On Saturday morning, I woke up early and drove to Southeastern University in Hammond to participate in the district Literary Rally. I had never been before, so this was a new experience for me, and I had no idea what to expect. I assumed that everyone would go into a big room, take the test, and just leave. But it turned out that it was actually a big festival! There were many booths set up for each subject (science, history, math, etc...), and there was music and games too. I was surprised by the amount of people that were there. I was competing in the category of English I, along with about 100 other students. Even though I did not qualify for the state rally, I was very happy to have experienced what literary rally was all about.
Saturday night was the Baton Rouge Cotillion spring dance. The theme was "out of this world", which is like space and aliens. I had a little trouble finding an outfit that fit this theme, but eventually came up with something. When we got to the River Center, which was where the dance was, we got lost in a bowling alley and walked around for about 10 minutes before we actually found the party. I saw many crazy costumes, such as avatar and astronaut suits, and glow-in-the-dark pants! It ended up being a really fun and crazy night!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Dollhouse: Boy Crazy
Hello Block 2!
This week, I continued reading Dollhouse, and am really enjoying it! Even though the sisters in the book have very different personalities, they all share a common interest in one particular thing--boys! Kamille, who seems to have all the luck, met Chase, a professional baseball player at one of her red carpet appearances, and it was love at first sight! Kamille is convinced that Chase is the perfect guy; she is smitten with his good looks, charm, and caring personality. But her mom has a different opinion. From what she has read in the tabloids, she thinks that Chase is a player with a bad reputation, and doesn't want her daughter to get hurt by getting too serious with him. But, she wants Kamille to be happy, so she agrees to give him a chance.
Kass has come out of her shell in the last couple of chapters, and she too has met someone; a boy named Eduardo from her Economics class. She is very excited to finally be dating and having fun again, away from all the studying and stress of school. Her family is happy for her too. Kyle's love-life, however, is a little bit stranger than her sisters'. Since she was having trouble in school, and her grades were suffering, so her parents decided to get her a tutor. They thought that her step brother, Benjy, would be perfect for the job; he is smart, responsible, and lives right down the hall! As they're study sessions continue, they begin to grow fonder of one another. That "fondness" eventually turns into a romantic passion. I was very surprised when I was reading this part of the book because Kyle and Benjy are step siblings, and this seemed very inappropriate.
Outside Reading:
Poetry book: 15-20 min
Dollhouse: 2 hours- 53 pages
This week, I continued reading Dollhouse, and am really enjoying it! Even though the sisters in the book have very different personalities, they all share a common interest in one particular thing--boys! Kamille, who seems to have all the luck, met Chase, a professional baseball player at one of her red carpet appearances, and it was love at first sight! Kamille is convinced that Chase is the perfect guy; she is smitten with his good looks, charm, and caring personality. But her mom has a different opinion. From what she has read in the tabloids, she thinks that Chase is a player with a bad reputation, and doesn't want her daughter to get hurt by getting too serious with him. But, she wants Kamille to be happy, so she agrees to give him a chance.
Kass has come out of her shell in the last couple of chapters, and she too has met someone; a boy named Eduardo from her Economics class. She is very excited to finally be dating and having fun again, away from all the studying and stress of school. Her family is happy for her too. Kyle's love-life, however, is a little bit stranger than her sisters'. Since she was having trouble in school, and her grades were suffering, so her parents decided to get her a tutor. They thought that her step brother, Benjy, would be perfect for the job; he is smart, responsible, and lives right down the hall! As they're study sessions continue, they begin to grow fonder of one another. That "fondness" eventually turns into a romantic passion. I was very surprised when I was reading this part of the book because Kyle and Benjy are step siblings, and this seemed very inappropriate.
Outside Reading:
Poetry book: 15-20 min
Dollhouse: 2 hours- 53 pages
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Projects, Projects, Projects...
This week has been a week centered around projects. On Wednesday, we have a World History project due, and two English projects due before spring break. I know many of my fellow classmates are feeling just as stressed out as I have, and it definitely has not been easy trying to balance all of these projects. But, I have learned that waiting until the last minute doesn't make things any easier...if anything it causes more stress! That is why I have been doing my best to stay organized and on top of things.
For the World History project, we were put into groups of 5 or 6 people, and assigned a section number from the textbook. Using the given information, we had to create a fake TV show that explains the information and answers historical questions in an entertaining, but informative way. The two English projects are a Nervous Conditions project and a Global Issues project. Both of the projects are very different, yet similar. They both require creativity, and knowledge of what we have already learned. I hope that I'll be able to easily finish all of the projects, and make good grades on them too!
For the World History project, we were put into groups of 5 or 6 people, and assigned a section number from the textbook. Using the given information, we had to create a fake TV show that explains the information and answers historical questions in an entertaining, but informative way. The two English projects are a Nervous Conditions project and a Global Issues project. Both of the projects are very different, yet similar. They both require creativity, and knowledge of what we have already learned. I hope that I'll be able to easily finish all of the projects, and make good grades on them too!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Dollhouse
This week, I started my first outside reading book of the fourth quarter called Dollhouse by Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe Kardashian. I decided to read this book because I absolutely love their show, and since they have such a crazy and funny family, I knew their book would be fun to read! Before I began the book, I assumed that it would be based on the actual sisters' lives, but that was not the case. Dollhouse is based on fictional characters, who's lives resemble the Kardashians. The story is centered around three sisters, Kamille, Kass, and Kyle. Their mom, Kat, got remarried after the girls' father died when they were younger. The family owns a restaurant called Cafe' Romero, and the entire family works there together.
One of the reasons why I am enjoying this book so much is because it is cool to see how each character is so much like the real Kardashians. For example, Kat is exactly like Kris Jenner because she is the head of the family, and cares about her kids more than anything! Kamille reminds me a lot of Kim because she is often described as "the prettiest sister", just like the real Kim is. Each sister has their own distinct personality and does their own thing. Kass is very into her school work and cares a lot about grades. She is at the top of her class at USC, and has big plans for the future. Kyle is a rebellious teenager who does everything to try to get under her mom's skin. Kamille is all about the looks and fashion, and being in the spotlight. In the first 5 chapters of the book, she was offered a modeling job for a big modeling agency. Even though the family disagrees sometimes and has arguments, they will always be there for each other in the end.
Outside Reading:
Dollhouse- 150 min, 75 pages
One of the reasons why I am enjoying this book so much is because it is cool to see how each character is so much like the real Kardashians. For example, Kat is exactly like Kris Jenner because she is the head of the family, and cares about her kids more than anything! Kamille reminds me a lot of Kim because she is often described as "the prettiest sister", just like the real Kim is. Each sister has their own distinct personality and does their own thing. Kass is very into her school work and cares a lot about grades. She is at the top of her class at USC, and has big plans for the future. Kyle is a rebellious teenager who does everything to try to get under her mom's skin. Kamille is all about the looks and fashion, and being in the spotlight. In the first 5 chapters of the book, she was offered a modeling job for a big modeling agency. Even though the family disagrees sometimes and has arguments, they will always be there for each other in the end.
Outside Reading:
Dollhouse- 150 min, 75 pages
Monday, March 12, 2012
3 Day Weekend!
Hey Block 2!
I hope y'all all enjoyed having a long break this weekend, because I know I did! It was nice to get to relax and enjoy time with friends and family. On Friday, I went to the mall with my friend Caroline because I really needed to get some new clothes for spring/summer. It's always exciting to buy summer stuff because it's a reminder that it's right around the corner! I was surprised by how many EHS people we saw there; well I guess I shouldn't have been because what else is there to do on a rainy Friday off of school? After that, we went back to my house and had a crawfish boil with friends and family.
