Happy Hollydays!

Last Wednesday all of TY went into town. 'Not again!' I hear you cry? This time it was for a charity collection. We were selling holly badges for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Or as I tried to say it that morning to my neighbour's little sister, the Irish Prevention of the Society for Children Cruelty. I mix up words a lot. We went into a hall in Dublin and were given the badges and collection boxes. We were told where to go, I was with Jayne and we were outside Topshop near St Stephens Green shopping centre. The badges were €2 each, but a lot of people put in lots of change and didn't even take a badge. It was freezing! I was so glad I wore leggings under my skirt, but I could have done with extra socks as well. My feet were blocks of ice. I wore thick gloves too, but my fingers still froze. Not fun. For lunch afterwards guess where we went. McDonald's again! Then we went home.

On Thursday we had our last ever Zumba class :(. Sad face. It was really fun, and the instructor put on Christmas music at the end for the stretches. I think I'd like to do it outside of school, but I don't have any time! And I'm broke.

Friday was our Christmas dress up day. I wore a Christmas jumper and hung glittery gold baubles from my earrings. I got lots of compliments on my creativeness for using baubles. The truth is they were on the kitchen table when I was leaving, so I just grabbed them. Walking to school I had them in my pocket, and now my coat pocket is full of lovely gold glitter. Yay! I love glitter.

I can't wait until Christmas. I'm so excited! I just love Christmas. We put up our tree at the weekend, and now its so Christmassy when I'm watching TV with the tree and all the lights. I am looking for a new phone and a McWilliams sail bag. It's an Irish sailing brand, the bags are made in Cork  out of sailcloth and apparently is practically indestructible. Practically everyone who does sailing has one, and I really want it!

Rathbeggan Lakes and Roadshow in Punchestown

On Wednesday we went to Rathbeggan Lakes, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath for a Project Maths Trail. We were put into groups of four or so and we each got a clipboard. Then we started off with the activities. The fist one my group got was a nice easy one. It was probability with a deck of cards. I thought it was really easy, I suppose because I play cards a lot in the summer. We also had to balance a beam with weights to figure out a formula, make an octagon out of twine and a few others. Apart from it being it freezing cold (to the point where I couldn't feel my fingers for most of it!) it was really fun.

On Thursday we went to the Kildare Road Safety Expo at Punchestown Racecourse. There were stalls everywhere from the RSA, Drink Aware, the Irish Road Victims Association and many more. There was a ''roll over'' car which simulated a car that rolled over, like in some crashes. It looked a bit scary, even though it rolled over slowly. Then there was a talk from reps from Drink Aware, the HSE, An Garda Síochana and the Road Safety Association as well. There were some videos about the importance of not using your phone and wearing a seat belt, as well as wearing luminous and reflective clothing when out in the dark walking or cycling.

Today in school we had a flash mob! It was for Calamity Jane, which our school is doing in February for this years musical. There was a rehearsal for the launch as well, which is tonight. I'm doing lifts for it with other people from TY.

Schools across Borders

On the 21st of November all of us TYs went to the City West Hotel for a Global Citizenship Conference. Each school group had to make a short presentation about what they had learned so far. Myself, Ailbhe, Karen and Aoife had to present our class's project. It was based on poverty, especially its effects on women and children. After that we watched a play called Burma for One. Darren Irvine spoke with members of the Rohingya community from Burma who are living in Ireland. He also spoke with members of the Palestinian community in Ireland. Then it was lunch time, we had chicken and chips which were yum. After that we went from the main ballroom to another room for the activity hub section. There were reps from Amnesty International, Trocaire, Concern and lots more. We also did a Graffiti Wall where we all drew and wrote our opinions and thoughts.

In English last week we were studying short films. One was an Irish film called Atlantic, which was a bit sad. Watch it and you'll know why!