I have a 112 in Bible class.
I just thought that was worth sharing.
Also, have a C- in calculus, so we’re going to have to do something about that. I might have to get a tutor. This will be an adventure for sure…
A lot has been happening that I’ll update you on soon enough.
This weekend, I’m taking the ACT then I’m traveling to Texas to visit Baylor University. I will be attending the church where David Crowder leads worship on Sunday morning. This thrills me.
My dad and I have already made plans to drink Dr. Pepper floats while we are away.
Second Week Recap
Alright, so. Last weekend was spent in the middle of nowhere at a 4-H camp, talking about Jesus. It was really grand. I met a lot of new friends and ate a lot of good food. There were lots of riddles and on-going jokes involved, and fun was had by all.
This school week was only 3 days, then, since we retreat-ed until midday Tuesday. So that made life a little more relaxing. Who knew, though, that three days could feel so long? It seems as if SO MUCH has happened since that retreat.
To start things off: Wednesday, my drama teacher, Mr. Jones, approached me in the cafeteria during lunch and told me that I had been cast in his one-act play! I was completely overjoyed at this news. The play is “Snoopy!” and rehearsals are underway. More specifics on that at a later date.
Another thing that has happened is I’ve started to discover my favorite and least favorite classes. Right now, my least favorite is AP Calculus. Boy, it’s a killer. The teacher is awesome and the kids are hilarious, but I am dying in there. I think my favorite class is AP English. My teacher is really inspiring and I always feel like I’ve accomplished something or learned how to formulate intelligent ideas better after that class.
Here’s something: Lately I have been trying to eat lunch with as many different people as possible. I encourage you to “mix it up” wherever you are, as well. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn from a person just by sharing a quick meal and casual conversation. There are many blessings in disguise.
That’s all for now. Check back soon.
First Week Recap
This has probably been the busiest week of my life. Being away from home from 7am - 4pm every day really takes its toll on your physical and mental strength. I am exhausted to say the least.
The year has started out nicely. I’ve been cast in a play, and joined the school chorus, so those “performing” constants remain in my life. I’m glad to have the opportunity to stay on stage. Having a class in a theatre every day is a really glorious thing.
All of my classes, aside from Bible, have around 20 kids in them. The energy in the room is always really refreshing. It’s nice to have people to work off and empathize with constantly.
I’ve already had 3 tests: an AP Government reading quiz, an AP Literature essay test, and an AP Calculus concept test. My AP Government grade was a pleasant surprise, my AP Literature, unknown, and my AP Calculus….disappointing. Looks like I may need someone to help me out with that “math” stuff…ugh..
Friend-making is always happening. The most notable relationships formed this week were with the “guy who said ‘hi’ to me in the hallway between every single period on the first day,” the “my parents are late picking me up too” carpool guy, and the “red head who gave me a chocolate bar.” Yes, I do know their real names. Although, I must tell you, this week has been extremely testing of my name-to-face recall abilities. My memory has failed me a few times and embarrasment has proceeded. But, the excuse of “I’ve met a thousand people this week, so sorry!” seems to be working nicely.
Tomorrow, the juniors and seniors will travel to a camp site in Georgia for our annual beginning-of-the-year Spiritual Retreat. Everyone seems really excited about it. I’m gonna go and make some more new friends!
I’ll let you know if I have any success…
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Monday morning, 6am, and there’s a ringing in my ears. I’m pretty sure I must’ve moaned pretty loudly and unpleasantly at that point. After reluctantly crawling out of the bed, I groomed myself and put on my uniform. Ready to go, I hit the road and spent the next 30 minutes fighting morning rush hour.
My homeroom class is the furthest building from the parking lot, so that was a nice little walk. Once arriving into the building, I was greeted by a few “good mornings” and countless confused stares.
“Are you new here,” asked several uniformed girls.
“Yes, I’m Chelsea, what are y’alls’ names?”
