Hannah’s Thoughts

I know we have all been there. Many people talk about doing things for free, but personally, I find most of them boring. Here’s my list of cheap or free FUN! things to do; alone and in a group.

• A lot of museums have cheap/free days. Look around at your local museums to see what days are free or lower priced. Art galleries count too.
• Movies theaters have cheap days. Some restaurants around the theater have deals on these days too, to encourage movie/dinner dates.
• Browse at a local book store/library. Go out for coffee with friends, and talk about books you’ve read, or want to read.
• Indoor swimming is really cheap and fun, especially in winter.
• Have a board game party. Have all your friends bring different board games and make a party out of it. Split into teams, and see who can win the most games.
• Try your hand at crafting. You can learn to make really cool things, such as gifts, for really cheap. Go to used clothing stores and see what things you can find to use, and make something new out of them. Even material from a fabric stores is cheaper then buying something you can make yourself instead. Here are a few suggestions you can make: 
  • Jewelery
  • Hats, blankets, pillow cases, etc.
  • Decorations
  • Unique fish tank or hamster cage (imagine one that looks like an old tv..)
• Have a movie marathon with your friends/family.
• Start a book club. Have everyone pick out a book for the whole group to read. You don’t need to buy the books new either; you can buy them used or borrow them from your local library.
• Go to a local farm, or animal sanctuary volunteer your services. Even for a day, many animal sanctuaries enjoy extra hand. Try volunteering as a dog walker at your local SPCA. Most will let you walk dogs for the day without any long term commitements.
• Have a short story contest. As an alternative, see who can come up with the best video game idea.
• If you’re a person that likes to go to bars, find out which bars have cheap nights, or 2 for 1 drink nights. Sometimes the cover charge is cheaper before a certain time. However, remember that drinking at bars is expensive, and you might have to cab or bus home, which will cost you more. Set yourself a limit for how much money you can spend. Only take that cash with you, plus a little extra for a cab or bus home. Keep this money in a different pocket so you don’t spend it on drinks.
• Trail hiking, or biking. Bring a lunch. Make a day of it. In the winter try snow shoeing or sledding

These are just a few ideas of things that you can do. Try and think of others. There are so many things that you can do for free, or at least a really low price. Every town has different events or places, so look around for local concerts, shows, conventions, and others.

Vampires and werewolves wern’t part of my childhood. They were evil, and always the bad guys in movies. Even in my teenage years they were always in the shadows.

Things have changed since then. Vampires are cool, werewolves are hot. They’re the new prince charmings. In a way, this is a good move for the world; is shows how much more open we’ve become. Just because something is different, it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Thanks to people like Stephanie Meyer and other teen authors, vampires have become the new “in” thing.

That being said, sex is also becoming a bigger part of being a teenager as well. Vampires are often discribed as being irristable and sexy, often making others fall in love with them.

Younger and younger teens are learning about sex through novels and movies. Being naturally curious, references to sex is more than enough to get them aquainted. Why is sex such a big part of our world? When I was a kid (not that long ago), sex was not like it is now. To me, thanks to my parents, sex was only for married couples.

Sex isn’t so important that it always needs to be mentionned when romance comes into play. Especially for stories possibly geared towards a younger crowd, I find it very unnecessary. For young teenagers, mentionning it is ok, but do they really need to know the details? If we don’t want them having it, why do they need to know so much about it?

People might say it’s censorship, but just because you can say it on TV, it doesn’t mean it’s ok for young kids to hear. I have to give props to Stephenie Meyer for making Edward and Bella get married before they had sex. That is not something often seen these days.

I think that in today’s world, we need take a step back and see the black and white of things. I don’t believe anything is grey. The reason people see grey is that they are bluring the black and white together.

How much energy you have is normally a good indication of how healthy you are. Just because you’re thin, it doesn’t mean you’re healthy.

It’s all about what you eat and how much exercise you get. An average adult should get at least 1 - 2 hours of exercise a week. This should involve things that get your heart going and make you sweat. Here are a few:

• Biking
• Walking (or jogging)
• Swimming
• Dancing

Eating right plays a big part too. How much junk  food do you eat? Most snack foods are tasty but not very healthy. Things like whole grain chips are much better for you than normal chips.

Here’s a list of tasty and healthy snacks:

• Air-popped popcorn
• Tomatoes
• Cheese and whole grain crackers
• Cucumbers
• Oranges, apples
• Pomegranates
• Hummus and baby carrots
• Vegetable chips

It’s cheaper to eat more fruits and veggies. You may think you’re saving money by buying items on sale. In truth, most grocery stores sell 5 pound bags of apple for 3 dollars. To save even more, try to buy locally grown fruits and vegitables.

