Google has just recently released the Beta version of its new web browser called Chrome. It has several traditional features included in other web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, but at the same time adds a couple of new ones.
The Features (as stated in the Google Chrome site) are:
- One box for everything: web browsing, history, search, and suggestions are all found in a single window, for comfortable browsing.
- New Tab page: when you open a new tab, a "collage" of your most visited and favorite sites appear, allowing you to access them more quickly.
- Application shortcuts: Browser-based applications such as Google Earth, Google Calendar, Gmail, etc can be started from the desktop by creating the corresponding shortcuts.
- Dynamic Tabs: Tabs can be moved around and arranged however you want to suit your preferences. They can be dragged out of the browser (to create new windows), moved to the sides of a window, whatever.
- Crash Control: Unlike Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, every tab in Chrome runs independently from the rest, so if one crashes, the others are unaffected and can continue running.
- Incognito Mode: By activating this mode, you are able to browse websites without having them register in your browsing history.
- Safe Browsing: Chrome warns you if you try to access a page that may contain viruses or other harmful material for your computer.
- Instant Bookmarks: To add a page to your bookmarks you just need to click on the star icon.
- Importing Settings: If you are switching from another web browser to Chrome, you can import your bookmarks, save passwords, and settings.
- Simpler Downloads: Downloads are monitored in a bar at the bottom of a window, without an annoying download manager.
Since the program is still in its Beta stages, I will not download it for now, but I plan to do so in the near future, since features such as the Dynamic Tabs and Crash Control give it an advantage over its counterparts (IE and Firefox).
Friday, September 5, 2008
Back to school... (2008-2009)
So, we're back to shcool... The same old routine. Nothing seems to have changed much, except for the fact that the covered area no longer exists, and they're building two new classrooms there.
All the teachers are trying to scare us by saying this is going to be a hard year, and we're going to have to work very hard (blablabla).
It just feels very weird having to wake up at 7 am again, catching the bus, etc. I can't get used to it.
John Asensi has injured his knee, and needs to get it checked, so at the moment we're having technology class with Allen.
All the teachers are trying to scare us by saying this is going to be a hard year, and we're going to have to work very hard (blablabla).
It just feels very weird having to wake up at 7 am again, catching the bus, etc. I can't get used to it.
John Asensi has injured his knee, and needs to get it checked, so at the moment we're having technology class with Allen.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
WLA Return to the USA
That morning we had to wake up at 4:00 am to be at the airport at 5:00, because the Americans took their flight back at 6:45. A couple of us (namely: Unai, Alex, and I) took our Westlake t-shirts to have them signed by the WLA kids. It was sad saying goodbye, but we promised to keep in touch, and some of us plan to return next year.
WLA in Bilbao Day 10
In the morning I had to go to Deusto to take my Certificate of Proficiency in English Oral Exam, so I didn't go to school. Meanwhile, some Americans (not Tim) took surfing lessons at Sopelana Beach. Having been told that even those who didn't take lessons had to go to the beach, I went there, only to find that Tim had gone to Bilbao. I had taken all of my bodyboarding gear, but since I hadn't done bodyboarding in 5 years, I had just eaten, and the waves weren't very good when I arrived there, I decided not to go in the water.
After the Americans were done with their lessons, we met those who hadn't gone to the beach at Neguri metro station. Tim and I headed straight for Bilbao again, because he wanted to do some last minute shopping. We got back just in time to go to the Farewall Party at school.
Alex, Sang Sun, Dan, and I were playing some music at the party, so, since I arrived late, I had to go get all my equipment set up. Once I had finished with that, we went through a couple of songs, just to get warmed up. The problem was that it was loud, so people started coming in. After letting them play around with the instruments, we finally managed to get everyone out.
We all went to eat. John Asensi cooked hamburgers and hot dogs, which were notably better than those of the Welcome Party. We played sports (kind of), and when everyone was done eating, they were taken to the Auditorium.
First, Alex, Sang Sun, and I played an instrumental medley of a couple of rock hits (Lenny Kravitz, Nirvana, The White Stripes, Michael Jackson, and Deep Purple). Then, Dan got up on stage, and everything got pretty intense. "The Hallabrins" (that's what we're called) played the Sex Pistol's "God Save the Queen", The Ramones' "Spiderman", "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash, and finally "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones. The audience raged for more, so we did a sped-up/slowed-down version of "Should I Stay or Should I Go" again. Everyone said we played very well, and we were a success.
Mr. Roger West gave a speech afterwards, thanking the Americans, the teachers, and us. John Asensi, David Jenkins, and Mrs. Daniela Lira followed. The Westlake kids then gave out presents for their chaperones.
Back at home, Tim and I listened to music, and played more videogames.
After the Americans were done with their lessons, we met those who hadn't gone to the beach at Neguri metro station. Tim and I headed straight for Bilbao again, because he wanted to do some last minute shopping. We got back just in time to go to the Farewall Party at school.Alex, Sang Sun, Dan, and I were playing some music at the party, so, since I arrived late, I had to go get all my equipment set up. Once I had finished with that, we went through a couple of songs, just to get warmed up. The problem was that it was loud, so people started coming in. After letting them play around with the instruments, we finally managed to get everyone out.
