My year

     This past year has consisted of more learning, more sports, and more fun than past year so far. I have particularly learn more than I thought even possible in AP Lang - who knew that threre was more than just reading in order to master or begin to master the subjet of language. For me, writing has always been a struggle; I have always wanted to be good at it but never felt like I had improvd much until this year. (Honestly, the main reason I took this class was because my friends had told me that it had helped to improve their writing skills, and it worked!) Before this year, it would take me hours to wriite a simple paragraph, I could never stay on topic. But, after taking this class, I have learned not only how to structure my writing, but also devices and techniques to create more compeling arguements. Not only did my essay grades slowly begin to rise, but I personally began to see myself in my writing.
     My favorite projects/activities this year where by far the two video projects.  Not only were they extremely fun and unforgettable, but they also helped to highlight the differences between satire and parody. However those were not the only projects I found helpful.  The research paper, although extremely stressful and terrifying, aided in my understanding of literary criticisms.  Before I found them annoying and somewhat whinny; now I can grasp the concept of them better, but I am still not a huge fan.
     My advise for next year would be give the HELL! I just kidding, kind of.  I do think that more class discussions and seminars are always welcome (especially with books such as Huckleberry Finn).  I find these to help with understanding and getting your own thoughts flowing.  Also, possibly write journals more often or even blogs, I enjoy the "freedom" they provide (and they make nice project grades).  Other than that I truly enjoyed this class.  It was helpful as well as entertaining.  Thank you for everything you have done, see you next year(or possibly in the summer because of yearbook!).

Television

Every time I sit down to watch television, I wonder how some of the programs aired can be so entertaining. When you think about it, the plots of these show consist of either ridiculous scenarios that will never actually occur, or even no plot at all. The concept of a plot is replaced by idiotic people that pretend to live out their "average" lives on television, but instead they act without thought as though common sense is nonexistent. How we find such entertainment in programs that lack in depth? Slowley I began to realize that the craving for adventure and excitement that everyone holds within themselves is filled by the seemingly improbable plots. Since we lack adventure in our own lives, we live vicariously through the characters created on the shows we are so attached to. We find enjoyment not necessarly in the show itself, but in the idea of you embodying the charaters. As for reality television, I personal will never be a huge fan of it, but I believe that the reason people like it is for its stupidity. We, as the audience, find humor in the absolutely childish manner of realtiy television personas such as Snookie, or any of the house wives. Where as the adventure of action has one picturing themselves in the lead roles, in reality television, the audience finds their enjoyment through others stupidity and lack of common knowledge. Basically when you watch television you do nothing to truely stimulate any of your senses. In a way, watching television is just a laxy way to get out of using your own imagination. Yet, at the same time, sometimes you need a rest from everything, ,including your own mind. Therefore, I wam still a big fan a televisiono even if that might make me laxy, because that I already know I can be.

The Ending

     Its that time of year again, where everyone starts to get exhausted.  Kids and teachers are tired of school.  Students are sick of testing, teachers resent grading, parents annoyed by their children's complaints.   Basically, everyone is done with school and ready for summer.  But jokes on them because there are still two weeks left of school.  And these two weeks, are the worst two weeks of the entire year.

     The amount of stress a single person can take on during these two weeks is probably not very health.  The dearth of sleep students get due to late nights studying definitely screws them over  for their next attempt to cram.  For those luck few who also have AP test, these last two weeks are basically a generalized version of hell.  Not only do they need to study - and by study I mean hard core cram session - but there are college credits on the line.  I'm sorry, but no matter how many practice test you take, you will not be truly prepared for the real exam.  

     Basically, the only good this about these last to weeks besides the fact they there happen to be the last two weeks, is that you get out early some days.  If you have an AP exam, you just get your parents to "make a doctor appointment" and you get to go home and crawl in a dark corner after the claw your way through that horrible exam.  And then, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of the last week, you only have half-days since you take two exams each day.  

     For me, the last day will be horrible yet amazing at the same time.  You see, my birthday is May 18th, the last day of school is - oh look at that- May 18th.  Happy birthday to me, I get to take my absolutely impossible physics final that day.  But there is potential for me to get the absolute best birthday present ever, the Girls Lacrosse State Champion title.  The championship game is the 19th.  Ergo, my final grade is physics is pretty much screwed due the fact that there is no possible way I will be able to concentrate on taking a test when the fact that our team could win the state play-offs in girls lacrosee.  That definitely trumps a physics test; and the fact that I just said that and believe it is probably not a good sign about my future educational status, but can you blame me?

     Yes, there is lots of stress and pressure and yawning that inhabit these last two weeks of school.  And the outcome of it all could be extreme excitement and jumping up and down happiness, or tears, lots of tears that make you want to crawl under a rock and hid.  So good luck to everyone, I know I will personally need it, a lot!