WELCOMING EMAIL

My name is Isàlia Pujol and, in this mail, I’m going to do a small introduction about my life.

At the moment, I’m studying second of Baccalaureate at INS Castelló d’Empúries, the high school that has accompanied me along five years. I know that it’s my last year in this high school; during this year I will finish a life and start another. It is for this reason that I’m going to enjoy every day.

Now, I’m sixteen years old, but in twenty-seventh of October I will be seventeen. I live in a little village, Sant Miquel de Fluvià, with my parents and my little sister. I have studied music and have played the piano since I was six years old. Playing this instrument has become my hobby.

I think that our life is an ongoing challenge. Our goals, over the years, are changing. For this reason when we were young, we had a lot of dreams and goals that we will never be able to accomplish. A clear example is the typical dream of every child: to be an astronaut. I have to admit that this one was my goal when I was 6 years old. Now, that are changed; I have a short-term goal and, at the moment, it is the most important that I have: get the second of Baccalaureate and pass the Selectivity exam. Then, I have a lot of long-term goals... (The typical goals of every student) like finish a degree, a master, obtain titles as I can speak different languages, have a job... but I have another goals, not only in the academically way. I have cultural goals, I would like to travel, to get to know new cultures and lifestyles; read new books, etc.; I have familiar challenges too, like spend more time with family and friends because they are a very important part of my life.

As I have already said, my friends and family are very important for me, and all of this people, that are every day around me, help me a lot; but I am the only one who is able to overcome all of my goals. I will put the focus on it to face my challenges.

In the speech I have been interested especially in a sentence that says “There is no excuse for no trying. Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up.” With this sentence, Barack Obama is trying to say that if you don’t like your present, you are able to change it and to build a future better for you, because you are able to decide where you want to go and what you want to do. I put attention to it because it is a way to say “don’t give up”.

LOOKING BACK

This last school year, I think that I have improved a lot my level of english and I'm really proud. I have learned new vocabulary, new words that will be very useful and I will be able to use in my life, with english speakers. 

In my opinion, the best activities which I can show my english level are our blog, where we can talk about all of topics what we want, and the oral presentations, where we can show our knoweldge about a theme. We have done a lot of exercicies this year, but it seems to me that the most usefull acrivity to improve my English is to read, read books in this language, because I can observe if I had learn good the concepts and the vocabulary. Sincerely, I find that the class songs, in my opinion, are not useful to learn English because, sometimes, the lyrics of the song are difficult to understand because they are tuned with the music. I would like to do again, to improve my English, more yoursays and news in my blog and read books.  

I'm happy now with the new knowledge that I have acquired this year. 

FORMAL LETTER

37, Carrer del Pi

St Miquel de Fluvià

Catalonia

31st, May, 2017 

UNICEF USA

333 East 38th Street, New York

NY 10016 United States

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to offer myself as a volunteer in your NGO, that is to say, in UNICEF. I would like to apply for a position. I am 16 years old girl and, at the present time, I have not finished "batxillerat", but the next summer I am able to begin to work when do you want. 

I feel that I would be suitable for this job because I am very hard-working, and I like to involve with the work that I am doing. I am also extremely responsible, organized and with the desire to help other people.

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. I have included my CV with this letter. I would be happy to attend an interview at a time convenient for you. Thank you for your attention to this letter and for considering my application. 

Your faithfuly

MY GAP YEAR

PERSONALITY QUIZ

This is the result of the personality test. It says that I'm Introvert, iNtuitive, Feeling and Judging (INFJ).

I agree with all the answers. It's completely true that I'm introverted because, normally, I'm a shy and a retiring person. Another fact that says about me the test is that I'm intuitive. I totally agree because I have a direct perception or the power of understanding a fact, a conclusion... without any reasoning process or analysis. The test adds that I'm feeling because in me prevails the exprerssion of feelings or the intention of causing them. And finally, says that I'm judging. I'ts true because I express my opinion about a work arguing their qualities and defects.

This test has been a great help to get to know myself better. It's very helpful.

