Hello again, readers!
I have MANY posts waiting to be uploaded. However, I am set on publishing them in chronological order, and the next ones to go up are sitting on my laptop. And my adapter died. So, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until I buy a new adapter...I am watching a few on Trade Me, so I'm HOPING you won't have to wait too much longer!
But, in the meantime, I thought I'd let you all (or should I say y'all? lol) know what I'm currently up to.
I started school (as in homeschool) today. Yeah, my mum thinks I'm weird too! =) Honestly, I just can't seem to stay away from it...so why exactly am I planning on graduating at the end of next year? haha
With all the work I want to get through before then, though, I should be more than ready to finish!
Athletics starts again tomorrow. It'll be nice to be back, but it will shorten the amount of time I have for getting school done.
On Wednesday I'll be at work with Dad (oh great, I gotta get up at 6am!), and on Thursday communion begins at our church. That means morning and evening services on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and one last service on Monday morning. Hopefully we'll be able to have people over during that time (people come from Australia and throughout New Zealand for communion). The challenge of juggling church, school work, making sure church-clothes for everyone are clean and ironed, and keeping the house clean for having people over will be interesting! =)
I really need to go to bed, but just quickly, I FINALLY managed to start Starlight and Time by Dr. Russell Humphreys the other day. I've been wanting to read this book for ages, so its really nice to read it now! The information has become out-dated, but the book was mentioned in the science curriculum I use. Next on my reading list is Starlight, Time, and the New Physics by Dr. John Hartnett.
Really gotta go now!
G'night all,
Bee
Monday, January 23, 2012
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Guess what?
If the law hadn't changed....
I COULD HAVE GONE FOR MY RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE TODAY!!!!!!!
Ahh freaky!! And I don't even have half the recommended hours logged! Oh well, another few months to work on that..! =)
*yawn* G'night everybody =)
I COULD HAVE GONE FOR MY RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE TODAY!!!!!!!
Ahh freaky!! And I don't even have half the recommended hours logged! Oh well, another few months to work on that..! =)
*yawn* G'night everybody =)
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Peer into the Past 2011
Peer into the Past, the Manukau HomeSchool Support Group's annual history fair, was held on the last Thursday of term 2, 2011.
This year (er, last year!) I didn't feel particularly inspired about any topic for a project, so I just kept putting it off. About two weeks before the fair I realised there was no way I could do a project and keep up with all my 'normal' school work; I would have to take the time until the fair off my other work, so I could concentrate solely on my project. I decided I couldn't really afford to do that, so I didn't do a project. Consequently, I must have had plenty of free time, you say? Well, no, actually. On top of my school work (yeah that takes a bit of time!) I helped the others a bit with their projects (Jarrod, Monique and Danielle enteredthis last year), and cooked the dinners for five nights or so before the fair, so Mum could concentrate on helping with the projects.
Jarrod did a project on Charles Upham, a kiwi soldier.
Monique's was entitled 'The Kauri Tree in History.' Her interest in the topic was sparked while we were on holiday in Dargaville in April, where we learned about the Kauri tree and gum diggers. She actually bought some Kauri gum somewhere there too! Monique's project received special interest because it was slightly unusual!
Danielle was very committed in her study of Harriet Tubman, and she titled her project "Harriet Tubman: Slave and Railway Conductor" (or, ah, something along those lines!)
Because I didn't have my own project that needed to be judged, someone volunteered me to spend half an hour in the kitchen, serving tea and coffee.
I'm afraid I don't remember the exact times that things happened throughout the morning, but first of all after everyone had arrived and set up was the judging. There were separate judges for each age group, and the entrants were judged on their presentation (board plus any extras like dressing up or props), content(?), and orally.
A bit later on the venue was opened to spectators, and 'Spot the Solution' sheets were given out. For this, each entrant had previously submitted a question from their project, and its answer, to Mrs Rakete. The questions are compiled together, and spectators go from project to project answering the questions. At the end of the day all the sheets are put in a box, and the person with the most correct answer wins a prize.
