Alright, for all of you that don't know, I do not post often enough. I am sorry. (Not really. I'm still going to go on posting as little as possible.)
Okay, I suppose some updates are in order. First and foremost: I will be taking my test for my driver's license on November 27. I will tell you how that goes, because I await it anxiously, and I want you to as well. I have been driving in my new car quite a bit, and I am getting very comfortable driving it. My aunt took me out to parallel park this past weekend, and I did quite well. In fact, I did better than she did. Of course, we were using traffic cones, which she was not used to, but I still did better. Ha!
Uh, well, I don't really know much else to talk about. Unlike my father, who can ramble on for days about what happened in an hour, I cannot find much interesting about my life. OH WAIT! I almost forgot.
Yesterday, which was thursday, November 15, I went to a conference called the World Affair's Institute. It was in fact a fantastic experience, and reminded me a lot of NYLC in that there was a lot of ways that the students got to participate. We went in to the Pittsburgh Convention Center, and had a nice Continental Breakfast. After which we heard two speakers talk about what is to come from China. After the discussion, which was particularly interesting because the two speakers had opposing views, we students were allowed to question the speakers. Many did, and most of the questions were very good.
After the question and answer session, we all went to lunch. Lunch was alright, but the pepper was watery and I didn't like the chicken too much. After lunch we had another discussion with two other speakers, which was followed by another vigorous question and answer session.
The best part, though, was what we did next. All of the students were split into twenty five groups and asked to discuss as a group a senario about China's future. We were to come up with a policy decision and present it to the "executive board," which was really just the panel members from each discussion.
Anyhow, I had a lot of fun, and I learned quite a bit about China that I would have never even guessed before. I recommend younger students to aim for this Institute if they are interested in politics. I only wish it were longer.
Um, that's pretty much all I got. FBLA's semiformal is coming up on December 8th, and I've been working a lot to get that set up. Otherwise, I haven't been doing much interesting lately.
I will try to post a bit more often, but it will still be probably no more than two or three times a month, if that. I will aim for at least once a month, though. I would also like to appologize for the lack of new poetry, but I have been having a bit of writer's block. What little I have written is not worth posting. Heck, it's not worth reading. Farewell to all.
Later,
Joshua
Saturday, November 17
Wednesday, October 3
Zoom Zoom Zoom
Guess what?!
I bought a car!!!
Yeah, I know, I'm awsome.
Anyhow, the past few weeks I have been looking into buying a car that I could use to take my drivers test in. Also, I just wanted a car. Either way, I was looking for a good car for about two weeks. It wasn't really until last Monday, September 24, that I found something good. The car I saw in the newspaper was a 1993 Buick Skylark, but it only had sixty-two thousand miles on it. The man only wanted $1800 for it, so I called him. He told me that he had to get it inspected, and asked me to call back on Thursday.
Well, Thursday came around and I called him. Unfortunately, he said that once he insured it, he pretty much couldn't keep people away from it. He said he expected it to be sold by the end of the day, and I could not go see it that night or the next, so, I said thank you and then resumed my search. Well, I got onto Times Online and looked for another car. This time I had great luck. The add I saw was for a 1994 Chevy Cavalier. The man was only asking $800 for it.
That's really cheap! Or so I thought, so I called him. He told me that the car had 94,940 miles on it. That's not too bad at all, considering most of the cars I'd called about in the few weeks prior had well over a hundred thousand. I scheduled a time to go and look at it, because it seemed like a promising deal. The man had to work Saturday afternoon, so I went and saw it around 8pm Saturday.
My dad picked me up and we drove over to Ellwood to see this car. I was half expecting it to be a huge rust bucket, but once we got there I saw that it was actually pretty nice looking, at least on the outside. I was still a little leary, so gave it a full check up. I turned the car on. My father looked under the hood to see if everything was running properly. After it all checked out, we took it for a quick test drive around the block. The man selling it told me that he had just changed the brakes, so, we tested those. They worked great. The only real thing that we were worried about was the noise coming from the muffler, but the man told us that it was just loose.
