Chelsea’s Blog: It All Happened So Fast

Almost November already? Where has the time gone? As much as I’m enjoying myself here, it doesn’t seem like I’ve been here long enough for teachers to start talking about term papers and semester averages. I feel as if it were “just yesterday” when I was trying on my GACS uniform for the first time.

Although it somewhat seems that I’ll forever be branded that “new kid” around campus, I’ve been having some success in getting involved and meeting people. The musical, Snoopy, proved to be an awesome way for me to make new friends, and performing with the cast was just spectacular. Oh, and in case you didn’t hear, we won GTC!

Another thing that has happened is that I’ve started to discover my favorite and least favorite classes. Right now, my least favorite is AP Calculus. Boy, it’s a killer! Mr. Beasley is hilariously brilliant and my classmates are really cool, but I am dying in there. I’ll be studying for a test, feeling oh-so-confident, and then on test day, as soon as that sheet of paper with math problems is handed to me, I have a sudden urge to… RUN!

I think my favorite class is currently Honors Latin III. I’m the only senior in the class, and I honestly think that may be why I enjoy it so much. We seniors are so caught up in our own things – college coming at us fast and senioritis spreading like swine flu – that I’ve generally noticed less enthusiasm among my classes with only seniors. My Latin class, with mostly sophomores, maintains a pretty nice balance of goofing off and focusing on the task at hand. Also, we get to use the Mac Labs every Tuesday! What more could you ask for?

Here’s something: Lately I have been trying to eat lunch with as many different people as possible. I encourage you to “mix it up” wherever you are, as well. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn from a person just by sharing a quick meal and casual conversation. There are many blessings in disguise.

That’s all for now. Check back soon.

Chelsea’s Blog: I Can Tell We’re Gonna Be Friends

THIS has probably been the busiest week of my life. Being away from home from seven am through four pm every day really takes its toll on a person physically and mentally. I am exhausted to say the least.

The year has started out nicely. I’ve been cast in a play (the annual One-Act Play, Snoopy!) so the performing continues to be a big part of my life. I’m glad to have the opportunity to return to the stage. Having a class every day (Drama Four) set in an actual theatre is a really glorious thing.

All of my classes, aside from Bible, have around twenty students in them. The energy in the room is always really refreshing. The bonding and relationships are nice.

I’ve already had three tests: an AP government reading quiz, an AP Literature essay test, and an AP calculus concept test. My AP government grade was a pleasant surprise, my AP Literature, unknown, and my AP calculus….disappointing. Looks like I may need someone to help me out with that math stuff…ugh..

Making friends is always happening. The most notable relationships which began this week were with the “girl who said ‘hi’ to me in the hallway between every single period on the first day,” the “my parents are late picking me up too” carpool guy, and the “red head who gave me a chocolate bar.” Yes, I do know their real names, but remembering all the new names isn’t easy especially when the weeks are so hectic. But, the excuse of “I’ve met a thousand people this week, so sorry!” seems to be working nicely.

Tomorrow, the juniors and seniors will travel to a camp site in Georgia for our annual beginning-of-the-year spiritual retreat. Everyone seems really excited about it. I’m gonna go and make some more new friends!

I’ll let you know if I have any success…

Chelsea’s Blog: First Day of School

MONDAY morning, six a.m., and there’s a ringing in my ears. I’m pretty sure I must have moaned pretty loudly and unpleasantly at that point. After reluctantly crawling out of the bed, I groomed myself and put on my uniform. Ready to go, I hit the road and spent the next thirty minutes fighting morning rush hour.

My homeroom class is the farthest building from the parking lot, so that was a nice, little walk. Once arriving at the building, I was greeted by a few “good mornings” and countless confused stares.

“Are you new here,” asked several uniformed girls.

“Yes, I’m Chelsea, what are y’alls’ names?”

That’s pretty much how my day went. There are seven classes in my schedule, not including the tri-weekly chapel services and midday lunch period. I never know what time it is that I’m supposed to be somewhere. It’s not “what’s your 9:30 class?” … it’s “who do you have for second period?”  My life has ceased to be ruled by the clock and the lovely bell has taken over my every move.

The bell rings all the time. It signals everything and anything, and teachers kind of flinch when it rings mid-sentence. I always get a chuckle out of that. Seriously though, this thing RINGS and you can’t miss it. All I need to do is figure out what note it sounds, and by the end of the year, I’ll have perfect pitch.

My blog will continue on a regular basis. Please follow me in my journey as a new student at GACS!