Map of Fiji. Image by Globe-trotter [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.In November of 2016, my family and I traveled to the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji. We stayed at a place called Koro Sun Resort. Each day the resort had certain events going on that one could sign up for, for no extra charge. Whether it was snorkeling, hiking through the rainforest, or kayaking to a small island, there was no end to the fun. On one particular day, my family and I decided to sign up for a trip to a waterfall. At first we thought it wouldn’t be as good as everyone made it to be, but when our guide stopped the van at a local store and said, “We need to get a root as an offering to the village folk,” we began to realize that the descriptions might be serious. We drove away from the store, past a beach, and finally we arrived in a very small gravel parking lot, off a dirt road leading away from most of civilization. At least we thought so at first. Our guide showed us the trail we would be hiking, and eager to go see the waterfall, my sister and I ran towards the trail. But our guide, Romano, told us, “No. Not yet. You forget that we must give the roots to the village chief.” So we began walking down another path, somewhat wider, and in a matter of about a minute, found ourselves on the edge of a very small village. The metal houses were built upon green lawns that were inhabited by barefoot, running children playing with chickens, puppies, and full grown dogs. The houses were ramshackle and most consisted of only one room, but still, the people were happy. You see, when one travels to Vanua Levu, you think when you walk through the villages, “These people seem like they shouldn’t be happy at all.” But the people are some of the happiest and kindest you will ever get to know. They are not bothered by their small houses. They are simply happy. This is one of the reasons I love Fiji. Romano asked the chief respectfully if he may present his gift, and she obliged. Around her there were other women, all with handmade jewelry, woven reed tapestries, and all sorts of cool rainforest-made items. After the chief accepted the gift, she told my family, who were the only tourists, “It is good that you have asked my permission to see the waterfall. Once some people went to our waterfall without asking, and bad things fell upon them. At the waterfall they got hurt and had to be brought to the hospital. Nobody who has asked permission has ever gotten hurt.” My family and I looked through the trinkets, jewelry, and woven tapestries, for they were all for sale. My sister bought a nice wood turtle necklace, and I got a tapestry for my grandmother. Soon it was time to leave the village. My sister wanted to play with the puppies first though, so we had to wait a little while longer. But then, it was time to see the true aim of our trip to this remote place. We came back to the trail, and began walking. Romano showed the way, but I was hardly paying attention to him. All around us trees, vines, and flowers of all sorts were to be seen. It was a like a huge painting, only better. On one side of the trail there were wild peppers, very spicy, Romano informed us. On the other, papayas grew, wild as well, with elephant-ear plants boasting their huge leaves beside them. Wild coconut and banana trees grew around us too. There was simply no end to the wildlife and plants. Birds flitted around above us, bugs and small animals could be heard in the underbrush. All in all, it was beautiful. Finally, the moment of anticipation came as we began to hear the roaring, rushing cascade we knew was the waterfall. When it finally came into sight, my sister Lena and I ran the rest of the trail, hearts pounding with excitement. And then we arrived. Clear, cool water fell down an outcropping of rock about forty feet high. It collected in a pool that eventually went on to continue the river that flowed before it turned into the waterfall. Romano called it a “natural swimming pool”. My parents and Romano arrived, my father and Romano immediately ripped off their shirts and dove in. I was quick to follow, and after me, Lena. My mother refrained from going for a swim. She thought the water was too cold, for cold it was, but not cold enough to deter me. Romano climbed the waterfall and jumped in, making a huge splash. I must say, he was at least thirty feet up. My father tried to climb as high, but couldn’t. He ended up jumping off at around twenty feet. I climbed the waterfall, but only to about ten feet high. It was an exhilarating jump into the water. We finally returned to Koro Sun Resort. We thanked Romano, and headed to our villa for a rest. Leaving Vanua Levu was very hard and sad for my family and I. It is a sacred place in my heart, for it is one of the places where nature truly rules. I want to protect this place, for future tourism and simply its beauty. I am determined to keep it the way it is. Who will join me?
