Am I Really Vice President Material?

So, today was a very...interesting day.  It started off with me waking up and all that and getting dressed and stuff.  But, I knew that I would be presenting a speech for vice president later in the day, so I wore my VHS t-shirt (something that will come in once more in my story).  I was running out the door, arms flailing, trying not to drop my MILLIONS of bags that I had to take to school today, and hopped in the car.  Of course, just as we were about to reach my friend's house (her mom takes us to school), I screamed- "AHHHHHHH!!!!  CRAP!  I FORGOT MY SPEECH!!!!!"  I left it on the counter. Brilliant, I know.  My dad dropped off my friend that was riding with us, and zoomed back towards my house (my house and my friend's house were 20 seconds away from each other, but it could still present a problem).  By this time I had called my mom and she was waiting on the driveway when we sped up it.  I rolled down the window, grabbed the folder, and my dad got us out of there!  When we turned onto the street, we could see my friend's house and her mom pulling out of the driveway.  When my dad leaned hard on the gas, I suspected he might have noticed that too.  We got there just as she was about to t-bone us if she would have gone any farther, and I jumped out of the car, then threw myself into the next car.  When I got to school, I remembered that I needed to recite my speech to the class advisor, so I went to see her.  The first thing she said to me was- "Why aren't you dressed up??" (que my VHS t-shirt).  By this time, I swear, I was about to cry (I am NOT good under pressure, by the way).  I guess she could sense the stress that was radiating from every fiber in my being, so she then said- "It's ok, don't freak out."  She said that about 5 times, which I needed, of course.  She then read my speech, and told me it was really good, so I felt a little better!  That was from about 6:00 to 7:45 this morning...FAST FORWARD...I was sitting in 7th Period dreading the announcement from the announcer lady that comes over the intercom, and she started talking.  Great!  NOW the nerves kick in!  So, I walked with my friends to the HUMONGOUS (not exactly helping) auditorim, and saw my other friends running for office backstage.  I dropped my MILLIONS of bags, then walked onto the stage with everyone else and sat down in the chair that they had prepared for them.  Treasurers went first, then secretaries, then vice presidents by last name (my last name is Williams, so last name is the STORY OF MY LIFE).  Finally, it was my turn to walk up there, so I did, and while I talked I could feel my whole body shaking, like, NO JOKE!  I then sat down and listened to the rest of the speeches, told my friends they did well, then left.  But, its not over yet...I went to my locker and realized that the bell had rang like 5 minutes ago, so I busted my tail running out to the bus ramp.  If I would have been there any second later, I would have been squashed like a bug between the doors of that bus!  The most hectic day of my life (SO FAR) was over, and I had survived.  So, do you think I'm really vice president material??

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

OMIGosh!!!!  I made Concert Chorale!!!!  And, on top of that, I am the ONLY FRESHMAN girl to make it!  It is such an honor!!!  (yay!)

Concert Chorale

Today, after school I tried out for Concert Chorale!!!!  It is this after-school group of students who love to sing and are awesome at it.  I am both excited and scared at the same time because I'm afraid that I won't make it!!!  I mean, I think I had a pretty solid tryout, but....I guess I'm really hard on myself.  That can be a good thing and a bad thing, you know??  I came out thinking about the mistakes I made and the things that I didn't do and probably shouldn't have done, but when I think about the good things....I really did ok!  Tomorrow, the chorus teacher is posting the list in the afternoon!  I can't wait for tomorrow!!!!!!!!

