Diagnosis: ADD

       Today I went down to the art room during my fourth period commons to work on a piece for my painting class. During this period, Mr. King has a printmaking class that's completely full of students, so I went to the back room to join the advance printmakers. Among these students were my friends Emily, Katie, Molly, Chase, and Brooke. Most of the time, Mr. King doesn't come into the back room until ten minutes are left in the period so we're on our own for the majority of the class period.
       As I sat painting, and my friends sat printmaking, our conversation turned to the question game that occurred in Mr. Stuart's class that day. In this game, you have to have an entire conversation using only questions related to each other, and cannot repeat questions or laugh during the process. This game reminded me of another one called the "ADD" game. In this game, everyone who is playing goes around in a circle and says a word. The person who goes next then has to say another word completely unrelated to the previous one without hesitating. For example if someone were to say "cold" the next person could say "hair bands." If they were to say "hot" or "ice," they would be out.
       I decided at this point to bring this game to the attention of my friends and we decided to give it a try. The first round was a little difficult and everyone only lasted about two rounds. However by the end of class (yes, we did play the majority of the period), we had the game down. Who knew you could get better at having a short attention span? I realized just how easily people are entertained my games like Mr. Stuart's and the ADD game, even though when you say the directions out loud they don't sound fun at all. It's funny what we will spend so much time on when we're bored!

Essay Instead of Data Sheet

Less time, but not an A

Miss Senior Night

       Last week, my team and I had a swim meet at Orange High School, and it just so happened it was their Senior Night. I've been on the team now for four years so I've been to my fair share of senior nights, which usually consist of seniors being escorted down the pool deck while their interests and accomplishments are read aloud by the coaches. It was not until this year I realized what senior night actually was: a beauty pageant.
       The first thing you should know about senior night is that no one enjoys it, especially if there are sixteen seniors from the team. Surprisingly, after a while you get bored  watching people strut down the pool deck with their parents. So then you start listening to the things people wish to say about themselves:
      "Kristi likes hanging out with her friends and the beach."
      "Chris likes to play video games."
      "Tom is joining the Peace Corps."
      Honestly what does that sound like to you? Like a beauty pageant bio, possibly? Then after the senior bios (which no one actually listens to) are read, the senior must stand in front of some sort of backdrop, usually involving balloons, and pose for a picture. The girls almost always put their hands on their hips, while the guys put their arms around their parents. At this point everyone is watching them, and completely judging them, just like judges would a beauty pageant.
      "Look at her posture. Why can't she just stand up straight!"
      "That guy really needs a haircut."
      "Ah he's so cute!"
      I admit I partook in this judging from time to time, but my perspective changed when we had our senior night last saturday. As I stood up there taking my picture, I could feel everyones eyes watching me, and it wasn't exactly the best thing in the world. I was being completely judged. Now I was able to empathize with the other seniors, and feel just what it was like to be up there, in my own little beauty pageant, being scrutinized by everyone. From that moment one, I will be less judgmental in my views of my fellow seniors and the seniors to come, because honestly, pageants aren't too much fun.

Monday, Tuesday, Snow Day!

      Yesterday, on our fourth Snow Day of the school year, I was talking to my friend from swim team, and he said to me, "I really want another Snow Day tomorrow."
      I found myself agreeing with him. One just wasn't enough. Then I hesitated. This was our fourth Snow Day and I was complaining about wanting more. I realized even if the administration gives us an inch (or a Snow Day) we still complain. I cannot tell you how many people came up to me today in school and said how badly they wished we had a snow day:
      "The roads were so bad!"
      "I almost got into four car accidents!"
      "The administration is trying to kill us!"
      "It was like negative two degrees out there this morning!"
      The truth is that the roads were, for the most part, clear, it was twenty-five degrees outside, and relatively sunny. The worst part is when everyone knows there is a huge winter storm coming, and rumors of Mr. Kerul's Snow Day Probability start to spread around the school. If we don't get a Snow Day, everyone is miserable the next day for at least the first three periods. One of my friends even approached our vice principal and said how we totally should have had a Snow Day that day. Let's just say Dr. Koons wasn't all too happy about that, and said something along the lines of how us kids are never truly happy about Snow Days...we give you one and you just want more!
       After reflecting on this, I do see there's some truth in his statement. Yes, I am glad we had a Snow Day and yes, I am writing this blog and hoping tomorrow will be one, but what can I say? It's how we are.