Welcome to Spain On 6th of June I was planned to meet with a couple of Canadian friends. It was their first time in Spain and they were interested in visiting the exchange language friends. In addition, it was a special trip because he was just retired at his 70. As I only had a few free hours in the morning we gathered early for having a coffee in a terrase. He had to drive along the narrow streets to get to the cafe and it was an entire adventure for them. I immediately felt very comfortable mixing some English and Spanish to cope with a conversation. Fortunately, both of them are learning Spanish and could manage the situation easily. After a week in Spain they were afraid of gaining weight because Spanish people give them a lot of food. However, the great variety of fruit in this area surprised them enormously. Then, we visited the ethnological museum and a showing of local insects. Afterwards, we strolled about the downtown and finally, we had a Valencian horchata and ate some tiger nuts that the ice-cream man gave us in order to explain how the horchata is made. At 13.00 a.m. I had to come back to work with some sorrow because the time went by flying. Not only were they the first exchange partners I met face to face but, their kindness, sense of humour, open minded attitude, etc captivated me. Certainly, it was a truly pleasant experience.

Petition of Signature Some figures and political manoeuvres are thought-provoking. For exemple, it is really puzzled that1% worldwide have more money than 99 % remaining. As well as it is outrageous that some multinationals put pressure on the governments in orden to obtain more benefits. However, the straw that breaks the camel's back is that democratic countries negotiate free trade agreements secretely. Thanks to social net and many civic activists I have discovered that the values of a democratic society are tottering towards the pretension of free market by powerful corporations. In facebook I saw a petition of signature against transgenics and hormone treated meat that TIPP (transatlantic trade and Investment Patnership) will contemplate in UE and USA. I had no idea about TIPP, CETA, agreements and I am now feel quite worried considering that the rules will be less protective in all areas. So, after reading some articles, the only thing I can do is support this petition. Although I do not like put my personal details, this time I do an exception.

Tiny but Impressive Mobile phones soon will be very different due to manipulation of some materials in a nanoscale. For example, graphene is a new material from graphite that many companies are using to be made mobile phones more flexible, ductile, durable batteries and so on. Although it is seems science fiction, the nanotechnology is a truly revolution in the modern society. Not only, can we find nanoparticles in the electronic field, medicine, cosmetics, textile, but also some food might contain them to increase it best before day, the taste, creaminess etc. For instance, nanoparticles of titanium dioxide is used as a white colorant in some chewings gum, tooth paste and as a powdered sugar in some sweets. It seems nanoparticles are very reactives and cause bad effects in most important organs of our body. It extremely concerns me that we are consuming food ignoring the intake of nanopartiples because is not compulsive to indicate it in the labels. Even though, nanotechonology gives us an important progress is associeted to some risks to the environment and for humans according to some researches. I hope we take more seriously the researches in orden to take measures for the sake of everyone.

Gender Violence A steady trickle of news about gender violence on TV day in day out are provoking I wonder what is happening in our society. In fact, it does not matter how old you are or social status you have to suffer it. Apparently, a sexist society might be a consequence of physical and mental mistreatment in women. Society still accepts some discrimination in salary, executive positions, political posts etc and many roles of women remain stereotyped. Furthermore, ads, films, books, etc show this inequality as usual behavior. Nevertheless, there is a matriarchal society in suthern China, named Mosou where does no exist gender violance due to their different principles. So, patriarchal society might foster some vulnerability towards women. General speaking, cultural, economic, religious etc factors provoke the gender violance and It would be vital some changes in our society according to some experts. However, most of them coincide in the fact that is quite complex to change the society. Anyway, the mere fact that we are more aware about this social problem is already a step forward.

Carnival Time Carnival is colour, music, dance, original costumes, funny parades and above all, cheerful atmosphere in the streets. Certainly, this celebration breaks routine every february since thousands of years. It is said that it was popularizated by romans and then was espraid of the rest of the Europe and America taking some peculiarities according to the place. What I like most is the creativity displayed in many fancy dress. In addition, I admire the desing and beauty of many masques used for cover the face. In fact, some of them are truly pieces of art. However, I might feel a bit uncomfortable in a party with people using masques. Although the masques were used in many cultures for different purpose such as in the theatre, for dance, religious ceremonies etc, the inexpressive and unkown face creates distrust, some mistery and inhibition. On the whole, the carnival will be alive for many time. These days, schools has an active participation on it and even there are more business around this show. Happy carnival!

What Do We Eat? Words like processed meal, OMS, red meat are on everybody's lips. Certainly, meat is on our diet long time ago and its consumption is more deep-rooted depending on the customs of every region. However, the word "cancer" asocieted to some eating habits has caused some social concern. Although many jokes have appeared on the socials net, whatsapts etc in order to relieve the worrying news, some producers are dissatisfied with the repercussion in their businesses. In my opinion, we live in a world where the half-truth is the order of the day. In fact, If the use of some colorants, preservatives, pesticides and so on were forbidden, many health problems might be solved. Definitely, I believe we should eat varied meal in order to ingest different nutrients besides trying to choose ingredients as natural as possible and without ignoring how they are cooked.

Smartphone and Millenials Go Hand-in-hand Using a smartphone for any activity related to leisure or business is a completely rutine in the millennials (or Y generation). They were born between 1982 and 1997 ( from 18 to 33 years old). Therefore, at the present millenium they play an important role in the workforce and also as consumers. A part from being a generation with a high level of studies also they have grown with the new technologies. Not only do they use social networks actively, but they share personal information quietly. So, many ads. in social networking sites are become in a profitable strategy for severals brands. In addition, important companies are bearing in mind that millennials seek the innovation in their jobs and even are concerned about social and environmental problems. No doubt that crisis has negatively affected the labor market of millennials, however their lifestyle and kind of thinking might change the way of doing business.

Let's to Eat Paella "-The fire is ready. Come on to make the paella! -He shouted." "-Have you boiled the vegetables?-She asked." "-No, I haven't. we are going to stir-fry them.-She replied" "What about the rice?. Are you going to add it first o after water?-She asked" -"Why not...?" -The three cooks continued talking That is a clear exemple that there are several ways of cooking a paella, typical Valencian dish, depending on the region of Valencia. Last Saturday I got together with my friends to celebrate a birthday of some of them.Three of my friends were in charge of cooking the paella with firewood and there were some different opinion about steps to be followed. They agreed soon to follow the model from Valencia capital as my Valencian friend is more used to cooking in firewood and the others in butane outdoor cooker. However, there was no discussion related to ingredients. Oilive oil, salt, saffron, tomate, a variety of green beans grown in Valencia, "garrafó" (a kind of white Valencian bean), red pepper, water, sprig of rosmary, chicken and rabbit were used in paella preparation. When the cooks brought the paella to the table, we clapped them.The paella looked really good. Without doubt, the clue to make a tasty paella consist in the quality of ingredients.

Eye Exam Once in a While. I am used to seeing several old people with black glasses every other day. At first that caught my eye but I know now that those people have had cataracts surgery. No wonder that cataracts is an usual operation in most old people as there is an evident connection with ageing. In fact, more than 22 millions of surgeries were made in the world this year. For instance, EE.UU. performed 3 millions of them. Although the elderly has increased last decade in the world the visual impairment has disminished with the exception of poor countries. The main reason is focused in more sight control in the public health and also people awareness about visual health. As it is said, healthy habits can prevent thousand of illnesses. Therefore, we can not pull aside a balance diet, using sunglasses and cheking our eyes in order to reduce a bad vision.