Clare enjoys playing the guitar. |
Child of the Week: clare louise thompson
Clare Louise Thompson is a nine-year old student of Dubai English Speaking School who feels lucky to live in the UAE. With the wonderful opportunities offered here, she appreciates her lifestyle and exposure to various cultures and hobbies.
Outgoing and determined by nature, Clare indulges in various activities with her family. Parents Carolyn and Nigel Thompson encourage her and their 12-year old son Ben to be involved in sports. Apart from swimming and tennis, the family spends their weekend snorkelling, jet-skiing, wake-boarding or participating in other water sports.
A teacher or a vet is what Clare wants to be when she grows up. Right now, she enjoys playing the guitar, socialising with friends, and being a Brownie girlscout.
SHE SAYS:
I am an animal lover, with a pet hamster called Tweek. One thing I have to say about him is that he's got big, black googly eyes and is cute. I named him that because my brother had a game called firefighters and the baby dragon on it was called Tweek.
My brother annoys most of the time, but we have fun doing water sports together. I wish I were older because you get more attention, but being younger I hardly get blamed.
When my mom revises history questions with him, I hear and learn, too. I like math because I'm in the top group with friends. We have a lot of laughs together, and it keeps me going. I think I work better when I'm laughing.
I was only in playschool when we moved to Dubai, but we usually visit England every summer and I keep in touch with my friend Lauren there. She hasn't had much experience flying on planes and trying all the things I've done. The schools are not very different from here, but I think the teaching is better here. The only thing I miss is the snow.
When I was about three years old I started swimming lessons. Now, I am the top swimmer in year four of my school, and I've got three medals and loads of certificates. I even got to join the swim squad in year two, while others can start only in year three.
Living in Dubai I have an advantage because I get to go out more and try many new things compared to kids in England. I get to go to the beach a lot and do things like jet skiing, wake boarding and visit water parks like Wild Wadi.
I have also travelled around the world with my family. The most memorable experience I've had so far is swimming with dolphins twice. One time we were in New Zealand, and the other at the Discovery Cove in USA.
Family are people who take care of you, love you, give good advice and you can look up to. When I have kids, I will teach them the basics of life from when they are young. If you lose a game, it's okay. It's not about winning or losing, but competing and having fun. What makes me happy is seeing other people happy and animals well taken care of. Tickling and jokes make me happy too.
When I grow up, I don't think the world will be much different from now, but a little more advanced with new inventions. For example, when you get in the car, you just say where you want to go and the car drives you there automatically.
At home, you just call out the channel you want to see, and the television responds accordingly. In the police station, there will be no bars in the jail but lasers which will give electric shocks and alarm the officers if you try to escape. I think it will be safer in the future.
Even the courts will be more effective with new machines that can detect whose lying or cheating and what we are thinking, so there will be more justice.
Friends should not always argue, break up or change sides. We should treat each other politely and with respect. Friendship is about reciprocating good feelings and honesty.
