Wow! I knew Derby City was crazy but WOAH! Things are gettin’ crazy in Kentucky.

“The most important minutes of sports” The Kentucky Derby is exactly what they say, except it doesn’t last for a couple days, more like a couple WEEKS.

Festivities must have started last week, or even two weeks ago, but the planning started before last year’s Derby had begun! Derby season is kicked off by Thunder Over Louisville, the largest firework show in Kentucky! The day of Thunder, there is the air show, then Derby has begun. After Thunder, concerts on the Waterfront. They have tons of local bands. Then comes the marathons, and mini-marathons, seeing the runners take off, 26 miles, or 13.5 miles. Your choice. There is also the bed race, where people lay down, on a bed, and race. (Pretty confusing, huh? Just kidding! ) The Pegasus Parade is next, sporting many celebrities (including Miss America)! People started setting up for the Pegasus Parade so early. Over a week. The famous (for Louisville folks) Pegasus pin was on sale at Kroger’s a while ago.

Then, the day before The Run For The Roses, is the Kentucky Oaks. This year the winner was the first female jockey (EVER) to win the Oaks. Then there is the Derby, that is tonight.

For me Derby is nice to see my city so active! I like it, a lot. The area is just so festive.

One thing I did this year to get ready for Derby was go to Macy’s  to see the one and only female Iron Chef, CAT CORA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cat Cora made a yummy meatball for us, except it was a turkey meatball, but still. She signed our cook books. Cat Cora was down to Earth, and fun to listen to, especially since we got to taste her food.

Happy Derby Day World!

Once I had decided one on the infinite number of possibilities I went back to the store. I chose to get a Muppet with green “furry” hair, a purple “teardrop” nose, blue body, and a plaid jacket. (When I checked as of 4/1/12 jacket and body no longer available. Check the website to see if they come back) Look at the bottom of the page for a picture of my Muppet.

Even though I chose these characteristics, they are definitely not the only ones. When I got my Muppet, I named him Torpe. In Spanish, Torpe means “clumsy!” I think, with green hair and a purple nose he does look a little clumsy. I love Torpe so much, and it is fun to play with him. What I didn’t know at the beginning was that Torpe was a puppet. I can move his mouth and arms. It is so much fun. I think getting a Muppet was totally worth it. I <3 Torpe!

Torpe did a photo shoot, and got a little confused by the camera… Here are some of the photos.

I think my most valuable lesson for this was to ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS come prepared. I prepped for the hardest Explore questions I could find, and a couple true ACT questions, so that when the time came to take the test, I would be ready. (I was) The test was so much simpler for me than it would have been if I hadn’t studied before. The guide manual (that comes with your ticket in the mail) was helpful because it included a practice test, but I suggest finding an ACT Explore book with sample tests and helpful tools. One thing I don’t suggest though is cramming it all in on the last night. You NEED to go to bed earlier than usual so you are rested and full of energy that morning. If you are going to study (you should) you need to space it out. At first take an untimed practice test to see what you know, and don’t be discouraged by your score. Next, start working on the sections you have trouble with. (for me = science and math) Then review your easier topics to make sure you are not rusty before the test. Overall for me, the most important part of ACT prep was to NOT STRESS. For me, this was one of the hardest parts. I am a huge stress-er, so the thing that calmed me down was taking a deep breath, then telling myself if you fail, retake it, chill out self. I hope this helped!

Good Sample Question Book: http://www.amazon.com/EXPLORE-Exam-Practice-Questions-Review/dp/B006C276I4/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1331681543&sr=8-11

Your desire for family,

And reluctance for fame,

Your keen eye for fashion,

That’s what gives you your name.

Supporting soldiers,

Fighting childhood obesity,

To them you are a hero,

And “them” applies to me.

Just the other day,

I wrote a letter for my school,

About my favorite hero,

My hero being you.

Your beautiful moving speeches,

Your perfect choice of words,

Your devotion to this nation,

Respect from me – confirmed.

Here it is:

“Spell contiguous!” My heart pounded as the announcer told me my word. I was in the school spelling bee, and up against some stiff competition. Emma Mills*.

I took a deep breath, “C-O-N-T-I-G-U-O-S.”

“Incorrect. Emma, spell contiguous,” the announcer carried on with the next competitor. It was down between her and me. May the best speller WIN.

“C-O-N-T-I-G-U-O-U-S,” Emma spelled. I knew at that moment, she was right. She would win. She was the better speller.

“Correct! It looks like Emma Mills is our new spelling bee champion! Congratulations to her and the runner up Madison Fleischaker,” the announcer concluded. “Have a good evening everybody!”

I walked off stage, content with my placing. I was okay losing to someone better than me, as she obviously was. I waved her over, “Hey! It’s Emma, right?”

“Yeah! That’s me, Emma Mills. Spelling bee champion, mathletes star, school over achiever,” she responded.

“Nice to know. Moving on, I wanted to wish you good luck on the next level of the spelling bee.”

“Thanks, it means a lot! And you know, just because you are second place doesn’t mean you’ll never compete! You’re the alternate, and you might be the one to bring home that trophy!”

“Thanks Emma!” Wow, this girl is so nice. I’ll ask her to hang out some time.

