Graduation/Summer Plans

Graduation is in two weeks time, which feels sort of bittersweet. I have known a lot of the grade since 4th grade, so growing up with them has made me feel close to them, in a sense. We saw each other through all of our awkward middle school phases, including braces, acne, greasy hair, and mood swings (which some people never grew out of). Now, seeing everyone "becoming adults" feels super strange, as our conversations switched from "did you see her new shoes" to "what is your major?" The gravity of graduation is starting to feel real, because I am slowly realizing that after high school, I am not socially obligated to continue contacting the people in my class. I will not be forced to sit in classrooms with them for hours on end, which is negative and positive; negative because I will miss seeing everyone interact and watching people grow and find themselves, but positive because, frankly, there are some people I would prefer to not have to be around. 

Aside from the heavy, emotional parts of graduation, I am SUPER excited. I feel like finally I get to experience a reward for all of my hard work in school. I get to move on from the confinements of the hallways where I was taught the basics of how to survive in the "real-world." I get to explore a new campus and a new area, finally studying the exact discipline I am interested instead of spending time learning about who started which war and when. I get to make my own decisions constantly, no longer having to request permission to use the bathroom and waking up at 6 am to catch a bus. 

I think the actual graduation ceremony itself will be really amazing. Our school has put so much time and effort into the planning of the event, so I anticipate it running really smoothly. I imagine there will be a lot of tears shed, by both teachers and students alike, as the teachers have watched us grow as individuals just as much as our peers did. The Bob Carpenter Center is also really nice, with plenty of seating and space for everyone to fit comfortably. We should be able to get really good pictures outside, too, because of all of the greenery. After graduation, I am going out to lunch with my family, but I have yet to decide where. My graduation gift is spending a week at the beach with my friends, which should be a really fun and relaxing way to say goodbye to high school and hello to summer!

After going to the beach, I start working at my summer job at the YMCA camp! I can't wait! Although it's a temporary full time job (40 hour weeks), I love being around kids and outside. I would much rather be outdoors with energetic campers than inside a store with fluorescent lighting folding shirts and bothering costumers who have no interest speaking to me! I have a feeling I will be exhausted from working that much, but the money is so worth it! Happy summer! :)

Prom

Our Newark Charter School prom is on Friday, April 28th. I am super super excited for this year's prom! It is after spring break, which is really convenient, because it gives me downtime to get the rest of my supplies for prom. I still need jewelry and shoes, and I have to practice my hair and makeup for the big day. I already have my dress. It is a bluish-green, sparkly lace on the top and white on the bottom. The top and the bottom are split by a line of beautiful shiny jewels. I love the dress because it is super flowy, which is completely different from my last year's dress. Last year, I had a navy blue lace dress. It was actually a short dress, but the lace details were long. My hair was up and curled, so this year, I am going to have my hair down. Luckily, my dress has a super boring back, so I don't have to worry about showing it off!
Austin asked me to prom with a poster that said "prom would be picture-perfect with you." The poster had pictures of us around the border, including ones from 3 years ago when we started dating (I still had braces haha). Of course, I said yes! He brought me Wawa coffee and a breakfast sandwich, as well, so I was especially eager to say yes.
I went with him yesterday to pick out his tux. We were going to go with possibly navy this year, but because of my dress color, we went with a dark gray. His pants, jacket, and vest are all dark gray, but his tie is the color of the top of my dress. We got a really cool tie! It is an ombre tie, so it has a lot of different colors. I wanted us to look very "springy," and the tie really helps with that goal.
He HATES the picture part of prom. We go to White Clay's Judge Morrison Estate (or something like that), and it is absolutely gorgeous. He just hates that we take pictures for a few hours. Plus, his mom can be really annoying about pictures, which just makes him grumpy. By the time the picture session is over, he's usually really irritable, as he gets super hungry and exhausted.
Last year, prom was at the same place it is this year (it is going to be at Deerfield, and the table set up is pictured below). It is SO NICE. There was a drink bar where we could get whatever drink we wanted. There were also amazing desserts and coffee. The main entree was good, but not particularly memorable. My only complaint about last year was that my ears hurt from the music... it was so loud.

This year, Austin and I were nominated for prom King and Queen. Our friends, Hanna and Ryan, were also nominated. They always joke about how they want Austin and I to break up for like 2 minutes so they can officially be the longest-dating couple at the school. They are really great friends, and we are sitting with them during dinner at prom. I am really looking forward to prom because of them and because of my dress, Austin's tux, and dinner!!!!!! :)

HOSA

I went to the HOSA competition on Wednesday. I was competing in the event "Job Seeking Skills," which required me to write a cover letter and resume. Upon going to the competition, I had to fill out a job application and go to a five minute interview. The judges were super super nice, and the time limit really was not an issue at all. I ended up getting 2nd place, which I think is pretty darn good for this being my first and only year competing in this event.

