I don't have to stay after school till 6 anymore!

Musical weekend has come and gone and it went off with a great hit! All worth the depriving of my sleep schedule. Opening night: Awesome. Friday night: Slight mishaps but great. Matinee: Awesome. Closing night: Ended on a high note. Long story short, a great weekend for the drama department. Both Friday and Saturday nights, the cast and crew went to Denny's afterwards and enjoy food with friends. In between the matinee and closing night, a lot of people stayed in the PAC to play games; mostly Body, Body and Hide and Seek. Yes, I said that right. Hide and Seek in a Performing Arts Center. It is the most fun I've had all year in drama was finding a place to hide in the entire building.

After closing night, it wasn't that all fun when everyone had to stay after to (not kidding here) strike the entire set. Whether it was moving furniture to be taken to its proper home or disassembling the platforms, ALL OF IT had to be taken apart before anyone could go to Denny's. This is what happens when you don't come to help take apart a set; the drama teacher will force you to stay after the next performance to take it all apart. Taking apart everything took two hours to do so no one was able to go to Denny's until 11 at night, and thank God Denny's is open 24/7 for those with midnight cravings. Didn't go home till 1 in the morning and for whatever reason I stayed up till 2 watching Youtube videos. I need to get out of the habit of staying up late nights for no reason...

Lazy Sunday today other than procrastinating on homework which is really easy. Now that I don't have to stay after school for long hours anymore, I have more leisure time to do stuff: finishing the Hunger Games trilogy, eventually see the Hunger Games movie, write, come up with story ideas, and drawing.

C'mon opening night~

God been working such long hours after school and over the weekend. Feel exhausted. It's basically hell week for the drama club as the set is close to finished, the dances are being finalized and we have a week and four days till the opening night of The Boyfriend. God nothing can express my pure joy and happiness when I don't have to stay after for two and a half hours building and painting. Here's the title song for those who have no clue about the musical.

Fun fact of the day: This was the first musical that Julie Andrews performed in playing the role of Polly Browne. And this musical is just adorable beyond belief. I heard the film adaptation wasn't that great but if you're part of the drama department and have no clue what to put on for a musical, I recommend this one! It's just so amazing!

I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that this week I accomplish in recruiting people for backstage crew since we need to change the set entirely in between the three acts. I've stopped trusting the sign up sheets with the drama kids on them cause I know that after my little rage fest with the set building, I'm not trusting these backstage kids will show up either. So I'm recruiting myself. Maybe I can get some of my friends to do something on their weekends.

Here's another song from the musical called Won't You Charleston With Me?

And just cause I'm crazy, this is an optional song for the musical called Nicer in Nice.

This is the solo song my sister has as she is the French maid, Hortense. It's gonna be awesome!!

Let's see....plans for this week.

Oh yeah we have our high school exit exams or CAHSEEs which will be a no brainer seeing as how it's basic algebra and English. Problem is I'm probably gonna get bored out of my mind since the likely chance says I will be done like an hour or two early and my teachers will avoid assigning homework since we also have a block schedule too... God I so don't want to spend two hours in just one class... Whatever.. Hopefully my Spanish teacher will get some sense this week and change the due date of our project where we have to research Mexican culture. I did mine on the Olmecs.

And now I will do research for my story idea! Ta ta!

Chim Chiminy Chim Chiminy Chim Chim Cheree

So I was watching Mary Poppins yesterday and this came to me as I was watching the Step in Time dance scene. What if it was done as a flash mob?! I looked up on Youtube and the only Mary Poppins flash mob I've seen was in Germany or something to the Broadway version of Supercalifragilisticexpialidoscious. But here's the full scene if no one has memory of the Step in Time scene.



Now would that be a cool flash mob or what?! You'd just need the perfect time and place to do it since quite a number of people would be needed to dance to this particular song. But it'd be amazing and fun!

Anyway my vacation is drawing to a close and it's mostly just been pure laziness. I still have Algebra 2 homework to do which is super easy anyway and I finished my Spanish stuff.

My mom's birthday party was yesterday and I still find it hard to believe that she is turning 41 on Tuesday. We had friends over and we gorged ourselves with cake and tacos. And boy that was some good cake! I will be enjoying the sweetness of that cake tonight.

And today we had a rehearsal though everyone went to the band room because some people were still working with lights. That didn't keep me from helping with set building... sorta. I was left for an hour and half with no help because the two guys I'm working with forgot and slept in. Luckily I spent that time painting a palm tree since I can't do much else. Add on to that, we're running out of plywood and some of the paint we have is as old as time itself and we can't use it. It doesn't help that we're falling behind because there are only 19 rehearsal days left, barely anyone else shows up and the two guys I do work with mess around which is slowly decreasing my patience with them... Hopefully the people I call tonight will actually show up to help us, or maybe this week the guys I'm working with will pick up the slack and stop goofing off. Ugh, I can dream can't I?

Well that's all for now folks. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a good week.

XOXO,

Liz

I'm sorry I've been reduced to a couch potato

Finally, the one week vacation I've been anxious for has finally arrived. I've been wanting this vacation for a loooong time and now it's finally come. It's only Sunday and it's already been a good vacation... I know it's probably gonna get sucky when I gotta do some homework which honestly is super easy.

Saturday was a rehearsal day so I went to help the guys to build the set which we need three different sets for the three acts of The Boyfriend. Had to leave for an hour for a dentist appointment for a quick cleaning and came back.

Our set's looking good so far with the progress we got and I hope we keep that up until the musical opens next month. Hopefully we'll still have people come in to help because the past week was NO fun without help.

I was stuck one day without help until 4:30 and even when someone came we had nothing to do because for the most part, we need the table saw to work with and only one guy knows how to use it and he was stuck doing an English project without telling anyone else. On top of which, people who signed up for set building AREN'T showing up, but it's part of their grade with them being a part of the drama class. So jokes on them. We had some guys show up on Thursday but they're only able to work with us on Thursdays... We also have a sign up sheet where people put their names AND numbers on them, so I texted them to show up and only ONE guy responded and he said "Nope". Think I'm happy cause of that? Of course not. Maybe I'll try calling them when we get back if we're not getting anything done...

But I digress.

After rehearsal, Marina did a bit of shopping at TJ Maxx and we went to a Chinese place in Gilroy for dinner which was amazing! I ordered Vermicelli Duck Curry Soup and it was spicy heaven! I've never had duck before and it was really delicious. After dinner, we went to Barnes and Noble where I purchased The Hunger Games! Everyone's been saying that it's good so I thought I'd check it out especially with the movie coming out next month and obviously the book is always better than the movie.

Hey is it weird that I want to check out Twilight and just read it to see what's so great about it? I'm just curious...

Anyway, today I did absolutely nothing but sit on the couch like the vegetable I am.

As for plans for the rest of my vacation, I'll be seeing The Secret World of Arrietty with friends as a group thing for Anime and Manga club. And... that's pretty much it.

XOXO,

Liz

Thank God It's Over!

So the week has come and gone again, and now it's finally Thanksgiving break!!

The week went by so slowly. Extra crazy this week which included a lot of homework... Finished Caesar in English, took two tests on Friday, anything you'd expect off of a stressful week... On top of which Tara Romero's funeral was on Monday so you can imagine how silent it was in the morning. It's really sad cause I heard the church was filled with a lot of people. Even people who never really knew Tara. I got mad when I heard my friend commenting how stupid it was to go to someone's funeral if they don't know them. One, the service was open to any and everyone. Two, it doesn't matter if most of those people didn't know her. It doesn't change that she died in a brutal way and it scares everyone. What's really terrible about Tara dying is that no one really knows how gang violence can leave a huge impact on people until it actually happens. I mean if Tara was just injured then it would've been nothing, but she was killed and it changes everything.

