Salamanca seems to be a popular destination among American students learning Spanish, and that's pretty obvious if you watch this clip:
April 29th
April 27th
Hello again, guys!
Well, I've done it! I've been able, with a little bit of luck and some online research, to embed Alicia's wonderful Powerpoint presentation on Ireland that we saw in class yesterday, so now you can flick through it at a slower pace (on second thoughts, perhaps Alicia has already forwarded it to you all by mail)
Anyway, little by little one learns new things about this fascinating world called blogging ...
Sportwise, what an appalling defeat our archrival Ros Casares inflicted on Avenida this evening. a 40-point margin, no less! Just one word can describe the match: humiliation! I felt kind of ashamed for the girls, who surrendered to their opponent's tremendous superiority after just 5 minutes. Still, there might be a slim chance that Avenida extend the series to a third game ... GO AVENIDA!
That's all for now. I look forward to your hits. As you can see, I've inserted a counter on top of the blog. Just curiosity ...
Well, I've done it! I've been able, with a little bit of luck and some online research, to embed Alicia's wonderful Powerpoint presentation on Ireland that we saw in class yesterday, so now you can flick through it at a slower pace (on second thoughts, perhaps Alicia has already forwarded it to you all by mail)
Anyway, little by little one learns new things about this fascinating world called blogging ...
Sportwise, what an appalling defeat our archrival Ros Casares inflicted on Avenida this evening. a 40-point margin, no less! Just one word can describe the match: humiliation! I felt kind of ashamed for the girls, who surrendered to their opponent's tremendous superiority after just 5 minutes. Still, there might be a slim chance that Avenida extend the series to a third game ... GO AVENIDA!
That's all for now. I look forward to your hits. As you can see, I've inserted a counter on top of the blog. Just curiosity ...
April 27th
Hi there!
I'm back from London, safe and sound. It was a great weekend, how about yours? You see, London is the "citiest" city, if you know what I mean: lots of people, lots of traffic, lots of stress, but a bustling place, the European NY, so to speak, with so much to see and do. Anyway, I'll try to use some audiovisuals to tell you about the trip, though I don't want to bore you.
Now, I must apologise for not writing an email from London, but everything was so hectic, with just three days to spend, that I didn't have time to find a cybercafe. What really upsets me is that I totally forgot to publish the entry I had drafted the day before leaving for the British capital. What with packing and some unexpected visit, it simply slipped my mind and I only remembered when I was driving to Madrid to take the plane. It was my personal tribute to Castilla y León to mark the occasion of "Comuneros Day". But as the saying goes "better late than never" so you can find what I wrote (and the clips I embedded) right down below. Hope you like the stuff!
See you tomorrow, guys!
April 23rd
Morning everyone and happy Dia de Castilla y León!
Well, by the time you read this I'll probably be in London, but that doesn't mean I'm not remembering (and celebrating) our region's festive day. You know, I've always wondered what is the reason why we castellanos y leoneses tend to underrate our land, its beautiful landscape, its varied gastronomy, its immense cultural and historical heritage, you name it. I don't think it's necessarily a valid indication of this attitude but I deem funny that many people in this region, if asked about the name of our President, would answer they have no clue - or at least they'd have to take a minute or two to think of it, Juan Vicente Herrera that is - when they know perfectly well the likes of Montilla, Chaves and Ibarretxe. Even if asked where they hail from, they'll probably say "salmantinos", "burgaleses", let alone "leoneses", rather than castellano-leoneses. Why shouldn't we feel proud of what we are and what have in Castilla y León? Forget about long-lived disputes and rivalries between provinces within our land, the stern character of the people, the many weaknesses that we seem to relish, in a way the self-deprecating, even self-destructive nature of our demeanour.
So enough is enough. I've decided to pay my personal tribute to this land where I wasn't born, but certainly raised, and with a little help of a videoclip - in English - let me open your eyes to the beauty and greatness of our vast autonomous community. Surely some of you would like to express your views about out identity as Castellanos y Leoneses, and even disagree with some of the ideas I sounded off about at the beginning of this entry. But if you come from other parts of this complex country we call Spain, I'm sure you can also contribute to this blog by saying how you view the strengths and weaknesses of this old land: CASTILLA Y LEON. I wish you all a happy day!
