After giving it some thought, I'm actually, honestly excited to take that dance class this next term.
I used to love dancing and acting and singing in school productions.
Of course that was elementary school, but it was fun for me nonetheless. Maybe participating in a class that performs in a concert will turn me on to something new this year. I've missed a lot, holding back all these years.
I really want to turn over a new leaf, starting with these next two years of school. I want to take more opportunities, reach out more, and be myself with others, while I still have the time.
I have so many new school year's resolutions mapped out, trust me.
I love school, and I need to start trying my hardest.
And on a side note,
I personally think this year's fall dance concert should be centered on Coldplay's new album.
There are quite a few songs that could contain beaauutifuul choreography.
I've already decided that my final will be to Violet Hill.
8.07.2008
8.05.2008
AUGUST
This summer has been relatively cool.
I'm glad. I can't stand trying to lower my body temperature past 7 PM.
AUGUST. So much happening. Which is okay in most ways because it's going to help usher in that busy feeling that will hit pretty hard come September.
August is usually when I start to wind down and get back into that routine of sleeping better, getting up in the morning, reading more, being altogether more active.
I have a lot to accomplish this year.
I'm glad. I can't stand trying to lower my body temperature past 7 PM.
AUGUST. So much happening. Which is okay in most ways because it's going to help usher in that busy feeling that will hit pretty hard come September.
August is usually when I start to wind down and get back into that routine of sleeping better, getting up in the morning, reading more, being altogether more active.
I have a lot to accomplish this year.
7.27.2008
Occupations
At that office I learned the ways of cubicle life. I wasn't exactly in a cubicle; in fact a friend of mine was working a little across from the office I was in for the day, to where our desk setup resembled that of Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute. But the lack of space was still too much for me. Sitting on a rolling chair for 8 hours, eyes glued to a screen, repeatedly doing the same tedious thing hundreds of times with limited leg room just wasn't for me. It was terrible.
But upon receiving the check in the mail today, I read that note that offered me a part-time job right back in that office once school starts up. I gave some thought to that beautiful room, with a gorgeous view of the hillsides and the driveway, of that cushioned rolling arm chair, and of the incredibly nice people who I worked with. And I now know I should be taking breaks and I probably wouldn't be activating and sending out pool keys every time I went in...
I know that I can't survive multiple 8 straight days in a office, but part time? 3 or 4 hours a day?
I know how and why other people can do the 9-5 work routine.
$10 an hour pays the bills.
Oh, and a new change of that" dream job"-
I will start a business of my own. I've never heard it mentioned before, so if there's an actual name for it, I'd love to know.
I would love to meet celebrities
divas
billionaires
successful businessmen
and expose them to world culture.
People in undeveloped countries,
organizations in need,
oppressed countries.
Expose them to Jesus,
selflessness
love
life outside of their mansions and jets.
I'd love to help those who lead our nation's media see there is something more to life on earth.
Show them that living for others can be so much more rewarding and humbling.
And maybe the humbleness could help in spreading throughout the country.
Just a thought.
But upon receiving the check in the mail today, I read that note that offered me a part-time job right back in that office once school starts up. I gave some thought to that beautiful room, with a gorgeous view of the hillsides and the driveway, of that cushioned rolling arm chair, and of the incredibly nice people who I worked with. And I now know I should be taking breaks and I probably wouldn't be activating and sending out pool keys every time I went in...
I know that I can't survive multiple 8 straight days in a office, but part time? 3 or 4 hours a day?
I know how and why other people can do the 9-5 work routine.
$10 an hour pays the bills.
Oh, and a new change of that" dream job"-
I will start a business of my own. I've never heard it mentioned before, so if there's an actual name for it, I'd love to know.
I would love to meet celebrities
divas
billionaires
successful businessmen
and expose them to world culture.
People in undeveloped countries,
organizations in need,
oppressed countries.
Expose them to Jesus,
selflessness
love
life outside of their mansions and jets.
I'd love to help those who lead our nation's media see there is something more to life on earth.
Show them that living for others can be so much more rewarding and humbling.
And maybe the humbleness could help in spreading throughout the country.
Just a thought.
7.16.2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sam Kennedy mentioned originally, when we first discussed a life of serving, that he was excited about the timing of our trip. He expressed his joy in that the trip ended right at the beginning of our summer vacation. His thought was all the more time off of school that I can spend serving. I didn't understand at first we he was happy that we had all this free time. Jonah had just finished stating that we spend so much time doing nothing, and I began feeling overwhelmed with the amount of summer still left that would most likely fall to nothing. I knew I'd end up wasting it. I wanted to have school occupy a lot of my time so I'd be more motivated to keep busy or something, but here we are with two more months left of break.
Sam's thought did click eventually, and I nodded my head silently in anticipation. I'd stay determined to not waste time. I could find some way to serve.
But here I am at La Quinta, where for the past 3 days I've been simply relaxing in bed or at the pool. How exciting. How worthwhile. How determined.
Sam's thought did click eventually, and I nodded my head silently in anticipation. I'd stay determined to not waste time. I could find some way to serve.
But here I am at La Quinta, where for the past 3 days I've been simply relaxing in bed or at the pool. How exciting. How worthwhile. How determined.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
I'm glad that I was told to take a take a second look in 2 Corinthians. I found a wonderful verse that I had marked:
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. "
2 Corinthians 2:15
I hope the team was pungent enough for the Peruvians.
I was also reminded to apply all they taught me to my life. There is no way I would ever forget that quickly. I'm just wary that with no means of transportation, what exactly can I do once I'm home?
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. "
2 Corinthians 2:15
I hope the team was pungent enough for the Peruvians.
I was also reminded to apply all they taught me to my life. There is no way I would ever forget that quickly. I'm just wary that with no means of transportation, what exactly can I do once I'm home?
7.07.2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I'm still disappointed, naturally. Living in Southern California I've already been to two shopping centers, a movie theater, and a resort upon my return. It makes me sick and depressed. There are so many unfair differences between just a few thousand miles that I can't understand. The fact alone that we never have to walk on dirt voluntarily because there's pavement everywhere is proof. I've heard so many "I want"s and "I need"s since being back, even from myself, when for the past week the mindset was always "I can give." Are there less opportunities to give in this area? Or do we pass up those opportunities, wanting only to gain?
I do understand that with a simpler life comes a greater spirit and faith, along with a lesser need to be concerned about yourself. I think that is amazing. Not that the missionaries' or the Peruvians' lives aren't stressful or busy; just that they of course possess different things. At the Janss last night I could see clear differences between the people and my friends there, and the people and children of Peru. I walked by a play area at the mall and was saddened immensely when I realized none of the children were about to sprint up to me and ask to play, or shout "¡Tia!" and hang off my neck and arms. It was easy to see the different ways of life in those shopping at the Janss Marketplace, and those in Peru. I just kept walking.
I'm now at the La Quinta Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, CA, hauled up inside the dim, air conditioned room, thinking back to the chilly days spent in the Andes. I wish to tears that I was in San Marcos or San Blas again, and I'm hoping and praying fervently that the children there don't forget me or the team too quickly.
The devotional this afternoon talked about serving. It defined serving as doing even the smallest things with a willing heart. Natural obedience should be our response to simple, everyday actions: "God asks us to do the common, ordinary things in extraordinarily good fashion." I know that certain aspects that fall under "common" or "ordinary" are hard and will remain hard for me to complete with a servant's heart.
Another point of the lesson today focused on suffering. I could never grasp this concept, and why or how God would possibly use it. But I began to understand today. I could never grasp why I was losing a relationship with God and struggling at home. But the reflection this afternoon finally made me understand. Conflict has a purpose in our lives. And when I was having a hard time keeping my spiritual life strong, that was all my doing. My faith is my responsibility and it was my choice to break that bond and not work towards a stronger faith. It reminded me of Philippians 3:12-14.
I wrote in the devotional,
"What I have learned now as a part of my post-Peru experience is, the more problems I
experience, the more trust I should build in God. I want so much for my faith to return
even greater, and so, if I need to suffer let me have it. My struggles can worsen if it will push me
to trust in and turn to the Lord. Any obstacle that comes at me I should readily accept as a part
of His plan for me. It will all work out."
I do understand that with a simpler life comes a greater spirit and faith, along with a lesser need to be concerned about yourself. I think that is amazing. Not that the missionaries' or the Peruvians' lives aren't stressful or busy; just that they of course possess different things. At the Janss last night I could see clear differences between the people and my friends there, and the people and children of Peru. I walked by a play area at the mall and was saddened immensely when I realized none of the children were about to sprint up to me and ask to play, or shout "¡Tia!" and hang off my neck and arms. It was easy to see the different ways of life in those shopping at the Janss Marketplace, and those in Peru. I just kept walking.
I'm now at the La Quinta Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, CA, hauled up inside the dim, air conditioned room, thinking back to the chilly days spent in the Andes. I wish to tears that I was in San Marcos or San Blas again, and I'm hoping and praying fervently that the children there don't forget me or the team too quickly.
The devotional this afternoon talked about serving. It defined serving as doing even the smallest things with a willing heart. Natural obedience should be our response to simple, everyday actions: "God asks us to do the common, ordinary things in extraordinarily good fashion." I know that certain aspects that fall under "common" or "ordinary" are hard and will remain hard for me to complete with a servant's heart.
Another point of the lesson today focused on suffering. I could never grasp this concept, and why or how God would possibly use it. But I began to understand today. I could never grasp why I was losing a relationship with God and struggling at home. But the reflection this afternoon finally made me understand. Conflict has a purpose in our lives. And when I was having a hard time keeping my spiritual life strong, that was all my doing. My faith is my responsibility and it was my choice to break that bond and not work towards a stronger faith. It reminded me of Philippians 3:12-14.
I wrote in the devotional,
"What I have learned now as a part of my post-Peru experience is, the more problems I
experience, the more trust I should build in God. I want so much for my faith to return
even greater, and so, if I need to suffer let me have it. My struggles can worsen if it will push me
to trust in and turn to the Lord. Any obstacle that comes at me I should readily accept as a part
of His plan for me. It will all work out."
7.02.2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Tracy and Ricky were amazing people, and they were too modest. I couldn't convey to them how much gratitude and love and admiration I felt towards them. They reminded me of TJ sometimes, in how selfless they are. Ricky was always concerned with my well-being and made a point to learn my name quickly. He let me know a lot about Peru and Chile and answered all of my questions. Tracy too was always more than willing to talk and cook for us all while taking care of Isabella on top of it. Even when her brother was being a jerk; he could be rude and say abrupt things. He was priveleged to be there longer than we were, and Tracy was always respectful to him in return to his attitude. Talk about loving everyone and living a life of serving like Jesus.
Here I am, after coming home to loving people, in a typical CA setting. It was extremely difficult to come home from Mexico; that self loathing and hatred of Thousand Oaks enveloped me in guilt that began once I stepped into my room and looked around. I had similar feelings preparing to depart from Peru. That night when I stumbled into our bedroom, trying not to cry, I confessed to Andy and Lindsay how I could not return home. I knew I was headed straight for Palm Springs and couldn't face the superficiality of it all. I had felt so inspired to serve this summer after the closing conversation, and I knew going straight to La Quinta was the worst way to begin serving, and it was the easiest way to forget all that I had learned and fall into a selfish lifestyle again. It was distressing. They confirmed that a summer of serving could start whenever, even in La Quinta, as long as I tried at it. I resolved to keep mostly to myself in recollection and be sure to share what I had seen and experienced with my non-Christian family and friends.
Because I had talked it over with the leaders and let it out, I came to terms with leaving Peru a lot easier than it might have been. I still detested arriving in LAX, but Ricky and Tracy were constantly saying "see you next year!" That was promising, especially since I had been worrying about the church in Cuzco, and praying for it to expand, and for Ricky and Tracy's ministry. I do not want them to lose hope. They've accomplished such good things in the amount of time they've been there. So it was wonderful to hear an invitation back. It meant a lot to me knowing the couple would at least stay in Peru for another year or so. Just knowing that the church and the family is still there and will continue to grow, and that I could return whenever I could helped me come to terms with our depart after only 10 days.
Here I am, after coming home to loving people, in a typical CA setting. It was extremely difficult to come home from Mexico; that self loathing and hatred of Thousand Oaks enveloped me in guilt that began once I stepped into my room and looked around. I had similar feelings preparing to depart from Peru. That night when I stumbled into our bedroom, trying not to cry, I confessed to Andy and Lindsay how I could not return home. I knew I was headed straight for Palm Springs and couldn't face the superficiality of it all. I had felt so inspired to serve this summer after the closing conversation, and I knew going straight to La Quinta was the worst way to begin serving, and it was the easiest way to forget all that I had learned and fall into a selfish lifestyle again. It was distressing. They confirmed that a summer of serving could start whenever, even in La Quinta, as long as I tried at it. I resolved to keep mostly to myself in recollection and be sure to share what I had seen and experienced with my non-Christian family and friends.
Because I had talked it over with the leaders and let it out, I came to terms with leaving Peru a lot easier than it might have been. I still detested arriving in LAX, but Ricky and Tracy were constantly saying "see you next year!" That was promising, especially since I had been worrying about the church in Cuzco, and praying for it to expand, and for Ricky and Tracy's ministry. I do not want them to lose hope. They've accomplished such good things in the amount of time they've been there. So it was wonderful to hear an invitation back. It meant a lot to me knowing the couple would at least stay in Peru for another year or so. Just knowing that the church and the family is still there and will continue to grow, and that I could return whenever I could helped me come to terms with our depart after only 10 days.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Overall, I was here to interact with the kids and by doing that, help them receive God's love, and encourage a Christian lifestyle.
But along with that, because it IS important for that to have occurred, and it was AMAZING, I feel I was here to learn, because I have learned so much during this past week and a half.
That thought I had early this week about poverty has been on my mind all this time. That our efforts are constantly put towards aiding the less fortunate in their life, trying to help them become wealthier. And thats fine, but to a point. There are living conditions and certain basic needs that should be met (clean water, proper plumbing, good nutrition...). But as well as working on others' needs, we ourselves need so badly to be humbled. Their sense of kindness and their spiritual life is so much richer than what we can obtain. It shows in their constant giving genuine selflessness. At home, we should be working as a whole to rid ourselves of our greed and should not be trying to create that corrupting need to want in their society with envy and riches. We truly need to be humbled and less selfish.
And it tends to be that part of the greed and selfishness stems from our lacking awareness of opportunity to serve, everywhere and anywhere. We discussed last night how we spend so much time doing nothing, when we could be keeping up that mind frame of "the world will always be in need, and I can do something about it." life of serving has been proven to be incredibly rewarding, humbling, and exhilarating. All of our wasted time does not help anyone, including ourselves. I know that personally, I hate falling back into that Thousand Oaks lifestyle; just pushing through, day by day, in an oblivious routine of strict self-absorption. It happens every time I return from a missions trip, where you can breathe freely away from home. Ive learned on this trip from Andy and Lindsay-last night when I had a complete meltdown-not to feel guilty or awful for struggling through problems back home. We live in a well-to-do area, yes. But that's just our individual situation. Every person in the world lives in a different situation. We can have issues wherever we are living, and just because we're wealthier than others doesn't mean that EVERY aspect of our life will be wonderful. I was feeling that any of my problems back in the U.S. weren't justified because there are so many worse things going on here.
Last night's closing discussion was long and inspiring. We agreed that it is a great feeling to help others, and Tracy and Ricky explained that it is easy to feel guilty when that rewarding feeling becomes overwhelming. But it is perfectly fine. Those we've helped are being shaped by God, and you know the fulfilling sense is because you've completed His will for you on the trip. As they were talking about being missionaries, Tracy began discussing how she was brought to missions work. She commented that it was hard at first, but a faith in God helped her immensely when making decisions. She said that any passion that you keep up in your life was put there by Him to grow, and that should be what you pursue throughout your life. If anything goes wrong, He will be there to correct it. When a decision goes astray, He can take care of it. This got to me. I've felt incapable to decide anything important about my future lately. I've had some ideas about colleges and careers, and whatever feels natural and right for me is what I will choose. I also think that a life more dedicated to serving others will also help me prioritize better and focus this upcoming junior year.
I really will need to put in the effort to to grow in my faith. It's insanely difficult for me to put my trust in God entirely, and it shouldn't be. But Peru has helped. Seeing God at work here and what He can do helps me gain His trust. I don't know why it's so hard, when I should put my faith in Him immediately after everything I've been given by Him: His son, my salvation, my freedom, happiness, opportunities...Many things can help me grow, but it depends more on my willingness to try as well. He has always been there, I just need to search for Him more.
That was a point Jim had made at our first meeting; that God is around and has a purpose for everything, it just takes our simple devotion to seek Him out. It was good to have Jim on the trip. There were many times I thought back to Marty, and how it would have been different if he were here, but overall I am glad to have Jim leading. It was a closing trip for him, and I feel he needed to spend a period of time like this with us all. He needed the love. I remember when he first told us he was leaving, and he had mentioned that he hated TO, and had always felt like the "nothing" child out of his four other siblings. There are the oldest and youngest siblings, the only girl, and the middle child, and him. Last night he said something along the lines of anyone being able to do what we did. I disagreed. I think Jim needs to know that yes, anyone can go anywhere and serve, but hey don't always have the willingness to put the heart into their work, And Ricky and Tracy even mentioned that there are some missionaries that act that way. I am not only applying that to the trip, but also to Jim as the person he is, and who he thinks he is. He is the only one in his family who works in youth ministry. And he puts the willingness and heart into it. That's what makes him unique and should make him feel loved.
Another realization I had came with a comment from Andy. She mentioned that most times we only think that God is as big as California, but we receive the opportunities to witness in places like Mexico or Peru, and we can see him working in the lives and hearts of the people we meet. It's encouraging to know that God is worldwide...universal....
But along with that, because it IS important for that to have occurred, and it was AMAZING, I feel I was here to learn, because I have learned so much during this past week and a half.
That thought I had early this week about poverty has been on my mind all this time. That our efforts are constantly put towards aiding the less fortunate in their life, trying to help them become wealthier. And thats fine, but to a point. There are living conditions and certain basic needs that should be met (clean water, proper plumbing, good nutrition...). But as well as working on others' needs, we ourselves need so badly to be humbled. Their sense of kindness and their spiritual life is so much richer than what we can obtain. It shows in their constant giving genuine selflessness. At home, we should be working as a whole to rid ourselves of our greed and should not be trying to create that corrupting need to want in their society with envy and riches. We truly need to be humbled and less selfish.
And it tends to be that part of the greed and selfishness stems from our lacking awareness of opportunity to serve, everywhere and anywhere. We discussed last night how we spend so much time doing nothing, when we could be keeping up that mind frame of "the world will always be in need, and I can do something about it." life of serving has been proven to be incredibly rewarding, humbling, and exhilarating. All of our wasted time does not help anyone, including ourselves. I know that personally, I hate falling back into that Thousand Oaks lifestyle; just pushing through, day by day, in an oblivious routine of strict self-absorption. It happens every time I return from a missions trip, where you can breathe freely away from home. Ive learned on this trip from Andy and Lindsay-last night when I had a complete meltdown-not to feel guilty or awful for struggling through problems back home. We live in a well-to-do area, yes. But that's just our individual situation. Every person in the world lives in a different situation. We can have issues wherever we are living, and just because we're wealthier than others doesn't mean that EVERY aspect of our life will be wonderful. I was feeling that any of my problems back in the U.S. weren't justified because there are so many worse things going on here.
Last night's closing discussion was long and inspiring. We agreed that it is a great feeling to help others, and Tracy and Ricky explained that it is easy to feel guilty when that rewarding feeling becomes overwhelming. But it is perfectly fine. Those we've helped are being shaped by God, and you know the fulfilling sense is because you've completed His will for you on the trip. As they were talking about being missionaries, Tracy began discussing how she was brought to missions work. She commented that it was hard at first, but a faith in God helped her immensely when making decisions. She said that any passion that you keep up in your life was put there by Him to grow, and that should be what you pursue throughout your life. If anything goes wrong, He will be there to correct it. When a decision goes astray, He can take care of it. This got to me. I've felt incapable to decide anything important about my future lately. I've had some ideas about colleges and careers, and whatever feels natural and right for me is what I will choose. I also think that a life more dedicated to serving others will also help me prioritize better and focus this upcoming junior year.
I really will need to put in the effort to to grow in my faith. It's insanely difficult for me to put my trust in God entirely, and it shouldn't be. But Peru has helped. Seeing God at work here and what He can do helps me gain His trust. I don't know why it's so hard, when I should put my faith in Him immediately after everything I've been given by Him: His son, my salvation, my freedom, happiness, opportunities...Many things can help me grow, but it depends more on my willingness to try as well. He has always been there, I just need to search for Him more.
That was a point Jim had made at our first meeting; that God is around and has a purpose for everything, it just takes our simple devotion to seek Him out. It was good to have Jim on the trip. There were many times I thought back to Marty, and how it would have been different if he were here, but overall I am glad to have Jim leading. It was a closing trip for him, and I feel he needed to spend a period of time like this with us all. He needed the love. I remember when he first told us he was leaving, and he had mentioned that he hated TO, and had always felt like the "nothing" child out of his four other siblings. There are the oldest and youngest siblings, the only girl, and the middle child, and him. Last night he said something along the lines of anyone being able to do what we did. I disagreed. I think Jim needs to know that yes, anyone can go anywhere and serve, but hey don't always have the willingness to put the heart into their work, And Ricky and Tracy even mentioned that there are some missionaries that act that way. I am not only applying that to the trip, but also to Jim as the person he is, and who he thinks he is. He is the only one in his family who works in youth ministry. And he puts the willingness and heart into it. That's what makes him unique and should make him feel loved.
Another realization I had came with a comment from Andy. She mentioned that most times we only think that God is as big as California, but we receive the opportunities to witness in places like Mexico or Peru, and we can see him working in the lives and hearts of the people we meet. It's encouraging to know that God is worldwide...universal....
Peru Entries
I know why I went to Peru. Apart from the spreading the Word through kindness aspect, I was there to learn. And I learned so much. Reflection is incredibly exciting. So, I have here 4 important entries from my journal that talk about my findings, the first dated this last Saturday, and they continue until today. Possibly more to come.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
This mission trip has been the longest trip, and the most different trip out off those I have been on, yet there are similarities I've noticed as well.
It's similar in the place we are. Peru is looks a lot like Mexico, we've done many of the same type of service projects, and the people are just as sweet like the humble people in other places.
But differences definitely include the interaction between us all as a whole, and between the team and Peruvians. Jim mentioned that after a trip like this you can't really vacation without noticing the poverty with more awareness. I'm sure that is how it will be now.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
This mission trip has been the longest trip, and the most different trip out off those I have been on, yet there are similarities I've noticed as well.
It's similar in the place we are. Peru is looks a lot like Mexico, we've done many of the same type of service projects, and the people are just as sweet like the humble people in other places.
But differences definitely include the interaction between us all as a whole, and between the team and Peruvians. Jim mentioned that after a trip like this you can't really vacation without noticing the poverty with more awareness. I'm sure that is how it will be now.
6.13.2008
Everything about high school is a learning expirience
Half way through the most important years of my education.
Sophomore year is over; an upperclassman on June 17th (officially).
Sure.
We juniors now hold the off campus passes and probably all drive and obtain numerous other privileges that anyone graduating after 2010 does not yet have.
But really, all of these are simply more responsibilities.
More chances to prove why we've earned it and what we're worth. But more importantly, the opportunities that await are there to test how we live and what we stand for.
And how do we live our life?
How do we spend our time? How do we manage or responsibilities? How do our actions reflect who we really are?
This year was incredibly fun. I enjoyed most of it.
However, I began to recognize how awful my work habits are, and to seriously evaluate what I was doing.
Working too slow.
Allowing distractions.
Procrastinating.
Not organizing my priorities.
Making wrong decisions.
The working combination of these fatal habits, along with a strong self-absorption eventually caught up to slap my carefree, relaxed, and lazy self's face.
Hard.
I have never truly stopped to think out and analyze the possible options in my high school career. Never thoroughly. I have always had a set, expected plan that I never thought could be altered. Always just challenging enough to keep me in some more advanced classes, while taking it easy on those subjects that I had a harder time with. I never thought about what it would be like to have a 4.0 or higher, or what opportunities would be available should I complete extracurricular activities, or how easily it could all be attained.
It really shouldn't be that hard.
Of course there are certain classes that are a struggle, and teachers that are tough to work with. But ultimately, anything is really possible. If there's a certain grade you need, there are ways of organizing your time and priorities to reach that desired level. And if a teacher ids difficult, you can find other options to help you understand.