VHS- The Update and the Low-Down

Today, it has been officially a week since I started school!  I am definitely liking it more than I thought I would!  Its really weird though, because the whole first week, I didn't get lost even once.  But, this week I got lost like 2 times already!  Go figure!!  What I really hate is having to lug all of those stupid textbooks around!  Some of my teachers say: "Bring them everyday!  Even when we aren't using them at all!!!"  I mean, I know they are trying to be all "teachery", but think of US!!  My other teachers get it though.  For example:  Most teachers don't let us go to the bathroom EVER unless you have an "emergency" (different teachers have different definitions of this word), but they "encourage" us to bring bottled water or drink from the water fountains...!  Ummm- what?  I mean, one leads to the other, right?  Anyways, my Math teacher brought this to our attention when she was explaining to us about her rules and stuff, then she remarked that she was not a stickler about that, and as long as we asked at a reasonable point in the lesson, we could go.  SHE gets it!  I thought high school was going to be really hard and all the teachers would be anti-fun, but I had it all wrong- I laugh more in high school classes than I did in middle school classes...I love all of my teachers and how different each one is!  That is what makes my school days interesting...that and teenage drama- nothing like teenage drama to liven up your day, right?  Well, I probably have some unknown homework that needs to be attended to (knowing me...) so back on the crazy train (aka- high school)!!!!!!

VHS- The Scoop

Yesterday night was the VHS Orientation!  It was so interesting so see all the classes and then map out my route to get to each class in the shortest amount of time.  Since my school has two levels like most high schools do, there are many stairwells that can dump you off anywhere right below.  So, one of the problems my mom and I went faced was trying to figure out the fastest way to get from my first period to my second period (basically, they are on opposite ends of the school, on opposite floors)!  By the time we figured out the best way for all my classes, we were tired out!  I swear it was like running a marathon or something...up and down stairs, across long halls, turning corners...it makes me tired just thinking about it!!!  But some of the upsides to my schedule are as follows:

1. I have Personal Fitness last, so I won't have to walk around the school feeling tired out all day!
2. I have Advanced Chorus even though I am a freshman!
3. I have at least one class with pretty much all of my best friends!
4. Other than the transition from 1st to 2nd Period, the walk isn't that bad!
5. And the best thing of all is.......THERE IS A MAP ON THE BACK OF IT!!!  :)

Blogs, Books, and Changes

So, lately I have been trying to play around with this blog and make some changes to it, because my mom is starting to get into the whole "web design" thing.  I really enjoy watching her, and that is pretty much all I will get to do until I make a new blog of my own.  I'm loving the new look I gave to this blog, and I am eager to hear what you guys think of it!  Plus, I am thinking about starting a new blog about life and books- just that.  This blog was really my "springboard" into the world of blogging, and I am ready to move on to the next level.  I named this one a very generic name, keeping it simple so that I didn't have to limit myself, but now I want to blog about books- which I am very passionate about.  It looks like that's my next step!

My Birthday!!

So, in two days, I will officially be a 14 year old!  I know, its not much-- but almost all of my friends and classmates are already 14, so I kinda feel like I'm behind...but that won't matter anymore in two days!!!  :)  I'm not really expecting anything BIG because I have already gotten most of my presents.  When we redid my room back in May, my grandmother bought me an AWESOME new comforter for my bed!  The gift from my parents was, of course, the room makeover, and while I was on a trip to my Nana and Papa's, I got a new purse and some jewelry.  So far, it has been a great 14th birthday, and I am definitely ready for the fun that has been planned for tomorrow and the day of my birthday!!!  Oh, yeah, today I had one of those Birthday Cake Milkshakes from Zaxby's......and I quote: "Heaven in a plastic cup."  That is simply it.  But it was so darn rich (and I was feeling full from lunch already...) that I drank half of it and popped it in the freezer when I got home, because I knew that my dad would want to have a sip of it, if not more!  Ha!  The buzzer is calling (frozen pizza is done) and the door is slamming (that would be my dad), so I will leave it at that!

