Because of Grace

Enjoy this touching story, titled Because of Grace, written by two of my good friends. +1 if you have a friend like Grace! Let me know in the comments if you like it. :)

She walked the same way she usually did, through the hallways to get to the front of the school where her mother waited. Andrea got into the car as her mom questioned her about her day. "How was school?” Andrea sat silently for a moment, opened her mouth and then closed it, like a fish in water. "Did you get bullied again?" her mom asked worriedly. There was a long pause. "Kind of." Andrea replied. Andrea looked out the car window and noticed the cruel, “popular” kids who tormented her nearly everyday. Andrea sat with a slight frown on her face but didn’t say a word until they got home.

As Andrea slowly trudged towards room 16 for 1 hour of detention, she thought of how dramatically her day had changed. She had awoken from a nightmare to find that in her mother’s absence, she had slept late and had to rush to school. Her multiple sidetracks, one being forgetting her homework, caused her to arrive almost two hours late. As she burst into the room she was met with unyielding stares from both teacher and students, and ended up receiving detention. Running her incredibly horrible morning over in her head, Andrea was glumly trudging and found herself intimidated by all the confident teenagers' stares in detention. She saw empty seats surrounding an extremely tall, lanky girl working on her homework, and decided that she looked friendly enough to sit near. The girl looked surprised as Andrea slowly pulled out a chair to sit next to her. She smiled, then said "Hi, I'm Gracelyn. Gracelyn McKay, but you can call me Grace."  Andrea smiled and waved, which is the closest she has ever communicated with someone at school. Grace smiled and said, " I know you don’t talk in school. I’m in Mr. Badeau and Mrs. Amherst’s classes with you. Need help with the homework?” Andrea politely shook her head and pulled out a binder covered with pictures of cats. Grace jumped slightly in her chair and exclaimed loudly, “ I LOVE cats! I have two cats at home. Hey, I know, how about we hang out today after school; we can finish our homework and you can meet my cats!" Andrea contemplated this and thought this seems like an unusual way to start a relationship off but…, but decided to call her mom after school to tell her anyway. Taking a quick glance at Grace, Andrea decisively opened her binder, ripped out a piece of binder paper, and slid over a note that read: "Okay, we can meet at the front gate after school!" Grace picked up the note and bursted out,"Yay! This is great! My mom can pick us up! Hey do you want to sit next to each other at lunch?” Grace’s enthusiasm led Andrea to wonder if this girl was shunned like her but maybe that would bond them. Finally, Andrea looked down with a shy smile and nodded.

  Months went by and ever since that first day, the girls clicked. Grace explained that she had a serious disease called osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that develops in teenagers, and despite this "disability", Grace was care-free and confident, which was something Andrea lacked. Andrea and Grace spent all their free time together working on Andrea’s confidence and voice until she had blossomed into a social butterfly. Grace’s charm and charisma rubbed off on Andrea and soon, she was speaking up in class and even won the annual speech contest. During the first few stages of the speech contest, Grace was always there to cheer Andrea on and when she received a standing ovation, nothing mattered but her best friend rooting for her. "Yay! Go Andrea!”  Grace yelled from the crowd, louder than anyone else. A small tear of joy dripped from Andrea's eye; as she walked away from the stage, she thought to herself, I can't believe this just happened. Me, Andrea Trevelyan, talking in front of hundreds of people. I never thought this would be possible. Never in a million years. But it was.

Everything was perfect, Andrea was advancing through the competition with her best friend by her side to cheer her on. Grace, Andrea, and her mom were on their way to Sacramento when they stopped at a hospital. Andrea awoke as her mother pulled the brake in a parking spot. "What's going on?” Andrea groggily said as she tried opening her eyes from her nap. "It's nothing. I'm just taking Grace in to have a check up; stay in the car until we get back.” A few hours later, Andrea and turned impatient and walked to the room the doctor had put Grace in, discovering that Grace had to stay in the hospital. Andrea was speechless with many thoughts running through her mind and tears running down her face as her mother tried to comfort her. Will Grace die? she thought, scared to know the answer. Grace's mother came as soon as she could; the doctor and Grace's mother talked in private but had the door opened a crack. Andrea could only see their lips move but knew the truth when she saw Grace's mother fall to the ground crying. As Andrea’s mother held her tightly, the doctor came over and delivered the news, announcing that Grace had about 2 weeks to live because the osteosarcoma wasn't treated properly five years ago, it was progressing at a terrifying rate, and there was nothing he could do. "May I please visit Grace?”, Andrea choked out between her tears. Grace's face lit up as she saw Andrea. "Hi, Andrea!” she said with a large smile. Andrea couldn’t believe how positive Grace was; being optimistic at a time like this demonstrated Grace's strength and courage. They hugged each other as Andrea cried and as her sobs subsided to hiccups and whispered, “I can’t do it without you, I can’t be the person I've become.” Making sure she understood, Grace said, “ You have to go on for me so it will all mean something!” At first Andrea couldn’t bare the thought of leaving Grace but it was clear she couldn’t do anything here. “Wait for me...please.”, Andrea said as she walked out the doors.

