Jack's Story
Friday, October 31, 2008 @ 11:09 PM
About a year ago my English teacher told me the history of Jack O'Lanterns, and I absolutely LOVED the story. It was freaky, yet interesting... and at some point believable. I'm not sure whether I could tell you the same "tale" as enjoyable as I read (you know, my teacher brought us textes, actually), so I searched on the internet for the exact same one. Enjoy and Happy Halloween!
The Mystery of the Halloween Jack O'Lantern
Each Halloween, Americans run to commercial pumpkin patches and purchase odd-shaped, orange vegetables they carve out and make into happy or demonic faces. They place candles inside and perch the lit faces on windowsills.
The pumpkin has come to symbolize the holiday as much as ghouls, goblins, ghosts, and witches. But how many people know how the Jack O'Lantern has come to be associated with Halloween, and why the pumpkin has come to be used?
The answer seems to lie in an Irish folktale that goes something like this:
A long time ago, there lived an unfortunate soul, a stingy blacksmith named Jack, known far and wide for his quick temper and his constant state of drunkenness. One All Hallows Eve, after Jack had imbibed too much at his favorite pub and his life had begun to slip away, the Devil appeared.
"It's time," the Devil said to Jack.
"Time for what?" Jack slurred, his tongue soaked through with alcohol.
"You're done for, and I've come for your soul."
"I'll give you my soul," Jack replied, "but you've got to let me have one more drink before I die."
The Devil agreed. Jack said he was short of money, so the Devil offered to turn himself into a sixpence in order to pay the bartender and speed up his mission. Jack immediately seized the opportunity, grabbed the coin, and pocketed it in his purse. Because Jack had a silver cross in his purse, the Devil could not change himself back. Now imprisoned, the Devil screamed at Jack to set him free. Jack said he would, but only if the Devil promised not to bother him again for a whole year. The Devil agreed.
During the next year, Jack tried to mend his ways. For a time, he was a good husband to his wife and a good father to his children. He attended church, he gave to charities, eventually though, Jack slipped back into his wanton ways.
The next All Hallows Eve, as Jack was heading home from the pub, the Devil appeared once again.
"It's time," the Devil said, standing in a jaunty pose along the side of the road.
This time, Jack did not need to ask, "Time for what?" He knew. Not too eager to die, and thinking quickly on his feet, Jack pointed to an apple tree standing nearby and said, "I'll go with you, but first, could you get me an apple out of that tree over there?" Jack even offered to give the Devil a hand and hoist him up.
The Devil, not having learned from his previous encounter with Jack, and thinking he had nothing to lose, agreed. He jumped on Jack's shoulders, climbed into the tree, plucked an apple, and threw it down. Jack caught the apple and whipped a knife out of his pocket, but instead of cutting the apple into bite-size pieces, he carved a cross into the tree trunk. Trapped once again, the Devil howled like a jackal to be released, which Jack agreed to do, but only if the Devil agreed never to bother him again. The Devil agreed and Jack released him.
A year later, Jack's evil ways finally caught up with him and he died. When he tried to get into Heaven, he was told he could not enter. So he tried to get into Hell, but the Devil, still smarting from the way Jack had humiliated him in the past, refused to let Jack pass into Hell.
"I cannot get into Heaven," Jack said. "I cannot get into Hell. Where can I go then?"
"You can go back where you came from," the Devil bellowed.
With that, Jack sunk down to the ground. "The way back is cold, and windy," he whimpered. "How shall I find my way? Can you at least provide me with some light?"
The Devil, being the kind creature that he was, threw Jack a piece of brightly burning coal straight from the fires of Hell. "That should help you find your way in the dark of limbo," he said. To keep the piece of coal from blowing out in the wind, Jack put it into a turnip that he had been eating and was now hollowed out. Ever since that day, it has been Jack's fate to wander in darkness with his lantern until Judgment Day.
And so, that is how the Jack of the lantern (Jack O'Lantern) became the symbol of a damned soul wandering the earth on All Hallows Eve.
One might ask, if Jack used a turnip, how does the pumpkin fit into the holiday story?
Credit goes to: Mystery Net.com
Labels: holidays
October's Chick Flicks
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 @ 11:00 AM
Well, I decided to write a post about the latest (and not so latest) chick flicks, after all. And what does this mean? Yup. Another monthly feature. (I'm really into these nowadays!) Just to make things more interesting. And to help me out when I don't know what to blog about.
Just for the record. I may review movies which were not "released" in that certain month I wrote the post. Got it? For example, I can write about 10 Things I Hate About You in November, even though it's quite an "old" one.
The House Bunny: "House Bunny centers on a Playboy bunny (Faris) who gets kicked out of the Playboy Mansion and becomes the house mother to the lamest sorority on campus.
McPhee plays a pregnant hippy, while Stone is president of the sorority. Willis plays an insecure young woman who wears a backbrace even though she could have had it removed years ago. Dennings portrays a pierced women's studies feminist, and Goodman plays the sister who keeps switching majors and should have graduated years ago. Wright is a conniving young woman from the popular sorority."
My opinion: This movie is definitely a great chick flick! I loved it, the plot is wierd, but funny, and even though the message can be either "screw learning, be a b!tch" or "be yourself - just sexier", I think it was worth the watch. Anna Faris is good at playing the dumb blonde (just think about Scary Movie).
High School Musical 3; Senior Year: "Disney’s “High School Musical” phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year", in which America’s favorite high school students (Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman) hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (Matt Prokop, Justin Martin and Jemma McKenzie-Brown) joins in the fun as the film’s incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen."
