Hey, so it's been awhile since my first post on my frustration with the program, and I realized that I just kind of left you all hanging on how it all worked out in the end. Actually, everything's back to smooth sailing again. The teacher e-mailed me back the monday after I encountered the problem, and gave me some extra help figuring out how to format things on my mac. Everything since then has been going just fine, and I'm even starting to work ahead a little bit.
So, on to other things. Today was class registration for incoming juniors at my high school. Since I'm an incoming junior, that means I'm supposed to get completely registered for all of my classes for next year. The registration window is just 'anytime' between 2:45 today and 11:59 on the 30th, 'anytime' being within the first few seconds of registration opening if I want to get all of the classes I want.
The catch? My high school was hosting a regional music festival between 3:30 and 5:30 tonight. So of course the band that is 90% 'incoming juniors', aka needs to schedule promptly at 2:45, are the first ones up, with a warm-up time of 2:30. Now, I love my band teacher dearly, and I know he didn't do it to deliberately inconvenience the band members, but still. So, last night my mom and I ran over my schedule in preparation for her registering me at 2:45 today. To do this, my mom needs my login and password to Skyward, an online gradebook and scheduling program used by my school. So, we get on her laptop and go to skyward only to find that my username and password is saved in her browser. Win, right?
Wrong. Completely and utterly wrong. When my mom went to register for my classes, her computer crashed. And guess what she didn't know without her computer? My flipping Skyward login. She attempted to text me, but my device was in the band room and I was in the auditorium, so I didn't hear it.
The result? I am currently registered for every class I need/want to be in except honors English, because the class was 'full' by the time my mom got to it. Supposedly this isn't that big of a deal, and my mom is going to talk to my counselor tomorrow to make sure that they can put me in the class. Still, it's a big pain in the rear factor I wish I didn't have to deal with.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Let's talk about Introversion
No, really, let's. I'm an introvert, after all, so we're going to have to broach this topic at some point. What, you might ask, is the reason for this sudden post? One of my pet peeves, namely, people who call themselves introverts without really knowing what they're talking about.
One growing movement which I really appreciate is the movement to get introverts recognized and accepted by a society, that, up until just recently, viewed withdrawn, introverted people as 'lame' or 'socially awkward.' However, one drawback of this movement is that, the cooler introverts look to the outside world, the more people want to identify in that group, resulting in confused definitions of what an introvert really is. So, I'm here today as an introvert who's done quite a bit of research on introversion to give you an inside look on what it really means to be an introvert.
To begin with, an introvert is someone who derives their daily energy from solitude. That's it. Not 'people who are shy,' or 'people who don't like to go to parties,' but 'people who get their energy from being alone.' So your first clue is, how does being around other people for extended periods of time make you feel? If your answer is 'no change,' 'happier,' or 'more energized,' then chances are you are not an introvert, but rather, an extrovert.
So if the definition is so simple, why do so many people mis-identify themselves as introverts? The problem arises from a few (for lack of a better word) 'side effects' of being an introvert. This includes a reluctance to go to large social events, a tendency to avoid noisy people, and a habit of being quiet and shy around other people. Since we are all individuals, not every introvert behaves this way, and quite a few extroverts find themselves doing these things, which can lead some to believing they are introverts.
Take me, for example. On every test I have ever taken, and according to the earlier definition, I am almost 100% an introvert. Nevertheless, few would call me 'shy' or 'withdrawn.' Rather, although I avoid large social events, sporting events, and dances, and while I find face-to-face conversation daunting, especially with an authority figure or stranger, I have an almost obsessive love for public speaking. This 'strange' (as far as introverts go) passion, coupled with my raucous and high-pitched laugh, often would not lead most to label me as an introvert. At other times, however, my introversion is painfully obvious, such as me spending all of my free (in-school) time in the library, or coming home from school only to head straight down the stairs and 'recharge' before I do homework.
Such deviancy in one's personality is natural, in fact, life would be pretty boring without it. Still, some of what you've read here should help you determine if you're an introvert or an extrovert, so next time think before you publicly label yourself as one or the other personality type.
(Still unsure where you fall? Try taking the Briggs-Myers personality test online! Besides telling you whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, this test also measures you in a variety of other ways and gives you a fascinating personality type that you can explore more into if you so choose.)
One growing movement which I really appreciate is the movement to get introverts recognized and accepted by a society, that, up until just recently, viewed withdrawn, introverted people as 'lame' or 'socially awkward.' However, one drawback of this movement is that, the cooler introverts look to the outside world, the more people want to identify in that group, resulting in confused definitions of what an introvert really is. So, I'm here today as an introvert who's done quite a bit of research on introversion to give you an inside look on what it really means to be an introvert.
