Personal Running Plan - February 1-15 (Activity)

LO:

1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

As I have a football tournament coming up in a month, I decided to make a personal fitness plan for myself to increase my stamina. I decided to make a running plan, as that is something I'd have to being doing for 30 minutes straight during our tournament. I wanted to increase my stamina, so I started off by running 2 kilometers nonstop and then slowly increasing by 0.5 kilometers until I reached 4 kilometers. I saw an improvement throughout the 15 days, as my speed and stamina increased, as seen in the photos below. It was difficult for me to stick to this workout plan, as I had various school work and extracurricular activities to do, but I motivated myself and did it anyways. A challenge which I faced was trying to find time to fit in running, as I don't hate running in my own time and actually enjoy it. From this experience, I learned that if I am able to kickstart myself with something I initiated myself, I will be able to continue and complete the task through. I also learned how to better manage my time, something I never thought I learned from a sport/activity.

Smile Club International Day Booth - March 16 (Creativity, Service)

3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

7: Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Planning this booth, the club was struggling to come up with an activity. After a brainstorming session, we very creatively decided to play around with the classic game of pin the tail on the donkey, but instead of a donkey and a tail, we decided to use a smile - as that is the name of our club - and the face of one of our club members. The process of decorating and administering the game was a very enjoyable one, and since we have been doing fundraising booths for Operation Smile for a while, it was relatively easy for us to give a clear explanation to interested people about the organisation.

Sports Day - March 29 (Activity)

2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Having won sports day in the previous year, our class had some hope that we could possibly win this year. Participating in the futsal game, we were fighting for third place. During the game, we had multiple opportunities to score, but we missed them. Reflecting on that now, it was most probably due to nerves and the fact that we were competing in the gym - for which the surface is not meant for futsal. After tying, we won during penalties, which made the team very happy. Sports day has brought the class of 2019 closer together, as people who would not normally interact were placed into the same teams and we were cheering for each other. Overall, this was a very fun day and I got to talk to people I wouldn't normally talk to.

THAIMUN V - March 31 - April 2 (Creativity)

1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

5: Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively

6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

Taekwondo - April 21, 2018

1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

5: Demonstrate the skills and recognise the benefits of working collaboratively

Arriving to stay for a weekend in Saudi for a placement interview for Saudi Aramco's Summer Enrichment Program, I didn't expect to be taking a Taekwondo class. Having never done Taekwondo before, I was quite nervous and scared, as I was afraid I was going to preform badly, when I was asked to join a Taekwondo class. Though the class only consisted of girls and the entrance was rather seclusive, after warming up and doing basic Taekwondo moves, such as a chagi, I really enjoyed the class. However, I was initially quite confused when everyone started counting in Korean, but I realized that since this sport originated from Korea, what they were doing was not wasn't odd. I also got a lot of support from all the girls in the class, as I was a newcomer, and during a paired exercise I got to acquaint myself with another girl. Overall, I really loved this class of Taekwondo and I would really like to continue classes here in Bangkok.

*No photos were taken out of respect for the women who were wearing clothing that they would not wear in public or be seen in by the opposite sex

Animal Rescue Trip - June 11 (Service)

6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

7: Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Having a pet rabbit, I have always loved animals. In 2016, I turned vegetarian because I didn't want to contribute to the inhumane practices that goes on in animal slaughterhouses. However, I became pescatarian during the end of April in 2017 as my parents were worried about my health. This trip gave me an opportunity to witness what I believe. Seeing all the animals, some of which fear human contact due to the abuse they were exposed to - gave me further incentive to be vegetarian once again. Though I am just one person, as a consumer I am still decreasing the sales of these big corporations. Coming back from this trip, I made more conscious decisions about my food choices. I also advocated for less consumption of meat products to my friends and family. I also helped my neighbor take care of stray cats and try to find adoption centers or individuals who would be willing to adopt via social media.

Wells Wellness Walkathon - June 11 (Service, Activity)

5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

7: Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Having previously been in the now defunct Wells Care for Children club, I have previously been exposed to Camillian Home. Starting off by collecting donations from people, I collected 300 for the cause. On the day of the walkathon, it was heartwarming to see so many students willing participate in this. Though the whole school walked together, it was quite easy to rally everyone together and get everyone to walk around the school. From this experience, I now feel more emphatic towards disabled children, some of whom are shunned from Thai society due to cultural stigmas.