Love or Hate?

Love or Hate?

As kids we could not stand each other we couldn’t even be in the same room for very long let alone live together without constant bickering. But as time has gone on my brother and I have become very close. While he was a senior and I was a sophomore was the year we really became close.

                In this year he would walk with me to classes, he would say hi to me in the halls, and sometimes allow me to eat lunch with him. Because we were always together there have been many awkward comments towards us. Many times I would be walking through the hall and have a girl come up to me and ask if I was the girl who was dating Ben (my brother.) At first I wanted to puke that anyone would be jealous that someone was dating Ben because ew that’s my brother. And then I gaged again to think EW THAT’S MY BROTHER I’m not dating my brother!? After this had gone on for a while we had kind of gotten used to the comments that we were close.

                Yes we are close but we still argue a lot, just not to the extent that we did years ago. This weekend when he came home for Easter we experienced both the love and the hate of our relationship. He surprised me by picking me up at my soccer practice so of course there is the love part when I run and jump on him with a big hug. But just hours later the hate came along, but its all out of fun. I know my brother doesn’t like to be bothered, so what do I do … Bother him. I’ll reach for his beard and pull on his little whiskers making him a little flustered. Enough to make him agitated to start to pick on me. We then begin to wrestle each other which always ends up with me sitting on top of him and him tickling me to get off.

                Although this is a fun type of hate, it also gets ugly. Like today we got in an argument about god knows what. We should not be allowed to argue with each other because we are both way to head strong to give up on our own opinions. We are both also very good arguers so we both bring to the table very interesting points that are pretty valid.

                 I love my brother to death, but boy, sometimes I can’t stand him. I believe our love hate relationship makes us closer creating a stronger bond between us. 

Unnecessary Stress

Unnecessary Stress

Our first soccer game of the season is tomorrow. We have six freshman on the team, who haven’t played for Kennedy High School, meaning they don’t have the important parts of our jerseys such as shorts and socks. This is just one example of how annoying it is when things are late.

                I understand when small things are late and there isn’t an important deadline. But something like this causes stress on the whole team. All of the returning players now have to scavenge through our soccer drawers to find spare shorts. This leaves us all flustered trying to help out the younger players.

                I don’t know the whole story on why we don’t have our gear before our first game. It could be that the order was put in too late. But it also could be that the printing company made a mistake. I understand that people make mistakes but we should have had a backup plan incase this did happen instead of rushing to find shorts and socks for our freshman the day before the game. I feel like this just adds to the first game stress that we already have. But could also be an advantage for our freshman to get used to the nerves and stress playing on a Varsity High School soccer team causes. It may be a good warm up of what is to come.

                Throughout the season we come across stress at many times. At the beginning of the season at our first game because you want to kick of the season with a good start, at in town games because you don’t want your rival team to have bragging rights, then at the end of the season when state rolls around because you want that state championship, overall high school sports create stress.

(303 words)

                

The Dangerous Act of Catfishing

Claim: Social Media has evolved the dangerous act of catfishing

            The term catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they're not using Facebook or other social media to create false identities, particularly to pursue deceptive online romance according to urban dictionary. By being able to disguise who you really are, has become quite dangerous when you go to meet your “lover” in person and they aren’t who they said they were.

            MTV has come out with a new show called Catfish exposing those who do create fake identities. This show is very interesting to me because there are so many twists and turns. Sometimes they are really the person they say are, and other times they are psychos that have made up elaborate lies in order for self-entertainment. When the relationship is true with no lies, and the do finally meet each other most of the time its love at first sight. On the other hand, there are some big lies that happen. These people go to an extreme of making up sometimes over 10 fake Facebook people in order to keep their story going and realistic. This show just shows how dangerous online relationships can be. You truly don’t know who is on the other end of the conversation. Although some of these relationships do work, I still don’t think it’s a very good idea to search for your soul mate online. But if that’s your thing, just be cautious. For me if I’m on Facebook and a random person chats me, I always keep in the back of my mind… “This could be a 60 year old pedophile I’m talking to.”

