Evy: "The Glory Field" Review

I just finished reading Walter Dean Meyer's "The Glory Field" as part of my English required reading. I decided I'd review it for you guys, in case you want to read it for pure enjoyment.

RATING: 4 of 5 stars
AGE GROUP*: 12+
GENRE: Black History, Historic Fiction
AUTHOR: Walter Dean Meyer
REVIEW: "The Glory Field" was an inspiring story showing several different generations of an African-American family: how they learned to thrive and survive as slaves, and how they came to love the land they worked. Personally, it's not a book I would read for personal enjoyment -- but to be fair, I'm not the biggest fan of historic fiction in general. I recommend this book for readers twelve years or older, as subtle suggestiveness and minor word choice is used (there are no obscenities throughout the book, however, racism is a topic and the perspective it is viewed from is debatable). It's a tasteful book and isn't for one who desires adventure, mystery, and wonder on every page.

*The recommended ages due to book content.

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Evy: Taiko Drumming

Tonight I saw an amazing drumming show called TAO: The Art of the Drum. I'm currently particularly fascinated with late-night loud shows (Stomp!, for example), and this hit a tie for number one on my list.
Perfectly synced drumming along with flawless choreography, occasional humor, and extraordinary coordination, rhythm, and music created this wonderful 2-hour set. It is definitely worth the see if TAO: The Art of The Drum ever comes to your city! There's something for everyone - Japanese instruments and even some acrobatics are some surprise effects of the show.
Even more thrilling is the drumming itself - it must have taken YEARS of practice! The drunmers' perfect unison and quick reflexes totally awed me.
You need to see this! Even if it isn't live, you can listen to their CD or watch their DVD to bring this amusement home ;)

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Gracie: Boredom Busters

So I was was really bored and was thinking, how do you know what to do when you are bored?? Do you think hard, or what?? Well.. I made up this little survey:

1. Why are you bored?

a) 0 amount of excitment

b) Nothing to do.....

c) We can't GO anywhere.... :(

2. Is anyone with you??

a) Nobody, but my parents (and maybe a sibling or 2, but they are on the phone or in their own little world)

b) Nobody..... parents gone, friends at parades, brother and sister away

c) Everyone :(

3. Are you in the mood for an adventure?

a) As long as there is excitment at every turn, SURE!!

b) Not really....

c) Is there shopping, going to the park, or maybe SOMETHING??

KEY BELOW.......

If you answer  mostly a's, I think that you should go to the park, there try and play a game with a bunch of friends...... you need to have fun, and the park is the best place for you to go without having to travel all the way to Alaska or something....

If you answered mostly b's then go ahead and do an art project.. it is calming (most of the time) and you get to focus all of that attention on your to-be masterpiece. 

If you answered mostly c's you REALLY need to get out of the house and have a little YOU time... maybe play in the backyard or sit on your bed, close the door, and read!!

Gracie: Symbols

OK. I don't know whether or not most people know, but I never did until now. Here's how to do symbols like a heart or something on a Mac:

1) You need to have a Mac. On the top-right there should be a little flag from where you are along with the time and so on.

2) Click that flag!!

3) It SHOULD say Show Character Palette. Click on it and there is your Character Palette!

𝄞一卅ʥ☪☜♲⌚❤........ So, there are some things that you can do with the Character Palette!

Gracie: Choosing Friends

You may not think that this is something that is high on the "IMPORTANT" list, but, oh, trust me, it is.
When you pick who your friends are, it's like picking your future. Will you take this road or this road? Now, sometimes you CAN predict what will become of your friend.  Here are a 2 VERY important ways that you COULD see what your friend is like... later on:

1. You could take a nice look at them... maybe their clothes. If they are wearing a giant purple skirt with a skinny T-shirt,  you can be sure that they're those fun, outgoing friends. Sometimes your friends will wear some fancy-shamancy clothes to make themselves feel pretty or something. It's your choice once you realize what they are like. Do you want that outgoing friend, that shy one, that smart one, or maybe that pretty and popular one?

