# data[].attributes.body
The sound of the waves crashing, the smell of the salty wind and the not so nice feeling of the sand in my socks - these are all things I still vividly remember when looking back at this moment.

Welcome to Den Haag, one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. Home to the Dutch palace, the painting of ‘Girl with Pearl Earring’ and many, many historical events. I was there with two of my closest friends, Sofia and Lauren, because I was swimming in the Nederlandse Nationale Kampioenschappen (The Dutch Nationals). They are my biggest supporters and by coincidence we met in a small town called Egmond-aan-Zee for an orientation week in August 2022 before our big exchange journeys began. Sofia is Italian and Lauren is American and from three different continents we became best friends.

It was absolutely freezing, around negative 7 degrees. Even 2 pairs of pants and 3 jerseys didn’t help that much, especially by the sea. The air felt as if it seeped deep into your bones and your face was frozen still that even smiling was a little painful.

It was four o’clock in the afternoon on the 17th of December, the day had been crystal clear and the sunset looked as if the sky was on fire, it was breathtaking. I felt this sense of absolute joy, like nothing in this world could make this moment better.

Still to this day, I get so emotional when looking at this picture. Leaving the Netherlands to come back to South Africa, meant I had to leave all the incredible places and people I had met behind. Saying goodbye to Lauren and Sofia was truly one of the hardest moments of my life, but having these pictures and memories made the time spent together so worth it. One of the best things Lauren once said to me was “Goodbyes are not forever and one day we will see each other again because when there is a will there's a way.”

# data[].attributes.body
Math is very different to English. Math is either right or wrong, where English can has a scale of good to bad, right to wrong. Doing these two different subjects means we are acquiring these two very different skills, both are necessary in life, none not more than the other.

When I wrote my math test on the 17th of February, I had already know once I had stepped outside of that classroom that I had not done well, and it wasn't because I hadn't studied enough, it was just a lack of understanding, something you definitely need when it comes to math and also English. It is strange how sometimes you can just get something and sometimes not, but it is when you don't get it, when it is most important - to pick yourself off, adjust your habits and perhaps even ask for help, which most of the time, even though it seems silly and you feel a little dump (which is stupid), can be so beneficial. I realised after I wrote this test that a little help would do no harm, especially when we are learning the basis of all the math in the future, it is important to get it right and to know what is going on.

Now that I have had some extra guidance and teaching, I can with good certainty say that the next test will be much better because I have gone the extra mile to try and improve myself (because we are not perfect) and now I feel more comfortable with the task to come.

# data[].attributes.body
It was obsoletely amazing the emotions I felt when reading Alexandra by Wally Mondange Serote. The way he conveyed his message and suffering through such an incredible choice of diction but still using the base of simple fact. The fact that the people of colour during the time of Apartheid in South Africa suffered immense trauma and pain of the discrimination, racism and segregation inflicted upon them.

Every year we talk about the topic of Apartheid, and every year I still feel the exact same from when it was first discussed. A sense of pain, distraught and a sense of angry that could do these despicable things.

Serote used the figure of speech personification to compare the city of Alexandra to a cruel and brutal mother at which a child depends on but is severely hurt by. Something the child is burn into and cannot avoid, creating a sense of helplessness. This shoes the reader the sheer unfairness of the apartheid and how people who are not white, something we are all born with, are divided because of it. Not only does this comparison highlight division but also cruelty, the cruelty of their situation with regards to their living conditions and environment, the respect they earn and the suffering that is brought upon them with violence.

I was crazy to think that pigment could decide your fate, it was crazy to think this happened at all, it is like one of those stories you wish wasn't true.

# data[].attributes.body
After spending +-4hrs on writing my speech and more time learning it, I still feeling like I might pass out standing up in front of the class. It is so quiet I can hear my own breathe. I have never been the type of person who enjoys performing or standing up in front of a crowd but I do envy those who it comes naturally for. Sometimes I picture myself standing on a stage, doing stand up comedy or performing in a play but in reality I think I would be too scared to do it.

In grade 3, I was the lead role in the school production, I was Mary (Yes, the Mary who gave birth to Jesus, that is quite the role to pull of). All I can remember was crying buckets before having to go on stage, the couldn't even put make-up on me because it would just wash off. After much encouragement I eventually did it, and at the end it felt amazing.

I must say, every time I do finish a speech I do have a feeling of accomplishment. I am not sure if it from actually getting through it or from it finally being over and I don't have to think about it anymore. I guess I will never know.

# data[].attributes.body
Dear Michelle Obama,

I hope you are well, wow what I privilege to be able to write to you!

I have read your book "Becoming" to many times to count and it never gets old. I can still not believe the prison the white house must have been for you, all the security, eyes, no privacy, it must have been really hard.