So enough is enough. I've decided to pay my personal tribute to this land where I wasn't born, but certainly raised, and with a little help of a videoclip - in English - let me open your eyes to the beauty and greatness of our vast autonomous community. Surely some of you would like to express your views about out identity as Castellanos y Leoneses, and even disagree with some of the ideas I sounded off about at the beginning of this entry. But if you come from other parts of this complex country we call Spain, I'm sure you can also contribute to this blog by saying how you view the strengths and weaknesses of this old land: CASTILLA Y LEON. I wish you all a happy day!
But before I leave you, I'd also like to show a funny promotional campaign on TV selling our region, featuring American actor Gary Dourdan (famous for his role in CSI), who, I'm told, is dating a Spanish girl and has fallen in love with our country. I don't necessarily agree with the slogan at the end. However, when you come to think of it, isn't our land "A land of taste"?
April 21st
Hi folks! How was Lunes de Aguas? Hope you had your fair share of hornazo in the company of your family or friends without suffering from indigestion. At least it was a glorious evening weatherwise.
Now, if you open your mail you will find a PDF containing a scanned document from an article in the latest issue of Dgratis which precisely explains the origins of this typically Salmantinian festivity. I guess you must know the story of Padre Putas (pardon the expression!) and stuff by now if you are a local or have been living in this town for long enough but there might be a few of you who, being outsiders so to speak, are not familiar with it, and anyway it's English and easy to read.
We're having lessons this afternoon before on Thursday I'm leaving for London with my wife and kids. I'm really excited about the trip and looking forward to it, so I thought I kind of should share my trip with you guys, even if "virtually". So I've found this interesting video on YouTube called "10 things you need to know about London" taken from a website, hostelworld.com, which sort of gives you the highlights of the capital city. And, oddly enough, it's presented by an Irish speaker. Boy, do I love his Dublin accent! I'm sure you'll have no problems whatsoever to understand 90% of what he says, if not more. And I wonder if any of you who's been to London before would like to send their fond (or unhappy) memories of the place and the trip. By the way, Alicia, we're all eagerly awaiting your "Dublin travelogue", with the photos and all, aren't we?
See you later mates!Now, if you open your mail you will find a PDF containing a scanned document from an article in the latest issue of Dgratis which precisely explains the origins of this typically Salmantinian festivity. I guess you must know the story of Padre Putas (pardon the expression!) and stuff by now if you are a local or have been living in this town for long enough but there might be a few of you who, being outsiders so to speak, are not familiar with it, and anyway it's English and easy to read.
We're having lessons this afternoon before on Thursday I'm leaving for London with my wife and kids. I'm really excited about the trip and looking forward to it, so I thought I kind of should share my trip with you guys, even if "virtually". So I've found this interesting video on YouTube called "10 things you need to know about London" taken from a website, hostelworld.com, which sort of gives you the highlights of the capital city. And, oddly enough, it's presented by an Irish speaker. Boy, do I love his Dublin accent! I'm sure you'll have no problems whatsoever to understand 90% of what he says, if not more. And I wonder if any of you who's been to London before would like to send their fond (or unhappy) memories of the place and the trip. By the way, Alicia, we're all eagerly awaiting your "Dublin travelogue", with the photos and all, aren't we?
April 14th
Good evening everyone! First of all, may I break some great news to you all? You see, barely had I finished my lessons with you when I went down to the café, holding the burned "smoking" amplifier in search of my colleague Julián, who teaches French in the same classroom. As soon as I met him another colleague of the German Department, Teresa, came up and congratulated me. "What on?", I asked her. It was obvious that I hadn't read the Bocyl of late b
ecause I had no idea I had been given a grant to a course in England this summer. I was so thrilled with the news that, after thanking her for the "scoop", I hurriedly dashed into my office, turned on my PC and searched for the corresponding order like mad. There was my name: ANTIGUEDAD MIGUEL, JOSE LUIS - ENG 02, which means I will be doing a teacher-training course in the beautiful city of Cambridge (see photo on the left of the magnificent King's College chapel seen from "The Backs", the area where so many famous buildings back on to the River Cam) in the first fortnight of July. Aren't I lucky? This will hopefully be my fourth time in the renowned university town, but by far the longest stay. I first went there as a young student on a flying visit way back in '84, so it sounds like my 25th anniversary!
