A Little Surreal

I'm feeling a little surreal this evening - tomorrow is my last day of middle school academic classes. After tomorrow, we have student government olympics and then advisory parties on Friday...and the next 2 and a half weeks will be project period! (Which I'm deathly excited for...I say that a lot - I use deathly to express extremity...not sure if that's technically correct in English...but in Mandarin it is, so no matter...hmm, I suppose we say excited to death...I should really stop thinking in circles.) I shut myself in my room tonight to study for our English test over Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. And I'm finished! Now just to get to sleep not too late...be ready for English test and finishing math final tomorrow...and be moderately prepared to get up and face the world with brushed teeth, gym clothes, and an adequate, packed lunch! Of course there's also the more than twenty Mandarin characters to study...so I should probably end this post now! Just thought I should write a post on the last night that I'll have homework in middle school! Good night, and good luck (with whatever your battles are)!

"The Kite Runner," Dusty Boxes, and Mother's Day

This morning the first thing I did was to finish reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. And it's definitely a favorite of mine now! My mother commented a few days ago on the fact that it was a pretty heavy topic to be reading about right before bed, but I said it doesn't bother me at all. The reason? The writing is flawless. It draws you in and brings you to the place in the story, whether that be the streets of Afghanistan forty years ago or a San Fransisco flea market twenty years ago. It was one of those books that made me feel like I wasn't reading - just experiencing. The story is touching, and many times extremely tragic...sometimes hard to think about. There were barely any differences between the book and the movie, but reading the book was still amazing experience. So I would definitely recommend it...

After studying for our To Kill A Mockingbird quiz on Monday for a few minutes, I called Cora to talk about English and math. After addressing our various questions, we talked for quite a while about childhood toys and memories. With the phone still in my hand, I jumped up and made my way to the pantry joining the garage to the house, where I recovered a box containing three of my remaining American Girl Dolls and their many outfits.

I pretty much freaked out when I saw these. What excited me most was their hair...it was still in such perfect condition! I pulled the top one out - her name is Elizabeth, she's from colonial times - and hugged her. I was seriously squealing. Then my phone died and I had to take care of that, call Cora back, all the while trying to hold back my excitement. About these dolls. They are just so cool! (It's good that I was home alone at the time, because I screamed so spiritedly at one point while talking to Cora that my parents would probably have been considerably alarmed...so clearly, I didn't do a very good job of holding back my excitement...why should I?) Right now, she's sitting on my bed, right where I left her. I didn't have the heart to stow her away again the box...not quite yet. You have to understand - these dolls are practically a monument to my childhood. And apparently I haven't quite gotten over them.

So, after hanging up the phone, I continued my raid of childhood memorabilia. I brought in the chest that went along with the "art doll" that my mom handmade for me; I searched for my Webkinz, but to no avail (and that's still bothering me, seeing as those little stuffed animals were the subjects of many hours on the computer and pleading looks up to my parents in bookstores); however, I did find the box of scrapbooking supplies my mom and I had been wondering about for a while. And I also pulled out a little box of memories that contained the numerous notes the "fairies" had written to me, along with two books with fairy stories and chants, and, even, my baby teeth, which the tooth fairy graciously let me keep (yes, they were thoroughly cleaned before being deposited in the box...besides, I hardly ever bled). As I looked at these things, and read a few of the notes, I was struck by the tenacity with which my mother took to making me happy, to giving me a blessed childhood.

And then I thought: what better Mother's Day present than to remind her of what a wonderful mother she's been? So I kept the box out, and later in the day, we looked through it together. We read the fairy stories and all of the little notes. And then she pulled out other books she has with drawings that I did when I was about 2 or 3, even poems I wrote, things I said...and a book of more fairy stories that she wrote and illustrated for me. When I think of the first 6 or 7 years of my life, I am filled with a warm, sunny, comfortable feeling...but actual memories are sparse. When I see the minuscule notes my mother left for me to find when I woke up in the morning, I remember more, like the fact that I was desperate for a watch, or that I hated the color green (well, I remembered that...). And then I saw that, in one of the books my mom pulled out, she had put together a collection of memories and words and drawings to remind me of my childhood, my parents, my friends, my experiences... And it was so touching, so incredible. I shared a very nice time with my mother today, a time of remembering and sharing and laughing and almost crying sometimes...because she is an amazing mother. An unimaginably amazing mother - and I could never dare to ask for anything more. So thank you, and happy Mother's Day.

Some Mid-Afternoon Thoughts

Well, here I am, lying in the big bed with my stuff spread all around, computer on my lap, trying to accept the fact that it's finally a nice day outside and I can't enjoy it. Because my body is fighting off samples of three - sometimes deadly - diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.

