Recently in Random thoughts Category

November is a month that, until recently, didn't really mean that much to me.

I have discovered that this wonderful month stands for two things: No Shave November and National Novel Writing Month. No Shave November is pretty self-explanatory.

National Novel Writing Month is when aspiring, young authors write a novel from Nov. 1-30. The goal is to write a finished novel of at least 175 pages (For more information, go to nanowrimo.org).

Hopefully by the time December rolls around, I will be a hairy man with a novel under his belt.

I've been to Borders twice within the last week and I must say, its one of my favorite locations.

Both times, I spent at least three hours there. I love being surrounded by books. I love getting to walk a few yards and have the books change from literary classics to political commentary.

Maybe this all roots back to my love of reading, but I think it's a fabulous place even if you don't read that often. My friends mock me for being able to stay silent for three hours, just buzzing from book to book like a bee.

I just can't help myself, I feel completely at peace reading about the political climate of the sixties, renaissance queens, the fall of Edie Sedgwick, and the musical genius that was the Beatles. The atmosphere of a Borders is reason enough to go.

It smells like a mixture of fresh toner and black coffee. There are college kids sipping caffeine in the cafe, old men playing chess, little kids begging for picture books, and people carefully examining tall shelves of books.

If there is a utopia for everyone, I've found mine, and it is Borders.

5. Coca-Cola Classic - Forget Pepsi, Coca-Cola is where it's at.
4. Root Beer - Mug Root Beer to be precise. It's the one with the bulldog on the can.
3. Surge - A green caffeine-filled drink that puts Mountain Dew to shame. Available at most Chuck E. Cheese's.
2. Dr. Pepper - Neither Pepsi nor Coke owns Dr. Pepper, so it is available in most beverage-serving locations, regardless of cola affiliation.

Having spent the last few nights vigorously reading an amazing new book by Nick Sparks, I must say I am appalled.

The Last Song was an incredible and very sad story about a teenager as she is forced to reunite with her father, whom she has not talked to in three years, and spend the summer with him.

I got very into this book and enjoyed reading it from the start. I even ended up crying my eyes out during the unexpected ending, not too surprising coming from a Nick Spark's book.

Anyway, I found out tonight that the book was written specifically so Miley Cyrus could play the main character in a movie. Miley approached Sparks and asked him to write it so that she could portray a more serious role in the upcoming movie (set to come to theaters in April 2010) and try to appeal to the older crowd.

The book no longer has as much meaning to me. Knowing it was written for a teen "pop star," who I personally think is a joke and cannot sing, I feel this is ridiculous. I have to question whether Sparks put his best effort into the book because he was writing the novel and the screenplay simultaneously.

Nick Sparks is my all-time favorite author and I am pretty sure I have read all of his books. I felt like I could personally connect to this novel more because it was about a teenager as she fought with her parents, fell in love, and struggled to make decisions for her future.

Now that I know the image Sparks used to create the character, I don't like her anymore. I honestly think Sparks did an incredibly dumb thing here and I hope the movie is terrible!

The other day I was thinking that Teen Takeover should be a group on facebook (If it isn't already). I think one of our five (count 'em five) leaders should start it. It might be fun.

Seniors at my school were allowed to nominate songs for class song. I'm not sure how the system for picking the songs worked, but I would assume that the songs with the most votes would appear on the ballot. I received said ballot today and the songs listed were:

"I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelley
"You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Atkins
"Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)" by Green Day
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

My first thought after seeing this was "Wow. What a crap fest," or something along those lines. My senior class was able to pick the most generic group of songs I've ever seen. To be fair, "I Believe I Can Fly" is not an awful song, but I certainly would not say it is good either. Modern country all sounds the same and the songs have terrible lyrics that try to mean something but fail by being completely unoriginal or by sounding like they were written by a ten-year old child. Believe me, I have no issue with country music like Johnny Cash or Townes Van Zandt, but Rascal Flatts is probably one of the worst bands of all time. The main problem with "Time of Your Life" is that it is most likely a nomination at every school every year since the song was released. It's an okay song, but I got sick of it long ago.

I have decided that I will either vote for "I Believe I Can Fly," the lesser of four evils, or do a write-in vote for something better, but that's probably not allowed. My advice to Dallastown's Class of 2010 would be to broaden your minds beyond the modern mainstream music that is played on the radio, and see what happens next.

Well Fall has finally arrived and that means one thing...the Homecoming Dance! During this time the hallways are usually filled with endless chatter about finding that perfect dress, which then leads to the just the right shoes, jewelry, and so on. Every other girl is freaking out about what hairstyle looks best with her features and of course what guy will ask her to be his date. While there are some benefits to going as a couple such as discount tickets and corsages galore, the reality is having a date just adds unessasary tension and stress. My school just had our Homecoming over the weekend and while a couple of my friends went with dates most of us decided to go as a big group instead. In particular, the hostess of the pre party I attended was asked by an upperclassman to the dance. This of course led to the dilemmas of what color corsage looked best, finding a tie to match her dress and how high her heels should be. Of course all those weeks of planning and prepping didn't really matter once the actual dance began. Her date ended up being painfully shy and she spent the whole night avoiding him instead of just jumping on the dance floor and having fun. Even though she was guaranteed a dance partner for the slow songs it appeared that the girls without dates ended up having the most fun after all. Just think a roomful of single guys who may be too embarrassed to ask a girl out, but not to dance. Without a date, no one is obligated to hang out with only one person; in fact, you get the pick of the dance floor! It's much more casual and low key to be able to dance with multiple guys as friends instead of being tied together by the waist all night. Chances are twenty years from now you won't even remember your date's name but the memories and friendships you make that night will be the stories you'll tell your grandchildren. Honestly, why go with a date when it's just as cool to go stag?

When I was walking my dog today, I had a revelation: I take things for granted. Now, I'm sure a lot of us do, but something about today made me realize just how lucky I am. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and loving friends and family around me. There's really not much else I need. I guess sometimes I just forget that. I tend to look at the bad in situations, instead of the good. Maybe some of you feel that way too? There's really no need to. I guess what I'm trying to say is, everything looks better if you're optimistic instead of pessimistic.

Before today's teen takeover staff meeeting, I was in Winterstown coaching the U13 Raptors soccer team with my dad and two other assisstant coaches. When the center referee arrived, I thought she looked extremely famillar. My dad suggested she took her referee class the same time we did. That may have been true, but that wasn't where I was remembering from. After the game, I made my dad drive so we would get to the meeting on time. During the 30 minute drive there, I kept thinking, Did she go to dance with me? Did I play soccer against her? Was she at the same volleyball camp? I arrived at the meeting at 2:58, thinking I was the last to arrive. However, four or five people came in after me. One blonde girl in athletic shorts and a t-shirt was among the last to arrive. She looked a lot like the ref at the game I just rushed away from. This girl seemed to appeared a bit shorter, than the ref at the game, so I just figured they had simillar features. Later, when signing up for stories, I just happened to catch the name of the blonde girl signing up for the Diary story: Laura Detter.

A couple days ago I was on rateyourmusic.com looking through some artists, and I came across a list of best album covers created by a rym user. The first cover immediately grabs my attention, as it is bizzare and unique. On this cover is a pair of black rubber boots on the ground, as if someone were standing in them, and above them is a large burst of water.

Now, I remember clicking on the album and checking out the artist, but now I can't remember what it was called or who the band was responsible for the album. I've tried looking through some best album cover lists to see if anyone else has it, but I can't seem to find it. Imagine how upset I am: mildly.

So now, when I find something like this again, I think I'll jot down the name of the album or bookmark it somehow. The internet is a big place, and if you're forgetfull like me, you're bound to lose thigs from time to time.

The other day, my mind started to wander and I eventually got to thinking about teen takeover, as I sometimes do. The name was what I really got stuck on. If we're called teen takeover, then why aren't we trying harder to take over the world, or maybe just a small portion of it? I've come up with five ways that we could increase our currently nonexistent efforsts.

1. Set aside 10-20 minutes every meeting to discuss plans of attack. We could simply do a quick once around at the table to check for fresh ideas from the teens. If ever we got into heavier discussions, I'm sure more time would be allowed.

2. Write up a plan for ruling. When we do take over the world (no if's about it), we need to be ready to set it up the way we want it, and we would have to agree on a system of government, religion, etc. prior to the takeover.

3. Recruit teens across the world. Taking over the world with four young adults and twenty or so teens would be a possible, but extremely difficult task. We'll need to set up other takeover head quarters in other countries with more teens if we want to improve our odds, assuming there aren't already others out there that we don't know about.

4. Have special meetings where we do nothing but watch "Pinky and the Brain." With four seasons and sixy-five episodes under its belt, we'll have plenty of time to watch these two lab rats try to take over the world. There are a great deal of evil schemes we could learn about and utilize for our own purposes.

5. Name our teen-ruled world. We could stick with "Earth," but when we take over the planet we'll have the right to name it anything we want. Something along the lines of Planet Teen, or Super Teen Land.

I hope these suggestions will help Teen Takeover to strengthen its grasp on the planet, and pull it further away from "Earth," and closer to "Super Teen Land."

--RYAN RUSER, Dallastown Area High School

Well, I officially survived the first week of tenth grade! My high school started back on Wednesday and I'm already overwhelmed. The courses for this year definitely look tough, but it's exciting to be challenged at the same time. However, teachers are already piling on the homework. I guess it's their way of welcoming the students back to school. A plus though is being able to reconnect with friends you lost touch with over the summer, there's always so much to catch up on. I think the biggest shock to everyone is how the summer flew by so quickly! It feels like just last week I was sitting out back by the pool; oh wait, I was! But all good things have to end at some point, so for now it's goodbye summer and hello fall.

Disclaimer: I am not obsessed with Harry Potter. Yes, they were good reads, ridden with subtle wit and a profound moral or two; but I'm not one of those people who draw lightning bolts on their faces and carry around a smoothed twig. I just have a simple question about the fourth book.

First off, thank you both for reading my blog, "Why political debate in America is pointless". I'm posting my response to you here so it does not get lost at the bottom of the page.

MADISON -- you make a strong point in which I did ignore and shouldn't have. it was wrong of me to say that voicing opinion and political dissent has no value because it truly does. In fact, I am now a little embarrassed about my blog's title because it is wrong; there is some value in political debate. In democracy's most simple form, voicing opinions is what it is all about.

JAKE -- I have to say that I am quite disapointed with your post.

I understand that the United States is not a democracy and that is precisely my point!

I understand why our "elected" officials are called "representatives", but I simply think that they do not represent us.

I understand that the Founders did not want Democracy for us, but again, I simply disagree with their philosophy. You do realize that a majority of our Founders believed in SLAVERY, right? Now, it is not to say that I don't admire a lot of the Founders (for instance Thomas Paine and George Washington), but a lot of them had a poor -- or at least hypocritical -- view of liberty.

In addition, you claim that big corporations are a problem in how they have bought off our "representatives". And this is what I am talking about -- it is fairly simple to buy off 535 people, but not so much 300 million.

Your last comment insulting my knowledge of the American political system was nothing more than un-called for. I shall refrain from being nasty, but I will note that it is my understanding of the American political system that leads me to reject it. It is an elitist system and it does not value the concept of democracy or liberty. The Constitution is a fine document; it's our leaders who have failed and oppressed us for too long.

1.I literally look like a chipmunk
2. I laughed when the nurse told me she had to put heart monitors on me
3. Right after the surgery, I searched my entire body for a tattoo that was never there
4. I answered the door to 3 of my guy friends with sherbert drool on my chin
5. I have eaten over a gallon and a half of Ice Cream

As much as we don't want to admit it, school is just around the corner. This year when I go back, I'm sure I did many interesting things that my friends actually want to hear about. I used to always make sure I did something cool and amazing over the break for when I had to write a "What I Did on my Summer Vacation" essay. I remember watching cartoons and the characters hating to write the essays and the popular kids ridiculing them for not doing something cool. I never wanted to be like that cartoon. Now that I think about it, I have never had to write one of those essays. Actually, my teachers rarely ask about what the students did over summer vacation. My friends were the only ones that ever cared and even then, our conversations on the topic lasted only a week. If I remember correctly, the only thing I ever wrote about my summer break experience was in first grade where we were required to write one sentence about it thus teaching us how to use nouns and verbs correctly. I probably wrote something about going on vacation or to my grandparent's house. That was enough then, so shouldn't it be enough now? Yeah, actually it is. For anyone who has ever stressed about have a boring vacation or is cramming to get as many camps in as possible, stop! Just make sure your vacation is exactly that: a vacation. Even though there's only a month left of our break, enjoy it because the only thing that matters is that you enjoy it, and you will never enjoy anything if you do it to impress other people.

By LAURA DZWONCZYK
Susquehannock High School

I wrote my first book in kindergarten.

This debut masterpiece consisted of few sheets of paper stapled together with words in clumsy Crayon writing: the story of a flower I planted through the course of a year. No one read it but my family, my teacher and my classmates, who were forced to sit through a reading during story hour (poor souls). But it was my book, my creation, and I loved it.

