Diabetes

What diabetes is:

Diabetes is a disorder where glucose (sugar) cannot enter the body’s cells because the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin. The insulin acts like a key so the carbohydrates can enter the cells. There are two different types of diabetes type 1 and type 2. Type 1 means that the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin. Glucose then builds up in the body which makes you fatigued or tired. Type 2 means the pancreas makes insulin but it doesn’t work properly. Sometimes if untreated, you may experience a different variety of disabilities.

How it works:

It starts in the stomach. All the food gets divided into 3 groups, carbohydrates, protein and fat . The carbohydrates break down to starches and glucose, which enter the bloodstream. While they’re travelling through the bloodstream, the pancreas then produces insulin. The insulin acts like keys so the glucose can enter the muscle and fat cells. This gives energy to the body.  

What goes wrong?

The consequences and the effects to having diabetes can be very severe. Things like blindness, tiredness, and lack of urine affect your body. To make it even worse, if you've been living with it for quite a while, as in years, you will quite possibly die from a sudden heart attack, stroke or even kidney failure. Having diabetes makes your life become more of a hassle.

Solution:

There aren't many solutions to having diabetes. Instead, people try to reduce the effects of diabetes by oral medication from their doctor. The easiest way to monitor type 2 diabetes is to exercise. Running around the basin, bike rides, or any fitness is the key. Unfortunately type 1 diabetes can only be reduced by getting an insulin shots from your doctor.

The Unique Savages (Fiafia Night Niuean Group)

I know it has been a while, but I still need to add this bit.

Things were getting a bit more intense by the minute. Or even by the second. Me and Brooklyn were now running around like headless chooks trying to get our costumes on. Just as well as getting our hairs look like we're savages. By the time we finished and walked outside to where everyone was sitting, we looked onto the stage and saw that after the Tongan boys would be the unicyclist's, and after the unicyclist's would be us. Things were going really fast while we were changing. And it certainly looked as if the crowd was enjoying it.

Kicking back and chilling with the rest of my Niuean group for the next few minutes enjoying the other 2 groups left before it was our turn, the nerves started to kick in. The same feelings flowed right through just like for the Kapa Haka group. But this was different I felt in the zone. I felt as if I was home. Like this was where my roots came from. It just felt right. Just then as the last lyrics from the unicyclist's song played, it was our turn to stand up and prepare ourselves.

Shoal, then me, then Ata, then Ash, and then Brooklyn were all lined up, holding one of the little girls  hands that were in the front line. We were entering on side wings, but the boys were entering from the front. It was our que and we started to walk onto the stage. Our rafia skirts were rustling, and were lucky enough to make more noise then my heavy breathing. Stevenson then pretended to blow the conch shell, and the boys looking a lot like they were naturals from the island started to make they're way to the stage. The drum started to be beat and the girls were now jogging to the centre stage. First up everyone did the Hopo (jump), then Ta me (Action Song), then my fav part of the night, the Takalo (War Dance).

Our item was over. And we exited the stage. Running through the field back to Room 13 felt awesome. The hip-hop group was performing, and the song they were performing to made the adrenaline pump. We were all so happy and excited by the time we got back to Room 13. Shoal, Huelo-Ata, Ash, Brooklyn and I huddled up and all were chatting to each other like crazy about how exhilarating it felt to be on that stage. After taking photo's we got changed and headed back to where the crowd was.

Overall the night was AMAZING. I loved it to bits. And really wish I could re-live it all over again. But everything couldn't have been possible without all the tutors. Miss Lavakula, and Mrs Lagitupu were our Niuean tutors. A HUGE THANKS goes towards you guys. And also Whaea Sophie, and Whaea Raewen were the tutors for the Kapa-haka group. HUGE THANKS to you guys to. Without all you guys the performances would not have been so awesome!

A Splendid Gift From Will.I.Am

The feeling was amazing. When Mr Burt said that the one and only Will.I.Am would be coming to our school, my heart started to pound with excitement. It had been a secret for at least days. And now when we all finally find out who the anonymous guest was going to be, whispers started to lurk around the big room.

Brooklyn and I, as well as Raenan, Crusader and Darius were all addressed to show the special guest where his seat was placed. We all eagerly awaited outside for Will.I.Am to arrive. Also with the media crew around us. Then a big flash car pulled up to the car parks reserved for them. His body guards hoped out and walked around to secure the place. We were all so excited that we thought that each car that went pass our school was his. Then finally after a good 20 minutes later, he arrived in a flash car. Similar to his body guards. Except he had one car in the front of his , and another on the back.

The cameras started to flash and flicker. The gasps, and whispers started to lurk within the hall. And the butterflies started to fly around in my stomach. He was approaching all of us now. Me being the last to shake his hand,was really nerve racking. After shaking his and his managers hands, we then made our way towards the hall, with the prefects looking like his body guards. Me and him were having a little chat while we were walking towards the hall. It was really crazy though, talking to someone as famous as him. Talking like we're buddies. It was just something that wouldn't happen to you everyday.

We were making our way towards the hall, with the press being the press and flashing their camera's and videoing the moment. Before we entered into the ha;l we could already see full of amazed, and astonished looking children. We all including Will.I.Am proceeded along. We reached to where his seat was placed, and we all exchanged a smile to an fro Will.I.Am then left.

Brooklyn and I were now scurrying towards the music room. We striped off our jackets and then jumped in line, still enthusiastic from shaking Will.I.Am's hand. We were all ready. And within seconds we were all standing on the stage. And within minutes our performance was over.

Vivienne then introduced the Hip-hop group while the kapa-haka group was entering through the back of the hall. After they finished their dance, it was Will.I.Am's turn to talk. He sure did inspire me in many ways. He told us in his speech to choose the best friends possible, to strive to make your dreams a reality, and he sure did inspire me with his background story.

Then he mentions out of nowhere that he feels inspired by us so he has decided to donate our Manaiakalani Cluster a donation of $100,00.00. Everyone around the room started to applaud. But I started to cheer. The fact that he chose our school, out of the billions of schools around the world, to come and donate a huge gift towards, was just an astounding moment in life. With out the help of the Hallenstein Brothers, as well as Will.I.Am this huge koha wouldn't have been donated to us.

A million thanks and grace goes toward the one and only Will.I.Am, and his sponsors!

Just Around The Corner (Sisters 21st)

Lately me and my sister Nive have been practising our item we will be performing at my eldest sisters 21st birthday celebration. Next Saturday we'll be celebrating my sisters 21st birthday. Even though it'll be on Wednesday it's best to do it on the Saturday, since my sister will be working on her birthday. I can't wait to perform our item. It'll be a Samoan dance, as well as a hip-hop dance later on after. I just can't wait. Hopefully Nive and I will please the Birthday girl.

The Thrills Of Performance (Fiafia night Kapa-Haka Group)

My feet were plastered to the ground hesitating to move forward onto the stage. But it was show time and I proceeded along. I took a huge breath before placing one foot onto the black hard surface called the stage. I was the first person to walk onto the stage and the first person to be greeted by a roaring cheer of my name. "Tena ra kotou nga iwi ote motu nei" started off Whaea Sophie. And along after her voice came the melody of the whole Kapa-Haka group. We sounded amazing, and for sure looked astounding.

The girls Haka started off, and the stage was now full of energy. I was certainly putting all my hard effort into it, as I was one of the kaea's. Straining my fists to form the actions to the Haka, I glared out to the crowd to have a good look at how many estimated people were watching. Most likely over 800 people were out in the crowd, and that's even discluding the schools children that were sitting up in the front.

"Aue hi, aue ha, aue hi" the girls Haka was over, and and I was completely, and utterly out of breath. Now it was the boys turn to astound the crowd. They were so good that I felt like even crying from where I was standing. And I don't usual give away free tears. To even prove how passionate they looked, you could see that they had scratch marks against their chest. As it was one of the actions, to look as if your scraping your hands against your chest.

As soon as the boys haka finished, we then had to sing a song to welcome onto the stage the Junior Kapa-Haka group. From hence forth they performed their own thing that they had been practising for the past 6-7 weeks also. After the All Blacks haka that was performed by everyone on the stage, it was the end of our turn. Well not just quite.

