Hi my dear students. I hope you are all fine and healthy.
Every year in the English department we focus on an English speaking countries. This year we had chosen CANADA. I will show you some videos so that you know more about that wonderful country.
Let's start with a quote by the Canadian writer MARGARET ATWOOD
George Michael wrote this song in 1990. It belongs to the album Listen without Prejudice. Incredible lyrics but the most incredible thing is that it looks as if it was written in 2016. This is a description of our world, unfortunatelly:
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (War is Over, if you want it, war is over now)repeat with verse
For weak and for strong
The rich and the poor ones
The road is so long
So happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
Activity for all my students: the use of Simple Past Tense
Enrique Urquijo has always been one of my favourite musicians. I still listen to his songs very often and they bring me good memories. His voice, his lyrics, his deep eyes, his sadness, his shy smile, his life are somewhere in my heart and will always be there.
Enrique Urquijo was born in Madrid on the 15th February 1960. He started loving & playing music at school. He started a band with his brothers Javier and Alvaro as well as his friend Canito, who played the drums. They founded the band Tos in 1978. On the night of New Year's Eve 1979 Canito died in a car accident. Later a concert as a homage to him called: "Concierto Homenaje a Canito" in February 1980 was considered the beginning of La Movida madrileña. Then the band changed their name as well as some members and were calledLos Secretos. They published 15 records. They had a successful career. Enrique was a composer, singer, bass player and guitar player. He wrote songs which are essential in the history the Spanish pop music such as Déjame, Sobre un vidrio mojado, No me imagino, Volver a ser un niño, Quiero beber hasta perder el control, Buena chica, Ojos de gata, Y no amanece, Por la calle del olvido, Adios tristeza, Agárrate fuerte a mí María, A tu lado.
He started an alternative band to experiment with versions of songs of La Movida and include rancheras, fados and other types of music. This band was calledLos Problemas and they published two lovely records in 1993 and 1998.
Enrique was a very sensitive man. He suffered from depression and took drugs. He died dramatically in Madrid on the 17th November 1999. All his fans were absolutely shocked and terribly sad.
I saw him in lots of concerts from the 80s to almost his death. He played in big concerts halls with LosSecretos and in small pubs with Los Problemas. I met him once in a pub in Moncloa. There were very few people in the pub. I was with my cousins and a friend. He was alone. Los Secretos had launched their LP Continuará. We were talking for a while about his new record and music. He was so polite and down to earth. He signed an autograph for me with a drawing that I lost later!!! "It is only a piece of paper" as Santiago Auserón told me in another occasion. I won't ever forget that night where I could talk to my idol as a nornal person. Maybe that's the reason why he wrote "Pero cómo explicar que me vuelvo vulgar al bajarme de cada escenario". He was not vulgar at all. He was a normal guy, not a star, although he was a genius.
Once he was playing in a pub and there was a drunk woman spoiling his concert a little. He was respectful and patient with her. He was a gentleman. I wish he would have lived longer. There were still so many beautiful songs to write. Sixteen years after his death many people still miss him... The Bands Tos Secret & Emision Zero will make a tribute concert on the 21st Nov. in Madrid
Los Secretos: Quiero beber hasta perder el control
Enrique Urquijo y Los Problemas:Desde que no nos vemos
Today is the 6th birthday of somebody I love very much but it is also the International Day against breastcancer. Two of my best friends have suffered from this illness before being 40 and are recovered now. They both are ADMIRABLE SURVIVORS. They have been so brave and so positive about it that all the people who love them feel VERY PROUD OF THEM. They are my HEROINES. They have given a lesson to everybody around them that we will never ever forget. Girls, this song is for you. This is the only song in Spanish in this blog but Luz also deserves to be in this post. This song also brings me good memories. I used it to teach my students the subjunctive in Spanish when I was a T.A. in Williams College, Massachusetts.
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (War is Over, if you want it, war is over now)repeat with verse
For weak and for strong
The rich and the poor ones
The road is so long
So happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
Activity for my ACCESO students
We have worked the exam with a text about Marilyn Monroe which title was Candle in the Wind. As I told you this is a song that Elton John wrote to her and some years later he adapted the lyrics to sing it at Lady Di's funeral. I'm sure you know the song. It's lovely and sad. Here is the link from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80rHyABCb20
As I have told you several times. Valentine's Day is celebrated in English speaking countries in a more extended way than here. People send cards to all the people they love and towns and cities are decorated with love so there is a magical atmosphere everywhere.I usually write posts on celebrarions in this blog so I do it again now. This year I have chosen...
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!
I can't believe it. This was a real challenge. I started this blog on a course to get my credits for sexenios two years ago and I must confess that I was very suspicious about it. Then little by little I became hooked. I decided to have a unique blog for my students, my friends, my kids, my likes instead of sepatate ones. I am a single person and I am a mixture of all the bits of me. That's why my blog tries to represent myself with all those bits.
I just want to THANK all of you from the ones who have clicked only once to the ones who have followed this blog from the very beginning, those of you who have helped me to create it, those of you who have given advise to me or have made proposals, those of you who have inspired me with your work, your ideas and your love, those of you who have shared experiences with me that are reflected in some posts and those of you who are obligued to enter for homework.
You can see a view of Howth in Ireland in the background of the page.
I feel very happy. THANKS A MILLION!
I feel like dancing this songs which reminds me so many parties in Madrid, Cogolludo, Dublin and Massachusetts: Donna Summer, Last Dance (from Youtube) for U allbecause "I need you by me, beside me, to guide me, to hold me and even to scold me":
Well, I'm back & stronger!!
