ÓSCAR BEAN: BELGIAN CONTRUCTION FOR THE FUTURE

Óscar Bean and R2D2 in Lego bricks

Óscar Bean. Lego Tester. Belgium.

I'm Óscar Bean. I was born in Bruges, Flanders, Belgium. I'm a Lego Tester. I love creating new constructions and thinking in improving them. I started playing with Lego when I was a child and I realized what I wanted to be. I believe that a toy must be something creative which was useful not only to children but for adult and even the eldest people. Playing is a good way to learn. It's something that I have done with my family, The Beans. We have been learning English meanwhile we have been playing with lots of games. Enjoy the game! You're the winner!
 

-Good morning, Óscar Bean, and thanks to attend us.

-Good morning. Thanks to you.

-Well, as I have seen you're a Lego Tester.

-Yes. It's a fantastic job. I started being a fan of Lego and nowadays it's my profession.

-When did your hobby about Lego start?

-Mmmm. It's not a hobby. It's my work and I live it with passion. I'm Flemish. We have lots of things in common with Dutch people who have constructed incredible things like the canals in Amsterdam and with German people, who are the best European in technology. They have been great influencers in our culture along the history.

-You're a Flemish. How's life living in a border?

-It's very interesting because you receive influences of both sides. In my case three sides: French spoken Belgian people, Germany and Netherlands.

-Then, you've a little part of all of them...

-Not exactly. I'm Flemish. Belgium isn't a big state but we are two big different communities: Flemish and Walloons. Living in diversity is growing in knowledge.

-You were born in Bruges. You must enjoy art and culture every day.

-Flemish culture was one of the most important during the Middle Age and the Renaissance. We were a great influence for the rest of European communities. Now, the capital of Vlaanderen is Brussels, which is also the capital of the European Union. We continue being important for Europe, don't we?

-How is the life of a Lego tester?

-A normal life. I must be very tidy and organized because is very difficult to make a good Lego. You need concentration, patience a lot of knowledge about Mathematics and Architecture. In fact, you're an architect because you create and construct buildings.

-Which is your favourite Lego?

-I love all of them but I like the reproduction of R2D2 in real scale. It's amazing.

-R2D2?

-Yes. He's the most important character in Star Wars Saga. He always appears in the best moment to rescue the main characters and he's able to understand all of his friends and be understood by all of them, although he speaks a robot language. R2D2 is like an alarm clock. He's always ready to notice you about danger. He's the real linchpin in Star Wars plot.

-Why do you think Lego is one of the richest enterprises around the world?

-They offer a great product. For one hand you can create a reproduction of one concrete figure but, for other hand, you can create your own constructions. It's an extemporal toy because it can be used by different generations and by people of different ages. It's a successful product because offers the possibility of doing things whatever you want, following your rules and giving to your brain the possibility of being as creative as you imagine. It's a fantastic toy, one of the most educational and amazing.

-How do you feel being a member of The Beans?

-It has been a pleasure. It's a fantastic family and we've spent unforgettable moments together.

-How is a normal day with The Beans?

-The day starts with me. I'm the first person to wake up, get up and start to work. Later, step by step, the rest of the family starts to be ready.

-How long have you been studying English?

-Since I was in the school. We're a bilingual community and learning another language is easier for us. 

-Is English difficult for you?

-No, it isn't. English has its roots in German. Flemish is also a German language. It helps me to understand all grammar and syntax better because they have lots of things in common.

-What can you explain about your life with The Beans?

-We're a great family with a great sense of humour, very hard workers and with a great idea of responsibility. It's easy to stay with them. 

-Which is your best memory with the family?

-It's difficult to choose one but I remember with special emotion when we stayed in Georgetown University, in Washington DC. We were visiting the campus and i found a skeleton buried next to a tree. At the beginning I was shocked but after the first impression, but then the special unit of scientists arrived from the Jeffersonian. It was Dra Temperance Brennan and her team, the best of the world in forensic anthropology. For me, staying with them and watching their work was a masterclass that I will never forget. Never.

-Thank you very much, Óscar Bond.

-You're welcome.

For me, stories are like Lego blocks. 

If I don't put one down, I can't put the next one down. 

Om Malik

KATRINA AND THE BEANS: BEING THE BEST CANDIDATES

The Beans receiving their prize in Lisbon

The Beans are still enjoying their victory in the last Eurovision Song Contest. The family did a great interpretation demonstrating a great teamwork and coordination, skills that you need if you want to success in the labour world.

Their amazing interpretation was TT immediately and fans around the world expressed their admiration about The Beans and their wonderful song. One of them was Katrina Leskanich, winner of this contest in 1997 representing the UK.

