English language chllanges

Well... My experience has been good. I mean, I'm not really a good student. Sometime, I didin't come to class, and when I did I was late (like today). But.. I don't think a language can be learned simply by attending classes, you have to do more. Of course, if I don't go to class, it will be more difficult, but what I mean is there's always another way to learn. I usually think I'm so awful in this language. But the other day, I start to read something in english and surprisingly, I understand the most. Obviusly, I still don't know a lot of words, but I think I need a little more experience for that. But, when it's about speak, Im completley terrible. I usually feel so embarrassed, that I can not even try. I know is wrong, but well...

I don't know if blogging is the best way to practice writing. I mean, I like it, but sometimes, when I'm out of time, I use google translator so it will does all the job for me. I don't know what would I do if I haven't. Internet is always a good resource.

Since today, I will keep watching series in english (with subs) and keep reading books in english (if I could and with my best friend, translate google, beside me).

Im not sure what else to say. I mean, I know english is so important! Especially if I want to still studing science, but sometimes is difficult. I really want to improve, but I don't know how.

Changes to my study programme

Im not sure if I can answer this question, because I am in my first year. The courses Im taking are basic, but necessary, so I have no problem with them.

In my faculty, we have 4 principals buildings, the first one is called "tottus" because is green, just like the supermarket "tottus". They have another "official name", but I can't remember wich one, "Salas" is a simply building with 16 classroom, and "cerutti", in which one most of the laboratories are located, and "Aula Magna" an auditorium.  We also have other buildings, but they aren't "academic". Ricoffe is our cafeteria. "anexo" is a room with tables and chairs, where you can study, a library and a court.
Our courtyard is really pretty.

My faculty is a little small compared to others, but I think it's very pretty and welcoming. We always have a place where we can stay relaxed and comfortable. We have a lot of green! And also have a old bus, that doesn't work anymore, but can be used to stay relaxed, for a party, and also for fun. People in my faculty made this video, and when I saw it, I couldn't stop laughing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-7EqmEkF0E&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6-7EqmEkF0E&has_verified=1

About teaching methods, in my experience, they are good, I can't complain. I mean, many of our teachers didn't study pedagogy, They are researchers. Sometime it's hard to understand, because they know a lot of things, but they also try to explain in the best way. A couple of months ago, I had "Maths" with "Julio Gallardo", who is an amazing teacher! and He had his way to explain, It wasn't fast, but in his class you needed to be very focused, because his explanations were "in the math way". This semester, I take "Math II" with Natalia Henriquez, and my world changed completely. She's so nice, in the first class I felt like if I was in middle school and not in the university. I really like it, because unlike the previous semester, I can stay relaxed and learn at the same time! This experience makes me think that we can choose what method is better for ourselves.

Summer holidays

For now, I have no plans for my vacation. I don't know if my vacation will start in january or february, so it's hard start planning something. My mom have plans, but she have time in january, and Im not sure if I will can.

At the end, I probably go to Chillan. A classmate lives there, and as with the rest of my friends we have no idea what to do for the holidays, we are thinking about visiting her. But she told us that in Chillán there's nothing to do, except be with her and watch movies. And it's good for my. I just know I do not want to spend the summer in Santiago.

With a friend from school we are thinking that we want to travel. We want to go to the beach, or maybe to the south. Our big dream is going to Spain, because she have a aunt who can receive us. Once there, we want to take a train, of these that travel throughout Europe. I was thinking I can take a train here, in Chile, but the other day a friend told me it's a awful experience. Im willing to try, but Im afraid she's right.

My friend also want to take a bus to Mendoza, and of course, I would go with her if she does. We have many plans and ideas to travel, but the problem is, where would we stay? There are still many things to be solved, but we are young and we are motivated, so I think we can figure it out.

Painful memories

I think the better way to remember the painful memories is start to think about how many scars I have. Thanks god, I think I only have one and is a small one. But, it doesn't mean it wasn't painful.

