THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2005

This year has been one of the best years of my life. The first major event of this year was in February when my family went on our annual trip to Santa Fe, NM. We spent a lot of time with our friends down there and skied a lot. Brent and I skiied the whole Santa Fe ski area and vowed to conquer Taos next year in Febraury of 2006. We had a lot of fun, as usual. The next big event was Spring Break 2005. My mom and I traveled to Mexico for the break. Our first stop was Chichen Itza, the Mayan Ruins. The ruins were beautiful and the temple was huge! Our second and last stop was Playa del Carmen, a beach south of Cancun. The waves were enormous and Cole, a friend I made down there, and I boogy-boarded and body-boarded a ton. It was awesome. I graduated from 7th grade in June, and I was exempt from all of my finals. So, my dad and I went on a mountain biking trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was a blast. We rode for five days and the canyon was beautiful. There were parts of the trip where we had to carry our bikes over trees for a quarter-mile straight. It was really hard. The food was excellent and the guides were amazing. Then, came Ligonier Camp a rligious activities camp that I have gone to for three years near Pittsburgh, PA. This was my first year in The Next Level and it was great! We did the zipline, rock climbing, mountain biking, mountain boarding, water fights, and much more. This year the regious bible studies really got to me and when I got back I started going back to church and praying every night. In July I went to my beach house in Brigantine, NJ for a week. Then, I went off to Ireland with my aunt. There I met Amanda, Lisa, Darcie, Pete, and Greg. We all had the coolest time ever. We went out to a pub one night and there was a live band and everything. We visited Dublin and I got to go to the Guinness Storehouse. We also visited Blarney Castle and I got to kiss the Blarney Stone. I also got to see the Cliffs of Mohr. We had a medieval feast the last night in Bunratty Castle and afterwards we gave Pete a Mohawk. It looked so cool. Amanda and I ran to almost every gas station in Killkenny trying to find glue tostick up his hair but ended up using gel instead. Two days after coming back from Ireland, my family and I went on our other annual trip to The "N" in the Adirondack Mountains of New York for two weeks. The first week I spent a lot of time with my best friend Mason; we did a little raod biking together. The second week I spent with the most amazing girl on Earth: Jamie. She and I hiked with a group up one the nearby mountains and swam in the lake at the top. We also went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory together. After The "N" came 8th grade and school. It's going pretty well so far. The first weekend of December I went up to my grandmother's and hung out with my friends from The "N". It was great. I slept over at Mason's house in Cornwall on the Hudson and we went to the movies. We had an awesome time. Next, came Christmas and Hanukkah. That pretty much brings you up-to-date with my year. Next is a list of great book I have read over the last year.

Books:

Honor Among Thieves, Jeffrey Archer; Prey, Michael Chrighton; Jurassic Park, Michael Chrighton; The Andromeda Strain, Michael Chrighton; Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain; Idiot, Johnny Damon; Hayduke Lives!, Edward Abbey; Reaper, Ben Mezrich; Life of Pi, Yann Martel; House of the Scorpion, Nancy Farmer; Eldest, Christopher Paolini; Scorpia, Anthony Horowitz; Arc Angel, Anthony Horowitz; Farenheit 451, Ray Bradbury; The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown; Fire in the Heart, Deepak Chopra; Angels and Demons, Dan Bown; Deception Point, Dan Brown; The Pearl, John Steinbeck; Digital Fortress, Dan Brown; Night, Elie Wiesel; Chosen, Chaim Potok; The Eleventh Commandment, Jeffrey Archer; A Matter of Honor, Jeffrey Archer.

Hope you all have a great year, 2006!

Check out the New Years Eve Blog Party hosts at 2 Lazy 2 Blog

Upcoming

Well, today is New Year's Eve and Ihave to work on school projects. But, coming up is my Year in Review, 2005. This will most likely be the longest entry yet and will contain almost everything that I have done over the past year. Things I have done, places I have been, books I have read, and people I have met, all in one entry. Look forward to it later today!

Friday

Worked on my Family History Project. Still have two pages left to do in the Book Project and still have a two page report on Uranium for Science. Watched Alien 3 tonight. Okay movie. Not my favorite. I haven't seen Alien or Aliens yet so I'll have to see those in the near future. Party tomorrow at Zach's. Church Sunday. Work, work, work...

