Diary of a Freshman: Scheduling

Hey look at that! Another freshman experience! You know what that means...

DIARY OF A FRESHMAN!

I should totally get a theme song.

Anywho, today my school had Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors beginning deciding on their classes for the next year. During fourth block (my study hall, how unlucky is that?), all Freshmen trekked down to the auditorium where they reminded us to take our required courses (thanks for that golden nugget of wisdom) and where we laughed obligatorily at our counselor's catch phrase--"...but I'm over it"--and they finally handed out the scheduling booklets!

Something little to remember: when going to take your seats, stand near a friend so that you can ask them questions and talk to them and so that you don't have a seat next to that smelly person with darting eyes.

Something equally important, if not more so: do NOT go to sit with your friend who has a boyfriend/girlfriend, because then you will be sitting awkwardly next to a pair of friends playing footsie, and gosh, that is not fun. Only do this if you have another friend who is not sitting with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend.

In case you're interested, I'm taking my magnet specific classes (Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Chemistry, and Intro to Computer Programming), with Advanced English 2 (believe me, advanced English classes aren't difficult! Only take honors if you have some horrible, life-threatening allergy to effort).

To fulfill my social studies requirement, I'm taking AP World History. AP European History would be boring, methinks. It's about Europe since 1450, which I'm sure would include talks of kings and queens that I would mix up, and there would be lots of dates to be memorized, so no, thank you. Instead, I will learn of the world since 1000 C.E. Who wouldn't love that? I assume that we'll learn a lot about Chinese and Ottoman Empires, and that interests me! Tip: Pick classes that interest you and will benefit you later on.

For my world language credit, I'll be attending Advanced French 3. By the way, [in most schools] your teachers have to sign off on your choices for next year's classes, so if you take an Advanced or AP class, it is extremely unlikely that your teacher will let you downgrade to an Honors class.

I'm also taking Study Skills, of course. I don't think I can survive without it. Granted, I currently use my study hall to goof off and I survive, but let's think about it this way: If I goof off in study hall, then I can pay attention in other classes, because it's out of my system! And I know what you're thinking--why not just take Life Skills? Well that's simple! Because I don't want to.

Then, the number one perk of being a sophomore--the non-Study Hall electives. I think I'm taking Oral Communication and Debate. I like arguing. I think I could write some amazing speeches. I need to learn this stuff because it is good to know for life. Also, in eighth grade, we did a brief debate unit, and not only did I dominate, but I loved it! So of course I want to take it now!

Then, of course, are the alternates. If your chosen elective class is full, then they will place you in your alternate class. Alt1 is American Sign Language, with a Dual Credit Creative Writing class as Alt2, and AP Statistics for my Alt3.

Anyone else find it strange that this Math/Science/Technology student, this self-proclaimed cool nerd, takes only communications classes when given the choice?

Another thing to remember: Your parents have to sign on your scheduling booklet to say that they approve your choices.

Your Blogger,
Nadia

Boys Must Be Freezing

Ok, so you know how girls have long hair? Well, in summer our hair makes us too hot, so we put it up, and then we feel cooler. Does this mean that all boys' heads/necks are colder than the heads/necks of girls? Are they just freezing all the time?

Humans are mammals. Mammals have fur. Fur keeps you warm. Fur is hair. Hair keeps you warm. Girls have more head hair to warm their heads and necks. Girls' heads/necks are warmer than guys'. My transitive property-based logic is fool proof.

Could super-cold heads lead to less productive brains? Wait, no, I don't think so. By that logic, hippies would be geniuses, and so would people with crazy extensions, and we all know about them.

I asked my guy friend if his head and neck are colder than the average head and neck of a girl. All I got was a, "What?" That just means that neck/head coldness is their weakness, therefore must be a protected secret.

Also, readers, I've just found a perfect present for every guy with normal hair: a scarf. They aren't blessed with the natural scarves we have, so they will always need scarves!

Your Insightful Blogger,
Nadia

Diary of a Freshman: Phenomena Finished!

Remember Unexplained Phenomena and Phenomena Solved? Well now it's finished.

An important thing to remember is that if something matters to you, stop being childish and fix it.

That's what I did.

Six months after all of this had started, I sent my friend a message saying, "Can we just be friends again?" to which she replied, "Yeah, of course we can be friends again!" Not so hard.

Now we're friends just like we used to be. We still have our separate groups of friends, but we always talk when we get the chance, and I like it better this way. I'm glad that we both stopped being prideful or whatever else we were.

