Merry 21st of December everyone! Only four more days until Christmas...and those will most definitely be the longest four days EVER. And I guarantee that Christmas Day will come and go quicker than any other day in the year, and you'll want to make this face ----> -_- (Don't you just love that face? It has so many meanings...) But never the less, I am excited!
So, as usual, the Matta family is practicing their home staying skills this Christmas, though I am almost 85% sure that we are doing something for New Years. At first we were thinking New York City, (which we have been to lots o times) and then we thought Quebec, Canada. But our hottest option was the Biltmore in North Carolina, which is a really big mansion thingy originally owned by a really rich family called the Vanderbilts. (Go open up an American history textbook if you don't know that name. Come on people, that's what we go to school for!) We wouldn't stay in the Biltmore, but near it, and we would tour it and stuff like that. Apparently everyone under the good ol' American sun has been to it except for us, so I think it's about time we do that. Except there are a few complications, such as possibly weather, and the hotel we wanted is booked...that kind of thing.
So I still don't know what the heck we are doing for New Years, but knowing us, it's sure to be full of reflection of the past year and finding our inner serenity that is surely buried deep within us. 'Cause that's just what we do in this family. Oh yeah.
As for Christmas...well, you all will just have to wait four more days, now won't you? I'll try to blog on Christmas day, though no promises can be made! Hope everyone has their gifts bought and wrapped and ready to go!
Love,
Danielle
(And in case any of you were wondering, we still have school until Wednesday -_-. There it is again! It's just popping up everywhere these days!)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Bunch of TJ Test Info (Hopefully) For the Last Time and Getting To Know Danielle's Loving Friends
Yello family members. So, this blog feels a little outdated already, which is only because I am forced to talk about the TJ Test and such...since that would only be UNFAIR of me to not tell you about. (When I say you, I pretty much mean my mother, my father and occasionally an uncle here and there.) I'm going to try and make it as short and simple as possible, because I seriously feel like wasting your time writing about Christmas instead of school much more.
Alrighty. Saturday morning, wake up at 6:30 a.m., get ready, eat large breakfast (I can already tell this is going to be a very overly-detailed-"short-and-simple"-typical-Danielle sort of post.) drive to Harper Park Middle School, place of my testing. Father drops me off, I go in...sign in sort of...go to the classroom I will be taking the test in. Luck does not fail me and one of my good friends who has also applied is in my room (yay!) though it didn't make much of a difference since we were watched like PRISON INMATES and were not allowed to speak, sniff, or breathe. This was basically the case for the entire time we were held captive- I mean, waiting inside that room. We were given the test (which had a lock and chain around it...just kidding...it had an official seal from her Majesty, the Queen) and the rules and stuff were explained. Two hours to complete a 95 question test, 45 verbal (English) and 50 math (vomit). We could start at any section in the test we liked, we could go back any time during the two hours, and we would be told when half our time was up. This was all explained very convincingly to us by the nice woman with a whip and nunchucks in her hands.
My strategy was this: start the math section first. Do as much as I can until half-time...then switch to the verbal section, finish before time is up, and go back and do questions I skipped or wasn't sure about. This seemed like a good plan to me, since I am a lot stronger in the English department than the math one, and doing the math one first gave me more time and less stress to work on it.
Ha Ha hA.
Let me put this lightly people: I Sucked. I know that may seem harsh, but honestly, there is no other word for it. I was in no way prepared for what came once time began. For starters, in the midst of all the anticipation and anxiety, I started on the verbal section first, instead of the math one, like I had previously planned to. Halfway through my third question, I realized my mistake, and flipped to the math section. There I did less than 22 questions until the announcement went up that HALF THE TIME WAS GONE. I can tell you right now, that was the quickest two hours in my entire life, because before I knew it, all the time was up. I completed the verbal section...except for like, 5 questions, because I was rushing so much to try and get more math questions done I accidentally skipped them. In the end, I didn't complete 28 questions out of 50 on the math section, because of the time limit. Here was my biggest mistake:
When I thought I knew how to work out a problem, I spent time on it, and sometimes ending up getting an answer that was not one of the choices. Instead of taking a guess on the closest answer or best estimation, I SKIPPED THE PROBLEM, thinking I would have time at the end to go back and work it out again. But what I DIDN'T think of, was that I had already wasted time on that problem, with no result. At least if I had guessed, that problem would have been completed and I'd have a 25% chance of getting the answer correct. Instead, it was left blank, and no credit was received. This was the case for alot of the problems. It wasn't that they were exceptionally hard...in fact, the ones that I did do were pretty easy...it was the fact that I made bad testing strategies and needed for time.
Anyway, it was quite stressful, all of it, though I'm very glad it's all done and over with. I will NEVER apply again, not because I do not wish to redeem myself and try the test again (I definitely would) but I would never do that to me...apply to a different high school while I'm a high schooler in a high school...wait, let me re-phrase that. I am quite obviously not getting in this year, which of course I am a bit disappointed, but I was a lot worse last week, and now I've come to terms with it. I can't say I'm not a little bit happy to know I will continue going to school with all my friends and classmates.
