A cigarette's confessions

I'm little, of a fine style shape. I know I'm good looking, dressed in a white paper. I´m always shown on beautiful glass shelves, in elegant golden, cigarette boxes. During the day I'm on desks, at night I'm on bedside tables. I'm always published on newspapers and magazines. Television, gives me important minutes of publicity. My aroma invades everywhere I go.

It is well-known, that since long time ago I have formed an empire with men of all races, poor and rich people, young and old men and women. I stablish the law of this empire. My slaves, as I called them with love, should sacrifice for me whenever I ask them. It doesn't matter how much it cost. As master and king, who I am, I give them pleasure, escape moments and calm for their anxieties.

In exchange to this, they should give their weak heart, their congested lungs and their stained hands and teeth. Not many of them could be able to tolerate cancer pains, but what's the matter comparing with the company I offer them. In the last years some rebellious people are angry about me. They have declare war against me. I don't know who told them that I'm a simple object and that they are human beings who are free to choose and not to create dependance on nothing.

Must of them have increased, but I still have some faithfull and innocent friends who will give their lives for me and do my own volunteer. I hope you who are reading this confession won't never leave me and remember I give you pleasure, you just give me only your health, your life.....this is my empire's law.

Classification Essay (Hmk.)

Hi, this is another homework we need to do. This is in pairs. We need to choose a type of art and Maricela and I decided to write about "Dance" It comes on the book of Passages page 49.

Dance is an art form that generally refers to the body movement, used as an expression form, social iteraction or presented ina performance setting.

Dance has involved many styles and dimensions. First we can mention the ritual dance. It is the kind of dancing our ancesters used to express respect to their gods or just representing important and significant situations in their lives.

Another dimension is when people dance just by leissure. Here we have all those popular styles like salsa, rock and roll, country, break dance and hip hop. Young people get together and dance having good time.

Another interesting dimension is when people dance in competitions. There are events where contestants perform dances before a judge for awards or monetary prizes.

When peope have problems with their physical or mental health, dance is a good option. Doctors recommend dance as a therapy.

Finally, we the performance dance, is the expression of creativity and imagination. Generally a choreagrapher works with dancers in order to perform something in front of a public.

Conclussion: Dance is an essential tool to express our feelings, ideas and emotions.

Ok, this is our opinion for this essay. Hope you like it.

Tunning out the TV (HMK:)

Hello! How are you doing? I'm here enjoying with the blog. This is a homework from the book Passages page 45.

Five advantages of watching TV.

1.- We can learn from art or cultural programs.
2.- We can be well informed with the daily news.
3.- We can enjoy happy moments with our family.
4.- We can see special events from other countries where we can't go like the Olympic Games.
5.- It is very useful to anounce all kind of things you want to sell. Also it's necessary for people
who live alone, for clinics, or hospitals to watch Tv while they are waiting for the doctor, etc.

Five advantages of not watching TV.

1.- Children won't adopt bad habits, like eating on the bed or watching it for long hours.
2.- Children may practice some other games or activities, like going to swim or ride a bike, play
outside with friends with their yoyos, marbles, ropes, dolls, etc.
3.- We can change our daily routine, not being always watching the soap operas instead of being
creating some other things.
4.- We have time to visit friends or family.
5.- Children will spend more time on their tasks or homework. Reading books or at the internet.

See you later guys, have a nice day.

Writing a book report (hmk.)

Hi everybody. Guess what, I'm very angry because I wrote this blog last night until 1:00 am. and as wanted to insert an image, I don't know what happen and I couldn't find my blog anymore. So I'm here writing it again.
About three weeks ago I read a book I found at the SAC. Its title was "The Wizard of Oz" and its author was L. Frank Baum. The main character were a little girl named Dorothy, her dog Toto, a scarecrow, a tin man and a lion. Some others were unlcle Henry, aunt Em, and Glinda the witch of the South.

This story was about Dorothy who lived with her uncle and aunt, but one day a cyclone blows her and her house to a strange country called Oz. There, Dorothy make friends with the scarecrow, the tin man and a lion. But she wanted to go home to Kansas. Only one person can help her, and that was the country's famous wizard.

