Toxic Girl Corner

John William Waterhouse

2007-07-28T16:49:00.000-04:00

22 Ways To Break The Ice

2007-07-28T16:44:00.000-04:00

So you want to chat it up with your crush, but you have no clue what to say? Not a prob. GL has 22 surefire ways to kick-start a convo

You Find yourself face to face with a bona fide cutie — but despite prime Flirting conditions, you're suddenly tongue-twisted. Ugh. Luckily, with a little preparation, you con be ready with a witty opener. Not that brave? It's OK. We have ice breakers for beginners…then work your way up to the more brazen.

# Low-Risk
## Kinda Chancy
### Totally Daring

1. Ask him to help you with a daunting end-of-year assignment. What boy wouldn't want to be your knight in smarty-pants armor? Of course, you'll need to enlist a crush who pulls decent grades — you don't want to flunk for the sake of flirting![##]

2. If he's tuned in to his iPod (and tuning everything else out!) ask if you can listen to his headphones for a sec. When you hear what he's spinning, give him snaps for his taste in music — or playfully tease him for rockin' out to Avril![##]

3. Leave a clever comment on his MySpace page, and tell him how much you're intrigued by his latest blog posting.[#]

4. If your crush is wearing a concert tee, he's clearly into that band — why do you think he dropped $35 at the merch table? If you've seen the group, say, "Oh, did you go to the show at Whatever Arena last summer? I was there, and they rocked!" If you haven't, go with, "I've been dying to see them. How do they sound live?" #

5. Crushing on a sporty guy? Show up of one of his games. Before he heads out onto the field, tell him, "I bet my Friend five bucks your team will win. So don't let me down!" You know he'll be motivated to show off his athletic skills.[###]

6. At on amusement park, make a bet with your crush to see who can get on the mildest ride the most times in a row. You'll score some quality time in line with him, plus you'll show you've got guts. Coaster-phobic? Challenge him to Skee-ball instead.[##]

7. Tell him he looks like a particular celebrity, then use that as an excuse to keep on chatting. It he reminds you of Orly, ask if he's seen the latest Pirates yet. If he's a dead ringer for Ne-Yo, ask what he thinks of Because of You.

8. Give your techie crush props for his new iPhone and ask to check it out. Program your digits into his address book, and tell him you've added a useful new feature.

9. If your crush works at the deli or coffee shop, swing by. Ask him what time he clocks out, and see if he wants to grab a bite when he gets off work. Of course, keep it short. Getting a guy fired from his job won't win you any points.[###]

10. At the skate park, ask him to give you some pointers for how to master a Pop Shove-it. Afterward, offer to treat him to ice cream as a thank-you.[##]

11. Offer a hunk o' Bubblicious Watermelon Wave, a slab of pizza or your very last mozzarella stick. No teen boy will turn down free food.[#]

12. At the next My Chemical Romance concert, challenge the emo cutie next to you to take a wild guess at what song the band will play during the encore. Not only will you get his attention now, but as soon as the band comes back onstage for the finale, he'll be thinking about you again![##]

13. Not sure if she's his GF? Wait until his gal pal disappears for a sec, then say, "I wanted to tell your girlfriend how cool her bag is. You don't happen to know where she got it, do you?" If they are an item, this approach won't cause any drama. It he's single, he'll clear up the confusion — and you can kick up the flirting a notch.[###]

14. If your mind goes totally blank when you run smack-dab into him, steal a line from a movie. Go for, "I like your sleeves — they're real big." Most guys can easily recite their favorite Napoleon Dynamite quotes.[##]

15. Simply smile and say "hi."

16. At a boring party, track down your crush and whisper, "I think we need better nines here. Wanna help me come up with a new playlist?" You can bond over your favorite music, and you'll both be heroes for saving the get-together from turning into a snooze-test.[##]

17. If you spot a group of gorgeous jocks playing a game of Volleyball or Frisbee, ask if you can join in. And don't be afraid to kick some serious butt. [###]

18. If you spy acute guy in the video store, grab two DVDs and ask him which one he'd recommend. If he's into you, he might serve up a long-winded explanation of why you absolutely must rent Night at the Museum.[#]

19. Tell him you have psychic powers, then offer to read his palm. Trace the lines on his hand and say, "I foresee you going to the diner with me for double cheese-burgers and curly fries."[###]

20. When you're behind him in line at the community pool's snack bar, ask him what he thinks "nachitos" are. Or dare him to taste-test the ham salad. Or ask him for a dessert recommendation — does he prefer the cinnamon pretzels or the frozen Jell-O? [##]

21. When you overhear him talking about a film he really wants to see, jump into the conversation and say, "Sorry, I just heard you talking about Spider-Man 3. My friends and I are going to catch that this weekend — you should come with us!" [##]

22. On Friday, ask him what he's doing this weekend. If he doesn't have much going on, tell him he needs to find some better plans. Yours! [###]

By Kara Wahlgren, Girls' Life, Jul2007

Find Your Perfect Pen Pal!

2007-07-28T16:00:00.000-04:00

Ever wish you had faraway friends? Girls who could let you know what's up in Wisconsin? A bud who knows the coolest trends in Tuscaloosa? Or maybe just someone you can tell your innermost secrets — without the chance of your entire school finding out? Pen pals are perfect for that! While you could just write to random addresses in Timbuktu, we have a foolproof system in place. The good news is, we have someone whose sole job is to find you five perfect pen pals (thanks, Peach!). The bad news is, it's gonna cost you $10 (that's two bucks a friend, folks). Hit the 'rents up for a 10-spot, and follow the easy steps below. Then get ready to hear, "You've got mail!"

Here's What You Do

1. If you have Internet access, go to girlslife.com. Click on "Fun & Games," then "Pen Pals." Print the application, fill it out, and mail it with a $10 check or money order made out to GL. No cash!

2. If you don't have Internet access, take a serf-addressed, stamped envelope (write your complete mailing address in the center of a long business-size envelope and put a stamp on it), then fold it, put it in another envelope, and mail to: I Want a Pen Pal!, GL, 4629 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214. We'll send you an application.

3. Please fill out your application very neatly with a dark ink pen. When giving us your e-mail address, don't forget to include the domain (like aol.com), For your own safety, we strongly suggest that each pen pal provide an e-mail address or obtain a post-office box instead of giving out a home address.

4. Once we receive your completed application and payment, we'll match you with five girls in the United States or Canada who share your interests. (We're good with this matchmaking stuff.) Then the ball is in your court to write away!

5. The most important thing is to follow our rules on being a safe pen pal. And write back, for Pete's sake!

Girls' Life, Jul2007

The Nightwatchman

2007-07-28T15:58:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time, the government had a huge scrap pile of in the middle of the desert. Congress decided that "someone may steal from it in the middle of the night". So they created a nightwatchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress asked, "How does the nightwatchman do his job without instruction?"

So they created a planning department and hired two people: one person to write the instructions and one person to do time studies.

Then Congress wondered, "How will we know the nightwatchman is doing the tasks correctly?"

So they created a quality control department and hired two people: one to do the studies and one to write the report.

Then Congress asked, "How are these people going to be paid?"

So they hired two more people: a timekeeper and a payroll officer.

Congress the inquired, "Who will be accountable for all of these people?"

So they created an administrative section and hired three people: an administrative officer, an administrative assistant, and a legal secretary.

Then Congress said, "We have had this command in operation for one year and we are $18,000 over budget. We must cut back overall cost."

So they laid off the nightwatchman...

Joey Lawrence

2007-07-28T14:26:00.000-04:00

(с) Joey Lawrence

Top this!

2007-07-28T00:26:00.000-04:00

I was at the pool and did a swan dive. When I got to the ladder, a boy from school was laughing. I saw my bikini top floating in the water. I clutched my chest and stayed in the pool. A nice woman got my top and helped me put it back on.

My BF and I were eating lunch outside with friends. My BFF showed up, and I ran to give her a big hug. when I threw my arms around her, I whacked my BF in the face and caused his lip to bleed. His guy friends still tease me about it.
A camp counselor said if I could hit him with a water balloon, he'd give everyone popsicles. I threw it and pegged him! Unfortunately, my aim was off. I hit him right below the belt. He looked like he was going to cry.

