On The Wing

A Hopeful Transmission

2012-06-06T17:57:00.001-07:00

Thanks for a great year! We are sad to say this is our last time posting:

-The OVMSNEWS Team
Ahana Chakraborty
Cassie Zhu
Sangeetha Vishwanath
Smitha Vishwanath
Tri L.
Abhi Nathan
Michelle Chan
Tommy Mackey
Jane Huang
Gokul Swamy
Eugene Park

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers Game 3

2012-05-31T14:07:00.001-07:00

I was scanning through the channels on the T.V. and happened to watch the Clippers crushing the Spurs in the first quarter. Blake Griffin already had 20 points in the first half, and with some assists from Chris Paul, the Clippers were completely dominating the Spurs. After seeing Griffin dunking alley-oop style from a pass by Paul, and then seeing Griffin shutting down the Spurs with a monster left-handed dunk, I was completely impressed. With a 24-point deficit, I figured the Spurs would lose, so I switched the channel.

I guess I figured wrong. When I came back to the game, it was the third quarter, Tim Duncan had just swished a fade away jumper, and the Spurs had taken the lead 59-57. With Duncan's 19 points and 13 rebounds, the Spurs went on a 24-0 run, while the Clippers struggled to get themselves back in the game. Tony Parker led the Spurs with 23 points and 10 assists, Kawhi Leonard had 14 points and 9 rebounds, and Manu Ginobili chipped in 13 points. Really, the strongest player on the Clippers in that game was Blake Griffin, with 28 points and 16 rebounds, and of course his spectacular dunks.

The Spurs finished 96-86, with a 3-0 lead in the series against the Clippers.

Suffice to say, the Spurs had a huge comeback during the game. It shows that the Spurs will not stop playing, will not stop fighting, and will not stop winning, even in the face of a 24-point deficit and an alley-oop dunk. And did I mention that this win makes for a 17 game winning streak for the Spurs, the longest winning streak in NBA history? Who knows? Maybe we'll see the Spurs at the championships this year.

Go to the NBA's website for clips of the game and more information.
http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2012/westseries5/index.html?ls=st&g=3&t=gs

The King

How to do a Tough Penspinning Trick: The Hai Tua (Info and Video)

2012-05-17T21:09:00.001-07:00

The Hai Tua is one of the hardest moves in penspinning. It's a move that beginners (like the author of this article) shouldn't try attempting, unless they want to be frustrated and throw chairs around saying : "Aagh I can't do it! It's so hard! I'll never be able to penspin!" So if you're a beginner, it's probably better to master some basic skills before advancing to the Hai Tua. In this move, you do moves such as thumbaround, twisted sonic,fingereless thumbaround catch, etc.

Here is a video from youtube, explaining how to do this trick :

Sources: Wikipedia. Youtube.

The Washington D.C. Trip

2012-05-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

Spring break this year was the perfect time for many over-worked students at Oak Valley to catch up on some zzz’s. However, a group of 8^th graders got to go all the way to the other side of the United States, to where the President lives, while we were snoozing. That’s right, they spent their spring break in Washington D.C.

Each year, Oak Valley hosts a Washington D.C. trip for 8^th graders, and each year, the students and chaperones alike have a blast. This year, they visited four states: New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Among the highlights were the Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, Times Square, Broadway, the Arlington National Cemetery, Central Park, Plimouth, famous landmarks, memorials, a witch museum, and of course, restaurants. These lucky 8^th graders also viewed a play on Broadway: the Sister Act. To many people, a Broadway play is synonymous with “sitting down and pretending to pay attention for a few hours”, but the Sister Act received wonderful feedback from the Falcons who watched it: “incredible”, “funny”, “well choreographed”, “great singing”, and “absolutely amazing”.

Aside from the places oozing with history, there were other things just as important as the Statue of Liberty. After all, what’s Philadelphia without Philadelphia Cheese Steak? Has anyone ever visited Boston without tasting the famous Boston Clam Chowder? Definitely not! Even the Big Apple had its distinctive type of food: New York Style Pizza. The D.C. trip juggled with everyone’s taste buds, and the trip participants managed to get a taste of all the authentic foods from the East Coast. For them, the trip was anything but dull.

Yet, it seems to be an obvious fact that all school fieldtrips must be a boring, stagnant, educational
journey. However, many 8^th graders responded to the Washington D.C. trip enthusiastically, and stated that it didn’t feel like an informational, fact-packed vacation; it really just felt like a chance to hang out with friends, and maybe get a little break from parents. Even with this in mind, when asked what they learned, they could easily rattle off historical facts that would boggle anyone’s mind.

Falcons, this is a golden opportunity to have some fun next spring break! As long as you don’t mind a little cold weather, the D.C. trip is a fieldtrip you definitely don’t want to miss! 6th graders can start saving up their money to go on this amazing trip. For 7^th graders interested in going on the trip next year, look out for flyers, and contact Mrs. Posey for more information.

By: The Wild Card

Empire State Building

Plimouth Plantation

Weather Report

2012-05-16T07:19:00.003-07:00

Next week, the week of Monday, May 14th, will be a week of dullness...there is a 95% chance of no weather change whatsoever. Wondering what it will be? Are you worried that you'll have to wear a jacket the entire week? Or maybe shorts and sandals? Don't worry, you definitely won't need a jacket. And yet, you also won't need shorts and sandals. Why? Well, simply because the weather next week ranges from sunny to mostly sunny. The highest is 73° while the lowest is 57°. There is a 0% chance of rain (if you were hoping it would rain so you could skip a run....so sad....), but high levels of humidity, ranging from 60% to 77%. That concludes our weather report...hope it's helpful!

What is On the Wing?

2012-04-28T15:31:00.003-07:00

Test Drive

2012-04-28T12:31:00.001-07:00

Google Drive, the much awaited cloud service from the search giant was released today. It allows you to host files and easily share them with others. This is like other services like Skydrive and Dropbox. However, a host of unique and amazing features set it apart from the competition. First, it is integrated with Gmail. This allows people to real-time collaborate on a document. You can literally see changes the second they happen. This also means that everyone will have the same version of the document, and you don't have to re-email things constantly. The postal integration also allows people to actually talk while they are editing the document, increasing productivity as well as creativity. The most futuristic feature is handwriting recognition(other companies such as Evernote have been working on software like this for quite a while). H.R. allows people to scan a document and allow searchability. Someone can scan their essay, and search for a certain word or phrase. Amazing! Google also allows people to view previous versions of a document, making cloud hosting less dangerous. Google is known for it's many projects. Some have been flops, and some have emerged on top. Maybe Google drive will soar through the clouds, or maybe rain itself out. We will just have to wait and see.

-Jack Of All Trades

Weather Forecast for the week of 4/22/12

2012-04-23T17:36:00.000-07:00

This weeks temperature will range from a low 59° to a high 77°. There also seems to be a promise for rain on Wednesday. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday consist of the clouds partially obscuring the sun, but don't worry. The sun will burst through with its...shininess...and fill up the remaining days with a lot of bright sunshine. With 58% humidity, the weather is looking up for the better. Now the question is...jelly or frosted doughnuts? Er...sorry...I meant...now that you've heard this exceptionally good weather report (I'm so modest), I hope you have something to look forward to. Have a nice week! :)

*Fun Fact...When you wake up in the morning, have you noticed fog obscuring your vision? Well, guess what? That's not really fog, it's actually a low lying cloud; the Marine Layer. Because the humidity level is at 58%, there is more moisture in the air. That means that there is a higher chance of rain. And with rain comes what? CLOUDS! :D I hope I didn't bore you with this educational fact...trust me...a lot of people are on the misconception that the misty stuff we see is actually fog rising from the ocean...like a mysterious movie scene...0.o

Holistic Health

2012-04-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered what people before the era of doctors used to cure themselves with? People used home remedies! Home remedies were unproven yet effective treatment that is still used today and is far better than using prescribed and over-the-counter medicine. Warning: DO NOT try this at home without adult supervision and an okay from your doctor. To much of anything can be harmful)

KOREA
1. Korean RED Ginseng Extract
This remedy is the the Leonardo da Vinci of medicine! It does everything, and I mean it, everything!! Well, maybe not. Anyways, Korean Ginseng Extract, also called Asiatic ginger, comes from a plant found in Korea that has red berries on it. Ginseng takes six years to mature and ten years before it is used. (no wonder it looks so old!)
Some benefits include:

stress relief
increase blood flow and regulate blood sugar and pressure
relax mental effects of stress
burn more calories by increasing body temperature!
plus, it has 42 minerals and vitamins, amino acids, oils, and enzymes - very impressive

2. Birthday Surprise! (Not much of a home remedy, but eaten as a tradition)
On their birthdays, Koreans eat seaweed soup like Americans eating birthday cakes. But why? Seaweed soup was actually consumed by women who delivered children because

it helped produce milk
it had iodine which reduced swelling
it also has calcium to build strong bones

Therefore, Koreans eat seaweed soup to remember their mom’s hard work and to thank them. So on your next birthday, say thank you to your mom! :)

PERU

1. Lapacho Tea
“The Tea of the Incas,” is a remedy used in most countries in South America and around the world. This tea has some stunning health benefits. It’s rich in varieties of natural vitamins and minerals, like iron, calcium, magnesium, iodine, boron, and others. Plus, there are many other benefits that include:

effective natural antibiotic
anti-cancer herbal remedy
regular consumption= stronger immune system, better blood and bone marrow quality, less chances for diabetes, etc.
treats colds, respiratory problems, and infectious diseases
reported that it relieves people with HIV

WARNING!!! There are some possible side effects including nausea, diarrhea (you don’t want that!), anemia, dizziness, etc.

MIDDLE EAST

1. Anise
This puny seed bestows massive benefits. Generally, anise is used in abdominal pain, indigestion, coughs, and headaches. Plus, it is known to clean the urinary system and prevent inflammations. There are three ways to eat this seed

Anise can be put in teas

Grind the seeds

Just chew!!! (Helps in freshening mouth. Ahh!!)

Something interesting... Anise is used to flavor licorice! No wonder it tastes so interesting.

EUROPE

1. Stinging Nettle
Be sure to use the Stinging Nettles leaves or roots in order to brew a healthy tea to accommodate your health. Some benefits include:

relieving muscle and joint pain or disorder
help treat urinary problems (ex. kidney stones, hay fever, etc.)

A cream form can alleviate insect bites or skin discomforts
Side Effects: hives or an upset stomach (mild)

AFRICA

1. Kola Nuts
This nut is found in the Kola trees from tropical rain forests in Africa. Although it has a bitter taste due to high concentrations of caffeine, it stops or slows hunger pangs. In addition, it prevents whooping cough and also reduces the number of asthma attacks by expanding bronchial tubes so you can breathe more comfortably. That’s just great.
For those soda addicts out there, kola nuts are one of the main ingredients in creating cola.
Animal lovers might want to hear this: Kola nut extracts were experimented in animals, and it showed that the kola nut also helps to burn fat, aid digestion, increase alertness, more energy, and improve moods.
Now, the brunt of it. The SIDE effects. If you eat too much, the N-nitrosos compound will be overwhelming and be toxic to your body. Also, too much can cause fever because of the high caffeine.

2. Devil’s Claw Extract-- doesn’t sound very nice, doesn’t it?
Originally a plant indigenous to Africa, Devil's Claw has small hooks on its fruit.
It’s main use is its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as reducing joint pain. Reports show that 50 to 70 percent of people who took Devil's Claw felt less pain and had better movement***.
Those who:

have stomach ulcers,

are pregnant,

or take Warafin or Tichlopidine

should not use Devil’s Claw.

