THE MONITOR

By Amber R. and Ashley B.

read more

By Salma A.

read more

By Alexandria G.

read more

By Violet T.

Get ready for the holidays with three uncomplicated crafts! These projects are straightforward and easy to follow. Now, get into the holiday spirit and get crafting!

Snitch Tree Ornament
The first craft is a tree ornament that any Harry Potter fan will love! This is the simplest of the three projects, but still undoubtedly fun to make! You will need:

• A gold bulb ornament
• Two white feathers
• Hot glue
• String
• X-acto knife or scissors
• School glue (optional)
• Gold glitter (optional)

Here’s how it’s done:
1. Use the X-acto knife or scissors to poke two holes in the gold ornament. This is where the wings or feathers with be attached.
2. If you wish to put gold glitter on the feathers, use liquid school glue to adhere the gold glitter.
3. After the glitter has dried, use hot glue to fasten the feathers into the holes you made in step one.
4. After the hot glue has dried, use string to affix your new snitch ornament on to your tree!
Now you’re ready for a Christmas quidditch match!

Fandom Stockings
These stockings leave the details to your creativity. Get ready to paint! You will need:

• A plain/blank stocking
• Fabric paint
  All you have to do is paint fandom related images on your stocking. Once the paint is dry, hang your stocking in front of a warm and toasty fireplace!

Homestuck Troll Hat
Is being a human just not cutting it? Make this troll hat to keep you warm and prevailing! You need:

• ¼ of a yard of black fleece
• Fabric glue
• Fabric paint in red and yellow
• Cotton

Here is how it’s done:
1. Fold your black fleece in half so you can have two identical pieces.
2. Draw out a hat shape like a circle cut in half. For an average size, the measurement from base of the hat to the top should be about 8” and the measurement around the dome should be around 15”.
3. Cut out your new pattern and use tape or pins to keep it in place on your fabric.
4. Cut around the pattern and you should end up with two pieces of fabric that look like the pattern.
5. Now cut out two shapes like rounded triangles. They should be around 3” tall. You should end up with four identical pieces.
6. Pair the four pieces together creating two horn shapes.
7. Glue together the right and left sides of the triangles leaving the base open.
8. Stuff the horns with cotton and seal. Wait for the glue to dry.
9. Now, place the horns in between the two hat shaped pieces facing downward. You should no longer see them from the outside.
10. Glue the two hat pieces together, running your glue all of the way over and under the two horn pieces. Wait for glue to dry.
11. Now turn the hat right side out. Use your red paint along the base of the horns. Make orange by mixing yellow and red and paint the middle of the horns. Use yellow at the tip of the horns and wait for the paint to dry.

You are now ready to wear your hat! Karkat definitely approves.

That’s it! There are some quirky and fun crafts that anyone can do. Have a geeky holiday!

read more

By Yusuf K.

The last 5 years have had movies that were amazing, but what are 5 movies that stood out?

Movies including Inside Out, The Avengers, and the Batman movies are just some of the great movies in the past 5 years. Here is my list of 5 movies in the last 5 years that are a must see!

At number five on my list is The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies. This action-packed movie is the conclusion to a 3 movie series. It came out in 2014 and, in my opinion, is the best movie from The Hobbit saga.

Next on my list is Big Hero 6. This movie is filled with jokes, action, tragic losses, and more. This movie is perfect to watch with your family. I think Big Hero 6 may be one my favorite animated movies.

Moving down the list is the movie The Dark Knight Rises. This movie was the finale for the Christian Bale Batman movies; it was, in my own opinion, the best of the 3 batman movies. This movie is another action-packed movie with a lot of detective work. Released in 2012, The Dark Knight Rises will likely be known as one of the best ever Batman movies.

The second to last movie on my list is the animated movie Inside Out. The reason I like this movie a lot is because of the fact that it is about as original as you can get. The movie is basically about what you’re feeling and thinking in your head. This movie, made in 2015, had a 98% rating from Rotten Tomatoes, a famous rating website. This movie has a lot of action, jokes, sad moments, suspenseful moments, and more.

