Hobbies That Will Help Pass Time

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Hobbies are things you do in your free time. Hobbies are essential, especially when you are bored, and everyone has hobbies. There are many hobbies out there, but these are some of the hobbies that I think help pass the time. 

  1. Crocheting

Crocheting is one of my favorite hobbies that I picked up. All it takes is yarn and a hook and you can make anything to your desire. Crocheting is harder than it seems, but once you get the hang of it, it gets easier. It takes hard work and dedication to start the hobby and make progress with it, but as you practice more, it gets easier. 

  1. Jewelry Making

Honestly, this hobby of jewelry making is so fun. It helps express your creativity through bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and anything jewelry-related. For this hobby, you need a bit more resources than usual and it’s hard to start because there is so much material that you don’t know where to begin. However, it’s worth it, so if you want to invest in a hobby, I suggest this hobby. Not only is it full of creativity, but when you finish, you feel a strong sense of pride and joy as you see your finished product.

  1. Sewing

This hobby is a bit more challenging and can take lots of practice. I don’t engage and practice this hobby much because I lack a sewing machine. I can still hand stitch, but it is too much work. This hobby will allow you to make so many cute things or alter your clothes based on your body. This can also lead to a career in fashion design.

  1. Instruments

Like Sewing, this hobby can be very challenging and requires practice. For playing an instrument as your hobby, you need the instrument, of course, and any additional things to the instrument. This hobby occupies free time, and it can be frustrating at times when you don’t know how to do certain things. However, with practice, you can play your first song, which can make you feel accomplished.

In conclusion, these few hobbies are worth considering when deciding what to do when you’re bored. 

The Best Coming-of-Age Films to Watch This Winter

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Looking for the best coming-of-age movies to watch this winter? As the weather gets colder and the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to relax with some movies that capture growth, change, and the ups and downs of growing up. Here are a few must-watch coming-of-age films this season!

The Holdovers, 2021 (R) 

Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is a thoughtful and entertaining story perfect for the season. Set against the snowy backdrop of Deerfield, Massachusetts, the film follows three unlikely companions “holding over” at Barton boarding school during winter break together: Angus Tully, a rebellious high school junior; Mr. Hunham, a rigid and strict teacher; and Mary Lamb, the school’s kind-hearted cafeteria manager. Through their time together, the trio experiences personal growth, connection, and healing in unexpected ways. 

Dead Poets Society, 1989 (PG-13)

Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society is another winter-season classic. Set in the snow-dusted halls of a prestigious Vermont prep school, Welton Academy, the film follows John Keating, an unconventional English teacher played by Robin Williams, who challenges his students to embrace individuality and “seize the day.” As his wise lessons and passion for literature inspire his students, they begin to explore their individuality, going against the standards set for them to discover who they each truly are. Though not directly tied to the holidays, the scenic shots of Vermont’s fall and winter landscapes beautifully set the tone and enhance the film’s atmosphere.

Fantastic Mr. Fox, 2009 (PG)

Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, is a visually stunning stop-motion animated film that perfectly captures the cozy essence of fall and winter. With a color palette of warm oranges, deep browns, and vibrant reds, the film mirrors the crisp, autumnal landscapes of the season. The story follows Mr. Fox and his family as they navigate themes of self-discovery, alienation, and the importance of connection with one another. Anderson’s signature style and heartfelt storytelling make this a charming and thoughtful watch for the colder months.

Little Women, 2019 (PG)

Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, based on the acclaimed novel by Louisa May Alcott, is a beautifully crafted film that captures the warmth and struggles of family life. Set against the snowy landscapes of Massachusetts, the story follows the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate love, ambition,personal loss, and womanhood. Gerwig’s fresh approach to the timeless tale, combined with stunning visuals and heartfelt performances, makes it a perfect watch for the fall and winter seasons.

With their wintry settings and themes of self-discovery, connection, and resilience, these films offer the perfect blend of warmth and entertainment for cozy winter viewing!

