It's almost the end of the school year and we were done with our final for Language Arts. So, our teacher, Mr. Laffin, had decided for us to watch a video. It's called "God's Children".
It is about the people in Philippine that lives at a garbage dump (Smokey Mountain [or something]). It is about a time when that garbage dump had fallen down and buried some alive. Others were left and had to suffer for survival. The problem is that they need money. The garbage is where their money came from. They sold them to earn money for a living. But without it their families would have to starve and resist from certain diseases.

The main food source of those people, are rice. Some may have to struggle with the help of yams they planted. And because they are poor, they could only (at least) afford rice and salt. They also drank unclean water. If you walked around their houses, you'll see that they are mostly made out of metal boards and wood.
I think the main purpose of this video is to show us how lucky we are right now. There are a lot more others that need money. If you can, try and help these people out!! =]

Original News: http://www.livemint.com/2009/06/11002508/Poverty-in-India-more-than-est.html?h=B

The World Bank suggested on June 10 that the real poverty may raise higher than the estimates. It was already occurring over four states (Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Assam).

Study had been made and interviews had also started to happen with families in those villages.
People are know taking actions for helping the poor decrease the number of deaths and illnesses.
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This is a short news article? Yeah.... I know =]

After reading the book, we decided to watch the movie too. When the movie ended, we started discuss about it. We talked about the similarities and the differences between the book and the movie.
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The movie of White Fang is interesting in some ways and yet weird too. What makes it interesting is the order the way they planned the scenes to be at. At the beginning, it started with this boy who wanted to go with two other man and find gold. And at about the same time, a pup was born. Kind of brown and not gray. He, WF, was born in a whole in the ground. There's not much of the information about White Fang's childhood. (There's no sign of the dad, One Eye.)

The characters kind of had different names but about the same role as the original. There's no Weedon Scott and , or Judge Scott. No San Francisco. Some scenes had been skipped and extras are added to make the whole movie smoother. In the book, Beauty Smith doesn't look like that. He's suppose to be REALLY ugly. (Not that I mean he is handsome or something... =P.)
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The book contained shtained more description of White Fang's birth. Kiche, the she-wolf, doesn't die! She went to the Indian village with White Fang. There's no Lip-Lip (in the movie) at the camp too! Of course, the book is longer than the movie. =P There are ships!! And there's some description about White Fang's siblings. There's also no scene which White Fang saved the "so-called-Weedon-Scott" from a bear! 0_o
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But of all the differences between the book and the movie, there's still some similarities. (Of course, what I said above may not be the only ones. There are more!) They have the same title "WHITE FANG". And yes, Beauty Smith is mean and harmed White Fang. When the "so-called-Weedon-Scott" tried to leave, White Fang jumps out of the window (both in the movie and the book).

Have you read the book or seen the movie? If you have... Which one do you prefer? The "NEW" version or the "ORIGINAL" version?

I GO FOR THE "ORIGINAL" version.... YEAH!! =]

Okay everybody! This is the book reflection post! We read a book called "White Fang" during our Language Arts class....

This is the cover of our book.


For a quick summary of White Fang (if you haven't read it and is interested in reading), you can go to SparkNotes.

After reading this book, there's some reflecting to do~~
Questions...? Ready? Begin!!

1) Did you like the book?
It was OKAY... =]

2) Why or why not?
I don't really LOVE this book... But it's 'cool' for me... I like dogs, but I just don't like to read 'dog' books... (WOLVES~~?)... Yeah. Weird me, right? >0<

3) Would you suggest someone to read the book?
I would suggest this book to those who likes to read:
- Adventurous
- About Animal (dogs and wolves)
- About Fighting
- About the WILD and Nature
- About a kinda of 'real-life' story.
- About 'something's' live story.
- And those who just loves to read books!~ =]

4) Why or why not?
It's like a hobby. You can carry it with you and read everywhere (almost, under certain circumstances... lol) =]

AND SO, THAT'S BASICALLY THE END OF MY REFLECTION JOB~~ C YA NEXT TIME!! =]

I perched on the top of the trees and looked down to the western shores of Hudson Bay. There, a few campers had settled down. All the time, I've been watching them with my keen eyes. They ate, laughed, and told jokes together. But the last part, which made me set out my moves, was when they left the campfire, and got into their tents. They had gone to bed early because during the next early morning, they would be fishing out in the lake.

I calculated the right moment and make sure nobody is truly awake, before I flew down to their campsite. The campfire was still burning brightly. I hopped around the log seats, trying to find scraps of food they've left. I found some pieces of fish and some bread crumbs. My tummy grumbled. It's still not enough.

Just as I was feeling sad of hunger, I felt a faint breeze of warmth. A warmth of hope? I quickly turned my head towards where it came from. A tent. The breeze came from one of the tents. The human inside must have forgot to zip the opening. Muahahaha!! Carefully, I stepped inside and onto the soft blankets. Aha! There, in the hands of one of them, lay a bag of opened crackers!! My dinner today was some fish, bread crumbs, and a bag of crackers. =]

When the sun was about to rise, the campers had set out to their canoes. Acting innocent, I landed on the bow of one of the canoes. My plan for today is to steal whatever that's edible and good tasting.

A man crouched down near the shore and began to wash some tools with soap. I flew down beside him and silently took the soap away. I wonder what this taste like..! After a small peck of my beak, I jerked back screaming "Ca-ca-ca!". It's disgusting and unnatural.

My call had echoed within the mountains and sounded like a signal to all other birds of my kind. From far away, I saw a flock of them, flying to where I am now. And plus, the campers had noticed me. They are now going to keep an eye on me, for they now what I am and what I'll do...

But the flock had suddenly changed their directions! Maybe it's just a coincidence that they came! Right now, the campers are setting traps and putting out baits. I stared at the baits for a long time and had finally decided. I'm going to steal it for my breakfast. Within minutes, I had damaged some trappers and took out 4 of the baits. The campers were so pissed off, they tried to use a stick and hunt me down. It seems like they have made a lot of effort making the traps.

After a few hours, they caught a great black duck. Then, the slaughtered it and laid it out to dry. Oops! They had forgot me, the stealer!!! When all of their backs turned the opposite directions, I skipped down from the bow and began munching away the entire breast of the duck. Today was pretty lucky, I thought.

The following catch was great! They caught a beaver and had it skinned. They left the beaver at the same place where they've put the duck. Right then, they noticed the missing part of the duck and looked my way. There I was again, trying to steal. Again, they tried to hit me and capture me with the net. Their faces seemed as hungry as me!

Unfortunately, for them, I flew off back onto the same tree I perched on when I arrived here. I guess I will just need to fly off, looking for insects, spiders, berries, and other small animals to feed on...

It's a story about a boy that had been cursed to have bad lucks. He was captured due to the crime of stealing shoes and was sent to Camp Green Lake. If you go to Camp Green Lake, all you do is to dig holes. Why they are to dig holes? It's not to turn them into good boys, but like slaves that are needed to find a treasure. What happens then?

It's a very good book. Me, myself, dislike reading... hehe... But this book is interesting for all of us to read. Read and enjoy as much as I do!! =]

AGAIN... This is not my original country I am suppose to be doing. I've found this article and thought I'd share. It's short, ok~~?
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The Kenya's president had promised to punish the people that was involved with the outbreak of violence; which lead 29 people dead in the central town on Monday. The police say that local residents had decided to fight the 60 suspected members of Mungiki (banned) that had threatened them for money.

LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8012974.stm

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I found this news article quite interesting so I've desided to share this rather than the news of my country — Sudan.
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BY: DUNNO WHO... > <

TIME: APRIL 12, 2009
WHERE: Somalia
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Pirates have gradually attacked ships off Somalia's (a country in Africa) coast. They capture some and damaged some. The pirates would usually force the preys to give them money, then free them.
AHH!!!! HELP PRIATE ATTACKS!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, OR RATHER SWIM FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

The pirates then took the American captain, Richard Phillips and held hostage in at a life boat.
Currently, the American navy is trying to get him out.

Although the American navy tried to save him, they say that 4 pirates fired at them in order to prevent them from coming closer.

They couldn't get Captain Phillip to land safely, but the rest of his crews are. His crews said that the reason they were safe was because their captain had risked his life for all of his crews.

LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7990000/newsid_7995700/7995705.stm
Picture LINK: http://www.examiner.com/x-6953-Newark-World-News-Examiner~y2009m4d12-US-Captain-rescued-Somali-pirates-shot-dead

We read two African Stories in our Humanities class. Just press the title of the stories below, and it'll bring you to the websites. What I am sharing, explains a short summary of the story.

The Three Tests: A Swahili Tale of Choices

In this story, it tells about Prince Sadaka finding his other brothers for fathers. Their father missed the missing sons but was too old to sail across the Indian Ocean.

On the way there, he met some friends — living creatures (not humans — animals & spirits). He helped them by feeding and accompany them.

Prince Sadaka got to the island of Pemba and saw boats in the harbor. He knew the sultan of Pemba was very bad tempered. Sadaka had no choice, but ask the old man. He replied by requesting if Sadaka could pass his three tests.

