World Health....impossible?

I believe and will fight for health through out the world. Many things can affect the world's health. Not having food to eat, diseases, and junk food One of the most important things you can do to stay healthy, is exercise. You can over come so many diseases, by avoiding junk food, and exercising. Many schools in the world serve unhealthy food, for students to eat, and as a reprecussion of this, get over weight and unhealthy. Jamie Oliver is one of the people that noticed this, and has started a programme called, 'School Dinners'. There is another programme that help over weight people get fit, and healthy again, by training them to eat healthy, and exercise on a daily bases, The Biggest Loser. My  and my grandparents are two of my biggest inspirations, at their old age they still exercise daily, and run/walk in races. Health is important to these people, but not important to many other people in the world.

In England many of the schools serve junk food for their students. Jamie Oliver has a problem with this, and started the programme 'School Dinners'. He went to many schools in England and tried to change the canteen food, because it was highly effecting the health of their students. Since he is a chef himself, he worked with the school's canteen staff to create a new menu, that is healthy, yet easy to make. He has done this successfully, and has fought for what he believed in, health.

The Biggest Loser is a TV show that started in the United States, but because of it's great outcomes, and the change it brought in obese people's lives, it was spread to 25 other countries. Even though the winner of the show gets a cash prize, the contestants enter the programme to loose weight, and in doing this, save their own lives. It has encouraged countless people to begin exercising and getting healthier. Dave Broome, the created of Biggest Loser, started this programme because he believed in fighting for health.

My grandpa, at 84 is one of the healthiest people I know. He goes to the gym regularly, and still competes in walking races. 2 years ago he won the South African Masters Championship, being one of the oldest contestants in the race. My grandma, at 74 also came 2nd in the State Championship, and represented her state at the South African Championship and came in 4th. She runs at least 3 times a week. They believe in leading a healthy life. I am proud of them because they fight for what they believe in everyday, their health.

You can over come so many diseases by exercising, and eating healthy. Some schools in England were not serving their students healthy food, and Jamie Oliver stood up for what he believed in and changed the canteen menus. Dave Broome also fought for what he believed in, by starting The Biggest Loser, to help over weight people loose weight by exercising and eating healthy. My grandparents also thought that this was important, and they have fought for what they believed in which was living a healthy lifestyle. Health should be important to you because it can prevent and take away so many diseases. By eating healthy food, and exercising these people stood up for what they believed in, health.

Animal cruelty.

 "Animals can't speak, so we have to be the voice for them!" - Bernice vdV. I believe in fighting against animal abuse. So many animals die every day because they are being abused. There are a few TV shows about this topic, because the people that do know about this problem, want to take action. There are also a few organizations, such as the SPCA, that helps with this problem. We can't just sit back and pretend it's not happening. We need to help those that can't help themselves.

People ignore the fact that animals are being abused, and killed for pleasure every day. At least 500 animals die each day because of animal abuse. Which means, because of animal abuse 20 animals die every hour. Abusing an animal is the same as abusing a person, and abuse leads to death. Innocent animals are being tortured to death.1

People have realized this, and got the media involved in it. Because the media plays such a big part in so many people's lives, it is a great way to get the message across. There is this one TV show on Animal Planet that is all about catching/arresting the criminals, and saving the victims (the animals). It is against the law to abuse animals, and many people have gone to jail for doing so. It is a crime and deserves it's punishments. At least people realize that we have to do something about this issue.

Every body knows about about the SPCA, because it is such a successful organization. The Selangor SPCA does really well accepting animals, and caring for them. They receive 600- 700 animals a month, care for, and try to find homes for them. This is a very hard task, and all help is needed. Only 25% of these animals get homes. This isn't the only program, helping and protecting animals, there are a few. But the SPCA is one of the most successful.

We have to fight for what we care for. And we have to take a stand for what we believe in. And I believe animal cruelty is wrong, and I want to fight for the animals being abused. You can also help by donating your time and some money, to the SPCA. To the animals that need help, that need love, because they have been abused. They are trying to stop to torture by getting the media involved. The other organizations, like SPCA, are helping with this problem. But they can't do it alone. We all have to help. We have to fight for those that can't fight for themselves.

Achieving the Impossible Dream

Bed of Dreams

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

All school's worldwide should start later, because it will have a positive effect on student's learning. This topic has been debated for many years now. Most teens dream about getting more sleep... but unfortunately it's impossible. According to DebateWise (a reliable debating website) 44% of all the people surveyed agreed, 50% disagreed, and the remaining 6% were neutral. Personally, from a student's perspective, I agree. It is not only good for a child's learning, the amount of kids with sleeping disorders with decrease. It is generally better for your health to sleep more, but because of the amount of homework we get, and the time we have to wake up for school, we don't get enough sleep.

