Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
A Short Post Before A Long Weekend
Hello folks, how are you this fine Friday?
As I'm sure you all know, this is The Matta Connection's 50th post! Well, maybe you didn't know...but it is! And for this special occasion, I will let you know that this particular post is very special. I am blogging for the first time at school!
Now don't get your knickers in a twist, I am not being a bad child. I am currently in journalism class, and since it is the Friday before the quarter ends, there is virtually nothing for us to do. And think about it...I'm in a computer lab...in journalism class...with Internet access...what ELSE would I be doing??
Anyway, this weekend will be a four-day weekend (that is much deserved, may I say) and I will be LIVING IT UP by sitting on my tushy and eating popcorn and watching late Halloween movies. But first, French Club tonight and last football game of the season. That's right y'all. I'm a true high schooler now.
PLEASE TAKE ME BACK TO ELEMENTARY!!!!!!
Love,
Danielle
As I'm sure you all know, this is The Matta Connection's 50th post! Well, maybe you didn't know...but it is! And for this special occasion, I will let you know that this particular post is very special. I am blogging for the first time at school!
Now don't get your knickers in a twist, I am not being a bad child. I am currently in journalism class, and since it is the Friday before the quarter ends, there is virtually nothing for us to do. And think about it...I'm in a computer lab...in journalism class...with Internet access...what ELSE would I be doing??
Anyway, this weekend will be a four-day weekend (that is much deserved, may I say) and I will be LIVING IT UP by sitting on my tushy and eating popcorn and watching late Halloween movies. But first, French Club tonight and last football game of the season. That's right y'all. I'm a true high schooler now.
PLEASE TAKE ME BACK TO ELEMENTARY!!!!!!
Love,
Danielle
Friday, October 21, 2011
Rock-a-Bye Wrestling Team, On the Tree Top...
Hello everyone!
I actually have two very crucial things to mention in this post today. And when I say crucial, I mean LIFE or DEATH crucial. I mean crucial-to-your-SURVIVAL-crucial.
An amazing thing happened today. It was a miracle sent from God. Just wait for it...it's coming...
BUT first, I have a question for you.
When was the last time you had nap time at your work or school?
Ah ah ah, don't look at me like that. Just answer the question.
That's what I thought.
Well guess what suckers?
I. Had. Nap. Time. Today.
Yes, that's right. I, 9th grader, 14 year old extraordinaire...was told to lie down, and close my eyes, and relax.
And the most amazing part: It was during P. Freaking. E.
The ironic part: It was punishment for my class who wasn't following directions while we were playing soccer.
So instead of making us do push-ups...or laps...or any number of torturous physical activities...My P.E teacher told us all to go to the mat room, lectured us...and then laid down the law.
Well, we laid down, anyway.
The lights were off...everyone was quiet...I was 5 years old again and not sweating and gross and lying down where I'm sure a hundred sweaty and gross males have laid before me while wrestling...
It was the best punishment ever.
Well, now that I've made you all jealous, I can tell you the really crucial thing that happened today...
My pants ripped.
Huh. Not as an amazing of a statement as I thought it would be. Well, never mind then, this post isn't crucial at all!
Love,
Danielle
I actually have two very crucial things to mention in this post today. And when I say crucial, I mean LIFE or DEATH crucial. I mean crucial-to-your-SURVIVAL-crucial.
An amazing thing happened today. It was a miracle sent from God. Just wait for it...it's coming...
BUT first, I have a question for you.
When was the last time you had nap time at your work or school?
Ah ah ah, don't look at me like that. Just answer the question.
That's what I thought.
Well guess what suckers?
I. Had. Nap. Time. Today.
Yes, that's right. I, 9th grader, 14 year old extraordinaire...was told to lie down, and close my eyes, and relax.
And the most amazing part: It was during P. Freaking. E.
The ironic part: It was punishment for my class who wasn't following directions while we were playing soccer.
So instead of making us do push-ups...or laps...or any number of torturous physical activities...My P.E teacher told us all to go to the mat room, lectured us...and then laid down the law.
Well, we laid down, anyway.
The lights were off...everyone was quiet...I was 5 years old again and not sweating and gross and lying down where I'm sure a hundred sweaty and gross males have laid before me while wrestling...
It was the best punishment ever.
Well, now that I've made you all jealous, I can tell you the really crucial thing that happened today...
My pants ripped.
Huh. Not as an amazing of a statement as I thought it would be. Well, never mind then, this post isn't crucial at all!
Love,
Danielle
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Rain, Rain, Go Away, Please Don't Ruin My Homecoming Day
If you're wondering about the title, it's not that hard to figure out.
It never stops raining here. And tomorrow and Saturday are two very important days that I do NOT wish to be rained on. What is tomorrow and Saturday you ask?
HOMECOMING!!! Well, tomorrow is the Homecoming parade and football game, and then Saturday is the dance. I am very excited people!
But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you guys what kind of week I've had. There are been good parts...and predominately bad parts. Most of the bad parts are due to one little acronym that some of you may recognize...
PSAT's. Preliminary SAT. (For those who do not know what the SAT is, it's pretty much the equivalent of the IB's. Or maybe the IGSCE's. I think. Anyway, let's just say its a major test that everyone must take to graduate and get into a good college.)
So the PSAT is the practice version of the real deal. You have the option to take the PSAT every year in high school until you actually do have to take the SAT. You could study for it if you wanted to, but it's not like there is a study guide or anything. It is mainly a critical thinking analysis, with English and math sections. There were five sections, each with about 25 questions, the last one with 30. For each section, we get 25 minutes and 30 minutes for the last one. So yes, the test lasted 3 hours, including 2 breaks.
Let me just tell y'all. It was a form of torture. It wasn't that it was so hard. I mean, don't get me wrong, there were some questions I couldn't even begin to answer because of the fact that I didn't know what ANY of the answer choices MEANT. And I'm a pretty vocabulary-savvy kind of girl. But overall, the test wasn't too hard.
The reason it was torture, is because of the time limit. If any of you remember, I had the same sort of problem with the TJ test last year. The time limit always kills me. Because I know for a fact that I would have been able to put down a couple more answers than I did, if I wasn't rushing like a mad woman through the questions. I mean, think about it! 25 minutes for 25 questions...that's a minute per question, and in the English sections (there were 3) they had HUGE passages that we had to read first before we answered anything! It must have taken 5 minutes at LEAST to read the passages and comprehend them, and good luck trying to make up for lost time when it came to speedily answering questions...because that was nearly impossible as well. I have never taken a test before where some of the answer choices are so similar to one another. This was pure. brain. torture.
Anyway, that was on Wednesday. On Tuesday, another exciting event happened. Well, two actually.
Let's just say that you know something is wrong when you walk into your school after a holiday and all the lights are off.
Raccoons. Raccoons are the reason our power was out, not only in the school, but also in some houses throughout my town. That was DEFINITELY an interesting morning.
And then a little later in the day, my school attempted to have a fun activity where if you paid a dollar, you could attend a thing called the Flex Games, where everyone piled into the gymnasium and watched students, staff and parents fight to the death. Or compete in relay games, however you want to look at it.
Anyway, during one particularly exciting game, called Human Bowling (where flat scooters are placed underneath big blue mats, and a person lies on the mat and the rest of the team shoves them across the gym and tries to knock over as many bowling pins set up there as they can.) a teacher, ACTUALLY PASSED OUT. Yes, that's right. During our stupid, stupid Flex Games, that barely anyone was watching or taking seriously, a teacher was pushed across the gym on her mat...and crashed right into the wall. The funny thing is, she crashed into the part where padding is placed on the wall...but nonetheless, she knocked her head against the padding and freaking blacked out!
Also an interesting afternoon.
Anyway, despite the exciting and not so exciting events of this week, tomorrow is sure to be fun. I will be in the parade with my other fellow French Club Students (who have been busily creating a SUPER AWESOME FANTASTIC banner that we will hold up...can I say that I was the mastermind? I think I can.) and then after, we will all trudge out to the football stadium to watch us some good ol' American football, and possibly get rained on. BUT HEY. ITS ALL OR NOTHING WITH HOMECOMING, AM I RIGHT?
Except if our banner gets rained on. Then there will be heads rolling.
Love,
Danielle
It never stops raining here. And tomorrow and Saturday are two very important days that I do NOT wish to be rained on. What is tomorrow and Saturday you ask?
HOMECOMING!!! Well, tomorrow is the Homecoming parade and football game, and then Saturday is the dance. I am very excited people!
But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you guys what kind of week I've had. There are been good parts...and predominately bad parts. Most of the bad parts are due to one little acronym that some of you may recognize...
PSAT's. Preliminary SAT. (For those who do not know what the SAT is, it's pretty much the equivalent of the IB's. Or maybe the IGSCE's. I think. Anyway, let's just say its a major test that everyone must take to graduate and get into a good college.)
So the PSAT is the practice version of the real deal. You have the option to take the PSAT every year in high school until you actually do have to take the SAT. You could study for it if you wanted to, but it's not like there is a study guide or anything. It is mainly a critical thinking analysis, with English and math sections. There were five sections, each with about 25 questions, the last one with 30. For each section, we get 25 minutes and 30 minutes for the last one. So yes, the test lasted 3 hours, including 2 breaks.
Let me just tell y'all. It was a form of torture. It wasn't that it was so hard. I mean, don't get me wrong, there were some questions I couldn't even begin to answer because of the fact that I didn't know what ANY of the answer choices MEANT. And I'm a pretty vocabulary-savvy kind of girl. But overall, the test wasn't too hard.
The reason it was torture, is because of the time limit. If any of you remember, I had the same sort of problem with the TJ test last year. The time limit always kills me. Because I know for a fact that I would have been able to put down a couple more answers than I did, if I wasn't rushing like a mad woman through the questions. I mean, think about it! 25 minutes for 25 questions...that's a minute per question, and in the English sections (there were 3) they had HUGE passages that we had to read first before we answered anything! It must have taken 5 minutes at LEAST to read the passages and comprehend them, and good luck trying to make up for lost time when it came to speedily answering questions...because that was nearly impossible as well. I have never taken a test before where some of the answer choices are so similar to one another. This was pure. brain. torture.
Anyway, that was on Wednesday. On Tuesday, another exciting event happened. Well, two actually.
Let's just say that you know something is wrong when you walk into your school after a holiday and all the lights are off.
Raccoons. Raccoons are the reason our power was out, not only in the school, but also in some houses throughout my town. That was DEFINITELY an interesting morning.
And then a little later in the day, my school attempted to have a fun activity where if you paid a dollar, you could attend a thing called the Flex Games, where everyone piled into the gymnasium and watched students, staff and parents fight to the death. Or compete in relay games, however you want to look at it.
Anyway, during one particularly exciting game, called Human Bowling (where flat scooters are placed underneath big blue mats, and a person lies on the mat and the rest of the team shoves them across the gym and tries to knock over as many bowling pins set up there as they can.) a teacher, ACTUALLY PASSED OUT. Yes, that's right. During our stupid, stupid Flex Games, that barely anyone was watching or taking seriously, a teacher was pushed across the gym on her mat...and crashed right into the wall. The funny thing is, she crashed into the part where padding is placed on the wall...but nonetheless, she knocked her head against the padding and freaking blacked out!
Also an interesting afternoon.
Anyway, despite the exciting and not so exciting events of this week, tomorrow is sure to be fun. I will be in the parade with my other fellow French Club Students (who have been busily creating a SUPER AWESOME FANTASTIC banner that we will hold up...can I say that I was the mastermind? I think I can.) and then after, we will all trudge out to the football stadium to watch us some good ol' American football, and possibly get rained on. BUT HEY. ITS ALL OR NOTHING WITH HOMECOMING, AM I RIGHT?
Except if our banner gets rained on. Then there will be heads rolling.
Love,
Danielle
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Science Research Project: The Cause of My Doom
Helloo family! How is September treating you? What about the weather? Good?
Not for us.
It's been rainging for two weeks straight.
Thanks, Mother Nature.
Other than that, things have been good in the Matta home. Life goes on as usual, eat, sleep, work, eat again, you know the drill...
But there have been and will be a few events that are worth the mention, so let me catch you up...
Nick and I have been going to school for 4 weeks. Which have literally felt like 5 years. I have never been so stressed out in my LIFE.
A main cause of my stress is due to a little thing called SRP, a.k.a, Science Research Project.
I haven't told you all about this little assignment yet because it is has caused so much inner trauma in me that I wouldn't have been able to even explain it, even though I have been working on this for 3 months.
But school just started, you say. Well yes. And no.
Last year, when we were given the sheet to choose our classes for 9th grade, we had 3 options for science. Earth Science Academic, Earth Science Honors, and Biology. Both Earth Science classes are for 9th graders, and even though Biology is offered to 9th grade students, it technically is a 10 grade class. Another thing about taking Biology, is that the big science research project that every student must complete by 10th grade, has to be completed in one year instead of two. So for example, if I take Earth Science Honors, then I would work on my science project all of 9th grade, and then half of 10th grade. If I take Earth Science Academic, then I am not required to do the project.
But if you choose Biology as a 9th grader, then you must complete the project in 9th grade, period.
Don't be fooled...this is not your average, 'pick-a-topic-and-write-an-essay-about-it' research project. This is an actual experimentation research project, where you have to create a hypothesis, create the experiment, collect the data, write several papers on it, and then present your project at a big-deal science fair and get judged by actual looney-tunes scientists. This is no poster-board, last-minute thing. This is a MAJOR project.
And since I am taking Biology, that means I skipped the 9th grade course, where you do 8 assignments for the project, and the rest is finished in Biology. So I had do complete those 8 assignments over the summer, on my own. There were due dates and limited email communication with some of the teachers. And there was stress. A whole lot of stress.
But now that school has started, the due dates are still continuing. The project won't be finished until Feburaray or April or something, so there is still a lot of work to be done.
That, on top of all the other crazy school work I have to complete.
So yes folks. School has officially started.
How many days until summer again?
On the bright side, on Friday I went to my high school's football game for the first time as a Freshman. I went with one of my friends, and met up with some of my other friends there. It was a LOT of fun. I mean, if you know anything about me, you know that I have no interest for sports, let alone football, at all, but it's different when you go with friends and you're seeing a bunch of kids you know, and you have friends in the band and know people on the team, and then your freaking high school WINS against the school that is a major competitor.
I'm telling ya, the reason they won was because of me. I mean, duh. I INSPIRE people. I'm sure the team was all like, "Grunt-Grunt Grunt-Grunt-OH HEY LOOK ITS THAT AWESOME GIRL DANIELLE!" "Grunt?" "YEAH YOU'RE RIGHT, WE SHOULD TOTALLY WIN OR SOMETHING!"
What can I say? I just have that affect on people.
Also, the Homecoming dance is coming up soon, in October. Yesterday we went to the Tysons mall to do some shopping and also to look for a dress, which I did find! But I'm still stuck between two, so I'll let you know what I decide since you all obviously care so much. And just because I know one of you will ask or wonder, I am going to Homecoming with FRIENDS. As much as the football players adore me, this bird is flying solo. You know, the lone wolf. Me, myself and I. Going stag. The solitary seahorse. Individual Iguanas. The Unaccompanied Unicorn.
Yeah, you get the point.
Love,
Danielle
Not for us.
It's been rainging for two weeks straight.
Thanks, Mother Nature.
Other than that, things have been good in the Matta home. Life goes on as usual, eat, sleep, work, eat again, you know the drill...
But there have been and will be a few events that are worth the mention, so let me catch you up...
Nick and I have been going to school for 4 weeks. Which have literally felt like 5 years. I have never been so stressed out in my LIFE.
A main cause of my stress is due to a little thing called SRP, a.k.a, Science Research Project.
I haven't told you all about this little assignment yet because it is has caused so much inner trauma in me that I wouldn't have been able to even explain it, even though I have been working on this for 3 months.
But school just started, you say. Well yes. And no.
Last year, when we were given the sheet to choose our classes for 9th grade, we had 3 options for science. Earth Science Academic, Earth Science Honors, and Biology. Both Earth Science classes are for 9th graders, and even though Biology is offered to 9th grade students, it technically is a 10 grade class. Another thing about taking Biology, is that the big science research project that every student must complete by 10th grade, has to be completed in one year instead of two. So for example, if I take Earth Science Honors, then I would work on my science project all of 9th grade, and then half of 10th grade. If I take Earth Science Academic, then I am not required to do the project.
But if you choose Biology as a 9th grader, then you must complete the project in 9th grade, period.
Don't be fooled...this is not your average, 'pick-a-topic-and-write-an-essay-about-it' research project. This is an actual experimentation research project, where you have to create a hypothesis, create the experiment, collect the data, write several papers on it, and then present your project at a big-deal science fair and get judged by actual looney-tunes scientists. This is no poster-board, last-minute thing. This is a MAJOR project.
And since I am taking Biology, that means I skipped the 9th grade course, where you do 8 assignments for the project, and the rest is finished in Biology. So I had do complete those 8 assignments over the summer, on my own. There were due dates and limited email communication with some of the teachers. And there was stress. A whole lot of stress.
But now that school has started, the due dates are still continuing. The project won't be finished until Feburaray or April or something, so there is still a lot of work to be done.
That, on top of all the other crazy school work I have to complete.
So yes folks. School has officially started.
How many days until summer again?
On the bright side, on Friday I went to my high school's football game for the first time as a Freshman. I went with one of my friends, and met up with some of my other friends there. It was a LOT of fun. I mean, if you know anything about me, you know that I have no interest for sports, let alone football, at all, but it's different when you go with friends and you're seeing a bunch of kids you know, and you have friends in the band and know people on the team, and then your freaking high school WINS against the school that is a major competitor.
