A unique way to learn

Last week as I was surfing Google play aimlessly, I stumbled upon a commendable e-book app. It led to a website- zap2app.com . It is quite different from all other websites I have seen till now and I just felt like sharing my discovery with you all.
This website has a treasure to offer for not only the short stories- readers but also the language improvers. My first instinct was to click and download on my mobile an e-story by an author called Vini (it was for free;-D) the story  'a strange encounter' was so beautifully expressed that I couldn't help myself from drawing into a new buy. I bought another e-book later that week.
It is now that I have realised that the website is more than just selling books. They provide a platform to all the children and teenagers who write. They buy their stories and publicise them.(I am really looking forward to writing some in my vacations) Not only it is an interesting way of inculcating reading habits among youngsters and let their impressible minds explore a wonderful world of fantasy, adventures and mysteries but also it helps to expand vocabulary and the knowledge of usage of words.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE- it has e-books for just-beginning learners of foreign languages like French, German, and Spanish. The fables that we have heard from our grandmas and nannies since childhood are now available in foreign languages. There is proper line to line translation in English (if you want to learn like that) or you can also switch to all-text-in-foreign-language mode according to your own convenience.
 And the best part for young kids- it has hand-drawn illustrations as well. Well, illustrations were something I would always ransack the books at home during my early reading days.So I feel (and contain in myself the prejudice) that reading is kind of gloomy with that elaborate text all over the page.(sometimes, I feel I am studying for school )
Yeah, so that's all I know about it now. And if you guys are interested, definitely check these links below-
http://zap2app.com/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=www.zap2app.com

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.

–Vera Nazarian

 

HOW TO WASTE TIME- 12 super ways

Hi there!
As you might have read my 'ABOUT ME' description already, you might have known by now that I am a really big procrastinator. And these winter hols,(they were simply awesome) I spent my time literally lazing around and wasting the so called 'precious hours' of my life. I was being taunted and nagged by my parents a lot (like many of you might have experienced it)  Well, nevertheless,I decided to pen down how I spent my holiday but at the end of the day, 'ways to waste time' looked a rather suitable title;-D .SO HERE ARE SOME OF THEM TO HELP YOU-

1. Sleeping till late morning-  It is quite relaxing and you can surely waste the most vital time when your parents will ask you to do something fruitful. Believe me, I used to wake up at noon!
2. Play pranks- Playing pranks can be a really good task. here are some ideas that you can try-

Call your friends and talk to them in silly voices, tell them that they have won a lottery ticket or they haven't paid their mobile bill and are eligible to be jailed.
Wear a scary mask and frighten the kindergarteners of your building.
Fool your elder sister/brother by telling them that a boy/girl called for them.
 keep mewing like a cat or bark like a dog

1. Daydream- 'Daydreaming' or making castles in the air is the best way to kill some valuable time. Fantasize your life and think how you would be if life would be a little different. Conjure up old memories, they really matter, don't they?
2. Design a scene- Just think, what if there was a zombie attack in your city? you couldn't really sit like that. Make a list of what would you do, which of the friends would you save if they didn't slow you down, and what precautions would you take?
3. Staring at the wall- Glare at the wall in front of you. You can also try staring at the ceiling (at least you can observe the fan moving) if the wall colour bores you or maybe if you just don't like looking at it.
4. Mirror, mirror on the wall- Stand in front of the mirror and boast and exaggerate about your good qualities, try some expressions or just watch yourself. It will surely help you.
5. Loiter around the house- Insert your hand in your pockets and roam around the house like a cool dude or in your room (if its big enough or until if your parents don't send you there) and just imbibe the pleasure of nil responsibilities at your shoulders.
6. Check on others-  If you are really bored, then you can always go around and check on what your family members are up to. Visit your brother/sister's room and pester them until they shoo you off.
7. T.V praise the lord!- Oh! how can we not count on television, the idiot box, just the right company for any person to idle time away. Glue your eyes to the screen while gorging on some yummy snack, potato chips for instance. You can keep watching for hours that is, if you wont get scolded!
8. Scribble fun- Just pick up a pencil or a pen and a rough sheet, and lo! you have the best ever formula to waste time. Doodle and doodle till every part of the sheet is finished. It was my favourite and most enjoyable chore during the holidays. Who knows, you might become a famous doodle artist some day!
9. Annoy everyone- Try to do something which annoys your brothers and sisters or maybe your neighbours (if they aren't pretty kind) For instance, let the music blare on loud volume for hours or take your scream test. You can also make some ugly/funny faces to the kid next doors if he/she isn't sensible enough. 
10. Friends forever- Company matters a lot. So it is advised that you make friends who are idlers like you and would always welcome you when you feel like doing nothing. Anyway, it is always better to waste time with someone rather than squandering all of it  yourself!

 

how I start my day

Some of the most important moments of our life involve the time of morning. It is the time when the mind is fresh and quite free from all the stress of life. We should wake up carrying a little of joy when we yawn and leave all our stress and tension with the peaceful sleep. We should be grateful to god that we wake up to the rays of sunlight to start a day afresh and full of surprises as there aren't many people who are lucky enough to see sunshine every day. 
I usually spend my first few moments by chanting the name of holy one and taking his blessings for the day ahead (that is before I press the alarm clock off ;D) I open my eyes and stretch my body to tell it that its high time I leave comfort and spend time on doing something fruitful. I arrange the bed and then I usually stand near my window to wish good morning to the little world outside and receive back the warmth. The beautiful mother nature makes me smile to start my day. Then I get ready for work and binge on a light but healthy breakfast (usually cereal, milk or fruits). I make a mental to-do list afterwards and prioritise the jobs at hand. I do not recommend to prepare a mental checklist of work when you take a shower or freshen up, as the word itself suggest these things helps us to begin the day with a relaxed and calm mood. So make sure you do not panic-stricken yourself with loads of work thoughts during the first moments. Some people prefer to go through a newspaper or a magazine for they feel it is the best time to utilise the energy of brain. But I rather prefer you should work towards your mental health than working mentally. Do a bit of yoga or take a small stroll to check if everything's alright with nature. Spend quality time with your family. If you suffer from stress then do take out five minutes to read a motivational quote each day (Google it) to help build yourself or peek into the mirror and introspect yourself.
 Sip your favourite cappuccino while playing with your pets. But make sure you keep away from any of the electronic gizmos. Since you are going to keep yourself glued to them in the later part of the day, its always good to avoid them for now. 
          
Remember to keep fit and healthy and always stay happy! 

5 fun ways to spend christmas

Christmas is a festival of rejoicing to the Christians all over the globe. This festival of love, joy and kindness is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare for it is the birthday of holy Jesus Christ. But for any other non-Christian (like me-I am a Hindu) Christmas can be more than texting and gossiping with your friends all day long. There are many ways to basically utilise your day with a festive spirit.

 

(image courtesy- www.inarkansas.com)
 

 

Decorate your own Christmas tree
 

The most fun part of the Christmas celebration is decorating your very own Christmas tree. You can buy a petite X-mas tree and use it as a room decoration later. Get beautiful and glittery embellishments, wrap sparkle buntings and experiment with colourful fairy lights. Hang sweets and hurl waste cotton bales to give an effect of snowfall over your tree. you can create your own decorations using thermocol and sparkle pens. It is an interesting activity that is surely going to keep you engrossed till the very end.



Bake some scrumptious meals

Many people do baking as their pastime hobby. Now its time you switch on your oven and explore some cooking. Sweets are a great way to celebrate any fete. Surf the internet for some delicious cakes,cookies and cupcake recipes. Delve yourself into easy dishes that are not elaborate. Treat all your family members to your home made baking as they relish every bite with satisfaction and appreciate your cooking skills.
here I found some websites which offer some fabulous Christmas cooking-
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/category/christmas
www.jamieoliver.com/christmas/

 

Christmas greetings

Preparing Christmas greeting cards and distributing among friends and relatives is a very creative craft that requires execution of basic hand skills. Let your creativity flow on paper through the medium of art. Keep your cards simple and sober, and you can write some Christmas quotes inside to greet the sender with a warm heart. You can take reference from various art books, internet or simply impress an image from your mind.

