Geography of Wicked!

Here is all the five links to my Geography Project :)

• Post 1:  Where it all began..
• Post 2:  Geography of New York
• Post 3:  Geography of Singapore
• Post 4: Geography of Sydney
• Post 5: Geography of The World

Hope you enjoyed reading my geography project all about Wicked

Finale of the Geography of Wicked V



Also If it wasn't for Winnie Holzman the story would not have been created as she wrote the novel in 2003 and  then Stephen Schwartz made It a Broadway debut!


Winnie Holzman grew up In New York City and was born in in 1954, she is an dramatist, screenwriter and poet. She studied English and Creative Writing in Princeton and she graduated with a Masters in Musical Theatre from New York City in 1934.

Therefore, since now we have learned that "Wicked- The Musical" has been so
popular,it has  - from Singapore to the USA to London, it is simply GLOBAL! So guess what I'm dedicate my last blog post to, the geography of the WORLD!


Fun geographic facts about the world

• About four billion gallons of water is used worldwide each day
• The moon is about 100 times drier than the Gobi Desert.
• Earth travels through space at at 66,700 miles per hour.
• From a distance Earth would be the brightest of all nine planets as sunlight is reflected by the planets water.
• The Persian Gulf sea is the warmest of all the seas as it reaches 35.6 degrees centigrade in the summer.
• Sunlight can penetrate clean ocean water until the depth of 240 feet.
• The total surface area of the of the Earth is 197 million square miles.
• The worlds deadliest recorded earthquake happened in 1557 in China when over 300'000 people were killed.
• The deepest depth in the ocean is 36'198 feet in the Pacific Ocean well south of Japan near the Mariana Trench.
• Only 3 percent of the water is fresh , rest 97 percent salted. Of that three percent, over two percent, is frozen in ice sheets and glaciers. Means less that 1 percent fresh water is found in lakes, rivers and underground. 

I hope you have enjoyed reading my project as much as I have enjoyed doing it!

Here is the number one hit of Wicked "Defying Gravity" Enjoy :)

Image of Winnie Holzman: http://www.google.ie/imgres?hl=en&biw=1920&bih=924&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=D-mb6CKqXs7pZM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-editorial-photo-winnie-holzman-opening-night-musical-image20854893&docid=NThCJlCA8BbWiM&itg=1&imgurl=http://www.dreamstime.com/winnie-holzman-at-the-opening-night-of-the-musical--thumb20854893.jpg&w=293&h=450&ei=xNq7T77zMcaZhQfH5tXzCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1696&vpy=258&dur=280&hovh=278&hovw=181&tx=169&ty=181&sig=100547586202292015474&page=1&tbnh=112&tbnw=74&start=0&ndsp=55&ved=1t:429,r:24,s:0,i:132
Image of the World: http://www.google.ie/imgres?hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1920&bih=924&tbm=isch&tbnid=o5CImxu38RLArM:&imgrefurl=http://larvalsubjects.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/what-is-a-world/&docid=Ca3dp3PbWJH-QM&imgurl=http://larvalsubjects.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/earth_from_space1.jpg&w=320&h=320&ei=9Nq7T6iEEcO7hAft68iICQ&zoom=1
Video of Defying Gravity:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlMBcTGJ4YM

Exam time...

This week we have our exams, I just had an essay on Sylvia Plath and it went alright :/ Have an Irish aural next and a Spanish Test! But once this week is over, we have our TY night to look forward to, and Sports Day :D

Can't believe TY is nearly over! It's so sad :(

Talk soon xo

Geography Project on Wicked Part IV

In my last post, I discussed the Geography of Singapore, the Cast of Wicked in Singapore the girl who plays "Elphaba"Jenna Rix was born and raised in Sydney. So I decided to dedicate this post to the Geography of Sydney.










Here is a few facts of the Geography of Sydney

• Sydney has a population of over four million people.

•  This covers almost 1120 square kilometres. 

• This city is the capital of the Australian State of New South Wales.

• Sydney is bordered in the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the west near the Blue Mountains

• Sydney is made up of two main regions, the Cucumber land Plain and the plateau of Hornsby.