*I INTERRUPT THIS MOMENT WITH AN IMPORTANT NEWS REPORT! IT IS SNOWING RIGHT NOW FOLKS, I REPEAT, IT IS SNOWING AND STICKING TO THE GROUND RIGHT NOW! WHOOOOOOOP! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP! DO THE CHICKEN! DO THE ROBOT! DO THE JERK! KISS YO MAMAS AND SLAP YOUR KNEE, IT'S SNOOOOWING!*
Which means that I will be attending Tuscorora High School, and other than the friend benefit, it is also a much much much shorter commute, which my parents (and me) like. But I would never, as a freshman next year, apply again to TJ, just because that would be 100 times harder to switch out of a school that I have already adapted to and began to feel comfortable in. I know my education is very important, but quite honestly, if I have the ability to get into the university I want to go to when I'm older, I'll be able to do it with or without TJ. TJ was an opportunity, but not a requirement for me. Obviously it wasn't meant to be, and that's really ok with me.
And trust me, my friends couldn't have been anymore supportive.
I quote:
"If I'm honest, I was praying you wouldn't get in."
"YESSSSSS!"
"Not to sound inconsiderate or anything, but I can't say I'm not glad."
"I didn't pray for you at all."
"Huh? You applied to TJ? Who the heck does that?"
"Do I know you?"
Yeah.
Love,
Danielle
Alrighty. Saturday morning, wake up at 6:30 a.m., get ready, eat large breakfast (I can already tell this is going to be a very overly-detailed-"short-and-simple"-typical-Danielle sort of post.) drive to Harper Park Middle School, place of my testing. Father drops me off, I go in...sign in sort of...go to the classroom I will be taking the test in. Luck does not fail me and one of my good friends who has also applied is in my room (yay!) though it didn't make much of a difference since we were watched like PRISON INMATES and were not allowed to speak, sniff, or breathe. This was basically the case for the entire time we were held captive- I mean, waiting inside that room. We were given the test (which had a lock and chain around it...just kidding...it had an official seal from her Majesty, the Queen) and the rules and stuff were explained. Two hours to complete a 95 question test, 45 verbal (English) and 50 math (vomit). We could start at any section in the test we liked, we could go back any time during the two hours, and we would be told when half our time was up. This was all explained very convincingly to us by the nice woman with a whip and nunchucks in her hands.
My strategy was this: start the math section first. Do as much as I can until half-time...then switch to the verbal section, finish before time is up, and go back and do questions I skipped or wasn't sure about. This seemed like a good plan to me, since I am a lot stronger in the English department than the math one, and doing the math one first gave me more time and less stress to work on it.
Ha Ha hA.
Let me put this lightly people: I Sucked. I know that may seem harsh, but honestly, there is no other word for it. I was in no way prepared for what came once time began. For starters, in the midst of all the anticipation and anxiety, I started on the verbal section first, instead of the math one, like I had previously planned to. Halfway through my third question, I realized my mistake, and flipped to the math section. There I did less than 22 questions until the announcement went up that HALF THE TIME WAS GONE. I can tell you right now, that was the quickest two hours in my entire life, because before I knew it, all the time was up. I completed the verbal section...except for like, 5 questions, because I was rushing so much to try and get more math questions done I accidentally skipped them. In the end, I didn't complete 28 questions out of 50 on the math section, because of the time limit. Here was my biggest mistake:
When I thought I knew how to work out a problem, I spent time on it, and sometimes ending up getting an answer that was not one of the choices. Instead of taking a guess on the closest answer or best estimation, I SKIPPED THE PROBLEM, thinking I would have time at the end to go back and work it out again. But what I DIDN'T think of, was that I had already wasted time on that problem, with no result. At least if I had guessed, that problem would have been completed and I'd have a 25% chance of getting the answer correct. Instead, it was left blank, and no credit was received. This was the case for alot of the problems. It wasn't that they were exceptionally hard...in fact, the ones that I did do were pretty easy...it was the fact that I made bad testing strategies and needed for time.
Anyway, it was quite stressful, all of it, though I'm very glad it's all done and over with. I will NEVER apply again, not because I do not wish to redeem myself and try the test again (I definitely would) but I would never do that to me...apply to a different high school while I'm a high schooler in a high school...wait, let me re-phrase that. I am quite obviously not getting in this year, which of course I am a bit disappointed, but I was a lot worse last week, and now I've come to terms with it. I can't say I'm not a little bit happy to know I will continue going to school with all my friends and classmates.
*I INTERRUPT THIS MOMENT WITH AN IMPORTANT NEWS REPORT! IT IS SNOWING RIGHT NOW FOLKS, I REPEAT, IT IS SNOWING AND STICKING TO THE GROUND RIGHT NOW! WHOOOOOOOP! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP! DO THE CHICKEN! DO THE ROBOT! DO THE JERK! KISS YO MAMAS AND SLAP YOUR KNEE, IT'S SNOOOOWING!*
Which means that I will be attending Tuscorora High School, and other than the friend benefit, it is also a much much much shorter commute, which my parents (and me) like. But I would never, as a freshman next year, apply again to TJ, just because that would be 100 times harder to switch out of a school that I have already adapted to and began to feel comfortable in. I know my education is very important, but quite honestly, if I have the ability to get into the university I want to go to when I'm older, I'll be able to do it with or without TJ. TJ was an opportunity, but not a requirement for me. Obviously it wasn't meant to be, and that's really ok with me.
And trust me, my friends couldn't have been anymore supportive.
I quote:
"If I'm honest, I was praying you wouldn't get in."
