Category Archives: Arts

The Best Museums in Orange County

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Museums are good places to spend time at, especially on rainy days. There are many museums in Orange County to go to and you might be wondering which are the best to visit. Here are some museums that I enjoyed going to and would recommend as well.

1. The Orange County Museum of Art

One of my favorite museums to visit is the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa. They have many interesting pieces of art there, as well as displays and different themes by different artists that change monthly. I have found it helpful to try and get there earlier in the morning as it gets very busy in the afternoon.

2. The Marconi Automotive Museum

Another great museum to go to is the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin. It has many historical and exotic cars that have been restored, as well as the original cars from many different movies, and it is overall a very interesting place to go.

3. Heritage Hill Museum

Another interesting and historical museum is the Heritage Hill Museum in Lake Forest. It has many restored historical buildings including several adobes from the 1800s. The park has guided tours of the buildings and also teaches about county history, and I found it to be an educational and fun experience.

4. Richard Nixon Museum

Another museum that I enjoyed visiting was the Richard Nixon Museum in Yorba Linda in Northern Orange County. It has the site of Richard Nixon’s birthplace, and also gives historical information about Nixon. It is a great place to go for the day and is a great way to learn more about history.

5. Lyon Air Museum

One of the best museums to go to in Orange County is the Lyon Air Museum. It is an enjoyable place for people of all ages and has many rare and historic planes that are in good condition. It is also close by, in Irvine, and is a good size to explore, and it is a very good way to spend an afternoon.

6. Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the best museums and historical sites to visit nearby. The mission is open so you can walk through and see the various areas, and it is very large, with many tunnels and paths to explore. It also has exhibits that give a large amount of historical information about the mission, and there are also activities and special guided tours that allow you to visit private areas of the mission.

These are some of the most fun and educational museums to visit in Orange County that will be sure to give you a very interesting experience. So be sure to go and visit these museums-they’re sure to give you a good time!

Starting Photography

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As a high schooler, one of my passions is photography. In my freshman year of high school, I took a photography class. At first, I thought it was interesting but I didn’t think I would get into it. However, I discovered that photography was an enjoyable way for me to express myself and my creativity.

The first and most obvious step to photography is to buy a camera. While using your phone’s camera is great and totally acceptable, investing in a DSLR is a great option as well. Personally, I use a Canon Camera. I’ve found that this brand is reputable and easy to use. My camera body is a Rebel T6. This is a great starter camera to use. If you aren’t into Canon, Nikon, and Sony are other camera brands that I’ve heard great things about.

Secondly, finding a lens is extremely important. Though you may want to jump into portraits or nature photography, I’d suggest using a kit lens at first. These lenses are affordable and have fewer features than a telephoto or macro lens, but allow first-time photographers to learn the bearings of a camera.

Other equipment that you’ll need are SD Cards (to store your photos) and Battery Charges/Ports. Now that you have the required equipment, start taking photos on your camera. If you’re using a DSLR, put the camera in Auto Mode first. When using the Auto-Mode, the camera makes all the decisions for your settings; all you have to do is press the Shutter Button to take a photo!

I hope this small article helps you in your photography journey; stay tuned for more articles about general rules and tips!

Books about photography are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Anime Expo Pasadena 2023

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I went to Anime Pasadena 2023 on Saturday, and It was like a dream world. You’re transported into a totally different world when you enter the convention. If you have never been to Anime Expo, you are seriously missing out on the most incredible experience ever, especially if you are into anime or anime artists looking for new ideas. This place is like a dream come true for any anime fan. Here’s a scoop on what Anime Expose is about from one teen to another.

Just imagine your dream world-

Close your eyes and imagine you’re in your favorite anime show, and you are one of the characters. Well, Anime Pasadena is like that, but in real life! You are surrounded by the best crowd, a trillion people who love Anime as much as you do. Well, except for a few parents who accompany their minors. 

Cosplay Heaven

Cosplay? What is that? Here is a short explanation for anyone who doesn’t know what this is. Cosplayers dress up as their favorite anime characters from their favorite movie or show. The costumes are mind-blowing and look like they were taken from the screen and even some incredible homemade cosplay outfits that are just out of this world. Some Cosplayers look like they just stepped out of your favorite Anime. You ask for it, you’ll see it all here. Of course, you’ll fit right in if you want to dress up as one of your favorite anime characters. This is not just about looking at things but more like enjoying the experience and having fun. We only have a few years to be teenagers. Besides the seriousness of school and part-time jobs, we need to have fun in a safe environment, and this place is it. 