I stayed home yesterday for the whole day, and I thought I felt well enough to come to school today, so I decided to be a fighter and go for it...but I didn't start feeling better once I got to school; which I usually do - friends cheer me up. So I called my dad and he picked me up a little after lunch. The whole ride home, I put the seat back, laid back and closed my eyes, and listened to the tape my dad was playing of a class about how the brain learns. It was actually very interesting; and more enjoyable since I didn't have to worry about remembering any of the information. Once home, I retreated to this bedroom where I've been since - watching Glee on our new, HDTV with Internet, slowly wading through a math worksheet that I just found out is for extra practice, and watching YouTube videos made by two awesome brothers that Cora told me about. I'm much happier now...but still feeling kind of sick.

Seeing as it's quite difficult for me to form a whole string of thought, I'll just write some random things that have come to mind recently...if they don't make any sense...well, don't be surprised.

1.) I bumped against the TV when I was walking back to the bed a few minutes ago, and boy did it hurt! I didn't stop to marvel at the pain though, just kept going... I guess I bump into things so often now that I've become sort of immune to it.

2.) One of the only reasons (and singularly most important) that I went to school today was to present the video about charity: water to the middle school. I wanted to be a part of telling everyone about the project since it's important to me! But guess what??

The sound didn't work out. That is such an annoying reason. So i was really bummed.

Yeah, okay it ultimately sucked.

3.) It's times like these when I need to turn to the AWESOME things in the world, like Harry Potter, grapes, tea, soft pillows, or VlogBrothers YouTube videos (whose entire goal, pretty much, is increasing awesome - I'll explain more later).

4.) I haven't had Chinese food in too long.

5.) God, I seriously can't finish a thought! Today at school I was always afraid that I would open my mouth and hibbly-gibbly nonsense would come out.

6.) Is hibbly-gibble actually, like, a known term? Or only in Mollie-land?

7.) I was wondering last night... Is there a scientific or psychological reason that certain songs get stuck in our heads? Or is the tune just catchy? And what's the reason - scientifically - that those tunes are catchy?

8.) Yeah, I can't even answer the question of whether or not I want salad. Something's messed up here...

Okay, I'm pretty proud of myself! I can think enough to write that, at least... So let's hope I feel better! I don't want to miss school tomorrow! It'll be a fun day - it's Grandparents' Day in the morning (which means a totally messed up schedule and shortened classes) and Spring Fling all afternoon! Right now that actually sounds totally miserable, seeing as I don't do well in situations that are supposed to be happy when I'm sad...but hopefully I'll be happy!

charity: water

I've had a full day today. After my massage (for my shoulder) I got so sleepy I kept nodding off while I was doing my math homework. But I finished it! And now I can finally - totally - relax. I just wanted to share a video from "charity: water" about the water crisis. We're doing a project for this organization in ATAC, and we had a very inspiring and idea-filled meeting about it today. Here's the video: http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/.

The Beauty of Birds

A few days ago, I went outside to feed my rabbit when I got home from school. It was a rainy, soggy day, as most this week have been, but cheerful in its own way. The greens of the grass and the trees were vivid, bringing everything else into a color-contrasting perspective. As I turned the corner to face the front of my rabbit's cage, I looked down to see a bright yellow bird lying on the cement.

Had I not been looking down, I would have undoubtedly stepped right on him. I paused, still leaning over, one foot ready to step forward, and examined the little bird. He was lying on his side, feet curled up under him, eyes shut. He bore no signs of rough treatment or injury, but there he lay, dead. Right in front of my rabbit, who hopped around his cage with bursting energy. I was shocked that something so bright and beautiful and healthy-looking could be dead, and amongst so much life.

I mourned the bird's death as I scooped him up with a shovel and carried him to the back of the yard, yet my mood was brightened by his brightness. I dug a little hole, and buried him right next to my rabbits' graves next to the creek. I felt paradoxical senses of wrong at covering up all that beauty, and right at burying the dead. I tried to wish his soul well, and I hope that my showing I cared helped him somehow. I hoped that reached him, wherever he is.

As I handled the bird (don't worry, I never touched him with my bare hands - I won't get sick or anything), I marveled at how fragile he was. As I scooped him up on the shovel, I had to be careful not to bend his neck grotesquely. And he was so light - light as a feather. It's a miracle that something so fragile could survive at all, providing for itself and probably its family. It's the beauty of nature, and it's incredible.

The Environmental Lab, High School, and Changing the World

This week has been a week of many accomplishments. First of all, I found out that my Holocaust project earned 2nd Place in my division in the contest! And I get $100 for that! To put it simply...I'm quite proud of myself. I'm excited for the awards ceremony next weekend. Also, I found out who my advisor is for high school, and met with her and my parents today to discuss my schedule. She's the advisor I wanted, partly because she's the Freshman English teacher and from Yellow Springs, but also because I am - to some extent - friends with the Freshman girls in the advisory, all of whom are good writers. I got into Algebra II Honors, Biology Honors, and Mandarin III next year...so I've got an exciting schedule!

