Monday, September 10, 2012

Halloween is Approaching!


Although Halloween is still about a month ahead of us, the searches for the perfect costume have already begun. Every year, there is an “It” costume; the one that everyone wants. Last year Lady Gaga topped the list. The extravagant “Lady Gaga”, who seems to celebrate Halloween everyday however, has become the inspiration for the most popular costumes for various years.

A Lady Gaga costume may not be your cup of tea, but there are many other fashionable costumes to choose from. Jersey shore costumes have also been highly searched on the internet. A pouf like Snooki’s may take some time and hard work but it’s possible. Maybe you can even add the orange tan to make the costume look more realistic.
You also have those costumes that are popular year after year.
“I think I want to be a gogo girl or a flapper,” said Sudyen Navarette, a senior in the Health Academy. Bringing back the oldies is always a safe choice.

For guys who are interested in finding the right costume, Star Wars costumes have been among the most popular searches; next to pirates, devils and mummies, of course.
 “Party city’s most popular sales for guys are the Spiderman and Batman costumes, and for girls, the Jersey Shore costumes are very popular this year,” said Sophia Cordero, an employee at the Party City in Miami Gardens. Costumes of TV show stars are flying off the shelves this year.

Other possibilities that may be popular are costumes based on recent movies, such as “Alice in Wonderland” and vampire costumes. With these two options you really can’t go wrong.
No matter what you decide, make Halloween as fun as possible. Dress up as something that’s in and fun, and that you would NEVER consider wearing on casual days. And if you need inspiration, just try to picture what Lady Gaga would wear this year, even though it remains a mystery to us.

A Night of Faith at Rock the Universe

Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida hosts a Christian music festival every year. This year was no different, as thousands of Christians flooded the park for a night filled with music from bands like Relient KTenth Avenue NorthEverfoundToby Mac and Switchfoot.

The concerts began at night but throughout the day fans had plenty of opportunities to get into the world of Christian music. Several bands, Relient K and Tenth Avenue North among them, signed autographs for fans. Everfound, a fairly new band of Russian brothers, invited fans to meet them and stop by to chat.

Although the day was filled with big names in the industry, the night was truly about their faith. Artists remain true to their music and inspired audiences to believe in themselves and their God. Toby Mac, spoke a couple of words from the Bible before beginning one of his most popular songs and other bands, like Relient K and Everfound, reminded the audience that we all go through difficult things, but that everything would be alright.

The performances were finished with an astounding performance by Switchfoot. Hundreds of fans crowded near the stage as they played some of their favorites; the crowd alone could carry the songs along.

As the night came to an end, Tenth Avenue North played worship music and others prayed over the night and everyone who had participated in as the crowd held up candles in the candlelight ceremony that take place every year.

It was a remarkable night. 


 Lead singer of Everfound, Nikita Odnoralov.
 Lead singer of Everfound Nikita Odnoralov (left) and guitarist Larry Odnoralov (right).
 Guitarist of Everfound, Ruslan Odnoralov.
 Toby Mac and band
 Toby Mac in the center of the crowd.
 Relient K preforming a new song, Boomerang. 
 Lead singer of Switchfoot, Jon Foreman.
 Lead singer of Switchfoot, Jon Foreman, standing on the drum set.
 Candlelight ceremony
Lead singer of Tenth Avenue North, Mike Donehey, finishing the night.

All photos were taken by Flavia Cuervo.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Tribute to Tia and Tamara!




Tia and Tamara Mowry began both of their careers as teenage actresses in "Sister, Sister." After leaving that show and branching out to other acting jobs, they both ventured out in their separate ways.

Tia Mowry pursued various acting jobs as did Tamara but now, in 2011 they began a new reality series together-- "Tia and Tamara." A show that shows their typical daily lives. Their arguments, their laughs, their adventures.

This show allows fans to actually see their favorite stars in everyday situations, and become part of their experiences. Tia got married in 2008 and recently gave birth to her only child Cree Mowry. Tamara got married in 2011, and the most recent news shows that she too is having a baby.

Both of Tia and Tamara have grown into successful women. In this show, Tia has gotten married, had a child, and still continued to film her Christmas musical for ABC family. While Tamara has gotten married, purchased a new house in Napa and is now pregnant.

