Fifty Shades of Grey

Fifty Shades of Grey is a very odd novel. It follows a girl named Anastasia as she meets a new, mysterious man. She finds this man, Christian, attractive and for some reason she just can't stay away from him. Once their relationship progresses, she finds out that there is a very dark side to Christian. He believes in BDSM which stands for bandage, discipline, sadism, and masochism. She is torn between her love for him and his dark sexual practices

This novel is definitely something that people don't read everyday. It is very out of the box. In the beginning, Anastasia seems like a relatable girl but once the she meet Christian all I wanted to do is to yell at her to run in the other direction. This feeling a reader gets is what makes a book hard to put down, and that is exactly what happened. The novel was easy to read and the diction was mostly colloquial. It wasn't written as well as other books and some of the scenes were pretty inhumane.

I would only recommend Fifty Shades of Grey to mature teenagers and above. Parts of the book are disturbing and which is why this book should be read with caution. Overall, I would not recommend this book because it really isn't written well. There are much better books out there. (380)

The Best Part of Summer

I am a strong believer in the benefits summer camp. It is one of the best decisions a parent can make for their kids and I can't thank my parents enough for sending me away to camp because I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for it. Over the years, camp transforms from a just an average place to the place I call home. It is the place that teaches self-confidence, love, and friendship. It is an environment where people accept everyone and laugh uncontrollably. It gives children the chance to try new things while having the time of their lives'.

Because I feel in love with camp, I kept going back. I did the leadership in training program then counselor in training program. Over the years, I have spent closed to 14 weeks at camp. Those 14 weeks taught me more than all of my years in school and in sports. Now that I am to old to be a camper, I hope to be a counselor this coming summer. Being a camp counselor is more than a job, its who we are. Everyone has similar reasons to be a counselor. I want to be a role model and help kids grow and learn.

This past summer while I was in the counselor in training program, we were given a paper titled “What is a Counselor?”. It is an essay that speaks right to the meaning of camp:

“A camp counselor is a rare combination of doctor, lawyer, Indian and chief. They are an excellent child psychologist with sophomore textbooks as proof. They are an underpaid baby-sitter with neither a television nor a refrigerator.”

“You wonder if they really know how much they are worth and you realize that you can never pay them enough. Yet when they leave, they wave good-bye and say, “See ya next year!””

So its hard to put into words what camp means to those that love it but this quote pretty much sums it up:

“For a moment you will be reminded of your summer here. You will think of a child with whom an interaction deeply affected you. It will be the child you helped learn to swim, or the child who so desperately needed a friend to take care of them. And you will not be able to figure out if the true gift was the one you gave to them of yourself, or if the gift was, in fact, given to you.”

(405)

Grey's

As I was watching my favorite show, Grey's Anatomy, I remembered a tragic event. On this episode of Grey's, a shooter comes to the hospital and commits a mass murder. The shooter is upset because he believes that one of the doctors killed his wife. What really happened was that his wife was brain dead and she wasn't going to wake back up. The man files a lawsuit but loses because of medical evidence. Overcome with grief, this man sets out to the hospital to kill the doctor that “killed” his wife.

This episode aired in May of 2010, years before the tragic event in Newtown, Connecticut. While watching, Newtown was all I could think about. I usually don't cry during movies or TV shows but this episode seemed to hit close to home. It was almost unbearable to watch. Watching the terror on the character's faces and the evil in the shooter's eyes was horrible. I pictured the overwhelming fear the kids, teachers, police officers, parents, and the whole community must have felt during that horrible Friday. I can't even imagine what they went through, and are still dealing with. My heart aches for everyone who lost a loved one, or had to experience the shooting.

In Grey's Anatomy, the characters experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and survivors guilt. Some of the doctors couldn't even go back into the operating room or couldn't sleep and had night terrors. The kids at Newtown probably still feel fear when going to school, I think even the strongest person would after what they experienced. The horrible thing is that school should be a place where everyone feels safe. A place where we grow and learn, not a place filled with horrible memories. As the kids grow older, they will start to overcome the event but will probably never fully recover.

Its horrible that the country to experience the loss of children to figure out that something needs to be done. This should never happen again. The event also, in a way, opened our eyes to whats important in life. Family and community. I know my parents tell me they love me more than the used to. The country, and world, will never forget Newtown and they will always be in our prays.  (380)

Words of Love

Dear Lord, Thank you for Nicholas Sparks. Nicholas Sparks knows who to write to the heart. His books are those books that once you start, you're screwed. And by that I mean you won't be able to put the book the down until it's finished. He is the master mind behind The Notebook, Dear John, and The Last Song. His books are for the “hopeless-romantic” type. Which, lets be honest, everyone is a romantic at heart. Almost every one of his books have been made into movies and have been very successful.

Perhaps the most famous of this books is The Notebook. This is a story of two teenagers that feel in love. Then girl moved away and the boy never recovered. Of course, they meet again years later and rekindled their love for each other. TWIST, she is engaged! Many events happen but they end up spending the rest of their live's together and have children. Happily ever after! In the movie, Ryan Gosling plays the man, Noah. Ryan Gosling, I love you. So does the rest of the female population. The best line of the whole movie is when they confess their love for each other:

               "So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, everyday. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like? If it's with him, go. Go! I lost you once, I think I can do it again. If I thought that's what you really wanted. But don't you take the easy way out."
So romantic!

Another great novel by Nicholas Sparks is The Last Song. This is the story of a rebellious girl who is forced to live with her Dad all summer. She meets a rich, hot guy and they fall in love. Much more happens but I don't want to spoil it!

Overall, Nicholas Sparks books are great reads for anyone. Well maybe not anyone, but if you're a guy go for it. I promise, you won't be disappointed. Warning: don't start reading unless you have all day to finish! Happy reading.  (409)

Hockey>Tennis

The best athletes are those that play multiple sports but most have one they are most passionate about. I get the joy of spending the spring playing tennis and I'm going to be honest; I hate it. I keep playing every year because I don't want to be a one sport athlete.

There are many reasons I like hockey more than tennis. First off, tennis is so boring. Really, really, really, boring. At times it will be exciting but you just hit the ball back and fourth for an hour straight. That's not much fun! Hockey on the other hand is fast-paced, exciting, and action packed. Tennis is more fun to watch, especially if the match is close. I almost enjoy not playing varsity singles because I get the chance to watch the other girls play.

Another reason I like hockey more is because it is a team sport. Yes, I know you compete on a tennis “team” but let's be honest it really isn't a team sport. Doubles is somewhat team-like but only with one other person. Hockey on the other hand is 15 girls competing together as one. We have each others' back as we go into battle. In hockey there is six players on the ice together. In tennis there is one person. You are on your own.

Also, hockey is played indoors so there isn't the weather aspect. This year has been unusually cold so we've had many meets in 40 degree weather which is not enjoyable. What is even worst is when it starts to rain in the middle of a meet and then you slip and slide all of the court.

I wish I enjoyed playing tennis, I really do but its just not who I am. I am a hockey player and always will be. It's in my blood, I was born to do it. I am competitive, passionate, and I always give 110%. I'm going to be so happy when the season is over and I can go back to playing what I love most: hockey. (393)

It Will Say

1 Forrest once said:

2 “Life is like a box of chocolates,

3 You never know what you're gunna get.”

4 But you do know what you're going to get

5 If you take the time to glimpse at the heart-shaped box and

6 Read the fine print.

7 The answers are all there.

8 It will say if a piece is bitter.

9 It will say if a piece is sweet.

10 It will say if a piece is crunchy.

11 It will say it all there.

12 So take a moment to read before you make a decision.

13 And you will discover that

14 All of Life's secrets are printed in view.

15 Life doesn't have to be big mystery.

16 It is simple.

17 Simple as a row of perfectly assorted chocolates.

Lines 1-18 is an analogy. An analogy is an extended metaphor which describes the whole meaning of my poem. I am comparing two unlike things: a box chocolates and life. The box of chocolates represents various life events and that you can't predict what will happen. I argue if you are patient and read what is right in front of you then life won't be a surprise.

Lines 1-3 is an allusion. The quote chose was said by Forrest Gump in the movie Forrest Gump. This movie is an all time classic and is based off an award winning book. I refereed to Forrest because I felt it made a strong statement in my poem. His quote is so simple yet has a great meaning which is challenged in my poem.

