A Ballad

In school we have been learning about the Treaty of Waitangi, and all the reasons why it was necessary. We watched a collection of short clips, called Muskets, Missionaries, Whalers and Openness and Change. Using this information, we then wrote a ballad, a type of poem that has a certain rhyming pattern and shares information. We had to have a stanza for each video we watched, and more if we wanted to.
This is mine, hope you like it!

The Treaty of Waitangi

The musket wars were long and horrendous
This latest new gun armed the offenders
Tribal boundaries bounced and rolled
Alliances changed, Europeans were told
Their trade was needed, to make strong the weak.

The Maori lived 100,000 strong
And to Aotearoa they did belong
When missionaries came
Nothing stayed the same
Writing, reading, religions, all were changed.

200 Europeans came along
Most killed the whales and their mournful song
They were out at sea for months at a time
And so decided to commit crime
 And drink and fight with no care for their kind.

Maori knew and secretly worried
And yet they loved trade, so whalers weren't harried
The Maori woman, strong and fair
Were married to Europeans, to love and care
So whalers had now protection and peace.

In 1839 William Hobson arrived
Laws were changed, land agents were deprived
Private Land Sale was to be banned
January 29th, t'was agreed hand to hand
Justice, sincerity, and good faith lead the way.

February 4th was the day of the draft
Where William Hobson began to craft
The Treaty that would,  bring about changes
Some good some bad all formed bridges
Between all people, alike and diverse.

By 1840, 500 chiefs had signed
The Treaty was global, all people signed a kind
It brought around peace, at least for an age
And it helped people, begin a new page
The Treaty of Waitangi.

 

The Final Challenge

An Audit of My Blog

We are now at the very end of the 2015 Student Blogging Challenge. I'm glad my class decided to join it as it has been entertaining and a great learning experience.
This week, we have three tasks, to write an audit, then ask someone else to look around your blog, and ask them to write one.
To evaluate the Student Blogging Challenge itself.
Finally, to fill in a form on the Blogging Challenge website.

This is my audit on my blog.





Posts:
I wrote....

16 For Student Blogging Challenge
6 School posts
1 Personal, in my own time.
Altogether (so far) I have written: 23


I am going to start writing more in my time, as the challenge as stopped, so it won't be my priority.



Comments:
Who they are from:

Mrs Hogg: 2
Brooke: 1
Rosa: 1
Renee: 2
Kaye: 1
Olivia: 1
Emily (not me): 5

Altogether I have received: 13


Where they are from:
Canada
Australia
New Zealand

I received the most comments on Student Blogging Challenge where I introduced the Challenge, and why I thought it was a good idea.
I think someone commented on it because I was introducing something new, had added a picture, and links. I then replied, which got a conversation going, which equals more comments.



My favourite post to write was the "Let's Travel" challenge, when I went to Egypt. I think because I planned it out the most, and spent the most time finding places out, I enjoyed writing about it more. Also, in real life, I would love to go to Egypt, and hope to sometime in the future.


I haven't changed themes at all, I liked Ethereal from the start, and stuck with it. My colours haven't changed either, I mainly followed this key, blue for main text, red for headings, and green for anything else, but sometimes changed it up a bit.



I think I may need a few more widgets to fill up the side a bit, it looks empty as you scroll down to real the other posts, so that is a future goal, as well as getting a title bit for the top.


I don't actually have a blog roll, I have a page with five students from over seas, for Count out Three.


So far, I haven't used any web tools, when I tried to get them onto my blog, it wouldn't work properly, so I'm still trying to work this out. When I have, I will add them to my posts.

The Penultimate

Animals

This week (the second to last!) we  are doing a post on animals.( Click here for a list on important things to include in your post.)
I decided to do mine on pandas, which are my favourite, and how they are endangered.

All About Them

There are two species of panda, the Red Panda and the Giant Panda. Both species are native to Asia, but live in different areas. The Giant Panda lives I only in isolated bamboo forests in China while the red lives there, as well as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. 
Some think their names comes from the Nepalese word "ponya" which means "bamboo". There is surprisingly quite a bit of difference between the two species.

