"How To Become a Regular Babysitter" by Alyssa A

            Babysitting is one of the best jobs to have while in high school. There is no "boss" who controls your work schedule, the hours don't conflict with school since you work mostly on the weekends, and the money you make is tax free. However, many babysitters make simple mistakes that lose them jobs. Here are some tips to create a sound foundation of families to regularly babysit for, allowing you to have some extra spending cash.

1. Availability

            First it is important to be available. Usually most families ask for babysitting service two or three days before the day they need you. If they want you to babysit on a Friday, they will usually contact you on a Wednesday, maybe a Tuesday. Unquestionably this is not a whole lot of notice and you may already have plans for that night. Nevertheless, we are all Seniors here and have taken Economics so let's apply what we have learned. A decision confronts us with a possible tradeoff. We can either stick with our original plans, or we can cancel the plans and  make some money. Measure the opportunity cost. If your plans are to stay at home to binge watch a new series on Netflix, you should accept the babysitting job and watch your shows another day. But say you have tickets to the Justin Timberlake concert or you are going to prom on that night, it is probably in your best self interest to pass up the babysitting opportunity. If you have a good reason, the family will be understanding. Being available is very important. If you are not available the family will ask another sitter, and if you decline too many times to babysit for them they will stop asking you. Consequently, you have just lost a job.

Tip: A good rule of thumb is to not cancel on a family two times in a row. If you have to you must have a pretty good reason. Also, if you are in a sport or extracurricular activity where you have weekend games/performances and practices, notify the families.. For example,  during basketball season I send out a text to the families I babysit for and let them know that I am in season and cannot babysit on Friday nights from January to March. After season I send out another text to inform them that I am available again.

2. Research

            Before even going to the house to sit, it is important to do some research to prepare for the night. What happens when you don't prepare for a test? You usually fail. It is the same thing with babysitting. There are three key pieces of information you must know about the family before you go over to work.

                        A). Number of Kids/Ages

                        B). House Rules

                        C). Illnesses (allergies, colds, etc.)

This information can be found out by just asking one of the parents (usually the mom). Now this seems like a simple step but passing it up has the possibility of ending a babysitting relationship with a family. One of the families I babysit for are strictly vegetarian. If I brought over some Dino Nuggets as a fun snack for the kids, I most likely would not have gotten a call for a second job. This information also helps prepare you for what type of night it is going to be. If the parents are newlyweds with an eight month old baby be prepared to change a diaper, make a bottle, and maybe deal with some extensive crying. If the family has three boys who are seven, nine, and eleven, be ready for a busy night where you will act as the referee, mediate disputes, and be asked a million questions about their favorite video game. Doing your research will allow you to prepare yourself and know what mindset and skills you must have before starting the night.

3.  Think Like A Kid, Act Like An Adult

            One of the most tricky things about babysitting is being relatable and fun with the kids while keeping them in reign and having them know that you are in charge. The kids are a direct line of communication to their parents, telling them if you make a mistake, if you are mean, or if you let them run wild; however, they also tell their parents when they had fun and if they experienced any new things.  The best way to achieve this balancing act of respect and fun is by packing a "Bag of Activities". Now a days, kids spend their time watching television, being on the computer, or playing video games. You should bring alternative things to do that are more interactive like origami, board games (Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders, Guess Who, etc.), or seasonal activities (painting-not carving-pumpkins for Halloween, creating Valentine's Day Cards, making paper snowflakes for Christmas, etc.). These activities are fun for the kids and put you in a teaching position, allowing them to follow your directions without you having to be stern or forceful. You must also pack a figurative "Bag of Activities". This is where knowing the kids ages is important. Freshen up your mind on topics that the kids are interested in. Be prepared to talk about Disney movies (especially the new movies like Frozen and Tangled, but do not pass up the classics like The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, and The Lion King), popular video games (Call of Duty, Minecraft, NBA 2k14, etc.), and appropriate songs/artists.                                                                                           

          

    www.guide4moms.com            

  

 www.dan-dare.org                                        

  

mp1st.com

Tip: I also find it useful to not talk down to the kids or treat them like they are "babies". This is especially important when babysitting kids who are in fourth grade or older. They do not want to be treated like little kids, especially when they have younger siblings. They see themselves as more mature than the younger kids, they want you to see them this way too.

