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Blog Entry #9: Write an expository essay on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

   It is important initially to define what complementary and alternative medicine is, it is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical. This topic is interesting to me, since in my work experience, I have worked for pharmaceutical companies that use traditional drugs. These medicines have been studied in ways that can be defined as "scientific." But I think it's interesting to have the opportunity to learn about or even use these alternative therapies; they can be an excellent complement to traditional medication.    Among the most widely used alternative therapies are mind-body therapies, which include meditation, hypnosis, and yoga. There are also so-called biologically based practices, which include vitamins, dietary supplements, and botanicals, and finally, what is called energy healing, such as the practice of reiki.    Finally, it's always important to know the pros and cons of this type of medicine. Among t...

Blog Entry #8: Read the given story and talk about the benefits and challenges writers face every day.

     According to what you express Mike Bunn: “The goal as you read like a writer is to locate what you believe are the most important writerly choices represented in the text—choices as large as the overall structure or as small as a single word used only once—to consider the effect of those choices on potential readers (including yourself)”. That is to say, the fact of choosing a word and understanding why it is within that text can change the perspective of my reading.    I think one of the toughest challenges is not just reading, it's perceiving, feeling, and being aware of what the writing is telling us. For example, my Spanish teacher at school used to say that there could be a text that tells us: "and the sun rose over the beautiful hills like a hope for a new day," and all we understood was, it's dawning.    This should be something that writers must face at every moment of their work, attracting an audience that with all the social network...

Blog Entry #7: Look for a piece of national or international news and write a comment on it.

     Forbes magazine published an article titled: "Multilingual Speakers Wanted: Job Demand Surges For The Next 5 Years". I found this new very interesting, as language students it gives us insight into the importance of our profession, whether as teachers or translators.    Rachel Wells mentions several advantages of being multilingual: - Career benefits of learning more than one language - International experiences - Competitive advantage - Job security and career progression    From my personal perspective, speaking a second language definitely opens doors in multinational companies, with quite competitive salaries and compensation packages. It even makes a person valuable in the labor market. I have seen several cases in which a candidate may even have a specialization, but they do not have a second language, and they are not considered for further recruitment.    All of this helps us understand how, in the workplace, candid...

Blog Entry #6: Read the article “Causes and Effects of Global Warming” and write a comment on it.

   Global warming and climate change are an everyday topic, but it's always complex, as a balance must be struck between achieving progress and maintaining sustainability.    As the article mentions, it's important to invest in alternative energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass) and to be seriously pursued. Finding and using renewable sources of energy can help counteract global warming effectively.    Another important point is what we do as a society, from us as individuals by making small changes such as using public transportation or purchasing products with a smaller environmental footprint. And the companies can contribute to environmental improvement such as ISO 14001 programs which focuses on environmental quality systems or a program that I really liked in Costa Rica called "Bandera Azul Ecológica" which is led by ICE and AYA.    An important point we must be aware of is that, unfortunately, we can not have zero emi...

Blog Entry #5: Look for a piece of national or international news and write a comment on it.

   The newspaper "La República" published an article about the highest-paying professions in Costa Rica. The list is topped by engineering, computer science, and those related to a second or third language. But it makes me think of a conversation I had with some friends a few months ago: what happens to people who truly want to study art or social sciences? It's difficult to have to choose between what you're passionate about and what will provide greater economic stability. I hope that in the future, people can earn a fair salary regardless of their field of work.

Blog Entry #4: Write a narrative paragraph. “My Favorite Summer Vacation”

   When I was 18 years old, I graduated from high school. That time I decided to take a trip to the beaches of Guanacaste with my three best friends. It was incredible. We traveled in a old car that my friend's parents had lent him, stayed in modest hotels, and ate at "sodas". Looking back, it may not have been my most fancy summer trip, but it is one I cherish as a treasure, the memories of those four friends who, after almost 30 years, are still together.

Blog Entry #3: Write a narrative paragraph. “A Memorable Journey”

   More than 10 years ago, it was my first time in the United States. It was a country I truly wanted to get to know. My best friends from high school lived in Houston, and this was the destination I chose for my first visit to the northern country. Visiting such a huge place, NASA, the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Art were all memories I still carry with me, just like that first time. Fortunately, I've returned to Houston several times. Seeing my friends, returning to places that impressed me, and discovering new ones keeps Houston in a special place in my heart.