A brief summary of 2015

Since only a few days left to finish December and thereby end 2015, I will make a summary of the most important moments and the ones that left me marks, both positively and negatively, throughout the year.
First, I must say it was a good year, full of good times, in which occurred many beautiful things in my life, I managed to achieve difficult goals that I thought I would never reach, met cool new people, and also lived great moments I will always remember.

I'll start talking about the academic goals that I reached. First, this was a very hard and difficult year, since I was in 2nd year of Bachillerato, and it was a very difficult course, I had many decays, occasionally gave me depression and anxiety, because  this course aims to give a endless amount of material in a very short time, then teachers push us away with very frequent exams, not enough time to study and perform all tasks . However, after much suffering and much mourn, I managed to finish in May with very good grades.
After this achievement and even tired of the course that just ended, the university entrance examination needed to be done, which got through succesfull, even without having studied enough. I got a grade of 11'15 over 14, of which I am very proud of. Immediately after I was able to choose a career according to my grade and take enrollment in the University. Finally, I managed to get into English Studies, Faculty of Letters "La Merced" in Murcia.
Finally, after being all year going to an academy that prepared me to acquire the title B2 English at the University of Cambridge, I got approve !! Passing this test was very exciting and important to me, and I felt very proud to get a degree that can qualify my level of English both in Spain and abroad.

On the other hand, they have not been all good news and achievements this year, as they have also been a number of tragedies around the world that have impacted me a lot and made it more difficult to concentrate on studies. First, the very beginning of the year (January 7) started the terrorist attacks in France against Charlie Hebdo magazine that appalled the world, bringing fear to the country and the rest of the West.
A couple of months later, a brutal and shocking tragedy left the world breathless. 9525 flight of German airline "Germanwings" ended with a terrible and tragic end: the plane crashed into the French Alps shortly after takeoff, on the spot died 144 passengers. It was later discovered that it was caused by the copilot which made the tragedy more than a horror story. No doubt ... this news, to me personally, let me totally destroyed, I did not know any of the passengers, but for the simple fact of thinking that could have happened to anyone, including my family, my surrounding and even to me, seeing me in such a situation, it frightened me, I was horrified. And thinking about there might be people in the world with such thoughts of evil, cruelty and immorality, gave me more helplessness and sadness. I was quite concerned after the accident.
And finally, perhaps the most notable event of the year is the recent terrorist attacks of November 13 in Paris. The terrible shooting left 137 dead people. This news upset the whole world spreading panic and terror everywhere.

Despite all the bad news, this year has been very important to me. Besides all academic achievements, it has been a year full of beautiful moments with family and friends, I have met many new people and I've started a new phase of my life. Therefore, the year 2015 closes with  many memories, and I hope to continue achieving in the 2016 goals and to start new challenges and dreams.

Christmas time is already here

And another year, Christmas has finally come to our homes. Tonight thousands of families around the world gather for the same reason, to celebrate Christmas Eve. Night when the baby Jesus was born. Possibly, this is one of the most special nights throughout the year. It is a magical night for both children and adults.

On Christmas Eve, families gather in full, those family members who during the rest of the year are far from home or abroad, they return again to share the excitement and happiness of Christmas with their loved ones. It is also an important night to remember all those family members even though they are not physically with us, will always be remembered.

Honestly, I find it very strange that today is Christmas Eve. It's been a year since the last time, a year full of memories, full of incredible moments that will always be in my memory. To be honest, until a week ago I did not want it to be Christmas, I did not feel enthusiastic, merely I thought that it should pass quickly because I did not feel to celebrate with family, or anything. But maybe it is just that Christmas spirit ends up wrapping us, seeing the streets full of brightly colored lights, crowded, excited by Christmas, typical Christmas markets, Christmas lottery, see the kitchen full of delicious food besides nougat mountains  ... All this fills you with joy, and I think therefore, this is what Christmas really means.

Personally, from a few years ago I do not like Christmas too much, but mostly because I hate winter, but this year it was different. It may be because of the life changing of when I started college, people, schedule ... this year I feel more excited, happier.

Tonight, and like the rest of Spanish families, I will go to my grandparents' house and there we will meet my uncles, my cousins, my other uncles, my other cousins, after dinner, gifts will be distributed ... summing up, the same mess of every year because there are a lot of people in my family. However,  I think this is what makes Christmas really cozy and pleasant, feeling the house full of people, full of voices, of laughs ... of illusion.
                                     
