International Women’s Day (March 8): As part of Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day celebrates women from all across the globe and the different contributions and achievements they have made throughout history. As a historical occasion, recognizing women’s contributions through the years can provide more insight and detail about the development of our world overtime.
Working Moms Day (March 12) : Working Moms have a job 24/7: they go to their paid job in the morning to afternoon and then spend the rest of the day taking care of their kids and families. As part of this holiday, taking the time to honor them with even a small gift or thank you can mean everything.
The First Day of Spring (March 20): Spring signals the start of new beginnings and growth. Take this spring to start over and fresh, as you step into the new season.
National Puppy Day (March 23): Who wouldn’t love an adorable puppy? For those of you with your own dog, this is the perfect day to give them the time of their lives, whether that’s hanging out at the park or gifting them their new favorite toy. And for those of you who don’t, local pet shelters are always available when looking at places to volunteer or adopt!
National Epilepsy Awareness Day (March 26): Epilepsy is a brain disorder which can cause seizures. While treatments are available, the condition cannot be cured, meaning that it is even more important that we take the time to remember the struggles they experience and be considerate towards them.
The moment midnight strikes signifies the end of one era and the beginning of a brand new one. New Year’s is a celebrated moment worldwide, with many celebrations and traditions taking place on the memorable night. These activities can differ though, depending on where you are.
One prime New Year’s tradition is the Times Square Ball Drop in New York City. New Year’s is a spectacle to behold in the Big Apple at the end, and also technically the beginning, of every year. The ball begins to fall at 11:59 PM, and settles at the bottom at exactly midnight, signifying the new year. Before the ball drops, famous singers can be seen performing in Times Square to nearly a million people, all packed in tight to witness the celebration.
In addition to New York, many Latin countries have traditions as well. One example is eating twelve grapes on New Year’s Eve. Each grape represents a wish or resolution for the coming year. Different variations exist with this tradition, including eating them under a table or toasting friends and family with them in a cup. Some other traditions include keeping a cup of water at the entrance to the home, throwing water out into the street, and packing a suitcase full of things and walk around the block, said to bring lots of travel into the new year.
Many Asian countries have New Year’s traditions as well. In Japan, people eat soba – which are long noodles made from buckwheat flour. This tradition is said to bring good luck and longevity in the coming year. In addition to this, Joya no Kane is a Buddhist tradition where temples ring their bell 108 times to clear away negative thoughts and feelings from the past year. China celebrates their own new year’s a few weeks later, and the celebrations last typically 16 days. Traditions for the Chinese include red envelopes, lanterns, bright red decorations and clothing, and fireworks and firecrackers.
Europe also has their own various traditions for the coming of the new year. Some countries in Europe wear red underwear to symbolize good luck, the same reason why Asian countries also utilize a lot of red. In Germany, people drink feuerzangenbowle, eat pfannkuchen, which are essentially pancakes, and watching “Dinner for One” has also become a common sight on New Year’s. In Denmark, smashing plates is a way to welcome a new year of luck and good fortune. The Scottish practice a tradition called “first-footing,” where usually a tall, dark-haired man is the first to enter a home after midnight, bringing shortbread, salt, coal, and more.
Over the winter break, my family and I went on a weekend getaway to a small town called Julian, which is near San Diego and has a population of about 1,300 people. It’s a cute little town with really pretty Christmas decorations and delicious pie!
My family and I went on a goldmine tour in Julian, and it was a lot of fun. I learned many new things about the miners and how they dug up gold. The miners’ 1800s version of a head flashlight was a singular candle perched on nook in their mining caps. The gold diggers weren’t allowed to bring matches into the mine, so if his candle extinguished, he had to find his way out of the mine by groping in the darkness. IN PITCH-BLACK DARKNESS. When our guide turned off the lamps, we literally couldn’t see our hands an inch away from our faces.
At the end of the tour, we went to pan for gold. Our guide showed us how to get the gold dust and flakes to the bottom of the pan and get rid of the sand and water. I highly recommend going on the Eagle Gold Mine Tour if you ever go to Julian!
For the pie-lovers out there, the Julian Pie Company has the best pie ever. I myself am not even a pie person, but their pies are magical. My favorite is the mountain berry pie because it’s sweet, but also has that tart flavor. It has apples and mixed berries in it. Their original apple pie is sweeter than the mountain berry one and is absolutely delicious with vanilla ice cream. If you ever see a Julian Pie Company pie at a farmer’s market or grocery store, definitely add it to your shopping cart.
Going to Julian over the winter break was really chill and relaxing. Here are some pictures to really bring you to this charming town!