After giving her emotion-filled speech, which earned her first place, Andrea rushed to the hospital to show Grace the exciting news. Upon seeing her run in, Grace’s mother bursted into tears and finally choked out "I'm so sorry…but Grace is in a better place now." Andrea started to bawl as Grace’s mom tried to comfort her. "I know, I know," she said trying to get her to listen, "but she was so tired and just knowing that you would be able to make it without her gave her the courage to let go. Trust me, I know this is hard but it will get better, it will."

Months passed, and although Andrea would never forget Grace. She made new friends on the debate team, which was a new hobby she developed to live in Grace’s memory and keep true to what she taught her: to be confident and express herself. Andrea frequently found herself thinking, I lost the best, supportive friend anyone could ever have, but I got to experience her love, energy and inspiration. She would have wanted this.

Macaron Mystery...SOLVED!

Today I'm going to share with you the best macaron recipe I have ever used! My first time making macarons, I was apprehensive...but to my surprise, they turned out PERFECT! So I knew I had to share the recipe with you guys!

INGREDIENTS:

4 large egg whites 

1/3 cup caster sugar

1 1/2 cups pure icing sugar 

1 cup almond meal 

 salt (tiny pinch)

food coloring (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the stove to 150 degrees C

Put egg whites and cater sugar in a dish and blend with electric blender until sufficiently firm to flip around the dish without it dropping out. Keep on whipping for 1-2 more minutes. To what extent this takes will rely on upon your blender. Include gel or powdered food coloring and keep on mixing for a further 20 seconds.

Filter the almond meal and icing sugar and salt twice, disposing of any almond bumps that are too large to go through the strainer. Fold into the egg white mixture. It ought to take around 30-50 folds utilizing an elastic spatula. The mixture ought to be smooth and an extremely thick, not runny. Over-blend and your macarons will be level and have no feet, under blend and they won't be smooth on top.

Channel onto trays lined with preparing paper, rap trays on the seat immovably (this anticipates breaking) and after that heat in the stove for 20 minutes. Mark if one falls off the tray genuinely neatly, if not prepare for a bit longer (verify you are utilizing NON-stick preparing paper or they will stick).

Now celebrate! You have made perfect, delicious, macarons. Now for the best part - filling!
Please note that the basic buttercream recipe can be adjusted to have different colors and flavors - time to get creative!

Basic Buttercream

INGREDIENTS 

7 tablespoons unsalted margarine, mellowed

2 egg yolks

1/4 mug granulated sugar

3 1/2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla concentrate

DIRECTIONS

Cut spread into pieces, and crush with a spatula until the consistency looks like mayonnaise.

In a little bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then include the granulated sugar, and whisk until the mixture lightens to an off-white and you can no more see the granules of sugar. Include the milk, and speed to consolidate.

Pour the egg mixture into a little pot, and high temperature over low hotness, whisking oftentimes to guarantee that the mixture does not turn sour or burn. Cook until the mixture gets to be thick and custardy, such as pudding.

Pour the egg mixture go into its bowl, and whisk continually until it comes back to room temperature. Rush in the spread in three groups, include the vanilla, and blend until smooth and all fixings are completely joined. Pipe or spread onto one macaron half and sandwich between the other.

Now you're really done! It's time to enjoy your accomplishment and eat your yummy macarons!

Amazing Books You NEED to Be Reading!

Are you going to be bored over the President's week break? Here are some awesome book suggestions!

1) The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (series)

This book is about a girl who didn't feel like she belonged. She is teased at school and only has one good friend. Her father's mysterious disappearance when she was young haunts her. Soon, she discovers that a lot more is in store for her. Follow Meghan Chase through this fabulous book as she faces secrets, true love, and a danger she never could have imagined.

2) This Book is a Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (series)

This book is one unlike any other. The narrator is anonymous, fearing that his enemies will find him. All of the names and places in this book are fake. Every bit of it, Bosch claims, is a true story. Watch as two young children meet their fate, to discover the ultimate secret of mankind.

3) The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (series)

Four young children are faced with the mysterious death of their parents. Life tests their resourcefulness and intelligence time and time again - for these children have terrible luck. They never know who to trust, and who will stab them as soon as they turn around. Read this book for some interesting situations and laughs - but be aware that luck is not with the Baudelaire children.

