The End is Just Another Beginning

As 2010 comes to an end, I can say that it was a great year. I got my license and a car- the ticket to independence, and a job that I love. For many, myself included, this was a year for growing up; taking on new responsibilities, planning for college, and managing schoolwork and spare time. A year is only 365 days, not really THAT much time, but think of all that has changed in your life since this time last year. Probably a lot. We have gained new friends, had different experiences, maybe learned a few life lessons. Now think about this time next year: anxiety of college applications, many people already have received their acceptance letter, Mo Pro, as well as many other pressures. We have 365 chances to have a good day in a year; make the most of it. So here's to 2011: let's make it a fun and successful year!


Happy New Year everyone!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I love winter break- any sort of break, for that matter. We get 11 days off to do whatever it is our hearts desire. So far, my time has been great! To kick off the beginning of break, my friend hosted a Christmas party where we exchanged white elephant gifts. I ended up with a scuba diver toy and a stuffed llama made out of real llama fur. His name is Kevin. On Thursday, I finally saw the first part of Harry Potter 7 and Inception; both were awesome. Friday and Saturday were spent with my family, celebrating Christmas. I love the holiday season, but I think my cat might enjoy it more- he spent the whole day entertaining himself with his new toys (skunk and squirrel kitty toys and a laser pen). I reignited my old hobby addiction of Xbox and dabbled with some FIFA '06. I kick it old school with the original game system and the first of the Halo series. So no, I do not play Live. At this point, winter break has been enjoyable. I hope everyone else's has been, as well! I'm off to update my passport now.

Rings

C.S. Lewis' speech basically defined high school cliques. Here, they are omnipresent; you can't deny that. It is clear when walking through the halls of WHS- the lockerbanks are packed with students and their tight-knit groups chattering away in C wing between classes. If you were to walk up to a random person at school, it would be a rare occasion to not find that they were part of a clique. I mean, this IS high school. Teenagers do form close groups with "rings"as C.S. Lewis calls it. To get to the innermost ring, you have to warm up to the people who have already achieved that- just make them like you. Once you've been "accepted", you're in. Face it, we've all done it a little bit. We do it because we know what it feels like to be on the inside and the outside- and the inside is typically preferred.

JK Rowling Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkREt4ZB-ck&feature=related

JK Rowling rocks! I like how she included humor in her speech to connect with the audience, as well as get her message across clearly.

Delicious

Delicious: pleasing, especially to the taste.
Adjective- This chicken curry tastes delicious.
Origin: 1250–1300; ME < OF < LL dēliciōsus,  equiv. to L dēliciae  delight + -ōsus -ous

Tasty: good-tasting.
Adjective- I think chocolate is tasty.
Origin: 1610–20; taste + -y¹
Toothsome: pleasing, desirable, attractive
Adjective- Did you see the toothsome shoes on that lady?
Origin: 1545–55; tooth + -some¹

Flavorful: full of flavor, tasty
Adjective- The shrimp is not very flavorful.
Origin: 1925–30; flavor + -ful

Scrumptious: pleasing to senses, splendid
Adjective- He makes the most scrumptious cookies on Earth.
Origin: 1820–30; perhaps an alternative of sumptuous

Delectable: delightful, highly pleasing, enjoyable, delicious, an appealing item of food
Adjective- My mom's lasagna is quite delectable.
Noun- The table was covered in delectables.
Origin: 1350–1400; ME < L dēlectābilis  delightful, equiv. to dēlectā ( re ) to delight (freq. of dēlicere  to entice) + -bilis -ble

Appetizing: appealing, tempting, savory
Adjective- The school's mystery meat did not look very appetizing.
Origin: 1645–55; appet(ite) + -ize + -ing² , as trans. of F appétissant

Savory: agreeable in taste or smell, a British appetizer or dessert
Adjective- Sweet and savory chicken is my favorite
Noun- Zac made a great savory to bring to the picnic.
Origin: 1175–1225; ME savori  ( see savor, -y¹ ); r. ME savure  < OF savoure,  ptp. of savourer  to savor
Palatable: acceptable taste, agreeable to the mind or feelings
Adjective- We can all agree that the roast duck yesterday evening was palatable.
Origin: 1660–70; palate + -able

Mouthwatering: very appetizing in appearance, aroma, flavor
Adjective- The smell of my pierogi is mouthwatering!
Origin: 1815–25

Tasteful: displaying good taste in style or food
Adjective- The room was decorated tastefully.
Origin: 1605–15; taste + -ful

And the Countdown Begins...

March 30th, why can't you arrive already?

My excitment began last spring when my sister decided to attend Rangsit University in Pathum Thani, Thailand for 6 months while studying abroad. She couldn't have chosen a better time to go, since my spring break also falls on one of her breaks. This gave us the perfect excuse to come visit her at Rangsit as well as travel to Southeast Asia, where I have never been before. Our plans have been finalized for months, so now I just have to painfully wait in excitment for Term 3 to end. The countdown began last spring at 342 days.

When March 30th finally arrives, my mom and I will hop on a plane to Detroit (which seems counterintutive since we should be going west, not east) then take the long 13-hour flight to Japan. During the 16-hour layover in Tokyo Narita International Airport, I am hoping to be able to wander about Tokyo for a bit if I haven't already passed out from fatigue, and possibly indulge in some authentic sushi! Once we finally arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, we won't stay long, because we board yet another plane south to Koh Samui (located near the Gulf of Thailand) and take a ferry to the island of Koh Phangan. When not in our hut (yes, they actually call it a hut instead of a hotel room) we will be relaxing in a tropical paradise, taking in the warm Thai sun and wading in the crystal-clear water of the Gulf. After four days of recooperating from the long flight and time change, we will be spending the weekend in mountainous Chang Mai, hiking, visiting temples, and crusing along the river. During our stay, we are taking an elephant excursion which consists of riding your elephant through the jungle with a tour group and splashing around with it in a river. Hopefully I will not have to clean up after the elephant; I don't think I own a shovel big enough! I am hoping to learn a little bit of the Thai language while I am there. The last few days of our stay will be in Thailand's capital city, Bangkok. From the things I have heard, this city is similar to New York, x3. I am excited to try all the exotic food here, because they are known for having some wacky cuisine. The push-carts on Khao San Road apparently have the best Thai delicacies in the country including bamboo worms, friend insects on a stick, and fried elephant trunk. I am known for trying all exotic ethnic food that I come across, so these are definitely top of my list. The shopping is supposed to be fantastic in Bangkok, which is a plus, but that is not the reason I am going.

There are a few things I am not looking forward to on my trip:
- Having to make up term 3 finals and missing the first two days of term 4
- 13 hour time difference
- Humid, 90+ degree weather
- Malaria!


Countdown update: 115 days