Riding schools in San Miguel
2/12/08
By: Carolita
There are many riding schools in San Miguel such as, KIDZKLUB las Animas or Centro Equestre Canales. Both very good riding schools.
Eugenio Canales started CEC, twenty-one years ago, when he moved from San Antonio Tx. With his ex-wife Alexa. He began to ride and train horses because his father did the same thing while he was growing up.
He now train's horses and teaches dressage up to Pre Saint George,and jumping up to Classic level.Teaches ages nine to sixty or seventy. some of his student's stay with him training for very long or they go of to college.
Rides both for competition and for fun. Competition because he likes traveling with the horses and for fun because he loves horses and likes how he can have a good relation. Thinks that there are plenty of places in San Miguel to ride at.
Nicole Zijlstra started riding when she was six years old because her girlfriend had a pony and she worked at a horse breeding farm grooming and taking care of the horses. She started KIDZKLUB Las Animas one year ago with the intention of educating children for responsibility and to help hem in there further life. Basic horse back riding is what she is teaching:vaulting, dressage and care of the horse. Ages, five and on, up to fourth level dressage.The benefits of riding for her are to keep shape,mental relaxation, to accomplish a goal and because she loves the animal.
Jennifer Grais a student and horse lover at Centro Equestre Canales,started riding six years ago at CEC and loves it there. She decided to start riding because she lived in the country side were there were a lot of horses and she soon fell in love. She rides for fun with her horse Solo. And also likes taking trail rides in the country. She enjoys taking classes with Eugenio (the owner of CEC) and thinks he is great with the horses and great with the people. She doesn't really care what type of riding she does bas long as it is good for the horse and is fun. The benefits of riding for her are that it puts her in a good mood ,it's a good exercise and love's having a relation with her favorite animal.
As you see there are many places in San Miguel to choose from for horse back riding. And are all very interesting.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Twilight
Kirby Feagan
11/05/08
Journalism
Twilight
In June 2003, Stephenie Meyer, a housewife from Phoenix and mother to three small children, woke up after having a dream. Her dream was about a beautiful, pale white, vampire named Edward and a human girl named Bella who love each other so much but Edward is struggling with the urge to drink her blood. She was so fascinated by this dream and so eager to know what happens next, that she decided to start writing the story, mostly for her enjoyment. When the novel was finished, she was strongly encouraged by her sister to get the story published. After sending out copies to 15 different publishing companies and receiving many rejections, Stephenie was signed to do a three-book deal with Little, Brown. She was ecstatic when she heard the news and even happier to know that Twilight, the story she had come to love so much, would be shared with other people. Little did she know, exactly how many people would be sucked into the world of Twilight. Now, in 2008, the Twilight series have sold over 25 million copies and have been translated into 37 different languages.
The amount of Twilight fans (also known as Twilighters) around the world is incredible, and the number continues to increase every day. Parents can’t complain either, now that their teenage daughters are jumping up and down in excitement for a novel with over 700 pages. Twilight has grasped the attention of teens who never read books for pleasure and inspires many teenagers to write and read more often. Not surprisingly, right after the third book in the series was released, Summit Entertainment began to work on the film, which was released into theatres November 21st of this year starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
On the night of November 20th, thousands of teenagers were bouncing around in their seats eagerly waiting to see the Twilight movie. 2,000 screenings across the U.S. were sold out weeks before for the midnight showing. Many Twilighters stood at their mirrors applying white makeup and sparkles, preparing to go as their favorite vampire. If you were at all interested in seeing how crazy these fans can act, opening night of Twilight would have been the way to do that. Every time Edward appears on screen the entire theatre fills with high-pitch screams and giggles. You could feel the excitement in the air. As soon as the end credits were rolling, stunned and breathless teens were already making plans to see it again as soon as possible. Summit Entertainment must be doing a never ending happy dance as devoted fans continue to see the film five, six or seven times in less than three weeks. The movie, which was filmed on a 35 million budget, earned back the money that was spent plus more on opening day alone, bringing director Catherine Hardwicke to have the biggest movie opening ever for a female director.
Don’t think that Twilight only attracts teenagers though. Thousands of moms have joined in on the obsessive love for these romantic vampire/werewolf series. They have come to love Edward Cullen just as much as their daughters and even began a popular website called twilightmoms.com. Even though the books are mainly about vampires, 75% of the fans are female, so don’t expect a scary action-packed novel. In fact, these vampires refuse to drink the blood of humans and sparkle in the sunlight.
So, if you were wondering what is going on with teenagers these days, the answer is Twilight. The first three of the four books are now available in paperback and the movie is now in theatres, entitled “Crepusculo” in Spanish. Step aside Harry Potter, it’s Twilight’s turn to shine.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
5 Topics
These are my 5 topic ideas:
1. Something for the Holidays. A memory or funny story.
2. Into the life of an overly obsessed twilight fan in San Miguel (OOTFISM). About the opening night and all of the costumes (and screaming!)
3. About my summer theatre experience.
4. My last few months in San Miguel. What it has been like and what I have coming next
5. How my friendship with my best friend works from different countries.
1. Something for the Holidays. A memory or funny story.
2. Into the life of an overly obsessed twilight fan in San Miguel (OOTFISM). About the opening night and all of the costumes (and screaming!)
3. About my summer theatre experience.
4. My last few months in San Miguel. What it has been like and what I have coming next
5. How my friendship with my best friend works from different countries.
Book Drive
Kirby Feagan
11/21/08
Book Drive for the Cruz de Palmar library
word count: 333
Do you have any books in Spanish that you would be willing to donate to a book drive for a library in need of books? I have organized a book drive for the library that was recently built in the rural community of Cruz de Palmar.
Last spring I was told about this library that was being built. My mom and I wanted to find a charity we could help. When we heard about the new library, we felt it was a perfect project with which to be involved. For weeks, my friends and I baked homemade desserts to sell every Friday at school to other students. By the time we were finished, we had collected over $1,000 pesos.
Just recently I discovered that the construction of the small library was completed. Although the building is finished, the library is in need of more books. My mom gave me the idea to do a book drive to collect books to donate and I loved the idea. I placed a box in the Biblioteca Publica, towards the entrance and another box at all Authors’ Sala events to collect books from anyone willing to participate. My friends have been very helpful in spreading the information about the book drive and so far I have collected quite a few books.
I love the idea of giving books to people who don’t have them available. Every book donated is one extra story for many people to enjoy and is so appreciated. It would be a great help if I could continue to collect more books of any type from novels to picture stories.
There is a donation box located in the central patio of the Biblioteca Publica, located at Insurgentes #25, during regular business hours. You can also bring books to all Authors’ Sala events, which are held once a month at St. Paul’s Church, Calzada del Cardo #6 . So far we have collected 36 books and hope to collect more. Your book donations are appreciated.
Bio: Kirby Feagan is student at Victoria Robbin’s School. She has been living in San Miguel for seven years.
11/21/08
Book Drive for the Cruz de Palmar library
word count: 333
Do you have any books in Spanish that you would be willing to donate to a book drive for a library in need of books? I have organized a book drive for the library that was recently built in the rural community of Cruz de Palmar.
Last spring I was told about this library that was being built. My mom and I wanted to find a charity we could help. When we heard about the new library, we felt it was a perfect project with which to be involved. For weeks, my friends and I baked homemade desserts to sell every Friday at school to other students. By the time we were finished, we had collected over $1,000 pesos.
Just recently I discovered that the construction of the small library was completed. Although the building is finished, the library is in need of more books. My mom gave me the idea to do a book drive to collect books to donate and I loved the idea. I placed a box in the Biblioteca Publica, towards the entrance and another box at all Authors’ Sala events to collect books from anyone willing to participate. My friends have been very helpful in spreading the information about the book drive and so far I have collected quite a few books.
I love the idea of giving books to people who don’t have them available. Every book donated is one extra story for many people to enjoy and is so appreciated. It would be a great help if I could continue to collect more books of any type from novels to picture stories.
There is a donation box located in the central patio of the Biblioteca Publica, located at Insurgentes #25, during regular business hours. You can also bring books to all Authors’ Sala events, which are held once a month at St. Paul’s Church, Calzada del Cardo #6 . So far we have collected 36 books and hope to collect more. Your book donations are appreciated.
Bio: Kirby Feagan is student at Victoria Robbin’s School. She has been living in San Miguel for seven years.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
My five writing topics
Erinlee Hull
18/11/2008
Journalism
Write five options on writing topics. Explain how and what you would write about for each different choice.
1. How do I feel about always having more parents than others all my life? And how do I feel about moving to San Miguel De Allende, and having every thing change?
- I would write about how having more parents affected me.
- How others treated me because of my opportunities and advantages.
- How being in San Miguel, basically changed my life style.
- I would write how people treat me over here compared to how they treated me in the Bahamas.
: I’d explain why they would treat me different.
- I’d talk how about how I feel about the difference. And how my parents feel.
- I’d write where I’d rather be, and why.
- Whether having your parents full time if only for a period is better than not having any one at all.
2. What sport do I well in, like, and am active with. And could I do the sport any where I go in the world? and why? Could I do the sport in any weather condition?
- Why do I like the running?
- When did I start running?
- Who got me into it?
- I’d talk about the reasons I started running, in the first place.
: How it was first for health and to loose wait.
: Then how it was for track, and school.
: Then how I was made to run by my mother.
: Then how I just ran to empress my mother.
- Why you can run anywhere in the world.
- Why the weather dose not matter in the explanation.
3. Why do I want to learn Spanish? And why did I choose Mexico?
- Because Spanish opens opportunities for different colleges.
- Because living in the Bahamas, with Spaniards from Cuba it is necessary.
- Because I would like to be able to publish my own books in Spanish.
- Because my mom thinks her children should have a wide opportunity, and knowledge.
- Because I want to be different from other people.
- Because Spain and Argentina speak a lot of English and are very big, and we wanted some small
town in the middle of no were that didn’t speak any English.
4. What do I like to do in San Miguel? And what did I do in the Bahamas? What are the differences?
- I’d explain that there is a lot more to do, than the Bahamas.
- Mexico
: Movies. : Parks.
: Jarden. : Walking around.
: Going out to eat. : Hanging out with friends.
- Bahamas
: Going in the boat. : Church.
: Beach (Swimming). : Fishing.
: Golf, Tennis. : Work.
- Differences are that Mexico is much more fun than the Bahamas. For me, now people in Mexico would probably think different but no.
- The difference is we do thing in the ocean, Mexicans do it on land. We don’t have a theatre, Mall, or clothing stores.
