Christmas charity ball

The big day was on 21^st December. I couldn’t sleep the night before because of excitement. On 21^st started the preparation – you know – make up, hairstyle, the whole rah-rah thing. I went an hour and a half earlier because I needed to meet the DJ which was a mistake of mine to delay it but it doesn’t matter. When I went at the college the catering was prepared, the DJ was organizing his stuff, the list with the guests was there and everything was perfect. There were many helium balloons and Christmas trees in the auditorium, which were filling it and making it beautiful. The other presenter and I made repetition and here the nervous mood came. We were both excited and scared, you know the times when you feel the butterflies in your stomach. But there was no time for this – the guests were coming! “Oh, my God!” – This was the only thing in my head but the panic slipped away after a while. When the performance had to start and I took the microphone I was calm and shiny. There were dances and games so I think the auditory had fun. The only problem was when we needed four couples for a dance competition and there were not enough volunteers probably they were shy. The first thing I came up with was to go in the crowd, to catch some guys and to push them to the scene, so we had couples.

I have to confess that to organize such a thing is very hard because you need to know the wishes of everybody and to combine the things in the most suitable way so that everybody would like it. I really am glad from the result. Every year the ball is expected to be better than the previous and it was. I’m not saying that the previous balls weren’t good – they were, but we learn from their mistakes and try to improve everything.  

My writing is getting boring so I’ll just say – it really was a Christmas dream! J

And the favourite song from the ball:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN62PAKoBfE&feature=related

Decoration of the auditorium for the Christmas ball

On 20^th December our IB girls-only group plus a group of boys, who were helping us, decorated the auditorium of the college where the ball was going to be. It took us the whole day because we wanted it to be perfect! First we needed to free space (to remove the chairs) which wasn’t that easy as expected because we had to make a configuration at the back of the auditorium so that the chairs would not fall. After this some of us went to the local resident home for old people (for that I already have told you) and hence came back.

 The whole decoration was hand-made. It was stars in different size made of expanded polystyrene, coloured in red and gold. These stars had to be hanged from the ceiling so somebody had to hang them. It was quiet dangerous but we had a lot of fun. At six pm. we ordered pizza and had a dinner or lunch, I’m not sure. While decorating, we made repetitions for the performance made by me and the other presenter and by the dancers.

All in all, the day was exhausting, but pleasant because the result was stunning – this decoration was the best one from the all previous!

 

Something in the mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpxNNalLTB4 :)

Visiting of the local resident home for old people

 On 20^th December some students from the college and me went to the local resident home for old people. We wanted to wish them happy holidays and to give them smiles. We bought them clocks for Christmas so they can watch on time their favourite films. There was a short performance where a girl played on violin some Christmas songs for them and two other students told a Christmas story. I love going to the home because every time we go there we see how happy we make the old people. I told you once that these people really know how to have fun and again this time two of the women sang for us.

Everything was great but after the performance we had to put clocks in the room where live people that are sick and can’t walk which was very depressing and how could not?! I don’t want to talk about it, everybody knows what it is like. The only good thing is that the young people at the home really take care for the old people and give their best to make their life better…

CAS meeting about the Christmas ball

 On 16^th December my group and I had the last organizational meeting about the Christmas ball. We did the final things, had a lot of fun. My partner and I did a repetition for the performance. As I presenter I was worried about the play, because it would be a pity if the guests didn’t pay attention to us or even worse make fun of us. The other part of the group made the stickers for the lottery and talked about the catering.  I was very nervous and all I wanted was the ball to come. It really was the most important thing for this month and probably for the whole first term, because almost the whole school would be there.

Yoga class

On 15^th December we had a yoga class. This time it went very well. The month was very hard, we were organizing the Christmas ball and we had exams so we really needed a break or relaxation at least. I almost fell asleep at the first part of the class where we calm down and relax. This class I had no problems and pains even the opposite – I felt very well and loved the exercises. I observe that with every yoga class I’m getting used to it and making the exercises better. The most amazing thing was that I found out I can sit only on my hands with my legs crossed!

At the end of the class when I felt better and with new power I fled to hit the other activities for the day but without this yoga class I barely could do it!

Making a poster about the Christmas bazaar

On 13^th December one of my classmates and I made a poster about the Christmas bazaar that would take place at the auditorium of our college. We had to make something interesting that catches the eye so that many people can see it and go to the bazaar. The poster had the form of a star and looked very well. There were pictures of some of the things that were going to be sold. I think I mentioned it before but they were ceramic plates and tiles made by the students. We were enthusiastic about Christmas and the events around it so we were agitating the students to go and buy things for charity!

Establishment of voluntary group

On 2^nd December the voluntary group was established. There were representers from a few schools in Veliko Tarnovo. I have already told you more about it.

At this meeting there was a presentation about the group as a whole and the main idea of it, which is doing something useful for the society. We arranged our future meetings and by the time of the next one we should form a planning page of the activities that our college is going to do. We are going to meet again in February which is too far in the future but I am looking forward to doing it. I felt great when the sponsors talked about it because I saw that they believe in us and in the young generation. I really expect and hope that there will be positive result from this!

Here is a link from the website of our college:
http://www.ac-arcus.com/?mod=events&show=245

Christmas Decoration of the college hall

On 1^st December we decorated the college hall. It took much time to do it, because there were a lot of students, so everybody did whatever they want. I confess we needed better organization. The decoration was changed at least three times until it reached our expectations.

 Despite the poor organization the result was brilliant and my classmates and I had a great fun doing it. It brought my Christmas mood again. J

Here is a link from the website of our college: 

http://www.ac-arcus.com/?mod=events&show=244

World AIDS Day

1^st December is the World AIDS Day. In the morning of this day we were giving condoms, flyers about AIDS and stigmas at the hall of the college. I am happy that I took part in this action, because AIDS is one of the worst disasters in the world. I think that everybody should be informed about its transmission through the world, about the causes of it and of course about the ways to prevent it. Millions of people are dying because of the lack of education, poor hygiene and thoughtlessness. Even though so many people know about it they still remain careless. All these things make me upset because our world is not going well at all and nobody does anything to help…

Here is a link from the website of our college:

http://www.ac-arcus.com/?mod=events&show=243

More about AIDS:

http://www.actoronto.org/home.nsf/pages/hivaidsstatsworld 

Organization of Christmas activities of the Charity club

On 29^th our Charity club had a meeting about the future Christmas activities. We distributed the roles that everybody takes. There is a visiting of the local residence for old people and a short program, we also are going to give them presents, bought with the money from the Christmas bazaar in the college. We are going to visit the local residence for orphans and we will buy them presents for Christmas too. We also decided who is going to sell ceramic plates and tiles in school and in the municipality. I am taking part in the visiting of the older people, I love going there! They are so nice and I always have great time in the residence. I am very happy when I see that they are too. Happiness is kind of chain reaction J

I am going to attend the bazaar in the municipality and I hope there will be high sales. So let’s do it! I love this part of the year, it makes me feel useful as a human being!

Meeting for the establishment of voluntary group and organizing future activities

On 26^th November there was a meeting for the establishment of international voluntary group. The international campaign and our college are organizing it. There are three presenters from every school but from our there are four. The other three coordinators and I had a meeting to discuss our activities. I came up with a lot of ideas including ecology and charity. I am very enthusiastic about this because I have always wanted to be a volunteer. I think there are a lot of things to improve in society and the young generation should take part!

Selling couverts for the Christmas Charity Ball

On 22^nd we were selling couverts for the Christmas Charity Ball. I was surprised of the result – there were so many students that had interest in it. If it hadn’t been the good organization, we wouldn’t have coped with it. One of us was writing the names of the students and the number of the couverts, another was collecting the money and the others were inviting the teachers and the students. At the end of the day we were very proud of our work. Now we have enough money to order food, drinks, decoration and to plan the money that is going for charity. I’m very happy and excited. The Ball takes a lot of my time – I’m still selling couverts, inviting the graduated students and special guests, planning the decoration and the show. I am going to be the presenter too, so I have to write the screen play with my partner from the Halloween party. Never mind, the result will be brilliant so it is worth the effort! J

