Finals Not as Serious.

Ever since I came to America in 7th Grade, it doesn't seem like the Final Exams are taken as serious as where I used. I feel like it's unorganized when it comes to the Exams. We only have half days to study for them. On the contrary, when I went to school in Saudia Arabia, we would have a day or 2 off to study for math and a day off for science because everyone took studying so seriously. While we were taking the exams, lunch ladies would give out water and snacks while we are taking them too! I wish it was like that here because people would have more time to study and what not. It's very different over here and the other countries I have lived in. In Singapore, after the students take the Final Exams, it is sent to Britain to get it corrected. It's that serious to many other places. When I used to live in Egypt too, Final Exams were taken in the Gym as well as in Saudi Arabia. Education-wise, I wish I was back in Saudi Arabia, because it is more desciplined. Although, Good Luck to All for the Finals!

It's the thought that counts

I hope everyone had a great memorial weekend! It was so hot today and randomly rained later on. My day started out marching in the parade for the band and my boyfriend said he had a surprise for me. One of my friends knew but I had no clue what so ever. As we met later on, he told me he was taking me for a picnic at the turkey swamp park or something. I never heard of it. He said he packed everything and was also going to take me for a boat ride at this lake. I have always wanted to do that and he thought today was the perfect weather. As we drove, it rained cats and dogs and there was no way we were able to have that picnic =[ we were both disappointed. We passed by the Freehold Loews Movie Theatre and decided to park there and figure out what to do. In the end, he put the chairs down in his cars, making it like a big floor. We had our own picnic and pigged out on the food he had. We also went to the movies after that. What matters is that I was with him and that it was so thoughtful of him to have a surprise for me like that. Even though I have always wanted to do it, we ended doing something we have never done instead. We have a long time ahead of us and we will always be able to do it again =] It's the thought that counts.

Exceed

My dad once said, "whatever point you're at... exceed in it." I never really listen to his lectures until those words spoken struck me. If someone thinks he/she is the best, they're wrong. They can keep exceeding. There is never a limit to anything. Even the greatest musician in the world is not the best. Maybe someone one day can be better than him and on goes the pattern.

I have always looked up to those words. When I got my first flute, my dad told me to exceed... so then I joined the Marching Band. Second, he got me really expensive running shoes then I joined Cross Country. I try exceeding everything I can do since we all live once you know? Might as well do as much as we can. I've tried being better in drawing, writing poetry, speaking languages and what not. It's never the end of it like I said so I promised myself to keep learning and to keep finding out what more I could do.

Everyone has a talent. Every person is special. We look up to many people so we can be "just like them". My friend has told me how she has read a quote something like: "Don't be a second version of someone else, but a first version of yourself" You want to be that unique person to stand out from the crowd. Why follow and dress like those stars? These fashion trends and phrases must have started from somewhere.

18-yr old Addict (extra credit)

An 18-yr old girl, recently found out about, has been a drug addict since she was 13 years old. She was influenced by her mom. When watching the video of her talking about her life, she knows she is a prescription drug addict and an alcoholic. Chentry, and her best friend, have been snorting crushed up pills as a daily basis. She has been a drop out since she was 13-yrs old, been arrested and went to rehab 3 times. Her cousin, who used to be a drug addict, spent every penny of his money to get "that feeling". Chentry decides she wants to try really hard to stop making excuses because it is not getting anywhere. After their interview, they immediately start snorting again. She later tried to commit suicide because she felt alone and ended up in the hospital. The doctors said that she was 15 minutes away from death and found out she took Tylenol, Aleve, Benadryl, Advil pills.

It's really bad what many teenagers do nowadays. Underage drinking has been so popular to the point where there were Breathalyzers at the junior prom. In addition, there are drug tests at our high school. When teenagers end up becoming addicted, it is really hard to get out of it and they just shouldn't have done it in the first place.

Hoping this week doesn't go slow!

A lot of people (especially girls) must be looking forward to prom this week! All our countdowns and what not are finally getting closer and closer for just one night. It's been ridiculous that I realized I spent over 200 dollars for prom. The limo, hair, nails, and etc. All for one night. Although it's the one day to feel like a princess and look like a princess =] The one day everyone will remember. I hope this week doesn't go slow! Just waiting for it to come already. I've been so careful not to get sick as that's the last thing I need!

Teachers Getting Laid Off =[

So the budget didn't pass and alot of people are very upset about this considering their favorite teachers are being given the "pink slip". It's pretty unfair that teachers with "ten year" cannot get fired because some of those teachers aren't liked by many of the students. The new teachers however, some great, are sadly leaving. =[ Even if the budget passed, teachers would have been fired. It's so upsetting that it has to be this way. Money money money =/ These teachers that were given "pink slips" have families to support and what not. So what happens to them? It's going to be so hard for them to get a new job but I wish them the best of luck. Also, joining sports and all is going to be ridiculous next year as we have to pay to be in certain sports and activities like cheer leading, baseball, and what not. This school has wasted so much money on the TVs that we didn't need and the teachers that we needed. =/

Asked to Prom =]

So almost all the girls that wanted to go to prom found their dates and all. Even though me and Jordan (my boyfriend) knew we were going to prom, he still wanted to ask me. I've always wanted to be asked to prom and he knew that. Last Friday, I told him not worry about it because the bids are over, but he still had a surprise for me. Today, I had to take a test in Mr. Gardner's and as i skimmed through the test, I saw a post-it note one the 2nd page of the test that said, "Nesma, Prom? If so go outside :)" So I went outside, and I saw him hold up a really big poster that said PROM? and roses =] Even though I walked out too early, because he was in the middle of taping the poster to the wall, it was still the cutest thing. I'm so happy to have met him<3 Have fun at prom to all of you who are going =]

its finally warm!

so we finally have the opportunity to wear our tanks shorts and what not. But the weather sure knows how to change as it should be raising tomorrow =/ It's getting really annoying that it just can't stay warm! I'm sure everyone is excited for spring break and just wants this week to be over! There are countdowns everywhere: teacher's boards, faebook, and people talking about it generallyy. i hope all of u a great spring break soonnn =)

ADAPT Trip

I decided to make my post today since it is an important topic to talk about today. When my group and I went to Pinebrook, for ADAPT, we were excited to meet the students. As we performed in the first class, I couldn't believe how adorable 6th graders were. Thinking they were all cool, and seeing some really quiet, and so on. As we talked about not doing drugs and alcohol, many of them were very cooperative about answering the questions. The next class though, same grade, was completely different. It's amazing how ONE class can look sooo different. They looked a lot older and one girl did not want to sign the pledge and she said she didn't care and wouldn't want to bother. As I observed as we were teaching them, it is really true that eventually, they will be using drugs and alcohol. A speech won't change their minds forever. There will always be those people to start the "trend" in their grade and their friends get affected by it and there the pattern goes. =/ It's really upsetting to know that some of those innocent ones will eventually be peer pressured. You could tell by the attitude they give towards this lesson.

My first SATs

So Saturday was the first time I ever took the SATs. I studied as much as I can and did my best. It was completely annoying knowing that you had to go back and forth with math; I would rather do English first THEN take the Math. The essay was okay, nothing really to complain about except that we only have 25 minutes to think, organize, and write. I was really glad we got rid of the HSPAs first because Ms.Scott's techniques help a lot. A whole 4 hours was so annoying sitting there! I couldn't wait to get out of there.

For those of you who went to the SATs Saturday, did you hear about a guy who yelled out loud and cursed at a teacher? I heard it was because he violated some rule and on top of that, he threw something and you could hear it break! So that's one warning that there are teachers out there who really watch you.

Girls in Drama!

High school espcially is when all the immature drama starts. whether it's about someone talking behind your back or just starting rumors for the those gossip lovers. why do many girls feel the need to yell out and start a fight? In the end, it's always about the silliest reasons. Is it worth it to get in trouble for honestly? I've attached a link about a girl who always felt the need to twist words around. Ever since elementary school started, there will always be those silly dramas about "he took my pencil" or what not. Now, it's either about "stabbing each other in the back", rumors, and etc. Girls, it is not worth it at all to start anything. I've seen two girls fight about something and that is why i wrote this. I just wanted to put it out there that being the better person is the way to go. Just ignore it because it's pretty immature to say things back and forth to each other. By junior year, i'm pretty sure many notice how silly it is to start the drama anymore because it gets boring in time.

Bathing Suit Season!

So Spring is coming soon and so is summer! Tomorrow will be a nice 58 degrees finallyyy! Since it's the warm season coming up, there will be a lot of things to do. First step is some girls will want a nice toned body to look good in their bathing suits, shorts, tanks, and etc. For guys, well some either work out or just don't really care as much as girls do about their bodies. On top of that, it's all about getting tan and laying on the beach. Stretch marks? well, there's this Nivea cream that makes it pretty much disappear! Love handles and what not is pretty annoying because of all the food we eat and the need to stay home or go out to eat.

Late for 5 minutes and a late pass?

I've seen people who come in late and receive a late pass for it. Why should they get that if it's only for 1 minute? They should give students a break. Giving them detention because they were late is completely pointless. It doesn't teach them a lesson but make their record look worse. Tennent Road is soo crowded the second buses start to come in and that becomes impossible for many students who are trying to make it.

School Wasting Money

Recently, the TVs in our hallways finally turned on. And it was all about announcements. I think that no one would have the time to look at them. Why couldn't the school spend the money on trying to expand the cafeteria? or improving the AC and heater to work better? It takes forever to get your lunch and that period is only 30 minutes. If the school can make it bigger, people can have more time to eat and so on. TVs are not a necessity at all right now.

Racism in our school

It's ridiculous how people have the nerves to still make fun of other people because of their religion or color. It's a free country and these students are not showing a good example. Even though we have had all these meetings about racism and respecting each other, it has not changed much. People still make racist comments. This guy in my class is one of the most racist kids i know. He is completely immature and I cannot stress it more. Who is he to say that Muslims celebrate 9/11? Or tell a Muslim he is a terrorist? What kind of right does he have?! I don't know what the school can ever do to change this. The only way is to do something about it once someone does something like that rather than wait for it to become worse. People should not just sit there and do nothing about it but to tell their guidance counselors or something of what is going on before it becomes worse. High School is the perfect place to experience all this nowadays but if students act, it can be prevented.

Battle of the Classes

So last Thursday was the BOTC. During the day, many people were more competitive than supportive of others. They did not respect the other teams since a lot of them tore down their posters and because of that, they got yelled at. It was pretty obvious that that this was getting a little too serious. People should respect the other teams rather than get them all angry and more competitive. It's what this activity is mostly about.

Writing blogs

So i write a blog about writing a blog. I think these blogs are actually kind of fun, besides the fact that we need a minimum of 4. I think we should just have a minimum of whatever we want because that way, people don't have to think of topics to write about. We could have one topic which could turn out an amazing blog. On the other hand, it is kind of interesting to look through other people's blogs and catch up with their lives, giving ideas and thinking of things that you never thought of. When you look through all these blogs, people can see that everyone goes through almost the same thing. Stress, High school, classes, and their love of music, sports and etc.

Snow Day =]

Since there was so much snow, why not take advantage of all that snow? I never really made a snowman ever since i came to America when i began 7th grade. Therefore, i went to my boyfriend's and we made a 7 foot snowman. On top of that, we had the scarf and everything to go with it. It was the first and best snowman i ever made. I never knew the whole "if you make a ball of snow and keep rolling it across the floor, it will get bigger" was true. This snowman was huge! I took pictures and i wanted to post it on fox news since people's pictures were being posted on tv and we made a bigger one than one of the people so i'm pretty sure we would have been on it too. Although i didn't have my camera when i got him =[ Oh well, besides that, i had fun =]

Valentine's Day

So February 14th came, mine and my boyfriend's 3rd valentine's day. Every year was completely special and romantic. This year, we decided to go to a romantic restaurant called "that's Amore". Before that, i went to his house and he told me to wait at the living room. When he told me to go to his room i saw him hold a really unique rose (it was no ordinary rose cause it had some type of design and it was real) and a box of chocolates. When he opened his gift, he loved it. And knowing me, i opened my box of chocolates NOT expecting anything. In the middle of the box, a ring was on one of the chocolates. =] It's so pretty and throughout the day, i couldn't stop smiling. I just couldn't ask for a better guy to take care of me and make me happy. =] At night, my best friend nicole slept over and watched movies and did the typical girls stuff. I couldn't ask for a better valentine's Day.

Unexpected Friday =]

Since there was a delay on friday, my boyfriend and i decided to get some breakfast. I was so tired, throwing on whatever i saw and went to the car to see him. When we reached school, i asked if he could open my locker since i was full handed with all the books. He said, "why don't u open the locker and i hold the books because i forgot your combination" and i did so. When i opened it, i saw a big teddy bear, balloon, and flowers. =] I turned around and saw him smiling at me. He told me he was going to ask me to be his valentine even though we knew that. He said he came a lot earlier to school to put all that and then came to pick me up. On top of that, i saw many other guys who did the same idea which i thought was adorable. It makes me realize that there really are guys that care so much about that one girl in their lives.

ADAPT: telling 6th graders about drugs?