I'm telling ya, the reason they won was because of me. I mean, duh. I INSPIRE people. I'm sure the team was all like, "Grunt-Grunt Grunt-Grunt-OH HEY LOOK ITS THAT AWESOME GIRL DANIELLE!" "Grunt?" "YEAH YOU'RE RIGHT, WE SHOULD TOTALLY WIN OR SOMETHING!"
What can I say? I just have that affect on people.
Also, the Homecoming dance is coming up soon, in October. Yesterday we went to the Tysons mall to do some shopping and also to look for a dress, which I did find! But I'm still stuck between two, so I'll let you know what I decide since you all obviously care so much. And just because I know one of you will ask or wonder, I am going to Homecoming with FRIENDS. As much as the football players adore me, this bird is flying solo. You know, the lone wolf. Me, myself and I. Going stag. The solitary seahorse. Individual Iguanas. The Unaccompanied Unicorn.
Yeah, you get the point.
Love,
Danielle
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Definition of High School, By Danielle
So tonight finally offered the moment where I could calmly sit down, collect my thoughts, and venture onto The Matta Connection to write yet another of my insightful and entertaining posts. I meant to write more over the summer...but that didn't work out too well. I meant to write one the day before school started...which also didn't work. I even had the crazy idea that I would write a post after the first day of school...after the first week of school...but instead, I come to you on a Wednesday in September, for no specific reason at all.
Well, except to vent.
So as many of you know, (meaning A. You know me B. You read this blog or C. You can just tell) I am now a High Schooler. It's funny, because, at least in the American culture, high school is the place to be, at least you think so when your little. In all the movies, the main characters are in high school. In all the books, the main characters are in high school. (I'm using All in a very loose way here...I realize not all forms of entertainment surround teenagers in high school, but come on, a pretty large percent does. Look at Bieber. He's 17 and he's a "quote: singing sensation!" And even though there are tons of talented adult singers and bands, all you hear about is freaking Bieber.) So when you grow up idolizing these older, cooler, amazing high schoolers in practically every media you turn to, all you think about when your younger, is how much you want to be in high school, be like them. And really, the only image of high school is what Hollywood makes it seem to be. So basically, I grew up thinking that when you enter high school, you're going to get bitten by radioactive spiders and become a international super hero, you're going to met your soul mate that's actually a sparkly vampire, and when everyone is feeling in the mood, you can stand on the cafeteria tables and belt out your problems in time to a catchy pop soundtrack while your classmates dance in unison around you.
This may shock you, but high school is nothing of the sort.
For starters, if you even ATTEMPTED to try and stand on the cafeteria tables, I'm pretty sure you would get instantly tased and shot. The only thing resembling vampires in high school are the slightly creepy, goth kids that glare at you when you stare at their triple nose rings too long, and the radioactive spiders are rare to come by. (Though I wouldn't put it past you if you got bitten by a radioactive stinkbug...)
Real life high school can be summed up in three words: BIG COMPLICATED CHAOS.
The school is big, complicated, and because of the complicated-ness, chaotic. The student body is big, complicated, and, as suspected, chaotic. And the actual kids themselves are BIG. I was just in biology class today, when I realized that more than half of my classmates were two times my entire body. I've never looked up so much in my life.
Basically, I better start growing rapidly fast, otherwise I'm afraid I might come home one evening with my arm in a sling and two black eyes. "What happened Danielle?" My mom will ask.
"Early Dismissal."
(I realized that if you are not familiar with school, then you might not understand the joke. Let me slow it down for you. When kids are told they can leave a classroom...its like a herd of elephants trying to squeeze through a 24 inch door at the same time. Now imagine an entire school being dismissed from their classes early...yeah. Word of advice: Run.)
Love,
Danielle
Speaking of slings...Nick fractured his wrist on Friday. Which hasn't made much of a difference in his life except he complains a whole lot more and works a whole lot less. Injury my FOOT -_-
Well, except to vent.
So as many of you know, (meaning A. You know me B. You read this blog or C. You can just tell) I am now a High Schooler. It's funny, because, at least in the American culture, high school is the place to be, at least you think so when your little. In all the movies, the main characters are in high school. In all the books, the main characters are in high school. (I'm using All in a very loose way here...I realize not all forms of entertainment surround teenagers in high school, but come on, a pretty large percent does. Look at Bieber. He's 17 and he's a "quote: singing sensation!" And even though there are tons of talented adult singers and bands, all you hear about is freaking Bieber.) So when you grow up idolizing these older, cooler, amazing high schoolers in practically every media you turn to, all you think about when your younger, is how much you want to be in high school, be like them. And really, the only image of high school is what Hollywood makes it seem to be. So basically, I grew up thinking that when you enter high school, you're going to get bitten by radioactive spiders and become a international super hero, you're going to met your soul mate that's actually a sparkly vampire, and when everyone is feeling in the mood, you can stand on the cafeteria tables and belt out your problems in time to a catchy pop soundtrack while your classmates dance in unison around you.
This may shock you, but high school is nothing of the sort.
For starters, if you even ATTEMPTED to try and stand on the cafeteria tables, I'm pretty sure you would get instantly tased and shot. The only thing resembling vampires in high school are the slightly creepy, goth kids that glare at you when you stare at their triple nose rings too long, and the radioactive spiders are rare to come by. (Though I wouldn't put it past you if you got bitten by a radioactive stinkbug...)
Real life high school can be summed up in three words: BIG COMPLICATED CHAOS.
The school is big, complicated, and because of the complicated-ness, chaotic. The student body is big, complicated, and, as suspected, chaotic. And the actual kids themselves are BIG. I was just in biology class today, when I realized that more than half of my classmates were two times my entire body. I've never looked up so much in my life.
Basically, I better start growing rapidly fast, otherwise I'm afraid I might come home one evening with my arm in a sling and two black eyes. "What happened Danielle?" My mom will ask.
"Early Dismissal."
(I realized that if you are not familiar with school, then you might not understand the joke. Let me slow it down for you. When kids are told they can leave a classroom...its like a herd of elephants trying to squeeze through a 24 inch door at the same time. Now imagine an entire school being dismissed from their classes early...yeah. Word of advice: Run.)
Love,
Danielle
Speaking of slings...Nick fractured his wrist on Friday. Which hasn't made much of a difference in his life except he complains a whole lot more and works a whole lot less. Injury my FOOT -_-
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I Ain't No Pippa
It's actually quite late now, and I should be in bed, but a thought just dawned on me that I thought was important to share.
I was watching a vlog earlier this evening about the royal wedding...and the vlogger was pointing out how she doesn't really much care about the royal couple, but she found herself sucked into the broadcasting of the wedding. And that she ended up really enjoying it.
She also got some clips of Kate walking down the isle and other shots as well, and in the background is Pippa, Kate's sister, holding her train. Now, I don't know about where you live, but on TLC, one of our TV channels, I remember seeing a commercial for a special that will be all about Pippa. I don't really know what the big whoop is about Pippa, but I think that must be nice for her, to have some of the media notice her as well, and not just her sister.
And that's where the thought process came along. I'm just one of those people that likes to place herself in other people's shoes, and I just wondered now, what would it be like to be Pippa, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, a.k.a, England's New Face In Royalty? I mean, we were just in London about at month ago and I know for a fact, that everywhere you walk, especially in the touristic parts, there's a gift shop with about 25 different souvenirs with the royal couples faces plastered everywhere. And their wedding, an event that happens a thousand times every day, everywhere in the world, was on live television, in not just England, but internationally too. They're, in plain words, huge. Yes, I agree that, in all simplicity, it was just another wedding for just another royal couple and there will be many more to follow. But the fact is, that a royal wedding, whether you care about it or not, is a big deal. They're rare and international and end up on millions of T.V. screens. Kate's face ended up on I Love Britain mugs. Her FACE became a PRODUCT, an advertisement for an entire nation!!! That's pretty much a big deal.
So what it must be like, for a sister of this icon. Well, the first thing I thought, was if I was Pippa Middleton, I would be pretty darn jealous. Happy for my sister, but jealous. I mean, while royalty holds no interest for ME personally, who knows how Pippa feels about it? And even if she wasn't interested, jealousy is a strange thing. It doesn't really matter if we WANT it. It kind of matters as to who GETS it. And it being your sister, well, probably makes it 100x better and worse.
Now I realize that if her sister hadn't fell in love with a Duke, we wouldn't even be TALKING about her right now. But I'm sure there are times when Pippa must feel like, "You know what? This being the Royal Sister kinda sucks right now yo", or maybe she says that in a more British way, but you know what I mean. She probably thinks sometimes, I wish I could have been the one to meet a Duke and gotten that royal title. Heck, I would.
So folks, here comes the point. I'm not Pippa. I'm not Kate. I'm sure as heck not the queen of England. I don't know what it's like to be them, or to have a royal wedding or be apart of one. But if I was Pippa...
I would be wishing I had a brother.
And if there ever is a Prince or Duke or even a Senator in my future, I'll be thanking my lucky stars that my brother will pose no threat.
'Cause it would really suck to be known as, "The Sister of the Representative of Virginia".
Shesh. And Pippa thinks she's got it bad.
Love,
Danielle
I was watching a vlog earlier this evening about the royal wedding...and the vlogger was pointing out how she doesn't really much care about the royal couple, but she found herself sucked into the broadcasting of the wedding. And that she ended up really enjoying it.
She also got some clips of Kate walking down the isle and other shots as well, and in the background is Pippa, Kate's sister, holding her train. Now, I don't know about where you live, but on TLC, one of our TV channels, I remember seeing a commercial for a special that will be all about Pippa. I don't really know what the big whoop is about Pippa, but I think that must be nice for her, to have some of the media notice her as well, and not just her sister.
And that's where the thought process came along. I'm just one of those people that likes to place herself in other people's shoes, and I just wondered now, what would it be like to be Pippa, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, a.k.a, England's New Face In Royalty? I mean, we were just in London about at month ago and I know for a fact, that everywhere you walk, especially in the touristic parts, there's a gift shop with about 25 different souvenirs with the royal couples faces plastered everywhere. And their wedding, an event that happens a thousand times every day, everywhere in the world, was on live television, in not just England, but internationally too. They're, in plain words, huge. Yes, I agree that, in all simplicity, it was just another wedding for just another royal couple and there will be many more to follow. But the fact is, that a royal wedding, whether you care about it or not, is a big deal. They're rare and international and end up on millions of T.V. screens. Kate's face ended up on I Love Britain mugs. Her FACE became a PRODUCT, an advertisement for an entire nation!!! That's pretty much a big deal.
So what it must be like, for a sister of this icon. Well, the first thing I thought, was if I was Pippa Middleton, I would be pretty darn jealous. Happy for my sister, but jealous. I mean, while royalty holds no interest for ME personally, who knows how Pippa feels about it? And even if she wasn't interested, jealousy is a strange thing. It doesn't really matter if we WANT it. It kind of matters as to who GETS it. And it being your sister, well, probably makes it 100x better and worse.
Now I realize that if her sister hadn't fell in love with a Duke, we wouldn't even be TALKING about her right now. But I'm sure there are times when Pippa must feel like, "You know what? This being the Royal Sister kinda sucks right now yo", or maybe she says that in a more British way, but you know what I mean. She probably thinks sometimes, I wish I could have been the one to meet a Duke and gotten that royal title. Heck, I would.
So folks, here comes the point. I'm not Pippa. I'm not Kate. I'm sure as heck not the queen of England. I don't know what it's like to be them, or to have a royal wedding or be apart of one. But if I was Pippa...
I would be wishing I had a brother.
And if there ever is a Prince or Duke or even a Senator in my future, I'll be thanking my lucky stars that my brother will pose no threat.
'Cause it would really suck to be known as, "The Sister of the Representative of Virginia".
Shesh. And Pippa thinks she's got it bad.
Love,
Danielle
Thursday, August 4, 2011
My Summer In A Nutshell
June 17, Marina and the Diamonds Concert, drove to D.C., got stuck in mocking traffic, arrived at ominous crappy building that said 'Atlantic Plumbing Supply', overlooking a wonderful neighborhood with smashed windows and possible gangsters. Walked in, blasted with air condition and loud, loud music. Best. Concert. Ever. I got most of it on illegal video. (ok, maybe its not against the law, but saying illegal makes me feel like a rebel, so shut up ok??)
Moving on. June 18th, we packed all day. Due to school and a certain concert and laziness, no one packed a thing before that morning. Surprisingly, we were finished and ready to go by the time our Super Shuttle arrived, and took us to Dulles Airport. Our flight was relatively late, and we arrived relatively early, not to mention there was a delay of some sort. We spent the evening arguing where we should eat, arguing against buying a book from the Airport Borders, and finally, arguing as to who was more tired and cranky (The answer, would be all of us.)
We boarded our flight, with yet more arguing. (Maybe packing all day wasn't such a great idea) Our seats were all screwed up and according to our tickets, Nick and I were supposed to sit on the opposite side of the plane from our parents. More confusion and arguing pursued. As a result, I somehow ended up sitting with my mom on the left side, with my brothers earbuds and neck pillow, and my dad and brother on the right side, with virtually nothing. Thank God for free headsets supplied by British Airways, that's all I gotta say.
Flight was long, but painless. Other than the fact that a moody, introverted British dude had the isle seat, and I had to pee really, really bad, things went rather smoothly. Oh, and he drank like 5 mini bottles of wine. And we could barely communicate with my dad and brother. And all my 'stuff for the plane' was on THAT side of the luggage compartments. Er.
Finally, landed in London Heathrow Airport. Took a bus to our Airport hotel, whilst rubbing our eyes and wishing we would die. It was early, London time. And most of us (meaning me) got no sleep whatsoever. Airport hotel was actually nice, considering it was, well, an airport hotel. We ate at the restaurant inside the hotel (My brother wasn't tired or jet lagged enough to NOT have a burger) and then crashed for a while in the hotel room. A little later, we were visited by my mother's godchild and ex-babysitter, Vanessa, accompanied with her boyfriend, Mike. We talked and caught up with them in the airport hotel, half living zombie, half social lites, and of course living the dream. We ate and slept the night away.
Oops, maybe too much sleep. Our flight the next morning was early, and required early wake-ups. But with a failed computer alarm (THANKS A LOT MICROSOFT OUTLOOK) and no clock in the hotel room, we woke up LATE. Luckily, we all jumped out of bed like 5 year olds filled with caffeine and sugar, and were out of the room in 5 minutes. (It might have helped that we practically fell asleep in our clothes) As luck would have it, there was a bus going to our airport terminal waiting RIGHT outside the hotel just as we checked out. If that were not the case, we would have missed our flight. (THANKS AGAIN, OUTLOOK)
With the help of some English security, we made it on our flight in time, with none to spare. We flew for 3 or something hours to the Athens airport. My aunt Venetia was awaiting, and so was all our luggage (God is merciful)
In separate cars (Nick, me and my aunt in her mini van, and my parents in the rented car) we drove to my aunts house in Dionysos. It was strange, to see all the roads and run down buildings that were so familiar, but in that, I-think-I-might-have-dreamed-about-this-once sort of way.
We crashed at my aunt's house. What can I say.
After hanging out and talking with my cousin Katatrina for a bit, I left for my friend Marina's house, which is where I would be staying for the next week. Reunion and lots of hugs happened. It was a happy, pretty much sleepless night. I couldn't have possibly talked more in my life.
7 a.m, June 21st, I went to school with Marina. My old school, actually. Crazy and happy and a little bit confusing, going to school with all my old classmates was fun. I enjoyed myself more than is probably considered normal. We were driven back to Marina's house courtesy of my other friend Sophia's mom. (With Sophia, of course)
At Marina's house, we ate and threw ice cubes at each other (Well, I watched them throw ice cubes at each other anyway) Being Sophia's mom's birthday, Mrs. Ioanna, Marina's mom, made THE BEST CAKE EVER, which was like, coconut fluffy cream with drippy chocolate topping....I ate more than necessary.
Another late night ensued, but not as late as the night before, but only because I made Marina go to bed since she still had school the next morning, and I didn't.
June 22nd, Evia day. While Marina was at school, my family picked me up and we went to Evia, a drive-to island (With a boat, if that makes sense) We spent pretty much the entire day trying to find a good beach and eating at tavernas, and finally settling on an okay one. I got no tan.
June 23rd, Marina stayed home from school and so did one of her friends, Hanna, and we all spent the day at the beach together. Tanned for 3 hours under the hot, wonderful Greek sun, and swam in the beautiful Mediterranean sea and DID get a tan, and Marina burned like crazy. I laughed. Spent the evening back at Marina's pool, talking our mouths off and eating pizza and little dough balls that were SO good with Hanna. Marina complained all night about her burns all over everywhere. I laughed more.
June 24th, I went to school again with Marina. The kids there have a half day on the last day of school, so we were back 'home' before lunch. Actually, she went on the bus, and my parents took me to the grocery store. Some things never change, no matter what country your in.
Later that evening, we threw a surprise graduation party for Katarina outside on my aunt's patio thingy. I spent hours painting a sign that said "CONGRATS CLASS OF 2011". People bbq-ed souvlaki. We ate.
June 25th, my cousin Stephen and Katarina picked me up from Marina's house for the beach (again.) We spent a couple hours there, talking and catching up and swapping music 'cause we're cool. When I arrived at Marina's place later, I got dressed and fixed myself up for the get-together we were having with Marina's and my family. The night ended with lots of present sharing and picture taking and movie watching. We watched Glee for the first time with my brother on t.v. We laughed.
