I...... AM........... DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

It is a quarter to 1 in the morning on June 18, 2010 and I have just finished high school :D


Now what did I do with that victory cigar?


Some celebration music courtesy of John Williams

Shameless Self-Promotion

Yeah, I'm just making this post so you can see my new layout :)

Oh, actually I do have one quick update: Alex finally got a facebook page and he added me as a friend :O So far his only status update is, "I ♥ my cousin Tom (last name)." That's a bit gay :p


While you are here you might as well check out my 3D Titanic model. Of course I don't have much time to work on it since school is my number 1 priority right now. LAST WEEK!!!! WOOT!



Port and starboard forward lifeboats added. I downloaded them from Google's 3D Warehouse where you can find almost anything made into a 3D model. I probably won't keep them because they aren't very good, IMO.


Have a listen to another of John Williams' epic pieces:

"Battle of the Heros" Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Busy Busy Busy

Sorry I really haven't had much time to post. Nothing really post-worthy has happened anyway.

School is winding down, so naturally it is the busiest time. I have 12 assignments due each day everyday until June 18. After that, I will be done with high school!

It takes me the majority of the day to do school work, so I really haven't had much time to do anything else.

Anyway, next time you hear from me I'll hopefully be a high school graduate :D


OH! I completely forgot!

Yesterday I went to the dentist. I'll have to get my wisdom teeth out soon :S

Class Registration

Yesterday I had to go back to the Community College to get my placement test results and to register and schedule my classes.

It was a small group meeting with an academic counselor and me and a few other students. The counselor went through a powerpoint and explained to us how to do our schedule. By the way, I previously said I am going to major in Criminology, but now I've changed it back to my original idea of majoring in Architectural Design and Drafting with CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design). I'm definitely going with this one because I know I like doing things like this. I mean, I'm building a 3D model of the Titanic for no reason!

Here are the classes I have to take for this major:



The counselor gave us a big packet with all the classes listed and their available days and times. From that we had to create our schedule. Mine looks like this:



After that was done, we had to fill out a registration paper and take it to a lady who entered all the information into a computer. She printed this paper out:


Circled in red is the tuition cost for the first semester that has to be paid by Aug. 6. That does not include the cost for books. I applied for financial aid (FAFSA) today. I'm eligible for a Pell Grant of up to $5,000, plus other scholarships and of course loans.

After the registration information was entered into the computer, I had to go get my picture taken for my ID card. I'm not going to share that with you :p After that was done we were free to go home.

Oh, there was this cute guy in the group with me. He's majoring in machine drafting or something like that. Since that's similar to my major we may have some classes together or something :)

Checking Off Graduation Requirements

The school year is rapidly coming to a close. This is the last week in April (where did the time go?!), and graduation is the first week of June. There are three requirements every senior in Pennsylvania has to complete before they can graduate:

1. Earn 24 credits throughout high school.
2. Score Proficient on the PSSA tests in English, Writing, Math, and Science.
3. Complete and pass the Senior Project.

Here's a breakdown of each one:

1. 24 credits:

There are three class lengths: Full year worth 1 credit, 1 Semester worth 0.5 credits (half-year, 18 weeks), 1 quarter worth 0.25 credits (half-semester, 9 weeks).

A student has to get a certain number of credits by the end of each year to be promoted to the next year. They must have 24 credits by the end of their 4th year (senior year) in order to graduate.


2. PSSA tests

PSSA stands for Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. They are a series of test students have to take in grades 3-8 and 11th (junior year). Students are tested in Reading, Writing, Math, and now Science. For the 3rd-8th grade tests, it doesn't matter what score they get because those are used to measure how well the school is teaching; in other words, it grades the school instead of the student. The 11th Grade test score does matter. You have to score Proficient on each section in order to graduate the following year. If you don't pass a particular section the first time, you have to retake it the next year. If you don't pass it then, you have to take another state test (4Sight Test in Pennsylvania). If you still can't get Proficient, then there is a computer thing called Study Island you have to do and pass. If you can't pass that then you shouldn't be graduating anyway lol


3 Senior Project

I've already explained this one before, I think. Basically, you have to write a 5 page career research paper, do 10 hours of community service, job shadow and interview someone, then make a presentation about the job shadow experience and present it. You have to pass all the parts to graduate.


So that's a lot of stuff to accomplish. Here is the status of each of the requirements for me personally:

1. 24 Credits

When I completed the last school year, I had 14.5 credits. So this year I had to get at least 9.5 credits to graduate. I took 8 full year classes and 4 semester classes equaling 10 credits.

So far I've completed 4 full year and 3 semester classes (5.5 credits). I have 4 full year classes (British Literature, World History, Earth Science, and Business Math) and 1 semester class (Life Skills) left to finish.

There are two deadlines. If I want to walk at Graduation then I have to be totally done by the end of May. If I'm not done by then, then the absolute latest I can finish and still get my diploma is the end of June.

Since I have 5 classes, I (try to) work all day long on one class. By all day I mean from the time I get up until 8 p.m.; minus time for lunch and dinner. By 8p, I'm pretty well burned out.

I don't know if I'll be done in time to walk at Graduation, but that isn't really important to me. I'd rather not rush through 5 classes in a month and not learn anything just to walk around in a stupid cap and gown, but I'm still going to try and make it by that deadline. If I don't, then it's no big deal because I can definitely finish by the end of June.


2. PSSA Tests

I took them last year and got Proficient in Reading, Writing, and Science but not in Math. I took the retake test for Math earlier this year, but still didn't get Proficient. Then we took the 4Sight Tests a month or so ago and I did get proficient in Math.

So that requirement has been crossed off the list.


