BTW time (Day 24)

I finally got to have my first behind-the-wheel lesson with Elite. I had to drive like 30 miles on back roads and places like Reisterstown and Liberty Road. Somehow I ended at Pimlico race track, and then by a farm. The guy I rode with was also very talkative. He would see a random person on the street and be like, “That’s my uncle/aunt/mom.” And then he would explain if a cop pulled me over and asked for my license, registration, proof of insurance…etc, that I should refuse to give it to them. I’m pretty sure he was just kidding. And then when we were almost to my house, he told me about where he was from: Liberia, and how they had a civil war that lasted for 14 years, how he was almost recruited by the rebels, and how he had lost his dad, uncle, sister, and many friends. I was taken aback. It was just like what we had read in “A Long Way Gone” in AVID. It was nice to hear him tell his story, and great to have met him. All in all, he was a pretty cool guy and it was a great experience.

Pins (Day 23)

I found my captain and soccer pins I got at the end of last season. I have no clue why I still have them, but I thought they looked cool, so I took a picture. I realized that I am the only captain left out of the original 4 last year. It was me, Tiffany, Nelly, and Chelsea last year, and Nelly quit, Chelsea transferred, and Tiffany has a concussion and is out for the season. But good news-we beat out Randallstown 9-0. 9. To 0. That’s crazy. We have never beaten them before, so it felt good to finally come out on the winning side. Now we are 2-2, with Milford Mill, Carver, Parkville, Overlea, Chesapeake, and Woodlawn still to go. So we may have a winning season. Coach Brooks said if we win half of our games, we can go to a special tournament at the end of the season. I hope we can. We just need to beat 3-4 more teams.

B3 (Day 22)

This B3 pin was something my best friends and I (Hannah and Becky) came up with as a name for our little trio. Its sounds stupid but as 14 and 13 year olds, this sounded great. It’s another camp story that I feel like I should explain. But it would sound so dumb to people that weren’t there and don’t understand the camp. I’ve known Hannah since I was 8 and we’ve been friends ever since, and Becky was in my old Girl Scout troop, so we have been friends since I was 10 or 11. We camp together and became inseparable. That’s why everyone gave us a name for our little “clique” even though we would explain that we were never a clique. So it kind of stuck and it was just cool that I found this pin. After all, this past summer was the last time we would be together as campers, as Hannah is a year younger, and Becky and I are going to college, so we can no longer be campers, but counselors.

Timers (Day 21)

Timers, I’ve decided, have the most annoying sound in the world. I have come to the conclusion that people only use them so that they definitely know when something is done. The sound is so annoying that you just want to turn it off or in my case, break it. Ms. Upsher has this thing where she always uses a timer and then somehow is never there when it goes off. She is either in the bathroom or is in the back room getting more chemicals. And the timer she uses is digital so it has an even more annoying sound that the others. It’s just a pet peeve of mine…timers. But anyway, I have to go finish homework.

IPod (Day 20)

I finally got a new iPod. It’s the new Nano so it’s really small and such, but I like it regardless. I like having a touch screen and the ability to scroll up and down with my finger. In other news, I think I know who stole my iPod and I may be able to get it back. It’s not that I so much need the iPod back, I just want it because I got it for my 16^th birthday and I don’t understand the reason why people need to steal something. It clearly doesn’t belong to you, so why would anyone feel the need to steal something so they can have it for themselves. Why have something you can’t use in public for fear of someone seeing that you have it? Sounds stupid to me.

Plan my week! (Day 19)

This empty board is a sign that I should probably use it. There is always a lot to do and I am usually confused as to what needs to be done each and every day, but I feel like if I use it, it means that I can’t procrastinate another day. I like the saying “Why do today, what could be put off til tomorrow?” And I agree with that, although I am always frustrated when all of the work piles up and I have tons to do and no time to do it. So I really need to use the board to plan out my day’s and week’s worth of work, along with the important things I have to do, like my games and my chores.

Hippie Room (Day 18)

My room, I just realized, looks like a hippie bedroom. There is literally all tie dye and peace signs on lots of the things in my room. Nothing is just one color, and lots of things are pink. I really like my tie dyed bed because it was all done by me at camp. At Conowingo, tie dye is one of the best things. Everyone has to do it at least once a week and we always find something to tie dye: towels, t shirts, pants, sheets, socks, and a couple of girls decide to dye their bras. During the end of the summer, we have tie dye parties and use all of the left over dye to color unused nurses’ sheets, towels lost in the shower house, and tons of shirts that we find in the lost and found. The act of tie dying should, in my opinion, be an art form.

College Folder (Day 17)

This is now designated as my college folder. All of the applications I have received are now going to be organized in a place where I can at least find them, whether I really want them or not. I really want to go to St. Mary’s but I haven’t heard anything from them about a potential scholarship or a priority application. Drexel has given me both, as well as Virginia Wesleyan, Simmons College, Chestnut Hill, Flagler College, Mt. St. Mary’s, and Gordon College. None of these seem to be the one that I really want to go to, like St. Mary’s, but I guess all I can do is to wait and see who offers me the most money.

Calc HW (Day 16)

So much homework to do, not enough time. Just Kidding! I already finished all of the problems, which were all on limits of a graph. And to think I actually understood AP Calculus! Woah. But one that took me a really long time to figure out was lim (x-3.14) xsecx. I stared at that problem for like 15 minutes, not being able to solve it, but I finally got it. Anyway, I am watching triathlon and it seems like some man from Czechoslovakia is in the lead for men, and a woman from Serbia is in the lead for women. I also had to do some posting for Edmodo for AP English about Sisyphus and his relation to Mersault in existentialism.

Kitty :) (Day 15)

Now I realized that I don’t have anything to take a picture of. So I settled for this semi-amusing cat picture. I thought it was funny. My parents are now thinking of fostering a German Sheppard named Zander. That would be the fourth dog. I do love dogs, but 4? Whatever. I’m sitting here watching the Giants/Eagles football game. Because nothing is on. Absolutely nothing. Well there is Paid Programming, Golf Central, Triathlon, Visions of Ireland, some movie called Waking the Dead, The Magic School Bus (totally going to watch that now!), My Name is Earl, Another 48 Hours, and back to NFL Football. So needless to say, I’m going to watch the Magic School Bus with Mrs. Frizzle. And it’s a good episode: “When Ralphie can’t find any Salmon to catch to serve at the upcoming school picnic, Ms. Frizzle transforms the bus into a salmon to find out where all of the salmon went, but the class may be late for the picnic when the bus travels upriver.” Sounds super exciting !

Caitlin Dunbar (Day 14)

I chose this picture of a pillow. It may seem like a simple pillow and you probably wouldn’t understand what those initials meant. Caitlin Dunbar was a very well-known camper at Conowingo about 7 years ago, the camp that I attend and plan to work at next year. She was all smiles and was all about making camp fun for the girls that attended. She had an impact on every single person that she met, including me. About 5 years ago, Caitlin Dunbar was diagnosed with Cancer, specifically Leukemia, and was in and out of the hospitals and surgery. She continued to come to camp, this time as a CIT (Counselor-in-Training) in my specific unit, and continued to make the girl’s experience at camp an incredible one. She never told anyone about her cancer because she was afraid they would treat her as a victim. She never wanted that. In 2007, 19 year old Caitlin Dunbar died and left an ongoing legacy at camp. Her dad donated enough money to create the “Caitlin Dunbar Nature Center” at camp where every single camper that passes through the camp can visit. Inside, they see pictures of her with her friends, along with the last picture ever taken of Caitlin; her graduation photo. Kids learn about their impact on nature, which is something that Caitlin stressed when she worked at camp. She wanted kids to learn that they have an impact on people, as well as the nature around them. Her legacy at camp encouraged me to take a picture of the one thing that could show her true life.

