Expression Through Blogs (PB)

Wow.  It's our last blog.  I honestly never thought I would see this light and the end of a long, dark tunnel. (Just kidding, blogging is not that bad)  I have to admit that when we were first assigned this blog thing, I was dreading it.  We all had to write these blogs about things that we weren't extremely interested in, and I just wasn't looking forward to it.

When I first started trying to pick a topic for my first blog, I realized that I had never done anything like this before.  I had never really kept a journal, maybe a diary when I was like five, but that doesn't really count.  I had no idea what to write about or how to really create my own style of writing.  But as I began writing more blogs, I began to discover my own style.  It was kind of fun to watch the topics and style of my blogs progress throughout the school year.  Of course, there were some rough blogs along the way.  Sometimes I had no idea what to write about.  Like, for instance, I was going through some major writer's block when I wrote that blog about my dog's birthday. 

Through these blogs, I have been able to express my opinion on different topics.  The blogs have made it easier to express myself.  I just, sort of, start typing.  Sometimes I found myself talking about Christmas, sometimes selfies.  It just depended on what kind of mood I was in. 

Towards the middle of the year, I discovered that I enjoyed writing blogs.  (Whether or not I will continue to blog after this class is still up in the air though)  Each blog got a little easier to write.  It became less difficult to pick a topic. 

I also really enjoyed reading everyone else's blogs.  Everyone always wrote about such different things.  I was able to read people's opinions and provide my own feedback.  Some I found very funny to read, others tackled a serious issue in the world.  Everyone's blogs were unique, which made it much more enjoyable to read.

Because of this school year, I have learned that blogs really are a good things.  They promote self expression, which is almost always a positive thing.  Although at first I was negative towards the idea of blogs, I embraced them (that was cheesy, I know.)  So, I'm kind of glad that Mrs. Hallock forced us to do this, because I really ended up enjoying it.  And, if any of you choose to continue blogging, Happy Blogging! 

Washington D.C. (PB)

The reason my blog is a week late is because I was in Washington D.C. the day it was due.  Sure I could have finished it before I went on my trip, but did I?  Of course not!  But at least I'm writing it now.  Right? 

Washington D.C. was such a great experience.  There was no drama while on the trip, which made it extra enjoyable.  The first day was spent on a bus for six hours and we arrived around 1pm on Sunday.  Once we were finally off the bus, we at lunch at Subway and met up with our tour guide for the entire trip.  Her name was Barbara and she was a mix of Indiana Jones and Mary Poppins, hence our nickname for her, Indiana Poppins.  She was wonderful.  She was an older woman, but you wouldn't know it if you followed her around for the day.  She walked fast.  After we at lunch, we went to the National Archives where I saw the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence.  I thought was so amazing.  I couldn't help but think of the movie "National Treasure" when I saw the Declaration of Independence.  After the National Archives, we visited Arlington National Cemetery.  It was humbling to see so many graves and tombstones and to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  After those two stops, we went to our hotel because the bus that was transporting the Criminal Justice kids broke down, so our bus had to go back and pick them up after it dropped us off.

 

Barbara, our tour guide

National Archives

Arlington National Cemetery



 

The second day was spent going to memorials and into the Museum of Natural History.  The Museum of Natural History is my favorite museum of all time.  It was so interactive and colorful and fun to be in.  The monuments in the National Mall were amazing to see.  I had seen pictures of them, but I had never seen them in person before and it was a great experience.  Each memorial has so much meaning behind it and so much thought and emotion put into it.  I also got to go up to the top of the Washington Monument and look out over all of Washington D.C.  It was an incredible view!  This was the day that we also went to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Holocaust Museum.  I have never been so moved by something as much as I was by this museum.  Upon entering the museum, you are given a passport of a person that was put into a concentration camp during the Holocaust.  That made everything so much more real for me.  It was a museum that evoked many emotions.  Anger toward the people that stood back and watched people die.  Sadness for the millions of people that died.  And hope that our world will never allow something so awful to happen ever again. 