June 26th, sad day. We spent the morning saying goodbye to Marina's family. I ate more coconut cake. We loaded up the rented car (a.k.a stupid piece of junk Fiat) and drove to Katerini, where my grandparents live. We spent 5 days there, going to the beach and spending time with my grandparents and eating really good food and laying around slightly bored. Eh, such is life.
July 2nd, we all loaded up the stupid piece of junk Fiat again and drove to Thasos, an island near the north of Greece where my grandparents live. We took a boat to the island and drove to our resort, which was really nice. Thasos, is beautiful. We spent about 4 days there, beach hopping and sun bathing and eating a lottt. We really enjoyed our hotel's buffet dinner every night. Probably too much.
I became tanner.
July 6th, we drove back to Katerini, and spent the rest of the day preparing for our trip back to Athens, and then to London. Which means my mom packed up everything and everyone else sat on their butts.
July 7th, we said goodbye to my grandparents and other family. We drove back to Athens, so so sick of our stupid piece of junk Fiat, that we drove it right off a cliff and into the sea. We dragged its drowned, dead steel corpse onto the beach and built a big bonfire on top of it, and did an rain dance around the fire all night long.
Not really. Just checking to make sure you're really listening.
We arrived back at my aunt's house. My dad, nick and I went out to eat at the best Chinese place ever, Golden Phoenix. My dad cried over his hurting wallet. We went back to the house and spent some time with my cousins and aunt before driving my cousins to the train station to go to wherever the heck young adults go to. Those crazy kids.
July 8th, packed up our remaining things and got ready to leave for the airport once more. Mrs. Ioanna stopped by to say goodbye, but Marina had just woken up and didn't come. Instead, we talked for 2 hours on cell phones and said our goodbyes. We left my aunt's house behind in our s.p.o.j. Fiat whom we grew to love but not really, and my two hairbrushes that I forgot in my aunt's bedroom burst into tears. Sorry hairbrushes. You have now been replaced. *Sniff*
July 9th-11th, best London trip ever. We went everywhere in that city, and it helped that Big Ben was right in front of our hotel. It was so amazing. If I went into detail though, I'm afraid this 'nutshell' of a post will become an encyclopedia. We also met up with Vanessa and Mike on the 10th, and we had lots of fun with them too. We went to some places that we probably would never have gone to if we didn't meet up with them. Oh, and did I mention that we also went on a Harry Potter tour??? YEAH. That was only INSANELY AWESOME.
On the 12th, we left London and said goodbye for the last time. We boarded our flight in the afternoon and watched movies the entire way back to Virginia. A piece of advice: NEVER watch the Green Hornet. The word 'balls' appeared more often than any PLOT or SUBSTANCE did. I liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid better -_-
We took a shuttle back to our house, which must have been the longest drive of my life and crashed for the final time. Lets just say that our little friend jet lag was a bit more demanding this time round.
July 15th, one of Nick's friends invited our family over to their house for a little party thingy. The boys spent most of the night insulting their fellow classmates and watching poop videos on Youtube. Welcome back to Virginia.
July 16th, Nick's friend, my dad and of course Nick and I went to go see the greatest movie of this century, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2 IN 3D. *cough* I wasn't excited. And I did NOT cry. Ok, well...
July 19th, I went to a friend's birthday party. YES I ACTUALLY DO HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE, THANKS.
July 21st, two of my friend's came over and we had a super mega awesome POTTER PARTY. We made homemade meringues and pumpkin juice and butterbeer. None were a success, except for the meringues. Then we attempted to watch all 7 Harry Potter movies back to back. (Which took 17 and a half hours) We watched 4 that night, and woke up the next morning to watch 2 more. We didn't get to watch the 6th one, not enough time. And that's because we went to the movie theatres to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. For me, again. And I did not cry for a second time. I didn't. (Yes) No.
You don't have to tell me I'm a nerd. Dream Team, remember? Already been established.
July 24th, my family went to go visit one of Nick's and my friends, whom we have been friends with for a while. We all chased each other in their basement with various wheeled vehicles, and played a game that I created which resembled musical chairs except without music and without chairs. Yes, I am 14.
And the rest of the summer...has been a blur. Of Boring. We went to Bethany beach last weekend. And that's pretty much it. I think we plan to sit on our tushes and eat for the rest of the summer, to be honest. But don't worry, my blogging days have returned and are here to stay! So you will know of every piece of food that enters my mouth and every seat I sat on. Your welcome.
Hope you enjoyed reading about my summer. Are yours going well?
Love,
Danielle
I would like to dedicate this post to a good friend I like to call, Borders. Borders will be greatly missed by me and all the other nerds in the world that knew this good fellow. Rest in peace good friend, *sniff*
 |
| This guy, was security. shyeah. We instantly became BFF's. |
We boarded our flight, with yet more arguing. (Maybe packing all day wasn't such a great idea) Our seats were all screwed up and according to our tickets, Nick and I were supposed to sit on the opposite side of the plane from our parents. More confusion and arguing pursued. As a result, I somehow ended up sitting with my mom on the left side, with my brothers earbuds and neck pillow, and my dad and brother on the right side, with virtually nothing. Thank God for free headsets supplied by British Airways, that's all I gotta say.
Flight was long, but painless. Other than the fact that a moody, introverted British dude had the isle seat, and I had to pee really, really bad, things went rather smoothly. Oh, and he drank like 5 mini bottles of wine. And we could barely communicate with my dad and brother. And all my 'stuff for the plane' was on THAT side of the luggage compartments. Er.
Finally, landed in London Heathrow Airport. Took a bus to our Airport hotel, whilst rubbing our eyes and wishing we would die. It was early, London time. And most of us (meaning me) got no sleep whatsoever. Airport hotel was actually nice, considering it was, well, an airport hotel. We ate at the restaurant inside the hotel (My brother wasn't tired or jet lagged enough to NOT have a burger) and then crashed for a while in the hotel room. A little later, we were visited by my mother's godchild and ex-babysitter, Vanessa, accompanied with her boyfriend, Mike. We talked and caught up with them in the airport hotel, half living zombie, half social lites, and of course living the dream. We ate and slept the night away.
Oops, maybe too much sleep. Our flight the next morning was early, and required early wake-ups. But with a failed computer alarm (THANKS A LOT MICROSOFT OUTLOOK) and no clock in the hotel room, we woke up LATE. Luckily, we all jumped out of bed like 5 year olds filled with caffeine and sugar, and were out of the room in 5 minutes. (It might have helped that we practically fell asleep in our clothes) As luck would have it, there was a bus going to our airport terminal waiting RIGHT outside the hotel just as we checked out. If that were not the case, we would have missed our flight. (THANKS AGAIN, OUTLOOK)
With the help of some English security, we made it on our flight in time, with none to spare. We flew for 3 or something hours to the Athens airport. My aunt Venetia was awaiting, and so was all our luggage (God is merciful)
In separate cars (Nick, me and my aunt in her mini van, and my parents in the rented car) we drove to my aunts house in Dionysos. It was strange, to see all the roads and run down buildings that were so familiar, but in that, I-think-I-might-have-dreamed-about-this-once sort of way.
We crashed at my aunt's house. What can I say.
After hanging out and talking with my cousin Katatrina for a bit, I left for my friend Marina's house, which is where I would be staying for the next week. Reunion and lots of hugs happened. It was a happy, pretty much sleepless night. I couldn't have possibly talked more in my life.
7 a.m, June 21st, I went to school with Marina. My old school, actually. Crazy and happy and a little bit confusing, going to school with all my old classmates was fun. I enjoyed myself more than is probably considered normal. We were driven back to Marina's house courtesy of my other friend Sophia's mom. (With Sophia, of course)
At Marina's house, we ate and threw ice cubes at each other (Well, I watched them throw ice cubes at each other anyway) Being Sophia's mom's birthday, Mrs. Ioanna, Marina's mom, made THE BEST CAKE EVER, which was like, coconut fluffy cream with drippy chocolate topping....I ate more than necessary.
Another late night ensued, but not as late as the night before, but only because I made Marina go to bed since she still had school the next morning, and I didn't.
June 22nd, Evia day. While Marina was at school, my family picked me up and we went to Evia, a drive-to island (With a boat, if that makes sense) We spent pretty much the entire day trying to find a good beach and eating at tavernas, and finally settling on an okay one. I got no tan.
June 23rd, Marina stayed home from school and so did one of her friends, Hanna, and we all spent the day at the beach together. Tanned for 3 hours under the hot, wonderful Greek sun, and swam in the beautiful Mediterranean sea and DID get a tan, and Marina burned like crazy. I laughed. Spent the evening back at Marina's pool, talking our mouths off and eating pizza and little dough balls that were SO good with Hanna. Marina complained all night about her burns all over everywhere. I laughed more.
June 24th, I went to school again with Marina. The kids there have a half day on the last day of school, so we were back 'home' before lunch. Actually, she went on the bus, and my parents took me to the grocery store. Some things never change, no matter what country your in.
Later that evening, we threw a surprise graduation party for Katarina outside on my aunt's patio thingy. I spent hours painting a sign that said "CONGRATS CLASS OF 2011". People bbq-ed souvlaki. We ate.
June 25th, my cousin Stephen and Katarina picked me up from Marina's house for the beach (again.) We spent a couple hours there, talking and catching up and swapping music 'cause we're cool. When I arrived at Marina's place later, I got dressed and fixed myself up for the get-together we were having with Marina's and my family. The night ended with lots of present sharing and picture taking and movie watching. We watched Glee for the first time with my brother on t.v. We laughed.
June 26th, sad day. We spent the morning saying goodbye to Marina's family. I ate more coconut cake. We loaded up the rented car (a.k.a stupid piece of junk Fiat) and drove to Katerini, where my grandparents live. We spent 5 days there, going to the beach and spending time with my grandparents and eating really good food and laying around slightly bored. Eh, such is life.
July 2nd, we all loaded up the stupid piece of junk Fiat again and drove to Thasos, an island near the north of Greece where my grandparents live. We took a boat to the island and drove to our resort, which was really nice. Thasos, is beautiful. We spent about 4 days there, beach hopping and sun bathing and eating a lottt. We really enjoyed our hotel's buffet dinner every night. Probably too much.
I became tanner.
July 6th, we drove back to Katerini, and spent the rest of the day preparing for our trip back to Athens, and then to London. Which means my mom packed up everything and everyone else sat on their butts.
July 7th, we said goodbye to my grandparents and other family. We drove back to Athens, so so sick of our stupid piece of junk Fiat, that we drove it right off a cliff and into the sea. We dragged its drowned, dead steel corpse onto the beach and built a big bonfire on top of it, and did an rain dance around the fire all night long.
Not really. Just checking to make sure you're really listening.
We arrived back at my aunt's house. My dad, nick and I went out to eat at the best Chinese place ever, Golden Phoenix. My dad cried over his hurting wallet. We went back to the house and spent some time with my cousins and aunt before driving my cousins to the train station to go to wherever the heck young adults go to. Those crazy kids.
July 8th, packed up our remaining things and got ready to leave for the airport once more. Mrs. Ioanna stopped by to say goodbye, but Marina had just woken up and didn't come. Instead, we talked for 2 hours on cell phones and said our goodbyes. We left my aunt's house behind in our s.p.o.j. Fiat whom we grew to love but not really, and my two hairbrushes that I forgot in my aunt's bedroom burst into tears. Sorry hairbrushes. You have now been replaced. *Sniff*
July 9th-11th, best London trip ever. We went everywhere in that city, and it helped that Big Ben was right in front of our hotel. It was so amazing. If I went into detail though, I'm afraid this 'nutshell' of a post will become an encyclopedia. We also met up with Vanessa and Mike on the 10th, and we had lots of fun with them too. We went to some places that we probably would never have gone to if we didn't meet up with them. Oh, and did I mention that we also went on a Harry Potter tour??? YEAH. That was only INSANELY AWESOME.
On the 12th, we left London and said goodbye for the last time. We boarded our flight in the afternoon and watched movies the entire way back to Virginia. A piece of advice: NEVER watch the Green Hornet. The word 'balls' appeared more often than any PLOT or SUBSTANCE did. I liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid better -_-
We took a shuttle back to our house, which must have been the longest drive of my life and crashed for the final time. Lets just say that our little friend jet lag was a bit more demanding this time round.
July 15th, one of Nick's friends invited our family over to their house for a little party thingy. The boys spent most of the night insulting their fellow classmates and watching poop videos on Youtube. Welcome back to Virginia.
July 16th, Nick's friend, my dad and of course Nick and I went to go see the greatest movie of this century, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2 IN 3D. *cough* I wasn't excited. And I did NOT cry. Ok, well...
July 19th, I went to a friend's birthday party. YES I ACTUALLY DO HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE, THANKS.
July 21st, two of my friend's came over and we had a super mega awesome POTTER PARTY. We made homemade meringues and pumpkin juice and butterbeer. None were a success, except for the meringues. Then we attempted to watch all 7 Harry Potter movies back to back. (Which took 17 and a half hours) We watched 4 that night, and woke up the next morning to watch 2 more. We didn't get to watch the 6th one, not enough time. And that's because we went to the movie theatres to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. For me, again. And I did not cry for a second time. I didn't. (Yes) No.
You don't have to tell me I'm a nerd. Dream Team, remember? Already been established.
July 24th, my family went to go visit one of Nick's and my friends, whom we have been friends with for a while. We all chased each other in their basement with various wheeled vehicles, and played a game that I created which resembled musical chairs except without music and without chairs. Yes, I am 14.
And the rest of the summer...has been a blur. Of Boring. We went to Bethany beach last weekend. And that's pretty much it. I think we plan to sit on our tushes and eat for the rest of the summer, to be honest. But don't worry, my blogging days have returned and are here to stay! So you will know of every piece of food that enters my mouth and every seat I sat on. Your welcome.
Hope you enjoyed reading about my summer. Are yours going well?
Love,
Danielle
I would like to dedicate this post to a good friend I like to call, Borders. Borders will be greatly missed by me and all the other nerds in the world that knew this good fellow. Rest in peace good friend, *sniff*
Friday, June 17, 2011
First Day Of Summer
Yes folks, that's right. Today officially, is the first day of summer for me! This statement just makes me want to crack up laughing manically. I think it may be the single most important statement I've ever made in this blog.
Today, as well as being the first day where I can sleep through 6 a.m., is the Marina and the Diamonds Concert!!!! It is at 5 o'clock in D.C., so in order to not be late, (LIKE WE ALWAYS ARE) we're going to try to leave at 3. We might need a miracle to be able to get out of the house that quickly, but hey, maybe the First Day of Summer Magic will be shared with us!
I absolutely cannot wait for the concert, but I REALLY can't wait for tomorrow, which is when we leave for Greece! Our flight is in the evening though, which gives us some extra time to pack. (And allows my dad to mow the lawn...-_-) For now, our plan for the month that we will be overseas is to spend a week in Athens, (We will arrive there on Monday) a little less than a week in my grandparents village, another week in an island (I believe we have decided which one, I just can't remember the name of it!) and then about 4 to 5 days in London. Now, the whole London business is because in order to go to Greece, or come back to the U.S., we have to stop in London, sort of as a midway flight. But when we had originally planned to come back to the U.S., there were NO flights that entire week going from London going to Dulles! (Our local airport) So instead, we decided we would take the opportunity to explore London a little bit more! (We have been there before...we went for New Years a couple of years ago. But we've never really been during the summer like this, and as many of you know if you travel, one trip usually isn't enough ;) Plus there is some family/friend chances in London, as well as my great opportunity to see OXFORD! (hint, hint)
So yes! That is our vague schedule for now. I really can't wait. I hate the whole 17-hours-traveling-with-no-toilet-except-the-one-on-the-plane-which-is-small-and-gross-and-constantly-moving, but it's all worth it for the trip that waits for us!
Oh, and by the way. You should now refer to me as The Amazing High School Freshman. Yeah. That's right. Don't be hatin'.
Love,
Danielle, Middle School Graduate
P.S. I apologize for the lack of funny in my recent posts. But don't worry. I'm sure in the future, I will no doubt have a ginormous amount of complaining/sarcasm filled posts. Patience, mon amis! Oh, which reminds me, French and Guitar exams went well! Scores will be here when we get back!
Today, as well as being the first day where I can sleep through 6 a.m., is the Marina and the Diamonds Concert!!!! It is at 5 o'clock in D.C., so in order to not be late, (LIKE WE ALWAYS ARE) we're going to try to leave at 3. We might need a miracle to be able to get out of the house that quickly, but hey, maybe the First Day of Summer Magic will be shared with us!
I absolutely cannot wait for the concert, but I REALLY can't wait for tomorrow, which is when we leave for Greece! Our flight is in the evening though, which gives us some extra time to pack. (And allows my dad to mow the lawn...-_-) For now, our plan for the month that we will be overseas is to spend a week in Athens, (We will arrive there on Monday) a little less than a week in my grandparents village, another week in an island (I believe we have decided which one, I just can't remember the name of it!) and then about 4 to 5 days in London. Now, the whole London business is because in order to go to Greece, or come back to the U.S., we have to stop in London, sort of as a midway flight. But when we had originally planned to come back to the U.S., there were NO flights that entire week going from London going to Dulles! (Our local airport) So instead, we decided we would take the opportunity to explore London a little bit more! (We have been there before...we went for New Years a couple of years ago. But we've never really been during the summer like this, and as many of you know if you travel, one trip usually isn't enough ;) Plus there is some family/friend chances in London, as well as my great opportunity to see OXFORD! (hint, hint)
So yes! That is our vague schedule for now. I really can't wait. I hate the whole 17-hours-traveling-with-no-toilet-except-the-one-on-the-plane-which-is-small-and-gross-and-constantly-moving, but it's all worth it for the trip that waits for us!
