A Word A Day

Today is my final word update, with my last two words. I feel like they go well together...for once my Friday lazyness with updating has worked out well haha. I'm not sure I want to start...it's the beginning of the end right now.

Alright. Friday's word was Found. I chose it because I have truly found myself with this project. When I started, I was angry, depressed, confused, going crazy, etc. This project has been better than any sort of therapy I've ever encountered. I've healed with these words. I've changed, and I've found myself. I've learned who I am, and I've learned to be okay with who I am. Sure, I still have my issues, there isn't cure-all for things like that. But I'm better, and I know it. I can feel it. So thank you to my junior year math teacher...without you having me make up those tests/quizzes before I learned the material I never would have come so close to failing math, and I never would have started this project. I'm not sure if I was being sarcastic there or not. I suppose it was worth it. After all, I still got into the college I want to go to, and without this project who knows where I'd be right now. I am Elizabeth, also known as Snoopy. I know who I am, and I am okay with that person.

Today's word was Future. I chose it because today was really the beginning of my future. It was my last day of high school. Friday I was in tears all day, but oddly enough, today I didn't cry at all. I'm not sure it's quite hit me yet. But soon I will be graduating and going on to college. I won't have this project anymore. I am moving on with my life. It's scary. I'm not sure I'm ready. But it's what's going to happen, ready or not. And who knows where my life will go? But I'll keep you updated. I'm going to update this blog next year every once in a while, since some of you have said that you want to hear what happens to me in college. 

Reactions - I didn't really write reactions down for my last two words. Katie, Mark, Rawley, etc. (the usual people) asked about my words. I know I stopped by Mr. Skenyon's room today to say goodbye, and he said I had chosen a good word for today, as did Mrs. Puzas. Haha, in history Mrs. E asked if I had any last words (she asked all the seniors) and I pointed to my sign and was like, "Word?" tehe. 
 

( pictures )

That's about it. It's been great, thanks to all of you for reading and commenting. It means a lot to me. If you ever want to talk to me outside of the public entries, message me or email me at ialmostlovedyou874@yahoo.com. And if anyone who reads this is at Smith or is going to Smith as well, find me! Email me and I'll add you on facebook or something =).

To end, I will leave you with my two favorite quotes: "The life that is unexamined is not worth living." -Socrates, and "The whole world, myself included, seem to have one thing in common: We're just a crowd of people who don't really fit in anywhere attempting to convince one another that we do." - Andrew McMahon

 

No word again today, I had my other AP exam (World History). My word yesterday was Lonely. I picked this one because obviously I get lonely. First of all, I know this sounds stupid but I'm single, and you get lonely when you're single haha. Also, being lonely at college is one of my fears. I have this...vision, I guess...of being in my dorm, surrounded by people who are all friends, but just being alone, not close to anyone. But hopefully that won't happen, since one of my best camp friends is going to Smith, and some people have already added me on facebook, and I'm sure there will be plenty of outgoing, friend-making people to complement my shy, lonerish self =). Reactions - Rawley said she would be with me haha. And Lemons was jokingly like aww, I'm sorry. That's all. 

I can't believe I've only got two days left. Only two words. I think I've already decided on both of them =).

Today's word was Dreamer. Katie suggested it yesterday, which was weird because yesterday I had been thinking about using Dreamer, but I used Powerful instead. So I used it today =). I picked it because I have a lot of dreams. It's strange, half the time I just think that life is useless, and the other half I want to do all of these great things. My realisticish dream is to become an English teacher, but to also have a degree in some sort of sexuality studies and reform health classes in public schools to discuss gender and sexuality issues, since I had such a horrible experience with high school health class. My unrealistic dream is to become the first female, Jewish, bisexual President of the U.S. Haha. Everyone has dreams, I think...some people just aren't motivated to achieve them. But I think, right now, I am. Reactions - Katie was happy I used her word. Rawley and Mark asked about it, and Mrs. E commented on it. One of the subs at my school saw me in the hallway and asked what my word was. I love it when subs randomly do that. Lemons was going on about how it was a nice, positive word, probably because he knows how annoyed I get when Dr. Mongeon tells me to wear positive words haha.