• Sydney is greatly influenced by the oceanic climate since the location of Sydney is found in the coastal region. 

Since its a tradition now, I will leave you with another great song from Wicked! "For Good" :D

Sources

Picture of Jenna Rix:  http://www.google.ie/imgres?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=799&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=rEIXe1L-jtJmFM:&imgrefurl=http://sukiandmub.blogspot.com/&docid=NfjHjy9zWxiHHM&imgurl=http://sin.stb.s-msn.com/i/F8/32D9DBE0E79984E8A5

Picture of Sydney: http://www.google.ie/imgres?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=799&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=4C0IZcltsrySmM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney&docid=3GXtULyanc8RYM&itg=1&imgurl=http://upload

Video of For Good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx3rjS_vSM4

Geography Project on Wicked part III

Did you know that there are five worldwide official "Wicked the Musical" company's ;Wicked USA (New York as mentioned in the previous post), Wicked London, Wicked Singapore, and Wicked The Netherlands.

Singapore is an island of 646 sq km, which is roughly the size of Chicago! It is located at one of the crossroads in the world! This position has helped it grow into a major centre for trade, tourism's and communications!

Source: 

But to be exact, Singapore is located 96km north of the equator, between the longitude 103 degrees 36' East and 104 degrees 25'East.

Singapore has been referred to as an "concrete jungle" number of times, because close to 90 percent of the population are living in flats and an ever-changing skyline of monumental buildings. However, Singapore has also been known as a green city.


Two causeway bridges link Malaysia, which is just north of Singapore. The key islands of the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia are also just a quick ferry trip away however Thailand and the Philippines are a short plane journey away. There are over 69 airlines working in the airport in Singapore, which is the gateway to Southeast Asia.

The climate of Singapore is humid and warm with temperatures ranging from roughly 23 degrees to 31 degrees Celsius. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy sunbathing, swimming, sailing and other water sports. But if you are someone who does not enjoy this tropical climate, Singapore is sheltered from the worst effects of the sun with air-conditioning in almost all of its buildings. including restaurants. Rain also falls throughout the year with more consistent rain during the monsoon season from November to January. These showers are usually sudden & heavy, but brief and refreshing.


Another interesting fact I learned about Singapore is that it is 8 hours ahead in the GMT!

Lastly to finish up with this post, is to leave you with another fabulous song from Wicked! "No-One Mourns the Wicked", enjoy!

Sources for the above pictures/videos:

Picture of Singapore Island: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=ufdn_6Qta5IQtM:&imgrefurl=http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/marinefish/text/117a.htm&docid=ysZiH4FyKDMAmM&imgurl=http://habitatnews.nu

Picture of Wicked The Musical: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=799&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=hGJDHH1eADe7FM:&imgrefurl=http://www.tonsoftickets.com/Wicked/wicked-tickets.html&docid=ZaEUuD0jh8_K9M&imgurl=http://www.t

Picture of Climate of Singapore: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&gbv=2&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=mDdeTWSauUYapM:&imgrefurl=http://www.southtravels.com/asia/singapore/weather.html&docid=revZ4OMLzZhbmM&imgurl=h

Video of "No-One Mourns the Wicked": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li8cryWN2ew








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Gaisce hike!

I just realised I never blogged about the An Gaisce Awards! Its not compulsory in our school so in total only 30 students completed it! It was really hard but I'm so glad I did it in the end!

We completed the bronze awards and this involved taking on a physical activity, personal skill and community involvement for 13-26 weeks and an 25-35 km overnight hike. I decided to take on completely new skills/activities since I had the time to experience new things in TY! I picked up the guitar, volunteered in the local boys primary school and joined a contemporary dance company. All of these have taken up so much of my time, but it has definitely been worth it!

Last Friday as our school finished for the weekend, we all headed towards Kippure in Wexford for our 25 km hike! On the first day we hiked for 13 km and at times it was very difficult! But on the second day we also hiked for 12 km and then completed the high ropes activity which was really fun but scary!

Geography Project - Wicked Part II

In my last post for my Geography Project, I mentioned that the composer of Wicked was Stephen Schwartz and he was born and raised in New York. So I decided to link this fact into this post, the geography of New York!