After 119 episodes of "Sister, Sister" Tia and Tamara have created quite a name for themselves. With this new installment of "Tia and Tamara" their fans could continue their journey as they strive to live normal lives while juggling motherhood, and marriages.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that can't wait for their future successes!




Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Muslim Women at Catholic Universities?


Muslim women are a minority within a minority, especially when to comes to education. 

Ten years ago, according to the New York Times, Dayton University in Ohio - a Catholic university - had only 12 Muslim students – all of which were male. Today they have 78 Muslim students of which about 26 are women.

Muslim students, whether from the United States or abroad, say they prefer a school where religious practice is accepted. They feel more comfortable in an environment where there is faith, although it’s not their own faith. Muslim women in particular like the conservative nature of Catholic schooling. They like the less liberal and more traditional mentality on campus.

In fact, many Catholic Universities try to accommodate Muslim students the best they can. Dayton University helps Muslim students plan for religious events and has set aside a room for their daily prayer routines. Muslim students felt more respected at Catholic universities than they would a secular college.

With the respect, however, come a lot of questions and glances. Muslim women are not able to blend in because of their head scarves and oftentimes what some would consider overly conservative dress. Students around campus are intrigued by them and can’t help asking why they chose a Catholic university. 

Monday, September 3, 2012

One Direction: A Year Later

On September 5th, 2011, I wrote a blog for Teenlink endorsing my favorite band, One Direction, then unknown to American eyes/ears. Now, most girls I know are "Directioners". I am proud to say I was one before they came across the pond. A year later, these 5 boys have not only been the first British-Irish boyband to have their debut album go number one on the US music charts in a week, but have also had these accomplishments as well:
  • 8 million singles sold
  • 3 million copies of their debut album, "Up All Night" sold
  • 1 million  copies of their concert DVD "Up All Night: The Live Tour" sold
  • their own television biography special, One Direction: A Year in the Making
  • winnings of a BRIT Award for "What Makes You Beautiful", a NME award, two Kid's Choice Awards, and 3 Teen Choice Awards
  • musical guests on Saturday Night Live
  • Guest stars on iCarly (iGo One Direction) and Saturday Night Live
  • 3 VMA nominations for "Best New Artist", "Best Pop Video" and "Most Share-Worthy Video" (in which they are currently beating Justin Bieber by 600,000 votes)
  • 3 sold out arena tours from December 2011-September 2013 and a sold out show in Madison Square Garden this December
  • a performance at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony to over 2 million
  • already being #1 on the iTunes pre-order charts for their second album "Take Me Home" and the pre-order of their first single off that album, Live While We're Young
  • an international, loyal fanbase known as "Directioners" whom they refer to as "our girls"
Currently, the boys are in Los Angeles getting ready for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, which are going to be held in the Staples Center on September 6th. These boys have made it so far in such a short amount of time. To think it's only the beginning for Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik; One Direction.

Link to my blog about One Direction in September 2011
 
                                      One Direction's first studio album, "Up All Night"

 
 



The boys' second studio album, "Take Me Home" out November 13th

 
 
 
Liam, Harry, Louis, Zayn, and Niall in concert
 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Kristen Stewart’s Secret Affair Unveiled: Fact or Fiction?



By Alexandra Gomez

Calvary Christian Academy



It’s fairly recent, and an open wound to Twilight fans everywhere. According to US Weekly magazine, which initially broke the story, on July 17, Kristen Stewart was caught cheating on her Twilight co-star and boyfriend, Robert Pattinson with Rupert Sanders, the married director of her most recent film, Snow White and the Huntsman. A source told US that Pattinson is, “heartbroken” and “shocked that she could hurt him and humiliate him this way.”



One could speculate as to whether this scandalous discovery has any merit to it, considering the hype magazines regularly put out to gain fans (whether it’s accurate or not). Nonetheless, not only has US Weekly posted updates to their claims with photos as evidence, but also FOX News has followed up with Pattinson’s escape from the press in the aftermath of Stewart’s infidelity being exposed.



“A devastated Robert Pattinson is hiding out at Oscar winning actress Reese Witherspoon's California ranch,” as reported by FOX News. “Witherspoon offered Rob a refuge in the form of the $7 million mansion in Ojai, California.”