My list concludes with the movie The Avengers. The reason I liked this movie a lot is because it brings most of the famous superheroes together, including, Thor, Hulk, Ironman, Captain America, and more. This movie, despite being really action packed, is a family movie. From aliens invading Manhattan to a flying, invisible carrier, this movie has everything.

That concludes my list of the top 5 movies in the last 5 years. I hope this list shares some of your favorite movies. The last 5 years have had amazing movies but, looking ahead in the movie category, movies have a bright future.

read more

By Jada B.

A review of Underwood's newest album, Storyteller.

Storyteller is Carrie Underwood’s sixth studio album, released on October 23, 2015. Though it was only released a short while ago, the album already has been purchased over 15.3 million times. The Target Exclusive album has 15 songs, one being a different version of her hit “Heartbeat.”

“Renegade Runaway” is a beautiful beginning to this album. It gets the audience pumped up and ready for a fantastically musical ride. 8/10.

“Dirty Laundry” taught me not to mess with Carrie Underwood. Although she is a golden-hearted person originally, she is far from a pushover. 7/10.

“Church Bells” is not only aesthetically pleasing to the ears, but also to the mind. The story behind the song is gripping and it makes you think about things you usually overlook. 10/10.

“Heartbeat” is a touching song that stirs up old emotions. It reminds me personally of why I fell in love with Underwood in the first place. 10/10.

“Smoke Break” is the first song I heard from this album, and it has a fabulous message. It is a song about literally needing a break from it all. “She said, I don't smoke, but sometimes I need a smoke break.” 10/10.

“Choctaw County Affair” has a different sound than what Underwood fans might be used to, but its variation to her other songs makes it sound more astounding. Sometimes, I couldn’t even tell if it was Carrie singing. Of course, I mean this in a good way. 7/10.

“Like I’ll Never Love You Again” is similar to Heartbeat, yet it has a softer sound. Carrie’s voice sound purer in this song than in Heartbeat. It’s kind of like comparing an acoustic version of a song to the original. 7/10.

“Chaser” is strong, yet soothing at the same time. That is the kind of effect that only Carrie can compose. 8/10.

“Relapse” is by far not only the best song on this album, but the best Underwood song of all time. It is the kind of song that makes the audience want to cry while belting it out at the same time. I’d give it the improper rating of 11/10.

“Clock Don’t Stop” has, like Choctaw County Affair, a slightly different sound than Carrie’s usual songs. I love seeing her use different techniques to make her music more interactive, as if she’s directing her song at whoever is listening. 10/10

“The Girl You Think I Am” is a touching song about the love between woman and her father. 6/10.

“Mexico” makes me want to go to Mexico. Of course, that’s more because of Underwood’s voice and not the actual words. The actual words make Mexico sound scary. But it’s not…I think…9/10.

“What I Never Knew I Always Wanted” is a personal song for Carrie, written about her husband and her child. Her love for her family radiates through the words. 7/10.

“Little Girl, Don’t Grow Up Too Fast” is worth spending the extra money for the Target Exclusive CD. 8/10.

read more

By Lotus D.

Ever been down in the blues? Learn what to do to make yourself and others happy.

Happiness is a pleasure, something everyone enjoys but not everyone has. Sometimes it can be hard to stay happy or to make others happy, while it can come to others easily. Here, I have five books that make you realize the happiness that can be found in the world and that not everything is perfect but you can make the best out of what you have.

1. A Kids Guide to Giving by Freddi Zeiler
A Kids Guide to Giving by Freddi Zeiler is all about what a kid or young adult can do to make the world a better place. Freddi talks about wanting to help others when she was young in order to make herself and others happy. When she was little she decided to give a little bit of money that she got to somewhere that could use it for something bigger than a piece a candy for herself. After talking about when she gave money to charities and other foundations when she was young she puts in stories about other kids that do the same. The book is short, then the rest of it is different charities that she put in there so you can see if there is one that you would like to donate to. There are even activities and work sheets in the book for you to do to!