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Anime Pasadena events have many sellers selling anime products, so get ready to shop for anime art you can’t find elsewhere. It’s like a shopping spree in anime heaven. There’s official merchandise, rare collectibles, manga, and almost everything and anything Anime you can imagine. This is the place for you if you want collectible figures, manga volumes, or even a unique anime T-shirt. If shopping is your game, they’ve surely got you covered!

Hang out with the Pros

Did I mention that they invited real anime pros to Anime Pasadena? Voice actors, directors, and other industry insiders come to meet fans. I was so happy to talk to my favorite voice actor from Bungou Stray Dogs. I would get an autograph from them, but the cost was more than I planned to spend. Of course, I did take pictures with them and even asked them questions. It’s like meeting your favorite characters in person. It was an experience like no other. 

Artist Alley

Artist Alley is where you’ll find many talented artists showing off their talents. The artworks, prints, and handcrafted goodies are original and were crafted by these artists. Of course, they are all anime-inspired.

It’s a goldmine for finding unique and gorgeous anything anime uniquely crafted by an artist that you won’t get anywhere else. I love Artist Alley. I got some stickers and a few other items here, and since my brother knew a few of these artists and sellers, I also got some gifts from them. They were super accommodating.

It’s All About Community

After all the shopping and admiring art from different artists, we went to a community meetup. The best part of Anime Pasadena is the community. Everyone is super friendly and welcoming. Here is a great place to make new friends, geek out together, and create memorable experiences. We went to a Bungou Stray Dogs meetup (a pretty popular anime), and it was entertaining! The host of the meetup group was very kind; she gave everyone Bungou Stray Dogs’ favorite character stickers. We took pictures together.

So, there you have it. Anime Pasadena 2023 is the ultimate experience for anime lovers. Whether you’re looking to meet new friends, meet up with your old friends, shop for unique anime collectibles or T-shirts, or just want to experience the anime world, this convention has got you covered. Check their website if you are still interested in going to a similar one. They have various locations. Don’t miss out on this fantastic experience – it’s the anime adventure of a lifetime! 🎉

Happy Anime!

Bella H.

Why is Taylor Swift rerecording her albums?

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Fearless (Taylor’s Version)

As famed singer-songwriter Taylor Swift continues to expand her discography as a prominent influence on the 21st-century music industry, you may be wondering why she is releasing a “Taylor’s Version” of her past albums. The short answer is, she is rerecording and rereleasing her first six albums, of which she does not own the original recordings.

In 2005, Swift signed with Big Machine Records, which owns the masters (original recordings) of her first six albums. Under Big Machine, Swift did not own her music and was thus unable to control the way her songs were used. Big Machine sold to music manager Scooter Braun, who then sold Swift’s masters to Shamrock Holdings. As a result, each time Swift’s original recordings from her first six albums are streamed or bought, profits are gained by Braun. In 2018, when the Big Machine contract expired, Swift made the switch to Republic Records, where she made sure to acquire possession of her future masters. She now owns the four albums she has released since then—Lover, folklore, evermore, and Midnights.

Red (Taylor’s Version)

Taylor Swift is now in the process of rereleasing her first six albums—Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and reputation. She released Fearless (Taylor’s Version) as her first rerecording in April of 2021, Red (Taylor’s Version) in November of 2021, and most recently Speak Now (Taylor’s Version). The rereleases of these albums showcase her stronger and more mature vocals on all the songs she has written throughout her career.

As part of the rereleased albums, Swift has released new tracks “from the vault,” called “vault tracks,” which are songs she wrote for the original album that were never released. She has released six vault tracks for Fearless (Taylor’s Version), nine for Red (Taylor’s Version), and six for Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)

Swift is three album rereleases away from owning all her masters. She writes, “Artists should own their own work for so many reasons. But the most screamingly obvious one is that the artist is the only one who really knows that body of work.” So if you want to support Taylor Swift in her journey as an artist to own her art, make sure you stream Taylor’s Version!

-Lam T.

My Visit to San Diego Comic-Con 2023

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In July, I had the pleasure of attending Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center. For those who don’t know, the event, which is officially listed as Comic-Con International: San Diego on its website, is an annual convention that was first established in 1970 and is held for comic book fans (and really fans of anything in pop culture) to come together to share their interests.

This year, it was held July 20-23, and to get into the convention center, participants must either purchase a badge in advance through the group’s website (https://ww.comic-con.org/cci) months in advance or apply for the free badges that are set aside for professionals who work in the comic book or other related industries.

Since the badges that are available to the general public usually sell out, it can be challenging to get into Comic-Con, but if you’re lucky enough to get in, there is a lot to see and do, including hundreds of informative panel discussions, industry parties (although these are usually only available by advance reservation or special invitation), and sneak-peek showing of upcoming movies, shows, games, and toys.

One of the most popular features is the massive exhibitor area where companies like Disney, Blizzard, and Funko host booths where they showcase their latest offerings. There are also a large number of smaller companies and individuals who come to display their handmade art, fandom apparel, and other related merchandise.

Personally, I enjoyed the panels I attended. I went to one about makeup artistry, where Brenda O’Brien, a veteran makeup artist who has worked on the Lion King musical on Broadway, Saturday Night Live, and many other shows, demonstrated how she creates characters and explained how she had to adapt her skills to work in incredibly fast-paced backstage environments.

I also attended the “How to Make a Minicomic from One Sheet of Paper” with veteran comic book creator Zander Cannon, and another panel that celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Studio Ghibli movie My Neighbor Totoro, which was led by the movie’s original production coordinator, Hirokatsu Kihara, and his interpreter. He presented the original drawing Hayao Miyazaki made of the character that became Totoro, as well as many original, hand-painted animation cels used to create the iconic movie. It was amazing to learn from him that the studio considered these cels to be trash once they were used to make the film. Each one was so beautiful, it was stunning to think that anyone could have considered them rubbish.

In addition to the panels, I also got to see many cool booths, such as the Studio Ghibli booth, where my family and I took our photo in a re-created Cat Bus, which is a character from My Neighbor Totoro, the Marvel booth, where we saw costumes worn by the actors in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and an animatronics company’s booth that featured an animatronic Baby Yoda.

Another highlight on the exhibitor floor was an entire area dedicated to books. There were authors showcasing their own books, and booksellers selling all sorts of science fiction and fantasy. I even spotted a Little Golden Book biography of Taylor Swift, which I personally thought was pretty funny.

I also heard there was going to be a cosplay wrestling match, where people who dressed up as various characters from pop culture would wrestle another cosplayer in an actual ring. I’m a little sad that I didn’t get to see that because it sounded super funny.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to buy any books while I was at Comic-Con, but there were many graphic novels and such that caught my eye and I’m hoping to get some or all of them eventually.

If you can, I definitely recommend going to Comic-Con at least once if you are a fan of comics or anything nerdy. There are so many things to do, things to see, and people to meet. It was a wonderful experience, and I hope I’ll be able to go back

Day at the Museum -The Natural History Museum

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One of my favorite museums in Los Angeles is the Natural History Museum which is located in Exposition Park.  The museum is a beautiful building that is adorned with grand pillars and a massive domed roof. It houses four floors of exhibits featuring over 80 million items that include prehistoric creatures, dinosaurs and life-size replicas of mammals that date over 65 million years!  It also showcases a butterfly pavilion and a beautiful nature garden exhibit. L.A. County Residents get free admission from 3–5 pm Monday through Friday. If you are 17 and younger but live outside of LA County, the admission is only $12. You can pretty much spend the whole day there, as there is so much to see and do!

One of my favorite exhibits is the Dinosaur Hall, which features an extensive collection of dinosaur skeletons and fossils. The hall showcases a 67-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Stegosaurus but there are also a wide range of others like the Brachiosaurus and the Velociraptor. The models are incredibly realistic and there is a variety of fossils and skeletons from different periods of the dinosaur era. There are also very cool interactive displays that allow you touch real fossils and participate in a virtual reality experience that puts you in an simulated dinosaur habitat!

