Final Blog!!!

• I've read 2442 pages that I blogged about. There were alot of books that I started, though, that I never blogged about because I knew after the first 2 chapters that I hated it...


• Before the class and the blogging, I read because I liked reading. I actually enjoyed it. But then, during the class, to be really honest, I only read because I had to. It took the fun out of it, I think. And another thing, I didn't like having to write about what I thought about what was going on because alot of the times, I don't really have any thoughts about it and maybe that's okay.


• During the semester, I can only think of one or maybe two books that I actually liked reading. I just had a hard time finding a book that interested me. I never had problems meeting the requirement of pages read but I struggled with the blogging. I just was so busy all the time and instead of taking breaks and blogging, I would continue reading and before I knew it, I was finished with the book and hadn't even began the blogging. oops..


• I always read when I got in bed and I'd have my little flashlight with me. I don't usually read with music on or my phone around but it wouldn't bother me if they were. Talking about the books I read felt weird so I didn't do that, I don't know I guess it just seemed like I was reading these books and I'm the only one that knew about them haha.


• I think this semester has been very changing for me when it comes to reading. I really discovered that I cannot stand chicklit (as you called it) like I seriously can't handle it. And I never knew I would like poetry so much, but I do! I see myself getting more into real life books that have purpose to them and more poetry in the future.


• At the beginning of the semester, I didn't like poetry at all. I thought it was all long, sad and boring. But it turns out that it can be really interesting. And sometimes even happy. My opinion of poetry has definetly changed for the better! I don't know if you're really taking suggestions but I think for the daily poem second reading you should start at one end of the room and go around like one person does it one day and the person next to them does it the next day and so everyone gets a chance but they don't have to if they don't want to-know what I mean??


• It was a really fun class Mr. Hill! I actually liked coming to 4th period :)

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

I finished it!!! Yay. Overall, I wouldn't recomend it but I will say it got way better as I continued reading.

So Carmen went to South Carolina to visit her dad, who lives with another woman and her kid. She wasn't expecting that so she was really disappointed at first. There was even a point when she ran away but came back and threw a rock and the window when she saw that they were laughing and having a nice dinner without her. She then flies back home but after a while she feels guilty and sends him a letter with money for the broken window. She also calls him and they talk for a while. Carmen, being a good daughter, even flies down to S. Carolina on the day of his wedding. They work everything out.

Tibby was the one that had to stay home and work all summer. But one of the days at work she sees a young girl collapse and so she calls an ambulence and rides to the hospital with her....She later meets her and finds that her name is Bailey and that she has lukemia. They become fairly good friends and hang out almost everyday interviewing people and videoing them. But one day Bailey has to go to the hospital because she's very sick. Tibby doesn't take this well, and a couple days later- Bailey dies. She attends the funeral.

Lena went to Greece to meet her grandparents. I thought this was interesting because her grandfather doesn't even speak English. But regardless, she still tries to grow closer to them. One day she goes skinny dipping and a guy sees her. But her grandpa assumes that he attacked her so he punches the guy's grandpa. A couple days later, Lena sees the guy (Kostos) swimming naked in the same spot and falls in love with him. So they kiss and everything is good but then she has to go home.

Bridget goes to a soccer camp and immediately has a crush on the young coach, Eric. Bridget does everything she can to get Eric's attention. She even goes to his cabin one night but he tells her she better leave. A couple nights later she comes again and he gives in and takes her virginity. She's upset for the rest of the camp time. And blows up at him at the final game so she leaves in the middle of it.

That's really all there was. Then at the end they meet at their meeting place and write all over the pants.

List of Poems for Project

1) Once Upon a Time- Jack Gilbert
2) The Passionate Shepherd to His Love- Christopher Marlowe
3) Sonnet 18- William Shakespeare
4) The the Virgins, To Make Much of Time- Robert Herrick
5) The Youngest Children of An Angel- Anna Swir
6) Peanut Butter- Eileen Myles

The theme is looking like love right now.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

I've been reading this book. I know it's a series but this is the only one that I'm going to read. It's so boring. Mr. Hill, if you're reading this I need some help finding some decent books to read.....???
Any suggestions would be welcome.