Through the next dozen years or so, I filled up an entire desk drawer with notebooks, half-filled with my fanciful stories about magical water fountains and British orphans with mysterious pasts. Almost all my book reports in school found form in skits and alternate endings that I wrote. I completed term papers and poetry assignments dutifully. I even--I admit it--went through a fan fiction phase in middle school. (Some of it is still out there--if you find it, you're free to pass it around for a laugh.) In short, I have never really stopped writing since kindergarten. Besides my family, friends and teachers, though (and, I suppose, fan-fiction readers), no one else read what I wrote.

The Teen Takeover staff was the first time my opinions were in the public eye. At first, I was thrilled: the world would know all about me! They would discover my love for baking, care about my college decisions and get to know what I thought about EVERYTHING. And they would love what I said!

I usually write my Facebook status about once a week, letting people know what's going on in my life while trying not to breathe down their necks (did you notice I baked banana muffins? Did you? DID YOU?!). Problem is, this week there's way too much--and too many emotions-- to fit into one status.

Yes, I know Disney had nothing to do with the Parker Brothers' Monopoly board game, but I couldn't think of a title. Regardless, I just wanted to quickly say that, no matter what you think of Walt Disney and his legacy of work, I think the corporation is brilliance. I have recently developed a strange affinity (or infatuation) for Disney Channel and its childish, squeaky-cleanly censored shows; I am finding it astounding that Disney does not even use any commercials that are not affiliated with Disney itself. It leaves me to wonder: how can they pull that off?! Dag, they must be really rich. Or just really smart.

Currently my family and a few of our friends are exploring the South West region of the U.S. While the trip started off a little rocky, involving missing luggage and airport security, I am happy to report that we are all awestruck by the natural beauty of Arizona. Coming out of Phoenix, travelers can see cactuses perched on mountainsides and vast cliffs, weathered with age.

As we neared Sedona, the scenery dramatically changed to towering red rocks that surround and awe tourists. A great way to experience the terrain there is to take a pink jeep tour on the rocky terrain.

Another unique place to visit is the Arizona Crater. It's huge! If you take the tour you can walk to a viewing station at the top and look down 550 feet! Nearby, is the little town of Winslow, Arizona. I personally was able to stand on the corner there. For those who aren't as familiar with the Eagles, one of their most famous songs is titled "standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona." After a few pictures there, we pushed ahead on our journey.

As we continued north, the land came alive with colors. Purples, browns, and golds swept over the cliffs and caverns as we entered the Painted Desert. Pictures could never do this natural wonder justice, but even more astounding is the spectacular Grand Canyon! Our hotel perched just above the edge of the Canyon and we greatly enjoyed the natural beauty of the land. I would definitely recommend hiking the rim, but watch your step! Many tourists have run into misfortune on the trails.

Yesterday, we took a fifteen mile rafting trip down the Colorado River and embraced the smooth waters and majestic scenery. Before packing up and driving to Utah, we were able to travel to Antelope Canyon and walk through the twists and turns in the sandstone. It was an intriguing way to end our time in Arizona.

Next on the list is Bryce Canyon and I'm anticipating yet another fabulous site. I'll keep you posted!

Though I'm doubtful that anyone cares to know, I could not supress the urge to express my joy over the fact that I no longer have braces.

For those people who have had a similar experience, they will understand how strange it feels to no longer have a metal contraption competing with your teeth for space!

I know many will not understand my excitement, but that's OK. After a millenium (or, as some like to call it, two years) of braces what a thrill it is to see and feel them gone.

I love Twitter.

I just joined Twitter and i love it!

I'm almost afraid to post this because I know there are some Twilight fans, but I can't resist.

Why are people so obsessed with Twilight? I read all four books and honestly, I don't get the obsession. I didn't think they were that well written. I think Stephanie Meyer stretched her love story a little too far. Four books was kind of extensive. By the third book, I didn't even care to read it anymore. And now, she's writing it from Edward's point of view? Really? I just think she wants more money.

Maybe one of you could explain to me why Twilight is worth obsessing over. I just don't think a super hot fictional vampire that sparkles is worth all this attention.

I guess it really is not that much fun to be in Canada for Independence Day. In Canada, they just call it day. When everyone in the United States waits for it to get dark to see fireworks and wave sparklers, Canadians just call it "night". What is even worse is when you are so close to the US border that you can actually see US land from where you are in Canada. On July 4th, you're so excited for the anniversary of your country's indepence: the food, family, swimming, playing games, using sparklers, and viewing fireworks. Unless you're in Canada. There really is no fun being an American on July 4th if you are in Canada.

Hello everyone! How strange it feels to be writing before going out to dinner, while back in York, it's just past lunch!

Ha, wow, you might think. She's in London and went to Paris just yesterday, and the first thing she can think to talk about is the time difference? True, that seems a bit off, but it is one of the things that has struck me as most peculiar about England. It's light outside practically from 4 am til 9 pm, and the common dinner hour seems to be 8 pm if not 9. But in the short three days (actually, the first day was rather long, not having slept for over 28 hours) that I have been here, it's been pretty easy to adapt.

Anxious, I pick up the phone to dial Allee Ilgenfritz's number.

"Hello?" Allee answers.

Hey Allee, it's Alicia Miller from Teen Takeover. Are you ready for your interview? I ask.

"I sure am!" She replies. I could hear the excitement in her voice.

I love the countdown of the last days of school...5 more days of classes for me, but untill i graduate there are 8 days!!! That's CRAZY!! I also had my last gym class EVER today. The 5th is class trip day, but it's to Six Flags, which no one is going on, so I'm going to Hershey with a bunch of friends. Super fun! Where was everyone else's class trips? And what are the rest of you seniors doing after school?

Oh and P.S. in case anyone cares Julie now pulls herself up all by herself! She is smiling at me as she holds onto the couch right now.

With the exception of graduation, I'm done high school.

BAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH what do I do now?

After months of searching, I finally got a job at Rita's on Queen Street. What a relief! For anyone who is still looking for a job, I heard that Big Apple Bagles on Grantley (near York College) is hiring and so is the Yorktowne Hotel.

If anyone is interested, Suburban will be doing the musical, Footloose, this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Saturday afternoon at 2 PM.

Everybody runs!!!!!!!

This has been one of the most exhausting weeks. Right now it's past midnight and my eyes can barely stay open. It seems like teachers purposefully plan all of their projects at the same time. All I can say is six more weeks and I'm done!

...ha...who totally loves Adam Lambert on American Idol? I absolutely cannot get enough of that guy! There's just something about him. I don't know if its the quiet confidence, the fun-loving-comforting-friend personality and the way that he treats the other contestants, or simply his unusually gorgeous face (makeup or not). Or maybe its a combination of all of the factors. Plus, I absolutely love his voice. Normally, I don't dig the old school rocker voice, but he makes the style current and adds his own twist when he performs. And he's so versatile with his abilities. I didn't start watching this season until the Top 13 was confirmed, and I wasn't really too enthused. But now I'm really glad that I got into it. Adam makes the show every week. Even my usually indifferent father likes him! Without Adam, Season 8 would be terribly lackluster. He's the first contestant that I have loved who actually has a good chance of winning. And if he doesn't, I don't think I'll be watching next season. If you haven't heard of him or don't watch the show, I'd recommend checking him out on Youtube or iTunes.

P.S. I added a few new drawings to my website, including my latest of Kate Winslet. Check them out if you'd like! www.pictureinpencil.com

I don't know if it's just me, but I'm extremely stressed out right now. I just finished one project, I have two more next week, I have to read two novels, and I have musical practice. I am definitely looking forward to the summer!

Today I conquered one of my few random fears. I rode a bike for the first time since I was in 6th grade. When I was in 6th grade I was riding a bike to downtown New Freedom. I was coming down a rather large hill when I lost control of the bike and slammed into a brick sign, which happened to be the Police Department's sign. I snapped the metal rod in the front of the bike, took the skin off most of my knuckles, damaged my shoulder, cut up my legs, and worst of all I cracked my helmet in two. It was a pretty horrific accident for me. Needless to say I did not get a bike for a long time until today!

If you're a you're a York County Teen who loves writing and getting to know your community, then you might be a good fit for our Teen Takeover staff.
Staff members are responsible for the upkeep of this blog, as well as writing stories monthly for the York Daily Record/Sunday News.
Click here for application information.

Area teens are selecting dresses and tuxes, scheduling hair appointments and booking limos. As they prepare for prom, it's also time for people to reflect on their own experiences at high school dances.

On April 2nd, we (my journalism class) went to the newseum...it was one of the best museums I have went to. (exspect the food was overpriced)

My class in front of the Capital Building on a balcony at the Newseum

Has anyone else ever been there?
Comments?

Fellow Spring Grove Journalists and I are going to the Keystone Press Awards today.
I was in the Homecoming package that got honorable mention. (I wrote a piece about the homecoming queen)

Everyone have a good day :)

The day that the loooong anticipated Sonny Moore EP is released (sadly only online)
But still, us Sonny Moore fans can have a sigh of relief.

And today is my mothers birthday.
RIP
April 7, 1967 to April 26, 2001
Lost but not forgotton

Passwords,
Passwords,
Passwords.
:(

I finally got everything figured out and I am back on!

Did anyone else see the House episode tonight!?

Someone come cry with me!!!

It's the first week of April, and already the humidity plague has hit York Catholic. And usually, once it strikes, there is no turning back. Every classroom and desk is saturated. Yippee, hah.

Want to write stories for Teen Takeover?
Each spring, the York Daily Record/Sunday News recruits more talented young people for its monthly section of stories for teen readers, reported by teen writers.

Each teen is asked to write once or twice a month on lifestyles, television, school, politics, events - anything relating to adolescents. Plus, teens are responsible for adding fresh posts to this Web site regularly.

The writers meet together for an hour and a half each month with York Daily Record staff, too.

The position is unpaid, but teens have a chance to be edited professionally, create a portfolio of clips and learn more about print and online journalism from inside the profession.

If you are between 13 and 17, please send us:

· Your name
· Telephone number
· E-mail address
· A sample of your writing
· Two letters of reference
· A list of three stories you would like to read in Teen Takeover.

Writing samples can be an essay or a term paper from school. References can be a teacher, guidance counselor, coach or neighbor (just not your parents).

Send your submissions to York Daily Record, Teen Takeover, 1891 Loucks Road, York, Pa. 17408, or e-mail teens@ydr.com. If you have any questions, call 771-2021.

Deadline is May 31.

Today is one of those days were I am forced to wonder if we really need rain to survive. I know we need water and plants and all, but it seems like the rain ruins everything. It's so cold and wet outside. All plans for activities outside have to be canceled, and we are forced to move indoors. I have to go see my cousin's high school play instead of getting to play in a softball tournament. That's really not cool. To make it worse, just three weeks ago I was in bright, sunny Florida soaking in the sun. I miss it! I am beyond ready for Summer!

I came to a couple of conclusions today.

1. Everyone should make a tye dyed shirt

2. Prom is too much planning

3. Dad's should never, and I mean NEVER, try to pick out clothes

With such a dramatic episode last night and only five episodes left until the Season Finale, I believe it's time to start predicting the future and reviewing the past of our dear Desperate Housewives.

By JENNIFER VOGELSONG

Daily Record/Sunday News

Oh, to live in the Italian countryside, sipping wine and gazing at fields of olive trees...

To travel to Florence or Milan and be in the throes of fashion...

To shop at markets with fresh mozzarella and hand-blown glass from Venice...

Or maybe you'd rather live down under, hopping through life like a kangaroo, learning to speak like a mate and hang out on the beach, surfing your life away?

Who doesn't fantasize about packing up and moving to the Caribbean island where they vacationed last? Who hasn't wondered what it would be like to live somewhere else?

This month, we asked members of the York Daily Record/Sunday News' Teen Takeover staff -- and a guest from abroad -- to tell us where they'd live if they could live in any country.

Their responses ranged from the "home sweet home" variety to some serious wanna-be wanderers. Read what they had to say below.

Today I visited the University of Delaware. The campus was really pretty. We went on a walking tour and even though I was freezing, I enjoyed it. You could really tell how proud everyone was of their school.

I thoroughly enjoy this video.

Imagine going to work and seeing every color of the rainbow. There are reds, blues, yellows, pinks, and purples of every shade and kind. Imagine the smell of a thousand fresh roses sitting right in front of your nose. That is the reality for one Central York High School teenager.
"I love the emotion, when someone sends flowers to the person they love, that's my favorite part," Erika Felty, 15, said about her job at Royers Flowers and Gifts in Springettsbury.

This sophomore is a saleswoman and is charge of the front of the shop. She takes care of customers, takes and processes orders, and cleans. Felty normally works 15 to 20 hours a week after school and on Saturdays.

Felty expressed that she is happy to be making some money of her own.
"I normally save half and spend half."

When asked about why she enjoys working with flowers, Felty said that it brings her joy to see people excited to surprise a friend, loved one, or relative with a beautiful bouquet.

Flowers do not always bring a pleasant experience.

"I hate the funerals," she said, "it's so hard to see people cry when they are arranging for flowers for a funeral."

