Tag Archives: writing

A new way to meet your Mr or Miss Right

Students' Corner,

Sent by Estela Alvarez, a fourth year student.


A long time ago single women who had a romantic meeting always went with a chaperone who kept an eye on the couple, whereas nowadays people can flirt from their personal computer while they are surfing the Internet because there are websites where they chat possible partners up. It seems incredible, but there are people who go out with someone without having ever seen them .
Certainly, we live in a stressful world and some people are too busy to look for love. As a result, new ways of meeting the person of your dreams are coming along. Actually, travel agencies arrange special trips only for single people and TV programmes organize blind dates for their contestants. But one of the most original systems to meet your Mr or Miss Right is a speed date, which is becoming more and more popular in different countries, especially among young people.
It consists of a group of people, where there is the same number of men and women, who are gathered together in a room where they have a few minutes to find out as much information as they can about each other in order to see if some of them is their perfect soul mate. At a speed date a person talks one to one to a member of the opposite sex during a while and as soon as a bell rings the participants have to move on to the next person and then, they start a conversation again. At the end of the event they submit to the organizers a list with people they fancy and they would like to see again because they believe they could be compatible. If the other person also feels the same attraction the organizers will get them in touch .
In Spain a sort of “speed date” is becoming fashionable between university students, although this way to meet a possible pick-up is slightly different. It is called «traffic lights party» and it is usually celebrated in discos. It consists of wearing a sticker with the shape of a traffic light in the lapel and the colours of the signal have different meanings, so if you are wearing the green light switched on, it means you are not engaged; the yellow light means you are single but you are not especially interested in meeting anybody; and the red colour means you already have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Funny , isn’t it?

The Pyramids of Egypt, a Masterpiece of Architecture

Students' Corner,

Kindly sent by Estela Alvarez , a fourth-year student at the EOI
Humanity has achieved amazing exploits for thousands of years. For example, the control of fire and the invention of the wheel in the primitive communities or the sophisticated trips to the outer space nowadays. But if I have to choose one of the most outstanding achievements of mankind, it’ll the Pyramids of Egypt. I find them absolutely fascinating because they are still surrounded by mistery in spite of their age. Actually, nobody knows exactly how these extraordinary structures were built. Although it is thought that ramps, levers and pulleys could have been used to move the huge stone blocks which pyramids were made of, the fact is that archaeologists, engineers and other experts don’t fully agree about the way they were constructed.What I find particularly impressive is the perfect geometry on their slants. Moreover, the pyramids face towards specific stars, so it is a proof of the vast knowledge of Astronomy the ancient Egyptian civilization had. There are people who think that this famous monument is a vestige of an alien colony in the Earth built by creatures from another planet. I respect the beliefs each person has, but from my point of view, these people have seen the film «Stargate»far too many times. Anyway, I’m a bit more agnostic and I agree with the scientific research which has shown the pyramids were simply tombs of pharaohs.

These excepcional pieces of architecture were symbols of status and power in the ancient Egypt and only kings and queens of this civilization could be buried in these peculiar burial chambers when they died. Their bodies were mummified and the richness which belonged to the pharaohs was placed next to their mortal remains so that they could use their wealth beyond their death -they had faith in this sort of beliefs-. It is incredible to think about the wonderful treasures which may be still hidden under the sandy desert. Archeological excavations have been looking for hieroglyphics, old vessels, arks and other antiques along the Nile river bank for ages. However, I believe there are still a lot of marvellous things concealed there.
In my opinion, the Pyramids of Egypt are an admirable masterpiece. In fact, several months ago there was a survey in different countries to choose the new Seven Wonders of the World and millions of people voted for the Pyramids. They are the only wonder which was in the original list before the opinion poll and it is still standing after the survey. Definitely, if I save enough money to travel to Egypt one day, I won’t miss the opportunity to visit the Pyramids.