Oh, and by the way. You should now refer to me as The Amazing High School Freshman. Yeah. That's right. Don't be hatin'.
Love,
Danielle, Middle School Graduate
P.S. I apologize for the lack of funny in my recent posts. But don't worry. I'm sure in the future, I will no doubt have a ginormous amount of complaining/sarcasm filled posts. Patience, mon amis! Oh, which reminds me, French and Guitar exams went well! Scores will be here when we get back!
Monday, June 13, 2011
*IMPORTANT UPDATE* NEW READERS, SEE HERE!!
Only 3 more days guys!!
My Physical Education exam went well. It sure was challenging, *wipes sweat from brow* but I think I did well.
It has come to my attention that many of you, in order to be informed that a new post is up, have to be included in my 'email' list. Now, this list, (and if you have Blogger, then you might know this) is limited to a maximum of 10 people. I haven't reached the maximum, but I also would like more family members to read this blog, and in order for them to know about a new blog post, they probably will need an email sent to them.
But the email list won't have much more capacity. So, a new feature added to Blogger is a gadget that I have now added called Email List. (Notice how this Email List is different than my old email list. Capitalization folks.) This is located at the bottom of every page (you might have to scroll past 7 or 10 posts) and is right above the 'Number of Views Counter'. It is just a long, white typing box where I BELIEVE you can add your email and you will be notified about posts.
For those of you who already receive emails, because you either are on my old, limited email list, or you are following this blog through gmail, then that's fine, don't worry about it. You don't have to add your email to the new list unless you want to (which I'm sure then would result in two double emails, but hey, maybe that's just your thing).
But for those in the future, who wish to be told when a new post is up, then please feel free to add your email. I ENCOURAGE it. Because it increases this blogs audience and ensures you don't miss ONE SECOND of Matta Connection goodness. Also, it keeps YOU more connected with this girl right here. So, thank you to those who are loyal readers and give me nice comments and feedback :) I really appreciate it! And again, if you are in contact with any family member (That means somehow related to me, of course) who you think would be interested in reading my silly posts, then please pass the link on!!
So yes :) Just a quick update. Hope everyone is doing ok!
And to those of you in Greece...I can't wait! See you very soon!
Love,
Danielle
My Physical Education exam went well. It sure was challenging, *wipes sweat from brow* but I think I did well.
It has come to my attention that many of you, in order to be informed that a new post is up, have to be included in my 'email' list. Now, this list, (and if you have Blogger, then you might know this) is limited to a maximum of 10 people. I haven't reached the maximum, but I also would like more family members to read this blog, and in order for them to know about a new blog post, they probably will need an email sent to them.
But the email list won't have much more capacity. So, a new feature added to Blogger is a gadget that I have now added called Email List. (Notice how this Email List is different than my old email list. Capitalization folks.) This is located at the bottom of every page (you might have to scroll past 7 or 10 posts) and is right above the 'Number of Views Counter'. It is just a long, white typing box where I BELIEVE you can add your email and you will be notified about posts.
For those of you who already receive emails, because you either are on my old, limited email list, or you are following this blog through gmail, then that's fine, don't worry about it. You don't have to add your email to the new list unless you want to (which I'm sure then would result in two double emails, but hey, maybe that's just your thing).
But for those in the future, who wish to be told when a new post is up, then please feel free to add your email. I ENCOURAGE it. Because it increases this blogs audience and ensures you don't miss ONE SECOND of Matta Connection goodness. Also, it keeps YOU more connected with this girl right here. So, thank you to those who are loyal readers and give me nice comments and feedback :) I really appreciate it! And again, if you are in contact with any family member (That means somehow related to me, of course) who you think would be interested in reading my silly posts, then please pass the link on!!
So yes :) Just a quick update. Hope everyone is doing ok!
And to those of you in Greece...I can't wait! See you very soon!
Love,
Danielle
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Really Stressed + Really Unorganized= Birthday Party???
Hello everybody! How is the weather? Cuz down here, it is HOT HOT HOT. Summer is really on its way...as a matter of fact, it starts this upcoming Friday! That's in four days guys! It's a little funny to think I started this blog before this school year began, with all my expectations and nervousness and hesitance. And now...I'm almost done! 8th grade is only four days away from becoming a complete chapter in my life! And while that is totally and completely awesome...it's also a little scary. I mean, we moved back from Greece about 3 years ago. When we came back, I was a 6th grader, placed right into middle school. So there was a slight, kind of awkward, but none the less definite transfer from elementary school to middle school. Now, I'm about to make another transfer, but this time the change will be a bit more smooth and...transition-y. I don't have to pack my entire room into cardboard boxes, don't really have any friends to say goodbye to (at least not permanently), and the school I'm going to is only across the street from my old one, versus across the Atlantic Ocean. And yet, I have a feeling, it won't really make a difference. The transition will be better, but the nerves will still return faithfully come end of August. Butt you know what? It's either that...or repeating 8th grade. Ha. H-E double hockey sticks NO!
So High School awaits...but before that, thankfully, comes summer. And boy, am I ready to get that show on the road!
This is a simplified run-through of my next four days:
Monday: Think I was kidding when I said 8th grade sucks? I have an exam on Monday, four days before school ends. On none other than...Physical Education. Lord have mercy on me.
Tuesday: A slight hiatus...for now
Wednesday: On my last Civics class of my entire middle school career...I will be performing a debate in front of the class (including a hard-labored-over speech) about the cons of Congressional Term Limits. I capitalized that because it is important. (Don't make me have to say 'not'.) Also, my old man's 42nd birthday!! And yes dad, I did just post your completely true and slightly horrific age on the world wide web! Your welcome!
Thursday: Last day of school! And no, I am not crazy. Thursday is seriously our last day. It is because we go back to school earlier this year, thanks to our wonderful county. End of August, instead of beginning of September (If you need some memory refreshing, go see my second post ever...titled, 'The S Word' or something or other. Maybe I need some memory refreshing.) So, like the kind people they are, they gave us, uh, one day less of school, to make up for the horrible decision making and evil inhumane morals they obviously have. On this day I will be taking, ha, not one, but TWO exams. Last. Freaking. Day. Of. School. Don't even get me started. I'm already close to tears.
And then, Friday, will be the first morning that will be alarm-free, school-free, and stress-not quite. Friday will be fun though, even if it will be a little stressful. You see, there is a long, complicated, dramatic story about how this came to be, but in short, we are going to a concert in D.C. the day before we leave for Greece. A little irresponsible? Maybe. Totally awesome? YES. We are going to see my ultimate favorite artist, Marina and the Diamonds. She is a Welsh/Greek singer who is typically not so well known here in the U.S., but I happened to stumble upon the knowledge of her coming to D.C., and we are sooo going. Thanks mom and dad! (Though even if you said no I might have had to go to extreme measures to get those tickets...don't underestimate my extremity. Guess how I got a Facebook account??)
So yes. We may get our wallets stolen and there's a possibility we will get shot down in D.C., but it's all worth it.
Saturday evening, we will be off to Europe. Don't get excited-I'm still going to blog from across the pond. Less frequently...that can be assumed. But I kept it up pretty well in North Carolina for New Years, so I may surprise you!
So in case this upcoming, crazy week becomes too hectic to blog...than Happy Summer! See you all soon!
Love,
Danielle
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GILBERTAKI MOU. MY FATHER AND FARTER, YOU ARE AN OLD MAN. BUT I LOVE YOU ANYWAY!
So High School awaits...but before that, thankfully, comes summer. And boy, am I ready to get that show on the road!
This is a simplified run-through of my next four days:
Monday: Think I was kidding when I said 8th grade sucks? I have an exam on Monday, four days before school ends. On none other than...Physical Education. Lord have mercy on me.
Tuesday: A slight hiatus...for now
Wednesday: On my last Civics class of my entire middle school career...I will be performing a debate in front of the class (including a hard-labored-over speech) about the cons of Congressional Term Limits. I capitalized that because it is important. (Don't make me have to say 'not'.) Also, my old man's 42nd birthday!! And yes dad, I did just post your completely true and slightly horrific age on the world wide web! Your welcome!
Thursday: Last day of school! And no, I am not crazy. Thursday is seriously our last day. It is because we go back to school earlier this year, thanks to our wonderful county. End of August, instead of beginning of September (If you need some memory refreshing, go see my second post ever...titled, 'The S Word' or something or other. Maybe I need some memory refreshing.) So, like the kind people they are, they gave us, uh, one day less of school, to make up for the horrible decision making and evil inhumane morals they obviously have. On this day I will be taking, ha, not one, but TWO exams. Last. Freaking. Day. Of. School. Don't even get me started. I'm already close to tears.
And then, Friday, will be the first morning that will be alarm-free, school-free, and stress-not quite. Friday will be fun though, even if it will be a little stressful. You see, there is a long, complicated, dramatic story about how this came to be, but in short, we are going to a concert in D.C. the day before we leave for Greece. A little irresponsible? Maybe. Totally awesome? YES. We are going to see my ultimate favorite artist, Marina and the Diamonds. She is a Welsh/Greek singer who is typically not so well known here in the U.S., but I happened to stumble upon the knowledge of her coming to D.C., and we are sooo going. Thanks mom and dad! (Though even if you said no I might have had to go to extreme measures to get those tickets...don't underestimate my extremity. Guess how I got a Facebook account??)
So yes. We may get our wallets stolen and there's a possibility we will get shot down in D.C., but it's all worth it.
Saturday evening, we will be off to Europe. Don't get excited-I'm still going to blog from across the pond. Less frequently...that can be assumed. But I kept it up pretty well in North Carolina for New Years, so I may surprise you!
So in case this upcoming, crazy week becomes too hectic to blog...than Happy Summer! See you all soon!
Love,
Danielle
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GILBERTAKI MOU. MY FATHER AND FARTER, YOU ARE AN OLD MAN. BUT I LOVE YOU ANYWAY!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wednesday June 1st- Beginning of a Wonderful (And Embarrassing) Future
Today shall be known down through history, as "THE DAY DANIELLE TOOK OFF HER BRACES"
People around the world will celebrate by sending lots of gifts and money to said historical figure and embrace the wonderful, braceless future.
Guys, my teeth look great, if I do say so myself. And can I get a 'Heck Yeah!' for gum chewing? Gum chewing is the best.
Just came back from the Guitar concert. Let me sum it up bluntly: It. Sucked.
Bad vibe jumping off the place. No rehersal whatsoever.
Teacher stressing out. Audience arrives before we're even done TUNING.
Let's just say it wasn't a very good night.
On the bright side, all the girls in guitar (about 10 of us) performed two special pieces specifically for us. The bad thing is, on the particular part that I am, (There are different sections of music going on at the same time, so there are different parts (A, B, C...) I felt like I was the only girl playing half the time. And let me just say: When you play in an ensemble, the most reassuring thing is that OTHER people are playing with you. So if you happen to stumble on a note, miss a cue, or lose your place, there are OTHER people also playing that part, so you have someone to back up on. Its not like a solo piece, where every mistake is noticable and you're on your own. You can afford to miss a note or two.
The bad thing is, if NO ONE ELSE ON YOUR FREAKING PART IS PLAYING, AND YOUR THE ONLY ONE ACTUALLY PLUCKING THE DARN NOTES, IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, NO ONE IS PLAYING AT ALL.
This is kind of how the night went.
Girls Group: *nice music*
Me: Oh man, we're doing good.
Girls Group: *special section where all the parts are seperated and can be heard individually*
Me: Uhh...why does it sound like I'm the only one on my part playing?
Me: HOLY CRAP I AM THE ONLY ONE PLAYING
Me: *tries to be louder and not freak out but freaks out anyway, and while trying to be loud and NOT freak out, I make mistakes and FREAK OUT*
Me: I swear to God I'm gonna kill those little-
*END OF SONG*
And it only got worse from there
*Entire Ensemble's Conjoined Thought: No one is playing*
Me: Oh. Ma. Gawd.
Girl Next to Me: *pees her pants*
Guitar Teacher: *silently calms his inner demons of rage*
Audience: Why is there a big puddle underneath their feet?
Ya. Thank God for my golden smile, or we would have been chased out by a very angry mob.
My family says they couldn't hear our serious blunders, but we all know how that works.
They're lying like little-
*END OF BLOG*
Love,
Danielle
People around the world will celebrate by sending lots of gifts and money to said historical figure and embrace the wonderful, braceless future.
Guys, my teeth look great, if I do say so myself. And can I get a 'Heck Yeah!' for gum chewing? Gum chewing is the best.
Just came back from the Guitar concert. Let me sum it up bluntly: It. Sucked.
Bad vibe jumping off the place. No rehersal whatsoever.
Teacher stressing out. Audience arrives before we're even done TUNING.
Let's just say it wasn't a very good night.
On the bright side, all the girls in guitar (about 10 of us) performed two special pieces specifically for us. The bad thing is, on the particular part that I am, (There are different sections of music going on at the same time, so there are different parts (A, B, C...) I felt like I was the only girl playing half the time. And let me just say: When you play in an ensemble, the most reassuring thing is that OTHER people are playing with you. So if you happen to stumble on a note, miss a cue, or lose your place, there are OTHER people also playing that part, so you have someone to back up on. Its not like a solo piece, where every mistake is noticable and you're on your own. You can afford to miss a note or two.
The bad thing is, if NO ONE ELSE ON YOUR FREAKING PART IS PLAYING, AND YOUR THE ONLY ONE ACTUALLY PLUCKING THE DARN NOTES, IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, NO ONE IS PLAYING AT ALL.
This is kind of how the night went.
Girls Group: *nice music*
Me: Oh man, we're doing good.
Girls Group: *special section where all the parts are seperated and can be heard individually*
Me: Uhh...why does it sound like I'm the only one on my part playing?
Me: HOLY CRAP I AM THE ONLY ONE PLAYING
Me: *tries to be louder and not freak out but freaks out anyway, and while trying to be loud and NOT freak out, I make mistakes and FREAK OUT*
Me: I swear to God I'm gonna kill those little-
*END OF SONG*
And it only got worse from there
*Entire Ensemble's Conjoined Thought: No one is playing*
Me: Oh. Ma. Gawd.
Girl Next to Me: *pees her pants*
Guitar Teacher: *silently calms his inner demons of rage*
Audience: Why is there a big puddle underneath their feet?
Ya. Thank God for my golden smile, or we would have been chased out by a very angry mob.
My family says they couldn't hear our serious blunders, but we all know how that works.
They're lying like little-
*END OF BLOG*
Love,
Danielle
Monday, May 30, 2011
EVERYTHING THAT IS AWESOME INCLUDES...
THE COMPLETE RUN-THROUGH OF THIS WEEK:
MONDAY: Memorial Day! No school= 'nuff said
TUESDAY: N/A
WEDNESDAY: My braces will be REMOVED, then I go to school. The afternoon follows suit, and then I have my last and final Guitar Concert at my school, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY: I was nominated to represent my civics teacher in the annual Social Studies Fair at one of the local high schools. My friend and I (I was able to choose a friends to come along with me) will be missing two classes in the morning (HA HA YES!) and will return back to school at about lunch time, (presumably). Then, all tutors at my school will be given a celebration party a little after lunch, so I will probably miss a little bit of my fourth class as well. After school, I have a workshop class at Tuscarora, (The high school I'll be attending) for biology next year. (More on that later)
FRIDAY: THISISGONNABETHEMOSTFREAKINGAWESOMEAMAZINGDAYEVERINMYLIFE!
This day all the music departments in my school that are in 8th grade (guitar, chorus, band) get to go on a little field trip to HERSHEY PARK. This is a big deal though guys, seriously. We have to be at my school and on the bus by 5:30 IN THE MORNING. Yeah, no joke. My dad's chaperoning, so luckily, he can endure this slight bit of torture with me. Then we drive to the high school that we're performing at in Pennsylvania, and well, perform. (This is a music/guitar competition hosted by Hershey called Music in the Parks. There are judges and everything...) After the performance, we load back on the bus and go to HERSHEY PARK (It deserves all caps people) We stay there in our groups and roam the park and have fun and eat alot and go on rides and be awesome and not at school until 5:15 when we return to the buses and arrive back at our school at 7:30 p.m. My day will definitely be more cooler than yours, sorry to say.
SATURDAY: Friend's Birthday Party
SUNDAY: Freak out about going to Greece this summer and try to 'consider' packing!
So there you go! The complete run-through of this week. I figured since today I have no school (yay) I would try to explain the bestest week of my life before hand, in case things got too busy and crazy to blog about (THAT'S a definite!) I will try to blog about the important parts of these events though, so keep an eye out!
Love,
Your almost braceless, almost successful guitarist, almost school-less relative,
Danielle
MONDAY: Memorial Day! No school= 'nuff said
TUESDAY: N/A
WEDNESDAY: My braces will be REMOVED, then I go to school. The afternoon follows suit, and then I have my last and final Guitar Concert at my school, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY: I was nominated to represent my civics teacher in the annual Social Studies Fair at one of the local high schools. My friend and I (I was able to choose a friends to come along with me) will be missing two classes in the morning (HA HA YES!) and will return back to school at about lunch time, (presumably). Then, all tutors at my school will be given a celebration party a little after lunch, so I will probably miss a little bit of my fourth class as well. After school, I have a workshop class at Tuscarora, (The high school I'll be attending) for biology next year. (More on that later)
FRIDAY: THISISGONNABETHEMOSTFREAKINGAWESOMEAMAZINGDAYEVERINMYLIFE!