My opinion: I'm not that big of a HSM-fan, and I didn't have high expectations, either, therefore I wasn't disappointed. The plot and the music seems to be pretty much the same (for me), and I wasn't really touched by the movie. Anyway, it might be worth watching it... at home, probably. But again, this is my opinion, so don't take it to heart! Good news for the fans is that there will most likely be a 4th movie, too.
My Best Friend's Girl: "Smart, beautiful and headstrong, Alexis is the girl of Dustin's dreams. But after only five weeks of dating, the love-struck Dustin is coming on so strong that Alexis is forced to slow things down - permanently. Devastated and desperate to get her back, Dustin turns to his best friend, Tank, the rebound specialist. A master at seducing - and offending - women, Tank gets hired by freshly dumped guys to take their ex-girlfriends out on the worst date of their lives - an experience so horrible it sends them running gratefully back to their beaus."
My opinion: This movie was a bit too long for my tastes. I mean, it's so dramatic, and there are way too many problems, which make it tiresome after a while. I watched it with some friends, and they didn't really like it, either. The jokes are good, but the plot is kind of ordinary. It is a romantic comedy, but without those lovely flowers and kisses.
A Walk To Remember: "Landon Carter (Shane West) and his friends are the coolest kids in Beaufort, North Carolina. They wear the right clothes, drive the right cars, and get into just enough trouble to be rebellious. Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore) is the opposite--there doesn't seem to be anything cool about her. The preacher's daughter, plain Jamie wears big boxy dresses and the same sweater every day. She endures the scorn of Landon and his friends with a smile, always looking for the best in people. When a prank planned by Landon and his friend goes terribly wrong, the principal sentences him to tutoring on the weekends and working on the school play, activities in which Jamie is involved. As the two begin spending time together, Landon finds himself intrigued by this guileless girl who sees beauty in everything and exhibits unwavering faith in people and in the world. When circumstances beyond Landon and Jamie's control threaten their love, he stays by her side and does everything he can to make her dreams come true. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks, the film also stars Peter Coyote and Daryl Hannah."
My opinion: I. Love. This. Movie. It teaches a lot about love and trust, and every girl should watch it (at least once). The characters are unique, and the whole plot is quite realistic. Be sure to have some tissues with you if you intend to see it. A Walk To Remember is simply amazing.
Labels: chick flicks, entertainment
Random Rima Ranting
Saturday, October 25, 2008 @ 7:16 PM
Guess who is going to read Twilight soon (first week of November, hopefully)? And who is going to watch the movie as soon as it comes out (soooooon)? Yepp, me. Luckyyy! The books are not yet published in my country (yeah, I live under a rock, but it's comfty), so I thought that seeing the movie would be absolutely... hopeless.
But I watched The House Bunny today, and when we were coming out of the cinema, I saw one of those huge posters advertising an upcoming movie, and it was Twilight's! I was so happy. My sisters probably thought that I'm an idiot, because I was screaming "Oh, oh! That's Twilight! It's going to be great!". They were like "Ugh, fine, just let's go", since they don't know a thing about it. Neither do I, but that's not the point. Everyone is so amazed by the book (and the movie, even though it's not out, yet, as far as I know), so I'm definitely interested in it! I haven't been much of a Harry Potter fan (I've seen the movies, but that's all), but Twilight seems much more... suited for my tastes?
So, when we arrived home, I checked some bookstore's sites, and luckily I can order it from an online bookstore after 5th of November! (Already registered myself, but still need to convince one of my relatives to buy it for me, since I'm broke.) I also checked whether they have other books from Stephenie Meyer, and yepp. I could even order Twilight in English language, but that's pretty expensive.
Sorry, I just had to rant here. We can consider this my weekly (?) random post, which is actually about nothing. But me.
On to other news, I'm going to watch High School Musical 3 on Monday (cinema, again!). I'm kind of interested in it, as well, since I've seen the first and the second movie, already. I might even write a post about the latest chick flicks later? Who knows.
Oh! And there's a little surprise coming, too. I've been working quite much on it! (And I'm so pleased with myself, since I've had so many things to do recently, but I still managed to find some time to work on it.)
Labels: rima
Top 5 Websites of October
Friday, October 24, 2008 @ 11:28 AM
There are times when we just sit in front of the computer, doing nothing, and feeling rather... awful. Knowing that you don't have anything to do right now, and you want to surf on the web, because there are oh-so many great, interesting websites out there, but you just don't know where to start...
Yet another monthly feature is the answer for this... question? Sounds like a commercial. Whatever. I will post 5 site names (with a small review of them) to keep you from being bored.
My Virtual Model - Who wouldn't want to know how she looks in various dresses, trousers, tops, and other stuff? In addition, you can also see if they fit you (and each other). The site lets you create a model with your height, weight, and make it look the same as you. Awesomeness.
Fail Blog - Is there anyone who doesn't know Fail Blog? If yes, you don't know what you've been missing in your life. To describe it with one word: funny. It is updated frequently, and you can watch some hilarious videos and pictures.
Gluttony 101 (Gaia) - Gluttony 101 is actually a forum created by Gaians, but you don't need to be a member yourself to view the posts. You can find some easy recipes here, and they are divided into 8 categories: Breakfast, Meat, Poultry, Fish, Vegetarian, Ramen, Beverages, and Dessert.
DatingFun.com - "No matter what you are looking for, when it comes to dating, we have you covered! We are your complete dating resource from pick-up to break-up..." A helpful site for all those who are (or not) in love with someone and need some tips.
