There are a lot of traditions involved with Thanksgiving. My family has several of our own. Every year we have Thanksgiving at my grandma's where she cooks a wonderful array of foods like turkey and ham (since not everyone likes turkey), her stuffing, rolls, and pies--raspberry and pumpkin. My mom usually brings sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and deviled eggs. Most every year we have my family and my mom's two brothers' families. This year my grandfather from my dad's side was visiting us so he was invited. We go up a Wednesday to help Grandma prepare and watch the Macy's Day Parade. After we eat, we play games like Hearts, Apples to Apples, and chess.
Several times in the past we went to Florida for Thanksgiving to see my grandma on my dad's side. There we usually went to a movie and shopped for LEGOS for Christmas in Downtown Disney. We also ate at the T-Rex for the meal which feels like you are in a prehistoric place.
Please share your Thanksgiving traditions in the comments section below!
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Vacation Spots You Should Check Out: Florida Disney World
My family has visited Florida many times, both on vacation and to visit family there. But in 2009 we made the American pilgrimage to visit Disney World. I was ten, and my brothers were 7 and 4; in general, those were good ages to go. Most of the attractions are geared around that age, and none of us were really old enough to do the intense rides so no one was left out.
We went in early December, after Thanksgiving, so the Christmas decorations were up at the parks. Another good thing about that time of year is that it wasn't as busy as Christmas break or the middle of the summer. The lines weren't as long (it also helped that my little brother's in a wheelchair, so at the time, we got a fastlane--it has changed since then because some people abused the wheelchair line), and the traffic wasn't as bad. Plus, the weather was moderate to warm, not blazing hot like in the summer. All good reasons to go in the winter.
We stayed in the Contemporary resort which has an in-house Monorail stop and is one of the original hotels in DisneyWorld. The Contemporary has post modern feel to it with its trapezoidal shape and sleek, updated interior design. The resort has a Mickey Mouse shaped pool and lake front view with a beach. If you wake up early enough to go to the pool, you can turn on the fountains and slides with "magic wands" and Mickey hands from the staff. The lake hosts a parade of lighted boats at night for the holidays. Also within the hotel you can eat at Chef Mickey's Restaurant and have a character dinner including Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, and Pluto. It is a full buffet with Disney-themed desserts. One thing our family liked was watching the Monorails come and go from various parks.
We went to Magic Kingdom first in our visits to the parks. It was the least interesting park for all of the boys because it was more for princesses. The highlights were Tomorrowland with Buzz Light Year shooting of aliens, the parade and fireworks down Main Street U.S.A. at night with all the lit up floats and characters, and the Big Thunder Railroad Roller Coaster. Along Main Street there are multiple shops that we visited to get Mickey ice cream cones, see a glass blower, and look at swords. I wouldn't need to go back to this area, but my mom would go back to see the new Beauty and the Beast castle. Make sure you get Fastpasses in the morning or as soon as possible. Our family went later in the day and stayed later since we are night owls more.
The next day we visited Disney Hollywood Studios which we really enjoyed. Our family liked the Star Wars section of the park where we went on the Star Tours ride, and my brother and I participated in the Jedi Training Academy--I would highly recommend this for young Star Wars fans since you have a surprise opponent at the end of the training. The life-sized AT-AT and the Tatooine Traders make you feel like you are actually in Star Wars. We caught the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular which was worth seeing live stunts. There are many other shows and talent competitions that you can see, including Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid. We the night show on the water with the music, lights, and performances.
For me Epcot was the most fun in part because I like science, technology, and interactive exhibits. We spent two days there instead of going to Animal Kingdom since Epcot has basically two parts, the Innoventions where they have lots of cutting edge inventions and explanations of them and the World Pavilions where you can visit many different cultures. The stop in Innoventions was the Spaceship Earth ride (housed in the iconic geodesic dome) which takes you through invention in time and has interactive, virtual games underneath the structure. Be to send yourself a postcard of your picture on the ride! Addition to the innovations, they also have aeroponics and hydroponic labs where they grow food for the rest of Disney World that you can tour. The ride Soarin' flies you over California. The evening show was Illuminations and they always do a big light/fireworks show in Epcot too. There were many more rides and more to see so you could spend more time there. On the next day we went to the World Pavilions from Norway to Mexico to China and more. We took a GPS guided tour that took you into the exhibits with your phone or electronic device so you could learn more about the culture. Disney mirrors the architecture of the actual cities and sites of each culture so you feel like you are walking across countries. You can try different foods (for a price), learn about different customs, and watch awesome videos of the places.
In the future, if you have kids, go to the whole park since there's something for everyone. If you are a science family, Epcot is the best.
We went in early December, after Thanksgiving, so the Christmas decorations were up at the parks. Another good thing about that time of year is that it wasn't as busy as Christmas break or the middle of the summer. The lines weren't as long (it also helped that my little brother's in a wheelchair, so at the time, we got a fastlane--it has changed since then because some people abused the wheelchair line), and the traffic wasn't as bad. Plus, the weather was moderate to warm, not blazing hot like in the summer. All good reasons to go in the winter.
We stayed in the Contemporary resort which has an in-house Monorail stop and is one of the original hotels in DisneyWorld. The Contemporary has post modern feel to it with its trapezoidal shape and sleek, updated interior design. The resort has a Mickey Mouse shaped pool and lake front view with a beach. If you wake up early enough to go to the pool, you can turn on the fountains and slides with "magic wands" and Mickey hands from the staff. The lake hosts a parade of lighted boats at night for the holidays. Also within the hotel you can eat at Chef Mickey's Restaurant and have a character dinner including Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, and Pluto. It is a full buffet with Disney-themed desserts. One thing our family liked was watching the Monorails come and go from various parks.
We went to Magic Kingdom first in our visits to the parks. It was the least interesting park for all of the boys because it was more for princesses. The highlights were Tomorrowland with Buzz Light Year shooting of aliens, the parade and fireworks down Main Street U.S.A. at night with all the lit up floats and characters, and the Big Thunder Railroad Roller Coaster. Along Main Street there are multiple shops that we visited to get Mickey ice cream cones, see a glass blower, and look at swords. I wouldn't need to go back to this area, but my mom would go back to see the new Beauty and the Beast castle. Make sure you get Fastpasses in the morning or as soon as possible. Our family went later in the day and stayed later since we are night owls more.
The next day we visited Disney Hollywood Studios which we really enjoyed. Our family liked the Star Wars section of the park where we went on the Star Tours ride, and my brother and I participated in the Jedi Training Academy--I would highly recommend this for young Star Wars fans since you have a surprise opponent at the end of the training. The life-sized AT-AT and the Tatooine Traders make you feel like you are actually in Star Wars. We caught the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular which was worth seeing live stunts. There are many other shows and talent competitions that you can see, including Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid. We the night show on the water with the music, lights, and performances.
For me Epcot was the most fun in part because I like science, technology, and interactive exhibits. We spent two days there instead of going to Animal Kingdom since Epcot has basically two parts, the Innoventions where they have lots of cutting edge inventions and explanations of them and the World Pavilions where you can visit many different cultures. The stop in Innoventions was the Spaceship Earth ride (housed in the iconic geodesic dome) which takes you through invention in time and has interactive, virtual games underneath the structure. Be to send yourself a postcard of your picture on the ride! Addition to the innovations, they also have aeroponics and hydroponic labs where they grow food for the rest of Disney World that you can tour. The ride Soarin' flies you over California. The evening show was Illuminations and they always do a big light/fireworks show in Epcot too. There were many more rides and more to see so you could spend more time there. On the next day we went to the World Pavilions from Norway to Mexico to China and more. We took a GPS guided tour that took you into the exhibits with your phone or electronic device so you could learn more about the culture. Disney mirrors the architecture of the actual cities and sites of each culture so you feel like you are walking across countries. You can try different foods (for a price), learn about different customs, and watch awesome videos of the places.
In the future, if you have kids, go to the whole park since there's something for everyone. If you are a science family, Epcot is the best.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Apple's iPhone 6s Plus vs Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge
Even though I'm a junior in high school, I still don't have a phone, but now my parents are planning to buy one for me. To help them out I'm researching smartphones to decide which one I should get, and I have it narrowed down to the iPhone 6s Plus and the Galaxy S6 Edge. People nowadays use their phones for everything from maintaining contact information to watching Netflix. My parents are concerned that because I'm driving now, I may not be able to contact them on the road with my iPod 5th gen since it doesn't have cellular capabilities. I have to rely on Wi-fi for communication, but when driving, I may end up in places where there are no Wi-fi connections. Hence, my parents decided based on safety. However, my main uses are for entertainment like Hulu, Netflix, music, multi-media, and social networking, since I occasionally check Twitter.
Both phones are packed with features, and are similar in terms of battery life, processing power, displays, and cameras. However, the iPhone has certain advantages that the S6 doesn't and the S6 has certain advantages that the iPhone doesn't. Though more expensive ($399.99 with a plan for the 64Gb model), the iPhone 6S Plus has many features that consumers would like, but the much cheaper ($1-$99 right now at Best Buy) Galaxy S6 Edge offers a competitive set a features comparable to the iPhone 6S Plus.
The size factor is a issue with the 6S Plus, measuring in with dimensions of 6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches and a mass of 192 grams or 6.77 ounces. The S6, although in the same size class of the 6S Plus (dimensions of 5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches and a mass of 132 grams or 4.66 ounces) boasts although smaller in reality than the iPhone's, a screen with a larger (71.75%) display to body ratio versus the iPhone's 67.91 % display to body ratio. This makes the Edge slightly more pleasant to carry around.
The iPhone 6s Plus The 5.5-inch HD Retina touchscreen boasts a 1920-by-1080 resolution with built-in 3D Touch and uses IPS LEDs. In addition to a full HD screen, it really packs some stunning color reproduction. These features enhance your Netflix or Hulu viewing experience or anything else you're watching. In addition, unlike the S6 Edge, the screen is coated with an oleophobic coating, which provides a certain amount of finger smudge resistance to the display, but doesn't make it completely anti-oil(most smartphone displays are actually covered in this, but Apple was the first to use it). However, the Galaxy S6 has a higher resolution display (1440 x 2560 pixels), a larger display to phone ratio, and more pixels per inch (577 ppi vs 401 ppi). Despite this, the iPhone makes up for this through different display features, such as 3D Touch and an oleophobic coating.
The iPhone also features a 12 megapixel camera on the back with gizmos such as optical image stabilization, which means better low light video and photography. It also features a 5 megapixel "selfie" camera on the front. But surprise, the Galaxy S6 has a 16 megapixel back camera which offers better pictures than the iPhone. For photographers, the Galaxy S6 Edge would be the better choice, as it offers higher quality photo-taking.
The iPhone offers better battery life than the S6 Edge, offering up to 24 hours of talk time. This also allows more time to watch videos and surf the web.
Overall, the iPhone 6S Plus and Galaxy S6 Edge are pretty well balanced in most areas. But I think I would want the iPhone because I already own multiple Apple products and have invested quite a bit of capital in their products and apps.
For the actual comparison see:
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Apple-iPhone-6s-Plus,Samsung-Galaxy-S6-edge,Apple-iPhone-6s/phones/9502,9193,9501
Comments? Have your own opinion? Please write it in the comments section!
641
Both phones are packed with features, and are similar in terms of battery life, processing power, displays, and cameras. However, the iPhone has certain advantages that the S6 doesn't and the S6 has certain advantages that the iPhone doesn't. Though more expensive ($399.99 with a plan for the 64Gb model), the iPhone 6S Plus has many features that consumers would like, but the much cheaper ($1-$99 right now at Best Buy) Galaxy S6 Edge offers a competitive set a features comparable to the iPhone 6S Plus.
The size factor is a issue with the 6S Plus, measuring in with dimensions of 6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches and a mass of 192 grams or 6.77 ounces. The S6, although in the same size class of the 6S Plus (dimensions of 5.59 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches and a mass of 132 grams or 4.66 ounces) boasts although smaller in reality than the iPhone's, a screen with a larger (71.75%) display to body ratio versus the iPhone's 67.91 % display to body ratio. This makes the Edge slightly more pleasant to carry around.
The iPhone 6s Plus The 5.5-inch HD Retina touchscreen boasts a 1920-by-1080 resolution with built-in 3D Touch and uses IPS LEDs. In addition to a full HD screen, it really packs some stunning color reproduction. These features enhance your Netflix or Hulu viewing experience or anything else you're watching. In addition, unlike the S6 Edge, the screen is coated with an oleophobic coating, which provides a certain amount of finger smudge resistance to the display, but doesn't make it completely anti-oil(most smartphone displays are actually covered in this, but Apple was the first to use it). However, the Galaxy S6 has a higher resolution display (1440 x 2560 pixels), a larger display to phone ratio, and more pixels per inch (577 ppi vs 401 ppi). Despite this, the iPhone makes up for this through different display features, such as 3D Touch and an oleophobic coating.
The iPhone also features a 12 megapixel camera on the back with gizmos such as optical image stabilization, which means better low light video and photography. It also features a 5 megapixel "selfie" camera on the front. But surprise, the Galaxy S6 has a 16 megapixel back camera which offers better pictures than the iPhone. For photographers, the Galaxy S6 Edge would be the better choice, as it offers higher quality photo-taking.
The iPhone offers better battery life than the S6 Edge, offering up to 24 hours of talk time. This also allows more time to watch videos and surf the web.
Overall, the iPhone 6S Plus and Galaxy S6 Edge are pretty well balanced in most areas. But I think I would want the iPhone because I already own multiple Apple products and have invested quite a bit of capital in their products and apps.
For the actual comparison see:
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Apple-iPhone-6s-Plus,Samsung-Galaxy-S6-edge,Apple-iPhone-6s/phones/9502,9193,9501
Comments? Have your own opinion? Please write it in the comments section!
641
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Live or Televised Kennedy Semi-Final?
This Friday when my family was running late to the semi-final football playoff game of Kennedy vs. Bettendorf at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, we stopped at my grandma's to drop off the dog. She and our cousins were watching the televised version of the earlier game which was running over time. Since we were tired, late, and hadn't bought tickets yet, we considered staying at my grandma's to watch the game on television. However, we were sure glad we didn't!
The Dome being air conditioned, enclosed, clean, and well-lit makes it a great venue for a football in November. Because this was Kennedy's first semi-final in a long time (and second in school history), the atmosphere in the stadium was electric. The entire Kennedy side was essentially filled with fans dressed in green and gold.