To find out more about these fascinating plants, go to http://www.homeremedycentral.com/ .

*** = http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/367/

“Let food be your medicine” -- Hippocrates

By Lucky Seven

Ghirahim, the Great Demon Lord

2012-04-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

The makers of Legend of Zelda never fail to disappoint us with their games-- its unique screenplay, puzzles, and plot are designed to keep you engaged until the very end. In their newest, Skyward Sword, an unorthodox enemy/boss adds to the fun. Ghirahim, or "Lord Ghirahim," demon king and servant of Demise (the main boss) is trying to find ways to revive his master (very much like Peter Pettigrew and Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter.) When you first meet him, he seems quite gentlemanly and calm despite the fact that he promises not to murder you, but to beat (not the one where you hit people, but the one where you win in a duel) you severely. However, these are just empty threats because as the game progresses, Link (the hero) foils his plans. Because of that, Ghirahim turns more uncontrollable ("Do you have any idea how that made me feel inside? Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger!") Ghirahim is also very flamboyant, theatrical, and narcissistic ("Lovely Aren't they? You'll find the supple skin of my arms tougher than any armor. Doesn't their shape leave you.... breathless? *poses* BEHOLD! SUCH BEAUTY! SUCH PURE FORM! Such exquisite physique!!! SUCH STUNNING FEATURES!!! Yes, I've pretty much got it all.") His antics are amusing Zelda fans everywhere. What do you think of him?
*Quotes are from Ghirahim

Check out some amusing actions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zIZcFQZZU4&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoaHDOYTosw&feature=player_embedded

~Three of Spades

Zelda Wiki
Google
Youtube

Bronies: a Short History of a Unique Fandom

2012-04-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Bronies: a Short History of a Unique Fandom

There are quite a few fandoms on the internet today, but one of the most unique fandoms has to be the brony fandom. These "bronies" are (usually) adult, male fans of the show "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". Before you ask questions like: "who in their right minds would watch a show for five-year-olds", we should review the history and statistics of the show and fandom.

The show (which is abbreviated to MLP FiM) aired on October 10, 2010, on the television channel The Hub. It became more popular on 4chan, a widely visited website. Its popularity spread to other prominent sites like youtube, and the brony community was born. Since the community was originally (and still is) faced with a ton of hate from the rest of the internet, they made their own sites like Equestria Daily (the leading brony blog) and Ponychan (basically 4chan with ponies).

There are about 50,000 bronies today, not counting "closet bronies" who do not participate in the fandom. In a study of about 2500 bronies, 87% are male, and 13% are female. This disproves the myth that all the fandom is male. Also, 53% of bronies are under 20 years old, with 40% more being between 20 and 30. The average age of a brony is 21. Bronies also come from around the world, with the majority in North America and some in Australia and Europe. One interesting thing about bronies is that many thought the show was "stupid" and "for little girls" before they became a brony themselves. How did they overcome their initial hate?

In my research, I stumbled upon a 22 year old brony, and I then proceeded to interview him. (He wished to remain anonymous.)
Q: When did you become a brony, and what were your initial feelings toward the fandom?
A: I became a brony in mid-November [of 2011]. At first I thought it was the most idiotic thing. I actually viewed it as a sort of "cancer of the internet", reflecting the views of many people around me. I watched an episode to see how bad it is, and I never stopped watching since then.
Q: Why is the show so entertaining to you?
A: It is pretty hard to explain, you kind of have to watch an episode to find out. It is not as cartoonish as other shows for kids, and has real-world problems and lessons. Also, the fandom makes a ton of stuff that is really fun and mature. It's kinda hard to believe, so just trust me on this one.
Q: Are you a part of the community, or do you just watch the show?
A: I'm an avid part of the community!
Q: Is the fandom any better than any others?
A: Yes, in my opinion. We make thousands of songs in the community, ranging from electronic to rock to ochestral to rap. There are tens, if not hundreds of thousands of pictures drawn by extremely talented artists. We have gaming clans, we make videos and comedy, and we writes tons of fanfiction. I'm not even close to describing the whole fandom!
Q: Anything you would like to say to non-bronies out there?
A: Don't hate on us. We're normal people just like you, and we don't hate on you. We as a fandom are strong, and fight hate with a vengeance. Plus, the bronies you make fun of could be your family or friends. You might even become one of us in the future!

Sources:
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic
http://www.bronystudy.com/

Studying Tips

2012-04-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

In two days, the beginning of a hard and long week for eighth graders will happen. On Wednesday, it is a test of knowledge from sixth to eighth grade social studies. Now, some teachers are kind enough to sit with you on the released questions material. But what if that does not happen in your situation? Don't worry- just follow the tips below.
1) First go on Google and search released eighth grade social studies questions. Print them out, and fill out the packet. See what you know.
2) While doing the packet, circle the questions you don't know. Then after completing the packet, go to your textbooks and search up the incomplete questions. If you do not have a textbook at home of that certain grade, go on the internet and search up an online version of it.
3) Take notes on the topics you did not know, then study them. If you have time, study some of the textbook material as well.
4) Get a good night's sleep everyday and eat nutritious meals.
Good luck ! And may the odds ever be in your favor! :)
~ Princess of Diamonds

Ah-ah-ACHOO!!!

2012-04-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Ah-ah-ACHOO!!!

"Don't go outside without a jacket or else you'll catch a cold!!" It's a common enough saying in most households. But is it true? Will you really catch a cold if you go outside without a jacket?

Studies show that it's.............. somewhat false. You could stand outside on a snowy day(something which most likely won't occur in sunny San Diego) wearing nothing but your underwear and not get a cold. Not even a small case of the sniffles.

Oh, what's this? You ask why people get colds more often during winter? Well, that's an easy enough question to answer! It's because people tend to stay inside when it's cold out. Yes, yes, it's kind of obvious.... but it's true! The virus that causes colds is passed through touch. If everybody stays indoors within close proximity to one another, colds can be easily transferred from one person to another.

But, as with every midwives tale, there is a grain of truth lurking underneath. You are more susceptible to the virus when your body temperature is low. This is because that specific virus thrives in cold environments. So if you're toasty warm and bundled up in a thick jacket, you won't get a cold as easily. This is why your mom wants you to wear a jacket.

So maybe you should wear a jacket next time you decide to go out in chilly weather. After all, better safe than sorry.

By: Ace ♠

The Avengers

2012-04-19T11:51:00.004-07:00

The Avengers

Yes! The long anticipated movie,(at least for me), is finally coming out on May 4! For all of you non-comic book readers,the Avengers is a team of superheroes who band together to defend the Earth from evil. Previous movie adventures in the Marvel series like The Hulk and Ironman detail each of the team's individuals.

Due to amazing techies (hint to the On the Wing crew), and modern technology, the new movies are able to harness the power of special effects.This results in a definitely cooler looking band of superheroes, as you can see in the pictures.

The team consists of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Ironman (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Runner), and the Hulk (Mark Rufalo). The Avengers are led by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., which is a peacekeeping agency.

This time, the heroes must stop Loki (Tom Hiddleston), which is Thor's evil brother, from taking over the world ( as most evil villains attempt). In this exciting, fast paced, motion thriller, who shall win? (Uh, duh! "I have an army..." "We have a Hulk") Look for the dialogue in the trailer. You can find the trailer here at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848228/

King G Give me five if you saw the trailer.

Deadline for the NBA

2012-04-19T11:51:00.002-07:00

The NBA season had its annual trade deadline on March 15, 2012. The trade deadline is the last day that teams can trade their players for other players on other teams. Most trades that happened this year were not that huge, but there were others that completely changed the starting line-up of teams. Let’s take a look at the nine trades that happened in this year’s NBA season.

The first trade that happened was on March 14, one day before the deadline. This trade involved the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warriors traded guard Monta Ellis and centers Kwame Brown and Ekpe Udoh to the Bucks in exchange for center Andrew Bogut and forward Stephen Jackson. The Warriors get a defensive center, while the Bucks get a scoring threat in Ellis. In another trade that happened, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Sam Young to the Philadelphia 76’ers. The Grizzlies received future cash considerations and the rights to Ricky Sanchez, a Puerto-Rican forward that is currently playing in Puerto-Rico, for the Santurce Crabbers. The Indiana Pacers alsomade a trade and traded their 2012 second round draft pick to the Toronto Raptors for shooter Leandro Barbosa.

In another trade that happened, the New Jersey Nets traded Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a future first round draft pick to the Portland Trailblazers, and in return they got athletic forward Gerald Wallace. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers also reached a trade.The Lakers traded Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, and a 2012 first round draft pick in exchange for point guard Ramon Sessions and Christian Eyenga. The Lakers made this trade to get a new, young point guard instead of aging Derek Fisher. Later on, the Lakers traded Derek Fisher and a 2012 first round draft pick to the Houston Rockets for center Jordan Hill. The Trailblazers then made another trade; they traded big man Marcus Camby for Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, and a 2012 second round draft pick. The San Antonio Spurs traded Richard Jefferson, T.J Ford, and their 2012 first round draft pick to the Golden State Warriors for Stephen Jackson. The final trade of the 2011-2012 season involved three teams: The Washington Wizards, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Denver Nuggets. Through this trade, the Wizards received Nene, Brian Cook, and a future second round draft pick. The Clippers got Nick Young, and the Nuggets got JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf.

- By Anonymous

Victory is Ours!

2012-04-19T11:49:00.003-07:00

On March 17,2012, five schools got together for "a quizbowl"-like competition called the Young Scholars Academic Fair, which was founded by a senior at Scripps Ranch High School- Vivek Vishwanath. Teams of five from each school competed with each other, and were given middle-school based questions. The categories went from academic to miscellaneous. All of the teams participated in four matches, except Oak Valley and De Petrola (because they won most of their games). The competition ended with Oak Valley winning first place, De Petrola in second, Wagenheim in third, Marshall in fourth, and Muirlands in fifth.

In the final (elimination) rounds, as a viewer to these matches, you could see brilliant minds cooperating together to win the match. As a participant this year, I cannot tell you how it may have looked like to other people, but I can give you my mom's opinion-"It was like watching a TV show-once you saw the match, you would have the sudden urge to join next year." I can confirm that, since I watched Oak Valley compete with other schools last year- I found myself answering all the questions, and I was begging my mom for me to join the YSAF team in 2012. If you ask me, what was my favorite part of the YSAF competition this year, I would say that my favorite part was seeing our hardwork bearing fruits;that we were being rewarded for our hardwork. It's like Jeopardy, but it's much more fun than that. It was almost like a eutopia to me, and it may just be the same for you.

If you would like to see pictures from this year's event, please go to this website (here is a sample of one):

~Princess of Diamonds

Got milk?

2012-04-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

After you gulp down a pair of jalapenos, what do you reach for next?

Do you go for a glass of water, a hose if you’re impatient, some orange juice, or a fire extinguisher?

Well next time, gulp a glass of milk, since its the best way to sedate the spiciness or hotness that lingers in your mouth! But why? Why would you use milk but not water, orange juice, or a fire extinguisher? Well, it’scomplicated.

A compound called capsaicin is the source of the spiciness in food. As you can tell, it also can be found in the seeds of peppers.The seeds are located in the white “ribs”

or areas in the middle or side of the
pepper.

Intriguingly,this compound is not soluble by water, therefore preventing the water from easing the sensation.

Since the matter cannot be solved with
water, we drink milk which is a concoction of fatand proteins that saturates the capsaicin,alleviating that hot sensation burning in your mouth. Also, an enzyme in milk called casein debilitates the bonds between capsaicin and pain receptors.

