geography project

all of my posts for my geography project are under the label geography project
heres a link to that label
http://laraghty.blogspot.com/search/label/geography%20project

happy reading :)

t.y. is nearing an end

I cant believe t.y. is nearly over, the year went so quick, im going to be do sad leaving all my fellow eriudlians behind and going into a new class in fifth year.
Im going to miss all the trips and workshops, and projects and most of all the people.
i know that we will still all be in fifth year together but it wont be the same

geography project.... extra post

Here is a link to my google map of my project


Well, this summer I’m off to Finland with guides for a big international camp with guides, so I thought I would do an extra post on roverway (the camp I’m going on) finland in general and guiding in finland….

Roverway

Roverway is a joint European WAGGGS and WOSM event for 16 – 22 year old Rover Scouts and Rangers from all over the world. It takes place everuy 3 years, previous camps have been in Italy and Iceland  

Roverway 2012 takes place in Finland 20. - 28.7.2012. It is a 9 day long programme event that includes two main parts: paths and camp.

The path is a four day hike/event in groups of 50 people somewhere in Finland. Each path is different and the themes vary from nature to art and culture

I will be doing my path in the city of tampere.

The camp lasts for the rest of the event and all path tribes come together on the camp. The camp has programme valleys and different activities.

Guiding in finland

Guide Promise:

I will love my God and my neighbour, my native country and mankind by fulfilling the Girl Guide ideals in my life.

Brownie promise:

I promise to do my best to love my God, to fulfil the Brownie Law and to help others every day.

Guide Ideals (law):

The ideal of a Girl Guide is...

– to develop herself as a human being

– to respect other human beings

– to help and serve others

– to recognize her responsibility and duties

– to love and protect nature

– to be faithful and reliable

– to build friendships across borders

– to seek for the truth in life.

Brownie Law:

A Brownie is cheerful and honest.

Guide Motto - Be Prepared

Brownie Motto - I will do my best

History

The first Girl Guide company in Finland was formed in 1910, The first Brownie pack was started in 1925, and the first Ranger company in 1930. In 1934 Girl Guiding was introduced for girls with special needs. Today guiding in finland is growing hugely

Finland

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

Geographic coordinates:

64 00 N, 26 00 E

Area:

total: 338,145 sq km

land: 304,473 sq km

water: 33,672 sq km

Land boundaries:

total: 2,681 km

Border countries:

Norway, Sweden, Russia

Coastline:

1,250 km

Climate:

cold temperate;

Terrain:

mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m

Natural resources:

timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone

Interesting facts about the weather in Finland:

July temperatures in Finland average 13 to 17°C. February is usually Finland's coldest month, with temperatures averaging from - 22 to -3°C. In northern Finland, winter temperatures often drop as low as -30°C or even down to -50°C, sometimes with strong, cold easterly or northeasterly winds. Snow covers the ground in southern Finland from December to April, and northern Finland is snowbound from October to April. Most of the country is icebound in winter, the Gulf of bothnia and Finland are also usually covered with ice.

In winter, Finland has similar periods of continuous darkness. In the northernmost areas of the country the sun never rises above the horizon for about 2 months. Southern Finland has some daylight each day, though it receives only about 6 hours of daylight a day in midwinter.

Northern Finland lies in the Land off the Midnight Sun and so has continuous daylight during part of the summer. The number of days of continuous daylight increases as one goes farther north. In northernmost Finland, the sun stays above the horizon for about 2,5 months. Southern Finland never has continuous daylight, though it averages 19 hours of daylight a day in midsummer




images from here and here 

Geography project part 5

Sangam

Sangam World Centre is located in Pune, India, on the banks of the Mula River. Sangam means “coming together” in the ancient language of Sanskrit.

Sangam, the fourth WAGGGS World Centre, was first imagined at the 1956 WAGGGS International Commissioners’ meeting in New Delhi, when the idea to build a World Centre in the Asia Pacific Region was proposed. A year later, at the World Conference, the decision to build the new Centre in India was finalized, thanks to the determination and hard work of

Laxmi Mazumdar, the National Commissioner of India’s Bharat Scouts and Guides, and the state of Maharashtra’s generous donation of 7¾ acres of land to be used as the World Centre’s site. The city of Pune, located in the state of Maharashtra in India, was selected because of its temperate climate, rich cultural history, strong tradition in education, and proximity to Mumbai.

