Progress

I have made some progress with my fourth major essay. I have spent a lot of time just looking things up and gathering information. Afterwards, it was definitely easier to sit down, put things together, and write. Without having finished this huge project, I need to start thinking about the fifth one. I cannot believe all of this is due next week. Yikes!! I realize that this is a writing class so there should be a lot of writing; I just wish the due date would not be creeping up on us so fast! Apart from all the complaining, this project is by far the most interesting assignment I have ever received. Oh and the computer labs were a great help. So thanks Mr. McGuire!

School

Now that we are getting closer to the end of the first semester, it seems like everything is piling on. I am finding myself short on time for everything! When I am not in school, I work and when I do not work, I am in school. My weekends are not that exciting either because I am under a contract with a wedding band so every weekend I am out singing. I also play the congas so I have to set time aside for practicing songs and playing. I am not doing so hot in math now and we have more essays coming, and I am so behind in reading; plus biology exams, labs, and practicals... And I am freaking out about this portfolio because I did so well on the last one, I want this one to be just as good or even better! But with things all crazy now, I don't know... My goodness, I want this to be over!!

Portfolio

So, after slaving away long hours in front of the computer, I have finally completed my portfolio. It has been graded and I am very very satisfied with it. Looks like all that hard work has paid off. And now it has come time to continue all of this hard work. Major paper 4 is difficult especially when I remember that is must be like 10 pages long. It is one though that I really want to work on, especially the research. I can not wait for the interviews, to get inside the heads of my past teachers. My biggest challenge now is to find time to really get at this project. Hopefully that will be soon...

High School Movie

The documentary "High School" by Frederick Wiseman was an interesting one, as documentaries tend to be boring. Although it was made in 1968, it is evidence that over the years not that much has changed in our high schools today. Teachers still try to completely dominate over students and are punished unfairly. The scene where the student had to get off the phone even though it was his lunch break reminds me of when, as a senior, we were given detentions for being late to lunch! I mean, give me a break! It is my lunch, my "relax" time and I think I should have the right to choose whether I want to eat or not. I was absolutely astonished when the teacher in the "fashion" class was telling students that they have leg problems and should not wear short skirts. It was really none of her business. I do recognize that that is one of the few things that has changed in our times. Teachers still keep control over the dress code but no one will tell you you are a little on the heavy side. And finally, I was very disturbed with the scene where the girl was being told her dress was too short for prom; the principal told her that "there are certain places to be individualistic and school is not the place." It bothers me that the school system tries to create these uniform clones where everyone is the same and there is no diversity. That is also still visible in our school systems today but thank goodness for writers like John Taylor Gatto, who is making us aware that there must be changes made to the way students are educated.