Storm Night

I volunteered tonight (Dec. 30, 2012) from 6:30 until 8:30.  It was fairly quiet, probably because of the storm we had today and the power being out for some people on the island.  I did get a few calls though and I had to do a lot of transferring of calls which is good because I haven't been doing as much of that lately.

Start of Parelli

Today (Dec. 28, 2012) I went out to the barn and did about an hour of Parelli with Romeo.  We started out with the Friendly Game.  I began by just rubbing him all over with just my hand and he was fairly calm all throughout.  He did jump once when I touched under his belly but I rubbed him there again after and he was fine with it, I think I just startled him.  I opted not to use a lead rope, just his Parelli halter because I knew he was already fairly comfortable with me working around him.  I then did the whole Friendly Game again but this time with the end of a Parelli carrot stick.  He was excellent with this and it was a good way to introduce this tool as I have never used one with him.  I then spent some time just taking the Parelli stick and savvy string and waving and slapping it around on the ground beside him and over his head, and then gently throwing it around his legs, back and neck to help desensitize him to it.  I then played the Porcupine Game.  I did this mostly with his hindquarters because I wanted to start him with something I know is easier for him so we would have a better chance of ending on a good note.  I did do a bit with his shoulders but not much because it was harder for him; I will go back to this in our next session.  By the end of the game I was able to make him yield his hindquarters just by touching the hair, which is the aim of this game.  I am LOVING this Parelli work and I can not wait to do it again!

Volunteering

I was able to volunteer this weekend at Andrews of Stratford (Dec. 23, 2012) from 6:30 until 8:30.  It wasn't very busy at the front desks being so close to Christmas but I did get a few calls from residents.  One was in a very bad mood and it was my first time having to deal with someone who was upset but it ended up being ok.  I also had a very nice chat with and older gentleman which was new as well but it went great and I think I was able to brighten his night up a little bit.

Photography

Yesterday I spent about an hour taking photos with techniques I learned in Mr. Haynes' classes and today (Dec. 20, 2012) I spent my lunch hour from 11:30 until 12:30 editing some of them.  This class was under the instruction of the other art teacher in the school Mr. Burt and I learned a lot from him about how to use Photoshop and how to improve the pictures I had taken.

I also learned that Parelli with my horse will count for CAS so I look forward to starting that over Christmas Break.

Lots of CAS

I'm a little behind in updating my blog due to an insane amount of assignments, tests, essays, labs, ect. that were due this past week.

Last Sunday (Dec. 9, 2012) I volunteered between 6:30 and 8:30 at Andrews of Stratford Seniors Home.  It was a bit of a change because I got several calls from actual residents, something that has never really happened.  I was able to help them all though, which was nice.

On Wednesday (Dec 12, 2012) our IB dodge-ball team won one game and lost two, meaning we won't be going to the finals.  In all tough, it was a very fun experience and I think we really well!  I have a few more pictures I will post as well.

On Thursday (Dec 13, 2012) I had another art class with Mr. Haynes and we went outside this time!  We brought our cameras and had to take pictures using certain techniques that we had learned about in the previous classes.

I won't be volunteering at Andrews of Stratford this weekend because my family has come down with a stomach flu and it was best not to go in case I should spread any germs.  I will try to do a few extra hours over the holidays to make up for it though.

Catching Up

I'm a little behind in posting this week.  I volunteered last Sunday at Andrew's of Stratford (December 2, 2012) from 6:30-8:30.  I had a great time as usual and I even got to interact with a senior as well as answering the phone.  I was asked to bring a wheelchair to a senior who had a hard time walking and to walk him to the activity room, where music was being played.  It was a new experience for me but the gentleman was very friendly and I was able to chit chat with him on the way to the activities.

I also had another photography lesson with Mr.Haynes last Thursday for an hour at lunch (November 29, 2012) and we discussed composition tools.  I am very excited to try these new techniques out but the next lesson that was supposed to be today was cancelled and pushed back until next Thursday due to dodge-ball.

Speaking of dodge-ball, we played two games today (December 6, 2012), each game the best out of three. I was able to help win out team the first game as I was the last one in and I got the last person on the other team out.  It was very exciting!  We ended up winning the first game and losing the second, but we are still in a good position overall so hopefully we can make it to the finals.  A teammate was able to get some good pictures of me playing but for now here is one of our team: