Pretty Little Liars

Recently, I’ve read the third book of eight in the Pretty Little Liars series. It is also a hit television show. The series, which was written by Sara Shepard, is about four formally best friends. During a slumber party after the last day of seventh grade, one of the friends went missing. It wasn’t until years later that she was found, dead in the backyard of the house she lived in at the time. It was claimed to be a murder, but the other friends still had so many questions to ask. To make the the situation harder on the former friends, they have all been receiving texts, emails and other mysterious notes about different events that only their deceased friend knew about. The messages were also about events that were currently going on in their life. The friendship between the four girls is rekindled, due to the scary messages they were all getting. But the sender of the texts, A, starts revealing some of their secrets so others get emotionally hurt. As the series goes on, the girls receive more and more from A, and they are faced to try to figure out who it is. They keep getting different ideas about who A really is, but then that person is automatically out of the running. The series constantly leaves you thinking, using all the clues that they give to you. It’s not until the end of the series when you figure out who is causing all this drama for the girls. The books are hard to put down just because you get really caught up in figuring out who A is. But I can promise you that in the end, the frustration brought upon by the series is worth the anticipating wait in the end! Just read and see for yourself!

Help World Hunger

There are so many things that could be done in the world to make it a better place for all of us living on it. The number one thing I would change is the amount of resources that everyone receives. This is such a problem in the world today because their are people in more wealthy countries, like the United States, that take food and water for granted. Whether the realize it or not, there are many people in third world countries who don’t have nearly as much food as we do. And in most instances, we just throw out any leftovers from dinner. Those extra mashed potatoes and steak would be an extraordinary dinner for some of those kids. A lot of them don’t even get that kind of meal in there lifetime. Out of the seven billion people in the world today, almost one billion of them do not have enough to eat. In developing countries, one out of six infants are born with low birth rates due to hunger. And even worse, every five seconds a child dies due to hunger. When it comes to water, almost two billion people don’t even have access to clean water. Two and a half billion people suffer from water borne illness every year. In Alden, we are lucky to not be one of the many that are affected by lack of food and water. Just because we have more than what we need, that doesn’t mean we can’t help those who don’t have all that we have. Next time you go to throw out food because you aren’t hungry anymore, think of the people in developing countries who would give everything they have just to have that tiny bit left on your plate. Wouldn’t we all feel better knowing that we are taking part in saving a hungry child’s life?

Five People You Meet In Heaven

What happens after death? I’m sure I’m not the only one who has thought about it. Author Mitch Albom has given us an interesting perspective on this question. In his book Five People You Meet in Heaven, Eddie, a war veteran who works at Ruby Pier as a maintenance man, passes away in the beginning. Therefore, the story starts at an ending. While tending to a broken ride, a cord snapping, causing the cart to drop and kill him. To him, it doesn’t feel as if he died. He wakes up with nothing around him, just an empty space. Instead of being in the form he passed away in, he was himself as a child. At this time, and four other instances throughout the story, he meets someone. The person he meets isn’t just anyone. Each one of them has a lesson to teach him about his life on earth. As he met and talked with each person, he understood more about the time he spent alive. Some of the people he knew, some he did not. They ranged from pier workers when he was a child to his deceased wife. His former captain from the army to the lady in which the pier was named after. After every person, he only had one question to ask; did he save the little girl who got in the way of the falling cart? Of course I can’t give away the ending. When my mom read the book, she claimed she was very disappointed with it. I had a different preference of the ending. I’m not able to give it away, since it would ruin it for anyone interested in reading it. Or if reading isn’t exactly your thing, it was made into a movie in 2004 starring Jon Voight as the main character.

Introducing Michael Steffan!

After seven issues of The Bulldog, you have all gotten an idea of some of our interests. Our blogs help you get a better idea of that too. But do you really know who us workers are? Recently, I’ve taken the time to get the inside scoop on the newest editor of The Bulldog, Michael Steffan. When we sat down together, he informed me that throughout his high school career, his favorite class has been Twentieth Century Wars. Since this isn’t a class that would interest me, I asked him what he enjoyed about the class. He likes the teacher, Mr. Kryszczuk, and the way the course was taught was interesting to him. The class is taught through film. On the other hand, he isn’t a big fan of math since he isn’t too good at the subject. His favorite food you might ask? He likes chicken wings, but not just any kind of chicken wing. He prefers them to be hot. He isn’t just an editor to our newspaper, but he is also part of our school’s football team. On top of it all, he plays pond hockey. When it comes to outside of school, his best friend is Joe Foss. Mike likes to go with the flow and do things like working out or hanging out with his friends. When asked if he had a girlfriend, he said he didn’t because he’d rather keep his options open, because he has MANY options. He doesn’t have a role model either. Instead, everyone else looks up to him. He likes an array of movies. His top five movies would be Forrest Gump, Toy Story, The Big Lebowski, Napoleon Dynamite and Lord of the Rings. Mike is generally a really laid back person and a great contribution to our Bulldog newspaper!

