Cooking Class In Thailand!

On our last day in Thailand, the class took part in a cooking lesson. We learnt how to make Cha Ta Krai (lemongrass tea)  Gaeng Panaeng (Panaeng curry), Tom Yam Gai (spicy and sour soup with chili jam), and Gluay Buad Chee (banana in coconut milk dessert)! One of the most fascinating skills that I acquired was the technique used in order to cream a coconut correctly. It was so much fun and we put in a lot of effort to make every aspect of the meal look appealing! We all worked collaboratively together and undertook a new challenge of presenting a meal that not only looked appealing but tasted good too and we were impressed with the outcome! Cooking in Thailand was a great way to have fun at the same time as developing our cooking skills!

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 5

Activity: 0

Service: 0

Rock Climbing In Chiang Mai!

On the Thursday of our one week trip to Thailand we went to an awesome climbing spot, a very popular tourist attraction in Chiang Mai for obvious reasons! There were two activities to participate in at this reserve, so our class split into two groups. My group went rock climbing first, which was very scary for me personally. I have always been afraid of heights and have never really had much practice in rock climbing. With the moral support from my group, I was able to face my fears and climb a few of the huge rock walls! It was so much fun, and one of the instructors was helping me by doing small exercises with me to make me more comfortable with the height. When I reached the top of the first wall I climbed, I felt very satisfied and actually very proud of myself! After we had finished with the rock climbing, the groups met back and had lunch. After that our group made our way to a huge cave and were told that we were able to zip line across a cave and rappel down! After having climbed the rocks that did not sound too bad, but I was still a bit nervous. We arrive in the cave after a steep trek, had to climb a few rocks to get to the zip line and then took turns to zip line across. It was so much fun and one of the most memorable experiences from the trip! 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 4
Service: 0

Building a School Playground!

On one of our final days in Thailand, we travelled for two hours to a Chiang Mai school, and spent all day there. When we arrived, someone showed us around the school and where we would be working all day. We were told that we would be building a playground for the younger children who attend the school and we were split into two groups. One group was in charge of measuring wood and using the saw to build the fence that surrounded the playground, and the other group was in charge of shifting sand out of the playground area. I joined the group that was measuring wood and was in charge of measuring how far apart on the fence each plank of wood was supposed to be. This took a while, and it was quite a relief when I had finished this job, as it was an extremely hot day and I was in need of a short water break. After my break I returned to the fence to join the others and nail the planks of wood into the fence frame. After this was complete, it was time for lunch! After we ate we were able to play with the young children! When we returned to the playground after lunch, we were split into two groups again, one large group to paint the fence, and another group to dig a sandpit and build a wall around it. I joined the painting group and painted with the colour blue. Together, the painters created a beautiful fence of alternating colours of the rainbow! Once I had finished my third coat on the blue planks, I joined the sandpit group and dug the sand from outside of the playground into the sandpit. At the end of the day, we were all exhausted! This was a lengthy task, but it was worth it in the end, as the younger children came out of their classrooms and appeared excited and appreciative! 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0

Activity: 0

Service: 8

Elephant Sanctuary!

One of the most memorable experiences in Chiang Mai was the visit to the elephant sanctuary. We spent the day at an elephant sanctuary, a couple of hours away from the centre at which we were staying. When we arrived we fed all of the elephants! The elephants were apparently extremely hungry as they hand yet been fed that day, so we were required to feed the elephants quickly in case they got impatient. We then watched a documentary about elephants and learnt so many important things about elephants in general, and about that elephant sanctuary specifically and the elephants that inhabit it. After lunch we made our way down to a lake and washed some elephants! It was so much fun and the elephants were really cute! After washing the elephants, we were all drenched and so we got changed and made our way back. Seeing such big yet playful animals up close is a lot different to seeing them in, for example, a zoo or a movie. Getting to feed and wash them was an unforgettable experience and was truly surreal. 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 0
Service: 6

White Water Rafting In Chiang Mai!

On our second day in Chiang Mai, our group set out for white water rafting! When we arrived at the location, we were given instructions on how to steer, paddle and avoid falling out of the raft. We were given helmets and paddles and we made our way down to the river. Initially I was a little nervous to get on the raft, as I had never experienced anything like white water rafting before. Everyone got on the raft and we started paddling and eventually I got the hang of it. I was very scared of falling out of the raft, but after a while I realised I needed to forgot about being afraid in order to to concentrate on paddling in time, so that our raft would move smoothly. Our raft was the last to start paddling, but gradually we caught up to everyone else and even overtook some rafts, due to our determination and ability to work as a team. It was a long journey, but eventually we reached the end and it was such an achievement! 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0
Activity: 3
Service 0

Zip Lining In Chiang Mai!

Every two years, the year 10's and 11's travel to Chiang Mai in Thailand. This year it was my turn! We arrived on Monday and set out on many adventures throughout the week. It was an amazing experience and I am so lucky to have been given the opportunity to go on this trip. One of the most memorable experiences was one of the first activities we participated in, and that was zip lining! We travelled to a secluded forest area and prepared for one of the many fun-filled activities that Chiang Mai has to offer. We each got attached to harnesses, put on helmets and ran through a safety instruction course. This was for the people like myself, who had not yet taken part in zip lining. I decided to take a step out of my comfort zone, and was the first to zip line across the long lines that oversaw beautiful rocks, forests and rivers. It was the most extraordinary view I have ever seen and, once I had gotten the hang of it, was lots of fun! This was definitely a new experience for me and something I will never forget. 

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0
Activity: 3
Service: 0

Common Room Clean Ups!

With stressful weeks of school study comes an extremely messy IB common room! For me, it is extremely important that my study room remains clean as I suffer dust allergies and asthma. At times, it is hard to air out the room, as it is winter and it is only the ideal temperature inside if the doors and windows are closed. Every two weeks, the IB common room undergoes a major cleaning spree, thanks to my friends and I. We sweep the floors, open the windows to air the room out, wipe the desks and shelves, dust the rafters above our desks, and organise the books and storage shelves to look neat and tidy! It is fun and satisfying, as when it is all done, we can appreciate the fresh air and clean surroundings. My friends and I all work together in order to complete the task quicker, and I now understand how important it is to maintain a clean and sanitary living environment. In fact, it has inspired me to clean my living and studying space at home, more often!

Hours gained from activity:

Creativity: 0

Activity: 0

Service: 3

Keeping Fit At the Gym!

During my final years in high school,  doing the IB course, it is extremely important to not let study and assignments restrict me from keeping fit and healthy. This year, I was given a gym membership from my mother and I use it three times each week. This provides me with, not only an escape from constantly doing homework, but also a with new experiences and a means of keeping fit. When I first joined the gym, I was slightly reluctant to try the equipment and weight machinery as it was all extremely new to me. I felt drawn to familiar machines such as the treadmill and cross-trainer because I thought I would get a better workout if I knew what I was doing. As I progressed throughout the term, I found myself using the other equipment much more often than before, and experimenting with new creative exercises to ensure long term health benefits. Every Tuesday afternoon, I take part in a "Body Combat" gym class. This class is pre-choreographed and incorporates martial art techniques into a high-energy calorie burning method of keeping fit. These classes have taught me how to engage in class activities in a different way than a school classroom environment. As a result of these classes I have gained new skills and intensely challenged my body in many different ways! 

Hours gained from activity:
Creativity: 0
Activity: 10
Service: 0