I have numerous stories I wouldn’t have otherwise if not for my height. For instance, when I was seven someone mistook me for a two-year-old. Even now as I meet people and I tell them my age and what grade I am in they either roll their eyes, scoff, or apologize for speaking to me in an exceedingly degrading way.

Also, until I was eight years old I couldn’t even fit on the teacups at Knotts Berry Farm.

Of course there are plus sides to being miniscule. For instance I used to always win at hide-and-go-seek. Also, the Guess Your Age games at amusement parks I still win 95 percent of the time.

I obviously don’t enjoy being looked down on (and I mean that quite literally), but I believe it is just a small matter, and one that can easily be used to my advantage.

I could for instance be practicing my Urdu: Aadab aap ka Rina naam hay. Or I could be going over some material I learned over the past semester to stay fresh.

Cleaning my bedroom is a viable option, considering it looks like hurricane KatRina hit it. I really am not joking about that because my windowsill is leaking water all over my room and it is slightly flooded. Right now I could even be writing my English essay.

But I have chosen not to do a single one of those things. I am not exactly sure why, but instead I am heartily enjoying venting to my invisible audience. So I thank you as I bid you adieu.

When walking through the halls of Shalhevet whether between classes or during lunch you will hear the students and teachers talking to one another. The normal topics of discussion are homework, tests, food, quizzes, crushes, clothes, music, nuclear proliferation, friends, and teachers.
Wait — nuclear proliferation?
Yes, you read right. Last week the Model Congress and Model United Nations teams were having tryouts. The topic up for debate was nuclear proliferation, an interesting subject to be hearing while eating.
We discussed whether or not all countries should be allowed to have nuclear power. Some said yes, everyone should have the chance to have this outstanding power source. Others believed that countries should not be allowed this potentially world-devastating weapon.
Even one week later you can still hear the remnants of this topic in the halls. For instance, today in Mr. Frankel’s class we were learning about the epic nuclear accident right here in Simi Valley in 1959 and its effect on the population in the present day.
All in all, tryouts were a huge success. I was one of 53 students to try out for these extraordinary teams. Unfortunately I didn’t make the cut but I hope to try again next year.
So the next time you are walking through the halls, listen in. You might learn something, whether it be the principal’s favorite color or why Israel is not part of the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty).

I’m considerably more than slightly stressed. I unfortunately have three tests this week. Now would be an excellent time to talk about an important problem, procrastination.

This is a problem of many students and adults alike. The problem is everyone who has this problem, myself included, tries to put off working on it.   Hence the definition of procrastination. That is also why I was late turning in this blog.

Actually I don’t think I am turning it in late, just at the latest possible moment. That’s me, the pusher-offer. I wait to the last possible time, then – BAM get it done just in time!

I honestly believe that procrastination is a problem, yet the people who have it put off because that is their problem. It is a paradox. This curse is an unsolvable conundrum.

The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one. I know it sounds like something out of a fortune cookie. I tried to take the first step to break this never-ending circle. Over Sukkot I studied for a test that was coming up that week.

I felt like a load was taken off my back, although I probably did one hour of other homework throughout the entire break.  Still, when break was over, I felt renewed – even though I’d done some work. Maybe because I took a tiny step to solve the unsolvable.

Unfortunately, to put it mildly, my classmates did not feel the same way. There was screaming, mayhem, chaos, and absolute pandemonium. The screeches were so loud that as I write this, six hours later, my head is still vibrating.

This insect was awesome! Its body was like a leaf with little (okay really big) sticks jutting out. And it was kind of like the shape of a praying mantis.

It was so cool! I think my classmates overreacted. When a bug can smash me underneath its thumb, I will start being afraid of them. Uuntil then though, I’ll think they’re cool.

Nearly the entire student body has a Facebook account. Do they know about the cyber bullying constantly happening on that site?

Sure, they’ve probably had a class on reasons not to, and been told that if they know anyone who is bullying to try to persuade them not to, or tell an adult. Honestly though, what kid wants to rat out their friend? Of course they know it wasn’t a nice thing to do but didn’t they write JKJK anyway? They probably even wrote LOL or posted an embarrassing photo of the person being teased.

I’m not saying that everyone on Facebook is a cyber-bully; I know that it’s fun to post silly pictures and talk about your day with your friends. Just make sure that along the way you don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

I know. Who wants to hear about someone else? I figured that if you were going to be reading my blog you would want to know about me. I am 14 years old. I was born and raised within 45 minutes from where I live now (an hour if there is traffic). I’m a Libra which I know tells some people a lot (yeah right). All it tells me though is that my mom and I like reading the horoscopes on the couch on Shabbat morning in our pajamas. My birthday is September 24^th and as a side note I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease when I was eight. Yeah it sucks but honestly I try to not let it be the ruler of my life.

My disease is taking me for a ride but I’m the one in the driver’s seat. Yeah I take weekly shots, 10 pills a day, and yes even though I get at least eight hours of sleep a night I still fall asleep in class every day. But honestly those are just speed bumps on the road of my life (it sounds tacky, right).

Even though I’m going through this I’m still maintaining a 3.0 gradepoint average and five co-curriculars. Plus I’m starting a group at Shalhevet for students with IBD and Ulcerative Colitis. School is hard, yet every day that I’m not feeling well but still push to go to school I feel proud. I know that no matter what comes at me I’m ready.

Like the Nike advertisement says: “Just do it.”

Well here goes. I’m a freshman, an underdog to all the upperclassmen above me and a wishful dream to the children still in grade schools below me.

The kids still in elementary schools are dreaming of the days they can go to high school, pull their first all-nighter, and learn to drive (not necessarily in that order).

Meanwhile, students in all high schools around the globe including Shalhevet are envious of nap time and regret spending the entire night awake. And Drivers Ed. is just another class they have to sit through.

When adults think back, of course, they remember the homework and the classes, but what really sticks with them is the time spent with friends, the activities after school, and goofing off (yes, teachers, that does include passing notes!).

So I guess what I’m trying to say is enjoy life, take it one step at a time, and live in the present. After all it is a gift.

To all the freshmen, remember when school gets tough or you are overloaded with homework to just be thankful that you don’t have an A.P. class!