Students at Embassy

The opportunity of the moment

In the last few months, I have had the opportunity to travel with my family to Orlando, Indianapolis, and Boston; we have been living by the beach, and I go for long walks just contemplating the dusk.

I'm enjoying living here so much that I can honestly say that I feel happy. I don't want to sound pretentious and yes, sometimes I feel a little guilty because I know that not many people can do what I'm doing now, but at the same time I reflect on how hard we have worked to get this. Thus, at least for a while I have this opportunity and I'm going to continue enjoying it as much I can.

I think all of us, in different points of our lives, have great opportunities that we must take advantage of. I see my friends from Embassy CES, and they are doing that in different ways. Some go to nightclubs, organize parties, drive around Florida, travel around the United States, and there are even some who, looking at our proximity here to Mexico and the Bahamas, plan to go there. So the thing we all have in common is, we are living the opportunity.

So, the thought that I want to share with you is: pay attention to the opportunities that always appear, and take advantage of them in the best way.  For the moment I’m going to New York this weekend, I will keep you informed.

Last day of term

Last Friday was the last day of my first term. That means that I've now got 15 days of vacation! As a Diploma student, I have 15 days off at the end of every term.

This time, I'm going to spend my vacation at Disneyworld! It's not far from Fort Lauderdale, only three and a half hours by car. Now I'm preparing everything. I'm very excited about it. I've also planned to go to Bush Gardens. They have the best rollercoasters in the world!

But last Friday, I was also sad, because I had to say goodbye to some of the friends I've met here. That is the difficult part, to say goodbye. We spend a lot of time together... then it's always hard to see someone leaving. But fortunately, with the internet and online messaging, we can keep in touch!

Then, Ralph and Gajan, you are a very special guys, and it was great to meet you. Ralph, enjoy your vacation in the U.S! Keep in touch and good luck.

Sonia

A Florida holiday

Click for bigger images. Left to right: Alligators at Animal World; Disney parade; Me on Main Street; Parade in front of the castle.

As a Diploma student I have two weeks of vacation (spring break).

My family came to visit me. We went to Disneyworld for six days. We rented a car, and the commute only took three and a half hours.

We only did two of the parks, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. They are both great! At Magic Kingdom you can see all the Disney 'stars'. It's not only for children; adults can also have a good time there. The best thing are the parades on Main Street.

Animal Kingdom is also great if you like animals. I saw alligators and elephants. Next time I'd like to go to Seaworld. Universal Studios is also very close to Disneyworld.

In Orlando there are a lot of parks - not only Disneyworld and Univesal studios. You can also go to the Bush Gardens, if you like rollercoasters - they have the best ones in the world - you can also visit the Space Kennedy Center. It was great!! 

I hope you enjoy these pictures.

When a friend goes away something is lost in the soul.

Cuando un amigo se va algo se pierde en el alma - those are the words of the chorus of a flamenco song that I used to dance to when I was younger; I used to do it without enough attention to the lyrics. I just danced to it because I liked the rhythm; but these days I remember the song again.

It's so sad when a good friend has to leave the place where we met, shared experiences or simply where we spent time together. We have just finished a term of our Diploma Course at Embassy CES and some of my friends have left; I will continue with others, but I feel sad. I don't like goodbyes.

In our lives we meet a lot of people, but not all of them leave a mark. So many things could influence the process of getting to know people: your mood, the time in your life, how open you feel to making friends - these are just some of them. But even at the perfect time, when you're in a good mood, the click doesn't always happen; I think the most important people are those who leave you a part of them with you and those who allowed you to leave them a part of you.

Well, these days I am remembering the song and some of my friends who have gone away, especially Carmen who was one of the first friends I made here; Andreína, always happy, always pragmatic; Endo and Kei, my favorite Japanese friends in the world; Roger, Ben, Ralph, all of you fellows have a place in my heart and I hope I can see you soon. Definitely when you left something was lost in my soul. Keep in touch.

Cuando un amigo se va algo se pierde en el alma - those are the words of the chorus of a flamenco song that I used to dance to when I was younger; I used to do it without enough attention to the lyrics. I just danced to it because I liked the rhythm; but these days I remember the song again.

It's so sad when a good friend has to leave the place where we met, shared experiences or simply where we spent time together. We have just finished a term of our Diploma Course at Embassy CES and some of my friends have left; I will continue with others, but I feel sad. I don't like goodbyes.

In our lives we meet a lot of people, but not all of them leave a mark. So many things could influence the process of getting to know people: your mood, the time in your life, how open you feel to making friends - these are just some of them. But even at the perfect time, when you're in a good mood, the click doesn't always happen; I think the most important people are those who leave you a part of them with you and those who allowed you to leave them a part of you.

