My English COMPETENCE in 2014

If I had to show my English level I would choose this posts:

• Oral presentation: http://louvesiamoise.blogspot.com.es/2014/02/the-equinotherapy.html 
• Written post: http://louvesiamoise.blogspot.com.es/2013/11/normandie-2013.html

I am convinced I would choose this ones. The oral presentation shows I can be in front of public talking in English and expressing myself in an acceptable way. I also like it because it's from my research project and it would be nice that they knew about my research.

Related on the written post, I've chosen this one I wrote about the European Championship in Normandy, that I attended in 2013, because I really loved it and personally it is really important for me,, I had really good experiences doing what I really love, my biggest hobby. As I really liked talking about it, I was interested on looking into different words to help myself with the written expression. And finally I think it was good, I am proud of this post. 

I hope you think the same as me about this posts, I did it the best I could!

My English Progress from 2012 to 2014

It's time to see my improvement from 2012 until now. It's difficult to evaluate yourself, you I'll try to.

• Old post: http://irenemenendez3.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/italy-special-country.html
• New post: http://louvesiamoise.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/if-i-knew-back-then.html

I have to say that I have improved in some grammar, vocabulary and connectors. In that time we didn't use any connector, there were only dots and comas, and now my vocabulary is richer. That's something I am really proud of.

One example is: I don't have a special thing to tell because everything was incredible. We met some people from other places, a lot of Catalan people that was in a trip in Italy.  Here I could have said: I don't have a special thing to tell because everything was incredible. Moreover, we met some people,... 
That's the difference between then and now.


Related on my podcasts, I can only say my pronunciation has improved, and I'm more fluid, I am more about to be understood.

• Old podcast: http://irenemenen.blogspot.com.es/2013/06/dialogue.html
• New podcast: http://louvesiamoise.blogspot.com.es/2014/03/what-money-cant-but-marketisation-of.html

I laughed so much listening at the first podcast, recorded with Ona. I remember the times we repeated it because we were laughing at all and we weren't focused on it. I think my pronunciation is still the same one, I can't see any differences on it, so I can't give any example. 

I would like to have more time to write on it, but we're on the last week's exams... and tomorrow we have History at 8 o'clock in the morning. 

If I knew back then...

Dear Irene, 

Stop right now! You're just in front of the highschool's door, with a happy face because you think you're a bit older and every thing thing is going to be better. But that's not at all as you may think... Do you know what is in there? Not only teachers, exams,... There's also people you're going to meet that aren't good at all, you'll probably say that they are your friends, bur in my experience... I have to tell you that it's not true. Well, let's stop talking about friends and let's talk about studying. As it is usual in almost every person, the first year you're going to study a lot an maybe some days before the exam, but the second, the third year... I'm sure you won't! Then arrives batchillerat, with a hard work the first year. But the second... what about the second! You'll have to do your research project, a lots of exams and, to finish happily and because you wouldn't have studied enough, you'll have to pass the selectivity. OK, I am joking... We have studied so much during this year, and in three weeks we'll have to study all the subjects we've cursed this year. Amazing. 

The only thing I have to tell you before you begin this torture is that you'll have fun even when you'll be listening the teachers, partners ,etc. Enjoy now, because we're too young to let go the good moments. Good luck!

Are we too dependent on mobile phones?

We can see mobile phones around us, maybe because it's too convenient having an object that we use for almost everything. Unfortunately, people don't know or they don't realize that the dependance on mobile phones is growing, every time more.

As I see it, lots of people can't stand going out without their mobile, or they just don't do it because they're entertained on it. It sounds funny, but when a woman is wearing a big handbag, she's constantly putting her hand in the back to check if the mobile is still there. But, as it happens, she doesn't find it. Now, at that moment, she goes totally crazy.

Other cases related with the Nomophobia, is the people who are constantly charging their mobile's battery, even if it's on the 50%. Moreover, when we walk on the streets, there's no person who doesn't have their mobile phone on their hands.

