Letter to my parents

Hello mum and dad!

I’m writing this letter to thank you for all the love that you have given me since I was born. I had a fantastic childhood, and as I see it, being happy in your early years is the key to become a nice person in every aspect of your life.

Sometimes I find myself smiling when I remember many special moments of my childhood. Playing outdoors with my neighbourhood friends is such a sweet memory to recall. We spent hours and hours riding the bike and talking and moaning about our Maths homework. I also enjoyed my football trainings as a child. I met so many friends there! Getting into a sport team is something that everyone should do. Having fun while doing healthy activities is such a perfect combination.

The sad point is that nowadays I see many kids hooked on their tablets playing videogames instead of enjoying nature while spending their spare time with some friends. They are strongly influenced by advertisements and are on social networks. From my point of view, they are wasting the best part of their childhood, which is playing outdoors with your friends!

Anyhow, what I stated above makes me appreciate even more the education that you gave me, not demanding high standards but at the same time teaching me to share responsibilities at home and in life in general. I feel that that balance made a difference, and I just wanted to share my thoughts with you to say thank you for all these years. You made of me who I am nowadays.

One big hug, your son, Alejandro.

Space Debris. Outline + Introduction + Conclusion

Outline + Introduction + Conclusion

I. The amount of space debris has increased greatly in the recent years due to the numerous launches of satellites that many space companies have made. In the mid and late twentieth century the number of launches was much lower than now, so this was not a great issue. With the spread of GPS, Internet, and mobile communications in general, this has become a major problem that governments are ignoring. Space debris is now a problem with bad consequences for our planet.

II. Risks of accidents

A.      In the space

B.      On the Earth surface

III. Contamination.

A.      Radioactive piece fall in the ocean

B.      Impacts could cause fire on forests

IV. Prevention and Solutions

                A.Research on disposable materials

                B.Space “cleaning” programmes

V. Due to the potential dangers that space debris can cause, both to the environment and people, governments must create prevention and solution plans to solve this problem and to avoid future issues related to this matter. We cannot keep ignoring space trash and its consequences.

Environment protection in Spain

As I see it, in Spain people are not really committed to the protection of the environment in general, but from my point of view this is getting better over time. From some years to now, several improvements have been done, for example the installation of recycle containers instead of the unique bin from the past. Now there is also a coastal area protection law that forbids the construction of buildings to protect animal species. But there is a lot of work to do though. The air pollution is a serious concern nowadays. Cities like Madrid or Barcelona are often covered with a layer of contaminated air which is a danger to health, more specially to the elderly and children. Building more bike lanes would be a good solution for these matters, and also encouraging people to use more the public transport by lowering prices.

In my family there is not much concern about natural environment. We do not usually recycle, only glass and paper, but not plastic for example. I always try to recycle some dangerous items like batteries or used oil. Some friends of mine do recycle at home and some others just do not care and even throw trash while walking around the street. I think that we Spanish people have to learn from countries like Japan, where the protection of the environment is a must and many laws enforce that commitment.

Thesis Outline: "Murcia needs a bike lane"

Thesis Outline – Murcia Bike Lane

I.  Murcia, because of the great number of inhabitants urgently needs a proper bike lane.

II. Bike renting is available but there is no safe place to drive them

     A. Accidents due to bikes and cars sharing roads

     B. Lack of use of this service because of the danger

III. Would solve chaotic traffic downtown

     A. Punctuality at work

     B. Relief on stress on the morning

IV. Reduction of contamination

     A. Bikes do not throw any toxic gas whatsoever

     B. Using public transport would be more suitable due to less cars

V. Because of the amount of benefits related to both environmental matters and safety, Murcia needs a bike lane in order to stay free of pollution and accidents downtown.

Origin of some customs of Halloween

Jack ‘O Lanterns

The traditions of carving jack 'o lanterns originates with the Celts. A miserable man named Jack, tricked the devil. Unable to enter heaven or hell after his death, he was destined to roam the earth listlessly. Jack placed a piece of coal into a carved-out turnip and used it as a lantern to keep the evil spirits away. Today, pumpkins (which are easier to cut) are carved into jack-o-lanterns, lit and placed outside of doorways for the same purpose.

Trick or Treating

The custom of trick or treating evolved in Ireland, centuries ago. In preparation for All Hollow's Eve, the poor would call upon the rich folks and request money, gifts and food. The food was gathered for a huge feast and celebration.

Bonfires

In Northern Ireland, it was a custom of Druids to perform ritualistic ceremonies and make sacrifices to pacify their gods. The Celts would bring wood and start their Samhain bonfire or, fire festival, on the hilltop. They would often throw the bones of slaughtered cattle into the flames. The word "bonfire" is said to be derived from such "bone fires". Bonfires and sacrifices guaranteed that the sun would burn brightly after a long winter. It's common to see hundreds of traditional bonfires in Ireland every year on Halloween Night.

Man of the edge ending

The man does not give up in his intent of jumping off the edge, and people keep crowding at the street. The police psychologist tries to divert the man attention by asking him some questions about several topics. The conversation keeps going for about three hours, and the psychologist’s personal problems start to flourish. He did not have a better life than the jumper. His wife had cheated on him with his best friend and he had a big debt with the bank because of an unlucky investment that turned out to be a scam. Both men on the edge start to empathize with each other to the point that they both decide to jump holding hands to escape together of such a miserable life. As they are falling and feeling the air on their faces, they realize that it is not the concrete what will stop their fall. Poetically maybe, a garbage truck is passing by, and both men, who tried to leave their problems behind, find themselves surrounded by rotten fish and smelly food. They were now truly sunk in the shit. 

Problem and solution by Mario Costa

Global warming (Problem)

One of the most important global issues nowadays is the climate change and consequently, global warming. Due to the use of oil-derived carburant, an insane amount of toxic gases from factories and cars are thrown to the atmosphere every day. That contamination is causing a hole in the ozone layer, letting the most dangerous radiation from the sun hit the Earth surface, and so rising the temperature of the whole world, which leads into problems like ice melting at the poles and danger to some animal species.

Response from Mario Costa (Solution)

To start with, people should begin doing things like using less CFC’s sprays, taking more public transports or recycling everything they throw to the bin. Cars should be changed for bicycles, and governments should encourage young people to investigate about renewable energy sources, apart from investing in this issue.