Design Your Own Toy

A creative mother came up with an idea that is now on its way to becoming a new craze. Her website has been shared on Pinterest and blogs everywhere, and she is gaining more and more interest. Right now, her work is on back order and has a waiting list totaling 563 people. Everyone wants a part in her ingenious idea to transform children's drawings into a one-of-a-kind toy. With each and every drawing submitted to Child's Own Studio, the designer finds a way to capture the child's unique personality from the drawing and incorporate it into their toy.

Each toy is completely original, coming from the most imaginative designers in the world, children. Their sketches are mainly composed of animals and imaginary creatures. The creator mixes contrasting elements in many of the toys, combining eerily menacing looking creatures with warm, soft cloth to make terrifying yet cuddly stuffed toys.

One of the recently made toys was designed in the image of a drawing titled "Snoddle Hunting." The name itself, suggests a peculiar being. It has appendages extending from its plush but disfigured body. The color scheme is monotone and dark, showing the shady side of this huggable toy. The Snoddle has a face that could frighten a child in the dark, but it could also be of comfort to hold at night while trying to sleep.The five-eyed bunny has conflicting characteristics as well. There is nothing more adorable than a fluffy bunny, but the addition of the extra three eyes brings a creepiness to the lovable animal. Both of these creations seem as though they are glaring at the onlooker, but at the same time, they are begging to be picked up and snuggled with.

Each toy comes with its own quirks and contrasting impressions. The aura that surrounds these stuffed toys is a blend of spookiness and lovability that perfectly matches the proud owner who fashioned it.

Pride and Prejudice

I was first introduced to Jane Austen's classic love story, Pride and Prejudice, by my mother in middle school. The around ten hour movie with actor Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, was playing on PBS and somehow (against my will) she convinced me to sit down and watch it. Not far into the iconic tale, I was enchanted with the characters, and could not take my eyes off the screen. I fell in love with Mr. Darcy's character and the simple, yet attention-grabbing story of the Bennett family. Ever since that day, I have wanted to read everything to do with Pride and Prejudice. I've watched multiple different movie versions, and I have bought spin-off sequels and the original book to read as well. Sadly, I haven't gotten the chance to read the original book all the way through until now, so I decided to start from the beginning and enjoy the timeless story all over again.

The quote above might be one of the most famous quotes from the book Pride and Prejudice. It also happens to be one of my personal favorites. These few lines said by Mr. Darcy with raw emotion, do a wonderful job of conveying the theme throughout the book, along with the elegance of the time period. Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennett go through a love/hate relationship. When Mr. Darcy finally decides to overcome his pride, and make this bold proposal to Miss Elizabeth, he is breaking down the barriers of an exhaustive courtship. His phrasing and diction display the formal but beautiful way of speaking common during that time in England. The entire book is filled with artfully chosen words and phrasing, that make the story even more appealing. I'm unsure of how some so-called "classics" ever got in such a highly-esteemed category, but Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice definitely deserves its title as a timeless classic.

Secrets of the FBI

When people hear that one of the books I'm currently reading is "The Secrets of the FBI" they are surprised and wonder why on earth I decided to pick up that book out of all the stereotypical teenage girl loves stories available on the bookshelves. Well I am here to change that stereotype by saying that I am very interesting in the FBI and things similar to it. I love high intensity action shows such as "24," and I dream of a chance to actually work for the FBI.  My mom saw this book one day in the store and brought it home, knowing I would enjoy it. I love the thought of knowing things that other people don't know, and this book provides me with that. It also depicts what life is really like as an employee of the FBI.

The first few chapters of the book describe a little-known part of the FBI called TacOps, short for Tactical Operations. The people that work as a part of this undercover team are in essence professional burglars. Under court authority, they are instructed to stage real-life break-ins to gain information from the enemy. They break-in anywhere from a personal home to a national building in China or India. The book describes the extreme planning and precautionary steps they take to successfully complete the housebreak. If they fail, it could result in death, so they must be particularly careful and attentive to details.

