Poetry event – 23 April

First of all, I would like to congratulate both my classmates and the EOI's teachers on their poems as well as on their fantastic readings. Admittedly, I have to learn a lot of vocabulary and new expressions from their work. Apart from this, the event was wonderful, with a beautiful mixture of music and poetry that created a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

Nowadays, the 450^th anniversary of  Shakespeare´s birth - the greatest poet in English language- is being celebrated in Stratford-upon- Avon http://www.shakespearesbirthday.org.uk/

In his honor I remind you one of his poems:

Carpe Diem

O mistress mine, where are you roaming?

O stay and hear! your true-love's coming

That can sing both high and low;

Trip no further, pretty sweeting,

Journey's end in lovers' meeting-

Every wise man's son doth know.

What is love? 'this not hereafter;

Present mirth hath present laughter;

What's to come is still unsure:

In delay there lies no plenty,

Then come kiss me, Sweet and twenty,

Youth's a stuff will not endure.

TUDOR'S DYNASTY

History has never been my strong point. In fact I have had serious problems trying to understand the Tudors' genealogical tree, to prepare our last reading task. The reason for my trouble are not only the six marriages of Henry VIII, but also the great amount of "Marys" related to this dynasty : Mary I- Bloody Mary-, Mary Tudor -Mary Queen of France- ,Mary Queen of Scots-Mary Stuart- and Mary of Guise.

 As a consequence I have sought on the Internet and  I have found so much information for my narrow brain than the result has been rather counterproductive. In the end I have chosen this video that since my view summarizes in the easiest way what I wanted to know.

Can Chess Check-mate Alzheimer's?

Thanks to our last lessons, in which we have been learning about neuroplasticity, I have reminded something that I heard years ago related to the benefits of playing chess, in order to prevent Alzheimer's .

In fact, it has been shown by statistics that hardly never great players suffer from this disease. Interestingly, one of them who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, had symptoms that made think that his illness was considerably less developed than his autopsy revealed after his death.

Searching for more information, I have found this video that suggest that this sport can check-mate the onset of Alzheimer's. Admittedly, I do not have a clue about chess. I wish I had the time to learn to play it ,(maybe when I finish my C1 course).

I have bumped into this endearing video by chance, and although it is not obviously the best for practising "listening", it includes a wide range of amazing facial expressions, about which we have been also working. I hope you will enjoy it

Apparently, this lovely man is not avoiding Alzheimer's through the practice of chess. However, I do not think so at all. In contrast, I believe that he is a sensible man, who is able to take loneliness in his stride, instead of slumping dejectedly regretting his misfortune. He gives a valuable lesson of life.