Philly

Went to Philly yesterday for Jessica's doctor's appointment aand to look at the thrift shop for suits. First came the first thrift shop where I bought a beautiful greenish suit for $40, originally about $500. This store buys suits that people have already bought and probably didn't fit them so they sell the suit to this store for a fraction of the original price and sell it to people like me who don't want to pay $500 for a suit. Then, we went to Jessica's doctor's appointment at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), a subsidiary of HUP (Hospital of the University of Penn). The doctor's appointment went well and afterwards we went out to lunch at a cafe famous for its political activism called the White Dog. After lunch we wentto the second thrift shop, owned by the same person but at a different location. There I bought a black suit jacket. Jessica and Mom tried on some fur jackets that were selling for $1500. Obviously we didn't buy them. After the second shop, we had dinner at the same White Dog Cafe. They had awesome food. I had a burger both times. Then, we drove home. When we got home, we watched Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I didn't like the movie, but my sister thought it was good. Then, slept. That pretty much brings me up-to-date for now. Today is another work day for me. Have the party at Zach's tomorrow afternoon that I'm really looking forward to. Church on Sunday. School on Monday, :-(. Well, yesterday was pretty cool. I'll update tonight again with my progress report on how my science and two IS projects are coming along. Talk to you then.

Wednesday

Break still going full blast! Worked on my IS Family Project a little yesterday. Went to Borders and I bought a World Map that I am going to use with my project. I also got Dawn by Elie Wiesel. Same guy who wrote Night. Both books are about the Holocaust and are very vivid and meaningful. Went out to dinner at the Green Hills Inn, a very fancy restaurant, and I wore my grandfathers old army officer dress coat. Ate ostrich for the first time. I was pretty good. Also had boar and duck. An excellent dinner. Then, got home and watched part of the Live 8 Concert DVD I got for Christmas. I was really great. So far I have watched London and part of Philadelphia. All the great bands and singers were there. It was and awesome DVD, and I still have 3 1/2 DVD's left to watch! Headin to Philly today for Jessica's doctor appointment. Then, going to a thrift shop that specializes in suits for me to buy one, I don't fit in my dad's anymore. Should be a great day. So, I'll talk to you guys tonight, hopefully.

Another Day

Just another day on break. No school, no waking up early, can't say no homework because I have to work on that starting as soon as possible. Remind me, remind me, remind me, nag me whatever you have to do or I won't get it done until Monday morning at 5 in the morning. Anyways, Nothing happening at all so I won't bore you all.

Kingdom of Heaven

Just finished watching Kingdom of Heaven on DVD. Awesome movie. Very inspiring and it spoke to me. It's about a young knight who devotes his life to God by becoming a knight, like his father, and doing great things to protect the people of Jerusalem. He eventually surrenders the city to the Muslims, but in doing so he saves the remains soldiers, women, and children. Great movie. Worked on my IS Book pages a little bit. Got one more page done. One or two to go, I can't remember which. I am going to start another book by Jeffrey Archer called A Matter of Honor. I hope that it will just as good as the other two of his I have read. Have to go eat dinner so have a great break!

The Eleventh Commandment

Stayed in my pajamas the whole day. The only thing that I wanted to put in the blog is that I finished reading The Eleventh Commandment by Jeffrey Archer. I highly recommend this book to action novel fans. It is full of twists and turns and includes lots of loving loyalty and also lots of betrayal. Full of turns and surprises, this book is written by the author of one of my all time favorite books, Honor Among Theives which is about the stealing of the Declaration of Independence and getting it back. Both of these books I highly recommend you read. That's all for now.

Christmas/Hanukkah

Merry Christmas! Hope you all got great presents. For all of my Jewish friends out there, tonight's number 1. Hope you get all you want this week. So far I have gotten an Irish calendar, The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time (a book, not 100 albums,lol), the new EVo3 iSkin for my iPod which is really nice because it has the skin and a plastic plate for protection, The Eleventh Commandment by Jeffery Archer, a DUBLIN sweatshirt, a car charger for my iPod, the LIVE 8 Concert on DVD, a book with 101 Reason to Proud to be Irish, and Citizen Kane the movie. I'm really thankful for everything. Chillaxin today. Nothing planned, of course. Spend some time with my family, my mom's dad is up for the weekend. Happy Holidays!!!


ONE Campaign

Christmas Eve

School - NONE!!!! Break is finally here (although even if it weren't, it's a Saturday). Just chilled in the morning. Nothing much. Talked with Sam online for awhile about Indie music. This is his blog if you want to check it out: text here. Christmas and Hanukkah tomorrow. Can't wait. Just got back from Church and am going again tomorrow. Nothing else to say. Oh yeah, I almost forgot: I got an email from Jamie today. She has finished her play and won her Thursday's 600 at her indoor track meet! Congratulations! And the music video is of The Foo Fighters singing their hit single: Best of You.

Last day of school

School - Didn't eat lunch today because I was so full from the junk and crap I ate at the parties. Beat the school record for a science game. I beat the AP Chem class by 17 seconds. Watched Elfo (Elf in Spanish, lol) with English subtitles. Had the math test that I think I did OK on. Teeth still hurt but not as much. Christmas Pagent tomorrow night. Went over to Mike's house and we watched some kick ass hilarious videos on Limewire and played some SSX Tricky (I think we're obsessed). Gave him his Xmas present: A 240 piece poker set with 2 decks included for the low, low price off $9.99 at your local Target. Had a ton of laughs about a Mariachi Band in ballistic missiles from Mexico, but I won't go into the stupid details. Watched March of the Penguins. OK movie overall. Good music, though. Nothin planned for tomorrow but sleep and homework. Get it done early. Two IS projects and a science project, f!@#$%& school. Talk to you tomorrow.

The ONE Campaign

Baseball practice was good. Mike gave me a $15 Gift Certificate for iTunes as a Christmas. I can't say what I got for him yet because he might be reading this (sry, Mike). I got a few Train songs and a song from The Bravery called Swollen Summer. Second ONEcast came out yesterday. If you haven't yet, sign the declaration at www.ONE.org, please. It an organization fighting to elimate AIDS and poverty around the world. Many celebrities have joined including Bono, P. Diddy, Antonio Banderas, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and many more. To see them all and sign the Declaration, click the link to the right that says the ONE Campaign and click "Watch The Video". They also have wrist bands in quantities starting at 10 and going to 2500. They also have T-Shirts that you can buy. Check it out, please. Africa and Africans need your voice. They're not asking for your money, they're asking for your voice. Please.

Braces

School - Got a 44/45 on my English test! Sweet. Concert today. It was the chorus, band, and orchestra. Pretty, good, but not great. GOT MY BRACES OFF TODAY! Sucks though because I have to wear a retainer 24/7 (excluding eating) for 7 weeks and then just at night for 2 years! I hate retainers. I got one for the top and one for the bottom. I get to chew gum now (like I followed that rule before, lol). "Legally". Last day of school before break tomorrow. Here's my schedule: Party, regular class, movie, movie, party, TEST, regular class, regular class. I have a math test on the last day of school. Okay, enough crap from me. Can't wait for break. No school, skiing (hopefully with friends because Mike is going to Keystone, CO to ski. Might ask George), family project, baseball practice, games, fun, excersise, and much more. Can't wait. Peace.

School - Had a American History Test yesterday and I got a 94%. I'm pretty happy about that. Ben got his first detention ever by splash water next to Mr. Babb, the assistant principal. It was so funny. Grand Slam yesterday. Did an awesome job. Hit really well and was seeing the all fine. My timing was a little off in the biginning, but I fixed it and was back to normal. I finished reading Night by Elie Wiesel. A very vivid and shocking novel about the Holocaust. Hopefully we'll get our English tests back today; I can't wait to see what I got. Baseball practice again today. It's a late one so I'll have to get my homework done fast. It's from 6:15-8:15 PM. Finished a sweet book page in my 1st Grader story. Have to go because I have to eat breakfast. Talk to you later. 2 More Days!!!