Organization of the Christmas Charity Ball

 On 18^th November we had CAS meeting, where we discussed the Christmas Charity Ball. We picked its name – “Christmas dream” and distributed tha tasks. A survey was distributed around the school so we can see what the expectations of the students are. We also started to look for decoration and made the invitations. I’m quite sure the decoration and the whole Ball will be the best ever! We made the couverts too and on 22^nd we are going to start selling them. Guys, come and buy some! J  

IB newspaper

On 15^th November the second edition of our newspaper “IB cocktail” came out. This time there was an autograph of one famous Bulgarian actor, who played in the theater a week ago. There were a lot of copies sold but this time fewer in comparison to our first edition, unfortunately. This made me feel a little depressed but I hope next time it will be better!

Decoration of plates for Christamas and printing the second edition of the IB newpaper

On 11^th November we had a CAS meeting where we created and printed our newspaper. We had problems with the electricity and while waiting we decorated plates and tiles in the school Christmas workshop.

Talking about Christmas I would like to say that this I is my favourite holiday because all the members of the family arrive from different towns and have a nice dinner together. It is also holiday when we should think about those who cannot celebrate like us, we should think about the problems of the society and do something good in order to help somebody. I think that Christmas is a reason for giving love and unification. This is the holiday when we should become better human beings. We all know the story of uncle Scrutch…

Talking about Christmas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY :-)The plates and the tiles, made in the workshop, are going to be sold on Christmas bazaar in our school and in the local municipality. The money that will be earned is going for charity

Yoga class

On 10^th November we had a yoga class. This time we learnt more about the art as a whole. I learnt that the type of yoga we practice is called hatha yoga. After the theory the practice came. We did a lot of exercises but this time after the class I felt very exhausted, recharged but exhausted at the same time. Maybe it was because I had a very hard day.

This class made me more interested in the art of yoga so when I came home I searched online more about it.

Here is something interesting I found:

http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/hatha_yoga.htm

Visiting of the local theater

On 10^th November there was a performance in the local theater so we all went to watch it.  I hadn’t had big expectations but I should confess – it was a great show, the actors played very well, the plot was unusual and interesting and the effects were stunning. While sitting on my chair and watching the play I remembered that years ago I played too. I missed it because everybody had thought that I have the potential to become an actress but I considered it happens very rarely and the chance is too small. After this night I decided to look for groups that need non-professional actors and to give it a try. J

I forgot to mention that there was one famous actor in the performance who is, let’s say it, nice and there were no available seats in theatre and all the girls were shouting enthusiastically and talking about him the whole day after the show.

Visiting the local theater, part 1

On 8^th of November we went on a performance in the local theater. It is played by a theater from Razgrad (city in Bulgaria) and was made according to a Bulgarian book called “The iron candlestick”.

I am very disappointed of it. It was a waste of time – the acting was heavy, the play was too short and the effects were poor. Probably I didn’t like it because I love the book, which is one of the best Bulgarian books, written by Dimitar Talev, and my expectations were very high.

CAS meeting, organization

On 4^th November we had a CAS meeting in a nice café with beautiful view of the river. It was warm outside and we decided to sit on the terrace. We were all too distracted to do serious work but we had no choice. We had to distribute the roles for this month’s edition of our news paper, to organize the columns and finally to think about our Christmas Charity Ball! After an hour and a half we finished the discussion and everybody went to cope with their job.   

Trip to Varna – part 2

On 1^st November we went to Varna again but this time at the mall. We went shopping and bought a lot of things for us and of course presents for our families. I think we should organize a competition for the fastest shopacholic because we had little time and we did very well.  After two hours spent there we had to continue our trip but this time back to Veliko Tarnovo. L

Never mind, this shopping therapy was the best final of our trip!

Halloween party

After running on the beach in Varna we had to go to Albena to check in the hotel and to prepare for the party. When we arrived my first impression was “wow”, the hotel was stunning! Anyway, I didn’t have enough time to enjoy the hotel because I had to do a lot of stuff for the party so as you can imagine everybody else and me were very nervous. I was very excited and curious whether my friends would like my costume and they actually did, we were all very strange and at the same time fabulous. I was the presenter of the show and I hoped deeply the audience would have fun. My partner and I messed the screenplay a few times but we improvised and all went well. We gave a lot of prizes and nobody was left without any, which I think was the best part, I mean it was just a show not a competition.

All in all we had great time!



Here is a link from the website of our college:

http://www.ac-arcus.com/?mod=events&show=237

Trip to Varna

In the morning of 31^st October we set off for our Halloween party in Albena, a small seaside resort, but before going there we went to Varna. This is one of the largest cities in Bulgaria and the marine capital too.
Here is a link of some beautiful pictures of Varna:
http://www.pbase.com/ngruev/varna

 Just when we arrived, all of us, excited and happy, ran to the beach, where we made a lot of pictures.

The sea water was freezing so we couldn’t enjoy it completely but we wrote our names in the sand and collected many shells. J It was a very pleasant day actually and I think we should have more days like this!

Organization of the Halloween party and sorting clothes for charity

On 28^th October we finished all the work for the Halloween party. We classified the prizes and distributed the roles we would have in the show. I am going to be one of the two presenters. Actually this is all I could say about the party for the time being, the most interesting part is going to be on 31^st.

After finishing with that we sorted clothes for the charity campaign. There were many students that took part in the campaign so there were many clothes to sort. Even though I feel depressed when I think about these kids we find a way to have fun while doing our job. We tried some vivid clothes and made a little fashion-review.

PS: I can’t wait for Sunday to come! My Halloween costume is ready and whispers to me “Wear me, wear me”.  J

First edition of the IB newspaper

On 26^th October we printed our first edition of the IB newspaper. We sold fifty copies of it but it turned out that they weren’t enough and we had to make more. I was pleasantly surprised that so many students wanted to buy the newspaper. I felt so excited when we went to the room of the 8^th graders and all of them wanted to buy it.

The newspaper had many columns written by all of my classmates and me. My task was to write about my first impression of the IB program and to take an interview from the IB coordinator.

I should say that we put a lot of effort to do it but it is worth it when you reap the fruits of your labour.

Organization of our Halloween party, Decoupage art and discussing the local project

On 21^st October we had a CAS meeting where we discussed our Halloween party again. We organized the screenplay and ordered the prizes for the winners in the games and the lottery. We talked about the screen play too and had a lot of fun while doing it. Now I'm thinking about jokes and other ideas that will be useful and fun for the show.

We finished the work with the IB newspaper and had a decoupage class too. We cut napkins and decorated small jewel-boxes and at the end of the class they were just perfect! I was a little late with my box, but I am proud of the result! When I showed it to my friends they liked it a lot. I am going to give it to my mother, I am sure she will love it!

This is my creation of course :)

At the end of the meeting we had a lot of work to do but it is very interesting at the same time. J

Yoga class

On 20^th October we had our second yoga class. What I found out is that it was easier to do the exercises when you had done them once. We started with relaxing, where we lay down and just listened to our teacher. She was talking about the world, how we should forget about the bad thoughts and throw them away and I found it really useful. The same afternoon I was feeling so well, relaxed and calm that I wanted to have yoga classes every day but unfortunately I don’t have a lot of time. So back to the yoga class – for the next part of the class we did exercises to improve our flexibility and to remove the pressure from our body. The last part, the funniest one, is composed of two or three exercises where we charge us with positive energy.

All in all, I am pleased with our yoga classes and stimulated to attend them again because of the way I feel. Actually I think it is a brilliant way to fill my spare time.

Discussing decoupage actvities, our local project and the Halloween party

On 14^th October we had a CAS meeting where we discussed the Halloween party and it turned out that we are going to the sea side in a five-star hotel, which made us very excited so we day-dreamed a lot J
Again, we were too enthusiastic, even though we had a lot of work to do. I hope that the party will be stunning and everybody will be satisfied, so let’s do it girls!!! We  also talked about the local project - we made a scheme of our newspaper and everybody got their role in this first edition. I'm going to take an interview from our IB coordinator about the program from the past years.
AT this meeting our teacher explained to us how to decorate boxes using decopage. She had made one so she showed us and it was beautiful! I can't wait to make my box too!
Here is a link for Egyptian arts of decoupage:
http://www.decoupage-online.com/gallery/egyptian.html

Making posters about collecting clothes for charity.

On 11^th October one of my classmates and I created posters about collecting clothes, toys and books for the children with special needs.  We hanged them in the hall of our school with the intention to focus the pupils' attention. I think that the campaign is very useful and I will be happy if we can give a smile to these children.  Nobody can stay emotionless if they see the background of the children. It always makes me sad but I’m glad that I can do something to help the children. Actually I think that there are so many things that people are able to do to help those who need it and to make life better and I hope our campaign is just the beginning.

CAS meeting

On 7^th October my classmates, our CAS teacher and I visited a small shop, full of a lot of interesting and beautiful things, which we use for our decoupage classes. There were so many beautiful things, it was like a place in a fairy tale. If only I had a lot of free time, I would go there and sit for hours till I collect all the stuff I like.

We had a lot of work to do so we went to the nearest café and made plans about the Halloween party, the newspaper we are going to establish and the upcoming campaign for collecting clothes for children with special needs. This meeting made me feel useful as a human being, capable of sharing with those who need it, and, on the other hand excited about the organization of the holiday.

                                                            A mask from the shop

First yoga class

On 6^th October I visited my first yoga class, which I found wonderful. My teacher talked about the ancient art called yoga and its principles. She told the group about the beliefs of sun and moon, lightness and darkness, about the energy we have. I am interested in different cultures and love when somebody talks to me about them. I found yoga very pleasing, refreshing and after the class – irreplaceable. Even though I messed some of the exercises, it made me feel calm and happy and I can’t wait to visit the next class. J

The International Day of Older Persons

1^st October is the International Day of Older Persons. Some of my classmates and I went to the local resident home for old people. Our College has been working with this institution for eight years. We celebrate together some holidays, they take parts in some of our programs and we do too. In Bulgaria the society doesn't  pay attention to the elderly which I find very sad. They just need love and contact with younger people. 

So on this day my task was to read the welcoming message to them and I was really nervous, but when they started to dance and sing I calmed down and actually I enjoyed myself a lot.  They looked so happy to see us and they knew how to have fun. We took part in some Bulgarian traditional dances and had a great time.

Here is a link from the website of our college:

http://www.ac-arcus.com/?lng=EN&mod=events&show=234

Decoupage

On 30^th September we took our first class of decorating art. Decoupage technique is gluing cutouts of coloured paper, drawings or napkins on different objects like small boxes, piece of furniture or plates.
Here is a link I found in internet where you can learn the basics of the art and also some interesting facts:
http://www.artcraftsite.com/paper/decoupage.shtml

We decorated plates, using different papers and the result was stunning. It is not complicated but not easy too. While making them we had a great fun. In my opinion decoupage is way to express yourself and to relax at the same time. The point of this activity is to sell the plates and the other ceramic works for charity.

Second CAS meeting. Making the planning page.

On 23th of September we made our second meeting. We created our planning page and discussed the activities that we are going to do during the first term of school. We had to decide in which holidays we want to participate as making something useful like creating things, helping or giving joy to somebody or going somewhere. We haven't been into the CAS thing yet, but we all enjoy it. On the other hand I think that our CAS activities will develop my competitive skills, because I want to improve all the annual things that were done before and I think I am able to. I'm so excited about everything and especially about the organization of our annual Christmas charity ball, which is a tradition of the College.
Here is a model list of my personal planning page:

Personal Planing Page - Term 1
Activities	Evidence	Hours	Total
Creativity	-   Creativity (Ceramic) club	15	24
	-   Theater visiting	5
	-   Making a poster about Christmas selling of ceramic plates and tiles	1
	-   School decoration for Christmas	2
	-   Making posters for charity action (collecting clothes for the children)	1
Action	-   Yoga Club	11	21
	-   Trip to Varna	8
	-   Bowling competition	2
Service	-Charity club	16	34
	-Organization of Halloween party	5
	-Organization of Christmas charity prom	11
	-Campaign “Give a   smile” for the international day of the smile	2

                                                                                                                                          Total: 79
Project: Local project - IB newspaper
Interaional project:  European Voluntary Corps