I cannot believe it is almost Christmas. And I’m living in the Northlands competing on a swim team instead of a sledding team. There is really nothing close here except the Twin Cities – and they are so big compared to our little town of Spring River. But heck, I’m a girl on a real small town swim team who as a TEAM has its act together.

All the swimmers are very close as teammates and friends. The best experience I’ll ever have coming from SLOW swimming parents. Most of our parents really do believe all of the Spring River Swim Team is heading to the Olympics. I guess one never really knows. I’m now exhausted with school, tests, dry land and swim practice. It seems like the Olympics right here in Spring River. Yes, I know the Acquajets is the swim barometer around here. My parents talk nonstop about that team – as if our team didn’t even exist sometime. But you know it is amazing that a couple of years ago the Spring River Penguins were actually laughed at; and now many on our team are feared. I can tell on the starting blocks that those Acquajets know we are doing tons of workouts with weights, stretches, pull-ups, abs, leg strengthening, and aerobics.

Our new coach is quite a guy, competed internationally, was an alternate for the Olympic team’s 500 freestyle, and has one of his kids on the team. Why would he coach Spring River if he is so good? The usual scenario is that he’ll end up in Viking country with a big offer like our last coach. That really sucks!

Hastings, Minnesota had a huge meet this past week – IMX. Hastings counted times and placed point value to each time in every event. Wow, I wound up in first place the first night - competing in a ton of events. But I got a bomb in my lap the next day with a US History Test. The trick bonus question was that US Senators until the mid 1800s in many states were elected by the state legislatures, and not the popular vote. Mom said everyone knew that. I feel she is a HUGE bluffer, and Dad is even worse. I still love them both though. On top of that Mrs. Smith dropped a month’s worth of History homework on us the next day. Give me a break – I’m a Spring River Penguin student athlete. Eighth grade is nearly impossible because it is like a Senior in High School now – as opposed to Mom and Dad when 8th grade was actually 8th grade. Next week is a test on Indian tribes and geography. I cannot even pronounce many of the names and can spell only a couple. It’s easy to see I have no life.

Just got a phone call and text from Hastings, MN. The meet we were to finish tomorrow night is cancelled due to the storm of 25 – 40 inches of snow (superb swimming weather). Anyway, I won on points based on all the competitive events. It is a huge trophy they said, and I cannot wait. Now the coach is also calling. Maybe I’m a celebrity – but most likely I’ll be a marked swimmer now in the Twin Cities meets. So what – I’ll deal. I’ve never won a real big trophy, only ribbons.

We have such a great English teacher – Mrs. Rhodes. I’m signing up with her next year. I LOVE that class. It is competitive to enter as all of Spring River Middle School’s students want that class. Mrs. Rhodes told me that my 3000 points in Hastings wouldn’t mean much in a lottery to get into the class. All the parents also want their child in that class. Maybe we should have one big Mrs. Rhodes class in the gym?

I finally finished my Native American Geography map. Indian history is so confusing. The tribes really mixed and had shared lands in many places. Sad that Blackhawk was chased out of Wisconsin not far from Spring River at DeSoto, WI. Three hundred of his tribe were massacred trying to get to Iowa – many squaws with babies on their backs. I cannot believe this. Our Holocaust visiting professor compared Blackhawk’s massacre to the Jewish Holocaust. It is sad on both accounts. I don’t even want to hear about these things because they are so cruel, but I guess according to Mrs. Smith, we absolutely must know these historical events.

Mom is now encouraging me to practice the viola, as Chloe is on her way over for the duet ensemble practice later tonight for a half hour or more. We are competing in Madison later this school year if we qualify. Maybe Chloe can hang out this weekend after swim practice – catch a home movie with Dad’s popcorn. No boys – they are in our way! As if I don’t have enough to do with 2 hour swim practices? I’m watching TV as the Viking stadium collapses with the storm upon us. Dad says there is no middle ground. You either are a Packer fan or a Viking fan. I like the Packers because we have all these friends over for the games. And I have actually talked about football at some of the swim meets in Minnesota. The girls there expectedly like the Vikings. But it is extremely obvious to anyone that these Viking fans are so very obnoxious. I’m so sick of hearing, “Why don’t you have your own swim meets in Wisconsin?,” or “Why would a Packer fan come swimming in Minnesota?“ How extremely caddy they all are. My new coach says the Penguins must swim and compete with a chip on our shoulder against the very best. I don’t need any more encouragement now to get this chip on my shoulder – it is a divot, not a chip! The Acquajets, Hurricanes, and Barracuda girls don’t even understand football like I do. Thank God the Packers beat the Vikings twice – yes twice -- again twice this year. Sadly it is time for me to go to bed. No tweets tonight.

Jenn Smithson
Spring River Penguins Team Captain