Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

Or, in the common vernacular rather than legalese: Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!

Today I graduated. After four years of learning and growing on two ends of the country, I'm ready for something new! Hillcrest High, Morgantown High, it's been real.

Summer Is

Red toenails and big sunglasses. Morning runs, breathing in the fresh, dewy air. My running shorts, now not only exercise-wear but daytime attire and PJs as well. My hair in a curly mess, relegated to a pile on top of my head. Thunderstorms and ripe strawberries.  Lazy afternoon naps, book lists. Freedom and food and dancing wildly to my favorite tunes. My friends.  Some here, some there, with prospects of many more beautiful days with them ahead.

Catch a Ride or Catch a Cab. . .

Run :).

Lunch

It's true, I can't stand cafeteria food. Even the act of sitting in the school cafeteria makes me queasy as I take in the unappealing sights and smells of school entrees. As a delicious alternative, I have been bringing a homemade lunch to school ever since I entered the public education system in eighth grade. Now approaching the close of my high school experience, I find myself reflecting upon this daily ritual which has unfailingly fueled my mind and body. My unusual habit of dividing my lunch between the four periods of the day has even bolstered my mid-day meal into a state of school-wide acclaim.

So just what are the contents of this magnificent lunch you might ask?   I'll break down the Classic Paige Lunch for you.

First up: the PB&J.

Not just any PB&J, my sandwiches are strictly gourmet.   I use whole wheat (preferably homemade) bread, organic chunky peanut butter, and berry preserves  (ideally strawberry freezer jam). Yum.

Gala Apples

Two per day, in fact.  I usually consume the first apple during homeroom and can be seen munching on the second through an AP Gov lecture on voting trends or the Iron Triangle.

Baby Carrots

These crisp and sweet vegetables get me through my math and AP Environmental classes.  Sometimes I get amused (annoyed?) glances from other students in the class after a particularly loud carrot snap as I munch my way through the bunch.

Almonds and Raisins

This lunch item comes in several variations.  Sometimes I only have natural almonds. Sometimes I have roasted almonds, or roasted almonds with raisins, or--my personal favorite-- roasted AND salted almonds with craisins.  Definitely a craisin fan.

And finally, some form of citrus such as an orange or grapefruit.

One day as I ambled down the school hallway eating my peeled grapefruit, I was stopped by a horrified student who thought I was nibbling on raw meat.  I assured her that looks were deceiving. The grapefruit is also interchangeable with oranges and mandarin oranges, depending on the season.

The result of all of these years of wholesome, tasty lunches?  A well-fed, high school graduate! (As of  May 28).

 

What will I do in college??