Well, I don't want to bore you with my enthusiasm. But hey, I'd really like to apologize for some of today's comments during the "You're so vain" activity. Surely they were kind of inappropriate, out of place, even if they intended to be funny. I mean, you know me quite a lot by now and hopefully you understand my peculiar sense of humour during my - too often - "wild" lessons but I reckon today I was carried away by it. So if anyone felt I sort of sounded grotesque and a bit coarse, for some of my language I sincerely apologize. Sometimes I cannot restrain myself ...
Well, that's all I wanted to say. Thanks in advance for your patience and, I'd rather say, leniency. See you on Thursday. Good night!
ecause I had no idea I had been given a grant to a course in England this summer. I was so thrilled with the news that, after thanking her for the "scoop", I hurriedly dashed into my office, turned on my PC and searched for the corresponding order like mad. There was my name: ANTIGUEDAD MIGUEL, JOSE LUIS - ENG 02, which means I will be doing a teacher-training course in the beautiful city of Cambridge (see photo on the left of the magnificent King's College chapel seen from "The Backs", the area where so many famous buildings back on to the River Cam) in the first fortnight of July. Aren't I lucky? This will hopefully be my fourth time in the renowned university town, but by far the longest stay. I first went there as a young student on a flying visit way back in '84, so it sounds like my 25th anniversary!Well, I don't want to bore you with my enthusiasm. But hey, I'd really like to apologize for some of today's comments during the "You're so vain" activity. Surely they were kind of inappropriate, out of place, even if they intended to be funny. I mean, you know me quite a lot by now and hopefully you understand my peculiar sense of humour during my - too often - "wild" lessons but I reckon today I was carried away by it. So if anyone felt I sort of sounded grotesque and a bit coarse, for some of my language I sincerely apologize. Sometimes I cannot restrain myself ...
Well, that's all I wanted to say. Thanks in advance for your patience and, I'd rather say, leniency. See you on Thursday. Good night!
April 12th
Hello again! Happy Sunday!
Here I am, in front of my portable while watching with my son a music DVD, ACDC's No Bull (The director's cut), a 1996 live gig recorded by the Australian hard rock giant in Las Ventas. Sheer energy! At 46 I don't clash (just yet) with my son's tastes. Actually I was only 15 or so when I used to listen to Highway to Hell, one of the band's flagship songs. I can picture myself headbanging (can you believe it?) across the living room of a secondary schoolmate who had just bought a turntable and a couple of big loudspeakers connected to an amplifier. His father would come in and look at us with a baffled expression while begging is to turn down the volume. Those were the days!
Anyway, how are you enjoying the last days of Easter? I'd like to start by thanking Ana and Antonio for their comments down below. C'mon dear Antonio, how can you still complain about the short holidays, consider yourself lucky! But I appreciate you remembered me at El Prado as you were watching Bacon's exhibition.
Talking about art and entertainment, I've watched a few films these days.
And a couple of days ago I went to see Los Abrazos Rotos in Van Dyck (Tormes) so I thought I could write a review. A film within a film, a good story of love and revenge, Almodovar's latest venture is definitely worth watching. You know, I've always believed the manchego director is a visionary, an artist fond of taking risks, of going one step beyond in each film he creates, and this passionate drama of "broken embraces" is no exception. Whether you like Pedro or not, you have to admit is no ordinary moviemaker. I love his awesome close-ups, his unconventional travel techniques, his various camera angles even if sometimes the choice of an excessive colourful background may cause dizziness. And he's a genuine actors' director, someone who "squeezes" every single drop of talent out of the cast. Led by a splendid Luis Homar and a convincing Penelope Cruz, for me, however, it's Blanca Portillo who really stands out, but let's not forget a screen veteran, Jose Luis Gómez, who does a pretty good job too. The flashback-oriented storyline may have its flaws but the editing and the cinematography alone take you through the story in a way thet keep your eyes glued to the screen.
All in all, I would not say this is Pedro's best work, not in my modest opinion as remarkable as Laberinto de Pasión, Mujeres ... or Todo sobre mi Madre, but I tend to believe he's really indulged in a kind of personal whim while making this film.
Hey guys, I know some of you have been to see the flick, so would you like to agree or disagree with me? This is the place, I guess. Or perhaps you've watched other movies, read a book or listen to a lovely record. Don't miss the opportunity to send your review, will you?
Listen, it's lunchtime now and I can't wait to polish off a good plate of the potaje (chickpeas, rice and cod) which my wife has cooked today so I have to say bye for now. Buen provecho! And keep clicking ...
Here I am, in front of my portable while watching with my son a music DVD, ACDC's No Bull (The director's cut), a 1996 live gig recorded by the Australian hard rock giant in Las Ventas. Sheer energy! At 46 I don't clash (just yet) with my son's tastes. Actually I was only 15 or so when I used to listen to Highway to Hell, one of the band's flagship songs. I can picture myself headbanging (can you believe it?) across the living room of a secondary schoolmate who had just bought a turntable and a couple of big loudspeakers connected to an amplifier. His father would come in and look at us with a baffled expression while begging is to turn down the volume. Those were the days!
Anyway, how are you enjoying the last days of Easter? I'd like to start by thanking Ana and Antonio for their comments down below. C'mon dear Antonio, how can you still complain about the short holidays, consider yourself lucky! But I appreciate you remembered me at El Prado as you were watching Bacon's exhibition.
Talking about art and entertainment, I've watched a few films these days.
And a couple of days ago I went to see Los Abrazos Rotos in Van Dyck (Tormes) so I thought I could write a review. A film within a film, a good story of love and revenge, Almodovar's latest venture is definitely worth watching. You know, I've always believed the manchego director is a visionary, an artist fond of taking risks, of going one step beyond in each film he creates, and this passionate drama of "broken embraces" is no exception. Whether you like Pedro or not, you have to admit is no ordinary moviemaker. I love his awesome close-ups, his unconventional travel techniques, his various camera angles even if sometimes the choice of an excessive colourful background may cause dizziness. And he's a genuine actors' director, someone who "squeezes" every single drop of talent out of the cast. Led by a splendid Luis Homar and a convincing Penelope Cruz, for me, however, it's Blanca Portillo who really stands out, but let's not forget a screen veteran, Jose Luis Gómez, who does a pretty good job too. The flashback-oriented storyline may have its flaws but the editing and the cinematography alone take you through the story in a way thet keep your eyes glued to the screen.All in all, I would not say this is Pedro's best work, not in my modest opinion as remarkable as Laberinto de Pasión, Mujeres ... or Todo sobre mi Madre, but I tend to believe he's really indulged in a kind of personal whim while making this film.
Hey guys, I know some of you have been to see the flick, so would you like to agree or disagree with me? This is the place, I guess. Or perhaps you've watched other movies, read a book or listen to a lovely record. Don't miss the opportunity to send your review, will you?
Listen, it's lunchtime now and I can't wait to polish off a good plate of the potaje (chickpeas, rice and cod) which my wife has cooked today so I have to say bye for now. Buen provecho! And keep clicking ...
April 7th
Hello everybody!
How's life? Enjoying the holiday? I hope you are, wherever you may be. As for me, life is relaxed (and relaxing) these days. My daughter is away on a Scout camp in Vitoria, so we're down to three at home, and we haven't got any holiday plans until the 23rd, when we're heading for London. I'm really looking forward to it as I haven't been to the UK's capital for a while.
What can I write about, I wonder? Well, for a start Avenida, as expected, couldn't beat Spartak in the final, but they lost with dignity (a 15-point margin) considering their opponents' level, a true world's best team. So hats off to the girls! Besides, the atmosphere was electric and praised by FIBA's executives. I'm not exaggerating if I say that Salamanca is the best basketball venue in Europe.