This live action family comedy is based on the “Grinch,” a big green monster who hates Christmas. He steals all the Who’s decorations and even gifts. Despite this, the people around him teach him Christmas is not just about gifts, and he joins in their celebration. This movie is PG and its rated a 6.3/10 by IMDb. It is very entertaining and carries a heartwarming message about the true meaning of Christmas.
The Polar Express is all about family and adventure and follows a young boy who takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Through his adventures, he learns about the true spirit of Christmas and also faces many challenging obstacles. This movie is the #1 most searched family programs today and its rated a 6.6/10 by IMDb. This movie really encapsulates childhood memories and the wonders of Christmas time.
Home Alone is a family comedy and it takes place during Christmas. It’s about a young boy named Kevin who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation during the holidays. He goes through some challenges including fending off two burglars. He learns about self-reliance and the importance of family. This movie is rated a 7.7/10 by IMDb, and its definitely one of my favorite Christmas movies as it’s so intriguing and amusing.
2. The Santa Clause (1994)
This family comedy follows Scott Calvin, who accidentally becomes Santa after startling the original one off his roof. As Scott starts to embrace his new role, he learns the true meaning of Christmas and how lucky he is to have his family. This movie is just so heartwarming and playful and a true Christmas movie classic. It is rated a 6.6/10 by IMDb, but I truly recommend it so much if you love Christmas comedies.
Elf is a family comedy that tells the story of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, who travels to New York City to find his biological father. Along the way, Buddy’s childlike innocence and Christmas spirit bring joy to everyone he meets. This movie is so good as it combines humor and heartwarming moments making it enjoyable for both kids and adults. Will Ferrell’s performance as Buddy the Elf is both hilarious and endearing, spreading holiday cheer and emphasizing the importance of family and kindness. This is a movie I could binge-watch as it never gets old and reminds me of such good memories of Christmas. This is rated a 7.7/10 by IMDb.
These are my top 5 favorite Christmas movies, let me know if these are too or if you have any other favorites, and Happy Holidays!
As we are nearing winter break, many fun activities are available at this time of year, yet sometimes, it’s hard to choose which ones. Over the years, my family and I have compiled many fin Christmas traditions, as well as fun crafts and activities. I have chosen 3 of my favorite winter activities that are fun, easy, and affordable.
1. Saran Wrap Ball
Although the name is quite confusing, the actual activity is quite entertaining. With a large group of people, a timer is set for each person for one minute, and they are required to put on oven mitts, and in the one minute, they will attempt to unwrap as much of the Saran Wrap ball as they can. With each layer they unwrap, there will be small gifts, and the more they unwrap, the more small gifts they get. The Saran Wrap ball is passed around, each person given a chance to unwrap the ball, until it has been completely unraveled. In order to create this activity, you will need Saran Wrap, oven mitts, scissors, and small gifts(stickers, dollar bills, candy, etc.). Many of these supplies can be found at Dollar Tree and 5 Below. Begin by wrapping one item in a film of Saran Wrap. Add another gift a few layers later, and repeat this until you have wrapped all of the small gifts and you have a large Saran Wrap ball. This game is great for all ages, and I hope that you enjoy this activity.
2. Modge-Podge Ornaments
Creating Modge-Podge ornaments was one of my more recent crafts, as well as one of my favorites. As well as being simple to make, they always turn out beautiful and are the star of all of your ornaments. To create these ornaments, you will need Modge-Podge, an empty ornament, a pack of paper napkins with beautiful designs, and a paintbrush. All of these supplies are easily found at the Dollar Tree. To begin with, cut out pieces of the design on the napkin, and cut until you have a good amount that you are satisfied with. Then, place a small dot of Modge-Podge on the ornament and stick the design onto the ornament. Then, paint a thin film of Modge-Podge over the design. You can repeat this until your ornament is completely covered, or leave space in between and paint the space between the design with Modge-Podge to give it a frosty appearance. This is one of the favorite crafts I have done, and it is perfect to do with your friends, family, and even to wind down at the end of the day by yourself!
3. Create Clothes For Your Elf On The Shelf
In my family ever since I was a small child, our family had an Elf On The Shelf. When I was little, I always dashed to discover the Elf’s new hiding place. As I enjoyed the company of my seasonal elf, my favorite part of having the Elf around was making things for him. Over the years he has “visited” our house, we have created many small appliances for him including a miniature stocking, a miniature teddy bear, and a miniature bed, and pajamas. While you could purchase these things at the store, creating them by hand is a great family bonding activity and the things you create will be special to you forever.
