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CAS Interim reflection

During DP1, CAS has allowed me to develop in ways that academic life leaves little room for. I enjoyed the diversity of activities - each strand had something different to offer. I enjoyed Callisthenics for Action. Training in movements like pistol squats, pullups, and handstands was physically demanding, but rewarding. These strands taught me discipline, patience, and focus.

 My greatest challenge was getting used to the slow progress. This was particularly difficult with some of the activities I was pursuing, like handstands or piano. Improvement wasn't always obvious, and I often felt stuck. I developed a process to make meaningful progress by breaking down my goals into smaller steps, and small wins are a reason to celebrate. I found journaling and watching my previous videos were also helpful for tracking my progress and staying motivated to see the distance I had travelled over time. 

CAS allowed me to develop many important skills. Callisthenics improved my physical strength and body awareness, but also taught me how to manage long-term goals. In the strand of Creativity, I conducted a session exploring various media, including piano, origami, cooking, and photography. In many ways, I felt that these activities facilitated my becoming more open to trying new things and less afraid of failure. From these activities, I learned that most of the time, when it comes to creativity, it happens as a result of consistency and experimentation, and not the expectation of instant results.

In Service, I participated in walking dogs at a nearby animal shelter. It was physically exhausting, but it made me more empathetic and aware of the personal obligation of volunteering while also helping me connect with the community in a simple yet impactful way. 

Through these experiences, I developed a few IB Learner Profile traits. I became more reflective and balanced, and I also challenged myself to take risks when trying new activities. I also grew in caring and communication, in particular, in the service work I did.

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CAS May part 2

Action

I've been practising my handstands, working on alignment and balance. It is very much a work in progress. I still use the wall as support most of the time, but I can see that I can hold the handstand longer and with more control and stability. Practising this skill has made me slow down. It involved patience and focus, and requires calm and a series of small adjustments versus forceful drive. This exercise is showing me to appreciate small outcomes of improvement and control over my body. Moving forward, I will continue to build wrist strength and shoulder stability so that I can balance in the freestanding handstand position.

Creativity

Recently, I sought to fulfil my creativity by cooking, specifically a shrimp meal with my sister-in-law. Cooking was a different, creative medium for me, and I learned a lot with her help. We did shrimp, mixed in some greens with a sauce, and I learned style and balance as we worked together. I learned about working together and being patient as we mixed in different things. Of course, working with some experience allowed me to be creative and show it to the best of my ability, and making something taste good by cutting things up and mixing them was fantastic. Cooking this meal made me more interested in the possible culinary art as I look to experiment with recipes and break bread with people.

Service

My creative path expanded exponentially when I took Kora, the white dog, for her first walk with me. I'm excited to have just adopted her, and my goal was to create a positive experience for her. So, I experimented with different paths and commands, responding to her curiosity with exploration and the flexibility and creativity that routine play calls for to keep her interested. It was a very nice experience, and it taught me about patience and the pleasure of developing a new relationship. This first walk with Kora encouraged me to think of even more creative ideas for helping her settle in and continue to develop our relationship.

[caskarolngo]

CAS May part 1

Action

I've stuck with my pull-up routine and say that while I haven't really increased the reps, the form of each rep has improved so much. I'm tighter in my form, more controlled in my motion, and more intentional with activating my grip and back muscles. This last month was about continuing to build on the foundation I developed last month. I'm reminded that strength training progress isn't all "I set a new personal best", in some cases, it's "I'm doing what I did before, but better". It's really satisfying to reach the conclusion that even when you're hovering around a plateau, there is still some aspect of progression.

Creativity

I accessed my imagination by taking a photo of a foggy night scene with light editing. I took the picture from my window; it was a composition I saw through glass of mist over rooftops and lights between rooftops, and had the run the gamut while taking the picture--it was difficult, so it was fun to play with angles and mood. After taking the photo, I used basic editing tools to adjust the brightness and contrast and develop the atmosphere. The experience gave me insight into composition and the power of little edits. It was a gratifying way to express "my view," gave me assurance as a photographer, and inspired me to learn about different editing processes and seek moments that are different.