Up stood Lorenz from the crowd. He was doing a haka. A haka to thank us for our hard work and effort and passion we had put into our performance. Then out of nowhere Chantee Lee and another girl ran and joined in with him. It was so awesome to see something like that get performed right in front of your eyes. Something that would rarely happen to you. After he had finished it was now time to look forward to our Niuean performance. But also to embrace the fact that our group had just finished performing. Performing something that we had practised for plenty of weeks. And pulled it off with ease. (Well not really)

The children were led off of the stage first, then the seniors. I took a step onto the grass and started to jump up and down with excitement. "We did it" I turned around and said to Mele.
"You looked awesome" she said to me.
"Haha. Did you do a massive pukana like I told you too" I said to her.
"The biggest one ever" she replied back to me with a huge smile.

We then headed off back to the Library, everyone excited, and happy. But then I think again. Now Brooklyn and I would now have to run back and forth with doing our hair, costume, and especially hair for the Niuean Group performance. Things were now heating up a bit with the atmosphere and all.

Remembrance Poppy (ANZAC)

(In the photo above, it reads of a poem called 'In Flanders Fields' written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae)

Everyone seems to be wearing these red poppy's everywhere I turn. 'Why' I ask myself. I think it through and then remember that this coming Thursday is Australian and New Zealand Army Corps also known as (ANZAC) Day itself. A day to remember and embrace the brave soldiers that fought at Gallipoli through World War I.

At first I wondered why people wore the red poppy's. But as I came to know and research upon the very subject, I found out that people seemed to wear these very specific flowers because in the time of the war, there was only mud as surface in the Flanders Fields. But the only plant that seemed to want to grow over the time of the war were poppy's. They surrounded the dead bodies in the field, which seemed to be very strange but an acute mystery. Which therefore the red poppy has become a symbol that has been used since 1920 to commemorate who have died in war.

Tomorrow there will be a dawn service down at the Auckland Museum. I may not attend but I do so pay my respects from where ever I may be at the time. And I do hope everyone else would do the same too!

Writing Exam Final Product

Teresa was a girl that attended Junior Massey High. She kept to herself all the time. She had long golden blonde hair, that would glitter brightly in the sun. She had big baby blue eyes. She had a perfect figured body, and she wasn't quite popular. Hard to believe aye? Her father worked as a CEO of a fast food company which made her family quite wealthy. Her mum was a stay at home type of mum. (Which kind of gives you a picture of where Teresa gets her sort of personality from.)  Teresa was quite lucky that she was an only child. She had her privileges at times. But as she grew older, those privileges went out of hand.

By the time she hit Massey High, she was practically ‘Miss Popularity’ and figured, that if she was ‘Miss Popularity” that she could throw big parties whenever she felt like. It was quite cruel and gruesome of her to take advantage of her dad, and use his money and credit card to hold these parties. But he didn't really care, he found himself happy if his daughter were to be happy too.

So this girl Teresa went from being the loving and caring little girl she was, to a pretty much big time spoilt brat, that threw parties whenever, wherever. So this act of hers carried right on through to final year of high school. In the beginning of the year she threw a party to celebrate the start of the year. After the party, she and her friends helped pack up.

The next day when she went to school, she felt that something was missing. She felt that she had forgotten something, someone. She looked around, some students were now crowding her, commenting on the awesome party she had the night before. She thanked them and walked away to use the loo. She stood in the bathroom staring in the mirror trying to remember what she had forgotten. Then she clicked, it was her phone. She rummaged through her bag to see if she had put it in this morning. No she hadn't, first time. By the time school finished she went home to see if she had abandoned it on her dressing table. Still no sign. “Mom have you seen my phone?” Teresa asked her mum.

Her mum stared at her puzzled knowing that wherever Teresa went she would always have her phone with her. “No I haven’t seen it anywhere, sorry darling” she said. Teresa didn't really mind, cause she knew that her father could buy her a new one in an instant. So she carried on with life. The next day she found that her laptop had gone missing. She still didn't mind, cause, once again her father is wealthy enough to buy her a new one. Then two days later something much more exceedingly valuable had gone missing of hers, her grandmother's pearl necklace she had deliberately handed down to her before she had passed away. This time she knew her dad couldn't put a price on that one. They scavenged everywhere to find that necklace. From top to bottom of her house.

