Unscrew America

Ok, so I haven't written here in awhile... sorry guys! Today's Topic is: Unscrew America. (Crazy I know, just wait.)





Let me explain. Unscrew America is an organization that is promoting the switch to LED or other environmentally safe light bulbs. Not only does the website promote a good cause, it's very appealing to teens! When you first enter the site, you are greeted with a dark, creepy cave. Pull the lever, and a new LED bulb pops into view making the cave become a cool, comfortable place. Once in the "Happy Mode", you can watch hilarious videos, post comments, find ways to help the environment, and see how other teens are helping as well.

If you truly care about the environment, you probably know everything on this site. If you have never helped the environment and are going to look at the awesome vids, go ahead. (They're packed with Eco-friendly stuff too!) =P

Come back soon for more teen organizations to help save the world and the people living on it!

-*-Justine/Aradia-*-

Back-to-School Adventures------Part 7!

**If you have not read the previous posts below, please do so now.**

Today is officially my Back-to-School Adventures part 7.... aka: my first day of 8th Grade! It's crazy being able to call the younger ones, "Sevies"... (Loves it!)

Today's Topic: The First Day Back To School. (Yay... Stomps over to computer.) In case you haven't noticed... I HATE this topic! "Then why'd you choose it?!?" Because I felt like it, OK?!?! Jeez...

OK, we all know that the first day of school can be three things. A: Nerve racking, B: Exciting, or C: Both of the above. For me, I'd have to go with C. Last year, I was the new girl at my Middle School... (shudders from the thought). I was teased, talked down upon, rumored about, and snubbed many, MANY times. Being the "New Girl" is creepy, torturous, and above all: horrifying. I'm sure some of you can relate.

Anyway, today actually went pretty well. I found all of my classes on time, made a great impression on all of the teachers, requested my schedule change, and looked pretty good doing it if I do say so myself. ;-) My mom was able to contact the Hairstylist and made an appointment for Wednesday, (I'll post the pics HERE first!) Tomorrow is my first day of Hip-Hop dance class that I am taking with my dear friend: Jessica Z.!

If YOU have any stories about your first day of school, please post in the comments menu. (You can request to remain anonymous) And I will post them here! =D

-*-Justine/Aradia-*-

I'll be here tomorrow, will you?

Back-to-School Adventures.... Part 6

**If you have not read the previous posts below, please do so now. Thanks.**

Oh my Goddess. Today is part 6 of my Back-to-School Adventures!!! "What's so special about today?" You ask. Well, it's only the day before school starts! Jeez...

Okay, Today's topic is: (Drum roll please.) Gearing up for the first day of school! (Surprise, surprise...)

Alright, now that you have laughed at me multiple times, gone school shopping for supplies and clothes, and gotten a haircut (I didn't yet... =-......I ), It's time for the major preparation! Here's my checklist, simplified for the busy and/or spaced out people:

• Pack. The mornings are so much easier if you pack everything the night before.


• Make plans. The morning of the first day back is scary, make plans to meet your friends somewhere on campus!


• Eat. Eating a yummy and hearty breakfast makes the morning classes up to lunch better to take.


• Style. Find out what you're going to wear tomorrow, wash them, and get everything ready to grab and throw wear, that busy morning.


• Smile. Having a good attitude makes your day better! It's true! If you think you look great, people with think you look great too!

That's all I really have to say for tonight... Good luck for your first day of school, and if you experience some cool or crazy stuff, post them in the comments and I'll show them here!

-*-Justine/Aradia-*-

I'll be here tomorrow, will you?

Back-to-School Adventures------ Part 5

**If you have not the read the previous posts below, please do so now.**

Wow. It's actually Part 5 of my Back-to-School Adventures, which means that there's only tomorrow left until school starts! =O Today's topic is "Back-to-School shopping Extravaganza & more!"

So, today I finished my Back-to-School Shopping Extravaganza with a bang! First, I stopped by the Anthem Outlet Mall to shop at Styles for Less, which I highly recommend. Then, my family drove down to Walmart and picked up a few more basic pieces. Let me just say, I have never worn anything else like these items before so you guys (my classmate readers) are in for a surprise! ;-) By the way, the Hair Salon never called me back so I'm going to try the salon at Walmart instead. =D

OK, now time for my major thoughts on today's topic. First of all... Back-to-School shopping is like reinventing yourself. If you don't like the reputation you have or the "Clique" you're classified in, CHANGE IT! Shopping=new opportunities. Clothes=new doors to open up for you. Accessories= the keys to those doors. Most of all, Your comfort in your own body=success! I know, I know. I sound like Dr. Phil Barbie, but what I'm saying is true! Even if you can't afford fancy and expensive clothes you see in magazines, you can still change your look without spending too much money! Two words for you: Shop Wisely. If you see a sale on some jackets you'll need later in the year, buy them. Compare Prices! If at one store the shirt you want is 15 dollars, go to another store that sells it and most likely you'll find that the shirt will be for 12 dollars instead. Yeah, it's not that big of a saving, but it DOES add up in the end- Trust me.

There's not much more I can say except go over the key facts and thought for today. (What? It's 10 o'clock at night and I still have to go take a shower! Sheesh...)

• Shop wisely. Look for those sales!!!!


• Compare prices. Most boutiques overcharge on items.


• Reinvent Yourself! It's fun, and you might even fit in to a new group of friends that you actually feel like you BELONG to. =D


• Shop at late or early hours. Shopping is CRAZY right now... be cautious! X-D


• Shop for yourself. Don't shop for what your friends have or what the magazines say are "in". Shop for yourself. Shop for your own style! =P

-*-Justine/Aradia-*-

I'll be here tomorrow, will you?

Back-to-School Adventures-----Part 4

Oh my gosh, Today's Part 4 of my Back-to-School Adventures! Never thought I would actually remember to do this everyday...

Anyway, today's topic is Moms. "You can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em!"

Sure, our moms get on our nerves, but who was the one that bought you the Popsicle after you got that booster shot? You mom. Who's the one cleaning up your vomit when you get the flu? Your mom. Who's the one that drives you to Basketball practice halfway across town only for you to remember that practice was canceled? Your mom. Who's the one who remembers to check your math homework when you fall asleep, working on it at 2 in the morning? Your MOM! Catch my drift, people? MOMS are IMPORTANT! If it wasn't for them, we would either be; a: dead, b: sick, or c: in Juvenile Hall.

You're probably wondering what the topic "Moms" has anything to do with my Back-to-School Adventures. Well, today something interesting happened...

My little brother and I were playing video games when suddenly our mom asks if we would like to come down to the convenience store with her. My brother and I both nod in agreement because we both knew that going to the convenience store down the street meant free candy from mom. We soon arrived at the store and quickly scurried inside to escape the heat. After I picked out a small bag of Cracker Jacks, I patiently waited for my brother to pick something out so we could all head up to the register. I was halfway through an advertisement about a missing Black Lab when I started to hear hushed bickering coming from the candy aisle. I immediately stopped reading and headed around the drink aisle to find my 7 year-old brother arguing with my mom about which candy he was allowed to buy. Typical argument, so I sauntered back over to the posting board.

As things started to heat up, the hushed argument became not so quiet anymore... In an attempt to stop or ease the fight, I sprinted down to the candy aisle just in time to hear my mom telling my brother that he was not allowed to get a treat. Not wanting to miss anything, I stuck around only to find that the drama level was dropping. (sigh) I sauntered back to the register to wait for my family when suddenly my brother lightly pushed a glass bottle of barbeque sauce on display and sent the contents splattering EVERYWHERE. I'm talking glass shards, thick barbeque sauce, and labels flying out towards the register! I backed away in time, and thankfully my mom did too, otherwise we would be in the hospital right now. =O

After purchasing our items, we quickly hustled out the door and into our old, squeaky car. That's when the bomb dropped. Lectures about right and wrong, attitude, and 'raising you right' were nonstop. And for some reason, I actually felt ONE with my brother that day. When he cried, I cried. When he said he was sorry, I mouthed 'I'm sorry'. It was probably the weirdest moment of my Sisterly life....

When we finally arrived at our home, my brother and I both ran for our rooms before she exploded again. When, we both came out... the time bombs were detonated. Now I, was the victim as she complained that I kept going behind her back to get what I wanted... But, mom's episode finally came to an end with an apology for lashing out like that, and we made our apologies for causing the problems.

In the end, my mom actually did buy my brother a candy bar for when he finally realized what his actions caused. Me? I was stuck with a half empty bag of Cracker Jacks and guilt. Yay me...

What I'm trying to make of all of this is, even though you mess up, big time, moms pull through for you in the end. When you cry, they're your tissue. When you're hurting, they're your band aid. When you need them, they're your Wonder Woman. When you're angry, they're your punching bag (not literally). When you're depressed, they're your anti-depressant.

"You can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em!"

Love ya' mom!

-*- Justine/ Aradia-*-

I'll be here tomorrow, will you?

Back-to-School Adventures-----Part 3

If you have not read the previous posts, please do so now.

**Please note- This is not meant to offend anyone.**

Hey Guys, This is Part 4 of my Back-to-School adventures! Exciting right? (threatens you with a bat). Yeah, I thought so.

Anyway, today I'm going to discuss Back-to-School shopping. Well, today I started my school shopping extravaganza (What? I had to make it seem exciting...). My goal for today was school supplies. I picked up the basic necessities: binder, loose leaf paper, pencils, pens, notebooks, glue, colored pencils, and mints. ;-). I didn't really shop for clothes except for a pair of jeans and a cute burgundy baby doll tee and brown cropped tights. This weekend will be the official Back-to-School clothes shopping experience, so stay tuned for that as well. Not to mention my first ever professional haircut! I will be posting the pics here for you guys to enjoy, before everyone else gets to see it!

Well, what else can I say except that school supplies make a great school year. Sure, you have that creepy gym teacher who makes you do this freaky aerobics thing, but when that test came up... you were the one loaning out those super cool erasable pens! Just think- when you're caught in the trap of those boring lectures about fungus, you're every one's hero when you kept them awake with that flashing light-up pen you got for 88 cents! (True story.)

