Time flys when you're having fun

This year's third years (whether they're choosing to do it or not) are all talking about TY. It's hard to believe that this time last year, the mocks were fast approaching and we were all trying to keep on top of the decision for TY, subject choices and studying. It's already Feburary of '11 and the end of the best year in school is almost over.
The teachers are all giving us talks about different subjects, telling us what their structure is like for the LC. I must say that after doing TY, I'm a lot more calm about making my subject choices; because there's not as much stress as there was last year (not even finished one state exam and thinking about the next, not exactly pressure-free).
I'm still trying to decide which subjects to choose, but I have a fair idea. I've narrowed it all down to these five:

1. Economics
2. Geography
3. Art
4. Business
5. History

^ That's them, in order of what I'd most like to do. I'd never done art before this year, and you only barely tip off Economics in the JC. I suppose that's why TY's been so good- it gives you a year to find new talents and things you didn't know about yourself.

For anyone who wants to do art for the LC and didn't do it for the JC, you have to draw a self portrait and a shoe or a pepper (or "something like that") to prove your ability to the art teachers. I think this is good because it lets you know if you're able for LC art or not.

For anyone who wants to do TY, I say go for it (or not.. I wouldn't mind another year of this :P). TY has been such an amazing year- but it wouldn't have been if I didn't put in so much effort. Ty is a waste of a year if you're expecting a doss, trust me. It is hard work but it's kind of fun work.. There's no rule that says you have to do your work- you just have to do it. At the start of the year it's a little hard to get used to but after a while you get into the swing of meeting deadlines and keeping all your projects afloat at once.

TY IS AWESOME

Movement workshop for English

Ms. C organised a drama workshop for the two TY classes. Some people found it useless and boring; but I really enjoyed myself. The workshop was about movement on stage- indirectly. We did different movements, first we did them slowly (in the count of eight) then slightly faster (count of four) then faster than that (count of two) and then even faster than that (count down to 1).
There was a part about "filling space". I was partners Niamh C for this section. I made a shape using my body, then she had to fill in the sace around me. Then I had to make another shape by moving away and filling in the space around her shape. It was tricky to manage at first, but after a while we got the hang of it.
All-in-all, the workshop helped me a lot :)

Home-Ec International Foods Project

[http://img4.myrecipes.com/i/recipes/sl/00/02/enchiladas-sl-257868-l.jpg]

The enchaladas that myself and Bebhinn made for Home-ec, our country is Mexico :)

Briery Gap Drama Competition

As part of our English TY course, we had to take part in the Briery Gap Drama Competition. The first round was held in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Our class (Amina) was devided into two groups; one group preformed 'Knoughts & Crosses'(or 'Xs & Os', as some people have nick-named it!) by Malorie Blackman (which we adapted ourselves) and the other preformed 'But You Didn't' by Meryl Glass.
I took the lead male role in the play, Kaz took the lead female. I'm glad that I stepped up to play this role because it has taught me to keep on top of deadlines and work (learning lines is a very tough process!)
I hope that we get through to the next round, I've really enjoyed working on this project.
Trip to Mullingar: possibly one of the best days of TY so far!

Bowling Trip

Mrs. L has planned a Bowling Trip for the TYs next Wednesday. We have our teams sorted out, we're all set to go. It should be good fun; bowling always is!
We still have to do some Christmas tests (English, Irish, Maths, Science and Religion). I think this is a good idea. We don't have as many tests as other years but it keeps us in routine with having some tests. Next year we'll go back to having eleven!
Because we have less tests than everyone else, next Thursday we have the day off.
So far the pros are out-weighing the cons in TY.

Home-Ec fashion show

Tomorrow's the TY Home-Ec fashion show. Each class was devided into four groups, each group was given a colour to theme their outfit around, a pair of white trousers and a white t-shirt.
My group was given the colour scheme Black & White. We decided to make a black and grey leotard (inspired by the snow leopard) with white from the t-shirt underneath. The skirt was inspired by Carrie Bradshaw and is made out of 12 metres of net (that's a lot of net..)

English drama- Noughts & Crosses

For English we’ve been entered into a drama competition where we’ll compete against English classes in other schools.
Our class was divided into two groups. People who wanted to perform a play based on the poem ‘But You Didn’t’ are in one group, people who wanted to perform ‘Nought & Crosses’ are in the second. Luckily enough there’s a pretty even divide in our class with who wants what.

I’m in the group performing ‘Noughts & Crosses’, a play about love and racism. The play follows two people: Sephy Hadley (Karen) and Callum McGregor (me). Sephy is black, Callum is white. People who are black are seen as being higher up in society than people who are white. Sephy’s father is the Prime Minister and Callum’s mother got fired from being the Hadley’s maid. Their lives are very different but somehow they’re best friends and in love; with a dramatic twist thrown, the play keeps you on the edge of your seat!

The play is pretty long and I’m in almost every scene; a lot of lines to learn but also a lot of fun to be had :)