Creativity - Valentine's Day

Okay, it's going to be a really short and quick reflection, because I know that people usually want to throw up while hearing those two evil words - VALENTINE'S DAY.
I'm not a big fan of this holiday as well, but having a boyfriend obliges to ignore all those awful pink decoration that are literally everywhere and to focus on the good part of this event.
This year I decided to create something really personal for a gift for my boyfriend, so I prepared him a mixtape of our favourite songs and a Valentine's card with Robert Makłowicz (we really like him for some reason) - all created by me from the beginning to the end.
I have to say it wasn't that easy to accomplish. Making a mixtape for someone else than me is quite a challenge because it demands to remember about someone else's music taste and not focusing on mine. Moreover, my computer didn't want to work with me, so the whole process of recording the songs on the CD and designing the card was very problematic. But I managed to do it! And honestly, I am very proud and happy with it. I created something all by myself and put much effort in it, while I could've bought something in the city centre and be ready in 10 minutes. I also discovered that I'm pretty good in making mixtapes :)

PS. He liked the gift very much!

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify own strenghts and develop areas for growth
3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Activity - Running

I seriously hate running when it's cold outside. This winter I decided to give it a try, so I went running twice and now I'm even more than sure that it's not for me. But happily the weather is getting nicer and spring is coming really fast! That's why my goal for upcoming few months is to train running more often. Why? Because I want to take part in a marathon in the summer which is going to be quite a challenge, but at least I will have a reason to train harder and harder.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify own strenghts and areas for growth
3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan CAS experience

Creativity & Service - Katowice Model United Nations

Katowice Model United Nations took place from 12th to 14th of January.
Young people from our country (but not only) came to Katowice to take part in this event as delegates. Last year I was helping as a page but this year I decided to challenge myself and  I bacame the delegate of North Korea in the Drugs and Crime Council. I have to say it was AMAZING! I had so much fun during the committee work, I've learned how to write a real United Nations resolution and I opened my mind for different views and opinions which affected my personality and the way of thinking a lot!
Sure, KatMUN was tiring and demanded a lot of hard work to prepare but I'm glad that I got to the point where I finally realised what I would like to do in life - discuss and resolve conflicts to leave this world a little bit better.
Months before the whole event I was helping to prepare everything with my classmates. I was responsible for writing papers and messages to various people and companies in order to get financial support and patronate.
I'm glad that I took part in this event. It was a great experience. I met a bunch of really nice people and I found out that taking part in proceedings is very stisfying. I was proud of myself being responsible for so many things. I also gained more experience and motivation to apply for other MUNs.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify own strenghts and areas for growth
2. Demonstrate that the challenges have been undertaken and developing new skills in the process.
3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan CAS experience
4. Show commitment and perservance in CAS experience
5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global importance
7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Service - WOŚP

A couple days ago I was collecting money for Polish charity called "Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy". This charity is collecting during whole year but once a year there is a final of this action. It was 25th time this final took place. WOŚP and its volunteers are collecting for sick children and old people all around the world.
This year I decided that I want to be a part of this venture AGAIN. So I joined it!
Me and a couple of my friends cut out heart shaped WOŚP stickers, grabbed our cans, IDs and went downtown. We were roaming around for about 4 hours, but the whole action disappointed me a little bit. I felt that my friends aren't really interested in helping. Moreover, people weren't as likely to donate money as they were last year (at least in my opinion) which really demotivated me. However, I decided to stay positive and remember about all those people I'm trying to help.
All in all I collected 263,33 PLN and I'm quite proud about it, despite the fact it's less than I collected in 2016.
It was great to become a part of something bigger and help somebody. I hope money I've collected will help someone in the future because that's the one and only reason why I decided to join this event. I've also learned something really important about myself - I'm more motivated when I work with people who are supportive and they cuddle up to work. But I'm also strong enough to overcome the lack of motivation anb become some kind of a leader who motivates the rest.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify own strenghts and areas for growth
3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan CAS experience
5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global importance

General reflection

Last weeks weren't sparing me at all. I've had so many things to get done that keeping up with CAS became a sad duty instead of something that gives me joy and self-satisfaction.
I completely stopped running because it takes a lot of time and it's actually really cold outside so that I can't find any motivation to go out. I'm so mad at myself! My whole activity limits to exercsing on a stationary bike every Saturday and one trip to a roller-skating rink with my best friend. I'm disappointed with myself because I planned November to be the month I spend a lot of time exercising. The only thing that I've learned recently is that I'm a lazybones. But this whole situation gave me some motivation to set up new goals for December and start working way harder on my Activity. Hopefully I won't end up sitting under the blanket for the whole month and eating all leftovers from the Christmas dinner.
When it comes to Service... I'm not even sure if I want to mention it. It's a complete disaster. The ZOO isn't contacting me and I have to look for something else but it's really hard. I don't like working with children, but it seems like the only solution. I think I'll start my cooperation with Anioły Stróże in January. For now on I usually limit my Service to simple acts of kindness like buying a homeless person a warm meal or helping my frinds with homework. I've also signed to Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy and other charity events in 2017. Hopefully it's all going to work out.
The only thing that I actually haven't failed this moth is Creativity. Me and Adrian had some rehersals, althought our failure in the last competition kind of undermined our motivation. That's why this month I decided to improve my voice. I was working hard, following the instructions and youtube videos in order to widen the scale of my voice. I was pretty sure that one moth will make no difference but I was so wrong. My voice feels stronger and more confident now and it really surprises me. I've discovered what a power my voice really is and it gave me a lot of motivation to keep on working on it. It seems that babysteps become a huge steps sometimes.