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!!!!!

LOVE ACTUALLY

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
 

MY FRIENDS: LOS INFINITOS

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!

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

IRELAND: A LOVE STORY

I first went to Ireland in July 1989. I was studying English Philology and I arranged a trip with some friends from University to practice the language. We stayed with families and I was definitely the luckiest of all since I became the guests of THE H, who happened to be THE BEST FAMILY IN IRELAND. They treated me as a member of the family since the beginning and I felt delighted. My friends & I made trips around Dublin area where we discovered places full of  magic.

We returned the following Summer, 1990, and we met Ian, Garreth and Ronan, who treated us as if we were princesses (Didn't they, Elvira) and showed us the night life in Dublin. My friend María joined us in the following expedition in Summer 1991. I was already the Hendersons's adopted daughter and I'll always be. Since then I have visited them as a family member as well as they have visited me and we have shared very important moments in our lives. This was the longest gap in my visits, more than 5 years and I really needed to go and see them. I hace been to Dublin at La Almudena long weekend. It has been one of those experiences one can never forget. I just wanted a "kitchen therepy" and I brought back with me LOTS OF TRUE LOVE. the biggest piece of my heart is there, definitely. Thanks so much. I LOVE YOU ALL.

Powerscourt Gardens, The Hendersons 25 wedding anniversary, Malahide Castle, July 1991

Killiney Hill, County Cork, July 1995



Slieve League Cliffs, Adare, March 2002

Half Penny Bridge (Dublin), Jerpoint Abbey, January 2004

St. Stephen Green, Dublin's Zoo, Ciara's, May 2007