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