We all went to eat. John Asensi cooked hamburgers and hot dogs, which were notably better than those of the Welcome Party. We played sports (kind of), and when everyone was done eating, they were taken to the Auditorium.
First, Alex, Sang Sun, and I played an instrumental medley of a couple of rock hits (Lenny Kravitz, Nirvana, The White Stripes, Michael Jackson, and Deep Purple). Then, Dan got up on stage, and everything got pretty intense. "The Hallabrins" (that's what we're called) played the Sex Pistol's "God Save the Queen", The Ramones' "Spiderman", "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash, and finally "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones. The audience raged for more, so we did a sped-up/slowed-down version of "Should I Stay or Should I Go" again. Everyone said we played very well, and we were a success.
Mr. Roger West gave a speech afterwards, thanking the Americans, the teachers, and us. John Asensi, David Jenkins, and Mrs. Daniela Lira followed. The Westlake kids then gave out presents for their chaperones.Back at home, Tim and I listened to music, and played more videogames.
WLA in Bilbao Day 9
The Texans visited La Rioja, San Millán de la Cogolla, and Laguardia. 
During the afternoon, we took the metro to Bilbao, and took them shopping around the Gran Vía, to El Corte Ingles and Fnac. None of them wanted to buy anything, because most had already spent the majority of their money. After this, we had a drink, and went back home.
Tim had said earlier that he wanted to make dinner (breakfast for dinner), so we let him do so. His intention was making pancakes, bacon, eggs and special Texas-style potatoes. The recipe for the pancakes, however, had the wrong measurements, so it seemed they were going to be more like biscuits. In the end, the result was a weird-looking half baked bread that tasted somewhat strange. Everything was excellent, except for this, but we made fun of his cooking nevertheless.
During the afternoon, we took the metro to Bilbao, and took them shopping around the Gran Vía, to El Corte Ingles and Fnac. None of them wanted to buy anything, because most had already spent the majority of their money. After this, we had a drink, and went back home.Tim had said earlier that he wanted to make dinner (breakfast for dinner), so we let him do so. His intention was making pancakes, bacon, eggs and special Texas-style potatoes. The recipe for the pancakes, however, had the wrong measurements, so it seemed they were going to be more like biscuits. In the end, the result was a weird-looking half baked bread that tasted somewhat strange. Everything was excellent, except for this, but we made fun of his cooking nevertheless.
WLA in Bilbao Day 8
Since there had been a change of plans on Monday, we though the Americans would go to Burgos, but they didn't, and ended up going around the coast and to Gernika, even though we had been told that this had been cancelled. It was the exact same trip we had done on Saturday with Unai's family.
In the afternoon, we went down to the "Puerto Deportivo" once again, this time to go watch a movie. When everyone arrived, we fooled around a bit, and then we watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It was a pretty weird movie, with its funny parts, but very surrealistic. After the film we joked around about the movie, and then Tim and I went back home.
My mom had prepared paella rice especially for Tim, who enjoyed it.
In the afternoon, we went down to the "Puerto Deportivo" once again, this time to go watch a movie. When everyone arrived, we fooled around a bit, and then we watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It was a pretty weird movie, with its funny parts, but very surrealistic. After the film we joked around about the movie, and then Tim and I went back home.My mom had prepared paella rice especially for Tim, who enjoyed it.
WLA in Bilbao Day 7
The WLA students went to Santander, the Altamira caves, and Santillana del Mar. Meanwhile, we had regular classes.
In the afternoon, Tim was so tired he just felt like sleeping, so he had a nap. We also listened to music and watched a couple of videos on my computer.
In the afternoon, Tim was so tired he just felt like sleeping, so he had a nap. We also listened to music and watched a couple of videos on my computer.
WLA in Bilbao Day 6
Again, not a very special day, at least not for me. The original plan for the Americans was to go to Burgos and visit the Cathedral, the Castle, and a couple of Museums, but there was a change of plans, so they went to San Sebastián and France instead. In Sebastian, Tim told me they played a game similar to treasure, in which each of the groups had to find certain monuments, and take a picture as evidence. 
When the WLA kids returned back home, the original idea was maybe we could go back to Artea again (I was already fed up with Artea), but Tim was tired, and didn't really feel like going, so we just stayed home and relaxed by playing some videogames.
When the WLA kids returned back home, the original idea was maybe we could go back to Artea again (I was already fed up with Artea), but Tim was tired, and didn't really feel like going, so we just stayed home and relaxed by playing some videogames.WLA in Bilbao Day 5
This wasn't a particularly exciting day. Tim and I were exhausted, so we slept up till very late. We just relaxed for a couple of hours, and then I had to go do my homework, so Tim played computer games for a while. We then went down to the "Puerto Deportivo", were we met Hector, Alexandra, Luis, and Eric. After a while, some more people came. We basically spent the time chatting, and had to be back home early for dinner, because next day was a school day.