The team was on a roll in the Dome keeping even with Bettendorf in the first half, but after the half-time, the mood changed! Although Bettendorf made a second exciting touchdown to bring them to 14 points, the Cougars responded, not by giving up, but by putting power back in the game with an interception to reverse the Bulldogs' momentum. Even when Dalles Jacobus was down on the field (being sick), he recovered and revved up the crowd with his energy after it! In the middle of the third quarter the crowd roared to keep the excitement up, and the team fed on this enthusiasm. That kind of feeling doesn't happen through a television screen, no matter how exciting the game is played.
The Dome being air conditioned, enclosed, clean, and well-lit makes it a great venue for a football in November. Because this was Kennedy's first semi-final in a long time (and second in school history), the atmosphere in the stadium was electric. The entire Kennedy side was essentially filled with fans dressed in green and gold.
The team was on a roll in the Dome keeping even with Bettendorf in the first half, but after the half-time, the mood changed! Although Bettendorf made a second exciting touchdown to bring them to 14 points, the Cougars responded, not by giving up, but by putting power back in the game with an interception to reverse the Bulldogs' momentum. Even when Dalles Jacobus was down on the field (being sick), he recovered and revved up the crowd with his energy after it! In the middle of the third quarter the crowd roared to keep the excitement up, and the team fed on this enthusiasm. That kind of feeling doesn't happen through a television screen, no matter how exciting the game is played.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Vacation spots you should check out: Boston
Do you want to drive a World War II amphibious assault vehicle? Or see the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world? Or walk in the steps of Paul Revere and other great historical figures? If so, Boston is a great place to go for vacation.
By combining the past with the present, Boston achieves nostalgic atmosphere within the city. For example, amid high rise hotels and upscale businesses lies Colonial Era building such as Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, and Boston Harbor which launched the beginning of the Revolutionary War. All of these reside on the historic Freedom Trail. Be ready to walk a lot on the cobblestone streets. I suggest that you take a tour such as the Duck Boat Tour or a Trolley Tour (we did both) before setting out on the trail. A tour can give you perspective on the layout of the city, and a few laughs along the way from the experienced guides. As a kid you have the opportunity to drive the Duck Boat in the Charles River, if your guide is nice. This will take you around the city on the river and then on land. If you take the Old Town Trolley tour, it will take you through several parts of the Freedom Trail and up the hill to the harbor where the U.S.S. Constitution resides. Sometimes you can stop off and get back on the tour to save walking.
Also stationed at the Boston Navy Yard is the U.S.S. Cassin Young, DD-793 a Fletcher-class Destroyer, one of only four left afloat. It was part of the Fast Carrier Task Force on the Pacific front in WW II and was upgraded in the 1950s with more armaments. When you visit, you can board the destroyer and explore the crew cabins, the various stations, the bridge, and all sorts of weapons on the ship. Across from the Cassin Young stands the U.S.S. Constitution, a Revolutionary Era battleship. It is the oldest commission ship afloat in the world when it was launched for service in 1797. Active U.S. Navy personnel staff the ship with a crew of 55 although the original crew compliment was as high as 450 people. It earned the nickname, "Old Ironsides" when in the War of 1812, a British cannon seemed to bounce off of her sides since the hull is made of more than a foot thick oak. It was a tough ship at the time. It was saved from scrap in 1830 by Oliver Wendall Holmes' famous poem of the same name which turned the public against scrapping it. She stayed commissioned to this day where you can tour her lower decks and see how the sails and cannons and quarters would have looked over 200 years ago.
Sights on the Freedom Trail are places such as Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, the State Capitol, Paul Revere's Statue, King's Chapel, Boston Harbor, the Old South Meeting House, the Old Corner Bookstore, the Old Granary, Burying Ground, and the Bunker Hill Monument. The Old North Church was where they hung the lanterns to warn how the British were coming; 1 if by land, 2 if by sea, so there is a statue to Paul Revere there on a horse, even though he wasn't the only rider, or even the one who completed the journey, but he did organize a lot. The Faneuil Hall Market area includes the Old State House and State Capitol where the patriots planned the Boston Tea Party and public meetings were important there. King's Chapel and others were places of architectural significance and places of meeting. The Paul Revere house is a tour that shows where he and his family lived and worked, and it has gas lanterns that are originally from the time period to see. The climb to the Bunker Hill Monument was a big one, but worth it. It is amazing to be in the same places where our country was founded and the buildings where people planned, worked, and fought are there to walk through.
The Boston Common is a large multi-venue park that is host to many concerts and events. One fun family activity is to ride in the swan pedal-powered boats around the lake in Boston Garden. We also sat on the statues for the book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, as well as saw many other famous statues. You can feed the ducks and swans, and run through splash pads. We stayed downtown near the Common at the Boston Plaza Hotel since we had a conference rate, but it was still very expensive, especially with $40 per day parking! However, staying downtown gives you easy access to so many great tourist sites, tours, and shops.
