What makes me happy

Dear pupils, colleagues and people in general,

school should be a place to forge open minds, to stimulate creativity, to share bright ideas. Instead it is becoming more and more a place to follow imposed programmes, to achieve a status above the others to ensure a precarious future, a place to rule in microcosmos of small and vicious power.... it is becoming a vampiric world that sucks our blood and leaves us hollow inside. I apologize for being such a pessimistic human being at the moment but I face my days as a succession of tasks to be followed and tiredness as a reward...

Anyway I found myself in such a year of deep and exhausting work that I had no chance to publish regularly in this blog. Today, I took the time to share an essay from a pupil of mine. I asked the pupils from the eight grade to write an essay about what makes them happy. It was not a fair proposition, I know. They did it: some with copied ideas, some with ideas they thought I wanted to ear and a hanfdful of others with real personal ideas. From those, I chose this essay I considered one of the best. Enjoy!

What makes me happy

"I think it's true (that some people have forgotten to take care of their personality) because some people just care about their appearance. But I'm kind of the opposite. I care about my personality and what makes me happy. I don't really care about the people that say I'm ugly because that's not the most important thing  in the world. I like to relax and go out with my friends or watch a movie with my family. That makes me happy. Of course, I like to look good and I know what I can and can't change in my body. I brush my hair and I like my clothes but I can't change my entire body. Well, I'm happy the way I am and who doesn't like it, can look away because like Lady Gaga says: "I was born this way"!

Luís Victorino, 8ºF, Escola Secundária Fernando Namora

New Year's Resolutions 2012

Hi folks!

here comes the day when we all decide to make New Year's Resolutions (AGAIN!)

You can opt to make serious ones or to joke with this issue.

I'l leave some good examples for you. Do you like this one?

Or do you prefer this?

I am more a humourous kind of woman, so I really prefer the third option.

Although...having second thoughts...I've just decided right now: this is definitely my favourite one.

HAVE AN EXCELLENT NEW YEAR OF 2012!

The Christmas Story

Hi guys!
I know that I'm late this year but I've been deadly tired doing lots of stuff lately!
Anyway, I couldn´t resist sharing this Christmas Story with you. It was told by the children of St Paul's Church, who were also the actors, cameramen, musicians and directors. Jesus Christ! - seems to me the appropriate expression! You must see this! Really!

Exactly the same - only different

Have you thought about what life could be if you were born different? Let's say: without arms ou legs or both?


Would you pray to die?
Would you hide and feel sorry about yourself?
Would you envy the other "normal people"?


Or 
would you try to overcome your disability and be the best you can be?

Watch this video about a magnificient person and think that perhaps your daily problems aren't so big as you had thought in the first place.

We are already 7 Billion on the Planet Earth!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The world population is the total number of living humans on the planet Earth. As of today, it is estimated to be 6.974 billion by the United States Census Bureau. According to a separate estimate by the United Nations, it has already exceeded 7 billion.

World population estimates from 1800 to 2100, based on UN 2004 projections (red, orange, green) and US Census Bureau historical estimates (black).

The world population has experienced continuous growth since the end of the Great Famine and Black Death in 1350, when it stood at around 370 million.The highest rates of growth—increases above 1.8% per year—were seen briefly during the 1950s, and for a longer period during the 1960s and 1970s. The growth rate peaked at 2.2% in 1963, and had declined to 1.1% by 2009. Annual births peaked at 173 million in the late 1990s, and are now expected to remain constant at their 2011 level of 134 million, while deaths number 56 million per year, and are expected to increase to 80 million per year by 2040. Current projections show a continued increase in population (but a steady decline in the population growth rate), with the global population expected to reach between 7.5 and 10.5 billion by 2050.

A world of 7 billion people poses many challenges, and countless opportunities to make a positive difference.
7 Billion Actions, established by the United Nations Population Fund, inspires change that will make a difference by highlighting positive action by individuals and organizations around the world. Everyone has an opportunity and a responsibility to make a world of 7 billion a better place for all of us. Share your story of how you're making a difference, and inspire others to take action.

in http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/7-billion

For more detailed information go to these sites:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-10-30/world-population-hits-seven-billion/51007670/1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15449959

Watch these videos and think about the measures that must be taken in order to tackle this world probem.

http://youtu.be/4B2xOvKFFz4

http://youtu.be/sc4HxPxNrZ0

Kelly Slater

Do you know Kelly Slater? He is one of the best surfers of the world and is currently in Portugal to participate in the RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL 2011. http://www.ripcurl.com/index.php?id=703,0,0,1,0,0

Kelly Slater's Life

Kelly Slater (Robert Kelly Slater) was born on February 11, 1972 in Cocoa Beach in Florida.

Kelly has two brothers - older Sean Slater and younger Stephen Slater.

He started surfing when he was in kindergarten. At first he only rode bodyboards (standing up). He entered his first surfing competition in 1980 when he was eight years old. Kelly won his division on his bodyboard.

Kelly got his first real surfboard in 1980. Together with his brother Sean they entered a few contest and also 1981 ESA Championships in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Kelly was there first faced with bigger waves and finished last in his category.

Surfing

He is today the most successful professional surfer in the history of the sport.

Surfing records

Kelly Slater is a current eight time world champion which is a record number of world title victories. He also has the most heat wins of all times and is equal with Tom Curren for the most victories. In the 2005 Billabong Tahiti Pro contest at Teahupoo, Kelly Slater also became the first surfer who scored two perfect 10. This is the maximum possible amount of points in a surfing heat.

Pipe Dreams - A Surfers Journey

If you want to know more about Kelly Slater you should :

- read his biography book called Pipe Dreams - A Surfers Journey.

- read his biography in the websites

http://www.kelly-slater.info/biography/kelly-slaters-life/

http://kellyslater.com/



You can also watch some videos on Youtube.com


http://youtu.be/u4AkzvxMKKg

http://youtu.be/NV2emEuZQNY

The boy does nothing

Alesha Dixon - The Boy Does Nothing

http://youtu.be/6Pigw0qtAl4

After listening to and watching this video, identify the Present Tense forms in the lyrics (underline them).

I got a man with two left feet
And when he dances down to the beat
I really think that he should know
That his rhythms go go go

I got a man with two left feet
And when he dances down to the beat
I really think that he should know
That his rhythms go go go

CHORUS
Does he wash up? Never wash up
Does he clean up? No, he never cleans up
Does he brush up? Never brushed up
He does nothing the boy does nothing
(Repeat chorus)

Hey boy how you been?
I got a thousand lines
Where do I begin?
And II been here, been there
Traveling
I saw you at the corner
My vibe kicked in

And
Two fields
I clock you
Wearing tight jeans
A real nice suit
He was smiling like you
Was just seventeen
I asked him for a dance
He said 'yes please'

Take a sip of dancing juice
Everybody's onto you
Through the left and to the right
Everybody hit the rhythm
It's on tonight
I'm gonna feel the heat within my soul
I need a man to take control
Let the melody blow you all away

CHORUS
Does he wash up? Never wash up
Does he clean up? No, he never cleans up
Does he brush up? Never brushed up
He does nothing the boy does nothing
(Repeat chorus)

Work it out now
Work it, Work it out now

Do the mumbo
Shake it all around now

Everybody on the floor
Let me see you clap your hands

I wanna see you work
I wanna see you move your body in turn
I wanna see you shake your hips and learn

I wanna see you work it, work it, work it out now

I wanna see you work
I wanna see you move your body in turn
I wanna see you shake your hips and learn