IB CAS BLOG :D: 2011

Monday, May 16, 2011

FINAL CAS BLOG: Reflection over 2 years

THE BREAK DOWN

11th grade:

1. Gordon Hospital Painting (Creativity & Service)

2. Badminton Varsity (Action)

12th grade:

1. Badminton Club (Action)

2. Girl's Basketball Club (Action)

3. Annie Jr. Production - Mrs. Pugh & a member of the Boylen Sisters (Creativity)

4. Recycling Club (Service)

5. Yearbook Club (Creativity)

6. Badminton Varsity (Action)

7. POCCH - leader (Service)

8. International Coastal Clean-Up - One of the leaders (Service)

THE REFLECTION

I am glad that I was able to try many new things in school. I've always wanted to do certain things in my life, but I never had the initiative to actually do it. As seen in my "BREAKDOWN" above you can see that I did more things during my senior year rather than in my junior year. It honestly shows that I didn't do many things due to pure lack of motivation and laziness. However, things changed during senior year, I changed.

I wouldn't have ever thought I would be dedicated to Badminton. When my friend suggested trying out for Badminton Varsity, I laughed and said I'd give it a try. I surprisingly gave my all to the sport at the end. I would make every practice that I could, without skipping for any sort of laziness. I would only miss when it came to balancing Production. I thought I was pretty good during the beginning of 2nd year of Badminton. However, when we had actual tournaments at Brent Manila I saw that I wasn't and people had "clears". I was even frustrated at our first badminton tournament because I was doing so badly. The difference in score was really big. They were so good that it would always make the line, which was still considered a point. There were times when I wanted to say it was out even it was because I was really beat down, but I said it wasn't worth it. So I dedicated a lot of time practicing how to "clear" and even some footwork. Then from so much training my partner and I won 1st place for women's doubles. Badminton improved my overall health as a stress reliever. From making myself fit I was able to do many more activities with the energy that I had.

Another one of my friend's started the Gordon Hospital Painting project and convinced me to join along. Ahniyah and I were normally the only ones who would go, but sometimes there would be some volunteers. I am not the best visual arts person. I told her that and I can only draw figures, which aren't too great either. I did try painting though and each visit the better the painting got. However, even while painting my focus was at the children in the hospital since we were painting the pediatrics room. Hence, this activity wanted me to initiate the POCCH activity.

I always wanted to get involved with an Orphanage because ever since I came to the Philippines I was the person who initiated the POCCH activity. I wanted to create a big brother/big sister relationship for the children. I also wanted to have donations of supplies for the children. However, due to my poor planning skills my second goal could not go through. The children did have a close relationship with the volunteers and me, which was great. The children would play with us (ie. Basketball, Soccer etc...), and this activity gave the children time to be kids. POOCH showed me of how lucky we are and taught me to be grateful for the things that I have.

I was one of the leaders that started and got people involved in the international coastal clean-up. Being another leader in this project meant more planning. My friend and I were in charge of giving announcements during Chapel to inform the students to volunteer. I was nervous to talk to a group of many people, which stressed a reason why I wanted to join Production. It was definitely harder than we thought to encourage people to keep picking up trash off the beach. Since I joined this activity I wanted to help a bit more about cleaning up the Philippines even in my small contribution so I ended up joining the Recycling Club. I wanted to learn how this club worked and how they were so efficient in keeping people to recycle. I was planning to start something like this when I move to Bicol, Philippines. Many countries enforce recycling to keep their environment clean, so we should try to start it in schools to influence students. From the international coastal clean-up and recycling club I was able to make some parts of Philippines more clean. This will benefit the whole country if more areas recycled.

As for Production, I was trying out for Ms. Hannigan. I didn't get the part, but I was casted as Mrs. Pugh (elderly servant) and a member of the Boylen sisters (performer). I thought that I wasn't needed ever because I only had small parts. However, I learned that EVERY SINGLE member of the cast is important and is needed a lot. I had to be constantly at practice, which conflicted with Badminton. When we finally had the show I felt confident on stage performing, talking, and singing in front of MANY people. It was a good feeling. From Production I learned to be comfortable in front a large crowd of people.