"YESSSSSS!"
"Not to sound inconsiderate or anything, but I can't say I'm not glad."
"I didn't pray for you at all."
"Huh? You applied to TJ? Who the heck does that?"
"Do I know you?"
Yeah.
Love,
Danielle
Friday, December 3, 2010
O...M...G....
3 words.
TJ. Test. Tomorrow.
Ok, technically that's 4 words.
But let's not get technical.
Wish me luck!!!!
Love,
Danielle
TJ. Test. Tomorrow.
Ok, technically that's 4 words.
But let's not get technical.
Wish me luck!!!!
Love,
Danielle
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
A Not So Short Post With Good Intentions And Lots of Awards
This is going to be a very short post, on account that it's 8 p.m. and I still have to study for THE TJ Admissions Test, which, by the way, is THIS SATURDAY.
But I have a few things I would, (quickly) like to mention.
One of them being that my grandparents left for Greece yesterday, and arrived safely home. We really enjoyed having them here at our house and we all hope they come back again soon!!!
Another thing, Nicholas received his very first A's and B's Honor Roll Award Thingy (for those of you who do not know what that is, it's an award that congratulates students who receive all A's and B's (or all A's) on their report card for that semester. Hence the name, A's and B's Honor Roll Award Thingy) and he also was awarded the Cornerstone Award for effort, which is a Cornerstone Award for effort. Kapish?
So Y-A-Y Nicholas! You have also now been awarded the Danielle Thinks You Are Fabulous (No Matter How Annoying) Award! A prestigious honor only few are lucky enough to receive!
Also, my father is currently in Boston with Those Guys (his family) for the rest of the week, and coming back Friday, just in time for THE TJ Admissions Test. He, sadly, does not receive the Danielle Thinks Your Fabulous Award. Or any award for that matter. Except for possibly getting poison ivy. I'm not sure if there is an award for that.
So, last thing before I go (uh, didn't you say this was going to be short, Danielle? Why yes I did folks. But apparently, I lied.) I just thought that I would give you all a little taste of what kind of questions are going to be on this Admissions Test. Directly from my practice test I got in TJ prep class, here is one question:
1. As you walk up a long hill, you pass five different trees.
1) The first tree is not an aspen.
2) The last tree is an elm.
3) The second tree is a sugar maple.
4) You pass the hickory tree after you have passed the sugar maple, but before you pass the aspen.
5) You pass the aspen after you have passed the red oak.
In which position is the aspen?
A. second
B. third
C. fourth
D. fifth
E. Cannot be determined from the information given.
Shall I remind you all, that is is only ONE question out of 45 on the Verbal part of the test. There is a mathematics part of the test too. And let me just say, it is MUCH harder than that. So go ahead and give it your best shot. Comment your answer, and if you get it correct, you will receive the DTYFAward. I think you all know what award that is ;)
Anyway everyone, time is ticking, and I must be going.
Oh, last thing. Promise. Don't forget that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 comes out in July! Go buy your tickets 8 months before hand! There you go, Warner Exec and Danny boy! (If this strange addition was confusing for you, go see the comment made by Anonymous under my H.P and the D.H rant post. Yup. If you still don't get it, then I can't help you son!)
So adios for now muchachos! And remember, It's Not Smart, Unless It's K-Mart Smart! (Oh man, I am on a roll with the advertisements!)
Love,
Danielle
P.S. [*Pwned*] That was for you dad.
But I have a few things I would, (quickly) like to mention.
One of them being that my grandparents left for Greece yesterday, and arrived safely home. We really enjoyed having them here at our house and we all hope they come back again soon!!!
Another thing, Nicholas received his very first A's and B's Honor Roll Award Thingy (for those of you who do not know what that is, it's an award that congratulates students who receive all A's and B's (or all A's) on their report card for that semester. Hence the name, A's and B's Honor Roll Award Thingy) and he also was awarded the Cornerstone Award for effort, which is a Cornerstone Award for effort. Kapish?
So Y-A-Y Nicholas! You have also now been awarded the Danielle Thinks You Are Fabulous (No Matter How Annoying) Award! A prestigious honor only few are lucky enough to receive!
Also, my father is currently in Boston with Those Guys (his family) for the rest of the week, and coming back Friday, just in time for THE TJ Admissions Test. He, sadly, does not receive the Danielle Thinks Your Fabulous Award. Or any award for that matter. Except for possibly getting poison ivy. I'm not sure if there is an award for that.
So, last thing before I go (uh, didn't you say this was going to be short, Danielle? Why yes I did folks. But apparently, I lied.) I just thought that I would give you all a little taste of what kind of questions are going to be on this Admissions Test. Directly from my practice test I got in TJ prep class, here is one question:
1. As you walk up a long hill, you pass five different trees.
1) The first tree is not an aspen.
2) The last tree is an elm.
3) The second tree is a sugar maple.
4) You pass the hickory tree after you have passed the sugar maple, but before you pass the aspen.
5) You pass the aspen after you have passed the red oak.
In which position is the aspen?
A. second
B. third
C. fourth
D. fifth
E. Cannot be determined from the information given.
Shall I remind you all, that is is only ONE question out of 45 on the Verbal part of the test. There is a mathematics part of the test too. And let me just say, it is MUCH harder than that. So go ahead and give it your best shot. Comment your answer, and if you get it correct, you will receive the DTYFAward. I think you all know what award that is ;)
Anyway everyone, time is ticking, and I must be going.