I greatly hope that these ideas are enjoyable and prove useful to you this winter, whether you are having a small get together with your friends, spending quality time with your family, or are just feeling crafty!
It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means the holidays are almost here. If you are looking for activities to do over the holidays, here are some of the best ideas for holiday activities this winter.
1) Go to an ice skating rink.
There are several ice skating rinks nearby in Orange County, including at the Irvine Spectrum. The Great Park in Irvine has one as well, as well as several others nearby. Many of these rinks have other various activities to do as well.
2) Make a homemade wreath.
Making wreaths is another fun activity for the holidays. To make a wreath, first build a bouquet or bundle of plants. Then, either use a wire frame or a wreath base and attach the bouquet to this. Finally, tie the bundles together and decorate your wreath with flowers,
3) Go on a holiday lights tour.
A great activity for the holidays and a family tradition for me has been to go on a tour of holiday lights around the city. In fact, Mission Viejo has a holiday lighting contest with a guide to the best lighted houses in the city. The guide can be found at this link: https://mvactivities.com/all-mvac-events/home-lighting-contest/.
4) Go to a local Christmas event.
Another activity you can do over the holidays is going to a Christmas event. One of the best local events is located in Newport Beach, where there is a parade of lighted boats. It will be held this year from December 18-22. Orange County also has a winter festival in December at the location of the OC Fair.
5) Make ornaments to decorate your tree.
Another one of my favorite holiday activities is making ornaments. It is great for anyone who is interested in crafts, and there are also a wide variety of ornaments you can make, including felt, beaded, paper mache, and salt dough ornaments, all of which can be made easily at home. You can also decorate your Christmas tree and your house with these homemade ornaments as well.
6) Bake holiday treats to enjoy.
Baking holiday treats is also a good idea for the holidays. Cookies always make a great treat, and some cookies that are great to bake over the holidays are sugar, snickerdoodle, and gingerbread cookies. Another great holiday treat and one of my personal favorites is hot cocoa, which is great to make at home.
7) Visit some local Christmas attractions.
There are many great local Christmas attractions to visit in Southern California. The Descanso Gardens in Pasadena has a lighted walk every Christmas, and there are several other local places with lights as well. Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland have Christmas events as well.
8) Play holiday games.
Playing games can also be a fun thing to do over the holidays. One of my favorite holiday activities is to play board games with family and friends. Another activity that is great to do over the holidays is Secret Santa, where you can exchange gifts with family and friends. These are some of my recommendations for the best activities to do over the holidays, so feel free to try them out this winter.
Starbucks has started offering pumpkin spice. The air is slightly cooler. Spirit Halloweens are beginning to spring up. Do you know what this means? It’s Halloween season! Fans of the holiday have already begun to plan their outfits for the big night. Throughout the ages, there have always been a few costumes each year that are most popular. Sure, ghosts and witches will always be classics, but the attention of the public usually has been held by specific costumes influenced by popular culture that year. Last year, we saw a large amount of Barbies due to the recent release of The Barbie Movie. According to this article, in 1951, Alice from Alice In Wonderland was the way to go. The same article also states that in 1979, Superman was all the rage. This got me wondering. What would the most popular costumes this year be?
Here are my predictions for the top Halloween costumes of 2024:
Betelgeuse/Beetlejuice No, I’m not talking about the star! The new movie in the Beetlejuice franchise (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), came to the big screen at the beginning of September. It is a sequel to the original movie, which came out in 1998. Viewers will definitely be inspired by the title character’s iconic stripe suit and crazy hair.
Deadpool and Wolverine Deadpool and Wolverine was released to great anticipation in July. I think that this duo will be a very popular costume among Marvel fans. We may see a few people dressing up as only Deadpool or Wolverine, but It will be more common to see pairs of the two characters.
Chappell Roan Chappell Roan has probably been all over your For You Page recently. Not only is her music incredibly catchy, her stage costumes and presence are breath-taking. While my personal favorite is her Statue of Liberty or butterfly looks, all of her outfits are jaw-dropping. Expect lots of glitter this Halloween.
Jojo Siwa You may still associate Jojo Siwa with bows and rainbows, but this past year, she went through a total change of style. Expect to see her “Karma” music video look everywhere.
Olympics (Specifically Raygun) The 2024 Summer Olympics were a thrill to watch. We saw some of our favorite athletes competing for gold. Athletes are always a common costume, and the Olympics will magnify that. One specific athlete I predict will be a common costume is Raygun. The Australian breakdancer was all over the internet for her controversial break dancing style.
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders appeared on Netflix in early summer. It provides insight into the life of a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader and also follows the history of the coveted position. The series has been trending on Netflix since it was released in June, so naturally dressing as a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader will be a popular choice this Halloween.
