw away, buy and throw away, buy and throw away and yet Northern countries will not share with the needy. Even when we have more than enough we are afraid to share, we are afraid to let go of some of our wealth. In Canada , we live the privileged life. We’ve plenty of food, water and shelter. We have watches, bicycles, computers and television sets. The list could go on for 2 days. Two days ago here in Brazil , we were shocked when we spent time with some children living on the streets. This is what one child told us, ‘I wish I was rich and if I were, I would give all the street children food, clothes, medicines, shelter and love and affection’. If a child on the street who has nothing is willing to share, why are we who have everything still so greedy? I can’t stop thinking that these are children my own age, that it makes a tremendous difference where you are born. And that I could be one of those children living in the favelas of Rio . I could be a child starving in Somalia , or a victim of war in the Middle East or a beggar in India . I am only a child, yet I know if all the money spent on war was spent on finding environmental answers ending poverty and in finding treaties, what a wonderful place this earth would be.”
“At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us how to behave in the world. You teach us to not to fight with others, to work things out, to respect others and to clean up our mess, not to hurt other creatures, to share, not be greedy. Then, why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do? Do not forget why you are attending these conferences, who you are doing this for. We are your own children. You are deciding what kind of a world we are growing up in. Parents should be able to comfort their children by saying ‘Everything is going to be all right, it’s not the end of the world, and we are doing the best we can’. But I don’t think you can say that to us anymore. Are we even on your list of priorities? My dad always says, ‘You are what you do, not what you say’. Well, what you do makes me cry at night. You grown-ups say you love us. But I challenge you, please, make your actions reflect your words. Thank you.”
“Hello, I am Severn Suzuki speaking for E.C.O - the Environmental Children’s Organization. We are a group of 12 and 13 year-olds trying to make a difference, Vanessa Suttie, Morgan Geisler, Michelle Quigg and me. We’ve raised all the money to come here ourselves, to come 5,000 miles to tell you adults you must change your ways. Coming up here today, I have no hidden agenda. I am fighting for my future. Losing my future is not like losing an election, or a few points on the stock market.”
“I am here to speak for all generations to come. I am here to speak on behalf of the starving children around the world whose cries go unheard. I am here to speak for the countless animals dying across this planet, because they have nowhere left to go. I am afraid to go out in the sun now, because of the holes in our ozone. I am afraid to breathe the air, because I don’t know what chemicals are in it. I used to go fishing in Vancouver, my home, with my Dad until, just a few years ago, we found a fish full of cancers. And now we hear of animals and plants going extinct every day, vanishing forever. In my life, I have dreamt of seeing the great herds of wild animals, jungles and rainforests full of birds and butterflies, but now I wonder if they will even exist for my children to see.”
“Did you have to worry of these things when you were my age? All this is happening before our eyes and yet we act as if we have all the time we want and all the solutions. I’m only a child and I don’t have all the solutions, but I want you to realize, neither do you. You don’t know how to fix the holes in our ozone layer. You don’t know how to bring the salmon back up a dead stream. You don’t know how to bring back an animal now extinct. And you can’t bring back the forest that once grew where there is now a desert. If you don’t know how to fix it, please stop breaking it.”
“Here you may be delegates of your governments, business people, organizers, reporters or politicians. But, really, you’re mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles and all of you are someone’s child. I’m only a child, yet I know we are all part of a family, 5 billion strong, in fact 30 million species strong. And borders and governments will never change that. I’m only a child, yet I know we are all in this together and should act as one single world towards one single goal.”
“In my anger, I am not blind and in my fear I am not afraid of telling the world how I feel. In my country we make so much waste, we buy and throw away, buy and throw away, buy and throw away and yet Northern countries will not share with the needy. Even when we have more than enough we are afraid to share, we are afraid to let go of some of our wealth. In Canada , we live the privileged life. We’ve plenty of food, water and shelter. We have watches, bicycles, computers and television sets. The list could go on for 2 days. Two days ago here in Brazil , we were shocked when we spent time with some children living on the streets. This is what one child told us, ‘I wish I was rich and if I were, I would give all the street children food, clothes, medicines, shelter and love and affection’. If a child on the street who has nothing is willing to share, why are we who have everything still so greedy? I can’t stop thinking that these are children my own age, that it makes a tremendous difference where you are born. And that I could be one of those children living in the favelas of Rio . I could be a child starving in Somalia , or a victim of war in the Middle East or a beggar in India . I am only a child, yet I know if all the money spent on war was spent on finding environmental answers ending poverty and in finding treaties, what a wonderful place this earth would be.”
“At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us how to behave in the world. You teach us to not to fight with others, to work things out, to respect others and to clean up our mess, not to hurt other creatures, to share, not be greedy. Then, why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do? Do not forget why you are attending these conferences, who you are doing this for. We are your own children. You are deciding what kind of a world we are growing up in. Parents should be able to comfort their children by saying ‘Everything is going to be all right, it’s not the end of the world, and we are doing the best we can’. But I don’t think you can say that to us anymore. Are we even on your list of priorities? My dad always says, ‘You are what you do, not what you say’. Well, what you do makes me cry at night. You grown-ups say you love us. But I challenge you, please, make your actions reflect your words. Thank you.”
EARTH HOUR
The March 28, 2009 Earth Hour Event was the largest of its kind.
Millions of people world-wide cast their votes in support of the Earth, urging world leaders to take action to fight global warming. The results will be presented at the 2009 Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Find out how to get involved and let your voice be heard.
Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund) and is held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Earth hour was conceived by WWF and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney's lead, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008.
THIS PLANET IS FOR YOU!
JHORMAN ANDRÉS CALDERÓN
2006135934
We have entered an era of dangerous climate disruption and it poses a fundamental threat to the vulnerable places, species and people WWF seeks to protect. The world is already facing an accelerated rate of habitat loss and species extinction. Climate change increases the pace of these losses even more.
Earth Hour 2009 was from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, March 28, 2009. 88 countries and more than 4,000 cities joined Earth Hour 2009, ten times more cities than Earth Hour 2008 had (2008 saw 400 cities participate). One billion "votes" was the stated aim for Earth Hour 2009.
UNKNOWN WORDS:
Millions of people world-wide cast their votes in support of the Earth, urging world leaders to take action to fight global warming. The results will be presented at the 2009 Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Find out how to get involved and let your voice be heard.
Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund) and is held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Earth hour was conceived by WWF and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney's lead, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008.
THIS PLANET IS FOR YOU!
JHORMAN ANDRÉS CALDERÓN
2006135934
We have entered an era of dangerous climate disruption and it poses a fundamental threat to the vulnerable places, species and people WWF seeks to protect. The world is already facing an accelerated rate of habitat loss and species extinction. Climate change increases the pace of these losses even more.
Earth Hour 2009 was from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, March 28, 2009. 88 countries and more than 4,000 cities joined Earth Hour 2009, ten times more cities than Earth Hour 2008 had (2008 saw 400 cities participate). One billion "votes" was the stated aim for Earth Hour 2009.
UNKNOWN WORDS:
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Fifth journal
Jhorman Calderon
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 5
METAPHOR AND WAR
I like this topic a lot; I’ve never thought that I’m going to read such as interesting topics in this class. It was a big surprise for me!
First of all, I want to say that throughout the history we can see the changes in the countries that in most of the cases depend of the kind of conception (philophical, political, economical etc.) that every time have brought to mankind.
Reading this text I realized that this world is in the top of a big conflict that in my opinion it started with the first man that lived in the earth.
Now, according to the differences between metaphor and war in politics. I consider that some words have no sense when people with high level position try to hide their bad acts in the administration of a state to support safely the country they are leading; but when they can no hide their government mistakes, they immediately change the reality with many conceptions as we can call metaphors.
In my opinion a metaphor is the skill to influence others and of course it’s relative to be able to make many interpretations of a particular situation; I mean that when we are in front of a metaphor is very complex to differentiate what is true from what is no true.
Following the before paragraph, in public administration it’s used to be called “paradigmatic changes” that’s why a war is the immediately consequence of doing a metaphor mistake.
In international politics, a state is usually conceptualized as a person, engaging in social relations within a world community.
Now, talking about the “fairy tale” I think that it show to us the unfair treatment that innocent people receive in this world where everything are systems with different method of force to apply justice. (Conceptions too)
I think that the globalization let us understand how this world constitute connections to establish differences in power and domination, but, the principal argument of each country to defend their political, social and economical interest depend of the ideological trend that they have chosen to govern their community in order to be superior and competitive in all ways as a country or as person.
For example the president of the USA said that he was in the Persian gulf to “protect freedom, protect our future, and protect the innocent” and he said that he must push Sadam Hussein back” but we know that his only pretention was to be the owner of the best petroleum that exist in this world in the Persian Gulf. So everything was a metaphor or in my own words a “paradigm” that changes the history and customs in the Middle East.
To conclude this journal I want to say that being professional we need to be very efficiencies and efficacies with the purpose to not be ignored, especially when we must take a transcendental decision.
7th April 2009
METAPHOR AND WAR
George Lakoff
UNKNOWN WORDS
Stranglehold: llave, dominio
Backward: hacia atrás
Manhood: madurez, hombría
Acclaim: aclamar
Mesh: malla
Theft: robo
Arson: incendio provocado
Cunning: astuto, malicioso
Ruthless: implacable, inexorable
Warfare: guerra
Draftee: recluta
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
3. For you, what’s the perfect system to govern Colombia?
4. Have you ever been in trouble for having a metaphor in your mind?
QUOTES
- Metaphorical thought is commonplace and inescapable.
- It is important to distinguish what is metaphorical from what is not.
- Experts in international relations have an additional system of metaphors.
- Saddan is certainly immoral, ruthless, and brutal, but there is no evidence that he is anything but rational.
- The U.S. does not have anything like a proper understanding of the issue of Arab dignity.
OPINION
We are the consequence of metaphors and wars in our daily life. I learnt that what we want to get depend of the acts which confront the circumstances at any time.
It’s very important to have a global vision of the reality to take part in the solutions against the problems that are coming up…
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 5
METAPHOR AND WAR
I like this topic a lot; I’ve never thought that I’m going to read such as interesting topics in this class. It was a big surprise for me!
First of all, I want to say that throughout the history we can see the changes in the countries that in most of the cases depend of the kind of conception (philophical, political, economical etc.) that every time have brought to mankind.
Reading this text I realized that this world is in the top of a big conflict that in my opinion it started with the first man that lived in the earth.
Now, according to the differences between metaphor and war in politics. I consider that some words have no sense when people with high level position try to hide their bad acts in the administration of a state to support safely the country they are leading; but when they can no hide their government mistakes, they immediately change the reality with many conceptions as we can call metaphors.
In my opinion a metaphor is the skill to influence others and of course it’s relative to be able to make many interpretations of a particular situation; I mean that when we are in front of a metaphor is very complex to differentiate what is true from what is no true.
Following the before paragraph, in public administration it’s used to be called “paradigmatic changes” that’s why a war is the immediately consequence of doing a metaphor mistake.
In international politics, a state is usually conceptualized as a person, engaging in social relations within a world community.
Now, talking about the “fairy tale” I think that it show to us the unfair treatment that innocent people receive in this world where everything are systems with different method of force to apply justice. (Conceptions too)
I think that the globalization let us understand how this world constitute connections to establish differences in power and domination, but, the principal argument of each country to defend their political, social and economical interest depend of the ideological trend that they have chosen to govern their community in order to be superior and competitive in all ways as a country or as person.
For example the president of the USA said that he was in the Persian gulf to “protect freedom, protect our future, and protect the innocent” and he said that he must push Sadam Hussein back” but we know that his only pretention was to be the owner of the best petroleum that exist in this world in the Persian Gulf. So everything was a metaphor or in my own words a “paradigm” that changes the history and customs in the Middle East.
To conclude this journal I want to say that being professional we need to be very efficiencies and efficacies with the purpose to not be ignored, especially when we must take a transcendental decision.
7th April 2009
METAPHOR AND WAR
George Lakoff
UNKNOWN WORDS
Stranglehold: llave, dominio
Backward: hacia atrás
Manhood: madurez, hombría
Acclaim: aclamar
Mesh: malla
Theft: robo
Arson: incendio provocado
Cunning: astuto, malicioso
Ruthless: implacable, inexorable
Warfare: guerra
Draftee: recluta
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
3. For you, what’s the perfect system to govern Colombia?
4. Have you ever been in trouble for having a metaphor in your mind?
QUOTES
- Metaphorical thought is commonplace and inescapable.
- It is important to distinguish what is metaphorical from what is not.
- Experts in international relations have an additional system of metaphors.
- Saddan is certainly immoral, ruthless, and brutal, but there is no evidence that he is anything but rational.
- The U.S. does not have anything like a proper understanding of the issue of Arab dignity.
OPINION
We are the consequence of metaphors and wars in our daily life. I learnt that what we want to get depend of the acts which confront the circumstances at any time.
It’s very important to have a global vision of the reality to take part in the solutions against the problems that are coming up…
Fourth journal
Jhorman Calderon
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 4
THE RAIN CAME
For me this was a strange story because I felt myself very tired reading it. But I could associate this reading with some part on the bible when it is mentioning that one king offered to God his daughter to be scarified in appreciation of the victory they got in the war.
Something that calls my attention a lot was the episode when the girl thought that her family was looking for a husband to her, when in reality they were planning to kill her.
According to that, I want to refer in this journal the importance of being aware about the paradigms. We are surrounded of people that are changing their thoughts in every moment and for that reason we don’t know how important is to do the things we must do in our routines, I mean that the father didn’t have to sacrificed his daughter, it was only what the people around him wanted he did because at the end the girl was solve and she had to escape and then the rain came. In my way of thinking they are only prejudices in the mind of people with bad pretentions of our desires and of our behavior.
According to what I’m saying I have to recognize that the society always put limits in our mind and for that reason we grew up in a world full of conditions and what is worse in most of the cases we never accept the changes that come across with us.
3rd April 2009
THE RAIN CAME
GRACE OGOT
UNKNOWN WORDS
Fuss= alboroto
Hut=choza
Wrestler=Contienda, luchador (a).
Befall= suceder, ocurrir.
Fondle= acariciar.
Twig= ramita, ramilla.
Wrath= cólera, ira.
Stillness= quietud, tranquilidad, silencio.
Reed= Carrizo, junco.
Ransom – rescate
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
1. Do you consider that the father had to sacrifice her daughter to solve the problem?
2. What would you do if you realize that the people you love most are intending to kill you?
QUOTES
- It is Oganda, Oganda, my only daughter, who must die so young.
- He assumed the position of a simple father and wept bitterly.
- I will lay down my life, if necessary, and the life of my household, to save this tribe from the hands of the enemy.
- Oganda was a girl whose days in the royal family were numbered.
- Oganda is the lucky one to die for the people; if it is to save the people, le Oganda die.
- That night it rained in torrents as it had not done for a long, long time.
OPINION
I think that we never have to commit somebody to do something or we never must decide or negotiate the welfare of our family, even if we know that in the future everybody is going to be all right.
In my opinion everyone has to make their own decisions and nobody have to decide for anyone.
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 4
THE RAIN CAME
For me this was a strange story because I felt myself very tired reading it. But I could associate this reading with some part on the bible when it is mentioning that one king offered to God his daughter to be scarified in appreciation of the victory they got in the war.
Something that calls my attention a lot was the episode when the girl thought that her family was looking for a husband to her, when in reality they were planning to kill her.
