A whole new me

Too short? Yeah, but I'm enjoying it. It's a nice weight for these blasted heat waves, dripping with humidity. And it'll give my bangs a chance to catch up with the rest of my hair. I've got so many random short chunks of hair that need to grow out. Though I suppose my attempt at layering can't have helped much.... But whatevs, you can't see any damage done, it's light and off my neck, and I have the rest of my young life to grow it out again.

Last writing class tonight! The class was led by writer Kerry Madden, and it lasted only 4 weeks, but it was really a great experience. For one thing, people used to tell me how great a writer I am, but I haven't written a story since 7th or 8th grade. Years in which I completely allowed myself to forget how to write. It was definitely a brain-challenger to be in this class and to have to start writing again, and to be creative, god forbid. But I enjoyed it so much! The other writers were a wide range of ages, so there were as many different voices as writers (11 of us, I believe); a lot of their stories put mine to shame, reminding me that I can be so much more creative than I was allowing myself. Sure, write what you know.... but you can fib a little! The wonderful thing was that it was such an easy, noncompetitive atmosphere that it was okay if a sketch wasn't great - they wouldn't eat it alive, but rather offer insight and suggestions. So all in all an enriching experience. Tonight, our last evening, Sally Nemeth came to lead a writing exercise and read from her new book, The Heights, the Depths, and Everything in Between. She read the prologue, and just from that much I imagine it's going to be wonderful. It's about a girl who feels out of place because she's so tall (5'10"), and her best friend who's a dwarf - place them in junior high school and I can just imagine a story ridden with pre-adolescent angst. However it didn't seem to have a very angsty tone, but rather witty and engaging. When it's out in paperback, I'm on it!

Man, my mind is taking summer vacation three weeks early. Oh wait, it is summer. Which explains why I've been mentally signing off every time I enter a classroom (not a lot of help to the teacher I TA for), and why I am invariably knocked unconscious when I try and learn PreCalc. Yes, that's right, I'm learning PreCalc this week, well, this summer, but I'm trying to keep it short.... I've gotta take the Westridge PreCalc final this fall to make sure I qualify for AP Calculus. I've got to make that class, I have to. It really doesn't help that I keep dreamily imagining what that extra free will be like if I don't pass or, hey, if I just decide not to take it. But I've already asked Mr. Wood if he'll write one of my college recommendations, and he's lent me a PreCalc book and promised to help me with whichever concepts I need help on.... I can't back out, not now, so Calculus, here I come!

Labels: Self portrait, writing

posted by Holly @ 9:54 PM