"My name is Michel Nicoli..."

Wow two days in a row...You'd think I had a lot of time on my hands...

Well today was the History internal, and first let me commend everyone on their efforts. It was very funny at some points and over all a pretty interesting day. I was pretty much last so thanks to those people who were still listening to me.

I was Michel Nicoli, "Previously I have been a...un trafiquant d'heroine, but I am now a United States federally protected witness and gouvernment informant." It was kind of hard to put on a French accent but I did better than I thought I would. I suppose that doesn't exactly mean I did that well considering I thought I was going to bomb out.

Tamsin looked very impressive with her Judge robes and we did the whole "All rise for the United States Supreme Court Cheif Justice Earl Warren". Haha it was good.

And here she is...our Chief Justice

And here our scandelous secretaries!

This is Tracey and I before she became a scandelous secretary. My goodness I look like some fat geeky man. I'm loving the tucked in thing I have going on...

And I have just realised that next week (a four day week nonetheless) is the LAST week of term 1!! Oh. My. God! It's so shocking how fast time has passed. So much has happened this term and yet it still doesn't feel like it can amount to a quarter of the years work. I find myself currently grappling around for the weeks that have passed, trying to keep them close; remember everything. The fact that we're leaving is never far from my mind and it's just so apparent in times like these. It feels like the year has only just begun, that we're only just getting settled into things and yet here we are an another holiday break.

It's sometimes hard not to regret even if you have made the most of things. That doesn't mean I think I have, but I would say that this year has started pretty well for me, it was so great at the very beginning and we've already had some low's but many high's. But there seems like with the gift of hindsight, we can see opportunities that we should have taken and haven't. It really changes us I think, we begin to see that we really need to take everything offered to us and try to never have a boring day; no day should be unproductive.

Well no, at the moment there are many things to do, so I'm keeping with the whole "no unproductive days" thing :p

Have a nice day everyone!

Happy Birthday

Last week on Wednesday 21st March was Tamsin's 17th birthday. Joanna did an amazing job preparing a card for her and got everyone to sign it including our 3rd form class, Ms. Rhode, Ms. Blundell, Ms. Moller and Ms. Anisi. It was pretty stealthy haha but turned out great!

On Friday we went to Gina's, an Italian restaurant on Symonds St. It was pretty nice though it was a bit of a mission getting there. Melissa, Georgia and I were standing outside Georgia's house waiting for our taxi which didn't turn up. Whereupon Melissa drove us and she performed a couple of skillful manouvers to find a parking.

The waiters at the restaurant were pretty lively to say the least. The food was rather good though my $12 slice of "chocolate raspberry tart" was incredibly rich. I couldn't finish it. If only I had known then it was $12...then I would have made myself finish it :p

So now I'm pretty much... as far as I know...the only member of our group that's still 16...

Anyway, moving on from that, on Saturday I went to the Girls' Day Out with my mum. It was nice in that I got to spend some time with my mum :) but the event itself was pretty dull and not that interesting at all. It's the first and last time I'm going to that show.

On Saturday night I found out that my stepmother is pregnant! She's found it hard to conceive and to keep the baby so this is pretty cool. I have been appointed the task of naming it - the english name anyway - which is quite nice hehe :) but he/she is not due until late this year so I think I'll deal with that task in a little while.

And here we were all thinking that me being 10 years older than my sister was a pretty big age gap. I'm going to be 17 years older than this child! I can just imagine he/she going into intermediate and telling the class "yes I have an older sister; she's nearly 30" hahaha...

My father and stepmother seem really happy about it so it's good. It's something they've both wanted for a while I think.

Sunday was pretty boring. I just stayed at Dad's place and read some of The Aeneid for classics. I didn't end up doing any of the plot questions though it was in my original plan. I did get my speech sorted out with the help of Shelley for my History internal.

Speaking of which, it's tomorrow and I have my costume with HUGE thanks to Yi Lein (I pretty much went through every member of her family's wardrobe). I'm not terribly excited about it though, I can't pull off a French accent but somehow I'm going to...ah...

And today was Yi Lein's birthday! Now 15 and so ready to face the world...............but isn't going to :) there is still time left to protect you yet my little duckling.

We had badminton this afternoon which was quite fun, had a hysterical doubles match with Tamsin at my side. Joanna and I seem to have some sort of rhythm going on which is good. I should go play some more out of school, just to try and get better haha make some sort of stand in my last year.

There is this Eco comp like the NSW Maths one which I'm thinking of entering. Though I'm not sure if I really want to, it might spit the truth at me and tell me I'm not actually that good at Eco. I kind of like to believe it's my strong subject for now :) mm tough decision between ignorance and knowing the truth.

Well must go to prepare for History tomorrow. Have a nice day all and big hugs to my duckling, have a wonderful birthday.

A Bunch of Business

Last Friday (16th) Jazz and I progressed to Newmarket where the next world vision meeting was supposed to be. Upon arriving we discovered that no one else was there yet. Surprising considering our school is further from Newmarket than both AGS and EGGS. So we sat contemplating the possibility of being stood up when the always reliable Jade turned up! She also came from town and was surprised to hear no one had arrived yet. After a short while Emily arrived and our meeting was at a stand still. Nothing could really be done. Brian text in saying he had a stomach bug and couldn't make it. And AGS wasn't coming until 5pm. Both Jazz and Jade enjoyed chocolatey cakes with mountains of whipped cream while I sipped at my lemon tea.

Eventually James from AGS did turn up, and we were disgusted to find out he had been playing pool to kill time before he and Mathew were supposed to turn up. Nice.

So our meeting was pretty useless, we couldn't do much at all. We spoke and tried to be productive but it could hardly be deemed satisfactory.

I caught the train home and yes again I was delayed...for over half an hour. Public transport in Auckland is so unreliable. Always has been I suppose but I've never had to rely on it quite so much.

My weekend was boring as...well there is nothing much to compare it to. I didn't manage to do anything relatively useful and didn't even study for my Economics test.

Tuesday (yesterday) saw me at the Mad Butcher asking for a donation of sausages for our Sausage Sizzle tomorrow and Friday - to which is expect all my friends to go to! Help World Vision!

And I also got my marks back for Economics - yes an Excellence! That's right! Haha that made me rather happy :)

Today is Tamsin's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! She's 17 now! Wow everyone is getting old so fast. And here I am...Still sweet 16. Though not for too much longer...

Badminton trials are tomorrow >.< there are so many people signing up...I really suck so I'm going to be really gutted if I don't get in: don't get to play for my last year! Oh the horror of the situation...I really hope I get in because it's just so much fun. I would encourage everyone to do it as well but then there would be even more names up and I simply can't have that (I never denied that I was selfish) so you can all play elsewhere :p

JFK trial is next week and I'm Michel Nicoli - a French mobster, previously heroin smuggler and now turned US Federally protected witness and government informant. I've just finished writing out my speech which will be in...wait for it... in FRENCH.
Yes in French....okay you can close your mouth now, it's rather unbecoming to let it hang like that.

I know, I don't speak French and haven't taken it since I was forced to in 3rd form. (I suppose I should get used to calling it year 9 now...) But I have it and now have 6 days to learn it and hopefully (ignores skeptical expressions) memorise it. Meh. I'm not fond of this achievement standard at all. But I still have to do it...

Mmm well that appears to be it. I've been in a pretty contemplative mood lately and I think Yi Lein has had to put up with the large part of it. There just has been a lot to think about. School does entice a lot of thought, especially in English. And I believe Yi Lein will have to continue to put up with it seeing as she's just so curious and nice about it even when I'm blabbering on about nothing in paticular. Thanks for that ^^

Take care everyone!