Personally, I think the majority of the people lilving in this world are addicted to it, and they should admit it. Nowadays, there's nothing strange on nomophobic people, so we shouldn't be afraid of accepting we all are a it nomophobic.

The Rise of Antibiotic Resistance

• Summary:

The World Health Organization found that the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, fungi and parasites are not going to let last the standard treatments working, all the infections are being harder to control and there are a lot more of risks (spreading infections, illness,...). This has happened because people use antibiotics routinely, by their own. Now, a a lot of treatments using antibiotics have failed and for examples, the number of pations suffering pneumonia and bloodstream infections are growing so much. 

To conclude, what people have to do is to minimize the overuse of antibiotics to stop the development of resistant pathogens. 

• Opinion:

It is true that a lot of people takes drugs without knowing its function. Antibiotic has to be taken in specific cases, when you really need it because if people don't, then happens that pathogens become resistant to it. The fight we have versus this little microorganisms is incredible.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/11/opinion/sunday/the-rise-of-antibiotic-resistance.html

It is almost done!

This is going to be my last post in this blog! Woah... I'm so happy, there's only one more week left of exams, and then, there we go for Selectivity! 

It has been a difficult year, not only for my studies, but other things from out of school. Nevertheless, I have studied the most as I could and I'm proud of it. I think that if I do a good selectivity I'll have the mark to study "Pharmacy". And that's all I want right know, success in everything related in studies and sport! 

I have a friend who is very stressed right now, she can't even breath sometimes, and I am a bit worried about her. I try to calm her every day but it doesn't work... She has a lot of pressuring because she needs high mark. Personally, I have to give thanks that I'm not like her, in this conditions. I don't know why but I have been quite relaxed, not caring at all about the marks, and enjoying the moment, because that's what we have to do! We have to go out of home, not resting the whole day on it. Well, these are my thoughts. 

There're only five exams left! Come on!

Patient's cells deployed to attack aggressive cancer

• Summary:

An import an step has been token with a woman's body who was 43 years old. It is a treatment with an advanced and deadly kind of cancer, spread from her bile duct to her liver and lungs. Researchers have identified cells from her immune system which attaches specific malignant cells. They have make them grow in a laboratory and infused them back to her blood. Despite the treatment and chemotherapy, she is not cured but her tumors are shrinking.
However, they want to try to treat some to her people with this same type of cancer and more, for example, breasts cancer. They don't know if it's going to work because they only found this cells in that woman.

• Opinion:

It would be an enormous progress if they can manage to research if this treatment could work on other type of cancers, despite chemotherapy. I think we all are waiting the day that this disease could have a definitive cure, for all its different types. It would be the biggest step in the world!

• Words I have learnt:

Shrinking: disminuint, extingint

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/09/health/doctors-use-patients-immune-cells-to-shrink-cancer-tumors.html?ref=health&_r=0

Violinist

This song called "All of me" is making me even more crazy than I was every time I listen to it. I feel very relaxed when I listen this magical girl playing the violin, and it remembers me when I was a child, all those six years I spend playing the violin. I really like it, I have to admit it, but I didn't have time to study. However, I was improving every week, and my teacher, a really nice man, was proud of me, he treated me as a relative. The reason I stopped playing this beautiful instrument was the studies and my main priority, my horse. I spent a lot of time out of home, and I still doing, so you can imagine that combining all these things was a bit difficult. 

So every time I want to feel better and be proud of myself, I listen to this song and it makes me remember some years ago.

I hope you like the song. Moreover, its lyrics is able to be understood for us!!

Formal letter

Plaça Catalunya, 7

1st February 2014

La Garriga, Spain

Mr. Barak Obama

The White House, Washington D.C.

The United States of America

Dear Mr. Obama, 

I am writing to request information about the most violated Human Rights in the United States, namely freedom of speech and thought.

First of all, as I am interested in Human Rights, I would like to know your opinion about their violation and the ones which are more violated. In my opinion, it is the freedom of speech and thought: in many countries the Government is very strict, from what I've heard from people talking about this. Is it true? Many people wish for a better life in their countries.

