Varsity Track

Location – ISK/ Nyayo Stadium

            I joined Varsity track for the first quarter of the school year. I started by training for the 1500 meter event. I used to run 5km once or twice every week, and I became fairly good at the 1500 meter event, so I decided to join the track team. However, this decision was a win and lose situation in the end. After training for this event for about 2 and half months, I started to grow bored of running in continuous ovals (around a track). For the final event, a track meet between multiple schools at the Kenyan National Stadium (Nyayo Stadium) I didn’t even run the 1500 meter. The week preceding the event (which was on a Saturday), I was informed I would be running in the 4x400 meter relay.

            The reason for this was that there were two runners (me and another) for the 1500 meter, and only 3 runners for the 4x400 meter relay team. Since the other 1500 meter runner was a bit faster than I, he ran that event and I ran the 4x400meter relay. The ‘win’ part of me being on the varsity track team for this quarter is that we came third in the event, and broke the ISK record time for 4x400meter relay. The ‘lose’ side is that I feel like I wasted that entire quarter. I had run the 1500meter event in a previous event, however that event was very unorganized and was only a friendly. However, they moved up the time of my race without informing me, I ran the event barefoot about a minute after drinking a full coke, I didn’t have time to warm up or stretch, and I didn’t do very well. I feel like I wasted the training I had put in because in one event I was unable to perform at the best of my ability, and at the second event I didn’t even run my event.

            However, all in all, for the time being my name is one of the names on the ISK track records board, so overall I guess it was a win. That name will be there, hopefully, for a long time.

Varsity Volleyball 2011

Location – ISK/ISL

The process of this was tryouts, then practice and games. Tryouts and practice were at ISK. Our team plays in the ISL, which is the Inter-Schools League. I was a substitute hitter this season. I say hitter because I was trained and played as both Power (hitting on the left) and Right Side (hitting from the right). My job as a hitter, from either position, was simple. Hit the ball, hard, into the opponents court in anyway so that we get the point. I could hit it right at the floor, or hit off someone’s chest if they were in the way of the ball. Honestly, my aim wasn’t so good so the majority of the time it just hit someone and flew away, but we still got the point so it worked out well enough. This was a completely new position for me. The reason I was trained and played here this season is because I am most likely going to be playing in one of these positions in the following season.

            As I talked about in my previous post for a different volleyball season “Volleyball is 100% a team sport. There is no possible way to play it alone. As a player can only touch the ball once before touching it again (can’t touch it twice consecutively), it is necessary to play collaboratively with your teammates. Another aspect of teamwork that is important in volleyball is practice. If only half the team shows up for practice it is almost useless. I was at all practices, unless I had a medical appointment (like dentist or such), which only occurred once or twice.”

            This season we came in second place. This is a disappointment. We had the ability and people to win, we just got into a bad mindset, failed to find our groove. I say ‘we’ because its ‘win as team, lose as a team.’ If we’re talking about individuality, which seemingly contradicts me saying volleyball is a 100% team sport but doesn’t because even in a team sport there are people who play better than others each game, I played a good game in the finals. I was bit nervous, however I played a solid defense and earned a few points on offense, I could have done better, but I am at least satisfied by the way I played. Also, as a team, we didn’t fall apart in our lose, we all knew it should have been ours. However, we congratulated the opposing team, had a final team huddle, then left to each process the lose in our own way, and that was the end of the season, can’t wait till the next one, maybe we’ll actually come in first (ISK volleyball has come in second in both ISL and volleyball for the past 2 seasons, that’s 4 second places, and each one should have been ours).

Coaching at Basketball Camp

Location – ISK

            For the first two weeks of this summer (summer 2011), I was one of four coaches at the basketball Future Stars Camp hosted at ISK. In this camp, it was possible for kids to either take part in basketball, soccer, or tennis. I was a basketball coach. Qualifications for this were fairly minimal; I’m good with kids, and I was on Varsity basketball.

            The camp lasted for two weeks (business days only). The sports were only in the mornings and there was a day camp for younger kids so they didn’t have to be at home all day while their parents were at work. The basketball sessions started at seven forty-five a.m., and ended at one p.m.. There were two weeks of the camp and each week was for a different age group. To make it possible for kids of both age groups to participate in both weeks the age groups differed between each sport available.

