All societies celebrate the different stages of a person's life by means of initiation rites. In Catholic societies, the First Communion is a rite that marks the end of innocent hildhood. I can remember my First Communion very well...

Sit down, close your eyes and answer this question: Which is the most interesting invention of all times? You might think it's fire, the wheel, paper, the printing press, the steam engine or vaccines. I think it's the mirror.

They say that a short and happy life is better than a long and sad life. But nothing can beat a long and happy life. It's up to you to decide what makes your life happy. What I can do is give you the best tip ever to make your life longer: emigrate to Japan.

A Spanish couple invites me for dinner at their apartment. Ding-dong. The door opens and the ritual begins: a kiss on the left, a kiss on the right, a "let me hang your jacket", an "oh, you brought some pastries, you shouldn't have", etc. Then, even if I have no desire whatsoever to see the rest of the apartment, the Spanish couple puts me on the guided tour of their little palace: "Here's the kitchen... here's the dining room... that's Nacho's room... Nacho, turn the volume down... we're painting this room pink for our baby daughter... see what an elegant toilet we've got".

July 15th, 1799. French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard was guiding some construction works in Rosetta, Egypt. Suddenly, he heard some of his men shout. Buried in the ground, they had found a beautiful black granite stone with thousands of tiny inscriptions. They named the stone after the city in which it had lain hidden for almost two thousand years.

In third-year college, I took a two-semester course called History of English-speaking Countries. In the first semester, the teacher focused on England. In the second semester, on the United States of America. I remember clearly liking English history more than US history, and I think that this was probably because I found monarchies much less ethical —and therefore much more exciting— than modern democracies. For me, the most memorable English monarch was Henry VIII.

I love brushing my teeth! I didn't use to. Never will I forget the day the dentist said that I had eight cavities. Not one or two, but EIGHT.

Look at the picture. Do you recognise the boy with the rather tacky seaside background behind him? Add some wrinkles, a white moustache and messy white hair, and you've got him: Albert Einstein.

Fíjate en la foto. ¿Reconoces al niño? Añádele unas arrugas y una melena y bigote blancos, y ya lo tienes - Albert Einstein

Hi, students! Today's Weekly Letter has been written by me, Paola, but, for the recording, I've asked my workmate Paul Batkins for his help. Paul is so good at imitating sounds that it would be a shame not to record him for posterity. You'll soon see (or hear) what I mean…

Cuando era pequeñita, aprendí a tocar la flauta dulce. Ya adolescente, fui a clases de clarinete. Al morir mi padre, heredé su flauta travesera; debería aprender a tocar este precioso instrumento, pero soy demasiado perezosa.

Though I moved to Australia exactly a month ago, I am still in a constant state of awe while getting to know this country. Here, everything is strange. The warm Christmases and cool Augusts, the flightless birds, the pouched mammals, the champion swimmers amongst obese citizens, the far-too-salty Vegemite bread spread …and the language, Australian English, also known as "Strine."

Brisbane, 4 de enero de 2007

Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

El Día de la Madre se celebra el segundo domingo de mayo en Estados Unidos, Canadá y Australia.

When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, "Where do I come from?" Guess what she said to me. That she had carried me in her tummy for nine months. What?! I pouted in disbelief, started sniffing and tearing, and then cried like a baby. When my mom asked me what the matter was, I answered her with another question: "You mean, I was... was... a kangarooooo???"

Cuando era pequeña, pregunté a mi madre de dónde venía. Adivinad lo que me dijo. Que me había llevado en su tripa durante nueve meses. ¿Cómo! Empecé a llorar como un bebé. Cuando mi madre me preguntó cuál era mi problema, le contesté con otra pregunta: "O sea que yo... yo... ¿fui un cangurooooooo?"

I came back from my trip to the Philippines about two weeks ago. In retrospect, I now have a clearer vision of what this trip meant to me.

Hace un par de semanas que regresé de mi viaje a Filipinas. Es un viaje que ha significado mucho para mí.

At 7:30 a.m. we were at the marina, waiting to embark on the Quick Cat II.