Anyway, should get off the sad stuff...

I stayed at school until Wednesday until eight with the last dress rehearsals for Rumors. Doesn't help the fact I had a lot of homework each night and I was half dead doing most of it.. It was so worth it when opening night came on Thursday.

It wasn't really that full of a full house due to it being a school night but quite a crowd of people came. It was really great to see the actors in action after weeks of practice with a complete set. They really brought down the house and broke some legs! Ms. Brown got her Modigliani wine glass that she wanted (Though she doesn't drink wine but sparkling juice and stuff to feel fancy). Friday night went just as great and we all went to Denny's afterwards.

Saturday.... The matinee wasn't the strongest show cause it was a lot earlier, some forgot their cues, lights weren't working at the beginning of the second act and on top of which my sister was high off of Benadryl and Excedrin because she was having an allergic reaction to the make up and Benadryl's supposed to make you pass out and it was all we had. So to keep her awake she got caffeine in her system from the Excedrin and a Monster energy drink.... Not the best combination in the world because she was just shaking and feeling really crappy. Luckily by the end of the matinee she was feeling so much better. In between the end of the matinee and the beginning of the last show we played a lot of improv games including a new one called Objection. Objection was a really entertaining one to do.

The last show ended brilliantly with broken legs and all (Metaphorically speaking). Best night ever! Well... Guess it would've gone better if the kids at the concession and working in the house were doing their jobs. Apparently two of them were making out during the second act and someone (that wasn't the manager) had to break them up. This makes me mad that I hear the house kids not doing anything and the manager isn't doing his job to keep them occupied. So a likely chance says some of those kids ate some concessions without paying. So keeping my fingers crossed we get this situation handled and it doesn't happen again for the musical.

Oh and we've already started discussing (sort of) of what musical to do in the spring over Facebook. It's really hetic with everyone having different ideas and tastes. It all really focuses on something relatively well known, the ability to do it (talent, resources and budget), hasn't been done recently, and something EVERYONE will agree on.

So far the only plays we have a focus on are The Boy Friend and Once Upon a Mattress... Neither of which are actually really known that well. Everyone's throwing down other ideas that would be really great to do like Beauty and the Beast and other popular plays that'd be fun to do. Ugh... Which we would be able to come to some sort of conclusion and soon.

Anyone have suggestions for plays? Any at all? Feel free to comment.

XOXO,

Liz

Argh...

Ugh... Hate slow weeks.. It's cause we have a three day weekend this week isn't it?

Monday was the worse day of the week due to everyone remembering the shootings on Friday night (and still are). It was a Facebook event to wear black in memory of Tara Romero. It started off super terrible cause a fourth of my dance class had to sit outside because they wouldn't stop crying. I can't say I blame them cause I was close to tears too. These people knew her. Sweet, sweet Tara. Gone. But y'know you pick up the pieces and move on... some people more slower than others. That's what sucks about death is that it gets in the way with our daily lives. There's no time for emotion or it just ruins other plans. Stupid modern life... But whatever. Sometimes you just got to deal with it and live life how it's given to you. By the end of the day, most everyone's tears dried and we just went on with life.

Tuesday: Anime club day. We finally finished our game of Jeopardy and watched some anime clips online. Another stress filled day with school work and more school work.

Wednesday: Same but with GSA today. We made bracelets and T-shirts special for the club with fun paints and glitter. In Advisory we talked about whose responsibility it is to help students succeed and what not which I kinda found really stupid since I feel like we should have talked about how not to be affiliated with gang violence seeing as how one of the students was shot on Friday. But whatever... I think it should be common knowledge to never get involved in that stuff.

