I come into a house to spend a wonderful night
A night where everything'll be alright
All my friends arrive and we greet each other
We're so glad to see one another
Sleepovers are happy, sleepovers bring joy
There, friends can cheer you up so you're ready to enjoy
The games start, the secrets spill
We let everything out--what a thrill
We can just be ourselves around our friends
That's why friendship never ends
Sleepovers are happy, sleepovers bring joy
There, friends can cheer you up so you're ready to enjoy
We make each other laugh by our funny stories
We talk and talk about our glories
We tell about embarrassing moments which are really fun
We comfort each other through sad times until they're done
Sleepovers are happy, sleepovers bring joy
There, friends can cheer you up so you're ready to enjoy
From movies to games to chatting our hearts out
And of course pillow fights we can't go without
Pop-corn throwing and singing
Going outside and swinging
Dancing in the dark and having a blast
At sleepovers time just passes so fast
Sleepovers are happy, sleepovers bring joy
There, friends can cheer you up so you're ready to enjoy
It's time to go, but we'll remember the time we spent together
We'll remember the stories and even the weather
We'll remember the friendship--pretty much everything
Because we're thankful for sleepovers and all that they bring.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
Spit Stories Two: Throw Up Stories
Prologue:
Okay, so you know I'm in college now. But I let you skip a whole ten years of my life! Well you won't get away with that again--here's what happened when I was 11.
Chapter 1:
"Sorry guys, can't play my clarinet today. In P.E. we did the mile." I sat in the middle of my orchestra group explaining why I couldn't do my warm up or pretty much anything else. Every time in P.E. that we had to run the mile, I threw up and then had difficulty breathing. And we all know that the clarinet takes lots of breathing.
"Oh my gosh, not again. Can't you just play a little? I know it's not your fault, but the band really needs you. Otherwise I'll have to take away your lead solo," said Linda, the manager. Take away my solo? That would be horrible, but I guess I really deserved it. After all, if I couldn't practice, I wouldn't do well at the concert. But wasn't there something else I could do?
"Linda, we all know what the mile does to us, right? Gosh, I hate the P.E. teachers," Julie exclaimed.
"Completely agree!" I seconded her thought. Then I thought about starting a campaign that we wouldn't be forced to run the mile. No, a little far-fetched--students wouldn't get that kind of support and would get into big trouble. Besides, how could we do it? It's not like we can just march up to the head master and expect him to agree! Nevertheless, I told the group about my idea.
"No, we would get into too much trouble! There's nothing we can do about it, okay?" rambled Linda. Well of course she wouldn't agree.
"That's a great idea! We could refuse to get our partner's time--"
"And create an underground newspaper--"
"And then when everyone finally agrees, we can tell the head master!" excitedly ended Lucy. I was so happy that my plan would work!
"We'll meet tomorrow," I shouted as I headed home to call Ms. Lisette.
Chapter 2:
"Totally! You need absolute rights to playing the clarinet. I'm all for it. Oops…sorry but I have to go now. I'm making dinner and the over just went off. See you later, Meg!" That was Ms. Lisette after I told her about the plan. We had talked about the first steps and things like that. She had told me that the best idea was to make an underground newspaper and get the whole school informed. I agreed because the more people the better. Then Ms. Lisette said that she would try to recruit some adults who could help. I started typing our newspaper.
The Evils of the Mile
Have you ever thought that running the mile is tiring, cruel, or sickening? Have you ever dreamt of campaigning against it? This is the newspaper for you. Make sure you don't let any teachers get a hold of this secret newspaper because we could get into trouble. When we have an adult, we can start petitioning to teachers. For now, just read the newspapers and get people convinced that running the mile is horrible. Here are a few convincing articles.
Tiring. Julie, a student at this school, gets very tired from having to run. She explains that she was so tired once that she could hardly pedal on the piano, which made a huge difference on the concert. The composition didn't sound as good and we definitely weren't as confident. Most of us run the mile in the middle of the day and we have to go straight back to school work after running it. It isn't very fair that we have to do this, being so exhausted.
Cruel. Lucy hates the mile. She just thinks it's cruel! Each time she runs it, she feels like she's about to pass out. Also, P.E. for her class is right before lunch so she's expected to eat lunch right after running! Isn't that a bit strange? Think of it this way: you run, get very tired and sick, and so you don't have a big appetite. So you're forced to skip lunch! Lucy also once had a huge test right after running, and her head hurt so much from the mile that she got a C on the test. This isn't too bad, but she normally gets As and occasional Bs. How cruel!