That’s pretty much how my day went. There are seven classes in my schedule, not including the tri-weekly chapel services and midday lunch period. I never know what time it is that I’m supposed to be somewhere. It’s not “what’s your 9:30 class?” … it’s “who do you have for 2nd period?” My life has ceased to be ruled by the natural clock and commenced revolution around the lovely thing we call the bell. The bell rings all the time. It signals everything and anything, and teachers kinda flinch when it rings mid-sentence. I always get a chuckle out of that. Seriously though, this thing RINGS. All I need to do is figure out what note that bell is, and by the end of the year, I’ll have perfect pitch.
More to come.
The Joys of Summer Homework
Imagine a beautiful mid-summer’s day in Atlanta. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping. It’s summertime and the “livin’s easy.” I open my front door and walk outside, barefooted, along the concrete driveway. I’m on a mission to check the mail. Not expectant for anything of note, I open the mailbox and find a nice pile of bills and catalogs. During my walk back inside, I sort through the pile and find a letter that was hiding between the latest Pottery Barn brochure and All-State invoice. It’s addressed to me!
Excitedly, I rip open the envelope before I even step inside the house. I unfold the perfectly-creased piece of paper, and see my school’s crest imprinted in the top left corner. The second I read the typed words: “Dear AP Calculus Student,” my mind slowly becomes uninterested in this piece of paper that, moments before, had aroused much curiosity. As the letter continued, I discovered that I had a summer math assignment. No big deal, right? My pre-calculus knowledge needs to stay fresh if I’m going to get off to a good start in the next level of math. 71 problems over the summer is a BIG deal, though. I mean not to complain, but WOW… I think I hyperventilated a little when I opened the assignment and saw all of those numbers. It should also be made known that I will be tested on the concepts covered in this lengthy assignment on Wednesday.
In addition to the math set, I was assigned to read three books for my AP English course: Tess of the D’urbervilles, Hedda Gabler, and A Farewell to Arms. About three chapters into my first book, I decided I ought to check the library to see if they had an audio download of it. They did. (Thank you www.netlibrary.com!) So I listened Tess for 13 hours, narrated by a cute British-sounding woman.
I can’t say that I truly enjoyed reading any of these books… but I am proud to say that, as of 12:34am, August 8th, 2009, I have completed all of my summer homework (including the calculus)! Success!
Hi, I’m Chelsea. I’m new this year.
Today was registration day. I shook a lot of strangers’ hands, and hugged a lot of old friends. It was strange to be back there, in that huge school. Everything has changed so much.
I walked my schedule and met my teachers, all of whom are men. I am so used to being around middle-aged, menopausal women. It will be a nice change, I think.
Meeting the other students was really refreshing. Despite the largeness of the student population, I’m the only new incoming senior at the school. A lot of people know who I am already. Most were very curious as to why I decided to come back to school all-the-sudden.
Monday is the day. I am to be in my homeroom at 8am, sharp, in “regulation uniform” according to the Dean of Students. No excuses.
I’ll let you know how it goes…
Back to My Beginnings
2010. Wearing a white cap & gown, graduating with all of my life-long friends in the quad. That was how I always imagined it.
…until 2002, when the bomb was dropped.
“You’re going to be homeschooled, Chelsea,”
my mom said, lovingly. Her intentions were spotless, and I acquiesced without too much trouble. Leaving my 4th grade friends would be difficult, but I knew it was the right thing just as well as mom did.
The next seven years of my life would be an adventure, filled with plenty of learning and friend-making. Being at home isn’t all bad. After several months of being “bored” in my basement, I started realizing the freedom that I had in my learning. I could use my creativity to broaden my own academic horizons. It worked well.
But here we are, in 2009; 294 days away from my graduation date, and the finish line hasn’t moved. (The course just changed around a bit.)
I’m going back to prep school!
Why submit myself to the horrific torture that is American high school? AP classes, college counselors, newspaper staff, and the glory of being a SENIOR!
So here I am. Back to school. I’m not sure what to expect, and I’m trying to keep an open mind.
Stay tuned!