WLA in Bilbao Day 4
This was a Saturday, a family day, so Tim, me and my parents met up with Unai, his parents, and Tyler, and we took them for a tour of the coast. First we took them to the Castle of Butron. They were both amazed by it, even though we couldn't go inside because it is now private property.
For lunch, we went to a typical Basque Sagardotegia (Cider House), where we had a very nice steak, fried green peppers, potato chips, and some cider. Tim and Tyler found the meat excellent.
After eating, we got in the car and continued our trip, passing by the (disused) Lemoiz Nuclear Plant, and stopping by so the Americans could take a look at the coast, the beaches, and the cliffs. We then continued to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, and climbed the stairs all the way to the top... where we rang the church bell.
Instead of going back home the way we'd come, we took the long way around Gernika and Mundaka, and showed them the Arteaga Castle (currently a hotel).
We went back to Artea, where we met up with some other guys from the group, and played pool. We then had dinner at a Pizza place and watched the Eurovision final (especially Chiki Chiki).
For lunch, we went to a typical Basque Sagardotegia (Cider House), where we had a very nice steak, fried green peppers, potato chips, and some cider. Tim and Tyler found the meat excellent.After eating, we got in the car and continued our trip, passing by the (disused) Lemoiz Nuclear Plant, and stopping by so the Americans could take a look at the coast, the beaches, and the cliffs. We then continued to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, and climbed the stairs all the way to the top... where we rang the church bell.
Instead of going back home the way we'd come, we took the long way around Gernika and Mundaka, and showed them the Arteaga Castle (currently a hotel).
We went back to Artea, where we met up with some other guys from the group, and played pool. We then had dinner at a Pizza place and watched the Eurovision final (especially Chiki Chiki).
WLA in Bilbao Day 3
This was the only school day for the Westlake students. In the morning, while we had regular classes, they spent most of their time in the library and the computer lab, checking their emails.
There was an assembly in which he WLA kids introduced themselves (Noah gave a funny speech), and then Unai and I presented the pictures taken during our trip to New York and Texas. The 8th graders performed a play about what their lives could be like in a couple of decades, and how they'd meet at an airport and remember their experiences at ASB. After this, we had more regular classes. During Euskera class, we told the WLA students about life in the Basque Country, the language and culture. Then they had a class on the geography of Spain.
Back home, we had a rest, but soon had to leave to meet the rest of the group. We went around Algorta, showing the Americans a couple of places, and then took them to the "Puerto Deportivo" to have dinner. We had a walk around the lighthouse, and then Tim and I headed back home because he was getting tired.
There was an assembly in which he WLA kids introduced themselves (Noah gave a funny speech), and then Unai and I presented the pictures taken during our trip to New York and Texas. The 8th graders performed a play about what their lives could be like in a couple of decades, and how they'd meet at an airport and remember their experiences at ASB. After this, we had more regular classes. During Euskera class, we told the WLA students about life in the Basque Country, the language and culture. Then they had a class on the geography of Spain.
Back home, we had a rest, but soon had to leave to meet the rest of the group. We went around Algorta, showing the Americans a couple of places, and then took them to the "Puerto Deportivo" to have dinner. We had a walk around the lighthouse, and then Tim and I headed back home because he was getting tired.
WLA in Bilbao Day 2
In the morning, we all (WLA+ASB) met in Bilbao, and we rode the tramway around the city. We then went up the inclined railway of Artxanda, so that the Americans could have a view of the whole city. After this, they went to the Guggenheim, while we had an hour of free time. We had lunch in Zubiarte, and then took the bus to the "Puente Colgante". We went up, and some of the Americans were afraid that the bridge would fall down. After an incident with "rain" falling from the bridge, we crossed back.
Finally, we all decided to take the WLA kids to the bowling in Artea, where we played pool for most of the time.
Finally, we all decided to take the WLA kids to the bowling in Artea, where we played pool for most of the time.
WLA in Bilbao Day 1
The American kids arrived just on time (4:30pm), and we were all there to meet them. We were very excited to have them, and so were they to be here. We immediately took them to school, where a group of us showed them the school, while another one started cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the BBQ (which were more like burnt coals). After eating, we played some sports: football/soccer, basketball, and we also played foosball.
At around 8:00, we went back home, and I showed Tim the house and his room. He checked his email and played computer games for a while, and we had a typical spanish dinner, with potato omelette.
At around 8:00, we went back home, and I showed Tim the house and his room. He checked his email and played computer games for a while, and we had a typical spanish dinner, with potato omelette.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Have a Nice Trip & Welcome (3 days early or whatever)
Hi there!
How are you guys doing? I hope everything's fine over there. We're all very excited over here about you all coming over. We're planning all the last minute stuff so that everything works out well. Hopefully, you'll have as much fun as we did.
I wish you all a good flight, although it's usually long and boring, with security guards and stuff thinking you're a Syrian terrorist (on the way back, they marked me down as a freaking Syrian 0.o). Have a good time in Madrid and around there too! There are just 6 days left! Can't wait to see you.
How are you guys doing? I hope everything's fine over there. We're all very excited over here about you all coming over. We're planning all the last minute stuff so that everything works out well. Hopefully, you'll have as much fun as we did.
