Skype Reflection

1) What went well in today's Skype session?

I believe that the kids seemed to be engaging a lot with all the questions we asked in the presentations. They also seemed to enjoy the many different topics used to show procedural writing they seem to truly like the time we spend skyping.


2) What is the value of collaborating with this grade 3 class?

Collaborating with this grade three class through Skype is a great way to put our worlds fancy technology to work. It is a very interesting way to see how different classes throughout the areas of Manitoba learn, and is a wonderful way to teach new things to new a younger generation. Its also a way to hand down helpful tips from one city to another.

Easter

Well as we all know Easter was this weekend, and with being 17  I was not expecting to receive anything but my mother had differet plans and surprised me Easter morning with all of this!

I love my mother so much! I honestly don't know where I would be without her. Needless to say, I had my Easter Day was made quite a bit better as I got to do my homeowrk while snacking on these wonderful treats! 

We Day - 2013

Photo Credits: Kayla Burgess

    We Day is a powerful event. It promotes a change in the world and empowers the kids of our generation to make a difference. The first photo presented here was taken a few minutes before the crowd of attendees started pouring in. I snapped this image out of pure excitement for the amazing speeches I was about to hear. That’s where the second image comes in, it is of Martin Luther King III, and was taken during his amazing speech that ended up being my favourite of the day. I’ve chosen to write about these photos because it was an incredible day that came during a hard time in my life and helped change my outlook on life and the outlook I had on myself.

Volunteering at We Day 2013 was unbelievable and unlike any experience I`ve had. Dedicating my spare time to an organization that does so much good in the world made me feel part of something so much greater then myself, and that I was actually making a difference. During the many training days that took place before the grand event I met an abundant amount of amazing people seen throughout the primary photograph presented.  There was an immense amount of excitement between my fellow crowd pumpers and I as we practiced our dances and chants while waiting for the many different schools from a crossed Manitoba to arrive. I made a ton of new friends all sharing the same passion for change as I do. Without their contribution, this Free the Children movement would not have been such a success.  

          Taking another look at the background of the initial image given, you see the We Day stage in all its glory. The brightly lit screens filled with neon lights made us even more eager for the performances from Shawn Desman and Robb Nash, not to mention the speakers such as Molly Burke, Amanda Lindhout, and Spencer West with all of their speeches that would soon have us hanging on every word. The set-up of the stage, along with the color of lights chosen for each act greatly added to the interpretation of these productions, and without all these amazing facets the show wouldn’t have been nearly as memorizing.

This second photo of Martin Luther King the III was taken during the show he was the opening speech and it was his speech that stood out the most to me. I was enchanted by his words and in the end it was what helped me to make a change and turn the corner to a new me. He spoke of needing to be the best you can be “If all your life you be a street sweeper, why go on and sweep streets. Like Michael Angelo carved marble, go on and sweep streets. Like Shakespeare wrote poetry, go on and sweep streets...” his speech gave me goose bumps, the truth behind his words “It isn’t by size that you win or you fail, you just got to be the best of what you are.” Made a lasting impression on the view I had towards the people of the world. This speech drove me to the realization that as we go through life we may never be as great as Shakespeare. We may not be as artistic as Donatello, but to find that one thing we are put on this earth to do, and put everything into fulfilling that calling, then you can live on, satisfied with knowing you’ve accomplished your best.

 In conclusion these photos are more than a representation of We Day, but a representation of a turning point in my life as well. Leading up to this event my days were filled with complications, stress, and the feeling of being utterly lost and confused with who I was. Being there, listening to the tales of hard times from these inspiring people was my release. They helped to show me the light in the middle of my storm. It was exactly what I needed; it was there that I was reminded of me. The real me, that had gotten lost in the shuffle and fast pace of high school.

By: K. Burgess

Six Word Memoir #5 - Love

I personally think this image fits perfectly with the theme love, I chose to use a filter in order to lighten up the original image and to had more texture throughout it. As for the words, I decided on this font simply because I believe looks softer and more elegant. The colors are white and red. I wanted them to stand out against their background, and I wanted the word love to stand out especially I though making it red would be a good way to go. The saying "When you love never let go" comes from my thoughts and own experience of love. I know that love can be a deeply scary thing that many people shy away from. Some people may even push away the person they care about most in order to try and protect themselves. That is why I say "when you love never let go" because you shouldn't. Love is an ability, and if your able to love someone you need to hold on to them. If they are able to carry u out of your darkest days, then they are someone worth holding on to. You can't let being a little scared get in the way of something so magical.

Six Word Memoir #6 - Growing Up

Friendships are a huge part of growing up, that is why I chose this picture of my old friend Kristin and I. This was taken in grade 3, and now being in grade 11, and having moved away from her we don't talk much. I came up with the memoir, "friendship last forever in our memories", meaning that even if you drift apart from your best friend you will alway remember that friendship. Friendships are a huge part of growing up, it is those friends that make you, who you are today. It hurts deeply knowing you use to be so close to someone, that you guys use to be eachother's other half. Yet It is then, once you accept that you are not as big part of their life anymore that you have to thank them for having been in your life, thank them for those wonderful memories and move away knowing that you both did right by eachother in that time period of friendship.

Six Word Memoir #4 - Family

   This photo is personally one of my favorite family pictures. I love how young my whole family looks and it just reminds me of the good old days, free of the stress of school, and work and any other kinds of stress I'm under now being 17. As the youngest in the family it also brings back wonderful memories of playing with my brother and sister who are both in there 20's now, all moved out and starting their own lives. It's honestly a little saddening looking back on those days of youth, and realizing that your getting older and are soon going to have a family of your own.

   I choose the saying "A families love stands through anything" for my six word memoir because there is a lot of truth behind those words. My family as been through a tremendous amount struggles over the years, and yet we never fail to love one another. Your family will love you through the thick and the thin, whether you're rich or poor, on your moody days and your happy days nothing will change that. I am very happy with this saying I came up with and very much believe that it's fit this image perfectly. 

   As for editing the photo I chose to use the filter transfer, to add more color and more if a brightness to the photo. I made the decision to have the words boxed in a color due to the fact that it would be difficult to read if I left it simply black with all the different colors in the image plus I think it looks good with a white box around the memoir. It is for these reasons that have this picture and these words for my six word memoir representing family.

Six Word Memoir #3 - Me

"Natures beauty is all around you" is the six word me or I chose to pair with this picture. I put this photo under the category me, because nature is one thing that never fails to cheer me up. I could be having the worst day, with being stressed over school, work, home life anything could be going on and nature helps to pull me back up. If you take the time to notice, if you take time out of your day to appreciate what nature as given us it'll cheer you up in no time. As you watch the snow fall softly onto the ground, or as you watch the cloud float aimlessly through the light blue sky that seems to stretch for mile and miles. Remember that life as a purpose. Remind yourself that this is just a bad day, not a bad life. Remind yourself of your hopes to see the world when your older, and your dream to ride a horse in the beach. Taking a moment out of your time to enjoy what nature as to offer, can be your renewal, and give you a refreshed outlook on the world and your life.