Have you made a New Year’s resolution? You know, is there something you want to start doing, stop doing or cut back on? We asked three Scoop Troopers to go to extremes and totally give up something — just for a day — to show you it can be done. One gave up junk food, another electronics and the third talking! (We don’t suggest you do anything so drastic, but it might not hurt to cut back on your TV or computer time or, for you really chatty folks, to talk less and listen more.) Anyway, our Scoopers found that a day of complete denial is something they could do without!
Nate G., 15
He bags junk food
For breakfast, I like to have a chocolate-chip bagel with cream cheese, and milk with enough chocolate syrup to turn it into a liquid candy bar. Today, it was cornflakes and plain milk. Pretty bland!
Lunch was difficult. It was pizza day at the cafeteria — for everyone but me. Somehow my turkey sandwich with carrot sticks didn’t have the same appeal as sweet-smelling oregano, spicy tomato sauce and melted cheese oozing everywhere. And dessert? Sorry, but a tangerine is no substitute for Oreos.
It was easier to maintain the junk-food ban after school because my mom is a card-carrying member of the Kitchen Police. Dinner was the usual fare: salad, broiled chicken and baked potato. However, I like to have a milkshake or a brownie an hour after dinner. I could hear the whir of the blender as my brother used it to make himself a shake. I decided to go to bed early!
Nora F., 12
She avoids electronics from 6 p.m. one day to 6 p.m. the next Monday, 6 p.m.: I’d never consider myself a person who couldn’t survive without TV or a phone or a computer. But it might be harder than it seems.
9 p.m.: All I’ve done so far is homework. Even just walking through a room where the TV is on can be a problem. I caught myself absent-mindedly watching a commercial!
Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.: I usually listen to music or watch TV before school. Not today! I got ready faster than ever, but then had nothing to do for half an hour.
9:45 a.m.: I can’t use the Internet for science-class research. I have to rely on books.
Noon: We have a math quiz, but luckily we don’t need calculators.
3:30 p.m.: School’s over. I wonder what I’ll do at home?
5 p.m.: I have nothing to do! I did some homework, but now I’m bored! I can’t even call someone!
5:59 p.m.: I’m watching the clock…
6 p.m.: I turn on the computer. I’m free!
Ashley K., 13
She stops talking!
I thought things were going smoothly until school began. At home, I could just nod or shake my head. But at school, people would ask, “Why can’t you talk?” I could only stare at them mutely and wait for my friend Kirby to explain. Kirby got so tired of explaining that she told people, “Ashley’s being silent in protest for animal rights.” Good thing I had told my teachers about the experiment ahead of time!
My “pals” Becca and Jenn took advantage of my situation and teased me. “Ashley, you are such an idiot!” Becca taunted, then watched as I silently steamed.
By ninth period, I was dying to speak! My throat felt strange and rusty from lack of use. Worst of all, it was the last day of school before winter break, and I couldn’t wish my friends “Merry Christmas.”
You can imagine how grateful I was when my day of silence was over. For now, I think I’ll just jabber on for hours on end!
