5 Easy Handmade Gift Ideas

I know it's a little early for Christmas, but I'm really feeling bad for not posting at all. Also, I'm planning to go all-handmade this year as far as Christmas gifts are concerned, so I'll need some time to plan everything out. My family is going on a trip to visit my cousins in Virginia this year. Both of my cousins are cute little girls, and I wanted to gift them something just as adorable as them. You'll find a couple girly ideas in this list, but you can customize them for any cute kid in your life.

Source: christmaslightsofarizona.com

1. Surprise Gift Balls

This first gift is pretty simple - all you need is some crepe paper and little knickknacks. This makes a fun gift or stocking stuffer for anyone on your list.

2. Basic Zipper Pouch

This one requires a sewing machine, but not too much skill. I'm not a sewing whiz—I'm actually pretty bad at sewing— but this tutorial seems relatively easy and not too time-consuming. In addition, it can be easily customized to suit your taste or the taste of the recipient.

3. Lemon Soap

I love all things lemon—I've even tried lemon salt!—and this soap is something anyone who likes warm baths or showers will adore. The recipe takes about ten minutes, and it takes an hour for the bars to cool and harden. This makes a great Mother's Day gift, too.

4. Flower Hair Clips

Any little girl would be absolutely delighted to receive these felt flower hair clips. They require minimal materials and take only a few minutes to make.

5. Magnetic Paper Dolls

These paper dolls are small, fun, and are easily stored in a little metal tin. I was planning this gift for my four-year-old cousin, who loves dolls and pretend play. A sweet gift for any little girl!

Five Days in Yosemite National Park

Recently, my seventh grade class and I went on a field trip to Yosemite National Park. Even before we actually entered the park, we could see the huge rock formations from the bus windows. The park itself was breathtaking, and we saw numerous types of deer, birds, and of course, trees. What made this trip even more special was that the day we left home was my birthday! I had a variety of new and memorable experiences, but I learned some things about others that were not all positive. Despite some low moments, the trip was, overall, an enriching experience.

Our English teacher, who came with us on the trip, made it an assignment to write a letter about our time there. It's not a letter that I actually sent, but it's written to my aunt. I removed her address for privacy purposes. Please do not plagiarize.

© Riya Kalra 2014

1114 Curry Village,

Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

November 21, 2014

Monica Kumar

[insert address here]

Dearest Monica,

I hope you are doing well. I was delighted to see all of the wonderful pictures of Europe you captured. By the time you receive this letter, I will have just returned from my seventh grade field trip to Yosemite National Park. The twenty-first, today, is my last day here. I can smell the pine trees and hear the faint twittering of birds. To be honest, I never thought I would learn so much--about nature and myself--in less than a week. The valley is home to bountiful resources and wildlife; however, the repercussions of humans and their carbon footprints do not bode well for the valley. The fresh air, the towering trees, the citadels of rock and the starry night sky all contributed to the relaxing but invigorating experience.

In just five days, I realized just how much there was to learn. Of course, I learned fascinating facts about the environment. The valley itself was carved out by the Merced River and the glacier that passed through. The enormity of the rock formations is truly awe-inspiring. One can imagine faces and objects in the rock, much like cloud watching. I bet you didn't know that the viceroy butterfly looks like the monarch, however it is not poisonous. It uses this for defense from predators. All those times I think that I’ve seen a monarch butterfly, I may have just been witnessing the ingenuity of nature! Another way an animal uses mimicry is how the mourning dove mimics the Great Horned Owl's cry. This must help to scare away potential predators. Isn't it amazing how nature comes together smoothly and beautifully so that all beings can coexist peacefully?

Our trail group leader, April, engaged us in various activities, hikes, and games that furthered our understanding of nature. A few of the games we played were camouflage, tanks, and hug-a-tree. Playing camouflage involved prey and predators; April was the prey and we students were the predators. We had to stay out of sight while keeping an eye on the prey, just like animals in the wild hunt for food. On the first day, we took a solo hike through Leidig Meadow. Each person started hiking a minute before and after another so that we had ample time to contemplate and enjoy the surroundings. Unfortunately, April caught a cold, so we had a new leader, Jacqueline, or “Jack”, for two days. She took us on the most strenuous hike, the hike to Columbia Point, also known as the “Challenge Hike”. Steep switchbacks, slippery rocks, wind, and some rain made it difficult to hike as well as have lunch. The hike was not devoid of new experiences; I chased my first coyote (I used a natural restroom)! I am also now a part of the “hardcore” club, meaning I ate an entire apple, core and stem and all.

I must sign off now. The bus will depart after breakfast. I can’t wait to see you, but at the same time, I will miss Yosemite and all its natural wonders.

Over the river and through the woods,

Riya

We Demand Respect!

Elizabeth Blackwell. Susan B. Anthony. Marie Curie. Malala Yousafzai. What do these names mean to you? They are the trailblazers who, despite the fact that they are female, made outstanding achievements. 

Nowadays, the news is all about abduction, rape, suicide, etc. It is saddening to think that women are disrespected in such a way on an everyday basis. In addition, there are villages in India where as soon as it is discovered that a baby will be a girl, her parents will have an abortion. Their reason? When their daughter will be married, their family will have to pay a dowry, which they often cannot afford. Boys will also take care of their parents in old age, according to tradition. According to thedailybeast.com, "China’s famous patriarchal system and history of infanticide and abandonment in favor of baby boys, responsible for millions of “lost girls” and an unbalanced sex ratio that will leave an estimated 30 million adult Chinese men unmarried by 2020."

Here are some inspirational stories:

http://www.redbrigade-lucknow.com/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/molly-melching/women-who-inspire-and-sur_b_4959022.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/04/laura-cobb-talking-stroke-aphasia-_n_4378245.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/30/malala-money-gaza-schools_n_6077134.html?cps=gravity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-fender/women-who-inspire-materna_b_4950898.html