Free Rice - You donate rice to help end hunger AND you get to learn new things! It's pretty entertaining, and it will make you feel so much better. How cool is that? Besides, there are various subjects, like languages, math, geography, art and chemistry!
And a random article just for today. Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby. ("A 43-year-old Japanese woman whose sudden divorce in a virtual game world made her so angry that she killed her online husband's digital persona has been arrested on suspicion of hacking, police said Thursday.") It's worth reading! Have fun!
Labels: boredom, entertainment, top 5 websites
Becoming a Model
Thursday, October 23, 2008 @ 11:35 AM
This post is dedicated to Mimi in the first place, so let's all cheer for her to be able to reach her dream!
Lots of teenagers want to become a model, but only a few of them understand that they need to work hard, be lucky, wary, strong, and confident, because it's an extremely competitive business, where people can get broken easily.
Advice #1: Be in good health. Do at least one kind of sport, like jogging (improves stamina), or fitness. You can get your own fitness coach and tell him your dreamjob, and how you want your body to look like. Never go on a diet, though. It's just not worth it.
Advice #2: Decide what kind of model you want to be, depending on your bodytype (catwalk model, underwear model, hairmodel, etc.).
Advice #3: Consider joining the drama club and dance class. The skills you gain there might be useful in the future.
Advice #4: Get some photos done. Show off your skills, and give your best. Make more headshot and body shots (and some copies of them). Agencies will appreciate them, and if they see that you are serious about choosing this job, they might decide on you. Professional photography is expensive, but sometimes it's better to stick with it.
Advice #5: Look up some modeling agencies, but again, be careful! Check their sites, gather information about them. Sometimes there are places in malls where you can sign up for a "test" modeling. It basically goes like this: they call you back, you arrive on time to the appointment, they interview you. Then, you go home, and they will most likely call you again, but this time they will take some photos of you (with professional make-up) for a certain amount of money. Thus, your portfolio is created, and you have made the first step towards becoming a model. Easy, huh?
Advice #6: If you are asked to sign a contract, be sure to read every single word of it. Seriously. Take your time going through it.
Advice #7: Even if you get rejected, keep your head up. Remember, modeling is a tough business. Keep looking until you get a (part-time?) job.
So, these were my tips. But if they are not enough, here are eHow.com's! Just to mention some of them:
- Weed out ripoffs such as an agency that hits you with fees before you get work. Many fashion photographers will tell you which agencies take advantage of models. Check with the Better Business Bureau or the office of your state attorney general (see Resources). Watch out for agencies that charge high registration fees, photographers who say you need an expensive portfolio and anyone who pushes sex or nudity.
- Enter a model search if it's sponsored by a well-known agency. Fees vary and you don't want to pay a fortune to enter, but model searches can put you in contact with the right people.
- Go to a modeling convention. These can be expensive to attend, but you'll learn a lot about the field and introduce yourself to several agencies at once.
- Go to modeling school. Some people doubt whether it's worth the money, but you can gain experience.
- Register with a Web site such as Model Scouts (see Resources). Model scouts will see your profile and contact you, if they're interested.
Labels: becoming..., career, jobs, modeling
Improve Your Self Confidence
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 6:09 PM
I have written about a similar topic a while ago, but I don't think that one post will just do it. I want you to become more condifent in yourself, because that's one of the most important things you'll need in life. It's also a 'skill' which you might learn at school, or basically anywhere.
Things to do:
1.) Write done what you want to achieve, what your goals are. Always think about a way to reach them. For example, if you want to dance, look up some dance courses and classes, and add their names and telephone numbers next to it.
2.) Did you know that we all talk to ourselves? Even if we don't realize it. If you have done something "bad", and you became ashamed, we always scold ourselves (unless we have a really positive attitude, which is pretty rare nowadays). Now, silence that voice inside you. Tell it to shut up, and make it fade away. After some time, it will lose its influence on you, and that's another step towards becoming more confident!
3.) Practice good posture! Important, important, important. Take yoga lessons, if needed. (They are pretty awesome, I've done that when I was younger.)
4.) Always look tidy. You should be satisfied with yourself, too, when you look at the mirror. Do you think you need a new haircut? Some make-up? Then do it!
5.) Accept compliments! Never refuse them, that's a bad habit. Instead, smile and say "thank you!". You and the person in question, too will feel better this way.
~ End of Lesson One of "Improve Your Self Confidence". More to come later. ~
Labels: self confidence
Book Review: Where Rainbows End
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 @ 5:21 PM
Tomorrow is my last day before my autumn break! Yay! However... I will need to learn a lot and finish my assignments. Duh. But let's not think about that for now! I might as well go to the hospital to have my arm x-rayed if the pain doesn't go away by tomorrow. My classmate had a surgery about a week ago, because she had arthritis (=inflammation of a joint, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and redness). But probably I'm just overreacting it, so no worries.
Anywho. I used to post a lot on my personal blog (which I don't update too often nowadays, because if I have something on mind, I just simply write my rantings here), and I remember reading Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern. I plan to post at least one book review a month from now on, because there are seriously many books which are purely awesome, and need some adversiting. (Also, my hand and fingers hurt like hell, so I can't write much.)
So, this is what I wrote about the book some months ago!
"I'm done with the book. 'Where rainbows end' was awesome! I was like "wow", when I finished it (about 2 minutes ago - I have been reading it since this morning, when I got up). I just don't know how should I feel about it. It was funny, sad, happy, heart-warming and... amazing! It also leaves me guessing if it's a true story.
