Last day of Spring Break, means beginning for responsibility

Nobody gives better hugs than my 3-year-old brother. I nearly fell trying to clasp onto my door.

"Alisya! Good Morning!" He yells in my face. I picked him up and sat him on the table for breakfast; possibly the last of breakfasts we will be able to share until the next school break. I pulled out the almost empty bag of Fruit Loops and poured them until his eyes popped out; just one of many little games we play.

Everyday of my break, my brother and I have been able to spend a lot of time together. It is unlikely we ever get to play during school and on weekends. This break has came to us fast, but it sure didn't take it's time to stay. We never had to go to any Incredible Chuckie's of some sort, but just stayed in the comfort of our own backyard. Many adventures digging up stuff we weren't suppose to and playing catch with our dog became a part of history back there.

Now that today happens to be the last day of spring break, he's become tired and doesn't realize it's hard to keep playing as soon as I start school again. I may have broke the little guy for all he does is lay down and watch DVDs. As he's sound asleep, I only wish break could be longer.

School has it's upside, but this ultimately is it's down. During the break I had reading logs; courtesy of Dei Rossi. I quickly got them out of the way but it did end up making him cranky that I couldn't fix his Ice Cream Truck made of a beaten cardboard box and duct tape. I sigh not able to wake him up, and wonder if I could limit on the responsibilities I take on at school and after.

Two weeks may sum up others as they visited Paris, France or even San Francisco, but home is the only place I want to be. Last day of spring break only starts a new day of having to ignore my little buddy. I hope there will be enough time to play games as there is responsibility. May I treasure his funny dances and dirt filled hair as he continues to peep through the holes of our neighbor's fence. Oddly during our time, no pictures were taken, but as long as we are able to keep enjoying ourselves, we won't need any.

Hope everybody had a fantastic spring break and see you soon!

Save some power, It's Earth Hour!

If you haven't heard, today is Earth Hour where many people are expected to turn off their lights and other electronics from 8:30pm to 9:30pm local time. Today is the third annual worldwide event. It is a time when we as people can appreciate our planet Earth and at the same time show how easy it is to conserve. Millions of homes and businesses and hundreds of major landmarks will go dark for one hour to show that energy conservation is important and to send this message to political leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009.

It is said that lighting accounts for about 11 percent of a typical American homes energy bills, while computers and electronics add another 9 percent. So by shutting off these things when were not using them, we can lower our load significantly. Major places around the world are supporting such as Las Vegas whose bright lights will shut off for a complete hour! Literally everywhere around the globe from New York City to Paris, France will conserve energy as we support our Earth on this pleasant day.

Remember, there are also many other ways we can keep our Earth healthy and spare some bills by checking out The Daily Green today! Just remember to have a wonderful night!

American Idol has my vote!

American Idol last night has ultimately changed my voting style. I am one of the few who actually dislike Danny Gokey for it seems he's getting unnecessary praise. Okay he can sing, but I disagree he's the best. Adam Lambert, on the other hand, I've always had a little fond over. He's so weird and has that rocker voice from famous 70's bands. But last night may have seriously decided who is capable of winning American Idol. Last night Lambert sang "Tracks of My Tears," and not only did he dominate the song but he managed to create an unforgettable moment. Nobody expected his soft and soulful voice to come out. Simon praised him and said "That was the best performance of tonight," rather than new coming judge Kara DioGuardi's comment of just being "One of" the greatest. Grr, she's annoying. He doesn't seem to stop surprising fans and I don't expect to see him at in the bottom three tonight. "TEAM ADAM!" I'll shout.

The worst of the night who may have saved a lot of behinds was the "Elaine Dancer," Megan Joy. Not only can she not dance, but WOWZERS, she cannot sing! She always plays the same tune of trying to soulfully jazz everything out, but what kind of artist are you? Yes, jazzy I suppose, but contestants should know that they are fighting to becoming the next American Idol, someone who can sing just about anything. These songs are meant to test how well your vocals are and what you are capable of doing. If a contestant chooses to stay with the same routine, how are we suppose to choose an artist? There is no uniqueness. However, Megan Joy's voice style is the least of her worries. Her voice is, how would you say, wobbly? Out of tune and out of charm she needs to go home once and for all.

American Idol is on tonight at 8 p.m. Hope you join me as I cheer for Lambert's safety and ironically Joy's departure.

Disabled dolls and animated tweens: Is it wrong?

On Time Magazine's website, a thought to be light-hearted story of a woman, by the name of Mary Ann Perry, trying to buy the perfect doll for her daughter, turns out to be an issue. The doll bought was a Down Syndrome model; the condition Perry's daughter has. It was bought out of love to stray from the curvy and flamboyant Barbie dolls of today.