The best time of the year for this teen is the Christmas and winter holiday season.

She said that her best day at work occurred a about week before Christmas. All of her costumers were very happy and cheerful -- no one was stressed out. There were very few complaints and everyone seemed very relaxed.

"My favorite flower?" Felty said, "definitely an orchid or a Gerberadaisy."

Here comes the bride!

I just finished a drawing of Kate Winslet. One that I am very proud of. And since no one is here to share in my excitement, I thought I'd just throw this out there. :)

Oh and by the way, if anyone who hasn't had a chance GETS a chance to see Slumdog Millionaire any time soon, I'd highly recommend it! One of the best feel-good movies I've seen lately.

It has been exactly ONE month since I have seen Sonny Moore!
It's like a one month aniversary!
*haha*

Some people get songs stuck in their heads. I get lines from movies and plays stuck in mine. (Well, songs too.)

Here's Amber's Plain White T's video:

As I was surfing the net today I came across an article on Spring Grove Township deciding to have a later curfew for kids under the age of 18. Even though, we all know that many of us want to stay out later then 11p.m. unfortunately it's becoming a stricter law. Police will be roaming the streets looking for kids causing late night mischief. I think that by enforcing this law many kids and teens will see that they really could get into trouble more then they are aware. Then again it could always be broken.

Often time's kids don't like to listen to teachers. Teenagers have an opinion about school, that its "boring" and we aren't going to "use" any of the stuff that we are learning. Harrisburg Area Community Collage (HACC) begs to differ. The local collage is saying that the kids that come in aren't coming to collage well prepared. Often times they need remedial help in areas that they should have learned in high school. HACC has decided to turn away students who need help in these areas. Not to be cruel to students who actually need the help, but for students who come to collage thinking that it will be a big party freshman year. Many students who were originally at HACC went there specifically for remedial courses. Then the students went to Millersville.
his affects the nation because students often like to go to collage for other reasons then to study hard for the future. Then again not all students go to just mess around, some become great people because they work hard to get there. Students at Harvard or Yale won't be there partying all the time. But, then again this all goes back to high school when kids aren't taking the future seriously. They think that it's not going to affect them. Also the extra remedial courses are costing collages more then they need.

It is GORGEOUS outside! I command you, do something in the outdoors today!

As soon as I finish prepping a casserole for dinner tonight, I'm taking a glass of iced chai (prompted by Slumdog Millionaire, which was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time--but read Ariel's post for that) and one of my books (either "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri, "Antigone" by Sophocles for class, or "A Good War is Hard to Find" by my PGSA prof Dave Griffith--can't decide!) and sitting outside to chill.

Go on...stop reading this and go outside before it gets cold again. You know you want to.

With the PSSA's this week, I was just wondering what other students thought of them. Are they a good idea or a waste of time? When I took them last year, they seemed never-ending. New tests are constantly being added, like the new science PSSA. Will there come a point where students will be tested too much?

So I was channel-surfing the other night hoping to find a movie that happened to be playing, and I was in luck. I caught "The Notebook" just as it was starting. It was one of those movies that I knew many people (well, girls) have seen, and it was on my list of movies that I would "get to eventually."

And I have to say that I fell into the category of girls who swooned over Ryan Gosling and cried their eyes out.

'Cause I cried my eyes out, haha.

Ladies, all I can say is this: When you know that your boyfriend would read you the story of how you fell in love everyday just so you could escape your dementia for a few minutes when you are old, you have a great catch.

Simple as that.

(And Ryan Gosling is gorgeous.)

I don't know if I will ever look at the moon the same way again. That's how powerful "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks was. It's about two people trying to find love, facing times good and bad, just hoping to make it work.

The blood-lusting vampire movie finally made its way to the big screen.

"Twilight" is a sensational movie that many teens fell in love with. According to Bitten and Bound, a Hollywood news Web site, it made $70.6 million its first weekend in theaters.

It details the truths and lies of a mythical vampire's life.

"Twilight" also shows the ups and downs of vampire life. They might not be able to cry, but they have the same emotions as humans. Edward, a 98-year-old vampire stuck in a 17-year-old body, wants Bella, a lonely junior in high school, to live life to the fullest, feeling sad when she wants the opposite.

When I first walked into the theater and sat down, I thought it would be like any other vampire movie. Fangs, blood-thirsty creatures looking for mouth-watering humans. I was wrong. It was more.

The way the vampire family, the Cullens, care about each other is touching. They were there to help Bella, and even when she put them in danger, they still cared for her. After watching the movie the first time, I had to go and see it again!

The love, trust, and uncovered secrets had me on the edge of my seat. The way the characters interact and act around each other was amazing. The vampires fit right in with the humans, even though in their heads, they don't. It is hard for them, even to the point where I can say I don't know how hard.

I was never a vampire fan, always thinking they were cheesy, but the Cullen family changed my mind. There were no fangs or coffins, just undeniable love.

-- Review by ALICIA MILLER, West York Area Middle School

I was in Wal-Mart the other day when my mom and I were intrigued by the bin of DVDs that they always put out. We began to look through the random titles and were standing there for a good 20 minutes. My mom became really excited when she found "Walking Tall" and she tossed me the box. I noticed that the box didn't have the frustrating security sticker at the top that all CDs and DVDs have. I opened the case to notice that the disc was not there. Not only was that DVD not there, but there were several other DVD cases that did not have a disc in them either.

It made we wonder what this country is coming to if people feel compelled to steel DVDs. I know that seems like something very minor compared to murders and frauds, but it affects the younger generations. First, the person who stole the DVDs is more prone to commit another or bigger crime because they were able to get away with it. Also, it does not teach the younger kids a good lesson when the find empty DVD cases.

Yesterday I felt like I was blind. Seriously, I couldn't see anything, it was terrible.

For my English class, we did a unit on advertising, and analyzed techniques of advertising before writing a paper analyzing a specific advertisement and the methods it uses to sell more than the product. As a introduction to the unit, we chose two advertisements and described them; the first as a story and the second as a very detailed description of everything we saw. I will never look at ads the same way again, for sure. Here are my two descriptions, see if you can picture what the ads look like:

Sometimes I feel this way...

I could wile away the hours
Confer them with the flowers
Consult them with the brain
And my head I'd be scratching while my bolts were busy hatching
If I only had a brain
I'd unravel every riddle
For any individual
In trouble or in pain
With the thoughts you'd be thinkin' you could be another Lincoln
If you only had a brain
Oh I could tell you why the ocean's near the shore
I could think of things I never thought before
And then I'd sit and think some more
I would not be just a nothin'
My head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain
I would dance and be merry
Life would be an ingudarry
If I only had a brain
Gosh it would be awful pleasin' to reason out the reason
For things I can't explain
Then perhaps I'll deserve ya
And be even worthy of ya
If I only had a brain

Have you ever played the game The Sims 2? It is the most amazing and addicting game I have ever played! The "sims" which is short for simulation, is so addicting! The main object is to make generation after generation. Its the most addicting game ever!

The song is called Dervish!

So, as some of you know, Susquehannock is performing the challenging musical Les Miserables this spring (known affectionately as "Les Mis" by many). A lot of us have had our reservations about putting on a stellar performance...until we found this on Youtube.

Suddenly, anything Susky performs feels like a Broadway show.

Someone is really looking out for Spring Grove's mock trial team in Lawyer Land. Excitingly, we've been invited to a practice competition in Altoona by a lawyer who has represented our school district before. His firm is paying for our bus, hotel rooms at the Mariott, and meals, just so we can practice against other teams to be better prepared for our real competition in the next month.

I'm soo excited! This is an amazing learning opportunity and the best way to prepare for the actual competition. The only down side is getting the whole case together in, oh, three days?

Do you smell that? Yeah, that's the work I've done so far for my directs. It stinks.

Wish us luck!

We've all seen the show, but how many of us wonder if our friends are secretly conspiring to get Stacy and Clinton to set us straight? A few basic guidelines can get people wishing they had your style.

1. When in doubt, be modest.
These are not the streets of Las Vegas. If your grandparents would be ashamed of your outfit, don't wear it! I once saw a girl wearing a T-shirt with "modest is hottest" written on the front. She was right!
2. Dress to your size.
Girls who are size seven should never try to squeeze into a size three. Clothes are meant to be comfortable, not unbearable. Always dress to your size. And remember: Designers always, unfortunately, cut their clothes differently, so a size 10 in one store might fit like a six in another. If it feels too tight, it ain't right!
3. Dress to the occasion.
In other words, never wear jeans to a black-tie occasion. I once saw a girl wearing 5-inch stilettos and a satin party dress to a fair. Yes, a fair -- as in crowded and messy, with people wearing jeans and T-shirts to feed the cows. Needless to say, she looked ridiculous.
4. Dress your age.
Basically, pigtails and Winnie the Pooh have no place on girls older than 10; however, I see so many teens and adults dressed like Pippi Longstocking. On the other hand, I am not condoning young girls wearing fishnets and stilettos. Inappropriate dress, whether too young or too old, will never be tolerated in a professional office setting.
5. Dress nicely!
When in doubt, skip the T-shirt and sweats. A nice outfit goes a long way in showing you respect yourself, which in turn encourages other to respect you.

Did you ever walk by a shoe store and want a pair of shoes so bad?

Well, I have. And they are always Converse.

I love the high-tops and the many different colors.

I am a huge fan of the punk and rock styles, but there are many other styles like hip-hop and regular sneakers. They also have ankle cuts that many teens wear.

They are also very comfortable and match pretty much anything I wear!

Colors like red and blue and peach catch many eyes. These aren't regular sneakers; They are easy to wear and fun-to-be-seen-in sneakers. So, if you are ready to be up to date, then beg your parents to go out and buy you a pair of Converse. Or, start saving your allowance.

They range in price from $21.99 to $55.99 and can be found at several local stores.

My favorite pair would have to be high-tops that are black and more of a punkish style. They are fun to be seen in!

-- Alicia Miller, West York Area Middle School

I saw "Yes Man" in theatres yesterday, and I was just a tad doubtful that after such a long break from the funny side of the movie spectrum, Jokester Jim might not be so hilarious. But, fortunately, he proved me wrong; the movie kept my interest and kept me laughing from its Sandstorm start to its fashionable finish. (You'll see what I mean). If you are in need of a good laugh and an uplifting plot, this is the movie to see.

I finally saw "The Dark Knight." But I was sorely disappointed. My expectations were obviously much too high, for the movie was certainly not my cup of tea. I'm just curious why America was so quick to slurp it up.

The Joker symbolized a twisted mind, a very sorrowful one. His maniacal grin still sends chills up my spine. And a child's hero was beaten down, forever sneered upon by an imaginary society.

I would much rather watch silver screen greats such as Cary Grant and Joan Crawford as they appeal to the intellectual, not the violent. But everyone's different, I suppose.

Eventhough probably none of us felt it. There was an earthquake in york last night! Were lucky that it wasn't one of those like in California(like that would ever happen).

It's high time I wrote about my college and future plans.

I am so excited for Christmas! I know that this is what everyone is thinking, but seriously, I am bouncing of the walls. I decided to make a little list of the things I love most about Christmas....

On Wednesday this week, I started to feel a sharp pain in my foot. By Thursday, my foot was throbbing and I was in pain! I had this huge lump sticking out of my vein on the top of my foot. So I went to the doctor Saturday before a five-hour softball clinic and found out I have what is called a Ganglion Cyst. It's basically a liquid build-up in a nerve on the top of the foot called the Ganglion nerve. Anyway, it is really disgusting and if it doesn't go away within a week, I'll have to get it drained with a needle. Considering I haven't gotten a shot since I was five, I am very nervous!!

Its flu season. Many common doctors are saying that garlic will kick those symptoms out of you. But does it really work? It just so happens that it does! Garlic tastes horriable but it makes you less vunerable to get sick!

I was in borders the other week and I was reading a book about New York where I discovered one of the top things to do in New York City was to dance on the key board in FAO Schwartz. Me and my friend went to the city on our annual trip and I was thinking there is no way that i am going to be able to get on that keyboard. Sure enough we go into FAO and locate the keyboard and we were able to dance on it. It was quite the experience and was a highlight of the trip.

Even though the book was right about that experience. I still think that one of the top twenty should be taking your picture with the Abercrombie and Fitch model. Those guys are ridiculously good looking.

the title tells you everything!

Yesterday I was stuck in traffic for like four hours. It gave me a lot of time to laugh with my friends and bond a little. I realized that you don't always have to have a super exciting day planned in order to enjoy yourself, it's the little moments that bring the most fun and are memorable. We tried to hijack a tastykake truck and learned every word of every song on Beyonces new cd I Am Sasha Fierce. We also went to the worst Burger King in the ever of evers. They messed up everyones orders and this old lady who looked like an escaped nursing home patient had the baddest attitude, she was a mean granny. Hopefully when I get old I remember little events like these so I can look back and say I enjoyed my life.

So I am in a bit of a pickle. It's about 10 days till the last day of school before holiday break and I am stuck. I want to get presents for my friends but I don't know what to get. I've lingered over the basics, but I just can't think of anything good.

