Skipping Prom..and other Saturday Adventures...

I have yet to find out whether prom last night was a lot of fun or not. The reason Juniors get to go is because the Junior Class presents the Senior Class with prom. I didn't go because my boyfriend didn't want to. He did take me to Mormon Prom and he had a really grand time. I don't know whether or not I wanted to go to school prom. I have next year and its all a bunch of rap and hip hop music anyway..right? Plus, I'd much rather babysit..=]]]. [I promise that that wasn't said out of sarcasm.] No kidding, little kids are way more fun then a bunch of teenagers at a prom..with the reputations and..the stupidity..and all that. I think I enjoy those simpler things. Plus, it means more as a senior..I know I talked to some and they said they regretted not going to their Junior Prom, but I don't, I mean..it's not that big of a deal really..is it? lol.

Well, yesterday I was supposed to go bowling with Travis and his mom, but the bowling alley was doing tournaments all day so..we actually went to Wal Mart to pick up presents for his family and for Mothers' Day. [from them..not me. =]]] ] It was kind of fun..in some odd way, you know as fun as running errands can be. Then we dropped them off at their house and they rushed me home because we were running behind schedule. I have to say, it was fun...it some out of this world way..but yeah..I said "hi" to Kayla and the rest of the fam..and then I was on my way.

Hmm..so I'll probably wind up studying today..after making dinner for my mom and wishing her a happy mother's day. =]] I have my last AP test, the english language one. i had a horrible nightmare about the test..last night. I think it's just me being crazy..because we're seated in alpha order and Mr. Conrardy walks around like a madman..so there isn't a way that we can even be in the situation presented on the test. For that, I'm so thankful. I don't know if it was the AP test or the ACT, but whatever. I'm not worried. Optimism. =]] According to my English Teacher I'm expected to pass...so I'll take her word for it..brush up on my literary terms..and be done with it.

Travis's birthday is on Tuesday..and I don't know what to buy for him. I'm kind of lost, should I buy him a shirt..or what? I mean, I've done that already..so it seems lame to me. I didn't think I'd stress this much. I want him to tell me so that i don't stress..it kills me...aghhh..so any advice. I only have 13.50 to spend, plus my Monday lunch money..so about 15 dollars! lol. =]] That's enough.
Thanks.

Stress...

I think I realized why you shouldn't be a pessimist today...and it was really a "duh" moment for me. I never realized the effect that you have on people when you aren't looking to the bright side. I guess I really gained my testimony of optimism. For the last couple of days, I've been looking forward to the AP tests, that's crazy right? I mean..why look forward to a 3 and half hour test..that basically measures how much I learned in any given year. As I was being optimistic, my knowledge and my abilities seemed to expand, because I wasn't downing myself. I know I can take this test and pass it. I adopted, Mrs. McComb's motto..don't complain because it brings others down and I keep telling myself that I need to do my very best..and not worry about the things I can't do anymore. It's so strange..because I feel better about how I'm going to do on the test. Well, anyway..back to the story, today I stayed after school with some kids to prepare for the test, I'm confident, but not arrogant, I know I need to study too...but anyway..one of my friends, well..I'm kind of upset with him now..and I know he's mad at me..he had a really bad attitude. I felt kind of bad for doing well..and it really brought me down and frustrated me. Like, we started going over flashcards and I was answering and like..all this stuff you know..and he got all annoyed that I was doing well...and it made me feel bad for doing well..and it made me kind of mad, because I was willing to help him and I know that he will do good on this test..and it totally ruined the experience for me. I really learned this week, that optimism is not just for your own benefit, even though it helps so much, it's for the benefit of people around you...because if you are always looking to the bright side you are less likely to find the flaws in the way your life is going. =]] I know Heavenly Father wants us to be optimists and to count our blessings, because it's part of being grateful and it's easier to show your love for others if you have an optimistic outlook on life. If we are always complaining, then we usually forget to count the blessings we have and then we think that we have to live this life by ourselves..when in fact we don't. We live everyday with a constant and loving Heavenly Father, who looks for ways to bless our lives. If you are grateful, more blessings come to you. Be Optimistic. =]]]]]

Anyways..I'm just getting my thoughts out before I have to focus on some studying that I'm going to be doing just for preparations sake. I like to be prepared. =]]]
Wish me luck on my test!!!
-Becky

The Cycle of School..

They were talking about this the other day..and it made me think about who much I like the rhythm of school. You know, the slow start..and then the two weeks of intense testing..followed by a break and then another start of gearing up for the tests. It happens in almost all parts of academia, including college. I guess it made me think about how prepared and how much I like the rhythm. If it weren't there I would see the point of working hard. I guess I'm kind of weird, because I actually like to go to school and learn. While, I don't always learn, I like that I'm given this kind of pattern to follow. I'm not looking forward to these tests, but I know that I will do my very best on them. I took my SAT yesterday..and I was surprised at how easy the test was. Okay, so maybe I'm jumping the gun, but when I say easy, I mean that I finished with 5 minutes to go on every section of the test, including the essay. Is that to say that I'm not nervous about my score, the answer is no? I in fact, think that because I thought it was so not hard..that I'm probably going to get a score that is really really low. I also noticed that no one else finished as quickly as me, so maybe I'm just weird and totally missed something..that everyone else knew? I do know that I nailed my essay!! Who knew that...AP Classes actually prepared you for the SAT?!?

Anyways...on the other hand, I have five days, counting today, to study/review material for the APUSH exam. I'm really not super worried, I scored well on the Mock, but on the other hand..I am, because this test is what proves what I have/have not learned in this course. Okay, so maybe it doesn't prove that, because I know I have learned a lot from this course...and overall I'd do it all again if I could. Anyways, wish me luck on my studying endeavors..and on my study group for tomorrow..I am still putting it together..off to call people.

Later folks!
-Becky

The Secret to TAKS Success..

So this isn't just a blog about TAKS, but eh..it's what my life will consist of for the next 2 days. TAKS and preparation for AP are in the two week forecast. I still can't believe my junior year is coming to an end. I was almost positive that it would take longer for me to be a senior and even LONGER for me to be graduating from High School. It's all in an arm's reach and it's exhilarating and scary..all rolled up into some random bout of feeling. I've learned so much this year..and I'm so not happy about taking my AP tests. I did decently on the Mock AP test in History..but we're not having our Mock English exam until the 6th. This Monday, we're hoping to form a study group for the AP US History or APUSH, exam. Mr. Tansil, (AKA Tansil) is trying like mad to finish up anything we haven't covered. I'm really nervous...because I thought I knew history..and then they hand me a test..and I only get 32 right. I mean, that's decent and mixed with 5's on the essays will get me a 3 overall, but I want higher for myself. I am shooting for 50 correct on the test, missing only 25 and leaving 5 blank. Then...getting at least a 6 on every essay. I hope I can do it. I mean, I have a lot of studying to do in the next week and a half. I'm bring my text book with me to study after TAKS..and probably my notes. I don't know if that's allowed, but I'm doing it anyway!!!!!

As for TAKS, I realized today that it's a joke in comparison to the AP test. It really is just a thorn in my side right now. I would have 3 more days of Preparation for the AP exam if they'd have put TAKS at some other time. Tomorrow is the science exam, I may go over some vocabulary, just to be fresh..but that's about it. Then I have history, which is truly a joke. I'll be done by 10. No one can make that test last all day..and no one should fail it. It's about 5 pages of notes..and I'll probably review that tomorrow night. Today was the math, I suck at math, but I'm really not worried about this test. I did fairly well on it..we had a GRAPHING calculator, which made everything ten times easier. Some of the geometry caught me off guard, but it was nothing my brain couldn't handle.

Wow..so now I'm back to my SAT worries. I take it on Saturday and I don't have any practice tests. I think I'm going insane. I know in theory what should be on the test, but I'd like to have a practice test and some study material. Ugh. I'll ask Chi to bring me some tomorrow, since we have the same testing site, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm taking my test at Travis High School...Del Valle wasn't available. It sucks, but I'm hoping to score at least an 1800 my first time. I'll take it again around October and hopefully will be able to score about 2250. The composite it should be alright. I take the ACT in June, so no worries about that yet. I'll probably buy my book sometime after the AP tests...I'm banking on at least a 30. I want at least a 30...but I'll settle for a 28. Maybe I'm overshooting..but I'd rather overshoot and fall short..on something average..then shoot for average and land below. Alright..I have to make my study schedule soon. Here's how I'm thinking it'll look.

Thursday:
4-6: Regular Homework.
[english and pre calculus.]
6-7: Studying for History.
7-8: Study for English.

it'll be like that on most school nights...I think. I may...change it up a bit..b/c I do need time to eat..and to get home..but you get the general idea. ugh. i think i'm going to go and shower..that sounds really good right now.
later!
-Becky

ljdfl;kjsadfourel.cmasdkf: Code Name for Stress.

Okay, so I'm totally running late to the JC Sleepover and my guess is that Stephy and everyone will be pretty upset, but I'm really really tired and need to sort out everything on my mind. If you read my blog, feel free to comment..I love hearing about what people have to say!

Anyways, today has been really unlucky..just in terms of how things went. It started in German Class, I'm almost positive, third period. We have a substitute..and well..she's this lady who has a masters in German or something. Well, anyways..she is just really really really annoying..and well..the class is reflective of how much she annoys us. Like, she wrote the assignment really really small on the board, because she didn't want us to know that we had one. Then I say it out loud, really loud, because no one really pays attention but me. She gets kind of annoyed, because she says that she's running the class, not me. I'm kind of like.."my grade, my decision". Well, anyway, the class basically has no respect for her because she goes through the worksheet, because she wants to "teach us something". All she really does, is criticize how everyone pronounces the words..I mean, sure, if it's needed, but it is mean...then she procedes to call us all "idiotische" or idiotic and then says some really mean stuff in german, assuming that we couldn't understand. I raise my hand at this point, because I'm sitting there quietly, getting annoyed at how she is treating the entire class. So I raise my hand and was going to say something..but she tells me to answer question four, I do..and then I say.."you reap what you sew miss". At this point, she goes off on me, and tells me I have no respect for the German culture and that I'm a disrespectful student that doesn't care about her education. Maybe, I was a bit extreme and rude, but I got really mad..and said..."my grandmother is german, don't tell me that I have no respect for german culture" she got quiet after that because I am german..and I'm not an idiot that would be taken advantage of. We get through the rest of the class without a hitch. She told the class the wrong answers and when I asked her she told me that I was wrong. Oh well, I'll talk to Van Geem on Monday about what happened. I'm also having my parents request that I not have her for a substitute anymore. If she wrote me up, then I guess I'll have to deal with it. I just got tired of her insulting me and the rest of the class. You encourage learning, not insult it. Made me mad...I'm still annoyed be it.

Other then that I've been having Mock AP Exams..and next week is TAKS. I'm testing in Tansil, so I'm pretty excited. =]]]
-Becky

Taco Cabana..and birthdays..

Have you ever realized that a lot of people are born in April, May, and June? I am..and it's starting to grade on my nerves a little. lol. Well, not really, I love birthdays, just not my own, because they aren't as much fun. I'm really not sure why, but anyways..Travis's birthday is coming up soon, May 13, and I'm thinking about getting him midnight tickets to Ironman..which comes out May 2. The only problem is that I don't have any money..and he won't let me not eat lunch for a week to pay for the movie. So..I'm stuck. I could, of course, bum money off of my parents, but they are never ever happy with that...so seriously..is anyone looking for a babysitter...or...well..anything? haha. Just kidding, I think I'll have my parents pay for them..they owe me money anyways. My friend Susan's birthday is on Sunday..and I'm not sure what I'm getting her. She finds out the sex of her baby on June 6th..I was like..wow..you have to call me...and tell me, because that'll be two days after we get out of school. I still can't believe that she is pregnant, well..I guess I can..I see her everyday! I'm excited, but then I realize that this really makes things so much harder for her and Tyler. Gah..abstinence is my best friend..especially in High School! I feel so bad, because people are so mean about it..and ugh..I don't know. I'm supportive, because I don't know what else to be. She knows my standards..I mean..she is one of my closest friends..who am I to judge her on it? lol. I don't know, it's just kind of scary. So..who else?? My mind is blanking..but I'll get back ASAP!

j;alkjfslkdmckjsldfoewrpum. School. Agh! I'm swamped with work and it's already Tuesday. I'm blowing it off to go to the Taco Cabana Fundraiser for Girl's Camp. I tried talking Travis into going, but he said no..because he said it would be weird. lol. I dunno. Maybe a little. =]]] Well..I have to go..I'm already running late. I totally changed clothes..well..into capri's because it's really hot outside!!!
-Becky

Ack!!! I'm back!

I guess I realized how much a blog, or I guess an outlet for frustrations, helped me. I'm starting this up again. I don't really mind having my business out there..and seriously..as long as I don't gain a stalker..I don't mind it. haha. =]]

Anyways, lately..I've been crazy busy with schoolwork. I'm getting so frustrated with the amount of work I'm receiving because I have so much to do already. I can't seem to keep my schedule balanced..if I'm getting good grades, I'm being a bad friend..if I'm keeping up with my friends, my grades suffer. I'm not sure what to do anymore. I feel like I'm not minding my time wisely, but I'm always tired and never seem to get enough sleep. Ugh, I'm hating being a teenager right now..I think I really need summer to come, but even then...I'm going to have ACC classes, hopefully a job, the play, other church responsibilities, plus friends to keep track of..and a so much to do. I don't know how it's going to work out.

I guess when they say Junior year is the most stressful, they mean it! I've never done so poorly in math in my life..I just can't seem to keep up with the work, when I get something, he makes it more complicated. I have to take my AP tests early next month, I'm taking the SAT in 2 weeks..and still haven't started studying for it yet. I have my ACT, thankfully in June..but it's right after Girl's Camp and right before my birthday and I don't know how well I'm going to be prepared for it. I can say that I'm happy with my class rank, but my parents are wanting me to be higher. I'm 12th, but everyone is so "you should be top ten" and "your sister is higher then you". I don't care about the competition anymore, but it gets frustrating to be compared to my sister, okay, so I don't have as good of grades, does that somehow make me less intelligent?!? I think I'm going to go crazy. haha. No..I'm not, but sometimes I want to throw math text books across the room...not at anyone..just in general...lol. Maybe I do need to chill out a bit. I hate to admit that Travis is right sometimes.

I think I finished writing the best essay of my life in English. It was really good, but I don't know how well it will do when it gets graded. We were supposed to write on whether or not a pathway should be granted for Illegal Immigrants. I took the con side, because..well..I don't really know, because it seemed like a challenge. I'm kind of nervous, because I know the professors are kind of biased to one side, the pro side. I should have thought that out a little better. I mean, I wasn't attacking Illegal Immigration..it was a well-thought out essay, I just think that it's not going to be received well. On the issue itself, I cross-over..I'm actually very open to a pathway for illegal immigrants to become citizens...haha. I don't know how or why I wrote that paper, just so I understood both sides better I guess. I can argue both, something I picked up in debate. No need to argue about it though. =]]

This is getting kind of long, but I wanted to write about Mormon Prom. lol. Travis really had a good time..and I'm really happy that he did. He liked it, because the music wasn't all rap/hip hop, not that it ever is, but he liked it a lot. It really surprised me that he could dance. I was like..wow! haha. He doesn't want to go to school prom, which I'm kind of bummed out about, but it's okay. I mean, tickets are $80..and..I'm broke..and I'm not going to let him pay for me..that's too much! lol. I'm going to upload some pictures so y'all can see. =]

Me and Travis..afterwards.
This picture is really sweet.

Stephy, me, Travis, Beth, Isaiah, Jouvens!

Before we actually danced.

The formal picture.

Us with Sister Toler!

The dance was so much fun! lol. I can't wait until next year. I believe that Austin Oak Hill's Stake is hosting. I wonder if we're going to include the Kyle Stake next year. I hope so..there are a lot of people that I'll really miss if they don't. I'm really excited that Jazzi is going to come to camp with us..because she's "technically" homeless until her house is finished. She's moving to Buda..it's closer to me..which is funny..haha. She lives really close to Travis. =] haha. It's kind of funny. She's going to go to Hays High School, Del Valle's rivals. It's hilarious. I'm hanging out with her at Football games! Anyways..that's all really. Enjoy the pictures!
-Becky