Dear Genie

If I was to be granted three wishes, I would automatically wish for anyone who is fighting for our country’s freedom overseas to come home. I know by the end of the year, tons of troops are supposed to be coming back, but some will still be over there. I don’t have any family members or friends over there fighting, nor do I know anyone who does. It’s sad hearing on the news about all the deaths of our soldiers. I understand the want for them to serve for our country and it’s a great duty that all of them do. For their heroic duty, they all deserve to come home safely. My second wish would be for a better Christmas. I know it’s always a happy time, but the past two have been extremely scary in my house. Two years ago, we woke up to find an electric outlet sparking, on the verge of a fire. Last year, everyone woke up and didn’t feel good. After I played Just Dance 2, I passed out. It turned out that we had carbon monoxide in our house. I passed out from breathing it in so heavily. I spent most of the day in the hospital. After taking numerous tests to examine my head from my fall, I was released around four in the afternoon. Due to my late arrival, my family was unable to do any of the regular things that day, like go to my grandpa’s house. Therefore, I’d like this to be a happy, fire department-free Christmas. On the more greedy side, my last wish would mostly be for my dream car. More than anything, I’d love to be the very proud owner of a 2012 Dodge Charger. Ever since I saw one a couple years back, I have given it a permanent place in my future. Sure, it is a wish now, but it will definitely become a reality!

The Christmas Craze

It’s hard to believe that the year is coming to an end. But before that can happen, we need to all get through the Christmas season. This year, it seems like Christmas appeared way too fast. Before we know it, it’ll be Christmas Eve! Even Christmas music creeped upon us sooner that it usually does. Local radio stations always started the music when the holiday shopping season started, the day after Thanksgiving. This year, things have been changed up. On two local radio stations, Christmas music has been being played since early November. But is that too soon for the holidays to begin? Some people think so. With the nice weather, our Indian summer, Christmas decorations are being put out earlier than usual. It also seems to be that more houses are decorating this year. All this Christmas preparation, and there isn’t even snow in our forecast to set the mood! Don’t get me wrong, snow has fallen, but so far, there hasn’t been a measurable about. The record for the latest and first recorded snow fall in Buffalo, New York is December 3rd. With many record breaking temperatures this fall, it’s possible we could break yet another record! With the crazy temperatures but early Christmas preparation, it’s hard to tell if the holiday mood is being set. Whether it is set or not, it is almost here, a couple weeks away to be exact. Get out your holiday lights, Christmas trees and ornaments. It’s time to start wrapping your gifts and topping them off with bows. I hope that everyone has a safe and amazing Christmas, and holiday vacation. Hopefully you sent out your Christmas list already because it’ll be here before we know it. Don’t forget to set out your cookies and milk, he’ll get hungry during his long travels!

The Sabres Slump

No one ever thought that the Sabres would be in this bad of a slump. But is the goalie the person to blame? The season is still young, but the past few games in which Ryan Miller has started, it’s been a loss for the team. During one game in which he got pulled, allowing in too many goals, he was booed of the ice from the fans. During a post game interview, he didn’t have anything positive to say about it. When asked about his view on the boos coming from the crowd as he left the ice, he said that they bought the tickets, so they could do whatever they want. Along with this comment came a colorful vocabulary dealing with his slump. Ryan Miller was taken out for a few games, hoping Enroth was able to cover for the team with he re-cooperated. When he came back to play against the Boston Bruins, Malin Lucic hit Miller hard, causing him to leave the game later on. The hit lead to Miller getting a concussion and out for several games. Sabres fans were expecting him to get ejected from the game, fined and hopefully suspended from any following games. Unfortunately, he did not. When interviewed after the game, the team was embarrassed by the way they didn’t defend their player between the pipes. When Lucic was interviewed, he pretty much said the Sabres weren’t a good team for not defending the goalie. He said that if he goalie was hit the same way, he would’ve went after the other team. The hit ended in a concussion, causing Miller not to dress for the next nine games. He first game back, he seemed to be at his best, defending himself against any player to come after him. It’s still early in the season. The Sabres have more in store for us fans. Keep watching to see how they do!

So Many Choices..

