INTO THE WOODS: Be careful what you wish for...

INTO THE WOODS 

“Into the Woods” is a new musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, that has been released a few days ago. It's based on the acclaimed Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Take a look if you want:

-Plot-

The story talks about a young couple, a baker and his wife, who wants to end with a curse thrown to their family by a witch; who found the baker's father robbing her garden when his mother was pregnant, some years ago. 

This curse doesn't allow to them to have any kids, preventing them to fulfilled his dream of starting a family.

When the couple talk with the witch, she offers to them a little deal: she will lift the curse, but only if they get for her 4 specific objects: 

* A cape as red as blood

* A cow as white as milk

* Hair as yellow as corn

* A slipper as pure as gold

These demands will take them to cross with Jack, who is searching for a buyer for his cow; with Cinderella, who was running from prince at midnight; with Litlle Red Riding Hood, who was going to his grandmother's house; and Rapunzel (the Witch's adopted daughter) who lives in a tower in the woods...

What will happened???

-Most important characters-

Meryl Streep as The Witch













Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife

James Corden as The Baker











Anna Kendrick as Cinderella














Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince

Johnny Depp as The Wolf

Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood










MacKenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel

Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel's Prince

Tracey Ullman as Jack's Mother

Daniel Huttlestone as Jack

Christine Baranski as Cinderella's Stepmother

Tammy Blanchard as Florinda

Lucy Punch as Lucinda

-Some clips-

• Cinderella and Cinderella's Prince have a quick meeting in the woods...

•  The Little Red Riding Hood  (Lilla) goes in to The Baker's store. As she gets all the food that she can hold your hands (in the face of The Baker's ghastly look and The Baker Wife's compassionate eyes) sings a beautiful song (the girl's is amazing), called "Into the Woods". Finally, she leaves, but follow by both of the shop's owners; because, as you know, they really need that reddish cap...

• The Witch sing a persuasive song, called "Stay With me", to her darling daughter, Rapunzel, when she goes to visit at her little dwelling, her prison: the tower...

• The Witch gets REALLY angry with The Baker and his wife's job...

be careful what you wish for...

LAURA ALONSO MOLINA :)

Temple Grandin: different, but not less

TEMPLE 

GRANDIN

Hi friends!! A couple weeks ago I saw a WONDERFULL film called Temple Grandin, I just fell in love with this masterpiece...

This film tells the amazing biography of a woman with autism named Mary Temple Grandin, who I didn't know before watching the movie, but, now, after seeing the film and searching for some information about her amazing life, I consider an idol to follow. 

-PLOT-

As a child, Temple (Claire Danes) was an uncommunicative girl, she didn't want people to hug her or touch her and she also was prone to tantrums. When her mother, worried, brang her to the doctor, Temple was diagnosed with autism: a illness seeing, at that time, like a kind of schizophrenia resulting from insufficient maternal affection. 

Her mother, hurt by thinking that was her fault that her daughter had autism, refused to believe that she wouldn't speak and never be part of the society. So, she decided to help her daughter as much as she could. (At age of 3, Temple knew hot to speak thanks to her mother's help).

As a teenager, Temple traveled to her aunt and uncle's ranch to work in summer. There, she observes the cows being placed into a squeeze chute to calm them, to her, it seems really interesting.

There, during an anxiety attack, she uses the machine for cows to calm herself. 

Doing this, she discovered a new method to calm herself during stressful situations: her hugs machine. Although autistic people don't support the contact with people, that doesn't mean that they do not like hugs, therefore, Temple looked like an "escape" her machine; it gave hugs but without beeing a person.

When her mother went to the ranch to brings her to college, Temple refuses her idea. She wanted to stay with cows, with her machine.

Temple doing her study

Temple's machine

However, Temple went to college inspired by her teacher, Dr. Carlock, where

 she develops a version of the ranch's machine.

Despite all the problems that emerge when they discovered it (Her college misinterprets the use of the machine as a sexual act and forces her to remove it), she get to keep it after doing a study, exploiting all his amazing knowledge, that scientifically explained that the machine actually was a purely therapeutic device.