There many other exhibits like the African Mammals exhibit that highlights various life size mammals found in Africa. The Age of Mammals exhibit, which is another completely different exhibit, shows the evolution of mammals over the past 65 million years. Also life size! There is an Insect Zoo that displays live insects from around the world. The Gem and Mineral Hall houses the famous 563-carat Star of India sapphire, as well as many other remarkable gems and minerals that you’ve probably never even heard of before. The Nature Lab which is an interactive space. lets you explore the natural world and learn through hands on fun. There is a lot! Although all of the exhibits are pretty incredible, I think the most important part of the museum is that it serves as an educational resource for the city. There are a lot of educational programs and workshops for students and teachers that are designed to engage learning and interest in scientific exploration. There is also a focus on environmental conservation and sustainability which reminds us to be mindful of the impact that we have or leave on planet Earth. This is a pretty phenomenal museum that you should visit at least once!

Album Review: Evermore by Taylor Swift

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In July of 2020, acclaimed singer-songwriter Taylor Swift surprise released her eighth studio album, Folklore. Fans were shocked by her abrupt dive into the alternative-indie genre after being a global icon of pop music for years. On December 11, 2020, she followed up by surprise releasing her ninth album, Evermore, shocking her fanbase once again.

Evermore is a 15-track album of alternative rock and indie folk songs. Swift collaborated with Aaron Dessner on the album, and most of it was recorded at the Long Pond Studio in the Hudson Valley. It features the bands Bon Iver, Haim, and The National. As a cottagecore-inspired escapist album, Evermore is most known for Swift’s incredible and haunting storytelling and poetic lyricism, which is backed by fingerpicked guitar, melancholy piano melodies, and soft percussion. This album is a musical storybook full of tales of marriage, infidelity, heartbreak, grief, love, and human emotion. In my opinion, the following are the most well-written songs on Evermore:

Track 2: “champagne problems” – This song is the story of a woman who turns down her partner’s marriage proposal, shocking all their family and friends. As Taylor Swift stated, the characters were “longtime college sweethearts [who] had very different plans for the same night, one to end it and one who brought a ring.”

Track 5: “tolerate it” – This beautifully written song tells of a never-ending struggle where the narrator wants love from their partner, who isn’t paying attention to the narrator at all. Swift drew inspiration from the novel Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, explaining that the young woman in the story put in much effort to impress her husband, yet he merely tolerated her love.

Track 9: “coney island ft. The National” – This song features back-and-forth conversational lyrics between two characters who were previously involved in a relationship. Through somber and nostalgic lyrics, the narrator regretfully apologizes for not loving their partner enough.

Track 10: “ivy” – In “ivy,” Swift sings about a woman falling in love with someone who is not her husband, leading to a secret affair.

Track 15: “evermore” – As the title track of the album, “evermore” is a piano ballad about the narrator’s journey from an endless stretch of deep depression to a place of hope and healing.

To conclude, Evermore is a beautiful album that stirs up emotions in listeners. I would absolutely recommend this album, especially if you enjoy reading classic literature and can appreciate the beauty of Taylor Swift’s lyricism.

Happy listening!

The question pounds my head
“What’s a lifetime of achievement?”
If I pushed you to the edge
But you were too polite to leave me
And do you miss the rogue
Who coaxed you into paradise and left you there?
Will you forgive my soul
When you’re too wise to trust me and too old to care?

-Taylor Swift, “Coney Island”

-Lam T.

Day at the Museum-LACMA

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One of my favorite museums is LACMA. The LA County Museum of Art is located in Los Angeles and It is the largest art museum in the western United States. It houses a collection of over 145,000 objects and covers over 6,000 years of artistic history.  It showcases works of art from many different cultures and time periods, which is why it draws such a wide audience. For anyone 17 and under that live in Los Angeles County, admission is free! I think that is amazing because the value of the museum is priceless. Also, there’s not a lot free out there that’s cool, interesting as well as interactive.  If you’re 17 and under but live outside of LA County, the admission is ONLY $10. I say it is ONLY because there is so much to see and actually do there. 

There are five different buildings of art and experiential activities.  You can take an art class, you can take a docent tour, you can participate in a community program, and then there’s ALL that art to see. There are also music, design and film programs, as well as concerts every Friday night. That’s a lot for free, or $10 if you’re from Orange County.

