Autobiography

When was in school there was a anti-drugs program named: DARE, and we had to write like a report about why shouldn't we use drugs. After we do that the police, who was in charge of us, decided to choose the best report, after reading all of them he chose mine.

I was very happy and nervous,too, because i had to read it in front of all the students, the next day I presented it and at the end the police gave me a medal.

The Goonies

Well, I'm going to talk about "Mikey", he is like the leader of the Goonies, he's the one who leads the others to One-Eyed Willie's treasure, I chose him because he's very determined, he knows what he can do, he wants to help not only his family but all the neighbors, and he's very brave 'cause he just go and look for the treasure without even knowing if it really exists.

He is the one who keeps some of the pearls and save all the houses from being destroyed.

Urban legend

Well there's a story that my father told me that talks about man who was walking back home at 2:00 a.m but there weren't any lights on the street, and for him to get to his house he had to go through a kind of forest, while he was walking he saw that he was going to a cliff, although he knew that was the way home and that there wasn't any cliff, he was scared but he decided to keep walking and when he stepped on the cliff has disappeared....

People say that witches are the ones who do that and they do it to men who go home very late.

Thanksgiving

A. What is thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a celebration to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for for the harvest, ralationships and everything they have.
This celebration has been celebrated for 1000's of years.
B. Who were the pilgrims?
They were the people who traveled for 66 days and with over a 100 people in a small ship until they arrived to U.Sm,in 1620, in what is now called Massachusetts, and they also started with the tradition of thanksgivng
C. What is the Mayflower?
The Mayflower was a small ship in which the pilgrims were traveling.
Mayflower set sail from England in July of 1620, but had to turn around twice because Speedwell, the ship it was traveling with, kept leaking. It finally got underway on September 6, leaving the leaky Speedwell behind.
D. Who were the Wampanoag?
They are the native people from U.S and they've beeen living there before anybody else.
Their name means People of the First Light.
Now they can't live like their ancestors because people don't respect nature but they try to live that way.
E. What happened to the Pilgrims during the first winter?
When they landed at Plymouth, north of Cape Cod, it was winter so they couldn't plant anything and bacause of the sno it was very difficult for them to build their houses and many of them died.
F. What did the Wampanoag do for the pilgrims?
They helped the pilgrims to survive , specailly there was an indian named Squanto who spoke english and he was the one who helped them the most, he taught them how to hunt, fish and grow corn.
G. Why did they celebrate the first Thanksgiving?
They celebrated it because they had a very successful harvest thanks to Squanto, so thay decided to celebrate and he invited some of the indians to the "party". It lasted 3 days.
E. When is Thanksgiving Celebrated now?
Now thanksgiving day is celebrated the fourth Thursday in November.

My first time ridding a bike

Well first time I rode a bike was a complete disaster; because I fell every time I was on it although it had 2 extra wheels. And I lasted like a week to learn and once I knew hot to do it, I took off the 2 extra wheels but fell down like 200 times and I finally did it I decided to go down in a small hill, so I did it but I fell down and cried for 5 minutes and then I tried again, and I fell...again...(ha ha), and I cried for other 5 minutes and go again, and did that like for 30 minutes, but the problem was that every time I fell I hurt the same place* (knee) and at the end I could see my flesh And there was a lot of blood, and because of that now i have a scar on my knee.

Lie to me

Well I''m going to talk 'bout "Lie to me" that is a TV show where there's a man, who is a detective, and he can read your face or expressions, they call it "micro-expressions", so they if you're lying or if you're telling the truth.

I chose this one 'cause it's my favourite TV show, and it is very interesting and very useful.

There's an episode in which a criminal set a bomb in church and he knew where the bomb was just by asking 4 questions.

The team is called: "the Lightman Group" and its members are: Dr. Cal Lightman, Dr. Gillian Foster, Eli Loker, Ria Torres.

Here's a link where there's more info 'bout it.:

Lie to me

Halloween

This celebration is very famous around the world and it is celebrated annually on October 31st.

People play trick-or-treating and also make jack-o'-lanterns, people watch scary movies and tell ghost stories.
Children often have a disguise and go from house to house asking for candies. costumes are usually monsters, devils, witches, ghosts and skeletons.

Some special food people prepare on this celebration are: Pumpkin pie, Caramel corn, Caramel apple, soul cakes.

Last post!

Well I really enjoyed this course and I got out of this class many of things I wanted like learn new vocabulary, meet new people. improve pronunciation. I enjoyed working in groups and also to have shared with others. I think we have done more activities like presentations, work outside.

I didn't contribute with everything I wanted to but at least I tried. I participated more in this course, I could have done it better, though. I think I should have participated more and give more ideas to the group.

And that's all for this last post.

Ciao.

Conditionals

1. In august 5th, 33 Chilean miners were trapped in a mine. If they weren't working working at that moment they wouldn't be trapped now.

