The Hero in Your Soul: October 2010

Thursday, October 28, 2010

What role did geographic location and natural resources play in the the development of Malaysia?

Malaysia's Natural Resources:

Malaysia has a wealth of natural resources such as tin, petroleum, timber, palm oil, rubber, copper, iron ore, natural gas and bauxite. But, out of these seven the most important resource that fuels Malaysia's growth is petroleum.

Petroleum. You can probably guess what Petroleum is, if not Petroleum is PETROL (Petroleum).Petroleum is probably the highest selling resource, because countries not only want it but need it (to power cars etc.). Petroleum is a very important resource and countries all over the world would die for it. Luckily, Malaysia has come to the rescue. Even countries like America import Petroleum from Malaysia!

Part played by geographical location in the exploitation of these resources:

Peninsular Malaysia can be found in South East Asia, bordering Thailand and just on the South China Sea. Malaysia is also located near India and China, therefore Malaysia took advantage of this geographical location to benefit from cheap labour to work on these resources, from China and India. In the early days of Malaysia's development, Indians labour was brought in to work in the rubber and oil palm plantations. The Chinese migrated in large numbers to work in the tin copper and bauxite mines. Native Malays were either fishermen or farmers. In recent years Petronas (of the twin tower fame) the company, was tasked with exploiting the countries vast petroleum and natural gas resources.

Part played by geographical location in the export of these natural resources:

Malaysia is also very close to the equator, therefore Malaysia only has two seasons: Rainy Season and Dry Season. Peninsular Malaysia is placed in a very strategic location along the Strait of Malacca and on the South China Sea.This helped malaysia with excellent ports that enabled it to trade in these natural resources. The Strait of Malacca is probably the most important shipping lane in the world! Giving us the first topic: Trade Routes.

Trade Routes. Definition: "A trade route is a logistical network identified as a series of pathways and stoppages used for the commercial transport of cargo." (Definition courtesy of: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_route).

As you can see Malaysia's geographic location and natural resources played a big part in the development of Malaysia.

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Saturday, October 16, 2010

My Life as a Mud Skipper!

Tilly and I

Today was like any normal, lazy Wednesday, I got up brushed my teeth and had a mud bath. Then I said good morning to mum and dad and finally had a well deserved nap. Oh sorry, how rude of me I forgot to introduce myself. I am Gabrielle and I am a Mudskipper. Anyway, after my nap I went outside and to my surprise there were some unexpected visitors.

A few thoughts ran through my brain. My first thought was, ugh not again, I mean come on yesterday the same rotten giants had arrived in our habitat and caused chaos. Also, we spent ages building our houses. But wait what were the giants. Were the creatures monkeys? No, they couldn't be they were not as hairy, even though they looked a little monkey like. Maybe they were some new breed of monkeys. I remember Daddy telling Tilly (my brother)and I something about humans. He didn't say much he just said that if we ever encountered any breed of human not to panic. Humans were much bigger than I imagined. As I zoomed back into reality, I realised what I was witnessing, it was way worse than yesterday it was........ WORLD WAR III!

Suddenly,the humans were treading and falling on my friends homes, they were being destroyed within the blink of an eye. I rushed back inside our home to alert Mum and Dad that the giants were back. But, THEY WEREN'T THERE! Ok at first I was just a little shocked and panicky, but now I was TERRIFIED. Diary if you are thinking, what a wimp and that you wouldn't have been scared to death........ well your WRONG! I mean how would you feel if you were home alone and big huge giants were destroying your friends houses and now they were targeting you and your house. Well let me tell you something you wouldn't act as heroic as you think. Anyway, getting on with the story.

   I watched in horror as a human tore down my sapling school. At least there was something in it for me........ NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! To my amazement I heard a noise that sounded very familiar.... Crying! I saw the human fall on his butt, with a BANG! All the crabs hurried out of their brand new homes, just barely surviving. I looked to my left. I jumped. A human had almost ended my life. I ran behind a sapling.

   Seven minutes had passed by and the human was still stuck. And might I add she wasn't going to get free easily. I mean the mud was already passed her knee. "Ahhhhh" I heard a human scream. I directed my attention behind me. A man had fallen and was in agony. All my friends gathered to see what had just happened. Then without a word they all backed away. But I didn't, I just stayed and stared.

   Finally, another man arrived and helped him back on to his feet (even though his boot was firmly wedged in the stinking mud). I heard a crack. Ohhhhh he won't feel good tomorrow. I ran to Mr. Crabs house, he told me that World War III would soon be over. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Gabrielle"
"Mum, Dad" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I kept following the voices. I could see my mum and not to mention my dad! I skipped over to them and gave them a hug. I couldn't help myself, so I shed a few tears. World War III was finally over!

Image courtesy of:

treknature.com

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Team Werewolf's Expert Interview

Polynesian Essay

Polynesia

By: Abhi, Alexia, Aishah and Jamie

Polynesia is in Oceania in the south pacific ocean. It’s total area (water and land) is about 4,167 sq km. The capital is called Papeete. Papeete is located at 15’ S and 140’ W. In all there are 118 atolls and islands.

Every Saturday Polynesian families prepare an earth oven with traditional foods, fish, pork, taro, breadfruit and sweet potato. The food is to be eaten in large family gatherings on Sunday.

Today their religions are 49% Protestant, 33% is Catholic, 5% Mormon, 5% is Sanito and 4% is Seventh Day Adventists. The major religion was/is Christianity. The main languages are Tahitian and French (French Polynesia).

Polynesian holidays that are celebrated are mainly French. One of the major French holidays that the people of Polynesia celebrate is called, 14th July (Bastille Day). They also celebrate Christian holidays such as: The 1st January (New Years Day), 5th March (Arrival of the first missionaries), Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday, 1st November (All Saints Day), The first Sunday and Monday in June (Pentecost and Pentecost Monday) and 25th December (Christmas). Other holidays/festivals include: 1st May (May Day), 8th May (V-E Day), The last Thursday of May (Ascension), ), 11th November (Armistice Day), Chinese New Year, The Tahiti festival in July and finally The Hawaiki Nui Canoe Race.

Most Samoans live in little seaside villages, each like a little hut with a thatched roof. In modern Samoa a lot of homes are now built using western materials and designs, but still, each village, usually live in extended families in Samoa. Also, each house traditionally has a fale talimalo which means guest house.

People speak Samoan during their everyday life. They only speak English when something important is happen or when English is needed (business or formal affairs). After their day is over, people reserve 10-20 minutes at night for prayers to their god. On Sunday they also attend church.

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