Happy New Make-over Year!

Hats off! It's a New Year! It's time for a make-over!

Are you contemplating any new resolutions this year? If you are, do remember; the ancient Babylonians were just as quick to make or break those resolutions year after year. So I'm taking my cue from history. I'm keeping it simple and real. I'm looking forward,not backward.

As we welcome the make-over year, let me share a favorite poem of mine. It was written by Shel Silverstein, an American writer, poet, and cartoonist.

Here it is, so read on:

Listen to the mustn'ts, child.
Listen to the don'ts.

Listen to the shouldn'ts,
the impossibles, the won'ts.

Listen to the never haves,
Then listen close to me ....

Anything can happen, child.
Anything can be.

Hat's off to the New Year! Have a Great 2011!

Jingle Bells, All Is Well!

'Tis the season! And you're probably making your list, checking it twice, thrice even.

But before you get caught up in that gift-receiving frenzy, let that sassy, angst-ridden, first grader, Junie B. Jones, help you discover the true Spirit of the Season. (P.S. It's all about others too!)

Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So does May) is a hilarious take on the holiday, gift-giving experience. It's a laugh-out-loud book for all ages, no matter what grade you're in. 

The book's 118 pages will fly off your hand in no time. It'll have you laughing all the way to the mall, or, for some, away from it. More importantly, it'll help you remember what the Season is all about. Think about it. Aren't the simple things the ones that matter most? Like a new friend in the least expected twists and turns? So read it, give it, keep it.

And, honestly, isn't that red ribbon sewn into the book's binding simply adorable? Stylish yet sooo Junie B.! It really is the "bestest"!

Trust me on this one. It's a wrap!

Pure Dead...

And finally, Frozen!  What seems to be the last of Debi Gliori's Pure Dead series finds the Strega-Borgias in yet another storm, this time of the snow variety!  It's the middle of winter, the devil is hunting them, so are hired assassins, there's a new baby, and a new demon baby too!  The wolves are out, so are the bats, the ancestors can't be framed, and Damp is trying out her magic.   It can get a little too confusing and convoluted with all sorts of mythical and magical creatures running loose (did Ffup really have to have that egg?) but one thing's for sure, it's all very amusing!  So if you're chilling at home because of freezing weather, then Frozen's the way to go!  And don't forget Magic, Wicked, Brilliant, Trouble and Batty to complete your Pure Dead fix.

The Family Tree

FALL
for
leaves!

Plant a TREE.

GROW
up
with
one.

Adopt-A-Woofy Month!

October is the American Humane Association's Adopt-A-Dog Month!  So if you're looking for an exercise buddy, a loyal friend, a faithful companion, or just someone to greet you after a looong, hard day, please consider adopting a dog from a shelter near you!  I know it's a big responsibility but the rewards are even bigger!  You'll make Woofy so proud!

And while you're thinking and thinking and thinking about it, track my TudyPets and adopt them for life!

Games Theory!

Finally, finally, finally!  Mockingjay, the final book of the Hunger Games trilogy is here!  And it does not disappoint, TudyGirls!  Suzanne Collins has brought everything to a thrilling conclusion and even tho you may have a few "why did that have to happen???" moments, you'll realize its all part of great gamesmanship and even better storytelling!

So grab a copy and follow Katniss as she plays her most dangerous game yet! Or will she be played in the end?

Before school gets too busy (and you know it will!), sneak in a little more down time and play this cool and free Trial by Fire and see if you've got what it takes to survive the Hunger Games!

Mad Over the Moon!

It's the Autumnal Equinox in the western hemisphere AND the Mid-Autumn Festival in the east - the first time since 1991 that just when the nights start getting loooonger, the moon will be at its biggest and brightest!  Chinese tradition celebrates this time of the year with paper lanterns and moon cakes - yummy breads filled with lotus seed cream and egg custards!  Western traditions celebrate the last and plentiful harvest before the long winter months, which is why the September moon is also called the harvest moon!

So wherever you are in the world, TudyGirls, celebrate the magic of this special time of the year - look up and go moon-gazing!  And when you've got your sights earth-bound again, try out this little quiz on the the loveliest orb in our night sky!

Plant More Rice!

It's better than ever!  I hope you've been testing your mental skills on one of my Tudy raves, FreeRice. It's the "click and give" website where you play educational games and raise money to fight world hunger. Founded by John Breen in 2007,  FreeRice now covers more subjects and is more interactive! Try the 2.0 version where you can tweet your results!  It's all about social networking and social giving!


And it's still all for free, Tudygirls. How smart is that?

Walk Like an Egyptian!

And walk into the fascinating world of Egyptian gods with Rick Riordan's The Red Pyramid!  This isn't your run-of-the-pyramid curse-of-the mummy book.  This is a world of Egyptian gods walking among us. Or at least, really bothering the Kane siblings, Carter and Sadie.  Having siblings is usually enough of a problem, but when you've lost your mom, have been apart for most of your lives, and have a dad who brings back the ancient Egyptian gods, life can't be all frankincense and myrrh!  Oh, and yes, you've got to save the world as we know it in the process!

The Red Pyramid is the kind of book that you finish in one read - you don't want to miss all that action!  And it makes Egytptology a subject you want to really study!  I think that's the best thing Rick Riordan has done - make the myths of ancient cultures fascinating for us all over again!

Bike To School

You know you love it! It was your first taste of freedom. And it nourished in you an immediate sense of your surroundings and the great outdoors! So what are you waiting for, Tudygirls? Grab those handlebars and pedal away! Bike to School~ you'll get your morning workout done and feel more alert the rest of the day :-)

Here are a few Tudy Tips to help you feel safe and cycle-sure:

1. Have Dad, Mom, or a grown-up map out the safest route to school.
2. Always wear a helmet. Always!
3. There's safety in numbers so bike with friends. (It's just more Tudylightful that way!)
4. Stay on bike routes. Steer clear of roads.
5. Follow the flow of traffic. Never bike against it. Remember, the rules of the road apply to bikers as well.
6. Always lock your bike. Always!7. Stay hydrated and connected. Two Tudy must-haves when biking: a bottle of water and a cell phone. (You never know when you'll need the lift!)

So cycle away! You'll breeze through traffic and that endless congestion. You'll help ease the morning commute and pollution. But most of all, you'll get to school on time, all the time. And your mind and body and heart will love you for it!

A Toast to Summer!

Summer's on the home stretch and whether you're wistful it will all be over soon (Yikes! School!) or you're wishing for the heat to end, toast to the last halcyon days of Summer with Tudy's refreshing island drink! Just ask the grown-ups for help!

1 cup fresh or frozen mangoes (cubed)
1 peeled banana
½ cup orange juice
1 cup mango sorbet
1 cup cold, unsweetened rice milk
1 cup cold, unsweetened soy milk

Directions:
Carefully put all ingredients in a blender. Blend slow and low at first, then high till smooth. Pour into 6 or 8 oz. glasses. Garnish with fresh pineapples, oranges, or limes. (Grass skirts, flip flops, and island music are optional!)

Here's to Summer!

From 2-D to 3-D and beyond!

Have you watched a 3-D movie yet?  Were you thrilled and surprised and did you reach out your hand to grab something?  Or did your head hurt!!!  Whatever your reaction, isn't it amazing how our favorite stories start on paper, jump to the silver screen and now, jump at you from the screen!?!  It's called stereoscopy and it's all about creating the illusion of depth!  The science behind it is fascinating, specially when you realize that it's all about the red and blue!  So here's a cool link to get you started on making your own paper 3-D glasses, from your forever 2-D girl, Tudy (that's me!)