Since then, he has refused a press appearance in the U.S. for his upcoming film, Cosmopolis, which will premier in New York City (Entertainment Tonight). CBS News reported that he even moved out of the house the couple once shared, and asked Stewart to move out as well.



It seems that it’s been a rocky road for the renowned Twilight duo, and the situation doesn’t seem to be cooling down either by how the scandal is being inflamed by the presses. However, the two may just have to settle their differences by September 6, where they are set to co-present the MTV Video Music Awards, followed by their promotion of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II, which premiers on November 14.







Thursday, August 2, 2012

Summer Music Festival Fashion Trends and Tips


      The key to having a successful time at an outdoor summer music festival is by creating the perfect balances between looking hot and staying cool. After attending my third consecutive Warped Tour I noticed a number of consistent trends among concert goers who were able to balance on the thin line between practicality and fashionability. 
Trends
Bandeau tops
These trendy little tops are great for avoiding those pesky tan lines at all-day festivals. They also look fashionable when paired with a loose tank top.
High-waisted shorts
The blast from the past has reemerged from obscurity and is here to stay. These chic vintage-inspired shorts are made for summer.
Fanny packs
Instead of lugging around a heavy bag on their shoulder many have opted for the fanny pack. It stays out of the way and you’re free to move around as you wish.
Crop tops
A crop top is a perfect way to show some skin and stay cool during a hot summer day.
Do’s 
1. Do wear proper footwear
Although stiletto and wedges make your legs look great they do not fair well in the elements and are far less comfortable than your favorite pair of sneakers.
2. Do buy cheap sunglasses 
Why risk breaking your favorite pair of sunglasses when you could settle for a similar alternative? Leave the Dior and Channel sunglasses at home and go for a cheaper substitute. 
3. Put comfort before fashion
Even though those super tight high-waisted shorts look so hip I bet you’d enjoy sitting and still having your reproductive organs intact after the show. 
Don’ts
1. Don’t wear jewelry
Spending the entire day in the sun will guarantee some funky tan lines and you don’t want your favorite necklace to leave its mark. Also, if it’s valuable jewelry don’t take the chance of breaking or losing it.
2. Don’t be a “just because”
Just because it is in style and just because it comes in your size doesn’t mean you should wear it. Wear what’s right for your body type not just what is stylish.
3. Don’t bring your winter wear 
Although this may seem like a no-brainer there is always that kid who decides to break out his skinny jeans and sweater for an all-day outdoor festival. If a concert goer wants to suffer from heat stroke then more power to them. At least they will look hardcore when they are hauled away on a gurney.

     Music festivals are a great place to enjoy yourself and let loose. Stay safe out there, remember to stay hydrated, and don’t forget your ticket!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Opening Ceremonies of the 30th Olympiad

Friday night was a huge night for the U.K. With the Olympic games visiting the country for the third time, these opening ceremonies were incredible and something you didn't want to miss.

The show directed by Danny Boyle, director of Slumdog Millionaire, had thousands of performers, all of which volunteered their time for practices and to be a part of the ceremonies.

Boyle's production followed the history of the U.K., from the pastoral times, to the industrial revolution, to the new era of technology, marked by the invention of the World Wide Web.

The ceremonies closed with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by young high school athletes, to symbolize the next generation of great Olympians.

Sir Paul McCartney closed off the ceremonies with a performance of "Hey Jude" that had the entire arena singing "Na na na nananana, hey Jude" by the end of the show.

Fireworks from across the city illuminated the night sky around the arena, making for an unforgettable opening ceremony.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Charting JK Rowling's The Casual Vacancy

We all know JK Rowling as the acclaimed author of the Harry Potter series, but now she will release a book geared toward adults.  On February 24, 2012 most people received the news--for the first time--that Rowling would be writing another novel.  She tweeted from @jk_rowling, "As you may have heard, I have a new book out later this year. Very different to Harry, although I’ve enjoyed writing it every bit as much." That tweet aroused much speculation because immediately after people read it, they created their own predictions.  These predictions, however, were put to rest when, around two months later, Little, Brown (the publishing company responsible for Rowling's new book) finally released an official synopsis of the book: "When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.  Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.  Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.  And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?  A big novel about a small town, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults. It is the work of a storyteller like no other."


