Chapu, a place of youth

In GDL there is a place that you certainly know for the variaty of activities and places to visit, Chapu. This is actually an avenue with a wide median strip. During the week here you can find lots of restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries and many shops which may sound as any other popoular place, but Chapu is famous for is weekend life.

Specially on Saturdays the whole place turn into a cultural market, urban stage, dancefloor and even a concert hall. If you are willing to take a walk through Chapu in a Saturday night you migth find some interesting people and stuff. Clothing, books, food, toys, handmade sculptures and some traditional mexican souvenirs. You might also see some street shows, from a dance crew, circus act or a Jazz band playing on the middle of the street, Chapu have almost everything.

The Chapu experience is meant to be lived walking. The restaurants, bars, clubs and other stablishments are not only on the main stripe but also un several nearby streets. There is something for every taste and for every group.


Chapu is also used many times as a festival stage. Concerts and festivals are celebrated in Chapu really often, the bigger of them all should be the 212 RMX fest, last year about 47 bands were presented in a free concert with an estimated asistance of over 60'000 people.

Take a walk to Chapu and I asure you, there is nothing like it in GDL, you will find, sooner or later something of your taste and you will have a great time.

The Matrix

Are we all just living a lie? Haven't you ever though that we are all part of something bigger? Maybe we are inside something bigger? If we are, who is out there? Are we trully free?

This and many other questions have been on the mind of many, but maybe Matrix ,the movie, put a spotlight on this questions. The idea is simple, maybe we are all living a reality created by someone else with the objective of having control of our lives. This might sound crazy or creepy but this simple idea made a movie become one of the most succesful franchise of all times.

In my opinion I just dont know what to think. Maybe it is all as it seems and we are as free as we think we are, maybe we are all part of someone elses plan. But if thats the case, what could I do to change it? Maybe nothing. Looking at it in a different way maybe we are all prisioners of someone, ourselves. We all create our own reality from a universal truth. We are the ones that put the limits and the ones who make the choices. Maybe we all have a Matrix we have created for ourselves.

Think about it and if you are willing to, share your experience and opinion in the coments.

Perla de Occidente

Tapatio and Proud

I was born Tapatio and every time I tell my origins I just feel proud of saying it, specially when I have to describe GDL to an extranger, in which case I will always say something like "Guadalajara is a city known for the beauty, history, culture and hospitality". This is a city that is known world wide for its rich art and beautiful women, from prehispanic art to urban and modern artist GDL is one of the art capitals on Mexico. Guadalajara is relevant to the country not only for its beauty but also for its historical relevance, maybe the most important event that took GDL as setting was when Hidalgo signed the pact to abolish slavery in GDL, or the defeat of Hidalgos army in Puente Grande. For its history and its location GDL's culture has many faces and it is so extense and rich that I wouldn't dare to make a list. People in GDL are just great, we are known for being great hosts and for usually treating well any visitor. La Perla Tapatia is were I was born and rised and If I had the choice I would choose this city again. 

Added towns 

 Tonala 

The city had a 2005 census population of 374,258 and the municipality had a population of 408,729 and an area of 119.58 km². The municipality lies adjacent to the east side of Guadalajara. The city and the municipality both rank fourth in the state of Jalisco in population, after Guadalajara, Zapopan.

 On two days a week (Thursdays and Sundays) there is a giant street market covering the main streets, with numerous vendors of , glass and all kinds of handcrafted items and novelties. Most of the art found on Tlaquepaque and Guadalajara was manufactured here.

 Due to the clay soil in the area, pottery or alfareria has been a traditional occupation for centuries. 

Tlaquepaque

 Known also as San Pedro. During the 20th century it was absorbed by the outward spread of Guadalajara urban mot , lying only a few kilometres from the city centre. The city had a 2005 census population of 542,051, while the municipality had a population of 563,006. The municipality's area is 270.88 km² The name.

 Tlaquepaque derives from Nahuatl and means "place above clay land". The area is famous for its pottery and blown glass. 

Tlaquepaque features El Parián, a large plaza surrounded by columns and surrounded by restaurants and bars. The main square in the city centre is known as El Jardín Hidalgo.Other main features include the two important churches, El Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad  and San Pedro. You can also visit Forum Plaza (a mall) and the Benito Juárez market. 

 Tlajumulco 

Municipality in the state of Jalisco, It forms part of the Guadalajara metropolitan area and lies to the southeast of it. The municipality covers an area of 636.93 km². As of 2010, the municipality had a total population of 416,626. 