With the help of the animals & spirits he helped, he was able to pass all of the tests.
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Basically, this story explains to us that they believe in having conversations with creatures and getting their helps.
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Fafi's Sheep

This is a story about a boy and his dream of having a sheep like
all the others. One day he got one from his parents and was so very happy. He rode on it, not knowing the sheep was uncomfortable with it. The sheep ran away from him and landed at a garden. The owner of the garden founds out and beat the boy up. Luckily, he was able to run away, still chasing the sheep. Troubles were followed as he continued to chance it. Suddenly, the sheep went and joined the other sheep ahead. How can he find his sheep within so many that looked the same?? To find out... read it!! ^ ^

My Photo Journal — Wednesday:

This is where I live. The red-brownish apartment. I usually wake up at around 7:15. That's because I live in Jubei and if I need to get to school on time, I will need to wake up early.

BREAKFAST TIME!

During 7:15 to 7:45, I would eat my breakfast with my family. But sometimes, we would eat in the car. Here you can see my mom driving us to school...

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Working...

This is my school: Hsinchu International School. This is where I study as a seven grader.

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LEARN ALL YOU CAN!

Before my actual first class, I go to "Advisory". This is when all of the seven graders gather up before class. Today is A Day on Thursday. During the A Days, we study Science, Wellness, Independent Learning, and Language Arts.
But on B Days, we have Humanities, Math, Creative Writing, and Music.

(This picture was taken during Language Arts)
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HUNGRY?
And then LUNCH! Yeah!!!

After lunch, I can't just sit right back to my seat. So, I gave a little walk with my friends.

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YEAH!!!

After school, some of the HIS students would go outside and have fun socializing. They would go out to 7-11 or out to the court and play basketball.

(This is 2 of the girls in my class: Stephaine (left) and Sandra (right). Crazy, aren't they?)
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SPORT~~~~

Yep, then it's after school! Together, my cousin, my brother, and I went aboard on our car.
On Wednesday, we did not just going straight home, but to somewhere else. To soccer!!! Yeah! I love playing soccer!!
This is our class~~ Last Year... =]


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It's been tiring and hot after all the running and kicking. Let's go home!!!!

Of all the exercising, we will feel hungry~ Sometimes we would go home, and sometimes we will eat the things Mom bought at the mall.
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Yeah. You know what's next? Homework!!!
Usually, after doing my homework, I would go down stairs and have fun on the tambourine.

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Kids in Africa live a different live then us. They lives are poorer and have less technology so, their lives are difficult. Rural Life...

Even though their environment is different then ours, they do a lot of what we also do now. They enjoy exercising like skipping ropes, baseball, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and having fun playing the drums. They also enjoy Drama Club Play (dance, songs, acting).

In some homes today, we have helpers to clean the house for families. But in Africa, they don't really have enough money. So, they did all the chores by themselves. They watered the garden with bare feet, harvesting crops like corn, yams, and cassava. Did house chores like, sweeping with the prayier (a broom mad of grassy reeds) & other cleanings, washing clothes & hanging them out under the sun to dry, and all other kinds. When they wash their clothes, few have washing machines and were mostly done with their own hands. Sometimes they must wash clothes at community springs. They don't have water pipes, so that's why they have central drinking fountain for water. It works by using a card or pay for water. Most of the kids of the families would get up early to collect water.

Painters use colorants (chemicals?) instead of natural materials from NATURE.
Their houses are made out of mud-bricks and corrugated steel siding. The buildings that most of us live in are usually made of cement. Plus, some Africans don't have electricity for lights, so the have to use oil lamps instead.

Their food includes "Kenkey", a kind of corn dumpling that's steamed. It could be added with all kinds of tasty spices. They have snacks just like we do. We, unlike them, go to little shops and buy "already-made" food from like, Seven-Eleven. Whereas they have to use outdoor cook stoves to make traditional treats. Some kids cook their own food and live in boarding schools.

There are no high rises or sidewalks, usually. Most of the areas are grassy, don't have too many hills or trees, little water, and are like dry savannas.

Because they are poor (some), most of them are farmers. They use terraces to grow crops (bananas, corn, onions). Then, use cows for lawn cut. They have lettuce fields and use a special kind of vegetable (kachumbari) to make special salads (nyamachoma) served with roasted meat dish. They use "arrowroots" (crop) in sauces or cookies. Most of the people there, shop at second-handed shops, and have grocery stnds. There's not too many shops.

One important thing that I've noticed about them, is that they help each other in hard circumstances. =]

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Like the previous blog post, this is also about Tanzania... =]

BOOF! TRAIN CRASH!!! WOAH!

The police of Tanzania suspected that the train crash was caused for stealing the petroleum from the tanks.