5. Why is school here in San Miguel more difficult for me than the Bahamas?
- Because the Bahamian schooling is on the American (Primary) system for high school.
- Because Victories’ school is teaching harder things than the American schools.
- I’d talk about how the school I was in the Bahamas was for kids who couldn’t get in anywhere else.
18/11/2008
Journalism
Write five options on writing topics. Explain how and what you would write about for each different choice.
1. How do I feel about always having more parents than others all my life? And how do I feel about moving to San Miguel De Allende, and having every thing change?
- I would write about how having more parents affected me.
- How others treated me because of my opportunities and advantages.
- How being in San Miguel, basically changed my life style.
- I would write how people treat me over here compared to how they treated me in the Bahamas.
: I’d explain why they would treat me different.
- I’d talk how about how I feel about the difference. And how my parents feel.
- I’d write where I’d rather be, and why.
- Whether having your parents full time if only for a period is better than not having any one at all.
2. What sport do I well in, like, and am active with. And could I do the sport any where I go in the world? and why? Could I do the sport in any weather condition?
- Why do I like the running?
- When did I start running?
- Who got me into it?
- I’d talk about the reasons I started running, in the first place.
: How it was first for health and to loose wait.
: Then how it was for track, and school.
: Then how I was made to run by my mother.
: Then how I just ran to empress my mother.
- Why you can run anywhere in the world.
- Why the weather dose not matter in the explanation.
3. Why do I want to learn Spanish? And why did I choose Mexico?
- Because Spanish opens opportunities for different colleges.
- Because living in the Bahamas, with Spaniards from Cuba it is necessary.
- Because I would like to be able to publish my own books in Spanish.
- Because my mom thinks her children should have a wide opportunity, and knowledge.
- Because I want to be different from other people.
- Because Spain and Argentina speak a lot of English and are very big, and we wanted some small
town in the middle of no were that didn’t speak any English.
4. What do I like to do in San Miguel? And what did I do in the Bahamas? What are the differences?
- I’d explain that there is a lot more to do, than the Bahamas.
- Mexico
: Movies. : Parks.
: Jarden. : Walking around.
: Going out to eat. : Hanging out with friends.
- Bahamas
: Going in the boat. : Church.
: Beach (Swimming). : Fishing.
: Golf, Tennis. : Work.
- Differences are that Mexico is much more fun than the Bahamas. For me, now people in Mexico would probably think different but no.
- The difference is we do thing in the ocean, Mexicans do it on land. We don’t have a theatre, Mall, or clothing stores.
5. Why is school here in San Miguel more difficult for me than the Bahamas?
- Because the Bahamian schooling is on the American (Primary) system for high school.
- Because Victories’ school is teaching harder things than the American schools.
- I’d talk about how the school I was in the Bahamas was for kids who couldn’t get in anywhere else.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
movie review; The Notebook
The Notebook Movie Review
Ramona Rauh
November 13th 2008
The Notebook (2004) is the ultimate, timeless love story about a boy, Noah Calhoun (played by handsome Ryan Gosling), and a girl, Allie Hamilton (played by beautiful Rachel McAdams who had previously made her fame in the hit comedy Mean Girls), in the 1940’s from different social classes who fall in love. It is narrated by Duke (James Gardner), an older Noah, reading to an older Allie (Gena Rowland, who also is the director’s mother) cursed with Alzheimer’s to try to trig her memory by reading from a notebook with the love story that is their life written in it. The young teenagers had to let their love grow around the fact that Allie’s parents were disapproving of her one true love, saying that he distracted her from the important things in life, like her schooling. The expected and inevitable separation, the fight for each others attention, and the attempt of happiness with others are more of the obstacles that flourish from that one summer romance.
This movie is based on a novel written by Nicholas Sparks in 1996. The modern adaptation by, Jan Sardi, and screenplay, by Jeremy Leven, bring to life scenes from the book that fans of Nicholas Sparks’ will not be disappointed to see. The scene with the thousands of geese in the lake is truly beautiful. People who have not read the book will be delighted by the added scenes of how the affair came to be, for example the comedic scene at the carnival where they first encounter each other. Costume design makes the ladies look devine in some truly beautiful dresses. Music (by Aaron Zigman) gives a very happy peppy feeling, by using classic swing and porch music of the 40's. Director Nick Cassavetes does a fine variation of a very predictable, classic love story that has no doubt made young girls around the world cry their desperate, girly little hearts out. There is no way to avoid the cheesiness and mushy-gushy feeling throughout the whole thing, but if you are in to that exact kind of genre of cliché romance movies and books, than this movie is definitely for you. However people on the less romantic side may find the very believable passion between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams comforting and exiting. The famous kiss in the rain scene will have some reaching for the klenex and others running towards the bathroom door. Either way, the two hours will not be wasted time by any viewer who will almost imediatly recall the now very popular importat quotes. The Nootebook is the perfect makeout session, date movie.
The Bucket List Review
Directed by Rob Reiner.
Jack Nicholson
Morgan Freeman
This is a movie that through comedy shows the thoughts of rich, poor,black,white,insured,uninsured,all walks of life.
The fact that all humans will die and the things they wished
they hadn’t done or could’ve done before they meat their maker(or God).
It is a story of friendship met through death and the knowledge of one’s end.
This film approaches these question’s with comedy,
drama in a very understandably way. It makes one think
about ones own “Bucket list” and what are the things you,I,or all want to do before our death and those that have gone before.Did they do all the thing’s they had wanted to do?
Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman find themselves in the same room in a hospital, that the character “Edward Cole”,(Jack Nicholson) owns. Edward has just declared “I don’t own hospitals to loose money they are an investment, one room two people,we make money!!!”
Edward finds himself in the same room as Carter Chambers(Morgan Freeman) both of them dieing of cancer, with only six months to a year to live.
In the beginning they share a room, dictated by the rules of the owner (Jack)
Edward starts chemotherapy and disregards the advise of Carter to not eat so much or such rich foods because in the end he will suffer by that.That begins their bond.
It starts of simple, playing“Gin Rummy”,talking about the base ball games etc. And in this time they learn the seriousness and the inevitability of their death’s will be soon.
Carter meanwhile is writing a list(the Bucket List)in which he writes all the things that he hopes to do before he dies,but knows that he will never have the money or courage to achieve them.Then later discard’s it because he thinks it is a stupid idea.
Edward finds this list and takes it seriously because he has the money to do what is to become “The Bucket list”.Then he proposes they fulfill “the list”
There for one can only imagine, without seeing the movie what beauty unfolds. And Edward in the end through his illness gained his best friend Carter and a family through his own fear he was to stubborn and arrogant to confront.
In summation this film is about ones own perception of who they are and what they mean to others.
Directed by Rob Reiner.
Jack Nicholson
Morgan Freeman
This is a movie that through comedy shows the thoughts of rich, poor,black,white,insured,uninsured,all walks of life.
The fact that all humans will die and the things they wished
they hadn’t done or could’ve done before they meat their maker(or God).
It is a story of friendship met through death and the knowledge of one’s end.
This film approaches these question’s with comedy,
drama in a very understandably way. It makes one think
about ones own “Bucket list” and what are the things you,I,or all want to do before our death and those that have gone before.Did they do all the thing’s they had wanted to do?
Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman find themselves in the same room in a hospital, that the character “Edward Cole”,(Jack Nicholson) owns. Edward has just declared “I don’t own hospitals to loose money they are an investment, one room two people,we make money!!!”
Edward finds himself in the same room as Carter Chambers(Morgan Freeman) both of them dieing of cancer, with only six months to a year to live.
In the beginning they share a room, dictated by the rules of the owner (Jack)
Edward starts chemotherapy and disregards the advise of Carter to not eat so much or such rich foods because in the end he will suffer by that.That begins their bond.
It starts of simple, playing“Gin Rummy”,talking about the base ball games etc. And in this time they learn the seriousness and the inevitability of their death’s will be soon.
Carter meanwhile is writing a list(the Bucket List)in which he writes all the things that he hopes to do before he dies,but knows that he will never have the money or courage to achieve them.Then later discard’s it because he thinks it is a stupid idea.
Edward finds this list and takes it seriously because he has the money to do what is to become “The Bucket list”.Then he proposes they fulfill “the list”
There for one can only imagine, without seeing the movie what beauty unfolds. And Edward in the end through his illness gained his best friend Carter and a family through his own fear he was to stubborn and arrogant to confront.
In summation this film is about ones own perception of who they are and what they mean to others.
Movie Review
The Other Boleyn Girl
Rating: PG-13
Duration: 115 min.
Major Actors: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Kristin Scott Thomas
Director: Justin Chadwick
Release Date: 08/08/08
Many people know of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, who was best known for being beheaded after changing the way England was ruled forever. But many people don’t know of the other Boleyn girl, Mary. This tale of power, romance and betrayal, based on the novel, “The Other Boleyn Girl” is an inspiring movie that really takes you back to the early 16th century England into the lives of the sisters Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) and Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) and their competitive relationship towards each other in an attempt to gain power. Both actresses delivered an incredible performance and brought their characters to life.
The film is about Henry VIII who is desperately seeking a male heir, which his wife, Catherine of Aragon (Ana Torrent) is failing to give him. Anne and Mary are sent to court by their power-hungry father and uncle to seduce the king. Henry VIII falls for Mary at first and she becomes his mistress but their relationship fails to last and when Anne steps in, things begin to spiral out of control. Another incredible aspect about this movie was the scenery and the elegant, detailed costumes. The director (Justin Chadwick) did a wonderful job and the effort he put into each scene is clearly noticeable.
Natalie Portman plays Anne Boleyn, the eldest of the two sisters. She does an outstanding job acting as this complex character. Anne will seem sweet, loving and tender in one seen and then she will transform into this selfish, mean and mischievous woman. Scarlett Johansson also does an excellent job portraying Mary Boleyn. Mary is a very different character from Anne. She always wanted a simple life and power didn’t matter to her, and this in the end proved to be the better quality to posses. Justin Chadwick has directed many small T.V. projects but “The Other Boleyn Girl” is definitely one of his best works. With his close attention to details, he brings you into the time and gives you a feel of living at court.