Before prizegiving, someone gives a speech on something historical. This year Mr. Johnstone spoke. I found his topic, a particular battle in the Crimean War, quite interesting, because it built on what I had recently learnt in Geography when I studied the Crimean Peninsula. He did well keeping the younger ones interested by getting many of the homeschool students to help re-enact a battle scene.
After Mr. Johnstone's talk came prizegiving. Every entrant from a particular age group gets called up, one at a time, and presented with his certificate. Once the whole age group is standing on the stage everyone claps for them and they are allowed to move off, and collect a chocolate bar.
The helpers (myself included, yippee!! haha) each received a note thanking them for their help, and a toblerone. We teenagers shared the toblerones among us. =)
Then we all cleaned up and went home!
All in all, it was a good day! Thanks Mrs. Rakete, for organising it again!
Adios!
Bianca =)
This year (er, last year!) I didn't feel particularly inspired about any topic for a project, so I just kept putting it off. About two weeks before the fair I realised there was no way I could do a project and keep up with all my 'normal' school work; I would have to take the time until the fair off my other work, so I could concentrate solely on my project. I decided I couldn't really afford to do that, so I didn't do a project. Consequently, I must have had plenty of free time, you say? Well, no, actually. On top of my school work (yeah that takes a bit of time!) I helped the others a bit with their projects (Jarrod, Monique and Danielle entered
Jarrod did a project on Charles Upham, a kiwi soldier.
 |
| Jarrod with his project |
Monique's was entitled 'The Kauri Tree in History.' Her interest in the topic was sparked while we were on holiday in Dargaville in April, where we learned about the Kauri tree and gum diggers. She actually bought some Kauri gum somewhere there too! Monique's project received special interest because it was slightly unusual!
Danielle was very committed in her study of Harriet Tubman, and she titled her project "Harriet Tubman: Slave and Railway Conductor" (or, ah, something along those lines!)
Because I didn't have my own project that needed to be judged, someone volunteered me to spend half an hour in the kitchen, serving tea and coffee.
 |
| Why do I always look terrible in photos?!? |
I'm afraid I don't remember the exact times that things happened throughout the morning, but first of all after everyone had arrived and set up was the judging. There were separate judges for each age group, and the entrants were judged on their presentation (board plus any extras like dressing up or props), content(?), and orally.
A bit later on the venue was opened to spectators, and 'Spot the Solution' sheets were given out. For this, each entrant had previously submitted a question from their project, and its answer, to Mrs Rakete. The questions are compiled together, and spectators go from project to project answering the questions. At the end of the day all the sheets are put in a box, and the person with the most correct answer wins a prize.
Before prizegiving, someone gives a speech on something historical. This year Mr. Johnstone spoke. I found his topic, a particular battle in the Crimean War, quite interesting, because it built on what I had recently learnt in Geography when I studied the Crimean Peninsula. He did well keeping the younger ones interested by getting many of the homeschool students to help re-enact a battle scene.
After Mr. Johnstone's talk came prizegiving. Every entrant from a particular age group gets called up, one at a time, and presented with his certificate. Once the whole age group is standing on the stage everyone claps for them and they are allowed to move off, and collect a chocolate bar.
The helpers (myself included, yippee!! haha) each received a note thanking them for their help, and a toblerone. We teenagers shared the toblerones among us. =)
Then we all cleaned up and went home!
All in all, it was a good day! Thanks Mrs. Rakete, for organising it again!
Adios!
Bianca =)
Monday, January 02, 2012
Happy New Year!!!
Hey Everyone!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sorry this is kinda late, but they do say 'better late than never,' don't they? lol
So......
HAPPY NEW YEAR! to all my readers!
Wishing you another year of happily reading my blog.... *grin*
Love Bianca
I'm sorry this is kinda late, but they do say 'better late than never,' don't they? lol
So......
HAPPY NEW YEAR! to all my readers!
