I didn't go to school today. I had this odd sense when I was getting ready, because I got up only an hour later my usual school day time. I was thrown by my mom's being home. I'd thought she had to work today, and that's why she couldn't go with me. I suppose it was better in the end, though. No annoying coaching. I'm a big girl, Mom.
Anyway, I got started a little later than I planned, but I'd planned to be there way early, so it worked out. I took the right exits, didn't get in any accidents, and found my way to the garage. Finding the hall was trickier. I've never been great with maps, but at least I didn't get lost. It's a big campus.
I'd signed up for lunch in the dining hall with a student. That was cool. Our "guide", Betsy, was energetic and knew a lot. She was realistic, too. She asked if anyone knew they were definitely going to UMD; no one did. From the talk that followed, I felt like I was the only person at that table who hadn't applied to an Ivy. Apparently, they send acceptance notices in mid-April, so they were all still waiting. This year has made me reevaluate my intellectual achievements in general, but that part of the conversation made me feel... dumb. I despise the idea of spending all of college surrounded by super-geniuses, so I didn't even consider Ivy. I'm smart, I just know what I don't want. After that part, we shared some random questions and then went back for the interviews.
The current Honors director gave another awesome speech. I heard him at the Academically Talented Program back in September, so it was great to hear him again. They're getting a new Honors director, so he'll be teaching. I hope I have him as a professor; he seemed great. Then we split up. I went to the waiting area since I had one of the first interview slots. Long story short, I was in the wrong place and they fit me in later. The interview itself was painless. They asked me about myself. I know me. There was one moment where I blanked, though, but I recovered nicely. Also, everyone they interviewed is guaranteed some scholarship money; the interviews just determine who gets the full ride (Banneker/Key), and who gets partial.
It was weird to "skip" school today. Greg says Ms. O'Neal and Mr. Witko asked where I was. That's what happens when you don't take personal holidays. And the first time I was sick in years, it was a testing day, so no one missed me anyway. Everything just fell into place. Adkins is in Phoenix, so I didn't miss any discussion points. I know about the math cumulative test on Monday, and am prepared to do badly on it like I did last time. My geology paper is still due Monday. It only has to be passable, but it has to be long, so I will be working on that later. And my history paper is due Tuesday, so that sums up my weekend. I should put together my RP paper, but I need more info from Ms. Comerford, and it shouldn't take long anyway.
Guess who drove on the beltway all the way to UMD and all the way back, at the beginning of Friday rush hour, and didn't get in one accident? ... I feel accomplished. And I think I looked nice today. And we're having the kitchen remodeled with my parents' tax refund. And it's one day closer to graduation. Yep, today was a fairly good day.
Friday Five: In Control.
If you...
1. ...owned a restaurant, what kind of food would you serve? Italian. I love Italian food. That's probably why I liked Olive Garden so much. Pasta is the best.
2. ...owned a small store, what kind of merchandise would you sell? Jewelry. I can't design anything worth selling, but that would be cool. Or maybe books. Borders is big competition, though.
3. ...wrote a book, what genre would it be? This is my kind of question! I love fiction. I read somewhere, though, that a lot of professional writers like to read in genres totally opposite the one they write in, so I'd probably wind up as a biographer.
4. ...ran a school, what would you teach? Music? I'm losing my piano skills, though. Does "elementary" count?
5. ...recorded an album, what kind of music would be on it? Pop. That's what I like to listen to, and I don't think I could sing anything else. My range is pretty limited.
