Spanish comes in handy.

A few weeks ago I was in a PetSmart and an employee approached me and asked if I take Spanish in school, I nodded my head and he had asked me to translate for a man. I walked over to the man, looked at him and knew he had must have been speaking Spanish for his whole life. I had only been speaking it for pproximately two years, but I gave it my best shot. I didn’t understand everything he was saying but I knew some words and pieced it all together. He wanted a blue collar for his small puppy. I was so proud of myself and the next day I went right to my Spanish teacher and told her of my adventure. The Spanish man must have thought I would never be able to translate for him; I am an Irish girl, not an ounce of Spanish in me, but I did it. I give a lot of credit to my Spanish teach she had defiantly drilled Spanish into my head; I think I will be ready for Spanish 3 next year. Being able to translate for that man gave me reassurance in class and made me want to learn more. The employee after offered me a job translating for all his Spanish customers – no I’m only kidding but I would have loved that. I think in a sense I can represent any person learning a new language, I was unsure of myself at first but after this I learned that anything is possible.

Poetry

Today, the 3 and 4 AP English classes, along with 2AC, went to the library during second period to listen to a poet read some of his poetry. When Mrs. Dellanno, my English teacher, told my class this last week, I did not know what to expect. From what I have seen and heard about poetry readings, they are not exceptionally good, and everyone naps between the poems. This was not the case. I absolutely loved it. The poet that came to read to us, BJ Ward, read some of his poems from the 4 books he has written. He read with such emotion and emphasis, and was very funny. The tone and moods of the poems he read differed, some funny and silly, others upsetting. He used some comparisons that you wouldn’t normally expect to hear. I like poetry because it makes me think. It has a lot of meaning, and can sometimes make you feel very strongly if you can relate to the message. My class and I worked a lot with poetry when I was a freshmen, and we are working on some this year, different types of sonnets and themes. BJ Ward said that a lot of famous poets come from New Jersey, which was pretty cool to hear.

Golf and Spring Play

Hey everyone! So I made the golf team. We had 3 tryouts over the past two weeks, and 10 of us made the team. By the end of the week, we will have our ranking. I think I am either 4th or 5th, so I need to keep up my A game when we play tomorrow. Last year was a lot of fun, so I can’t wait for this season.

This Friday is the spring musical, Into the Woods. A lot of my friends are in the show and tech crew. Everyone has been working extremely hard over the past couple of months, learning lines and dance moves, singing lessons, and building the set. Into the Woods is suppose to be a funny musical, telling a story that conjoins a lot of fairytales that everyone is familiar with, such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, etc. On Wednesday, there is a showing for grammar schools in the area, and Thursday is an assembly for UC. Hope the play is a great success for everyone involved! Break a leg, guys. :]

Everything

The third marking period is almost over, and it is so close summer! I am, along with a lot of my other classmates, are feeling the year become harder. Normally, you wouldn’t expect the year to be getting harder this far long, but it is. My chemistry class is becoming impossible. Normally we can figure out what our teacher is talking about, but not with this chapter. It’s insane.

Thankfully, spring break is coming up in 22 days, and everyone could use the rest, ha ha. I am going to LBI with my friend Allison for a few days to look at this house we are renting for a week in the summer and both could not be more excited. During spring break, I am making my Confirmation as well. I am pretty excited. My group and I have been preparing for this for almost 2 years, going to CCD classes and special masses at our church in recognition of the sacrament. It is a good feeling to know it is finally almost here.

Great news!

Hey guys, great news. I got into UCTV, so I will be on the morning announcements next week. That was so important to me since this is what I want to major in. I was so excited considering UCTV only takes three upcoming juniors. But the bad news is I cannot apply for peer minister. So I hope I get into the ambassador program, a lot of people are applying.

Oh more good news softball tryouts are finally over! Tryouts were tough and I am so sore. All my friends made the team so that’s a positive thing. It doesn’t say if we are on varsity or JV so this week is so important. My best friend Kayla has a really good chance of being on Varsity ~ we are all so excited. It was hard to see the kids who got cut, but hey there is always next year! School has been going pretty well, I hope softball tryouts continue to go great, I will keep you updated on everything!

Apply for Peer Ministry or Ambassador?

Hey guys, there was so much going on this week. It is world language week and also I have been preparing myself for softball. Tryouts are tomorrow and I cannot tell you how nervous I am.

Applications are flying for next year ambassador and/or peer ministry leaders and everyone is stressing. Ambassadors work the open houses, and almost every school functions so if you come here for open house the ambassadors are the one who bring you around the school and can answer any question you may have. Peer Ministry is the club of students who set up the school masses and run the recollections for each class. They help spread the faith of God within the school.

After reviewing each application I decided that I would try and apply for ambassador. Though I go to church every week something just tells me that ambassador is more right for me. I love having conversations with people I have just met or speaking to a large group. Plus I heard that peer ministry has their meetings right after school and with softball and soccer it may be hard to fit all that in. Ambassadors have their events at night, so it would be much easier to make. I also don't really think I have a choice in peer ministry since I am hopefully going to be on UCTV next year. If I am selected for UCTV I cannot be a peer ministry leader since both require that you be in their homeroom. I will still apply, in case I don't get into UCTV.

My fellow blogger is applying for both peer ministry and ambassador. A lot of people are applying for either club. I guess we will see how everything goes!

We dressed as the Irish Flag for World Language Tag Day! (:

Spring, Looking Ahead and Sad News

Even though there is snow on the ground and it is bitterly cold outside, we can all feel that spring is coming. All of UC is getting themselves ready for the spring sports, filling out the right paperwork and getting it in before the deadline. This year, I know a lot of people are going to try new sports; my friend Jesse is playing Tennis for the first time this year, and my friend Colleen is switching over from playing softball last year to golf this year. Golf is my spring sport, and I am beyond excited. Our team is normally smaller than other spring sports teams, but I love playing with them. Over the winter I bought this amazing driver and I hope to do really well with it. :]

Last week, the sophomore class got mail about the Junior/Senior trip next year in October. Almost everyone I talked to is planning on going, so I would expect it is going to be fun. We are going to Washington D.C.; I hope we visit Georgetown because I hear it’s a beautiful school.

Last night, students and staff were informed that the wife of one of the teachers at UC passed away, Mrs. Kathleen Gresco, wife of John Gresco. I don't know the details, but today is a very sad day for Union Catholic. Mr. Gresco is a very loved teacher here. I, as many others, was shocked and crushed. We are all keeping Mr. Gresco, his 4 children, and his family in our prayers and our hearts. <3