Still a little hesitant, we got a flashlight and checked out underneath. Nothing looked damaged, and the car itself seemed to be in really good shape. Well, the man told us that it needed a new battery and that the inspection had just expired the month before. To me, though, that didn't seem like that big of a deal. I asked my dad what he thought, and he said that it seemed like a really good offer, especially when the man said that he would lower the price down from $800 to $700. We wrote the check and scheduled a time to transfer the title.
I went three nights without sleep from excitement. It wasn't until yesterday, which was Tuesday October 2, that the title was transfered over and the car became officially mine. Here's a picture of my car:
It is a very nice car, and I got to drive it home, well, with my stepfather sitting in the front seat of course, since I do not have my license yet. It drives well, and it's very comfortable. I really like my new car, and I can't stop talking about it.
Last night, after scouts, my stepfather and I took a better look at it. There were a few loose edges that I couldn't figure out, and he could. For example, I thought that the brake light was out, but he opened it up and saw that it was just loose. Upon tightening it, he put it back and it worked. I also could not figure out how to turn on my indoor "dome" light. He found the switch and showed me how to work it. We also looked underneath it to make sure that the muffler and exhaust were not damaged. They were a bit loose, but undamaged otherwise. I talked to my father and my step father, and both said that tightening the muffler is really not a huge deal.
We took a better look under the hood and found that it needed coolant, which we promptly filled, because it was EMPTY. I mean, it was very empty. My step father was surprised that the car was still running.
Anyhow, I am very proud of myself. I have recently purchased a very nice car with my own money which I earned through my work. To be quite honest, I feel that I am finally living up to the standards that I feel all people should have to live up to.
Now all I have to do is practice a bit more and take my test. It shouldn't be much longer now till I have my license and I can drive wherever I want...
I bought a car!!!
Yeah, I know, I'm awsome.
Anyhow, the past few weeks I have been looking into buying a car that I could use to take my drivers test in. Also, I just wanted a car. Either way, I was looking for a good car for about two weeks. It wasn't really until last Monday, September 24, that I found something good. The car I saw in the newspaper was a 1993 Buick Skylark, but it only had sixty-two thousand miles on it. The man only wanted $1800 for it, so I called him. He told me that he had to get it inspected, and asked me to call back on Thursday.
Well, Thursday came around and I called him. Unfortunately, he said that once he insured it, he pretty much couldn't keep people away from it. He said he expected it to be sold by the end of the day, and I could not go see it that night or the next, so, I said thank you and then resumed my search. Well, I got onto Times Online and looked for another car. This time I had great luck. The add I saw was for a 1994 Chevy Cavalier. The man was only asking $800 for it.
That's really cheap! Or so I thought, so I called him. He told me that the car had 94,940 miles on it. That's not too bad at all, considering most of the cars I'd called about in the few weeks prior had well over a hundred thousand. I scheduled a time to go and look at it, because it seemed like a promising deal. The man had to work Saturday afternoon, so I went and saw it around 8pm Saturday.
My dad picked me up and we drove over to Ellwood to see this car. I was half expecting it to be a huge rust bucket, but once we got there I saw that it was actually pretty nice looking, at least on the outside. I was still a little leary, so gave it a full check up. I turned the car on. My father looked under the hood to see if everything was running properly. After it all checked out, we took it for a quick test drive around the block. The man selling it told me that he had just changed the brakes, so, we tested those. They worked great. The only real thing that we were worried about was the noise coming from the muffler, but the man told us that it was just loose.
Still a little hesitant, we got a flashlight and checked out underneath. Nothing looked damaged, and the car itself seemed to be in really good shape. Well, the man told us that it needed a new battery and that the inspection had just expired the month before. To me, though, that didn't seem like that big of a deal. I asked my dad what he thought, and he said that it seemed like a really good offer, especially when the man said that he would lower the price down from $800 to $700. We wrote the check and scheduled a time to transfer the title.
I went three nights without sleep from excitement. It wasn't until yesterday, which was Tuesday October 2, that the title was transfered over and the car became officially mine. Here's a picture of my car:
It is a very nice car, and I got to drive it home, well, with my stepfather sitting in the front seat of course, since I do not have my license yet. It drives well, and it's very comfortable. I really like my new car, and I can't stop talking about it.
Last night, after scouts, my stepfather and I took a better look at it. There were a few loose edges that I couldn't figure out, and he could. For example, I thought that the brake light was out, but he opened it up and saw that it was just loose. Upon tightening it, he put it back and it worked. I also could not figure out how to turn on my indoor "dome" light. He found the switch and showed me how to work it. We also looked underneath it to make sure that the muffler and exhaust were not damaged. They were a bit loose, but undamaged otherwise. I talked to my father and my step father, and both said that tightening the muffler is really not a huge deal.
We took a better look under the hood and found that it needed coolant, which we promptly filled, because it was EMPTY. I mean, it was very empty. My step father was surprised that the car was still running.
Anyhow, I am very proud of myself. I have recently purchased a very nice car with my own money which I earned through my work. To be quite honest, I feel that I am finally living up to the standards that I feel all people should have to live up to.
Now all I have to do is practice a bit more and take my test. It shouldn't be much longer now till I have my license and I can drive wherever I want...
Thursday, September 27
School to Date and Other Things
Well, school started just a little while ago. We have had about 23 days of school so far. My classes are going fine. I wish I was doing a bit better in AP English 12, but I have the only A in my class, so I suppose I shouldn't complain.
I would like to appologize for the problems with my archives. I do not know why they are still pointing at the old site. I will be fixing that problem within the next week.
Uh, I went to a college fair this past week. I found a few good colleges and I plan on putting in a few applications.
Uh, wow, this is tougher than I thought. I'll post more later...
Later,
Joshua "Two" Laughlin
I would like to appologize for the problems with my archives. I do not know why they are still pointing at the old site. I will be fixing that problem within the next week.
Uh, I went to a college fair this past week. I found a few good colleges and I plan on putting in a few applications.
Uh, wow, this is tougher than I thought. I'll post more later...
Later,
Joshua "Two" Laughlin
Sunday, September 16
It's Alive!
It's alive! Finally, my web site, it's fully operational. If you are reading this right now, you are currently on joshlaughlin.com! It has taken quite a while, but it actually works!
Also, the photo albums I promised are all there. NYLC photos are finally up, and it's only been like three months. Camp Freedom photos are new, but they are up as well. Take a look. All of the photos in those two areas I took myself.
Anyhow, take a look around joshlaughlin.com, and give me any suggestions you can think of. I'm always open for suggestions.
Also, I took out the original opening page because it was getting old, but if anyone has a good idea for another site opening page, drop me a line.
Also, the photo albums I promised are all there. NYLC photos are finally up, and it's only been like three months. Camp Freedom photos are new, but they are up as well. Take a look. All of the photos in those two areas I took myself.
Anyhow, take a look around joshlaughlin.com, and give me any suggestions you can think of. I'm always open for suggestions.
Also, I took out the original opening page because it was getting old, but if anyone has a good idea for another site opening page, drop me a line.
Monday, June 18
In The End: It DOES Matter
Well, here I sit, back where I started, but in reality I'm a long way away from there. I'm sitting ten feet from the chair I sat in the first day I got here, but I'm really ten days away, ten years away, ten lives away. Everyday this week has presented me with a new experience, a new outlook on life, and new friends. I sit here now an entirely different person, one who knows what it takes to be a leader, one who is ready to stand up and become that leader.
I'm not going to talk about everything that happened this week, because that would take far too long, but I will say this much. I never thought saying good bye could be so difficult. These people that I've spent these last ten days with have become great friends of mine, and I don't know what I'll do without being able to see them everyday. I don't know how to say good bye, and I'm not sure I want to. I've had so much fun, and learned so much more, but in the end, what really matters are the friendships I've made, and the amazing people I've met.
I know you don't know them, but I have to find someway to say good bye, and I'm a little too afraid to do it in person. Sarah, you've been a great friend, and I'll never be able to forget your addicting laugh. Emma, thanks for always being there, even when I didn't want you to be. Rachael, I'm surely telling Heather that you look just like her. Andrew, thanks for stepping up and showing me how to take charge, even if it made you less popular with the "cool" kids. Philip, James, thanks for putting up with me everyday, I know that being my roomate must not have been easy. Josh, thanks for taking my name and for making me laugh. Keerthighaan, thank you for being a great friend, I won't forget to send you those pictures. Camille, you were a fantastic mentor and I'm glad that you were in charge of my group, I couldn't have asked for a better FA. Abbie, you were the first person I met, and therefore the last that I can say good bye too. I didn't get to talk to you much during the week, but I haven't forgotten you.
I would like to thank everyone for a fantastic experience. I'll be contacting everyone that put their name on my list. Lane, make sure you follow up on your goals, six weeks goes by quick.
I will hopefully be putting most of my pictures on my site sometime in the near future, so if you wish to see them, just keep checking. I'm aiming for sometime this week to have it all updated.
This is Joshua Laughlin, reluctantly signing out of NYLC.
Good bye and good luck my fellow scholars, no, my friends.
I'm not going to talk about everything that happened this week, because that would take far too long, but I will say this much. I never thought saying good bye could be so difficult. These people that I've spent these last ten days with have become great friends of mine, and I don't know what I'll do without being able to see them everyday. I don't know how to say good bye, and I'm not sure I want to. I've had so much fun, and learned so much more, but in the end, what really matters are the friendships I've made, and the amazing people I've met.
I know you don't know them, but I have to find someway to say good bye, and I'm a little too afraid to do it in person. Sarah, you've been a great friend, and I'll never be able to forget your addicting laugh. Emma, thanks for always being there, even when I didn't want you to be. Rachael, I'm surely telling Heather that you look just like her. Andrew, thanks for stepping up and showing me how to take charge, even if it made you less popular with the "cool" kids. Philip, James, thanks for putting up with me everyday, I know that being my roomate must not have been easy. Josh, thanks for taking my name and for making me laugh. Keerthighaan, thank you for being a great friend, I won't forget to send you those pictures. Camille, you were a fantastic mentor and I'm glad that you were in charge of my group, I couldn't have asked for a better FA. Abbie, you were the first person I met, and therefore the last that I can say good bye too. I didn't get to talk to you much during the week, but I haven't forgotten you.
I would like to thank everyone for a fantastic experience. I'll be contacting everyone that put their name on my list. Lane, make sure you follow up on your goals, six weeks goes by quick.
I will hopefully be putting most of my pictures on my site sometime in the near future, so if you wish to see them, just keep checking. I'm aiming for sometime this week to have it all updated.
This is Joshua Laughlin, reluctantly signing out of NYLC.
Good bye and good luck my fellow scholars, no, my friends.
Saturday, June 9
NYLC
Well, here I am in McLean, Virginia, waiting to check into the Best Western at 8401 Westpark Drive. I've got some time, and thought I'd post an update. I'm here, so I didn't chicken out, and there are a few other kids here as well. Most are waiting to check in at one.
I'm still extremely nervous, but I've taken the first step in getting here. The ride itself wasn't all that bad. Sure, it was four hours, but it was supposed to be a five hour drive. We made good time, and there wasn't much traffic. Getting up at 5:30 this morning still wasn't too great.
I feel as if I recognize a few of these kids from elsewhere, but I know for a fact that I don't know any of them.
Well, I'll try and keep posting as often as possible.
Later,
Joshua
I'm still extremely nervous, but I've taken the first step in getting here. The ride itself wasn't all that bad. Sure, it was four hours, but it was supposed to be a five hour drive. We made good time, and there wasn't much traffic. Getting up at 5:30 this morning still wasn't too great.
I feel as if I recognize a few of these kids from elsewhere, but I know for a fact that I don't know any of them.
Well, I'll try and keep posting as often as possible.
Later,
Joshua
Thursday, June 7
Schools Out..Summer Fun?
Well, school's finally out for the year. This past week has been the longest week ever, but I still kept my 4.0, which is good. I was worried for a little bit there about getting an A on Miss Selby's final, but I did get the A in the end.
Next up, NYLC. I'm already mostly packed. I'll be in D.C. from June 9 to June 18 for that, so that does mean I get ten days without work!
Then I get some time for summer fun. Yeah, right. I have to read 10 books this summer, as well as finish three chapters in my AP Chem book and a chapter in my Calc book. I also have to write four reports and prepare for a quiz my first day of school next year! I'm starting to think I might be in a little over my head.
Otherwise, I haven't really had time to write lately. I've been farely busy studying for finals and reading. I actually was pretty upset that I didn't get my site updated as soon as I had hoped. I did get it updated, actually, but not as soon as I would have liked.
That's all I got.
Later,
Joshua
Next up, NYLC. I'm already mostly packed. I'll be in D.C. from June 9 to June 18 for that, so that does mean I get ten days without work!
Then I get some time for summer fun. Yeah, right. I have to read 10 books this summer, as well as finish three chapters in my AP Chem book and a chapter in my Calc book. I also have to write four reports and prepare for a quiz my first day of school next year! I'm starting to think I might be in a little over my head.
Otherwise, I haven't really had time to write lately. I've been farely busy studying for finals and reading. I actually was pretty upset that I didn't get my site updated as soon as I had hoped. I did get it updated, actually, but not as soon as I would have liked.
That's all I got.
Later,
Joshua
Saturday, May 26
The Count Down Begins Again
Well, once again I am counting down to the final day of school. Four days this week and four the next, making a total of eight days left. Although, the final day of school is somewhat pointless, because we only go for an hour or two...
Anyhow, I can't believe it's almost over. I feel like it's only just begun, and the assignments are just starting. Really, I actually have homework this weekend, which is something I cannot usually say. But, the final book report for English is due on tuesday, final exams start next week, and I can already feel the call of summer.
That call, though, will have to wait a few more days. As I believe I have previously mentioned, I was accepted to go to Washington D.C. for a National Leadership conference. NYLC starts on June ninth for me, and it doesn't end until June eighteenth, so, I have but one day to prepare for it once school is out. With school ending on June seventh, I'm kind of anxious to get going and meet some new people.
Well, other than that, I have not much left to say. One more thing comes to mind, though. I have previously mentioned the FBLA Web Site, I believe, and would like to announce that the Beaver Falls High School Business Wing Web Site is now fully operational. I have finally got a few more pages up and running, and I hope for some more by the end of the school year. Check it out, please?
Otherwise, that's about it. I've written no other poems lately, and I've done little else but finish the Dark Tower Series. The ending was not what I expected, but the books were definitely worth every penny. I highly recommend them.
That's all I got.
Later,
Joshua Laughlin
Anyhow, I can't believe it's almost over. I feel like it's only just begun, and the assignments are just starting. Really, I actually have homework this weekend, which is something I cannot usually say. But, the final book report for English is due on tuesday, final exams start next week, and I can already feel the call of summer.
That call, though, will have to wait a few more days. As I believe I have previously mentioned, I was accepted to go to Washington D.C. for a National Leadership conference. NYLC starts on June ninth for me, and it doesn't end until June eighteenth, so, I have but one day to prepare for it once school is out. With school ending on June seventh, I'm kind of anxious to get going and meet some new people.
Well, other than that, I have not much left to say. One more thing comes to mind, though. I have previously mentioned the FBLA Web Site, I believe, and would like to announce that the Beaver Falls High School Business Wing Web Site is now fully operational. I have finally got a few more pages up and running, and I hope for some more by the end of the school year. Check it out, please?
Otherwise, that's about it. I've written no other poems lately, and I've done little else but finish the Dark Tower Series. The ending was not what I expected, but the books were definitely worth every penny. I highly recommend them.
That's all I got.
Later,
Joshua Laughlin
Wednesday, April 11
Oops...
Well, I haven't actually been using this blog very much lately. Once I got my Web site up and running and looking great, I didn't really have a reason to post on here. I guess I can let you in on what's been going on.
To start, I've been trying to get into this National Young Leader's Conference in Washington D.C. this summer. I've been fundraising, but things aren't looking all that good so far.
Next off, I officially hate my job. I'm hoping to find a new one as soon as I can get off my butt and look for one. There is one new rule I'm setting for all my future jobs: I refuse to work with food.
I just got my report card, it seems my suspicions were confirmed. I received, once again, a 4.0. It always seems to get boring around the time I get my report card. It's not really exciting to get a 4.0 then, but when I'm doing the work, I've always made sure that it stays that way. It's a weird feeling, to do all that work for a little piece of paper that looks just like the last 27 I've gotten over the years. The only things that change are the classes.
Anyhow, life is pretty much normal. I found out a few weeks ago that I didn't make it into Governor's School this summer. That really sucked. Otherwise, I'm pretty okay. I'm looking into colleges and I'm looking for scholarship opportunities. It's never too early to start. The only problem is, I don't know what I want to go to school for. There are just too many choices, and I'm just too indecisive.
That's basically all I got. Talk to you all later.
Joshua
To start, I've been trying to get into this National Young Leader's Conference in Washington D.C. this summer. I've been fundraising, but things aren't looking all that good so far.
Next off, I officially hate my job. I'm hoping to find a new one as soon as I can get off my butt and look for one. There is one new rule I'm setting for all my future jobs: I refuse to work with food.
I just got my report card, it seems my suspicions were confirmed. I received, once again, a 4.0. It always seems to get boring around the time I get my report card. It's not really exciting to get a 4.0 then, but when I'm doing the work, I've always made sure that it stays that way. It's a weird feeling, to do all that work for a little piece of paper that looks just like the last 27 I've gotten over the years. The only things that change are the classes.
Anyhow, life is pretty much normal. I found out a few weeks ago that I didn't make it into Governor's School this summer. That really sucked. Otherwise, I'm pretty okay. I'm looking into colleges and I'm looking for scholarship opportunities. It's never too early to start. The only problem is, I don't know what I want to go to school for. There are just too many choices, and I'm just too indecisive.
That's basically all I got. Talk to you all later.
Joshua
Tuesday, January 30
Walkin in a Winter Wonderland
Well, if you don't know, this weekend was the weekend of the OA Winterfest. I had a blast. I got to see a ton of people that I haven't seen since camp this past summer, and all of it during a weekend of fun.
Pool, ping pong, tubing, snowball fights, and card games were just some of the things that could be done for enjoyment while at winterfest. Some people went sledding, while others just stayed inside and played games. Some picked up a snowball and hurled it at someone or something every once in a while, yet others chose to get in a full fledged battle.
For me, this weekend was one I'll never forget. Old friends, and new friends alike, made this an exciting weekend for me. I can't wait for the next time I get to see all of my friends again, and the next snowball battle I can join in on.
And yet it all ended so quickly.
I guess the weekend was like a snowball fight. It was really fun, but it ended just the way every snowball fight ends, when someone gets hit in the face and everyone scatters.
Pool, ping pong, tubing, snowball fights, and card games were just some of the things that could be done for enjoyment while at winterfest. Some people went sledding, while others just stayed inside and played games. Some picked up a snowball and hurled it at someone or something every once in a while, yet others chose to get in a full fledged battle.
For me, this weekend was one I'll never forget. Old friends, and new friends alike, made this an exciting weekend for me. I can't wait for the next time I get to see all of my friends again, and the next snowball battle I can join in on.
And yet it all ended so quickly.
I guess the weekend was like a snowball fight. It was really fun, but it ended just the way every snowball fight ends, when someone gets hit in the face and everyone scatters.
♠Joshua Laughlin♠
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