Here's what's happening in my life right now (in a convenient list-like form):
1. Chemistry test on Monday. I got an A+ on the last one (I studied really, really hard), so I hope to do as well this time. We'll see. This chapter is very long and complicated.
2. I just watched about a half hour of Fiddler on the Roof. I need to see the rest of that movie sometime. It's the perfect combination of beards, vodka, and arranged marriage.
3. I hate Mrs. Lideen right now. Absolutely loathe. In corrective advisement last week, she intentionally humiliated a student for no apparent reason. I just cannot believe that a teacher would ever do that to a student.
4. I still haven't decided on a college.
5. I'm reading twilight fanfic (sorry, Amelia).
6. I had an amazing time at the pep fest. People always complain about them, but I think they're so much fun. It's great to see all the grades in one room, and to be in the middle of all the cheering. Plus, the drumline played all the way down the hall. My ears are still ringing, but it was great.
7. Becca only laughed at my 'lumberjack shirt' once today. New record.
8. Speech tomorrow. I'm in the process of rewriting, so a bit nervous for this one.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
We begin with a quote
"This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks, bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight, stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic, stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms. Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest."
That's a section of Longfellow's poem Evangeline. I'm not one for reading poetry, but I think this one is lovely.
Today was a fairly uneventful day. Not much to report school-wise. A few things happened at home, though:
1. I got my senior pictures
2. I made an amazing Knowledge Bowl playlist for the trip to North Branch on Saturday. For some reason, my computer refused to burn it onto a disc, but I can just play it right off my i-pod. It's a fairly eclectic mix, but all of the songs have something to do with Knowledge Bowl.
3. I tied a ribbon around a bag of wintergreen Lifesavers for Becca's birthday present. She really, really loves them.
That's a section of Longfellow's poem Evangeline. I'm not one for reading poetry, but I think this one is lovely.
Today was a fairly uneventful day. Not much to report school-wise. A few things happened at home, though:
1. I got my senior pictures
2. I made an amazing Knowledge Bowl playlist for the trip to North Branch on Saturday. For some reason, my computer refused to burn it onto a disc, but I can just play it right off my i-pod. It's a fairly eclectic mix, but all of the songs have something to do with Knowledge Bowl.
3. I tied a ribbon around a bag of wintergreen Lifesavers for Becca's birthday present. She really, really loves them.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Buddy Holly
My day:
1. I wake up to the radio on my alarm clock. The DJ's were talking about today being the anniversary of Buddy Holly's death. Now, I like Buddy Holly's music, but I don't really know much about him. I was shocked to learn that he died in a plane crash at only 22 years old, after only about 2 years of making music publically. The song 'American Pie' is based off his life.
2. Since it's been cold, Amy's been going out to start the car so that it can warm up a little. We were both running late this morning, so she didn't get a chance to get the car going. It died at the end of our street. Mom had to come and help me get it started (I know absolutely nothing about cars, sadly). Thus, I missed the NHS meeting.
3. Band was pretty good. We were in the PAC, which is always fairly interesting. Mr. Anderson only had to stop and yell at the percussionists once, for a change.
4. Creative writing was fun. We explored the difference between 'effect' and 'affect.' We got to debate a lot.
5. Speech was amazing, as always. I could have played that statue game the entire time! Laabs and Charlie as Rose and Jack...what can be said? What really made me happy during the rounds was the fact that Josh Salaba had obviously been practicing his speech on his own. He improves every time I hear him, which is great. I wish everyone would put that kind of effort in.
1. I wake up to the radio on my alarm clock. The DJ's were talking about today being the anniversary of Buddy Holly's death. Now, I like Buddy Holly's music, but I don't really know much about him. I was shocked to learn that he died in a plane crash at only 22 years old, after only about 2 years of making music publically. The song 'American Pie' is based off his life.
2. Since it's been cold, Amy's been going out to start the car so that it can warm up a little. We were both running late this morning, so she didn't get a chance to get the car going. It died at the end of our street. Mom had to come and help me get it started (I know absolutely nothing about cars, sadly). Thus, I missed the NHS meeting.
3. Band was pretty good. We were in the PAC, which is always fairly interesting. Mr. Anderson only had to stop and yell at the percussionists once, for a change.
4. Creative writing was fun. We explored the difference between 'effect' and 'affect.' We got to debate a lot.
5. Speech was amazing, as always. I could have played that statue game the entire time! Laabs and Charlie as Rose and Jack...what can be said? What really made me happy during the rounds was the fact that Josh Salaba had obviously been practicing his speech on his own. He improves every time I hear him, which is great. I wish everyone would put that kind of effort in.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Roast (medium-rare)
Okay, we're going to talk about this girl in my creative writing class (I don't really want to name her).