According to that, I want to refer in this journal the importance of being aware about the paradigms. We are surrounded of people that are changing their thoughts in every moment and for that reason we don’t know how important is to do the things we must do in our routines, I mean that the father didn’t have to sacrificed his daughter, it was only what the people around him wanted he did because at the end the girl was solve and she had to escape and then the rain came. In my way of thinking they are only prejudices in the mind of people with bad pretentions of our desires and of our behavior.
According to what I’m saying I have to recognize that the society always put limits in our mind and for that reason we grew up in a world full of conditions and what is worse in most of the cases we never accept the changes that come across with us.
3rd April 2009
THE RAIN CAME
GRACE OGOT
UNKNOWN WORDS
Fuss= alboroto
Hut=choza
Wrestler=Contienda, luchador (a).
Befall= suceder, ocurrir.
Fondle= acariciar.
Twig= ramita, ramilla.
Wrath= cólera, ira.
Stillness= quietud, tranquilidad, silencio.
Reed= Carrizo, junco.
Ransom – rescate
QUESTIONS FOR DICUSSION
1. Do you consider that the father had to sacrifice her daughter to solve the problem?
2. What would you do if you realize that the people you love most are intending to kill you?
QUOTES
- It is Oganda, Oganda, my only daughter, who must die so young.
- He assumed the position of a simple father and wept bitterly.
- I will lay down my life, if necessary, and the life of my household, to save this tribe from the hands of the enemy.
- Oganda was a girl whose days in the royal family were numbered.
- Oganda is the lucky one to die for the people; if it is to save the people, le Oganda die.
- That night it rained in torrents as it had not done for a long, long time.
OPINION
I think that we never have to commit somebody to do something or we never must decide or negotiate the welfare of our family, even if we know that in the future everybody is going to be all right.
In my opinion everyone has to make their own decisions and nobody have to decide for anyone.
Third journal
Jhorman Calderón
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 3
SHAME
I have to say that this reading was very interesting. It transmits to me terrible emotions such as angry, sadness and hatred. I could see the imprudence of the teacher and the innocence of the kid that lived in a world full of good feelings.
I’m do not agree with the way that many people pretend be heroes being completely arrogant with a person that is in trouble, most of all when the actor is an underage one.
In my personal experience when I was a child, I never was concern about my economical conditions, although I grew up in a poor family, I was really happy with my world because I didn’t feel the need to be rich to make my life happy.
In other point of view I hate people that are imprudence, people like that show that they have lack of education and they don’t have self esteem.
In the middle of the reading I felt sad with myself because I could feel the unfair treated and the psychological problem that we can cause we our attitudes to a person in every moment.
My personal conclusion is that we must be aware with the words we say because we can hurt a person or we can create a transcendental problem or bad remembering for all life.
I like very much this reading; It was one of the best text I had read.
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 3
SHAME
I have to say that this reading was very interesting. It transmits to me terrible emotions such as angry, sadness and hatred. I could see the imprudence of the teacher and the innocence of the kid that lived in a world full of good feelings.
I’m do not agree with the way that many people pretend be heroes being completely arrogant with a person that is in trouble, most of all when the actor is an underage one.
In my personal experience when I was a child, I never was concern about my economical conditions, although I grew up in a poor family, I was really happy with my world because I didn’t feel the need to be rich to make my life happy.
In other point of view I hate people that are imprudence, people like that show that they have lack of education and they don’t have self esteem.
In the middle of the reading I felt sad with myself because I could feel the unfair treated and the psychological problem that we can cause we our attitudes to a person in every moment.
My personal conclusion is that we must be aware with the words we say because we can hurt a person or we can create a transcendental problem or bad remembering for all life.
I like very much this reading; It was one of the best text I had read.
Second journal
Jhorman Calderón
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 2
OUR SECRET
I have to say that I enjoyed very much this reading because its remember me the times when in Chile the dictator Augusto Pinochet made his tricks and led a coup d’état which put and end to Allende’s government. At that time many people were tortured and then killed by his Chilean army.
I consider this reading a criticism where Isabel Allende protest against the systematic suspensions of civil liberties and violations of human rights; but, as a reader I admire her talent and her witness to involved feelings of fear, anger, impotence, love and passion in such a tragic story.
In the reading I could notice that each person have their own destiny and I learnt that the circumstances of our living never are the same, maybe we can feel emotions that make us take good or bad decisions, for example who can tell us if the decision of the man at the end of the story of leaving Ana alone after having sex with her was good or bad?, but the most importance here is to be aware in how our feelings can be disrupted after had been living a terrible experience like they lived.
This reading let me though about my personal interest and of course, it let me remember some historical aspects of the Latin-American community.
Foreign Languages
English VII
Martha Muñoz
Journal # 2
OUR SECRET
I have to say that I enjoyed very much this reading because its remember me the times when in Chile the dictator Augusto Pinochet made his tricks and led a coup d’état which put and end to Allende’s government. At that time many people were tortured and then killed by his Chilean army.
I consider this reading a criticism where Isabel Allende protest against the systematic suspensions of civil liberties and violations of human rights; but, as a reader I admire her talent and her witness to involved feelings of fear, anger, impotence, love and passion in such a tragic story.
In the reading I could notice that each person have their own destiny and I learnt that the circumstances of our living never are the same, maybe we can feel emotions that make us take good or bad decisions, for example who can tell us if the decision of the man at the end of the story of leaving Ana alone after having sex with her was good or bad?, but the most importance here is to be aware in how our feelings can be disrupted after had been living a terrible experience like they lived.
This reading let me though about my personal interest and of course, it let me remember some historical aspects of the Latin-American community.
First journal
WOMEN THROUGH TIMES
The first thing I have to say is that when I was reading the text I got totally impressive because I’d never heard a case like this; I immediately thought about the submission of women thought times, in how the society have made many mistakes against women rights and in how we are defying the conception of a real woman.
I have been studying the process of women thought times and I have realized that ever they were underestimated and for that reason they always were punished in the worst way; the society couldn’t let a woman get married twice, they couldn’t say their ideals or opinions in public because they were mostly repudiated, as a consequence almost everything, every single action by women against institutions were completely forbidden.
According to the reading It was a tradition that a woman that got pregnant without being married or having a husband would die without excuses; maybe that was the law at that time, but if we are going to establish a comparison, nowadays we can see that the society don’t see with good eyes that a woman being younger gets pregnant without know who’s the father of the baby and after that, the woman begin to confront a hard life where everybody can criticized her.
In my opinion the punishment for a woman with that experience today is that she is no going to get married easily because some men are still tyrants and they want a wife with many virtues, so, they prefer a single and beauty woman, but times are different and some of those women are so lucky in this century.
Finally, I want to say that I enjoyed very much reading this story; I could see the structure of the text and the most importance the influence of this period in the view of women as slavers.
JHORMAN ANDRÉS CALDERÓN SILVA -2006135934-
The first thing I have to say is that when I was reading the text I got totally impressive because I’d never heard a case like this; I immediately thought about the submission of women thought times, in how the society have made many mistakes against women rights and in how we are defying the conception of a real woman.
I have been studying the process of women thought times and I have realized that ever they were underestimated and for that reason they always were punished in the worst way; the society couldn’t let a woman get married twice, they couldn’t say their ideals or opinions in public because they were mostly repudiated, as a consequence almost everything, every single action by women against institutions were completely forbidden.
According to the reading It was a tradition that a woman that got pregnant without being married or having a husband would die without excuses; maybe that was the law at that time, but if we are going to establish a comparison, nowadays we can see that the society don’t see with good eyes that a woman being younger gets pregnant without know who’s the father of the baby and after that, the woman begin to confront a hard life where everybody can criticized her.
In my opinion the punishment for a woman with that experience today is that she is no going to get married easily because some men are still tyrants and they want a wife with many virtues, so, they prefer a single and beauty woman, but times are different and some of those women are so lucky in this century.
Finally, I want to say that I enjoyed very much reading this story; I could see the structure of the text and the most importance the influence of this period in the view of women as slavers.
JHORMAN ANDRÉS CALDERÓN SILVA -2006135934-
LIST OF DISASTERS
An avalanche is an abrupt and rapid flow of snow, often mixed with air and water, down a mountainside. Avalanches are among the biggest dangers in the mountains for both life and property.
A blizzard is a severe winter storm condition characterized by low temperatures, strong winds, and heavy blowing snow.
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply.
An earthquake or seism is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land, a deluge
Hail is a form of precipitation which consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice (hailstones).
A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments.
A limnic eruption, also referred to as a lake overturn, is a rare type of natural disaster in which carbon dioxide (CO2) suddenly erupts from deep lake water, suffocating wildlife, livestock and humans.
A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air which is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud.
A tsunami is a series of waves created when a body of water, such as an ocean, is rapidly displaced.
A volcano is an opening, or rupture, in a planet's surface or crust, which allows hot, molten rock, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface.
An avalanche is an abrupt and rapid flow of snow, often mixed with air and water, down a mountainside. Avalanches are among the biggest dangers in the mountains for both life and property.
A blizzard is a severe winter storm condition characterized by low temperatures, strong winds, and heavy blowing snow.
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply.
An earthquake or seism is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land, a deluge
Hail is a form of precipitation which consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice (hailstones).
A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments.
A limnic eruption, also referred to as a lake overturn, is a rare type of natural disaster in which carbon dioxide (CO2) suddenly erupts from deep lake water, suffocating wildlife, livestock and humans.
A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air which is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud.
A tsunami is a series of waves created when a body of water, such as an ocean, is rapidly displaced.
A volcano is an opening, or rupture, in a planet's surface or crust, which allows hot, molten rock, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface.
diary!
ENGLISH’S DIARY
BEGINNING
“I feel nervous in this subject because this is the most important at the moment; sometimes I don’t know how to be excellent, even though I try reinforced my efforts.
In this moment I’m really worry about listening and speaking.
I’m going to work more on grammar with the focus on grammar’s book.
I hope to be successful improving my English with my teacher!”
12/03/09
Today I had a lot of things to do, but I did my duties and for that reason I’m less worry than yesterday.
In the morning, I went to the university and I had breakfast in “café y letras” with an old friend that is studying law career and then I went to my home to have lunch and after that I called my girlfriend!
In the afternoon I went to the university until 4:00 and then, I went to my girlfriend’s apartment to download some information about libraries from Carlos Castro Saavedra, he was an infant’s writer from Medellin, so, Javier and I both have to organize a presentation and a trip to Medellin and of course It demands responsibility and time to do it well.
Now, I’m going to do the chart to improve my English’ skills.
14/03/09
Today was a stressful day, because my mom was taken to the doctor because she has her leg sick, she is suffering of tromboflebitis (as it is said in Spanish) and she says that the pain is terrible.
I don’t like to see my mom sick, less with that terrible pain, she is so strong and she never complains about her sickness. I admire her very much!
I’m aware that I have to be responsible in order to get my purposes come true, I know that It’s no easy but I’m sure until this hard time pass, I’ll fly away and I’ll be an excellent professional.
15/03/09
I’m exhausted! I wish to finish my studies a long time ago and were In London living many experiences to write my books…
In moments like this, I can`t find sense of what I’m doing, but my family, especially my mom is expecting to have her youngest son with a professional degree I’m of course I can not disappoint her.
Something that I have to recognize is that I use to love this career and I considering that maybe this is the best option I took to be successful in the future! I’m really happy with this decision but It’s haven’t been an easy process for me.
17/03/09
I just come arrive to my home from the University, today was a hard day, I don’t know what is happening with me but this morning I got up with sadness in my heart and the worst of all is that I don’t know why.
At midnight I had lunch with my girlfriend In primo’s restaurant, the food was ok but after It I forgot to bring some documents and I had to become to my home for them; It made me got angry with myself.
And now in the evening I got a quiz but the problem is that I was not very secure about my answers and I saw my partner Diego’s quiz and It was terrible because I changed two of my answers for his ones! And he was wrong! Now I’m writing my diary with anger and sadness and with a big one lesson to my life’s behavior.
20/03/09
Last week was awesome because I went with my girlfriend to Yaguará and I ate quesillo and cocadas and my mother in law did to me a special lunch. I did more things that of course! I’m no going to write here! I ‘m no going to tell you teacher jejejejjejejejejjeje
Being serious I have to do a lot of things I’m worry about English, infant’s literature and the project with the teacher Gilma! Even though I recognize that have been spending my time in unimportance matters but sometimes I feel tired and I feel that I don’t want to continue with this work style.
English what I’m going to do with you?... but teacher I want you to know that I like hearing news in English from RCN news in English and I practice my listening in bible studies from a Christian church web page but I don’t write about it because I feel laziness.
27/03/09
I apologize teacher because I had couldn’t write anything of my latest experiences on my diary but I want to tell you that every moment I’m trying to look the way to improve my knowledge about English.
I have to make a development project in one of the six subjects I’m taking there, that project is the unique note and the teacher is strict with us because he says that we are almost public administrators. It demand a lot of time from me because in the afternoon I had to go the city hall and the Huila’s Governnation to ask for projects, social projects and then with the project I chose I have to apply MGA format to support it to the teacher. It’s a hard work too.
For all those reasons I haven’t have time to do my commitments but I’ll try to get free time to do my duties.
I don’t want to grumble or complain about my duties because I enjoy to stay busy and thinking in good things because I know that I’m working in my present to build a comfortable future with my family.
I’m going to sleep! Tomorrow I have an appointment with Luisa and Miller to make the poster for the symposium.
05/04/09
Today It suppose to be the children’s day but I’m not agree with this date or dates like this one.
I think that people had invented it only for financial and commercial ends.
It’s 11 o clock in the evening and I had couldn’t asleep for that reason I want to share what I lived today; in the morning I read two documents for tomorrow and In the afternoon I went to the bank and I was doing some diligences. At five I went to my girlfriend’s apartment and then I went to the University to present a test coaching and training management but one girl ask the teacher permission because most of the female there are mothers and they wanted to share that night with their children or kids.
So, men and a few women were both in the class watching some videos and slashes of the subjet, but the test were put off for the next class.
Ok! It’s all for today… I’ll try to get asleep!
10/11/08
Uichchchchhch I haven’t felt so tired and confuse with myself, I don’t know where to begin! And the worst of all I’m forgetting my duties, I think that I’m loosing my memory or something like that and to make the situation worse I contract flu, so, why me? Jejejejej what Do you think?
Last week I felt that I was no operating very well in any place, nor in the USCO neither in the ESAP. I felt like an ignorant person, I couldn’t understand anything I was completely blocked.
As a learner I need some rest…
BEGINNING
“I feel nervous in this subject because this is the most important at the moment; sometimes I don’t know how to be excellent, even though I try reinforced my efforts.
In this moment I’m really worry about listening and speaking.
I’m going to work more on grammar with the focus on grammar’s book.
I hope to be successful improving my English with my teacher!”
12/03/09
Today I had a lot of things to do, but I did my duties and for that reason I’m less worry than yesterday.
In the morning, I went to the university and I had breakfast in “café y letras” with an old friend that is studying law career and then I went to my home to have lunch and after that I called my girlfriend!
In the afternoon I went to the university until 4:00 and then, I went to my girlfriend’s apartment to download some information about libraries from Carlos Castro Saavedra, he was an infant’s writer from Medellin, so, Javier and I both have to organize a presentation and a trip to Medellin and of course It demands responsibility and time to do it well.
Now, I’m going to do the chart to improve my English’ skills.
14/03/09
Today was a stressful day, because my mom was taken to the doctor because she has her leg sick, she is suffering of tromboflebitis (as it is said in Spanish) and she says that the pain is terrible.
