*Sigh*

That was a sigh mainly of contenement, for those of you sick of hearing me complain about my hectic life (thanks for the sympathy, marc-anthony) But, I just got back from the concert, which was quite enjoyable. It exceeded expectations. And I don't mean the content of the songs. Me and Jess took an early, nerve-wracking, over-dramatic tour of the high school- as far as we were allowed of course. The conclusion? It's much too big, I want to stay in Middle School, and our next vacation is to Neverland. I'm quite hungry right now, and I want to continue watching America's Funniest Home Videos. Can't wait for formal!!!!

Let's kick it!

Well, I've got a lot on my plate from now til the end of the year, and not much time to eat it. Case in point: I just printed out 23 pages of pure Regents joy, for some much needed practice. And that's not as good as it gets. I have a math final, a social studies final, a science test, a social studies test, the formal (social stress), NYSSMA, and the French proficiency. Oh! And I forgot. Hershey Park. That'll be the least stressful of the entire agenda I just rattled off. So for this week? Reviewing for the math final, working on getting through Animal Farm, squeezing in some extra Carnival of Venice practice time, a chorus concert tomorrow, and the formal on Friday, which I haven't bought a ticket for, and plans are still up in the air. AHHHHH! And since I haven't completely lost my head yet (which I'm sure is the Warwick Administration's main goal) why don't I go upstairs and work on some LOGIC HOMEWORK. Sheesh.

" For love of country, they accepted death" - James A. Garfield

Paraphrasing the inspirational words of Mr. Rauschenbach, before you cannonball into the pool, or squirt ketchup on your hotdog, remember what today is all about. It's about the valiant, self-less men and women who gave their lives for our country. (pssst. If you take a look at the most recent issue of TIME magazine, you'll find six heart-wrenching, beautiful examples of men who gave their lives days ago while on duty in Iraq.) Previously called Decoration Day, named for the decorating of graves on this day, Memorial Day is a fitting and well-deserved commemoration of those who gave their lives in service. It was officially proclaimed on May 5 1868 by General John Logan (commander of the Grand Army of the Republic) and it was first observed on May 30 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington Cemetery. In 1873, we were the first state to recognize the holiday. In time, the rest of the nothern states observed the holiday, though it took the south longer. It is now typically celebrated with a parade and various other celebrations, (barbeques, fireworks etc.) though few take the time to give thanks and reflect on the bravery and soul of our men and women in service, those that are now veterans, and those that gave their lives. So take a minute or two to reflect, say a prayer and remember.

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved and were loved, and now we
lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies
grow
In Flanders fields.

This poem ( which was later set to music) commemorating the deceased soldiers was written by John McCrae in 1915. From this poem, Moina Michael, in 1915, came up with the idea to wear poppies on Memorial Day. This is still tradition today.
And I will leave you with that. Happy Memorial Day!

"Rather than alter our opinion, we distort incoming information in a way that makes it support our initial assumptions"

It's the monumentous subjects I often struggle with: the war in Iraq, racism, freedom of speech. I, along with the rest of today's youth, are so inexperienced. What knowledge do we have to go on, to form our opinions? Everyone watches the news. The experienced person can relate, the intelligent can only analyze. How can I take a side on the war in Iraq if I don't even know the whole story? If I don't know what the troops are facing everyday, or what goes through the President's mind every time he makes even the slighest decision affecting the war? Or how about the constant influxe of opinions from biased adults? Often times, their experience is their demise: or their fortitude, whichever way you look at it. Either way, they influence the youth. Sometimes its positive, sometimes its negative. I know that for me, I am easily swayed by well-supported opinions. But with the proper knowledge and way with words, anyone could have well-supported opinions, couldn't they? So ultimately, I have decided not to become rigid in my opinions, let some of the worldly knowledge and experiences wash over me in time, and then, in a few years, I too will have the knowledge and experience to form well-supported opinions. Another hint to myself? ( and anyone else struggling with the same issues) Don't bite off more than you can chew. We can observe, we can analyze, but if the issue is too large to comprehend, don't act on pre-conceived notions. And, if I've made any sense at all, the age-old lesson of: looks can be deceiving ties into this as well. I just tend to feel that not having an opinion makes me come across as unintelligent, or weak. I now know that this is not true. Now isn't that incredible? I just solved an issue within myself simply by throwing some words on a page. The astounding power of language at work again. And now, I am going to go eat pizza. See what I mean by not biting off more than you can chew?(and I'm not being literal) I'm not going to wallow in these thoughts the whole night.

Mr. Mesic.......is a nerd.

PLUTO..........IS A PLANET!
That's what we heard for most of our science class today, thanks to the Two Skinnee J's. They wrote the craziest song ever. For the select few that chose to be COMPLETE dorks (*cough* Marc-Anthony *cough* *cough* and me *cough*) we heard it afterschool also. This intense display of science geek power is not to be over shadowed by Interplanet Janet. Who is Interplanet Janet you ask? Well, she's a galaxy girl.

Cough, Cough

I woke up sick this morning, which is a phenomenon in itself, because I haven't gotten sick in months. As my mom so quaintly puts it, I am as healthy as a horse. But I won't bore you with my symptoms. I just didn't feel well. So I spent the day prettily lazily, as is expected. I slept, went outside, made brownies, watched T.V., read, went shoppping...jealous yet? I got great shoes for formal. Today I went shopping for the first time in my PJs. It's pretty freeing, you know, being so comfortable in a public place. Now my throat hurts, and I would be doing my homework if I had my ELA textbook. Well, better study up for the science quiz. Speaking of science, I felt like such a dork. I was lying outside, trying to figure out the position of the sun in relation to my position and the time of year. =) Okay, now I'll really go. I'm so excited for formal!!!

" Society is a masked ball where everyone hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding"

Expressing yourself is one of the biggest challenges of life. Especially when individuality and self-expression are being smothered everyday by the demands of our regulation world. And that leaves us with the rare, inspirational men and women who are able to express themselves despite all odds. It is sad to say that there are not many people like this in our world today. They all disappeared with the start of this generation. Take the corporate world, for example. Can you be successful and expressive? It is very difficult. Especially when there is someone above you telling you what you need to do in order to be successful. It takes a well-established career to rid yourself of the constraints previously tying you down. And what about in the childhood years? When self-expression carries has more labels than a grocery store. You are labeled as emo if you like black, you are crazy if you are too happy. And forget about indulging yourself in a passion. Congratulations! You've just gained nerd status because you read novels instead of playing kickball. In today's world, its just a landmark you have to pass: the landmark of being able to express yourself. But the strongest people are those who retain their individuality their whole life long, no matter what situation they find themselves in. I am feeling the first gentle tugs of the pressure to sacrafice my individuality. But I'll be like a magnet: I'll defy the gravity that pulls me down. ( Thank youuu Mr. Mesic) Its all really a question of self-affirmation.