            With the help of MTV people are able to safely meet who is on the other end of the computer screen. So when they go to meet them if it does turn out to be sketchy they have someone to back them up. There have been so many stories of people getting taken or worse killed because they went to meet their “soul mate.” There are many things that can go wrong when meeting someone for the first time after establishing a relationship online.

            Social network has brought along this dangerous act of catfishing. Before things like facebook and other social networks were established there was no meeting strangers online. But now that social networks have been established there is a strong need for people to be cautious about what they say and who they talk to online.

            Parents can be a big part of keeping kids safe from catfishing. If they regulate what age they can have things like facebook I feel like there will be less problems. There isn’t a magic number for the age you can be on facebook, it’s more a maturity level. If it’s obvious that the kid is immature and maybe has low self-esteem they may be pinned for the type a catfish could take advantage of.

(487words)

                 

Handy Man

Handy Man

Here I am again sitting on my coach thinking about what to blog about like every other Sunday. Somehow I have to come up with 394 more words in this last blog. What could I blog about? Soccer?  I did that twice I should probably get a new topic. Hmm.. what’s going on in life. March Madness? I don’t think I know enough about it to come up with 394 words. So no on March Madness. What else is happening in life? Oh I know, my dad has decided he is capable of remodeling our bathroom.

My dad has decided he is going to remodel the bathroom. Not redecorating, remodeling. I have woken up to drills and hammers almost every day this week from his ambitious project. We only had this one bathroom in this house so, its been a struggle for the whole family. The mirror is gone, the counters are gone, the toilet was out for a day, and there are no floors. Sounds pleasant doesn’t it?

Although it hasn’t been the most convenient my dad is doing a good job. Its taking a lot longer than expected but I think it will be worth it in the long run. We are getting new tiles placed, making the floor look sharp. We are getting a new vanity making the cupboards more modern. We are pretty much just replacing everything, adding a new fresh look for our house.

Because my dad has proven that he is capable of many tasks around the house. This is when my mom begins to make lists.

Now the list includes:

1.       Fixing wiring in the house for lights

2.       Building a deck

3.       Building a hot tub area

4.       Anything my mom can think of

My dad has a lot on his plate and he act like he doesn’t enjoy it, but to tell you the truth, I think he loves it. For example when he was making a patio in our back yard he would win about how much work it was, but then he would take pictures of his progress every day and show them off to his buddies how well he did.

We ask a lot of my dad and he seems to deliver pretty nicely. Although he may not like a the work, I feel like he is satisfied with his work after making a happy family. Moms happy it’s done and my dad’s happy with his work.

(410 words)

The Pressure is On

The Pressure is On

The season has started and the pressure is on. As defending state champions, we have a lot to live up to. And to just add onto the pressure who do we have to play the first week of the season? Ankeny, the team we beat in the finals.

The pressure comes from the final last year. We were ranked 7 and they were ranked number 1. We were obviously not supposed to win this game. Even in the first half and into the second half we were getting completely dominated by Ankeny we were down by one and it looked like it was over. But no, it was a legit Cinderella story we came back with 20 minutes left in the game to finish it 2 to 1 winning the championship game.

Now that we have to play them again the first week of the season, they are going to want revenge. They know they should have won that game and they know that they can beat us. On the other hand we might have them rattled. Who knows how it’s going to turn out.

Not only do the two teams have pressure from each other, but there is a lot of outside pressure as well. For example, there are going to be multiple college coaches there watching. Because the top two teams in the state are playing each other there’s going to be a lot of talent on the field so it’s a fantastic opportunity for coaches to see multiple future college athletes at the same time.

So there is pressure from your team mates to play well, your coach to play well, your parents to play well, and yourself to play well. Your team wants you to play well to get a result, along with your coach. And your parents want you to show well for the college coaches along getting a good result. And you just want to make everyone happy and proud of you, along with the self-satisfaction of playing well and beating the number one team in the state. 

Why Not Us

Why Not Us?

