Mega Media

"The technique (of media) is wonderful. I didn't even dream it would be so good. But I would never let my children come close to the thing."

-Vladimir Zwory, developer of television, interviewed on his 92nd birthday.

Everyday in our lives, we interact with media-the ways of communicating or expressing information or ideas to people. There are many factors to how media has made our lives more simple; there are many advantages to it. However, not only is it helping us, but can also damage our lifestyles, and this is becoming a huge concern, especially for the teens and younger children. Kids and even infants are exposed to and interact with media, and this has bad effects on them on various ways. It's time we need to stand up and fight for the children's rights in being exposed to media which could be harmful to them.

The media which mostly boys make contact with a lot are violent video games, and studies have shown that playing violent video games can increase aggression. The brains of children who played and did not play violent video games were taken MRIs, and the results showed that the children who played violent video games showed a negative, lingering or permanent effect on their brains. Since violent video games can increase aggression if played, it is more likely that the use of violence will increase as children play more and more of it. It’s important to understand how risky it is to let kids get exposed to violent video games and how we need to fight for their rights to interact with the correct games or media.

The act of youth marketers marketing products more appropriate for teenagers to younger kids is called age compression, and this has brought a big impact to kids' lifestyles. Products which used to be marketed to 10-12 year olds are now being marketed to 7-8 year olds, and other products have also moved to be targeted to a younger level. One example is the magazine, Seventeen, which aren't read mostly by seventeen year olds but kids much younger than that. The bad consequences of age compression is that children get exposed to adult content, and that they develop ideas not about their childhood lifestyles such as playing outdoors, but worrying about their looks and what it means to be a man or a woman. Kids should be able to have freedom in their mental and physical ways until they grow up to be a certain age where they can grasp better knowledge of those things to apply it to their lifestyles.

As minutes, hours, days pass by, children are becoming more and more addicted to media, and the rate of health problems have increased massively over the last few years/decades. Too much interaction with media have caused many health problems such as obesity, hypertension, hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, attention deficit and diabetes for the kids. In addition, kids now lack the ability of creative playing, because when they play with toys linked to media products, studies have shown that it leads to less creative, imitative play. Their lack of creativity might later lead to weaker academic progress than other children, and their health problems also might continue on for the rest of their lives if they’re not careful. Kids who are exposed a lot to media have their rights to be healthy and bright like other children their age who aren't exposed to mega media; and their rights are what we should fight for in order to help the children live a happy life.

It is absolutely not fair that children all over the world have to pay the price just for the marketers to make lucrative profit and be able to sell their products. They have freedom to live their lives freely and not get tied to media all the time. To make this happen, we need to fight for kids' rights in interaction with media. Children's health is worth fighting for. Children's freedom in both physical and mental minds is worth fighting for. The bad consequences they go through because they get exposed to too much media; that's worth fighting for.


For more information about media and how it affects children, click here.

Fight for Colonization

Horrible Takeovers

Our land as precious as gold,
Was taken from us all of a sudden.

It is a story that must be told,
From generation to generation.

The British, they were called.
So white, so peculiar, so different.

At first they were friendly,
But then tore everything apart.

Cut down our trees while we screamed,
And put up new buildings.

Our people cried in pain,
For the loss of our children.

They did not understand our sorrow,
at their colonization.

Pleasant Strangers, Murderous Neighbors

Aboriginal men in police custody, 1906

1788. The British settlers land in Australia, and try to befriend the Aboriginal people, who also find interest in the newcomers and resources they see. Soon, both cultures interact with one another in a friendly way, but this doesn't last for long. Because of the British's goal of colonization of Australia, Aborigines are killed. Their land and resources are taken. They are treated no more than animals. The British in Australia spread their territory by force, and Aborigines try to fight for their people and land - this is what the Aborigines believed were worth fighting for.

During this era of colonization, Aboriginal people thought that their own people were worth fighting for, and one example of fighting for their people was their act against McIntyre. McIntyre was a British man who had a liking of hunting the Aborigines the same way he hunted for animals. He kept killing more and more of them, and so one of the Aborigines, Pemmeway, fatally wounded McIntyre as a warning telling him and the British to stop killing any more of their people. If the Aborigines hadn't viewed their people as being fought for, they wouldn't have tried to wound McIntyre or make him possibly die. This shows that they blieved people were worth fighting for.

As the white settlers spread across Australia, taking Aboriginal land and resources, the new governor, Governor Brisbane, gave land grants to British people without asking or even considering the Aborigines. For these unfair acts, a leader of one tribe, Windradyne, stood up for their rights by harming the British live stock, because with no animals, the settlers wouldn't have any meat to eat. Additionally, Windradyne lead his people to kill the whites and burn their crops, hoping that the British would stop taking away their land and would leave them alone for once and for all. Aboriginal people fought for their land, and believed it was worth all their troubles.

At first the British settlers were new, pleasant strangers to the Aborigines. They danced together and had good times of getting to know each other's cultures and ways. Then just like that, the British turned to their new face, their Mr. Hyde, and started mass murdering the native people living in the areas they wanted to colonize. The once pleasant strangers had changed into murderous neighbors. On the other hand, the important thing we also need to remember is that the Aborigines fought too. They believed that their land was worth fighting for. That their people, family, and tribe, were definitely worth fighting for. Even though the British accomplished their goal in settling in Australia, it is crucial to realize all the beliefs and hopes the Aborigines gave trying to save their land, people, and everything else they valued of.


I personally believe and agree with the Aboriginal people that land and people are worth fighting for. For example, if my family, cousins, or friends, need help in any case, I would indeed fight for them, even when it can be dangerous and arduous. In addition, I think that the Aborigines were right in believing that their land is worth fighting for, because they were the ones who lived there for generations and generations before the British first arrived in 1788. How unfair must've the Aborigines felt to have be taken their shelter and home all of a sudden to strange, murderous people? Of course I would have fought the same way if I were in their position. Hopefully, not only the Aborigines and I, but many other people now days, will concur to that land and people are matters worth fighting for.


For further information on colonization of Australia, click here.

The Miracle Worker

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan

"People seldom see the halting and painful steps by which the most insignificant success is achieved."
-Anne Sullivan
Born in a merry family, Helen was an intelligent young child who was loved more than anything by her mother and father. However, on January, 1882, the door of happiness closed and she was faced with the darkness surrounding her. Helen's eyes saw only black; her ears heard silence and nothing more. She had become blind and deaf.

Everyone knows the story of Helen Keller, and how she fought off her disabilities and hardship. However, without the work of the 'Miracle Worker', she might not have been able to accomplish all her dreams and become famous at all. The 'Miracle Worker' is noted as Helen Keller's lifelong mentor, Anne Sullivan. First recommended to the Kellers by Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, Anne took a step into Helen's life as a governess and gradually became her companion. Since her student could not look or hear, she had to write words into Helen's palm perpetually. The day that Anne said "My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!" was the day she put one of Helen's hands under the water-flowing pump, and the with the other one wrote 'water' over and over again. Helen later explained that she suddenly understood that the cold streams of liquid she was feeling was indeed 'water'. That day, young Helen learned thirty new words. To Anne, Helen's learning was her own joy. Even though the child first threw dreadful tantrums and refused to learn anything from her governess, Anne didn't give in. She simply could not see the poor girl suffer in heart and mind. How Helen became proficient at speaking, writing, and reading were all due to Anne's unending efforts.

Anne Sullivan stayed at Helen's side until her death. While Helen's stay at Radcliffe College, every class,  she wrote lectures and notes onto her pupil's palm. Her own hand was full of blisters, red and sore, but Anne cared more about Helen's understanding of the lessons. The books that were not written in Braille was also Anne's job to read to Helen. For these arduous tasks were done 5 hours or more a day, as a result, she suffered greatly for her eyes. Despite Sullivan's declining health, both student and teacher chose to travel around the world, giving lectures and working for the American Foundation for the Blind(AFB). The support Anne gave to Helen as well as other disabled ones must never be forgotten, and how she made the closed door of happiness to open again will be told by generation to generation.

All throughout her years, Sullivan showed us that one has potential to do anything they want with belief. She showed us that types of difficulties can be turned into learning steps of life. She showed us that dreams are worth fighting for. Hopes and efforts are worth fighting for. Disabilities are worth fighting for.

