THE GIFT OF MUSIC

My name is Gift, and I�m in Matayom 2. I would like to tell you about one of my favourite musical instruments, the bass. I have been playing bass for a few months, and now I can play two songs.

When I was younger, I wasn�t interested in music, but now I really like it. I spend so long playing the bass every day that my fingers are getting hard.

Recently my friends and I started a band. We have four members � two electric guitars, drums and bass. We practise after school three times a week. We play for fun and to relax, but in the future I will be more serious about it.

I hope to become a good bass player and to have a good band. I will keep practising and learn to play more songs.

Kamonwan Ostasat, Udon Thani

Wow! How great that you�ve found something that you�re so passionate about, Gift. As I�ve often said, time spent learning and playing a musical instrument is never wasted. Keep practising, and if you and your band get famous, maybe you�ll end up on the cover of Student Weekly. � Editor

WAYS TO BE HAPPY

Hello Student Weekly. I�m Air, and I�m in grade 10 at Saithammachan School. I would like to tell everybody to be happy in the new year.

There are many ways to be happy. The way I prefer is to not think about anything that makes you tense. This is what I always try to do. Sometimes when I�m worried, just not thinking about the problem can make it go away.

I also like to give gifts and cook for my friends, and we can have a fun party.

So try to be happy in 2008 in any way you like.

Atitaya Janejobkhet, Ratchaburi

I hope that the new year is going well for you so far, Air. Be careful about not facing your problems, though. Avoidance is no way to handle the challenges in your life. Sure, certain things may just go away if you don�t think about them � pets for example. But facing your troubles head-on is really the best way to address them. Swallowing your emotions and hiding from problems will just end up making you more tense. � Editor

COOL SCHOOL

My name is Nut. I�m in Matayom 3, and I�m studying for the Triam Udom Suksa entrance exam.

I want to study at Triam Udom Suksa because it is one of the most famous schools in Thailand. I read a poll on the Internet that said that this school has the largest number of students who get

into university.

I think that if I study hard and I�m diligent, this school will help me to get into the university that I like.

Nuttakan Tanglakmunklon, Udon Thani

Thanks for your letter, Nut. It sounds like you�ve got your priorities in order, and you�re working hard to achieve your goals. Stay diligent, study hard and good luck on your entrance exam. � Editor

FLOOD WATERS

Hello, my name is Ice, and I�m 16 years old. I would like to tell you about problems that farmers face in Muang Yang in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Farms in this area sometimes flood because people have cut down too many trees. The problem is made worse by the weather heating up with global warming.

I think we need to keep our natural resources and not cut down all the trees. That way things might improve.

Wannaporn Suriyakhup, Nakhon Ratchasima

I couldn�t agree more, Ice. Humans are finally realising the troubles that they have caused for themselves by not taking care of the environment. We�re going to be dealing with the problems caused by global warming for years to come. Hopefully human beings will be able to cope � and maybe even turn things around. � Editor


	passionate (adj): having or showing strong feelings of enthusiasm for something tense (adj): nervous or worried, and unable to relax avoidance (n): not doing something head-on (adj): in which people deal with something in a direct way diligent (adj): showing care and effort in your work or duties priority (n): something that you think is more important than other things global warming (n): the increase in temperature of the earth�s atmosphere resource (n): a supply of something that a person, country or organisation has and can use cope (v): to deal successfully with something difficult

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