Term 3 started

Any posts or comments from 2 March onwards form part of term 3. The blog will continue to count for 10% of marks (at least). Thanks.

Libya: eyewitness accounts

The news from Libya is frightening:

Many of my neighbours died today. My brother was hit by a bullet in his leg. The situation here is horrible. There are helicopters. The sky is raining with bullets...

As I write the United Nationals is deciding to 'punish' Libya with sanctions. In the case of Iraq this (arguably) hurt innocent civilians more than regime leaders. So what else could be done to help Libya?

• Should the European Union send a military force to 'pacify' Libya?
• Would any intervention help the people, or simply escalate the conflict?
• Is it cynical to think that any intervention is really to protect our supply of oil, rather than to help the people of Libya themselves?

Gaddafi was a good friend of Europe while
he supplied oil without causing problems.

They were using ambulances to shoot at people - can you believe it? They were using anti-aircraft weapons. They were shooting continuously...I am so shocked, about what happened today. The whole neighbourhood is terrified. They are shooting at civilians, just so that one person can stay in power. This is unbelievable...

We haven't left the house for six days, apart from going out to buy bread. Now that they've opened Tripoli to the international media, they've made sure they cleaned everything up. I went out in the car and I saw messages on the walls, streets destroyed, bullet holes, blood... Yesterday when I went out again, it looked like a completely different city. Everything was cleaned up so that Gaddafi's people can say: Look, nothing has happened, everything is fine.

(Click here for the full text.)

Well I'm Hector Marlet and this is my first post! hehe
Today I've just come across a video I had saved on my favourites list on the internet. Its about 3 or 4 children, about our age or possibly younger, who once decided to start a business selling clothes (just like Alfredo Saenger). They created this video to promote ther new brand.
I was fascinated 2 / 3 years ago when I saw this . You must have a look at it -  its worth it!!!!

BEFORE LOOP EDIT 2! from Sigurd Neby on Vimeo.

What i would like to debate is the following:

• Do you really think this is a good / appropiate way to promote you clothing brand?
• Do you think extreme sports are going over their limits?
• How do you see the future in this kind of extreme sports looking at this video? (this was made 2 or 3 years ago by 15-17 year old boys)!!! What's next?

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

I was recently told about a website, ted.com, that contains recordings of video conferences held in California. It's absolutely free and its main objective is to spread ideas that are considered to be very important and relevant for society today.

The conferences held are usually short, about 15 or 20 minutes, and they tend to be amusing as they intend to make people become interested in the subject they're about. It doesn't matter if you are into technology, politics or if you are more interested in the entertainment area; the website contains all type of speeches. From 'understanding the rise of China' to 'what makes us happy?', the website arranges the conferences in main themes, or classifies them into cathegories such as persuasive, corageous, funny, inspiring, fascinating...

Some lecturers are quite well-known, like Steve Jobs, and others are very underrated experts of their area of knowledge. I really do recommend that you take a break from studying, check out some videos and give some feedback on what you learned while watching them or what's your opinion about the website in general. Go to http://www.ted.com/

Handling exam stress

Do exams stress you out? Do you find it hard to control your nerves during exams? Well we're here to help you!

Exams are definitely a time when everyone's stress level is up. However, while some people might find this positive and motivating, others might feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Which ever way you feel, here are some useful tips to help you study for your exams.

- Be organized. Learn to combine your normal routine with studying. Even though you might feel like you ought to concentrate on your exams, it is always a efficient to spare some time for relaxation as it clears your mind and helps you study better.

- Limit the amount of coffee and energetic drinks that you take while studying. Although these drugs will boast you up for a while, they will eventually make you feel sick and unable to concentrate. You should only consider taking them every once in a while and when they're necessary.

- Take regular breaks. It's important to take breaks while studying as it helps you remember things better. Also, if you study for too long you will eventually lack concentration for which you will be wasting your time.

- Stay away from stressful people. Even though it might seem as if they were present everywhere you go, try to avoid them as they will only make you feel negative about your exams.

- Don't procrastinate. If you're informed about your exam in advance take time to study for it little by little. This will help you reduce stress and absorb more of what you're studying.

- Think positively. It will help you reduce your stress and stay motivated.

Do you get stressed during exams?

Do you have any tricks that help you study better?

Have you tried or do you consider these techniques work?