The best thing of my Christmas holidays is going to Fuengirola and see the sun there. It's is always a wonderful experience. This year we have discovered a band from Málaga called The Silver Beats who are a tribute band of the Beatles and also play songs by Elvis and others. They are fantastic. Sergio is a fan of the Beatles now thanks to them. Here is a bit of them from youtube. I hope you like it. Learning English through music is fun and enriching:
Life is full of surprises. Those who know my love & me know that the soundtrack of my life wouldn't exist without Enrique Urquijo and his songs. He was in my life in lots of concerts at big or small places and even in a pub in Moncloa one night when we were talking for hours. Music has not been the same without him.
One day my friend Maribel told me about a concert as a tribute to Enrique which would take place at ElRincón del Arte Nuevo on the 22nd and 23rd November where her neighbour Juan would play the bass and César & I decided to go with them, obviously. We had seen Enrique and Begoña playing there a long time ago and the place brought us good memories. The concert was superb!!! The band Emisión Zero played a very emotional acoustic concert and singers from other bands took part in it. Meeting Juan has been very interesting since he is another enriquista and has given me information about a forum of Enrique's followers that make me feel he is still with us. Well, he'll always be. This is a piece of the concert. I'm sitting next to Gabi, who plays the guitar. I hope you like it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLvAtFcd_Ds
Activity for Sergio and his friends.
You are working the HUMAN BODY in SCIENCE: We are HUMANS because:
- we have a developed brain
- we can walk upright
- we can do lots of things with our hands
You have studied the : CIRCULATORY SYSTEM, DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM and EXCRETORY SYSTEM. You are working with the 5 SENSES now. Here are some activities, pictures and links to help you:
We are back!!! Everything has a beginning and an end. So, here we are again. It's been a great Summer enjoying the Mediterranean and the Cantabric seas, the mountain, the country, the magnificent Playa de las Catedrales in Lugo, the hospitality of Ana and David in Castro de Rei, the medieval Morella, the views from the restaurant el Parque in Peñíscola, la Hacienda San Jordi and other lovely places, the Festival of my village, El Escaqueo, the swimming pool, walks with Sergio, dances with Lucía, long talks and whiskey with César, family, friends, ice-creams, salmorejo, wine (Vino de Rio Negro, Vino de Mencía, Ribeiro and tinto deverano), pulpo a feira, fresh fruit and vegetables, the colorful August sunset in Castilla and peace, at times.
Now we are back at CEPA Joaquín Sorolla with less teachers, less groups but the same energy to teach and learn every day.
My children love this song. I used to like it too. I was a fan of La Bola de Cristal (especially of Santiago Auserón with that black hat and his deep eyes). I think EL PUPITRE DE ATRÁS is the best song to start the academic year 2013-2014 with a good mood. Great to be connected again.
Lots of love,
ANA
WELL, WE CAN DENY WE ALL WORK HARD, AT HOME, AT OUR WORK PLACES, SOCIALIZING...After a long day working to and fro. I had a lovely dinner with friends and we danced and drank Segovian whisky at "HEROE". Cindy Lauper sang this song, which is ideal for women's day: "When the working day is done, girls just wanna have fun"and I promised to dedicate it to LOLA la ORIENTADORA, my beloved friend with the most beutiful curly hair I have ever seen.
LOLAAAA, for you. Thanks for being on the whatsapp every day... and more... : )
Crazy people like me have crazy friends like Maribel, who has crazy friends like these people who planned, rehearsed, and performed with the help of many friends and their children this AMAZING FLASHMOB in El Retiro to celebrate their 40 birthday. I wish I was there. Isn't it fun?
Congratulations!!!!!
For Irish lovers Song: Ireland's call
If you love Ireland like me, If you like the six nations rugby championship, if you are thinking about St. Patrick's Day already, here you have a must for Irish lovers. The song Ireland's call with the lirycs and a map of Ireland as well as some good photos. Learn the song and go to an Irish pub in Madrid or Dublin and sing it while you drink Guiness during the rubgy matches.
ANA
This is the film we are going to show at CEPA Joaquín Sorolla this
week (Monday at 18:45, Thursday at 11:00). It is a British romantic comedy
filmed in 2003. The story takes place in London at Christmas time and there are
several love stories whose characters are interconnected.
This is one of my favourite scenes in the film:
And this is one of my favourite Christmas song which is also sung in
the film:
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
Is you
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
And I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby
Oh I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
And I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You
Oh all the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby
I'm a lucky person. I still see and share great moments with MY FRIENDS FROM SCHOOL, MY FRIENDS FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD. Life comes and goes but I'm proud to see that THEY are always there: Gema, Olga, Yoli, Angeles, María, Dani, Rosa and Trini (and their families!). Whenever I'm with them I feel as if I was: "Walking on sunshine" : )
We had a wonderful time gossiping & dancing last night!
This song is for Sergio, my aerobics teacher, and all the girls who sweat, suffer and laugh with me at the class. This is te original song instead of the disco version we have danced this evening. : )
HEAVEN BY BRYAN ADAMS
Oh, thinkin'
about all our younger years there was only you and me we were young and
wild and free now nothin' can take you away from me we've been down that
road before but that's over now you keep me comin' back for
more Chorus: baby you're all that i want when you're lyin' here in my
arms i'm findin' it hard to believe we're in heaven and love is all
that i need and i found it there in your heart it isn't too hard to
see we're in heaven Oh, once in your life you find someone who will
turn your world around bring you up when you're feelin' down yeah, nothin'
could change what you mean to me oh, there's lots that i could say but
just hold me now 'cause our love will light the way Chorus I've been
waitin' for so long for somethin' to arrive for love to come along now
our dreams are comin' true through the good times and the bad yeah, i'll
be standin' there by you Chorus
