I come to you all today in the midst of trying-to-do-anything-but-my-homework. I thought I would give an update on all things important in life: Birthdays, Books and Other Cool Stuff.
First up, birthdays! So, good old March is coming along tomorrow and do you even know how many March birthdays there are in this family? LOTS. It's like, the best month of the year DUHTOTALLY. In fact, there is one particular person who has a birthday in March that is very dear to our hearts. She is a magnificent person with incredible good looks, uncanny intelligence and a superb sense of humor. She may or may not be turning 15 or something. Yeah, I don't know her either.
But if I DID know her, she probably would have absolutely NO FRICKIN' IDEA what do to for her birthday considering she lives near a big city with tons of tourist attractions but nowhere actually cool to go to. NO I do not fancy another run of the Art Museum of Natural Boringness, thank you very much. Been there a gazillion times, DONE that a gazillion times. And every other place either decided they were going to hold no events on said birthday date or they were going to showcase the most awful performers or exhibits. AND NO FATHER, I WILL NOT GO SEE MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT SHOW, THAT WAS NOT FUNNY AND THE SONG YOU COULD NOT STOP SINGING WAS NOT CATCHY.
As far as books go, one of my most favoritest book series final installment is coming out on the 13th and I'm SO FLIPPING EXCITED ITS CA-RAZZY. The author is Rachel Hawkins, a.k.a the funniest woman alive, and the book series is called Hex Hall. Since the third book comes out on the Tuesday, serious preparations will have to be made to ensure that book is in my possession by 4 o'clock that evening (and when I say ensure, I actually mean IT MUST BE NO EXCEPTIONS DO YOU HEAR ME).
There are several things that fall under the Other Cool Stuff category, one being that my very first journalism article was published on the online website of my school's newspaper! Being in journalism means that I am learning about the stuff they do in newspaper, a class I will be taking next year. Journalism is a prerequisite, which also means that any stuff I write for journalism is just stuff, like any other class. But I wrote a feature article on Girls and Football (two topics I pride myself in being an expert in. What? Don't look at me like that. It's true.) and my journalism teacher liked it so much she gave it to the newspaper staff and they said OH YES THIS GIRL IS TALENTED LETS JUST CELEBRATE HER AWESOMENESS and put my article uppp! Anyway, if you would like to check that out, here is the link to my school's online paper and my article:
http://thehuskyheadline.com/2012/02/21/the-touchdown-for-equality/
While your there, why not check out some of the other articles up? Most are really quite good and funny as well. Show your Husky support or whatever.
Also on this list, is the fact that I have applied to something. Again.
I actually had completed my application a month ago, but now, seeing as I will probably get the admission results soon, I decided to describe my attempt at trying to get into the Teen Ink Summer Program.
Basically, this is a writing workshop type program that happens for 2 weeks in New York City. Yes, I said NYC. During the two weeks, you get to stay in Julliard dorm rooms with other high school teenage girls and get an awesome writing experience, as well as an opportunity to take advantage of New York City's amazingness. This description is quite vague for now, but if I get accepted I will elaborate for sure.
So? Has spring sprung yet for everyone? It sure hasn't here. Our weather is like a hormonal bi-polar teenager...minus the angst and acne. Ha. That line was HI-LARIOUS.
Oh, speaking of Hi-larious things, I also wrote a very hi-larious article for a journalism opinion assignment. And guess what topic I chose? You guessed it! Teen trends ;)
Well, must go back to pretending I'm doing my homework.
Love,
Danielle
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Teenager 101: Your Offical Guidlines to Re-living your Adolecence the 2012 Way!
Missed me? I HAVE been gone for quite a while you know. Oh you...you didn't notice? Well...it was on the news...and..stuff. Everyone was talking about it...when? You know, that week...when that stuff happened...and..yeah.
So hello everyone, I apologize for the lack of Matta-ness lately but don't get all up in my grill (as my father says. Yes, he says that. I know) because a little thing I call HIGH SCHOOL sucks up all my time these days.
How is school you ask? (You are so polite today!) School is a fiery pit of torture and textbooks. My family? Jolly, as always. And me?
Well, let's just say that my life has not been the easiest the past few months due to the previously mentioned fiery pit. But there are some cool things that have happened. Like uh, perhaps a new baby cuz' being born? (a.k.a Joseph) And an awesome New Years celebration. And some other stuff I can't think of right now.
And of course some bad stuff. Like my uncle being sick (I love you dude! Haven't spoken to you in a while but hope you're feeling better) and my neck and back deciding to go on strike and dreaded MIDTERMS and such. The list could go on. And we all know that I could go on. And on.
But I come to you as a new and improved person. No longer the middle-school-edition Danielle, who complained about trivial things. No. Today, as a mature young woman, I have decided to discuss more important, worldly topics.
Like how much pop-culture and teenagers suck.
Think about it for a second. Teenagers and pop-culture go hand in hand, most of the time. Whatever the trend may be, them young'uns are following it. In the 50's, they were all Elvis Presley-ing and sock-hopping and adding a few feet through blowing up your hair-ing. During the 60's it was marijuana and go-go boots. In the 70's they thought it was hot to wear bell-bottoms and not wash their hair. I think you get the point. Every decade there is just some sort of trend that society- but mostly teenagers- follow.
