If you hear the word "battle", what terms do you use to describe it?
Fighting, arguing, debating, bickering, quarreling and many more terms that you may want to add. For the fangirl world, it is always a huge battle when online. There would always be rumors and arguments on which celebrity is better. There may even be fights and rants about their opinions being a fact...
When a fangirl goes online, she or he would just communicate with her or his own fandom. They also usually get conflicts with fandoms that they aren't in.
Fandom is just like a community that you can bond and relate to as with books, movies, celebrities and even food. There are those fandoms who would have their own group names like 'Directioners' for fans of One Direction, 'Harmonizers' for fans of Fifth Harmony, and somewhere is probably a fandom of Mcdonald's chicken nuggets.
People in that specific fandom would always have your back no matter what, and they also have their idol/s back. There would be different fans bashing on someone's idol just because they want to and it's because it's their own opinion.
Fandom virsus fandom in the online world will never stop. There would always be that person who would say that their opinion is right and everyone else's are irrelevant.
Fandoms will always be an important thing to a fangirl. Without a fandom, you cannot stan anything and you'd just feel like you are left out or missing.
There are some people who don't mind those tweets on Twitter or those rumors all over the web, and yet there are people who would make a huge rant about that simple thing. Opinions matter, however, when someone is stating an opinion, there are no correct or wrong answers about it. When someone is stating an opinion about a celebrity, that may or may not be real, then it may just be a rumor.
Rumors will never stop because there will always be a person who is judging or criticizing someone.
Tune in for more about this! xx
Source:
Urban Dictionary. (N/A). Retrieved from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fandom
In the past two articles, I’ve
given you, the readers, insight in countries that are in Asia and in Europe.
This month, I want us to explore North America together.
North America is a continent
which is composed of 23 countries and dozens of possessions and territories. (North America) With this, we can
say that there is a lot to see in North America. Some of the countries that are
in North America are Canada, Mexico, Haiti, and the United States of America,
just to name a few. However, our focus for today will be GUATEMALA!
Guatemala
humbly has it all: from colonial towns to Mayan ruins, great mountain lakes to
vibrant religious festivals, sandy beaches to exotic jungles. Often visitors to
the country find they leave enlightened; civilizations they believed long gone
are found thriving, Tomb Raider landscapes they thought fantasy are shown to be
real.(Guatemala Travel Guide)
Although
Guatemala is known to have one of the highest crime rates in Latin America,
most visits are known to be trouble-free and unaffected by crime. (Guatemala Travel Guide) A good tip to know
when traveling there would be to always have a phone ready to call someone if
any danger occurs. You can get up-to-date security information
through INGUAT (a telephone information service is available in English),
the Guatemalan Tourist Institute. INGUAT’s tourist assistance service,PROATURoffer
an escort service for tourists groups or individuals traveling locally in the
region. You can contact them on (502) 2421 2810 and (502) 5578 9836. You may
also dial 1500 in Guatemala.(Guatemala Travel Guide)
A few other tips coming from wikitravel.org (Guatemala):
Nevertakephotos of
childrenwithout
permission. Some Guatemalans are extremely wary of this and will think that you
are mixed in with kidnappers and planning to take the child for ransom.
Kidnapping is a common occurrence in Guatemala. The country also has many
problems with children being kidnapped and sold for adoption on the black
market. Taking pictures of adults at a distance with a few children included is
generally fine. In the major cities, people are somewhat more open towards
picture taking, but still avoid it.
It isdangerous to travel between cities after dark. Doing so
significantly increases your risk of being the victim of an armed robbery.
Pickpocketingis common in markets, so never keep anything in your back pocket
and take as little with you as possible.
Guatemala
has an abundance of natural beauty and numerous treks. But some of these are
notorious forrobberies(Volcan de Agua, trails around Lago de Atitlan, Volcan de Pacaya).
Always ask around about the situation before embarking blindly. Inguat, locals,
and fellow travelers are safe bets for information. Traveling in groups during
daylight sometimes decreases the risk, but not always.