I was able to accomplish many things in many activities, but there were activities where things didn't go as planned. The main reason why I did the Girl's Basketball club was to improve on my skills to be able to make the Girl's Basketball team Varsity. I did acquire some more knowledge on Basketball, but I wasn't chosen to be on the team. It was heartbreaking, but it was learning experience for me to keep practicing. As for Yearbook Club, I did contribute some creativity by choosing/taking pictures that would make this year's yearbook even more memorable. However, I didn't contribute that much because Production took over and when it was finished Yearbook club was over. From Girl’s Basketball I learned that even if you don’t make the team keep pressing harder for the next try-out. And from the Yearbook Club I learned that I’m only a human being and I can’t possibly balance everything.

From every single activity I have done I was able to meet and work with new people. I was faced with challenges such as balancing activities. There were times where I felt like giving up, but I still kept going. I was able to try many new things thanks to CAS, which I probably wouldn't have gone through if it weren't for CAS. Therefore, I feel that I am a better person because of all the activities that I have participated in.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Recycling Club: Final Reflection

I was able to learn a lot of effective ways to enforce recycling in school and in the local community.
We would give letters to new houses to inform them of our purpose in the Recycling Club. The longer
that I was in the club the more houses that we eventually had to go to than in the beginning. We would go
to their house and collect the recyclables from each house. We became efficient and had assigned houses
to certain people. However, there was some houses that just wouldn't cooperate and didn't want to recycle
at all. Learning how to reach out to the student population would also increase recycling in school and out
of school. We would have announcements during school and even during homeroom periods.

Since I want to continue a certain process like this in college, what I learned was helpful. It let me
have ideas on how to start it when I move.

1. Have many announcements
2. Make letters and give it to the local community
3. Gather many members

Recycling Club: April Entry

The club has been enforcing the recycling process even more in school. Us, members of the recycling club, have been giving speeches to homerooms about "how to recycle?" Since we have these color coated trash bins with newly placed labels, we are trying to inform the students even more about the proper way to segregate. Everyone knows how to process things except the "plastic" and "everything else".So we had to distinguish that plastic containers/bottles are in the plastic section and plastic bags are in the everything else bin.

We still do our thursday routine of collecting from houses and giving letters to new houses.

Recycling Club: Feb Entry

I have been able to balance Recycling Club with everything. I rush to club automatically and rush to Badminton or Production practice depending on the days I'm needed. I am able to see how this club sends information around. They give letters at new houses informing them when they will be collecting recycling. We go to all the regular houses and collect their recycling. Then give letters to the new houses.

Yearbook Club: Final Reflection

I was only able to attend a few Yearbook Club meetings. It involved choosing pictures out of pictures that were already token from certain events from the school year. I was also assigned to take pictures of certain clubs such as "Action Shots" and a "Formal Shot". I learned that I am terrible at taking pictures. I wanted to improve that, but I couldn't due to the lack of time. When Production became serious and everyone was needed every day I was unable to make Yearbook club. However, when I finally had time to go to Yearbook club there was no club. Then the club was over because the Yearbook was finally passed in.

My goal was to make the yearbook more memorable with the best pictures that I could take a choose. However, I don't believe that I accomplished this. I only picked a few pictures and I took pictures of a few clubs. My action shots were apparently very bad and I don't know about the Formal shots. If I had more time I probably would have made more of a contribution than I did.

Yearbook Club: April Entry

I was unable to make any meetings for Yearbook Club recently. I had to focus on Production because the show was near. When I did have time to go to Yearbook Club there was no club. Then the following week there was a party to celebrate the end of the Club. I felt like I didn't really contribute to the group. Ms.Dominguez said I still was considered in the club because before hand I would attend the club and help out with choosing/taking pictures for the club.

Yearbook Club: "Journal #1"

I have never done Yearbook Club. My friends (Jana and Bryan) are in Yearbook Club so they recommended me to join in the Club.

I want to go into marketing when I am older. So in Yearbook Club it taking pictures and combining it into one whole book. It reminded me of marketing since you are in charge of portraying a certain theme/motif through visuals. In this case, pictures that reveal the entire year. It is bringing back all the memories that were from that year. So my goal is to try to contribute to a more memorable as much as I can.

This will be different for me because I've never done yearbook club. So I don't really know what I need to do. I have to use my own creativity to chose what would make the yearbook look better.

