Addicted to music?

Do you listen to music through your MP3 player most of the time you're awake? Do you find it hard to spend quality time without listening to your favourite songs? Do you buy or download extreme amounts of songs and albums? Are you bound to get angry or even depressed if your device's battery runs out, or if your earphones malfunction? Do you use it in order to go to sleep or even switch it on during activities that require you to be focused?
If you do (any of these), it is quite likely that you're an MP3 addict. Don't worry though: you're not the only one. Many people, especially in their teens or early twenties, can't live without music. While there is absolutely no doubt music is a part of our everyday lives (and healthy), some people make it the most important thing, in a not so healthy way. Take a look around: MP3 players are everywhere, and it's not like you can walk downtown without seeing people with their earphones on. Not only it can be rather dangerous if you're not listening to what's happening around (and yes, many boys and girls listen to music that loud), but it also carries several consequences physically (loss of auditory capacity) and psychologically (anxiety, interacting problems, relationship issues, just to mention a few). One needs to be careful; and it's not getting any better - in the next decade, this addiction is set to become even stronger.
If you're seeking to overcome this addiction, there is one thing you should keep in mind: set boundaries. Don't listen to music in your player more than a certain amount of time (one hour per day is appropriate). Go out with friends and family when that limit is over. The reason why going out with someone else is recommended is the fact that being alone would encourage listening to more music. It also would be harder to completely stop listening to music - and you don't even need to do that. After all, "music is a way of life".

An Internet addict

Do you spend all your spare time in front of your computer? Are you eager to surf the net all the time? Do you find it more interesting to sit at home at the computer then going out? Are you comunicating with your friends only through the internet? Do you do all your shopping using your computer? Do you feel safer talking through a chat room than face to face?
If you identify yourself with any of this questions, there is a great chance you're an internet addict. An internet addict can be defined as someone who can't stand to be separated from their computer. Internet addicts often make up characters for themselves to use when comunicating in chat rooms, mostly because they have emotional and/or self-esteem problems. Many internet addicts fear going outside, because they feel safe behind the computer screen.
What can you do to change it, you ask. The first, and most important thing to do is to turn off your computer and go out to the real world. Get you life back! You have to face your fears and start comunicating in person. If you have a friend or someone you know who's been in the same situation, talk to them. They may be a good help, and they know that you're going through. You will find out that real friendship happens outside the internet.

A noisy story

Katherine requested us to post our own stories according to the guidelines in the page 146 of our books. Here is my own: hope you enjoy it.

She had no idea about where she was, but it seemed like a quiet place. The conforting sounds of the wind rustling in the trees made her feel like she was home. The sky was blue, and all she could see were the green fields with a house nearby and a lake with the jumping fish plopping into the water.
What could be wrong? Despite all that piece and quiet, she was somewhat scared. What was that place? And why were the clouds slowly gathering in the blue sky? She tried to calm herself down by sitting beneath the tree. Quite surprisingly, that didn't make her feel better. It was getting windy and cold. She looked up... only to find out the sky was no longer blue. "Looks like rain". Indeed. Thankfully there was a house she could use as a shelter. Anybody there? No response after five knocks. She pushes the door as it slowly creaks open. The house was empty. Outside, it was getting nasty. The rain had become a thunderstorm. She became increasingly frightened as the thunders rumbled. Why was she there? Would someone find her? She figured it would be best to lay down and wait for someone. The moment she turns her back, the door banged. It was a man she didn't know, and he had a menacing look. Without time to think of a better strategy, she screamed, only to hear a beep.

A beep?

Her alarm clock kept beeping. She found herself in her own bed back home. "I have to stop watching those movies..."

MotherLand

Hi!
Now, I`m going to tell you a little bit about my motherland Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. First of all, it consists of two small islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea, coast of Africa. At sea level, the climate is tropical, hot and humid with average yearly temperature of about 27°C. The temperature rarely rises beyond 32°C.
It is the second-smallest African country in terms of population, about 157,000. The islands were uninhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese sometime around 1470. São Tomé and Príncipe achieved independence from Portugal on July 12, 1975. The official language is Portuguese, but there are many regional languages such as, Forro, Angular, Principense. The economy is very weak, it has been just based on plantation agriculture of cocoa and coffee. Recently, was found petroleum in São Tomé`s water. But until now nothing changed. The country still more poor than ever. However, the people of there are very friendly and hospitable in spite of poverty. São Toméan culture is a mixture of black African and Portuguese influences. São Toméans are known for Ússua and Socopé rhythms. Tchiloli is a musical dance performance that tells a dramatic story. The Danço-congo is similarly a combination of music, dance and theatre. The typical food is called Cálulu.
So… I think that I already said the most important thing about São Tomé and Píncipe. If you have some curiosity or doubt, you can ask me personally or write on the blog.

Smile…