The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe

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The Celery Stalks at Midnight is a short novel by James Howe. This is the third book in the Bunnicula series, its predecessors being Bunnicula and Howliday Inn. The story is told from the perspective of a dog named Harold. Along with Chester the cat and Howie the puppy, these are pets living in the Monroe household. At the beginning of this story, Harold and his friends make a frightening discovery. Bunnicula the rabbit has escaped from his cage. The problem with this is that Bunnicula is not an ordinary rabbit. Bunnicula is a dangerous vampire rabbit known for sucking the juice out of vegetables. The other pets fear that Bunnicula will terrorize the neighborhood by turning the town’s vegetables into deadly vampire slaves. No garden will be safe from Bunnicula’s evil plans. Soon, bloodless vegetable zombies will infest the entire neighborhood. Harold and his friends must stop Bunnicula before it is too late.

I had not read the other books in the series before reading this one, so I had no idea was I was getting myself into. This book is totally weird and unpredictable. It seems like a parody of a scary story. In my opinion, this book is hilarious. I found it to be very entertaining and one of the funniest books that I have read in a while. Some of the things that happen in this book are extremely ridiculous, but the absurdity of this book actually makes it enjoyable to read. It has some elements of a mystery and a little bit of action, but this book really belongs in the comedy genre. I highly recommend it.

The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Boy Who Owned the School by Gary Paulsen

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The Boy Who Owned the School is a short novel by Gary Paulsen. This book is about a boy named Jacob Freisten. Jacob does not feel loved at home and he hates going to school. He believes that only bad things will happen if anyone notices him, so his biggest goal in life is to go completely unnoticed by the entire school. He tries to sneak around from class to class, unbeknownst to anyone. Still, he usually feels miserable, especially in gym class. This goes on for a while until his English teacher tells him that he is going to flunk the class. In order to pass, he will need to earn extra credit by working with the stage crew for an upcoming school production of The Wizard of Oz. Jacob’s main job is to run the fog machine when the Wicked Witch dies. Jacob is unsure if he will be able to do this without getting noticed. Unbeknownst to him, this will eventually lead to him becoming the boy who owned the school.

I enjoyed this book, even though it dealt with some challenging topics. The characters seem very realistic and lifelike. Jacob deals with some internal conflicts in his youth that would be relatable to most readers. This book can also be relatable to some readers because of the description of Jacob’s difficult situation at home and at school. The plot is a little slow at times, but it is still engaging and even suspenseful at times. The story has many amusing moments, as well.  It also has a good and satisfying ending. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially to young people.

The Boy Who Owned the School by Gary Paulsen is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Animal Farm Book Review

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Animal Farm is an allegorical fiction novel written by George Orwell, used to depict how corrupt leaders can manipulate those who are less knowledgeable into doing what they want. Orwell was alive during the time of the Russian Revolution, where Joseph Stalin had taken power away from Leon Trotsky and manipulated the Russian people into thinking that he is going to make Russia a better place; Stalin was just trying to get people to believe in his ideas, so that he could get them to do what he wanted. Since George Orwell watched these historical events take place, he wrote Animal Farm to inform the people of this time that they had been taken advantage of by these dictators, and that if they had been further educated, they would have noticed.

In the novel, Orwell uses the pigs to represent the more educated members of society and shows how they take advantage of the less educated animals. The horses on the farm, Boxer and Mollie, represent the working class in Russia during the early 1900s and how they believed whatever they were told due to their lack of education.

One of the pigs, Napoleon, becomes a dictator figure on the farm and manipulates all of the lesser animals to work for him and turn the farm into a paradise for the pigs. Once the smarter animals such as Benjamin, the donkey, who represents the working class, inform the other animals of what the pigs are doing they realize that they have been tricked into being the pigs’ slaves, but it is already too late.

Overall I felt that this book was a good example of how an excess of power can be turned into something bad. This book taught me that knowledge is important so that you can make decisions for yourself and know when someone is steering you in the wrong direction. I liked this book because it was entertaining to read about the fictional animals, but the moral of the story was also inspirational.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Top 5 Christmas Movies 🎄

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As Christmas is now right around the corner, here are some of the best christmas movies, ranked by my opinion and also ratings!

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

The Grinch! | Birmingham Museum of Art

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.

4. The Polar Express (2004)

The Polar Express (2004) - IMDb

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.

3. Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone | 20th Century Studios Family

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.

  1. Elf (2003)

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!

Fun Winter Activities And Crafts

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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.

Saran Wrap Ball Game {Rules, Ideas + VIDEO | Lil' Luna

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!

Budget Friendly DIY Christmas Ornaments + Video – My Love For Paper

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.

The Elf on the Shelf Boy | Wonder Works Toys

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!

