PROJECT TITLE: How to make a mask

DESCRIPTION: To sew a mask at the end of the HBL days

REASON: I would like to try to use my mum's sewing machine and make a customized mask for myself. 

Day 1 : T1W5 (31 Jan Wed)

Day 2: T1W7 (14 Feb Wed)

Day 3: T1W9 (28 Feb Wed)

TERM 2

Day 4: T2W2 (27 Mar Wed)

Day 5 : T2W6 (24 Apr Wed)

Day 6: T2W8 (8 May Wed)

TERM 3

Day 7: T3W1 (26 Jun Wed)

Day 8: T3W5 (23 Jul Tue)

Day 9: T3W5 (24 Jul Wed)

Day 10: T3W5 (25 Jul Thu)

(1) Indicate the Subject Title as Padlet Post # (e.g. Padlet Post 3)

(2) You can post in any form - it could be a photo or a video, or even just a short paragraph describing what you did on that day. 

By the end of your BowenEXPLORE! journey, you should have the following number of posts:

Sec 1/4/5: 4 Padlet Posts

Sec 2: 6 Padlet Posts

Sec 3: 5 Padlet Posts

PROJECT TITLE How to draw realism

DESCRIPTION: to be able to draw and shade

REASON: I want to try something new because I usually just sketch and I want to be able to draw people and I find it interesting

Project Title: Pastries for loved ones

Description: To make a batch of any type of cookies for my family

Reason: I want to learn how to use the oven as I haven't baked before, and can use it to make other dishes like baked potatoes, ratatouille, etc.

PROJECT TITLE: How to draw realistic cars!

DESCRIPTION: To figure out how to draw cars with realistic proportions and with their correct car parts.

REASON: Drawing has always been a hobby of mine that I enjoy doing. However, realism is something I don't know how to do. Since I don't want to draw humans or animals, I figured I should draw vehicles because I also like cars!

Project title: Understanding poetry on a deeper level

Description: To research the different types of poetry and the impact of the way they are written.

Reason: One of my favourite subjects is Literature because I find the content fascinating. I've always enjoyed reading poetry, but I sometimes struggle to understand its deeper meaning. I hope to learn more about poetry so that I can truly appreciate the beauty and power of words.

PROJECT TITLE: learning ASL(American sign-language)

DESCRIPTION: to learn to sign at least basic words in asl by the end of HBL days.

REASON: sign language has always been interesting to me and I've always wanted to learn it, so I'm going to use these hbl days to learn asl. This way I can communicate with any deaf people and make them feel happy that someone also knows sign language.

PROJECT TITLE: how to play floorball

DESCRIPTION: to be able to play floorball and to have control of the ball

REASON:As I was a floorball player in primary school and it has been 2 years since I graduated from primary and I did not play floorball in a long time. I want to get the feel of the ball and learn the basics of playing floorball again!

PROJECT TITLE:How to play football

DESCRIPTION:To be able to play Football again.

REASON:l played football with my friends downstairs everyday when l was young.However,after PSLE,l never went downstairs to play as l had transferred to a further school and spending more time on badminton.l had not played football for three years.Therefore,l don't think l am as good as before and l forgot the basics .l want to get the feel of the ball again, learn the basics again and teaching my siblings.

PROJECT TITLE: Learning to do animation!

DESCRIPTION: To animate a small story by the end of all of the HBL sessions

REASON: To me, animation seems like a cool skill as it helps to send a message to viewers through simple animations. Other than that, I feel like animation is an enjoyable and exciting activity that I can try my best to do.

PROJECT TITLE : How to sew a toy bear

REASON : I wanna learn a new skill and gift this bear to someone :)

Project title: How to fold different things with paper

Description: I want to learn how to make origami by the end of the HBL days

Reason: So that I can decorate my room if it’s very plain

PROJECT TITLE: To make bake bread with Bologness sauce.

DESCRIPTION: To learn to bake many things so in the future I can bake them in any events.

project title: learning a new language (Korean)

reason: I'm traveling to Korea again soon, and i also want to study there for uni :) (UNIST) Ive always wanted to learn a new language, and this will not only broaden my communication skills but will also help in my future. And if i were to study abroad, the language wont be a problem for me.

Project title: Making different types of origami

Description: I got bored, and found origami fun.

Reason: I got bored and found origami a fun hobby to do. It only requires paper to make such a masterpiece, so I found it interesting.

CATEGORY: Heart

PROJECT TITLE: Video editing

DESCRIPTION: Every HBL Session , i will take time to look at some edits made by people online and i will take some inspiration . After seeing the videos i will practice and try to apply the tips told in the videos.

REASON: I always have a passion for editing and wish to post videos that will go viral.

Project title: Learning How To Take Professional Photographs

Description: I want to take the best possible photograph with what I have.

Reason: I really want to use what I have to the maximum to capture the best moment possible with the right settings and techniques.