Friday's word was Searching. I chose it because I always feel like I'm searching for something. Something unattainable. As if my whole reason for living is to find this thing, but I never can. But on a more specific level - I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I've said I want to major in English to become a teacher, but now I'm questioning it. What if English isn't my real passion? What if it isn't what I'm good at? What if it's not what I'm meant to do? I would love to major in art, but I know I'm not good enough. I would love to major in psychology and help people, but I'm not sure I could do that. I'm now in my last full week of high school, and I'm scared as hell. Reactions - Tricia, Lemons, and Mike all asked what I'm searching for. Baron ironically had a shirt that said "Lost" which was funny, and Rawley and Kat noticed it too.

Today's word was Powerful. I chose this one because I want to have a powerful impact on the world. I want to make a difference. That's the only thing I think is worth living for, to be able to make a difference in at least one person's life. Mrs. E, Katie, and Mark commented on it. Kiwi laughed when I told her what the word had been when Matt asked. I think she was kidding :P. Mark told me I am powerful, that I have made an impact. That made me happy =). I really hope I have. 

I didn't have a word today because I had my AP English Lit exam, but my word yesterday was Obsessive. Mark, Kat, and Mike all asked why, and I said, "Because I'm a little bit OCD." Rawley suggested the word because she has OCD, and I am pretty sure that I have OCD. Not severe, but OCD nonetheless. Why do I think I have OCD? Well. I constantly wash my hands, especially in art class. If I'm in like a room that smells weird, I freak out and think that I will like absorb that smell and smell weird too. I can't eat certain foods because it freaks me out. I have a certain order that my room has to be in or else I can't concentrate or sleep. I have to shower everyday, and if I do certain things I have to shower again...like if I take a nap or clean my rabbit's cage. Those are more compulsions...we learned about OCD this year in psych and now I understand the name better. The "compulsive" part refers to compulsions, like hand washing. The "obsessive" part refers to obsessive, intrusive thoughts. I have those sometimes. For instance, I'll be driving and I think, what if I run this red light, what if I drive into that tree or hit that car on purpose...I know I won't do those things, but I won't be able to get the thoughts out of my head and I'll start to think that I'm actually going to do it. These OCD type things aren't anything I can't deal with, but they are a bit annoying and frightening at times. But I mostly wore the word for Rawley, since she has it much worse than I do. And I'm proud of her for being open about it and such =).

Today's word was Jealousy. I'm going to start with the reactions. Maegan, Rawley, Baron, and Kat all asked me what I was jealous of. I explained that I wasn't jealous of any specific thing, that's why I used the word "jealousy" as opposed to "jealous." Of course I've been jealous in my life, I just can't think of any specific thing right now. Well, I probably could if I thought really hard. Hmm. Oh, I remember. I was talking to a couple of girls while setting up for the senior art show, and we were talking about how the work of a couple of other kids was better than ours, and we we're jealous of their artistic talent. 

I was thinking about jealousy because of this book I read called Slut! by Leora Tannenbaum (I highly recommend it). The author cited jealousy as one of the main causes of slut-bashing amongst girls. Girls and women are often very jealous of each other. They'll be jealous of a girl who is pretty, a girl who has a boyfriend, a girl who has a lot of boys interested in her, a girl who doesn't care what others think, a girl who has the courage to break from the norm, a girl who is having sex, a girl who isn't afraid to be sexual, a girl who loves herself, a girl who loves her body, etc. So in retaliation, those jealous girls will often call the object of their envy a slut. No matter what they're jealous of, even if it has nothing to do with sexuality, the majority of the time girls will revert to the insult "slut." 

Generally speaking, a slut is the worst thing a girl can be. Girls are almost always told that their virginity is precious, that having sex before marriage is a horrible thing, that having sexual thoughts is a horrible thing, etc. If you call a girl a slut, you are directly attacking that one thing many girls have been taught is most important in life: her so-called purity. Jealousy can turn girls into vicious people. Jealousy can turn anyone vicious. And I think that what girls need to be taught is that all of them are good people, that they don't need to be jealous. Those who are single are just as good as those who are taken, those who try to fit in are just as good as those who try to stand out, those who are free with their sexuality are just as good as those who are not free with it. It's all about what makes you, as a person, happy. And if you're jealous of someone because they are different and because you want to be different, then be different, don't attack them in the hopes that you will feel better. Because you won't feel better. You'll make life worse for yourself, the attacker, and for the victim.

