Always an Interesting Experience.

What do you guys do when your parents tell you that you as well as your family are going to take an all day trip to learn about your family heritage? I’m guessing you would do just about the same thing I did which consisted of simply being completely reluctant to going and not budging when they say “we’re leaving!” As teenagers we can think of many different ways to spend our day than learning about our family heritage, I mean c’mon, a whole day? Are they trying to kill me?

This day started out in the Amana colonies, where by grandparents live, and my dad grew up. We first walked into a building where we were told we would eat breakfast. This building looked kind of like one of those cellars you see in old movies. It smelled like old people, and was filled with the as well! I was not about to take one bite of whatever they were about to serve me. We were all crammed into what is called a communal kitchen, and sat on hard benches. It was heated by a 200 year old wood stove (no joke) and the old ladies were cooking on a 200 year old stove top.

My dad told us to go into this with an open mind, but after being in this shack, it was very hard to do so. The ladies brought out some drinks, then some breakfast potatoes, then some homemade bread, churned butter, and handmade jelly. After that came fresh farm picked eggs, and bacon. I was literally eating my words. This was one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten!

However, after that, we really had learned what we figured was enough we needed to know, and were hoping to go home. Nope, not the case, we then went to the Arts Guild. BOOOORRRRIINNNG. While going through it we were given the opportunity to play with the little gizmos and gadget kids played with in the 1800’s. It wasn’t so bad. Then we went through a museum which was actually kind of interesting, and then we ended the day at the Amana Bakery where we got bread, cookies, and pie. It was all very delicious.

After being very skeptical, and reluctant to go, I was glad I did. What we fail to realize, is sometimes the olden times come with some great things…especially food! So next time, if ever, your parent want to take you on a historical trip, I encourage you to go. If you go in with an open mind, you might come out with an arm full of delicious treats and interesting information. (WC443)

Super Bowl Special for Two Brothers

Let the chaos begin. With less than a week until the Super Bowl, this week, in the sports world, is known as Super Bowl Week. With interview after interview, followed by press conferences and pictures, the hype surrounding the Super Bowl is absolutely astonishing. I remember two years ago when the Packers were in the Super Bowl I was glued to the TV every day after school, and then that coming weekend no one could pull me away.

This year there is a bit of a unique situation regarding the Super Bowl…the two coaches are brothers. Jim and John Harbaugh are brothers. John, the oldest, is coach of the Baltimore Ravens, and Jim, the youngest, is coach of the San Francisco 49ers. It has happened where two brothers play each other, those being Eli and Peyton Manning. But for two brothers to coach two different teams in the NFL and then play in the Super Bowl, that is very unlikely. But low and behold, it is happening.

Usually if the Packers aren’t in the Super Bowl, I just kind of flip a coin to decide who to cheer for, but this year is different. This year I am pulling heavily for the Baltimore Ravens. Usually I cheer for the NFC team, but I’m switching it up this year. I am pulling for the Ravens for a couple of reasons, the main one being Mr. Ray Lewis.

Ray Lewis is, without question, a phenomenal football player. However, he is also, for what I have seen, a great guy. He reaches out into the community, does is best to help children of poverty, and always cares about others. He also has a way with words. Whenever he speaks, he inspires both his team, and anyone willing to listen. He is truly a remarkable man. He can put a room of grown men into tears with one sentence. That sentence being, “I am retiring at the end of the season.” When Lewis made that announcement many of the players fell apart. That just goes to show what a great role model and team mate Ray Lewis is.

With Ray Lewis retiring after the Super Bowl, it would be a great ending if he left with a win. He deserves it, and I know he will use it to better the community.  Other than Lewis’ story line, I am more of a fan of the Baltimore Harbaugh (John) than the San Francisco Harbaugh (Jim). It is for those two reasons, and the fact that the 49ers knocked the Packers out of the playoffs that I am cheering for the Ravens. (WC436)

Cold Showers Suck

I'm sick and tired of taking freezing cold showers every morning after lifting. At 7:20 every morning lifting class gets over and I want to shower. For the past 2 weeks the showers have been freezing...literally. It has been warmer outside than inside of those showers. As hard as it might be, I still toughen up and shower off.

If for sports we are required to lift, I think it should be expected that warm showers await us afterwards. In order to be able to get clean, it consisted of turning the shower on, going in for a second, getting out, applying soap, then going right back in quick to rinse off. It isn't fun, it isn't nice at all, but I have to shower!

As we have taken about 15 cold showers, we were looking for a better way to shower. We have told janitors, administration, and brought it up a lot, but nothing has gotten done. So, In response we went to the west gym showers which are for freshman basketball. Although not nice, they are warm, so we started using them. Well on the other day the basketball team took forever at practice and came in while we were showering. The freshman starting telling us to "get the hell out." Us juniors and seniors had none of it. We haven't gone to this school for 3+ years to get kicked out of the showers.

As we were leaving, we realized that only two of the freshmen (out of the 30 complaining) showered. That is some complete crap. You come in and yell at upperclassmen and then don't even shower. That's rude, unnecessary, and absolutely disgusting. The coach then told us, "It's too bad you ladies can't shower in cold showers, but I best never see you in there again." So the 10 of us left and were baffled he really told us that. I guarantee you that coach wouldn't shower in what we have showered in for the past two weeks.

Next week, the showers better be fixed, if not, I and the many others will be some very unhappy students. I feel really bad for the swimmers and basketball players (excluding freshmen) that have to take a freezing shower after practice, that is just awful. Meanwhile I hope more of the freshmen basketball players take personal hygiene into their own hands and shower offer practice. (WC 402)

Rarely Chosen...Unfortunately

Name the first five Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of large corporations that pop into your head. I bet at least four of them were men; it is very likely all of them were men. Believe it or not 95.8% of fortune 500 CEO’s are men. Why is this? Why are only about 4% of fortune 500corporations CEO’s women? There are a large array of reasons, one being image.

When at the helm of a large corporation, businesses want someone of power, one who looks bold, and someone who is confident. Quite frankly, people don’t associate those attributes with women. Many people believe that the woman is the main care giver for the children. As Nancy Pelosi stated in Miss Representation, “When women take a job of high status, they are asked who will take care of the kids. No one asks men that.” That reason alone may drive some corporations away from hiring a Women CEO.

According to money.cnn.com, one woman while interviewing for a job had to sign an agreement that she wouldn’t get pregnant for at least two years. It is things that little and that stupid that keep women out of high positions. Sometimes companies don’t want a female’s beauty to distract from the purpose. However realistically, in a highly professional setting, people are there to do business, not lust over a company’s female CEO.

Another reason companies don’t hire female CEO’s is because women are “weak.” When a woman cries on nation TV, it is seen as a weakness and everyone jumps on it. But when a man cries, it seems to show that they are sensible, and there for more liked. In all reality that’s not the case. In many situations, women would be the better option. They are often times more efficient, more organized, and can carry with them great communication skills. All that is overlooked and companies go straight to the 6’ 3’’ man with a bit of gray hair and strong in stature.

Once this gender role of men being of high importance started, it gets harder and harder for women to squeeze their way in. Corporations are trying to “keep up with the Jones’s” and often times, they believe that starts with a strong leader. Name a strong leader. I bet it was a man. Men are seen more as “strong leaders” than women and therefore corporations lean more toward hiring male CEO’s. (WC 407)

Long Weekends are Fantastic

Having a Monday off of school is just about the best thing ever. Usually Sunday nights consist of homework and dreading the next day, but when you have a Monday off, it consist of hanging out with friends and sleeping in. Pretty much, three day weekends are one of the best things schooling has to offer.

Today on my day off I'm cleaning my room, getting ahead on homework, going to lunch with friends, then going to a movie. It will be great (minus the cleaning and homework). I also enjoy being home alone. It's quiet, and I can wake up naturally, not by voices or music. Whenever I can just wake up when when my body wakes me up, I know it will be a great day. But one of the best things about a three day weekend is the short week that will follow.

