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Train your brain

How many teenagers can sit and think for an hour without speaking, playing with their mobile or losing their concentration?

Although doing sports or learning to play an instrument and cooking are really useful activities, I think we sometimes forget about improving our brains. That’s why I would like to propose the greatest mental sport ever invented-chess.

Benefits of learning the ‘Master Game’

You might have heard people say ‘’Chess is slow and boring’. You could say the same about mathematics, but it depends on the teacher and the way the subject is taught.

It will make our academic life easier and more fun and will help us in the future to organize our studies. Remember that chess is also extremely competitive and is often called ‘mental boxing’.

Facilities, teacher and conclusion

It seems that the library is available for after-school activities on Monday and Wednesday and I’ve spoken to a chess player from the local club, Martin (a really amusing and clever guy). He has offered to come twice a week to teach from 5.30-7.00 pm.

It’s time to train your brain and discover all the mystery hidden inside the 64 squares. You will NOT be bored when you play on this board!

Friends forever

Friends come and go, and sometimes we even lose touch with people. I’ve been living abroad for most of my life, but still keep in touch with my best friend in England. Have you ever wondered what makes a friend special?

Important qualities in a friend

We need friends for different occasions and circumstances. If we’re having fun, we look for amusing company. A sense of humour, a joke and a funny comment make life easier. How many friends have you met doing activities in a club or having a drink in the pub?

Essential qualities in a friend

But life is not all fun and games. If we’re feeling down, we seek a sympathetic, kind person who is good at listening. In hard times, we all need a kind, reliable friend. A friendly face, and an intelligent conversation is, in my opinion, essential. I also share musical taste with my friends (we even singafter a few beers on Friday evening!).

The right balance

Fortunately, I’ve had the same friends for a long time with the qualities I mentioned before. This balance of kindness and understanding has helped me at many stages of my life. Never lose your sense of humour.

Science fiction or reality?

I’m sure everybody has seen science fiction films like this: the robot is cleaning the house and you are programming the cooker while you watch satellite T.V. Everything is automatic, clean and digital. The only chips in your kitchen are made of silicon. If you have ever wondered about living in the house of the future, read on.

The mouse controls the house

In fact, robots have not taken over yet. We still clean the house, cook the dinner and go shopping for food. Scientists have claimed that ‘intelligent (smart) kitchens will do everything. It will order our food from the shops, then cook it for us.

Will we build houses using different materials? The answer is probably yes. They will be ecological buildings made to save energy, with large windows and solar panels everywhere.

The same as usual

Personally, I’m still waiting for the digital age to change my lifestyle. I still have four walls and a floor in every room, I open my door using a key, not a device which recognizes my voice. I still cook and clean without the help of clever robots. The futuristic films I watched twenty years ago are still fantasy.