okay, guys, here's my last post here on bravejournal (at least for awhile anyway). i finally posted on my xanga, so here's the link:

http://www.xanga.com/vickles

that should work just fine

i planned on having my site ready but do to some unforseen problems I can't exactly work on it right now.

bye for now!

Vicki

while I realize that all of you aren't necessarily Harry Potter fans, I was just kind of bored and this just came out. While it is a Harry Potter poem, I am rather fond of it, and think it's quite good (not necessarily my best, but good). Anyway, here it is:

Vicki

my oma is in the hospital and has a brain tumor. we don't know if it's cancerous yet.

if you're someone who prays, please pray for her, we would be very thankful.

vicki

right, so this has been circulating around on webjournals for awhile now. I'm really not sure where it started, but it's cool, so I decided to post it on here. This message is sent to ANYONE and EVERYONE who ever reads this, so please do it! takes like one minute.

"Leave a comment with a memory of me.
It can be whatever you want.
Good, Bad, random.
Then post this on your journal,
To see what people remember about you.
Please everyone that is reading this,
just post something. If it's a bad memory, I won't be mad.
I honestly don?t care what you put, but just do it."

Please do it! Thanks, guys!

Vicki

one of my new favorite quotes:

real girls aren't perfect, and perfect girls aren't real

that's all

It's official. As of next Friday I will be an active xanga member. That's when I intend to be done with most of my site.

I'm actually kind of sad to be leaving this one, like I'm seeling out or something. Truthfully, I rather like this journal, but I like my new one too, so it's all good. It's very prettyful, as Julia says (our valedictorian, ladies and gents).

Anyway, the site looks awesome, and when I switch over, my xanga link will be posted on here so you all can keep up with me. I might still post once in awhile on this one, but I haven't decided yet.

That's all. g2g. Toodles!

Vicki

random question:

is it odd that "imperfect" and "I'm perfect" are spelled the same?

random conclusion:

I have noticed that I cannot simply walk into Pollard's office and either A)bug him B)just sit there or C)strike up a conversation. I tend to feel...unwanted. (I have no clue what this means so don't bother asking.)

Vicki

P.S. I am no longer "screening" my comments, so post whatver you like!

hey guys. my plan on bravenet changed, so now when you submit comments, I'll have to okay them. It's really not a big deal, I'm just telling you so that when you comment you don't comment five or six times, thinking that it doesn't work. don't let this stop you from commenting, I'm just telling you so you know. 

now I must go practice, because a voice in my head (which sounds strangely like that of Mr. Pollard's) keeps repeating "practice practice practice practice practice" and I feel as if I have to obey it....

bye! 

Right, so, um, yeah... lol, I can't seem to think of anything. I simply felt like updating my webjournal.

OH! I KNOW!

Okay, so I know I'm a loud person (I prefer to say that my voice carries) and for awhile lately I began to feel ashamed and embarrassed about it, because people are constantly telling me to be quiet. (By the way, it's not as easy as you guys think).

Anyway, I realized a few days ago that I'm proud of my "loudness" or "volume" or whatever you want to call it, because, you know what, this is a mile-marker for me.

Okay, so you all know how quiet and shy and so on I used to be. So, basically, for me to be loud is a kind of accomplishment. I used to be scared to open my mouth. I wouldn't tell people anything, and teachers always referred to me as "the quiet one." Now, while I would love to find an in between (which I suspect I will eventually, it just may take time, so be patient, please), I'd rather be on this side of the fence.

Right, so my point is, it really hurts when people tell me to be quiet in an embarrassing way (such as announcing it with a smile across the band hall in a making-fun-of-me way, and yes, I'm talking about you, Laura). You see, when people do things like, or just make little comments, I'm nine years old again, and afraid to say anything, constantly feeling like I'm in the spotlight, and not in a good way.

There was really no point to all of that. I simply felt like saying it. Must go practice now...

Vicki

Band Nerd Warning: this post solely focuses on band

Okay, so I've been practicing my part more on Festive Overture, since Pollard wants it at 110 by Monday, and it's turning out to be harder than I expected.

Usually, I can just slow it down and slowly speed it up and I usually get it, but nope! I reach about 100-105 and it just becomes a big mess of wrong notes and rythms.

