How We Gonna Pay?

I am a very optimistic person at times. I always try and look on the bright side of any situation. But I've got to admit that things really suck right now.
My school district is having big money issues. Really, really big money issues. And so that means so many positions must be cut at each school. My school got a new principle a week before the last semester ended (long story, don't ask) so the way teachers at my school are being laid off is based off seniority. Some of the best teachers at the school won't be coming back next year, and it's a bit of an understatement to say I'm pissed off about it.
All of the students agree that all the wrong people are being fired. The thing is, though, some people have to lose their jobs, that's the only way our district can handle its deficit. But all the wrong decisions are being made. Our school won't have a Latin program next year, which is making a lot of people angry, yet I haven't heard about any cuts being made to sports budgets. We're also adding a sculpting elective, which won't be cheap. Teachers that students like and do a great job are out of work. It's a really crappy situation.
Today's been long and stressful and I'm still really sleep deprived. Yeah, I need the weekend now.
Callie
*Edit: Kenz just reminded me they cut swimming. Not exactly what I meant, completely cutting a sport from the district just sucks.
**Edit again: They didn't cut swimming. They had talked about doing so at one time. This is why rumors are bad things.

Addictions

As has been previously noted, I've got two major addictions. The first, as has been made quite obvious, is to Doctor Who. The second, which I've mentioned on here but is more clear to those who know me personally, is the musical Rent. And yes, Kenz, I admit I'm obsessed to both of the above, that should make you happy.
But I have a friend who said that there's always a reason behind every addiction relating to our secret, or not so secret, wishes and desires. I completely agree, and have been applying this to my own obsessions.
My addiction to Doctor Who is easy for me to explain. I love the thought of time travel so much. I love the thought of this incredible, impossible man coming and offering me the entire universe. Being able to see everything the ever was and ever will be. The endless possibilities and the excitement of something new to see everyday. To me, that's amazing.
The addiction to Rent was harder for me to explain. I don't know anybody with AIDS, I haven't lost anybody, I've always been pretty well off though not exactly rich. Sure I loved the characters and the music and the whole celebration of life that is the story of Rent, but for the life of me I just couldn't figure out why it had so much of an impact on me.
But I finally figured it out. I love the appeal of la vie Boheme. I love how much the people in Rent are able to enjoy life. I want to be able to dedicate myself to my writing the way Mark dedicates himself to his films or Roger to his songs. My mom calls me her little hippie, I call it my Bohemian side, but Rent just made me realize how much I love and want to give in to that sort of free spirit in me that says "screw it." The non-rational side of my brain telling me to find some simple job with flexible hours so that I have time and energy to write. I never wanted to write to be rich and famous anyways, so Bohemian seems to work for me in a way.
So there you have it. A love of time travel and the arts, especially literature. Those two qualities about me tell you why I'm so very much in love with Rent and Doctor Who. Okay, so the amazing David Tennant might have something to do with the second one, but hey, can you blame me?
Callie

The Life Of A High Schooler

There are a few things I wanted to put out there if anybody's interested just because I do like to try and keep this blog updated.

First off all: Snow is amazing when you get just a light layer of it. All of you northerners (if I have any northerners reading this) will probably start to tell me how terrible snow is and how it's such a pain. I'm from the south. I rarely see snow. And this was less than an inch that melted away before the day was over. So where you are, yes, snow probably is a pain, but let me enjoy what little snow I get here. It got me a day off school.

That brings me to a second thing. It's lucky I don't like to do history homework. I really didn't want to work on research for a debate for my history class, so I did my math homework instead. I thought I wouldn't have math until tomorrow because my school has block scheduling. Turns out, because of the snow day, we just skipped the classes we would have had on Friday. So not only did I not have to go to history class, I actually had my math homework ready.

Don't get me wrong, I love history, and it's very interesting to me. But I like learning about history my way, on my time. There's yet to be a history class I've actually enjoyed. I don't like essays and I can't memorize dates and names for the most part. I like to just pick up those kinds of things.

Thirdly, I don't get why people complain about poetry. We're starting a unit on romanticism in English, and the poems are really easy to read if English class isn't your thing and really incredible and beautiful if it is. I like the romanticism era, it's very...bohemian. I think there are some great poems and works of art from that time.

Alright, I've wasted enough time. I've got poems to read and ancient civilizations to learn about.

Callie

Uncertainty

I'm only a sophomore in high school yet it seems like at least 99% of my friends know what they do with their lives. My sister knows where she wants to go to college and what she wants to do for a living. I have a friend who knows she wants to go to college in Japan and be a mangaka (draw manga). Almost everybody around me has some idea of what they want. I don't.

Okay, like I said, I'm only a sophomore, I've got time. I shouldn't know what I want with my life. But my problem is I don't even know what I'm interested in. Psychology sort of interests me, I like figuring out "why" and people are interesting. But I don't know what I'd do with a degree in psychology. Profiling might be cool, but I don't know if I'd want a crazy job like that. As for therapist...I don't know, just doesn't appeal to me. None of my other hobbies or things I like to do are helpful in figuring out what to do with myself.

My first choice is to be a writer. I'd get to spend my days how I want, work from home, sleep in as late as I want and read and write all day. I work best when I get to chose what I do when. Being a full-time writer would be heaven to me, but it won't pay the bills until I get my stuff out there...and actually finish a book.

I don't want to end up doing something I hate because I never figure out what I want to do with my life. I know I shouldn't worry, but not knowing where you're going to be in 5 or 10 years is kind of unsettling when it seems like everyone around you has a pretty good idea. I'll figure out what I want eventually. Thank goodness I've still got another two years before I have to choose a college.

Callie