Author: rangerthecat

White Rocks and Moonlight Walks

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I had never been to the infamous White Rocks in the Los Padres National Forest before a few days ago on Tuesday night.

Our head lamps and flashlights were turned off as we ascended up the mountain on our short hike, which took about 20 or 30 minutes. It was dark, but the full moon hovered overhead, lighting our paths. We were not talking; it was silent except for the sounds of bugs and our footsteps on the ground.

After crossing a few areas of water and unfortunately tripping over some big rocks, we had made it to a big white plateau surrounded by 3 towering white rock masses. It was so beautiful to see the white surface illuminated by the full moon.

And so we sat – Coop, Floyd, 15 other student leaders, and myself. We talked about issues at school, had a debate, and took a beautiful group photograph. (Thank you Max, it turned out so amazing!)

AND THEN WE PLAYED HIDE AND SEEK.
It was extremely epic and fun. There were so many good hiding spots too.

I was skeptical at first about this moonlight hike that Coop had planned for us, but I ended up having such a great time. I really did. I did not want the night to end! We have such a fun and interesting group of student leaders this year and I am so proud do be one of them.

College already?

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College.


Just hearing that word makes me cringe.

A few years ago, I didn’t even think I would be applying to colleges. I figured I would be attending a community college.

But now, college is so close, and all of my friends are stressing out about it. All I hear is “I’m working on my college essays” or “I had a college interview the other day.”

And I just think Umm, I don’t even know one single school that I’m applying to yet…

I have no idea what I want to study either. I really wish I was one of those people who knew what she wanted to do and went for it. It would make it so much easier!

I have confidence that I will be accepted into a good school, but the first step is figuring out where I am going to apply.

Bring it on, college apps. I will figure it out. It might take me a while, but I’ll figure it out.

RIP Steve Jobs

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OH MY GOD WHAT THE @*^%?

I look at my Facebook page and the first thing I see is basically “1 billion friends posted about Steve Jobs.”

Well, not really 1 billion, but about 30. And I just couldn’t believe that Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, had passed away.

I remember my first iPod that I ever owned. I remember walking into the store, getting out all my money from my piggy bank that I had saved up, and paying for my white iPod video, my new prized possession.

At that time, I did not think about the iPod itself. Someone had taken the time to invent and perfect this marvelous creation that a majority of people around the world now own and use on a daily basis. But, I do remember thinking that it was the coolest thing EVER.

Then the iPhone became popular along with Mac computers, and Apple had officially become one of the most popular electronic s companies on the market. And so a legend was born, Steve Jobs, who continued to create new things and improve already top-notch electronic devices.

He was a huge influence in the world of technology. I am sure most of these advancements we have today would not exist without him.

I don’t own an iPhone or a Mac, but I do have an iPod and I’d say it is one of the best devices I own. Too bad he won’t be around to invent more.

RIP Steve Jobs. Obviously I didn’t know you personally, but you were pretty kick-ass.

Music these days.

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I am so tired of hearing crappy music every time I turn on the radio or walk past another student’s room. I know, it really depends on each person’s opinion of what is “crappy” or not. But really, all I’ve been hearing are songs involving way too much cussing and annoying, repetitive phrases involving “big booty chicks” or “getting money”.

If music had been a person, he or she would be very disappointed to see him or her self now. Sure, music is about expressing yourself. But really, are those people really expressing themselves, or just making these ridiculous songs just to make money? What happened to the good music? Like the Beatles or Michael Jackson? People seem to forget about them more than they realize.

It really grinds my gears to hear amazing and talented artists, bands, or musicians go unrecognized for a long time, or forever. I know that not everyone can be famous or share their music with the rest of us, but in my opinion, these people deserve recognition more than the rap artists who repeat themselves in every song.

Variety and self-expression is what makes music beautiful. I feel like these days, the values expressed in songs are very questionable and the lyrics are just distasteful.

Stressed out.

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It’s only the 4th week of school. I have been here for less than 30 days.
IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HERE FOREVER! AHHHH!

I love this school, and I especially love the people here. I love being here.

That being said, I REALLY wish that I could just take a break.
I know I am speaking for not just myself, but also a lot of my fellow classmates when I say THIS WORKLOAD IS STRESSFUL!

Never in my entire high school career have I worked as hard as I have worked this year. I even dropped a class because I realized that I would not be able to handle it. And still, every night, even on the weekends, I find myself working for hours on end and still not feeling satisfied with some of my work. I thought Friday and Saturday nights were for relaxing… Maybe I’m just crazy.

I know all of the teachers here really care about the students and really want them to learn. I am so thankful for that. I have learned a lot from every teacher I have had at this school. But being a good teacher and helping students learn does not mean assigning homework every night, even on the weekends, and assigning huge essays and projects with minimal time to complete them.

