Memoir

Memoir

 Written by Maia Van Den Berk

  28.9.17

                               (Real date is 11.9.10)

I heard it, the sweet sound of Abba singing Dancing Queen. It shot in my ears like a bullet being fired from a shotgun.

Then at that moment I knew I wanted to become the Dancing Queen.

Remembering the tune in my head while grabbing one of the hula skirts hanging on the hook I pulled it on. This new sense of energy ran through my veins.

I was very hyper and started to dance, then started to sing along to the lyrics. I sang, and I sang, and I sang.

“And when you get the chance, you are the Dancing Queen on the scene over the tambourine yeah yeah,

you will dance you will die,having the time of your life,

(ooh,)

see that girl watch that scene diggin the Dancing Queen, (Aaaaaaa) digging the Dancing Queen! (Aaaaaa).” While the song was playing I danced in a very crazy manner. Doing pirouettes and jumping up in the air, I was all over the place.

The song finished with a repeating ending, still echoing in my ears. Dancing Queen was stuck in my head alright but it was still my favourite song though.

“Pack up time!” shouted the teacher cheerfully. Everyone started to pack up and were fumbling around eagerly.

I put the hula skirt away on the wooden hook and felt the smooth wood on my fingertips. “Looks great everyone now time to go home, see you tomorrow!” Rachel, one of the teachers, yelled out but everyone had already gone.

“Hi mummy!” I blurted out, “Hello sweetie,” she replied with a grin. We went home and I told mum about my day, then fell into a deep sleep.

This is only a faint memory and I don’t remember it much so it's not quite that long.

Speech (Written)

At around 5 PM on the 25th of September 1955 a catastrophic disaster struck New Zealand. “Was that thunder?” a crackling sound should mean thunder right?

Well no, that was not thunder but Mt Ruapehu erupting!

“Crack!” More thunder booms in people’s ears, then the smoke comes. It begins to travel across the landscape soon followed by lava. As expected the lava demolishes bushes, forests and even wild animals.

In other words, I should probably tell you what to do and how to prepare for a volcanic eruption right? Ok then let’s get started. Family comes first so make sure to have a family plan for example; the kids will have to leave first because they are more precious  the parents.

To have them leave the town should have an escape tunnel underground or in the air like a plane or something,just in case the ground falls down. Then that way the families can escape quickly and safely.

What to pack in an emergency bag: A flashlight,spare batteries,and nonperishable food and water.

Now first things first you would want to stop the flow of lava but how?

Well let me tell you how.

To stop the flow of lava try to somehow get it to flow towards beaches so it will mix with the cool salty water in order to stop it from burning. This will help you stall more time to escape.

Personally I think that most volcanoes are in snowing areas because  their cold and it would prevent further damage. Did you know that Mt Ruapehu erupted 18 days after I was born? Well it’s true.

During the eruption ash,lava,and rocks launch out of the hole in the top,which is usually frozen from being covered with ice and snow.  

After an volcano eruption listen to your nearest radio station for civil defence advice and follow instructions. Stay indoors and away from volcanic ashfall as much as possible because it might be dangerous.

Once safe to get outside make sure you check your gutters and roof for ashfall as for it can make your roof collapse. Use goggles and wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses.

Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help with breathing. Make sure to stay away from downwind areas towards the volcano to avoid volcanic ash. Stay indoors until the ash has stopped falling unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing if that would be to happen get outside as quickly as possible.

Mount Ruapehu is the biggest volcano in new zealand and could be active at anytime no one knows.

If active at anytime there is a big chance of eruption so please keep safe and make sure to avoid ashfall if you are in a volcanic disaster.  

Speech (recorded)