ATAC (Action Through Awareness Club) met on Thursday to finalize our goals and really start some action! We haven't done much in a while - we've been talking a lot about what we should do, and there are only a few people who are really dedicated. Most of the club left our meeting when they were finished eating, and didn't come back, but Cora, Chandler (another eighth grade girl), and I stayed for a while and talked about what we could do. We had a really good discussion - just the three of us, with our wishes and our caring hearts. We've all pursued options for the club and talked to our teachers, and we'll probably be able to continue in high school. However, it seems like the three of us - Cora, Chandler, and I - are the only ones really dedicated to it who genuinely want to make a difference, and whose want for that is coming right from our hearts. I've found our conversations very inspiring, and I can't wait to see where it brings us in the future.

And, last but not least, the groundbreaking ceremony for the environmental lab that is being built at MVS. It was this week, also on Thursday. And I got to represent the middle school. There were two students from each division, along with a couple of teachers and the family who got the project started, who got to scoop up a little dirt. It was an amazing feeling, being part of something that big, something I'm unbelievably excited about. As I was sitting in a chair listening to the headmaster's speech, this feeling swept over me, this overwhelming feeling of being present when something huge began. It was hard to stop and appreciate the full impact of what this building means for MVS and for myself, since it was right after a grammar lesson and right before a big American History test - such bothersome distractions - but I know that I will remember that day.

What's Up

Wow, I haven't posted in quite some time!

I must say, I'm tired tonight, so this will be quick... I'd like to catch up though, seeing as I haven't posted for a while. So, things that have happened recently:

1.) I submitted my Holocaust project about a week ago. It felt like a huge weight being lifted off my chest, since I've been working on it and thinking about it for so long. It's been haunting me...well, it still is.

2.) I had a saxophone lesson yesterday, and it didn't go so well. The reason? My teacher had to cancel for two weeks in a row due to a birthday and an illness. I was totally prepared for a lesson the first week. The second week, I was excited and overly prepared - I knew the songs so well. But this last week? I was really busy, and didn't have any time to practice. Any time. Meaning I couldn't play very well in my lesson, and I felt like it was pointless because I already knew all the things he was telling me. I was very upset...

3.) We're doing watercolor sunset silhouettes in art class. This means we do a watercolor wash for a sunset (get the paper wet, then use really watery paint and paint lightly...I suppose that's the best way to describe it). Then we're using dark paper to make a silhouette in front of the sunset. It's a thoughtful process. I've been enjoying art lately, enjoying it a lot, and I've been very grateful for it.

4.) I played in my second lacrosse game today... AND I SCORED A GOAL! I wasn't planning on it, wasn't expecting it... I'm very impressed with myself!! I love this game...

5.) We've started the book To Kill a Mockingbird in English class. I don't like it nearly as much as I've liked the other books we've read this year (which, I must admit, we've been very lucky with - they've all been extremely well-written and engaging). I suppose it's starting to grow on me a little bit. Like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in sixth grade - I started to really like it towards the end. You start to love the characters in these classics...that's why they're classic!

6.) On Thursday, some Arab-Israeli students visited our school. Cora and I got to host one of the eighth grade girls. It was so fun! She was really good at English, yet there were still things she couldn't understand. Taking Mandarin and having experience trying to communicate with people in it really helped me understand what kind of situation she was in. We had to simplify the words we used and speak clearly. And now, I think I have a better understanding of what it will be like to be in China! Anyway, it was really fun hosting her, and I actually missed her at school today!

7.) A few days ago, I was craving chocolate chip cookies like crazy. And my mom made them...some of the best in the world. She's just amazing like that.

8.) Here's the reason why I don't watch shows like CSI: I get way too involved in them. (We watched an episode in science the other day because we starting forensics, and I got so wrapped up in it. I think the people who write the script and the screenplay are like...insanely smart.)

9.) We're making a video for our make a difference club. (We've decided to call it ATAC - Action Through Awareness Club. It was formed out of some people in our speech and debate class who really took the service projects we started on to heart.) We started on posters last week to use in the video... And I'm just super excited about making a difference! I love that, as kids, we can have such a huge impact on the world.

10.) I wrote something last weekend. It's a response to a picture prompt in an online writing group I'm part of on Shelfari (a book-sharing website), and it's supposed to be like a dream. Anyway, I really like it.

11.) I'm glad it's the weekend, and excited to work on Cora and my TV script that we're writing for Script Frenzy!

12.) I'm listening to Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" right now. It's a good song...