Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Favorite Techie Tool

Of all the technology now integrated into our educational systems, my personal favorite is this, the blog. Mostly used for English assignments, the blog provides an outlet through which my thoughts can freely flow.

I love the freedom of my blog. My assignments, opinions, and ideas are published for the world. In my posts, I really feel that my "voice" is heard.

Another great aspect of blogging is the feedback. I can read other classmates' entries for ideas and they can comment on my work. My teacher can also let me know how she likes my writing.

In this era of instant, global communication, it seems the world is ever shrinking. Expressing myself through this blog is one way I use the astounding technological advances of today to enhance my education.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Perfect You Book Review

Have you ever thought that your life was in a downward spiral? In Elizabeth Brown's Perfect You, Kate Brown's sophomore year is not going as planned.

To start, her father quit his job at a software company to sell Perfect You vitamins because of a freak accident in which everything on his desk was broken excepting a vitamin bottle.

Her best friend Anna suddenly became popular over the summer and now can not find time in her schedule of cheerleading, perfect boyfriends, and pretty friends to even speak to Kate. What really bothers Kate is the fact that no one ever asks why she and Anna are no longer friends; they simply accept that the new Anna had no room left for Kate in her life.

Because of Mr. Brown's sudden career change, Kate's family is stressed. Her disapproving grandmother moves in, toting her checkbook, and Kate begins working at her father's vitamin booth in the mall to help cut the cost of employees.

Not everything is bad in Kate's life, though. Will, whom she has been in love with since her first day as a freshman, starts talking to her on his breaks from his job at the shoe store in the mall. After an encounter in the storage area behind the mall, Kate and Will develop a love-hate relationship.

If you've ever lost a best friend, you know how horrible it feels to watch her walk down the halls with her new posse. High school is tough and Elizabeth Scott's tale is both touching and wise. I recommend this book to anyone.

279 pages

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Spring Break

I was fortunate enough to spend my spring break with 75 of my closest friends in the "happiest place on Earth". That's right-the band went to Disney World!

Although the 17-hour, overnight bus trip was made slightly more comfortable by the charter buses we rented, I would not recommend sleeping in those chairs.

Once in Orlando, we visited Disney's Hollywood Studios, home of the Rockin' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror. Ask some of the guys what they thought of the Little Mermaid show too! Even though I learned to love roller coasters on the trip, the Beauty and the Beast musical was my true favorite.

One night we ate at Medieval Times, a dinner and tournament show where grown men dress up as knights and joust on horses. That was quite entertaining, let me tell you!

I also got to go to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure for the first time. All the best roller coasters are in those parks. Dueling Dragons and the Hulk were probably the most fun. I never knew how much I loved zooming through the air and above water on thin pieces of steel while defying gravity until that day.

On Saturday we competed in the All-American Music Festival. We played the three songs we had prepared for the judges and attended the awards ceremony that night in Universal Studios. We won our division and also overall for concert band. The Mardi Gras parade that night only heightened our excitement.

On our last day in Orlando, we had park hopper tickets and used them to the fullest. The group I was with went to Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom that day. The highlights of Sunday included posing for the camera on Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, watching the fireworks show over Cinderella's castle, laughing hysterically as Sam nearly got thrown out of the park for chasing Goofy and poking him, and singing Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid at the top of our lungs on the ferry while leaving the park for the last time.

The ride home was easier to endure because our exhaustion made sleep a necessity. I am grateful for the opportunity to go on such a trip and know that I will not soon forget all the fun we had.

P.S. For a glimpse of some of our wacky experiences, check out Carrie Beth's videos on Facebook. Our dance is hilarious!