Seriously people, if you see those mechanic pencils that are on sale at Walmart, buy them. Even though those DVUSD school papers say that all teachers are required to provide the needed supplies, we all know that they don't. Yeah, they've got the basics, but don't come crying to them when you need a new piece of lead for your pencil....

What I'm trying to say here is; buy your own supplies! If you can't afford anything, fund raise or ask your teacher for assistance. Scrounge around in your house for old pencils, markers, and notebooks to help save money this fall. I recommend shopping at Walmart. I know, I know... Walmart is cheesy and stupid BUT- Walmart has great prices and great merchandise! No Walmarts near you? Go to another Low priced store such as Costco or Sam's Club. =)

Advice: Buy supplies or find a way to get them.
Thoughts: Great supplies make a great school year!
Hoping that... : You have a great Back-to-School shopping experience AND a great school year!

-*-Justine/Aradia-*-

I'll be here tomorrow, will you?

Back-to-School Adventures---- Part 2

If you have not read the post before this, please do so.


OK, now that you've read the first part, we can move on to today's part. =-) Today I'm going to talk about our school's popularity system. (Please note that this is not intended to hurt anyone personally.)

Ah, our popularity system. The ranks. The classes. The cliques. The torture. You see them everywhere; the cheerleaders, the jocks, the preps, the skaters, emos, goths, nerds, freaks. I walk around campus deciphering who's on top and who's slowly becoming "unpopular". Have you ever wondered what I do as the "quiet person" who just stares at everyone? Well, now you know. One minute, you can be the coolest girl in school and then you get a bad haircut and you're just a freak- I've seen it a million times.

Popularity is practically based on who you hang out with, what you wear, what you do after school, who you're going out with, and how you act. OK, well the dictionary defines popularity as: the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after. That's pretty different than our definition, don't you think?

Frankly, I have no idea what the "populars" classify me as, but I think I have some ideas...

Recipe for Justine:

• 
  
  A pinch of shyness.


• 
  
  A cup of intelligence.


• 
  
  2 cups of kindness.


• 
  
  1 teaspoon of athleticism.


• 
  
  Add 2 cups of emo for the filling.


• 
  
  Sprinkle on some preppy.


• 
  
  Add some artistic Icing.

And WA-la! You have Justine Ala cake. =-)

I know who I am, do you? Whenever you find yourself bored or in a bad mood, try making a recipe for yourself. It's fun and inspiring! In fact if you do make one, send it to me via email so I can post it here! ;-)

**Tune in tomorrow for more Back-to-School thoughts and adventures!**

-*-Justine/Aradia-*-

Back-to-School Adventures.-----Part 1

School is back.....

I'm sure you would all agree that if you heard that during the beginning of your summer vacation, you would assume you were in some bad horror movie. Correct? I thought so. Chill out, none of your teachers are charging at you with chainsaws. Now, I bet most of you are reading this AFTER school started because you didn't want to waste ANY time on some boring blog. Well, I just got back from Greer, and have nothing else to do so........... I'm writing this. OR, you are some other boring person like me that never really does anything over the summer and subjected to talking to yourself through a blog. ;-) Well, since I have no life during the summer, I'm going to be giving the play-by-play of my school preparation. Including, vacation, shopping, new hairstyle, X D, and signing back up for dance class. Exciting? It Will be... TRUST ME.

Now that we've got that settled, I shall begin my "Back to School Adventures" Tale for you.
Over the summer, I realized I would go back to hip-hop dance class. (Yes, I took hip-hop dance class.) This time, with a friend. (Shout out to Jessica Zepeda!) Anyway, I realized that if I was going to do this, I needed to sign up. Soon. Practically every hour I inform my mom and dad about the sign-ups and the fact I need new dance shoes, leotards, and jazz pants. I'm still waiting for all of that...

Well as for my trip to Greer, I left my boring home in New River on July 27 to head up north. As a Vegetarian I had no intention of catching or eating the fish we caught. Well, that was before I caught the most fish in my family. Out of 7 fish, I caught 4. I would like to mention the plaque that was hanging in the kitchen of our cabin. It read: Vegetarian; old Indian word for bad fisherman. Um, yeah right! I'm a Vegetarian AND caught the most fish. =P While we were staying there, my family and I browsed the little town shops and at night had campfires. You typical forest vacation stuff, until you mention the black bear that would eat our garbage. =) My family arrived back in New River on August 2nd, The day Breaking Dawn came out!!! In case you don't know what that is, (you are a CRAZY person) it's the forth book to the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, the BEST author since Shakespeare! Sorry, Twilighter moment.... X-D. I'm about halfway to the END.... also the END of the series... =, ( ANYWAY, today I'm just hanging out watching movies, writing this, and reading my but off. I think that's enough for today. (looks up at what I've written and my jaw drops to the floor.)

Tune in tomorrow for more of my boring and crazy (doesn't make sense) back-to- school adventures!

Signing off, I'm Justine/Aradia... See you next time!

(Okay, that was totally stupid. I sound like some weird talk show host..... Thinks about it, decides she likes it's craziness. X-D )