SEAYBST by Ethan, Robbie, & Tim

SEAYBST (South East Asia Youth Baseball Softball Tournament) tryouts are happening at the end of October. It’s a baseball/softball tournament in Southeast Asia that kids participate in. The countries that are involved in the tournament include the Philippines (Manila), Indonesia (Jakarta), and Australia (Perth), Singapore, Thailand. There was a team from Hong Kong last year that was invited to the tournament, but there was only a team for the majors league. For boys, the grades range from 5^th grade to 12^th grade. There are 3 teams for boys. For girls, the grade ranges are from 6^th grade to 12^th grade. There is 1 team for girls, grades 6-9 from ISB. Not everybody gets to be on the team, there are cuts. The maximum alternate players (if someone gets injured they play instead) is 6 players. The alternates usually do not go on the tournament with the rest of the team. This year the SEA teams will be going to Manila. All the transportation and hotel information will be arranged by the Bangkok team coordinator. We asked some baseball and softball athletes that went to the tournament last year what they thought about it.

Tim Abdelnoor said, “I really enjoyed the tournament because it was very social and I also enjoyed going around Singapore.”

“Last year’s tournament was so much fun! Our team had won and we had so much fun walking around Singapore. The hotel was awesome, too,” Ethan said.

We thought it would be interesting to tell you about the results from last year’s SEAYBST tournament. We will start out with softball. The only softball team for Bangkok got 4^th place and lost to Singapore in the 3^rd and 4^th place game. The minor’s baseball team for Bangkok dominated the tournament and went undefeated. In the end the minors had won the tournament and beat Singapore. Unfortunately, the majors got last place and same with the seniors. Although, the seniors had almost beat Perth, the 1^st place team, in extra innings until the Perth team had got in a run to win the game. The SEA teams will be going to Manila but if something occurs and everybody is not able to go to Manila the tournament will be held here in Bangkok. The teams will be gone for one week and will miss a week of school.

Disadvantage of Windows Microsoft Word 2007 - Anurag & Vignesh

Are you having trouble with Windows Word 2007? I’m pretty sure you are having some problems. Yesterday, I was in my Humanities class and we were doing a writing assignment. My classmates were having so much trouble that they all came up to me and said, “Can you help me?” I was so annoyed that I decided to write this.

We have the latest information about how to fix and get rid of the trouble. If you save the word document in 2007 mode it won’t work in Windows Word 97-2003. So now the way to fix it is by going to the logo near HOME. Another way is that the logo above Home. It is something like a floppy. Another way is by using “Ctrl+S”. First you go to the Windows Logo and you click on it. Then it will show you, New, Open, Convert, Save, and Save as. If you get your pointer on it, it will show save as 97 – 2003. Click that and you will be able to do it at home.

Another problem is that when you put a shape on the document you can’t really find the way to make the outline thicker. It is kind of like hid somewhere. But when you put the shape/picture the top toolbar will automatically go to Format. Under it, it says SHAPE OUTLINE. Then all you have to do is click it and then it says WEIGHT. Get your pointer on it and it will show you the weights. Choose one of them. Didn’t even know how to save the first time I used it. If you want to make the page landscape you first have to go to page layout and click on orientation.

If we had a sheet of paper with all the instructions in it I bet it will be easier!

First Quarter, New Experiences- by Grace

The first quarter of the 2008 school year’s nearly over. Come October the 9^th, we’ll be embarking on a brand new quarter. You may already be accustomed to the events that happen in ISB, but do you still remember the lost-looking, shy new students that first arrived to ISB just about two months ago? Let’s check out how these new students are faring.

Margaret is in 6^th grade. Before arriving in ISB, she studied in Seoul, Korea. Speaking of the first quarter here, she said, “It was okay. I’ve made some new friends. The homework is more difficult than those in my former school, but the teachers are kind and I get along well with my classmates. My electives are what I expected them to be when I signed up for them and I like them, especially Publications, because there’s no homework.”

7^th grader Shawnie was in the American School of Bangkok (ASB) before coming here. She describes the first quarter at ISB as ‘awesome’, adding, “I’ve made many good friends. There’s a lot more homework though, and it’s harder than at my previous school. However, the teachers are definitely more knowledgeable and my classmates are very nice, helping me out when I need help. The electives are what I expected them to be when I first signed up for them and I like them, because it’s nice to do what you are interested in.”