I've read the last 130 pages this morning, without taking a break. It's kind of wierd how Alex's and Rosie's circumstances always change, so they can never really tell how they feel about each other... Like fate is against them. I wonder if my life will change the way Rosie's did? She was full of plans, and didn't want to miss her chance when it came to reaching dreams, still, fate was always in her way. Will this happen to me, too? Will I not be able to reach my goals even after learning and fighting for so many years?
I don't want a child. Rosie didn't want one, too, still, she got pregnant at the age of 18. I know what my dream job is, and so did Rosie, still, because of her child, she couldn't get it. It's like... domino effect.
Seriously, I should stop thinking so much. But I must point out that I have too much free time nowadays, so I don't have anything to do except this.
"From naughty children to rebellious teenagers, Rosie and Alex have stuck by each other through thick and thin. But just as as they're discovering the joys of teenage nights on the town and dating disasters, they're separated. Alex's family move from Dublin to America - and Alex goes with them. For good.Rosie's lost without him. But on the eve of her departure to join Alex in Boston, Rosie gets news that will change her life forever - and keep her at home in Ireland.
their magical connection sees them through the ups and downs of each others lives, but neither of them knows whether their friendship can survive the years and miles - or new relationships. And at the back of Rosie's mind is whether they were meant to be more than just good friends all along. Misunderstandings, circumstances and sheer bad luck have kept them apart, but when presented with the ultimate opportunity, will they gamble everything for true love? "
What do I think about the book after some months have passed? I still think it's GREAT! I love it. It will become one of my all-time favourites, for sure. Even my mother read it (although she didn't like it as much as I did, but her reasons were the following: "I think I know why it annoyed me a bit. This books tells us how much Rosie has suffered, and it makes me remember the time of my life when I was in a situation like that. When everything was about to crash around me.") So, make a visit to the library or go to the nearby bookshop is you have some free time, and want something to read.
Labels: book review, entertainment
Humour Keeps Me Alive. How About You?
Monday, October 20, 2008 @ 7:11 PM
Do you know those hospital clowns? I was always sooo scared of them. I guess the whole thing started when I watched a horror movie about toys becoming alive, grabbing knives, and killing people. But no worries, I don't intend to rant about my childish fears! (Not yet.) So, I guess the clows there help a lot for ill people. They distract their attention from their illnesses, and bring some happiness and hope to their troubled lives. I think that's awesome. Anyway, I bet many of you know that laughter is good for your health!
How exactly? "Humor and laughter can cause a domino effect of joy and amusement, as well as set off a number of positive physical effects. Humor and laughter strengthen our immune systems and help us recover from illness, as well as bring joy into our lives."
Laughter activates the chemistry of the will to live and increases our capacity to fight disease. Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers. Some research suggests that laughter may also reduce the risk of heart disease. Historically, research has shown that distressing emotions (depression, anger, anxiety, and stress) are all related to heart disease. A study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh at stressful situations helps mitigate the damaging physical effects of distressing emotions." - HelpGuide
Humour keeps me alive during these tiresome weekdays, when I'm fanatically looking forward to my autumn break, hoping that I can get some rest and regain my strength. Luckily my classmates have got a good sense of humour, and there is a guy, who is always cheerful (unless he's being called to the principal's office) and tells us jokes every day. I think these kind of people are seriously needed in the world. We should look up to them.
There are some funny conversations we have during class (this one was during German lesson).
Teacher: So, would you want to wear a uniform?
Guy in Class: Well, maybe. We should make a T-shirt, with the letters "DNG", so Deutsches Nationalitäten Gefängnis (Gefängnis means Prison), instead of Gymnasium.
Teacher: Why? Is this school like a prison?
*Big silence, everyone looking out the windows*
Guy in Class: Well... can we go out?
Teacher: *wondering what to say, while everyone is laughing* Well, during breaks, you can.
Guy in Class: That's how it goes in prison, as well, right?
Girl in Class: And the food is the same, too...
Teacher: ...that's right.
This may not sound so great written down, but whatever. I think you get it.
(In case you wondered if I'm from Germany, I'm not. I just go to a German bilingual school, where I learn 60% of the subjects in German. Yup.)
Dou you know what are the mental benefits of laughter? (I didn't know there were so many!)
- Humor enhances our ability to affiliate or connect with others.
- Humor helps us replace distressing emotions with pleasurable feelings. You cannot feel angry, depressed, anxious, guilty, or resentful and experience humor at the same time.
- Lacking humor will cause one's thought processes to stagnate leading to increased distress.
- Humor changes behavior – when we experience humor we talk more, make more eye contact with others, touch others, etc.
- Humor increases energy, and with increased energy we may perform activities that we might otherwise avoid.
- Finally, humor is good for mental health because it makes us feel good!
- View your life in context. Even world leaders realize they have limited ability to affect others’ lives. While we might think taking the weight of the world on our shoulders is admirable, in the long run it’s unrealistic, unproductive, unhealthy and even egotistical.
- Be less serious. Realize that while your ambitions may be noble, being overly serious about them weighs you down and lessens your chances for achieving them.
- Deal with your stress. Stress is a major impediment to humor and laughter.
- Dress less seriously.
- Keep a toy on your desk or in your car.
- Laugh at yourself. Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take ourselves less seriously is talk about times when we took ourselves too seriously.
- Pay attention to children and emulate them. They are the experts on playing, taking life lightly, and laughing.