Saturday afternoon, I went to my friend Anna's house, which was very fun! Saturday felt like Sunday, since we had already had a day off of school! Sunday was a very lazy day, but I did get a lot accomplished. I got my homework done early so that I had time to practice cheer stuff later. The only bad thing about the weekend was that Sunday daylight savings time started, and we turned the clocks back an hour, which means one less hour of sleep. I really enjoyed the 3 day weekend and hope that we get another one soon!
Nervous Conditions Test
We don't usually take tests in English class, but to end the third quarter, we took a two-part test on "Nervous Conditions". I wasn't that worried about the test because I had read and understood the book, and paid attention to the class discussions. To prepare for the test, Dr. deGravelles went over specific details from the book that we needed to know, and made prezis for us to review. The main things that I studied for the test were theme, characteristics of main characters, and the importance of the structure of the story.
Going into the test was a little nerve-wracking just because I knew there was a lot of writing involved, and we had a limited amount of time. I am usually pretty good with time management, but since you had to really think about how you were going to answer the question, it took me a little longer. It is definitely much easier to think of a well-developed answer when you have more time and aren't under so much pressure. I actually thought that part II was easier than part I because part I was a lot longer, and the questions were trickier. Part I consisted of multiple choice, 5 short answer questions, and analyzing quotes from the book. In part II, you had to do a close-reading of a passage from the story, write a literary analysis, and answer a short answer question. You definitely had to remember and display skills that we had already learned earlier in the year in order to do well on this test. Overall, I felt that I was prepared and hope that my final grade shows it!
Outside Reading:
Tuesday: Biology book- 3 hours, 23 pages
Going into the test was a little nerve-wracking just because I knew there was a lot of writing involved, and we had a limited amount of time. I am usually pretty good with time management, but since you had to really think about how you were going to answer the question, it took me a little longer. It is definitely much easier to think of a well-developed answer when you have more time and aren't under so much pressure. I actually thought that part II was easier than part I because part I was a lot longer, and the questions were trickier. Part I consisted of multiple choice, 5 short answer questions, and analyzing quotes from the book. In part II, you had to do a close-reading of a passage from the story, write a literary analysis, and answer a short answer question. You definitely had to remember and display skills that we had already learned earlier in the year in order to do well on this test. Overall, I felt that I was prepared and hope that my final grade shows it!
Outside Reading:
Tuesday: Biology book- 3 hours, 23 pages
Monday, March 5, 2012
Cheer Tryouts
Like my fellow classmate Melissa Sadler, I am also very excited/nervous for cheer tryouts. I can't believe that it is almost time to tryout again, because it seems like the season just ended! This year, I was a member of the JV Fall Cheerleading Squad; the team that cheers at the JV football games. I absolutely loved cheering this year because I learned a lot about teamwork, and became more responsible. I also became a lot closer to the other 13 girls on the team. Cheering this year was definitely one of the best parts of Freshman year, and I really hope that I will make the team again, and have the opportunity to become an even better cheerleader next year!
To prepare for tryouts, which are in about 2 weeks, I have been stretching, and practicing my jumps and tumbling. I hadn't really stretched since the season ended in November, and I found that I was extremely tight. I am a little worried about tryouts because there are many 8th grade girls trying out who do competitive cheer, and are very good. But, since I was on the team last year, I have a good chance of making it. I am really looking forward to tryouts and getting back into cheer again.
To prepare for tryouts, which are in about 2 weeks, I have been stretching, and practicing my jumps and tumbling. I hadn't really stretched since the season ended in November, and I found that I was extremely tight. I am a little worried about tryouts because there are many 8th grade girls trying out who do competitive cheer, and are very good. But, since I was on the team last year, I have a good chance of making it. I am really looking forward to tryouts and getting back into cheer again.
Nervous Conditions: The Final Chapters
Hey Guys!