Katrina has offered The Beans the possibility of joining her in her next tour in Hong Kong. The family is astonished with the news and after some hours of deliberation, they have accepted. Then, it's official that The Beans are going to leave their lifestyle, their travels and their parties and they're going to join Katrina in this new adventure.

More information: ABA English

The Grandma is very happy with this decision because she has always trusted in her family and she knew they were the best candidates to do whatever they wanted because, yes, they can do it! She isn't going to stay with them in Asia because she prefers to return to Barcelona and start new business with new partners. She thinks that she has already done all her work with the family and now she's going to be in contact with them thanks to the 2.0 technology.

The secret of The Beans's success is easy to explain: sacrifice, effort, happiness, teamwork, partnership and commitment. 

All of them have got this common success thanks to their individual efforts which applicated to a common goal have been the best way to reach their objectives. If you want to be a good candidate, you must have an elaborated CV, a good resume and especial communicative skills that allow you to get an interview over. These are the most important clues in labour insertion and these are the keys that have helped The Beans to reach the victory in this contest.

More information: Citizens Information

Katrina Elizabeth Leskanich (born April 10, 1960) is an American musician, author and former lead singer of British pop rock band Katrina and the Waves whose song Walking on Sunshine was an international hit in 1985 and in 1997 won the Eurovision Song Contest for the United Kingdom with the song Shine a Light.

Katrina Leskanich

Leskanich was born in Topeka, Kansas. She is of Irish, German and Czech ancestry. Her father was a colonel in the United States Air Force, and Katrina and her five siblings (four sisters and one brother) moved frequently as children. After she was born, they moved from Kansas to New Mexico, and then California, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Stuttgart, in (then) West Germany, and the Netherlands before arriving in the United Kingdom in 1976.

The band's earliest incarnation was as The Waves, a group that played in and around Cambridge, England, from 1975 to 1977 and featured guitarist Kimberley Rew and drummer Alex Cooper. For the first Capitol album, the band re-recorded, remixed, or overdubbed 10 songs from their earlier Canadian releases to create their self-titled international debut album in 1985.

More information: Quizlet (I)

The Katrina and the Waves album was a substantial critical and commercial success, and the group had a worldwide hit with the song Walking on Sunshine. A Grammy award nomination for Best New Artist followed, as did constant touring, both of which helped to spur sales of new releases.

The Beans during their winner performance

In 1997, after having somewhat faded into obscurity, the band won the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 for the United Kingdom with Shine a Light, the same song that Katrina has chosen, this time, to sing with The Beans. 

The first video of this song is now avalaible and we can offer the exclusive of its premiere. Under the direction of Antonio Bean and The Grandma's production, Katrina sings with Paqui, Elisabet and Cristina Bean with a chorus formed by Ana, Nereyda and Natalia Bean, a choreography created by Carol Bean and a fantastic melody performanced by Tania Bean with the drums, Anton Bean with the keyboards, Óscar, Edgar and Estefanía Bean with the guitars and Manuel Bean with the bells. The result is a beautiful and unforgettable version of the 1997's hit Shine a light.

More information: Quizlet (II)

The new version is stronger than the older because every Bean offers his/her colour to it and as a result, you can enjoy a powerful song with deep lyrics full of commitment, energy, happiness, effort, teamwork and coordination, an amazing song mixed of gospel, folk and pop rythms which is going to steal your heart and you mind. 

C'mon, the version is also now avalaible in ITunes and Amazon Music. Download it now and enjoy with us!

Teamwork requires some sacrifice up front; 

people who work as a team have to put the collective 

needs of the group ahead of their individual interests. 

Patrick Lencioni

OH HAPPY BEANS! FILL US WITH THE LIGHT OF DAY...

The Grandma tasting Natalia Bean's pizzas

This morning, The Beans have visited Deloris Van Cartier, aka Sister Mary Clarence, and Miriam Bond in San Francisco. Before visiting them, the family has revised a new theme of English grammar: the Present Perfect and its clues For & Since.

Natalia Bean and Paqui Bean have surprised all the family with some delicatessen and the family has participated in a contest to choose its best speakers: Antonio, Edgar and Óscar Bean have won the little contest although it hasn't been easy because of the great competence of the rest of the family.

More information: Present Perfect

After a personal reading of Christmas Carol, the family has continued talking about interesting and deep themes that affect everyone and about how to confront them. Without any kind of doubt, a good aptitude and a strong trust in us are good options to overcome these difficult moments that one day or another are going to appear but meanwhile enjoy every day with your loved people like if it was the last of your life.

Antonio Bean's old selfie in Saint Paul Church

Antonio Bean has contacted with Deloris Van Cartier, an old friend, whom he hasn't seen since 1993 and whom has worked with him for many years helping people who needed another chance in Saint Paul Church, in San Francisco.

Deloris Van Cartier has offered her help to The Beans. She's going to be their musical director in the new song that the family is going to compose to introduce it in the next Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon.