Philly Scavenger Hunt

This weekend I am going to do a scavenger hunt in Philly with my brother. It's called the Big Hunt, and basically you use an app that gives you clues, and you have to walk to the certain destinations to get the next hint. They say you have 2 hours, but the whole point is to do it as quickly as possible. I am kind of nervous that I won't be that good at it, but my brother tends to be good at that stuff.

My 18TH BIRTHDAY

This weekend I am celebrating my birthday by going out to eat and possibly going to the mall. My real birthday is Tuesday, March 21!! I am seeing Bill Nye that day with my entire family and I am so excited!

Science Olympiad Update

I ended up getting 3rd in Disease Detectives, 6th in Dynamic Planet, and 7th in Experimental Design. There were about 40 teams there, so I was really shocked when I received the awards. We got the medals at the award ceremony, but the judges weren't finished with dynamic planet, so I had to go home not knowing if I placed in the top ten or not. I was really excited when I found out, and they sent the medal to the school. Overall, my last ever science olympiad was a success.

Science Olympiad

Tomorrow is the Science Olympiad competition. I am doing disease detectives, dynamic planet, experimental design, and invasive species, so I have a lot going on tomorrow! I am also driving down with my friend and getting breakfast, because we want to get into the right mindset. I am doing 3/4 events with her, so the day should be fun. The only downside about the competition is that there is a lot of time where we just wait around doing nothing, which can get really boring really quickly. Also, the competition takes the entire day, but because it's my last one, I am going to try to enjoy it!

Drama

Save the drama for your mama.
-Sophia Hannah

I would really like to analyze this quote, because it really deeply resonates with me. I have the most drama-filled life known to man, and I tell all of it to my mama. Like literally the other day I was walking and had to stop because someone walked in front of me. How rude. Drama. You guessed it, I told my mama.

Job Interview

I applied for a job at the YMCA summer camp, and I recently heard back. I had to set up a time for an interview, which was quite scary! I have my first ever job interview next Tuesday immediately after school, and I am terrified. I am not exactly sure what to wear or what to say, and I saw that many many other people applied, so I have a lot of competition. I really want the job because I love children, and I want a full-time summer job to help me pay for college.

Mock Trial

The mock trial competition is coming up really soon, and I am nervous about how it is going to go. I think the team is prepared and very talented, but as it is my last year, I would really like to get top ten. Because I started in freshman year, getting in the top ten at the competition would be a huge accomplishment, but the team's placing really depends on who we compete against and what kind of judges we have. Hopefully, we will go in confident and well-prepared to beat the other teams!

Skiing

I am going skiing really soon while it is still winter time. I have gone before, but it has been years. I am sort of nervous, because I hear about a lot of injuries people get from skiing, so I am planning on going really slowly. I also hate being cold, but hopefully if i layer up I'll be fine! Wish me luck!

The Things They Carried

The new book we are currently reading in E110 is amazing. I love the style of writing and the stories being told to prove deeper meanings. For example, when Jimmy Cross digs the hole, and when O'Brien describes how the men had to take turns going into holes to check for people. Such examples really make the writing really interesting and convey deeper meanings for the reader to understand. I also really LOVE the fourth chapter and the descriptions of the lodge and the boat. That has to be my favorite part thus far, because the rocky boat and the water are great analogies for how some decisions can feel.

End of the Marking Period

The end of the marking period has to be the most stressful time in the school year. Every teacher rushes to get grades in, attempting to meet the required number of grades per marking period. However, this causes chaos for students, who have to handle projects, tests, essays, etc on top of normal homework assignments. Also, after the marking period is finally over, the new one begins, which can be equally as daunting. If you mess up your grades in the beginning, it becomes more difficult to keep high grades later on when there are a million things assigned at once! But alas, graduation is right around the corner, so I can handle a few extra assignments in exchange for freedom.

College Acceptance

I have recently gotten accepted into Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. I have already submitted my reply saying I will attend, and I am veryyyyy very excited about it! It was my dream school, so I applied early decision this year, and luckily, I got in. I think the best part of this, aside from the fact that it is an amazing school, is that I do not have to wait for my acceptance/rejection letter like my friends do. They are really nervous about hearing back from colleges, but the nerve-racking and anxiety-filled waiting session is completed, and happiness ensued. :)