We could go into detail about the specific ions,elements, chemicals involved, the RNA and DNA, Nociceptors, anatomy of capsaicin
and the process of heat. I reommend you to visit
http://student.biology.arizona.edu/
honors98/group12/pepper.html
to see what is the deal about those tempting red
and green peppers are hiding.

- Lucky Seven

What is Scrapbooking?

2012-04-19T11:47:00.005-07:00

Do you have piles of photos that you don’t know what to do with? Do you have a creative mind and don’t know how to express yourself? Do you just want a fun and relaxing hobby? If any of these questions pertain to you, then you should try scrapbooking! Scrapbooking is a fun hobby that will help you show off your favorite memories.

You can begin scrapbooking with just a few simple materials. Here is a list of some of the basic materials that can get you started:

Memories (Photos, Maps, Brochures, etc.)
Scissors (or a paper trimmer)
Paper (and/or cardstock)
Album
Scrapbooking Adhesive
Embellishments (Stickers, Ribbon, Stamps, etc.)

With just a few supplies, you can get involved with the art of scrapbooking. One of the fun things about scrapbooking, is that you can experiment with many different techniques. Once you do so, you can find what works for you. Scrapbooking is a fun hobby because you have control over what you are creating. You can make your scrapbook as simple or as complicated as you want.

Scrapbooking is a fun craft that allows you to experiment as much as you want. Scrapbooks are unique and they tell a story, showcase who you are, and are fun to make!

~The Dealer

Check out our new Picture of the Week

2012-04-18T17:07:00.001-07:00

The Consequences of Sleep Deprivation

2012-04-17T18:35:00.003-07:00

Because of excess homework, most teenagers have gone to bed with only two to four hours of sleep. Now, you may think that sleep deprivation results only in irritable behavior in the morning. However, according to Yahoo, it can also increase teenagers' risks to depression and sickness having to do with pyschology. Lack of sleep can result in other health problems as well : it also affects hormones in their bodies that take care of eating, resulting in obesity.

Less sleep can also affect performance in school. Because of lack of sleep, there is not much concentration, because teenagers are too tired to focus on the work. Grades will gradually slip, lower and lower into the F range. After a bad day at school, lack of sleep will also affect teenagers' driving as well- they'll be too busy sleeping while they're supposed to focus on the road. Solution to all these problems? Just make a schedule to fit in all of your homework, and get at least 7 to 11 hours of sleep. Teenagers will wake up with a fresh head. Problem solved.

~ Princess of Diamonds

The Senior's Crime Club

2012-04-17T18:05:00.001-07:00

The Senior's Crime Club

You've heard the sad stories of teens using drugs and other nasty stuff. You sometimes wonder how such good kids can do something so awful to themselves. And then you realize it. Someone must have advocated it, or introduced the teens to it. Someone the teens respected and knew. Someone like... Grandma!

According to CNN, in the Grand Lake area of Oklahoma, a 73 year old woman was arrested for selling and distributing drugs to teens. Police found $278,000 in cash and four pounds worth of marijuana at the grandma's home. After four months of investigation, police finally caught the grandma, who turned out to be the biggest drug trafficker in the local drug trade.

Are you surprised? Many people are, in fact, they are astonished. However, investigators say that more and more senior citizens (Grandma and Grandpa, and maybe your great-grandpa too) are turning to drug trafficking to earn money after retirement. Watch this video from CNN for more.

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c3#/video/bestoftv/2012/04/12/nr-ok-grandma-marijuana-arrest.cnn

This senior crime club doesn't seem like it is going to work out. They'd probably end up hurting their hips and inflaming their arthritis when trying to hobble away from the cops. It's better for these seniors to rest in their retirement homes, bake cookies for their grandchildren, and maintain their image as a role model, rather than the bad example.

The King G

Balancing Brooms

2012-04-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

Although the past week has consisted of freezing temperatures, spring officially began on March 20^th, the dayof the vernal equinox. Long story short, the equinox is basically a time when the sun passes directly over the equator, which signifies the end of winter in the northern hemisphere. Besides being a season of lush green grass, the growth of leaves on bare trees, and comfortable temperatures, a new myth has merged: the Balancing Broom Myth. Some people believe that on the day of the vernal equinox, and only that day, a broom can be balanced on its bristles, because of “planetary alignment”. It is said that because all the forces in the universe are “balanced” on the equinox, the broom will miraculously stand up by itself. Although the myth sounds extremely interesting, it has been proven false. Since the bristles at the end of a broom are wider than the handle, it is actually quite easy to balance the broom. Once you achieve this “impossible” task, you will find that it is either suddenly the spring equinox in the middle of December, or that the Balancing Broom Myth is completely bogus. You could always find a better use for that broom than balancing it, like hiding it in the pantry to avoid doing your kitchen chores.
- The Wild Card

Extreme Paper Airplane

2012-04-17T06:09:00.002-07:00

I consider myself a fairly good paper airplane maker.

But, it's not often that you see an

800-pound paper airplane actually FLYING!

In Arizona, the Pima Air and Space Musuem recently recorded the flight of a gigantic paper airplane. Their goal was to create interest in young students (ahem!) in the science and engineering fields by making engineering fun. The 45 foot long paper airplane was basically thrown into the air, where it experienced a short lived flight before descending to the ground. You can find the video from CNN at

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/living/2012/03/23/bts-biggest-paper-airplane.pima-air

It's amazing how they managed to get so much paper. Imagine the amount of trees the musueum had to gather!

King G

The Hunger Games Review

2012-04-17T06:07:00.002-07:00

To tell the truth, I had my doubts about the Hunger Games movie. The original book by Suzanne Collins was a hit throughout America. An imaginative dystopian novel, it elaborated on future-America (renamed Panem), where, as punishment for rebellion, the twelve districts are forced to send two children, one girl and one boy, to compete in the vicious and deadly, Hunger Games. Only one person will make it out alive.

I was hesitant to see the movie, fearing that it would turn out as disastrous as Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief (in which the screenwriter turned a thrilling plot into a not-so-thrilling movie centered around events which took up about 30 pages in the book). Even with Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, I still walked into the movie theaters, skeptical of how the movie would turn out.

The screenwriters pulled it off absolutely marvelously. The movie strictly followed the book’s plot, and the acting done by the characters was great! The details were carved intricately into the film, complete with the Capitol’s accent and overly extravagant clothing, as well as futuristic technology appropriate for the setting. Whoever the costume designer and makeup artist were, they did a phenomenal job throughout the movie. Although the movie’s length, two hours and twenty-two minutes, is slightly daunting, the film moves along at a brisk pace with the same suspense and thrill that kept readers flipping pages from the book.

The only thing the movie could have improved on was to explain things more thoroughly. I recommend teens to read the book first before jumping to the movie theaters. The Hunger Games is an amazing adaptation of the book. It will definitely satiate the appetite of fans, and please non-fans as well.

Sit tight and get the popcorn ready; this will be a movie experience you will never forget. This opening weekend, the odds were most certainly in The Hunger Games’ favor.

~The Wild Card

The Wii U

2012-04-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Are you tired when you're on vacation? With nothing else to do? Missing that Wii back at home? Worry no longer- Nintendo will soon release a portable video game console called Wii U. With many features such as a touchscreen, camera, 8 GB to save your games, and many more, it is heard to be better than the original Wii.

Over the years, the Nintendo company realized that there improvements that were needed in the original invention. For instance, with the new Wii U, you can get game feedback from the makers themselves and you are allowed to make status messages as well whereas in the original Wii , you were not able to do so. You are also able to plug the Wii U's software into the television as well. And the cost of the whole Wii U is $180. The Wii U is finally up to technology, and soon the Wii will be obsolete. Get updated!

~Princess of Diamonds