Teenager

Final Exams. The words make my stomach cramp suddenly and my head start to reel. I really hate tests. I know the material, study before the exam and go in confident, but I am just not good at taking tests. I forget what I thought I knew, I panic, stress, and don't do as well as I thought I would. This week is the final exam week, and it is making me very stressed. On Monday, I had my German final, which I had been studying for all weekend. I hope I did good on the test, but with me there is really no telling what will happen. Whenever I think I did ok I did not, and when I am sure that I failed, my grade is great. I have my math final tomorrow, so today I am studying frantically.

I don't know why I have such a phobia of taking tests. I really shouldn't, especially this year. My grade is not being submitted anywhere, I am on my own to be wonderful at what I do. I think it is because I am a perfectionist in most things I do, and that translates badly to exams and graded tests. I want to be perfect, and then I worry that I will not be, and it is nerve wracking. I do think it can be a good quality, and I know that my independence and tendency to get down on myself about work is what is making this year such a success.  I have tried my best to be calm this week, and I think I am in a good place regarding the test tomorrow.

On a more positive note, I have vacation next week! In fact, after my exam early tomorrow morning, I will be off! I am really excited, because although the winter has been really fun, it has also been very hard on me, and I am always busy. I cannot wait for some down time, and a lot of books to read! Of course, there are things I still need to do over vacation, and it we will not be going anywhere because my brothers are still in school, but I am still elated to be able to rest and sleep and read.

Tomorrow night is another incredible opportunity for me...Stephen Greenblatt, author of Will in the World, an inspiring and inspired biography of Shakespeare's life, will be speaking at the bookstore in our town. To see him and hear him speak will be incredible, and I have been excited for a long time for him to come! I am going with a friend who is just as excited, and I am literally counting the hours. STEPHEN GREENBLATT!!!!! IN MY TOWN! I promise I will write about it after tomorrow, when I have the time, energy, and the stories from his talk.


Well, another look into my hectic life, full of ups and downs. I am such a teenager.

Claire

STRESS

Well, my life has been going wonderfully for a while now, and I am having the time of my life. A little worried about the week ahead of me, but I am trying to live in the moment and get as much done as possible while I am still sane. Next week is final exam week, and I have a math and German exam. A lot of my grades depend on these tests, so I have already started studying.

Had a wonderful German class today, with songs and German cookies. In math, we are preparing for our final exam, doing review problems together and practicing proofs. I know that I have lots of material to study and go over again before next week, so I have begun doing practice problems and making Chapter review sheets. I just hope I will be ready for the exams.

On Monday, I went to the Historical Society and did research for two more objects. I am having a wonderful time volunteering there, and I love the process of researching and digging up information on the fun objects I research like stuffed animals and beautiful playing cards.

This morning I met with my dad about King Henry IV, and we talked about the interesting relationship between King Henry and Prince Harry.

We are having a big snowstorm today, which is crazy because we have had no snow this winter. I guess it just came a little late this year, but it is really coming down. We having about four inches, and it just keeps going. Really beautiful.

Well, that is it for now I think, and I will check back in later or after finals.

Claire

Things

Sorry to all of my fan base for not writing in a while, although I don't think many people read my posts at this time, so I guess it is more like a personal fail that I have not had time or energy to write in a while. My life is a series of hurdles to jump and German vocabulary to write and learn. Tests, ideas, projects, housekeeping things, babysitting, singing, spending time outside, photography, writing, blogging, and just everything is pressing down on me. I wish the weather were warmer, because that might make everything more bearable and give me more energy for everything I want to be doing.

The winter term has gone by very fast, and it is already the second to last week before vacation. I have my math and German finals next week, and have already started studying. Tomorrow is a math test, yet I get to watch a movie in German, so I have a little bit of a break before the finals. I am reading Henry IV part one with my dad, and we are having so much fun with it. The changes in Prince Hal are so tangible and the characters are so rich.

My photographs are slowly getting better, and I still have so much fun every time I pick up my camera. My poetry writing is the same as always, and my room is staying relatively clean at this point.

I did not get to go to the Historical Society this week, because it was closed for the holiday. I am hoping to get the article from last week up anyway.


Well, that is about for now...

Claire

Ramblings

Well, another week gone, and winter seems to be never-ending at this time of the year. Luckily it is not snowy, and the temperatures are getting better, but it is still rather cool for my liking, and can serve to bring people's spirits down.

Last week was a really busy one (well, when do I say anything else?) and I had a math and a German test.  I am eager to get them back tomorrow and see if the hard work I have been putting into it is paying off. Today is a day off, and I spent the morning watching Downton Abbey and writing a letter to my pen pal in Germany. As far as the letter goes, I am very proud of it, as it is the first I have written completely in German. My language skills are getting better every day.

Last week my dad and I started Henry IV, which is great so far. Over the weekend, I started a brilliant biography of John Lennon, one of my absolute favorite artists. Today I am going to the Historical Society to continue my research, and tomorrow is Valentine's Day (hopefully more on that later).

Well, that is all the news I can crank out at the moment, but possibly more this afternoon.

Cheers,
Claire

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. DICKENS!

Today is the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, one of the greatest authors I have read. Here's to a prolific writer and a weaver of stories so complex and moving that they always take you by surprise.
Thank you Mr. Dickens for giving us your stories, as they are much appreciated.



"A loving heart is the truest wisdom."
Charles Dickens


Claire

Art

Here is my latest piece of artwork-a zentangle with a mathematical theme. It is a rather abstract pi symbol with my zen doodling inside. Hope you enjoy!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Today is Groundhog Day, and guess what folks? Poor old Phil saw his shadow, so it looks like we will have another six weeks of winter. Frankly, I strongly dislike this holiday, and put no trust into Groundhog weather patterns. I watched a video of Phil coming out, and the poor guy was terrified. I cannot believe what is being done to him is natural, and how can it be correct if he is surrounded by thousands of people, lights aimed at him, cameras flashing, and 'handlers' holding him up for the screaming crowd to see? No wonder he wanted to get back into his hole. Wouldn't you be terrified? I think it is a stupid holiday which celebrates man's unique ability to get into everyone else's business and mess it up, even groundhogs. Would you just let Phil come out of his hole when he wants to, and let him do whatever he wants to? It was a CLOUDY day where Phil was, so how could he have seen his shadow? Obviously it was the people he was reacting too, not his instincts about winter...And did anyone see his giant, plastic 'hole'? Hideous.

Go back to sleep, Phil, and next year don't even make an appearance. You deserve to sleep.

Claire