It all depends on motivation and management.
It may be hard to focus or grasp a concept, but with school, there are plenty of ways to make sure you get the score you want.
There are also many ways to completely goof off and let your grades slip so that you are caught unaware at the end, searching for a way to raise them when all the while, it's plain to see how it all could be prevented.
If I could go back, I would take better care of myself: made sure my homework was done immediately; organized the sections that had not been clear so that I could have straightened out the concepts with my teachers; imposed a time limit before forcing myself to get some sleep; focused better; thought ahead; disregarded and prevented distractions; worked for what I wanted,
what I needed.
The outcome of my schedule for next year is so up in the air, I'm regretting a lot of what I did this year. I'm hoping it all isn't as bad as I'm expecting.
But for now, there's a chance I may not be needing that summer reading list after all.
Supposedly it takes about 30 days to form a a habit.
Next year will be the most difficult year in high school, and the major testing ad colleges will be most dependent on those grades.
If I keep the study habits I possess now, I'll be going to Moorpark for 4 years.
I will break this habit. And start a healthier, wiser, more responsible lifestyle for the remainder of my high school years.
All in all, that is what being an upperclassman is.
With these added responsibilities, we're being trusted to act wisely as the adults we're growing up and learning to be.
The hard work is worth it all in the end. Anything short of a good effort produces nothing valuable.
Sophomore year is over; an upperclassman on June 17th (officially).
Sure.
We juniors now hold the off campus passes and probably all drive and obtain numerous other privileges that anyone graduating after 2010 does not yet have.
But really, all of these are simply more responsibilities.
More chances to prove why we've earned it and what we're worth. But more importantly, the opportunities that await are there to test how we live and what we stand for.
And how do we live our life?
How do we spend our time? How do we manage or responsibilities? How do our actions reflect who we really are?
This year was incredibly fun. I enjoyed most of it.
However, I began to recognize how awful my work habits are, and to seriously evaluate what I was doing.
Working too slow.
Allowing distractions.
Procrastinating.
Not organizing my priorities.
Making wrong decisions.
The working combination of these fatal habits, along with a strong self-absorption eventually caught up to slap my carefree, relaxed, and lazy self's face.
Hard.
I have never truly stopped to think out and analyze the possible options in my high school career. Never thoroughly. I have always had a set, expected plan that I never thought could be altered. Always just challenging enough to keep me in some more advanced classes, while taking it easy on those subjects that I had a harder time with. I never thought about what it would be like to have a 4.0 or higher, or what opportunities would be available should I complete extracurricular activities, or how easily it could all be attained.
It really shouldn't be that hard.
Of course there are certain classes that are a struggle, and teachers that are tough to work with. But ultimately, anything is really possible. If there's a certain grade you need, there are ways of organizing your time and priorities to reach that desired level. And if a teacher ids difficult, you can find other options to help you understand.
It all depends on motivation and management.
It may be hard to focus or grasp a concept, but with school, there are plenty of ways to make sure you get the score you want.
There are also many ways to completely goof off and let your grades slip so that you are caught unaware at the end, searching for a way to raise them when all the while, it's plain to see how it all could be prevented.
If I could go back, I would take better care of myself: made sure my homework was done immediately; organized the sections that had not been clear so that I could have straightened out the concepts with my teachers; imposed a time limit before forcing myself to get some sleep; focused better; thought ahead; disregarded and prevented distractions; worked for what I wanted,
what I needed.
The outcome of my schedule for next year is so up in the air, I'm regretting a lot of what I did this year. I'm hoping it all isn't as bad as I'm expecting.
But for now, there's a chance I may not be needing that summer reading list after all.
Supposedly it takes about 30 days to form a a habit.
Next year will be the most difficult year in high school, and the major testing ad colleges will be most dependent on those grades.
If I keep the study habits I possess now, I'll be going to Moorpark for 4 years.
I will break this habit. And start a healthier, wiser, more responsible lifestyle for the remainder of my high school years.
All in all, that is what being an upperclassman is.
With these added responsibilities, we're being trusted to act wisely as the adults we're growing up and learning to be.
The hard work is worth it all in the end. Anything short of a good effort produces nothing valuable.
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