Sunday, January 26, 2003
at 6:07 PMGAP Kid
My progress report, minus the grades (which hardly matter at this point, anyway):
Economics AP/GT:
Academics- Mrs. Cave teaches beauteously; she tells us what we need to know, we record copious but accurate notes, and then we take our quizzes/tests. I believe my grade is a low "B", but only because I neglected to study prior to taking the exams.
Social Stimuli- Louis Lupinnaci provides a boisterous hah-hah every now and then. He's an ass, but at least he's a smart ass. I sit two desks behind Bryan Tyler, a debator buddy who is too nice and too indecisive for his own good. Speaking of which, he needs three points yet to qualify for state (and only one more tournament in which to do it; I doubt he can, though my hopes are high. I don't want to be stuck alone with Mr. Powell). But Bryan does have his music, which I'll grant I have never heard. April assures me he plays violin quite well.
April sits in the row next to me, but, as she is a bit sappy in the morning, she rarely offers stimulating commentary. Usually, I notice she shakes her head at the crazy right-winger, the kid who blames all of life's problems on illegal Mexican immigrants and the tax system, neither of which he has even the slightest real comprehension. This fellow always insists on arguing his baseless points with Mrs. Cave, as though she has not lived longer or observed more than he and does not know what she is talking about. The entire class groans bemusedly in unison every time he opens his arrogant mouth.
Precalculus:
Academics- I still miss Mr. Richards' blissful structure. Precalculus would not be so difficult if only I got it right the first time. When Mrs. Hanson attempts to explain something, I squint my eyes at her and moreover probably exhibit an ugly, confused expression. Nothing clicks, not even the simplest concepts. I considered dropping the course, but I need to finish this fourth year of mathematics all the more because I perform poorly in math.
Social Stimuli- I classify this as "sluggish", but most of the people are nice enough. This is probably the first average class I've had that lacks a really obnoxious person. I no longer sit in front of David Howard, so he does not brush my boob with his hand as he sleeps. Alden Knies sits in front of me and occasionally offers a stick of gum (which I politely decline). I do not accidentally brush her boob with my hand when I fall asleep in class.
Jacob Woo (an old Latin acquaintance) had a copy of The Sarmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien on his desk the other day. I copped it for a second to check the publisher and edition date. I believe that is the book my uncle Chris tried unsuccessfully to find for Kailey. Jacob does not speak much, but he plays cards. He spends most of his class time gazing affectionately at his girlfriend (a nice girl; I forgot her name).
AP European History:
Academics- I consistently kept a high grade, which ought to help the old grade point average just a little bit. Not that I care much about that silly thing anymore. I enjoy Mrs. Parnell's frequent, adventurous digressions, because they are always somehow relevant.
Social Stimuli- April once asked Mrs. Parnell where Mormons came from. Zach refers too often to History Channel specials. Carrie, as always, refuses to ask any question spontaneously (not that I entirely fault her system, but it requires a few amendments). Donna is cute when she's angry. Kristoffer and Katy both spend more time bewailing their fates as low-status writers/learners than they spend actually trying to improve themselves. Elliott wears denim now, like it's the new thing this season.
