Eighth Grade: Drama, Friends, and Class

You’ve been through drama, right? You’ve made and lost your share of friends, too? And of course you’ve had to take classes you thought you’d hate, but then loved? I’ve done all of these things, and they’ve made my eighth grade year.

You almost always see Jr. High associated with drama, there’s just no getting around it. I’ve had what feels like more than my fair share of drama this year. What’s my current drama? I hate my best friend’s boyfriend, and I’m pretty confident that he hates me as well. Hate is a strong emotion, I know, but my feelings do not go unjustified. First off, he’s not loyal. He went out with her, and then proceeded to break up with her and immediately started dating our other friend. Then, when she broke up with him, he started going out with my best friend again. Secondly, he’s possessive and gets jealous very easily. If I try to put my arm around her or hold her hand, sometimes even just touching her, he gets mad and yells at me about how ‘he’s her boyfriend!’ and ‘only he can touch her!’ until I roll my eyes and walk away. I don’t like seeing my friend dealing with this.

Another part of expected Junior High life would have to deal with losing and gaining friends. I’ve had to deal with this since I started grade school. This year seems especially difficult though. I can’t keep track of the people who are my friends and those who aren’t. There’ve been quite a few people who I’ve gotten to know better this year, even though I’ve known them several years. Some I’ve known as far back as first grade. I’m glad that I was able to re-connect with all of those people. It definitely helped make classes like P.E. more interesting and fun than they ever have been. I’ve also stopped being friends with quite a few people, but it wasn’t so hard because we sort of drifted apart slowly, making it easier. I think that the people who are my friends now are good ones. For example, Ana and Dessa. We hung out in sixth grade but lost touch in seventh because we had no classes together. This year, we've talked a lot more and I've found that we have a lot more in common that I thought and I get along better with them than I do with say, Kat or Erin. I believe that they are all good influences on me and will help me if I ask them.

Before the end of the year, you check a few boxes on a sheet of paper and then turn it into the counselor so you can pick your electives for the next year. I wasn’t quite sure what my electives would be this year, but I wasn’t exactly thrilled when I found out. This year, I would be taking Keyboarding with Computer Applications and Introduction to Art for eighth grade. The first day I walked into Keyboarding, I knew this class would be a total drag. We spent every day typing simple letters or words and since I thought I already knew everything about typing (which I didn’t) I was bored out of my mind. Eventually though, I grew to love the class as we moved through more complicated and fun things. I made friends and often got to do other things when I finished early and the teacher was funny and nice (if a bit eccentric). I’d also thought I was going to hate art because of my horrendous drawing skills. But I’ve found that I enjoy it greatly as well. Art isn’t only about drawing. We did macramé, which is to put it simply, tying knots. We’ve also weaved baskets and made paper mache. I especially liked the weaving. It was something I had always wanted to try but had never had the chance. Paper mache is more difficult and not as much fun because I don't like getting sticky from all the glue. There is a lot of drawing involved as well, but I’ve gotten much better at it. I suppose the point is, don’t give up on a class right away; you just might like it.

I dealt with drama, I lost and gained friends, and I endured classes that seemed like torture but were really pleasant. But hey, that’s what eighth grade is about isn’t it? So be sure to make the most of it, because before you know it, it’s already gone.

May Essay (Beloved Things) Arianna Katherine Palmer

Ari's the one doing the chicken dance.

Do you have a niece? Someone who you think is the most adorable thing you have ever seen? Someone who you always want to give whatever they want? I have someone who qualifies for all of those things in my mind, and her name is Arianna Katherine Palmer and she’s the most amazing baby girl. This essay is all about her.
Arianna has a sense of humor already; at only a year and a half.(TS) We are always playing ridiculous games.(R) She loves peek-a-boo, especially when you throw a blanket over her face and pretend she isn’t there.(CM) We have played peek-a-boo for sometimes an hour straight and I don’t get bored because she laughs so much that it’s worth it.(CM2) She absolutely loves “bling”.(D) If you’ve got anything even remotely sparkly or shiny, it’s not yours anymore; now it’s hers.(CM) I’ve lost several rings to her, but luckily they were only plastic, cheap ones. (CM2)At the father/daughter ball this year, we bought her a light-up ring and she still carries it around, two months later.(CM3) I’m amazed she hasn’t lost it.(CM4) One game that she will only play with me (because I’m the only one that will do it willingly) is horse.(X) I put her on my hip and gallop down the hall or wherever we are going. (CM)I also say “ba-bump ba-bump ba-bump” as we go along.(CM2) Now though, Ari makes the sounds while I gallop.(CM3) I’m not allowed to stop though, because if I do, she claps her hands and yells, “Again! Again!” until we start running once more.(CM4)
I always feel special when I’m with Arianna because she loves her auntie Gracie. Most of the time, when she sees me coming, she screams very loudly and then claps hers hands together and grins. I’ve been told by my sister, Bekah, that when I’m not there, she always asks for me, and wants to see me. Sometimes, when I’ll be talking to them on the phone, you can hear Ari in the background screaming, “Gracie! Gracie!” She also really likes to eat my food. Sometimes, when we can’t get her to eat her dinner or lunch, Bekah will tell her that it’s my food and then she’ll happily finish it. Most of the time though, she drinks my milk. There is no other way to get her to drink it, not unless you tell her that it’s mine.
I love Arianna to pieces; she’s an amazing baby girl. She loves to be with me, you can see that when she runs to me. She doesn’t like strangers at all so when I’m holding her, if someone comes up that she doesn’t know, she will hide in my shoulder and not let go of me. Also, when she gets sleepy, sometimes she will just sit on my lap and fall asleep. When she was only a few months old, Bekah used to call me when Ari wouldn’t go to sleep because she used to fall asleep on me every time I held her. The running joke was that I’m too boring. You can’t help but laugh with Arianna, her laugh is infectious. No matter what she’s laughing at, even if she just slapped you in the face (which happens to me quite often, I’m her punching bag, apparently) you just have to giggle too. I think the main reason for that is because when you see her face light up with that baby laughter, there’s no way to hold in yours as well.
Arianna is an amazing baby and I’m so glad I get to share her life. She’s already got a beautiful sense of humor. I love her so much and she’s outstanding. Being with her and knowing she cares for me as well makes me feel special and glad to be her aunt. No matter what, you always need to stay close to your family and make sure you care for them and make them happy.