Lincoln Memorial

The National Mall

The view from the top of the Washington Monument

Museum of Natural History

Shoes of the Victims of a Concentration Camp in the Holocaust Museum

The third day, we were asked to dress up.  We visited the capitol building, which is ridiculously beautiful.  We went to the Library of Congress and were able to meet our state's congressman.  He was very nice and willing to answer any questions that any of us had for him.  That night was also went on a dinner cruise.  It was so much fun.  I wasn't expecting it to be as much fun as it actually was.  It was also beautiful to look out onto the water and see all of the lights from the city reflecting off of the water at night. 

The Capitol Building

Washington D.C. from the dinner cruise

Our last day was spent going to museums.  First we went to the Air and Space Museum.  It was very cool to be able to walk into a building and see pieces of the moon and see airplanes and rockets hanging over my head.  I very much enjoyed that museum.  The last museum that we went to was the American History Museum.  The museum was full of amazing pieces of our history.  I saw the carriage that brought Abraham Lincoln to Ford's Theater the night he was shot.  I saw the original flag that the Star Spangled Banner was written about.  I also saw Dorothy's ruby slippers from the movie, "The Wizard of Oz." 

The Air and Space Museum

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

Overall, I had a wonderful time in D.C. and look forward to visiting the nation's capitol again!

All-Eastern Choir (PB)

I just spent the last six days with a group of over one-hundred female vocalists.  I was so nervous that they were going to be snotty and very full of themselves.  I was more worried about the girls that were going to be at All Easter, than whether or not I actually knew the music. 

For those of you who are unaware, the National Association for Music Education, NAfME, is an organization that promotes music ensembles across the country.  I was chosen, after making it to State Chorus in my sophomore year, to go to Providence, Rhode Island and perform in the Treble Voice Chorus, or the all girls chorus.  This All Eastern ensembles consist of students from 12 states in the northeastern part of the United States.  The All-Eastern conference only happens every two years.  It was quite an honor for me to have been selected.

Back to the actual festival itself: When I finally arrived to Providence, I was thrown into a room full of teenage girls that I had never met before in my entire life.  It was only slightly terrifying.  But after talking to some of the girls and meeting my roommate, I discovered that I should not have been worried about whether or not they girls were going to be full of themselves.  They were all so nice!  Everyone got along beautifully and I was very relieved. 

The first night of practice (this was actually the second day, though, because I traveled on Wednesday up to Buffalo) went until ten o'clock.  Mind you, I had to wake up at four in the morning that day to catch a flight.  I was exhausted by the end of Thursday, the first day.  Upon going back to our rooms after practice, I learned that my roommate and I had a lot in common and she was ridiculously nice.   

The second day of practice was very long and tiring, but it was still enjoyable.  The food was very good at the hotel where we rehearsed, ate, and slept.  At the end of the night, all of the ensembles met at a concert.  Naturally Seven performed and they were phenomenal! If you have never heard of them, I suggest that you look them up and watch videos of them online, because they are very talented. 

The third day of the festival itself was also very long, but even more enjoyable than the second day.  After we finished rehearsal a little after lunch, the choir was given time to shop at the mall.  This mall was seriously the best.  It was three stories high and had the coolest stores in it.  I was in heaven.  We also were served an extravagant dinner at a local hotel and watched the All-Eastern Jazz Band's performance. 

The fourth day started off early.  This was the day of our concert and everyone was so excited!  The concert sounded absolutely amazing and I was so sad to see All-Eastern come to an end.

This is the hotel where I stayed, which was attached to
 the auditorium where the concert was performed

This entire trip was such a great experience.  I would not have traded this opportunity for the world.  I am beyond honored for having been selected and able to perform in such a high level choir.  I am still amazed at what the human voice can do.

The most important thing that I learned during this trip was  to remember that every time I am performing, I have the power to change the world.  This was a lesson that was taught by our guest conductor.  She said that every time you sing, there is a chance that someone's life could be touched by the lyrics or the sound, and that could morph into a change in the world.  And as a performer, we should always strive to change the world in whatever way we can. 

All-East was great.  The week flew by, but I am still very glad to be home.  I am dreading all of the work I have to make up, but the experience that I was a part of makes all the homework worth it.