Anything processed (that comes in a can or a package) can potentially be unhealthy. An item may claim to be healthy, but read the package anyways. It could contain alot of salt or sugar.

As a guide, the daily recommended salt intake is about 2 tablespoons (about 7 grams). Many packaged foods have far more salt than your body needs in one day. A good general rule is: if can’t pronounce an ingredent on the label, you shouldn’t be eating it.

Being healthy means living a longer and better life, and enjoying it.

It’s not the first thing you think of when you think of pets. It’s not very cuddly or very cute.

It’s actually more like having a pet fish, being easy to care for. Alot of people want pets, but simply don’t have the time. A taratula can be fun and really interesting to watch. Some can be handled and are willing to do so.

Many people think that tarantulas are poisonous. Infact, only a few species are. The bite of many of the more common species are no worse then getting stung by a bee. The only down-side to having a tarantula is feeding them, since they need to eat crickets. In order to do this, you have to house and keep crickets, which is actually easier then you would think.

There are many websites on how to keep tarantulas and how to care for them. For many people who have a fear of spiders, a tarantula can make a great pet. It can help them overcome their fears, and teach them about spiders in a way that they would of never dared to before.

Somes species are a little boring to watch, and don’t really do much. But for most people, the fact of owning a pet spider beats that fact hands down. Othe plus side, it will keep your mom away!

Tarantulas are all creepy and crawly, and have been given a bad rap because of movies. The reason these friendly non- poisonous creatures are seen so often on the movies is just that.  Because they are easy to handle and can be used in movies.

They are not the evil creatuers we have come to believe they are. They are just like all other animals on the planet; they have been overlooked and treated like monsters.

For those of you that are allergic to cats, and want to own cats, I’m here to tell you that it’s doable. It may not be easy, but if you’re dedicated to the cause, keep reading.

If you’re a cat lover like me, you will do nearly anything to keep your kitty, even if you have to suffer for it. It’s not very easy, and it will require alot of cleaning. Unfortunately, your house will never be 100% free of allergins. The only real way to not have any cat allergies is not to own a cat.

There are a few cat breeds out there that may help with reducing your allergies to cats, but those breeds are rare, and can be expensive. Even a hairless breed may cause certain allergies.

You can choose to take allergy pills and medicine everyday. This will help, but eventually will become expensive, and may take its toll on your body. Any alternatives?  As a matter a fact, there are many things you can do instead.

Drink nettle tea, which helps clean out your lungs. You can get this at most natural food stores.

Clean and dust often. Keep your house free of allergins, both cat and others. Vacuum 1-2 times a week. Vacuum everything! All carpets and couches. Wash the walls and floors often; this will help cut down on alot of other things you may be allergic to as well. Wash your hands everytime you pet or touch the cat.

Bath the cat 1-2 times a week. Start this when your cat is young to get him used to it. Believe it or not, most cats are ok with still water. You can do this by filling the tub half way, and then placing the cat inside once the water has stopped running. He may not like it, but he won’t go berserk as much as he would with running water. Use a small bucket to wet the cat down. Anti-sheeding shampoo works well, and so does any other cat shampoo.

Brush the cat often. Bathing and brushing helps to remove the cat’s loose hair. Cat treats, food and shampoo that help reduce hairballs can help reduce shedding too.

Try not to let the cat sleep on your pillow and bed. He won’t take it personally if you kick him off. If you let him sleep your bed, wash your bedding often. In general, try to keep the cat out of your bedroom. Nighttime is when allergies can be the worst.

Buy anti-allergin carpet spray. You can also buy normal air spray, which will help to reduce the allergins in your home. Make sure it includes pet allergies on the bottle. Use this on everything in your house, even if the cat doesnt go there. It will help alot.

I have a cat, and I’m allergic to him. However, I have nearly no allergies in my own home. Ironically, when I go over to other people’s houses who have cats, I get really bad allergies.

Everyone is trying to be more green, and most of us are doing nearly all the right things. Or are we really?

Here are a few things you may be doing wrong unknowingly:

• When you go to fill up on gas, don’t pull on the gas pump as hard as you can. Why? Because gas evaporates easily, and when you’re pumping the gas on the highest speed possible, you’re letting more gas into the environment. You’re paying for gas you’re not even using!
• Recycle everything you can. Most people forget that nearly everything can be recycled. This includes any and all paper products. Ever thought of recycling paper coffee cups?
  Most people  forget to recycle shampoo bottles, spice bottles, and plastic bags. In fact, most things made out of plastic can be recycled.
• Use coldwater to wash your clothes, and hang dry everything you can. You don’t need to use the dryer for everything. Most items suggest hand drying anyway.
• Natural cleaners really is the way to go. The more natural cleaners you use, the better it is for your health and the earth’s. Most do a better job than other cleaners and smell better too.
• Pick free trade coffee brands. Do your research, and find out if your favorite coffee shop sells free trade coffee beans. You’ll be suprised to learn how much coffee companies abuse both the planet and third world countries. Buying from free trade sources garantees honesty.
• Your pets can be green too! Buy natural or high grade pet food. Buy natural kitty litter, or natural rodent bedding. Alot of pet food companies sell natural pet toys and treats too now.
• Stay away from aerosol sprays. Alot of air fresheners still make nearly all their products in convenient spray cans, but it’s really is harmful for both you and the earth. Being green is not just about saving the plant; but your own health too.

Its not just about saving the earth, but living a longer and better life too!

I’ll tell you where they shouldn’t be. On the big screen!

Not having grown up reading the book as a child I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew was that it was meant to be a children’s film, and for adults to remind them of their childhood. If this movie reminds you of your childhood, then I’m sad for you that it was so depressing.

I saw parents leave the theatre with their crying children because of how scary the movie was. Despite my instincts (having forced myself to sit through the whole thing), I watched the whole movie, having to leave a few times just to take a break from it. Afterwards I went straight to Chapters to see what kind of children’s book this abborition is based off of. I was shocked by what I read; the book is cute, and happy, and nothing like the movie at all!

The movie is dark, scary and depressing. It’s something I would never let my kids see. Even as a 21 year old, it made me depressed. Just as the movie seemed to be taking a turn for the better, it only got worse the second, and third, and fourth time around. The only thing about it I did mildly like was the ending because I could finally leave and never see it again.

If this movie reminds or brings back childhood memories, its would be the ones we try to forget. I wish I could go back in time and stop myself from ever walking into the theatre and buying the tickets for Where the Wild Things Are. I have no idea what Spike Jonze was thinking; maybe he was on crack. This movie is all wrong. I have only one regret in life and that is having seen Where the Wild Things Are.

So swine flu is back. (Oops, sorry, its now H1N1…)

So yet again the flu season has come, only this time deadlier, according to Health Canada. Lines are out the doors at all vaccination clinics. They’re filled with parents and their young children waiting to get this “live saving vaccine”.

There are many others things you can do to keep yourself healthy. I’m sure I’m not the first person to mention we should always wash our hands after everything.

Here are a few more (less obvious) things we can do: clean our house often, especially light switches, door knobs, and all other places people put their hands on. Your house may be infected, and you might never know it.

Drink more orange juice during the winter and fall months, or if you don’t like orange juice, make sure you include lots of vitamin C. Vitamin D is important too; when the sun isn’t around to give us natural vitamin D, we need to find other ways to get it. Don’t worry about taking too much, it’s virtually impossible to overdose.

The H1N1 is said to be deadly… but I think that the reason most people are dying from it  is that they are not getting the nutrition they need. I think it’s time people turn to natural remedies for help, which are time proven.

Trouble breathing? Have nettle tea. It can be found at most health food stores.

Stomach ache? Ginger, or ginger tea. Raw ginger can be used to make tea by chopping it up and adding to boiling water. It can also be bought in tea bags.

Another useful recipe is mixing both nettle and ginger together in a tea to cure both symptoms.

What is with all the hype about swine flu, as far as I can tell no one has really died from it. It seems to me that people are just taking this whole thing and blowing it way out of whack. I mean isn’t it just a flu bug like any other, a lot of things can kill you, phenomena can kill you and they aren’t going crazy over that. Even a common cold can kill you if your immune system is weak enough. This whole thing is from Mexico, where people die everyday from all sorts of weird diseases, the government is just trying to scare and control us, look at the bird flu nothing really came of it, even mad cow was taken care of. Companies are making a ton of money off of scared people who will buy anything if they think it is going to keep them safe from the deadly and scary swine flu.

People buy bomb shelters because they think that there is going to be a nuclear war some time in the near future. People will do anything to make money, and if they can scare people into spending their money they will, what ever works right? Is this what the western world is coming to a money mad world, since we are so afraid to die to lose everything we will spend money to live, to keep us safe from things like swine flu, and what about global warming, people are spending money to save money and the environment, but is that really working?

well last week on the opening day of 17 again I took my little sister to see the movie.

I was not very enthusiastic about because I am not a Zac Efron fan, and I’m not really into the whole teen movies anymore. I was surprised by his performance, he is a really good actor. I have only seen him on musicals and since there isn’t much acting involved in musicals and more singing then anything else. Anyway I found the movie really funny and fresh, it was not like most of the other teen moves that come out today. It was funny, exciting, emotional and I would recommend anyone to go and see this movie.

Some people might not like it, but I have to say for what it was it was not bad, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.