This day all the music departments in my school that are in 8th grade (guitar, chorus, band) get to go on a little field trip to HERSHEY PARK. This is a big deal though guys, seriously. We have to be at my school and on the bus by 5:30 IN THE MORNING. Yeah, no joke. My dad's chaperoning, so luckily, he can endure this slight bit of torture with me. Then we drive to the high school that we're performing at in Pennsylvania, and well, perform. (This is a music/guitar competition hosted by Hershey called Music in the Parks. There are judges and everything...) After the performance, we load back on the bus and go to HERSHEY PARK (It deserves all caps people) We stay there in our groups and roam the park and have fun and eat alot and go on rides and be awesome and not at school until 5:15 when we return to the buses and arrive back at our school at 7:30 p.m. My day will definitely be more cooler than yours, sorry to say.
SATURDAY: Friend's Birthday Party
SUNDAY: Freak out about going to Greece this summer and try to 'consider' packing!
So there you go! The complete run-through of this week. I figured since today I have no school (yay) I would try to explain the bestest week of my life before hand, in case things got too busy and crazy to blog about (THAT'S a definite!) I will try to blog about the important parts of these events though, so keep an eye out!
Love,
Your almost braceless, almost successful guitarist, almost school-less relative,
Danielle
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Luck is the word...
So it seems I have kept my word! Another post in less than 5 kazillion weeks! Blame it on Judgement Day...how was your hell on earth, by the way?
So everyone, the SOL's are finally over. Just in case you didn't know, SOL's (Standards Of Learning) are the state of Virginia's test that is required and given to students 3rd grade and up every year for the major subjects. Now, taking these tests have become like breathing air. You get lectured about them all year, you stress about them for about a month, you study for them for a week, and you take the freaking test. And then life goes back to being joyful and full of magic ponies. Results come in, (600= Perfect Score 400+ is passing, lower than that is obviously the opposite of passing) you either cry or jump with glee, and then we all get on with our lives, never to hear about the SOL's again...that is, until next year when the whole cycle starts over.
This year, I'm afraid, is slightly different.
You see, 8th graders are particularly lucky in all areas. Especially this year. I have expressed some of my enthusiasm in the past on this topic of suck-oh, i mean luck with 8th graders, but I never mentioned the icing on the cake. Our 8th grader ancestors have all enjoyed some sort of field trip and 'graduation' party at the end of the year. 6th and 7th graders get to see a show at the Kennedy Center and do whoop-de-doo in D.C. But 8th graders get to go to Baltimore for the aquarium. Now, you might be thinking, "OMG, fish are so totally amazing, that is the best field trip I have ever heard of yo!" but before you get all sarcastic on me, let me tell you something: I have been to D.C. more times than I would like to count. I have been breathing D.C. air, stepping on D.C. soil, peeing in D.C. toilets FOR THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE. Come on now guys, that's like being told you're getting to go on a field trip to the dentist. (No offense, dentists) Who seriously wants to do that for FUN? You go on a longg bus ride in crappity-crap buses, see alll the darn, white monuments you see in your nightmares (Washington Monument? More like GIANT POINTY VAMPIRE STAKE) and then walk around a boring museum you've already been to 50 times. No, I'll take fish over D.C. ANY DAY.
But get this: No fish. No, not even a D.C. WE. GET. NOTHING. 6th grade went on their field trip. 7th grade went. But 8th graders...aw, those good ol' 8th graders, they won't mind, and hey, who cares if they do, we are evil, fun-sucking teachers who like to blame BUDGET CUTS on the general dullness of our school.
So how do they make this up to us?
"Hey kids, for your graduation party, instead of having it on the weekend like we do usually do, we're gonna have it on a Thursday! But wait- Don't get too excited! You didn't really think we would give you the whole day off to enjoy your youth and give your aching, working brains a break, did you? Nahh, you can miss like, two of your classes, kay? Oh, and btw, gimmie 10 bucks fools."
Not only do we have to still do SCHOOL on our graduation party, but we also have to pay for our food and t-shirts. And get your hopes up about the entertainment...they're renting us BOUNCY equipment. As in SWEATY ADOLESCENT TEENAGERS BOUNCING AROUND ON AN OVER-SIZED MULTI-COLORED BEACH BALL.
So yes. Like I said before, 8th graders really are lucky. To add to that luck, we are the only grade in middle school who have to take a Science SOL, on top of an English, Civics and Math one. The science SOL is from all three years of middle school too. So really, just as easy as one, (just had a break down) two, (major sleep deprivation) three (suicidal thoughts).
But thank the lord, SOL's are OVER. The good news: I got a 600 on my Algebra SOL (HA HA SUCK IT THOMAS JEFFERSON!) The bad news: Testing still isn't over. On top of SOL's, we also have exams for every single subject, including music and P.E. (Feel free to laugh hysterically) Luckily, my school has this incentive program, where if you pass your SOL for that subject, then you don't have to take the exam. That still doesn't exclude P.E. though. Ha. Love it.
So on top of the usual stressing that happens during SOL time, there is also post-stressing, because now all us 8th graders are wondering if we are going to have to take the frickin exam too.
so, yay.
Love,
Danielle
So everyone, the SOL's are finally over. Just in case you didn't know, SOL's (Standards Of Learning) are the state of Virginia's test that is required and given to students 3rd grade and up every year for the major subjects. Now, taking these tests have become like breathing air. You get lectured about them all year, you stress about them for about a month, you study for them for a week, and you take the freaking test. And then life goes back to being joyful and full of magic ponies. Results come in, (600= Perfect Score 400+ is passing, lower than that is obviously the opposite of passing) you either cry or jump with glee, and then we all get on with our lives, never to hear about the SOL's again...that is, until next year when the whole cycle starts over.
This year, I'm afraid, is slightly different.
You see, 8th graders are particularly lucky in all areas. Especially this year. I have expressed some of my enthusiasm in the past on this topic of suck-oh, i mean luck with 8th graders, but I never mentioned the icing on the cake. Our 8th grader ancestors have all enjoyed some sort of field trip and 'graduation' party at the end of the year. 6th and 7th graders get to see a show at the Kennedy Center and do whoop-de-doo in D.C. But 8th graders get to go to Baltimore for the aquarium. Now, you might be thinking, "OMG, fish are so totally amazing, that is the best field trip I have ever heard of yo!" but before you get all sarcastic on me, let me tell you something: I have been to D.C. more times than I would like to count. I have been breathing D.C. air, stepping on D.C. soil, peeing in D.C. toilets FOR THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE. Come on now guys, that's like being told you're getting to go on a field trip to the dentist. (No offense, dentists) Who seriously wants to do that for FUN? You go on a longg bus ride in crappity-crap buses, see alll the darn, white monuments you see in your nightmares (Washington Monument? More like GIANT POINTY VAMPIRE STAKE) and then walk around a boring museum you've already been to 50 times. No, I'll take fish over D.C. ANY DAY.
But get this: No fish. No, not even a D.C. WE. GET. NOTHING. 6th grade went on their field trip. 7th grade went. But 8th graders...aw, those good ol' 8th graders, they won't mind, and hey, who cares if they do, we are evil, fun-sucking teachers who like to blame BUDGET CUTS on the general dullness of our school.
So how do they make this up to us?
"Hey kids, for your graduation party, instead of having it on the weekend like we do usually do, we're gonna have it on a Thursday! But wait- Don't get too excited! You didn't really think we would give you the whole day off to enjoy your youth and give your aching, working brains a break, did you? Nahh, you can miss like, two of your classes, kay? Oh, and btw, gimmie 10 bucks fools."
Not only do we have to still do SCHOOL on our graduation party, but we also have to pay for our food and t-shirts. And get your hopes up about the entertainment...they're renting us BOUNCY equipment. As in SWEATY ADOLESCENT TEENAGERS BOUNCING AROUND ON AN OVER-SIZED MULTI-COLORED BEACH BALL.
So yes. Like I said before, 8th graders really are lucky. To add to that luck, we are the only grade in middle school who have to take a Science SOL, on top of an English, Civics and Math one. The science SOL is from all three years of middle school too. So really, just as easy as one, (just had a break down) two, (major sleep deprivation) three (suicidal thoughts).
But thank the lord, SOL's are OVER. The good news: I got a 600 on my Algebra SOL (HA HA SUCK IT THOMAS JEFFERSON!) The bad news: Testing still isn't over. On top of SOL's, we also have exams for every single subject, including music and P.E. (Feel free to laugh hysterically) Luckily, my school has this incentive program, where if you pass your SOL for that subject, then you don't have to take the exam. That still doesn't exclude P.E. though. Ha. Love it.
So on top of the usual stressing that happens during SOL time, there is also post-stressing, because now all us 8th graders are wondering if we are going to have to take the frickin exam too.
so, yay.
Love,
Danielle
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Braces and Earrings and Victory, OH MY!
Ahh! What a mess! It has been way over a month and not ONE post! What is happening to this world!?
I am so sorry dear ones. I'm sure you all have been just so devastated from lack of blogy-ness. I understand your pain.
The good news is, I'm back! (well, for now. Until another SUPER EXTREMELY HUGELY HUMONGOUSLY BUSY month comes around again)
Soo much has happened since I last posted. Too much to catch up on...but hey, that's what VISITS are for!
The important stuff is: My brain was not blown to bits because of an ear gun! My ears have now been successfully pierced for a little bit over 6 weeks. 2 more to go, and then I get to change my beginners earrings. (For those of you who are not earring-savvy, when you get your ears pierced, (with the gun thingy) a special hypo-allergenic real gold/silver earring is placed in the hole immediately (with the gun thingy). This earring stays in your ears for 6-8 weeks. You strictly CAN NOT take them out ONCE. You're supposed to clean them twice a day, and be careful with your ears around suspiciously bacterial bacteria that cause infections. Once the 8 weeks is up, you can then change your earrings finally, but you still can only wear real gold/silver for half a year.) So by June, I will have liberated ears! They will finally have a choice between gold...or silver. hm. decisions, decisions...
Also...
MYBRACESWILLBEOFFSUPERSUPERSUPERSOON!!!!
On June 1st...I'm kissing these suckers goodbye and saying heeloooo to new, straight, gap-less teeth! No more metal! No more rubber bands! No more restricted diets because of immense dental pain! No more poking wires, or tightening wires, or chains!
People, do you realize this is only in 13 days!?
This is very, very, very good news.
That week of June 1st will be an extremely hectic and crazy one, but more on that later!
For now folks, adios!
Love,
Danielle
P.S. Last SOL is tomorrow. BUT MORE ON THAT LATER. ;) (a.k.a next month)
I am so sorry dear ones. I'm sure you all have been just so devastated from lack of blogy-ness. I understand your pain.
The good news is, I'm back! (well, for now. Until another SUPER EXTREMELY HUGELY HUMONGOUSLY BUSY month comes around again)
Soo much has happened since I last posted. Too much to catch up on...but hey, that's what VISITS are for!
The important stuff is: My brain was not blown to bits because of an ear gun! My ears have now been successfully pierced for a little bit over 6 weeks. 2 more to go, and then I get to change my beginners earrings. (For those of you who are not earring-savvy, when you get your ears pierced, (with the gun thingy) a special hypo-allergenic real gold/silver earring is placed in the hole immediately (with the gun thingy). This earring stays in your ears for 6-8 weeks. You strictly CAN NOT take them out ONCE. You're supposed to clean them twice a day, and be careful with your ears around suspiciously bacterial bacteria that cause infections. Once the 8 weeks is up, you can then change your earrings finally, but you still can only wear real gold/silver for half a year.) So by June, I will have liberated ears! They will finally have a choice between gold...or silver. hm. decisions, decisions...
Also...
MYBRACESWILLBEOFFSUPERSUPERSUPERSOON!!!!
On June 1st...I'm kissing these suckers goodbye and saying heeloooo to new, straight, gap-less teeth! No more metal! No more rubber bands! No more restricted diets because of immense dental pain! No more poking wires, or tightening wires, or chains!
People, do you realize this is only in 13 days!?
This is very, very, very good news.
That week of June 1st will be an extremely hectic and crazy one, but more on that later!
For now folks, adios!
Love,
Danielle
P.S. Last SOL is tomorrow. BUT MORE ON THAT LATER. ;) (a.k.a next month)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Ear Guns and The Freaking Dream Team
Hey everyone!
It's been awhile since I last posted, so I thought I would just give a quick update.
Things have been going fine at the Matta house...school and work and eating a lot keeps us busy, as usual.
Speaking of school...only 54 school days left until summer! That's about 11 weeks! Practically 2 and a half months! 1296 hours! Wow...it seems a lot longer when you say it in hours... :(
Also, further good news on my part, my braces shall be making an exit rather soon! My orthodontist says I should have them off sometime in May...Why aren't you celebrating? If anything, THIS is a cause for celebration!
Another new addition to my life: More stress! Oh wait...
So a couple of weeks ago I was informed that me and 7 others were chosen to be in this thing called the Academic Challenge (This is where you groan and wish you had a cooler daughter/niece/grandchild/life) It's basically like Jeopardy except between lots of middle schools and with teams. And being in the Academic Challenge is a lot more embarrassing than being on Jeopardy. I mean, just look at the name. The only way it could be worse is if it was called Nerds R Us. Though I think 'Academic Challenge' brings across that message quite nicely anyway.
So, the actual thing is this upcoming Saturday, at 9 a.m. Against my will, our team is called The Dream Team (Which is like icing on the cake. Gee, what can we call ourselves to draw less nerdy attention to ourselves? How about THE DREAM TEAM? -_- We might as well just come in suspenders and wave around our allergy medication.) Anyway, the plan is to win, no matter how much that might shame all our reputations. We have had a few meetings, and I think we have a pretty good shot. And even if we lose, at least we can all put it behind us and never speak of it again. And possibly change our names and move to Mexico. Yeah.
So that's pretty much it my friends! I'm going to the mall now with my mom to do some birthday returns/gift card using and...to get my ears pierced! Before I go, I'll leave this short dialogue of how my friends described the process of getting your ears pierced:
(Me) "Does it hurt?"
"Nah, it feels like a shot. It only hurts for a second."
"It hurts for longer than a second. Maybe five seconds."
"Well, it's kinda nerve-wracking, with the gun and all..."
(Me) "THE GUN!!!??"
"Yeah, you know, the gun with the needle on it. They just put it next to your ear and shoot it!"
"Mine bled for like, forevahh."
(Me) "THE GUN!!!??"
"Jeez Danielle, it's not a big deal. They put numbing stuff on your ear. I think."
(Me) "Oh Lord."
Adios! Off to go get my ear combusted!
Love,
Danielle
It's been awhile since I last posted, so I thought I would just give a quick update.
Things have been going fine at the Matta house...school and work and eating a lot keeps us busy, as usual.
Speaking of school...only 54 school days left until summer! That's about 11 weeks! Practically 2 and a half months! 1296 hours! Wow...it seems a lot longer when you say it in hours... :(
Also, further good news on my part, my braces shall be making an exit rather soon! My orthodontist says I should have them off sometime in May...Why aren't you celebrating? If anything, THIS is a cause for celebration!
Another new addition to my life: More stress! Oh wait...
So a couple of weeks ago I was informed that me and 7 others were chosen to be in this thing called the Academic Challenge (This is where you groan and wish you had a cooler daughter/niece/grandchild/life) It's basically like Jeopardy except between lots of middle schools and with teams. And being in the Academic Challenge is a lot more embarrassing than being on Jeopardy. I mean, just look at the name. The only way it could be worse is if it was called Nerds R Us. Though I think 'Academic Challenge' brings across that message quite nicely anyway.
So, the actual thing is this upcoming Saturday, at 9 a.m. Against my will, our team is called The Dream Team (Which is like icing on the cake. Gee, what can we call ourselves to draw less nerdy attention to ourselves? How about THE DREAM TEAM? -_- We might as well just come in suspenders and wave around our allergy medication.) Anyway, the plan is to win, no matter how much that might shame all our reputations. We have had a few meetings, and I think we have a pretty good shot. And even if we lose, at least we can all put it behind us and never speak of it again. And possibly change our names and move to Mexico. Yeah.
So that's pretty much it my friends! I'm going to the mall now with my mom to do some birthday returns/gift card using and...to get my ears pierced! Before I go, I'll leave this short dialogue of how my friends described the process of getting your ears pierced:
(Me) "Does it hurt?"
"Nah, it feels like a shot. It only hurts for a second."
"It hurts for longer than a second. Maybe five seconds."
"Well, it's kinda nerve-wracking, with the gun and all..."
(Me) "THE GUN!!!??"
"Yeah, you know, the gun with the needle on it. They just put it next to your ear and shoot it!"
"Mine bled for like, forevahh."
(Me) "THE GUN!!!??"
"Jeez Danielle, it's not a big deal. They put numbing stuff on your ear. I think."
(Me) "Oh Lord."
Adios! Off to go get my ear combusted!
Love,
Danielle
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A Healthy Birthday
So, Thursday was my birthday, and yesterday (Saturday) was my birthday party.
I had a lot of fun.
I invited 12 girls, 11 from my school, and one of them who is not. Nick invited that girl's little sister as his 'buddy' at my party. 2 girls couldn't come, so we were left with a guest list of about 11 people.