Monday

Took my USF psychology final today. It was horribly impossible. There were 30 multiple choice questions and then 30 free response. Each free response had to be 5 sentences, so the chances of me scoring high on that aren't so good. Oh how college is so entirely difficult. So much better than high school. haha

Weekend

This weekend has been really busy! On Friday I worked until 8 oclock (what a Friday, huh) and then I came home right afterwards. Devin came over after I got home, though, so it wasn't so bad. We were going to watch a movie but none of the ones in my basement looked good, so my mom went to the store to get a redbox movie. Turns out she got distracted and got groceries instead- so no movie haha. We went for a walk though, and I learned how to make Ramen noodles. Then Saturday I got up early to go to work at 8- honestly I'm gonna hate being an adult all they do is work work work. I'm not an adult though so I'm trying to figure out why I even got a job haha. It wasn't horrible I guess, I was working with my sister Molly, so we had fun. Devin and I went to dinner at Panera and then I dragged him to Charming Charlies (the somewhat new store in Jefferson Point!). I had never been there and neither had he lol. He was so embarrassed to be in there because it's a jewlery place but oh well. There were 5 other guys in there (he counted). We studied for my psych final that night- which I don't know how much fun that was for him but I actually kindof had fun..haha. It doesn't even matter what we do I just like being with him. He's like becoming my life lol. So then Sunday, woke up early again. UGH! My parents and I were driving down to West Lafayette with my other sister Brittany to look for apartments. She recently got accepted into the Purdue Pharmacy School program. (which is a big deal). And so we went to literally 8 different apartment places and got 8 different tours. By the end of the day-I was exhausted. The funny part about that is that she's going with the first apartment we looked at haha. Such a waste of a day. But it's alright because we ate lunch at Subway and it was good :) and I drove all the way there which is good because I'm learning to be a good driver. haha.

Sisterhood of the traveling pants pg. 1-37

The sisterhood of the traveling pants is about four girls that have grown up together because of their moms. Three of them are leaving for the summer but Tibby is staying home, which she isn't very excited about. They discover a pair of pants that fits them all so they decide that they are magical and make it their means of communication for the summer.

Tibby is miserable at home for the summer-she has to work at a place called Wallmans. ANd what fun would summer be without her best friends..

Bridget went to a soccer camp. She is falling for the assistant coach.

Carmen is on the plane to California to visit her dad. Her parents have been divoriced since she was a little girl. She's thinking about what his apartment is going to look like.

ETY Nominations

I liked Rafiki's blog. More specifically I liked the Easter post because he or she (I got the feeling it was a she but I'd feel bad if it was a guy haha) well they weren't afraid to talk about the faith aspect of Easter. It takes courage to talk about faith.

The other one that I like is Ocean Waves. Her blog is sweet and I like the way she talks about the books and has opinions about them.

USF

I went to my Saint Francis class tonight. Everything is really winding down. The final is next Monday and I'm flipping out man. I gotta do some major studying! Tonight, a couple people had to finish up their presentations. (I did mine two weeks ago and it was stellar if I say so myself). And we also had to take some evaluation of the professor. She was really nice so I put a 5 for everything. lol. Honestly, I'm so glad I took that class-especially as a junior. I feel quite accomplished hehe. Now, I'm rather lucky because the final isn't accumlulative so it's only over 4 chapters. Unlucky in the sense that each chapter is 40 pages long. But hey who's complainin? Not me. But ya this whole weekend, I'ma be studying. After I get home from work.

Happy Easter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easter is such a happy day!!! The best day of the year some people would say. :)
My sister's and I stopped believing in the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause way back when I was in first grade and they were in 3rd and 4th. Still, my mother puts out an Easter basket from the "easter bunny" every year. It makes me smile haha. But she is very concerned with health so the easter bunny doesn't bring candy to our house. Just nail polish, and bookmarks and a really nice bracelet. I actually really like the bracelet.