Although the FBI's work is a serious topic, the book makes sure to include humorous asides and stories of real missions to keep the reader entertained. I can't wait to keep learning more "secrets" as I read this book.

Spartan Reader: Middle School Podcast Response

The underlying theme that runs through all the sections of the Middle School podcasts is the importance placed on what other people think. While focusing in on two sections, "Blue Kid on the Block" and the "Prologue," it is apparent that other kids' perceptions of you in middle school play a major role in your life. As the nasally voiced young girl in the "Prologue" confirms, everyone is so judgmental during those in between years of middle school.

The young girl, Annie, sounds innocent, with her sweet voice and nervous giggles, but she confesses to worrying about how her peers perceive her. As she finishes reading the letter she submitted to This American Life, she sounds as though she is questioning herself, signing anonymously. The ending of the word anonymous drags out as she reads it, finishing in a higher pitched, questioning tone. This uncertainty in her voice can be accredited to none other than her worry of other kids' opinions.

 The young boy, Leo, from "Blue Kid on the Block," is miserable in his new town and school for the same reason that Annie is afraid to wear her new sweater in front of her friends. The reason behind all this misery and worry is middle school-aged kids. Because he is new to town, Leo feels alone and as though he has absolutely no friends. He says that it is so much harder to make new friends at his age. He spends his days quietly alone in the huge, loud mess of his new middle school. He is unsure of where to go, what to do, and who to talk to in the herd of people. Leo, in his lonely sounding voice, noticed, just like Annie, that the older you get, the more judgmental your peers become. 

The pressures of trying to fit in and being accepted by your contemporaries are always there, whether you are new to school like Leo or have a solid group of friends like Annie. People naturally judge and compete, making it hard to find your place in social life at school.  After listening to both Annie and Leo's stories, their innocence was apparent. They simply want to be well-liked by their classmates. Is that too much to ask? Sadly, sometimes it is. As they will soon learn, not everyone will approve of you, but there is no shame in being yourself and letting your true friends love you for who you are. 

Finding Analysis

On the blog, http://pagenotfounderror404.blogspot.com/, the blogger's claim in their fourth submission was, "Perhaps Ulrich captures the true colors of consumerism, particularly in America." I thought this was a strong claim, because it was opinionated, but still supported by observations throughout the rest of the submission. Another good claim I read was from http://assilem-sophie.blogspot.com/. It read, "By what someone keeps in their fridge or how they keep it, anyone can predict what that person is like."

Other blog submissions were not as analytical, providing too much personal description:
-"And by me playing that sport it allowed me to gather numerous of friendships that are partially still intact in high school."
-"When first looking at these amazing hand animals or paintings some may feel astonished or think it's unbelievable."

I Am Number Four

After hearing about all the hype surrounding the book series I Am Number Four and the movie that came out last year, I finally decided to read this book and see what it's all about. After the intensity of books such as the Hunger Games and Divergent, this story settled into a bit slower pace. Although I find the book a bit slower, it is still just as good, and it is (so far) living up to its recommendations.

I admit, I am not normally one to find crazy science fiction topics interesting, so when I first began reading about other planets and so-called aliens, I was skeptical and wasn't immediately convinced into loving the book. The depiction of the aliens as human-like beings definitely warmed me to the story though, and I soon found myself interested in the unknown. The author does a nice job of mixing everyday teenage issues such as school and love with science fictional concepts. Because it mixes the genres, my attention is held, and I am continuing to read on in an effort to discover how the universal battle between good and evil species will play out, along with how the simple love story will occur between a teenage boy and girl.

