High Standards

Hi everyone,

Since I didn’t write a blog about the last episode (actually the last two episodes, but the third show didn’t have much to do with me anyway) I’m going to try and write about both the fourth and fifth episodes now. So just as a disclaimer I’ll be writing about some topics from the yesteryears of last Tuesday as well as the episode that airs tonight. For some quick recent news about me, my cat Abby was sick and we had to put her down this week. So I completely understand now how Kelli felt when her dog Lilli passed away, and the emotions that she expressed at the funeral.

In the last episode Sebastian was working really hard to capture Taylor’s attention, and I believe that at any other time Taylor would have quite appreciated his actions. But Cole had just stepped back into Taylor’s life and she needed some time to think about her relationship with Cole before giving Sebastian a concrete answer. After watching the show and seeing how sweet and endearing Cole and Taylor are together, I think that Taylor might have made a good decision by choosing Cole.

Speaking of sweet and endearing those would definitely be two words that I wouldn’t use to describe my attitude towards Dan during our date last episode. I will fully admit that I didn’t make it easy for him to talk to me, but everyone should understand that sometimes first dates can sometimes be awkward and that feeling of discomfort is elevated when there are four cameras filming your every move! Like PC, who enjoys saying audacious things when times get awkward, I seem to get a touch (OK, well more then just a touch) sarcastic when things get awkward and boring. It is a very bad habit, and I’m working on it, but sometimes being a little mean can make things more interesting – but only if you explain your actions to the other party later. I think both Dan and I realized that the date was lacking in conversation but we did get a chance to talk about it afterwards so there are no hard feelings.

On to my lack-of-a-boyfriend situation: although there are exceptions, the majority of girls I know who live in the city do not have a boyfriend. When you live in New York, you are constantly meeting new people and expanding your friend circles based on the sheer concentration of individuals. At least for me, when you are always meeting new guys, it is hard to think about settling down with one for your high school years. I guess that’s what I meant by ‘high standards’ not necessarily that I’d never considering dating anyone “subpar” (which by the way is never a word I would usually use) but it is my nature not to settle down and have a boyfriend, so if I were to ever have one in high school he would have to be someone I was truly infatuated with.

One thing really annoyed me during this week’s episode. Although it seems I only care about community service to fatten my college application – that isn’t the truth. I believed strongly in community service and I have an active record helping people before (and after) the Operation Smile opportunity ever came up. For example I’ve donated a lot of time helping people pass the high school equivalency test, the GED.

My meeting with Jessie regarding Operation Smile didn’t go exactly as I thought it would, maybe because we are like oil and water. What I said about her school, which by the way is not an easy school to gain admission into, was just a stereotype that I now know is incorrect. I meant no offense and apologized to Jessie off air however it made no difference, she insisted on taking my statement way too personally. I made an innocent mistake and I do not believe that would be a reason to bar me from helping out with the organization.

Charity by definition should be selfless and should focus on the individuals needing help and not the individuals giving the help. By Jessie not allowing me to help earn money for children’s cleft palate surgery just because I unintentionally insulted her school makes the charity more about Jessie and her personal feelings towards me than the children suffering from cleft palate. If Jessie believed that I just wasn’t going to do work for the organization (which is not even close to my personality to veer away from working hard) then she would be justified in not letting me join. But her reasons were purely personal and therefore I do not think they would be warranted. There can never be too much help or too much money for a charity.

Until next week,

Camille

P.S. For the record, I heard that Jessie’s school does have Earth Day off; I believe it’s called “Green Team” day.