---Grade 9---With Without Walls

By: Peter Liu-Brown

Rock-Climbing

Reflection on Rock-Climbing

At the beginning of the rock-climbing scenario, I was frightened out of my mind. Even though I rock-climbed before, this time it was on actual rocks. While starting to climb it seemed easy enough since Leo gave me helpful instructions for the beginning; however as I progressed it became increasingly difficult. At one moment close to the top, I told Leo that I wanted to willing to give up yet he didn’t let me down without finishing the wall, which aggravated me. After a while, I decided just to finish the difficult part of the rock and just took a leap of faith. Afterwards, I felt so proud since I’ve always been afraid of heights and I overcame this obstacle.

Biking

Reflection on Biking

Since I was small, I’ve been constantly using a bike to travel variety of distances; however, this time I had to ride on a dirt road. It wasn’t exactly difficult but we did travel far and it was really hot. There weren’t really any challenges or surprises other than almost falling off a bridge and into a pool. I watched others fly off their bike and roll on the grow but then still get back up which really impressed me with the determination and self-strength. Overall, this bike ride was actually boring other than the bike game and watching people collapse.

School Services

Reflection on School Services

In the school there were so many students who weren’t wearing shoes or were shy to even touch which made me feel sorry for them. This made me want to teach to them to the best of my capability. During the class however, they didn’t seem to realize the kind of situation they were in; instead they were so lively if not too much. The practices were did made them so excited even if there were basic and boring for us. This made me feel happy that they were satisfied with the little they had. Sometime after that trip I wonder if there is too much that they are missing or I’m asking for too much.

Pan Family Home

Reflection on Pan Family House

To me the Pan Family House wasn’t actually interesting or special, instead it’s just a another old Chinese house, but the sound mapping did make it more interesting. The sound that felt the best was the wind and the most surprising was how much silence there was. At the top of the hill surrounded by so much, let out the sound of so little. There are moments when you just want to escape the noises of the city.

Team Building

Reflection on Team Building

This project in making the catapults was slightly aggravating, but only because a few people were being helpful or listening. The game made it much better since our designs were so bad. I learnt the values of teamwork and communication between most of us. To design and make sure it works without tests was actually the biggest challenge for us but it turned out pretty good.

Camping

Reflection on Camping

In short the camping experience was long, painful and exhausting. We spent most of the time making the tent which require a lot of teamwork and planning. Basically, we helped each other and communicated to each other so it was build properly and stable. At the end, I, and I believe the others, were satisfied with the final product since it could hold six people and their belongings comfortably and easily.

Caving

Reflection on Caving

This was probably the best part of the trip for me since I was the key player in finding the clues. I had no second thought in heading into complete darkness which helped us find them. Everybody had their part but nothing mattered when you don’t think racially and believe in the way you go. Finally all of it paid off by being first and getting the prize (which wasn’t worth it). The group I was in actually was good at covering each others strengths and weaknesses. That made everything more easy.

THE ENDThanks for watching