Week 3 Day 4 Activity 3 - Wise Words

For this activity, please identify someone in your life who is a role model to you. This could be a parent, grandparent, neighbour, minister, imam, rabbi etc. Please ask them to share one piece of wisdom (advice) with you that they think you and your blog readers should hear.

On your blog, share this wisdom with your readers.

I chose my dad since I think he's very wise.   A piece of advice I've heard him tell me once is " Those who do nothing get everything " and by that he means most people who don't really do much get the most.  That's how the world is these days, like lets take the Kardashians as an example, and they are a perfect example.  They don't have a special talent, they aren't hard working, they do practically no work, yet they get everything anyone could ever imagine.  While others like my Dad do so much, and they deserve the whole world, yet they don't get as much as those who do nothing.  It's literally comparing farmers to celebrities who've done nothing to get to where they are now.  

What's something wise you would tell someone

Week 3 Day 2 Activity 1 - Through Careful Observation

For this activity, we would like you to select one of the pictures below and to study or observe it closely. What do you see?

On your blog, describe the painting in detail. What do you see when you look at it? Please give us as much detail as you can!

This is a piece called Starry Night by Vincent Van Gough.

When I look at this painting the first thing that grabs my attention is the night sky.  It's swirls and texture define the painting.  It looks almost as if the swirls are melting and merging into one another if you scan your eyes across it.  I believe it's the colours he's chosen to work with that's created that illusion.  Below the night sky is a small village.  There are a few houses and you can see that some are still awake while the others are asleep, judging by the lights.  Over to the left is this massive black rotting tree or bush.  I'm not quite sure what it is, but it sure makes the painting a lot more interesting.

Photo Link

Week 3 Day 3 Activity 2 - The Right To An Education

For this activity, we would like you like you to write a short story. The story can be about anything that you wish but to receive full points it must be at least 10 sentences long!

On your blog, share your short story. We can’t wait to read it!

Tomorrow is my birthday and it's currently 11:55 PM .  Although birthdays are supposed to be exciting, I wouldn't quite depict this one to be exciting.  It's terrifying.  The world is overpopulated and so the government decided to make a system which is to kill off some people once they turn 18.  If you get a green dot you continue to live, but if you get a red dot you die at 12:12.  They made it 12:12 so you get a chance to say your goodbyes before you pass.  They made this system 2 years ago.  My sister got lucky, but my brother on the other hand...  I don't want to leave this earth at this age, I'm far to young to disappear.  I have so many things ahead of me. It's currently 11:59 and I'm counting down my last seconds of being 17, being safe.  3, please let it be green, 2, I don't want to die , 1 * Ding * it struck to midnight. 

Week 4 Day 5 Activity 3 - Last Activity

For this activity, please reflect on your experience with the Summer Learning Journey programme this year.

On your blog please tell us:

1. Which activity you enjoyed the most - Would probably be Against The Odds since I loved writing down things about my friends and family whom I treasure the most.
2. Which activity you enjoyed the least - I found all of the activities I did really fun.
3. Three things that you learned while completing the programme - I learned so many things about different people who have impacted and changed our world such as Greta Thunberg, Usain Bolt and Thomas Edison.  I more about my home while doing the Worth Her Weight In Gold activity.  I learned a lot more about sportsmen such as Venus and Serena Williams. 
4. What changes/improvements you would make to the programme for next year - There could be more drawing/art activities. 

I enjoyed participating this year's SLJ since last summer's was really fun, so I had to do this summer's SLJ.

Image Link 

Week 3 Day 5 Activity 3 - Choose Your Own

You have now made it to the end of Week 3 and have earned the right to choose your very own scientist, technologist, or inventor who you think has changed the world. There are no right or wrong choices for this activity, so find someone who interests you and tell us about them on your blog. It could be someone from your family, church or community or someone famous that you admire.

Here are some starting points in case you get stuck:

Karl Benz 

Karl Benz was a German engine designer, automobile engineer.  He created the first ever car.  Cars are essential, as humans we've got to travel and an easy and more convenient way to travel is by car.  If you have a car you wouldn't need to use the bus, your bike, or other transportation.  

Thomas Edison, Hiram Maxim & Joseph Swan 

These three men invented the light bulb.  Yes light bulbs may seem so very simple, but looks can be deceiving.  Light bulbs are in fact so very complex.  The first success of the light bulb lasted for 13.5 hours.  Light bulbs are in every household and building.  If it weren't for these men we would be living in the dark, literally!  