Labels: health, humour, laughter
Balancing Life is Not That Easy...
Sunday, October 19, 2008 @ 10:49 AM
...for many school girls. We have so many things to do and 24 hours a day is just not enough. Going to the hairdresser, hanging out with friends, writing homework, doing chores, extracurricular activities, all these can put pressure on our tender shoulders. Here are today's tips to help you out in this question:
1. Get organized by using a planner. Write down everything (birthdays, special events, assignments, etc.), and be sure to have it with you every day.
2. Help out at home, and don't complain when you need to do a chore. Your parents will rely on and respect you more.
3. Try to get good grades at school. Your future depends on this time of your life, so don't be lazy if you want to achieve your goals.
4. Spend time with your friends and love, but remember that weekends are the best time to do activities together. On weekdays, don't 'force' yourself to hang out for hours if you have to learn much for the next day. I'm sure that they will understand it, if they are your real friends.
5. Always look neat, and care about your appearance. It's important, because people will notice you more.
6. If you have got a part-time job, try to work on weekends (on weekdays you have enough going on, right?), or decide which day is the best for you to do your job. ( I'm trying to get a job right now, and since I can't work on weekends, I decided to work on Fridays - that's the only day when I don't have any after-school activities, and I don't need to learn for the next day).
7. Relax and get enough sleep! I'm sure you don't want to end up as a wreck. Some people say that 6 hours of sleep in enough, and some say that 10 hours is needed. I vote for 8.
Labels: balancing life
Be a Good Sister
Saturday, October 18, 2008 @ 10:03 PM
I think that having a good relationship between your siblings is really important. Siblings can understand you the most (for example, when you had an argument with your parents), and give helpful advice, as well. You can share basically anything with them, even things, which you wouldn't talk about with your parents. But you should also give something in return. You should be a good sister. Wonder how to do that?
First of all, ALWAYS remember your sibling's birthday. It's a must. I bet you would feel quite sad, too, if your brother/sister would forget yours. Buy or make your sibling a nice present (it doesn't have to be expensive, duh!). I bought a Spongebob clock to my brother when he was 17. He loved it, and still treasures it. For his 16th birthday I gave him a pillowcase with a picture of him and me printed on it. Be creative!
Don't lose touch with your sibling! Be sure to listen to their problems, and try to help them out. Talk with them whenever you can, and try not to argue too much. If I have a busy day (which I happen to have often), I still go to my bro's room at night, when I'm done with learning, and ask him how things are going. Even if he is chatting with his friends, he always tells me the important things, and asks my opinion about it. He often comes to me to ask if the clothes he is wearing look good on him, and what tips would I give. I think it's awesome.
I didn't have this good relationship some years ago. We got along, trusted each other, but didn't share every little piece of our lives. Now it's different.
I decided to become a better sister when I was about 11. I wanted to become The Good Sister. For everyone's sake.
When your sibling's friends come over, make popcorn for them, or give them a packet of crips, etc. (In a bowl - be exacting!) You can also make fruit salad, lots of people love that.
Rate of effectiveness: 5/5
Comments: Your siblings and his/her friends will remember you, for sure. They will know that your brother/sister has got That Cute Sister Who is Always So Kind. Pretty worth it.
Don't compete with your sibling. Waste of energy, and your relationship won't get better, either. Also, NEVER lie to them. (I guess we can make white lies an exception.)
If you have got a younger sister or brother, help them out with homework. Explain it to them clearly, but don't tell them the answers to the questions. They have to solve them theirselves.
Try to make lots of activities with them! Go to concerts/cinema together, play sports, things like these. (I go to the cinema every second week with my sisters, and I tell you, it's effective. We make lots of memories, even if it's about sitting in a dark room watching a movie while eating popcorn.)
All in all, becoming your sibling's friend is the key. But you must treasure this kind of friendship, and never ever let it go.
Coding and Graphics - New Blogskin
@ 6:37 PM
New layout/blogskin! Cheers. I don't like this much as the other one I made (basically with the same image, and background, but I couldn't figure out the coding, so I decided to drop that "project"), but... whatever. I guess it's still quite good considering the fact that even altering blogger codes is freaking hard for me, and that putting this together took some hours. Well, not the graphics part. I used an older blend of mine as the header, and the background was made by me, too! Aren't I awesome?
Anywho. When I came home from
This time it was waaay better. I mean, everyone tried to help me, by holding my hands, encouraging me, and telling me that I'm absolutely not bad. It made me feel so good. Even those men/guys, who are basically kind of "security guards on ice" came to me often, and taught me! It was kind of scary and kind at the same time. Anyway, I enjoyed myself! There were some funny conversations between me and V, a guy from my class.
Me: I'm scared!
V: What are you scared of?
Me: Erm.. falling? Making an idiot out of myself?
V: So what if you fall? It doesn't hurt. So what if you make an idiot out of yourself? You are already doing it.
Me: Well, thanks. *almost falls, grabs V's arm strongly*
V: You know, if you grab my arm like that, I'll fall, too.
Me: So what if you fall? It doesn't hurt! Isn't that so?
V: Thanks for reminding me...
Or.
*Me snaps to the wall of the rink*
V: Are you alive?
Me: *no answer*
V: You are like my cat. If she needs something, she goes "Meow!". If she wants to 'complain' about something she goes "Meow!". But if she gets into water, she goes... "Meooooooooooooooooow!"
Me: It's not my fault in the first place, that the guard guy took me to the middle of the rink, which is like an enormous sea for me.
V: *looks at me*
Me: Meow?
V: What are you scared of?
Me: Erm.. falling? Making an idiot out of myself?
V: So what if you fall? It doesn't hurt. So what if you make an idiot out of yourself? You are already doing it.
Me: Well, thanks. *almost falls, grabs V's arm strongly*
V: You know, if you grab my arm like that, I'll fall, too.
Me: So what if you fall? It doesn't hurt! Isn't that so?
V: Thanks for reminding me...
Or.
*Me snaps to the wall of the rink*
V: Are you alive?
Me: *no answer*
V: You are like my cat. If she needs something, she goes "Meow!". If she wants to 'complain' about something she goes "Meow!". But if she gets into water, she goes... "Meooooooooooooooooow!"
Me: It's not my fault in the first place, that the guard guy took me to the middle of the rink, which is like an enormous sea for me.
V: *looks at me*
Me: Meow?
All in all, I'm glad that I went! Ice-skating rocks. (Too bad that I fail at it, but, oh well!)
Edit: As I mentioned, the blend was done like... a year (?) ago, so I don't know exactly which sites to credit for the brushes and pictures. If you think I have used yours, please write an e-mail/comment, and I will put your name and site in the Credits section.
Future Career - Lesson Two
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 @ 8:52 PM
Today's lesson will be short and compendious, because
So, I will make an exception for today, and just simply paste some useful information and credit the sites. I'll also add my ideas, don't worry. (And later, if I get the job, I might provide you with my very own pieces of advice!)
"Internships are a great way to gain real world experience while you’re still in school. Most internships are unpaid in monetary terms, but most, if not all, offer course credits. Besides the credits, having an internship can be a huge payoff in the long run. Not only will you have practical experience in your chosen field, but your prospective employer will see that you are focused, serious, and determined about your career path; a winning combination in anyone’s book." - LoveToKnow
"Start by building up some type of work or volunteer experience that does not require a resume. For example, get involved volunteering at a homeless shelter or as part of a school activity. Or look for one of the many jobs that don't require a written resume, such as babysitting, camp counselor, retail sales, and some types of restaurant work or administrative assistance. Why is this important? Because to apply for a professional internship or job, you need a resume, and your resume should include a work or volunteer experience section. Also, remember that just by holding down a job--even one that seems totally unrelated to your future career goals--you are showing future employers that you have enough responsibility to show up on time every day, not get in fights, etc.
Write a resume, including your educational background (if any), your work and volunteer activities, interests, etc. When writing about your experience, keep your points concise but be sure to quantify them. Make sure to emphasize any skills that might be related to the job or internship you want in the future. Most importantly, make sure you can be reached easily by phone or email. Make sure your voicemail message and email address are professional, and check them often. If you live with roommates or family, alert them that you are job hunting and your messages are of utmost importance-- or just put your cell phone number on your resume.
Search for internship or job opportunities. Good sources are various websites, networking with your friends, family, acquaintances, etc., professional associations and organizations in your chosen profession etc. If you attend a college, your school may have a career center with job or internship listings just for the students of your school--don't overlook such resources. People in other situations, such as mid-career professionals wanting to switch careers, may want to focus on the networking route more specifically. Some nonprofit organizations can also help people with special situations, such as people who are unemployed, who have disabilities, or homemakers returning to the (paid) workforce." - WikiHow
Be persistent, even if you get rejected more than once. So what? Problems are made to
When they call you, arrive on time for the interview, and if you get the job which you applied for, think about whether you really want it (think about the following: Do you have enough time in your hands? Or energy? Will you be able to do your best?), and if you are not sure, ask the employer for some more time to decide.
Labels: career, future, internship
Getting A Simple Job
Saturday, October 11, 2008 @ 8:41 PM
Right now, I'm searching for a simple job, which I can do at weekends. During weekdays, I have to learn, so... let's skip those days, if possible. My mother is seriously against it, but I just need money for new clothes (about 60% of my clothes are outworn already!), for dance class, hair dresser, and so on... and I can't blame my mother for being a teacher and not getting high payment. Not to mention the fact, that we are moving soon, and we just bought some new furnitures, which, we all know, cost much.
"Dan was really mad at me, because I couldn't give him much pocket money."
"I see." But actually, I'm in need of it, too, but I just couldn't ask for more.
"You know, this whole moving, paying the bills, buying the furnitures, and everything... the prices are going up fast, you know!"
"I know. But I'll need to sign up for dance class tomorrow, and I need to pay for it, too..."
"I remember. That will be another problem in the future... maybe I'll need to deduct it from your pocket money."
"Don't worry, I'm looking for a part-time job right now. I can give out leaflets at weekends, and that might be some help."
"What are you talking about? You need to learn. And anyway, there's no way I would allow you to spend hours alone around wierd and dangerous people!"
"I don't need your approval. I'm over 16. Get over it."
This is pretty much how it went. Awkward. But I'm not like Dan, my brother. When I need something, I always find a way to get it, and normally, I do everything on my own. I remember the first time, when I decided to highlight my hair. I was always telling my mother that one day, I'll do it, but she just didn't take me serious. So, when I went home with a new hairstyle, she was REALLY surprised. But she didn't get mad. Instead, she was smiling.
So, I already registered myself to a student employment system, and I'm going to call them on Monday. Please cheer for me! I want to get a/the job. Even if it's a miserable one.
My step-dad asked me if I was serious about the whole thing, and told me that he can give me money, if that's what I need, but I shouldn't tell my mother, or she'll get upset. No thanks, I want to do this relying on myself. I'm a school girl, who is on her way to growing up.