Oh, last thing. Promise. Don't forget that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 comes out in July! Go buy your tickets 8 months before hand! There you go, Warner Exec and Danny boy! (If this strange addition was confusing for you, go see the comment made by Anonymous under my H.P and the D.H rant post. Yup. If you still don't get it, then I can't help you son!)
So adios for now muchachos! And remember, It's Not Smart, Unless It's K-Mart Smart! (Oh man, I am on a roll with the advertisements!)
Love,
Danielle
P.S. [*Pwned*] That was for you dad.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving! Food!
Side Message: I would just like to congratulate my Uncle George on his successful surgery this past week, and to pass on my love from me and my family over here to him. I was so happy to hear everything went well and that you're doing fine too. Congrats Uncle George, and I love you a ton! Hope to see you soon!
Happy Thanksgiving fam! If your house is like mine, you'll have people downstairs cooking away like mad so that the food can be on the table in time for lunch! And boy, what's Thanksgiving without food??? You'll also have the TV on in the living room, while The National Dog Show is playing. Oh yes. The NATIONAL Dog Show.
And what's on the menu for the Matta's? Well, I know we will have lots of potatoes...sweet and regular. I should know, since I butchered the poor darlings with my peeling skills. We also have some squash cooking, and of course the Big Ol' Turkey. I believe we also have cranberry jello in the fridge and I know for a fact that we have two delicious homemade pies waiting...calling to me...
So really, just your typical, Thanksgiving meal. But the difference between my family's Thanksgiving and your family's Thanksgiving, is that I'm pretty sure mine's going to be crazier than yours. So HA.
I have also been informed that three episodes of the Three Stooges and Mrs. Doubtfire the movie are on the schedule for today. (Jealous???)
All in all, I honestly hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving today with your family and friends, wherever you may be, and please, on the behalf of all who are sane, (which excludes most of us) eat my friend, eat. Don't be ashamed to unbutton your pants and untuck your shirt. Show the world how proud you are to be an American by show casing your Big Ol' Tummy! Pilgrim pride baby!
And besides, the Turkey wants you to!
Once again, happy Thanksgiving to you all, and enjoy your meal and your company, whoever that may be. (It won't be the Three Stooges though. Sorry, they're booked buddy)
Love,
Danielle
P.S. For any of you who were wondering, I believe the Irish Setter and the Boxer won first place medals. Now we can eat them! Oops, no, no, we don't eat dogs.
mmmmm...Irish Setter....yummmy
Happy Thanksgiving fam! If your house is like mine, you'll have people downstairs cooking away like mad so that the food can be on the table in time for lunch! And boy, what's Thanksgiving without food??? You'll also have the TV on in the living room, while The National Dog Show is playing. Oh yes. The NATIONAL Dog Show.
And what's on the menu for the Matta's? Well, I know we will have lots of potatoes...sweet and regular. I should know, since I butchered the poor darlings with my peeling skills. We also have some squash cooking, and of course the Big Ol' Turkey. I believe we also have cranberry jello in the fridge and I know for a fact that we have two delicious homemade pies waiting...calling to me...
So really, just your typical, Thanksgiving meal. But the difference between my family's Thanksgiving and your family's Thanksgiving, is that I'm pretty sure mine's going to be crazier than yours. So HA.
I have also been informed that three episodes of the Three Stooges and Mrs. Doubtfire the movie are on the schedule for today. (Jealous???)
All in all, I honestly hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving today with your family and friends, wherever you may be, and please, on the behalf of all who are sane, (which excludes most of us) eat my friend, eat. Don't be ashamed to unbutton your pants and untuck your shirt. Show the world how proud you are to be an American by show casing your Big Ol' Tummy! Pilgrim pride baby!
And besides, the Turkey wants you to!
Once again, happy Thanksgiving to you all, and enjoy your meal and your company, whoever that may be. (It won't be the Three Stooges though. Sorry, they're booked buddy)
Love,
Danielle
P.S. For any of you who were wondering, I believe the Irish Setter and the Boxer won first place medals. Now we can eat them! Oops, no, no, we don't eat dogs.
mmmmm...Irish Setter....yummmy
Sunday, November 21, 2010
I Think I'm In Love...
If you all recall, yesterday I mentioned at the end of my informational post that I was going to see HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (part one) which is exactly what me, my dad and my brother did. And let me just say this right now:
I love the Harry Potter Books.
And I have read them all, and seen all the movies up to date. The difference is: The movies suck. I'm sorry, all you Harry Potter Movie Fanatics, they just do. The special effects are cool, I must admit, but the acting is less than to be desired, and when I say 'acting', I'm really just talking about one particular person's abibilites in that area.
Daniel Radcliff.
Harry Potter, if any of you have read the books, is supposed to be considerate and friendly, a little shy but trustworthy, brave, talented and selfless! (and ok, he has some anger issues...but can you blame him, all considering?) But Daniel Radcliff represents that as well as a cucumber would. That's just my opinion, at least. And having a bad main character/actor really just ruins the movie for me.
But that all changed 19 hours ago.
