Orana Wildlife Park visit

At the end of this term, we had outside school activities, the previous activity was going to 'MEGA Air'. The most recent one, however, is our visit to Orana Wildlife Park. I have visited the Park quite a number of times however each and every time is special. I learnt more things about the environment and our global issues, that we are not only faced by "less intelligent" animals but us as well. I got to see animals again, I love animals, reptiles general to be more specific snakes, I also love sugar gliders and canines, birds [ravens], well, I love them all. During the visit, we had a break before doing the tour, and off we started. We looked at quite a number of animals, some very briefly, but at times there were a few intervals where we could just appreciate the sight of these magnificent animals.

There were some of which I would call my favourites, most liked. I liked the 'fat unicorns' also known as rhinos/rhinoceros, seeing the great apes was quite enjoyable as well. Observing their similarity to use Homo Sapiens, I thought of how much 2% of DNA can get a very different result; which makes me wonder about "Aliens" per se and how even if the change is only by a small percentage, how "smart" they can be and how much different they could be from us.
I enjoyed the Orana Wildlife Park visit, I would gladly visit it more in the future.

Here are some images that were taken during the visit.

Musical Indrustries: Music Suite

At the same day that we continued on our songwriting, we also went to the music suite. While we were in the music suite, several activities were set for us to do. In those activities, we had some challenges to complete so that we would finish the list. One of the challenges was playing "Havana - Camila Cabello" on the keyboards; quite simple, it wasn't too challenging as it was only set for the right hand. There were several instruments, around the music suite, each with their own complexity of playing. Drums both classic and electric, saxophone,  flute, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, ukulele and as mentioned before a keyboard. 

The experience that we had been able to play quite a range of instruments was really enjoyable; I would very much like to try more instruments and see how each varies from each other.

Musical Industries: Song Writing

In the previous week, we have been started making our own individual songs. However, before writing, we have first looked at song lyrics that we could take inspiration from; how each should be layered. (First verse, chorus, etc...)[Bohemian Rhapsody would be one of the exceptions to that, as it contains not, lyrics.]
When I started writing the chorus which I did first, I brainstormed what I really liked, what type of genre that I would be doing, the melody of the piece and generally the type of song that I might write. I thought of my chess set [I really love chess], from there I built on, I "named" my chess set Aurora, which is also ironic because not only is it my chess set's "name" but also my great grandmother's name, both of which and whom I love very much.
As I was writing the verses I began to think about the melody of the song, how would it sound? After finally getting the melody sorted, I continued the songwriting part. Finished with the songwriting, at home I started and is currently composing the song;  the chorus has been sorted, for the right hand at least [piano], the rest I am working on.
I really enjoyed writing the song I would love to do it again.

Here is the song:

Chorus: 

Aurora, Aurora,

Aurora I sing, this song to you.

Aurora, Aurora,

Aurora I sing, this song to you.

First verse:

Aurora...

I glee with joy, I dance with pleasure,

The ecstasy for me!

Your gaze, your look,

Your act, your moves,

All of it, for you, behoves.

Aurora, Aurora,

I sing this song to you.

Aurora, Aurora,

I sing this song to you.

2nd Verse:

The first time we meet, 

Some years ago, 

Your moves I didn’t know.

Time flew by, 

Never say die.

It was rain or shine

But I did not resign!

Aurora, Aurora,

I sing this song to you.

Aurora, Aurora,

I sing this song to you.

3rd Verse:

Your gaze, your look,

Your act, your moves,

All of it, for you, behoves.

Never say die.

It was rain or shine

But I did not resign!

Aurora, Aurora,

I sing this song to you.

Aurora, Aurora,

I sing this song to you.

4th Verse:

As we advance, as we progress

As we enhance, as we impress.

My love for you has not degrade,

My love for you has not betrayed.

Aurora, Aurora….. Aurora!!!!!!

Ki O Rahi

These past few weeks [in P.E] we have been learning and playing Ki O Rahi; Ki O Rahi is a sport played in New Zealand, it is a fast-paced game containing many positions and tactics. We have been playing and training per se, about Ki O Rahi, it is a very enjoyable, skilful game. While playing the game we have also been researching about this topic as well. I have learnt quite a lot about the story and the culture of Maori in general, I also learnt several Maori words through Ki O Rahi. Playing this traditional Maori game has thought me a lot about using different methods and trying different tactics. I very much enjoy playing more of this game.