4. Clean

            When parents ask for a babysitter it is usually because they are going out on a date or they have a work event. After a fun night out no parent wants to come home to a messy house. An effective way to become a regular babysitter is to clean up the house while the parents are away: do the dishes in the sink, wipe down the counters, clean the stove, pick up the couch pillows and fold the throw blankets, organize the kid toys. When the parents come home they will be surprised and appreciative, earning you some big points and a call back.

Tip:  I usually run the dishes in the dish washer and then unload them once the cycle is done to save time. That way I can play with the kids instead of washing dishes for an hour.   

            Babysitting is a great way to make some extra money and is an easily managed job to have while in high school; however, it does take some effort. Be available, get to know the kids, allow the kids to have fun, and pick up the house and you will create a sound foundation of families for whom you can regularly babysit.

"The Secret Life under My Scarf" by Alia A

As maybe, most of you guys know by now, I wear a scarf on my head because I chose to for my religion, Islam. By the way it’s called a Hijab. I know, it’s a much prettier name. Also, everyone I ever met always has questions about it. So, after thinking long and hard about what to write for this blog, I decided to answer some of the questions that I always get. So, just sit back, relax, and enjoy some free knowledge.

·      Yes, I have hair. I don’t stuff socks behind my bald head to get the perfect bun that I have.

·      No, I don’t wear my scarf in the shower. How else can I get my luscious hair to smell so good? (Like any of you guys could know that).

·      No, I am not a terrorist. I swear to you guys, Islam is not a religion that wants to bring harm to everyone.

·      No, Osama Bin Laden is not my uncle. I promise, not all Muslims are terrorists and not all terrorists are Muslims.

·      Yes, my family can see me without the scarf. After all, they are my blood, right?

·      Also, girls can see me without the scarf too, but guys can’t. That would be extremely sad if my own gender can’t even see me without it.

·      Yes, my legs are very, very white. Since, they never do get sunlight; you can probably get blinded by the whiteness of them.

·      Yes, I am Arab, Egyptian actually. No we don’t dance that stereotypical dance with our arms. (I know you guys know which dance I’m talking about).

·      Yes, I do get hot, but I’m used to it. I mean come on, who doesn’t get hot in this California weather!

·      Yes, I have my ears pierced and I like to do my hair sometimes. It really doesn’t matter that no one can see it. All that matters is my opinion on how hot I look.

·      Yes, I can hear you when you talk to me. (I actually got this question).

·      No, my parents didn’t throw a scarf on my head the second I came out of my mother’s womb.

I can honestly go on forever about all the questions I have gotten in my past. Usually, most of the questions I get are just super racist and ignorant (if you haven’t noticed in my list), but I realized that I have to deal with it, because everywhere you go, you’re going to have to deal with these types of people. Just remember; never ever let those people get under your skin because you are always going to be a much better person than they are.

"Tilt Me by Sarah P

Sometimes I like to lay on the floor. It can be fun to just stare at the ceiling, losing myself in thought. And then, suddenly, my thoughts turn to the potential of the ceiling above me; what an interesting surface. What if I could walk upon the ceiling, make “up” the new “down”?

I give it a go; in my mind I am on the ceiling, walking as I used to upon the ground, or what was once the ground. Now the carpet is above me and I can feel the grooves of the plaster under my feet. I must walk around the ceiling-fan (which desperately needs to be dusted) and climb through the doorways.

When I walk on this floor, does my hair stand up, reaching to the carpeted ceiling? Silly, isn’t it, that one would install carpet on a ceiling?

I can hide and walk right past Mother, because she is standing upside down, on the other ground; the real ground; the right ground. She doesn’t look up enough.

I can see the bald spots my family members try to hide.

I can see into the vents; there are a lot of cobwebs up here.

I can see the steam and smoke from the stove as it rises to meet me, bringing pleasant scents.

There are lots of dark spots up here; this is where the lamps cast their shadows.

I understand why Mom always says I need to clean my room; seeing it in its entirety from above, I suppose it is a bit cluttered, perhaps one could call it chaotic.

