Usher for Gala Concert

It was hard for me to get this activity since Mr.Moussay could not trust me because of what happened few days before this activity

Kom Tum Field Trip

At the beginning of grade 12, for our last school field trip, we went to Kom Tum. A small town located in the Central Highlands region. Near the borders of both Laos and Cambodia.

To go there we had to take the plane, I have to say it was the worst flight ever. When we finally arrived; our luggages were not arrived yet.

It felt like a nightmare. On the way to our hotel, even frustrated I noticed the beautiful landscapes. The first night was not so great as we could only wear our old clothes. Thankfully the missing luggages came in the morning. First day we went tracking and it was the best experience ever. I left with the group first and arrived first. I thought it was so fun, I could not stop. Since we went into the rizieres my shoes went all wet, so I decided to take my shoes off; of course everyone thought it was the worse idea, but I did not care , I could not walk with blisters and wet shoes/socks.

I honestly enjoyed all the activities, i did not even had to force myself, i just took part of it and had fun.

Trecking: i have always loved climbing and walking in the wild so this activity was extra fun. We were sighseeing and working out, we saw how alot of people in the country live. We bathed in the water as it was so hot, and since it was quite muddy in the rizieres, i decided to take off my shoes. The guide and everyone thought i was mad, but my feet are used to walk on rocks and any type of "floor".

Teaching students: Maybe one of the most challenging ones to go to, as the cars could not go throught, Peter and i just decided to walk and other friends joined, it was quite one of a walk but so fun as the air was so pure, no noise.. when arrived at the school, we learned some facts about the school, the students, the program, then we organized our activities for the students. Before teaching we had lunch, in their canteen. Teaching the students was something i thought i could never do as i am very impatient with people, but since i was my group leader, i forced myself to be calm, and in the end, i thought it wasn't even bad, the children listened and i think they enjoyed it. ( honestly, i thought it was harder to talk with my group than the children ). And of course, after some hard work, we played sports, i did not participate in that, i was just watching because it was mainly boys playing. Walking back to our buses was one of a work out, Abeer, Peter and I decided to race. A tragic accident occured on the way back to our hotel, which was very scary... But thankgod no one got seriously hurt. Some of my bus people decided to wait in the middle of the road so that Bus 1 ( Who had the accident ) could go back to the hotel first. I could have went with them but i decided to stay and i was very pround of myself to have let other people go there first since i was not tired and i was fine with the idea of waiting for an hour or two.

The last day, we visited Orphanage 1 ( with the nuns ). Once again, we listened to the "boss" of the orghange, which was very interesting. SOme of us went to back bread, some others tought english i think, and others including myself went to see the orphans. I have always loved some children and babies, so we just took care of them and gave them some attention. I got attached to this little baby boy called Bom ( i am not sure how to spell it ) and he was just sleeping in my arms for a very very long time. But when he woke up, we got along and i just brought him everywhere i went; we visited where they were making bread, shared 1 bread, talked to everyone...I felt that he was very happy. But not until the end, it hit me that i will never see him again after this, and i got pretty sad because its not fair to them how maybe they get attached to visitors and then they get left again...it must be very hard for them since they already got abandoned by their parents.

Orphanage 2: it was maybe more "fun" because the kids were older. With Mrs. Favret, we made masks with them, and of course since I always have such good ideas, I created a trend : feathers on a headband. It was mad, they all came up to us and BEGGED for us to make them one as well. Another thing I was very proud of. For hours and hours we just played with them, chased them, carried them… it was so much fun, no one cared about how we looked like ( sweaty ) and just had fun. The other group came and we continued playing for another hour. Maybe a problem was that since I speak Vietnamese I always tried to talk to them, but there only a few people can understand Vietnamese.

At night, they made a bond-fire and danced, we joined. And then again, it hit me because I realized once again that I will not see them again… I was talking to Mr. Moussay about it; this is actually very selfish to visit them and have so much fun because when we leave, it will be over. But he told me that we can always send them useful things etc…

In the end, I realized only while writing this reflection that it was a very touchy, challenging field trip. I loved it and I am happy in a way that it was our last grade 12 field trip ever, it will be in my memory for ever.

Usher for art auction.

I had some issues coming there in time ( 30 minutes late ). At least the supervisors told me that i did great with the choice of my outfit ( i was very formal and suited for the occasion ).

We were told to stay in "Part 3" of the silent auction which means i had to stand there and make sure the clients would put their auction number, their name and the price; which was quite a settle job. I worked for 4 hours but it did not seem that long as i witnessed the auction which was pretty exciting. It appeared there was some issues about my partner and i leaving without notice which was not true, i specially gave my badge and said goodbye, but apparently they did not see me.

I will very accomplished after this ushering as for the first time i witnessed an auction.

ISHCMC Great Wall

Since i am an art student i thought it would be fun to participate in the ISHCMC Great Wall which consists of choosing an outline of a ISHCMC student, put it on a projector and sketch the outline. I chose about 6 outlines and pasted them on the wall next to the canteen. Younger students would later on fill them up with color paint. There was some difficulties such as choosing quick enough the outlines and make sure they fit on the wall etc.

Unfortunately i have no photograph of me working.

Usher for the grade 12 graduation

All the ushers had to come a day earlier to observer the opera house and get comfortable with the seat numbers to make sure if a parent is lost we can always tell them where to go.

The day of the graduation, i was standing in front of the door and handed in the program brochure. I was very welcoming and polite, people would ask me questions and i would answer them.

Once all the parents/guests arrived and were seated i closed the doors and took a seat myself.

Operation Healthy Heart

At the beginning of this school year, i have joined the Operation Healthy Heart.

Attending the weekly lunch time meetings is not what i do best, but collecting money was my forte. We organized 2 bake sales. I love bake sales as i get to bake cakes. This time i baked 2 chocolate cakes and one lemon cake. Took me most of my evening but it was worth it, they were gone after 5minutes of sale. Great success.

Choir

Location
In-School

Dates:
September 09, 2008 to January 01, 2009

Supervisor:
Performingarts_Head@ishcmc.edu.vn

Choir activity, was i think really fun, not only there was alot of entertaiment, but we also learnt songs. When i was in Switzerland for the winter holidays, i heard the songs i had studied, and it felt good to hear them. The only thing i regret is to not have done the Christmas Carol thing.
I would have really liked to participate but could not. I know next year i will join for sure, because it was a great experience. At first, i thought it was boring, you know always singing, sitting up, down, and everything, but after 2weeks, i actually enjoyed it alot.
i still remember the songs :) There is this feeling when you sing in choir, it is so powerful and meaningful! i enjoyed it a lot.
It was such a vivid activity. You make new friends, and earn new skills!

Family Fun Day

Details:

Location
In-School

Dates:
September 14, 2008 to September 14, 2008

Supervisor:
Mr.Moussay/a Parent.

I came in a little bit too early, not really knowing what i was supposed to be do in the next few 3hours. After a while, a teacher came to us and explain to each one of us showing where our game place will be. Mine was FLIP A COIN and i was the only one "taking care" of that game.
It was a bad choice i think, because that day was so hot! I had to pick up each 200dong coin everytime, and it was super tiring because each children received about 20coins. so basicly it was give the coins, explain what to do, pick up the coins (that were on the floor, and the floor was like mousse, so its almost impossible to pick them up), tell the children where to get their prices.
The parents were not always very nice, neither for the children.
I did not enjoy that activity. Tiring, Hot, and not well treated. I do not recommend it to anyone. Maybe it would be alright if there are two persons, for example, one that explains, and then other one that is responsible for the coins. Coins were the big problem, too light, too thin.

Huyen Sy Charity School

Details:
Location
Out-of-School

Dates:
October 27, 2008 to October 27, 2008

Supervisor:
Fabien Moussay.

I have started this activities since October 27th, 2008.
When Chau, Duong and i saw this activity available on the OLC, we thought it was a good idea to give out something we know (english) and have fun at the same time. I remember the first time i went, i was quite scared and the children were also; the first time Chau could not come, so i had a great plan, ask our friend Abeer Mehra to replace Chau for a day. In the end, he quite liked it, and decided to sign up. So now we are four students teaching there, and i think it is better, because three people was the maximum but sometimes one of us cannot attend, and then we are missing something, but if we are four, there are lots of advantages, Also we are feeling less scared, and we are sure we do not miss any students.
I have to admit i have not attended enough classes, because thursdays after schools, are not great for me. i will though make efforts to attend every week.
Let me tell you how we prepare and everything. First, we always plan our classes in lunches, because we are all together around a table, it is easy to communicate. One of us writes the classes plan and later shows it to Mr.Moussay. Mr.Moussay, nicely helps us with the tools(?) like he brings a big bucket of papers, pencils, cards, etc...
We only teach basic english, the things you NEED to know. Some of them are happy to learn and some, just fool around, maybe we should become more strict.