Tuesday 23rd of December 2008
CAS Element: Service
Time: 5 hours
Today I was a volunteer to help pack presents in the hope to recieve donations for the 'Secours Populaire' association from the costumers of a megastore in Paris. I was briskly explained how to pack and present the different objects before I was left behind the counter. I was quite anxious and stressed when I had to deal with my first clients, as I knew that they were watching my every moves. making sure their presents would be well packed. However I quickly gained confidence and soon no even the most ackward object scared me. Eventhough the work had to be done fast and none stop as the costumers kept on coming continuously, It was an extremely nice experience as you end up meeting nice and generous people.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Bake Sale
Tusday 9th december 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
After school today I helped in a bake sale organized by a friend of mine. We managed to sell almost everything and collected about 130 euros. This money will help a young girl that lives in Tunisia in the vital need of a heart surgery. I had a lot of fun selling cakes and cookies to students and even teachers, but my satisfaction was even greater knowing this money will help to save a life.
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
After school today I helped in a bake sale organized by a friend of mine. We managed to sell almost everything and collected about 130 euros. This money will help a young girl that lives in Tunisia in the vital need of a heart surgery. I had a lot of fun selling cakes and cookies to students and even teachers, but my satisfaction was even greater knowing this money will help to save a life.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Love in a Box
Wednesday 10th december 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 3 hours
This evening with friends I went to the American Cathedral of Paris to participate in a project called Love in a Box. The association had receaved donations like candy, gloves, books, toys, etc... from schools in Paris. Our job was to rap this present
s in boxes and classify them by gender and age. They will be given away at Chrismas to orphans in Paris. We were right in the middle of the cathedral which was quit hummongous and majestic. It was fun to pack present for others imagining the joy they would feel when they open their present. I was 
not easy for each age to find the appropriate book or toy. We also filled each boxes with candy and other things. Eventhough it was not easy to keep iy up for three hours, I enjoyed every second of it.
CAS element: Service
Time: 3 hours
This evening with friends I went to the American Cathedral of Paris to participate in a project called Love in a Box. The association had receaved donations like candy, gloves, books, toys, etc... from schools in Paris. Our job was to rap this present
s in boxes and classify them by gender and age. They will be given away at Chrismas to orphans in Paris. We were right in the middle of the cathedral which was quit hummongous and majestic. It was fun to pack present for others imagining the joy they would feel when they open their present. I was 
not easy for each age to find the appropriate book or toy. We also filled each boxes with candy and other things. Eventhough it was not easy to keep iy up for three hours, I enjoyed every second of it.Bodybuilding
Friday 28th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hourI have just received my card to access the gym at the Aquaboulevard club and I wanted to try it out. The complex is pretty vast and I was a bit lost at the beginning. I spent the hour working out with easy load and trying out all the machines to spot the ones that were best appropriate for parts of the body I wanted to exercise.
Tuesday 9th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
Today I went with friends as I though it would be more fun to work out in a group. It turned out to be quite pleasant and helpful as we helped each other with guidance and support throughout the different sets.
Monday 22th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
I am on holiday and I wanted to do some action, unfortunately I did not find anyone to go with as most of my friends already had left Paris. Nevertheless I was motivated and determined to work out at the gym. I focused completely on the upper body muscles and did not work out my cardiovascular. I also observed the others with more experience in the hope to get some tips.
Sunday 19th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
I had not gone to the gym for a long time from lack of free time. Therefore today I went easy so not to injure my muscles. I went around and tired out a multitude of machines and spotted the ones that interested me. I felt a bit unsure while working out, but I guess it is because i do not go that often.
Wednesday 22nd of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
As I knew what machine interested me, I did not loose time and started directly to work out. Some muscles were still sore from the workout at the start of the week, but as I warmed up the pain disappeared. I concentrated on my shoulders and biceps, which are not very useful in swimming, but anyways the goal of the activity is to workout muscles I do not usually do.
29, 30th of June and 4, 5th of July 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours
Now that school is over, as well as swimming season as a matter of fact, I now have much more time available to do things I don't have time to do during the year. As a consequence, I have decided to go to the gym regularly for a serious two week training before I leave on holidays. Moreover I decided that I will go to the gym by bike, instead of taking the public transport. It is not an easy ride to get to the gym, since you have to overcome a series of upward and downward sloping roads.
My goal in the gym is to develop all my muscles in general as to keep a balanced and proportional body. Nevertheless, I still concentrate my efforts on my upper body muscles, since there are the ones that will most probably help me for swimming next year.
I realized as the days past that I had to give myself break, as to allow my muscles to recuperate and prevent injuries. I felt that some muscles were tired and even paining the next morning, so I decided to give myself a break and go more easy next time.
7, 8, 10 and 11th of July 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours
This week I continued on with my fitness program. I was very organized and strict to myself as to keep up the motivation and not slack off as it is so easy to do so. It was tiring and some muscles suffered more than others, but at the end I felt that I got used to the workout. I really had the impression that I gained endurance and strengths. I was also motivated by the fact that I am leaving on holidays at the and of the week and knowing that these will be the last workouts for the next month.
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hourI have just received my card to access the gym at the Aquaboulevard club and I wanted to try it out. The complex is pretty vast and I was a bit lost at the beginning. I spent the hour working out with easy load and trying out all the machines to spot the ones that were best appropriate for parts of the body I wanted to exercise.
Tuesday 9th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
Today I went with friends as I though it would be more fun to work out in a group. It turned out to be quite pleasant and helpful as we helped each other with guidance and support throughout the different sets.
Monday 22th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
I am on holiday and I wanted to do some action, unfortunately I did not find anyone to go with as most of my friends already had left Paris. Nevertheless I was motivated and determined to work out at the gym. I focused completely on the upper body muscles and did not work out my cardiovascular. I also observed the others with more experience in the hope to get some tips.
Sunday 19th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
I had not gone to the gym for a long time from lack of free time. Therefore today I went easy so not to injure my muscles. I went around and tired out a multitude of machines and spotted the ones that interested me. I felt a bit unsure while working out, but I guess it is because i do not go that often.
Wednesday 22nd of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
As I knew what machine interested me, I did not loose time and started directly to work out. Some muscles were still sore from the workout at the start of the week, but as I warmed up the pain disappeared. I concentrated on my shoulders and biceps, which are not very useful in swimming, but anyways the goal of the activity is to workout muscles I do not usually do.
29, 30th of June and 4, 5th of July 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours
Now that school is over, as well as swimming season as a matter of fact, I now have much more time available to do things I don't have time to do during the year. As a consequence, I have decided to go to the gym regularly for a serious two week training before I leave on holidays. Moreover I decided that I will go to the gym by bike, instead of taking the public transport. It is not an easy ride to get to the gym, since you have to overcome a series of upward and downward sloping roads.
My goal in the gym is to develop all my muscles in general as to keep a balanced and proportional body. Nevertheless, I still concentrate my efforts on my upper body muscles, since there are the ones that will most probably help me for swimming next year.
I realized as the days past that I had to give myself break, as to allow my muscles to recuperate and prevent injuries. I felt that some muscles were tired and even paining the next morning, so I decided to give myself a break and go more easy next time.
7, 8, 10 and 11th of July 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours
This week I continued on with my fitness program. I was very organized and strict to myself as to keep up the motivation and not slack off as it is so easy to do so. It was tiring and some muscles suffered more than others, but at the end I felt that I got used to the workout. I really had the impression that I gained endurance and strengths. I was also motivated by the fact that I am leaving on holidays at the and of the week and knowing that these will be the last workouts for the next month.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Banque Alimentaire
Saturday 29th of November 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 3 hours
This service to the society consisted of helping a French association 'Banque Alimentaire' that fights against hunger in France. I had to help collect food that will later be given to people in needs. I was in a supermarket and was instructed to give at the entrance a pl
astic bag and a brochure of the association to the entering costumers. If they were willing they could buy and donate food that we at the exit. Everyonce in a while someone would pass to collect the boxes full food donated. At the beginning I was not very confortable, as it was my first time doing this kind of service, but then I gained confidence and managed to persuade even reticent people to accepted to donate. It was a bit long standing there for three hours. My back was kind of hurting, but fortunatly I was with a friend from school, which made it easier. The shift I was in, was not the busiest of the day in term of costumers, but we succeeded in filling quite a number of boxes. Nevertheless this experience was very interesting and I really feel proud of myself as I feel I made a difference for some people.
CAS element: Service
Time: 3 hours
This service to the society consisted of helping a French association 'Banque Alimentaire' that fights against hunger in France. I had to help collect food that will later be given to people in needs. I was in a supermarket and was instructed to give at the entrance a pl
astic bag and a brochure of the association to the entering costumers. If they were willing they could buy and donate food that we at the exit. Everyonce in a while someone would pass to collect the boxes full food donated. At the beginning I was not very confortable, as it was my first time doing this kind of service, but then I gained confidence and managed to persuade even reticent people to accepted to donate. It was a bit long standing there for three hours. My back was kind of hurting, but fortunatly I was with a friend from school, which made it easier. The shift I was in, was not the busiest of the day in term of costumers, but we succeeded in filling quite a number of boxes. Nevertheless this experience was very interesting and I really feel proud of myself as I feel I made a difference for some people.Sunday, November 16, 2008
Craft Workshop Project
Friday 14th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I first spent this first hour to brainstorm on my workshop project and gave myself five to six lesson to complete it. My idea is to make wool "pompom" and make key chains or small animals out of it to give away during the Christmas period. I will need cardboard, wool, scissors, and colored paper.
Friday 21st of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today I started my first pompom. It was not very hard as I had brought the instruction to make them found on the Internet. What was funny was that everyone was looking at me. They had no idea about what I was doing because when you make it does not look like anything, at least not until the end, so my peers were perplex. However when I cut the
wool and tied it up, which is the critical instant, many were surprised of the result and wanted to touch it.
Wednesday 26th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I am continuing my project slowly but surely. I must admit, it is taking more time to make a pompom than I had expected. This just encourages me to work even faster to make this project successful. I am up to three pompoms now.
Friday 28th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
As I was doing my fours pompoms, I went around to look at friends' projects. They are all different both from their appearance and methods. Some doing 'papier mache', some designing their cloth, some knitting and others even making their own jeweleries.
Wednesday 3rd of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today I had to continue on my craft workshop in the cafeteria, which was crowded with kids running around. The environment was not of the most appropriate. The tables were dirty with food and spilled soda, I stood most of the time. Nevertheless I managed to finish a pompom and started a bit of the second one.
Friday 5th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I think I know what I will make off all those pompoms. Counting the one I did today, it will be my six pompom. I will aline all of them one behind the other and pass a metal wire through each one of them to make a giant caterpillar that could be used as decoration in a house.
Friday 12th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today I lost a bit a time because I had to remake cardboard disks due to the fact that all the others ones were torn and bent. I did not get the time to finish my pompom completely, but I will just finish it at home. It is also interesting to see that other projects, in the class, are rapidly coming to form like the rubber ball and papermache project.
Wednesday 17th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I felt motivated today and worked briskly with nevertheless efficiency. I finish
ed a pompom and got the time to start another one. Of course I could not finish it, but that did not matter. I cannot wait to assemble them and finally make this giant caterpillar I have been thinking about.
Friday 19th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
It was the last day of school before the Christmas holidays, so I was quite exacted and even a bit distracted. Nevertheless I finished hopefully my last pompom and even started assembling them. It turned out to be more challenging than expected, so more time will be needed to finish it.
Friday 9th of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today I focused on assembling the pompoms together to form a fluffy giant caterpillar. I passed through each pompom a wire to give it a strong but also bandy core. I bent the two ends to stop the pompom from sliding away. I also got the time to start making the antennas.
Friday 23nd of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I finished the antennas and then made eyes out of cardboard. My scissors were not the best for cardboard and it made it a bit difficult. I also glued colored paper to the eyes and pupils. The hardest part was to make them stick to the pompom. I managed with super glue, but I doubt it is held very strongly.
Friday 30th of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I had to fix the eye as they had fallen off. I used more glue and I added black pupils to
make it look more realistic. I also cut off the extra length of wool from each pompom. However I kept some of them to join them together so the caterpillar can be hung if wished. Finally I went around the class and was able to observe that all the other craft projects were coming out good.
