Parks and strikes

Well, the word 'strikes' can mean a lot of things. In bowling, for example, it means 'knocking over all pins', or in baseball, it is a miss. But here in Chile, the most frequent use of 'strike' is other. Strike has been a way to demand answers to all kind of problems. Considering that it's very rare that profound changes happen when people don't protest, I think that we must build a new sense of community and, from there, make changes in our society. In the last century, capitalism has imposed a sense of individualism that it's tearing us apart (like the Joy Division song!), making ourselves think that we are alone, that we should not talk to the person beside us in the classroom or in the park.

So, I consider that any form of demonstration that might bring changes is good. Goin' on strike it's a legitimate way to achieve profound changes here in the University and in other country institutions. But I think that strikes alone are not enough; we have to build other forms of resistance while we are on strike (or not). I have to recognize that sometimes I lost my hope and, when my faculty goes on strike, I stay at home. But I still think that sooner or later (more sooner than later, I hope) the people will get tired, and then massive changes will start to happen.

I think that small acts of resistance occur every day, and many of those are even not considered "political". Sitting in a bench, on a park, and watch the sunset while the city goes black... in those moments we are fighting against the very nature of productivity and time. We are just enjoying being here. And, in this times, that's a lot to say.

A Moon Shaped Pool

So, last sunday Radiohead released a new album, called A Moon Shaped Pool. My roommates and I were very excited, because we all love Radiohead. Personally, I think it's the most influential band of the 21st century so far. It's common understanding that Kid A, their album from 2000, summarized many popular genres from that moment in a magnificent way.

The previous days to the release of A Moon Shaped Pool, Radiohead released two singles from the record. The second one, called Daydreaming, is breathtaking. And not only the music, but also the video! I think Daydreaming will be remembered as one of their best songs.

I listen to Radiohead since 2008, when my music teacher lent me a copy of In Rainbows. My mind almost exploded. From that moment Radiohead became one of my favourite bands. I hope we could get to see them live.

Some of my other favourite songs from the new album (besides Daydreaming) are Glass Eyes, Present Tense, Tinker Tailor, and, of course, True Love Waits.

But I really recommend you all of their albums. My personal favorites are In Rainbows and Kid A, but even Pablo Honey, their first record from 1993, has many good songs.

Here is the video of Daydreaming.

Today presentations

Today was my first class at the English course. My classmates and I had to make a presentation about our careers. I talked about the different study fields of Psychology, while my other classmates talked about Sociology, Anthropology and Education. I enjoyed the presentations: it is incredible the wide variety of study topics here at FACSO.

I presented near the end of the class. I was a little nervous, and I forgot some lines of my presentation, but in general I enjoyed it. It was the first time I presented in public speaking in English! I hope to keep improving.

¿A sandwich?

My friend Álvaro, from Concepción, visited me last year. He studies psychology, like me, but in the University of Concepción. I invited him to lunch, so we went to a restaurant called 'Fuente Mardoqueo'. I discovered the restaurant after I read an article about the best sandwiches in Santiago. Sandwiches are one of my favorite foods, so I'm always looking for new options.

'Fuente Mardoqueo' is in Barrio Yungay, a neighborhood in the commune of Santiago. It's a very nice place, beautifully decorated, old-fashion style. They have many old artifacts, photos and posters. But, more importantly, ¡the sandwiches are huge! The sandwich I ordered was so big, I could barely finish it. It was very tasty.

They have all kind of sandwiches: Barros Luco, Churrasco, Chacarero...

So, i would like to return in the next weeks. It's a little bit expensive, but it's worth it.

My favorite piece of technology

Everyday we use so much technology! Smartphones, laptops, TV's, printers.. But none of those are my favorite piece of technology. My headphones are. I use them everyday, when I commute to university, to work, when I go out for a little walk in the middle of the night.. And when the headphone cables break... argh!

I use my headphones every time I go to Concepción. They help me to relax and make the 6-hours-long trip more beautiful.

I got the headphones i'm using right now last year, about May. I searched internet for good and cheap headphones, and when I decided, I searched for a local store and went to buy them.

A couple of months later I got another pair of headphones. They are smaller and designed to go out with them. The other ones are larger, so I use them at home.

Without my headphones, taking the subway or the bus would be so boring! I need music to study, to write, and even to relax. So without my headphones... well, I would have to get some speakers!

Here are the pictures of the two pair of headphones that I have right now:

Rainy sunset

Santiago has very beautiful sunsets. Sometimes clouds gather and form something like a painting, with very beautiful colors: orange, red, yellow. At first, I was going to publish a picture of a sunset like those, but then I remembered that in Concepción sunsets are also very beautiful, although in winter they are grayer.

Rainy days are common in Concepción. I took this photo during the winter of last year. This place is called "Laguna Redonda" ('Round lake' in english, i think). It's located in a neighborhood called 'Lorenzo Arenas', near the Bio-Bio river and a train station.

I really like the feel of the winter breeze, and when I see this picture, I remember. I really like the big clouds and the smell of the grass after the rain. Here's another photo, of the railway near Laguna Redonda:

An introduction

Hi! My name is Cristóbal, and this is my blog for the English class. I'm 22 years old, and I'm from Concepción, a city in the south of Chile. I live in Santiago since 2013, when I began to study Bachillerato. Last year i received my degree, as Bachelor, and now I'm studying Psychology. I like listening to music very much. Also, i enjoy watching films and plays.

Hope you enjoy my posts!