Watching movies like “The Other Boleyn Girl” is the most fascinating way to learn about history. To see the costumes and scenery, hear the conversations, and catch every interesting detail about this intriguing tale grabs your attention and really makes you think about these people whom you might not have thought about before. This film brings history back to life.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mona Lisa Smile Movie Review
Mona Lisa Smile Movie Review
Behind the doors of Wellesley college, a conservative liberal arts college was the home to the all girl students known as the girls with “claws under those white gloves”. They lived in one of the most conservative schools around taking place in Wellesley, Massachusetts. This was the world where Catherine Watson had wanted to teach there for a lifetime. So once a position in the college’s art history class had opened up she packed her bags and left her boyfriend and her home in L.A. But she did not come to Wellesley just to teach and art class, she came to make a difference. She told the girls to look beyond the paint on a canvas and to just have their own opinions. They didn’t have to be told how to think what other people told them to. In Wellesley, the girls thought that their life and obligation after they got the tassel hat taken from their head would be to get married and take care of their husband and children and to become the perfect wife. And that was what Catherine Watson planned to change. That was it. The end. The movie shows how women thought and acted in 1953 and takes you through their minds and ideas of life.
The main characters and actresses of Mona Lisa Smile are Julia Roberts who plays the independent and self determining bohemian woman Catherine Watson from her town in L.A. Kirsten Dunst as Betty Warren, the girl who refused to “look beyond the paint”. Julia Styles as the Wellesley girl who had a law degree and was president of each academic club yet only thought about the ring about to be placed on her finger, Joan Bradwin. Maggie Gyllinhaal as Giselle Levy the young woman who wanted to be independent and sufficient and follow Catherine Watson’s example. Ginnifer Goodwin as Connie Baker the kind and a little bit of a follower Connie Baker. Dominic West as the male professor with a not so wonderful reputation at the Wellesley college. And Juliet Stevenson as Amanda Armstrong.
Mona Lisa Smile takes place in, of course, Wellesley, Massachusetts. In the years of the nineteen fifties. It was written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal. It was then directed by Mike Newell. The movie was made in two thousand and three on the day, December twenty fourth.
Written by Genara Casey Gray Scott
Behind the doors of Wellesley college, a conservative liberal arts college was the home to the all girl students known as the girls with “claws under those white gloves”. They lived in one of the most conservative schools around taking place in Wellesley, Massachusetts. This was the world where Catherine Watson had wanted to teach there for a lifetime. So once a position in the college’s art history class had opened up she packed her bags and left her boyfriend and her home in L.A. But she did not come to Wellesley just to teach and art class, she came to make a difference. She told the girls to look beyond the paint on a canvas and to just have their own opinions. They didn’t have to be told how to think what other people told them to. In Wellesley, the girls thought that their life and obligation after they got the tassel hat taken from their head would be to get married and take care of their husband and children and to become the perfect wife. And that was what Catherine Watson planned to change. That was it. The end. The movie shows how women thought and acted in 1953 and takes you through their minds and ideas of life.
The main characters and actresses of Mona Lisa Smile are Julia Roberts who plays the independent and self determining bohemian woman Catherine Watson from her town in L.A. Kirsten Dunst as Betty Warren, the girl who refused to “look beyond the paint”. Julia Styles as the Wellesley girl who had a law degree and was president of each academic club yet only thought about the ring about to be placed on her finger, Joan Bradwin. Maggie Gyllinhaal as Giselle Levy the young woman who wanted to be independent and sufficient and follow Catherine Watson’s example. Ginnifer Goodwin as Connie Baker the kind and a little bit of a follower Connie Baker. Dominic West as the male professor with a not so wonderful reputation at the Wellesley college. And Juliet Stevenson as Amanda Armstrong.
Mona Lisa Smile takes place in, of course, Wellesley, Massachusetts. In the years of the nineteen fifties. It was written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal. It was then directed by Mike Newell. The movie was made in two thousand and three on the day, December twenty fourth.
Written by Genara Casey Gray Scott
(Rec) The Movie Review
Erinlee Hull
11/10/2008
Movie Review
[REC] starts with beautiful reporter Niña Medeiros (Javier Botet) shooting a segment for the late night TV show, While You're Sleeping, at a local fire station. It's a slow night, as Nina attempts to fill her segment with personal interviews and a basketball game. Even when finally a call comes in, it's a low priority call – tenants in a apartment building are complaining about screams coming from one of the apartments. So the police and the fire department are called in, and Niña and her cameraman, Pablo, decide to come along for the ride. When they arrive to the call, the neighbors have all congregated on the main level while the emergency staff – and the television crew – investigate upstairs and find an elderly woman in her apartment in a rabid state. While the situation might have the appearance of minimal concern, unfortunately, everyone in the building is about to come face to face with the most intense fear possible. There's something evil in the building, and there's no way out, except for death.
[REC] succeeds by expertly building tension in a manner that is structured like a slow build, but it explodes at times with several very intense scares. Filmmaker Jaume Balagueró (whose previous works gave no indication of output this good) keeps the script largely improvisational and allows the film to build by utilizing several scenes that keep the pacing varied and almost let the audience pace itself for the wild final act. The hand-held photography also allows a few jump scares that come naturally out of its jerky movements. Ultimately, the film builds up so much momentum that as it moves along, the body count accelerates and each new body just becomes another force that raises the stakes. Sounds like a zombie film? Yeah, we are all SICK of zombie films, but [REC] is something much more and much better. It certainly shares some traits with that genre, and the characters being trapped in one location harkens back to James Russo's and George Romero's Night of the Living Dead, but this film shares more in common with Romero's The Crazies, David Cronenberg's Rabid and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later than a traditional zombie film, and the film's ending is rather unique and is downright freaky. Best of all, it doesn't really explain everything that's happened in the film, and, it's so scary it will leave you squirming in your seat.
What most movies fail to do is heighten the suspense, action and violence until the very last frame; most drop the ball around the third act – but not [REC]. The infected are extremely creepy as they make really odd noises, scream high pitch squeals and run at their victims faster than any previous zombie-esque film. The way suspense is built is nothing new, but it is exceptionally executed. Because everything is first person we get loads of suspense just from that - we see the cameraman having to walk around handcuffed zombies, there’s a segment where the lights go out and he’s forced to use night vision and when things pop out of the shadows to attack it’s almost as if you’re standing right there. In fact, you never even see the cameraman; it’s almost as if he’s you.
As the film escalates the situation goes from under control to loose cannon to complete chaos, ending in what could be one of the scariest moments ever caught on film. My nails were dug deep into the armrest of the seats and I found myself howling in excitement nearly ever few minutes. [REC] has it all and is probably one of the best Spanish horror films in recent memory. There are buckets of blood used, well-developed characters, a wonderful twist, a good solid story and a finale that will ensure you leave the theater in shock. I cannot stress enough that you should see this in a theater if possible. Either way I give [REC] the past stamp of approval and smile at the fact that something extraordinary has finally come out of Filmax.
11/10/2008
Movie Review
[REC] starts with beautiful reporter Niña Medeiros (Javier Botet) shooting a segment for the late night TV show, While You're Sleeping, at a local fire station. It's a slow night, as Nina attempts to fill her segment with personal interviews and a basketball game. Even when finally a call comes in, it's a low priority call – tenants in a apartment building are complaining about screams coming from one of the apartments. So the police and the fire department are called in, and Niña and her cameraman, Pablo, decide to come along for the ride. When they arrive to the call, the neighbors have all congregated on the main level while the emergency staff – and the television crew – investigate upstairs and find an elderly woman in her apartment in a rabid state. While the situation might have the appearance of minimal concern, unfortunately, everyone in the building is about to come face to face with the most intense fear possible. There's something evil in the building, and there's no way out, except for death.
[REC] succeeds by expertly building tension in a manner that is structured like a slow build, but it explodes at times with several very intense scares. Filmmaker Jaume Balagueró (whose previous works gave no indication of output this good) keeps the script largely improvisational and allows the film to build by utilizing several scenes that keep the pacing varied and almost let the audience pace itself for the wild final act. The hand-held photography also allows a few jump scares that come naturally out of its jerky movements. Ultimately, the film builds up so much momentum that as it moves along, the body count accelerates and each new body just becomes another force that raises the stakes. Sounds like a zombie film? Yeah, we are all SICK of zombie films, but [REC] is something much more and much better. It certainly shares some traits with that genre, and the characters being trapped in one location harkens back to James Russo's and George Romero's Night of the Living Dead, but this film shares more in common with Romero's The Crazies, David Cronenberg's Rabid and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later than a traditional zombie film, and the film's ending is rather unique and is downright freaky. Best of all, it doesn't really explain everything that's happened in the film, and, it's so scary it will leave you squirming in your seat.
What most movies fail to do is heighten the suspense, action and violence until the very last frame; most drop the ball around the third act – but not [REC]. The infected are extremely creepy as they make really odd noises, scream high pitch squeals and run at their victims faster than any previous zombie-esque film. The way suspense is built is nothing new, but it is exceptionally executed. Because everything is first person we get loads of suspense just from that - we see the cameraman having to walk around handcuffed zombies, there’s a segment where the lights go out and he’s forced to use night vision and when things pop out of the shadows to attack it’s almost as if you’re standing right there. In fact, you never even see the cameraman; it’s almost as if he’s you.
As the film escalates the situation goes from under control to loose cannon to complete chaos, ending in what could be one of the scariest moments ever caught on film. My nails were dug deep into the armrest of the seats and I found myself howling in excitement nearly ever few minutes. [REC] has it all and is probably one of the best Spanish horror films in recent memory. There are buckets of blood used, well-developed characters, a wonderful twist, a good solid story and a finale that will ensure you leave the theater in shock. I cannot stress enough that you should see this in a theater if possible. Either way I give [REC] the past stamp of approval and smile at the fact that something extraordinary has finally come out of Filmax.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Alice Cullen Interview
Kirby Feagan
11/05/08
Alice Cullen may seem like just the sweet, spunky 5 ft. teenager who throws the best parties and is always smiling and laughing, but her life is much more interesting than it appears. She was nice enough to share a bit of her exciting life with me reveal secrets that you would never suspect Alice or any of the Cullens to have.
Q: Where do you live?
A: My family and I live in a small town in Washington called Forks.
Q: How do you like living there?
A: I love it. My family really likes the rain so we chose a great place for rainy weather.
Q: Tell me about your school.
A: My school is fine. Nothing really exciting but the classes are very easy for me.
Q: Do you have a best friend?
A: For a while my best friends were my siblings. We all ate together and hung out together. But now my best friend is Bella Swan who is like a sister to me.
Q: Do you have a passion for anything or is there something you love to do?
A: I love fashion. My favorite dress-up doll is Bella. She sometimes lets me do her hair and pick out her clothes. I also love hosting parties and planning them. I just planned Bella and Edward’s wedding and I also did a graduation party. I am a very social person.