I was like six years old, maybe a little more. I was camping with my parents. It was saturday, and I was so bored. My friends and my family were having lunch, but I already finished, so I was looking for something to do. My mom had forbidden me to climb in a specific three, because she thought it was dangerous, but I really wanted to do it, because that tree had a couple of boards and was something like a "tree house" (a really poor one). All my friends usually climb, but I didn't. Until that day. How my mom was lunch, I was thought she'd never find out, so I climb. When I was in the middle, I tripped and to avoid the fall, I clung to the tree. But this one had a nail out, so when I slipped I cut my abdomen. I remember going to the bathroom trying not to cry and wash the wound, waiting for the blood stop coming out. But it hurt a lot, so I decided that my mother's punishment for climb couldn't be worse that the injury, so I've comeback to the camp and saw the face of terror from all.  I'm not sure what happened later. I do know I wasn't a punishment. The scare and the wound were enough lesson.

Postgraduate studies

When I finish my career,  I want to study pedagogy. I'm not sure if this count as a "postgraduate" course, because it have no relation with biochemistry, but I really want to be a teacher someday. At least for a year. The other day in class someone ask me why I want to do this, and in that moment I doesn't know why, but I've been thinking about that, until I find the answer.

Back at school, I really liked my teachers. They was so nice, but the most also was so lazy. I love biology and chemistry, but my teacher sucks! And now I'm the only one of my classmates who studies something that has to do with science. I truly believe that science its something awesome, and I want to show others how great can it be. I want to be the example I didn't have. My mom is a teacher, and everyday I listen to her and discover how beautiful is to teach. Be a teacher sounds like have new experiences and learn new things everyday.  I fins it interesting because I don't want to do the same thing all my live and pedagogy sounds like a good choice.

But, Going back to the sciences, I think I want to study microbiology or biomedicine. Or maybe something like genetic. These are (for now) my three favorite topics. I think I will like to study in other country, but I don't know where.

My future job

A classmate told me that the next topic would be "my future job" and since that day I tried to think of something, but still have no answer. I mean, I really want to work in science, that's why I'm here, but I don't know exactly what area. Maybe, microbiology. One of the first days I had to interview a teacher who had studied biochemistry. His name was Carlos Santiviago and his specialty was microbiology. When I saw how much he loved what he was doing, I rembember myself thinking something like "Wow, microbiology has to be amazing". But also I like other areas, so I'm not sure.

For now, the only thing I know is that I want a job that have relation with research. Outdoor and Indoor sounds good to me, but I think is a little difficult get one outdoor, because its more probably get a job in a lab.
I really want to travel in my job! I mean, in my life plan, I will travel a lot. It's more probably that happens in my vacations, but if in my job I have the opportunity to travel, I will take it.
I hope the salary will be enough to travel at least a week outside the city where I will live.

My real dream is to work because I love what I do. Don't work for money or obligation (I mean, I obviously will need the money, but I hope that wouldnt the main reason)

Favourite food

My favorite food is a chilean typical dish named "Cazuela". I don't know why is my favorite, I think because I really like soup... and corn... and meat.... and potato... and pumpkin... and rice... and everything in this wonderful food.

The sad part is I don't eat cazuela often. My sister really hates it, so my parents don't cook it regularly. But, I'm something like "The favourite niece", because i'm the younger of my cousins (This is a lie, the favorite one is the oldest cousin, but she doesn't come to visit us very often) and my uncle cook for me! (my sister never eats with us those days).  Doesn't mater if is winter or summer, I will always want to eat.

I can't remember when was the last time I ate. I know it was a saturday, because saturday is the day when my dad and I eat whit my uncle. I think I will ask my uncle to cook for me this weekend.

I don't have anything else to say about cazuela! Except that today I didn't have lunch, and now Im very hungry and talking about cazuela makes me want to eat, but I can't, because where can I buy? At this time is impossible. Also, I have class and I can't escape :(

Hobbies

I'm trying to think about what I usually do with my free time, but these days the only thing I have in mind is study. I start wondering when was the last time that I had free time. Maybe for the strike? I'm not sure.

But well, hobbies. I really enjoy reading. The past month I read "The art of racing in the rain" and it was so beautiful!

The story is told by a dog named Enzo, who believes in the mongolian legend that a dog who is prepared will be reincarnated in his next life as a human. His owner is Denny Swift, a race car driver, who get married and tried to propel his career. Enzo acquire knowledge about how to be a good car driver and always support his owner dreams. In the book, both have to deal with so many troubles, but Enzo is always there, with all his love for Denny.

The art of racing in the rain is a beautiful story about overcoming and love. Really makes you think about the humanity in our pets.

I learned to read when I was in kindergarten. My parents and my older sister every day before sleeping read something and when I saw them, I wanted to be like them. One day, my mother bought a book with so many pictures and taught me. Since then, I always have a book in mind. For example, now I really want to read "La Mécanique du coeur" and a classmate will lend me the book.

 The other day I downloaded in my phone the app from a chilean library, so now I have so many books in pdf for commuting.

The best holidays!

(Why do we always have to choose only one?? It's so unfair!)

Santo Domingo

Isla Saona

I can't choose "the best holidays on my life", so I will talk about the last one, because they are part of my "Top 3".

The last year, with my dad, my sister and a cousin went to Dominican Republic (december's 26th to January 14) It's hard to explain the reasons why we chose this place in particular, but the important thing is that trip was amazing! We went through so many places! The first and second day we stayed in Santo Domingo! We walked for the coast and visited colonial places.

The next stop was in "Isla Saona". I don't have words to describe the place, it's so magical. The sand is white and the sea looks completly blue. To arrive it's necessary to take a boat, what make the travel more exciting! But, you really need a hat because the sun is so hard in middle of sea! I remember that my sister really hated the boat trip, but for me was amazing! In the way you can visit a "natural pool", swim so far from the coast and see a lot of starfish. They are so big! (More or less, the size of my face). Even if you don't want, to the end of the day you are completly tan (But well, that happens in all the island).

Cayos de Samana. 

Another place where you need to take a boat to arrive is "Los cayos de Samana". A memorable thing was swim under the sea with swiming goggles and snorkel. At the end, I only used the goggles, because the snorkel didn't work if you want to go deeper. And a sad thing: We couldn't see whales because it wasn't the right time.

A important fact: There the water is warm!!!!!!!!

We went through so many places, but the place where we stayed more time was Cabarete. Another regret: I couldn't do kitesurf! But it was beautiful to see the water full of kite when you rest in the seashore with a natural juice!

Maybe I'll comeback in the next summer, but I'm not sure yet. I should because all the places are so beautiful and I really miss the place :(

A country I'd like to visit

It's difficult to me choose only one country I'd like to visit. Some people dream about have they own house, they own car, a family that kind of things, but my dream is travel around the world, so, I have more than one on mind.
I think if I have to choose only one country, it would be a Asian one (Except China!!!!!!!!!!) Maybe Japan, because two friends were there in vacation and when I see his pictures, I feel so envy!
I'm interested because the culture there is so much different than ours. I want to travel by "Shinkansen" and go to visit their temples and castles.  I want to eating some local food, like "takoyaki" or "okonomiyaki". I have no idea what it have, but I want to take the risk!
I'm not sure if I want to live there, because they have their awkward habit, but I'd like to visit and stay a couple of moths to know more about the country.

My blogging experience

Talk about my exeperience means that this is the last blog? Have to be the last, because the semester it's over. It's supposed this week I only should study for my exams, but here I am, writing the last blog TT. Will we write more blogs the next semester? I hope so. Have only theoretical  class sounds awful.

I have to admit sometimes wrote a blog was boring for me. And also was frustrating, because express myself in other language was difficult to me (and still do). But, at the end I really enjoy this. I think about all the boring things that I did in my english class in school, and now I feel thankful, because write a blog is a funny way to learn english and apply it to daily things. It's not just a theoretical class. Write a blog make you apply what you know and search for more, because never it's enough, you always will need know a little more. Search a word, translate a all sentence in google and that kind of thing that you do when you want to learn something.

I think I improved. I still have to learn so much about this language, but now I don't use "google translate" as I did before. If I wanna get better, I have to start formulating my own sentences. I still using wordreference.com so much, because I always forget some words. I still have this problem with verbs. I should use past, but I forget or I don't know the verb in past. Now, at least, I have the consideration to google-it (Something I feel I'm still a mess. But at least I try TT )

Today, I want to confess my sin. When I wasn't know what more write in my blog, I search in my classmate's blogs to find something useful to write about... YES, THIS SOUND AWFUL TT. I don't copy and paste what they said, I just read and take ideas to write about. I hope this does not interfere with my grade (If I have emojis, I will use here the two-hands praying.) I only do it sometimes, not always.