“Emma?” I asked tentatively.

“Yeah?” She responded.

“Do you want to hang out sometime? Have a little fun? Hang out, relax, and cool down after some tough work on the brain. Ya know? Just to de-stress?”

“Sorry, but no. I am AcadEmma, and I study 24/7, wait no, 25/8! Speaking of which, I better get to studying.”

“Well, see you around. Are you sure you don’t want to grab some ice cream or something in a while?” I asked, hoping for one more chance to make a new BFF.

“I’ll decline, but here is an interesting tidbit. According to Ice Cream Freaks,  ‘An average dairy cow can produce enough milk in her lifetime to make a little over 9,000 gallons of ice cream.’ How about that for fun?” Emma said. This made me wonder about this girl. I turned to leave, “Oh wait, there’s more!”

“Yay!” I exclaimed with less enthusiasm than I thought humanly possible.

“According to Busika’s interesting ice cream facts, Americans are the largest consumer of ice cream with 23 liters a year. The second largest are the Australians with 18 liters a year. Also, The ice cream cone was invented in 1896 by an ice cream vendor in New York City to stop people from stealing his serving glasses. He patented his invention in 1903. The cone was introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.  That’s not all, President Ronald Reagan declared July as national ice cream month in –“

“Okay, I get it! You know more about ice cream than I do. Great for you! Goodbye, Emma”

“Goodbye, Madison,” she responded, probably sour from me ending her trivia flow. I hope she enjoys her trivia, but at least I have fun.

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So, that is all, but I think it is ok. Did you like it? Leave a comment, tell me what you think.

Well yesterday, sort of out of the blue, I wrote them a note on their website. It was in the little comment box, so I didn’t expect much. I was checking my email later hoping for an automated response, at least. I was doubtful I would get anything, because they are so busy. I checked my inbox, and there it was, voila! A reply email from the one, the only CHARM CITY CAKES! In my comment/note, I included suggestions/questions. In the response they answered them all. They were super friendly! I am so excited. I love their show and to get and email back saying they would talk to Duff (the big cheese/head honcho) about one of my ideas I was over the moon. I told my dad and he was excited for me too! I thought it was so sweet that a big famous bakery like them would respond to my ideas.

I love Charm City Cakes and you should too!!!

Here is a link to their site:

http://www.charmcitycakes.com/

Maddi Fly’s App Rating Sytem (What a Creative Name!)

= WONDERFUL! BEST APP EVER INVENTED!!!!

= Awesome!

= Cool

Here we go!

Jelly Car 3: I would rate it because the game was pretty easy. I got through the levels really quickly, and I mean it. I was fast. That wasn’t bragging, but the game wasn’t super challenging. Of course, some levels were extraordinarily hard, but the average one wasn’t.

Jelly Car 2: I would rate it because it was better that Jelly car three and there seem to be a lot of levels. I love making and personalizing my car, so all in all, pretty cool!

Doodle Jump: I would rate it +half a ! This is because it is super duper, and wonderful, and spectacular, but you have to have”THE BEST APP EVER INVENTED” to get three smiley faces, and I don’t think it quite reaches the top! Maybe if they add a MaddiFly Level it would get three smiles! Maybe even four!!!

Sketch Rolls: I would rate it because it is wonderful! I think it is pretty amazing. The interface is beautiful. I feel like I am doodling with a true pen. They just added new colors so I can doodle with bright colors, it is a lot of fun to play with!

Words With Friends: I would rate it because it is WONDERFUL and the BEST APP EVER INVENTED!!!! This app allows me to play with my cousin from another state and to play with my grandparents. One of my favorite opponents is my mom! We play across the country and around the world when she is on work trips. The game also allows you to message with the people you are “wording” with! I like to think I am getting wordy!

We are going to do a play called Why Shakespeare? about, well, Shakespeare! There will be modern day dialogue as well as dialogue of his time. It looks like a wonderful play, and I cannot wait to perform the play! I want a good part, but I am not great at reciting Shakespeare so…

No complaints here, I am loving every minute of this holiday vacation! Just for your enjoyment, I will give you a list of all the reasons this winter break has been sensational x100!

Why is My Break Superb? (Not Counting the holiday of Christmas)

A list of reasons by me, Maddi Fly! (Not in order of any kind!)

1. I went to the Big Apple. (NYC!) It was dazzling and like a billion times bigger than where I live.
2. I saw a show on Broadway, Wicked. Wicked was amazing, and I loved the song Defying Gravity! I even got a t-shirt that says that!
3. I went on a carriage ride in Central Park. I will admit, it was better than I thought it would be.
4. I went to the MoMA! I saw Starry Night by VINCENT VAN GOGH!
5. I went to Met. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) So many Rodin sculptures, and Degas! Everything was radiating art and mastery!
6. I went to FAO Schwartz and made a Muppet! His name is Torpé! (Torpé means clumsy in Spanish!) Torpé has a blue head, a purple nose, green hair, and a plaid coat with a tie!
7. My grandma came into town and stayed with us for a night!
8. I went bowling.
9. My cousins came into town with their dad! They are staying at my house. (Yay! )

10. I AM HAVING FUN!