Three Tales Of Food Fails

        So as a Senior in high school, I'm entitled to a fun class, so I took a cooking class. Supposed to be super fun, right? You cook something, and then you eat it. So far, we've made chocolate chip cookies, tacos, a choice of banana/pumpkin/zucchini/or blueberry bread, and cinnamon rolls, and in the future we'll be making Christmas cookies, pizza, angel food cake, and many other fun things.
        But, this class has been the most stressful class since - not because of the cooking - I love working with my hands and creating things, but it's the working with other people that makes me want to rip my hair out and stick forks in my eyes.
        For the chocolate chip cookies, my only friend in the class wasn't able to work with me, so I got paired with the biggest airhead in the class. Literally, she didn't bring her recipe or her notes, she didn't ask to look at mine, it was just "what are we doing now?", "what do we need next?", "where does this go?" etc, etc, blah blah blah. She tried to crack an egg holding it in her left hand and hitting it with a knife in her right hand. With practice, you can do this, but it was her first time, and it ended up ALL OVER THE FLOOR. Did you know how hard it is to clean up egg off the ground? Flipping hard! And then, she did the bake settings WRONG, so the cookies were just sitting there not baking for almost 10 minutes. Because of this, we were late for the next class, MEANING we lost 5 points off the grade. Not my fault. But you know what? They were awesome.
        We next made banana bread, my partner being my friend, which was a huge relief. However, the recipe that the teacher made and gave to us had a typo that she messily corrected and my partner unfortunately misread. So, instead of putting 1/3 cup of milk into the almost-done mixture, she put 3 cups. Yikes. So we had to redo the mix, but we weren't late, which was a miracle. And, the bread came out really well.
        Finally in this terrible trilogy: cinnamon rolls. Due to my underdeveloped immune system, I was out sick the first day of cinnamon roll making (it takes two days, because the dough has to rise over night) so I got shoved into a random group for the second day. Instead of letting me participate in the baking and removing from oven/tray and decorating process, they made me wash the dishes. So my class participation grade was for being the dishwasher. AND, I was added to a group of 3, so we became 4 (basic math). The recipe made 12 rolls, which divided by 4 people makes 3 rolls per person, right? BASIC MATH. Guess how many I got. One. I got one. Two of the group members got 4 rolls, one member got 3, and I got ONE. How did these people get into high school with those math skills?

Crest 3D White-Strips 2 Hour Review

        So one thing I've always hated how easily my teeth stain, and how my canine teeth are always slightly more yellow than the rest of my teeth. So with the academic year coming up, I tried out Crest Whitening Strips.

      I tried the 2 hour ones, because it was the first ones I saw. I heard from Fleur de Force that the 2 hour strips made her teeth sensitive, while the 30 minute ones didn't. However, I did them right before I went to sleep, and had no problem.
        Putting them on and taking off wasn't hard, if kinda gross after 2 hours. The strips weren't uncomfortable, but they were very distracting. I watched 2 episodes of Downton Abbey, while trying my hardest not to rub my tongue against the edges.
        I didn't really notice a big difference, maybe because my teeth weren't yellow to begin with, but I did see that my canine teeth were still more yellow than the other teeth. My mom said she did notice a little difference.
       I give these strips 3.5/5, because they were convenient, not messy, not gross, but they didn't make a huge difference.

Qualities of a Good and Bad Teacher

Good Teacher:

• "You can turn it in early for extra credit"
• "You can leave your binders in the classroom" - no one needs 5 binders in their locker/backpack
• "Bring in a box of tissues for extra credit" - EVERY CLASSROOM NEEDS TISSUES
• "If your printer isn't working, you can just email it to me"
• Showing a video to help explain something they're teaching
• Lets you pick your seats for the first day/week of school
• Asks you who would would and would not like to sit with when preparing a seating plan
• Lets you pick your project partners
• Picks your project partners randomly

Bad Teacher:

• "You can't turn it in early, because I'll lose it"
• "You're going to need one folder for each unit" - a binder with dividers is easier and cheaper 
• Showing a video instead of teaching
• Seats the "smart" kids next to the "dumb" kids so the "smart" kids can help out the "dumb" kids
• Pairs the "smart" kids with the "dumb" kids in projects, so the "dumb" kid's grade will go up
• Picks your project partners "randomly"
• Tries to talk like a teenager
• Treats kids like they're stupid/younger than they are 
• Never has tissues, bandaids, paperclips, and random assorted things needed in a classroom full of kids

Teachers get on average 3.9/5, because they are under-appreciated, but there are some that are not equipped with the ability to teach...

Color Variation in Dogs

        I've always found dog breeding really interesting, because if you think about it, it's really weird. I remember learning about "breeding" plants and making peonies or roses or tulips a darker or light color, but that also happens with dogs. This is why no dog's fur is totally identical to another's.
        Some breeders will focus on really dark golden's, another might breed honey colored germans. It's all a matter of preference. The biggest differences I've seen in dog breeds (as a long time dog owner) are with golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, and german shepherds.