The Giant Panda

The Red Panda

 

 

 

 

The Giant Panda

 

The giant panda is part of the bear family, and is known to be the most gentle out of it's relatives. It is a herbivore, and can eat up to  nearly 80 pounds (36.4 kg) of bamboo each day, as this is their main diet, but they have also been known to eat things like honey, eggs, fish, and fruits like oranges and bananas, and when food is scarce, small rodents and other animals. The giant panda spends up to 16 hours of it day eating. It's  average height is usually between five - six feet high which is roughly the height of an average human. There average weight is more than 200 pounds which is around 91 kg. They are a big aspect in Chinese culture.

The Red Panda

Red pandas are actually not bears, they are something between a fox and a cat. It's diet is similar to a giant panda, mainly consisting of bamboo, but also  berries, mushrooms, acorns, and a different grasses. 

 

Their average height is roughly 24 inches (61 cm), and at their heaviest they weigh in around 13 pounds (5.9kg), so they are significantly smaller than the giant panda.

 

 

 

Why They Are Endangered

Red pandas are classified as 'vulnerable' and there around 10,000 in the wild. The main threats are considered to be habitat loss and trapping. Humans keep on transforming there natural habitat  for there own purposes, which gives them less space, and leaves them unable to migrate. Red pandas are also trapped and killed in traps meant for other animals that were set for hunting.

In some rare cases, red pandas are hunted for their fur, which gets transformed into clothing. They also have a low birth rate.

 

Giant pandas are endangered for much the same reasons, habitat loss and low birth rate. Giant pandas are picky when it comes to mating, and often they only litter one to two cubs, which find it hard to survive in the wild, as they are only four to eight ounces.

 

 

I think this is a cruel way to treat such amazing, and culturally significant animals. What did they ever do to us? Please help raise awareness by spreading the word, either through your blogs or tell your friends, and hopefully we can save the pandas from a horrific fate.



Week 8 - Student Blogging Challenge

Let's Travel

This is the last stage of my journey I will plan out on my blog. I am going to Japan, and staying there for two weeks in Tokyo, the capital, at Citadines Shinjuku Hotel, for $1687. While here I will need a working permit, as I would like a job to get to know the locals.

Here is what I will need for a working permit:
A job offer (I will apply two months before arriving in Tokyo.)
A valid passport
A visa from the country I live. (For me, New Zealand.)
Everything is valid and proper, with no irregularities, or I may not be allowed in the country.



I will try to get a job that includes working around people, using Japanese, maybe in a café or assisting in a school, to improve my own language skills, and get to know the people and there culture. I will try to get a four day job, so I have three days a week for travelling.



In my spare time, here is where I will go:                 (Linked to the website)

• Ameyoko Shopping Street
• Ginza Mitsukoshi
• Diver City Tokyo Plaza
• Tokyo National Museum
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
• Ueno Park
• Yoyogi Park
• Epson Shinagawa Aqua Stadium

 

 

 

And many more, as there are hundreds to go to.

 

 

I will allow myself $200 for extra fees I didn't plan.

$200 for shopping, Taxis, and trains.

$100 for emergencies.

$100 for eating out.

Week 8 - Student Blogging Challenge





 

Let's Travel

My next destination is Europe where I will be travelling around Wales in the United Kingdom, but not working, so I will not need a working permit. I have relatives there, so I will be paying a visit to them.
I will stay three weeks over there. For this one I will plan out my budget. My limit price is $3380.

Wales

Milford Haven
I will arrive at Milford Haven on the 18th of March, and stay for two nights at the Lord Nelson Hotel, which will cost $269. I will then travel to Saundersfoot, and take a train round to Llanelli, which will cost $28.80.

In the day and a bit I am there, I will visit:      (These are linked to the website)
Milford Haven Heritage & Maritime Museum 
Torch Theatre 
Alfseren Collectables 
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park 




Llanelli

I will stay at Llanelli for a day, and will stay at the Stradey Park Hotel, which will cost $165.

While here I will visit:

National Wetlands Centre                            (Also linked to website.)
Heart of Wales of Line Form  

From here I will catch a taxi to Swansea, which will cost $40.00.





Swansea

I will stay here for nine nights, at the Windsor Lodge Hotel, for $837.
While here I will visit:
My family
Celtic Trail 
Touchwood Aquilegia Garden

Brandy Cove

 Swansea Beach 

Taliesin Arts Centre

 River Tawe Cruise Swansea 

 

 

And many more I f I get the chance. Click on any activities above to go to the website I found them on.

From here I will catch a coach to Cardin for $14.20c.