Although our family didn't do it, you can also see professional sports teams like the Boston Celtics basketball team who won the NBA title the year we went or Boston Red Sox play baseball. You can also enjoy the Boston Pops in their outstanding band shell outside for a show. For lots of sites, sounds, and history, Boston is the place to go!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cassin_Young_(DD-793)
By combining the past with the present, Boston achieves nostalgic atmosphere within the city. For example, amid high rise hotels and upscale businesses lies Colonial Era building such as Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, and Boston Harbor which launched the beginning of the Revolutionary War. All of these reside on the historic Freedom Trail. Be ready to walk a lot on the cobblestone streets. I suggest that you take a tour such as the Duck Boat Tour or a Trolley Tour (we did both) before setting out on the trail. A tour can give you perspective on the layout of the city, and a few laughs along the way from the experienced guides. As a kid you have the opportunity to drive the Duck Boat in the Charles River, if your guide is nice. This will take you around the city on the river and then on land. If you take the Old Town Trolley tour, it will take you through several parts of the Freedom Trail and up the hill to the harbor where the U.S.S. Constitution resides. Sometimes you can stop off and get back on the tour to save walking.
Also stationed at the Boston Navy Yard is the U.S.S. Cassin Young, DD-793 a Fletcher-class Destroyer, one of only four left afloat. It was part of the Fast Carrier Task Force on the Pacific front in WW II and was upgraded in the 1950s with more armaments. When you visit, you can board the destroyer and explore the crew cabins, the various stations, the bridge, and all sorts of weapons on the ship. Across from the Cassin Young stands the U.S.S. Constitution, a Revolutionary Era battleship. It is the oldest commission ship afloat in the world when it was launched for service in 1797. Active U.S. Navy personnel staff the ship with a crew of 55 although the original crew compliment was as high as 450 people. It earned the nickname, "Old Ironsides" when in the War of 1812, a British cannon seemed to bounce off of her sides since the hull is made of more than a foot thick oak. It was a tough ship at the time. It was saved from scrap in 1830 by Oliver Wendall Holmes' famous poem of the same name which turned the public against scrapping it. She stayed commissioned to this day where you can tour her lower decks and see how the sails and cannons and quarters would have looked over 200 years ago.
Sights on the Freedom Trail are places such as Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, the State Capitol, Paul Revere's Statue, King's Chapel, Boston Harbor, the Old South Meeting House, the Old Corner Bookstore, the Old Granary, Burying Ground, and the Bunker Hill Monument. The Old North Church was where they hung the lanterns to warn how the British were coming; 1 if by land, 2 if by sea, so there is a statue to Paul Revere there on a horse, even though he wasn't the only rider, or even the one who completed the journey, but he did organize a lot. The Faneuil Hall Market area includes the Old State House and State Capitol where the patriots planned the Boston Tea Party and public meetings were important there. King's Chapel and others were places of architectural significance and places of meeting. The Paul Revere house is a tour that shows where he and his family lived and worked, and it has gas lanterns that are originally from the time period to see. The climb to the Bunker Hill Monument was a big one, but worth it. It is amazing to be in the same places where our country was founded and the buildings where people planned, worked, and fought are there to walk through.
The Boston Common is a large multi-venue park that is host to many concerts and events. One fun family activity is to ride in the swan pedal-powered boats around the lake in Boston Garden. We also sat on the statues for the book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, as well as saw many other famous statues. You can feed the ducks and swans, and run through splash pads. We stayed downtown near the Common at the Boston Plaza Hotel since we had a conference rate, but it was still very expensive, especially with $40 per day parking! However, staying downtown gives you easy access to so many great tourist sites, tours, and shops.
Although our family didn't do it, you can also see professional sports teams like the Boston Celtics basketball team who won the NBA title the year we went or Boston Red Sox play baseball. You can also enjoy the Boston Pops in their outstanding band shell outside for a show. For lots of sites, sounds, and history, Boston is the place to go!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cassin_Young_(DD-793)
Thursday, November 12, 2015
No One Can Replace Jon Stewart, But Trevor Noah Is Doing Well!
Comedian Jon Stewart retired from The Daily Show this summer to pursue new interests and spend time with his family. My family was sad to see him go, especially with the upcoming Presidential Elections since he has given us so many important insights and information about the world and politics. Stewart has left a brilliant legacy including Stephen Colbert who is now on Late Night replacing Dave Letterman and John Oliver has his own HBO Last Week Tonight which are both carrying on aspects of Stewart's gifts.
However, someone did have to replace Jon as host of The Daily Show, and that person was Trevor Noah, a young comedian from South Africa who isn't a citizen of the U.S. yet. He brings a similar style in terms of comedy to the show and the pattern of having a monologue of current events, then a guest from various areas of the spectrum, and of course, the ever-important correspondents from the News Team. His guests have ranged from CEOs to actors to media personalities to candidates for president, much like Stewart's tenure.
He is very funny and nice as he insults or attacks crazy and rude behaviors of others in the news. Since he is from South Africa, he has a different perspective on the world and U.S. traditions and culture. For instance, he did a great piece on Donald Trump comparing his presidential credibility to African dictators explaining that Trump IS presidential, but is better suited to the African continent rather than the North American one.
In conclusion, I look forward to seeing more of Trevor Noah four nights a week on Hulu via Comedy Central.
However, someone did have to replace Jon as host of The Daily Show, and that person was Trevor Noah, a young comedian from South Africa who isn't a citizen of the U.S. yet. He brings a similar style in terms of comedy to the show and the pattern of having a monologue of current events, then a guest from various areas of the spectrum, and of course, the ever-important correspondents from the News Team. His guests have ranged from CEOs to actors to media personalities to candidates for president, much like Stewart's tenure.
He is very funny and nice as he insults or attacks crazy and rude behaviors of others in the news. Since he is from South Africa, he has a different perspective on the world and U.S. traditions and culture. For instance, he did a great piece on Donald Trump comparing his presidential credibility to African dictators explaining that Trump IS presidential, but is better suited to the African continent rather than the North American one.
In conclusion, I look forward to seeing more of Trevor Noah four nights a week on Hulu via Comedy Central.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
A Season of Tradition - Vote Now!
Good job JFK! With the outstanding football fan involvement this fall we are second in the race to win $25,000 for the school in Battle of the Stands, and we have one last week Nov. 6-Nov. 12 to enter more decibels and win! U.S. Cellular is challenging schools across the country to be the loudest fans for their football teams and will give money to the loudest crowd. The "decibels" are raised by voting online at http://www.aseasonoftradition.com/www#nbb. Use as many emails as you have friends and family because $25,000 could do a lot of work at Kennedy. Shout out to the outstanding football (and band) performances this year that are now heading us to state in the Dome! We should be able to build momentum this week for our school and beat South Medford.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Netflix vs Hulu
This month my family had a free trial of Netflix for a month, and then we tried a free week from Hulu. In essence, we've been watching more tv this month, but I've noticed definite differences in the abilities and content of each one.
What we found out in our month with Netflix was that it is built for binge watching or catching up on older movies and tv shows. For example, the first season of The Flash was just added to Netflix in October, but since it is on season two now, and Netflix adds the new season after it is completed or right as the next season starts, we couldn't watch the new episodes to keep up with this season. We found that we could watch Chuck and Young Justice and other cartoon shows that we didn't see the first time they were out. Additionally, Netflix is really easy to use with our Smart TV since there is a button labeled Netflix that you push, and it automatically loads the shows. At $7.99 per month for the basic package, the price is comparable to Hulu, and there are a lot more shows and movies to watch.
Because my mom wanted to catch shows that we have missed this season, but we don't have a DVR, we decided to try Hulu since it has more updated shows. Depending on the network that the tv show is from, Hulu has spotty coverage of new shows too. For instance, the new season of Doctor Who for the BBC and PBS is not available yet even though there are at least six episodes in the new season. The CW has a good representation of the new episodes of The Flash, Arrow, and others. Some of the shows load via their network which takes more time, like ABC shows such as Agents of SHIELD. We use our Apple TV to run it the best which is a price investment on its own. The price is basically the same at $7.99 per month which includes some commercials, and $11.99 for the upgraded package with no commercials, unless it is an ABC show or a contractual one that still requires commercials.
In conclusion, Netflix is probably the better deal for the amount of tv and movie watching for the cost; however, we are using Hulu presently instead of Netflix since the main reason we wanted something extra was to see newer episodes of shows that we missed this year.
What we found out in our month with Netflix was that it is built for binge watching or catching up on older movies and tv shows. For example, the first season of The Flash was just added to Netflix in October, but since it is on season two now, and Netflix adds the new season after it is completed or right as the next season starts, we couldn't watch the new episodes to keep up with this season. We found that we could watch Chuck and Young Justice and other cartoon shows that we didn't see the first time they were out. Additionally, Netflix is really easy to use with our Smart TV since there is a button labeled Netflix that you push, and it automatically loads the shows. At $7.99 per month for the basic package, the price is comparable to Hulu, and there are a lot more shows and movies to watch.
Because my mom wanted to catch shows that we have missed this season, but we don't have a DVR, we decided to try Hulu since it has more updated shows. Depending on the network that the tv show is from, Hulu has spotty coverage of new shows too. For instance, the new season of Doctor Who for the BBC and PBS is not available yet even though there are at least six episodes in the new season. The CW has a good representation of the new episodes of The Flash, Arrow, and others. Some of the shows load via their network which takes more time, like ABC shows such as Agents of SHIELD. We use our Apple TV to run it the best which is a price investment on its own. The price is basically the same at $7.99 per month which includes some commercials, and $11.99 for the upgraded package with no commercials, unless it is an ABC show or a contractual one that still requires commercials.
In conclusion, Netflix is probably the better deal for the amount of tv and movie watching for the cost; however, we are using Hulu presently instead of Netflix since the main reason we wanted something extra was to see newer episodes of shows that we missed this year.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Vacation Spots You Should Check Out: South Dakota--the Black Hills
If you want a scenic getaway, head to South Dakota and the Black Hills. A good first stop is Sioux Falls, South Dakota where you can see the beautiful falls (when there isn't a drought the falls are much better) and stop for lunch at a quaint bistro. Another interesting stop on the way to the Black Hills is the Corn Palace in Mitchell which hosts intricate corn murals on the inside and outside of the building. While my family and I were there, it was undergoing repairs to its domes and murals, but it was fun to see nonetheless. While driving, look for the Wall Drug signs that have been used for a number of years before you stop for a break in Wall, South Dakota to shop in a myriad of stores.
After you pass out of Wall, you come to the Badlands National Park. I would suggest that you begin in the morning because it will take most of the day to appreciate the landscape of huge rock canyons, wildlife, and prairies. Witness bison herds running across the land that have made a come back from near extinction and prairie dog towns with chattering and funny prairie dogs. Within the park, there are educational visitors' centers where you can learn about archeology, history, and science. In one of the outside exhibits, you can walk around and search for unexcavated fossils to help the archeologists in the park locate new ones. In the Cedar Lodge Center there was a gift shop and diner where you could order bison burgers or bison steaks (warning that it is expensive) and other meal items.
If you can, stay in Keystone. It is a beautiful town with lots of touristy shops and food places within walking distance of the hotels. We stayed in the White House Resort which was connected to the Railhead Family Restaurant and also a boardwalk that lead to the main street. Additionally, Big Time Pizza owned by a Russian couple had amazing pizza and Russian beer. In town there was Big Thunder Gold Mine attraction where you could tour the old mines and then pan for gold. Also, the 1880 Railroad ride was across from our hotel, and it featured a working steam engine on a narrow-gauge track through the countryside. My mom found a glass blower near town too.
A short drive takes you to Mount Rushmore National Park. After leaving the accessible parking area, you immediately have a picturesque view of the Avenue of Flags approaching the monument. Then the visitor's center offers lots of hands-on exhibits and detailed information on how the mountain was carved. The explosives exhibit showed the complex and artistic placement of dynamite that moved much of the rock surface. It was cool and amazing to see. You can even pretend to blow up parts of the mountain in one exhibit.
Not far from Mount Rushmore within the Black Hills is Crazy Horse Monument. It is a massive private undertaking by one family and their supporters. It is many times larger than Mount Rushmore and still in the early stages of carving. From there we continued through Custer National Park where we encountered loads of bison that we drove among and other wildlife. Sylvan Lake is a great place to stop for lunch and paddle boating or canoeing, and where National Treasure: Book of Secrets was filmed amid the massive rock formations.
Continuing South through the park can take you to Mammoth Springs, an ongoing excavation of mammoth bones (and other ancient animals) that were preserved in a mud spring preventing fossilization. You can tour it and watch professional and amateur archeologists uncover the remains in a working site. They explain the science and history of the animals and locale.
Though it is a little expensive per carload, Bear Country USA was worth the trip to see a large variety of local wildlife, especially the babies. Driving through the main park will give you views of wolves, elk, bears, pronghorn, and mountain lions. The best part might be watching the bears get fed from the back end of a pickup truck. Their lumbering yet quick bodies love the meat! After you get through the driving part of the tour, you can see the smaller habitats which house the babies and smaller animals.
From history and science to cute, little baby animals and awe inspiring scenery, South Dakota is a great trip!
After you pass out of Wall, you come to the Badlands National Park. I would suggest that you begin in the morning because it will take most of the day to appreciate the landscape of huge rock canyons, wildlife, and prairies. Witness bison herds running across the land that have made a come back from near extinction and prairie dog towns with chattering and funny prairie dogs. Within the park, there are educational visitors' centers where you can learn about archeology, history, and science. In one of the outside exhibits, you can walk around and search for unexcavated fossils to help the archeologists in the park locate new ones. In the Cedar Lodge Center there was a gift shop and diner where you could order bison burgers or bison steaks (warning that it is expensive) and other meal items.
If you can, stay in Keystone. It is a beautiful town with lots of touristy shops and food places within walking distance of the hotels. We stayed in the White House Resort which was connected to the Railhead Family Restaurant and also a boardwalk that lead to the main street. Additionally, Big Time Pizza owned by a Russian couple had amazing pizza and Russian beer. In town there was Big Thunder Gold Mine attraction where you could tour the old mines and then pan for gold. Also, the 1880 Railroad ride was across from our hotel, and it featured a working steam engine on a narrow-gauge track through the countryside. My mom found a glass blower near town too.
A short drive takes you to Mount Rushmore National Park. After leaving the accessible parking area, you immediately have a picturesque view of the Avenue of Flags approaching the monument. Then the visitor's center offers lots of hands-on exhibits and detailed information on how the mountain was carved. The explosives exhibit showed the complex and artistic placement of dynamite that moved much of the rock surface. It was cool and amazing to see. You can even pretend to blow up parts of the mountain in one exhibit.
Not far from Mount Rushmore within the Black Hills is Crazy Horse Monument. It is a massive private undertaking by one family and their supporters. It is many times larger than Mount Rushmore and still in the early stages of carving. From there we continued through Custer National Park where we encountered loads of bison that we drove among and other wildlife. Sylvan Lake is a great place to stop for lunch and paddle boating or canoeing, and where National Treasure: Book of Secrets was filmed amid the massive rock formations.
Continuing South through the park can take you to Mammoth Springs, an ongoing excavation of mammoth bones (and other ancient animals) that were preserved in a mud spring preventing fossilization. You can tour it and watch professional and amateur archeologists uncover the remains in a working site. They explain the science and history of the animals and locale.
Though it is a little expensive per carload, Bear Country USA was worth the trip to see a large variety of local wildlife, especially the babies. Driving through the main park will give you views of wolves, elk, bears, pronghorn, and mountain lions. The best part might be watching the bears get fed from the back end of a pickup truck. Their lumbering yet quick bodies love the meat! After you get through the driving part of the tour, you can see the smaller habitats which house the babies and smaller animals.
From history and science to cute, little baby animals and awe inspiring scenery, South Dakota is a great trip!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
A Hiawatha Halloween
Saturday night my family and friends had a Halloween party at our house which was surprisingly fun. We sat around the fire pit talking with friends, handing out candy to little (and some big) children and giving cocoa to the parents to help keep them warm. We estimated that we had almost 200 people stop by our house, and the costumes had some recurring themes such as Star Wars, Iron Man, DC comic characters like Batman (and Batgirl in pink), Transformers, and general scary clowns and whatnot.
My brothers and their friends did a little bit of everything. Quinn is in a wheelchair so he was Maverick from TopGun with his chair being the F-14 jet plane. Unfortunately, he got stuck in the mud at a neighbor's sidewalk so my dad and others had to lift his 300+ pound chair back on the sidewalk so he could continue trick-or-treating. Drew worked all week on his Episode III Green Clone Trooper from Star Wars which he made out of duct tape, cardboard, and various other things, including the help of our grandma and mom. It turned out quite nicely, but didn't do well in the dark for Ghost in the Graveyard with friends. My mom, my dad, and I went lower key. My dad was an Iowa State fan with his normal ISU clothes on. I was Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H wearing a Hawaiian shirt and cowboy hat. My mom wore her Yoda pj shirt with a robe and got lots of "May the Force Be with You" comments.
The little toddlers that came to get candy were really cute waddling around with not a care in the world. I saw Winnie the Pooh, Iron Man, Mario, several Ninjas, and Little Red Riding Hood/Dorothy. I wonder who eats the candy because I doubt they eat it all since their parents probably don't want them hyped up on candy and up all night!
The older kids have high expectations for how much candy they are going to get since many times they came with pillowcases. I saw a cool middle school costume from three girls from our neighborhood who dressed up with umbrellas with clear streamers coming from it and matching clothes so that they looked like jelly fish (which they said they were) or they were in a rain storm. Lots of older kids had make up that looked like blood and injuries, and some had elaborate face paint that some of them got them at the mall with face painters.
What a nice night it ended up being for the end of October!
My brothers and their friends did a little bit of everything. Quinn is in a wheelchair so he was Maverick from TopGun with his chair being the F-14 jet plane. Unfortunately, he got stuck in the mud at a neighbor's sidewalk so my dad and others had to lift his 300+ pound chair back on the sidewalk so he could continue trick-or-treating. Drew worked all week on his Episode III Green Clone Trooper from Star Wars which he made out of duct tape, cardboard, and various other things, including the help of our grandma and mom. It turned out quite nicely, but didn't do well in the dark for Ghost in the Graveyard with friends. My mom, my dad, and I went lower key. My dad was an Iowa State fan with his normal ISU clothes on. I was Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H wearing a Hawaiian shirt and cowboy hat. My mom wore her Yoda pj shirt with a robe and got lots of "May the Force Be with You" comments.
The little toddlers that came to get candy were really cute waddling around with not a care in the world. I saw Winnie the Pooh, Iron Man, Mario, several Ninjas, and Little Red Riding Hood/Dorothy. I wonder who eats the candy because I doubt they eat it all since their parents probably don't want them hyped up on candy and up all night!
The older kids have high expectations for how much candy they are going to get since many times they came with pillowcases. I saw a cool middle school costume from three girls from our neighborhood who dressed up with umbrellas with clear streamers coming from it and matching clothes so that they looked like jelly fish (which they said they were) or they were in a rain storm. Lots of older kids had make up that looked like blood and injuries, and some had elaborate face paint that some of them got them at the mall with face painters.
What a nice night it ended up being for the end of October!
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