There is nothing that we as individuals can do to prevent climate change Nowadays the number of extreme weather events has doubled from the decade before. Heatwaves in Europe, floods in Africa, droughts in Asia and USA, temperatures getting hotter, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, record levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and many others natural disasters show us that climate change is happening. Despite the fact that it can seem one scary movie, actually, it is a greater threat to the world than international terrorism. What could be next? Are we concerned as individuals about climate change? Is there anything that we can do? I strongly believe that there are a lot of things that we can do. Firstly, we could change our lifestyle. It would include for example to buy organic food, fruit and vegetables, if possible which has been grown locally, in small shops, although it is a bit more expensive than shopping in big supermarkets. Furthermore, do not forget to take your own reusable shopping bag when you go shopping. Another example is trying to drive and fly as less as possible. Instead of it, use public transport, go cycling or if you need to drive, buy a hybrid car or share your car with someone. Despite how unbelievable it can seem to you, doing things like that will help to improve the environment. Secondly, we should recycle as much as we can, not only paper, plastic and glasses but also lamps, toners. In addition, switch off completely your TV or electrical machine instead of keep on stand-by. Furthermore, use only energy-saving lights bulbs. Also, use your washing machine in economy program and with cold water instead of hand-washing dishes and have showers no baths. It is proved that if all people do things like that will help to decrease the global warming. On the other hand, it is obvious that to prevent the climate change it is needed more than only the actuation of individuals, more than the simple acts that can be made by consumers daily. So, Governments and politicians all over the world have to take notice of this, have to take part in the problem because environmental policies worldwide are needed to solve this problem in a record time. Rich countries will have to help to combat the pollution in the least developed countries. Finally, please, take into account all the mentioned things and start to act. There are too many things to do if we wish to get a healthy world to leave to our children.

CAN YOU SLEEP PROPERLY AT NIGHT? Nowadays I can’t sleep as well as I would like. If you had made this question several years ago, even when I was a child, my answer would probably have been different. In fact, I used to sleep like a log even though I shared my bedroom with my two brothers who used to snore. I used to fall asleep as soon as I went to bed. I still remember when I overslept because I was in such a heavy sleep that I did not listen to the alarm clock and I arrived late at school. When I was a child, the more I slept the more I wanted to sleep. But currently I don’t sleep properly at night sometimes and I feel exhausted during the morning. I don’t suffer from insomnia but I usually have restless nights. From my point of view, as you get older, you start to have problems getting to sleep. In my case, maybe because I have a lot of things on my mind, or because I feel stressed. In fact, sometimes I have nightmares and I wake up in the middle of the night and then I can’t get back to sleep again. I can’t imagine what would I do if I had to get used to working at nights. Finally, as I don’t want to cry over spilt milk, I have pulled my socks up in order to improve my dreams, because I would wish not to have to take sleeping tablets. So, I have started to practice some good habits. For example, I don’t drink coffee in the evening; I try to avoid long naps; I practice sport regularly; and I take some relaxing tea before going to sleep. In adition, as I need complete darkness, I sleep with the curtains or blinds closed and furthermore I use a special pillow and I cover myself up with a duvet instead of blankets because I feel more comfortable.

REPORT: GOOD PLACES FOR EATING OUT IN CÓRDOBA The purpose of this survey is to analyse the results of a survey which was carried out to assess the popularity of the different places for eating out in Córdoba. Five hundred people between 25-69 years old were questioned about it. A) Local, regional or foreign cuisine: The survey indicates that the majority of the people questioned find the local cuisine the best option for eating out in Córdoba. This is demonstrated by the fact that almost the 65 per cent of the people surveyed selected local restaurants and bars. Furthermore, people were questioned about their favorite dishes and it was obvious that the winners were the traditional ones. This is shown by the fact that seven out ten people prefer salmorejo or flamenquín instead of burgers. And only one in ten prefer Chinese or Japanese dishes instead of local dishes. B) Cost: Almost 75% of the people who participated in the survey had no complaints about the cost of eating out in Córdoba. This shows that the majority of the surveyed consider the cost reasonable. Even though a slight increase of the price would be acceptable, a slight decrease of the prices could increase the times that people usually go out for eating. C) When and where: In spite of the fact that two in ten of the people questioned eat out every day because of work, the demand of this service increase clearly in the weekend when 8 of 10 questioned usually go for eating out. In the weekend, surveyed prefer the city center, the river side or the outskirts for eating out meanwhile during the week the financial and economic area is the more deseable. Recommendation To sum up, it seems that the most popular cuisine for eating out in Córdoba is the local one and its cost is considered quite reasonable for the service. Another thing to mention is the overcrowded of most of the local restaurants in the weekend. For this reason, it is suggested that people who would like to eat out local cuisine during the weekend should book in advance to avoid queues.

