English Language Challenges

I think English is very important subject for the development of any professional today, whether to apply for better jobs or go to live abroad and apply to a new university; however the English offered by the university is not much different than many of the students have already learned or at least viewed in school. I personally think that English teaching in the university should be applied to the area of study that the student is, for example, the social sciences. When students read papers in English sometimes is very difficult understand the technical words that they bring, so it is important have a restructuring of the English program that exists today. Write post on different topics is a good tool to practice and learn little bit more the language.

Outside of the university I often use English, I like to practice in activities that I really enjoy, like listening music or watching movies and series, seems to me that's the best way to learn another language. I always watch the series or foreign films without subtitles and try to understand the content of conversations based on my own knowledge of the language. Similarly whenever I meet people who speak English I try to relate them to speak English more fluently.

Well fellow bloggers, this is the last post! When I started the blog I never thought I could have fun reading and researching for some of the topics we have had to deal with in class.

I hope everyone had a great time! Goodbye and good luck! See you soon! 

Good and Bad Points 2014

2014 has been a year of big changes in my life. I used to live in the city of La Serena, but for the university had to transfer to Santiago. Now I live alone and even though I have a lot of family in this city is not the same because I not have my nuclear family whit my. The beginning was quite hard, I had to learn to cook, clean, wash and a lot of other chores that had never done in my life! I know, it was a pretty lazy person in the past but I changed for good! Hahaha

In the university I've taken good few surprises! I met great people, so different to me but at the same time whit a lot of common interests! When people say that university is more difficult than a school they right! I had to work very hard in several occasions to have a good mark in test or different types of work. I had to learn how to make a social science investigation for one final exam and was very intensive but rewarding.

If I have any achieved has not been yet? I really don’t know, when I started this trip never had a truly expectation, I think I just wanna have a great time and fortunately I've had it! Now I just hope have good marks in the rest of academic year and not have to give exams!

Well, this is all for today Bloggers, see you son! 

Social media and the end of gender?

Hello Bloggers! Today I’m gonna talk about “Social media and the end of gender” offered by Johanna Blakley 

The main ideas of this conference talk about how social media gonna help free us from some of the absurd assumptions that we have as a society about gender, also gonna help us dismantle sum up the silly and demeaning stereotypes that we see in the media and advertising about gender.

One of the things that caught my attention and with which I totally agree is that media generally provides a very distorted mirror our lives. We live our lives trying to fit into unrealistic and capitalists beauty canons. 

Another important point in the conference is that most media companies: television, radio, publishing, games, etc.; use region segmentation methods in order to understand their audiences. Media companies believe that if you fall within a certain demographic category you are predictable in certain ways. Most of our popular culture is actually based on these presumptions about our demographics.

Finally, Johanna tells us about that women are really driving the social media revolution. Women actually outnumber men in their use of social networking technologies.

I must say that I agree on many of the points that are played in the chat. The influence of social media in our culture and the empowerment of women are issues that are in vogue and should be treated and studied properly. Like Johanna says “Entertainment and play have a huge impact on people’s lives for instance on the political beliefs and on their health”

Bye Bloggers See you in my next post!

Facebook

I remember the first time I use Facebook I was about thirteen or fourteen years old and it was thanks to a cousin who knew of its existence. The reason why I join this social network was for games and quiz. At first not many people had Facebook, in fact I was the first of my friends to have and I stop occupy for a while until it became popular and everyone started to get an account.
What I like about Facebook is that you can store and to reach valuable memories like photos with family and friends, or simple phrases that reflect your emotional state at a certain time of your life. When I'm at home bored sometimes I go into Facebook and start reviewing old conversations I had with my friends and it's really funny, I can`t stop laughed!
Today, for university, I often use Facebook to keep in touch with my classmates and be aware of what I have to do every day. Facebook is more than a social network, is a tool that makes our lives easier and more fun, BUT we must take care because it can consume you if you spend much time in it. Often happens to me that I forgot my homework to be on Facebook. In fact, when I study I turn off the computer or else I cannot concentrate, is horrible!