The party started at 2 o'clock. Once everyone arrived, I went over the rules of poker, and we all (tried) to play a game. Instead of betting money, we bet candy. (Which in the end, didn't really matter much, because the winning team decided to share all their candy anyway)
Afterwards we played another card game, and then ate some pizza.
In between decorating our own cards and opening presents, we danced and ate cake. And chips. And dip. And a LOT of chips.
By 7, the party was over. I think everyone really enjoyed it. Five girls didn't leave though; My closest friends out of the 10 were invited to a sleepover after the party. We played an intense game of smack each other with balloons, then took a walk outside, since the weather has been soooo nice here lately. We then talked for about an hour, while eating more chips. I spilled iced tea on the rug. By accident. But I cleaned it up. While eating chips.
We watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding (one of the few DVDs we do actually own...other than Mama Mia and Bratz movies) and blew up our air mattresses down in the basement, where we would be 'sleeping'. Once the movie finished, we talked for a long time, and then ended up somehow doing make-overs and hair and eating some more chips.
Finally, at 4 a.m., we should probably go to bed. People washed off their makeup, put on their pjs, and hopped onto our designated air mattress. We all fell asleep instantly.
It was an awesome day, and I got some pretty cool gifts too. Here is the list of the prezzies I got from my friends:
5 nail polishes: Ectoplasmic (neon green), Snakeskin (goldish-gray), Sand and Stilettos (silver and purple sparkles), Gorgeous (metallic blue/green), and Fault Line (dark purple). The purple nail polish is really cool, because it's a special nail polish that 'cracks' after you apply it, so that it gives an automatic design. For example, you could put on a black coat, and put the purple nail polish on top. After a little bit, the purple starts to separate or shatter apart, leaving a sort of black and purple leopard print!
An I Love Gangstas magnet
4 gift cards: $10 to Books-A-Million, $15 to Target, $20 to Borders, and $15 for iTunes
An American Eagle shirt
A gold and brown bracelet
The book, Red Riding Hood, by Catherine Hardwicke (Now becoming a movie! or is already...not sure)
A 'Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio'\
Pack of gum
Little pack of jelly beans
A necklace with a camera charm
A pair of earrings in the shape of two little silver keys
A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Donald Duck sticker. (Jealous????)
A cell phone carrying case
A really cool pencil with a home-made duct-tape flower on the top! (ok, a little better explained...my friend made a rose out of duct tape coming out of a pencil...NOW your jealous!)
A lid bronzer palette
15 bucks
A chocolate bunny
A bookmark made out of duct tape (hand made)
A little change purse made out of duct tape (hand made)
And this is what my family gave me during my birthday dinner on Thursday:
A 500 piece puzzle
A HUMONGO bag of jelly beans (NO JOKE. I'M TALKING LIKE, 2 POUNDS WORTH OF JELLY BEANS!)
3 books: Crossing Over, The Prophecy of the Sisters, and The Replacement
A make-up mirror
Some clothes
A jewelry box that my mom painted and had all my mom's earrings from when she was my age
A check from my Nona
All and all, it was a great birthday, and I thank all of you for the great gifts and wishes you gave me!
Now, I must go sleep in the corner.
I
am
very
tired.
And I want some chips really bad.
Love,
Danielle
I had a lot of fun.
I invited 12 girls, 11 from my school, and one of them who is not. Nick invited that girl's little sister as his 'buddy' at my party. 2 girls couldn't come, so we were left with a guest list of about 11 people.
The party started at 2 o'clock. Once everyone arrived, I went over the rules of poker, and we all (tried) to play a game. Instead of betting money, we bet candy. (Which in the end, didn't really matter much, because the winning team decided to share all their candy anyway)
Afterwards we played another card game, and then ate some pizza.
In between decorating our own cards and opening presents, we danced and ate cake. And chips. And dip. And a LOT of chips.
By 7, the party was over. I think everyone really enjoyed it. Five girls didn't leave though; My closest friends out of the 10 were invited to a sleepover after the party. We played an intense game of smack each other with balloons, then took a walk outside, since the weather has been soooo nice here lately. We then talked for about an hour, while eating more chips. I spilled iced tea on the rug. By accident. But I cleaned it up. While eating chips.
We watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding (one of the few DVDs we do actually own...other than Mama Mia and Bratz movies) and blew up our air mattresses down in the basement, where we would be 'sleeping'. Once the movie finished, we talked for a long time, and then ended up somehow doing make-overs and hair and eating some more chips.
Finally, at 4 a.m., we should probably go to bed. People washed off their makeup, put on their pjs, and hopped onto our designated air mattress. We all fell asleep instantly.
It was an awesome day, and I got some pretty cool gifts too. Here is the list of the prezzies I got from my friends:
5 nail polishes: Ectoplasmic (neon green), Snakeskin (goldish-gray), Sand and Stilettos (silver and purple sparkles), Gorgeous (metallic blue/green), and Fault Line (dark purple). The purple nail polish is really cool, because it's a special nail polish that 'cracks' after you apply it, so that it gives an automatic design. For example, you could put on a black coat, and put the purple nail polish on top. After a little bit, the purple starts to separate or shatter apart, leaving a sort of black and purple leopard print!
An I Love Gangstas magnet
4 gift cards: $10 to Books-A-Million, $15 to Target, $20 to Borders, and $15 for iTunes
An American Eagle shirt
A gold and brown bracelet
The book, Red Riding Hood, by Catherine Hardwicke (Now becoming a movie! or is already...not sure)
A 'Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio'\
Pack of gum
Little pack of jelly beans
A necklace with a camera charm
A pair of earrings in the shape of two little silver keys
A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Donald Duck sticker. (Jealous????)
A cell phone carrying case
A really cool pencil with a home-made duct-tape flower on the top! (ok, a little better explained...my friend made a rose out of duct tape coming out of a pencil...NOW your jealous!)
A lid bronzer palette
15 bucks
A chocolate bunny
A bookmark made out of duct tape (hand made)
A little change purse made out of duct tape (hand made)
And this is what my family gave me during my birthday dinner on Thursday:
A 500 piece puzzle
A HUMONGO bag of jelly beans (NO JOKE. I'M TALKING LIKE, 2 POUNDS WORTH OF JELLY BEANS!)
3 books: Crossing Over, The Prophecy of the Sisters, and The Replacement
A make-up mirror
Some clothes
A jewelry box that my mom painted and had all my mom's earrings from when she was my age
A check from my Nona
All and all, it was a great birthday, and I thank all of you for the great gifts and wishes you gave me!
Now, I must go sleep in the corner.
I
am
very
tired.
And I want some chips really bad.
Love,
Danielle
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Thou Art Angsty and Cynical, Dastardly Invitations!
Hola! How's it going? Hope you all are excited for the weekend...'cause I sure am!!
It has been quite a while since I've done one of my typical, sarcastic, slighty angsty posts, but with school and...well, school, it has been quite hard being very angsty at all!! But, you all are in luck, because Ranting Danielle is riled up and ready to go!
So for those of you who haven't noticed, (and if you did not, you should go into your hallway, find a nice little corner, and start slowly but steadily ceasing your brain cells from exsistance by banging your head continuously) tomorrow is my birthday. March 17th. 2011. I shall be the mighty age of fourteen. One-Four, the age of...nothing. mannnn.
Anyway, every year, when my birthday comes around, usually a couple weeks before I start planning out my party. This then involves running the idea with the 'rents. (God I hate that 'cool' way of saying parents. What the heck is cooler about chopping off the p-a-r part? And since when does saying 'parents' have to be cool anyway? I thought, being an angsty teen and all, that parents WERE NOT cool. But hey, my angst has been running low these past couple of days, so what would I know?) Then, once my plan has been approved, we go shopping for decor, paper plates, napkins etc., food...and whatever else is included in this birthday plan of mine. (which probably consists of making my guests do something that they wouldn't want to do at a circus in mid-air while going through a hoop of fire, much less a birthday party)
But every year, there is always this awkwardness about giving out invitations. I mean, I make a list, figure out who I want to invite and who I don't, and I write up the invitations. So the handing out of invites should be easy, right?
Well, no. Because this is where the awkward part comes in.
There are your Good/Best Friends, your Sort-of Friends, your Kind-of-Not Friends, your Friends Only in Class Friends, your We Only Talk in the Locker Room Friends, your Friend of a Friend Friends, your You-Only-Hang-Out-With-Them-Because-They-Hang-Around-Your-Friends Friend, and your Friends Who Are Not Really Your Friends But Stick Like Glue Anyway.
Those are a lot of 'friends'. Yeah, it's pretty sad and kind of cynical to make catagories like that, but come on, lets face it here, you all know it's true. You know you have at least one person in your life that could fit in one of those groups. Plus, cynical is my most feared side. Rawr.
So basically, when it comes to invitation giving, there are several problems and obstacles that come up. And you'll literally do ANYTHING to avoid these problems and obstacles...because 'friend catagories' are the hardest to mess with, son. You mess with one, you screw the delicate balance of 'friendship' competely, and mess with a bunch of others that you would never have thought were connected..
For example, lets say one of your Good/Best Friends does...I don't know, softball, and she made the winning...serve? volley? Yeah, SO THEY WIN. The game was really important to your friend and your really proud of her (plus she's in your Good/Best Friends catagory...that's gotta mean something) so you go out and buy her, oh I don't know, a really expensive necklace that she's always wanted. But, uh oh, dilema, you have only one class with this friend and you don't want to hand an expensive necklace to her out in front of your entire class. So you tell her to meet you by your locker.
Now, next to you, is your We Only Talk in the Locker Room Friend. She has had a locker next to you for the past 3 years. You guys talk and laugh, but ONLY between classes, and it doesn't really go beyond that. But you know for a fact that THAT friend has always wanted said expensive necklace as well. And it is ALSO your common knowledge that THAT friend ALSO had a very important game in...er, HOCKEY. No, I change my mind, SOCCER.
So your Good/Best Friend comes up, and right there next to you, looking at you with wide eyes and breathing down your freaking neck, is We Only Talk in the Locker Room Friend. She's even more intrigued when your Good/Best Friend goes, "Hey, you said you wanted to give me a gift?"
So you have no choice but to give her the necklace, right there in front of your W.O.T.i.t.L.R.F. Who then goes, "OMG! I'VE BEEN WANTING THAT NECKLACE FOREVAAH! WHAT'S IT FOR???" and then you are stuck in the very awkward position of explaining that you are giving it to that friend because she won the game...and therefore admitting RIGHT TO THAT FRIENDS FACE, that you like her A WHOLE LOT LESS (specifically, a very expensive necklace less) than her. Which, is awkward.
And it gets a whole lot worse when it comes to party invitations. Especially when you are constantly SURROUNDED by people who potientially think they are worthy of being invited to your party. Even if you may not agree.
Which, is awkard.
And makes me VERY angsty ;PP
So family, before I go sulk and brood about my poor, vain, social catastrophes, I say goodnight. And beware of angst-creating, awkward situation forming, friendship severing invitations.
I have said the word angst WAY too many times in this one post. Maybe next time I should just put the title as: WARNING: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN TOO MUCH TEENAGE ANGST. READ WITH CAUTION.
I think maybe I should just go to bed now. You all have a lot to think about, obvioulsy, what with my motivational and emotional post. So full of...ang-
Guess what that word would have been.
Wow. I'm annoying.
Love,
Danielle
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! NO INVITATION NECESSARY!
It has been quite a while since I've done one of my typical, sarcastic, slighty angsty posts, but with school and...well, school, it has been quite hard being very angsty at all!! But, you all are in luck, because Ranting Danielle is riled up and ready to go!
So for those of you who haven't noticed, (and if you did not, you should go into your hallway, find a nice little corner, and start slowly but steadily ceasing your brain cells from exsistance by banging your head continuously) tomorrow is my birthday. March 17th. 2011. I shall be the mighty age of fourteen. One-Four, the age of...nothing. mannnn.
Anyway, every year, when my birthday comes around, usually a couple weeks before I start planning out my party. This then involves running the idea with the 'rents. (God I hate that 'cool' way of saying parents. What the heck is cooler about chopping off the p-a-r part? And since when does saying 'parents' have to be cool anyway? I thought, being an angsty teen and all, that parents WERE NOT cool. But hey, my angst has been running low these past couple of days, so what would I know?) Then, once my plan has been approved, we go shopping for decor, paper plates, napkins etc., food...and whatever else is included in this birthday plan of mine. (which probably consists of making my guests do something that they wouldn't want to do at a circus in mid-air while going through a hoop of fire, much less a birthday party)
But every year, there is always this awkwardness about giving out invitations. I mean, I make a list, figure out who I want to invite and who I don't, and I write up the invitations. So the handing out of invites should be easy, right?
Well, no. Because this is where the awkward part comes in.
There are your Good/Best Friends, your Sort-of Friends, your Kind-of-Not Friends, your Friends Only in Class Friends, your We Only Talk in the Locker Room Friends, your Friend of a Friend Friends, your You-Only-Hang-Out-With-Them-Because-They-Hang-Around-Your-Friends Friend, and your Friends Who Are Not Really Your Friends But Stick Like Glue Anyway.
Those are a lot of 'friends'. Yeah, it's pretty sad and kind of cynical to make catagories like that, but come on, lets face it here, you all know it's true. You know you have at least one person in your life that could fit in one of those groups. Plus, cynical is my most feared side. Rawr.
So basically, when it comes to invitation giving, there are several problems and obstacles that come up. And you'll literally do ANYTHING to avoid these problems and obstacles...because 'friend catagories' are the hardest to mess with, son. You mess with one, you screw the delicate balance of 'friendship' competely, and mess with a bunch of others that you would never have thought were connected..
For example, lets say one of your Good/Best Friends does...I don't know, softball, and she made the winning...serve? volley? Yeah, SO THEY WIN. The game was really important to your friend and your really proud of her (plus she's in your Good/Best Friends catagory...that's gotta mean something) so you go out and buy her, oh I don't know, a really expensive necklace that she's always wanted. But, uh oh, dilema, you have only one class with this friend and you don't want to hand an expensive necklace to her out in front of your entire class. So you tell her to meet you by your locker.
Now, next to you, is your We Only Talk in the Locker Room Friend. She has had a locker next to you for the past 3 years. You guys talk and laugh, but ONLY between classes, and it doesn't really go beyond that. But you know for a fact that THAT friend has always wanted said expensive necklace as well. And it is ALSO your common knowledge that THAT friend ALSO had a very important game in...er, HOCKEY. No, I change my mind, SOCCER.
So your Good/Best Friend comes up, and right there next to you, looking at you with wide eyes and breathing down your freaking neck, is We Only Talk in the Locker Room Friend. She's even more intrigued when your Good/Best Friend goes, "Hey, you said you wanted to give me a gift?"
So you have no choice but to give her the necklace, right there in front of your W.O.T.i.t.L.R.F. Who then goes, "OMG! I'VE BEEN WANTING THAT NECKLACE FOREVAAH! WHAT'S IT FOR???" and then you are stuck in the very awkward position of explaining that you are giving it to that friend because she won the game...and therefore admitting RIGHT TO THAT FRIENDS FACE, that you like her A WHOLE LOT LESS (specifically, a very expensive necklace less) than her. Which, is awkward.
And it gets a whole lot worse when it comes to party invitations. Especially when you are constantly SURROUNDED by people who potientially think they are worthy of being invited to your party. Even if you may not agree.
Which, is awkard.
And makes me VERY angsty ;PP
So family, before I go sulk and brood about my poor, vain, social catastrophes, I say goodnight. And beware of angst-creating, awkward situation forming, friendship severing invitations.
I have said the word angst WAY too many times in this one post. Maybe next time I should just put the title as: WARNING: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN TOO MUCH TEENAGE ANGST. READ WITH CAUTION.
I think maybe I should just go to bed now. You all have a lot to think about, obvioulsy, what with my motivational and emotional post. So full of...ang-
Guess what that word would have been.
Wow. I'm annoying.
Love,
Danielle
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! NO INVITATION NECESSARY!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Happy Birthday Jido!
On this day, 73 years ago, Fouad George Matta was born!
73 years. That's a long time, my friends.
Today, we celebrate him in our hearts and minds, as a wonderful man and loving person. Even though he is no longer with us, his influence and spirit lives on. The lives he has touched are living proof of the impact he had on the people that knew him. For this, I will forever honor this day, March 14th, as the day that brought my grandfather into this world.
It is said about people born on March 14th:
"They are fond of society and are good conversationalists, and their company is sought by all. They are energetic and clear thinkers. With their blessed combination of ambition and friendly disposition, they will achieve great success in anything they undertake."
For those of you who knew Fouad, I think you can agree with me when I say that this is a very good way to describe our birthday boy.
And, since this is the celebration of what would be Fouad Matta's 73rd birthday, there is a surprise too!
Today, my dad did a very special thing. Something we both have been wanting to do for a while.
He bought Jido's online obituary and guestbook, so that the kind words and honorable biography of him can be forever on the Internet...The expiration date has disappeared!!!
I ask you all to please thank him for that...it was very nice of him to do that for us and for Jido. He has also written his guestbook message, and I ask you all to go and read that too, since it's very touching. Now, where ever we go, we can always carry the love and support of the many people who knew Fouad and cared for him. We can always look back upon the beautiful messages to him and about him, and smile and cry and remember him as he always was in life: An Angel.
This is the link to the obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=142374596
This is the link to the guestbook: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/bostonglobe/guestbook.aspx?n=fouad-matta&pid=142374596&cid=full
Thank you to those who have offered to 'Contribute to Tribute'. That will be posted in April, and when I need of your assistance, I'll let you know! For now, family, goodbye!