Finally, I would be interested knowing which countries suffer the most more from this kind of violation of these Human Rights.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Irene Menéndez

Interview with a career expert on your interest

Today we are talking to an expert on Chemistery, who's working in a Farmacy's laboratory. His name is Xavier Font and we will interview him about his experiences.

Good morning Xavier, thank you for visiting us today. Do you agree if we start talking about when you decided to study Pharmacy?

Well, good morning. I first have to tell you that I didn't know what to study, and I decided to study Farmacy because I was keen on Chemistry and I wanted to do some research on animal drugs.

So you fulfilled your dream on your job?

Yes, I did eventually. Now I'm working in Amer, in a business called Hipra, where we prepare all kind of drugs for animals.

Why are you working for animals, and not for people?

I know it can sound a bit strange, but I think that working for people is probably more dangerous. Well, it must be. I men, you have more responsibility with people than with animals. Moreover, I always liked animals and working to save their lives or make them feel better, it also makes me feel good.

Thank you very much for your attention. I hope you research a lot on animal deceases and fins a cure.

We're now investigating in a new case, but it's a really new case. Thank you too for the interview.

Zonahorseball

Good morning people! Today I woke up feeling like persuading you about my biggest hobby. I'm sorry for you, teacher... but talking about this really inspires me and I feel comfortable. However, I promise I'll talk about something else!!

You just have to go to this web side: http://zonahorseball.cat and here you can see all the aspects of horseball. Marià Clavell and Berta Barnils, my excoach and the photographer, are trying to do a project to expand this sport around Catalonia, to be recognized as it should be. They have also sent some videos to APM (a TV programme). Here you can watch one of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgD88HqAfjI

What do you think about it? I think I have no more words to describe it, it's enough with showing some photos to people who has never heard about it, and they look like impressed! 

I have never been recognized in my village, despite I've been competing on the European Championship for 3 years. And this year we are going to go to Paris! So nice... what else can I expect!

Amazing dancers

I think that they are the best dancers I have ever seen. They don't just dance with strong feelings, the guy also throws the girl on the air, and she is amazing, her flexibility... I have no words. I wanted to post an exciting video, maybe a dancer or a show, but I found this video the other day and I thought it was perfect to show it to you.
I understand people gets excited when they saw it, I also did. I'm so sensitive and my tears begin to fall (about the emotion).

I know Marina is going to like this video, and I hope the rest of you too, because I'm sure you've never seen something like this. In brief, UNBELIEVABLE!

Professors Are Prejudiced, Too

• Summary:

To prove that professors are also prejudiced, they did an experiment. They sent an email to some selected professors from different universities. This mail was the same, written in the same way, and the only difference between them was the person who signed it, white, black, Hispano... The results were as they thought in a beginning, and the responses depended on students' race and gender identity. Professors were more responsive to white male students than to female, black, Hispanic, Indian or Chinese.

• Opinion:

If it is an experiment, I can't say it's not true. Professors maybe say they are not prejudiced, but they finally are. I think it should be stopped somehow, but if it hasn't been gotten in all this time, it's difficult to do it. 

• Words I have learnt:

Gender: gènere, sexe

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/11/opinion/sunday/professors-are-prejudiced-too.html

A little visit to Aramon (France)

This last weekend I've been in France, in Aramon, looking at some horseball matches. I went there with two friends, one of them lives in Banyoles and the other in La Garriga. In fact, as we are not many people playing this sport, we all now each other and we've made good friends. Anyway, what I wanted to talk about is the difference of the level between France and Spain or the rest of countries. What's more, a lot of people leaves Spain to go to France to play horseball, learn the language and to work, and they're really happy playing there, they enjoy it a lot. One example of these people are my ex coaches, Pau and Adrià, two brothers from Banyoles, and now, they're living in Paris (Chambly). 

