First semester exams finished after a long week

        Last Friday was my first high school exam ever.  I started off exam week with H. Spanish 2, then followed by a three day weekend.  After the short break, on Tuesday I took the H. US History exam, and got to leave early, right after the History exam, because I didn't have an exam for my fourth period class.  Wednesday was the hardest day for sure, with both H. English 9 and H. Geometry.  Followed by an easier Thursday with only the H. Biology exam left.

        The hardest for me was definitely English.  Not because I'm not the biggest fan of reading, well thats part of it, but it's how you only get two hours and they expect you to read two short stories, two poems, answer 40 SR questions, write a short BCR response and compose a four paragraph essay.  So with not much time, and it going so fast, it was very stressful, but before I new it, it was over.  I felt confident going into the exams that I would do well, because of reviewing and studying material before hand.  This first exam week has done a good job introducing me to what the end of each semester will be like for the next four years... A lot of stress.  That pretty much sums this up!

Visiting NYC!

        NYC was great to visit for a couple days.  It didn't snow, and rained instead but maybe next year!  I was excited to take photos of the city being more photomistic.  I would have liked to take more than I did and can post here but instead of writing since photos tell 1000 words here are just a few of the photos I had taken:

Morning the day after Christmas not much traffic along the way.

In some cafe, taken with my new fisheye lens!

The 5th Ave. Apple Store, of course stopping here is a must!

In The American Museum of Natural History. Awesome
dino, same  one as filmed in the Night at The Museum!

Times Square

A map in Central Park of Central Park,
don't ask, I was bored!

The Dakota apartments, where John Lennon lived, taken from the
Strawberry Fields by John Lennon's Memorial

John Lennon's Imagine Memorial in the Strawberry Fields
of Central Park's Upper West Side across the street from the Dakota

Cafe Frida Mexican Restaurant for lunch

Dessert Crepes!!!

Kicking Off The Winter Swim Season

        So yes, Sherwood winter swimming has begun and is official!  We have two practices a week, one on Tuesday mornings at 5:00 and the other Friday afternoons.  Coming up in about a week is the first meet.  I'm looking forward to that and hoping that I will be swimming either a 50 back in a medley relay, or 100 free.  Swim is off to a great start and I'm hoping to have a fun season!

Recipe of the Week!

        Don't forget to check out the recipe posts on the cattail creek cafe. http://cattailcreekcafe.blogspot.com/  I'm now revealing some of the hit recipes of the products that sold well at the coffee stand.  I will continue with Lemon Poppy:

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Preheat oven 325*

Bake time 12-15 mins.

Ingredients

-3 c. flour

-1 T + 1 1/2 t. baking powder

-1 1/2 t. salt

-2 1/2 c. sugar

-3 eggs

-1 1/8 c. oil

-1 1/2 t. vanilla

-1 1/2 t. almond extract

-1 1/2 t. butter flavor

-1 1/2 c. milk

-1 1/2 T poppy seed

Ingredients for the Glaze

-1/2 t. vanilla

-1/2 t. almond

-1/2 t. butter

-1/2 c. orange juice

-3/4 c. sugar

Directions

1. Combine the first four ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, & sugar) in a large mixing bowl

2. In a separate bowl, mix the oil, almond, vanilla, and butter flavor

3. Then add the oil mixture and eggs into the large mixing bowl

4. Slowly add the milk and poppy seed

5. Pour the batter into the tins and bake

6. Make the glaze while the muffins are baking by simply combining all ingredients together

7. Let muffins cool for about 5 minutes before brushing on the glaze

8. Enjoy!

First Swim & Dive Practice Soon

        The winter swim season is starting soon.  I joined the Sherwood swim team.  The first practice is in 11 days!  And practice is early at 5am once a week, and then Friday afternoon, thats all our swim team is allowed to practice in this county.  I'm really excited to be swimming over the winter!

My Halloween Carving

        I know it's after Halloween posting this but just thought i'd share my awesome Halloween pumpkin!!