School Bells Ring...

A LIST OF NUMBERS:

2 AP Chem assignments I'm proscratinating till tomorrow
3 writing contests with deadlines in the next two or three weeks I haven't started on
1 writing assignment that must go out
1 semi-edible lunch to pack
3-5 colleges left to visit
2 full months of school until we're out for the summer
95 grade I'm hoping-against-hope-almost for on my Latin test
18.8% of applicants accepted at Duke University
9.5 hours of sleep I hope to get tonight
TOO MANY classes of Driver's Ed to suffer through

And, in spite of the math, I'm very happy to go to school tomorrow.

The Fabulously Glamorous Reentry to Sayers

Around 2:30 Thursday morning, the day of our departure from Disney World, I began feeling queasy. By 3:30, I began the re-viewing of my past meals. I have not thrown up in years-- I mean years and years and years. I have now crossed out bulimia as an acceptable dieting option. Anorexia, however, was looking pretty enjoyable as I crawled-- I mean, crawled on my butt literally through security at Orlando International Airport. I was afraid I was going to pass out and then throw up on the person in front of me. It was pretty much hell.

However, I didn't eat ANYTHING yesterday (a sip of ginger ale was all) in the midst of our long trip from Orlando to Sayers. We finally got home in the mid-afternoon and I went promptly to bed, and woke up at 7:30 this morning.

I think it was either the kalamari I had for dinner (squid; great, but will not be trying again) or the off-tasting brownie I had at Goofy's Candy Shop. Even at that steep price to pay, however expensive, Disney World is worth it. I have photos up at innovativeteen.blogspot.com and will have more up here, later.

Keep Hooooolding Onnnnn

Also known as a rather annoying/semi-good Avril Lavigne song, also known as the motto of my week. I have been extraordinarily busy this week, stressed out and CRAZY so thank GOD it's Spring Break next week. I have to make Roman food tonight, perform a scene from Hamlet to conclude my Shakespeare test, and study for an AP Chem re-test that unless I ace I will fail Chemistry forever. Of course, my locker completely jammed so I missed the bus this afternoon and spent fifteen/twenty minutes asking people to help un-jam it.

Still, I will take my cue from dark-lined Avril and keeeeep.... holllldinnnngggg.... onnn...

Blog Updated

Few of you know the blog I have for my European travels, www.girlmeetseurope.blogspot.com, but I've just updated it with the goal of doing so more often. Revie, Madeline and I are giving ourselves a graduation present of going to Europe in 2009. If you're at all interested in how we handle logistics, money, and eventually handle ourselves in FOREIGN COUNTRIES, check it out.

How Life Has Changed

This is the fifty-first post of You Got Schooled! and I have been for a total of two months next week. Thinking of this as a kind of anniversary, here's a list of how my life has changed by attending (GASP!) public school, in no particular order.

1. I'm happier. I can honestly say that. Excusing a bad hair day or a bunch of C quizzes, I am happy every day.
2. I have structure for five days a week, and then none whatsoever for the weekend. Works out fine for me.
3. I no longer have a long commute to my place of education. I LOVE this. I LOVE walking home from school on a beautiful day.
4. I have less free time but, refuting an original worry, I still have time to read blogs, write articles, get published and do music. This might change if I get a second job.
5. I've made friends for the first time in Sayers. It's ridiculous how fast people were friendly, which is a testament to prayer and to the coolness of Maud Lovelace kids.
6. I've realized how I hate overachieverism. Especially now as I hang out with all the math/science geniuses, I see how they all stress about grades (okay, not ALL that much.)
7. I'm SO much more chill! To translate for the geriatrics: I'm much calmer and less likely to pounce on people or burst into tears. I have cried so much less, it's unbelievable. My tear ducts don't know me.
8. And as a carryover, I'm at peace with myself. Most of the time. The inner Gabrielles have an occasional battle.

My friends have even noticed the change in my voice on the phone. "Gabby, I hate you! Your life is too cool!" Yes, yes it is. I have been given so much: in happiness, in clothing (which is happiness), in circumstance. If it were less, it would be payback, but it's not. It's a gift and I thank God for it.

Scones for School

I'm baking scones tonight, as I have two parties in classes tomorrow. One is for Foods & Wellness, where we are celebrating our International Foods project. I did England (go figure.) And then in English, we are concluding The Great Gatsby by throwing a 1920s party and I am bringing even more scones to that as well. My family is grumbling because it's a great recipe and I'm only giving them a few scones. So goes life.

It's so weird to think we're finishing Gatsby. Not because it's super special (although it's a fantastic novel). It's just an iconic book for eleventh grade, the way you read Macbeth senior year. I'm nearing the end of my junior year of high school. Bizarre.

Ode to Teacher, Part Two

Dr. Klimpson

My Latin teacher for this year. He is one of the best teachers I've ever had. I mean this is the strict sense of the word: he is organized, he assigns regular and the right amount of homework, he communicates very well, he laughs with us without getting buddy-buddy, and the students respect him. And he loves Latin without it being annoying.

I've had one-two-three-four-five Latin teachers now, but Dr. K probably takes the prize-- maybe. I've done Latin in various uncoventional settings.

ACH! It's late and I still have so much to do! Well, Dr. Klimpson is an excellent teacher and one I'm very proud to be taught by. Except when I get 77s on his tests.