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Procrastination

Procrastination may be the worst thing ever.  No matter how much you have it in your mind you are going to do something, most likely you will put off things still every now and then.

A good example of my procrastination skills would have to be these blogs in general, I need to have 3 each week between Monday and Sunday.  Has anyone else figured out what day I usually post on? That’s right, Sunday night!  I could probably take the time to do them throughout the week; I just never get around to it.

Another great example would be the 2 posters I have due in AP Comparative Government tomorrow morning.  I have had this assignment for over a week and I have yet to start.  Why? You might be asking… I just honestly have not felt like doing them whenever I have had time.  You are probably thinking that I will be doing them as soon as I get done with this then… But no I am planning on waiting until tomorrow morning at 4 to do them, no joke there.

If you struggle with procrastination, I would like to give you some advice that maybe I will start following too.  First, I would recommend writing everything in a planner.  Not only does a planner help you remember, you are able to schedule out your time.  Second, follow that planner.  This is where I fail.  I am very good at writing everything down, but very bad at following everything I write down.  My best advice, write everything in a planner and stick to it! No matter how much you want to hang out with your best friend at HyVee, always stick to your planner!

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Baseball

            Baseball season is finally here. Yeah I am a chick but yeah I am pretty excited.  Baseball means that it is officially Spring and the weather has begun to warm up.  I have enjoyed baseball for almost my whole life and definitely think that is not only different from softball, but also better to both play and watch.

            In case you are some crazy person that just decided now to start reading my blog and aren’t actually one of my friends (which I highly doubt), I work for the local baseball team in my town, The Cedar Rapids Kernels.  This year the Kernels signed and moved their Major League affiliation from the Los Angeles Angels (who they had been with for 20 years) to the Minnesota Twins.  As weird as it was switching affiliations, this has had a lot of benefits for the team.  Cedar Rapids is located in Iowa, in case you didn’t know, this means that we have gone from being hundreds of miles away from our affiliate, to being a 4 hour drive.  We are now the closest affiliate team to the Twins and therefore we are receiving many of their top draft players, and are expected to be the team their injured players will go to.

The bigger thing right now is Byron Buxton, the top draft pick that we have ever had play for the Kernels.  He is currently playing in the outfield and is being paid a six million dollar signing bonus, yeah you saw that right.  If I could get one of his autographs I could already sell it on eBay for $50, but he always seems to be hiding in the dugout during team signings. Hmmm…

Since I work concessions this change has only affected me minimally.  First off, some of the best employees will receive Twins tickets at the end of the season, that is pretty exciting to me and I definitely am going to try to win them.  Second, our attendance is expected to increase as Twins fans come to the stadium to see hopeful future players for the Major League team.  I know our attendance was far better on opening night this year, than it was last year; but last year it was also much colder opening week.

In general, however, baseball is here.  The weather is warming up and fans are coming out to watch the all the players.  I will always love the sound the bat makes when it makes contact with the ball.  From the sound, you can almost always tell if it is going out of the stadium.  Even the crack as the baseball reaches the catcher’s glove after each pitch.  All the sounds are what makes baseball, well baseball.  I’m hoping the weather holds out until the next home stand, I think I might have gotten a little burnt today when I went to watch the game after getting off.  But it’s baseball season, so let’s play ball!

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Iowa Assessments

            This week at my school, Kennedy High School, we have been taking the dreaded Iowa Assessments.  This is my, I have lost track, year taking the different standardized tests.  When I first started taking the tests in 3^rd grade we were taking ITBS, then in 9^th grade they were ITEDS, and the last two years they have been Iowa Assessments.  This was my last year, so I am pretty excited, but for kids who may have a few more years, I have some hints on how to do well.

1)      Get plenty of sleep the night before.  The tests are very boring, along with any standardized test and most tests in school.  It will help tremendously if you are not trying to doze off during the test.  A full 8 hours will also help you concentrate during the test, as you will be less likely to start staring off into space, which seems to happen so frequently.

2)      Make sure to eat breakfast before coming to school that day.  If you have a full stomach you will be more alert and energized.  You will also be able to focus more fully on the test since you won’t be sitting there thinking about how hungry you are.  I think everyone has heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and although I don’t usually eat a breakfast I always make sure I do during the week of testing.

3)      Have plenty of #2 pencils, oh and an eraser.  Almost every test is going to require that you use a #2 pencil so that the machine they run everything through will be able to interpret your answers.  Almost every pencil you find in the store will be a #2 pencil so you are probably okay, but I wonder what happened to #1 pencils… Also make sure you have an eraser that works very well, so that same machine you need the #2 pencil for doesn’t think a line has two marks instead of one and then count it wrong.

4)      Go to the bathroom before going to your homeroom for the test.  I made this mistake today, and it was a very long morning.  If you are sitting there thinking about how full your bladder is, you will not be focusing totally on the test. Trust me, nuff said.

Even though I was talking about the Iowa Assessments during my lovely post here, these tips would also work for the ACT, SAT, and any other standardized test you may be taking.  I have also got to add, that although I say the testing is terrible, I am kind of sad to go back to not having them.  The Iowa Assessments mean I don’t have to go into my 0 hour class until 7:20 and all my classes are shorter.  However, I am certainly excited to not be eating lunch at 1:05 any longer.

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Social Media on Relationships

Social Media can affect relationships both positively and negatively.

Social media can create trust issues in a relationship by things that are posted on walls. Sometimes a boyfriend may see something that another guy posted on his girlfriend's wall and freak out about it. Even though she didn't know why they posted it, or maybe had nothing to do with it, her boyfriend may see it before she does, creating an issue in the relationship. Sometimes boyfriends may have something posted on their wall that the girlfriend sees and takes it to mean something it doesn't. My advice would be to always check with them before freaking out.  You never know the actual meaning of something, or it could always have been an old post from before the relationship between you had begun.

Sometimes if one person may not be talking to their significant other, but they are still posting, it can lead to awkward moments in a relationship.  It can also lead to false thoughts about why they may or not be talking to me.  Always know there must be some reason, and if it is really bothering you ask them politely about it.

Social media can also allow for some positives, such as nice little flirting on each other's wall and cute little messages. These can allow for you to make nice little positives in each other’s days.  It also makes it so other people can see how happy you are with each other.

The messaging feature on some, well actually most sites, also makes it possible to communicate when one might not be able to otherwise be near their phone or other means of communication.  Although that can also lead to more conflict if for some reason one is not talking to the other.

Just remember that however you use social media, it can affect your relationship so use it wisely and carefully.

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The Three Types of Students

            In the beginning of the year we all are prepared to do our best and to go above and beyond, doing far better than year before. I have always had this state of mind when I start school, but once I hit about the third trimester or a little before, I just give up. As sad as this sound it’s true, and I bet 80% of my class would agree with me. I think everyone will start off saying I am going to go right home and do homework, and I’ll get a GPA of 3.7 or higher, or say they are going to maintain all A’s. For some kids they will do this quite well, I call these kids Lucky Smart People, then there are kids that are Hardworking Smart People, and finally we have the I’m Just Going to Get Through It People.

            The Lucky Smart People are usually the kids you just want to strangle when the whole class takes a test, and no one studies, and they end up getting an A+. These kids usually have a 3.8 GPA or higher, probably 4.0. Even though I am one of these kids in most classes, sometimes it will come to a disadvantage. What I mean by disadvantage is that even though we are really smart naturally, we think that they can just get away without doing anything, so in turn we will sometimes fail and then not get our points. What I hate the most is when people complain (and I know I do this) and say “Ugh! I only got a B+”. I know that it frustrates people around us, but it just kind of happens naturally when we aren’t used to scoring like that.

            Now on the other hand there are Hardworking Smart People. I look up to these people so much because they have so much heart in school and they really deserve all that they get. I wish I could be as determined as them and actually do my homework the night before rather than in the class before it is due. These kids are so smart and motivated, but not lucky, and are definitely going places. But, just like the Lucky Smart People there is a down fall to this, and it can be socially or street smarts. I still idolize these people and just wish I could have the drive to do so well in school.

            Finally we have the I’m Just Going to Get Through It People. These people are usually the kids that come in looking like they would rather be somewhere else every day, and are the ones to say “There was homework yesterday?” or “Shit, the test is today?” Now we all have these problems, but the kids I am talking about have no drive and no problem failing out or getting a bad grade. I honestly have no clue how they do this, or whose parents would let them do this. I mean you have to do well, even in high school, to be successful in the future.

            I am guessing that by reading this, you found one that really fit you.  I also know that depending on the day, and class, I could fit into all of these categories.  The times where I am one of the I’m Just Going to Get Through It People, always tends to bite me in the butt later when all of a sudden I realize how crappy my grades are getting, like now.  My recommendation would be to stay in the first two categories whenever possible, if you really want to succeed in school.

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Ice Skating(:

            Ice skating is one of many recreational activities you can participate in year round (as long as your town has an indoor rink). While the only ice arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, there is another one in Coral Ridge Mall in Iowa City. This activity is great for ages three all the way up to being an adult. It is great exercise, something different, as well as challenging.

            While ice skating, you have to use your whole body, including leg muscles, abdominals, and arms. But legs and abdominals are the key to doing well; balance is probably 40% of doing well too. When you are out on the ice, you get the brisk feel on your face while you glide through the people on the ice with you and you feel like you could go forever. While this feeling could go on forever, your feet are screaming for you to stop. If you enjoy ice skating and want to pursue it then go buy your own pair of skates! If not, you better stick with the rentals, which are only a few bucks to rent, and your feet hurting like hell! But isn’t it… “No pain, no gain.”?

            People generally go to more of the generic hobbies such as bowling, shopping, hanging out with friends and many more, but ice skating is something way different. I mean you’re on ice and have two- eight inch long blades (depending on your foot size) that could slice someone’s head off.  That sounds pretty different to me. I like this because you can burn calories, have fun with friends, and do something not many people can do or will do on a daily basis.

            Ice skating is one of the best recreational activities because it is challenging, different, and gives you great exercise while you’re having fun! If you’re looking for a new hobby or to pass time, any time of the year, I recommend ice skating as your first choice.  Plus, if you live in Cedar Rapids, you can visit me if I’m workingJ

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