Saturday 22 March 2008

Spring Has Sprung!

 

Good afternoon, everyone.  Spring has finally arrived.  Gone are the long, cold, dreary nights.  In their place are lighter mornings and longer days.  Just a reminder to all readers in the U.K that the clocks go forward next weekend, meaning we get an hour less in bed.

 

 

Easter is incredibly early this year.  As Jan said in her entry, Christmas only seems as if it was yesterday.  I couldn’t agree more, it’s amazing how quickly time flies.  This morning it has been snowing in Wales.  It has not come to much, as there is a lovely blue sky outside now.  Strange weather!

 

 

My god-daughter Eloise is 10 years old tomorrow.  Where have the years gone?  I can remember her when she was knee-high, and she used to refer to music as “Mickey”.  At that time, the only music she would listen to was the Toni Basil hit, so that’s how that came about.  I found it hilarious!

 

 

On Thursday evening, I was invited to an Awards Ceremony at school.  I was nominated for, and won three certificates.  One for “Best English Student of Key Stage 5 (Year 13)”, another: “Special Award for Outstanding Effort” and I won an “Endeavour Award”.  Also, I had three pens and a glass paperweight.  I had always wanted one of those throughout my school career, and now I have one.  I feel very privileged!

 

 

I was a little nervous because this was my second time ever to walk across the school stage.  I walked up some steps, across and down the other set of steps with the aid of my wooden stick.  I was scared in case I should trip and fall off the stage, but I didn’t. 

 

 

The first time that night was awful.  I was shaking.  But I was determined to make it to the other side of the stage.  When I reached the headmaster, I couldn’t stop walking.  I had to stop and walk backwards.  But as the night went on, I grew with confidence and managed to overcome my fear.

 

 

What made the night extra special was the fact that my Mum and Dad were in the audience.  I think that was a big factor of my nervousness, but they were extremely proud.  I can’t wait for the Griffin Mill award ceremony in September.  If I win the trophy of “Outstanding Student the in Rhondda Cynon Taff” that will be the icing on the cake for me.

 

 

I have had a new mobile phone for over four months, and today seized the opportunity to use the 5 mega pixel camera feature on the phone.  The last four photos in today’s collection were taken using my phone.  Taking a photo was no problem.  However it’s taken a while to transfer them to the PC.  But after many goes, there they are! **applause**  I hope you like them.   

 

Have a blessed Easter everyone.  Try not to eat too much chocolate!

 


 

Saturday 15 March 2008

Talent Vs. Looks?

I sincerely apologise for the irregularity of my journal posts this month.  I have been really busy with revision and coursework demands for each of my subjects.  I did not realise I hadn’t posted since Monday.  So here’s my news!

 

On Tuesday evening, I went to see “the X Factor 2007” concert with some friends.  “The X Factor” is the U.K version of “American Idol” for those who have not heard of it.  All the finalists from last year’s show toured the British arenas.  I had an amazing time!

 

I thought all the singers were really entertaining.  One man stole the show, in my opinion.  Rhydian Roberts from Powys, South Wales!  Last year, he took second place in the competition to Michael Bublé copycat, Leon Jackson.  He came across as arrogant on the show, but overall Rhydian had the best voice.  How could he not win?  Talent contests should be based on a person’s talent not looks.  But that’s not always how it works, unfortunately.

 

For months afterwards, “The X Factor” became a rather controversial topic.  Lots of people said that the voting had been fixed so that the Scottish boy won.  Personally, I think that Rhydian has a longer career ahead of him than Leon. 

 

Rhydian Roberts – “Somewhere”

Leon Jackson – “When You Believe”

 

   

L-R – Winner Leon Jackson and runner-up, Rhydian Roberts.

Monday 10 March 2008

Pinch me, I'm dreaming!

I have been chosen to represent my school at “Griffin Mill’s “Outstanding Student of the Year” Award.  My Head of Year caught me off guard this morning with the news.  I was so shocked, I fell backwards in surprise!  It still hasn’t sunk in yet.

 

I’ve been dying to reveal all today, but I’m sworn to secrecy.  My competitor doesn’t know, you see.  Well, I hope she doesn’t read my journal!

 

Next month, I will have to give an interview to a panel of judges.  Then in June, I shall go away on a team-building weekend.  And, finally in September my parents and I will be invited to a presentation evening, where I shall have to give an interview on stage.  Mrs. Cooke said “it’ll be a bit like Miss World, except you’ll be wearing a tuxedo and having a posh meal”.

 

I honestly can’t believe it.  I never expected to be picked in a million years!


Tags: , school,

Friday 7 March 2008

Good Morning

I apologise for not posting sooner.  AOL has been a real pain this week!  I keep on getting cut off the Internet.  I’m back now, though the big question is, how long for?

 

Mum had a lovely day last Sunday.  I bought her a new umbrella (she’d been dropping hints since Christmas!) and some “Next” vouchers.  Then, my parents and I went out for lunch to the local pub.  Mum said she felt lazy because she had not done anything all day.  I replied she was entitled to feel that way.  After all, it was Mother’s Day!

 

I had the most exciting news on Tuesday.  My Head of Year at school has nominated me for the “Outstanding Student of the Year” Award.  It is a regional competition, so students from schools all over Rhondda Cynon Taff will compete for the prestigious title.  My fellow English Lit buddy Kirsty has also been put forward.

 

All nominees have to fill in a form, like a Personal Statement.  That was not easy for me, because I am a very modest person, not one to “big myself up”.  It was also very difficult to remember everything I had done in my life.  I had to list charitable work I had done, sporting activities, cultural or creative activities and, of course, qualifications!

 

It’s an honour to be nominated for this award.  My Head of Year said it usually goes to students who get straight A’s in subjects and she felt I had done so much more in my 18 years.  Therefore, a very worthy nominee!

 

The headmaster will now look at our forms, and will then decide whether Kirsty and I get one step further to winning the competition.  It’s nice to be nominated and some recognition.

 

That’s all my news for now!

 

Saturday 1 March 2008

Saint David's Day

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus!

Happy Saint David’s Day!

Hen Wlad fy Nhadau / Land of My Fathers

(sung by Siân James) 

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.

Cytgan:
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad,
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r heniaith barhau.

Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.

Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad dan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.

The old land of my fathers is dear to me,
A land of poets and singers, famous people of renown
Its brave warriors, great patriots,
For freedom they lost their blood

Chorus
Country, country, I'm partial to my country,
While the sea is a wall for the pure, dear country,
O may the "old language" continue

Old mountainous Wales, paradise of the poet,
Every valley, every cliff is beautiful in my sight;
Through patriotic feeling, more enchanting is the murmur
Of her streams and rivers to me.

If the enemy violated my country underfoot,
The "old language" of the Welsh is alive as ever,
The spirit wasn't hindered by the awful, treacherous hand
Nor the sweet harp of my country.