Candy Grams Project

22nd of October, 19th, 26th of November and 3rd of December 2009

CAS element: Service

Time: 8 hours

This year the recycling group wants to make this school project international. We want our program to have a positive effect beyond the school campus. We wish this project could be part of a global movement toward sustainability. Right now we are in contact with a charitable association in India, the Lion's Club. We want to collect money within the school premises and donate it to this association. In return, it has promised to plant trees with our donations, to counter the deforestation in some areas of India. As a group we, therefore, decided to organize a candy gram event in the school before the Christmas Holidays.

7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th of December 2009

CAS element: Service

Time: 14 hours

For the past two weeks the recycling group and I have been work hard daily to print the different cards and sell them. We have decided to make two kind of cards, black and white ones for one euro and colored ones for two euros. If you buy a colored candy gram you will send your friends a bigger bag of candy with a Ferrero Rocher. Everyday throughout the week, we went around the different homerooms in school to inform and sell as much candy grams as possible. At first only the elementary school bought significant amounts, where as the middle and high school seemed more reserved to chip in a euro or two. On the first Thursday, we decided to start packing some of the candy grams. We adopted a chain like production and where able to make them quickly , that is what we thought at the time. The next week, we continued on selling and this time much more students in the middle and high school seemed to be willing to contribute. We actually reached selling records and quickly ran out of cards to sell. On the next Thursday, we continued to pack the candy grams and rapidly realized that we will have to increase our production by at least three, compared to last week, so that we can finish to pack the about 600 candy grams that we sold and distribute then the next day. Fortunately we had many volunteers that offered their help and enable us to finish everything although late in the evening. The next day our last task was to go in each homeroom and distribute the candy grams. I very much enjoyed this part because as you can inside the room all the eyes were on you, waiting impatiently to overhear their name. Especially with the younger ones, the expression of pure joy on their face when they were given their price was worth all the effort that this project required. To sum up, the recycling team was able to collect about 650 euros of donation for the Lion's Club association in India.

Wood Construction; Tea Box

28th of October 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours




29th of October 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours




30th of October 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours




31st of October 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 2 hours





1st of November 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 2 hours


During this school break, I wanted to make again a wood construction, since I learned a lot and very much enjoy making my first construction, the bird house. However since I am only going to spend less than a week at my house in the country side, I can only make a simple construction. I decided, then, to construct a tea box that will be used to store and sort out all my tea bags. After I have made the plan, selected the wood needed to make each piece of the box. I had to make the right measurements and cut out the pieces. However the hardest part was to polish each piece with sandpapers of different fineness because the wood I used was quite old and rough. The other challenge was to assemble the polished pieces. I had some trouble screwing all the screws correctly. Later with some perseverance and the help of a screwdriver I found in the garage, I finally got he structure to hold together. The next part, which is the part I like the most, is the painting. The paint makes each vein of the wood stand up and adds a very warm color touch to it. The next morning, I was extremely pleased to see my tea box right in the middle of the table filled with tea bags, while I was taking my breakfast. Although this new wood construction was not as hard as the first one, it is a more useful creation that I will make use of daily.

"Croisiere Cotieres" Sailing around Corsica

From the 17th to the 30th of August 2009

17th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 1 hours

18th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

19th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours

20th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours

21th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

22th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 5 hours

23th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

24th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

25th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours

26th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours

27th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

28th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

29th of August 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

(41hrs)

This year's summer camp takes place in a enormous 25 meters catamaran. With the companionship of 20 other teenagers, we sailed all around Corsica in a period of two weeks. The main occupation was sailing this beautiful ship with all the different shores that had to be done to do so around the coasts of Corsica lost in the Mediterranean Sea. It is not simple to sail a boat of this size over such distances. A lot of workforce is required to perform all the different tasks. Fortunately that was not a problem since all of us were very motivated and willing to help. On top of that we were under the instruction of two very competent skippers, who continuously showed us what we had to do. I learned how to pull up the sails, use the different equipments on board to keep the right bearing like the electronic compass, the GPS, the radar and the wind angle. I also learned how to make different knots and fold long ropes neatly, as well as, casting or weighing anchor. We would sail almost everyday and on average 3-4 hours a day, usually in the afternoon. Everymorning before the breakfast, I would go swimming for an hour, since it is such a great pleasure to swim in turquoise blue water and observe the many fishes that inhabit this paradis. On top of that, I would go windsurfing around the Catamaran when the wind allowed me to. These two weeks sailing allowed me to discover the pleasure of sailing while decovering a mindblowing landscape from a different angle; the sea...