4) The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Two personalities are forced into a single body. In this futuristic romance, Melanie and Wanderer are forced to work together despite their differences. Soon, they are so mixed together that nothing is clear - who they love, what they want, and what they future will hold.

5) Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This story is from the perspective of many people, from young kids to high schoolers. August Pullman has facial anomalies that make him look different from everyone else. He is faced with being the new kid, being teased, and the regular trials and tribulations of entering middle school. He is growing up, still trying to show the world that he is simply an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face.

Note: These books may contain some romance (not much). Personally, I think these books are okay for ages 10 and up. If you are unsure, ask your parents first!

Please let me know what you think of these books, which you may read, or if you have already read any. I would also LOVE to hear any more book suggestions! :)

These pictures may or may not give you a clue to what these books are about. :)

5 Awesome Etsy Shops!

Etsy.com is a wonderful place to spread the word about unique artwork as well as purchase some for yourself or as a gift!

I'm sure you're all aware of my etsy shop, Art4Hunger that I use to raise money for the hungry. Today, I'm hoping to spread the word about some shops that are really special!

1) SweetEscapeBracelets

2) GeisHaPhotography

3) SueAllenCrochet

4) MysticEleganceBeads

5) BessieAndMaive

McDonald's New Idea!

When we go to restaurants, we pay for our food with dollars and cents. But what if we could just pay for our burger with a hug? At Sunday night’s Super Bowl, an advertisement was aired announcing that for the next two weeks, fast food restaurant McDonalds is randomly selecting customers to pay for their meal in an interesting way. Bringing on the Valentine’s Day spirit, the restaurant is accepting love as a payment method. In the ad, customers are seen dancing, calling relatives to say “I love you”, or fist-bumping the employees. Giving a hug or a high five is also an acceptable way to pay for your meal. In addition, there is a list of different prizes that can be won on the McDonald’s website depending on the time of day. A lot of people are asking...why give away free food? McDonalds had a rough year in 2014 - isn’t this just going to lower profits even more? Nowadays, the restaurant has tough competition from other franchises that claim to have healthier food at better prices. McDonald’s new promotion is a strategy that the restaurant predicts that the restaurant predicts will bring in tons of new customers. Pretty much everyone wouldn’t mind some free food! WAlso, giving back to the customers creates a friendly interaction between employees and customers, making people believe that the restaurant cares for love as much as profits. It is thought to create a sense of community, and endear people to the restaurant itself. Whether the food is HEALTHY or not is a completely different story! So next time you head over to McDonalds, get ready to pay with some love!

Fun Workout!

Have you guys been wanting to get out there and start building some muscle lately? Haha. Of course you have! Who doesn't want to build a stronger body? :D

So, here you go! This is a strenuous workout that will get you sweaty! Hint: Do it with a friend and some music - it somehow always seems more fun!

1) Stretch! Any one you know is good!

2) Start with 10 pushups!

3) 10 sit-ups!

4) 10 squats!

5) Sprint 50 meters as fast as you can!

6) Repeat!

This simple workout is sure to get you sweaty! Bonus points if you get a friend and do it together! Try it out every day for 5 minutes for a week, and see how much better you feel! :D

Movie Review of Mockingjay: Part 1

Have you guys seen Mockingjay: Part 1 yet? It's been out for a while…I recently saw it, and I thought that I would share with you what I thought.

The Acting: I thought that Josh Hutcherson's part in the movie was subtly helpful to the overall feel of the movie. Though it wasn't a large part, and the words coming out of Peeta's mouth were fed to him by the Capital, you could tell that every cell in his body wanted to say the opposite. It really was a dark feeling.

Jennifer Lawrence, as always, was fabulous. The only thing I have to say about her performance is that at the opening of the movie, her discomfort and trauma seemed about over-dramatic. Toned down a bit probably would have been better. On the other hand, I loved the singing Katniss did in the film - it felt very real, communicating from the heart. I knew that it was really Jennifer singing, not lip-syncing, and that her character was in a place of grief and anger, really not caring whether she sounded good or not. 

The Special Effects: These were necessary to the plot, for the movies have generally been closely following the book. I think they did their job, but in the ending scene with Peeta being tortured, it looked so fake it was actually almost funny. I'm sure that wasn't the emotion that was meant to be conveyed!

The costumes and set: These were very appropriate and were exactly what any reader of the books would expect, such as the signature tough and clean look of Katniss maintained throughout the films. The injured in the hospital and the barren look of the land was extremely appropriate and very well done.

Overall, I thought Mockingjay: Part 1 was a decent movie, better than Hunger Games, yet not as good as Catching Fire. I appreciated the way it followed the book. I am excited to see Part 2! I give this movie a rating of 8/10.