The sale of disability dolls are becoming popular, however some think they rather define people and not provoking the ideal of equality. And now with the change of Dora the Explorer, it has become the battle of the parents.

Girls' role models are leading a trail beyond the candy and curvy plastic parts: Truth. I find the disability dolls very cute and actually quite caring. The dolls are not pigeonholing people to where they say, "Well you're different so you might as well play with this." It's saying who you are is not to be ashamed of and difference is a good thing. Why must we keep playing the twisting of the equal card? We are equal beings as no one is better than another, but we share different traits and purposes to the world. The dolls are only comforting girls who feel they must have the Bratz outrageous lips and Barbie pointy bosoms to become loved and considered beautiful. Society has said enough with what beauty is and the dolls are assuring that true beauty starts with loving yourself.

As for Dora and her new tween look, I feel parents are a little too worried as well. Yes, she may have become older without her signature hair and orange and purple outfit, but she doesn't stay young forever. Perhaps it may have been too soon, but when is a child going to grow up? Parents are constantly trying to control the growth of their children in fear of losing their sweety-pies. Dora's age difference is proving that parents mustn't fear and pretend children are never going to someday go off into the world and venture themselves. She's no different and will forever be the same little girl who asks a bunch of questions when all she has to do is turn around. I feel that is the same with children growing up. Aging and blossoming into stronger people is a natural process as well as parents fearing it. Dora will certainly show children that growing up is a as fun as being little.

To wrap these two situations up-why shed actuality with tons of sugar? Beauty is beyond looks and age is an uncontrollable natural way of life. You can't hide everything when you know for certain it'll come out sooner or later. And now a cheap way to end my discussion, but relevant towards our time: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Root Canal: The best words I could ever hear!

I just got back from getting a root canal. All day I feared what many had said about it. "That's a killer! You know they're digging inside your root while you're awake?" Not to mention their dramatic expressions like I was entering brain surgery. It was this shrieking look. I thought I had massive booger or something.

Sitting in the car on the way to the death chair, my heart pounded enormously just thinking about the tools. I imagined sharp knives and drills all over the place. When I entered the office I felt like I was experiencing my last moments. Weird thing was, it happened to be in the lumpy, awkward patience chair watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" Not the ideal circumstance, but possible.

"Alyssa More," the dentist's assistant calls, and as usual I answer. I immediately sat down and got a cotton swab thrown in my mouth. Waiting as the stinging swab began to make it's course, my hands got numb and my throat felt dry. However, I have to say, waiting there did make me feel a little better. It was a stall from all the excruciating pain that was to come.

Just as I felt comfortable and guessed all the wrong answers during the T.V. show, the dentist came in. I tried to relax as much as possible by slouching in the throne of terror. It was as if I was some slick delinquent just waiting for my punishment. He greeted with a "Hello there," and asked what would I like to eat today. "We have root canal," he said and ended with a geeky laugh. I forced a chuckle and began to think happy thoughts.

"Okay you're going to feel a sharp pain as I enter this needle. After that you're lower left side will be completely numb." All I noticed was the assistant glancing at the television. I cringed and took a deep breath. A couple of seconds later my lip felt huge! I laughed when I looked at myself through the mirror on my left. He then threw in a jolly laugh as to counter mine. For all knew he could have been the big man himself.

Before I knew it, he began and I started shaking uncontrollably while watching the next showing of dramatic soap operas. It was some "All My Children Who Are Brave and Restless" junk. I then took a peek at their expressions and noticed they made that shrieking look. However, it wasn't like they seen a booger but rather a morphing alien. Just then, out of nowhere, the girl on the television started sobbing. I thought she was shot so I laughed. "Jimmy would rather go through a root canal than to sit through this!"

"Oh my!" I thought. Odd coincidence? I then thought, "Wait a minute, this isn't that bad!" I became so relaxed I didn't realize what was going on. "The numbing must have really worked or you would have bit me by now!" He said as he drilled away. The only displeasure was that I was not allowed to close my mouth at all. "Oh how I now wish to shut up!" I cried inside.

Then, in about 20 minutes I was cleared. He gave me my prescription, said he'll see me in a week, and I headed out with an awkward, numbed smile. The scared-y cats who gave me the unpleasant horror stories now seem quite silly. What was the whole fuss about? My only answer to that is that they're just grouchy bunches who had too many cookies. Maybe they should visit the dentist soon with their awful habits.

It still is the last thing anyone would want to get and I don't recommend it. I really now believe dentists are there to ease your pain, not make it worse. However, their masks! You'd think they're getting away with something. It was cool and unfortunately I may be hooked on those dramatic goons on television. In the end, I thought it was great. I'd do it again anytime as long as the shooting water reflects off a tooth and onto their faces! But seriously (If I haven't been), I'm hoping I don't ever go through this experience again.