As I sit on my couch and look out my window, I begin to cry… it is the end of March and the weather had begun to heat up and the soccer fields began to become green. But all hell broke loose when soccer try outs began. Walking out to practice with the temperature at 20 degrees, 30 mph winds, and the last thing a soccer player would want on those fresh green fields… SNOW!

As this awful Iowa weather rolled in, we had to change our try out plans. Now that our luscious green fields were now covered in an arctic tundra, we were not able to play outside and we were now forced into the gym.

Sweat pours down our faces, our bodies seem to stick together, and there is no sign of fresh air. That’s what happens when you put soccer into a gym. Although we had the odds against us, all 35 girls who were in the varsity pool showed very well, Making Coaches decision to only pick 20 very difficult. As players, it is our job to make coaches decisions difficult it just shows how much talent we have a Kennedy High School.

 Every day at tryouts coach reminded us how much talent we actually have “Any of you girls could be starting at Jefferson or Washington, but you may be in Jv. Why? You go to Kennedy High School defending 3a state champions.” As a returning player coach’s quote made me feel so proud to be a cougar and to have had an impact on this team is amazing. I think it also put a realization in the incoming freshman’s mind that it’s not going to come easy. You could be starting on your club team and be an amazing player, but because we go to Kennedy High School you may not even make varsity.

Because Kennedy is so deep and there is so much competition inside the program, there are no guarantees for the returning varsity players. Although you may have started last year, there may be a freshman who can do your job better. And because everyone is fighting for a starting spot it just pushes everyone to work harder.

Overall Kennedy High School Women’s soccer is going to be a force to be recon with. We believe in ourselves, we have a fantastic coaching staff who believes in us, and like coach always said last year “Why not us? Why can’t we win state? What’s stopping us?” It’s going to be hard work, but I think we have the talent and belief that we can do it again.

(440 words)

Anything Can Happen

Do you ever feel like you wouldn’t be the same person if something hadn’t happened to you? I feel like certain things happen for a reason, either to teach you a lesson or to help you mature. I feel like if I had grown up in a super wealthy home I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. Things like that really transform a person.

The other day I was discussing this topic with my best friend, and she completely agrees with me. After her family had a house fire about 6 years ago, she had to quickly morph into a responsible young adult. They had lost a lot, but no fire could destroy how close knit that family is. The fire had just brought them closer. That’s why I wonder if that fire happened for a reason. Maybe her family was meant to get closer or maybe she was supposed to mature quickly and early.

What if the house fire never happened? Would she be the same person?  Would I still have become best friends with her? Or would we have lived completely different lives? This is why I think things happen for a reason. I can’t imagine what life would be like without her being who she is.

Although the things that happen to us may be devastating, I think it’s important to remember some positive is going to come out of it. By growing up in a home wear money is tight, I have become liable and more down to earth. By experiencing a house fire, my friend had matured into a grateful, responsible, young lady.

So weather it’s something little like a rainy day, or something traumatic like a death in the family it all happens for a reason. Like they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Life isn’t going to always be cotton candy and rainbows, so turn those tough times into positives and let them help you grow into the person you’re meant to be in life. It all happens for a reason, so let it happen.

(350 words)

Take Off the Mask

Waking up at 5am in order to be at school by eight? I don’t think so. The majority of high school girls these days care way too much about what they look like. They are spending hours at a time caking on makeup and making their hair perfect for the school day. Relax; wear a pair of sweat pants for once. Put your hair up, take off the mask.

It is a difficult process for me to understand why girls spend so much time on their appearance. Of course I think it’s important to look presentable, but is it really necessary to put on a mask of make up or curl your hair every single day of the week. First of all it’s not at all healthy for your skin and hair. Second you are spending an excessive amount of money on makeup and product. And third you look ridiculous!

A lot of girls do it to “impress” the boys, but honestly it probably scares them off. At first a guy may be intoxicated by the Barbie beauty, but it could all come crashing down. He could be very naive and fall for that cake face, but eventually he will see what’s under that mask and possibly be disappointed to find it was all just a cover up.

