Metamorphosis

A tiny green helpless caterpillar is crawling in a green fertile tree and is struggling to live in the green habitat. The leaves and the warm bright light from the sun help it live.

After transferring to few trees, hiding from birds and eating leaves for a few weeks, the transformation begins. As the caterpillar crawls to a branch and hangs itself upside down, a soft small chrysalis slowly covers it completely, hiding the caterpillar. From that day, it lives inside the small smooth shell, wriggling inside.

A few days later, the cocoon turns black and a beautiful elegant butterfly emerges out. The silky wings are drawn with random beautiful motives. From there, it spread its beautiful sleek wings to freedom.

 

Credits to Audrey Flabian

-Andromeda

Descriptive Writing

It all starts with a black-and-yellow petite caterpillar. He is a cute herbivore, so he crawls and eats the green leaves everyday. He lives alone and labours his life by himself. He may be poisonous, but he know he will change to a beautiful insect one day. He waits by the day, and disappears between the leaves at night. He looks very inviting when the Sun rises in the morning. He notices some birds are flying in the sky to find some food. He, then, camouflages himself between the leaves, so the birds won’t know. He is very smart and powerful. God sees his struggle, and plans to transform his body when he becomes an adult.

After some weeks, he turns into a big caterpillar. He hides in a desolate place where nobody can see him. He hangs himself up and something wraps him. It’s the pupa! Inside the pupa, he moves a lot through the process. After some time, he attempts to crack the pupa, so he can move freely. He opens the pupa by his new sturdy feet. He finds a hard time to go out from the pupa, but then he succeeds to fly in the sky. Now, he became a pretty living creature. He can explore the world with his beautiful wings. But still, he should be more tough and optimist for his new life as a butterfly.      

- Gabriel (Adzra)                   

Enchanting CNY Celebration in SMGS

By Adzra Aurellya 

WEST JAKARTA – A blasting Chinese New Year celebration was held on Sekolah Mentari Grand Surya. The events happened on 4th until 5th of February. The school decorations were very charming and attractive. Red Lampions, Angpaos and wishes for the new year were spread everywhere, and they were very iconic.

Lao Shi Erline, as a Mandarin teacher in the school, was very thankful for success the Mandarin Spelling Bee on the 2nd of February. “ There will be performances from the students from Grade 6 until Grade 9. Fan Dance, Wushu, Band performance, Singing, Drama, playing Angklung and Sign Language will entertain our guests. So far to this day, the students had already done their practice. “, she said.

Students performed really well and was a pleasure. The hosts for the event were Gaby, Aviana, Jennifer, Sulie, Vincent, Reyner, Evan, Fransisco and Edo. They spoke Mandarin and the other translated into English. Parents took photos and shot videos of their child’s performance. It was very joyful that day said one of the students.

On the next day, Barongsai came to the school around 10.00 a.m. in the morning. They went to the school banging sounds of music instruments which enliven the day. Some students gave them Angpao as a sign of appreciation for the performance. The Barongsai Performers also lit the firecracker and it was a blast. They acted based on the legend of the Chinese New Year. The students continued their regular classes after the performance. 

Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinese New Year Celebration

Plans for the Celebration

By Audrey Levina and Audrey Flabian

Mentari School Grand Surya is having a Chinese New Year celebration. The celebration will take place on February 4th in the library.

“The celebration will be on Thursday, February 4th. I (Ms. Erline), Ms. Florgin, and Ms. Herlija are the ones in charge of the program. So far we have started decorating and having final practices for the performances. The progress is not bad, the venue will be in the library.” Ms. Erline said.

People have started decorating the library and the entire school. Each class prepares performance/s for the celebration. Some prepare a dance performance, others sing, and some even show martial arts skills. Parents are invited to watch the performance.

It was said that there would be a Barongsai performance the day after. Once the performance is done, students will have regular classes.

-Andromeda 

Firework Safety Leaflet [Miku's]

Miku's [Phoebe]

My New Year Vacation

            Right after the school’s party, it was a 3-week vacation for all of us, and we’re all excited because Christmas and New Year was near. All of us had different plans for vacations; some people went to another country, city or stayed at home with their family for the rest of the vacation.

            I spent the early days of the vacation listening to Korean pop songs, watching k-pop music videos or watching their dance practices. On the 20^th of December, I went to the church for a practice since I will have a duty on the 25^th.

            Some days passed, and it was Christmas and I woke up at 5 A.M since my duty was at 6 a.m. and we had to arrive at the church exactly 30 minutes before it began, and luckily, I made it on time.

            After an hour, we went back home and started to pack some clothes that we would bring to Bali. I spent the remaining days before our Bali trip by playing games, like Minecraft and the web game, Pokeheroes and by watching Korean pop music videos.