It's been a crazy week.

Speaking of crazy, I'm going crazy! Auditions for the school musical (Les Mis!)were earlier this week, and we all know the cast list is done...it just hasn't been posted yet. Gah! It doesn't help that I have no clue how I did. People check the theatre website every five minutes, and we're all as insane as shopping nuts on Black Friday. Everyone's got that wild look about them.

Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnn Will Jenkins (he's the director). This is worse than trying to fall asleep on Christmas Eve.

What was your most loved time during your education? Most adults would say high school was definitely the worst. The girls who just sit around and gossip and the partiers who come to school hung over the next day. Right now in my life I'm just starting to take on the horror of high school. I'm feeling the pain today actually; I just don't understand why people feel the need to hurt others. Hopefully teenagers of our generation can change this around and make it the best time of our young lives. Remember the saying it only gets worse.

IIt's mid-term season! Time to put your nose in a book and read! This makes basically everything difficult.

Last period in Criminal Justice, we had the name of a certain person in our class. In my opinion, it was really confusing.
The person I was "tailing"...

Thats right.

I decided to join the high school swim team after being inspired by Michael Phelps in the Olympics. I was like "eh, it cannot be that hard. He makes it look easy and how hard can swimming really be." Trust me it is a lot harder than it looks.

On the second day of practice the coach asked my name and I swiftly replied "Miss. Phelps." The coach went on to crack jokes about my swimming ability and how he got all of the genes. And was he right. I now have a new appreciation for all swimmers and especially Michael Phelps and his accomplishments in the Olympics.

My swimming is awful....

As I am sitting here, I can't help but think that its almost over. Not the end of the world or anything, just Thanksgiving break.

Over the Thanksgiving break, I have been reminded of the cost of my eyes. I developed an eye infection, therefore had to take numerous trips to the eye doctor, as well as use eye drops. It just makes me realize I must take nothing for granted, especially good vision! I also realize nothing in today's soceity is free! I have summed up my costly eyes below:

Glasses: $150
Contact Lenses: $100
Eye Doctor: $32
Eye Drops: $60
20/20 Vision: Priceless

Everyone needs a bit of motivation when prepping for these busy holidays days ahead:

1. Make a wish list
Nothing can promote holiday spirit or provoke your parents more than an endless list of goodies that have the potential to wind up under your tree.

2. Go shopping
Indulge in the spirit of giving; think of others as you cruise through the crowded stores, seeking out the perfect gift for that special someone. Plus, the overdone, erratic store decorations are likely to inspire a holiday mood.

3. Decorate your own house
Use that crazy store décor to motivate the interior designer inside you; throw itchy tinsel, sparkly lights, and scratchy garland like it's nobody's business. You're guaranteed to feel that holiday spirit.

4. Listen to holiday music
There's nothing like a few spirited carols to spark a holiday sing-a-long. Explore iTunes for everlasting classics such as "Grandma Got Run-over by a Reindeer."

5. Go ice skating
You can't beat a cold seat!

I just wanted to tell everyone out their in cyber space
HAPPY THANKGIVING!
What is your favorite thanksgiving food...?
What is the part of the meal you can wait to eat?

I have been wanting to go to Temple for the longest time. It has been the only school I have applied to more than a month ago.

Everytime I open my mailbox I was hoping to see an envelope. An envelope....

Joanna Myers. Female. Age seventeen. Available to work between the hours of nine AM and nine PM.
Again and again, I wrote this information, wondering each time if I might get lucky.
Yet on August 27, the day before twelfth grade, I still saw no sign of a summer job opportunity.
So much for that.
Although I filled out applications galore and contacted several store managers, I remained unemployed the entire summer.
Yet should this surprise me?
The current status of the economy should have cued me in. A few red flags were Wall Street's slippery slope and the perpetual loss of American jobs. If adults are losing jobs, why would businesses hire inexperienced teenagers?
So I entered the new school year with a shortage of money and a desire to go shopping. But with cause there must always be effect. I had to start watching my spending.
No more Fourbucks. (Oops, I mean Starbucks). But weekly four dollar coffees are no way to save.
Saving is something I had to learn, especially If I wanted to set money aside for my upcoming college education. I started a bank account so the money I did have could be removed from the temptations of my wallet. The more difficult it is to access the green, the less likely I am to grab some and frivolously spend it.
I also began taking on more chores around the house, earning money from my parents. From this I feel a great sense of accomplishment. But at the same time, vacuuming the floors does not earn thousands of dollars. I must be more careful with where my money goes. Before I buy anything, particularly clothes, I must ask myself: "do I really need this?" If the answer is no, I simply put it back on the rack, and congratulate myself on being a savvy spender.
I now resist the four dollar coffee, go to the matinee showing of the movie, pack my lunch, and walk away from the clothes I don't need. But I don't mind doing this. If in the long run I have extra money for college, that is what matters. And it's really ok not working. I can focus on my last year of high school without the distractions and stress of a job, and I know that the position can be filled by a mom supporting her family, which is much more important than a teenager wearing new shoes.

Because I am such a nerd, the only radio station I really listen to is NPR (pushes duct taped glasses up nose and wheezes).

However, I did hear a snippet of "Paper Planes" by MIA on 96.9 at work the other day, and I was kind of taken aback. I secretly really like this song (which is weird because hip hop really isn't my genre), in that way where you know you like something but really nail down why.

Come on Wal-mart and Target have their Christmas stuff out already its not even thanksgiving. Well in Wal-marts comericals they do say that they have layaway. But,still it seems as if Christmas gets earlier and earlier every year.

So what's up with all of the Christmas stuff? Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, but really? I went to the mall last night and all of the Christmas decorations were already up. It hasn't even been Thanksgiving yet.

For all the girls that think that "Twilight" is some big idea that will turn into something along the line of "The Notebook," I think that you're wrong. Even though I haven't ever read the books or know any of the charatchers I shouldn't be judgeing. But to me it doesn't look all that great.

Well, it's been awhile since I've actually posted anything on the blog, so I suppose I'm overdue. I'm stuck at home with a sore throat anyway. Oh yeah, and I have an Honors Choir concert tomorrow. Fabulous.

It's getting to that time of year again, thinking about what everyone wants for Christmas and what stores to shop to on black Friday. But this year may be a bit different, I had just found out that the all time nerd store Circuit City has filed for bankruptcy. It's terrible our economy is so bad a lot of stores that everyone had thought would last for many centuries are closing forever and may never bounce back. Another popular one is Boscov's, they have threatened to go out of business after the holiday season if they can' stay on their feet. It's so sad.

Being a big Jonas Brothers fan I forced myself to endure a two hour skating charity ON TV. It wasn't all that bad just a little boring after the first hour. The show was called The Kristi Yamaguchi Family and Friends.

York County Trend and the City of York are looking for teen bands to perform as part of the "Best of the Bands" showcase on New Year's Eve. Find out how you can enter the competition here.

Sometimes I wish the sun could just shine a little bit longer. If there was only more time in a day - but there isn't.

I wrote this for a college application about how I make a difference in my community:

Local communities are essential. They bond complete strangers with a commonality, building friendships and creating relationships to last a lifetime. This is why I choose to continually volunteer at my local library. Each day I volunteer I meet dozens of new people, each with a different story to tell. I enjoy talking with patrons, even if only for a few minutes, to hear a bit of their story and reveal my own. Whether I aide an elderly patron with understanding our new technology or help a small child with choosing the perfect book, I feel a sense of accomplishment each time I help our community in this small, yet vital way.

"Camp Rock" sweetheart Demi Lovato has had one busy year. After performing alongside the Jonas Brothers in the Disney channel movie, Lovato has just released her first album, "Get Back."

The CD has kicked off to a great start, even spending time as No. 1 spot on the iTunes' top album list.

Today I was walking over to Valley View from our high school-Valley View is a school that houses kindergarten and first grade in my school district-when an ice cream truck came into the parking lot. I thought the man driving the ice cream truck was my youth pastor, so I started waving enthusiastically. I'm not sure why my youth pastor would be driving an ice cream truck-I didn't think through that part. The man pulls up alongside me and my friend and rolls down his window...

To most people Cross Country is a really dumb sport where people just run around in circles. Those people are wrong. Cross Country takes a lot of guts and hard work. Believe it or not, running (that's what cross country is) is very competitive. That is why I am very proud of the Central York Girls Cross Country Team for qualifying for states!

I adore fall! Seriously, it's so pretty! The leaves are changing, the sky is an alluring shade of blue...it's great! It makes me want to go make some apple cider or go outside and eat an apple. Apples and fall go great together.

The big news spreading around my school (Suburban) right now is whether or not gym class is going to affect a student's GPA next year. Thankfully I'll be out of high school by then, but I will feel bad for the underclassmen if that rumor comes true. So that made me wonder if other schools around York County have a policy where gym class does affect GPA.

Ever notice that as you get older its harder and harder to think of a costume?
Well I know that I deffinately have. This year I have decided to go all cheap and be a football player for my friends party. Its actually a very easy costume and looks great too, just put some eyeliner under your eyes and put on a jersey easy as pie right?

I got accepted into NHS! (National Honor Society)
I happy because I didn't get in last year, I think because I lacked the leadership thing....
Amber

Hey hey kids of York PA!! Have not written for a long time! But I'm here....and so is Julianna. 6 weeks old already.

I love to write. In fact, I would like to pursue it as a career. But at the moment I am experiencing the infamous writer's block. It is possibly because of the amount I must write at the moment: two stories for my school newspaper, a paper for a college course I am taking, and an essay for my college applications. My ideas are running thin. My biggest worry is the college essay: how much consideration does the college put into the essay? If it is too "fluffy: while they think I am a bad applicant? Anyway, I just need inspiration...something that relieves the WRITER'S BLOCK. Maybe something that will write the perfect essay for me...

This weekend was Homecoming for me. On Thursday, the night before before the Homecoming Game, we started we a new tradition.

Move over, Big Apple: Beantown has stolen my heart.

With the threat of global warming and melting glaciers looming, it seems as if everyone is wanting to go green and improve the environment.
Wearing the Go! Green bracelet offers a way to do your part.

Ford Motor Co. announced that it is rolling out a key with a computer chip that can limit teen drivers to 80 mph.

The new feature which will be available in 2010, according to Ford, will also have a program that limit the sound system's volume and makes continuous alerts if the driver isn't wearing a seatbelt.

Do you regularly drive more than 80 mph, music blaring, without your seatbelt? Or, is the idea that teens are unsafe drivers just one more misconception?

Eileen Favorite has written a book in which tons of fairy tales jump out at you.

"The Heroines" is about a girl named Penny and her mother who owns a homestead where heroines come to stay.

At first, Penny is fascinated by all of the heroines. Her mother would read a new story and explain each one. After a while, Penny gets sick of her mother spending all of her time with the heroines and forgetting about her.

She runs into the woods - disobeying one of her mother's rules - and stays out way past the time she should have. Penny has second thoughts about disobeying mother, but when she turns around, it's too late. She gets kidnapped.

This book lets you see what happens to Scarlett O'Hara and Madame Bovary off duty. It is hilarious, serious and sad all at once.

Penny's favorite heroine is Franny Glass from "The Way Of The Pilgrims," but one day, venturing in the woods, Penny loses her. Franny was like a best friend to Penny, so living where there is no one to hang around with except for Albie, a druggie, Penny feels uncomfortable.

"The Heroines" is a great read for teens wanting an escape from reality. Sometimes you have to stop and think about what happens to the heroes in our favorite books. Maybe the books seem unreal, but in this book the side you would never expect comes out.

I loved the book - I read it and felt like I couldn't put it down. Maybe that could happen to you, too.

It's about that time. Girls are shopping for that perfect dress. Guys are thinking about their dates. Girls are planning what to do with their hair, nails, and makeup. Guys are listening to them worry in confusion. Girls are freaking out about which group they want to be seen with. Guys are sitting back, watching. Girls are worrying. Guys are confused. Yep, it's Homecoming. (Dramatic music plays).

Between school, homework, and other day to day rituals. It seems like no one really has any time to sit back and relax. But every once in a while if I have time, I love to watch movies.

Omg, I got these really cool converse high tops today. I got to pairs and one is black and the others are black and they have words on them.
They have tons of colors. Peach, pink, blue, green, red, light blue, black, and so many more. They also have a choice of high top or low cut. I, personally, are a big fan of high tops but you can choose.You can also get decorated shoes. I love them!

Flipping through the channels on any evening, a person is guaranteed to find at least a dozen reality TV shows. Why does viewing America constantly need to see people competing against one another on national TV trying to earn money or some other type of ludacris prize? Yes, some of these shows are amusing, but the arguing, anger, and nastiness of the players is incessant, and gets old extremely fast. And the enormous irony of it all is its name: "reality TV." I don't think TV can get any farther from "real." Do people in the "real" world live on a deserted island for months on end like heathens to compete for money? Do people in the "real" world gossip about their roomates to a camera to be watched by millions of people? (Ok, YouTube might make that possible for real people, I admit.) Oh, and one of my favorites, does one "real" man date a dozen girls at a time to see which one he likes best and gets rid of the ones he doesn't? Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but this ridiculous form of TV doesn't seem very real to me; I would much rather interact with the real people in my life than watch the lives of others on my TV.