In 1963, the building plans were approved at the World Conference. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world raised over 50 percent of the construction funds, and the foundation stone was laid in 1964.

Since 1966, Sangam World Centre has partnered with over 20 non-governmental organizations striving to better the lives of people in Pune., which work in a number of fields: medicine, education, environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment, and more.

images from here here here and here

Guiding in India

Age Groups

Bunnies  3 – 6 years

Bulbul  6 - 10 years   

Guide  10 – 18 years  

Ranger  18 – 25 years

Guide Promise

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best:

To do my duty to God‡ and my country,

To help other people, and

To obey the Guide Law.

Guide Law

1. A Guides is trustworthy

2. A Guide is loyal

3. A Guide is a friend to all and a sister to every other guide

4. A Guide is courteous

5. A Guide is a friend to animals and loves nature

6. A Guide is disciplined and protects public property

7. A Guide is courageous

8. A Guide is thrifty

9. A Guide is pure in thought, word and deed.

Motto

Bunnies- Keep Smiling

Bulbuls-  Do Your Best

Guides-  Be Prepared

Rangers- Service

geography project post 4- our cabana and guiding in mexico

Our Cabana 

Our Cabaña was officially opened in July of 1957. It is located in the woods of  Cuernavaca, Mexico.

The idea of a Western Hemisphere world centre started in 1946 at a training session in Cuba. Serious planning began six years later. Cuba, Panama, and the USA were considered before a plot of land in Mexico was selected to house the new world centre chosen. The Our Cabaña site was expanded in 1969 by adding two more dormitories and a hall for evening programs and other indoor activities. Today, it can accommodate over 100 participants, making it the largest of the four world centres.

Our cabana song

1. Neath the Grand Sierra Madre on a plain in Mexico,

Lies our beautiful Cabaña, where Girl Scouts and Guides go,

Oh come then to see the mountains, the Cactus and sunny skies, Hear the crickets in the evening and see the white moon arise.

2. En la bella Cuernavaca, en un valle en México,

sencuentra Nuestra Cabaña un lugar lleno de sol,

Vamos a Nuestra Cabaña, gozaremos a llegar

d’amistad y d’alegria y de belleza sin par.

3. When you see the warm red roofs, you think of hearts that glow with cheer,

And the walls of sturdy stone work stand for friendship so dear,

Each day there is filled with laughter, each evening is filled with song,

And our stay at Our Cabaña gives us memories life long.

4. Cada día en Nuestra Cabaña, trabajamos por cumplir,

Los ideales de Guidismo y de nuestro fundador,

Vayamos a La Cabaña, nuestra promesa a vivir,

con nuestras hermanas Guías, l’amistad a compartir."

5. When you go to Our Cabaña you will find yourselves at home,

There’s a greeting smile so friendly and a handshake so warm.

So come now to Our Cabaña, world friendship to increase,

and carry to our homeland International peace.

Symbol

The Our Cabaña symbol is also the symbol for the city of Cuernavaca.

The parts of the logo symbolize:

Roots - growing deep in the ground signify the firm base of the Guiding and Scouting movement.

Trunk - represents the strenght of the world movement and reminds us that we are 10 millons members around the world.

Three branches - one for each part of the original promise.

Drop of water - Aztec symbol of life and shows us how life is flowing into the Guiding and Scouting organization. It is also a pre-Hispanic symbol of communication and represents communication with both the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting movement, and the community of Cuernavaca.

Weather in Cuernavaca

The climate of Cuernavaca is unique. The weather becomes warmer in April and May (may reach 90° F/35ºC.) In the dry season from November to April we enjoy warm mornings and cool nights (68-70° F./18º-20ºC) December and January are the coolest months of the year (no less than 65° F/18ºC.) During summer time (August specially) rains in the evenings and nights.

Guiding in mexico

Girasoles

Age: 4 to 6 years old

Motto: Always be happy

Promise: I promise to share and be friends

Haditas

Age: 6 to 9 years old

Motto: Give Help

Promise: I promise to do my best, to fulfill my duty to God and my homeland Mexico, to help everybody, every day, especially those in my home

Law: Haditas always tell the truth.

Haditas are obedient and cheerful.