 

 

 

 

Throw Christmas themed parties

 

Depending upon your budget and location, the best way to celebrate Christmas is the company of your much loved friends and family. Let the invitations,decorations and dress code be Christmas themed if it is a kids' party. Otherwise for social gatherings, opt for a formal Christmas celebration with a tree and fairy lights in the background. Picnic and barbeque are also a good way to spend your way.

 

(image courtesy www.punchthrow.com)

 

The joy of giving

 

Christmas is all about sharing and giving love. This season help some poor or needy Christian to celebrate Christmas with his family by donating some gifts, clothes or even a buche de noel. They will bless you for your good deed. I remember an old friend who wasn't well off but had saved enough to buy a Christmas cake for herself and a poor beggar near her house. Now she is rich and each year she donates some of her wealth to NGOs and orphanage. 

 

Take an oath to rejoice with your family and friends (for neither of them are eternal) and most importantly, listen to your heart. May all the magic of Christmas conspire to gladden your hearts and fulfil every desire. Wish you all a very happy and merry Christmas!

 

" The season of love, peace and joy is here to stay, celebrate forever this season and not just today! "

 

 



how to deal with exam stress

How to study before exams – last minute preparations

High school exams are every student’s worst nightmare and the fear quotient multiplies if you haven’t started your exam prep early. But there isn’t anything to worry about. Here are a few tips to bring yourself back on the track-

Simplify- The text given in the textbooks is sometimes tough to remember. Try to simplify the text by using simple synonyms rather than the difficult ones. Reproduce sentences in your own easy to remember language and write them under the text so that you can do a quick revision before exams.

Key-wording-  Whenever while reading you come across an important term, highlight it or encircle it with a pencil. This makes it easy to remember and while revision, instead of reading the whole of the topic, you can always focus on learning the key terms.

 

Mind maps- Mind maps are a fun way to arrange all the boring dates and ideas into an organised manner. Moreover they are very easy to remember.  Create mind maps of any topic you read and pin it on your cupboard door. It will help you to memorise the topic whenever you pass by.

Here is an example of a mind map-

MIND MAP-FRUITS

Highlighting- Keep fluorescent highlighters handy. When reading a passage, highlight all the text that is important so that you do not need to read the whole topic again but only read the highlighted part.

POEM ON SARDAR PATEL

Remembering the greatest of the great Indian leaders, on the birth anniversary of sardar vallabhai patel this unity day, I decided to pen down a verse to pay tribute to the loh purush or the iron man of India.....


   
                                      REMEMBERING OUR UNITY: SARDAR PATEL

In the heated struggle for independence,
When the 1875 winter was getting intense
A messiah was born; in the streets peace-lorn,
Who planted a rose of freedom from the British thorn

A righteous man, they called him sardar
The left hand of Gandhi and the right, of the farmers
An iconic personality of truth, justice and courage
A scatter of 562 princely states, rajwadas and kings
He consolidated diversity in one nation
Strengthening India together with people of common blood relation

139 years of this iron man have passed away,
Let's pay tribute to this great leader, on this 'unity day'  

All about me!

Hi there, I am Deesha and I am 15 years old living in the busiest place of Delhi in India. I love fashion sketching, dance, writing stories and most importantly- blogging!! (although I m a beginner right now) ;-D
I like organising events at my school, participate in debates and writing articles. I keep participating in Olympiads, dance, art and some..(I guess) English competitions. I am an avid reader-reading novels and playing badminton are among my hobbies.
But the flip side of me is that I stress myself on small things a lot. Nevertheless, I'd love to share my thoughts and memories with my readers through- The scrapbook. Hope you enjoy reading!!!!....