Goodbye my lover – Mika and …..The rest

General, Students' Corner,

I didn´t know Mika, nor this song, despite the fact that this is a romantic song and the more I listen to it the more I like it. Mika is a quick-changing singer and I reckon he would be the new Freddie Mercury who is believed to have been a sing start? in the past and nowadays, once he is dead, he is too, therefore I must assume he must be so in the future. (lyrics show must go on, video show must go on)
Another group like “Queen” would be U2 with his singer named “Bono” (video-with or without you, lyrics with or without you), those groups have been trendy in the past, nowadays and probably in the future. U2 have protest songs probably because of their nationality, they are from Ireland, where the conflict between IRA and England Government is latent. Their music and their lyrics improve in their concerts, once we can see their concert strength it´s unforgettable, they have a powerful sound that can surround us and a shiver can run down our spine (new year´s day). If someone can go to a U2´s concert, please don’t doubt, it´s always a good choice.
Another great pop singer is Robbie Williams (video feel-robbie, lyrics fell),I believe he must be mad, it is said that some geniuses have been a little crazy like him; probably drugs are wrecking his life. Although he is a great singer he ought to work hard to be an upper-class. He might become a sing star like Freddie Mercury but this is very difficult, watch this: (video barcelona)… behind Montserrat Caballe, it is so amazing.
On the other hand, there are many singers on top of the list s nowadays but I don´t know whether they’ll be in the future. For example Rihanna (video hate that i love you lyrics hate that i love you), a cute black woman and “No doubt” with their blonde soft rock singer (video don´t speak lyrics don´t speak).
But I don´t want to finish without speaking about Duffy, a pretty blonde singer who has a special voice which can take us our thoughts, and remind us of the lost American soul. I think she is a link between the past and the present and she is a flattering to our ears. (video mercy)
Sent by Manuel Torga, 4th year student

Weddings

General, Students' Corner,
Written by Sandra Garcia Corte , 4º year

To start with, I have to tell you that I have been to many weddings in my life since I was a little child. This is because my mother has a lot of first cousins. In fact, they can be more than 20 ! 

Anyway, despite me having gone to so many weddings, I just really enjoyed my self in the first one.

I was with my aunt in my grandma’s house one day, when the door bell rang. It was my aunt’s boyfriend wanting to tell her something extremely important… As everyone was expecting (except my aunt) he showed her a beautiful golden engagement ring !  Of course, she said Yes !

The wedding took place three months later. (I was six years old). It was on the 4th of February and to  everyone’s surprise  it had snowed a lot the week before. Fortunately, that Saturday, the sun was shining.

The groom arrived before the bride. He was wearing tails and my mother was with him because she was the maid of honour. Half an hour later, the bride arrived. She looked gorgeous with her beautiful white dress and veil covering her face. I was one of the bridesmaid and my cousins were page boys.

More...They got married in a small chapel in the countryside. My grandfather, who was the best man walked the bride down the aisle. During the ceremony they pronounced the vows and exchanged silver coins, as usual. The significance of this ritual is sharing the worldly goods.

After the service, they stood outside for photographs for a long time. As they were leaving the Church, the guests threw rice over them. Besides,  my aunt threw her bouquet of flowers over her shoulder towards the crowd.

Then, we went along for the reception. We stood on the grass, by the river outside the restaurant and everyone drank cider and champagne for hours!

Later on, we entered the restaurant to have lunch; we took places. When the bride and groom came in looking wonderful, everyone stood up to welcome them with lights ! The meal consisted of 3 or 4 courses. After the meal, the couple decided to cut the wedding cake together. As they were cutting it, my dad proposed a toast. Afterwards, the best man gave the first speech. It was about the fact that  in marriage, you have to give and take… Finally, we danced the whole afternoon and even the whole night.

The next week the new couple left for their honeymoon to Egypt !!

At a Hospital

General, Students' Corner,

Last Saturday a friend of mine was badly injured in a car crash because he was under the alcohol effects. Fortunately, the accident was near Villa so the paramedics could get there before it was too late. They examined him and realised that besides suffering from shock, he could barely  breathe and there was blood everywhere. They rushed him to hospital and as soon as he arrived he was taken to the operating theatre to have an operation. His lungs were quite damaged but during the operation the doctors realised that his stomach was injured as well. Eventually it turned out worse than the surgeons expected so the operation lasted quite a bit more.

         After having been operated he was taken to intensive care and the nurses gave him an injection to avoid him the pains. Unfortunately his condition deteriorated overnight: he began to throw up, had a temperature… but it was all because of a virus so the doctors prescribed him some painkillers and antibiotics. After having healed the virus, the doctors discharged  him from hospital and gave him some advice as having a healthy diet (because of the virus), giving up smoking (because of the lungs injury) and keep away from the alcohol for a couple of months because he could be hooked on it.

         Nowadays he has scars because of the stitches he needed and is walking on crutches until the twist ankle gets better, if it doesn’t, he might need surgery. Moreover he has got rid of all the alcohol he had at home.

This essay has been sent by Estela Ramon García, 4º year