Pets, Pescetarianism, and Playing Cards

My Novel Writing class is always fun and full of surprises. On Wednesday, our teachers brought their dogs to class - Jasper and Malloy. It had nothing to do with the curriculum or the novels we're writing, it was just for fun! They were so eager and happy to receive attention and ran around the room overjoyed. Once they calmed down, we got to pet them and rub their bellies. What's even better is that Malloy and Jasper are friends, so they tossed and tumbled around the room, and even communicated to one another through barks. Jasper is a hound, so he has that deep loud bark which much have been heard by nearby classes. "What's going on in Novel Writing?" They must've been thinking. 

Our teachers featuring their rambunctious pets, Malloy (left) and Jasper (right).

I love Jasper so much, he reminded me of my dog: Jimmy. His coat was so smooth, it felt like velvet and his legs are so short that he waddled around. 

Jasper is the cutest, he even smiled for the picture!

In the evening, we had a talk with the admissions officers from Vanderbilt. I got to meet our regional admissions officer, his name is Brandon. As a rising senior, I have done my fair share of college research and have begun my application, but I always find myself with new questions, so I certainly picked Brandon's  brain. I left the meeting knowing more about the admissions process than I had before. Brandon will be traveling to the Bay Area in September and will come to El Cerrito High School, I'll see him them! After the admissions meeting we had a short panel with proctor group leaders who gave us insight  from a college student's point of view -   the different perspectives were very informative.

Proctor Panel

Here at VSA, we have had a roller coaster of diets. We began the trip with 3 vegetarians - Tori, Hawi, and Audrey. In the second week of VSA, Hawi decided to become vegan - I forget why. Anna soon jumped on the band wagon as did I.  But I wasn't as bold so I stuck to pescetarianism. Audrey became vegan for a few meals, but the desserts taunted her back into her normal vegetarian tendencies - she was the first to fall. Impressively, Hawi and Anna stuck with veganism for almost a week. But a few days ago, they dropped it. I stayed strong though, I haven't eaten meat. So, I've decided to become a pescatarin, as did Anna. It's not much different from my meat eating self. I feel good being conscious of what I consume, especially considering how problematic the meat industry (read Fast Food Nation).

We began reading a new novel in class called Never Let Me Go written by Kazuo Ishiguro. I won't spoil it for anyone, but the book is so strange, enrapturing and will catch you by surprise. I highly recommend it, not to mention Ishiguro is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. The protagonist narrates the story so eloquently and intentionally and the dialogue reveals so much  about the  characters that it's a stellar example to model our own novels off of. We even had a few writing exercises to practice intentional narration and insightful dialogue. Dr. Jan reminds us to read like a writer and think like a writer.  

Working on my novel in the computer lab.

A few days ago, Hawi taught me a card game called Gandalf. She is addicted and has gotten me hooked too. We play during break time, during dinner, and after dinner. It never gets old. Today, Hawi even taught Audrey and Meghna to play. During VSA, I have played more card games and learned new card tricks than ever before. My friends and family in California will be awed by my expertise.

Hawi, in a face mask, teaching Audrey how to play Gandolf.