I don’t like to see my mom sick, less with that terrible pain, she is so strong and she never complains about her sickness. I admire her very much!
I’m aware that I have to be responsible in order to get my purposes come true, I know that It’s no easy but I’m sure until this hard time pass, I’ll fly away and I’ll be an excellent professional.
15/03/09
I’m exhausted! I wish to finish my studies a long time ago and were In London living many experiences to write my books…
In moments like this, I can`t find sense of what I’m doing, but my family, especially my mom is expecting to have her youngest son with a professional degree I’m of course I can not disappoint her.
Something that I have to recognize is that I use to love this career and I considering that maybe this is the best option I took to be successful in the future! I’m really happy with this decision but It’s haven’t been an easy process for me.
17/03/09
I just come arrive to my home from the University, today was a hard day, I don’t know what is happening with me but this morning I got up with sadness in my heart and the worst of all is that I don’t know why.
At midnight I had lunch with my girlfriend In primo’s restaurant, the food was ok but after It I forgot to bring some documents and I had to become to my home for them; It made me got angry with myself.
And now in the evening I got a quiz but the problem is that I was not very secure about my answers and I saw my partner Diego’s quiz and It was terrible because I changed two of my answers for his ones! And he was wrong! Now I’m writing my diary with anger and sadness and with a big one lesson to my life’s behavior.
20/03/09
Last week was awesome because I went with my girlfriend to Yaguará and I ate quesillo and cocadas and my mother in law did to me a special lunch. I did more things that of course! I’m no going to write here! I ‘m no going to tell you teacher jejejejjejejejejjeje
Being serious I have to do a lot of things I’m worry about English, infant’s literature and the project with the teacher Gilma! Even though I recognize that have been spending my time in unimportance matters but sometimes I feel tired and I feel that I don’t want to continue with this work style.
English what I’m going to do with you?... but teacher I want you to know that I like hearing news in English from RCN news in English and I practice my listening in bible studies from a Christian church web page but I don’t write about it because I feel laziness.
27/03/09
I apologize teacher because I had couldn’t write anything of my latest experiences on my diary but I want to tell you that every moment I’m trying to look the way to improve my knowledge about English.
I have to make a development project in one of the six subjects I’m taking there, that project is the unique note and the teacher is strict with us because he says that we are almost public administrators. It demand a lot of time from me because in the afternoon I had to go the city hall and the Huila’s Governnation to ask for projects, social projects and then with the project I chose I have to apply MGA format to support it to the teacher. It’s a hard work too.
For all those reasons I haven’t have time to do my commitments but I’ll try to get free time to do my duties.
I don’t want to grumble or complain about my duties because I enjoy to stay busy and thinking in good things because I know that I’m working in my present to build a comfortable future with my family.
I’m going to sleep! Tomorrow I have an appointment with Luisa and Miller to make the poster for the symposium.
05/04/09
Today It suppose to be the children’s day but I’m not agree with this date or dates like this one.
I think that people had invented it only for financial and commercial ends.
It’s 11 o clock in the evening and I had couldn’t asleep for that reason I want to share what I lived today; in the morning I read two documents for tomorrow and In the afternoon I went to the bank and I was doing some diligences. At five I went to my girlfriend’s apartment and then I went to the University to present a test coaching and training management but one girl ask the teacher permission because most of the female there are mothers and they wanted to share that night with their children or kids.
So, men and a few women were both in the class watching some videos and slashes of the subjet, but the test were put off for the next class.
Ok! It’s all for today… I’ll try to get asleep!
10/11/08
Uichchchchhch I haven’t felt so tired and confuse with myself, I don’t know where to begin! And the worst of all I’m forgetting my duties, I think that I’m loosing my memory or something like that and to make the situation worse I contract flu, so, why me? Jejejejej what Do you think?
Last week I felt that I was no operating very well in any place, nor in the USCO neither in the ESAP. I felt like an ignorant person, I couldn’t understand anything I was completely blocked.
As a learner I need some rest…
movies
MOVIES
1. THE DEPARTED:
This film has a lot of unknown vocabulary! But the main idea of the movie was about two infiltrators in two different groups with different objectives.
There was a mafia which the leader was Mr. Costello, he was a killer, a man with a cold flood, almost all days he killed somebody.
One day he felt the necessity of having an infiltrator in FBI departure, so, he took a little kid and support him like a son in the army.
When the boy grew up, he was named sergeant in not time, but at the same time was a cop, a smart cop and he was infiltrated in the mafia by the FBI.
At the end all of those people, also the main characters die because each one killed the other one and so on.
This movie was a good one, I liked the trama very much; finally I recommend you to watch it.
2. THE GIRL NEXT DOOR:
First of all, I have to say that when I chose this movie I thought that it was relative to spooky or ghostly things, but this movie truthful made feel anger, sadness and helpless.
It was about two orphaned little girls, one older than the other one and they were leave by their mother with their aunt.
The aunt had three children, like teenagers and they were terrible people as her mother was too.
As the time were passing the detestable aunt all the time was against her nieces, whatever the girls do she immediately punished them in the worst ways that you can imagine.
But there was a little boy who was living in the other house, near to that one, that’s why the title of this film is “the girl next door”.
This boy realized about the unfair trade to the girls from their aunt, but he could do nothing because his parents were too messy and busy all the time.
One day he went to the girls’ house and the terrible aunt took the girls into the basement and did with the girls what she wanted especially to the older one.
She was tied up, she was rape by one of her cousins, it was terrible, and she suffered a lot.
At the end her aunt burned the girl’s vagina; I almost cried watching that, this films is based on the real life, so I can’t imagine a person like that, not even a mental sickness!
When the boy saw that he attack the woman but a t the same time the police arrived to the house, but the girl died at that moment.
When the boy was older, he said that every moment in his life he is recording that especial and suffered beautiful teen.
3. “TOTALLY HILARIOUS”
This film was about man who was a successful program presenter. He had a super star girlfriend that worked in reality shows and she was a rich woman.
One day his parents invited him to celebrate their weeding anniversary, so he and his ten years old son and his girlfriend went to the anniversary and It was a chaos because all the remembers were into account.
The main character didn’t want anybody remember him as the foolish guy, but that was impossible and it cause a lot of fights among them but it was funny.
At the end all the family close together and they forgave each other in a peaceful way.
1. THE DEPARTED:
This film has a lot of unknown vocabulary! But the main idea of the movie was about two infiltrators in two different groups with different objectives.
There was a mafia which the leader was Mr. Costello, he was a killer, a man with a cold flood, almost all days he killed somebody.
One day he felt the necessity of having an infiltrator in FBI departure, so, he took a little kid and support him like a son in the army.
When the boy grew up, he was named sergeant in not time, but at the same time was a cop, a smart cop and he was infiltrated in the mafia by the FBI.
At the end all of those people, also the main characters die because each one killed the other one and so on.
This movie was a good one, I liked the trama very much; finally I recommend you to watch it.
2. THE GIRL NEXT DOOR:
First of all, I have to say that when I chose this movie I thought that it was relative to spooky or ghostly things, but this movie truthful made feel anger, sadness and helpless.
It was about two orphaned little girls, one older than the other one and they were leave by their mother with their aunt.
The aunt had three children, like teenagers and they were terrible people as her mother was too.
As the time were passing the detestable aunt all the time was against her nieces, whatever the girls do she immediately punished them in the worst ways that you can imagine.
But there was a little boy who was living in the other house, near to that one, that’s why the title of this film is “the girl next door”.
This boy realized about the unfair trade to the girls from their aunt, but he could do nothing because his parents were too messy and busy all the time.
One day he went to the girls’ house and the terrible aunt took the girls into the basement and did with the girls what she wanted especially to the older one.
She was tied up, she was rape by one of her cousins, it was terrible, and she suffered a lot.
At the end her aunt burned the girl’s vagina; I almost cried watching that, this films is based on the real life, so I can’t imagine a person like that, not even a mental sickness!
When the boy saw that he attack the woman but a t the same time the police arrived to the house, but the girl died at that moment.
When the boy was older, he said that every moment in his life he is recording that especial and suffered beautiful teen.
3. “TOTALLY HILARIOUS”
This film was about man who was a successful program presenter. He had a super star girlfriend that worked in reality shows and she was a rich woman.
One day his parents invited him to celebrate their weeding anniversary, so he and his ten years old son and his girlfriend went to the anniversary and It was a chaos because all the remembers were into account.
The main character didn’t want anybody remember him as the foolish guy, but that was impossible and it cause a lot of fights among them but it was funny.
At the end all the family close together and they forgave each other in a peaceful way.
Monday, April 6, 2009
READING!
For those familiar with the U.S., you all know that April 1 there is April Fool's Day. It's a day where many people love to pull pranks on each other, and since I'm a very gullible person, I'm an easy target.
I woke up this morning with a phone call from Brian Andrews, and he tells me I need to come to the studio right away. Muy Buenos Dias, which is the Today Show of Colombia, wanted Brian and I to appear... in one hour!
I jumped out of my bed and ran into the shower. This was my big break... I was going to appear on Colombian national television and I needed to get ready fast!
As I was shaving, I told my roomates' mother I had to appear on Muy Buenos Dias soon.
''But it's April Fool's Day in the U.S.,'' she says. ''Brian is just pulling your leg.''
I thought about it for a minute and then got worried. I sent Brian a text message asking him if this was an April Fool's joke. ''No,'' Brian replied. ''This is the real deal.''
Still a littke skeptical, I finished washing-up and threw on my clothes. I skipped breakfast and literally ran out the door to catch a cab. I was getting a little nervous because there were some traffic jams but I arrived at RCN in 15 minutes.
I ran into the studio and met with Alejo, one of the RCN marketing guys. No, this wasn't an April Fool's joke. This was really happening!
Alejo rushed me into makeup, and within 15 more minutes, Brian and I were sitting on the Muy Buenos Dias couch. This was my third interview in Spanish and I was very excited.
So there you have it... just one hour after I woke up, I was on live national television with Brian, Laura Acuña, Jessica Cediel and Jota Mario Valencia. Absolutely crazy! I was full of adrenaline from rushing out of bed, getting here, and now here I was on one of Colombia's most popular shows.
They started out with simple questions like where I was from and stuff like that. But Brian and I ended-up stealing the show, not even following the intinerary Jota Mario had for us. We talked about all sorts of crazy things like imitating the TransMilenio voice to making chicken noises. They also cracked up when I called Colombian drivers, ''brutos.'' We both showed a lot of personality and I think we did great!
Our interview only lasted 10 minutes but it went by super fast! It still hasn't totally hit me yet that I was just on national Colombian televison but I'm very excited for the things to come. It may have been April Fools Day in the United States but this was definitely no prank. This was another step in introducing myself to Colombia!
Posted by Gary Parkosewich at 12:04 PM 1 comments
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Enamorado de Colombia
Oh, how I love this country! It's been almost a month since I've returned to ''mi nueva tierra'' and I love every minute of it. It is so difficult to describe in words just as to how happy I feel here. I just remember for the first few nights, feeling a rush of boiling energy swirling around my chest like a whitewater river. I also remember slowly filling my chest with the Bogotá air; feeling like I could float to the top of Monserrate. It was almost the same sensation you feel when you fall in love with a new woman.
Never in my life had I felt so happy, so accomplished; I sometimes ask myself what I did to deserve so much euphoria? Only in Colombia have I ever felt this way. I must be one of the luckiest men in the world right now. Wow, I never thought I would ever say that.
There's a stretch of road in Bogotá the taxi drives through every morning. It's a bridge where I get the most picturesque view of Colombia's capital city. I see the tall, rolling green mountains from the downtown area of Bogotá staring down upon me like a guardian; dwarfing Torre Colpatria, the tallest building in all of Colombia. The view lasts maybe 15 seconds before it's blocked by a stretch of stores, but it's the one thing I look forward to most on my commute to work.
Colombia has had a terrible reputation for a long time. There are still several out there thinking that Colombians constantly live in a war zone; that Colombia is only a place filled with drugs, violence, and sadness. I've had friends even ask me if people drive cars in Colombia. We all of course know better than that. Colombia may look like an old, scary haunted house on the outside due to its history, but if your mind is open enough to walk through the front door, you will find a beautifully decorated home full of warmth, comfort and happiness.
I sometimes wonder if I was a Colombian in a previous life. Ever since I could remember, I had always been looking for a place where the people were genuinly nice, where the weather was fine, where I would have not one but several close friends, and where the women were beautiful.
I found that place in Colombia. I honestly felt like I came not just home but to heaven and I really cannot imagine myself anywhere else in the world at this moment. I just can't wait until I have the opportunity to share this wonderful country with my family back in the United States. The only thing I'm missing in my life at the moment is a girlfriend, which I think can wait.
So far RCN has been abolutely fantastic. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better job nor a better place to work. RCN may be Colombia's largest television network covering the entire country but everybody is so relaxed, so polite, so content and so genuinly nice. You never see people slamming down phones or running around in a temper-tantrum rage. It's the big studio that's like a little family. Everybody is a friend here.
I don't consider myself a Colombian celebrity yet but I've already had my share of features and interivews already. Brian Andrews and I were interviewed by Estilo, which is like the Enterntainment Tonight of Colombia. It was my very first interview in Spanish but I basically told everybody my story as to how I fell in love with this country and how happy I feel here. I was very nervous but I think I pulled it off very well. To my knowledge, the interviews haven't aired yet but should be coming soon.
My second interview in Spanish was with the famous 'La Negra Candela,' a well-known gossip journalist here in Bogotá. Oliver Diglesias and I appeared on her radio show Picantísimo (See Part 1 and Part 2), and it was good thing Oliver came along, since I could't understand everything she said. Oliver, however, loves to talk a lot I noticed, but I think I said enough. You can see a link to the interviews in the right column.
I was curious one day and typed my name in Google and was surprised to find the website Farándula Criolla had featured an article on me. I couldn't help but smile and feel satisfied when it called me, ''El gringo más colombiano...'' (The most Colombian ''gringo'') Keep in mind that gringo, a nickname for Americans, does not have a derogatory meaning here in Colombia, as it does in some countries. Perhaps I really was a Colombian in a previous life, afterall. The same article was also printed in a Cartagena newspaper.
So there you have it, folks. I'm in love with this country and I don't plan on leaving for a while. Only in Colombia can you find a culture so rich, a land so beautiful, and a people so genuine. Oh yes, and how could I forget the food? Only the best you'll ever taste. Colombia: never, ever change, please. You have so much to be proud of. ¡Qué bonita es está vida!
Posted by Gary Parkosewich at 10:04 PM 1 comments
Friday, March 20, 2009
Back in Bogotá!
Well folks, for those who pay attention to this blog, you were probably wondering what happened to me since I disappeared from the RCN News scene a while ago.
Before I start, I'm overly-joyed to say I'm back in Bogotá, and this time for good. I now have a contract with RCN Television, along with my Colombian work visa, so I'll happily be bringing Colombia to the world with Brian Andrews and the rest of the RCN News in English team.
So here's my story... Back in November, Brian sent me on special assignment in Nuquí, Chocó on Colombia's Pacific Coast. I stayed there for five days, made eight reports before the camera broke down from the extreme weather conditions, and then came back to Bogotá.
Upon arriving back, complications arose at RCN, and the News in English could no longer have contributors. So that meant none of my special reports from Chocó could air, and for a good two weeks, it didn't look like I was going to get my dream job. RCN would not even allow me to enter the building again until I was officially hired.
Brian began aggressively pushing for my contract. By the end of the month, it appeared that I was going to be approved very quickly... but little did I know the long waiting process Brian once had to go through was just about to begin for me.
