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Finally, the end of my school travel is almost near. Time flies and years have passed quicker and quicker. I hve to admit that both primary school and now high school have left a mark on me. During these schoolar years I have learnt many things (some of them more useful than others) but, what is more important to me, I have met lots of people: classmates, good friends, teachers and staff of the center. 

Its hard to recognize but I am a bit sad that an important part of my life is almost finished. However, a new passage is going to start and it makes me feel excited to discover a new world and get out of my confort zone. Now I will be aware if I am actually ready to make that big step. That is why this new stage worries me a bit; its difficult to accept that you are not an student of the school that has seen you grow anymore and now it is time to fly away and discover a new life.

Let's hope everything goes well!!

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Complain about third term

Third term was a crazy term. We have done the course topics in half of a term, what is mad!! I am really stressed out. 

I know this is the only way to prepare us for Selectivitat, but it is very difficult to motivate students if they are aware of the schedule. Most teachers tried to simplify their subject and taught us the basics. However, it is too much information for a short periode of time. Students know they have to do their best every term, but in this last one it is hard to get the results you want. We should keep up-to-date all the subjects but some ones are more difficult than the others.

This term is challenging because pressure don't have to discourage us, we have to keep working to get the best marks and results to get ready for Selectivitat and achive tha higher mark possible.

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21st century education

Now we live in modern times and we belong to the digital era. New technologies are improving every day and this is because of the amount of sources that scientists have.
So this improvement has to be present in 21st century schools. Basicaly because it's necessary to show students how they can use technology for their daily routine. Everyone must know about how it works, but specificaly students may know this better because they are the future. Technology evolves faster and faster so new generations pupils should control it.
Education should be more focused on learning every subject by new technologies. This would let the students to learn a bit of everything using this great source of facilities and information.

My experiences of the Research Paper

There are some reasons to consider that doing a Research Paper is a positive experience for students.

First of all because I enjoyed doing the practical part in the lab, so I could do all the practices on my own. The main positive point was that I could cultivate bacteria and I could check by myself the effect of disinfectants on these bacterial cultures.

The second reason why I am satisfied with doing this project is because I learnt new things and I got a deeper knowledge on topics that I already knew.

And finally, another good aspect of performing this research paper is that I could enjoy the experience with my tutor because it is a personal way of learning.

In conclusion, I consider that the research paper is a positive aspect of Batxillerat due to the fact you have to organise all the information that you have gathered, and it leads you make a good structure of the body of the project. It is a different way of learning from Batxillerat. However, if you don’t work constantly, it is very tough!!

What are the positive and negative effects of texting?

Texting, or text messaging, is the way of sending information from cellular and smart phone devices. Texting is a common way that people are using mobile technology. Messages can be sent as text, pictures, video, or audio. A text message can be sent to individual or multiple mobile phones and devices.
The main positive thing that the advance in technology has done is:
The ability of sending messages through a "small" device. We don't have to write a letter, or write an e-mail, or even call to someone anymore. Technology let us texting immediately to the person we want.
But there is a big problem that texting entails:
Now we get used to text everything, it doesn't matter either if it is important or not. We resolve our problems via texting. We have lost the habit of meeting with people when we need to solve any problem. Even we don't hang out as much as we used to, because we prefer to talk to our friends by Whatsapp.

Texting supposed the evolution of the letters and e-mails, they are now only one small thing. But as I said before, we've lost the closeness to our dearest friends or family because of its great traits. Everything related with the technology progress is very positive, so it means our civilization is improving. But I really think that every human bond is more important than any technological improvement.

Report on my high school

My high school is quite a good study centre because all the staff that works there (the board of directors, the teachers, the secretaries and the caretakers) will help you whenever you need.

Even though, there are some details that I would change or improve in my high school.

The first one, and I consider it the most important one, is to paint all the building with at least one colour. Now it is all grey because of the material from which the building is made. I have to say that it wouldn’t seem a prison if it weren’t for both colour and the fences that surround a part of the building.

And the second issue that I would change is part of the skills that students have to learn. Learning a little bit of every subject during ESO is a good thing for us to get a basic knowledge of everything. However, I feel it is appropriate that teachers prepare those pupils who want to go to Batxillerat in a specifically way during 4th of ESO, so the basic knowledge of the ESO years are not enough to truly face Batxillerat level.

With these few changes, pupils would be happier, a basic thing to make their academic progress better.

Finally, I want to add that, over all, I am very satisfied with these six years that I have studied there, because, as I said at the beginning, most of the people that work there are very kind and they will try to help you every time.

About wars: are they really necessary?

Over the centuries, wars have been present in the different civilizations, whether for economic, political or cultural issues. For that reason, it is necessary to assess if they are really necessary or they can be avoided.

Wars, despite the fact that they would benefit the winner, usually have more negative effects than positive ones. Although it is considered that the war is a "fast-track" to solve a problem, it is not true that it is the most suitable. There are other methods that, although they could be longer, they can be equally or more effective, without hurting both parties.

However, only in extreme cases, war can be "accepted" as the only way to defend themselves. Moreover, these exceptions should only be against the person responsible and the effects should not harm innocent citizens.

So, as I previously mentioned, wars should be avoidable, except in those cases where it is really the most effective tool to combat the problem.

The loss of biodiversity

One of the serious environmental problems we face today is the loss of biodiversity, which includes the set of living beings that inhabit an ecosystem. Unfortunately, the loss of biodiversity generates an irreversible process that means the extinction of species.

Nowadays, the main causes of species extinction are pollution and their habitat destruction. Another significant cause is the introduction of invasive species that displace the local ones. And a third reason, is the hunting and exploitation, whether for business interests or for leisure. An example of this is the ivory of the elephant’s tusks, which is very valuable. Mainly, the loss of biodiversity entails an imbalance of the natural ecosystem and also has an effect on the economy associated with these species.

To conclude, I can say that the loss of biodiversity is an alarming issue that is mostly caused by humans and affects the ecosystem in which we live. We should put an end to that situation by creating natural reserves or zoos.

21st November Show in Bàscara

Last Saturday Somboits played in the Bàscara's local party. We checked that every effort has its reward. We've worked very hard during these moths to elaborate a show, we don't know if worthy enough, for the public. We played some covers from The Cat Empire, Els Catarres, Bongo Botrako and our own songs.

We are very glad to have the opportunity to play next to Itaca Band, AtVersaris and Adrià Giner DJ. We had so much fun and we spent such a good time. It was the first time we played in an event like that and we were very proud to have achieved it.

We can only say thank you to everyone who came!

Now we will "disappear" from scenario a few months to prepare new themes but we will return with more energy than ever!!

FAMOUS FAILURES

When our teacher showed us the picture that contained statements about the failures that some of the most successful famous had, it shocked me.

It taught me that every body can fail as often as necessary if you don't lose the desire of progress. Moreover, these failures teach you your errors and this will make you reach the best option next time you try.

What people don't know is that some of the famous we admire had failed, but they didn't give up, faced their struggles and achieved their dream and succeed in their respective field of study and work.

Stars like Michael Jordan or Walt Disney at first they were not very lucky. Jordan when he was a child was cut from his hight school basketball team. Then, this fact made Jordan start training so he arrived to the NBA and now is considered the best basketball player ever.

In Walt Disney case, he was fierd from a newspaper because he "didn't have good ideas or imagination". After that, he created Disney Company that has marked on our childhood.

So in conclusion, the quote "If you've never failed, you've never tried anything new" sumarises perfectly this topic.

How do ads influence viewers?

The function of advertisments is to persuade people to buy something, and to influence people, some techniques are used to trigger buying decisions.

When we sit down in front of the TV and we see advertisements, we let companies influence us in what we have to spend our money on. Honestly, I don't believe that I am susceptible to being influenced by advertising. And I'm sure other people think the same. However, it wouldn't be so present if it didn't work.

Advertisers sends us subliminal messages in the ads, so we will not notice we are being manipulated. These ads appear innocently in to have an influence on us.

One of the reason for advertising is simply informing people that a product exists and we can now buy it. The most people know about a product, the most products will be sold.

What ads do is influence people to buy a product and then the result will let the company know about the positive valuations and, in consecuense, they will see the negative valuations, too. So the companies will know if the product is well sold or not, and this will make them modify the product to make it more competitive.

Lots of advertising connects a product or brand with a way of life. This makes people identify with that lifestyle and make them feel attracted to the products.

In conclusion ads affect us a lot, wether if we want or not. They are very powerful and influence our lifestyle.

Which type of humour do you prefere?

It is very funny when I see videos where slaptick is present. I have so much fun when I see people falling or being hitted on any part of the body, because you know that they maybe are getting hurt but they didn't breake any part of the body and, in fact, it's because of their fault. They have done fooly things. That's the reason because I laugh so much.

But I like irony and a bit of sarcasm, too. It is interesting to me these types of humour because not everybody gets them. They require a bit of intelligence to understand them.

Quotes like this:

It makes me reflect about these statements that are mentioned here. And it is true. We "need" to experiment bad things to know the good ones. If we don't know what is sadness, we can not appreciate what is happiness.

So, I like to have fun seeing slaptick videos, but I prefere to read ironic quotes that make me think about things in general.

A joke that made me laugh

ALWAYS BRING THE FINGERS
A man working with an electric saw accidentally cuts off all of his fingers. At the emergency room, his doctor says, "Give me the fingers, and I'll see what I can do."
The injured man replies, "But I don't have the fingers!"
"Why didn't you bring them?" the doctor asks.
The injured man responds, "Doc, I couldn't pick them up."

This is quite a funny joke that is classified in the Doctor genre, but it has a bit of dark humour.

How long could you survive without modern thecnology?

Nowadays lots of people need technology for their daily lives because we live in the 21st century, so society is dominated by modern technical issues.

Fortunately, technology has moved forward very fast since the late 90's and all of the 21st century. This is a very important fact because it has helped to face lots of aspects, like finding cures for a very large vaiety of diseases or passing on information in various formats, with speed.

However, now people use their mobile phones or laptops or tablets to comunicate to everyone at any time and also they check information through Internet.

They are addicted and obsessed with this modern technology. And it is very difficult to change because the different brands and companies have established them as a necessary issue to belong to the modern society.

I could survive without my mobile, my laptop or whatever "modern people" use beacause luckily I am not as addicted as many of my friends. They would suffer two hous without modern technology.

1st Batxillerat Review

My first year of Batxillerat was a bit strange because it passed very fast.

First of all, it was a quite complicated year because if you wanted to take a good mark you had to study a lot (not like in ESO, where you can take good marks without studying a lot).

In 1st Batxillerat you don't have as many projects or homework than in 3rd or 4th of ESO. And this fact helps a lot because you can be more focused on studying every single subject.

Then, I noticed that my level dropped down from the first term to the third term, so my marks dropped to. I know it is a difficult year but it is not an excuse.
I considere I have learnt a lot during the school year. 

I hope to remain the level and can take good marks to study the degree I want.

So, 1st Batxillerat was a profitous year because I learned a lot thanks to the teachers and, above all, thanks to the classmates I had.

My top 10 favourite rock bands and some of their songs

1. The Beatles: I think this was the first rock band I heard about and I interested in, so because of that I put them in the first place.
Hey Jude, A day in the life, Let it be are my favourite songs.
2. The Rolling Stones: This is a great band that I admire because they are from the "Old School".
Satisfaction, Gimme Shelter, Sympathy for the devil.
3. AC/DC: This is the band I listen to more frecuently and that I like the most now. I really enjoy listening to Angus Young solos.
You shoock me all night long, Back in black or Highway to hell.
4. Guns n' Roses: I like this band because of their awsome guitarrist: Slash, with a fantastic artistic career that has made everyone enjoy.
Paradise City, Welcome to the jungle or Sweet Child O'mine are some of the songs that I love.
5. Metallica: Master of puppets, One.
6. Jimmy Hendrix: I think he is one of the bests guitarrists of all times.
Voodoo Child, All along the watchtower.
7. Led Zeppelin: Starway to heaven, Kashmir.
8. Nirvana: a revolutionary band that made enjoy all their fans.
The man who sold the world, Smells like teens spirit.
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Californication, Soul to squeeze.
10. U2: With or without you, One.

It is a very subjective classification. Maybe some people like it or maybe others hate it but this is a honest opinion in what I really believe.

My favourite cartoons

My favourite cartoons are The Simpsons. I think this is the best show ever because you don't get borred (you cannot get borred) with any episode. It's a very clever and intelligent show that rewards paying attention. There are always references to many things that in every viewing of an episode you will find something you hadn't before.

At first, The Simpsons achieved their popularity from the everyday episodes and way of life of the Simpson family. Homer is very lazy and doesn't like his job, Bart doesn't study at school and hi is a naughty boy. Marge a usual housewife, responsible and the voice of reason. Lisa, the smartest member of the family, and maybe the different of the family. And finally Maggie, not a simple baby , but a member of the family that plays and important roll in the show. This program makes funny imperfect things. This show is packed with jokes and because it's a cartoon, the writers can get away with surreal scenes.

So better you saw it and don't miss any episode of this peculiar family.

SOMBOITS

Somboits is the name of my new group, an Empordanès group born in early 2015. It is formed by 8 great music students eager to form a group and to make people sing and dance with their music.
We considere that we have not a difining style or kind of music because we play a great variety of music styles.
The members of the group are:
Roger Carreras: the guitarrist and principal vocalist (although he is a great drummer and percussionist). He is the soul of the group.
Martí Sanchez: the pianist, accordionist (and any instrument you can imagine) and second vocalist. He is the soul of the group, too.
Ot Subiranas: the bassist.
Arnau Grau: the drummer.
Ion Cortada: percussion instruments and third vocalist.
Josep Comas: the trumpeter and chorister.
Pau Torras: saxophonist and chorister.
And me, Gabrirel Almeida: fiscorn/trombonist.

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/somboits

Summer 2015

Now we have almost finished, I can only think about summer. This was a very hard year and I think we deserve these summer holidays.

During the vacations I will go very often to the beach and spent time with my friends. I will use summer to get away

But I have to "hardwork" to: I must work on the research project, so when classes start again, I will not have so much pressure. And my tutor will be proud and confident with me. However, I have to study a lot the fiscorn to progress and improve my level (I hope next season I will be ready to play in a good professional cobla). And I will take some classes to brush up my knowledge about what I've learnt this year (Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Biology). I say "hardwork" because I have to do it well, but I don't mind because I like to do it and, what's more important, I enjoy doing it.

Then, I'm sure I will rehearse a lot with SOMBOITS to be ready to do a great concert if someone hires us.

And maybe I will go a whole weekend to Italy to visit my family that lives there.

Maybe it is not the most exciting summer but I like the plan.

An impressing trombone loop of "Happy"

I was searching songs on Youtube to play with the trombone and suddenly I found this video. When I saw the title of the video, I wanted to listen to that song because I dindn't know what a trombone loop was. When it started, I thought it wouldn't be interesting because when I saw the computer I was sure that it would be a playback. Then, I get a bit jealous and angry with myself while I was watching and listening to the video. I couldn't believe that only one persone could do that. But it was really and Mr. Cristopher Bill was playing alone and as well as the video showed. I was such impressed that I searched for some information about this great musician. He is musician since he was 6. He plays the piano, but since he was 10, he plays the trombone.He has a Bachelor of Music for classical trombone performance at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York. He is best known for his all-trombone arrangements of popular songs. And thanks to that and his great hability for music, now he participates in many events.
Someday I really want to play that well but I know it is impossible. So I can only keep studying to become the best I can.

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