So Dorothy and her friends took the yellow brick road to the Emerald city to find the wizard of oz. But what they don't know, was that there were no wizard. As they were walking on the road, they were saying what they wish. Dorothy wanted to go home, the scarecrow wanted to have a brain, the tin man wishes to have a heart and the coward lion wanted to be brave.

When they arrived and noticed that the wizard was a lier, he appoligized telling them he arrived there in a balloon and when the people saw him, they thought he was a wizard because the way he arrived so he lied to all of them. The lion was now very fierce, and the man promise to help them. So he open the scarecrow and put on his head a brain, then he gave a heart and oiled the the tin man, the lion was already brave and at last he wanted to send Dorothy in a balloon, but waiting for the dog, the balloon blew away with the man and he shouted her to call the witch of the South and she could help her. So she did it and finally she returned home.

I liked this fancy book and I would recommended it to parents who have children, because they can explain them how easy you can make friends accepting them the way they are, understand its needs and try to help them.

Disappointment

Hi, everybody: Here I am trying to write another blog. This time I´m going to write about disappointment, because this is the theme I´m going to talk about tomorrow with the women who comes home. I´m going to try to translate it as better as I can, now I see it´s not so easy being a translator. Ok, it says this:

How many times we read in the newspaper: "A young man murderer his girlfriend because of a love disappointment" or "A father kills himself due to an economic disappointment"?

It had been said that disappointment is a social illness of our times. Which are some of your disappointments? How do you handle them? What if you feel disappointed with God? or with your church? Let´s learn a little bit about this.

CAUSES OF DISAPPOINTMENT

1. Not realistic or very high expectations: There are lots of histories about people who got married with very high expectations of how their marriage will be a continuous happiness.

A job or a career: If we don´t have realistic expectations in these areas, we can experiment a disappointment.

2. The television creates a false personal image: We see the hero always happy, with an exciting

life every moment. And our lives seem to be very bored. Then we feed disappointed with life in general. Another way in which the television provokes disappointment is with women, because it makes them feel physically inferior than the actresses or models with bodies apparently perfect and with a romantic life always.

3. Being focused in things or in people instead of being focused in God. We live in a materialistic world that tells us "Happiness is...having your own house, get married, buy such a brand of clothes, having a career, having children, travel, etc." The result of this mentality is the disappointment.

WRONG WAYS TO TREAT WITH DISAPPOINTMENTS

1. Cynicism, bitterness: Have you ever known someone who is still talking about a loss of 20 years ago? It may be a boyfriend, a job, someone who died or something like that?

2. To decide that we are unsuccessful and to live all our lives defeated.

For example a woman who has not been taken in account for a pay raise, she decides she will never will be taken in account and instead of doing her best, she becomes with no interest on what she does.

3. Alcohol, drugs, or think on suicide.

Ok, I'm going to stop here. On the next blog will continue with the answer to this "How to avoid some disappointments." Hope I didn´t bore you with this, but it helps me to practice with the computer and also with the translation and English of course. See you on Monday have a nice weekend.

A lesson in caring (Passages page 25)

Homework.... A lesson in caring.

1. In what way do you think the author and his daughter benefited for the visits?

They may be benefited by having the opportunity to share with other people that is real needed not just with friends or the ones they love. They also can see that they have the same feelings for others and see that there are bigger problems and needs than the ones we think we have.

2. What do you think motivated the author to begin doing volunteer work?

His daughter motivated him, because she seems to be more sensible than the father noticing what was happening with the man.

3. Would you consider the author a hero? Why or why not?

Yes, I think he was a hero, because as soon as he saw the article in the newspaper, he decided to participate with his daughter, so he was going to be a model to her daughter showing her these principles. And even when he did'nt feel to go, instead of staying at home on Sunday, enjoying his coffee and newspaper, he did it.

I think this example may show us that we always have to thank God for all what we have, instead of being wishing all what we don't have. And we may see that we have the opportunity to give, to share, to help, etc. Because I think it's better to give than to receive.

Michael Jordan's Biography

Hello teacher, hi guys:

Let me talk to you about Michael Jordan.

He is an African American basketball player. He is one of the most successful and popular athletes in sports history.



Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. When he was very young, his familiy moved to Wilmington, North carolina. He loved sports, and it was there where he accepted a basketball scholarship for the University where he played. In his first season, he was named Rookie of the year for 1982.