PROJECT TITLE: UNDERSTANDING COLOUR THEORY

DESCRIPTION: Understanding colors, combinations, links, shading, etc.

REASON: After revising my first BowenExplore! project (landscape), I realized the colors were a bit lackluster, and this also applied to many of my drawings. So, I aim to FULLY understand color theory and maybe more about colors in general with this project, as well as making new vibrant drawings along with it. This will also help me with my art journey in the future.

Project Title: Making a board game

Reason: I wanted to make something that I could still use after the Bowen explore. So, I thought making a board game will allow me to use it to bond with my family or friends.

project title:getting better at badminton

description:I want to get better aim shots with the shuttlecock, example i will aim for the dustbin and i will try and hit the shuttlecock in the bin.

reason:i want to get better because one day i wish to play like those national players,and i like badminton.

Key Elements of Poetry:

• Imagery – Descriptive language that creates vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. (e.g. The golden sun dripped like honey.)

• Rhythm & Meter – The beat or flow of the poem. Some poems follow a strict pattern (like a sonnet), while others are more flexible.

• Rhyme Scheme – The pattern of rhyming words at the end of lines (e.g. AABB or ABAB).

• Line Breaks & Stanzas – How a poem is divided can affect its meaning and emphasis.

People write poems for many reasons, such as to express deep emotions, share opinions/ make a statement and capture the beauty of a moment/ scene.

After knowing these key elements, I tried to read and analyse two poems, one was familiar and the other was unfamiliar.

Hope is the thing with feathers- Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

This poem was taught in sec 1. Hope is like a bird that never stops singing no matter what.

The word 'feathers' suggests its ability to carry people through hardships.

Hope 'sings the tune without words, and never stops at all'. The repetition of the 's' sounds creates a smooth flow.

'And sore must be the storm / That could abash the little bird' This refers to the hardships in one's life. Despite this, hope is strong and resilient.

'Yet never in extremity/ It asked a crumb of me' Hope asks for nothing in return, it provides comfort and will always exist.

Fire and Ice- Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

This poem talks about two possibilities of the world ending. Fire represents desire, passion and uncontrolled emotions. Ice represents coldness, hatred and indifference. Both 'fire' and 'ice' can destroy the world. People can be consumed by their desires while hatred can destroy relationships.

'Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.' This shows the contrast between the two, e.g. passion vs indifference. These strong emotions can be equally as harmful.

'Some say,' 'favor fire,' 'world will,' 'suffice.'

These alliterations allow the poem to have a smooth-flowing rhythm. This contrasts with the fact that this poem is sending a harsh message to its readers, it seems calming yet unsettling.

This poem has an ABAABCBCB rhyme scheme. It suggests that the end is certain but its destruction can come in different forms. Human emotions are powerful, they can shape the world for better or worse.

Project name, short or video making or editing

Why so am I making shorts and a video for a

long time for 3 years I like it

so, i want to make good and never get old and people can learn skills and values

I want to start by drawing something easy so I chose to draw a Pokéball.

first step of learning korean, for me, is memorizing the vowels and consonants.

therefore, today i wrote out the vowels and consonants for myself to memorize and learn to write.

(the pic is a bit blurry, mb)

Title: bake a cake with charmaine 👸

Description: I will try and bake a cake…from scratch 😭 For the first few HBL lessons i will research and gather information, after that i will try to bake a cake. Taking photos and videos of the process. 😊

Reason: baking is very detailed thing, if u dont follow the exact recipe, it will go haywire. Also i really want to try baking!!

I will most likely be trying out other recipes and use the best outcome for the final attempt. But it may not be the same type of cookie.

PROJECT TITLE: How to cook Maggi noodles

Description: To be able to cook Maggi noodles.

REASON:l know how to cook fried rice last year during Home Based Learning.Now,l wanted to cook something simpler, then l thought of Maggi noodles.lt is simple to cook Maggi noodle and l want to learn how to cook more delicious and simpler Maggi Noodles.

Project title: learn to play the ukelele😆

Description:i want to learn to play a song in the ukelele starting from learning to tune it to playing chords 

Reason: i want to be able to play an instrument as i find it very interesting and cool😁

Project title: Learning a new language

Description: I wanted to try something new that I have not tried before. So I thought of learning a new language. I would like to learn some basic words and to also form some simple sentences in the language that I will choose to learn. (I have still not chose the language I want to learn yet but by my next post I will decide it.)

Reason: I would like to learn a new language is because I want broaden my horizon and learn more languages. This might even come in handy as I could converse with someone who might know the language I am going to learn. Another possibility is that if I were ever to go to the country where the language I am going to learn is to be spoken widely among people it would help me a lot. It would allow me to communicate with them or I would be able to understand what they are saying.

PROJECT TITLE: How to make your first custom keyboard

DESCRIPTION: I want to teach people how to make a custom keyboard as it is fun and you can make your own custom keyboard by you

REASON: I got into this hobby last year and I would like to share the fun of this hobby as it is very fun.

Category: soul

Project Title: Teaching my dog tricks

Description: I want to teach my dog tricks as recently, my family bought a dog.

Reason: Because I want my dog to listen to my commands

Project Title: Baking Chewy Cookies

Description: I am trying to bake my favorite type of cookie and perfecting the recipe by the end of the HBL days

Reason: It has been a long time since I have used my oven, so I'm trying to remember the ways to do it while baking cookies, which are chewy as I like their texture.

Project title: Drawing Pokémons

Description: I like drawing and Pokémon so I decided to draw Pokémon during my free time .

project title: learning to make kimchi fried rice

description: learning how to make kimchi fried rice

reason: i want to cook for my family and show them that i am good at cooking. i oso want them to enjoy the food i make for them for once because they always cook for me instead.

category: soul

project title: art

description: exploring how to convey emotion through art

reason: I want to create moving art pieces I can express myself through

PROJECT TITLE: to make a western meal

with bread,tomato,egg and fries.

DESCRIPTION: to learn how to cook a new

dish is a life skills

Project title: Learning How to Crochet

Description: Inspired by my peers, I want to learn how to crochet and make pretty things by the end of HBL.

Reason: I have always wanted to learn to crochet. I saw my friends doing it and wanted to learn, too. I briefly know how to do it now, but I am pretty sure I can improve with consistent practice. If I know how to crochet, I can make many things, from plushies to sleep with to a bag I can bring when I go out! I can't wait to start crocheting!

how to lose fats and gain muscles

reason: i was always called fat since i was in primary school, as during the covid 19 period i could not exercise nor have any motivation to do anything and thus i gained 20 kg over the 1-2 years of lock down. i recently started losing weight and gained more muscle from running and lifting weights in my brothers room. i go different sets of workouts with different days for the week for different workouts, for example Monday and Wednesday are my "arms day" where i train my arm muscles and on Tuesdays and Fridays i go on runs to burn of calories. on Thursdays i train my core muscles and finally on the weekends is my rest days. i swear that i will lose all my fats and not be called fat again.

PROJECT TITLE:cooking Indonesian food

REASON:since i am Indonesian i want to learn how to make my own country's traditional food especially since there are not many places here in Singapore that do sell traditional Indonesian food

Project: how to juggle a sepak takraw

description: to show how its easy to juggle the ball

Reason: I have always played this sport called Sepak Takraw. Its a Malay cultural tradition sports. I've played it after school with my fellow schoolmates and from other schools too. I saw my friend from another school can juggle the ball more times than me so i want to improve my skills, and pass him.

i will toast the bread and friend the egg ang put cheese in it

Description: I wan people to learnt how to do around the world with the soccer ball so that they can impress their friends

Project title: Drawing

Description: Drawing things that look like from a horror show.

Reason: I want draw when I am bored from my imagination.

Title: bake a pasta

Desciption : I will to make a pasta from scratch and i will research some thing how to make pastas and do it well and take photos and alot of videos to show my process in my cooking

Reason : I wanted to do this because my mom sometimes makes pasta and i love the way she cooked it so i wanted to try something new for myself.

Project title: Drawing faces of cartoon characters

Description: I want to learn how to draw as I am very bad at drawing and I want to improve

PROJECT TITLE: How to cook Maggi noodles.

Description: To be able to cook Maggi Noodles

Reason: I want to learn how to cook it.

Ingredients: Maggi noodles, two eggs, and vegetables.

Step 1: Buy Maggi noodles

Step 2: Fry the Maggi Noodles

Step 3: Put the vegetables in the noodles.

Step 4: Serve

Eggs

Salt

Powdered sugar

Butter

Baking powder

Buttermilk

Vanilla

Flour

Cream

I also plan to buy the ingredients by next week

INGREDIENTS:

1. Pasta

2. Guanciale

3. Eggs

4. Pecorino Pomano cheese (freshly graeted)

5. Black pepper (freshly cracked)

6. Salt (for the pasta water)

I am learning a new language which is Japanese, i have always been fascinated about japan. I always think that japan has a brilliant culture and language and thus i will probably want to work there in the future and thus i would like to learn Japanese. I mostly learn in my free time, but i am also going to take up lessons to learn about japan and the language.

I need to work on my line weight, as the lines seem less noticeable, and also on my proportions.

Moreover, I also found an image on the Internet that lists out exterior car parts, for example the windshield, side mirrors, etc. Here is a link (hopefully) to the full image. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0012/8063/9049/files/3_6d940cf4-6cd3-4e20-8691-0220b5843ba3.jpg?v=1693816696

I hope I can use this image as a guidance to when I want to properly draw them! I also want to play with perspectives once I master my proportions.

