Blog Review

Hi FAU Bloggers.

Today it's time to write the final post. I think the best way to finish is to ask you to evaluate your blog experience this semester. I know things got a little complicated because of the strike and the Sit-In but I hope you found this to be a useful learning experience.

So, please write about your blog experience this semester.
Say:
Which post you enjoyed writing most,
Which post you least enjoyed writing,
Whose blog you enjoyed reading,
Whether or not your English improved (and how:).
What things you liked and disliked about using the blog.

Mention anything else you think is important or interesting. Try to write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on your Teacher's blog and on the blogs of three classmates.

A Toy

Hi Bloglanders,
Today I'd like you to write about a toy you had as a child. Actually, I don't remember that many toys from my childhood but one that people in my family used to talk about a lot is a toy wheelbarrow I had when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I lived in the countryside in Wales as a young child and my dad was a keen gardener. I was given the wheelbarrow as a birthday or christmas present and I used it to help my dad with his vegetables. It was a blue wheelbarrow, made out of metal, with yellow handles and red wheels. I guess it must have been quite small but, at the time time, it seemed rather large to me.
I can't remember if it came with a spade or not, but I do remember they I played with it all the time. Apparently, according to my older sisters, I was quite a businessman. I used to sell caterpillars to some Italian children who lived near us. I'd collect the caterpillars from my dad's cabbages and wheel them round the neighbourhood selling them. I think the Italian boys used them as fishing bait. I don't know what happened to the wheelbarrow. We moved to the city when I was 6 years old and I don't remember seeing it after that.

Write about a toy that you had as a child.

Say:

What it was,

What it looked like,

When you had it, 

What you did with it,

What you did with it.

Mention anything else interesting or important. Write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on your yeacher's blog and on the blogs of 3 classmates.

A Phone App

i FAU Bloggers!

Today I'd like you to write about a phone app you use a lot. Up until a couple of months ago, the app I used most was Whatsapp, however, In May I started using Duo Lingo to learn Japanese and it's currently my favourite app by far. Actually, I was a bit frustrated with the app at first because of a flaw in my phone. I couldn't get the app to function properly until the 3rd or 4th attempt of installing and uninstalling. I like the app because its mobile and you can complete part of a lesson in a fairly short space of time. This gives you the feeling that you are making progress whether you are or not because you advance through the level. The methodology is quite interesting as I've notice that the more mistakes you make the easier the lesson becomes until your only option is to succeed.
I use the app at least once a day for about 15 minutes but I often do additional exercises - especially if I travel by underground or bus. I used to use the app most in the evenings but more recently (since the end of the strike) I've been using it early in the morning. I like Duo Lingo most of all because it's helping me achieve a goal and at the same I enjoy the daily challenge that keeps my brain active.

Write about a phone app you use a lot.
Say:
When you got the app,
What you use it for,
How often you use it,
Why you like to use it.
Mention anything else you think is important or interesting.

A Special Place

Hi Blogheads,

Today I'd like to write about a special place. I think i'd describe a special place as somewhere were you feel at peace with the world just by being there. I've been lucky enough to feel this way on numerous occasions (don't forget I'm much older than you) - eating bread and cheese for lunch on a precipice in the Pyrenees with friends after a 6-hour hike, a sunset on the big dune in La Valle de la Luna, Sunrise on the path between Aguas Calientes and Machu Fichu, lunch with seagulls on a beach in Abel Tasman, New Zealand. I have special places in Chile too (lots in Valpo, San Pedro, Valdivia, La Vega; etc.) However, one moment that tops them all is visiting the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, in February, 2017 .

I mean WOW!

This building is just the epitome of Zen. It is embedded in it's environment. Moreover, it was the centre piece of a novel by one of Japan's most revered authors, Yukio Mishima. Mishima is a modern legend. He wrote about a military Coup and then actually tried to put the same plan he wrote about into action. His attempt failed and, rather than give himself up, he committed Hara kiri (i.e. He killed himself).
So, great author, great story, AMAZING building, AMAZING surroundings.
Even though there were lots of other people (tourists), the feeling you got was one of tranquillity and understanding. It was as if the environment had been created as a work of art instead of having any functional use. The building was meant to be contemplated and viewed, not used or lived in. This is actually a restored version of the original building that dates from 1950 after it was set alight when a Buddhist monk attempted to set himself on fire (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji) .