There are so many choice in life today. It’s good to have choices, but not all of them are good. Like choice blogs for instance. Most people complain about them, so it makes us all wonder why Mr. Currin makes us have FIVE choice blogs in a matter of a week. Some of us see three hundred words about the holidays, after high school plans or favorite movies as a challenge. But once it’s the option to write about absolutely anything is thrown at you, it’s practically the challenge of a lifetime. Come on Mr. Currin, I’m sure you can think of amazing ideas that all of us would love to write about. Why not take a poll on different topics for us to write about or even get help from all of the editors in the office? Even though all of us in the office are profession journalists, it’s hard for us to come up with numerous topics to write about with a two week deadline on all of our stories. It’s easy (for most of us) to get an article typed, edited and submitted in two weeks. With four or five blogs thrown on top of the article, it’s not so easy. To make the situation sound ten times harder, he has cut down the amount of time we have to get our article submitted! It’s been cut down from five classes to four! By the time this blog was written, Mr. Currin was somewhat understand of the situation he put his employees in by reducing the number of choice blogs this week from five to three due to the deadline we have been given. I thank you for this Mr. Currin, but I’m sure your employees would be so much happier if you gave us topics instead of a choice. Thank you! (:

Happy Shoppings!

Tons of people take part in the festivities of Black Friday. It’s got to the point that reports call it a contact sport. Just last year, someone in a Buffalo But have you ever stopped to think about what it’s really all about? It dates back to the 19th century. People saw it as the official start of the holiday shopping season. Department stores, like Macy’s, held parades as a way to jump start advertise their holiday sales. But why is it ‘black?’ In the stock market, being “in the black” means that they are making profit, whereas red means profit is going down. But originally, the term was used to describe the entrance of the holiday shopping season. People tend to set their minds on different items in the store that usually have only a limited quantity. Due to the quantity, lines form outside the stores hours before the doors even open. The lines usually wrap halfway around the store before it’s time to open. Some stores allow a certain number of customers in every twenty seconds to try to avoid trampling and danger. People get very physical when it comes to getting the low priced items. In recently occasions, people have been killed from being ran over by others. Despite the sale items, it’s sad to believe that so many people in our society would rather get a cheap item than run someone over to death. Other than deaths, people often fight while waiting in line, even when they are promised what they want. This year, some of the vicious shoppers were armed with pepper spray and tasers. Since it’s preparing for the holiday season, it should be happy, right? Well that’s not always how it’s taken. Therefore, some people take the comfort of doing Cyber Monday shopping, which is always the Monday after Black Friday. Instead of going out to shop, they do it right at home from their computer. You choose your ways of shopping but no matter which way you choose, Happy Shoppings!

Now Showing!

Like books, it’s hard to limit myself to only three favorite movies since there are so many great ones out there. Since they’ve came out, I’ve been a really big fan of the Twilight Saga books and movies. Every movie seems to get more interesting once a love interest comes into play. The whole series is about Bella, the main character, being torn between two completely opposite guys. When she moved to Forks, Washington to live with her father, the mysterious kid around school caught her attention. Not only is he a dreamy guy that every girl in the school has a secret crush on, but he is hiding a couple secrets. What is more weird, being able to read every one's mind or being a vampire? Edward confesses both of these to Bella. As if that’s weird enough, a friend she has had since she was little turns out to be a werewolf. Throughout the saga, Bella’s heart is drawn to both mythical creatures, who don’t get along because of their rare forms. Another of my favorite movies is The Hangover. I know that a lot of people jumped on the bandwagon for this movie. I didn’t see it until this past summer, mostly because I was forced to watch it. It’s an amazing movie due to its storyline being all over the place and it’s constant quotable lines. Lastly, I love the movie Never Back Down. I was never a fan of UFC fighting, nor did I understand it. After this movie, I was still never a fan of watching Tapout or any different style of fighting, but now I have a better understanding of it. I understand all the different rules of the sport and how hard it actually is. Coming from someone who had no idea what any of what UFC was, it’s a great movie!

The Holiday Seasons

Any holiday that has a table full of food is my favorite. But my favorite family gathering is either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Both holidays are very hectic in my house. Everyone is up early on Thanksgiving, usually helping my parents to prepare for dinner. It’s always been a tradition to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Me and my sister’s are always glued in front of the television that morning, flipping to other parade channels during commercials. In the early afternoon, everyone is trying to squeeze into the bathroom, getting ready for dinner. I usually go with my dad to pick up my grandma; she comes over for every holiday. Not long after we arrive back home, we are all seated at the kitchen table, ready for all the food to be served. My favorite part of the meal is mashed potatoes, so my mom always makes a huge bowl. For dessert, which we don’t usually have until later in the day due to our huge intake of food during dinner, my mom fills the table with a numerous amount of pies. Every year, she makes delicious homemade apple, sweet potato and pumpkin pies. My grandma adds to the table with either a chocolate or peanut butter pie. The day ends with us all watching movies for the rest of the night, preparing for the early morning ahead of us the next day.  Christmas is also one of my favorite since it is a day filled of family. Last Christmas was different for my family, since I spent it in the emergency room. Usually, me and my sisters wake up early to make my parents coffee, turn of the Christmas lights throughout the house, turn on the Christmas music then wake up my parents to open gifts. This all happens around six in the morning. After gifts are open, we try relaxing a little while my mom makes breakfast. We are all rushed to get ready to go to the cemetery to see my grandma that passes away fifteen years ago. Afterwards, we go the my grandpa’s house and have lunch at his house with some of my aunts, uncles and cousins. When we leave, we pick up my grandma to come over to our house for dinner. My mom usually makes ham while the rest of us lounge around the house, talking, playing with any new gifts and watching a Christmas movie. Since it is such a hectic day, my mom allows us to eat dinner where ever we choose. Christmas and Thanksgiving are favorites of mine since I’m surrounded by my awesome family and amazing food!

