Talent Show Song Switch

     Delila loved to sing.  She sang in the car, the shower, just about anywhere.

      At lunch, an announcement was made about the upcoming talent show.  Auditions were going to be held today after school.  Delila was excited to hear this.  She and her brother, Oliver, had been practicing their song for over two months now. They always collaborated in music.  Delila sang the melody and Oliver played the guitar and added harmonies.  

      At first, they were going to the original song that they made around six months ago, (they still practiced it three times a week in case an opportunity came along) but they decided to sing a different song.

     After school, Oliver and Delila met in the cafetorium.  Delila's heart was pounding out of her chest, and her hands sweated.  Oliver looked over and saw that she was nervous.  

     "Hey, don't worry.  You got this.  You're gonna do fine like you always do." She smiled.  Her brother always did know how to make her feel better.  

     "Terra Parks, you're up," one of the judges called.  A girl about the same age as Delila stood and walked to the stage.  She didn't look nervous at all.  She got right up and sang her heart out.  

     As she was singing, Oliver whispered to Delila, "Hey, isn't that the song we were going to sing," Delila nodded.  "Well, now what are we gonna do?" Oliver ran his fingers through his hair.  

     "Do you have your guitar?"

     "Yeah, but it's in the music room.  I don't see why--"

     "Just get it and hurry," 

      Oliver did what his sister asked.  He rushed to music room.  His guitar was laying down in the far corner where he had left it yesterday.  He grabbed it and sprinted down the halls.  

     Back in the cafetorium, the judge called Delila and Oliver up to the stage.  Delila spoke into the microphone,"Just a moment,"

     A couple seconds went by and the judge looked at her watch,"Are you gonna do your act or not?"

     "I am," Delila replied.  Come on, Oliver.  Hurry up.  Just then, Oliver burst through the double doors, sweating buckets barely able to breath.  Oliver caught his breath and headed up to the stage. 

     Delila motioned Oliver over to her.  She whispered in his ear. 

     "Really, are you sure? Okay then, on my count.  1,2,3,4," Oliver and Delila had decided to switch the song at the last minute and do their own song.  They made into the talent show.  Terra didn't make because the judge felt that song wasn't really right for any voice.  In the end, everything worked out. 

April Fool's Day: All About How the Laughter Started

How It Started

     Up until the mid-1500s, all of Europe used the same calendar.  In that calendar, April 1st was the first day of the year.  On the that day, people exchanged gifts and visited each other.  In the year 1564, Charles IX created a new calendar which uses the date January 1st as the new start of the new year.  Some didn't like the thought of the change of date for the new year and refused to accept the new traditions.  Those who continued to celebrate the start of a New Year on April 1st became the ridicule of their friends and neighbors.  These friends and neighbors played tricks on them because the 'April Fools' continued to hold onto their false April New Year's Day. 

How We Celebrate It Today

     Today we celebrate this holiday by playing tricks on friends and family regardless of which New Year's Day they observe. 

Questions?

     If you have any questions or further information, please leave a comment.  To find out April Fools' tricks please view this site: http://aprilfoolzone.com/

Moody to Moody

     Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is a disorder that causes strange shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function.  With bipolar disorder, the ups and down of a normal life are much more severe.  This can disorder can damage relationships, cause poor performance in school or at work, or worse.  However, there is a cure. 

     1% of people 18 and over in America have bipolar disorder.  Most develop it in late adolescence or early adulthood although, some can develop this disorder in early childhood or later in life. 

     Bipolar disorder affects or destroys many things.  Some of those things are moods, thoughts, behavior, rational thought, and, far too often, the desire to live. 
     To find out more about this potentially life-threatening disorder, click on the following link:http://www.medic8.com/mental-health/bipolar/index.htm

Drift Off to a Daydream

     Daydreams are an often ignored part of dream study usually thought of as wandering thoughts.  However, daydreams are still dreams. Therefore, they can still be used to help understand your true feelings and problems in life. 

What Are Daydreams?

      Daydreams happen when you are partially awake.  They are random imaginations of many picture or experiences in the past or future. 

What Side of the Brain Do You Use When You Daydream?

      When you daydream, you use the right-side of your brain.  This is the more feminine side of your brain, which is why when you dream the images are more 'from the heart'.

Is Worrying  a Type of Daydream?

     Daydreams are often thought of as wishful thinking and silly fantasies.  But, worrying can even be a classification of a daydream.  When you worry, you visualize a negative outcome to a situation.  Repeating these images makes them more likely to happen. 

Can Repeating Daydreams Be Helpful?

      By repeating your daydreams, you can use them to your advantage and make positive events happen.  Many athletes, musician, business leaders,etc. use this technique to envision success. 

     If you have any other questions or extra information to add about daydreams, please leave comments. 

What's Cool About Calcium

      I'm doing a science project on the element, calcium.  So, I thought that I should tell you a bit about this element. 
      Calcium is the 20th element of the periodic table.  It consists of 20 protons, neutrons, and electrons.  It's estimated atomic mass is 40.  It's symbol is Ca, not CA, which stands for California.  This element is classified as a metal and a solid.  These are some of the properties of this fascinating and useful element. 

     Calcium is a soft, grey mineral that makes up a large portion of the earth's crust and the human body.  It is necessary for living creatures to survive.  Which is why it is unfortunate that 50-75% of human diets do not contain enough calcium.  This could affect the body severely as mentioned in the next paragraph. 

      Throughout the body, calcium is used for many different reasons.  For example, contracting muscles, strengthening teeth and bones, conducting nerves impulses throughout the body, clotting blood, maintaining a normal heartbeat, etc.  Without consuming the correct amount of calcium.

     People under the age of 18, whose bones may still be developing, should consume 1300 mg each day.  Adults ages 18-50 should recieve an intake of 1000 mg per day.  Elderly people over the age of 50 are reccommended to take in around 1200 mg every day.  People from different ages need a varying amount of calcium. 
    Calcium can be found in many different places.  Most people instantly think dairy when they here calcium.  But, it can found in places where people would never look, like, broccoli, dandelion greens, kale or collard greens, beans, almonds, sesame seeds, and oranges.  Consume calcium and get rid of the 'not enough variety' excuse. 
     Keep up on your calcium because it could affect you in the long run.  To learn more about calcium visit these sites:http://www.facts-about.org.uk/science-element-calcium.htm  and
chemistry.about.com/b/2010/04/30/calcium-facts-2.htm    

Cell Phones: Fun Technology or Hand-Held Trouble

     Cell phones for children is a controversial subject.  But, the truth of the matter is that some adults should not even have these devices. 

     The newest cell phones now have 4G networks and the ability to takes photos and videos.  Those are great, but the real problem lays at texting.  This generation finds it too tiring to pick up the phone and hold it up to your ear.  Texting can ruin your speaking and writing.  What would an employer say if you texted them 'Thnx 4 aul ur help.' ? Teens spend hours in their rooms texting all the time.  But, the activity can create improper grammar and spelling.  Now while texting is fun it should not be done for countless hours. 

     The next issues with cell phones is prank calls/texts.  Many children indulge in prank-calling.  The calls cost money for the parents.  You should make sure that your child does not prank call because not only does it create huge bills but, it also can cause trouble.  Your child could dial a random number and anyone could pick up from a widowed housewife to a brutal biker thug.  Depending on who your child dials, he or she could be in a wide range of trouble. 

     Lastly, cell phones can be very distracting.  Although some use their cell phones while doing the following activities, it is not a very smart thing to do.  Walking across the street, driving, and any other activity that you should be paying attention to your surroundings.  This is how accidents occur.  
     So, fun technology or hand-held trouble? You decide and give your thoughts in the comments.

Triumph In The Sea

A refreshing ocean breeze came from the green sea.  Seagulls squawked and cawed around me.  I sat on a long terry cloth towel and stared out into the ocean.  The sun shined in the afternoon sky.  As it did, its rays reflected on the water’s surface, turning it a deep blue.  I spotted my friends out at sea as they either dove into the oncoming wave, or leaped over it. 

                  I wondered what it would be like to go ‘wave diving’, as my friends call it.  I sprinted to the shore where the water met the land.  I stood there and shivered as the cold water came up to my ankles, burying my feet in the wet sand.  I slowly departed from the shore, water rising higher around me, until I came to the spot where my friends were fooling around. 

                  At first, small waves came, which I had no trouble hopping over, but then… it came.  It was the biggest and roughest wave that I’ve ever seen.  Out in the distance, I could hear it laughing at me, taunting and telling me that I’ll never make it to the other side. 

                  The smaller waves around me cackled agreeing with the bigger one approaching.  My friend, Elena called from somewhere off to the right, “We’re going to dive soon!  Are you ready or are you chicken?!”

      Though the words were a bit insulting, they were also encouraging.  To her I replied, “Yes, I’m ready.” I silently prayed to the universe, ‘Please, oh, please let me live.’ I took a deep breath to relax my nerves, then, I dove in. 

                  I wore goggles to keep the salty water away from my eyes.  The ocean appeared foggy and dark green under the surface.  The sight of it disgusted me.  But, it was rejuvenating, refreshing, and relaxing swimming through the waves.  It was also so thrilling, feeling the rush off the wave going over my back. 

                  I emerged from the water, breathing heavily. 

                  “See, I told you it wasn’t hard,” Elena told me.  I just rolled my eyes, but inside I cheered, ‘I did it, I did it.’ For about 30 more minutes, Elena and I wave dove.