As you can see, Rowling's new book sounds less fantastical than Harry Potter without lacking the wit and nuance for which she is well known.  The synopsis of her new novel incited both anticipation and backlash in large numbers of fans.  Many of them--myself not included--desire Rowling to write another Harry Potter book, or at least a book greatly similar to it.  I take the opposite stance;  I say that Rowling wants time to develop out of the Harry Potter image she still has not parted with, and I fully support The Casual Vacancy not only because it seems very intriguing and realistic but also because it will probably help her be more widely recognized as a diverse writer, as opposed to a one-hit-wonder.  I'm not sure if anything can top the success or respectability of Harry Potter, but are people really going to deny JK the opportunity to try?


The Casual Vacancy will be released on September 27, 2012, and it is available for pre-order from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Analysis of Emmy Nominations

The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented on September 23, but the nominations were released last week.  There were many surprises, not the least of which was the surprise hit, American Horror Story, receiving the most amount of nominations (17) tied with Mad Men.  Below is a summarized list of the nominations and some of my thoughts on who may, or should, win.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
Mad Men

This category is definitely between the highly praised veteran show Breaking Bad and the new spy thriller Homeland, which the critics find very ingenious.  My favorite is the British hit Downton Abbey, but it would be a long shot.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Girls
Modern Family
Veep

This category really belongs to Girls, the new risky HBO comedy that succeeded with flying colors this season, its first.  Modern Family won the Emmy the last two years, but its most recent season was definitely a low point for the show--maybe because of Sofia Vergara's horrible acting.

OUTSTANDING MINISERIES OR MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
American Horror Story
Game Change
Hatfields & McCoys
Hemingway & Gellhorn
Luther
Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Ah, so this is how American Horror Story got all of those nominations; it was submitted as a miniseries instead of a drama series (It wouldn't have picked up many nominations as a drama, considering its mediocre reviews compared to the high praise of other dramas.)  As for this category, it's a tough one to predict, but I'll go out on a limb and guess Sherlock.

OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Amazing Race
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Top Chef
The Voice

The Amazing Race wins every year.  Enough said.


For a more complete list of nominees, including actors, directors, writers, and hosts, visit http://www.metacritic.com/feature/2012-primetime-emmy-award-nominees



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Hope from Horoscopes

    Wake up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down with the newspaper. This is the average American's morning routine. In that newspaper (hopefully a Sun-Sentinel or TeenLink) there's of course business news, travel, entertainment and…horoscopes?
    As wallets grow thinner and times get tougher, more and more people turn toward horoscopes for hope. They provide insight on finances, family, romance and health. People look toward the future to help with their present.
    The ancient Greeks are credited with horoscopes and astrology. They believed that a person's life was pre-determined and could be predicted by looking at the positions of celestial bodies and constellations at the time of a person's birth. It is necessary to first look at a person's past before predicting their future.
    Horoscopes tend to be bundled with tarot cards, psychic readings, and crystal balls. Astrologists caution that zodiac readings hold more truth than cootie catchers, but that is up to the reader to decide.
    Curious about how accurate these horoscopes were, I did a Google search and clicked on the first link. Instead of reading mine in the morning, however, I read it at night, after my day had ended. I figured it would be best to compare the reading with how my day had actually gone. Surprisingly, it was very accurate. I continued to do this every night for a week, and about half were right.
    While horoscopes might be fun ways to predict your future, it is important to not get too wrapped up in what they say. One night I read that I was supposed to have met a new love interest at a party. Not only am I not in love with anyone at the moment, but I also did not go to a party that day. Needless to say, astrology is not an exact science.
    Whether you read them, believe them or scoff at them horoscopes are popular culture. Newspapers, magazines, websites and Twitter accounts are dedicated to these readings. For some, they are valuable tools. For others, they could not be more useless. Call me crazy, but I think the ancient Greeks might have been on to something.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Louis C.K. Helping The World One Small Annoyance At A Time