This photo you can see on the top is his team, young guys and only one girl, and Pau is the one that is giving instructions to the players. He and his brother don't want to come back to Spain, they're having a really good life there, doing what they want and what they like, and I am so happy for them. Personally, I want them back because I really miss them, more Pau than anyone else. Furthermore, he is a really good coach, he came once this year to train us because we had to play a very difficult match, and we won it!!! (I will link the video of that match). 

My wish at all this, is that I want that this sport to swell, and that people, when I talk about it, they know what I'm talking about! That's all I want now. So please... all of us want you to help us on spreading this sport. Thank you!

Here I link you two videos, the first one, the match I've wrote about and the second, one from France so you can see their level, the highest in the world!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vamFr5A1_Ss

http://vimeo.com/ondemand/6620 (This one is shorter, and more exciting)

Smiling is the best medicine

Have a look at this picture. Do you know how many time we spent collecting all the photos we liked and the "perfect" one to post on Facebook? (Please... I'm not talking alone...) So well, we chooses some of the million photos we took and we post them on Facebook. And if I am deep, I have to say that the one I like most is this one you can see. Why? Because the other girls didn't. No.. I'm joking! Maybe I'm not as beautiful as I am in other photos, and also my friends, but this one is the most spontaneous and real photo I have ever token with them (and not because all the rest are riding a horse).  They said they don't liked it whereas I advised them that they would find it somewhere in a short period of time.

Undoubtedly, now they love this photo!!

What money can't but. The marketisation of society. (PODCAST)

First of all, I don't think we should pay children to read books, they have to do it because they like it. Imagine one day this money is over, and then what? Would they read or would they stop? I think it's too risky. Moreover, one of the other questions I have to answer is about to give cash incentives to people to donate their organs, and I think we shouldn't. They do it because they want, they're playing with their lives for money and in my opinion I think it's not ethical. 

But otherwise, I think the hired mercenaries should be payed to fight our wars, if it's for a good reason to fight, because they can kill, but they're also risking their lives for the rest of the people. And the others I think we sould pay are the ones who test risky new drugs. I suppose that some people don't agree with this, but because of the same reason as the mercenaries, they don't know what they're really tasting, and they're again risking their lives.

All in all, there are some things money can but, but not all of them. Some are already up for sale, and nowadays it's extremely dificult to change it. 

listen to ‘what money can't buy’ on Audioboo

Human rights

Article 18: 

• Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

What are human rights? We can define them as the rights you have simply because you are a human. There are exactly 30 of them and they were invented in 1945, in Geneve. They were invented after the Segond World War, because the hole world was in a horrible situation, a lots of killed people, children without father,...

I chose the article 18 because I thought it is right not everybody respects nowadays. There are many countries that don't tolerate the freedom of thought, or even expression, for example in the arabian countries, some of them (not all), they are very strict with their religion, they don't let te people changing it, they manner of thought, only because they're from there. I can also say that some women have had some problems because they've shared they own ideas, and they're not let to do it in public. 

In my opinion, I think everybody must have a completely freedom of thought and expression, with a limit, of course, but tolerating other thoughts. We have the human rights to respect them.

Education is the key

A guy filmed himself and post it on Youtube, talking about the education. He's spoken like rapping, and the main topic was the function of this education nowadays.
He first says that society would tell us about education that it increases our chances of getting a job, provides us with an opportunity to be successful, and that our life will be a lot less stressful. I totally agree with this, that education is the key. It is said that people can be successful without any kind of studying, but it's sure they are very lucky in their lives. There are a lot more possibilities to get a job with a career already passed, than without having done it.
Moreover, he affirms that some of us even have the nerve to say that they don't do it for the money. And here he asks himself, so what are they studying for? The majority of the people study because they want a good future, get a job and earn some money, so we have to say that people don't use to study because they really like it... There's always a reason to do it.
And finally, the sentence I liked most: "if you don't build your dreams, someone else will hire you to help build theirs". You have to hurry and try to do everything the best you can. I have to say that in this moment we're living, it's impossible to change the education, it would be impossible. I'd like a better education.