Q: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?
A: That is tough because it depends on what mood I am in. But I am almost always happy and very energetic so I would go with bubbly. That word suits me very well.
Q: How is it that you and your siblings are so close in age?
A: We aren’t biological siblings. We all are the foster children of Carlisle and Esme.
Q: Oh really? Is that hard to not be with your real parents?
A: I can’t remember them and you can’t miss what you never had. I love Carlisle and Esme so much and I couldn’t have greater parents.
Q: Do you get along well with your siblings?
A: We all are so close. We spend most of our time together. Edward and I are very close and Jasper is my husband so he doesn’t count as a sibling.
Q: Married? You are so young.
A: Well at this point in my life my age doesn't really doesn’t matter because I love Jasper and we have known each other for a very long time. We will always be young together.
Q: What do you mean?
A: I don't age and neither does the rest of my family. We all are a lot older than we appear. I am 17 but technically I’m over a hundred years old.
Q: That is impossible! How can you not age?
A: Our family is different from normal people. But there is no need to fear us. We all are very friendly and act completely normal.
Q: What do you mean by different? Are you some kind of superhero?
A: I wouldn’t call it being a hero at all. We are vampires. But don’t worry! Not the kind you think of when you hear vampires! We don’t have fangs or sleep in coffins. And don’t try to kill us with garlic because it’s not going to work.
Q: Wait…If you are a vampire, does that mean you drink blood?
A: Well, we are ashamed of it but there is nothing we can do about it. It is how we live. But we don’t ever kill humans. We drink animal blood. I would never hurt an innocent person. But when you first become a vampire, it is extremely hard to resist human blood.
Q: Are all vampires as pretty as you?
A: (smile) That's so sweet of you! Our appearances improved when we transformed. All vampires have cold pale skin and ochre eyes but we keep our height and hair color and basic features. My sister Rosalie is probably the most attractive of our family and makes sure everyone knows it.
Q: Do you plan on adding anyone else to your family of vampires any time soon?
A: Well it doesn’t really work that way. Carlisle will transform someone if he finds them in near death condition to save their life. But we don’t just turn people into vampires if we want another family member. That wouldn’t be fair. Bella was added a few months ago and we love having her.
Q: Do you prefer life as a vampire?
A: After I was transformed I couldn’t remember anything from my past. I woke up as a vampire and it was all very confusing. Not too long ago I did some research on myself and found out where I born and that I was put into an asylum because I had premonitions. I am very happy now and with what I know about my previous life, I think I ended up with the better life.
Q: Did these premonitions affect you in any way when you became a vampire?
A: Yes, actually they really did. I can now see the future. But only with humans and vampires.
Q: Does anyone else have any of these special powers?
A: Edward can read peoples minds, Jasper can control peoples emotions, and Bella can shield her mind and anyone near hers from mental attacks. It really depends on what your strengths are before you become a vampire.
Q: Wow, seeing the future sounds very exciting? Do you like having that talent?
A: It is a little frustrating because sometimes I misread the visions and I have a lot of pressure on me because everyone relies on my visions in case of danger. But I don’t know what I would do with out it. I feel blind when I can’t use it.
Q: So now that we know there are vampires, are there any other fantasy creatures we should be aware of?
A: Well there are werewolves living just a few miles from my house but that’s a whole other story…
Kirby Feagan
11/05/08
Alice Cullen may seem like just the sweet, spunky 5 ft. teenager who throws the best parties and is always smiling and laughing, but her life is much more interesting than it appears. She was nice enough to share a bit of her exciting life with me reveal secrets that you would never suspect Alice or any of the Cullens to have.
Q: Where do you live?
A: My family and I live in a small town in Washington called Forks.
Q: How do you like living there?
A: I love it. My family really likes the rain so we chose a great place for rainy weather.
Q: Tell me about your school.
A: My school is fine. Nothing really exciting but the classes are very easy for me.
Q: Do you have a best friend?
A: For a while my best friends were my siblings. We all ate together and hung out together. But now my best friend is Bella Swan who is like a sister to me.
Q: Do you have a passion for anything or is there something you love to do?
A: I love fashion. My favorite dress-up doll is Bella. She sometimes lets me do her hair and pick out her clothes. I also love hosting parties and planning them. I just planned Bella and Edward’s wedding and I also did a graduation party. I am a very social person.
Q: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?
A: That is tough because it depends on what mood I am in. But I am almost always happy and very energetic so I would go with bubbly. That word suits me very well.
Q: How is it that you and your siblings are so close in age?
A: We aren’t biological siblings. We all are the foster children of Carlisle and Esme.
Q: Oh really? Is that hard to not be with your real parents?
A: I can’t remember them and you can’t miss what you never had. I love Carlisle and Esme so much and I couldn’t have greater parents.
Q: Do you get along well with your siblings?
A: We all are so close. We spend most of our time together. Edward and I are very close and Jasper is my husband so he doesn’t count as a sibling.
Q: Married? You are so young.
A: Well at this point in my life my age doesn't really doesn’t matter because I love Jasper and we have known each other for a very long time. We will always be young together.
Q: What do you mean?
A: I don't age and neither does the rest of my family. We all are a lot older than we appear. I am 17 but technically I’m over a hundred years old.
Q: That is impossible! How can you not age?
A: Our family is different from normal people. But there is no need to fear us. We all are very friendly and act completely normal.
Q: What do you mean by different? Are you some kind of superhero?
A: I wouldn’t call it being a hero at all. We are vampires. But don’t worry! Not the kind you think of when you hear vampires! We don’t have fangs or sleep in coffins. And don’t try to kill us with garlic because it’s not going to work.
Q: Wait…If you are a vampire, does that mean you drink blood?
A: Well, we are ashamed of it but there is nothing we can do about it. It is how we live. But we don’t ever kill humans. We drink animal blood. I would never hurt an innocent person. But when you first become a vampire, it is extremely hard to resist human blood.
Q: Are all vampires as pretty as you?
A: (smile) That's so sweet of you! Our appearances improved when we transformed. All vampires have cold pale skin and ochre eyes but we keep our height and hair color and basic features. My sister Rosalie is probably the most attractive of our family and makes sure everyone knows it.
Q: Do you plan on adding anyone else to your family of vampires any time soon?
A: Well it doesn’t really work that way. Carlisle will transform someone if he finds them in near death condition to save their life. But we don’t just turn people into vampires if we want another family member. That wouldn’t be fair. Bella was added a few months ago and we love having her.
Q: Do you prefer life as a vampire?
A: After I was transformed I couldn’t remember anything from my past. I woke up as a vampire and it was all very confusing. Not too long ago I did some research on myself and found out where I born and that I was put into an asylum because I had premonitions. I am very happy now and with what I know about my previous life, I think I ended up with the better life.
Q: Did these premonitions affect you in any way when you became a vampire?
A: Yes, actually they really did. I can now see the future. But only with humans and vampires.
Q: Does anyone else have any of these special powers?
A: Edward can read peoples minds, Jasper can control peoples emotions, and Bella can shield her mind and anyone near hers from mental attacks. It really depends on what your strengths are before you become a vampire.
Q: Wow, seeing the future sounds very exciting? Do you like having that talent?
A: It is a little frustrating because sometimes I misread the visions and I have a lot of pressure on me because everyone relies on my visions in case of danger. But I don’t know what I would do with out it. I feel blind when I can’t use it.
Q: So now that we know there are vampires, are there any other fantasy creatures we should be aware of?
A: Well there are werewolves living just a few miles from my house but that’s a whole other story…
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Journalism Assignment(Seth Clearwater)
Nov-4-08
By. Carolita Landers
Interview with Seth Clearwater
You may think that Seth is a normal 16 year old kid but no.
He is a 16 year old Werewolf.
He was transformed to a werewolf when he was 15 years old.
Tis is the interview that I had with him.
C: Where do you live?
S:La Push Washington
C:Why do you live there?
S: Because my Quileute tribe lives there.
C:Can you tell me about your family?
S: I have one sister named Leah, she is the ONLY werewolf female in the world.
C: What school do you go to?
S: I don’t go to school.
C: Why?
S: Because it is to risky, when werewolf’s are human they act normal, but when we get angry we immediately transform to werewolf.
C: Who are you’re friends?
S: Jacob, Quil and Embry. Also werewolf’s.
C: Why are you so tall?
S: Because werewolf’s grow very fast when they are still werewolf’s.
C: Do you have any abnormality’s except being a werewolf?
S: No just that I can change from human to werewolf, I think thats pretty abnormal.
C: Do you like being who and what you are?
S: Yes I do.
C: Do you have any difficulties with it?
S: No I like being a werewolf.
By. Carolita Landers
Interview with Seth Clearwater
You may think that Seth is a normal 16 year old kid but no.
He is a 16 year old Werewolf.
He was transformed to a werewolf when he was 15 years old.
Tis is the interview that I had with him.
C: Where do you live?
S:La Push Washington
C:Why do you live there?
S: Because my Quileute tribe lives there.
C:Can you tell me about your family?
S: I have one sister named Leah, she is the ONLY werewolf female in the world.
C: What school do you go to?
S: I don’t go to school.
C: Why?
S: Because it is to risky, when werewolf’s are human they act normal, but when we get angry we immediately transform to werewolf.
C: Who are you’re friends?
S: Jacob, Quil and Embry. Also werewolf’s.
C: Why are you so tall?
S: Because werewolf’s grow very fast when they are still werewolf’s.
C: Do you have any abnormality’s except being a werewolf?
S: No just that I can change from human to werewolf, I think thats pretty abnormal.
C: Do you like being who and what you are?
S: Yes I do.
C: Do you have any difficulties with it?
S: No I like being a werewolf.
Monday, November 3, 2008
edward Cullen
EH: Where do you live?
EC: I live in Washington, Forks.
EH: Tell me about your family?
EC: I have a step mother and a step father, and two sisters and two brothers.
EH: Do you go to school or do you work?
EC: I attend school.
EH: Why don’t you have any friends?
EC: Because it takes more focus and concentration on not breaking the peace treaty.
EH: Why are you so strong?
EC: Because I have a special gift.
EH: Do you have any special talents?
EC: I can run faster than any animal. I am an excellent hunter and I can read minds.
EH: Why do you live in Forks?
EC: Because my skin sparkles in the light and Forks is always cloudy.
EH: What difficulties dose your talent cost you?
EC: I cant have friends, and most importantly I cant grow old with the women I love.
EH: How old are you, really?
EC: I am over a hundred years old.