I can’t walk out the door or window or else I’ll fall into nothing; the sky isn’t a solid base like this plaster-and-paint one I now stand upon.

This mind-set, this new terrain, is slowly becoming real.

Until, suddenly, Mommy notices; she sees me wandering, daydreaming, and tells me to stop laying on the ground for dinner has been made. So then, once again, I am a child standing upright; my world turns upside down and I have to come back. The only floor is the carpeted surface below me, and the beige, plastered ceiling looms above me; there are some facts of life I can’t change. I can’t make Mama engage in my daydreams and curiosities…but now it is dinner time and I’m hungry, so none of that really matters, does it?

" Mysterious Adventure" by Kaaria B

As he climbed, he started getting higher and higher.  He kept on going although he would get tired every once in a while, but he didn’t mind.  He just wanted to be the first person to make it to the top and back.  He had no idea what would happen once he got there.  As he was climbing, it got later and it started getting darker.  That didn’t stop him from still going up there.  He kept pushing hisself to get there.  As he got higher, it got colder, and it was nothing but black outside.  He didn’t have many clothes on his body to save him from not being too cold.  So he started to get the urge to just go back down.  But he thought about it, when he tied his boat off and started to climb the cliffs.  He knew that no one had ever lived to tell what was behind the cloud. So he continued his journey up the cliff.  

            A couple hours later, he gets even higher he has no chpice but to keep climbing. If he chooses to change his mind and go back down it would take him a long time.   So he finally is almost to the tip top of the cliff and he has frostbite.  He is freezing and he hasn’t eaten for days since he started climbing the cliffs.  He can barely move, but he is almost to the tip.  So he reaches as far as he can, as much as it hurts him.  He grabs on to the top of the cliff, and he starts hanging.  He starts panicing a lot because this can be the day he dies and has no one to help him.  A couple minutes later, he accidentally slips his hand and he falls down.  Hes going at full speed holding on to nothing jus falling straight down. Finally, he hits the ground on the hard icey snow. He did not survive.

"Mysterious Adventure" by Christofer G

He tied his boat off and started to climb the cliffs.  He knew that no one had lived to tell what was behind the cloud, but still he climbed.  As he climbed, he began to remember the last remark he had rudely stated to his wife.  “If you try to stop me, I will lose the love for you that I once had.”  His wife grew silent, and the love between them started to fade away, as if it were just a dream.  Still climbing, he started to cry, for he knew that he had made a mistake.  As he approached the top, he began to think, “Well, this isn’t so bad.”  Then he saw it.  What had looked like a door began to form into a portal.  There was a sign that read, “Through this portal lies either your greatest wishes or your worst nightmares.”  The man stood there, in shock. He thought, “Maybe this is the reason that no one has ever returned.”

            He started to imagine the possibilities that could occur by walking into this portal.  At best, the man would reappear with his wife and they would live a happy, love filled life.  But at worst, the man would lose his wife, leaving him alone for the rest of eternity.  He then realized that it would be foolish to take that kind of risk.  He turned around and headed for his boat.  After a short trip, the man reached his house.  He stared his wife in the eyes and apologized.

"Spoken Word: Time is Everything, Either Regret or Rejoice " by Funmi S

                                                                                               

          People live in a world of ignorance, we live not knowing that time is everything. People start off with beautiful young minds, and as they grow up around teen ages and older, their minds start to mature. The thing is adults think about the past and what they could’ve done to change things or what they could’ve done to better their life. But the mistake we as teens make is the choice of listening to our elders. We have times as though we feel that moms and dads just yell at us to get under our skin or to irk our nerves, and what not. But they yell at you so that you’re not the one on the sides of the streets begging for money, so you’re not the one your child calls a “lousy” parent.  They were children just like you so when they tell you what to or what not to do, don’t you think you should listen? But no cause we’re too caught up in caring about what the heck society says or thinks about us. That we decide to wrap our minds in what they want us to do and not what we should actually be doing. Because we can’t think for ourselves therefore they think for us. And so we get into drugs and alcohol, parties, and what’s unnecessary. Then we grow up thinking: What if I had…. What if I did…. What if I said this and that? Well yeah, what if? What if you had set aside the popularity, the thinking of what your friends want? Because you’re not living for them, you’re living for you. You’re living by the reason of God to put you in this world, and if you’re not living by that reason, then what are you living for? Do something new, change the world, reach out to people, do what’s in your heart’s desire. DO YOU! Because no one can change your life, but you. So instead of having to grow up to regret think about the consequence before you do something that you know might not be right, and change it around and do something worth your time of living. In that way you can grow old and rejoice, and leave knowing you made a change in this world. That’s when you can be satisfied for you and others, being happy and rejoicing. Get it? Rejoice and not regret. Don’t  grow up to have pity for yourself just because you couldn’t think for yourself now, while your still young, while you still have a chance to change you future. That’s the meaning of “YOLO” You Only Live Once. Doing something that no one has ever done. Ladies and gentlemen, life is way to short to waste it. That’s why time is everything, keep that in mind. Rejoice and not regret . J Thank you.

"I Survived the Big One" by Anthony N

When I got home used a key to get into my still house. I then locked the door behind me hoping brigands can’t get inside. I then decide to watch TV and heat up a can of soup from a long day of school. When I was watching my favorite TV show, the ground started to suddenly start shaking violently and was so strong it knocked me off my feet. The ground was spasmodic for about three minutes and debris was everywhere. I had gotten out in time but my house was nothing but rumble and I was cumbersome and started to feel sick just trying to stay still outside. The damage was so diffuse that the whole town was rumble for miles. I was shocked and stood still for a while and thought what to do next surviving a big earthquake. Since my parents weren’t home they either died or got stuck in traffic so I decided to go to my aunt’s house for shelter. When I was running to my aunt’s house I saw many cars and buildings destroyed and people in the streets. When I finally got to my aunt’s house after walking many blocks I used a key get inside but everything was destroyed but an old radio. I took a while figure out how to use it because no one really uses a radio from home. I then heard news from broadcast and was speechless because I have survived a 9.3 magnitude earthquake! It was the strongest earthquake that hit the United States and said they were sending troops for help. The amounts of casualties were so great that there aren’t of people to count the bodies. The news hit me so hard that I just waited for someone to find me.       

"Rhapsody" by Emily W

                 In the distant future, a totalitarian government arises from the devastation of World War III. In order to control the population, the government bans all forms of culture including music.

~o~

            The dull ceiling stared back at me as I laid on the cot. It was perhaps midnight, impossible to tell without a clock. My father insisted a clock cost too many stamps, but then again so did liquor, although that never stopped him. His snores rumbled away across the bedroom, indifferent to my insomnia. Carefully, I swung my legs over the edge of the cot and gingerly stepped onto the wooden floor. The uneven boards creaked ominously beneath my feet. I apprehensively glanced at my father, who carelessly rolled over in his sleep and continued his slumber.

            My feet treaded lightly over the stairs, past the tiny kitchen into the adjourning living room. Two tattered, bug-infested sofas, a nightstand and a table covered with empty bottles and bent playing cards, decorated the room.

Together my father and I shared the cramped apartment with several of his factory worker friends, who spent most of their days drinking, smoking and gambling away their paychecks. Without a mother, the apartment fell to waste. The paint peeled, the mold multiplied and a peculiar smell proliferated the rooms.

            A small, beat-up radio sat on top of a rickety nightstand in the far corner of the room. Turning on the dial, a boisterous propaganda speech calling for citizen support against the rebels filled the room. Balancing the dial between stations of continuous speeches, the radio emitted static. (For some reason white noise helps me sleep. I find its emptiness soothing).  With a casual air, I flopped onto the sofa and closed my eyes, allowing my mind to go numb.

             A strange metallic crackle caused the white noise to cease and an unfamiliar clamor replaced the static. An indescribable series of pitches, accelerated and flittered in a bizarre pattern. The noise gained in volume, causing my heart to race, before suddenly hushing, transitioning into a slower pace. Haunting and lonely, it spoke to the very essence of my being. It was almost, beautiful.

Within my soul, a small instinct realized that the unfamiliar noise was music. Instantly, I leapt from the sofa and clutched the radio to my chest to stifle the forbidden thing. Vibrating against my chest, the all too familiar cries of machine guns interrupted the music. The sound halted abruptly as bullets tore through flesh. Shouts from soldiers, heavy boots stomping, the scuffle of bodies being dragged and then silence. Deafening silence.