Sickening. Meg gets sick each time she runs the mile, and the gym teachers do nothing about it. Meg is forced to stay at school when she feels weak from running, getting sick and then skipping lunch. We definitely need to fix these problems.
This is our first edition. Sorry that it was so short. Please submit to us YOUR stories about running the mile. Also to join our campaign email us.
That was our first edition of the Evils of the Mile. It was short but sweet (and gross). We emailed the newspaper to everyone in the school and crossed our fingers about what would happen tomorrow.
Chapter 3:
Tips on the Protest.
Prepare for Protest.
How to Protest.
The Law about Protesting Peacefully.
What to do When a Teacher gets Mad.
Whose Number to give the Teacher.
Good Lies.
These were a few article names. I sent each one to Ms. Lisette, and she continued to love each one. But, as you probably predicted, the day came when we had to start protesting.
Chapter 4:
"Today we'll be running the mile. I will give you a card for you to write your name and time on once you have finished. Now remember, if you don't complete the mile in seven minutes you'll be running again, so you must try your best this time." At this moment Ms. Bush glanced at me. I glanced at my supporters, and then we all glanced at each other. Then we burst out in giggles.
The giggles didn't last for long, though. Before I knew it I was running around the green track about to throw up. But I didn't feel as headache-y…I guess because I had some hope. And supporters. I glanced behind my shoulder and saw the thumbs up that Julie was signing. She mouthed, "GO! GO! GO!" This was it, and I was actually going to do it. I don't really know how I felt because it was scary to be risking probation or something, but this was totally worth it. If Ms. Lisette said I was doing the right thing, I pretty much was doing the right thing.
I watched in amazement as when my supporters and I slowed to a walk, other kids slowed down too. Some people looked curious, and some looked so happy. A couple boys looked like they wanted to kill us. But that's okay.
"Now why aren't you running?" I waited a long time for someone to answer. Then I knew that I was the leader of this campaign so that someone would be me.
"We aren't running the mile if it's okay," I timidly said.
"DO YOU THINK IT'S OKAY?" yelled Ms. Bush.
"Well, not okay with you, but okay with us. That's what campaigns are for--to make things okay for us, the majority. And maybe you can get a part of the deal too," Linda bravely shouted.
"Yeah, I get so sick every time I run," added Julie. I shoved the Evils of the Mile in Ms. Bush's face. She read over it and gasped. Her face looked like a pinched monkey's face.
"You have two choices. You can give me your parents' numbers and quit this campaign thing or go to the principal's."
"Oh…tough choice," I smirked. I was doing well, wasn't I? "My mom happens to be a strong supporter of this campaign."
"Really…last time I checked she seemed to be fond of physical education."
I must have seemed to hesitate because Linda talked for me. "Women can change their minds," she replied. Ms. Bush narrowed her eyes with her hand on her hip. We all burst out laughing again. Then we looked at the clock and realized that the bell could ring in any second. I gave her Ms. Lisette's number and left.
Chapter 5:
Two months later so much had happened. Well, the campaign went on normally, with lots of protests that got us nowhere, but Linda and I had become best friends. She had given me the BFF necklace, which at our school was a symbol of best friends. I also got a Myspace and got tons of support for my campaign. So you may not think that's a lot, but it really is, because that was the time when I gained my confidence so that I could do much better with the campaign.
Chapter 6:
It happened. It happened! It happened. Can you believe it? My parents found out that I was campaigning and forbade me to type on the computer. Ha--like that would keep the newspaper from going out? Handwriting was fine with the school. My mom would scream at me every day, but you want to know something weird? I didn't care at all. I would just sit through the screams and nod. Then, at school the next day, I would continue campaigning. So that's not what really happened.
The most athletic and popular girl in school, Alicia, signed the petition, which made the petition complete--meaning that everyone in the school had signed it. That's part of what happened…but not what really happened. Again.
On a nice, bright, sunny day (it actually was pouring down rain but what does that matter? We were inside!) Linda and I held a party during free period. We hung huge banners that said "Petition Complete!! Join the celebration!" There was lots of laughter, cake, party hats, and confetti everywhere. Suddenly a big, booming monster entered the doorway. Everyone shrieked and cried for their parents! Just kidding. Here's what really happened: A sweet but professional teacher entered the room, and we all fell silent.
"What are you partying about? Oh…petition complete join the celebration," she read slowly, and then she said rather rapidly, "What are you petitioning about?" I was a little scared, but when Marci, who was a teacher's pet, spoke up, we were all settled.
"We are petitioning so we can make our school better, Ms. Frances. Running the mile makes some of the students unhappy, so we would like to find other ways to pursue athletic interest." Marci had got it. She just knew how to speak with wonderful vocabulary, which was one of the reasons that teachers liked her.
"You have to run the mile? Forgive me, I'm the eighth grade English teacher, so I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to P.E. Did you know I failed it?"
Epilogue:
You get the idea of it now. Of how it happened. Of how we won the campaign! Some campaign it was. Now you know the major event that happened to me before I went to college. And well, that's about it!
No, one more thing. I can tell and retell the many stories of the campaign. Especially to my clarinet teacher. We call the stories Throw Up Stories.
Author's note: In Meg's school, kids who were fine with running the mile still ran it, and no one had a problem with it.
Okay, so you know I'm in college now. But I let you skip a whole ten years of my life! Well you won't get away with that again--here's what happened when I was 11.
Chapter 1:
"Sorry guys, can't play my clarinet today. In P.E. we did the mile." I sat in the middle of my orchestra group explaining why I couldn't do my warm up or pretty much anything else. Every time in P.E. that we had to run the mile, I threw up and then had difficulty breathing. And we all know that the clarinet takes lots of breathing.
"Oh my gosh, not again. Can't you just play a little? I know it's not your fault, but the band really needs you. Otherwise I'll have to take away your lead solo," said Linda, the manager. Take away my solo? That would be horrible, but I guess I really deserved it. After all, if I couldn't practice, I wouldn't do well at the concert. But wasn't there something else I could do?
"Linda, we all know what the mile does to us, right? Gosh, I hate the P.E. teachers," Julie exclaimed.
"Completely agree!" I seconded her thought. Then I thought about starting a campaign that we wouldn't be forced to run the mile. No, a little far-fetched--students wouldn't get that kind of support and would get into big trouble. Besides, how could we do it? It's not like we can just march up to the head master and expect him to agree! Nevertheless, I told the group about my idea.
"No, we would get into too much trouble! There's nothing we can do about it, okay?" rambled Linda. Well of course she wouldn't agree.
"That's a great idea! We could refuse to get our partner's time--"
"And create an underground newspaper--"
"And then when everyone finally agrees, we can tell the head master!" excitedly ended Lucy. I was so happy that my plan would work!
"We'll meet tomorrow," I shouted as I headed home to call Ms. Lisette.
Chapter 2:
"Totally! You need absolute rights to playing the clarinet. I'm all for it. Oops…sorry but I have to go now. I'm making dinner and the over just went off. See you later, Meg!" That was Ms. Lisette after I told her about the plan. We had talked about the first steps and things like that. She had told me that the best idea was to make an underground newspaper and get the whole school informed. I agreed because the more people the better. Then Ms. Lisette said that she would try to recruit some adults who could help. I started typing our newspaper.
The Evils of the Mile
Have you ever thought that running the mile is tiring, cruel, or sickening? Have you ever dreamt of campaigning against it? This is the newspaper for you. Make sure you don't let any teachers get a hold of this secret newspaper because we could get into trouble. When we have an adult, we can start petitioning to teachers. For now, just read the newspapers and get people convinced that running the mile is horrible. Here are a few convincing articles.
Tiring. Julie, a student at this school, gets very tired from having to run. She explains that she was so tired once that she could hardly pedal on the piano, which made a huge difference on the concert. The composition didn't sound as good and we definitely weren't as confident. Most of us run the mile in the middle of the day and we have to go straight back to school work after running it. It isn't very fair that we have to do this, being so exhausted.
Cruel. Lucy hates the mile. She just thinks it's cruel! Each time she runs it, she feels like she's about to pass out. Also, P.E. for her class is right before lunch so she's expected to eat lunch right after running! Isn't that a bit strange? Think of it this way: you run, get very tired and sick, and so you don't have a big appetite. So you're forced to skip lunch! Lucy also once had a huge test right after running, and her head hurt so much from the mile that she got a C on the test. This isn't too bad, but she normally gets As and occasional Bs. How cruel!
Sickening. Meg gets sick each time she runs the mile, and the gym teachers do nothing about it. Meg is forced to stay at school when she feels weak from running, getting sick and then skipping lunch. We definitely need to fix these problems.
This is our first edition. Sorry that it was so short. Please submit to us YOUR stories about running the mile. Also to join our campaign email us.
That was our first edition of the Evils of the Mile. It was short but sweet (and gross). We emailed the newspaper to everyone in the school and crossed our fingers about what would happen tomorrow.
Chapter 3:
Tips on the Protest.
Prepare for Protest.
How to Protest.
The Law about Protesting Peacefully.
What to do When a Teacher gets Mad.
Whose Number to give the Teacher.
Good Lies.
These were a few article names. I sent each one to Ms. Lisette, and she continued to love each one. But, as you probably predicted, the day came when we had to start protesting.
Chapter 4:
"Today we'll be running the mile. I will give you a card for you to write your name and time on once you have finished. Now remember, if you don't complete the mile in seven minutes you'll be running again, so you must try your best this time." At this moment Ms. Bush glanced at me. I glanced at my supporters, and then we all glanced at each other. Then we burst out in giggles.
The giggles didn't last for long, though. Before I knew it I was running around the green track about to throw up. But I didn't feel as headache-y…I guess because I had some hope. And supporters. I glanced behind my shoulder and saw the thumbs up that Julie was signing. She mouthed, "GO! GO! GO!" This was it, and I was actually going to do it. I don't really know how I felt because it was scary to be risking probation or something, but this was totally worth it. If Ms. Lisette said I was doing the right thing, I pretty much was doing the right thing.
I watched in amazement as when my supporters and I slowed to a walk, other kids slowed down too. Some people looked curious, and some looked so happy. A couple boys looked like they wanted to kill us. But that's okay.
"Now why aren't you running?" I waited a long time for someone to answer. Then I knew that I was the leader of this campaign so that someone would be me.
"We aren't running the mile if it's okay," I timidly said.
"DO YOU THINK IT'S OKAY?" yelled Ms. Bush.
"Well, not okay with you, but okay with us. That's what campaigns are for--to make things okay for us, the majority. And maybe you can get a part of the deal too," Linda bravely shouted.
"Yeah, I get so sick every time I run," added Julie. I shoved the Evils of the Mile in Ms. Bush's face. She read over it and gasped. Her face looked like a pinched monkey's face.
"You have two choices. You can give me your parents' numbers and quit this campaign thing or go to the principal's."
"Oh…tough choice," I smirked. I was doing well, wasn't I? "My mom happens to be a strong supporter of this campaign."
"Really…last time I checked she seemed to be fond of physical education."
I must have seemed to hesitate because Linda talked for me. "Women can change their minds," she replied. Ms. Bush narrowed her eyes with her hand on her hip. We all burst out laughing again. Then we looked at the clock and realized that the bell could ring in any second. I gave her Ms. Lisette's number and left.
Chapter 5:
Two months later so much had happened. Well, the campaign went on normally, with lots of protests that got us nowhere, but Linda and I had become best friends. She had given me the BFF necklace, which at our school was a symbol of best friends. I also got a Myspace and got tons of support for my campaign. So you may not think that's a lot, but it really is, because that was the time when I gained my confidence so that I could do much better with the campaign.
Chapter 6:
It happened. It happened! It happened. Can you believe it? My parents found out that I was campaigning and forbade me to type on the computer. Ha--like that would keep the newspaper from going out? Handwriting was fine with the school. My mom would scream at me every day, but you want to know something weird? I didn't care at all. I would just sit through the screams and nod. Then, at school the next day, I would continue campaigning. So that's not what really happened.
The most athletic and popular girl in school, Alicia, signed the petition, which made the petition complete--meaning that everyone in the school had signed it. That's part of what happened…but not what really happened. Again.
On a nice, bright, sunny day (it actually was pouring down rain but what does that matter? We were inside!) Linda and I held a party during free period. We hung huge banners that said "Petition Complete!! Join the celebration!" There was lots of laughter, cake, party hats, and confetti everywhere. Suddenly a big, booming monster entered the doorway. Everyone shrieked and cried for their parents! Just kidding. Here's what really happened: A sweet but professional teacher entered the room, and we all fell silent.
"What are you partying about? Oh…petition complete join the celebration," she read slowly, and then she said rather rapidly, "What are you petitioning about?" I was a little scared, but when Marci, who was a teacher's pet, spoke up, we were all settled.
"We are petitioning so we can make our school better, Ms. Frances. Running the mile makes some of the students unhappy, so we would like to find other ways to pursue athletic interest." Marci had got it. She just knew how to speak with wonderful vocabulary, which was one of the reasons that teachers liked her.
"You have to run the mile? Forgive me, I'm the eighth grade English teacher, so I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to P.E. Did you know I failed it?"
Epilogue:
You get the idea of it now. Of how it happened. Of how we won the campaign! Some campaign it was. Now you know the major event that happened to me before I went to college. And well, that's about it!
No, one more thing. I can tell and retell the many stories of the campaign. Especially to my clarinet teacher. We call the stories Throw Up Stories.
Author's note: In Meg's school, kids who were fine with running the mile still ran it, and no one had a problem with it.
Monday, March 06, 2006
A Little Spec that is Still Here
Sometimes I think my life is just my life
Not anything important
It doesn't matter if I fail a test
Do something bad
Betray a friend
Lose a race
It doesn't matter who I am
What I do
It's not worth caring about
Sometimes it's relieving
That whatever happens doesn't matter
That the world will end soon enough
Sometimes it's scary
Tht I'm living
And trying to live
For no reason
My life is just a spec
In this gigantic universe
Sometimes the thought is just there
There to think on
Or ignore
But most of all I just know
That I have to live
No matter what my life is
I'm here
Not anything important
It doesn't matter if I fail a test
Do something bad
Betray a friend
Lose a race
It doesn't matter who I am
What I do
It's not worth caring about
Sometimes it's relieving
That whatever happens doesn't matter
That the world will end soon enough
Sometimes it's scary
Tht I'm living
And trying to live
For no reason
My life is just a spec
In this gigantic universe
Sometimes the thought is just there
There to think on
Or ignore
But most of all I just know
That I have to live
No matter what my life is
I'm here
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Campaign
We're a room full of girls who want things to be different
Wondering where the old ways, old times, the true leaders went
The ways of modern days are extremely untrue
People don't accept ya for just being you
We need to look at our leaders in a new way
To no celeb ever goes a yay
We should respect girls for what they do and what they say
It's time for real beauty to enter our place
So, this room full of girls, let's get on the case
Step away from the mirror
No look-worrying allowed right here
Turn against the media--they're totally wrong
Real beauty will take over, it won't be long
Back off from the celebs, the People Magazine
Instead read Newmoon, be a true beauty queen
Remember we're girls--we can win this campaign
Keep your mind on the media and real beauty will reign
We know that inside counts and that's real good
Now let's spread it to the world and make real beauty understood
Wondering where the old ways, old times, the true leaders went
The ways of modern days are extremely untrue
People don't accept ya for just being you
We need to look at our leaders in a new way
To no celeb ever goes a yay
We should respect girls for what they do and what they say
It's time for real beauty to enter our place
So, this room full of girls, let's get on the case
Step away from the mirror
No look-worrying allowed right here
Turn against the media--they're totally wrong
Real beauty will take over, it won't be long
Back off from the celebs, the People Magazine
Instead read Newmoon, be a true beauty queen
Remember we're girls--we can win this campaign
Keep your mind on the media and real beauty will reign
We know that inside counts and that's real good
Now let's spread it to the world and make real beauty understood
I Want to be a Skater
I want to follow my dream of skating
But something inside me says no
Maybe it's that I'm scared to fall
Or afraid to be the worst
I want to just get a start
And see what I can do
But if I completely fail
My hopes will shatter like glass
Sometimes I think
I'm better where I am
Hoping that I can follow my dreams
And still knowing that I can't
I know if I try
I might not stand a chance
But if I sit here and dream
I can always be in the spotlight beam
When I'm at the rink
Watching others skate
I feel like skating in the middle
What could happen if I fall?
But then
I come back to reality
And stare at the words on this page
People think I'm fine with writing
Inside I'd rather skate
As time passes it is too late
Skaters start training early
And I'm almost a teenager
I look good to the public
Everything seems fine
I guess I'll just be thankful
For what's on the outside
But in my mind I'll never give up hope
To achieve my skating dream
I'll be that skater in my soul
But a writer on the surface
I'm not sure if this is what I really want
But I know
That no matter what dream I follow
I'll live
But something inside me says no
Maybe it's that I'm scared to fall
Or afraid to be the worst
I want to just get a start
And see what I can do
But if I completely fail
My hopes will shatter like glass
Sometimes I think
I'm better where I am
Hoping that I can follow my dreams
And still knowing that I can't
I know if I try
I might not stand a chance
But if I sit here and dream
I can always be in the spotlight beam
When I'm at the rink
Watching others skate
I feel like skating in the middle
What could happen if I fall?
But then
I come back to reality
And stare at the words on this page
People think I'm fine with writing
Inside I'd rather skate
As time passes it is too late
Skaters start training early
And I'm almost a teenager
I look good to the public
Everything seems fine
I guess I'll just be thankful
For what's on the outside
But in my mind I'll never give up hope
To achieve my skating dream
I'll be that skater in my soul
But a writer on the surface
I'm not sure if this is what I really want
But I know
That no matter what dream I follow
I'll live
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