3. Senior Project

I'm pretty sure I already explained what I did for my project, so I won't expand an already long post. Anyway, today the principal met with me and the other cyber kids. I didn't get to see my exact score, but I got this:

(the square shadow is my mouse pad lol (long story))


:D

So that's another requirement checked off. Now I just had to finish my classes...


I leave you today with an updated picture of my model that I work on at night after I'm burned out from school work...


(pictured is the nearly completed Navigation Bridge front and the start of the Officer's Quarter's and First Class Entrance on the Boat Deck)

... and some music

Sick

Tuesday, I woke up with a slight tingle in my throat. I knew that was the first sign of a sore throat. By midday, it was worse. I started gargling mouthwash and then warm saltwater as Dad suggested. I also took DayQuil every four hours (that stuff tastes nasty!). By the end of the day, my nose was running and stuffy.

I was concerned because the next day, Wednesday, I had to go to school in the morning for the usual class, and then again in the afternoon to do an important presentation.

When I woke up Wednesday morning, the soreness was significantly less than it was when I went to bed. When I got back from school it had started to come back. After gargling some more saltwater and taking some DayQuil, it was better by the time I had to go do my presentation.

My presentation was for the graduation project ever senior has to do. Basically, you job shadow someone (follow them around at work), interview them, make presentation about it, and also write a career research paper. If you don't pass it then you don't graduate.

I job shadowed my brother; he is a police officer. I don't remember blogging about it. I arrived at the police station around 1, we drove around for awhile and pulled two people over. After that we went back to the station and he showed me stuff there, and I interviewed another officer. Then it started snowing really bad so I got stuck there for awhile. We drove around some more, and then the snow let up some so I went home. I was there for a total of 8 hours.

Anyway, back to my presentation. I'm usually really nervous about doing public speaking. Even though there were only 3 other people in the room (all school faculty), I thought I would still be nervous. I went in there, made small talk with the teachers (I only knew one of them) until I got my powerpoint up. I didn't practice what I was going to say which is probably why I did so well. I think if you practice what you're going to say before you say it, then you're more likely to mess up because you're too busy trying to remember what you are supposed to say. I just made a few bullets on each slide that stated a general idea and then just talked about it.

After I was done, each teacher had to ask at least one question. I was able to answer them easily, so no problem there. After that, one of the teachers said I did an "excellent job and was very thorough." I won't know my score until next week, or maybe the week after. I have a feeling I did pretty good though.

I'm proud of myself :)


Oh, and as of today, I am still sick. No more sore throat, but I still have a stuffy nose and, occasionally, a sinus headache.

"Peter Peter Peter Peter"

Today was "Cyber Wednesday" again; the day I have to go to the school for the required 2 hours. The last couple weeks I've been picking up Amanda before and dropping her off after school (at her request). Her house is 10-15 minutes out of my way...

Riding in a car with her is actually fun :) If I didn't mention it before, she is hyper all the time so that makes for some interesting car rides :p

Last week, somehow the topic of "doing it" in the backseat came up. She asked me if I have ever done it in the backseat, which of course I haven't. So I said no and she asked if I have ever done it at all O_O I said no again... She goes, "Aww that's so cute."

Um... Ok...

Today I had to take her to her grandmother's house after school. As we pulled into the long driveway, I saw her grandmother coming out the door of the house. Amanda says, "She probably wants to meet you." When Amanda got out of the car, sure enough, her Gma said, "I just had to come out and meet the person Amanda is always talking about. It's always 'Peter Peter Peter Peter.'..."

I was a bit surprised that Amanda talks about me so much. Especially since she's engaged >_>

OH! I just remembered:

There is another girl in our cyber class who I'm friends with. Amanda said I should go to prom with her because I always sit beside and talk to her (even though I sit in between them), and she also says that it's obvious I like her. Well her assumption is wrong SINCE I'M GAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Pussy Picture:




* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Prologue - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone - John Williams

School Update, College Plans, etc.

Gah, I've been sooo busy with school it's not even funny. Seriously, I've been working most of the day on school work for the past week!

Here's how my school schedule goes:

I only have 2 classes right now; English 11 Part 1 and Geometry Part 1. I have until Oct. 9th to complete both of those. Then I'll get English 11 Part 2 and Geometry Part 2; I'll have 3 weeks to complete those. Additionally, I start American History Part 2 after the 9th, but that doesn't have to be completed until the 26th of November.

Why so long for that one but only a few weeks for the other ones?

Well, because Mrs. R, the Online Learning Coordinator (OLC), just got my course schedule made up for the year on Thursday (last week). So I was pretty much on my own, and I had no idea when I was supposed to be finishing up the classes I have now. So, as a result, I found that I was 15 lessons behind...

O.O

Entirely not my fault!

So, I've been working pretty hard since Friday. I've been working on one class each day; trying to get caught up as much as I can. I should be all caught up in a couple days.

Here's the list of classes I'll be taking:

1. English 11 Part 1 and 2
2. Geometry Part 1 and 2
3. American History Part 2
4. Forensics
5. Chemistry
6. Phys. Ed.
7. English 12 Parts 1&2
8. Computer Aided Drawing and Design
9. World History Parts 1&2
10. Earth Science Parts 1&2
11. Business Math Parts 1&2
12 German I Parts 1&2

I choose to take Forensics, CADD, and German :)


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As for college plans...

I'm now thinking about the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AROTC or just ROTC). You go to a normal college/university instead of a Military Institute such as West Point or VMI. The purpose of ROTC is for those who either don't like the life of a Military Academy cadet (i.e. getting yelled at all the time by Drill Sergeants , doing excessive military drill, etc.) or they can't get into an Academy (it's extremely selective).

Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) is one of the best leadership courses in the country and is part of your college curriculum. During classes, leadership labs, physical training and field training exercises, you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead others, motivate groups and conduct missions as an Officer in the Army. Upon graduation from Army ROTC, you will earn the bar of a Second Lieutenant and be commissioned into the Active Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard and become a leader for life.

Army ROTC's program includes things such as leadership development, military skills and adventure training. This will take place both in the classroom and in the field, but you will maintain a normal academic schedule like all college students. Depending on when you enroll in Army ROTC, you will undergo most or all of the following courses. And the best part about this leadership development? You will use and benefit from it for years to come.

Army ROTC will give you valuable real-world tools and leadership skills that will benefit not only your professional career but your personal life as well.

Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It prepares you with the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your college tuition, too. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be an Officer in the Army.

Being an Officer in the U.S. Army means you're a leader, a counselor, a strategist and a motivator. It's similar to being a vital manager in a corporation. As an Officer, you will lead other Soldiers in all situations and adjust in environments that are always changing. You'll be driven to achieve success with your team on every mission.

Army ROTC is a one-of-a-kind experience. The challenges you face and the obstacles you'll overcome will prepare you for future success.

Army ROTC is one of the nation's top leadership programs, with many benefits to joining.

Through Army ROTC you can:

• Get help with your college tuition with an Army ROTC scholarship
• Gain experience you can't find anywhere else
• Gain the respect of your peers and future employers
• Train to become a leader and manager

Freshman and Sophomores in ROTC (first and second year of college/uni) take the Basic

The Basic Course takes place during your first two years in college as elective courses. It normally involves one elective class and lab each semester along with the requisite physical training and field training exercises. You will learn basic military skills, the fundamentals of leadership and start the groundwork toward becoming an Army leader. You can take Army ROTC Basic Courses without a military commitment.

FRESHMAN YEAR: PREPARING FOR SUCCESS AS AN ARMY OFFICER

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to Army Leadership
• Army Customs and Traditions
• Military Operations and Tactics
• Goal Setting and Accomplishment
• Health and Physical Fitness

SOPHOMORE YEAR: THE ROLE OF AN OFFICER

Topics covered include:

• Applied Leadership Theory
• Communications
• Principles of War
• Military Operations and Tactics

NOTE: During the first two years, a cadet is NOT under contract with the Army. In other words, there is not service obligation. Once you enter your Junior (third) year, and you still take part in ROTC, then there is a service obligation.


Juniors and Seniors (third and fourth years) in ROTC take the Advanced Course:

The Advanced Course takes place during your last two years in college as elective courses. It normally includes one elective class and lab each semester in addition to the requisite physical training and field training exercises, plus a summer leadership camp. You will learn advanced military tactics and gain experience in team organization, planning and decision-making. To benefit from the leadership training in the Advanced Course, all Cadets must have completed either the Basic Course or have attended the Leader's Training Course. Entering the Advanced Course requires a commitment to serve as an Officer in the U.S. Army after you graduate.

JUNIOR YEAR: LEADING SMALL TACTICAL UNITS

Topics covered include:

• Command and Staff Functions
• Law of War
• Weapons
• Team Dynamics and Peer Leadership
• Military Operations and Tactics

Summer between Junior and Senior year, Cadets participate in the Leader Development & Assessment Course (LDAC).

SENIOR YEAR: TRANSITION TO BECOMING AN OFFICER

Topics covered include:

• Training the Force
• Military Justice
• Ethical Decision Making
• Personnel Management
• Cultural Awareness
• Post and Installation Support
• Military Operations and Tactics

Upon graduation Cadets are commissioned as 2nd. Lieutenants. During Senior year Cadets get to choose a branch of the Army they would like to serve in (there are 17). There is no guarantee that you will be assigned to that branch after graduation (it all depends on your skills, scores, and where they need you). Here are the 17 branches you could be assigned to (the ones in red are the ones I'm kinda interested in; blue is the one I'm mainly interested in.):

Air Defense Artillery Officer The role of an Air Defense Artillery Officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the Air Defense Artillery Branch and to be an expert in the tactics, techniques and procedures for the employment of air defense systems.

Armor Officer Armor Officers are responsible for tank and cavalry/forward reconnaissance operations on the battlefield. The role of an Armor Officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the Armor Branch and to lead others in many areas of combat operations.

Aviation Officer An Officer within the Aviation Branch is first an expert aviator, but is also responsible for the coordination of Aviation operations from maintenance to control tower operations to tactical field missions. From providing quick-strike and long-range target engagement during combat operations to hauling troops and supplies, Army helicopter units play a critical role in getting the job done in many situations.

Engineer Officer An Officer in the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for providing support in a full spectrum of engineering duties. Engineer Officers help the Army and the Nation in building structures, developing civil works programs, working with natural resources as well as providing combat support on the battlefield.

Field Artillery Officer The Army's Field Artillery Branch is responsible for neutralizing or suppressing the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire and to help integrate all fire support assets into combined arms operations. The role of a Field Artillery Officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the Field Artillery Branch and to be an expert in the tactics, techniques and procedures for the employment of fire support systems.