Love,
Danielle
Happy Birthday Jido! Je t'aime beaucoup mon grand-pere! Tu es mon ange gardien! xxx
73 years. That's a long time, my friends.
Today, we celebrate him in our hearts and minds, as a wonderful man and loving person. Even though he is no longer with us, his influence and spirit lives on. The lives he has touched are living proof of the impact he had on the people that knew him. For this, I will forever honor this day, March 14th, as the day that brought my grandfather into this world.
It is said about people born on March 14th:
"They are fond of society and are good conversationalists, and their company is sought by all. They are energetic and clear thinkers. With their blessed combination of ambition and friendly disposition, they will achieve great success in anything they undertake."
For those of you who knew Fouad, I think you can agree with me when I say that this is a very good way to describe our birthday boy.
And, since this is the celebration of what would be Fouad Matta's 73rd birthday, there is a surprise too!
Today, my dad did a very special thing. Something we both have been wanting to do for a while.
He bought Jido's online obituary and guestbook, so that the kind words and honorable biography of him can be forever on the Internet...The expiration date has disappeared!!!
I ask you all to please thank him for that...it was very nice of him to do that for us and for Jido. He has also written his guestbook message, and I ask you all to go and read that too, since it's very touching. Now, where ever we go, we can always carry the love and support of the many people who knew Fouad and cared for him. We can always look back upon the beautiful messages to him and about him, and smile and cry and remember him as he always was in life: An Angel.
This is the link to the obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=142374596
This is the link to the guestbook: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/bostonglobe/guestbook.aspx?n=fouad-matta&pid=142374596&cid=full
Thank you to those who have offered to 'Contribute to Tribute'. That will be posted in April, and when I need of your assistance, I'll let you know! For now, family, goodbye!
Love,
Danielle
Happy Birthday Jido! Je t'aime beaucoup mon grand-pere! Tu es mon ange gardien! xxx
Friday, March 4, 2011
:D *Smiley Face* :D
Happy Friday compadres! It's been a very loooooong, incredibly tiring week, (But my bladder is back to normal, thanks for asking!) so I'm ever so happy for it to be the weekend.
I have some very special, extra inclusive news! But first, something you all don't care about:
Books. Man, I love books. Short books, Fat books, Blue books, Red books! (Did anyone catch my lame reference to Dr. Suess? Eh, irony? Ok. I'll stop) Anyway, I truly do love reading my friends. And when I read a very, very good book, there usually is a sequel. And trust me, when a sequel is going to be released, me, my family and my friends all know about it. This is basically how it works:
*sun rises, birds chirp cheerfully outside*
Me: Ahh, what a beautiful morning! Let me just skip to the toilet...OH DEAR! MY FABULOUS BOOK SEQUEL IS COMING OUT SENSES ARE TINGLING!
*runs to mother*
Me: Mooooom. So. There's this uh, thing, that, you know, I can't like, live without, uh-"
Mom: Go ask your father.
*runs to father, birds have mysteriously appeared inside the house and land on her shoulders*
Me: Daaaaaad. There's this er, thing, like, um, a special sort of thing, that uhh-"
*Bird poops on her shoulder*
Me: Hush my darling birdie
Dad: uh? What's going on??
Me: Father dearest, I've been awfully wonderful these past couple of weeks, and I think it is time I was awarded for my good behavior...
Dad: *snores
*at school*
Me: "...and that's what the first book was all about!!! Aren't you excited for the sequel???"
Friend #1: *snores
*Bird poops on my shoulder again*
And that's pretty much how it goes. Luckily, my parents are BEAUTIFUL, SMART, WONDERFUL PEOPLE, and they usually manage to take me to the bookstore the day the book comes out, which makes me a very happy little nerd :) And, since I'm sure you all are wondering, YES, I DO ACTUALLY HAVE FRIENDS. MOST OF THE TIME.
Well, now that THAT is out of the way...
I have some exxxciiiitingggg newwws!
Remember those essays I blogged about? Those incredibly boring, tedious essays that I have been required to do through my classes!? WELL I WON FIRST PLACE BABY!
The funny party? Out of all the essays I've written this year (And I've written quite alot) that particular essay that gave me 100 buckaroos, was probably my worst one. It was like 247 words (Which is about 3 paragraphs) and not my best work, if I'm honest. BUT GUESS WHAT HATERZ? MY 3 PARAGRAPHS ARE GOING TO THE DISTRICT COMPETITION!
So yes, I am very happy about that!!! 100 dollar check. I think I shall shed a tear or two.
There was some framed certificate giving and lots of picture taking that occurred during this Ceremony of Winning For Danielle Matter Suckers, and those pictures will be posted on the website of the people who hosted the contest, which is the Elks Lodge. When they're posted up, I will let everyone know!
So yes! This event has made a very big smiley face on MY face.
Also, Happy Birthday to 5 year old Anthony, my cousin!!
And hey, if you every happen to enter in a certain Elks Essay Contest when your older...I know who to call ;)
Night everybody! Time to go do a happy dance and celebrate by...reading. Man my life is exciting!
Love,
Danielle, THE WINNER AND NOT YOU. AND NO, YOU WILL NOT BE GETTING A PORTION OF MY OBVIOUSLY ENVIED CASH PRIZE THAT I MOST CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE SPENDING ON BOOKS. OK I LIE.
I have some very special, extra inclusive news! But first, something you all don't care about:
Books. Man, I love books. Short books, Fat books, Blue books, Red books! (Did anyone catch my lame reference to Dr. Suess? Eh, irony? Ok. I'll stop) Anyway, I truly do love reading my friends. And when I read a very, very good book, there usually is a sequel. And trust me, when a sequel is going to be released, me, my family and my friends all know about it. This is basically how it works:
*sun rises, birds chirp cheerfully outside*
Me: Ahh, what a beautiful morning! Let me just skip to the toilet...OH DEAR! MY FABULOUS BOOK SEQUEL IS COMING OUT SENSES ARE TINGLING!
*runs to mother*
Me: Mooooom. So. There's this uh, thing, that, you know, I can't like, live without, uh-"
Mom: Go ask your father.
*runs to father, birds have mysteriously appeared inside the house and land on her shoulders*
Me: Daaaaaad. There's this er, thing, like, um, a special sort of thing, that uhh-"
*Bird poops on her shoulder*
Me: Hush my darling birdie
Dad: uh? What's going on??
Me: Father dearest, I've been awfully wonderful these past couple of weeks, and I think it is time I was awarded for my good behavior...
Dad: *snores
*at school*
Me: "...and that's what the first book was all about!!! Aren't you excited for the sequel???"
Friend #1: *snores
*Bird poops on my shoulder again*
And that's pretty much how it goes. Luckily, my parents are BEAUTIFUL, SMART, WONDERFUL PEOPLE, and they usually manage to take me to the bookstore the day the book comes out, which makes me a very happy little nerd :) And, since I'm sure you all are wondering, YES, I DO ACTUALLY HAVE FRIENDS. MOST OF THE TIME.
Well, now that THAT is out of the way...
I have some exxxciiiitingggg newwws!
Remember those essays I blogged about? Those incredibly boring, tedious essays that I have been required to do through my classes!? WELL I WON FIRST PLACE BABY!
The funny party? Out of all the essays I've written this year (And I've written quite alot) that particular essay that gave me 100 buckaroos, was probably my worst one. It was like 247 words (Which is about 3 paragraphs) and not my best work, if I'm honest. BUT GUESS WHAT HATERZ? MY 3 PARAGRAPHS ARE GOING TO THE DISTRICT COMPETITION!
So yes, I am very happy about that!!! 100 dollar check. I think I shall shed a tear or two.
There was some framed certificate giving and lots of picture taking that occurred during this Ceremony of Winning For Danielle Matter Suckers, and those pictures will be posted on the website of the people who hosted the contest, which is the Elks Lodge. When they're posted up, I will let everyone know!
So yes! This event has made a very big smiley face on MY face.
Also, Happy Birthday to 5 year old Anthony, my cousin!!
And hey, if you every happen to enter in a certain Elks Essay Contest when your older...I know who to call ;)
Night everybody! Time to go do a happy dance and celebrate by...reading. Man my life is exciting!
Love,
Danielle, THE WINNER AND NOT YOU. AND NO, YOU WILL NOT BE GETTING A PORTION OF MY OBVIOUSLY ENVIED CASH PRIZE THAT I MOST CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE SPENDING ON BOOKS. OK I LIE.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
DISEASE FOR SALE!
Oh man. I have been sick for a very, very long time now folks. I am so sick of being sick. I could be sick over being sick!
ahhhburll.
Sorry for not posting in a while...as I've mentioned a few times already, I have been quite sick these past two weeks and I can tell ya, it is very hard to be motivated when your lung falls out of your mouth. Thank God for duct tape!
In honor of my bug, I would just like to show some appreciation towards airplanes. Especially a certain airplane that traveled to a certain Boston a certain Super Bowl weekend. A certain airplane that carried a certain flu on a certain person. A certain sort of plane, that, really screwed my family. Thanks.
Also, I would like to thank houses. What is it about houses that make them like a incubator for certain flu's? It's like I could walk around in bubble wrap all week and I'd STILL catch whatever disease is being quarantined in your walls. Thank you as well.
And lastly, thank you to the wonderful person that created TV. You are my hero.
So question time: How much water do you typically drink in a day? One cup, two, three, four even?
Well guess what?
Because of my obnoxiously mysterious cough/old woman hack, I have to constantly, and I mean CONSTANTLY being drinking a fluidy type substance. Therefore, water is being shoved through my throat more times than my poor little bladder can handle. Basically this means: I drink more water than you. And go pee more often.
And I have people to back me up on that too!
Anyway, being sick sucks. Drinking more liquid than the Atlantic sucks. Coughing out a different organ every 30 minutes sucks.
But hey, on the bright side, once I'm done with this bug, it'll come for you.
I WIN.
In other new-oops
sorry bout that. Lost my liver.
again.
ahhhburll.
Sorry for not posting in a while...as I've mentioned a few times already, I have been quite sick these past two weeks and I can tell ya, it is very hard to be motivated when your lung falls out of your mouth. Thank God for duct tape!
In honor of my bug, I would just like to show some appreciation towards airplanes. Especially a certain airplane that traveled to a certain Boston a certain Super Bowl weekend. A certain airplane that carried a certain flu on a certain person. A certain sort of plane, that, really screwed my family. Thanks.
Also, I would like to thank houses. What is it about houses that make them like a incubator for certain flu's? It's like I could walk around in bubble wrap all week and I'd STILL catch whatever disease is being quarantined in your walls. Thank you as well.
And lastly, thank you to the wonderful person that created TV. You are my hero.
So question time: How much water do you typically drink in a day? One cup, two, three, four even?
Well guess what?
Because of my obnoxiously mysterious cough/old woman hack, I have to constantly, and I mean CONSTANTLY being drinking a fluidy type substance. Therefore, water is being shoved through my throat more times than my poor little bladder can handle. Basically this means: I drink more water than you. And go pee more often.
And I have people to back me up on that too!
Anyway, being sick sucks. Drinking more liquid than the Atlantic sucks. Coughing out a different organ every 30 minutes sucks.
But hey, on the bright side, once I'm done with this bug, it'll come for you.
I WIN.
In other new-oops
sorry bout that. Lost my liver.
again.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Guestbook is Expiring Soon...Please Contribute To Tribute!
So I was messing around on the Internet this evening, when I decided to visit my grandfather Fouad's online obituary. On his obituary, it has a short biography of his life and some of his family members names. There is also an online guestbook, where people can express their condolences or feelings about my grandfather. He died on April 29th of last year, so the guestbook has been up for quite a while. I didn't write a message though. I don't know why. It's not because I was too lazy too or didn't feel like it. I just couldn't. My thoughts, my words, they weren't in the right place. And now, almost a year later, I decided I was ready.
Many members of the Matta family have already 'wrote' in it. There are some truly beautiful ones on there. One of my favorites (and the saddest) was my little cousin Anthony's. Another touching one was my aunt's husband, my uncle Matt's.
I feel like even if I never knew Fouad Matta, after reading some of the wonderful messages from people who cared and loved him, I would have been able to sense what kind of person he was. There were a couple of words that kept on appearing, such as, heart, love, intelligence, good humor, smile, eyes, admired, generosity, calmness, peace, and my favorite, wisdom.
I plan to do a special tribute to my grandfather the date of his birth (March 14) and the date of his death. I would be happy to add a personal message from you about him, his past, or how he affected you during his lifetime. If you would like to contribute just send one to my email, or leave a comment on any of my posts from past or in the future saying you would like to, and I'll give you my email address (Though considering you all are my family, I'm sure you already have it.)
Also, I noticed that the online guestbook will expire May1st of 2011. In order to keep those heartfelt and warm messages alive, and therefore memory of my grandfather, on one those tributes to him I will try to take all those messages from the guestbook and add it to it. So if you have not written anything already, but would like to, this is the link:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/bostonglobe/guestbook.aspx?n=fouad-matta&pid=142374596
and to the obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=fouad-george-matta&pid=142374596
or you can Google Fouad Matta, and his obituary is the first link that comes up.
There really isn't a point to this post other than to remind us all of the wonderful, loving, gentle man that my grandfather was. I also would recommend you go read all the beautiful messages left in his honor on his guestbook. There are 25 entries in all.
So serious this post is, eh? Well, I'm not always a sarcastic lunatic you know!
Love you Jido, and family, with all my heart!
Danielle
Many members of the Matta family have already 'wrote' in it. There are some truly beautiful ones on there. One of my favorites (and the saddest) was my little cousin Anthony's. Another touching one was my aunt's husband, my uncle Matt's.
I feel like even if I never knew Fouad Matta, after reading some of the wonderful messages from people who cared and loved him, I would have been able to sense what kind of person he was. There were a couple of words that kept on appearing, such as, heart, love, intelligence, good humor, smile, eyes, admired, generosity, calmness, peace, and my favorite, wisdom.
I plan to do a special tribute to my grandfather the date of his birth (March 14) and the date of his death. I would be happy to add a personal message from you about him, his past, or how he affected you during his lifetime. If you would like to contribute just send one to my email, or leave a comment on any of my posts from past or in the future saying you would like to, and I'll give you my email address (Though considering you all are my family, I'm sure you already have it.)
Also, I noticed that the online guestbook will expire May1st of 2011. In order to keep those heartfelt and warm messages alive, and therefore memory of my grandfather, on one those tributes to him I will try to take all those messages from the guestbook and add it to it. So if you have not written anything already, but would like to, this is the link:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/bostonglobe/guestbook.aspx?n=fouad-matta&pid=142374596
and to the obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=fouad-george-matta&pid=142374596
or you can Google Fouad Matta, and his obituary is the first link that comes up.
There really isn't a point to this post other than to remind us all of the wonderful, loving, gentle man that my grandfather was. I also would recommend you go read all the beautiful messages left in his honor on his guestbook. There are 25 entries in all.
So serious this post is, eh? Well, I'm not always a sarcastic lunatic you know!
Love you Jido, and family, with all my heart!
Danielle
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Why "Yesterday" Was Such a Popular Song
O. M. Freaking. G.
I am so tired.
It is currently 9:57, and I am doing homework.
Lots of it.
By tonight, 2 projects have to be completed. If it were an ideal world, an essay and 2 pieces of music would also be completed and practiced. But my friends, an ideal world it is not.
I had planned on blogging about my exam results and other frivolous things about my life, but that was when I was young and innocent and free. Gone are the days... (since yesterday, that is...)
The only point to this post, other than for self-pity, is to mention that we will be traveling to The Land of Boston tomorrow after school. (Technically during school. We shall be picked up early for the trip. How unfortunate...) And then, my blogs will probably continue over the weekend from there. (or not. You know how those crazy The Land of Boston trips get sometimes...so crazy...and...Boston..ish...) It all depends on moi. Haha. French. Used to be such an easy game to play. Now all my troubles are here to stay. Oh, I believe. In yesterday.
Alas, today I have a French project. Thanks, The Beatles, for taking the song that I wrote and making it into a song! Ahh, those boys. Crazy kids. Like Boston.
Ok, ok, I'm leaving.
See some of Y'ALL SOOOOOOOON!!!??!!
I am so tired.
It is currently 9:57, and I am doing homework.
Lots of it.
By tonight, 2 projects have to be completed. If it were an ideal world, an essay and 2 pieces of music would also be completed and practiced. But my friends, an ideal world it is not.
I had planned on blogging about my exam results and other frivolous things about my life, but that was when I was young and innocent and free. Gone are the days... (since yesterday, that is...)
The only point to this post, other than for self-pity, is to mention that we will be traveling to The Land of Boston tomorrow after school. (Technically during school. We shall be picked up early for the trip. How unfortunate...) And then, my blogs will probably continue over the weekend from there. (or not. You know how those crazy The Land of Boston trips get sometimes...so crazy...and...Boston..ish...) It all depends on moi. Haha. French. Used to be such an easy game to play. Now all my troubles are here to stay. Oh, I believe. In yesterday.
Alas, today I have a French project. Thanks, The Beatles, for taking the song that I wrote and making it into a song! Ahh, those boys. Crazy kids. Like Boston.
Ok, ok, I'm leaving.
See some of Y'ALL SOOOOOOOON!!!??!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I Regret to Inform You That You Do Not Get To Go To Disney World
Exams are done and the world is bright again. Now all there is to do is to wait for the results...
