We Are The Champions (of AP English 12 8th period)

Cat dedicated To Mariel ^^

The best day by far was the 3^rd quarter multiple-choice game day. My team (Kathryn M., Kelly O., and Mariel M) won if you had forgotten. There was suspense as usual, but our team was confident.  We still had our doubts though – Sarah Greenlaw with her National Merit Award was still giving us grief.  But, we just remembered, “there is always doubt and fear, even among philosophers, fanatics, and triple amputees” and even AP English 12 students. And, in the end, we won, “At last!” (Wilde, 54).  We knew we had a good chance, considering the characteristics of our team.  Mariel continually said, “’They’re wrong,’” they’re all wrong. She didn’t actually, but considering she got the highest score, she could’ve said this with no protest from anyone (Currie, 136). So, after all of our hard work (and Mariel’s genius mind) and contemplation of what metaphysical conceit meant, we won. This was not only the best day of English, but also possibly my life (kidding, I’m not that obsessed). But, I can truly say, that for the first time in English class, I was “in a state resembling happiness” (Currie, 196). We were so excited that we won, we busted out of the classroom bragging to everyone. Of course the Dream Team was bitter about losing; they were probably saying demeaning things to us females such as, they “rise to play, and go to bed to work” (Shakespeare, 2.1.113). But, obviously by winning, we proved them wrong. Thus, when the 4^th quarter game occurs this week, you know what team will win again, and hopefully, it will be even better the second time around.

Merriman + Emilia = Love

Merriman and Emilia are both servants in the same household.

Merriman: Excuse me, I am looking for a Cecily’s diary, you wouldn’t have happened to see it by any chance?

Emilia: No! I am terribly sorry, I have not. That “Poor lady, she’ll run mad” if she loses her diary (3.3.315)! You better find that soon. I know I would. That’s where I express my feelings about how I dislike my husband so.

Merriman: “I suppose that is all right?” (29). To just speak poorly about your husband?

Emilia: What ever do you mean?

Merriman: You think it is okay to write badly and negatively of your husband.

Emilia: Yes it is! “I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak” (5.2.181). My husband, Iago is the strangest, most evil man ever. “I’m gonna get real weird with it” and tell you the truth, Merriman.

Merriman: “Yes, Miss,” do continue (24).

Emilia: Well to start off, he calls me names all the time! He really does treat me terribly. All my married life, I have accepted it. But now, I think I should put a stop to it. Don't you agree? And, I have an idea.

Merriman: “Yes, Miss” (24)?

Emilia: Well, I know that I do not love him so anymore.  I have to admit, “I have a thing for you” (3.3.299). The way you serve, the way you bring drinks, the way you call the dog-cart. Everything about you....I think I am in love.

Merriman: “Yes, Miss” (24). Okay. 

Emilia: Well then it is settled, meet me back here at 10:00. We shall embrace and run away together, to be married for the rest of our lives.

Merriman: “Yes, Miss” (24).

Disappointment at it's Finest

Today is my first day in AP English 12. Last year I may have been the dumb one in class, but this year will be different. Today is the day that I will do well in English. I will talk. I will say intelligent comments. I will not mess up. Today, “anything, anything, anything is possible” (302).  My goal is to impress Ms. Serensky today. Maybe she’ll give me above a 2 on my essays this year. To get a 3… I would just die of happiness. As I sit in your seat, the voice inside me says, “ you feel everything” (302). And it is right. I do. I feel nervous, and on edge. This day could turn out wonderfully… or terribly. So, the discussion begins. And I jump in, giving my comment in what I believe is an intelligent manner. But when I stop talking, I realize everyone is looking at me. And judging me. Hardcore. Then, Henry says, “I disagree” and I know I’ve got no hope in my argument now. Apparently I said something very foolish.  I begin “to tremble and grow warm” (302). I have ruined the potential to remake myself as a smart student in this class. I actually “feel pity for these people” (302). What am I supposed to do though? Take the zero? Maybe. This day was supposed to be great. And now, it is turning very quickly. But, “when I was sick, I had this dream,” I was an AP English 12 champion (286)! And the most popular kid in the class- not Chris Lange.  I try to talk and “there are so many things I know, but can’t say” (208). I simply cannot find the words to express my feelings.  But now I’m angry. I think to myself, “what the f**** does it matter” (145). And then, the whole class starts laughing at me. WORST. DAY. EVER. 

Lane Doesn't Like AP English 11

Jillian: Hello, thank you for allowing us to interview you. Would you like anything to drink before we begin?

Lane: Yes, “eight bottles and a pint” please (1).

Jillian: We’ll see what we can do about getting you that. Let’s begin for now though. So how has your experience during discussions in English been thus far?

Lane: Well, personally, during discussions, "I don't think it polite to listen” (1). I rather interrupt my fellow classmates as much as possible.

Jillian: Okay, that's a bit interesting. I try not to interrupt, listen attentively, and act considerate towards others.  Well, what do you think about your classmates?

Lane: They bore me; most of them are fairly unintelligent. I mean, think about it, AP English 11 students are “rarely of a first-rate brand” (1). Why, what do you think about them?

Jillian: I disagree a bit.  I mean we do have three national merit winners in our class.  I think the students are some of the smartest in the school, maybe even in the country, or the world! So you don’t really like the class very much?

Lane: To be honest, “No, it is not a very interesting subject” (2).

Jillian: Oh really, I mean I may not be very good at the subject of English, but it is by far one of the more interesting classes I’ve taken in high school. If you dislike the class, does your grade suffer?

Lane: Not really. You see during essays, the essay topic, well, “I never think of it myself" (2). I usually try to sit next to one of those rare smart kids like Thomas Donley, Sarah Greenlaw, or Alex Kreger. But that Donley kid, he always writes so small and shields his paper for wandering eyes. It’s like he doesn’t want anyone else to see his ideas! Psshh… loser.

Jillian: Hmm, I guess my question then is …why do you take AP English?

Lane: Basically, it “was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person” (1).  Mr. Iammarino scheduled me for that class by accident.

Jillian: Ohhh I see. I am fairly confident I also am in the class by mistake as well, especially since I’ve discovered that I’m the ditz of the class. But I think I take it a bit better than you because I enjoy it at times and don’t cheat. Maybe you should try that outlook out sometime.

Lane: Nahh, and besides “I don’t know that I am much interested in" (2). your advice. Are we done here?

Jillian: Yes, thank you for your time today.

Go Wind Ensemble!

I would like to dedicate this blog to my fellow bandees. Not those losers who quit after first semester, but the ones who are in it to the end. Also, a special shout out to the elitists (wind ensemble), who are obviously the best. And, to prove our special talent, we are going to district contest on Friday. What is this band contest? Well I don't really know. All I know is that we get to skip half of the school day on Friday, get on a bus for about 45 minutes, arrive at a random school, play three prepared pieces, do a sight-reading piece, get scores, and come home. On each of the pieces of music we play, the judges can give us a score ranging from one to five; one being the best and five being the worst.  If your score comes to average one, that means you move on to state contest. Obviously, the contest seems a bit confusing, because most people think that being state champions mea

ns we "beat" all other bands.  But for band contest, multiple bands can get ones and numerous bands can be state champions at the same time.  If you did not know, we are currently state champions because we received all ones at state last year. You would think this kind of award would take a lot of talent, effort, and time,  but sadly, very few members of our band practice outside of the class period.  I mean I still cannot play some parts of the songs that we are playing on Friday (shhhh). Nevertheless, somehow we end up playing well and sounding pretty good. So, if you are looking for some entertainment on Friday, come to our state contest! It's the cool thing to do on Friday nights...we play at 4:35. Be there. Oh and band party at my house if we get ones and go to states! Oh one more.... it's a complaint....we are state champions and get a congrats on the sign board (see picture)... football goes to states and doesn't win and gets multiple assemblies and the whole school misses a day of school. Granted they may have worked very hard, but it's not our fault we are naturally awesome at band. Just saying...

Speechless...Literally

For the past 3 days, I have had little to no voice. And let me tell you, it is not fun. I have had many struggles with this no voice thing.  First, in economics class, I tried to ask Mr. Serluco when the test was.  However, it did not work out so well because the class was loud and it took a good couple of minutes plus many hand gestures to get my point across.  And then, in second period commons, my friends thought it would be funny to scream out inappropriate comments and lies about me, which I could then not defend myself because no one could hear me.  And, in 6B commons, they established that it sounded like I was about to start crying whenever I spoke. Also, yesterday it was my group's turn to run class and I could not speak very well.  Plus, when Chase could not stop laughing long enough to read his letter, I offered to read it for him, forgetting about my lack of voice.  Then, today, when I called my mom on the phone, she could not hear me.  She kept saying "what? Jillian are you there? I can't hear you. What do you need?" I tried to muster a sound  to get my point across but I did not succeed so I hung up in frustration.  Additionally, yesterday was the first practice of lacrosse and we had a new assistant coach.  He immediately gave me the nickname of Vito Corleone from The Godfather because of my voice. And, whenever I attempted to speak he would mock me. I don't like him. But that's beside the point.  The point is, having no voice is rough. I hope I get it back soon.

Turning to Google for all the Answers

After being bored for awhile, you can find some pretty interesting things to do with your time. One hobby I found to do that is extremely entertaining and gives you a good chuckle is going to Google.  You go to the Google hompage and type in beginning words or phrases such as why, how, what, who? These are just a few of the many that you can try out.  When you type these phrases in, Google helps you out and gives you some suggestions of what to search for and popular searches that others have tried.  And it comes up with a plethora of humorous responses.  Yet, as I read these suggestions, it makes me question society.  Are people really that dumb? Do people not have family or friends to ask these questions to? Why would someone want to know the answer to that? I'll give you a few to ponder...I'll stick to the appropriate ones. For example, if you type in "why does," one of the suggestions is "why does it always rain on me?"  If you type in "why are," the first suggestion is "why are birds dying?" And, one of my favorites, if you put "how do you," google suggests, "how do you get pregnant?"  Hmm...some parents aren't doing their jobs... In addition to those, there is also "what time is it?"  Maybe someone should introduce this person to a clock.  Another question is "What should I do with my life?" This person really does need some serious help if they're asking a computer. There is also "Is kevjumba a heterosexual bear wrestler? I do not even know what that is pertaining to.  Although there are funny ones, some sad ones I came upon were "why does my mom hate me?" or "why does my mom hit me?"  On a lighter note, "what do kids need?" I'm assuming this is a new parent or a new nanny. Personally, seeing what people type in is humorous to me even though it may seem odd to you.  If you enjoy it, try it out and let me know what you found!