Infantry Officer An Infantry Officer is responsible for leading and controlling the Infantry and combined armed forces during land combat. They are also involved in coordinating employment of Infantry Soldiers at all levels of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national operations. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Special Forces Officer A Special Forces Officer is responsible for what is typically organized as a 12-man team, known as an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). ODAs are deployed around the world in rapid-response situations whether it's during peacetime, crisis or war. The Special Forces Officer is the team leader of an ODA, responsible for mission organization, outfitting the team and debriefing mission objectives.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer The Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer advises the commander on issues regarding nuclear, biological and radiological warfare, defense and homeland protection. Chemical Officers also employ Chemical units in combat support with chemical, smoke and flame weapons, technology and management. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Military Intelligence Officer Military Intelligence (MI) Officers are always out front, providing essential intelligence and in many cases saving Soldiers who are fighting on the front lines. MI Officers assess risks associated with friendly and enemy courses of action and act to counter or neutralize identified intelligence threats. The MI Officer also uses intelligence systems and data to reduce uncertainty of enemy, terrain and weather conditions for a commander.

Military Police Officer Military Police Officers are utilized in direct combat and during peacetime to lead other Military Police Soldiers while they serve five main functions: 1) Maneuver and mobility support operations, 2) Area security operations, 3) Law and order operations, 4) Internment and resettlement operations, and 5) Police intelligence operations

Signal Officer A Signal Corps Officer must be an expert in planning, installing, integrating, operating and maintaining the Army's voice, data and information systems, services and resources. Signal Officers must be highly intelligent, forward-thinking and have a complete knowledge of communications and data management technologies.

Chaplain As a Chaplain Officer, you will lead a Unit Ministry Team (UMT), which consists of you and a trained Chaplain Assistant. As an Army Chaplain you will have the responsibility of caring for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and their families. Army Chaplains are the spiritual leaders of the Army and they perform religious ceremonies from births and baptisms, to confirmations and marriage, to illness and last rites.

Civil Affairs Officer Civil Affairs Officers are experts in acting as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations. In many respects, Civil Affairs Officers have to share the same skills as a public relations executive in the civilian world. Civil Affairs Officers many times must facilitate relationships between U.S. military forces and the people of the nation(s) in which those forces are operating.

Dental Corps Officer An Army Dental Corps Officer is responsible for the dental health of Soldiers and their families. They are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers - families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the Dental Corps Officer assists in the emergency medical management of casualties; identifies casualties through dental records and makes sure Soldiers are combat ready when it comes to their health.

JAG Corps Attorney As an Officer in the JAG Corps and a practicing attorney or judge, your responsibilities will cover a wide-range of practices that includes military law and criminal prosecution to international law and legal assistance - both in the U.S. and abroad. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Medical Corps Officer An Army Medical Corps Officer is responsible for the overall health of Soldiers and their families. From allergists to oncologists to surgeons, Medical Corps Officers are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers' families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the Medical Corps Officer oversees the emergency medical management of casualties and makes sure Soldiers are combat ready when it comes to their overall health.

Medical Service Corps Officer Medical Service Corps Officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families. They are also responsible for much of the medical research that takes place in the Army. From medical fields such as optometry and podiatry to laboratory sciences to behavioral sciences, the Army Medical Service Corps includes many areas of specialty.

Medical Specialist Corps Officer Medical Specialist Corps Officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families. From medical fields such as occupational therapy and physical therapy to dietician and physician assistant, the Army Medical Specialist Corps includes several areas of specialty. Overall, Army Officers are leaders, and being a leader requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Nurse Corps Officer Army Nurse Corps Officers lead diverse nursing teams in a variety of settings and provide holistic multi-disciplinary care for Soldiers and their families. Officers are leaders. All Army leaders require self-discipline, initiative, confidence, the ability to problem solve and make timely decisions.

Ordnance Officer Ordnance Officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems, vehicles, and equipment are ready and available - and in perfect working order - at all times. Thus, Ordnance Officers and the Soldiers they lead are a critical component in the Army's success. Ordnance Officers also oversee the developing, testing, fielding, handling, storage and disposal of munitions.

Personnel Systems Management Officer An Adjutant General Officer is responsible for helping Soldiers with the tasks that affect their overall welfare and well being, while assisting commanders by keeping Soldiers combat-ready. In many cases, the duties of an Adjutant General Officer are very similar to the function of a high-level human resources executive in the civilian world. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Quartermaster Officer Quartermaster Officers are responsible for making sure equipment, materials and systems are available and functioning for missions. More specifically, the Quartermaster Officer provides supply support for Soldiers and units in field services, aerial delivery and material and distribution management. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Transportation Officer Transportation Officers are experts in the systems, vehicles and procedures in moving troops and supplies in the Army. Transportation Officers are responsible for commanding and controlling Transportation operations and combined armed forces during land combat. Officers are leaders, and being a leader in the Army requires certain qualities such as self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence.

Veterinary Corps Officer Army Veterinarian Officers practice in three primary areas: animal medicine, veterinary public health and research and development. Veterinarian Officers are responsible for treating government-owned animals and the valued pets of service members and their families. Army Veterinary Corps Officers are also responsible for programs ensuring the safety and security of Department of Defense food supplies, both in the United States of America and abroad.

As I said before, a Cadet can select a branch they'd like to serve in, but it depends on skills, scores, and where you're needed when the Army assigns you somewhere.

As a side note, my sister-in-law's father went through the ROTC program, and he eventually made it up to the rank of Brigadier General before retiring. Unfortunately he died a couple years ago so I can't ask him any questions.

Okay, that's a lot for one post. I doubt most people will have even read it all :\

Everyone's Happy

Okay, so....

Dad and I went up to the school this morning before the buses got there. The guidance counselor was in a meeting, so we had to wait. Once she got back, she had us go back to her office. She said that she didn't receive any of the transcripts that were resent to her.

*rolls eyes*

I'm not even gonna get into who's fault I think it was that she didn't get them...