                    
                   

Introduction and Conclusion of one topic

Introduction

Due to the enormous technological advance of recent years, and therefore, to the globalization for which the whole planet is connected, we can be aware of everything that happens around us. Internet has become an important tool by which the most famous people are released and show the world their day to day. These are followed by millions of teenagers around the world who see in them a role model to follow. Nevertheless, the influence of these celebrities in youth can bring positive aspects, but mostly negative.


Conclusion

In conclusion, it is always good that young people have goals in life and that they learn from people with great achievements that the most important thing is to fight for themselves and never give up, because everything in life with values and effort can be achieved. However, these teenagers should remain controlled by family and friends as they are not yet fully formed mentally and small failures and mistakes that may commit on the road can bring them emotional harms that can make them not want to keep fighting for their dreams.

Beauty Pageants

This weekend are being celebrated the two most famous beauty pageants in the world, "Miss Universe" and "Miss World".

There has always been a confusion between both contests in which people think that they are the same. But the truth is that they are very different. They celebrate different competitions and they have different objectives. Moreover, "Miss Universe" is American and "Miss World"  is English.
Generally, "Miss Universe" is better known than "Miss World", but both of them are really famous worldwide. However, they are not seen everywhere and they do not have the same followers everywhere.
For example, in America, especially in South America, this kind of contests are so followed. For them, beauty pageants are like football in Spain. They prepare and make aware girls since they are children to become beauty queens, and the preparation for these women has just one and clear objective: to win the crown. So, normally, they are always the winners. The latin countries with more crowns of "Mis Universe" are Venezuela with seven, Puerto Rico with five, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia with two respectively, and then other latin countries with one title are Perú, Dominican Republic, Panamá, Argentina, Chile...

On the other hand, here in Spain, these pageants are not seen or followed, because people do not believe on them. People think that they are ridiculous and male chauvinist. This is the main reason why there are no Spanish beauty queens, because organizations here do not have fame and sufficient strength. There is just one queen, Amparo Muñoz, who won the "Miss Universe" tittle in 1974. However, she refused to be manipulated by the organization and after six months of reign, she resigned the title.

Nevertheless, and 40 years after, Spain has won their second beauty crown in the history of beauty contests. Yesterday, December 19th, it was celebrated "Miss World" in the city of Sanya, China. There, 114 countries and autonomous territories from all over the world competed for the title. But finally, the crown was obtained by the Spanish Mireia Lalaguna, a 23 year old girl form Barcelona who is studying pharmacy at the University, and she also can speak two foreign languages and she plays the piano.
The winner spends her reign traveling around the world, including third world countries, representing the Miss World Organization in its several causes. The Miss World has an explicitly altruistic agenda and has more than 250 million pounds for several global works of charity.

It was an amazing achievement for Spain. Since three years ago, the Spanish organization of "Miss Universe" and "Miss World" is getting more strength and both pageants are winning more and more followers.
Now, we must have our eyes on Carla Barber, the "Miss" who is representing Spain in the "Miss Universe" pageant, which is celebrated tonight, December 20th, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Outline about the Education System

I. The education in Spain is being subject of criticism in recent years and there are plenty of reasons to explain why the system is failing.

II. Main shortcomings

    A. Young people, teachers, families and society are victims of an    

         educational system which is...

         1. poorly designed

         2. outdated

         3. variable

         4. ideology depends on who governs

    B. Embarrassing results

        1. high school failure

        2. high youth unemployment

        3. clear functional illiteracy

        4. remarkable inability to keep students excited about their own learning

III. Major failures

     A. In children schools

         1. early separation from attachment figures

         2. maladaptive

         3. too much homework

         4. obligation to the child rules preventing their natural movement and  

              experimentation

     B. In primary schools

         1. memorization

         2. too much homework

         3. exams do not value creativity and curiosity, but the ability to study    

              exactly what it says in the book

     C. Secondary schools

         1. too much homework

         2. too many exams

         3. memorize a lot of information just to pass exams

IV. The difficulty to continue with university studies

   

     A. Fear of not achieve what they want to

         1. qualification required to enter university

          2. not to enter the desired career

          3. not go wrong with the chosen career

      B. Economic difficulties

          1. too expensive

          2. difficulty to get a scholarship

       

      C. Complicated future

          1. to find a job

          2. to have a good salary

          3. to stay in your country

V. Because of all the problems that society has with the education system, the Spanish government should take this more seriously since it is the base of the country's future.