On Tuesday it seems likes Monday, which granted isn't a great feeling, but then you realize it is Tuesday! Then come Thursday you feel like it's Wednesday, in reality, Friday is tomorrow! And then before you know it, the weekend has come even faster than expected. When breaks aren't anywhere close, a good three day weekend is sometimes what it takes to reload and recharge.

Often times, over long weekends I am able to be a lot more productive. I have no idea why, but I just get motivated to get stuff done over long weekends. I think my mom appreciates them too because she always comes home and the house is usually pretty clean after the day. I guess when I'm at home with nothing to do, I resort to doing dishes by hand. Sometimes I do the dishes because by hands are cold. I know it sounds stupid, but when doing the dishes you need hot water. When your hands are in hot water for a long period of time, they warm up. So it is a win win situation. Dishes/kitchen are now clean and my hands are now warm.

Since we have a half day every other Wednesday, it is vary rare that we have a Monday off. That is why every time we do it is such a big deal! I think out next long weekend is at the end of February, matter of fact, it is a four day weekend. I'm sure it will be fantastic! (WC 399)

Beautiful: Outside and In

Often times I believe many females are self-conscious about their bodies. Whether it is to look good for a boy, or just be classy, girls/women are often times get caught up in their outer beauty. What some fail to realize is that it’s not all about what’s on the outside that matters, it’s the inner beauty that really counts.

With today’s media and portrayal of women, it is a conceived notion that in order to be liked, you have to be drop dead gorgeous.  It seems like everywhere in advertising you see women, some clothed, and some barely at all. It is what gets the attention nowadays. What ladies will look past sometimes, is the fact that to be liked you don’t need to look perfect, or anywhere close to perfect; just be yourself. According to merriam-webster.com the term “beautiful” means to be generally pleasing. To some, sights might be pleasing, but to others, what is pleasing is on the inside.

Inner beauty is a thing ladies! To be liked you don’t have to have that perfectly toned and shaped body. If you are a genuine, sweet, caring person, you will be liked by the right people. Those Hollywood and media “fakes” are in it for the money, publicity, and guys. And the majority of guys that pursue those women in skimpy little bikinis, with “perfect” bodies seductively washing a car, are not the guys you want to be with in my opinion. All they are after is sex. I’m sure you would much rather have guys that care about you, rather than your body and looks. Those guys are the ones who look past the outside right into your inner beauty.  

Many ladies are unsatisfied with their body. But the truth is the majority of people who will recognize you think you are cute, beautiful, gorgeous, and/or stunning. Nobody judges your body as harshly as some women judge themselves. Even on those “bad days” someone out there still thinks you are beautiful both outside and in. There is absolutely no need to go to drastic measures to make you look perfect. Because your “perfect” is impossible to get to, but I guarantee someone else already thinks you look perfect. Don’t become theses stats, just be yourself. (WC 377)

Yay, Track

Track starts in about three weeks and boy am I ever excited. Nothing makes me happier than continuously running around a track until I’m about to keel over and vomit. It is fantastic. I love the meets where I am there until 11pm and then get home and have to do homework and other things. I love running in snow, rain, and other “not fun” things like that. Track is just wonderful.

Last year was my first year doing track…ever. It was fun to begin with, but quickly I realized how much I disliked running. My very first meet I was assigned to run a 4x400m relay. This would be fun, except for the fact that we have yet to run a 400m in practice! I had no idea how to pace myself or anything. So, I went with what seemed like my best option-run like a bat out of hell. It was a great idea until I reached the 300m mark and my legs could barely move. I was like a walking tree trunk, and was struggling to inch across the finish line. I ended up finishing at 60 seconds flat. Not good, but decent for my first 400 meter ever.

As the season progressed I dreaded running more and more and more. I got my 400 time down to a point where I was running in every meet. Just what I wanted to do. The whole season consists of running, turning left, and running some more. My first though was, “Well at least your can’t be credited with an error, like in baseball.” That notion was soon shot down when it got to handoffs. The handoff itself might be worse than running the actual race! Trying to have a clean, flawless handoff, and still run fast, comes with a great deal of failure at times. You don’t want to be the one to mess up the handoff, and lose points for your team.

As the track season came to a close, running a 400 still wasn’t my cup of team, but it wasn’t as bad. I wish I was fast enough to be a 100m or 200m guy; it’s the last 100m of the 400 that really kicks your butt. So now that I have secured the reputation of “a decent 400 runner” I have to go out for track again, bust my butt, try and get better, and win some metals. Track is the only sport (with the exception of swimming and cross country) where you get done with your task, and want to die/puke. If a baseball player felt like complete crap after every game, or every at bat, no one would play baseball. Yet, despite the feeling of death, people still go out for the great sport of track and field. (WC 466)

Many Options, Many Decisions.

It is hard to believe that one year from now I will be halfway through my senior year. Registering for next year has begun, and many people are overwhelmed with all of the options. Do I want to get to 400 credits, or get done with school at 11am? Do I want to take AP or regular? Do I want to take any courses at Kirkwood? Do I want to take any fun classes, or just get done what I have too? So many questions and all need to be answered in a matter of days.

                For me, I am in range of getting to 400 credits, but I also only need to take 3 classes to be able to graduate. As much as I just want to take those classes and get out, I know I want to what is best for my future. Therefore I will be taking many AP courses, and having a pretty close to full schedule. Not only will it look good, but it will help me decide what I want to go into. I have taken AP Language, but I plan on taking AP Literature in hopes of being more prepared for college.

                Next year I plan on Kirkwood courses such as a business course or a Physical Therapy course to help me decide what path I want to go down. Then when I get to the college I choose, I will be confident in my decision. Both Business and Physical Therapy appeal to me in multiple ways, but I have to balance the negatives. Some of those include years of schooling, salary, job security, and course work load in school.  Hopefully by taking a Kirkwood dual credit course, I can help narrow my path.

                Some people get really stressed out about the whole registration progress, and with good reason. The courses we take our senior year show a good deal of who we are both as a student and as a person in general. It tells colleges how hard we will work for the reward of a good grade, as well as if we are capable of taking college level courses. We may take one course (AP Biology for example) knowing that is the field you want to study. Then after completing the course realize you it isn’t for you. It is good to take many courses and help narrow the very large array of paths.

                With only a few days until we submit our requests, we decide whether or not we want to work hard our senior year or not. I chose to work hard rather than just scrape by. I believe it will not only better prepare me for the future, but allow me to fully enjoy and live out my senior year of high school. (WC 466)

Sudden End.

Well the Packers season came to an abrupt stop on saturday when they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 31-45. The Packers started out fast with an interception by Sam Shields to start the game. After that, the 49ers offense answered with a touchdown. Up until the third quarter, it was a back and forth game.

The Packers looked okay, but the 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernik tore up the Packers defense. The Green Bay defense was on the field the whole game it seemed. They would either create a turn over and score, turn the ball over, or just not stop them on 3rd down. Nonetheless, the Packer defense was very tired wen the fourth quarter rolled around.

In the fourth quarter the 49ers went up by a touchdown, then two, then three. One came off of a muffed punt, another off of an interception, and another by a Kaepernik run. Green Bays defense was giving up. When Green Bays offense came out they would do work for a bit, but not long enough to give the defense enough rest. It was simply a game of time of possession, and the Packers came up 20 minutes to short.

As irritating, frustrating, and upsetting the game was for me, I got over it rather quickly. The Pack won the Super Bowl two years ago, and could wait a few years until their next appearance. From hear on out I am cheering for Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens.

Next year will be a new year for the Packers. Lots of big name guys such as Greg Jennings and Donald Driver most likely wont be on the team next year. Although it will be tough to see them go, the Packers have plenty of talent in the receiving corps. WIth Randal Cobb, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson all having great seasons, the future is still very bright for the team. The biggest change the team needs to fix is the offensive and defense line. Both have struggled this season, and both need to get healthier, stronger, faster, and better. (WC 346)

Lockdown

Today we had a lockdown drill. I was probably in the worst room to be in during a lockdown. I was in Mr. Benedict’s room. One entire side is windows, and there is not enough room to hide people out of sight of the intruder. I scoped out my spot earlier, and when the drill began, went under a teacher desk, put my backpack on a chair and pull it in front of me, so I was hidden.

After the drill I started thinking, “where would I like to be in the school if we ever had to go on lockdown.” I decided that Ms. Bush’s Chemistry room would be perfect. There are about 7 different counters in the room that we could hide behind. While behind the counter we could pull out glass beakers, steel rods, Bunsen burners, and other miscellaneous equipment.  While doing that, Ms. Bush could be mixing up some solution that would burn the intruder’s eyes if he somehow entered the room. I say somehow because in order to get in there he/she would have to get through 2 huge metal doors that close of the chemistry section, then get through the room door, then enter. Very unlikely.

Not to mention that if we heard the intruder trying to get into the room we could just go to the back, and go out the back door into a stairwell that is only open to the two chemistry rooms and out the back of the school. That is if we can run really fast. If we decide going into the stairwell, or hiding behind counters aren’t good options, we could all huddle in the chemistry closet/storage room. In their there are two doors that only open with a key, a bunch of chemicals, hotplates, and other things we could use in our defense. We have already brought this up to the teacher, and we have our plan set.

I would feel a whole lot safer in her room than any other part of the school. Any other class room only has one way out, and we would all be SOL if someone got into it. Let alone Mr. Benedicts room. So pretty much what im saying is if someone is going to break in, do it during 4^th hour. I would feel very confident that I would be safe and secure in the Chemistry room. (WC 397)

Packers Rolling. As Usual.

Last Saturday night the Packers began their journey. It’s a very long, tiring, and tough journey, but a fun one nonetheless. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 24-10. Everything was clicking for the Pack. Defense played lights out, and the offense was proficient as expected.

Packer Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a fantastic quarterback, there is no arguing there. However, when it comes to the playoffs, he turns up his game a notch or two. He is the best quarterback in all of history in the playoffs when it comes to passer rating, and completion percentage.  He is able to extend plays, and make throws that most quarterbacks cannot do. This past Saturday only ensured his excellence. As he said, “Players earn their salary during the regular season; the post season is for them to create their legacy.” Boy is Aaron Rodgers creating one heck of a legacy.

With a 5-2 record in the playoffs, Rodgers has proven to be dangerous. He is part of one of the highest scoring teams in the NFL and has a receiving corps that matches his caliber of play. This Saturday the Packers go into San Francisco to try and carry on the journey.  With Rodgers at the helm, there is no need to worry.

San Francisco beat the Packers in week one, but the teams are different now. San Fran has a new quarterback, and the Packers have a much improved defense as well as an offense that is healthier than it has been since training camp. I think with the way A-Rod plays in the playoffs, the Packers win by at least 10. The Pack loves to play when they are the underdog. They excel when disrespected. They are hungry for another ring. The Packers will bring their all on Saturday.

The Packer defense is finally clicking. With Clay Mathews and Charles Woodson back in the game, the Packers defense is as strong as ever.  Last week they were able to hold the Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson under 100 yards (99). If that isn’t a huge confidence booster I don’t know what is. In order to win against the 49ers the Packers must contain Quarterback Collin Capernick. For the offense, they just need to stay focused, make holes for Running Back Harris, and complete passes.

As the Packers go into week two of the NFL Playoffs they are getting hot. I think they have finally found a ground attack, and in the air, they are just fine. Not to mention Kicker, Mason Crosby who has been gaining back confidence after a horrible streak. He seems to look close to back to normal, and we all hope that continues into the next game. Without further ado…GO PACK GO! (WC 460)