TED TALKS ON FASHION

Cameron Russell is an international model. She has appeared in multiples magazines, for exemple Vogue, and she has worked for brands like H&M, Visctoria's Secret, etc. 

She thinks that the the appearance isn't everything. 

Principally, the model says that the image is superficial because the picture that we see of the models is retouched. She says image is a superficial thing and adds that the we see of her, she is not really her because we see what the photographers wants us to see. All the photos are retouched. At the beginning of the video she changes her clothes because she wants to give another image to the people who are watching her.

The model says that every part of the people aren't happy with their body because all of them want to have the fabulous body of the model. The percentage of girls who are not comfortable with their body is very high.

I agree with all of the arguments that says the model. We live in a superficial world. She says that image is powerful and superficial and it's totally true. 

FASHION QUIZ

My quiz of fashion and personality says that my style is Urban, and I'm agree with this result.  

Urban style is cofortable and casual and I know that this is my look. 

These are the worlds that I have learnt doing this quiz:

jewelry

update
cropped
fitted
slacks
laid-back
trendsetter
frilly

IS DEATH A TABOO?

In our culture, Western culture, talking about death is considered a taboo. 

It is absolutely true because when we go down the street and we hear the conversations, people never talk about death. If we analyze our discurses we will see that never speak about it or we avoid talking about death. 

I strongly believe that death is considered unpleasant, bitter and especially painful. People know that they must die but do not want to think, try to forget it and try to live as if death does not exist. It is very painful to lose someone that we love. 

Another reason is that everyone is born knowing that someday will die, it is a natural fact. Personally I think that we, all the people in general, do not speak about death because we fear it. We are afraid of death because we do not now what we will find after it. Many people have talked about it and have elaborated theories, but they have been not confirmed. 

It is clear that causes us a sense of uncertainty. We do not know what will happen when we die and that disturbs us. In addition, it makes us afraid and respect it. Not only that, death causes a lot of pain for people who suffer the death of an acquaintance. But certainly, an undeniable fact is that we will die one day. 

DESCRIPTION

I will describe a good classmate I met two years ago, in the high school. Her name is Lianett. She loves spending her time with her friends and her cats. She likes to read books and she would like to learn how to play an instrument. Now, she is studying first of “batxillerat” and we are very good friends.

She usually wears jeans and comfortable jerseys. She wears casual cotton blouses, elegant shoes and thigh ropes. She is a cool girl. She can’t leave home without her bag. She’s used to wearing clothes with bright colors. This girl, who is very tall and skinny, dresses with beautiful clothes.

Is thin, but she’s in good shape. She has a roundish and pretty face, with beautiful smooth skin and long and brown hair. She’s got thick eyebrows and stubble and has got a good figure.

She always has a smile in her face. I know that I can trust her. She is a cheerful girl and always wants to do the things well because is a perfectionist girl.

She is a very important person in my life because she helps me in class and in the difficult moments. She is generous, friendly and the most honest person I have known. 

GLOBAL ISSUES: HUNGER IN THE WORLD

POWERPOINT ORAL PRESENTATION RITES OF PASSAGE

PROTEST SONG

TALKING 'BOUT A REVOLUTION, Tracy Chapman

Don't you know

They're talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

They're talkin' about a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

While they're standing in the welfare lines

Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation

Wasting time in the unemployment lines

Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Don't you know

They're talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

Don't you know

They're talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

Poor people gonna rise up

And get their share

Poor people gonna rise up

And take what's theirs

Don't you know

You better run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run

Oh I said you better run, run

Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run

It's finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution

It's finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution oh no

Talkin' bout a revolution oh

While they're standing in the welfare lines

Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation

Wasting time in the unemployment lines

Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Talkin' bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

And finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution

It's finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin' bout a revolution, oh no

Talkin' bout a revolution, oh no

Talkin' bout a revolution, oh no

In this song, Tracy Chapman, tries to make a portrait relating to the society, because there are very differences with the poor and the rich people. She thinks that the things have to change. The whole world has right to live through a better life.

Bob Dylan, 'Blowin' in the Wind'

In this song, Bob Dylan, treats topics as the peace, the war and the freedom. It is a song of protest because the author claims the peace and the freedom.

