Midterms?

Today, we had a walk through homeroom to recieve our grade report for the current term. Amazingly called, a midterm report, since we're half way through the final term of this year. It's weird to think that my junior year is 5/6 of the way done and in like five minutes I'll start the beginning of the end. Besides the fact that my senior year is looming closer and closer, my grades kinda-sorta SUCK currently. I blame it on my trip to Florida. This was at the beginning of the third term, therefore I missed three or four days of all my classes and lots of new material. As a result, I tried getting caught up but also tried to stay ahead and that was an epic fail. I forced myself to think I was ready to take half the quizzes and tests that I wasn't, and as a result did poorly on all of those. Being the beginning of the term, there was no other things in the grade book besides these bad scores, so I got really bad grades the first couple weeks. Slowly, I worked myself out of it and am still progressing. That doesn't mean that my grades have necessarily seen the best improvements and I'm still working to get them back to normalcy. So, right now, I'm looking at some low B's and A's. Eh, that's pretty bad for me. My GPA is still a 3.8, so that's really good compared to other students but not that good for me. I do really need to keep working but I just can't seem to motivate myself. With Florida only like thirty some days away, the anticipation is EATING ME ALIVE! I'm going crazy thinking I only have a short amount of time before the best time of my life, and it's really hard to focus! But, my AP Exams are coming really quickly too. I have my first one next Friday for AP U.S. History, one that I'm not necessarily too worried about because I've been reading a review book, along with taking practice exams online and in this review book. Plus, we're doing a review project for everyone to learn what they need to about a certain era. We've had a couple hard tests in there, which is mygrade is like a B, but by the end of the term I guarantee an A, because he said we're going to have lots of extra credit and easy projects. In AP Lang, I failed some in class essays and multiple choice shit so I had a D, but got it raised to a B with blog checks. Still think I could get at least a B plus for the term, but right now I'm rockin that 86 percent. In Spanish, well that's just stupid because our teacher gives us tests over the hardest and most randomest stuff that she never really has taught us. She has literally turned my love for Spanish off, and now I'm not even sure if I wanna take it next year, I mean really what's the point? Anyways, I've failed some tests in there so I have a B in there, which I'm hoping to raise to an A by the end of the year. Chemistry I'm doing just fine in, got that rockin 95 percent and not worried at all. In AP Psychology, I have a B plus because I'm getting points off like each week for daily grades although I have no idea why cus I always participate in class and stuff. Whatever. And in Algebra 2, well I just straight up don't understand half the stuff we've learned and are currently learning and I really have been trying to come in for extra help, but it's gonna be hard for me to whip out that A by the end of the year. So you know my grades are okay for now because it's just midterm, but I really have to do some work to get them up by the end of the year.

Want to visit my grades? Well here's the website:

www.powerschool.org

Psycho Library Lady

So, I'm sitting here waiting to give my speech for Class of 2011 Vice President. I'm in the library at our school, and am minding my own, sitting, being quiet, and now doing something productive. My cell phone was sitting on the table while I was chilling on the computer, deleting my junk e-mails and reading the funny ones forwarded from my little sisters. I wasn't making noise, said hello to a couple people I knew in the room, but all in all I've been keeping to myself. Anyways, this bit** library lady walks up to me and tells me to put my cell phone away. At first I thought it was a joke, so I kind of laughed it off since I didn't really know this teacher, but then she told me I would have to leave and couldn't tape my speech if I didn't put my cell phone away. For one, it's after school so it really shouldn't matter. If I didn't have to wait to tape my speech, I would be on my way home or something of the nature in an area where I could use my cell phone. For two, it's not like I'm staying here to do work. I explained to her when I entered here that I had to wait to do my speech, meaning I was staying here solely for that purpose. I sat down at a computer because it seems like the only thing to do in this boring place, and I logged on and began checking e-mails and grades. So, after I had put my cell phone away she decides to yell at me for working on something not school related. Seriously? Get real here lady. First off, it's after school therefore I don't have to do what you say just because I'm using something of the schools and there's no reason why you shouldn't let people do what they want to on the computers. For some less fortunate people, this may be the only computer access available to them and they probably don't want to spend it doing pointless classwork. So lighten up. Second off, if I don't have any other homework what on earth do you expect me to do in this boring place? You act as if I actually want to go pick out a book and begin reading, besides I'd rather not pay a late fee or something ridic such as that for only attempting to waste my time for twenty minutes before I go. You may be thinking I'm overexaggerating a bit, or that perhaps the lady isn't as mean as she sounds, but I'm definitely not the only one she's yelled at. She walked over to a kid whom she knew by name and told him he neeeded to stop watching Youtube videos, he told her he was listening to music and she said that's fine but you don't need to be watching the music video either and if you don't start being productive, I'll make you leave. HA. Then, a kid takes out his phone and stands up, as if he's ready to walk out, and she says you have to walk out of here and not come back if you're going to use your phone. No phones allowed. He told her he was a freshman (okay, yeah he lied) and that he was waiting for his mom to call to let him know that she was there. She said that that was just too bad. Wow really? It's funny how the schools supposedly want to participate in the "No child left behind" program, allowing kids access to computers, well guess what lady? Let kids be kids and do what they want on the computer. I honestly think this lady is just hard because she doesn't have an actual teaching position and instead she has the pathetic position of head librarian. Well she's not going to be the boss of me I'll tell you that much. I'm opening up some Youtube and texting away!