Guias

Age: 9 to 13 years old

Motto: Be prepared

Promise: I promise on my honor to do the best to comply with my duty to God and Mexico, my country, to be useful to others in all circumstances and live the guide law

Law:

A Guide is a friend of all and sister to all Guides.

A Guide is courteous.

A Guide is a friend of animals and plants in nature and sees God's work. A Guide obeys orders.

A Guide faces difficulties with fortitude and optimism.

A Guide is economical.

A Guide is kept pure in thought, word and deed.

Guias Intermedias

Age: 13 to 15 years old

Motto: Always ready

Promise: I promise on my honor to do the best to comply with my duty to God and Mexico, my country, to be useful to others in all circumstances and live the guide law

Law:

A Guide is a friend of all and sister to all Guides.

A Guide is courteous.

A Guide is a friend of animals and plants in nature and sees God's work. A Guide obeys orders.

A Guide faces difficulties with fortitude and optimism.

 A Guide is economical.

A Guide is kept pure in thought, word and deed

Guias Mayores

Age: 15 to 18 years old

Motto: Serve

Promise:

I promise on my honour to do the best to comply with my duty to God and Mexico, my country, to be useful to others in all circumstances and live the guide law

Law:

A Guide is a friend of all and sister to all Guides.

A Guide is courteous.

A Guide is a friend of animals and plants in nature and sees God's work. A Guide obeys orders.

A Guide faces difficulties with fortitude and optimism.

A Guide is economical.

A Guide is kept pure in thought, word and deed


images from here and here

geography project part 3- pax lodge, guiding in the UK

Pax Lodge

There has been 3 different locations of the English world centre

1.    Our ark (1939-59)

2.    Olave house (1959-88)

3.    Pax lodge (officially opened in 1991)

Moving to pax lodge:

By 1978, plans were underway to move again. The idea of the Olave Centre Project formed and three years later, the Project had a site: 12c Lyndhurst Road, in Hampstead. An area famous for its artistic and literary connections.

A new name had to be found for the empty lot that was to become the World Centre and it was decided to name it ‘Pax Lodge’ as a tribute to the Baden-Powells who had used the Latin word for peace ‘pax’ in the names of their two homes, Pax Hill in England and Paxtu in Kenya. The name also highlights that peace is an important part of the Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting Movement.

The ceremony for Pax Lodge was held on 8 November 1988. The following year on 6 May, The Honorable Mrs. Betty Clay, daughter of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, unveiled the foundation stone – on the fiftieth anniversary of Our Ark and 100 years after the birth of the World Chief Guide. The building took around 18 months to build, but by July 1990, staff were ready to move into Pax Lodge. The new Centre could accommodate 59 people and had a large dining room, kitchen, lobby lounge, library, resource centre, shop, TV room, guest kitchen, and a staff/resident wing. On 1 August, Pax Lodge received its first guests.

The pax lodge song:

We wish you love (We wish you love).

We wish you light (We wish you light).

We wish you colours soft and bright.

We wish you light (We wish you light).

We wish you love (We wish you love).

We wish you peace on the wings of a snow white dove.

VERSE 1

And with our sisters by our side

we learn to lead, we learn to guide.

We clear the path, we pave the way

to peace on earth, to a brighter day.

CHORUS

VERSE 2

Sometimes the road is hard and long

and yet together we are strong,

and as we weave life’s tapestry,

each colour blends in harmony.

CHORUS

VERSE 3

Wherever we wander, wherever we roam,

Pax Lodge will always be our home.

A place where strangers soon are friends,

I’ll meet you there, where the rainbow ends.

Girlguiding UK

Guides in England are divided up into 3 groups

·       Rainbows- age five to seven

·       Brownies- age seven to ten

·       Guides- age 10 to 14

·       Senior Section- age 14 to 25

English promise:

Rainbows:

I promise that I will do my best:

to love my God

and to be kind and helpful.

Brownies:

I promise that I will do my best:

to love my God ,

to serve the Queen and my country,

to help other people

and to keep the Brownie Guide law.

Guides, Senior Section and Leaders:

I promise that I will do my best:

to love my God,

to serve the Queen and my country,

to help other people

and to keep the Guide Law.