For more information about Anne Sullivan, click here.

Invest In Belief

Believe strongly in the wrongs and rights

What generations will follow with determination

The truth that sparks the mind

Make the invisible break through

Why has society become so chopped down?

Into a tragic world-where no one stands out?

Challenge yourselves to fight for your wisdom

Let your sentences stand out

Declare and declare

Declare for what you care

Speak your thoughts

Please speak well

With conviction, with courage

All that can be

Belief is worth fighting for

And, it should be important for thee.

Belief is worth fighting for, because first of all, without belief, there wouldn’t be any dreams or set goals. The confidence in dreams will help you work harder with hope, and then turn the fantasies to existence. Soon, you would have reached a higher position, a higher level. Secondly, as said in the picture above, if you do not believe in yourself, chances are that nobody else will either. For example, if you say that you will not be able to accomplish this, nor that, there is no reason for others to have faith in you. Soon or less, they will leave you to find else companions whom they can truly trust-respect is earned by belief. Additionally, belief is a strong tool when you are ‘fighting for’. The strong conviction within you will have effect on others, and soon all will be ready to stand up against the wrong acts, such as freedom, or any other. Some role models are Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr, etc. They believed that racism was cruel and wrong, and stood up for the blacks’ rights. Other African Americans thought in the same way, and this led to a boycott. The law was corrected later on; all were equal. These examples show how important belief is a part of our lives. Invest in belief, for it will bring you to a standard where you cannot imagine in your heart and mind. It is all that makes true. Belief is worth fighting for. Fighting for needs belief.

Palestine VS. Israel

An Israeli police officer scuffles with a Palestinian protester

during clashes at the Qalandia checkpoint, near the

West Bank city of Ramallah, on June 5, 2011

'As noon approached, about 100 Palestinians and sympathetic foreign nationals gathered on the main road between the Qalandia refugee camp in the West Bank and the Holy City and prepared to head to the separation barrier and tangle of steel, concrete and loudspeakers that make up the forbidding military checkpoint that Israel has erected to bar the way to Jerusalem. "Our goal? To bring down the wall," says Mohammed Slamyieh, 26, who made the trip from the southern city of Hebron. How? "Hope," he says. "Lots of hope." (Times Magazine)'

From 1948 to present day. Israelis fighting against Palestinians. Killing. Dying. Terror. This has all been happening in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, in the State of Israel. Ever since the founding of Israel, the Palestinians lost their homeland, and the citizens have been living in conflict and war.

Whenever a Palestinian idealist fights against the Israelis, they suffer serious consequences. Some are murdered. Guns are put on children who throw rocks at soldiers seeking revenge for their parents' deaths. Innocent men, suspected of dissidence, are taken from their families. Wives and children have to go on a ride for 6-8 hours just to have a five minute talk to their imprisoned husbands and fathers.

This conflict is a struggle for the citizens of Israel as well. Frustrated and oppressed, terrorists from Palestine are rising, and they bomb Israeli buses, buildings, and homes. For this reason, Israeli children are taught at school that Palestinians are dangerous enemies - and this leads to a new generation continuing the war. How can it be that children are being taught to hate?  For this conflict to be resolved, Israelis must come to realize that Palestinians have a right to their own land too.

Even this minute, this second, people are struggling in fatigue, desperate for hope. Many Palestinians fight. Many die. However, even so, they never give up the fight.  They wish for a better future, one where they are free and living on their own land. The Palestinians believe freedom is worth fighting for. They believe that a homeland is worth fighting for. They will continue to fight for these dreams, and never stop.

For further reading, click here.

Hoping For a New World

If I were given the chance to create a 'New World', I would hope for a sustainable society, where all natural resources are valued. It should be a non-polluted environment so that I won't need to create another New World, The people in the society would be very healthy and content, and we can take a benefit from our resources.

First of all, if we don't conserve our New World, we will need another New World to escape from the pollution. On the other hand, if we did take care of our environment and natural resources, there won't need to 'escape' again.

'Old World was polluted and crowded and dying from its own poisons. That's why we left, to find a better place, one we could do our very best not to wreck like we had Old World.'