2. It’s Not Easy Being Green by The Muppet's, and friends
It’s Not Easy Being Green is a quote and inspirational book. It is filled with happy quotes from The Muppet's and from many people who helped with the show. Feeling down? Pick up this book and realize that even the Muppet's had a hard time, this book will make you smile and laugh.

3. The Happiness Project by Ron Leifer, M.D.
This book is simply amazing, it talks about what people see and don't see in the world. Many people look for happiness in the world, but they can't see that it is right there in front of them. Throughout this book it guides the reader to a happier and healthier life, and explores happy things in the world that many people don't notice are there.

4. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
The Power of Positive Thinking is a powerful book. It guides the reader to think the positive, rather than the negative, without realizing it. It shows that not everything in the world is bad and not everything is good, but you can see what is and what is not and choose to stay positive yourself. Peale talks about how powerful positive thinking can affect others around you, whether they are people at a bus stop, on a train, or around your home. One little positive thing can change someone’s day, even if they are a stranger.

5. Walk to Beautiful by Jimmy Wayne
Even though this book is all about Jimmy Wayne's life, it still has a great power to show you that not everyone has a perfect life. This book opens your eyes to what Jimmy's life was and that it was not perfect. This is a book that you would want to read to see what others lives can be, how others live differently from yourself. This book will tear you apart and put you back together again as a different person, a more understanding person. This book makes you think twice about how “Bad” or “Good” your life really is.

read more

By Hannah S.

Craving sweet holiday treats?

It’s beginning to feel a lot like winter where I am…and that’s a good thing! The holiday season means “hello, sweets!” I’ve put together some recipes to make anyone warm, and feel like they’re “in the season.”

Two Cocoa Concoctions:

Maple cocoa

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a medium pot
2. Warm on medium low heat
3. Whisk until hot and frothy

Nutella hot cocoa

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 2½ tablespoons Nutella
• 1 tablespoon cocoa
• Tiny pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in small saucepan on medium heat
2. Whisk ingredients together until blended and hot
3. Pour in a cup and top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened baking cocoa
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2 Tablespoons water
• ½ cup Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips

Directions:

1. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream sugars and butter together until light and fluffy.
3. Add in egg, vanilla and water and beat until well blended.
4. Gradually stir in dry ingredients
5. Fold in baking chips.
6. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
8. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
9. Scoop out rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto prepared cookie sheet. Dough is very thick.
10. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until they are set. Do not over bake.
11. Remove from oven, sprinkle with additional Andes chips if desired, and let cool on a rack.

read more

By Khadija P. & Sydney J.

What is one of your biggest times-depletes in the morning? Most girls say... “Hair”. Sure, one can swipe on some lipstick in the parking lot before heading someplace, but good luck trying to fit a blow dryer or a curling iron into your purse, let alone finding an accessible outlet. And yet, nothing lets the world know someone hit snooze a dozen times like bed head, cowlicks, and noticeable dry shampoo overload.

As a night owl who shudders at the thought of wearing buns all week in order to get out the door on time, I'm happy to report that ingenious "overnight" hairstyles exist. With these four hairstyles, one will do the prep work the night before, so she can wake up feeling so good about her hair, all she has to do is shake it out, and she’s ready! The cherry on top? The main ingredient for all of these hairstyles is something one, hopefully, has a steady supply of: sleep. No crazy texturizing treatment, no damaging hot tool, just a pillow and some good old-fashioned zzzz's!

The first hairstyle is a braid. This is maybe the best hairstyle to sleep in because it prevents hair from tangling, and in the morning, someone can just let it lose, and their good!

• Divide your hair into three pieces
• Take the first strand and put it over the second then take the third and put it over the second. Repeat this technique until finished. Remember not to make the braid to tight.
• Finally, tie the end of the braid with an elastic hair band, never a scrunchie, and you are done!

The next is a bun! This one is a simple and easy way to keep your hair protected during the night.

