My Final Goodbye

So today I wanted to get my blog done early so I could be done with high school work forever. I go to log on and blogger is down. What now? I start getting excited! No blog? That’d be amazing. I start texting around to make sure everyone’s blogger is down and it’s not just something weird with my computer. It’s not. Mary Beth confirms. Alex says he’s too cool to do blogs that early, but if both Mary Beth and I are having problems, I think there is an issue. We decide to e-mail Ms. Serensky. We’re thinking, there’s no way she can make us do a blog now! We finished school today, tomorrow’s spring fest, and we have no blog due tonight! But really, how could I have been so stupid and naïve? Of course we get an e-mail “if it isn't back up, the due date will be Friday by midnight.” Really? That’s upsetting... simultaneous disappointment at it’s finest. But really, how could I have thought Ms. Serensky was just going to e-mail something back like “Hey! That’s alright, we’re done with school…forget about blogging!” When I think of her actual e-mail, I cannot help but to think of my sister’s English class’ t-shirts…”You’re not done yet!” And don’t forget the huge face of Ms. Serensky on it as well. And this is true. The night before spring fest and I am still doing high school work. Every other senior at Chagrin- and probably every school in Ohio/the US- is done with schoolwork. Except us. In my last blog I talked about how I have a love hate relationship with AP English. I think this is a pretty good example of the hate part. But, it makes me wonder, will we ever really be done with AP English? I feel like this isn’t the end. I think while we are reading our summer reading books for college, we’ll be enjoying our books, but of course we will be actively reading and annotating in fear that Ms. Serensky will somehow sense it if we are not and will hunt us down. And, during essays in college, I feel like I will hear Ms. Serensky saying, “push the analysis!” “keep working!” and “five minutes left.” My point is, English has had a lasting effect on all of us and this class will be hard to forget.  

Bittersweet Farewell

                     This is the actual High Stile. It's a mountain.

Dear AP English 12 Classmates,

            After being together for two years, I have to admit that I am sad to say goodbye. Through the good times- laughter, triumph (Multiple choice game days!), good grades and the bad times- struggle, stress, panic attacks, and being yelled at, we still made it. As much as we all complain about how much work AP English is and how particular everything has to be on papers and such, we all know, deep down, that we love AP English. Actually, it’s kind of like a love hate relationship. Although some may not miss this, I am glad I cannot be made fun of again for mistakes like “Highstile”…oopsie daisie, among the many other times I was made fun of in the class. Plus, we all hate doing 20+ (30 for some people, or rather one person) and memorizing quotes, along with many other English tasks, but we love the good days of AP English. I mean who didn’t like seeing Othello? Who doesn’t love to laugh at “Bobbie’s Blog Banter?” And who doesn’t like being able to say they’re in AP English and feel smart? Plus, what will I do with all my free time now? I will not be reading, analyzing, writing pages and pages of analysis, and blogging anymore! I may actually have a life now! However, I believe that all the struggles we went through will pay off in college. I think our English classes will not be as stressful because of all the growth and maturation we went through in this class, which I am very thankful for. I can’t wait to come back to the 5-year high school reunion and see all that everyone has accomplished (No, contrary to popular belief, I will not be married with 3 children already, thank you very much). I will miss each and every AP English 12 student, and even you too Ms. Serensky! Good luck to everyone next year!

