So...Not Dead

I actually have time to post this week. I'm so shocked about it that I have no clue what to write about.

It's been a really long time since I've actually read a book, and I'm looking for a good one right now. The idea is that if I have one, I'll make time for it. Any recommendations?

My friend and I spent Saturday being utter idiots. Normally, I'm not big on television. However, I watch a certain cartoon known as Young Justice on Saturdays. My friend and I were exchanging text messages, practically in tears. It was ridiculous.

Someone asked about posters a while ago. I have a Harry Potter one, a Pirates of the Caribbean one, a Doctor Who one, and a Batman. I also have a periodic table affixed to my ceiling. I'm not quite sure why.

Kate, congratulations on your quarter finals results. I hate American Literature with a passion. It is my worst class, and easily my most difficult. I'm taking the PSAT on Saturday, too. I'm not really worried - it's not like it matters sophomore year. It is a little unnerving that I'm going in blind, though. I've only ever studied for the SAT.

Adam, I love San Francisco. It's a really great city, possibly even one of my favourites in the United States. Not in the world, though - that title probably falls to Rome. I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip.

Kayla, I hope you got through your week all right and that this one is better for you. Kudos to you, though - you always post, despite work. I miss every other post.

I think I should probably get to my homework now. Enjoy your weeks, guys. I think I'll celebrate my decent-length-post by making it rainbow...

-Kira

Stress, and the Relief of said Stress

I think it is safe to say that I will not be getting into All-State, unless some miracle happens.  The three-octave major scale that was chosen at the audition site was the D major scale - the one I had not practiced as I hoped I would not have to do it.  I had three hours to practice and memorize it, and I did, but the high notes (which are really high) kind of sucked during the actual audition.
I was extremely nervous; this was my first audition for something serious like this. I hate to say I lost all hope half way through.  The only part I'm really proud of is how I played the first half of the violin etude.
At least it's all over now... until next year, but then I'll have a lot more time to practice.

Quarter finals were last week. Somehow I managed to receive all A's, though in American Literature I was .03% away from a B+.  The American Lit final was surprisingly hard.  Our teacher even said that everyone does horribly on it even though they have tried to fix the test over the years.    I usually score above a B on finals, but on this one I got a D+, a 76% to be exact.

I guess the stress isn't truly gone.  I have to take the PSAT this saturday.  I took it last year, so I'm not really all that nervous.

I wish you well with your work visa interview, Adam.

It seems like life has been full of work for a lot of you, and I hope it all gets better.
DFTBA
Kate

San Fran

Hi everyone, hope you all had good weeks. Thanks for the feedback on the going abroad stuff, I was at sometalks during the week and I'm still a little on the fence as to whether I can definitely afford to go. My friends and I have agreed to go to San Francisco for the summer to work for two months and then go on a holiday. I didn't really get all that much input to the decision but they all had their heart set on there. I have no problem going there and would possibly have picked it myself, I just would have liked to have been more included in the decision process. I was going to say something but then I heard we could go to Comic con in San Diego and I was quiet :)

I'm really hopeful that this plan won't just fall through like most of my plans do. The only thing I'm nervous about is I'll have to go for an interview in the U.S. embassy in Dublin to get my visa granted, which is kinda scary.

I've got lots of work to do this week as always but I feel I have some sort of hold on it, so I'm going to try and get out and enjoy life a bit this week. I met up with a nerdfighter girl in my college this week. She was very cool, I might try get a small gathering going this week if time allows.

I've been reading "A short history of Tractors in Ukrainian". It's pretty good so far, I think it's interesting and well written but it's probably not my type of book in general. I'll still finish it and enjoy it but I don't think I'll be rereading it or anything.

DFTBA
Adam

Weirdly Tired Week

I almost forgot to post I was so caught up with other stuff. I don't want to spend forever at the computer. Firstly because my room's in the basement and it's really cold in my room. Second I still have English homework to do and it's 11:03. I have until Wednesday, but I want to get it out of the way. I've had masses of homework each night all week. I was so stressed yesterday I actually forgot some homework at home. Which means I have to turn it in late and I'll get a lower grade because of it. 

