It's a new day.

Every summer, it's harder than the last.
I get closer to being completely done with school.
There are four more years.
Four very short years.

I've just left a phase of my life.
I'm a high schooler now.
No more "Mama fus"
or Mr. Wilson and his guitar.

We're all a little different now.
We're moving on.
No more familiar halls.
Cheers, to four very short years.

Let's make it last.

Multi-Genre Project - Dear Reader

Dear Reader,
Throughout your lifetime, there is always going to be an open door for you. A chance for you to learn or try something new. It may or may not be worth it in the end. You have to choose the ones you want to close and the ones you want to open. You’re going to make big decisions and small decisions. Some of them might seem small but grow into something that changes your life. That’s what happened to me.

One of the best decisions I made when I was younger was choosing orchestra over band. Then that broke into a smaller decision: violin, viola, cello, or bass. I chose violin, and I love it. I’ve spent just as much time with my violin as I have with my friends. It’s a part of me. I consider it human; in a way, it reflects the emotions that humans can feel. Some of the best compositions were made for the violin when someone was feeling sad, heartbroken, or happy.

I chose this as my focus because it’s important to me. I can’t imagine who I would be if I hadn’t picked it in fourth grade and started something that 30 years from now, I won’t forget. I’m going to continue playing. I’ll never give it up.
I hope you enjoy my project.


Alexis Barton

Maple City Chamber Orchestra

Orchestra Springfest

Whining.

Let's pretend that you are the parent of a small child. As your child gets older, you have to choose how you are going to raise them. Are you going to give in to whining, or are you not? No matter how much you love your child, you can't always give them what they want.

Now let's say that you chose to give in to your child every time he or she whined. They'll use this over and over on you, to get what they want. They'll grow up and use it on other adults and friends. So pretend you're at the store, and they really want a toy. Then the next day, they want this game. Then the next day, it's something else. Each time they whined for it. Sooner or later they're gonna realize that every time they whine - they get what they want.

But let me tell you. When teenagers and adults whine... SO NOT COOL! I think that when teenagers whine about something - and let me define it... being irritated to the point where it's all you hear about - I can't stand it. ESPECIALLY after they get what they want, and they're acting all yippie skippy about it. I think they need to get knocked back a few steps and know what their place is.

28 days

There are 28 days until I am officially out of school.

I am almost a freshman.

It's sad to think there are a lot of lasts... Friday was the last concert at the middle school. Soon there will be the last of this class, and that class, or that hallway or this teacher. Some of those teachers I might never see again. Now I'm moving on to new people (or the same old people that went to some of the same elementary schools as I did) but everyone is supposed to act more mature, and not let little things bother them. There will be more hallways and more ground to cover. New areas to get lost in. There will be French... Which I miss so much. Pretty soon I'll learn to drive, I'll have my sweet 16... I'll continue with orchestra, I'll graduate a International Baccalaureate.

These past three years have flown past so quickly. I can't imagine how high school will feel.