Sixth assignment: SPORTS

Hi!

Today I´m gonna talk about the sport that I practiced for 10 years: CHEERLEADING (Please, don´t think that this is the sport for blonde and silly girl cheerleading the football team from her High School). It´s much more than the typical movie showing this sport…

So, here I go. Cheerleading is a competitive physical sport that mixes jumps, cheers, dance, stunting (the famous “elevaciones”), tumbling. The idea is to present a 3 minute routine to amaze the audience. It sounds easy, but believe me: Cheerleader is not a simple sport.

Its origin is from USA, at Princeton University. A group of students shouting Cheerleading at the final of nineteen century and, at first, it was only for men. And the idea was cheerleading football games. Then, during the early decade of 1900s, mainly during World War Two, this sport began to admit women. Strange thing! But true.

In 1948, National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) was created. This is very important to me because I participate in this league during four years.  In the 1960s, cheerleading started organizing professional Championships.  At this time, Cheerleading was a whole and distinctive sport with its own clothes, accessories, sneakers, etc.

Today, cheerleading has many competitions and categories. A lot of different teams, signs, cheers, and new stunting are being created.

Prominent exponents, that’s difficult to say. I don´t know names, but I´m gonna tell about some great teams that I compete with during championships (from Chile): Javiera Carrera, Trewhela's, Tornado, UPAC, etc.

Why do I like this sport? Many reasons. It´s a complete sport, you can exercise all your body with music and gymnastics, you feel a part of a team (you suffer and sweat with it; you have a responsibility and commitment with a common goal), the adrenalin feeling before getting on the stage, the obstacles that you are going to overcome, etc.

Finally, I took part in this sport during ten years (you know that from the beginning). Actually, I´m still connected: I practice some days as a hobby with friends, I go to see them in their competitions (when I have the time) and, of course, if I get the chance to catch some cheerleading competition program during zapping, I stay and watch it.

Fifth Assignment: Summary from some of The Guardian´s news!

 “America's immigration system is based on family unification, but gay families don't count”

This is really hoping news for those who believe and defeat the LGTB´s cause. What the news tells about?

Basically, this is the first time that a DHS –Department of Homeland Security in USA- person categorically recognizes the human right for same-sex couples in order to be a “family ties”.

In fact, the problem begins with the DOMA law –Defend of Marriage Act- that only considers the right couples in order to get state benefits. This is a federal law from Clinton´s administration enacted in 1996 that defines marriages as the legal union of one man and one woman for federal and inter-state recognition. Since a couple of years, during Obama´s Administration, US appeals court are beginning to rule that this article is unconstitutional because it´s discriminates against married gay couples. This court ruling certainly upheld equality rights and treatment.

Getting back, this news appears because of the case of a Massachusetts’s citizen (John Brandoli), and his Trinidadian husband (Michael), who was going to be deported to Trinidad in order he couldn´t get the green card –Permanent Residence in USA-. Fortunately, John, his mother and Immigration Equality made a media campaign to stops Michael´s deportation and they won it.

With that triumph, and many other similar cases, Immigration Equality sends several questions to DHS. Chief Napolitano answered 2 days ago: “"I have directed ICE-Immigration and Customs Enforcement in USA- to disseminate written guidance to the field that … 'family relationships' includes long-term, same-sex partners." What does it means? Those gays immigrants are gonna have a better treatment from the State and understanding that having a relationship with someone of your same sex is in progress. First step, but an important one. USA - I mean federal state and those states that do not recognize gay rights yet; beyond, the world- is finally getting equality human right.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/01/napolitano-same-sex-couples-directive?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

Fourth assignment: Movies!

The first movie that came to my head, like a flashback, was: Anastasia (1997) by 20^th Century Fox. An animated film about the mystery of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna.

            Russia, ten years after revolution, under the communist rule. The Tzarism is gone, and the Royal Family was assassinated by Rasputin, the sorcerer who betrayed them. The chaos came to the country, and things would never be the same. But, maybe, the youngest daughter is alive.