What's On My Mind:

1. I need some chocolate!!!!!!!!!
2. My poor big doggy is loopy from his thunder-pills!!!!
3. I will be an official ninth-grader in 15 DAYS!!!!!  AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
4. MY CHOCOLATE NEED HAS BEEN SOLVED!!!  (My mom just brought me a s'more)
5. There are so many stupid movies that have been coming out lately....I mean....I bet there are many that come to mind, so I don't even have to list any!!  Seriously????
6. (I think I have marshmallow wisps around my mouth...)
7. I have that amazing new song by Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City stuck in my head!!  Have you heard it??  Well, if not, look it up!!!  It's called, "Good Time"!
8. The show that I am currently watching (Trust Us With Your Life), is really funny!  I need a good laugh these days considering I am going into high school and that will be ANYTHING BUT a smooth eventless drama-less ride........
9. Sorry, I'm laughing really hard..... LOL!!!  My train of thought has been de-railed....
10. Oh, yeah- I'm kinda tired, so....the teenage sleep schedule has been kicking in!  I stay up at night sometimes texting (typical), but mostly reading (kinda nerdy, I know...)!!!  And then I sleep in until like 10:00!!!!  Such a hard life!!!  ;D....

          Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

Artemis Fowl

Book One: Artemis Fowl

Ok, so just lately, I have become hooked on this series!!!  It is amazing, and I don't know why I haven't read it yet...so, you will probably be hearing a lot about this series and seeing it on my Book Reccomendations page each time I finish a new one!!  But, don't take my word for it- read it yourself!  :)

Lifehouse's "Everything" Skit

"Everything" Skit    <--
You need to check out this video!  It is completely amazing.  This represents all that God has and will do for us!!

Veterans Cookout

I just got home from a cookout sponsored by Veterans High School Chorus- and it was pretty fun.  I got to meet some high schoolers, and hang out with one of my friends.  But, the funny thing was that we were the only 8th graders there when it was for 8th graders!!!  Still, I had a pretty good time!

CRCT- Language Arts

Today, we took the Language Arts test, and it was definitely better that the Reading one.  It was easier to answer the questions, and it didn't take as long because you don't have to read all those long passages.  Tomorrow, we are taking Math, so wish me luck!!  :)

CRCT- Reading

So, as pretty much all the kids from grades 3-8 in Georgia know, the CRCT is a big deal.  This is why the teachers teach us and grind information into our brains every year: THE CRCT.  Just in case you don't know, CRCT stands for Criterion Referenced Competency Test (yeah, I like saying CRCT better too..) which basically is saying that this is a big test over "criteria" that the teachers are supposed to follow.  Today, we were "administered" the first test- the Reading section.  The test is composed of two sections in which you read passages and have to answer questions about them.  This is probably one of the tests that throw me off more than something like Math or Science, because there is no way to get an exact answer unless it is right in front of you face- stated clearly in the test.  The answers you choose come from your interpretation of the passage, not a fact stated in your textbook.  As all the people that know me are aware of, I am a VERY logical person, and when I don't know if the answer to something, I always want one exact method to check or double check if needed.  But, unlike Math, reading a passage doesn't work that way.  Welcome to the CRCT....

The Hunger Games Review

Ok- this movie was AMAZING!!!  The violence wasn't overwhelming (and trust me, I am not into gory violence), they had the story 90% right, and it had just the right emotional edge.  But, like most of the nation, I really don't appreciate how they cut Madge, the mayor's daughter, out of the thing entirely.  On the other hand, they can't put EVERYTHING into the movie....so, I give it an A+ overall, and highly reccomend it!!!

The Hunger Games

Today, I am going to see the Hunger Games!!  I am sooo excited- the book was awesome, and I just finished Catching Fire last night.  I was so engrossed in it that I sayed up until 12:30 am reading the rest of the book!  After I watch it, I will be back with my opinion of the movie...

My Wrist. . .