Service

I un-leashed my creativity with an outdoor adventure by taking Odgryzek, the brown dog I specifically requested from the shelter, for a walk. I was always so impressed with Odgryzek during my time spent with him, and I felt a bond that was the impetus to plan this excursion. We walked to the forest path, and I followed Odgryzek down the path, adjusted to the way he moved, and turned right when we encountered an unfamiliar path. I worked with Odgryzek to problem-solve and improvise around the trail. I learned how to build trust and companionship and to take a regular walk with a dog to a creative (value) moment. This added excitement and inspiration for Odgryzek and me to plan more activities together, building our relationship and outdoor creativity.

[caskarolngo]

CAS April part 2

Action

Training my pistol squats over the last month has tested my balance, flexibility, and leg strength. I had difficulty with both depth and control when I started. Oftentimes, I would fall backwards or need support to pull myself up. Now, I can do full reps down with both legs on the pistol squat, even though there is still some difference on each side. This squat has taught me about moving with balance, flexibility, and unilateral strength, it isn’t always about just training hard, but moving with control and awareness. I will continue to improve my form and hopefully begin incorporating it into a fuller lower body routine.

Creativity

After I finished the muscle sketch, I started sketching the lion and cub sketch in hopes of improving my craft. Before beginning my more finalized piece of art, I used an online tutorial to walk me through the steps to take, while creating my lion and cub backgrounds and including preliminary sketches to work out composition, and animal sexuality, movement, and facial views. This figured out how to depict the lion's mane versus the lion cub's smaller stature, which made for a more accurate final piece. I used shading and varied line weight to add depth learning how these things make the final drawing come to life. This deliberate practice showed me the benefits of doing learning by doing vs guided practice. Copying the tutorial gave me confidence knowing that outside sources can change my rough ideas into developed, finished artwork. I am excited to do more on new subject matter and think of tutorials as a device for improving at art and letting creativity flourish. I look forward to seeing where these lessons carry me.

Service

Today I had the chance to walk Odgryzek again, and color me suprised, he was incredibly calm and relaxed — a complete contrast to our last outing. The weather was absolutely stunning and amazing, probably one of the most beautiful days I’ve ever experienced. The sun was shining gently through the trees, the air was fresh, and there was just the right amount of breeze. The forest was filed with people and dogs, more than usual, yet Odgryzek handled it all with remarkable ease. He didn’t react to the other dogs like before; instead, he just walked beside me, curious but composed. We wandered through the woods peacefully, and he even stopped a few times to enjoy the scents and sights. It felt like we were both soaking in the moment. It’s amazing how much a dog’s mood can change — today, Odgryzek reminded me of the joy that can come from trust and calm companionship.

[caskarolngo]

CAS April part 1

Action

I am steadly cultivating my calisthenics training as of late, however, my repetitions and strength have not skyrocketed at all. It is certainly easy to become disheartened when there are no little wins in the way of breakthroughs every week. I have also learned that consistency is what leads to strength over time. Some workouts I feel like I dominate the workout, and in others I cannot do better than my previous attempts. This is the nature of the journey. I am also improving my technique and body control, pull-ups are starting to feel more stable and I am becoming more aware of my grip and back engagement. I have begun doing some calisthenics that are more balance-focused with mobility and control, and create a better foundation for form and overall awareness, even when my repetitions do not necessarily skyrocket, which may take time. Progress doesn't always equal numbers, it means patience and simply showing up whether progress seems slow or not. My goals remain: stay consistent, emphasize clean movements, trust the process. Slow progress is still progress and I believe I am getting stronger.