Badminton Varsity: Final Reflection

I felt like Badminton was much better this year.

We actually had intense training that improved our skills. We were able to have multiple matches in Laguna, which opened my eyes to better players. I lost a lot of games. However, these better players made me work even harder to become a better player as well. I was able to learn new skills and improve old ones.

My footwork got better and I can even clear now. It took a lot of work and practice. My arm was in a great deal of pain just practicing the clears. My legs didn't get sore from practicing foot work, which is quite surprising. New people on the time were even nice about helping me practice. Our team seemed much closer this year than the team from last year.

It was hard to balance both production and badminton in March. However, I able to over the challenge and learn how to make sacrifices. Things need to be prioritized.

Winning the annual badminton tournament was definitely a big accomplishment for me.

This year's badminton was full of new experiences and it made me learn. I will continue Badminton when I go to college :)

Badminton Varsity: April Entry

Once Production was over I was able to go back to my regular training for Badminton.
I wasn't use to doing anything anymore and my hits became weaker. The annual Badminton tournament
was coming up this year and I felt like I didn't have a chance at placing at all. hahaha

However, It's just a game and it is good experience for me.

So I kept on training as much as possible and finally the badminton tournament arrived.

I was really nervous. The mixed doubles games were brutal because I was frightened by the guy's smashes.

Then Women's Doubles were next. I was scared to verse the Cabrera sisters since they were my coach's daughters. I recall versing them last year and they were really good.

It was an intense 1st game versing game because the score was 29-29 and both of us and 1 point was the difference. My hands were shaking for the last serve...but surprisingly we won that game. Then we eventually won 1st place (Yunnie and I). It was a great feeling like all that intense training this year paid off.

Badminton Varsity: March Entry

I miss Badminton, Production has been needing a lot more lately.

However, the minute that Production is over I run over to Badminton and play for as long as I can before Coach Cabrera says we have to go home now. I felt like my skills were decreasing because I couldn't make some shots anymore.

I could hardly make any practices.

Badminton Varsity: Feb Entry

I attended all practices for badminton. It wasn't hard to balance Production and Badminton.

During practice I would try to practice my clearing and my clears were getting better. However, my footwork

was still kind of bad. I always forget my footwork when we play. So everyone would always remind me.

Plus working on flexibility was needed to stretch my legs to take less steps on the court. Mr. Higgins helped coach us and would tell us that we needed less steps and to always drop and force the opponent to clear leaving you to smash it to the back. I enjoyed Mr. Higgin's practices because we got to learn more strategies on the court.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

POCCH: Final Reflection

These 3 visits with the POCCH children were definitely memorable.

The first visit was at the POCCH organization itself. It let the volunteers see their living conditions and just to get to know the children in general. They seemed shy, but they eventually warmed up to us. It was great because in Filipino culture you use "Ate" and "Kuya" as a sign of respect for an elder. It was like building that brother/sister-like relationship. People surprised me with how they acted because it was a soft side to people. Those people are normally tough, but they grew a soft spot for the kids. It was nice to see.

The second visit was organised by Mr. T and Mrs.Kabigting. I know the visit was a good thing, because it made me keep track with this activity that I organised in the beginning. Seeing, the children again was a great feeling especially when they rushed towards me screaming ATE KAY. Playing with the children again was fun because they had so much energy. I got real close to the kids, when we were eating. I ate with the children and talked to them and got to know them even more. I think everyone got closer to the children.

The last visit went out better than I thought. Even though there was a rocky start of not informing the POCCH organization of the visit they still were able to attend the party. Spending this time with the children was nice because it wasn't as tight. They were free to play whatever they wanted. They were even stuffed from all the food that we had. It was a great feeling.

Through these 3 visits I definitely saw the growth in the relationship between the volunteers and the children. I got real attached to the kids. It reminded me of my little cousins. I will visit the POCCH organization every time I visit Subic. I will continue helping Orphanages even when I move away to College.

I truly will miss the kids....

POCCH: April 15th Party

During the day, I kept reminding people about the children's visit at the end of the day.

All of sudden during last block people told me that Mr. T was looking for me. When I talked to Mr. T he told me that Kuya Zaldy (POOCH representative) and the bus came there. However, he didn't know that the visit was today because I forgot to tell him. I talked to him a week before the visit about the visit being either thursday or friday. I just didn't confirm it. When Mr. T told me that my heart skipped a beat. Kuya Zaldy was trying to call me, but I didn't notice because I was in the Spanish class.

Then I texted Kuya Zaldy to call me again. When I talked to him I was so nervous and he was like I don't remember you telling me it was happening friday. I said I was sorry many times and he said it was okay. He asked if everyone in the orphanage could go. I said yes because I never minded having everyone, especially for this party.

Luckily they could go I thought that the visit wouldn't push through. I kept going back and forth from the Cafeteria, Playground, Field, and Gym. Once everyone was at there station, I introduced the kids from POCCH to EVERYONE (VOLUNTEERS) to make sure they remembered their names.

Then I went to the Cafeteria with Bonnie Cho to ready the food for the children. When that was done I checked on the volunteers and children. I even played with the children a little bit then when it was 5:20pm I invited the kids to eat.

Everything went out organised which i didn't expect. Everyone was happy and had a great time.
I was so sad that this would be the last organised visit I would be able to make with the children.

I missed them terribly when they left. I'll still visit them when I graduate. Every time I'm down here in Subic.

POCCH: April Entry

Planning!

POCCH PARTY

When: FRIDAY, April 15th

Time:

3:30 pm – 4:45pm (Playing)

4:50pm – 6:00 pm (Eating)

People Attending:

1. Kay. Nee

2. Abbas Cook

3. Mitchell Porter

4. Jimmy Bala

5. Bryan Jim Bala

6. Eun Hoi Kim

7. Young Hoi Kim

8. Ahniyah-Hiwot Mola-Kebede

9. Jana Ong

10. Ramona Kabigting

11. Bonnie Cho

12. Sue Cho

13. Diana Cho

14. Felicia Lin

Sectors:

Soccer:

· Eun Hoi Kim

· Louis Kim

· Young Hoi Kim

· Ahniyah-Hiwot Mola-Kebede

· Jana Ong

Basket Ball:

· Abbas Cook

· Mitchell Porter

· Jimmy Bala

· Kay. Nee

Jungle Gym:

· Ramona Kabigting

· Bonnie Cho

· Sue Cho

· Diana Cho

· Bryan Jim Bala

FOOD:

1. Rice – Bryan Jim Bala, Louis Kim

2. Fried Chicken – Ramona Kabigting,

3. Spaghetti – Kay. Nee,

4. Burgers – Mitchell Porter,

5. Hotdogs – Mitchell Porter, Bonnie Cho, Sue Cho

6. Ice Cream – Abbas Cook, Jimmy Bala

7. Juice – Diana Cho, Eun Hoi Kim, Young Hoi Kim

8. Lumpia – Jana Ong

NEEDS:

· Forks

· Spoons

· Plates

· Cups

· Basketballs

· Soccer balls

NEED TO DO:

1. Talk to Mr. Davis about using the Gym, Playground, and Soccer field

2. Organize Transportation for the Children to come over here

3. Keep reminding everyone

Production: April Entry

April 2, was exhausting. Not only wasn't I able to be with my team in Laguna. We had so many run-throughs and it was something new to me. It's a good thing that I went to this day of run-throughs and "fix-ups" because there were a lot of blocking that was changed. I was "knocked-out" when I got home.

We had every day rehearsals until the show April 7 & 8.

I was nervous for the first show. I became conscience when I had to come on stage because the GRAD for the glasses were so strong and when I looked down it was so fuzzy. I thought I would fall on stage. However, I thought to myself these people are here to WATCH us so give them a good show. So, my conscience behavior disappeared. However, during the Boylen sister dance I messed up so much. I was so embarrassed afterwards. The other scenes in the end went great though! Exhausting, but great.

The second night was great too. However, there were many technical difficulties and the last couple of servant scenes seemed like it was lacking. Everyone was hitting one another, but we just shook it off because we were on stage. I guess everyone was just tired.

It was a great show! I actually started missing production.

Production: March Entry

I didn't know I was needed so much in Production especially in Act II.

I wasn't taught the Boylen Sister dance so every time we had to do that scene Miss would always
get mad at me because I didn't know it. It was so hard to do, I felt like I had two left feet. They
kept changing the movements so I got really confused.

Then there was so many scenes that I was in, which meant more songs and more blocking to memorize.
It was so much harder than I thought. I wanted to give up and quit. I was getting nervous that I didn't
memorize my songs perfectly and it was almost show time.

The more run-throughs we did the more comfortable I became with new people. Talking and moving on stage even became easier for me.

However, I was disappointed by the fact that Ms. Fernandez didn't allow me to my last Badminton Tournament in Laguna. I really wanted to verse a certain student on the Brent Manila team. It was such a "let down" :(

Production: Feb Entry

I am hardly ever needed for Production.

I went a few times on Tuesday for the MANDATORY meetings for varsity members.
I felt conscience at first because I was working with other people that I didn't really know.
Ms. Fernandez taught me the blocking for the scene I'm in ACT 1 of Annie.

It didn't seem hard. However, Miss wanted more she wanted me to really portray this elderly (mother-like)
woman to Annie (Bernice). It was hard because I thought I was doing it right...apparently not. So I tried practicing at home with my sister since she is 10 close to Annie's age.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Production: "Journal #1"

In states, I did join a type of Variety Show. However, it was only one short skit. Then I am in theatre class so we do have little performances, but not a full blown show.

I want to learn how to get over my fears of big crowds and I want to get to collaborate with more people. I also want to just be in a WHOLE play, not just bits and pieces.

This will be an actual play, not just a short skit. This time there will be actual make-up and costumes unlike the costume and make-up we can salvage for in the skits I've been a part of.

I will know I have made progress in Production when the play is done and I am comfortable performing in front of big crowds. Also when I collaborate with many other people.

Recycling Club: "Journal #1"

I've never done recycling club before.

I would see people in my old school in States in some sort of group collecting recyclables. I didn't think it was as emphasized as it is here at my present school. I mean people even have signs where things should be in. There are even announcements occasionally. Not only that, but my friend Ahniyah is in recycling club and she invited me to join.

Well my goal is to learn how things are organized in order to go through this system of recycling. I wanted to continue it in my college in Naga, Philippines. I mean Naga is such a nice place which is similar to Subic, but it is lacking cleanliness. I saw trash everywhere so I wanted to make a group who would possibly have the same interest as me and help Naga. I also want to help clean up Subic because there are still people who just dump trash everywhere.

I've never done recycling club, but the only form of picking up of trash was during the International Coastal Clean Up. This club seems more organized and well thought out so this will help me in the future and mimic the actions token.

If I am making progress, I will know how to organize and broadcast this message in my College. Then if I see that Subic is a bit more cleaner that means I am reaching my goal.

PRODUCTION: Final Reflection

At first I thought that doing production would be an easy task accounting for that I didn't have a big role. So in the beginning I was rarely ever needed so I could balance everything I was doing easily. (Badminton Varsity, Yearbook Club, and Recycling Club)

We would have rehearsals with Ms.Fernandez about blocking and music rehearsals with Mrs.Davis.

The first couple of weeks of rehearsals were easy I felt that I had everything down for ACT 1.

During the end of march into april i was needed so much. I felt angry that I was torn between Badminton and Production. There was a full Technical Dress Rehearsal on April 2 which was also the last Badminton Tournament in Laguna. I really wanted to verse certain badminton players so I was really angry that I was not allowed to miss that day of technical rehearsal.

But it was worth it actually because ms.fernandez had to re-do the blocking so if i had missed that I wouldn't have known about it. It was hard to learn the songs because I needed to memorize the songs, and ms.fernandez got mad at me because I didn't learn them yet. The show was coming up and I was getting nervous because I needed to memorize the songs and the blocking. I even had to really BECOME my character on stage (Mrs.Pugh and a Boylen Sister)

I was able to meet a ton of new people because of Production and they were able to help me learn the blocking and the songs.

At home I even practiced because I needed to portray my character's to the best of my ability without making it awkward.

The day of the show finally arrived and everyone was nervous. I was wearing glasses that had a GRAD. for my character as mrs.pugh and i felt that i was going to fall of stage of some sort. Then the whole changing and changing of mics was difficult because you always had to be alert.