So I tried to do it with the slurs in at 110, and it was fine, but as soon as I tried to tongue it, it sounded mind-numbingly painful again.

I'll work a lot on it tomorrow, but, quite frankly, I'm a little scared, seeing as this hasn't happening before. I really don't want to screw up Monday and have it look like either A) I suck or B) I didn't practice, since neither are true. I mean, I'm not awesome, but I certainly don't suck.

I'm thinking that perhaps I'm just going about it all wrong as far as how I'm practicing it, so I'll try to call Mr. Yesselson tomorrow and see if he has any ideas. *crosses fingers*

Okay, well, that's all for now. G'night!

Vicki

This is a short snippet of a story I'm reading that really just... just read it. It's just very beautifully written and the message is so perfect.

[The young man] looked at the closed door again. “They really love each other,” he said, his wistfulness showing through in spite of himself.

“Yes.”

He cocked his head, thinking. “Can I ask you something? It’s personal.”

“Go ahead.”

“You and your wife. You seem to have a happy marriage.”

“Yes. I’m very lucky.”

“Do you have what they have?”

[The older man] smiled. “Every relationship is different. Ours isn’t like theirs, which isn’t like your parents’, which isn’t…”

“I know, I know all that, but…do you?”

[The man] sighed. “If you’re asking if I love my wife, then I’ll tell you that I love her today just as much as I did the day I proposed to her. I think I can speak for her when I tell you that it’s the same for her.”

[The young man] stared off into space, struggling to voice his real question. After a few breaths and false starts, he succeeded. “Do you think that everyone gets to have that?” he said, quietly.

After a few seconds’ pause he ventured a glance up at [the older man] to find the older man looking at him with an expression of complete understanding. “Son, you speak of it as if it’s something that’s given to you, a pretty present that comes to your door wrapped in hearts and flowers, and you open it up and get to live happily ever after.” He smiled and shook his head. “What you want, what they have, isn’t something you find. It’s something you build.” He paused and looked off into the middle distance. “Love is a large house with many rooms. We come into the world wanting nothing but to live in it, but with only half of what we need to build it for ourselves. So we tuck our supplies away inside our hearts and go out into the world to find that person who has what we lack. If we’re lucky, we will find the one person in all the world who has the right nails for our lumber, and stones for our mortar, and shingles for our roofbeams…and only then can we begin to build. The house grows large, and if we have built with care, it becomes our home.” He sighed. [The young man] listened with rapt attention, fascinated and touched. [The older man] seemed to have lost himself in his thoughts. “We pour our whole selves into its construction, and it rises to become a glorious edifice. It is built of days and moments, of thoughts and words and feelings. It is painted with laughter and weathered with tears. Some rooms grow dark and are shut away while others are opened. We must tend it carefully and repair its weaknesses if we want it to keep us safe.” He met [the young man’s] eyes. “But do you know the real secret?”

[The young man] swallowed. “What?” he whispered.

“The house is never finished. We labor on it all our lives, and can only hope that it remains strong and whole enough to shelter us.”

...

I just really loved that. It doesn't have any real significance to me, at least not any more than it does to anyone else, it's just that, when I read it, I thought, "Wow."

Okay, well that all for now.

~Vicki

Okay, so I thought that the TAKS Reading was a complete waste of time. There were only two stories and the questions were all very easy (though that may be because I have been fortunate enough to have wonderful English teachers these past two years). I'm slightly annoyed though because I feel like I didn't really accomplish anything today. Hey cool, we only have a three-day school week! That's new.

Oh, and for those of you who were wondering (*wink wink* to certain relatives in Milwaukee...okay, maybe that wasn't as subtle as I thought it would bee...) yes, I do read my comments, and appreciate them greatly. I also read the tag board.

Some quick shout outs:
~Grandma and Grandpa: Thanks for the congrats and I hope everything is going well in Wisconson. Just so you know, it was about 80 degrees today. Hope you aren't too cold up there!
~Erin: I really hope you get better! I know you've been sick a lot lately and I just want you to know that I'm praying that you get better.
~Dedi, Toan, and all others who made ones on their solos: CANGRATULATIONS!!! Great job!
~Solrun: Thank you!
~Enigma: Thank you for being awesome. You are so great the way you are, and I'm so happy your my friend.
~Everyone: I hope you all did excellent on the TAKS today! I know it was state-wide.

