Well let me say it's been somewhat of an insane past two months. And I'm definitely sorry I haven't updated or checked any deviations, journals, etc. I may just have to delete them all, and to that, I am sorry to all of you. I may get around to commenting on a few, but I can't imagine that the next few weeks will be any less stressful.

Pretty much it's just been schoolwork out the whazoo. 15 page term paper, Italian report, business report, 7 page essay, a few major calc tests, and chem is always just chem. I'm also getting besieged by college mail, working twice a week, tutoring once or twice a week, and trying to fit in other after school activities in between. Sadly, not much time for art. I did illustrate a story that my siters and I wrote for my dad for his birthday, so I may get them up in scraps -- they're nothing special. Also have to draw a picture for my dad for his "new office" announcements.

The only big thing in life right now is Governor's School... in December, I applied to the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a FREE state program for "gifted and talented kids." There are six schools -- the Arts, the Sciences, the Environment, Public Issues, International Studies, and Engineering and Technology. I also was nominated for the Arts, but I could only apply to one Governor's School. They take 625 students from the state. The application process is pretty long and annoying -- essays, tryouts, letters of rec, etc. etc. About ten people from my school applied, and we were suposed to get our letters of acceptance or rejection on April 4th. I'd been waiting to hear since freakin OCTOBER, right? So April 4th comes and goes, no letter, and one day my grandma calls me: Sharon, didn't you apply to gov school? Because here's an article in the paper that says it's cancelled...

So yeah, it's cancelled, no one even bothered to tell us, EVER, no call, no letter, no NOTHING of any kind to keep the applicants updated. I found out from a freakin NEWSPAPER article. I don't get mad often, for any of you who know me, but let me tell you, some things just piss me off.

For instance: governor's school is .1% of the educational budget; it's only 1.9 million. That is like NOTHING when it comes to state revenue. It's the only program for "gifted" kids (I hate that word, but, whatever) that the state offers, and stupid Corzine cut it just because.. [he also said he'd lower property taxes by 40% in 3 years.. he raised tham and also raised income tax and sales tax by a whole percent... he also stated sometime last year that he hoped students from the Governor's School could help make NJ more affordable...] And also, please DO NOT take this the wrong way, because I have absolutely nothing against disabled or impaired kids, and I really know how difficult it is for them and how much help and support that they need from the community. And I don't think that money should be taken away from them, not ever. What bothers me is that Corzine cut the only state program for gifted kids, only 1.9 million, and just signed a bill for over 15 million for disabled kids. As Mr. Jonathan Last put it nicely, "And as Corzine was eliminating the Governor's School with one hand, he was actually increasing the state's special-education budget by $19.5 million with the other. The message is obvious, and perfectly in line with America's culture of victimization: You're special only if you're disabled." Again, I do not mean to sound biased or jealous or whatnot. I just don't understand how the state can become "more affordable" or motivate it's young people if it cannot even invest in its students and future leaders.

So, still really pissed, my friend Justin and I went to see Corzine speak about the budget at BCC. There was another student there, Daria, who was lucky enough to get called on and explain our problem [I must confess, she said it much nicer than I would have]. And Corzine gave us a lot of hope -- he pretty much promised us gov school back! For this year too! The only problem is that he would not use state funding. Instead, he asked for private donations. So now it's really in limbo. See, the committee that decided who got in and who didn't disbanded when they learned it might be cancelled, and they still don't know who's in. Even worse, they won't get back together until they're SURE gov school has proper funding, even though they would send out letters to all applicants ANYWAY so they could use it in college applications and whatnot. In other words, doitassoonaspossibleI'mDYINGtoknowifIgotin!!! Plus, I gave up all my other summer plans for this, because if you get in, you pretty much HAVE to go. Well, what can you do. Wish me luck. Sorry if that bored the heck out of you.

Well, can't say I'll be on much until after May, because first week is AP tests, and I'm taking History, Chemistry, and Calculus. Definitely gonna need luck on those. Well, just thought I'd let you know I haven't died or anything. Also halfway through my driving lessons, I'll be FINALLY getting my license in June!! AHHH!! CAN'T WAIT!!

Until next time,
Arrivederci.