Creativity

I started drawing the muscle image, which was my first venture to the realm of art. I had never drawn before, so I picked up my pencil to begin drawing the arms and torso.I looked at some shapes and lines and just tried to capture the human body to the best of my abilities. It was an overwhelming experience as my hands shook, and I drew lines that were not even remotely straight.I had zero artistic skills at this point. Nonetheless, this first attempt taught me so much value in being patient and confident. I learned to look closely while trying to follow the contours and muscles displayed on the screen. This was a great milestone in my journey, it sparked a desire to improve my skill level and investigate anatomy. The sketch is very shaky,but it represents my attempt to be courageous, to begin, and while I had the witlessness to attempt drawing, I am thankful for my want to jump in without hesitation; to take that first step into learning and committing to the practice. This first sketch has served as the start of a very productive period of discovery over the past few years, and I am fully engaged to see where all of this effort can take me with some consistency and intention.

Service

Today I took another shelter dog for a walk — she was quite friendly with people but had to wear a mouth guard because of her aggressive behavior towards other dogs ( her mouth guard made me really scarred at first ). She had a big mouth and a fluffy coat, and despite her size, she moved with a calm, steady pace. They told me she was aggressive, but honestly, it felt more like the other dogs were provoking her. She didn’t start anything — she just walked through the neighbourhood, mostly ignoring the provocations around her. She clearly loved being outside; she rolled around in the grass several times and took her time sniffing everything. There was something peaceful about her presence when it was just the two of us in nature. Moments like that remind me not to judge too quickly — every dog has their own story, and sometimes they’re just misunderstood. I'm grateful I got to be part of her day.

[caskarolngo]

CAS March part 2

Activity

Recently, I have been feeling like a plateau has occurred in my pull-up progress. I have not seen my number of reps really improve, and there are some times I don't even complete my normal sets. At the same time, I have also observed a small improvement in my control. My motion feels more fluid than it has in the past, and my swinging is less than before. I have started to focus more on my grip and how I use my back. By doing so, I have used controlled motion rather than just getting through some reps, so even though my number of reps has not improved much, I can still feel my pull-ups are getting better/more efficient. Not seeing immediate progress can be frustrating, but I know that building strength takes time, particularly when you are focusing on technique. For now, I will continue to focus on technique and consistency and hopefully see that even little improvement will lead to bigger improvement over a longer period of time.

Creativity

This week, we rented a grill, and I was able to assist with both seasoning and grilling our meat. I thought it was a fun and interactive process, as I learned a little more about how to prepare and cook a few different types of meat. Our squid and our beef both came out really well, and it was nice to see (and taste) the fruits of our labor.It wasn't just the process of cooking the food that made it better but also the fact that we had nice weather. It was fun to grill outside with friends or family, and I realized that food brings people together! Cooking all of this meat got me interested in learning more about how to cook. I'd love to try it again and experiment a bit more with the seasoning and grilling of the food.

Service

Today I walked a dog from the shelter whose name, unfortunately, I’ve forgotten. She was a bit chubby and had a unique personality. From the beginning, the animal shelter worker made it clear that she didn’t like to be touched on her body. Like Odgryzek last time, she was also aggressive towards other dogs, barking and pulling on the leash. However, thankfully the worker told me beforehand that her soft spot were treats. Every time she got worked up, offering her a snack would immediately calm her down. She ended up eating a lot of them ( Maybe even too much )! Though the walk had its challenges, I could still feel moments of connection and trust starting to build. It reminded me that every dog has its own history and boundaries, and learning how to work with them — not against them — is part of the journey. Patience really is key.

[caskarolngo]

CAS March part 1

Activity

Lately, I have been trying sissy squats, and they have proven to be a little more difficult than I had anticipated. It requires quite a bit of balance and control, and here I was, trying to lower down, and I genuinely felt like I was going to fall on the first few occasions. Now I've made improvements in that I'm deeper now before I even think about support, but still have a long way to go. The key thing I've noticed with the sissy squats was the stress they put on the knees, so I have been cautious in how low I have actually gone to avoiding injury. I have been using assistance to get lower, however, holding onto a support, or a surface. And that really has helped me find a little more stability. There haven't been huge leaps in progress, however, I have noticed my legs getting accustomed to the squat a little better.This has been a lesson for me in that some skills take time to instill. I suppose, for my next training sessions, I will try and work around practicing some sissy squats and believe it was more based on time practicing than whether or not it had to be mastered once.