Wood Construction; Bird house

10th of August 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours


11th of August 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours


12th of August 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours


13th of August 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours



14th of August 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 3 hours


15th of August 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 2 hours



This summer I wanted to set myself a challenge and after some reflection I decided to construct a bird house entirely out of wood. I first had to decide on the form and dimensions of my craft work. I wanted it to be, as well as a host for a bird's nest, a food reservoir for all the surrounding birds. When this was done I had to buy the raw material and get started on dividing up the wooden board into the right pieces and cutting them out. This was part was long and hard, since all of it had to be done with an old saw that did not cut very well. Moreover I was not an expert yet at handling this king of equipment. I would work very hard everyday with an average pace of two hours in the morning and one in the afternoon. The next step was to polish with sand paper every single piece of wood to give it a more agreeable touch. I hope the birds will enjoy it because this part also gave me an hard time.
The next day was devoted to the assemblage of all the different pieces with small silver colored screws. This day was very enjoyable since I could finally see my work coming to shape. Every piece coming together more or less smoothly. The last step, probably the easiest one, was to entirely paint the wooden bird house to add a protective layer and an aesthetic touch to it. The chosen paint was brown with a slit tint of red which made the veins of the wood stand out beautifully. I am extremely happy for the end result and proud of myself. I just hope the birds in my garden will enjoy it as much as I did making it...

Hiking in Reunion Island

16th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 5 hours

We woke up early to arrive at the Piton de Maido in the morning. At the top we had a spectacular view above the Circus of Mafate. To appreciate the full beauty of the panorama we strolled for sometime along the cornice of the cliff. After a simple and quick lunch protected by trees, we finally started the real hike to the Ilet Acide few kilometers above us. The climb was steep and rocky, but that was not the biggest problem we faced this day. On the way back we got lost in the jungle that was getting denser for every step we took. Fortunately when all hope was almost lost we were indicated the right way back by a passing local peasant.

21th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 4 hours

Today's excursion brought us in one of the three circus of the island, the Circus of Salazie. In this new environment, we were able to appreciate a completely new biodiversity; one of the last few conserved primitive forest on earth with its many waterfalls poring down the green organic blanket covering the cliffs.





25th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

In the afternoon we spontaneously decided to go for a small hike to the Bassins des Cormorants not far away from where we stayed. Althoughh it was not long, the path was narrow and slippery and even mudy at times. When we arrived at the waterfall, I was the first one to jump in. The water was freezing and not everyone went for a swim. On the way back we had to take our shoes off because we walked in water canals that run a long the rocks and sometimes in tunnels in the cliff. This last part of the hike was extremely fun and refreshing.




27h of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 9 hours

Today was going to be the biggest hike of the trip in the circus that is only accessible by foot or helicopter, the Circus of Mafate. To enter the circus and gain time we drove up the Riviere des Galets with four wheelers at 6 am. At some points we had to continue by foot and here started the long a perilous hike. For the most part we had to climb up steep and narrow slopes along cliffs, but the panorama that gradually unfolded itself as we passed every turn was worth the endless efforts we had supplied. At lunch we ate at one of the few locals that dare to live in such an hostile and isolated environment. We were like lost in time with these people that lived as if civilization had never existed. Unforgettable experience!!

31th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

Today we wanted to walk up the Langvin river to see its two beautiful waterfalls; one called Trou Noir and the other one a bit higher, but I cannot get myself to remember its name. Just walking along the river was by itself magnificent, with the intense bright rays igniting every drop of the crystal clear water splashing against the grey rocks. The waterfalls were also extraordinary, unfortunately the water was still as cold if not more. However once you are in it, it is fine.