Please, for the sake of humanity and your soul, go pay money and see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part one) ! It was, by far, the best of all the Harry Potter movies, the best reenactment of the book that could possibly have been made in movie form, the best acting I've seen from any of the cast members (excluding Mr. Radpuke) and just in general the GREATEST MOVIE. Seriously man. Those words have never been used with 'Harry Potter movie' in the same sentence before. And if you still don't believe me, go and check my profile and look under Favorite Movies. Oh yeah, that's right. Try to disagree with me NOW.
Basic Point: Stop, drop, and roll to your closest movie theatre. And DON'T see Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. No seriously, that's actually a movie playing at Regal Movie Theatres right now. RESIST THE TEMPTATION.
What are you still doing here? Run boy, run!
Love,
Danielle
And just because this annoys me when people say it, I'm just going to mention that Warner Bros. Pictures HAS paid me to advertise their movie. Because a famous Production Company seriously knows me personally. Jeez -_-
I love the Harry Potter Books.
And I have read them all, and seen all the movies up to date. The difference is: The movies suck. I'm sorry, all you Harry Potter Movie Fanatics, they just do. The special effects are cool, I must admit, but the acting is less than to be desired, and when I say 'acting', I'm really just talking about one particular person's abibilites in that area.
Daniel Radcliff.
Harry Potter, if any of you have read the books, is supposed to be considerate and friendly, a little shy but trustworthy, brave, talented and selfless! (and ok, he has some anger issues...but can you blame him, all considering?) But Daniel Radcliff represents that as well as a cucumber would. That's just my opinion, at least. And having a bad main character/actor really just ruins the movie for me.
But that all changed 19 hours ago.
Please, for the sake of humanity and your soul, go pay money and see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part one) ! It was, by far, the best of all the Harry Potter movies, the best reenactment of the book that could possibly have been made in movie form, the best acting I've seen from any of the cast members (excluding Mr. Radpuke) and just in general the GREATEST MOVIE. Seriously man. Those words have never been used with 'Harry Potter movie' in the same sentence before. And if you still don't believe me, go and check my profile and look under Favorite Movies. Oh yeah, that's right. Try to disagree with me NOW.
Basic Point: Stop, drop, and roll to your closest movie theatre. And DON'T see Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. No seriously, that's actually a movie playing at Regal Movie Theatres right now. RESIST THE TEMPTATION.
What are you still doing here? Run boy, run!
Love,
Danielle
And just because this annoys me when people say it, I'm just going to mention that Warner Bros. Pictures HAS paid me to advertise their movie. Because a famous Production Company seriously knows me personally. Jeez -_-
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A Very LARGE Update and Putting Me Into the Corner
Long time no see everybody! You know, you guys could make a better effort to write in your blog about current events, instead of writing about it a month and 16 days later! I mean, can you say slacker? Let's pick up the pace here people!
So a very large apology for the lack of posts lately. I have been very busy...and stuff. Which is no excuse, I guess, since the whole point of this blog is to tell you guys WHY I'm busy. But that's just the way it happened. Sorry!
Since I haven't blogged in a month and 16 days, I thought I should backtrack, and make a quick commentary on all the days I SHOULD have blogged about, but didn't. So here we go!
October 11: Columbus Day. No school!
October 19: My grandparents arrive from Greece! Nick and I are picked up early from school (yeah baby) and greet our European grandparents at the airport. We drive them home and show them around. Lots of talking and eating and unpacking ensued.
October 22: TJ application deadline. But don't worry; I turned mine in weeks earlier.
October 27: Monthly anniversary for me and my braces! I do love you metal deathtraps glued onto my teeth!
October 30: Halloween party at my place! 15 kids were invited, 9 could make it, 8 actually came. None the less, fun party! Everyone was dressed up, and there was lots of Halloween music, decorations and food for us hoodlums! The party ended with a bang at 11 o'clock by staring at the ceiling in my room. (Obviously out of exhaustion from my exhilarating and insane party!)
October 31: Happy Belated Halloween! Hey dad, let's go follow Nick and his one friend Trick or Treat while I am dressed ridiculously, so that we can reminisce the good ol' days when I used to Trick or Treat, (Last year) whilst freezing our behinds off! And I WON'T occasionally Trick or Treat, and WON'T hold out my hands instead of a plastic pumpkin, and WON'T get any strange looks from adults handing out candy while they drop a piece or two into my waiting palms. That's what I WON'T do.
November 1: Both my grandfather's and my Name Day. Celebrate all the Danielle/Daniel's of the world! (I assume you all celebrate this special day in your homes too.) We all go out and have a Danielle-lisious meal at Not Your Average (Joe's), the bestest restaurant on the east coast. If you haven't eaten there before or don't like it, you are not a human being and probably live in a cardboard box eating bugs all day and talk to the trees about the stock market. Oh, and we also have the no school, because of a Teacher Work Day, I believe.
November 2: Election day! No school! Vote on THAT.
November 8: I Audition for my school's musical, Mulan. All girls must sing "You'll Bring Honor to Us All" and impress the judges and chorus teacher. I am a Smarts Mill Middle School Musical Veteran though, so I make the callbacks.
November 10: I attend a TJ prep class at my school to...well, prep. For the Thomas Jefferson Admissions Test in 2 FREAKING WEEKS, that is.
November 15: Callbacks and another TJ prep class. I sing, "Keep 'Em Guessing", a song for Mushu, little dragon thing, who, yes, is a boy in the movie, but can also be a girl in the play. We also had to act out a scene from the musical. Went pretty well.
November 19: The Mulan Cast list was announced!!!! One of my good friends got Mulan and another got Mushu. I got the part of Mulan's Grandmother! Woo! Old lady time! (I still haven't figured out what I might have done at the audition and callbacks to seem like a good person to be the grandmother...do I resemble a senior citizen?)
Anyway, that's as about updated as it gets!!! Must go watch the new HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS. cya!
Love,
Danielle
So a very large apology for the lack of posts lately. I have been very busy...and stuff. Which is no excuse, I guess, since the whole point of this blog is to tell you guys WHY I'm busy. But that's just the way it happened. Sorry!
Since I haven't blogged in a month and 16 days, I thought I should backtrack, and make a quick commentary on all the days I SHOULD have blogged about, but didn't. So here we go!
October 11: Columbus Day. No school!
October 19: My grandparents arrive from Greece! Nick and I are picked up early from school (yeah baby) and greet our European grandparents at the airport. We drive them home and show them around. Lots of talking and eating and unpacking ensued.
October 22: TJ application deadline. But don't worry; I turned mine in weeks earlier.
October 27: Monthly anniversary for me and my braces! I do love you metal deathtraps glued onto my teeth!
October 30: Halloween party at my place! 15 kids were invited, 9 could make it, 8 actually came. None the less, fun party! Everyone was dressed up, and there was lots of Halloween music, decorations and food for us hoodlums! The party ended with a bang at 11 o'clock by staring at the ceiling in my room. (Obviously out of exhaustion from my exhilarating and insane party!)
October 31: Happy Belated Halloween! Hey dad, let's go follow Nick and his one friend Trick or Treat while I am dressed ridiculously, so that we can reminisce the good ol' days when I used to Trick or Treat, (Last year) whilst freezing our behinds off! And I WON'T occasionally Trick or Treat, and WON'T hold out my hands instead of a plastic pumpkin, and WON'T get any strange looks from adults handing out candy while they drop a piece or two into my waiting palms. That's what I WON'T do.
November 1: Both my grandfather's and my Name Day. Celebrate all the Danielle/Daniel's of the world! (I assume you all celebrate this special day in your homes too.) We all go out and have a Danielle-lisious meal at Not Your Average (Joe's), the bestest restaurant on the east coast. If you haven't eaten there before or don't like it, you are not a human being and probably live in a cardboard box eating bugs all day and talk to the trees about the stock market. Oh, and we also have the no school, because of a Teacher Work Day, I believe.
November 2: Election day! No school! Vote on THAT.
November 8: I Audition for my school's musical, Mulan. All girls must sing "You'll Bring Honor to Us All" and impress the judges and chorus teacher. I am a Smarts Mill Middle School Musical Veteran though, so I make the callbacks.
November 10: I attend a TJ prep class at my school to...well, prep. For the Thomas Jefferson Admissions Test in 2 FREAKING WEEKS, that is.
November 15: Callbacks and another TJ prep class. I sing, "Keep 'Em Guessing", a song for Mushu, little dragon thing, who, yes, is a boy in the movie, but can also be a girl in the play. We also had to act out a scene from the musical. Went pretty well.
November 19: The Mulan Cast list was announced!!!! One of my good friends got Mulan and another got Mushu. I got the part of Mulan's Grandmother! Woo! Old lady time! (I still haven't figured out what I might have done at the audition and callbacks to seem like a good person to be the grandmother...do I resemble a senior citizen?)
Anyway, that's as about updated as it gets!!! Must go watch the new HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS. cya!
Love,
Danielle
Saturday, October 9, 2010
SYTYCD Tour 2010, and Some Exclusive Clip Art Pictures!
So everyone, this has been (Surprisingly) quite an exciting week! And that's all because, me, my mom, my dad, and my brother all went to the...
(And in case you are an alien and never seen So You Think You Can Dance, its an AH-MAZING dance competition on T.V, and every year, after the winner has been selected, the last 7 dancers on the show, and this year, some 'All-Stars' (Previous winners and contestants from previous seasons) have this national tour and they travel all over America and perform some popular and impressive routines from that season and some new dance routines created just for the tour!!!!)
Anyway, before I start describing the AH-MAZING show, let me just tell you guys that this is the first year that my family watches SYTYCD. (So You Think You- yeah ok, you get it) We've been an American Idol and The Biggest Loser family for awhile now, so I guess it was only a matter of time before we got into the dancing reality TV shows as well. I don't exactly remember how we started watching it...did my parents hear about it on the radio, or did we accidentally fall on it while flipping through channels? Either way, we watched a few auditions and some of Hollywood Week (that's actually American Idol, but I can't remember what it's called for SYTYCD :P) and then there was a period where we weren't watching it anymore. In that time, a lot of dancers were eliminated, and by the time we started watching again, the people that were left were the really really good ones. And let me just say, the dancers this year, were really REALLY good. Like, we're talking practically professional here. Anyway, the show really is great, and I'm really glad we started watching it. So when the show started advertising the Tour, my family was like:
Anyway, before I start describing the AH-MAZING show, let me just tell you guys that this is the first year that my family watches SYTYCD. (So You Think You- yeah ok, you get it) We've been an American Idol and The Biggest Loser family for awhile now, so I guess it was only a matter of time before we got into the dancing reality TV shows as well. I don't exactly remember how we started watching it...did my parents hear about it on the radio, or did we accidentally fall on it while flipping through channels? Either way, we watched a few auditions and some of Hollywood Week (that's actually American Idol, but I can't remember what it's called for SYTYCD :P) and then there was a period where we weren't watching it anymore. In that time, a lot of dancers were eliminated, and by the time we started watching again, the people that were left were the really really good ones. And let me just say, the dancers this year, were really REALLY good. Like, we're talking practically professional here. Anyway, the show really is great, and I'm really glad we started watching it. So when the show started advertising the Tour, my family was like:
 |
| And yes, they did turn green. |
and I was like:
 |
| This is me peeing on myself, by the way. |
So the buying of tickets and driving to Baltimore an hour away last Tuesday night commenced! We ate glorious subway sandwiches while crazies on the street scared the poop out of me, and then we went into the arena called the Marina? (I think that's what it was called...) Anyway, the show was really really cool, and we had great seats. We were on an elevated bleacher type thing, but we were the very second row from the bottom, which meant we could see perfectly, even if we were a bit far back. The lighting and the music and the dances were awesome. It was so cool to see all the contestants you see on TV in person! Unfortunately, as usual, I was CameraWoman, so I might have viewed most of the show through my Kodak screen, but, such are the prices we pay when pictures must be taken. And taken they were! I hope to show them to all of you sometime. Basically, I really enjoyed myself, and the rest of my family did too. I can't wait for next season!
As for the rest of the week...er..
Well, I got sick, if that counts.
Love,
Danielle
PS- If you are interested in this year's American SYTYCD, go to http://www.fox.com/dance/ , for some interviews with the contestants and pictures and episodes from this season (Which I highly suggest you do, if you would like to see for yourself just how AH-MAZING these dancers are!)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The TJ Forecast...and lots of Packet Thingys
I forgot to mention in the last post that TJ is like, an hour away from my house, not including traffic, which means by the time we got there it was 11. (I also said in the last post that the Open House ended at 11. My mistake, it ended at 11:30) So basically we had 30 minutes to 'explore' this massive high school.
The good thing about being late (there hardly ever IS anything good about it) was that the crowds had left and it was a lot easier to move in and out of classrooms and hallways without having to compete with hundreds of other people. Now, let me see if I can sum up the Open House, and the whole deal-io about this TJ thing as simply as I can.
"Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is a unique Fairfax County public school that provides an innovative, specialized learning environment for highly motivated students who have a genuine interest in biological, physical, mathematical, technological, and computer sciences." That was taken from the Information Packet Book Thingy I got from my guidance counselor on Tuesday. So Thomas Jefferson is a really academic school for really academic, or 'highly motivated' students. Therefore, you have to apply and take an admissions test to be accepted into the school, so that not just any kid can get in. But that doesn't mean they don't try. 3,000 kids apply almost every year, and only 18% of them are accepted. To be accepted into the Semifinalists, they look at:
~Your grade point average from 7th grade and first and second quarter grades from 8th grade math and science
~Your Admissions Test score
If you are in the Semifinalist group, you are notified in January. Then you are sent another Application Packet Thingy where you have to get teacher recommendations and complete a Student Information Sheet. During the first admissions test (which is taken this December) you also have an hour where you have to write 2 essays. They will evaluate the semifinalist essays at this time too.
Annnnnd then, they let you know if you have actually been accepted into the school in April. So, why go through allllllll that work if I have a perfectly good high school available for me, no application necessary? Well, for starters, the whole fact that you have to be accepted based on your intelligence and achievements in school makes me think, hey, me intelligent! Me achieve in school! Secondly, this school is also really cool for people who can't stand average public school. (hence, me) TJ offers a 'comprehensive college preparatory program with additional required courses in science, mathematics, and technology." (Translation: umm, I think something to do with preparing you for college. Which is a thumbs up!) it also has "..Integrated and collaborative courses and its thirteen specialized research laboratories" (Translation: The school has specialized research labs. What's not cool about that?) Also, since not any average joe can go to this high school, you would also expect that all those idiots I have to deal with every single day will no longer be a problem. There is more expected of you and you'll probably work a bit harder, but you are also (probably) allowed more independence and trust since you are a 'highly motivated' student! You also have this thing during 8th period where you can have time for "...Research, study, relaxation, fun with friends, and physical activity." (Translation: I KNOW WHAT I WOULD BE DOING DURING THAT PERIOD! NOT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, THAT'S FOR SURE!) They have over 150 clubs, and selective courses like, art, journalism, theater arts, photography, creative writing, and graphic arts. (They also have electronics, robotics, prototyping and 25 varsity sports, blah blah) So why not?
Anyway, even after this very positive summary of the school, I still have a few doubts and hesitations about going to the school, but my philosophy is this: I apply and see if I'm accepted. If I am, great, whoopee. If I'm not, that's ok, because I will still go to a brand new high school that was just built this year, and all my friends will too. So really, it's a win-win situation. And let's say I start having mental break downs and hallucinations and I become a cannibal, and decide I don't want to go to TJ, even if I'm accepted, than I don't even have to.
So yes. That's all you should ever want to know about Thomas Jefferson, and I will keep you guys posted on the upcoming stuff and Packet Thingys I must endure until the results! Until then...I'm Danielle Matta, on CNN News.