Well, these days I am remembering the song and some of my friends who have gone away, especially Carmen who was one of the first friends I made here; Andreína, always happy, always pragmatic; Endo and Kei, my favorite Japanese friends in the world; Roger, Ben, Ralph, all of you fellows have a place in my heart and I hope I can see you soon. Definitely when you left something was lost in my soul. Keep in touch.

The most effective way to protest is to be naked!

Hi everyone. I was thinking about what to write on the blog, but nothing came out of my head - really I have to confess that - so I thought it would be a good idea to write something about the news.

Well, to make it short like they do on TV, during a web search I saw something that caught my attention. On the same day, there were three protests around the world about different issues, but they had something in common: THE PROTESTERS WERE NAKED.

Have you ever noticed that it doesn't matter how important or laudable the motive of the protest is: for some people, the only way to get attention is to do it naked? These people and their requests had been ignored by the people they supposed should take care of it, so the protesters decided to get naked. At least the media would take notice, and other people would pay attention to the issue.

On the one hand we have a Brazilian young woman protesting against Bush by exhibiting her painted chest in Sao Paulo; on the other, a group of naked cyclists in the exclusive district of Miraflores in Lima protesting against car drivers, and requesting that the authorities give severe sanctions to those who run over cyclists.

I wondered why people have to show something that all of us have - and know about - in order to make people take notice of a relevant issue. I don't know if it works or not, but it's certainly a way, often an amusing one for the observer, to obtain the desired attention.

Hi everyone. I was thinking about what to write on the blog, but nothing came out of my head - really I have to confess that - so I thought it would be a good idea to write something about the news.

Well, to make it short like they do on TV, during a web search I saw something that caught my attention. On the same day, there were three protests around the world about different issues, but they had something in common: THE PROTESTERS WERE NAKED.

Have you ever noticed that it doesn't matter how important or laudable the motive of the protest is: for some people, the only way to get attention is to do it naked? These people and their requests had been ignored by the people they supposed should take care of it, so the protesters decided to get naked. At least the media would take notice, and other people would pay attention to the issue.

On the one hand we have a Brazilian young woman protesting against Bush by exhibiting her painted chest in Sao Paulo; on the other, a group of naked cyclists in the exclusive district of Miraflores in Lima protesting against car drivers, and requesting that the authorities give severe sanctions to those who run over cyclists.

I wondered why people have to show something that all of us have - and know about - in order to make people take notice of a relevant issue. I don't know if it works or not, but it's certainly a way, often an amusing one for the observer, to obtain the desired attention.

Last night

Green Island Inn Click to see bigger

Last night, I went to a barbeque at the Green Island Inn. Once a month the school organises a big barbeque at this student residence. It's a good opportunity to spend time with everyone together.

Yesterday I especially enjoyed the barbeque. I had a great time with Kim, Soojin, Gajahan, Kevin, Jeremy, Andres, Brian, Ben, Ralph...Sometimes I think about that. We were all living our lives in different places, and now we are together here, sharing great moments! How wonderful is that?!

Today, Ben left to go back to Belgium. Ben, I really enjoyed last night and it was a pleasure to meet you. Keep in touch! And don't forget the pictures!

A special day

Last Thursday was a special day at school. Some of us students had been working for almost two months on this special project, a fund-raiser for UNICEF.

We had a lot of ideas, but the easiest way to raise money was organising a lunch-party at school. We sold tickets from Monday to Wednesday, and it was a success! On Thursday, almost everyone was there.

We had a great time! It was a good opportunity to be together, and to get to know other students. But the most important thing is that all the students from Embassy CES donated a little grain of sand in order to help those children who need it so much.

We also organised a raffle. The reward was a free private English lesson. And the winner was.....................my very good friend Gaby !!!

I would like to thank our teachers Joseph and Peter, who helped us with the project and all the school staff who were present on that special day.

(Click to see bigger) Me and Gaby with Embassy CES Fort Lauderdale teacher Peter

Charity event at Embassy CES Fort Lauderdale

"GIVE AWAY!"  and "Help children with UNICEF"

These were the words on some of the signs used by our student friends at Embassy CES in Fort Lauderdale. A group of students and a teacher came up with a great idea to collect money for needy children. They sold tickets for a piece of pizza, chips, soda and delicious chocolates they had made.

Sonia (my co-blogger) was one of the organisers. I’m sure she is going to share with us her experience, I just took some pictures and you know, it's also important register the moment, isn't it? I would like to show you some of them and maybe make you think about how easy it is to help people who have less.

By the way, I won the raffle; do you know what the prize was?.... A private English lesson!!

Click for larger images. Left to right: A student enjoys a slice of pizza; My friend (and co-blogger) Sonia serves a hungry student; Students tucking in; Serving students, with teacher Joseph Maldonado; Hungry students queue; Happy and full up!