Short List #3

 

1. Underwater Hotel:  http://www.1000lonelyplaces.com/tourist-destination/adventure/poseidonfiji-first-under-water-5-star-resort/ 

Stories featuring the imaginary underwater city, Atlantis, were once a mere fairytale, but now this dream has become a reality. Fiji is now home to the Poseidon Underwater Sea Resort, a hotel that lies 40 feet under water on the sandy ocean floor.What an amazing experience it would be to sleep underwater and wake up to the sight of fish swimming around you! Staying at this hotel is definitely going on my bucket list!

2. Military Photographs: http://www.anvari.org/cols/The_Bright_Side_of_US_Army_Soldiers.html

There is nothing more heartwarming than pictures of United States' soldiers interacting with children and families in the Middle East. Whether you are for or against the war, you cannot deny that it is sweet to see army soldiers showing their sensitive side with children and animals. Like the famous saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words," these images portray the true heart of an American soldier. They are helping the helpless, and it is very admirable to see them at work in these photographs.

3. Creative Toy Company: http://childsown.wordpress.com/

Child's Own Studio is a website with brilliant ideas and potential. A child can draw a picture of whatever they want, then their parent sends it into the website, and a toy is made and sent back that looks just like the image. This is such a smart idea. It gives children the ability to be creative and come up with their own, one-of-a-kind toys. If word gets around about this small business, I'm sure it will be a huge success.

Podcast Response: Middle School

I listened to "Blue Kid on the Block" and the "Prologue" from the Middle School Podcast. I noticed that in both parts, the kids were extremely worried about what everyone else was thinking. They worry about it so much that they won't wear certain clothes or they even become physically nauseous. There is an innocence in each of the kids' voices. They are so focused on what is happening at school that they don't think about anything else. The idea that social life at school rules everything else in their lives' is a sad but true one. If they aren't happy at school, they don't seem to be happy at home. For them to be happy, they feel as though they have to be accepted by the other students. It is a frustrating thing to do, especially at this age, trying to please everyone, because it simply cannot be done. 

The Unidentified

While scanning the Young Adult section quickly at the library, my eye was caught by a book titled, The Unidentified. I wasn't really looking for a book to read since I have plenty waiting for me at home, but I was intrigued by the title. I picked it up to find out what this book was all about, and after reading the back cover, I found myself interested. Deciding to give it a try, I checked it out from the library and began reading it immediately. To my disappointment though, it was not nearly as good as I was expecting. Maybe after all of the fast-paced books I have been reading lately, it was too slow. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I just didn't like the style of the book or the way it was written. Don't get me wrong, it didn't have a bad story. In fact, it had a good moral of standing up against the crowd and being an individual. For me though, it was not my style. I felt like the author tried too hard in her writing to be hip and connect to teenagers. To me, it seemed a bit cheesy and overdone.

I was already in the middle of the story now, and even though I didn't like the style, I was somewhat interested in the events. It wasn't a deep interest where I would stay up all night just to finish the book, but it was enough to keep me reading. I think I was just confused as to where on earth the story was going, so I couldn't put it down. The book finished with a decent ending, but it was nothing special. I wouldn't recommend reading this book. If you start, you will want to finish it, even though you might not enjoy what you're reading. Everyone has their own preferences though, so maybe it is for you. As for me, I'm ready to move on to another book I know I will enjoy.

Poem of the Week

After rereading all of the poems we read in class this week, I surprised even myself to find that "Here, Bullet" by Brian Turner was my favorite. I admit that it has a different vibe than most poems that appeal to me. I normally chose lighthearted, happy poems, but this one was heavier and showed the stark reality of war. I think that's why it had the power to draw me in so fast. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the military, being a "Navy brat" myself, so to hear a soldier's own perspective of war was extremely meaningful.

Turner focused in on just one aspect of war: flying bullets. The way he addressed the bullet, as though it was a person, an evil person, was impressively original. There was no fear in his words, but there was an apparent determination to stand up to the bullet. To fight it. "Here is the adrenaline rush you crave, that inexorable flight, that insane puncture into heat and blood. And I dare you to finish what you've started." In these lines, he seemed to be taunting the bullet, giving it what it was made to crave. The end of the poem can be interpreted in many ways, but to me it seems that the bullet took what it came to get, which is human life. It is sad to end on such a low note as this, but it is the harsh reality of war. Thank you to all of our military for fighting "the bullet" everyday!

Spartan Reader: Titanic

Whether you are male or female, young or old, there are certain movies that are on the "must-see" list, and the Titanic is one of them. Hopefully, most everyone has gotten the chance to experience this movie and its dramatic storyline. If you haven't, I suggest you go watch it now! Since the first time I watched this movie many years ago, I have been captured by the heartwarming love story, the charming characters, and the historical tragedy that all take place in this one film. As we are approaching the one-hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the classic movie is coming back out in theaters, this time in 3D. I thought it would be fun to take a look at the new trailer, analyzing it, and really getting a feel for the beloved movie, the Titanic.

In the opening scenes of the Titanic trailer, bells begin ringing slowly as real underwater footage of the sunken ship is shown. The elderly woman that narrates tells her echoing story in the background, portraying a mystical atmosphere as the trailer begins. The screen then dramatically changes to a grand view of the Titanic, deserving of its name. Joyous music escalates and the bells begin ringing faster and more jovial, building the excitement for viewers. The elegance of the ship is displayed as the upbeat music continues playing. The characters are introduced as well. Jack is a seemingly poor, teenage boy, dressed in worn, simple clothing who crosses paths with Rose, a rich, extravagantly dressed, teenage girl. Their fun on the ship is depicted through prim and proper dinners on the First Class Deck to spontaneous dances on the Lower Class Deck.

Love and laughter is obviously in the air, but it is all too soon cut short by the beginning of the now famous song by Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On." The Titanic is pictured on a dark night, flowing through the ocean, and immediately the mood is subdued. The sad music in the background plays as Jack and Rose witness the ship's side scraping an iceberg. The bells slowly begin tolling again, possibly symbolizing the many deaths that are about to come. Then, besides the bells, everything goes eerily silent creating an intense build-up. Suddenly, the well-known glass dome shatters under extreme water pressure, and the music grows to the powerful chorus in a shocking burst. Heartbreaking scenes cover the screen as thousands of people are seen drowning to death inside the ship. Hurt, nervousness, and sheer sadness overwhelm me as I continue watching the emotional trailer. The final moments of the sinking ship are shown, and Jack yells, "Do not let go of my hand!" The screen goes black, leaving us wondering, then Rose whispers weakly, "I'll never let go..."

Real Picture of the Titanic

Jack and Rose

The Real Grand Staircase (Glass Dome)

Short List #2

1. Like vs. Love: This video I found while clicking through YouTube one day completely caught my attention. At first I was struck by the look on the peoples' faces, frozen and bug-eyed on the screen, so of course I had to click play. What I found was a funny video that also taught a good lesson. It brought up the point of how we in the English language, overuse the word love and therefore, we lose the true meaning. It was hilarious and really made me think about how often I say "love." It is a must watch video sensation.

2. kt photography: https://www.facebook.com/pages/kt-photography/136318966396091?sk=wall
Katie, a close friend of mine, is a senior in college and is starting up her own photography business. This link will take you to some of her beautiful snapshots, like the one above. She specializes in weddings, family portraits, and engagement shoots, but she has the gift of being able to photograph just about anything and make it look special. She has a modern flare to her work, but it never overpowers the meaning of the image. Her cutting edge skills are already getting her work noticed by many, and I'm sure her business will continue to flourish.

3. Real-Life Disney Art:  JirkaVinse
Jirka is an extremely talented artist that has the ability to see reality in the common cartoon or animated character. He can create an image that is so lifelike in appearance, yet the observer can still tell what famous character he is portraying. In the above art, he pictured Belle, from Disney's classic movie, Beauty and the Beast. Somehow, he perfectly captured her personality and put it into a realistic appearance. It's fun to look through his artwork and recognize each lifelike portrayal of a well-known Disney character.