Instinctually, tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched the radio to my stomach rocking back and forth like a child. The music had played for no more than thirty seconds, but I could not help mourning the loss of something so beautiful. Deep within, the music filled a small crack that I never knew existed. And at that moment, I realized the world was filled with silence.

“Patience my child is a virt--“ -“STOP” by Mathew T

According to the old saying "patience is a virtue", patience is something that people should strive for. But why would anyone say that? I just don’t understand. Apparently we should wait, sit tight and allow things to come to us instead of going out of our way to go get what we want. That's what I would do; I’d be out there trying to do something. I'm not impatient, I just don't see the point in waiting for something to come to me when I have the opportunity to go and get it done myself in an efficient and convenient manner.

One of the worst feelings in the world, is waiting for news, any kind of update be it good or bad. Waiting stresses me out. It makes me cringe. I become anxious and irritable. I don’t think that I’m incredibly impatient, or at least I hope. It’s just that the waiting game prolongs whatever is coming, and that’s never a good thing. I want things done promptly.  I’d rather hear back immediately, deal with the decision, and move on to the next step. I’m not so much in a hurry, but I’d like things to flow smoothly. Being held up by a simple decision impedes this and just causes problems for me

Currently, I am waiting to hear back from UCI; University of California Irvine. I applied in November to the nursing program and I haven’t heard one thing back from the school. I’ve sent in all of my papers, the various files and scores as requested, but I have yet to get the one thing I truly desire: A decision on my admission, a response, a simple response. According to some of my friends, the super smart geniuses that have so graciously graced me with their input, and according to my Mom, Dad, Tías, Tíos (Aunts and Uncles) and grandparents, I have a pretty good chance. My scores were in the median and my GPA matched up with the median for the school. I’m right in the middle. So in theory and just in theory since nothing has happened yet, I should get in. However knowing my luck, and knowing my ever burning hate for anticipating news, I’m telling myself I won’t get in. Shutting myself down like that could probably be classified as a coping mechanism for stress. I mean if I prepare for the worse that can happen, the overwhelming feeling of shame that comes with a college rejection letter, the laughs, the harsh disappointed glances, and the knowledge that I just wasn’t good enough or that I should have prepared more, how much can it bother me? Either way I’m preparing for a rejection letter because I’d rather have a backup plan. Doing something feels way better than waiting around for nothing to happen.

Waiting for news like I've said before just isn't worth it to me; my time could be better spent doing something else. It causes anxiety for me, if UCI would just hurry up and email me an admission's response I would know or have a better idea of where I am going to college. And that knowledge would set any high-schoolers mind to ease. But I suppose, there is a tiny up side to having to wait so long, and to continue to have to wait so long for a simple reply. All of this waiting has allowed me to make a more informed decision on what school I decide to attend. All of this extra time has allowed me to double check the nursing programs at the Cal states I applied to and it has also allowed me to check out the housing situations and the different minors and clubs they have on each campus. 

However there is a downside to this upside, after all what goes up , must come down. Because of all this extra time spent looking at the fine details of each school, I've come to the conclusion that UCI has everything that I want in a school; it has my major (which I probably won’t be admitted to) it has the minor I want, it has the clubs that I’m interested in joining like a TENNIS CLUB, A TENNIS CLUB THAT IS ACTIVE, which if you couldn't tell by the caps lock makes me very happy. There are just so many benefits for me. Basically the admission decision, when I get it, will kill me either in a good way or in the complete opposite.

Despite my utter loathing for waiting for anything that should be expedited A.S.A.P. (my admission decision), I think I finally understand why people say patience is a virtue. It's because you have to wait either way you look at it. It is completely unavoidable and there is no use getting all worked up over something you have no control over. If only this epiphany had come four months ago.

 I only have to continue waiting until the 31^st of this month, since that's their deadline. They'd better abide by it or they'll be bombarded by complaints and phone calls and the occasional death threat (not that ALL three will be coming from me, I might just skip the phone calls and the complaints). Despite the epiphany that so conveniently came near the end of this personal reflection, until the 31st I will continue to furiously refresh my email until I get a notification from UCI.

            P.S. on 3/14 @5:00pm Mathew Ryan Trevino received admission to UCI’s Nursing Major, No death threats were sent and he only refreshed his email once. Maybe Patience is a virtue!

**death threats were used for comedic effect.

March Writers Are Here! It's Your Lucky Day!

Go check them out!  Comment!  Three Times!  Enjoy!

"How To Make Red Hot Chicken Curry" by Arvind G

Curry is one of the main dishes that most Indians eat and there are also many types of curry that someone can get. So many people have told me that they want some curry, either chicken curry or some other type of curry. They have told me to make curry for them. Well instead of me having to make it, you guys should try it out for yourselves. It might be hard for some to make because it takes patience and everything has to be done perfectly or else your curry will turn out to something that you do not want to eat(personal experience). So I will tell you guys how to make Red Hot Chicken Curry which has a satisfyingly think sauce, and for color and flavor red and green peppers are used. There are many ways that you can make this a unique dish by adding something special to it that you would like but as long as you follow the basic instructions things will be fine.   

Things you will need:

A bowl(pyrex is the best, glass is good too)

Heavy Stirfry pan(not too big about medium size)

Ingredients:

2 medium onions                                ½ tsp grated root ginger

½ red bell pepper                                1 tsp ground coriander

½ green bell pepper                          1 tsp chili powder

2 tbsp oil                                                   1 tsp salt

¼ tsp fenugreek seeds                     14 oz can tomatoes(fresh tomatoes are better)

¼ tsp onion seeds                               2 tbsp chopped cilantro

½ tsp crussed garlic                           3 fresh green chilies, chopped fresh coriander to garnish

2 tbsp lemon juice                             12 oz chicken, skinned and cubed

Directions:

    1.     Start with the onions first, dice them up using a sharp knife.

Take the seeds out from the peppers and cut them into chunks,

 not too big or too small because this is the size you will cut the chicken into.

    2.     In the heavy stirfry pan, turn the stove to medium heat and heat the oil and fry the fenugreek and onion seeds until they turn a shade darker. Add the chopped onions, crushed garlic and fresh ginger. Fry this for about 5 minutes until the onions are a golden brown shade. When you see the onions change color them reduce the heat to low. 

    3.     In a separate bowl mix the ground coriander, chili powder, salt, canned(or fresh) tomatoes, and lemon juice. Stir very well for about 2 minutes to get mixed together well and to get the perfect taste. You can also add the chicken into this to get it to have the mixture on it too.

    4.      Now you pour the mixture into the pan and increase the heat to about medium. And stir-fry this for about 3 minutes(if you added the chicken in step 3 you have to stir-fry for about 8-10 minutes).

   5.     If you did not add the chicken in step 3 you can add it now. After adding the chicken you will stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes).

   6.     Add the chopped fresh coriander and green chilies and the red and green bell pepper chunks you had cut.

7.     Lower the heat, cover the pan and allow for this to simmer for about 10 minutes, until the chicken cubes are fully cooked. If it takes too long the chicken might get all dried up and if you turn the heat off too early then the chicken will be left undone.

8.     Serve the curry hot, garnished with the fresh coriander for added flavor.

As you see here that I added peas to my curry, this did not really affect it too much it just increases the flavor of it and makes it taste better. HAPPY COOKING J

"The Perks of Traffic" by Jonathan D

Anyone who has ever ridden in a car has experienced traffic. Wether it is rush hour or an
accident creating delays; whatever the case may be, traffic is inevitable. As a young child, I
recall how much the adults driving me around would complain about the gridlock. Who could
blame them? Being alert for several hours, while moving at a snail’s pace, is not an ideal
situation for most people. However, since I have become a licensed driver I welcome traffic;
without it, I would probably have a mental breakdown!
Traffic slows my life down, just as it does speedy cars. Driving bumper to bumper is
really the only time that I feel truly alone. While driving, my cell phone is kept in my pocket at
all times, freeing me from the hold that instagram, twitter, and text messages have on the
majority of teenagers. With my phone out of the picture, I engage in musical therapy by blasting
the songs of my favorite artist. The blaring radio allows me to get in touch with my sensitive side
by singing along to a Beyonce hit, or embrace my inner thug by rapping the lyrics to a Tupac
jam. Traffic allows me to release built up aggression and anger through the infamous road rage,
which seems to plague just about everyone. The close proximity of the moving vehicles gives
dumb drivers, who in my opinion should not be licensed, the opportunity to cut me off or almost
cause a fatal accident. Only Devine intervention has allowed me to escape any danger; once the
danger has been avoided, I proceed to shout out any obscenity that comes to mind. On the other
hand, the most enjoyable aspect of my personal experiences of traffic is the possible silence that
it can bring.
Although my car does not provide complete silence due to the muffled sounds that
permeate through its frame, it is quiet enough. Quiet enough that I can reflect upon my past
actions, or my interactions with my peers within the latest school day. Over the course of my
weekly driving, I eventually ponder my upcoming events and the direction of my life. So
whenever I inch down the fifteen freeway on my way home from school, I am grateful for that
one hour of traffic that makes my car an idyllic place (in my mind) for me to be alone; keeping
my sanity intact.

"How to Ask Someone to Prom" by Tia B

As we all know Prom is somewhere around the corner! Prom is a very special day for a girl. It’s
supposed to be the best day of her life. Not so much for the guy. Guys are pressured into making sure
that their girl’s night is the best. If it isn’t, he won’t ever hear the end of it. Anyways, Prom won’t be
great if you have no one to go with! By the time my blog is posted there will probably be only ten days
till Prom! Better read this quick and follow every step!
Step one: Know who you are asking. First of all, you have to know who you are asking. Is it the really
hot guy, you’ve had your eye on since grade school? Is it the really popular girl that has no idea you
exist? Is it just a random stranger that let you borrow his/her pencil one day in class?
Step two: Follow them around. Once you got your eye on someone special, you must follow him or
her around school. I mean STALK them. You must find out what classes they have and where they
hang out during lunch and in the morning and after school. WARNING!! You have to be real slick
about this. You don’t want to get expelled or anything. Here’s a helpful hint: Bring a camera with you at
all times and take a picture of him or her as they wander around campus. They won’t be scared or
freaked out by you at all. You’ll have the perfect excuse! Just say that you are in Yearbook. (I do this
all the time.) *BE SURE TO KEEP THE PHOTOS
Step three: Stand out in the crowd. This is a very important step. Now that you know where he or she
hangs out, you must make yourself different. You must catch his or her attention. Here’s a suggestion: In
the morning, go to the band room and steal a guitar or any beautiful instrument that you see. I suggest
stealing the grand piano. *If you do steal the piano, make sure you have a friend that is willing to push
you around the school while you play it. *
It doesn’t matter that you are musically untalented. No talent is needed for this step. Now that you have
an instrument, walk this special person to each class playing it and singing to it obnoxiously. This will
totally get you his/her attention!
Step four: Ease the tension. If you have followed the first three steps correctly, this person will
probably be avoiding you! DON’T WORRY! It is a good sign! It only means that he/she is too nervous
and shy to talk to you. If this is the case, go develop the pictures that you took of him/her from step
two. On each photo, write something you like about them. For example, “I like the size of your nose
holes,” or “I like your ear lobes.” Once you finish, go to each of his/her classes early and give it to their
teacher to put on his/her desk. When they read it, they will fall in love with your wonderful comments
and might even want to ask you to Prom!
Step five: Ask. Now that he/she has some type of attraction towards you, it is time for you to ask.
There are several ways you can do it. You could go ahead and buy him/her a slice of cheese or even a
Poptart. Just hand it to them and say, “Take my food and be my Prom date.” If you demand it, there is
no reason for him/her to say no. Another way to ask is you could write a special Prom song for them.
Once you have it written down, sneak into the Activities Office and get on the intercom. Once you have
a hold of the intercom just casually say his/her name and dedicate the song to them. Sing it with
confidence and they will totally say yes!
If you followed all 5 steps CONGRATS you have a Prom date!
In all seriousness, if you know who you want to ask to Prom just ask them! It’s better to risk
rejection than risk having regrets. You don’t want to regret letting one of the greatest nights
of your life slip by.