Line 10 is an onomatopoeia. I use the adjective “crunchy” to describe chocolate. I feel this brings the example in my poem to life because it adds one of the senses.

Line 2 is a simile. “Life is like a box of chocolates” compares life and chocolates using “like”. This simile is the main theme to my poem and has a strong message based of the comparison.

Line 8-11 is an anaphora. “It will say” is repeated at the beginning of each line (clause). This adds rhythm to my poem and emphases the different kinds of chocolate in a box.

Line 17 is imagery. “A row of perfectly assorted chocolates” creates a mental picture of a typical box of fancy chocolates. I end my poem with this because it ties into the beginning quote and wraps up the idea of life being fairly simple.

Lines 1-18 is symbolism. My whole poem uses symbolism because the events of life are like different chocolates in a box. Line 8-11 symbolize different life events. For example, life events can be sweet (happy) or bitter (upsetting).

Bitter Sweet

This is the move from hell. Straight from hell. We are selling our house that we have lived in for 12 years. 12 years of ware and tare on a very large house. This means many Sundays spent cleaning, boxing up belongings, and many trips to the dump and storage unit. I have a family of five which means crap on crap on crap. We have so much crap. We could practically open a library with the number of children books we own. We could also give a stuff animal to every child on the face of the earth and still have some left over.

The process of selling a house is long and stressful. We had to get new carpet, repaint, and redo our hard-wood floors. And there is the lingering thought of “What if the house doesn't sell”. Honestly, that would be the worst. We have many things to our advantage when selling my current house. The neighborhood is the best around and the schools are great. Its a nice size and built well. Also we are pricing to sell which means the price isn't ridiculously high.

Leaving the house you grow up in one of the hardest things to do. The memories and laughter that filled the house is hard to part with. In my family's case, moving is for the better. Both of my older siblings are moved out and I'm going to boarding school next year. There is no need for my parents to have the space we have now. My parents also plan on moving back to the West Coast in a couple years so getting this house sold will make that move easier.

Preparing the house for the market has been an emotional roller coaster. We are hopefully nearing the end soon. The house officially goes up for sale tomorrow and two families are already interested. Our fingers are crossed that it sells quickly!

To the new family: Enjoy this house and all it offers. Enjoy the wonderful neighborhood and quite street. Enjoy the openness and green backyard. Laugh a lot and make amazing memories. There are going the be hard times but this house will always be the best place to call home. Bring in love and good karma, just as my family did. Raise a family. Let the kids play in the woods down the road, even if they might get ticks. Spend summer nights outside and walk the surrounding trails. You will love this house. I promise. (410)

Love in the Form of TV

Netflix might be the best invention ever. Not joking. Its like a gift from the heavens. Well maybe I'm being a little over dramatic but let's be honest here, everyone loves Netflix. Normally we would have drive all the way to a movie store, walk around aimlessly while trying to find that one movie. After adventuring through the screaming children and mushy couples, you finally find the movie you wanted. But wait... PSYCH its ready been checked out! Then all you want to do its hit down the racks of lame movies with bad acting. After gaining composer, you pick another movie and wait in line for 10 minutes will the person in front of you argues with the clerk about fees for their movie that they apparently didn't return on time. We have all have had these experiences. That is why Netflix is amazing.

Netflix is an online movie and tv show provider. Its like having a movie store in your house. Its around $10 a month for unlimited access to all of their instant movies and shows. Netflix's movie choices aren't that great but they have great shows. My favorite show on Netflix is Grey's Anatomy and the best part is they have all 8 seasons. They have all of the updated seasons for their tv shows.

Netflix has choices for everyone. Romance, action, comedy and family are just a few. You will always find something to watch. They also have great documentaries. Don't lie to yourself, you love a good documentary. We are all nerds on the inside!

Another great thing about using Netflix is you don't have to remember to return a movie. There are no fines or annoying phone calls from people who hate their job. You can stop or start anytime you want on Netflix.

So if you don't already have it, get it. It is worth the money, I promise. You can watch it on the computer or connect it to your tv through a gaming system. The only thing you need is wifi. If think your life is complete now, its not. Get Netflix and it will be. Just be careful, it does get addicting. But warning you now you will spend hours and hours watching it. If you are watching a tv show you can't just watch one episode.