My Greatest Talent: Procrastination (PB)

Guess what?  It's Sunday, and I just realized that we have a blog due today.  Yay me.  I don't know why, but I am really good at putting things off until the due date.  I don't mean to, it just, sort of, happens.  You know?  Like when someone is a really good singer.  Either they are born with a nice voice that is able to mature over time and blossom into a beautiful voice, or they are really bad singers.  Being really good at procrastination is something you're born with, I think. 

Let me give you a couple examples of my A+ procrastination skills:

One time, I kept putting off AP US History notes.  Well, the night before they were due rolled around, and I had only 5 of the 45 pages done that were due.  So what did I do?  I put the notes off until I was done with the rest of my homework, of course.  I ended up staying up until almost midnight, and the next day at school was a total blur.  I definitely almost fell asleep during seventh period. (That always seems to be the class that makes me really sleepy) 

Blogs.  I know this is not a good habit, but my blogs are never written until Sunday, and usually Sunday night, at that.  (I'm sorry Mrs. Hallock!)  I am always forgetting that they are due.  I usually forget because, since we only write them every other week, I get my weeks mixed up.  It's really bad. 

So that leaves me here, where I am.  Sitting at my laptop, on my bed, and writing a blog.  On Sunday night.  The day it is due.  At nine o'clock at night.  I am the worst.  Ugh. 

What could I do to fix this "talent?"  Maybe I could try to remember when something is due earlier than I usually do.  Maybe, if my schedule was not so crazy (see last blog), my brain would not be going in one hundred different directions at the same time, and I would remember when stuff was due. 

But until then, I will probably continue to be the procrastinator that I am and try to become better at not procrastinating... tomorrow. 

Why Are Kids Always So Tired? (PB)

Recently, I have been tired ALL OF THE TIME.  I cannot seem to get caught up with my sleep.  I am busy practically every night, and when I return home after my various activities, I still have hours of homework left to do.  What has changed since we were little kids?  I seemed to never run out of energy when I was little.  Now I cannot seem to find enough energy to get myself through the day without feeling like I am going to fall asleep around seventh period.  Are kids too busy this day in age?  Would life be better if it was more simplistic?

My schedule for the week looks like this:
Monday: Key Club at 3:30
Eat dinner
Dance Class from 6:30-7:45
Home at 8
Do homework until 10
Shower
In bed by 11:30

Tuesday: Prom workshops until 6
Homework until probably 10
Shower
Sleep by 11

Wednesday: My day for relaxation

Thursday: This is the day that is considered my "free day," so my mom usually books appointments and other various things for this day

Friday: Maybe hang out with friends... maybe.  Only if all of my AP US History notes are done

I barely have any time to breathe.  I feel like I am constantly being pulled one hundred different directions.  Add the stress of trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and that makes for a super stressed out, tired Mandi. 

Sometimes I worry that it is just me that feels this way.  But when I hear other teens complain about how demanding and exhausting their schedule is, I feel better knowing that I am not alone and when I reach rock bottom, there will most likely be someone else right there with me. 

Life for teens used to be much more simplistic.  There was not the constant pressure from teachers and parents about grades and college.  Kids could be kids.  They did not have to worry about how their one low grade was going to follow them for the rest of their lives.  Maybe if kids would just take some time to "chill" with their friends and drink a milkshake every once and a while, we would not be so stressed. 

The world that we currently live in is a demanding world.  It wants us to have everything done as quickly as possible and done perfectly.  Once and a while, we all just need a minute to breathe and relax and enjoy our childhood while we still have it.  Because before we know it, it will be gone, and we will have forgotten to enjoy it and only remember the stressful times, not the great times. 

Just My Luck (PB)

This past Wednesday through Friday I was at Region Chorus in Oil City.  I had been given a month to learn a folder full of eight highly advanced choral pieces, which is not a simple task.  The Monday after I had returned home from District Chorus, I went to work learning my new folder of music.  I knew I had to perfect the music in one month and had no time to waste.  At first, I struggled with the music.  It was very difficult music to try and figure out and learn.  That made me very nervous.  The first couple weeks of trying to learn the music were tough.  But after asking Ms. McMonigal for help with my part, I was starting to get the hang of it.  Everyday the music was improving.  When there was about two weeks left until the festival began, I was able to focus on dynamics and where to breath in the songs.  I was starting to fine tune the pieces of music. 