ADVERTS NEVER LIE, THEY TELL THE TRUTH DIFFERENTLY To be honest, I wouldn’t say that, in fact, it is known that adverts sometimes lie, isn’t it? Customers are supposed to be brainless by some companies, but actually they aren’t. For example, the delicious burger, with fresh tomato and lettuce, covered with spongy bread that appear in some fast food companies’s commercials doesn’t look the same that the other one that you have in that restaurant with dry meat and crushed bread. Other example is the phone companies that show in their adverts smiling skilled workers who sing, jump and run. But, what really happen when you phone to the customer support department? It usually gets on my nerves when I have to hold on the line for a long time, and the only I wish is not to be attended by a bit cold fish. Although, from my point of view, the best example of lying adverts are those that promise to recover the lost hair, even they say that you will notice the effects after a month. I can’t believe my eyes when I watch or listen to them. Some companies are able to say whatever to sell sand in the desert or ice to the eskimos. However, to say that publicity always lie would neither be right at all. Definitely, the publicity is made for selling. It can’t be limited only to inform objectively about the company’s products or services. There is a lot of competition in the market and companies have to be ready to respond to it using all the possible techniques and as much financial resources as they can. Some companies use the strategy of showing only their strengths and ignore their weaknesses. It is creative publicity that helps them to increase their opportunities, the demand for their products. Because the wittier the advert is the more the consumers remember the product and the more possible they buy it. And anyway, consumers are used to these little lies and in some way we like it. They are similar to the parents lies with which we grow up, like the boogey man to convince us to go to sleep early or the tree wish men to convince us to be good

Should the punishment fit the crime? I totally agree with this topic, as I see, it is obvious that the punishment should fit the crime. From my point of view, an appropriate punishment must be chose for every crime. Some teenagers who vandalize a school bus or noisy neighbors who play rock music very loud frequently can’t be punished in the same way that an arsonist who sets fire to a forest or a murderer who kills someone after robbing him. In my opinion, crimes should be classified in levels depending on the type of crime, and the punishment would fit to these levels. So, we would distingue between serious, less serious and minor offences that will have different types of punishments. In addition, I believe the Judge should be allowed to adapt the punishment to the crime depending on his judgment. In fact, I appreciate the creative justice and the creative sentences practiced by some Judges in order to offenders pay for their crime and at the same time learn from their mistake. For example, people accused of speeding should be fined, should have their license suspended for a time but, in addition, should do community services such a spending some time working as a school crossing guard. However, maybe, these creative sentences are more appropriate in case of minus offences but they are not so reasonable for serious crime. Nowadays, too often we find in the media, especially in TV news and newspapers, reports of different serious crimes like terrified murders, devastating terrorist attacks, perverted rapes, drug-dealing cases, fraud and political corruption. In all of these cases, the criminals must be punished hardly and the strictest the Law is the better for the society, in fact I am in favour of life imprisonment life although not to the death penalty.

Squatters who live in an unoccupied property should be forced to leave it or not It is known that nowadays there are a lot of unoccupied and desolated buildings in Spain because of the property crisis. They can be located in both, the city center and the outskirts and they can go from small blocks of flats to bigger ones or even a complete office building. They usually have the “for sale” advertisement although the problem is that there is no market for them, in fact, barely, people phone not even to show interest on them. So, the only option seems to be to wait until the situation improves. However, it is the best moment for squatters who take advantage of this situation and occupy these properties. The law is clear about it in Spain. In the own Supreme Court words, entering in a private property without the owner permission is an usurpation crime. But, should they be forced to leave it or not? From my point of view, I strongly believe that they should. To start with, obviously, I believe that everybody should have the right to decent housing. However, this right has some limits that can not be exceeded. So, my right to decent housing can not allow me to come into a house violently to make real my wish, even though the house is unoccupied. In addition to this, I totally agree that once the squatters have occupied a property they should be forced to leave it but the violence to get the eviction will not be allowed in any case, in spite of the unfair the situation can seem to us. On the other hand, people without houses, living in a car, in a storage room, under a bridge or even in their relative’s houses drives my up the wall, especially, the working people who after getting the sack because of the crisis, were not able to pay the mortgage and finally they were seizure by the bank. To sum up, currently we are living a dramatic situation with a lot of unoccupied houses and a lot of people without houses. What squatters are doing is clearly an usurpation crime and I strongly believe that they should be forced to leave the propriety. However, it seems to me that politicians have to look after our rights and governments should make social policies in order to solve this situation.