Now go online and subscribe. You won't be disappointed! You can thank me later. 

AP: Advanced Procrastination

AP classes are pushed on us like crazy. All we hear is, “Take AP” “It will help you in college” “You can get college credit!” Ah yeah if you get a 5 on the exam which is hard as hell. So is it really worth it to take AP? In my opinion it is because AP classes teach great study habits, increase reading skills, and challenge the average student. Most colleges won't accept AP credit unless it is a very high score, and some won't accept any at all. So there is much more to taking these challenging classes than college credit.

AP classes are great to take because they truly force students to create strong study skills. The textbooks are longer, and harder, thus making the test more difficult. AP students have to study effectively and often to succeed in the classes. Also the material cannot be forgotten because most students take the AP Exam in May. So these classes are cumulative, which adds extra studying time. AP students have to know when the need to really sit down and learn the material. These important study skills are required to do well in college. AP classes help build a strong foundation for success.

Another pro of taking AP classes is that they increase reading skills. AP textbooks are college level and are go into much great detail than regular level textbooks. AP classes also require more reading weekly because all of the material has to be covered by April, in time for the exam. These reading skills will help not only in Aps but also outside of school and on standardized tests. A strong reader will succeed in any class, no matter the subject.

Lastly, AP classes expect more out of the students than regular level. AP students are considered the higher level. Aps raise the academic bar for student expectations. Teachers, and principals, look at AP classes as college classes and then they expect college level work out of their students.

Overall, AP classes should be taken by all students. They teach study habits, increase reading skills, and challenge students. Don't take Aps for college credit because you mostly likely won't get that much. Take AP classes to become a better, and more well-rounded, student.  (405)

The Joys of Being a Junior

I think we can all agree that junior year is not that exciting. It actually sucks most of the time. It seems that junior year is the year to take the hardest classes and there is the most pressure to have good grades because it's the year colleges look at the most. It is also the time to start the amazing college search process! Sarcasm.

In some ways junior year rocks. We aren't at the bottom of the food chain anymore and we are one year closer to being a senior. This thought last for about three minutes until the reality of multiple AP classes and homework brings you back down to earth. Homework on homework on homework. Projects on projects. Tests on tests on tests.

One thing that junior year hasn't failed on is hell weeks. Hell week is that one week about once a month that there is a test in every single class. It's like the teachers come together and all decide to have tests at the same time. It's usually spread out over a couple days and those days are the worst of the year. At one point I had five test in ONE day. It's like finals all over again!

Another aspect of junior year is the fact that we can't go to prom. I'm just being bitter because I don't get to go this year but really every other school in the world has a junior-senior prom, except Cedar Rapids. In some ways a senior prom makes it more special but at the same time it sucks for the underclassmen. Prom is so fun! It makes homecoming seem very lame.

The end of junior year comes with the sense of almost being a senior. Almost. We still have a month and a half left. Well for the other 346 kennedy high school students. I get to experience the joy of redoing junior year. So when this year ends and everyone else is celebrating finally being a senior, I will be reminiscing the fact that I still have two years left of high school. But while all you seniors are stressing out about college applications, I will be enjoying not having to worry about where the hell my life is going.

So heres to junior year and all it's ups and down. We are almost to the end. Thank you for teaching us how to handle hell weeks and stressing over grades. For most its a goodbye but for me it's a “see ya next year!” (422)

An Athlete

Sports have been around since humans started to socialize, we are competitive. They are a large part of who we are. Whether you are an olympian or a you have never picked up a soccer ball, sports are still interesting. Everyone gathers around the TV for the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and other major sporting events. Sports are apart of us. Perhaps, what is more special than the bond that humans have with athletics is being the athlete playing the game. That bond that athletes have with their sport is what makes athletes who they are. Sports teach us lessons that we can't learn anywhere else. It's hard to narrow down the most important lessons taught by playing a sport because they are endless. Hard work, determination, respect, maturity, and perseverance, just to name a few.

Being an athlete myself, I know first hand the dedication it takes to a student-athlete. Its definitely not easy! It actually really sucks sometimes. We have all heard the research that playing sports can increase kids GPAs. The reason behind this is that athletes don't have time to lay around during the week, or on the weekend, because we are busy practicing and playing games. So when we do have time to do homework, it is limited. Its now or never. Either you work hard to finish assignments now, or get a zero. Like right now, I am writing this post in between my hockey games because I know I won't have time to do it tomorrow. If I was just at home now I wouldn't have the motivation to do it.

Sports are a big part of growing up and maturing. They teach social skills and also how to speak your mind. Playing hockey definitely teaches how to stand up for yourself but also how to let things go. There is a lot of shit-talking in sports. Athletes get called names by other players, yelled at by coaches, and criticized by parents but we learn just to let it go. I have learned over the years to channel my anger into something productive. Anger can cause many bad things to happen that you will later regret so it's important to know when to just chillax.

At the end of that day, I am glad to be a student-athlete. I so thankful to have something to be passionate about. Juggling school and sports have allowed me to grow as a person and I know many athletes would agree with me.  (424)

The Off Season

As the summer approaches, and the end of the school year, the off season still lingers. Hockey is a year long sport. It really never ends. The season starts in August and ends at the end of March, no other sport has a season this long. Once you fall in love with hockey it's a part of who you are, your identity. You eat, sleep, and dream hockey.

Since its the off season, I'm having major hockey withdraws. The season is so long that once it's over all I can think is, “What the hell am I suppose to do now?” I'm just not used to having this much free time.

Usually hockey players are multi-sport athletes because if you can master hockey than you can master almost any other sport. So in someways we never really have an off season. For me I spend my off season playing tennis which I honestly don't enjoy that much. It's fun for a solid week then after that I just want to skate and shoot some pucks, not a tennis ball. It is nice to be outside and work on my tank-top tan. Other than that, hitting a ball back and fourth for an hour straight doesn't even come close to playing a hockey game.

The off season is also very important for hockey players, and all athletes. It's a time to step away from the ice, courts, or field and just relax. Playing other sports is the best way to refresh for the up coming season. Since the hockey season is so long, by the end you get pretty burnt out. But once the new season starts you feel fresh and ready to play.

The hardest part of the off season is trying to stay in shape. You just have to accept the fact that you won't be in game shape until the season starts again. This is hard for all athletes because we want to be at our best all the time. Like many other hockey players, I spend my off season at the gym with little time on the ice. A great man once said, “Champions are made in the off season”. The off season is the time to put on muscle weight and to work on agility.

Soon the hockey season will come again and I will be rested and excited to play again. Until then I will hit a fury ball back and fourth while dreaming of a puck and some ice.  (417)

Spring Fever

Summer is coming! Well we are getting close. Today it reached close to 75 degrees. Yeah, you read that right. Spring is the best season of the year because its a fresh start. The grass goes from dead and brown to alive and green. The trees start to bud and the birds chirp all through the day. The gray winter is starting to pass and this year spring seems even more exciting. This winter was cold, snowy, and long. Springtime brings the end of an era of short days and long nights. We are almost there! Almost to summer!

Not only does spring feel like a fresh start, it also changes the way school feels. In the winter you wake up and its still dark outside, not to mention FREEZING. Now, the sun is shinning and the birds are singing every morning. This makes getting up at an ungodly hour somewhat manageable. One of the best parts is not having to scrape of ice the windshield while standing in three feet of snow. Now, I can be comfortable in a light jacket and can ride with the windows down. This is what life is about. Life is not being freezing cold all day and not watching the snow fall. Don't get me wrong I love the snow, but for a month or two. Not all winter long.

As spring develops so does the summer fever. We currently have 39 days left of school! Hollar. Spring trimester brings prom (for some), graduation parties, and graduation itself. It's an especially exciting time for seniors because they are on their home stretch of high school. For underclassmen, the excitement of finishing this years classes and the teachers that come with. Spring is the chance to renew the bad habits created by winter.

Summer inches closer and closer which means late nights, parties, lots of sun, and relaxation. Well not for me as I will be spending my summer as a camp counselor, which I couldn't be more excited about. Instead of partying every night and sleeping in till noon, I will be spending my summer days with 200 screaming children as I try to be a friend, babysitter, and leader. Best job ever! Who needs air conditioning when you can have the great outdoors?

So bring on the bonfires, s'mores, and sun tanning. Spring, I love you but it's time to go. Summer I can't wait for another great year together! (408)