And I don't know what the HECK is going on with my generation, but the trends are getting scarier each year. Let me enlighten you. Here is all the things you need to know to be a 2012 Teenager:
Rule #1: Ignore The Seasons
Winter got you down? The cold just not coordinating with your closet? Screw Mother Nature, wear whatever the heck you want! It's ok that it's below freezing and you're wearing the tiniest shorts you could find. Don't worry that it's snowing and your STILL wearing the same short-sleeved football jersey. The seasons have nothing on your underdressed self!
Rule #2: Animals Are All The Rage
It can get pretty boring being a human. No fur, no feathers, no opposable thumbs. (wait a secon-) Shhh! The only way to go is make every accessory and clothing piece resemble the south american jungle! If you wear a pair of feather earrings, a cheetah print shirt and some sort of oddly shaped furry jacket, you'll blend right in with the circle of life!
Rule #3: Contradictions Are Your BFF
No one likes someone who has an opinion and sticks with it. So why should it be any different with style? Feel free to wear your pajama pants with the tightest shirt you own, preferably one that you bought when you were six. And don't forget to accessorize! You'll be the talk of the town when you wear your thick, ugly Eskimo boots the color of deer poop (now comes in blueberry vomit too!) and 'nerd glasses' even though you have perfect vision. And if you do actually need glasses...what are you doing, take them off immediately and pretend you're bumping into things on purpose!
#4 What Works For Everyone Else, Works For You!
Doesn't matter if you weigh 87 pounds or 300, because you are entitled to wear whatever size your best friend is wearing, no matter what! So don't feel bad squeezing into a size 00 skinny jeans (the skinny part was necessary, because obviously 00 wasn't skinny enough) or the cylinder tube of spandex your friends call a 'skirt'. Mi casa et tu casa, or something like that!
So there you have it. Here is your Teenager Diploma. Use it wisely. (Like drinking way too many Monster energy drinks and taking pictures of yourself in the mirror while nonchalantly flipping the bird.)
Love,
Danielle
So hello everyone, I apologize for the lack of Matta-ness lately but don't get all up in my grill (as my father says. Yes, he says that. I know) because a little thing I call HIGH SCHOOL sucks up all my time these days.
How is school you ask? (You are so polite today!) School is a fiery pit of torture and textbooks. My family? Jolly, as always. And me?
Well, let's just say that my life has not been the easiest the past few months due to the previously mentioned fiery pit. But there are some cool things that have happened. Like uh, perhaps a new baby cuz' being born? (a.k.a Joseph) And an awesome New Years celebration. And some other stuff I can't think of right now.
And of course some bad stuff. Like my uncle being sick (I love you dude! Haven't spoken to you in a while but hope you're feeling better) and my neck and back deciding to go on strike and dreaded MIDTERMS and such. The list could go on. And we all know that I could go on. And on.
But I come to you as a new and improved person. No longer the middle-school-edition Danielle, who complained about trivial things. No. Today, as a mature young woman, I have decided to discuss more important, worldly topics.
Like how much pop-culture and teenagers suck.
Think about it for a second. Teenagers and pop-culture go hand in hand, most of the time. Whatever the trend may be, them young'uns are following it. In the 50's, they were all Elvis Presley-ing and sock-hopping and adding a few feet through blowing up your hair-ing. During the 60's it was marijuana and go-go boots. In the 70's they thought it was hot to wear bell-bottoms and not wash their hair. I think you get the point. Every decade there is just some sort of trend that society- but mostly teenagers- follow.
And I don't know what the HECK is going on with my generation, but the trends are getting scarier each year. Let me enlighten you. Here is all the things you need to know to be a 2012 Teenager:
Rule #1: Ignore The Seasons
Winter got you down? The cold just not coordinating with your closet? Screw Mother Nature, wear whatever the heck you want! It's ok that it's below freezing and you're wearing the tiniest shorts you could find. Don't worry that it's snowing and your STILL wearing the same short-sleeved football jersey. The seasons have nothing on your underdressed self!
Rule #2: Animals Are All The Rage
It can get pretty boring being a human. No fur, no feathers, no opposable thumbs. (wait a secon-) Shhh! The only way to go is make every accessory and clothing piece resemble the south american jungle! If you wear a pair of feather earrings, a cheetah print shirt and some sort of oddly shaped furry jacket, you'll blend right in with the circle of life!
Rule #3: Contradictions Are Your BFF
No one likes someone who has an opinion and sticks with it. So why should it be any different with style? Feel free to wear your pajama pants with the tightest shirt you own, preferably one that you bought when you were six. And don't forget to accessorize! You'll be the talk of the town when you wear your thick, ugly Eskimo boots the color of deer poop (now comes in blueberry vomit too!) and 'nerd glasses' even though you have perfect vision. And if you do actually need glasses...what are you doing, take them off immediately and pretend you're bumping into things on purpose!
#4 What Works For Everyone Else, Works For You!
Doesn't matter if you weigh 87 pounds or 300, because you are entitled to wear whatever size your best friend is wearing, no matter what! So don't feel bad squeezing into a size 00 skinny jeans (the skinny part was necessary, because obviously 00 wasn't skinny enough) or the cylinder tube of spandex your friends call a 'skirt'. Mi casa et tu casa, or something like that!
So there you have it. Here is your Teenager Diploma. Use it wisely. (Like drinking way too many Monster energy drinks and taking pictures of yourself in the mirror while nonchalantly flipping the bird.)
Love,
Danielle
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*
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