All of these homework assignments just keep building up and I cannot seem to find a way to escape. Even if I am proactive and do my homework days in advance before it is due, thinking this will help me manage my time better, I am always assigned something else.

I will be honest, I do know a lot of students – and even some of my close friends – slack off a lot and procrastinate. And once in a while, I do the same. But it is only because I can never catch a break otherwise. Whenever I have free time, I use it to sleep, catch up with my friends from home, call my parents, or watch a movie. Is it too much to ask to not have a homework overload every once in a while?

I wish teachers could see it from our perspective. Some of them don’t take into consideration that we all have at least 4 or 5 other classes to deal with each day and night. It becomes really overwhelming for us!

I am so stressed out. But, nothing I can do about it… except more homework!

Technology

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I have come to the realization that I have a terrible addiction. And that addiction is technology.

I am slightly ashamed to admit this, to be honest.

I am probably not helping myself much as I sit here in front of my computer screen and type this blog, simultaneously on Facebook in another window. There is an unfortunate dependence I have seemed to build for the use of technology, and as much as others may not want to admit it, I have noticed it in them as well.

The internet is out of commission around campus, and it has been for about a week. At first, everyone was bugging out because they have no access to Youtube and Facebook.

WHAT?!?!?! OH MY GOD WHAT AM I GONNA DO?!!

I freaked out for a second, but then I realized something.

I have become way to dependent on these things. When was the last time I sent a letter by mail? Or researched from a source other than the internet? When was the last time I spent a day without texting my friends constantly? It has been a long time since these things have happened. I have forgotten the value of things unrelated to technology.

A break from the internet is a good thing for us OVS students here on campus. I feel like it has given me a chance to enjoy other activities that I like but usually neglect, like playing guitar, reading a book, or even just enjoying the outdoors.

So bye for now, technology. I’m taking a break from you.

We won!

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There is nothing better than having the best team mates, a supportive coach, and a team spirit that will stay strong no matter what the outcome of the game.
That being said, there is one thing that can make it feel a whole lot better: Winning.

Saturday, September 17th was the first girls varsity volleyball game.

Walking down to the field, ready to set up the courts and play, I had many mixed feelings about the game in my near future. I thought, since we only had a little over a week of practice, that we would suck. I mean really, I knew Midland wasn’t the best volleyball team, but I thought we were going to lose so badly.

But, as six individuals stand on the court, there is some strong bond that makes us all one. Sounds cheesy, but really, I feel like that’s what happened.

Before I knew it, my prediction from a few hours ago had been completely flipped around. We kicked their butt!

And it felt so good!!!!!!!!!

My doubts for the rest of the season have disappeared. I have so much more confidence in myself and the rest of my team than I had before. I really think this is going to be an amazing season, and hopefully we have a lot more of these victories in our future.

Beginning of the End

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I can picture myself on June 8th, 2012. I’ll be standing on stage, in front of my peers and my family, accepting my high school diploma. And it will officially be over. These four dreaded years we call high school will OFFICIALLY be in my past. I have dreamed about this moment for so long.

I should be feeling happy. Actually, I really should be feeling overjoyed. Completely ecstatic. And a part of me is very excited for that moment to come. A small part.

The bigger part of me is feeling overwhelmed, nervous, and sad.

Ojai Valley School has not been my only high school experience. Public school came first. Back then, I never pictured anything different than walking out with about 500 other students accepting our diplomas on the gigantic front lawn of my public high school. And thank God I was wrong about that.

This school has taught me everything I know about myself, really. I have discovered so much more than I knew existed within myself. I remember the day that I showed up here. I wanted to leave more than anything. I wanted my old life back and I wanted to go home.

Now, this is home. This place is my home. Not just a place that I live, but much more than that. I have made countless friends, some of them who I hope I will know for the rest of my life. I look up to some of the faculty at this school more than I look up to anyone I have met before. They have really pushed me to be my best self. Without them, I would not be who I am today, and I really owe everything to them; they are truly a second family.

With them, I have laughed, I have cried, and I have laughed and cried some more. I have argued, I have slacked off, I have worked hard, I have tried new things. I have sang, I have danced, I have met amazing people, I have been pushed to my limits. But the most important thing that I have done here at OVS is I have found myself.

I know, 9 months seems so far away, but really I know that it will come much too quickly. Time really does fly by, and for once in my high school career, I wish it would just slow down so I could enjoy the amazing moments of my senior year that are to come.

So, with a heavy heart I say to you all, here’s to the beginning of the end. Because before I know it, it will be June 8th, 2012, and I will be standing on stage in front of everyone, saying goodbye, looking back at all the good memories I have of this place. Bitter-sweet is the only way to describe it. And who knows where I will be headed after then? As the saying goes, “when one door closes, another door opens.” As much as I look forward to everything in my future, I just wish this door would never have to close.