Holiday Gift Guide (under $20!)

Holiday season is right around the corner, so it's time to start looking for Christmas gifts. So I've compiled a short list of some cute, inexpensive items (and DIY's!) that you might even be tempted to add to your own wish list!

DIY Lace Earrings

The perfect gift for the sophisticated lady in your life. 

"A Map of the Introvert's Heart" Pillow

Introverts will appreciate your thoughtfulness! 

DIY Modern Cake Stand

For someone with great baking skills. Or it might inspire you to start baking, too (if you don't bake already)!

Cute Monkey Dusting Mitt

This adorable sock monkey will encourage kids (or even adults!) to clean up after themselves.

Cozy Holiday Socks

Who doesn't love a vibrant pair of holiday socks?

Kid-Size Cute Holiday Socks

More cute socks, but for tiny feet. :)

Bubble Scrubber

Blow bubbles while doing the dishes! Perfect for little people with a short attention span, but mainly just for fun.

Ceramic Baby Sloth Bowl

A unique and equally adorable bowl to keep rings, candies, or other small items.

Soap or Lip Balm from SoapsByRiya

Holiday sale! Items are more than half off. Give the gift of beautiful skin.

Picture Frame Nesting Dolls

Add a personal touch to a mantle or shelf with these cute nesting dolls!

Wham-O Hamper Hoop

Have fun putting away laundry by shooting hoops with it! 

NOTE: All image credit goes to the websites listed for each item.

Click the item's name for the link to purchase it.

10 Amazing DIY's That'll Make Life Better

Yeah, it's been forever. But I have 10 amazing DIY's for you, and hopefully you'll forgive me.

Here we go.


1. Milk Jug Sandwich Keeper

Upcycle a milk jug into a handy sandwich keeper!


2. Duct Tape Bookmark

Make this super easy bookmark to keep your place in that captivating novel you can't put down. Actually, go ahead and make more!


3. Crocheted Sea Creatures

If you're crafty and love a good challenge, try these adorable crochet sea creatures! For more gorgeous crochet projects, check out this link.

4. Carry-All Laptop Bag

Carry your iPad, tablet, or laptop with you everywhere you go, without the hassle of tangled wires and pens and pencils falling everywhere.

5. Woven Chain Bracelet

Make this classy, metallic, but colorful bracelet and wear it, too!

6. Travel Pillow

This adorable DIY pillow will lull you to sleep whenever you're traveling. Plus, adjust the template to your comfort. Perfect for all ages!

7. Earbud Organizer

We all know the struggle of having tangled earbuds or trying to cram them into a pocket. Well, this easy case will solve those problems. Say hello to tangle-free music.

8. Gold Tube Bracelets

Made with just two basic components, these bracelets will up your accessory game.

9. Letter Bookends

Create these personalized bookends to brighten up your bookshelf!

10. Candy Jars

Basically all you need for this is spray paint, some old jars, and wooden knobs. You can really use these jars for anything, and they'll look nice on a counter top while still being functional.

Happy Crafting!

NOTE: Picture credit goes to the website linked for each DIY.

Introducing SoapsByRiya!

This post explains what inspired me to open SoapsByRiya, and why you should be buying natural skincare products rather than drugstore brands.

So...I already posted on Google+ about this, but I just wanted to draw your attention to the Etsy widget I added to my blog. You can see it under my profile on the sidebar. Look to the right of the page. Yeah.

Basically I started this shop to share my new-found love of handmade soaps and lip balms with other people. I just think they make adorable gifts, but they're still a nice change from drugstore products. I try to make sure all my soap bars are sulfate-free (if they're not, it will say so in the description).

Sodium lauryl sulfate (sulfate for short) is a chemical found in many soaps, shampoos, and conditioners you can buy at most drugstores or grocery stores. It is added to create lather, which is the foam that comes off the soap bar when you use it. However, it isn't good for your skin, neither is it good for the environment when it goes down the drain. For this reason, it's better to buy handmade or sulfate-free soaps.

Any colorants added to soaps are free of irritants, chemicals, and additives. Natural color is used whenever possible. Lip balms I sell are not colored. Any color present comes from the pure essential oil that is added. Essential oil comes directly from a fruit, herb, or plant. No fake stuff. All my soaps are non-toxic, but please, don't eat them. It's just not a good idea.

Some soap bars, such as the Lavender Soap Bar (see image below), contain real herbs. These herbs are not preserved or altered in anyway from their natural state.

Please check it out at Etsy - SoapsByRiya.

NOTE: My mom is the legal owner of the shop and helps me out from time to time, but I create and photograph all the products you see in my shop.

Like, comment, and share if you like what you see!

Feedback and constructive criticism is definitely appreciated and encouraged! :) 

Lavender Soap Bar

Lavender and Peppermint Body Bar

The Extrovert's Guide To Introverts

The idea for this post did not spring from a specific occurrence, but rather multiple events since I was really little kid that brought me to the conclusion that some people maybe just need a bit of guidance. Just a little bit.


So here's a list of do's and don'ts to put you on the right track to understanding and fostering friendships with introverts.

DO'S

• If you think we're feeling sad/upset, ask us how we're doing. We'll probably respond, "Fine." Proceed to give us a hug and tell us everything will be alright. (Note: If you are the cause of our "anguish", then apologize first! Duh...)
• Invite us to parties and other events. Even if we don't come, we'll feel included.
• If you like something we're wearing, or maybe the way we did something differently, compliment it. You'll be on our good side, and it'll boost our self-esteem.
• Introduce us to all your friends. We're too shy to do that on our own.
• Come and talk to us! Most of us are really interesting if you give us a chance. The quietest people have the loudest minds...

DON'TS

• If we are reading a book, we clearly do not want to talk to you. Don't ask us what we're reading and then proceed to spoil the ending. It's rude.
• Not all babies are extroverts. Don't touch them with dirty hands, and don't make scary faces and loud noises at them. They will not always like it.
• Don't comment on something we wore or did just because it's not something you would have worn or done. We're probably trying really hard to "fit in", and you're making it harder.
• Don't assume things when we snap at you or grumble at you. We're probably just having a bad day. Leave us alone. Or, even better, say, "Okay, I get it," smile, and walk away.
• Don't decide not to invite us to things just because you think it's not "our thing". We feel super left out, paranoid, and like everyone is hanging out without us.
• Don't judge us. And don't even bother arguing about whether we are actually introverts, just shy, or passive-aggressive. We won't respond to you.
• Don't jump to conclusions about us. We're all different and unique. We're not antisocial. We're just a little on the shy side.

But most of all, just be nice to us. We can be really supportive and loyal if we feel like it. Be patient, and we'll be your friends. Oh, yeah. And everybody loves to talk about themselves. So ask questions, and we'll probably open up to you in no time.

YAY! Now using your new-found knowledge, go make some new friends! 

How To Get Into College

How do I get into my dream school without taking a dozen AP's and being the president of eight clubs? That's quite a common question asked by young people today. But what if there was a way you could get into a better college than all your friends but still live life to the fullest?

I've been loving this book by Cal Newport, called How To Be A High School Superstar. It explains "a revolutionary plan to get into college by standing out (without burning out)".

Check it out here:
http://calnewport.com/books/high-school-superstar/

The book tells the stories of multiple students with average grades but not-so-average personalities.

Paraphrased from How To Be A High School Superstar:

          Let's use the example of Kara. In 2004, Kara visited a college counselor at an elite Bay Area private high school. The counselor flipped through a file containing Kara's details, and concern flashed across her face. "So, how are your grades going to be this semester?" the counselor asked.
          "Not as good as I hoped, probably some B's," Kara answered.
         Glancing down at the list of schools where Kara wanted to apply, the counselor asked, "Stanford has a ten percent acceptance rate. Do you know what that means?"
          Hesitatingly, Kara ventured, "One in ten get in?"
          "No. It means nine in ten get rejected. What makes you think you're better than nine other people?" Before Kara could respond, the counselor said pleadingly, "Kara, Stanford doesn't take students with B's."
          Kara's best friend Elizabeth was quite the opposite. She took so many AP's she might have broken the state record, and she even dropped a class because she got a B on the first quiz, and that decreased her chances of an A as a final grade. She also stayed away from classes that required creativity or natural ability, only caring about classes where she could attain an A by just raw effort.
          But Kara stayed true to herself, and when it came time to apply, she scraped together enough money to apply to twenty-one schools, as her dad refused to pay for that many schools.
          "I was freaked out that I wasn't going to get in anywhere," she recalls.
          But she did get in. In fact, she got into twenty out of twenty-one schools she applied to, including MIT, Caltech, Columbia, Cornell, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, and, of course, Stanford.
     How did Kara shatter the unshakable confidence of the regular stressed-out students who thought stress is the only way to stand out? She was a "relaxed superstar".

          Relaxed superstars are students who live relaxed and happy lives. The topic of college admissions doesn't dominate their lives, which gives them more time to do things that will actually matter in the application process. Cal Newport notes, "Perhaps the most striking trait of these students is their happiness. Spending time with them, I have been astonished by how much they seemed to enjoy their lives."

Moral of the story: Do what makes you happy. Be genuinely interesting. Don't shut down your inner voice. And when it comes time to apply, you'll breeze through the admissions process like a superstar.

Part 3: The Serpent

Yes, it's been, like, forever. So why don't we jump right into Part 3 of the adventures of Zenith Whytheblanc as he prepares to find out the truth about the strange young girl.

Before you read Part 3...

