domingo, 25 de diciembre de 2011

ROAST SUCKLING PIG

This morning, both my wife and I, have cooked a suckling pig for the family Christmas lunch.
Here you have the recipe and some pictures to ilustrate the process for cooking a suckling pig.

Recipe for “roast suckling pig”
Ingredients:
  • One suckling pig (between 4 and 5 kilos)
  • Thyme, oregano, some piece of garlics and salt.
  • Lard of pig (about 250 grams)
  • A glass of water
  • Potatoes (optional)
Process:
  • Preheat the oven for 1 hour at 150º.
  • Mix the thyme, oregano, salt, garlic and lard. Spread this mixture to the pork.
  • Cover with a piece of special paper or aluminium foil, ears and tail of the pork to avoid burning them.
  • Put water, potatoes and pork in a baking tray.

Here you have the first pictures I made.


 
  • Put the tray into the oven for 1 hour into the oven.
  • From time to time, pour the sauce that you get, on the pork.
This is the look, after half an hour.

  • After 1 hour rise the temperature to 190º or 200º to get the skin crisp. (keep this way for 15 or 20 minutes)

This should be the look, finally.


 

Tips:

  • Keep an eye on the temperature! Not all ovens heat the same way.
  • Add water if necessary.
  • Make small cuts in the skin of the pork before cooking, to prevent air pockets.
That´s all.
Enjoy your meal!


domingo, 6 de noviembre de 2011

THE SLEEPING VOICE (LA VOZ DORMIDA)


Following the advice from my friend Carolina, yesterday evening, I went to the cinema to see the movie The sleeping voice (La voz dormida) by Benito Zambrano (about a Dulce Chacón´s book).
To begin with I have to tell you that, in my opinion, it´s a wonderful movie.
The movie shows the horrors that some people and families suffered after Spanish Civil War.
I remember the real stories my father and, above all, my grandmother told me about that war and were very similar to the movie story.
The story is very shocking at times, specially for people who lived through similar situations in the past. I saw and heard people crying during the movie. It was very touching!
The main characters are Inma Cuesta (Hortensia) and María León (Pepita). On my view both do an excellent work.
The plot.
Hortensia is in prison in Madrid, after the War, because she is communist. She is pregnant too.
Her husband and some friends were persecuted, because of the same reason, so, they flee to the mountains.
Her sister Pepita moves from Córdoba to Madrid in order to be near her.
Although she doesn´t know nothing about politics, she will have to cooperate with the opposition in order to help her sister Hortensia.
Personal opinion.
As I told you before, the movie is wonderful.
There was a long time I didn´t see a movie so shocking and touching like this.
Therefore if I were you, I shouldn´t miss it.
If you can afford it, don´t hesitate!
That´s all.

martes, 13 de septiembre de 2011

THE SKIN I LIVE IN (BY PEDDRO ALMODOVAR)

A few days ago I went to see the movie The skin I live in (La piel que habito) by Pedro Almodovar.
Antonio Banderas is the main character, and on my view, he does a good work.
However, in my opinion, the movie has a strange and sophisticated plot.
I don´t really Know what Pedro Almodovar wants to say with this film.
I will try to explain the plot.
Antonio Banderas plays a role of a doctor who is obsessed with the change in the human body mainly in the skin, but he uses forbidden techniques.
He´s also had a big trauma because he lost his wife in a car accident a few years ago.
Some years after, his daughter suffers a rape and as result of that, she commits suicide.
The doctor knows the person who did that then he kidnaps him and, like a punishment, he starts to change his body with a lot of operations until he got transform him into a woman similar to his wife.

As you can see and as I told you before, the plot is something sophisticated.
Nevertheless, I can say that, minute by minute the plot attracts the people attention, but
I don´t think this movie is one of the most important films of Pedro Almodóvar.
Therefore, in regard to whether or not I would recommend this movie, I have to say that I don´t have any strong opinion about that.
I think that the Pedro Almodóvar´s fans should see it in order to compare this movie with other movies of this director, but if you don´t like dramas, you shouldn´t  see it.
That´s all.

