Thursday, January 31, 2008

Here Comes the Prom Queen

So I'm not prom queen yet... but I do plan on crashing the next prom committee meeting! The AP Chem teacher is the sponsor or whatever, so she gave me the details. Gabrielle is quite excited.

B-day pics WILL be coming, but I have a lot of studying & music to do AND sissie wants the computer. So, in a nutshell, snippets from my day:

My trig/analysis teacher, the perfect Southern gentleman, who has the prettiest eyelashes. He's also about fifty or sixty and built like a football player, but he's such a sweetie.

The quiet kid in my Foods & Wellness class who totally popped the entire bag of Nestle chocolate chips when we attempted to make choco chip cookies... like all over the floor.

Lunch! sitting for the first time at an all-junior table and asking the very friendly, crazy girls from AP Chem to tell me who's who. I had a great time.

Journalism Skills: My teacher asks me in front of the whole class if everyone's been nice to me at Maud Lovelace. I say, "Yes, everyone's been very nice." He goes, "Well, if they're not, let us know." I go, "Well, after I beat them up, I'll let you know." Nobody laughs. Puhleez, people, I was wearing a lace shirt. How macho am I? Fortunately he referred me to the head of the Lovelace Mafia-- a freshman who probably weighs about 80 pounds.

More pics and deetz this weekend as I crash and do homework.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Birthday Bash

Revie being shocked at George Washington.
Ashley looking splendid.
Um... someone's hair?
Beautiful Colonial Williamsburg.
The birthday girl. Do you see the papparazzi in the background?
Ashley looking crazy in the bus.
Peanuts!!!


Why was George Washington sculpted shirtless?? that's so weird.

It truly was a sweet sixteen to remember.

The Locker: A List of Accomplishments

1. I rode the bus to school.

2. I got a locker, although I couldn't open it without help from multiple people.

3. I talked with two girls in my Foods & Wellness class about bright spring colors, prom and preventing falls in the kitchen.

3.b. I got a 95 on a quiz in English, about an essay I had just read the night before.

4. I talked to a very nice girl in AP Chem.

5. I entered the cafeteria, bought a Subway sandwich, and walked around trying to see if there was anyone I could potentially sit with. As there was none in sight, I sat down at a table by myself. Three seconds later, a girl who I had neither talked to nor shared classes with-- I had just seen her in AP Chem during break-- asked me to sit with her group of friends.

6. They totally bought my "I-transferred-to-Maud-Lovelace-Because-I-got-caught-smuggling-marijuana" line. Like totally. It was so funny.

7. I had a great time at lunch.

8. Latin was so much fun. I love my Latin class.

9. I was able to open my locker twice without help (and twice with.) Yay!

10. I wore my glasses in two classes.

One step forward... well, I can't go much further backward. So just one step forward, I hope.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Art of Being Schooled, or Letters from Day 1

It wouldn't be a first day if I didn't miss the bus. So of course, in honor of a tradition dating from sophomore year, I missed the bus.

Still, the day wasn't too bad. I woke up about an hour before we left to take care of necessary academic preparations (read: makeup, hair and clothes.) An aide in the guidance department gave me a tour when I got there, and then I trotted off to Journalism Skills. I am also taking AP Chemistry, Foods & Wellness, Honors English 11, Latin IV, Math Analysis/Trig and a study hall. This is the first time I've had study hall in a real school and not in a homeschool co-op and I am looking forward to enjoying it.

Obse--

I had to pause because I accidentally set my microwave s'more to 1 hour and not 20 seconds... i have no idea how this happened. now it is pleasantly smoking up my kitchen and I have to be at harp in half an hour. I love my harp teacher, but I am about as excited as investigating year-old poop about this lesson.

Anyway. Observations about teenagers:

1. They all dress really badly. Like, they all get their clothes from the same faded-color, cheap graphic-tee store and they have NO sense of style. The few that do are all older girls, and the style usually stops at H&M.

2. They love to curse like sailors. Since sailing is a less popular career avenue now, I believe the new correct phrase is "cursing like teenagers." It's so glam to them.

3. They're all crazy and lovable. OK, scrap the lovable. You have to love the joie de vivre of teenagerness, though.

I feel so old there. Like I'm a college student moonlighting as a teen.

Well, as first days go, it's been all right. First days are never really dramatic, and the only reason you could feel like crying/laughing is because you are tired. Like me. I am exhausted and all I want to do is go upstairs and listen to Sara Bareilles and Michael Buble. But I have a fried s'more in the microwave.

Monday, January 28, 2008

No More Full House

Tis the night before I get schooled. Again.

Ever since, I don't know, September or so, my sister and I began a tradition of watching Full House every weekday afternoon. We were both home-schooled, and it gave structure to our afternoons. I have now come to know the inner workings of the Tanner household, as well as learned about Jesse's Elvis obsession and Joey's puerile state of mind. It's not the wittiest show around (House) or most fashion-forward (Project Runway) or amusing (What Not to Wear.) But it's funny, and sweet, and so early 90s.

But now I will miss Full House because I don't get home from school until it's over. This is one of the things I am giving up, along with a fully (or thereabouts) stocked pantry open 24/7, leisure time, and... I can't think of much more. Thus signifying my complete resolution to enter public high school tomorrow.

For the record, to protect my parents from future lawsuits: I confess I am doing this of my own free will.

The month of January has been extraordinary. I have lazed about and done a lot of writing and worked in my dad's office and listened to music and practiced music and gone to Florida and had a birthday party and SHOPPED. Thanks to Christmas presents, gifts from my grandparents and a gift card from my parents, I have officially been shopped out. I have completely re-vamped my wardrobe from The Semester of Purgatory (official title). I have absolutely divine clothing. I don't think I can spend another cent on clothes, shoes, purses or jewelry without cringing.

So. Am I ready for school? Not exactly. I have pencils to sharpen, binders to find, backpacks to pick, paper to stuff, lunch to prepare, outfit to lay out, class schedule to confirm... but at least I know I'll look good.

Some things, like friends and school, are worth sacrificing for, as long as you're wearing the right pair of shoes.

The Origin of Maud Lovelace, and Other Literary Allusions

The reason I chose the title of Maud Lovelace for my public high school can be easily explained. Lovelace was the author of the infamous Betsy-Tacey-Tib series, set at the turn of the century set in the Pacific Northwest-ish area. I have read Betsy and Joe, the book about the trio in their senior year of high school, about twenty times. No joke. My copy defines the word "dog-eared."

I love the story of such a typical Americana high school experience. I love Betsy and Joe. I love Maud Lovelace. Thus the title for my school.

I was thinking about how so many YA books and movies are written about kids who start a new school in the first chapter. Here is a list of what I can think of; add on any that I've missed.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Private by Kate Brian
Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian
The Queen Geek Social Club by Laura Preble (Becca, although she doesn't start until like chapter 3)
10 Things I Hate About You ... I miss you, Heath Ledger.
Mean Girls (don't worry, I get the similarities)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian that won this year's National Book Award. I haven't read it yet, but I think it's about this.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Still Alive, Attempting to Avoid Thought of School

Contrary to popular belief, I have not disappeared but rather have been under the avalanche of a Sweet Sixteen birthday bash (my own) and preparations for Tuesday, my first day of school. B-day pics will be coming, but for right now I can just say I had an excellent time.

Right now, all the stuff I have to do is:

Write the article for my e-zine this week
Chores... child abuse, i tell ya.
Start a book (yup, I'm putting the last one on hold.)
Listen (again) to a CD my friends burned me

Okay, okay, not the toughest life around. Tomororw is crazy however, with work, me getting my first pair of glasses (official geekification), a lunch party at home and a piano lesson later. I have been working on this Bach Fantasia like crazy, hope it will show.

May I say that my new loves in life are Michael Buble and Sara Bareilles? Google the lyrics to her "Fairytale" and listen to her "Gravity," as well as buying Buble's "Everything," "Sway," and basically every single song he has ever sung.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Getting Schooled in Florida: Day 6 Photos



Funny looking boat.


Bird Isle.
Mom Mom's pole.


My feet!

Look at all the birds!!



Look at that water!!!


Boats, boats...


Boat being taken out of water by giant crane!!!







Again, reminds me of the AT&T commercial.

Getting Schooled in Florida: Day 6

Yesterday, in Day 6 of my Floridan adventure, was a gorgeous day. Mom Mom and I picked up magazines for my flight travel (Seventeen and Elle now) as well as stopping by Stein Mart. I grabbed a beautiful vinyl plastic BRIGHT YELLOW aviator jacket (loads of adjectives) combining money from Mom Mom & Pop Pop's birthday gift and part of Nana & Grandee's school clothes gift. Talk about a grandparental collaboration!

After lunch at the club (magnificent quesadillas and cookies) we went fishing! We took the boat for a grand two hours and it was sublime. I got lots and lots of photos which I will present in a moment. I even tanned a bit, which is saying something. It was really wonderful.

I watched another Miss Marple but an old one this time, not the one with Helen Hayes. Then Mom Mom cooked shrimp alfredo fettucini (fabulous) and she and I watched the Masterpiece Theatre rendition of Northanger Abbey which was much better than the old one.

This morning, we went surf fishing! That's when you fish off the beach. I don't have any photos, but it was really fun because it's pretty today. I learned how to throw the line out (casting that has nothing to do with drama) and right at the end I caught a small bass. It was lovely, but not eatable so it got to live another day and I got a nice feeling out of it.

I have had a really amazing time in Florida. More reflections and all later, but for now, pray for safe travel and that my culture shock back into Sayers won't be too bad!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Getting Schooled in Florida: In Pictures

Mom Mom and I took the Starbucks road to breakfast while driving to the outlet malls. YAY!
A look at a beeyoutafull Liz Claibourne bag I got for like $15, and a short look at an Ann Taylor wrap blouse.
Yes, I got NINE WEST SHOES. TWO OF THEM. FOR A RIDICULOUSLY LOW AMOUNT OF MONEY.
The full entourage of what we got (of course, Mom Mom found a lot of stuff for herself, too.)
The Ann Taylor blouses. Bella!
The pig in my grandparents' condo. I always think she's real. Maybe she comes alive at night.
Example of beautiful day.
Example 2 of beautiful day.
Driving to the outlet mall, scenic Florida.

Palm trees by night, after a dinner of grilled mahi-mahi (which PopPop told me is really dolphin, but restaurant people don't want guests thinking they're eating Flipper or porpoise, so they call it mahi-mahi) and shrimp and sweet potato fries, and one fabulous viewing of 27 Dresses. I LOVED that movie.
More palm trees by night, before watching Vanity Fair and First Daughter.
One last look at Palm Trees by Night.
The two Liz Claibourne purses. I freak every time I see them they are so pretty. My Nana (British grandmother) gave me some money for school clothes, most of which I spent in Sayers on some fab pieces of clothing (piccies to come later when I figure out Mom's camera.)
The three pairs of shoes I bought (two of them Nine West.) The peeps are pretty nifty too.


Monday, January 21, 2008

Normalcy... Overrated?

This vacation has been sublime to say the least. It's so relaxing for this overachiever to chill out and worry about what's on on TV instead of what editor is going to get back to me and whether my chemistry teacher is going to give me a C. I've had time to sit back and think about what I'm doing, how I've done stuff...

I have accomplished so much already in my life. I have a great publishing resume, I have a 3.9 GPA, great extracurrics, yada yada. Yet when I remember the greatest memories of this year, and my high school career, they are...

Two homecomings and one Sadie Hawkins
Seeing Marie Antoinette and Eragon (two awful movies)
Vacations
Getting in Maria Schneider's blogroll
Doing Destination Imagination with my school
My BFFs birthday parties

With the exception of the WD thing, every one of those has taken place with my friends and my family doing "normal" teenage things. They are fantastic experiences, I could never tell you how much they meant and how good they were.

Yet I continually drive myself insane with pressure to write this and that, to finish my book (which I had due today), to get into certain schools, etc. The success is nice but it has not made me as happy as the other things have. What does that tell you?

It tells me that my object for the next eighteen months in high school, my last eighteen months in high school unless I flunk out (...?...) that my focus will not be the 4.0, will not be the publishing, will not be the success. I want-- I need--the focus to be on making friends, writing as a joy and not an obligation like it is now, on going to parties, on doing crazy things, and not rushing life. Florida is beautiful, there are no deadlines.

Normalcy? maybe my own version.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Getting Schooled in Florida: Part Three

Lesson Objectives: Continue in religious studies, do new homework in "Reconnecting Old Relationships," experience fine cuisine and self-control (or lack thereof) in Healthy Eating Habits, continue cinematic studies with focus on book-to-film movies, connect history and culture in a Broadway (or off Broadway) performance, finish with anthropologic study of warrior sports.

I love sounding educated.

In Day Four of my Florida adventures, Mom Mom and I went to a local church where an old friend works. Typical guy, he forgot that I was coming and so was therefore shocked when I showed up. Good to exchange hellos and see how he's doing in sunny Florida... or not so sunny Florida. The weather decided to be stupid again. Unfortunately, my camera battery was not working so I have no pics of today.

After church, we went over to the country club for an absolutely divine brunch. I have never had better waffles in my life, and also Eggs Benedict and chocolate mousse and bacon and sausage and veggies and shrimp & cocktail sauce and... sigh. I did not hold back.

We came home and I was so tired I threw myself upon the mercies of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, the "Murder and Mirrors" episode which I haven't finished yet, because we went go to see a local production of a Broadway twenties musical. It was adorable and the dancing was absolutely fantastic (Charleston mania!) and although their accents sucked, everything else was fun. My grandmother and I laughed because just about everyone else in the theater had white hair. You know you are in Retirement Land then.

After experiencing the whirlwind of dances and costumes a la House of Eliot, we came home to join Pop Pop in watching the New England vs. San Diego game. It's a night of football, along with stuffed pork chops and lima beans and Cappuncino Chocolate Crunch fat free ice cream.

It's sort of a tradition that when I'm in Florida, I report on the food.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Getting Schooled in Florida: Day 3 Photos

Well, after another wonderful day full of clicking and snapping of photos, I have to share them. Commentary provided below. Although... I think neither words nor pictures can capture the curious beauty of Florida, at least to me.

This is my hand, in case you are wondering.
More bridge snaps (See below.)
Isn't it gorgeous? The sun setting over the palm trees... I couldn't resist.
One sunglassed schoolgirl from diverse backgrounds. Hair *is* better today.
The beautiful beach near us.
Here are my feet again! and they match my flip-flops!





Terrible place to come with $$.
The guy making ribs. They were really good, too.
Peace and palm trees.
We didn't see the gyros till after lunch, but oh well! The cheeseburgs were fab.
While traffic stopped on a bridge, I took a few snaps of the water and surrounding islands. Reminds me of Robinson Crusoe.


This is my highly educational pool reading. In reality, the blue book is a lot more intelligent than it sounds and the pink book is absolutely amazing. Only recommend it for 15+ though.
The view from the farmer's market. Sigh.
More Farmer's Market!
Captain Grouchy, reporting for patrol, sir, squawk!
These are what the tents in the farmer's place looked like.