Creativity

This month I decided to dedicate my attention to cooking. For my first meal, I made a simple fried egg to put on top of rice—not fried rice. I thought this would be a good starting point because I believe that eggs are one of the easiest ingredients you can prepare. However, I ended up putting way too much salt on the egg making it almost inedible.Although I didn’t particularly enjoy the food that came out of my first cooking attempt, I did enjoy the process of learning how to cook. Cooking for myself was a small but significant step in the development of a valuable life skill. I discovered that the little things, such as seasoning, can significantly alter how prepared food turns out. In my next cooking experiment, I will attempt to improve my cooking by focusing more on measuring ingredients and implementing different recipes. My hope is that the next time I cook, the end product will be more intentional and balanced!

Service

Today was a bittersweet outing with Odgryzek, a shelter dog I've walked before and grown quite fond of. The weather was perfect — crisp air, clear skies, and a gentle sun that made everything feel calm. Odgryzek seemed excited as we started, his tail wagging and nose busy with scents. But unlike our previous walks, today he was unusually aggressive toward other dogs. He barked loudly, and even lunged towards them a few times, so I had to hold him back firmly. It was surprising and a little disheartening, as I had hoped for a peaceful stroll . Still, I tried to remain calm and tried to redirect his focus elsewhere. Despite the tension, there were moments when he relaxed, sniffed the grass ( even ate some ). It reminded me that shelter dogs carry unseen burdens — and patience, understanding, and time are what they need most.

[caskarolngo]

CAS February part 2

Activity

Attempting handstands has been a tricky skill. I’ve made an effort to improve balance but have found myself falling over more times than not. At the same time, I can tell I’m holding the position a little longer before losing my balance.One thing I’ve been practicing is trying to engage my core more and to create a better hand position. I’ve also been practicing handstands with wall assistance to help create stability. I’m still a long way from performing a proper freestanding handstand but the little adjustments are making me feel slightly more stable.Handstands are certainly one of the hardest skills I’ve practiced so far, and I don’t think I am progressing very quickly. Even so, I can tell I’m slowly getting stronger and aware of how to improve, even if I still fall over most often.

Creativity

This week I undertook an ambitious origami endeavor, a dragon like model. It took me a solid 3 hours, and although I was excited about trying a more complex design, it made me frustrated. The tutorial that I used on YouTube almost drove me insane, they'd unfold the paper and redo steps a few times, completely ruining my rhythm.Despite the setbacks, I forged ahead and eventually ended up with the model. The process taught me a lot about not giving up and steadily problem solve. Though it was challenging, once it was done, I felt a great sense of satisfaction afterward.From the experience I have learned that it takes a lot of patience and focus to work on more intricate projects such as the dragon like. This experience has inspired me to continue building my origami skills. I am looking forward to future complex designs.

Service

Two weeks later, I returned to the same forest, but this time with a different dog. This time, the weather was different: the sunlight was warmer and the forest felt more alive. The ground was still blanketed with last year's dry leaves, but the change in feeling was evident. This dog also had a different character than the previous one; more focused, - but he was still up for an adventure.Because I had walked this trail before, I felt relatively familiar with the environment and was paying more attention to little things: how the light was getting through the trees, the soft crunch of leaves, how the ground felt calm underfoot. Walking with the second dog gave me a different perspective of how the same place felt different two weeks later. The incident reiterated an existing belief that change takes time, whether it is nature or personal growth

[caskarolngo]

CAS Feburary part 1

Activity

I have been attempting to add more explosive pull-ups in my training in order to build the strength required to achieve a muscle-up one day. I’m nowhere near to doing a muscle-up, but I can tell that I’ve improved my height a little bit from the last time I tried. It’s not much, but it means I'm moving along.The difficult part is being able to generate enough force without losing control. I learned that my grip strength is not where it needs to be so I’ll have to work on that. Even though I am not making much progress, it helps me to reflect on the fact that the ability to pull up a little higher is indicative of progress in the right direction.For now, I’ll just focus on working on explosive movements while improving my mechanics. Even if I am still nowhere close to even thinking about a muscle-up, I’m sure at some point in time these will begin to add up!

Creativity

This month I started a new creative project and challenge: origami! I started simple with a fish and a cat, and I felt really proud and slightly overconfident. With my success behind me, I then began a more complex origami project--a horse.

It took me about an hour and a half to two hours to make the horse alone, and it was way harder then I had expected. But I'm glad i spent time on it as i enjoyed making it a lot. I learned that I needed to be patient and start with something smaller rather than jumping right into something harder. Not only did I have fun making the horse, but it reminded me that being creative demands a determination and discovery of what works or doesn't in the creative process. I can't wait to continue to practice origami and try other more intense projects in the near future.

Service

In March, I once again volunteered at the god shelter. The air was fresh, and the forest floor was still covered with some fallen leaves, which was a sign that winter was slowly winding into spring. The dog had so much energy, pulling on the leash and smelling everything during the entire walk. It was sort of fun and a little difficult to keep up, yet still enjoyable in its adventure.As we walked along, I appreciated the quiet—the leaves rustling, birds calling to one another, and the stillness of the trees. I found comfort in the experience as it reminded me of the simple happiness of being outside in nature with animals. By the end of the walk, we were both calmer and more tired, but also several times happier. It was certainly a good and refreshing experience that inspired me to walk more in the future.

[caskarolngo]

CAS January part 2

Activity

I've been doing dips for the last two weeks. I wouldn’t say my improvement has been anything monumental, but I’ve started to notice minor changes, such as feeling more stable and being able to do a couple more before I’m completely spent. While it hasn’t been a significant or drastic change, it’s still nice to see there’s some benefit in being consistent. One thing I have recognized is how much a few small details count - putting my shoulders in the right spot, activating my core, and paying attention to what’s happening in my descent. When I incorporate these things I genuinely feel further progress, even if I’m not being able to add a significant number of repetitions yet. I still have endurance challenges, and my arms wear out quickly, but I am hopeful these things can shift, as I continue cleaning up my form and slowly add volume. If nothing else, for now, I’ll focus on doing things consistently and not worrying about jump up larger numbers just yet.

Creativity

I tried a new app this week called Dazz Cam, which provides free vintage-style camera filters. I experimented with various effects, creating a vintage look while capturing everyday moments. I was able to exercise my creativity by experimenting with light, contrast, and textures reminiscent of film while editing the pictures and discovered how small changes could significantly alter an image's mood, which made the process both enjoyable and difficult.

this experience has improved my artistic abilities, and made me think about how technology can improve conventional photography. It inspired me to pay closer attention to my surroundings and find beauty in the little things. I want to improve my editing methods going forward and might apply these abilities to other projects. All in all, it was a fulfilling method of self-expression.

Service

I took a dog for a walk in the most gorgeous weather this week while volunteering at the animal shelter. A straightforward stroll became something extraordinary because of the sun's rays and the clear air. This time, the dog was fairly normal—lively, inquisitive, and identical to any other dog I've encountered there. As we walked, I gave it treats to celebrate its successes, which it accepted with a waving tail. The normalcy of it all felt grounding, which is what made it great even though nothing extraordinary happened. Being outdoors was made even more enjoyable by the beautiful weather, and I became aware of how much I cherish these small, everyday deeds of kindness. I learned to be happy in the ordinary of everyday life, and I came away feeling refreshed.

[caskarolngo]

CAS January part 1

Activity

I've been consistently performing push-ups for the past few months and while it will take some time before I see any significant improvements in endurance, I can feel I have a bit more control in each repetition. The form feels more controlled, and I struggle less toward the end of my set - even if it's a minor change, I feel a difference in the way I'm approaching this portion of my workouts.One thing I noticed is how important pacing is. When I rush through the reps, I tire out faster, but when I concentrate on a steady rhythm, I can push a little further. I've tried different hand placements to see where I can get a really refined toe to heel alignment.While I have a long way to go before I see significant improvements, feeling small changes is encouraging. I plan to continue working on endurance and slowly increase my number over time.