Many people disagree with this topic, and say that school shouldn't start later, because of varies reasons. One of those are that kids, will take advantage, and go to sleep later as well. This example is why 50% of people said 'no' to this statement. Many people will also think that this might take away family time. I can see why they think so, but I still think it would be for the better.

So many of the teens today come to school tired. Honestly, me being one of them some days. 78% of teens say that, it is hard to get up in the morning. 70% Thought that their grades would improve, and an astonishing 90% of teens think that their over-all academic performance would improve by school starting later. I can agree to all of these facts from ScienceDaily. I think that this would be a better option for schools to take because of health reasons and for the student's pleasure. When your brain is not tired, it functions much better.

Many scientists strongly believe, that it can greatly impact the way we think at school, and our attitudes during the day. When you are sleeping your brain has time to rest, your brain needs enough rest to have a successful day at school. 16% of teens surveyed said they get enough sleep. Teens need 81/2 - 9 hours of sleep each night. (For more info go to TeensHealth). It has been proven that people can concentrate more and for a longer amount of time if their brain is well rested. The brain is one of the two most important organs in your body, we use it every second of every day, and this is why we need to give it a break.

Along with most of my peers, I don't sleep enough and it is effecting the learning of modern day teens. School is the biggest reason why, for most kids. The reason schools should begin later, is only to benefit, the students and the teachers. Even though many people might disagree, I think it will have more positive outcomes than negative ones. Teens will have loads of energy and be able to concentrate an entire day at school and at home, with the right amount of sleep. Schools should start later, so that students can have the opportunity to get enough sleep. "To achieve the impossible dream, try going to sleep." - Joan Klempner

Our Hidden Voice

By Bernice, Cindy, Yuichiro & Mohamed

These days wisdom
is disguised by uncertainty,
you know?
Opinions and speaking with strong
conviction and authority,
as opposed to the invisible determination
in our society.
To aggressively question and implore,
to challenge our tragic generation.
Personally chop down interrogative...ness,
to stop declaring
our so called whatevers.

Modern technology, owes ecology, an apology. ~Alan M. Eddison

Photograph: Michael Melford, Nation Geographic

There are wars, there are economical crisis', there are conflicts, but the biggest problem in our world today is Global Warming. "Global warming is too serious for the world any longer to ignore its danger or split into opposing factions on it." -Tony Blair. I think people over look Global Warming because of all the other problems we have, but if we do not do anything we will be very sorry. I think all schools should have some club like the Green Guardians, because the earlier we learn how to deal with this crisis, the more change we can bring. But if all of us don't help then this change will not accure.

Our world has so many problems these days, it is almost impossible to attend to all of them. But there is a big problem, one that HAVE to take care of, and make sure people are aware of it. I am not saying that we should leave all the other problems in the world. But if we do not start taking action, and doing our part in helping the environment, then no one will. We have to take one step at a time.

A strategy that I realized works, is teaching kids to do things a certain way, from a very young age. It is harder for adults to get into the habit of reusing paper, composting, not wasting water, ect. because they are not used to it yet. If we start teaching kids at a young age to do all those things it won't be considered a habit, but a way of living. They will then teach it to their children, and then things will change.

A lot of the times we think that 'it's okay! I'll just do it next time'. This mind set is completely wrong, because if we all think that than we can't achieve anything. It won't help at all if only a few people live environmentally friendly. We all have to. It won't help if just a few people reuse, reduce, and recycle. We all have to. This to me, means a better future for the next generation. I want my kids to be playing in nature. But how can we make such a big change? It all seems so impossible, but if we start with baby steps, then we will learn how to save our planet.

Our planet is such a blessing to us. It is so wonderful, and so big, and yet every minute we destroy more and more of it's beauty. And for what? To construct new buildings, new towns, new roads. But what we don't realize, or do realize but don't care about is the fact that we are killing lives by doing this. The lives of animals. We are messing up the food chain, and in in the long run, we are messing up what used to be a natural paradise. But if we fight against this, I strongly believe that things will change for the better. "If we stand together, we can achieve!"

No action...no change!

"It always seems impossible until its done" - Nelson Mandela. Standing up for what you think is right, leads to change. Because there is so much conflict in our world, we need leaders to stand up for those who don't have the courage. Nelson Mandela is one of the great leaders, that I look up to since he is from the same country I am from. He is not just a leader but also a great role model for the world.

Some people have the power to make the change, but don't. Some people doesn't have the power to make a change, but they do. Many people know what is happening, but don't stand up because of some consequences they have to face. Depending on the situation you are in, there isn't always a consequence. A leader is not always someone who risks their life for something."Some people dream of success… while others wake up and work hard at it."- Author Unknown - This quote to me means, even if ur not standing up to change to world, you can make a change in a much smaller way, but can have a bigger impact. But if you just think of what you should do, then nothing will change.

During the time is South Africa when Apartheid struck, rights for the colored people where very little. They were separated from the white people, and none of them liked this change. But none of them had the courage to take a stand, until Mandela did. Unfortunately he was jailed for 27 years, because of his courage to stand up. During this time nothing changed, until he was released, that's when society changed. He dedicated most of his life to this dramatic change is South Africa. He stood up for the people who didn't have the courage.

Nelson Mandela isn't perfect, he is human, but because of his deeds, he is considered a hero. Everybody wanted change, but needed a leader. Nobody stood up because they didn't have to courage to face the consequences, until Mandela did, and made a change in not only South Africa, but people's perspectives in all the world. A great hero he is, and will always be.

Without hope....why live?

Hope is such an important part of our lives. Without even knowing, hope sometimes gives us a boost of confidence, and it reminds us to keep going. "It always seems impossible until it's done." -Nelson Mandela. This quote has so much to do with what hope can help us achieve. We can achieve greatness -that no one else would have thought could be achieved- through hope. Some times I get so upset, because I don't think I can do something, or I think I'm not good enough, but all I really need is hope. Because if we have hope, we can believe in our selfs, and if we believe in our selfs, we can do great things. I think Nelson Mandela, said so much with just a few words, that can lead to change. He had hope, through every demanding year in that prison cell. Look what change he has brought to the world today. He will be remembered for years to come. Nelson Mandela didn't just have hope, but encouraged other to also have hope.

Egypt

A few weeks ago in Cairo, Egypt, it was chaos. The majority of the Egyptian people wanted a new president. Their former president has been in power for a long time, and people didn't think the elections were correct. Former President Hosni Mubarak didn't think that was the case. He did everything except what the people wanted. There was a riot against the Governments autocratic ways. The military was also part of this situation, but the people weren't always sure which side they were on. There was one incident where the military trucks gave the people lifts while they were protesting.

The president didn't think this was necessary, but finally came to a resolution. Not everyone was happy, and many people got hurt during this violent time. Especially if they were for President Mubarak staying, and not against it. After a while the President decided he was not going to let this interfere with his presidential reign. The people didn't like that at all. There were even more riots, and more violence. Then the president quickly came to the conclusion that if he doesn't leave, it will tear Cairo apart. So he fled, and left the Military in charge. No one, not even the Egyptian people know what will happen next.

The holocaust study.

Before this, I had no idea about any of this. I was completely clueless, but when we studied this more, I really enjoyed it. I'm not saying that I enjoy learning about how Hitler killed 11 million people, but I find this history very interesting. Now that I know a bit more about the holocaust, I can say that it was a horrible time. Germany need economical help and there was Hitler. Germany needed it's pride back, and there was Hitler. He was the only choice (back then) for the people back then, and he promised the people just what they wanted. I feel so sorry for the Jews and all the other people who were involved in the genocide.

This happened because the people had problems and Hitler was their only hope. When he came in the picture he didn't do so well, but after a while he had more and more supporters. This lead to a bigger plan, the genocide of all the dirty people (they thought).

So many people died who experienced this event that there isn't so many to recover from what happend. All the people who were in the holocaust and came out alive, have all mostly excepted the fact that there is nothing you can do to change the past.

I really feel like just from this unit, I have learnt so much! I knew almost none of this before. Yes it is depressing, and yes it is sad, and horrible, but I think we are old enough to realize that this is what really happened. This is history.

This unit really mixed in well with our recent unit on religions, and because of that knowledge we have a better understanding about this unit. It just all flows well.

I found (as many other people did) the holocaust very shocking and I'm sure I am going to remember that. I will also remember a lot of the activities we did with this unit that really helped me understand the whole concept much better.

Different Religions + working together = Peace

1. Describe the trip

Our 7th grade field trip was very interesting and fun. We went to the China Town area of Kuala Lumpur, to look at the different religions of Malaysia. We went to a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple, and a Muslim temple. We took pictures and notes about these temples. All of them were very interesting, and I learned a lot from all of them.

2. What did you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste?

I saw a lot of statues, incense, rituals, spiritual people and different believe systems. The area and the location where these temples are placed have different smells because of the suage water near by. The sounds were different on all of them because of the different ways of worshiping. The Muslim mosque had loud speakers playing a prayer or a worship to Allah. I thought that was very interesting.

3. What were the common values that you saw between the religions?

All of these temples had a great amount of spiritual feeling in them. They all had their own interesting way of teaching and worshiping. I saw that the mosque and the Hindu temple had a lot of patterns in their temples. The Hindu and the Buddhist religions both pray to statues, have lots of candles and burn incense involved which their religious practices.

mYtHs!!!

Some people say that, "A myth is the projection of a culture's soul". This is because creation myths tell us how people think and there are many similarities to be seen. Myths sometimes has some of the same/similar elements.

Myths carry the common elements of love, Gods, the creation of humankind. This is unusual because they are so different from each other.

A common element in many creation myths is love. For example in the Maori myth the sky and the earth held on to each other because they loved each other so much. Also in the Chinese myth where Nuwa created humans and loved them. Therefor it can be said that even though these myths are from different places, and different times there are some kind of connection between them.

In the beginning of many myths, there was Gods. For example the Egyptian creation myth. Another example is the Yoruba myth where there was a council of Gods. This proves that people in other countries with different thinking share the same ideas.

A similar element in many myths is the creation of human kind. In all creation myths somehow we are born, vomited, spat out into the world. In different myths here are different ways we were made.

As we can see many elements in myths started when traders spread myths around and they got known by different people in different times. Some myths die over time, but some myths, some of which has love, Gods, and the creation of man included in, stay on and hopefully will keep on for many generations to come.

I love my name. My name (Bernice) is Greek, English, or French, meaning 'Victory bringer'. Well it's suppose to be Berenice but because I was born in Bern, Switzerland my creative parents wanted a part of the city hiding in my name. I really like my name because not a lot of people have it, so it's unique. I am a lemon with sugar and chili flakes sprinkled on top. I am a bit of everything. I believe I'm pretty unique with a touch of Swiss cheese, and the roar of an African lion, so I like my name. The only disadvantage of my name, is people tend to tease me and call me 'Barney'. I don't like it, but it's not that bad, I wouldn't change my name if I had the choice.

My last name is actually van Deventer, not van de Venter. Meaning my ancestors came from the town in Holland, called Deventer. My dad was departing for a business trip and before he left he told me by the time I get back you should be able to spell our surname. That's how my sister learned too. This was of course when we were baby chicks still in the nest. When my grandpa was registered, they miss- spelled our surname, so from then on we were the van de Venters. My name and my surname might be long and very hard to say, but I like them cause they are unique. Bernice van de Venter, my name.

A little taste of me.

tAzZzZz...

My hamster Tazz (Tazzie) is not only my pet. I love him as much as I love my mom, dad, and sister. I know I sound completely stupid, but I can't help it. I consider him as a family member. He is so small so it's easy to sneak him around. He's been to the mall, he's been to pizza hut, not yet to the movies, but you get the point. He is like my baby. And the one thing I adore about him is that he LOVES kisses. When I walk in my room and he's awake, he'll run to his cage door and lift his head up so I can kiss him. When my day was really horrible, i'm sad and I cry he will automatically calm down and go into his support mode, and that makes me feel so much better. Although he can get very cranky at times and bite me, every drop of blood he has caused is worth it. He is the best pet in the world!

I love music and the arts, so thats why CD's, music notes, a microphone, and the drawing of the South African flag really represents the artistic side of me. The reason I put a mask is because I see the world from a different perspective. Not like most people do. I always question things and wonder.

I love fashion, and style. I thought sunglasses, nail-polish, lip gloss, and my heart shaped necklace goes quit well with that section.I am from the greatest place in the world, (I think) South Africa. With it's beautiful beaches, wild life, and landscapes South Africa has a lot to offer. But people don't always see that. They always see the negative side of it. Crime. Despite that I believe South Africa is AWESOME!!! Well you might be wondering why I put a camera and a flower in the picture. Well it's because I love photography. I'm not any of the best, but I really enjoy taking photos. And the flower is there because I also love our nature (including plants, and animals). Especially animals such as, cheetah's, dogs, hamsters, hippos, cats, lions, whales, reindeer, ostrich, cows, and so many more.