(My brother helped me with the last string as i was struggling a bit:))🎸

Ingredients needed are

-Unsalted butter

-White and Brown sugar

-Eggs

-Vanilla extract

-Flour

-Salt

-Chocolate Chips

Based on my research, the extra egg yolk added is what makes the cookie increase in chewiness. The flavour I will be going for is chocolate chip cookies as I want it to be simple and basic since I'm only learning to make them.

Tutorial 1 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=aAxGTnVNJiE

Tutorial 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXMqDk78bAM

1. Blank verse – Poetry with a set rhythm (usually iambic pentameter) but no rhyme, often used in Shakespeare’s plays. e.g. Shakespeare’s Hamlet ("To be, or not to be: that is the question…")

   
   

2. Rhymed poetry – Poems with a clear rhyme pattern, though the scheme can vary. e.g. Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening ("Whose woods these are I think I know, / His house is in the village though.")

   
   

3. Free verse – Poetry with no fixed rhyme or rhythm, allowing more creative freedom. e.g. Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass ("I celebrate myself, and sing myself, / And what I assume you shall assume…")

   
   

4. Epics – Long narrative poems about heroic adventures or legendary figures, like The Odyssey. e.g. Homer’s The Odyssey (The journey of Odysseus after the Trojan War.)

   
   

5. Narrative poetry – Poems that tell a story, similar to epics but often shorter, like The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. e.g. Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (A sailor tells of a cursed voyage.)

   
   

6. Haiku – A short Japanese poem with three lines (5-7-5 syllables), often about nature.

   e.g. Matsuo Bashō’s haiku:
   "An old silent pond,
   A frog jumps into the pond—
   Splash! Silence again."

   
   

7. Pastoral poetry – Poems that describe nature, rural life, and landscapes in an idealized way. e.g. Christopher Marlowe’s The Passionate Shepherd to His Love ("Come live with me and be my love, / And we will all the pleasures prove…")

   
   

8. Sonnet – A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme, often about love, as seen in Shakespeare’s sonnets. e.g. Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate.")

   
   

9. Elegy – A poem about death or loss, often expressing grief and reflection. e.g. Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard ("The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, / The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea…")

   
   

10. Ode – A poem that praises or celebrates a person, object, or idea. e.g. John Keats’ Ode to a Nightingale ("Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!")

11. Limerick – A short, funny five-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme, often playful or humorous.

    e.g. Edward Lear’s limerick:
    "There was an Old Man with a beard,
    Who said, 'It is just as I feared!
    Two Owls and a Hen,
    Four Larks and a Wren,
    Have all built their nests in my beard!'"

    
    

12. Lyric poetry – Poems focused on emotions and personal feelings rather than telling a story. e.g. Emily Dickinson’s I’m Nobody! Who Are You? ("I’m Nobody! Who are you? / Are you – Nobody – too?")

    
    

13. Ballad – A song-like poem that tells a story, often with simple rhyming stanzas. e.g. The Ballad of Birmingham by Dudley Randall (About a girl caught in a tragic bombing.)

    
    

14. Soliloquy – A speech in a play where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, as seen in Shakespeare’s works.

    e.g. Shakespeare’s Macbeth ("Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…")

    
    

15. Villanelle – A structured 19-line poem with repeated lines and a strict rhyme scheme. e.g. Dylan Thomas’ Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night ("Do not go gentle into that good night, / Old age should burn and rave at close of day…")

Comparing haikus and free verse, haikus are a lot simpler, they create vivid imagery while free verses allow poets to experiment with language, rhythm and structure.

Matsuo Bashō’s "The Old Pond"

• Imagery: "An old silent pond"

  -> peaceful scene

• Sound: "Splash!"

  -> contrasts with the silence

  
  

  Walt Whitman’s "A Noiseless Patient Spider"

• Line breaks & spacing create a slow, reflective pace

Here's my attempt at writing poems:

Springtime flowers bloom

Painting the world with colour

Making things brighter

Oh how I just love the sky

It's filled with twinkling stars 

I never want to say goodbye

It makes me forget about my scars

When I lay here

All I think about is

Those who are dear

They bring me bliss

-egg

-tomato

-fries

-bread

-oil

-brocoli

The cookies look different because i decided to warp the recipe and make it white AND normal chocolate chip cookies with the white chocolate macadamia base. This time I also used more butter to make sure they spread out more when baked. 🍪

( I'm not sure why the picture uploaded disappeared -Anthea 12/7 )

Literary devices are techniques used by poets and writers to create specific effects or convey certain meanings. They can help make a poem more vivid, emotional, or meaningful.

Some examples:

• Metaphor: A comparison between two things without using "like" or "as."

  • Example: "The world is a stage." (This suggests life is like a play, and people are actors.)

• Simile: A comparison between two things using "like" or "as."

  • Example: "Her smile was like the sun." (This compares a smile to the sun, implying it is warm and bright.)

• Alliteration: Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words close to each other.

  • Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore." (The 's' sound is repeated.)

• Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

  • Example: "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain." (The 'ai' sound is repeated.)

• Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things.

  • Example: "The wind whispered through the trees." (The wind can’t actually whisper, but it gives a sense of softness.)

• Enjambment: A line of poetry that doesn’t end with punctuation and flows into the next line.

  • Example: "I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o'er vales and hills." (The idea continues without a pause, creating a flowing feel.)

• Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.

Example: "I’ve told you a million times." (This exaggerates how many times something has been said.)

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

1st Stanza:

• Metaphor: The "two roads" symbolize life’s choices. The speaker faces a decision but cannot take both paths, reflecting the nature of choices we make in life.

• Imagery: "Yellow wood" evokes an autumn forest, setting a reflective mood and suggesting the passage of time and change.

2nd Stanza:

• Alliteration: "Grassy and wanted wear" repeats the 'w' sound, adding rhythm and drawing attention to the road’s less-traveled nature.

• Personification: The road "wants wear," giving it human-like desires, emphasizing the idea that the road seems to have a will of its own.

• Rhyme Scheme: The ABACB rhyme scheme creates a smooth, lyrical flow and emphasizes the speaker's contemplation of their choices.

3rd Stanza:

• Imagery: "No step had trodden black" creates a vivid image of a fresh, untaken path, symbolizing new opportunities and the uncertainty of unexplored decisions.

• Enjambment: The sentence flows without a pause, creating a smooth transition into the next line and suggesting the continuation of the speaker’s thoughts.

4th Stanza:

• Personification: "Telling this with a sigh" gives the sigh a reflective, human quality, implying that the speaker feels a deep emotional response to the decision made.

• Metaphor: The "sigh" represents regret or deep contemplation, symbolizing the emotional weight of the choice.

• Hyperbole: "Made all the difference" exaggerates the impact of the decision, emphasizing how the speaker views their choice as life-changing.

Conclusion:

• Symbolism: The "roads" represent life choices, and the "sigh" reflects emotional contemplation of those decisions.

• Theme: The poem explores the significance of choices and their long-lasting effects, highlighting how decisions shape our paths in life.

The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

Till I can see so wide,

River and trees and cattle and all

Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown—

Up in the air I go flying again,

Up in the air and down!

1st Stanza:

• Imagery: "Up in the air so blue" creates a vivid image of freedom and joy, with the blue sky symbolizing openness and limitless possibilities.

• Tone: The tone is playful and light-hearted as the speaker expresses excitement about the simple pleasure of swinging.

2nd Stanza:

• Metaphor: The swing going "over the wall" symbolizes breaking free from boundaries or limitations, allowing the child to experience the world beyond.

• Alliteration: "Rivers and trees and cattle and all" repeats the 'r' sound, giving the line a rhythmic flow and emphasizing the vastness of the landscape.

3rd Stanza:

• Imagery: "Down on the roof so brown" contrasts the natural beauty of the "garden green" with the man-made world, symbolizing the difference between freedom and the comforts of home.

• Repetition: "Up in the air and down" repeats the movement of the swing, reinforcing the cyclical nature of the child’s experience and symbolizing the ups and downs of life.

4th Stanza:

• Conclusion:

  • Symbolism: The swing represents freedom, youth, and the simple joys of childhood, allowing the child to explore both the natural world and their imagination.

  • Theme: The poem celebrates the joy of childhood, the freedom of exploration, and the contrast between innocence and the adult world.

Here's my attempt:

I remember the days
Where everything seemed perfect,
Sadly, that was only a phase,
A fleeting moment, now lost in a haze.

But luckily, it's not all too bad,
Because the people around me, I might add,
Are oh so precious as they light up my day,
And make me feel blessed in every way.

This is for the friends who’ve always been

near,
You know who you are, always crystal clear. Through every laugh, every tear we've shared,
I'm grateful for you, knowing you’ve always cared.

Even though life is a lot more different now,
I was a kid, carefree and full of cheer
Things feel a bit more sad, but it’s okay—
I’ve got you, and that makes everything fair.
Those days will stay in my heart forever

I chose to write this because it reflects my journey from carefree childhood moments to the challenges of growing up. It’s a reminder that while life changes, the people we care about and the memories we make will always stay in our hearts.

Reference link: https://images5.alphacoders.com/136/1369324.png

picture of Pokémon.

Practised on my drawing skill

PROJECT TITLE: How to make egg fried rice.

DESCRIPTION: To learn how to make egg fried rice as i do not know how to.

REASON: I love egg fried rice. I want to learn how to make egg fried rice so that i can eat it whenever i want and also for FCE ta2 i need to know the steps to make egg fried rice so it will be useful to learn how to make egg fried rice.

