Chapel Choir

In the first semester of grade 11, I joined chapel choir. Since our school has chapel every Tuesday, chapel choir aimed to present frequently on Tuesdays. However the plan did not go well. From the first meeting, the practice was unsuccessful. Since the instructor of the group was Mrs. Yoon, the Korean teacher, who was very close to all the members, students did not look at the group seriously. I also did. Because the members were all Korean students, we were busy chatting around and laughing at each other singing the choir song. The first song we performed was “Blow the Trumpet in Zion”. This song was very difficult because it was high-toned and fast. However, because I had several experiences of joining school choir in Korea, I did not worry so much. After 5 meetings of practices, the day of performance finally came.

Unlike my confidence, our performance was terrible. We were far from ideal image of the choir. We were just individuals singing separately in a very quiet voice. After the chapel, we were called by Father Richard, who leads the chapel service, and were scolded by him because of our attitude during the performance. He told us to have some responsibility of performing in front of whole school students. He said that Chapel Choir is not just singing, but preaching the message of God in a different way. Even some students said that they could not understand the lyrics of the song. Whether I had experience or not was not a big deal. What is important was the teamwork within the group.

I think everyone thought as the way I did. During the practice after the performance, everyone seemed working harder. So did I. We decided to be more organized in order to keep the teamwork and responsibility to the club. First, we thought that we needed secretary to check the attendance of the members, because one problem we had was several people missing the practices. I volunteered for the secretary and suggested to drop people who miss the practice three times without any reasons. All agreed on it and finally there was a legit rule in our club. Our new song to perform was “Joy to the World”, which all members were familiar with. I think improved practice attitude and familiar song made synergy effect. Personally, I thought our harmony was awesome!

The performance went out well. Although we only had two performances throughout the semester, I think it does not matter. Through encountering several practices which were sometimes successful and sometimes a failure, it was a good experience for me to learn about the effective teamwork. Also, it was my first time to suggest a rule in a group in order to organize and aim for efficient result. Though at first it was such a failure, at last I gathered valuable learning. I enjoyed being the member of the Chapel choir group. 

Pep Rally 2014

This year, I joined the Pep Rally as a member of Red house. We practiced for at least 3 weeks for this Pep Rally. Although I am not the leader of the house, I still felt that the preparation of this event would be very hard because many of the students were not participating or just doing it without less effort. Actually I was one of them. Since I am not interested at dancing or cheering, I did not wanted to participate. However, when I saw the leaders are striving so hard to actually win this pep rally, I decided to participate with my best effort!

And the day came! Pep Rally. I was so excited to show what we've practiced so hard for weeks and to see other houses' performance. I really liked the cheerful atmosphere of the gym, where everyone looked so excited and happy. Before the performance, I was so nervous that I could not laugh at all. However, after hearing leaders saying, "we are here to enjoy, not win", I felt comfortable and was ready to actually enjoy this pep rally.

So I really enjoyed. Yes, I missed some moves, but I did not dance as if I am a dead person. I danced lively! To show that I am enjoying! Also, it was my first time to cheer for Red House so desperately. I think I participated well because it was my last Pep Rally of the school year. It was fun and happy time. I am so happy that our house won, and I think this is the result of enjoying, not competing!

Of course, the process of preparing the pep rally was not that easy. Through the preparation of the pep rally, I learned that the most important thing in this event is teamwork. Without communication between leaders and members, it is impossible to have a good result. As a member of the house, I think my job was to listen carefully to what the leaders say, and follow their directions. Also, in order to achieve effective teamwork, I think participation was important. Through this activity, I think I learned how to achieve effective teamwork through communicating with the members and leaders, and participating to the practice with my full effort. It was such a fruitful time to me, and I am glad that our house won the Pep Rally 2014!

Dialysis Chapter: Fundraising group first meeting

First fundraising group meeting

This Tuesday fundraising group had a meeting to discuss about the first activity to raise fund. We thought of the activity that would be profitable and that we can implement as soon as possible. Then we came out with “breakfast delivery” which is basically delivering and selling out some breakfast-like food. We thought that it would work out well because many students and teachers do not eat breakfast when they are really busy in the morning. We decided the tentative date at October 3. All the profits raised will be kept for the financial support for the dialysis patients.

This time, I had to lead the group. I started up with listing up the possible activities that we decided on last GIN meeting and brought out some suggestions. Since it was my first time to actually lead the entire group, I had some difficulties at first with gathering attentions of every member. However after some discussions about choosing the fundraising activity, I was able to lead the discussion. Also because president (Jennifer :)) of the club helped out some points that I was missing, I was able to gain some confidence and remove the shyness that I first had.

           When I chose to join the fundraising group, I thought it would just be fun to raise an activity and actually go for it. Later, however, I thought that this fundraising activity should not base on whether it is fun or not. Although the activity may be little bit difficult, we all need to work hard because we are raising funds not for us but for the patients. Through planning on which activities to start on, I really wanted to do an activity that would be profitable so that our GIN group can financially support for the dialysis patients as soon as possible. I hope this fundraising activity goes on well. 

Reflection on MUN club

I joined MUN club this year, because I enjoyed attending HAIS MUN in Korea. I aimed to learn about basic rules of MUN and to practice thinking critically about current issues happening around the world. I was assigned as the delegate of China, and the club has gone two meetings already. The agenda was US airstrike in Middle East.

           Actually I did not fully know what was going on in Middle East. I knew the Israel-Palestine war, but did not know about situations arousing in Iraq and Syria. The only thing that I could do was to research, research and research again. Then I figured out about all those conflicts between ISIS and Middle Eastern countries and about the intervention of the US. As the delegate of China, I then researched about China’s stance about the agenda. Unlike what I expected, China had negative opinions towards US intervention. This brought the research more complex. However, with the help of other delegates of China and my own research, I was able to fully know about China’s stance and what to say during the conference.

            However, it wasn’t so easy. While others were talking fluently about their countries’ stances, I could not speak very eloquently about the stance of my country. I think it was because of my nervousness. I thought it would be easier to talk in front of the people who I know than talking in front of other people who I do not know (just like in Korean MUN conference). Nonetheless, it was much harder to talk and share my opinion in front of the ones that I am close to. When I went in front of them, I was so nervous that I did not fully share what I meant to say.

I hope I can improve my skills of sharing thoughts in front of other people through the sessions that are left. Also, I thought that I needed to research some more about not only my country’s stance, but also other conflicting countries’ stances in order to debate against them. I think MUN club is slowly opening the way I view the world’s current ongoing situations.