Camp McLean

Last year we went on a field trip to Camp McLean. It was a two hour trip there, but no one really minded the wait because we all new this trip was going to be amazing. Once we arrived there, we were instantly greeted by people who worked there. We went to our cabins and unpacked everything. After that we started our day doing fun things with each other like rock climbing, archery, fishing and capture the flag. After eating food, you would get some time to do whatever you want. I played basketball and football during that time. At night after eating dinner, we were put into teams for the final activity of the day which was capture the flag. They put face paint on our face based on which team you were on. The game went on for a good two hours before the game ended and my team losing. We went to our cabins after. We messed around the entire night and I don't think anyone went to sleep. At 6:30 in the morning, we went to the docks and went fishing. After that we finished the final activities that were panned out for us. The trip was done so fast in my opinion, but it was a trip to remember.

Diary Entry

October 12, 2012


Dear Diary,

After a short football practice, I found out tomorrow we are playing the Naperville Patriots for the first game of the playoffs. My coach tells all of us to get prepared mentally and physically for the big day. I ice both of my knees and do my regular stretches through out my entire body. I then watch tapes of them during the season, to see what kind of offense they play. I visualize the game in my head. I'm nervous for the game but also determined to win. Good night, I'll let you know the results tomorrow.

Erika's Quote

“We must live, and when this is all over, we must work to make the world a better place.  And if we die, we will die knowing that it was not our fault, that we did our best, and we can go to our deaths in dignity… I want you both to live…And to remember...You must choose love.  Always choose love.”  


My grandma from India is one the most loving-people I personally know. Even though I only get to see her every three years, she makes each visit exciting and adventurous. When you need help with anything, she is always there to help you the best way she can. She is a very loving person and makes you smile everyday either with a joke or a childhood story she remembers. Each day is blast with her and I always look forward to going to India when that time of year comes around.

Leap Year

  Leap year to me has always been unusual. I never know when it comes and when it does come by, I don't think much of it like some people do. It just comes by like an ordinary day but to some people its special because it's their birthday.

  But Leap year does connect to me family wise. My grandpa's birthday is on February 29th, which is leap year. For me its crazy to think about how his birthday comes every four years. But he doesn't mind, to him it makes his life more interesting. At 75, he sometimes forgets if this year is Leap year. He sometimes is right and sometimes he is wrong. Like this year, we called him to say happy birthday because he lives in India. But when we called him, he said " Wait....., IT"s MY BIRTHDAY. WOW". I started laughing and told him to enjoy his special day as much as possible.

   Even though I only get to see my grandparents from India every 4 years, I always make sure to say happy birthday on the right year. Sometimes my dad messes with him saying the wrong year is his birthday. We end up feeling bad because he gets sad when he realizes it's not his birthday, but we send him a little extra gift to make him feel better.