Part 1: The Storm
Part 2: Zenith


          The door creaked open. Zenith stepped inside, glancing carefully about him. The shed seemed to be constructed of corrugated iron. Wet straw was strewn across the floor. The air was musty. A ray of early sunshine slanted in through the window. Dawn was breaking. He kicked the wet straw against the wall, until it formed a sort of bed. Then he went back outside and hurriedly picked up the young girl and carried her inside, closing the door behind him. As gently as possible, he lay the girl on the bed. Whirrrr... Zenith took a startled step back. He heard it again. Whirrrr... He gazed about him, searching for its source. Then he saw it. The girl's eyes were glowing a startling shade of green. Her body was surrounded by a strange mist, tinged with aquamarine. Zenith took a step back. Another step. Another step. He stretched his arms out behind him, his gaze never straying from the possessed maiden. He felt something cold and wet. It was the wall. Dropping his hands to his sides, Zenith slid to the ground. Pressing himself against the wall, he stared, petrified, as the young girl began to twist and writhe. He whimpered like a baby as he watched with wide eyes. Then suddenly everything stopped. The whirring noises, the greenish glowing, the writhing. Zenith remanied still, apprehensive and afraid. Zenith remained still. A minute passed. Two minutes. Three. Zenith took a deep breath, and slowly began inching towards the body. He crawled on all fours until he reached her body. Then he slowly stood up. Zenith struggled to see through the magical mist that surrounded her. As the mist cleared, he saw the girl's wound. But it wasn't a wound anymore. To Zenith, it looked like a sort of a nest -- a shallow indentation that didn't seem to be solid. It was more like a ripple, or half a bubble. Zenith couldn't figure out what it was, but whatever it was, it wasn't earthly. And what lay in that "nest" surprised Zenith the most. It was a snake. It slithered throught the wet straw and began to coil around Zenith's ankles.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Next time: Zenith finally gets to know the truth about the girl, but so many more questions remain unanswered.

Picture credit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=9107879

Part 2: Zenith

Hopefully you enjoyed the first installment of this story. If you haven't read it, check it out here: Part 1! I'm hoping to make these short stories into a collection. If you like my blog posts, be sure to comment, +1, and reshare! Without further ado, here's Part 2! That rhymes.


          It was midday when he saw it. That familiar glint. It was impossible to miss. As he came nearer, he heard something squelch under his shoe. He looked down to see a puddle of blood rising up around his ankles. He froze. Then, his heart pounding, he gingerly stepped out of the pool of blood and began walking, quiet as a mouse, following the bloody trail. He turned the corner. And there before him was the body of a young girl, impaled with his dagger. He couldn't believe his eyes. He hadn't even thought anyone had survived the deluge. But to find them dead, killed by his dagger? Unthinkable. With tears blurring his vision, he knelt down next to her. He touched her pale hand. It was cold as ice. A shiver ran up his spine. Gently, he touched her forehead with the back of his hand. To his surprise, it was pleasantly warm. His gaze traveled down to her heart. Something strange was going on, he could feel it. He looked closer. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on the hilt of the dagger and wrapped his fingers around it. His knuckles turned white as he grasped the dagger. Then he pulled. Suddenly his hand slipped. He looked down in surprise. The girl's heart was beating. It was beating! But the dagger was being pulled deeper into the wound with the beating of the heart. He grabbed the hilt and began pulling, hard. His breathing labored, he struggled to prevent his hand itself being dragged into the girl's body. It was a gruesome sight, but it gave him a glimmer of hope. Finally he pulled the dagger out and collapsed on the cold, bloodied ground, panting. He closed his eyes. He no longer heard the rythmic thumping of the heart. When he had regulated his breathing once more, he opened his eyes and stood up. He returned to the side of the young girl. The dagger was in his hand, and strangely, it didn't have a trace of blood on it. The girl's wound was nearly invisible, just a thin line down her chest, silvery in color. He gazed in awe around him. There was no blood to be seen. The ground was just wet, gray stone. Suddenly, he saw the girl's eyelids flutter. A whisper of breath escaped her lips. He stared at her pretty face in disbelief. She appeared to be in some kind of entranced sleep. He held the dagger in his shaking hands. "Z.W." he breathed. Zenith Whytheblanc. He had named himself "Zenith", since he felt it gave him power. Somehow, it did. But how... He snapped out of his daydream. With a deep breath, Zenith slid his hand under the girl and placed it against the small of her back. She was surprisingly light. He placed his other hand under her knees. Slowly but steadily, he lifted her up, off the ground. Zenith walked down the alley and into the streets. He felt the girl's long brown tresses on his arm as the wind blew them to and fro. He looked down at her face. It was beautiful. Her face was small and her skin was smooth. Her nose was petite, with an aristocratic point. Her lips were perfectly rounded and parted slightly as she breathed. Zenith kept walking. After an interminable time, he felt a shadow fall over him. He looked up. The ruins of an old shed loomed up a little ways ahead of him. Zenith broke into a run. As he neared the structure, he slowed. He gently lay the girl on the ground. Zenith rose to his feet and placed his hand on the door.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Picture credit: http://lilliemcferrin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/dark-darkness-girl-light-lost-Favim.com-118417.jpg

Part 1: The Storm

You know, I've noticed that whenever I write a dramatic/sad story, the main characters always end up in some kind of stormy, gloomy place. So here's another dramatic vocab paragraph. Part 2 coming soon! (Part 2 won't be a vocab paragraph)

          She gazed across the glassy surface of the small puddle of water. Little rivulets branched off from it and slowly evaporated. A cataclysmic storm had just passed through the valley, wiping out the town. The rain had come in torrents, and the streets had flooded. The river overflowed, bringing an abundance of water to the parched crops. But in addition to blanketing the arid landscape, the water swept away hundreds of people, leaving the city lonely, wet, and deserted. She began walking among the destroyed streets, and she felt empty inside. The deluge had taken everything from her. She wanted to sit down and cry, but she didn't have the energy. More than sad, she was absolutely indignant. How could life be so unfair? It appeared she was the only one left of everyone in their village. How was she to survive without food or companionship? Her life would depreciate until it was of no value at all. The immense gravity of the situation hit her just then, and she collapsed onto the ground, her chest heaving. Her mother, who had always blamed her for everything that went wrong, now seemed like an angel. Her father, who had left her mother two years ago, must be alive somewhere, but she didn't know where. She couldn't believe everything was gone. It had all disappeared so fast. Suddenly, she saw something glint in the distance. She began crawling towards it on all fours, breathing quietly as she came near. She gasped. It was a dagger. She picked it up and ran her fingers over the jeweled hilt. The initials ZW had been etched into the blade. There's not much point to my life, she thought to herself. The truth, like the storm, washed over her, and finally came to light. All at once, she lifted the dagger and drove it through her heart. A bloodcurdling scream split the valley as blood mingled with dirty water. Then everything was still. Absolutely still.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Picture credit: http://martinjclemens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/rain-wallpaper1.jpg

