iPad 2

On Tuesday, Apple will be releasing the iPad 2. The first iPad was released earlier this year. It is a touch-screen tablet on which one can read books, check their e-mail, and surf the web. The new iPad has a camera, and a very cool feature on the new iPad, called Facetime, allows for one to video chat with other iPad users or iPhone users. My mom’s birthday is coming up, and for her birthday my dad and I thought that the new iPad would be a great gift for her! She travels on business a lot, and it would be nice for her to have so she can watch movies, and check her e-mail while she is overseas. Also, we would be able to Facetime with her! I’m very excited to see her open it up! What do you think of the new iPad? 

Academy Awards

As many of you know, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards are coming up.  Personally, I am a very big movie watcher, and I am very excited! Last year, while I was watching the Academy Awards, I had wished that I had gone to see more of the movies that had been nominated. This year, I noticed that many of the movies are still in theaters so I wanted to see them before the awards. Plus, both my favorite actress and my favorite actor (Natalie Portman, and James Franco) stared in two of the movies nominated. While I was looking up the movies, I noticed that almost all of the movies that are in theaters and were nominated are rated "R".  This was very frustrating to me, because my mom does not usually mind if I watch rated "R" movies, but by law, I cannot see them without an adult in theatres. This also became very irritating when my friends and I wanted to plan a movie night, but we realized that all the movies that appealed to us were rated "R". How do you feel about the Academy Awards nominations? I hope that next year more PG-13 movies are nominated!

Making Apple Pie

A picture of the pie I made

I have always thought that apple pies are difficult to make.  I never really understood how to make them and I had never tried. Over the thanksgiving break, I had to make an apple pie for my foods class, and the hardest part was making the crust! I was so pleasantly surprised on how easy it was! It only took an hour and a half prep time, and I thought it would take the whole day. I also had to cut up 5 apples, which took majority of the time. I thought that the filling was actually jelly plus the apples, but it turns out that you only put butter and sprinkle a sugar mixture over the apples. I thought it was very fun, and I would recommend any new bakers to try it!

Morning Glory

Last weekend I saw a really great movie called Morning Glory. It starred Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton. Occasionally with a really great cast like that, the movie doesn’t quite live up to the expectations, as you would think walking into the theater. This movie, however, exceeded every expectation I had for it. I actually didn’t pick out this movie, but my friend did. I had asked her to pick the movie, because I was really busy during the day and did not have time to look online. I was then informed in the car that we were going to see this movie.  I was pleasantly surprised when the movie began. It was uproarious and lovely, and I very much enjoyed it. The movie was about a girl, who got a job as the producer of an early-morning show with a bad reputation, and she had to turn the show around or it would be cancelled. I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for a nice romantic comedy.  

Favorite Pastimes

An "artsy" photo of Crayons

Everyone has a guilty pleasure, some extremely embarrassing, and some just eating raw cookie dough from the tub. I’ve come to realize that many young adults have a secret pastime but as they grow older, they tend to grow out of it. For example, one of my best friends used to be sickeningly attached to a childish cartoon on Nickelodeon. I won’t lie, I liked the show too, but she was obsessed. Everyday before and after school she would watch it. She had all the seasons, and we would watch it on Saturday nights at sleepovers. Over that summer I went to camp, and when I got back she had already grown out of it. Maybe she didn’t like watching it without me, or maybe she just got bored from watching reruns. (The show had stopped airing.) I’m not really sure what happened. At the moment, I am not really into any television shows. This, however, changes frequently. I’ve noticed that all too often, my sense of style and fascination in different subjects change. For instance, right now I love coloring with crayons. From time to time, I collect some paper and my 64 crayons and just draw. It is very elementary, but I love it. It’s so easy to just let it all out on paper. I guess what I am trying to say, is that everyone has a guilty pleasure, but it is constantly changing. I'm sure that in a few months, I won't find coloring as nearly exciting as it is right now. What is your guilty pleasure?

Halloween

Halloween is the best holiday besides Christmas. I love all the festive cheer, and how my family gets very into the whole process. My mom makes a goody bag for each kid, and she loves it. I answered the door a few times this year, and I can understand why. The kids love the candy and it really hypes their spirits up. I also love all the costumes. It’s so fun to dress up and be whoever you want to be for a whole day, and no one will judge you. This year, I dressed up as a nerd. On any other day of the year, my attire would have been ridiculous, but many people complemented me on costume.  I also love scary movies, and it seems to be that many television stations seem to play horror movies in October than any other month of the year. As you can tell from my opening statement, I love Christmas. The day after Halloween, is the day that the Christmas season starts in my household. This is nice for me, since I don’t get sad that Halloween is already over and I focus more on the upcoming holiday season. 

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga wearing a "Kermit the Frog" outift

Personally, I find that Lady Gaga is an inspiration in many more ways than one. Not only does she have good music, she is not afraid to wear what she wants and she’s not afraid to express herself. She seems like such a fun and energetic person. I love how she can look insane, but at the same time I wish I could pull of her look. I’m sure that she is changing the fashion industry as we know it. Lady Gaga has to among the most influential people in America, and yet most people don’t acknowledge her on a daily basis whatsoever. If someone mentions Lady Gaga in your math class or at work, it is not really out of the ordinary. She has become almost a regular part of our lives. For me, it’s hard to imagine that she is a real, living breathing person. She almost seems like a television character or something. She grew up in New York City, and went to a Catholic High School and now everyone in America knows her name. Do you think that Lady Gaga is very influential?

Do you like Lady Gaga in general?