Labels: family, jobs, rima, work
Thoughts, Ideas and Updates
Friday, October 10, 2008 @ 10:13 PM
I don't want to go to sleep, yet, it's only 10:13 p.m.! And I also wanted to check the site of an exhibition called "Bodies". The main idea of it is this: "Bodies… The Exhibition showcases meticulously dissected real human body specimens that are preserved through an innovative process and respectfully presented, giving visitors the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of their own organs and systems."
Sounds either interesting or gross for everyone. But I want to see it! Unfortunately, my classmates would never come with me to check out human bodies, because they would most likely throw up. Well, yeah... I wouldn't go there eating a slice of pizza, either, but who cares? I want to see how my body works. Or... something like that.
Also, I plan to make a "Visits" section, where I will link the sites I often (?) comment on. I guess the blog must take some steps forward. But! Babysteps, babysteps. I'm not a fan of networking and commenting because I have to. Thus, I visit sites which seem to be nice and creative, read their blogs/posts, and comment if I feel like I have something to tell. Or just want to leave a sign that I was there, and I appreciate their work, because it amazes me.
I don't make any sense, do I? That's what you get if you are not from a country where they speak English, but still try to create a blog where you write in this language, because you are a fan of it, want to improve yourself, and help as many girls as possible. I'm a freak, yes. I guess I'm going to spend my mid-term break with a) trying to figure out how to make my very own layout for the blog b) read dictionaries and study useful expressions in English. I always get the feeling that grammatically I fail.
Edit: I guess there will be three or two lessons about choosing your future career. Not sure, yet. Oh, and also! I might write a summary about the posts I've written at the end of each month, and review which were the most popular (based on feedback,
Future Career - Lesson One
Thursday, October 9, 2008 @ 10:14 PM
When I was younger I wanted to be a zoologist and work for National Geographic as a journalist besides that. (I was serious about this. It seemed to be an approachable plan. Even though I didn't care much about Biology.) Then, I wanted to become a writer. I still want to write a book in my life, so that's something I really want to reach, no matter what. I didn't want to be a model or an actress, because I knew that I just didn't have the skills and required characteristics for those. (Wow, I was a pretty sharp kid, wasn't I?)
Finding your dream career can be quite difficult, but... I'm here to help. (: Or give you some ideas on the topic.
First of all, do you have any special talents, which you could use in your future job? (For example, if you are cheerful and a people-person, then you would make a good teacher! Probably.) Think about the activities you enjoy and the subjects you like at school, and make a list of possible jobs, which may suit you.
If you already know what you want to do, read information about it and ask people who have got that certain job. What are the negative and positive sides of it? Ask those people to give you tips and share some tricks/their experiences about it.
You can also go to a guidance counselor. To be honest, I've never talked with one. Yet.
"You and your guidance counselor can sit down and discuss your school career thus far. He or she will have access to your records and will be able to give you an objective opinion on your future plans. Be sure to:
- Come armed with a lot of questions.
- Don’t be shy and speak up if you disagree.
- Ask for the counselor’s opinion and really listen to their answer.
- Don’t get discourage if you hear something you don’t like. Many, many people have been told by a guidance counselor to go down one career path, only to end up on a completely different career path.
- All final decisions are up to you. This is very important and bears remembering." - LovesToKnow
Wierd Question Number One - Dating
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 @ 6:28 PM
From now on, I plan to post a wierd, random question about basically anything that's on my mind every once in a while. So, about every two weeks, or maybe it will be a monthly "feature" to make things a bit more interesting.
Here's the first one: Would you go out with yourself if you would belong to the other gender (but your 'current' self would exist, as well)?
Personally, I wouldn't. I would argue too much with myself, and "we" would eventually get bored of each other. But we could be great friends. You know, the other me would be like a gay friend. (I'm not schizophrenic, just for the record).
So, these are my main reasons. But what are yours, if you chose the same answer as me? Do you think you miss something important as a lover? (*Raises hand* I do. I just can't stay with the same person for more than 6 months. Which doesn't mean I'm a slut, but things still get complicated thanks to this... erm, characteristic of mine.) Do you think you would/could change this for the sake of love? Or do you have other reasons?
Well, this turned out to be a rather short post, but whatever. At least I did write something today! (Because honestly, I'd love to post everyday, but that's absolutely impossible for me, since my life is getting pretty busy - because of my doings. But I just can't leave things as they are, leading a robotic lifestyle, so doing the same things everyday makes me sick!)
Labels: dating, wierd questions
Want To Relax After a Long Day?
Monday, October 6, 2008 @ 6:18 PM
Have you ever felt that you are absolutely drained and don't have any energy left? Well, I certainly have. (And way too often.) Anyway, if you haven't - good for you. I envy you, seriously. But if you've got the same answer as me, then here are some pretty ordinary, yet helpful tips on how to relax after a tiresome day.
1. Make a bubble bath! Bath bombs and bathing salts can be a great way to gain some energy. And besides, it's also good for your body - softens skin! (And who doesn't want soft skin?)
2. Listen to calm, relaxing music. Not hard rock or something like that. (Although I'm a big fan of hard rock, just for the record.) You should make a playlist/collection of classical music, like Vivaldi, Beethoven, Chopin, etc. But if you don't like these, you can also listen to movies' soundtracks (like Lord of The Ring, Narnia), which are kind of slow. Enya is also one of my favourites, when it comes to relaxing.