PROJECT TITLE: How to cook Maggi noodles.

Description can cook Maggi noodles.

l did the steps from the last HBL and serve l tried and it was nice!

I've started work on playing with perspectives and making 3d looking boxes and stuff. This is just so that I get a better feel of drawing 3d and also gaining more confidence to make pencil strokes. (it looks sort of messy because it's a sketch)

I've been trying to draw cars by memory during my free time, and I think I need more help with its proportions, so I've sort of traced out and analysed 2 types of cars (a sedan and convertible). I think these practises really helped me with some of my problems!!

psst.. if u stick around while watching my animation, u might see something yellow…

I borrowed my friend's yarn as she used to crochet, and I bought hook that I need to use to crochet my upcoming project.

Since I am friends with ex-crocheters, I can ask them for help and do other research on youtube

I still haven't gotten the idea of what I am going to crochet, I will search up some small and beginner style projects to kick start this new hobby/skill of mine

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Name Signs are Assigned:

  A name sign is a unique sign that represents a person's identity within the Deaf community, and it's generally given, not chosen, by someone else. 

• today, I found out that we generally use a name given by another person in the community, instead of signing out our whole name.

note: sorry for late post i was quite busy recently and could not make any time to cook it

There were a few mistakes i made :

Not completely freezing the cake before putting icing, this caused the icing to melt as the cake was still warm.

Too much vanilla, made the icing too sweet.

For this hbl i think i will look up more beginners cake recipes and try one of them out next week, and then i will experiment with the current icing recipe to hopefully try to make it taste better and hold up better.

inspiration link: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCsZ4_1SPrzGxJKs9lyHocLdQIh1vmcoYGn_-Bj5qGGs-1L0Su

The drive to my drawings:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fcj7hf5Ku3xQCgyGMkPvhu6CFgLkU4_Y?usp=sharing

I have seen many different and creative things that I can do as a beginner

I have decided to make a small plant that I can also make into a keychain with some modifications. Through these small projects, I can slowly develop the skills to create bigger and more useful projects. Today I attempted a crochet chain, as they call it in America, the basic and first thing to do when you start to crochet

I have also tried combining two different chains of yarn, which are different colour into one bigger chain.

• Tone is how the poet feels about what they’re writing. It’s like the poet’s attitude or voice.

• Mood is how the poem makes you, the reader, feel. It’s the atmosphere or emotion you get from reading it.

For example:

Original-> "Hope is the thing with feathers/ That perches in the soul..." This uses a hopeful tone, which gives the reader a positive emotion.

"Doubt is the thing with shadows / That creeps into the soul…” This uses a dark tone, which evokes a sense of uneasiness in the reader.

I'm going to try to change the meaning of the first stanza of the poem.

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.”

• This uses a gentle tone, describing 'hope' as a little bird that never stops singing, even during tough times.

Hope is the lie with feathers
That claws into the soul,
It whispers tunes of promises
But fades when nights grow cold.

• 'Thing' became 'lie' – adds doubt and betrayal.

• 'Perches' became 'claws' – more painful and forceful.

• 'Sings the tune' became 'whispers' – less powerful, more sneaky.

• 'Never stops' became 'fades' – shows that hope disappears.

From a hopeful tone to a bitter tone, from a warm and comforting mood to an unsettling and betrayed mood. In the original, hope is strong and comforting.
In the rewrite, hope is dangerous and untrustworthy. So, tone completely shifts how we view the same idea.

Now I'm going to write two different poems about friendship.

You were the light when I lost my way,
When others left, you chose to stay.
We shared those days of laughter and cheer,
Moments I still hold so dear.
Though time has passed and paths have shifted,
Your memory stays—forever gifted

->tone: warm and grateful

tone: bittersweet and nostalgic, somewhat relatable too

I reached for you, but you turned away.
I trusted you with all my heart—
but that meant nothing. You didn’t care.
My heart shattered.
The emotional distance between us grew with time.
In the end, I felt hollow inside.
The silence was deafening.
I guess it’s time I let go—
this friendship is over.
Forgotten and cold.

->tone: bitter and heartbroken

mood: the pain of letting go and ending something meaningful

I went out today to buy all the necessary ingredients for making cookies. I have also checked all the utensils and appliances needed in advance. Now that i have prepared everything, I’ll be starting the baking process during the weekend

I learnt that different states of butter, like melted, softened, and cold butter, all present different cookie textures, such as flaky, cake-like, or even chewy. With this new information, I can finalise what type of cookie I would like the white and normal chocolate chip cookies to feel like.

https://youtu.be/stFmGOyLASM?feature=shared

I read two short poems with different perspectives:

1. “This Room” by Imtiaz Dharker – First-person perspective

This poem is written from the speaker’s point of view, using “I” to describe how the room changes and breaks free from its boundaries. It gives a strong feeling of personal growth and excitement. The first-person voice makes it feel like we are inside the speaker’s mind, sharing their journey.

