Category: Feature

  • DATE IDEAS

    Let’s be honest, any time spent with your significant other can be considered a date! But if you want to go all out for your loved one this Valentine’s day, then here are some date ideas that will make your significant other feel loved and special.

    Scavenger Hunt- Hide romantic clues and notes at various locations and have your significant other find them.

    Cook an entirely new and exotic meal together.

    Dress in your best attire and go to a fancy new restaurant.

    Go for a hike.

    Make sandwiches and go for a picnic.

    Attend an Escape Room or Murder Mystery.

    Take a long drive together.

    Go to the beach and watch the sunset.

    Re-create your first date.

    Go to a drive-in theater.

  • Rebelling Against Valentine’s day

    Thinking about staying home alone in the dark on Valentines? Then this is a perfect guide for you! While your friends are out having fun with their “boo” you could be having fun too! So instead of sulking by yourself, treat yourself to a nice warm bath with a Big Blue Bath Bomb and a Mask of Magnaminty from Lush. Or, be basic and order fast food from Postmates while watching your favorite Netflix show for the “12th” time.

    Thinking about going out? How about a romantic three-course dinner by yourself at your favorite restaurant, plus you only have to pay for yourself. And if you’ve already watched everything on Netflix, go to the movie theater and buy an extra-large bucket of popcorn for yourself, not before stopping at the Dollar Tree and smuggling candy into the movie theater. Just in case you haven’t spoiled yourself enough, go on a huge shopping spree and take advantage of all the Valentine’s sales, you might even get a chance to help a lost boy buy a gift for his girlfriend.

    Lastly, if all else fails, make a mental note to buy all the discounted Valentine’s day candy on the following day, then while your parents are out on their 397th cringy Valentine’s date, you can enjoy a large glass of wine.

  • Shine 19

    Regardless of how good or bad your 2018 was, it is time to begin the new year on a high note. Instead of dwelling over the past, it’s time to look ahead and take advantage the new opportunities coming your way.

    Even though realistically we don’t become a new person on January 1st, we have access to a fresh start by cleaning out the baggage we don’t want to keep. Instead of focusing on what others post on social media and compare your life to theirs, find your own values and worth. People sometimes try to take you down despite your attempts to lift yourself up. Toxic people will go out of their way to affect you in ways that will try to hold you back, but we all have to move on by truly leaving those people in the past to become better individuals. Don’t hold on to the people you no longer need, because they’ve already filled their purpose in your life, 2019 is the year to put yourself first.

    Remind yourself to focus on the bigger picture instead of putting all your energy on something that might not even matter in 5 years. It is okay to be hurt and feel pain, the only difference is that you no longer let it affect you in ways it once did. Tell yourself to approach life differently, so that you can grow and become more open minded.

    In an entire year we grow from the previous experiences and realize the we need to value ourselves to truly find happiness. Do not resent those who have wronged you and close yourself in to your own thoughts. Approach each bad situation in your life as something to learn from instead of letting it control you. The less we try to pin the blame on others for the way we are, the more we learn to cope with pain. Your emotions are completely valid, so don’t dismiss them, allow them to fuel you to do something you are passionate about.

    As individuals, every person provides something different to the world, which in itself should make the world a better place. You have the power to make a difference in your community and do great things, never doubt that. Make 2019 the best year of your life thus far by fulfilling the resolutions you’ve made for yourself. At the end of the day you have control of your actions, so stop letting your mind hold you back and do the things you’ve always wanted to do 2019.

  • Sky Walking To Disneyland

    If you are a Star Wars lover and haven’t been to Disneyland yet, this year is your chance to experience a new land honoring the characters and creativity of Star Wars. The theme park land will open at Disneyland Resort in summer 2019 and Walt Disney World resort in late fall 2019. “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” will contain 14 acres of all kinds of fun and thrilling activities for young Star Wars fans. “Galaxy’s Edge” will place visitors on Planet Batuu, among “rogue traders, droids and strange creatures.”

    Although this new edition to the park seems fun and exciting, Disney has raised the price of the “regular” price for one-day. One-park admission tickets will be raised from $117 to $129, and “peak” tickets during the summer prices from $135 to $149. The biggest Star Wars event happening in 2019 may possibly be the opening of new lands at Disneyland.

  • Rock in the New Year

    2019 opens several opportunities and new experiences including music festivals. These festivals blast your favorite artists or band’s music to the highest decibel for all to hear.

    One of the notorious music fests is Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Coachella takes place in April 12-14 and April 19-21 in Indio, California. Proceed with caution though as only one day costs $580.00, you can only imagine how much 3 days cost and a VIP pass costs.

    Besides the costly price, Coachella presents the line up with a more melodic and calming vibe to it such as it’s leading performance for each day being Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Ariana Grande. But do not fear! They still strive to keep energy high with performances by Juice WRLD, Sheck Wes, and Wiz Khalifa.

    If you’re looking for a variety of genres look no further than Bottlerock taking place in Napa, California during May 24-26. The BottleRock music festival features notorious artists and bands such as the Imagine Dragons, Neil Young, Mumford & Sons, Pharrell Williams, and Logic.