-'The New World' by Patrick Ness

Since I was given the opportunity to be the creator, I wouldn't want to make bad of that chance and having to put together another new world. To prevent this, valuing our natural environment and resources are fundamental.

Furthermore, the people in the society would be in good shape and thriving in a non-polluted community. Pollution can easily damage your health; by breathing in gases from transportation, drinking water and eating fish which were both contaminated;, and if all of us aren't cautious with keeping our society immaculate, people will soon get diseases and the population may decrease.

Last but not the least, we can keep getting our resources from nature; but not more than needed. If the society doesn't save and protect its surroundings, soon, the natural resources we get, such as wood, food, and water, will disappear right in front of our eyes. The citizens should plant trees as much as possible and collect any materials just the amount they need, no more.

In conclusion, I believe that "hope" in the New World should be keeping it a sustainable society. By reserving it as one, our possible benefits to the world will be escalated by steps and be turned into a utopia. However, to keep it a non-polluted environment, I anticipate that it is me who should have to start the action, and soon others will follow, and then the world will.

"I am the circle and the circle is me."

-The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness

The Giver

In The Giver by Lois Lowry, Jonas and his family lived in a community which had elders and a cheif Elder to choose for the whole community and make rules the community had to follow. Choosing for their parteners, jobs, children, everything. I would not want someone else to choose my future because even though in the book the elders think that it is best for everybody because there will be no pain since they almost always choose right, I think that sometimes choosing wrong is also important. If you've made a mistake, in the real world we live in, of course you might, no, you will get pain, physical or emotional. However, you will learn from your mistakes and choose the hopefully, choose the right thing for yourself next time. Also, the elders might choose wrongly, and you might not want what they have chose for you. I think that indepence is very significant and needed during your life time, because if someone else always choose for you, you will not know how to be independent, you make your own choices, protect yourself, speak up for yourself. When I read that Jonas was living in a world which there were no indepence and everyone had to do what others told them to, I felt sad for all the people and mad at the elders. How dare they choose for everyone! But when I read on, I understood how the elders wanted people to just stay safe with no pain, and was shocked by how this could be. 'Can a world like this reall exist?' was what I wondered about.

I prefer having a life which has, of course, ups and downs sometimes, but getting to choose for myself, doing what I want to to do, and, most importantly for me, choosing my own family. I hope Jonas's group will change and soon, have a wonderful life which also has some ups and downs! Go, Jonas!

What will happen...

After reading the Tripods- The White Mountains, I wondered what might happen in the next book, 'The City of Gold and Lead.' I also read the sneak peek and thought that it was unfair to Henry that he could not go to the Tripods' city. 'Why can't he go, too?' I wondered. I think that in the next book, Will, Beanpole and the other boy will go to the Tripods' city without Henry, but I also think that Henry will secretly follow them, so that the four of them can defeat the Tripods. I think that the four boys will become really good friends, especially because they are always going to have to be together. About Eloise, I think that Will will meet her and persuade her to come with him. I predict that Eloise will follow him because she now hated the Tripods because they had done something horrible to her, perhaps like almost killing her. I really want to read the next book because for one thing, I want to find out whether my predictions are true or not, and, for the other thing, I want to find out what will happen if my predictions aren't true. 

I enjoyed the book while I disliked some parts of how the author had written it. My favorite part of the book was when Beanpole had to cut the small metal thing from Will's arm. I had liked that part so much because the author had described the pain very well, especially when he wrote: 'the pain was excruciating.' I also liked the book because it contained courage and bravery in its pages, waiting for a reader to read it over and over again. of course, not every page was full of bravery and courage, like in the chapter 'The Castle of the Red Tower', Will had shown us, or me, his doubts and horror, but he had overcome it just fine. However, I disliked how the author had ended the book. It had no details to explain more clearly of how the three boys got to the top of the White Mountains. If I was the author, I would have wrote the ending like this: 'We walked up to the top of the White Mountains. My arm still hurt, but not as bad. Henry kept on falling, and Beanpole had no strength, but all the same, we walked on. There, greeting us, I saw Ozymandias. "Henry! Beanpole!" I cried. "Look! He is Ozymandias, the man who sent me here!" I started to walk fat, then ran towards him. "So, Will," he said. "I see you have made the journey with two more companions." He smiled at me. As soon as Henry and Beanpole caught up with me, boys and girls came towards us and gave us a cup of water. We, finally, were welcome. We had made it. However, it was not the end, for, it was just the beginning.' I personally thought that the story would have been loved more if the author wrote something like this. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. Three cheers for the White Mountains!

