Exciting FRIM!

While on an overnight field trip to the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), we played a survival game based on the novel, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. We were split into 5 of the districts and had to choose items for our groups which we thought would be essential for survival. We then had to choose a location for our "base camp", which would help us lookout for our enemies as well as protect us from Natural Disasters.

What We Wanted

1. First Aid Kit- The First Aid Kit was essential in case someone got hurt or injured

2. Flint- To make fire (ward off wild animals/ cook meat)

3. Sleeping Bag- To keep warm during the night while we slept

4. Tarp- To create shelter during rain

5. Compass- To find our way in case we got lost

However, most of us did not get our items because, even though we were the 2nd group, the 1st group got the best things. I felt a bit annoyed and frustrated that we didn't get what we wanted.

What We Got

I did not think that it was very fair that after we were hot and sweaty, that we were made to perform. Also, we weren't very ready but overall, I think our dance was quite good. We made an original song about our district, and our dance was amusing taken from the movie, Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

I think that the "Government" liked our song and dance because, hearing everyone else's rewards, I think ours was the best. We got a mirror that could be used as a signal, to start a fire, and to blind people.

Dangers, Wishes, and Strengths

In our group, there were a few dangers surrounding us. Firstly, there were groups all over, and they could have attacked us in many ways. Secondly, we were neither up or down the hill. I wish that we could have had shelter, everything that we wanted, and a machete. We were strong because we had the mirror, and although we couldn't get everything we wanted, we still managed to get some useful items.

Overall, this activity was quite fun. I could really make connections with the Hunger Games, and I really understood what Katniss (character in book) was going through. In FRIM, I realized that I like activities like this in FRIM , and I realized that I wasn't very scared or annoyed with the leeches and animals. FRIM was OK, because some of the activities were a bit boring. Advice to a student next year: Expect to be around nature, and to do nature, and school-related activities . Also expect some fun and good food!

The Lottery- Short Story

• Give a brief synopsis of the story (summary) - think BIG IDEAS so a few sentences please.

The Lottery is about an old tradition that a town has to draw names out of a box. However, the winner's prize is not necessarily good.... (this was written like a blurb)

• What would you have called the story (give it a title).

The Black Dot

• What did you think about the plot?

It was very confusing, and had a lot of suspense. It did not tell all the answers to the mysteries until the end, which I think made the story a bit annoying to read.

• Why do you think it was written that way? (It was deliberately confusing - why?)

In order to create suspense, which made the story a lot more interesting than if the writer had given all the answers in the beginning.

• How did you feel when the ending of the story was not given to you?

It was a bit annoying because I thought that was the end of the whole story, and I personally hate it when answers are not given in a story.

• How did you feel about the story?

It was very sad, and I didn't like it because of what happens in the end. I don't really like stories like this, because I prefer happier endings.

• Could you wait until you got home to open the paper?

Yes, because I wanted to open it right after class but I forgot, and I only remembered at home.

• How did that feel?

I didn't really feel anything because I forgot about it.

• What did you think about the fact that you had a black spot / or not?

I thought that the black spot meant that the words inside the paper were different for people (whether they had the black dot or not)

• What connections can you make to other readings, themes, units we have studied - or in fact any other knowledge that you have?

See answer to question below.

• How does it link to The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)?

In this story, it is a rule that the lottery has to be held, and although some people want to change the rule of holding the lottery, others want to stay with the tradition. This correlates with the Hunger Games, because there are many rules and regulations, and traditions (The Hunger Games), remain unchanged.

Dominance- Profile C

In class, we learned about our learning styles, and ways that can help us learn and understand things more easily. I learned that I am a Profile C.

I learn best when I focus on auditory details, and I process this information by analysis, verbalization, or in writing. I tend to prefer structure and sequence when I am learning, because I am Logical/ Sequential. I am able to follow step by step visual instructions, and my movement tend to be planned.

I need to listen (I am an auditory learner), and explain verbally or in writing, because I learn best through Auditory (listening), Verbal (Speaking), or movement.

When I am in class, I should sit on the left side of the room , a couple of rows back, because my dominant ear is my right ear and sitting in this place help help "access" it. When under stress, I should close my eyes so I can hear better, because I have difficulty seeing details visually under stress.

Teachers should know that I am auditory, and even though it does not say in my profile, I also like visual learning. They should know that I am Logical/Sequential and like step-by-step instructions, rather that what Gestalt learners prefer.

My learning profile will help me understand myself better, and will help teachers in figuring out how I learn best, so that they can help me, and so that I can help myself more.