Wishing you another year of happily reading my blog.... *grin*
Love Bianca
Saturday, December 31, 2011
When Mum's not there to supervise....
One afternoon in July, my birthday as it happens!, Mum was out (I forget why). Uncle Pete was home and took the following photos of my siblings:
 |
| This bike is suspended in midair, being 'ridden' by Jarrod (12) |
 |
| And I think Bryce (3) is pulling this rope, causing the bike in the above pic to swing. |
 |
| Princess Danielle (8), Princess Monique (10), and Princess Diana (5) |
Science by Design Conference Part 2
I got up promptly at 6 o'clock the next morning when my alarm went off, and, since I was suddenly wide awake, I wondered for a minute whether I had seriously just woken up, or whether I had been lying half awake for a while?
After I had done everything I needed to do, I sat down to await my ride; while it was a little difficult not to fall asleep, it was nice to have a few minutes to relax! =)
Then Mrs Aiken did arrive to pick me up, and we went directly to MCBC (Manukau City Baptist Church), where we helped set up for another day of the conference. The timetable sheets that were supposed to be placed in various places around the church had disappeared entirely, so a few of us (Mrs Aiken, Mrs Stephanie Brown, Joel and me are the ones who come to mind) wrote out new sheets (Maybe I should work on my printing more often lol!), and then blu-tacked them, along with other signs and arrows, on doors, walls...et cetera...
When the first talk for the day began -“Recent News in Creation Science"- we were still busy with signs and whatever! Some of the signs needed cutting down (they were on like A3 paper, and there was a lot printed on it that we didn't actually want) so Mrs Aiken and I did that while listening!
Next was morning tea and resource viewing (there were HEAPS of vendors there!!). There was also heaps of food (yum!) which I helped hand out.
Then at 11am was keynote address #4: "Ask the Beasts."
To quote from http://www.learnex.co.nz/Editable/conference/FirelightJayWile2011Auckland.shtml:
"In this seminar, Dr. Wile will talk about Job 12:7-10, which begins by commanding the reader to “Ask the beasts.” In his view, this Scripture is telling us that we must study nature to fully understand God. While God’s divine revelation (the Bible) is clearly more detailed and precise than His natural revelation (creation), both are necessary to have a full and complete understanding of God. He will give a bit of history to show you that this was the motivation for many of the great scientists of the past, and some great scientists of the present. He then draws from fields such as astronomy, microbiology, zoology, and botany to share at least a bit of what science tells us about God."
12:30 was lunch and resource viewing. Or should I say, catch up with your friends and eat something?!? lol! I stuck around at the church although it would seem I could have had Subway instead..hmm which would have been the better choice...oh well I guess my bank account would have liked the one I made *grin*!
After lunch were the breakout sessions:
a) "Where are they now?" with Dr Wile, discussing the difference that homeschool graduates are making in the real world.
b) "Getting off to a Good Start" with Dorinda Duthie, which included applying for an exemption.
c) "Goodbye Chaos, Hello Peace" with Cynthia Hancox.
d) "Hands on Learning" with Rachel Larkin.
e) "Tackling the "isms": Worldview Overview" with Joe Fleener. Also from the above link:
"This workshop covers a basic overview of the main "isms" with some comparisons and specific examples. Attendees will leave with a basic understanding of worldview, able to recognise particular worldviews and being made aware of some resources available for further investigation."
I chose session e, and managed to talk a couple of friends into joining me. Only one of us had remembered a pen, and all three of us had stuff we wanted to write down, so that was kind of interesting! =)
I found the talk interesting, although I'm afraid it was so long ago that I'm not gonna be able to write about it!
Afternoon tea followed, at 3 o'clock.
Last of all was a talk by Dr Wile entitled "The Earth: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made."
Did you know that ozone is a poisonous gas, but is imperitive if life on earth is to survive? This discussion was very interesting (as were the others!), however it had been a long day, and I could have gone to sleep! I noticed several other people looked quite tired too...! =)
It was then about 5pm, and we helped tidy up a bit before the Aikens dropped me home, during the short drive to my place, we each shared what we had found interesting, and other memorable moments from throughout the day.