On the day RCN was supposed to make the final approval, a dispute broke out between RCN, Caracol and the Colombian government over licensing fees. So, just by my luck, all new hires were put on freeze until negotiations started on January 1.
After the dispute ended, RCN began to start my paperwork process. In order to hire a foreigner in Colombia, RCN had to petition the government to hire me, so I had to wait for approval from the Ministry of Labor. That too took a while... I prayed and prayed every single night for the papers to come as quickly as they could. Sometimes it felt like I was fighting a negative force trying to stop me from achieving my dream.
During that time, knowing I had a while to wait for my contract, I spent my time freely enjoying Colombia. I made several new friends, met some girls and dramatically improved my Spanish. I even came into contact with some old Medellín friends and spent time there in my favorite Colombian city for Christmas and New Years. I also explored the nearby municipalities of Copacabana, Sabaneta, Envigado and Bello. It was my first Christmas in Colombia and by far the best one I've ever had. To be honest, I thought Christmas wouldn't be fun anymore after learning the truth about Santa Claus but I'm happy to say Colombia has proven me wrong once again.
It was also during this time I was given an answer to several personal questions deeply troubling me for over a year. Not all of them were answered; the ones that were, however, were ones I had expected but not ones I wanted. God works in mysterious ways and the reason why He made me so negligent in my possessions is so I could get an answer, due to an indirect cause of my tendency to break things. I will not go into full details but the one thing I will say is sometimes your personal flaws can end up saving your life.
After New Years, my paisa friends and I went to Arboletes, Antioquia and Coveñas, Sucre – two beautiful towns on the Caribbean coast. I bathed in Arboletes' famous Volcán de Lodo (the mud volcano), tanned in the hot sun, and swam in the gorgeous waters of the Caribbean. Guaro flowed like water, and we all stayed-up throughout the entire night. It was a blast but little did I know my joy was about to come to a quick crash.
I was told Tuesday the 13th's are considered the unluckiest days for Colombians (in the U.S. it's Friday the 13th). The day after returning from the Caribbean – Tuesday, January 13 – I discovered somebody had cloned my debit card and stole $682 U.S. from my American savings account (the equivalent of $1.5 million Colombian pesos at the time). I called my bank but could not freeze the account because it was the only account I had; plus I didn't own a credit card... In other words, if I froze the account, then I wouldn't have any available money to buy a return ticket to the United States or to Bogotá for that matter.
Acting quickly, I flew to Bogotá the next day, withdrawing the maximum amount of money from my account daily. It was the only option I had to prevent the criminal from stealing any more. Since my papers still were not ready and because of this identity theft situation, I had no choice: I had to leave Colombia.
Within a few days, I flew back to the United States and canceled my debit card. The bank, thankfully, returned the lost money and now I can only hope the criminal who did this will be caught, if not already.
Nobody was happier about my return, of course, than my parents. We bought a pizza on my night back and spent as much time as we could together onwards. We had a Nintendo Wii in the house and my dad and I would play Mario Kart against each other almost every night.
It was very difficult adjusting to the harsh Connecticut winter. Just a week before, I was walking around shirtless on Colombia's Caribbean coast; and now it seemed like I couldn't find enough clothes to keep warm. My body was so accustomed to the Colombian climate that even Bogotá felt cold for me; when in reality it feels like a Connecticut spring or early summer everyday.
I used my seemingly endless amount of free time at home saying hello and goodbye to my friends and relatives. I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to return to Bogotá.
My mother is a middle school Spanish teacher and I made a big presentation on Colombia for all of her classes. I showed her students pictures from all of my experiences – from Bogotá, Medellín, Nuquí, Chocó to Copacabana, Arboletes and Coveñas. I also played vallenato and showed video clips from Medellín's soccer games and enormous Christmas lights. By the end of the presentation, every student wanted to visit Colombia. I felt so proud I was able to convince a tiny part of the world that Colombia was "cool." I couldn't wait, however, to finally do it as a profession.
Impatience is my biggest weakness, so the wait was a terrible experience. For four months the only news I would receive from RCN was I either had to wait "two more weeks" or "at least a month" for my papers. My biggest fear was receiving a call saying I could no longer be hired, and I prayed every night this would not happen. My Colombian friends, however, constantly reassured me how long things took to get done in Colombia. All I had to do was relax and be patient.
Finally, over a month after returning to the U.S., Brian called me from Bogotá with the best news: my papers were done and were going to be sent out that day.
So there you have it... Four months and four days after I made my debut as an RCN News contributor, I took a train to New York City and received my work visa at the Colombian Consulate... and – lucky for me – got it within an hour. That night I bought my return ticket to Bogotá for a Sunday flight.
The day before my arrival into Bogotá my family held a goodbye pizza party for me at my cousin's place. That night my dad and I watched 'The Dark Knight' – our favorite movie – on our new HDTV. My mother jokingly kept asking me, "Are you sure you want to go back to Colombia when you have this great TV here?"
After watching, my dad came into my room to say goodnight. I couldn't help but notice his eyes watering, and it was very difficult to look into them. My dad has always been my best friend, so it always pains me to see him when he's sad. As much as I love him, however, I had to leave for this job. When my dad was 23 years old he moved to Puerto Rico and lived there for over two years. Now, here I am, also 23 years old and – like my father – moving to a Latin American country for an undetermined period of time.
My father brought me to the airport the next day and just before I went through security, I looked at him from across the room, knowing it was going to be one last time before I would see him in person for a while. I could feel his pain project itself inside of me. At the same time, I think he understood the place where I was going since he had a very similar experience himself in Puerto Rico.
There was no turning back, however. I got my contract and my work visa and I was now going to work for Colombia's largest TV network. How many recent college broadcast journalism graduates can say they achieved this sort of thing? Not many. I think the reason why I was such an unlucky person for the majority of my life was because God was saving all that luck for this year.
So here we are... After almost two years of dreaming; ten months after graduating from the University of Connecticut; and four months after taking my plunge into Colombia, I'm back in Bogotá living my life's dream and am now a proud Colombian. God bless this wonderful country!
I woke up this morning with a phone call from Brian Andrews, and he tells me I need to come to the studio right away. Muy Buenos Dias, which is the Today Show of Colombia, wanted Brian and I to appear... in one hour!
I jumped out of my bed and ran into the shower. This was my big break... I was going to appear on Colombian national television and I needed to get ready fast!
As I was shaving, I told my roomates' mother I had to appear on Muy Buenos Dias soon.
''But it's April Fool's Day in the U.S.,'' she says. ''Brian is just pulling your leg.''
I thought about it for a minute and then got worried. I sent Brian a text message asking him if this was an April Fool's joke. ''No,'' Brian replied. ''This is the real deal.''
Still a littke skeptical, I finished washing-up and threw on my clothes. I skipped breakfast and literally ran out the door to catch a cab. I was getting a little nervous because there were some traffic jams but I arrived at RCN in 15 minutes.
I ran into the studio and met with Alejo, one of the RCN marketing guys. No, this wasn't an April Fool's joke. This was really happening!
Alejo rushed me into makeup, and within 15 more minutes, Brian and I were sitting on the Muy Buenos Dias couch. This was my third interview in Spanish and I was very excited.
So there you have it... just one hour after I woke up, I was on live national television with Brian, Laura Acuña, Jessica Cediel and Jota Mario Valencia. Absolutely crazy! I was full of adrenaline from rushing out of bed, getting here, and now here I was on one of Colombia's most popular shows.
They started out with simple questions like where I was from and stuff like that. But Brian and I ended-up stealing the show, not even following the intinerary Jota Mario had for us. We talked about all sorts of crazy things like imitating the TransMilenio voice to making chicken noises. They also cracked up when I called Colombian drivers, ''brutos.'' We both showed a lot of personality and I think we did great!
Our interview only lasted 10 minutes but it went by super fast! It still hasn't totally hit me yet that I was just on national Colombian televison but I'm very excited for the things to come. It may have been April Fools Day in the United States but this was definitely no prank. This was another step in introducing myself to Colombia!
Posted by Gary Parkosewich at 12:04 PM 1 comments
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Enamorado de Colombia
Oh, how I love this country! It's been almost a month since I've returned to ''mi nueva tierra'' and I love every minute of it. It is so difficult to describe in words just as to how happy I feel here. I just remember for the first few nights, feeling a rush of boiling energy swirling around my chest like a whitewater river. I also remember slowly filling my chest with the Bogotá air; feeling like I could float to the top of Monserrate. It was almost the same sensation you feel when you fall in love with a new woman.
Never in my life had I felt so happy, so accomplished; I sometimes ask myself what I did to deserve so much euphoria? Only in Colombia have I ever felt this way. I must be one of the luckiest men in the world right now. Wow, I never thought I would ever say that.
There's a stretch of road in Bogotá the taxi drives through every morning. It's a bridge where I get the most picturesque view of Colombia's capital city. I see the tall, rolling green mountains from the downtown area of Bogotá staring down upon me like a guardian; dwarfing Torre Colpatria, the tallest building in all of Colombia. The view lasts maybe 15 seconds before it's blocked by a stretch of stores, but it's the one thing I look forward to most on my commute to work.
Colombia has had a terrible reputation for a long time. There are still several out there thinking that Colombians constantly live in a war zone; that Colombia is only a place filled with drugs, violence, and sadness. I've had friends even ask me if people drive cars in Colombia. We all of course know better than that. Colombia may look like an old, scary haunted house on the outside due to its history, but if your mind is open enough to walk through the front door, you will find a beautifully decorated home full of warmth, comfort and happiness.
I sometimes wonder if I was a Colombian in a previous life. Ever since I could remember, I had always been looking for a place where the people were genuinly nice, where the weather was fine, where I would have not one but several close friends, and where the women were beautiful.
I found that place in Colombia. I honestly felt like I came not just home but to heaven and I really cannot imagine myself anywhere else in the world at this moment. I just can't wait until I have the opportunity to share this wonderful country with my family back in the United States. The only thing I'm missing in my life at the moment is a girlfriend, which I think can wait.
So far RCN has been abolutely fantastic. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better job nor a better place to work. RCN may be Colombia's largest television network covering the entire country but everybody is so relaxed, so polite, so content and so genuinly nice. You never see people slamming down phones or running around in a temper-tantrum rage. It's the big studio that's like a little family. Everybody is a friend here.
I don't consider myself a Colombian celebrity yet but I've already had my share of features and interivews already. Brian Andrews and I were interviewed by Estilo, which is like the Enterntainment Tonight of Colombia. It was my very first interview in Spanish but I basically told everybody my story as to how I fell in love with this country and how happy I feel here. I was very nervous but I think I pulled it off very well. To my knowledge, the interviews haven't aired yet but should be coming soon.
My second interview in Spanish was with the famous 'La Negra Candela,' a well-known gossip journalist here in Bogotá. Oliver Diglesias and I appeared on her radio show Picantísimo (See Part 1 and Part 2), and it was good thing Oliver came along, since I could't understand everything she said. Oliver, however, loves to talk a lot I noticed, but I think I said enough. You can see a link to the interviews in the right column.
I was curious one day and typed my name in Google and was surprised to find the website Farándula Criolla had featured an article on me. I couldn't help but smile and feel satisfied when it called me, ''El gringo más colombiano...'' (The most Colombian ''gringo'') Keep in mind that gringo, a nickname for Americans, does not have a derogatory meaning here in Colombia, as it does in some countries. Perhaps I really was a Colombian in a previous life, afterall. The same article was also printed in a Cartagena newspaper.
So there you have it, folks. I'm in love with this country and I don't plan on leaving for a while. Only in Colombia can you find a culture so rich, a land so beautiful, and a people so genuine. Oh yes, and how could I forget the food? Only the best you'll ever taste. Colombia: never, ever change, please. You have so much to be proud of. ¡Qué bonita es está vida!
Posted by Gary Parkosewich at 10:04 PM 1 comments
Friday, March 20, 2009
Back in Bogotá!
Well folks, for those who pay attention to this blog, you were probably wondering what happened to me since I disappeared from the RCN News scene a while ago.
Before I start, I'm overly-joyed to say I'm back in Bogotá, and this time for good. I now have a contract with RCN Television, along with my Colombian work visa, so I'll happily be bringing Colombia to the world with Brian Andrews and the rest of the RCN News in English team.
So here's my story... Back in November, Brian sent me on special assignment in Nuquí, Chocó on Colombia's Pacific Coast. I stayed there for five days, made eight reports before the camera broke down from the extreme weather conditions, and then came back to Bogotá.
Upon arriving back, complications arose at RCN, and the News in English could no longer have contributors. So that meant none of my special reports from Chocó could air, and for a good two weeks, it didn't look like I was going to get my dream job. RCN would not even allow me to enter the building again until I was officially hired.
Brian began aggressively pushing for my contract. By the end of the month, it appeared that I was going to be approved very quickly... but little did I know the long waiting process Brian once had to go through was just about to begin for me.
On the day RCN was supposed to make the final approval, a dispute broke out between RCN, Caracol and the Colombian government over licensing fees. So, just by my luck, all new hires were put on freeze until negotiations started on January 1.
After the dispute ended, RCN began to start my paperwork process. In order to hire a foreigner in Colombia, RCN had to petition the government to hire me, so I had to wait for approval from the Ministry of Labor. That too took a while... I prayed and prayed every single night for the papers to come as quickly as they could. Sometimes it felt like I was fighting a negative force trying to stop me from achieving my dream.
During that time, knowing I had a while to wait for my contract, I spent my time freely enjoying Colombia. I made several new friends, met some girls and dramatically improved my Spanish. I even came into contact with some old Medellín friends and spent time there in my favorite Colombian city for Christmas and New Years. I also explored the nearby municipalities of Copacabana, Sabaneta, Envigado and Bello. It was my first Christmas in Colombia and by far the best one I've ever had. To be honest, I thought Christmas wouldn't be fun anymore after learning the truth about Santa Claus but I'm happy to say Colombia has proven me wrong once again.
It was also during this time I was given an answer to several personal questions deeply troubling me for over a year. Not all of them were answered; the ones that were, however, were ones I had expected but not ones I wanted. God works in mysterious ways and the reason why He made me so negligent in my possessions is so I could get an answer, due to an indirect cause of my tendency to break things. I will not go into full details but the one thing I will say is sometimes your personal flaws can end up saving your life.
After New Years, my paisa friends and I went to Arboletes, Antioquia and Coveñas, Sucre – two beautiful towns on the Caribbean coast. I bathed in Arboletes' famous Volcán de Lodo (the mud volcano), tanned in the hot sun, and swam in the gorgeous waters of the Caribbean. Guaro flowed like water, and we all stayed-up throughout the entire night. It was a blast but little did I know my joy was about to come to a quick crash.
I was told Tuesday the 13th's are considered the unluckiest days for Colombians (in the U.S. it's Friday the 13th). The day after returning from the Caribbean – Tuesday, January 13 – I discovered somebody had cloned my debit card and stole $682 U.S. from my American savings account (the equivalent of $1.5 million Colombian pesos at the time). I called my bank but could not freeze the account because it was the only account I had; plus I didn't own a credit card... In other words, if I froze the account, then I wouldn't have any available money to buy a return ticket to the United States or to Bogotá for that matter.
Acting quickly, I flew to Bogotá the next day, withdrawing the maximum amount of money from my account daily. It was the only option I had to prevent the criminal from stealing any more. Since my papers still were not ready and because of this identity theft situation, I had no choice: I had to leave Colombia.