In conclusion, facebook is a good thing if you use it properly :)

My favorite writer

I've always considered me a person who enjoys reading, since I was a kid my family taught me the importance of reading to learn about a variety of topics. I remember that when I was in school every year it proposed me to read all and each one of the books that teachers should give us, of course I get it. In summer also I had goals, read at least two books before the vacations end.

As I grew up I lost the habit, but until today I'm interested in all kinds of readings. At the University I had to read texts which never thought interest me! An example of these is biology.

 I don't know how many books I have read in my life, but they must be more than a hundred.

My favorite books are about fiction; I've always seen reading as a means of escape from reality. I think my favorite author is Isabel Allende, I'm not sure, but most of his books like me, especially “La casa de los espiritus”, it shows my favorite character: Clara clairvoyant. Many people hate Isabel Allende; they say their books are empty. I’m not one to judge her, and being honest I really enjoy whit her literature, is light and simple to read.

The last book I read for pleasure? It was quite a while ago, but of course I enjoy it! I must have been delayed three days to finish, that are the time that I usually take me. The book was basically about a girl with telekinetic powers which played a very cruel joke to him and takes revenge, her name was Carrie. I don't know if I would recommend to anyone

A night with Lana del Rey...

Hello Bloggers! Today I gonna talk about one of the best experience that I have in a concert. In last November I went to see the concert of the singer and songwriter Elizabeth Woolridge Gran known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, this was done in the “Movistar Arena” located in Parque O’Higgins.

Lana del Rey is known for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, particularly that of the 1950s and 1960s (American). The singer has described herself as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra". Musically, she has influence from Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Nirvana and Bruce Springsteen.

The atmosphere in the event it was very estrange, a mixture of very different kind of people, because Lana was not the only singer of the evening, there was other bands that played before whit other styles of music, so you can imagine what it was.

What I liked most was the closeness that had the artist with their fans, she makes them feel like very close friends en every moment of the show! 

I always be a person how lives whit eyes in the sky and feets on the ground. One of my biggest dreams ever is known other cultures, other ways to see the world in any aspect that can imagine, since traditional costumes until cosmology view. 

One of the countries how most attract me is Egypt. I personally think is one of the most mysterious places in entire world, wrapped in magic and so many darkness who makes me feel so excited and too anxious to go, I wanna discover all its secrets! When I was a kid used to play it was an archaeologist in search of mummies and any kind of treasures. The reason why study what I study it’s because I want to be able to exam the great Egyptians pyramids and reed the hieroglyphics written on the walls. Recently I try to learn about hieroglyphics and is going well. For example, the vulture-shaped figure represents the letter A.

I hope one day achieve my dream! 

ZOMBIE TIME!

Zombies are dead bodies infected with a disease. The disease makes them able to walk, but they don't think or have consciences. The reason they're covered in injuries is because you could cut off a zombie's and it wouldn't feel anything. Also they have a tendency to fall apart. You can only kill a zombie by somehow damaging in his brain. I heard about zombies in movies, television and internet.

Zombies are a fun monster to play in fiction. They don't exist in real life. If exist people how believe in zombies is because television and internet lies about that.  Fortunately I don´t know anybody who has joined a zombie cult.

I never believe in zombies or any other monsters so I never by afraid of them. My cousin in contrary always believes in monster and fantasy creatures so when it was a child she lives afraid of and her has to sleep whit the lights on.

I don’t know any person in particularly how reminds me a zombie, but I think all people how gets drunk looks like a zombie in real life because they don’t think very well  and lose their conscience, also they are unable to walk.

An expert that I admire

Bronisław Kasper Malinowski

Bronisław Malinowski was a Polish anthropologist widely considered to be one of the most important anthropologists of the twentieth century. Malinowski was a pioneer in developing the field of cultural anthropology. He established the methodological foundations of ethnographic fieldwork and theoretical analysis that have come to define the discipline.