AVID 12 (Day 13)

I took this picture because it means a lot to me. It shows that we are the ones that made it through the journey, yet we still have a long way to go. We lost many on the path to becoming AVID 12, but we also gained many who made it a better place. I am in the House of Prometheus and I am so thankful that we now have Yemi and Agnes, newer scholars who make the group amusing and who are so willing to help out on the projects. They have shown me a lot about hard work and dedication to succeed even when things aren’t going the way we would like. I think my group is especially great because we all have things to bring to the table and unique talents that make us great. I just hope it shows and that we can teach the newer scholars to continue on the right track to success-to follow the path we laid out for them.

Rainy Day (Day 12)

So I am now beginning my make-up blogs. I have to do 8. So here it goes. I took a picture of Duke and these umbrellas because it has been raining for a very long time. And I hate rain. It’s kind of depressing and makes you stay inside all day. It also makes my dogs smell unpleasant. But a pro is that we usually don’t have practice. Or it’s inside. I always feel like indoor practice is better because it seems like we don’t run as much or do as much work. Anyway, I really liked how Duke had the whole Mary Poppins thing going on. Oh and by the way, his eyes are usually quite normal, but I had the flash on which makes him look like he has laser eyes. But he doesn’t. Thankfully it’s Friday. So that means no school for 2 whole days!

Sonata (Day 11)

Today was kind of dull. Nothing happened except Trapp pulling me, Iyin, and Alyssa out of class to say that he was disappointed in all of us. L We didn’t have practice so I stayed for the National Honor Society meeting and then went and helped Dona. We had to dig below the surface today in English to be able to analyze “Waiting for Godot” and nobody really understood. We just kept talking until it made sense. And it never did. At least not to me. I googled it and even scholars don’t understand it. That’s why it belongs in theater of the absurd, which was my part of the project and what I actually understood. Now I have to practice flute for half an hour which is why I chose a picture of Sonata by M. Clementi. Because it looks pretty and is what I should be working on. So I’m going to do that now. And then maybe I’ll play some Christmas songs. I quite enjoy those as well. J

Patapsco game (Day 10)

Today we had the game against Patapsco. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, we lost but it was only 4-3. We played in the pouring rain and wind, and still managed to get 3 goals. We worked better as a team and it was nice to see it. Kaila was double teamed and knocked over twice, but the ref didn’t see a single thing . Alright then. It makes me so mad, but you can’t say anything about them or you get a yellow card. Trapp gets them sometimes, but he doesn’t know when to be quiet on the sidelines. Oh and Tiffany went for a head ball and collided with a Patapsco girl. She had a huge bump on her head and got pulled out of the game. I just hope she doesn’t have a concussion because she wouldn’t be able to play for part of the season. I have to go email Ericka to finish our English project (Theater of the Absurd) And I don’t even understand the book. This is going to be a terrible project.

Limits :) (Day 9)

So today in calc, Mr. Hopkins decided that he would give us 30 minutes to read a chapter in our textbook and then learn the subject. After which, we would have to do an exit ticket. I had never seen limits on integrals a day in my life. So I was totally confused…but I decided to work alone because I know I have trouble working with people. Because I don’t like people or working with them. So I took tons of notes, and learned it…and got a 100% on the exit ticket! So that was a pro. But I am still missing my phone and iPod. So that’s a con. And we had to run a lot today because the same couple people kept playing around in soccer practice…and we have a game tomorrow against Patapsco. So I think I know how that game will end. Anyway, I have to finish an analysis question, work from the book, and a BCR for Chemistry, then go on to start Ms. Banister’s homework. And Mr. O’Connor’s flashcards. Sounds like fun, eh? Got to go. <3

Game day (day 8)

So today was the Sparrows Point game. I feel like I shouldn’t even discuss this because it was so embarrassing. How does a team lose 12-2? Well ask us. We scored the first goal within 5 minutes of the first half. Then everything went downhill…and after my 17^th goal kick, I was completely exhausted. But we pushed through and made one more goal after which they destroyed us. In other news, someone stole my phone. L From the locker. Because evidently we can’t afford lockers in the soccer room with locks. So that was definitely a con. But the phone is 3 years old and not that pretty anymore, so I am hoping that I will get it back. . Like a lot. So if you took it please give it back! I need it… And I took a pic of Alyssa and Tiffany because Tiffany really wanted to pose like that and Iyin wouldn’t, so she got Alyssa instead. This is what happens before our games…And then I took a picture of some of the people left after Sparrows Point drove away. I thought it would be better than just writing about it. BAM! 2 pictures! I have to go finish homework. :)

Game day tomorrow :) (Day 7)

Tomorrow is our first game of the season vs Sparrows Point. It is going to probably show how the rest of the season is going to go but I think it will teach us how to act like a team and work together. There have been lots of problems over numbers this year because everyone seems to want the same numbers. And the underclassmen don’t seem to understand that the seniors get first pick in numbers. Like I said before though, I think this is gearing up to be a better year. We have more talent than previous years and everyone seems to be putting in effort, something we haven’t seen much of before. Everyone is going to wear their jerseys tomorrow to show that we can be a team, and hopefully Kaila and Nia can score goals on Sparrows Point, who I think we haven’t played in soccer before. We beat them in tennis, but I’m not sure we have seen them play soccer yet, so we hope for the best. I’ve got to go do AP Chem hw, then probably the Socratic Seminar thing too. It’s not going to be an early night for me. J

AVID Induction (Day 6)

Elizabeth Krupa has been in AVID since her 9^th grade year and has learned a myriad of skills she hopes to use to get into a good college. She has been a part of the girls’ soccer team and tennis team as a captain since her junior year, and plans to play tennis at the collegiate level. In addition to tennis and soccer, Elizabeth has helped on the allied bowling team as an aid to the Special Education department, a field she plans to work in when she graduates college. During the summers, she has worked at Camp Conowingo as a horse wrangler, teaching girls ages 7-15 how to ride horses, and plans to become the horse manager next year when she turns 18. She also helps the Department of Social Services with their Toy Drive at Christmas and their program called Coats for Kids during the winter. Elizabeth plans to apply to St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Arizona State University, Towson University, UMBC, and Princeton University. She hopes that all of her hard work will pay off for a full ride to St. Mary’s, and thanks the AVID program for pushing her to do her very best and teaching her to “ACT NOW.”

Day in Philadelphia (Day 5)

Can I just say how grateful I am that I have such a remarkable family? I spent the day in Philadelphia helping my Aunt Amanda and Uncle Jack clear out their basement and wash their outdoor furniture after it was flooded by the tropical storm. It was great to be able to do something to support my family at a time they needed it the most, but heartbreaking to see my Aunt and Uncle look miserably at the huge pile of memories and furniture they had in the junk pile. At one point, we even had a neighbor of theirs, Bill, come and help move things from the damaged basement to the front yard where the pile of junk to throw away seemed to be continuously growing. We saw from a distance the creek, now 30 feet across, brown, and ominous looking, barreling down where the smaller 8 foot creek used to lie. A couple times I remembered standing in it with his dog during one of their 4^th of July picnics where the entire community and our whole family came to have fun. It looked like a flood-damaged town, not like the bustling Wilmington town it was. But I have no doubt that they will rebuild and move on, because the whole town is extraordinary.

Planner!

It’s Friday night and I just want to say how thankful I am that I finally have a planner. I just don’t understand why it wasn’t created by someone in our school. It has been for the past 3 years and I was expecting it. I feel like it has nothing to do with New Town. There is no pride in it for our school. But whatever, I’m just happy that I have somewhere to write everything and schedule my life. Just a quick question: who is the man in the scuba suit? I know everyone else, just not sure who he is. Another thing I want to remember today is how many girls we had at soccer practice. We have never had that many at a single practice and I just want to say how proud I am that most of them have stuck through the 4 weeks we have been practicing. Anyway, I’m waiting for my mom to get back from Philly and my Dad is away on a cruise. So I’m stuck with 3 dogs and nothing good on TV. (48 hours…) I’m also still not sure what to write about for the AVID induction program. People from previous years have really great bio’s. Not sure that I can do that in a couple days. Funniest thing today was Ms. Upshur-Dudley talking about Supernova’s and saying that it could kill us. Of course that’s if we don’t first die by “starving, freezing, overheating, or blowing up on Sunday, 9/11.” That’s exactly what we want to hear 2^nd period. Back to the planner, (sorry this jumps from topic to topic-that’s the way my brain works) I just wanted to say that AVID created me into a person that needs my planner. I kind of can’t do homework without it. I never know what’s going on. So thanks for that. J I’ll blog tomorrow (duh) because CSI: NY is on!

Back to school night (another late night for me)

So I just got back from back to school night, which is something my parents insist on going to. I had a study hall with my team and then soccer practice in the gym, so I had pretty much been at school all day. Needless to say I was not enthused about spending more than 12 hours at the school. But I did get to FINALLY order my class ring, which is a pro. And since I have a major calculus test tomorrow, I feel like I should be studying. And Tiffany just texted me asking about chemistry homework…which I totally forgot! This is why I need my agenda book. And why this blog thing probably should be done earlier in the night. But I am superb at procrastination. And Mr. Carney gave all AP English 11 students Nooks?!?! Which might I just add isn’t fair. They were all showing off at back to school night. Dear Mr. Carney, Why don’t I have a nook? Love, Liz. Oh and we have to read a book over the weekend. A WHOLE book. Well, really a play. “Waiting for Godot.” We were all in English today and saw the homework. Pages 1-109 of the book. AT first I thought it was a typo. Maybe she meant 1-10? 1-19? Nope… Not to mention Dona’s assigned book chapters. I feel like I need to work a lot harder a lot quicker. Isn’t senior year supposed to be easy? (Just kidding Dona J)

Drexel letter 9-7-11

So in the mail today came a letter from Drexel. Now I wasn't too enthused when it first came because I assumed it was just another college letter asking me to consider their college so they can take my money. But I opened it anyway and found a surprise. Not only did it tell me that I was a "VIP Applicant," but also that I was automatically considered for a scholarship, would have no application fee, (even though they are registered for thecommonapp.org) and I would not have to write a long college essay, but a short personal statement. My mom was overly enthused…as moms tend to do, and she told me that it was a really good school. “Pop Pop got his masters degree from Drexel back in the day. In Physics.” So of course he would demand that I went and learned just like he did. But I am in no way interested in Physics, or anything scientific. So…I realize that I have a lot to do before I can choose the right college, and I also have a great deal of scholarships that need to be applied for. But that’s what AVID is for, right? J

Yogi's 6th b-day!

Yogi's birthday

Since this is my first blog, I just wanted to write about my dog's 6th birthday. This may not seem like a big deal to anybody, but this dog has really influenced my life. He came to us at 17 months old. He was chained in the back of someone's yard and was abused and starved. He was afraid if everything and everyone. Everytime someone came up to him, he would cower in the corner. But we loved him anyway. And 4.5 years later, he is an amazing dog. He runs around with his brother and sister in the yard, chases squirrels while resting his chin on the window sill, and pounces at me when I take them on walks. He is a true testament to strength because he endured so much pain and fear, and yet acts so silly and loving towards everyone. He frequently approaches strangers on walks which makes me think that if his previous owner knew what an amazing dog they could have had, would they have still abused and starved him? Happy Birthday Yogi! :)
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