In fact, I'm watching the news right now and earlier they were talking about the shootings and raising awareness for gang violence. As it turns out, the suspected gang members were out looking for rival gang members and just opened fire on a bunch of teenagers. This just makes me more upset and angry at the people who took Tara's life and put two others in the hospital, fighting for their lives. I mean what gets people into that crap? What are they trying to fricking prove?! That the human race has no intelligence?! Well congratulations any and all gang members rotting in prison. Hope you are proud of yourself! All that getting involved in a gang gets a person in life is behind bars and hate. I don't care what stupid reason one has for joining a gang, it doesn't exactly end well for anyone. You wind up fighting other gangs over stupid differences and end up getting yourself killed or getting innocent people killed. Are you that stupid to not see that? Open your eyes before you hurt yourself. You're not cool or whatever for acting like a jerk and hurting innocent people, because it just makes you stupid. No one has a real reason for being a part of that crap, so just don't.

I just needed to get that little rant out of me.

Anyway...

Also drama's been doing a lot of set building and rehearsing and what not. We open up the play next Thursday which is pretty exciting. Been helping building the set and it just looks awesome. So anxious for opening night. And tomorrow we have a Chile's fundraiser night to help get the club some more money.

And this Friday is no school for Veteran's Day.

XOXO,

Liz

Everyone Hail to the Pumpkin Song

So Halloween has come and gone and I'm filled with joy. I dressed up as the Mad Hatter on Monday which was awesome. A lot of people dressed up in cool costumes. Even my English teacher dressed up as Lady Gaga! One of my favorite costumes of the day including my friends Travis and Lovisa's freaky clown and jester. That's why I like this school cause they let you wear your costumes at school for Halloween as long as you follow dress code.

After helping a bit with some drama set building after school, I quickly finished my Algebra 2 homework to go, you guessed it, trick or treating. It's a little awkward seeing two teenagers still willing to go out to get free candy. Got a lot of comments that me and Jamie were the tallest trick or treaters that they saw. But hey, it's free candy on a yearly basis. Who wants to miss out on that? Not me! Lots of adorable little kids and nice people that live in my area. And a lot of dog people too. Went over to Jamie's neighborhood for trick or treating which was practically almost over but we were able to get quite a few houses before nine. As a result... Well you can see the picture of how much candy I got. Anyone interested, those are four one quart bags. Contents: Reese's, Milky Ways, Snickers, assorted chocolates, gum, marshmallows, Tootsie Rolls, and all that sweet stuff that helps dentists pay for their bills and the toothpaste companies to keep making money.

So the night of monsters and sweets has passed so now people will begin planning big dinners with families and soon will be setting up crazy decorations for the yuletide season.

Today wasn't the best day in Dance for me or my teacher. So we have to turn in an outline that was due today of what basic idea we have for our final choreography and apparently some people are mentally incapable or something to take less than thirty minutes out of their life to do something so simple. Or there's of course the whining and complaining that they shouldn't do it because it's dance class. Reminder guys: It's high school. In case you've been in a coma for the past two years you've been here, they're gonna expect more work from you so you'll be prepared for college. Get with the stupid program, put on your big girl panties, and stop acting like you're the center of the universe when you're not. Sorry the teacher's not like the old dance teacher so deal with it. And it sucks cause a lot of kids give her so much crap and disrespect and she doesn't need or deserve it. She can be really nice if you don't act like a snob and actually do what she tells you to do. Sorry if you hate tap dancing but suck it up cause you signed up for dance for the year and good luck trying to change your class to regular PE.

Yeah... I just had to rant cause I'm kinda irritated with some people in that class. Not naming names but I think I got my point across. I just hope the rest of this week goes better.

As for the rest of the day, just same old school work except today I actually went home without any homework which makes me feel really happy. And I helped a bit today with more set building which included painting (and getting paint on my shirt) and seeing the actors/actresses go through part of scene two. Oh and we were able to get Chile's to give us a night of fundraising some money before the show and I believe we get 15% or something like that. But yeah, really nice for us to get money since we're already spending a lot more than we expected on Rumors alone. We still have money but we could use more for props and stuff.

XOXO,

Liz

Freshmen Newbies

So this week was the first week that the freshmen came to the clubs they wanted to join.

Anime club was loaded with new faces which was really awesome. I know this is gonna be a great year of anime club. Next week we'll be selling Pocky at the Food Fair and walking in the Homecoming Parade cosplaying.

Today was GSA club and we had quite a lot of people join. We went into a seminar discussing about a new law that allows history classes to talk about people of different sexual orientations that helped shape our society. It got really interesting to talk about the tolerance of homosexuality in today's communities.

I think it'd be great to talk about people of different sexual orientations in our schools, especially in elementary school so we don't question this later when people think we should know it already. I mean if we let racial diversity being taught in school then why not sexual orientation diversity? I really don't find it fair that when I was in grade school I wasn't taught much about Asian and African American history cause I lived in a town where everyone was either Caucasian or Mexican, no Asians, and anyone I grew up with who was black was most likely adopted by a white family. I'm not kidding. It wasn't called White County for nothing. Anything I learned about African American or Asian history was 99% of the time from the History Channel.

When I moved at age eleven, I knew what homosexuality was and I was totally fine with it. It didn't bug me at all. I got new friends and most of them were bisexual. I'm an affectionate person so I have a tendency to hug people and a group of snobby girls saw that as a bad thing when I'd hug my friends and would pull the "Are you a lesbian?" crap. I find this annoying when people can't leave a person alone for their sexuality. At my new school, anyone gay or bi usually kept it hidden unless they were dating someone of the same sex. It ticks me off that no one could freely be proud of who they were because other people saw it as wrong. I mean what if I was actually a lesbian? That'd hurt so much with what those girls did. But you know what that was over a year ago so I could totally care less and that's just a chapter in my life I wish to say, in the words of Cee-Lo Green, forget you.

I was glad to move here cause no was so picky about sexual orientation. Granted it still exists but it's not as bad. I was glad to join the GSA and meet more people and probably think of ways to help my bi friends back in Indiana to tolerate with this. And I really support schools teaching about people of different sexual orientations so kids see that it's okay to love the same sex if you want to.

And this intolerance bugs me so much. How many times in history do we have to keep doing this? Fifty years ago everyone hated African Americans and twenty years before that it was the Irish and it just keeps going and going all the way to Biblical times with the Jews. How long is this gonna keep up? Till the end of time? People should seriously get over themselves with racial and sexual orientation discrimination. Yes, the Mexicans take our jobs to live in a decent country without being deported, but they're jobs that we don't want in the first place. And so what if someone is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? It's who they are and what makes them a unique individual whether they like boys or girls.

This is the definition of marriage I found on dictionary.com: An institution where a man and a woman make their decision to become husband and wife.

I got a little irritated seeing gay marriage right underneath that. I know it's supposed to be between a man and a woman, but does that really matter? It should be about love, right?

So here's my new definition on marriage: The bond between two people who love each other to be together forever.

Sexuality has nothing to do with it.

This is why I get mad that religious people get in the way with their kids being themselves. I hate it when they see it as wrong and won't accept their kids for who they are. It's ironic seeing how Christianity tells us to love everyone but being homosexual is a bad thing when it really isn't. It's why these kids get so depressed because they're bullied and no one's there to support them because they won't be accepted or are too scared of what their parents may think and they end up killing themselves. My heart drops when I hear that stuff on the news with 14-year-olds killing themselves cause they just choose to end a life that hasn't really begun so soon... It hurts so much...

Well that was my rant...

GSA won't be doing Food Fair cause we're not allowed to sell energy drinks and it's too last minute to change it. But we will be in the parade too.

And tomorrow's Drama Club and I'm really hoping my sister does get a part in the play. It's my first year of drama so I'll be doing tech stuff and whatnot.

School's slowly getting busier... Have my first group project in Spanish and I think I'm stuck with some slightly clueless people... Will soon be reading The Canterbury Tales in English.. And I'm still brainstorming my final dance choreography before December... It's going pretty slowly. Heh..

XOXO,

Liz