I wish you all a good flight, although it's usually long and boring, with security guards and stuff thinking you're a Syrian terrorist (on the way back, they marked me down as a freaking Syrian 0.o). Have a good time in Madrid and around there too! There are just 6 days left! Can't wait to see you.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Texas Day 8 & Trip Back to Spain
Texas Day 8
We went to WLA, in our only "regular" school day. In the morning we had time to prepare some presentations on our local area (social life, TV, food, Bilbao, and the ASB). We did these in Spanish, so that, at the same time, the American students could practice their spanish. Meanwhile, the WLA students were presenting their personal projects, which they choose and work on in their free time, and we got a glimpse of them once we were done with our work. We then presented our stuff, and got time to work on our blogs. After this we had lunch and a break.
The WLA students then had their English class, to which we were invited. We watched "Death of a Salesman".
Our host parents picked us up and took us to Anisha's house, where we had a good-bye party. The house was an impressive mansion, with two stairways leading up from the front door, a game room with a pool table, a pinball table, an arcade machine, and a fooseball table. They also had a sports gym, with many exercise machines. We had plenty of food and drinks, and we all had much fun just hanging around talking, or playing in the games room.
In the end, we had to say good bye, and go back home, to prepare our luggage for the trip back. I had a picture taken with my host family in front of their house.
Next morning we had to wake up at 3:30 am to be at the airport by 5:00. In total we spent 23 hours between planes and airports, and got back home exhausted.
We went to WLA, in our only "regular" school day. In the morning we had time to prepare some presentations on our local area (social life, TV, food, Bilbao, and the ASB). We did these in Spanish, so that, at the same time, the American students could practice their spanish. Meanwhile, the WLA students were presenting their personal projects, which they choose and work on in their free time, and we got a glimpse of them once we were done with our work. We then presented our stuff, and got time to work on our blogs. After this we had lunch and a break.
The WLA students then had their English class, to which we were invited. We watched "Death of a Salesman".
Our host parents picked us up and took us to Anisha's house, where we had a good-bye party. The house was an impressive mansion, with two stairways leading up from the front door, a game room with a pool table, a pinball table, an arcade machine, and a fooseball table. They also had a sports gym, with many exercise machines. We had plenty of food and drinks, and we all had much fun just hanging around talking, or playing in the games room.
In the end, we had to say good bye, and go back home, to prepare our luggage for the trip back. I had a picture taken with my host family in front of their house.
Next morning we had to wake up at 3:30 am to be at the airport by 5:00. In total we spent 23 hours between planes and airports, and got back home exhausted.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Texas Ostegunean, Ostilaran, eta Asteburuan
Ostegunan, Fort Worth Zoora joan ginen. Zoo handi bat da, eta animal asko dauzka: jirafak, kanguroak, tigre zuriak, leioak, arrainak, reptilak... Gero, familiekin egon ginen.
Ostiralan, Six Flags Jolas-Parkea bisitatu genuen. Hor, mendi errusiar handienean ibil ginen eta munduko egurrezko mendi errusiar honenean ibil ginen. Aste azken honetan Unai Connorren etxean geratu da, zeren eta, Tyler Austinera joan egin behar izan du. Inigo, ordea, ez da mugitu beste etxe batera.
Larunbatean futbol partidu jokatu genuen goizean, jan eta gero gauz batzuk erostera joan ginen.
Igandean, parke batera piknikea joatea zen helburua, baina azkenean jende batzuk bere familiekin joan ziren.
Unai eta Iñigo
Ostiralan, Six Flags Jolas-Parkea bisitatu genuen. Hor, mendi errusiar handienean ibil ginen eta munduko egurrezko mendi errusiar honenean ibil ginen. Aste azken honetan Unai Connorren etxean geratu da, zeren eta, Tyler Austinera joan egin behar izan du. Inigo, ordea, ez da mugitu beste etxe batera.
Larunbatean futbol partidu jokatu genuen goizean, jan eta gero gauz batzuk erostera joan ginen.
Igandean, parke batera piknikea joatea zen helburua, baina azkenean jende batzuk bere familiekin joan ziren.
Unai eta Iñigo
Texas Day 7
The original plan was to meet at the school at 11, where we'd be taken to a picnic in Dallas. We would then go to a shopping mall around the area. However, we could also go on our own with our families, and since a picnic didn't seem too interesting, and we had already been shopping many times, I decided to go with my host family.
They suggested taking me to the Stockyards, an area through which cowboys still take the cattle, and where 19th century buildings, and "cowboy customs" are still preserved. It is now mainly a touristic and historical site, but people live there. There were many saloons, and cowboy clothes shops. In one of the latter I bought a cowboy hat. We went into a candy shop, and into a saloon, where we had typical cowboy root beer. There were many biker gangs around the area, with their Harley Davidsons and leather vests. There was also a maze, but we didn't go into it. Our intention was to watch the longhorn cattle ride in at 4:00, but we didn't get a chance to do so.