Friday 6th of February 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I thought my caterpillar was quite dull after all, consequently I have decided today to fabricate it a small accessory to make it unique. I constructed a small black hat out of paper. It was more challenging than I expected, especially when it came to glue the different parts together. When I was done, it fitted perfectly on its head and made it look smart.
Friday 13th of February 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
This was the last day to work on your craft workshop project. In the class some projects were already done, most were almost done, and few still needed to be worked on a bit more. Finished or not this was the last day anyway. My timing was great, as I was done with my craft and just had to fix some details, like the hat that had broken off. Overall I was proud of my creation. It turned out as I imagined it, if not better. Now I have to figu
re out to who I will give it to. I think my little sister will very much like it.
Friday 27th of March 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today our craft pieces were the starts of the day. We took pictures of our creation as to provide a prouf of their existence before we each bring them to our homes. I took many pictures of my caterpillar in
various different angles. I think I was kind of proud of it.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Origami
Thursday 20th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Using models, we have to create a range of animal by just folding paper. I enjoy very much origami as it is relaxing and I managed to make A bird, an elephant, and a fish. At the end, when enough animals had been made, we will all glue them on a big paper to create a scene.
Thursday 27th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We continued to make animals. The ones that need to be added to the list would be a penguin, a dog and a crabe. I think I got the hang of it, as I grasp the folding technique faster now. I find it fun to create things just out of a piece of paper and a bit of dexterity.
Thursday 4th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we started doing higher level, four and five stars, origamis. The first challenge was a chicken, which I managed fairly quickly to finish, however the second one, the rabbit, was more complex and got me thinking. I even brought it home to finish it, as I could not figure out the last two step.
Thursday 11th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We continued with the high level ones. I made a beautiful mice and an adorable koala. I kind like doing that now, every new one is now seen like a challenge to test my skills. Each success makes me more eager, more determined to challenge the next one... so much for... origami!
Thursday 18th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today I got to make the scorpion. What an honor and a privilege. Just looking at all the steps, I was lost, gone, strike by the complexity of them. However when I started folding, the complexity of the folds opened up to me and even though it took me the entire hour, I succeeded in giving life to my scorpion.
Thursday 22nd of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today was the last day to make the animals, before exposing them into a scene. For my last creation I decided to make the complex frilled lizard. For this one I had to use my dexterity at its full capacity to achieve the desired result. And that was it the lizard was made out of pink paper.
Thursday 5th of February 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we were divided into two groups and were assigned each a school board. With all the paper animals we had constructed, we had to fabricate a scene in which each animal was found in its natural ecosystem. I had a good group; we worked well together. We started to make a bright yellow sun, a deep blue sea and an island of soft sand and green trees. I found the activity very amusing and I cannot wait for next week to finish the fresco.
Thursday 26th of March 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We tried to finish the fresco that had been started by adding more animals on land, in the sky, in the water and even in the paper trees. At this end the scene looked a bit crowded, but the mixture of many different colors made it look quite pretty. I was proud.
Thursday 2nd of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we just finalizes some details that were not perfect yet, to really make the scene neat. Sometimes you only need on or two default to ruin a work. We then cut out letters out of colored paper to right at the top 'CAS IB1'. We finished by writing 'Origami Project' and our names by hand.
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Using models, we have to create a range of animal by just folding paper. I enjoy very much origami as it is relaxing and I managed to make A bird, an elephant, and a fish. At the end, when enough animals had been made, we will all glue them on a big paper to create a scene.
Thursday 27th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We continued to make animals. The ones that need to be added to the list would be a penguin, a dog and a crabe. I think I got the hang of it, as I grasp the folding technique faster now. I find it fun to create things just out of a piece of paper and a bit of dexterity.
Thursday 4th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we started doing higher level, four and five stars, origamis. The first challenge was a chicken, which I managed fairly quickly to finish, however the second one, the rabbit, was more complex and got me thinking. I even brought it home to finish it, as I could not figure out the last two step.
Thursday 11th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We continued with the high level ones. I made a beautiful mice and an adorable koala. I kind like doing that now, every new one is now seen like a challenge to test my skills. Each success makes me more eager, more determined to challenge the next one... so much for... origami!
Thursday 18th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today I got to make the scorpion. What an honor and a privilege. Just looking at all the steps, I was lost, gone, strike by the complexity of them. However when I started folding, the complexity of the folds opened up to me and even though it took me the entire hour, I succeeded in giving life to my scorpion.
Thursday 22nd of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today was the last day to make the animals, before exposing them into a scene. For my last creation I decided to make the complex frilled lizard. For this one I had to use my dexterity at its full capacity to achieve the desired result. And that was it the lizard was made out of pink paper.
Thursday 5th of February 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we were divided into two groups and were assigned each a school board. With all the paper animals we had constructed, we had to fabricate a scene in which each animal was found in its natural ecosystem. I had a good group; we worked well together. We started to make a bright yellow sun, a deep blue sea and an island of soft sand and green trees. I found the activity very amusing and I cannot wait for next week to finish the fresco.
Thursday 26th of March 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We tried to finish the fresco that had been started by adding more animals on land, in the sky, in the water and even in the paper trees. At this end the scene looked a bit crowded, but the mixture of many different colors made it look quite pretty. I was proud.
Thursday 2nd of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we just finalizes some details that were not perfect yet, to really make the scene neat. Sometimes you only need on or two default to ruin a work. We then cut out letters out of colored paper to right at the top 'CAS IB1'. We finished by writing 'Origami Project' and our names by hand.
Drama
Thursday 13th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I started a new activity and today was my first lesson of drama. We first started by a warm up that I found unusual but I guess necessary for this activity. We then did some exercises to introduce us to drama. I had to pick a scene and make a human canvas. I liked it, it was interesting.
Thursday 20th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to write on a piece of paper our most embarrassing moment, then we would each pick a paper and go on the stage and tell the story. The objective of the activity was to improve our skills in telling persuasive stories. It was actually fun and interesting to guess others students' embarrassing moment.
Thursday 27th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
The all class paired up and we spent the all hour writing our monologue that then will be performed the next week. With your partner we had to brainstorm and help each other write our monologue. I found it helpful to talk about my experience to someone before putting it into words.
Thursday 4th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to perform the monologue we wrote last week. However before starting we were given some ten minutes to prepare ourselves. I was going to talk about my first para gliding solo flight and what went through my mind just before I ran toward the cliff. I must admit I was a bit anxious going alone in front of the class, but at the end it went alright.
Thursday 11th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to create our own sketch so we were divided in two groups. We had to brainstorm and write the plot and the characters' descriptions on a piece of paper. From what we have decided our sketch is extremely comical. The story is very basic but filled with twists and turns. If it is well done, it will be funny but I am not sure my poor acting talents will be able to portray it fully.
Thursday 18th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We continued to work on our sketch. We first wrote down detailed scene by scene scenario to finalize the story. We even started to write up the dialogue of scene 1 with the two guards of the museum frivolously talking. All of us are working hard to make it work and I very much enjoy the ambiance of the group.
Thursday 8th of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to give in the final draft of the plot and the characters' description. We also finished scene 1 and almost completed scene 2. This scene takes place in a kebab shop were the two gags decide to steal the Pen of Glorious Ink in the Louvre museum. Our sketch is quit complicated as we have a lot of actors to include. It will take time but we will make everything work out.
Thursday 15th of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We managed to finish scene 2 and then principally talked about scene 3. This scene is the longest and most complicated as the acting in this scene contains extremely few dialogue. It consists mostly on the different gags and the guards chasing each other in the hope to steal the Pen of Glorious ink and own it.
Thursday 22nd of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today was the last day to write up the script. I thought we were almost done, however at the last minute we decided to make some modifications in the scene 2. We lost a bit of time, but we managed to give in the almost final draft of the complete dialogue of the play.
Thursday 5th of February 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We did something quite different today. We each had to draw out our character in our sketch; his physiognomy, his appearance, his style. In addition, we had to draw any kind of props our character needed to have and write a short description of him at the bottom. It was interesting to visualize my character in his fullness and imaging him coming to life.
Thursday 26th of March 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we worked on what part of our sketch was the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. We also were assigned each in my group a role. I was chosen to be the choreographer. I have no idea how it will turn out, but I will try my best to fulfill my role. We finished by the props and the costumes that will be needed for the performance.
Thursday 2nd of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Since today was warm and sunning, we grabbed this opportunity to have the class outside. We gathered on top of a small grassy hill in the park at the end of the street. I did drama exercises to first make ourselves comfortable and then teach us how to use the space around us.
Thursday 7th of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today was simple we had to finish up and organize the dialogs for each scene. Most of the work had anyway already been done. We just had to type it out and organize it, so it could be presented to the CAS coordinator.
Thursday 30th of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we did various exercises to improve our acting skills. One of them was to mime an occupation and at the same time figure out which other person mimed the same one. However, my favorite one is a game called 21. It is quite an usual game, which challenges your ability to focus and to work in a team.
Thursday 7th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Our script finished, typed and edited we started working on our lines today. As we went through each scenes, I realized that our play was not as funny as I thought and even almost lame at points. Furthermore the sketch is quite short and the story superficial. Nevertheless, we are not experts just novices, we created something and I am proud even if one had higher expectations.
Thursday 14th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
To warm-up we did a game were we had to answer a question with another question. It was a bit peculiar at the beginning but then when we were started it was fun, although I did not win. We then worked on our lines and I realized I had to make few adjustments to the ones I had, as so they come out more naturally.
Thursday 28th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
This week we really focused on the set up of the sketch. How would be each entry and exits and what kind of props we will use. We also practiced our lines and tried to memories them has much as possible. The end of the year is coming soon and I realized that we still had a lot to work on. I hope everything will turn out fine.
Thursday 4th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today each group was given ten minutes to quickly rehearse their sketch on the stage. It was not enough my group barely had time to go through half of the scenes, but the supervisor wanted each group to have enough time to perform their full sketch on stage in front of the other group. It was interesting to see what the other group has been working on and to compare their performance to ours.
Thursday 11th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
This was actually the last drama class of the year, since there are exams next week. A performance in front of a crowd will not be possible this year due to a lack of rehearsing time. Nevertheless we are planning to continue this next year. Our goal is to get to perform our sketch in front of people or at least to videotape it so as to keep a proof of our efforts.
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
I started a new activity and today was my first lesson of drama. We first started by a warm up that I found unusual but I guess necessary for this activity. We then did some exercises to introduce us to drama. I had to pick a scene and make a human canvas. I liked it, it was interesting.
Thursday 20th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to write on a piece of paper our most embarrassing moment, then we would each pick a paper and go on the stage and tell the story. The objective of the activity was to improve our skills in telling persuasive stories. It was actually fun and interesting to guess others students' embarrassing moment.
Thursday 27th of November 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
The all class paired up and we spent the all hour writing our monologue that then will be performed the next week. With your partner we had to brainstorm and help each other write our monologue. I found it helpful to talk about my experience to someone before putting it into words.
Thursday 4th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to perform the monologue we wrote last week. However before starting we were given some ten minutes to prepare ourselves. I was going to talk about my first para gliding solo flight and what went through my mind just before I ran toward the cliff. I must admit I was a bit anxious going alone in front of the class, but at the end it went alright.
Thursday 11th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to create our own sketch so we were divided in two groups. We had to brainstorm and write the plot and the characters' descriptions on a piece of paper. From what we have decided our sketch is extremely comical. The story is very basic but filled with twists and turns. If it is well done, it will be funny but I am not sure my poor acting talents will be able to portray it fully.
Thursday 18th of December 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We continued to work on our sketch. We first wrote down detailed scene by scene scenario to finalize the story. We even started to write up the dialogue of scene 1 with the two guards of the museum frivolously talking. All of us are working hard to make it work and I very much enjoy the ambiance of the group.
Thursday 8th of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we had to give in the final draft of the plot and the characters' description. We also finished scene 1 and almost completed scene 2. This scene takes place in a kebab shop were the two gags decide to steal the Pen of Glorious Ink in the Louvre museum. Our sketch is quit complicated as we have a lot of actors to include. It will take time but we will make everything work out.