Finally, Temple graduates with a degree in psychology and pursues a master's degree in animal science. 

Temple seeing cows

Temple decided that her future was in the world of cattle ranching.

Unfortunately, while she tried to intregated in there, she faces the sexism of the time and the inability of people to understand her illness.

Temple, by observing the cows' behavior, started looking for a way to improve a structure used to lead cows to an antiparasitic bathroom. The men of that place didn't understand its design, her point of view. Still, she gets it through. 

When it was constructed, the workers considered it a stupid way to waste time and they modified it, causing the drowning of some cows. Temple became furious, but she got fix her design, which started to be considered a masterpiece by a cattle magazine. 

She began to be respected and to had success.

In the last scene of the film, we can see Temple with his mother at a conference of autism, where she, to the astonishment of all, confesses to being autistic and have been very lucky in having his mother...

Take a look:

-KNOW MORE ABOUT HER-

"I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we've got to do it right. We've got to give those animals a decent life, and we've got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect."

—Temple Grandin

Do you want to know more about Temple?

Well, don't worry, here it is:

-She was born August 29 (1947). 

-Although, she is known by beeing a livestock industry consultancy and an autism rights activism, actually, she also is an American professor of animal science at Colorado State University and she has written a lot of books, that has become into best-selling.

-"The part of other people that has emotional relationonships isn't part of me" she said. 

So, she hasn't married or has children.

-Temple also has her own web site about autism, where you can find some interesting information about it. http://www.templegrandin.com/

-Temple decided to study psychology and specialize in animal behavior because of her close relationship with animals. In adolescence, part of her therapy consisted of riding and take care of horses. Soon, she found that they also had emotional problems, which inspired her to devote her life to improving animal welfare.

-Talking about her hug machine, I can say that it's real. Temple inveted it whit 18 years old. It helps her to understand better people's feelings and, when she built it, the machine encouraged her to go to college. Temple spent a long time using it, until, in February 2010, she said:"It broke two years ago, and I never got around to fixing it. I'm into hugging people now." 

A curious thing is that in some treatment centers this machine is used.

Finally, these are some interesting videos about Temple that I have found:

Laura Alonso Molina

Caire Danes and Temple Grandin

HeForShe

HeForShe is a solidarity movement for gender equality. It tries to promote the equality between boys and girls, However, it's a very complicated work because of the society where we live. Gender equality isn't just a women's issue, but a human rights issue that requires the participation of everybody. We have to pledge to take action against all forms of violence and discrimination. As some famous people say:

 ¨Lifting women up lifts up our economy and lifts up our country. We've got to make sure that somebody is standing up for them.¨ Barack Obama.

 Ït's an ojective fact, that if you want to solve some of these huge, kind of bigger problems of extreme poverty, you have to include the women. They are the ones who will get it done.¨ Matt Damon.

¨Violence against women and girls is a global problem; it harms women, families, communities and societies. We can only stop it by working together. Women and men.¨ Ban Ki-Moon.

 It seems to me that the violence against women is not something that can be passed high. This campaign ensures that gender equality is fulfilled.
In HeForShe you can see a map of the world that shows you how many men have been committed.
In Spain: 3,617; EEUU: 57,287; UK: 26,360; Congo: 7; Leshoto: 5; Panama: 89; Sierra Leona: 4.
As you can see, there are a lot of people that have committed, but it isn't in all countries.

I have done an interview with Maria Dolores from 4ESO C and she has given me her view:

-  What do you think about violence against women and not gender equality?
-  It doesn't seems right to me because it doesn't apply the same human rights because of the sex, and it's an injustice to give more value to men, For me, gender violence is the same. Men think they are better, and it isn't right.

- Do you think that in our society you can find gender equality or men still thinking they need to have more rights?
- In many situations there are equalities but although there are people educated from childhood you can often hear comments for example in relationships such as 'what do you know, if you're female?' or 'go to scrub'. So, there are men that still thinking like women are not people.

- What's your opinion about the movements and the companies like HeForShe that tries to promote gender equality?
- I think that trying to make us see that we are all equal and their work seems to me great and with future. Thanks to these movements and companies many men and women are being sensitized. 

- And finally, how long you think it will take to be all equals?
- I can't know that because it depends of the attitude of each person. But hopefully not take too long because it is a problem that needs to be removed.

Maria Dolores can't say an exact number, and she's right, because the attitud is very different in each person, but it will take long time, sadly.

I want to show you a youtube video of Emma Watson speaking in front of the United Nations about gender equality and trying very important issues that if you listen carefully it will reach your hearts and help many people to reflect on women and men.

Emma Watson speaking in front of the United Nations

MARÍA LÓPEZ VIGUERAS 

FAREWELL

     Sad news. The entry I don't want to write.

     I must go to another High School so I won't be your teacher anymore. This entry is only to say you goodbye and I really wish the best in your studies and in your future life.

     It is a pity because you were really special students and I will miss you a lot. I was full of new ideas and projects but unfortunately (or not, jejeje) we won't develop them.

     Goodbye and good luck everyone!!!!

     Carlos Zapata

     P.S. The school project is over but the blog is yours, keep it alive!!!

'MAGIC CAME TO VERSAILLES'

THIS LAST MONTH, EUROPE HAD THE OPORTUNITY TO MEET SOME ACTORS FROM THE AMERICAN DRAMA AND FAIRY TALES' SERIES ONCE UPON A TIME. SO, I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WAS THAT CONVENTION  ABOUT. BUT BE CAREFUL, BECAUSE THIS ENTRY CONTEINS SPOILERS OF THE THIRD SEASON OF OUAT, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT , I RECOMMEND YOU TO DON'T READ IT.

The actors that went to the Fairy Tales First Convention. Hon Bailey
(The Hunter/Sheriff Graham) , Sarah Bolger ( Princess Aurora) , David Anders
 ( Dr.Frankenstein/ Dr. Whale) and Keegan Connor Tracy( Blue Fairy/
Mother Superior)

As in the  Fairy Tales Convention Chapter I , some actors from one of the most popular series of the moment (to learn more about the series look at ABC' OUAT page ), came to Versailles( France ). It first happened on December and this convention was organised by Xivents.


Seeing the success of this event, Xivents organised another one Fairy Tale convention ; this is the one I'm going to talk about:

FAIRY TALES CHAPTER II

THE BILLBOARD OF THE SECOND CONVENTION.

                  AND THE GUESTS THIS TIME WERE:

REGINA MILLS/ THE EVIL QUEEN ( LANA PARRILLA)

BELLE ( EMILIE DE RAVIN )

HENRY ( JARED S. GILMORE )

ZELENA / WICKED WITCH ( REBECCA MADER)

PETER PAN ( ROBBIE KAY )

ROBIN HOOD ( SEAN MAQUIRE )

Nelson Mandela

                                   NELSON MANDELA






He was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, Cape.

Five years herding sheep and calves. He was one of 15 children of Henry Mgadla Mandela, chief advisor of the Supreme Leader Thembuland, who at the death of his father became tutor Mandela. Upon completion of primary education at a local mission school, studied at the University College of Fort Hare to obtain his Bachelor of Arts and where it comes into contact with politics and meet Oliver Tambo. Both took part in a student strike in 1940 which led to his expulsion from the center. Then he meets Walter Sisulu, who gave him a job at a law firm.

In 1944, along with Sisulu, Tambo and Anton Lembede, founded the youth wing of the African National Congress (ANC). It became the national secretary of this organization in 1948 and although he was opposed in principle to collaborate with other racial groups, changed his mind in 1952 during the course of the so-called 'Campaign Challenge'. Therefore advocated joint action against the government policy of apartheid. At this time, it was already national president of the youth wing of the ANC and, Tambo, had founded the first law firm run by blacks in South Africa. In December 1952, he was arrested under the Suppression of Communism Act (Suppression of Communism Act). Although his nine-month sentence was put on hold, was forbidden to attend meetings or leave the district of Johannesburg. This prohibition was renewed repeatedly over the next nine years. Despite this prohibition, he continued to work with the leaders of the ANC. In December 1956 he was, along with 156 other people, tried for treason. The trial lasted until 1961 and ended with the acquittal of all charges. After the Sharpeville massacre, in which 69 black citizens were killed by the South African security forces during a demonstration against apartheid were banned ANC and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). In March 1961, in order to avoid arrest and a new prohibition, Mandela went underground and, with Sisulu, secretly ran the country to organize a three-day strike. In June 1961, the ANC leadership decided to launch the armed struggle and formed the Umkhonto we Size ('Spear of the Nation), the armed wing of the ANC, with Mandela as the leader. In January 1962, he left South Africa and went to the Pan-African Conference in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia); Later he traveled to Algeria, where he trained for guerrilla warfare, and finally to London, the city where he met with leaders of the opposition in exile. He returned home in July of that year and was arrested on August 5 on charges of rebellion and leaving the country illegally, so he was sentenced to five years in prison. While in jail, the police searched the ANC headquarters in Rivonia. Most of the leading members of this organization were arrested; also confiscated several documents, among which was the diary written by Mandela during his trip abroad.

He and other activists were tried in what is known as the Treason Trial Rivonia. Lasted from October 1963 to June 1964 and conducted his own defense and that of the other defendants. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. For over 25 years he was the world's most famous political prisoner. Spent eighteen years in prison on Robben Island before being transferred to Pollsmoor (Cape Town) in 1982, in which an international campaign was launched for his release. During the years he spent in prison on Robben Island, he was forced to perform hard labor in the mines of the island lime works. Were not allowed to wear dark glasses and sun reflections on the lime damaged his eyes forever. While in jail, his mother died and one of his sons, but was refused permission to attend his funeral. In 1985 he refused the offer Pieter Willem Botha President parole on the premise that the president was not willing to change its position on apartheid.

The government of President Frederik Willem de Klerk released Mandela in February 1990, after legalizing the ANC and other political parties. Mandela assumed leadership of the ANC and led the negotiations with the government between the difficult years of 1990 and 1994, when it often seemed that the negotiations were to break and explode violence. In 1991, the South African regime repealed the last of the laws that formed the legal basis for apartheid. Mandela and de Klerk shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to establish democracy and racial harmony in South Africa. In May 1994, after the first general elections in which all racial groups (including blacks) were entitled to vote, Mandela became the first black president of South Africa. On assuming office as president gave up a third of the salary and created the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. Following parliamentary approval in May 1996 of the new South African Constitution, Mandela himself signed it in December of that year to thousands of people in Johannesburg, thus ending the period of democratic transition began with his release from prison in 1990 and also meaning the disappearance of the coalition government formed by the ANC and the National Party of Frederik Willem de Klerk. Mandela became definitely, in 1997, the undisputed leader of African international relations, mediating several conflicts, as in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) in the first half of that year eventually spell the end of regime of Mobutu Sese Seko.

The June 20, 1999, Mandela hands over power to his successor, Thabo Mbeki, and retires from politics, at least formally. Since leaving office held several positions of leadership in various areas, including negotiations on the conflict in the Great Lakes region.

In July 2001, Nelson Mandela's office announced that former South African President, suffers from prostate cancer.

Mandela was married three times and had 5 children. Winnie Mandela, ex-wife, was arrested on charges of fraud and theft in a case of bank loans. His last wife is the former first lady of Mozambique Graça Machel.

He received more than a hundred honorary degrees and awards from around the world.

Nelson Mandela died with his family at his home in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, around 20:50 local time on December 5, 2013, at age 95.

The former South African president and leader in the fight against Apartheid years ago dragged from a delicate state of health. He was hospitalized on June 8 this year in Pretoria, due to pneumonia, which kept him out of official acts. His last public appearance was in 2010 during the World Cup held in the country.

there are some photos of nelson mandela:






















ILHAM MAIZI 3ªBX