            The first week I was coaching kids ages 6-9. I found that this was both easy and difficult. After the first day and half we, the coaches, found that, with this age group, it was more about keeping them interested. To do that they just needed to keep having fun. So we played lots of un-basketball related games and activities such as dodgeball, and scooters. Also, most of the kids were 6 or 7 and therefore their muscles, and coordination was very undeveloped, so many of the attempts at basketball drills were considered, in my mind, a strong introductory learning experience for the kids. However, despite that week of camp not being very basketball oriented, all the parents gave positive feedback, and all the kids had fun, so I still consider it a success.

            The second week of camp was ages 10-13. This group of kids were much more developed in basketball, however, they still contained many very weak areas and a lack of the fundamental side of the game (as apposed to the physical side of the game). This was the week when I felt my coaching actually made an impact on the kids. We still played dodgeball a few times because it’s a fun game. However, at the end of the week, a clear improvement was very visible in the kids basketball skill. Whether it was an improvement on passing, or shooting form, or dribbling, each kid had improved in something and it was fairly easy to see and overall improvement in all the kids.

            In conclusion, this experience was a good eye-opener. Personally, I found that I don’t like to expend the amount of energy that little kids require on entertaining little kids, I would rather use that energy to work out or play a real basketball game, so I know not to coach little kids (unless its part of package coaching deal, meaning I would definitely like to be a coach at this camp next summer as well). However, I did enjoy coaching the slightly older kids because I actually got to focus on the game. Also, at the end of the week, when I actually saw everyone’s improvements it felt good to know that, the other coaches and, I helped these kids improve. It was hard to see their improvement over the week because we were never trying to look for it, but at the end of the week, when the time came to step back (mentally), and try to see if they’d improved, everyone had. And I felt accomplished to know that I had been a part of that improvement. 

Activity – AISA Conference Steward

Location – Safari Park Hotel

Over my October break this school year I donated my time to the AISA Conference as a steward. The AISA Conference is the African International Schools Association Conference. The purpose of the conference was to give the educators and school staff (the interact with kids) a chance to either establish or re-establish methods or knowledge of certain topics. There were many different workshops on all aspects of school staff (counseling, educating, being a principal).

            My duties as steward varied daily. The first day my job was to sign people in, and make sure they had their packets for all their conferences. On the rest of the days my job was more a tent attendee than anything else (the workshops were held in tents and in conference rooms). As a tent attendee I had to make sure that the tent was fully stalked. Also I had to make sure that any of participants who needed anything got what they needed (these were things like pens, writing pads, water).

            Throughout the week, there was a group of us working. Some of us had different jobs, but we worked collaboratively as a group so that the conference as a whole ran smoothly.

            Over the course of the conference I started to realize how much effort teachers need to put into learning to become better teachers. I thought this was sort of ironic, however it did put being a student into perspective. Our classes are shorter, and honestly, much more interesting than most of the workshops that took place.

            I think that over the course of being a steward my organizational ability increased. I was able to plan better, and was efficient with setting up the workshops in my tent.

            Overall, I think that being a steward at the AISA conference was a good experience. It gave me some different perspectives on teachers, and on being a student. My organization increased, and it was fun working with my class mates and helping out with some of the workshops.

Activity – MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

Location – My house

I started taking MMA at the beginning of this year (grade 11, 1^st year of IB). The reason I wanted to take it was simply because I love the adrenaline. I love to work out and play sports for the sweat, the feeling I get to push myself athletically can’t compare to any other feeling. Mixed Martial Arts demands two things, you have to want to do it. And you have to want to get better. Every training session there is an improvement. This improvement can be an improvement in fitness, strength, or even something like a new throw, punch, kick, lock, escape, anything.

            At first I had my lessons with a friend of mine, however he dropped the classes after about 2 months. I have 1 session per week, on Sunday. There have been a few lessons that have been missed due to complications with timing of other activities (for both me and the instructor). For me, these were something like, a performance, or being sick. Besides these few missed lessons, there has been one span where 4 consecutive sessions were missed. And this was due to me being away on a the basketball ISSEA trip, then falling sick, the next week the instructor was unable to come, and the week after that the instructor wasn’t able to contact me to confirm for the lesson (he was confirming since we had missed the last 3) and do to a miscommunication on my the lesson didn’t occur.

            In these sessions there isn’t much need for sportsmanship, since there isn’t anyone else present. However, I turn sportsmanship into a smaller degree of tolerance. I can sometimes become frustrated when I’m unable to perform something I think I should be able to do. I’ve been trying to do this less in the sessions and have been improving. I try to turn the frustration into focus at correcting my errors. When I am sparring (practicing fighting) with the teacher another one of his students (that sometimes come to my sessions so we have a partner), we have to leave whatever happens in that sparring session. We can’t leave with grudges. In a sparring session it is normal to give and take a few hits. If one guy hits the other more than the other hits him, it is unsportsmanlike to remember that for a time when you’re not in a training session.