I can't believe that "Nervous Conditions" has already come to an end! In the final chapters of the book, the doors to the past were closed, and the doors to the future were opened. In chapters 9 and 10, we witnessed Tambu make a huge transition in her education that not only impacted her, but everyone around her. In the beginning of chapter 9, some nuns from the prestigious Catholic school Sacred Heart come to the mission to recruit some girls for scholarships. Everyone is a little nervous, because they have had no time to prepare for the test that was given by the nuns. However, Tambu is is confident because she is ahead of her peers in both general knowledge and ability. Her natural talents pay off when she is given the scholarship to attend Sacred Heart. But, not everyone is as thrilled with her acceptance as she is. Nyasha, Babamukuru, and her mother are all against Tambu going to Sacred Heart, but eventually Babamukuru gives in, and allows her to go.
Tambu cannot wait to begin her new life at Sacred Heart. Excitement, anticipation, elation, and exultation are all feelings that overwhelm her on the drive to the school. The campus is like a different world to her. She is in awe of the beautiful grounds, and striking architectural detail. Everything seems perfect. Something, however, seems a little strange to Tambu. No one offered to carry her bags for her, but they carried the white girls' bags. Also, she must share a room with the 5 other African American girls at the school, instead of getting her own room like the white girls. I wondered why the people at the school were treating her like an outsider, when they were the ones that offered her a scholarship. For the next couple of months while they are apart, Nyasha writes letters to Tambu, updating her on things happening at home. But Tambu, distracted by her new, exciting life, doesn't pay much attention to them. When Tambu returns to the mission for a few days while on break, she notices that Nyasha has grown noticeably thinner, and is acting very strange. She is worried about her cousin, and asks Babamukuru if she can stay a little longer at the mission to look after her. One night, Nyasha has what seemed like a mental breakdown, and goes crazy! The family decides to take her to a psychiatrist, who provides her with pills to calm her down help her get better. Over the next couple of weeks, Nyasha's condition improves, and Tambu returns to Sacred Heart. I really enjoyed reading this book, and felt that it made me a much stronger, and overall better reader.
Outside Reading:
Thursday: NC- 48 min
Sunday: NC- 54 min
I can't believe that "Nervous Conditions" has already come to an end! In the final chapters of the book, the doors to the past were closed, and the doors to the future were opened. In chapters 9 and 10, we witnessed Tambu make a huge transition in her education that not only impacted her, but everyone around her. In the beginning of chapter 9, some nuns from the prestigious Catholic school Sacred Heart come to the mission to recruit some girls for scholarships. Everyone is a little nervous, because they have had no time to prepare for the test that was given by the nuns. However, Tambu is is confident because she is ahead of her peers in both general knowledge and ability. Her natural talents pay off when she is given the scholarship to attend Sacred Heart. But, not everyone is as thrilled with her acceptance as she is. Nyasha, Babamukuru, and her mother are all against Tambu going to Sacred Heart, but eventually Babamukuru gives in, and allows her to go.
Tambu cannot wait to begin her new life at Sacred Heart. Excitement, anticipation, elation, and exultation are all feelings that overwhelm her on the drive to the school. The campus is like a different world to her. She is in awe of the beautiful grounds, and striking architectural detail. Everything seems perfect. Something, however, seems a little strange to Tambu. No one offered to carry her bags for her, but they carried the white girls' bags. Also, she must share a room with the 5 other African American girls at the school, instead of getting her own room like the white girls. I wondered why the people at the school were treating her like an outsider, when they were the ones that offered her a scholarship. For the next couple of months while they are apart, Nyasha writes letters to Tambu, updating her on things happening at home. But Tambu, distracted by her new, exciting life, doesn't pay much attention to them. When Tambu returns to the mission for a few days while on break, she notices that Nyasha has grown noticeably thinner, and is acting very strange. She is worried about her cousin, and asks Babamukuru if she can stay a little longer at the mission to look after her. One night, Nyasha has what seemed like a mental breakdown, and goes crazy! The family decides to take her to a psychiatrist, who provides her with pills to calm her down help her get better. Over the next couple of weeks, Nyasha's condition improves, and Tambu returns to Sacred Heart. I really enjoyed reading this book, and felt that it made me a much stronger, and overall better reader.
Outside Reading:
Thursday: NC- 48 min
Sunday: NC- 54 min
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