Okay, well I'm going to go now, bye!

God bless,
Vicki

I GOT A "1" AT SOLO!!!! YAY!!!!

Yea, I got a one, which makes me happy. I was actually seriously considering doing it memorized, but decided not to. I'm definately going to memorize next year, though.

Our ensemble got a "1" as well, which is pretty cool, but we won't go to state, since Saloni will be in India (which is cool with me. I mean, I have three more years to go to state.

For other news, I went with Laura to the RAVE (NE Mall) movie theater and saw "Hitch" last night. I definately recommend it. I really really enjoyed it. It's like, I can't explain it without ruining it, but I really loved it.

Well, that's all for now. I hope everyone (students) enjoys their three-day week-end!

Vicki

We're not playing Till Eulenspeigal!  This is so...wrong!

For those of you who don't know, Till Eulespiegal is this awesome peice that we were going to play for UIL contest in band, but now, because so many people didn't care, we aren't playing it.

I am upset about this for many reasons, and since I think in lists, here are my reasons (read at your own risk):

ugh...did you guys realize that the TAKS are next week? May I say it again...ugh. I didn't check yet, but I bet I can tell you before even looking that I'm in a room by myself and atleast five of you are together (two of the five being erin and julia, if we follow the trend) and the rest of you are spread out in groups of two or three.

This stinks.

Oh well. So I'm thinking that I need a trip to the library, because I have about a list of about 20 books that I want to read ASAP, then about another two or three complete series before HP and the Half Blood Prince comes out in July (right? Sadly, I'm not even sure). So I'm hopefully going to get through a good two or three next week.

Solo and ensemble is this Saturday! I'm not overtly worried aobut my solo, it's coming together nicely, but I am worried about our (Toan, Saloni, and I) ensemble. We haven't practiced it too much and if we get a two, it pretty much lands on me. I mean think about it. Who do you think people will blame for us not getting a one? Toan, the freshman who made area? Saloni, a junior who made region (and maybe area but I' not sure)? Or could it be Vicki, the freshman who got 33rd (out of like 90 but still) at region? I'm pretty much praying that it somehow works out okay on Saturday.

Valentine's Day was cool. We had a two-hour woodwind sectional after school, which went pretty well. For once the third clarinets ween't being picked on. And I only screwed up on my G concert, which was insanely sharp, but I fixed it, and hopefully am getting a new tuner in the next week or so (yay) along with that reed case Dad told me I was getting "right after Christmas." Now he keeps joking that if he waits long enough I can get it for my birthday. I fear that he is serious *gasp!*. The horror! Oh, my precious reed case, where art thou?

Hey, I just read the last paragraph, and somehow I managed to turn Valentine's Day into another discussion about band. And then, I felt the need to ponit it out. *Band Geek Alert* Ah, well, there are far worse things...

I think that's enough for now, I worry that some of you have fallen asleep while reading this (Yeah, you, in the back, *head lifts up, "Wha....?"*). Bye for now!

Vicki

Hey guys! Like the new design? I know it's perfect for Valentine's Day, but I might leave it up a little longer than that, because I really like it.

What's new:

Made my tape for band (Eulenspiegal). I pretty much nailed the rythms (except for a new glitches, like one or two notes), but my tone sounds horrible and all stretched out on the tape. Ah, well, I suppose it will do, I can't do much now. Somehow I let Laura convince me to let her put her four cymbal (sp?) crashes on the end of it. I really hope this doesn't somehow penalize my grade.

My solo is really rocking except for a about 5-8 measures out of the full two movements, and it's nothing I can't fix by Tuesday or Wednesday, let alone Saturday. Mr. Yesselson said my tone was awesome. (After I played the very first part for him, he said "Wow...not to be mean, but I'm pleasantly surprised. And then he told which parts he really liked, which rocked, because Mr. Yesselson doesn't usually hand out compliments lightly.) Now I'm feeling all happy and excited and I can't ever wait to practice my solo. I really want it to sound good.