 

 Cardiff

 

I will stay here for the remains of the three weeks, which is nine days, to have a rest from all the travelling. I would stay at Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel, for $2417.

While here I will visit:

St. Fagans: National History Museum

Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

Cardiff Bay Water Feature

 Forest Farm Country Park
Cardiff Indoor Flea Market 

Indoor Market

And many more, as there are hundreds of places to explore.

 

My Budget:

Hotels total:  $2851

 + Transportation total: $83
 Other transportation: $100
Ticket fares: $60
Shopping: $70
Necessities: $100
Eating out: $60
Emergency: $40
______________________________
Total: $3364






I will give myself $100 for any additional taxi or train rides, more if it is an emergency.
For Museum tickets, art galleries and things like that I will give myself $60, as I think I will go to quite a few.
For shopping, $70, as I will be doing more sightseeing.
For necessities, $50 - $100, because I don't know what I will need.
For eating out or anything like that, $60.
Just in case emergency money, $40.

 

 

 

Week 8 - Student Blogging Challenge

Let's Travel

This week is so far, is my favourite challenge. You imagine you have just turned eighteen and you going to spend a year travelling, learning about cultures, working in different countries and seeing the sights. We have to learn about passports, visa's and facts about that country, and visit one country per continent, except Antarctica. I have been working hard these past two years with a decent wage and have a fair amount of money to spend on my travels.
Here is where I will go:

Africa - Egypt - Not working
Europe - United Kingdom - Not working
Asia - Japan - Working
Australia - Tasmania - Not working
North America - Alaska - Working
South America- Brazil - Working


The weight limit for Air New Zealand (which is who I would probably fly with)
is 23kg, so I would pack fairly light, and fill my suit case with shopping.



What I will need to pack in my suit case:

• Toiletries
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 T-shirt
• 1 top
• 1 jumper
• 1 coat
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of trainers
• 1 swimming suit
• Necessary hair accessories (e.g: Hair bubbles, hairbrush e.t.c)
• Phone charger (I will by adaptor plugs at the countries.)

For my carry-on bag, the weight limit is 7kg.

What I would pack:

• A book
• My phone (contact family & friends)
• Toiletries and other necessities
• Spare change of clothes
• Chewing gum (so my ears don't pop)
• Tissues
• Neck pillow
• Purse (with money, cards, e.t.c)

If you can think of any other things, please comment.

Africa - Egypt

I decided I wanted to go to Egypt because I am fascinated by there history. I put in some research and found it can take up to six months to secure a job, so I will get a tourist visa and travel around the country, seeing the sights, meeting the locals, and learning about there country's history.

Here is what I would need to get into the country: 

• You can get your visa when you enter Egypt, fill in a form prior arrival, or get one from either the Diplomatic and Consular Missions Abroad or from the Entry Visa Department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration.
• New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for six months beyond how long you wish to stay. You also need a visa. (See above.)
• You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have travelled through an infected area within 6 days before arriving in Egypt.
   

I found this information here.


I will spend two weeks travelling up the coast of Egypt, starting off at Alexandria, landing at the Alexandria International Airport.  I will then check in on the 3rd of March at the Helnan Palestine Hotel, and leave on the 10th to catch a bus to Sidi Bishr, up the coast. I will stay for three days there, and check in at the nearest hotel, with a price limit of $450.
I will then continue to travel up the coast, until I arrive at Al Muntazah Place, where I will stay for the remaining four days at the Al Muntazah Plaza Hotel for $554. This is conveniently four miles from the Doha Qatar Airport, where I will fly to my next destination.

When at Egypt I will allow myself $200 for shopping, not including necessities, and for tickets to museums and thing like that. If it is a once in a life time opportunity then I will most definitely go over-board.





I found out that the toilet signs say W.C on them, usually with the Egyptian version underneath.


A cup of coffee in a cafe or bar costs 12 Egyptian pounds, which is $2.10c in New Zealand.

My Poem

This poem is one I wrote at school, about being a ghost, and not able to move on.
 

 

 

I am

The only one

Who can claim

To be

As old as earth herself

Time passes

Like sand in an hour glass

But I am not old enough

Not yet

I age but don't pass

To the void beyond

I am afraid

Afraid

Of the future

I am tied down

by my own fear

Fear

that ugly monster

That resides

In my heart

I drift on

And on

Lost

In my own home

I fly

But am chained to

to the world

There is no escape

I chose the wrong path.