EH: What is your most used word or phrase?
EC: My most used word would have to be “Bella”.
EC: I live in Washington, Forks.
EH: Tell me about your family?
EC: I have a step mother and a step father, and two sisters and two brothers.
EH: Do you go to school or do you work?
EC: I attend school.
EH: Why don’t you have any friends?
EC: Because it takes more focus and concentration on not breaking the peace treaty.
EH: Why are you so strong?
EC: Because I have a special gift.
EH: Do you have any special talents?
EC: I can run faster than any animal. I am an excellent hunter and I can read minds.
EH: Why do you live in Forks?
EC: Because my skin sparkles in the light and Forks is always cloudy.
EH: What difficulties dose your talent cost you?
EC: I cant have friends, and most importantly I cant grow old with the women I love.
EH: How old are you, really?
EC: I am over a hundred years old.
EH: What is your most used word or phrase?
EC: My most used word would have to be “Bella”.
Interview With Jacob
Ramona Rauh November 3, 2008
Meet Jacob Black
Yesterday I sat down to talk to Jacob Black. He sat across a table from me, his long hair was down and his dark hands in his lap. I was intimidated by him, being almost a foot and a half taller than me. He seemed uncomfortably shy at first, clenching his shoulders and arching his back, it made me suspicious. I was determined to get the whole story. I assured him this was a friendly interview until the beast was unleashed.
Q: So Jacob Black, where do you live? A: I live in a small town called La Push in Washington State . My family and I have lived here forever.
Q: Do you have a favorite word? A: it’s probably the word “sure”. It’s a bad habit I caught from my dad.
Q: Tell me about your family? A: well I have some sisters who don’t live in La Push anymore. One lives in Hawaii with her husband, and the other one is in college. I stay at home with my father, Billy, who is the head of the Quileute tribe. I help around the house because he’s in a wheelchair, and well, he hasn’t been the same since mom died.
Q: Oh, I’m sorry. So your ancestors are a tribe? A: uh, yeah. I’ll inherit the Quileute leader position.
Q: how does it feel to be part of the Quileute tribe? A: [long pause] Well, I guess it gives me the sense that I’m never alone, everyone is too close. Ha, ha.
Q: Who are your best friends? A: well I guess the people I hang around mostly are Quill and Embry. And Sam, he is kinda the leader of our…group.
Q: Sounds like a very close group of friends you have there. What about friends outside the tribe? A: My best friend Bella lives a few minutes away in Forks.
Q: cool. So do you have any special hobbies? A: ha, ha. I love fixing old cars…and running.
Q: Are you on the track team at your school? A: I prefer to run through the woods.
Q: Don’t you ever get scared? A: Nah.
Q: Does anything scare you? A: the safety of my best friends…and vampires.
Q: Haha! Sure. Do you actually believe in mythical creatures? A: Oh, they certainly are real. Just like werewo….um, other monsters.
Q: Ok…Do you have any secrets? A: Can you keep them?
Q: It’s a risky chance, are you willing to take it? A: You probably wont believe it anyway…[another long pause and finally a deep breath] I’m a werewolf.
Q: Yeah right! Is playing tricks another hobby of yours? A: I’m serious. It’s a gene the tribe has had for many, many generations. My skin is hot, my immune system is hyperactive, I can hear and smell better than any human ever could, I can run faster than a train, I…
Q: Stop! Now you are really freaking me out. Can you just morph whenever you want to? A: Yep….but sometimes I get out of control and I start to shake with furry…and I just change.
Q: What makes you so mad? A: My friend Bella, I told you about? She’s friends with my family’s enemies. The Cullen family…they are vampires.
Q: So you’re allied with vampires? Come on, this is starting to sound really fake. A: werewolves aren’t bad you see. But those…leaches… those damn blood suckers, really get on my nerves. It makes me crazy to think about it. Bella deserves much better.
Q: Did I hear a hint of jealousy in your voice? A: I guess it’s not a secret that I love her. I just want her to be safe. She jumped off this cliff once. She would have drowned if I didn’t save her.
Q: Would you go to the moon and back for her? A: Ha, ha. Sure, sure.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Meet Morgan
Meet Morgan
Ramona
thursday oct. 30th 08
Q: Who are you? A: J. Morgan Hardcastle. I like video games, and im short, and i just turned 15.
Q:When did you move to San Miguel? A: August 2004
Q: Why did you move to San Miguel? A: My parents thought it was a good idea, to learn spanish, and a different culture.
Q:Did you learn Spanish? A: yes.
Q: Do you think your parents were right? A: Yes. it has been a good experience. i got used to a new culture and i made some friends.
Q: Who are your parents/siblings? A: Nancy and Phil Hardcastle. they work in real estate. terrenos y casas san miguel. Ria, younger sister, goes to los charcos and is 11.
Q: How did you get to San Miguel? A: We drove from Dallas Tx. after we visited Ethan and my parents liked it so we decided to drive back to Tx., packed all our stuff and our dog and came back down.
Q: whats your dogs name? A: nahni, but she died christmas 04, then we had another dog, kaila, she ran away and now i have two street dogs, Jessie and Helen.
Q: what school do you go to and what grade are you in? A: im in 10th grade at Vic's. i used to go to charcos which was a decent hippy school. then i was homed schooled. Vic's is awesome.
Q: Whats your favorite thing about san miguel? A: I can go places easily and safely. I like the fifteeth of september because you get to party and watch the fireworks.
Q: what is something nice you have to say about SM? A: it's pretty
Q: what would you chage about SM? A: more fast food, bigger streets, bigger english section in the library for teens.
Ramona
thursday oct. 30th 08
Q: Who are you? A: J. Morgan Hardcastle. I like video games, and im short, and i just turned 15.
Q:When did you move to San Miguel? A: August 2004
Q: Why did you move to San Miguel? A: My parents thought it was a good idea, to learn spanish, and a different culture.
Q:Did you learn Spanish? A: yes.
Q: Do you think your parents were right? A: Yes. it has been a good experience. i got used to a new culture and i made some friends.
Q: Who are your parents/siblings? A: Nancy and Phil Hardcastle. they work in real estate. terrenos y casas san miguel. Ria, younger sister, goes to los charcos and is 11.
Q: How did you get to San Miguel? A: We drove from Dallas Tx. after we visited Ethan and my parents liked it so we decided to drive back to Tx., packed all our stuff and our dog and came back down.
Q: whats your dogs name? A: nahni, but she died christmas 04, then we had another dog, kaila, she ran away and now i have two street dogs, Jessie and Helen.
Q: what school do you go to and what grade are you in? A: im in 10th grade at Vic's. i used to go to charcos which was a decent hippy school. then i was homed schooled. Vic's is awesome.
Q: Whats your favorite thing about san miguel? A: I can go places easily and safely. I like the fifteeth of september because you get to party and watch the fireworks.
Q: what is something nice you have to say about SM? A: it's pretty
Q: what would you chage about SM? A: more fast food, bigger streets, bigger english section in the library for teens.
Meet Morgan Hardcastle
“San Miguel needs wider streets,” comments concerned 15 year old citizen J. Morgan Hardcastle. “and a better English teen section in the public library, some more fast food wouldn’t be bad either,” adds the Victoria Robbins school student with a chuckle. “But I think moving here has been a good experience for me, I learned Spanish, and got used to the culture, and made some good friends.”
His Parents Phil and Nancy Hardcastle, who run a real estate business called Terrenos y Casas San Miguel, brought the whole family down from Dallas Texas in August 2004 after visiting their friends the Kernekin’s in May 2004. They brought all their belongings and their dog Nahni who died that Christmas, but soon they acquired another dog, Kaila, who ran away and have since adopted two street dogs, Jessie and Helen.
“I think my parents made a good choice picking San Miguel because I feel like I can go places easily and safely, and San Miguel is pretty.”
Morgan enjoys being a 10th grader at his school Victoria Robbins more than studying at his previous school Los Charcos, where his little sister, Ria, attends now. “Charcos is decent but Vic’s is awesome” comments Morgan “But I would rather be playing video games or partying. My favorite Mexican Celebration is the 15th of September because watching the fireworks is fun!”
Interview with Casey Scott
Kirby Feagan
10/30/08
Genara Casey Gray Scott moved down to San Miguel with her family, just like many other kids who have moved here. Casey is 12 years old and currently goes to Victoria Robbin's School. She moved from Jacksonville, Florida and never spoke Spanish until she came here, but now she is fluent. I've asked her a few questions about her experience of moving to a foreign country and how that came to be.
KF: Why did you move?
CS: Because my dad was an architect and we were going to move
to Costa Rica but chose San Miguel instead.
KF: What did you feel about moving?
CS: I hated it the first year, but now I like it.
KF: When did you move?
CS: When I was in 4th grade.
KF: How did you find out aout San Miguel?
CS: My Grandfather told us about it.
KF: Why did you pick San Miguel?
CS: Because my Grandfather said that "San Miguel is
paradise."
KF: How did you get here?
CS: I came on a plane but now I drive.
KF: How long have you lived here?
CS: This is my 4th year.
KF:How long do you plan to stay?
CS: I'm probably moving back to Florida in July.
Kirby Feagan
10/30/08
Genara Casey Gray Scott moved down to San Miguel with her family, just like many other kids who have moved here. Casey is 12 years old and currently goes to Victoria Robbin's School. She moved from Jacksonville, Florida and never spoke Spanish until she came here, but now she is fluent. I've asked her a few questions about her experience of moving to a foreign country and how that came to be.
KF: Why did you move?
CS: Because my dad was an architect and we were going to move
to Costa Rica but chose San Miguel instead.
KF: What did you feel about moving?
CS: I hated it the first year, but now I like it.
KF: When did you move?
CS: When I was in 4th grade.
KF: How did you find out aout San Miguel?
CS: My Grandfather told us about it.
KF: Why did you pick San Miguel?
CS: Because my Grandfather said that "San Miguel is
paradise."
KF: How did you get here?
CS: I came on a plane but now I drive.
KF: How long have you lived here?
CS: This is my 4th year.
KF:How long do you plan to stay?
CS: I'm probably moving back to Florida in July.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
New Class Underway
We have our new class together and underway...Kirby, Ramona, Carolita, Casey & Erinlee.
We met with Suzanne on Friday and went over some journalism tips, practices, do's and don'ts. The assignment for this week is for each girl to interview someone about what it was like to move to San Miguel. They have a time limit for the interview of no more than 20 minutes. By Tuesday, each girl will need to send me their interviews in the following format:
"Suggested Title"
Name
Date
Questions & Answers
Article written from the interview.