So in the ADAPT club we will be going to the 6th graders to talk about drugs and drinking and how to not be influenced. We will be presenting them powerpoints and all about it. I just don't see how it's going to help at all because eventually, all of them are gonna end up drinking and doing drugs because that's just high school. Everyone will be influencing one to the other. It honestly is a stupid thing to do. Even though we will be telling them all about it, i wonder if we are gonna end up saving at least one person from doing it.

Prom: Supporting Jill

So i would like to connect mine and Jill's Opinion about prom. She has stated that it is a waste of money and how it is pretty much a scam. It does kind of have me rethink about prom even though i'm definitely going to be going to the senior prom. It really is a lot of money to spend for the dress, limos/party buses, hair, make up, shoes, etc. It is obviously fun since we all get to dance and see everyone of our friends. On the other hand, everyone goes to sea side and end up doing the same thing which i'm sure everyone knows what it is. I think it's pretty dumb cause next thing you know it, you prob don't remember what u ended up doing that night. it's pretty upsetting and disappointing. i completely agree with jill but i might still end up going, making sure i don't spend as much money until senior prom.

SATs and $

So many of us have either taken or will be taking the SATs. It will be my first time during march and i'm so nervous. After this first one, i will be getting a tutor. It's a private tutor at The Harrington Learning Center. It's so expensive; all these tutors an programs to help you score a good enough score to get into the colleges we all dream of going. It takes so much stress and money for all this and hopefully it will be worth it ! =/ Good luck to everyone taking it during March!

What to pick? help =/

so some parents out there are either too protective, too religious which makes them protective, or just plain strict. My dad is the religious, strict, protective one. i always have limits to what i end up deciding. I have two choices for this situation. Disney or some medical program during the summer. During spring break, we are going to disney for a week and it will be my first time and my boyfriend will be going with me and the band too. So it would be awesome. We Will be playing at the Hollywood Studios. My dad doesnt want me going although my mom is chill about it. I keep telling him it's a safe place and all but he just doesn't believe. He thinks ill end up like the movie Taken. -_- ... second i got in some medical program for the summer i get to go to Washington, D.C for a week and learn alot about medicine which i love. My dad won't mind paying for this program even though it's like 2000$... i just don't know which to pick =[

Grades Hitting You

It's been since just a couple weeks that my grades have hit me. When I started picking my classes for next year, looking at my GPA, scheduling my SATs, I always though I would have so much time to do this. But people who have gone through this are right: Time flies. Ever since that day, I started organizing myself, making sure I do every hw and bring up every grade that I can. I can't allow myself to slack and procrastinate anymore =/ It's been fun haha. But this has to stop one day. I mean, I have always did my homework and all, but when it comes to the tests, I wouldn't put as much effort. Now, I do my best. Hopefully it brings up my GPA and everything by the end of the year. =/ Sigh.. Surviving High School...

My brother leaving me...

So my brother will be leaving back to Singapore to serve the army there. It is a MUST to do it for all the boys that were born there =/. It's always hard to know that we take days for granted and by the time you know it, he is leaving. My big brother that was always there for me for the good and bad. We have been through too much. He protected this family. I can only do nothing about it but to know that by June, it will never be the same. By the time he visits, i'll be in college. By the time he is out of the army, I'll be done with college and getting a job. =/ Time really does run fast. I'll be missing him so much. A lesson I've learned is don't ever take your family for granted. They aren't there forever.

Valentine's Day Soon!

It's the one day where many couples show how much they appreciate each other. On the other hand, it also is the one day where it upsets many girls. A lot of single girls that I know are upset they don't have a guy to share their love with and receive special gifts. Although to those girls out their, you are all so beautiful and one day there will be that guy who appreciates you more than you'll ever know. Even though Valentine's Day is for many couples, go celebrate it with your closest friends =] ! All of you girls deserve the best in life and no matter what, be patient and that guy will come true. There's more than a million ways to spend Valentine's Day. Get dressed up, go out for dinner, many girls are going to the club, and have a sleepover. To the couples out there, there never is a NEED to buy gifts for each other. Spending time with the other is always the best. A dinner out, maybe? The guy is usually the one to show his love and appreciation to the girl. =]

Jets Game a Big Deal?

January 24th was the first I ever watched the Jets game. Even though I have been to all the Football games in the high school (because of band), I still don't understand football. Since Freshman year when i moved here from another country, I had a feeling I would never know how to play this game. When I was watching it with my boyfriend, his feelings would switch up here and there whether they were losing or not. But I kept asking what was going on =/. When the game was halfway over, he got upset (since he was a Jets fan) and I didn't understand why it's such a big deal. I guess I'll never understand that. haha.