Realizations We Can't Help But Ponder

This time I'm going to do something different. Rather than write a paragraph, I decided to add some humor to your day. Anyway, enough about me, here's what I really meant to write about.

Steven Wright, is a famous ​scientist/comic who once said: " I woke up one morning, and all of my stuff ​had been stolen and replaced by exact duplicates." ​Here are some of his tweets, collected from various sources.

1 - I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.

2 - Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back.

3 - Half the people you know are below average.

4 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5 - A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.

6 - A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

7 - If you want the rainbow, you have got to put up with the rain.

8 - All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand.

9 - The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

10 - I almost had a psychic girlfriend... But she left me before we met.

11 - OK, so what's the speed of dark?

12 - How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?

13 - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

14 - Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

15 - When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16 - Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

17 - Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.

18 - I intend to live forever... So far, so good.

19 - Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

20 - What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

21 - My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."

22 - Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

23 - If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

24 - A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.

25 - Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

26 - The hardness of the butter is ​ inversely ​ proportional to the softness of the bread.

27 - To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

28 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.

29 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.

30 - The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.

31 - Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.

32 - If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

33 - If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?

My Fair Lady: Movie Review + MSPDP Nationals

Before I do anything else, I would like to congratulate +Ria Pradhan +Esha Deokar +Shreya wêya +Pippa Hemmings and Ayush Gupta (can someone tag him?) on their achievements at the MSPDP Nationals this past weekend. You guys did amazing! I'm so glad I had the chance to debate on a team with all of you, and thank you for an amazing experience. Thank you also for all the time +Nayan Naik +Nidhi Kumar Kalra +Purvi Hazari-Naik put in to help us succeed. And of course, no one can forget Mrs. Toutem, the best teacher, mentor, friend, and debate coach we could possibly have.

Okay. Now here's what I really wanted to write about. I wanted to do something different this time. First of all, I'm going to write for you a movie review. Secondly, I'm not going to review a new movie, but an old one. My family chose to drive to Pasadena (for the Nationals) rather than fly, so it was basically six hours of eternal boredom for me. I decided to watch a movie. I was looking through the movies we had, and I found one called My Fair Lady. I thought I'd give it a try, and as it turns out, I don't regret it.

My Fair Lady
Reviewed by Riya Kalra

My Fair Lady (1964), directed by George Cukor, is about an arrogant phonetics expert, Dr. Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison), who sees a poor flower girl with a heavy Cockney accent, Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn), selling flowers on the streets and makes a bet with a new acquaintance, Colonel Hugh Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White), that Dr. Higgins will be able to pass the girl off as a duchess just by teaching her how to speak like one. The movie is about Eliza's struggles with learning how to be a graceful, polite woman in society and dealing with Dr. Higgins's conceited nature. She learns how to find her way independently and lives a happy life.

I loved Audrey Hepburn's performance in this movie; of course, we all know her as the epitome of timeless beauty and effortless grace. She portrays the character of Eliza in such a comical and perfect way, from her awkward ways to her hilarious accent. Hepburn makes watching Eliza transform from a flower seller on the streets into a respectable lady so much fun!

The movie won eight Oscars, three Golden Globes, and other awards. I haven't seen the version with Julie Andrews as the lead, but I can say that this movie is worth a try.

My Fair Lady leaves the viewer with a sense of contentment, compassion, and adoration for Eliza. This movie might be fun to watch as a family, but it's just as great by yourself.


Comment below to let me know how you liked my review and if you'd like to see more. Please suggest any movies if you'd like me to review them. DFTBA!

Is It Just Me?

I don't know how to say this, so I guess I'll just say it. I'm crazy. Like, seriously. I am weird. But I'm sure there are a few things we have in common...

April 8, 2015

Everything Weird

100 Just Because Way

Yes, Seriously 12345

Riya Kalra

1213 Why Does This Happen Street

Please, Stop 10203

Dear Everything Weird,

          There are a few issues I would like to address here. This first one has been going on for quite a while, actually. My hair does not always look good. Actually, it rarely ever looks good. But sometimes I wash my hair. And do you know when my hair looks the best? Right. Before. I. Wash. It. You have no idea how this drives me crazier than I already am. It makes me want to yank my hair out (pun intended). Okay. And then there's the problem with dreams. People always say a dream is what you're thinking about right before you sleep, or it's your future or something. I beg to differ. My dreams are the craziest. There is no possible way that my dreams have anything at all  to do with my day or what thoughts go through my head. Please fix this. ASAP. And lastly, the internationally recognized problems with siblings. Mine absolutely refuses to do anything. Until I start doing it! Then he pushes me off the chair, piano stool, tree, cliff, wherever I am, and then guess what? He doesn't do anything. Seriously? How about when he actually does something? Like watching shows no one has ever heard of on his iPad? Or playing the piano? Or just plain old shrieking his head off? Well, then I better have soundproof walls and noise-cancelling headphones to tune him out. Please fix these problems, which ail quite a large population.