However, when we finished the show I was actually sad because I was going to miss the acting and the people. I recall complaining so much about this Annie Production but I eventually learned that I liked it. It made me regret not joining last year.

From this experience it made me have a deeper appreciation for theatre and my theatre class because I didn't realize how difficult it was until the end product. I felt really proud.

People said I was a much better grandma "mrs.pugh" than a boylen sister. Which means I have places where I need to improve that I will keep in mind for the future.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

POCCH: Entry 3

I have been planning a party for the children for the longest time. I kept making promises and I couldn't keep them with everyone's busy schedule. Since this is a party, I don't want things to be so tight. Meaning, 1 hour of this and 30 minutes of that. I remember when I was a child whenever we had school parties I'd hate the timing of certain activities because I would be so into one activity and not interested in another.

I could even notice on the children's last visit to our school the children were so much more interested in playing basketball, soccer, and on the jungle gym. They even kept asking if they could play soccer or basketball constantly. I told them that they weren't able to because things were already planned for them.

I wanted to have a pool party for them, but talking to some friends about it said it might be dangerous especially with so many children around. This was a good point so I decided not to do that anymore.

As of right now I am getting a vote from people for thurs (april 14) or friday (april 15).

There will be 3 stations for the children.

1.) Basketball

2.) Soccer

3.) Jungle Gym

So far I have the following people who agreed to the activity:

-Myself

-Bryan Jim Bala

-Ramona Kabigting

-Diana Cho (new volunteer)

I have yet to ask the others.

After the whole activity we will have them eat. We will all pitch in food.

Then afterwards can be a little farewell period because this will be the last meeting with the children.

However, I will still continue to visit them though on my time whenever I am in Subic.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Girl's Basketball: Final Reflection

I had never played basketball with all the rules. I might have played some games with family and friends, but
never with all the rules implied. From basketball club I learned so many things that we're needed for the sport.
I was definitely a slacker before, but with this club and smash club I was able to show more commitment.
I was on time every day and I tried my best to really push myself to get better skills. I was planning on learning
these skills for me to try out for the girl's basketball varsity team. I did not make the team. However, with
working with all these new people and coach stocking I learned the sport more.

I was terrible at shooting. Every time we had drills to improve on our shooting I wouldn't do so well.
However, I didn't give up because I really wanted to improve. I was good at defense everyone said,
but shooting the ball was were I was lacking. From what I was learning I was able to help some of
my friends who had also joined Girl's basketball club. I taught them what coach stocking taught us
because they were too shy to ask. I even got to meet new people and also help them.

Not only was I learning, I was somewhat coaching in a way.

This club was fun and helped me learn a lot of about the rules of basketball and how to improve form.
Even though I did not make the basketball varsity team I can work on the skills I need to possibly make
college basketball. It was a learning experience. It pushed me become better and occasionally I play
basketball out of school with friends and family. However, now I have gained some more skills. Some of
my family even mention "wow learned some new tricks I see". It makes me feel like I have improved. :)

Smash Club: Final Reflection

This semester of Smash Club has definitely helped improve my skills in badminton.

I was able to notice that I learned how to place my shots a little bit. I'm obviously

still a beginner and I need to keep practicing to become better. Working and getting

to know other people this semester was nice because they were able to teach me

new things such as the things I needed to work on to get better.

They mentioned footwork a lot.

I even noticed that I have bad footwork.

This was definitely a huge challenge for me. Whenever we had club I'd try to remind myself FOOTWORK, work on your footwork. I believe I have gotten a little bit better on the footwork I'm not everywhere around the court as I use to be. I never gave up and I even now I still don't give up.

I'm so thankful for the fact that with working with these new people I was able to really push myself.

I'm not very good at being on time to things. However with Club I was able to write things down on sticky

notes to remind myself that I have to be at certain clubs at certain times.

I was never late for club because I wanted to join the badminton varsity team later on. I needed to show

that I was always on time and dependable. I really love badminton and I'm sure it shows when I talk about

the sport and when I was at club.

I'm so glad I did Badminton because I was able to relieve my stress after a long day of school and I was

able to improve my skills. I've also gotten better in time management than I was before.