Those are my predictions for the most popular costumes this year. What are you planning on being this Halloween?
Ramadan is a known Islamic holiday amongst the world, but how is it celebrated and how can you support/help out a friend who is celebrating it?
Let’s start off with an introduction to what exactly it is. Ramadan always begins during ‘Daylight Savings’. It is a 30 day long fasting period, because during the period would be the 9th Islamic month. People might ask, why does the time change every year? Well that is because the month is determined by the moon setting. The moon has be at a thin silver crescent fo the month to begin (symbolizing the prophets attribution to his fast) and at a full moon when the months ends.
Why is it celebrated? Well, its a month for spiritual discipline and the deep contemplation to a person’s relationship to God. Some might like to add that it brings you closer to your family because the meals are usually/supposed to be consumed with close relatives, parents, and/or family members.
During this month you consume your first meal before the first prayer of day (before sunrise), that is called suhoor, meaning consumed early. As your biggest meal,which is when you break that 12-14 hour long fast, at the second to last prayer of the day (after sunset), that’s called Iftar meaning break-fast.
If you know or acknowledge your friends fasting during this months, you should be mindful and not eat or drink around them or at least don’t offer them bites or sips, if you’re having a dinner party or are having a fancy dinner, invite them, and or wish them a “Happy Ramadan” and if its near the end, wish them a “Happy Eid,” as that follows right after for three days.
My brother is the real Marvel fan of the family, but my mom and I watched the holiday special of Guardians of the Galaxy with him anyway. Although I’ve missed a good amount of Marvel films and the ones I have seen I forgot a bit about, the premise of this special was very clear and easy to understand. I had fun with it; it was mostly a comedy and mainly just a cheerful holiday film.
Yondu, like the Grinch, ends up ruining Christmas for Peter Quill (not really). Set after Avengers endgame, Quill is sad without Gamora, Mantis makes up her mind to make Quill happy and to save his Christmas. In order to do that, she and Drax make their way to Earth to get a Christmas gift; the one and only Kevin Bacon. Mantis and Drax take a fun trip to Earth while also successfully capturing Kevin Bacon. Quill is however not too pleased with the idea of human trafficking. Despite having not been too thrilled to have been kidnapped and taken to space, Bacon decides that he’s going to teach Peter and the rest of the people on Knowhere what Christmas is and what it’s all about. In the end, Peter didn’t really need to meet Kevin Bacon to be happy, but instead he and Mantis just needed to learn a little about who they are.
I liked this special being only 44 minutes long; short and fun. It was mostly focused on Mantis and Drax, and I personally would have liked to see more of the other guardians but, Mantis and Drax are a great comedic duo and definitely had great moments. Despite being entertaining, some parts of the special were not what I expected and not my type of thing to watch. The middle of the film was pretty entertaining and the end was just as good. However, there were portions that were just not my kind of comedy and didn’t appeal to me, making me feel bored and awkward at some points. Honestly, I couldn’t figure out what audience they were trying to target, because some of the jokes and dialogue felt like they were for kids, but some scenes were more targeted towards teens. Even though there were some things I didn’t enjoy as much as others, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is really just a simple, feel-good film, something that should just be a quick watch along with other holiday shows and movies, and something to enjoy with your family.
Overall, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special was fun to watch and had some good moments that got me to laugh, but it wasn’t my exact cup of tea when it comes to comedy. I still think it was enjoyable just not my type, but I would still encourage people to take a look at it and give it a try, because the acting is great, plot is nice and simple, and it is a good film to watch for the holiday season.
Amy Leigh Mercree, a best-selling author once said, “Thanksgiving is a joyous invitation to shower the world with love and gratitude,” and I couldn’t agree more. Thanksgiving is a day to express gratitude for all the people and things in your life.
Thanksgiving is observed in various ways by many people. This year on Thanksgiving day, my family made lots of mouth-watering food, such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, and ham! For dessert, we had bread pudding with ice cream a la mode. I know it might not sound like the traditional food most families eat on Thanksgiving, but I enjoy it nonetheless.
But to be honest, no matter what family meals, or fun traditions you attend on Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is truly an amazing holiday! It is a time to be thankful for what you have and spend time with your family. My favorite part of Thanksgiving is spending time with my family and enjoying the delicious food that we make together. On Thanksgiving, me, my sister, my mom and dad all work together to make an appetizing meal. Sometimes, I don’t just like to celebrate America’s traditional type of Thanksgiving, I like to mix in a little bit of other cultures as well. In our family, because we are part Chinese, we like to include that culture as well.
Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice 