Away Game vs. Nauset 10/23

On Friday 10/23 we had a game against Nauset High School. We ended up losing 1-3 but we managed to win one set. This game was so much different than the last because we played together and everybody ran for the ball. I tried my best to pass the ball to the setter and rescue any ball that was shanked. But this game everybody pulled together and even though we lost, we played more as a team in this game than any before. On a more personal note, I feel like I am getting closer to the other part of my goal. First I wanted to be able to do a floater serve which I already achieved. The second part of my goal was to be able to consistently hit back row. In previous games I always pushed or shot the ball over the next because I didn't feel ready to hit backrow. This game pushed me one step towards my goal. Although I still pushed and shot most of my balls to the other side, this is the first time where I actually attempted to hit the ball. I made split second decisions to do something risky. Surpisingly all of my hits made it over to the other side. I see now that my practicing paid off and although I don't think I achieved my goal yet I feel like I'm so much closer and for the next game I'm going to try harder to approach my goal.

Student Council - Prep for Spirit Week and Dance

For the last week Student Council has been preparing for Spirit Week and the Dance. This was a new challenge for me because I have never planned a dance or spirit week before. However when planning for the Spirit Week I did it with the other elected officials and other members of the council. It was certainly a challenge for us since it was new to all of us including Mrs. Yalden but we managed to work it out. But for the dance, even though we talked about it as a group, I was the one who ended up doing most of the work. I had to initiate the activity by looking for venues and finally having to decide on the Federated Church. I had to ask around for DJs and advertise the dance to the school. This activity became an even greater challenge since I only had less than two weeks to figure everything out. I am not 100% with the upcoming dance because there was not enough time to plan, which was a hige difficulty. I managed to overcome that difficulty by simplifying the dance. I feel that this experience will help me and Student Council better organize the next dance.

Sturgis Strings Rehearsal 10/13, 10/20

On 10/13 and 10/20 the Sturgis Strings had rehearsal. I feel like I, nor the rest of the group, practiced enough to know the notes and the rhythm. I know I haven't practiced enough because of my busy schedule. I know that in order to accomplish my goal of my 100% at the performance date I am going to have to work really hard and practice, practice, practice. Many people have quit the ensemble because they weren't willing to put in the effort to learn the music for the performance. I don't want that to happen to me because I enjoy playing the cello. But since this is a group others are going to have to do their part too. As long as I do mine and make sure that I practice and learn what I have to learn I'll come out with a clear conscience knowing that I put in my best work and my best effort.

Prom Committee Visits Cape Codder

This week the prom committee went to visit the Cape Codder, the location of this year's prom. I really liked the location, everything there was really nice and well decorated. I think the room we are in is going to be perfect for our prom. I can feel that the committee is going to have to work really hard together in order to decorate the room because our theme is black and white but the room is gold and emerald. But I think if we put our heads together it will come out really nice.

Sturgis Volleyball Game vs. UCT 10/7

Last week we had a match against Upper Cape Tech where we won 3-1. It was a really touch match because we won each set by only a little and we had to work really hard together as a team in order to accomplish that. For the first time I feel like we worked together as a team and I worked with the team and not as the team meaning I tried my best to pass the ball and make sure I backed off when I heard somebody call "Mine!" as opposed to getting every single ball. The game forced me to put more trust into the team and everybody also put more trust in each other to make sure that the ball never drops. This match was really important to me because I feel like I accomplished one of my goals. Originally I wanted to be able to consistently hit floater serves (a specific type of serve) and this match was the first match where I felt comfortable to hit floater serves after practicing them a lot. I felt like it was a success because I only served floater serves and of the many many times I served I only messed up once. Unfortunately I made no progress towards my other goal of wanting to be able to consistently hit backrow. I felt like I progressed backwards. Instead of taking risks and hitting the ball I pushed the ball onto the other court. My actions, though, were justified because I felt like my hitting was not as solid as my serving and the game was really important to everybody and I wanted to play safe. Fortunately most of my pushes were extremely successful and got the team a lot of points. The experience made me realize that sometimes the team's goals comes before my goals. I didn't want to lose a lot of points just so I can hit backrow and so I had to sacrifice something I really want to do in order to make sure that we win. I think that I made the right decision and I know what I need to work on and practice even harder.

Sturgis Strings Rehearsal 10/6

Today we had our third Sturgis Strings rehearsal and although it was just the beginning I know how much and what I need to practice. I have to practice where to play the flats and the naturals and knowing some of the rhythm for a part of one of the songs.

Prom Committee - Search for Gift Certificates for the Raffle

This week I volunteered to try to get gift certificate donations from businesses so they can be raffled off at Open House. Initially I only volunteered to get a gift certificate from Brazilian Grill but I also went to the 99 Restaurant, Cape Cod Chocolatier and Le Paris Nail Salon. The fact that I went to more businesses than usual surprised me. Usually I don't like to fundraise and participate in activities to raise money especially school related. It's not a habit that I have had over the years. What I did surprised me because it made me aware of my dedication to Prom Committee and to trying to help make a good prom. I went beyond what I usually do and stepped out of my comfort zone because I don't like asking others for donations. This made me realize that when I'm dedicated I can do things I've never done before. Even in prior activities where I have been extremely committed, I usually stay within my comfort zone and do everything to stay in it, but this time it changed. It actually gives me a lot of encouragement for the future because now I know that asking others for donations wasn't as terrifying as I originally thought it would be and should in the future I need to do it again or do something else I'll be more confident in doing it.