Within a few days, I flew back to the United States and canceled my debit card. The bank, thankfully, returned the lost money and now I can only hope the criminal who did this will be caught, if not already.
Nobody was happier about my return, of course, than my parents. We bought a pizza on my night back and spent as much time as we could together onwards. We had a Nintendo Wii in the house and my dad and I would play Mario Kart against each other almost every night.
It was very difficult adjusting to the harsh Connecticut winter. Just a week before, I was walking around shirtless on Colombia's Caribbean coast; and now it seemed like I couldn't find enough clothes to keep warm. My body was so accustomed to the Colombian climate that even Bogotá felt cold for me; when in reality it feels like a Connecticut spring or early summer everyday.
I used my seemingly endless amount of free time at home saying hello and goodbye to my friends and relatives. I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to return to Bogotá.
My mother is a middle school Spanish teacher and I made a big presentation on Colombia for all of her classes. I showed her students pictures from all of my experiences – from Bogotá, Medellín, Nuquí, Chocó to Copacabana, Arboletes and Coveñas. I also played vallenato and showed video clips from Medellín's soccer games and enormous Christmas lights. By the end of the presentation, every student wanted to visit Colombia. I felt so proud I was able to convince a tiny part of the world that Colombia was "cool." I couldn't wait, however, to finally do it as a profession.
Impatience is my biggest weakness, so the wait was a terrible experience. For four months the only news I would receive from RCN was I either had to wait "two more weeks" or "at least a month" for my papers. My biggest fear was receiving a call saying I could no longer be hired, and I prayed every night this would not happen. My Colombian friends, however, constantly reassured me how long things took to get done in Colombia. All I had to do was relax and be patient.
Finally, over a month after returning to the U.S., Brian called me from Bogotá with the best news: my papers were done and were going to be sent out that day.
So there you have it... Four months and four days after I made my debut as an RCN News contributor, I took a train to New York City and received my work visa at the Colombian Consulate... and – lucky for me – got it within an hour. That night I bought my return ticket to Bogotá for a Sunday flight.
The day before my arrival into Bogotá my family held a goodbye pizza party for me at my cousin's place. That night my dad and I watched 'The Dark Knight' – our favorite movie – on our new HDTV. My mother jokingly kept asking me, "Are you sure you want to go back to Colombia when you have this great TV here?"
After watching, my dad came into my room to say goodnight. I couldn't help but notice his eyes watering, and it was very difficult to look into them. My dad has always been my best friend, so it always pains me to see him when he's sad. As much as I love him, however, I had to leave for this job. When my dad was 23 years old he moved to Puerto Rico and lived there for over two years. Now, here I am, also 23 years old and – like my father – moving to a Latin American country for an undetermined period of time.
My father brought me to the airport the next day and just before I went through security, I looked at him from across the room, knowing it was going to be one last time before I would see him in person for a while. I could feel his pain project itself inside of me. At the same time, I think he understood the place where I was going since he had a very similar experience himself in Puerto Rico.
There was no turning back, however. I got my contract and my work visa and I was now going to work for Colombia's largest TV network. How many recent college broadcast journalism graduates can say they achieved this sort of thing? Not many. I think the reason why I was such an unlucky person for the majority of my life was because God was saving all that luck for this year.
So here we are... After almost two years of dreaming; ten months after graduating from the University of Connecticut; and four months after taking my plunge into Colombia, I'm back in Bogotá living my life's dream and am now a proud Colombian. God bless this wonderful country!
Gary Parkosewich
Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
I'm a 23 year old journalism grad from the University of Connecticut pursuing my hearts and dreams in Colombia, the country I fell in love with. I currently work at my dream job as an anchor for RCN Colombia News in English in Bogotá. Through here, I wish to show the world the real side of Colombia not well-known outside of its borders; a country of beauty, happiness and vibrance.
Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
I'm a 23 year old journalism grad from the University of Connecticut pursuing my hearts and dreams in Colombia, the country I fell in love with. I currently work at my dream job as an anchor for RCN Colombia News in English in Bogotá. Through here, I wish to show the world the real side of Colombia not well-known outside of its borders; a country of beauty, happiness and vibrance.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Lots going on...
First, I heard my dear friend Kelley Mitchell, former 7News anchor, is in rough shape at Jackson Memorial Hospital. As many of you know, Kelley had a very public bout with breast cancer. From what I understand, she's in Ryder Trauma with massive health problems. I called her long time boyfriend Kirk Wade in Miami tonight and told him I'm thinking about them. Kelley is a fighter. I'm hoping she pulls through.
Next, what a day!
I spent all morning at the Davivienda Branch in Chico trying to sort out a wire transfer from the US. You would think it would be easier. NOPE. Not only do you have to have the transfer number, but a fax from your bank to prove you made the transfer, then you have to wait 24 hours for it to clear. It was a real pain in the ass. After 2 hours at the bank, I got into work. Things went OK. We had a great show and got a lot done. I also signed the paperwork for one of our new hires. We will welcome Natasha Cheij from Barranquilla to the News in English staff starting next week. In the meantime, I'm still looking for a second producer.
After the show, RCN had me run over to a production company to cut the audio for an english-language video for Banco de Bogota. That took about 20 minutes in Chapinero Alto. Then, my producer and I went to look at cars. I was going to get a Chevy Spark Go from Los Coches, however, I decided I wanted to go look at VW's. They were really expensive. Like 43 milliones for a VW GOL. So, we jumped in a cab and went to a used car place down near Niza. I saw a 2004 GOL I liked. I was told it could be mine for 20 milliones. I wasn't sold.
Next, I got a call to be at RCN Commercials on the 100 to do a corporate sales video. I thought I was cutting audio. No, it was an on camera part. Since we had about 30 minutes before taping, we saw an auto dealership across the street and decided to check it out. I looked at the Spark and then I looked at the Chevy Sedan. They guy told me he'd make me a deal on the spot if I'd take it. So, I got a better deal than the one at Los Coches. I am now the proud owner of a Chevy Sedan, automatic, with air, and power windows. I think I got a good deal. It was 26 milliones for everything, including the tag and the title. I pick it up on Friday. Tomorrow, my dear friend Jason Franco is going with me to the bank to make the transfer and drop off the paperwork at the dealer. Only issue: Pico y Placa. The car I am buying has a tag that ends in 4. That means I can't drive it on Fridays or Mondays for 2 months. Starting in June, my Pico y Placa days move and I can drive the car to my hearts content on Fridays and Mondays. Anyway, it will be ready for pickup on Friday night. Look out Melgar and Giradot... here I come!
Finally, I got home about 9 after dinner. I got a call from Piedad at INHOUSe. Apparently I screwed up a line in the corporate video. So, they want me to go back to RCN Commericals at 10pm tonight and re-shoot my part. Not a problem. Im a pro.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 9:23 PM Links to this post
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Have I really been here that long already?
As I drove out of Bogota, looking at the hills of Soacha, I wondered to myself, "Have I really been here more than a year?" My life has changed so much since I came here from Miami in December of 2007. I've learned to speak better spanish, I understand the culture, I've learned patience, I know how to get around, where the worst potholes are, etc. I've been blessed to pioneer Colombia's first english language news website and newscast for the biggest network in the country. I've got a great team and wonderful friends. When the Tamale lady starts yelling at 6:00am, I still smile.
I know in my heart that Colombia is where I want to be. With all of its complications and weirdness, it's an amazing place to live. Never a dull moment. Always something new to learn or experience. Definately the change I needed from the mundane.
I've started doing something new. I get out of the city of the weekends. Last week, I went to Melgar for the weekend. They call it "La Costa Cachaca." It's a cool little town in the mountains of Tolima. The sun is always shining and its hot, like Cartagena. I found a place called the Hotel Manantial that I really like. Basically, I park my butt by the pool all day, reading, relaxing, listening to my ipod. I have weekend road trips planned to Villavicencio and to Paipa. Every weekend is a new adventure.
Im thinking about buying a car. Actually, Im not thinking, I'm going to do it. Im just not sure how Im going to be able to afford it at the moment. Cars are much more expensive here in Colombia than they are in the US. I think I want to get a Chevy Spark. I also wanted to get a Twingo. I think I can find one for about $10,000 US. Then, I have to get the insurance and the license sticker.
As for work, I have new hours. Im working from 8-4 Monday through Friday. Now that we have more people on the project, I can keep a more normal day. We cover 2 shows and breaking news on this shift. Gary Parkosewich, our new anchor, comes in with his team at 3pm and sails the ship through 11pm. In a few weeks, we will be getting a new design for our website. It will have more options and a better video player.
So, it's back to the pool. Time to reapply the spf 30. I learned the hard way last week that SPF6 just wont cut it here. :)
Posted by Brian Andrews at 8:31 AM Links to this post
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bogota v. Palm Beach
Driving on 95 in Palm Beach is so different from taking a taxi up la 30 in Bogota.
While Palm Beach doesnt have the huecos we have in Bogota, we do have the traffic! And it seemed like every little old lady who couldn't see over the steering wheel was driving their lincoln continental up the I this afternoon. People were honking and trying to pull around them. In Bogota, we might just run them off the road. Lead, follow, or get out of the way is the rule of the road in Colombia. Also, in Colombia, you NEVER pump your own gas. I did it today at a Shell station off Okeechobee Road. It was a blast. In Colombia, there's a lot of disorder on the roadways. No one stays in their lane, people cut in front of you, take left hand turns from the right lane. Not here.
It's been nice being home for a few days. It was great to see my family and catch up with old friends. I fly back to Bogota via Ft. Lauderdale on Thursday. I miss my mountains, the cool temps, and my wonderful friends. Being in Palm Beach reminded me that I need to make sure I run away to Cartagena more often to enjoy the sunshine.
While I've been away in the states, you may have seen a new group of faces on the RCN News in English. RCN's Monica Fonseca helped to anchor our 7pm show this week. RCN's Efrain Arce did our 7am News. We also had help from RCN's Francisco Santos. Frank works behind the scenes at the Channel's Novelas. This was his first time being a news presenter in English. He did a great job for it being his maiden voyage!
So, tomorrow morning, I'm going up to the beach for a few hours. Then, Im running over to City Place to Macy's to buy a few things to take back to Bogota. I went to Office Depot today to get notepads and pens. I also picked up a new small laptop computer.
South Florida was a great break from the action for a few days... but now its time to get back to work!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 10:04 PM Links to this post
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Off to NY
What a great week it's been here in Bogota. As you may have seen on our newscast this week, we had special interview with Former Hostage Alan Jara. He and his wife Claudia are really nice people. The logistics of getting the interview were a little nutty. Over the last weekend, we got word Jara was going to be on an overnight Caracol Radio program. So, I sent Oliver Diglesias and Ana Maria Hernandez to the Radio Station to convince him to come on our show. Anita and Oliver waited until 1 in the morning to speak with him. He said yes. So, we set the interview for Monday. Then, they had to cancel. It was moved to Tuesday. We were to go to their apartment in the North of Bogota to do the interview. As we were all in the car heading over, they cancelled again. Mrs. Jara said they had to go to the Plaza Bolivar for a meeting with the Mayor. So, I told the crew that we should head downtown and just wait. We did... for 5 hours. But, when the Jara's finally came out of their meeting, they were willing to do the interview. There was a gaggle of other reporters there wanting the same thing. The Jara's were very gracious to give us a 10 minutes before they headed off to a Doctor's appointment. Our interview with them ran on rcnnews.tv and on the miamiherald.com.
This weekend, I am heading to New York City. I have been invited to take part in a panel chat on the changing Colombia for the PorColombia Student Organization. I will be giving my presentation on Saturday morning at 9am. If you are in the city and would like to attend, you can find the details at www.porcolombia.net. After NY, I will be heading back to Bogota, via Miami and will try to spend a day or two with my family.
Brian
Posted by Brian Andrews at 4:33 PM Links to this post
Monday, February 9, 2009
Technical Difficulty... please stand by!
11:30am update. We are up and running again! Thanks for standing by!
Thanks to the many of you who emailed over the weekend to let us know about the problem with our rcnnews.tv and canalrcn.com/newsinenglish pages. Yes, we seem to be having a rather large technical problem with the way our page is updated. Our technical team is working on a solution.
In the meantime, you can still view the latest RCN News in English from Colombia by visiting www.dailymotion.com/rcnnews. We are also available as a podcast if you subscibe via itunes. Just search itunes for RCN News in English and you'll find us. Plus, we can also been seen on TV Colombia weekdays at 11:30am and 6pm ET.
Thanks again for all of your support!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 9:56 AM Links to this post
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Not a dry eye in the newsroom...
video
It was just after 2pm. The Int´l Red Cross helicopter had just landed in Villavicencio. Every TV in the newsroom was on the feed... and every person in the newsroom was standing, in silence, watching the first images of Former Hostage Alan Jara in freedom.
Then, we all watched as Jara´s son and wife rushed up to the helicotper... and the family was reunited with big hugs and tears of joy. It was such a beautiful moment. And as I looked around the Newsroom here at RCN, I could see just about everyone was touched. Even the veterans in the Newsroom were wiping away a tear.
Then, as the Jara family walked toward the crowds, with Alan sporting a huge grin, there was a round of applause in the RCN Newsroom. For journalists, the story unfolding had tremendous emotion and a movie-like script. For Colombians, it was a proud moment to see a hostage go free and to know their country was becoming a safer place.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 8:52 PM Links to this post
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My first Bogota Bomb
It was just about 9pm and I was sitting at my computer when I heard a massive explosion. At first I thought it was thunder from a big storm over downtown. 2 minutes later, I realized it was a bomb. Someone set off a 5 kil bomb at a blockbuster video. The first reports were crazy. I heard Caracol Radio reporting it was the Club Colombia restaurant that was hit. Then, they reported it was the Blockbuster Video. First reports said 20 people were hurt and 2 dead. My phone started ringing. My awsome staff put the emergency plan in motion. I jumped in a taxi and headed to the scene. My producers Camilo and Ana Maria raced there as well. Cami was already in bed when he heard the news. He jumped out in his pijamas, got dressed, and drove over with his digital camera. Ana Maria was awsome. She lives close by and ran out the door with her blackberry and a notepad. At RCN, my Producers Alejo and Oliver were on it. Alejo called me to let me know he was sending a camera and discs to record on. Oliver went to the edit supervisor and got additional time for us to put together breaking news.
WHen I arrived on the scene, it was chaos. People were everywhere. Nearby apartment buildings had their glass windows blown out. Police officers were stringing yellow tape for miles. I finally found Ana Maria and the crew. They were shooting great tape. Camilo came up from the other side of the crime scene with video on his digital camera. We met in the middle of a mob of people and formed a plan. Then, all of the officials showed up. Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia's Minister of Defense was there... along with Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno. Both were very gracious to give interviews to us in English. I also met Council woman Clara Lopez who gave a great interview. Then, we went off with our crew to find some witnesses. The crew was fantastic. They didnt speak english... and had no idea what I was saying.. but they got my spanglish and gave us great shots.
Meantime, back at RCN, Oliver and Alejo were getting everything ready for my feed. As soon as the Network was done with their live shot, it was our turn to feed tape to contributiones. I got in front of the camera, said what I knew as fact, and tossed to some soundbytes. Alejo was taking the feed while Oliver was in editing.
With the help of Freddy and Narcicso, our expert editors, Oliver was able to turn around a special report in 10 minutes. Im so proud of my team. Everything worked the way it should have worked. All of them did a great job in helping us get the news online as quickly as possible.
We all left the scene about 12am. Ana and Cami have to be in at 7am to produce the morning news. Alejo and Oliver will be back at 12pm.