Your frustrated friend,

Riya


PS - I still love my little brother! I mean, who can say no to that face? But let's not forget the moments where he is the most ANNOYING person on Earth! Just keep that in mind.



Note: This letter says April 8, because that's when I actually wrote it. I edited it and added all these notes on April 9. Just saying. 

Why Writing Blog Posts Is So Hard

My blog is a place for me to express my ideas and create a corner of the Internet that just screams "me".  And whenever I have an idea, I sit down at my laptop and start typing. But sometimes it is just so impossible to come up with ideas...

I'm not the kind of person who can come up with ideas when they need them. I don't find ideas — they come to me. And then sometimes those ideas go on vacation. For a really, really long time. They feel no pity for me, lying around, racking my brain for ideas. But they just refuse to return. Eventually, they trickle back into my head, and I start trying to choose between them. I realize how horrible these ideas are. They didn't deserve a vacation! But I have to choose one, so I do. And I write. And write. And write. Okay, so that idea wasn't so bad after all. But wait... ugh. Now I have to write a title. Google: Blog Title Generator. "Enter 3 words (preferably nouns) that your blog post is about." Well, how about "ideas", "books", "inspiration". 

Here are your titles: 

1. Why We Love Ideas (And You Should, Too!) 
2. What Will Books Be Like In 100 Years? 
3. 15 Best Blogs To Follow About Inspiration 
4. 10 Signs You Should Invest In Ideas 
5. 14 Common Misconceptions About Books

Yeah..no. 

Why we love ideas? Hey, we do not love ideas. At all.  What will books be like in 100 years? Um, holograms? I dunno... 15 blogs to follow? Well, that's okay, I guess. But where am I going to find fifteen  blogs solely about inspiration? And who has that kind of time, anyway? Okay....why would I INVEST in ideas? Misconceptions about books...they are written by people who have actual ideas?

AARGH! There they go again. No more ideas.

Well, my rant is over. This is why I don't write so often anymore. No more ideas. Zero. Zilch. Zip. Nada. 

Ciao for now!

— Riya

Picture source: serc.carleton.edu

The Impending Takeover of the Universe

Firstly, I apologize for not writing in, like, forever. I was selected from my school for the Alameda County Science Fair, and I also happen to be on one of the debate teams from the South Bay Debate League selected for the Nationals. So, I've been trying to keep up with all that work, and my blog was left neglected. Well, here's yet another vocab paragraph I hope you'll find amusing.

          NEWS FLASH: A terrible calamity has come to pass. We are now officially immersed in a sea of annoying siblings! Completely sane siblings are growing extremely sparse and in some cities, are extinct! Mentally capable older siblings and parents have tried, but they foundered in the whining, screaming, and wailing of their children. They wish they could simply throw them out like the refuse the children turn any house they visit into. These relentless maniacs will not desist from sucking your very soul out of your body. Soon, they will preside over the universe, and we will be superceded by monsters less than half our age. And these horrible creatures won't even have to try. They will be perfectly sedentary as the rest of us unfortunate souls scurry around in fear, doing their bidding.

7 Delicious Microwave Recipes to Satisfy Any Late Night Craving

Everyone needs a self-indulgent comfort food to keep them company. Here are seven easy microwave recipes to keep you company and satisfy any craving.

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Cup

The classic chocolate chip cookie, new and improved. Whip one up all for yourself, in the microwave!

2. Nutella Mug Cake

The perfect 5-minute dessert for all you Nutella lovers!

3. Lemon Bars

Just plain lemony goodness... These might be good for a casual party or bake sale; they look fancy, but they're super easy to make!

4. Bacon

Bacon in a pan takes forever, and it's usually all gone in half the time it took you to fry it. So try this recipe for perfect microwave bacon!

5. French Toast

You can have this 2-minute French toast anytime of day to satisfy your sweet tooth. Add syrup to taste, of course.

6. Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

These mug cakes are the greatest thing since sliced bread! Yet another delicious, warm, "cinnamony" mug cake. And it takes only 3 minutes!

7. Brownies

Chocolate indulgence, all yours in one minute! Literally.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, enjoy your microwave desserts this weekend! :-)

Note: I do not own any of these images. Each one is from the site corresponding to the recipe.

Sorrow and Revenge — A Short Story

This is another one of those paragraphs I write for my English class. I know some of the vocabulary is too fancy for the piece, but I had to fit the words in somewhere! It also has a dark theme, which is different from my previous paragraphs. Enjoy!

