Category: Uncategorized

Board Games to Play with Your Family

During the quarantine, I am spending a lot more time with my family. Board games are really fun to play (even if some of them are a bit long). They bring my family together and we can spend a lot of time laughing over these games. These are some of my favorite fun driven games. I do play some strategy board games like Photosynthesis and 7 Wonders, though.

Telestrations:

This is a drawing/writing version of the classic game, Telephone. This game relies on your artistic ability and your interpretive ability (don’t worry, the worse you draw, the funnier it is). Keep passing your board until you end up with yours. My family’s favorite part about this game was when we shared how our first word had evolved into something totally different. I was always in fits of laughter during this game and I definitely recommend it.

Double Ditto:

This game is perfect for all ages. Try to choose the same answers as your opponents and score a “double ditto”! Before the time is up, you should have written 2 answers for a topic which you think everyone else would write. My family’s favorite part about this game is when we compare the answers and see how alike we thought.

Imagine:

This game challenges how you describe a job, an object, a movie, and many more. With the transparent cards that are included, you get to act out something that you choose. My family’s favorite part was when we tried very hard to get it but to no avail.

Sushi Go!:

This game is very fun and easy. You’ll start collecting cards and trying to score the most points quickly. This game has 3 rounds and is very enjoyable. My family’s favorite part about this game is when we compare and hand out the points accordingly. Another fun thing about the game is the types of food. There are nigiris, puddings, sashimis and so much more!

These are some of my favorite games to play. What are yours?

Courage

Courage is trying something new

Courage is following your heart even when you’re not sure

Courage is knowing when to stop, but still being able to step out,

just a little bit,

out of your comfort zone

Courage is helping,

Courage is doing,

Courage is being kind.

We are made of courage

and we are here because of courage.

We need to be brave for ourselves and others.

In this world, we need to be courageous and share our voices. We need to be kind and open-minded. Be brave and kind! We can do this

The Mint Girl Reads The Heath Cousins and The Moonstone Cave by Eileen Hobbs

Recently, I received a copy of the book, The Heath Cousins and the Moonstone Cave by Eileen Hobbs. This is the first book in a trilogy and I am really excited to read the other books.

Addie B. is a young girl who lives in London. She comes to her grandparent’s beach house in Maine. She is excited to meet her grandfather, but not at all excited to see her 3 cousins: Jack, Beanie, and Bodie. Addie’s grandfather gives her a treasure book, which her grandmother once owned. Inside it is a moonstone ring and a poem. These lead Addie and her cousins to a cave. The adventure that they go on is unlike any other.

My favorite part of the book was when Addie and Jack (and the other cousins) start to understand each other. This helps them get along better and work together to get out of the cave.

This book is perfect if you love mystery and fantasy. I was kept on the edge of my toes while following the story of Addie B., Bodie, Jack, and Beanie.

Arriving in Chennai

I recently attended my second WITS writing workshop with Omer Ahmed. In this workshop, we thought about the small things we did and how we can exaggerate them. I learned about some great tools to improve my writing skills. This is what I wrote during the session.

Arriving in Chennai feels like stepping into a desert. There are no ACs and everyone waits outside. When I round the corner, I see monkeys, jumping up and down, all wanting to get their customers first. Suddenly, I spot my grandparents, though one needs a telescope to see them. I rush through the crowds like a cheetah, anxious to get to them. They laugh and put their arms around me and we hurry off to the car before we melt into a puddle of nothing. I turn on the AC and the change from desert to polar vortex is very welcome. The suitcases and bags my grandparents bought are laden with gifts and I long to peek inside. I try to be sneaky like a snake, but the unwrapping of the gifts sounds as loud as a chainsaw. My grandmother glances back at me and her eyes pierce through me. After what seems like a million years, she smiles and I happily start to unwrap it again. I am joyful as I ride down the streets. I lean back, ready to make the most of this vacation.

If everything had gone by plan, I would be packing my suitcases and getting ready to see my grandparents this year. Instead, I’m at home, face-timing and messaging them, but at least I can still have fun with them!

A longing

This week, I attended the WITS poetry workshop, which Joshua Nguyen taught. We learned about haibuns (poems which have a paragraph in the beginning and a haiku at the end) and got a chance to write our own. I had so much fun with this and this is my haibun.

I wrote my haibun about a longing to be at the beach.

There is a longing inside of me to see a beautiful blue-green sea, slowly fading into dark blue. I wish to have my feet buried into the warm sand while a book captures my attention. I wish to be where trees line the background and I can sit peacefully with an ice-cream cone. I want to hear the shouts and joy of kids, but still live in my own world of tranquility. I want to relax in the shade of a tree while still staying warm, courtesy of the sun peeping through the branches. I wish to be as relaxed as I was there and never care for anything in the world.

I want to see the

wondrous ocean again

and relax, happy

What are you longing for during social distancing?

Mint Girl Recommends Reimagined Fairy Tales

In these uncertain times, I find myself wanting to read something familiar, but new and exciting at the same time. Reimagined fairy tales give me the exact mix of new, but old that I need. Here are 5 of my favorite reimagined fairy tales.

  1. The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer

This book is the first book that comes to my mind when I hear “fractured fairy tale”. This series is very imaginative and gives a whole new spin to the usual fairy tale. It tells the story of twins, Alex and Conner Bailey, who get sucked into their grandmother’s story tale book in the first book. This is just the start of their adventures. Soon, they find themselves traveling back and forth the 2 worlds in the other books. This is one of my favorite series.

2. Ella Enchanted and Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

I’ve read Ella Enchanted, but Ogre Enchanted is high on my TBR list. This book explains Cinderella’s true nature and why she’s so obedient. This had made no sense previously, but this book really explains it well. It is very detailed and I’m absolutely in love with this book.

3. Liesl Shurtliff’s (Fairly) True Tales

This book series is hilarious. Each book stands apart from each other and it tells of the characteristics and explanations never seen before. Ever wonder why the dwarf Grumpy was so grumpy? Or why Rumpelstiltskin choose to spin hay into gold? These books explain it all.

4. The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

What were the true characteristics of The Princes Charming, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White? This book gives a twist to them as they embark on the quest of a lifetime (Well, most of them). This is a 2 book adventure, but I’ve only read the 1st one.

5. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

This is definitely my favorite book and I’m so excited for the last book, One True King. The cover looks awesome, but of course, the cover is not the book! Sophie and Agatha, best friends and best enemies, figure out what it takes to survive in the school for Good and Evil while going through tough times that tests them and their friendship. Love this book so much!

6. The Fun in Devlok series by Devdutt Pattanaik

This isn’t exactly a fairy tale, but I love the new way of telling stories.

I love reading reimagined fairy tales and I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do. Tell me if you have any suggestions in the comments!

The Mint Girl’s Thoughts on Quarantine Rules

Lately, like most of the kids around the world, I’ve been having online lessons instead of going to my school. We created some online essential agreements and I started thinking about some of my previous in-person classroom rules and how they have changed. Last week, our teacher assigned us a few questions about the new situation we are in. I decided to share them here.

What are some rules that you think are important for us to follow as members of the community?

This one required some careful thinking, but I came up with a few rules that I hope everyone follows. 1. Take care of others and realize how your actions could affect them.
2. Think about how we can help or hurt others before we do something.
3. Realize that some people have different rules or different strengths/ weaknesses.
4. Have fun together no matter where you are in life and what’s happening around you.
5. Be kind to yourself and to others.

Do you view rules positively or negatively?

I view rules positively, but they can make me feel negative sometimes. I think rules are good, but sometimes they can feel annoying. For example, I’m not a fan of the social distancing/lockdown rules, but I know that they are being kept to protect us and keep us safe during the quarantine. Most rules are made to keep us safe or keep us in order. These rules might feel constricting, but they are made for our own good.

What is a rule that is hard for you to follow?

A rule that is hard for me to follow is going to bed on time. I always want to keep reading, or drawing, or playing instead of going to sleep. I don’t like sleeping and it takes me a while to go to sleep, so I usually lie in my bed until I drift off. This time for me is very boring.

Compare and Contrast rules at home to rules at school.

At school, I find it much easier to focus and pay attention, but through online learning, many people are talking, there’s background noise, and people could be texting you. It’s much harder to focus and that is very annoying if you’re trying to work on a project or an assignment.

What are the rules of Social Distancing and how have they affected you personally?

Since we have to be 6 feet away from each other, I miss hanging out and playing with my friends. I can text them, but it just doesn’t feel the same. One good thing about this situation is the online learning. I think it’s fun and I like being able to stay at home without driving too far for some of my classes. I also like having Lunch Bunch and hanging out with my teacher and my friends.

Rules can be good or bad, but they’re there for a reason. As community members, it is our duty to follow them as much as possible. What are some of your quarantine rules?

5 things to do when you’re quarantining

Like most people, I’m quarantining at home and I get bored pretty easily. So, I thought of some ideas for you guys to do when you’re at home. Some of these, you have to do with a parent, but others you can do by yourself.

01. Start a Craft:

When you’re quarantined, you have all the time in the world to start a craft(and finish it😀). I recently finished a sewing project and now I’m making a pom-pom garland. These crafts are fun and you can do most of them when your parent is busy.

02. Take a Walk or Bike:

Just because you have to be at least 6 feet away from someone, that doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. Go outside and get some fresh air, but don’t be too close to anyone. A breath of fresh air feels so good after being cooped up in your house

03. Play Some Games:

After your parents are done working, play a game with them. They will be happy (it’s a break after their stressful and crazy day) and you will be too (you can spend time with them, laughing and having fun).

04. Do Some Work:

This is an odd suggestion, but you can’t just sit around all day doing nothing. Working puts your brain to use and you are still developing your skills. At home, I usually do math, reading/writing, and science. This is a great time to practice/ learn something new like a new language or a skill. I’m learning geography, the periodic table, and some new recipes.

05. Chat or video call with your friends and family:

Your friends and family are in the same situation as you are. When you talk to them, they’ll feel happy and you might learn more. You can text them or video chat them. I talk with my family and some of my best friends regularly.

I also like having a to-do list which I consult to see what I can do. This is really useful, because it helps me keep track of the day and what I’m doing.

Stay safe!

Mint Girl Reads A Galaxy Of Sea Stars

A Galaxy of Sea Stars is a middle grade book written by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo. It tells the story of 11-year old Izzy who is having friendship troubles.

Her dad is back from the war in Afghanistan, but he’s changed. Her mom is working at their aunt’s bakery in Block Island for the summer. But just summer turns into a longer time and Izzy starts to feel annoyed. Then Sitara and her family joins and Izzy starts to feel more left out by her dad. Quickly, though, Sitara and Izzy become friends. At school, Izzy has way more problems, like how will she go on her school’s news? and why is Zelda acting so mean to Sitara.

Slowly, Izzy begins to understand the meaning of friendship and loyalty and being yourself.