A beautiful view of the Rockie Mountains on my class camping trip
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Race Day
Dead last, not even close to anyone. It just turns out that swimming is not my cup of tea. My friends and family said “Noah you did great you didn't come in last.” No disrespect mom, dad and everybody else but I got last. Out of about thirty swimmers last was my position. It all started at 6:00. I got up and was ready, swimsuit on and goggles applied. I was able to see the waves from our rooftop breakfast. The balloons and buoys were set up in the water. I was ready to win.
I had been checking the surf report for 24 hours. I would be ready for anything. After a great breakfast we watch Hanna O'Neil in the very first race of the day. After a long race Hanna ties for fourth place. She can swim better than I can, am I'm not trying being nice. As I make my way to the line, I find myself out of place. Half of these kids have six packs and small swimsuits. As for me I have a flabby belly and an over sized suit. The cold hard cement and the cold wind on my bare stomach. As I make my way down to the beach, with a terrible feeling in my stomach and a sore foot I was more unprepared than I thought. I jumped into the freezing water and swam off.
From the moment I hit the water I knew it would be a bad swim. The salt water gets in my mouth and eyes. The cold water underneath me is frightening. 29 swimmers speed in front of me, as I lag behind. I was just taking the swim slowly. As I SLOWLY make it to shore the seaweed and water get caught up in my swimsuit. Just hoping that I make it out alive I am swallowed by a huge wave. Tossing and turning every witch way I plant my feet in the sand. I walk out of the water with my hand in the air and dancing.
I did it as my medal says, “ Survivor”
Noah Reynolds
I had been checking the surf report for 24 hours. I would be ready for anything. After a great breakfast we watch Hanna O'Neil in the very first race of the day. After a long race Hanna ties for fourth place. She can swim better than I can, am I'm not trying being nice. As I make my way to the line, I find myself out of place. Half of these kids have six packs and small swimsuits. As for me I have a flabby belly and an over sized suit. The cold hard cement and the cold wind on my bare stomach. As I make my way down to the beach, with a terrible feeling in my stomach and a sore foot I was more unprepared than I thought. I jumped into the freezing water and swam off.
From the moment I hit the water I knew it would be a bad swim. The salt water gets in my mouth and eyes. The cold water underneath me is frightening. 29 swimmers speed in front of me, as I lag behind. I was just taking the swim slowly. As I SLOWLY make it to shore the seaweed and water get caught up in my swimsuit. Just hoping that I make it out alive I am swallowed by a huge wave. Tossing and turning every witch way I plant my feet in the sand. I walk out of the water with my hand in the air and dancing.
I did it as my medal says, “ Survivor”
Noah Reynolds
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wave Day
Towering waves, coming at me like a speeding bus and the bitter taste of sand and salt water in my mouth swishing around simultaneously makes today really show that the Pacific Ocean has no mercy. Waking up with overcast clouds and the sound of the waves hitting the shore makes us feel a little skeptical about the condition of the water. Walking down to the cove still being able to hear the thunderous boom of the waves. With lack of better wording today the ocean was MAD. The sheer furry of the water makes me feel like a frightened little girl. The waves coming up to the end of the sand and crashing into hopeless patrons of the cove.
Seeing my very first water rescue from a woman stumbling out of the water falling to the ground. Frankly I'm surprised that the lifeguards didn't close the beach. We were having a conversation about whether we should stay at the beach or go to another beach. Before we could finish our talk a lifeguard interrupts us and says that the water is just going to get worse and more “wavy, ” as the day goes on. Thinking that we wouldn't be able to swim at all we start our death march.
I wasn't even able to see the bottom of the water because of the seaweed that was shifted around in the water. The freezing cold water and the seaweed trying to maneuver in between the piles of crud that litters the water. After choking and almost yelling for help in the choppy water, I stumble onto the beach.
Later in the day we go to a beach, a soft sanded white water wave beach. The huge waves gives me my first “real” time boogie boarding. I was not the best at this new sport. After aching muscles and sand in my pants later we head back to the house. Race tomorrow, Uh, Oh.
Noah Reynolds
Seeing my very first water rescue from a woman stumbling out of the water falling to the ground. Frankly I'm surprised that the lifeguards didn't close the beach. We were having a conversation about whether we should stay at the beach or go to another beach. Before we could finish our talk a lifeguard interrupts us and says that the water is just going to get worse and more “wavy, ” as the day goes on. Thinking that we wouldn't be able to swim at all we start our death march.
I wasn't even able to see the bottom of the water because of the seaweed that was shifted around in the water. The freezing cold water and the seaweed trying to maneuver in between the piles of crud that litters the water. After choking and almost yelling for help in the choppy water, I stumble onto the beach.
Later in the day we go to a beach, a soft sanded white water wave beach. The huge waves gives me my first “real” time boogie boarding. I was not the best at this new sport. After aching muscles and sand in my pants later we head back to the house. Race tomorrow, Uh, Oh.
Noah Reynolds
Friday, September 11, 2009
La Jolla Cove
With the beautiful sights and sounds of San Diego, California. From the amazingly amusing Hertz bus driver to the sand filled beach. Today was full of stress free and fun filled events. I remember La Jolla, CA like it was two years ago. The great experience I got to endure and the fun people I got to hang out with makes one of the most depressing weekends in American history a very upside down and backwards look on 9/11. Every year for the past 79 years the community of La Jolla holds an annual rough water swim in La Jolla Cove. This happens to be my second year attending this annual swim.
Rushing out of school collecting all of my papers and homework makes me in a terrible person to be around. We start off the vacation with a wonderful chocolate chip pancake. Joining us on this trip are our good family friends and swimming partners, The O'Neals. With there happy go lucky attitude they are great supporters during this time that I am most stressed out about the race. After mother yells at the rental car origination for the lack of organizing to complete our rental reservation we drive off the lot in a dark blue Chevy... I don't know it is a very small car.
After a nice lunch and some TV we meet up with the O'Neals at the cove, swimming suits ready to go. The cold and vast Pacific Ocean is a wide wonderland of freedom. Perception of a good day. Underneath us is a school of silver, black and orange fish swimming calmly in the cove. From family friendly to whats might be dangerous and scary Pacific waters. The thundering cry of the waves hitting the rocks on the sore of the beach, makes me feel like I''m on Mars compared to Colorado.
Finally, La Jolla.
Noah Reynolds
Rushing out of school collecting all of my papers and homework makes me in a terrible person to be around. We start off the vacation with a wonderful chocolate chip pancake. Joining us on this trip are our good family friends and swimming partners, The O'Neals. With there happy go lucky attitude they are great supporters during this time that I am most stressed out about the race. After mother yells at the rental car origination for the lack of organizing to complete our rental reservation we drive off the lot in a dark blue Chevy... I don't know it is a very small car.
After a nice lunch and some TV we meet up with the O'Neals at the cove, swimming suits ready to go. The cold and vast Pacific Ocean is a wide wonderland of freedom. Perception of a good day. Underneath us is a school of silver, black and orange fish swimming calmly in the cove. From family friendly to whats might be dangerous and scary Pacific waters. The thundering cry of the waves hitting the rocks on the sore of the beach, makes me feel like I''m on Mars compared to Colorado.
Finally, La Jolla.
Noah Reynolds
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Week In Hell
I apologize for my lack of writing in the past few days, I have been caught up in school. School is a funny thing, especially in seventh grade. I have spent the last four days of school being hit by volley balls, being ignored by my friends and having a terrible time. An unfortunate occurrences considering my excitement I had towards the school year. But things can change. To elaborate on my first week of school, it was terrible.
I was ignored by every kid I tried to talk to with in fifty feet of me. Still with a confident feeling in my mind I let the ignoring pass by. But t just kept getting worse. My confident feeling went south after the ignoring got to a point that nobody would be happy. The second day of school passed, I got into our big red car and just started to weep uncontrollably. The very pessimistic thoughts I was trying to block all sumer were entering my head as fast as you can say this sucks.
As you can tell I feel very strongly about this issue. How would you feel if your friends were ignoring you. I'm not trying to attack anybody at all but after weeks of therapy and constant Dr's appointments for my problems with school I am blind sighted with disappointment. Its hard to believe that I don't realize now how kids my age act towards each other. I just don't understand it. I guess my abnormal behavior takes part in me not having friends.
The next day of school I went to the dentist after school I had such a bad day that I openly cried in front of everybody. I was abashed after this event. My mind just capsized. I had my dentist telling me how good of a person I am. My friends don't even do that. So in the long view of things it was a deplorable week. Hopefully next week will be better. Hopefully...
Noah Reynolds
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Days Gone By
2:43… AM? Not exactly a great way to start off the school year. With my severely bloodshot eyes empty and severely unsettle stomach I bring myself to my feet at 5:30… AM. The thought that school starts today completely slips my mind until I come out of the shower and look at the date. After some boisterous and gross behavior with my stomach the night before I go to bed with a sore throat and my dignity to ever be in public again shot into little piles of shame.
Am I ready in terms of supplies, yes. Am I ready mortally, NO. The thought of merely stepping into that classroom without having my cell phone and I-pod in my pocket frankly makes me petrified. Then I think, “ Screw it, I’m having a good year no matter who or what gets in the way!” I walk out the door with a good feeling.
I get to my classroom and say hello to some new and old friends. I feel so different not being at the bottom of the middle school food chain. A short introduction about us and our summer leads into another classroom occurrence. We go through the usual rules of conduct, homework ECT. My unfortunate myopic feeling about the school day is going to end up is rattled by how kind and cool the new kids and sixth graders really are. With a good feeling in my gut and great kids left and right of me my myopic feeling turns to a satisfied and perfectly happy feeling.
With lunch time just approaching I get my very first assignment of seventh grade. A creative writing project so it’s right up my alley. Later after lunch I get assigned my second assignment of the year. Work keeps coming and coming. The heat of the day makes my head start to hurt again. But I know it was all worth it. I check my cell phone it’s full of messages about good luck at school. I no longer believe it might be a good year, now I know it will be a great year.
Noah Reynolds
Am I ready in terms of supplies, yes. Am I ready mortally, NO. The thought of merely stepping into that classroom without having my cell phone and I-pod in my pocket frankly makes me petrified. Then I think, “ Screw it, I’m having a good year no matter who or what gets in the way!” I walk out the door with a good feeling.
I get to my classroom and say hello to some new and old friends. I feel so different not being at the bottom of the middle school food chain. A short introduction about us and our summer leads into another classroom occurrence. We go through the usual rules of conduct, homework ECT. My unfortunate myopic feeling about the school day is going to end up is rattled by how kind and cool the new kids and sixth graders really are. With a good feeling in my gut and great kids left and right of me my myopic feeling turns to a satisfied and perfectly happy feeling.
With lunch time just approaching I get my very first assignment of seventh grade. A creative writing project so it’s right up my alley. Later after lunch I get assigned my second assignment of the year. Work keeps coming and coming. The heat of the day makes my head start to hurt again. But I know it was all worth it. I check my cell phone it’s full of messages about good luck at school. I no longer believe it might be a good year, now I know it will be a great year.
Noah Reynolds
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