Enough sport. I'm watching a few films these days. Last night, at my son's request, we watched an Internet download (which of course you can get), Copying Beethoven. You see, my son is hooked on Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and he had heard the film revolves around Ludwig's turbulent last days and how he composed the famous work. Whether you are a classical music enthusiast or not, it's difficult not to be moved by the awesome notes of the acclaimed masterpiece. And then there's Ed Harris's powerful performance, highlighting the maestro's life plagued by deafness, loneliness and personal trauma even if assisted by the young conservatory student Anna Holtz (a very effective Diane Kruger). I reckon this biopic has its ups and downs, and the ending leaves you kind of cold, but still a film worth watching if only for the sake of Beethoven's compelling music and Ed's convincing acting throughout. One bonus: you'll find the dialogues easy to follow, since the cast's English accents are slightly "Germanized" as you will notice if you watch the film's official trailer embedded down below:
Watched the flick already? Been to the movies these days? C'mon folks! I'd love to hear from you, whatever you have to say. I know you deserve your hols but a bit of English practice won't do you any harm ...
April 4th
Hi folks! Happy Saturday morning.
Welcome to the April entry of our blog (it only seems like yesterday but it was back in October that we started this experience)
Well, I've lost my voice and I'm speechless with joy. Why? Yes, the dream continues and Avenida is playing the Final-Four final tomorrow against a dream team, the seemingly unbeatable Russian giant Spartak Moscow, a pleiad of stars. But our girls know a thing or two about conquering Russian teams, don't they? CSKA can testify to that! So let's say it loud and clear: YES WE CAN!
Anyway, it's good to be blogging again after a short while. I don't know if you listened to Ana and myself on Radio Oasis on Wednesday, but boy, was it fun! She was talking about her lovely dreams while I was reminiscing about Dublin, and the programme went by as quick as lightning, as we were so relaxed - at least I was - speaking on the mike while listening to some great music, mainly Irish folk but also to the Goddess of soul, Aretha Franklin, the legendary Pink Floyd and stuff. And to me the highlight of the evening was Mary Black's Song for Ireland, whick makes me so emotional whenever I listen to it. A true anthem whose lyrics depict the beauty of the land, the character of its people and reflect the pride and joy of being Irish. So I've decided to embed the song here for you to enjoy, not only the goear.com file but, more importantly (and I'd never seen it before) the YouTube clip featuring my beloved Mary Black. Such a sweet voice!
Then, let me also insert the two Youtube "commercials" advertising our language school, whose links, if I'm not wrong, I sent you yesterday by mail. I'd really love to hear your opinions. Maybe the videos are not very professional from the technical point of view, but the guys deserve some credit for making them, don't they?
Welcome to the April entry of our blog (it only seems like yesterday but it was back in October that we started this experience)
Well, I've lost my voice and I'm speechless with joy. Why? Yes, the dream continues and Avenida is playing the Final-Four final tomorrow against a dream team, the seemingly unbeatable Russian giant Spartak Moscow, a pleiad of stars. But our girls know a thing or two about conquering Russian teams, don't they? CSKA can testify to that! So let's say it loud and clear: YES WE CAN!
Anyway, it's good to be blogging again after a short while. I don't know if you listened to Ana and myself on Radio Oasis on Wednesday, but boy, was it fun! She was talking about her lovely dreams while I was reminiscing about Dublin, and the programme went by as quick as lightning, as we were so relaxed - at least I was - speaking on the mike while listening to some great music, mainly Irish folk but also to the Goddess of soul, Aretha Franklin, the legendary Pink Floyd and stuff. And to me the highlight of the evening was Mary Black's Song for Ireland, whick makes me so emotional whenever I listen to it. A true anthem whose lyrics depict the beauty of the land, the character of its people and reflect the pride and joy of being Irish. So I've decided to embed the song here for you to enjoy, not only the goear.com file but, more importantly (and I'd never seen it before) the YouTube clip featuring my beloved Mary Black. Such a sweet voice!
Then, let me also insert the two Youtube "commercials" advertising our language school, whose links, if I'm not wrong, I sent you yesterday by mail. I'd really love to hear your opinions. Maybe the videos are not very professional from the technical point of view, but the guys deserve some credit for making them, don't they?