A soulmate

First of all I want you to know that I haven't met my soulmate yet, and I think it's going to be a bit difficult. But I'm not in a hurry.

When I first look at someone, the physical appearance is what I think it draws most my attention. I usually like tall boys, with brown and short hair, and if it's possible wellbuilt. The second wish I would like my soulmate to have is a good sense of humour, I want to have fun with him, and I also want him to be honest, responsible and tolerant. Otherwise, if he would be the reverse to all of this, I wouldn't be able to have a relationship with him for more than two days.

Las but not least, I want a tolerant guy, because I know a lot of people don't understand my hobby. That's why my soulmate will have to be tolerant wirh all my interests.

Elephants Give a Helping Trunk

• Summary:

This animal, the elephant, is known as a highly social and intelligent spice. Joshua Plotnik studied elephants to look for cons
olation behavior, that they've found that this involves some distress because a conflict with another member of the group. This is because they have strong emotional connections to other elephants, and they think they can console one another. They don't know yet the real distress' cause.

• Opinion:

It's amazing how this kind of big animals have this strong intelligence in their mind. They're in herd because of the strong emotional connections they have in the group, but they're also distressed for it. I'm sure animals can do more than we think, they're incredible creatures. I really love animals!!

The Equinotherapy

EVALUATION  

TOPIC: I presented my Research Project that was about Equinotherapy

PRESENTATION: The presentation was correct and there were the photos and information that were necessaries, I think. 10%.

BODY LANGUAGE AND EYE CONTACT: I have to improve quite things, I've to be more spontaneous and look more to the rest of the class, maybe I focused on the camera.  I think I have 8%.

STRUCTURE: I think the structure was clear. 10%.

CONTENT: I explained the most important information about my project, but it has been a bit difficult to summarize all of it. 35%.

LANGUAGE: I think I have to use new vocabulary, but as there were some jargon and I make it understandable for everybody. 20%.

PRONUNCIATION: Speaking is the the most difficult of any language, but I think I have a good pronunciation.  I think I have a 8%.

FINAL MARK: 91%

Research Paper Abstract

Have you ever heard about Equinotherapy? It’s a therapy where horses are used to help the disabled people’s rehabilitation. Its origins take us back to old Greece, when the people living in that time already knew that the horse could bring improvements to the person.

The aim of my research project has been to get into this therapy and to know some aspects related with it.

For me, my greatest discovery has been my research of two different clinic cases, a traumatic brain injury and a multiple sclerosis. I have also compared a classic equitation class with an adapted one.

Finally, I have to say that’s been useful for me to know about this therapy so I could extend my knowledge about this animal, now I know they can really contribute with the people’s rehabilitation and they provide possible solutions to the patient’s well-being.

Can Internet Change the World for the Better?

Nowadays, everybody knows what the Internet is a global system of interconnected networks, which is used every day by the majority of the people in the world.

On the one hand, we can find some advantages related to the Internet. First of all, it allows people connecting with other people whoo are far away from them, and this is really comfortable for them. It also saves up lot of money. Moreover, people can be self-taught in many different ways and it's easier and quickly to look for information.

However, on the other hand, there are lots of disadvantages, for example children can find some pictures and writings on the Internet which can be dangerous for them and there's a lot of information which is not controlled. Furthermore, even tough we don't accept it, we all have a strong dependence on it and people, more and more, is losing the habit of communication face to face.

To conclude we can say that Internet can make a better world but people has to use it moderately and make a good use of it.

Pride and Prejudice: life in 18th century

Reading the book and watching the film, we've been able to appreciate some differences between the 18th century and the 21st.

I can start talking about the Technology. Nowadays we can obtain information faster and we have a lot of means of communication, for example the application called WatsApp, Facebook, Telegram and a lot more. We can compare it to the 18th times: people then got the information differently, by letter or voice.

Moreover, we can see some differences on the transport, now it's easy to go anywhere and be there in a short time, and at that time, people had to go around by horse or walking.

I can't summarize al the different things I could see in comparison to nowadays. Sometimes I'd like to had been in the 18th century for a short period of time, only to know deeply how they used to live.