Take eight teenagers to the York Fair for one hour, set them free and what do you get?

Find out below as members of the York Daily Record/Sunday News' Teen Takeover staff tell you their take on the annual institution.

I don't know about any of you, but this school year feels like it has been really slow and it's only the fourth week. With field hockey after school everyday and loads of homework in the evenings, I never can find time for sleep.
Today I was supposed to have a field hockey tournament all the way in Biglerville, and I was planning to leave the school at 6:50 this morning. Fortunately, it got canceled because of the rain yesterday. I ended up sleeping in until almost 5:30 P.M. today. It felt AMAZING!! I guess I didn't realize how tired I really was.

Today, September 11, 2008, I hope for peace, understanding, and acceptance between all nations of the world, namely the US and our "enemies."

Maybe I'm a dreamer, but maybe I'm okay with that.

Support our troops; bring them home.

Tis the season to get excited for the Holidays. Every year around this time I get anxious for Christmas. The holiday season is the best time of year. Not only is everyone so full of joy, but also the music played is feel good music. I have already begun to make my list, due to a traffic jam on the way back from dropping my brother off at UNC. My list contains several items such as: Chocolate Ugg boots (those boots are the most comfortable shoes ever made, the best way to describe them is heaven for your feet) and the entire Friends collection.

105 days until Christmas!

The blog is fixed!

Since filling up a tank of gas costs about three arms and ten legs these days, I'm sure I'm not the only teen who had a summer job. If you're a savvy saver like I try to be (and, let's be honest, I usually fail at this endeavor) you might have a job through the school year as well.

How do I tend to my boredom when it's on the slow side? Read on, por favor.

For all you high school haters out there, never fear, it gets better.

Despite the constant talk of college and the dreaded SAT, as a senior this year I have many freedoms; and if you take the right steps, you will too. I've got a press pass for newspaper (which includes free entry to football games), a senior aide pass, and a priveldge pass for NHS. Oh, and my classes end at 12:00 because I take a course at Penn State twice a week, so my afternoons are free. Basically, I can do what I want, when I want. (Well, besides skip class, but who would ever want to do that? hem hem) Anyway, so basically, if high school is giving you a hard time, just wait it out, it gets much better.

What do you get when you take more than a dozen teenagers to a ballpark?
Photographs taken through holes in potato chips.
Efforts to rescue miniscule spiders.
An empty skybox fridge.
In an effort to get out of the office and interact a bit with the community, the York Daily Record/Sunday News Teen Takeover staff held its August meeting in a skybox at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

When the official business of the staff meeting concluded, they dispersed in discovery of all that a night at a York ball game has to offer. Of course, we asked them to write about their experiences. 



By ALY OWEN

In a time when new forms of communication arise as quickly as the latest trend becomes obsolete -- multitasking phones, online forums, video broadcasts -- personal interaction sounds more oxymoronic by the year.

Also in this system of information super-highway, a problem of any sort can be immediately classified and "dealt with," "taken care of," or "put on hold." Once the complication is identified, people can, as the standard states, "move on."

With the endless lines of communication available, it's strange that problems are rarely said to be "fixed."

Instead of confronting and accepting problems, some people distract themselves with another task rather than facing the adversary; any challenge, whether it occurs in a business or social setting, can be forgotten or ignored by way of an alternative coping method.

Take, for example, a simple iPod malfunction. Why fix it? It could take more time and money -- two of the most common motivations -- to fix than it would take to buy a new type of MP3 player or export the iPod's music collection to another database.

Problem solved, but not fixed.

In an argument between friends, the typical solution includes forgetting and forgiving whatever disagreement preceded the quarrel. Forgetting might be the easiest and fastest way to reach an accord (problem helped), but in some cases, forgetting prolongs the anger or hurt, but does not diminish it. Being able to accept the discrepancy while still being aware of it signifies complete reconciliation (problem fixed). Both concepts allow the friends to leave the fight in the past, but only one supports a clear conscience.

Of course there are situations where, in terms of economics, the risk is more than the gain.

If the iPod were thoroughly destroyed, finding a replacement would be better than moping over a lost cause, and if the friends' argument concerned something shallow, shrugging it off and laughing about it later would be preferable to a drawn-out debate and discussion.

However, sometimes people get lost in a plethora of easy-outs. A serious conversation can be a bunch of text messages, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's can "fix" any lingering discomfort. A frustration at the office can be "fixed" by a mind-occupying, busy schedule and acting like everything's OK.

There might be plenty of ways to avoid fully addressing an unpleasant situation, but that doesn't mean those alternatives are always ideal. If a car has an obvious nick, chances are a responsible owner won't just slap some paint over it and keep driving.

Unless the solution includes a trip to Staples, fixing a challenge doesn't always come with an easy button.

By ANNIE SWADE

How to keep new school year resolutions for success:

1. Stay organized. Jot down all assignments and important dates in a day-to-day planner.

2. Study with a buddy. Find a dependable classmate in every class for missed notes or help with assignments.

3. Use your resources. Take extra time to use all available resources, such as teachers, peers, tutors and librarians.

4. Don't procrastinate. Waiting until the last minute only adds more stress.

5. Remember to relax. Take deep breaths when under pressure. Always keep in mind that high school is supposed to be the best time of your life.

As a student of Central our school starts on Tuesday. Yes, this Tuesday. I am not to excited for school to start back up. I don't mind school itself, but I need more time. Summer hasn't lasted long enough.
In other words, I am not ready for new teachers, new binders, new classes, and new work. Can't summer just last one more month. Can't there be a Groundhog Day at the end of summer, where some animal decides if there will be a few more weeks of summer?
Well, at this point, I think it is about time that I accept that school is arriving. I can't wait till Homecoming to get my head in gear. It's time to put on my thinking cap. It's time for school.

...here's a little drawing i did of Nick...

Annoying, right? Okay, here goes.
Yesterday morning, I woke up way too early in the morning, to wait in line for about 47 minutes with shoes that didn't fit, squirmed into bleachers filled with yelling fans, tossed Aquafina bottles, babies and reporters. After a bunch of people in suits were done talking, they announced "John McCain!" and after talking and lots of pictures, I scrambled down from the bleachers to enter the wave of people, cameras, reporters with microphones and desperate women. I didn't get an autograph from anyone, but it was all the same. Like a rock concert. I was waiting for the mosh dancing to start out to the bluegrass band. Except I wouldn't be able to dance because my shoes... whatever, It was amazing, not only McCain but all the people. Amazing.
Now that's not amazing that every single channel on TV is broadcasting the story about Edwards and his affair. I know that everyone MUST know about the secret lives of these wonderfulllll people, but really. I do think that Edwards was really wrong to do it, I mean, if his wife has cancer, he shouldn't go looking after other women. I'm kinda embarrased that a guy who's running for president should eve

I was supposed to camping with some of my friends. However, we did experience some difficulties.
It rained all morning on the day we were supposed to go. We decided to tough it out and go to the camp site. When we arrived it was still raining pretty hard, but we thought it would blow over. We would set up the tent and come back later. However, when we went to set up the tent, the only place big enough to fit it was suddenly a lake of water. When we checked the weather and found that it was supposed to storm all night, we figured it probably wasn't worth it. In the end, we camped out in my friend's living room. It wasn't exactly what we had planned, but it was still a ton of fun.

Right now, I am choosing what colleges I want to apply to. The only problem is that I don't really know where I want to go. I have a list of about seven colleges that are possiblities but I want to try to narrow it down to five. Is anyone else going through a similar struggle?

There's a new book club at Martin Library for teens called DREAM Reader that focuses on urban fiction, better known as Street Lit.

Read more about it here.

I going camping soon and as a first time camper I am a little nervous. I like to be outside and do adventurous things, but I have never been camping. I know a lot of people go camping and nothing ever happens, but then you hear those stories on the Today show about the guy that was attacked by a bear. I'm sure everything will be fine, but you never know.
I know it will be fun and I will be with experienced campers, but if you don't hear back from me in a month... well something might be up. Wish me luck!

I am currently sunk in a leather chair that I have spent the past week sitting in. While at volleyball camp two weeks ago I badly sprained my ankle causing me to be on crutches for two weeks. For all of the lucky people who have never been on crutches, after two days it is no longer fun to swing around on them.

Talk about annoying. The only other thing that isn't as annoying as life's many challenges is the fact that we live in a country with powerful media. Don't get me wrong, living in a democratic country is a privilege and the kind of thing you got to live up to, like standards. But it seems the media has no standards, sometimes.
Whole story summarized: Ahem, we don't care that much.

Just think about it if you could possibly eat all you wanted and never got full or fat what food would you gorge out on?
For me it would be anything sweet like cupcakes or chocolate YUM! Food is my favorite hobby as sad as it is its very true. Americans like myself agree and are getting fat by the minute did you know that 64% of Americans are obese and 34% of them are morbidly obese
Wow that's a lot of fat!

My sisters tire popped and she kept falling and I thought that this was so funny. Sorry for the randomness but laugh, laugh until your stomach hurts really bad. HAHAHA!

Is it just me or is summer going by a little quickly?

It recently hit me when I realized that my brother, who is spending two fabulous weeks in Europe, is coming home on Monday. It seemed like yesterday when we waved goodbye and he hopped on the bus to go to the airport. Now he is coming home and I am really excited to see him.

The second thing that made me take notice was that yesterday was Independence Day (yay America!). Isn't July fourth supposed to come a little under half way through the summer? I just can't believe that we could possibly be almost halfway through the summer.

I guess we all just have the make the most of summer while it lasts!

happy 4th of July!!

Ever wondered how on Earth vegetarians survive? Dum, dum dum dum! (fanfare...kind of hard to tell online, I know) Look no further, SuperVeg is here!

I was walking home with my sisters from the park, and that is when I saw it. There was a (no offense) 80-year-old woman wearing a strapless shirt and and really short mini skirt. She was on the ground gardening. Disgusting.

Just wondering...what is going on with the trend nowadays? I mean, like with Disney channel for instance. Disney channel is geared towards kids, not teens. Are they trying to attract teens? In lots of the shows, they dress and imitate rock stars. Like when Hannah Montana dresses up in a punk-ish outfit; but when she gets on the microphone, she sings pop.

Are they trying to water down punk or trying to grow kids up?

OK, I was talking to my sister and I asked her what her favorite CD was. She was like, I don't even buy CD's when I can get any song on iTunes. It is true, like no one buys CD's. iTunes has become hot.

Here is one of the hottest bands on iTunes: The Jonas Brothers with their new song and music video "Burning It Up!"

So, apparently I have a syndrome.

Doesn't that sound just godawful?

Well, when I was very young, I had strabismus. In other words, I had crossed eyes. (The pictures are quite hilarious.) Two eye surgeries, a pair of glasses, and a patch later, I was all fixed.

But apparently, I now see the world differently than everyone else - literally.

A Teen Takeover alum has suggested that the recent blog entries are not up to par or not reflecting the teens of York in a positive manner. Newbies, we can't have that, can we? Something must be done, and who better to done it than me to? (Note intentional grammatical errors for lighthearted and playful mockery.) So sit back and relax, kiddies; it's story time.

OK, I thought I would tell you guys this because I thought it was quite funny! My best friend is afraid to go to sleep because she thinks that someone is going to shoot her while she is sleeping. She was watching Law And Order: CI with her mom and that is why she will not go to sleep now. Anyway, laugh away!

Hey!

How is everyone? Today seems to drag along for me today. It seems like there is NOTHING on T.V! So yeah.

(Mucho Boredom)!

I'm soo excited to see the loves of my Life the JONAS BROTHERS! I have been diagnosed with OJD. OJD stands for Obsessive Jonas Disorder! I am proud to have it too.

It's hard to get over that fact that my uncle is gone forever and is never coming back. I was at my friend's party yesterday and went into the bathroon crying because I miss my uncle so much. He was best friend and I will never forget him!

I'm excited to meet the new rookies of Teen Takeover and to get our new teen shirts!

Recently, I attended a Lead America conference up in NYC at Columbia University. Its focus was on Media and Journalism, which was the only thing that sparked my interest when we received some literature in the mail.

Turns out that it was well-worth it.

My eyes are drooping and my fingers are stumbling as I write this, so bear with me friends!

I'm currently writing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania as I'm taking part in the Pennsylvania Academy of Music's "Vivace" music festival. I play the flute there and am having oodles of fun...but the whole practicing for 6 hours a day and playing a concert every night can get a bit exhausting(!). I've just finally gotten to check up on my online shtuff (24 new emails...eek!) and am trying frantically to do everything before I fall asleep.

So. Me...(drums fingers). Well, as you can see/read, I'm a musician. I play flute, recently just stopped playing piano, and hum quite beautifully (is it possible to be a bad hummer?). I overdose on parentheses and ellipses whenever I write extended paragraphs (clearly...). I'm into all things whimsical and memorable. Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert make my weeknights. I like to speak Spanish but I'm not as fluent as I'd like to be. I hate milk. I'm afraid of knees (genuphobia is the tech term). I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian (I don't eat meat, poultry, or fish but I do eat eggs and dairy). I love swimming and lakes and kayaking and hate beaches. I ride my bike everywhere I can and am borderline frantically environmentally conscious. Michael Moore is my idol. I love DC and art museums and buttons and consignment stores and skipping.

If this wildly extensive yet vague description of my person is not sufficient for your liking, I encourage you to chat chit with me whenevs. I have a Facebook and MySpace, so "friend me," as they say.

Lovies,
Marybeth

So I changed my classes today again!
haha most of them are AP and Honors Classes.

What you want to do with your life?

When you're a teenager, the question seems to pop up everywhere. It affects the courses you choose in high school, the activities you participate in, and the people you spend time with.

As graduation nears, the urgency for an answer seems to intensify. You want to choose a college with a good program in your chosen major. Of course, that requires first knowing what you'd like to major in.

With so many factors to consider - pay, status, interests, required skills and certifications - it can be tough to know exactly what type of job or career would be the best fit.

But that can't keep a teen from dreaming, right?

We asked members of the York Daily Record/Sunday News' Teen Takeover staff to tell us what their dream job would be and why. Check out what they had to say, below, and then do a little dreaming of your own.

Lemme tell you fine people out there surfing the internet about senior week at the beach...

Do your ears a pleasure and buy the new Coldplay album, "Viva La Vida" and The Offspring album, "Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace"

=)

:)

I thought I lost my Pride and Prejudice book! Now I cando my summer reading to be in Honors English 11 for next school year.

I just got a call that I have been invited to volunteer at Camp Pennwood. Camp Pennwood is a camp for children with physical and mental disablilites. I am so excited because I get to help them at camp. I know that I am going to enjoy it a lot! Hopefully, there are volunteers that are about my age. Ironically, my mom is a therapist, and one of her clients is at the camp. So I guess I'll see my mom while I am "working".

"Happines is covered up with a paranoia"

So I was wondering who has the worst summer job. Does anyone have to bathe french fries in grease at McDonalds or watch a bunch of whiny kids?

It sounds like a warzone in our house.

My parents have decided for workmen to take over our kitchen this summer to remodel. It's only been three days since they've started, and I'm already sick of this.

Last night I was thinking to myself, "Dude, I should totally make waffles for breakfast tomorrow... Oh wait." Yeah, that was my disillusionment for the night.

So all I've been hearing is the sound of drilling and sawing because they're taking all of our old cabinets and countertops out. I'm most distraught because summer is supposed to be about sleeping in. I haven't exactly gotten past 10 AM yet. And for me, that's too early. Or maybe I'm just lame. Yeah, I'll go with that.

I'm pretty much loving the temperature today, though.

I'm tired. I can't sleep. It's way too hot out. And my back is killing me. But it's summer time!!

By LAURA DZWONCZYK

Stressed? Jump on the bandwagon. Almost every teen hears the dreaded word in health class, reads about it in magazines and experiences it in real life.

When the pressure mounts and the work piles up, teenagers look for ways to relax and release their feelings of anxiety.

I have finallyyyy resized some California pictures from my trip over Christmas break!! This was my first view...from the plane...beautiful!!...

And if you wish to see more...keep reading!!

So, the deadline for the main article is due in a week, and I can't think of a good way to open it. Well, I know I want to open it with a story, but I don't know how to open that... And I have a hour of tape here from an interview (and there's more where that came from)...

PS - Yay for the Music Man reference.

Is anyone else really sick of the dreary weather?

A couple musical groups were supposed to sing at Cherry Lane today as a field trip, but it was cancelled due to the rain. Needless to say, we were all pretty irked about it.

Come on - where's spring!?

It’s hard to get a high-school diploma without experiencing the kind of education you can only get from time spent in the school cafeteria.

You learn basic principles such as: If you can’t identify it, don’t eat it. A packed lunch is always better when some of its components have been traded with friends. Where you sit often says something about you.

Some things change over time. Nutritional fads and programs influence the offerings. Increasing enrollment and scheduling issues might have you eating lunch at 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Brown bags and metal lunch boxes give way to fashionable, temperature-controlled sacks.

Other things, however, seem to withstand the test of time. The cafeteria has always been a key setting for the social dramas of school life to play out. And the chicken pattie that the lunch lady plops on your plate probably isn’t all that different than the one your mother ate when she was in school.

Below, we asked members of the York Daily Record/Sunday News Teen Takeover staff to share some of their best tales from the cafeteria.

Hopefully, it will make you nostalgic for pizza day, not the food fights.

I was playing "Mario Kart Racing" with my brother on the Wii the other day and I realized how much easier it is to play on the Wii rather than a regular racing game. It’s not as confusing with all the buttons and combinations you have to hit (which is a big advantage to me).

There's been a lot of discussion the past couple weeks about students at York Catholic being caught drinking underage. Some of that discussion has revolved around the pictures posted to social networking sites of teens who appear to be at parties where alcohol was being served.

In an article in the York Sunday News, education reporter Nichole Dobo wrote: Experts say many teens don't realize why or how posting images online can hurt them. There are countless stories about young people losing jobs, internships or school privileges because of information they posted about themselves on Internet sites such as MySpace and Facebook.

The Daily Record received photos (sent anonymously) of teens at what appear to be drinking parties, with notes expressing that the sender hoped the photos would be published.

What do you guys think. Is it fair for jobs and schools to punish you for things published on your Facebook and MySpace accounts?

How careful are you when posting to these sites?

So tonight for dinner I'm going to 4 different people's houses for dinner. And now you're saying, "Um, wow. That's like, a lot of food" But no, it's called a progressive dinner...

The semester is almost ending....
I'm pretty sad my school year is ending, but I can't wait until these huge projects are over with.

At 8:00 I have to go and get Gardasil shots again. Mom was dumb enough to not let me go and take the last shot a couple of months. errrggghhhh makes me mad! I hate thoses shots because they burn. Guess it's for the good. we'll see how it goes.

So I was just sitting here thinking...like I seem to be doing a lot lately...And I decided I will attempt to write on this blog at least once, maybe even twice a week if I can come up with any comprehensible thoughts for on here. So tonight's post will be a kind of, rant, I think.....

My friends and I decided to hang out tonight, and our plan was to go ice skating and then watch a movie at someone's house. The skating was fun, and then we went to their house and got the movie out, which they told me was a Disney movie.
But they lied.

I got my boyfriend to dance.

Trust me, it's a big accomplishment.

I am hype because I just got my new i-pod and my i-home 2Go. I'm having so much fun with it(I'm a dork). My only problem is that i repeat songs for hours so my mom is starting to catch feelings about my new electronic friend. I find my self oddly fond of the clicks. I had to retire my veteran i-pod, all good things muct come to an end.

This might be a bold move on my part, considering this is York County and all, but I feel like ranting.

Well, might as well put this out there: Yeah, I'm an atheist.

Excuse me while I dodge the horde of rotten vegetables.

The fact that I pretty much get hit with a bunch of hypothetical rotten vegetables every so often is the reason I'm tired of atheists giving other atheists a bad name.

I'm so excited!!!! I just found out today that I will be running in the 2008 County Meet at Dallastown! My time, 13.4 seconds got in for the 100 meters. Hopefully, I break my personal record at tomorrow's meet against Northeastern.

Prom and graduation season is upon is, which means area police are staying busy nabbing teens for underaged drinking.

This weekend alone, more than 30 teens were cited in East Hopewell and Lower Chanceford townships. Read more here.

Are you a student who was arrested at the weekend underage drinking parties or the parent of a student facing charges? If so, we'd like to talk to you. Please contact the York Daily Record/Sunday News at 771-2000 or e-mail news@ydr.com with your name, telephone number and locality, and a reporter may contact you for a story.

The central PA pop rock band will be parting ways after the final show tomorrow night at the Strand Capitol. Local favorites have played numerous times in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and will end their two year successful run. The band has split due to altercations between the band members and will not announce what the altercations were.

Strand Capitol
7:00 p,m.
Friday, April 25th

wow this is a whole new experience....i never post on the blog :)
but i'm sick in bed and have nothing else to do with my life
so here i am
posting
on the blog
:)

Now, I know that it's not April yet, but it's close enough! On April 5 and 6, YorkArts will be hosting a poetry celebration. Come out and celebrate! ALL WORKSHOPS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! NO PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Continue reading for the schedule...

The Pennsylvania Nespaper Association honored student journalists today during the Keystone Press Awards Luncheon.

Features Editor Buffy Andrews attended the luncheon, and she was very excited to point out that our very own Teen Takeover staff member Abigail Stollar (AKA Abby) won second place for features stories for an article she wrote on her school cafeteria in The Rocket Star, Spring Grove Area High School's student newspaper.

Congratulations, Abby! We're very proud of you.

There were plenty of other area high school students who are excelling in journalism, too.

Pop Rock phenoms from PA rockin the house this friday night. They've been heard lately on 105.7 the X. Recorded with Fall Out Boy's producer for the album "Evening Out With Your Girlfriend." Playing an upcoming show with Andrew McMahon of Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin. And hitting the road this spring and summer with North Carolina, New Jersey, New York in the mix.

The band will be playing with Hollywood & Vegas, The Snails, and Tomorrow's Yesterday.
" CLUB 19'S BEST SHOW TO DATE"

***** AND FOR THOSE WHO COME, AN AMAZING AFTER PARTY WILL FOLLOW THE SHOW :)

Oh, wait. Maybe the real breaking news is this :

"New York Times front page story is accurate, has facts, relevance"

....about how so many teenagers are becoming pregnant these days....

Martin Library is sponsoring a talent contest for York County high school students, as part of its National Library Week Program Series: Street Lit, Hip-Hop, Reading and Writing at Martin Library April 13-19.

The theme of the contest is finding your voice, the real you, by sharing a personal experience or the life story of someone who made a difference in your life.

Apparently it's a tradition to wear pajama pants inside out and backwards the night before bad weather to get a snow day.

Did anyone else know this? I didn't do it...I didn't want one...for once in my life.

I'm going to go see Jumper today!

By the year 2050, whites will no longer be the majority race in America. Maybe there will be scholarships available for white students then?

As Valentine’s Day approaches, passion permeates the air. It fills the drugstore greeting card aisle, oozes from jewelry stores and bombards you during the commercials of your favorite TV program.

If you don’t have a significant other, it can get a little annoying.

What about using V-Day as an excuse to celebrate other types of passion?

Honestly, tons of people are just as passionate about their causes, careers and hobbies as they are about any love interest in their lives.

Below, members of the York Daily Record/Sunday News’ Teen Takeover staff share their passions. As you read through them, think about the passions in your own life, and make a date with one this Feb. 14.

While I sit at home, sick yet safe behind closed walls, the United States military is huffing and puffing over the possibility that their spy satellite may hit U.S. soil. Or soil anywhere else in the world. Pretty ironic if the satellite whose purpose it is to protect us ends up hurting us.

Here is an article:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/30/stateside_spy_sat_splat/

So the superbowl is coming up next weekend...and I just realized...I have no idea who is even playing in it...

Did anyone see last nights democratic debate? Well I did, gosh Hilary and Obama were really at it! I wonder what that says about the two of them if they ever became President? Did anyone else see it? If so please comment!!!

Mike Huckabee's win in Iowa is misleading: He will not be the candidate to receive the nomination at the Republican National Convention. Despite Huckabee's victory in Iowa, Mitt Romney will appeal to a wider swath of the Republican constituency, therefore awarding him the nomination.

So the moderate and the former preacher appear to be tonight's caucus winners. Anyone else nervous, apprehensive, or excited about the upcoming election?

It's Christmas eve, yet I'm really not terribly excited.

Does anyone else find that they're still not ready for the holidays?

The wiredness of High School

Well, everyone's posting something about swing, so I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon.

So, I have rushed home each day to check my mailbox for my Penn State letter. I always open it to find it full of magazines, bills, junk mail...but absolutely nothing from State College.

I'm seeing a pattern here.

Nostalgia normally hits me once a day, but little was I prepared for the huge nostalgia swing that I experienced at lunch today. A few of my friends and I were talking about the old Central High School, and how it is about to die out.

I'm in the mood for an Alice Hoffman novel. Does anyone get into moods for a certain author? Around early spring, I suddenly want to read everything Stephen King ever wrote. I think that's because one spring I read S.K. book's outside on the hammock. Also, when I read Alice Hoffman books, it was around winter. I would read them and eat bags of sour cream and onion chips. So, here I am, yearning for Alice H. and some chips. I think it fascinating that humans associate different time periods in their life with certain objects...like a book or a food item...or with music perhaps. Especially music. Although, as you age, you associate more things with music. Whenever an oldies song comes on the radio, my mom has a specific time, place, and person she matches with the song. I can't wait to be able to do that.

I just woke up. Am I lazy or what?

Whoever says that junior year of high school is the hardest and most stressful year is lying, for the most part. So far all this senior year has brought me is a mountain of stress that all roots with college.

So I’m over at my best friend’s house watching the Ravens/Patriots game Monday Night, and I realized something...

Our school is thinking about doing away with midterms and finals.

Cool.

I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

Even though Laura thinks that she won, it is going to come to a tie when it comes to who has the most posts.

I loooooove the month of December. My birthday and Christmas are all wrapped up in the best month of the year. Some people think that having a birthday that is so close to Christmas is bad, but I have enough separation (my birthday's the 10th) so that I still "double-dip" for presents. Whoever doesn't like...

So, Seth and I are on a mission to get more posts than the other by Sunday. Judging that we'll both be at Central all day tomorrow, this should be interesting...

I remember when I was young, I used to brag to my Christian friends about how I would get eight days of presents, while they would only get one. Hanukkah, therefore, was automatically better than Christmas.

What kid wouldn't enjoy eight days of eating fried potatoes drenched in oil, spinning little plastic tops, and getting presents?

What I didn't know - and what a lot of people don't know - is that originally, Hanukkah wasn't the Jewish holiday to give gifts.

Fine, whatever. I will write with perfect grammer. I have never really written in this blog, and they never taught us how. Thank you for helping to make my day worse. And I did not even use contractions. Wonderful. And I do respect english, excuse me for using my own made up language. I am so used to it and I am usually very hyper, so my jubilance comes out in my writing. Sorry for any complaints.

I have to apologize in advance, Laura, because I completely disagree with you. Personally, I think that Facebook is much better than MySpace.

By Lauren Amoros
West York Area High School

Across York County, diversity has grown in large numbers in recent years.

Students are responding to this new growth in unexpected and positive ways.

Junior Jimmy Locke helped found the Ena Raza Club at West York Area High School. Ena Raza, which translates to “one race” in both Spanish and Greek, promotes the acceptance of all cultures and individuals.

Hey guys haha heres my amazing paper bag...PS this is a school art class project...i don't draw paper bags for fun :)

Am I the only one who's on the Internet this early on a Sunday morning?

Dumb question.

OMGSH!!!!!!!!!!! I have THE GrEaTeSt story too tell!!!!!!!!!!! ookk, soo...tonight was the band compition that my school hosted. we were out back of the high school practicing when mr crone [band director] comes running up with the woodwinds on his heels yelling for us to grab our stuff and follow him [we were warming up]

Almost three months of my computer being ridiculously out of order and then back up, I'm finally able to post.

Tonight was my last football game as a high school student.

Rumor is there is a law that says no one over the age of sixteen can go trick-or-treating.

Who knew?

Starbucks, here I come! I'm extremely excited.

I love Halloween candy.

What's everyone else doing tonight?

I wonder if this has anything to do with postsecret? It seems too similar to be a coincidence.
I hate The All-American Rejects, so this is way better with the sound off. Trust me.

Halloween is exciting with treat and candy. Going door to door saying, "TRICK OR TREAT!"

Hi everyone. I'm going to let you all in on a few things I've been doing lately that have [kind of] prevented me from blogging.

I baked cookies! Chocolate Chip. I really don't like making any other kind. I'm a little boring.

I dyed my hair black. Twice. The first time it didn't take very well. It was darker, but not black.

I did a new painting. But, I ran out of paint halfway through. I was upset. So I have to go to A.C. Moore and get some new paint. Then I can finish and show you guys!

I've written a few songs. I haven't been very inspired lately, so that was a big deal!

I have my orientation tonight for my Starbucks position at Target, and I'm extremely excited. Even though I just know we'll have to watch training videos and sit in the same chairs for about 2 hours.

I forgot my password to the blog, so I had to reset it. Haha. That was kind of funny.

Hm. What else?

Okay. Everyone has their popular opinions. Pizza is my favorite food. I just lovvve sports!
BLAHBLAHBLAH.

What I'm all about are unpopular opinions. I'm in the minority for most things. So I'll share a few, you share a few. We're not here to bash eachother, though. Catch my drift?

I saw a blurb earlier about the stress of college applications--I can totally relate! Is anyone frantically trying to scramble together all the different parts of the application? I didn't know it had to be such a complicated process. I feel really edgy and nervous about sending out my application in different little parts at different times, so I've waited until everything is done at once.

So I have not posted things on this site for a very long time. I think the suspension of blogging shall end tonight for me!!!

To break it down...I'll give you new CDs that are good...and not so good.

Is anyone else sick of college applications? I know I sure am. What schools are you all applying to, and what are you doing to stay sane?

Yeah, got my hair cut today...layers!

West York's homecoming is around the corner! I'm excited.

Upon hearing about this war of the blogs, I questioned our opponent. Who is this Jim McClure guy? Just what does he write about? So I went to his blog...

So basically, I am competitive, even if Jen is not (or so she says). I want that trophy, and all of you should want it equally bad. Just a friendly pep talk for my fellow staffers. :)

So Jim McClure thinks he can beat us, huh?

Hey cool, I can access the blog from the school computers!

I'm bored.

This year York High's football team is really kicking some serious butt! The Bearcats are 4-0 right now and have yet to be scored on this season.
Everyone at York High (hey I'm one of them) is amazed at the major improvement of the team since last year. York High seems to be the diamond in the rough this year.
Our most aniticipated game is this Saturday as we play Harrisburg who, sad to say, smashed us lasst year. Hopefully our improvements will be great enough to help us beat them this year.

Dallastown won the game...wow. Who knew?

My homecoming is this weekend so I was wondering who else is going to theirs. Our theme this year is Disney, so our school is plastered with Disney characters and decorations.

I just thought I'd let everyone know...

I drove on an actual road today. Like, in a car. Haha. I'm very excited.

You have been warned!!!

So I'm saving everyone the MaizeQuest trip by posting, and as a reward, you all get to read what I did today in government class...

It is time for me to leave you all.

42 FOR SHNOZZ

performing 6:30 TOMORROW!!!!!!

CLUB 19

1327 North Duke Street in York PA 17404

SIXTH SONG: WESTWARD GIRL

You know the summer's ending when...

42 FOR SHNOZZ

performing 6:30 this Friday at:

CLUB 19

1327 North Duke Street in York PA 17404

FIFTH SONG: PERO ME GUSTA ESTO

The title speaks for itself...I woke up at four and didn't fall back asleep. I'm going to go to bed early tonight...maybe...

After a weekend of seriously blustery weather, these past few warm and sunny days have been delightful! Has anyone else noticed how much more enjoyable homework is when you can work on it outside?

42 FOR SHNOZZ

performing 6:30 this Friday at:

CLUB 19

1327 North Duke Street in York PA 17404

FOURTH SONG: Laughing On Cars (Providence)

Well, today I was doing homework for my Language Arts teacher. We're doing this whole thing on fairness versus justice (picking apart stories we've read). What do you think? What's more important?

42 FOR SHNOZZ

performing 6:30 this Friday at:

CLUB 19

1327 North Duke Street in York PA 17404

THIRD SONG: HIV, AIDS, and Other Things You Get in Jersey

42 FOR SHNOZZ

performing 6:30 at:

CLUB 19

1327 North Duke Street in York PA 17404

song number two: TELL ME WHAT I WANNA HEAR

Well as i hope most of york county knows (which i know they don't), 42 for Shnozz is performing at Club 19 this Friday Night at 6:30. Now most teens are going to either be working or going to football games but WHY????!!!?! Come to the show and you will get free stuff but I am not telling what. You are going to have to find out for yourself. Ok so nothing is going to be free but regardless, you, your best friend, your family, your neighbors, your enemies and of course the creepy lunch lady at your school should come see "God's Gift to Humanity" 42 FOR SHNOZZ

CLUB 19

1327 North Duke Street in York PA 17404

To help promote the show, a new song each day will be posted RIGHT HERE!!!! All the songs are copyrighted so you can't steal them or we will glady sue you!!! haha. enjoy the inspirational words...
1st SONG: GAZELLE

Today it really felt like Fall. I'm not really sure if I like fall or not. I know I hate Winter, so the bad thing about Fall is that I know what's coming. But I also love the cool weather. I don't know. I wish it was Spring. Something about Fall is depressing.

It's so boring when I can't take myself to place I want to go! Ahhhhhh I could not go to the York Fair and cannot go to the first football home game at West York. I can't wait until I can get my license next year. Good Luck to the West York Bulldogs on their first home game!

Tonight was my night to make an inspirational "speech " to our varsity field hockey team (this is much less formal than it sounds; it usually lasts about 30 seconds right before we warm-up to get our heads in the game). Since I'm feeling random, I just thought I'd share...

There are a few essential things you need:
- a Myspace account
- a Facebook account
- a Gaia account
- Friends whom you've met from all over the world through these sites (but that fact remains that you don't really know them)

This is why I hate season changes. I caught a cold from my friend and I feel loopier than usual.

Whoa! Who could believe a movie about a number and MATH (one of my mortal enemies) would be so great?

I am practically the only person to ever raise my hand in math class to ask a question. It makes me wonder if it's just me who doesn't understand or if the other students are too embarrassed.

My friend Emily came over. The whole weekend we walked around town. The freedom is addicting. We went to Starbucks, and Emily talked to a stranger about the Russian revolution. I stayed my distance, as strange 30 year old men talking to 16 year olds creep me out. That same night, we stopped by Mark's. Seconds after ringing the doorbell we got invited to dinner. The day before, I went to a relative's party. My cousins look completely different. (Haha, Dylan). Without talking to them for two years, I was surprised to find myself in constant converstation.
This has been a wonderfullly surreal first weekend of my junior year.

Now I crave the social life.

Anyone who knows me knows that I adore Porsches. I learned today that if you were to drive a 911 Turbo through L.A., that the air coming out of the exhaust pipe would be cleaner than the air going into the intake. Wow. Must be those coal-fired power plants.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned today, effective the 17th of September. Some believe he was the only person keeping the White House from being investigated. This should be interesting to say the least. Your thoughts?

Ever since I can remember, the start of school has been a big deal. When I was in elementary school, I anticipated the day that I got to go school shopping and buy all my supplies from black composition books to markers to "trapper keepers". When I started high school, I planned my outfits weeks in advance right down to the shoes I planned to wear and the purse I planned to carry. But, this year, I've done very little planning and preparation.

Thunderstorms at 1:30 am are exciting.

I can't say I have any fondness for the store. But I have a feeling that the big brown wall at the Galleria (across from Ruby Tuesday's) is going to be a Hollister Co. Ok, random, I know.

I don't usually agree with Mike Argento. But I do now.

"People care a lot more about dogs than they care about human beings. I'm not making an accusation just an observation."

I guess it makes me wonder when a news story about a cat being killed comes along (or something of that nature) and people get really upset about it. Then reports come in about 200 people being killed in Iraq and they don't seem to think it's a big deal.

Like Mike said, just an observation, not an accusation.

I always wanted to know what was underneath all that make-up.

Dinner: Impossible is very addicting.

Everything is coming together. My music, my art, my writing... I finally think I know what I want to go to college for. I feel like I'm finally becoming myself and who I've always wanted to be. I'm at a point where I can say I'm proud of myself and I love who I am. That's a big deal, for me. I'm not saying I'm perfect. But I can honestly look inside myself [and outside] and say that I'm comfortable. I wouldn't change anything about myself. The flaws make everything else all the better and more beautiful.

I feel like one of those thousand-piece jigsaw puzzles, and a bunch of pieces just fell into place.

Does anyone else feel like you just found some more pieces to your puzzle?

I just ordered a Zune. It's kind of my late-birthday present to me. I hope it's worth it because that thing was expensive, even on Amazon. My parents always joke about how cheap I am. I hate spending large amounts of money on anything. I know that $206 is a pretty good price for a 30G MP3 player, but it still was a major hit to my bank account. It practically has a black eye.

It's been raining almost non-stop for the past 3 days. I love it. Does anyone else love rain? The pitter-pattering on the roof, the smell when you walk out your front door or open a window. I especially enjoy the feel of rain on my skin. I'm such a sucker for running outside and dancing in the rain. I look like an idiot, but hey, it's fun!

So, I think I have a job. Infinito's. I guess that's not a bad place to start working at. The manager seemed really impressed by my application. I can't seem to figure out why. He loved the fact that I was homeschooled and that I included personal references since I didn't have job references. I thought that was kind of common sense...I'm going on Thursday to talk to other manager. I hope he likes my application as much as the other guy did.

I'm a city girl. The claustrophobic atmosphere allows me to breathe. Busy streets with neon signs, giving light way after the sun goes down, feeds me. I feel alive and wired. Cities are condensed. They are life's snowglobes...every aspect of humanity is scaled down into bite-sized pieces. Race is blended there. You can hear six different languages babbling in the background. That is the soundtrack to my life. The shopping, the restaurants, the nightlife...these are my necesities.

But I'm dying...I don't live in the city. Without these needs, I feel restless and bored. Day trips to Baltimore keep me going. When I move out, I'm city-bound.

Where do you want to live?

I am currently in upstate New York, in the small city of Oswego. My two cousins, my aunt, and my grandparents are all living here, and it couldn’t be more fun. We take drives around the neighborhood, stop by people’s houses and play games.

I'm not sure if anyone remembers this, but at the beginning of this summer I got a tadpole for the pond in my backyard. He seemed pretty happy there, and as the summer progressed his legs grew and his tail shrunk. A few weeks ago he had all four legs, so we put a rock in so he could sit on it and breathe air. But now he's gone missing!

Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Your feet are at their longest.

Weeird.

I'm drawing a blank. I want to write something really interesting, funny, etc...but I'm too tired. So I'm just going to say hi. Hi! Yeah, I've got nothing. How's this for a waste of space?

JEN! Where are the pictures from the balloon fight?? Post themmm!!

What's your favorite "thing?" Mine is my camera...a Canon Digital Rebel XT DSLR. I love taking pictures and just observing.

I like having water balloon fights. *evil grin*

Ok, so I'm pretty sure everyone knows who they are, especially those of you who go to Suburban. Anyway, along with all their bad grammar and hate, they say that America is doomed. If America is doomed then why are they still living here?! I bring this subject up because they were advocating a protest of U.S. Army Spc. Zachary R. Clouser's funeral today. Here's the link to the YDR story. I think you all should read this.

http://www.ydr.com/newsfull/ci_6598239

One of the Phelps family members left a comment on the article, and so did I (it's pretty much what I am saying here).

Also, kudos to YDR for instantly politicizing Clouser's death with that editorial. Stuff like that will really help the war effort.

In response to Brittany's article in today's paper about Ann Coulter "showing her true colors." Brittany conviently left out the fact that John Edwards called the war on terriorism "nothing more than a Bush bumper sticker." Coulter's reponse to that was that if Mr. Edwards believed that, than he deserves to be killed in a terriorst attack.

Also, the other article, you might as well include Green Day's entire American Idiot album.

Not that many of us (including me) listen to country music, but many of their songs aren't a representation of our "seemingly failed foreign policy" but actually remind us why we are fighting the war. Funny how you left those out.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be off to Bloomsburg University for a week of field hockey camp (during what is to be the hottest week of the summer...oh great). Therefore, tonight has been devoted to making a "Hockey Camp '07" mix for my iPod. Oh, and packing...

*Sigh* That is practically all I can do after the six weeks of nearly consecutive travel that I have endured for the better part of my summer "vacation" (if it can be called that). Four weeks in California, one week in New Jersey, four days in South Carolina -- I literally came back from one trip only to leave that same evening for the next. It's hard to believe that I've slept in my own bed only four nights in the past month and a half. Don't get me wrong, I love to travel, but there is something to be said for just relaxing in the comfort of your own home. So, after six weeks of being away, I can honestly say that I'm glad to be back in good old York.

*sings* Summer work...summer work...I just LOVE summer work!

The summer's coming to an end and it's getting kind of...blah. School's going to start, and then everyone is leaving for college. I'm just feeling kind of sluggish. I need to find something to entertain myself. Maybe music could do the trick.

Anyone else feeling a little blah?

Have you ever just randomly started talking to someone that you hadn't talked to in a long time, and realized that you barely knew who they were anymore? It's really sad sometimes, like when the person was your best friend and you simply lost touch. Before you know it, they're off talking about something you never would have thought in a million years they would care about, and that close bond you had is...gone. The close bond that allows late-night conversations where you end up finishing each others' sentences because you know what your friend means before they do. You can honestly say that you knew what they were going to feel about something before it even happened. They let you make your mistakes and then they helped you fix them.

This is on the July 30, 2007 cover of Time Magazine.

Yep, that's a Soviet designed and built Mi-24 Hind gunship. It's carrying away the A in Iraq. The article is about what happens in Iraq when the U.S leaves. The "A" is filled in with the American flag. Way to go Time! Leonid Brezhnev would be proud!

It is summer time, and that means that the bucks of our local population of whitetail deer are in velvet.

My mom told me I have to buy everything with my own money. Can anyone say CA-CHING?

Today, my mom's cousin came to visit us (if you're reading this--hi Beth!), and she told me about logging on here and being impressed with all of the stuff we write.

I had to go to Wal-Mart to get new tootbrush heads for my power toothbrush today. Every time I go there I hate it even more! It smells, it's dirty, I can never find what I want, and when I do find it 30 other people are also looking at it. Does anyone else hate Wal-Mart?

Recently I picked up a copy of Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters at the local Borders because I heard that it was an American classic and full of perspective into the common small town mindset. But after the first 70 pages or so, I could not read it any more because it was just too morbid. Has anyone else read this book? Please give me some of your thoughts on it. After all, it is a good book despite its depressing nature.

Several weeks ago, two high school students decided to tease me.

I, of course, didn't much care.

But something one of them said got me thinking about all the strange and interesting things people have said to me in my life.

Did any of you guys watch Charm School at all??? If so leave a comment and tell me how you liked it. Thanks.

I was all geared up for a night of MTV's hit show Sweet Sixteen when I dropped the remote and the channel was suddenly changed to...

Lyndsay...I just realized I know you...through people. Eh, that is pretty much it.

I've decided that on the whole I like you new people.

Well, after two weeks of being cramped in hotel rooms, Boeing 757s, and a mini van with my family, I am very glad to be back in Pennsylvania. Washington has nothing on the Keystone State (I know, it's hard to believe that this isn't the most boring place on Earth, yes?)

My favorite band used to be Fall Out Boy. Their music was catchy, and I loved the lyrics. I spent hours comparing Stump's vocals to the actual lines. [If you have heard "Dance,Dance" and then looked up the lyrics, you should understand what I mean.] By the way, if you are not familiar with the rock music genre, this article could be more than a little confusing. Then again, rock is becoming pop. So nevermind.

Yes, Fourth of July is almost here!

OMG!! so like, i was taking a walk thru this, like, forest, and there were like, lots and lots of trees. and there were all these animals. birds and bugs, you know. but what really got me, what REEEEEEAALLLYY amazed me was this one animal!! so i was looking at him, right? real close and reeally studying him AND ALL OF A SUDDEN.....................

Although I am not a member of Congress, I would like to propose a new law. I feel that everyone who resides in the United States should have to read the Emily Post guide to etiquette. It contains tips and rules for dining in public (do not eat with your mouth open and do not discuss your medical problems on your cell phone in a dining area) as well as basic rules on tact and graciousness.

My motivation for this "proposed law" is based in my frustration from the public in general. I am generally not a picky person, but Americans seem to have lost all sense of manners and tact. It would be nice to revert to an age where manners were not optional.

I am not advocating a return to uber strict rules concerning 15 forks per dinner, but simply common sense rules for interacting with other people and conducting of behavior.

The other day I received my application in the mail for Georgetown. I was rather excited seeing how it is one of my top choices for college. I was ready to start filling in the perfect little royal blue lines with information about my classes and extracurricular activities, but then I stopped.

My latest fascination has been the legendary Skull and Bones club at Yale. I am reading 'Secrets of the Tomb' by Alexandra Robbins, and it is blowing me away.

For those of you who are not familiar with the club, it is an organization that is highly selective and highly secretive. It operates on old money and has produced many politicians and world leaders. George W. Bush and John Kerry were both members during their stints at Yale. The club is thought to have an influence on world happenings through its infamous "repayment" policy.

The large sums of money, secrets, and old-money New England selectivity make the Skull and Bones club the Mafia for the yacht and polo set.

Last night, when I was working at Weis, someone walked up to me and asked, "Are you Jake from the Teen Takeover staff?"

I said yes.

It wasn't the question that surprised me.

I have recently discovered my love of bagels with cream cheese. Especially from Big Apple Bagels.

In light of what has happened with my "All About Dylan" piece, I would just like to say that I am sorry to "Kathy" and the rest of the Teen Takeover staff. I let my emotions get the best of me and said a few things that I wish I had not. I understand that criticism is a part of being a journalist...and accepting that criticism is part of being a good journalist. I also apologize for wasting server space for this, but I feel it was necessary. Once again, I am sorry.

I forgot to mention something in my last post: France relies heavily on nuclear power for energy, which shows that a wide-scale nuclear power system can work successfully.

If the U. S. were to make broader use of nuclear power, maybe France could help us get started. That might even help U. S. relations with France and the rest of Europe.

I'm trying not to stress too much, but I just recieved my SAT study guide and my Advanced Placement U. S. History book.

Flipping through both, I'm just getting more and more agitated.

On top of this, my family has decided that I will be homeschooled this year. Oh goodie...

I am trying to circulate a blog that I am just starting. It is to promote the awareness of environmental problems. If any readers could please help to circulate this blog, it would be greatly appreciated.

http://greeneffect.blogspot.com/

I am mad.

Well, I was mad. Last night.

And as you might guess, if I'm angry about something, it must have to do with physics...

Now that school is officially over, my mom and I decided to fix the pond in our backyard. It's nothing huge, just a little container pond we got last year. It looked pretty nice over the summer, but as the fall got closer we neglected it and the pond took a turn for the worse. So we started fresh today by cleaning it out and then going to buy plants and fish. While we were at the store, I noticed they sold tadpoles. I've always wanted a tadpole, so I convinced my mom to buy one. I think she hates the idea of something that can eventually grow legs and hop around our backyard, but I'm excited. I can't wait until it turns into a frog!

I was walking home from school today, as usual, when I saw something that startled me; a dog, lying in the grass along the rail trail. The dog was alone and didn't have a leash, but as I got closer I realized it was only was a statue. So I stopped to take a quick picture. A little later, I realized there was no plaque or wording explaining why the dog was there. It was a pretty neat thing to find, but it made me curious as to who put it there and why. If you're interested in seeing the real statue, I believe it is by the intersection at King Street and the rail trail.

I'm surprised no one did this yet...

While having a casual sleepover party, my two friends and I sat down to indulge in something that sounded decadently delightful. We plucked Chocolat out of the DVD sleeve, jammed it with much success into the machine and collapsed on the couch after a day of finals...

This summer, I mean.

I got a job four weeks ago - as a cashier at Weis. I plan on earning some spending money for college (Johns Hopkins). Since I'm double-majoring in physics and math, I'll have to buy lots of $150 textbooks.

Anybody see the newest Pirates of the Carribbean yet?? I don't want to ruin it for anyone but to me it seemed an unimpressive sequel to the first two. I have yet to find a sequel that comes anywhere near the greatness of the original and with PoTC 3 this was also the case. It was also a tad bit too long for my taste but Johnny Depp was in it so it was almost an equal balance!

As my senior year draws to an end, I wanted to thank the readers, our YDR advisors, and the Teen Takeover staff for a great run. Every time an article that I'd written appeared in the newspaper, friends let me know that they had read it (and even made comments about it weeks later). Jen, Katy, and Sue were always available via e-mail for advice, editations, and writing tips. In between the work, my co-writer friends kept our meetings full of fun. Thank you all!

How do you feel after you watch a movie?

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich came to Borders near Galleria Mall this afternoon to promote his new book, "Pearl Harbor."

I was there, and I bought one of his other books, "Winning the Future."

So I waited in line to get it signed. I never had a book signed before.

I waited a long time.

After dealing with foot pains for almost a year, I decided to do something about it.

That's French for "monkey".

What is it that humans find so interesting about monkeys?

It's hard to believe my senior year is almost over. With only one day of classes left (Thank God!), the past 6 years of my education seem surreal. I am seeing the faces of my fellow graduates probably for one of the last times in these next couple weeks till graduation. It's hard not to think about this especially because I have to write the salutory speech for graduation. I am more nervous about speaking in front of my entire class on stage then I am about actual graduation.

I am extremely tired, but I thought that I would tell you all what I did tonight. I went to start my new volunteer job at the hospital, except instead of working in the pharmacy dungeon that I currently work in. I am now stationed in the maternity wing, which I love.

I get to work with the newborn babies in the nursery and visit new moms in their rooms. It's such a happy floor. Today I saw a family and a new dad walking with a new baby from the delivery room to the nursery, and the dad was still crying! I'm serious; it's the best volunteer job ever. If you have the time, check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Happy Mother's DAY!!!

If the stress of AP exams this week wasnt enough, for the past two days my car has been falling apart. Literally, the front bumper has a huge crack in it. But yesterday, fumes of anti-freeze started drifting into my car through the air vents on my way to school! I could not be late for my Ap Calculus test so I raced to school with the windows down and hoped the fumes would help my brain for the test!!

But this got me thinking...I think schools should offer an optional class for basic car maintainence. Just a simple class to teach any interested students information about coolant and anti-freeze and all the other stuff that comes with car functions. Or maybe just how to open the hood (which I am embarrassed to admit took me forever to figure out). I know if my school offered this I would jump at the chance to take it. just an idea..

That potato snack can resume its original name - now that France elected conservative Nicolas Sarkozy president. That's the first good news I've heard from France in a while. The last news I remember was the riots last year.

Hopefully the following elections in France will go well for Sarkozy's party, and he will be able to reduce the level of socialism in France. Maybe he'll influence the rest of Europe.

My friend isn't talking for a week.

Anyone else have this math course?

It's that time of year, the time when schools charge exhorbitant amounts of money for a dance, and girls spend even more on dresses, nails, shoes, and hair. But is prom really worth all this trouble?