4. Eat food. You gain energy from eating. Makes sense, right? But! "Sugar and caffeine are your enemies, as they both cause severe ups and downs, upsetting your body's ability to regulate energy. Instead of sugary, carbohydrate loaded snacks (like cookies or granola bars), eat fresh fruits and whole grain breads or crackers (sugar-free). Make sure you get plenty of low-calorie protein, like that found in chicken, fish, whole grains, beans, dark leafy vegetables, or low-fat dairy."
5. Do yoga. It's really healthy! If you don't know where to start, visit a course.
6. Imagine that you are somewhere else. Fantasize about anything you want!
7. Find a quiet place, where you can relax - for example your room. But you can also go out and walk or swim, these help a lot, too.
8. Do activites that relax you. So, basically, your hobbies. Draw, play on an instrument, sew, etc.
And now, let's move on to my daily (?) ranting. I'm starting to get the feeling that people are actually reading the blog, already. When I got my first comment, I was really surprised. Which is ridiculous, I know. But I'm happy! So thanks, everyone.
Self Defense and Pepper Spray
Friday, October 3, 2008 @ 7:42 PM
I remember my father telling that he would get me a pepper spray for self defense, if I wanted. I replied, "Wow, that's a great idea, but I'll see how I'll do without that for a while, ok? If I'm in need of it, I'll definitely make you buy one for me, so no worries." Even though I'm quite afraid to go out at night, because a) I'm afraid of darkness b) there are lots of evil people out there.
By the way, I didn't know that pepper sprays look so sexy. I thought that they were more... wierd. They seem to be similar to a giant lipstick or a big bottle of perfume. Uber cool.Anyway. I'm not really good at giving advice about using these small (?) weapons of usefulness, so I'll just paste some information about them. Maybe I can convince you to carry these, so if you get in an awkward situation, you will be able to protect others and yourselves.
"Pepper spray, a non-lethal and easy to use self-defense method, works well as protection against thieves, drunks and other miscreants. It causes tearing, irritation and temporarily blinds the victim when sprayed in the eyes. The natural, chili-derived ingredients in pepper spray make it a comfortable self-defense choice for many people, who shy away from the harsh chemical compounds in other self-defense sprays." (Note: Actually, salt works the same way, so if you don't want to buy one, just be sure to have some salt with you - for example from fastfood restaurants!)
How To Use Pepper Spray:
Step 1
Carry your pepper spray in a convenient place, like your pants or jacket pocket. Don't store it in a purse compartment or any place where you need to waste precious seconds trying to find it so you can use it.
Step 2
Scream "Stop" or another word or phrase to distract the perpetrator. This enables you to start spraying without his knowledge.
Step 3
Bend your knees slightly and balance your body evenly on both feet when you use the pepper spray. Raise the canister at least 6 inches in front of your body and aim at the assailant's face.
Step 4
Target the assailant at close range so none of the pepper spray will hit thin air or material objects. Fire only when you are ready.
Step 5
Aim the pepper spray at the assailant's face or directly in their eyes. Keep your focus on the victim's head and keep the stream flowing steadily.
Step 6
Fan your canister as you use the spray. Release the spray in a side-to-side motion while still aiming at the face and eye area for increased chance of incapacitating the assailant.
Step 7
Spray the victim with a second burst, then move away. Keep your eyes on the threat and spray again if necessary. Remember that pepper spray takes a few seconds to work, so don't release a second shot too quickly.
Big hug goes for: eHow.com
Step 1
Carry your pepper spray in a convenient place, like your pants or jacket pocket. Don't store it in a purse compartment or any place where you need to waste precious seconds trying to find it so you can use it.
Step 2
Scream "Stop" or another word or phrase to distract the perpetrator. This enables you to start spraying without his knowledge.
Step 3
Bend your knees slightly and balance your body evenly on both feet when you use the pepper spray. Raise the canister at least 6 inches in front of your body and aim at the assailant's face.
Step 4
Target the assailant at close range so none of the pepper spray will hit thin air or material objects. Fire only when you are ready.
Step 5
Aim the pepper spray at the assailant's face or directly in their eyes. Keep your focus on the victim's head and keep the stream flowing steadily.
Step 6
Fan your canister as you use the spray. Release the spray in a side-to-side motion while still aiming at the face and eye area for increased chance of incapacitating the assailant.
Step 7
Spray the victim with a second burst, then move away. Keep your eyes on the threat and spray again if necessary. Remember that pepper spray takes a few seconds to work, so don't release a second shot too quickly.
Big hug goes for: eHow.com
Labels: self defense
Blondes vs. Brunettes
Wednesday, October 1, 2008 @ 5:32 PM
Did you know that blonde hair and blue eyes are both caused by mutations? I first read this in National Geographic. Yeah, besides Joy and Glamour, I do read some scientific magazines. Although I'm blonde. And blondes are stupid, right? Well, I learn 14 hours a day and read National Geographic. I guess I'm not a complete idiot, after all?
I'
m so sick of stereotypes. Like brunettes are clever, redheads are hot, and blondes are just hopeless. Especially those, who dyed their hair this colour. My hair is naturally kind of brownish, but I decided to change it last year, because I knew that blonde would suit me, too, since I had this hair colour until I was 10.I think personality is what matters, after all, because even if you change the colour of your hair, your inner-self will stay the same. It doesn't give you a certain personality or attitude, but you might gain some self-confidence thanks to it. So don't judge a book by it's cover, SGs!
Always keep this in mind: "I am not my hair, I am the soul that lives within." - India Arie