Green Day

I’m a huge fan of Green Day.
Green Day is an American band formed by Billie Joe (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass) and Tré Cool (drums). Some of their albums were: “Kerrang!”, “Waiting”, “Dookie”,” American Idiot”, “21st Century Breakdown”.
I started listening to Green Day when they released “American Idiot” in 2004; from that day on I started listening to the other albums and I became a faithful follower of their work.
On 15th May 2009 they released the album “21st Century Breakdown”. Whenever I knew that Green Day was recording a new album, I was very anxious and expectant to listen to it.
The album was very successful: in the first week it reached the second place of national top of sales. And then, in September, they came to Portugal to give a concert. But I couldn’t go because it was on a Monday and I had classes so my mum didn’t let me go.
My favourite songs of this album were “Know Your Enemy”, “Viva La Gloria” and “See the Light”. I think that the album is very good. It has a good sonority and all the energy that the band has always transmitted to us. It has a huge variety of sounds, it’s bolder than the other albums and it explores more the voice of the lead singer.
But my favourite album was “Dookie” with a very young, revolutionary and irreverent sound. My favourite songs are “Pulling Teeth”, “Basket Case” and “When I Come Around”.
“Dookie” was at the time the original sound. Now, Green Day has become more of a commercial band but, nevertheless, I still like their music.

Isabel, 1108

Simple Plan

Simple Plan is a French Canadian punk pop band formed in Montréal, Québec in 1999.
The group is formed by Pierre Bouvier, vocals, Sébastien Lefebvre, guitar and backing vocals, Jeff Stinco, lead guitar, David Desrosieres, bass and backing vocals and Chuck Comeau, drums.
They have released three studio albums and two widely marketed live albums, Live in Japan 2002, in 2003, and MTV Hard Rock Live in 2005.
Their first studio album was released in 2002, named No Pads, No Helmets... Just Balls, which led to the singles, “I’m just a kid” and “Perfect”.
The second was released in 2004, named Still Not Getting Any, which led to the singles “Welcome to my life”, “Untitled” and ”Crazy”.
The third and the last studio album was released in 2008, named Simple Plan, which led to the singles “When I’m gone” and ”Generation”.
The fourth studio album shall be released in 2010 in the spring or summer.
They have a foundation, Simple Plan Foundation, that focuses on teens problems from suicide to drugs addiction. The band released a special song, “Save You” that focuses on cancer survivors.
They are big fans of Scooby-Doo and that’s why some songs appeared in the movies.

I’m a big fan of Simple Plan. They are my favourite band. I like all the songs, but there are some that I particularly like, they are “Welcome to my life”, “Perfect”, “Crazy”, “What If” and “Holding On”. This and the other songs tell us different stories, speak about teens, society and some of love. They have magic, they have something that I cannot explain. From the first moment I heard them I liked them, I don’t know why, just because they have a different sound.
Since last year, in my summer vacations I have written and translated some of their songs. I think that is a way of improving my English and because it is my passion. When I’m doing this I feel better, I feel that it is a thing that I’m good at, without anyone saying that is better than me. So, I do this alone, because that way I can make mistakes and learn with them.

Marta Leite, 1108

My School

My school has many classrooms, some labs, a bar, a gymnasium, a library, a playground, toilets and a stationer´s.

There are also study rooms to support pupils with more difficulties, to clear up doubts, to help them learning how to study...
My classmates and I are very noisy, but all the teachers say that we are good students. We all have a good relationship, there are no " wars " among us.

The other schoolmates are much older, therefore they do not give us much importance.
In my school, I don´t know about many cases of "bullying" because this is my first time there.

In this school there are many pupils and teachers.

I like this school because it is very well organized.

Flávio Silva, 701

Domestic Cat

Domestic cats, no matter their breed, are all members of one species. Felis catus has had a very long relationship with humans. Ancient Egyptians may have first domesticated cats as early as 4,000 years ago. Plentiful rodents probably drew wild felines to human communities. The cats' skill in killing them may have first earned the affectionate attention of humans. Early Egyptians worshipped a cat goddess and even mummified their beloved pets for their journey to the next world—accompanied by mummified mice! Cultures around the world later adopted cats as their own companions.

Like their wild relatives, domestic cats are natural hunters able to stalk prey and pounce with sharp claws and teeth. They are particularly effective at night, when their light-reflecting eyes allow them to see better than much of their prey. Cats also enjoy acute hearing. All cats are nimble and agile, and their long tails aid their outstanding balance.

Cats communicate by marking trees, fence posts, or furniture with their claws or their waste. These scent posts are meant to inform others of a cat's home range. House cats employ a vocal repertoire that extends from a purr to a screech.

Domestic cats remain largely carnivorous, and have evolved a simple gut appropriate for raw meat. They also retain the rough tongue that can help them clean every last morsel from an animal bone (and groom themselves). Their diets vary with the whims of humans, however, and can be supplemented by the cat's own hunting successes.

sent by André Pedrosa, 901 from National Geographic

Dr. Martin Luther King's Day

A Wonderful World - a bedtime story

- Raww! - he said
- Aaaah ! - she screamed
- Oh; this is so boring and stupid. Every day we play the same: you are the monster and I am the princess. I’ll go outside and kick stones – she said.
- No, stay! - he implored.
But it was too late. Now, she was outside.
- Stupid plays, stupid brother, stupid...Oh! Mum is always saying for not crossing this street but... she isn't here now.
And Mary walked, walked and walked.
It's late and Brian, her brother, is worried. It's time their mother arrived and Mary is not a home.
- I will go and find her – he said – that's my sister and she is angry because of me.
And he went. And he walked and walked and walked too. And he arrived at the «forbidden street».
- No, she didn't cross the street. It's dangerous and mum forbade us – thought Brian who always obeys the rules – but what if she crossed the street? It's better to check that.
And Brian crossed the street too.
- Aaah! Aaah!
Mary is screaming. Brian knows her sister's screams because of the play that they are always playing.
And Brian ran, and ran fast. When he arrived he didn't want to believe it. There were two «big foot trees». One «big foot tree» had two cherries in each ear to imitate earrings. A green hair because of the leaves and sure, two big feet. This «big foot tree» was trying to do something that Brian couldn't understand. But there was another «big foot tree», that had a kind of brown moss to imitate beard and it had Mary, Brian's sister, on his left hand.
- Help me! - she screamed – please Brian help me. Aaah, aaaah!
Scared Brian screamed:
- Let my sister go, stupid monster.
And everyone shut up. The «big foot tree» that had Mary on the left hand let her fall. She ran and hugged her brother. While the other «big foot tree» was crying.
The first «big foot tree» said:
- Shut up, woman! It's everyday the same: nobody wants to play our game and everyday you cry and scream. That's not my fault. I'm sick to hear you crying. Please shut up!
But the second «big foot tree» started crying even more and more.
Now, Mary began to understand everything and with compassion she asked:
- Why are you crying? Why did he scream to you? Who are you both? What happened?
It was a lot of questions.
One of the «big foot trees» answered the questions. The second stopped crying:
- She is always crying, because every day when a child sees us, he/she runs away screaming. You couldn't see us, at first, because you were on your back to us and that's why I caught you. When we were about to start playing with you, this boy arrived. She is very unhappy now.
- Who are you? - asked Brian.
- Sorry! I am Melcom and she is Chery, my wife.
- We are Mary and Brian – Mary said – we are brother and sister.
- We just want someone to play – Chery said – but everybody runs away. I'm beautiful, I can't understand it.
- No! You're scary – Mary explained – you are gigantic and talk and we are scared.
- But you're lovely – said Brian with love.
- You're lovely too – said Melcom – but how did you find us?
- Mother is always saying not to cross that street. Mary was very angry because of me. I walked a long way and I couldn't find her. So, I thought that she always crosses the «forbidden street». I walked a bit and I heard Mary’s screams. I ran fast and I found you. – Brian explained.
- Mother? - screamed Mary worried – You said mother? Oh my God, we are late! Mother is already at home.
- Easy! - Chery spoke – time here is different from the real world. So, your mother is not at home yet
- But it's better we go home – Brian said – we promise to visit you every day, after doing our homework.
- Yes, we promise – repeated Mary.
- Thank you – Melcom replied.
- Ya, thank you for making me smile – Chery added touched – and thanks for being our friends.
- Ok – Mary said – goodbye!
- Ya, bye – Brian said – see you tomorrow.
And when Brian and Mary were back home, Mary exclaimed:
- It was amazing! Did you find it amazing too, Brian?
- Yes Mary. I can’t wait for tomorrow to visit that wonderful world; you know Mary: our wonderful world!

Alexandrina, 1008

Me, Myself and Music

Music is always with me. I just can’t spend a day without listening to music. If I’m in a good mood, I listen to music or if I’m sad, I listen to music.
My favourite music styles are: rock, heavy metal, hard rock, pop, r&b, techno…
My favourite bands/singers are: Metallica, Guns n Roses, Beyoncé, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Sixx A.M., Red Jumpsuit Apparatus…
Music is everywhere. When I wake up, I start listening to music, when I’m doing my homework I listen to music, when I go to bed I listen to music and in Capoeira I listen to music ( a different style). Personally, music is like my best friend. When I’m sad or happy I listen to music and it always has a message for me. That’s why I love music.

Ana Dias, 1003

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.
A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day. Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.
Here you can read a list of some New Year’s Resolutions from the following classes:

1001
- I will study harder
- Be happy / happier
- What the deuce? I will be friendlier
- I will be more successful in school
- I will study harder and have better marks
- Study harder than usual and relax at the same time
- I’ll study harder and be quieter in class
- I’ll take better grades
- Get the phone number of Jessica Alba
- I’ll get the number of Eva Mendes. I will also study harder and be a regular at the football team.
- Save money to go to the Algarve with my sister next summer and lose weight
- Improve my dance skills
- This year I won’t do nothing, because I am very lazy
- I want to finish my book, write and compose more songs and study harder
- I will improve my swimming skills and get better grades
- Study harder and have very good marks. And relax with a girl
- I just want to be OK with myself, my friends and success at school
- I love my life. So, I enjoy it the most I can
- I want to be more successful in school and be happy
- I hope to have better grades and be happy
- I will be more zen
- Finish the 10th grade and be happy

1008
- I will pay more attention to my friends/class
- Study harder to get better grades
- Have better marks
- To be happier
- Spend more time with my family
- Study more
- Go to the gym, have excellent grades, always be happy, be healthy and I want to have my family together and always have money to spend
- Study harder the subjects that I had bad marks. Be happy in life
- Study more, be happy and be regional Alex Ryu Jitsu champion
- Have good marks and be happy

1101
- I want to improve my grades
- This year I will read the entire book of “Os Lusíadas”
- This year I want to keep on smiling ‘cause each smile makes a better world for everyone
- Peace and love for everyone!
- This year I want to be as happy as I was last year!
- I hope not to lose the most important people in my life, because things aren’t the same without them.
- To be happy and to be successful in school
- This year I want to become the Prime Minister of Portugal, buy a nuclear weapon and launch it to Iran. We know that is impossible, so happiness for everyone
- I want to go to the twelfth grade
- Love and success at school

1108
- Work harder to get better marks and I will do all the homework
- I will do my homework and improve my English
- I will start studying more and harder
- I won’t talk with Daniela during the classes and I will be more hardworking
- I will study harder
- Pay more attention in the classes
- Work harder to improve at English
- Have more enthusiasm for studies
- Study harder to get better marks
- Get to know new places
- I want to improve my performance at English. I want to have a good assessment
- I want to pay more attention in the Portuguese classes
- I will work harder to overcome my difficulties
- I will study more and pay more attention in classes. I will do my homework more often
- I will improve my portfolio and work harder to overcome my difficulties in the classes
- This year I will work harder to improve my marks
- I want to improve my marks in all the subjects
- Take my driver’s license and study harder
- Change/improve my personality

Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, a system where small measurable goals are used (lose a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

Happy New Year

It is the time to party away and usher in the New Year in style.

And what is the first thing that comes to mind while thinking about New Year? No, apart from the party and drinking! It is New Year wishes.
Here you have some popular wishes for New Year.
So, check out these wishes for New Year and make them our New Year Wishes to all of you.

· This New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want. - Irish Toast
· May this New Year bring newly found prosperity, love, happiness and delight in your life. - Anonymous
· "When you're lonely, I wish you Love! When you're down, I wish you Joy! When you're troubled, I wish you Peace! When things seem empty, I wish you Hope! Have a Happy New Year!" - Anonymous
· This bright New Year is given to me to live each day with zest, to daily grow and try to be my highest and my best! - William Arthur Ward
· May the dawning of this New Year, fill your heart with new hopes, open up new horizons and bring for you promises of brighter tomorrows. May you have a great New Year. - Anonymous
· As the new year blossoms, may the journey of your life be fragrant with new opportunities, your days be bright with new hopes and your heart be happy with love! Happy New Year! - Anonymous