Way to go RCN News in English... You did a great job getting our first Bogota Bomb on the air!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 1:05 AM Links to this post
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Going to New York....
I'm heading back to the states for Valentine's Day Weekend! I've been invited by PorColombia.net to be part of a panel discussion on Colombia's changing International image. If you are in the tri-state area and want to come, check out www.porcolombia.net for details.
If you live abroad, I hope you will check out our new newscasts on RCN's TV Colombia! We air Monday through Friday at 11:30am and 6pm ET.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 5:11 PM Links to this post
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Bogota Saturday
It was a nice day off in Bogota today.
I went to the Park for my morning run. The sky was grey. The air was cool. I was happy. Next, I had lunch at this great little place up the 90 from my apartment. It was a soup and salad thing. Pretty good and cheap. Only $6 bucks!
Next, I came home and listening to the kid in the apartment building next to mind play the drums for 2 hours. It was over it by his 3rd set.
My landlord stopped by to put something in storage. What you ask? A Dental chair.
I know, kinda crazy. My landlord is a Dentist here in Bogota and heading up to Boston next week where he's studying at Harvard. He didnt want anyone to steal the chair from the office while he was gone. No Dar Papaya... even if its a 100 lb Dental chair.
I also spent some time today researching new revenue streams for the News in English. Im looking at reselling our unique content to other websites to increase our cash flow. Remember, News is a business!
Other than that, getting ready for Ciclovia tomorrow. I love when they shut down the city and I can ride my bike all over the place.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 7:57 PM Links to this post
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Trumpet Player
Every morning, I hear a Trumpet player in the park near my home. The poor guy must not have any other place to practice. And he's been practicing for 6 months near my apartment building. At first, I thought it was kind of cool, then I started to get annoyed. Now, I've accepted the noise as part of city life. The Trumpet player is some gruffy looking guy with long hair and a stay dog that follows him around. Im never quite sure what he is playing because his music never makes any sense. If they are songs, they are songs I dont know.
Tonight, as I was walking back from Dinner in the 93 Park, the Trumpet player was there again. This time, he was talking with a group of Police officers and not playing his Trumpet. I guess one of the neighbors finally called the cops. But, I bet he's back tomorrow at 9:30, playing again.
Since it is a long Holiday weekend here, I'm heading out to Chia. My friend Dora Glottman has a beautiful home on the side of the mountain. She's got a little lake and a couple of waterfalls. Every time you step outside her home, you hear the sound of running water and feel a cool breeze. It's a great escape for me... and no Trumpet player when I wake up in the morning.
On the business front, News in English is growing. We are seeking new partnerships with other news organizations to provide them with Colombian video news content that we produce. We are also on TV Colombia starting on January 15th. They havent told me what time, but they are going to be running our evening edition Colombian Newscast. If you live in the states, TV Colombia is a premium channel on most cable systems.
Im also hoping to get word from the Network Executives on growing our staff this week. I would like to get 3 more people to help produce the new NTN Latin American News we are doing and to report stories for News in English. Ive been asking for more staff for several months now and maybe this will be the week everything gets moving.
It's been a really nice long weekend here in Bogota. As many of you know, I live near one of the city's most beautiful parks: El Parque del Virrey. Saturday, I gtabbed by Ipod and some sunblock and spend several hours just hanging out with a notepad. I always come up with my best ideas when Im relaxed. I came up with a few ideas for the project... and got a sunburn.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 7:02 PM Links to this post
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Great to be back!
Bogota is great... when its empty!
Very little traffic... very few people... no lines... less polution.
It's a paradise in the mountains.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 9:46 PM Links to this post
Saturday, January 3, 2009
From Palm Beach
I will be returning to my beloved 2nd home (Colombia) on Sunday night. I've been in Palm Beach, Florida for the past few days spending time with my family. I havent seen them in 6 months! It is so great to be home. The weather is awsome too! I was down in Miami visiting friends today. Its a great time to be in South Florida... BUT... Im starting to miss Bogota! Anyway, Im on the 5:45pm American Airlines flight going back Sunday night. Looking forward to a REAL cup of Colombian Coffee and a pollo al curry at Crepes and Waffles when I get back!
Lots going on...
First, I heard my dear friend Kelley Mitchell, former 7News anchor, is in rough shape at Jackson Memorial Hospital. As many of you know, Kelley had a very public bout with breast cancer. From what I understand, she's in Ryder Trauma with massive health problems. I called her long time boyfriend Kirk Wade in Miami tonight and told him I'm thinking about them. Kelley is a fighter. I'm hoping she pulls through.
Next, what a day!
I spent all morning at the Davivienda Branch in Chico trying to sort out a wire transfer from the US. You would think it would be easier. NOPE. Not only do you have to have the transfer number, but a fax from your bank to prove you made the transfer, then you have to wait 24 hours for it to clear. It was a real pain in the ass. After 2 hours at the bank, I got into work. Things went OK. We had a great show and got a lot done. I also signed the paperwork for one of our new hires. We will welcome Natasha Cheij from Barranquilla to the News in English staff starting next week. In the meantime, I'm still looking for a second producer.
After the show, RCN had me run over to a production company to cut the audio for an english-language video for Banco de Bogota. That took about 20 minutes in Chapinero Alto. Then, my producer and I went to look at cars. I was going to get a Chevy Spark Go from Los Coches, however, I decided I wanted to go look at VW's. They were really expensive. Like 43 milliones for a VW GOL. So, we jumped in a cab and went to a used car place down near Niza. I saw a 2004 GOL I liked. I was told it could be mine for 20 milliones. I wasn't sold.
Next, I got a call to be at RCN Commercials on the 100 to do a corporate sales video. I thought I was cutting audio. No, it was an on camera part. Since we had about 30 minutes before taping, we saw an auto dealership across the street and decided to check it out. I looked at the Spark and then I looked at the Chevy Sedan. They guy told me he'd make me a deal on the spot if I'd take it. So, I got a better deal than the one at Los Coches. I am now the proud owner of a Chevy Sedan, automatic, with air, and power windows. I think I got a good deal. It was 26 milliones for everything, including the tag and the title. I pick it up on Friday. Tomorrow, my dear friend Jason Franco is going with me to the bank to make the transfer and drop off the paperwork at the dealer. Only issue: Pico y Placa. The car I am buying has a tag that ends in 4. That means I can't drive it on Fridays or Mondays for 2 months. Starting in June, my Pico y Placa days move and I can drive the car to my hearts content on Fridays and Mondays. Anyway, it will be ready for pickup on Friday night. Look out Melgar and Giradot... here I come!
Finally, I got home about 9 after dinner. I got a call from Piedad at INHOUSe. Apparently I screwed up a line in the corporate video. So, they want me to go back to RCN Commericals at 10pm tonight and re-shoot my part. Not a problem. Im a pro.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 9:23 PM Links to this post
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Have I really been here that long already?
As I drove out of Bogota, looking at the hills of Soacha, I wondered to myself, "Have I really been here more than a year?" My life has changed so much since I came here from Miami in December of 2007. I've learned to speak better spanish, I understand the culture, I've learned patience, I know how to get around, where the worst potholes are, etc. I've been blessed to pioneer Colombia's first english language news website and newscast for the biggest network in the country. I've got a great team and wonderful friends. When the Tamale lady starts yelling at 6:00am, I still smile.
I know in my heart that Colombia is where I want to be. With all of its complications and weirdness, it's an amazing place to live. Never a dull moment. Always something new to learn or experience. Definately the change I needed from the mundane.
I've started doing something new. I get out of the city of the weekends. Last week, I went to Melgar for the weekend. They call it "La Costa Cachaca." It's a cool little town in the mountains of Tolima. The sun is always shining and its hot, like Cartagena. I found a place called the Hotel Manantial that I really like. Basically, I park my butt by the pool all day, reading, relaxing, listening to my ipod. I have weekend road trips planned to Villavicencio and to Paipa. Every weekend is a new adventure.
Im thinking about buying a car. Actually, Im not thinking, I'm going to do it. Im just not sure how Im going to be able to afford it at the moment. Cars are much more expensive here in Colombia than they are in the US. I think I want to get a Chevy Spark. I also wanted to get a Twingo. I think I can find one for about $10,000 US. Then, I have to get the insurance and the license sticker.
As for work, I have new hours. Im working from 8-4 Monday through Friday. Now that we have more people on the project, I can keep a more normal day. We cover 2 shows and breaking news on this shift. Gary Parkosewich, our new anchor, comes in with his team at 3pm and sails the ship through 11pm. In a few weeks, we will be getting a new design for our website. It will have more options and a better video player.
So, it's back to the pool. Time to reapply the spf 30. I learned the hard way last week that SPF6 just wont cut it here. :)
Posted by Brian Andrews at 8:31 AM Links to this post
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bogota v. Palm Beach
Driving on 95 in Palm Beach is so different from taking a taxi up la 30 in Bogota.
While Palm Beach doesnt have the huecos we have in Bogota, we do have the traffic! And it seemed like every little old lady who couldn't see over the steering wheel was driving their lincoln continental up the I this afternoon. People were honking and trying to pull around them. In Bogota, we might just run them off the road. Lead, follow, or get out of the way is the rule of the road in Colombia. Also, in Colombia, you NEVER pump your own gas. I did it today at a Shell station off Okeechobee Road. It was a blast. In Colombia, there's a lot of disorder on the roadways. No one stays in their lane, people cut in front of you, take left hand turns from the right lane. Not here.
It's been nice being home for a few days. It was great to see my family and catch up with old friends. I fly back to Bogota via Ft. Lauderdale on Thursday. I miss my mountains, the cool temps, and my wonderful friends. Being in Palm Beach reminded me that I need to make sure I run away to Cartagena more often to enjoy the sunshine.
While I've been away in the states, you may have seen a new group of faces on the RCN News in English. RCN's Monica Fonseca helped to anchor our 7pm show this week. RCN's Efrain Arce did our 7am News. We also had help from RCN's Francisco Santos. Frank works behind the scenes at the Channel's Novelas. This was his first time being a news presenter in English. He did a great job for it being his maiden voyage!
So, tomorrow morning, I'm going up to the beach for a few hours. Then, Im running over to City Place to Macy's to buy a few things to take back to Bogota. I went to Office Depot today to get notepads and pens. I also picked up a new small laptop computer.
South Florida was a great break from the action for a few days... but now its time to get back to work!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 10:04 PM Links to this post
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Off to NY
What a great week it's been here in Bogota. As you may have seen on our newscast this week, we had special interview with Former Hostage Alan Jara. He and his wife Claudia are really nice people. The logistics of getting the interview were a little nutty. Over the last weekend, we got word Jara was going to be on an overnight Caracol Radio program. So, I sent Oliver Diglesias and Ana Maria Hernandez to the Radio Station to convince him to come on our show. Anita and Oliver waited until 1 in the morning to speak with him. He said yes. So, we set the interview for Monday. Then, they had to cancel. It was moved to Tuesday. We were to go to their apartment in the North of Bogota to do the interview. As we were all in the car heading over, they cancelled again. Mrs. Jara said they had to go to the Plaza Bolivar for a meeting with the Mayor. So, I told the crew that we should head downtown and just wait. We did... for 5 hours. But, when the Jara's finally came out of their meeting, they were willing to do the interview. There was a gaggle of other reporters there wanting the same thing. The Jara's were very gracious to give us a 10 minutes before they headed off to a Doctor's appointment. Our interview with them ran on rcnnews.tv and on the miamiherald.com.
This weekend, I am heading to New York City. I have been invited to take part in a panel chat on the changing Colombia for the PorColombia Student Organization. I will be giving my presentation on Saturday morning at 9am. If you are in the city and would like to attend, you can find the details at www.porcolombia.net. After NY, I will be heading back to Bogota, via Miami and will try to spend a day or two with my family.
Brian
Posted by Brian Andrews at 4:33 PM Links to this post
Monday, February 9, 2009
Technical Difficulty... please stand by!
11:30am update. We are up and running again! Thanks for standing by!
Thanks to the many of you who emailed over the weekend to let us know about the problem with our rcnnews.tv and canalrcn.com/newsinenglish pages. Yes, we seem to be having a rather large technical problem with the way our page is updated. Our technical team is working on a solution.
In the meantime, you can still view the latest RCN News in English from Colombia by visiting www.dailymotion.com/rcnnews. We are also available as a podcast if you subscibe via itunes. Just search itunes for RCN News in English and you'll find us. Plus, we can also been seen on TV Colombia weekdays at 11:30am and 6pm ET.
Thanks again for all of your support!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 9:56 AM Links to this post
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Not a dry eye in the newsroom...
video
It was just after 2pm. The Int´l Red Cross helicopter had just landed in Villavicencio. Every TV in the newsroom was on the feed... and every person in the newsroom was standing, in silence, watching the first images of Former Hostage Alan Jara in freedom.
Then, we all watched as Jara´s son and wife rushed up to the helicotper... and the family was reunited with big hugs and tears of joy. It was such a beautiful moment. And as I looked around the Newsroom here at RCN, I could see just about everyone was touched. Even the veterans in the Newsroom were wiping away a tear.
Then, as the Jara family walked toward the crowds, with Alan sporting a huge grin, there was a round of applause in the RCN Newsroom. For journalists, the story unfolding had tremendous emotion and a movie-like script. For Colombians, it was a proud moment to see a hostage go free and to know their country was becoming a safer place.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 8:52 PM Links to this post
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My first Bogota Bomb
It was just about 9pm and I was sitting at my computer when I heard a massive explosion. At first I thought it was thunder from a big storm over downtown. 2 minutes later, I realized it was a bomb. Someone set off a 5 kil bomb at a blockbuster video. The first reports were crazy. I heard Caracol Radio reporting it was the Club Colombia restaurant that was hit. Then, they reported it was the Blockbuster Video. First reports said 20 people were hurt and 2 dead. My phone started ringing. My awsome staff put the emergency plan in motion. I jumped in a taxi and headed to the scene. My producers Camilo and Ana Maria raced there as well. Cami was already in bed when he heard the news. He jumped out in his pijamas, got dressed, and drove over with his digital camera. Ana Maria was awsome. She lives close by and ran out the door with her blackberry and a notepad. At RCN, my Producers Alejo and Oliver were on it. Alejo called me to let me know he was sending a camera and discs to record on. Oliver went to the edit supervisor and got additional time for us to put together breaking news.
WHen I arrived on the scene, it was chaos. People were everywhere. Nearby apartment buildings had their glass windows blown out. Police officers were stringing yellow tape for miles. I finally found Ana Maria and the crew. They were shooting great tape. Camilo came up from the other side of the crime scene with video on his digital camera. We met in the middle of a mob of people and formed a plan. Then, all of the officials showed up. Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia's Minister of Defense was there... along with Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno. Both were very gracious to give interviews to us in English. I also met Council woman Clara Lopez who gave a great interview. Then, we went off with our crew to find some witnesses. The crew was fantastic. They didnt speak english... and had no idea what I was saying.. but they got my spanglish and gave us great shots.
Meantime, back at RCN, Oliver and Alejo were getting everything ready for my feed. As soon as the Network was done with their live shot, it was our turn to feed tape to contributiones. I got in front of the camera, said what I knew as fact, and tossed to some soundbytes. Alejo was taking the feed while Oliver was in editing.
With the help of Freddy and Narcicso, our expert editors, Oliver was able to turn around a special report in 10 minutes. Im so proud of my team. Everything worked the way it should have worked. All of them did a great job in helping us get the news online as quickly as possible.