Kate you'll do awesome at your All States Orchestra audition. I just know it. As for posters I only have two. But I share my room with my sister and she has like ten all across the room. I have an Abby Road poster and a poster of The Who in their twenties hanging above my desk. my sister has a bunch of Anime posters. Mostly Sailor Moon and Card Captor Sakura. 

Deidra I have had many fish growing up. We stopped buying them when I was about nine or ten. I think like six of them at different times were all named Zim from Invader Zim. Zim was always a fighter fish. I think that eventually I will try reading J.K.'s new book, but that is in the distant future.

Kayla try not to pull a me. When I have a lot of work to do I stress and procrastinate like crazy. And of corse because I procrastinate I become even more stressed and it takes a few days to calm down. I'm sure that's not healthy, so don't do it.

Adam I'm team America. Not all the way, because there are so many wonderful places, like Canada and New Zealand, but we're pretty special. America is really big. I wasn't a fan of the hotter places, so I'm going to suggest to you the Eastern side. Being a New England-er I recommend here. However places like Florida are really awesome too. The Mid-West was nice, I can't really explain why. I wasn't such a huge fan of the Western parts of America. Arizona was okay, but I didn't really like California. My mom grew up in California, so she loves it there. I didn't like the dry heat. It's all year round, and doesn't appeal to me. But that doesn't mean you might not like it. I would recommend America because we're pretty multi-cultural. From my experience we don't really have set traditions, because pretty much anything goes. We may not be the nicest people, but we're weird and adventurous. The reason I like New England, especially in the fall, is because of the forestry. We're pretty forested compared to the rest of America. The trees are beautiful this time of year. I will warn you that it gets cold here. Not Wyoming cold, but close. My brother lives in Wyoming, and it can get really low in temperature. Once my Aunt, who also lives there, called us to say that it was -39 degrees Fahrenheit (which is the same in Celsius). I think you could experience a lot wherever you are in America. People are different from state-to-state here.

That was longer than I thought it would be. *shrugs*. I bought five book for myself at the dollar store this week. I didn't know they sold books, so I went kinda crazy. They're not well known books and probably not well known authors, but they're all hardcovers. Speaking of books I dropped The October Club, too much school, not enough book reading time. I have to do chores and help winterize my house tomorrow, so that's why I'm in such a rush to get work done today. I'll probably end up doing English homework on Monday or Tuesday. My crystals from my Chemistry lesson grew like crazy. Here's a photo.

This picture is two days old, they've actually grown even more. It's ridiculous! 

Lastly before I go I want to talk about my History assignment. My teacher wants us to create a concept map with 100 things linking off. I don't know if you guys have ever done a concept map or if you have your own versions of one. With a overarching topic in the middle with subtopics branching off and so on. Anyway I have 60 so far, but it's not due until the 25th. I wanted to share the  gorgeousness that is my project. I say this because it looks so organized and well constructed. I'm really proud of it so far. 

I don't know if I'm weird for thinking that looks gorgeous or not. I'm just really happy with the outcome. Thrilled even. I couldn't get it all to fit in the screen shot. I think that's enough from me. Have an awesome rest of this week!

~Katie

I just want a break...

Hey guys I have a bio midterm tomorrow that I need to study for so this is going to be really short. Basically this past week and this coming week are fucking insane for me, I have so many labs and midterms and assignments it's pretty unfair. I can't wait until my study week (though most of that will be spent doing work anyway). I've been really stressed out and probably getting less sleep than I should and I just really hate school right now. I'm praying that I don't just collapse one day from exhaustion. Adam, Canada is just awesome... I can't think of reasons why right now but it is so you should come here. Oh it is pretty cold, but it's really pretty and the people are nice. And there's maple syrup. And poutine.