The song contains rethorical questions. In the fragment when Bob Dylan says "The answer, is blowing in the wind" has two interpretations. Either the answer is so obvious it is right in your face, or the answer is as intangible as the wind. 

PRESENTATION MAIL

Hello,
I’m Isàlia Pujol and I will talk about me.
Now, I’m fifteen years old, but on twenty-seventh of October I will be sixteen. I live in Sant Miquel de Fluvià with my parents and my little sister. My family and my friends are very important for me and I try to spend good moments with them. 
I have very nice memories about my infancy, especially I remember with so much kindness the summers with my grandparents in Figueres. 
At the moment, I’m studying first of batxillerat at INS Castelló d’Empúries, the high school where I had finished the ESO. Now, I’m not sure I want to be in a future because if I take a degree in humanities, finding a job will be difficult. But, recently, I think that I want to study Catalan language and literature.  I have studied music and have played the piano since I was six years old because my father plays the guitar. He introduced me in the world of music.  
I usually get nervous when I must playing the piano in a concert. People think that this is not normal because I have played the piano since 2007. I think it’s impossible familiarize yourself with this situation because I have in my mind that I can make a mistake. 
I hope this school year will be very good for me.

A LOVE MOVIE

THE FABULOUS DESTINY OF AMÉLIE POULAIN

Amélie had a very bad infancy because she was living isolated of other children and had a very distant relation with her father. In addition, she suffered the death of her mother. Amélie was a dreamy person and she loved to help other persons.

This is a good film that talks about true and pure love.

Amélie grew isolated of the rest of children. She suffered the death of her mother. When she was 22 years old she worked of waitress. Amelie discovered a treasure that a child had hidden in her house forty years ago. Amélie found the owner of this treasure and returned him. Amélie had a very agreeable sensation and decided to help the people to be happy. 

Amélie met Nino. She feelt fascination for this boy and finally she decided to fiought to be with him.

I like the main character, Amélie, because she is very especial and very good person. The music is very beautiful. 

I recommend this movie to people who likes the romantic movies because it is very interesting and has a happy end.
This film is good and entertaining. 

SHAKESPEARE 400

#shakespeare400

Shakespeare was born in 26th of April of 1564 and he died in 23rd of April of 1616. This year, 2016, we celebred the 400th anniversary of his death.  

#stratford-upon-avon

This is a market town in Warwickshire, England, and is the place where Shakespeare was born in 1564. 

#annehathaway

This was the person who Shakespeare was married in 1582. They soon had a daughter and in the 1585 they had twins. One of his twins died when he was only 11 years old. 

#theglobe

It was the teather that Shakespeare represented some of his works. Spectators could stand, for just one penny, or pay more money to sit down. There was room for nearly 2000 people. 

#plays

Shakespeare wrote exciting historical dramas such as Richard III and romantic comedies such as The Taming of the Shrew. In 1594 he wrote poetry and beggin his sonnets. Finnaly he wrote 154 sonnets. Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer's Night's Dream and The Merchant of Vinece. His famous works were Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth.

#plague

The plague killed thousand of people and it passed from person to person. 

From 1592 to 1594 the theatres in London had to close because of the plague. To be together in small places was dangerous for the people. 

#1595

This was the year that Shakespeare wrote one of his famous works: Romeo and Juliet, the dramatic story of two lovers. 

#queenelizabeth

In 1558 Elisabeth, one daugther of Henry, became a queen because her sister, Mary, the older queen, died in this year. Elisabeth replaced Mary. During the period that Mary reign, the leading was Catholic, but when Elisabeth had power, Engalnd became Protestant. 

#thearmada In 1588 Philip II of Spain sent an enormous fleet (a group of ships) to attack England. but this attack failed and more than 11000 Spanish soldiers were killed. After this event, England became an important sea power and began to attack Spanish ships in the Atlantic and explore the Americas. 

#shakespearequotes

"We know that we are, but know not what we may be".
"Better three hours too soon than a minute to late". 
"To be, or not to be, that is the question". 
"Listen to many, speak to a few".