He left North Carolina when he was selected by the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In his first season he was named to the All-Star team where he was later honored. He also participated in the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona spain. The team easily won the gold medal.

In this time, he was the most valuable player of the NBA.
He was retired in 1993-94 to pursue a basball career and also his father was murdered in his car in Noth Carolina.

In 1995 he returned to the NBA. Jordan once again prove the world he was still the greatest basketball player.

Michael Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA in 1999. He resumes his basketball career and starts playing for the Washington Wizards.

Don't just get dressed,make a statement

It is important to take a look in our wardrobe before you get dressed. I think we don't need to buy so many clothes just because they're on sale or they're fashion. We can try to combine different garments and learn how to select the appropriate cloths for each ocasion.

We have seen that nowadays people wear whatever they want at any time and everywhere. They wear jeans, shorts, long skirts or dresses, as well as short ones, but I think before we get dressed, we must think and stop a while to decide what to wear according to the place you are going to.

I have seen how people wearing a bathingsuit wants to get into a restaurant just because they're in the same hotel where the beach or the swimmingpool is. And at the same time I have seen other people wearing jeans tennis shoes with socks walking at the beach. Even they go in the water having their socks on.

By the other hand, I have seen also people going to church wearing shorts, sandals and underwear cloths or t-shirts with differents images like devils or groups like kiss or other satanic groups, etc.

We need to think it over, as we were reading on this class because as we agree "the way people look at you, that's the way they treat you"

Here are some different places or events you may be in, so you can decide what to wear. Example:
Going to a wedding, a funneral, to chuch, to the beach, getting a job, to school, to the gym, or going camping, having a date, going to the theather, etc.

I consider it was an interesting theme to think about and it will help us to get well dressed depending the ocassion and the place we are going to. That's all folks for today. See at class bye bye.

A new experience at Matamoros

Hello everybody, it was nice to see you again since a very long vacations time. I heard from some of you some experiences you had on this vacations period. Some of you worked, some went out for vacations and some just stayed home.
Well, I have also an experience to tell you. It's a very long story. First, as most of you remember, Ms. Martha invited us to try to get a job as English teachers of the new program for Federal schools. So I waited for that date and on May I went to take the English exam. After a week they told me I was approved and the next step was that I needed to go to Victoria for a psicometric exam. So my husband took me over there at about 4 o'clock in the morning so I can get there at 8' oclock or before. Then after I finished that exam, we returned that afternoon to Tampico. A week later, they told me I was approved and the next step again was that I needed to take a Diplomado for a whole month on July.
Well, in the meantime, we started vacation at the UAT, remember? but I was still working in the morning at the Latino. So, at the middle of June I was invited by the Santander University to give an English course. I accepted and they asked me to start going with a group of teachers to another school where we were going to make or prepare the manual or antologies for that course.
Since that day I started to go after I leaved my work at 3 0'clock in the afternoon and began to work on those manuals getting information from other books or from internet. It was a real hard and boring job being there sometimes from 3 to 10 0'clock, sometimes from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. and and there was a day when we left at almost 3 am. trying to get those antologies on time, because the (rector) from the Santander University needed to present or to show it to the governor of the state to see if he approved it.
Of course he approved it, but before that we, worked and worked checking it and doing it again and again. We were not expererinced on doing that, that's why we had mistakes and more mistakes. But at last it was done.
And guess what, now we need to give that Diplomado to teachers who were going to teach some canditate teachers who wanted to have a job at the Federal schools. So, in my case, I was going to supervise or be a coordinator of some other teachers who were going to give the Diplomado. And imagine what, they were going to send me to Nuevo Laredo for the whole month of July, but as the days passed, I asked them to send me to a closest place to Tampico, so they ask me if I wanted to go to Matamoros and I accepted.
After that, they told me I had to train 3 American teachers who were going to cross to Matamoros and I had to coordinate them. But at the same time, they gave me the surprise that I will have to teach also one of the groups because they were 4. I understood they wanted not to pay another teacher.
In all these last days, I was very stressful and worried, first I was thinking "Oh my God, I remember I needed to have a course Ms Martha ask me as a candidate for the Federal schools, how amI going to take it if I already accept this Diplomado" Of couse on those days I did not know it was going to be the same Diplomado I need to take of the one I was going to give at Matamoros, so imagine, untill a teacher from the Latino who worked at the same time at the Federal schools told me "imagine what we are going to have a Diplomado from The Santander University here at the UPN" At that moment, I knew it was the same. So what I did is to tell Ms Martha what was happening and she asked me to give her a letter where it said I was going to give the same Diplomado.
I hope you understand all this story. I'll continue on the next blog because now you'll see my experience at Matamoros, this was just the beggining.
Teacher Cabrales: Sorry for writing this at the very last day of the week, I hope you wouldn't check them before, that's because I was looking for a teacher who has my memory stick or (memoria) where I have the original photos from Matamoros and I wanted to put them at the beggining of the blog, but I couln't find her and the days passed. In this moment I'm going to her house to get my memory stick and I'll try to put the image of the real class. See you on the next blog. Have a nice day!