Monday

School Monday- Not much to say about school today. Just like any other day. Hung out with Mike after school and we worked on our IS Book pages. We didn't get much done, though. We were watching cool music videos online. Thriller was scary, but Michael Jackson always is. We also watched some old episodes of The Chapelle Show including I Know Black People. Hilarious episode. Called Danny's cell like 8 times and left a grand total of 21 minutes of voicemail messages. Extremely funny. Mike, you know what I'm talking about! Anyways, school today - English test was easy as cake. I think I did really well on it. Which is really good because I had an 89% at midquarter (plus a 7/5 points for a signed grade sheet). Should boost me up. Baseball practice today. Fun, fun. Three more days of school!!!

Peace

Church

Church was awesome. We had the service and then decorated the church for Christmas. Had a lot of fun with Catherine and Emily. We climbed up the the steeple tower and saw the inside of the bells. Was there until anout 2:00. Got a new digital camera! Lost the old Optio S4i. Got a Casio EX-S500. Sweet camera. Check out a picture of it. It looks really hot. School again tomorrow. One morw week until BREAK!!!!! Can't wait.

Mike's House

Slept over at Mike's house last night. First had some pizza for dinner and then played SSX Tricky. Then, we went to see Narnia with Youth Group. Funny but pretty well made movie. Got back and played some more SSX until 2:30 AM. What a night/morning. Slept until about 9:30. Played some more SSX and had breakfast. We unlocked so much stuff. Lots of Gold Medals and Seilver Medals and I got the Uber Board. Also, we got Pipedreams, the last course. It's huge and has like 5 halfpipes. It's crazy. Tomorrow is church and working on my Chosen Journal and Family Project. I really need to get it done before break so I'm on the free and clear for homework over Christmas. So, I have had an awesome weekend so far. Kick ass!

Words of Wisdom from Simon: "If you're gonna go down, go down in FLAMES!!!!"

School - Interesting math class. Lots of laughs and not paying attention. NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! Just remember who called it. No homework, except a Report on The Chosen. Tomorrow is movie night with youth group. Going to see Narnia. Should be pretty fun. George if you're reading this, call me on Saturday to go see Kong with Mikizz. Sound likes a plan. No baseball practice today!!!!! Or Mathcounts!!!!! ICE tonight. They always call school on ICE. What more could you ask for? More snow in Santa Fe, only 16 inches right now on the mountain. Here we come Taos!!! Yeah Brent (friend from Santa Fe)!!!!! Take down all of the double blacks this year. Think we can get the movie right this time, LOL? Talk to you guys later.

Today was as hectic as they get:
School - was pretty good. Talked about suspence and watched part of Jaws. Still working on my CO2 car. Coming along pretty well. I still have to buy a can of primer, which I didn't get a chance to do today because I spent a grand total of 45 minutes in my house today. After school, had Mathcounts until 3:00. At 3 I went outside and waited in the car while I ate a snack. At 3:15, I had baseball practice. That lasted until 6:00. After practice, travelled to Lancaster to see my sister's concert. I was really good. It was the ensamble and the chorus. Just got back from that. Now, I get to do homework. Joy. I'll be up late tonight. But, don't call because I, might be asleep somewhere in the house. Although pretty unlikely with U2 in the backround (hail Bono!). Talk to you guys later.

School - Had Mr. Peter Minear again today. He is so geeky but tries so hard to be nice to us. George and I challenged him to a game of chess (LOL) after school on Thursday. We're gonna kick ass! Anyways, had the easiest science test today. I think I did really well. Have Grand Slam today. Looking forward to beating my record of 42. English test Monday. I got a 71% on the last one, so I'll have to study harder for this one. My overall grade is am 89%. Got to bring it up. Haven't gotten an email from Jamie yet. Hope we can go skiing together over break. Please God...........

New Blogger

Hey guys. Just got this site thanks to Sam (Phony Nowhere). For those of you who don't know me, my name is Steve and I live in Wyomissing, PA. I love to Mountain Bike, Ski, listen to music, play baseball, use the computer, and hang out with friends. Some of my favorite bands are: Greenday, Jet, Collective Soul, Coldplay, U2, The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Killers, and 3 Doors Down. I am 14 years old and in 8th grade.