       

     On the 29^th of December, we went to Bali at exactly 11 A.M. and arrived there at 2 p.m. since it was 1 hour ahead there. We went to our hotel in Nusa Dua since there was a total traffic jam in Kuta. 

            After dropping off our things in the hotel and pickig up my father’s friend and his family, we went straight to a restaurant since it was late afternoon. After spending the day with them, we went back to our hotel. Since there’s nothing to do, I just drew some mascots, read some news and fan fictions. After doing all of those, I slept.

            We spent the second day with my father’s friend’s family and with my aunt. At night, my cousins arrived in Bali, including my cousin, Kevin, who I have never met ever since.

            The third day, we went to spend the morning on the beach. While my father went to the shore for a walk, I, my sister and my cousins played on the beach. It was fun until I got splashed with a lot of ocean water when we head back to Turtle Island. On the 31^st, I spent some hours checking fan fictions and checking polls before the clock struck 12 A.M.

            The 4^th day was New Year, and we went to Kuta. The only problem was that we were stuck in a quite long traffic jam. While my family had been having fun on the beach, I and my older cousin went to a market to buy some souvenirs for my friends.

            In the afternoon, we went to Jimbaran beach for the second time, and we found some newly-hatched baby clams at the beach; we decide to leave them. That night, we saw the fireworks, lightening the skies. It was beautiful.

            On the 5^th day, January 2, we went back to Jakarta. I was excited because school will start in 4 days, and I was bored spending my days in my room. Holidays may be exciting, but going to school also brings me the same. Seeing my friends and spending half of the day with my friends and classmates can be exciting, too! Now that I’m back to school, I’ll study harder and accomplish my 2016 resolutions!

-Andromeda (Audrey L.)

Firework Safety

-Andormeda

                                                         By Gabriel (Adzra) 

Second Week Activities (first semester 2015)

Last week, we started having tests which is also called diagnostic quiz that came to us suddenly. The test (called as “EFL Starter Pack”) has more than 100 questions. I didn’t finish the last part because the time was over and I answered each number too carefully.

Mr Michael also scheduled our quiz on Tuesday. There were only 4 numbers in the quiz, but we had to answer ALL questions in paragraph. The questions involved the novel, Kite Runner, and I thought we were only given 30 minutes for doing the whole quiz.

Also, we keep discussing about the book each day starting the first week. Mr Michael has created a monogram (is it correct?) for us, called the ‘Word For The Day’. Each student will take turn to explain his/her new words and sometimes the words given are epic. Each student will be taking turns to be the presenter. I am the 7^th person who will give a new word next week. 

- Adzra (Gabriel)

First weeks in Grade 8

At the end of July 2015, we went back to school for our 8th year and instead of going to the new building, we stayed in our old building for a week for SC members selection, divide students for the new factions and battle of the factions for the first time.

The first day went well. Meeting old friends after the holiday, See new teachers that are willing to introduce themselves to us and new students came. It started with Pak Hari and Ms. Vilma introducing themselves to the new students and welcoming us to the new year. Then, the teachers introduce themselves for us, and dividing us to some factions.

The next day, the battle of factions began. I got the Amity Faction, and so we must choose our representatives in the faction. Then, we began our first activity, which was the cheering. We went bad at first, but we managed to change it in the showdown.We had a huge rivalry with the others but we managed to change back the situation afterwards.

In other words, my first week went quite well. The problem was the new students of grade 7 were quite rude and one of my friend in grade 9 went to another school. The good things were meeting my friends again, the teachers being so nice and a lot of others things. Until now, it still went well, not too bad but no too good. So that's my first week in grade 8 and I'll be forward to see the 2nd semester.

-Andromeda (Audrey L)


The first weeks of being a Grade 8 student went well. I mostly spent my time with my faction, as there was no classes on the first five days of school. I belonged to the Dauntless Faction, and there were only 3 Grade 8 students. I practise my communication and social skills on these days with the students of Grade 9 and Grade 7.

On the first day, I met a lot of new faces. New students and new teachers are anywhere to be seen. Grade 8 did not have any new students, so we're evenly 25. We got a new homeroom teacher named Mr Michael and he taugh English and Catholic. The teachers introduced themselves and gave some little speech on every occation we had on each day.

On the next few days, we had battles between factions, starting from Cheering Competition, Indonesian and Mandarin Knowledge Competition, Look-a-like Competition, Sport Games, etc. We won some games and our scores are near to our opposition's score. We struggled on each competition, even though communication in our group is quite hard, as most of the students are new.

On the third until the fourth day, I was dedicated to be the Secretary Representative of my faction. I was very awkward to describe my speech and answer the questions, but it was all an experience for me. I lose the election, because somebody reminds me I didn't have so much friends, so yeah...

In summary, the first weeks of being a Grade 8 students are quite nice. The lessons I got from these days are, socialize more, participate more and be creative in a group. I actually do love group works, but if the students aren't cooperative enough, so yeah.. there could be World War III (just kidding, I'm not that emotional though). So that's my good first weeks of being a Grade 8 student.

- Gabriel (Adzra)

English Fest 2015

               Last 30 April was the English Fest. The eight-graders performed speeches and we, seven-graders performed declamation pieces. I got the 'Glass of Cold Water' declamation piece and the second batch. This year's English Fest's theme was 'The Youth Of Today'. This theme was about the teenagers now and the past, including the habits.

               The first batch performed at 10.00 a.m. Some of my friends and the eight graders were there. The performed well, some were outstanding there. But some almost forgot their pieces. The primary students were there to watch us. The first batch's performances were watched by the sixth-graders.

               At last, the first batch was over. That time, it's the second batch's turn to performed. The fifth-graders had the turn to watch us perform. When I got the turn to perform my piece., I was nervous, because it's the first time I had activities like this. By 2.45 p.m, the English fest was over. Next year, I hope everyone can do better, as well as the new seven-graders.

-Andromeda (Audrey L)

English Speech Fest 2015

ENGLISH SPEECH FEST 2015

Last week, on 30^th April, Junior High Students had an annual event, English Speech Fest 2015. The Speech Fest ran smoothly and each student performed well. The students were divided into 2 batch, in the morning and afternoon. Grade 8 students talked about the Youth Of Today and they wore formal costumes. Grade 7 students performed different stories and poems, and they also practiced acting and self-confidence. 

Grade 5 and Grade 6 students watched our performance. They gave each performance a score and comments. Each of us was given a big applause. I told the story of a poor child that lost his parents and its tragic memories. I tried to act nicely and dramaticly. It’s my first time to join this great event, and I hoped I got good scores. 

- Gabriel (Adzra)

CSW @ Bali 2015

               Last 21 April, we had our CSW. That time, our CSW was held in Bali. We arrived at the airport around 4.00 - 5.15 a.m. One of my friend arrived last, but she wasn't late, she made it on time. We boarded out plane at 6.00 a.m. and arrived at Bali at 8.30 a.m. (WIT). Some activities in Bali brought back many memories.

               After arriving at Bali, we had our breakfast at the airport's Burger King. After everybody had breakfast, we went to Tanah Lot. Even thought I ever went there, it's still fun because this time, it's with my friends. I learned many things from the CSW activities like farming, rafting and more. It's very fun,

My favorite activities are rafting, cycling, paintings, fishing and farming. Because of the fun activities, extraordinary moments and funny moments, I had the best week in my life. Event thought we only stay at Bali for 4 days and 4 nights, it's still the most memorable moment in my life.

               It's raining cats and dogs when we went to Tirta Empul and so, we must wait until the rain went down a little, We borrowed some umbrellas and went inside the temple. It's lucky we had sunny weather when we went rafting, cycling and farming. I hope I can return to Bali soon and went to these places again.

-Andromeda (Audrey L)

Fantastic Bali Trip

Last month, on 21 to 25 April, we had a school trip to Bali. We visited some famous places, restaurants with delicious foods and we spent almost all the time together. We departed from Jakarta on 6.00 and arrived in Bali at 8.30. Then, we went to Tanah Lot and took a lot of pictures. At Tanah Lot, the view was very fascinating. I really like to look the waves and its blue sea.

The second day was my favourite, because we have rafting and trip to Laka Leke Restaurant. The rafting area was very fun and we really enjoyed when the big splash of water hit us. We were really incredibly wet and we didn’t forget to took pictures of its amazing view. We painted the egg and kite at Laka Leke. We also practiced the Kecak Dance with MISB students. The performance of the Kecak Dance was wonderful. 

On the third day, we went fishing and farming. We were taught to farm indigenously and we also had a fishing competition. We have a lot of experiences on this day. Then, we went to Tirta Empul to see the Pura, sacred places and pond. Last, we visited the GWK. There, we watched the Kecak Dance in the theater, we took pictures in front of the GWK statue. We also had our dinner there. 

It’s almost the day to go home.. on the fourth day, we went to Bali Bird Park and Cycling. We should be careful when we rode the bike aroung the rice field. We stopped by to Luwak Coffee Shop and Tradititional Bali House. Some of us bought the expensive Luwak Coffee. We continued our trip to rest by tasting each variants of coffee. There were some accidents during the Biking. We visited Bali Bird Park. We saw a lotof beautiful-feathered birds and they’re unique. Last, we went to Sanur Beach. Before going to Sanur Beach, we went to Balerung to study about the conventional dance and music. 

It’s the last day in Bali. On the fifth day, we have packed out baggages and belongings. We went to Krishna to buy oleh-oleh for our families in Jakarta. The time that we have together ran too fast. I felt so sad leaving Bali. We went back to Jakarta at around 11.30 p.m. Bye Bali! 

-         - Gabriel (Adzra)