After having spent more than 10 years in school, I have developed a deep appreciation for textbooks. At times, they cleared up what a bad teacher was trying to get across. Other times, they supplemented what I was doing in class.

At the beginning of the school, I asked around, seeing what free periods my friends had. As the day progressed toward my free period, sixth, I realized I would be all alone and friendless.

The free period began and I realized I was one of about five people in the school with that hour free. I decided to make good use of my time by working on homework that I had.

From the squirrel that dashed across the field before the game to Kevin Mitchell's game-clinching interception, Illinois fans had reasons to cheer during the Illini's 27-20 victory over Penn State.

I was lucky enough to attend this game, which sold out, and like most other fans, I noticed many things were different this year.

Today is my 17th birthday.

I always get really excited about my birthday. It's probably my favorite day of the year. Last year, I was especially excited because it was my all-important sweet 16. I would get my driver's license and therefore the fact that I live half an hour away from everything would no longer matter, because I would not have to get rides from my irritated parents.

When I'm bored at home (after of course doing all of my homework), there's nothing on TV, and I just feel like staying on the computer, I go to YouTube, that amazing Internet invention by which you can watch pretty much any video you want, if someone else has taken the time to add it.

As I was listening to one of my favorite songs, "Clever" by Erykah Badu on the album "Mama’s Gun," I began to meander off into a state of thought, which Erykah Badu's lyrics often cause me to do. The song starts off:

This is how I look without makeup
and with no bra my ninnys sag down low

You love your private bathroom, don’t you? Not to mention having virtually no contact with your annoying sibling(s). It’s great, isn’t it? But it’s not sustainable.