DFTBA
Kayla

All the Little Fishies

     So sadly we did not get any comments. Boo. But whatever, we read it and that is what matters to me. Glad you are all doing well. I have had a pretty awesome week, mostly because I am actually doing things and mostly staying on top of reading and assignments. I have started going to the pool 2 or 3 times a week to get some well-needed exercise, and I really hope to be able to keep that up. Only downside is that I currently don't have a hat with me here, so it was pretty chilly on my walk home.

     The most exciting thing that happened this week was that I got fish! Yay fish! Mostly to keep me company and whatnot. A house-mate upgraded to a new tank, so I took his old one. I got two guppies, two neon tetras, and a snail. And of course I named them all. The guppies are Titan and Kavik, the tetras Brett and Iris, and the snail is Pierre. I have spent a good amount of time just staring into the tank and watching them. 

     You are very lucky Kayla. I have not been able to attend any meetings for the clubs I have joined, as they always happen during my evening classes. Hopefully I will get to one soon. I joined the English Students Association and a club for writing. You do not need any more television shows. Stop before you are totally overwhelmed with feels. 

     I am hopefully doing NaNoWriMo this year, Katie. The writing club has NaNo support, so I am hoping that it will push me towards doing something. Also I've been wanting to write every year since I learned about it, but haven't. I have an idea of what I would like to write about, I just have to flesh it out a bit more and hope for the best. Also, I hope to have enough time for it. 

     So clearly I vote for Canada for your exchange, Adam. Specifically, come to my school. I am pretty sure Lakehead has exchange programs with Ireland, and it would be cool if you did. Canada is cold, so I don't know if that is a plus or minus for you. Like, really cold. We also have beautiful nature and free health care, though I don't think you would get that. There are a lot of cool activities you could do here. And of course Canadian food. 

     Kate, I haven't watched an episode of Hank games in a long time, and I've only ever watched two episodes of Super Mario Brothers. I prefer to play games instead of watching them. Also haven't really been on YouTube in forever. As for posters, I have The Avengers, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and an Exploding TARDIS. I also have a map of the world and a map of Shakespeare's England, courtesy of Kayla. 

     Anyway, it's been a long week for me. Tried tea for the first time this evening, at an event in The Study (our university's coffee house), and it was not bad. Go forth and explore the world my friends! And don't forget to be awesome.
-Deidra

I thought of a pun for this title that had to do with the date, but it made me want to facepalm, so I'm not titling this post that.

I just felt like putting that as the title.

This week isn't very busy for me, but I do have All State orchestra auditions coming up, so I'll be practicing everyday and ahhhhhh I am so nervous.

Your question is one I can't answer, Campion.  I have around ten different favorite character, though I'm sure I could make a list of twenty-five if I wanted to.

Deidra, I can't wait to hear you what you thought of JK Rowling's new book.  I'm hoping to read it soon.  I'm about half way through Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and it is really good. The only major thing that I dislike about the book is it's formatting.  A bunch of dialogue will be in one paragraph or, depending on the character that's narrating, the whole chapter will be one paragraph.

I also got an Avenger's poster. It's like the picture shown, without all the words at the bottom.  I have four other big posters in my room - two band posters, a Jack Sparrow poster, and a Super Mario Bros. Wii poster.  It would be awesome to get Hank, Katherine, Michael, and Charlie to sign the Mario poster.  What posters do you all have in your rooms?  Also did any of you watch the Hank and Katherine (with Michael and Charlie sometimes) Play Super Mario Bros Wii? If you haven't and you are looking for something to do.  Definitely give it a chance.  It's hilarious and suspenseful.  I almost hit my laptop a few times watching it.

Katie, I already know for sure I won't be doing NaNo this year.  Well... probably.  I have a week of October after volleyball ends, and that is when I will make my final decision.  Unless I have a ton of time even with homework, I most likely will not be participating.

Well, Adam... I think we have some pretty amazing zoos and theme parks here in the USA.  It is a big country and the vlogbrothers are here, of course.  Also Hollywood. I haven't really been out of the midwest much. I think Katie would be much better suited for answering this question as she traveled through many of the states.

I'm gonna leave this post at that.  I have two essays I need to write, one for English and one for Math.
Hope you all feel great
Kate