A Religious Journey

                We took our bags, and took off on the bus towards the KL LRT station to take the LRT from Cempaka Station to Masjid Jamek to kick off the start of our field trip at the Mosque. First, my group visited Masjid Jamek, a peaceful and calm place of worship for the Muslims, the majority religion in Malaysia. Walking around the praying spaces, there was a lot of nature and spaces to wash yourself so that you would be clean for praying. The magnificent dome of the main mosque, and the geometrical shapes on the minarets made this place of worship an architectural wonder. With a simple ' Terimah Kasih' to the watchman, we were on our way, this time to the Chinese temple. In the middle of a busy street, motorbikes, vendors, and all, was a home to all the deities of the Buddhists, in the Chinese Temple. From the many benches and mini-shrines outside to the beautiful statues and the fortune-teller inside, the Temple, unlike the Mosque was more relaxed to visitors. While some of us took the incense sticks and lit them in big pots filled with ash, others went to a little room to learn of their destiny and their life in future. The deities, standing grand, were all for anyone who wanted to pray for anything (health, good fortune, and more) but they were all not as mighty as the Buddha, the almighty being for which this grand temple was in existence. After much happiness, mostly over fortunes, and some disbelief, (mostly over fortunes), we marched on in our group to Central Market, where we had a tasty lunch with most of it being Western, but some of us choosing the Asian option. Our last stop on this spiritual journey was to be the Hindu Temple, my place of worship. Before we stepped into this grand palace of culture and religious wonder, we had to take off our shoes as a respect to the gods. The moment we stepped in, we could hear the joyous music, drum beats, along with the colorful and intricate designs on the ceilings. Praying to the gods as the priests washed them, and showing my friends all the different gods made me feel wonderful as I was showing them all these stories and culture entrenched deep into the religion: Hinduism. It was stunning and magnificent, walking around the temple, looking at all the statues. After walking 7 times around a black box with statues of the gods, (customary for Hindus who come to pray), it was time to leave this wonder. The next part of the trip was, admittedly more exciting for most, as it was a time of skill. Bargaining, getting the right price, getting the right glasses, getting the right laser pointer. Reaching the end of the street only to find that you could have got the same thing for 30 rm less. Oh yes, this was Chinatown. McDonalds, shopping, food, more shopping, McDonalds, then, it was time to leave. Knowing that this trip was ending and that we would have to participate in lessons the next day was not a great feeling as we climbed back onto the LRT and traveled back to Cempaka, to reach back to school. Although the day had been fun, we had learned many things about different religions and places of worship, and it was truly a religious journey, if an exhausting one. But more exhaustion was to come for me, as I had to travel to Mont Kiara, this time for Basketball!

6 Word Memoirs- Day In The Life

Shopping and Eating, a fun combination!

Yum, Yum, food in my Tum!
Reading before I go to bed.
Homework- Last Minute Panic on Sundays
A break from the scorching sun!
Relax, Sit Back, Enjoy The Show!
Ball Games, Baby Golf- Broken China...

Piano Exam Soon- So much Practice!

Common Elements In Creation Myths

"All men have need of the gods"- Homer. Creation myths are explanations of the world. Although these myths are separated by time and place, many of them still manage to retain common themes and similarities between them.

Themes of void, nature and sacrifice are unusual in myths because the people's beliefs and ways of life were so different. A common element in many myths is void before earth. For example, in the Phan Ku myth, before Phan Ku created earth, there was nothing except for a cosmic egg. Another example is in the Nordic myth where before earth, there was only Ginnungagap, the vast emptiness. This proves that regardless of time and place, there can be connections between myths.

Another common element in many myths is the explanation of nature. In the Phan Ku myth, Phan Ku caused all the natural phenomena, and when he died, all the parts of his body became part of the earth. Also, in the maori myth, Rangi, Papa, and Tawhiri were the beings that caused all the natural phenomena such as floods, storms and more. This proves that people from different countries can still share the same thinking and ideas.

A third common element in many myths is the theme of self sacrifice. In the Phan Ku myth, when Phan Ku died, he had to sacrifice his body so that the earth could become a better place to live in. Rangi and Papa also had to sacrifice their bodies for a better earth in the Maori myth. This shows that people can still have the same themes and feelings about sacrifice even if they live very far apart.

All these common elements in myths have proved that myths are so spread out over the world but humankind thinks the same all over the world. "Myths are the early dreams of mankind"-Freud. That is something I truly believe.

My Bag

Many things are important to me, and some of the things that I think are the most meaningful and important to me, I put in my "bag". By seeing the things that I put in my bag, you can tell a lot about me.

The first thing I put in my bag was a book, "Crocodile Tears" by Anthony Horowitz. I love reading books (especially fiction) and when I thought What should I put in my bag?, a book was the first thing I thought of.

The Travel Australia book represents my love for travel. I have always been fortunate enough to go on many holidays to many places around the world, and since I was small, I have grown to love travel and seeing culture and diversity of different places around the world.

Obviously, I couldn't fit a piano in my picture (But now that I think of it, maybe I could have) so I chose my Vic Firth Drumming Practice Pad as my third item for my bag. I chose the practice pad because I think that music is one of the best things in the world. I like learning about music, and already know how to play one instrument (piano), and a whole section of instruments (the percussion section).

iPod Touch. Such a revolutionary device. But everyone carries one. Why would I chose it for my bag? My iPod does not only mean iPod alone but I chose it to represent all electronics. My electronic devices are important to me because they bring fun for everyone. When I want to do something fun for a short length of time, I can count on my electronic devices to bring some excitement and fun. Electronic devices do not replace outdoor activities, but they are something to turn to when you are just looking to do something that can keep you engaged.

On to number five. You may have noticed blocks in the picture. No, I am not a baby and no, I do not still play with blocks. (For your information, those are my brother's!) The blocks signify creation because you can create many things with blocks. These blocks signify my interest in creating and designing things. Which is why I like the games Sim City, and Age Of Empires.

I chose my swimming medal as my sixth item for my bag. I love to go swimming, anytime, or anyplace. I love the water, and I love the thrill of swimming in races. Although I don't have much stamina, I am always ready to go for a swim, and always jump in the water happily. But maybe not when the water's freezing cold.

Down to number seven. My seventh item is my notebook. My notebook shows my love for writing. I love making up stories and writing them down and I can always think of great ideas for different types of stories. My notebook is a whiteboard for all ideas.

Monopoly is the eighth item in my bag. I chose Monopoly because it is my favorite board game. I like Life, Monopoly, Chess, and many other board games. Parcheesi, anyone?

My last item in my bag is my statue of Ganesh, a Hindu God. I chose Ganesh because Ganesh defines my religion and my religion defines who I am in many ways. My religion is very important to me and I try to follow it the best I can. My religion is very important to me, so I chose the statue as the last item in my bag.

All nine items that I have chosen for my bag show not all, but a little bit of what kind of person I am and what kind of personality I have. I hope that now, you understand a little bit more about me and know about the nine things that are the most special to me in my life.