• Start with damp hair, and apply a frizz-taming lotion throughout.
• Flip your head over, gathering all of the hair into a ponytail at the very top of your head. Use a soft bristle brush to smooth the top and sides of the hair as you go. Make sure to remove any tangles before you go to sleep so you won’t end up with more in the morning!!
• Wrap the ends of your ponytail around the base of the elastic, forming a bun. Secure the ends at the base of your ponytail using bobby pins.
• Secure with an elastic hair band, make sure to keep it looser than usual to avoid tugging overnight.

The next and last hair style is really simple! Effortless beachy waves are the go-to look when one doesn’t want to come off as trying too hard, and with this heat-free take on the hairstyle, one actually doesn’t have to try that hard at all.

• Spray dry hair with a saltwater based spray, then slip on a stretchy headband and set it around the crown of your head, think hippy.
• Start by grabbing a 2-inch section at the front. Lift it up and loop it back toward your face, and tuck it into the headband.
• Repeat this motion on the next piece of hair, grabbing overlapping sections of your hair and continue around the rest of your head until you reach the opposite side on the front. You are ready to go to sleep!
• When you wake up, remove the headband. Brush through your hair for bigger waves and to remove tangles as well. Finish it off with a mist of hairspray.

These are some of the ways you can protect your hair while you are sleeping!

read more

By Jada B.

Introducing the big and beautiful world of the Machine.

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is Florence + The Machine’s third studio album. The original was released on May 29, 2015, while the Deluxe Edition was released on June 2, 2015. The Deluxe Edition consists of 16 songs, three of them being demos.

Ship to Wreck is the kind of song that is therapeutic to belt out. It starts out subdued and somewhat tranquil, and then the electrifying chorus fills your eardrums. This song really does Florence Welch’s angelic and stentorian voice justice. 10/10.

What Kind of Man too starts out soft and soothing, and then when you least expect it, everything becomes fortissimo. I think that out of all of the Florence and the Machine songs I’ve heard Welch sounds the most enraged in this one. Yet it isn’t a necessarily bad arrangement. It just makes her sound more powerful. 8/10.

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful is a very serene melody, especially at the end when the vocals drop. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to turn your head to the sky and scream for joy, free at least from your inner troubles. 10/10.

Queen of Peace is the kind of song that makes you feel empowered, as if you’ve finally uncovered all of your innermost strengths. When I first heard this song, I felt like I could lead an army to landslide victory. 9/10.

Various Storms and Saints pulls out a kind of beautiful sadness out of the audience. If fills the world with emotions it didn’t know it had. My biggest regret was skipping this song on my iPod. 8/10.

Delilah was the song that stood out to me the most when I was introduced to this album. It is a peppy bubble full of a flawlessly composite mixture of happiness and the feeling of being alive. It is almost impossible not to dance to this song, and when you succumb to the rhythm, Welch’s voice melts every single worry away. I would give this song an 11/10 if it was mathematically reasonable.

Long & Lost is so peaceful that it could be a lullaby, but no rational living being would sleep through such a song. It kind of reminds me of a college student who realizes that the real world is a lot scarier than they thought. Of course, that’s not even close to what it’s really about, but eh. I’d give it a 7 out of 10.

Caught is a slightly dismal song, most likely about a lost love. Florence’s haunting vocals in this song are the kind of vocals that are very difficult to forget. I give this song a 6 out of 10.

Third Eye is an enlightening song about not giving up on yourself. Welch’s powerful voice sings to the world, telling all who are willing listen that they “deserve to be loved” and they “deserve what they are given.” 10/10.

St. Jude has always stuck with me because I’m obsessed with the line “maybe I’ve always been more comfortable in chaos.” 7/10.

Mother reminds me of Delilah, so I’m automatically infatuated with it. 10/10

Hiding (Deluxe Only) makes me want to cry tears of joy. 10/10.

Make Up Your Mind (Deluxe Only) is not my favorite song, but it is still worth listening to. 4/10.

Which Witch (DEMO) [Deluxe Only] is an exceptional piece of music and I can’t wait until the finished version is released. 8/10.

(The final two songs are the demos of Third Eye and How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful and it would be silly to review them twice).

read more