Country Must Be Country Wide

Being from Alden, which some of us see as “Small Town USA,” I feel slightly obligated to be a big country fan. When I was little, my parents always listened rock then slowly progressed country music into their likings while we lived in Florida. I was always attached to my parents, so what they liked and did pretty much stuck on me (except for the rock music.) While growing up, my choice of music has constantly changed. One day, I can be rocking out to Lady Gaga then the next, I can rap every line to a Lil Wayne song. At the end of everyday, my iPod is blasting the lines to a great Tim McGraw or Toby Keith song. I haven’t been to any other concerts other than country. I know that no matter what the music genre, concert goers are going to get rowdy, but they aren’t that bad at country concerts in my mind. Back in 2008 though, two country artists, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, were arrested after a concert in Buffalo. They were charged with assaulting a police officer, but it was originally said that they stole a police officer’s horse. I like country music because I don’t just think it’s a musical genre, it’s more of a way of life. Living in the country really brings people together. Within the Buffalo area, we have two big country concerts every year. In the begining of June, the local country station puts on a concert, usually containing four or five different artists. The concert is always called The Taste of Country. It takes place at Coca Cola Field in downtown Buffalo. The other concert is known Jammin’ The Valley. It’s more than a concert though. The festivities take place every year during Fourth of July weekend in Varysburg. The concerts are two days, with different artists performing each night. It’s also a place for camping, with the weekend being closed by a giant fireworks display.

Mysteries, Romance and Real Life Issues

I feel like such a nerd by saying this, but I love books way too much to label one as my favorite. Recently, I’ve been reading the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard. I’m only on the third book of the series, but it is also a television show, so I already have a heads-up of what to expect. It’s about four girls who lost one of their best friends, Alison, a few years back. After her death, they all went their separate ways, bringing their friendship to an end. Recently, they have all been receiving texts, emails, and IMs from someone who goes by A. Suspense is constantly built up, causing readers to constantly think who Alison’s killer, who appears to be A, really is. Clues are always swaying back and forth between numerous characters, so you never know who really did it until the end of the eighth and final book. Another series that I’m really interested in is the Twilight Saga. All my friends were reading the books, wanting me to read what the hype was all about. Once starting the series, I found myself completely hooked to them. The main character is being drawn between two love interests; a werewolf and a vampire, who are also each other’s enemies. A book that I recently tumbled upon and fell in love with his Sarah Palin’s daughter’s book. Bristol Palin, along with an assisting author wrote a biography about her life since her mom entered the political spotlight. Since her mom stepped into the governor position in Alaska, then eventually was the Republican vice-president nominee, Bristol has gone through different television shows, the birth of her son and her constant on and off relationship with the father of her son. The book shows how much someone can grow as a person.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Thanksgiving traditions in my family have been all over the place the past few years. Last year, we were driving down to Florida on Thanksgiving Day to help my sister move. We didn’t arrive there until around eleven that night. Since we were all tired from an extremely long drive, it was too late for dinner to be made, unless it was frozen foods, since that is what we resorted to. But this year, we are getting back into our traditions. Everyone is always up bright an early, helping my parents out with cooking all the food for dinner. Oddly, we all name our turkey early in the morning before he goes in the oven to start cooking. Once the clock strikes nine, me and my sisters are glued to the television, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. During commercials, we switch the channel to other parade coverage to see watch the different performers. We usually eat dinner in the early afternoon. The table is filled with the usuals; turkey, corn, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce. Like most people, every stays at the table until their stomach is filled to its fullest capacity. My mom won’t allow me and my sisters leave the kitchen without helping clean up. Afterwards, the family is all together in the living room, generally watching our first Christmas movie of the season. Once our stomachs are all settled, my mom sets the table up with numerous different pies. She always makes homemade apple, sweet potato and pumpkin pie. Also, my grandma makes either a chocolate or peanut butter pie. The ends comes to an end rather early though. The next morning, me and my sisters are up around 2 AM, putting on our winter coats, gloves and boots, to go wait in line to start our Black Friday shopping!