Thursday 15th of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We managed to finish scene 2 and then principally talked about scene 3. This scene is the longest and most complicated as the acting in this scene contains extremely few dialogue. It consists mostly on the different gags and the guards chasing each other in the hope to steal the Pen of Glorious ink and own it.
Thursday 22nd of January 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today was the last day to write up the script. I thought we were almost done, however at the last minute we decided to make some modifications in the scene 2. We lost a bit of time, but we managed to give in the almost final draft of the complete dialogue of the play.
Thursday 5th of February 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
We did something quite different today. We each had to draw out our character in our sketch; his physiognomy, his appearance, his style. In addition, we had to draw any kind of props our character needed to have and write a short description of him at the bottom. It was interesting to visualize my character in his fullness and imaging him coming to life.
Thursday 26th of March 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we worked on what part of our sketch was the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. We also were assigned each in my group a role. I was chosen to be the choreographer. I have no idea how it will turn out, but I will try my best to fulfill my role. We finished by the props and the costumes that will be needed for the performance.
Thursday 2nd of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Since today was warm and sunning, we grabbed this opportunity to have the class outside. We gathered on top of a small grassy hill in the park at the end of the street. I did drama exercises to first make ourselves comfortable and then teach us how to use the space around us.
Thursday 7th of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today was simple we had to finish up and organize the dialogs for each scene. Most of the work had anyway already been done. We just had to type it out and organize it, so it could be presented to the CAS coordinator.
Thursday 30th of April 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today we did various exercises to improve our acting skills. One of them was to mime an occupation and at the same time figure out which other person mimed the same one. However, my favorite one is a game called 21. It is quite an usual game, which challenges your ability to focus and to work in a team.
Thursday 7th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Our script finished, typed and edited we started working on our lines today. As we went through each scenes, I realized that our play was not as funny as I thought and even almost lame at points. Furthermore the sketch is quite short and the story superficial. Nevertheless, we are not experts just novices, we created something and I am proud even if one had higher expectations.
Thursday 14th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
To warm-up we did a game were we had to answer a question with another question. It was a bit peculiar at the beginning but then when we were started it was fun, although I did not win. We then worked on our lines and I realized I had to make few adjustments to the ones I had, as so they come out more naturally.
Thursday 28th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
This week we really focused on the set up of the sketch. How would be each entry and exits and what kind of props we will use. We also practiced our lines and tried to memories them has much as possible. The end of the year is coming soon and I realized that we still had a lot to work on. I hope everything will turn out fine.
Thursday 4th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today each group was given ten minutes to quickly rehearse their sketch on the stage. It was not enough my group barely had time to go through half of the scenes, but the supervisor wanted each group to have enough time to perform their full sketch on stage in front of the other group. It was interesting to see what the other group has been working on and to compare their performance to ours.
Thursday 11th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
This was actually the last drama class of the year, since there are exams next week. A performance in front of a crowd will not be possible this year due to a lack of rehearsing time. Nevertheless we are planning to continue this next year. Our goal is to get to perform our sketch in front of people or at least to videotape it so as to keep a proof of our efforts.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Business Card
Wednesday 8th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
In this class I will learn to create my own business card. For our first lesson, we learned how to use all the basic tools of Photoshop. We then had a go to modified a picture of our choice. I found this lesson fun. It is amazing all the modifications you can do to a picture and I am sure I only used an infinitesimal part of what Photoshop can do.
Wednesday 15th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hour
We started by looking at businness cards in Google Images to get some ideas and see some more creative examples. We then had the rest of the time to design our own business card on Photoshop. We were told to make it as creative as possible and as a reflection of our character. I enjoyed it and tried to make a personal card.
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
In this class I will learn to create my own business card. For our first lesson, we learned how to use all the basic tools of Photoshop. We then had a go to modified a picture of our choice. I found this lesson fun. It is amazing all the modifications you can do to a picture and I am sure I only used an infinitesimal part of what Photoshop can do.
Wednesday 15th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hour
We started by looking at businness cards in Google Images to get some ideas and see some more creative examples. We then had the rest of the time to design our own business card on Photoshop. We were told to make it as creative as possible and as a reflection of our character. I enjoyed it and tried to make a personal card.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Math Tutorial
Monday 6th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
Today I helped my Math teacher in his Math 200 class. This class is composed of 10th grader that are not particularly good in math. My mission is to assist and help them with one on one explanations. My goal is to see an improvement and an increase of interest in the subject and hopefully an increase in the grade average of the student. At first the students were a bit reserved when I offered my help, but eventually they understood that I was here to help them and that they could ask me anything.
Monday 13th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
During the first half of the class the students had a small test. I had to make sure everything was going alright during the test and watch out for any kind of cheating. It was an interesting experiment as I was used to be in their position and not in the supervisor's. After that they worked on geometry until the end of class.
Monday 20th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
We continued working on geometry. The teacher gave on the board problems to do. I went around the class and tried to explain what to do to anyone who needed help. If I was not there the teacher would not have the time to give this one on one explaination to every students. And I think the students have realized that it is an advantage.
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
Today I helped my Math teacher in his Math 200 class. This class is composed of 10th grader that are not particularly good in math. My mission is to assist and help them with one on one explanations. My goal is to see an improvement and an increase of interest in the subject and hopefully an increase in the grade average of the student. At first the students were a bit reserved when I offered my help, but eventually they understood that I was here to help them and that they could ask me anything.
Monday 13th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
During the first half of the class the students had a small test. I had to make sure everything was going alright during the test and watch out for any kind of cheating. It was an interesting experiment as I was used to be in their position and not in the supervisor's. After that they worked on geometry until the end of class.
Monday 20th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
We continued working on geometry. The teacher gave on the board problems to do. I went around the class and tried to explain what to do to anyone who needed help. If I was not there the teacher would not have the time to give this one on one explaination to every students. And I think the students have realized that it is an advantage.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Piano
Friday 3rd of October 2008
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today one of my friends gave me a piano lesson. I used to play piano but I stopped three years ago. It was interesting and fun to restart playing piano as many old memories came back to me.
CAS element: Creativity
Time: 1 hour
Today one of my friends gave me a piano lesson. I used to play piano but I stopped three years ago. It was interesting and fun to restart playing piano as many old memories came back to me.
Recycling Project
Thursday 2nd of October 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today we talked about how to improve our school recycling project. We started by making posters to bring eco-friendly awareness to the students. We went around the school to collect trash that could be recycled and used it to construct our posters.
Wednesday 8th of October 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 0.5 hour
Today in front of all the IB (1) students, I made a presentation on the school's recycling program. I want to improve this program and make it more effective. I want to create new and clearer labels on the bins, awareness posters to inform and educate students and widen our waste recycle with not only paper, but also cans, plastic bottles, batteries and printer cartridges. At the end of my presentation, I asked if anyone wanted to be part of this project. The recycling team was created.
Thursday 16th of October 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today the recycling team got together and a job was given to everyone. Some went to the library and did some brainstorming and research on Internet to create awareness posters and labels for the bins. Others tried to find out where the waste could be dumped, while others went around the school to collect the paper in the green bins.
Wednesday 22th of October 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
The recycling group got together and we discussed mainly on the deadline settings for every task to be done to get the project really going. For example we have the recycling labels and posters, the awareness posters, the new can and plastic bottle bins, as well as, the construction of boxes for paper only used on one side. We decided that, instead of buying other bins, we will makes them ourselves. This is one of the first lesson to be learn by today's society, consume less!
Thursday 6th of November 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
We first divided into small groups. One went to the library to do the recycling posters, others worked on creating the labels and slogans for the bins and my group went around the rooms to collect the paper. At the end, we got back together to have a debriefing on the things done.
Thursday 13th of November 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today we did the usual shore. My group went around the floors to collect the paper. I can weight noticeable improvements. Students use more and more the green bin and my bag gets definitely heavier each time. We also started to collect some paper from the school offices.
Monday 17th of November 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Starting today I will collect the paper on Mondays now, so that creates a second shift in the week. In some classes the recycling bin gets full very fast, especially in the elementary, so this second shift will make the collecting bags less heavy and students less tempted to use the normal bin.
Monday 24th of November 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
My friend that injured himself and that had been gone for two weeks came back today and joined me in my weekly collect. It is always more pleasant and more practical to do this activity with someone. Nevertheless, the quantity collected, I must say, was a bit disappionting.
Monday 1st of Decemer 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
My weekly tour of the school went alright. The kinder garden students even enjoy seeing me every week. I think my presence encourage them to use the green bin. In the high school, however, this habit is not yet acquired . The bins are barely used.
Monday 8th of Decemer 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Everything went alright today. Nothing usual to declare. Still sometime I just want to skip some classes. Because their green bin is always empty and I feel a bit stupid when everyweek I come in and ask for paper and they show me the empty bin and giving this look. It is as if they were saying: "Stop bothering. It's always empty. Havn't you got it yet.".
Monday 15th of December 2008
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today was fruitful, we collected a lot of paper and even cardboard and some plastic. The bag was heavy and it was not very easy to drag it in each class across each floors. It was also extremely cold and rainy outside when we had to empty the bag in the recycling bin. Finally we almost got ourselves lockout. What a day.
Thursday 8th of January 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today I extended my collecting paper area to the basement of the school and the teacher's room. This extention increased considerably the load of paper collected. We are now collecting everyweek at least two to three big bag of paper. I am started to think that if it continues like that soon the big bin outside, where we dump everything in, will not be big enough.
Monday 12th of January 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
I was alone today for the recycling collect, my partenar had to finish up something for school and left me alone to do the tour. It was not easy to empty each bins while holding open the plastic bag, however I still managed to do all three floors and empty the plastic bag in the yellow bin outside used for this use.
Monday 19th of January 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
I was suprised to find today full bins in rooms were usually they are regualrly, if not empty, almost. It mean more poeple are changing there habits and use the green bin to get rid of their paper. I just hope this trend continues like that.
Monday 26th of January 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today was interesting, for the first time we collected more paper on the second floor (High school/ Middle School), than on the first floor (Elementry school), where the bins are usually full. I wonder if this will be just an exception or if there has been a change in behavior. Only the time will anable us to confrim one of the assemptions.
Thursday 29th of January 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today could be compared to last time, the bins were more full on the second floor than on the first floor. The bag quickly filled up and almost at to get another bag to fit all the paper. I was fortunate not to be alone as I would have had to drap load through the corridors and stairs.
Monday 2nd of February 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
It had been snowing all night today and Paris was covered by at least 10 centimeters of snow. It was a blissful sight before the traffic turned it into mud later in the afternoon. The hardest part of recycling was to empty the bag outside under the curten of snow falling on us. My feet were wet, my hands frozen and the yellow bins were covered in snow
Monday 9th of February 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
The paper collecting went alright today, except for one detail. Someone had thrown his plastic cup of coffee in on of the bins. Plastic can be easily recycled, however the left over liquid had drenched the paper and made it impossible to recycle. I was in the obligation to throw the totality of its content in the reguilar bin. It was not the first time it happened, but it is never pleasant when it does.
Thursday 12th of February 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today quite a few bins were completely loaded and even overflowing and as usual some othes were not surprisingly empty of any kind of recycling waste. Although it does not mean the bags were not heavy, quite the opposite actualy. We even also went into the teacher's room and in the basement.
Monday 2nd of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
First day of school, coming back from holiday. As I expected most bins were empty, however some had been forgoten so I took care of that. It was also entertaining to see by passing in each classrooms who had went skiing for the vacation, since they had the tan mark from the mask.
Thursday 5th of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
In contrast with the first collect on the first day of the week, today's was quite fruitful. Only when the third floor was done, we had to empty the plastic bag, as it was already overflowing with paper. It was pratically the same for the two other floors, which forced us to make back and forth trips to the big recycling outside.
Monday 9th of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
I was not very much in the mood of recycling today, I did anyway, because I had worked until late last night to finish an essay ans I was now quit tired. To add to that my agenda was loaded with homework. Actually recycling made me feel better, since it relaxed me by thinking of something else.
Thursday 12th of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
I was very motivated today and the hour went by in a flash. The amount of paper collected was reasonable, except that in one bin we found a pilled banana. Maybe someone thought it could be recycled. Who knows?
Monday 16th of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today was particularly warm and sunny. I truly hope that it is the return of spring and not just an ephemeral heat wave. Just the thought of it made a big grin to form on my face. I think that joy somehow radiated out of me for the reason that every time I entered a room to collect the paper, I was greeted with exceptionally big smiles from the others.
Thursday 19th of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Yesterday the school held the Annual Teacher Development Day, filling the school with a multitude of teachers coming from various different places. As a consequence, today the green bins were loaded. It was not only paper, we had quite a few plastic bottles and cans.
Monday 23rd of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today while I was going around the school collecting paper, I wondered about this recycling project. We now have got the process running quite well and I was thinking to go on to the next step and push this project further. However I still need to think on what is exactly the next step.
Monday 30th of March 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
While I continued collecting paper today, I continued my reflection on the future of this project. I thought that it would be good to create a website where we would illustrate everything we do in this project and why, to raise people's awareness all around the world about the importance of not wasting by first re-using and then recycling our waste.
Friday 3rd of April 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today we wanted to clean and improve the recycling awareness boards. I was given the job to make a new big title out of different shades of green. It turned out to be more complicated than I thought it would. I had only a short amount of time to make it and did not managed to completely finish it.
Monday 6th of April 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today was warm and sunny and I very much enjoyed to recycle today. However my wrist had been hurting all weekend and was still hurting today. I could, therefore, not carry the big bin, but my friend kindly took care of it.
Thursday 9th of April 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today we recycled quickly so we could have a brainstorming session about our recycling project. What came out of it is that we could create a wed-site that would put forward the needs to reuse and recycle our wastes in order to preserve our planet, since its resources are as we know limited.
Friday 10th of April 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today I presented to the CAS coordinator what had been discussed during the brainstorming session. We then continued to work on the recycling boards. Papers had to be replaced and others things made. We will try this time to put more images and less writing, in order to make it more simple and allow the information to transfer better to the students.
Monday 27th of April 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Since we just came back from the holidays, I thought that all the bins would be empty. Nevertheless we still went around to make sure. We actually found quite a bit of paper espacially in the elemantry section of the school. It felt weird to be back in school, since I had gotten used to the vacation rythme, but I was glade to be back and continue this recycling project.
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today while collecting paper, we discussed about the new projects we had in mind for this program. We want to find a way to raise money as donations for a tree planting association. We also want to create a blog to raise the awareness on environmental issues. Everything is slowly but surly in progress.
Today went as usual, some bins were more fill than others, nevertheless a good majority of them were used appropriately. However, one floor was out of boundary for us today because the IGCSE and IB exams were now taking place in those rooms and were consequently forbidden to intrude.
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Although we had many others duties to fulfill, we today integrally focused on the recycle board in the school. We redid the all thing and only kept few items of useful information. We cut out a new title which turned out to be more difficult than expected. We also drew and pasted new diagrams and drawings to make it more easily understandable and add fluidity the information flow.
Today the bins were filled to the top, so they gave us a lot of work and consumed precious time. Today I had a chemistry DST and I wanted to have some time left to revise my notes. However I had priorities and had to recycle first, then only I went to the library to work.
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today we reorganized the all recycling group. The first difficulty was to note when each one of us had a free throughout the week. From there we assigned each member a specific role for each free period. The immediate priorities are to keep on recycling and then work on the online blog. Later we want to integrate association links and raise funds for them, but first things first.
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today a friend and I went to the library to create and work on the recycling blog. It turned out to be much more complicated then expected. We had to at numerous times restart the all registering process, since there were always something wrong. At the end we even had to create a new Email address specially for the blog. Well now it is done the work left is to fill the blog.
CAS element: Service
Time: 2 hours
Similarly as the swimming post, I will update this page weekly instead as to get more time to develop my ideas into a meaningful reflections. Monday went well with the usual amount of paper collected which means no less than two back and forth trip to the big bins outside. On Friday we continued to work on the on line blog and finished to make some adjustment to the basic layout. The blog looks nice I like it, but it is empty now and a lot of work is left to be done.
CAS element: Service
Time: 2 hours
This week I did two things, first for one hour I went around and collected paper and I realized that we had to redo an awareness campaign because I have noticed that more and more people throw in the green bin wastes that are not paper or plastic. This makes our job more tedious especially when we find food, gum and even wet coffee cups which ruins the all bin. I also worked on the online blog. I got each member also to work on an article of their choice related to recycling and ecological topics.
CAS element: Service
Time: 2 hours
This week we tried while recycling to take pictures of each step during the paper collection. Emptying the green bins and collecting the paper in each room and in all the floors, then emptying that into the big recycling bin outside the school. We will then upload those pictures into our blog and explain each steps. We will also explain what happens to the paper after the garbageman comes to collect it and how it is recycled.
CAS element: Service
Time: 5 hours
This week I worked more than usual for the recycling project because I wanted the blog to really get going. I first spent two of the four days to collect the paper because it really needed to be done, since all the bins are now being filled up at a rapid rate. Although you still find at some times food wastes and other non-recyclable wastes in the bins, for the most part there has been a real change in behavior. Much more students than before are now using the green bins regularly and appropriately. The rest of the week I work on the recycling blog. I will develop moe this point in my next entry.
Thursday 30th of April 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today while collecting paper, we discussed about the new projects we had in mind for this program. We want to find a way to raise money as donations for a tree planting association. We also want to create a blog to raise the awareness on environmental issues. Everything is slowly but surly in progress.
Monday 4th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hourToday went as usual, some bins were more fill than others, nevertheless a good majority of them were used appropriately. However, one floor was out of boundary for us today because the IGCSE and IB exams were now taking place in those rooms and were consequently forbidden to intrude.
Thursday 7th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Although we had many others duties to fulfill, we today integrally focused on the recycle board in the school. We redid the all thing and only kept few items of useful information. We cut out a new title which turned out to be more difficult than expected. We also drew and pasted new diagrams and drawings to make it more easily understandable and add fluidity the information flow.
Monday 11th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hourToday the bins were filled to the top, so they gave us a lot of work and consumed precious time. Today I had a chemistry DST and I wanted to have some time left to revise my notes. However I had priorities and had to recycle first, then only I went to the library to work.
Thursday 14th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today we reorganized the all recycling group. The first difficulty was to note when each one of us had a free throughout the week. From there we assigned each member a specific role for each free period. The immediate priorities are to keep on recycling and then work on the online blog. Later we want to integrate association links and raise funds for them, but first things first.
Friday 15th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 1 hour
Today a friend and I went to the library to create and work on the recycling blog. It turned out to be much more complicated then expected. We had to at numerous times restart the all registering process, since there were always something wrong. At the end we even had to create a new Email address specially for the blog. Well now it is done the work left is to fill the blog.
18th, 22nd of Mai 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 2 hours
Similarly as the swimming post, I will update this page weekly instead as to get more time to develop my ideas into a meaningful reflections. Monday went well with the usual amount of paper collected which means no less than two back and forth trip to the big bins outside. On Friday we continued to work on the on line blog and finished to make some adjustment to the basic layout. The blog looks nice I like it, but it is empty now and a lot of work is left to be done.
25th, 29th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 2 hours
This week I did two things, first for one hour I went around and collected paper and I realized that we had to redo an awareness campaign because I have noticed that more and more people throw in the green bin wastes that are not paper or plastic. This makes our job more tedious especially when we find food, gum and even wet coffee cups which ruins the all bin. I also worked on the online blog. I got each member also to work on an article of their choice related to recycling and ecological topics.
1st, 4th of June 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 2 hours
This week we tried while recycling to take pictures of each step during the paper collection. Emptying the green bins and collecting the paper in each room and in all the floors, then emptying that into the big recycling bin outside the school. We will then upload those pictures into our blog and explain each steps. We will also explain what happens to the paper after the garbageman comes to collect it and how it is recycled.
8th, 10th, 11th, 12th of June 2009
CAS element: Service
Time: 5 hours
This week I worked more than usual for the recycling project because I wanted the blog to really get going. I first spent two of the four days to collect the paper because it really needed to be done, since all the bins are now being filled up at a rapid rate. Although you still find at some times food wastes and other non-recyclable wastes in the bins, for the most part there has been a real change in behavior. Much more students than before are now using the green bins regularly and appropriately. The rest of the week I work on the recycling blog. I will develop moe this point in my next entry.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Swimming
I joined a swim team in the Neptune Club de France in which I regularly go to evening trainings in the hope to improve my strokes, my fitness and my strength. This club is located in the 15th district of Paris. In its 50 meters pool, it has over 200 swimmers registered going from all ages, children to seniors, and all levels, beginners to competitive swimmers. It also participates regularly to competitions in and outside Paris. The swimming trainings ,I follow, focuses on the competitive techniques of all four strokes (crawl, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly), as well as endurance and speed, using a number of materials like kick boards, pull boys and paddles. This activity will last at least a year.
Monday 22th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My first swimming training of the year. The coach and the swimmers were nice, some more distance then others. We didn't do very hard exercises and focused principally on technique.
Tuesday 23th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Second training session, we worked on crawl, the entry and the exit of the hand in water. We also swam a bite a of three other strokes.
Friday 26th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today, we did some speed working, sprints, mainly in crawl. The coach made us do kicking exercises in all four strokes to improve our techniques and leg strength .
Saturday 27th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We focused today on the push off, the movements underwater and the breaking of the surface. When looking at hydrodynamic, it is a good way to increase speed and save energy.
Monday 29th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Our coach made us do endurance exercises principally in breaststroke which is not my favorite stroke. It was long and tiring, but at the end we finished with small sprints, which were more fun.
Tuesday 30th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we did long distances mainly in crawl and I.M.. We had very few break of few second long. Every exercise had to be done one after the other. At the end I had a cramp in my left leg and had to slow down the rhythm.
Friday 3rd of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We started by doing some backstroke, but today many people came and the lanes were very crowed. It was annoying because it was hard to swim properly. You always had bubbles in front of you and people slowing you down. Fortunately at the end we got more lanes and it got easier.
Saturday 4th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was much less crowded, we actually almost had the all pool for us. We focused on flip turns and short distances. It was my day, I was in a good form and I think my coach felt it too because, at the end, he asked me, from now on, to come five times a week.I not sure if I'm be able to, I'm already quite busy with IB and everything else, but I'll try.
Monday 6th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
A new swimmer joined our swim team today. She' s American and she's part of an exchange plan between the University of Paris and her university in the US. She' s in Paris for 4 month and because she had trouble understanding French, I helped her by explaining her the exercises the coach wanted us to do.
Wednesday 9th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was not keen of going swimming today because I had finished school late and had tonnes of homework to do. The coach made us work on our specialties, which is crawl for me, because we have a competition this weekend, which adds to the school's stress. Today I also realized that I need to work a bit on my dive.
Friday 10th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
I only swam an hour today because I have a swimming competition tomorrow and the coach wanted us to rest. We did a long warm up and starts on the blocks. I am actually a bit stressed out.
Saturday 11th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hour
I had to wake up very early this morning because I had a swimming competition in a pool at the other end of Paris and had to be there at 8 a.m..The meet was organized by my club and 250 swimmers from 12 clubs and from 7 different countries were present. I didn't want to get wet and warm up. I just wanted to go back to sleep. After the warm up I changed swimming suit and got prepared for my 200m and 50m freestyle. I actually got qualified for both races and had to swim the finals in the afternoon. I got fifth and sixth.
Sunday 12th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hour
Today the opening tine was the same. but I felt less tired than yesterday. I the morning I swam the 100m and the 4x100 relay freestyle and also got qualified for the finals. During lunch time, I led down in a corner and tried to rest, but the noise in a crowded pool is like having a cloud of bees that you cannot get rid of spinning around your head. I got seventh for my 100m and second for the relay. With the cup we each got a stuffed monkey that was actually pretty ugly. After that I finally got to go home and rest. I wasn't in the mood to do homework.
Monday 13th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
Today was short and easy because we needed a day of rest from this long weekend...
Tuesday 14th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Real hard training is back! Our coach wants to build up our endurance and strength as fast as possible before the next competition. This is illustrated mostly by almost none stop swimming with very little rest. Not always very fun especially when you know tonnes of homework is waiting for you when you get home.
Friday 17th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I felt good today in the water. I had a clean stroke and I pushed myself well this time. One of the reasons was that we only did crawl, which is my specialty.
Saturday 18th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Well today was quit different from yesterday. We worked on every strokes except crawl. I was tired and didn't swim properly. That the problem in swimming some days you feel well and others you feel like cr....
Monday 20th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I got early today to the pool and got to talk a bit with the others. It was a normal practice with nothing very new nor special. However, the coach told us that he was tired and was not filling good. I smiled because usually it is the swimmers that says that as an excuse when they do not swim well.
Tuesday 21st of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My coach was not here today(I am not surprised!) and an another coach from another swim group replaced him. He did not spend much time to plan the practice because just after the warm-up he just told us to swim a 1500 meters non-stop. Not my favorite distance, but I did not have the choice. I had to do it.
Saturday 25th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was a bit tired when I went in the water, as I had gone to bed late the night before. Nevertheless it felt nice to do some physical activity. This practice really woke me up. I could no longer feel my arms at the end.
Thursday 6th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
First practice after a nice and deserved holidays. In swimming it is always very hard to get back into the rhythm after a break, even a week makes a difference. And this first practice was not exception. My stroke did not feel right and consequently I did not swim very well.
Friday 7th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's training was quite hard. First because I still had not gone back into the rhythm and second because all the sets followed each other without any real rest or time to catch your breath. After those kind of practice, I just want to go home and sleep.
Monday 10th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
When I first went in the water today, I felt tired. However the more I swam the better I was and what is controversial is that at the end when I got out I felt great and full of energy. Swimming practice is usually not like that , but I wish it was more often.
Wednesday 12th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today my friend came back from his intense swimming camp in the south of France, fours of swimming a day two in the morning and two in the afternoon. It is crazy! I would never do that, especially during my holidays. However he improved tremendously and sometimes during practice I wish I actually went to this camp.
Friday 14th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was not very hard because some swimmer were chosen to go to a long distance swimming competition and the coach wanted to prepare them for that. I was not selected because my specialty is mainly sprint and consequently I don't train for long distance.
Saturday 15th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It was nice today; the lanes were not very crowed. It is easier to swim as you don't constantly have bubbles in front of from slow swimmer you have to pass and waves coming in your face when you want to breath. I also enjoyed the fact that we finished by polishing up our reaction time and our dives.
Monday 17th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We were divided in two groups today. One which received an easier practice because they went to the long distance competition this weekend and needed a cool down. And the others, which included me, who received the usual hardship.
Tuesday 18th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It was pretty crowded today as many people came. I even so some new faces. Once in a while, we have swimmer from other clubs in France or in Europe that come swim with us for a short period. However, I had the feeling those new swimmers will from now on swim in Neptune. We will see.
Friday 21st of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It was a usual Friday, crowded. This is because we only have one lane on this and everyone wants to come today. Apart from that it went okay, except that I got a really bad cramp at the end that made me sink instantly. I had to stop swimming and stretch for the last five minutes of the practice.
Saturday 22nd of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I could still feel my cramp in my leg today as it kind rip my muscle. However when the muscle is warmed up, the pain goes away temporally and was able go on and swim. I was a bit tired and not focused because I kept on thinking about the load of homework waiting for me at home.
Monday 24th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today the swimming coach for the seniors was absent. Consequently our coach had to take care of them as well. During the all practice, he had to keep jumping from one group to the other. It was very bothering for him but also for us too as we did not always know what to do.
Tuesday 25th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It is funny because our coach was this time absent. However we got the coach, that trains the elite team of the club, to take care of us. The practice was horrible! After the warm-up we did a 20x100 (on 1.30), which probably to most people does not mean anything, but I can tell you that it is a very long set with a rhythm very hard to keep up until the end.
Monday 1st of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
First swim since few days, as I was sick last week and could not got to practice. My coach was not very glad because I have a competition this weekend and the others have been training very hard. The two weeks before a swim meet are essential to be in the best physical shape as possible.
Tuesday 2nd of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I still have not completely recovered, but I tried to do my best today, to catch up with the others. At the end when we did some sprints, I felt that I was not at my full capacities. This is what happens when you are sick. I hope, however, that will feel better this weekend for the competition.
Friday 5th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
The practice only lasted an hour, because we have a swimming competition this weekend and the coach wanted us to have some rest. Nevertheless we still worked on sprints, turns, push offs and dives.
Saturday 6th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
The competition took place in a swimming pool more than 45 minutes away. Metro transport is always tiering. I swam today 50 and 200 meters freestyle. It went okay if we take in account that I was sick last week. My races were at the beginning of the swim meat, so I was do early and was able to go home. I must admit I am a bit stressed for tomorrows' race.
Sunday 7th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
This morning I was tired and had some much work to get done, but I had to go to the swimming competition. I just had one last race to do which is the 100 meter freestyle my specialty. I got there and did my warm up, however my race was the last event. During the all time I was trying to stay warm stretching and doing land warm ups. Finally at 6.15 pm I swam those 100 meters. So much for that! Tired but happy of being qualified to the next round, I went home.
Monday 8th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
As usual after a weekend of competition the practice that follows is easy. It is a big cool down where swimmer will get rid of all the toxins accumulated in the muscles during the swim meat. However today was a bit a mix because the pool will be closed the rest of the week for reparation and the coach wanted us to swim more today to minimize the loss when the pool reopens.
Monday 15th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I have spent all of last week in bed because I was sick. Today I had not completetly recovered but I decided to go swimming anyway. I felt tired and not very well and my coach was not all pleased. I had a lot to catch up with the other swimmers. This is very incouraging.
Tuesday 16th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today I felt better and managed to swim decently. The hard part is to keep up with the good swimmers and not fall behind. My throat was still hurting from my sickness after each breath I took and my muscle were burning. This is the secret of good swimmers, they need to enjoy to suffer.
Saturday 20th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My feelings were mitigated today. I could not to wait to get over with this practice, as I finally wanted to enjoy my holidays. However this would be my last practice for a long time and I would like to get out of it as much as possible. Anyways I was happy, as the holidays meant that life would get out of this monotonous routine people create to feel secure, and aim toward more spontaneity and new experiences.
Firday 9th of January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
First swim practice of the year after a nice winter holiday. I was not surprised that I have lost a lot of fitness. Two weeks of no swimming is a lot and I will need some time to recover and get back into shape, soon hopefully. As to now I will take it easy to get back the feeling of the water.
Saturday 10th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was hard because I had not still recovered from the holidays and was still tired. Nevertheless this swim practice made me feel better and helped me to relax. The final exams are next week and I have been studying a lot. Therefore I am quit stressed out. Physical activities truly help you pull out problems out of your mind, temporally unfortunately.
Monday 12th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was not focused during the practice today because I kept on thinking about the exams. What I needed to spend my most time studying and how much time I had left after this practice to study. That is all i could think about unfortunately.
Tuesday 13th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was more relaxed today and I tried to focus on my stoke. We mainly worked on crawl stroke on sprints. We ended by a long set of kicking and pull boy which killed me legs. And I now have to go home and study.
Saturday 17th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was particularly exhausting. We swam a total of about 6000 meters, practically non-stop from beginning to end. Barely stopping to catch your breath. From the effort my head was as hot and steaming as a kettle filled with boiling liquid. I could feel my heart beat thumping like an enraged animal in my forehead. When it finally ended, relief shoot through all my body.
Monday 19th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we did sets of repetitive short distances. In those kind of sets you have to push yourself hard, however only over a short distance. As the effort is intense, you also get more total rest than usually. I prefer this kind of set because I am more of a sprinter.
Tuesday 20th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we only did IM sets, where you swim a combination of all four strokes, one after the other. Some swimmers like IM as each time you work out different muscles, therefore they get tired not as fast. I do not really like it because I am really good in crawl and a bit less in the other strokes. Therefore my effort is not regular.
Friday 23th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
This weekend I have a competition, therefore the practice today ,as a preparation, was easy. We worked on the strokes that we are swimming this weekend. We did only sprints and ended by working on our dives and turns. I realized that my dives lacked in sharpness and needed to be worked on.
Sunday 25th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I knew where the pool for the competition was and I did not have any trouble to get there. I had only one race to do the 100 meters freestyle. I arrived late, so I missed the warm-up. I consequently had to do a land warm-up, which is not all appropriate. Nevertheless I did a good time, and I was happy. My friends also did well in their races, so we were all happy.
Monday 26th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was a recovering practice from the swim meet. I swam all four strokes and we did numerous drills. I do not know why but there were a good team spirit today. We had fun especially after the practice.
Tuesday 28th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today compared to yesterday was pretty intense. The water quickly felt very hot and thick, as your breath went out and your muscles ache. The spirit was this time some what not very joyful.
Friday 30th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was in a good mood today, as I was grateful that the week was finally over and I could now enjoy my weekend. The practice want alright, although with all the fatigue I had gathered along the week, I felt my fitness was improving.
Monday 2nd of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
A new week begins, I was already late to practice today. As I came to the pool by bicycle, my feet, hands and ears were frozen. When I jumped in the water, they turned into blazing flames. It took at least ten minutes for them to die out.
Tuesday 3rd of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My all body was aching today, even before I want in the water. I just wanted to go back home and lay in my bed. However I had to come swim. It went by faster than I expected, and surprisingly I felt less tired when I got out of the water. I guess that was just the sensation of pleasure you get after an exercise.
Friday 6th of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we worked not on my favorite stroke, butterfly. I can swim it, but I never could manage to make my technique efficient. This is probably partly due to my long arms. It takes more strength to propel and sweep long arms above the surface. In addition my wide wingspan often hit the water line on one side and the coming swimmer on the other side.
Monday 9th of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's practice was really based on very short intense sprints done repetitively. We were allowed more resting time than usual due to the intensity of the effort. Consequently, I was able to give in everything I had on each sprints as I knew I will be allowed rest afterwards.
Tuesday 10th of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's long set was a mixture of series of 200 meters in crawl and in IM (a combination of all four stroke). I liked the set, however my rhythm was not constant as I am able to push myself better in certain stroke and less in others. Nevertheless, I was able to do the set properly.
Tuesday 3rd of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Coming back from vacation, this was my first practice. I was happy to start back swimming and do some sport regularly again. I was also surprised how much fitness I had lost, since I rapidly was out of breath. It will take some time to regain my fitness. I just need to come regularly and do my best each time.
Thursday 5th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today went alright, I slowly but surely start to feel back my sensations in the water. It is extremely important to have that sensation. If you do not, you will have the impression that you are not moving, even though you are pushing yourself very hard. Swimming is not all about strength. Your water sensations are also essential.
Saturday 7th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today I lost track of time and consequently arrived late to practice. My coach was not very glade. I therefore hoped I would regain myself by engaging an extra effort today in practice. Nevertheless, I a bit struggled during the sets an fell behind. I still need more time to get back in shape.
Monday 9th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was extra careful to arrive on time this time, since two lateness in a row always gives a very bad impression. We did a long set and worked on all four strokes separately. I usually do not enjoy these kind of sets, however today was an exception. I felt improvements especially in butterfly.
Tuesday 10th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We started with an unusual warm-up, which left me wondering. It usually means that the practice will be different this time. Indeed I was, since instead of being given a distance to swim, the coach made us swim for 15 minutes non-stop. I requires endurance and a different way of thinking. I did not really motivated me because I kept telling myself: " What's the point of going fatser if you'll still swim as long, than if you're not?".
Friday 13th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's practice was alright. However, I was not fully focused throughout the exersices because I am going tomorrow to Brussels and I was therefore extremely exicted. I was going to meet old friend I had not seen for two years. I hope my lack of mental presence did not reflect too much on my swimming.
Monday 16th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was quite tired today because I did the back and forth trip to Brussels in a spend of time of two days. However, I do not regret any speck of it. I just tried today to do my best with what I had left of energy. And I think I did not do bad.
Tuesday 17th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today I was focused throughout the practice because I knew I had a competition at the end of the week. We did for most of the time short distances and sprints, during this I was able to focus on my arm's frequency and the push on water.
Friday 20th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
The warm up was long today and consisted of various different drills in all four strokes. I do not particularly enjoy them and some are even very irritating because they are usually not very efficient, making you move extremely slowly even though you are putting a lot of effort.
Saturday 21st of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Since we have a small competition tomorrow, after the warm up we did sprints in the strokes we will be swimming on the next day. We also worked on speed management on slightly longer distances, then we finished by practicing our turns and dives.
Sunday 22nd of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours
Today I had the swimming competition. I had only two races, but I was never the less stressed out on my way to the pool. After the warm-up I sat in the most quiet place I could find to relax and meditate on the upcoming race. I figured that visiualizing the race before hand hepls me because I do not have to think much about the what I am doing during the race, as if I was running on automatic mode. Indeed I improved my time in all my races.
Monday 23rd of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Like every swimming practice after a swim meet, we have a cool-down practice to get rid of all the toxins that gathered in our muscles. We are therefore given easy sets, but I find it quickly boreing, since I feel I am wasting my time.
Friday 27th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I did not swim very well today. It was as if my body had forgotten how to swim. I had even sometimes the feeling an invisible hand was holding on my leg preventing me to move forward. And then I started having cramps in my left foot, which made all of it even worst. In other words today was not my day.
Saturday 28th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
When I went in the water today, my arms already felt heavy like two big anvils tied to my shoulders. However the more I span them around the lighter they felt, as if each time matter flew out of them. By the end of the practice my arms felt light and vivid.
Monday 30th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we mostly worked on medium sized distances swam one after the other, with very little of rest between each. The aim was less on fitness and more on strength and resistance. My muscles really burned especially my triceps and my shoulders. The challenge was to maintain the rhythm without letting go.
Tuesday 31st of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's practice was quite contrasted from yesterday's. After the warm up we swam long distances (2x800m). I do not really enjoy long distances, like some do, it demands a great deal of fitness and that much muscles. Nevertheless on the first 800, as I thought there will be only one, I pushed myself and did an acceptable time. However when the coach told us that we had to do a second one I lost all motivation and did not manage to push myself as appropriate.
Friday 3rd of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today we continued on working long distances. I think that since the next competition will not be soon, the coach really wants to improve our endurance for the time being. I am getting used to swim long distances, but I still find it a bit boring. I am a sprinter after all.
Saturday 4th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
When I came in today, I realized that I had not completely recovered from yesterday's practice, since some of my muscles still ached. As usual Saturday practices are always quite hard and today was no exception, but I tried my best to follow as much as possible. At the end, although I was exhausted I fell good in and out of the water.
Monday 6th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was the end of the long distance practices. We swam sprints in crawl mostly, which is what I like the most. It was still quite exhausted and my muscles quickly burned and ached, but I felt good, motivated and enjoyed the practice.
Tuesday 7th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
I was existed today because the holidays are coming at the end of the week and I am going to a camp canoing for a week in Corsica. Therefore I was not completetly concentrated during the practice. My mind kept wondering about.
Friday 24th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
The holidays are over in a few days and all the routine activities are one by one being re-established into daily life, for example swimming practices. I went easy in the water today, since I had not swam for some days and felt a bit weird in the water. Anyways, the coach gave us a transition practice, as so not to physically break us during this entry session.
Saturday 25th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today we worked more with paddles, which are the equivalence of fines, but for hands. This helps to really work on your upper body muscles; shoulders, triceps, higher back. It is not easy as it makes each pull harder, but I like it because you really feel you are pushing something and each stroke is a challenge for your muscles.
Monday 27th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today's practice felt short to me, but maybe this is because I also felt really good in the water today. I was practically shooting through the water effortlessly. The water sliding down my body, my muscles pushing down as if it was just air. Nothing could stop me like a rocket piercing the atmosphere.
Tuesday 28th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
After a long warm-up, we started by doing sets of short distances with paddles. When you work with paddles especially on short distances, the effort load is put on the muscles and less on the cardiovascular system. This means that at the end you are less out of breath, but your muscles hurt more, than compared to when you swim without them.
Monday 4th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today I felt different in the water. As I pushed myself throughout the sets, my muscles did not burn as they usually do nor did my breath quicken. Furthermore, I could not manage to increase my frequency and reach my limits. It was as if it was not me that was swimming, someone else what doing it for me. And me, I was elsewhere just the observer.
Tuesday 5th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Well for once practice went by fast. Time just flew, when it was time to get out, I felt as if I had just gone in. I felt good in the water, but it does not mean it was an easy practice. I suffered like any other practice, but it was good pain the one that makes you feel nice afterwards. This end residue feeling of pleasure after a physical activity is was I am looking for in the Action element of CAS.
Thursday 7th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was hardcore sprints, which means that in total we actually do not swim a lot, however we give everything we have in a few short distances. Practices like that really push certain muscles to their limits, similar to what you would experience in a gym for bodybuilders. The challenge is to from the beginning jump to the sixth gear. You have no time to think when you are working in this kind of distance. You just give from the start everything you have as if it was already the end. That is what makes a good sprinter.
Saturday 9th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was slightly less intense and one of the reason is that we spent some time at the end to work on our dives. In a race the dive is extremely important to give you a head start from the beginning, however it is also one of the most complex skill in swimming. Many things as to be taken account of and therefore demands a lot of focus. This is why we often practice this skill.
Monday 11th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was interesting because we had to share the pool with synchronized swimmers. Although some of the needed skills are similar it is not at all the same sport. Synchronized swimming is about charming the jury and not about the chronometer.
Friay 15th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 h
Today was shorter than usual because we all had a swimming meet on both weekend days, so the coach did not want us to work too much. At the end we did something I which are sprints with a dive from the diving blocks. The dive gives you an extra push that really gets you started. I love dives because there is always the moment in mid-air when you are air born and time seems to stop...
Saturay 16th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hr
The metro trip to the pool was long and tiering. The pool could not have been further away from my house really. To add to the fatigue I was also as always quite stressed because in races you have only one shoot to prove yourself. If you are not focused and one thing is not done right for example a dive, a turn or even a stroke the all race itself is jeopardized. Fortunately for me both of my race went quite well since I improved both of my times.
Saturay 16th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hr
I don't know if the metro went faster or what today but the trip to the pool went by much faster. Nevertheless surprisingly I arrived late only few minutes before my race. I quickly jumped in the pool to warm up at least a bit before the actual race. Although still in a rush, I felt good and was confident for the upcoming race. Indeed, I swam it very nicely and for the first time swam 100 meters under 1 minute, which is always for a swimmer a definite achievement.
19th, 22nd, 23rd of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4.5 hr
I have decided that from now on I will combine the hours swam during the week and upload my reflections all at once every week. This will make it simpler for me and for whoever reads this, since my reflections will be less pointless and more developed into real ideas, at least I hope. This week although we did not relatively swim a lot in terms of distance, I was completely exhausted even before the practice had started. Maybe the two day swim meat last weekend had done that to me.
25,26,29,30th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 6 hr
This week was really the first warm and sunny week since the beginning of the year. When the weather is like that, jumping into a pool becomes very tempting. However my swimming practices are far from being a simple refreshing session. Nevertheless, I felt more motivated this week than before. I also felt good in the water and I did not run out of breath as I sometimes usually do. One reason for that is that we for the most part swam short distances and sprints, which is what I like. Although I still think the main reason is the sun that reminds me of summer and really gets me exacted.
1st,2nd,5th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4.5 hr
This week I was more tired than usual because I had many thing going on simultaneously, making me very tired. I had to revise for me driving code exam and I had to prepare for the SATs. Furthermore, I had to start to prepare for me upcoming final exams. Consequently, I did not sleep much this week and was tired. The swimming practiced did not help, but it least helps me to think about something else.
IB2 Second year begins now!!
14th,15th, 18th,19th, 21st, 22nd, 25th and 26th of September 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
Here we are swimming starts again this year! Although I will be extremely busy this year with all the IB projects, IB exams and all the work needed to complete my university application, I decided to continue swimming in competition for two reasons. First because it is essential to regularly participate in a physical activity daily to stay fit and feel well physically as well as, mentally. And second because it is a personal challenge to kept up this highly effort and time demanding activity even during times when great academic input is required for the simple reason that you like this activity. I hope through this perseverance, I am able to show honest determination.
I was happy to swim again in a pool after two months without any training. However, It is not always easy physically to get back to into your post-holidays fitness. Although my summer was pretty active, this was not enough and I could feel my breath run short and my shoulders starting to strain already after only few laps. Nevertheless our coach since now has started slowly, but this will not stay like that for long and soon he will start pushing us to our limits again.
28th, 29th of September and 2nd,3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th and 9th of October 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
These past two weeks, swimming practices have become slowly but surly longer distance wise and harder effort wise. During swimming trainings we often use a variety of equipments, such as a pull-boy, a kicking board and hand paddles. This allows to practice particular techniques and sharpen the stroke we are working on. Furthermore it also enable us to isolate specific part of the body to work muscle and strength. This will then to give this additional boost when combined with the rest of the movements. This year we added a new equipment; it is the mini fine. It is like a normal fine, however it is much shorter and extremely rigid. It offers a lot of resistance with at the same time allowing a high frequency kick, which is not possible with traditional fines. Its aim is to strengthen the leg muscles without deforming the kicking pattern you have when you don't have fines.
12th,13th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th of October 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 9 hrs
I did not go swimming as much as I wanted to these past two weeks, since I caught a bad cold from the recent and sudden drop in temperature. This particularly please me, since I could not go swimming, but more so because I had a swimming competition the up coming week. This mean that I will not be conveniently prepared for this swimming meet and that my times will not reflect my real level. Nevertheless I still wanted to participate in the competition and did not forfeit. However my coach only signed me up for only one race because I was too tired to do more. The race went alright, although it was not my best time, it was acceptable considering my sickness. The holidays are coming up and I hope I will get better and restart swimming better than ever.
3rd, 6th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 20th and 21st of November 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
Now swimming practices are hard because the next competition is in a month, therefore we have time to really work on building up endurance, muscle strength and speed. Our coach is well aware that to get better results, he needs to make his swimmers work hard. And I can feel it pretty well in all my body because after particularly hard practices when you go back in the water the next day and start to warm up all your muscles (especially the upper body ones) feel very tight and stiff. Recently we have also started incorporating training schemes taken from Mikael Phelps practices (a US swimmer that has won more medals in one Olympic games than any other athlete in history). It is the vertical dauphin kick. It is an extremely intense drill that requires flexibility, rhythm and stamina. I like this drill because it does not resemble any other drill that I know and it allows you to get precious milliseconds off from each push off you do.
4rd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 17th of December 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
4th, 5th, 8th of December 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
Monday 22th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My first swimming training of the year. The coach and the swimmers were nice, some more distance then others. We didn't do very hard exercises and focused principally on technique.
Tuesday 23th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Second training session, we worked on crawl, the entry and the exit of the hand in water. We also swam a bite a of three other strokes.
Friday 26th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today, we did some speed working, sprints, mainly in crawl. The coach made us do kicking exercises in all four strokes to improve our techniques and leg strength .
Saturday 27th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We focused today on the push off, the movements underwater and the breaking of the surface. When looking at hydrodynamic, it is a good way to increase speed and save energy.
Monday 29th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Our coach made us do endurance exercises principally in breaststroke which is not my favorite stroke. It was long and tiring, but at the end we finished with small sprints, which were more fun.
Tuesday 30th of September 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we did long distances mainly in crawl and I.M.. We had very few break of few second long. Every exercise had to be done one after the other. At the end I had a cramp in my left leg and had to slow down the rhythm.
Friday 3rd of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We started by doing some backstroke, but today many people came and the lanes were very crowed. It was annoying because it was hard to swim properly. You always had bubbles in front of you and people slowing you down. Fortunately at the end we got more lanes and it got easier.
Saturday 4th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was much less crowded, we actually almost had the all pool for us. We focused on flip turns and short distances. It was my day, I was in a good form and I think my coach felt it too because, at the end, he asked me, from now on, to come five times a week.I not sure if I'm be able to, I'm already quite busy with IB and everything else, but I'll try.
Monday 6th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
A new swimmer joined our swim team today. She' s American and she's part of an exchange plan between the University of Paris and her university in the US. She' s in Paris for 4 month and because she had trouble understanding French, I helped her by explaining her the exercises the coach wanted us to do.
Wednesday 9th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was not keen of going swimming today because I had finished school late and had tonnes of homework to do. The coach made us work on our specialties, which is crawl for me, because we have a competition this weekend, which adds to the school's stress. Today I also realized that I need to work a bit on my dive.
Friday 10th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
I only swam an hour today because I have a swimming competition tomorrow and the coach wanted us to rest. We did a long warm up and starts on the blocks. I am actually a bit stressed out.
Saturday 11th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hour
I had to wake up very early this morning because I had a swimming competition in a pool at the other end of Paris and had to be there at 8 a.m..The meet was organized by my club and 250 swimmers from 12 clubs and from 7 different countries were present. I didn't want to get wet and warm up. I just wanted to go back to sleep. After the warm up I changed swimming suit and got prepared for my 200m and 50m freestyle. I actually got qualified for both races and had to swim the finals in the afternoon. I got fifth and sixth.
Sunday 12th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hour
Today the opening tine was the same. but I felt less tired than yesterday. I the morning I swam the 100m and the 4x100 relay freestyle and also got qualified for the finals. During lunch time, I led down in a corner and tried to rest, but the noise in a crowded pool is like having a cloud of bees that you cannot get rid of spinning around your head. I got seventh for my 100m and second for the relay. With the cup we each got a stuffed monkey that was actually pretty ugly. After that I finally got to go home and rest. I wasn't in the mood to do homework.
Monday 13th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
Today was short and easy because we needed a day of rest from this long weekend...
Tuesday 14th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Real hard training is back! Our coach wants to build up our endurance and strength as fast as possible before the next competition. This is illustrated mostly by almost none stop swimming with very little rest. Not always very fun especially when you know tonnes of homework is waiting for you when you get home.
Friday 17th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I felt good today in the water. I had a clean stroke and I pushed myself well this time. One of the reasons was that we only did crawl, which is my specialty.
Saturday 18th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Well today was quit different from yesterday. We worked on every strokes except crawl. I was tired and didn't swim properly. That the problem in swimming some days you feel well and others you feel like cr....
Monday 20th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I got early today to the pool and got to talk a bit with the others. It was a normal practice with nothing very new nor special. However, the coach told us that he was tired and was not filling good. I smiled because usually it is the swimmers that says that as an excuse when they do not swim well.
Tuesday 21st of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My coach was not here today(I am not surprised!) and an another coach from another swim group replaced him. He did not spend much time to plan the practice because just after the warm-up he just told us to swim a 1500 meters non-stop. Not my favorite distance, but I did not have the choice. I had to do it.
Saturday 25th of October 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was a bit tired when I went in the water, as I had gone to bed late the night before. Nevertheless it felt nice to do some physical activity. This practice really woke me up. I could no longer feel my arms at the end.
Thursday 6th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
First practice after a nice and deserved holidays. In swimming it is always very hard to get back into the rhythm after a break, even a week makes a difference. And this first practice was not exception. My stroke did not feel right and consequently I did not swim very well.
Friday 7th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's training was quite hard. First because I still had not gone back into the rhythm and second because all the sets followed each other without any real rest or time to catch your breath. After those kind of practice, I just want to go home and sleep.
Monday 10th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
When I first went in the water today, I felt tired. However the more I swam the better I was and what is controversial is that at the end when I got out I felt great and full of energy. Swimming practice is usually not like that , but I wish it was more often.
Wednesday 12th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today my friend came back from his intense swimming camp in the south of France, fours of swimming a day two in the morning and two in the afternoon. It is crazy! I would never do that, especially during my holidays. However he improved tremendously and sometimes during practice I wish I actually went to this camp.
Friday 14th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was not very hard because some swimmer were chosen to go to a long distance swimming competition and the coach wanted to prepare them for that. I was not selected because my specialty is mainly sprint and consequently I don't train for long distance.
Saturday 15th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It was nice today; the lanes were not very crowed. It is easier to swim as you don't constantly have bubbles in front of from slow swimmer you have to pass and waves coming in your face when you want to breath. I also enjoyed the fact that we finished by polishing up our reaction time and our dives.
Monday 17th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We were divided in two groups today. One which received an easier practice because they went to the long distance competition this weekend and needed a cool down. And the others, which included me, who received the usual hardship.
Tuesday 18th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It was pretty crowded today as many people came. I even so some new faces. Once in a while, we have swimmer from other clubs in France or in Europe that come swim with us for a short period. However, I had the feeling those new swimmers will from now on swim in Neptune. We will see.
Friday 21st of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It was a usual Friday, crowded. This is because we only have one lane on this and everyone wants to come today. Apart from that it went okay, except that I got a really bad cramp at the end that made me sink instantly. I had to stop swimming and stretch for the last five minutes of the practice.
Saturday 22nd of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I could still feel my cramp in my leg today as it kind rip my muscle. However when the muscle is warmed up, the pain goes away temporally and was able go on and swim. I was a bit tired and not focused because I kept on thinking about the load of homework waiting for me at home.
Monday 24th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today the swimming coach for the seniors was absent. Consequently our coach had to take care of them as well. During the all practice, he had to keep jumping from one group to the other. It was very bothering for him but also for us too as we did not always know what to do.
Tuesday 25th of November 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
It is funny because our coach was this time absent. However we got the coach, that trains the elite team of the club, to take care of us. The practice was horrible! After the warm-up we did a 20x100 (on 1.30), which probably to most people does not mean anything, but I can tell you that it is a very long set with a rhythm very hard to keep up until the end.
Monday 1st of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
First swim since few days, as I was sick last week and could not got to practice. My coach was not very glad because I have a competition this weekend and the others have been training very hard. The two weeks before a swim meet are essential to be in the best physical shape as possible.
Tuesday 2nd of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I still have not completely recovered, but I tried to do my best today, to catch up with the others. At the end when we did some sprints, I felt that I was not at my full capacities. This is what happens when you are sick. I hope, however, that will feel better this weekend for the competition.
Friday 5th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hour
The practice only lasted an hour, because we have a swimming competition this weekend and the coach wanted us to have some rest. Nevertheless we still worked on sprints, turns, push offs and dives.
Saturday 6th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
The competition took place in a swimming pool more than 45 minutes away. Metro transport is always tiering. I swam today 50 and 200 meters freestyle. It went okay if we take in account that I was sick last week. My races were at the beginning of the swim meat, so I was do early and was able to go home. I must admit I am a bit stressed for tomorrows' race.
Sunday 7th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
This morning I was tired and had some much work to get done, but I had to go to the swimming competition. I just had one last race to do which is the 100 meter freestyle my specialty. I got there and did my warm up, however my race was the last event. During the all time I was trying to stay warm stretching and doing land warm ups. Finally at 6.15 pm I swam those 100 meters. So much for that! Tired but happy of being qualified to the next round, I went home.
Monday 8th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
As usual after a weekend of competition the practice that follows is easy. It is a big cool down where swimmer will get rid of all the toxins accumulated in the muscles during the swim meat. However today was a bit a mix because the pool will be closed the rest of the week for reparation and the coach wanted us to swim more today to minimize the loss when the pool reopens.
Monday 15th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I have spent all of last week in bed because I was sick. Today I had not completetly recovered but I decided to go swimming anyway. I felt tired and not very well and my coach was not all pleased. I had a lot to catch up with the other swimmers. This is very incouraging.
Tuesday 16th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today I felt better and managed to swim decently. The hard part is to keep up with the good swimmers and not fall behind. My throat was still hurting from my sickness after each breath I took and my muscle were burning. This is the secret of good swimmers, they need to enjoy to suffer.
Saturday 20th of December 2008
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My feelings were mitigated today. I could not to wait to get over with this practice, as I finally wanted to enjoy my holidays. However this would be my last practice for a long time and I would like to get out of it as much as possible. Anyways I was happy, as the holidays meant that life would get out of this monotonous routine people create to feel secure, and aim toward more spontaneity and new experiences.
Firday 9th of January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
First swim practice of the year after a nice winter holiday. I was not surprised that I have lost a lot of fitness. Two weeks of no swimming is a lot and I will need some time to recover and get back into shape, soon hopefully. As to now I will take it easy to get back the feeling of the water.
Saturday 10th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was hard because I had not still recovered from the holidays and was still tired. Nevertheless this swim practice made me feel better and helped me to relax. The final exams are next week and I have been studying a lot. Therefore I am quit stressed out. Physical activities truly help you pull out problems out of your mind, temporally unfortunately.
Monday 12th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was not focused during the practice today because I kept on thinking about the exams. What I needed to spend my most time studying and how much time I had left after this practice to study. That is all i could think about unfortunately.
Tuesday 13th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was more relaxed today and I tried to focus on my stoke. We mainly worked on crawl stroke on sprints. We ended by a long set of kicking and pull boy which killed me legs. And I now have to go home and study.
Saturday 17th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was particularly exhausting. We swam a total of about 6000 meters, practically non-stop from beginning to end. Barely stopping to catch your breath. From the effort my head was as hot and steaming as a kettle filled with boiling liquid. I could feel my heart beat thumping like an enraged animal in my forehead. When it finally ended, relief shoot through all my body.
Monday 19th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we did sets of repetitive short distances. In those kind of sets you have to push yourself hard, however only over a short distance. As the effort is intense, you also get more total rest than usually. I prefer this kind of set because I am more of a sprinter.
Tuesday 20th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we only did IM sets, where you swim a combination of all four strokes, one after the other. Some swimmers like IM as each time you work out different muscles, therefore they get tired not as fast. I do not really like it because I am really good in crawl and a bit less in the other strokes. Therefore my effort is not regular.
Friday 23th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
This weekend I have a competition, therefore the practice today ,as a preparation, was easy. We worked on the strokes that we are swimming this weekend. We did only sprints and ended by working on our dives and turns. I realized that my dives lacked in sharpness and needed to be worked on.
Sunday 25th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I knew where the pool for the competition was and I did not have any trouble to get there. I had only one race to do the 100 meters freestyle. I arrived late, so I missed the warm-up. I consequently had to do a land warm-up, which is not all appropriate. Nevertheless I did a good time, and I was happy. My friends also did well in their races, so we were all happy.
Monday 26th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today was a recovering practice from the swim meet. I swam all four strokes and we did numerous drills. I do not know why but there were a good team spirit today. We had fun especially after the practice.
Tuesday 28th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today compared to yesterday was pretty intense. The water quickly felt very hot and thick, as your breath went out and your muscles ache. The spirit was this time some what not very joyful.
Friday 30th January 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was in a good mood today, as I was grateful that the week was finally over and I could now enjoy my weekend. The practice want alright, although with all the fatigue I had gathered along the week, I felt my fitness was improving.
Monday 2nd of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
A new week begins, I was already late to practice today. As I came to the pool by bicycle, my feet, hands and ears were frozen. When I jumped in the water, they turned into blazing flames. It took at least ten minutes for them to die out.
Tuesday 3rd of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
My all body was aching today, even before I want in the water. I just wanted to go back home and lay in my bed. However I had to come swim. It went by faster than I expected, and surprisingly I felt less tired when I got out of the water. I guess that was just the sensation of pleasure you get after an exercise.
Friday 6th of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we worked not on my favorite stroke, butterfly. I can swim it, but I never could manage to make my technique efficient. This is probably partly due to my long arms. It takes more strength to propel and sweep long arms above the surface. In addition my wide wingspan often hit the water line on one side and the coming swimmer on the other side.
Monday 9th of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's practice was really based on very short intense sprints done repetitively. We were allowed more resting time than usual due to the intensity of the effort. Consequently, I was able to give in everything I had on each sprints as I knew I will be allowed rest afterwards.
Tuesday 10th of February 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's long set was a mixture of series of 200 meters in crawl and in IM (a combination of all four stroke). I liked the set, however my rhythm was not constant as I am able to push myself better in certain stroke and less in others. Nevertheless, I was able to do the set properly.
Tuesday 3rd of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Coming back from vacation, this was my first practice. I was happy to start back swimming and do some sport regularly again. I was also surprised how much fitness I had lost, since I rapidly was out of breath. It will take some time to regain my fitness. I just need to come regularly and do my best each time.
Thursday 5th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today went alright, I slowly but surely start to feel back my sensations in the water. It is extremely important to have that sensation. If you do not, you will have the impression that you are not moving, even though you are pushing yourself very hard. Swimming is not all about strength. Your water sensations are also essential.
Saturday 7th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today I lost track of time and consequently arrived late to practice. My coach was not very glade. I therefore hoped I would regain myself by engaging an extra effort today in practice. Nevertheless, I a bit struggled during the sets an fell behind. I still need more time to get back in shape.
Monday 9th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was extra careful to arrive on time this time, since two lateness in a row always gives a very bad impression. We did a long set and worked on all four strokes separately. I usually do not enjoy these kind of sets, however today was an exception. I felt improvements especially in butterfly.
Tuesday 10th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
We started with an unusual warm-up, which left me wondering. It usually means that the practice will be different this time. Indeed I was, since instead of being given a distance to swim, the coach made us swim for 15 minutes non-stop. I requires endurance and a different way of thinking. I did not really motivated me because I kept telling myself: " What's the point of going fatser if you'll still swim as long, than if you're not?".
Friday 13th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's practice was alright. However, I was not fully focused throughout the exersices because I am going tomorrow to Brussels and I was therefore extremely exicted. I was going to meet old friend I had not seen for two years. I hope my lack of mental presence did not reflect too much on my swimming.
Monday 16th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I was quite tired today because I did the back and forth trip to Brussels in a spend of time of two days. However, I do not regret any speck of it. I just tried today to do my best with what I had left of energy. And I think I did not do bad.
Tuesday 17th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today I was focused throughout the practice because I knew I had a competition at the end of the week. We did for most of the time short distances and sprints, during this I was able to focus on my arm's frequency and the push on water.
Friday 20th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
The warm up was long today and consisted of various different drills in all four strokes. I do not particularly enjoy them and some are even very irritating because they are usually not very efficient, making you move extremely slowly even though you are putting a lot of effort.
Saturday 21st of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Since we have a small competition tomorrow, after the warm up we did sprints in the strokes we will be swimming on the next day. We also worked on speed management on slightly longer distances, then we finished by practicing our turns and dives.
Sunday 22nd of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours
Today I had the swimming competition. I had only two races, but I was never the less stressed out on my way to the pool. After the warm-up I sat in the most quiet place I could find to relax and meditate on the upcoming race. I figured that visiualizing the race before hand hepls me because I do not have to think much about the what I am doing during the race, as if I was running on automatic mode. Indeed I improved my time in all my races.
Monday 23rd of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Like every swimming practice after a swim meet, we have a cool-down practice to get rid of all the toxins that gathered in our muscles. We are therefore given easy sets, but I find it quickly boreing, since I feel I am wasting my time.
Friday 27th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
I did not swim very well today. It was as if my body had forgotten how to swim. I had even sometimes the feeling an invisible hand was holding on my leg preventing me to move forward. And then I started having cramps in my left foot, which made all of it even worst. In other words today was not my day.
Saturday 28th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
When I went in the water today, my arms already felt heavy like two big anvils tied to my shoulders. However the more I span them around the lighter they felt, as if each time matter flew out of them. By the end of the practice my arms felt light and vivid.
Monday 30th of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today we mostly worked on medium sized distances swam one after the other, with very little of rest between each. The aim was less on fitness and more on strength and resistance. My muscles really burned especially my triceps and my shoulders. The challenge was to maintain the rhythm without letting go.
Tuesday 31st of March 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 hour
Today's practice was quite contrasted from yesterday's. After the warm up we swam long distances (2x800m). I do not really enjoy long distances, like some do, it demands a great deal of fitness and that much muscles. Nevertheless on the first 800, as I thought there will be only one, I pushed myself and did an acceptable time. However when the coach told us that we had to do a second one I lost all motivation and did not manage to push myself as appropriate.
Friday 3rd of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today we continued on working long distances. I think that since the next competition will not be soon, the coach really wants to improve our endurance for the time being. I am getting used to swim long distances, but I still find it a bit boring. I am a sprinter after all.
Saturday 4th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
When I came in today, I realized that I had not completely recovered from yesterday's practice, since some of my muscles still ached. As usual Saturday practices are always quite hard and today was no exception, but I tried my best to follow as much as possible. At the end, although I was exhausted I fell good in and out of the water.
Monday 6th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was the end of the long distance practices. We swam sprints in crawl mostly, which is what I like the most. It was still quite exhausted and my muscles quickly burned and ached, but I felt good, motivated and enjoyed the practice.
Tuesday 7th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
I was existed today because the holidays are coming at the end of the week and I am going to a camp canoing for a week in Corsica. Therefore I was not completetly concentrated during the practice. My mind kept wondering about.
Friday 24th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
The holidays are over in a few days and all the routine activities are one by one being re-established into daily life, for example swimming practices. I went easy in the water today, since I had not swam for some days and felt a bit weird in the water. Anyways, the coach gave us a transition practice, as so not to physically break us during this entry session.
Saturday 25th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today we worked more with paddles, which are the equivalence of fines, but for hands. This helps to really work on your upper body muscles; shoulders, triceps, higher back. It is not easy as it makes each pull harder, but I like it because you really feel you are pushing something and each stroke is a challenge for your muscles.
Monday 27th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today's practice felt short to me, but maybe this is because I also felt really good in the water today. I was practically shooting through the water effortlessly. The water sliding down my body, my muscles pushing down as if it was just air. Nothing could stop me like a rocket piercing the atmosphere.
Tuesday 28th of April 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
After a long warm-up, we started by doing sets of short distances with paddles. When you work with paddles especially on short distances, the effort load is put on the muscles and less on the cardiovascular system. This means that at the end you are less out of breath, but your muscles hurt more, than compared to when you swim without them.
Monday 4th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today I felt different in the water. As I pushed myself throughout the sets, my muscles did not burn as they usually do nor did my breath quicken. Furthermore, I could not manage to increase my frequency and reach my limits. It was as if it was not me that was swimming, someone else what doing it for me. And me, I was elsewhere just the observer.
Tuesday 5th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Well for once practice went by fast. Time just flew, when it was time to get out, I felt as if I had just gone in. I felt good in the water, but it does not mean it was an easy practice. I suffered like any other practice, but it was good pain the one that makes you feel nice afterwards. This end residue feeling of pleasure after a physical activity is was I am looking for in the Action element of CAS.
Thursday 7th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was hardcore sprints, which means that in total we actually do not swim a lot, however we give everything we have in a few short distances. Practices like that really push certain muscles to their limits, similar to what you would experience in a gym for bodybuilders. The challenge is to from the beginning jump to the sixth gear. You have no time to think when you are working in this kind of distance. You just give from the start everything you have as if it was already the end. That is what makes a good sprinter.
Saturday 9th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was slightly less intense and one of the reason is that we spent some time at the end to work on our dives. In a race the dive is extremely important to give you a head start from the beginning, however it is also one of the most complex skill in swimming. Many things as to be taken account of and therefore demands a lot of focus. This is why we often practice this skill.
Monday 11th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1.5 h
Today was interesting because we had to share the pool with synchronized swimmers. Although some of the needed skills are similar it is not at all the same sport. Synchronized swimming is about charming the jury and not about the chronometer.
Friay 15th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 1 h
Today was shorter than usual because we all had a swimming meet on both weekend days, so the coach did not want us to work too much. At the end we did something I which are sprints with a dive from the diving blocks. The dive gives you an extra push that really gets you started. I love dives because there is always the moment in mid-air when you are air born and time seems to stop...
Saturay 16th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hr
The metro trip to the pool was long and tiering. The pool could not have been further away from my house really. To add to the fatigue I was also as always quite stressed because in races you have only one shoot to prove yourself. If you are not focused and one thing is not done right for example a dive, a turn or even a stroke the all race itself is jeopardized. Fortunately for me both of my race went quite well since I improved both of my times.
Saturay 16th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hr
I don't know if the metro went faster or what today but the trip to the pool went by much faster. Nevertheless surprisingly I arrived late only few minutes before my race. I quickly jumped in the pool to warm up at least a bit before the actual race. Although still in a rush, I felt good and was confident for the upcoming race. Indeed, I swam it very nicely and for the first time swam 100 meters under 1 minute, which is always for a swimmer a definite achievement.
19th, 22nd, 23rd of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4.5 hr
I have decided that from now on I will combine the hours swam during the week and upload my reflections all at once every week. This will make it simpler for me and for whoever reads this, since my reflections will be less pointless and more developed into real ideas, at least I hope. This week although we did not relatively swim a lot in terms of distance, I was completely exhausted even before the practice had started. Maybe the two day swim meat last weekend had done that to me.
25,26,29,30th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 6 hr
This week was really the first warm and sunny week since the beginning of the year. When the weather is like that, jumping into a pool becomes very tempting. However my swimming practices are far from being a simple refreshing session. Nevertheless, I felt more motivated this week than before. I also felt good in the water and I did not run out of breath as I sometimes usually do. One reason for that is that we for the most part swam short distances and sprints, which is what I like. Although I still think the main reason is the sun that reminds me of summer and really gets me exacted.
1st,2nd,5th of Mai 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 4.5 hr
This week I was more tired than usual because I had many thing going on simultaneously, making me very tired. I had to revise for me driving code exam and I had to prepare for the SATs. Furthermore, I had to start to prepare for me upcoming final exams. Consequently, I did not sleep much this week and was tired. The swimming practiced did not help, but it least helps me to think about something else.
IB2 Second year begins now!!
14th,15th, 18th,19th, 21st, 22nd, 25th and 26th of September 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
Here we are swimming starts again this year! Although I will be extremely busy this year with all the IB projects, IB exams and all the work needed to complete my university application, I decided to continue swimming in competition for two reasons. First because it is essential to regularly participate in a physical activity daily to stay fit and feel well physically as well as, mentally. And second because it is a personal challenge to kept up this highly effort and time demanding activity even during times when great academic input is required for the simple reason that you like this activity. I hope through this perseverance, I am able to show honest determination.
I was happy to swim again in a pool after two months without any training. However, It is not always easy physically to get back to into your post-holidays fitness. Although my summer was pretty active, this was not enough and I could feel my breath run short and my shoulders starting to strain already after only few laps. Nevertheless our coach since now has started slowly, but this will not stay like that for long and soon he will start pushing us to our limits again.
28th, 29th of September and 2nd,3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th and 9th of October 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
These past two weeks, swimming practices have become slowly but surly longer distance wise and harder effort wise. During swimming trainings we often use a variety of equipments, such as a pull-boy, a kicking board and hand paddles. This allows to practice particular techniques and sharpen the stroke we are working on. Furthermore it also enable us to isolate specific part of the body to work muscle and strength. This will then to give this additional boost when combined with the rest of the movements. This year we added a new equipment; it is the mini fine. It is like a normal fine, however it is much shorter and extremely rigid. It offers a lot of resistance with at the same time allowing a high frequency kick, which is not possible with traditional fines. Its aim is to strengthen the leg muscles without deforming the kicking pattern you have when you don't have fines.
12th,13th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th of October 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 9 hrs
I did not go swimming as much as I wanted to these past two weeks, since I caught a bad cold from the recent and sudden drop in temperature. This particularly please me, since I could not go swimming, but more so because I had a swimming competition the up coming week. This mean that I will not be conveniently prepared for this swimming meet and that my times will not reflect my real level. Nevertheless I still wanted to participate in the competition and did not forfeit. However my coach only signed me up for only one race because I was too tired to do more. The race went alright, although it was not my best time, it was acceptable considering my sickness. The holidays are coming up and I hope I will get better and restart swimming better than ever.
3rd, 6th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 20th and 21st of November 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
Now swimming practices are hard because the next competition is in a month, therefore we have time to really work on building up endurance, muscle strength and speed. Our coach is well aware that to get better results, he needs to make his swimmers work hard. And I can feel it pretty well in all my body because after particularly hard practices when you go back in the water the next day and start to warm up all your muscles (especially the upper body ones) feel very tight and stiff. Recently we have also started incorporating training schemes taken from Mikael Phelps practices (a US swimmer that has won more medals in one Olympic games than any other athlete in history). It is the vertical dauphin kick. It is an extremely intense drill that requires flexibility, rhythm and stamina. I like this drill because it does not resemble any other drill that I know and it allows you to get precious milliseconds off from each push off you do.
4rd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 17th of December 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
4th, 5th, 8th of December 2009
CAS element: Action
Time: 12 hrs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)