A Naruto Obsession

Two of my daughters are big fans of Naruto. If you don't know what Naruto is, it is a Japanese manga comic book. My daughters and their friends are into manga and anime and Naruto is one of their favorite characters. See, Naruto is a teenage ninja warrior who like most teens, is also still finding who he is.

Manga, as I've said, is simply a genre of comic books that originated in Japan and are now hugely popular among American kids. The Naruto series has sold millions here and in Japan and it is well liked because of the engaging story line and illustrations. My daughters can spend a whole afternoon browsing the graphics section of our local book store reading through their favorite episodes. Most times, they buy at least a couple of books to take home with them and they are not cheap! They average about $10 per book and they can go through them in an hour or so. Good thing they also like to keep them in their book collection. My daughters have hundreds of manga books on their bookshelves and every time I look at them, I can't help but cringe at the amount of that investment. Well, I don't know that 'investment' is a good word to describe their collection of books, but they enjoy it so I leave them alone. I guess they could be obsessed with worse things. I'm just waiting until the day that they can support their own habit.

Students Abroad

I have two daughters who are college bound. They are now planning on where they want to go to college and they are both leaning towards moving away from home and possible even spending some time abroad. My daughter Asi would like to go to Japan or somewhere in Asia and Jade is leaning more towards Europe.

I sincerely hope their dreams and aspirations come true. I'd love to see them spread their wings even though I will probably have anxiety attacks the whole time they are away from home. But, I guess that's what we as parents have to do, let go.

We can ensure some peace of mind when our children are away by making sure that they are going somewhere that is as safe as we can get them to be.

If you have a student studying in the UK, for instance, make sure you contact a reputable agency to find accommodations for your student. Consult with the school and get references from people who have been there. There is one property management company, Pickard Properties, who specializes in renting to students in Leeds. They have years of experience in student accommodation leeds and were voted as number one landlord by the students themselves.

The key, again, is doing your research no matter where your student is going. If you can afford to visit beforehand and scout out the place where they will be living, that would be even better.

I'm Yours

I can't help but be such a teenie bopper sometimes. What can I do, I hang out with teenagers more than people my age. Even my taste in music is starting to take a lean to what they like. Take Jason Mraz. I had never heard of him before buy my daughter Jade has gotten me hooked, especially to this song, I'm Yours. This rendition is not Jason Mraz though, it's another talented artist who just did an awesome job harmonizing with himself. I'm glad to say I discovered this one and was the one to send it to Jade for a change. lol!

How did you like it? Pretty amazing, don't you think?

Now if only their teenage hormones don't transfer to me to top my pre-menopausal ones, I'm fine with the teeny bopper lifestyle. Just so I don't have to bother with acne treatments and that kind of stuff.

Phones for Teens

My daughter is waiting for her new Tracfone to come. She had dropped her old one in Mountain Dew and it started buzzing. Literally!

Get it? :D hehe! OK, I have juvenile humor. I can't help it.

Anyway, I hadn't really planned on making any kind of purchases for them since Christmas is coming up and they always have some kind of gadget on their list but she really needs a cell phone and Tracfones really don't cost much so I went ahead and ordered her one.

This Motorola 376g is presently on sale for $29.99 and it comes with the following features:

• * Features text messaging, voice mail, free caller ID, free call waiting*
• * Color display with screen savers and wallpaper
• * Compact Flip Phone
• * Includes Bluetooth Wireless Technology
• * VGA Camera
• * MMS Picture Messaging
• * FM Radio
• * External Call and Message Icons
• * Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) Rating: M3
• * Contacts in phonebook stored on SIM
• * Battery life with up to 7.5 hours of talk time and up to 10 days of standby time
• * Handsfree speaker
• * Vibration Alert
• * 23 polyphonic ringtones included
• * Phonebook with up to 500 entries
• * Alarm Clock
• * Games
• * Calculater and stop watch
• * TracFone Airtime Balance Display shows you how much airtime you've used and how much is left, so you control your costs
• * Double Minutes for the life of this phone upon activation
• * Includes up to 20 minutes of starter airtime upon activation**

Campaign for Real Beauty

I stumbled across something today, Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. I'm sure you've seen their ads, the ones that show real women not airbrushed skinny models with fake breasts. Although the Dove campaign has received some criticism, I believe in the message they are trying to promote. It's the same message I've been trying to teach my girls since they were little; that beauty comes in many forms, sizes and colors. Being of one type or the other doesn't make one more beautiful or less than the others.

I hope that message is sinking in. I know it takes a lot to debunk the ideals of beauty that women are bombarded with day in and day out. Heck, some women my age are still suffering effects from this idealized beauty hammered into our brains. I fall into the trap still even though I know better.

I think my girls are pretty balance though. I hope (crossing fingers and knocking on wood). The photo above is from a week or so ago. Asi (center) and the Clone (right) decided to get their hair cut. Both their hair were down to their waist and they were getting tired of dealing with it. I think their new shorter hair is cute. It has also cut 10 minutes from our morning routine since now I don't have to comb and braid the Clone's hair. She can fix her own hair now! Hallelujah!

Now if only everything were that simple. Asi has had her driver's permit for a couple of month's now. She's been practicing driving with me and her dad whenever she gets a chance and now she's talking about getting her actual driver's license. I'm trying to persuade her to wait a while. My excuse is so she can get more practice in. The real reason is I don't want to pay for the high North Carolina auto insurance yet. LOL! Our rates are going to double as soon as we add a new driver to the list. I am really not looking forward to that.

So they're growing.... and fast...

That's how it always is around our house.