I started the most unusual CAS-activity late last week. The National Novel Writing Month!
Read all about them at http://www.nanowrimo.org
The challenge is to write 50,000 words (that's approximately 175 pages) in only one month! The aim is to get rid of the writer's block and improve your skills as a writer.
My account: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/439883
9,076 words so far! 10k approaching...
More about that soon.
CAS you later,
M
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Monday, 22 September 2008
You know what they say: Muxxy, she's a marshmallow
I'm really enthusiastic about this whole horseback riding thing, it's already so rewarding! I learn something entirely new every day, and I make friends in the meantime. I've gotten my muscles sore like never before, which, by the way, I find good, because it shows me I've actually done something physically challenging.
How do you get sore in the stables, you wonder. Well, first you haul over 400 litres of water to the outside pastures, pour them for the horses 27 litres at a time. And then you get on a horse that does absolutely nothing you tell it to. It's good excercise so that I have to stay on guard all the time. If my focus slips for one second, I won't be able to get that particular horse moving ever again. I'm not lying! It's lazy, it's overweight, it drools until you're soaking wet, and I love that little meatball to bits! :) I do get emotionally attached to things, and Mindy was the first horse I ever rode with, really. My friend, who goes to the same stables as I, thinks it's a complete waste of time, Mindy is. Call me a marshmallow if you wish, but that girlie is my baby, forever and ever.
I got a great compliment last Wednesday that really boosted up my performance in choir. We have this vocal trainer coming every week, and we all get a 15-minute session with him, where he tells us what we individually need to remember when singing. I'm the highest soprano, which, in itself, is nervewrecking. I mean, if I miss a high note on a solo, everyone will hear it. But what I heard from this trainer is that I have an exceptionally clear soprano. Meaning I actually hit all those high notes I never in a million years thought I would! He gave me some great instructions on how to improve the volume and quality of my voice. Apparently I just need to open my mouth more, and not be afraid to use my muscles more. With his advice, I could be able to sing the high soprano solo in Gaccini's (I'll have to take a raincheck on the name...) Ave Maria. It's extremely hard and includes a solo. Right now we only have two people, including myself, singing that bit of the song. It's a very popular version of Ave Maria, absolutely gorgeous, so you can imagine that I don't want to be the one ruining the entire masterpiece!!
But apparently, I won't have to worry about that. I'll start practising in front of the mirror to get the effect that I need.
I'm also thinking about adding some more action to my CAS program. Right now horseback riding seems to be the only one, and cleaning the stables might give something, but I still want something that has a clear, achievable goal. So, my mom and I decided to take part in this marching/walking-happening that takes place every August (if I remember correctly) in our hometown. We are going to take longer and longer walks, starting soon, leading to a 10 kilometer-walk in August. 10 km seems like a good pitstop in between, and if it's fun and we want to continue, the year after that we're aiming at twenty! It's going to be really nice, taking long walks in nature (and in town), especially because I enjoy the different seasons so much. All the red leaves in the autumn, the snow in the winter....... I'm sensing some awesomeness!!
That's it for today, I'll keep you updated on any fantastic events!
CAS you later,
Muxxy
How do you get sore in the stables, you wonder. Well, first you haul over 400 litres of water to the outside pastures, pour them for the horses 27 litres at a time. And then you get on a horse that does absolutely nothing you tell it to. It's good excercise so that I have to stay on guard all the time. If my focus slips for one second, I won't be able to get that particular horse moving ever again. I'm not lying! It's lazy, it's overweight, it drools until you're soaking wet, and I love that little meatball to bits! :) I do get emotionally attached to things, and Mindy was the first horse I ever rode with, really. My friend, who goes to the same stables as I, thinks it's a complete waste of time, Mindy is. Call me a marshmallow if you wish, but that girlie is my baby, forever and ever.
I got a great compliment last Wednesday that really boosted up my performance in choir. We have this vocal trainer coming every week, and we all get a 15-minute session with him, where he tells us what we individually need to remember when singing. I'm the highest soprano, which, in itself, is nervewrecking. I mean, if I miss a high note on a solo, everyone will hear it. But what I heard from this trainer is that I have an exceptionally clear soprano. Meaning I actually hit all those high notes I never in a million years thought I would! He gave me some great instructions on how to improve the volume and quality of my voice. Apparently I just need to open my mouth more, and not be afraid to use my muscles more. With his advice, I could be able to sing the high soprano solo in Gaccini's (I'll have to take a raincheck on the name...) Ave Maria. It's extremely hard and includes a solo. Right now we only have two people, including myself, singing that bit of the song. It's a very popular version of Ave Maria, absolutely gorgeous, so you can imagine that I don't want to be the one ruining the entire masterpiece!!
But apparently, I won't have to worry about that. I'll start practising in front of the mirror to get the effect that I need.
I'm also thinking about adding some more action to my CAS program. Right now horseback riding seems to be the only one, and cleaning the stables might give something, but I still want something that has a clear, achievable goal. So, my mom and I decided to take part in this marching/walking-happening that takes place every August (if I remember correctly) in our hometown. We are going to take longer and longer walks, starting soon, leading to a 10 kilometer-walk in August. 10 km seems like a good pitstop in between, and if it's fun and we want to continue, the year after that we're aiming at twenty! It's going to be really nice, taking long walks in nature (and in town), especially because I enjoy the different seasons so much. All the red leaves in the autumn, the snow in the winter....... I'm sensing some awesomeness!!
That's it for today, I'll keep you updated on any fantastic events!
CAS you later,
Muxxy
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Muxxy and the life Equī-tic
Whoever said horseback riding isn't really a sport obviously never tried it himself. I just came back from my first ever horseback riding lesson, and I had so much fun! It was hard, but I enjoyed it with all my being. The horses are all so kind and I didn't fall, which in itself is an accomplishment! Altogether, I spent seven hours at the stables, cleaning, riding and making new friends!
When I got to the stables in the morning I was really excited. When I was younger I used to be a total horse-freak, with my walls covered in different kinds of horse-posters. Now that I'm over the fanatic phase I can start enjoying it as a sport in itself. I was a little concerned that being the only person over 10 in the beginners' lesson would make me lose my interest. But really, if you're thinking about riding that shouldn't be the thing to stop you. I had so much fun I barely even noticed any others! My friend was by my side the whole time, helping and instructing me as we went. It was difficult trying to stay on the horse at first, but when I got used to her step and the rhythm, I could focus on other things, like trying to keep my posture. It might sound easy, but when you've got twenty other things to keep in mind, posture isn't the one on the top of your priority list.
All the instructors were really nice, although they were worried I wouldn't be able to keep up with the rest, who had already practiced the basics earlier. But, as I found out, I was doing all the stuff the others were doing as well, thanks to the great instructions I got along the way. I was even able to trot with the others. On my first horseback riding lesson ever! Needless to say I felt very happy. I could actually do all those things, like volts and trot, stopping and backing up. The instructor said I was a very fast learner. I think I have a reason to be proud of my accomplishments. I can hardly wait until the next time!!
I'll post some pictures and more stuff later.
Until next time,
Muxxy
When I got to the stables in the morning I was really excited. When I was younger I used to be a total horse-freak, with my walls covered in different kinds of horse-posters. Now that I'm over the fanatic phase I can start enjoying it as a sport in itself. I was a little concerned that being the only person over 10 in the beginners' lesson would make me lose my interest. But really, if you're thinking about riding that shouldn't be the thing to stop you. I had so much fun I barely even noticed any others! My friend was by my side the whole time, helping and instructing me as we went. It was difficult trying to stay on the horse at first, but when I got used to her step and the rhythm, I could focus on other things, like trying to keep my posture. It might sound easy, but when you've got twenty other things to keep in mind, posture isn't the one on the top of your priority list.
All the instructors were really nice, although they were worried I wouldn't be able to keep up with the rest, who had already practiced the basics earlier. But, as I found out, I was doing all the stuff the others were doing as well, thanks to the great instructions I got along the way. I was even able to trot with the others. On my first horseback riding lesson ever! Needless to say I felt very happy. I could actually do all those things, like volts and trot, stopping and backing up. The instructor said I was a very fast learner. I think I have a reason to be proud of my accomplishments. I can hardly wait until the next time!!
I'll post some pictures and more stuff later.
Until next time,
Muxxy
Thursday, 4 September 2008
I was accepted into IB and all I got was CAS
Greetings!
For those of you who have not heard about the wonders of the IB Program, I'll give a 411:
IB is a two-year program, corresponding to upper secondary school (or high school in some countries). All the schools all over the world follow the same syllabus, and the result of all the hard work is an IB Diploma.
IB stands for International Baccalaureate, by the way. If you know what it means, it truly means you're an IB student.
And then there's this wonderful thing called CAS. I heard it was supposed to be terrible, but thanks to all the fine changes (thank you IBO) it's actually easier now.
I'll bomb you with a link that explains the basic idea.
http://www.qhhs.org/ib/cas/info.htm
I tried going through it and it seems up to date.
The point of this blog is that I document my CAS activities and maybe share some info with new/old/current IB students all over the world.
Your comments are more than welcome, I would be happy to know what other people think, or if they're experiencing the same stuff themselves.
CAS you later,
Muxxy
For those of you who have not heard about the wonders of the IB Program, I'll give a 411:
IB is a two-year program, corresponding to upper secondary school (or high school in some countries). All the schools all over the world follow the same syllabus, and the result of all the hard work is an IB Diploma.
IB stands for International Baccalaureate, by the way. If you know what it means, it truly means you're an IB student.
And then there's this wonderful thing called CAS. I heard it was supposed to be terrible, but thanks to all the fine changes (thank you IBO) it's actually easier now.
I'll bomb you with a link that explains the basic idea.
http://www.qhhs.org/ib/cas/info.htm
I tried going through it and it seems up to date.
The point of this blog is that I document my CAS activities and maybe share some info with new/old/current IB students all over the world.
Your comments are more than welcome, I would be happy to know what other people think, or if they're experiencing the same stuff themselves.
CAS you later,
Muxxy
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