Friday's word was Identity. I chose it because that night I couldn't sleep. I was overly tired and thinking random things, and my mind turned to the question, "Who am I?" And although I can't quite remember what went through my head at 2 in the morning, I know it made me wake up the next morning and choose the word Identity. The thing is, I've never been very good at being myself. I've always tried to be who people wanted me to be, or who I thought they wanted me to be, or who I decided I wanted to be after not being happy with who I supposedly was. I was also thinking about how I've often tried to model myself after my best friend, Kiwi. She's very mature, confident, unique, etc. And I've always thought, I have to be more mature, I have to be less shy and awkward, I should be more like Kiwi. But really, why? Why should I try to be less shy and awkward and all of the things that make me who I am? Maybe I was meant to be that way. Maybe I'm happy with myself as I am. I'm not saying that Kiwi isn't an amazing person, because she is, but that doesn't mean that I should be like her, or like anyone else I admire. I should just be me, shyness and awkwardness and immaturity and all. And I realized that if you're trying to be someone else, then you're basically saying you aren't happy with who you are. So if you're trying to be someone else, you're not going to be happy. I doubt that anyone is completely and totally happy with themselves, I know I'm not, but I'm okay. I'm okay with who I am. Reactions - Katie, Mrs. E, and Mark asked about it.

Today's word was Degraded. This word brings up something that happened a week or two ago that I never addressed with this project. There was a guy I think I mentioned I went out with a couple times. It never went anywhere, and I met him at work but he ended up quitting. He comes in every once in a while to visit. Not to visit me, he ignores me. So one day I guess he was visiting and talking to one of the managers, and he told him that he wanted to fuck me and another girl. Just flat out said that. My manager told me, and I got really upset. I mean, that's just so disgusting and degrading. You don't just say that about someone. I guess that's been in the back of my mind, so I chose Degraded for today's word. Reactions - Kat, Rawley, Baron, and I were talking about it in art class. Rawley said obviously I'm degraded because I'm a woman (I think she meant that all women are degraded at some point). Emily asked me what my word of the day was, and then Mark was saying how all day people had been saying sexist things to him against men, and how it was the fault of the sexist-pig type men that he couldn't get a date. And the reality is, it does seem to be the majority of men that are sexist assholes. Even some nice guys can be sexist at times. In fact, the only guy I can think of who has never said anything remotely sexist is Baron. Go Baron =P.

By the way, I was checking my entries from last year and I guess I didn't do words on the days that I had AP tests, since I didn't want anyone to freak out about College Board rules or whatever. So I guess I only have 8 words left, since I have 10 school days and 2 of those days are AP tests.

Wednesday's word was Beautiful. I chose it obviously because the word the day before had been Ugly, and I wanted to contrast it. Although many of us may feel ugly on the outside, most people are beautiful on the inside (and out, but inside is more important). As Anne Frank once said, "Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." It amazes me how Anne Frank could have written that while hiding from the Nazis, people who were most certainly not good at heart. Reactions - Rawley, Mark, Maegan, and Kat noticed the contrast. Mrs. E said she liked the word, and Daisy said she liked this word better than Ugly. Emily asked what my word was. Mr. Grover said it was a good way to feel, and I explained that it was a contrast to the word I'd had the day before. He asked if I really did feel beautiful that day, and I said, "Kind of," and then he asked if I'd felt ugly the day before, and I said, "Kind of...I'm pretty neutral." Then he asked if I was hoping that if I willed it, it would happen, and I said I guess haha. This kid in my physics class Connor asked a little bit about my project, such as when I make my words and if I've done a different one every day. That seems to surprise people the most, that I've never repeated a word.