Trafficcan be dangerous. You will encounter many two-lane roads (one lane
each way) and drivers are apt to swerve back and forth, avoiding potholes and
bumps along the way. There are also various multiple lane highways. Traffic in
Guatemala City and surrounding metropolitan areas during rush hour is very
slow, but general driving everywhere is usually very fast (average speeds of up
to 60 mph in some city roads).
Guatemala is rich in natural beauty and travel opportunities;
it's a country that offers so much to those willing to step off the beaten
track for a little while. Some things to do in Guatemala could be to
visit Antigua
Guatemala whichis
often regarded as the travelers’ hub, a crumbling, picture-perfect Central American
town ringed by volcanoes. From here you can take a hike up Volcano Pacaya, take
a bus to the bustling market of Chichicastenango, or simply sip some coffee in
a street-side cafe and watch the world go by. You could also go to Lake
Atitlan(or Lago de
Atitlán) which is another frequent stop on any visitor’s itinerary. It is a
volcano-rimmed lake with plenty of backpacker hostels and Mayan villages that
dot the shores. The last option I will be suggesting today would be Floresin Guatemala's wild north. It is a tourist
friendly island in the middle of Lake Petén Itzá. From here you can take a bus
ride to one of best preserved Mayan ruins in the world, Tikal. Howler monkeys
and dense jungle make walking around the ruins an adventure in itself.
Almost
all meals in Guatemala include some form of black beans, whiterice andcorn tortillas. Breakfast often involves scrambled eggs and
fried plantains. Fresh fruit is another common substitute.
The recipe I am
sharing today is not a typical dish in Guatemala but it does incorporate some
of the spice and flavours that the country offers. The recipe I will be sharing today
is called Chile Relleno Casserole. Here
it is:
INGREDIENTs:
lb gratedcheese
3eggs
11⁄2cupsmilk
1⁄2cupflour
1(8 ounce)
canwhole green chilies
DIRECTIONS
Mix the milk, eggs, salt, pepper, and flour.
Spray a pan (9x13) with a nonstick cooking spray.
Layer chilies, then the mixture made in step 1, then the
cheese.
Continue this order until you run out of ingredients and put
EXTRA cheese on the top!
Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes.
Allow about 10 minutes before serving!
Thank you for reading yet another blog! Till next time,
Katrina Dovey
Sources:
Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe - Food.com. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2016, from http://www.food.com/recipe/chile-relleno-casserole-24361
Guatemala.
(n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2016, from Wiki Travel:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Guatemala#See
Guatemala Travel Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2016, from World
Travel Guide: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/guatemala
North America. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2016, from Map / Geography of / Map of:
www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/na.htm
Every year, over 100 million people participate in an event called Earth Hour. It is known as a worldwide movement to encourage households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. Yet many of these people actually don't know why or how Earth Hour came to be.
It first started out in Sydney, Australia, when World Wide fund for Nature (WWF) met with an advertising agent to discuss on ways to engage Australians on the issue of climate change. They presented their concept of having an annual event to switch off all the lights in households and businesses to the mayor of Sydney. When the proposal was agreed, they began spreading the word, to hopefully get as much people to join in. The first ever Earth Hour was held on March 31, 2007 at 7:30 pm.
The purpose of Earth Hour is to raise awareness of global issues, particularly in regard to our overuse of non-renewable resources, resultant light, and air pollution.
This event got so much attention that by 2008, 35 countries were participating in this global movement to help solve climate change. Many famous landmarks around the world took part of this event, including The Empire State Building (New York City), Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), and even the Mall of Asia (Manila). More and more people join in this global movement because when a small act is done in a big number, it causes great outcomes.
By working together, we can all make a change. Earth Hour is a unique opportunity for you to become more sustainable and do something positive for the environment. It’s been the source of inspiration for millions of people taking steps towards a cleaner, safer future. It’s not just about saving energy for one hour, it’s about going Beyond the Hour with lasting, behaviour-changing actions for a sustainable planet." - Earth Hour Website
And lastly, what can you do during the Earth hour? You can use up this important hour by having a candle-lit dinner with your family, turn on your flashlights and have a puppet show, or simply have a night-time stroll. Just because the lights will be switched off, it doesn't mean you can't spend quality time with the people you love.
Exactly 4 years ago I have watched about the great tunnel of Vietnam that served as their shield for their military and citizens during the time where the Americans alleged to conquer their land. Just a few days ago, my mother flew to Vietnam just to see the wonders it held throughout the past years. She told me that what caught her attention the most was this great piece of art that was built only for the means of winning the war against the conquerers, and was greatly impressed by the effectiveness of it when it was put into battle. The Vietnamese were able to use this to defend themselves that also led to their profound victory. This served as shelter, army base and a retreat for those who were injured and for those who were preparing to engage for war.
It has been constructed for 20 consecutive years for it to be able to store as much men, armoury, medicines, food, etc. that were greatly needed by the citizens of Vietnam during the 1940's. Because of the built tunnel, the military were able to plan ahead of time for the attacks they had in mind that blew the conquerers chance of ever to hold their land. It was also stated that the soldiers were well camouflaged that made them even more invisible to the human eye, that also served them wonders in protecting their country from being snatched from them by foreign warmongers. The tunnel also consisted of being as deep as 30ft below the ground's surface and 120 miles long, providing them with a better chance in winning the war against their opponents.
It is also known that after every attack, the soldiers would vanish underground making their opponents dumbfounded by the sudden attack without knowing where their opponents were situated at. Though there were tragedies such as floods, diseases, poor ventilations and insects or wild life such as snakes were the downhill of the civilians living in these tunnels. Due to the mysterious disappearance of the Vietnamese military, the Americans learned that they have been using this tunnel as a strategy to come back at them that also led them to training the so called, "Tunnel Rats" (soldiers specialising in navigating tunnels where the Vietnamese used in order to defend and plot against their opponents, the Americans). These soldiers were known to be the ones to confront booby traps and single handedly engage with the Vietnamese underneath the tunnel, armed with just a flashlight to see inside the tunnels and a pistol to protect themselves.
Over 34,000 Vietnamese died protecting their territory, the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. And due to this, the Vietnamese government made sure that the tunnel was commemorated as one of their greatest wonders and was marked as one of their war memorial park that all Vietnamese look up to. As years pass by, even tourists can now visit some points of the tunnel giving them a vast experience of what it is like to be living inside that tunnel during the 1940's when the war between the conquerers (Americans) and Vietnamese was active.
This just goes to show that in every battle, it's not all about the military power but also about strategy. One must know how to get through a pit hole without getting noticed by the opponent to be lethal but unnoticeable at the same time. For once, I can say that it does pay off to be invisible at times, for no one is even aware of your presence, giving you more time to think of a better way in and out of the battle field. This does not just go for battles or wars, but for many other situations such as how to deal with someone that is being unreasonable. You must at the least know how to earn that person's trust and respect without looking too desperate in the process.
The facade of the homey restaurant that is Grace Park.
Ahhh, Grace Park. The finest restaurant in Rockwell Center. As a long time resident in the area, I have seen the changes of the landscape over time, new buildings, and most especially the many restaurants that have sprung up and vanished in the area. One of these many restaurants I have grown to frequent in recent times is Grace Park.
The mastermind behind Grace Park, Gaita Fores.
Owned and managed by Master Chef Margarita Fores, Grace Park deviates from her other restaurants such as Cibo and Lusso in its rustic nature and disregard for uniformity. Established in 2012, Grace Park is a farm to table restaurant,(one of the few, if not the only one I've dined in and heard of) the concept is simple: Naturally grown foods,fresh from a local supplier brought to your palettes. It serves a mix of great food, both local and international dishes. Its ambiance and charm, as well as the food have always kept me a regular at this fine restaurant in my neighborhood. A homey environment such as the one provided by Grace Park enhances the diner's experience. A main selling point of the restaurant I believe, is the fact that when you walk in to feast on its meals, it is akin to dining in someone's, if not, your very own home. The meals they serve are continental, ranging from Italian meals to English desserts, American Steaks and of course, varieties of rice grown nowhere but here in The Philippines. On an interesting note, the name of the establishment is taken from Grace Park, Quezon City, apparently where Chef Gaita's Fores side of her family had its roots. Clearly the name itself invokes the concept of home.
Two of my favorite dishes:
( The meals are reasonably priced, ranging from Php 200 to as much as Php 3000 at its peak. Still, a bang per buck restaurant nonetheless.)
Chicken Parmigiana The Chicken Parmigiana of Grace Park is a meal the invokes Sunday Lunches at your Grandma's house, the tomato sauce is thick, the butter is baked, when you combine the two and swab them onto the chicken fillet, the taste is magical as the flavours complement each other so well. The meal exemplifies the spirit of home cooking, whilst also using organic ingredients to create the dish. At Php 610, the meal really gives you your money's worth. 9/10.
The Muscovado Beef Belly Rice is a delicious rice pilaf. It is essentially fried rice with beef, tomatoes, garlic and vegetables. I consider this comfort food as it tastes so genuine and sublime. Eating the dish is a very emotional experience, as my mother used to cook a similar dish to this when I was a but a wee lad. The meat is tender, I've never been served this dish with hard beef. Nothing can compare to this fine meal. At only Php 540 you can fill your belly with with some hearty beef, rice and a various assortment of greens.
Sources for the first two images: :http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2013/04/grace-park-one-rockwell.html
After sharing an article about my top 5 most preferred Japanese food, I thought of sharing about the things or habits that you should not do when using chopsticks in either Japan or around Japanese people because for some reasons, it might be rude for them if you are doing it without any idea about it or why it is a bad manner. I also posted some GIF's that I made so that you guys would have a better visualization about the things that I listed in this article. This article is basically a Japanese manner etiquette guide and give you more idea on when you should and should not do such habits or activity with chopstick on certain situations.
Chopsticks are one pair of thin stick that are used for picking or eating food. Chopsticks are popular in Asia particularly in Eastern Asia just like China, Japan and Korea. Chopsticks existed long time ago, China has been using chopsticks since 1200 BC and Chinese culture made its way to expand in Japan through Korea then had migrated and adopted to other Asian countries. Now, chopsticks are popular in Eastern Asian people as their eating utensils and now it is part of their daily routine as well. As for now, I am going to share you about the cultures and beliefs of Japan in using chopsticks, but I also believe that some of the Japanese beliefs are also part in other countries' beliefs as well because they share the same religion which is Buddhism. Here are the top 5 that you should avoid doing when you are using chopsticks in Japan:
1. Don't get the bowl or plate using chopsticks
Don't ever get the bowl or plate closer to you using chopsticks because it is considered as a inappropriate manner. Chopsticks are not invented to get a bowl or a plate, it is for eating and picking food purposes. Instead of using chopsticks to get your bowl or plate closer to you, just use both of your hands to get it and it will be easier and more formal to get your desired dish.
2. Don't pick or dig in the food
You should not be picking food because it is not a formal type of manner when you are eating with friends especially when you are in public. You should not browse for food or dig in the dish to look for something good but get what is on the top of the dish.
3. Don't stick the food using chopsticks
On the picture that is shown, you should never stick or skew your food on chopsticks just like that. Although, I know that it is hard to pick food using chopsticks especially when you are getting for a small portion or a small piece of food like peas and beans. However, it is also important to have right manners and be polite by doing what is acceptable to the eyes to whom who are around you.
4. Don't pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks
Passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks is considered as a bad habit and manner because this is significantly done for a reason. This is forbidden because you can only do this when a person died and being cremated, the funeral attendees will pass the dead persons bone from a pair of chopsticks to another pair of chopsticks as a part of Buddhist funeral ritual and ceremony.
5. Don't stick your chopsticks in the middle of the rice
In Japan, you can just usually do this when you mourn your loved ones who is dead. Putting or sticking chopsticks upright in the middle of the bowl of rice is a way of offering food to the spirit of loved ones. That is the reason why this is a big no when people do this for no reason at all.