Tuesday was a teacher work day, and Wednesday was a surprise snow day! And when I say surprise I mean we all thought it was going to be a school day, and then we suddenly received the call that school was cancelled! There was some snow outside, but the main reason they cancelled was because at about 3 o'clock it really started coming down, ice and snow alike.
So here I sit, Thursday afternoon, with what must be 8 inches of snow outside my house.
This time, the cancellation of school was not a surprise.
The two days that we have not had school I should have been frolicking in the fields of relaxation and TV and junk food...
But instead, I have been shackled to my endless list of WORK.
In the time span of 48 hours I have:
Edited a video for a project (took me only FIVE FREAKING HOURS)
Taken two online math tests (in case some of you are confused, that was extra credit work, not 'for fun')
Written a 1,000 word science essay (more info on that later)
Started a MAJOR English project
Taken a shower
Eaten a few meals
And I still have more work to go!! By tonight, I need to have ANOTHER 1,000 worded essay, for Civics this time, completed.
Why? Why me?
In other news, Monday evening I received a letter from TJ Admissions Office, more specifically from Tanisha S. Holland, Admissions Director, saying that she, "regrets to inform me that, based on my scores on my admissions examination...I am not included in the semifinalist pool."
WELL THANKS ALOT TANISHA! I ALREADY KNEW THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! AND GUESS WHAT!? YOUR NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEMIFINALIST POOL EITHER....SO HA!
Also, yesterday (I believe) was my grandmothers birthday! So happy birthday to her! When my dad told me what age you are now, I literally couldn't believe how young you are! Dang woman! Seriously!
So about that essay. In 8th grade, teachers really like to give you lots and lots of essays. I can't tell you how many I've done already. Most of them, are not just class assignments, but actual essay competitions that they require their class to do. This particular one, is called The Dupont Challenge Science Essay Competition. You can look it up if you want to. You can basically pick any science related topic and write about it, in 700 to 1,000 words. I'm pretty sure it's a national competition. Anyway, so I picked schizophrenia as my topic, because it's something I've always been interested in and wanted to learn more about. Now, there are some rules to this competition, and one of them, obviously, is that your topic has to be in some way related to science. And schizophrenia is medical, so it's also can be scientific, but I'm not sure how sciencey my essay ended up being. I doubt it will place, this definitely was not my best work, but man, those lucky 4 people that do place, get some pretty cool prizes.
The honorable mentions gets a 200 dollar savings bond.
Third place gets a 2,000 dollar savings bond.
Second place gets a 3,000 dollar savings bond.
And first place gets a 5,000 dollar savings bond.
First, second and third place people get an an all expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and to the Kennedy Space Center with a parent.
Yuh huh. I think you wish you entered.
Love,
Danielle
Tuesday was a teacher work day, and Wednesday was a surprise snow day! And when I say surprise I mean we all thought it was going to be a school day, and then we suddenly received the call that school was cancelled! There was some snow outside, but the main reason they cancelled was because at about 3 o'clock it really started coming down, ice and snow alike.
So here I sit, Thursday afternoon, with what must be 8 inches of snow outside my house.
This time, the cancellation of school was not a surprise.
The two days that we have not had school I should have been frolicking in the fields of relaxation and TV and junk food...
But instead, I have been shackled to my endless list of WORK.
In the time span of 48 hours I have:
Edited a video for a project (took me only FIVE FREAKING HOURS)
Taken two online math tests (in case some of you are confused, that was extra credit work, not 'for fun')
Written a 1,000 word science essay (more info on that later)
Started a MAJOR English project
Taken a shower
Eaten a few meals
And I still have more work to go!! By tonight, I need to have ANOTHER 1,000 worded essay, for Civics this time, completed.
Why? Why me?
In other news, Monday evening I received a letter from TJ Admissions Office, more specifically from Tanisha S. Holland, Admissions Director, saying that she, "regrets to inform me that, based on my scores on my admissions examination...I am not included in the semifinalist pool."
WELL THANKS ALOT TANISHA! I ALREADY KNEW THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! AND GUESS WHAT!? YOUR NOT INCLUDED IN THE SEMIFINALIST POOL EITHER....SO HA!
Also, yesterday (I believe) was my grandmothers birthday! So happy birthday to her! When my dad told me what age you are now, I literally couldn't believe how young you are! Dang woman! Seriously!
So about that essay. In 8th grade, teachers really like to give you lots and lots of essays. I can't tell you how many I've done already. Most of them, are not just class assignments, but actual essay competitions that they require their class to do. This particular one, is called The Dupont Challenge Science Essay Competition. You can look it up if you want to. You can basically pick any science related topic and write about it, in 700 to 1,000 words. I'm pretty sure it's a national competition. Anyway, so I picked schizophrenia as my topic, because it's something I've always been interested in and wanted to learn more about. Now, there are some rules to this competition, and one of them, obviously, is that your topic has to be in some way related to science. And schizophrenia is medical, so it's also can be scientific, but I'm not sure how sciencey my essay ended up being. I doubt it will place, this definitely was not my best work, but man, those lucky 4 people that do place, get some pretty cool prizes.
The honorable mentions gets a 200 dollar savings bond.
Third place gets a 2,000 dollar savings bond.
Second place gets a 3,000 dollar savings bond.
And first place gets a 5,000 dollar savings bond.
First, second and third place people get an an all expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and to the Kennedy Space Center with a parent.
Yuh huh. I think you wish you entered.
Love,
Danielle
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"The Better To Eat You With My Dear!"
Just in time, Monday night we had an ice/snow storm pass through, so we had our first snow day of 2011 on Tuesday! Which also meant my exam schedule was all messed up.
So today, the first day back to school this week, I also had my first mid-term. Lucky for me, my P.E exam was easy. Because I was really worried it wasn't going to be. Easy, that is. P.E exams are typically, you know, difficult in the sense that they're...hard. But it was easy. Which is lucky.
No, it's actually easy because it's P.E for crying out loud.
Doesn't it bother you when you put your blood, sweat and tears into studying a certain stupid P.E exam, and you end up acing it with the other kids who didn't look at it once? Yeah. That's annoying.
ANYWAY, tonight I shall be performing my magical studying techniques once again for the science and English exam I have tomorrow (Though studying science shouldn't be too hard...its the English I have to look out for. Phew. That darn English. Gets me every time.)
On top of that, I will also be watching the NEW....EPISODE...OF....
o: AMERICAN IDOL! :o *gasp!
Try to hold on to your suspenders y'all. I'm sure you could have guessed that one.
Yes, yes, American Idol has been running on TV for WAY too long. I mean, when it first started they all had those strange, furry cats on their heads and strange clothing (wait what? That's their HAIR? Old people are weird!) And it's one of those things where you've seen one, and you've seen 'em all! But come on, who doesn't enjoy watching bizarre people make fools of themselves? Right? Am I right?
This year though, there will be an added bonus. We get to make fun of 2 people EVERY SINGLE EPISODE.
Jello and that womanly-looking man (Grandma, what a big mouth you have!) from the 80's that no one really cares about anymore. (Seriously though. Does he rent out his mouth? Cuz that thing is HUMONGO. He should seriously consider building a couple of condos in there. I think it would be a great investment.)
So, that should be fun.
Anyway, that's all I've got for now folks!
Love,
Danielle
So today, the first day back to school this week, I also had my first mid-term. Lucky for me, my P.E exam was easy. Because I was really worried it wasn't going to be. Easy, that is. P.E exams are typically, you know, difficult in the sense that they're...hard. But it was easy. Which is lucky.
No, it's actually easy because it's P.E for crying out loud.
Doesn't it bother you when you put your blood, sweat and tears into studying a certain stupid P.E exam, and you end up acing it with the other kids who didn't look at it once? Yeah. That's annoying.
ANYWAY, tonight I shall be performing my magical studying techniques once again for the science and English exam I have tomorrow (Though studying science shouldn't be too hard...its the English I have to look out for. Phew. That darn English. Gets me every time.)
On top of that, I will also be watching the NEW....EPISODE...OF....
o: AMERICAN IDOL! :o *gasp!
Try to hold on to your suspenders y'all. I'm sure you could have guessed that one.
Yes, yes, American Idol has been running on TV for WAY too long. I mean, when it first started they all had those strange, furry cats on their heads and strange clothing (wait what? That's their HAIR? Old people are weird!) And it's one of those things where you've seen one, and you've seen 'em all! But come on, who doesn't enjoy watching bizarre people make fools of themselves? Right? Am I right?
This year though, there will be an added bonus. We get to make fun of 2 people EVERY SINGLE EPISODE.
Jello and that womanly-looking man (Grandma, what a big mouth you have!) from the 80's that no one really cares about anymore. (Seriously though. Does he rent out his mouth? Cuz that thing is HUMONGO. He should seriously consider building a couple of condos in there. I think it would be a great investment.)
So, that should be fun.
Anyway, that's all I've got for now folks!
Love,
Danielle
Monday, January 17, 2011
My Man Martin
Happy Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day! No school = Great holiday
Mid-terms officially start tomorrow. My first one, bright and early in the morning, is my P.E/Health exam.
Oh yes. We have a multiple choice exam on freaking Physical Education.
On Wednesday, I have a Science mid-term in the morning, and an English one in the afternoon.
Thursday, I have a civics one in the morning, and an Algebra one in the afternoon.
And on Friday, I have the two that I've been looking forward to all my life.
French and Guitar.
Must go study family. I know you all want to go in and take all my exams for me, but I'm afraid I can't let you do that. That's cheating.
Love you more than mid-terms,
Danielle
P.S. See you Boston folk soon! This year's Super Bowl is going to be the best tennis game EVER!
Mid-terms officially start tomorrow. My first one, bright and early in the morning, is my P.E/Health exam.
Oh yes. We have a multiple choice exam on freaking Physical Education.
On Wednesday, I have a Science mid-term in the morning, and an English one in the afternoon.
Thursday, I have a civics one in the morning, and an Algebra one in the afternoon.
And on Friday, I have the two that I've been looking forward to all my life.
French and Guitar.
Must go study family. I know you all want to go in and take all my exams for me, but I'm afraid I can't let you do that. That's cheating.
Love you more than mid-terms,
Danielle
P.S. See you Boston folk soon! This year's Super Bowl is going to be the best tennis game EVER!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Real Life, a.k.a, Mid-Terms Suck
Howdy Family! How are you all? How is 2011 treating you? I hope good! 'Cause mine's not!
Why you ask? Well my dear family, all you have to do is think about what most of my complaints have been centered around in the past, well, 8 years of my life.
You guessed it: School!
As an 8th grader, I'm coming to the point in my education where we should be tested constantly as a way to prepare us for what really matters...the SOLs-I mean, Real Life!
Real Life is a term used very frequently in school. It symbolizes What Happens After High School, and When You Are Spit Out Into The World And Everyone Hates Your Guts and Wants To Make You Work Until Your Eighty and On Top Of That You Are Supposed To Change The Earth and Make A Difference Because We Are The Next Generation and That Is What We Were Born For!
I am sorry, but that sounds so thrilling, it makes me want to pee my pants.
But honestly, while school makes Real Life sound so daunting and difficult, and while they try to 'prepare' us for it, they only make it worse. Because school is like a little Real Life all on it's own. We have a 'job' and we have a 'family' and we have 'bosses' and 'responsiblites' and 'bathrooms'. Except instead of appearing like the ACTUAL Real Life, and therefore getting us ready for it, this mini version of it waters everything down.
For example, take some of our dress code rules. Now, I agree that kids should not be allowed to come in butt naked just as much as the next guy. But the fact that we can't wear hats or tank tops is a little ridicules. I mean, in my school, in order for our tank top to be appropriate, it has to be 'three fingers wide'. So if you come in to school, with a tank top that is two fingers and a half wide, you will be made to change out of your shirt. I mean, come on. How is this like Real Life? Last time I checked, the cashier at Target didn't throw me out because my tank top wasn't exactly three fingers.
I realize they have this rule for a reason. They don't want kids coming in with inappropriate clothing, which I understand, I really do. But when they get as particular as 'three fingers', it's just plain annoying.
Or how about the thing that teachers are always constantly threatening about, "If I hear/see one person doing "_______", then you ALL are not going to get "_____". Teachers do this in a sort of incentive system. I'm sure they think, "Hey, if I see two kids acting up, then the best way to get them to NOT act up, is to threaten to take away the cool special treat that the whole entire class wants. But WAIT! Instead of just taking away that privilege from ONLY THE TWO KIDS WHO ARE ACTING UP, why don't I threaten to take it away from the whole class, and then those two kids won't want to disappoint their classmates!" Which is a very, very stupid assumption to make, because those two kids who are misbehaving most likely don't even care about the special treat anyway, let alone if the rest of us get the special treat. Which makes it double unfair for the rest of us, because we can't do anything about how other people act. AND THEN WE DON'T GET THE SPECIAL TREAT. In Real Life, if that guy goes in and robs a bank, and I'm walking on the same street as the bank at the time, I'M not going to jail, he is.
And how come 13 and 14 year olds still have to walk IN A LINE with ONE FOOT ON THE BLACK TILE to go to lunch? Huh? And why are we not allowed to have four people sit on a cafeteria bench, if those four people fit perfectly fine on it?! Why are we made to sit with the class that we are currently in for lunch, instead of our friends? In Real Life, does the police arrest you if didn't raise your hand to ask for a NAPKIN?
Anyway, the whole point of that was to say that school can sometimes be a little unrealistic, even though they try so hard to prepare us for the big world. Plus 8th graders are tested WAY too much and Mid-terms should DIE.
Mid-terms are in one week. NOW I'm peeing in my pants.
On a brighter note, on Tuesday it's supposed to snow. But of course now it won't, since I've said it. Look what you all made me do!!
Love,
Danielle
YOU ARE GIVEN A TARDY BECAUSE YOU WALKED INTO THE CLASSROOM THREE SECONDS AFTER THE BELL RANG. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.
Why you ask? Well my dear family, all you have to do is think about what most of my complaints have been centered around in the past, well, 8 years of my life.
You guessed it: School!
As an 8th grader, I'm coming to the point in my education where we should be tested constantly as a way to prepare us for what really matters...the SOLs-I mean, Real Life!
Real Life is a term used very frequently in school. It symbolizes What Happens After High School, and When You Are Spit Out Into The World And Everyone Hates Your Guts and Wants To Make You Work Until Your Eighty and On Top Of That You Are Supposed To Change The Earth and Make A Difference Because We Are The Next Generation and That Is What We Were Born For!
I am sorry, but that sounds so thrilling, it makes me want to pee my pants.
But honestly, while school makes Real Life sound so daunting and difficult, and while they try to 'prepare' us for it, they only make it worse. Because school is like a little Real Life all on it's own. We have a 'job' and we have a 'family' and we have 'bosses' and 'responsiblites' and 'bathrooms'. Except instead of appearing like the ACTUAL Real Life, and therefore getting us ready for it, this mini version of it waters everything down.
For example, take some of our dress code rules. Now, I agree that kids should not be allowed to come in butt naked just as much as the next guy. But the fact that we can't wear hats or tank tops is a little ridicules. I mean, in my school, in order for our tank top to be appropriate, it has to be 'three fingers wide'. So if you come in to school, with a tank top that is two fingers and a half wide, you will be made to change out of your shirt. I mean, come on. How is this like Real Life? Last time I checked, the cashier at Target didn't throw me out because my tank top wasn't exactly three fingers.
I realize they have this rule for a reason. They don't want kids coming in with inappropriate clothing, which I understand, I really do. But when they get as particular as 'three fingers', it's just plain annoying.
Or how about the thing that teachers are always constantly threatening about, "If I hear/see one person doing "_______", then you ALL are not going to get "_____". Teachers do this in a sort of incentive system. I'm sure they think, "Hey, if I see two kids acting up, then the best way to get them to NOT act up, is to threaten to take away the cool special treat that the whole entire class wants. But WAIT! Instead of just taking away that privilege from ONLY THE TWO KIDS WHO ARE ACTING UP, why don't I threaten to take it away from the whole class, and then those two kids won't want to disappoint their classmates!" Which is a very, very stupid assumption to make, because those two kids who are misbehaving most likely don't even care about the special treat anyway, let alone if the rest of us get the special treat. Which makes it double unfair for the rest of us, because we can't do anything about how other people act. AND THEN WE DON'T GET THE SPECIAL TREAT. In Real Life, if that guy goes in and robs a bank, and I'm walking on the same street as the bank at the time, I'M not going to jail, he is.
And how come 13 and 14 year olds still have to walk IN A LINE with ONE FOOT ON THE BLACK TILE to go to lunch? Huh? And why are we not allowed to have four people sit on a cafeteria bench, if those four people fit perfectly fine on it?! Why are we made to sit with the class that we are currently in for lunch, instead of our friends? In Real Life, does the police arrest you if didn't raise your hand to ask for a NAPKIN?
Anyway, the whole point of that was to say that school can sometimes be a little unrealistic, even though they try so hard to prepare us for the big world. Plus 8th graders are tested WAY too much and Mid-terms should DIE.
Mid-terms are in one week. NOW I'm peeing in my pants.
On a brighter note, on Tuesday it's supposed to snow. But of course now it won't, since I've said it. Look what you all made me do!!
Love,
Danielle
YOU ARE GIVEN A TARDY BECAUSE YOU WALKED INTO THE CLASSROOM THREE SECONDS AFTER THE BELL RANG. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011!!!!
Well, it's the new year and the weather is crap. But we're goin' home! We all had a great time last night...best New Years Eve party EVER. Hope you all had a wonderful night too! Best wishes for 2011!
Love,
Danielle
Love,
Danielle
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