Hello Mr.Blake, I'm Lisa, but as you can see my blog's title, I'd like to be called Liz (because it sounds just awesome and posh-y). My real name is Bui Ngoc Quynh Nguyen - which is really cool too since Quynh is a type of flower that's got a really good emanation. My sister's name is Thuy Nguyen - where Thuy Nguyen means blossoms. My brother's name is Vinh Nguyen - where Vinh Nguyen means long lasting. Together - Thuy Nguyen, Vinh Nguyen, Quynh Nguyen - it means our relationship starts, lasts, and flourishes. However, there are still some people who "enjoy" making fun of my name (actually my last name - Bui), which I think really insulting. But that's okay, as long as I'm proud of it, no one can actually make me mad for doing so.
I've already turned 14 this year, and I'm older than an actual 8th grader. I'm supposed to be in 9th grade now, if only I wasn't sick and spent half of the year staying home when I was in 5th grade. More accurately, I wasn't really sick. I just couldn't manage my stress well which kind of caused me mental illness. Before in 4th grade, I already went through a hard time with my classmates for they kind of boycotted me. Ever since, I realized that I'm a really sensitive person. I regretted for doing so, because I was halfway until the end the year. I could have tried better and be more courageous. I admit that I was a total coward back then, for I didn't even dare to face my challenge and beat it. However, in a way of saying, if I wasn't late one year, I wouldn't have made such nice friends at AIS.
Well let's change the topic, because it's no fun talking about my elementary years. When I first got into AIS, I passed the entrance exam but was encouraged my the Principal to take the summer course. By doing so, he said it would help me to get used to the new environment, and so that I would fit in better later. I was somehow unsure about that, but it turned out that the Principal was right. I struggled with the vocabulary, the learning technique that I've never been taught before, and the ways how people think and treat me. It was like my life turned up side down, for I stayed late to finish my homework - sometimes until 3 o'clock in the morning - even though it was only for the summer course. Later on when I eventually attended the main course, I still struggled with a lot of things. I had to meet up with the Principal more several times, and thanks to him that was really helpful. Besides, the teachers were very nice and they made me feel welcomed every time I came to class. After that year, I've felt much more confident in myself, because I know that I've been equipped with more knowledge and experiences by the teachers and people around me. I actually realized a big change, and my family agreed, too. They were extremely happy for me. Wait, I think this reminds me of something. Yeah... I don't know. I don't feel comfortable when my friends call my genius. "For your information", I wasn't really excellent at school when I was younger. Well, I was a good student but not an outstanding one. It only changed when I entered middle school, which I briefly explain it was because my mom always compared me with my sister, and that was the motivation for me to work extra hard. In fact, I wasn't jealous, but I couldn't stand the fact that people would be looking down at me if I'm not better than them. However, that's only the motivation. I also think that we all are human beings, and human beings have talents. There are some things bad about me that my friends may not realize when I'm at school, and vice versa. I don't understand why they keep calling me genius this and genius that, while I'M NOT. No offense, but in my opinion, genius is a smart person but he's got some mental problems. I've been working really hard for my goals - just like what a normal person who wants to acquire more knowledge would do. I do normal things too, like watching TVs, taking showers, eating, sleeping, etc - and sometimes I'm even lazy to do my homework - just like what a normal person would do. Therefore, it's really uncomfortable when I'm being called like that. I want to be accepted as a normal person, so that I won't have to feel so much responsibility.
This is getting too long, I think, so I'm just going to tell you the rest in brief about myself. I enjoy studying, reading, listening to music, biking, and dancing. I also love sports such as swimming and basketball - though I'm not an expert at both. I've loved dancing since I was little. In 2nd grade, my Mom sent me to a ballet class, but it didn't last long enough for me to become a professional ballerina because my teacher was being mean to me. Actually he was only strict and wanted us to be good students, though I didn't want to go to that class any more and soon quit. Later on, I've joined a dancing class near my house for 2 or 3 years, and then the same thing happened. My new dancing teacher treated my differently than the others. I didn't really understand why, but I just quit. And then after that, I attended another dancing class. However this time, the teacher was really nice and dependable. Though due on the amount of my school work, I wasn't able to continue on studying dancing. Besides, I was kind of being bullied there by a man so once again quit. This is really funny... I don't know, whether I'm just too impatient with what I want to do, or because the environment here doesn't fit me. In addition, my Mom kind of changes the subject every time I remind her of attending to a dancing class - which wonders me a lot. Mom keeps telling me that dancing is just an interest and I shouldn't put it on the top of everything else. However, besides studying, dancing is the ONLY way that I can relax and enjoy myself . I just hope my Mom knows that and stop expecting me to do things that she thinks that are good for me.
That's much about my family, and these are my best friends:
Mindy, Emily, and Jenny (she's not in the picture)
They've always been there for me, even though they enjoy teasing me all the times. But I know that they are true friends, because they are very honest and always sympathize for my situations. This year might be my last at AIS, so I just want to enjoy myself a bit with my best friends, so that I won't regret later on.
Last but not least, this is for you, Mr. Blake. (come on, relax! lol)
I have to say that I LOVE Social Studies, [sorry to say this] though it's hard for me to enjoy Geography. As a matter of fact, I love studying, but I get bored easily without having any interests in what I do. No offense, but I feel scared of this subject - I'm scared that I'm going to fail. However, I will ALWAYS use the best of my abilities to complete my tasks in your class. Last year in Ms. Martha's class, we've learned this motto: No one knows what he can do until he tries - which I think it is right because probably by the end of the year, I will end up liking geography (of course if I try to study hard and like it). Finally, I hope you won't get mad reading this, and I do hope our class is going to have some worthy and interesting times together.
This is a video we made last year for SS - Mr. Steven. I just want to share what we kind of did last year. Hope you enjoy! [By the way, this is a funny video based on factual information (slavery), you'll know ^^]
