Second Semester

The first day of the new semester is always interesting. Everyone hurries around from class to class, wondering who will be in each one. In my opinion, English is particularly interesting. From day one of this year, we have become accustomed to our class. When it comes to discussions, it seems we have finally found a comfortable ground. We all know who will argue with whom, who will talk often and who will not say anything at all. So, on that very first day of the new semester, we all enter English anxiously, curious about who we will find. We all wonder if we will have to face another semester with the self-proclaimed “Dream Team,” and sigh with relief as we realize we do not (sorry third period). Then, it begins. New seats, some new faces and for all, new beginnings. With the new class comes a chance to declare a new role while in discussions. New classes cause the personality of the class to change, and sometimes, as the wise Mr. Maas said, “the personalities of the people change.” So, as I looked around the room the first week of the new semester I wondered if anyone’s personality would change with this new class. Would Henry suddenly become quiet and agree with everything everyone said? I highly doubted it. Still, I wondered what this new class would bring. Would Ms. Serensky change? I struggled to fathom a day in English class without hearing the words “Dear Journal” as I noticed the absence of Thomas Donley from eighth period. I guess I will just have to wait to read his journal on my own someday. For now, I look forward to seeing the changes that may occur as the semester goes on and the personality that this new class will have.

Students in class

A Song to Blogger.com

“Say Goodbye”-Chris Brown

“Look we gotta talk
Dang I know
I know it's just
It's just...
Some things I gotta get of my chest alright....
Yeahhhh...
Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, oh, whoa...
Listen..
Baby come here and sit down, let's talk
I got a lot to say so I guess I'll start by
Saying that I love you,
But you know, this thing ain't been
No walk in the park for us
I swear it'll only take a minute
You'll understand when I finish, yeah
And I don't wanna see you cry
But I don't wanna be the one
to tell you a lie so
[Chorus]
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
Cause I really don't feel the way
I once felt about you
Girl it's not you, it's me
I kinda gotta figure out what I need (oh)”

The lyrics in Chris Brown’s song, “Say Goodbye,” parallel my feelings towards the blog project overall, and the end of it. Like in the song, my feelings about the end of the blog project are very bittersweet. In the beginning, I felt a mixture of excitement and dread for the new project. It was something unpredictable; I had no idea what to expect. But things began going well, once we, Blogger.com and I, got into the swing of things. As I got to know Blogger.com better, I realized Blogger.com could really be pretty fun. I loved how I could express myself, differently than I ever had in English before. Each day I learned something new. The blogs became more fun and spirited than the typical analytical writing we do in class. I began to relax and settle into the comfortable new relationship we had. I enjoyed getting the chance to see how others approached their blogs. I found the other blogs entertaining and informative. However, things changed. Like Chris Brown says, “this thing ain’t been/No walk in the park for us.” I began to grow frustrated with Blogger.com. It was always so needy. Blogger.com constantly needed my attention and time, during the week and weekends. I started running out of things to say. The initial spark and excitement disappeared. With the entire thrill that came from learning new things about Blogger.com gone, I grew tired of the whole thing. So, my dear Blogger.com, I know this may sound harsh, but I think it is time to say goodbye, “Cause if I don’t you gonna start hating me” and I certainly do not want that to happen. This does affect my grade, after all. I just do not feel the same way as I did before. I am ready to move on, try something new. I think you should, too. There are plenty of other bloggers out there, great bloggers, in fact. It’s not you; it’s me. You deserve better, Blogger.com. It really has been a great run and I appreciate everything you have given me. Without you, I never would have met Bobbie’s Blog Banter. Maybe we can still be friends.

Relaxing and Fun?

With the dreaded data sheet complete, all focus turns to finals. As this week approaches, amazingly enough, AP English is not the most stressful class this week. In fact, it may even be the least stressful. First, we do not even have to take a final. So, forget the usual stress and hand cramps that come along with the typical English final. Instead, we get to talk about our blogs for a few minutes. Talk about the best English final ever. But aside from not having a final, this entire week in English is stress free. First, we have our AP multiple-choice game for extra credit. Let the smack talk begin and the boys’ “dream team” lose...again. That’s right, Thomas, Alex, John and Sam, I said it. After all the intense anxiety as we await Ms. Serensky to read off the teams who answered the question correctly, we relax and realize we all earn extra credit anyways. Then, like at the end of every quarter, we finally get to see Ms. Serensky’s list of quotes from us all. We all wait excitedly in our sits to see what she has chosen for each of us and everyone else in her classes. The quotes always provide an entertaining end to the quarter as we reflect on all the laughs we shared in class, often times at the expense of others. As a result of all this stress-free fun, I look forward to English this week and will complain about all my other classes instead.

Leo Lovin'

Many have grumbled over the fact that instead of watching the Oscar-winning movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” Ms. Serensky has chosen “Shutter Island.” Although I have really enjoyed the movie so far, I too wondered why she chose this movie. Of course, as we watch more of the movie we notice many parallels between the movie and Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. But I think there is more. It was not until I overheard some juniors talking that I realized the real reason why she chose this movie instead. The juniors were discussing how they were watching “Blood Diamond” in class. Another great movie…that also stars Leonardo DiCaprio. That is when it hit me. The real reason she chose “Shutter Island.” Ms. Serensky is in love with Leonardo DiCaprio. Some may even call it an obsession. It seems she has manipulated this whole week as a Leo love fest. Neither class read the book that her beloved Leo stars in, yet both conveniently read books very similar to his movies. She simply cannot resist those piercing baby blues. I cannot really blame her, though. I am definitely a fan of Leonardo Di Caprio and believe he is a very talented actor. The list of incredible movies he has starred seems endless, including “Titanic,” “Gangs of New York,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “The Departed” and “Inception.” He has been nominated for three Oscars, along with forty-eight other nominations and twenty-one wins. All by the age of thirty-six. So, not a bad choice, Ms. Serensky. Sadly, and I really hate to break this news, but Leonardo is not single. He has been with supermodel Bar Refaeli since 2005. But, that is only because he has not met you yet, Ms. Serensky.

For your viewing pleasure, I have included a picture of Leonardo. Just replace her face with yours.

2011

With the new year officially beginning, I cannot help but think how crazy this year is about to be for all of us. First, we take our last high school finals in a little less than two weeks. Then, come May, we finish high school forever and finally graduate in June. Everything we have ever known, these past twelve years of schooling, comes to an end and the next chapter in our lives begins. Then, we all head off on our own to wherever our futures may take us. Yet, as I look ahead into the exciting but somewhat daunting future, I do not feel nervous or scared. I feel prepared. This is because of AP English. Not many students can say they know what it feels like to write twenty-five pages worth of analysis on a book (twenty-nine if you are Thomas.) Few can say they have discussed novels on a daily basis with twenty other smart students. Who else can write a five-paragraph essay in forty minutes? Not to mention a good one. We have learned so many skills in this class that will help in whatever we do, not just analyzing books and writing essays. So, no one should feel any anxiety as they take their first steps into that dreaded first college class. Go ahead; look at the kid next to you who is a genius prodigy child from some other country and think, “I am just as smart as you.” (But do not actually say it, come on now, we are classy people.) Stare the professor with the funny mustache in the eye and just know one thing: we are ready. Besides, what can be scarier than walking into Ms. Serensky’s room not knowing what doom lies ahead?