The Gift

I don't really celebrate Christmas. Well, I do have dinner with my family, because for me that's the only tradition worth keeping. I'm an atheist and I'm selfish, so I don't like spending money in gifts that I never like in the end, being embarrassed because I didn't find what I wanted to give, or just going crazy like everyone when I don't even believe in the supposed reason why people buy gifts in the first place.

Although I must admit I do buy a gift for my boyfriend, but only because he, leaving his libertarian lifestyle aside, does consider necessary to give me a gift, whether I give him one or not.. so I'm kinda obliged to get him one...

I don't usually get many gifts anyway. My eldest sister always gets us something anyway (she's a very generous consumerist). My parents don't usually get us things anymore... I guess it's because we're already too old for Christmas things... but anyway. We enjoy having dinner together. Food is one of the most important things for us, so whenever there's food involved, I'm in!

Today you have to write about Christmas gifts (you chose this topic, just in case you wonder).

In your entry you may include:

- Do you like giving people gifts?

- Do you like receiving them?

- How much money do you spend in Christmas gifts?

- When do you buy your gifts?

- Do you always know what to give people?

- If you don't get gifts, why don't you do it?

- Do you get lots of gifts? How does that make you feel?

- Etc.

Word count: 280 words

Leave comments on 3 of your classmates' entries.

Include a photo or video.

The Village Green Preservation Society

Today we're going to get green, but not the JGM green! The other green, the one that concerns the environment...

This means you'll have to answer the following question in your blog entry:

HOW GREEN ARE YOU? (huh?!)

In order to do so you must use the following questions as a guide. And I mean it!! ¬¬

- Where do people learn about enviromentally friendly practices?
- Have you incorported recycling into your habits? Describe
- Do you use a bike or your legs instead of a car?
- Have you joined or supported any eco-organisations? Why/Why not?
- What else have you done /would you like to do?
- What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint?
- What's missing in our society/Santiago regarding this issue?

Include an image of something catchy, somewhat related to the topic...

Number of words: 250 - 280
Don't forget to make comments on at least 3 of your classmates posts.

Away From The Numbers

Travelling is something I really like. Unfortunately, I've travelled more in my mind than in real life... I've postponed all the important trips I've always wanted to take because of my studies... Mainly because I had to pay for them, so I haven't been able to afford going away to all those countries I'd like to visit. Now I'm saving for my own flat, so I guess that's another excuse not to spend my money on plane tickets...

If you make me choose between a sunny beach or a beautiful historical place I'd have to choose the latter. I like cities, I like walking, trying the local food and sightseeing. I like 'picadas', going to traditional restaurants, trying the greasiest most traditional dish of them all. 

What I'd really like now (that I'm utterly stressed due to my two jobs and Master's studies) is going to a country where they speak another language, study the language there and work as a waitress or something. In my free time I'd go to the park or just walk and watch everything around me, without having to plan lessons, correct tests, read and write papers... Why in another country? I don't know, maybe because there I could afford being something completely different from what I am now... away from the rat race of the job market and professional development.

If I were in this other country, for example France, I would spend my weekends travelling to other nearby countries. I'd go to Prague, Portugal, Germany, anywhere!

Travelling is something that's always called my attention, unfortunately I've postponed it for too long.

What about you? Do you like travelling?

I don't really care if you do, because you HAVE to write about it :PPPPP

In your entry you can mention:

- Whether you like it or not. Why.
- The type of trip you prefer (backpacking, sightseeing, safari, cruse, beach holidays, etc.)
- A place you'd like to go or you wouldn't like to go.
- A great trip you remember
- The place you're visiting next
- Etc.

Word count: 230-250
Leave comments on 3 of your classmates' entries

Strange News from Another Star

Hi all! This week you'll have to write a summary of a newspaper article. So don't get confused and remember that a summary is what in Spanish we call a 'resumen'.

Now, here's the task:

First, go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

Then you'll have to:

* Select a piece of news connected to your area of studies/future career
* Write a summary of it.
* In the entry you must include the link to your piece of news, so I can check it.
* Do all of this in 200 - 230 words

* Leave a comment on 3 of your partners' posts.

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Music Is My Radar

Music means a lot to me. If it wasn't for music I wouldn't be here writing in English, I wouldn't be the person I am... Who knows where I would be if I hadn't discovered music!

When I first started listening to the music I like now I was 13 years old. Back then I discovered my first favourite band, and they are still one of my faves. I remember I used to listen to them every morning and, as we only had one radio at home, everyone was obliged to listen to them too. That's the reason why my parents and sisters at home know them so well and like them too, even when back then they used to complain because I would take over the radio and wouldn't let anyone else listen to other music at all. They hated me, but I didn't mind.

Anyway, I guess you voted 'music' because it means something to you too, so that's what this week's post is going to be about.

What you have to do is write about Music and how it affects your life. You could mention:

- What music means to you

- When you first started listening to the music you like

- Why you like it/What it makes you feel

- Your favourite band/musician/singer/album/genre

- Who first introduced you to your favourite band/singer

- etc...

In this post you MUST:

- Write 180-200 words.

- Include a photo or video of your favourite band/singer/musician.

- Comment on 3 of your classmates' posts.