EduBlogs Challenge #3 - Global Audience: Earth Hour

The Challenge for this week was to write about your Global Audience, and this got me thinking. I believe this challenge is inspiration, and it has inspired me to write about Earth Hour.
I found this video on the EduBlogs Student Challenge website to be truly beautiful and inspiring.

In 2007, 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses in Sydney turned their lights of for one hour in hope that they would help take a stand against Climate change. Only one year later did this become a global wonder that is still thriving to this very day. Even world landmarks, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Rome’s Colosseum stood in darkness as a symbol of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.


Last Year, over 128 countries and territories took part in Earth Hour, making it the biggest Earth Hour yet. We all stood in darkness for the one thing that is most important to us, the one thing we all have in common - our planet.


Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday the 26th of March at 8.30pm (local time). Try to go beyond the hour; all actions add up. When you turn those light back on, think about what else you can do to make a difference. It is true that one person can change the world.


So I will be there on the fifth Earth Hour, helping our planet, will you?

EduBlogs Challenge #1 - Why Visit me?

So it's that time of year again, for the EduBlogs Student Challenge. I must admit that I have not been blogging as much as I would like to since the last challenge finished, but hopefully I will be seeing this blog a lot more during the course of this Challenge.

In this Challenge, I had to answer a single question: Why you should visit my blog? Well I try to make regular posts, (although lately I have been struggling) and write about the things that interest you. My blog is all about what I love to do, and that is writing. I belive that if you love what you are doing, than people will love the finished product.
I was also advised to recommend some of my previouse blog post to my readers, just to let you know what I am all about.

Take Flight is one of my favourite posts. It is one of the many stories I have written and will continue to.
Mao's Last Dancer is one of my reviews I have done. This is something I don't so a lot of, but will try to more often.
True Friend is a basic poem I wrote a while ago. I will usually put up a poem every now and again.
A Day in the Life of... is something that I do every now and then, a preview of a piece of art I have done. I haven't really done this a lot, but will try to put more up.

So that is what you can expect from my blog. And trust me, you won't be disappointed by what you get. I really hope you stop by again, and enjoy the rest of my blog.

Shame on me

"Fool me once, shame on you," I say, trying to psych my brother up, "fool me twice, shame on me."
"Well begin to feel shameful," he says, "because you're going down, down to the ground."
"I don't think so," I say, I'm going to win this bet. How about...the loser has to dress up in a chicken suit and walk around town for three whole hours."
"A chicken suit?" he says, "you're on. You better find your feathers because I am not loosing to a girl who is two years younger than me."
"Are you sure about that?" I say. "Let's see, if I remember correctly, I've won at least the last four bets we've had. I wouldn't feel so confident if I were you. Here are the rules: First person to get the the park wins. The short cuts aloud, or cutting across gardens, strictly the path mapped out. If you somehow cheat in anyway, the other person wins. Deal?"
"Deal," he says. We shake hands on it."
"Okay," I say, "on your mark, get set, go!" As I say the last word, Max rushes in front of me and blocks my path before I have even started. "Hey!" I say, "two can play at that game." I run to the side and slightly of onto the grass beside the path before running in front of Max and blocking his path so that I am in the lead. He tries to do the same, but I kick myself and speed up out of sight. I hear Max shriek with pain, and turn around to see him lying on the path almost in tears. I stopped running and walk over to him. I give him my hand to help me up, but by grabbing it, he pulls me down. I land in an awkward position, my leg spread out and me landing right on top of it. I scream with pain, and see Max jumping with joy in the distance. I begin to cry. Max skips back over to me with a nasty look on his face. "Nobody likes a cry-baby sis, but lets face it, I'm better than you." He smirks.
"I'm not crying because you won," I say, "I'm crying because what you did to me really hurt me. I can't move my leg! You're disqualified! You cheated!"
"No I didn't," he says, "I tricked you, there is a difference." I hate to admit it, but he's right. "Anyway looser," he continues, "I've gotta get home and order you a chicken suit. Later sis!"He waves as he walk back home. I don't move, I just watch as he abandons me. I pull the leg of my jeans up to reveal blood pouring down my leg. I need Max. I call out to him, but he is so far away that he doesn't hear. I feel around in my back pocket for my mobile phone, but I must have left it at home. I somehow manage to pull myself up, and start limping back home. I reach the road where I need to cross, but a car stops in front of me. The front window winds down, and mum is sitting there is shock. "Andrea! What are you doing? You brother is  at home, I came looking for you. I was so worried!" Tears continue to pour down my face. "He tricked me, I'm in agonising pain. I need help mum. Get me home." She rushes out of the car and helps me into the back seat.
I walk into my bedroom, after having mum rinse my leg and bandage it up. There, laying on my bed is a yellow chicken suit. Max walks in from behind me. "Found one on the way home. Now get dressed, we don't have all day, three hours is a pretty long time."
So here I am, walking around town in a yellow chicken suit. I've already had many rude comments, and still have two hours left of this. That spells out embarrassment for you. But you better watch out Max, because I'll get you next time, I'll make it even, I'll show you...

'Avalon High': Nothing is what it seems

In this modern day movie about a medieval legend, Allie Pennington, who is used to being the new girl in the block, is excited when her Professor parents (who are experts at the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table) decide to stay in one place for an entire three years. (Which is unusual for the Pennington family, who is used to moving every six months.) This means that she will beat her new school to Graduate, make new friends, and be able to try out for the Track and Field team.

Soon after arriving at Avalon high, she realises that something about this school and her fellow classmates is very strange.

She becomes friends with her history partner Miles, and the class president/football quarter-back Will, along with Wills long-term girlfriend Jenn, and meets his 'evil' step brother Marco.

Allie is convinced that Will is the reincarnation of King Arthur, and Marco is his enemy, Mordred.

With the help of Merlin, she must convince Will that his destiny is to save the world, before Mordred destroys him.

But remember, nothing is what it seems.


This is possibly not what some may call 'a typical Disney movie', but all in all, it was definitely better than some movies I have seen recently. With a moral of teamwork and friendship, I am adding this one to my list of favourite Disney movies.

Now showing on Disney Channel. Based on the book by Meg Cabot.

My Family

There is one thing in life, that we seem to forget how important it is, how much we need it, or how much we love it. But it's something that we can't live without, something that will love you back, something that will be there for you no matter what.
Your family is the most important thing in your life, whether you like it or not. They help you grow up, they turn you into something great, and they know that whatever you want to do with your life is the best thing you can do. They trust and care about you. When you love them, they'll love you back.
My family is sometimes strange, sometimes embarrassing, but I've learnt to put that all aside, and think about how lucky I am to have them right there with me, every step of the way.
My brothers have taught me logic, they have made me a smart person, and helped me to excel in school. They teach me things everyday about the world around me.
My dad taught me to be myself. To do what I love, and not let others get in the way of that. He taught me that being yourself is better than being someone else.
And my mum taught me how to live life to the best. She taught me to try whatever I want to try, to believe in my dreams and achieve them.

These four people have made me someone I am proud to be. Someone unlike anyone else. Someone different.
And these four people are the only people I love more than anything. They're strange, embarrassing and a bit quirky, and so am I, that's what makes us family. <3

The true meaning of Christmas

Her name was Natalie. She was selfish and cold hearted. She only cared about herself. Every Christmas, she would get many, many presents, but never gave any. She thought Christmas was all about her.

It was Christmas Eve, and Natalie was counting the presents under the tree. "Thirty-two? That's eight less than last year!" She yelled as her mum came running to her side.
"Natalie, you know that St Nicholas still has to come, you will get more still," her mother said.
"Oh yeah," she said, lighting up. "Anyway, I still have more than Fawn. Hey, where is she? I want to rub it in."
"She is dropping some of her old stuff of at the Bushfire appeal. after that terrible fire, those poor people need all the help they can get." Her mother explained.
"Right," Natalie said, loosing interest, "sounds boring. I'm going to count my presents again."

That night, when Natalie was lying in bed, she heard the sounds of whispering. "Fawn, quit it," she yelled, hitting the wall separating her bedroom from her sisters. She layed back in bed, but the whispers continued. She sat up and looked out the window to see a dark shadow hovering about. She got up from her bed and walked over to the window. She opened the window, to tell whatever it was to leave, but before she could even blink, it floated through the window. It stopped in the middle of the room, beckoning Natalie towards it. "Wh-wh-what are you?" Natalie said, shaking. "What are you doing here, y-y-you have to go, right now!"
"Don't be afraid," the dark figure said, "I am the Christmas Angel, I am not here to hurt you. I am here to help you."
"Help me?" Natalie said, still shaking. "I-I-I don't need any help! You just have to go, or-or-or I'll...I'll scream!" She took a deep breath, but couldn't seem to find her voice. She gasped, trying to speak, but nothing came out.
"Don't waste your breath," said the Angel, "I have taken your voice so you will listen. I shall give it back, if you co-operate with me." Natalie nodded, and her cold, whiny voice was once again back.
"I have come to help you, to show you the real meaning of Christmas," said the Angel again. "You have completely forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. Take my hand, and I will show you." The Angel raised her dark hand, and Natalie unwillingly took hold of it.

