Being in Honors English- Claire Riley

If I hadn't done anything, I'd be in CP English. Not that I didn't like that class, it was fine. But how do I explain that I don't feel smart.
How do I explain that when I was there, after fighting a year as a freshman, as the leader of every presentation group, I was still held back?
How do I explain that after getting "outstanding!" written on my paper over and over, I was still held back?
How do I explain that after working harder than I've ever worked in that class only to be labeled as a "try hard," I was STILL held back?

Being in this honors class has meant the world. I know it doesn't seem like much. It's a high school course, and kids including me complain ALL THE TIME about work. But just the idea of getting to sit where others who genuinely care about their grade is awesome. Getting to feel like I'm actually improving in my work and getting a quality education is awesome. Writing has been the only academic I've never stopped enjoying, and I don't plan to stop anytime soon.

Being in this class means that I've earned it. It means that I'm seen as above average at something that I've worked hard on to improve. I feel on top of the world when I sit down in my seat and get asked by peers what I wrote. Why am I the example? Aren't you guys the geniuses? 

Being in this class I've read the most interesting books. What's better? I found people just as interested in reading as me. Mrs. Kopp's recommended books never failed to intrigue me, and I've had so much fun talking about them.

Being in this class makes me feel smart. I feel like I have something colleges can finally look at and say, "oh, so she likes to write huh?"

In my next two years, I hope to go into some AP English classes. English has always been a bigger part of my school life than the rest of my academics, and I'm happy to say I excel at something that I could get a job in later on.

I'm so happy the school board and the English department has let me into this class, even after I almost gave up hope. I'm so grateful that Mrs. Valleau put up with my crap about wanting to go higher, even without the recommendation or the grades. I'm so happy I was able to spend my time in this class this year, have so many valuable lessons, and enjoy my time feeling like the smartest kid in the world...or at least for 45 minutes. :)

Therapy Through Poetry by Julia Young

Therapy Through Poetry by Julia Young

It is just great being hypersensitive to absolutely everything.

The most minuscule of things can immediately set off a switch; 

And no, this is not just a light switch, it is a lever that opens a dam.

Everything is released all at once, and there is no going back once the deed is done.

Water comes pouring like a tidal wave, a tsunami.

Yet this wave does not wipe out cities,

It does not make the headlines on the news, nor does it make the ones in the newspapers;

It doesn’t even make it’s way into the circulation of local gossip, not even to the dinner table.

This wave is one that floods your brain;

One that blows the fuses of neurological currents, not electrical ones.

It drowns you in your thoughts, not others in water.

It knocks down your confidence, wrecking your credence instead of wrecking buildings.

Yes it is remarkable to be vulnerable to such microscopic things;

It is just delightful to be born with the fragility of a flower.

I’d had an extremely frustrating day the day I wrote the above poem. All my anger, frustration, and stress was balled up inside of me, and I needed some way to relieve the tension. Although I’d usually just sigh and groan and let my feelings out through physical methods such as curling up in a fetal position or crying, I thought to myself, why not write a poem about it…. I knew I was going to have to write poems for my English poetry assignment anyways. And so I began writing. Surprising to me, the words flowed out of my mind and onto my computer screen rapidly; it felt organic and natural for me to be expressing my feelings in such a way. I felt as if I was ranting… but in an artistic way. When discussing my thoughts or problems with my friends, I struggle to really express how I am truly feeling; no matter how hard I try to describe how I feel, I never feel like they truly get it. Yet, through this poetry, I knew exactly how I was feeling— I was completely in tune and aware of my emotions, which is a situation I had never really experienced before. 

What I am trying to say is, through being forced to write poetry for class, I discovered a new form of therapy for myself. When I am in distress, I can just open up my laptop and start typing. Writing poetry provides me with almost immediate relief when I’m feeling down, making significant changes in my mood. 

To anyone who struggles with becoming in tune with their emotions, I highly recommend trying to write poetry about them. You never know what might work for you, and I think poetry is worth a try.

Bullet Journaling By Mrs. Kopp

Each year, in December, I start to think about my goals for the upcoming year.  I used to write long lists of resolutions, but was then perpetually disappointed when I wasn't able to fulfill all of them (who has time to run for 100 days in a row?).  Then, for a while, each member of my family would choose one word that we hoped would represent the new year (I'd make little wood signs with each word because I love to paint and use my Cricut machine). 

As I think of 2017, I realize that there is one area of my life that I want to focus on and that is my life as a writer.  Before I was married and had children, I used to write all the time.  I would fill journals with thoughts, poetry, and drawings, but then suddenly- I just stopped.  Despite the fact that I still collect journals (and bookmarks) because I LOVE THEM, I wasn't writing.  

So, in 2017, I want to write every single day.  But, I know that I won't have time for that and it makes me sad.  Then I heard about something called Bullet Journaling.

Bullet Journaling is supposed to be a way to quickly organize plans, activities and thoughts.  I loved this idea and I'm ready to go. 

First, I purchased a fun planner that had enough room for me to bullet journal on each day of the year.

I purchased this at Michael's craft store (another favorite of mine- I wish I could live there) for only $11.99 (70%off)

Then, I got some pens that make me happy (I know, I know it's weird).  Now I can write a few sentences a day or more, if I have the urge and time.  I already added some poems leading up to the January calendar. I am so excited about this and I encourage each of you to find a way to achieve one goal in 2017. 

Happy New Year!