MMD

CONTENTS

GET INSIDE OR NOT?

The visual aspect of things has an important influence on your mood and decisions. Nowadays,
big cities are characterized by their big malls; they are great places that offer to people many
options of everything. In a mall people find restaurants, pubs, clothes shops, electronic shops,
etc. The interesting of this, is that despite of these many options, people choose one of them. So,
what are the aspects that influenced that decision? Many people think it is a random decision;
they really do not care about it. But unconsciously, apart from the price of the products. The
color of chairs, the shape of the big advertisements, and the organization of the place invite you

in order to consume their product. All in all, that is why publicity and the interior design are quite
important in this capitalist system, where the brand with the best publicity, the best
combination of colors, the best product and obviously the best price is the head of this
contemporary food chain.

GHOSTS ARE REAL

All the stories show us how people die because of the ego and
ambition of someone else. From my point of view, those behaviors
represent our demons. Since, nobody can deny that everybody is a
potential bad person. Pitifully, many of us lose control of ourselves.
When that happens our demons take it and we become in other
people, without values. Suddenly, we start to do bad things.
According to that, I think that the ghosts in the short stories represent

the consequences of our behavior. So, when someone in the short

stories made something wrong, a ghost appeared in his life and
tortured him. All in all, everything we do, each little thing has a
consequence, good or bad, for that reason we should try to do our
best and maybe those ghosts wont appear in our life.

3
Big Ben School of English
Mr. Williams Good afternoon, I am William Munevar and I am from
Colombia. I saw your advertisement and I am quite impressed. So, I
want to clarify some aspects concerning about the services and
facilities of the Big Ben School of English before making a decision.
What is the methodology that the Big Ben School uses? I mean, to
ensure an excellent learning process for their students. How do you
use trips as a methodological resort? What are the working hours of

the libraries? At the same time, it is important for me to know which

are the services include in the registration cost. As well as
accommodation in the city and diet. Thanks for your attention and I
hope your response as soon as possible.

4
LITERATURE SAYS WHO WE ARE
Who are we? It is a difficult question as it is too abstract. However, some could think that the
circumstances influence how we act. But, it is not only a proceeding issue. What makes us who
we are goes beyond that. While I was thinking about that, I remember the saying Literature is
the expression of soul. In that moment, I realized that it was the answer that I was looking for
and that Literature not only is the expression of soul, it reveals our best kept secrets and says
who we are. First and foremost, what is soul? From a philosophical point of view, the soul is the
self-consciousness of the human being. According to that, our emotions, our pain, our
ambitions, our fears, our thoughts and even our worst desires rest in the soul. In line with it, is it
possible that literature reveals our soul? I say yes. One day as a lover of Wildes poems, I
decided to read his master work The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Over time, I met the famous
Dorian, a character as famous as Hamlet by Shakespeare. He was there, and while I read, I fell in
love with him. But, I did not fell in love with him, I fell in love with his face and most of all, I fell in
love with his soul. Suddenly, I started to realize that his ambition and mine are quite similar. His
sins were not worse than mines. His terrible desire was the same desire that I have. Why I say

that? Because, what could be more fascinating than the eternal youth? To me, nothing. Youth as
a synonym of beauty. Pursuant to Harry, another character of the book. Money and prestige are
nothing without youth. So, I was there, sitting on my bed, bored because of long holidays, when
I realized that I am not the only one who thinks that if you are clever and young, you will have
the world at your feet. All in all, I did not know the Dorians face, I knew my face. That is why,
when I was reading the book, in my mind I appeared as the protagonist of the scenes. All that
happened in the story; I saw it in my mind as my own life. At that moment, I knew that all I
wanted was in that book. That is how I discovered that literature is able to reveal our best kept
secrets and says who we are.

5
WELLNESS AND HEALTH
Whether you are looking for improving your sports routine and
you want to feel healthier, this is the best option for you. In this
place you will find not only machines like a conventional gym.
This place offers you a personal coach, who will in charge of
your exercises routine but also he/she will help you to take
care of your alimentary habits, teach you how you can do it at
home and check your progress continuously. Moreover, our
complex is placed on a field near the city, which means that

you can breathe in a different environment full of trees, green

zones and country animals. At the same time you will enjoy all
our facilities that include: an olympic swimming pool, golf
course, tennis court, football pitch, polo ground, among others.
We will be waiting for you!
SUN AT PRIME

There she is, an elemental sprite

She seems a raven of happy wings
Moulded by sun and spray
Mistery is what she brings.

That sun, that beaming sun

Was awash by a red flood
In that moment she realized that its light will not came back soon
Then, she was as mad as ravens to bathe in airy blood.

Shame may have thought it was grief

She was chosen by many eyes that love the light
But there is not light
Just the dreary flake of night.

Thereby, under the low roof over her bed

She was dead, smiling after a long time
With a black feather over her head
Remembering sun at the prime.

EgalitarianadoptioninColombia.1

EgalitarianadoptioninColombia.
Till not long ago, the adoption from samesex couples was a topic that only had been
considered in European countries and in the United States.InColombia,acountrythathas
been characterized by its ample catholic tradition, this topic has caused a big controversy
between those who agree with the gay adoption and those who do not accept it under any
circumstance. According to a survey developed by the newspaper, El espectador, more
than 85% of the colombians are against to the gay adoption (Arango, 2015). At the same
time, there are developing projects of law that try to prohibit the adoption by samesex
couples (Colprensa, 2015). These law projects are based on the thesis that the real
fundamental subject of the adoption are the helpless children, not the parents. For that
reason, it is neccesary to prioritize the rights of children and not those of the adults,

moreover,lookingforafamiliarcompositionthatofferswellbeingandemotional estability
tochildrenintheirupbringingprocess.

Thereby, in accordance with thearticle42(ConstitucionPoliticadeColombia,1991)and

the mentioned by the court in the judgments in which it has recognized the rights for the
samesex couples, the constitution gives a special and reinforced protection to the families
constitutedbytheheterosexualandmonogamiccouple.

EgalitarianadoptioninColombia.2

According to that, the adoption is not a right of the adults, the adoption is a protector
mechanism of children. Also, the child who is in adoptavility condition, is a vulnerable
childofwhichthestateisresponsibleandthebestthingmustprovidehim.

Another argument that supports the position against tothe gayadoption,istheexistenceof

studies thatdemostratethedifferencesoffamiliarcompositionasregardstheupbringing, or
the conducts of children in view of the drug addiction, the emotional stabilityorthesocial
behavior depending the mentioned familiar compotition. One of the people who supports

this argument is the senator Viviane Morales, who is at present, the main opponent of the
adoption from the samesex couples (D. Arizmendi, caracol radio, September 28, 2015)
"The environment of a heterosexual couple [...] it gives the possibility to the child of
knowing the roles of bothsexes.Whenthechildisinacoupleofthesamesex,hewillnot
be able to know or the role of the woman or the role of the man andifwespeakaboutthe
possibility of pluralism and about the diversity, why are we going to try to impose on the
child only one option in hislife,toknowonlyarollofoneofthetwosexesandnottheroll
that dad and mom play in the education and the upbringing of a child? (Morales, 2015).
Translated by William Munevar. Also, she affirms, Many studies of psychiatry and of
psychologyhavepointedoutthatthebestenvironmentforthechildisthatofaheterosexual
andestablecouple(Morales,2015).TranslatedbyWilliamMunevar.

EgalitarianadoptioninColombia.3

These scientific studies mentioned by the senator must be interpreted correctly, It is

therefore essential by examining methodological aspects that could have a negative effect
on validity and by applying the criteria of evidence based on medicine. After analysing,
studies conclude that the best option for children is still the house hold of astablemarried
heterosexualcouple. Therearetodatenostudiesthataremethodologicallysoundenoughto
conrm that adoptions from samesex couples are not a disadvantage, or are at least
indifferent, for the adoptive children. However, there are quite well designed studies that

suggest that children brought up by samesex couples develop worse social and health
outcomes. Scientic evidence also sheds doubt on the suitability of samesex couples for
adoptingchildrenbecauseofsomefactorssuchasmentalhealthproblems, less stabilityand
riskier lifestyles. It does not seem sensible to change the children adoption laws without
takingaccountallthesescienticevidences.(Bioetica,2006)

On the other hand, the followers of the gay adoption say that, the struggle for the equality
before the law is not easy in the context of an unequal society with many prejudices
installed in the culture, some of which are reinforced by the religious doctrines.
Furthermore, they affirm that thosewhoareopposedtotheegalitarianadoptionsay that the
country is not prepared for that. The same was said with regardtothegenreequalitywhen
thevotewasapprovedforwomeninColombia58yearsago.

EgalitarianadoptioninColombia.4

All in all, Colombia is a country that is crossing a transition in terms, political, economic
and cultural which means that while the adoption in general terms, is a protection
measurement for children, the movement LGTBI cannot pass over the rights of children
and it should take as a main target to offer a healthy environment inwhichthechildcould
growupofthebestway.

Bibliography
[Arango,M.(2015,September13).Msdel85%deloscolombianos,en
desacuerdoconadopcingay]Retrievedfrom
http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/nacional/masdel85deloscolmbianosdesa
cuerdoadopciongayarticulo585868

 [Colprensa.(2015,Frebuary18).Asseraelreferendoparafrenarlaadopcinde
parejasdelmismosexo]Retrievedfrom
http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/vivianemoralespresentoreferendoparai
mpediradopciongay/4183203
[Article42.(1991)]Retrievedfrom
http://www.constitucioncolombia.com/titulo2/capitulo2/articulo42
[CaracolRadio.(2015,September28).Laparejaheterosexualgarantizams
proteccinanios:VivianeMorales]Retrievedfrom
http://www.caracol.com.co/programa/2015/02/12/6am_hoy_por_hoy
[Irala,J.,&Lopez,C.(2006).Bioetica],[Laverdad.(2013,June4).Nios
adoptadosporparejasgaysufrentranstornospsicologicos]Retrievedfrom
http://www.mercaba.org/FICHAS/Homosexualidad/HOMOSEXUALIDAD_NINO
S2

ONLY LIVE TO BE HAPPY

Most people think life is divided in stages and each stage has its own
experiences, sad moments, happy moments,etc. So, that is why everyone
should avail each one and youth is one of those stages. Based on that I do
not think that young people enjoy life more than older people.

In regards to it, it is true that young people do many more things than older
people but that is why old people already lived his youth and now see life
from another point of view.
In addition, it is necessary to live step by step, loves people who love you
and support you right now because you do not know if tomorrow they will
be with you. Thus, it is better appreciate what you have at this time,
because if you repent of everything you will not be happy
To sum up, one only live once and each stage of life is important. Thus,
there is time to be mad while you are young and there is also time to
mature and find happiness in simple things when you are old.

13
PROFESSORS ON TV
Both, the reading and the lecture, are talking about what happens when a professor
appears on TV. However, the idea of the reading and the contents of the lecture
contradicted very much.

First, the reading says that professors benefit themselves when they appear on TV,
as they gain better reputation and they become authorities among many people, not
only in the campus but outside, what it means that their recognition is massive. On
the contrary, the lecture says that it is not good at all, as they just will repeat the
same information and comments made by other professors and also it is more
entertainment that learning.
Second, the reading says that those appearances are benefitial for universities in
sense of people perception about that university will increase a lot. On the other
hand, the lecture supports that those appearances take a lot of time. So, professors
will stop their dutys as academics.
Finally, the reading suggests that viewers have the chance to learn a lot of about
many topics from an expert view. That is not true according to the lecture, taking
into account that the intelectual content on TV is not important, as people and
programs only want to entertainment. Besides, professors's comments are poor
because of the format of programs, so their view could not be consider as a
professional view, but a simple report.

14
THIS DEPEND ON INDEPENDENCE

Nowadays, there are young people who prefer live with their parents for a longer time. However,
if they want to be creative, innovative people and something which makes them different from

crowd, they should have mental independence, capacity to make decisions and that includes
independence of their parents.
According to that, people who live independent from their parents in an early period, are more
disciplined, they work harder but smarter, because they have to achieve their targets by their
own effort. Probably, most of that people must have to do sacrifices all the time, as they do not
have nobody who supports them. Thereby, people who live with their parents for a longer period
are not creative or innovative because when they need to overcome an obstacle, they always
have an immediate answer, so they are unable to think what should they do.
In addition, it is difficult for people who live with their parents for a longer period make
decisions. Since, their parents are the head of the house, so they always will find an answer
from them. In concordance, they will never assume an important role because they want to live
like kids forever.
To sum up, in this globalized world where the most intelligent and creative is the strongest;
people who are able to make clever decisions with independence and hard work will have
better opportunities to achieve their objectives.

15
ALTRUISM
The reading and the lecture talk about altruism and show two examples in regard to
it. However, the idea of the lecture and the contents of the reading contradicted very
much.

First, according to the Reading, the donation of body organs among humans is an
example of altruism because people who donate gain nothing. Nonetheless, the
lectura supports that, it is a selfish act because people who donate their body
organs are looking for approbation from their relatives or another people.
Second, the lecture and the reading present the case of meerkats. The reading says
that is an example of altruism among meerkats that one of them stay in guard and
looking out for predators while the others are hunt for food. That is altruism because
it gains nothing. On the contrary, the lecture says that is other selfish act because
the sentinel can run immediately if a predator appears. The reality is that the others
are in real danger.
Finally, in the reading, the sentinel meerkat makes a sacrifice giving alarm to the
others in order to find shelter but the lecture contradicts this because that alarm
calls the attention of the predator over the rest of the meerkat group.

16