Best Activities for the Holidays

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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.

    Ethan W.

    Nursery Rhymes and Their Darker Meanings

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    Last week, my social science teacher dropped the bomb for my class—revealing, as my friend said, “that our childhood has been a lie.” Ok, ok, that was a bit dramatic. All he really told us was that the rhyme “Ring Around a Rosie” was about the Black Death, which we are currently learning about. It was still surprising (and funny to see everyone else’s reactions) to find out that a rhyme we’d been singing since we were 3 years old was about people dying. “Ring around a rosie,” talks about the marks of the bubonic plague. “Pockets full of posies,” is about people putting flowers in their houses to clear the horrid smell, and the ashes is from the cremated people who died of the plague; “we all fall down,” is quite clear: people dropped dead with the terrible disease. Here are some other nursery rhymes and their meanings that my friends and I found out about as well.

    “Jack and Jill” relates to the execution of the king and queen of France. Walking up the hill symbolizes them walking to the guillotine. “Jack fell down and lost his crown,” is about King Louis getting beheaded, and when Jill comes tumbling after, it’s Marie Antoinette following right in the king’s footsteps.

    “The Muffin Man” on Drury Lane was not a kindly baker as shown in little kid YouTube videos. He was based on a 16th-century baker who reportedly lived on Drury Lane, but parents made that song to warn their children away from that street and man. According to urban legend, he was a child serial killer who lured children down dark alleyways to their deaths using muffins tied on strings.

    Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,

    Had a horse but couldn’t keep her.

    He put her in a pumpkin shell,

    And there he kept her very well.

    Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,

    Had another but didn’t love her.

    Peter learned to read and spell,

    And then he loved her very well.

    This nursery rhyme is about a poor man named Peter who was married to an unfaithful wife. The story’s meaning goes two ways from here. One possibility was that he forced her to wear a chastity belt. The iron underwear was also called a pumpkin shell; it was locked, and only the husband had the key. The other interpretation of the rhyme was that he murdered her, cremated her, and then hid her ashes in a pumpkin. Neither way is very pleasant.

    Though many of our childhood nursery rhymes sound innocent, most have a gruesome meaning behind them. The people who created these rhymes lived in a much darker time period, and this was their way of lightening the mood. Today, some 7th graders believe that “these should be in a sad adult book, not sung to 2 year olds!”

    Márquez’s Criticism of the Role of Religion in Chronicle of a Death Foretold

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    Paperback Chronicle of a Death Foretold Book

    Chronicle of a Death Foretold is a book in the magical realism genre and set rural Columbia. It was written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and was published in 1981. It follows a detective attempting to solve a murder that happened many years ago and is based on a true story. Please note that it was originally written in Spanish, so some elements may not translate exactly.

    I recently read Chronicle of a Death Foretold and my biggest takeaway was how Marquez explored and criticized the role of religion. Marquez criticized religion in this book through the prestige of religious leaders, the townspeople’s treatment and views of the community, and by showing how people justify inaction with religion.

    First of all, Marquez highlights the faults of religious leaders like the bishop and Father Amador, showing the community’s blind reverence towards them despite their incompetence and moral failings. Secondly, the community’s respect for characters like Santiago, Angela, Bayardo, and the twins is influenced by religious beliefs, leading to misplaced priorities and justifications for harmful actions. Finally, the townspeople use religion to absolve themselves of responsibility, demonstrating the bystander effect and moral decay influenced by religious justification.

    Throughout the book, various characters demonstrate the misplaced priorities and moral degradation of the community. The bishop’s arrival and the townspeople’s excitement highlight the significant role of religion. Father Amador’s inaction and incompetence are shown through his failure to prevent Santiago’s murder and his disrespectful treatment of Santiago’s body. The community’s judgment of Angela’s purity and their pity for Bayardo reflect the influence of religious norms. The twins’ justification of Santiago’s murder as an act of honor under God’s will shows the corrupting influence of religion. These are just a few of the instances in which the theme of the corrupting role of religion is demonstrated in this book.

    These themes are consistent and expanded upon throughout Chronicle of a Death Foretold, and through them, Márquez effectively demonstrates the negative effects of religion in society, leading to social and moral degradation, and ultimately, Santiago Nasar’s death. I would highly recommend the book and would encourage readers to look out for these details and themes. Through this, they will truly appreciate Márquez as an author.

    Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library.