 The name is interpreted from Nahuatl as "Land in the Corner."

As it is part of the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Tlajomulco has an industrial base and is a large commercial area. This is also where the Guadalajara International Airport.

   Guadalajara’s top landmarks:

 Guachimontones

   

La Estampida

   

La Minerva

 

Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres

   

Glorieta Chapalita

Plaza de la Liberación

El Parian
 
Calle Independencia
 
Arcos de Vallarta
 
Plaza Tapatia
 
Plaza de los Mariachis
 
Avenida Chapultepec
 
Callejon del Diablo
 
Instituto Cabañas
 
Basilica de Zapopan
 
Expiatorio
 
Basilica de Guadalajara
  
Teatro Degollado
 

Con-Comic

Last Saturday the Con-Comic took place in Expo Guadalajara. For a weekend all kinds of people were able to enjoy the greater comics event of the year. As every year many people suit their selves on cosplays of different animes or comic book's characters.

I wasnt able to recognize a lot of characters mainly because I mainly read amercian comics, and many went dressed as anime or manga characters. Some people went there and stayed outisde waitng for you to ask them for a picture, some will respond only if you call them by the name of the character they were dress like. People ran exited when they saw any cosplay of a character they admired, like if they saw Johnny Depp or something like that.

Inside I was able to see many interesting stuff that I would have love to bought, but everything was expensive and Im no rich guy so I was happy just to see. 

It was a nice feeling whenever I saw a family attending this event together as if Con-Comic was a family trip. People of all ages and also from every social class attended together just sharing their love for anime, comic, manga and even some cartoons.

Some might say it is dumb to dress like a comic book character and that people should grow up but I meet some really nice, fun and mature people there. I even felt excited whenever I saw someone doing cosplay of a character I know.

Next year Ill propably go again but this time with more friends and                      money. Probably Ill find a nice costume to wear this year.

Juan Pablo II Gym & Pool

The brand new UNIVA's gym is near the great oppening, its been a long wait but finally we are able to see the results. In order to know how does the UNIVA's community feels about it we asked them 10 questions wich results are showed below.

Graphs

The way I see it the gym is going to become atractive to anyone who is looking for a high-school. I do not believe that this will turn more people to do excersice, but the ones that do excercise now will certainly use it constantly. The original due date was not respected, the name is probably not the best one for a gym, but still I support the fact that they want to tribute one of the most popular pops ever. I will use it mainly because I like swimming and its an opportunity I just can not let go.

World War 3?

In late days we have heard a lot about the possibility of a war between North Korea and USA-South Korea. Some have said that this might unleash the world war 3, but luckily this does not seem possible nor China nor Russia have any intention of getting involve in this conflict, so this is still between Koreas and USA.

The tension between the Koreas is nothing new it all started when North Korea became communist, following China and USSR. Since South Korea does not support this the trouble start showing up. From kidnappings to aggressions things were not going well. Whit Kim ll-sung on the power North Korea formed a powerful and organized army with nuclear power.

In the last 3 years the conflict has reach a critical point. North Korea tested weapons near South Korean shores leading to a large variety of events that caused the dead of many South Koreans and the sinking of naval vessel. North Korea denied the event and blame Seul. In 2011 it was revealed that high-ranking South Korean military officers were kidnapped in 1999. In 2012 North Korea launched a Satellite, causing US to move warships to the area.

And all of that lead us to this year which has been pretty intense. On January 1, 2013 Kim Jong-un New Year's Day message on KCTV calling for better relations with South Korea. North Korea announced its intentions on January 24, 2013 to target the United States in its missile and nuclear programs. The statement called the United States the "sworn enemy of the Korean people". During the training exercises conducted between South Korea and the United States, North Korea threatened to abandon the Korean Armistice Agreement , arguing the exercises threatened North Korea with nuclear weapons and that the U.S. was unwilling to negotiate a peace treaty to replace the armistice. JoongAng Ilbo reported that U.S. vessels equipped with nuclear weapons were participating in the exercise, and the Pentagon publicly announced that B-52 bombers flown over South Korea were reaffirming the U.S. "nuclear umbrella" for South Korea.

 On March 8, 2013, the North Korean government announced that it was withdrawing from all non-aggression pacts with South Korea in response to UN Resolution 2094

On March 11, 2013, the United States and South Korea began military drills amid high tensions and Pyongyang strongly condemned the exercises.

 On April 4, North Korea moved what is believed to be an intermediate-range missile to its east coast, possibly in preparation for a drill or test-firing. Many nations, specifically Japan, South Korea, and the United States, viewed this move as a continuation of North Korea's attempts to provoke confrontation throughout the beginning of 2013.