The party is over

Hi everybody! Remember we were talking today with Mr. Cabrales about International cities or International people? When he asked us if we have met any person from other country? I remembered the French boys who live in from of my house. I was going to tell him all the story, but I thought it will take time. But now let me tell you about that. I live two blocks from the Bolitam and in front of my house there are living five Frech boys and about two months ago we were starting to hear music, voices, boys and girls shouting and of course they were having a party. After that, they started with parties three times a week, there were a lot of boys and girls making noise, drinking, laughing, sometimes fighting, at midnight. So we and the other neighbors begun to ask about those boys and they said the boys were students from the IEST and the person who rented them didn't care about what they were doing, because some people called him. Well, I'm not going to tell you details because it's too long, but the neighbors as my husband called the police one night and as they were taking too long, a lady took her car and brought them. My husband and I so her through the window and went out with her. She was telling the police all the things the French boys used to do. As she called their attention several times because she lived closer to their department, the boys used to offend her and at this time they were enemies. It was two o'clock in the morning. When the boys saw the police, most of them run into the department, some other left home. The police officers could'nt do nothing because they were inside their house, they were laughing, shouting and doing drugs, so my husband went out and took their fuse and they were without light, so they started to come out of the department they were very drunk, some girls run to their cars and the police just talk to the boys, but they didn't understand. The police told my husband and the lady that the only way to calm them was going to migration so they can deport them to their country. After that, the boys were very agressive with the lady and she decided to go at that moment. It was about 3 o'clock in the morning and my husband went with her, because her husband used to work all week at Panuco. Well, let me finish this story faster, they returned with a report, plus the police report and the sign of most of the neighbors, she took those papers to the (rector) of the IEST and now her husband talked to him. He said he was going to solve that problem. So this is the first week we all are in silence after so many parties. Well, that's all folks. It wasn't a happy end, but I was thinking, poor boys, they are alone and away from their parents that's why it's easy for them to get another way of living. God bless them. See you tomorrow, let's get start ready for the final exams ok? Bye bye it's 20 mins. to 2 in the morning. Let's go to sleep.

This is Jimmy my dog

Hello guys: I'm very glad to see you again. As I tell everybody, I prefer to go to the university, than going to work or being at home working too. It is a relaxing and enjoying time when I'm at the school learning, having fun, and working with all my dear classmates and teachers. I really enjoy your company.

This time I want to introduce you my little dog Jimmy. Guess what, last Saturday I took him to the vet to have a nails cut as other times and as always Jimmy started to bark to her because he gets very nervous and scare whenever he goes to the vet.

And as she did before, she went to get the muzzle for his mouth and told me, "Here it is, put it yourself or otherwise he will bite me. He didn't want it, so he was jumping and trying to scape. I was carrying him trying to calm him and the vet told me "If you continue talking like that to him, that's why he doesn't obey and that's why is very crackpot (chiflado). So she brought a big towel and wrapped him as if he had rabies (rabia) and finally she cut his nails very fast.

After that, I wanted to buy him a little collar with (pechera) and a leash so I can walk with him whenever I have time and guess what? she told me "you must buy just the collar for his neck so you can pull him if he runs" and again she gave me the pechera to put it on him and I told her "I don't know how it goes can you help me?" and she looked very impatient. So I told Jimmy: "you see, now your vet is angry with you" But, tell you what? I love Jimmy the way he is and we will never return with that vet. I'm going to try to put an image so you can see how Jimmy is ok? See you tomorrow. Kisses.