Creativity

last year I was quite ambitious and motivated so I played the piano for three months, however after some time I found it draining and started losing my motivation after a while. I was not as thrilled about it as I had expected, so I decided to stop what I was doing and try something new for each of the next consecutive months. For my first month, I have chosen to do photography.

During the first two weeks, my main focus was to take photos without minding the technical or editing skills. I know the pictures are not that good yet, but I found the process of looking for some interesting angles and subjects very enjoyable. I started to notice some details that have never got my attention before, for instance, how the light transforms as time passes by. Although I am still beginning, this experimentation has given me the opportunity to see the beautiful things that come along with the imperfections. It feels very different to get creative in another way, and I am looking forward to witnessing the outcome of my new quest eagerly.

Service

This week, I spent time with a dog that could only be described as incredibly well-behaved. It was a weird change calm, attentive, and a joy to be around which is out of character from the rest of the dogs. We walked together, and I could feel its happiness in every step, its tail wagging like a metronome. The time flew by as I rewarded its good behavior with treats, which it accepted gently and gratefully. This experience stood out because it showed me how rewarding service can be when you connect with such a gentle spirit. I learned to appreciate the quiet trust animals can offer, and it left me feeling uplifted. Knowing I gave it some companionship felt meaningful, and I’m already looking forward to next time—proof that even small acts can create a big impact.

[caskarolngo]

CAS December part 2

Activity

One of the most significant personal accomplishments in my fitness journey in the past two weeks has been that I managed to perform 10 no-weight pull-ups. I can definitely say that this was one of those achievements that required a lot of dedication and consistency.

Every single repetition I made was a challenge conquered, and it was not only the muscles that benefitted from it but also my confidence. The latter served as a stimulus for the former, and my self-esteem and muscle strength were transcended by it.

However, the idea of doing weighted pull-ups has already come to my mind. This sounds like I want to challenge myself and enhance my workout. I want to see how I can expand it, and that too, is an exciting pursuit.

Creativity

At first playing with a metronome felt really annoying. I struggled to keep in time and became tense from the continuous ticking sounds that it made. Still, after some consistant work, I am gradually getting used to its rhythm. I'm learning to use the beat as a guide to maintain constant timing instead of feeling pressure from it.

This improvement has allowed me to play some slower tunes more naturally. Seeing the improvement is incredibly rewarding, and I am beginning to appreciate the structure the metronome offers. Although I still have a lot of work ahead of me, this encounter has helped me to understand the need of discipline and patience in mastering an instrument. I look forward to the improvements I will be able to make in the future and the potential pieces that I might take on too.

Service

This week when I volunteered at the animal shelter and received a really active dog, named Max, to walk. Even though the snow covered the ground, it didn't prevent him from running around. The air was clear, and the snow was crunchy under the feet wherein Max pulled at his leash, wanting to check every corner of the path. It was not easy to keep up with his pace, but I changed my approach, redirecting his excitement into a rhythmic manner. This experience unveiled to me the values of patience and confidence. Max's happiness as he frolicked over the snow was a good reminder to me that even a simple act, like a stroll, may light up an animal's day. I was really proud that I had made a positive impact on his life and that also enhanced my respect for the pulp-empowerment that shield dogs give to the world.

[caskarolngo]

CAS December part 1

Activity

In the past 2 weeks I began to notice minor improvements to my mood and overall health. This may be the effect of consistent training or disciplines that I have started, but in my opinion, it is most likely due to the training that I have been consistently doing.

My confidence has also improved with the emergence of muscles around my body. Each of the muscles represents my hard work and consistency in my journey and another bonus is that they make me look better.

Though these small improvements are motivating, my biggest current motivation is to surpass my friends in strength and overtake him. He is currently way ahead of me and has the height and weight advantage, but I believe even if I can’t beat him with pure strength then I can still beat him with strength to body ratio.

Creativity

One of the essential basics of piano is the hand eye coordination. This coordination is usually achieved through repetitive training involving using the hand and the eye together. In the last 2 weeks I have trained on the piano anytime that I could and have seen progress with the speed of pressing it harmoniously. Hand eye coordination also has other uses besides playing the piano, such as: helping me type faster and more accurate on the keyboard.

