Long Jump and High Jump

Can you imagine someone running and jumping into a sand pit or over a bar. That's what I do for long jump and high jump. High jump and long jump are 2 of many field events. They are very fun to do and this year I'm trying them both.

Are there any similarities between high jump and long jump? Well yes, one is that you have to run and jump. Another is they are both field events that happen at a track meet. You can win metals and ribbons like any other event. If you don't land right or tip the bar over you get a scratch. Practice is key and it helps me.

In long jump you get to jump into a sand pit. You want to go for length to do good. When you start running you want to jump before the thick white line. If you don't you get a scratch. I personally like long jump better.

Although high jump is fun I think it is harder. In high jump you have to go over a bar and land on a mat. When you do it you want to go for height. When you run you curve then get to the bar and jump on tho the mat.

Well I do both events and they are both fun. You should try them too. You'll love them I do.

Rockin' Run

It was the week before my first 5k. I ran everyday that week except the day before the race. I was so pumped and nervous at the same time.
"Rach" my mom said "You are going to do great".
"Mom are you going to run with me" I questioned.
My mom replied "Yes honey, this your first 5k"
Finally, it was the night before the big race. We had bow tie pasta with red sauce, bread sticks, fruit, veggies and cookies for dessert. After dinner my brother, sister and I watched the television. Then at eight o'clock i went to bed so I could have plenty of rest. The next morning I got up and ate a good breakfast. My mom and I got dressed and headed out.
My dad yelled out, "Good luck ladies. We'll see you out there!" I was so nervous.
When we pulled in it was packed. We ran up a hill, stretched at the top then came back down. When me and my mom got back down we saw my dad and brother and Mrs. Siler, the physical education teacher at Eason Elementary. Three friendly faces to cheer me on to the end.
The 5k started and finished at the West Des Moines city hall. I took my starting position in the middle of the pack. My mom was helping me get through the nerves that were building up. Then the gun shot, it was very loud. I was so spirited.
During the race my mom said things "Come on Rachel" or "Almost there lets go" and "Finish it strong".
At some spots my dad and brother took pictures and cheered me and my mom on. Towards the end it took everything I had to not walk. Then I could finally could see the finish line. My dad and brother stood on top of the bridge as we went by.
After all that I was done! I got 26:06!
Then my mom said, "That was awesome!" I feared that if I didn't sit soon, my legs would collapse. Unfortunately, my mother denied my pleas. After we cooled down and went home, I was thinking "Wow, I did it that was so fun!" I didn't just want to do more 5ks, but i needed to do them. They were fun and kept me in shape. They were AWESOME. Although I won my age group, I didn't win the female division. This meant I did not receive an award.

Soccer is #1

Have you ever had a favorite sport and nobody agreed. I think soccer is the best sport in the world. The green windblown feild, lined with white paint, two big goals, bleachers on one side and the player benches on the other and that one round ball right in the middle of the feild. Although others think that football is better. Who is right soccer or football? In this essay you will find some reasons why you should pick soccer over football or maybe you will stick football, who knows?
Recently we have found out that soccer is the #1 sport in the world. We know that football is the #1 sport in the U.S. but on a world wide basis soccer is #1. Some boys say "soccer is a girl sport" but it's not. The national level started out as only boys teams then eventuly let girls paly on that level too. Also you don't make plays you just go with what is happening and try to score. It won't cost as much too you have to pay one to four refs but no more then that. Next you have to get use to using only your feet and it a lot easier then it sounds. Finaly there are many diffrent clubs for all ages and levels. Who knows you may be the next best soccer player if you put your mind to it!?

Why does football stop every play? Do they get too tired or are they just lazy. They say it is tiring tackling people. It is also more aggressive. On the up side for football your score is worth more points so it looks like a better score. Also hundreds of people come to high school football games and high school soccer games brings about fifty people. You practice more in football and go to specal bowl games. Next it is the most watched sport in America. The football player get the girl most of the time. All the pads they wear make them look stronger. They are already strong as it is too.

Well I think soccer is better but you decide. They are both phisical activites that are good for you. Soccer is so much fun and hard at the same time. If you want a challenege go for soccer. Unlike football, it is easy and kind of hard I guess. Although, I recommend you side with soccer.

Help Save Us!!!

The flood of '93 was sad, scary and costly. It happened all over the Midwest but i am interviewing my dad about Iowa. It started in Ames then got to Des Monies. My dad got to have a big part in it.

When did you figure out about it?
"I was 29 and my wife and I knew about the flood but not about the Des Monies flood until later. We figured out it at my brothers wedding"

Where did you work?
"I worked at Urbandale Water Works"

Did where you worked make a difference?
"Yes it made a huge difference. I had to help get water back. My work took me all over the Des Monies area."

How did you get water to cook and bathe?
"We got water from trucks, cans and bottles. We took sponge baths and boiled the water for both things"

How did they drain the water?
" By using pumps and blocked it with levees and sand bags. Although little evaporated over time"

Did you drive a boat around?
"Not much but when we did we had to watch the current"

How long were your days?
"They were 12 hours during it but the last days were long. they went to 24 hours."

The flood was unexpected and sad. Lots lost their homes and most possessions. It taught me a lesson to keep family close and to be grateful for what I have.

JIMMY BUFFET

Jimmy Buffet is awesome.  His concerts are so big that people from all over come.  They tailgate like it was their job and dress up so different.  He sings about everything.  My favorite songs are chesse burger in pardice, fins and margiartaville.   Our hotel had mostly Jimmy Buffet fans.  They had a before party at the hotel.   It was so much fun and the food was good.  A lot of guys wore coconut bras over their shirts.  I wore jean shorts a white cami and a red and white flower shirt.  All the cars had writing or shark fins on them.  

We finally went to bed at 11 o'clock but I couldn't sleep I was to excited.  In the morning I put on my stuff right away.

Rachel b