Note: Sorry a lot for my mistakes. But I have to remind you that I am only an English student. Thank you very much.

A LETTER FOR YOU

A few days ago I received this letter from a friend. I think this letter could be for you too.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say"I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage.....And old cars... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to all those people who are "keepers" in your life, including the person who sent it, if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow...

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

domingo, 24 de abril de 2011

THINGS TO DO IN PARIS

Diary of my trip to Paris
Introductory remarks:
A few days ago I was in Paris with my wife and friends.
In order to practice English, I am going to write a diary about the trip and personal experiencies I had during the days I was there.
Generally speaking, we had a good days there, but, sometimes, we had some setbacks that I will explain in due course.
I´ll also add some photos in order to ilustrate my remarks.
Finally, I ´ll publish this diary in five instalments and I hope you enjoy them or. at least, may serve you to practice basic English reading

First day: Monday 18th April, 2011
That day we got up at six o´clock, had breakfast and set off early by car bound for Seville where we would take the plane to Beauvais, a town 70 kilometers from Paris.
The flight was wonderful because the weather was excellent, no clouds, and, as we were sitting by the window, we enjoyed wonderful views during the flight.
I remember a young man sitting next to me, drawing a cartoon where you could see a boy in front of the Eiffel Tower.
We arrived to the airport at one o´clock. We went to the bus station, that was not far from the airport, and we set off to Paris.
One there, we took an undergound and we arrived to the hotel.
The hotel was not very good, However it was very good located. Two minutes walking from bus and underground stations,supermarkets, restaurants and pubs.
That evening we had planned to visit the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris) and Montmartre district, and we did.
The Sacre Coeur is a big basilica located in an uptown area. From there you can see the whole city. It is amazing!
Here you have some photos about the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. In my opinion it is worth visiting.



After that we went to Montmartre, a quarter next to the Basilica, and well-known in Paris. In this area lived a lot of famous painters in the past. Nowadays people go there to visit a square where painters paint outdoor pictures and portraits of tourists.
There you will find a lot of shops and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional cuisine. Be careful with alcohol! It is very expensive! (in some places, one beer = 10 €)
If you are going to visit Paris you shouldn´t miss this place. I´m sure you will not be disappointed.



Finally, before reaching the hotel, we passed by the Moulin Rouge. The Moulin Rouge is a famous nightclub. The place was very nice with the lighting on
Here you have one photo.


Well, that´s all.
The next instalment in a few days.

miércoles, 9 de marzo de 2011

ST. PATRICK´S DAY


Saint Patrick´s day
Saint Patrick´s day is one of the most important days for Irish people.
But, who was Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick was born with the name of Maewyn in 387, in Bennhaven Taberniae, current day Scotland.
At the age of 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave.
A few years later he escaped and started to preach Catholicism in Ireland.

By the seventh century, he had come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.
Saint Patrick's Day is observed on March 17, the date of Patrick's death.
On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

That day, people, streets, shops, schools,... turn green. This colour symbolizes the spring (a season that starts a few days later).

The shamrock is the image or the symbol of the party and symbolizes good luck.
Saint Patrick used a shamrock to explain the mystery of The Holy Trinity

Finally, shamrocks, beers and green colours, are the main elements of Saint Patrick´s day.