The Drews had invited some friends (the Kennedy's) for dinner, so when we got back home, we were busy preparing stuff. The Kennedy's are long time friends of the Drews, and they consider each other relatives. They turned out to be very nice people, and Tim, Amber and I stayed talking to their daughter Anna (who used to go to WLA), while Sean played with their younger kids.
They suggested taking me to the Stockyards, an area through which cowboys still take the cattle, and where 19th century buildings, and "cowboy customs" are still preserved. It is now mainly a touristic and historical site, but people live there. There were many saloons, and cowboy clothes shops. In one of the latter I bought a cowboy hat. We went into a candy shop, and into a saloon, where we had typical cowboy root beer. There were many biker gangs around the area, with their Harley Davidsons and leather vests. There was also a maze, but we didn't go into it. Our intention was to watch the longhorn cattle ride in at 4:00, but we didn't get a chance to do so.
The Drews had invited some friends (the Kennedy's) for dinner, so when we got back home, we were busy preparing stuff. The Kennedy's are long time friends of the Drews, and they consider each other relatives. They turned out to be very nice people, and Tim, Amber and I stayed talking to their daughter Anna (who used to go to WLA), while Sean played with their younger kids.
Texas Day 6
A slightly different morning schedule, because it was saturday. We woke up at 9:00, and went with all the ASB boys,Juan Carlos and David Jenkins, and Tim, Connor, and Stephanie from WLA to a soccer match. We were all invited to play, but me and a couple of others stayed out, because we're too bad. The match was pretty interesting and active, with a couple of very good plays by Juan Carlos and David Jenkins, and my classmates. John Asensi even played goalie for a while. They then had a second match, and some of those of us who were sitting and watching went to the other field to play our own mini-game.
We ate at Flip's Burgers, where we joined the girls, and had BBQ type food. Later, most of us went to a mall, where we spent about 3 hours, just walking around and shopping. Luis Oscar and some others wanted to go to a skate park in the mall, so we went to watch. There were many small kids that were very good for their age, either with their rollerblades, or with skateboards. We were picked up at 8:30. Back at home, Tom had cooked some grilled meat. We were quite tired, and it was late, so we went to bed.
Texas Day 5
This was the day we went to Six Flags Over Texas Amusement Park. We were all pretty excited, and some of us were a bit scared, because we hadn't ever gone on such big rollercoasters before. We got to the park at around 10:50, and were given time until 2:30 to go around and organize ourselves however we wanted. Alex, Sang Sun, Unai, Hector and I stuck together as a group.
We first went on the Conquistador Ship, a ship that swayed from one side to the other, reaching nearly vertical positions. Then, the Texas Giant, rated the best wooden rollercoaster in the United States. It was quite a big one, and an impressive second ride. It was much fun, though, and we all got rid of our fears. We even thought it was short! Next, we went to Runaway Mountain, a normal rollercoaster, except it's inside a mountain, so it's completely dark. It was cool, especially it's triple horizontal loop. We then went over to Batman, a rollercoaster in which your seat hands down below the rail, instead of going on top of it. It was very fast, and you could feel the tension in your skin from the speed. It also had four loops, and several vertical turnarounds. Just beside Batman was Flashback, which takes you up two loops and vertical turnaround, and then back through the same thing, but backwards! We were considering riding Superman, a free-fall-type rollercoaster, or Mr. Freeze, similar to Flashback but more extreme, but decided we better try The Titan first (since it's the biggest). Once we were in the queue, we started regretting going on it, because it was big, but after going through it, it was unforgettable. At certain parts it seemed as if we were going to go out of the rail and hit the posts. After that, we would have gone on Mr. Freeze and Superman, but it was 2:10, and we had to grab something to eat.
We were picked up and taken to the school. Since Tim had to go to work, his family took me for dinner at a BBQ Restaurant, where I tried several types of meat and sauces. We then went to a mall, because I wanted to see some laptops. We picked up Tim, and he and I stayed up playing PS2, talking, and listening to music.
We first went on the Conquistador Ship, a ship that swayed from one side to the other, reaching nearly vertical positions. Then, the Texas Giant, rated the best wooden rollercoaster in the United States. It was quite a big one, and an impressive second ride. It was much fun, though, and we all got rid of our fears. We even thought it was short! Next, we went to Runaway Mountain, a normal rollercoaster, except it's inside a mountain, so it's completely dark. It was cool, especially it's triple horizontal loop. We then went over to Batman, a rollercoaster in which your seat hands down below the rail, instead of going on top of it. It was very fast, and you could feel the tension in your skin from the speed. It also had four loops, and several vertical turnarounds. Just beside Batman was Flashback, which takes you up two loops and vertical turnaround, and then back through the same thing, but backwards! We were considering riding Superman, a free-fall-type rollercoaster, or Mr. Freeze, similar to Flashback but more extreme, but decided we better try The Titan first (since it's the biggest). Once we were in the queue, we started regretting going on it, because it was big, but after going through it, it was unforgettable. At certain parts it seemed as if we were going to go out of the rail and hit the posts. After that, we would have gone on Mr. Freeze and Superman, but it was 2:10, and we had to grab something to eat.