          She peered out anxiously from the shadows. She heard loud, angry voices in the distance. The men were chasing after her brother, who was acting as a decoy while she escaped. Suddenly a gun shot followed by a bloodcurdling scream split the air. She ran, her feet pounding hard on the cement. Tears and mud streaked her face as she turned the corner. It started raining, adding to the gloomy milieu. Her legs burned with pain as the rain drenched her. Her wet hair whipped her as she ran furiously, never slowing. Her brother was dead. A calamitous accident had killed her parents just a year ago, and now she was on the run, escaping the cause of her pain. The only family she had left now was her aunt, who was shiftless but extremely cruel. Her aunt's goons we after her, while her aunt basked in her own filth back in her luxurious mansion. She turned into a deserted alleyway and ducked behind a trash can. It was raining heavily now, and she pulled some old newspapers around her to try to keep warm. She thought of how her mother used to be so pert and positive, but now her memory only brought sadness and regret. She tried to distract herself by digging through the trash can, but she found nothing to appease her voracious appetite. She leaned against the cold wall in despair. She slid to the ground, fondly remembering her parents and her brother, the warm meals they used to share, and the stories her father often regaled them with. Her brother's strange quirks used to drive her crazy, but she missed them now that he was gone. All at once, she snapped out of her reminiscing when she heard a loud yell. Deep voices approached. Tall figures blocked the dim light from the street. She held her breath and pressed herself against the wall. These men were dangerous, especially because they were brave. It wasn't gallantry; rather it was a fear of nothing. As soon as they were after someone a long chase always ensued. Their victims never escaped. The men advanced into the alley. She froze, listening. Then she saw them. They stepped in front of her. She heard one of the men cackle menacingly. They were quite overbearing, and she shrank back in fear. The accident flashed through her mind. The smiles, the laughter, then, the next moment, the crash and the blood. The tears began afresh, flowing down her cheeks, fast and warm. She was going to avenge her parents death. She stood up. A man fired at her. She ducked, and the bullet tore through the wall behind her. She raised her fist and punched the man closest to her, hard. He reeled back in pain. The men fired their guns, She grabbed the metal lid of the trash can, and, using it as a shield, kicked someone in the shin. She thrashed and flailed angrily, hitting everything in her way. She knocked the revolver out of one goon's hand and drove him to the ground. Suddenly, all was silent. She gazed upon the dead men around her. Then she turned on her heel and walked out into the street. 

http://www.hdwallpaperpc.com/show-wallpaper/falling_rain_Canopy_dark_eyes_GRAY_Rainy_Splash_Water_wave_137591.html

3 Websites/Blogs You Need To Follow

This is just a random list of sites I find interesting and unique, and you should check them out!

1. Science Friday

"Science Friday is your trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science. We started as a radio show, created in 1991 by host and executive producer Ira Flatow. Since then, we’ve grown into much more: We produce award-winning digital videos and publish original web content covering everything from octopus camouflage to cooking on Mars. SciFri is brain fun, for curious people."
I believe this is also a podcast on NPR--I've heard it once, and it was great!

2. BuzzFeed

News, animals, books, beauty, travel, celebrities, politics: You can find it all at BuzzFeed. "BuzzFeed is the social news and entertainment company. BuzzFeed is redefining online advertising with its social, content-driven publishing technology. BuzzFeed provides the most shareable breaking news, original reporting, entertainment, and video across the social web to its global audience of more than 200M." Although it has been controversial in the past, and still is, to some extent, I personally like the site, and you should too!

3. One Good Thing by Jillee

This is a blog that I love. Jill Nystul, the author, has shared her inspiring story with people on her "About" page. She suffered from alcohol addiction, but worked hard to overcome it and has now found her passion in writing her blog. She posts about DIY's to make your home a prettier place, to cook better, to organize better, to cure colds and common ailments, and so much more. Jill Nystul is now publishing a book called One Good Life, in which she shares "my tips, my wisdom, and my story".

Here's to a day full of love.

Valentine's Day, agreed, is a day to show your love for your significant other. But I'd just like to establish that if Valentine's is the only day you show your love, your relationship is not going well. And hey, just because someone doesn't love you the way you want doesn't mean they don't love you with all they've got. Chocolates and roses aren't the things that matter. Okay, now that that's over and done with, let's get to what I was really meaning to write about.

It's common knowledge that women are regularly disrespected, patronized, exploited, labeled, denied rights, paid less, and overall just treated as inferior. "Now, women in the workforce are more likely to have at least a bachelor's degree than not. They're also making gains in occupations that traditionally have been dominated by men: doctors, lawyers, scientists and professors, to name a few. Today, women in their early 30's are just as likely to be doctors or lawyers as they are to be teachers or secretaries." "While the gender pay gap has narrowed over time, women who work full-time today make 78 percent of what men make, on average. The gap is even greater for women of color: non-Hispanic black women made 64 percent of what men made in 2013, and Hispanic women earned 56 percent of what men earned." "Only 12 percent of protagonists in the 100 top-grossing domestic films released in 2014 were female, down from 15 percent the previous year. The percentage of female major characters (defined as characters who appear in more than one scene and are instrumental to the plot) was the same in 2014 as it was in 2013, as was the percentage of female characters with speaking roles (major and minor)." Every 107 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Each year, there are about 293,000 victims of sexual assault. These rates are even higher in countries such as India, where 93 women are raped every day. Everyday, women are criticized about their bodies, and told they are not good enough. 

But that's not all.

Men are criticized, too, though the situation is not as bad as it is with women. Men are told that if they don't have a six-pack, they are not "real" men. That they have to be tall and muscular. That they have to have facial hair. Society is still too focused on a person's outward appearance rather than their personality.

