Jabba Jabba Jembe!!

Today class Amina had a percussion workshop from 10.40 - 3.20. When we went down to the music room, we were greeted by a man called Dave :) We all had to go out to the van (which was cool) to get all the drums and stuff. Dave's dog also came along for the craic. It is the cutest dog ever!! His name was Charlie, and I really wanted to sneak him home with me, but I think Dave would have noticed if his dog was missing.... When we had brought all the drums in, we each took one. He showed us basic things, like how to hit the drum properly with your hands, and also he taught us some basic rhythms. Then we learned a bit about the history of the jembe. It originated in western africa, in Mali. Dave said that he lived in Ghana, so I thought that was quite a cool place to live. Then we played some more songs. Some girls had the big bass drums, and some had little small bongos. Even some of the teachers played with us :D We watched a video about the jembe in africa, and how rhythm comes into their everyday lives. It was amazing to see the local people beating out rhythms when they were like working in the fields or something...I guess it really does flow in the blood! Then we got to do some freestyling and salsa. At times it was hard to keep the rhythm because other people were doing different things, but I eventually got the hang of it. Most people's hands were sore at the end, but that just means that your "hands are laughing" !! It was such a good day, definitely one of the best days in ty so far. It was SOOO much fun. everyone enjoyed themselves. It was also really different, it's not everyday to get to play the jembe!!! (haha that rhymes) the website is www.jabbajabbajembe.com

Music Night :D

Yesterday, the annual music night was held in the school. I am in the choir, and we were opening the show, singing the song we sang for a competition called "To a Wild Rose". Personally I think it went very well, and our harmonies were sounding goooood :) Then the ty's were also performing "mama said". To be honest, at the start I really didn't like the song, but I grew to really like it :-) It is a really upbeat and happy song. Everyone on stage got into the mood, and no one held back :L I think were really good and made the audience smile :D Overall twas a very enjoyable evening, and hopefully we raised money for the music department. Well done to all involved :)

Can you die from walking?!!! :P

So I'm doing Gaisce and as part of the award you have to do a hike..which is on friday. We are leaving school at 2 o clock on friday and will return at 6 on saturday. I've been working on gaisce for like the whole year, and when I do the hike I will get my award :D So what I didn't know is that the hike is 25km, yes I said 25!!!! :O seriously, I don't know if that is physically possible, but I will soon find out. I am going to bring the a LOT of food, to keep the energy levels up :P If I ever recover from the hike, and am able to type when I return, I'll let you know how I got on..........

Music night

Well tomorrow is the music night (!) and the tys are singing "mama said" by dionne bromfield. It had improved a lot since we started, and we have added in a few hip shakes and all ;) I am also in the choir, and we are singing as well...so tomorrow night I will be a busy woman! ;D

Trip to Dublin :)

Yesterday we went to town :) We firstly visited the W.B Yeats exhibition. We got to see memorabilia from his early life, all the way until the end of his life. It was very interesting to see his drafts of poems and his handwriting (which was very hard to read!!!) Then we went to the history museum, where we saw items from the stone age, bronze age and iron age. Then we went to go and see the bog bodies, which I think every one was looking forward to. It was amazing to see bodies that have been preserved for thousands of years in the bog. We got to see 4 bodies. Some were decapacitated, others had no legs. The most interesting one was a man who's hands were still intact! It was amazing, as you could see finger nails and where the veins would have been. It is astonishing that these bodies have been preserved for so long. After this, we were free to have lunch, so myself and a few other girls went to St Stephens Green and had a pic nic :) It was so nice, because the sun was shining and it felt like summer. :D Then we went to the Art Gallery, where we saw Jack Yeats' paintings. He started off as a realist painter, and then through his life he changed to an impressionist painter. The paintings were very interesting, and it was a great way to end a brilliant day :D

Lá Glas :D

On wednesday the 16th april, we had Lá Glas in the school. Ty's theme was aer lingus. We had people dressed up as pilots, passangers, air traffic controlers and air hostesses. We had a very creative performance planned (thanks to leah!!) It was a lot of fun, and we won 8 easter eggs between the year :)

Mini Company in the Red Cow

On Monday the 14th of March, the tys headed on yet another trip for mini company. This time it was a regional final. We were all judged by about 4 judges. There were 6 people in our group and we were split in two A's, B's and C'S. one group would be at the stand, then you would switch to go and look at the other stands, then we went into a different room to talk to the other students about our mini company experience. It was a good day and Green Hero won 1st prize for sustainability and 3rd prize for quality. We also qualified for the national final on the 7th april. We have a lot of hard work to do in the coming weeks!

Choir Competition

Today is the Wesley Choir Competiton. We have been practicing for many weeks now, on a song called "To a Wild Rose". It is a really nice song, especially when we add in all the harmonies. The competition is on at 4 o clock today! :O Hopefully we will do alright :)

Mini Company

Yesterday all the tys went to Clane GAA for our mini company competition. This was the day that we had all been building up to for many weeks now. Our group had put so much work into the project. Every one had put in so much work into all their companies. We left at 9.30 and when we got their we set up our stands. Every one's looked so good. Green Hero was one of the last groups to be judged. The judge was realy nice and he didn't really have anything bad to say about our company. Then we heard that we were shortlisted for the final. But apparently we didn't get through...so that is kind of dissapointing. Also I didn't get through to Poland, so overall its been a good week :P
Good Luck to all the girls that got through to the final, I know they will do really well!! :)