Today's word was Spontaneous. This story explains why I didn't update last night. I went to a Paramore concert! In school, I found out that this girl Steph was selling two tickets to the concert because she couldn't go (she and the girl she was going with had to work). I did something very spontaneous and said I would buy the tickets. Katie was in my next class, and I was looking for someone to go with. Katie loves Paramore, so she called her mom, who said it was okay =). So we bought the tickets and went to the show. It was amazing. It was a very spontaneous thing, I don't usually do stuff like that. With concerts I actually procrastinate a lot, to the point of never buying the tickets. I remember seeing this show advertised and wanting to go, but kind of talking myself out of it (which was stupid). Reactions - Katie, Kat, Olivia, Mark, and I think Rawley said something about my word.

Today's word was Ugly. I chose it because everyone feels ugly sometimes. Can anyone be completely honest and say he or she has never had a time when he or she hasn't like at least one part of his or her body? I doubt it. I was with Katie when I thought to use the My friends were always walking up to me and scolding me for calling myself ugly (Tricia, Mark, Matt, Mike D., and Emma). Except Kat, actually. She came up to me and said she felt ugly today too, and she gave me a hug. Carrie said, "Why are you ugly?" and I joked, "I don't know, I was just born that way." Tehehe. I did the same thing to Rawley. Everyone understood what I meant once I explained, though. I wasn't saying that I am ugly. I'm just being honest...everyone does feel ugly sometimes, I feel ugly sometimes, we just don't put it out there like that. When someone calls themself ugly, their friends will automatically chime in saying that they aren't. It's all an act, we know our lines well. But I'm rewriting the script =).

Oh god, I'm so bad at analogies. I can't believe I just wrote that. I'll leave it in for comic effect :P.

Today's word was Confused. I have a good story for this one. My dad got remarried on Wednesday of las week. I found out yesterday. That's the story haha. Here's some background - my parents split up during this past summer, after my mom found out that my dad was going to ask for a divorce because he'd been seeing another woman (the one he just married). The divorce was finalized a couple weeks ago I think. Apparently he married her with just a justice of the peace so that he could put her name on the deed to the new house I didn't know they were getting in a city that I didn't know they were moving too. It was pretty much a WTF!? moment. Therefore: confused. I don't really even know how I feel about it. I know that after I ran out of the house and drove to work I felt like I was going to have a panic attack, and I know I almost burst into tears when I told my manager when I got to work. But now I don't really know how I feel; I think I've become emotionally numb to the situation. I'm confused as to how I feel, and I'm still a little in shock. Reactions - all day I was going up to friends and saying, "Hey, you want to hear a funny story? Well...it's really not that funny..." and then I would tell them and they would be like WTF!? I would be like haha, yeah. I guess the only way I can really deal with it is to make it into a joke, like, haha, this is the fucked up shit that is my life. A teacher said she liked my word, but I hadn't really been paying attention because I was walking in the hallway, and then a second later I turned around because I had processed it, and I think I looked very confused (ironically enough haha). A lunch lady also said she liked my word.

Yet again I forgot to mention that I'm on school vacation week. So there won't be any updates this week. However, I never updated about Friday's word. It was Neurotic. I chose it because I was thinking about how my anxiety is getting worse. If I have OCD (and I probably do) it's getting worse, I have to wash my hands constantly, and check certain things over and over, stuff like that. Then I remembered how in psychology class we took a test that scored our levels of certain personality traits. One of them was neuroticism, and I scored really high on that one. So I chose Neurotic. I actually only got one reaction; Kat asked why I picked the word. 

Mr. Grover asked me about the Day of Silence, which technically was the day before, but I wanted to write about it here because it made me happy. I had missed his class on the actual day (we drop one class a day), but he had heard about it and wanted to ask for the full story. He said it pissed him off that they tried to change the Day of Silence because of those parents who called to complain. The part that made me even happier was the way he talked about gay people. He said statistically about 30-60 people in my grade were probably gay, and that's a lot of people who are hiding. The way he said it was great. Many adults, especially teachers, will tread very lightly around the word gay...but he didn't. It made me feel very comfortable, whereas around a lot of teachers I'm very uncomfortable about it, just because of the way they treat the word and the subject. A lot of teachers will use euphemisms, such as "that group of people," or they'll have that awkward pause before they say "gay people," and I always notice it, and it always bothers me. I don't think any of them could even understand how good it made me feel to encounter an adult who didn't act like that. =)

