Best of 2011

Question 1. One word/phrase that describes 2011- New Beginning. This year, I started middle school. Also, I've set goals and worked hard to improve upon myself in many different ways. Also, I started fencing in 2011 and I LOVE it! Fencing is much harder than I expected, but it's really fun and a great challenge.

Question 4. Something I let go of this year- this year, I lost my lucky bracelet at a swim meet, but decided not to pursue it. It seemed like I'd had it forever. Moreover, It wasn't changing my life at all. That day, I decided to take my life into my own hands. I don't know if "luck" exists or not, but I won't take a chance by depending on it. That day, I had let go of my "security blanket", which felt strange at first. But now, I feel very comfortable without it and couldn't care less.

Question 13. Last year, I went to Florida to visit my friend Wendy, who moved there two years ago. The weather was AMAZING there! It wasn't too hot or too cold, and the beaches had gorgeous turquoise water and soft white sand. This year, I would like definitely like to visit there again. Also, if I had the chance, I would travel to France and soak up all their great art and culture. I would especially enjoy going to the Louvre and Notre Dame to admire some of the greatest visual arts in the world.

Question 14. Last January at the Leete, Kosto, and Wizner New Year's party last year, there was this delicious yellow poppy seed cake topped off with whipped cream, strawberry syrup, and strawberries. (mm...) I've looked everywhere, but have never been able to find a recipe for it. I guess the delicious-ness will have to only exist in my mind... (sigh)

Question 15. My most joyful ordinary moment in 2011 was when I was in Florida playing badminton with Wendy. The sun was peeking over the clouds, and the coarse grass tickled our bare feet. Normally, I dislike badminton, but being with a friend made it all very enjoyable and special.

Question 16. I've never been a great swimmer, so I was thrilled that I had made a lot of progress in 2011. However, I even surprised myself when I got a 1:18:19 in the 100 yard backstroke in December of 2011. That was as close as I had ever gotten to an Age Group cut; in fact, I was only 0.2 seconds away!!! I was both extremely proud and disappointed at this (only 0.2seconds!!!!). This year, I made it my goal to drop that 0.2 seconds and make the Age Group cut.

Question 17. This year, the most memorable books I read were Cinder by Marissa Meyer and Stop Pretending by Sonya Sones. Stop Pretending is a beautiful and haunting collection of poems by a girl whose older sister goes crazy and causes much internal and external conflicts within their family. The one verse that speaks most to me is, "4-1=0" [Sones, 82], and describes how the narrator feels about her sister being gone changing her formerly 4 person family.

Question 19. A huge trend that emerged out of nowhere last year was feather extensions. It seemed like overnight, everyone had colorful feathers extended into their hair. Personally, I was disgusted by this, considering that feathers come from BIRDS, and therefore, BIRDS get hurt in the making of feather extensions!

Question 24. When I went to Florida last year, I really wanted to go parasailing. Unfortunately, the boats were all booked, so I wasn't able to, but I plan on going parasailing in Rhode Island this year. It looks like a lot of fun and I'm looking (very) forward to it. My parents say that I may get to go this summer in Rhode Island.

Question 25. This year, I'm going to stop procrastinating and make every moment count. If I better organize my time, there will be so much more that I can do! I've already started to make extensive color coordinated schedules that include elements such as priority or time limits. This will enable me to have more scheduled free time, and better yet, seize the day!