Every year, my school goes to Norval for a team building day. When we arrived, the grades were split so you were working with your own grade. The counsellor started my grade off with the Inuit Blanket Toss, where a person lies in the middle of the blanket and everyone around the outside pulls the blanket causing the person in the middle to fly in the air. Next, there was a 14ft wall that each person had to get over using just our own bodies. Putting all our minds together, we managed to get everyone over the wall. Soon, it was snack time. Granola bars, with juice...yum. After our bellies were filled, we participated in another activity. For this, someone was strapped in a harness and 4 different ropes were attached to them. Then, there were 4 groups, each group had to control one of the ropes that were tied onto the person. Plastic balls were put over the ground and we had to move the person in the middle by pulling different ropes at different times, to retrieve the balls. After that was lunch, a time to reflect on the activities we did with our peers. In the afternoon, we had a drum circle. Every person got their own drum, and we made music based on the rythms, and worked together as a whole. This day was extremely worth while, and its sad that this is my last year to do it. I know that the grade 5's who will be in grade 6 next year will have a blast.

The world is a big place. We think that people make a big influence, and that the more money you have, the bigger person you are. Everyone is in a big competition for the biggest house, the biggest diamond rings, the most expensive clothes, the highest heels, the longest legs, the prettiest hair, the best body. Why do we only see the big things? Is it because everyone is striving to get the best things? I think it is. My school director opened my eyes with a story. She talked about her son wanting one red leaf from a tree. I look out the window and see millions of leaves on the tree. What is so special about that one leaf? Well, each leaf contributes to the millions of leaves on the tree. Imagine if we took one leaf from every tree in Canada, we would end up with a lot of leaves. The little things are often the best in life. Little things can offer big performances. My friend, Andie loves skittles. They aren't even the size of my fingernail but its what makes her happy. My other friend, Evan loves his little bunny. That's all it takes to make him happy. Me? Well, this might sound a little different, but I like Justin Bieber. He's small but he has a big voice that sings to many. So, take a look around and focus on the little things. You'll see what you've been missing.

WE Day 2009

October 5, 2009. Air Canada Centre. 16,000 people. One room. The day was filled with speeches from Craig and Mark Keilburger, Spencer West, Pinball Klemmins, Jesse from MTV, and many more. Outstanding performances from Hedley, Justin Bieber, and something that surprised us all, the Jonas Brothers. Craig and Mark Keilburger founded Free The Children when they were very young. Now, almost 30 years old, are still helping children around the world. Spencer West, a man who lost his legs due to a disease when he was a kid. He has dealt with bullying and teasing about his lower half of his body, but still continues to touch the hearts of people around the world. Pinball Klemmins who is the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts. Truly a motivational speaker to all who were listening. Jesse from MTV, who went to Kenya had to drink the blood of a goat, out of its throat. She explained how she was crying, and was scared to do it, but when she looked into a mans eyes, she knew this was what she had to do.

Justin Bieber was the first performer, and did he ever sing his heart out. He sang "One Time" on his acoustic guitar and every girl in the room was screaming. The surprise was, the Jonas Brothers were there. They sang "S.O.S" and "Burnin' Up". Unfortunately, their microphones were not working, but the crowd was singing the song anyway. The last performance was Hedley. They performed "Cha-Ching", there new song that hasn't been released yet, "Amazing", and as they said "It's never too late to change the world," they closed the day with none other than, "Never Too Late".

I learned so much from this day, and now I realize just how many people strive to make the world a better place. I, one day, will be one of these people. Change the world, NOW.

Poverty Reflection

Poverty. If you could describe poverty in one word, what would it be? I'm still trying to decide. The definition in the Webster's dictionary is: "the condition of being poor." I disagree. I think poverty isn't about the person itself not being able to to afford the basic needs of life, it's also about the people around them not trying to help. Millions of people in Canada are living in poverty, people die everyday from poverty, only some make it through. Many people living in poverty are single mothers with children. I think this is where we need to step up. Everyone who is reading this has access to a computer. Is your computer in a sheltered place, or in the middle of a field? I think we all know the answer.

The other day I was standing on the sidewalk waiting for the bus. It was really cold and I couldn't wait to get on the heated bus. Then it crossed my mind that homeless people are experiencing the same weather, what do they have to look forward to? A brick wall to block the wind? Maybe a blanket? I didn't want to think about that, so I put the thought out of my mind. Now, sitting here writing this, I wonder how many people survived through the cold weather.

I don't understand poverty. Every person has his or her own story that no one knows. But, we need to take these people into consideration! Buy a person a sandwich, give them some lose change. Donate to organizations that help this. Would it kill us to help other people? If we don't, it could kill them.