In the last 2 weeks I have also learned different type of notes, and information required for reading the music sheet.  Reading sheet music is one of the most challenging things that I know regarding playing music. It is the ability to translate each of the notes to each key press accurately with instantaneously. Reading sheet music and playing it might just be my end goal.

Service

Today I once again went to the dog shelter with my friends to walk the dogs. On this day we got a particularly weird dog. Though I do not remember the name, the dog was really lazy and didn’t want to go to the forest in particular. We tried to bribe him using dog treats, but after eating the treats he just decided to lay on the ground without moving. This broke my illusion of dogs being generally active and playful. The dog might be tired, due to other reasons, so we decided to walk him for only 30 minutes.

[caskarolngo]

CAS November part 2

Activity

Even with repetitive training for the past 2 weeks my progress has slowed down noticeably. This may be due to the fact that progress in training is not linear and the fact that my diet may not be as optimal as it could be.

Even though my strength may not have increased, my stability has increased by a lot. I am now able to do 10 second holds of frog stand compared to the 3 seconds from before. With such a big improvement my next plan is to move to hardstanding besides the wall. Thew wall will serve as something for me to lean on to make me get used to being upside down.

Creativity

While I was learning the gymnopedie no.1 piano piece I noticed that my basics in piano skills is severely lacking. I was struggling to keep up with what they are pressing and have to repeatedly watch over and over again one part of the piece. My tempo was also off and inconsistent compared to them. That is why I decided to revert back to the basics and learn everything properly.

This week I searched the internet for online free courses and found this teacher from the channel Piano Roadmap to be the best fit! I have also mapped out what I need to learn and different skills I am currently lacking.

From this experience I learned that I should not rush things, especially the basics. Since the basics is essentially the same thing to me as a foundation is to a building. It must be able to hold all the other techniques that I will learn in the future.

Service

This week I went on a walk with my friend from school. When we got to the shelter we tried to ask for 2 dogs but since we are relatively new to handling dogs, we only got to walk one dog. The dog showed on the picture is called kokos meaning coconut. The name is most likely inspired by the white fur that he has. Though he is small he is really aggressive. Constantly picking fights with bigger dogs not fearing any of them, showing a huge presence.

[caskarolngo]

CAS November part 1

Activity

In the past 2 weeks my strength has increased considerably compared to before. I am now able to do around 8 repetitions of pull ups with no weights without rest compared to the starting 5 repetitions before.

 I have started to do a progression to the handstand called frog stand. One of my biggest fears of training the handstand is the fear of falling over. That is why I started with an exercise that is quite close to the ground. Currently I can hold the frog stand for about 3 seconds before falling either forward or backwards.

The progress that I have achieved within the last 2 weeks have showed me that in the world of exercising effort pays off really well.

Creativity

In the last 2 weeks I have not been able to dedicate much time to my piano skills since my brother now has a baby. The schedule is really tight, and I am only able to play at the end of the week since my normal practice time is around 20:00.

However, I have been able to improve in some aspects and am now able to play the song more smoothly compared to before.

Service

This is my first time going to an animal shelter alone without a friend to accompany me along the way and I have to say that it is a really relaxing experience. To experience nature alone with a dog gave me time to reflect upon many things that have happened recently. The dog shown in the picture is named Ogryzek and he is a very laid-back dog. Compared to the dogs that we got last time, he does not bark at other dogs that is not from the shelter nor does not try to lunge at them.

[caskarolngo]

Servise CAS 2

As my first dog walk at the animal shelter started, I began to realise how tough walking dogs would be for me. I never thought that that not having pet would make me so oblivious to what certain signals meant. The first dog the animal shelter handed over to me to walk around with was small, but aggressive. The dog gave me a lot of trouble at first, but after being taught by my friend, who had a pet dog, on what to do, I began to be able to walk it normally. I have learnt a lot from this experience and hope to be able to handle dogs better in the future.