-THE END-

The White Mountains

In the chapter 'The Castle of the Red Tower', Will had a doubt about leaving the Castle because he knew that it would not be a easy journey to the White Mountains; he didn't even know if he, Henry and Beanpole would get there. He felt secure and happy when he was staying with the Comte, the Comtesse and especially Eloise. If he stayed there, he knew that he was going to have a luxurious life, getting a lot of attention. One example in page 121 said: 'There was, it seemed, so much to look forward to.' this showed how Will was looking forward to all the things that were going to happen, and he looked forward to them because he liked living in the castle; he enjoyed his present life. Another example in page 124, said: ' A future here, in this rich lovely country, in the castle, with Eloise... Providing the Capping was a success, I told reminded myself.' This passage showed how Will was imagining his future in the Red Castle with Eloise, perhaps, as his wife. He also had thought about he capping, and he didn't mind as much of it than before. Will had thought about getting Capped, and I think he was okay with because his feelings towards Eloise was too strong. The last example in page 125 said: 'To live life wretchedly, like a hunted animal, suffering hardship and despair-or this life, with its fullness and security and happiness.' This passage compared between the two life- one with hardship and despair, and one with security and happiness. 

In the book, Will still had concerns and questions about what it would like to be capped. In page 123, it said: 'When the Cap was put on, the doubts vanished. How great a loss was that? Was it a loss at all? The Tripods, apart from the act of Capping itself, did not seem to interfere much with men.' I think that Will was thinking: 'What's so bad to be Capped when we don't have any doubts after it?' and I think he also thought again about the Tripods: 'Are they really bad?' or 'But they only interfere with Capping!' Another example was in page 122: 'They were Capped, they accepted the Tripods and all they stood for, but that did not prevent them from being, as I had seen in the Comte and the Comtesse and Eloise and now in others, warmhearted, generous and brave. And happy.' This passage explained how Will thought about the Comte, the Comtesse and Eloise and how they were still like normal people: warmhearted, generous, brave and happy. I think that Will wanted to be like them too and I also think that he wondered in he would be able to be like them if he was Capped. The last example, in page 121, said: 'Whatever privileges I was given, I would still be a sheep among sheep. In the morning, though, waking early, I thought of it again. I rejected it again, too, firmly but less quickly, and with a feeling in virtuous to do so.' This passage showed how Will kept on thinking about Capping. I think that Will wanted to be Capped but he could not choose easily because of loyalty to his friends. He kept on trying to push the thoughts about Capping out of his mind, but I suppose it was hard for Will to do so. These concerns relate to a lack of freedom because if Will chose to be capped, his mind would not be free. In page 125, it had said that 'I had thought at first that the Comtesse and the others might have been curious about I and want to know how a boy had come by such a possession; but they had shown no interest at all in it. They kept no relics of the skill of the ancients, and time meant nothing to them.' These concerns relate to a lack of freedom because when Will said that the Comtesse and others showed no interest in his watch and time meant nothing to them, it clearly showed that they weren't free, but only controlled. 

Will finally decided to leave behind the castle after he found out that Eloise is going to leave. He was shocked that Eloise was leaving, and had decided better for himself. In page 137, it said: I went back to my room, and undressed, tried to sleep. There were too many kinds of horror. Horror at what had happened to Eloise. Horror of the creatures who could do this sort of thing to others. Horror, above all, at how closely I had come to falling-no, to throwing myself-into something beside which suicide was clean and good. What had happened was not Eloise's fault. She had accepted the capping as countless others had done, not understanding and knowing no alternative. But I had understood, and had known better. I thought of the blankness in Beanpole's face, the contempt in Henry's, the last time I had seen them, and was ashamed.'This showed that Will thought Eloise, the Comte and the Comtesse were the same as all the other Capped people, and how he was horrified of what he could have done-being Capped. He decided then that freedom was the most important thing, and he went on with his journey and found Beanpole and Henry. Together, the three boys reached the White Mountains, in despite of what might have ended the three boys journey which was: anything.

