April Fool's!!!

Today we had a swim meet against Terra Linda. I swam a 200 medley relay, a 200 freestyle, a 50 freestyle, a 200 freestyle relay, and a 100 breaststroke.

Okay so the drama begins ... now.

So I swam in a lot of races today, and Ilija was being really nice and wishing me luck before every race and congratulating me on a good swim (even if I sucked) I was talking to Maddy before a race and he said good luck to me and not her, but I thought he was kidding. After I swam the 100 breaststroke, I was so sad because I did terrible on that race, and he made me feel better. Suzie, Kara, Maddy, and Hannah pulled me over and told me that he liked me. I told them they were stupid, because I could tell by Maddy's face that she wasn't very happy. So the meet ended and Ilija's grandparents were giving Leiska, Mary Bridget, and I a ride home. Two of us had to double buckle because there were only three seats for the four of us. Ilija got in first and Leiska was about to get in, but she said no, Nicole your skinnier. So I double buckled with Ilija, Leiska sat next to me and then Mary Bridget squeezed in. I was practically sitting on his lap, Leiska wouldn't stop giggling. When we got to my house I said goodbye. A little while later Leiska texted me and asked what I thought of Ilija, obviously I was thoroughly confused and she said that he was interested in me, and that Maddy didn't have a chance with him because he doesn't even like being in her presence. I don't know why, but I'm scared... For a lot of reasons, I'm scared that Maddy will hate me, that Joey will hate me (because I told him I don't want a boyfriend in High School) or that I'm not really what Ilija wants. I guess I'll never find out what will happen if I don't go for it.

Rolling Stone Application

To Whom It May Concern:

I am not your average writer. I don’t have any college degrees to symbolize my determination, or any awards to show my intelligence, and I doubt anyone would recognize me in a crowd. My name is Nicole Love, I am currently a freshman at Justin-Siena High School in Napa, California; and at fourteen, my goals are far different from those of my peers. This is not surprising, however, for I am different from them in almost every way. Perhaps this is because of my constant relocation, throughout my life I have lived in Belgium, Singapore, and numerous places in California, all the while visiting countless other countries. This, combined with my pure Scottish heritage, has made me extremely diverse and tolerant of every culture and religion I come into contact with. I think my unique point of view will be a valuable asset to Rolling Stone magazine.

I wish I could say I am a young prodigy, but in truth, the only extraordinary thing about me is my passion. My first memory was watching my parents read the paper together; now my father is constantly traveling and my mother is caught up with my younger brother. The only time we come together as a family, it seems, is when we are discussing world events. Throughout my life, when I pictured my future, the only thing I saw myself doing was being a journalist. Not only do I want to write about the events that affect our society, but also the events that influence our generation; this is why I feel Rolling Stone is ideal for my perspective.

Of course I understand that passion and a unique outlook is not enough to get me far in life. I have always been extremely driven and I have been told I am very intelligent. I have recently been accepted into my high school’s advanced placement classes in both World History and English, and when I lived in Singapore I participated in an exclusive writing course sponsored by an acclaimed author. I have been a member of many school newspapers and some of my stories have been published in my town’s local newspaper, The Sonoma Index Tribune.

I am aware that my age is something to consider, but I have never looked at it as a negative factor. I am extremely determined and stubborn, if someone tells me I can’t do something, I will only try that much harder. If it was too much to think I would be accepted into this internship, then at least do me this favor; remember my name because I plan to apply once more when I am older. You may ask me why I would even bother applying at fourteen, but I expect to accomplish great things in my life, and I see nothing wrong with getting a head start. I do, after all, have one life to live and I don’t want to look back and wonder “What if?” By sending you this e-mail, I don’t think I ever will.

Sincerely,

Nicole Love

Jane Norman

Jane Norman please come to the US!!!

I came across this store when I went to visit my family last winter in Scotland. With trendy new styles and classy yet adorable clothes ranging from shorts to rompers, to day wear to the perfect cocktail dress. Please Jane Norman we need you to set up a store in America. We need your fashions to grace the streets of San Francisco!

The Romper

The romper : The ruffle chambray romper from Wet Seal $22.50

Day Wear...

Steve Madden Tuxxedo Oxfords in black $49.95

Baghaus Emma Estela with Silver Hardware Hobo in yellow $55.95

Forever 21 Jeweled Polo Belt in black $ 8.80

Night Wear...

Forever 21 Kathy Holiday Peep Toe in Purple $20.80

Forever 21 Oversize Lace Clutch $12.80

Steve Madden W-Wow Belt in black $32.00

Throw Me A Liferaft

Have you ever felt like a stranger in your own skin? An outcast in your own home? That's how I feel every day. I'm not exactly sure what moving will bring, if things will get better or stay as they are now. I just know they can't get any worse, I don't belong in this tiny town with only a handful of people to pass the time with. As the year wears on I'm finding myself drawing away from my friends and staying at home more. I guess that's not a bad thing but I want to go to school with people that I would actually like to hang out with after hours. And I don't feel thats the case here anymore. Sammy and I are still not talking and I find myself losing closeness with many other people, so maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it was me, regardless of whose fault it was I feel like I need someone to talk to and with Sammy out of my life I have absolutely no one to relate to. I miss my best friend now more than ever and I can't wait to move. I am apprehensive though, perhaps I am just one of those people who is different everywhere they go. Coming from Belgium, Scotland, California, and Singapore; maybe it is impossible for me to ever settle in one place. I'm trying though and I know I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I still wish things would change though, maybe the people I am supposedly friends with could treat me like a human being and show even an ounce of compassion. I don't know how much longer I can remain isolated in a sea of people, but I hope someone will throw me a life raft sometime soon because I am sinking pretty quickly...

SI Application Forms

I am applying for Saint Ignatius High School next year and they of course ask for a student application form. Here is the main question they are asking. Please give me your feedback!!!

The question asked you to describe someone who has been important in your life. I chose my personal idol Nelson Mandela. This is my response to the question...

"There are many people in my life that I emulate, but the one person I chose to live my life as I think he would is Nelson Mandela. The first black elected President of South Africa may be an odd idol to have; but ever since my family and I visited Robben Island three years ago, I am constantly thinking about the difficult choices he made. Mandela was put in prison for attempting to better a racially segregated country; when he was finally freed he was not bitter, he was stronger and he used this strength to unite a country. I believe he has touched my life in a way that drastically changed my views on everything I knew; I believe he made me strive for an education in hopes that someday, I may impact this world as he has. Although I have never met Nelson Mandela, I don’t believe that makes him any less personal in my life; he has taught me to forgive but never forget, so that I may grow and learn from all of my hardships. I have also learned to appreciate everything I have, and to give back to those who were not so lucky. I now know that it is not race or religion that separates people, but the fear to become stronger if you unite, for some people think power shared between two cultures is not power at all. The question remains is, how could Mandela be anything less than inspiration?"

JSHS vs. John Swett

This meet I swam a 200 meter med. relay. I swam backstroke, Maddy Long swam breast stroke, Maddie Osgood swam butterfly, and Kara Hart swam free style and we all came in second with a Justin Siena win. The second race I swam in was a 50 meter freestyle sprint and I came in first with yet another Justin Siena win. The third race I competed in was a 200 meter freestyle relay. Maddie Osgood swam first, I swam second, Sara Marin swam third, and Leiska Van Staavern swam fourth and we won that race. Finally the last race I competed in was a 100 meter backstroke sprint and I was so nervous for this event. But I did come in third with Kimmie Kreuzberger coming in first. Obviously Justin Siena won this meet and even though we were all freezing because it was an outdoors swimming pool, I think it was completely worth it.