Ladies, why would you want a guy who would be disappointed when you shed off all of the makeup? You want a guy who will like you whether you are all dolled up or not.  And for the fellas, find a girl like the rapper Drake found in his song youda best, “Sweat pants, hair tie, chillin with no makeup on that’s when you’re the prettiest I hope you don’t take it wrong.”

There is such thing as natural beauty, so embrace it. We are all beautiful in our own way; we shouldn’t be covering up what we have inherited naturally.

(300 words)

Can't Hold It In

Sitting in class bored out of our minds when suddenly, you have that overwhelming sensation that you have to pee. You get up quietly to ask the teacher if you can use the restroom. They always reply, “Is it an emergency?” All I can think in my head is; Yes it’s an emergency, if it wasn’t I wouldn’t ask to leave!

This situation can get you into some big trouble in many occasions for example:

1. If people always ask to go

2. If you have to go in that class every day

3. If the class is particularly boring that day

These teachers tend to not understand that 1. It’s not your fault other people have to go at the same time as you. 2. Your body is put on a schedule, and it likes to stay that way. And 3. I don’t care how boring the class is, I just really have to go pee. I think kids are really misunderstood. If I had to bet, I bet teachers just think we are doing hood rat activities in the hallways instead of going to the bathroom which in some cases is true. But if they did think we had other intentions other than using the facilities, why don’t they do something about it. And when I say do something about it, I do not mean take away the privilege of going to the bathroom. Instead, they could follow the student if they care so much. This tactic could get a little bit creepy, but hey, they would get what they wanted to know wouldn’t they?

Another thing I don’t understand is why some teachers make you leave your cell phone before using the restroom. To me this is just helping the ticking time bomb of my bladder speed up. It’s not like I’m going to sit on the toilet and text my friends while peeing, that’s disgusting. Plus wouldn’t the teachers rather their students use their phone in the hallways/bathroom instead of disrupting their class and ignoring their teaching? These things just don’t make sense to me.

For all of you teachers out there; just know that when a student is asking to use the restroom, in most cases, it really is an emergency there’s no need to ask. And for the students reading along, don’t take the bathroom experience to your advantage, you never know when you’re really going to need it. Oh, and look out for the crazy teacher who follow you through the hall to the bathroom, its borderline creepy.

(430 words

Life Choice

Every little kid has a dream about what they want to do when they grow up. Mine was to be on Broadway. I just knew I was born to star in the play Annie as the freckled red headed orphan. But these plans have drastically changed. I no longer sing, dance, or act. So I think Broadway may be a little out of the question.

Sense Broadway didn’t really work out, I have completely changed directions. I would like to major in Special Education while I am in college. My main goal is to become a middle school autism or special needs teacher.

Over the past few years I have gotten the opportunity to work with a few of these amazing kids. It’s so interesting to me how they learn and grow. I think they are underestimated on their abilities. These kids have special talents, that people who don’t have problems learning would struggle with tremendously. Some of these kids may have better memories, math skills, or even musical skills. You never know what they are really capable of doing till you observe them in their own environment.

This summer is when I had decided that this is what I really want to do. The turning point for me was watching my buddy Clayton. Clayton is almost completely nonverbal, so of course he is behind for his grade on learning. Although he cannot talk correctly, this kid would never fail to put you in a good mood. Just looking at him can put a smile on your face. Just image a 5’7” seventh grader with his tan skin and a nice slicked back comb over, manipulating his skin and bone body in ways you didn’t think were humanly possible. The way he can bend his body is like Gumby, I swear he has no bones, and then suddenly he’ll just burst into a big loud laughter for no apparent reason in order for you to smile. It’s like he knows the perfect timing on when you need a pick me up, to me there is nothing better than this kid.

It’s not just Clayton to be inspired by, it’s all of them. They have their own corks that can just make you giggle. It’s things like these that just persuade me more into this career. I honestly could not picture myself doing anything else. I have my heart set.

(400 words)