We went to mass at 9:30 am. It was really nice! Every one was wearing bright colors and dresses and it felt like spring! Then after mass we went home and cooked lunch and Jeffrey and his family came over. We played cards while we waited for lunch to be ready. All the adults talked and Jeff and Molly played canasta against me, Nick (Jeffs brother), Renato (Jeffs room- mate) and Brittany (my sister). Ironically, the bigger team lost. Oh well.

Anyways, HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

New job

I got a new job the other day. So I put in an application to Peerless Cleaners the day before I left for Spring Break, which is where my sister Molly works. They called and set up an interview for the next day and that next day was so long because I was so nervous!! I finally got there at 3 oclock all prepared and it turns out that they only had a couple questions for me and I got the job! I started a couple days later and I'm doing quite well. I dont mind it so much actually. I've grown up in about a week though because I have to work everyday until 8 and then drive home and do homework. All day. Everyday. But that's okay the whole growing up thing had to happen sometime.

Yearbook- Allyson Braithwaite Condie pg. 197-230

Chapter 20- Ethan Beckett. Julie Reid asks him to baptize her (her mom finally agreed). He was very honored and said yes. The baptism went very smoothly and he drove Julie and Michaela home. He dropped Julie off first and then went on to ask Michaela out. She said yes.
Chapter 21- Julie Reid. She writes in a journal about her baptism and how she felt so intimately close to God and everyone who attended. She feels truely blessed and I know firsthand how far faith can take you, so props to this author for being brave enough to communicate Faith. Maybe though she could have been a little less brave.
CHapter 22- Andrea Beckett. She was valedictorian so she had to prepare a speech. She used parts of a letter from her Grandma in her speech. Anna Beckett wrote a letter to every family member and dear one before she died. Andrea was sad, but learned alot from her. They all did.
Chapter 23- is a bunch of yearbook entries. The only one I thought was interesting is when Avery tells David SHerman that she likes him....ooh I wonder what happens there. And she says that she will consider church. haha.

Yearbook- Allyson Braithwaite Condie pg. 151-196

Chapter 16- Ethan Beckett- his Dad moved back to town. He and his Dad weren't on good terms exactly or maybe they were but they just weren't as close as they used to be. He, Andrea, and their little sister Chloe, went to his place for dinner one day and it went well. Seeing his dad and mom living separately as a result of their failed marraige is what caused him to doubt his relationship with Michaela.
Chapter 17- Owen Thomas. He's the son of Mr. Thomas. Julie Reid stayed after class and thanked him for his kindness given the previous situation (her brother killing his mom). Turns out he hadn't known who she was related to because he was so angry when he found out. He even went to the principal and asked to have a replacement teacher so he wouldn't have to teach her. But then he refers to his Morman faith and decides to forgive and accept that she did nothing wrong. Faith. What a handy thing.
Chapter 18- Tyler Cruz. He got his wish to stay in Phoenix for basketball season. He meets a girl named Julie Reid on a bus ride to a field trip. They hit it off really quick and become good friends. They talk about basketball, Arizona and Julie's newfound religion. Now I'm not anti religious at all, in fact I love my faith, but this book is all about Mormanism and nowhere in the description does it warn you that is the sole topic that will be discussed. Oh and some pointless high school drama.
Chapter 19- Avery Matthews interviews Principal Downing on her illness; cancer. She talks of the illness and how she is dealing with it. SHe even says that she plans on returning for the next school year which is a question that everyone wanted the answer to.