It was a great experence. I really enjoy it. I always wrote more than what my teacher asked. I really enjoy write. Someday, I wanna write a story, but I think I still need learn more vocabullary for this (specially verbs!!!!!). When I know all the vocabulary that I need to understand scientific papers, I think I will try. In the future I would like do more activities with scientific english. I will need it all my like as biochemist.

This is the end. Am I the only person who feels nostalgia?? Should I say goodbye now?? This probably will be the more awkard farewell in the world.
Goodbye. I hope see you soon in the future.

From the invisible to the visible world and back

Talk about things that we can't see it's difficult. But, talk about something that you can't see and also, you can not understand, it's worst. I know, I'm studying biochemistry, I should know more about this kind of things, but the true is I never felt very interested about this topic before. The first time that I heard about "nanoparticles", I was to young to understand what it means. I grow up thinking "nanoparticles" was a small robots who can destroy the world in the hands of wrong people. (So much TV, lmao).

So, still now, I usually talked about myself, or about things that I know, but today, before a little-research I think I just will answer the questions that my professor made.

-What are the nanoparticles?
particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. They have many potential applications in medicine, optics, and electronics.

Materials:
Carbon-based materials. Metals, mainly gold and silver (Although metals such as Titanium dioxide, Iron and cerium are under investigation for being considered unhealthy)

Techniques to obtain nanoparticles:
Attrition, pyrolysis and hydrothermal synthesis. (Please don't make me explain this or I will copy and paste a wikipedia explanation).

What are they used for?
There's a lot of uses, but the main ones are things like medicine, energy, construction, etc, etc, etc. (I found that nanoparticles can be harmful for health and for environment, so I just can think about "Nanoparticles can destroy the world", how happen in movies. )

What importance they have in my career.
A lot of importance, of course. A large percentage of my career is research about how things work in its smallest state, and also is so focus in the topic of the last point.

Why you chose them?
Chose them? I don't choose anything, I just talking about what my teacher asking for TT. If I can choose, I probably choose a totally different topic.

From here, all questions have to do with something I chose. I know I was should talk about a specific technique. I don't know why I didn't. I think maybe because that it would have been so hard that scares me a little. I'm sorry for that. Anyway, I spent an hour reading "wikipedia" in english, so, I feel satisfied.
I promise I will do my best the next time. See ya!

The most enjoyable subject thus far

I think my favorite subject still now is Chemistry. When I know I have to study something, but I don't wanna study it, I study chemistry. It's funny because when the classes started, I don't liked it so much, I wasn't understend and I get frustrated often. But now, even if I haven't the best mark, I really feel happy when I study it, what is nice, because this is the beginning of what I want to do. 

I think study chemistry it's so important, because it explain what is happen in a diminute space. This helps you to understand the structure of things. We actually seen "solution" and "coordination compounds". I can't belive I will have a test last friday! I hope obtain a good mark.

Thursday and wednesday I have theoric classes and Friday exercises and a little test. I admit, in the beggining I really have bad marks, but today I had a test and I think I will have a good mark. I really like my "assistant" (I don't know really if she is a assistan or a tutoress or whatever, all I know is that she is in charge in my friday's activities), her name is Dominique. Today was so sad, because we wouldn't have more class whit her TT. I also like my teacher Santiago Zolezzi. I think I haven't a reason why I like, I just do it. 

Other subject I like is laboratory techniques, even if I get frustrated every time. I'm very disorderly and imprecise. One time, we was making a "experiment" (I'm not sure how translate my concept, in spanish is: "titulación") and the first two weren't result me. But the third was going very well, until I accidentally turned the flask and poured the substance on the table. It was terrible. That is the reason because when I said I'm careless, I really mean it! But the experience helps! the other day we do a distillation and I did it well, without incident.

I think I really like all my class, with a exception: physics. But, how I said the last time, no matter what, I will approve! 

