Post #44: Winner Winner Double Gold Dinner!

So, this year at the SkillsUSA state conference, I won first place in both CPR-First Aid AND Prepared Speech. Two gold medals! I am going to Nationals in Kansas City in June. I had such a great time at the conference. I saw some old friends, made some new ones, and got to compete in the things that I love. My school did really well, and we swept for CPR-First Aid. According to the judge, I got a perfect score in Adult CPR, which I am really proud of. I was a little surprised about both of the medals, because I didn't think I did that well. But apparently I did, and I am really excited and proud. I have worked hard for this competition and it really paid off. I was really nervous about prepared speech, and I was really, really over prepared for CPR. I had packed a StatPack full of bandages, goggles, splints and other stuff, but I only used the breathing mask and one-way valve. There was an interview portion, and I was asked what SAMPLE, DOTS, and CPR stood for. The only part I really thought I messed up on was Infant CPR. I second guessed myself after the fact, but when I checked my notes, it turned out that I had it right.
I'm really glad to be home again, and to sleep in my own bed.
"Well I might take a plane, I may take a train, if I have to walk I'm going just the same, I'm going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come." - Fats Domino
-D.

Post #43: Magic Box From The Amazons

So, I have rarely had pleasant experiences with ordering things from Amazon. My items either come three weeks late or they show up damaged. But of course, they had the cheapest prices on AP Spanish practice books, so lo and behold, I placed an order. I also ordered Cease To Begin, a Band Of Horses album, and Before Sleep Comes, a Luka Bloom album. They came on Friday, in the wacky folded box. I was really excited about the CDs, and in my excitement, I accidentally punched myself in the stomach trying to open the box. I have never been punched (hard, at least. I accidentally got lightly punched in the face at a dance one time). It really put a damper on my mail party. I love getting mail. I have been known on occasion to sing the mail song from Blues Clues when the mail comes.
I spent a good two minutes doubled over still clutching the box while my sister laughed at me. When I had finally gotten over the fact that I had just punched myself trying to open a box, I took my CDs and AP Book to my room and immediately put on Cease To Begin. Now I just need Mirage Rock and I'l have all of their albums. I really love that instead of booklets, there are snapshots in the sleeve thing. My favorite song off the album is "No One's Gonna Love You". The next four words are "more than I do", so It's not as sad as the title implies.  I really like the whole album, but that song is my favorite. On Before Sleep Comes, my favorite song is "Be Still Now". The whole album is really nice and quiet, and along with Nick Drake's Pink Moon, it makes a nice pre-bedtime playlist.
The AP Spanish book was not awesome and I do not have anything nice to say about it. It is large and full of things I do not understand, even as a 12-year Spanish student.
"I want to contribute to the chaos, I don't want to watch and then complain" - Twin Size Mattress
-D.

Post #42: Graduation Speeches

I'm not sure how I feel about graduation speeches. Part of me really, really, really wants to speak at graduation, and then another part of me just says "this is total crap". "look back on high school!" "you're going to miss it!" "You're going to miss your classmates!" 

Yeah, how about no. I'm not going to miss high school. Seriously. I might miss my English class, and that's about it. I'm proud of coming from my school, because my school kicks butt! But I'm also really glad to get on with my life. My favorite speeches thus far have been the ones about looking forward and finding happiness. Not looking back on the "fun" times in computer literacy. When in doubt... 

It's important to look back on one's history and learn from the past, but let's move forward. 

Changing gears: 1984 was terrible. The ending made me want to chuck the book across the room. (If you have not read 1984, I'm going to talk about spoilers, so maybe go read a different blog.)

So, Winston sneaks around, but then O'Brien is actually a bad guy, and then they get brainwashed? What? I get the part about how we should be careful because big brother is watching and the government is taking control.I get that. I see why that's important. But really, brainwashing? 

I thought we were going to learn that humans are resilient and can stick it to the man and all that jazz. Instead we learned that humans are weak and need to be controlled and if we aren't careful we're going to be slaves to the government. 

Make good choices

-D.

Post #41: Why I hate The Word Hipster

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably noticed I like The Smiths. If you know me in real life, you probably know I L-O-V-E the Smiths. I'm into some indie bands, and I love vinyl records. Which of course, has earned me the label 'hipster'.
The Merriam Webster definition of 'hipster' is "A person who is unusually aware of and interested in new and unconventional patterns (as in Jazz or fashion); A hip person." It's a term from 1940.
Generally, I love being told my tastes are awesome and cool and avant garde. I love being able to discuss why Everything All The Time is the worst Band of Horses album and why everyone should appreciate Glen Miller. But as soon as I mention any of these things with any enthusiasm, there comes that word. Hipster. "God, you're such a hipster" spat at me as if I just kicked someone's puppy.  Sorry I have eclectic tastes. Is there a reason you have to call me something derogatory because I don't listen to whatever it is you listen to?
In the endless bullying seminars and flyers and videos I have seen because I'm in school, there's always that idea that the bully is bullying someone because they're insecure. I'm sorry my music tastes make you feel insecure. I can say with 100% sincerity that my intention was never to make you feel bad about yourself. My intention was to enjoy music and share it with you. Honest.
But then you bring out the H word. You make fun of my tastes because they're different from yours. Because you associate my tastes with people who drink lots of expensive coffee and take pictures of mediocre sunsets. I do drink a ton of coffee, and I like sunsets at much as the next gal, but that shouldn't matter when we are discussing music. It shouldn't matter unless we are discussing coffee or sunsets.

"Don't worry we'll all float on" - Modest Mouse
-D.