So I think this will be the last "Diary of a Freshman: Phenomena _____!" Unless, God forbid, there's a Phenomena Reinstated. *shudder*

The point is: It's high school, guys--grow up!

Your Mature Blogger,
Nadia

Word-Makers, Get It Straight!

I noticed today, while I wasn't doing homework, because the Oracle Teacher said there would be no school tomorrow, that 'awful' and 'awesome' have the same words in them, but mean opposite things!

AWful and AWEsome. Awe means a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. I wouldn't mind being awe-inspiring. Awesome means extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear. However Awful means very bad or unpleasant.

AWE has the same meaning in both words, but aweSOME means great and cool, so if you have logic, then awFUL would be super great and cool!

WHY THE ANTONYM?

If someone took Latin and tried to figure out the meanings of these words, do you know what would happen? Death. That's what would happen. Because if someone who prided themselves on being able to find the meaning of any word with their knowledge of ancient languages found out that a words' definition was the opposite of what he thought it would be, then we all know they would implode. That's why so few people speak Latin and Ancient Greek--it comes with risks. And imploders implanted in your brain.

I think I'll going to start saying, "Cookies? Awful!" and then others will say, "Awful? Why are cookies bad?" and I will look at them in a confused manner, wondering why they don't understand and I will explain, "Awful is more awe than awesome so it is better. Awesome doesn't contain enough awe to explain how I feel about these cookies." Then they will laugh good-naturely and say, as they always do, "You're so strange."

Your Blogger,
Nadia

Diary of a Freshman: Important Things About Gym

Important Stuff: Remember sneakers.

More Important: Remember socks, or else, oh the chaffing possibilities!

Rather Important: Bring a sports bra.

Very Important: If you forge a note saying that you can't play for whatever reason, remember to text your parent telling them about the note and asking them to just go with it if they get a call from your gym coach.

Your Blogger,
Nadia

Diary of A Freshman: My Teacher Is A Psychic

Does anyone have a psychic teacher? Well, I do. I have his study hall "class," but he's really the AP Environmental Science teacher (which means I get to play with turtles!). The reason I think this is because he is somehow always able to predict snow days. He hasn't been wrong yet. We all secretly believe he's the one who decides these things. He says that tomorrow, we'll get early dismissal (no gym!) and a snow day on Friday.

So I won't bother with Friday's homework.

It's rather strange that he hasn't been wrong. I had an argument today with an MST student about the theoretical probability versus the experimental probability that he's correct. We settled at a 95% chance, because we're nerds like that.

How does he know these things, though? I think it was the snow gnomes, or perhaps the snow day fairies. When does he communicate with them, however? Well, he does spend an awful lot of time going through this big metal cabinet where he is blocked from view by a mix of filing cabinets and ficus, which, by the way, brings a whole new meaning to the term "concrete jungle." If you look at the big desks and the snakes' terrariums, then it's a high school jungle! (Think: Mean Girls) Ah, how I love the Environmental Science room.

But I digress.

To the point: It's obvious that he either collects snow gnomes who tell him what will happen, and he uses his environmental science and years of teaching to figure it out, or b) he's trapped snow day fairies who give him information.

Seriously though, he is never wrong. Students now just pop into his classroom between classes, to ask, "Hey, are we having school tomorrow?" and he will reply confidently, and no one ever even bothers to turn on the local news to find out if he's right.

That's why Crimson High is awesome: We have our own early snow day alert system. We know a day before everyone else!

When do snow fairies come out? I assume they come around at the same time that the county makes their decision. Which means I dislike them. They waited until I was leaving the house before telling me I could've slept in! I don't hate them, because they do good things for us, but it's kind of backhanded. Like a backhanded compliment, like, "I love your shirt, you can't even see your tummy flab in that!" To which of course they will respond, "I don't have flab!" Then to make it as backhanded as possible, look at them with a pitying expression and say, "Honey, your gym locker is right next to mine; yes, you do."

So, yeah, snow fairies are just like that. So my teacher isn't really psychic, he just collects mythical creatures, which as we all know is MUCH more probable.

Your Blogger,
Nadia

P.S. We were let out at noon, exactly like he said we would.
P.P.S. It was just announced that we have Friday off. Oh yeah!

200th Post!