Today was the Day of Silence, the day you have all been waiting for me to post about :P. First of all, what was my word? At the suggestion of Kiwi, I did not have one. I wore a blank sheet of paper on my shirt, because as she said, "That's about as silent as labeled_girlcan get." I completely silenced myself by not even wearing a word. The Day of Silence went really well. No on got in trouble as far as I know, and I didn't even see the principal today. When I ran into Ms. Proulx (on vice principal) at lunch, she knew that it was the Day of Silence and was very nice about it. I wore a shirt that said "Day of Silence" on the front, and "What will you do to end the silence?" on the back. I have pictures :P. I also wore duct tape across my mouth, because I was paranoid that I would forget and talk. I took it off to eat, obviously. A few people had fun torturing me trying to get me to talk (mostly guys, like Lemons), most of my friends did it (Mark, Nikki, Katie, Matt, Rawley, Kat, Baron, etc), and a lot of people I didn't even know did it. There was a guy in the caf with a sign that said "Day of Silence" on his shirt, a couple girls came up asking (silently) for more speaking cards, and this girl Jess in my grade did it (totally unexpected). Rawley had Dr. Mongeon before me, and when Dr. Mongeon read her speaking card she got all excited I guess and made copies for all her classes. Mrs. Morin (Diversity Club advisor) was very supportive, she even asked me if I was allowed to shake/nod my head haha. There was an awkward moment when I was in art and Mrs. Meyer was talking to Mrs. Carniero, wondering why they hadn't gotten more notice of the Day of Silence. Had I been allowed to talk, I would have explained that it wasn't school sanctioned so they wouldn't have gotten notice. Ms. Rumsey was very pleased with us =). The only bad thing was Mrs. E said I would have to to talk in her class if she called on me, but she went home sick part way through class and never did call on me. I'm not sure if she was serious, she sounded it though. But all in all it went very well, and it didn't even really matter that we never got permission. We won =).

Sorry for the non-post yesterday, I slept. A lot. And it's a good thing I did, because I have had a very long day and will get very little sleep now. I just worked a 6 hour shift when I was only supposed to work 4, I need to make a shirt for tomorrow's Day of Silence, and I realized I forgot to send a mesage reminding the facebook group that tomorrow is the Day of Silence. And I just had a horrible moment where I thought I lost today's sign, but I realized I had already put it in my binder. *Sigh of relief.*

Yesterday's word was Tainted, suggested a while ago by Maegan and suggested the other day by Katie. I asked her why I should use it, she said people in power are tainted; the government is tainted. Very true. Reactions - Brittany, Ralwey, SJ, Mark, and Mr. Grover all asked about it. Maegan had ironically been out that day, but she texted me later saying she was sad she missed that one haha.

Today's word was Robot. I chose it because people often treat students like robots, who can't think for themselves and should always obey authority, even when authority is wrong and we can think for ourselves. I, for one, am not a robot. I thought it was a good contrast to tomorrow, when I will show everyone that I am not a robot, I will not submit mindlessly to authority, I will think for myself. I will do the Day of Silence, and I will do it the right way. Reactions - Mrs. Carniero, Baron, Emily D., Julia, and Mr. Lawler. Then there was also this teacher (I think she's a student teacher) who I always see in the library who asked me about my word. She says she sees it every day but has never asked about it before. We had a conversation about it, and she told me she liked it =).

Friday's word was Resolute. I chose this one because I stick by my convictions, and this was the best word I found to describe that. I also chose it because after the incident on Thursday I was afraid I would get called down to the principal's office. I didn't, but at the time I wanted to choose a word that would seem strong and steadfast. Reactions - Katie, Mark, and Nikki asked about it, and Mr. Grover said it was better than yesterday's word =).