Yearbook- Allyson Braithwaite Condie pg. 100-150

Chapter 12 is Julis Reid. She is now best friends with Michaela. Michaela calls her Jewls which is weird for me because I used to call my friend Juls. I still do sometimes. This whole chapter is about the Morman faith. Who would've thought--in the Homestead library. So anyways, Julie asks her mom if she can get baptised into the church but her mom says no. Bummer.
Chapter 13 Andrea Beckett decides she needs to begin peer tutoring in order to complete the requirement of community service for her interview application. She was forced to do training with David Sherman( which she did not mind) and afterwards the two of them went for a run. Maybe they'll end up together. This book is so annoyingly predictable.
Chapter 14 David Sherman AGAIN! jeez. like every other chapter. So he's making reference to Star Wars and Yoda. I have no idea what he's talking about. He asks Andrea on a date and she agrees. They're planning on going to his sisters ballett recital and then dinner. Seems like a kindof awkward first date. Oh well.
Chapter 15.. Michaela Choi. She gets broken up with by Ethan Beckett. He tells her that he feels they are getting too close and too serious so he wants a break. I actually can relate because that's why I broke up with my boyfriend last year. I'm not saying it's not a coward move. It is. But Ethan was scared of getting hurt. So Michaela is confused right. One day the team is on a run. Turns out she'd been running on a stress fracture and suddenly falls with a broken leg. Broken leg and a broken heart. OUCH.

Yearbook- Allyson Braithwaite Condie pg. 53-99

Chapter 7 is Julie Reid. She is the sister of two rowdy brothers who get in trouble all the time. Her brother is the one that killed Mr. Thomas' wife in a car accident. She signs up for choir class and the teacher turns out to be the son of Mr. Thomas. In choir class one day she feels faint and Michaela walks her to the nurse. Michaela then invites her to a church event. She attends a mormon church. I can see where this book is going.
Chapter 8 is David Sherman. It's like a journal entry or something. He's talking about Andrea Beckett and how she's so pretty and so far out of his league and yada yada. He also mentions how she may seem tough but she's actually quite vulnerable as he learned the night of Homecoming. He then goes on to evaluate himself morally and results thinking that he's a pretty good guy. Whatever.
Chapter 9 is Avery Matthews. She's suspended for smoking on campus. So dumb for smoking and more specifically- on school grounds. She asks Mr. Thomas (after she comes back to school) if he could publish one of her depressing poems in the school newspaper. He does.
Chapter 10 is about Anna Beckett. She is Ethan and Andrea's grandma from their Dad's side. Her grandkids bring a Christmas tree to her in her assisted living room and are decorating it when one of them accidentally drops one of their mom's expensive ornaments. The three of them head off to the mall to buy a new one. While they are there Grandmama has a heart to heart with Andrea about (you guessed it) Mormanism.. while Ethan finds the perfect gift for his girl Michaela.
Chapter 11 is David Sherman again. He's complaining about the new girl on the newspaper crew named Avery. They were put together to deliver newspapers to classrooms in a red wagon. They were fighting for the wagon when it fell over the balcony and smashed the school mascot. They walked home together and he invited her to church. She said no.

Yearbook- Allyson Braithwaite Condie Pg. 1-52

I started a new book last night. It's called Yearbook by Allyson Braithwaite Condie. So far, I feel like it's more aimed towards a freshman rather than a junior but oh well. It is written in an interesting format though. Each chapter is the view of a different character and their thoughts, struggles, achievements, ect. Chapter 1 is based on Michaela Choi. She's a junior who loves running on the track team and dreams about her friend who she wishes was more than a friend named Ethan. She practices her morman faith, which is something she shares in common with Ethan. Even though Ethan and she are close friends she stresses over wanting more. Along with that stress, she must write a long paper about herself for her English class. At first, she doesn't know what to write but after getting started, she writes and writes. The day that the paper was due she sneaked a peak at Ethan's paper and noticed her name in a sentance about how he thought she was cute. (again with the freshman kind of literature). The next chapter is about Mr. Thomas. He has three sons, one of which is beginning his first year teaching at the same high school that he's taught at for over thirty years. He is the English teacher that is grading the autobiographies. Mr. Thomas is coping with the death of his wife, who was killed by the wreckless driving of a thoughtless teenager. He's a pretty sad guy. The next chapter is only two pages. It's about Avery Matthews. Avery seems like a trouble child, not focused on school, no motivation for anything, and lacking zest for life. One of the parts stuck out to me. It says, "Better to feel anger than to feel sorrow. Better to feel nothing than to feel sorrow. Better not to feel." I feel sorry for Avery already, seems rather troubled. Chapter 4 is Ethan Beckett's. He's the all-star in track and cross country, and has a great life. He and his cross country team went to state and he won 2nd place in his race which he was very proud of. He and Michaela (he calls her Mikey) are dating now. So, he cheers for her during her race. To me, he seems like he's way caught up in cross country and yada yada nothing to be focusing on anything important. Chapter 5 is of Andrea Beckett's, Ethan's sister. She's the anti-social one. The beautiful one. No one understands her, they just want to be her. (which is totally a stereotype, that doesn't actually happen). She broke up with her boyfriend the day before Homecoming, where she was crowned Homecoming Queen. After she was crowned, David Sherman found her crying in the parking lot. He drove her home and waited in the car for her to stop crying. Maybe there is more to this girl than we all think! haha this book is so dumb. Chapter 6 is about a guy named Tyler Cruz. He lives in Phoenix and his dad just told him that they were packing up their things and moving. He's the star of the basketball team and doesn't want to move because season is just beginning. Upon hearing this angering news, he left the house and drove to the high school, planning on shooting some hoops in the gymnasium. But when he arrived, instead of findind an empty gym, he found some people decorating a float for the parade. He was about to leave when a girl about his age greeted him, and asked him to help. Tyler helped the girl and discovered that he really liked her and they talked about everything. Before they left, she invited him to Noah's Homecoming at their church. So, he agreed and headed home. That's where I'm at right now. Honestly, I'm regretting picking up this book but I have to finish it because if I don't, then I'll never know what happened to these random people. So dumb.

I Feel a Little Jumpy Around You

This one is called "The Clothespin". Here goes: Through the window I see Her, my neighbor. She hangs his shirt. It thunders in the breeze. Clasped by a clothespin Beside her pale dress. Sid by side, they move. The clothespin is all That holds them together. Okday, someone is creepin through the window watching their neighbor and maybe the relationship between the girl and the man who's shirt she's hanging up is shaky.

I Feel a Little Jumpy Around You

This is the very last poem in the book. I'm a little disappointed that I'm done with it. It's called "Travelling Together" by W.S. Merwin. If we are separated I will try to wait for you on your side of things your side of the wall and the water and of the light moving at its own speed even on leaves that we have seen I will wait on one side while a side is there. Maybe the guy is saying that as long as there is hope for their relationship, he'll be on her side. Like as long as there is a side to be on, he'll be on it.

Spring Break!!!!! WV 2011

I went to West Virginia over spring break with my church youth group. :) We went there for Habitat for Humanity to build houses!!! It was so much fun and I don't even almost regret going there instead of somewhere like Florida. Everyone goes to FL. Boring and uncreative. haha just kiddin. But anyways, I learned how to cut 2 by 6's with a saw (which was quite scary- at first), and I layed down plywood for the roof. I'm not scared of heights so I was all good. We all climbed a mountain too and that was really fun! It was actually kindof embarassing haha, because on the mountain hike, I was watching my feet (cos that's just something you have to do to make sure you dont roll an ankle or step on a frog) and I hit my head on a tree. Haha, it's funny now, but it was definetly not funny then. I love every single person that went on the trip too! There were 45 students and 15 adults. The mission trip was faith based which made it that much better. :) Looking forward to next year!

License!!!

I got my license two days ago!!!!!! I am so pysched! I never thought it would happen, but it did and now I am an officially legal driver :) First off, I got to leave school early because the latest appointment was at 2 pm. So I chose the noon appointment lol. I was so nervous though, mostly about parallel parking. But it turns out that I do know how to do that haha! I passed easily, I don't even know what I was so worried about. My parents have a car ready for me too, but they just wont give it to me until summer which if you ask me is a little dumb....but oh well. The only down side is that the picture is quite hideous, and I didn't even put on make up that day. So :( Gross. Maybe I'll "accidently" lose it and have to get another one. hehe.