After WhatsApp Deal, Visions of Magic Numbers

• Summary:

They first said they wouldn't sell their mobile messaging company to Google or Yahoo, but they have already sold it to Facebook for $19billion (with this much money, Mr. Suckerberd could have bought nearly all the National Basketball Association teams). There are 50 employees, and it means this business is worth more than Harley-Davidson (as an example, there are a lot more). Nowadays, is a good time for technology and for this reason, private business like Apple, Facebook or Google have become symbols of income inequality around the world. There are some other rich applications, for example Snapchat, which has been used a lot since last summer. They all talk about high numbers,  millions and millions.

• Opinion:

I think they've been very lucky, people who started up on this apps. I've seen the Facebook film, and it's amazing how two guys start one little webside, and they end up being known around the world. Nevertheless, they are worth it, they've done a good job.

Link: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/disruptions-after-whatsapp-deal-visions-of-magic-numbers/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=technology&_r=0

Is it a story?

I'd been thinking about writing a little story, and I decided to do it in English.

The house was empty but I could see that someone had been there and had only just left. I didn't really know what to do, if I had to call the police, my parents or who. 

Suddenly, I ran out of my house and I walked to my grandmother's house. When I arrived there, I realized that the same thing had happened there; everything had been moved to another placee. I tiptoed to my grandma's bedroom and she was completely asleep. To my surprise, all the lights were switched on, and then I called my mother. 

I was starting to get afraid because she wasn't answering my call. I went back to my house and when I opened the door, everything was in perfect order, in their places. At that moment I was freaking out because of that situation, and nobody appeared until the next day.

All this happened three days ago, and I still don't know what took place in my house.

With Some Selfies, the Uglier the Better

• Summary:

People nowadays use to take photos of themselves with ugly faces. "Selfie" was the word of the year 2013 in the Oxford Dictionary. There are selfies sent from space and from under water, and 91% of teenagers use to share them. But there's still the reputation of every single person: the sexy selfie has become a virtual rite of passage, they spend hours trying to take a photo. 

"The ugly selfie is a king of playful slice of authenticity in an age where everything seems airbrushed to perfection." Thats maybe the currency of communication for a new generation what people understand as an emotive selfie.

• Opinion:

I'm on Snapchat and I have to say that all this you've read here is true. Most of the people takes photos of themselves, with an ugly face, if they have to send it to a known person, for example, you friend. But, ep!! It changes when you have to send a photo to a boy... a boy maybe you're interested in!! So then you try to take your best face, smiling and with a beautiful sight.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/fashion/selfies-the-uglier-the-better-technology.html?module=WelcomeBackModal&contentCollection=Personal%20Tech&region=FixedCenter&action=click&pgtype=article

When Men Get Breast Cancer

• Summary:

David Jay is doing a Scar Project, he's photografying black-and-white portraits from people who have breast cancer. The majority photos are from young women, on topless with scars. All these pictures will be showed in an exhibition in Toronto. The problem is that people who follow this project find the images on the Internet.

As in a woman's breast, the duct cells in a man's breast can become cancerous, this is produced by hormones that influence the growth of the cells. There's not a definitely explanation to the fact that some men get breast cancer while the others don't do. There are a lot of factors that can influence on the hormones, and fewer than 1% of breast cancers in men are diagnosed.

This man, Dr. Bogler, is very interested on this project, he found his image googling. This photo shows him next to a radiation machine, his chest covered with marker lines, to guide the radiation beam. 

Most people say that this kind of photos from men are less stunning than women's photos. That's maybe because seeing a girl without one breast impacts more than a man with a scar. 

• Opinion:

It's true that it's stunning to see one portraits from women without a breast, and it's really sad when that happens. I know some people who has ben operated by this kind of cancer, and it's horrible. This desease is a demon. 

• Words I have learnt:

Beam: raig (catalan)

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/when-men-get-breast-cancer/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=health&_r=0

Is it going to be my next trip?

