DIY Cold Remedies

It is that time of year when everyone seemingly gets sick with the common cold. Everyone this winter season is in fear of getting swine flu, but I think most of us are enduring the burden of the common cold. I decided to compile a list of homemade REMEDIES that will surely soothe any sore throat, stuffy nose, or achy body! Sometimes the cure doesn't have to involve hours of waiting at a clinic.

1. Sug Dandy Water (my very own cough remedy)

• I am currently sick with a cold, yet again, for the third time this year and I swear by this quick and easy drink to soothe the throat. Basically, all you need is some boiling water, a cut up lemon, sugar (honey is optional, always adds to the flavour!) and a spoon! Mix it all up in a mug and instant relief is provided.

2. Chicken Noodle Soup

• I know it is the classic remedy and some people may call it a cliche, but the National Institute of Health claims it really does heal! The combination of hotness and steam rising from the bowl helps lessen congenstion!

3. Cranberry Soup (sounds kind of nasty, but keep an open mind!)

• You need one cup of water, 2 cups of cranberries, honey and one teaspoon of potato starch. Heat the cranberries in water over the stove until they open. Strain the liquid into a bowl, add honey, then starch. The last step requires you to bring everything mixed up to a boil until it thickens then Bon Appetit!

What's That Word Again?

picture provided by google images

I was browsing on stumpleupon.com when I came across this website that struck me as very clever.

I know everybody has experienced a time when they really want to remember a word but just can't seem to place their finger on it it. You know, when of those experiences where your mind remains occupied for hours until you figure the mystery forgotten word out.

Check out this website, it could be key to solving this problem! (in link above)

Christmas Book List

Christmas break is fast approaching and I know most of us students want to run away from books, but if you are a bookworm like me, I have compiled a top three list of novels to snug up to while the weather is cold outside.

1.) The Whirlpool, Jane Urquhart (Canadian author)

• this novel is written in prose, set in Niagra Falls in 1889. The book traces the story of a widow undertaker and her neglected son along with following the lives of Fleda and her military husband David. Fleda is a romantic, obsessed with poetry and the landscape of the falls allures her like the mystery man she watches from afar.

2.) On The Road, Jack Kerouac

• If you love the hippy generation and jazz music, this book tracks the life of Jack Kerouac as he travles across America in the sixties. on his roadtrip he meets the craziest people, while facing the most severe hardships. Based on true events and true people, this book really brings the jazz movement in San Fransisco to life.

3.) Kingdom Come, J.G Ballard

• This is a scary insight into the nature of our culture. the book focuses on human consumption and is set primarily in a mall that is treated like a religious institution. It turns out to be a story filled with riots, bombs, and conflict. It is great for those interested in the effects of commercialism on society.

Its Always Sunny in Philidelphia

For all of you NOT familiar with the ABSOLUTELY hilarious television series "Its

Always Sunny in Philadelphia" You must CHECK OUT this video!

"The Gang" otherwise known as Charlie, D, Dennis, Mac, and Frank spend all their time drinking in the family bar, Paddy's.

If you are looking for satirical, crossing the limits, straight up laughs - this is the show for you!

The show was originally shot on a digital camcorder by Charlie Day (creator and actor), Glen Howerton, and Rob McElhelleny. Danny Devito becomes part of the cast beginning in the second season. Networks couldn't keep their hands off this original comedy - now it has people laughing all over America!

CBC: The End (TV, Print, Radio)

When you think back to the early twentieth century, prior and post both World Wars, technologically was developing rapidly, as it is now. However, traditional forms of radio, tv, and print are emerging on a new landscape, cyberspace. "The End", a three part series broadcasted through CBC sheds light on the state of tv, radio, and print industries.

A dominant theme attributed to print, tv, and radio is the merger towards independant ownership.

Before the millenium, television was a device used to stimulate the family unit. introduced in the 1950s, it drew people together to watch around one single outlet, a big black box. Now, television can be viewed through multiple devices such as Ipods and cellphones. Websites like Ninja video and Project Free Tv offer video streaming that can be accessed at any time to a wide selection of TV shows and movies. Though the big box in our living room seems to be "out-dated", it holds too much value to become obsolete. viewing habits may be changing, but cable TV will not evaporate into nothingness, not just yet. Websites like YouTube, Rocket Boom, and podcasts are an alternative to conventional tv viewing; a way that emphasizes choice and ownership.

Radio is a platform of media that is suffering more so than television, mainly due to limited choices. With the introduction of XM Radio and Sirius, people do not want to tune into FM stations, let alone AM broadcasts. Half the time a person spends in their car they browse for the perfect song, now that problem has diminished. Ipods, satellite radio, and podcasts offer an alternative to commercial drenched radio stations that target broad audiences, rather than niche markets. The new form of radio is extremely personalized. Radio is loosing its power at creating and sustaining communities. Radio was introduced to consummate a nationalistic sense of community, but now it is moving on to encouraging individuality.

The print industry is suffering the most, especially in newspaper and magazine outlets. Online journalism, aka, citizen journalism provides a left wing partisan news room that encourages participatory discussions, followed by commentary. With traditional newspapers, the reader experiences a one-way conversation. Now, people want to engage with user-generated content. You can even see classified sections of newspaper being digitalized eg. Craigslist, which is free! However, when it comes to books, though web 2.0 has given us Google Book Search and the launching of e-readers, the traditional style of engaging with literature will not decay. A person can not bring an electronic reader or laptop places a book can easily go...

Harry Potter..Imagination Turned Into Reality

Can it be TRUE?

Butter Beer, Hogsmeade, Moaning Mytrtal...alive in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a theme park brought to all Rowling fan's who love the magical.

I think J. K Rowling did a captivating job in drawing in so many readers.

What is it about her idea and her characters that intrigues us?

The whimsical, fantastical nature of this series creates a secondary world for me, an escape. A theme park designed to capture the story in a 3d atmosphere is like childhood dream come true.

If it was not so far away, I would go!

However, I think one day I shall find my self there brewing a potion or having my fortune read in divination class.

2012 Dooms Day

what exactly did Nostradamus predict?

The date December 21st, 2012 represents a close conjunction between the winter solstice(earth's axis tipped furtherest away from the sun) with the crossing point of the galactic equator, and the ecliptic path of the sun (line sun seems to follow across our sky).

Basically, the Mayans predicted that on This winter date the calender year is going to end and the world is going to face a major reconstruction process. It is said that cumilation of sunspots on the sun will change magnetic fields resulting in floods and earthquakes.

It is actually quite amazing how much are earth is affected by the solar system; mainly our sun.

(Info from "Mayan Prophecies" written by Adrian Gilbert and Maurice Cotterell)

SPOOF OR SCIENCE?