In addition members of the Senior Section promise

To be of service to the community

images from here and here 

Geography project part 2- our chalet, guiding in switzerland

Our Chalet

Our chalet is an International Guide and Scout centre, open to overnight guests and day visitors since 1932. The aim of the centre is to be an international home, where everybody can find Challenge, Adventure and Peace for the soul while having fun and living the international friendship.

It is the oldest of the 4 world centres

How it all began:

In 1929, the World Committee of WAGGGS met in Holland and decided that a World Centre should be built, Immediately Helen Storrow, a Girl Scout leader from the USA, said she would donate the money for the construction and the first four years of operation of the centre, as long as it was built in Switzerland. The World Committee agreed and appointed a Swiss Scout, Ida Von Herrenschwand, to help Mrs Storrow find the perfect location for the new World Centre.

They found the perfect spot high up on top of a hill in Adelboden, Three months later, the concrete basement was built and the wood for the rest of the house was cut; on 21 December 1931 the roof was put on. Mrs Storrow came back in May 1932 to see the completed Chalet. On 31 July 1932, Our Chalet was formally opened by the first World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell, and Mrs Helen Storrow.

Guiding in Switzerland

Between 1913 and 1916 nine groups of Girl Guides were formed independently in different parts of Switzerland. In 1919 these groups joined together to become one Association, the Fédération des Eclaireuses Suisses (FESes). A major change took place in 1987 when the Fédération des Eclaireuses Suisses and the Scout Association, Fédération des Eclaireurs Suisses, merged together to become the Mouvement Scout de Suisse (Swiss Guide and Scout Movement).

Swiss promise

I promise to do my best to live according to the Scout Law.  I ask God and my friends to help me to do so.

Swiss law

Girl Guides, we wish:

To be true/truthful.

To listen to and respect others.

To be thoughtful and helpful.

To share.

To choose to the best of our abilities and to commit ourselves.

To protect nature and to respect life.

To face difficulties with confidence.

To rejoice in all that is beautiful.

Swiss motto

Be Prepared

image from here 

english book review- the old man and the sea

                        ‘The old man and the sea’ by Earnest Hemmingway, is a novel about an old fisherman named Santiago, and his struggles as he fails to catch fish for eighty four days. Many parts of the novel impressed me; however the story was weak and lacked excitement.

                        The relationship seen between Santiago and Manolin was the aspect of the novel that most impressed me. Manolin fished with Santiago for a long time, however was made to move to a more successful fishing boat due to Santiago’s bad luck.  Manolin nevertheless continues to visit Santiago and to help him in whatever ways he can. This shows that their bond was strong and that Manolin was very much dedicated to the relationship. Much of the beginning and end of the novel centres around their relationship and dialogue between them.

                        The character of Santiago is also very strong and impressive. In the beginning of the novel, he has gone eighty four days without catching a thing, but he kept fishing and did not give up, I admired his persistence and commitment. I took great pity on Santiago, due to his immense bad luck, first of not catching a fish for eighty four days and then losing the marlin to the sharks.

                        One of the main themes in the novel was struggle, centring around the suffering of Santiago. He refused defeat by travelling out further than the other fishermen, in hope of catching a huge fish. This wish comes true, but even when he does hook a huge marlin; he struggles for three days to haul him in. Pride and bravery are also key themes in the novel.

There was a huge lack of characters in the novel, with only two

Main characters. This added to the weakness and perhaps tedious nature of the novel. I felt more characters were definitely needed.

                        I also found the language of the novel quite monotonous, I thought it was overly formal with no use of colloquial phrases or abbreviations and I thought that dialogue was overused in parts of the novel.

                        Overall I found the novel quite uninteresting and irksome, due to the lack of characters and excitement in the plot. I would not recommend this novel to people of my age group; however an older reader might enjoy it.

                        I would give this novel two stars out of five.

Swim a mile with a smile

Last friday, all of t.y. and 5th year L.C.V.P. took part in the Swim a mile with a Smile.
Swim a mile with a smile was set up by Brian and Laura Daly (eimear's parents) in memory of their son Ian sadly passed away due to cancer.
The swim raises much needed funds for barrtestown and crumlin childrens hospital

I swam a mile with my team (louise and emma) and then i swam an extra 12 lengths to bring it up to half a mile

and in total we all swam 40 miles (beating the wolstans record!!!!!!!!)

Retreat

On Tuesday class eriu (and Fiona) went on retreat to glendalough in co. Wicklow. On the bus there we passed through a town called laragh…. Yes I have a town named after myself, I’m just that cool

When we got there we did lots of silent walking and reflecting and we learned about St. Kevin.

It was a really nice and peaceful quiet day.

GEOGRAPHY PROJECT POST 1

W .A. G. G. G. S.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

About W.A.G.G.G.S.

The world association of girl guides and girl scouts has over ten million members from over 145 countries all over the world, which makes it the largest voluntary movement dedicated to young women and girls in the world.

W.A.G.G.G.S. has five regions: Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe and Western Hemisphere.

It also has four world centres:

·        Sangam in india

·        Our chalet in Switzerland

·        Our cabana in Mexico

·        Pax lodge in the UK

W.A.G.G.G.S. Mission

To enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world

W.A.G.G.G.S. Vision

All girls and young women are valued and take action to change the world.

W.A.G.G.G.S In Ireland

The Irish branch of W.A.G.G.G.S. is called Irish girl Guides, or I.G.G. for short.

I.G.G. is divided up into 5 different sections according to age:

·        Ladybirds are girls aged 5-7

·        Brownies are girls aged 6 ½ - 11

·        Guides are girls aged 10 ½ - 15

·        Senior Branch are girls aged 14 ½ - 26

·        Leaders are girls age 18 onwards

I.G.G. has been in existence since 1911, when the first Guide Unit was set up in Harold’s Cross.

There are seven Regions in the Irish Girl Guides, covering all 26 counties. Each Region has its own support officer.

SHAKE IT OUT

Last night was the music night, which is a night where all music students come together to show off their work for the year, both of Ms. O'R's ty music classes came together to sing florence and the machines iconic song.. shake it out. We spent weeks preparing and when we got up on stage it all went really well, nobody forgot their words or sang out of key. Well done to everyone who took part because the night ran really smoothly. heres a video of or song.. Enjoy!!!!!!

BRAVEFORCE

So last wednesday, all of T.Y. went on an assault course in co. meath... it was called braveforce. I can safely say that it was one of the best days of T.Y. so far. I absolutely LOVED IT.
There was lots of muddy water and things to hop over, and it was tough, but we all managed to finish. By the end of the day we were soaking wet and we had to go up inot a freeeeeeeezing cold warehouse to dry off and get changed. words cannot desribe the coldness of that room. My hands were shaking and my lips were blue, i could actually see my own breath. It was well worth it though!
When we were all dry and changed we went into a room for the presentation of przes, and our school won the biggest enrty :) we got a trophy and brona got a medal for doing so well.
It was such an amazing day and next years tys should definately do it!!!

jabba jabba jembe

So last wednesday, class eriú had a drumming workshop. We were taught lots of different beats and lots of different styles of drumming... my favourite was the bass drum which was a big huge drum used for keeping the right timing. We also watched a dvd about drumming in africa which was very interesting.
I really enjoyed the workshop and it was brilliant

Work experience 2--- day 5

Today was my last day in the orchard and i was really sad leaving! I cant believe the week is over, Ive had such a great time.
My supervisor that i have been doing all my work with doesnt work fridays, so I was put with another person, and We had just gotten a shipment of animal thingys to put in your garden, so we had to put all of the barcodes on them, it took sooooooo long because we had to make sure the right barcode was on the right animal and it was a bit confusing. We spent all of our time from 9-2 doing that, and then afterwards i had a huge trolly of sweets chocolates and easter eggs to price.
then it was time to go, I'm really sad that thats all of our work experience over. I thought that it was a great oppertunity and well worthwhile because you really do learn so much from it.

Work experience 2--- day 4

Today I priced LOTS of sweets and set them out on display, and went around the shop making sure everythin was tidy. I also cleaned out and re-set the shelf that stocks all of the letters that you hang on your wall and all of the wellies (which were a Mess). I was also in charge of making sure all of the books were neat and tidy.
My biggest job of the day was pricing a load of things for the gift section and helping to set it out on display, which was fun but it took a LONG time.
I can't believe tomorrows the last day! the week went so fast!

Work experience 2--- day 3

Today when i went in the orchard was REALLLYY QUIET, and there wasnt much to do because the stuff coming out wasnt ready to be priced. So i was put on the books again!, you'd be surprised by how messed up it had gotten since yesterday, i did the usual clean around and making sure books were in the right places and then i moved to the front two tables and set them up really nice.. using my new "merchandising" techniques ;) . Then we got a shipment of teatowels with quotes on them, so i had so hang them up (in a very paricular way), After my coffee break, the stuff was ready to be priced So i did all that. Then i helped my supervisor set up the new stock on the shelves and in displays. That brought me up to lunch and then after lunch i had to peel price stickers off books and pack them into boxes to be sent back to easons. It was a good day and im really enjoying myself! :D

Work experience 2 day 2

Today I was really exited to start work seeing how much I loved yesterday! As soon as I got in I was given one of those huge industrial trollies full of stuff to price (me and my pricing gun are now BEST of friends :D when I was finished all of that I was given ANOTHER trolly. Then I was given a big candle table to set up a display with the candles, me being such a Perfectionist I arranged them in order of size, and guess what... I had to price them too :O I love pricing things! The gun is so fun to use :D and I'm getting faster :D woohoo!!!!
When I was done that I did.... More pricing, myself and my pricing gun are best friends now!! I named her Lola !! :D
Then after that I tidied the book and card section! And set up cushion displays :)
I really love work experience and I'm gonna miss it so much when the week is over!

WORK EXPEREINCE 2--- day 1

So today i started my work experience in the home and interiors department of The Orchard Garden Centre and Cafe. When I arrived, I was given a tour of the whole place and shown where everything was, then i was introduced to my supervisor for the day who was lovely. She set me straight to work clearing one of their shelves dusting it down and setting it back up again. She also gave me a few tricks of the trade, when i was finished she brought me out two trollies piled high with new tea sets that I had to price. To do this I had to scan the barcode to see how much they retailed at then enter the price into the price gun, peel off the original price stickers (which were in pounds) and stick on the new prices. Then when i was finished I had to take stock off a shelf and dust it down, put all the original stock onto a trolley and set the new tea sets up on display (which took a while, because of all the different pieces). After that I had to find a new place for the stock that was originally on that shelf and move the things from that onto another shelf! it was all very confusing (but really fun!!!!).
When all of the displays were sorted, I unpacked and priced a new shipping of jewelry and then it was time to go home!!
I really enjoyed the day and all of the staff there were so lovely! I'm really looking forward to tomorrow no!! :)

Mini Company competition

Today we all had our mini-company competition... All the work that we had put in over the past year was finally being displayed.
I was part of the minicompany accessoreyes, and our aim was to provide the Irish market with a brand of interchangeable arms that can be clipped on and off glasses so you can change the colour/seeing of your glasses.
We were working right up until the very last minute as our prototype broke last night so it was all systems go to develop a new idea and mane a new prototype and with the hard work of mr W. (thanks so much sir) we got it done! :D
We had to set up a display stand and do a presentation and an interview and it all went pretty well! However the two judges said that we wouldn't have a product by the next round of the competition so they didn't put us through.
It was a great (but stressful) experience and we learned a lot from it.
We are all a little sad that it's over

Here are the links to our minicompany blog and website:
www.accessoreyes.blogspot.com
www.accessoreyes.webs.com

Book Review- My Sisters Keeper, by Jodi Picoult

My sister’s keeper is a story of a child that sues her parents for the right to her own body. Anna was conceived to be a donor to her sister Kate after she was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. It is set over a time of one and a half weeks and documents the journey of the Fitzgerald family as Anna decides she’s had enough and refuses to donate her kidney to her sister.

The narrative of the story alternates each chapter between different characters, this was a very interesting and captivating technique used by the author and made the novel unique. I liked the way we got to see the story from the point of view of many different people and seeing how they were affected by the events that unfolded

There were many different characters in the novel, however I felt the one that I connected with the most was Anna Fitzgerald. She stands out as the most conflicted character of the novel, and the plotline surrounds her struggle as she refuses to undergo any more medical procedures for the benefit of her sister. She wants to be the best sister she can to Kate, however she is tired of hiding behind her sister and wants to be independent, and although she feels awful about the decision she thinks it is the right thing to do.

The character of Sara Fitzgerald was also very interesting; throughout the novel she is motivated by her duty as a mother to keep Kate alive. This however hinders her relationship with her other two children, Jesse acts out by starting fires and Anna rebels by sueing her parents. Sara’s whole world revolves around Kate’s recovery and she becomes stressed and frustrated due to this.

The novel also had many interesting themes; one of the strongest of these is Love. Love between siblings, parents and children, spouses, boyfriend and girlfriend and even extended family members. The love that stands out the most however is the love between mother and daughter, Sara loves her daughter dearly and could not cope with the thought of her dying, she does everything she can for Kate. We also see love between Anna and Kate, Anna has undergone many operations and medical procedures to try to save her sisters life, and when a dramatic twist occurs in the novel we see that even though what Anna is doing to her sister may kill her, she is keeping her sisters best interests at heart.

The ending of the book was very shocking and effective, I felt that it was a huge climax in the novel and that it left us on edge until the very end.

My sister’s keeper is a very well written book about a very striking issue. Jodi Picoult envisaged the emotions of the characters very well and made the story flow very well. I really enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend it. It is now one of my favourite books and it much much better and more poignant than the film

Saint Brigid

Lately we have been learning about saint Brigid... Here are some of the things that I have learned

Saint Brigid was born in 450 AD in co. Louth
Her mother was Portuguese and her father was a pagan chieftain
Her father named her after the pagan god of fire.
Even though he was a wealthy man, he kept Brigid and her mother as slaves
Brigid was inspired by saint Patrick
Her father wanted her to marry as she was very beautiful... But she found her calling with god and prayed for her beauty to be taken away from her.
She founded many convents and monastries in Ireland the most famous in Kildare
Legend says the king of Kildare offered her as much land as her cloak would cover any by miracle her cloak grew and covered the area that is now the curragh
On the death bed of a dying chieftain who was raging... She weaved a cross from the rushes on the ground and legend says that this calmed the man down.
It is now tradition to make this cross on saint brigids day to protect from fire
Another tradition is laying out cloths on the eve of st. Brigids day and her spirit passesby and blesses them

Scene 1 everybody get in your positions, pay attention and listen

Today, we went to mullingar for the briery gap TY drama competition.
The class split in two and we each wrote a script, and assigned actresses. My groups drama was based on the song concrete angel by martina mcbride, it's a really sad song about child abuse.
The main character in the play was Holly, a seven year old girl who was being abused by her mother. She has a close relationship with her father, but he didn't suspect anything and by the time he realised it was too late!
We based the drama on the lyrics of the song, with some of the most poignant lyrics a main focus
Like "the teacher wonders but she doesn't ask" and "she hides the bruises with the linen and lace". The play was seen through the meighbours eyes, as they read an article about hollys death in the paper, wechose to end the play on the lyric "The neighbours hear but they turn out the lights".
My role in our drama was the director, and even though it was tough and there was a lot of work involved, I really enjoyed it, and have all my fingers an toes crossed that weber through to the next round!

Creative writing

On Monday we had a creative writing workshop in town, it was really good and interesting. When we arrived the girl running the workshop asked for two volunteers, she told them to pretend one of them had a crush on the other ones brother... Then after that we developed an introduction to a story based on what they acted and then we had to finish it off ourselves. I really enjoyed the workshop.

Young scientist

On Friday, all of the tys and second years went to the RDS for the BT young scientist exhibition. There were hundreds of projects there, some of them were very interesting. I really liked the one on criminal motivation. There were also projects from our school in the exhibition, they were also very interesting... One of them was on the news and the radio.
There was also loads of fun stuff to do at the back of the exhibition where lots of different organisations had stands, my favourite was probably the analog devices stand, there were lots of games there, like lifesize operation, a laser room, a balance game and a floor piano. Other stands were also very interesting, at the European union stand I learned how hard it is to use a glovebox and at lots of stands we entered competitions...
It was a great day overall, everyone enjoyed themselves and learned something new :)

BACK TO SCHOOL

Well after a long two weeks of late nights and lie-ins, we're back to school and back into the swing of t.y. life.
A couple of things have changed since we were back, we changed options again, and now I'm in art. I'm really exited for art because I picked it in first year but I never got it and I've always wanted to try it out.
We have also changed Thursday activities, we are now doing Zumba, Massage and Music composition, I cant wait to try them all out on Thursday :)
We're also going out on a trip to he young scientist exhibition on Friday to see some of our own schools projects and we're going to a creative writing workshop for English on monday