I don't remember whether I noted this previously or not, but in case I havn't, I should just mention that there were talks by other people running during every main session. However the main breakout sessions was the only time I listened to anyone other than Dr. Wile.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make such an awesome day possible!
After I had done everything I needed to do, I sat down to await my ride; while it was a little difficult not to fall asleep, it was nice to have a few minutes to relax! =)
Then Mrs Aiken did arrive to pick me up, and we went directly to MCBC (Manukau City Baptist Church), where we helped set up for another day of the conference. The timetable sheets that were supposed to be placed in various places around the church had disappeared entirely, so a few of us (Mrs Aiken, Mrs Stephanie Brown, Joel and me are the ones who come to mind) wrote out new sheets (Maybe I should work on my printing more often lol!), and then blu-tacked them, along with other signs and arrows, on doors, walls...et cetera...
When the first talk for the day began -“Recent News in Creation Science"- we were still busy with signs and whatever! Some of the signs needed cutting down (they were on like A3 paper, and there was a lot printed on it that we didn't actually want) so Mrs Aiken and I did that while listening!
Next was morning tea and resource viewing (there were HEAPS of vendors there!!). There was also heaps of food (yum!) which I helped hand out.
Then at 11am was keynote address #4: "Ask the Beasts."
To quote from http://www.learnex.co.nz/Editable/conference/FirelightJayWile2011Auckland.shtml:
"In this seminar, Dr. Wile will talk about Job 12:7-10, which begins by commanding the reader to “Ask the beasts.” In his view, this Scripture is telling us that we must study nature to fully understand God. While God’s divine revelation (the Bible) is clearly more detailed and precise than His natural revelation (creation), both are necessary to have a full and complete understanding of God. He will give a bit of history to show you that this was the motivation for many of the great scientists of the past, and some great scientists of the present. He then draws from fields such as astronomy, microbiology, zoology, and botany to share at least a bit of what science tells us about God."
12:30 was lunch and resource viewing. Or should I say, catch up with your friends and eat something?!? lol! I stuck around at the church although it would seem I could have had Subway instead..hmm which would have been the better choice...oh well I guess my bank account would have liked the one I made *grin*!
After lunch were the breakout sessions:
a) "Where are they now?" with Dr Wile, discussing the difference that homeschool graduates are making in the real world.
b) "Getting off to a Good Start" with Dorinda Duthie, which included applying for an exemption.
c) "Goodbye Chaos, Hello Peace" with Cynthia Hancox.
d) "Hands on Learning" with Rachel Larkin.
e) "Tackling the "isms": Worldview Overview" with Joe Fleener. Also from the above link:
"This workshop covers a basic overview of the main "isms" with some comparisons and specific examples. Attendees will leave with a basic understanding of worldview, able to recognise particular worldviews and being made aware of some resources available for further investigation."
I chose session e, and managed to talk a couple of friends into joining me. Only one of us had remembered a pen, and all three of us had stuff we wanted to write down, so that was kind of interesting! =)
I found the talk interesting, although I'm afraid it was so long ago that I'm not gonna be able to write about it!
Afternoon tea followed, at 3 o'clock.
Last of all was a talk by Dr Wile entitled "The Earth: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made."
Did you know that ozone is a poisonous gas, but is imperitive if life on earth is to survive? This discussion was very interesting (as were the others!), however it had been a long day, and I could have gone to sleep! I noticed several other people looked quite tired too...! =)
It was then about 5pm, and we helped tidy up a bit before the Aikens dropped me home, during the short drive to my place, we each shared what we had found interesting, and other memorable moments from throughout the day.
I don't remember whether I noted this previously or not, but in case I havn't, I should just mention that there were talks by other people running during every main session. However the main breakout sessions was the only time I listened to anyone other than Dr. Wile.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make such an awesome day possible!
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