If you don’t have all day to take advantage of any of the numerous programs that are offered, and just want to view the art, the exhibits at LACMA  are overwhelming (in a good way) in range and style. The permanent Picasso and Warhol exhibits are definitely highlights but past exhibits have covered everything from Monet to Yoshimoto Nara and the Obama Portraits. The ever changing exhibits are windows into different perspectives of historical and current issues, as well as beautiful or repugnant reminders of the human experience. I’ve been to many museums all across the country and for many reasons this one holds a place because I’ve been going there since I was three years old. I didn’t quite get it when I was that young but in retrospect, I believe that any cultural experience you have offers a frame of reference into your future panoramic view and that’s worth a lot more than $10. If you can take a day trip to LA, definitely make it to LACMA, even if you are not a huge museum person. You will see crazy, beautiful and completely unique things that you will not see anywhere else!

Teen Crochet 101 at the Library

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Last Saturday the Library hosted its first Teen Crochet 101 class. This free new program is for teens ages 15-19 and was created and led by Aspen, one of our Teen Advisory Board members. Teen Library Intern Alyssa assisted with the class.

Teen Crochet 101 classes are designed for beginners and limited to teens ages 15-19. No experience is necessary and all materials are provided. The first class covered materials and basic stitches. The next class will cover patterns, color switching and more. A beginner project will be introduced in the third session.

On the day of the event, we were surprised by a large donation of yarn from a community member, so all attendees were able to choose several colors and sizes to take home and practice.

Join us for the next two classes!

Session 2 Sat. Oct. 22, 2:30-4:30 pm

Session 3 Sat. Nov. 5, 2:30-4:30 pm

For more information or to register, please email LibraryProgams@cityofmissionviejo.org

My Top Five Crochet Blanket Patterns

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I find in summer that I have a lot more time to sit back and relax, and I spend that time crocheting. I enjoy making blankets, either to be donated or to be used as Christmas presents, so here are my top five favorite patterns.

5. Tesselated Hearts

Tesselated Hearts (Fiber Spider)

This is a very simple tesselated hearts filet pattern that I enjoyed making very much. I chose a gray yarn to make this pattern with, and it’s working up well. The only thing I don’t like about this pattern is that it is worked in rows, not rounds, and I don’t much enjoy working in rows.

Fiber Spider’s tutorial (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRAujqZFvS4

4. Bavarian Stitch

Bavarian Stitch Blanket (The Spruce Crafts)

The Bavarian Stitch Blanket is a great blanket to make. It involves post stitches, which creates lovely texture. However, it is a bit more challenging than some other blankets.

I used Hooked by Robin’s tutorial to learn how to crochet this blanket: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I1KbQWtdBU

3. Star Blankets

12-Point Star Blanket (The Loophole Fox)

There are two different star blankets that I’m thinking of, the 5 point star and the 12 point star. Both are worked in-the-round. I made the 12 point star for my baby brother as his own baby blanket, and it turned out really beautiful with a variegated teal yarn. (I used Red Heart Super Saver Ombre in the color Deep Teal) The only downside is that it’s not a round or square blanket, it’s star-shaped.

Bella Coco has tutorials for both types of stars: https://youtu.be/2PXxA9CVOjo and https://youtu.be/nExlllN6NGw

2. Virus Blanket

Virus Blanket (Christine Pennylegion)

The first I made the Virus Blanket was for my mom, and I used a really bright variegated yarn pattern (Lion Brand Yarn Cupcakes in the color Clown Car). It turned out absolutely amazing. The only downside is that there are a few holes, but other than that, it’s a great in-the-round blanket.

There are so many different tutorials on this blanket, but the one that I used was Bella Coco’s: https://youtu.be/Rlf7em4OhZc

1. Lotus Blanket

Lotus Blanket (Hooked by Robin)

This is my absolute favorite blanket pattern. Ever. I made this for my aunt for Christmas, and it was so stunning. The only thing is it’s just a bit complicated, but you get rewarded with such a pretty design! Find Hooked by Robin’s tutorial (Part 1) here: https://youtu.be/L–tTTLAi5A

So, there’s a list of my top five blanket patterns, and if you crochet I hope you make an amazing blanket you enjoy. If you don’t crochet, maybe it’s time to pick up a hook and a new hobby! (You’ll definitely never run out of Christmas ideas too!)

Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever made any of these blankets. 🙂
~ Kailyn L.