     As you may know New York City is located on the coast of the Northeastern United States at the mouth of the Hudson River in southeastern New York state.



The New York Harbour: has deep waters and sheltered bays, it helps the city grow in significance as a trading city. The majority of New York is built on three islands- Manhattan, Staten Island and western Long Island which in time makes the land scarce and encourages a high population density.



Boroughs: New York City consists of five boroughs

1) The Bronx, population: 1,364,566

Fun fact - The Bronx is the only borough of New York City which is believed to be apart of the United States mainland.

2) Brooklyn, population: 2,511,406

Fun fact- Brooklyn was incorporated into New York City in 1898, it was the borough that questioned joining NYC and they had several conditions that had to be met!

3) Manhattan, population:1'606'205

Fun fact-  Manhattan's Chinatown is the largest Chinese encase in the Western Hemisphere.

4) Queens, population: 2'256'576

Fun fact- Queens is the largest borough in New York City, by size. Total land area is 178.28 sq.

5) Staten Island, population:475'014

Fun fact-  The nickname of this borough is called "The Forgotten Borough" because it is the smallest borough by size and its residents feel its the last to receive the city's services.


The Land: New York city's land is to be estimated at 321 square miles. But, a more recent estimate calculates a total land area of 304.8 square miles. The highest natural point of New York city is "Todt Hill" on Staten Island, which at 408 ft above sea level is the highest hill in the Eastern Seabound south of Maine.

Lastly, to link back to the main subject of my project Wicked is another fabulous musical number "I'm not that girl"

Sources for Pictures/Videos:

Video of "I'm not that Girl":  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaT7DaqPbxs

Picture of New York Harbour:  http://www.google.ie/imgres?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=q02ZJ3Qk_s-5gM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Harbor&docid=u9y0d5LuAuGepM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi

Picture of Five boroughs of New York CIty: http://www.google.ie/imgres?num=10&hl=en&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=9mQUQGBBWuPZhM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:5_Boroughs_Labels_New_York_City_Map_Julius_Schorzman.png&docid=Xfsd7wD8KkxrpM&im

Picture of three islands:  upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Usgs_photo_New_York_five_boroughs.jpg/250px-Usgs_photo_New_York_five_boroughs.jpg

Geography Project on the musical sensation.. Wicked!

  

I have decided to base my Geography project on the musical "Wicked" Wicked is by far my favourite musical, and I was very lucky to get to see it in the Apollo Victoria theatre, London a few years ago!

For you guys who don't know the story of Wicked it goes a little like this...Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her relationship with Galinda the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities, rivalry over the same love-interest, and lastly ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace. The plot is set before and during Dorothy's arrival from Kansas, and includes several references to well-known scenes and dialogue in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz as a backstory.

However,  If it wasn't for Stephen Schwartz, our beloved musical "Wicked" would not exist!

He is is an American musical lyricist and composer and Schawrtz composed the musical "Wicked" He spent four decades focused on his career and in total, Schwartz has written such hit musicals as  Godspell,  Pippin and Wicked. He has also contributed lyrics for a number of successful films such as Pochantas , The Hinchback of Notre Dame , The Prince of Egypt and Enchanted.

Below is the official soundtrack of "Popular" one of the many amazing song featured in this west end sensation!

It isn't surprising to learn that Schwartz has won various awards including the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, three Grammy Wards, three Academy Awards and has been nominated for six Tony Awards!

Sources:


Picture of Wicked: http://www.google.ie/imgres?hl=en&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=hGJDHH1eADe7FM:&imgrefurl=http://www.tonsoftickets.com/Wicked/wicked-tickets.html&docid=ZaEUuD0jh8_K9M&imgurl=http://www.tonsoftickets.com/new-im

Picture of Stephen Schwartz: http://www.google.ie/imgres?num=10&hl=en&biw=1440&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=rdw6nWFUM83E2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.squidoo.com/disney-hunchback-of-notre-dame-soundtrack&docid=7miHAg

Video of Popular: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_uM8bUnlGQ