            Overall, I think that this sport is a great sport. It helps athleticism, reflexes, sportsmanship, keeping a straight head. I think that continuing training sessions will be a great aspect of my life. I find that I’m improving, but more importantly, I can’t wait till the next session when I get to push myself to my limit and then try to keep pushing. Its hard work, but it always pays off at the end when I feel like I’ve gotten fitter, or faster, or stronger, or all three.

Activity – Varsity/ISSEA Basketball 2011

Location – ISK, ICS (International Community School – Addis Ababa)

 The process of this was tryouts, then practice, then ISL season then ISSEA. Tryouts and practice were at ISK, then ISL (season is the inter-school league), and then the ISSEA tournament was at ICS. This season was my first season on varsity, the previous year I was on JV (junior varsity). This was also my fist season playing a post position (on JV I was point guard). As a post I’m considered one of the big men on the team. I was one of the players that stayed under the basket while the guard position players are farther away from the basket. This was a new experience for me because it was a new position, as well as it being my first time on varsity and on the ISSEA basketball team. Throughout the season I improved upon my skills as post player, at the end of the season I was awarded most improved on our team by the coach. This was based on general improvement of the position. Throughout the ISL season (the whole season is before ISSEA, then there is ISSEA, then the semi-finals and finals of ISL) I was one of four post players. However, I was the smallest big man on the team (and smaller than almost all other post players in the league). At the ISSEA tournament one of the other posts couldn’t come so I played more than I did in the ISL. I improved overall as a post player; this was things like, making good judgment on the situation (such as when to pass, when to drive to make a lay-up, and where to be), and general ability to finish (scoring on my lay-ups and shots).

            Basketball is entirely a team sport. Even though it is possible to play with only yourself on the team (i.e. one on one) it is a much better game to watch and play when the team is functioning as a single unit. This includes accepting responsibility for mistakes, encouraging other teammates when they make a bad play, and knowing where to be and when. Teamwork is also very important in basketball; this includes aspects like practise. As in volleyball, if only half the team shows up for practice it is almost useless. I was at all practices, unless I had a medical appointment (like dentist or such), which occurred twice for me. Another important aspect of basketball is sportsmanship; this is like helping up an opposing player if they fell, and showing composure the full time on the court.

            Overall, this season of basketball, ISL and ISSEA, were both very productive. We came in 1^st place, undefeated champions, at ISSEA, and lost in the ISL semi-finals. Personally, I improved on my position as a post player in all aspects (rebounding, scoring, passing, making the right decisions based on the situation). I hope to improve just as much if not more next season.

Activity – ISSEA Volleyball 2010

Location – ISK, IST (International School of Tanganyika - Dar es Salaam)

            The process of this was tryouts, then practice, then ISSEA. Tryouts and practice were at ISK, the ISSEA tournament was at IST. I was the starting setter this season. As the setter, my job was to set the ball for hitter. This was a new experience for me because it was a new position, as well as being on the ISSEA volleyball team. Throughout the season I improved upon my skills as setter. This includes placement of the set, as well as confidence. The setter is supposed to set the ball every second touch (three touches are allowed on each side). As I improved I was able to set the ball from different positions on the court.

            Volleyball is 100% a team sport. There is no possible way to play it alone. As a player can only touch the ball once before touching it again (can’t touch it twice consecutively), it is necessary to play collaboratively with your teammates. Another aspect of teamwork that is important in volleyball is practice. If only half the team shows up for practice it is almost useless. I was at all practices, unless I had a medical appointment (like dentist or such), which only occurred once or twice.

            In all sports, sportsmanship is very important, with your team and with other teams. This includes things like accepting responsibility for your mistakes, and trying help the team as a whole improve. Throughout the course of the season, the team as a whole certainly improved. This was partly because of the individuals improving at their own positions. For me, this was improving on my consistency as well as on my ability to get to every ball in time to set it, and trying to make that set hittable. 

Activity – Learning Drums

Location – Village Market Music School

I started to play drums in 6^th grade. My friend taught me one beat, and over the course of the year I would occasionally play in the band room, and I eventually succeeded playing the beat. I acquired a drum set of my own in 9^th grade, and that is when I started to take lessons and actually try to improve in my ability. In 10^th grade, when I moved to Kenya, my drum set was placed in a more accessible location to me. That is when I started to really play, and to really enjoy playing. In the beginning of 11^th grade I started to take lessons at the Village Market Music School. Even though I have now been playing drums for about a year and a half I had ever taken really intricate lessons. When I started I was am very able to keep a steady rhythm, play at varying tempos, volumes. I was not very good at jamming (playing along with others without a set music piece) but I was able to jam to slow songs.

