Animal crackers

Really funny.

Waiting for the great pumpkin

We've all seen It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, right? It's the one where Linus believes a Great Pumpkin will visit the "most sincere" pumpkin patch and bring all the kids presents? It's Halloween and he convinces Lucy to stay with him all night and wait for the Pumpkin (which never comes) and she gets really mad?

Well, that's kind of like what happened to all the people that thought the world was going to end on Saturday. As you can see, it's Sunday and we're all still here. And the world isn't being slowly destroyed. We're all fine. No one was "raptured." And I wasn't surprised. But thousands of 'believers' were. They truly thought that something was going to happen yesterday at 6pm, and nothing did. (Hahaha, losers.) So that's why I'm comparing them to Linus and the Great Pumpkin.

I, for one, am immensely glad that the world did not end. Of course, I didn't want to do my English homework, but I had plans for today! Today is our theater banquet! And by 'banquet' they mean 'potluck in the cafeteria.' But, even still, I'm looking forward to it. I baked mini chocolate cupcakes.

Hey, by the way, you know what's really good? Wegman's raspberry lemonade.

Something I never thought I'd hear my bio teacher say

"So, who saw Modern Family last night?"

Water for Elephants

I finished reading Water for Elephants reeaallly late last night!!! It was AMAZING. All I can say is read it, read it now! It's just really really really good (as long as you can handle the graphic parts). It's the kind of book that made me want to read it all over again as soon as I finished it. I didn't, of course, but I know I'll definitely re-read it. And eventually I'll get around to seeing the movie. But for now, READ IT!

Just another tuesday

I kept taking naps between the sections of the biology test. Power naps, I like to call them. I don't think I was alone. Why do they give us tests first thing in the morning? Why does school start so early?

I had to go to the nurse for screening today. It took the whole period and I missed choir. Which is not a good thing. They used to call you down one by one and it would take 5 minutes and you'd do everything at once. NOW, you go in, wait with 10 other people, and get your height and weight taken. (They told me I'm 5'2 but really I think I'm 5'3 or 5'4. Also, apparently I gained 9 pounds in 8 months. Is that normal?) Then I had to go and wait again until they took my blood pressure. I've never had my blood pressure taken in school before. It was weird. Then I had to wait again for a really long time. Then I had my vision and hearing checked, and I had to put on my librarian glasses, which I never wear. It's amazing how much more I could see. But I still couldn't see that 7th line she wanted me to read...
 
I saw a poster for a plant sale at school. I think it's probably the botany classes or something. Maybe horticulture club. Anyway, I think I should buy my mom a plant. You know, to be nice.

My lunch today consisted of a chocolate cupcake. Don't ask.

This looks like fun.

Books.

We have to do a "genre project" in English class that involves reading books in the genre of your choice. I chose historical fiction. May I suggest a few titles?

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - My friend lent this to me and told me I had to read it. I did. It was amazing. Definitely a different take on Nazi Germany/World War II. Girl named Liesel goes to live with foster parents, learns how to read, fall in love with books and proceeds to steal them from wherever she can. But life in Nazi Germany is dangerous and some stuff goes down. Literally. Read it.
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - Now a major motion picture. Which I have yet to see. And I hear it's not that good. But the book's pretty good, so far. Good read for animal lovers. Jacob joins the circus as a veterinarian. Falls in love with Marlena, whose husband happens to be the cruel and abusive animal trainer. Go Rosie the elephant!
• The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory - Medieval times and royalty. Quite intriguing. The librarian in the school library kept telling me how great it is. Based on a true story. Anne and Mary Boleyn are fighting for the attention of King Henry VIII of England, who happens to be already married to Catherine of Aragon. If you recall, we learned about King Henry and Catherine in history class, and how they changed the laws so they could be divorced.
• The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel - There's a Hallmark movie based on this that my mom and I LOVE. We LOVE this Hallmark movie. Hopefully the book's just as good. Again, World War II. Livy is forced into an arranged marriage with farmer Ray because she's pregnant and the baby daddy is off at war. They weren't even married anyway. Anyway, Livy went to college and wanted to be and archaeologist and travel the world, but when you think about it it's her own fault she's Mrs. Farmlady instead.

Good reads. If you have any spare time. If not, consider this your summer reading list!

Hello.

Hello. I've been really busy lately. All my teachers seem to be assigning projects and papers and homework at the same time. But it's almost the end of the year!!! I don't know whether to be happy or not. On one hand, I could really use a break. I'm really not looking forward to finals. But I think I'll really miss school, freshman year specifically. I'll miss all the seniors who I don't really know anyway. They're going away and NEVER COMING BACK. I can't imagine what it would be like to go away and never come back. Honestly, I can't imagine what it would be like to not be a freshman. Guess I'll find out in September!

There will be a lot that I'll miss. Bulleted list follows:

• I'll miss my all-girls English class. Things get done a lot more efficiently when it's all girls. This is weird, but I heard that someone in my class is having an end-of-the-year-English-class-party. It sounds a little strange. I can only hope she doesn't invite Mr. Lloyd!
• I'll miss walking through the courtyard on a nice sunny day like today. Okay, I've only done that a few times, but you know what I'm talking about. That general sense of freedom and calm happiness. I mean, how many schools have courtyards that you can use as a hallway? I like going outside during the school  day.  Though somehow my teachers don't seem to think it's a  good idea to have class in the courtyard.
• Wandering. I'm a wanderer. I enjoy roaming the hallways. It actually makes the school seem smaller. Remember how big it felt on the first day? My study hall teacher lets us wander around. He doesn't believe in hall passes. After school today, my mom was going to pick me up outside the media center door. You know the greenhouse that the botany classes use? I couldn't help noticing that the door to it was open. Yesterday it was locked. I knew I wasn't supposed to, but I went inside. It was really hot and humid inside. There were a lot of plants. That's all I noticed before I left, because I thought someone would come in and yell at me. You know Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania? It's this big botanical gardens place. We usually go there around Christmastime every year. They have a great big conservatory with pretty plant displays, but behind the scenes is probably all greenhouses. I think I'll take botany senior year and if I like it maybe I'll work at Longwood someday. 
• Theater people. Theater people are really nice, about as nice as choir and band people. Maybe it's a music thing. Sports people aren't all that nice. Well, actually I guess it depends on the sport. And the person. ANYWAYS, I like being part of the theater crowd. Or family. Whichever you prefer. Which reminds me, our theater banquet is next Sunday! I'm excited. It's only a potluck in the cafeteria, not a real banquet. I have to figure out what to bring... probably dessert :)

That's all for now. Passe une bonne temps. Casse une jambe. Bon voyage. Whatever.

Update on the Cake

Oh yeah, so that cake? It was delicious.  :)

Chocolate Biscuit Cake!!!!!

So, you know that cake I was telling you about! I'm making it today for Mother's Day! It's in the refrigerator right now and it should be done in about an hour. I'm really excited!!!!! It looks really good! I'm going to give you the recipe and you have to make it! As I mentioned before, it doesn't bake in the oven, you just put it in the fridge. Interesting fact: the eggs are raw, but the chemical reaction of the sugar and the eggs actually cooks them and makes them safe to eat! I went to the store yesterday to get the special pan you need to make the cake, but they only had a 9 inch pan instead of the 6 inch one that the recipe calls for. So I actually had to double the recipe and it looks super delicious!!!!! This is the doubled recipe, do not double this recipe!!!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp. butter , for greasing
• 16 ounces Rich tea biscuits
• 2 sticks (8 oz) unsalted butter , softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup dark chocolate , for the cake (I used semisweet chocolate chips)
• 2 eggs

• 2 cups dark chocolate , for coating

Directions:

To make cake: Lightly grease a 9" x 2 1/2" cake ring and place on a tray on a sheet of parchment paper.

Break each of the biscuits into almond-size pieces by hand and set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until the mixture starts to lighten.

Melt the 4 ounces of dark chocolate and add to the butter mixture while constantly stirring.

Beat the egg into the mixture.

Fold in the biscuit pieces until they are all coated with the chocolate mixture.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake ring. Try to fill all of the gaps on the bottom of the ring because this will be the top when it is unmolded.

Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

To coat and decorate: Remove the cake from the refrigerator and let it stand while you melt the 8 ounces of dark chocolate.

Slide the ring off the cake and turn it upside down onto a cake wire.

Pour the melted chocolate over the cake and smooth the top and sides using a palette knife.

Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature.

Carefully run a knife around the bottom of the cake where the chocolate has stuck to the cake wire and lift it onto a plate.

It's actually a lot easier than it sounds, I promise! Happy baking!!!

The Royal Wedding

Sorry I've been absent for a little while! I've been busy, if that's a good excuse!

Is anyone else slightly obsessed with the Royal Wedding? I am. I really wasn't excited at all until Thursday, the day before. I find royalty fascinating, especially since Kate Middleton is (was) a commoner. Also, people on TV were calling it the "wedding of the century." Also, my middle name is Catherine. So then I started getting excited. I found my Princess Diana Remembrance Beanie Baby in the box under my bed and proudly sat it on top of my bookshelf. I got a $9.99 replica of the famous sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring at Michael's. I found the recipe for Prince William's delicious looking Chocolate Biscuit groom's cake. I plan on making it soon. You can find the recipe here: http://www.oprah.com/food/Chocolate-Biscuit-Cake-Recipe/ Okay, so I'm really excited about the cake. It's made with butter cookies ("biscuits") and chocolate and doesn't require baking.You just need a special pan and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours. It looks delicious. They said this is what would be served when Princes William and Harry would have tea with the queen when they were little. Here's a picture!

Yummy deliciousness. So, I dragged myself out of bed before 6am Friday morning. Thursday night I was at an event for my mom's work and it ran late, so I didn't have time to finish my English assignment which was due Friday. It was the perfect excuse to go to school late! I got up at 5:45, just in time to see Kate Middleton driving to Westminster Abbey. My dad was making fun of my mom and me for watching the wedding. He wanted to watch CNN like he does every morning, but then he realized the wedding was on CNN, as well as every other channel. The ceremony lasted from 6 to 7, then I finished my homework. It's kind of hard to do homework at 7am, in case you were wondering. I don't recommend it. But I was really happy because I got to see Wills and Kate and the rest of the royal family when they came out on the Buckingham Palace balcony at 8:25. I came to school halfway through 3rd period. It was great. I wish I could do that every day, then I'd never have to go to Bio or Gym! We watched the wedding all over again in French class.

In case you've been living under a rock: