Spirited Away

The movie that I was watching for school is called Spirited Away by Miyazaki. It is a Japanese animation and translated into English. It was a very entertaining film and very cute. Here is some information about the film.

Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl in the midst of a move to the suburbs with her parents, wanders into a mysterious town. It's the "other world" of gods and monsters, ruled over by a witch. There, humans are changed into animals and disappear. Chihiro, who has a listless disposition, must start working at a huge bath house to survive. Can she return to her own world?

This film is an adventure story, although the characters neither swing weapons around, nor use supernatural powers in battle. It is an adventure story, but its theme is not a confrontation between good and evil. It will be a story of a girl who was thrown into a world where both good and evil exist. She gets trained, learns about friendship and devotion, and survives by using her wisdom. She finds her way out, dodges, and comes back to her old daily life for the time being. However, it is not because evil was destroyed -- just as the world does not disappear, (evil does not disappear). It is because she gained the power to live. Today, the world has become ambiguous; but even though it is ambiguous, the world is encroaching and trying to consume (everything). It is the main theme of this film to describe such a world clearly in the form of a fantasy.

Through the tunnel,
There was a town of wonder.
It was an inconceivable place,
Where inconceivable things happened.

A world existed right next to the humans' world,
A world humans could never see.

Local gods and various lesser deities,
Goblins and monsters.
It was a hot springs town,
Where old gods came to heal their illness and wounds.

10 year-old Chihiro wanders into this world,
Where humans shouldn't enter.

Chihiro can only survive in this world if she accepts two conditions:
To work for Yu-baaba, an avaricious witch
Who rules the huge bath house at the center of the town.
And to be deprived of her name and become a non-human.

Chihiro lost her name, and began working under her new name, Sen.

In the town of surprise and wonder, Chihiro comes to know
A huge sense of helplessness... and a small amount of hope.

However, in this difficult world, she discovers many things,
And Chihiro becomes more lively than she ever was.

Kamajii, the boiler keeper with his rich life experience.
Rin, who teaches Chihiro the work at the bath house.
Susuwatari, who carry coal.
Bou, the son of Yu-baaba.
The god of the river, a refugee from the human's world, who is covered with trash and sludge.
Kaonashi, the masked man.
Zeniiba, the twin sister of Yu-baaba.

Unimaginable things keep happening.

Chihiro's sleeping "power to live"
Has gradually begun to awaken.

And Chihiro meets Haku, a handsome but mysterious boy.

The encounter of a boy and a girl, tied together by a promise.
With awakening memories,
They understand and help each other.

Can Chihiro take her name back,
And return to the humans' world....?

Finally over the migraine from HELL!!!!!

If you don't get migraines you are sooooooooooooooooo lucky and those of you who do you really might be able to relate. Saturday afternoon I got off work at 3:30. I was kinda feeling the migraine my last hour of my shift, but I hate to take medication for it even though I know better. I kept feeling worse but Andy and were out running errands so I still did nothing for it. It was getting to be dinner time so I thought that eating something might help like it sometimes does. I feel asleep on the couch while Andy cooked. Then he woke me for dinner and we started watching a movie that I need to watch for school.

My head started to hurt worse. The TV was too loud and lights too bright (common symptoms) and I was so uncomfortable. Then I knew it I had to vomit.... yeah I know you wanted to know that. That usually makes me feel better too (if it happens) but not this time. It was like I had the flu but totally different at the same time. I tried to sleep and couldn't... I could not get comfortable and of course vomited until I had nothing left to vomit. At that point I can't even take medication and I actually want to. Finally I got myself to get in the shower to calm down (oh yeah I could not stop crying from the pain) and wet and naked I crawled in to bed and finally slept.... for a while any way.

My poor little kitties were worried about their mama and wouldn't leave me alone. It was cute but I had little tolerance for Ziggy meowing in my face and Sable licking my nose. Oh and Ziggy sticking his head in the toilet while I was sick. But I had both of them by me all night.

I should have called in sick the next day but I am not that type of person. I think with the weather and the lack of me being able to rest I think I finally got over this today... although another storm passing through and my head is starting to hurt again. Don't worry I took something this time.

Song in My Head 4/27

On My Knees- Jaci Velasquez

There are days when I feel
The best of me is ready to begin
Then there're days when I feel
I'm letting go and soaring on the wind

Cause I've learned in laughter or in pain
How to survive

CHORUS
I get on my knees
I get on my knees
There I am before the love
That changes
See I don't know how
But there's power
When I'm on my knees
I can be in a crowd
Or by myself almost anywhere
When I feel there's a need
To talk with God He is Emmanuel

When I close my eyes
No darkness there
There's only light

CHORUS

I don't know how but there's power
In the blue skies
In the midnight
When I'm on my knees

CHORUS


Lyrics ©1996 Seat Of The Pants Music/Word Music/ASCAP/Ochsongs Music/BMI

Finals

Oh man it is getting to be that time again. I have not had to take a final exam in so long. I can feel the pressure already and I have a few more weeks. I have decided to take one online-class in the summer. I hope this goes well because the last class I had online did not go so well. I was going to take more classes and then decided against it because I have a lot going on this summer.

First my dad is getting married in June on Friday the 17th. Many summer classes are Monday through Friday. Second Andy and I are going to visit his family in Ohio at the end of June. His grandparents have there 50th wedding anniversary and EVERYONE wants us to come visit and that is on both sides of his family.

I think I got promoted at work. Why do I say "I think," because it is not final yet. Also I am probably in shock because it is not a position that I thought I would be getting. The position is called booth clerk. This means I would sit in the room with the safe and play with money ... oh and other things.

The song in my head cds are a hit so far with everyone who got them..... there are 2 and a 3rd in progress and demand.

well go to get ready for work
Love Shawna

Song in my Head 4/21

Second Chances - Michelle Branch -

Sometimes we get second chances
And sometimes we never make it past the first
It really makes you wonder why somethings happen when they do
It really makes me wonder why it wasn't me instead of you

And when you say
It doesn't matter well it does
And all it takes
Is a mistake to eat your words
Just one more time I think I'll drive on home tonight

Sometimes we never see the warning
And the voice in your head tells you not to go
It really makes me wonder why somethings happen when they do
It really makes me wonder why it wasn't me instead of you

And when you say
It doesn't matter well it does
And all it takes
Is a mistake to eat your words
Just one more time I think I'll drive on home tonight

And when you look its gone its too late to turn around
And it's another day facing yourself and the things that you've done

And when you say
It doesn't matter well it does
And all it takes
Is a mistake to eat your words
Just one more time I think I'll drive on home tonight

Advice from Kids

ADVICE FROM KIDS dribbleglass.com
1. When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him. - Michael, 14
2. Never tell your mom her diet is not working. - Michael, 14
3. When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair. -Taylia, 11
4. Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a Tic Tac. -Andrew, 9
5. You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. - Armir, 9
6. Never trust a dog to watch your food. - Patrick, 10
7. If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse. -Naomi, 15
8. Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick. -Lauren, 9
9. Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat. -Joel, 10

What is the right age to get married?
23 is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. - Camille, 10
No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married. - Freddie, 6

Is it better to be single or married?
It is better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. - Anita, 9

What do you think you mom and dad have in common?
Both don't want anymore kids. -Lori, 8

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -Derrick, 8

Song in My Head 4/16

Snakes and Ladders - Joss Stone

(Lalalalalala
Lalalalalalalalala)

In the game of love
It takes all you got
Just to keep it moving up
Don't you wanna reach the top
But heaven seems such a crazy dream
If your heart has room for doubt
You're neither in you're neither out

99 1/2 it just won't do
You gotta give me all of you
Not asking too much of a heart that's true
So tell me...

Chorus
What's the name of the game that we are playing
Boy whenever I think that we are winning
Then you roll the dice take a slide
Right back to the one from 99

Is it gonna go on like this forever
Are we gonna to take that last step together
Going round and round and up and down
Feels just like snakes and ladders

Baby don't it feel like a carousel
Where all the world is rushing by
But when it stops you realize
That you're right back where you started at
I need a little more than that
It time for us to face the facts

Whether to be or not to be
That is the question so it seems
We're going nowhere in between
So tell me...

Chorus
What's the name of the game that we are playing
Boy whenever I think that we are winning
Then you roll the dice take a slide
Right back to the one from 99

Is it gonna go on like this forever
Are we gonna to take that last step together
Going round and round and up and down
Feels just like snakes and ladders


Don't wanna play this game nomore
I wanna know right now for sure
What am I giving my heart for
Baby I need a little more
Don't leave me hanging on a string
Now that I gave you everything


Not when I play to win
Snakes and ladders

Chorus (2x)
What's the name of the game that we are playing
Boy whenever I think that we are winning
Then you roll the dice take a slide
Right back to the one from 99

Is it gonna go on like this forever
Are we gonna to take that last step together
Going round and round and up and down
Feels just like snakes and ladders


(Lalalalalala
Lalalalalalalalala)

New Number

Hi Everyone I have a new phone number. Of course I am not giving it out on my blog... I am just letting my readers know that if they don't have it to contact me and I will give it to you.

Why do I have a new number? Well Andy and I changed service from Cricket to Sprint. Andy got a 15% discount through work for Sprint and Cricket was too expensive for us. I know I could have kept my number the same with the new number transfer thing, but I decided I needed a new number... just for the heck of it. Oh and to keep everyone on their toes by either changing my address of phone number every 6 months lol.

Love Shawna

Children's Lit

I enjoy my children's lit class. I think when the class is over I will continue to read some children's lit. In class I have a huge project due where I have to read 25 books a summarize them. 16 are for grades K-2 and are small picture books. Then 3 are from 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8.

If someone were to ask me if I enjoyed reading when I was a child I would have answered yes. But I realized that I only liked to read sometimes and never what I was told to read. And now because of this class I realized that missed out on reading. In a way having this class lets me have another chance at reading children's lit that I missed out on, but it is also another time in my life and I am older. I might have a different thought about the book now that I am old compared to when I was 9-years old.

My favorite books that I have read are for grades 4-6. I always tell people that I want to teach 2nd grade but maybe the literature will persuade me into 4th grade.

Love Shawna

Song in My Head 4/8

Incomplete -- Backstreet Boys


Empty spaces fill me up with holes
Distant faces with no place left to go
Without you within me I can't find no rest
Where I'm going is anybody's guess

I've tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete

Voices tell me I should carry on
But I am swimming in an ocean all alone
Baby, my baby
It's written on your face
You still wonder if we made a big mistake

I've tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete

I don't mean to drag it on, but I can't seem to let you go
I don't wanna make you face this world alone
I wanna let you go (alone)

I've tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete

Incomplete

Song in My Head 4/7 (A Song For Every Woman)

Video --- India Arie

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Aria

When I look in the mirror the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Aria

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the
game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change

Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share wit
y'all

So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
'Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Aria

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicon I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Aria

Aquamarine

I decided to find information I can post about Aquamarine

Aquamarine

From lightest sky-blue to the deep blue of the sea – aquamarines show all these shades of an exceptionally beautiful range of usually light blues. It is a truly fascinating stone. Women all over the world covet it because of its fine blue colour, which suits almost any complexion or eye-colour to perfection, and creative gemstone artists get their inspiration for new cuts more often from aquamarines than from other stones.

Its light blue arises feelings such as sympathy, trust, harmony or friendship. These are good feelings, which involve a partner or companion, and prove their vale in long-lasting relationships. Aquamarine blue is a divine and eternal colour, since it is, after all, the colour of the skies. Aquamarine blue, however, is also the colour of water with its life-giving properties. And in fact aquamarine seems to have managed to embody the light blue of the seas. This is not surprising, for according to legend it has its origin in the treasure chest of the legendary mermaids, and has for ages been reputed to be a lucky stone for sailors. Its name has been derived from the Latin terms "aqua” meaning water, and "mare” or sea. Allegedly its powers develop best if the stone is immersed in sun-drenched water. However, it seems a wiser course to carry it, because according to ancient traditions, carrying an aquamarine is supposed to guarantee a happy marriage and to make its owner happy and rich at that – the ideal gemstone, not only for lovers and married couples.

Gemstone with many excellent characteristics

Aquamarine is one of our most popular and famous gemstones and is characterised by many excellent features. It is almost as popular as the classical stones Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. It is related to Emerald, which just like Aquamarine belongs to the gemstone family of Beryls. However, the colour is more evenly distributed throughout the stone in Aquamarines compared to Emeralds. More frequent in occurrence than its famous green brother, Aquamarine is usually almost free of inclusions. It possesses a good hardness (7 _ to 7 _ on the Mohs’ scale), and a breathtaking brilliance. Its good hardness makes it quite robust and protects it generally from getting scratched. Iron is the substance responsible for the colour in Aquamarine, and the shades of blue displayed range from almost colourless pale blue through to bright sea blue. The more intense the colour of an Aquamarine, the higher its value. Some Aquamarines show a slightly greenish hue – that is also considered typical. But a really pure and clear blue is still cherished as typical Aquamarine colour, as it best brings out the immaculate transparency and high brilliance

Song in My Head 4/5 again

In My Life ---- Ryan Cabrera

Well I'm wanting to know you I just want to be in your arms We'll fly away and I hope soon That this side of me, is willing to be all of the things that you want to see now well I'm asking if you'll let me in To your world where I've never been cause in my life, I let it all hang down I just want to know you're awake Cause in my life, I'll never touch the ground I just want to know its all alright cause it won't be long Well it's gone any day now, and I'm hoping I'm wrong we'll fly away and I hope you that you can be strong, cause it wont be long till the day that I can stand up in your arms

Song in My Head 4/5

That's Me - Tara MacLean

Caught in a mirror
Looking through sympathetic eyes
I'll come to the conclusion
That believers are sinners in disguise
And I was blind

So if you ask me
I'll keep saying that I am fine
So just don't ask
And if you see me I'll keep
Flashing that winning smile
Cause that's my mask

Now I don't know what to believe
This girl made of steel with
her heart on her sleeve
Looking for someone
to love and leave
That's me

Caught on the floor now
This bottle in my hand
In the confusion
It seemed the safest place to land
Now I can't stand

Everytime I'd think of you
I'd start to cry well not this time
And if you see me
You will know that the years went by
And they weren't kind

Walking the line on this highway of shame
Tied to the tracks expecting the train
So much to lose and no one to blame but me

That's me So if you see me...

My Saturday at the museum

Saturday I had off from work..... Don't ask me how that happened. So Andy and I went to the Denver Nature and Science museum. I had a lot of fun there and a lot of it has changed since the last time I was there ( I think in Elementary school). Of course we looked at the dinosaurs and there was an exhibit of outer space that was really cool. We also went to an exhibit about gems and mineral. I think the gems and minerals was one of the best. I got to see cool rocks and learned interesting facts. I got to see my birthstone Aquamarine. I learned that Aquamarine and Emeralds are the same stone called Beryl they are just different in color. I also learned that Aquamarine is the Colorado State Gemstone.

Based on the book

I just finished watching the movie Ella Enchanted. The movie is based on the book Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. My Children's Lit teacher picked the book for us to read and discuss in class.

The book is fantastic: The story is a bout Ella of Frell who received a magic spell gift from a fairy. But the gift is actually a curse ... The gift is obedience. Ella must do whatever she is told and if she doesn't she makes herself ill until she can take it and does what she was told to do. Later she takes a journey to find the fairy and have her gift removed but finds that she is the one who can break her own spell. This book takes the tale of Cinderella and adds many wonderful twists.

My favorite part of the book is when 5-year-old Ella discovers that she has to be obedient. Mandy another character in the book makes Ella a cake for her birthday and without thinking tells her to Eat! wich is a command. Ella keeps eating her birthday cake and she doesn't know why she has to keep eating it. While eating it she starts to cry until her mother realizes what was happening and tells her to stop.

The movie is ok: The movie is what it says 'based on the book' besides Ella's curse there is not much in common between the two. I don't know if I can say that I liked the movie or would have liked it without reading the book. There are a couple scenes like when Ella breaks her curse that I did like but it is a movie that is trying too hard to be funny and I think losses the purpose of the book.

April 1

April Fool’s Day rooted in serious controversy

By Mark Grainger

While most view April Fool's Day as a time to play practical jokes on family members, co-workers and even complete strangers, the origins of April Fool's Day are far more serious and can be traced back centuries.

The Julian Calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 46 b.c., was used throughout Europe and while it defined many of the characteristics of our current calendar, it started the year on a different day. Many ancient cultures began their year close to the vernal equinox (March 20th or 21st), the Julian Calendar celebrated New Year's Day on April 1st.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar, the Gregorian Calendar, and issued the order that this new Calendar would replace the Julian Calendar. The major change between the two calendars was the startling decision to begin the year on a new day. That day was the first day of January. This decision was not particularly popular and many countries simply refused to adopt the new Calendar. England, Scotland and Germany, among others did not adopt the new calendar for 58 years or more. England actually held out until 1752.

France, being an early adopter of the new calendar, faced issues with their people accepting this new idea. Some simply did not accept the change, while others were simply ignorant of the change and the practice of celebrating New Year's Day on April 1st continued. The hip and trendy French who had accepted this new idea began to view these traditionalists as being a few eggs short of a dozen and found entertainment sending these late adopters on tasks which could not be completed or tricking them into believing a blatant lie.

The French refer to April 1st as Poisson d'Avril. For those who are not familiar with the French language, poisson is "fish" and Avril is April. So literally, this term means "Fish of April". The beginning of April marked the end of Lent, in which fish was often used to replace meat, from which Christians would abstain during Lent. It is thought that fish was not a popular food item during the month of April and therefore made an excellent throwing weapon to abuse those traditionalists who did not wish to celebrate the New Year when they were supposed to. Children make use of paper fish representations, attached to their victims, to play a joke on their schoolmates.

When England finally did accept this new calendar, the tradition of picking on the "fools" was also adopted and spread quickly to the colonies, including those in America.