2. Will they be by your side at all times? It matters. Do they seem to have a wish for MANY friends, and always want "back-up" friends? If that is the case, then no, they really won't stay by your side. They might WANT to, but when they get backup friends, that means that 1, they doubt you or 2, they think that YOU won't be by their side..... If they seem to always want to be with you, or seem to admire you, you can pretty much say that they will stick with you. Now, there are exceptions (myself knowing one).

Sometimes it's too late and that "friend" has already told some people all those secret secrets that you only told them because of the fact that they seemed trustworthy and had this icy stare that could make a statue give in and decide to walk because she told it to. Now, when that happens you want to either ignore them, or tell them how mad you are at them. This is the #1 thing to do, usually. Now, I, for one, am always realizing a little TOO late when my friends are not really called friends, but that-moron-that-can't-seem-to-stop-being-a-moron. Yeah.. not good. So, it's always good to choose wisely and DON'T GIVE OUT ANY SECRETS.
My friends that can be mean, I know would never give out my secrets to my haters, but you know what, if you really trust them, tell them something (that you don't mind giving out) and see if they spread it. That  is my FAVORITE test. So few pass it, but when they do, you celebrate. :)



Sometimes when you befriend somebody, they seem harmless. They probably were at the time, but when you see them changing in front of your very eyes, make sure that your doing all you can to say "I'm sorry, but I feel like your changing right in front of my eyes, like your a loved one turning into a monster."

Evy: Homesickness

I just left my cousins' house and I probably won't see them for several months or a year. That missing-you feeling is normal with me because I visit them at least twice a year, and I've learned ways to cope with the feeling.
Whether its homesickness, missing a friend or family member, or just feeling lonely, you should always...
1) Keep in touch with them! I email, text, and play online games with friends and cousins I'm feeling homesick for. Sometimes reminders of people make you even worse, but hearing from them really clears up the feeling.
2) Put your mind on other things too! Draw, write, shop, cook, clean, play...go on with your life because eventually the homesickness will fade.
I want to give a special shout-out to my cousin Gracie (yes, the very Gracie that I share this blog with). Hi, Gracie!!! See you soon!!!

Evy: Road Trips

Let's face it: being in a car for +2 hours absolutely sucks. Depending on your car and how many people you're traveling, you could be squished like a bug. Whatever the conditions, you're almost always bored, cramped, and uncomfortable. Here are a few ways you can help that -
1) Prepare! Bring books, fully charge your iPod, rest your texting thumbs, and make sure you pack enough sweets to keep you going for however long your trip is (I suggest one small candy per thirty minutes, but your metabolism may rush in the car.)
2) Wear comfy clothes. Nobody wants to go through a cross country drive in a hoop skirt. TRUST ME.
3) Every thirty minutes wiggle around. Move your legs, your butt, your back, and change general position.
4) Maybe take a nap. To be honest, it helps the time pass by. Turn on some music and drift away :)
5) Clean up along the way. Bring along a trash bag and pack everything neatly. It maximizes your space and keeps your car nice and neat.
6) Driver's Tip: if you're going to be the driver and you're the only one in the car pack everything close to you. No dozing! Eat something every once in a while. Grapes, small candies, and caffeinated soda helps with the staying awake part. If there are other passengers, have them help you out!

Hope this helps!

Gracie: Painting

Everybody loves to paint, especially me.
I take art lessons, and am in TAV, Talented In The Visual Arts.
When people paint, usually they use special brushes and paints. When I paint, I tend to use acrylic paints and small, not that fancy brushes. When using watercolor I always use paints that are in thaws fancy tubes. Why? For me, they are always easier to move around and if I only need 2 colors, then I can just bring 2 tubes instead of a whole palette thingy.
When you are about to paint with acrylic or watercolor, and this is quite obvious with WATERcolor, make sure you have some water in a little cup.
When you finish with one brush, make sure that you wash it thoroughly. I dry my brushes on a little bamboo mat that you van roll ip with all igneous brushes inside of it.
When you are done painting, make sure that your painting is in a safe place where it can dry in peace. :). My brother and I have a small table that we call The Gallery because we leave our paintings to dry there, but please can still look at them.
If you have no idea what to paint, here are some ideas:
1. You should paint something about how you feel. If you are sad, paint something sad. SadLY, some people think that means paint someONE sad. You can do that too, but I'd rather have people look at it and think: "though this piece of artwork doesn't say 'I am sad' it portrays its feelings quite well"
2. If you love nature, I'm sure that if you paint outside on a nice Spring day, some masterpiece will come of that blank canvas collecting dust in that old closet.
3. Paint someone that you love. It could be your boyfriend, your mom, your brother, your dad or so on. Make sure that that person can stay still for a long time!!
Happy Painting ^-^