We were picked up and taken to the school. Since Tim had to go to work, his family took me for dinner at a BBQ Restaurant, where I tried several types of meat and sauces. We then went to a mall, because I wanted to see some laptops. We picked up Tim, and he and I stayed up playing PS2, talking, and listening to music.
Texas Day 4
Again, our morning schedule was the same as always. This time we went to visit the Fortworth Zoo. It is quite a big zoo, with many animals from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia. There were elephans, giraffes, many different types of birds (including penguins - in Texas!), fish, snakes, crocodiles, lizards, and other reptiles, tigers, lions, cheetah, kangaroos, monkeys, and orangutans. My personal favorites were the kangoroos and some of the monkeys.
At 2:30 they came to pick us up and took us back to Westlake Academy, just when the students come out to go home at 3:30. Two of Tim's friends, Emily and Lucy, came by to his house, and we hung around and played PS2 for a while. We then had dinner. Earlier, the weather forecast had said that there might be storms that day, and we got one just after dinner. The tornado alarms went off, so we had to stay inside. We kept track of the news on TV. The alarms weren't actually for tornadoes, since the possibility of these was further south, near Fortworth, but for the hail. We didn't get it, but to the south, there was hail the size of golfballs in some areas, and baseballs in others. Since there wasn't much we could do, we stayed talking for a while and then went to bed.
At 2:30 they came to pick us up and took us back to Westlake Academy, just when the students come out to go home at 3:30. Two of Tim's friends, Emily and Lucy, came by to his house, and we hung around and played PS2 for a while. We then had dinner. Earlier, the weather forecast had said that there might be storms that day, and we got one just after dinner. The tornado alarms went off, so we had to stay inside. We kept track of the news on TV. The alarms weren't actually for tornadoes, since the possibility of these was further south, near Fortworth, but for the hail. We didn't get it, but to the south, there was hail the size of golfballs in some areas, and baseballs in others. Since there wasn't much we could do, we stayed talking for a while and then went to bed.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Texas Orain Arte
Astelehena lehenengo eguna izan zen heldu eta berehala jai txiki bat izan genuen WLAko ikasleak esagutzeko. Hurrengo egunean ikastolara joan ginen eta gehiago esagutu genituen ikasleak eta irakasleak. Gero baseball partidu bat ikustera joan ginen (LA Angels vs Tx Rangers). Atzo hiru museo ikusi genituen Dallasen eta gero Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Hornets partidua ikusi genuen.
Unai eta Inigo
Unai eta Inigo
Texas Day 3
We woke up as usual, went to school and had an hour to work on our blogs. We then went with all the Westlake students to the Dallas Museum of Art, where there were expositions on European, Greek and Roman, African, North American,Asian, Indonesian, 20th century, contemporary and other art periods and styles. There were also private collections donated to the museum. The museum layout was a bit confusing, and some of the collections (especially the European one) weren't so impressive, but others, like the African and Indonesian ones, were quite interesting.
After this we went to The Nasher Sculpture Center, which I found interesting. The most impressive statues were one with many people walking as a crowd, and another one with a diagonal pole pointing to the sky, with people walking over it, and others looking up at the top.
Next we went to The 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. We listened to an audio guide which told us all about the presidents's life: his family, his election campaign, his policies, his programs, the controversy he caused, the highlights of his career (Cuban Missile Crisis, Nucler Test Ban Agreement, Space Exploration), his personal life, and finally, his assasination. For this, there was a recreation of the sniping spot Lee Harvey Oswald used to shoot JFK, and also pictures of his arrest, proof used in the courts, legal documents, and home made videos filmed by people that attended the event, as well as documentaries. The exhibition went into detail about the several investigations into the assasination, the possibility of a conspiracy, the public suspicion of 1988, and how in the end it was determined that there were 4 shots: one missed, another hit JFK in the neck, went through it, came out through his palm, and hit one of the other politicians in the car, and the last one hit JFK in the head.
Last, went to a basketball at the American Airlines Stadium. The Dallas Mavericks played the New Orleans Hornets in a very intense and quite balanced game. At first, the Hornets started leading 20-13. The match went like that for a time, with the Hornets leading and the Mavs not playing very well. Suddenly, however, the crowd got very excited and the Mavs had a couple of very good plays, scoring several 3-pointers, and leading the game. From there on, the Mavs continued to lead the match, and even if the Hornets managed to make a couple of comebacks, they weren't enough to beat the Mavs, who won 111 to 98.
It was very cool having "percussion" to make noise, and how well everyone reacteds.
We were so tired after the game that we just went home and fell asleep.
After this we went to The Nasher Sculpture Center, which I found interesting. The most impressive statues were one with many people walking as a crowd, and another one with a diagonal pole pointing to the sky, with people walking over it, and others looking up at the top.