Young Bloggers
Sewing: Felt Christmas Ornament Tutorial
These hand sewn ornaments are easy to make and make great gifts. I cut the shapes out free-hand for mine, but there are plenty of free templates on the internet if you prefer. Materials: Black felt Red felt Beige felt White felt White, red and black thread Needle Scissors A black pen (Biros work well) 1. First you need to cut out your felt. From the red felt, cut out: Two identical egg shapes for the body; Two identical leg shapes; Two identical arm shapes. (These should be slightly shorter and thinner than the legs.) Two identical triangle shapes for the hat. (You might want to cut the head shapes out first to check the hat will fit.) From the beige felt, cut out: Two identical oval shapes for the head. (Please consider the shape and size of the body while cutting.) A small oval or circle shape for the nose. (You could use red for this step if you prefer, and, once again, please consider the head size and shape while cutting the nose.) From the white felt, cut out: Two circles for the whites of the eyes (again, head size should be considered) A beard (you can use the picture below for reference and again, it needs to be the right size) From the black felt, cut out: Two tiny circles for the pupils Three slightly larger circles for buttons 2. Using a white thread, stitch the beard and eye whites and nose onto one of the oval shapes, switch to black thread to stitch the pupils on top of the whites. Using the black pen, draw a mouth in the gap in the beard. 3. Stitch the three buttons to the front body piece using black thread. Now, using red thread, stitch the arm and leg pieces to the red body piece that doesn’t have the buttons on it. 4. Then place the other body piece on top, sandwiching the rough edges inside, and stitch the body pieces together, leaving a small gap at the top of the body, stuff the stomach with soft toy filling or scraps of old fabrics. Seal the gap. 5. Stitch the two red triangles together down both of their long sides so that you’re left with a mini hat. 6. Stitch the back head piece to the one with the facial features on it, but before you close up the very last bit, add a tiny bit of filling to the head and then slip it onto the top of the body, then stitch the head to the body to seal it all up. 7. Fit the hat on the top of the head. Once you’re happy with its position, stitch it to the head. 8. Finally, stitch a piece of ribbon to the back of your ornament in a loop, so you can hang your Santa somewhere in the house! I also made a Rudolf ornament using the same principle. The antlers were a bit fiddly to cut but apart from that it was very easy to make. Maybe you could make an angel or Christmas tree as well!
Technology Review: LittleBits
Photo by Lisa George pour Ultra-lab [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsHave you ever wanted to invent something but had no idea where to start? What if there was an electronic platform that was easy to use, complex, expansive, and visually pleasing all at the same time? Meet LittleBits. LittleBits is an electronic platform made up of various tiny modules. These modules can be linked together in different formations and accompanied with arts and crafts to create anything from a simple slide-dimmer light to a remote controlled flying miniature house. Each module, called a “bit”, is brightly coloured, approximately the size of a 2 by 4 stud Lego brick, and is equipped with magnets on one or both ends, so that the bits easily snap to each other to create the circuit of your choice. Different coloured bits perform different functions. Blue bits provide the energy from outlets or batteries that power the circuit. Pink bits, or “input bits” make it possible to control your circuit with the push of a button or the slide of a switch. Some input bits can even sense a change in temperature or sound. Green bits are the action bits, the ones that make an invention move or light up. And finally, there are orange bits. These are the wires that spread out and connect the circuit over a distance; the railways of the whole operation. My brother and I are homeschooled so my mother is always trying to find different ways to learn about science, history, and other school subjects. We had (and still have) a physics kit with some plastic building planks, a weak motor, and some accessories. Every time we had science class we would try to build a simple project. It was extremely frustrating trying to connect the poorly fitting pieces and when we had finally completed the project, it would sputter to life, and promptly fall apart. Now when I have a sudden flash of inspiration I just need to figure out, “how will I build this?” Instead of assuming it simply can’t be done. Bits are also great for repurposing toys like Lego or old bikes. Their website sells Lego adapters which connect bit circuits to Lego models, making them move, or light up. So if you want to make the ladder on your tree house model come up and down by itself, than with Lego adapters, you can do it without a whole bunch of tape. The LittleBits Company is based on the mission to inspire the next generation. They have created an online community of “bitsters”, other people who also like to invent with bits. On the littleBits website, inventors can share positive feedback and be encouraged by each other’s creations. The company’s wish is for kids to “learn how to be more than just consumers of technology.” I recommend LittleBits to anyone who has a problem, a way to improve the world or an idea how they can just make life more fun. LittleBits technology isn’t just for math geniuses and computer whizzes. It’s for anyone who’s ever wanted to try.
