Carton House

On Tuesday the 18th of November we went to Carton house to see the art exhibition.  We left school at 2pm and we got the bus to Carton House which is in maynooth.  We looked around at the art pieces and filled out our worksheets.  The art exhibition was really nice and the pieces were beautiful.  They were all unique and stood out from one another.  We heard that the Irish rugby team were training at carton house so after looking at the art we went on a hunt to find them.  This guy in a golfcart told us where to find them so we ran towards the gym.  They were all in the gym working out.  Our whole year was just standing outside looking at them.  The walls were glass so everyone was just staring in and even taking pictures.  The team ended up calling security twice on a few of the girls.  I think we creeped them out a bit.  Some girls even got pictures with some of the players as they were leaving the building.  Unfortunately we had to leave at quarter to 4 but it was a good outing overall and everyone was happy that we got to see the Irish rugby team.  

Work Experience

Yesterday was my 5th week at work experience with the solicitors in Clane.  Yesterday was different because I went to Court.  The other weeks I have just been working at the computer in the office but this week he brought me to the District Court in Naas.  When I first went in the solicitor had to talk to his client and I wasn't allowed to listen so I had to go stand at the door of the court room and wait for it to be opened.  It was a bit awkward though because I was standing on my own and everyone was looking at me.  I waited patiently and was looking around at all the solicitors who were talking to their clients.  Some had the traditional white wigs on and most wear wearing the traditional black cloaks.  There were a few guards also who were standing with two guys in handcuffs.  When the doors opened I followed the crowd in, I didn't know where to sit so I sat at the back with the public.  After a few minutes when Arthur came in, he brought me up to the front to sit with him and the rest of the solicitors.  It was a bit embarrassing because some of them thought i was sitting in the wrong seat but I got comfortable after a while. After about ten minutes the judge came down and ordered silence in the court.  He called each case and both the solicitor and the client stood up and argued the case.  The judge made a decision which was mainly just another court date and then moved on to the next case.  It was kind of difficult to understand what they were saying and to follow what was going on.  It was a very long day as there was 70 cases to get through.  It was really funny though because a lot of phones kept going off during the court and the Judge was getting pretty angry.  He even said that the next person who interrupted the court would be put in prison.  Thank God nobody's phone went off after that.  Most of the cases were about tax and traffic issues but there were a few about drugs and burglaries which were interesting.  It didn't finish until ten past 2 and I was home in Clane at half 2.  The solicitor I am doing my work experience with had to go back and argue his next case which was a family law matter so I wasn't allowed to listen to it anyway.  It was a very long day but I enjoyed it as it was something different than just working in the office.  

Walk In My Shoes

Last Friday was Mental Health awareness day! We all got to wear our own shoes to raise awareness for this issue.  Some people really made an effort and wore crazy shoes.  Some wore slippers and some wore wellie boots.  Some people also wore a red button to raise awareness which I believe was very effective.  It was great to see all the students participating in something important like this.  We all had to pay 2 Euro and this money was donated to mental health.  Mental health is a very important issue especially among teenagers in this society.  A lot of awareness was raised because of this day, which is great to see.

                                                                                                      

Last Thursday we had our annual fun-walk.  We normally have it on a Friday but the weather was supposed to be very bad on Friday so it was changed to Thursday instead.  Fortunately Thursday was a very sunny day.  We had been practicing a dance for weeks that we would perform in front of the judges.  Everyone got a bit stressed out making the dance and organising everything but it was worth it in the end because we won out of the other TY classes.  At the start of our dance all the bad people came out in white masks and scared the crowd.  Then all the good people came out and took off our masks and the bin bags we were wearing as if to say they made us good.  Then we all did a dance to the jitterbug song.  It was really fun and a good laugh.  We watched all the classes perform from first year to sixth year.  Some dances were very good and others not so much.  After we all performed our dances, we went on a friendship walk around Celbridge.  It was very short as we did not have a lot of time. Overall it was a fun-day and I look forward to next year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Carlingford

Last Monday we went to Carlingford.  We all had to be in Esso at 7 o'clock so I had to get up at half 5 so that I could get ready.  I left my house at 20 to 7 with my 2 bags that I had packed the night before.  We all got onto the bus and it left Celbridge at around quarter past 7.  It took about 2 hours before we reached Carlingford.  When we got off the bus we went to the Volleyball court and the instructors came out and talked to us about what we would be doing during our stay.  Then they organised us into rooms and gave us our keys.  I was in a room with 8 of my friends so i was really happy with that.  Then we were told we had to go back down to the volleyball court and from there they brought us down to the sea where we got changed into our wet suits and put on body protectors and helmets.  The instructor then brought us down to the water where we got into these rowing boats.  We slowly pushed the boats into the water and we began to paddle. Then we got thrown freezing water over our heads.  It was really fun and I enjoyed it.  We also got to jump on this trampoline which was in the middle of the water which was really fun.  Then when we got back to the center we had lunch.  The food was horrible.  Then we went back to our rooms for a bit and then we all met up again to do this kind of course which involved several challenges in which we all had to work as a team.  We all found it very frustrating and annoying and ended up fighting rather than bonding together.  Then we had dinner and then went back to our rooms for the evening.  Most of us went out into the village and walked around.  At around 7 o'clock we went on a really long walk up a hill and when we reached the top we all put on blindfolds and formed a line.  We had our left hand on the person in front of us and our right hand on a rope and we all had to walk in a line.  It was kind of boring but really funny at the same time.  When we took off our blindfolds it was dark and we started to head back to the center.  We then went and got a Chinese which was disgusting.  Then we went upstairs to where there was a disco on.  There was another school there who were really rude but it was still kind of fun.  Then we went back to our rooms.  We were all so tired after the long day so most of us went to sleep early enough.  The next morning they woke us up at 8 o'clock with this really annoying music over the intercom.  After we got up we got changed and then headed down to breakfast.  After we finished we went back to the rooms to pack our bags and fix the beds.  Then we all met up in the sports hall where we left our bags and then headed back down to the sea.  We got into our wet suits and carried canoes down to the water.  We all had our separate canoes which was really fun.  When we got to the other side we had to play these really boring and annoying games .  Most people were fed up and cold at this stage.  When it was over we went back to the center and had lunch.  Then we met up after for laser tag which was by far the funnest activity we did.  We were on 2 teams, red and blue.  I was on the blue team and we played about 5 games.  I was the first person out in the first game because I was terrible at using the gun.  But I got better as it went on.  We all had so much fun and in the end our team won!!  We all had a laugh and then went back to the center to collect our bags.  Before we headed over to our buses we all met in the volleyball court where we thanked our instructors and they asked us lots of questions about what we liked and what we didn't like about our stay.  On the way home everyone was so tired.  A few people went to sleep on the bus.  It was a long journey home but we all had an amazing time in Carlingford. 

Yesterday we got our junior cert results.  We all had to be in school for 11:50 and our results were given to us at 12.  We all stood in a line and the teachers handed each one of us a brown envelope.  We were all very nervous.  After we were given our results we all went outside.  Some opened theirs as soon as they got them, others opened theirs when they got home.  I opened mine at the school.  I was a bit disappointed with my results but there was nothing I could do.  So I went home and showed my parents my results.  They were both very proud of me.  I packed my bag and got ready for the night ahead.  I was very excited as we were going to Wrights in Swords.  I got my make-up done at Benefit and then we all went to Tesco at half 5 to get the bus.  Most people were happy with their results so everyone was excited to go out.  The bus was almost an hour late but it finally came and everyone rushed to get on.  We all had a great night and celebrated till very late.  We all had to be in school at 9 o'clock the next day so everyone was wrecked but it was well worth it!

My first week in Ty was very long.  At first I questioned whether I had made the right choice choosing transition year or not but as the week progressed I became quite happy with my choice. I really like my tutor because many of my friends are in my tutor with me. Our class name is Aurora.  In most of our classes we have started projects which I like because I find it easier working in a team rather than on my own.  We also have double p.e on Fridays which I think is great. We also have a double of music and art which I have never done before so I think this year is a good opportunity for me to develop other interests.
In many of our classes we are mixed with other tutors so I have been talking to lots of new people this week and I have made some new friends that I have never talked to before. I'm really nervous about work experience because I haven't yet organised a placement but I'm hoping to soon. I think this year will be very good for me and I'm looking forward to next week.