    BottleRock presents a plethora of artists and bands at an inexpensive price compared to Coachella starting at $160.00 for one day general admission and the three day admission already being sold out.

    This last music festival although not in California needs to be said due to the amount of prominent artists and bands performing at this fest who had generated some of their best works these last two years. Set to be taken place in Randall’s Island Park in New York, The Governors Ball music festival takes place May 31st to June 2nd. The Governors Ball features Tyler, the Creator, SZA, Brock Hampton, Playboi Carti, Vince Staples and even some indie rock like The Strokes and the 1975. If somehow you end up in New York at the end of May, the Governor’s Ball is a must see festival due to the amount of beloved artist performing there.

    With the new year just beginning these music fests will be some of the highlights for the year and hopefully when the time comes you’ll go to these music fests as well.

  • Shine ’19

    Regardless of how good or bad your 2018 was, it is time to begin the new year on a high note. Instead of dwelling over the past, it’s time to look ahead and take advantage the new opportunities coming your way.

    Even though realistically we don’t become a new person on January 1st, we have access to a fresh start by cleaning out the baggage we don’t want to keep. Instead of focusing on what others post on social media and compare your life to theirs, find your own values and worth. People sometimes try to take you down despite your attempts to lift yourself up. Toxic people will go out of their way to affect you in ways that will try to hold you back, but we all have to move on by truly leaving those people in the past to become better individuals. Don’t hold on to the people you no longer need, because they’ve already filled their purpose in your life, 2019 is the year to put yourself first.

    Remind yourself to focus on the bigger picture instead of putting all your energy on something that might not even matter in 5 years. It is okay to be hurt and feel pain, the only difference is that you no longer let it affect you in ways it once did. Tell yourself to approach life differently, so that you can grow and become more open minded.

    In an entire year we grow from the previous experiences and realize the we need to value ourselves to truly find happiness. Do not resent those who have wronged you and close yourself in to your own thoughts. Approach each bad situation in your life as something to learn from instead of letting it control you. The less we try to pin the blame on others for the way we are, the more we learn to cope with pain. Your emotions are completely valid, so don’t dismiss them, allow them to fuel you to do something you are passionate about.

    As individuals, every person provides something different to the world, which in itself should make the world a better place. You have the power to make a difference in your community and do great things, never doubt that. Make 2019 the best year of your life thus far by fulfilling the resolutions you’ve made for yourself. At the end of the day you have control of your actions, so stop letting your mind hold you back and do the things you’ve always wanted to do 2019.

  • A Good Year For Movies – Marvel, Dumbo, The Lion King

    On March 8th, 2019, Captain Marvel will be released in theaters. After Avengers: Infinity War, more heroes are needed, which is where Captain Marvel enters… This movie is set in 1995 and  Carol Danvers gets introduced as a U.S. Air Force Officer who becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. Carol Danvers ends up in space and joins Starforce, an elite military force of the Kree empire (they make their first appearance in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy). While in the process of joining the Starforce, Davers DNA ends up mixing up with Kree DNA, turning her into a hybrid. She ends up losing her memory, so the movie will also be about her rediscovering her human heritage.

    Marvel’s second movie being released this year is Avengers: Endgame. The movie will be released on April 26, 2019. *Spoiler alert!* Since Thanos successfully collected all the infinity stones, he snapped his fingers and made most of the superheroes in Avengers: Infinity War turn into ash and disappear… Now, in this movie, Tony Stark is stranded in space with limited oxygen, food, and water, putting his life in danger. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers must figure out a way to bring back all of the other superheroes that were “killed” in Avengers: Infinity War.

    Marvel fans have been very lucky this year. Marvel is releasing a third movie, Spider-Man: Far from Home it’s set to hit theatres on July 5, 2019. In this movie, Peter Parker goes to Europe for summer vacation with his friends, where Parker finds himself trying to protect his friends from a new villain, Mysterio, one of Spider-man’s common enemies in the Marvel Comics.

    Another classic Disney movie that will be released as a live action reboot is “Dumbo.” The release date for this movie is on March 29, 2019. In this movie, a flying elephant, Dumbo, helps save a struggling circus, and later on, as the circus takes on a new adventure, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath the joyful circus.

    This year on July 19 the classic Disney movie “The Lion King” will hit theatres, but this time as a live action reboot. Taking place in the African savanna, Simba is born, becoming the future king, but not everyone in the kingdom is happy for his arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother, was next in line for the throne, but now isn’t. In a later battle, Simba loses and is banished, but with the help of new friends, he will have to figure out a way to take back what belongs to him.

  • Christma’s classics (christmas songs)

    “All I Want for Christmas is You” – Mariah Carey

    “Last Christmas” – Wham!