Effect: Because it’s first-person, the emotions feel very immediate and personal. I felt like the speaker was directly sharing their transformation with me.

2. “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven” by W. B. Yeats – Second-person perspective

In this poem, the speaker is addressing “you” — someone they love. The use of “you” brings the reader into the role of the beloved, creating intimacy. However, the poem is still about the speaker’s thoughts and feelings, told from a respectful distance.

Effect: Even though it’s not directly first-person like Dharker’s, it still feels intimate. The speaker seems vulnerable but also careful, showing deep emotion from a quiet distance.

From these poems, I learned how perspective can make the same emotion (like love, growth, or loss) feel very different. A first-person voice can feel raw and honest, while a second- or third-person view can be gentler, more reflective, or even mysterious.

For my poem about friendship, I want to try something interesting:
I’ll write two stanzas from two different perspectives:

• One from the friend who feels left behind

• One from the friend who is moving forward

This will help show both the positive and painful sides of friendship, and how two people in the same situation can feel very differently.

Two sides of goodbye

The Friend Left Behind

I waited
And waited,
Wondering if you would remember.
Did you ever care?
Was it all just a lie?

I trusted you
With all my life,
And you just left—
No sad goodbyes,
Not even a word.

Did I say something wrong?
What did I do to deserve this?

We used to hang out all the time,
Stay up all night—
Talking about everything and nothing.

Now,
As I look at our spot—
An empty bench—
My heart tightens,
My breath quickens.

I wish I’d never lost
A friend like you,
The one who taught me how to live.

The Friend Moving Forward

I saw a window open
While you saw a door close—
The door to our friendship.

I’m sorry.
I never meant to hurt you.
But this is for the best.

I’m chasing dreams
We once shared,
Hoping you’ll do the same.

Even now,
Though we don’t talk,
I still think of us—
The good,
The memories,
The laughter.

I hold them dear
For the both of us.

A bright future lies ahead
For you and for me.

And I will always remember you,
My close friend,
The one who taught me how to love.

This poem shows how two friends can experience the same ending in very different ways. One friend feels abandoned and heartbroken, stuck in the past and full of questions. The other is moving on, filled with hope but also quiet guilt. The poem explores the bittersweet truth that even close friendships can grow apart, not out of anger, but because people change and take different paths. It reminds us that while friendships may fade, the memories and love shared can still stay with us — even in silence.

I am learning how to make the pot fro the small plant and will then follow along by crocheting the plant leaves and ect.

Use boiling water and microwave the noodles.

Recently i have picked up a fun but hard hobby, it is none other than arm wrestling! I came across a video about arm wrestling on the internet and i got really interested in it and thus i picked it up as a hobby. There are many variations and techniques to arm wrestling but the best part of all is that you can do it at home, just find a table and a partner and arm wrestle to test each others strength. I found out its a sport and even have tournaments. So far i am still inexperienced but i will update more on my progress on the next bbl day

• First person – "I" or "me" (e.g., personal feelings)

• Second person – "You" (talking directly to the reader)

• Third person – "He", "She", "They" (more distant or storytelling)

  For Example:

• First person: “I felt the crack in our bond that day…”

• Third person: “She watched her friend walk away…”

Types of Perspective:

• First person (“I”) – Feels personal and emotional

• Second person (“You”) – Feels direct, intense, or like a message

• Third person (“She/He/They”) – More distant, like a story

Examples:

• First person: I waited all night. The silence stung.

• Second person: You left without saying goodbye.

• Third person: She waited, but no reply ever came.

I found the first person the most emotional, but the second person is really strong if you want to confront or talk to someone directly. The third person can still be powerful if I want to show a story or a change in friendship.

I tried to write three poems dedicated to my sec 4 seniors, who had just graduated from my cca.

First person:

I remember the first time I stepped on stage,
Nerves running through my hands,
But you, with your steady smile,
Made the weight feel lighter.
Through every note, every line,
You showed me what it meant to be part of something bigger.
And for that, I’m forever grateful.
You’ve guided me every step of the way,
And because of you,
I’ve become the person I am.
I’ve learned so much from you,
Both in singing and in life.

So thank you for everything you’ve taught me.

2nd person:

You didn’t just teach us the songs —
You taught us the true power of harmony,
How each voice, no matter how small,
Can come together to create something greater.
You led us through syf with unwavering dedication,
Your passion spoke louder than words could.
You made us believe that together,
We could achieve the impossible.

Thank you for being the steady hands, guiding us all.

Though distinction wasn’t achieved,
The experience was unforgettable.
You’ve made every moment special,
And for our next performance,

We’ll give our all to make you proud.

3rd person:

They were there for every session,
Patient, focused, never rushing.

When the notes grew difficult,
They held the melody with ease,
So the rest could follow.
Their leadership wasn’t always in the spotlight,
But it shone through in the quiet strength they carried.
And now, as the stage lights fade,

Their legacy echoes in our voices.
Though we may not have known them well,
They’ve left their mark on us all.

Each one unique in their own way,
And we, who looked up to them,
Are grateful for the chance
To have known them, if only for a little while.

I decided to paste a piece of paper over each of the coloured boxes as the black words were not really showing on the board.

The past few attempts were made without a scale since i didn't have one, but recently my mum had bought one for this project. So thanks to my mum! The cookies were finally not burnt and crumbly, this time they were soft and browned. 🍪

If dreams could speak

If dreams could speak,
They’d tell me to chase what I seek,
To take a leap, brave and wide,
Because dreams live deep inside.

When I was young,
I believed I could be anyone —
A movie star, a singer, an athlete,
The world was open, the path was sweet.

But now I know, as I grow older,
Dreams aren’t always just easy folders.
They’re not good or bad, just what hearts desire,
Flickering flames, both faint and fire.

Dreams reveal secrets, hidden deep,
Past mistakes and memories we keep.
Things we try so hard to forget —
Whispers of hope and silent regret.

This time, I baked the cookies for 10 minutes instead of 11 minutes and the bottom of the cookies were finally not charred! They turned out softer and not bitter. 🍪⋆˙⟡

I watched this video, and later i am going to try to implement it to my drawings

I think I will try something easier next time, as artworks that take hours to complete often leave my hand hurting. ( A sprained wrist doesn't help.)

• 2–3 packs of Maggi instant noodles (any flavor, e.g., curry, chicken, or masala)

• 4–6 cups of water (about 1.5–2 cups per noodle pack)

• 2–3 teaspoons of the included Maggi seasoning/tastemaker (from the packs)

• Optional add-ins (to make it heartier):

  • 1–2 eggs (optional, for added protein)

  • Equipment:

    • Large pot or deep pan

    • Wooden spoon or spatula

    • Knife and cutting board (if using fresh veggies)

    • Measuring cup (optional, for water)

    Step-by-Step Instructions:

    Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

    • Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk lightly if adding them.

    • Step 2: Boil Water

      • In a large pot, bring 4–6 cups of water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Use about 1.5–2 cups of water per noodle pack to ensure the noodles cook without becoming too soggy.

      • Add a pinch of salt to the water (optional, as the seasoning is flavorful).

      Step 3: Cook Optional Add-Ins (if using)

      • In a separate pan (or the same pot before adding noodles), heat 1 tablespoon of oil

      • Step 4: Cook the Noodles

        • Add the Maggi noodle cakes to the boiling water. Break them slightly if you prefer shorter strands or to fit the pot.

        • Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Maggi noodles cook quickly, so check for a soft but slightly firm texture (al dente).

        Step 5: Add Seasoning

        • Once the noodles are nearly cooked, sprinkle in the Maggi tastemaker/seasoning packets. Stir well to distribute evenly.

        • Reduce heat to medium and let the noodles simmer for 1–2 minutes to absorb the flavors. If you prefer soupy noodles, keep more water; for dry noodles, let most of the water evaporate.

        Step 6: Add Eggs (Optional)

        • If using eggs, push the noodles to one side of the pot. Pour the whisked eggs into the other side and scramble them until cooked (1–2 minutes). Mix them into the noodles.

        • Alternatively, poach the eggs directly in the noodle broth by cracking them into the pot and letting them cook for 2–3 minutes without stirring.

        Step 7: Adjust Flavors

        • Taste the noodles and adjust with soy sauce, hot sauce, or extra chili flakes for spice.

        • If the dish feels too dry, add a splash of water or broth. If too watery, cook for an extra minute to reduce the liquid.

        Step 8: Serve

        • Turn off the heat and transfer the noodles to serving bowls or plates.

        • Serve hot.

        • Time Estimate:

          • Prep: 5–10 minutes (depending on add-ins)

          • Cooking: 10–15 minutes

          • Total: 15–25 minutes

The ingredients for this are:

• around 10 green chilies

• 5 red onions

• 10 pieces of garlic

• 2 teaspoons of salt

• half a teaspoon of sugar

• a pinch of MSG

• 10 strips of chicken

But recently, I tried attempt 2 and it does not look perfect because the chocolate chips did not melt, but it had the shape and texture

I made a bracelet with three colours by doing the chain method and joining together three different yarns.

It was a tedious task, as I was only comfortable with 'chaining' together two yarns at first. However, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and attempt crocheting three.

My efforts did not go to waste, and I finally succeeded by making a bracelet!

PROJECT TITLE: Learning how to make nice posters

DESCRIPTION: To make nice posters for either advertisements or for fun

REASON: Recently, I noticed that one of my friends has been making posters, and I really like the way they look so I'm going to learn on my own