You are the most amazing woman, the people you inspire and influence with your kind and generous qualities are so lucky to have someone like you to look up to, me being one of them.

You have empowered so many woman, of all races, to stand up for themselves, to speak their truth and spread their stories. You have uplifted the underprivileged through charity work and spreading awareness of sicknesses that people face, mental and physical.

You make people feel wanted and that is something that I too want to be able to do.

P.S) I hope to one day get a glimpse of you in real life so that I can feel the warmth you emit to everyone around you.

Kind regards,
Isabella Desfontaines

# data[].attributes.body
Every once in a while you read a piece of writing, be it an article, magazine entry, extract from a book or for this instance a poem you get this feeling you cannot quite understand.

When I first read "I knew a girl once" by Lebogang Mashile I had this feeling, I couldn't exactly pin point it. My hairs stood up on my arms and neck, it was like I was hearing a beautiful piece of classical music. I think some people might say it was moving me, but personally I think that is a little underwhelming. The feeling is more then just moving, it touches you in a way only thinks that you understand on a deep level do. Something that (among the generation Z's might say) "hits deep."

When reading the poem I could feel the girls pain and frustration because of the oppressive rules and regulations she had to deal with. The use of diction such as "trapped" and "silence" gave the sense that she was impression with her thoughts and her mind was overflowing because she was scared of what people might think. I felt as if I wanted to free the girl across the page, save her, setting her free.

We hear about troubling stories all the time, in the news, T.V, newspapers, articles; everywhere. Sometimes the bad news becomes so overwhelming you don't know where to start, who to help. I know it sounds selfish. I wish it wasn't like that because if it was, I believe a lot more problems would be solved, more people would have it better off.

How do we solve this problem?

People like Lebogang are taking these big issues and problems people face and are creating different ways of seeing them. Through the use of the girls oppression she is speaking of all woman who suffer from the same problem. They are spreading news through different means, moving people to fix or speak up about these issues. I believe this is one way we can breakdown these issues that overwhelm people to making it something they can understand like the person is talking to then personally. Motivation is key to encouraging people to becoming involved in the solution.

# data[].attributes.body
SHOTS FIRED...

That was the feeling I felt the first few weeks of grade 10. There was homework, tests, assignment coming left right and center. I felt like I was dodging bullets from all angles.

If I had to reflect on he year so far I would day grade 9 was a total breeze compared to this, but we seem to say that every year and somehow we always surprised the next year.

Towards the end of Term 1 I was crawling to the finish line, holiday was honestly the only thing keeping me going, knowing that I am going to rest and catch up on some much needed sleep.

Even though it was a hectic term, my marks and assessments did not go that bad. There were the few 'not so great' marks but nothing to make me want to cry. One thing I learnt well while overseas was that time management is key, and wow what I life lesson to learn early on. If I was not organized and diligent with work, the term would have had a different outcome.

Well I would say term 1 was a success, lets keep it up for the rest of the year!

# data[].attributes.body
Space travel, the act of journeying into outer space, has captivated the human imagination for decades. It represents the ultimate frontier, the last great unknown that beckons us to explore and discover. The history of space travel is marked by a series of significant milestones, from the first artificial satellite launched into orbit in 1957 to the first human landing on the moon in 1969. Since then, space travel has continued to advance, with new missions and discoveries pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding of the universe.

Space travel has brought with it a host of technological advancements, from satellites and GPS to advanced space probes and rovers. It has also given us a new perspective on our planet, revealing the beauty and fragility of Earth from a distance. But perhaps the most significant impact of space travel has been its ability to inspire and motivate people around the world. The space race of the 20th century captured the attention of millions, and the recent surge in private space companies has reignited that sense of wonder and exploration.

The future of space travel looks bright, with new missions planned to explore Mars and other planets, as well as continued advances in space technology and commercial space travel. As we continue to journey into the great unknown, space travel will remain a symbol of human curiosity, ingenuity, and exploration.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Holding up the Universe" by Jennifer Niven

# data[].attributes.subject
"Holding up the Universe" by Jennifer Niven

# data[].attributes.body
"Holding up the Universe" by Jennifer Niven is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of self-acceptance, identity, and mental health. The book tells the story of two teenagers, Libby and Jack, who are struggling to find their place in the world. Libby, who was once known as "America's Fattest Teen," is determined to reclaim her life after years of bullying and isolation. Jack, on the other hand, is hiding a secret from the world: he has prosopagnosia, a rare condition that makes it difficult for him to recognize faces, even those of his own family.

What I appreciated most about this book was the way it tackled sensitive issues with compassion and understanding. Niven does an excellent job of portraying the challenges that both Libby and Jack face without resorting to stereotypes or cliches. She creates characters that are complex and multifaceted, with flaws and strengths that make them feel like real people.