After The Diploma..

I was always taught to “dream big” so my after high school plans go along with that. I have high expectations for myself, starting with actually graduating. Over this summer, I plan on taking a couple classes at Genesee Community College to get the hang of college classes and get ahead since I will already be graduating with nineteen college credits, which will put me a semester ahead and allow me to graduate earlier. I’m going to continue to attend GCC for all my basic courses. After graduating from GCC, I’m hoping to transfer to Daemen. While talking to a counselor at the school, I was informed that the career I’d like to pursue later on in life will soon be offered as a major instead of an undergraduate program. If it’s not being offered, I will major in psychology then do social work for my undergrad program. Both are four year degrees, so I’d be out looking for a job around 2018 at the earliest. With a degree in social work, there are a wide range of jobs I’d be able to do, such as a medical social worker, a residential counselor, social worker of a county welfare department and many, many more. The job I’m mostly interested in requires me to be licensed within the state that I will be working in. Since I know a numerous amount of people who were adopted, like my dad and two uncles, I’d like to work as an adoption agent. Of course, after high school, I want to get married and have a family. No matter what, I plan to stay within this area since me and my boyfriend were both born and raised here. Plus, I’m a devoted fan to the Bills and Sabres. I don’t think I could ever leave them behind. Or Mighty Taco, that is a main reason of mine to stay in Buffalo.

BEST CLASS EVER!

Even though the year seems as if the school year has just started, my favorite class so far has been online publishing. How could I talk about this class without mentioning how awesome the teacher is? It’s such a pleasure to be in Mr. Currin’s class every other day. I enjoy being here in the class up to three whole times a week. On a more serious note, this class is tons of fun. Even though the environment isn’t fully professional, with the constant bickering amongst “co-workers,” it’s fun to be working constantly and being given a deadline that is crucial. Every newspaper posted is worked on for two weeks. We are allowed to choose our article topic and the options are endless. For the most part, it’s preferred we stick to topics that relate and revolve around our district and town. Each article has to be at least three hundred words which seems like a piece of cake. But when you are forced to stick to one topic, it’s actually a little difficult. The class isn’t just articles though. Every two weeks, we have to post three or four blogs about topics chosen by the awesome teacher. Occasionally, we get to choose what we write our blog about. This class is definitely my favorite because of how much freedom we are given. It’s also a fun environment to be in. There is never a down day in the office. Plus, every Friday that we are in this class is a casual Friday, allowing us to dress casually and usually get food made by our fellow co-workers. Whenever Mr. Currin walks into the office, he never fails to mention that this is the “BEST CLASS EVER!.” Also, he makes sure that we are all well aware that “we’re running a newspaper here!”

My Inspiration ♥

A teacher that has had a really great impact on me is Mrs Baumgartener, who is the social worker in the high school. When I was having problems at home, she was always a great person to talk to and she definitely has the capability to help anyone through any situation no matter how bad you think it may be. She is very easy to talk to, which is a great quality to have. I think she is amazing at her job and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way about her. She has influenced me to also pursue a career as a social worker. Another teacher who has had a very big impact me is Mr. Kozub, who was a former physical education teacher in the intermediate school. Throughout my years of having him as a teacher, he always wanted to put down the fact that I was a cheerleader, saying it wasn’t a sport. He kept telling me that I should be a runner, like cross country and track. I was always a slacker in gym and running was far from my thing. The more and more he put the idea in my head, the more I participated in gym and actually tried. I even cut three minutes off my time in the mile within a matter of a couple months. He retired not long after I started middle school and once my seventh grade year came around and I was able to participate in modified sports, I tried cross country. It was not easy running for miles and miles without stopping but throughout the season I got used to it. When he came back for a big race at the school, he was proud to see that I was finally a runner. I continued running track and cross country into high school but had to stop after my freshman year due to injuries.

For Jamey ♥

This whole story, and all the other controversies surrounding Jamey’s death, even those that happened after this article was posted, have really changed my mind and how I act towards others. I know people who have committed suicide and it’s a loss that no family or friend should never have to deal with, especially one of a young child. I believe that bullying will be around no matter what anyone says or does to stop it, but once someone takes their life because of it, it is taken way too far. The different phrases that people were posting on social networking sites should never happen. Anyone can sit behind a computer and post things about someone, but it’s never anonymous. Even though the story of his death is nothing wonderful, I think Lady Gaga getting involved and really stick by her fans is great. In her songs, she has numerous phrases about sexuality. These are the songs that Jamey constantly referred to in his YouTube videos that he posted regularly. After Jamey’s suicide, the bullies didn’t stop. At Williamsville North’s homecoming only a week and a half after his death, his sister, Alyssa, had to deal with them shouting “We’re glad you’re dead” after his friends chanted his name following a Lady Gaga song. Finally, the students got some punishment when the were suspended the week following the homecoming dance. I believe that they should be charged because what they did was indirectly a form of murder. I couldn’t imagine being his sister, who is my age, and find him the morning after he hanged himself. After this incident, I truly want to stand up against bullying and speak out against it. I hope that a law is made in his honor because no teen should be bullied to the point where they have to kill themselves, there is always something to do to help someone feeling like that.

Mmm, Applebee's

Even though I’m from Alden, I’ve been here for the past twelve years, none of the restaurants in this small town of ours have grown to be my favorite. All of them have their perks though. Both West Alden Kitchen and Town & Country have a very friendly staff. I mean, no one wants to go to a restaurant and deal with a mean waitress. At both, the food is always good. My favorite restaurant though would have to be Applebee’s. I tend to go to the locations in Lancaster or Batavia. Even though all their food is really good, I almost always get the same thing. I usually get one of their specialty drinks that they offer, which lately has been a lemonade purée with different fruity flavors added to it. My favorite is definitely the mango lemonade. But the drinks aren’t too important, it’s the food that makes Applebee’s my favorite. I’m kinda cheap, so when I go, I usually get a couple different appetizers. No matter what type of mood I’m in that day, it is essential that I get the spinach artichoke dip. I absolutely hate spinach but I think I could live off their dip. I already know I’m gonna have high cholesterol due to high salt intakes, so why not mention their chips given with the dip? They are always good with tons of salt on them! Also, I get their boneless wings every time I go, I’m not the type of person to get messy when I eat so I like the boneless ones! The best flavor they have is the classic buffalo. I always get the third appetizer but for this one, I try to get something different whenever I go. Even though all the wood is shared, usually with my boyfriend, I can never leave room in my tummy for dessert. I’ve never tried any of their desserts but they all look extremely delicious!

Top School Lunches

The best school lunch is by far taco day. This day only comes around twice a month on every other Thursday. I know I’m not the only one who looks forward to it since when it’s Taco Thursday, lunch ladies tell us to make sure we know exactly what we want. Most of us know our order, the same thing every other week. We have the choice of choosing from hard or soft shell, taco salad, or taco in a bag. Usually given on the side is rice, corn, chips and a churro. When you order a hard shell, you are provided with TWO hard shells to make up for the small size of the shell. A soft shell is just a giant shell. Taco salad is just a bunch of crunched up chips with all the regular toppings. Taco in a bag (which I’m yet to try) is a small bag of Dorittos with meat added into it. Most students don’t even bother to change up their order. I happen to be one of those students, every other Thursday, my lunch order stays the same; a soft shell taco with meat, cheese, lettuce and sour cream. A close second for me though would be chicken patties. I’m not quite sure why, but I’ve always loved them. They are usually served on Fridays, especially Fridays during lent along with fish patties. My third favorite lunch is definitely simple and served every day. I really enjoy salad and it’s nice to know we are given a wide range of toppings for salads. We are offered everything from tomatoes, cucumber, croutons, bacon bits, shredded cheese and occasionally chicken and ham. Also, we have a variety of salad dressings to choose from. We are given the basics, such as Italian and ranch, but are also given different types, like my favorite, chipotle ranch.

Alaskan Drama

Recently, I’ve been really interested in politics. But there is one in particular that I’ve drawn most of my attention to. Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin and her family have an outstanding story but one family member seems to have been through everything. Her daughter, Bristol, has had her ups and downs within the past three years that most people go through in a whole lifetime. Sure, some people don’t support the family and believe that they put themselves in the negative spotlight that they are in. But in Bristol Palin’s book Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far, she speaks of the family’s publicity and mostly her problems with her on and off again boyfriend Levi Johnston. Just before finding out of her mom’s being the republican vice president candidate for the 2008 election, Bristol found out she was pregnant. Like most teenage pregnancies, it was an accident, a result of a night that she lied to her parents so she could go on a camping trip with her boyfriend. After having a couple drinks, she was taken advantage of. On December 28, 2008, she gives birth to her son Tripp but the drama for her is far from over. She constantly has problems with Levi with cheating even after he engaged to her! There was even an issue that he had a baby with one of his sister’s friends. Bristol also appeared on Dancing With The Stars, in hopes of getting as far as possible to win the money to provide a better life for her son. Not expecting to get far, she made it to the final show! She was the second runner up, and was able to win money to help set her son up for college. Throughout the constant drama, the family has managed to avoid the publicity despite the constant talks of Sarah Palin running for the Republican presidential candidate.

Famous Family

A great story in my life would be meeting my real aunts and uncles. Now, before you get to thinking I’m adopted, I have to tell you that I’m not. My dad is, he was taken home by his adopted parents eight days after being born. Through out the years, he’s been trying to his real family with the little information he had about them. In April 2009, he talked to a genealogist who was able to get in contact with my dad’s youngest sister, Dawnna. Luckily, we could the chance to meet her and a couple other family members only a couple weeks later. From her, we got the names and numbers of other local siblings including a sister that lived minutes away from our house! My Aunt Michelle, who works on a family tree, shared pictures and information about my dad’s real parents, grand parents, aunts and uncles. The information she shared with us was very overwhelming. My dad went from being an only child to have fifteen siblings! There is even a street named after his family in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Musante Lane. Also in Virginia is a library named after one of his relatives, John Musante-Porter Library. There is also a celebrity connection to the family, Tony Musante, who is a famous actor whose most recent movie is We Own The Night. Even though my family is extremely overwhelmed, especially my father, we still try to learn about the family as much as we possibly can. My grandfather was in World War II and gassed in a gas chamber but was still able to survive it. It’s also a trait to be hard of hearing since a majority of his siblings are. Another sibling we met was my Uncle Bruce, who is my dad’s real brother but was also put up for adoption. Unfortunately, a year and a half about meeting him, he passed away due to cancer of the liver. Thanks to a genealogist, my dad was able to meet several of his fifteen siblings. No matter, we will continue to stay close to the new part of family.

As The Leaves Change..

My favorite season of the year is fall. More particularly, my favorite month of the year is October. The beautifully colored leaves falling from the trees is always a gorgeous picture. The numerous amount of activities to do in the month are also very exciting. In Western New York, we have so many haunted houses including Frightworld, House of Horrors, Final Fear and Darien Lake’s Frightfest. Another ‘haunting’ area in Buffalo that can be accessed year round, but goes with the excitement of Halloween is Delaware Road, located right in Clarence. The street is considered to be haunted, but it mostly depends on if you believe or not in paranormal activity. Autumn is my favorite because of the non frightening things to do too. I love going to corn mazes and on hay rides. The different types of food associated with the season also assist in making it my favorite. At The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, home made donuts are made, either pumpkin or apple flavored coated with sugar. Also, hot apple cider is great in the fall! As it gets closer to the end of October, pumpkin carving is a big activity. It’s a seasonal form of art. Going and seeing every one’s different creations carved into a small surface is fun, especially there are carvings for local sports teams. At the end of month, it’s fun to go out, dress up as something completely crazy and beg for candy. Costumes can be scary, like characters from horror movies. They can be cute, like little kids dressing up as pumpkins. Or the costumes be mimic people, like when people dress up as politic figures. By the end of the night, my favorite thing to do is sit on the living through (with my parents over my shoulders trying to steal what I got) sorting through the candy and trading it with who I went with. One of the factors is the fact that in mid season is my birthday!

Dinner, Shower, School. Really Facebook?

Unfortunately, I use Facebook. I guess the main reason of using it is to keep in touch with friends in a way other than texting. I’ve enjoyed the fact it can connect you with people who haven’t talking to in a long time. I have recently been connected with an old neighbor who moved away that I haven’t talked to in seven years! Honestly though, it’s starting to become old. It has the same old drama similar to that on Myspace. When you were little, you got bored with your toy after playing with it for so long. Well Facebook is very similar to that. I’ve had an account for over two years and it’s getting very boring. A positive aspect of Facebook is it is a GREAT way to get the word out about any subject. It’s recently been used to spread the word on our class float meeting. Negatively, it’s a huge place for cyberbullying. Horrifically, it has even caused people to end their lives due to comments on posts on the online social network. People also thing it’s a competition to add hundreds of people that you don’t know. Sorry, but I don’t want anyone but people I know the have any of my person information. Many people use Facebook for both the positives and negatives. Some people rely way too much on it though, constantly posting statuses about the little things that honestly, no body cares about. Everyone is gonna eat dinner, shower and go to bed. They might even go to school and work the next day. Sorry, but no one needs to know what you’re doing every minute of the day. It’s apparent that people are slowly but surely getting away from the Facebook and all it’s unapparent attractions. But if Facebook is going out of style similar to Myspace a couple years ago, what’s going to be the new fad?

Writing Capabilities

I mostly feel comfortable writing about anything. I’m very into sports, especially local football and hockey. I could definitely be a writer for the Buffalo Sabres or Buffalo Bills. The Sabres are my favorite though since I’ve been brought up around hockey and have decided to stick around it. I’m also big on books, especially those about politics. Writing about Sarah Palin and her family is something I would love to do since she is my role model. I’d also feel comfortable writing and reporting on things occurring around the school such as spirit weeks during homecoming week and the weeks prior to Christmas and Easter vacations. Events such as the Battle of Classes would also be a topic I’d enjoy writing about. I’d really be interested in writing about anything related to prom, homecoming or snowball. Anything revolving around homecoming including the powder puff game, the parade, the floats and the football game would be in my interest of writing about. I would be interested in writing about anything such as local issues within Alden, Buffalo, or Western New York in general. I’m also very entertained in writing about new releases in music (preferably country!), movies (in theaters and DVD), some video games. I am capable of reporting on medical studies such as the effect of cell phones on different aspects of teenage lives. Technology, such as cell phones, ipods and laptops, Facebook and its typical drama and problems that circulate on the famous online networking site would be something I could easily be capable of writing about. I would love being able to writing about the different activities to be done with each holiday. I would love to write about corn mazes, apple cider, the leaves changing color, and of course, the excitement of getting to dress up as nearly anything on the last day of the month.

Senior Privileges

Looking back on the past eleven years of school, I honestly do not I have a most memorable year. All in all though, I have mostly enjoyed the high school experience. Starting with freshman year, I was lucky enough to have my sister in the school with me. With all the new activities like homecoming, battle of the classes and block scheduling, it was a thrilling change from middle school. I enjoyed having formal dances rather than casual dances that were generally just hangouts. The new challenges in cross country were exciting too. With longer distances and longer practices, it made for a great season. Going into sophomore year, it was hard losing my sister there for guidance. Throughout high school, sophomore year was my least favorite since everything was the same as the prior year; there wasn’t any added excitement and privileges to the year. Once junior year started, it was definitely excited to then be considered an ‘upperclassman.’ With that new title, we were able to go to prom! Limos, fancy dresses and tons of pictures; what’s not fun about that? Finally, senior year, where the privileges become greater than they were in the past.  It always seems to be that when you’re a senior, a lot of the general rules that all apply to the underclassmen seem to disappear for seniors. Plus, we have the privilege of getting to park in the senior parking lot which it seems that a lot of people look forward to. Another thing that makes senior year so great is the ability to have a late arrival or early release. Someone is eligible for this when they have enough credits. Also, I love that I am able to be exempt for a couple exams if I have high enough grades. It is great to be able to get a head start on classes that I’ll need in college. Lastly, and probably the one thing that I’ll be enjoying most about my last year in high school is graduation!

Graduation! [:

Well, this year should definitely be a very memorable year for me and I think I speak for the whole class of 2012 when I say that. Since I am a senior, I want to make sure it’s an outstanding year all around. My main priority to make sure I stay on track with my school work. With the new schedule change, it’s now impossible for seniors to fail a needed class then make it up the following semester. Not passing a class can keep us from graduating. With that said, it would definitely be a huge accomplishment for me to pass all my classes. By passing, I don’t want to ‘just be getting by’ with a 65. I am able to be exempt from a couple of exams so maintaining a grade of 91 or higher would be a huge accomplishment for those classes. Class rank is a big deal to me too. I’d like to move higher up within that. I would feel really good with myself if I was graduating with grades in the low to mid nineties. Also, I’m in numerous college courses so I’d like to make sure I have as high of grades as I can get so I have a good start for my college career. I would also like to get involved more with clubs and sports. I mentioned that this year should be memorable so I’ll hopefully be taking time away from working to get involved with basketball cheerleading and track. During track, I would be trying to achieve my fastest time in the mile. That would be huge for me to do since I set my personal record back in eighth grade! Obviously, it’s my senior year and like most seniors I have one thing that I am majorly trying to accomplish; graduating!

Summer Vacation

This summer wasn’t that great in the minds of any average sixteen year old. I guess what I did was a bit limited since I was working full time almost every week. I was constantly trying to squeeze in time for myself around my work schedule starting with my serious shopping addiction.  I was lucky enough to have a boyfriend in which I can share my addiction with! On Wednesday nights, I was always at the ice rink in Batavia which for the time being was transformed into a roller rink for pick-up hockey. Seeing as I was the only one willing to waste my time there, I made sure I had a book to bring along with me every time. Country concerts also had a big part of my summer. With Tim McGraw in the end of June and numerous others throughout the following weeks, I was at the Performing Arts Center quite often. The one event that most things I did revolved around was definitely the most memorable place I went to this summer. Every week I was out shopping and preparing for my best friend and practical sister’s wedding. I wasn’t in the wedding but was always relied on for picking out gifts, gluing center pieces and even picking out a dress her Nana. While the guys had their fun, the girls had a camping weekend at Sleepy Hallow. Sure, I was a nervous wreck being away from my boyfriend the whole weekend yet the time was spent with his sister and mom. All the decorating and camping finally wrapped up for an amazing night of celebrating at the end of August. It was my first wedding so it was a blast for me.  Even though my summer was filled with work and some entertainment, I definitely agree with everyone else when they say summer came to an end way too soon!