Overall, I believe that smash club caused me to push myself on time management, undertaking the challenge

of footwork, and allowed me to work with others. (learned some new tricks)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Yearbook Club: Entry 1

For the most part I attend Club every Tuesday for 30 minutes until I have Production practice. We are assigned a folder from a certain event and have to choose the best 10 or 15 from that folder. I am able to think on which photos would be the most fitting to be eventually be put in the yearbook. I also have to take pictures of clubs, events, and sports when instructed to do so. This is exciting because I get to use the school's camera and I feel like a "professional photography" when I'm not. hahahaha. I need to start taking pictures of the clubs I was assigned to soon. I emailed her today to have the list of clubs I have to take pictures of.

At least when the Yearbook comes out when I see some pictures I can say "Hey I chose that picture!" :)

Badminton Varsity: Entry 1

I can definitely say that I love Badminton. I look forward to practice every day. Not only does this sport allow me to release my stress from a rough day I am also learning to become a better player. Working with these new people in Badminton is great because I was able to meet new people. We get to verse more schools now and the more I verse other players the more I see I need to work on.

We had a game on February 19 at Brent Manila. It was my ACTUAL first real tournament. I was shaking and nervous because all the other girls looked so pro. I lost 2 games, won 1 because they fore fitted and won 1 on my own against another girl. Playing singles was definitely different for me since I don't get a lot of practice in that because normally during practice we play doubles.

Since I want to become a better badminton player I need to work on my footwork and being able to clear better. Overall I need to improve. However I want to work on those aspects a little bit more.

Recycling Club: Entry 1

We have Recycling every Thursdays. I am able to balance Recycling with Badminton Varsity quite well.
I am slowly remembering the routes and the houses we are suppose to collect Recycling from. I have been able to work with new people as well. I can tell them what houses were suppose to go to when Ahniyah is not able to attend the club. It's great to see how many houses to take part in recycling. However many houses also don't. I am not able to attend the club till 4pm because I have to rush back to school to make it to the bus for Badminton. However I am there collecting Recyclables from each of the houses until 3:45-ish then I RUN back to school.

Ms. Calimlim was talking to me earlier if I wanted to be a part of making an area where Recyclables can just be thrown and later be sent and recycled. I told her yes I did want to be part of that and she would later on fill me in because I am unable to make their Tuesday meetings. With Yearbook Club and Production. This is great that they are planning a system to have a more efficient way for people to recycle. Since my goal is to learn how to extend recycling ideas in university this will be great for me to have ideas on what work and what doesn't.

I feel like a better person in my contribution to the environment, even if it's a small one.

POCCH going to Brent Subic

This was definitely a hectic day. I had to mix Annie Production and being with the POCCH children.
I was only in one scene for the Annie Run-through and I was there for about 20 minutes. Then I came
rushing back to the children in my group.

When I first saw them coming down the stairs it felt real good to have them scream my name "Ate Kay." many times. They all greeted me and hugged me. I felt real guilty for not being able to come through with my ideas to have another visit there.

The children came up with a group name and i was rather amused with the name "Askals" meaning streetdogs.
I could see that the children were distracted by the jungle gym which made it harder to control them because
they wanted to play. The only difficulties were having to call their name repeatedly to join our group. However
I did enjoy having the Spoon race with the ping pongs. My group never won but I think they were having too
much fun to realize that they lost, which was the best part. The children kept calling my name frequently just
to greet me every now and then during their visit. I'm glad I was able to leave such an impression on them
that my name was able to stick especially when we did the HUMAN BINGO. They considered me "pretty", "funny", "nice", and "trustworthy". Having them ask me to sign those characteristics were nice to hear that
I gave them those impressions.

We finally had time to just eat and talk, it reminded me of my cousins I have at home and having to ready
dinner time or snack time for them. Even Mr.Chandler thought I was very "motherly". I get that a lot from
people because my friends think I'm more of a mother than a teenager.

When the children had to leave it was quite heartbreaking because they kept repeating goodbye.
Even Nicole (one of the children) she was kissing the van's glass to kiss me. I really want to think of something for them to do. However right now this March is very busy. I was thinking of having them visit again in April while we are just having reviews and no more internal assessments to worry about. Maybe have a summer party since Filipino school end in the first week of April.