Spring Cold

So we've all heard of the usual wintery cold that plagues nearly half of America each winter season comes about, but not many have heard of a spring cold. Well guess what? It's here and it's attacking. At least me. I'm currently coughing all the time, my throat is so sore and swollen, and my nose is stuffed. Pretty typical of a cold right? Yes, right only a couple kids think I have allergies. Got me thinking: allergies are usually a seasonal thing right? Right. Well, this cold came about when Spring came about. Allergies cause irritation to eyes right? Right. Well, my eyes have been a little puffy and red, and a bit sensitive EVER since i got this cold. Allergies also happen when pollen count is high right? Well, guess what? The pollen count in Cedar Rapids is raising the roofs currently. So, maybe, just maybe, even though I've never had them before I just might have allergies. It's a scary thought for me simply because I'm kind of a worry wart when it comes to health. If I have allergies, that probably also means that the symptoms will return. While I obviously know I will have a cold again, I don't want to have it each and every time a new season rolls around. Thinking I should go to the doctor right? Wrong. My parents are a bit cheap and money is tight and I just don't think a doctors appointment right now is what is needed in the budget. So, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I've been drugged up on cough drops, been taking ibuprofen, drinking lots of fluid, espescially with Vitamin-c (like orange juice and vitamin water), and been careful not to expose myself to any cold weather. But nothing's changed. It's been about two weeks now and I'm beginning to get worried. If I truly have allergies, I need to be on some medication. But what kind? I'm not the best at taking huge pills nor am I good at slurping down nasty cough tasting cherry medicine. So, I'm stuck world. Can anyone diagnose me? Tell me what I need to do? I don't know, but I wish that I could feel better. And, prom is just a weekend away. I don't wanna look sick for pictures nor do I wanna sound like this nasaly mess when talking to people at prom. So clear me up! I'm doing what I can mother nature, now you do what you can! Please and thank you :)

--Kiona

P.S. The picture above is a nasty cold. Not half as bad as mine, but see what I could amount to?!

New Opportunity

Today, I have an interview at a clothing store at the local mall. I'm super excited because I frequently shop this place anyways and to get a job there, would just be very ideal for me. In preparation, I've picked out the cutest dress I've ever seen that, coincidentally, I got from Vanity to wear with cute shoes I also, coincidentally, got from there. I've prepared mental answers to the questions I assume they're going to ask and I've allowed myself to remember everything I have done in case they ask about qualifications. Everything seems so right with getting this job, except for the miniscule detail, that I already HAVE a job.

Okay, so yeah I'm only seventeen years old, a junior in high shcool, and not alot of spare time, but that doesn't mean that I can't have two jobs. I know many of you out there are thinking I'm pretty crazy and trust me last Summer I would've said the same thing. But here are the things I've considered to open up my mind to having two jobs. For one, I'll be going off to college in one short year. Planning on going to University of Iowa, where it's approximately 20,000 a year. That's kind of a lot coming from a family of four children, the other three being in elementary and high school too. It's going to be a financial burden on my parents as is, so why not help them out a bit? I figure if I can retain the two jobs, I could save up up to 5,000 dollars. Second off, it's only for the summer. While I'll never forget the significance of my first job at the beloved OfficeMax, it won't matter to me anymore because at the end of the summer, I plan on getting rid of it that is if I get the job at Vanity. Because I not only will like the job more at Vanity, but it will be more beneficial to me because I'll be needing new clothes and what not and I can just get them there. So basically, I'm pretty stoked and I kinda have to go get ready for it so I guess I will let you know how it goes! My interview is at 3:30! WISH ME LUCK :)

here's the clothing store website:

www.vanity.com

Hoping I get some prettty sweeeet discounts!

Drunken Feet

This morning, I woke up to my father shaking me, telling me to get up and get ready to go. I rolled over to look at the clock and see that it was only 6:15, and yet I was waking up even though I wasn't going to school. I got up and out of bed, dazily brushed my teeth and combed my hair, threw on my comfortable clothes and headed for the car. It was 7:00 when we were officially on the road. This is only after my father and I stopped at IHOP for breakfast. One of my favorite parts of going on trips with him is that he never fails to do something fun for food and we always end up at a good place with good food and good conversation. But on the road, I attempted to finish all the homework I let slide last night in an attempt to get my mind off the inevitable: the whole reason we were on this trip. After two years, we arrived. The exit sign had the blue H on top, it made me shiver. We pulled in to the parking lot and began walking in. It look so sickly and bad, and I immediately had an upset stomach. We walk in, up to the second floor, and approach her. She's sitting there, almost in tears, looking worn out and fatigued. This was my grandmother and we were at the hospital for a cancer appointment she had. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer last year, it was a devestation to the entire family so it was more than bliss when she was in remission only five short months ago. But I guess, as the saying goes, happy times don't last forever. Sure enough, after we had assumed that all the bad stuff was out of her system, even more was there for the next appointment. This time, it was in her legs, her shins, and her tailbone. She was heartbroken as I'm sure you could imagine and so was the entire family. Today, she had a doctor's check up to see what the next steps were. Lately, she's been doing some chemotherapy, only not as much, because her body is becoming too weak for it. Before we got there, she had gotten some bloodwork done and when we arrived we went into the doctor's office and sat down to hear the results. In this small little room, with a bed much like a doctor's facility, was my father, me, my grandfather, and my grandmother. We all sat down as the doctor did some procedural stuff, checking her pulse and what not, and then it was time for the news. The doctor, Dr. Merchant, told us that the platelets in her body were low, meaning her immune system was very weak and it was possible that if she caught something she could be done for good. This was upsetting news for all of us but that wasn't even the worst of it. He asked her what her symptoms were prior to the results, and she had told him she was having much pain in her legs, had lots of hot and cold flashes with over 102 temperatures, and numbness in her feet. She said she felt like she was drunk and that it was an effort to get up and put one foot in front of the other. The doctor told us later that these symptoms were signs of the cancer he had expected all along only this cancer spread to her brain and even the strongest chemo could not help her. This is when he began to tell us that it was better to simply consider the quality of life, not the quantity. He told her that the cancer was advancing quickly and that her body was too weak for more chemotherapy. They could still do it, but he didn't know how much it would do for her. He told her that she should enjoy the days because eventually, there weren't going to be many left. And just like that, he left the room. It was heartbreak. There was silence in the room and everybody looked like there had been a large electric shock. We all began tearful, we hugged my grandmother, this woman once so full of life and now so little left to her. It was a sad experience, one that I will never forgot. My grandfather is probably the worst. He is so discombobulated, I don't know what he's going to do. I'm praying for both of them. Today, was a sad sad day for the Rolfes family. Please Grandma Edie in your prayers...


For more information on cancer, visit:

www.cancersucks.org

Justin Bieber

Yes, we all know this young superstar currently sweeping the nation and many girls off their feet with his super awesome love songs and rocking music videos that portray his beautifulness. okay, he may only be 13 but he's quite attractive for his age and his voice is so cute and little. Yeah it's probably true that he hasn't hit puberty quite yet, but who cares? with a voice like his, I'd date him in a heartbeat. anyways, me and Kylee are sitting here listening to his songs like "Never Let you go", "Baby", and "One Time". He makes our hearts melt. He sings to girls in his music videos. I want to be one of those girls. And then that also got us to thinking that our love lifes suck because they're non-existent. So we've decided that Justin Bieber is our new boyfriend and we want a guy just like him. There's this boy that I know by the name of Brady Randy who seriously looks like a mixture of Justin Bieber and Ryan Scheckler and he's probably one of the cutest boys I've ever met in my entire life. And currently we're in the "talking stage" as teens like to refer to it as. Anyways, I'm getting really off topic because my main topic in this blog was to talk about Justin Bieber and how he is my love. Sometimes I wonder if he writes his own songs, I hope he does. Second off, I wonder if he really experiences the things that his song portrayals. In some of his music videos, he's singing to girls and crying that they're gone or happy that they're there. Is it possible for someone his age to have already gone through a number of relationships equivalent to me? Yeah probably. I wonder if he actually has a girlfriend. It'd be nice to know if I ever have a chance with him, besides that being a little pedafileish of me. There's this new contest where you can win a private, backstage concert with him. He could honestly melt my heart away if he sang to me. Is that my type? Do I like the rockstar looking guys? It's pretty possible. If some guy sang to me, playing his guitar, like any other girl I'd freak about but the music type person is really not for me. But that's okay, I'll make some exceptions for Mr. Bieber. So Justin if you're out there and reading this, pick me for the concert, I promise I won't dissapoint!

P.S.-I guess there was an internet rumor that he died?!?!?!?!?!?!!? Don't worry folks, it was all a fake just because he hasn't been on his twitter in 14 hours?! Let the kid rest guys. It's seriously 14 hours. haha.

My Frustrations

Several things currently upsetting me.....


1) So we've been using this program called Google Docs for our class essays this term. It's a relatively new and easy program to use and thus far, I've been pretty happy about it. Until I attempted editing one of my class mates essays and found it impossible to keep the same font color. This means that everytime I want to make a comment I have to go up and click different font color and if I think about what I want to say too long, it goes back to being the same black color. It's frustrating, time consuming, and it really pisses me off. It probably adds an extra like 20 minutes to the editing process. Yeah, gay. But I guess now you can insert comments, so hopefully, fingers crossed, things will be lots easier for me.

2) Shady ass friends. It's impossible to believe my supposed "best friend" talks probably every rumor I hear about myself. I don't even know what to say or do or confront her or what. She denies it. She acts like nothing is wrong and really, lots of things are wrong with it. I can't trust her, first off, and second off she's just been a b***h to everyone. Whatever, so over it.

3) My job sucks monkey butt. I work like 20 hours a week, yeah gay I know but I've been attempting to save up for my trip to Florida in June. On Monday I worked and didn't feel good, puked at work, and my gay manager still wouldn't let me go home. I swear I could be dying there and they'd still make me work. Plus, they yell at me when I do my hw there or read but it's so boring and there's never anything for me to do so I'm not sure what they expect me to do. Plus, they keep telling me to read up on our rewards program and get it figured out so I can tell people more about it. Okay, you go to www.officemax.com and see if you can figure it out, it's frickin impossible.

4) I had to pay for my own prom dress. Okay, yeah it was only 27 dollars but when times are tough, hours being cut at work, and me trying to save every penny for Florida, I really shouldn't have to pay for a dress. Especially when it was only 27 dollars. So, I've decided I'm getting really nice shoes for it. That should make up for me paying for it.

5) My grade in AP Lang is a D and is bringing my grade point average down to about a 3.5. Not acceptable for a 4.1 student. So Ayers, I would really suggest doing something that could give our grades a boost. I know it may be a bit too much ask but if you could give us some participation points, anything, that'd be great! Thanks!

6)So friday, I had to stay home all night because I had the ACT in the morning so I didn't get to do anything with my friends at all. Then, Saturday I worked til 8 and got to go out for like 3 hours tops and it was a gay night. And now I guess I have to babysit Saturday night, when I work Friday night also. So FML.

7) My boys basketball squad for cheerleading is a joke. We have three flyers and three bases. how do they expect us to make that work? There's three of us always doing the work, three always going up in the air, it's gonna suck so I'm looking for a change there and also a change in the coaches cause I hate them.

8) I just realized I'm out of lunch money. It's bow tie pasta today. That's my favorite. Dangit, I can't eat. I'm gonna mooch off someone.