domingo, 20 de febrero de 2011

English Proverbs


  • A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
  • A cat in gloves catches no mice.Gato con guantes no caza ratones.
  • A stitch in time saves nine.Más vale prevenir que curar.
  • A word is enough to the wise.A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.
  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder.La ausencia alimenta al corazón.
  • Actions speak louder than words.Los hechos valen más que las palabras.
    Del dicho al hecho hay un gran trecho.
  • All cats are grey in the dark.Por la noche todos los gatos son pardos.
  • All griefs with bread are less. Las penas con pan son menos.
  • All roads lead to Rome.Todos los caminos conducen a Roma.
  • All that glitters is not gold.No es oro todo lo que reluce.
  • All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.Hay que divertirse y dejar de lado el trabajo por un rato.
  • An apple a day keeps the doctor away.Más vale prevenir que curar.
  • An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.Ojo por ojo y diente por diente.
  • Appearances are deceptive. / Looks are deceiving.Las apariencias engañan.
  • Barking dogs never bite.Perro ladrador, poco mordedor. / Perro que ladra no muerde.
  • Beggars can't be choosers.Cuando hay hambre, no hay pan duro.
  • Better late than never.Más vale tarde que nunca.
  • Better safe than sorry.Más vale pervenir que curar.
  • Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.Más vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer.
  • Birds of a feather flock together.Dios los cría y ellos se juntan.
  • Blood is thicker than water.Los lazos familiares son más fuertes.
  • Chip off the old block.De tal palo, tal astilla.
  • Common sense is the least common of senses.El sentido común es el menos común de los sentidos.
  • Do what is right, come what may.Haz siempre lo correcto.
  • Don't bite more than you can chew.El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.
  • Don't bite the hand that feeds you.No le muerdas la mano a quien te da de comer.
  • Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.No cantes victoria antes de tiempo. / No montes el caballo antes de ensillarlo.
  • Don't cry before you are hurt.No llores antes de tiempo.
  • Don't look a gift-horse in the mouth.A caballo regalado no le mires los dientes.
  • Don't meet trouble halfway.No te preocupes antes de tiempo.
  • Don't put all your eggs in one basket.No te lo juegues todo a una sola carta.
  • Early to bed, early to rise,
    makes the man healthy, wealthy and wise.
    A quien madruga, Dios lo ayuda.
  • Empty vessels make the most noise.Mucho ruido y pocas nueces.
  • Every cloud has a silver lining.No hay mal que por bien no venga.
  • Every law has its loophole.Hecha la ley, hecha la trampa.
  • Every time the sheep bleats, it loses a mouthful.Oveja que bala, bocado pierde.
  • Experience is the mother of knowledge.La experiencia es la madre de la ciencia.
  • Finders, keepers; losers, weepers.El que se fue a Sevilla, perdió su silla.
  • Give a dog a bad name and hang it.Hazte fama y échate a dormir. /
    Un perro maté y mataperros me llamaron.
  • God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.Dios aprieta pero no ahoga.
  • Half a loaf is better than none.Algo es algo, peor es nada. / Menos da una piedra.
  • He that fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.Soldado que huye, sirve para otra guerra. /
    Quien en tiempo huye, en tiempo acude.
  • He who laughs last, laughs best.Quien ríe último ríe mejor.
  • Hunt with cats and you catch only rats.Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.
  • If you have made your bed, now lie in it.Si cometes un error, debes asumir las consecuencias.
  • In for a penny, in for a pound.De perdidos, al río.
  • It never rains, but it pours.Las desgracias nunca vienen solas.
  • It takes all sorts to make a world.Hay de todo en la viña del Señor.
  • It's good fishing in troubled waters.A río revuelto, ganancia de pescadores.
  • It's never too late to learn.Nunca es tarde para aprender.
  • It's no good crying over spilt milk.A lo hecho, pecho. / No hay que llorar sobre la leche derramada.
  • It's the last straw that breaks the camel's back.Es la gota que colma el vaso.
  • Let bygones be bygones.Lo pasado, pisado. / Borrón y cuenta nueva.
  • Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.Preocúpate del futuro cuando llegue.
  • Like father, like son.De tal palo, tal astilla.
  • Many a little, makes a mickle.Grano a grano, se hace una montaña.
  • Many hands make light work.Muchas manos hacen el trabajo ligero.
  • Money is the root of all evil.El dinero es el camino de la perdición.
  • More haste, less speed.Vísteme despacio que tengo prisa.
  • Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.No te hagas problema hasta que los problemas te angustien.
  • No pain, no gain.El que quiere celeste, que le cueste.
  • No news is good news.La falta de noticias es una buena noticia.
  • Nothing ventured, nothing gained.Quien no arriesga, no gana. / Quien no se arriesga, no cruza la mar.
  • One man's meat is another man's poison.Sobre gustos no hay nada escrito. / Para gustos, los colores.
  • Once bitten, twice shy.Gato escaldado, del agua fría huye.
  • People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.No hagas a los demás lo que no quieres que te hagan a ti.
  • Politeness costs nothing.Lo cortés no quita lo valiente.
  • Rome wasn't built in a day.Roma no se hizo en un día.
  • Silence is golden.El silencio es sagrado. / En boca cerrada no entran moscas.
  • Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.La experiencia es la madre de la sabiduría.
  • Step by step, one goes a long way.Paso a paso, se recorre un largo camino.
  • Talk of the devil and he's sure to appear.Hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta asoma con su cetro y su corona.
  • Take care of the pennies/pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves.Ahorra la calderilla y tendrás dinero. / Muchos pocos hacen un montón.
  • The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.De tal palo, tal astilla.
  • The die is cast.La suerte está echada.
  • The early bird catches the worm.A quien madruga, Dios lo ayuda.
  • The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.Lo mejor siempre lo tiene el otro.
  • The shoemaker's son goes always barefoot.En casa de herrero, cuchara de palo.
  • There's many a slip twixt cup and lip.
    Entre mano y boca desaparece la sopa. / Del plato a la boca se pierde la sopa.
  • Think twice, act wise.Piensa dos veces antes de actuar.
  • To call a spade, a spade.Al pan, pan y al vino, vino.
  • To err is human; to forgive, divine.Errar es humano, perdonar es divino.
  • Too many cooks spoil the broth.Demasiados cocineros estropean el caldo. / Muchas manos en un plato hacen mucho garabato.
  • Two in distress makes sorrow less.Las penas compartidas saben a menos.
  • Variety is the spice of life.En la variedad está el gusto.
  • What a small world!¡El mundo es un pañuelo!
  • What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
  • What goes around, comes around.Se cosecha lo que se siembra.
  • When in Rome, do as the Romans do.Donde fueres haz lo que vieres.
  • When one is hungry, everything tastes good.Cuando hay hambre, no hay pan duro.
  • When there's a will, there's a way.Querer es poder.
  • When there's life, there's hope.Mientras hay vida, hay esperanza.
  • Where there's smoke, there's fire.Cuando el río suena, agua lleva.
  • While the cat's away, the mice will play.Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan.
  • You can't have your cake and eat it too.No se puede tener todo en la vida. / No puedes estar en misa y repicando.
  • You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.No se puede pedir peras al olmo. / Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda.
  • You can't teach an old dog new tricks.Loro viejo no aprende a hablar.
  • You have to take the rough with the smooth.Hay que tomar la vida como es. / Hay que estar a las duras y a las maduras.

