VALIDATION

Have you heard about this excellent SHORT FILM? VALIDATION  has been written & directed by Kurt Kuenne. It has been awarded with several important prizes. It's an allegory about being  positive & expressing our good feelings to other people. We can still make a better world!!!
You can't miss it.  It is a MUST. Take a break and watch it. It is worthwhile.
It's in English with Spanish subtitles. You WILL love it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ar_TSl2mP4

THE TOWERING INFERNO

Last night I watched on TV one of the classic films that impressed me the first time I watched it when I was a teenager. I don't like catastrophe films especcially but this one is unique for me. It's amazing that a film that was screened for the first time over 30 years ago is still so exciting. The Towering Inferno (El coloso en llamas, 1974, directed by John Guillermin) won 3 Oscars and had a cast full of stars: Paul Newman, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Wagner, Jennifer Jones and ...Steve McQueen!!!!

It seems that I'm not the only fan of this excellent actor. Sometimes a film can change your life. Watch this scene to find a real example:

MY UNFORGETTABLE EX-STUDENTS

Frank McCourt wrote: "The main thing I am interested in is my experience as a teacher". In his book Teacher Man he points out that he has tought to hundreds of students and he he has learnt very much.  This is one of the most striking things of teaching. In fact it's an exchange of learning experiences between students & teachers. I have learnt a lot from my students, too. Some of then will be always in my memories for different reasons. Along my life I have met by accident people who have called me: "profe". They had been my students before and wanted to talk to me reather than hiding!. They have made me happy for an instant. I have helped students to learn English but also to survive. Artzai is a survivor whom I sometimes meet in the underground. I feel very proud of him. Anabel & Lorena look after my children and are an example of young people fighting for a place in our society. Carlos shared music with me and told me about his worries... There are so many names I'll never forget.

Last year it was a special year at work. I went back to Joaquín Sorolla Adult School, where I always felt at home. I worked again with beloved friends like Dori, Delicia & Carmen and I met new teachers who are now part of my life like Marian, Lucía, Lola & Rocío.

But I also met wonderful students who were supportive and enthusiastic. Some of them achieved their goal at our school (The Aceso boys: Kike, Jaime, Víctor) and many of them were forced to leave our school due to our rulers unfair policy of cutting. I miss them so much. Some of them come to visit me and smile at me and that is a reward. I had coffee this morning with Belén and Pilar from my ex-conversation group and it was such a pleasure. They are faithful followers of this blog. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!