When the time finally came to leave for Regions last Wednesday, I was nervous.  I had been able to move on to State Chorus last year, so I had expectations for myself.  Once we arrived at the high school, all of the soprano ones were taken into a room together and told what their audition selections are.  Two pieces were selected and I was, not overly confident, but confident none the less with the sections.  I was seven out of twenty girls to audition.  At Districts I was last out of twenty-five girls, so seventh was a nice change.  I was nervous enough, and having to wait too long would have made it worse.  After my audition, I felt pretty good with it.  It was over at that point, so even if I thought I had messed up majorly, I could not do anything about it anyways.  The rest of the night was spent practicing and sleeping. 

The next morning, we practiced for a couple of hours before the chairs were announced.  I had though about what would happen if I did not make it to State Chorus a lot and had decided that whatever happened, happened.  It was not in my control.  Once they started announcing chairs, I was nervous.  Once they started announcing soprano one chairs, I was extremely nervous.  They announce the top ten chairs, but only the top four move on to states.  Last year I got fourth chair.  So, for the beginning of the chair placement announcements, you are praying that they do not say your name, but once they announce the fifth chair, you are praying that they do say your name.  But of course, my luck had run out.  "Fifth Chair, from Bradford, Mandi Droney."  Ugh.  What did I do wrong?  I was so disappointed.  I was so close.  But what was done was done and I could not do anything about it. 

By the end of the day, I was fine.  I had not even cried a tear, which was surprising.  The next day, Ms. McMonigal received our scores.  I had tied with the girl that had received fourth chair and they had to do a triple tie-breaker within the individual categories to decide who got fourth chair and who got fifth.  All I could think was, "What if they had looked at the categories in a different order to decide who moved on to states?  Why, of course, did the scores have to be so close?  I would have rather been hundreds of points apart, not tied." 

I will always be very disappointed with my placement at Regions, but I have a lot to be thankful for even though I am not going to State Chorus.  1. I have another year of chorus festivals to participate in next year.  I have another chance.  2. I am going to All East Chorus in April, which is an opportunity that a lot of the people that made it to State Chorus this year do not even have.  So even though I did not make it to States this year, I am okay because I have another year of opportunities and another year to work hard for something I want.

Winter Activities: Droney Style (PB)

Many people, including myself at times, complain endlessly about the cold winter weather.  You have to bundle up in a ridiculous amount of layers to be able to keep yourself at a comfortable temperature.  You have to spray your boots with a water-proofing spray that will keep your feet dry when you are trudging through three feet of snow on your way to school or work.  Winter is miserable at times, but it also has its rewards. 

Winter is truly beautiful in Pennsylvania.  Just take a second to look outside at the rolling hills and the glistening snow laying on top of them like a warm blanket. (that's ironic because snow is cold)  Everything sparkles in the winter, and I love glitter, so that works for me. 

 

In my family, most outdoor winter activities consist of my mom going outside for about five minutes, (if she even lasts that long) and then she complains about being too cold and goes back inside, my dad insisting that he is not cold without gloves on (even though he is), and me getting tangled up in the dog's leash and falling in the snow.  Now, I know that does not seem like fun, but sometimes my mom puts enough layers on, my dad wears gloves, and I leave the dog inside, and we have fun.

This afternoon, for instance, my family went snowshoeing in the backyard and built a snowman.  Last year for Christmas, my mom, dad, and I all got snowshoes for Christmas.  This was the first time we had used them since getting them over a year ago, but it was fun.  We were probably outside for a good forty-five minutes snowshoeing.  We have a big field behind our house, so we went out in the field to try them out after getting used to them in our own backyard.  My dad and I left my mom in the dust.  Let's just say that she's not very fast or made for cold weather.  It was fun, none the less.

After we had finished snowshoeing and had figured out how to remove them from our feet, we built a snowman.  So, in my side yard, we currently have a five to six foot snowman with arms made out of "paint stirrer-sticks," a hook for a nose, and two bottle caps for eyes.  I also used twigs to make cat ears for the snowman.  It's a pretty unique snowman, but I like it. 

So even though my family is not necessarily the most "outdoor-sy" type, we can still have fun playing in the snow.  And for the remainder of this unending winter, we are going to enjoy the beauty and coziness of the season.