After 27 years of being a comic, Louis C.K. has gained massive amounts of success in the last few years.  His self-deprecating humor is full of sex jokes, many of which make audiences shake their heads while laughing, and jokes about his life raising his two young daughters.
His stand up comedy, such as "Hilarious" and "Live At The Beacon Theater" is uncensored and has moments of him seeming to be a genuinely horrible human being, something that haters won’t be able to get past.  But when people give him a chance, it is clear that Louis C.K. doesn’t mean harm to other people.  For example, when one joke took a turn for the worst when he made a comment about having sex with children, he laughed to himself, and said, “That’s just me saying something terrible just because it makes me laugh that it upsets you, that’s all that is.”
His comedy is also riddled with jokes that may offend certain groups of people if taken too seriously, but he is always sure to make it clear that he hates nobody more than people who are racist or homophobic. 
The best part of Louis C.K. is how stripped down and real he is.  Under all the fame and comedy, his fans can tell that he is a real person that understands how everyone thinks.  Buying his stand up show, “Live At The Beacon Theater,” is a refreshingly easy process.  The five dollar special is only sold through his website, and there are no gimmicks or newsletters that you are automatically signed up for, until you un-check the tiny box.  Louis C.K. knows what normal people can’t stand to go through, like a complicated website that will overcharge you and spam your email for years, so he eliminates it for his fans. 
Similarly, people that want to buy tickets for his comedy shows must go through his website.  The best part is that any tickets that are sold on other websites, for above face value, will be deactivated.  Finally someone is doing something about the ticket scalper epidemic. 
Besides being a comic genius, Louis C.K. is great because he is a real guy, who not only notices the small things that drive everyone nuts, but he is trying to do something about it.   


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Katy Perry's Part of Me 3D Adventure: Colorful & Inspirational

To us, it all started with her single hit "I Kissed a Girl", but for Katy Perry it wasn't a simple overnight success story. Working for many years to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, Katy embarks us on her first tour and biggest success yet, California Dreams Tour. "Katy Perry's Part of Me" gives you a backstage pass to not only her tour, but her career, personal life, and the commitment to her fans. Katy shows her transformation from a major-Christian guitar strummer to pop-sensation and world record holder for the most number one hit songs in an album. But under all her colorful candy wardrobe, Katy gives her fans a glimpse of her troubled relationship with comedian Russell Brand. Through it all, Katy stays loyal to her fans and reminds us, through her lyrics, that we are all special and "fireworks".

Check out her movie in 3D and in theaters now.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

"Mad Love"

So it's summer, and everything just kind of drags on, normal things becoming a bore. I got tired of Netflix, the internet, tv, so what did I do? I picked up the first book in sight. It was "Mad Love", by Suzanne Selfors. The story revolves around Alice Amorous, daughter of a renowned romance novelist, who was hospitalized secretly due to a mental illness. Suddenly, she meets a guy named Errol who claims to be Cupid, and she is under the compromise to write the tragedy of him & Psyche's romance. Alice however, doesn't believe in Cupid, but she decides to help Errol out anyways. I found it a humorous, refreshing book. Not sappy like most romance novels, or full of corny puns. Any teenager (most likely girls) with time on their hands & and nothing to do, would enjoy this modern take on an ancient love story.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Savages: A Movie For The Simple Minded

I walked into the movie theater with hopes high for the viewing of the movie Savages. It seemed as if this movie was going to be highly suspenseful and dramatic with a cast filled with Blake Lively and Salma Hayek.

I turned out half asleep and skeeved out from the unrealistic poly-amorous love triangle they put Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson in.

Clearly false claims of "movie of the year" drew me in to the downright unrealistic plot line of best friend drug dealers and shared girlfriend getting caught up in a fight for their life and love against a Mexican drug cartel.

The beginning seemed promising until my entire view of Blake Lively was changed within the first five minutes. She overacted smoking marijuana, simulating more of the effects of heroin rather than weed.

The tri-relationship started becoming more of a bromance on the race for their lover which leaves you wondering if they're going to ditch the girl and run off together. That would've been a more interesting ending than what they actually left us with.

The acting felt corny, making it obvious that they were smoking cat nip or legal herbs. In the end, the suspense and drama were totally shot and somehow turned into some kind of romantic comedy.

My expectations for this movie were extremely high and I was utterly disappointed in way they carried out the so called drama.

Monday, July 9, 2012

A Call Back to the Classics


I remember one day when I was in sixth grade, I was reading one of those stereotypical "teen girl books" while our substitute teacher read a book that looked older than anyone in the room.

I asked her about it, and she said, “I’m trying to read all of the classics.”

Her comment confused me for a long time. I wondered what made certain books classic, and who decides what books get this title. It seemed odd that she would take a task upon herself that had such inherent ambiguity.

Only recently has it occurred to me that the label classic isn’t as important as the fact that if people are still reading a piece decades, or in some cases centuries, after its first publishing, then it might be worth reading.

Labels are often deceiving. This label, however, is nearly always well-deserved.

This summer, I decided to read the novels that have sparked intellectual repartee for years. I’ve found these critically acclaimed pieces to be entertaining, thought-provoking and beautifully crafted.

If you find yourself in search of something to add to your reading list, here my top picks:

1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Humans are innately terrified of the unknown, and the biggest unknown is the future. Holden Caulfield’s future is up in the air. He has virtually nothing going for him, and when an opportunity presents itself, he throws it away with his cynicism. While he isn’t the most likeable narrator, he represents the insecurities and worries that we all possess, making Catcher a novel to which nearly everyone can relate.

2. Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

This apocalyptic sci-fi novel satirizes the lunacy of human nature, and the illogical actions of man. Vonnegut spins his tale through concise chapters with quirky headings like, “A Tentative Tangling of Tendrils,” “Vice-president in Charge of Volcanoes” and “Bicycles of Afghanistan.” With Vonnegut’s imagination conjuring mysteries like Bokononism, Ice-Nine, and the island republic San Lorenzo, it’s best to go into this one with an open mind.

3. 1984 by George Orwell

1984 was written thirty-five years prior to its title year as a representation of what Orwell believed the world could be like in 1984. Now that we’re twenty-eight years beyond that point, many disregard Orwell’s warnings, and even mock his inaccuracies. George Orwell is not a fortune-teller; whether the novel takes place in the year 1984, 2012, or five million doesn't matter. What’s important for the reader to realize is that while 1984 is very entertaining, it was written not just for the reader’s enjoyment, but also to stop a treacherous fate that humanity could potentially be hurdling towards.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Elizavita Ephemeris, The Name Says It All


Ephemeris: a table of values that gives the positions of the astronomical objects in the sky at any time. Now, while I don’t know if the composer, opera-diva-in-training, and self-proclaimed Flower Alchemist can do that, she sure can hit a high note.
Born in the Big Apple (New York City for those who don’t know), raised in Russia, spending time in an Italian monetary, and currently writing in the United States, this shining star has been singing since she was young.
With “Beatrix Runs” debuted on 1/24/12, it’s been a new sound in the pop focused world.
Her song ‘Dreamer’ was given away for free at Starbucks one day, and since then it has been on the top 25 on my I-pod; and not just the song, but the whole album. With not one note missed and music that reaches inside you and just touches your soul, her lyrics are meaningful and from the heart.
Her songs are available to listen at her website, http://elizaveta.typepad.com, but will be going down soon. It’s worth a listen, even if opera isn’t something you’ve been into before. I wasn’t.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

What will be Marvel’s next move?


So after finally watching the Avengers, I noticed just how common superhero movies have become within the last few years. So here is- a praise to Marvel!



Since 1944, when Marvel was known as Timely comics, different films based on the marvel characters have been made. And continued.   Starting with the known Captain America; Steve Rogers, a young boy who was transformed from short and petite, to the example of human perfection, by an experiment intended to increase the US army strength, during the war. His relevance to the World War, was what made him the most known superhero.

Seeing this first films’ success, Marvel moved on to make other films like: The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Spider-man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and this year’s The Avengers (My personal favorite).  Leading up to the Avengers are a constellation of extensions from each film. Some extending into sequels, and others into trilogies.

The Avengers featured the superheroes in collaboration. Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and Captain America all work together to fight off the evil villain; Loki (Thor’s adopted brother) who planned to destroy the earth with an alien invasion.

But now that The Avengers is out, what will be next? Another X-Men movie, another Avengers, or maybe it’ll be another Thor. Well Marvel has already released information that Iron Man 3 is already filming, and they’ve released their first set shot. 

And this time, his suits have a new design!