Bodyboarding in the Reuion Island

13th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

Beach of Roches Noirs

17th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

Beach of Roches Noirs

19th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

Beach of Boucan Canot


22th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

Beach of Etang Sale

23th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

Beach of Roches Noirs

24th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

Beach of Boucan Canot

30th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 3 hours

Beach of Roches Noirs

31th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

Beach of Etang Sale

The Reunion Island is well known for its many surfing spots, however since I don't know how to surf I decided to bodyboard instead. It is simpler to learn and you can really enjoy it faster. At the beginning it was not easy; I even got myself injured because if you don't be careful there are some big waves that can throw you against rocks at the bottom of the sea. Nevertheless I learned quickly from my mistakes and I also observed a lot how the others manage to surf the wave. I did not give up and I actually was more motivated more than ever because I am not scared of waves and I love the sensation you feel and you manage to surf the wave for few seconds before the water closes down on you and rolls you down at the bottom of the sea. I often change beach as to try out all the different spots available around the place I stayed. Each spot is unique and has its own characteristics . This enabled be to quickly make improvement and to my surprised to discover the endless possibilities a simple board can offer on a wave with a bit of skills and determination.

Scuba Diving in Reunion Island

15th of July 2009

CAS element: Action
Time: 2 hours

This was not my first diving since I have been scuba diving since I was 11 years old, however since I moved to Paris I had not scuba dived, about two years. As a consequence, I was thrilled to finally scuba dive again and rediscover the pleasure brought by the underwater world. I dove just in phase with the beach of Boucan Canot where I would sometimes body board. The coral reef was not that abundant, I had seen better, however the wildlife was not for all that restrained. Apart from the many coral reef fishes, we spotted a lion fish and two turtoises; a good dive.

Creative Exploration

Wednesday 6th of Mai 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 2 hours

In this new activity we want to construct a small guide of the multitude art galleries that can be found in each district of Paris. To do that we will every two weeks visit galleries of one particular district. Everyone in the group have a specific job: photographer, videorecorder, journalist, webdesigner, and like me illustrater. I am not particularly good in drawing, but CAS is about challenging yourself and learning new skills, so I will try my best to fulfill my task.

Today we went to an art gallery in the 11th, which is a place I rarely go to, since it is all across Paris compared to where I live. Therefore it was as well interesting to discoverr this new area. I found the art gallery quite small, but that is maybe because I was use to big museum. Two artist were represented; one an old tattooist who made balck and white graffities and the other an abstract painter who made extremely strict and colorful paintings. Although small I truely enjoyed this gallery and cannot wait for next time to descover more about Paris' artists.

Wednesday 13th of Mai 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 2 hours

As planned the goal of today's session was to create a full page on the blog about what we have seen in the 11th district last week. We divided into small groups depending on the role we each were assigned. I know that in my group, the illustrators, we divided up the work and each was given a different task. My job was to imitate on the computer Dalek's work, which is quite orderly, geometric, colorful and extremely abstract. Although his work looks simple, I quickly realized that it is actually quite complex. My art work is I know a grotesque imitation of his paintings. Nevertheless I tried hard and the result is not too bad.


Wednesday 20th of Mai 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 2 hours


This week we went in the 4th, which is also a region of Paris I do not know much about. The small gallery was untitled "Coup de Grace" and the artist is named Axel Sanson. I found the artist's art work extremely original, in which he takes pictures of old people sited or just standing that he lightly redraws on paper with a pencil and then adds bright colorful tattoos on their arms and chests, adding life to at-first dull pictures.

Wednesday 27th of Mai 2009

CAS element: Creativity
Time: 2 hours

This week's objective was to update the blog on the gallery we visited last week. As one of the illustrators of the team, my job was to add some personal artistic input into the blog. I decided to this time take one of the artist's work and to modify it on photo shop. I am actually a novice at photo shop and had to play around with the program to get a simple but satisficatary result. See for yourself...