We can´t tell how is this going to end, but les hope that the young president of North Korea is clever enough to retreat. And that the USA doesn´t find any petroleum in North Korea or else the war is secure, at least that’s what history shows.

Spring Break, Vallarta

The spring break have different meanings for different people, for parents it means to have someone to help with the labors, for teachers is a nice vacation with the oportunity to mess up with the students with homework and for students and workers is an ocassion to rest and have a good time with friends.

This year I have the chance to make a trip to Vallarta in company of Martin, Adrian and Ramon. We stayed at a department and a beach house. Of course the beach was crowdy but that aint a problem for us, we just
wanted have some fun. At night Vallarta starts a new life, all for spring breakers. There are plenty of places to go and a bunch of things to do. Bars, live music, restaurants, clubs and the whole Malecon. People dance around, have one or two..maybe 6 or 7 drinks, enjoy their friends and just have fun in an American Way. I lived this for 4 days and it was just awsome, a lot of fun, a lot of memories and the good times that will never be forgotten. Spring break is made to have a scape from the routine and just chill out.

A great experience, but I strongly suggest people to spend at least a couple of days having fun with your family, this is the perfect time to visit the zoo, a fun park or even the grandma. Enjoy good times, good memories are that one thing to hold on when bad days come.

Stress Interview

Stress Interview with Univa Phsycologist, Raquel, about side effects, ways to avoid it and definition of this 21st century illness.

Stress

Stress is know as the 21st Century illness and nowadays it has become as unusual as a flu. We are exposed to a certain amount of stress daily but it affects people differently depending on each individual. Stress can be caused by family, friends, school, work and almost any challenge. As a personal experience I know that stress could be dangerous, it is silent but it suddendly hit you not only in an emotional way but also physical. It affects health in a strong way I was literarly sent to the hospital several times by ilness caused by stress. So after a couple of though lessons I learned to deal with it in a much healthier way, taking things lightly.

A Perfect Relationship

Last thuesday we had a conference called "Noviazgo Perfecto", to be honest I was not excited about it, if I could I would have not assist, mainly for the bad tittle and the prejuices I have formed around this kind of conferneces.

Anyway I paid 70 pesos, took a sit and watched the place get crowded. There I waited for Andrea Macias, who I admired a lot, to start the conference. The conference started with a good mood and with Andrea showing why is she so recognized for talking in front of crowds, she was nice and give the conference a chat feeling.

Talking about the content, the subjects treated were nothing new and they went from happiness to types of conflictive relationships. It is true that the conference was no great reveal but still it was accuarate and fun, with a nice way to talk about relationships in general.

I will like to share the following:
Happines comes from the inside
Everyone can find love
A courtship is made to find someone to spend the rest of your life
We are young and love can come at any time
Ending a relationship is not the end of the world

I actually enjoyied the conference, Andrea was amazing and the subject is appropiate to our reality, but I have one big suggestion, if the event is going a be mandatory the costs should be lower. Congratulations to UNIVA for this events and for the quality and organization of them, but next time they should consider that 70 pesos is not pocket change.

Aristoteles, new old gobernment

Recently the presentation of the governor’s cabinet took place. 22 governors came along just to meet the new leaders of Jalisco. There was one big absence; the president of Mexico did neither assist nor any of the highest members of his cabinet, which seems to me as a lack of respect for Aristoteles and his new group of co-workers.

The event was not only on the covers of newspapers but also y the social section, just because Vicente Fernandez and Roberto Palazuleos (neither of them have anything to do with politics) were present to show support to Aristoteles.

In matter of the names there is a lot to say, first of all Aristoteles said that his cabinet will be formed by specialist and experts on its matter but what we witness was a parade with a low number of experts and a large number of politicians that had been around for a long time. Also just 4 women have a place in the cabinet, in a state in which 52% of the citizens are women we could expect a larger number of female members on the cabinet.

This is the cabinet:
Arturo Zamora-General Government Secretary
Salvador Rizo Castelo-Social Development Secretary
Eduardo Amarguer-Jobs Secretary
Fransisco Ayon- Education Secretary
Hector Padilla- Rural Development Secretary
Hector Vielma- Assistants Coordinator
Jaime Agustin Gonzales- Health Secretary

If you are watching familiar faces are because there are familiar, most of them are traditional politicians that had been around Aristoteles for a long while.

There’s nothing left but to hope for them to do their best and just wait for things to get better in this magnificent State. The best wishes for the ones that will be on charge of administrating Jalisco.