 We are humans, not objects. And we are all built differently. Imagine a world where everyone looked the same. That would be pretty boring, wouldn't it? So, this Valentine's Day, go out and accept everyone for who they are and love them for being themselves. 

For more, visit:
http://www.businessinsider.com/sheryl-sandberg-presents-mind-blowing-stats-about-how-and-why-women-hold-themselves-back-2013-2
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/10/31/women-more-likely-to-graduate-college-but-still-earn-less-than-men
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2015/02/10/presence-of-female-film-protagonists-declined-in-2014-study-says?int=a3d208

Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln! (Plus 10+ Interesting Facts about him)

The one and only Abraham Lincoln was born today, February 12. So, to celebrate, I decided to scavenge for interesting facts and quotes. Here's what I found...

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865)

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?

If you look for the bad in people
expecting to find it, you surely will.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed
is more important than any other one thing.

You cannot escape the responsibility
of tomorrow by evading it today.

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count.
It's the life in your years.

Interesting Facts about Honest Abe: 

1. He hated being called Abe. Apparently, he preferred being called by his last name.
2. He was the only president to have a patent: Lincoln invented a device to free steamboats that ran aground.
3. He practiced law without a degree. Lincoln had about 18 months of formal schooling.
4. He wanted women to have the vote in 1836. The future president was a suffragette before it became fashionable.
5. He was a big animal lover, but he wouldn't hunt or fish. If he were alive today, Lincoln would be running an animal shelter.
6. He really was a wrestler. Lincoln was documented as taking part in wrestling bouts. We don’t think he wore a mask or had a manager.
7. He didn't have a middle name. Lincoln went through his life with two names.
8. Lincoln loved to eat oysters.
9. Lincoln’s cat ate at the White House dinner table.
10.  Lincoln’s mother was killed by poisoned milk.

And the creepiest fact of all:

Lincoln, one week before his death, had a dream of someone crying in the White House, when he found the room; he looked in and asked who had passed away. The man in the room said the President. When he looked in the coffin it was his own face he saw.

5 Books To Read While You're Still A Kid

"There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away", and these books are perfect for just that.

1. Wonder

By R.J. Palacio

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

2. Stargirl
By Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

3. I Am Malala
By Malala Yousafzai

A MEMOIR BY THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

"I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday."

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

4. Three Cups of Tea
By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard. Anyone who despairs of the individual’s power to change lives has to read the story of Greg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan’s treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools—especially for girls—that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson’s quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit.


5. The Mysterious Benedict Society Series
By Trenton Lee Stewart

"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"

When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?

Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.

P.S. - Today's Google Doodle celebrates Laura Ingalls Wilder! After you read these books, go read the Little House Series! :-)

The Only Approval You Will Ever Need

The pressures of society can be hard to deal with, especially for tweens and teens. Many kids feel the need to fit in or be "cool". The truth is, there's no real definition of these things; they're created by society, and also by your own opinions. The coolest people don't fit in; they stand out. How? Simply by being themselves. Sometimes it may seem that you need your peers' approval, but the best way to feel validated is to be kind to yourself. No one knows you better than yourself, and you should take full advantage of that. So stop worrying! One of the best ways to live a happy life is let go of things you cannot change. Don't waste your time over something if it is not going to change anything. The same goes for people. Some people will never apologize or even realize what they did wrong. But if you stay preoccupied with negative thoughts, you won't get anywhere. The only people you should purposefully interact with on a regular basis are people that lift you up, not bring you down. If someone in your life is constantly jealous of you, gossips about you, does not share your happiness, insults you, or is otherwise not loyal to you, leave them behind. Though it can be an extremely difficult choice to make, it will be for the better. The people who truly care will accept you for being who you are and love you for it.

Whenever you're feeling down in the dumps, just remember, you're always a winner. You will always win at being you!

P.S. - I know this was cheesy, but I hope it inspired those people that need it. Don't change for others, because you're awesome just the way you are.

5 Easy Ways To Start (And Keep) A Diary

Admit it, we've all tried keeping a diary and failed. Some of us possess the willpower necessary to faithfully write on paper (gasp!) with a pen/pencil, but the truth is, most of us don't. A diary helps improve your writing skills, and also helps with getting your emotions out. It also provides a way to look back at how the past was from your own point of view. Here are five ways to start and keep a diary.


1. Find a notebook you actually like.

Visit your local craft or office supply store and find a notebook or journal that you like. Look at different patterns, shapes, and sizes; maybe even the texture of the cover. Once you find something you actually like, you will be more motivated to write in it. Of course, you can do this online, but writing on paper has a different feel to it. You can also experiment with different pens and pencil colors to give your diary a unique touch.


2. Start writing!

Don't worry about writing with fancy language or grammar. Just put pen to paper and get your thoughts out. It's your diary, not a school report. No one is going to read it (unless you let them), and it's better when it's not perfect. Your day doesn't have to be particularly interesting at all! All you have to do is write about it. You can write about how boring it was, if you like. Over time, faithfully keeping a diary leads to much better writing skills and more self-awareness.


3. Have some adventures!

If you really don't know what to write, take a break! Do something you find enjoyable or interesting. Then write about it. It doesn't have to be something unique or important. Maybe take a walk, read a book, or start a new TV series. Go grocery shopping or walk the dog. It doesn't matter to anyone but you.