That's all for now.
Jody
We met with Suzanne on Friday and went over some journalism tips, practices, do's and don'ts. The assignment for this week is for each girl to interview someone about what it was like to move to San Miguel. They have a time limit for the interview of no more than 20 minutes. By Tuesday, each girl will need to send me their interviews in the following format:
"Suggested Title"
Name
Date
Questions & Answers
Article written from the interview.
That's all for now.
Jody
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Hello from L.A.!
Hello...it's Kirby posting from L.A.
I haven't been posting much because I've been so busy. Currently I take 3 hours of dance each day and 3 hours and 20 minutes of theatre. My theatre class is amazing. I have a fabulous teacher who loves the world and loves theatre and is so friendly and comfortable to act in front of. We are doing the play, "The Little Princess". Those of you who haven't read the book I highly suggest it because it's a wonderful story with the sweetest characters. So far we haven't been cast yet but we're still going through auditions. I'm crossing my fingers in hope to get one of the lead roles or at least a speaking part. My dance class has been very fun but awfully tiring. I sleep in the car on the way home every day afterwards. Each class is so different and challenging and I can tell that I'm learning a lot and already am more flexible. So overall my first week of summer in L.A. has begun and I've been loving every moment.
I haven't been posting much because I've been so busy. Currently I take 3 hours of dance each day and 3 hours and 20 minutes of theatre. My theatre class is amazing. I have a fabulous teacher who loves the world and loves theatre and is so friendly and comfortable to act in front of. We are doing the play, "The Little Princess". Those of you who haven't read the book I highly suggest it because it's a wonderful story with the sweetest characters. So far we haven't been cast yet but we're still going through auditions. I'm crossing my fingers in hope to get one of the lead roles or at least a speaking part. My dance class has been very fun but awfully tiring. I sleep in the car on the way home every day afterwards. Each class is so different and challenging and I can tell that I'm learning a lot and already am more flexible. So overall my first week of summer in L.A. has begun and I've been loving every moment.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
"Goodbye" (to KIRBY)
Kirby, right now you are driving to Mexico City to catch your plane to L.A. but I am writing this anyways. Saying goodbye is something that I really hate, it is so hard, especially saying goodbye to you. I really hope that our goodbye won't be the end of our friendship. You are the best friend i have ever had or ever will have. You have totally changed me from a boring REALLY proper and strict, boring person to someone that i actually like (oh, and who is weird). Although you can be really weird sometimes (in a good way) and we hated each other when we first met, you are still my best friend and i think that is so cool. We have so many memories and I will never forget them, even if i die (which will be weird, cuz i'll be dead) but I think that there is some reason that this is happening, and I hope it is all for the best. Just remember that you are my BEST FRIEND and the greatest one ever!! And so the chapter of Melissa & Kirby or Kirby & Melissa ends (but not really), our life together has been so much fun (but really this can't be the end. Promise? well i do). It was so painful saying goodbye and watching you drive off, and closing the door to your house knowing that I will never see it again unless on vacation or something, but i guess that had to happen at some point, I am glad that it happened after we became best friends. This next year will be so weird without you, i truly don't know how i am going to survive, because nothing will be the same without YOU Kirby. Love you so much!!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Bye Melissa
In a couple of hours my long weekend will end leaving my life completely changed for good. It seems like it will be terrible but hopefully it's for the best. I have spent over a hundred hours with Melissa this past weekend. We've been trying to fit in every ounce of of fun possible into the short time we have left as if to make this a happy ending. But there is absolutely nothing I could do that would make tomorrow, my last day with Melissa, any less painful. How could six years of friendship be ended with a simple, "Bye"? We definitely have had thousands of memories together and I know I will never forget them until the day I die. But I have no idea how my life will be next year without you even if I get to visit you every once in a while. Tomorrow I will board my plane to L.A. and so begins my summer adventure that will change my life because it could never ever be the same without you Melissa.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Maya's 2nd article in Atencion
Dancing with Doris
By Maya Trujillo June 6, 2008 San Miguel de Allende
Dance
Doris Van Bebber
Sat, June 7, 7:30pm
El Sindicato
Recreo 4
Dance
“The Audition”
Doris Van Bebber
Tue, June 24, 7:30pm
Mesones 82
Loud music coming from downstairs classrooms fills the building. Drums. Flamenco footwork, jumps and turns pounding on the wooden floors make it difficult for me to talk to Doris Van Bebber while sitting in the cafeteria.
She is a dance teacher at El Sindicato and also is the director of the educational and creative program of the Performing Art School which combines dance, theater and music classes. She has been dancing since she was four years old, but really became interested in dance at 23.
An average-sized woman in her forties with light brown hair and small green eyes, always very well dressed in high heels and fancy, colorful shirts, she walks up the stairs every day at 6pm waving to her students. “Listas? I’ll meet you girls in the classroom.”
I decided to interview her because of how interesting, dedicated, busy, full of life, fun and creative she is. She is doing a lot for San Miguel, such as giving opportunities to people who are interested in the arts and helping them by giving scholarships to those who can’t afford a class.
Maya Trujillo: Why do you like dancing?
Doris Van Bebber: It makes me feel good. I like to express myself through movement and I think dance is a universal language that can be understood everywhere. I can’t even listen to music without moving.
MT: Did you attend a dance school?
DVB: Yes, I did. I started when I was four and continued until I was a teenager in Germany. Then I stopped taking dance lessons, but was part of a group of young dancers and actors who tried to explore movement. Later on I again took dance classes when I was 18 or 19 years old. When I was 23 and living in Mexico City, I really started to do nothing else but dance. After that, my entire life was about dance.
MT: What is the difference between dance in Europe and dance in Mexico?
DVB: In Europe you have much more support. There are many dance schools all over the country and most of the time, they are pretty successful. There is much more work for dancers and it’s an accepted art form. In Mexico, there is little support and to get to perform is hard. The good thing here is pioneering in the dance world.
MT: Where were you born and what is your age?
DVB: In Giessen, Germany, an important university town 50 km from Frankfort. I’m 47 and I have no problem with people knowing.
MT: Did your parents encourage you to dance?
DVB: Not really. I actually chose another career because of them. I’m a chemical analyst. They didn’t like the fact that I came to Mexico, either. My parents felt it was too far away and we wouldn’t see each other often.
MT: How old were you when you came to Mexico?
DVB: I think I was 21 or 22. I came to Celaya because of my career and I stayed. I didn’t know Spanish, but I knew French and English. Because I had studied Latin in school, it wasn’t hard to learn Spanish. A year later I met my husband.
MT: What were your dreams before you became a dancer?
DVB: I actually wanted to be a singer when I was little.
MT: What are your dreams now that you are a dancer?
DVB: To be a better dance teacher because I love to work with children and teenagers.
MT: What is the age range of your dance students?
DVB: My youngest student is five years old and my oldest is 62.
MT: What is good about working with teenagers?
DVB: I love the energy they have. They are very creative and funny. If they really want to learn how to dance, they are interested in attending my classes. Working with teenagers is a big challenge for my personal growth as a teacher and professional.
MT: What is bad about working with teenagers?
DVB: Nothing. They can be challenging though.
MT: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
DVB: “Five, six, seven, eight” and “From the top!” and “Ready?”
MT: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
DVB: It happened when a choreographer decided to present a dance piece at a poetry festival that had nothing to do with the festival theme, so the audience was openly hostile. They even stood up, threw things and yelled at us. It wasn’t only embarrassing for me, but for all the other dancers, too.
MT: What is your greatest fear?
DVB: Being paralyzed, I guess. Ha ha!
MT: What do you dislike about yourself?
DVB: I don’t like myself when I’m angry.
MT: Which living person do you most admire?
DVB: I don’t think I can select only one person. I admire great writers. I admire people who fight for ecology and those who make a difference in the social environment.
MT: What would you consider your greatest achievement?
DVB: I can’t say that there is one big achievement. It is all the sum of small ones. Professionally, some of the shows I’ve put together with my students have been great achievements. In my private life, raising three wonderful children is also another great achievement.
MT: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
DVB: To find a balance between my professional life and my private family life.
MT: When and where were you happiest?
DVB: One of my happiest moments was riding on a wonderful horse in the middle of an open field. I had a tremendous moment of freedom and liberty. Also when my children were born. Some of the performances I’ve given. Actually I have had many happy moments in my life.
MT: Where do you see El Sindicato in five years?
DVB: I would like to see it filled with lots of students interested in the arts—dance, music and theater—and would like to be able to give scholarships to the ones who want to dance but can’t pay for it.
MT: When are your next performances?
DVB: June 7 in the El Sindicato and June 24 at Ángela Peralta. The second performance is called “The Audition.” I had the idea that auditions can be funny and the idea of our show is that everyone can participate.
Doris Van Bebber is my jazz dance teacher and I admire her. She has taught me to clean all my dance moves and control my turns. Her programs will surely attract many more people to El Sindicato in the future.
“And five, six, seven, eight!” Doris yells out.
Maya Trujillo is 16 and attends the Victoria school. She rides a moto named Billy Bob Thornton Mackenzie and has taken jazz dance classes twice a week since age 12 from Doris Van Bebber.
By Maya Trujillo June 6, 2008 San Miguel de Allende
Dance
Doris Van Bebber
Sat, June 7, 7:30pm
El Sindicato
Recreo 4
Dance
“The Audition”
Doris Van Bebber
Tue, June 24, 7:30pm
Mesones 82
Loud music coming from downstairs classrooms fills the building. Drums. Flamenco footwork, jumps and turns pounding on the wooden floors make it difficult for me to talk to Doris Van Bebber while sitting in the cafeteria.
She is a dance teacher at El Sindicato and also is the director of the educational and creative program of the Performing Art School which combines dance, theater and music classes. She has been dancing since she was four years old, but really became interested in dance at 23.
An average-sized woman in her forties with light brown hair and small green eyes, always very well dressed in high heels and fancy, colorful shirts, she walks up the stairs every day at 6pm waving to her students. “Listas? I’ll meet you girls in the classroom.”
I decided to interview her because of how interesting, dedicated, busy, full of life, fun and creative she is. She is doing a lot for San Miguel, such as giving opportunities to people who are interested in the arts and helping them by giving scholarships to those who can’t afford a class.
Maya Trujillo: Why do you like dancing?
Doris Van Bebber: It makes me feel good. I like to express myself through movement and I think dance is a universal language that can be understood everywhere. I can’t even listen to music without moving.
MT: Did you attend a dance school?
DVB: Yes, I did. I started when I was four and continued until I was a teenager in Germany. Then I stopped taking dance lessons, but was part of a group of young dancers and actors who tried to explore movement. Later on I again took dance classes when I was 18 or 19 years old. When I was 23 and living in Mexico City, I really started to do nothing else but dance. After that, my entire life was about dance.
MT: What is the difference between dance in Europe and dance in Mexico?
DVB: In Europe you have much more support. There are many dance schools all over the country and most of the time, they are pretty successful. There is much more work for dancers and it’s an accepted art form. In Mexico, there is little support and to get to perform is hard. The good thing here is pioneering in the dance world.
MT: Where were you born and what is your age?
DVB: In Giessen, Germany, an important university town 50 km from Frankfort. I’m 47 and I have no problem with people knowing.
MT: Did your parents encourage you to dance?
DVB: Not really. I actually chose another career because of them. I’m a chemical analyst. They didn’t like the fact that I came to Mexico, either. My parents felt it was too far away and we wouldn’t see each other often.
MT: How old were you when you came to Mexico?
DVB: I think I was 21 or 22. I came to Celaya because of my career and I stayed. I didn’t know Spanish, but I knew French and English. Because I had studied Latin in school, it wasn’t hard to learn Spanish. A year later I met my husband.
MT: What were your dreams before you became a dancer?
DVB: I actually wanted to be a singer when I was little.
MT: What are your dreams now that you are a dancer?
DVB: To be a better dance teacher because I love to work with children and teenagers.
MT: What is the age range of your dance students?
DVB: My youngest student is five years old and my oldest is 62.
MT: What is good about working with teenagers?
DVB: I love the energy they have. They are very creative and funny. If they really want to learn how to dance, they are interested in attending my classes. Working with teenagers is a big challenge for my personal growth as a teacher and professional.
MT: What is bad about working with teenagers?
DVB: Nothing. They can be challenging though.
MT: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
DVB: “Five, six, seven, eight” and “From the top!” and “Ready?”
MT: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
DVB: It happened when a choreographer decided to present a dance piece at a poetry festival that had nothing to do with the festival theme, so the audience was openly hostile. They even stood up, threw things and yelled at us. It wasn’t only embarrassing for me, but for all the other dancers, too.
MT: What is your greatest fear?
DVB: Being paralyzed, I guess. Ha ha!
MT: What do you dislike about yourself?
DVB: I don’t like myself when I’m angry.
MT: Which living person do you most admire?
DVB: I don’t think I can select only one person. I admire great writers. I admire people who fight for ecology and those who make a difference in the social environment.
MT: What would you consider your greatest achievement?
DVB: I can’t say that there is one big achievement. It is all the sum of small ones. Professionally, some of the shows I’ve put together with my students have been great achievements. In my private life, raising three wonderful children is also another great achievement.
MT: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
DVB: To find a balance between my professional life and my private family life.
MT: When and where were you happiest?
DVB: One of my happiest moments was riding on a wonderful horse in the middle of an open field. I had a tremendous moment of freedom and liberty. Also when my children were born. Some of the performances I’ve given. Actually I have had many happy moments in my life.
MT: Where do you see El Sindicato in five years?
DVB: I would like to see it filled with lots of students interested in the arts—dance, music and theater—and would like to be able to give scholarships to the ones who want to dance but can’t pay for it.
MT: When are your next performances?
DVB: June 7 in the El Sindicato and June 24 at Ángela Peralta. The second performance is called “The Audition.” I had the idea that auditions can be funny and the idea of our show is that everyone can participate.
Doris Van Bebber is my jazz dance teacher and I admire her. She has taught me to clean all my dance moves and control my turns. Her programs will surely attract many more people to El Sindicato in the future.
“And five, six, seven, eight!” Doris yells out.
Maya Trujillo is 16 and attends the Victoria school. She rides a moto named Billy Bob Thornton Mackenzie and has taken jazz dance classes twice a week since age 12 from Doris Van Bebber.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Rita DeBrito Interview
Interview with Rita DeBrito, “Once a teacher, always a teacher. It’s my life!”
Director of the San Miguel Summer Science
By Kirby Feagan & Melissa Lawrence
Date: June 3, 2008
Rita DeBrito has accomplished many things in her life. She has been a bilingual teacher for over 30 years, She was a mentor for the New York City Board of Education and an adjunct professor in most of New York City’s teaching colleges, including Columbia University, Before moving to San Miguel, she raised Dutch Belted rabbits on her farm in Vermont, she took flying lessons, was a bee keeper and learned how to hand glide and sheet shoot. Currently she is the Co-Founder and Director of Science Camp San Miguel, which offers summer science camps to kids ages 8-12.
We first met Rita when she taught science for our home-schooling cooperative here in San Miguel two years ago. Before Rita entered our lives, we thought science was boring. Now we know it can be fun and interesting. She is a great teacher with a gift to inspire and motivate her students with ease. It didn’t take long for us to admire and adore her. That’s why we choose to interview Rita.
M&K: What got you inspired to learn about science?
RD: My students. When I started teaching in 1972 in New York, I noticed that the kids didn’t care. Learning and teaching were boring so I stepped back and I took my kids lead and I noticed that all the boys were playing with batteries and cars and I said to myself, “Hey, that’s science.” When I realized that what they were interested in was science, I went back to school and took courses on physics, chemistry, aerodynamics and biology to become a better teacher.
M&K: What has been your greatest achievement in life?
RD: Oh good griefess Americanas! There have been a lot but I was invited to go to the White House to talk to Al Gore and Richard Riley about urban education. That was a pretty good accomplishment.
M&K: What is your favorite age of students to teach?
RD: I really like them around 12 and up. I also like teaching graduate students because they are focused and they know what they want to learn.
M&K: What brought you to San Miguel and what do you enjoy most about living here?
RD: 911 was basically in my backyard; Bush stole the election; the economics of living in New York was overwhelming and I turned 55 and was able to retire, so all of that pointed South. I love the outdoors, the weather, the people, the pace, and I love the small town.
M&K: Tell me about the science camp. Where did you get the idea to start the summer science camps? How many years have you been doing it? When does it start this summer?
RD: I got the idea to do it because I still want to share with kids my love of science and that’s what I do best and a lot of these kids here don’t get the opportunity to learn about this stuff. We’re going into our third year. This year Cesar Arias, (need his title here) is closing off the boveda at El Charco de Ingenio for the camp, but it won’t be ready until the summer of 2009 so this year we are doing a science club in the biblioteca.
M&K: What is your favorite word and why?
RD: I love words. I love to play with words….a favorite word? I love to talk…..My favorite word? I don’t have one. Onomatopoeia , that’s a good word. Kerplop, bang, smash, kablooey!
M&K: Do you have any regrets in life?
RD: No. Having regrets is a waste of time.
M&K: What career did you want to have when you were younger?
RD: I wanted to be a surgeon. It didn’t occur to me to become a teacher until I was almost married to my husband.
M&K: Who is your greatest influence in life?
RD: I think my dad. He taught me that there isn’t anything I couldn’t do.
M&K: What words or phrases do you most overuse?
RD: I catch myself before I say anything too much. I say, “That’ll do,” to my dog a lot. I say, “guacala,” a lot.
M&K: What is your greatest fear?
RD: I don’t have any. What’s there to be afraid of. Does a woman who drives alone from New York to san Miguel in a miata sound like she has any fears?
M&K: What is your motto?
RD: Have fun!
M&K: What are the best and worst things about working with teenagers?
RD: The best thing is that even thought they want you to think they’re not listening, they really are. The worst thing is getting past all the nonsense teens go through.
M&K: How many years have you been a teacher?
RD: More than 30 if you count my tutoring and science camp. Once a teacher, always a teacher. It’s not just a job, it’s my life.
M&K: What is your favorite topic within science to teach?
RD: I love teaching physics, biology, experimenting. I love teaching and everything in life is science. Everything!
M&K: Where do you hope the summer science program will be in five years from now?
RD: My hopes are that it will be institutionalized, that I’ll have young people prepared to carry on what they’ve learned and be interested in learning more about science.
M&K: Did science always interest you as a kid?
RD: I was always a naturalist. I was always looking for snails and squirrels. I’ve always been fascinated by everything.
M&K: What is your favorite memory of teaching?
RD: I have a million so that’s tough. I once was teaching a kid how to add and subtract using cuisenrods and all of a sudden he says, “I get it!” but he had a pencil in his hand and he jabbed my eye. I think I had to wear an eye patch for three months but it was great because he understood. But this was the best one: I never used to teach from the text book so I had my students working with ramps and balls to determine which balls travel the farthest and they had to graph their findings. I was checking on their work and one kid looked at me and said, “We haven’t done math in a very long time.” She didn’t think we were doing math because we never open the text book. I said, “Shhh…don’t tell anybody.”
M&K: How does your life in San Miguel compare to your life in New York? RD: My life here is a lot easier, of course. I’m not working…that helps. It’s so hard to park in New York. I had a good life there and I have a great life here. But now it’s just easier and I have the outdoors which I adore.
Information Box
Science Camp San Miguel Presents: Summer Science Camps at the Biblioteca
Dates: July 14 - August 1, 2008 (confirm)
Location: La Biblioteca Publica, Insurgentes #25
For more information, go to: www.sciencecampsanmiguel.com
Or email: sciencecampsma@gmail.com (confirm)
Or call La Biblioteca Publica: 152- (get # and confirm it’s the right one)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Maya's 1st published article
Here's Maya's first article
Published May 30, 2008
My little Billy Bob
By Maya Trujillo
Published May 30, 2008
My little Billy Bob
By Maya Trujillo
 |  | Friday, May 9, 2008 my dad bought me a scooter. He bought it because I haven't seen him in years and I'm almost 16. It was his gift to me as if he was saying "I'm making it up to you." I decided to call my scooter Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie. I don't know why I gave it that name, but I did. |
The next day my mom, Guillermo (my mom's boyfriend) and I went up to the Luciernaga (the San Miguel mall) so I could practice for the very first time on Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie. It is a wine red color and it is an Elite 125. I am afraid of it. It is bigger than me and much much heavier.
After being able to drive it in a parking lot which is new, smooth and paved, with almost no cars, I came to the conclusion that I am afraid of cars, people walking in the street, bumps, holes, rocks, turning, stopping, falling and balancing on Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie.