2.In February, Laura Chinchilla became first woman to be elected president in C.R. If she hadn't won, we wouldn't have a woman as a president right now.

3.U.S is the country which has won more Nobel prizes in the world. If U.S hadn't won so many prizes U.K would be the winner.

4.70 years ago John Lennon was born in Liverpool. If he hadn't born he wouldn't have been famous.

5.Yesterday 4 Italian NATO troops were killed in Afghanistan. If they hadn't gone to Afghanistan they wouldn't have been killed.

Today, in Chile, rescue team could come to the miners`refuge. If rescue team hadn`t come to the refuge, miners would have died.

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton has been penalised five places on the grid for Sunday`s Japanese Grand Prix for changing his gearbox. If he hadn`t changed his gearbox, he could be in a better place.

Yesterday, Rafael Nadal had to win his last game versus Victor Troicki to reach the Japan Open final. If he hadn`t won this game, he won`t be in the final of Japan Open.

Today, more than 200 people were rescued from burnig baltic sea ferry near the German island of Fehmarn. If these people hadn`t been rescued from the sea, all of them could have died.

Heredia's guide book

Heredia is located approximately 10 km to the northwest San Jose.

It was the capital of Costa Rica from 1835 to 1838.From December, 1821 to April,Heredia, which was supporting the unconditional annexation the Mexican Empire, was separated from Costa Rica.In April, 1823 it rejoined voluntarily to Costa Rica.

In this place there are some activities like "El Festival Nacional de las Artes" In which they present some of the national and international groups of music or artists.

The city possesses several malls like: " El Centro Comercial Paseo de las Flores" located to the south of the city, it possesses more than 190 shops.

People in this place is really nice and friendly, they like to party and have fun.

Heredia is known as: "La Ciudad de las Flores", for his beautiful women.

Here is the link to some images from Heredia:

HeReDiA:

My favorite restaurant

Well my favorite restaurant is "Mi choza" it is located in San Ramon; they have different kinds of food it's very expensive though.

The food is delicious and they're not too greasy.

My favorite dish is called "filet mi choza".

And what I like the most is that they're always trying to make new recipes.

I like to go with my family 'cause we spend a very good moment when we go there.

And that's all for today,

This is what Sharon wrote 'bout me

Steven is a 15 years old teenager. He was born on 8/2/1995. Now, he lives in Palmares and he is single. His religion is catholicism.

He likes reading, his favorite book is The Lost Symbol. Also, he likes to listen every kind of music, except regueton and "rancheras". He likes to play soccer and spend time with his family and friends, but especially, he is a passionate of technology. His favorite colors are orange and green. He loves neapolitan ice cream and the sweet flavor. He prefer to drink Welch´s and wear brand clothes. And finally, he enjoys dancing.

He has his goals very clear. Some of his dreams are having a family, children, a well paid job (he wants to study systems engineering), travel a lot and learn more languages. He has traveled to USA, El Salvador and San Andrés, and he would like to visit Italy, China and all Europe. Steven loves languages, he is studying english to getting a good job and to communicate with other cultures.

"I based my personality on my experiences and family", he said, highlighting that the best of him is that he is respecful and truthful, and the worst is his shyness. About the others personaliy, he hates hypocrisy.

The happiest moment in his life was when he started to write manga stories. But, like everyone he has had bad moments, and the worst was when his father had a car accident.

What does he dislike? He is afraid of highs, hates frogs and he thinks that study is boring.

He admires Guillermo del Toro, because he makes excellent movies. His favorite actors are Johny Deep and Robert Downy Jr., and his favorite actress is Angelina Jolie.

When I asked him what motivated him, he aswered "my parents, because they work to pay my studies". This show us that he is very grateful.

When we were in the interview he was shy, but he answer all the questions, and most of the time he told me more things that I had asked.

Sharon's profile

I interviewed Sharon, she's 19 and she lives in San Ramon.

I asked what she expects from life And She said: "I want to work in a private hospital, and I don't know if I want to marry because it is a big responsibility.

She likes to read, dance, watch TV, chat. She would like to visit Italy, China, Egypt, Brazil.

When I asked her who does she admires she said: "My mom because she had passed for a lot of bad things and she always get through them".

She hates people who try to imitate other people.

Bad experience: "7 years ago my grandmother passed away, and it made me stronger."

And she's afraid to be alone (no friends, no family)

And that's all.

The differences between men and women.

Gaby's planet comment

I think they're very similar to Venusians 'cause they like meeting people and having relationships.

It's similar to my planet 'cause they like to hang out with friends, go to parties and have fun.

I'd like to live in it because people in there are very nice and they like share so it would be interesting to be there at least for time.

