We had the rehearsal for the Inter-house music competition today after school. It went pretty ok, but we found out we need to work on the transition more. Since tomorrow is the Poya holiday, Gee and I can work on it personally and hopefully will be ok on the real competition.
I had the bass guitar class yesterday (Saturday. 28th November, 2009). I learned how to play all the scales on the bass guitar and further developed the skills that we learned last class.
Babies came to our school last Thursday, but only 5 of them came. It was disappointing a bit. Anyway, one of them, Thail (hope I spelled his name corrctly) wanted to play football with me and so we went down to the primary field to play football.
There was a new little baby came this time. She looked a bit scared, but soon she seemed to like the place playing with us. I heard the eldest girl who gradually came to our school won't come to our school anymore since her mom is discharged soon. It was kind of sad news to hear, but I believe it's good for her that way and hope she'll not forget us.
Last Tuesday(24th November, 2009), I had NESA math competition and Alex also had the SAISA boys football practice that we decided to have class on Wednday(25th November, 2009). However, Alex came up with another excuse and couldn't have class :P 'We'll certainly have class next week' was what I thought, but then coming up Tuesday( 1st of December 2009) is Poya which is a holiday in Sri Lanka that we will miss another class.
By the way, I told my mother to come pick me up at 4:00 pm because of the math tuition and it was canceled that I had to stay at school till 4:00. I, instead, played football with 12th graders and Adrian in our grade till 4:00 while I was waiting for my mom.
I had math test after school, NESA test, and Alex also had the SAISA Boys football practice that we couldn't have the class today. We'll have it tomorrow if possible.
We brought them to the Victoria Park today. It was the first time we brought them OUTSIDE of school. It was really fun! and the children also looked excited. We played there for about half an hour. However, this time only some of the children from the prison came. We hope more of them will come next time !
From the beginning of the year, I've been playing badminton with my friends at lunch and after school and sometimes with my brother at home, since my brother challenges me all the time even though I always beat him so badly. There are some of friends of mine who are pretty challenging, and playing with them is always fun.
I've also been playing table tennis with my brother. He has improved a lot and it's becoming challenging for me to play with him now. (aiyo. I need more practice. Can't lose!)
Like I mentioned earlier, playing badminton and table tennis is just for fun and to keep my health. In that meaning, I think I've met the expectation pretty well.
I had another class with Alex today. He asked me to have the class yesterday because he had a math test today. But then, he said he suddenly changed his mind yesterday after school, that we had class today. He said he did pretty ok on his test...... We'll see. :P
He said he started the new chapter, statistics, in class. He said he learned the concepts of median, mean and mode. He seemed to be doing ok with them. We went over the questions and he struggled with some questions, but I explained them to him.
I had the bass guitar class today.
I learned the forth chord progression further more; forth chord progression in different fingers.
Many of my friend at church are busy nowadays preparing for the coming Christmas; some are practicing worship dance, choir is practicing the hymn and the church band is also practicing something.
Last Sunday, I watched them practicing and the drummer seemed to be struggling. While my friend, who is the lead bass guitarist and who can also play drum, guitar and piano, showed him what to do, I played the bass guitar for him. It was actually the first time I played with the others and it was really good. While the drummer went to bathroom, I played the drum as well since I can play drum before the bass, it was also really really good.
I feel I'm improving a lot which is good :D
We had a planning session this week, 12th November 2009.
We realized that we have only four weeks left before the December break and we wanted to do something new and special for the children. Since their outdoor activity is limited to coming to OSC and we haven't brought them out of the campus before which we were not allowed before, we planned to go to the Victoria Park next week.
We are also planning to have a party at the end as usually we had the parties around the Christmas for last two years. We want to give them small gifts and some basic needs such as clothes and juvenile goods for them which we'll get from the fund-raise. We are planning to fundraise as well to collect some toys, clothes or anything that the children may need. We thought that many parents whose children are in the primary would have something that the prisonbabies need but their own children don't need anymore. I hope we can collect many for them to give.
We had no school today because it was the Professional Development day for the teachers. As so, I could not have the math class today with Alex. Instead, I sent him a text telling him to study math. (I'm so evil. haha)
Because of the coming up Christmas service and many of my friends have to practice each performances they are involved in, we decide not to have basketball practice till December.
We(Sunday Basketball team) are planning to have a match with our school basketball team (OSC Geckos) later and the other international and local schools'. I really look forward to do it.
Children from the prison came to our school last Thursday, 5th of November 2009.
We played with them at the primary front field which is bigger than the field where we used to play. Then, we to the primary library to watch the film. I hope they enjoyed the film (they looked bored a bit since they couldn't get what's going on in the film). It was time for them to go that we said goodbye for that day.
We are planning something new this time. We hope to bring them to McDonald or anywhere outside of school since their visit to OSC is the only outdoor activity they have. The new Head of the prison is really supportive and it seemed to be possible to bring them outside. I hope we can do that as soon as possible!
I had a math class with Alex last Tuesday as well, 2nd of November 2009. We had Poya day on Monday that both of us almost forgot about the class, but still I remembered it and could have a class.
He was still working on the factorizing, but a bit advanced level. As the questions are much more complicated, he seemed to be struggling with it. But it was just because he hasn't yet learned it in class. So I explained the concept briefly and how to do it. He didn't seem to get it 100%, but still he could do the questions not so badly. I believe he is not used to those questions at the moment and he'll get it soon.
I played basketball today from 3 to 5:30. However, many of my friends had to do the church service helping the children that they couldn't come this week. Only 6 younger students and one senior came this week. There were some local students as well that we played match with them.
However, the manager of the school gym came and said VERY RUDELY that we can't play there. We asked him why, but he kept saying, 'No you can't play. Go away!' We had to leave and finished it early.
It wasn't so fun this week. But I still had a little fun with the younger students taking the pictures of me for this blog. :P
I had a bass guitar class again yesterday, 31st of October, 2009.
I learned the 4th Chord progression this time last week. Certain types of music usually go by the patterns and the 4th is the most common pattern, especially the Jazz music usually goes by the 4th. Derek, my guitar tutor, told me that it'd help me get used to every sounds and learn all the notes on the guitar neck.
I couldn't practice it last whole week because I had math and chemistry tests as well as many assignments due on that week.
So yesterday, I practiced it with him and basically further developed the skills. He said we'll learn the 7th as well next time.