To begin with, an introvert is someone who derives their daily energy from solitude. That's it. Not 'people who are shy,' or 'people who don't like to go to parties,' but 'people who get their energy from being alone.' So your first clue is, how does being around other people for extended periods of time make you feel? If your answer is 'no change,' 'happier,' or 'more energized,' then chances are you are not an introvert, but rather, an extrovert.
So if the definition is so simple, why do so many people mis-identify themselves as introverts? The problem arises from a few (for lack of a better word) 'side effects' of being an introvert. This includes a reluctance to go to large social events, a tendency to avoid noisy people, and a habit of being quiet and shy around other people. Since we are all individuals, not every introvert behaves this way, and quite a few extroverts find themselves doing these things, which can lead some to believing they are introverts.
Take me, for example. On every test I have ever taken, and according to the earlier definition, I am almost 100% an introvert. Nevertheless, few would call me 'shy' or 'withdrawn.' Rather, although I avoid large social events, sporting events, and dances, and while I find face-to-face conversation daunting, especially with an authority figure or stranger, I have an almost obsessive love for public speaking. This 'strange' (as far as introverts go) passion, coupled with my raucous and high-pitched laugh, often would not lead most to label me as an introvert. At other times, however, my introversion is painfully obvious, such as me spending all of my free (in-school) time in the library, or coming home from school only to head straight down the stairs and 'recharge' before I do homework.
Such deviancy in one's personality is natural, in fact, life would be pretty boring without it. Still, some of what you've read here should help you determine if you're an introvert or an extrovert, so next time think before you publicly label yourself as one or the other personality type.
(Still unsure where you fall? Try taking the Briggs-Myers personality test online! Besides telling you whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, this test also measures you in a variety of other ways and gives you a fascinating personality type that you can explore more into if you so choose.)
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Electronic High School
So, I have to take an online high school version of 'computer tech' in order to graduate. So, a few days ago I signed myself up for the correct course and all seemed well. I went on to the class yesterday, was able to complete my first 'getting to know you' assignment, and all still seemed well. Then, I went on to start working on my first actual assignment, and hit a snag. The blinking instructions for the blinking assignment were written for a freaking PC.
As you might guess, I don't use a PC, but rather a mac. This has all kinds of ramifications for me being able to take this class, though. I mean, if I'm not able to take this class I will have to figure out some way to work it into my actual schedule, thereby dropping an elective I really want to take, or I won't graduate.
This is so frustrating on so many levels for me, especially when I really need to be able to take all the electives I can, also to be able to graduate. What I'm saying is, release time seminary, which allows me to take LDS religion classes during school, also eats up a credit that doesn't show up on my transcript, effectively giving me seven credit hours to work with instead of eight. This in turn means that I have no room to spare in my schedule, because I'm right on the edge of where I need to be in order to graduate. Thus, my frustration with possibly not being able to take this stupid blinking supposed-to-be-easy online class.
As you might guess, I don't use a PC, but rather a mac. This has all kinds of ramifications for me being able to take this class, though. I mean, if I'm not able to take this class I will have to figure out some way to work it into my actual schedule, thereby dropping an elective I really want to take, or I won't graduate.
This is so frustrating on so many levels for me, especially when I really need to be able to take all the electives I can, also to be able to graduate. What I'm saying is, release time seminary, which allows me to take LDS religion classes during school, also eats up a credit that doesn't show up on my transcript, effectively giving me seven credit hours to work with instead of eight. This in turn means that I have no room to spare in my schedule, because I'm right on the edge of where I need to be in order to graduate. Thus, my frustration with possibly not being able to take this stupid blinking supposed-to-be-easy online class.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
To Socialize or Not to Socialize?
My Mother has recently decided to try to get me to obtain some phone numbers of my 'friends' so that we can hang out after school and stuff. This is all fine and well, but it has brought me to the realization that I don't actually really have any friends. I mean, there are some people who I know who I enjoy being in their company, but there's really nobody who I can always count on to always want to spend time with me. To some of you, this might sound pretty lonely, but to me it's just how I live my life, and it's actually not as lonely as you might think, mostly because I spend so much time with my family and church friends outside of school.
All things being equal, however, an assignment in my English class today has provided me with some new insights I thought I would share with you. The assignment was that we were supposed to decide whether or not our school deserves its clique-free reputation, and then to provide an example to illustrate the point. I chose to stand by our school's reputation, and provided the type of example required by the assignment, at which point I thought the matter over and done with. To my surprise, my English teacher decided that he was going to read some of the other students' work out loud to provide examples of good and bad writing. After he did so, I realized something.
Every other student whose work had been read had argued for our school having cliques to one degree or another. Why, I wondered, was that? I knew most of the students whose work had been read and they were all friendly people who were willing to make friends with many others. Why then, would such people be able to argue for a certain degree of cliqueness, when I was not? That was when it hit me. All of the other students whose work had been read were part of a tight-knit group of friends, a clique even. Because of this, all of them could clearly see the boundaries of their social circles and groups, as well as where other groups lie. For example, one girl talked about the differences between 'techies' and choir students, while another girl mentioned how she was mostly just friends with other members of the track team.