So, yesterday, at soccer practice, one of the girls on my team kicked the ball to score, and I was in the line of fire.  I tried to turn in enough time so that I wouldn't get hit, but as I was turning, my hand wasn't exactly outside the line of fire, so the ball hit me directly in the hand.  It stung SO bad, because this girl could KICK and I mean she could KICK!!  After I got home, I iced it and then wrapped it, and it felt better.  But, the next day, it felt a little more stiff, but still better.  During GA History, my mom picked me up and took me to the doctor to get it looked at.  Long story short, it turned out to be a hyperextened wrist.  Yay me!!  :)

Georgia Allstate 2012

This year, I participated in Georgia Allstate Chorus.  It was so fun!  We went down to Savannah for three days and had rehersals every waking hour on the first two days, then one dress rehersal and the concert on the last day.  My favorite part was hanging out with all my friends and singing for a whole weekend!!  Anyone who loves to sing should do this.  I was in the Middle School Mixed Choir with my friend, and our director was Tom Shelton, who was totally awesome!!  I learned so much from him!!  I will remember this weekend forever!

The 8th Grade Writing Test

Today was the eighth grade writing test for the state of Georgia.  This test determines whether or not you pass the eighth grade or need a little extra help called- "Saturday school" (why Saturday, you ask?- because they want to torture you as much as possible!!)  Here's how it works: first you get a writing prompt, and, depending on which type of essay you get (persuasive or expository) you make a plan and "pre-write".  They give you 15 minutes to do this.  Next, you are supposed to use the 35 minutes given to you to write your rough draft.  By this time, I was still planning.....with me, it takes more than 15 minutes to translate my ideas onto paper!!  So, about 15 extra minutes had gone by in the rough draft time period when I actually started my rough draft.  I was thinking the whole time, "I'll have enough time, no problem!!" (Yeah, right...)  Long story short, I was about 3 paragraphs out of five when my homeroom teacher said words that gave me a miniature heart attack- "Your final draft time is up.  Now starts the proofread, which lasts 10 minutes."  The way she said it, it was as if she was discussing the weather, but to me, it was almost like a death sentence (Yes, I take my grades VERY seriously).  It's funny, talking about it now, but my handwriting changed from my teeny tiny, neat print, to my fast, not exactly sloppy, cursive.  Near the end, my hand stopped working.  Well, not exactly stopped working, but I swear it was numb-- and the problem was, I COULDN'T JUST STOP WRITING!!!!  Just as my homeroom teacher called time, I curled my last "e".  Almost collapsing with relief, I thought to myself, "I HATE the writing test....".

Yummy Toffee!!

Last night, my mom and I were sitting on the couch watching Tim Tebow (woo hoo!) and the Broncos play the Patriots when we had an intense sugar craving.  That is one of the many ways (along with our shiny brown hair and knack for puzzles) that we are alike.  So, she said-- lets make some Graham Cracker Toffee.  I was ALL for it!  I searched the internet for Graham Cracker Toffee.  We looked at recipe after recipe, and after lamenting about the amount of butter that it contained, we finally decided to go with the first recipe we saw.  It was amazingly easy and wonderfully delicious!!  Here's the recipe just incase you want to make some for YOUR mom.  But, remember-- don't tell her how much butter is in it!  :)

Graham Cracker Toffee

1 1/2 sticks of butter
3/4 cup of BROWN sugar (it really gives it that signature "toffee" taste)
Dash of salt
12-20 graham crackers (preferably honey or original-- nothing funky like chocolate or peanut butter)
1/2 cup of nuts (your choice)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 15 x 10 x 1 pan with aluminum foil and make one layer of graham crackers to cover the entire bottom of the pan.  Melt butter, brown sugar, and salt in a small saucepan.  Chop up your nuts and add them to the melted mixture.  Pour over the graham cracker layer.  Bake for 10 minutes or until bubbly (we put it in for 7 minutes, but it wasn't very crunchy).  ENJOY!!!

NOOK Color

This Christmas, I got an amazing present!!  I got an NOOK Color!!  The NOOK Color is an iPad for people who love to read.  It has Email on it, and the Internet when you are connected to Wi-Fi.  I strongly recommend it!!  :)