Blogging From a Different World

This week I am luck enough to be in Florida for a family vacation. On Tuesday morning we arrived in the Florida Keys. So far it has been a blast. I literally feel like I am in a new world. It is hard to believe that I am still in America. When I arrived the first thing that I noticed were the palm trees. When I think of palm trees I think of desert or tropical islands in the ocean. It was amazing to see. The types of plants growing here are so different from the ones that I am used to seeing that even my two certified horticulturalist parents didn't know what half the plant life was. I was amazed by all I saw. Besides the plant life I have seen so many exotic animals. I have seen lizards, iguanas, chameleons, sea horses, sting rays, Portuguese manowar jellyfish (even I am afraid of those), dolphins, and a variety of fish. I have heard rumors of scorpions in the grass but luckily I haven't seen any. Being able to see the variety of plant and animal life has made the trip worthwhile. So far I have been to the beach a few times. The beach is a lot different than the ones I am used to. For one the water is pristine crystal clear blue. There are almost no waves in the ocean. The bottom of the ocean is covered in grass, it was a little weird at first but I kinda like it now. The water is also shallow so it is easy to go out far and still be able to stand. The beach is definitely different but it is still a lot of fun. Oh yeah the water is WARM!! I also got the chance to travel to the dolphin research center and see dolphins up close and personal. They did tricks and showed off. I got to see them imitate humans and I learned a lot of cool information. I have spent some time fishing which is awesome. I have only managed to catch two fish. We decided against going out to sea to fish. It is windy and none of us wanted to get sea sick. I got the chance to throw some discus here. It was very encouraging I was throwing 150 feet standing. My previous best was 141 with a spin. John and Jesse this isn't looking good for you. Well it is time for dinner. I have one more day of vacation and who knows what I will do. I have to catch my plane back home at 6 A.M. on Saturday and we are 3 hours away from the airport.

Signing out from a world of its own

Wednesday Afternoon

It is a Wednesday after noon and I have a few minutes before I have to leave to go to FLOOD. I am taking this time to blog, on what I am not sure. Let me start by saying that Day Light savings has really made me tired. I have been lagging all week and taken small naps in every class. It is also really throwing me off because I think that it is earlier than it actually is so I procrastinate doing my homework and stuff like that. Tomorrow I have the County FFA speech contest. I have modified my speech from last year and I think I have a better speech. It feels really nice to know where I will be going to college. I feel like I will be able to do better in track because I won't have to worry about my performance affecting my scholarships. This will allow me to relax and have fun doing what I do best. Well that is all for now the FLOOD is coming.

Track is Back etc.

Outdoor track has started up once again. I just got back from the fourth official practice. Things are looking up for this season. The indoor season ended on a very high note and I am hoping to carry the momentum over to the indoor season. I am pretty sure everyone who reads my blog (or john) knows that I placed fourth in the state meet with a throw of 48' 11". Which was my best throw of the season by 2 feet. I spent the few weeks I had off really working on my strength. I can already feel the results. I have never been able to consistently keep up with the lifting. There has always been a week or two week period that holds me back. I have remained at about the same strength level since 10th grade. I now have strength training first period and Coach Conner's as a teacher. I am also working with Warren, we both have the same goal in mind so we can help push each other. I feel this combination will go a long way towards increasing my strength for the outdoor states.

Speaking of outdoor states I am currently involved in a bet revolving around my performance at the state meet. The stakes are high and the challenge isn't a slam dunk. I made a bet with John and Jesse that if I throw a combined (Shot Put and Discus) 200 feet at the state meet then they would have to shave their heads. If I am unable to do so then I would have to shave my head. I have grown to love my hair. I have only had it for about a year but we already have enough memories to last a lifetime.

I am excited to be posting again, it enjoyable, and gives you a chance to reflect on your life as you write about them. School is moving along. It dawned on me when March hit that I only have 3 more months of high school left. That is hard to believe. I don't feel like I am old enough to be out of high school. I still feel like I have a lot to learn before I head off to college, but more about that latter. I have managed to still maintain my 4.0 with only one semester left. I currently have a 90% in AP calculus 2 and an 89% in AP Comp. I am hoping that both of those grades will be A's for the term so I will only have to get a B for the final term. It may sound strange but in the new system they have A + B = A no matter what the percentages are. I never thought it would happen but senioritis has hit me and I don't want to do any more work. I still am motivated enough to try and keep my 4.0, but having already gotten accepted into a few colleges it is hard to keep going.

Just moments ago I told my Mom that the decision is final I am going to UMBC. I plan on signing the letter sometime soon. I got offered $6,000 a year from the track coach there and on top of that $5,000 academically. That adds up to $11,000 and when the cost is only $17,000 a year that is a pretty good deal. I have applied for a bunch of other community scholarships and stuff so I am hoping that the rest of the cost can be covered by those other scholarships. I choose UMBC because it has an engineer program that is top notch, they are a very prestigious academic university and I would have a great opportunity to compete as a Division I track scholarship athlete.

That about catches you'all up on what has been going on with me lately. I will get back to you latter.