To use or not to use musical instrument in the classroom Dear classmates, definitely, musical instruments should be used in the classroom, should not they? If you are not sure or you do not think so, here you will find several reasons that will probably make you change your opinion and enjoy the benefits of playing a musical instrument. I am completely sure that all of us would be delighted if our music lessons were cheerful and relaxing, almost like a play. And the best way to get it is to include playing a musical instrument in classroom. It will help you to develop your sensibility, memorie and concentration; You will become more sociable and outgoing. Even, you could become a really famous pianist or guitar player such as Manuel de Falla or Paco de Lucía. But, how to choose the more convenient musical instrument? Well, depending on your personality, your sensitive and your skills. Follow your intuition and find the best for you. From my point of view, the following examples are the more convenient at our school. First of all, the guitar, which may be the more popular musical instrument. It is really famous thanks to pop singers or rock band leaders who play this instrument. Do not would you like to become like them? It is not too much expensive, you can learn at school and improve on your own at home if you convince your parents to give it as a present. Secondly, the battery, which offer us a lot of possibilities. It is not necessary to practice with a big battery with a lot of saucers and drums. If you are stressed or a little bit depressed it could be a good way to feel more positive and optimistic. Finally, I recommend you the piano. Even though it would be the less recommended because it is the more complicated and you will need long time to learn it. Furthermore, it is quite expensive and occupies a large space. To learn it at school could be the only opportunity you have to learn it in your life. But if not, you could opt for an organ which is smaller and easier to learn and transport. To sum up, playing an instrument is highly recommended and which better place to learn it than at school. We should try it so that, in the future, we can never regret not having tried.

My most embarrassing moment Despite the fact it was a lot of years ago, I remember it as if it was yesterday, in fact, it makes me smile yet although when it happened I wished a big holle on the floor where I could have hiden myself. It happened to me one day that I decided going for a walk. When I had been walking for an hour more and less, I met a friend who I haven’t seen for a long time. I was delighted speaking with her. She was really talkative, friendly and cheerful, if fact, she told me that I was dressed to kill with my sports clothes and sneakers. Then, I realized that her shape wasn’t as good as it used to be and I notice specially that she had a little big bally. Because of that, I had the great idea of wondering if she was pregnant, but of course she wasn’t. Oh my God! I thought while I felt that my face was completely red. Finally, I tried to apologize, but the more I tried the more embarrassed I felt, I was crying over spilt milk. After that, I have decided that even though someone seems to be pregnant I would never ask for it.

It doesn’t worth taking unnecessary risk Just after reading that sentence, and without thinking too much about it, I would definitely answer that I totally agree with it. Why would I agree? It is because I’m the short of person who tries to avoid everything which could mean losing control because I’m quite a fearful woman and that can make me feel really nervous. For that reason, I wouldn’t take unnecessary risk currently. However, if you had made this question when I was younger, the answer would probably have been different. My attitude to risk has changed as I’ve got older. In fact, there were several activities that were a bit risky but I loved them. For example: • Visiting an amusement park and getting on all the rides. It really enjoyed me. The more dangerous the attraction was the more I liked it. • Skiing or roller-skating, two sports that I used to practice when I was younger. However, nowadays I get goose bumps thinking about practicing them. • Driving really fast, even breaking the speed limit. In that case, I felt self-confident but, to be honest, I was really unconscious. • Going on holiday abroad with people who almost I didn’t know. When I remember about it I can’t believe my eyes. In all of these cases, I didn’t think about my personal safety. Maybe I was a little bit unconscious even irresponsible but I was over the moon. In that time, to take a risk was exciting, amazing and really fanny. Nowadays they just seem to me like unnecessary risk to take, though probably not as many as when I hear about people who do parachute jump, bungee jump even a balloon ride. I can’t avoid thinking that I wouldn’t do it even I was paid. From my point of view, it is an absolutely dangerous activity and I would be scared stiff doing that. Finally, I would like to say that, despite the fact that I am less risky than I used to be and that currently there is not much room for risk in my like, I have taken some unnecessary risk lately, such a cycling in New York or a boat ride through the Iguazu Falls, and although both of them were amazing I wouldn’t repeat.