New year's resolution

At the beginning of the year 2013 is necessary to improve my English. Last night, I watched a movie with my son: "Cowboys & Aliens". We watched the movie completely in english, with english captions. I understood that i need to listen more native english speakers in real context.

So, how to improve my english language? Here there are some ideas:

• watching more movies in english language with english captions
• listening to english programs like "6 minute BBC english"
• make a review of the movie or the article 
• write a post with a summary of the movie or article
• learning new words and put it in a new contexts
• write the article in different times (future, past, and so)

Any other idea?

How to solve traffic jams

Hi,

Today I'll speak about an interesting web site: TED (www.ted.com)

This web site contains riveting talks (in other words: very interesting talks) by remarkable people.

I chose the video "How to solve traffic jams" (http://www.ted.com/talks/jonas_eliasson_how_to_solve_traffic_jams.html). This video talks about congestion, traffic congestion, and how the different measures taken by the authorities seem to not work. The main reason or problem, according the video, is trying to plan the lives of the people, all details, and what they should to do.

In the rush hours, the traffic doesn't have a linear behavior. So, in the Stockholm city, with the correct incentives, the congestion traffic reduces by 20%. 

The summary of the article is: create incentives, don't plan all details and people will figure out what to do.

Insomnia: a little big problem

Hi,
Today I read an article about the insomnia problem at the guardian newspaper (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/sep/22/dreamland-insomnia-sleep-cbt-drugs): What's the solution for insomnia? Drugs? Therapy? sleep patterns natural?

David K. Randall wrote the book named "Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep".  Every night, about a third of adults have problems falling asleep that aren't related to a persistent sleep disorder. Sleep is not only a precious thing … but it is the most important one.

Treating insomnia isn't easy. Part of the reason is that science, as a whole, has a fuzzy definition of what constitutes the disorder. For example, one night of bad sleep because of a blaring car alarm or an upcoming stressful day at work doesn't classify as insomnia. Instead, in peaceful nights during which a patient can't fall asleep when he or she wants to.

One interesting issue, according the article, there is no medical test that proves whether someone is suffering from a temporary bout of sleepless nights or a more serious disorder. It's because we can't easily judge the time that we are asleep. Some patients in sleep labs say they took for more than one hour to falling asleep, but the brain chart shows it happened within the first 10 minutes. Others, wake up in labs claiming that they didn't sleep at all during the night, despite hours of video and brain wave evidence to the contrary.

When insomnia appears, many people turn to pharmaceuticals. But popular sleeping pills don't offer a major boost in sleep time or quality. Other uses therapy. Carol Worthman says insomnia is an "ancient survival mechanism", due to our modern comfortable life.

What 's next?  Go to the doctor now !!

An interview with Nicolás Kittsteiner

Today, I interviewed Nicolás Kittsteiner.


Nicolás is very quiet & special person. He was dressed casually with blue jeans and slippers. 


Nicolás arrived to Kapsch on March, 2009. He feels comfortable on this company. He studied computer engineer at the USACH university, but his studies are incomplete, because he has two and a half years left. 


Nicolás is married and he has one little child six year old. His wife is studying to be a teacher for little kids. Nicolás enjoys spend his free time with his family, specially with the little Nicolás. He is close to his parents too. He enjoys to play soccer with his colleagues.


Some days he comes to Kapsch by bike. He is planning to continue his studies on 2013.

My favorite piece of technology

All my life turns around computers. I could think in picture cameras, video cameras, DVD or blue Ray players, smart phones, pen drives, MP3 or MP4 players and so. Moreover, I could think in tablets, pads, netbooks. But, I have to be honest: my favorite piece of technology, at this time, is my notebook. with my notebook i can do everything that I need: connect to internet, play games, search & investigate, work on my job, tasks, chat, talk with friends, watch movies, store my favorite pictures, share music & video with my family.

I use it every day, including in my free time for entertainment. Maybe the only problem is the size of my device. It is not a little or portable device, but it's comfortable. Some day, when the smart phones become more powefull and it can be used as notebooks, they will be my favorite piece of technology.

Artist Richard Wilson hangs out 'Italian Job' bus to teeter on Bexhill pavilion

Eight tons of steel girders hold in place the teetering coach hanging off one of the most striking buildings on the south coast, until October: De la Warr Pavilion building.

To the relief of anyone who looks that scene, the artist Richard Wilson says: "it's designed for the worst case scenario".

The installation is a recreation of the final scene in the film The Italian Job, and it's part of the London 2012 Festival within the Cultural Olympiad. He said: "By the end of 2012 I would hope the word goes out from our country that not only do we run excellent world events, but we also balance coaches on the edges of buildings like no one else ever could."

Ruth Mackenzie, director of the London 2012 Festival, said: "I am not allowed to have favourites, but if I were allowed, this commission would be a favourite. It says everything about the world-class ambition and innovation of the UK's great artists and arts centres and, as well as being brilliant, it has a quirky humour that is great as well as British."

The most annoying thing about websites

For me, the most annoying thing about web sites is a web page full of advertising but with poor useful information. I dislike these kind of websites, moreover when I have few time to get any information and the first ten or more web sites are of this kind of web pages. I feel lost.

Choosing five questions...

1.- My opinion about the law for driving under influence of alcohol

I agree, because there are many accidents due to alcoholic drivers. Many people dies every day.  Many innocent people is still suffering due to accidents. Moreover, if you want to drink, give your keys to other. The drinkers should understand that is very dangerous to drive a vehicle under alcohol influence. Keep the alcoholic drinks far away when you don't have to come back to your home driving a vehicle.

2.- My opinion about Chilean television

I have no time to watch television. But when I have time i prefer a foreign TV show. Every time when i saw a Chilean show i could not find a good one. So I prefer to do zapping until i can found a good movie or a good show to watch. Within this topic, i enjoy the animals shows relate to nature.

3.- My Opinion about "barras bravas"

I went to the stadium to see a football match, i think, only one time. But today i would not go with my family to see a football match. The "barras bravas" is a serious problem, a real problem. In each match we can find fights, broken cars, homeowners hidden from offenders, and many, many violence. By other hand, we can find people asking for money, and if you don't want to give some money, your life is in danger. So in prefer to keep my family safe.

4.-  My opinion about teleworking

There are many job positions where is necessary to go, for example in places where it receives people. But, today, in many jobs, the possibility to work from home is not only real, it is a good choice, because there is no lost time due to transporting and the worker do their tasks more motivated. We can get connected through internet using several tools like Chat, IP telephony and so.And when we need to do a meeting, we can go to any virtual room and stay connected.

5.- My opinion about cloning

Uf, it's a very problematic topic for me. I 'm agree with investigation to find a cure for many diseases, but I'm not agree with cloning in order to get a copy of an other human or animal. Everybody is unique as an individual: thinks, understands, feels and so. It's morally questionable, at least. Maybe the science has no limits, but sometimes exceed its purposes.

Anwers for English Questions

About Kapsch

Past

1. When did you begin/start to work at Kapsch?
2. What was your first position?
3. Did you have any problems at the beginning?

Present:

1. What do you do at Kapsch?
2. How long do you work everyday?
3. How do you get to the office?
4. Describe a typical day at work?
5. What project are you working on at the moment?

Present Perfect

1. How long have you worked for Kapsch?
2. Have you ever travelled abroad?

Plans / dreams

1. What would you like to do in the future (at work)?
2. Would you like to make any changes about your job?

Past

I started to work at Kapsch on March, 2008. My first position was "software developer". I began solving from the easiest SdS (Requests) to more complex ones, time by time.

At the beginning, i tried to know the customer. He was a very, very, very complicated man. I tried to understand him, but now, fours years later, i can't understand yet.

First I though he hadn't receive the correct software support from us (Kapsch). But now, i believe he never will be satisfied, no matter what you are doing for him.

Present

Actually I 'm the "Project Manager" of the Costanera Norte Project.  My main responsibility is to perform the project on time and on budget, getting/giving the best from/to my team, and of course, reaching the satisfaction of the customer (if you read above, this never will happen).

My day begin early, at 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning. After I get up i take my breakfast. Then i "fly" (hehehe) in my car to the office, specially when i have English class. For the first four years, i worked hard from 9:00 to 20:00 or more every day. Now, i try to do my job within the original schedule: from 9:00 to 18:00.

A typical day at Kaspch begins reading important news, emails, and pending tasks from the previous day. Then I organize the job for the rest of the day, giving priority to all of the tasks. Of course, i have to respond to the customer calls or new requirements.

Present Perfect

I have worked for Kapsch during four years. They have been a very good years. I have learned a lot of new things. During the year of 2010, I did a postgraduate named "Leadership and work team". I returned to the university after many years.

In many times, Kapsch has told me "this year, maybe, you will go to other country". But i haven't traveled to other country. I hope this happen soon.

Plans/Dreams

Of course,  i would like to do many changes in my life, and, within my job position. I want to become a better person, more comprehensive and more happy. I want to get a more happy and motivated team. I wanna get a more satisfied customer. I don't know if i would to change the job position. Of course yes if there is more money. 

I want that everybody wants: be happy in everything I do.

The Kapsch Office

The Kapsch office is a half of the second floor of the "Pionero" building. It's divided into five clear sections: Operations, Engineering, Human resources, Boss office and meetings rooms. Of course, there are many rest rooms, and a kitchen too.

Most offices are similar to one another: there is a desk with a computer on it, a chair in each desk, the desks have the "L" shape. It's equipped with internet and phone lines. Beside the desk, there is a file cabinet where each of us stores our personal things.

There are two large meetings room, one of them equipped with LED TV & computer, the other have only a central table with chairs, phone line and a projector.

In the kitchen we can find coffee, sugar, hot & cool water, glasses and everything that is necessary for a comfortable day.

My own office:
The office where i work is a rectangular office with many wide windows. There are seven desks where seven workers can do their jobs. Everybody, belongs to the same project (CN project) are together. Most desks have the same "L" shape, and there are some of them with rectangular shape, of course, there are computers and telephones devices on each one.

The music I enjoy and love

Hi english class mates,

In this post we´re talking about the music that i love and enjoy. Unlike the most people, i don't like noise/loud music (to my hears) like hard rock, heavy metal, punk or even some disco music. I enjoy the quiet, soft, romantic, inspirational, instrumental, orchestral,  and acappella music.

For example, to spend a great moment with my wife, we hear romantic music from artists like Andrea Boccelli (bésame mucho: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPRESlT4Ccg&feature=fvsr, Can't help Falling in love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XdP7MlxYPo&feature=related). For relaxing, i prefers music from André Rieu (Haba Nagila: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFtv5qe5o3c).

I love the Andean music like "El cóndor pasa", "caminos" and so (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxVMNQo4HAM). Of course, one of the most favorite music in my house is "classic music". My son and my daughter enjoys it. Names like Vivaldi, Beethoven,  Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bach, Mozart are very familiar in my house.

For other hand, i enjoy gospel music, specially acappella music (only voices, not instruments), like this: Take six (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFAubbdkmsQ), acappella quartet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTqqSMzT8h8), king' s heralds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOSWaJPC2yY, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuXYYpfAOgc&feature=related).

I prefers this kind of songs because i feel good. I have a quiet spirit and i enjoy soft music. I leave this song for you soul..(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J5FDu76Ei8&feature=related)

Bye.

Summer vacations

Hi again.
We are come back. Now we 're going to speak about vacations or holidays.

In my last vacations, i went to Caburgua lake, near to Villarica and Pucón cities. I spent a very relaxed time with my family. We rented a cottage near to the white beach, just fifty meters from the lake.

Our first activity of the day was to eat a vitalizing breakfast with fruits, seeds, milk, chocolate, and so. After that, we watched TV for one hour, every day, specially the kids. Then, we went to the lake to swim for two hours. Of course, the hungry arrive every day and we ate lunch. After a rest, we returned to the lake again, to spend hours of relaxed activities with the children.

We arrived to the lake by car. The trip took eleven hours. But, when we come back to Santiago, a strong earthquake occurred. The travel to return to Santiago took twenty two hours..was a horrible trip, specially for the kids.

But now we're here, returned to the work. So let's begin...

Cheers !!!

A country that I would like to visit

Hi. we're again writing in this blog. The topic for today is the country that i would like to visit and why.

There 're a lot of beautiful and interesting places and countries around the world. I think my country, Chile, is one of the most nice country. But thinking in other ones, i would like to visit Australia, because it's a continent-country and have thousands of possibilities or things to do, learn, enjoy, admire, live, practice, hear, and feel.

For example, the opera house theater, in Sydney. It's a building to admire and feel the music playing in it.

It's put in a place that gives the impression of being on the sea.

Australia has many others interesting things, like Coral Sea, Ashmore, Carter, Coco islands (Keeling)

One of the things I wouldn't like to know is the sea, due to the Medusa. Certainly, there 're safety places to swim,

but I prefer my dear and precious Pacific Ocean, here in Chile...

Speaking about animals, the most famous is the Kangaroo.

Maybe, one of the interesting thing in Australia is the language. They speak English, but with a different pronunciation. It's a good chance for me to practice it. 

G'day, mate..how are you, to-die? (pronounced "Good-die, mate..how are you, to die?) which means "Good-day, my friend...how are you doing today ?" (in BBC English) is how you'll often be greeted in Australia.... and it's not someone rudely asking how you are going to pass away.
Aaaahh....the refinements of Australian English or "Strine" as it is known. Australians also tend to speak with a rising intonation which makes their sentences sound like questions. So, please don't think you are always being questioned !

Australia is a very large country. You will have thousands of things to do. It's a pleasure to visit it: Sea, Land, Wild Life, beautiful places and more.

 

For this and without doubts,  more other features, Australia it's a very nice place to visit.

See you in the next blog

My Favorite web site

Now, I have to speak about my favorite web site.  I don't have a favorite web site at this time. Maybe due to a lot of work. Maybe, because i have not time to enjoy the internet.

Even so, i frequently visit several useful sites, like newspapers web sites (www.emol.com, www.lun.com, www.nytimes.com - to improve my english language ), or sites relates to online stores (www.falabella.com, www.paris.com, www.sodimac.com), or personal email site (gmail), or sites to post same pictures of my family (picasaweb.googles.com/marcelbe)

I wanna talk about this site. It seems like other pictures' site. But it's simple, clean, easy to use, intuitive, and easy to remember. I can post several pictures of my family on it. Share it with my family, friends, neighbors. I like this place because i can go back, traveling back through the time, and remember that beautiful epoch. I enjoy seeing these pictures.

Many pictures can be upload, download, sorted, arranged, searched, and, of course, enjoying. You can connect the computer to any other device, like Smart TV to see (in big) the pictures. It's a very useful and funny place for me.

a) Physical description about myself
Well, I’m a relatively short man, with few blonde hairs on my head. I have green eyes, both of them.  I enjoy wear casual clothes like blue jeans, t-shirt, shoes. I do few physical exercises, so I’m a quite stocky man. My wife says I’m a handsome husband. I have to try to keep her happy. By other hand, I have a thin lips, plump nose, and white skin. I ‘m very happy with myself (I have no choice)…

b) Physical description about my wife
My wife is a very sweet woman, with long black hair, big dark eyes, dark skin, and a wide smile. She is relatively normal size, with a little overweight. But, she looks fine, yet. Her face have beautiful cheeks, lightly red.

Describing a Kaspch device

I choose this one: Single-Lane Transceiver

A Single-Lane Transceiver is a device dedicated to short-range communication. It’s rectangular, two colors: white and gray above and below, five pounds weight, with electronic components inside the device.

Single-Lane Transceiver is useful for controlled access. We used it on the AMB project, for the non-stop and go access to the airport, here in Santiago of Chile. The device is designed to be overhead mounted on a single lane access. Its powerful antenna is able to detect the devices that are in the range of it. For the AMB project, this device was used to detect the OBU (On Board Unit or TAG) and send it to the host software. Then, the host software searches this OBU in the “White List”.  If it finds it, the barrier is opened and the vehicle continues its way.

Some other particular things about this device: TCP/IP protocols to host communication, RS-232 serial communication, CEN DSRC and GSS and ISO/CEN EFC complaints.

My Little biography

Marcelo Becerra was born in Santiago, Chile, in the district of Providencia, on November 5, 1966. His father, Ramón Becerra, was a bus driver. His mother, Marta Guzmán, was (and still is) a housewife. Marcelo is the first of four brothers: Cristian, Pablo and Alexis. Marcelo studied in three different schools, the last of them is the Instituto Nacional. He studied there from seventh to fourth grade (six years).

When he was a child, Marcelo gone to a computer exhibition at Parque Arauco shopping. He began to love the computers then. He decided to study something related to computers. Marcelo attended the University of Chile, where he majored in Computer Engineering. He started his working life on 1993, while was still a student.

Marcelo got married with Elizabeth Alarcón, on April 18, 1993, in a very nice wedding. Marcelo has four children. The first one is Marcelo, sixteen, Marely, thirteen, Amanda, five, and Matilde, two. He entered at his actual company, Kaspch, on March 2008. He began working as System Engineer, then he continued as Team Leader, and actually he is Project Manager, inside the same company.

Group Class #3

Hi again,


we're now going to speak about the world of computers. More specifically about how I use it in my job.

I love to develop computer software, making complex process become simple. I enjoy writing lines of code in some computer language like Delphi. I write documents in some word processor, I send/receive emails, listening some mp3. I spend many hours of the day planning the tasks for the next day or week. Thanks to internet, specially Google, i can find information about anything i want.

Here, in Kaspch, i use the computer for do others things, like find useful software for my team, do customer assistance solving his problems (problems related to the work, indeed).

One important thing about computers, if they did not exists, i should change of job.

See you in the next...

Comments about BBC website

Hi,

I 'm here again.  In the today english class we learned several good things: review actual news with background english, know the sound of vowels and letters, and expand the english vocabulary with new verbs.

Th BBC web site is great, fantastic. The sound of the all vowels and letters are in this place. I enjoy learn english language. Today I learned the following new words: Iconic, landmark, perched, inaugurated, flock to. By other side, the english sound of the vowels or letters is funny. There are several hard sounds like "shut" (shutdown), shhhh (watch TV or like that) .

Well, I have a ver very hard homework to do every day. I should do the quizz, the test, and listen english while i 'm working.

let's read in the next post.

Cheers !

My First Post about me, in English

Hi Everybody,

My name is Marcelo Becerra. This is my first post. I never wrote a post before.

As a part of my english class, I have to write my first blog.

Well, let's begin.

I'm forty old man. I enjoy the life. I have four children named Marcelo (sixteen), Marely(thirteen), Amanda (five) and Matilde (two). My wife is a very sweet woman.

I work at Kaspch TrafficCom as a project manager of the Costanera Norte 's Central System. I studied at Instituto nacional (college) and I'm Computer Engineer from Universidad de Chile University.

I enjoy everything related to software: learn new languages, build computer programs, work on software design, etc.

Now, i'm learning english language. I need to learn more and more. It's a very good practice.

Thanks a lot.