            The lessons that I started introduced me to new things, I have been showed exercises to improve my playing ability. These exercises almost naturally happen when playing but they concentrate more what your trying to improve specifically instead of just in general. I take one drum lesson a week and practice at home numerous times per week. I believe that this is the most ethically related aspect of learning an instrument, personal engagement. My personal engagement with improving my drumming ability is very high. I think that one reason why I am more personally engaged with drumming than with playing saxophone is because I more advanced in drumming. It is more fun to play at home then because I’m at the level where the exercises are incorporated into playing and not separate from playing.            Overall I think that learning the drums, through these lessons, has been very enlightening for me. I have been showed aspects that I was only slightly aware of before and I have improved on them. I do exercises to increase my current ability and I am very engaged. I think that the most challenging part is remembering to incorporate my lessons into my playing when I’m just messing around on the drums. However, with time and practice this will come more naturally. 

Activity – Learning Saxophone

Location – Westgate, school

I decided to learn the saxophone over the previous summer. The reason for this was the music I was listening to. I was listening to Dave Matthews Band, and the saxophonist, in every song, was making such amazing sounds. The music was just so good that it enticed me into wanting to play the saxophone. I take lessons once a week for 30 minute. Usually I feel an improvement every lesson. However, there was one time frame for about four weeks when there was an inability to maintain lessons. One week the instructor was sick, one week I was sick, and the other two weeks I was on school trips. During this time I declined in my abilities.

            Throughout my time learning saxophone I have greatly increased my ability. I went from having no ability at all in any aspects to taking steps towards becoming an intermediate player. I can now read music (however slowly and only with about 75% accuracy, and 50% accuracy when trying to playing along with the notes, I need to read the note and then play it), I can play a number of beginner level pieces, I have become more able to control my breathing while playing, thus giving smoother notes. However, due to the four-week time without being able to take lessons (and minimal practice as home due to school work) there was a decline in my new abilities. However, with practice and regular lessons it will be very possible for me regain and improve on my new abilities.

            In order to stay committed to my new instrument I practice at home, I don’t have a set time frame for personal practice. Due to school and other extracurricular activities I just practice when I can. This is part of the ethical considerations of learning a new instrument. Personal practice, personal engagement and interest are mandatory to succeed at learning anything. I feel like I could have more personal engagement however, time is limited and it is more likely that during a free time span, very likely over the summer, I will practice much more and therefore increase my abilities by more than I have throughout the year. I believe it is all about experience, I love to learn by trial and error, make a mistake try again, keep going till I get it. This requires time, and lots of free time will mean that I can practice more and take a firmer hold of the musical concepts than I already have. I hope to improve to a solid intermediate level by the end of my IB program.

Activity – Jazz Band Concerts 2010-2011

Location – Westgate, school

Throughout the first semester of school I was the bass player for the high school jazz band. Practices were every Wednesday morning and Friday morning before school, from 7am – 8am. However, due to volleyball practice being on Wednesday morning I only attended one practice a week. Throughout the semester I feel that I improved on my abilities as a bass player. My improvements were in the aspects of reading music, being able to improvise, confidence, and ability to perform small solos. Through these aspects the one that was a new challenge for me was performing small solos. Before the semester I did not have enough personal confidence in my ability to improvise appropriately (in keeping with the timing and the correct musical key). As I gain more confidence I found it easier to include some improvisations that deviated from the sheet music.

            In order to be in a band one important aspect is group conduct, this requires being able to work with others, and being accepting of constructive criticism. All participants must be working at the right level (playing at the right volume, the right key, the right tempo). For example, no one trying to stand out during times when no one is supposed to stand out, things like that. Accepting criticism is important because as a unit, it is very likely that someone else will notice something that you’re doing wrong if you yourself don’t notice it. Even little things like advice on a musical aspect that you’re playing a bit off.

            Our performances haven’t had a profound effect on the world. However, music in general can be massively influential to people. In the 60’s and 70’s music was more influential than anything else at the time. Even though our music performances didn’t change the world, hopefully we gave people a few minutes of enjoyment while that sat back, relaxed, and just listened to the notes.

            Overall, I think this experience was very valuable to me as player. I built up new skills while still developing old ones. Whether as a bass player, or as a member of a band I have improved in all aspects.