I decided that I wasn't going to memorize it last week (I don't think Toan's memorizing his either). It's not for any reason other than I simply think it's unnessasary. If our ensemble gets a 1 (which it better, because I'll be the one to be blamed if it doesn't) we can go to state anyway. Plus, if I decide I really want to, I have three more years to do it.

Despite the fact that I've never had a Valentine of my own, I still love the holiday (despite what I tell everyone). Plus I'm still holding out on the hope the someday I'll have someone who'll buy me flowers and take me out for this "Hallmark" holiday. So I'm looking forward to Monday.

School is going good. I'm passing all my classes, but that's not nearly good enough, so I'm going to be working extra hard these next few weeks. I've had a very empowering feeling these past few weeks, like, no matter what it is, if I want to do it, I can, and nothing can stop me or hold me back. Watch out, world! Vicki has arrived.

Well, it's getting late, and I'm still tired from Nina's "soup" party (I have a feeling that there were a lot of people who couldn't find the place and never showed up), which was awesome (the party, I mean). I loved the dance me and Julia did, and it was (as always) nice to see Mark.

Night, guys!

Vicki

Okay, so here's an example of some real-life karma.

I was sitting in the pew (bench) before church and my dad handed me the bulletin, which I can never wait to read every week. There was about a minute until mass would be starting so I was going to read it when the lady in front of us asked if she could see it quick. Not even thinking about it, I handed it to her. She gave it back just as we began singing the first song.

So I sang out and loudly as I usually do (constantly wondering if I'm bugging the people in front of me, for I have a had a fear for awhile now that I'm like the people on American Idol who think they sound good but are horribly out of tune). I thought I was soundig better than usual that day (my throat wasn't clogged or anything).

Anyway, we reached the middle of the mass where the father says "Now let us offer one another a sign of Christ's peace." This is usually the time when you shake hand's with anyone in reach and either say "Peace be with you" or simply "Peace." With family or friend you may hug them or kiss them and say "I love you" or some kind of nice thing.

Well, I turned, as I always do, to shake hands with the lady in front of me, but instead of saying "Peace be with you," to me she smiled brightly at me and said "You have a really beautiful voice." I thanked her and after she turned around I smiled so big that Laura made fun of me. I was just so happy to hear it, because I'd never heard something like that before (except from Juju, but it's different coming from a stranger). I'm still happy about it. It so made my week. I doubt that lady had a clue how happy she'd make me.

When I read the bulletin after church it said that the coir was looking for new people (I could even play clarinet if I want) so I'm looking into it. I think it would really be fun.

So anyway, moral of the story, be kind to others and you'll be rewarded, and never miss an opportunity to be nice to someone, you don't how happy you may make them.

Anyway, I just think that's an example of good karma.

Love you guys!

Vicki

P.S. I posted on a prayer forum for nunez. I thot y'all should see this. Usually a prayer only get about 15-30 views.

hey guys, I realize that my posts have been few and far between. I'm really sorry. Basically in the past few weeks my time has been monopolized by band, school, practicing, homework, chores, and sleep. (oh, and occasionally I attempt to grab a few bites of food if I rememeber.)

I'll try and post again as soon as I can. Bye for now!

Vicki

hey guys, no new news here. I've got to study for a possible biology test and do my vocab, than i got to spend a good three to four hours practicing clarinet, (though i've been making a solid effort to do two hours a day) because i've got to brush up on a couple exercises that i sort of put to the side in light of eulenspiegal, solo, ensemble, and making my tape (not that that's an excuse, i just haven't done as much of the others things).

anyway, i was on mugglenet while i was waiting for a homework page to load, and i saw this cool fan-made poster that someone made for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which comes to theaters in November I believe.

Well, that's all for now. Luv ya guys!

~Vicki

Hey guys, I'm in need of an opinion. I was going thorugh my closet and, since I've grown a good two inches or so in the past few months, most of my shirts are too short, so I'm in need of some new ones. I was looking in that clearance section at American Eagle and spotted this shirt.

So what do you think? Please respond ASAP telling me:
~it's cute, but only if I can get it at a good price
~i so should get it
~it's okay, you decide
~don't get it. it's ugly.
~it's not my kind of shirt (aka, it's cute but not on me)

Be honest, guys, I hate to waste money!

Thanks!

~Vicki