History

Here is some history I have done recently about the Vietnamese War

7-03-12

Background Research:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/psources/index.html

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Questions on Doc. 1:

• How do you know this is a primary source?

I know this is a primary source as at the bottom of the page it says:  Source: Department of State Bulletin, November 15, 1954. This shows that this document is a State document and must be truthful to the original document. Since it is also on this website which claims to only hold primary sources and is a trustworthy site it must be a primary source.

• What are E’s central concerns regarding Vietnam in the after math of the Geneva conference?

The main concerns are that the country is weak as it has been divided into military groups. Also it has been weakened by war. This, I think is worrying to America as it leaves Vietnam open to communist attack from China or Russia.

• Why do hundreds of thousands of” loyal Vietnamese citizens” want to move?

As American aid is not being brought to them, and they cannot stay in the country any longer because of the lack of food and water.

• What “political ideology” is abhorred (hated)?

A non-capitalist government which does not support the wishes of the free people of Vietnam is spoken against by Eisenhower.  Or a foreign ideology which I believe is communism which America abhorred.

• On what grounds is America offering its help?

    On the grounds that the Vietnamese government fight against the communist regime and                                                respond “to the nationalist aspirations of its people” such that capitalism remains strong in the      country.

• Is there an expected return on this offer?

Yes, there is an expectant return on the offer of aid. As America expects that if they give aid then the Vietnamese government will put in the effort in to protect themselves from communist beliefs.

“The Government of the United States expects that this aid will be met by performance on the part of the Government of Vietnam “.

Shadowlands

In religion class today we watched the movie Shadow lands. It was about the life of C.S Lewis, his religious beliefs and losses in life. It was interesting to see the story behind the novel The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Which I read when I was 11 years old. I did not know that C.S Lewis went through such suffering and loss in his life due to the deaths of his mother and wife. 


It really is an interesting movie to watch. As it shows death and grieving in a new and interesting light. And it also reveals reasons behind his much loved writing.




                               

"Swim a Mile With a Smile"

Before the Easter break our year had a talk from Brian Daly about a swim we are doing in aid of Barretstown and Crumlin Hospital. We are taking part in "Swim a Mile" which is in the National Aquatic Centre and is on next Friday.

I have a keen interest in swimming already so I really look forward to this. I also admire Brian and all charity workers as in the talk I learned about the great work Barretstown does to help and support families of sick children and how it gives them a well deserved break and is a happy place to go. And I am very happy to "swim a mile" for this very worthwhile charity!

Heres a link to the swim's website and details

Is mise an mealltóir... Is ainmhí mé.

Dia Dhuit gach duine.

 

Anois i mo rhang gaeilge táimid ag déanamh an dráma. "Phádraigín is ainm dom" é an ainm atá ar an dráma. Tá sé faoi cailín óg agus thug sí drugaí as an mealltóir (is mise an mealltóir). Tá a lán línte agam agus táim ag foghlaim mo línte gach lá. Beidh an dráma ar súil tar éis Cáis  tá mé ar bís agus tá sceitimíní an domhain orm!

 

Tá mo chara Kate ag scríobh faoi an dráma freisin tá "link" anseo ag dul go dtí a blog...

For all those non Irish speaking viewers heres my blog translated:


We are doing a drama at school called "Patricia is my name". Its about a young drug addict who takes drugs from a drug dealer( I play the drug dealer). I have loads of lines to learn and cant wait to perform it after Easter.
 I also provided a link to my friends blog...

Brave Force (forced to be brave!)

Last Wednesday most of our year travelled to Puddenhill, Co. Meath for an assault course. Basically it was a track through fields with pools of mud, hay stacks to jump over, ropes to climb and streams and rivers to swim through. It was freezing cold but I gave it my best shot, yes none of our school came first in the race but we thoroughly enjoyed the day! I arrived home that evening with bruised knees, soaked clothes and both physically and mentally drained. I'm glad I did it as its a personal acheivment I'm proud of.







Heres a link to the Brave Force website:

"Jabba Jabba Jembe!!!"

Last week my class did a drumming class. We learned all about African drumming and the traditions behind the drums.


We also learned about the "drum language", this is a method of understanding the rhythms. Its through vocal noises made to sound like the drum beats like for example, Boom Patta Boom Patta Boom Patta Patta. This tells you the rhythms length and beat, I really like this method of learning music as it is far more memorable and realistic than counting 1, 2, 3 etc. I play the clarinet and learned to play it in the "correct musical" way but learning to count rhythms this way was much better. I enjoyed playing music this fun and rhythmic way!

We played on various different drum types here are some pictures of them...
This is a Jembe drum
https://www.google.ie/se.1.5-1l4l0&gs_l891l2j1q=djembe+drum&oq=dj
This is a kenkeni drum
https://www.google.ie/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source

I really enjoyed this day. Especially learning about the African dances and traditions.

Work Experience...

I spent me week in the K Club kitchen, Straffan. I'm so tired after it, I did loads of work from 9 to 5 every day! I spent me days cooking rashers, chopping cucumbers, carrots, celery and peppers. Shaping pastry and helping to make the salads during service when the chefs were really busy. I enjoyed talking to the chefs, waiters and kitchen porters who passed through the kitchen everyday. It opened my eyes up to how people interact with one another under stressful service situations. On the last day I made a lemon drizzle cake. Now perhaps it didn't work out how I planned it to but I would blame the huge mixers that were about the size of my oven and the fact that the oven was far hotter than any oven I'd used before so my cake came out slightly on the blacker side. But my fellow employees seemed to enjoy it. I really did enjoy this week I spent as it was so different to my first week where I was in an office situation. I don't think that cheffing is the job for me as it is very stressful and it is long and hard hours according to chefs I talked to. However I still had a really great week!

St Brigids Trip!

Wow what  a great day!

It all started off in the Kildare town Heritage Centre. We watched a video showing us about the history of Kildare town, its ancient beginnings and development over time. After we went to the Cathedral where Brigid began her historic, religious journey. In just a simple wooden church she started preaching the word of God, and since then the church has been made into a large and may I add quite cold and draughty church. In it we saw relics and shields and swords used in her time also we saw tombs which to my amazement contain the remains of the bodies in them.

Next we went to the Kildare Outlet centre where i got a much needed Laté in Star Bucks. After we had lunch in the church centre. We then set off on a long windy walk through the Curragh to the 2 St. Brigids Wells. Where we said the rosary and reflected on life. We then took the long trek back to the Outlet Centre for another round of coffee and sleep on the bus home.

Altogether the day was very enjoyable. I was so surprised at how relaxed and spititual it was at the wells, I never expected it to impact me in this way. I came home feeling relaxed, rejuvinated, spiritual and a little bit sore on my feet and voice after the long walk and non stop chatting. That evening getting off the bus most of us had big red cheeks from the freezing cold wind which if you lived in a warmer climate you probably wouldnt understand. But here in Ireland we call it wind burn! I really think that by visiting the well I feel closer to Brigid as it feels as though I've walked in her footsteps...


Heres the well where we said the rosary. You can see pieces of ribbon and cloth tied to the tree. They are from visitors or people who either leave them their to be blessed by Brigid or to thank Brigid for blessing them. This is an old tradition that takes place at many wells across Ireland.

Source: Google Images, http://www.google.ie/imgresq=kildare+town+st+brigids+well&hl=en&rlz=1T4TSEH_enIE398IE399&b

My Drama Filled Day!

What a great day. Today we travelled all the way to Mullingar, County Westmeath (not Meath, you have to get it right!). The bus journey went by very quickly as we had a great time playing "eye spy" and listening to music. After an hour we arrived in the vibrant and bustling Mullingar (slight exaggeration). My class were not competing in the competition but the other 4 groups that were looked so nervous as we got off the bus. They were constantly glancing at the script and reciting lines to themselves.






When we went into the large auditorium they seemed intimidated as it was much larger than practising in a classroom which they were used to. Soon the competition got underway, as Midterm Break by Seamus Heaney went first. I thought they carried the emotions very effectively as yet it seemed more quiet and unspoken than the others it still had a sad and poignant message behind it.




Next was a play about girls and relationships and how they can have sad and brutal endings. This play was very realistic and blunt due to the great acting skills. And the issues dealt with are realistic. Next was Concrete Angel, a play based on a song. This I thought was a great idea and it made me very sad to see what some children have to deal with. The acting skills in this play were great too, with effective pauses and great projection of voice. The final play was Tich Miller, also based on a poem. The tragic ending was not quite as dramatic or load as the other plays but more effective in my opinion as the emotions you feel are up to the viewer.



Altogether I was very impressed with all the plays and I thought they were up to a very high standard. The only negative comment would be that at times it was difficult to understand what was being said but that is only minor. I am very proud to say that these plays are from my school and really enjoyed watching them. However emotional and sad they are.

After watching our schools plays we went to Mac. Donald's for a cheese burger and chips. By then I was starving so this really hit the spot! However calorie packed it was. After this we went back to the theatre just in time to see a scene from Playboy of the Western World. I thought this was brilliant. Although some actors did stand out to be more impressive than others compared to in our school the talent was more rounded (not being biased or anything!).

After this we went back on the bus to go home.We were definitely less energetic on the way back as all the watching had us tired out! By the time we got home there was a bit of a shock. Did we have to go back to class? No! The thought of going in to french seemed unbearable (that's what Transition Year does to you!). Luckily it wasn't so, we waited for the final bell to go and went home. Now that I look back on the day I see how fun it was. Thanks to our great actresses and English teachers! :)

Eye Candy!

My Mini Company group is, Lisa, Kate, Emma, Eimear, Emma and I. Our product is called Eye Candy and is a disposable eye shadow. Simple peel off the protective film, place it on your eye and rub in (gently for a more soft colour and stronger for a bold colour). Repeat this for the other eye. Eye Candy is brilliant for those in a hurry as it takes less than 1 minute to apply or people who want absolutely perfect eyes. It is also great for people with visual impairments so that they find it easier too. 

   We have already sold 22  of our stock so far and are ordering more. We are selling them for €4.50 and we think that this is great value because you can use each pair three times. We really hope to do well in the competition next months. Here is a picture of  what an eye look like... 

BT Young Scientist Competition :)

So tired but proud of myself and my group for competing in the Young Scientist competition.






Our project was the "Surfboard Solver App" which is an App. for the iPhone focusing on surfers and especially beginner surfers needs. One main feature of the App. is that it helps beginner surfers to find which type, size, brand of surfboard suits them. We got this information from a surf expert in Bundoran, Donegal. Other features are a Tips Page, Swell Reports, Best Beaches map, Surf School Page, Gallery and Events Page. We didn't win anything but we did get great feedback from visitors and made loads of new friends altogether we really enjoyed the 4 days! Now all we have to do is develop the App. and hopefully it will go on the market before the Summer.