Our first assignment was to write either a biography or an autobiography. I was actually really proud of my autobiography. I worked hard on it, and thought it was a fairly good piece of writing. I guess Mr. Manske liked it too, because he gave me a 49 out of 50 on it. Then the other girl (let's call her Tara) got hers back. GASP. She got a 45 out of 50. An A minus.
Tara immediately turns around to look at my rubric. "A 98!" she exclaims, snatching my paper and reading through it. Then she goes into pout mode and begins complaining to everyone within a ten foot radius that she deserved higher.
My personal opinion: No she didn't. She is a good writer, but the paper she wrote was boring and snobbish. I hope you know what I mean. Some writers just show off with their writing, using big words and elaborate, over-descriptive phrases. It really bugs me.
Tara then decided to take her complaints to Mr. Manske, and stayed after class to talk to him about her grade. I swear, if he changes her grade I will never respect him again. Ever.
Another thing about Tara: she constantly shoves things she's written in my face, wanting me to read them and gush about how wonderful they are. It's gotten to the point where I don't care enough to voice a real opinion, and just say, "That's really good, Tara," and move on. Someone who needs constant reassurance that she's amazing is not someone I want to associate with.
And one more basting of the roast...
This guy who is also in my class is the guy Tara has a very obvious crush on. Now, this guy just started going out with a girl he obviously likes a lot. Does this stop Tara from flirting shamelessly? I don't think so.
So there it is. A perfect roast, ready to eat.
Do I feel good about writing this? Nope.
Do I feel really mean and two-faced? Yes.
Will I continue to work extra hard in creative writing in order to beat her on every assignment? Of course.
Our first assignment was to write either a biography or an autobiography. I was actually really proud of my autobiography. I worked hard on it, and thought it was a fairly good piece of writing. I guess Mr. Manske liked it too, because he gave me a 49 out of 50 on it. Then the other girl (let's call her Tara) got hers back. GASP. She got a 45 out of 50. An A minus.
Tara immediately turns around to look at my rubric. "A 98!" she exclaims, snatching my paper and reading through it. Then she goes into pout mode and begins complaining to everyone within a ten foot radius that she deserved higher.
My personal opinion: No she didn't. She is a good writer, but the paper she wrote was boring and snobbish. I hope you know what I mean. Some writers just show off with their writing, using big words and elaborate, over-descriptive phrases. It really bugs me.
Tara then decided to take her complaints to Mr. Manske, and stayed after class to talk to him about her grade. I swear, if he changes her grade I will never respect him again. Ever.
Another thing about Tara: she constantly shoves things she's written in my face, wanting me to read them and gush about how wonderful they are. It's gotten to the point where I don't care enough to voice a real opinion, and just say, "That's really good, Tara," and move on. Someone who needs constant reassurance that she's amazing is not someone I want to associate with.
And one more basting of the roast...
This guy who is also in my class is the guy Tara has a very obvious crush on. Now, this guy just started going out with a girl he obviously likes a lot. Does this stop Tara from flirting shamelessly? I don't think so.
So there it is. A perfect roast, ready to eat.
Do I feel good about writing this? Nope.
Do I feel really mean and two-faced? Yes.
Will I continue to work extra hard in creative writing in order to beat her on every assignment? Of course.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
First speech meet
The interesting and unexpected thing about being speech captain is that I seem to worry more about other people on the team than myself. I was actually really stressed out at this meet because I was worried that the new members wouldn't be able to find their rooms, or wouldn't know what to do, or would decide they didn't like speech after all (heaven forbid).
Luckily, I turned out to be completely stupid, because everyone, including and especially the newbies did a great job!! I even got a chance to hear Ryan and Christine perform, and I was just blown away by how poised and confident they were. I wasn't that calm at my first meet!!
It was a strange to be captain-ing by myself, but definitely fun to lead all the tongue twisters and read scores and everything.
It was also nice (if you'll allow a brag moment) to get my first first place ever! I feel a little bit like it doesn't quite count, because this was kind of a practice meet, but still. I just hope that I can improve and do well the rest of the season.
Luckily, I turned out to be completely stupid, because everyone, including and especially the newbies did a great job!! I even got a chance to hear Ryan and Christine perform, and I was just blown away by how poised and confident they were. I wasn't that calm at my first meet!!
It was a strange to be captain-ing by myself, but definitely fun to lead all the tongue twisters and read scores and everything.
It was also nice (if you'll allow a brag moment) to get my first first place ever! I feel a little bit like it doesn't quite count, because this was kind of a practice meet, but still. I just hope that I can improve and do well the rest of the season.
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