Malinowski showed in detail that no matter how strange or exotic various practices might appear to outsiders, they were an integral part of the healthy functioning of that community. He demonstrated that even so-called superstitions had a logic and function within the context of that society.

His research focused on Melanesia, where he conducted his famous studies of the Trobrianders, including their form of gift exchange known as Kula ring.

He likes me because he was a pioneer in his working area. He had no fear of entering a world unknown with completely different people, with different customs and ways of life. While the circumstances forced him to be there, no doubt to deepen their work and take advantage of the situation.

A new beginning

This is one of my favorite photos from the beginning of the year at the University. In this photo I am whit my classmates a few minutes of having been "mechoneados" by the group of second year. It was a fun experience! One of the best so far at the University. I do not remember who took the photo really, but whoever it was I appreciate it very much, is a reminder that will treasure forever.

I like it mainly because it is funny and shows how much we enjoy the moment, it also helps me to remember other things that happened that day and were just as entertaining. Then take that picture we had go to gather all the money the second guys we had asked and at night was the "mechona party" what a night! In another post will tell it, have many anecdotes for you ;) 

Animals and Pets

Since I'm a small child in my house we have pets of all types, colors and sizes; dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, turtles and even spiders. Now that live only in my apartment I cannot have animals, but in my family home we still have pets: a dog called Pituca and a cat that we nicknamed Chantal. We had a very large dog breed German Shepherd named Bari, but due to a serious disease they contracted us to sacrifice him.

If know unusual poses of animals? Of course! My dog loves it sleep in the strangest ways, you should see it, it's hilarious!

Personally I hate zoos, it seems to me that it is a prison of animals decorated for people, although I know that in some cases they are necessary, especially when they have no home.

Do you know that you most dislike? Medical tests on animals. It is an abuse of authority from us to them. I understand why they do them, but measures that exist to protect them should be respected and enhanced!

Last year I was bitten by a street dog while giving a ride with my father. It was nothing serious, but I should go to the hospital so review me the injury, cure and put an injection against rabies. Do not blame the dog, is the fault of the authorities that allow that these dogs are alone on the street, nobody controls them and take care. 

My third hand

The cell phone has become one extension of body, I use it for just about everything. I use it as alarm in the mornings and while traveling from my house to the University I check my emails, as well as social networking. Frankly do not know what would do without, the cell keeps me in touch with everyone! When I get bored in class one of the first thing I do is look at the time on the phone, then I joined a social network to find out what's new. Why likes me? Because it has it all! It is a computer to reach the Pocket. Really cannot imagine my life without him, accompanies me in my moments of boredom and loneliness, allows me to communicate with my family and close friends, and in particular allows me to be aware of everything that happens at the University. 

What I am doing now

At present one of the subjects I'm taking this semester is archaeology, which has proven to be my favorite of all. In every class I learn something different, either about ancient civilizations or scientific methods. The teacher is very nice and shows know much. Because I’m new in the university I have no time to take extracurricular activities, but i hope take one the next semester, any sport would be nice. In my free time I try to distract myself watching movies, series or just going out with my friends and family. What I expect from this new academic period? I don't know, pass all the subjects I guess.  Make new friends is something very important to me so I hope do it :)

A little about me...

Hey, mi name is Maximiliano however everybody calls me Maximo or Maxi. I was born in La Serena, but this year i came to Santiago for university. Now I live alone and I have to get used to this new form of life. I am the minor of my brothers and the minor of a long generation of cousins. My first years of education were in San Antonio School. Now I belong to the University of Chile, better known as the “House of Bello”. I study Anthropology, which always was my dream for what I feel very realized. In my free time enjoy of going to the cinema, the literature, eating and going out with my friends. My birthday is a November 28, close to Christmas so I must wait long to receive gifts.

I like to be an active person in social networks, so I have facebook, twitter and tumblr -which is www.lover-under-cover.tumblr.com- visit it whenever you want ;).-