Gracie: Luck

There are lucky symbols, lucky necklaces and pendants, and lucky statues. 
The definition of luck is "success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions" 

So, when I say that I'm lucky, I'm pretty much saying that a lot of things that have happened to my have been brought by chance. 

In my opinion, luck is just family and friends standing up for you, or helping you. They are like those "lucky angels" that you see on TV. 

When you fall, it isn't luck that picks you up, and when you get into a car accident, it isn't luck that helped you live. It was the driver, that brick wall, or maybe that bridge that saved you. 

And when it is that driver, the only time it should be someone you don't know, would be when your in a foreign country in a taxi, or maybe in another state. Of course, it could be a limo driver, but I count those as really safe. 

Sometimes you can get caught up in the moment and think that rubbing your pendant caused your favorite football team to win the Superbowl, but really, I think it was due to the amount of practice that they did. 

When time stops and you realize that your just kidding yourself, that can be one of the best feelings ever because you know that team or person doesn't rely on luck itself. Of course, sometimes it feels like that warming fire as burned out and you are stuck in the cold mountains all alone because you feel like you can't do anything anymore. 

That's what I think. You may have a different opinion on the matter, but I think that if you take a moment and decipher the code, you can really understand: Luck may be real, but you are the controller of whether you need to user it or not.

Evy: Google+

I personally love Google+! For all of you familiar with the discontinued Google social network - Buzz - Google+ is like a new improved Buzz Beta. Unfortunately, since Gracie is not a fan of G+ you will not be able to find Evy and Gracie on Google+. however you can follow me alone, Icybytes, on G+! If you don't have an account yet I highly suggest that you create one! It's quick, easy, free, and worth it!!!!
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Evy: Friend Fights

It's happened to all of us: we've gotten into an argument with a friend over nothing and it explodes into a lifetime rivalry. None of us want to lose good friends because both of us are too stubborn to admit that we're wrong or to give in, so here are some tips to not only prevent friend fights but also deal with them properly: TO PREVENT - 1. To keep a good friendship you need to listen to one another. Never push away someone else especially when they're just trying to help. Be levelheaded to avoid arguments. 2. Keep it real but friendly! 3. Sometimes, though you might hate it, it is necessary to give in to a fight that you may lose or that may risk your best friendships. It's good to sacrifice for one another. TO END/DEAL - 1. Have a talking session where you just pour what you're thinking and feeling out and listening to the other person as well. This increases understanding and trust between you two. 2. Give in. Apologize first. Take things easily and try not to get too angry. 3. Let it heal. If trying to help doesn't work just let time take its course and let the other person and you get over your anger. 4. Sometimes friendships can't be helped. If you were pulled into a bad one, you'll know it when you feel it. Try to repair things as best you can but sometimes these friendships can't be patched together and you go your separate ways, no hard feelings. Use these tips wisely. #4 on the end/deal list is last resort. Don't end a friendship without trying. And take time to consider if the friendship and the friend, what they are worth to you and to your time, and either make amends or decide that the line should fall at that argument. Good luck. :)

Evy: The Secret World of Arrietty

From the producer Ghibli (the creator of Ponyo and Howl's Moving Castle) comes the amazing new world of the Borrowers! I personally loved the book. The movie "The Secret World of Arrietty" came out yesterday, February 17, and I'm hoping to see it today. If you've seen the trailers or recently Wiki'd the movie, Bridgit Mendler (Teddy Duncan of "Good Luck Charlie") voices the character of Arrietty and David Henrie (Justin Russo of "Wizards of Waverly Place") portrays the voice of Sean, Arrietty's human friend. Bridgit and David are friends from Wizards of Waverly Place, where Bridgit temporarily starred as the vampire girlfriend of Justin Russo, Juliet. I honestly think they really fit the parts of the animated movie, and given their prior friendship, they should have no problem emitting the emotion required for the part.

The books "The Borrowers" were fantastic, and I highly reccommend that you read them before you watch the movie. See you later, Blogtimers! This post will be edited once/if I see the movie with my review :)

Gracie: Organization

We all want to be organized, and sometimes it's easy, other times it can be on the hard side. :) Here are a few tips for being more organized:


1. COLOR CODE
You can COLOR CODE almost anything. If your binder is a mess, color code tabs so you know where to find what. Maybe you have a ton of things in your drawers....... Aqua= not so important, Purple= IMPORTANT.


2. USE DIFFERENT FONTS
If you are on the computer and you are typing something, and it's very long, USE DIFFERENT FONTS! You can easily find that swirly one against that drab one... :) Get creative!!


3. LABELS
Labels are important. Say you have a lot of shelves, label where the musical folders are, or maybe where you put that extra few clothes that you didn't need anymore.


If you are like me, then you would find these few tips helpful. I was a minature slob, but I finally thought up some useful tricks. :)


Maybe your just like me and think that when people say these things, they just hire experts to help them out..... NOT ME!!

Evy: Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)

For all my Louisiana friends -- and just us in the South in general -- Mardi Gras (a.k.a. Fat Tuesday) is a very important time!!! Parades, king cake, beads, and dressing up (or, in New Orleans's case, dressing down) are all important aspects of this thoroughly celebrated holiday. I personally think that Mardi Gras floats and parades, though loud and extravagant, are all in good fun and are just like Christmas trees on Christmas: needed, though sometimes a hassle.

Comment about your thoughts on Mardi Gras!

Evy: Valentine's Day

Okay, so all of those boyfriends and girlfriends are looking forward to Valentine's Day because of the love and the presents...and all of us single guys and girls are like, "...the heck with Valentine's Day." We're dreading it for exactly the same reason! But no matter what side you think from, V-Day is all about love, candy, and PINK!!!

I know it's a little late -- V-Day was quite a few days ago, but to help you prepare for next year, here are a few things you can do whether you're all coupled up or just a sad little single:

- YOU DON'T NEED A DATE!
If you're alone this holiday, just hang out with your friends at whatever dance, special event, or hallway strut you have in mind for Valentine's Day :)

- GIRLS LUHV PRESENTS, BTW...
If you're a guy with a girl and you're not sure what to get her, keep in mind these things --
a) girls love presents, but all girls are different. Think of a gift that best fits your holiday honey! Whether it be a necklace (for a girly girl), a chick flick (for a sensitive one), or a bouquet of roses (for a love puppy), make sure you pick the perfect pres.
b) it's all about presentation! Don't just hand her your gift -- actually make an EFFORT! I'm not telling you to ride in on a goldclad trusty steed, but maybe wrap it up nicely, add a card, something sweet or special that will make her proud to be with you. Otherwise...I'll give you a month before she breaks up with you.
c) gifts are important in not only quality, but quantity! Even if your girl loves the more simpler side of life and you're a bit empty in the pockets, one or two gifts at least is best :)

- WHAT TO GET YOUR GUY?!
Sometimes guys don't really want the presies like we do, but again, it matters

who they are. And don't get sobby and sappy and stuff with them -- most guys will get embarrassed, as they aren't as girly as we are, obv! But if you want to be sweet and have them remember this day in particular -- here is a tip for you to use:
a) Personalize your gift, if you give one! If your loved one is a geek or a nerd...algebra book, graphing calculator, math lecture tickets, anyone? If he's a football player and you've got a lot of moolah, a signed football by his favorite football player would be AH-MAZING!!!

All right -- hope you have a good one! See ya!!!

Gracie: Valentine's Day

Okie, I know that this is really late.... Valentines Day. Hershey's, lollipops, and Fun Dip!! YUM!! :)
Candy-filled bags of candy!!!!!! <3 it all!! :)

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