Spartan Reader: Tengo Hambre

Unless you are fluent in Spanish, you're probably wondering what the title "tengo hambre" means. The literal translation is "pin this," and that is exactly what people are doing on the fast-growing website, Pinterest. Forget Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest is the new online site that everyone is visiting. I was introduced to this fun and somewhat addicting website by a friend of mine, an art major in college. I had never heard of such a website before, but she said it was all the rage at colleges everywhere. The next day when I joined, I had a few friends on Pinterest, but that is nowhere near the now hundreds of friends I have testing out the site. The number of users is growing exponentially, creating a flood of fresh ideas available on the network.

Pinterest ingeniously combines the creativity and individualism found on blogs with the social networking aspects found on Facebook and Twitter. One look at the website is sure to bring out anyone's inner "Martha Stewart." Upon creating a personal account, you are able to create virtual boards and organize them however you like. To these boards, you can pin images, ideas, videos, or quotes that appear anywhere on the Pinterest site. People are able to post their own creative ideas on fashion, decor, games, and more for other users to look at and "repin" if they like the idea and want to keep it on their personal board.

This site is a great way to get ideas, and it has just about anything you could imagine all in one location. The online page has an artsy flare that is apparent as you scroll through pages and pages of unique ideas. Just looking at that website gives you a sense of accomplishment and can really get your creative juices flowing. It is an inspiration to step outside of the box and be creative in every aspect of your life. Positivity is the common thread that runs through everything that appears on Pinterest, and that is a rare and valuable thing to have on the internet these days.

Poem of the Week

My favorite poem this week was "Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver. I have never connected with a poem as much and as quickly as I did this one. From the beginning of the first line, it caught my attention and firmly grasped it. I could relate to the words and feelings that the author was expressing through the ongoing lines of poetry. Each line brought a whole new truth that I felt paralleled my life exactly. My favorite line stated, "You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves." When I read this line, my love and passion in life jumped out inside my head, saying "Don't forget me! Don't forget why you love me!" This direct relation to the poetry made my day as I read it, and it encouraged me to keep doing what I love.

It's a Tricky Topic...

When my friend handed me the book, Tricks, by Ellen Hopkins to read, she specifically told me, "It's really good, but I have to warn you, it's graphic." I admit, I knew it would be graphic when I began reading the book, but I was nowhere near prepared for the stories the book was about to unfold.

Tricks is uniquely written in poetry form, giving it an artistic flare that is still easy enough to understand. It jumps around, telling the stories of five teenagers, living completely separate lives. At first, the stories of each teen could not be more different, and after being over half-way through the book, I was still not finding a connection between each tale. There were only two similarities that stuck out to me as I continued reading: sex and Las Vegas. One character was a preacher's daughter, living under strict rules, another was a farmer's son struggling with his sexuality. Yet another one was a prostitute's daughter, trying to raise her siblings. They all came from polar opposite walks of life, but they shared one thing: teenage prostitution.

The beginning of the book didn't start out with all of the characters in the underhanded business of prostitution. In fact, none of them were involved, other than the one girl whose mother was a "woman of the night." None of them got into the dealing by choice. For most all of them, it was a last resort to help their failing lives. One young man turned to prostitution after his stepfather died of cancer and his brother was locked up in jail. Another young girl was tricked by a man she met and began dating. This mountebank got her addicted to drugs and used her in his sex slave business against her will.

These circumstances seem dire, but in reality the teenagers began with a life that is common to most. I would never think something like this could happen in my town and to people I know, but it can, and it does. At the end of the book, the author noted that, "the average age of a female prostitute in the United States is twelve years old." This is a shocking statistic. I have to say that this book was definitely an eye-opener, shining some light on the dark world of prostitution.