Last week I received news from my coach. The thing was that we've been invited to go to Portugal to play Horseball on Easter. We would stay there in a really nice house, from Francisco Campeao, an important man in the horse world in Portugal. Moreover, he has some riding horse schools in Brazil and if he introduces the Horseball there it's possible that we go there in holidays, but that's not true, it's just possible, and I'd fancy to go there because I've never been in that country and it's a place I'd really like to travel to. 

I think we've been lucky and all the practice we're having to play this minority sport is giving us some good chances to improve playing and to be known around Europe, although I'm the 7th classified in the FIHB ranking (Federacion Internacional HorseBall), after the French ladies and one from Belgium. I've been classified as the best player from Catalonia, tied with one girl from Madrid.

Paco de Lucía, Flamenco Guitarist, dies at 66

• Summary: 

Paco de Lucía was born into a musical family. He grew up and became a famous guitarist, playing flamenco, jazz and other genres. This musician died on Wednesday, at the age of 66, in Mexico. He had been sick and died going to the hospital in Cancun. He was a special musician for a lot of Spanish people, for example Spain's minister of culture, José Ignacio Wert, who say he's a unique figure.

Moreover, he produced one of the most familiar tunes in Spain, "Entre Dos Aguas", it's a rumba. When he was a child, he already knew he wanted to be a professional guitarist and singer, and he won his first international flamenco competition when he was 14. He also played music with American people, and received some of the most important awards from Spain. Finally, in 2012 he won his second Latin Grammy Award for the best flamenco recording. 

• Opinion:

I thought it would be interesting to know a little bit more about his life, I didn't know a lot about him, and today, his death has been a revolution on the Internet today, and I decided to write about it. It has to be a hard situation for his family, and, Malú, who was her niece, she's been always next to him and singing together, I've seen on the Internet she's really sad about this fact.

• Words I have learnt:

Genres: gèneres (catalan)

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/27/arts/music/paco-de-lucia-flamenco-guitarist-dies-at-66.html?hp&_r=0

The problem with Whatsapp's privacy boasts: they're not true

• Summary:

Some members of the tech(technological) press have been heaping praise on Jan Koum for his intense dedication to safeguarding user privacy. 

Koum has written about his childhood experience which inspired him to create Whatsapp, but what he wrote isn't true. Since he launched the app in 2009, the privacy has been a problem, we know now that it's been dangerous for users information. For this reason, the app's producers left its messaging data open to different agencies. And now people ask how bad this problem was. Since 2012, people have been allowed to intercept and read everything people were sending, whoever it was. In fact, someone created an app called WhatsAppSniffer, which allowed users to keep and grab messages from other people, connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Everyone now knows about these, but that's about to change.

• Opinion:

I heard about this new app for Android a few months ago because a friend told me she knew a boy who was spying on a girl. We don't know the information that's around the Internet about us, and from what I've read, there's a lot we don't know yet. And one thing you'd never say, is that we are safer on Facebook than on Whatsapp.

• Words I learnt:

Heaping: sobrecarregar (Català)

Tech: technology

Link: http://pando.com/2014/02/21/the-problem-with-whatsapps-privacy-boasts-theyre-not-true/

Christmas

This Christmas I've been a bit busy doing some work from school and riding my horse, which was a bit achy from her back. It's been a delicate time with her, because she was all the time jumping because her back was hurting herself, but we finally injected her and now she's perfect, she's like a new horse. 

Well, it doesn't matter at all, it was after Christmas that she got better. I have been trying to get fit all those days, I had been riding my bike around Empuriabrava almost every day; I really had to burn some calories because I ate a lot on Christmas. I felt a bit better doing sport every day, but with the classes at school and all the work I have to do it's impossible to go out to shake my body. I feel bad for it because I have always been a sportive girl, I used to dance, swim, and more. 

My propose is to swim again once or twice a week because I have to do some rehab for my back, and I have to have strong muscles to play Horseball, and if I don't do it, I'll suffer when I grow up because go my scoliosis.