It’s Called Junk Food For a Reason

Parents, teachers, and, well, a lot of people, say that breakfast is the important meal of the day- cliché, right? Well, it’s actually true- especially for those of us who need the brain power to get through the school day. Some believe it’s possible to survive the day on Pop-Tarts and Red Bull, your body- and science- may disagree. Scientists have proven that caffeine and sugar make concentrating a lot harder than it should be, added to the fact that these foods aren’t good for you anyway! Some of us have the tendency to discard the thought of eating breakfast all together. If, like me, you don’t have much time to spare in the morning, then you are most likely giving yourself an excuse not to eat. Yes, you most likely have various other excuses (if any at all) but no excuse should let us pardon the meal that we are supposed to “eat like a king,” because by the time we are in the swing of school, blood-sugar levels are low. One must eat meals at regular intervals to maintain healthy and normal blood-sugar levels, otherwise it results in light-headedness and concentration issues. Ultimately we need the brain food that some neglect to give themselves. 

 By waking up earlier, packing a breakfast at night to grab in the morning, or just making food choices healthier, we can get the food we need in the morning. What is “healthier” you may ask? Well, a doughnut and soda sure isn’t the answer.  Some things that are known as a “traditional” breakfast are actually some of the things we should stay away from in the morning. Pancakes, fried eggs, and bacon, for example, are too fatty or sugary and carb-filled to eat everyday. Scrambled eggs or tofu, fruit, oatmeal, and protein shakes are better choices to get you going, and your brain working until lunchtime. 

-KW

How to Survive 5th Hour!

Some of you might be wondering during those those long school days, “How am I going to survive fifth hour?”  Now you won’t need to be thinking that any more. I have the perfect solution.               

    First, you chill out in the hall with your friends, drinking Mountain Dew, talking, making collages,  etc.  You do that until the bell is just about to ring. Then, you’re going to want to start making your way to your fifth hour. Once you get in the room your teacher is probably going to say something like, “Ok, everyone, that bell’s going to ring and I want you all to be in your seats.” So, then you can make your way to your seat and hangout with the person sitting next to you.

   After all of the fun you’ve had hanging with your friends, you’ll be ready to pull out you notebook and pencil, listen up and plow through the next hour or so - it’ll be over before you even know it!

- slash

How to have fun on a rainy day

There alway will be those sad and dreary rainy days where you can’t go outside and run around and have fun. What to do...what to do...? There are a lot of different things that you can do on those sad rainy days. There is the classic “Craft Day”; that is where you break out the glue, scissors, construction paper, and marker, and get craft’n. If you like the idea of a craft day, there is of course the matter of what you are going to make. I personally love to make little crafts like origami or maybe paper flowers. But, if crafts aren’t your cup of tea you can play simple games, like board games or cards. I like to play cards because you can not only just play cards but, they are others things you can do like build a card tower or the classic game of “Pick up-52” with your brother or sister. If you have board games or are planning to buy some for this particular situation, buy a variety. Maybe to surprise your family, save your allowance and buy one the whole family can play. The bonus is you will have these games for years to come. They will be ready to pull out on that rainy day and play with the whole family. -AJ

Tips to making a super sweet video with your friends.

  I have been making fun and cheap home movies with my friends for about a year now, I enjoy it so I'm going to teach you how to experience this fun!

First, find a camera that has the option to make videos-cell phones work, too.  

Second, you and your friends brainstorm ideas for a video that is fun and interesting to the viewers.In my opinion it is best to work with friends because most of the time if you work together your video will be better because you have multiple points of view for ideas, plus most videos have multiple characters and your going to need more people to play them.The best video I ever made was of me and my friend trying to teach me how to solve math problems and I could not figure it out.

Third, create the set that the film is going to take place on. I enjoy using a set in my friends basement, that way we don't have to build anything.

Fourth, make up the characters in your story and assign them to your friends to play. Write a script to read off of before you actually shoot. The characters I normally choose are the goofy dumb type that use a lot of sarcasm and irony.

Fifth, once everyone has memorized their lines, it's time to start shooting! The last step is easy-all you have to do is put the video up on Youtube, Facebook, Vimeo or another video sharing site. Have fun making sweet videos!

How to enjoy a car ride...

Are your morning car rides to school absolutely boring? Do you want to have some fun for a change?! Through this short blurb, I will explain how you can have fun during those long car rides to school. First of all, loading up on candy and caffeine before entering the car is a must if you’re wanting the car ride to be interesting. This will make you very hyper during the long ride, therefore, making the ride more exciting. Listening to music is also a must; it makes the ride less awkward if you’re surrounded by awkward people. While you’re listening to music, it is very entertaining to sing as loud as you can to a song that’s playing on the radio. However, if singing loudly annoys your fellow passengers,  such as siblings, you can always call 411 and have them transfer your call to Walmart. Talking to the employees at Walmart can be very amusing sometimes, although they’re usually very rude because they end up hanging up on you. However, while you’re talking to an employee at Walmart, try speaking in an accent as you explain a really stupid knock-knock joke. During car rides, it’s also very fun to  play tic-tac-toe or Tiny Wings & Angry Birds. 

-Kali Benson

How to "Survive" A Class With Mike Munson

          I can certainly recall being told of all the strange, cruel things that Mike Munson, perhaps one of the most feared teachers at Trek North, does in class.  Grueling essays, long lectures, a spray bottle, excesive homework, and a continuous list of heroes that becomes rather complicated and confusing.  While you read this, remember that these are some tips from a student that has taken more than one class with Mike.  I know that taking one of Mike's classes may seem discouraging, but there honestly isn't anything to fear - excluding one thing, and only one thing.  Whatever you do, do not break his rules.

          Rule number one: always come to class prepared.  This entails having a notebook, pen or pencil, textbook (if required for the course), and any other materials that you may need out and ready before the bell rings.  The sooner materials are out, the higher the likely-hood that you will not get scolded.  You must also have your buttocks planted in your chair, assigned seat or not, before the bell rings.  Another thing that falls under the category of being prepared for class is simply not talking.  If you're talking to people when you should be studying for a quiz you will get called out.  Mike really dislikes it.  The only exclusion here is the incident in which you may be studying with a classmate.  But, in the odd chance that you aren't studying, your mouth should still be shut and your body should be facing forward, waiting for Mike to do something.

           Next up, the second rule: don't sit sideways.  This really annoys Munson.  People who sit sideways are prone to socializing with others and breaking rule number one, which, as previously stated, is a bad idea.  

          The third, and one of the most important rules . . . if there is anything in the slightest bit irrelevant plaguing your mind, don't ask.  Don't even consider it.  The only exception to this rule is if there is absolutely and utterly nothing you are supposed to be doing, which is one among the op of the list of highly unlikely things to go on in Mike's classes, ranking with flying pigs and speaking cucumbers.

          Rule number four: Don't glaze over.  Just please, don't do it.  The reults of one partaking in this activity would be a "temporary" talking-to in the Hall of Shame and a "ten minute" lecture about not glazing over, paying attention, etc.  Remember: no matter how firm one's belief in the saying "Just because my eyes are glazed over, doesn't mean I'm not listening" is, it doesn't work in Mike's.  Don't even try.

          Lucky number five!  The fifth rule, another considerably important rule, is to not talk when Mike is talking.  The consequences of chattiness during lectures and lessons are the same as those for glazing over.  Also, on a side note, rule-breaking is also punishable by the recurring spray of a liquid substance to the offending student.

          Lastly, the sixth rule.  Take notes and do your homework!  This should be common sense, as I'm sure Mike will say at least once.  All punishments are applicable to the breaking of this rule.  And, to be honest, this is a rule in most every other class anybody will take in their educational career.  So please, please follow this rule if it is the only rule that you, reader, ever follow.

          Mike Munson's classes are not as grueling as they may seem to be, and anybody will walk away with at least one good memory.  By keeping these tips in mind along with any others that the man himself may spurt out (remember those for they are important) any given student should walk out just fine.  But before you go, let me give you just one more, simple tip.  Relax and don't be afraid . . . Mike can smell fear.

    -- The Ostrich Empire 

How to Survive School

School is an American teenager’s worst nightmare.  It is time-consuming, boring, and pointless... we only hope to get out alive.  But, there three solutions to get through the most grueling times of our teenage lives:  kissing up to teachers, bringing your own lunch, and doing your homework the way YOU want to.  

Teachers are going to be your worst enemies from pre-school to your senior year, so you better get them to like you.  The easiest way to have this happen is to do whatever the heck these monsters want you to do.  They ask you to do the Truffle Shuffle in front of the entire 8th grade, do it.  Kissing up also helps when you do something wrong.  Teachers have the memories of elephants, they never forget anything... even if it was a minor incident that involved two ravenous cougars and one of Santa’s elves.

School lunches are the most disgusting thing on the face of the planet.  Sometimes they look like cardboard with fake meat sauce all over.  Maybe these people are culinary maniacs who use recycled shampoo to give their customers a random disease... but that’s just what I think.  

The worst thing about school is homework.  Teenagers have better things to do, such as watch SpongeBob or demolishing 100 Totino’s Pizza Rolls.  So, I came up with the most awe-inspiring solution of all times...  “Due tomorrow, do tomorrow.”  This quote will solve all teenage problems involving essays, poems, and Geometry homework, allowing us to wreak more havoc across the world.

Those are the three major tips to survive your schooling.  To thank me, you can call 555-AWESOME.  And just to let you know, you will never use half of the things you learn in high school throughout high school.  

Chamalmy