Write about a special place you like,
Say:
Where it is,
When you went there,
Why you think it's special,
What you know about it's history.
Mention anything else you think is important or interesting. Try to write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on my blog and on the blogs of all your classmates.

A PIece of Technology

Good Morning Bloggers!

Today I'll like you to write about a piece of favourite piece you like at the moment. It's not easy for me to choose just one piece of technology but, I would have to say that my mobile phone is currently my most prized asset because of it's versatility. I really love my computer because with the right app it converts into a music production center that gives me hours of fun. However, today's mobile phones are close to what I would have considered Science Fiction a few years ago. I love being connected. I love having portable music of my choice. I love the Internet. I love the fact that I can learn a language via an app on my phone riding the bus to work. I also love the amazing videos and photographs that I can take and share. It's also wonderful that I can chat and text with my family in the UK who are almost 12,000 kilometres away. I guess the only negative side to the mobile phone is if you lose it. If it falls into the wrong hands people can get access to personal information and that may lead to problems. I think it's quite funny that I feel this way about my phone because I fought against having one for years. I still go out without my phone quite often, especially if I'm going out to eat or to the cinema.    

Write about a piece of technology you like.

Say;

What it is,

What you use it for,

When you use it,

If it has any negative aspects.

Mention anything else you think is interesting or important. Try to write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on my blog and on the blogs of at least 3 classmates.

Something you like to do outside

Hi Blog Heads,

Sorry for posting a little late:) This week I'd like you to write about something you enjoy doing outside. For me there are three things that come to mind: football, cycling and hiking (otherwise know as trekking). However, as football involves other people, and cycling requires a bike, I'll talk about hiking.
I think I developed my love of hiking when I was a young child. My family lived in the countryside in Wales until I was 6 years old and from a very young age we would do a lot of walking. My parents never had a car and I never passed my driving test until I was 53 years old so, walking has always come naturally to me. The walks I remember from my childhood are those we did in North Wales where there are lots of forests and hills that are public footpaths. In fact Britain has an excellent network of footpaths and trails that are well looked after and pass through hundreds of miles of beautiful countryside (You can see some of them here:https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/).
I like walking for different reasons. I love nature and it's great to get some fresh air away from city life. I like spotting different wildlife, especially birds. Nowadays here in Chile I have also done lots of walking but maybe not as much as I would have liked to have done. I think my first walks were beach walks like Algarrobo to Quisco, or Maitencillos to Catchagua. I've hiked up some volcanes in the south and amazing places like Alto los Vilches near Talca or areas around San Pedro de Atacama. I would really like to visit other places in the south but finding the time is complicated. I think the next walk I do will be to Aguas de San Ramon. Here are a couple of photos from a walk near Coyhaique.

Write about something you like doing outside.

Say:

What it is,

When you started doing this activity,

Where you do it,

Why you like it,

When you did it last.

Write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on your teacher's blog and on the blogs of at least 3 classmates.

A Birthday or a Celebration

Dear Bloggers;
Today I'd like you to write about one of your birthdays that you remember fondly.
In my case I'm going to talk about my 23rd birthday. At that time I lived in Chester, the town were I grew up between the ages of 7 and 23, so it was my last birthday before I moved to live in London. The reason it was so memorable is because my sister, who lived in London paid me a suprise visit. I think it was a rather normal day. I in the morning I went to work in the laboratory where I worked as a Laboratory Technician, and at 4pm I finished for the day and went home. When I arrived to my flat I found my sister waiting for me outside. I was really happy to see her and totally suprised that she had come to see me. A couple of friends came by to take me out for a drink so we all ended up going out to eat something and then we went for a drink. It was a quiet celebration but it was still special. We ate (pizza I think), drank and chatted. My sister gave me a really nice present - an earring in the shape of a musical note - which I still have (although I took my earrings out when I started working in Chile!!). I've had some wild birthday celebrations but I remember this one because it was quiet and relaxed.

Write about a birthday or celebration you remember.
Say:
When it was,
What you did,
Who you were with,
When you remember this event.

Mention anything else you think is important or interesting. Write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on my post and on the blog's of 3 classmates