A Matter of Teamwork

This year it would seem that everyone needs to act more selflessly than they previously have. I'm not exactly sure why that is but we seem to rely more so on our friends as support forces and them on us. That's what I'm finding anyway.
Chamber is getting off to a rocky start, I'm not sure about the other group, but we're not as together as I would have hoped we would be at this stage in time. However, I need to exercise patience in these situations. Something I appear to be needing to do a lot these days.
Service Committee is made up of a pretty promising looking group, it's keeping everyone enthused and involved that will be the main issue through out the year. Everyone is so busy with other things they need to take care of within and out of the school, it's difficult to maintain the balance.
Subjects are going reasonably well and that is in fact what I'm least worried about - surprisingly. I guess I've lost some of my socialising abilities. There is a decline in my sense of judgement which is rather frustrating.
I'm told I'm supposed to remain positive though, so I'll try to be.
I'll put some pictures up of me and my friends :) they're pretty great if I must say so.



Classic shot, the result of taking pictures when the models are not actually ready. I rather like it though, one of them kodak moments.

Same lunchtime, Jennifer and I. Aww good times, and wearing my famine t-shirt, I'm such a good supporter of the cause.

And how could I not include my awesome little Yi Lein? Yes it is the same day (I don't wear the famine t-shirt everyday...that's a bit TOO supportive I would think) and it was rather windy.

Music, my second home that I share with Tracey here. Relatively nice picture in terms of me, I think the blurriness adds to the sweet effect. Thanks Ella for taking the pic!

And I shall sign off now. There is not much to say, only that I'm here for you all because I know that really, all my friends are here for me too. Have a nice weekend all.

Busy? Just a tad.

It's the end of week 4 and wow has it been hectic. Jazz, Sam and I had our first meeting with EGGS, AGS and MRGS last Tuesday and sorted some things out for our regional fundraising. Hopefully we can pull something really great together :) then you can all help out.

Speaking of helping out, the Variety Annual Appeal ended today and I'd like to extend the hugest thanks to everyone who helped me and Jazz! Big hugs to Shelley and Yi Lein who volunteered (coughIdidn'tforcethemcough) to help sell badges at St Lukes on Saturday afternoon. Yi Lein came to my house at 7.30am and had to deal with my morning self so I think that's pretty brave haha!
We were disappointed at first but when Shelley came a livened things up (thanks for that) we got into it, managing to make $236.30 in about 4 hours! Awesome work guys and Variety thanks us too :)
Also, all those people who brought badges at school (or more than one! Yen Ling!) are awesome too. It's great to see people embracing something new to AGGS, it makes me happy to see people wearing the badges :) very pleased.

Chamber group has started and we have music. That teacher guy...(whos name I can't seem to remember....oops) he's pretty critical and patronizing. However, he knows what he's doing so he's the best person to go to for help. Only thing is, poor Yi Lein is playing for both groups! So she misses out on first period every Thursday! We are working on finding another pianist :) so if anyone has any suggestions that would help too.

I have been shifted in the Orchestra! From woodwind to strings! It does feel a bit weird playing on the other side of the room and as part of the minority of the Orchestra (although it shouldn't be that way). Also, I'm playing base not melody as the flute usually does which is a bit of a change to say the least. However, it is a pleasant change, I'm pretty sure Tracey and I will get through it in one piece.

And yes it is official, I have quit flute lessons. I no longer take them and only play for Chamber. My friends I hang out with (the musical ones who actually care about stuff like this haha) will know my reasons. But yes, it's true, just thought I'd say that.

Committees have been choosen and will be released latest by Tuesday next week I believe. Jazz and I picked a number of people, (Including Melissa, Erika and Roxanne) and we really hope we'll make a strong hard working team. Welcome to the Service Committee!

History internal! Ah pretty intense and frustrating when you can't find the right info! Jeeze. But I'm going to the library tomorrow and I hope this goes well >.< my first history assignment ever...

Lantern Festival began tonight, I hope Jen, Jo, Melissa and Georgia have a good time - without me! But I may or may not go on Saturday night with Tamsin, Erika and Erica.

I think that's about it at the moment. Cafe duty? Same old I guess. Had Gate Duty for the first time today and I must say the girls at AGGS don't listen to me. Well some of them do but others just keep crossing even after I've blown my whistle and I look like an idiot. Great one. I thank you all.... -.-" whatever, you get run over, it's your problem.

So take care this weekend everyone!