            Sincerely,

                             Jillian

Why wouldn't you take AP English is the Real Question

1. You have something to talk about. Anytime. All the time. Whenever there’s an awkward moment... bring up AP English and that’ll get the conversation going! Awkward date… English is a go to topic. Come on, you know it’s cool.
2. You can get stickers!! If you’re good, all the time, if you’re not so good, it’s an anomaly, but hey, stickers rock no matter what!
3. Pull multiple all nighters! Remember when we were little and we would have sleepovers and brag about our all nighters? You’re guaranteed all nighters on nights before data sheets are due.
4. Has someone told you that you need to get your heart rate up more often? You thinking of joining a sports team or exercise club? Don’t! Take AP English! That’ll make your heart race.
5. Multiple-choice game day. Yes, just these four days out of the school year should convince a sophomore to take AP English.
6. Do you really dislike a student that is planning on taking regular or honors English next year? Have them sit with you in commons and bring a bunch of AP English students to your table. You’ll annoy them in less than 5 minutes, which for you will probably be quite enjoyable.
7. You get to feel really smart, knowing you’re in class with some of the smartest kids in the school.  Or….it  could be the opposite and you could feel really stupid when compared to the other smart kids. But hey, you learn to laugh at yourself and your foolish mistakes. It builds character.
8. Snow days... so boring right? Like I want to do more work. Well, lucky for you, Ms. Serensky sends e-mails with extra work to do! Yay!
9. What’s the last subject related field trip you went on? I bet it wasn’t as good as our trip to see Othello. English field trips are the best.
10. Two words. One name. Bobbie Jo. 

That Doesn't Look Good

Emilia: “Oh God! Oh heavenly God!” (Shakespeare 5.2.215).

Algernon: “You are a perfect pessimist,” (Wilde 18).

Amy: “It pisses me off” (Currie, 92).

Algernon: “That is a great disappointment” (Wilde 24).

Emilia: “Poor lady, she’ll run mad” (Shakespeare 3.3.315).

Amy: “No s***. No s*** it’s going to be bad” (Currie 300).

Emilia: “O, fie upon them!” (Shakespeare 4.2.144).

Algernon: “to-morrow will be a fine day” (Wilde 18).

Amy: (to me) “you need to stop this, look at your mother for God’s sake, is that how you want to end up?”(Currie 103).

Algernon: “That is absurd” (Wilde 40).

Emilia: “Do not you chide” (Shakespeare 3.3.299).

Amy: (to me) “you should know better. You should be smarter than this.” (Currie 100).

Algernon: “what is to be done?” (Wilde 49).

Amy: “This can’t go on forever…At least I hope not” (Currie 282).

Emilia: “Let heaven requite it [the test] with the serpent’s curse” (Shakespeare 4.2.16).

Way to go Ron Currie Jr.!

My favorite book we read this year was The Namesake. Unfortunately, it is not one of the three books I chose to study for the AP test (my love for the book would have distracted me from studying), so sadly I cannot rant and rave about it. I try to explain why it is a great book, but no one listens. I could always try again, but Ms. Serensky will probably just say, “Put your hand over your mouth Ertel so you stop making noise.” I guess now I can talk via blog, which is a good substitute I suppose. So, out of the three I chose to study, my favorite book would have to the Everything Matters! I really liked this book; it seemed very relatable- or at least more relatable to me than 16^th century characters or mentally unstable patients.  Whenever I see this book, I think to myself, “‘It’s good to see you!’” as opposed to when I see One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which just turns me in a bad mood (184).  This is definitely one of the best, most interesting, and most relatable books we have ever read. But that’s okay if you don’t believe me, “Making you believe me isn’t important” because as long as I know it is a great book, I’m content. But just don’t say anything bad about this book or The Namesake directly to me, “Because that does upset me” (132). A lot.  Also, my appreciation for this book has exponentially grown after we read The Importance of Being Earnest. No offense, but I do not like reading as Gwendolen. Maybe I’m ditzy, but I’m not that dumb and desperate for a husband (don’t even try to say I am). Therefore, “All there is to say is I miss” reading Everything Matters! (127).  I mean, not to be overly confident in this book, but I think “it contains the secret to saving the world” (100). From what? Who knows? Everything. Maybe the 2012 apocalypse. Think about it.

My Top Ten

10. Othello play. Not only did I get to crutch all around the theatre and up stairs (it’s a difficult task; some even consider it a work out), I went all the way to the end only to find there were no seats let. Don’t worry though, Chris Lange, Ms. Serensky’s dad and I bonded. I really did enjoy this; it made the play very memorable. Now we’re all great friends; we even hang out on weekends. And, when we see each other, “We embrace,” all three of us! Kidding…that’d be concerning (Currie 183).

9. When I spoke without interrupting anyone or stuttering or messing up for the first time. I think it was last week. It took me almost two years, but I did it. “’Tis pitiful,” I know, but I struggled (Shakespeare 5.2.207). Now, “I will speak as liberal as the north” or at least try to (Shakespeare 5.2.217).

8. The day I entered economics class. This is literally the easiest class I have ever taken.  Easier than freshman year classes. It makes me feel so smart. In all of my other classes, well, “There’s a lot to worry about there,” but in econ, I have no worries at all. I pride myself in my 100% in the class; it’s like a mini confidence booster (Currie 41).

7. First AP class…APUSH. When I finished that class, it was amazing. I hate history so being done with US history was a very good feeling. Plus, history used to be easy and boring, not hard and boring, but “Now like everything else it isn’t as much fun as it used to be” (Currie 232).  As we grow older, school becomes less and less likable. Hopefully that doesn’t continue in college or we’re in big trouble.

6. Getting accepted to all of my colleges. I was so proud when I received all of my college acceptance letters. “I know this act shows horrible and grim.” the fact that I am so proud of myself, but I can’t help feel a sense of happiness to say that I got accepted to all of the colleges I applied to (Shakespeare 5.2.200). My mom seems a bit upset that I was not rejected and continually says, “You don’t know rejection! You need to know rejection!” and I tell her I get rejected everyday, especially in English, so she shouldn’t worry.

5. I answered a question correctly in APUSH. This was sophomore year and I was in a class with all juniors except Alex Kreger and Justin Stemler. I knew nothing. Absolutely nothing. And Brownlow picked on me. When I got questions correct though, it was epic, at least for me. But “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I messed up again the next day (Currie 77).

4. MC Game 3^rd Quarter. Who wouldn’t want to win the game and get 10 extra credit points? And who doesn’t love competing and a day off from analyzing to just have fun and play a game? If you don’t like these days, you’re a loser. And Mariel (top scorer) rocked. “I thank you, valiant” Mariel (Shakespeare 2.1.86).

3. I beat Alex on an in class essay. Yep, I beat him. I know people are reading this and thinking it’s a lie, but I promise it’s true, it really did happen. I expected it to be an awful score, but it was actually a good score and when he saw it he said something like “This is strange” (Wilde 23). And under his breath, “Villanous whore!” (Shakespeare 5.2.226). Greatest day ever. I had never beaten him on anything and it was a great moment of superiority.

2. I got passed proficiency level (50%) on my computer science AP practice test. If you think I’m bad at English, you should see me in this class. It’s awful. And doesn’t help that the class is full of eager, genius, and in love with computer science junior boys. Proficiency level? Yeah I know, it’s “Pathetic, I know, but it doesn’t take much to thrill you” when you’re me (Currie 203).

1. Anticipated to hopefully be on this list- Gradution Day! I feel like this will be a great academic moment, knowing we all have high school diplomas. “Already, I can’t wait for this [high school] to be over (Currie 183). I mean don’t get me wrong, I love high school and all of you, but I think to a certain extent, we are all ready to go to college, live on our own, and experience life out of the bubble.

Welcome back, Sestina

Although I truly do dislike most poems and the dreaded poetry papers that go along with them, I do have a favorite poem.  My favorite poem we read this year actually just popped back into our lives yesterday! As I was going through the very stressful AP multiple-choice test, I realized how much I liked the poem, Sestina. For some odd reason, I really like how each line ends with one of five words. Also, when I read the poem, I was so ecstatic that I actually knew what the passage was saying. I felt like Emilia, and said to myself, “Oh God! Oh heavenly God!” or something along those lines (5.2.215).  I usually like poems that rhyme and this was the first poem I liked that did not have rhyming. I like the childish and sing-song nature of rhyming, but I suppose the repetition of the five words is a pretty good replacement. Also, I liked the metaphorical nature and personification of the poem, which went “Against all rules of nature,” but that only made it more interesting (1.3.101). “I know this act shows horrible,” my liking a poem for it’s repetition in my life and it’s childish nature, but it really is my favorite (5.2.200)! I am very glad I read it, and “I found it by fortune” because of my being in AP English 12, but it was lucky (5.2.223)! Hopefully, there will be a Sestina on the actual AP exam, too!