The driver, the station master, plus seven people had been arrested. It was thought to have caused 15 deaths.

((I guess the police is still figuring it out... Not a lot o information, really... For more info, go to the link below.))

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7972019.stm

At least eleven people were dead after the fall of the gold mine of north-western Tanzania. Those miners used hand tools to dig at a depth of about 140 meters. Something happened and all those 11 miners were trapped inside the pit at the town of Geita.

Geita was attracted by many miners because of the gold that was discovered there in the early 1900s. But the correspondents say that the prospectors' activities are highly unregulated, resulting in dangerous practices.

IN GENERAL

Who: 11 miners
When: Saturday
Where: Geira
What: Got buried.
Why: There's gold there and the activities causes dangerous issues...

((Common News, I think))

Link for the picture and the news article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7971910.stm

1. WHO must be jailed?
2. Why does she need to be arrested?

These are the TWO questions that you are going to find out!!
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1. Who must be jailed?
An actress star of "Nollywood" and a former beauty queen... **Note: Not sure if it's "Nollywood" or "Hollywood"... Maybe, "Jollywood"? lol

2. Why does she need to be arrested?
People say tat she killed Dr. Giwa Suraji during a car crash on one of Lagos' highway.

Ibinabo Fiberesima the lady, tried to searched her files, and used her wealth and the connections to avoid jail. The magistrate said that she could either choose to go to jail or pay a 100,000 naira ($678, £467) instead.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7954582.stm
Picture link: http://gnaija.ning.com/profiles/blogs/nigeria-news-justice-deborah

There has been floods in Namibia. The flood had caused food shortage. It had damaged fields of crops, houses, schools, roads, and health centers have been destroyed. The rising of the waters brought crocodiles and hippos in. And now, they are swimming in the waters finding people to kill. The flood had killed at least 90 people.

Although the rain had stopped, the great damaged caused thousands of people to wait some times before they could all return home.

Namibia’s President, Hifikepunye Pohanba, declared the emergency in the six northern districts. He also called the international community. There’s this problem. the aid workers fear that the floods may carry diseases like cholera and malaria.

I wonder when all those people would be able to get home or settle in another place.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7952422.stm
Picture link: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/06/content_6482007_2.htm

At first, we did our borders due to the mountains and the rivers. But after we've done so much work on the drawings... I found the importance of the social group relationships... But, instead of turning back, we wanted to continue...

If we could turn back, I would look closer and observe the social group relationships. And then decide where I should put the boundaries?

You see, we did this:
- put the borders without knowing what we were doing. (For an easy start)
- Figure out the rest...

Perhaps, it's not a strong country?

1. If you lived in part of Kenbrena where you did not have energy resources, what could you do to survive?

I could maybe depend on the others or move to another place to live.

2. "To have a strong country, it is best to have only rich people with financial control." Support or refute that statement.

Not really, I refute. I think even though people may be poor, they may have smart brains!

Therefore, if the government gave him/she a chance, then they could work with others and build up a strong country.

3. "People of different levels of wealth may not love one another, bu they might need each other." Support or refute that statement.

Sometimes it's true and sometimes not. Of course, we all need each other. But, "People of different levels of wealth may not love one another..." can change. If they think they are good to be with them, then it's a yes. If they love one another no matter what, then it's a no!

In humanities class, we studied about a fictional piece of land named Kenbrena.

Here are two questions:
1. What are some possible reasons for some groups in Kenbrena to be friendly to each other while other groups do not get along?

Here's what I think:

Positive:

Maybe the people from each tribes, depend on each other. They trade goods and get the resources they need to survive. People can also make friends due to some similarities they have in common. Therefore, each tribe would form a friendly connection.

Negative:
- Cultures (Religious beliefs & languages)
- Laws
- Land (Geographical features)
- Thinking
- Political views
- Class (levels)
- Population
- Jobs & economy

It's kinda like the "black & white" people issue back then.

2. Is there a social group above that makes you think of yourself or your family?

I think we are kinda like the Social Group 6: Franklos, the get along part... But I don't think the rest are "totally" the same.

The question is this:
When Alfred Wegener proposed his Continental Drift Hypothesis, he was not believed partially because he was not a trained geologist. He was actually trained in meteorology. Do you think the scientists were fair when they poinetd out?

Well, I think that it's not fair for Alfred Wegener. Although he was not actually trained in meteorology, he had done researches about the Continental Drift. He found many evidences.
Now, scientists today considered "Continental Drift" as how the continents was formed.

Probably, those who believe in the "baked apple" theory, were just trying to find excuses. Maybe they felt embarrassed? Hah~

To see more about with the Continental Drift, click HERE.