Life of the Youngest Child...

Being the youngest in the family definitely has its perks but also some not so good things. I am the youngest of three kids and there has definitely been time were I love it and times I absolutely hate it. It always seems like everything revolves around older siblings. Those of us who are the youngest are drug to numerous sporting events, music concerts and academic assemblies all because we can't be left at home alone. This got so annoying growing up. But the funny thing now is that they aren't here to watch our games or watch us at our important moments because they are at college or in the real world.

Another thing that is hard about being the youngest is hammy downs. So many hammy downs. The other siblings always got the new clothes and the youngest just get what they don't wear or what they grew out of. Another bad thing is being picked on. In my family my brother closer in age to me than my sister so I always got beat up by my brother for being the “annoying little sister” and he would physically push me around. One time he even picked me up and threw me off the couch. I'm not going to lie, I probably deserved some of it but the other times he just took his anger out on me.

On the other side of things it might be harder to be the older sibling. They have to stay home and babysit the younger kids and also always be acting as role models. From their point of view it might also feel as though that the younger sibling get more attention.

I don't think being the oldest or the youngest is any harder or easier than the other. Both have good and bad things about it. On the bright side we should always be lucky to have siblings because they will almost always grow to be your best friends.

Wakey Wakey! Eggs and Bakey!

Breakfast is the best meal of the day. No questions asked. Most mornings its the reason I get out of bed. I'm not kidding. Well maybe a little bit. Anyways, not only is breakfast amazing its also the most important meal of the day! By eating breakfast, it will help you balance your metabolism and feel more energized. It can actually help you eat less because your body won't be craving so much food when lunch comes around so you won't eat as much. Also eating a healthy meal is always rewarding in the long run!

The best time to eat breakfast is one hour after waking up but for most people that isn't doable. Breakfast doesn't have to be this large meal just as long as its healthy and can fill you up for a couple hours.

Being an athlete I can't function with out breakfast. Especially during the season when I am  burning a lot more calories at practice. I try to eat a healthy breakfast every morning. Game days are different. On these days the best thing to eat is eggs, fruit, yogurt, peanut butter or cereal but try to stay away from bagels, pancakes or french toast because these are high in complex carbs which take longer for your body to digest thus longer for you to get the needed energy. But if you aren't play for a couple hours after eating breakfast than these complex carbs are fine to eat because your body will have time to digest it.

Here are a couple of my favorite pre game breakfasts:

 Toasted bagel with peanut butter and cinnamon sugar

 Cereal and a banana

 Eggs with yogurt and fruit

 Peanut butter and jelly with an apple

Becoming a Life Saver

This summer I got Lifeguard and First Aid certified through the Red Cross and honestly I don't think I could save anyones life...

Three hours a day for two weeks I went through the training program. The first thing you have to do is swim 300 meters straight, without stopping, and let me tell you, this is not easy to do if aren't a regular swimmer. The 300 meters is definitely doable because there isn't a time limit. You can take your time and also swim any stroke.

Next, is the brick test. A 10 pound brick is dropped to the bottom of the deep end. You have to start at the opposite side of the pool, swim to the brick and then dive down and retrieve it. Then you have the swim with the brick on your chest to the opposite side. All in less than 1 minute and 40 seconds. This test is by far the hardest part of becoming a Lifeguard. The most challenging part is when you are at the bottom of the deep end freaking out because you have no air left and then you have to grab this brick and swim it all the way back. Luckily, you have a maximum of two tries.

After doing the skills test you learn how to actually save victims. We practiced entries into the water and how to approach people who are drowning. There is two different types of drowning victims: passive and active. They are pretty self explanatory but they both require different saving techniques.

To become First Aid certified we had to watch many videos. They were boring, so boring. In these video you are taught how to do CPR and life saving techniques. The most fun part of the whole program was practicing CPR and dummies. They even had baby dummies!

Once the training is complete you have to take a multiple choice test. Most of the test questions were common sense but some were more challenging but its pretty easy to pass the tests. You also have to do an in water test. This is where you show your instructor that you can save a victim in different ways.

After passing both tests you get a pretty certificate that says you are a Professional Lifeguard and First Aid certified and that you are responsible for the life of others when you are on duty.

So yeah, I still don't feel as though I can save someones life. If you happen to swim while I'm on duty I'm going to apologize now if I can't save you from your horrible drowning situation.

School Lunches Gone Bad

Each year lunches here at Kennedy are getting worse and worse. My freshmen year we could get as many desserts as we want and they also had Pizza Hut pizza every day. My older siblings said that when they were students at Kennedy the cafeteria offered Hy-Vee Chinese and many other options. It seems that each year we are offered fewer options than the year before.

My sophomore year (last year) they changed from having Pizza Hut every day to only on Monday and Wednesday. I felt like that was pretty reasonable considering Pizza Hut pizza is very fattening and high in carbs. Also last year you could only get on dessert per meal. And we thought that was bad but we had no idea about what was in store for next year…..

