When I first arrived in August, I expected to have tons of homework and that it was going to be difficult to make friends. I also expected for the year to go by so slow. But my predictions weren’t exactly correct.

By October, my life went more smoothly than the beginning of the year. The homework load was not that bad though. There were some nights I would end up going to bed at 11:00 because of my homework but I learned to use my time very wisely. I started focusing during Wildcat time and my homework load went down. And during October, I was able to make wonderful friends. I was afraid at first because I was arriving at a brand new school but I got over my fear.

In seventh grade, I learned that math is my favorite subject and I love writing and reading in English class. At first math was a struggle, then I realized how easy it was. All I had to so was really focus in class. My math teacher also helped me believe in myself. Then, in English class, reading The Giver was the best! The first two chapters of the book were pretty boring but the book ended up being amazing.

In addition, I learned to make friends, which was not that hard. At first I was scared and, in a way overwhelmed by everyone at school. But to be honest everyone was really welcoming. I had no problem with mean people. But one lesson I will never forget is, real friends will stay by your side no matter what.

As the year comes to a close, I will miss most of my teachers. They all thought me great things. My friends are ones I am forever going to keep and miss until next school year. And the homework was not bad at all. I’m truly going to miss seventh grade with all my heart.

I can’t wait for summer! There’s only four more weeks of school left. The sun will shine bright, the lemonade will be cool, and the grass will be nice and green. Kids will be able to be with their friends and sleep-in late. There will be NO homework. I just love summer.

One of the camps I always go to is called: Camp Widjiwagon. The camp is located in Nashville, TN. I love love love this camp. I get to meet new people from all over Nashville, somethings I see people I know. Also, the camp counselor have a name that is not their real name. For example if my real name was Jill, I would make my camp name Jelly Bean or Pickle. This camp is filled with fun-filled activities.

Another thing I like to do doing summer time is go on Lake Austin. There are so many little things you can do on the lake. You can bring your boat and go tubing, which is the best. The. You can feel the nice ripples as your tube goes through the lake. The lake is also cold and refreshing so you never have to worry about yourself ever getting hot.

These are some of my favorite things to do during the summer. I just can’t wait for it to come. It is almost here. Once summer comes, all these things will be fantastic things to do. Summer is the best time of year!

DIVING BOARD

You’ve been up on that diving board

Making sure that it’s nice and straight.

You’ve made sure that it’s not too slick.

You’ve made sure it can stand the weight.

You’ve made sure that the spring is tight.

You’ve made sure that the cloth won’t slip.

You’ve made sure that it bounces right,

And that your toes can get a grip—

And you’ve been up there since half past five

Doin’ everything . . . but DIVE.

~Shel Silverstein

This is my favorite poem of all time. The poem describes exactly how I feel when I’m about jump off a diving board. The first time I head this poem I couldn’t stop reading it to myself. I even printed a copy of it and hung it up in my room. It describes the feeling of being up on a high diving board perfectly.

Photo credit: http://store.americangirl.com

When I was little, I just couldn’t be without my American Girl Doll named: Caroline. She was my diamond that I couldn’t be without. I took her everywhere I went. When I went to gymnastics, she came too; she even went over to my friend’s houses for play dates.

Caroline had a light pink dress. Her hair was blonde and her hair was naturally curly. She was beautiful. She always made me stop crying when I had a bad day at school. I would laugh with her day and night. She would even sleep right by my side.

While I had her, I always had a smile on my face no matter what. When I started fourth grade, I decided to give her away to my three year old girl neighbor. I give my doll to my neighbor because I wanted her to experience what I experienced when I was small. That’s why I have a scrapbook in my room, of the memories I had with Caroline.

The apps listed below are my top five apps I love. I use the apps everyday. There isn’t a day I don’t use them. They are truly the best apps.

1) Netflix: I absolutely love this app. The app gives me a variety of movies to choose from. I can watch Mean Girls 2, The Hunger Games and The a Phantom of the Opera. This app does require you to sign up and pay every month, but it’s totally worth it.

2) Instagram: This app is an app I was literally everyday. Since I moved to Texas, this is one way I can see how my friends are doing. However, Instagram requires you to sign up with an email, your phone number and your name. Anyone can sign up from any part if the world.

3) Quizup: This app is the best app there is on the App Store. The app has you sign up with an email and a name. After that, you can connect with friends. This allows you to quiz your friends on different topics. It also keeps track of how many wins you get and how many losses you get.

4) Snapchat: I love using this app. I get to send a picture to my friends and send a short sentence. This might not be an educational app but its fun. All you have to do to get it is: create a username, put your phone number, and then your done. It’s super easy to find friends on here too. Snapchat looks at your contacts’ numbers, and sees if any of your friends have a snapchat under their number.

5) Fruit Ninja: This app is extremely entertaining. Your objective is to cut as many fruits without hitting a bomb. Through out the game, some fruits give you bonus points. I usually start playing one round of Fruit Ninja, but then I end up playing 12 rounds. The best part about this app is, you don’t have to sign up for anything. All you do is purchase it on the App Store and your done.

 

The wind was whispering through the cave. The water was calm and gentle. My boat flowed toward THE LAIR. Through the cave there were candles. One by one they fired with flames. I was ready… ready for HIM.

My boat came to a stop, I knew he was near. I hopped out of my boat and headed to the dark. All I could hear were the rats scurrying the opposite direction of where I was heading. Now, I really had no doubt about the Phantom popping out any moment. But instead of finding the Phantom I found a box “singing” a soft song. The sweet song was…Masquerade. I remember this song from a while away. But, I wasn’t quite sure why the song was playing? 

The darkness was growing stronger though. Then I turned around slowly… and found the Phantom’s throne. My heart skipped a beat. But I realized something, the Phantom wasn’t down here. He was gone. There was one thing left in the lair… the Phantom’s white mask.

 

Photo Credit: Inaz via Compfight

 

 

iPads are great to have. They enhance learning and the way you learn with it. iPads are truly amazing for learning.

As I said earlier, they can “sparkle” learning. The way we look at things on iPads are wonderful. The apps that people make for, learning are spectaculous. The apps let people explore through any subject.

Another reason is that it’s not a “bad” distraction unless you make it one. It can’t be a distraction if you don’t play games on it. People can get really focus with studies on an iPad. The iPad has so many “good” distractions that overcome the “bad” distractions. They are truly indescribable.

Therefore, iPads are a valued possession. People can become more intelligent in the brain. And people can learn in many ways they never knew they could.