Blog de Cristina

a new language means a new vision of life

Archive for April, 2008

I didn´t know  Mika, nor this song, despite the fact that this is a romantic song and the more I listen to it the more I like it. Mika is a quick-changing  singer and I reckon he would be the new Freddie Mercury who is believed to have been a sing start? in the past and nowadays, once he is dead, he is too, therefore I must assume  he must be so  in the future. (lyrics show must go on, video show must go on)
Another group like “Queen”  would be U2 with his singer named “Bono” (video-with or without you, lyrics with or without you), those groups have been trendy  in the past, nowadays and probably in the future. U2 have protest songs probably because of their nationality, they are from Ireland, where the conflict between IRA and England Government is latent. Their music and their lyrics improve in their concerts, once we can see their  concert  strength it´s unforgettable, they have a powerful sound that can surround us and a shiver can run down our spine (new year´s day). If someone can go to a U2´s concert, please don’t doubt, it´s always a good choice.
Another great pop singer is Robbie Williams (video feel-robbie, lyrics fell),I believe  he must be mad, it is said that some geniuses have been a little crazy like him; probably drugs are wrecking his life. Although he is a great singer he ought to work hard to be an upper-class. He might become a sing star like Freddie Mercury but this is very difficult, watch this: (video barcelona)… behind Montserrat Caballe, it is so amazing.
On the other hand,  there are many singers on top of the list s nowadays but I don´t know whether they’ll be in the future. For example Rihanna (video hate that i love you lyrics hate that i love you), a cute black woman  and “No doubt” with their blonde soft rock singer (video don´t speak lyrics don´t speak).
But I don´t want to finish without speaking about Duffy, a pretty blonde singer who has a special voice which can take us  our thoughts, and remind us of  the lost American soul. I think she is a link between the past and the present and she is a flattering to our ears. (video mercy)
Sent by Manuel Torga, 4th year student

Advertising

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under Listening

The next topic in my fourth year classes will be advertising and although it may seem quite hard to discuss about the fallacies of advertising in class  I can see no reason not to have a good laugh out of these two commercials I have come across.

And another one I’ve also found funny. I hope you understand.

Gabrielle

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under Listening, Music
British R&B vocalist Gabrielle began her career singing for free in London West End clubs whilst temping in offices during the day. Her big break came when she recorded a demo, called “Dreams,” based around Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” which subsequently fell into the hands of an A&R man at London’s Go! Beat records.  With the hit came a head-turning image, complete with kiss curls and sequined eye patch as Gabrielle’s right eye has a drooped lid. 
Her debut album, Find Your Way, sold over a million copies worldwide, and paved the way for her sophomore, self-titled album, released in 1996 . In three short years, those two albums and nine singles — five of which were Top Ten — established Gabrielle as the U.K.’s premiere soul vocalist
In 2000, Gabrielle followed up with her appropriately titled third album, Rise, which followed a difficult time for her personally and creatively. Widely publicized reports concerning her ex-partner’s criminal conviction threatened to overshadow her musical accomplishments, not to mention her creative potential. The songs on Rise spoke of optimism, romanticism, devotion, and a keen survival instinct. The lead single, “Sunshine,” was a spirited thank you to those friends you have on hand to boost your confidence when you’re low. Her 2001’s world-wide hit “Out of Reach” was the feature track from the Bridget Jones’s Diary soundtrack.
Now if you feel in the mood , listen to her hit “Out of Reach”, my “moody” choice this week, especially dedicated to you know who.
Want to sing  ?

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Sometimes when I come across videos from people who devote time , energy and money for the sake of education and just for free I often ask myself  what moves them. It can’t be  money so then, what? Anyway, listen to this  lesson about adjectives ending in -ing /-ed from Jennifer, a USA teacher since 1996.