    “Baby It’s Cold Outside” – Idina Menzel Ft. Michael Bublé

    “Winter Wonderland” – Michael Bublé

    “It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas” – Johnny Mathis

    “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt

    “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” – Michael Bublé

    “Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande

    “Sleigh Ride” – Ella Fitzgerald

    “Carol of the Bells” – Pentatonix

    “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms

    “Feliz Navidad” – Jose Feliciano

    “Let it Snow!” – Dean Martin

    “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Darlene Love

    “White Christmas” – Bing Crosby

    “I want a hippopotamus for christmas” – Gayla Peevey

    “Mistletoe” – Justin Bieber

  • Sick Tea Remedy

    Prep Time: 10 mins

    Cook Time: 15 mins

     

    Ingredients

    1 pomegranate

    1-2 lemon

    4 cups of water

    Grated Ginger

    Mint Leaves

    Cinnamon powder

    Honey

     

    Tips

    *Taste the tea while you are cooking it to make sure it is not too bitter for your liking

    *If you do not like the texture of the ginger you can always strain it from the tea once it is done cooking

    *The longer you cook it, the more flavor the tea will have

    Instructions 

    1. Scoop the contents from within the pomegranate and place it in a pot

    2. Use a potato mashers to thoroughly squish the juice from the seeds

    3. Strain the juice from the seeds and throw away the seeds

    4. Add the 4-6 cups of water into the same pot as the pomegranate juice and place on medium heat

    5. Add the ginger, cinnamon sticks/powder, and mint leaves into the pot as the tea is cooking, then squeeze the lemons into the mixture

    6. Cook for roughly 15-20 minutes on low heat then serve with honey until it has your desired taste

  • An Extra Help: GIFTS FOR HIM AND HER

    HIM

    Gift Cards for Xbox/Playstation/Itunes

    New hoodies (since you took all of his)

    Pair of Van’s or Nike’s

    Caps or beanies

    Video Games

    A watch

    Money

     

    HER

    Gift Sets (Sephora, Target, Bodyshop, etc)

    Gift Cards: for makeup or clothes

    Customized Jewelry

    3D Mink Eyelashes

    Fuzzy Socks

    Accessories

    Candles

  • Holiday movies n’ shows n’ snuggles

    The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Rated PG

    A bored Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, stumbles across Christmastown. When coming into contact with such a merry environment, he gets the idea to spread Christmas joy everywhere, including Halloweentown. However, his attempts to spread the Christmas spirit puts Santa Claus’ life in jeopardy, inevitably creating the nightmare before Christmas.

    Edward Scissorhands (1990) Rated PG-13

    A saleswoman stops at a very creepy house and discovers a dead scientist’s human project, Edward Scissorhands. She takes him back to her home out of pity and he becomes very popular in the neighborhood for his many talents. However, after becoming involved with the wrong crowd, Edward Scissorhands becomes a target due to false accusations and miscommunications.

    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Rated PG

    The Whos are enjoying wonderful feasts and celebrations during Christmas time but the Grinch is not impressed! The Grinch’s hatred for laughter, happiness, and the Christmas spirit causes him to come up with a plan that consists of sneaking into the homes of the Whos and stealing their gifts, joy, and Christmas Spirit.

    Home Alone (1990) Rated PG-13

    After having a temper tantrum a day before his family’s big Christmas trip, Kevin McCallister is forced to sleep upstairs in the attic. His anger caused by his family leads to him wishing that he had no family! The next day, Kevin wakes up to an empty house assuming that his wish came true, but in reality his family his parents forgot about him, Kevin enjoys his solitude in his home until burglars come to his home attempting to rob his home. Devoted to protect his home he sets up varios booby traps to catch these thieves.

    Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009) Rated PG

    London is preparing for the merry holiday season but Ebenezer Scrooge is lacking the Christmas spirit. On Christmas Eve, he is awakened by three spirits that show him how miserable he is and how he’s ruined his life being so miserable. The last ghost, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, reveals to Ebenezer Scrooge the future that awaits him if he continues to lead a miserable life! Scrooge is now faced with a decision: will he choose death or redemption?

  • 2018 Winter Activities : Winter Kick’its

    Over break, the activities to do are endless but finding the perfect one can be tough in Long Beach since we don’t get any snow or ice to do fun stuff like snowball fights or make a snowman, there are still some fun things out there that you can do. I’m going to name my five TOP things you can do during break with friends or family.

    One thing you can do is go to the ice skating rink at The Pike.

    Second thing, you can go to Mulligans where one can go kart racing, play miniature golf & laser tag.

    The third activity I recommend is going out to eat. Who doesn’t like food? Anyone is always down to eat.

    Fourth thing you can do is something different like paint-balling or airsofting. Get out your comfort zone.

    The MOLAA on Alamitos Ave is free on Sunday’s when you show your student ID. Consider doing things you have never done before, go thrift shopping to stores like Out of the Closet, Goodwill, or Buffalo Exchange. You can even take a trip to LA on the blue line or red line to visit landmarks like Grand Central Market or Olvera Street.

    Winter break is the time to forget about school and make memories with friends and family. There are so many things to do over break in Long Beach, even in neighboring cities. You can make a trip with your friends and really make the most of the time you have off. Regardless of what you do, you should just enjoy the fact that you are on break and can finally relax for once.