Handle with care

Here's another reading to learn from it. Let me translate it for you. Hope it's clear.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it". This was written by the wise king Salomon. What a big resposability it gives to all parents in general!.

God had given the parents the great privilege to build or guide our children's life. An illustration of this is that when we send something by mail which is very valuable and delicate. we wrapped it very carefully and we write on it "fragile, handle with care" A note or sign like that we must put it on our children. They are fragile material that should be handled with care. As parents we have the privilege to instruct them everyday in the correct way. The Bible promise is that they will never forget it. Do you take care of your children as a precious material? Do you instruct them in the correct way? Do you treat them as a package of a fragile content?

God will give us the wisdom we need to handle with care the fragile material he had put in our hands. The reward will be, sons and daughters who follow the path of good and truth.

There's enough time

Hi, everybody! It's nice to write you again. Vacations are almost over, and we're gonna see each other again. I'm not sure if we are going to return on Monday or on Tuesday as some other schools will, but I'll investigate. Ok, here I'm writing a reflection note I was reading, but I'll try to translate it for you.

One night, a friend was dreaming about hell. She saw satan sitting on his throne, looking for someone to send to earth. He called a demon and ask him:"Would you like to go to earth to confuse the souls?" "Yes I will go" he answered. "And what would you tell the people?" "Sir, I will tell them that there's no God, and that everything about religion is false". "No forget it you will not success". Satan asked another who says: "I will go, I will tell them that there's a good and mercy God, but it's not important to serve him". "No, you're not going to be successful with that either". A third demon wanted to go and satan asked him what was he going to say, and he answered:" I will tell them that Jesus gospel and his death on the cross it's true. I will tell them to convert themselves and to believe the gospel, but I will tell them that THERE'S ENOUGH TIME. "Go!" said satan "you will succeed".

Satan came to earth and he had been successful. He had whispered to our ears: "There's enough time". He tells us there's time to serve God, there's time to have communion with God".

There's time..... NO! the Bible says that today is the acceptable time, the salvation day. Don't be fooling around thinking that there's still time. Serve God today with all your heart!.

Cleanliness

Hello, I'm writing you from Monterrey. This is another story for children, but as I told you before, it's a message for us too. I hope you'll k¡like it and understand the translation form.

"But mommy", started to say Sean. "Sean, you're the older one. I don't want to hear anything about it" said Sean's mother. And she got a mop and gave it to Sean. "I want everything clean" she said. Sean was very upset while he was going down to the basement. He was looking at the paint on the floor. "It wasn't all my fault, I should'nt clean this just by myself. If Bobby wouldn't do all this mess. He must be helping me.
After a while, Sean heard his mother coming down and asked him "how's everything?" "It's ok" he answered. "Maybe you're right, it was not only your fault, but you're not the only first person who has to clean anothers mess . I have done that most of the time when all of you leave everything dirty and I used to feel very angry about that matter, but then, I understood that when I do a mess in my life, I'm not able to clean myself, but Jesus is always able to help me." Sean stoped cleaning to pay attention. "Think about this" his mother said. "He takes all our sins and cleans us. When we come to Him for help, He takes all our mistakes and fixed them, and most of the time we never stop to thank Him for this" Sean continued cleaning, but he wasn't angry anymore.
What about you? Have you ever think how Jesus is not only able, but also capable to fix our life and clean us? When we sin, we may decide not to do it again and we can ask God to forgive us. Whenever we have a problem, we can give it to Him and He will help us. He makes all things in a perfect way. Give God thanks for that. (Jesus makes us clean).

My vacations

Hi, everybody! Enjoying your vacations? I guess you are. Do you know who was the winner at the bowling? I couldn't stay longer because of the smoking odors. I knew it was going to be worst later. But I wonder who won. I think the teacher's team, they were doing it very good. Ok, did you noticed something? guess what! I told you I was going to learn how to insert images in my blog. So I did it! It's a little one but I'm learning. I'll keep on trying ok? This is an image of Monterrey where I'm going to go tomorrow to visit my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. I'm gonna stay there for a week, so the second one I'll be here in Tampico if you want to call me. Today we went to eat to the Apple bees restaurant my son choose that place for celebrating his graduation. We thank God for letting us see this moment of our lives. Ok, guys I'll continue writing you from Monterrey. I feel so extrange of not having something to do as every day, but it's vacation's time so let's enjoy it. I hope you go and visit many places or if not, at least we change activities for this days and rest. Ok, we'll keep in touch by the blog, and we'll see each other soon. Have fun and take care of yourself Ok? Love, Celia.

Robert's Robot

Hi everyone: At last I can sit and write once again. Before I arrive home I'm planning to write my blog, but at the moment I'm at home, I start doing this and that and when I see the clock, I say: One more day without writing. But today I didn't look at anything and run to sit here and write. This is little messages for children, but can be also for adults. It says that: Robert was excited looking at his robot walking around his room. It was made of transparent plastic so he could see all the interior lights how they went on and off. Her sister told him:" My robot is bigger than yours, it's beautiful, it shines like gold." "Well, Robert said: The robots shouldn't be all beautiful" I bet my robot is faster than yours" The children started playing when the lights went off. "What happed the little girl asked" trying not be worried. " It's probably because of the rain" said Robert. "I wish mom and dad could be at home, let's go downstairs" They walked to the door, but the hall was in darkness so they could'nt see. "Wait a minute"said Roberto. He returned to found his robot. He lighted on and it's lights started to shine, so they could go downstairs guided by the robot's lights.

Later on, they saw their parent coming. "Oh! we're so happy to see you" said the little Tania. "I was very afraid" "But my robot helped" said Roberto very proud of his robot. "Tania said my robot was very ugly, but he gave us light"Roberto said.

Their mother started laughing and then she said very seriouly: "Your robots remind me that there's people who looked very importart and attractive but, they don't permit that the love of God shines through them. It looks like if they haven't any strength. So when the circumstances are difficult, they're not of much help. Other people seemed to be not so good, but they are strong and you can count always with them. You can see very clearly the light of Jesus shinning on their lives" "That's true" said the father. "That's the way people should be. Full of God's love and they have to show it.

What about you? Are you the kind of person described on this story? The way you look from outside it's not very important as the inside. This is the one God's care. When you live the way God wants you to live, then His light will shine on you life. The end

I hope you can udenstand it because of my traduction. See you later. Are you attending to the workshops? they look interesting. See you tomorrow. Bye.

Which is your attitude?

Hi, How are you doing? enjoying this long weekend? How about Matty's team event wasn't it very interesting and exciting? It was a nice experience for all of us don't you think so? Excellent job Matty. Well, I want to write a little part of a book I'm reading. It's tittle is "How to win people" by John C. Maxwell. I hope you get the idea 'cause I have to translate it. And it says:
It is well known that all of us need to learn valuable lessons. Everybody have something to share or something to teach us, but this can only happen if we have the correct attitude.
What kind of attitude do you have when you need to learn from others? Most people are in one of the following categories:
No one can teach me anything: Arrogant attitude.
Ignorance is the biggest enemy of the real education. Have you ever known some successful persons with much education that they don't want to listen any suggestion or opinion from others? They think they know everything. A person who receives a master's degree may not be able to accept any instruction, because now he or she is an expert.
Such persons can't noticed the damage they are getting. The truth, is that no one is enough old, enough intelligent or enough successful to learn something new. The only obstacle that interferes to learn it's a bad attitude.
Someone can teach me everything: Innocent attitude.
This is a good decision, nevertheless, it's innocent (ingenuo) to think they can learn everything from just one person. I've learned from many people.
Everybody can teach me something: Educated attitude.
The people who learn more is not the one who spend long time with intelligent people, but the ones who have an educated attitude. Each person has something to share, a lesson, an observation or an experience of life. We just need to be able to listen. Actually people teach us things even if they don't notice it. Ask any parent and you'll find that they learned valuable lessons from their children, even if they were babies. The only moment people can't teach us something is when we are not able to learn.
Ok, guys, this was just three paragraphs of this topic just to practice the traduction too. I'ts not very easy. But I noticed it's another way to practice English and traduction. See you tomorrow Sunday. Don't forge to watch the movie The last of the Mohicans. We'll comment it tomorrow.
Try to rest and take care. God bless you all. Bye.