Confession Number Sixty

I must confess...

...that I have had one of the best Christmas breaks ever.

This won't be a complete confession because I don't want to talk about everything.

But, just know that I am much more happier and joyful. You should be too!

I love you!

:-)

Confession Number Fifty-Nine

I must confess...

... that I absolutely love the month of December.

This month is filled with so much joy, and spirit, and love! And I love it. (Just thinking about it gives me a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling.)

Although December is so flipping awesome, it can also be very hectic and insane...

You see, December = Performing Arts to the MAX.

There are so many concerts and performances, auditions and rehearsals to be at. I just took a look at my schedule for December, which isn't even updated, and I have some kind of performance just about every weekend. But, the thing is, I love it. I love getting up on the stage and performing for the audience. One of the most satisfying feelings is to see your audience enjoy your performance.

I am very much looking forward to this year's December. I think I will try to appreciate the people around me more. Without them, I would be nothing.

Enjoy your December this year. Think of how blessed you are and remember to give the world's greatest gift to those around you - love.

Confession Number Fifty-Eight

I must confess...

...that I finally a writer.

50050 words, 103 pages, 28 days. (with 2 days to spare!)

I WIN, YOU GUYS. I WIN.

(also, i have a ridiculous amount of love for the entire world right now. :D)

Intermission: "Yes We Can."

I don't like to talk about politics. I don't trust politics, or politicians, and often times I doubt people themselves; sometimes it's really hard to believe that all people are inherently good. I don't like political parties, I don't like underhanded campaign ads.

I don't like to talk about politics, but yesterday I talked more often and more passionately about politics than I ever thought I would be able to. I got riled up, I got angry, I got so pissed off that my vision bled red.

And then.

I was anxious, I was elated, I was in disbelief.

Finally, I was triumphant. We were triumphant.

I don't like to talk about politics, but last night was not about politics. Last night was not about Democrat or Republican, Obama or McCain, not for me, not even a little bit.

Last night was, simply, about America, and how lucky I am, how incredibly fortunate and thankful I am, to breathe the air in this country, to live and learn in this country. I was so filled with love, and with unity.

America is not Europe, with it's beautiful antiquity, which is drenched in elegance and wisdom. America is not China, the birthplace of my parents, which is full of life and history.

But America is mine. America is ours. I have never been so deeply in love with this country as I was last night, as I lay in bed, curled up in my comforter, watching history unfold on the television.

I am sixteen, and I could not vote in this election, despite how much I wished to. But I'd like to say thank you, to everyone who voted, no matter who for, and to everyone overseas who was so passionately devoted and supportive.

"...to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."

I don't like to talk about politics, which is okay, because for me this is not about politics.

This is about a feeling. It is awe and hope and pride and this thing, this overwhelming emotion, one which starts near the base of my heart and swells upward. It makes me want to sing, to hug my loved ones close and laugh in joy.

This is about America, because I have finally seen, in full clarity, what America can be, and it is glorious.

Confession Number Fifty-Seven

I must confess...

...that I've spontaneously agreed to write a novel. In a month.

NaNoWriMo, for those that don't know, is a project intended for anyone who's ever entertained the thought of writing a novel, but has been scared off by the daunting task of it.

Basically, in the month of November, I'm going to write a minimum of 50,000 words. The short period of time makes it so that I can't self-edit as I write, which has always been hard for me.

I start in a little over six hours.

I'm sort of freaking out, in this anxious, excited way.

Wish me luck.

:)

Confession Number Fifty-Six

I must confess...

... that my AP Euro teacher completely fails at teaching. And everyone in my class feels the same way.

He thinks that in an AP class you should focus on the big picture during class discussions and then worry about the little details on the test. This is a completely ridiculous philosophy on an AP class.

AP classes are supposed to be at the college level. I'm pretty sure that teachers in college don't teach like he teaches. He doesn't even know what he's talking about! Countless times, we have corrected him on his facts.

The essays are ridiculous. He doesn't even grade them. He doesn't read them. He simply gives everyone 100%. I heard that one of my friends wrote one essay on the origin of the word f**k and still got a 100%. It makes me so mad! He's not preparing us for the AP Euro exam at all!

This is his second year teaching AP Euro, and he should have never been given that position. So many people warned me not to take his class. Sometimes I wish I would have listened.

Last night, I sent a message out to a bunch of people in the class on facebook asking if anybody would back me up if I brought this situation up with the administration. I got a heck of a lot of support, but we ultimately decided to talk to our teacher first and tell him that we feel he is teaching the wrong way. If he didn't change, we would bring it up with our principal.

Today when I came into class, guess who I saw! The principal. Sitting at our teacher's desk to evaluate his teaching. Our teacher performed pretty well for not knowing crap. He still got a lot of things wrong. Not to mention the fact that a girl in our class taught us about Peter the Great the first half of class. You should have seen our principal's face! She was paying such great attention to the things she was saying about Peter the Great; it was kind of scary. I think she thought to herself, "Wow! A student has actually learned something?! I'm so surprised one of our students has actually learned something. This is so intriguing!" The problem is that our principal has too much faith in the teachers, and I'm sure she gave our teacher a good report.

In light of this situation, about 7 people from the message I sent out on facebook decided to have an online study group. We all logged onto AIM and got in a chat room. We divided up the terms that our teacher gives us to hint at the random facts that will be on the test and we each defined our terms. It was much more successful than I imagined it would have been. And now we have created a forum. Yayz for us!

Confession Number Fifty-Five

I must confess...

... that I am happy but sad that the show I was a part of is over. It is kind of like a :-/ face.

I am so relieved that now I will be able to have a normal schedule and will be more free to do other things. This show has taken up my life for the past six weeks. (Wow. I can't believe we put a show together in six weeks. Professional schedule for a high school show anyone? Yeah. We did.)

The show was soooo good. I absolutely loved it. Our cast did a fantastic job and at our last show, the total number of people that cried was 52 I think. (Our Production Stage Manager was in the light booth and was counting the people that would bring their hand up to their face.) And I loved working with the crew. I have had so many good times with the crew members. Ahhh! I love everyone!

I am going to miss hanging out with everyone so much! I will especially miss the conversations we had over our headsets.... farting in public, familial realtionships among the crew, laughing at the cast, and so many more!

On Saturday, the two other stage managers and I got together and made a special cake for the cast and crew. They loved it. And so did we! It was so fun to make! Here are some pictures...

I absolutely loved my experience with this show! And now I expect to be blogging more! WOO-HOO!