Crisis

Hi my name is Jordi Ferrer and I am really excited for making my first post in this wonderful blog.

I would like to talk you about our economical crisis in Spain:

• What are the solutions for this global problem?
• Do you think Zapatero should leave the Spanish government?

The new 2011 revolutions

I think it is quite vital to write about the new revolutions against the governmental system that are taking place right now. It's all over the news, it's been less than 2 months since we've been in the year 2011 and all North African and Western Asia / Arabian countries have protested because of the non-democratic system they live in.

Tunisia was the first to have the control over it's region, followed by Eygpt only a week ago... Although this is the major news, there's been several protests, strikes and riots  in other arab countries such as: Algeria, Libya, Iran, Jordan, Mauritania, Sudan, Oman, Yemen, etc.

But why do I think it is so urgent to state this fact on our year group's blog? Easily answered... Many protests have been posted on internet sites such as: Twitter, Facebook, etc. Therefore people have been able to discuss freely what they thought and felt about the governmet and their unjust rules. People got the chance to take direct action in the revolution whether they were far away from their land or whether they were of an other nationality. Everyone gave their opinion.

I would like those who are interested to talk about how important they think the role of the internet was in these revolutions and their opinion about them (will it damage in some way? is it a major preoccupation the recent increase in power of the society?)

Elena Vall

People under 18 could be driving their car in 2011

Yes it's true! One of our best dreams is going to become real in 2011, so this year!. The Spanish government is going to introduce a law in 2011 that allows under-age people to drive their car accompained by an adult. If somebody under 18 wants to drive a car he has to be examined on the 125cc theorical exam and pass at least 20 practical exams (car).

Wouldn't it be marvellous for us? Especially those that their parents will not let them have a bike never, because they are constantly repeating us that a motorbike is too dangerous. When the law comes up, the majority of first bach students could come with their parents and their car to school.

The advantage of this is that teenagers will be better prepared for driving at 18 alone on the other hand we can't go where ever we want when we want!

What do you think about it, is this a good initiative?

Are there more advantages or disadvantages?

Will this increase or lower risk?

THE TALE OF TWO HALVES

So that was an exciting match wasn't it?

Personally, I think that it was a great advert for football and that both teams played football the way it was meant to be played. Barça as always played breath-taking possesion football, but perhaps lacked a cutting edge when through on goal. Arsenal on the other hand played well and managed to ride the inevitable Barça pressure. Although, they didn't stop there and came out fighting in the second-half with an assured and eye-catching display. Arsenal came out and played football and got there just rewards as Van Persie and Arshavin got the goals that cancelled out David Villa's opener.

Some of the post-match comments made by some of the partisan journalists and commentators is frankly disappointing as I believe in respecting your opposition. The fact of the matter is that Arsenal won the game and deservedly so, and Barça (along with it's fans) have to respect that Arsenal beat them not the referee or their own team. As far as the referee is concerned they will never be perfect (till goal-line technology is introduced!) and I don't think there was much to complain about. Arsenal still have a lot to do but they have the belief and Barça have the obligation to turn the game around and produce a convincing display.

However, this was a great game that deserves an even better return leg. It is all set for a classic on the 8th of March with Barça needing to go out and win the game and Arsenal having renewed confidence in themselves and their counter-attacking threat.

So, can Barça turn it around or will Arsenal hold on to a slender lead?

What did you think of the match last-night? Arsenal's performance? Barça's?

And what are your thoughts on the issue of biased, partisan journalism distorting reality?

Jack Roberts ( a true Gunner)

Is Torres worth it?

Roman Abramovich bought Fernando Torres last week. Our Spanish international player cost Abramovich 58'5M! Torres didn't hesitate and accepted the offer at once. He left Liverpool F.C. and now forms part of Chelsea's squad, forming a golden forward with Didier Drogbar and Nicolas Anelka. Torres is supposed to be the replacemnt for those to who are now in their 30's. The "fuenlabreño" now earns little more than 12M a year from Chelsea F.C. plus revenue from the other advertisements he stars in. Many Liverpool hool's have been infurated by his transfer and some of them burnt a Liverpool t-shirt with his name on it.

Do you think Torres worths that amount of money?

Did Chelsea need another striker like him?

Is the reaction of Liverpool hooligans understandable or acceptable?