At its core, "Holding up the Universe" is a story about finding self-acceptance and learning to love oneself, no matter what others may think or say. Libby's journey, in particular, is inspiring as she learns to embrace her body and reject the societal pressures to conform to narrow beauty standards.

Overall, I found "Holding up the Universe" to be a poignant and uplifting read that left me feeling hopeful about the power of self-love and acceptance. It's a book that I would recommend to anyone who has ever felt like they don't fit in or struggled with their self-image.

# data[].attributes.body
Shakespeare's play "Othello" is a masterpiece of tragedy, exploring themes of love, jealousy, betrayal, and racism. It tells the story of Othello, a respected and admired military leader, and his wife Desdemona, who are torn apart by the manipulations of Iago, a cunning and deceitful subordinate. As the plot unfolds, we witness the destructive power of jealousy and how it can drive people to commit heinous acts.

What struck me most about "Othello" was the way it highlighted the insidious nature of racism and how it can poison even the strongest of relationships. Othello, a black man in a predominantly white society, faces discrimination and prejudice at every turn, despite his many accomplishments. It's heartbreaking to see how this affects him and ultimately leads to his downfall.

Overall, "Othello" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences today. Its exploration of human nature and the darker aspects of the human psyche are as relevant now as they were in Shakespeare's time.

# data[].attributes.body
The future looms before me, vast and wide,
A path that I must choose to walk or hide,
The choices that I make will shape my life,
And the uncertainty of it all cuts like a knife.

Should I follow my passion or take the safe route?
Will my choices lead me to success or doubt?
The road ahead is shrouded in mist,
And I'm not sure which direction to enlist.

The pressure builds, the weight of choice,
The fear of failure chokes my voice,
But deep down, I know I must decide,
And the path I choose will be my ride.

So, I take a breath and make my stand,
I choose my future with a steady hand,
And though the road ahead may be unclear,
I'll embrace the journey with courage and cheer.

For life is full of twists and turns,
And the lessons learned along the way burns,
But with each step, I take with stride,
I'll create the life that I want to abide.

# data[].attributes.body
Looking back on the time I had on camp made me emotional. The time spent with my friends, was definitely not time wasted.

The camp was aimed at learning how to be a leader, to yourself and others. It all starts with self confidence, believing that you are good enough and fist believing in yourself and then others.

We did a lot of open discussions in our groups, and over the time we all started opening up a little bit more. By listening to others and hearing their feelings about themselves made me ,in all honesty, a little sad, the fact that people, my friends didn't believe in their capabilities make me reflect on myself a lot.

After the discussions, I almost without being told, started reflecting on myself and trying to understand myself a little more. I was deeply moved by the other peoples comments and their strength in being able to open up and speak about their feeling to people they don't know very well, because it is very easy to keep them all locked away and bottle them up, something that I think I do.

After this camp, I believe I have come out a more understanding person in both myself and others. I have realized that speaking about your feeling is important and to be honest, it feels really good afterwards, once your have opened up and shared your emotions. You also don't always need to only talk about negative emotions but also the things you are happy and feel accomplished about.

All in all, I believe that was one of the most amazing experiences for me to deeply learn something without being taught it. Something I felt like I just understood without an explanation, and that has really moved me.

# data[].attributes.body
Exams are around the corner and the stress level is rising by the day. I feel like I have studied enough but then I question myself and then feel like I haven't studied enough, I don't know. The only thing I believe I get out of exams is stress, anxiety, and a rollercoaster of emotions.

I will never forget, last year for my Grade 9 English paper, I missed a WHOLE page and I was devastated. I was so sure I had aced that exam but when I got it back, I got that 'oh my word/puppy eyed' look from my teacher, as if I hadn't eaten for 2 weeks and chewed gum in her classroom at the same time, kind of look. All I was thinking about was how stupid I was. Maybe I took it a little too seriously, but I am someone who strived off academic excellence.

Hopefully this year it will go a little more smoothly, but I have never written exams over such a long time period (two and a half weeks), and honestly I am a little nervous (once again) if I have studied too little because my exam is still in a week or if I should study more because my exam is in a week. I know, it confuses me too. All I can think about is that after these Exams I can drop some subjects and instead of having to focus on 11 subjects, I only have to focus on 6, HUGE relief.

This half year leading up to my exams has been one of the most manic and rushed times of my life. If it isn't tests, its assignments, projects, swimming training, hockey matches, and I whole lot in between. And I think about it a lot. Am I wasting my younger years by doing too much? Is it beneficial to be so stressed all the time? Will I learn how to handle it better when I am older? So many questions that can only be answered later in my life.

I suppose I really only wrote this Padlet to let off a bit of steam, but I guess it worked.