Next we went to The 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, where John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. We listened to an audio guide which told us all about the presidents's life: his family, his election campaign, his policies, his programs, the controversy he caused, the highlights of his career (Cuban Missile Crisis, Nucler Test Ban Agreement, Space Exploration), his personal life, and finally, his assasination. For this, there was a recreation of the sniping spot Lee Harvey Oswald used to shoot JFK, and also pictures of his arrest, proof used in the courts, legal documents, and home made videos filmed by people that attended the event, as well as documentaries. The exhibition went into detail about the several investigations into the assasination, the possibility of a conspiracy, the public suspicion of 1988, and how in the end it was determined that there were 4 shots: one missed, another hit JFK in the neck, went through it, came out through his palm, and hit one of the other politicians in the car, and the last one hit JFK in the head.
Last, went to a basketball at the American Airlines Stadium. The Dallas Mavericks played the New Orleans Hornets in a very intense and quite balanced game. At first, the Hornets started leading 20-13. The match went like that for a time, with the Hornets leading and the Mavs not playing very well. Suddenly, however, the crowd got very excited and the Mavs had a couple of very good plays, scoring several 3-pointers, and leading the game. From there on, the Mavs continued to lead the match, and even if the Hornets managed to make a couple of comebacks, they weren't enough to beat the Mavs, who won 111 to 98.
It was very cool having "percussion" to make noise, and how well everyone reacteds.
We were so tired after the game that we just went home and fell asleep.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
American Culture vs. Spanish Culture
Similarities:
- music
- clothes
- hobbies: sports, shopping, going out with friends, videogames
- the way friends treat each other, joking around
- school subjects
Differences:
- People in the USA do more social and community activities
- Americans are more open at first contact, while we are more reserved
- the Americans' favorite sports are baseball, basketball, american football, and ice hockey, while we prefer soccer
- Food in the USA is designed to eat quickly, while in Spain we usually take more time
- Americans always use sauces, dressings, and spices for their food, which we don't use as much
- The Spanish lifestyle is somewhat more relaxed overall
- There is a great mix of ethnic groups and people from different cultures in the USA, while there is much fewer in Spain
- Housing: we live in flats, while Americans tend to live in houses in the suburbs.
- Driving age is 16 in the USA, and 18 in Spain
- Drinking age is 18 or 21 in the USA, 18 in Spain
- Laws about drikning and smoking are much more strictly applied in the USA, due to the huge number of accidents there used to be which were caused by drunk teenagers who drove.
- American culture is more "car oriented": cities are separated into different areas for shopping, living, and working, so one must constantly drive from one place to another, even though newer cities are trying to mix everything together. Because of this there are drive-in cinemas, banks, and restaurants
- Americans are more patriotic, and pledge their allegiance to the flag every morning.
- School in the USA is more cozy and inviting, and there is more socializing going on.
- School in the USA starts at 8:00 and finishes at 3:30, so they have one more hour of classes, but tend to have less homework. Their breaks are about the same length as ours.
- Family responsabilities probably fall more on the kids in the USA, and parents have greater control.
- Timetables in the USA are quite different from Spain: they wake up at around 6:00, have breakfast at 6:30, start school at 8:00, have a snack, eat at 1:00, and have dinner at around 7:00. They then go to bed at 10:00.
- In Texas there is a curfew at 11:00pm, so teenagers can't stay out later than that, while we tend to go out until much later.
- music
- clothes
- hobbies: sports, shopping, going out with friends, videogames
- the way friends treat each other, joking around
- school subjects
Differences:
- People in the USA do more social and community activities
- Americans are more open at first contact, while we are more reserved
- the Americans' favorite sports are baseball, basketball, american football, and ice hockey, while we prefer soccer
- Food in the USA is designed to eat quickly, while in Spain we usually take more time
- Americans always use sauces, dressings, and spices for their food, which we don't use as much
- The Spanish lifestyle is somewhat more relaxed overall
- There is a great mix of ethnic groups and people from different cultures in the USA, while there is much fewer in Spain
- Housing: we live in flats, while Americans tend to live in houses in the suburbs.
- Driving age is 16 in the USA, and 18 in Spain
- Drinking age is 18 or 21 in the USA, 18 in Spain
- Laws about drikning and smoking are much more strictly applied in the USA, due to the huge number of accidents there used to be which were caused by drunk teenagers who drove.
- American culture is more "car oriented": cities are separated into different areas for shopping, living, and working, so one must constantly drive from one place to another, even though newer cities are trying to mix everything together. Because of this there are drive-in cinemas, banks, and restaurants
- Americans are more patriotic, and pledge their allegiance to the flag every morning.
- School in the USA is more cozy and inviting, and there is more socializing going on.
- School in the USA starts at 8:00 and finishes at 3:30, so they have one more hour of classes, but tend to have less homework. Their breaks are about the same length as ours.
- Family responsabilities probably fall more on the kids in the USA, and parents have greater control.
- Timetables in the USA are quite different from Spain: they wake up at around 6:00, have breakfast at 6:30, start school at 8:00, have a snack, eat at 1:00, and have dinner at around 7:00. They then go to bed at 10:00.
- In Texas there is a curfew at 11:00pm, so teenagers can't stay out later than that, while we tend to go out until much later.
Texas Day 2
I woke up at 6:00 and had breakfast at 6:30, the typical times for my family. Breakfast consisted of bacon and scrambled eggs, which could be rolled in corn "tortitas" to make "Texan Burritos". Tim's mom drove us to the school, where we got by around 7:45. The students got together outside and pledged their allegiance to the flag of the USA and of Texas. We then had a couple of cultural activities to get to know each other better, like a competition in which each one was asked questions about someone else in their group. The Westlake students prepared a skit to show us about American culture and we told them more about what they'd be seeing or should see when they come to Spain.
We had some pizza at WLA at 11:30, and then where taken to the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to watch their baseball game against the LA Angels. The Rangers started winning in the first round, and scored 1-2-1 in the first 3 innings vs 0-0-0, but the Angels recovered in the second round, so both teams were scoring 4-4. The Angels then scored 3 home runs in the last round, and the Rangers couldn't avoid losing 7-4. There were a couple of good plays by both teams, like the Angels catching many balls in the air, a Ranger catching a ball just near a wall, banging into it, and a very good series of passes by the Rangers, eliminating 3 Angels straight.
We had some pizza at WLA at 11:30, and then where taken to the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to watch their baseball game against the LA Angels. The Rangers started winning in the first round, and scored 1-2-1 in the first 3 innings vs 0-0-0, but the Angels recovered in the second round, so both teams were scoring 4-4. The Angels then scored 3 home runs in the last round, and the Rangers couldn't avoid losing 7-4. There were a couple of good plays by both teams, like the Angels catching many balls in the air, a Ranger catching a ball just near a wall, banging into it, and a very good series of passes by the Rangers, eliminating 3 Angels straight.
After this, Tom took me home, but we first passed by a supermarket. We had a typical American dinner, with beef, cramberry sauce, corn, salad, honeybutter, etc.
I then had to do some homework (for the blog), and a comparison between American and Spanish cultures.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
NYC Day 3 and Arrival at Texas
NYC Day 3
We woke up as usual and went for a walk in Central Park, where we saw lots of people playing baseball and running. We then went to Broadway to try to buy tickets for the musical "Mamma Mia!", but they were sold out, so we had free time for shopping around Times Square while John and Marcia tried to find tickets on resale.
They finally did find them, and gave us a bit more free time and time to eat before the musical. The musical started at 2pm, it was quite a good show, funny, and with great music and singing, about a girl who is about to marry, who doesn't know who her father is, so she decides to invite the 3 possible "dad candidates", about whom she has read in her mom's diary. In the end the girl's mom marries the girl's father, and the girl decides not to marry, because she is still too young, and needs to get to know more about the world.
After the musical, we walked to the Empire State Building, and went up to the 86th floor, where one could get a view of all NYC. Later, we had time to do some more shopping and went back to the hotel, where we had dinner, a shower, and had to prepare our suitcases for the trip to Texas. 
We woke up as usual and went for a walk in Central Park, where we saw lots of people playing baseball and running. We then went to Broadway to try to buy tickets for the musical "Mamma Mia!", but they were sold out, so we had free time for shopping around Times Square while John and Marcia tried to find tickets on resale.
They finally did find them, and gave us a bit more free time and time to eat before the musical. The musical started at 2pm, it was quite a good show, funny, and with great music and singing, about a girl who is about to marry, who doesn't know who her father is, so she decides to invite the 3 possible "dad candidates", about whom she has read in her mom's diary. In the end the girl's mom marries the girl's father, and the girl decides not to marry, because she is still too young, and needs to get to know more about the world.After the musical, we walked to the Empire State Building, and went up to the 86th floor, where one could get a view of all NYC. Later, we had time to do some more shopping and went back to the hotel, where we had dinner, a shower, and had to prepare our suitcases for the trip to Texas. Flight and Arrival at Texas
We had to wake up at 5am to get a shuttle bus to the airport, and got the plane to Fortworth airport in Dallas, Texas. We arrived there at 10:50, much earlier than the families had expected, so they still hadn't arrived. When they came, we were introdced to our host families, who took us to Olivia Flowers' house, a huge mansion with a garden, swimming pool, cinema, pool table, etc. We had a typical Texan BBQ, and then they taught us to play American Football. We weren't very good at it, and we all played quite rough, and with "home rules". Later we went to play pool for a couple of hours, and then I went with Tim to his friends' house, where we played playstation for a while, until Tim's dad came pick us up. Tim showed me their house, and introduced me to his mom, brotherr, sister, and dog. We had dinner, played playstation for some time, and went to bed.
We had to wake up at 5am to get a shuttle bus to the airport, and got the plane to Fortworth airport in Dallas, Texas. We arrived there at 10:50, much earlier than the families had expected, so they still hadn't arrived. When they came, we were introdced to our host families, who took us to Olivia Flowers' house, a huge mansion with a garden, swimming pool, cinema, pool table, etc. We had a typical Texan BBQ, and then they taught us to play American Football. We weren't very good at it, and we all played quite rough, and with "home rules". Later we went to play pool for a couple of hours, and then I went with Tim to his friends' house, where we played playstation for a while, until Tim's dad came pick us up. Tim showed me their house, and introduced me to his mom, brotherr, sister, and dog. We had dinner, played playstation for some time, and went to bed.
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