"Glass Half Empty"

For the weekly letter this week, Halley Wong asked us to write about an unlucky or unfortunate situation in the past.  Then we were asked how we dealt with it and what attitude we had afterwards.  And then looking back now, how would we react and what would we do differently.

Although there have been many unfortunate situations throughout my life, one that always sticks in my head is something that happened in eighth grade.  Although it is not hugely significant in my life, it was an experience that I definitely learned and grew from.  

For science class we were required to make this posterboard and then have a presentation that went along with it, for the unit we were covering at the time.  I, for some unknown reason, saved about 85% of the work until the weekend before it was due.  That Sunday, I was in a panic.  I remember sobbing because I was so overwhelmed.  I knew it was my fault completely, so I was angry too.  But thanks to my mom, I was able to finish the project before Monday.  I ended up not even presenting until Wednesday, which was a little frustrating but it was okay because I didn't have anything to stress about on Monday and Tuesday besides rehearsing.  It worked out because I got a few more days to practice.  

That Sunday, I had been extremely negative towards myself and my situation.  I was very pessimistic about finishing the project.  However, since then I have not procrastinated to that extent since.  Learning from my mistake, I have learned to use my time MUCH more wisely, especially when it comes to a big project like that one.  If I could go back now, I would have forced my younger self to dedicate a little time every night to work on it, instead of saving it all for the last night.  But maybe if I HADN'T procastinated like that, I would have made that mistake again later on.  

Happiness Vs. Unhappiness

A couple weeks ago Audrey Phan asked my class to write three things that make us happy right now.  Then afterwards, write three things that make us unhappy and describe/explain how we can change something to make it better. 

Three things that make me happy are my friends, my family, photography, and rowing.  (I know that's four things but there are so many things in my life that make me happy)

Three things that make me unhappy and what I can change to make it better:

1. Homework.  

I can look at homework in a positive way.  It doesn't have to be looked at like a chore, I can look at it as a learning tool that is going to pay off in the future.

2. Being tired all the time.

Trying to be more time efficient and productive with my schedule can help me get more sleep and thus eliminate my constant weariness.

3.  Taking tests.

Instead of overwhelming myself with multiple tests at once, I should (and will) focus on one test at a time from now on.  I will be more productive if I face one task at a time.  AND THEN if I am less overwhelmed, I will be more happy!

Loss

For this past week's weekly letter assignment, we were told to write about one time we experineced loss and how we coped with it afterwards. 

Last year, when I was a novice rower, one of the the few races we lost was at regionals.  Regionals was supposed to be the time we took home the most important gold medal.  We were pretty much undefeated so far in the season but when we got to regionals everything was different.  The stakes were higher, the conditions were pretty bad, and the course was unfamiliar.  Most of the race went by in sort of a blur, but I remember how defeated we felt afterwards.  We had put every last drop of energy into this race and we didn't even place.  We were so disappointed.  But once regionals were over and we had time to discuss, we realized there was nothing we could have done differently.  We had trained just the way we were supposed to.  We gave the race everything we had.  But outside forces had been against us too, we had gotten the windiest lane and our coxswain was not very good either.  And ever since then, we have all trained just as hard, if not harder, for the upcoming races.  Although at the time we were not happy, everything turned out pretty well in the end.

The Friendship Circle

This past week, Mr. Brown's students were asked by a fellow student to attend a session of the Friendship Circle and to describe our experiences.

I have been to the Friendship Circle a few times before but I've never gotten the chance to speak with any of the kids.  Most of the students who go to Friendship Circle go all the time, so the kids there already know them.  However, this time I wanted to make an effort.

My friend Leah introduced me to a girl named Rita.  Everyone knows Rita, she is quite a popular member of the Friendship Circle.  She is very outgoing and I really hope I get to know her better in the future.

From observing the members at the club, I noticed that all the kids, the special needs students and the students visiting, were all shy at the beginning.  But once they get talking they all open up.  Although some students did not feel like talking to the visitors, they were not rude about it.  They were all very polite and kind.

I think the Friendship Circle is such a great club because it helps not only kids with special needs, but also any kid that just want a friend to talk to.