Unfortunately they had came to the very last room and still found nothing. The basement. They glanced around and saw a little sparkle of some sort come from behind the washing machine. Mum, and Teresa tried with all they’re muscle they had to push the heavy object away, and did so. They then saw all the objects that were missing of Teresa’s. Her phone, her laptop, and her granny’s pearl necklace. And some other goods she didn't notice that had been lost for quite a long time. Like her softball glove she owned when she was a little girl, and her pyjama set of Dora The Explorer. She put the objects into her arms and cried with remembrance of all the memories she had made with them. She then realised that she was completely changed. That she was now a grown adult, and she needed to take charge of her responsibilities.

So from that day on, she became a whole new changed girl.

Makerita Stormy Day

Even though I had layers and layers of clothes bunched against my skin, my teeth were still chattering away. “Mom, it’s so windy” I yelled out to her. The wind had snatched my words away before it had even reached her. She didn’t seem to give me a glance back. As I walked a few steps behind her, the sand kept whipping against my legs, a sign that I hadn’t put enough layers of pants on.

I slightly turned my head towards the ocean, it looked as if it was replicating the emotion of the skies. Dark, evil, and angry. My stomach turned upside down, and I felt like going home. But mother was still persistently leaning her way through the powerful wind. How could she do it? Unlike me. I looked up to the sky and saw a flock of seagulls making their way towards land.

I was lost in thought, examining the clouds, then a couple of seconds later I click back to reality. I look ahead, to my disbelief I see my mom lying there as stiff as ever. Just for a split second I glance away, and something horrid happens when I look back. As I run towards her, my palms start to sweat just trying to juggle my phone out of my pocket. My mind at this point was pounding with so many ‘what ifs’. Wondering what I should do now, I then checked her pulse, luckily she was still breathing. I then frantically tried with my sweaty fingers to dial 111. But did a terrible job. But I soon got a of the ambulance.

Mom was still blacked out. And we were now well on our way to the hospital. “Mom wake up” I said to her in a voice swelling up with tears. The situation I was in was dreadful. Dad was already gone, and I wasn't ready to lose mom.

As the ambulance van rocks, forwards and back, I carefully scrutinize mom, remembering our memories. And as I look at her attentively, she moves abit. My heart then fills up with hope. She moved her hand again. Then the doctor walked over, mom was now opening her eyes. And I knew everything was going to be alright.

My heart sighed with a relief. But looking back on today, I experienced so many different things. Walking through a storm at the beach. Seeing dull skies, look as if they have emotions. As well as the scourging sea at the time. And then out of nowhere my mom’s incident. I glance at mom just thinking about that. She was lying there in the hospitals bed. “Mom everything’s going to be alright, don’t worry” I said to her with a gentle smile.

Visual Mihi

Netball, the gospel, my culture and all subjects, is what I LOVE and is what practically makes me, me. Hi my name is Makerita Isaako. And I am a current Yr 8 student in extension attending Pt England school. I am a very privileged prefect that loves her Reading, Music, Technology and Maths especially. I am also a proud Samoan, and quarter Niiuean. Netball is one of my favourite sports, that's why you can see a drawing of a netball ball in one of the boxes. And I love going to church. Being a mormon is awesome. The photo in the middle, well that's just a rough portrait of me. By the way, thanks for reading, this was a little description of some values I have in my life as a Visual Mihi.

Outlook For Someday Prizes

Today we received our prizes from the Outlook For Someday competition category we had won. The bag contained a certificate with my name on it. A t-shirt with the Outlook For Someday logo on it. A cup with its logo on it. A shower gel gift pack, a soap and it was all also from its supporting key partner the Body Shop. I seriously can't wait to try them all out!!

12.12.12 The Day of Superstitiousness

12.12.12 that's the date today. It's a day when people start saying very superstitious things about the date. For instance I hear people whaling "OH NO THE WORLDS GOING TO END!" Pretty pathetic don't you think? Anyway, the date means nothing, it all depends on the Lord, and when he wants the world to end. But by the teachings I have learnt, we're actually going to have a very long period of time on this earth. So yeah, according to things we're fine just the way we are.

Year 8's

I can't believe that I'm saying this, but I actually miss those loud and very noisy year 8's. Ever since they've gone the whole school has pretty much been quiet. But at the same time, I'm very jealous because Selena had been telling us all about the place they'd be staying at, the day before they left us. She said that there were going to be heated pools, nice clean cabins, and much more things. And the place was up North as well, which would probably take a good hour till they would reach the destination.

I actually miss them, and their loud and noisy ways. But other then that, I can't wait till we get to go next year. Can't WAIT for next YEAR !!

Eclipse

This historic event had just occurred in Auckland, specifically in Glen Innes. It is an extreme event that includes the force of science. A once in a life time thing happened. It was an eclipse. The sight of it was extravagant. And was very VERY beautiful. Each kid from the intermediate block rushed outside, just to get a glimpse of this amazing moment. Now that it is over, it is absolutely something, I will never forget about. Just simply amazing.

Politic Re-election

So now there is only just about to be one very short day till the new or present president of USA will be announced. Every 2 years on November the 6th (American time) the United States of America have held a Politic re-election, for their country. This as many people now know, has almost been president's Obama's 4th year running as president. And now he is up against Mitt Romney. Who is also known to be a very good politic. The announcement of who the new president will be, is going to make history, and be breath taking. So therefore I can not wait for it to be announced.

Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney

So as most people should now know that the president of America Barack Obama, now has an opponent up against him. His name is Mitt Romney. The two candidates have been going hard persuading the citizens of America to vote for them.

Barack Obama has officially been president of the USA since taking off in January 20, 2009. So which means by using your maths, this year is just about to be his 4th. If more people vote for him then Mitt then he would be able to stay for his 5th year as the president in the white house.

Mitt Romney the other candidate up against Barack Obama, is very intelligent in ways to persuade the citizens too. Mitt Romney criticized President Obama for a nearly identical green energy program Romney set up in his state. From 2003 to 2007, he served as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts. And now not only does he want to be the Governor of Massachusetts, he now wants to be the President of America!

There are only two short and days left for the people of America to vote for which candidate they want to run their very own country. And it is all up to Obama, and Romney to try and get the people's votes. And it will be life  changing for the one of them. GOOD LUCK!!

Caught Napping

This painting is one of the many paintings that was made by the famous
Charles Frederick Goldie. It is called ‘Caught Napping’. It was painted at
least 111 years ago. This is a wonderful painting of the well known Hamiora. Charles Frederick Goldie painted many Maori people because he was inspired by their mokos. Our Extension group had to recreate a painting of our choice from this artist. We had to recreate one of his artworks to be able to present at our schools art exhibition.  

My choice was ‘Caught Napping’. This painting is to me a random painting. It kind of doesn’t explain anything. It doesn’t make sense in any way. Which is kind of like a mystery, that I was really interested in finding out.

In the process of the making of my artwork, we had to take our time with the shading. To be able to make it look 3D. It was very hard and took a lot of time and effort to make. We also had to try and make it look exactly like a replica of the actual one.

I ended up actually satisfying myself with my end result. It turned out better than expected. I had a lot of trouble with the background as you can see. But it all turned out just fine for me.

AFL Kiwi kick

On Thursday after Lunch time our class  and room 13 also had the opportunity to be able to have a session of AFL with Sam, the tutor. The first session was really fun, we had a warm up with the game of Flush the Toilet. First there would be 3 or more people holding a ball. If you get hit by one ball then you will have to kneel down on one knee and put your hand up at the height of your head, and wait for somebody to come and flush you.

After that cool warm up, we got started with our lesson. We had to try and do a drop plant which is kind of like a drop kick but instead a more begginers type of way. We had to spread out on the field and try doing it to each other. It was really funny because I had a partner that was from room 13. His name was Calvin, and I bet that he was way better then me at drop planting.

The next activity we were set out to do was to try and use the skills that we learnt today and try to aim accurately at some objects and people. Like our teacher Mrs Langitupu, the netball hoop, the instructor (Sam) and the netball pole. At the beginning of the session we had to figure out who would be the Lion and who would be the Snail. I was the snail at first then I was the Lion when it came to this lesson.