They felt themselves spinning, shaking through a whirlwind of whispers. But all of a sudden, they stopped, and Natalie was surprised to see herself in the future, as an elderly lady. She watched herself, desperate to know why she was here. She looked around to see a very empty looking room. She looked back to the elderly version of herself and watch her dial her phone. "Fawn? It's me, Natalie...What do you mean...No, I...But, no, please don't go, I..." She looked at the phone in her hand, her sister had hung up. She placed it on the table in front of her, looking upset. "She, but, I have no one," she said, tears rolling down her face. She cried softly to herself, but no one cared enough anymore to comfort her. She was all alone.

Natalie opened her eyes to see herself lying in her bed, back home. She looked at the clock, it was Christmas day. She ran out of bed and out into the living room to see heaps of present under the tree. She saw her parents and Fawn sitting nearby, so she began tearing the wrapping paper off her gifts. She looked at the present in her hands. This is what Fawn had been hoping she would receive. She remembered what had happened last night, and walked over to Fawn, the present in her hands. She handed it to Fawn, smiling. "What?" said Fawn, looking slightly thankful.
"I want you to have this," said Natalie, "I know you have been wanting this for a long time, and even though I do too, I want you to have it instead." Her parents exchanged surprised looks. Fawn took the present from her hands.
"Thank you Natalie," she said. "but why?"
"Because last night, I realised that some day I might need you, but you won't be there for me, and because I am so lucky to have a sister like you." She said.
Fawn smiled, "I think you just learnt the true meaning of Christmas," she said.
Natalie nodded, with a simple "Merry Christmas!"

EduBlogs Challenge #10 - Blog Audit

Well, this is it, the end of the EduBlogs Student Challenge for 2010.
This week, I have to create an Audit for my blog, answering some given questions.

1. How many posts did you write: I wrote a total of 18 posts in the 2 and a half months that the Challenge went on for, including the posts for the Challenge.
2. How many were school based, your own interests or set by the challenge: My blog is a home blog, so I had no school based posts. My own interest - 10, Set by the Challenge - 8 (One of the Challenges was to create a poll and last week was to prepare yourself for this weeks challenge, so I only actually had to write 8 posts.)
3. How many comments did you receive from classmates, teachers or overseas students: Too many to count, and thank you to all those who did visit my blog and comment on it, I am very grateful.
4. Which post received the most comments? Why do you think that happened: My most popular post at the ending of the Student Challenge was actually Peace, Love and a Few Simple Words. I think this was very popular, because it is a message I wrote to the readers. I was expressing my feelings, in terms of my writing to my readers. It is something different that I haven't really done before, but I was lucky, because it paid off.
5. Which post did you enjoy writing the most and why: I have two. From my own personal interest, I chose The Toy Doll. When I wrote this, I could see it happening in mt mind, which I believe is one of the qualities to being a great and successful writer. For the Challenge, I chose The area in which I live in, because I learnt a lot about my home in the period of time in which I was writing it. I learnt how lucky I was to live in such a unique and wonderful place.
6. Did you change blog themes at all and why: No, I didn't, because I wanted my blog to be recognisable when you log on to it. I like the theme I have chosen because it is not too distracting, because it is very simple.
7. How many widgets do you have? Do you think this is too many or not enough: I have 13 widgets, which sometimes I think is too many. Some of them (like the search engine) I think are pretty important, and that should stay on my blog, but others I think maybe don't have to be there.

The second part of this challenge was to get the readers to answer some questions:

1. What were your first impressions of this blog?
2. What captured your attention?
3. What distracted you on the blog?
4. What suggestions can you give me to improve my blog?

Please answer in a comment below.

Thank you again for letting me be a part of such a fun challenge. I have definitely developed some blogging skills that I will use when writing.