Image Attributions:

Karl Benz Photo Link

Thomas Edison Photo Link

Week 2 Day 5 Activity 3 - Choose your own

You have now made it to the end of Week 2 and have earned the chance to choose your very own politician or activist who you think has changed the world. There are no right or wrong choices for this activity, so find someone who interests you and tell us about them on your blog. It could be someone from your family, church, community and/or someone famous who you admire.

Greta Thunberg 

Greta is a 16 year old climate and environmental activist.  I believe Greta has changed our world in many ways.  Our world is currently slowly suffering climate change, but Greta is doing everything she can to try and prevent any further damages.  She is a big inspiration to all ages.  She's lead many strikes and has inspired others all across the world to do strikes for climate's justice as well.  She's so young, yet has so much wisdom and thought.  I believe that if we work as one we can truly stop climate change and prevent any further damages.  For everyone's sake. 

Week 1 Day 5 Activity 3 - Own Choice

You have now made it to the end of Week 1 and have the chance to choose your very own sportsperson or explorer who you think has changed the world. There are no right or wrong choices for this activity, so find someone who interests you and tell us about them on your blog. It could be someone from your family, church, community or someone famous who you admire.

Usain Bolt:

I believe Usian changed the world since he's the fastest person in the world. He is considered as the greatest sprinter of all time.  He broke the world record with 9.69 for the 100 m sprint, and he improved with 9.58 in another race.  He has broken the 200 meters world record twice! With 19.30 in 2008 and 19.19 in 2009.  Many people look up to Usain Bolt, such as myself.  Although I'm not the fastest person I still try my best in races, and Usain is the first person that comes to mind when I'm doing races.  He's a big inspiration for not only me, but also millions of people all around the world.  I believe Usain has changed the world not only for his immensely incredible speed, but also for inspiring people, for being a role model. 

Week 3 Day 4 Activity 2 - iMiko

For this activity please think about your own health and well-being (hauora). What do you, or those in your family, do to stay healthy?

On your blog, share five things that you do to stay healthy and strong.

Some things my family and I do to stay strong and healthy:

Eat healthy food such as vegetables and fruit - 5 + a day :)

Have a balanced diet between sweet and healthy

Stay active by going out on bike rides

Swimming 

Go out for runs

Work on the farm

Week 2 Day 1 Activity 2 - School Strike For Climate

For this activity, we would like you to explore the School Strike for Climate Australia website.

On your blog, list three facts (things) that you learned, and include a photograph of something that you are doing around home to help the environment.

The Things I Learned:

1 - Changes in the climate can be measured in ice cores which provide records stretching back 800,000 years!

2 - Australia is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change experiencing forms of dangerous floods, drought, fires and heatwaves ( poor Aussie :'( )

3 - The primary source of these gases are fossil foil. 

Things I do around my area to help the environment:

Something that I do is pick up rubbish that's on the side of the road.  Whenever I go on the farm with my dad and I have to walk behind sheep or cattle I pick up any rubbish I see.  Once I filled up a plastic bag with rubbish I saw.  There's usually beer bottles, plastic wrapper, I even picked up a nappy once!  I don't have a picture of me doing it since I don't bring my phone on the farm.  

Image Attribution Link

Week 3 Day 1 Activity 2 - Influencers

For this activity please imagine that you had the chance to create your own YouTube channel. What would it be about? What kinds of videos would you create and post?

On your blog, write a description of the YouTube channel you would like to create.

I won't lie, I have attempted to make a YouTube channel, but that didn't really go anywhere and it was made in 2017.  

If I were to create a YouTube channel now, I would probably base it on art since I have an interest for it.  I would post time lapse videos of me drawing or painting because I think that would look really cool.  I would also probably have tutorials on how to draw certain things.  I'd also create videos based on how to improve your drawing skills, basically a tips video.  I think that would be very cool, but I don't think I myself can gain a good YouTube platform.  I owe it to all YouTubers, so many people think that being a YouTuber isn't a proper job, but they have done a spectacular job.  A lot of them have millions of subscribers, like Liza Koshy, David Dobrick and James Charles.  They've all worked hard to get where they are now and they've proven haters that being a YouTuber can actually get you somewhere.  

Image Link 

Week 3 Day 5 Activity 2 - Caine's Arcade

For this activity we would like to know about your favourite game. It can be a board game, a card game, a game that you play outside with friends (e.g., rugby) or a quiet game that you play by yourself.

On your blog, tell us about your favourite game. What is it called? How do you play it?