I recently began my 2nd year of blogging, and now this is my 200th post, and do you know what that means? It means that I'm changing my profile picture!
Do you SEE it's majestic lepuprechaun-ness??? It's beautiful! For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, look to THIS POST. I don't think more than one person read it, but I think it was among my best, so my new profile picture is the picture of a Lepuprechaun, which I made. It looks really good if you squint.

I really have got to thank all the readers and subscribers, without your comments of encouragement, I might've quit a long time ago, and that would have been awful.

By the way, I opted out of the 100 Something List. Too much work, not enough items for a list. And let's be honest, does anyone want to go through such a long list?

I want to give a shout-out to Holly, Ren, Orchid, Ninja Monkey, Brave Chickens, and A-Goya!

Thank everyone so much! Oh, and cue the confetti, Jimmy!
Talk to you in the next post! You guys are the best!

Your Old Hand Blogger,
Nadia!

Diary of a Freshman: Excuses For Every Gym Activity

I am Nadia. Not Nadia The Fit. If anything, I am Nadia The Devious. Or Nadia The Strange. But for our purposes, I am Nadia The Devious. Why? Because I have an arsenal of excuses that never fails. Would you like to know them? Of course you would! (Feel free to borrow.)

1. Sorry, no finger/self-esteem-crushing volleyball for me! I dislocated my shoulder a few months ago.
I really did, but back in sixth grade, I used a similar method to escape volleyball by keeping a wrist brace (that can be bought at a supermarket) on for an extra month. This can get you out of A LOT of stuff. Tennis to basketball, you're done for the year if your doc's note says this.

2. Awkward unflattering unisex shorts? Can't, it's indecent, and that's against my religion.
If they ask which religion, say Islam, and then if they're like, "But you're not brown," yell, "RACIST!" and then explain that you're a convert. Or say that you're a religious Christian.

3. Touch football outside in 90 degree weather? No can do, allergies.
Seriously, tell an anecdote about how your eyes puff up and that your mom used to make you stay inside during recess because of your allergies, and they might just allow you to do your read in the shade of the gym, or at the very least, tan in the bleachers. (Those stories are true, and this does work... Well, it did in middle school.)

4. You want us to run a 6 minute mile? Oops, strained my knee!
Straining isn't a very serious injury--minor strains fix themselves within 10 days, and Health teachers know it simply as one of the most common joint injuries, where you overstretched a muscle, and that they can become very serious. Just point to a bit of your shin two inches below the knee, and be like, "Yeah, ow."

5. Jumping jacks? Ok! One, t-OW! Darn, hypermobility!
This is easy to pull off if you are flexible. People who are crazy flexible have bone problems. No one ever questions it. If interrogated, invoke the words "lock," "hurts," and "weak." (I just checked Wikipedia, and hypermobility goes hand in hand with dislocation! Man, I am gonna do nothing this semester!)

6. Man, I wish I could play, but I'm in a science experiment!
If you go to a school that puts a lot of value on science and science fair, then this will work. Make up an experiment about the relation of happiness to exercise and say that you are a part of the control group. He might be so flattered that there's a project about his subject that he'll let you sit to keep a resting heart rate.

Good luck doing nothing! And wish me luck! I'm putting #1 to the test on Tuesday!

Your Lazy Blogger,
Nadia

Diary of a Freshman: Oh, Gym Class

Yes, it's that time of year. The time of year for the class that incites fear in the hearts of millions. Well, at least to half the freshman class.

Ding ding ding! We've got a winner! You're right, it's Gym!

"No one said anything. And even if they did, they would have already seen it on the title of this blog. Also, this isn't a game show," says that annoying, ever-present reader.

We should give you a name. How about Illogical?

"Well that makes no sense, since I'm the personification of the logic which thwarts the ideology of your strange--some would argue disturbed--child-like thoughts."

...

BIG WORDS.

Moving on! You se--Whoa, wait a sec! My computer is doing that thing where the cursor disappears and I can't tell where I'm typing! I love it when this happens! YES!--You see, I had my first real-ish gym class today, and because this is Diary of a Freshman, I felt that I should inform.

So today the agenda was taking a survey to help with a university study going on at the university across the street that Crimson High works with a lot. After that, we got our lockers, but we weren't required to dress out.

About that; a lot of people were quietly voicing thoughts like, "I don't want to have to change in front of the other girls." I'm telling you, I feel for ya'/them, but once you realize that EVERYONE feels kinda like that, it's suddenly not such a big deal. Everybody is self-conscious. Seriously. Today we had to check out out BMIs and see how much of us is fat, and this stick thin pretty girl was feeling self-conscious because she didn't have curves. See? Evidence that everyone is self-conscious and we therefore have nothing to feel self-conscious about! It's like multiplying negative integers. One person's negative thought X Other person's negative thought = Positive Self-Esteem. I like math. :D

About the Body Fat Index thing, I have a 21.4 BMI, which is perfectly healthy weight, but a 30.7% body fat index. You know why? Because I'm a GIRL. Keep the fact that girls have extra fat because we have boobs and butts in mind when doing this, and it becomes a rather irrelevant number.

We also checked out weights. DO NOT fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. It just sucks. Also, if anything, it's the BMI that matters. Another thing: If you at least act like you don't really care about what the gym's scale says, but act confident nonetheless, then NO ONE ELSE WILL CARE. True stuff.

Most Gym classes will require sweatpants or shorts, and a school t-shirt. NEVER forget socks and shoes, because it is not fun.

Pray you don't get the perv teacher.

Very Important: Do not lose your locker combination or forget which one is your locker. You will die. Write it down everywhere! Sticky notes, your phone, your shoes, anywhere! Also, if you have a good friend in that class whose style is not stealing your things and has an awesome memory, then tell him/her your combination, too. In my class, I am that friend. I currently have one extra rattling around in my head. By the way, when you shake your head around, can you feel your brain hitting the inside walls of your head? I can.

Your Blogger,
Nadia

Diary of a Freshman: The Real Purpose of Facebook

As with any social networking site, be it Facebook, or Myspace, or Twitter, it may be used with two motives.

The first motive being to stay in touch with people, and to have contact with people. This is usually not the sole motive, however. This may also tie in with the other motive.

Social status. Yes, that is the ulterior motive. It's a way of affirming and asserting their social status. You see, with statuses and Twitter, you can notify everyone that you are having a good time, and that you have a life. These two things are central to being "popular," but even more important to being popular are the ranking friends. With wall posts where your ranking friends can write, "You're awesome, lets hang" or a reference to an inside joke, it will be transparent to see that one is a member of the Dominant Culture. This, of course, is not the only way to let everyone know that you have friends and a life--pictures are important. Now, they make sure to only take a couple per hang out session to say, "I'm having so much fun--just look at my silly face!--but I'm having so much fun, that I didn't want to waste more than a few moments taking pictures." It's not a tough language to decipher.

People do the second thing whether they know it or not. Most people are either trying to infiltrate the Dominant Culture, convince others that they've infiltrated the dominant culture, or asserting that they are apart of the Dominant Culture.

Theory #3 of Freshman Culture, Behavior, and Interaction: The members of the Dominant Culture assert their membership through publicly displayed social interaction, while others use this to their advantage in order to project a persona appealing/similar to the members of the DC.

Your Sociologist Blogger,
Nadia

Mini-Blog: Late Snow Day

Today I awoke, checked the internet for a snow day--there was none. So I took a shower, got dressed, packed my backpack, and I was heading out the door when my dad said, "I think you have a snow day." WHY did they only say so at 6:10???

My school district is two things; mean, and dumb.

Your Blogger Who Is Hoping For A Second Snow Day,
Nadia

Standing Up For Ponytails

Go to your wallet. Take out a quarter. Look at it. No, not the eagle, the other side! What's on it? A guy. No one really knows who he is, but he's a guy. An important guy. He at least resembles important guys from the late 1700s. And do you see what's on his head? Yes, that's right--a ponytail.

Mr. Quarter, the revered Mr. Quarter has a PONYTAIL. How is it that Mr. Quarter may rock a ponytail on the quarters in our pockets, but Mr. Person may not wear a ponytail without facing powerful stigma? It. Is. Wrong. I say that if one may do it on official American currency, then we should respect it in public on Mr. Person. Mr. Quarter is NOT above the social law! However, he is on the quarter, so it would be hard to change that, so let's change social law.

Wait a sec, doesn't that break some law, or ethical thing? You know, changing the law to fit someone, instead of someone changing to fit the law?

Ok, then, social law revision: All men wearing ponytails must be shown contempt.

Wait, does that mean I have to change the name of this post? Nah, I'm lazy.

Ok, off to do homework!

100 Book Challenge: 2011

Again this year I will be taking on the 100 book challenge. I will probably lose again--last year I had only 35, but I think I'll just keep doing this until I get to 100. So let's start!

Here is the post in which I will keep the list of books.

1. Seeing Redd (good)
2. Anna and The French Kiss (addictive!)