SUMMERSUMMERSUMMERSUMMERSUMMERSUMMER!

Recently, that has been the only thing on my mind. Especially when I was at home sick. As I sat there, wrapped up in my blankets, I couldn't help but wish for the clouds to be less dreary, the weather to be about 40 degrees warmer, and the sun to be shining.

After a friend's suggestion, I began to watch "Modern Family". And now I have found myself hooked. Every week, I eagerly await Wednesday nights so I can watch the next episode.

The thing about "Modern Family" is that each character on the show is hilarious, from Manny to Phil to Mitchell so it's never boring.

I am a compulsive reader of the New York Times.

The other day, I ventured into the crossword section and I decided that I would give their puzzle a try. I mean, how hard could it be?

Well, let's just say that I failed. Miserably.

I find myself constantly hungry. Well, actually that's not true, I just like to eat — a lot.

Unfortunately, I'm not very talented at cooking or baking. While my mom does make some really good stuff, sometimes it's just not enough and I find myself wishing I knew how to make (or had the ability to make) that delicious pie I saw on TV or the lasagna the characters on the show were eating.

As all normal people, I have my own guilty pleasures. My three main ones happen to be eating cheesecake, watching episodes of Spongebob Squarepants, and reading trashy magazines.

The fourth quarter brings eagerness for summer but also lots of hard work and stress. So in preparation of this hectic time of year, here are some wonderful de-stressing tips that you can use:

1. Give hugs

So, I'm not a huge tennis fan but I do enjoy watching the Grand Slams on TV.

When I was little, I used to wake up every Saturday morning around 7 or 8 to watch the cartoons. We didn't have cable, and that was the only time I could watch television shows I liked, aside from weekdays after school, of course.

As the end of the school year comes closer and closer I've been finding it harder to focus in class and find the motivation to study for my finals.

Instead, I find my mind wandering to all of the things I would rather be doing at the time like frolicking outside in the sunshine or watching TV.

Many of the animated movies produced by DreamWorks Animation, Disney, and Pixar these days have started to be 3-D. Movies like "Monsters vs.

I never understood how people could cry from reading a book.

I used to think that it was impossible to cry because of books because there were no pictures; you had to make them up in your mind. Crying because of movies seemed more plausible because you would see the events happening before you, making them appear to be realistic.

Where did the cow go on Saturday night?
To the moooo-vies of course!

I love corny jokes. Over the years I have amassed countless stupid jokes from friends, Popsicle sticks, and my little sister and her friends. To brighten up your day and (hopefully) provide a little laughter, here are some of my favorites:

- How did the telephone propose to his girlfriend?
- He gave her a ring.

I was only 8 years old when Rod Blagojevich was elected the governor of Illinois in 2002, and all I can remember is thinking that some man with a funny last name had become the new governor.

I have always loved chewing gum. It helps me stay awake when I'm falling asleep, and it helps me temporarily satiate my hunger.

But I've always wondered who invented it and how they came up with the idea. So I did what I always do when I don't know something: I googled it.

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher is a deep book that really makes you think.