Mother Nature Stuns Ohioans

Remember Hurricane Ike ? I should hope so. It hasn't been that long ago. It hit Texas, yeah? Well, in case you are geographyly-challenged, here is

TEXAS

and here is















OHIO.

See the distance there? Remember that for a second as I tell you that Ohio got hit with what would be considered a level one hurricane on the coast. Remember the distance?...HOW does that WORK?

on Sunday, all day, we got hit by fierce winds, which knocked down trees, power lines, small children, and of course, the tomato plants out back. Our tree, which is sort of diseased and needs to be taken out but it is a lot to do so, had a limb fall off and fall not the right way, which would be into the yard, but right into our deck and my brother's window. Great. My neighbor's tree's branch broke off and fall into the sidewalk leading up to his house. He moves his cars from his driveway, and not twenty minutes later, the rest of his tree falls into the driveway. How's that for luck?

Being Ohioans, we never, EVER see anything like this. Example: There was a tornado siren going off in the spring/early summer. What was the very FIRST thing my family did? Went on the front porch to watch the storm. Now, in hurricane-like winds, what did we do? Go walk around the neighborhood, of course! I have never seen so much of my neighbors as I did on Sunday when we were all outside in the wind. I mean, this is saying something because I NEVER see any of them... Or talk to any them. But yeah.

It knocked out power to almost 300,000 people in my county alone, thankfully we only lost internet and cable [and power for like... a half hour] for two and a half days, because some people STILL don't have their power back. It also cancelled school for two days.

In all honesty, folks, it was quite amazing. I loved it. We even got to watch a hundred year old tree fall over because of the wind.

We never see these things, and now I can say to everyone I know, "I have lived through a hurricane."

-Jeni

New School Year

I started school on the 28th of August. My schedule;

1. AP Environmental Lab

Yes. A lab the VERY first thing in the morning. So far, we haven't done a thing,but the up side to this is that I get to sleep in three days a week and come in normal time the other two. We only have a lab period twice a week which is pretty much amazing.

2. AP US History

I had this teacher last year, only in an Honors course instead of an AP one. He's awesome. As much work as it's going to be, I love this class already. There is no REASON for me to like him. He's pretty much the same day after day... Lecture, reading, in class essay, fill out a chart, start over again. The monotony usually drives me mad. I'm way too... "in motion" for classes like this, in general. But this man's dry sense of humor and the fact that he seems to have an unending stream of knowledge makes me love this class and this teacher again this year... Except for the 50 ID cards I have due by sometime within the next two weeks.

3. AP Environmental Science

This is the class/lecture part of my AP science course. The teacher is fun-he tells stories [though too many, at times], he gives you enough time to finish the work, he realizes when things aren't going to get done. My older sister had him when she was a junior. Only thing, he isn't really teaching this class as an AP class, which means no AP credits for Jeni when the time comes to take the AP test. Oh well, so far, so good with class work, anyway.

4. AP Brit Lit

My summer reading project was sixteen pages long... It only HAD to be a page for each essay, and there were six, hence my paper could have been six pages. But me? Keep it short? Never. We finished Beowulf already and wrote a paper and took a test. I adore this teacher. She's so much fun. Made Beowulf interesting by making the class read aloud in British accents. Next up: Orthello.

5. Lunch

I have two groups of friends at lunch, neither of which know or hang out with each other. I switch back and forth.

6. Media Productions

I have this class with Gabby, and it's all right so far. It's a newer, revamped version of Radio and TV, but that also means that it's no longer a blowoff. We already have our groups for the first project, which is pretty much a tester with the cameras, and now that my group got changed, I'm very happy with how I have. Mark is good at doing the camera things, and Adam, Gabby, and I can act. It'll go over pretty well, I'd bet.

7. Algebra 2

The bane of my existence. I have the same lady I had last year, and even then, I couldn't take her. Today, I passed the period by doodling and such and not paying attention at all. It's not like she's going to teach me anything this year. Look how well geometry with her went.

8. Journalism II

Perfect way to end the day. Our school paper. I love the class. We haven't done too much for the first edition yet, but we're starting Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm excited.


Did I forget to mention that five of these classes are with Allie, who is my best friend? That's also exciting. So far, I'm really pretty excited for this year. With theatre, the paper, Be the Change club, recycling club [which I am a part of only out of obligation and love of a friend who started it], and Horizons [our school's literary magazine] this year should be busy and fun.

The problem?

Things at home are a bit...out of whack. Money wise. I hate money.

Just have to take one day at a time, I suppose. Sometimes it sucks not being able to know what's going to happen, doesn't it?

On a happier note, at my last show with Twende, we got our first ever blue ribbon! EVER. That is HUGE. I was so proud of him. He went from being a bucking race horse to my little-er, large hunter-jumper.

The weather here has been so muggy. Well, it was sunny for two or three days, and now it's raining a lot again. Typical Ohio weather for you.

Anyway, it's almost midnight, and I'm bushed.


Jeni