By Johanna
Singing, laughing, and Spanish fills the car. The smell of a slow baked banana and apple perfumes it. A book lays open and an activity bag is lying on it's side. A drowsy kid is trying to sleep in a very awkward position.
Happy Memorial Day! My family just got home from Burlington, North Carolina, where my grandma lives. The visit was very short and boring, except for the video, Remember the Titans, and the 5 hour car rides there and back were actually not bad.
I was woken up at six in the morning (on a weekend!) and so I stumbled out of bed, and without any breakfast, got into the car. I made room for my head on the middle elbow rest in the back of the car, lay down, and tried to sleep for a bit. After one hour, we stopped in the Aunties Pancake House in Ruther Glen for a seven o'clock breakfast. My dad and I have been here when we were going to North Carolina for Christmas. My mom said she disapproved, but I could tell she wanted to do it. I got a pancake platter, with three giant buttermilk pancakes and some bacon, and milk, which was 2 percent, which I don't like. My mom got a waffle that she shared on fourth of it with me, and my dad got a pecan banana pancake, which my mom and I agreed was crazy. Everyone got a big scoop of... butter for the pancakes! We only used about a fourth of it, and so it was a big waste. Everything was so good. The pancakes were warm and delicious, the bacon was fatty and crisp, and the waffles were, well, like waffles! Even the syrup, even though it was fake, not real maple syrup, was good and warm. Then, when we had finished, I could hardly stand up! We got back into the car and kept going.
I read a little, a new book- The Book Thief, and then I got out the unfailing card pack of things to do on a car trip. I chose to do the "Hum a tune and make people guess what it is" card. But humming was too soft, so we whistled. It happened a lot where we knew the words and tune but not the title. Then we did "Name a place or location starting with A, and then the next person has to name a place that starts with the last letter of the word that they said". For example, my dad said Arkansas, and so I had to say something like Santiago (the capital city of Chili) or South Carolina. I said South Dakota, so my mom had to say something like Antarctica. We found out that there were a lot of places that ended in "A" or started with "A". Then I tried to nap again, and before I knew it, we were at my grandmas house!
Then on Sunday, we had to go back home. We started out at three in the afternoon, and got home at about nine. I mostly read, did an activity book, or slept. My mom and dad tried to listen to this very quick paced Spanish course CD, but they finally gave up. This time, we had already had lunch, but by the time it was seven, we were hungry again. We stopped in Fredericksburg, and the only place we found was "Carlos O'Kelys" which was a Mexican restaurant. My mom told dad to remind her to not stop in Fredericksburg again, but the food there was good. I got an enchilada, which was very yummy. Then, we got in the car and kept going. When we finally got home, I was so sleepy! I climbed into the car, put on my pj's, and went to sleep before my head touched the pillow.
Life Lesson: Car rides can be fun if you make them be fun.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
4 is for 400 Meter Run
By Annabel
My heart was constantly pumping as I walked up to the starting line. Since this was my first track meet I didn't fight to try my way in to get the inside lane. Instead, stupidly enough, I took the far outside lane; real smart I know! My tense stomach was full of hundreds of tiny butterflies, swarming around inside. "In and out." I whispered to myself. "I can't do this." I said quietly. One of the timers told us what to do, and what the rules were, but I still had soooo many questions. I didn't want to get disqualified because I didn't know what to do, so I asked all of them.
It was at another middle school, and you could barely see the lines marking the track. Suddenly, one of the timers yelled to the runners, "Runners take your mark... Get set... GO!!" And the buzzer went off. I got a great start, the best part about it was that I had gotten the inside lane, and was following closely behind the girl from the other school who was in first.
The 400 meter run is two laps around the faded track. After the first lap the girl in first and I pulled away from the tightly packed group of girls. The timers were yelling out our half times as we crossed the starting line again. Both of the coaches from both teams told us to pick up the speed. That's exactly what I did. I gave myself an extra boost, and passed right by a girl from the other school in front of me. I don't think that one of the coaches from the other team liked that I passed her, and started to yell. “Come on Sara! Don't let that girl beat you!!" The track coach from her school shrieked at the girl. I started to see Sara out of the corner of my right eye. She was all out sprinting, and soon going to pass me, if I didn't pick up the pace.
When we came around the final corner, she was just a step in front of me. “I am not going to lose to her!" I thought to myself. Right before the grassy finish I emptied out all of my fuel in the tank and surprisingly I stepped right in front of her, and won by a step! Crossing the finish line, I almost tumbled over, face forward into the muddy track. I won!! Everyone on the track team came over a congratulated me on my victory. I felt really good and proud of myself after that race for not giving up.
Life Lesson: Even when you think that you have nothing left, give it everything that you have left!
My heart was constantly pumping as I walked up to the starting line. Since this was my first track meet I didn't fight to try my way in to get the inside lane. Instead, stupidly enough, I took the far outside lane; real smart I know! My tense stomach was full of hundreds of tiny butterflies, swarming around inside. "In and out." I whispered to myself. "I can't do this." I said quietly. One of the timers told us what to do, and what the rules were, but I still had soooo many questions. I didn't want to get disqualified because I didn't know what to do, so I asked all of them.
It was at another middle school, and you could barely see the lines marking the track. Suddenly, one of the timers yelled to the runners, "Runners take your mark... Get set... GO!!" And the buzzer went off. I got a great start, the best part about it was that I had gotten the inside lane, and was following closely behind the girl from the other school who was in first.
The 400 meter run is two laps around the faded track. After the first lap the girl in first and I pulled away from the tightly packed group of girls. The timers were yelling out our half times as we crossed the starting line again. Both of the coaches from both teams told us to pick up the speed. That's exactly what I did. I gave myself an extra boost, and passed right by a girl from the other school in front of me. I don't think that one of the coaches from the other team liked that I passed her, and started to yell. “Come on Sara! Don't let that girl beat you!!" The track coach from her school shrieked at the girl. I started to see Sara out of the corner of my right eye. She was all out sprinting, and soon going to pass me, if I didn't pick up the pace.
When we came around the final corner, she was just a step in front of me. “I am not going to lose to her!" I thought to myself. Right before the grassy finish I emptied out all of my fuel in the tank and surprisingly I stepped right in front of her, and won by a step! Crossing the finish line, I almost tumbled over, face forward into the muddy track. I won!! Everyone on the track team came over a congratulated me on my victory. I felt really good and proud of myself after that race for not giving up.
Life Lesson: Even when you think that you have nothing left, give it everything that you have left!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
3 is for 3rd Place
By Silvia
"And the first place winner is-"
I kept my hopes high enough. Am I going to be in first place?
"Anonymous person!!!"
then the anonymous person who won 1st place went up onto the stage.
"Now the second place winner is-"
Again, I had my hopes up high.
"Another anonymous person!"
Then the person who won 2nd place went up onto the stage.
"Now the third place winner is-"
I knew my name was going to announced, like always.
My prediction was right, and I went onto the stage.
But I wasn't happy.
I mean, how can someone's lame drawing of a tree win first place? And how can a cheap drawing of a lawn win second.
After leaving the stage, I gave the certificate proving that I won THIRD place to my sister.
"Come on,"my sister said. "At least it's better than nothing."
"Yeah, but THIRD place? I never got to even TASTE first place." I tell her.
It's really true. I'm the person who is stuck at Third place. Never got to even taste the sweet victory of First place.
Well I have, but it was for little things like the first person to complete an equation at 5th grade.
I stare at the certificate. Another thing to hang on my wall of Third place things.
After that day, I had to go to school.
And apparently there was someone from the same contest in my class.
She walked towards me, and told me:
"you're lucky that you actually got into third place."
"Why?" I ask her.
"I always get a participant certificate whenever I go into a contest."
"Then shouldn't you try harder then?"
"Nah...." She then walked away.
I didn't even know that there were people like her.
After that day, I thought about what she said about always being a participant.
Maybe she wasn't that confident about herself. Or maybe she wasn't even trying in those contests.
But then I felt happy about winning Third place in most things. At least I didn't win Participate in the contest.
LIFE LESSON: Third place isn't that bad. Just try harder, and you'll probably be First place next time.
"And the first place winner is-"
I kept my hopes high enough. Am I going to be in first place?
"Anonymous person!!!"
then the anonymous person who won 1st place went up onto the stage.
"Now the second place winner is-"
Again, I had my hopes up high.
"Another anonymous person!"
Then the person who won 2nd place went up onto the stage.
"Now the third place winner is-"
I knew my name was going to announced, like always.
My prediction was right, and I went onto the stage.
But I wasn't happy.
I mean, how can someone's lame drawing of a tree win first place? And how can a cheap drawing of a lawn win second.
After leaving the stage, I gave the certificate proving that I won THIRD place to my sister.
"Come on,"my sister said. "At least it's better than nothing."
"Yeah, but THIRD place? I never got to even TASTE first place." I tell her.
It's really true. I'm the person who is stuck at Third place. Never got to even taste the sweet victory of First place.
Well I have, but it was for little things like the first person to complete an equation at 5th grade.
I stare at the certificate. Another thing to hang on my wall of Third place things.
After that day, I had to go to school.
And apparently there was someone from the same contest in my class.
She walked towards me, and told me:
"you're lucky that you actually got into third place."
"Why?" I ask her.
"I always get a participant certificate whenever I go into a contest."
"Then shouldn't you try harder then?"
"Nah...." She then walked away.
I didn't even know that there were people like her.
After that day, I thought about what she said about always being a participant.
Maybe she wasn't that confident about herself. Or maybe she wasn't even trying in those contests.
But then I felt happy about winning Third place in most things. At least I didn't win Participate in the contest.
LIFE LESSON: Third place isn't that bad. Just try harder, and you'll probably be First place next time.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
2 is for 2nd SOL
By Riittisha
Our second SOL of the sixth grade year .. Mathematics.
I aced it. I know it in my gut. Well, of course, I aced it, I've been totally prepared, but I mean I got a 590 or above. I just like, know it. 600.
This time, it wasn't cold, and even though I wasn't wearing my sweater. I think it was because we were all so warm from running around outside, and drenched with perspiration. And the heat of everyone made the room warm.
Now, the SOL. Easy, peezy, lemon-squeezy(: True, there were some questions I spent quite some time on, but I used some strategies.. process of elimination, and just common sense. There was especially one question I was worried about, and I called Ms. R to say I didn't understand, but she said read it over carefully, and try again. That helped. I'm not being sarcastic. Just hearing someone else say what you already know, it kind of soothes you. So I went back, and I think I chose the correct answer.
You know how people say they reviewed everything, but they really don't most of the time? I don't sometimes, because I'm just so glad I finished everything, and I know I did my best, and I'm, oh so tired and everything? Yeah. I don't do that anymore.
Today, I had this feeling that I HAD to check it over, I made mistakes, so I listened to my gut and I did. Boy, am I glad!! I made 2 careless mistakes, and that shook me. It made me less confident that I did my best the first time, and I guess that's a good thing. So from now on, I will check and re-check everything.
Life Lesson: Second time's the charm. Check and check again.
Our second SOL of the sixth grade year .. Mathematics.
I aced it. I know it in my gut. Well, of course, I aced it, I've been totally prepared, but I mean I got a 590 or above. I just like, know it. 600.
This time, it wasn't cold, and even though I wasn't wearing my sweater. I think it was because we were all so warm from running around outside, and drenched with perspiration. And the heat of everyone made the room warm.
Now, the SOL. Easy, peezy, lemon-squeezy(: True, there were some questions I spent quite some time on, but I used some strategies.. process of elimination, and just common sense. There was especially one question I was worried about, and I called Ms. R to say I didn't understand, but she said read it over carefully, and try again. That helped. I'm not being sarcastic. Just hearing someone else say what you already know, it kind of soothes you. So I went back, and I think I chose the correct answer.
You know how people say they reviewed everything, but they really don't most of the time? I don't sometimes, because I'm just so glad I finished everything, and I know I did my best, and I'm, oh so tired and everything? Yeah. I don't do that anymore.
Today, I had this feeling that I HAD to check it over, I made mistakes, so I listened to my gut and I did. Boy, am I glad!! I made 2 careless mistakes, and that shook me. It made me less confident that I did my best the first time, and I guess that's a good thing. So from now on, I will check and re-check everything.
Life Lesson: Second time's the charm. Check and check again.
Friday, May 27, 2011
1 is for 1st Place
By Lauren
Water splashed in my face as I race to the finish. Swimming backstroke as fast as I possibly could, this race I was ready to win. I had had a flip turn lesson with my swim coach earlier in the week, now I felt ready to win. As I had approached the flags I counted my stokes then flipped over. Flip, kick, then out, the best flip turn I had ever done. I had soared off of the wall. As I kept racing, sprinting toward the finish, I thought this has to be my best time ever. This meet was the last one of the season, if we won this we would move up a division. I looked a little to the side and saw all the coaches standing cheering. I thought to myself oh it would be cool if I was in first place, but Sophia is really fast so she is probably in first, it would be cool if I was in second or third. There the flags I was almost there, just a few more meters, sprint it in. I touched the wall and stood up, there was no one else in, I was in first place!!! I could hear everyone cheering. I was thrilled that I had just got first, and scored points for my team to win. As soon as I got out of the water my coach came over and game me a high- five "You just dropped five seconds off your best time!" (if you don't know that is a lot of time for a swimmer). I was really proud and happy at the same time really happy. Everyone kept congratulating me on my time and place. It was a really great day.
Life Lesson: With practice you can do anything, and never underestimate yourself.
Water splashed in my face as I race to the finish. Swimming backstroke as fast as I possibly could, this race I was ready to win. I had had a flip turn lesson with my swim coach earlier in the week, now I felt ready to win. As I had approached the flags I counted my stokes then flipped over. Flip, kick, then out, the best flip turn I had ever done. I had soared off of the wall. As I kept racing, sprinting toward the finish, I thought this has to be my best time ever. This meet was the last one of the season, if we won this we would move up a division. I looked a little to the side and saw all the coaches standing cheering. I thought to myself oh it would be cool if I was in first place, but Sophia is really fast so she is probably in first, it would be cool if I was in second or third. There the flags I was almost there, just a few more meters, sprint it in. I touched the wall and stood up, there was no one else in, I was in first place!!! I could hear everyone cheering. I was thrilled that I had just got first, and scored points for my team to win. As soon as I got out of the water my coach came over and game me a high- five "You just dropped five seconds off your best time!" (if you don't know that is a lot of time for a swimmer). I was really proud and happy at the same time really happy. Everyone kept congratulating me on my time and place. It was a really great day.
Life Lesson: With practice you can do anything, and never underestimate yourself.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Z is for Zip Line
By Delgermaa
For my end of the year fifth grade field trip, I went on a zip line. It must have been one of the coolest things I have ever done.
We were all in groups, the whole fifth grade I mean. I was in group number three which meant I have to wait. I was kinda relieved that I was in third and not first. Since we had to wait, the teachers made us eat our lunch and some people just couldn't ( too scared.) I watched as the people climbed up at the ladder one by one. I saw the first person go and it looked terrifyingly fun. As the first group was done, the second group went up ( of course) and that was when it hit me. I was so calm about it, I wasn't freaking about it like the others. As I should mention, IT WAS NOT SO SCARY. But when as the time went by, my nerves suddenly grew. My palms were sweaty, and it was pretty hot because it was summer well almost.
Before I knew it, it was my group's turn. Okay, I was freaking out now and kind of shaking everywhere. My group had about 10 people so I made sure I was last but that did NOT happen. A classmate actually pushed me to be first! I gladly pushed him back to first. And my teacher made him go first. I stuck my tongue at him. He-he, I always win! But I was still NEXT to go! My teacher made me climb the ladder fast because so many fifth graders were waiting to go on.
I climbed the ladder, as I got to the top of the wooden bridge as I may call it. The staff lady buckled me into the belt and put some other safety things on and a helmet. I wiped the sweat off my forehead. Why is it so hot today? The lady led me to a bridge, no it wasn't at all. It was a black thick wire that you have to walk on to get on the other station and that was super scary. I mean I can't go on a string and not fall!! "Don't make me," I said to the lady.
"It's fine, you won't fall."
I gathered all my courage and stepped on the wire. "But if I die, tell my parents I love them." I said to the lady and she laughed. This is not a laughing matter. I walked very slowly, and when I mean very slowly I mean really slow. I looked down my peers waved at me. I tried to smile but couldn't.
I finished the path on wire. I wrapped my arms around the huge wooden thing that kinda looked like a tree. But the whole thing wasn't over yet, I still had the main part to go. The Zip line. I can't go on! This thing was LONG and was up pretty high. Other staff took off my cable from the string bridge and put another on the final zip line. I'm going to die. I grabbed on to the top part of the cable and closed my eyes. I was moving. I peaked a little. And as I looked, I could see everything. The top of the beautiful trees, the looks of my classmates as I pass them, and the sky was so clear that day. And I headed all the way down, the ride was so pretty to watch cause you were so high! I would love to go on again.
Life lesson: Try new things, you may never really see the world without doing so.
For my end of the year fifth grade field trip, I went on a zip line. It must have been one of the coolest things I have ever done.
We were all in groups, the whole fifth grade I mean. I was in group number three which meant I have to wait. I was kinda relieved that I was in third and not first. Since we had to wait, the teachers made us eat our lunch and some people just couldn't ( too scared.) I watched as the people climbed up at the ladder one by one. I saw the first person go and it looked terrifyingly fun. As the first group was done, the second group went up ( of course) and that was when it hit me. I was so calm about it, I wasn't freaking about it like the others. As I should mention, IT WAS NOT SO SCARY. But when as the time went by, my nerves suddenly grew. My palms were sweaty, and it was pretty hot because it was summer well almost.
Before I knew it, it was my group's turn. Okay, I was freaking out now and kind of shaking everywhere. My group had about 10 people so I made sure I was last but that did NOT happen. A classmate actually pushed me to be first! I gladly pushed him back to first. And my teacher made him go first. I stuck my tongue at him. He-he, I always win! But I was still NEXT to go! My teacher made me climb the ladder fast because so many fifth graders were waiting to go on.
I climbed the ladder, as I got to the top of the wooden bridge as I may call it. The staff lady buckled me into the belt and put some other safety things on and a helmet. I wiped the sweat off my forehead. Why is it so hot today? The lady led me to a bridge, no it wasn't at all. It was a black thick wire that you have to walk on to get on the other station and that was super scary. I mean I can't go on a string and not fall!! "Don't make me," I said to the lady.
"It's fine, you won't fall."
I gathered all my courage and stepped on the wire. "But if I die, tell my parents I love them." I said to the lady and she laughed. This is not a laughing matter. I walked very slowly, and when I mean very slowly I mean really slow. I looked down my peers waved at me. I tried to smile but couldn't.
I finished the path on wire. I wrapped my arms around the huge wooden thing that kinda looked like a tree. But the whole thing wasn't over yet, I still had the main part to go. The Zip line. I can't go on! This thing was LONG and was up pretty high. Other staff took off my cable from the string bridge and put another on the final zip line. I'm going to die. I grabbed on to the top part of the cable and closed my eyes. I was moving. I peaked a little. And as I looked, I could see everything. The top of the beautiful trees, the looks of my classmates as I pass them, and the sky was so clear that day. And I headed all the way down, the ride was so pretty to watch cause you were so high! I would love to go on again.
Life lesson: Try new things, you may never really see the world without doing so.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Y is for Years
By Briana
Ok, here is a riddle for you: How many seconds are there in one year? I will tell you later!
Years pass by so fast an you don't even notice. Well lets say you had your tenth birthday and you say "I am going to remember this moment forever", But then you lose that special moment.
Of all the years I have lived, I would say my favorite year would be when I was.....well.... I don't really have one yet. I guess I would have to wait and see.
At the beginning of the year people want it to be the end of the year(Christmas) and then the year goes by and look you are already in the next year. Just like kids, why did I say kids? Well because kids always want to be adults, but at the years go by and when they are adults they want to be kids. So that is a problem! Well I don't want to waste my years! You shouldn't waste yours.
Answer to Riddle: There are twelve, January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd, etc.
Briana's Word Of Advice: Use your years wisely, you won't have them forever.
Ok, here is a riddle for you: How many seconds are there in one year? I will tell you later!
Years pass by so fast an you don't even notice. Well lets say you had your tenth birthday and you say "I am going to remember this moment forever", But then you lose that special moment.
Of all the years I have lived, I would say my favorite year would be when I was.....well.... I don't really have one yet. I guess I would have to wait and see.
At the beginning of the year people want it to be the end of the year(Christmas) and then the year goes by and look you are already in the next year. Just like kids, why did I say kids? Well because kids always want to be adults, but at the years go by and when they are adults they want to be kids. So that is a problem! Well I don't want to waste my years! You shouldn't waste yours.
Answer to Riddle: There are twelve, January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd, etc.
Briana's Word Of Advice: Use your years wisely, you won't have them forever.
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