Black Gold Reflection

I am learning about events that happen in the world.

After reading an article about hair being cut, bought then imported really makes me wonder... "Is the world coming to an end?" It might sound funny and all, but really it's not. The article I have read this morning is called "Black Gold" and it talks about hair being cut in China and then being sold to places all around the world. Some women shave their hair for religious sacrifices, and I think that is fine, but in the article there is a girl named Qingwen Liu, 14, and she had her 1 metre long ponytail cut off by her mother, they sold it to a man with one leg, they agreed with the price of $140. Qingwen Liu, wasn't afraid she had done this before. 

I think the author's purpose of writing this article was to get people from all over the world to know where some wigs are coming from. In the article it says that some salons don't know where the wigs come from, the customers just think about the price not the origin. As I write this article a question attacks my head over and over again, "If the people knew where wigs are coming from, would they still buy it?" I still need some time to research if people knew where wigs are being imported from, and if they would still buy them. About 62,500 shorn ponytails are imported into NZ every year, that is ALOT of hair being cut off and then sent here for people to wear!

I think that there is such a high demand for hair because many people in the world don't appreciate their hair, have cancer or simply just lose hair. Many people use their hair for fashion, just to look good for someone or something. Male celebrities like, Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel, LL Cool J, Bruce Willies, Kobe Bryant and many more, don't mind having bald hair. To me I think they suit having bald hair, not to mention, they have had hair on their heads before. Since these celebrities have had no hair for a long time if I see them with hair, it would be unusual for me because I haven't seen them with hair for along time. I've been hearing stories of hair not growing back if you shave the whole thing off, I don't know if it's true of false but I will find out. I myself try and use the best hair style with my hair when I go to school, I can't imagine my self going to school with messy hair. It just isn't my thing. When my hair grows to long I get a haircut from my uncle, I get the same haircut everytime he cuts my hair, 0 fade on the side, and 2 fade on top. 

If hair wasn't on demand I think our society would change, or wouldn't change. This is a really hard thing to answer. I think that our society will change, and it would stay the same so technically I think it would, and it wouldn't change. I will start off with why I think it would change. I think our society would change because if hair isn't being imported into NZ people might not have the courage to leave their houses with a bald , mostly for women. Of course, it doesn't matter if you have a little hair but being completely bald is something that many people around the world get bullied or laughed at for, and that can affect their social skills. They might not want to leave their houses again. Now I will be talking about why our society won't change. If hair wasn't on demand, I think that people wouldn't care to much because some people might already have hair, but what about the people with no hair? I have had weird looking haircuts in the past and as I look around I seemed like the only kid with that kind of hairstyle, but I was too young to really look at myself and say, "It's alright, I'm too young anyways"

Overall, I think that people in China and all around the world, should really look and think about their daughter's. Many girls around the world have their hair cut off and then send for money, If I were a girl I wouldn't let anyone cut my hair and then sell it, to me it seems pathetic. I know that people in China don't have that much money but if you lost one of your children it would be  a heartbreaking situation. It also states in the article that some girls try to run away, but then get dragged back by their parents... Then they get their hair cut off! That is really sad to hear, but at the same time it's life. Qingwen Liu has her hair cut every 3 years... I feel sad for her, but it's her parents who predict her future.

Here is my reflection about an article I have read called "Black Gold" if you want to read the article yourself, you can! Just copy and paste this link http://www.nzherald.co.nz/indepth/national/black-gold/ I rate this article a 8/10 because it has some really sad news in it. Something that I enjoyed about writing this article is that I got to release all my opinions onto here, the thing that I found challenging was reading the artice, it was the longest article I have read in a while. But as a year 7 this is helping me learn what being a year 8 feels like. My next learning steps is to read the whole article, I was using my Skimming and Scanning skills, and I still understood what the article was about.

Thanks for having the time to read my article!

Feel free to leave a comment!

Many thanks

Camp Raglan Reflection

I am learning to reflect on my experience while at camp. 

I enjoyed a lot of things at camp, from the team building challenges to the Flying Fox and Archery. But the thing I found enjoyable the most was the Air Rifles, the reason for this is because it was my first time shooting from a Air Rifle. At first, I thought the gun would be light because of it’s name but it turned out to be heavier than I thought… But it wasn’t that heavy. The first time I had a go I missed all my shots, but as I got another turn I knew how to aim and got all my shots on the target. I was proud of myself but I ended up losing my target… I found getting ready for camera’s a real challenge because some of the photo’s that I’m in, I ain’t even ready yet.

That is embarrassing. I also found keeping our cabin fresh and tidy a challenge because boys are boys and the smell of boys.. Smell normal… My favourite memory for me was probably the Bonfire night, I think this because a small group of boys turned into a big group of wonderful singers. We sang through the night flashing our torches high into the night sky. We also had a FiaFia Night, FiaFia night was funny because everyone had the courage to step out of their shells and shine their amazing talents. I was surprised when some people, stood up on stage performing , some people I thought, who wouldn’t have the courage.

Some of the performances made me laugh, because they were too funny. I didn't imagine my friend Pio having the courage to do a dance in front of us! Everyone started laughing, because well he should grow up to be a comedian. As we laughed throughout the night it was getting late and soon we had to go to bed. I wasn't looking forward to going to bed because it would be the last night we would sleep at Camp Raglan and I didn't want to leave. But we had to, just hearing people talking about us leaving Camp made me want to stay longer... Unfortunately it didn't happen... Why couldn't camp be for 2 weeks???

Here is my camp reflection, it's not much but I gave it my best shot.

Leaving Camp Raglan was a real upset for me because I was enjoying it so much! I found staying at Camp a real pleasure, and leaving camp a real challenge!

I would like to thank my team CKQ (Cultural Kings and Queens) for all their support, we wouldn't have broken a record if they weren't here for me.

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Many thanks!

My Camp Raglan Goals

WALT: Create goals for camp 2K16.

Here are my goals for Camp Raglan 2016. Camp is tomorrow and I am very excited to be going to Camp Raglan.. The thing is it's a two hour drive which is a very long time, well 2 hours and 30 minutes. But it's still the same thing.

It says that camp Raglan is a place to create memories, I hope it's true.

My highlight before going to camp is that I get to know people more and build stronger bonds.
When we come back my church is going to Rainbows End! 

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Many thanks!

My Weekend!

I am learning to write about my weekend!

Every week my weekend is the same. I go to my grandads have loads of fun there come back on Sunday morning and get ready for church. But this week it was sort of different because I finished church early, went to the pools and ate a Denny's for breakfast. 

On Friday I had the day off because it was teacher's only day, so I went to watch my younger brother's athletics day. Me and my mum got there at around 11:00am, and then left again to go buy some food. I wasn't in the mood for walking but I had to, so I did. When we did get back to school we were just in time to witness my youngest brother race. He was amongst 8 boys, my mum starting cheering for him so I got a little embarrassed and told to her to cheer to loud. Bam! The sound of wood smacking together rattled in my ears, my brother was in the lead but as they were edging closer towards the finish line he started looking behind which made him lose speed. My mother was angry in him for not looking and keeping his eyes on the finish line but he's still got a lot to learn.

As the day went on it got more boring, so I asked my brother if he could get a ball and I started playing some basketball. Glen Innes School have different hoops, different sizes. I starting shooting in the shortest hoop. It was easy because I could just simply through it, the bad thing is, they don't have proper basketball courts like my school. When I finished on the shortest hoop I went to the tallest hoop, it was just like the smallest one but taller. I had to get my shooting right in order to get it in... I was having the time of my life until it was time to go home! I looked for my mum and brothers but I didn't find them so I just continued laying until my mum started calling me!

Then we got home, my mum said we could go over to my grandad's house and that's what we did. My brother and I packed  some swimming togs because we knew we were going to the pools, and also some clothes. We caught a ride with my papa, and when we got to my grandads we unpacked our stuff and went to the front house. It was the same people in there my aunt and cousins.

Until my uncles came over with his kids and wife. It was fun when they came over because I got to play with their oldest child which is 2 years old. But it was getting dark and soon it was time to go to bed so my uncle and that left and said they would some back to go to the pools. Lucky I brang me some togs.

Saturday morning. Nothing to do. Nothing to say. So I just sat in the lounge watching T.V until my cousin's came running day saying to get dressed as we are going to have breakfast. I was up in a flash! I didn't where we were going but I didn't ask until we got to the actual place. My uncle, aunt,brother and cousins we in the car alongside me. When we got to the place I was amazed... We were at DENNY'S! I hadn't been there before so it was my first time tasting their food. We sat in by our table and ordered our food. I ordered French Toast and Pancakes, I couldn't finish it because I was full... I didn't want to waste the money so I  ate my food until it was finished. But my stomach was very sore. 

Finally we got home, my uncle came over and we went to the pools. We stayed there for about 3 hours then went home, it was getting late anyway. It was 6:30pm and I was very tired. The instant we got home, I crashed out on the bed. Wishing that tomorrow wasn't Sunday...

6:14am, time to get up and watch the All Blacks vs Ireland live. I was so engaged that I didn't want to move but I had to because I had to go home and get dressed for church. Before I left the score was 14 - 9 All Blacks... When I got home I had a shower, got dressed then went to church to set some things up. I finished church early because I had to go and get ready for camp tomorrow!

Then we got home, and I slept, and slept throughout the day...

Here is my reflection about my weekend!

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Many thanks