District Choir (PB)

Wednesday through Saturday was District Chorus, so I thought I would tell you all about my week. 

On Wednesday, seven of us loaded ourselves into a rickety school van, which is pretty much a box on wheels. The ride was pretty scary in the nasty roads that awaited us about halfway through our drive. Once we finally arrived we made a stop at a local sub shop called The Whole Darn Thing. It was delicious! 

After we had finished our meals, we loaded ourselves back into the van. Now we were on the way to the auditions at Meadville High School. I was so nervous. I honestly thought I was going to vomit. After we warmed up and were given the room we were going to be staying in while we were waiting to audition, we were given our audition number. I was audition number twenty five for the soprano ones... Out of twenty five. I was really nervous all ready, and now I was last to audition. Ugh. 

After my audition, it was running through my head on repeat. What could I have done better? Maybe I should have had better dynamics throughout the audition pieces. The entire rest of the night I was questioning my audition.  I was my own worst enemy.  I was left to go to my host family and get as good of a nights sleep as I could. 

When the host families first started arriving, I had my fingers crossed that I would get a really nice host family with a very clean house. But, of course, when my host family showed up, the woman had pajama pants on, which can only mean two things: she works third shift and just woke up, or she did not live the nicest, cleanest life. Option b was the correct option, unfortunately. Their house was dirty and I found a moldy cheerio on the window sill. That was pretty gross. Long story short, the three Bradford girls that were together decided that we were going to stick it out in our not-so-nice house. 

Day 2: The day that our placement would be announced. We practiced for an hour and a half before they announced the chairs. I was so rediculously nervous. I probably looked like I was going to throw up. When they finally announced the first soprano section I was extremely relieved when they announced that I was fourth chair out of twenty five first sopranos no was so excited! The rest of districts could be fun now that I knew my fate. 

That night the Bradford girls, including me, were moved out of our nasty house into a very nice, clean house. I was very thankful. 

The rest of my week was spent in extremely long practices with a lot of very interesting people. On Friday night we all went to a movie and on Saturday, we had our concert. I had a really great time and am very excited for regions next month! 

A Role Model Lost on Earth Is an Angel Gained in Heaven (PB)

This past week, a very important man that attended my church for years passed away. His name was Fran McCoy and he would do any thing for anyone and always put his own issues on the back-burner when you needed help.  Fran was a great guy and will be greatly missed, but upon the loss of Fran, it got me thinking.  What does it really mean to leave a legacy?  I mean, Fran left one, didn't he?  I looked up the definition of legacy, and here is what it said:

anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor

 I thought that this was a really vague and boring definition.  It does not truly define a legacy.  A legacy is so much more than that.  I wanted a better definition.  I knew that a legacy was more than just a simple definition.  Something with a little more depth.  Something that will last forever, no matter how the earthly trends change.  So, to find the true definition of a legacy, I looked to Fran McCoy's life. 

Fran lived a good life.  He had owned a business and eventually retired from that.  He was always helping people.  If the church doors were open, Fran was there.  Everyone knew him, even if they only went to the Sawyer Church once.  So, now that Franny is gone, it, sort of, feels like there is a hole in our church.  Like something is missing.  Obviously, Fran was loved by many.  Everyone looked up to him and took his advice to heart.  Fran left a legacy that will forever live on. 

So, why, or how, did Fran leave this legacy.  First of all, he never had a negative word to say about anyone.  That is something that is not able to be said about very many people.  Fran was always smiling and always encouraging.  People remember people like that.  When someone is that kind and thoughtful towards you, you don't just forget that person.  That person lives on in your memories.

Another way that Fran left his legacy was by being content with what he had.  He never complained.  He lived a happy and simple life.  He was happy with who he was and because of that he was able to live an enriching and rewarding life. 

So, I think that is how you leave a legacy.  You are a positive person and are content with who you are and the life you are living.  After discovering these things, I decided that a legacy is not something that just happens, it is something that is made over time.  It is a little piece of you that lives on in the hearts of everyone you have touched over the years after you are gone.  Whether it is a memory someone has of you, or a piece of advice you once gave someone, it still means something and that is what a legacy is.

Thanks Fran, for the legacy you left.