Today's word was Mature. I chose this one because of the fact that Mrs. Morin thinks I'm being immature about the Day of Silence situation. I disagree. I think I am being mature because I am refusing to compromise my beliefs and standing up for what is right. She seems to think I'm being immature because I am refusing to compromise and "not seeing both sides of issue." However, I do see both sides of the issue. I completely understand why Mrs. Hanson does not want us to have the Day of Silence unless it incorporates all groups. She is looking out for herself. Understanding, though, is not the same as agreeing. I understand why Mrs. Hanson is doing what she is doing, but I definitely do not agree with what she is doing. That, I think, is mature. Reactions - Katie understood what I was talking about, Paul and Alex both said I'm not mature, and I explained what I meant I was being mature about. Mrs. Carniero said she liked it, but she laughed at first.

I think it's funny how many words I've used relating to this whole Day of Silence controversy. All of these words were ones I could have used anyway, but this adds a whole new dimension to my reasons for using these past few words.

Today's word was Betrayed. I have a very interesting story for this one. Remember how I was talking about the Day of Silence, and how it had been cancelled but I had something planned? My "friend" Cary, whom I trusted and told about it, ratted me out to the Diversity Club advisor. She is obligated to tell the principal about it, so now I guess I can say what I was going to do. I was planning to do an underground Day of Silence, planned by me with whoever wanted to do it via a Facebook group. We're going to make shirts and be silent all day, whether the administration likes it or not. Participate at your own risk, haha. Anyway, Cary was apparently mad at me because on the day we had the Diversity Club meeting that I ran out of, I supposedly almost got her fired because she was looking for me when I walked home. I find that completely ridiculous, since a supermarket is not going to fire you for being late once, especially if you have the sense to call in, and it was stupid of her to look for me in the school. Why would I hide in the school when I live 3 minutes away, about a 20 minute walk? So she got her revenge by telling on me. How immature is that, someone telling on you to a teacher in high school? I wouldn't even do that to my worst enemy...there's kind of an unspoken code among high school students, you don't rat out people to teachers no matter how much you hate them. And she was supposed to be my friend. We're still doing the Day of Silence, I'm just not sure what will happen to me when the principal finds out. 

I found this all out in homeroom. My teacher/advisor for Diversity thinks I'm being immature because I'm upset about what the principal did. I think I'm being very mature for once. I'm standing up for what I know is right. I'm not being stupid, I'm not just saying we won't do the Day of Silence and pouting about it. And I'm not compromising what I know is right, which I see as cowardly. I'm sticking to my convictions. And Cary and my teacher are the only ones who seem to think I'm being immature. I know what is right, and may I drop dead on the spot if I ever compromise my beliefs to take the easy way out.

Reactions -Katie, I told her about what happened while I was still talking to my teacher and she stood up for me. Mr. Grover saw my word and said he hoped I wasn't badly betrayed, and I said I was very badly betrayed. He said he felt bad. He jokingly asked if Maegan, my friend who sits next to me in that class, did it, and he said he would kick her out if it was her haha. Maegan asked about it too, and so did Mrs. Carniero and Daisy.

Yesterday's word was Defeated. I chose it not for a specific reason, but because I was just feeling defeated in general. Have you ever had a day where you just felt really down, even though nothing had really happened? That's how I felt. I was also thinking about being defeated because Mrs. Morin asked me if I thought those Christian parents were winning if we canceled the Day of Silence. I said no, and she asked me why, but I just told her I didn't want to talk about it. I suppose if things go the way she thinks they will go then they would win...but they won't. Reactions - Mark, Rawley, Nikki, and Katie asked why I was feeling defeated. Lemons made fun of me for using another negative word...I know he's just doing it to annoy me though, since I always complain about how Dr. Mongeon does that.

Today's word was Feminist, because I realized I hadn't used that word yet and I was surprised at myself. I consider myself to be a feminist, but there are different degrees of feminisim. There's radical feminists, who think women are better than men, and there are what I call real feminists, who just believe in gender equality. I'm a real feminist. I can't stand feminists who think women are better than men or who see sexism in everything. They give real feminists a bad name. Then again, I also can't stand women who allow themselves to be subordinate to men, who perpetuate the male ego and male dominance. Reactions - Rawley, Olivia, Megan, Rachel, and Mandy all said they liked it/asked about it.

Friday's word was Brave. A couple people suggested it, it was on my original list and then someone reminded me that I should use it. They said I am brave because of this project. I think that I am also brave in that I stand up for what is right. I don't let others decide how I should act or who I should be. I try my best to talk about things and not ignore them. Whenever I think of the word brave, I think of Lost & Delirious (great movie by the way), the part where Paulie tells Mouse that her name is Mary B., B for Brave. Reactions - Ms. Barry, a sub, said, "That's not French!" because the last time I had her as a sub she said I should use a French word, joking obviously since I don't know French. Mrs. E said I am brave, and Ms. Rumsey also said she liked it. Shelby, Katie, and Mark all asked about it as well.

Today's word was Ready. I chose this one because I am just ready to get out of high school. I've only got 25 school days left. I feel really ready to leave, not just because I'm sick of work but also emotionally. I feel like I'm ready to be done with my word project and to move on to college. The original person who suggested this word was referring to the Jack's Mannequin song "I'm Ready." Great song by an amazing band. Haha, I seem to be doing a lot of advertising in this post. LJ staff would be proud. Tehe. Reactions - I had a couple funny coincidences, Mrs. Carniero said something about being ready and Rawley later said something about not being ready to go to class, and both times I pointed out that my word was Ready. Lemons, Donahue, a girl at lunch, Katie, Mark, and Maegan all asked what I was ready for, and I told them all that I was ready to get out of high school.

 

Today's word was Silenced. I chose it because of the incident yesterday, how they are silencing our Day of Silence. I think a lot of people expected me to wear this word on the actual Day of Silence, but I have something better planned for that day. I can't really talk about my Day of Silence plans here though, since anyone from my school can read it (and by anyone I mean teachers). It will be good, though =). Reactions - Tricia, Shelby, and Steph asked if it had to do with yesterday. Mr. Grover pulled a Mrs. E and called on me for a problem by asking me to "unsilence" myself to answer haha. Ms. Rumsey also asked about it, and I got the chance to tell her what had happened. I'm going to see her during my study tomorrow to discuss it with her.

Today's word was Activist. I chose it because I stand up for causes. Unfortunately, my life is being highly ironic right now. I've been planning the Day of Silence because I'm pretty much in charge of the Diversity Club. Today I got the bad news that a couple fundamentalist Christian parents had called my school's principal saying that we should not do the Day of Silence because they think it promotes homosexuality, which they don't agree with. My advisor mistakenly told the principal (who was on our side to begin with) that Day of Silence is for all people who have been discriminated against, not just GLBTQ people. I told her she was incorrect, and she went back to talk to the principal, who then gave us two choices: either not do Day of Silence, or make it incorporate all groups that are discriminated against. Although she doesn't have a problem with Day of Silence, she wants to avoid bad press. I obviously approve of promoting tolerance for all groups, but that's not what Day of Silence is about. Day of Silence is specifically made to promote tolerance for GLBTQ people and raise awareness about discrimination towards those people. I wouldn't feel right doing a Day of Silence that was not only for GLBTQ people, because, ironically enough, they are trying to silence our Day of Silence. So Day of Silence has in effect been cancelled. Oh, the irony that I would choose this word today. Reactions - Cary, Tricia, and Mike. Cary helped me pick it, Tricia said she liked it and wanted to be mentioned, and Mike called me a hippy (he was kidding).

Today's word was Revolutionary. I chose it because I finally downloaded the Across the Universe soundtrack last night and I was listening to the song Revolution, which made me think to use the word Revolutionary. It's true to my project, I am doing something revolutionary. And the lyrics to the song "You say you want a revolution, well, you know, we all want to change the world," are awesome. I would like to change the world, but I know it's not that easy. All I want is to make a difference. And I hope with this project I am at least making a small difference. Reactions - Mr. Grover asked if I could give him a little bit of my revolutionary feeling, since he was feeling "mired down in crap." I said sure, but that I wasn't really feeling all that great either since my car kind of died this morning (but that's another story). Katie, Mark, and Cary all asked about the word as well.