Golden Retriever

        Above you'll see a white golden retriever, which is less common. Breeders like Golden Girls Kennels and White dove Ranch specifically look for parents with very white fur.

        What people see most often is somewhere between the picture above and below. Breeders who don't aim for a particular shade of fur usually come up with these kinds of variation, which shows that it's the most common for golden's.

        Below is what you would call a "fox red" golden retriever. Just like with white golden's, breeders combine parents with darker fur. However, I couldn't for the life of me find a breeder, because Google just sent me straight to breeders of fox red labs, not golden's. 

Yellow Labrador Retriever

        Yellow Labs can range from white (above) to yellow (below), but both are pretty common. 

        However, fox red labs are very rare, and just recently becoming very "in" for dog breeders and owners. Here are some breeders that focus on the red fur in labs: Red Pointing Labradors, Fox Red Lab Pups, Fox Red Lab, and Black Fork Labradors. 

        Obviously I've only mentioned the yellow labs, because there's really no variation in black labs, and brown/"chocolate" labs don't have much variation either. If you look up "light brown labs" you can sometimes get slightly darker yellow labs, and the majority of brown labs are either "dark" or "medium" brown. 

German Shepherds

        No, these aren't albinos. Every once in a while, a cute little genetic anomaly due to a recessive gene is born and breeders take advantage of it. Some breeders include: Polar Bear Puppies, Whitestone Kennels, and Rolling H Farms. 

        Again with cute little anomalies due to a gene that affects pigment formation. Black Germans aren't as rare as white ones (that sounds racist out of context), but you still don't see these as often as the brown ones. Breeders: Best Black German Shepherds and Black German Shepherds. 

       The norm is between the above image and below image, with a mix of brown shades. Everyone's probably seen them before in police movies and presentations. Different "shades" and "patterns" are called sable, fawn, honey, and saddle.

       Before I wrap up the blog, I do have to add that before you get a dog from a breeder, it's always best to check out the local shelters, because for one, you may find what you're looking for, and two, there's a chance you'll find the perfect match for you that you never realized.

Here's a video about a shelter dog that's considered "unadoptable. these dogs are called this because they are older than 1 year old, are overweight, have scars, etc. So remember the shelter animals too...

Dogs get 10 out of 5, because I'm a dog person. 

What To Do When You're Sick To Your Stomach

1. BRAT Diet

• Bananas
• Rice
• Applesauce/ apples
• Toast/ crackers

2. Watch Daily Vlogs on YouTube while reclining in a comfy chair

• Jim Chapman Vlogmas
• Tanya Burr Vlogmas
• Ingrid Nilsen Vlogyear
• Luke Conard Vlogyear

3. Grown-Up coloring pages

4. Sleep

5. www.tumblr.com

6. Pretend you're rich and fake buy a bunch of cool clothing

• Daily Look
• Top Shop
• Madewell
• New Look
• H&M

7. Get crafty! 

• Sharpie Fun
• Duct Tape Crafts
• Non-Crochet/Knitting Yarn Projects

8. Sleep more

9. Listen to music

10. Blog about it!

Being sick gets 0/5, while having no responsibilities for the day gets 4/5. 

Glasses vs. Contacts

Glasses

• Pro: They protect dust and water from getting into your eyes
• Con: That dust or water just sort of sits on the lenses
• Pro: Easy to clean, just just need the edge of your shirt
• Con: It's hard to tell if they're dirty because they're so close to your face
• Pro: As long as your sense of style doesn't change and they don't break, they last forever
• Con: They get in the way when you're lying on your side
• Pro: They're adorable when you're little
• Con: They get in the way of headbands
• Pro: They make you look more professional/intelligent 
• Con: You can't have cool sunglasses with curved lenses, you need ones with flat lenses that can be replaced with prescription lenses
• Pro: In science class, they often are enough to warrant not needing those dorky protective glasses
• Con: In chemistry class, you have to wear those dorky protective glasses over your glasses
• Pro: There are tons of awesome/cute/professional/quirky frames you can have
• Con: People often think they're dorky

Contacts

• Pro: You don't have to worry about prescription sunglasses
• Con: You have to stick your fingers into your eye to put them in
• Pro: They don't get in the way when you're in awkward positions (like upside-down)
• Con: Contact solution is very expensive!
• Pro: People don't realize you are a little blind
• Con: They can tear if you mishandle them.
• Pro: You don't have to worry about getting picked on or being called a nerd
• Con: They have to be replaced when they get old
• Pro: Won't come out when your face is dripping in sweat
• Con: They can fold over or get kinks while in your eye
• Pro: The cases are small and easy to slip into your pocket 
• Con: They're basically invisible, so easily lost
• Pro: You get 360 vision, so you don't have to worry about looking over or under your frames
• Con: They can get dry and very uncomfortable

Glasses get a 4/5, and contacts get a 3.5/5. 

If you're slightly blind, what do you wear?

People Who Repeat Things.

        Is this for emphasis or something? Is it some funny that you have to say it too? Because I don't think

Example - 

      Me: Oh my God, that water cost like 10 million dollars.

      Friend: *LOL* 10 million dollars...

Just so you don't think I'm crazy, watch this video. It features Joey and Louise, both of whom I love very much, but Joey is a chronic repeater. So pay attention to when Louise says something Joey finds funny, because half the time, he repeats it!

I give this video 5/5 and repeating people's phrases 1/5. Because there's always that one time where someone in the room didn't hear the punchline, and the repeater helps them out.

Band-Aid Review: Sport Strip Extra Wide

        The ankle is such a weird part of the body, and I always end up cutting myself whilst shaving my legs, and I'm currently wearing one of these to keep it from getting dirty.

        Observation #1: It doesn't stick to wet skin. These seems kind of obvious, but I didn't realize my leg was still slightly moist when I popped the Band-Aid on, and it fell right off.

        However, it does stick to skin when wet if applied when dry. It'll stay on if it's raining or in the shower, but I still change it after word because the pad gets wet as well and you don't want a wet pad with rain water or soap rubbing against an open wound.

        The texture is rubbery and it's very flexible, so it'll stick well on an awkward place like your ankle, finger, etc... My sister is sensitive to latex, and she doesn't like these because they can leave a rash, but otherwise, they're very comfortable. 

        In the picture below, the adhesive is very noticeable - it's like a sheen over the rubber outside. This means it does stick to the skin very well, even if you take it off once or twice to readjust or check on the wound.

        Also, it comes off pretty well. If it's on the stomach or arm or some place with soft/sensitive skin, it'll still sting a bit coming off, but otherwise it's great at removing.

         As you can see, the adhesive actually extends just a tiny bit beyond the rubber outside. This is the source of my biggest complaint. Dirt will stick to the adhesive, and when you peel off the Band-Aid, there's a perfect outline of the Band-Aid in sticky dust and dirt that you have to use your fingernail or rub really hard with a wash cloth to remove.

        Obviously if you're only wearing the Band-Aid for an hour or so, this isn't going happen very much, but the longer you wear it, and you can wear it for several hours without it peeling off or getting uncomfortable, the more dust and dirt with gather around the edges. 

        As I mentioned in the first Band-Aid review, the Quilt-Vent pad is very nice and comfortable. Since you usually bleed a lot when you cut yourself shaving, it's nice for the blood to not be in constant contact with the cut, since it's not totally hygienic.
        This type of Band-Aid gets a 4/5. What would you rate it? 

Band-Aid Review: Tough Strips Extra Large Waterproof

        So last night I had a bit of an incident involving an overexcited 2 year old labrador named Charlie. I ended up with 3 medium sized scratches on my arm that were too inconveniently placed for their own smaller band-aids, so I found these bad boys in the cabinet.  

        First observation: the top is a strange plastic-y texture that's not very comfortable. The other Band-Aid's I've used are either fabric-y or rubber-y, but this wasn't. I guess it's part of the "Tough Strips" brand, but I didn't like it. I didn't test out the waterproof-ness, but it definitely felt waterproof to me. 

        If you see below, there's this grid of white strings on the sticky part of the Band-Aid. I don't know why, but they're annoying. I slept with this on my arm, and when I woke up and took it off, the strings around the edges stuck to my arm.

        Also, the arm is an uncomfortable place for Band-Aids, because the forearm and elbow crook has delicate skin and the rest has hair that hurt when it gets pulled. And removing this one was worse than the tape they use to attach an IV to your arm. It hurt, and the entire rectangle is red, slightly swollen in the corners, and very delicate. 

        Once the bandaid was off, my arm was very sticky, and the little strings were stuck to my arm hairs. Pulling them off HURT.

        I'm also disappointed with the size of the pad. The Band-Aid covered my entire elbow, but the pad barely covered the 3 scratches I had. With that size Band-Aid, the pad could have been way bigger and covered more "wound space".

        One positive note is something that I really like about the Band-Aid brand is the Quilt-Vent pad, that "wicks" blood away from the wound. It actually really works, and the blood travels away from the wound in little channels. 

        This type gets a 1/5. I'll keep an eye our for better large Band-Aids, and if you (my lovely readers) find something nice, leave it in a comment, please!

The Perks of Having Little To No Friends

1. You save money on Christmas and birthday gifts.
2. Your calendar is almost always free of commitments.
3.There's no need to spend money dances or games, because there's no one to go with.
4. Your cell phone data is pretty much empty.
5. You don't have to worry about awkward meeting-the-friend's-parents ordeals
6. You can spend your break times getting work done, instead of chatting.
7. You're not constantly being interrupted by texts and calls from people wanting to talk to you.
8. No weird sleepovers or birthday parties involving people you don't know and are forced to get to know in a short period of time.
9. In class, you can pay attention without someone you'd want to talk to distracting you.
10. You don't have to worry about people thinking the things you like are weird.

Having no friends gets a 3.5/5!