Ella West Visit

This week Ella West has now visited our school; in the first period of the day, all of the 7&8 classes went into our auditorium to listen to Ella West. She talked about her life and what she does; she also talked about her books. The first book she started to talk about was 'Night Vision'; as she listened we learnt how she got the idea for writing the book. 'Night Vision' she said, was inspired by a documentary that she had watched which featured people with genetic conditions; there she found out about XP, Xeroderma Pigmentosum. It is a condition where the skin of the individual is sensitive to UV rays, especially the sun, therefore she has to stay inside most of the time and has to take vitamin D pills. Ella West then mentioned that she wanted for the character to have a big event to happen in her life, and so she decided for the character to be a sole witness for a murder.  However, it needed to be big enough to see in the dark, as the main character is only able to come out at night. A car fire was then decided and the rest was history. 'Night Vision' has won two awards since its release, it has also been translated into Italian as well.
Moving on to 'Rain Fall' is based in Westport, it is also mentioned that one of the settings in which she introduces to us in the book was inspired by the house of her friend. Utopia Road was also mentioned in the story which Ella took as a moment to insert humour in her book. As Utopia Road was not as "Utopian" like as you may think if that makes sense. Those were the main inspirations for the book and then she also mentions that she added horses, because why not? (I agree).
After talking more about 'Night Vision' and 'Rain Fall' we then transferred into asking her some questions. We then learnt that her first books were the 'Thieves' series, but it was not the first-ever story that she wanted to publish; also the first 'Thieves' had to be completely re-written. When she writes a book she usually tries to reach a thousand words a day; in a separate tab, she keeps a word count to see her progress.
After some more questions, at the end of period one, our class then had some time alone with her.
We further asked, questions; we found out more about her, her name isn't really Ella West just as Stan Lee's real name is not Stan Lee. Another thing that we learnt about her was her mother has read all of her books and she thinks that the 'mums' in the story are her as well as the 'dads' is her dad which is not quite true.
Then again after more questions, our group, which has been on of the reason that she came to our school had extra time with her. There we discussed about the ending of Night Vision which we "criticized" her for, not so serious way. She gave us advice and told us why she decided to end the book that way; in the end, we were more than pleased that it actually end in that fashion.
Ella West has brought us happiness, entertainment and inspiration, I look forward to reading more of her books in the future, 'Sound of My Heart' which is teh book she is currently writing. It has been a very, very enjoyable experience being able to get advice from authors again.
Thank you Ella West!

Poutini and Waitaiki

This week in Maori we began learning more about Maori legends. Specifically the story of Poutini and Waitaiki. After being read by the story, thereafter we had to summarise what we had listened to. It outlines and explains pounamu; a type of jade-greenstone.  In our summary per se, we had to write as if we were one of the characters in the story. I had picked to write as Poutini as I already had a thought of how I would write such as that, and so I did.

Here is the "story" that I wrote:

“Waitaiki, Waitaiki, Wataiki… With skin as soft as feathers; as smooth as the smoothest of stones, hair like that of silk, her lips of that of blood, Waitaiki, Waitaiki, Waitaiki....
The sea flows against my body, slithering to the rivers and through the waters, I Poutini the guardian,  was of great lust for a woman, Waitaiki.
I fled across the water and within I found her, the woman epitome of beauty.  She stood there, skin exposed, she bathes; I, who lusted took what I lusted for, carrying her through rivers, passing water and the cold, gelid airs and winds. Shivering she began to, I felt her body shake to the breeze, I’d stepped onto the beach and lit a tranquil like warmth, fire. There I had warmed Waitaiki, again we went rushing to waters, where I had stopped again to give warmth. Off we went once more, fleeting, stuck on an end. Not a chance of escaping with my Waitaiki; on the stream there it happened. Turned into my essence, a pounamu, a woman-stone, Waitaiki, Waitaiki, Waitaiki…”

I enjoyed writing this short "verse", it was quite amusing when I started to think about being that character and how it would be set up. Not only that I enjoyed writing, but as well as being able to listen to this incredible legend.

Music Through the Decades

In our music hurumanu, we have been learning about musicians and the decades, eras of music. In this presentation we have picked 6 different decades, starting from the 1900's to the 2010's. In each of the slides, we had to write about the most popular genre or genres of that time. As well as some of the most popular musicians during that specific era; from Jazz, Rock, Soul, Rap, Hip Hop, etc.   There have been countless music legends through this century, making it almost impossible to choose one or even several just to put on a slide. It was quite surprising that from all the eras that I have chosen, I know most if not all of the musicians that were put in my slide. It was very enjoyable listening to the songs from each decade and how each one varies from each other. Each decade has a unique charm that makes me want to listen more and more...

Trash, trash, trash.....

On the last term, around the first several weeks of returning to school, we [as a class] began to read "Trash - by Andy Mulligan".  We routinely read it once a week up to this week of this term. It is based [the setting at least] on "smokey mountain"; a dumpsite in Manila, Philippines, often called smokey mountain as it continually emits thick smoke from burning waste on the dumpsite. There are three main characters in the book, Raphael, Gardo and Rat [Jun-Jun]; it follows their story when they discover something that could and would change their lives forever. This book tackles world problems such as crime, poverty, corruption, politics but as well as personal problems; trust, family as well.
This has been a very spectacular book, it uses different characters for a different point of view each time. Very interesting in how it was all set out and the twist and turns as they progress towards their goal.