Lions were kicking the ball first and I was nervous. I was nervous that all of that hard work wouldn’t payed off and that I might kick it way off the mark. But I kicked it and it went perfectly. I was trying to aim for Mrs Langitupu which was the furthest away, but unfortunately I didn’t get her. After a couple of rounds back and forth the snails won.

After the whole session I felt very happy to get out of class and do some sport lessons with our class. I can’t wait till next Thursday when our next session is.

First and Last day of Tech with Mr Grundy

The first day of tech for me was very nerve racking. I really didn’t know what to do, I was practically lost. Well not fully lost. Mr Grundy who was our Hard Materials teacher was very kind and friendly.

First of all we would have to be seated and then be given a paper. Where you would have to draw and plan about what you would want to create to get top marks for the next few weeks. But before that we had to learn the rules and basics of becoming a great hard materials person.





Throughout the couple of weeks I was in Hard Materials I learnt a lot. I learnt how to make a housing joint, I learnt a lot about the tools we could use and I also learnt that building things are very very fun. For my project I was making was supposed to be a jet boat, when all of a sudden it turned out to be a space car. It still looks very cool though.

It was very hard in the making of this project, but it all was worth it because I got a top mark for it which was 5. I am very pleased with my final product because it looks very good and it is also one of the first wooden craft things I have ever made.

On the last day being in Hard Materials was very fun. All I had to do was burn in my number plates, which was my name Rita. At the end of the session, I thanked Mr Grundy for everything he has done for me and then left. I loved my class and I wish that I could stay in that class for the rest of the year. But I also want to do cooking as well.

Vincent Van Gogh and Henri Matisse

In room 21 we have been required to compare and contrast the two famous artists Vincent Van Gogh and Henri Matisse’s paintings. We looked at ‘Sunflowers’ by Van Gogh and ‘La Musique’ by Matisse. These two very talented artists are well known around the world. Vincent Van Gogh had a very depressing life, and Henri Matisse had a regular life.The technique that they used to make their artwork come alive is very interesting.

First I had to look at Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’. He liked to use the style of Expressionism. In his artwork of the sunflowers they look dead and very fragile. His background looks dull and lazy. This artwork shows a lot of emotions that he has in him and used a lot of detail show it. He obviously took his time with the short and detailed vertical strokes. I also noticed that there was a lot of sunflowers that had no petals.

Secondly I had to carefully observe the painting of ‘La Musique’ by Henri Matisse. As I carefully looked at his artwork you could tell that the people were having a good time. And it showed that by the patterns and the colors that were going on in the background. There were different shapes and lines to show detail in his painting. They were bright and vibrant totally opposite to Van Gough’s piece of art. Henri Matisse took his time with putting detail in is entire artwork.

Henri Matisse and Vincent Van Gough have a couple of similarities in their style of Art. In the ‘Sunflowers’ artwork it is very dull and has a sad and depressing feeling in it. But in ‘La Musique’ it contains of bright and vibrant colors which uplifts you and has a fun feeling in it. They both like to use the technique of short vertical strokes.

Matisse and Van Gough were both famous artists, however they had different lives. Vincent Van Gough became famous after life, but Matisse was famous through life. Van Gogh did not get to feel the fame but Matisse did. In conclusion I think that they both have very interesting styles of ways to paint and are very good artists.

Ready for Year 6 Camp

In one more week we are off to Kawau Island for our Year 6 Camp. Yeayyyy.

Camp Benzon is in the North Cove of Kawau Island, and the one transport we use to travel there is by Ferry.

There are such amazing activities to do on Camp Benzon like the Confidence Course, which is one of the most favoured activities. Another cool activity there will be is Orienteering. This Course is set through large bushes around the Camp Site. And obviously we have to have Compasses.

The one thing that I am looking forward to is seeing the Dolphins as we go by them on the Ferry. I heard that they are really cute and this year we might be extremely lucky to see them.

A challenge for me will have to be Raft making, because if we make a raft that does not float, it will be extremely funny and embarrassing and will prove that you are not good at making rafts. (And proves that you are a bit heavy)

I just can’t wait for all of the fun activities that we are going to partake in. (Especially the eating)