NO DESSERTS. WHAT?! Yup that’s right. No more cookies, cake or cookie dough. Nothing. Zip, zero, nada.  Now instead of desserts you have to get a fruit or vegetable. It’s not like you have a choice on whether or not you want a fruit or vegetable, you are forced to take one. The lunch ladies will make you go back in line and take one. First off, I’m not sure how old those fruits and vegetables are and how many pesticides have been sprayed on them to stay fresh. Secondly, I simply do not want a fruit or vegetable!

I understand why we are given more healthy options; two-thirds of the countries citizens are overweight but why are we not allowed to have a simple dessert? We are almost adults now and we know the consequences of eating too much of unhealthy foods.  So all I have to say is thanks Michelle Obama for implementing the Healthy Kids Act. Now I can’t enjoy a simple cup of cookie dough after a long morning of note taking and tests. Thank you, thank you very much…

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions....

Every day we make decisions. Both small, and large, that well affect us for the rest of our lives'. Even a small decision like choosing to text and drive or not wearing a seatbelt can change us forever. These little things can turn into life altering events. Being high schoolers we are faced with decisions all the time. They might not be ones major ones like deciding to get married or choosing a career but our decisions now will affect the future ones.

For example, in high school we start forming friend groups. The people you hang out with usually have things in common and they have the same values. A decision you have to make is which type of people you want to associate yourself with. Some of these groups don't make the smartest decisions like choosing to smoke and drink all the time. If you choose to be apart of this kind of environment you can get into trouble and that can change your life. Choose your friends wisely...

Another huge decision we have to make is college. College. Its such a scary thought. Were you decide to go will truly change you. Thousands and thousands of dollars will be spent which makes the decision so much harder. You have to choose whether you want to leave all your friends and the place you call home. You have to choose whether you want to take that leap and say goodbye to your old life. Or just stay here in Iowa. Either way you are changing the your corse dramatically.

Overall, decisions can be hard but you just have to go with your gut feeling. Don't be afraid to tell people no and don't even be afraid to scream yes! Try not to make your decision based on friends or boyfriends/girlfriends. Its your life not theirs. If they are true friends they will support you with any decision you make. So next time you find yourself choosing which path to take just simply follow your heart.

Life of a Hockey Player...

September through April. Monday through Friday. School, homework, practice, sleep and repeat. Saturday and Sunday. Sit in a car, or on a plane, for hours.Wake up, eat, warm up, play your butt off and repeat. This is the insane life of a hockey player.

In my opinion ice hockey is one of the most underestimated sports. It takes the endurance of a runner, hand-eye-coordination of a tennis player, strength of a wrestler, mental toughness of a boxer and all while doing all of this we are standing on a 1/8^th inch strip of steel.

Not only do we work hard on the ice but we also work hard off the ice. We run like soccer players and life weights like football player. After all of that we gear up and skate for hours. Your legs feel like jello but its all about finding that extra gear inside to keep skating hard.

After practicing until 10 o'clock at night homework time comes next and very little sleep. Friday nights are spent driving or sitting in airports. Games are played all saturday and then its right back at it early sunday morning. I've had a game that ended at 11 pm and we had to play again  the next morning at 7 am but it was all worth is because we went home that weekend league champions! Once all the games are played we hop back into the car, or on airplanes, and finish our homework as we fight to keep our eyes open because we've gave it all we can give during our games.

Even though hockey is extremely challenging its so addictive. Once you gear up and step on the ice for the first time it surely won't be your last time. Hockey players are some of the most passionate athletes you will meet. We will do ANYTHING to get the chance to play the game we love. Even if it means missing Homecoming, parties, and countless days of school. We live for that feeling when you score a goal or when you beat the reining national champions, and also the fact that you get to spend all weekend with your 15 other best friends. Its more than a sport, its a lifestyle.   

Movie Stays True to Book

           The Hunger Games Saga has become an international phenomenon. Its a three book series that sets place in the future country of Panem. The story follows Catniss, a strong and adventurous girl, on her fight against the government and as she battles through the Hunger Games. These books can be read by almost all ages and once you start its hard to put the books down.

The story has a mixture of action, romance and friendship. You learn to love all the characters and you really feel as though you are going through their life's with them. In March of 2012 the first book premiered as a blockbuster hit. It was considered the movie of the spring season. The cast for the movie were picked perfectly and really portrayed the characters well. The movie really stayed true to the book.

For example, it showed exactly how Catniss lives in a poor area and that they will do anything to make it by. There were even things said in the movie that were word for word from the book. This is very rare for books that are made into movies. Another example of how the movie stayed true to the book was how they portrayed the Hunger Games. It showed just how awful and scary the games are. The actors did a great job at showing the fear felt by the characters as they were competing in the Hunger Games. Most of the actions scenes were just how they are in the book and are really close to how you picture the scenes as you read the book. I would strongly recommend reading The Hunger Games and watching the movie. You will become a instant fan.      (287 words)