As for me, I was in Singapore before coming here and I find the environment here very relaxed and conducive to learning. It’s truly ‘inspired learning’. I love the concept of electives because I can do what I like to do and what I’m interested in, and I find my teachers and classmates all very helpful and friendly. I’ve enjoyed my first quarter immensely so far and I’m looking forward to more to come.

Regardless of whether you’re a new student, returning student, or old student, you’ll definitely have experienced some new stuff and have stories to share! Comment on this post to tell a tale of your first quarter.

Picture was taken from http://www.isb.ac.th/Academic_Standards2.

Decorating Your Agenda: Part 2 –Shawnie

These are some few ways, with these ideas you soon could have a very colorful and beautiful agenda.

-Cut out photos from magazines of your favorite things, stars, food, etc.

-Get a photo and replace the picture of the hands.

-Grab some markers and draw or color some patterns.

-Stick on some cute stickers.

-Cover the cover with foil and draw on the foil with permanent markers.

- Border the cover with ribbons and glitter.

The best material to use for decorating your agenda is WHITEOUT! Seriously, it is the best thing to use for drawing stuff on your agenda. I hope these ideas help you make your agenda a more colorful and beautiful place to write your homework for the whole year!

Mystery of Stonehenge ‘Solved’ By Steven C

Wordless and gigantic stones, Stonehenge, are very famous for being mysterious. These heavy and gigantic stone constructions were built by ancient people around 2500b.c. There were many theories for the usage of these constructions. A temple for ancient sun-worshippers, a sacred burial site, or even a kind of massive prehistoric astronomical calculator, but no one knew the truth. However, two British archaeologists declared that they have uncovered the main reason behind the construction of one of the world's best known and least understood landmarks. One of the archaeologists quoted, “We found several reasons to believe that the stones were built as part of a belief in a healing process.” The key to their theory was Stonehenge's double circle of bluestones and the bluestones were prized for the healing properties. Proof was not only in the stones, but skeletons. Skeletons found from the area showed signs of serious diseases or injury. "It could have been a temple, even as it was a healing center." Timothy Darvill, one of the archaeologists said. Do you agree?

*If you are interested, visit http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/

DotA- By: Steve.J and Nino

“DotA” is, a custom scenario for Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, based on the custom scenario from “Starcraft.” The main objective in this game is to destroy the main structure of the opposing team, Sentinel and Scourge. Sentinel is known as a good guy and Scourge is recognized as a bad guy. While Sentinel is the protector of the world, the Scourge wants to control the world. In the entire game, each player controls one hero. With one hero they have to get money, upgrade the skills, level up, and buy weapons and armors to become strong enough to fight through the “Ancient” buildings of the Sentinel and the Scourge. Each hero (there is about 91 heroes in the game) has its own special skills to kill the enemy hero. This game is not as violent as it might sound like; rather, it’s a very soothing game. To play this game the players require a good, agile pair of hands. Only a fast gamers’ mind can dominate the game.

Rechargeable Batteries- By: Pranav and Benedict

Have you ever heard of rechargeable batteries? Well I’m going to tell you about it anyway. Have you ever bought something that runs on batteries, and you never have enough batteries because they run out of power quickly? Well, rechargeable batteries last more than two times longer than normal batteries. You also don't have to keep on buying them because you can recharge them. They work out cheaper for long term use. Rechargeable batteries also are eco-friendlier because one rechargeable battery equals about 20 – 100 normal batteries depending on how much you use them. The charger also only costs about 1000 baht for a good one. Each battery costs about 20 – 50 baht which is a very good deal. Here in ISB we also have a rechargeable battery program that is run by Mr. Dyke. The program lets anyone turn in used up normal batteries and Mr. Dyke recycles them. If you have rechargeable batteries, you can come and charge it in the bookstore for free. The teachers are also given rechargeable batteries for school use. If you buy rechargeable batteries from the bookstore, you can trade the old battery for another charged battery for free. That way rechargeable batteries will be used more and as we said the batteries will turn out to be much cheaper than normal batteries so go and buy you some rechargeable batteries to empower your power supply.