Summer is proving to be just as hectic as the school year!

This June I was in Washington DC for the National Youth Leadership Conference (NYLC). The program was intense, and I slept even less than I do at school (that's saying something) but I have no regrets. Between visiting historic monuments, hearing from panelists, preparing for Model Congress and meating new people there was never a dull moment. The most interesting panel discussion was between an NRA rep. and a lawyer from the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.  Coming from Philadelphia, I had always thought of guns as something to be avoided at all costs, and I had never considered the NRAs point of view, but the rep. raised some interesting questions about what the Constitution has to say about the issue. The highlight of the trip was seeing Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. Although neither of them was able to spend much time with us due to their busy schedules, Senator Casey spoke to us outside of the Capitol between sessions. I was not able to meat with my Rep. but I was able to speak to some of the staff in his office. I also enjoyed the national aspect of the program. I met students California to Connecticut.  I was told I have an accent by someone from Arkansas, and I even learned how to pronounce Missouri correctly.

The day after NYLC ended, I flew off to France for two weeks. First stop, Paris. Second stop, Marseille and Aix - en - Provence. Athough I had never gone to France every year since I was born, I had never been to the South. Both cities were beautiful, but I still prefer the comparitively dreary Alsace - Lorraine and Burgundy. Plus, I don't really care much for the sun, so the Meditterranean is not the place for me. Then came the seven hour train ride up to Metz, a town in the northeastern corner of the country, close to Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium. As usual, it rained the whole time I was there, but I was happy enough to get away from the heat. There, I visited my grandparents and my other relatives. My grandparents live in a small town called Moyeuvre - Grande. Moyeuvre - Grande was once a booming industrial hub, its economy feuled by mining and manufacturing. After the mines and factories shut down in the 80s the town died, and now all that is left to recall its former glory are soot covered houses. Finally, I spent a few more days in Paris before flying home.

Sometime in the middle of the school year, when I was feeling ambitious, I decided to take Geometry lessons during the summer, so I could jump staight from Algebra 1 to Algebra 2. It seemed like a good idea at the time...but I am finding that "Geometry lessons" and "relaxing" are not compatible activities. I tell myself that soon it will all pay off, but I would still rather be, say, at the pool.  I guess all planes weren't created equal.
 

Posted by Lorraine at July 19, 2007 2:56 PM
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