Chuckie's mom behind bars

Elba Esther Gordillo, also known as Mexico's teacher, was apprehended on Tuesday at the airport in Toluca, west of Mexico City.  Its been years since she become the National Education Workers Union leader - and Mexico's most powerful women - in 1989. And it all have come to an end.


Accused of a $200 million fraud, remained behind bars on Wednesday after a judge decided against granting her bail according to the seriousness of the allegations.
So it seems that she will remain behind bars as long as her sentency says.


Its important to mention that Gordillo's arrest came a day after the Mexican government signed a broad education reform into law.
Lopez Obrador mantain that this an atempt for a corrupt president to gain credibility, others aplaude the fact that she has finally got what she deserve no matter why.

Arresting her is something that should have been done a long ago but the circunstances make this detention really suspicious. Without a doubt she is guilty of every charge, but why now? Why with Peña as president? Some say this is an strategical movement to gain mexican people respect and loyalty, but what experts question is with what objective? Truth is that this strategy was used by the worst president Mexico has ever had, Salinas, in his time he did the same thing, putting big names behind bars. This fact togheter with the impression of Peña being a Salinas puppet have put many to wonder, whats next?

And the Oscar goes to...

Last sunday the 2013 Academy Awards were celebrated in the Kodak Theathre, as every other year the surprises, fails and victories became part of the evening.

Winners

Picture - Argo

Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincon)

Actress - Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)

Directing - Ang Lee (Life of Pi)

Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)

Supporting Actres - Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)

Original Screenplay - Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained)

Adapted Screenplay - Chris Terrio (Argo)

Song - Adele (Skyfall)

Score - (Life of Pi)

Animated Short Film - Paperman

Animated Feature Film - (Brave)

Cinematography - (Life of Pi)

Visual Effects - (Life of Pi)

Costume - (Anna Karenina)

Makeup and Hairstyling - Les Miserables

Live Action Short Film - Curfew

Documentary (short subject) - Inocente

Documentary - Searching For Sugar Man

Foreign Language Film -Amour

Sound Mixing - Les Miserables

Sound Editing (TIE) - Skyfall, Zero Dark Thirty

Editing - Argo

Production Design - Lincoln

As always the newspapers will not only talk about the winner but also about the "awkward funny" events of the night.

• Anne Hatahaway´s nipples say hello to the world in the red carpet
• Jennifer Lawrence graceless fall
• Ben Affleck got his moment
• The appearance of TED who wasn´t as funny as he tries to
• Excelent music brought by Adele, Barbara Streisand and Jennifer Hudson
• The first lady, Michelle Obama, announcing best picture
• A presentator being knock out by a microphone
• Not the greatest oppening monologue from the host.
• An awkward hosting by Seth McFarlane who's sense of humor went from kinda funny to awfully awkward
• Orchesta being drowned by Adele´s powerfull voice
• A funny and bizarre musical with the host, Robbin and Harry Potter
• Capitan Kirk appearance

At the end it was as always a nice Hollywood expectacle that have left us some funny anecdotes and of course many movies that are worth wasting your time sitting at the cinema.
Personally I am a big fan of movies but the Academy's awards are not free of awfully predictable bias so I recomend you all to go to the cinema a judge for yourself who should be named the best of the year. Maybe you feel the same way as the Academy but maybe you would give Avengers, The Hobbit or Wrecked Ralph a couple of awards.

Chivas & Atlas 2013

Mexican footbol season has brought joy and sorrow to footbol fans from soccer teams in Guadalajara. Chivas and Atlas are both compiting for the glory. Chivas is hoping and compiting for the 12 championship of their history. Atlas is struggling to stay in the 1º divison.

Through the season Chivas has been playing significantly better than last season but still the victory is rarerly achieved, last weekend Chivas and Puebla ended 1-1 on Pueblas stadium. With this Chivas gets away from the clasification spots but luckly for them there is still a chance for them to make it to the play-offs.

 

 

 

 

Atlas who is involed in the fight for descense have surprised everyone with courage and good footbol. Omar Bravo who is the 2º best scorer of Chivas history is now saving Atlas. Last weekend he scored again in the victory 2-1 against Monterrey.

Academy Awards 2013

The 85th Academy awards have arrived. As always the nominees have created polemic in the media. This years nominees are:

Best Picture

Amour

Life of Pi

Argo

Lincoln

Beasts of the Southern Wild

 

Silver Linings Playbook

 

Django Unchained

Zero Dark Thirty

Les Misérables

Best Actor (leading role)

Bradley Cooper - Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln

Hugh Jackman - Les Misérables

Joaquin Phoenix - The Master

Denzel Washington - Flight

Best Actress

Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark ThirtyJ
ennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Quvenzhané Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best Supporting Actor

Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Alan Arkin, Argo
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

Best Supporting Actress

Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Amy Adams, The Master

Best Original Song"Before My Time," Chasing Ice
"Pi’s Lullaby," Life of Pi
"Suddenly," Les Miserables
"Everybody Needs A Best Friend," Ted
"Skyfall," Skyfall

Best Director

Ang Lee

Ben Affleck

Kathryn Bigelow

Quentin Tarantino

Steven Spielberg

 

Animated Feature Film

Frankenweenie

The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Wreck it Ralph

ParaNorman

Brave

Cinematography

Django Unchained - Robert Richardson

Anna Karenina - Seamus McGarvey

Lincoln - Janusz Kaminski

Life of Pi - Claudio Miranda

Skyfall - Roger Deakins

Costume Design

Anna Karenina - Jacqueline Durran

Les Misérables - Paco Delgado

Lincoln - Joanna Johnston

Mirror Mirror - Eiko Ishioka

Snow White and the Huntsman - Colleen Atwood

Documentary Feature

5 Broken Cameras - Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi

The Gatekeepers -Nominees to be determined

How to Survive a Plague - Nominees to be determined

The Invisible War - Nominees to be determined

Searching for Sugar Man - Nominees to be determined

Documentary Short Subject

Inocente - Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine

Kings Point - Sari Gilman and Jedd Wider

Mondays at Racine - Cynthia Wade and Robin Honan

Open Heart - Kief Davidson and Cori Shepherd Stern

Redemption - Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill

Film Editing

Argo - William Goldenberg

Life of Pi - Tim Squyres

Lincoln - Michael Kahn

Silver Linings Playbook - Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers

Zero Dark Thirty - Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg

Foreign Language Film

Amour

NO

War Witch

A Royal Affair

Kon Tiki

Makeup

Hitchcock - Howard Berger, Peter Montagna and Martin Samuel

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Peter Swords King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane

Les Misérables - Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell

Music (Original Score)

Anna Karenina - Dario Marianelli

Argo - Alexandre Desplat

Life of Pi - Mychael Danna

Lincoln - John Williams

Skyfall - Thomas Newman

Short Film (Animated)

Adam and Dog - Minkyu Lee

Fresh Guacamole - PES

Head over Heels - Timothy Reckart and Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly

Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare" David Silverman

Paperman - John Kahrs

Production Design

Anna Karenina - Sarah Greenwood (Production Design); Katie Spencer (Set Decoration)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Dan Hennah (Production Design); Ra Vincent and Simon Bright (Set Decoration)

Les Misérables -Eve Stewart (Production Design); Anna Lynch-Robinson (Set Decoration)

Life of Pi - David Gropman (Production Design); Anna Pinnock (Set Decoration)

Lincoln - Rick Carter (Production Design); Jim Erickson (Set Decoration)

Short Film (Live Action)

Asad Bryan Buckley and Mino Jarjoura

Buzkashi Boys - Sam French and Ariel Nasr

Curfew -Shawn Christensen

Death of a Shadow (Dood van een Schaduw) - Tom Van Avermaet and Ellen De Waele

Henry - Yan England

Sound Editing

Argo - Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn

Django Unchained - Wylie Stateman

Life of Pi - Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton

Skyfall - Per Hallberg and Karen Baker Landers

Zero Dark Thirty -Paul N.J. Ottosson

Sound Mixing

Argo - John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Jose Antonio Garcia

Les Misérables - Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes

Life of Pi -Ron Bartlett, D.M. Hemphill and Drew Kunin

Lincoln - Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ronald Judkins

Skyfall - Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell and Stuart Wilson

Visual Effects

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and R. Christopher White

Life of Pi -Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott

Marvel's The Avengers - Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick

Prometheus - Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley and Martin Hill

Snow White and the Huntsman - Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Philip Brennan, Neil Corbould and Michael Dawson

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin - Beasts of the Southern Wild

Chris Terrio - Argo

Tony Kushner - Lincoln

David O'Russell - Silver Linings PLaybook

David Magee - Life of Pi

Writing (Original Screenplay )

John Gatins - Flight

Mark Boal - Zero Dark Thirty

Django Unchained - Quentin Tarantino

Moonrise Kingdom - Written by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola

Amour - Written by Michael Haneke