I have been in four school spelling bees. Every year I've been extremely nervous, and it's undoubtedly effected my performance. This year, on the other hand, I was completely relaxed and calm on the day of the spelling bee. My nerves of steel helped me win my first spelling bee since third grade.
I hadn't studied very much, so I was almost positive I wouldn't win. However, since so many people got out so fast, the words were never too terribly challenging. My winning word was "surmountable".
There are some drawbacks to winning the spelling bee. I now have to compete in the city spelling bee, on February 5th. I am much more nervous for this one, but I'm trying to forget about it and focus on different things. Like NFL Playoffs. Go Pack!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
NFL Playoffs II
Speaking as a Packer fan, the high point of the 2010 season came this Saturday in the Georgia Dome. The #1 Atlanta Falcons hosted the Mightier Than Ever Pack for a berth in the NFC Championship Game. The experts were split on the outcome of the game, some saying "Matty Ice" and the Falcons would repeat their Week 12 win, others saying A-Rod and the Pack would continue their postseason run.
Of course, I was unbearably nervous on Saturday. 8:30 couldn't come soon enough. I counted down the hours until kickoff, restless and worried.
The long-awaited game finally kicked off, the NFC Championship Game hanging in the balance. Every play mattered: every brilliant touchdown play, every boneheaded mistake.
The Falcons drew first blood, following a rare Greg Jennings fumble. When we drove down and tied the game, I was certain the game would be back and forth for sixty minutes.
With ten seconds left in the half, Tramon Williams pulled off an unbelievable pick six that gave us a fourteen point lead. We never looked back.
We got the ball after halftime, and after we put together an 80-yard touchdown drive, my worries began to give way to ecstasy and revelry. Why had I ever doubted? I quickly checked myself, knowing that Atlanta had had several come-from-behind wins during the regular season.
However, it didn't look like they would come back today. Our defense owned Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, and our offense produced big play after big play. With four minutes to go in the fourth, I began celebrating.
All our receivers had huge games, and James Starks started, much to my delight.
I sat back and relaxed as Chicago beat Seattle comfortably on Sunday. We'll face our arch rivals next week a 2:00. The Jets, fresh off a victory in Foxborough, and the Steelers will face off as well.
Our Super Bowl chances have never been better. It'll be a tough game in Chicago, but I have every confidence that we can win. The Steelers are beatable, and we shut out New York in the regular season. Will this be our year?
GO PACK GO!
Of course, I was unbearably nervous on Saturday. 8:30 couldn't come soon enough. I counted down the hours until kickoff, restless and worried.
The long-awaited game finally kicked off, the NFC Championship Game hanging in the balance. Every play mattered: every brilliant touchdown play, every boneheaded mistake.
The Falcons drew first blood, following a rare Greg Jennings fumble. When we drove down and tied the game, I was certain the game would be back and forth for sixty minutes.
With ten seconds left in the half, Tramon Williams pulled off an unbelievable pick six that gave us a fourteen point lead. We never looked back.
We got the ball after halftime, and after we put together an 80-yard touchdown drive, my worries began to give way to ecstasy and revelry. Why had I ever doubted? I quickly checked myself, knowing that Atlanta had had several come-from-behind wins during the regular season.
However, it didn't look like they would come back today. Our defense owned Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, and our offense produced big play after big play. With four minutes to go in the fourth, I began celebrating.
All our receivers had huge games, and James Starks started, much to my delight.
I sat back and relaxed as Chicago beat Seattle comfortably on Sunday. We'll face our arch rivals next week a 2:00. The Jets, fresh off a victory in Foxborough, and the Steelers will face off as well.
Our Super Bowl chances have never been better. It'll be a tough game in Chicago, but I have every confidence that we can win. The Steelers are beatable, and we shut out New York in the regular season. Will this be our year?
GO PACK GO!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
NFL Playoffs 2011
The NFC Wild Card game between #6 Green Bay and #3 Philadelphia was nerve-wracking and nail-biting to the last. In the end, though, our vastly superior defense overwhelmed Michael Vick, and denied the upstart quarterback the playoffs.
This was Aaron Rodgers first playoff win as a starter, and he finished the game with his usual eye-catching numbers. Also, the seldom-used James Starks put up 123 yards.
Our defense continues to impress, and if Starks can stay consistent, we just might be the best team in the NFC.
We face a worthy opponent next week in the Georgia Dome. We fell to Atlanta, 20-17, in the Week 12 match-up, but we've improved in leaps and bounds.
The Colts were knocked out of Super Bowl contention by the New York Jets. The game was decided by a field goal, but the Jets defense was a huge factor. They allowed Peyton Manning and the Colts only 8 first downs.
The reigning Super Bowl champs were shocked by Seattle on Saturday. This was a game I was certain New Orleans would win. However, Matt Hasselbeck had the best game of his season, and the Seahawks will play the Bears in the divisional round.
The Ravens cruised past Kansas City with colors flying. Five turnovers helped Baltimore win this game, and they face their hated rival, Pittsburgh, next week.
GO PACK GO!
This was Aaron Rodgers first playoff win as a starter, and he finished the game with his usual eye-catching numbers. Also, the seldom-used James Starks put up 123 yards.
Our defense continues to impress, and if Starks can stay consistent, we just might be the best team in the NFC.
We face a worthy opponent next week in the Georgia Dome. We fell to Atlanta, 20-17, in the Week 12 match-up, but we've improved in leaps and bounds.
The Colts were knocked out of Super Bowl contention by the New York Jets. The game was decided by a field goal, but the Jets defense was a huge factor. They allowed Peyton Manning and the Colts only 8 first downs.
The reigning Super Bowl champs were shocked by Seattle on Saturday. This was a game I was certain New Orleans would win. However, Matt Hasselbeck had the best game of his season, and the Seahawks will play the Bears in the divisional round.
The Ravens cruised past Kansas City with colors flying. Five turnovers helped Baltimore win this game, and they face their hated rival, Pittsburgh, next week.
GO PACK GO!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Hockey 2010/2011
This hockey was probably the most anticipated ever. Not only did it promise hockey fun with cousins, but we were visiting Camp Luther beforehand. The Green Bay Speckhards were leaving for Mazatlan, Mexico immediately after hockey, so they decided to get out of the house and give Aunt Heidi a chance to pack. They invited us, as well as the Racine cousins, to go to Camp Luther, in Thee Lakes, Wisconsin, for two days.
The long ride was fun, and we were soon driving through the breathtaking wilderness of Northern Wisconsin. The caravan of cousins reached Camp Luther at dinnertime, so after unpacking our bulging bags, we feasted on pizza in the warm, cozy cabin.
That night was the most fun I've had in a long time. We tubed down long, frozen runs on black tubes, more times than not crashing into the snow banks and receiving a face full of cold, stinging snow. Id' say tubing in the dead of winter is more fun than in summer.
We walked back to our cabins drenched but boiling hot (lugging those tubes up the trails is hard work).
The next day we toured the extensive camp, admiring the wooded ravines and frozen lake. We played board games and ping pong in the rec room for hours on end.
That night, our last at Camp Luther, we played hockey and broom ball on the ice rink. Broom ball consists mostly of slipping and falling, since players aren't allowed to wear skates. The objective of the game is exactly like hockey, except you play with short, plastic sticks, a lot like brooms in shape.
We had McDonald's that night, while enjoying a toasty fire and doing Mad Libs.
The following morning, we partook in the enjoyable activity of packing. This was particularly frustrating, because most of our stuff was soaked.
We left Camp Luther at around 9:00, and had elevenses at a Three Lakes McDonald's. After our mid-morning meal, it was off to the cottage.
True to hockey spirit, we spent most of our time playing CLUE and reading Calvin and Hobbes or Foxtrot on the couch, not to mention playing hockey on a rented rink in Shawano (the ice on the lake and pond wasn't good enough to skate on). We spent the evenings at Freida's, as always.
We cousins didn't exactly acknowledge bedtime. The earliest time I went to sleep was 1:00 AM. New Year's Eve was much the same. Everyone went to the Monroe's for fireworks and champagne, and returned home at around 11:00. None of the uncles stayed up until midnight, so our celebration (if you could call it that) was a bit boring and dull. In fact, we were a bit startled when the clock above the mantelpiece struck 12, and 2011 had begun.
We left the cottage on the 2nd, after the Green Bay group had left for Mexico. Our return trip wasn't all that bad, especially since we stopped in Valpo to watch the Pack beat Chicago.
Camp Luther and hockey were unforgettable. Have a wonderful 2011!
The long ride was fun, and we were soon driving through the breathtaking wilderness of Northern Wisconsin. The caravan of cousins reached Camp Luther at dinnertime, so after unpacking our bulging bags, we feasted on pizza in the warm, cozy cabin.
That night was the most fun I've had in a long time. We tubed down long, frozen runs on black tubes, more times than not crashing into the snow banks and receiving a face full of cold, stinging snow. Id' say tubing in the dead of winter is more fun than in summer.
We walked back to our cabins drenched but boiling hot (lugging those tubes up the trails is hard work).
The next day we toured the extensive camp, admiring the wooded ravines and frozen lake. We played board games and ping pong in the rec room for hours on end.
That night, our last at Camp Luther, we played hockey and broom ball on the ice rink. Broom ball consists mostly of slipping and falling, since players aren't allowed to wear skates. The objective of the game is exactly like hockey, except you play with short, plastic sticks, a lot like brooms in shape.
We had McDonald's that night, while enjoying a toasty fire and doing Mad Libs.
The following morning, we partook in the enjoyable activity of packing. This was particularly frustrating, because most of our stuff was soaked.
We left Camp Luther at around 9:00, and had elevenses at a Three Lakes McDonald's. After our mid-morning meal, it was off to the cottage.
True to hockey spirit, we spent most of our time playing CLUE and reading Calvin and Hobbes or Foxtrot on the couch, not to mention playing hockey on a rented rink in Shawano (the ice on the lake and pond wasn't good enough to skate on). We spent the evenings at Freida's, as always.
We cousins didn't exactly acknowledge bedtime. The earliest time I went to sleep was 1:00 AM. New Year's Eve was much the same. Everyone went to the Monroe's for fireworks and champagne, and returned home at around 11:00. None of the uncles stayed up until midnight, so our celebration (if you could call it that) was a bit boring and dull. In fact, we were a bit startled when the clock above the mantelpiece struck 12, and 2011 had begun.
We left the cottage on the 2nd, after the Green Bay group had left for Mexico. Our return trip wasn't all that bad, especially since we stopped in Valpo to watch the Pack beat Chicago.
Camp Luther and hockey were unforgettable. Have a wonderful 2011!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We stayed home for Christmas again this year. After a beautiful service on Christmas Eve, we opened our presents. Among mine were a phone, a few Calvin and Hobbes books, a book about the Super Bowl, some hand warmers, socks and Under Armour, and some Agatha Christie books. Some of these presents were given to me for my 13th birthday, which was on the 23rd.
My brothers got more than a few presents, and we all were very pleased with our loot.
I hope your Christmas was blessed and fun.
We stayed home for Christmas again this year. After a beautiful service on Christmas Eve, we opened our presents. Among mine were a phone, a few Calvin and Hobbes books, a book about the Super Bowl, some hand warmers, socks and Under Armour, and some Agatha Christie books. Some of these presents were given to me for my 13th birthday, which was on the 23rd.
My brothers got more than a few presents, and we all were very pleased with our loot.
I hope your Christmas was blessed and fun.
NFL Weeks 16 and 17
Never have I been so engrossed in the NFL, and never have I had a better time watching a Packer game than last Sunday. We crushed the New York Giants at Lambeau, keeping our playoff hopes alive. We dominated from start to finish, on offense and defense.
The Bears beat the other New York team, the Jets. In theory, the Jets are a good team, but I won't buy it until they win some games.
The Patriots easily finished off the Bills, and Arizona managed to beat Dallas. Detroit played a great game against the Dolphins, beating them 34-27. Detroit is improving in leaps and bounds, and next year they might actually be a serious threat.
Minnesota somehow beat the a hot Philadelphia Eagles team, but Brett Favre didn't play most of the game. A former wide receiver, Joe Webb, played well in his absence.
New Orleans defeated Atlanta, but the Falcons will still walk away with the #1 seed in the NFC.
The Packer's momentum carried them to a win against the Bears in Week 17. The Bears, who had a guaranteed playoff spot, no matter the outcome of the game, played all of their starters. Jay Cutler was dropped six times, and picked off twice. Our defense played particularly well, allowing only 3 points.
Detroit beat the Vikings, and they will finish the season 6-10.
Indianapolis has secured a playoff berth, thanks to their victory over the Titans in Lucas Oil.
The Giants, despite beating Washington 17-14, will not be in the playoffs. Tampa Bay was also denied the playoffs, even though they beat New Orleans by 10.
Let the playoffs begin! GO PACK GO!
The Bears beat the other New York team, the Jets. In theory, the Jets are a good team, but I won't buy it until they win some games.
The Patriots easily finished off the Bills, and Arizona managed to beat Dallas. Detroit played a great game against the Dolphins, beating them 34-27. Detroit is improving in leaps and bounds, and next year they might actually be a serious threat.
Minnesota somehow beat the a hot Philadelphia Eagles team, but Brett Favre didn't play most of the game. A former wide receiver, Joe Webb, played well in his absence.
New Orleans defeated Atlanta, but the Falcons will still walk away with the #1 seed in the NFC.
The Packer's momentum carried them to a win against the Bears in Week 17. The Bears, who had a guaranteed playoff spot, no matter the outcome of the game, played all of their starters. Jay Cutler was dropped six times, and picked off twice. Our defense played particularly well, allowing only 3 points.
Detroit beat the Vikings, and they will finish the season 6-10.
Indianapolis has secured a playoff berth, thanks to their victory over the Titans in Lucas Oil.
The Giants, despite beating Washington 17-14, will not be in the playoffs. Tampa Bay was also denied the playoffs, even though they beat New Orleans by 10.
Let the playoffs begin! GO PACK GO!
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