We all left the scene about 12am. Ana and Cami have to be in at 7am to produce the morning news. Alejo and Oliver will be back at 12pm.
Way to go RCN News in English... You did a great job getting our first Bogota Bomb on the air!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 1:05 AM Links to this post
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Going to New York....
I'm heading back to the states for Valentine's Day Weekend! I've been invited by PorColombia.net to be part of a panel discussion on Colombia's changing International image. If you are in the tri-state area and want to come, check out www.porcolombia.net for details.
If you live abroad, I hope you will check out our new newscasts on RCN's TV Colombia! We air Monday through Friday at 11:30am and 6pm ET.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 5:11 PM Links to this post
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Bogota Saturday
It was a nice day off in Bogota today.
I went to the Park for my morning run. The sky was grey. The air was cool. I was happy. Next, I had lunch at this great little place up the 90 from my apartment. It was a soup and salad thing. Pretty good and cheap. Only $6 bucks!
Next, I came home and listening to the kid in the apartment building next to mind play the drums for 2 hours. It was over it by his 3rd set.
My landlord stopped by to put something in storage. What you ask? A Dental chair.
I know, kinda crazy. My landlord is a Dentist here in Bogota and heading up to Boston next week where he's studying at Harvard. He didnt want anyone to steal the chair from the office while he was gone. No Dar Papaya... even if its a 100 lb Dental chair.
I also spent some time today researching new revenue streams for the News in English. Im looking at reselling our unique content to other websites to increase our cash flow. Remember, News is a business!
Other than that, getting ready for Ciclovia tomorrow. I love when they shut down the city and I can ride my bike all over the place.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by Brian Andrews at 7:57 PM Links to this post
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Trumpet Player
Every morning, I hear a Trumpet player in the park near my home. The poor guy must not have any other place to practice. And he's been practicing for 6 months near my apartment building. At first, I thought it was kind of cool, then I started to get annoyed. Now, I've accepted the noise as part of city life. The Trumpet player is some gruffy looking guy with long hair and a stay dog that follows him around. Im never quite sure what he is playing because his music never makes any sense. If they are songs, they are songs I dont know.
Tonight, as I was walking back from Dinner in the 93 Park, the Trumpet player was there again. This time, he was talking with a group of Police officers and not playing his Trumpet. I guess one of the neighbors finally called the cops. But, I bet he's back tomorrow at 9:30, playing again.
Since it is a long Holiday weekend here, I'm heading out to Chia. My friend Dora Glottman has a beautiful home on the side of the mountain. She's got a little lake and a couple of waterfalls. Every time you step outside her home, you hear the sound of running water and feel a cool breeze. It's a great escape for me... and no Trumpet player when I wake up in the morning.
On the business front, News in English is growing. We are seeking new partnerships with other news organizations to provide them with Colombian video news content that we produce. We are also on TV Colombia starting on January 15th. They havent told me what time, but they are going to be running our evening edition Colombian Newscast. If you live in the states, TV Colombia is a premium channel on most cable systems.
Im also hoping to get word from the Network Executives on growing our staff this week. I would like to get 3 more people to help produce the new NTN Latin American News we are doing and to report stories for News in English. Ive been asking for more staff for several months now and maybe this will be the week everything gets moving.
It's been a really nice long weekend here in Bogota. As many of you know, I live near one of the city's most beautiful parks: El Parque del Virrey. Saturday, I gtabbed by Ipod and some sunblock and spend several hours just hanging out with a notepad. I always come up with my best ideas when Im relaxed. I came up with a few ideas for the project... and got a sunburn.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 7:02 PM Links to this post
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Great to be back!
Bogota is great... when its empty!
Very little traffic... very few people... no lines... less polution.
It's a paradise in the mountains.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 9:46 PM Links to this post
Saturday, January 3, 2009
From Palm Beach
I will be returning to my beloved 2nd home (Colombia) on Sunday night. I've been in Palm Beach, Florida for the past few days spending time with my family. I havent seen them in 6 months! It is so great to be home. The weather is awsome too! I was down in Miami visiting friends today. Its a great time to be in South Florida... BUT... Im starting to miss Bogota! Anyway, Im on the 5:45pm American Airlines flight going back Sunday night. Looking forward to a REAL cup of Colombian Coffee and a pollo al curry at Crepes and Waffles when I get back!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Latin Business Chronicle covers RCN News
Check out:
www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/app/article.aspx?id=3278
Posted by Brian Andrews at 7:53 PM Links to this post
Monday, March 30, 2009
Discovering the country
After a year and a half in Colombia, it was time to buy a car.
Freedom at last! No more waiting for telecooper to come and pick me up.
This weekend, I drove my new Chevy sedan for the first time to Giradot and Melgar.
The road there is great. I stopped off at Vaca des ries (The Smiling Cow) and had an Arepa with cheese. There were a bunch of other cool spots along the way. You pass this place called the Devil's nose, where the road was cut through the mountain. It's really neat. For the next 2 miles, there's nothing but green canyons and waterfalls. It's really beautiful. Meglar is a honkey tonk little town. Lots of swimming pools and noisy bars. Everyone is relaxed and having a beer somewhere. I spent the weekend at the Hotel Manantial. It was great. Brand new, nice, great pools, great food. Saturday, I went down to Penon in Giradot. It was like a sprawling country club with lakes and pools and people driving around on golf carts. It was super cool. I liked it so much, I plan to go back next weekend. I'm looking to rent a small house or apartment. The problem is that when you call to inquire about renting a place, with a gringo accent, they try to charge you too much. So, my friends are helping me make the reservation. Ideally, I found these little farms near Pinalosa that are beautiful. Im hoping to get one of those for next weekend and for the holy week.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 4:25 PM Links to this post
Latin Business Chronicle covers RCN News
Check out:
www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/app/article.aspx?id=3278
Posted by Brian Andrews at 7:53 PM Links to this post
Monday, March 30, 2009
Discovering the country
After a year and a half in Colombia, it was time to buy a car.
Freedom at last! No more waiting for telecooper to come and pick me up.
This weekend, I drove my new Chevy sedan for the first time to Giradot and Melgar.
The road there is great. I stopped off at Vaca des ries (The Smiling Cow) and had an Arepa with cheese. There were a bunch of other cool spots along the way. You pass this place called the Devil's nose, where the road was cut through the mountain. It's really neat. For the next 2 miles, there's nothing but green canyons and waterfalls. It's really beautiful. Meglar is a honkey tonk little town. Lots of swimming pools and noisy bars. Everyone is relaxed and having a beer somewhere. I spent the weekend at the Hotel Manantial. It was great. Brand new, nice, great pools, great food. Saturday, I went down to Penon in Giradot. It was like a sprawling country club with lakes and pools and people driving around on golf carts. It was super cool. I liked it so much, I plan to go back next weekend. I'm looking to rent a small house or apartment. The problem is that when you call to inquire about renting a place, with a gringo accent, they try to charge you too much. So, my friends are helping me make the reservation. Ideally, I found these little farms near Pinalosa that are beautiful. Im hoping to get one of those for next weekend and for the holy week.
Posted by Brian Andrews at 4:25 PM Links to this post
Saturday, April 4, 2009
USESFUL EXPRESSIONS IN CLASS:
Hello, how are you you today?
Good mourning students? (Teacher)
How is everyone doing? (Teachers or students)
Nice to see you! (Teachers or students)
Great to see you! (Teachers or students)
How are you today? (Teachers or students)
See you next class. (Teachers or students)
Do not forget the homework assignment. (Teachers)
Did everyone understand? (Teachers)
Raise your hand if you have any questions? (Teachers)
Can we proceed to the next topic? (Teachers)
Are you ready to take the quiz/ test/ exam? (Teachers or students)
You must bring the books every class? (Teachers)
I am sorry?
Are you ok?
Hey, what`s up?
How is everything? (Teachers or students)
You may sit down
Please be quiet
I cannot see the board
excuse me
Can I borrow your notes?
May I borrow your pen, pencil, eraser, calculator, book, ruler, notes, liquid paper, etc
Can you lend me your pen, pencil, eraser, calculator, book, ruler, notes, liquid paper, etc
Hello, how are you you today?
Good mourning students? (Teacher)
How is everyone doing? (Teachers or students)
Nice to see you! (Teachers or students)
Great to see you! (Teachers or students)
How are you today? (Teachers or students)
See you next class. (Teachers or students)
Do not forget the homework assignment. (Teachers)
Did everyone understand? (Teachers)
Raise your hand if you have any questions? (Teachers)
Can we proceed to the next topic? (Teachers)
Are you ready to take the quiz/ test/ exam? (Teachers or students)
You must bring the books every class? (Teachers)
I am sorry?
Are you ok?
Hey, what`s up?
How is everything? (Teachers or students)
You may sit down
Please be quiet
I cannot see the board
excuse me
Can I borrow your notes?
May I borrow your pen, pencil, eraser, calculator, book, ruler, notes, liquid paper, etc
Can you lend me your pen, pencil, eraser, calculator, book, ruler, notes, liquid paper, etc
CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT
The People who use this classroom:
- respect one another and one another’s property
- listen actively to one another
- help and care for one another
- listen quietly to all notices read from the Intranet
- are courteous
The classroom atmosphere which we all work hard to develop, is:
- open and tolerant
- friendly and kind
- relaxed and controlled
- positive and challenging
- honest and sincere
We come to class:
- punctually
- well prepared for our lessons
- ready to work immediately
- with all relevant books and equipment
In our class we will:
- not discriminate unfairly
- not pressurise any person unfairly
- try to avoid being punished as a group for individual
behaviour
- not raise our voices unnecessarily
We all:
- look after our school facilities and equipment
- enjoy a variety of teaching methods and approaches
- tolerate and affirm individual differences of opinion
- accept that people have different values, needs and abilities
- respect each other’s RIGHT TO LEARN
The People who use this classroom:
- respect one another and one another’s property
- listen actively to one another
- help and care for one another
- listen quietly to all notices read from the Intranet
- are courteous
The classroom atmosphere which we all work hard to develop, is:
- open and tolerant
- friendly and kind
- relaxed and controlled
- positive and challenging
- honest and sincere
We come to class:
- punctually
- well prepared for our lessons
- ready to work immediately
- with all relevant books and equipment
In our class we will:
- not discriminate unfairly
- not pressurise any person unfairly
- try to avoid being punished as a group for individual
behaviour
- not raise our voices unnecessarily
We all:
- look after our school facilities and equipment
- enjoy a variety of teaching methods and approaches
- tolerate and affirm individual differences of opinion
- accept that people have different values, needs and abilities
- respect each other’s RIGHT TO LEARN
TEACHING ROBOTS IN THE CURRENT CLASSROON
Actually we can see the intervention of technology in the current classroom and of course all the advantages and disadvantages that those new methods brings to the students. The chief reason why I’m writing this essay Is because human teacher may be replaced for the introduction of ITS (Intelligent tutoring systems) or teaching robots that are computer systems that provide personalized instruction and feedback to students though facial expression recognition without human intervention. In this moment we don’t know how successful Is going to be this project, but I’m completely sure that all of us should ask to ourselves the question Is it possible that one day robots could replace human teachers? And how we want to educate our children? The answer to these questions seems to be no clear; for example, Jacob Whitehill, the manager of this researching said that "The technology can facilitate these more advanced learning scenarios; although we aren’t completely sure about the advantages of applying ITS as teachers in the current classroom, Olney another expert said that "The ITS which have been developed are already better teachers than people who have no experience," and he felt that human teachers would always have an important role and I’m completely agree with him when he said that the current classroom set-up faces change because we can see monothematic classes and students that are not aware about their autonomous learning process, as a consequence we can think a lot of things respect to this topic but what I want to share with this essay are the advantages and disadvantages of having teaching robots in the current classroom.
If we are going to talk about the advantages of the (ITS) In the current classroom we can mention that the traditional model of learning is consistently shown as one of the worst ways to teach people and according to Olney words “It's much better for a student to have one-on-one interaction”. I think that It Is very important for the society to have the world in connection to access easily to the information and motivate people to know whatever they want and whenever they want. Another advantage according to the original source is that in the future we will see many different types of learning environments and in that case we can truly close educational achievement gaps through constructive use of the technology, for example in this aspect the machine is going to be adapted to each environment and the best of all is going to be adapted to the learning process of each student thought facial expression recognition; I mean that the ITS is going identify the gestures of the student and then, is going to teach. In my way of thinking the greatest advantage of this achievement for all of us is that Children in the future will be able to explore and learn about domains at far younger ages and with far greater results through computational approaches. They will be able to work with and learn from people around the world through connectivity, but the first advantage that called my attention is that they will be able to learn without boundaries as an expert said.
Now the disadvantages to the application of this technology in the current classroom could be that some students are not enough serious to assume their learning process with responsibility, but I think that the greatest disadvantage of this technology is the moral and ethical support that all human needs in their growing process because people have to have a behavior with values and Is obvious that the machine Is not aware about that. One other disadvantage of ITS is relative when students need to share their opinions and points of view to make the feedback of their knowledge and of course it is impossible with the machines because they can not think and solve problem, they only can give information. There could be more disadvantages but I want to emphasize it in those interesting topics.
As a consequence of the advantages and disadvantages of this smart technology we should think in the future, in how our children are going to be educated and what kind of society we are forming though the application of this tutoring systems or teaching robots. The inventor of this researching (Jacob Whitehill) said that his goal is not to change how people learn but rather to adapt computer and robot interfaces to how people learn. He is trying to bring the robot teachers to us, not the other way around. Finally I agree with Jacob when he said “The technology is not the most difficult part. Helping institutions to change and adapt to enable the new possibilities is the most difficult element. What is needed is vision and political will”; In my way of thinking this a new paradigm that we have to face up in order to find out the best way to teach and form people for the new challenges that are coming up!
Finally in the learning process we will ever need people who manage our knowledge and people who help us to construct new ideas through the interaction of human beings.
Actually we can see the intervention of technology in the current classroom and of course all the advantages and disadvantages that those new methods brings to the students. The chief reason why I’m writing this essay Is because human teacher may be replaced for the introduction of ITS (Intelligent tutoring systems) or teaching robots that are computer systems that provide personalized instruction and feedback to students though facial expression recognition without human intervention. In this moment we don’t know how successful Is going to be this project, but I’m completely sure that all of us should ask to ourselves the question Is it possible that one day robots could replace human teachers? And how we want to educate our children? The answer to these questions seems to be no clear; for example, Jacob Whitehill, the manager of this researching said that "The technology can facilitate these more advanced learning scenarios; although we aren’t completely sure about the advantages of applying ITS as teachers in the current classroom, Olney another expert said that "The ITS which have been developed are already better teachers than people who have no experience," and he felt that human teachers would always have an important role and I’m completely agree with him when he said that the current classroom set-up faces change because we can see monothematic classes and students that are not aware about their autonomous learning process, as a consequence we can think a lot of things respect to this topic but what I want to share with this essay are the advantages and disadvantages of having teaching robots in the current classroom.
If we are going to talk about the advantages of the (ITS) In the current classroom we can mention that the traditional model of learning is consistently shown as one of the worst ways to teach people and according to Olney words “It's much better for a student to have one-on-one interaction”. I think that It Is very important for the society to have the world in connection to access easily to the information and motivate people to know whatever they want and whenever they want. Another advantage according to the original source is that in the future we will see many different types of learning environments and in that case we can truly close educational achievement gaps through constructive use of the technology, for example in this aspect the machine is going to be adapted to each environment and the best of all is going to be adapted to the learning process of each student thought facial expression recognition; I mean that the ITS is going identify the gestures of the student and then, is going to teach. In my way of thinking the greatest advantage of this achievement for all of us is that Children in the future will be able to explore and learn about domains at far younger ages and with far greater results through computational approaches. They will be able to work with and learn from people around the world through connectivity, but the first advantage that called my attention is that they will be able to learn without boundaries as an expert said.
Now the disadvantages to the application of this technology in the current classroom could be that some students are not enough serious to assume their learning process with responsibility, but I think that the greatest disadvantage of this technology is the moral and ethical support that all human needs in their growing process because people have to have a behavior with values and Is obvious that the machine Is not aware about that. One other disadvantage of ITS is relative when students need to share their opinions and points of view to make the feedback of their knowledge and of course it is impossible with the machines because they can not think and solve problem, they only can give information. There could be more disadvantages but I want to emphasize it in those interesting topics.
As a consequence of the advantages and disadvantages of this smart technology we should think in the future, in how our children are going to be educated and what kind of society we are forming though the application of this tutoring systems or teaching robots. The inventor of this researching (Jacob Whitehill) said that his goal is not to change how people learn but rather to adapt computer and robot interfaces to how people learn. He is trying to bring the robot teachers to us, not the other way around. Finally I agree with Jacob when he said “The technology is not the most difficult part. Helping institutions to change and adapt to enable the new possibilities is the most difficult element. What is needed is vision and political will”; In my way of thinking this a new paradigm that we have to face up in order to find out the best way to teach and form people for the new challenges that are coming up!
Finally in the learning process we will ever need people who manage our knowledge and people who help us to construct new ideas through the interaction of human beings.
ACT. 6: QUIZ (UNIDADES 1 a 4) - Intento 2
Identify Word (in Capital letter) forms:
Big cities on the coast will be UNLIVABLE like New Orleans after Hurricane “Katrina”
ADJECTIVE
A greater volume of water will POUR into the oceans. VERB
If the sea level rises COASTAL cities will flood ADJECTIVE
Global temperatures have increased by over 1 DEGREE in the past fifty years. NOUN
Damage by ocean FLOODING will be irreversible NOUN
"When I opened the door, I realized we had been robbed".
In the sentence above the right Sequencing Past Events is:
I opened the door 2
I realized we had been robbed3
We were robbed1
He had already started eating when he realized he did not have any money".
In the sentence above the right Sequencing Past Event is:
he realized he did not have any money3
He had already started eating 2
he did not have any money 1
Choose the right answer:
Congratulations ___ your husband’s appointment as Chief Officer!
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. to
b. for
c. on
d. in
Choose the right answer:
Congratulations ____ (win) that gold medal!
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. on win
b. for win
c. for winning
d. on winning
"I wish you happiness!" is an expression of:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. courtesy
b. courage
c. happy
d. birth
READING: CAN YOU IMAGINE...?
Can you imagine what will happen if temperatures continue to rise around the globe?
According to scientists, global temperatures have increased by over 1 degree in the past fifty years. If this continues our earth will face disaster. For example, if temperatures at the North and South Poles increase, ice there will melt faster. This means a greater volume of water will pour into the oceans. If the sea level rises, coastal cities will flood.
Big cities on the coast like New York and Miami and Venice will be unlivable like New Orleans shortly after Hurricane “Katrina” in 2005, but, in contrast, damage by ocean flooding will be irreversible.
Another danger is from snowfall on the mountain tops. If the snow melts faster, the volume of water will increase. This means rivers will swell and cause flooding and erosion. Or if high temperatures do not allow snow to form on the mountains we will lose a valuable source of fresh water.
If we don’t do something soon the situation will be very critical. Scientists hope people will soon understand the danger and act quickly. If they don’t, the imminent disaster will occur. Scientists hope that the active involvement of well-informed people will be crucial in preventing calamities and natural disasters caused by man-induced weather changes.
According to the reading above:
A 1 degree increase in temperature ____
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. affects countries all over the world
b. people will die
c. coastal cities will not survive
d. it is too late to save planet earth
Choice the right answer:
According to "well-informed people". Well-informed is:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. an adjective
b. a two-word verb
c. a noun
d. a compound adjective
Indicate if "True" or "False":
According to this article rising global temperatures mean a strong possibility of future disasters?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
Indicate if "True" or "False":
The author of the article believes that natural disasters are inevitable.
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
Indicate if "True" or "False":
According to following : "If the snow melts faster, the volume of water will increase". The "RESULT CLAUSE" would be "the volume of water will increase" ?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
DIALOGUE
J.C. : So, you still miss Paris, Pierre?
PIERRE: Yes, definitely. I miss the things I used to see and do in Paris.
J.C. : Like what for example?
PIERRE : Well every morning I used to see the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero on my way to work. I used to have lunch at a small café on the West Bank and watch the boats on the River Seine….(in French) Ah! Paris, Paris….
J. C. : How about on rainy days or in the winter. Did you use to enjoy it then?
PIERRE : But most definitely. Paris is beautiful all year. The bad weather didn’t use to spoil my enjoyment at all.
J.C. (smiling) Well you love your city, obviously. If I win the lottery I’ll go to Paris one day . Where did you use to work in Paris?
PIERRE: In “Credit Lyonnais’, it’s a large bank in France. I used to be a bank clerk there.
J.C. : Oh, so that’s why you’re studying economics here in the U.S.A.?
PIERRE : Yes, it’s a lot cheaper than France. I’m improving my English here, too.
J. C. Did you use to speak much English in Paris?
PIERRE: No, not very much.
J.C. : Will do the same job if you return to Paris ?
PIERRE: I hope not. I want to be a CEO at the same bank. But that’s enough about me. Tell me, do you still miss Colombia?
J.C. : Yes, of course, a lot.
PIERRE: Tell me what you used to do there…..
The word "miss" according to dialogue means:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. Abbreviation for a girl.
b. An attendant at a bank.
c. Pleasure, delight, satisfaction.
d. Feel nostalgic for a place or person.
According to dialogue "used to" means:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. An attendant at a bank.
b. Ruin or destroy.
c. Pleasure, delight, satisfaction.
d. Expression equivalent to the Spanish ‘solía’.
Indicate if "True" or "False" according to dialogue above:
For PIERRE, "Paris is beautiful all year", but the bad weather used to spoil his enjoyment all the time?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
16
Puntos: 2
Indicate if "True" or "False":
PIERRE didn't use to speak much English in Paris?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
Complete with the right option the following dialogue:
"RAFAEL: ----did-----------you ------use---------to enjoy rainy days or winter in Paris?
DANIEL: Yes, I did. Paris is beautiful all year. The bad weather to spoil my enjoyment at all".
Identify Word (in Capital letter) forms:
Big cities on the coast will be UNLIVABLE like New Orleans after Hurricane “Katrina”
ADJECTIVE
A greater volume of water will POUR into the oceans. VERB
If the sea level rises COASTAL cities will flood ADJECTIVE
Global temperatures have increased by over 1 DEGREE in the past fifty years. NOUN
Damage by ocean FLOODING will be irreversible NOUN
"When I opened the door, I realized we had been robbed".
In the sentence above the right Sequencing Past Events is:
I opened the door 2
I realized we had been robbed3
We were robbed1
He had already started eating when he realized he did not have any money".
In the sentence above the right Sequencing Past Event is:
he realized he did not have any money3
He had already started eating 2
he did not have any money 1
Choose the right answer:
Congratulations ___ your husband’s appointment as Chief Officer!
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. to
b. for
c. on
d. in
Choose the right answer:
Congratulations ____ (win) that gold medal!
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. on win
b. for win
c. for winning
d. on winning
"I wish you happiness!" is an expression of:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. courtesy
b. courage
c. happy
d. birth
READING: CAN YOU IMAGINE...?
Can you imagine what will happen if temperatures continue to rise around the globe?
According to scientists, global temperatures have increased by over 1 degree in the past fifty years. If this continues our earth will face disaster. For example, if temperatures at the North and South Poles increase, ice there will melt faster. This means a greater volume of water will pour into the oceans. If the sea level rises, coastal cities will flood.
Big cities on the coast like New York and Miami and Venice will be unlivable like New Orleans shortly after Hurricane “Katrina” in 2005, but, in contrast, damage by ocean flooding will be irreversible.
Another danger is from snowfall on the mountain tops. If the snow melts faster, the volume of water will increase. This means rivers will swell and cause flooding and erosion. Or if high temperatures do not allow snow to form on the mountains we will lose a valuable source of fresh water.
If we don’t do something soon the situation will be very critical. Scientists hope people will soon understand the danger and act quickly. If they don’t, the imminent disaster will occur. Scientists hope that the active involvement of well-informed people will be crucial in preventing calamities and natural disasters caused by man-induced weather changes.
According to the reading above:
A 1 degree increase in temperature ____
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. affects countries all over the world
b. people will die
c. coastal cities will not survive
d. it is too late to save planet earth
Choice the right answer:
According to "well-informed people". Well-informed is:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. an adjective
b. a two-word verb
c. a noun
d. a compound adjective
Indicate if "True" or "False":
According to this article rising global temperatures mean a strong possibility of future disasters?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
Indicate if "True" or "False":
The author of the article believes that natural disasters are inevitable.
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
Indicate if "True" or "False":
According to following : "If the snow melts faster, the volume of water will increase". The "RESULT CLAUSE" would be "the volume of water will increase" ?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
DIALOGUE
J.C. : So, you still miss Paris, Pierre?
PIERRE: Yes, definitely. I miss the things I used to see and do in Paris.
J.C. : Like what for example?
PIERRE : Well every morning I used to see the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero on my way to work. I used to have lunch at a small café on the West Bank and watch the boats on the River Seine….(in French) Ah! Paris, Paris….
J. C. : How about on rainy days or in the winter. Did you use to enjoy it then?
PIERRE : But most definitely. Paris is beautiful all year. The bad weather didn’t use to spoil my enjoyment at all.
J.C. (smiling) Well you love your city, obviously. If I win the lottery I’ll go to Paris one day . Where did you use to work in Paris?
PIERRE: In “Credit Lyonnais’, it’s a large bank in France. I used to be a bank clerk there.
J.C. : Oh, so that’s why you’re studying economics here in the U.S.A.?
PIERRE : Yes, it’s a lot cheaper than France. I’m improving my English here, too.
J. C. Did you use to speak much English in Paris?
PIERRE: No, not very much.
J.C. : Will do the same job if you return to Paris ?
PIERRE: I hope not. I want to be a CEO at the same bank. But that’s enough about me. Tell me, do you still miss Colombia?
J.C. : Yes, of course, a lot.
PIERRE: Tell me what you used to do there…..
The word "miss" according to dialogue means:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. Abbreviation for a girl.
b. An attendant at a bank.
c. Pleasure, delight, satisfaction.
d. Feel nostalgic for a place or person.
According to dialogue "used to" means:
Seleccione una respuesta.
a. An attendant at a bank.
b. Ruin or destroy.
c. Pleasure, delight, satisfaction.
d. Expression equivalent to the Spanish ‘solía’.
Indicate if "True" or "False" according to dialogue above:
For PIERRE, "Paris is beautiful all year", but the bad weather used to spoil his enjoyment all the time?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
16
Puntos: 2
Indicate if "True" or "False":
PIERRE didn't use to speak much English in Paris?
Respuesta:
Verdadero Falso
Complete with the right option the following dialogue:
"RAFAEL: ----did-----------you ------use---------to enjoy rainy days or winter in Paris?
DANIEL: Yes, I did. Paris is beautiful all year. The bad weather to spoil my enjoyment at all".
EXPERIENCES AS A LEARNER
Learning English have been a specific point of view to realize that all the things I want to know are possible.
Now I must talk about my experiences in the last fifths semesters I’d done.
First of all, when I was in my first year, I felt nervous because my partners can spoke in English and they were much more better than I was, but my teacher constantly made me feel in the positive way!. I remember when I lost almost all the final exams in my first and second semester and I talked to my teacher “I’m going to change this career because is so difficult for me” and she told me “you can do it, whatever we want is ok ¡if we want! And you want and have a great motivation to learn English”, and it was.
To concrete the previous paragraph, I think that this career is and interesting challenge that I took and I’m really sure that in my professional life I’m going to be a successful man in this learning process. To continue the main idea of this essay my English process is very particular and significative and the most important is to have serious difficulties with this subject because when I’ll be a professional teacher, maybe I’ll be the best.
To follow my experiences about English, when I began my third semester I had many expectations and I learned but not on the way I wanted. So, I was trying to watch TV a lot with the caption but my time never is enough to do my duties. I think that the method in English is very transcendental, most of all when we are used to live in a completely different language as it is Spanish.
In my fourth semester I had many problems in my personal life, I had many commitments and many pressures, all the time I was worry, so worry and for that reason I called this semester the “stressful one”, it terrified me the idea of losing my fourth semester because I had to present the Michigan exam and my motivations were not the same ones as when I began this career but thanks to God I didn’t lose the semester but I couldn’t learn as I waited.
The last semester, my fifth semester was interesting because we have to speak in English all the time, our teacher worked so hard trying to improve our speaking skill. But grammatically and in listening matters I don’t feel sure and I have big holes in it.
Now I feel little nervous because I have a great teacher and is not easy work with her because I don’t know if I’m ready to be as good as I want, but I’m going to try to be very responsibly and I’ll try to follow my teacher’s advice.
As a conclusion I have learned English but I still need a lot of help, I’m not good as an English’ student yet, and I think that my English process haven’t been the best and finally for that I have to say I feel mediocre as a learner in this subject, only in this subject.
Learning English have been a specific point of view to realize that all the things I want to know are possible.
Now I must talk about my experiences in the last fifths semesters I’d done.
First of all, when I was in my first year, I felt nervous because my partners can spoke in English and they were much more better than I was, but my teacher constantly made me feel in the positive way!. I remember when I lost almost all the final exams in my first and second semester and I talked to my teacher “I’m going to change this career because is so difficult for me” and she told me “you can do it, whatever we want is ok ¡if we want! And you want and have a great motivation to learn English”, and it was.
To concrete the previous paragraph, I think that this career is and interesting challenge that I took and I’m really sure that in my professional life I’m going to be a successful man in this learning process. To continue the main idea of this essay my English process is very particular and significative and the most important is to have serious difficulties with this subject because when I’ll be a professional teacher, maybe I’ll be the best.
To follow my experiences about English, when I began my third semester I had many expectations and I learned but not on the way I wanted. So, I was trying to watch TV a lot with the caption but my time never is enough to do my duties. I think that the method in English is very transcendental, most of all when we are used to live in a completely different language as it is Spanish.
In my fourth semester I had many problems in my personal life, I had many commitments and many pressures, all the time I was worry, so worry and for that reason I called this semester the “stressful one”, it terrified me the idea of losing my fourth semester because I had to present the Michigan exam and my motivations were not the same ones as when I began this career but thanks to God I didn’t lose the semester but I couldn’t learn as I waited.
The last semester, my fifth semester was interesting because we have to speak in English all the time, our teacher worked so hard trying to improve our speaking skill. But grammatically and in listening matters I don’t feel sure and I have big holes in it.
Now I feel little nervous because I have a great teacher and is not easy work with her because I don’t know if I’m ready to be as good as I want, but I’m going to try to be very responsibly and I’ll try to follow my teacher’s advice.
As a conclusion I have learned English but I still need a lot of help, I’m not good as an English’ student yet, and I think that my English process haven’t been the best and finally for that I have to say I feel mediocre as a learner in this subject, only in this subject.
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