And I think it's OK, just maybe a little bit more of info 'bout the "Aurorians"

Planet

Steven land

People in here are very interested in technology, they like to meet new people, thy like buying new clothes, hanging out with friends, spend time with family, they love music and they're very similar to "Martians", 'cause they value power, they have goals and they like to achieve things. They are also similar to "Venusians" because they like to communicate, relationships and helping others

Personal:

1. I observed sth that is related to centrality of family: my mother took off work 'cause her mother had an accident so she went to the hospital to see her and take care of her.
2. I also observed sth related to external control and it happened when I was going to San Jose: It was that a man crashed with another car and he just admitted that it was his fault and he couldn't do nothing and i think sth that not everybody does and i think it is very important.

Cultural:

1. I observed sth in my family that many families do here in C.R that is that we often eat "pinto" for breakfast and it's sth that people don't do in other countries.
2. I also observed sth that is also in my family: we like to spend time time together in Christmas and in Sundays and it is sth costarican people do.

Universal:

1. I DON'T KNOW (HE HE)

I think that many of these things I wrote are very important and people should do it, like spending time with your family 'cause it is interesting and it is sth that I actually like to do

And this is all for today. Ciao

Behavior linked to Cultural Value

This is something I see in the bus everyday and think it's related to the value of "Respect for Age", that is when you respect and help others because of the age of that person.

Well what I observed was that when elder people are going to get in the bus they just show their ID and that's it, they don't have to pay anything. And also I saw a man surrendering a seat to an old woman.

Aswers #3

Questions:

A. What advice would you give to a friend suffering from culture shock?
B. What personality traits do you think could help prevent culture shock?
C. What variables might make culture shock more or less severe?

Answers:

A. To try to get used to the new culture and try to meet people of that place to know how they live and how they think so it'll be easier for that person.

B. I think that if you are an open-minded and if you're not afraid of being in a new country with a new culture it would be easier for you to in different people and a different culture.

C. I think that maybe the way you think, if you want to learn from others and if you are not a shy person.

Aswers #3

QUESTIONS #2

Questions:

A. Why is culture important in studying language?
B. What aspects of your culture are most interesting for foreigners?
C. What aspects of your culture are most challenging (difficult) for foreigners?
D. What do you like best/least about American culture?
E. What do you like best/least about Costa Rican culture?
F. What would you change about Costa Rican culture if you had the chance?

Answers:

A. It's important because it will be easier to be with the people in that place and practice with them.

B. I think it's the way we treat people because we are very nice to people even if don't know them.

C. I think it's that very few people are punctual and most of us are always late and that's a big problem of us.,

D. What I like the least about american culture is that they always think they're gods and that they are over everybody else.

E. What I like the least about Costa Rican culture is that we're always late to everything.

F. I would change the punctuality of people.

In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed to stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods:

On a Sears hairdryer -- Do not use while sleeping.
(Shoot, and that's the only time I have to work on my hair.)

On a bag of Fritos -- You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
(the shoplifter special)?

On a bar of Dial soap -- "Directions: Use like regular soap,"
(and that would be how???....)

On some Swanson frozen dinners -- "Serving suggestion: Defrost."
(but, it's "just" a suggestion).

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom) -- "Do not turn upside down."
(well...duh, a bit late, huh)!

On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -- "Product will be hot after heating."
(...and you thought????...)

On packaging for a Rowena iron -- "Do not iron clothes on body."
(but wouldn't this save me more time)?

On Boot's Children Cough Medicine -- "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication."
(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off those forklifts.)

On Nytol Sleep Aid -- "Warning: May cause drowsiness."
(and...I'm taking this because???....)

On most brands of Christmas lights -- "For indoor or outdoor use only."
(as opposed to...what)?

On a Japanese food processor -- "Not to be used for the other use."
(now, somebody out there, help me on this. I'm a bit curious)

On Sainsbury's peanuts -- "Warning: contains nuts."
(talk about a news flash)

On an American Airlines packet of nuts -- "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."
(Step 3: maybe, ooh...fly Delta?)

On a child's Superman costume -- "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly."
(I don't blame the company. I blame the parents for this one.)

On a Swedish chainsaw -- "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
(Oh my ..was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)

Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity.

ANSWERS

Questions:

1. What do you like best about English?
2. What do you like least about English?
3. What are your strongest language skills?
4. What are your weakest skills?
5. What do you most need to improve and why?
6. What activities are most helpful?

Answers

1. What I like the best about English is that the use of verbs are easier than in Spanish, also that there are more words s than in Spanish so it's easier to express and to say things.

2. What I like the least about English is the pronunciation of some words that very difficult and some grammar rules that are very difficult to learn.

3. My strongest language skills are: reading and writing

4. My weakest languge skills are: listening and speaking.

5. Maybe what I need the mist to improve is pronunciation because some time I say some words with the wrong pronunciation and I hate that.

6. Some activities that are helpful for this are watching movies in english and speaking english with others.

What do I want to learn in this course?

What I want to learn in this course is how to pronunce some words i dont know, new vocabulary and i want to improve my english.

hi I'm Steven
this is a test