Chicago Art Institute

I'm going to Chicago next week. On Saturday, when the quiz bowl matches are all done with, we have some free time. I really want to go to the art museum there. It's the second largest one in the U.S. behind MOMA. 

Its art collection=fabulous. It has Nighthawks, Time Transfixed, Water Lilies, American Gothic, and Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Eek! It's also heavy on the Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings. Impressionism is my favorite art style. 

But, alas, it closes at five p.m. 

This is very sad. If only, if only.

Time Transfixed, Rene Magritte

Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, Georges Seurat

Bedroom at Arles, Vincent van Gogh

Nighthawks, Edward Hopper

Water Lilies, Claude Monet

By the Water, Pierre-Auguste Renoir

American Gothic, Grant Wood

The Summer

I'm anticipating the summer, I'm not going to lie. I got a job as a lifeguard and I'm excited for it. I get to save people's lives, get a tan, and earn more than minimum wage for my first job. I'm looking forward to it. 

This summer I am going to...

• Test out of World History
• Do lots of reading
• Work. A lot.
• Create my own Quiz Bowl Camp for real this year. (Not like last year!)
• Go to Cedar Point with people who like roller coasters. 
• Go camping with my family
• Go on the trek and wear pioneer clothing. Oddly enough, I'm really excited for this. 
• I'm possibly going someplace that just might involve a passport. But it's still in the air. I'm trying to not get excited for it because I'm being realistic. But still, it's a possibility.

It's going to be pretty busy.

Before we get to the summer, I still have...four?-ish weeks of school left. 

I can do it. I just keep telling myself that. 

And I have Nationals to get through. I'm already getting tense about it and it's not for another week, plus a few days. Not a good sign. 

A Brief Conversation with Yunbo

The Fighting Temeraire, J.M.W. Turner

Thursday at quiz bowl, I sat by Yunbo. We were going to start a game and it was silent until he said:

"I hope you know your art well."

I replied, "I think I do...at least I hope I do."

"Art is so arbitrary."

"Yes, it is arbitrary."

"I mean, some guy paints whatever he wants and puts it in his cupboard. Three hundred years later, it's worth millions of dollars and the answer to some quiz bowl question that we can't answer!" 

I thought it was kind of funny and at the same time, kind of true.

But I like art. 

I think I should be studying even more art now. I kind of feel...inadequate to be on the varsity A team. At the same time I feel thrilled but I should know my art even better. It's intimidating. I'm just a little bit...scared that I won't live up to the expectations placed on me. 

I think it's these times that I can't rely on my own strength.

Musik Videos auf Deutsch!

Ok, so here are some music videos from German we've watched in class recently.

*Just because I posted it does NOT mean I like the song or video. Just thought I'd share. 

I really like Allein Allein though.

Irgendwas Bleibt-Silbermond 

Something Stays-Silvermouth

 

Allein Allein-Polarkreis 18

Alone Alone-Polar Circle 18

Tanz der Molukuel-Mia

The Molecules Dance-Mia

Ein Sturm-Madsen

A Storm-Madsen

Vielleicht-Madsen

Maybe-Madsen

Kuess Mich fuer Immer-Samba

Kiss me Always-Samba

Gewinner-Clueso

Winner-Clueso

We're voting on which song we want to be our next. 

We'll see what happens. 

Conversations With Myself

Don't you just dislike high school?

Yes-I know what you mean.

I thought you would.

Yes, seeing as how we're the same person.

Well, that would make a bit of sense...

I suppose it would.

Did you enjoy your movie?

What movie? Oh, you mean Pride and Prejudice, the one with a bit of a modern twist?

Yeah-that one.

Yes, I did. It took me forever to get a hold of. I swear I called ten people before I finally found someone who had it. This one lady, of which I accidentally called her cell phone, told me I could go to her house and just take it even though no one was at home. Abby and I went but alas, her doors were locked.

Awww, that's too bad. At least you finally found it!

Yeah. I guess so. Kyrie let me borrow it. It was such a relief because I've been wanting to watch that movie for a long time. 

I really want to go to the movies. I want to see State of Play, 17 Again, and Earth. 

So why don't you just go?

Well, mainly because of two reasons. a) I'm too lazy to call someone who would want to go with me. b) I have to ask someone, like my mom, for a ride and she doesn't like me going to the movies by myself. It makes her sad or something. I saw X-Men Origins though and that is a fabulous movie! 

I've had that same problem. 

Yeah, I bet.

So are you excited for the summer?

I suppose. I'm not really doing anything though. I'm thinking of taking some German classes and hopefully I'll get a job lifeguarding someplace. Other than that, it's pretty uneventful.

Well you have to do something epic. It's your last summer in Michigan.

Eh, I guess so. I'm not that sad about leaving it. Is that mean?

No, not really. 

Why am I even asking you?

I'm not sure...

I've decided to finish my book that I started a few years ago.

Really?

Really really.

Are you going to actually finish it?

I'm hoping to...

Well, knowing how you are you'll probably write a few chapters and then abandon it for another few years.

Well it's worth a shot I suppose. At least I'm trying.

Oh, yeah, sure.

So, are you excited?

For what?

Sims 3!

Oh my gosh, I'm having a party on the inside! I'm so pumped for it to come out. It's less than a month! I would squeal or something but I don't do that kind of stuff.

You were born sixteen? 

Yes.

Me too.

Isn't life just tragic?

Not really. Only when I think about the two years I have left in high school. Other than that, I have things pretty good. 

Yeah, that's true. 

Isn't Abby funny?

Ha, yes. She's singing a song from Another Cinderella Story.

Hahaa, "check out my totally invisible finger!" Don't you just love Abby?

Yes. I bought her the movie and its soundtrack for her birthday. I'm such a good sister. 

I bet you are.

Well I should probably go. Someone might institutionalize me soon. This really needs to stop. 

Tchuess!

Tittle.

AP

Thank goodness, it's over!

I think only I would find a way to cut myself during an AP test. And it wasn't a paper cut-the stinking staple cut me. 

I didn't quite grasp the concept that if you leave a question blank then it doesn't count against you. Needless to say, I answered all of them. It's a bit disappointing. 

I liked the DBQ and I thought I did OK on the FRQ's. I didn't feel super confident about them however. I also finished early with like twenty minutes to spare, much sooner than I thought I would. 

I'm just glad it's over and I'm not doing anything for fourth block this semester. 

Robespierre

Today is Robespierre's birthday. He was born in 1758 and he's kind of radical.

Apparently, his disliking of the French monarchy can be dated back to when he was eleven years old. He was just about to read some Latin verses he had written in honor of the king when his carriage went by, splashing mud all over Robespierre. How sad is that? I just picture a little Robespierre, smiling with his Latin verses and then all of his visions of the monarchy are shattered and it's a blow to his ego. He frowns, someone probably laughed at him. It's so sad. 

Yes, I'm feeling sympathy for Robespierre, the man who killed thousands of aristocrats during the Reign of Terror.

Question: My brother Luke is in the Missionary Training Center, preparing for his mission to Hiroshima, Japan. He met this other guy there named Elder Hancock (or something like that). He [Elder Hancock] wrote me a letter and it should be here soon. Is that weird? Cause I think it is. Should I even write him back? I DECAY!