Website I enjoy!

In my university it’s getting starter the “exam period”, so I really have my mind in the clouds. I think I can’t speak about an expert on my field that I admire, so I decided share with us a website that I visit so much recently:

https://www.fisicalab.com/

The web is in spanish because if I had trouble to understand the subject, I don’t want to think about the nightmare it would be study in english. I know I will improve with time, but I have to take my time to progress. 

Fisicalab.com really make me enjoy study physics. It’s a dinamic website which classified the subject according to their level of complexity. I still have a lot to study and sometimes I get frustrated because don’t matter how much I try, I don’t progress. But I still optimist! Baby steps is the key to success and I still have a month before the final test.

If you want to learn physics with me, you can watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM8ECpBuQYE&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtN0ge7yDk_UA0ldZJdhwkoV

I saw the video when I was studying for the first examen. My mark wasn’t so high, but I keep the faith to approve!
I think this is all for today. The next week I'll have a test and I need study more! TT
See ya. 

About pets (!!!)

When i was a child, we had a kitty named "Pelusa". She stayed so much time with us. I remember loved her so much! But, the bad news is that my biggest memorie of her is about when she died. I remember she disappeared a week, but that was so normal, she always came out for a couple of days. But one day, my parents called my and my sister and told us the story: My cat was in the branch of a tree and a big truck passed and threw the branch with my cat, to finally, run her over. Yeah! I cryed for a weeks! Now that I tell the story, that sounds really tragic. Lmao, I want my cat back TT

After that, I had  a Gerbil. A little rodent so much similar to a hamster. They was a gift of a friend and I remember I was so much happy. That was the first time that I had a pet for my own (My sister had her own one). The gerbils really loved bite whatever they find. So much that his teeth grew up still he can't drink or eat anything. Finally, he starved to death. Literally.

That was when I gived up with pets. Something in me makes they died. Now, my dad had a black kitty so beautiful. Her name is Puky. She don't live whit me, so she stay safe. But, I still wanted have a dog someday! <3.

Here a picture of Puky.

A photograph you like

I checked my facebook photos to choose a photograph and... wow. It's amazing the amount of memories saved in only one picture. I really took my time to choose it, because all the pictures that I found means a lot for me.

Finally... I choose this.

The "all-life" friends. We all lived in the same neighborhood (They still live here, only I had to move). This picture was taken about four years ago (At least, it was upload to FB in 2012) and... I'm not sure who took it, but I remember we went to the beach with our familys and had a wonderful weekend in middle of June.  

Im not sure why I like this picture so much. Maybe because make me remember a beautiful stage of my life: My childhood. 

Now, the things are different. I'm the youngest from the group, so, when my friends entered to university, slowly the relationship was "broken". We don't see each other so much (At least, I don't see they so much. I know they still in contact because they all go to the same church), but I know the love and the confidence still forever. They always would have a place in my heart. 

This is one of our last meetings, when the oldest friend got married. She is the one who has the bouquet of white flowers and is named  "Teresa", but we all tell her "Tere". Her husband is the man beside her, with a dark suit and his name is "Abraham", but we all tell him "mono". Yes, it's a long history that maybe I will tell you someday. My sister is the girl besides "mono" at the end and his name is "Victoria", but we all tell her "Vicky". The other man in picture is "Marcelo", or simply "Chelo", he is one year older than me. I´m who wears the green and black dress, and beside me is "Elizabeth", or simply "Eli", the most skinniest from us. 

That day we all (the women) wore a flower dress. And no, we do not plan it. It was a simply coincide.

About books and films

I'm pretty sure that I had already talked about this before. I really love books <3. Choose only one it's so much difficult to me, but, I will choose: "A Thousand splendid suns" novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. It is one of the last books I have read and I really enjoy it. In the first chapter was crying. 

The novel centers around  two women, Mariam and Laila. This women lived in Afganistan's capital in a time when being a woman was not a good thing. The novel is about how their lives become intertwined after a series of drastic events, and their subsequent friendship and support for each other. 

What I like about the book is that it is not an idealized world, and its far from perfect one. The world inside the book is cruel and unjust, as well as life. But just as we have to move on, the characters in the book too. 

