Fun in the Sun

    Although the swim team seems like no fun, and, yes, I may act like it occasionally, but the hard work is inspiring, and we get to have fun, too! Last Saturday, the entire varsity swim team was invited to attend a "get to know you" party. It took place at my friend's house, because her brother is on the swim team. I was nervous at first, because I didn't know where my friends were, or even if they were coming, and also I didn't want to be there with a bunch of seniors that I didn't even know. Once I got there, though, I found my group of friends and we started talking, which eased my tense visage. We ate tons of delicious food, and we rode around in their boat. Eventually, I worked up the courage to go inner tubing, which seemed like an insuperable task, because none of my friends wanted to actually get in the water. Afterwards, though, I was really glad that I had done it, because it was SO much fun! I ended up going at least 5 times, and then somehow I got the idea to go wakeboarding WITHOUT my friends!?!? (They had to go to a dance, so they DESERTED me with a bunch of acquaintances (just kidding, they were all really nice)). I don't know what happened so that I felt that I could even attempt that and still have my dignity, but I tried, and after about 11 or 12 total wipeouts, just when I was ready to give up, I tried one more time and managed to stand and make it across the entire lake! (...then I fell again...) Overall, it was an amazing experience, and I am looking forward to more fun swim meetings!

Graceling

     Graceling, written by Kristin Cashore, was one of my favorite books that I have read in a while. I loved the plot line, the characters, the theme, and just about everything else. Katsa is not only an amazing character in Graceling, but she is a stupendous example of someone searching for her identity. Anyone and everyone can relate to Katsa, because at one time or another, everyone feels that they do not know who they are, and Kristin Cashore has transferred a teenager's every-day life into a fantastic adventure novel.
     Kristin Cashore, through Katsa, shows what it would be like to live in a world with magical powers. It would add complication to minor every-day issues, but on the other hand, it would add depth to any ordinary activity. Katsa and Po are perfect for each other, because of their magical abilities. No one else would understand Katsa or Po as they would each other, because their extraordinary abilities are not something that they can explain to someone who has no idea what it is like to have them. Po makes Katsa stronger, and visa-versa, which makes them work perfectly as a couple.

Reading Log:

Graceling, Kristin Cashore
8/20 - 90 min.
8/21 - 85 min.
8/22 - 55 min.
8/23 - 160 min.
Total: 390 min.

Outside Reading

8/18 - 60 min. - Graceling, Kristin Cashore
8/18 - 60 min. - Summer Reading Book Chat Project
Total - 120 min.

Getting To Know Me

   Since this is my first free blog, I figured I should introduce myself. I was homeschooled last year, as a lot of you know, so I got to travel a lot with my family. We went all over the United States, visiting many historical sites. Also, we traveled across Europe, where I saw many places including Spain, France, Italy, and more. In France, I saw the Eiffel Tower and The Arch de Triumph, and we even got to spend the night at a real castle in the French countryside! We also visited Pompeii, an old civilization that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. It was really cool, and it was a great learning experience. It is much better to actually learn about a place or event through experience, instead of just memorizing facts from a textbook.
   
     My hobbies are swimming and reading, and I am thrilled to be swimming on my school's swim team this year. Some of my favorite book series are the Harry Potter series, the Hunger Games series, the Chaos Walking series, the Beautiful Creatures series, and the Uglies series. If anyone has any suggestions for books I would like, I am open for any ideas, and am always looking for a new book to start

Summer Reading

                Divergent, written by Veronica Roth, was my favorite book that I read over the summer. Once I finished it, I immediately searched for the next book, Insurgent, and read it in a matter of hours. Veronica Roth has a great style of writing that made it nearly impossible to put either of the books down, especially once the introductions were done and you felt like you were actually in the book. Then I looked for the third and final book, and was very disappointed and frustrated to discover that it will not be published until October 22^nd. While searching for the third book, I discovered that the movie is in the process of being made, so I am very excited to go see that. Hopefully the director has chosen good actors/actresses to play the major roles, because I loved the books and do not want the movie to ruin the series for me.

One aspect of the book that I especially liked was how Veronica Roth made the fear landscape seem fairly realistic. Sometimes it was hard to remember that everything that was on the pages at that point was only going on in their heads. Especially for the fairly realistic ones, such as when Tris and Tobias were in the box in Tobias’ fear landscape. That part, for me, in particular was difficult to remember that it was only in their imaginations. Also, I like the message that the book gives about how being different may seem to be a bad thing at first, but in reality, that is what makes each individual person special.