As most everyone knows, the swine flu has been the talk of the nation during the past week or so. Personally, I didn’t realize the grand effect it would have on me. The Texas UIL (University Interscholastic League) shut down all competitive UIL activities (athletics, academic meets, etc.) until May 11. Our baseball team had just finished district 8-0 and was playing well until we received the news. Also, the regional track meet has been temporarily cancelled, or postponed if nothing else. Hopefully we can rid our country, continent, and world of the threat that the swine flu has brought.

On a lighter note, school is still managing to wind way down. However, “test” is beginning to find its way into conversation. The majority of my teachers stress “tests” frequently. I will be taking my final dual credit speech test tomorrow and my English literature test next Thursday.

Our official high school finals week is the last week of school.

There will be a few enjoyable breaks between now and then, though. Prom is actually this weekend, and I’m looking forward to it. Since I didn’t go to prom last year, I’m excited to see what it is like and enjoy a fun night with my classmates, since there is only one month left of school with most of them.

Another fun thing I’m looking forward to is going to clinicals with some kids from my pharmacy class. Next week, we will spend two hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a couple of pharmacists from a local hospital. My teacher even mentioned that the hospital is looking for potential employees, and this would be a good job opportunity for me while I’m in college.

Signs of graduation are becoming more evident. It is hard to believe it is now officially less than a month away! I’ve gotten many graduation party invitations from friends, and I have been organizing my own graduation invitations. There is actually a considerable amount of preparation that goes into that. Making a list of potential guests, copying addresses, sealing and mailing, then writing thank-you notes . . . there is a lot involved. Our church is having its annual “Senior Sunday” in a couple of weeks, and that is always a neat occasion. We have approximately twenty seniors in my church youth group, and I have become very close with most of them as well. My mom happened to hear the song “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C and almost cried. Even though I’m staying in town, it will be a new experience for all of my family.

As I talked about tests earlier, it is nice to have some of them out of the way. Since I am a senior, I did not have to take the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test this year. It is a standardized, state-mandated test beginning in the third grade and finishing in eleventh. Juniors — and even underclassmen — it makes things a lot easier on you if you get your college admissions tests completed early. Juniors should think about taking the ACT this June or September. Even after you take the test, there are still application forms, housing request sheets, and financial aid information to fill out. Don’t get behind by delaying taking your college entrance exams.

School is almost finished, but pay attention to the keyword “almost.” Continue to work hard over the next few weeks, and it’ll be over before you know it. Then you can relax and have a blast during summer! I hope all of you have a blessed week!