 Anya, an orphan girl, leaves his rural orphanage in order to get a job. Instead of it, she decides to go to St Petersburg, seeking her family. Her only clue is a necklace with the phrase: “Together in Paris”.

During her trip into a snowy forest, Anya adopts a stray puppy named Pooka. Then, in the desert palace, she meets Dimitri and Vladimir, two friends searching an actress of Anastasia, in order to cash the reward that Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna is offering to who finds her graundaugther, Princess Anastasia. Impressed by Anya´s resemblance to the "real" Anastasia, they decide to take her with them.

On the travel abroad, Anya learns who to be Anastasia. The three members of the clan and Pooka are going to face many obstacles until arrive at Paris (Rasputin, a half-human half-devil had discovered Anastasia is alive, and he is gonna try everything to kill her). They will meet Dowager Marie and her cousin Sophie. Paradoxically, at the time Dimitri finds out the mystery of Grand Duchess, he will fall in love with Anya (or Anastasia). He is gonna get grandma and her granddaughter together; despite he decides to leave his true love.

In the end, Anya is revealed the truth. But she will have to face Rasputin one more time. With Pooka and Dimitri, she defeats him and retrieves her life and destiny back.

Why do I love this movie? Many reasons. The plot, the characters, the instrumental music, the story behind it, the animation, etc. I watched this movie at the age of 7 and, since then, I´ve been searching about the Tsarism and Russia´s history. The mystery caught me immediately. And the movie is certainly beautiful made. The makings off videos are just great. Whenever I´m zapping and pick the movie, I just need to watch it again.

See you

On the radio: BSO Anastasia

Third assignment: My best holidays

              I think I´m gonna choose the Miami and Disneyworld trip. For a 7 year-old children, this is certainly the dream come true. Nevertheless, for me, this journey had a special meaning: it was the first time I visited my uncle in Miami. Obviously, I´ve always wished I could travel more times there but, unfortunately, a year later I had to face his death. He died of cancer. Awful, but this trip reminds me the last time I saw him. So, I wanna write about him,.

            To Miami and Disney, I went with my parents. My mom was pregnant; she had 7 months! Fortunately, mi uncle worked in LAN, so she could come with my dad and I. (Something funny: her bully was huge, really huge. People around us thought she was going to fell off the floor). The flight was awesome! It was the first time for me getting in a plane, a large one! Those that appear in movies xD. I was watching through the window, laughing for anything. The flight attendant, a nice lady, gave me Lego Toys, so I spent like 4 hours trying to fix them, full concentrate. When I arrived I met with my uncle and Sonia, his friend. She was Chilean too. Fantastic.

            I remembered that we started travelling in a big car. In fact, I slept the entire trip lying on three comfortable seats. Then, I got to my uncle´s house in Miami. A week before a hurricane had passed, so the avenues and parks were all flooding. I was impressed with the water. That night we had a family dinner, and a tropical rain. Sonia started to dance barefoot on the grass and I followed her.

            Next days, we visited a Museum, a Zoo (where I saw dolphins and killer whales making a show. Also, I got very sick because of a bad pizza. That is the reason I don´t like it. My dad was so scared that he almost came back to Chile. Fortunately, my uncle didn´t let him.), and a day in Magic Kingdom park. The Cinderella castle was gorgeous! It´s a restaurant and in the entrance it has a counter with glass figures, very beautiful. That day, a rain came. Again. The parade was suspended. But I had the chance to meet Baloo and other members of the clan J. I still remember all the amusement park.

            Uf…I wrote a large text. I have fond memories of that times. One more thing: the food was horrible! The only word I knew back then -and the only thing I ate- was: MILK.

            See you

On the radio: Tears dry on their own by talented Amy Winehouse. 

ps. I´m gonna upload my photo tomorrow. I don´t have any here. Sorry. This one for now...