Seventh grade–where do I even begin?

For one, let me just say it was like a roller coaster. It had its ups, downs, and sometimes crazy loops! The good thing about it was that it went by super fast. It was like a gush of air, but now it’s almost over. I liked my classes a lot–with the exception of math. I have to say that I learned a lot more then I had ever imagined this year. My favorite part of my academic experience was learning a new language! I feel like I have come so far in Spanish, I can actually have a basic conversation with someone! In my athletics life I got to be on the basketball team. Let me just say that it was tiring, hard, and hectic–but it all paid off. I got to play a sport I really loved with my friends.

In addition to all the good things there were some bad things too. When I first arrived, I thought it would be just like sixth grade. That didn’t really happen though…… it was worse. I have to say sixth grade was way better on a huge scale. It shocked me how much both of the grades differed. My seventh grade classes weren’t as fun as sixth grade.There was more work. There was more tests. There was more studying. My life was drowning in homework. I thought it would never end. Every night after I finished all my homework I would feel so proud, but I quickly remembered that the next day wasn’t going to be any easier.

All in all seventh grade will always be with me. It might not of been my favorite year, but it did help me grow up. I learned so many things from how to solve equations to time management. My book is not yet finished, but a chapter in it is almost finished. As I continue on into the book I will make so many more memories, but the ones in this chapter will always be there for me to look back on.

“Let me be the leader, I know everything!” Do you really know everything? Maybe like what the qualities of a true leader are. I know most people tingle with excitement at the thought of being in charge, but it’s not just about bossing people around. You have to hold the true qualities of a leader in you, to be in that high of a position.

For one, a true leader should be respective of other people’s thoughts. Don’t let it get to your head that just because your boss, it means only your ideas are important. That’s completely wrong! You should be open to suggestions. Remember that you’re not the smartest person in the world. Sooner or later someone is going to catch up to you ,and then eventually pass you. They’ll have amazing suggestions that could make you a better leader and person overall.

Also, a leader should be kind. I mean who wants a leader that’s rude and nasty? Not me, that’s for sure. A leader should not only be kind to himself, but kind to the world around him. You shouldn’t just be nice to everything in your view, but also beyond that. Look past people’s appearances, and go further into their personalities. By being a good person it can rub off on others. Treat people how you would want to get treated, and I assure you 99.9% of them will be kind back.

These are just some of the qualities that can make you a leader. The whole list can go on forever. Sure, every leader in the world doesn’t have all of the qualities, but they do have a good amount. They are well respected, because of their good nature. Leaders don’t put themselves in front, but instead others. When you think of leaders, you think of being high up and in the front. That’s not true though. Take a closer look and you’ll realize that a leader is actually in the back of the line, making sure everyone’s on the right path to a great life.

Whatif

By: Shel Silverstein

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I’m dumb in school?
Whatif they’ve closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there’s poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don’t grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won’t bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don’t grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!

I love this poem, because I can relate to it. When I was younger I asked questions–all the time. They could be serious ones to down right foolish ones. I would walk up to someone and always start my first sentence with “What did you….?” or “How is that….?” I couldn’t help myself, I was a curious child. This poem to me represents curiosity of the future. The narrator of this poem isn’t asking a person, but instead itself. That was me a couple of years ago. I would lie on my bed when the sun was set, and think of what things would approach me in the future. This poem would guide me as I grew up. It’s one of the many things that represents my childhood.

“Dora, Dora , Dora the explorer!” You might find that tune very annoying at this point in your life, but when I was five it was the highlight of my day. I just couldn’t live without it. It was a major life necessity next to oxygen.

Every morning I would get up and head straight to the T.V. “Don’t you want to eat some breakfast?” My mom wold ask. “I can’t, I have to watch Dora.” I would whine. It would be the same question and the same answer every morning. The show had so much more to offer than a “healthy breakfast”.

While I watched, I would fall into the trance. What trance? You might ask yourself. It’s the trance where everything around you is blocked out and you escape reality. All that you’re focused on is the show–nothing else. You have to be fully engaged, so you can answer Dora’s questions. “Can you help me stop Swiper?” She would ask. Of course I got totally excited and screamed “Yeah!” To the T.V. Screen. Then I would recite the same words I say almost every morning, “Swiper no swiping, Swiper no swiping, Swiper no swiping!” Swiper will back down and I would think I am the amazing hero that saved Dora’s life. Back then I didn’t know that the show was the one who actually stopped Swiper.

I hold the show in a very important place in my heart. Sure, now I’m 7 years older, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten it. Dora is wonderful! Though most of the time I didn’t know its purpose was to teach Spanish, I still enjoyed it! The entertaining characters combined with the creative plot twists puts a big smile on any 5 year olds face. I can look back and remember that nothing has ever beat Dora in the aspect of making any bad day a great one at the end.

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”-Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a genius, some might say. He was a theoretical physicist who is best known for his mass-energy equivalence formula. He also received a noble price in physics. If Einstein didn’t make any mistakes, then he wouldn’t have anything to learn from. Therefore he probably wouldn’t have invented all the cool things he did.

This quote means a lot to me, and I always use it when I mess up. How many times have I made a mistake? Only about a million times! Every time I mess up I feel like I’m super bad. Not even bad– more like a failure. My self esteem hits a ditch, and I feel like there’s no way of escaping. Don’t worry though because there is a way to escape that horrible feeling. It’s by always remembering that nobody’s perfect, and that we all make mistakes. In fact I feel like there’s no point in living if I didn’t make mistakes. You make them. You learn from them. You become a better person by them. Without mistakes the world would be a boring place. It would be simple and everything would be predictable.

Next time you make a mistake, don’t feel bad. Especially if it wasn’t intentional. Instead pick yourself back up and keep this quote in your mind.

“What’s so great about Austin?” I hear that a lot. Other than being Texas’ capital it doesn’t really spark a mind. Everywhere you go you hear people saying “Lets go to New York or L.A–maybe even Canada!” I get why you would want to to those tourist filled places, but Austin has some of its own attractions that can catch your eye. Lets take “The Oasis” for example. The Oasis is one of the most scenic restaurants you’ll ever go to.

In the west of Austin lies a wonderful restaurant waiting to please your eye. Every corner that you turn a scenic pleasure lies in front of you. There’s a lake that neighbors the restaurant and green hills that sneak in the background. Every time I go, I’m over the top excited to see the beautiful view. Nothing else…..just the view. My mind relaxes and all my stress is lifted off my shoulders with just one glance at the scenery. Trust me its something you won’t regret. In fact you’ll start going there just to look at the beauty of the restaurant!

In addition to its pretty outdoor features you can also go there for fun! Whether its with your friends or family, it gives you the opportunity to glam yourself up and share a meal. I remember how excited I used to get just to dress up and look pretty. Although, knowing that I was going with my friends got me way more eager. We would go share some laughs, eat some food, and take unforgettable pictures! I don’t go there as often as I did in the past, but I do remember all the fun that came along with going there! I know that if you go to “The Oasis” you’ll come out smiling.

Next time you want to go to one of those packed tourist places take a change of direction and come to Austin. If you do I guarantee you won’t miss where you were originally going. You’ll have the chance to come down to a gorgeous restaurant, which will show you what you might’ve missed. The Oasis will only give you a box full of happy memories.

Behind the mirror lies the truth.

Black walls surround you as you descend down the creaky steps. A strange odor fills the lair with an unpleasant scent that hurts your noses feelings. The scent doesn’t smell bad–but also not good. Your only friends are cobwebs filled with eight-legged critters. Their poison leaks out of their mouths without any pity. If you are lucky you will make it to the end of the broken staircase.

Leaving the staircase you encounter a lake. Though it’s not a normal lake…..the water is red. No one knows why, but many have their disturbing guesses. A wooden canoe with a paddle lies at the edge of the “red water” waiting for you. That’s a dare no one is willing to take, but some brave ones will encounter the rest of the journey.

When you arrive at the other end there’s a gray throne, but appears black from all the dirt that has settled on it. The air seems thicker and more cold, like a blanket that gives you discomfort. What else is there you ask? There’s really nothing, except a grand piano. A grand piano which is used by the dark phantom. You will most likely see the phantom at this part of his lair. Not the dreadful lake or the wicked stairs–but his isolated room.

The Phantoms lair isn’t on anyone’s bucket list. In fact it’s last not any list.

Photo Credit: *** Fanch The System !!! *** via Compfight

Masks, masks, masks–a wonderful thing. I think they are very decorative, but also useful to us. People wear masks for many reasons.
For one, masks an disguise us. I know you might be thinking, why would we want to hide ourselves? Let me tell you that there are many reasons to hide ourselves. Detectives and spies use masks, so they could do their missions. Otherwise the people that commit the crime would know what the detectives were up too and could get away with their crime.
Furthermore, masks can help us when were having a bad face day. What is that you ask? It’s a day when you look awful– just terrible. This often affects girls more than guys which is why they would use this scenario more. Anyways you could just take a pretty little mask and put it over your face. Of course you might look awkward to the public face, but it’s better then what you looked like before.
Never the less masks are a genius invention. Whoever made them should be proud. They help us all the time. For some of us in our everyday life, but anyways masks are very useful and shouldn’t be hated.

“Yes, I get my own iPAD!” I hear that a lot, but don’t be fooled. Yes, iPADS can be a wonderful thing, but they can also be distracting and get you in trouble.

For one, while you’re in class, sometimes it’s hard for some students to resist playing, texting or doing anything on that piece of technology. Teachers will say “Please take out your iPAD and go to to this link.” Some students will actually go to the link, but others will take a turn for the worse.

Furthermore iPADS can even be distracting at home. For example: Your taking out your iPAD to check what homework you have for that day, which is what it’s meant for, but the next thing you know is your stuck on the 5th level of some addicting game and are frustrated. No homework is done and your still on the 5th level.

Never the less iPADS can be very useful if you use it the right way. Although 99% of kids will take advantage of it, maybe not on purpose, but it still happens. That’s why iPADS are not only distracting, but can also get you in trouble.

Imagination of being in a perfect place can only take you so far. If you actually want to be there you should visit it. What is it? you ask. It’s the beach. The beach is wonderful.

The beach is a very serene place that will ease your stress. Just think of a place where all your stress disappears as if by magic. The warm waves crinkle at your toes, hot sand warms your body, and the beautiful view delights your eyes.

Another reason is for plain old fun. The wet waves and hot sand against your bare skin. Can you see it? Well I mean in your mind. You can play all sorts of things like beach volleyball and “beach” football. Oh and you get to build a sandcastle. Maybe as big as you!

All in all the beach is wonderful. No one regrets anything about it!