BAND - POWER OF THE VOID

The International School of Kuala Lumpur provides ( silence) an exceptional education that challenges each student to develop (silence) the attitudes, skills, knowledge and understanding to become a highly sucessful, spirited, socially responsible global citizen.

I feel like adding a silence after the word 'provides' and 'develop' creates the best tention. When you add a VOID after provides and develop, the audience might have questions about what the school provides, and what each student develop, and would feel nervous and tense. The tention would be building up inside the audience, waiting for the reader to read on the ISKL Misson Statement. In visual art, the tention was built up from audience also by making them keep interest in it, and keep wondering. For example, in the movie 'Jurassic Park,' the tention was built up by questions like: 'When is the T-rex coming?' or 'what's the T-rex going to do?' With paintings, there was a red dot in the middle of many green dots, and that made the red dot stand out more (to me). I kept asking myself: ' What is the red dot doing there?' Today at school, we read a story that also had tention inside it, and then talked about it. I realized that there were so many void around us that created tention and that I hadn't really thought deeply about it until now. I feel that I can understand it now, and I will think about it more than before. I'm gald we studied tention, or power of the void in band.

Building a Snowman!

During the Winter holidays, I visited South Korea, which is my home country. When I stepped out of the airport, it was freezing. I could feel the wind that was as sharp as a blade surrounding me, and I could see pure white, clean snow falling from the sky. I decided that I would make a snowman before I went back to Malaysia, and smiled at the thought of a finished snowman.

One morning, at my grandmother's house, I looked outside, and found the garden filled with snow, snow, and more snow, and it was still snowing! I suddenly remembered that yesterday, the Korean news had said that it would be snowing 25~30 cm thick, and that in Korea, we would be having a white Christmas this year! (2009) It was very rare in Korea to snow this much, so I was shocked. 'I guess the reporter told us the truth',I thought. I asked my aunt if we could go to the mall, but she said we had to stay at home because the road was stuck with snow. She also told me that everyone used the subway to go to work. I was so bored and upset... and was mad at snow for not letting me have some fun.

"Julie?" My aunt called. "Julie, do you want to build a snowman with me in the garden?" I sat up straight, not listening to the TV at all. Would I like to build a snowman? Yes please!

"Of course I do!" I shouted back. "I do, I do, I do!" I put on my thickest pants and long-sleeve shirts, along with 2 coats (really warm ones), a hat, a scarf, gloves and my boots. Even then, it was so cold. My aunt was already outside, making the body of the snowman, and I started making the head, too. Even though I tried to make the head bigger, the snow wouldn't stick. 'What if I spray water in the snow? Will the snow stick?' I thought, and went inside to get some water. As I sprayed water on the snow, It melted and stuck together, so it was easier to roll the snowhead much more bigger. Then, we put the head and body together. The snowman was almost finished and it looked short and chubby. 

"Something missing?" Asked my aunt. I looked and realized that I hadn't put any eyes, nose, mouth and a hat! First of all, I asked my aunt if I could have some beans. She brought me them and I put the black beans for the mouth, eyes, and a extra tie, and the white-red bean for the nose. Next, I picked up some branches that had fallen beneath the trees, and used them as arms and hands for the snowman. Lastly, I took off my penguin hat and put in on it. It fit perfectly and the snowman looked so cute! I lay down and made snowangels with my aunt next it. It was cool! (In both ways!)

It turned out to be that I had a great time because of snow! Thank you very much, snow! (Even though I don't want you to come this much in the next Winter in 2010~2011!) I loved building a snowman- I think it was the best winter ever! I hope I get to make a bigger one next time.

THE END

THE PAST HALF OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

BY: JULIE

For the past half of the school year, I have learned new things and new skills. One of the new skills that that I have gained was in band. My band teacher, Mr.Housego, asked me if I would like to play the bass clarinet for one trimester. I wanted to have a go on it, and also wanted an experience, so I said 'yes'. The bass clarinet was challenging for me and I think that was a new skill I learned: how to play the bass clarinet and also, how to try something challenging. I also think that I picked a good choice of accepting Mr.Housego's suggestion.Now, I can play the bass clarinet better than when I first played it!

