CAS BLOG/Tomás Franco

  Today we had another football match. This time we lost. I was the goalkeeper and I didn't play very well. But I have to say that not wearing glasses during the game makes it difficult for me, especially in goal. I have to find a solution. Some moments were my fault, of course. What was missing was really wanting to win, I think. If we wanted to, we could have won. We're learning game by game.

  Today I had another descriptive geometry class. We have finished studying the types of lines and already have a test scheduled. Now, it's up to me to do my best on the test. There isn't much material, but I need to practise a lot.   Now I won't have class again for another three weeks, because the holidays will take up the days I have class. Let's practise.

  Yesterday, I went back to work on the painting a little more. This time, I tried a new way of painting to make better use of the paint's drying time: while painting something on one character, I would start painting something on another, and so on. This allowed me to improve the previous figure and add colour to the one holding the sail rope. 

  Today I went back to helping some boys with their art projects. I've really enjoyed it, and I think they have too. Although I've lost some study time, I've gained something much more valuable - the opportunity to serve others. 

  This Thursday, I played another football match with my friends. We played 5-a-side, even though we had planned to play 7-a-side. It wasn't bad at all: it was great fun and I felt really good playing sport after not having done so for a week. I really needed it... It's always good to play football, I really enjoy it. This time we won 9-8. We started winning 8-0 and then they turned the score around to 8-8. We scored the golden goal.

On Friday, we had another handball match, organised by Vicente. This time it was a close game and we ended up drawing. It's great to play an organised game with friends, where we get along well and play intensely. Not only do we get along well in the 1st year, but also with the 10th, 9th and 8th year students, who also usually participate in these games. The games last 30 minutes. It's still difficult for me to score a goal, especially because I get confused when shooting... I don't have much technique either. But, as Vicente has already told me, it's normal for that to happen when I don't have much practice. I usually play wing or full-back. Let's see if we win the next game.

  Today I picked up my fragile paintbrush again, venturing into painting that little orange fellow. Despite my efforts, I will have to make some changes, some small details. Although it may not seem like it, I spent (or rather, enjoyed) an hour painting this part. What I did was take a base tone, a kind of orange, and lighten it with shades of white. The hardest part is painting a detail and then having to wait for the paint to dry before going over it with darker tones. Slowly but surely, I'll finish the painting. What matters most to me is that it turns out well, given my abilities.

 Today I had another descriptive geometry class. Naturally, knowing that geometry becomes more complex starting from basic concepts, this subject is more complicated. We learned about the types of lines parallel to the frontal plane and the horizontal plane that exist. However, I didn't get to do any exercises. Maybe this week.  We don't have any assessments scheduled yet, which is good for me, given how much work I've had with other subjects and with the Extended Essay, in particular.

 About a month ago, I had my first football training session, but I didn't manage to take any photos. A week later, I had my second training session and — forgive my distraction — I didn't take any photos.   Despite this setback, I can tell you how the two training sessions went: they weren't very demanding, but I enjoyed them a lot. For two-thirds of the training session, we did a rotation circuit, practising  passing, marking, finishing and dribbling. In the last third, we played a 4x4 game.   In the second training session, we initially divided the field into two halves. In one, we played a game with four mini goals - requiring quick thinking and changes of direction - and in the other, we played ‘Handfut’. The rules of the latter are simple: you can only score with your head after a cross with your foot and you can only pass the ball with your hand. More than three steps with it is a foul. The goal is to score as many goals as possible.   I don't think these...

  It's been two months since I started my service activity. However, I haven't taken any photos since I started. I've been doing this service every Saturday. Vicente and I keep some kids company who are doing some visual arts work, and we help them with whatever they need. There are usually about three or four boys. When they don't need help, we do our own art projects—a way to encourage the kids to paint. We also try to show them how much fun painting is, to whet their appetite for the arts. We follow their projects week by week, and they enjoy doing them.

  Today I had another descriptive geometry class. We continued with the double orthogonal projection of lines. I have enjoyed learning. As I do more exercises, I am internalising the material better. Even so, we are progressing at a fast pace. 

Yesterday I completed another painting session. Looking at what I've done so far, I can say that I've painted ‘quite a bit’. This time it was the shadows, full of small details and nuances. The truth is that, even though it may not seem like it, there are many variations in the dark tones in this part. That's why it wasn't easy: sometimes I had to correct small mistakes, which meant waiting a while for the canvas to dry. The truth is that painting requires a lot of patience, as I mentioned in my first posts. In the next sessions, I will paint the characters: at least, I hope so.  In addition, there are some moments when a mistake leads me to paint in a different and specific way, using a specific part of the brush. This is how I am gradually mastering painting, with experience. 

  The results have been increasingly positive, and every time I return to painting, I regret having to stop. In this session, I painted another small detail of shadows, which took some time due to minor lighting errors. I believe I will still make some corrections in the future. I am excited to continue painting and eager to see the final result. I notice that the technique has improved. See you soon!

  This was the second of the big games we have ahead of us. Unfortunately, my team lost. Despite this bad news, it is worth noting the team's progress, which gives us a lot of hope for the next game. In this image, we can see who played. I am sure we will win next time. Get ready! 

  Today we had the first of many handball matches. With two teams, put together by Vicente, we competed on the court and my team lost. Anyone who wants to can participate in these games, but mostly it's students from my year - 1st. We usually play on Fridays. It was a great initiative by Vicente and Eduardo, who are federated in handball. I must also mention Luis, the great magician. I am noticing improvements in technique, both mine and the others'. I hope to be victorious next time.

  Today I continued the work I did in the last session. I am growing to like painting more and more, especially this particular painting. I painted another character and added some more details. I hope to continue painting soon.

Today I completed another painting session. I have been painting ‘Storm on the Sea of Galilee’ by the famous painter Rembrandt and I intend to give this painting to a friend. I am using acrylic paint because I am more accustomed to it, even though the painter used oil paint. Now I have painted the small details of the people and the boat and I intend to paint the sky and the sea last. I am really enjoying it, but it is something that requires patience and perseverance. I don't know how long it will take me to finish, but I know that I will have a different perspective on the painting than if I hadn't painted it. I find it fascinating how the painter manages to articulate light and shadow. I hope to continue soon.

T oday I had one of my first descriptive geometry classes with Vicente and Manel. I have been learning the basics of geometry and today I did exercises on ‘Double orthogonal projection of lines’. Although I am enthusiastic, the classes have been challenging because we have been moving at a fast pace. Now I just have to study until the next class and put what I have learned into practice.