More information: Since-For

Ok, Beans! Relax. Ok?

Take a deep breath. Be fine.

Don't worry. You're ready?

Sister Mary Clarens / Deloris Van Cartier

In 1968, Deloris Williams was a young girl who attended a Catholic school. Her wisecracking and disobedience exasperated the nun, who warned her that people like her tended not to do so well.

By the early 90s, Deloris Van Cartier was divorced and working as a lounge singer in Reno. She was carrying on an affair with casino owner Vince LaRocca. When Vince gave her his wife's fur coat she decided that she had enough of Vince and went to break up with him. 

Deloris, her chorus, Antonio Bean and The Grandma

In Vince's suite Vince was interrogating his young driver and confirmed that he had spoken to the police. Vince had the young driver executed right as Deloris came in to the suite.  

Deloris managed to get out a few words of apology for an earlier argument before exiting the suite. Vince decided he couldn't have her as a witness and had his soldiers chase after her. Deloris managed to escape and took a taxi to police headquarters where she told the police what she had seen. Lt. Eddie Souther revealed that Vince was a major mob figure. 

He asked Deloris if she would testify against Vince, but she was too frightened to do so. Souther told her that if she agreed to testify he would hide her in the last place on Earth Vince would ever look for her.

The next day the pair arrived in San Francisco. To Deloris's considerble horror, she realized that she was going to be staying in the convent attached to St. Katherine's Parish. The Reverend Mother was none too thrilled about the prospect, but the pastor Msgr. O'Hara said that the convent would have law enforcement protection, and that the Reno police department was giving them a considerable donation.

Reverend Mother took Deloris in. After telling her not to smoke and having her dress in a habit, Reverend Mother informed Deloris that while she was in the convent she would be known as Mary Clarence.

More information: Sant Paul Catholic Church

At first Deloris had a rough time adjusting to the structure of convent life, of having to get up before dawn, of small and plain meals, and of working in the church and convent. She found the convent closed off from the neighborhood. The choir at St. Katherine's was in sad shape. Despite the difficulties of having to conform to Catholic communal living she did make friends with many of the nuns there, especially the shy Mary Robert and the boisterous Mary Patrick.  

Antonio Bean with Saint Paul's Choir

Deloris snuck out to a bar one night followed by Mary Robert and Mary Patrick. Coming back they were caught by the Reverend Mother. She nearly called Souther to ask him to make alternative arrangements for Deloris, but decided instead that for the remainder of her time there she would sleep and sing. Within minutes of arriving in the choir room everyone realized that Deloris had an excellent grasp of music theory, and former leader Mary Lazarus agreed to step aside. The following Sunday the choir sung Hail Holy Queen in the traditional manner followed by a fast paced rock and roll performance of the hymn. People in the street overheard the choir and came in to see what was going on. 

The Reverend Mother was quite unhappy and was going to have Mary Lazarus resume her leadership of the choir. However Msgr. O'Hara stepped in and said that the music was heavenly, and it was bringing people in to church. Deloris convinced him to let the nuns go out in to the neighborhood, helping to clean up the area and make it much more liveable. On Sundays a church that had only had a dozen or so attendees at Mass was filled to capacity. Deloris was nearly exposed when a TV crew visited, but Vince had been distracted when she appeared on TV for a few seconds.

More information: People

Meanwhile Pope John Paul II was visiting the states and heard about St. Katherine's choir. He decided to make the time to visit the parish. Upon the decision of the choir to let Deloris select the music instead of a traditional program for his visit, Reverend Mother decided she had enough and was going to hand in her resignation. Deloris offered to go in her place but Reverend Mother still was planning to resign.

Tate, a corrupt officer on Vince's payroll discovered where Deloris was hiding. Vince sent his men Joey and Willie to bring her back to Reno. After Deloris was kidnapped, Reverend Mother revealed the truth to the convent that Mary Clarence was not a nun, but a singer named Delores Van Cartier. The nuns of the convent all flew to Reno to rescue Deloris.

Antonio Bean with Deloris Van Cartier

Vince confronted Deloris, who faced her former lover calmly and without any outward signs of fear. The Deloris they faced now was nothing like the woman who fled a few motnhs ago. Vince tried to have Joey and Willie murder Deloris, but they found they couldn't do it, fearing their souls in jeopardy for killing someone who might have actually become a nun. Deloris managed to knock over both Willie and Joey and escaped through the casino. Vince chased Deloris through the casino as the other nuns of the convent arrived. As a group they tried to escape but Vince cornered them. Before Vince could shoot Deloris Lt. Souther shot him in the arm. Vince cursed her as he was being dragged away by cops, Deloris simply responded with, Bless you.