Another challenge I handled was the lockers and combinations. At first, I was not used to lockers and I couldn't open them very well. To make it more challenging, there were also P.E. and band lockers and I thought: 'Wow, I 'm never going to memorize all of these combinatins!' For the first week or so, I had to bring my planner which had my combinations written on it to everywhere. Then, I slowly got used to the lockers and I soon remembered every single combination and that really surprised me. Now I'm doing fine with my lockers, and for me, it's not a challenge anymore.

A skill I want to learn is in art. I want to learn how to do modeling with clay, which we will be learning. I really have fun in art because I can show my ideas, draw them, and do everything freely. I positively contributed to the 6th grade community by being a responsible student. From ISKL Melawati to ISKL Ampang was a great change for me and especially, we had much more responsibility. At first, all the responsibility I had was too heavy for me. However, as time flew by and I got used to being a middle school student, it wasn't a big, heavy bag anymore! I realized that it was just what I needed to do in my normal life, only a little more! I think that my responsibility is going to get heavier as I get older, but, I promised myself that I'll try my best.

I have set two goals for the new year and the next 6 months. One of them I really want to accomplish is mandarin. I am currently taking mandarin classes as an elective at school, and I enjoy them. I hope I'll get more and more better and by the time when it's the summer holidays again, that I'll be a lot better at mandarin than I am right now. I am planning to revise more at home that I am doing currently by using my mandarin notebook, or asking help from my tuition teacher. Another goal I want to accomplish is about Humanities. I want to become a better writer and reader. I believe that if I want to become a better writer, I have to become a better reader so that I can imagine more exciting stories to write. To accomplish this goal, I'm going to borrow more challenging books from the library and also ask friends and teachers and also my parents for writing advice. I think 2010 will be a wonderful school year!

Overcoming Fear

I used to have stage frights till 5th grade in Melawati. In Melawati the 5th graders did a play called 'The Night of the Notables.' My class did poems about Mother Teresa and I was dressed up as Mother Teresa in one of the poems we did.

However, I wasn't such a great stage person, and I didn't like going on the stage. When we were only practicing, it was okay because there were no audience in front of us. Then... the final night had finally come! I was so nervous and scared. Imagine all the audience looking at you! 'What if I forget my lines?' I thought. 'What if I make a mistake?' It was time for our class - 5LP - to go up the stage. Wow! Looking at all the people made me feel dizzy.We finally had to do our Mother Teresa poem, so I quickly put on a white sheet that looks like a sari on and went to the center of the stage. As I said my lines out loud, My feelings got more and more confident. In a quick flash (for me), all the poems were done and we all went back to our seats. I couldn't believe that I had accomplished my goal! I felt glad and proud.

After the Night of the Notables show, I was quite all right speaking in front of many people. Well, to be honest, I still have this uneasy feeling, and I still don't like going on stage so much, but I guess it can be okay. However, after performing, my feelings are great! After all, nobody's perfect, right?!

THE FIVE JOBS

Over the five jobs, what I most want to become is a paleontologist because I love animals and plants and I would enjoy to study them a lot. I also am interested in fossils so I think a paleontologist can be a good job for me.

All about me

Hi! Welcome to my Blog! My name is Julie and I am in grade 6.
I am from South Korea and I have lived in Malaysia for 2~3years.
My hobbies are reading and listening to music, and my favorite animals are dogs.

My three favorite books are=
1.The series of unfortunate events- By Lemony Snicket
2.Secret- By Jacqueline Wilson
3.The name of this book is secret- By Pseudonymous Bosch

The last movie I have seen is called 'UP'. It was a very good movie by 'Disney'.

My academic goal I have this year is that I want to read more challenging books, and my social goal is to have more conversation with other people.

My favorite vacation memory this summer was going to Japan,Osaka. I stayed there for 2 nights,
and I had a really good time over there.

The 5 adjectives to describe myself are=
1.Boookworm
2.Friendly
3.Worrywort
4.Sensitive
5.Joyful