•Name of activity• quick’n’easy meals, CAS Project
•Duration• 5 months, from November, 2021 to April, 2022
•Type of activity• creativity, service and action
•Learning outcomes•
I have identified my strengths and developed areas for growth.
I have demonstrated that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
I have demonstrated the skills and benefits of working collaboratively.
• Regarding the CAS Project my classmate and I have decided to make a cooking blog. This idea came to our minds because we are students, independent and living alone, which requires food preparation every day. During this period, we found quick and easy recipes as our best buddies, and we were looking for recipes on the internet, however, websites mostly shared meals for more people, which was not very useful for us. Therefore, to overcome the process of calculations to single-serve we decided to make a cooking blog that will depict quick and easy meal preparations, both sweet and savory. In that sense, our cooking blog got its name, which is quick’n’easy meals. We made a blog, both mobile and desktop version using the online platform Wix and made multiple posts showing meals that we have previously prepared. It was a process to think about the meal, then prepare it, make good photographs of the process and the end product, then eventually write down the needed materials and preparation procedure and post it on the blog. This was an interesting experience, which enabled us to share many tips and tricks in the kitchen between ourselves.
•Reflection•
This CAS Project had many effects on us and provided us with growth in cooking skills, but also many other areas. It has shown us what collaborative group work means since we had to divide tasks and obligations to work faster and more effectively. Above everything, we had much space to show our creativity from serving the dishes to the blog appearance. Besides the effects this blog had on us as organizers of the project, we have planned that the readers will also be influenced and inspired to try our recipes. Cooking was useful for us and our friends, with whom we shared prepared food.
I have identified my strengths and developed areas for growth.
I have demonstrated that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
I have shown commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
I have demonstrated the skills and benefits of working collaboratively.
• Christmas Fair could not happen due to the Covid-19 restrictions, instead of it, along with classmates from IB1 and IB2 we organized that day in our way of holiday spirit. That was volunteering. We divided ourselves into groups, and each group was going to a certain place to volunteer. Therefore, my group went into American Corner, which is a center located in the city that provides people with information about the USA. It is well equipped, especially with books and advanced technology. Our tasks as volunteers were to prepare American Corer for further holiday events, stack books in the library, and service iPads.
•Reflection•
Even though this was not an expected Christmas Fair celebration, I have enjoyed helping others and volunteering in American Corner. And the hard work was relieved as the day was spent with friends and filled with laughter. It is a nice feeling to know you have helped someone, especially it has an even stronger impact on me during holidays. All in all, our willingness to volunteer can be visible in the fact that we already set another date for volunteering during the winter break.
I have identified my strengths and developed areas for growth.
I have demonstrated that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
I have demonstrated how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.
I have shown commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
• It is the holiday season, and the new year is coming, which for my classmates and me meant that it was time for the event called Secret Santa. We randomly chose a little piece of paper on which the name of one of our classmates was written, the point is to keep a secret while buying and making a creative presentation that is significant for the chosen person, until a gifting day. Secret Santa, along with all the holiday spirit, is special because of the giving and receiving gifts.
•Reflection•
This event was incredible since we had to think more about each other, about others’ passions and wishes. Moreover, there was a space for us to get creative and to put much effort into our presents. Some of the main points of holidays are big smiles all over the faces and just all the festive sensations around. Cheerfulness that has reigned among us can be seen in the attached photographs.
I have identified my strengths and developed areas for growth.
I have demonstrated that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
I have demonstrated the skills and benefits of working collaboratively.
• Throughout the past period my cousin, who is in the first grade of high school, had some problems with the comprehension of math lessons. Since I have already gone through the same lessons before, I have decided to help him to get over the obstacles and be well prepared for the incoming test. We have worked on one weekend, for three hours each day.
•Reflection•
For me, this was the first time tutoring someone, but eventually, the test results were good, and I can say I was not bad in the tutoring. I have felt very happy, glad, and fulfilled since I have helped someone to overcome obstacles in math, furthermore, I could see how effective that impact was. This activity provided me with space to work on my patience, be more open-minded, and understand others’ perspectives.
I have identified my strengths and developed areas for growth.
I have demonstrated that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
I have shown commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
• Throughout the past period I have decided to take more photographs than I usually would. For those purposes, I have used my phone and I have mostly photographed nature. There is a lake surrounded by beautiful forests called Balkana Lake near my hometown, and whenever I go there, I cannot resist taking a photo of the colorful nature. Moreover, there are other interesting photographs.
•Reflection•
I see photography as the art and a way of expressing yourself, and you certainly need a good eye to catch a good perspective or position for your photos. Taken photos are attached. Usually, I have been interested in art, drawing, sketching, and painting, but not so much in photography, so this CAS activity was the opportunity to explore my artistic skills in photography. Even though I am still an amateur in photography, I still love the photos I have taken, since they have deeper meanings for me. But I will continue with this activity, therefore I hope I will improve my skills in this field even more.
I have made a collage of the photographs I have made.
I have identified my strengths and developed areas for growth.
I have demonstrated that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
• Summer is my favorite season of the year, due to the all the things it offers, such as sun, sea, longer days, warmer nights and so on. During my summer vacation, I have spent a lot of time near the sea and waves. Those days were mostly fulfilled with swimming in the beautiful sea, which for me is not just a physical activity, but rather relaxing like a certain type of therapy. I enjoyed swimming with my friends, seeing who is faster, talking and laughing while being in the water, swimming on your back and so on. However, swimming alone also had special effects, since it was time to just breathe, think and enjoy.
•Reflection•
Swimming has many benefits for people, it is a physical activity first of all since the whole body is in movement in this activity. While it was relaxing and flourishing for the mind, the sea also has many healing properties, some people even call it a medicine. And I also think that it has many benefits for our skin. Even though I am pretty good at this activity, every time I would learn some new things.
I have identified my strengths and developed areas for growth.
I have demonstrated that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
I have shown commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
I have shown commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
• During the summer break, my friend and me decided to organize a summer trip. We decided to choose Petrovac, a small Mediterranean city near Budva, we booked bus tickets and found a hotel. Vacation lasted for seven days, and we used every minute of it to explore every corner of the city. In the first place, we thought that seven days would be more than enough for us, but on the last day, we have realized that we could use a few days more of laying down under the sun.
•Reflection•
Summer vacation was a new experience for me since it was the first time, I had the opportunity to travel only with friends for a longer period without parents or any adults. I have realized how independent we are from the moment we were looking for a place where we would go, booking a hotel, and being responsible for ourselves when we went there. We had the opportunity to meet many people and see other people’s perspectives. On the two days, we took a boat tour, where locals provided us with the historical information of certain beaches and other significant places. It was a memory that will stay with us for a lifetime!