More information: Charactour

The Reverend Mother found a renewed sense of purpose and since Deloris would soon be leaving decided she needed to stay. Deloris returned with the nuns to St. Katherine's where in front of a packed house they performed for the Pope, who was quite pleased with what he saw. Deloris directed the choir at several concert engagements in the coming months. 

Nowadays, Deloris is going to direct The Beans in their next goal: be the winners in the 2018 European Song Contest. 

Let's go Beans! We can do it!

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness.
Fill us with the light of day.

Henry Jackson van Dyke Jr.

THE BEANS VISIT THE JEFFERSONIAN: TEMPUS FUGIT

Memories of Paqui Bean in the CRAM

This morning, The Beans have reviewed some English grammar. It has been a day to improve grammar and consolidate knowledge. 

They have talked about the Future Simple, Adverbs of Manner, Superlative and Comparative and Social English. 

They have also read a bit more about Christmas Carol of Charles Dickens. 

More information: Comparative & Superlative Adjectives

 

Taking care of the nature is a very important thing and the family has been talking about animals and their protection. Paqui Bean has talked about two important centres: the CRAM in El Prat de Llobregat and the CRARC in Masquefa. Both of them are near Barcelona, and  both of them work strongly to save animals. She has also talked about the Zeehondencentrum in Pieterburen.

Then, the family has listened carefully Ana Bean's speech about Maria Callas, her lovely friend. They have discovered a lot of secrets about her and her difficult and successful life and about the connection between Ana and Maria. It has been a very important moment for The Grandma who has appreciated a lot Ana's effort and work.

Óscar Bean and Temperance Brenan's Team

After talking about Asperger Syndrome, The Beans have visited Temperance Brennan and her scientific team in the Jeffersonian Institution and they have asked her some questions about the skeleton that was found by Óscar Bean in the Georgetown University Campus yesterday.

Dr Brennan has answered all the questions of the family and has been very interested in answering Anton Bean's questions about the Piltdown Man while The Grandma, fascinated by the laboratory and imitating Salvador Dalí, has lost her head and her idea of time and has started to live in a parallel universe until The Beans have waken her up.

More information: Live Science

This afternoon, the family has visited the Natural History Museum founded in 1846 as part of the Smithsonian Institution. It is a natural-history museum administered by the Smithsonian Institution, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It has free admission and is open 364 days a year. 

Tempus Fugit for The Grandma

Opened in 1910, the museum on the National Mall was one of the first Smithsonian buildings constructed exclusively to hold the national collections and research facilities. 

The main building has an overall area of 140,000 m2 with 30,200 m2 of exhibition and houses over 1,000 employees. The museum's collections contain over 126 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artefacts. In 2016 it was the second most visited of all of the Smithsonian museums. It is also home to about 185 professional natural-history scientists, the largest group of scientists dedicated to the study of natural and cultural history in the world.

More information: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

The time is always right to do what is right. 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

CREATING A PROFILE: THE BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS UNIT

The Grandma with the BAU members

This morning, The Beans have continued with their English classes. They have talked about the modal verb Have to/Don't have to and they have reviewed the Future Simple (Will). 

They have also visited Federal Bureau Investigation Headquarters to talk with the Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU) members who work in Quantico, Virginia but have moved to Washington, D.C. to attend The Beans.

More information: Must vs. Have to

The family is a little worry because The Grandma has new strange friends and she's very happy with them although The Beans consider they're violent criminals. 

Edgar & Óscar Bean with Jason

Thanks to the BAU, The Beans have created some psychological profiles to demonstrate to The Grandma that she's wrong with her new strange friends.

Finally, the family has talked about the connections between the Gypsy communities and the Tarot during the Middle Age and how these incredible seers were able to predict the future and create the best spoilers that you could imagine.

This afternoon, The Beans have visited Georgetown University to enjoy with the last news in education and play some word games in its beautiful campus.

Download Crosswords by The Beans

Georgetown University is a private research university in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Founded in 1789 as Georgetown College, the university has since grown to comprise nine undergraduate and graduate schools, among which are the School of Foreign Service, School of Business, Medical Center, and Law School. 

The Beans at Georgetown University Campus

Georgetown's main campus is located on a hill above the Potomac River. 

Georgetown offers degree programs in forty-eight disciplines, enrolling an average of 7,500 undergraduate and 10,000 post-graduate students from more than 130 countries. 

The campus is identifiable by its flagship Healy Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark.

Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit-affiliated institution of higher education in the United States. The Jesuits have participated in the university's academic life, both as scholars and as administrators, since 1805; however, the university has always been governed independently of the church. At present, the majority of Georgetown students are not Catholic.

The Beans have enjoyed their visit until Óscar Bean has discovered a skeleton buried inside the campus. Who is s/he?

Download Medicine in English

It is far more difficult to murder a phantom than a reality. 

Virginia Woolf