I read it because I saw it on a list of " books that will make you mourn", I looked in a library, and read it. It was a good decision.

And about a film?

Well, I will choose "Inception". It is a science fiction movie which relates the life of two "extractors" (people who infiltrate in the subconscious of someone to exctract valuable information). To comeback with they family, Dom have to do a impossible job:  Planting an idea in a person's subconscious.

It's a really interesting film. I really love it <3. 

My favourite piece of technology

What is my favourite piece of technology?

Difficult question, for me, at least. I'm not sure if I'd say this before, but I really have a problem when I have to choose only one thing and say it's my favourite
I'm not sure why, but always happen to me!

It took me a while choose, but finally, I choose mp3 format. It's so wonderfull can listen whatever song you wanted in wherever place you've be! I alway have my cellphone and my headphones close to me, because I'm so addicted to music. When I go to university, they are my partners of travel. Other thing can be cinema. This weekend I go with my dad to se "Civil War", yes, the marvel's movie. I really enjoy it! You have heard the word dbox? Well, this new invention transoform your experience in cinema. I recommend it!

Go to see Civil war soon!

Why did you choose your career?

When I was in first grade, I had to talk about firefighter in front my classmates and since this day, my dream is be a firefighter. Yes, I still wanted become a firefighter, but I know I can’t work as one for a simple reason: Money. In my country, be a firefighter is a volunteer job, which means they don’t receive money from his labour. In my opinion, that is so unfair! This people risk his lives every day without receiving anything in return, and not only that, for work like a volunteer they have to pay a assessment every month. Just think about it makes me angry! But well, I can’t do so much to change the system.

For these reason, I was forced to choose another career. After all, when I grow up, I would need money to live. Fortunately for me, my parents supports me now, but someday I must leave they home and star to obtain my own things and for that, I need a job.

When I was in five grade, I really want to become a scientific. Obviously, I hadn’t a big idea about what “becomes a scientific” means, but as long as I grow up, I got information about it and well, here I am, studying my first year of biochemistry.

But, choose wasn’t that easy like sound. I had a clear idea, until I was in last year of school. So many careers cross my mind, because,  I really wanna choose a single career and do the same thing for the rest of my live? Obviously, my answer was a big NO! The problem? I still have to choose something, at least for the first years of work.

In this point, I had a big unanswered question: What career do I choose?  I consider study biotechnology, psychology, literature, translation, journalism, art, and even, something with sports. I wasn’t make a decision until I have to answer the university postulation.

For now, I’m really happy with my choose. Like I said before: University is like another universe for me, but I’m learning a new thing every day and I don’t have the words to explain how I feel about it. It’s just… magical. This sounds so much idealistic and childish, but well, I really can’t say more about it. It feels that way.

Guess why... Times ups! It's time to go to my class of chemistry. So, read you later!

I hope you enjoy it and I hope you have a nice day <3.

Getting to know each other...

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog. My name is Paz Belén Rojas Henríquez. I have a third name, but for now, it's a secret.

I'm so nervous. Talk about myself it's a little difficult to me. Especially if I have to do it in other language. I will cry, why my english is so poor? But, I'm a kind of optimistic, so here I am, trying. 

I was born the 17 of November of 1997, and yes, Im 18 years old. I have a older sister, her name's Victoria and she's 21 years old. My parents are divorced since 2013, which is why she lives with my dad and I live with my mom. Sometimes, I really miss her, but we oftenly visit each other. After all, we don't live too far.

Actually, I'm study Biochemistry in Universidad de Chile. University is a big challenge, but I really like my degree. Im so nervous, because in my school obtain a high grade was so easy. University is like other universe for me. But, I'm a persisten person, so I would do my best.

What else? I really like books. My favorite book is "Mil soles esplendidos", but also like books like "The name of the wind", "Idhun Memories", etc. I like sports too. All my high school I played volleyball and handball. Is weird don't practice anymore, but I think i'll apply for the team of University.  I don't know if I'm good playing, I only know that I like it so much. 

Well, I think this is all for today. Oh, but don't be sad. I'll probably write something soon! 

See you later! Or "read you" later? I don't know! Have a blog is so weird TT.