David Beckham

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under Listening
David  Beckham  is problably one of the most glamorous footballers in history but he is also a good professional  and  although I have to admit  that I’m not an expert in these matters I’ve been going to football matches on and off for six years . Beckham  is an English professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder. He currently plays for and captains Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy   and is also a member of the England national team. He earned his 100th cap for England against France in March 2008.Beckham’s career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, then He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons.
Listen to an interview  where David Beckham talks to Bill Woods about why he went to the LA Galaxy  and his first season there.
If you want to do some exercises on this video, click here

Congreso Anota

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under General
Back from Congreso Anota   I want to thank the organisers of the event sponsored by Pearson for treating us so well. To tell you the truth I would have liked it to last a bit longer as we were treated like royalty.  I also want to point out the remarkable lecturers ranging from the good-natured  Luis Rojas Marcos to the smart Pilar Jerico who taught us the value of the concept  No Miedo, never forgetting the moving account of Sebastian Alvaro’s incredible experiences with his team or the quick-witted Emilio Calatayud with his down-to-earth  view of our increasingly permissive society towards our children.
On the personal level, I have to confess that I had a great, great time in Madrid ; that I had the opportunity to see colleagues and friends I hadn’t seen for a long time, some as long as 13 years  and so , as we had to make up for lost time some of us didn’t even sleep a wink , not that I regret it , on the contrary. Guiño

Goodbye my Lover

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under Listening, Music
 ”Back to bedlam” , James Blunt’s debut album has some soul in it but if I had to choose a song it would definitely be “Goodbye my Lover” . This song moves me in a way no other song has  ever done as it never fails to stir my memories  .
“Goodbye My Lover”
Did I disappoint you or let you down?
Should I be feeling guilty or let the judges frown?
‘Cause I saw the end before we’d begun,
Yes I saw you were blinded and I knew I had won.
So I took what’s mine by eternal right.
Took your soul out into the night.
It may be over but it won’t stop there,
I am here for you if you’d only care.
You touched my heart you touched my soul.
You changed my life and all my goals.
And love is blind and that I knew when,
My heart was blinded by you.
I’ve kissed your lips and held your hand.
Shared your dreams and shared your bed.
I know you well, I know your smell.
I’ve been addicted to you.[x2]
Goodbye my lover.
Goodbye my friend.
You have been the one.
You have been the one for me.
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Weddings

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under General, Students' Corner
Written by Sandra Garcia Corte , 4º year 
To start with, I have to tell you that I have been to many weddings in my life since I was a little child. This is because my mother has a lot of first cousins. In fact, they can be more than 20 ! 
Anyway, despite me having gone to so many weddings, I just really enjoyed my self in the first one.
 I was with my aunt in my grandma’s house one day, when the door bell rang. It was my aunt’s boyfriend wanting to tell her something extremely important… As everyone was expecting (except my aunt) he showed her a beautiful golden engagement ring !  Of course, she said Yes !
 The wedding took place three months later. (I was six years old). It was on the 4th of February and to  everyone’s surprise  it had snowed a lot the week before. Fortunately, that Saturday, the sun was shining.
The groom arrived before the bride. He was wearing tails and my mother was with him because she was the maid of honour. Half an hour later, the bride arrived. She looked gorgeous with her beautiful white dress and veil covering her face. I was one of the bridesmaid and my cousins were page boys.
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The Weather

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under Listening

At a Hospital

Posted by CRISTINA CABAL DIAZ under General, Students' Corner
Last Saturday a friend of mine was badly injured in a car crash because he was under the alcohol effects. Fortunately, the accident was near Villa so the paramedics could get there before it was too late. They examined him and realised that besides suffering from shock, he could barely  breathe and there was blood everywhere. They rushed him to hospital and as soon as he arrived he was taken to the operating theatre to have an operation. His lungs were quite damaged but during the operation the doctors realised that his stomach was injured as well. Eventually it turned out worse than the surgeons expected so the operation lasted quite a bit more.
         After having been operated he was taken to intensive care and the nurses gave him an injection to avoid him the pains. Unfortunately his condition deteriorated overnight: he began to throw up, had a temperature… but it was all because of a virus so the doctors prescribed him some painkillers and antibiotics. After having healed the virus, the doctors discharged  him from hospital and gave him some advice as having a healthy diet (because of the virus), giving up smoking (because of the lungs injury) and keep away from the alcohol for a couple of months because he could be hooked on it.
         Nowadays he has scars because of the stitches he needed and is walking on crutches until the twist ankle gets better, if it doesn’t, he might need surgery. Moreover he has got rid of all the alcohol he had at home.
This essay has been sent by Estela Ramon García, 4º year
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