Anyway, she then told us that they have their own cyber school program. Mom and I were told this last month when we meet with them for the first time, but I had completely forgotten about it. Here's how it's going to work:

I'm still considered a junior credit-wise, and I need 10.5 credits to make graduation this year. That means I have to take 10 and a half classes, 11 classes at most. That's a few more than a normal student would take in a year, but I have to do it if I want to make graduation this year like I'm supposed to; so that's a big motivation to do well right there.

We signed the registration papers while we were there and met with the Online Learning Coordinator (OLC), who we knew from my brothers' days in that school. She said that it'd take about 2 days to get me going on it, and we'd have to go up again so she can show us how it all works and whatnot.

She also said that I'd have to go up to the high school one day a week for 2 hours. I'm not totally sure what that's for, but I assume you get extra help there if you need it or something. Also, I get to have actual textbooks this time; with the other cyber school it was all online, so I basically got tired of being on the computer all day long. She also said that I'm free to take part in any clubs/sports that I want to. I'm thinking about at least being on the yearbook staff because Mom is in charge of that this year. Maybe also take part in Key Club, which a girl on Facebook who I knew before said I should join. There may be other clubs I'd be interested in; we'll see.

I'm happy with this decision. I like that the teachers are right there and you can go get help whenever you want. With the other cyber school, the teachers were spread all over Pennsylvania. Dad's happy with this decision too, and I'm sure Mom will be when she hears.

So, everyone is happy.

:)


Right now, Dad and I are going to go to town to see a lady from the church who is in the hospital, go to Wal-Mart to look at printers, then get some lunch and back home.

See ya later!

P.S. Don't forget to check out my twitter for updates from me, and follow me if you want :)

Slightly Modified Plan, Comments, College.

Okay, so here is the new plan for tomorrow:

Dad takes me up to school, hopefully ahead of the buses, and we go into the office. There we'll find out if anything has changed. If not, then we'll withdraw me right then and there, go home and contact the cyber school. If things have changed, then I assume we'll work on a new schedule of classes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Now, let me take this time to respond to a few comments on the last post.

@ Bob:

I think I told you this when we were talking the other day, but I'll put it on here for everyone else to see too. Yes, I can enroll in the cyber school. It's just like a regular public school; you can enroll anytime, and there are no requirements to enter.

@ NG:

I don't want the attempt to get me back into this school to fail. I was actually getting excited about it before we had the first meeting with the guidance counselor last week. We all agree, even you said it I think, that it is dumb to enroll me as a junior in one school while I'm already a senior in another.

@ NG, Torchy!, Steevo:

I don't get how I'm supposed to fight this, assuming they still don't have that transcript tomorrow. I mean, if they don't have it then they don't have it. Fighting it now would just be a waste of time and an interruption to my education.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Okay, now on to college, or uni as the foreigners say.... I think.... Oh forget it, I'll just say post-secondary education :p

I keep floating back and forth between interests, and it's time to decide. Here are three main the interests I keep floating between:

1. Ship's officer (also called mate).
2. Naval architect.
3. Architectural drafter.

Currently, I'm back at interest No. 1.

I requested more information from The Great Lakes Maritime Academy a few days ago. This is probably where I'll go if I choose to do this career. If you are interested, I'd be doing the Deck Officer Program. Also, if you're interested, watch this video.

Here are classes I'd be taking, and their descriptions.


I'm all excited about that ^ now, but let's see if I get through high school first :p

Still Waiting...

Mom called and said that my old B&M school sent the local school all the transcripts they had on me again. So now we're waiting until tomorrow morning to call the local school and ask about it all since it was too late to call them once I heard.

I hope she's up there tomorrow. School starts on Monday so tomorrow is the last day.


Alex sent me a message while I was talking to mom. He wanted to know when I was taking my recycling stuff to the thingy cos he had a bunch of stuff. So I said, "Let's go now then." So I get the car to back it up to my door, cos I had a lot of stuff I didn't really feel like carrying all the way to the car, and I notice that his garage door is closed; that usually means no one is home. So I was just about to send a message asking if he was even home when he showed up on his bike.

o.O

So once we're ready to go down to the thing, someone calls him. He looks at his phone and says, " Oh, it's Joe. I was just at his house and he was asleep on his couch." When we were at the recycling thing, Joe showed up. Once we pulled back into my driveway, with Joe following us on his bike, Alex jumped out of the car saying, "See ya later."

*sigh*

Today is the Day

Yep, today we're going to find out what school I'm going to be going to. It's either a) the local school district if they're going to accept that I'm a senior, or B) back to the cyber school where they already know I'm a senior.

I talked to Mom on the phone last night. She said she emailed my old B&M school (brick-and-mortar) about the transcripts but she didn't hear anything back. So, she said was going to call them after she got done talking to me and leave a message explaining what she wanted, then call them again this morning and, hopefully, talk to the lady in person. Whether she has done that yet or not, I have no idea because she has her cell phone turned off during school, and I have no idea what her number is there.

I don't know how I'm going to convince Mom about me doing cyber school again (if nothing happens with that transcript). But, really, I think going there and being a senior like I should be is better than going to the local school and being a junior (again) just because of a technicality.

Okay, yes, I didn't do so well last year in cyber school. I let procrastination get the better of me (and also blogging :-S), but this has been a big wake up call! I don't want to have to go through this again! So if anyone thinks I'll mess up again two years in a row is crazy. Dad even takes some responsibility because he wasn't watching over me as well as he should have. So even he's had a wake up call.

So, I'm positive I can do it this year... I've got to do well this year... It's my last year before going off to college...

Ugh

The Future.... how scary... That'll be another post later on today maybe.

Grade Troubles.

Oh
My
Fucking
God...

What a day this has been!

Dad and I went up to the school to get me scheduled for me senior (12th grade) year. We got put into the conference room, and waited for the guidance counselor. She was out in the office talking when i heard her say, "... no, he will be in 11th grade." I didn't know she was talking about me at the time. Then she came in and said, "Okay, we are here today to get you scheduled for your junior year (11th)." Thinking she just made a mistake and got me mixed up with whoever she was talking about earlier I said, "I'll be a senior." She said, "Oh, no. You're not honey."

Then it just went downhill from there... We ended up making two trips to the school, but neither resolved the issue:

You need to have at least 18 credits to be a senior (12th grade). According to all the transcripts that she got from my previous schools, I only have 13.5; that makes me a junior (11th grade). Now here is where the weird part is; I got a paper from the cyber school people when we were trying to decide on summer school. This paper has every credit I earned in my high school career. This paper totals the credits as 18.5. So according to the cyber school, I'm a senior (which they told me at the end of last year); but according to my new school, I'm only a junior.

The problem lies with my previous brick-and-mortar school (the school i went to before doing cyber). Apparently, and the guidance lady said this too, they didn't send the transcript that has the credits I got from there the same year I moved back here and started cyber school. I checked it against the paper that has all my credits on it and found that that missing transcript is indeed the problem. If we had that transcript then I would have 5 additional credits, and if I had those 5 credits then my total credits will equal 18.5; just like this one piece of paper says.

However, the guidance lady cannot go by what this paper says because it's not an official transcript. But when she saw it she realized what the problem was too, but she can't do anything unless she gets that missing transcript.

So, officially, I am a senior; which is where I should be. But since there is that missing transcript, she has no choice but to keep me as a junior.

Now, here is a scenario: Bob passes 11th grade with flying colors. However, while making his schedule for the next year, the guidance counselor accidentally throws a transcript of his away, which then forces him to lose X number of credits, preventing him to move on to the next grade level; forcing him to repeat a year he's already taken and passed.

That, essentially, is what's happening here.

BUT

If I do cyber school again, I'll be a senior. If I go to the local school district, I'll only be a junior because of a misplaced transcript...

Which would you choose?

Wasting a whole year of your life doing something you've already done?

Or

Moving on and completing school and get on with your life?


OH! That probably raises a question. What if I do repeat a year, and therefore take classes I already had? Which grade would be looked at by a college? Well, both, but according to the guidance counselor, they only consider the FIRST grade unless you failed the first time. So, that really isn't going to be better.


::EDIT::
I just looked over my grades for the bazillionth time today. Now I'm getting that my total credits minus the missing ones should be 15, not 13.5. Also, if it is 15, then my total credits should be 19.5 instead of 18.5 like that paper says. Of course, that throws everything else off too...

So I've concluded that if that transcript does come in, but if there is still a problem with me being a Senior, then I'm going to have her give me the transcripts and go thru each and every one with her until we get to the bottom of this. If there is still a problem then it should only be by .5 credits. Idk if she'll argue over .5 credits or not, but if she does then I'm doing cyber school again regardless if Mom says so or not; frankly, it's not really her decision. I think it should be mine, plus I don't even live with her. She has a awful habit of making up my mind for me... But that's another post.


Fuck, my head really hurts today.

Camping Again?

I was sitting outside earlier this evening enjoying the nice cool air. Alex and Joe were over at his, Alex's, house playing hockey. Joe went home once it started getting dark. Alex brought the hockey net back over. I glanced over at him when he came around the corner of the garage to put the net in place. After seeing it was him (I wasn't sure what it was cos I just heard a noise) I looked back ahead of me. Then I noticed that he was making his way over to me.

He said, "If you want to camp out next week sometime, let me know." I told him I can't next week cos Mom and I are going away. Then he said that he only has band camp a couple days the following week, so we can do it sometime then.

It's funny cos I was just thinking this morning (or was it yesterday morning? Idk) about getting the tent out again for a few days.

Btw, he was the one who brought it up so I guess he really does want to do it again. The question is, what will he want to do inside the tent? :p jk jk

After Alex left, Mom called. She said that since no one else wants to go with her and I on vacation, I can ask Alex if he wants to go along. So I sent him a message asking him, but I know he already had his phone shut off cos he was going right to bed he said. He has a cold plus band camp early tomorrow. But if he doesn't respond by Sunday, I may ask him in church if I feel like it. Since I haven't talked to him in like a month I feel a bit weird asking if he wants to go away with me for 5 days :\ So I probably won't press the issue by asking a second time.

I thought about telling him I'm going back to his school, but I didn't.

Going Out To Lunch.

Last week, before Mom moved out of her old school, her and her aide (Mrs. M) went to lunch together. Mrs. M said that she wanted to say bye to me too, so Mom and I are going to have lunch with her today. Also one of the office secretaries (Mrs. H) is coming too. I dunno if I posted about that before or not.


I've blogged briefly about Andrew, Kelsey, and Derrick before but now since I'm going to school with them again I suspect I'll be talking about them more often.

*Adds labels for them*

Last week sometime I sent them friend requests on Facebook; the first contact I've had with them in 5 years. Since then I've had 4 other old friends send me friend request; Katie Q. (there's more than 1 Katie), Lauren (who I had a crush on in pre-school :O), Erika, and Samantha (who I can't remember :\).

Now, Kelsey is one of those people I'd go straight for if I had the chance with her :) I liked her 5 years ago and I've had a spot for her in my heart ever since then. That may sound sappy but I don't know how else to say it lol.


ZOMG! Why am I talking about straight stuff on a gay blog? :p


Ok, well I dunno what else to say right now. I'll just go back to reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.


Oh btw, Kelsey "wrote on my wall" (aka sent me a message) on Facebook saying, "Rumor has it you're coming back to ENTER SCHOOL INITIALS HERE? :)"

"Word travels fast... Yes, I'm coming back."

"Yay! That's so exciting :)"

Then I just typed this morning, "Scary is more like it :\"

Loooonnnggg Daaaayyyyy..........

I'm really just posting this for the sake of posting.

Mom used to work at the school I used to go to before cyber school. For a couple years now she's been looking for other schools in the area to open up her position. Well, one finally did and she applied. The Superintendent (or head of the school district) at Mom's new school happens to be the Superintendent that hired her when she applied at her old school (is that confusing?). So obviously since they knew each other, and since the Super hired her before, Mom got the job.

So her and I went over to her old school to take personal things of her's out. That took practically all day, and now I'm sore and tired :\

Her old aide and one of the secretaries who works in the High School office (and possibly some other people) want to take US out to lunch on Tuesday :o I didn't really expect to be invited, but whatever. I guess it'd be nice seeing them again cos they're nice ladies.


Anywho, I guess it really sank in today that I'm going back to the local school in about a month.

-_-

I'm quite nervous.

OH! And since I'm not doing cyber school anymore, I'll have to give back my laptop to them! God I hope not; its the only computer I have. Dad has a slllllooooowwwww desktop and a laptop, but I wouldn't feel comfortable blogging (or doing other things ;) ) on his computer. Maybe the cyber school will let me buy this laptop? If not, I'll have to wipe the hard drive of all... ahem... personal stuff... :D

Dunno how to do that...

I'll probably see Alex quite frequently at school. Maybe even have a class or two with him in it. Or lunch at the same time, or gym.

*gasp*

GYM!

A couple dozen boys changing in a single room...

*drools*

I guess public school has its perks :p

I hate gym tho :\ I hate getting undressed in front of people as much as the sports part. I'm very self-conscious.

OMG!

Joe and Alex2 will be in the same building as me! *groan*

I hope I don't get stuck in any classes, including gym or lunch, with them. I would change my schedule if I did.

Alex doesn't know I'm going back. I don't think I'm going to tell him either cos he'll tell his friends, and I don't want them knowing if I can't help it. Although it's a small school so I'm sure they'll find out sooner or later...


Meh, this post is totally random.

Summer Is Here. Yay?

I'm done with school for the next 3 months :D

So... Now what?

I don't know.


Alex brought up camping a few times the last time I saw him. So I guess we can start planning that out.

I probably won't talk to him on Sunday since I'll be pretty tied up with my whole family being around and all.

The majority of my Summer is gonna be spent in boredom I'm sure. There aren't any places hiring anywhere near here. I lost the trailer, so that means no lawn mowing business -_-

I guess I'll have more time to focus on my other blogs now. Though I am thinking about deleting my Civil War blog. I'm not really into that very much anymore. I'll probably also work on my 3D models. I haven't touched them in a long time. I'll post some pics if you're interested.

*crickets chirp*

Tumble weed rolls by*

Okay...

Guess you're not.


I'll also be online more now that school is done. Although, I may have to do Summer School because somehow I'm missing an English credit. I can take one full English course, and two electives in English next year. That will give me two credits in English. That'll be enough to graduate.


Dunno what else to talk about right now.

So...


OMG

I keep having these dreams. They all take place inside the tent while Alex and I are camping out. They're all sexual in nature for the most part. But they always end with us falling asleep in each other's arms, and they just have this love feeling to them

*warm, fuzzy feeling*

Maybe they're telling me I need jump on camping plans :p


Okay, that's all for now.

Oh no. One more thing:

Alex also sounded interested in seeing Valkyrie. So maybe there's an oppurtunity for a sleepover there? IDK

I just feel like posting...

...so I am even though I've got nothing to talk about.

Oh, I almost ran over Alex... on purpose :p

He, Joe, and I think Alex2 (previously known as The Not So Annoying Friend) were out playing hockey in Alex's driveway. I had previously been up at Mom's working on school stuff, but I had come back ~20 minutes before to get a Spanish/English dictionary (which I couldn't find).

I was pulling out of the driveway when Alex, seeing me, purposefully skated out onto the road. As soon as I was on the road, I hit the accelerator. Hearing the engine rev, Alex quickly made his way back onto his driveway.

Don't worry, there was plenty of room for me to stop (I only made it up to ~35mph), so there was no danger of me actually running him over. Now if it were Joe on the road...

well, I won't go there >:)


Hmmm let's see.... what else?


OH!

I think Mom was on my laptop today.

:S

I was at her house trying to work on school stuff. I thought she wasn't gonna be there, but she was.

-_-

Anywho, I couldn't get much work done because all my computer wanted to do was install updates to everything!

It was installing a QuickTime update when I realized that I was gonna need my Spanish/English dictionary.

(Yes, this happened before the running over Alex incident)

So I left my computer on while I went down to Dad's. I told her it was on. When I came back up, the computer seemed to be in the same place and all. But...

The iTunes player was open (with a request to update of course)

and

The internet was open to the homepage (yahoo).

Well, I hadn't cleared my history and whatnot in awhile. So she could have easily accessed my blog, porn sites, email, and other sites I belong to.

:S

I didn't say anything, and neither did she.

So who knows if she actually was on it or not. I hope not cos if she was then she probably knows what's on this blog, and what porn I look at (i.e. GAY!!!).


Hmm... Not sure what else to post about.

Well, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna fail Spanish III. I hate Spanish. It's such a boring language. I hope I get to take German next year.


Speaking of next year...

Alex still hasn't mentioned the txt I accidentally sent him about going back to school in H'ville. H'ville is actually another city close to the one where I used to live, but they begin with the same letter so I know what I'm talking about at least.

Also, I told Mom that I selected "undecided" in the "Are you returning to {enter name of cyber school here} next year?" form.

I still haven't made my decision yet.


Wow, this post is really random. I'm really just posting things that are going on in my head.


My oldest brother, his wife, their new baby, the wife's mother and maybe her brother are coming in on Saturday. The babies getting baptized Sunday, then there's gonna be a lunch for them at the church that Mom is doing.

So I'll be pretty tied up with all that...

Apart from them, my other brothers will be there as well as their female counterparts. Also my grandmother will be there, and my godparents. Not sure if anyone else is gonna be there or not.

After hearing that Alex said, "So I guess I won't be sitting with you then?" Um... duh! Obviously not! I didn't say that tho :p

Okay, one more thought:

I want a boyfriend.

And don't tell me to go back to a 'normal' school to find him cos I won't. Besides, even if I did I'm only going to be there for a year before I go off to college anyway so...

Hmm...

I really want to go camping with Alex right now too. I really want to fool around with Alex again too :D

Oh, did I mention that the other night that subject came up?

When I told Alex I didn't really want to camp out again, and he said in a disappointing tone, "Why?"

Well, I said, "Um. Don't you remember why we camped out after the first time (we were only gonna do it once)?" Obviously I was hinting at us masturbating together. Well, he just got all quiet and didn't say anything so... I changed my mind about camping and that seemed to make him happy (not sure if it's because I changed my mind or if it's cos i changed the subject lol).

Okay, that's all I have to say for now.

Tell me what's on your mind now.

Thanks in advance for all your wonderful comments you all are going to leave now

:D


P.S. Alex watches Hanna Montana, iCarly, and other Nickelodeon shows when he's alone. He denies it even though I know he watches them. Now tell me, what 15 yo BOY watches those shows then lies about it? Nothing screams gay more than that! :p

History Class and Other News

I have to do another Honors Project for this class :\

It has to be a museum exhibit... online...

I'm thinking of creating another blog just for this. I don't know how to create an entire website so the blog route is easier.

The theme is "The United States at War: Attitudes and Actions."

I just got started so I'm not sure where I'm going to go with it yet. I have to have 3 different events from 3 different decades between 1880-2000. So I guess I can do WWI and WWII, but not sure about the 3rd event. If you have any ideas, please share them.

In other news:

Alex was out playing hockey all by himself yesterday. His mom, dad, and sister were up at the ball fields. I went over since he was playing all by himself. The first thing he said to me was, "Just so you know, I'm leaving in like 5 minutes."

I just said, "Oh" in the most disappointing tone as possible :p

That 5 minutes actually turned into 10-15 minutes. Then he had to go up to the ball fields to see his cousin (I think) play softball.

I'm still waiting to sit out on his porch with him.

Should I ask him? I don't usually do that cos it is his porch after all. So he should be the one to ask right?


Dunno if anyone cares or not, but I finally got an xbox live account. My gamertag is pabond007. My game collection includes:

Medal of Honor: Airborne (MoH FTW!!)
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto IV
Quantum of Solace
Call of Duty 4
The Godfather (can't play this one online)

If you have any of those games and wanna play together, then send me a request or whatever.

I want/need to get a wireless network adapter for my xbox 360. That way I can move it back downstairs to the living room. There I can play it on a flat screen TV and surround sound. It's in my room now cos that's the only way I can play Live. It's currently hooked up to a mono 13" TV. Sound only comes out of one speaker -_-


A new recycling thing just arrived finally! The old one has been overflowing for weeks! Last week, Alex mentioned having stuff they can recycle, and that he will go up with me :) I just sent him a txt msg saying that I'm gonna go up later, and I'll take anything up that he has.


Back to school news:

My plan was to finish everything this week. Finals start next week so this is the last regular week. I wanted to finish a class each day. But I've got soooo much work in each class, it's not even funny. I swear it's like they realize the end of the year is here, and just pile on all the work they can -_- Pretty soon I'm gonna have to start working through the night.


So it may be awhile before you hear from me again...

::EDITED:: Lock Down, Bomb Threat and Evacuation

Whoa! What a day! And it isn't over yet!

First up, Lock Down:

It was about 12:30 p.m. when the principal got on the PA System and announced that all students must go back to and/or stay in their current class until further notice. This lasted for 45 minutes.

Apparently two boys got into a fight. While two teachers were trying to separate them, one of the kids punched one of the teachers in the face. That student then ran off. That's why they locked the school down (literally).


~ 15 minutes later ~

The principal got back on the PA System and said that everyone must evacuate up to the football stadium. He also announced that if you went past your locker, you should get everything you need for the weekend because no one will be allowed back in the building for some time. This told us that something was seriously wrong.

We were out there for an hour before Mom and I could leave. We never did wait for them to finish sweeping the school. We had everything we needed anyway.

The rumors are that someone wrote a bomb threat in the 9th grade boy's bathroom. That's only a rumor so...

Today was senior's last day of classes. They were all crazy today. The principal was not happy at all!


So that's pretty much all that happened today so far. Now I'm just waiting for Alex to text me to go over on his porch. That won't be for a few hours yet though...

... If it happens at all...

I guess I've come to not get my hopes up when it comes to us. But who knows...


::EDIT::

Well, it's now almost 10pm and not a word from Alex. So... yeah...

I can't say I'm surprised tho.


Oh, I will say that it was nice seeing all my old friends again. Especially the cute boys :p