Bullrush

Bullrush is a tackling game and the rules are quite simple.  How me and my friends play it is that 1,2 or 3 people start in the middle of the field and are in.  Basically you have to try and get pass them without getting tackled.  If you get tackled you are automatically in and have to try and tackle the other players who aren't.  The game is a repetitive, but fun one.  You repeat these steps till there's only one person remaining, and that person left has to be in for the next round. 

Week 4 Day 3 Activity 1 - Screen Legends

For this activity, we would love to know more about your interests (passions) and your future plans. What do you think that you would like to do when you are older? Do you have a specific job in mind?

On your blog, please tell us about your future plans (i.e. what you plan to do when you finish high school or college). Would you prefer to start working right away or to continue with your studies?

Passions: 

My two main passions would have to be art and cooking/baking.  I love cooking and baking since it's just fun in general, it's a good skill to have and a bonus is you get to eat what you create afterwards.  I love art, my main style is sketching realistically.  I've been drawing since I was 6 or 7 ( I'm currently 13 ) and my art has progressed over the past few years.  I try to make the things I draw look as realistic as possible.  I mainly draw portraits of people.  What I usually do is search up or take a photo of something and try to replicate it as best as I can.  What I really want to do is draw each member of my family and frame it for a Christmas present. I enjoy drawing since I can display my creativity onto paper and make it visualized.

Future Plans:

I'm only 13 so I don't really have any future plans, but one thing I'm definitely going to keep doing is art since I've been doing it for a while and I want to expand my skills.  I would prefer to continue with my studies, and have a part time job, although that might be difficult I think I'd manage.

Here are some drawings, I haven't really drawn lately since I've been busy.
The drawing on the left is of one of my favourite singers, Alessia Cara, and the drawing on the right is of my brother.

Week 4 Day 3 Activity 2 - Plot Points

For this activity, imagine that you had the chance to write your own movie. What would it be about? Who would be your main characters? What are the important events that would take place?

On your blog, provide a synopsis (overview) of your movie. In particular, tell us the name of your movie, the main events that take place in your movie and the names of the main characters. If you wish, you could do this as a storyboard.

18

For my movie I'd base it on the world being overpopulated.  The story line would be when you turn 18 a coloured dot appears on your hand.  If the dot is green that means you get to live, but if the dot is red that means you have to die.  If there are twins their dot will be yellow and they have to choose which twin dies.  

The main character would be a girl named Charli.  Charli and her friends Chase, Avani and Anthony are about to turn 18.  They have 2 weeks to accomplish their mission.  Their mission is to try and figure out a way to dysfunction the government's system of killing of people.  

Throughout their journey they have to overcome obstacles that get thrown their way.  

Synopsis:
The world is overpopulated.  There is a system to decrease overpopulation, which is when someone turns 18 a dot appears on their hand.  Their future is litteraly in the palm of their hand.  Charli and her friends Chase, Avani and Anthony have 2 weeks before they turn 18, and with those 2 weeks they will try to kill the system.  

Charli D'amelio Image Link

Week 4 Day 2 Activity 1 - Muscos

For this activity, please give us a list of your ‘Top 5’ favourite artists (singers or bands) and your ‘Top 5’ favourite songs. They can be from any time period and any genre (type) of music.

On your blog, post lists of your Top 5 Artists and your Top 5 Songs.

Top 5 Artists:

1 - Billie Eilish 

2 - Ruel

3 - Alessia Cara

4 - Shawn Mendes 

5 - XXXTENTACION 

Top 5 Songs:

1 - Like Drops In The Ocean by Kayden

2 - Eastside by Benny Blanco

3 - Everything I wanted by Billie Eilish

4 - Painkiller by Ruel

5 - SAD! by XXXTENTACION

Billie Eilish Image Link

Week 4 Day 1 Activity 3 - The Diary Of Anne Frank

For this activity, we would like you to imagine that you have a diary. In your diary please write a story about your most extraordinary day. What happened? You can tell us about an actual event or you can make one up. It’s totally up to you! Please be as creative as you can.

On your blog, post a diary entry about your extraordinary day. Please start your post with the words “Dear Diary”.

Dear Diary,

The world is overpopulated.  To choose who goes and who stays everyone aged 13 - 18 must go through a course of fears.  Everyday something occurs.  It's all a test, and whoever survives the week will get to stay on earth.  Today is Monday and the first fear to overcome was height.  I was chucked into a plane.  The plane had no one else inside, there were no pilots controlling it.  The plane was about to crash.  Everything was malfunctioning.  I was at the very back of the plane.  I needed to control it before I crashed.  The course only lasted 30 minutes.  As I made it to the front I tried my best to steer it, but nothing was working!  I looked ahead and I was so close to crashing.  3, I'm going to die, 2, I'll never see my friends or family again, 1.  My heart skipped a beat as I opened my eyes.  I made it through the first course.  I don't think I'm going to survive the week ahead. 

Week 2 Day 3 Activity 3 - Belle Of The Ball

For this activity, choose a book that you like and write a short review of it. In the review, tell us what the book is about and what you like about it.

On your blog, share your book review with a photo or illustration (drawing) of the book.

The book I've chose to write a short review of is The Giver

The Giver is a book written by Lois Lowry.  This book has a very interesting concept to it, that's why I enjoy reading it occasionally.   The Giver is mainly revolved around a teenage boy named Jonas.  Jonas lives in a community where there is no war, no hunger, no pain, no colour.  When children turn a certain age they will be assigned to a job they'll have in the community for the rest of their lives.  They choose the job for each child depending on how their childhood has been.  For example if a kid liked helping out old people during their childhood they would be assigned to work at a home.  Jonas had a very special and strange childhood.   Within the community no one was able to see colour, but Jonas he was special.  Sometimes ocassionally strange things would occur and he would see colour.  

I wont spoil too much incase any of you guys want to read the book or watch the movie.  I reccomend the book for children 11 +.

Image Link 

SLJ Day 5 Activity 1 - Against The Odds

For this activity, we would like to learn more about the things that are important to you.

On your blog, please share three things that you treasure and say why they are treasures to you.

My Family - My family mean the absolute world to me since they are my rock.  I have 3 younger siblings.  Two brothers and a sister, their names are Brianna, Bryce & Bruce.  Although they can be the most annoying beings on earth at times, they are still my siblings and I love them to the moon and back and life without them wouldn't be a life worth living.  My parent's names are Diana & Bruce.  They have supported me in so many ways possible, they've had to put up with all of my bad days and good days, and I appreciate and look up to them so much.  They all bring joy into my life and they are the ones who are closest to my heart and I love all of them so much. 

My Friends - My friends are all so wholesome people and I love every single one of them.  They are all goofy and weird and that's why I became friends with them in the first place.  I love all of their individual personality traits since they are all unique.  Since I'm starting high school this year I'm not going to be able to see nearly all of them, (except for 2) nearly everyday.  Some of my previous friends either moved onto high school or moved away and the distance kicked in and we started losing touch, and now all I've got are old memories that will never be forgotten.  I feel like once you find friends that are truly genuine you should never let them go because it's quite hard finding genuine friends that match up to your own personality.  

New Zealand & The Philippines - Both NZ & The PH are my home countries, and although I've only spent 4 out of 13 years of my life in The Philippines, half of my heart belongs there since that's where I was born and that's where majority of my family are.  NZ is where I currently am, and I think it's where I'm most definitely going to live the rest of my life in.   NZ is where my mum and I started a brand new life.  Although both countries are so very different in many ways they both have one thing in common, which is the kindness that people hold.  

Image Link - Philippines Flag, NZ Flag

SLJ Week 4 Day 4 Activity 3 - Top Secret Street Art

For this activity, take a look at the Christchurch street art website and choose two different pieces of artwork. Look carefully at both pieces of art, and identify similarities and differences between the two.

On your blog, post screenshots of the two different pieces of art that you have chosen. Below the pictures tell us about the similarities and differences that you see in the two pieces of street art.

Both artworks are of elephants, but they are both two completely different styles.  The one on the right is a realistic piece, while the other one on the left is more of a zentangle type.   There are many elephants on the left, while on the right there's only a single one.  The elephant on the right has a sunset background, while the elephants on the left has a murky green scenery behind them.  They are both very detailed in different ways.  The Elephants on the left have several bold black lines and curves that stand out, while the elephant on the right is very detailed, but they way the artist has created has made it look so realistic it's insane. 

Image Attributions Links:  Left, Right 

SLJ Week 2 Day 1 Activity 3 - Dear Jacinda

For this activity, please write a letter that includes the issue you have chosen, why you have chosen it, and what you would like our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, to do about it. It is your job to persuade us (and her!) that it’s an important issue.

On your blog, share your letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Dear Jacinda Adern,

As New Zealand's Prime Minister you probably have the most important role to play.   I myself am just an average teenager from a small town in the West Coast South Island, but I have one big aspiration which is to decrease the litter in our country.

Yes NZ might have claimed bronze for the 'top 20 most beautiful countries 2019', and I am very grateful to be living in Aotearoa, but there is yet so much rubbish scattered all over our country.  