I, on the other hand, do not really belong to any group, or, like I mentioned before, have very many 'friend' friends. Good acquaintances? Yes. People who I admire and respect? Definitely. But no real 'group,' no obvious boundaries. I find that my 'friends' number among many groups from which I share interests, like AP/Honors nerds, reading nerds, history enthusiasts, band geeks, and of course the 'we don't have a group' group. But, I also have friends from other groups, like choir students, girl jocks, emo-ish people, the 'we're really weird for no reason' group, and the 'artsy-fartsy' kids. The result? I don't really see the boundaries since I don't have a belonging place with any. I bounce so easily from group to group, able to discuss boy trouble and Russian history all in the space of a few minutes, that I can simply walk through social walls like they don't even exist.
I guess this only leaves one burning question in my mind. To socialize or not to socialize? If I do like my mom wants me to I'll gain a whole new level of friendship that I've never really experienced before, but I risk losing my social immunity and ability to sort of fit in anywhere. If I keep doing like I'm doing now, I'll stay pretty much a loner and a nerd with few to no 'real' friends, but I'll still be able to walk through social walls, and still be able to sort of belong anywhere.
All things being equal, however, an assignment in my English class today has provided me with some new insights I thought I would share with you. The assignment was that we were supposed to decide whether or not our school deserves its clique-free reputation, and then to provide an example to illustrate the point. I chose to stand by our school's reputation, and provided the type of example required by the assignment, at which point I thought the matter over and done with. To my surprise, my English teacher decided that he was going to read some of the other students' work out loud to provide examples of good and bad writing. After he did so, I realized something.
Every other student whose work had been read had argued for our school having cliques to one degree or another. Why, I wondered, was that? I knew most of the students whose work had been read and they were all friendly people who were willing to make friends with many others. Why then, would such people be able to argue for a certain degree of cliqueness, when I was not? That was when it hit me. All of the other students whose work had been read were part of a tight-knit group of friends, a clique even. Because of this, all of them could clearly see the boundaries of their social circles and groups, as well as where other groups lie. For example, one girl talked about the differences between 'techies' and choir students, while another girl mentioned how she was mostly just friends with other members of the track team.
I, on the other hand, do not really belong to any group, or, like I mentioned before, have very many 'friend' friends. Good acquaintances? Yes. People who I admire and respect? Definitely. But no real 'group,' no obvious boundaries. I find that my 'friends' number among many groups from which I share interests, like AP/Honors nerds, reading nerds, history enthusiasts, band geeks, and of course the 'we don't have a group' group. But, I also have friends from other groups, like choir students, girl jocks, emo-ish people, the 'we're really weird for no reason' group, and the 'artsy-fartsy' kids. The result? I don't really see the boundaries since I don't have a belonging place with any. I bounce so easily from group to group, able to discuss boy trouble and Russian history all in the space of a few minutes, that I can simply walk through social walls like they don't even exist.
I guess this only leaves one burning question in my mind. To socialize or not to socialize? If I do like my mom wants me to I'll gain a whole new level of friendship that I've never really experienced before, but I risk losing my social immunity and ability to sort of fit in anywhere. If I keep doing like I'm doing now, I'll stay pretty much a loner and a nerd with few to no 'real' friends, but I'll still be able to walk through social walls, and still be able to sort of belong anywhere.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
On Birthdays
Mine is coming up soon, you know. In just a few months I'll be sixteen, which means old enough to date and drive. Yay? I really don't know how I'm supposed to feel about this. I mean, I've already been driving since I got my permit at fifteen, so I guess getting my license will be cool or whatever. But dating? That's kind of a whole different story. I have a 'crush' on a few guys, but they're all fictional or famous (a few aren't even human). I don't really think of any real-life guys like that yet, you know? And I want to, I really do, but it's just like I'm too shy to want to talk to anyone, and then when I do they all turn into my friends and I can't bring myself to 'like' like them.
I don't really know why I care so much about this, because it's not like I'm a hot commodity or anything anyway. I suppose I'll go to a few dances and things if some of my guy friends take pity on me, and I'll probably help make up some numbers at a few group dates, but something tells me no one's going to date me because they 'like' like me either. And in a lot of ways, that makes it easier. It'll let me just enjoy dating to get to know people, without any of the pressure that some of my girlfriends tell me about. So yep. Sixteen, fun right?
I don't really know why I care so much about this, because it's not like I'm a hot commodity or anything anyway. I suppose I'll go to a few dances and things if some of my guy friends take pity on me, and I'll probably help make up some numbers at a few group dates, but something tells me no one's going to date me because they 'like' like me either. And in a lot of ways, that makes it easier. It'll let me just enjoy dating to get to know people, without any of the pressure that some of my girlfriends tell me about. So yep. Sixteen, fun right?
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