sábado, 12 de febrero de 2011

HISTORY OF VALENTINE´S DAY


English version text click here.
Spanish version text click here.

martes, 25 de enero de 2011

No Violencia y Paz -30 de Enero -

Imagine there's no Heaven 
It's easy if you try 
And no Hell below us 
Above us only sky 

Imagine all the people 
Living for today 
Imagine there's no country 
It isn't hard to do 

Nothing to kill or die for 
And no religion too 
Imagine all the people 
Living life in peace 

You may say I'm a dreamer 
But I'm not the only one 
Maybe someday you will join us 
And the world will be as one 

Imagine no posessions 
I wonder if you can 
No need for greed or hunger 
Or Brotherhood of Man 

Imagine all the people 
Sharing all the world 
You may say that I'm a dreamer 
But I'm not the only one 

And maybe someday you will join us 
And the world will be as one 

You may say that I'm a dreamer 
But I'm not the only one 
Maybe someday you will join us 
And the world will be as one...

domingo, 9 de enero de 2011

Tongue Twisters!!!

A fun way to help students with pronunciation is to implement tongue twisters into your curriculum. Tongue twisters are difficult for non-native speakers but are very helpful for learning proper pronunciation. Below is one of my favorite tongue twisters.

Practice the tongue twister at this link.
"How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood."

Once you can say this rapidly you have mastered English!!!

Como pronunciar el R y el W en ingles.

Este video es ideal para practicar la pronunciacion del R y W


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKHYnavxMns