Claire's Composition

Rubik's Cube Trouble

2009-12-29T20:18:21Z

For Christmas this year I wished for only the 3 things.
- A rubik's cube
- A letter jacket
- A snuggie
Yes! I got all three.
Ever since Christmas I have been trying to solve the rubik's cube and have had a lot of trouble with trying to solve it. It seems easy at first to get 6 squares to match up on one side with the same color. However, there is more to it than twist and turns.
I have searched ways to solve the rubiks cube. Some people can solve it in 45 seconds! It means that there is a pattern to follow. But, that is way beyond my level. I found that for beginners you want to make a cross + of the colors on one side and make sure 2 colors match up on other sides. That may sound confusing with my explanation. I will have a link that will show a visual of what I am trying to explain.
Sometimes I follow that trick. Other times I just go off on my own thing. I just try to make 3 squares with the same color align. But, you have to check the other sides to make sure the color(s) on the other side of each individual square matches up with the middle square. The middle square never moves, which makes it easier to know which color goes to what side.
I asked Uncle Ted and Dad if they have ever solved a rubiks cube, nope.
So, I ask to those who are reading... have you ever solved a rubiks cube?
Any helpful hints to a beginner?

http://www.rubikssolver.com/

Letter to Our Representative

2009-07-31T18:49:17Z

July 31, 2009

The Honorable _____

House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative _____,

My name is Claire _____. I am ___ years old and a rising ____ grader at _____ School. I am writing to you in opposing the idea of government run healthcare.

First off, I would like to mention that I am all for having an African American president. However, I do not approve of his ideas such as legalizing late term abortion, taking money from those who earned it to "spread the wealth", the Carbon Tax, which will cause our energy costs to skyrocket, and President Obama's $819 billion stimulus plan, which will make my generation and future generations pay for these debts. I have heard about President Barack Obama's plan about future healthcare in the news numerous times. It has been just recently that I have discovered what this plan is all about. Along with President Obama's other ideas, I definitely do not approve of this one.

It is to my understanding that the elderly do not receive medical treatment because of the assumption that they do not have much longer to live. Saying that it just is not worth the time. Additionally, those who are expected to only have a few years left of their life, due to a fatal illness, are denied treatment. If even a child breaks a bone, they are technically "put on hold" to receive treatment for their injury. None of this sounds like it would actually do any good for the United States. This government run healthcare plan is a death sentence for the old, injured, and ill. I am going to have to live the rest of my life in this mess. Evidently, I am not the only one. Moreover, I am not the only one who disapproves of this bill. If congress does NOT pass President Obama's healthcare plan, it will make the citizens of the United States have a sigh of relief and make this country one step closer to where it should and is expected to be, free. Our own national anthem states we are the land of the free. The Pledge of Allegiance, which I recite every morning when school is in session, articulating "... with liberty and justice for all." I am speaking on the behalf of over half of America. Do not pass government run healthcare. It will be one the most favorable things to us all. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. If you would like to respond, please send your letter to my address _____. Thank you again for your time.

Sincerely,

Claire ____

Spot the Difference!

2009-03-08T01:39:24Z

Can you find the difference between the two pictures?

* There are 6 things different about these two pictures.

* There are 4 things different about these two pictures.

* There are 7 things different about these two pictures.

WARNING! Answers a below

Answers: First one: Curtains are opened. Pillow is moved from green chair to desk chair. Towels are switched. Little white creature is on top of the magazines. Pillows on the bed are switched. Green medal on bookcase is gone. Second one: Painting is replaced by the mirror. The brown jewelry box is gone. The light up spinning flower is gone. The easy button is up-right. Third one: There's a bear at the end of the bed. Top of wooden tulip is off. I'm in the corner. The calender page is flipped. The music box at the corner of the nightstand is gone. The blanket is gone. Candles are switched.

Banana Bananza Bread

2009-02-21T01:38:17Z

Yesterday, after school I spotted a magazine on Mom's bed.
Before she started her nap, she told me to find the recipe for the delicious looking cake on the front cover.
I looked and looked, but there was no recipe for that cake.
So, I decided to make something the whole family would enjoy and that would be healthy too.
Something you could eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack.
Then, on allrecipes.com, I found a great recipe for banana bread.
The bread turned out great... even though I only added 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour accidentally instead of 1 3/4 cup.
However, I still would like to share the recipe.

You will need:
A large bowl
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of honey
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup of mashed bananas
1 3/4 cups of whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 cup of hot water
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
In a large bowl, beat oil and honey together
Add eggs and mix well
Stir in bananas and vanilla
Stir in flour and salt
Add baking soda to hot water, stir to mix
Then add to batter
Blend chopped walnuts
Pour batter in a 9x5 loaf pan
Bake for 55-60 minutes
Cool for 1/2 hour before eating
Enjoy :)

* The person with the recipe on allrecipes.com was PEDGI

Valentine's Day

2009-02-17T01:36:47Z

Valentine's Day this Saturday!
We spent our day of love quite... differently.
I woke around 9 with dad gone and wishing Mom a Happy Valentines Day!
After having toast, sunny side up egg, and banana, I just relaxed.
Around afternoon Kelly drove us to a very special store.
There we shopped for ONLY organic food.
It was fun to find healthy food includes delicious desserts!
Kelly and I were treated to some very fancy chocolates.
We both got 3.
At the end of the day, we were too full from eating lunch.
Instead, we decided to try out our organic cheese, french bread, and olives!
It all tasted great together!
When the night came, Mom gave Kelly and I a box of chocolates with a small teddy bear.
Dad gave Kelly and I a very nice necklace!
Thank you Mom and Dad!
Here's a picture I took with my camera to "summarize" my Valentine's Day.

Life in Silence

2009-01-30T00:11:56Z

In my language arts class, we are learning about poetry (again). People chose silly poems, creative poems, sad poems, but I chose an inspirational poem. This Sunday, I saw a girl that sat near us at church. She was deaf and blind and it was interesting to watch her understand what was going on. So, she inspired me to write this poem.

Life in Silence

All in the time she has lived
With nothing to hear
Or to see
A wondrous life to guarantee

Her ears still linger for sound to enter
As her eyes never see past a black sheet
For her, nothing is missing
Her life is complete

Her small hands rest on another woman's
With feeling sign language as interaction
The woman's hands continuously move
Her effort to imitate never does shorten

Others wonder how her mind works
Sometimes it may seem frightful
But, not knowing to talk, or see
This is what she knows as normal

Look into the glassy gray eyes
With a smile forming gently
It shows her life in silence
Has infinite words to show beauty

New Year's Doughnuts

2009-01-10T16:07:40Z

Over the winter break, Kelly, Mom, and I busied ourselves by baking. With the help of Kelly, we made some delicious sugar cookies with homemade icing. "Cut-out sugar cookies" is what they were called. Time: Half a day?

Next, Kelly and I had to make a gingerbread house without any instructions. At first, it was a disaster in the making. However, we were able to get the sides to stay together and could have fun with the decorating. Although it was fun to look at, the clean up was horrible with the dried on icing and the decorations flying in every direction. Time: 1-2 hours

Since I had some stomach issues, Mom and I bought FiberOne muffin mix to make, but we never ended up making them. So, I ended up making the banana nut muffins which turned out to be quite delicious. Time: Half an hour

For quite some time Mom and I planned to make some homemade doughnuts. Early in the afternoon, we started by putting some ingredients in the dough mixer and for an hour and a half we waited for the dough to kneed and mix just enough. After that boring step, we rested the dough on a flower-covered surface for about 30 more minutes. I waited eagerly sitting next to the pile of dough and watching TV to make the time pass. When 30 minutes passed i was excited to cut them out finally fry them... but no. We had to cut out doughnut holes and the rings and put them in the oven to let them rise. After the minutes slowly passed, we took them out and heated up a pan with oil in it. Frying them took only 10 minutes! 12 doughnuts and 15 doughnut holes in 10 minutes. To some we added sugar and other a glaze. They tasted great with how soft and warm they were. (as you can see by the picture we really enjoyed them)

"Monster Pillows"

2008-11-05T02:08:46Z

I was at the doctor's office a couple of weeks ago and mom was looking at a magazine as we were waiting for a doctor. She pointed out the article about "Monster Pillows" and thought it would be cute if we made our own! Over the weekend i looked up how to make a monster pillow. Nothing showed up except you sew "inside out". Therefore, I had to make up a design and improvise from there. I took some old clothes that weren't in good enough shape to give away. So I drew my design on paper, cut it out, traced it 1/2 in from the design and hand sewed it! My first monster pillow :)

Today, there was no school and I decided to make another monster pillow. I tried to use a pattern from last week on the sewing machine, but that didn't work out too well. Meaning, I had to start all over. I thought of what animals i liked...FISH! Based on the goldfish crackers, I drew a "goldfish" straight on a soft piece of fabric. Then, i cut out some strips from all the old clothes I had saved for this. Using the sewing machine I sewed the first layer leaving 2 in opening to turn the unstuffed pillow inside out. Next, I stuffed the pillow and closed up the hole by hand. It took me the whole day to hand sew the strips on. I didn't have enough for the back and I didn't want to leave he back blank. So, I took a button and sewed it on along with a mouth. And I had a fish pillow :)

And a special thanks to Mom for helping me work the sewing machine
and Kelly for letting me use her camera :)

Through the eyes of a Jew

2008-11-05T01:57:41Z

Through the eyes of a Jew

Behind the blur of tears

All they can see and feel are a child's fears.

A gentle smile washed away

As everyone finally knew

That no one liked them because they were a Jew.

With a point of a finger

They would hold their breath

If they were given life or death.

At night cries are heard and guns are fired

Days and days go by

As the prayers are unanswered of not wanting to die.

A happy couple never to be reunited

As the only place they know each other is in their heart.

And sadness come when families are torn apart.

Decaying bodies are walked over

As children think they are just asleep

And lay next to their parents crying without a peep.

More crying comes

Arms are raised in the air

As they felt someone care.

"You are safe now",

The words ring to their ears

As they will no longer fear.

A happy family inside their home

And their sore feet and boney legs

Carry themselves to a place to beg.

"Your job is done and you did well"

"And now you're through"

Through the now closed eyes of a Jew.

For language arts we are learning about the holocaust. For a project we had to make a collage and write a poem about it. So, this was my poem :)

Another China Problem?

2008-10-21T00:32:09Z

First there was the toys with too much lead...
now ...

yes the guy may be a little strange...

Joe's Video

2008-06-16T19:03:43Z

[see swim team leads to youtube first]

Here is his video that we are competing against...

Swim Team leads to Youtube

2008-06-16T18:26:25Z

So far the swimming season has been great!
I have only missed one week of practice and that was when i had foot surgery.
So far, I have been to every swim meet.
Here's the update on how I'm doing.

#1 Practice meet
- EVERY one had to swim a 50 of each stroke...no complaints.
- We swam against ourselves and it just gave the coaches of what are abilities are and what we need to work on.
- Wouldn't affect our ranking

50 Freestyle- 1st place with 34.27 seconds (stronger stoke, time could be better)
50 Butterfly- 2nd place with 44.23 seconds (weakest stroke, combined with 13/14 boys and ended up coming in 2nd still overall!)
50 Backstroke- 1st place with 42.00 seconds (strongest stroke, time could be better)
50 Breaststroke- 3rd place with 43+ seconds (very weak on this stroke, not sure on time, I know my time could be way better)

#2 B.R vs. R.O
- 1st real meet
- On flip turn during 50 free I swallowed water slowing me down, not common, and timers weren't accurate.
- Since 50 free was so close to IM and 100 free, I couldn't swim the two events because of trouble breathing.
- Won by 100 points

Medley relay- 2nd place with 2:29.87 (I started the group off good with backstroke, once again we combined heats with the 13/14 boys)
50 Freestyle- 4th place with 37.90 seconds (time could be a lot better)
100 IM- N/A
100 Free- N/A
Free Relay- 2nd place with 2:45.90 (combined with 13/14 boys, and I finished our group off)

#3 B.R vs E.C
- I had to make up for the two events that I didn't swim last week, coach was desperate to see me swim them.
- Coach was also seemed to avoid putting me in 50 backstroke.
- Meet ended right before our Free relay because of thunderstorm. Even though the other team forfeit, we won by far.
- Asthma attack in water during 3rd lap out of 4 in 100 Free, coach regrets putting me in two long events so close to each other.

Medley relay- 2nd place with the time of 2:39:85 (started the group off well with backstroke)
50 Free- 1st place with 32.75 seconds (good time and flip turn really helped me get ahead this time, didn't swallow water [: )
100 IM- 2nd place with a time of 1:31.62 (coach was proud, I hope to do IM again)
100 Free- N/A (did get a participation ribbon though [: )
Free relay- N/A (thunderstorm)

I will keep posting up my scores and times. Hopefully, the coach will put me in 50 backstroke :)
This weeks swim meet, I heard, that it was gonna be tough.
Wish me luck!

Oh ya!
I have a good friend, Justin, whose a year older than me but he has a youtube account where him and his friends make very entertaining videos.
They make parodies to songs and then make music videos to them. (Well, most of their videos)
But, I was talking to him and his friend how Kelly and I have a youtube account.
So, after a while of conversation about who has the best videos, he challenged Kelly and I to a face off against their latest video, Joe a parody to Low.
Kelly and I are still in progress of finishing our first face off video against them.
Of coarse, we will win :)

Poem to Grandaddy

2008-05-08T03:22:40Z

I have to make a poem for my language arts teacher next year. So, I decided to make a poem about Grandaddy. It's not completely done, I think I will add more.

I'm always thinking,
The memories he gave me.
The sent of him that I breathed in,
Every time I wrapped my arms around his legs.
Never wanting to let go.
His crooked smile made you love him.
That's all i saw on his face
That smile.
Enjoying each moment with the generations he started.
The memories I hold,
Always checking to know they're secure.
The treasure map he made,
All grandchildren trying to see it,
eager to know what he has hidden,
In the dunes.
When he made a crash,
Two kids in a wheelbarrow.
Laughing, with that smile he had.
His treasure was silver dollars.
Handing one out once a year to that one special grandchild.
Everyone who knew him thought of him as a hero
An amazing person
A mystery that couldn't be solved.
Sitting on his lap,
I was safe.
The sent
The Smile
The mystery he held.
He filled my heart and mind.
Not a day goes by
Where i wish he would wake up,
Create a treasure map
or hold me in his arms again.
Oh, how happy I will be,
To see you again,
Grandaddy.

Clique Books

2008-01-21T01:19:38Z

There is this series of books called The Clique. Kelly first started to read them a while back and I thought they seemed "dumb". So, just a week ago i wanted to read one of them cause I was bored and they were really good! So I am on the second one and I strongly recommend them for girls my age, younger, or up to Kelly's age. Also, Kelly and I saw on youtube that a bunch of people are making a bunch of auditioning tapes for the Clique Movie that's coming out. We made a spoof about one of the auditions so we hope to post that video up soon! :)
YAY SNOW!!!!

Sneak Peak of Whats Coming

2007-09-17T21:50:14Z

That is whats coming for PiZzAzZ ShoRTZ! (Comedy)

- The Stolen Purse- Do you ever think what you might miss if you DON'T go to the grocery store???? 7 1/2 (out of 10)

- Zappy the Way of the Future!!!- What will happen whens Zappy, the boy from the future who loves electricity, visits your home??? 9 1/2

- Thanks for the Memories- A girl named Coodie thinks of her past which involves, her sweet 16 (not so sweet), first kiss (which she might have "missed"), her first haircut (which was yesterday!), and her first time she bough a DVD (the mom gets ANGRY!) 8

- The Real Story Behind Fred/Frank- Coddie's boyfriend may not have a great life after all ever since he got his purple shorts! Ugly purple shorts! 7

- Kelsey the 5 yr old 8th grader- Kelsey, a five year old, talks about her struggles in being in the 8th grade. It involves a bully and a stuffed bear. Do you ave a clue??? 8

- American Idol- What will happen when two people try to pull off a "special episode" of American Idol??? Well this is what happens, there's a freaky Ryan Secrest, weird Paula Abdul, and spoiled brat singers. 8 1/2

Well that is what's been going on with PiZzAZz ShoRTZ lately.