Saturday, June 16, 2012

Imagine Dragons

While browsing Facebook one day, I came across an ad for The Color Run (October 21 in Miami), a 5k where colors are thrown at you as you run around Miami. While I immediately marked that down on my calendar and texted all of my friends, it was the song on their promotion video that caught my attention.
After song hard searching on YouTube, I found the song On Top of the World by Indie Rock band Imagine Dragons. It was upbeat and cheerful, and the music was unlike anything I had ever heard, really breaking music boundaries and making its self-relatable. I began another YouTube search for every one of their songs, finding each better than the last.
Imagine Dragons is a 2012 rising band, popular on the West Coast, yet quickly spreading in popularity. Based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, they were quickly signed by Alex da Kid, the Grammy winning producer of stars such as Rihanna and Eminem.
Main singer Dan Reynolds is accompanied by guitarist Wayne Sermon, guitarist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman. These four complete opposites came together to make a band that really works, connecting to its audience.
They have one EP out, Continued Silence with six hits and are currently on tour. They will be visiting Florida last hitting Tampa October 24 and Orlando, in the House of Blues, on October 25. You can ceck them out at imaginedragonsmusic.com .

Friday, June 8, 2012

Tribute to Emma Stone

What do the films Zombieland, The House Bunny, Easy A, and The Help all have in common besides being box office hits and comedic fan favorites? Nothing more and nothing less than the acting stylings of the incredibly talented Emma Stone. Landing her first big screen role as Jules in 2007's Superbad, Stone has since than sky rocketed to the peak of Hollywood success. Each year over the course of these last five years, she has had a role in a popular motion picture, not to mention 2011 in which Emma starred in both the heartwarming The Help and the hilarious Crazy, Stupid Love.
Now I know what you may be thinking; how is this post even relevant to today when Emma Stone isn't in any movies out right now? Well, please don't leave this blog just yet because I promise I have a point!
The fact of the matter is earlier this week Stone made Hollywood industry history. (Still think I'm just rambling?) The perky twenty-three year old was the very first to ever win MTV's Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday. Though she is an actress of such a young age, I personally believed that is was a title well deserved. Experience wise, just re-read the beginning of this post and it's clear that she has the talent. However, I think MTV had much more in mind when they awarded her with this brand new honor.

"I'm a cryer!" stated an emotional Emma when first handed the popcorn-shaped trophy. She then went on with her accepstance speech, listing all those who in her eyes, are/were trailblazers. "I know that when you're a teenager, or even sometimes when you're an adult, what sets you apart can feel like a burden, and it's not. A lot of the time it's what makes you great." This statement alone just proves why you're great, Emma Stone.


Make sure to catch Emma in her newest film The Amazing Spiderman out July 3!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Awesome Band: Ball Park Music


I came across this song on the radio and immediately fell in love with it. It is a spunky song that was produced by the six-member Australian indie band, Ball Park Music. It was released as a single by the band in 2011.

Other than this song, the band has produced one complete album, Happiness and Surrounding, which came out September 20, 2011. The band has also come out with two EPs. And I love all of their music. It's so positive and zany. It has a great upbeat sound, and I think it's a great find.

The lyrics preach of celebrating life, and the lead singer, Sam Cromack, has a captivating, ear-catching voice. The music videos will also hold your eyes. If you've watched the one above you can probably tell that they are creative. The band's audience is slowly growing.

Ball Park Music started off as a small band, and now it is touring all of Australia. Hopefully they'll be coming to America because I am officially one of their fans.

If you want to check out more of their music go here: Music of Awesome Band

Monday, February 13, 2012

Christina Millian Joins 'Young Money'

In the mists of all things Whitney Houston at the Grammy's this past weekend a few - minor - details were over shadowed. Like oh I don't know, the fact that singer Christina Milian is now a Young Money millionaire! 

It was confirmed by a tweet from Milian stating "The answer is... Yes. Let's Get To Work! I Heart You Guys... It's Now or Never."

Milian is now a part of a multi-million dollar record company that is the home to some of the most talked about in the game right now. Such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, and of course the man himself Lil Wayne. YMCMB came to the Grammy's playing no games with the whole camp in the building having about 17 nominations between them all. 

Milian herself hasn't been popularly seen in the music industry for a while. Not since her hit single 'Us Against The World' debuted in 2008 had I even her name in anybody's mouth. And all of a sudden she's a part of one of the biggest productions in the music industry? Lets see how this goes..