It's 2020, a new year, a new decade, and things need to change for the better.  I believe polluting our country isn't the way to go.  And yes I know that our country isn't as severe as other countries around the world such as China, or Saudi Arabia, but we could at least start on our small country and slowly lean towards the rest of the world.  

The plastic pollution isn't only affecting nature, but is also causing damage towards wildlife. Let's take the kiwi for an example. Once there were estimated around 12 million kiwis all over the world, now there are only 68,000 remaining.  If we don't do anything about this issue there will be consequences involved.  There are many alternatives for plastic and there are many ways we can prevent people from littering. 

Alternatives I Think More People Should Use:


Metal Straws - Metal straws were introduced to New Zealand only in 2018.  I believe that the more people that use metal straws, the less there'll be litter since so many people use plastic straws every hour of every day and it's just creating more disaster.

Water Bottles To Refill Instead Of Buying Plastic Bottles @ Shops - Using water bottles instead of buying a water filled plastic bottle is a lot better for the environment and a bonus, it tastes better!

Using Creativity & Art To Encourage People To Use Rubbish Bins:

A creative idea is to paint rubbish bins to make them stand out.  I think that if we use bright colours it most definitely will get people's attention.  Leaving bins the way they are won't catch people's eye's.  There are many talented artists in New Zealand such as Miranda Jane Caird, she's from Raglan and her art is phenomenal.  She paints shoes, clothing, hats and I bet she can make rubbish bins look as gorgeous.  There are also children from schools that could have bin painting as a project to make their bins in their region look fabulous. 

I know not everyone is a litter bug, but I live near a very small community called Moana and for a math project last year, my friend and I decided to go around Moana and pick up any rubbish we saw.  We placed each items in a category such as beer bottles, hair ties etc.  There was an astonishing amount of rubbish we had collected.  There were beer bottles, hair ties, plastic wrappers, even baby wipes! but the most amount of litter were cigarettes.


I believe that NZ can maintain a beautiful country if we all put in the effort.  One thing I'm really proud of New Zealand for doing is banning plastic bags from supermarkets.  It has definitely improved the way kiwis shop.

Image Attribution Links:
Miranda Jane Caird Art Link
Mama Nature Link 
Kiwi Link
Water Bottle Link
Rubbish On NZ Beach Link
Lake Brunner Link

SLJ Day 4 Activity 3 - Worth Her Weight In Gold

For this activity, imagine that you were asked to create a travel brochure for Tonga (or a country that is important to you). On the brochure, include lots of great tips about what to see and do in the country.

On your blog, post your finished copy of your brochure.

I chose to create a brochure for The Philippines since it's where I come from and Philippines is a cool place to travel to. 

Image Links:  Manila, Chocolate Hills & Boracay White Beach 

SLJ Day 4 Activity 2 - What's In A Name?

For this activity, imagine that you were allowed to change your name to anything that you wanted.

On your blog, tell us what you would change your name to and why you would choose that name.

When I was little I didn't really like my name, but over the years I've gotten used to it and started to like it more.  If I were to change my name to anything I would probably change it to Maggie or Rose since I like both names and they both have a special meaning behind it.  Maggie's the name of our family dog and so is Rosie, but she passed in 2017.  She was very special to us, especially my Dad.  Maggie was given to us back in 2015 or 2016, her owners loved her so much, but they thought that our family would love her so much since her previous owner was very sick. 
 (Maggie Left, Rosie Right )

SLJ Day 4 Individual Pursuits Activity 1 - Making A Racket

For this activity, watch these videos about Serena and Venus Williams.

On your blog, tell us three things that you learned from watching these videos, as well as one thing you would still like to know.

1: Although in 2017 Serena was the highest paid female athlete she was number 51 overall and that just goes to show how unbalanced the payment that goes towards sportsmen is.  I knew that men get payed more, but I didn't know how immensely they do.  

2: In 2005 Venus won Wimbledon in what was the longest women's finals in history. 

3: Serena has earned over $80M during her career, winning 25 grand slams.

One thing I would still want to know is when they'll equalize athlete's pay.

Image Attribution Link

SLJ Day 3 Activity 3 - Achieving Our Dreams

For this activity, choose a friend or family member and ask them what their dream job would be. Please then brainstorm six ways in which you could support them in achieving their dream job.

On your blog, present your ideas as a poster or infographic.

For this activity I chose to ask my friend Kyle what his dream job is.

He said 3 different jobs, but I selected a builder.

1: Be supportive  

2: Give him advice on things he could improve on

3: Help him in anyway possible 

4: Keep him positive and motivated when things get difficult by giving motivational talks  

5: Help him study and quiz him

6: Be a nice friend :)

Image Attribution Link