I had mentioned previously that there are some ads in Belgium that have definitely caught my attention, because they are real examples of their humorous way of showing you the unexpected and make you laugh about it. I guess a good example is this one of Brussels Airlines.
Category Archives: in english
Free Hugs Mexico City, Helsinki & Brussels
You may have heard about the Free Hugs campaign (or even read about it in your local newspaper).
I’m glad to inform that there has been already some activity in the three cities where I’ve lived: México, D.F., Helsinki and Brussels.
Because sometimes, you just need a hug.
CONCACAF Champions Cup Final: Chivas 2-2 Pachuca
In an excellent game, where both teams really played at a tempo and standard befitting a Confederation final, Chivas and Pachuca tied at Jalisco Stadium. Given the result, both teams still have chances to go through to Japan when the second leg is played on the 25th.
Omar Bravo scored a brace, but couldn’t stop Chivas from tying a game in which they started off strongly.
Good food, good parks, good beer
Belgians definitely know how to relax and enjoy life. Belgian food is like French food, but with bigger portions and with less snobbiness to it. Brussels is one of the greenest European capitals, with some of the largest amounts of green spaces per capita, which is great when it's sunny as has been lately. Besides, as regular readers of this blog will know, there is very good beer to be had here.
Funnily enough, the place doesn't have the reputation it deserves.
Language sound inventories
You may have heard before that for people of Asian origin it is very difficult to pronounce the letter "r", as they don't have that sound in their languages. This is not only an issue with Asian languages, as any student of French, Spanish or English will tell you, with the problems with nasal vowels, rolled r's or long o's.
One of the funniest examples I have found is with that beloved language of mine: Finnish. Letters such as c, d, b, f, g or z cause problems to Finnish speakers, as they don't come naturally in their language (which uses the stronger sounds of k,t, p, v, k, or s instead), even though they have other frontal vowel sounds written with the letters ä, ö, y and å that might easily perplex foreign students.
This is shown when a Finn is learning Spanish, for example. Even though the pronunciation of both languages in general is very similar, a Finn might end up singing "Pésame mucho" instead of "Bésame mucho" (roughly translated to "it weighs a lot" or "I'm so, so sorry" instead of "kiss me repeatedly"). Hilarity might ensue.
Masters of Precolumbian art
If you’re in Brussels between now and 29.4.2007, you should really check out this exhibition at the Royal Museums of Art and History.
The Jansen collection has objects from all over the Americas, from Alaska to Patagonia, under the same roof. It is amazing to see the similarities and differences between these cultures. I had only been exposed to Mesoamerican art before, and the introduction of Central and South American objects from before the arrival of the Spaniards was quite a threat.
A very funny moment was when I noticed that an Aztec stone eagle on show looks just like the “Made in Mexico” logo. Of course it should.
Go, go, go! You won’t regret it.
15th Matchday: Atlas 0-2 Chivas
With very few games to go before the playoffs (yes, the Mexican league, besides having two championships per year, also has playoffs) Chivas continued in good form, beating Atlas at Jalisco Stadium (the home they both share) in the Guadalajara derby. Chivas is now second in the general standings and has a place guaranteed in the deciding stages of the season.
The first goal by Alberto Venado Medina is a beauty.
Music and Lyrics
I am not a big fan of romantic comedies, but I actually enjoyed this movie. The script is original, as it takes a different look at the music industry and pop from two different decades (a musical genre I generally don't care much for), and it has a sort of witty, one-liner-based sarcarm I enjoy.
If you want to spend some time during the weekend and have nothing better to do, I'd recommend it. A "chick-flick" that will also make men laugh. If you were a teenager or still remember the 80's, you will definitely enjoy it.
10th Matchday: Chivas 2-2 Tecos
In a very good game, Chivas made a comeback (with the last goal coming at 80 minutes), to tie 2-2 with Tecos of the University of Guadalajara. Omar Bravo scored the first, and is now at the top of the scorer’s table. Ramoncito Morales, captain of the squad, scored the second (below).
Censored by the Chinese government
Just to notify you in case you are a Chinese citizen, this blog has been censored by the Great Firewall of China. So, according to the results (tested here) you shouldn't be allowed to read it.
I don't even know what did I write about that was so inflammatory…