4. Listen to music. 

Music, especially classical music, can help you focus and get the creative juices flowing. Listen to a soothing, relaxing tune for best results, though any type of music works.


5. Develop a routine.

The best way to keep a diary is to develop a habit. If you have a nighttime routine that you follow, maybe add in five minutes of writing before bed. Keep your diary by your bed so you remember. You can also write in it every morning, if you like, but writing at night helps you organize the events of the day and remember various moments of the day that you will most likely forget the next day. If something exciting happens or you feel that you may forget something later, feel free to jot it down somewhere, even if it doesn't fit your routine. Most of all, be creative and have fun with it!

Novelties of 2015

Since 2015 began, there has been a lot of  novelty in my life. For example, I found out about this brand of water called Metro Mint. I don't usually buy water, but I tried this and I loved it! It's basically water with an infusion of mint and other flavors. The thing that makes this different is that it is infused with essences. No calories, no preservatives, no sweeteners. I believe all their flavors have mint, but some have other flavors added. I have tried peppermint and chocolate mint. Another flavored water brand I found out about was Hint. It's the same idea, except it doesn't have mint in every one. There is quite a selection of flavors, but so far the only one I have tried is watermelon. It is a bit on the expensive side.

I have also been using Duolingo, but that's not really new for 2015. I strongly recommend that you use it if you are trying to learn a new language. So far I believe they only have languages that somehow resemble English in writing, so they don't have languages like Chinese, Hindi, or Arabic. If you are proficient in a language other than English, you can become a contributor; you can help to create a course for people to learn English through another language. 

Sorry for not posting more often! I was recently selected for the Alameda County Science Fair, so I am busy preparing for that. I might not post very often now until March, but I will try my best. 

Congratulations to +Archa Dileep, +Rahul Verma, +Kavitha Vinod, Pranav Senthil Kumar, and Rohit Jammula for also making it to the fair!

Also, I have updated the My Writing page of my blog, and I have added a story under prose. Right now I'm calling it Sapna, but I'm think of calling it A Dream or something. Let me know how you liked it. 

DFTBA!

I ♥ Languages!

I love languages. I don't know why. I love learning about words and their histories. Somehow, I seem to be able to pick up languages very easily, but total immersion is hard unless you live in the right countries/regions. Living in the U.S., there are so many cultures around you, and so many opportunities. I feel that learning a language enables you to connect with people on their personal level, and it makes them feel special and respected, maybe even honored. The fact that you took the time to master something composed of tens of thousands of words, sounds, and vagaries different from what you are used to can mean a lot to people. There is also proof that learning languages has a positive impact on your brain. "Millions of people around the world acquire their second language later in life. Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the ageing brain," says Dr Thomas Bak of the University of Edinburgh. The study is detailed here:

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27634990 and here http://www.livescience.com/46048-learning-new-language-brain.html

Here's another link to check out: http://www.pnas.org/content/105/10/4004.full

I am currently fluent in English, Hindi, and Spanish, and I am learning French, Italian, and Chinese. I just started Italian and Chinese, so I'm not very good at them.

Also, in my previous post, I was a little pessimistic about my trip to Virginia, so I just wanted to say that it was an amazing trip. My whole family had so much fun, especially after visiting Virginia after eight years. Thank you to my family in Virginia for making our time there so enjoyable and for taking care of us so well, sick or not. We all love you so much!

And finally, I sign off with a Chuck and Beans comic.

A dog-rabbit duo to keep you company this Flu Year!

I keep coming up with ideas and ideas, but I never do anything. I actually have a sticky note on my desktop where I write down any blog post idea I come up with. But eventually I just end up doing some random last-minute post about nothing in particular. So, I'm sorry. For not posting since December 12. This sounds hilarious. Anyway, to the point.

Ever since I discovered a book of  Calvin and Hobbes comics my cousin was reading, I've always loved the unique nature of comics. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved to read, and I spend time on my laptop, too, but comics are actually pretty cool. They're not as long or time-consuming as books, they don't have much negative effect on your eyes*, and they express a simple, often humorous message through illustrations! Here is another comic I have read often without knowing it was actually a comic...if that makes any sense...

It's by shoeboxblog.com, and it's called Chuck and Beans. Below are some of my favorites.

Yup, that's me...unfortunately.

Also, this year started out a "Flu Year" for a reason. This Christmas, my family and I visited my cousins in Virginia. The trip was so much fun, and everyone was cheerful, until my mom suddenly fell sick with 102-degree fever. The day before our flight. For which we were supposed to leave for at around 6:30 A.M. So with a lot of difficulty, my family managed to change the flight to the evening. Then my dad also started feeling sick. By the time we all got home, my whole family was sick, and one of my cousins had extremely high fever. From that point on, everybody on the trip, except my aunt, had fever at least once. We came back on the 30th, and it was not until yesterday that we began feeling better. My mom told me it must have been the flu that we caught somewhere in D.C. Whatever it was—it's nine, my room is a mess, and it's a school night. So I sign off. Enjoy the comics, and of course, happy new year (better late than never)!

*compared to a computer/TV screen. Obviously if you read with dim light or in elaborate sitting/sleeping positions where the book isn't at the right distance from your face, then your eyes won't be happy.