Love,
Danielle, news anchor and 'highly motivated' student
PS- Speaking of CNN, did you guys know that most kids don't know who Anderson Cooper is? Who does NOT know who Anderson Cooper is?! I mean, come on people! He is THE CNN Man! Next thing you know, they won't know who Christiane Amanpour is. Kids these days.
The good thing about being late (there hardly ever IS anything good about it) was that the crowds had left and it was a lot easier to move in and out of classrooms and hallways without having to compete with hundreds of other people. Now, let me see if I can sum up the Open House, and the whole deal-io about this TJ thing as simply as I can.
"Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is a unique Fairfax County public school that provides an innovative, specialized learning environment for highly motivated students who have a genuine interest in biological, physical, mathematical, technological, and computer sciences." That was taken from the Information Packet Book Thingy I got from my guidance counselor on Tuesday. So Thomas Jefferson is a really academic school for really academic, or 'highly motivated' students. Therefore, you have to apply and take an admissions test to be accepted into the school, so that not just any kid can get in. But that doesn't mean they don't try. 3,000 kids apply almost every year, and only 18% of them are accepted. To be accepted into the Semifinalists, they look at:
~Your grade point average from 7th grade and first and second quarter grades from 8th grade math and science
~Your Admissions Test score
If you are in the Semifinalist group, you are notified in January. Then you are sent another Application Packet Thingy where you have to get teacher recommendations and complete a Student Information Sheet. During the first admissions test (which is taken this December) you also have an hour where you have to write 2 essays. They will evaluate the semifinalist essays at this time too.
Annnnnd then, they let you know if you have actually been accepted into the school in April. So, why go through allllllll that work if I have a perfectly good high school available for me, no application necessary? Well, for starters, the whole fact that you have to be accepted based on your intelligence and achievements in school makes me think, hey, me intelligent! Me achieve in school! Secondly, this school is also really cool for people who can't stand average public school. (hence, me) TJ offers a 'comprehensive college preparatory program with additional required courses in science, mathematics, and technology." (Translation: umm, I think something to do with preparing you for college. Which is a thumbs up!) it also has "..Integrated and collaborative courses and its thirteen specialized research laboratories" (Translation: The school has specialized research labs. What's not cool about that?) Also, since not any average joe can go to this high school, you would also expect that all those idiots I have to deal with every single day will no longer be a problem. There is more expected of you and you'll probably work a bit harder, but you are also (probably) allowed more independence and trust since you are a 'highly motivated' student! You also have this thing during 8th period where you can have time for "...Research, study, relaxation, fun with friends, and physical activity." (Translation: I KNOW WHAT I WOULD BE DOING DURING THAT PERIOD! NOT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, THAT'S FOR SURE!) They have over 150 clubs, and selective courses like, art, journalism, theater arts, photography, creative writing, and graphic arts. (They also have electronics, robotics, prototyping and 25 varsity sports, blah blah) So why not?
Anyway, even after this very positive summary of the school, I still have a few doubts and hesitations about going to the school, but my philosophy is this: I apply and see if I'm accepted. If I am, great, whoopee. If I'm not, that's ok, because I will still go to a brand new high school that was just built this year, and all my friends will too. So really, it's a win-win situation. And let's say I start having mental break downs and hallucinations and I become a cannibal, and decide I don't want to go to TJ, even if I'm accepted, than I don't even have to.
So yes. That's all you should ever want to know about Thomas Jefferson, and I will keep you guys posted on the upcoming stuff and Packet Thingys I must endure until the results! Until then...I'm Danielle Matta, on CNN News.
Love,
Danielle, news anchor and 'highly motivated' student
PS- Speaking of CNN, did you guys know that most kids don't know who Anderson Cooper is? Who does NOT know who Anderson Cooper is?! I mean, come on people! He is THE CNN Man! Next thing you know, they won't know who Christiane Amanpour is. Kids these days.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
TJ Open House (The One I Haven't Gone To Yet)
So first off, I'd just like to thank my Uncle George and Conor Bandar for helping me out with one of my school projects. I appreciate it. (And I think I got an A! ;)
Secondly, this has to be a very short post, just because technically my family should be in the car right now, but being Our Family, means that we shall always be late no matter what. The reason for us going out so early on a Saturday morning (its almost 9:30 a.m.) is because we are going to a Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology High School open house, which started at 8:30 and ends at 11 a.m. Obviously, the reason we are going is because I am/Possibly/Sort-of/Not Really Sure Yet/Want to go and apply to this high school. Anyway, this is the first time I see this school, so I'm pretty excited. So I should be going!!! I'll post about it later, once I have more information and I've actually visted the school.
Love,
Danielle
Secondly, this has to be a very short post, just because technically my family should be in the car right now, but being Our Family, means that we shall always be late no matter what. The reason for us going out so early on a Saturday morning (its almost 9:30 a.m.) is because we are going to a Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology High School open house, which started at 8:30 and ends at 11 a.m. Obviously, the reason we are going is because I am/Possibly/Sort-of/Not Really Sure Yet/Want to go and apply to this high school. Anyway, this is the first time I see this school, so I'm pretty excited. So I should be going!!! I'll post about it later, once I have more information and I've actually visted the school.
Love,
Danielle
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