My mom bought me a small black helmet the next day to go with the aviator glasses I "have to wear" to protect my eyes from dirt. I tried ridding in front of my house and around the neighborhood by myself. This time, it was a lot harder because we have no streets and there are more holes and rocks. I tried to tell myself I could do it on my own and prove that I am not afraid and I'm not a total coward.
Riding around I come to a turn. I hate turns. I'm afraid of them. And just to make my life worse...a car comes in front of me (which I am also afraid of) and I stop really fast to let it go by. Unfortunately for me, I was stuck in a hole. That's not the worst part though. The worst part was that I was on a hill stuck in a hole. Plus, Billy Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie was tilting way more then I can handle. I was so scared, I dropped the scooter. I waited for someone to walk by and help me lift it off the ground, get it out of the hole and turn it around. So a guy finally did. I thanked him.
"It's OK. You were just afraid." he said not knowing what had happened, but I believed it was pretty obvious.
As I was on my way back home, there was a wind storm and I was in the middle of it. Since my streets aren't paved, there is dust flying in the air and I had to wait 15 minutes before I could see anything. When I finally got home, my hands were shaking. I was really scared. It made me not want to have a scooter anymore.
I know I need to keep trying and I know I should conquer my fears. Even though my mom is always happy to have her own scooter, I will not give Billy Bob up. But she is always welcome to drive it or drive me.
Week 5
We didn't get a chance to meet with Suzanne this morning because she had an urgent meeting. The girls this week are going to send their updates to Suzanne for comments via email.
And the big news is Maya had her first article published! Check it out!!!!!!!
http://www.atencionsanmiguel.org/index.php?enghome
And the big news is Maya had her first article published! Check it out!!!!!!!
http://www.atencionsanmiguel.org/index.php?enghome
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Not What I was Expecting... #2
A couple of weeks ago, on a Thursday, I was hanging out at Kirby's house, like always. Kirby is one of my best friends, and i always go to her house, weather its for dance or a TV show or just hanging out. I had gone over there (no surprise) to watch LOST one of our favorite TV shows, this is a ritual, not watching LOST would be like dying every Thursday night, no kidding. Kirby and I always watch LOST on Thursdays because that is when it comes on. Normally there isn't anything too creepy on that show, because, well, its just about a bunch of people lost on an island. Well Kirby and I were getting kind of hungry and we always eat something before the show, so we had gone up to the kitchen to find a snack or something to eat right before the show started. We walked up to the kitchen, our stomachs craving something incredibly delicious. Kirby looked in the pantry for some chips or popcorn or something and I looked in the fridge for whatever left over there might be in there, we couldn't find anything. We were slowly losing hope and our stomachs were moaning. We were really hungry. We looked in every container that we could find. And then I spotted it. A lonely container sitting on the counter. It was your average tupperware, where food is stored in, to not go bad. I wondered what was in it, we hadn't found anything that looked appealing to us yet. This looked like a possibility, so why not? I picked up the container to see what was inside, but the plastic was translucent. I picked it up, shook it a little, looked at the bottom, but i still couldn't figure out what was inside. I took the lid off, as if to open a container of nuts or something, and screamed. There was a giant dryed-out, hairy, brown, totally dead tarantula just lying there. It was staring at me with its beady little eyes, and it looked evil. It was scary!!!! This was very weird because I'm not afraid of insects or spiders or anything like that. When I was younger i had picked up a baby scorpion and petted it, this should not have scared me. I was taken by surprise. I mean who expects to find a tarantula, when you are expecting to see something like grapes or pasta or something? But this totally scared me to death. Jody, Kirby's mom, had found the tarantula on the beach in the sand while she was in Oaxaca. She had brought it home and given it to Wyatt, Kirby's younger brother. He had put it in the container, and placed it in the kitchen to see who would open it and get scared. Apparently, his joke worked.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Week 4
For our 4th meeting, the girls printed their blog entries for Suzanne and she went over each of them.
For Maya Suzanne began with her Q & A's from Doris and gave the following suggestions:
Kirby and Melissa need to put their Q&A's up on the blog
Good job girls!
For Maya Suzanne began with her Q & A's from Doris and gave the following suggestions:
- Divide the questions into 3 categories: 1 Doris the dancer, 2 Doris the person, 3 Info on the upcoming performances
- Ask some follow up questions about Doris' position at Recreo, get her position, title, correct name spelling
- Read thru the questions and notice the rhythm - not making each too long so the reader has "breathing room"
- make note of the questions Maya would be willing to have edited out if there's not enough room
- Deadline is this coming Wed. for the piece
- Send me a draft first on Mon for review and I will return to her by Tues.
- Include photos
- Make a post on blog site
- Divide in 3 parts: 1 set the scene, 2 the surprise, 3 the ending
- Give more information on Kirby, why you're there, what you're doing, what you're hungry for...showing, not telling
- Possibly tie in jungle island thoughts from Lost after seeing the tarantula
- work on ending - tying it up
- Blog your updates
- Set the scene more, i.e. what kind of school, more description
- what were kids doing at lunch, soccer, activities, etc.
- what does the area around the school look like
- what did kids do when goat wondered into the school yard
- describe the goat, his leash, etc. and what he did in the classroom
- give kids responses in Spanish
- give teacher's response
- what the goat's owner did
- Blog your updates
Kirby and Melissa need to put their Q&A's up on the blog
Good job girls!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Qs and As from Doris
1.What were your dreams before you became a dancer?
I actually wanted to be a singer when I was young.
2.What are your dreams now that you are a dancer?
To be a better dance teacher and choreographer so the pieces I create touches people and work with professional dancers.
3.What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
When a choreographer decided to present a piece in a poetry festival and our dance had nothing to do with the theme, so the audience had an open dislike. It wasn't only embarrassing for me, but for all the dancers too.
4. What is good about working with teenagers?
They have energy, they are very creative and funny.If they really want to learn how to dance they are interested in my class. Working with teenagers for me is a big challenge for my personal growth as a teacher and a professional.
5. What is bad about working with teenagers?
Nothing. They can be challenging though.
6. Did you go to a dancing school?Where?
Yes, I did. In Germany, Bellas Artes in Toluca and a private dance studio in Mexico City.
7. Why do you like dancing?
It makes me feel good. I guess I like to express myself through movement and I think dance is a universal language that can be understood everywhere.
8.What is your greatest fear?
Being paralized I guess. ha ha!
9.Did your parents encourage you to dance?
Not really. I actually made another career because of them. I'm a chemical analyst.
10.Did they accept or like the fact that you came to Mexico?
No. Not really. They felt it was too far away and we wouldn't see each other very often.
11.What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of perfect happiness is to find a balance between my professional life and my private family life. Also that my family is living in harmony.
12.Which living person do you most admire?
I don't think I could put it in one person. I admire great writers. I admire people that fight for ecology and that make a difference in the social environment.
13.What do you dislike about yourself?
I'm actually pretty at peace with myself.
14.Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"5,6,7,8." and "From the top." and "Ready?"
15.If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Thats a hard question. I would have to think about it.
16.What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Starting a performing art school inside an already existing institution which is the Recreo. Another great achievement was having three children that are all wonderful young people.
17. What is your most treasured possession?
My music collection. I couldn't live without it.
18.What is it that you most dislike?
Ignorance towards environment and poverty.
19.On what occasion do you lie?
I don't. I learned from a very early age that I shouldn't.
20.What is your greatest regret?
That I didn't take the advantages of learning new things when I had the opportunity.
21. When and where were you happiest?
One of my happiest moments was ridding on a wonderful horse in the middle of an open field and I had a tremendous moment of freedom and liberty. Also when my children were born. Some of the performances I've had. I actually had many happy moments in my life.
22.Where do you see the Sindicato in 5 years?
I would like to see it with a lot of students interested in art: dance,music and theater and being able to give scholarships to the ones who want to dance but cant pay for it.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A couple of weeks ago, on a Thursday, I was hanging out at Kirby's house, like always. I had gone over there (no surprise) to watch LOST one of our favorite TV shows, this is a ritual, no kidding. Well Kirby and I had gone up to the kitchen to find a snack or something to eat right before the show started. Kirby looked in the pantry and I looked in the fridge, we couldn't find anything that we wanted to eat. Then I spotted a container sitting on the counter. I picked it up to see what was inside but the plastic wasn't translucent, so I took the lid off and screamed. There was a giant dryed-out, hairy, brown, totally dead tarantula just lying there. This was very weird because I'm not really afraid of insects or spiders or anything like that, when I was younger i had even picked up a baby scorpion, this should not have scared me. I guess I was taken by surprise to find a tarantula when i was expecting to see something like grapes or pasta or something, but this totally scared me to death. Although I have to admit, it was very funny!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Freakishly Scary (for me anyway)
Friday, May 9Th 2008 my dad bought me a scooter.
He bought it because I haven't seen him in years and I'm almost 16. It was his gift to me as if he was saying "I'm making it up to you."
I decided to call my scooter Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie. I don't know why I gave it that name, but I did.
The next day my mom, Guillermo (my mom's boyfriend) and I went up to the Luciernaga so I could practice for the very first time on Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie. It is a wine red color and it is an Elite 125. I am afraid of it. It is bigger than me and much much heavier.
After being able to drive it in a parking lot, I came to the conclusion that I am afraid of cars, people walking in the street, bumps, holes, rocks, turning, stopping, falling and balancing on Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie.
My mom bought me a helmet the next day to go with the glasses I "have to wear." I tried ridding in front of my house and around the neighborhood by myself. This time, it was a lot harder because we have no streets and there are more holes and rocks. I tried to tell myself I could do it on my own and prove that I am not afraid and I'm not a total coward.
Riding around I come to a turn. I hate turns. I'm afraid of them. And just to make my life worse...a car comes in front of me (which I am also afraid of) and I stop really fast to let it go by. Unfortunately for me, I was stuck in a hole. That's not the worst part though. The worst part was that I was on a hill stuck in a hole. Plus, Billy Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie was tilting way more then I can handle. I was so scared, I dropped the scooter.
I waited for someone to walk by and help me lift it off the ground, get it out of the hole and turn it around. So a guy finally did. I thanked him.
"It's ok. You were just afraid." he said not knowing what had happened, but I believed it was pretty obvious.
As I was on my way back home, there was a wind storm and I was in the middle of it. Since my streets aren't paved, there is dust flying in the air and I had to wait 15 minutes before I could see anything. When I finally got home, my hands were shaking. I was really scared. It made me not want to have a scooter anymore.
I know I need to keep trying and I know I should conquer my fears.
Although my mom is always happy to have her own scooter.
-Maya & Billy Bob Thorton Mackenzie
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