My friends and I had gone down the biggest slide at the water park. When I stood up in the landing pool, I had a major wedgie. My butt was showing, and my BFF's older brother was right behind me.
My friends and I were taking a shortcut to the movie theater down a steep hill. I tripped and grabbed my crush for balance. He fell down with me and sprained his wrist.

My BFF and I spotted some cuties at the pool. We tried to get their attention by giggling. A bug landed on my foot, so I started hopping around and screaming. My BFF slapped my foot I lost my balance and held onto her shoulder. We both fell into the pool. Talk about getting stung.
I was swimming with my BFF at summer camp and saw a shark's fin. I screamed and ran out of the water. My friends were laughing at me. They were all in on the prank. I fall for it, even though we were in a lake. Duh.

My buds and I were playing poker at our beach house, and one was singing the Hanes underwear jingle. I pulled my panties up above my waistband and shouted, "I got my Hanes on!" A cute friend of my family walked into the room just as I said it!

I was on an overnight youth group trip, and we got room service at the hotel. The food was delivered by a major hottie. We ordered dessert just so he'd come back up. I was gushing about how gorgeous he was, and I stood up and pretended to make out with him. When I turned around, he was right there!

I was wearing white shorts at a community dance. My BFF and I jumped in the pool with our clothes on. When I got out, everyone could see my thong through my shorts.
I was at a small group session at camp, and we were sharing embarrassing moments from that week. It was my turn, so I told about forgetting my lines during a skit. The girl who slept on the bunk below me said, "What about last night — when you kept farting in your sleep?" Celeb Moment

It was my first day back on set for the second season, and I had a whole new look. I was trying to seem cool, when Jean-Luc [Bilodeau who plays Josh] jumped out from behind a bush and yelled. I ran and screamed in front of everyone, like a complete spaz. l love him, but he's a troublemaker! I hope they release some kind of bonus-features DVD, because I'd watch it over and over.

Girls' Life, Jul2007

Sidekick syndrome

2007-07-12T02:01:00.000-04:00

Win a vacay! Never in the group photo because you're the one stuck holding the camera? Say "cheese." Puh-leeze!
Tired of being Invisible Girl? If you're blending into the scenery, learn to stand out in the crowd!

BREAK THE RULES

All your BFFs wear purple to the pool on Fridays or meet for smoothies on Tuesdays? Occasionally wear green on purple day or say, "Hey, who wants to meet at Taco Bell on Tuesday?" It proves you're an individual, not a carbon copy.

JUST SAY IT

Your BFF takes charge of all the plans? Instead of staying mum, make some noise. She wants to see Shrek the Third, when you'd rather go to Pirates 3? Say so! Scratch that — you're sick of going to the theater. Every. Single. Saturday. You want to knock down some tenpins for a change of pace…so tell her.

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Just as you don't have to go with the flow during chill time, same goes for organized activities. Why join dive team just because a BFF does? It's not your thing, and your lame jackknives will pale in comparison to her perfect-10 swans. Instead, do whatever you excel in.

STEP OUTTA THE CIRCLE

It's totally OK to hang with girls outside your crew. Branching out into different social circles brings out other aspects of your personality. It demonstrates, even if only to yourself, that your identity is not dependent on a certain group of people. You can mix it up, right?

DON'T BE FOOLED

A bud constantly "borrows" clothes she doesn't return, or hits you up for a slice at the snack bar but never treats you to so much as a stick of gum? She may be using you. Do not be relegated to doormat status. Next time your so-called friend asks for a favor, put your foot down and say, "What have you done for me lately?" Don't expect an answer, hut that should make a statement!

BFF DILEMMA

My BFF and I both tried out for the swim team. I made it, but she got cut.

Tell your friend, "I'm sorry you didn't make it. but don't give up! Work hard, and I'm sure you'll make the team next year. No matter what. I will be there supporting you," That should make her feel better and boost her confidence.

— Sarah S., 11

Give her a huge hug, then suggest other ways she can get involved, like joining a recreational swim learn or helping keep stats at meets or being the team manager. Then tell Her she's a great swimmer and give her another hug.

— Annie D., 13

Your friend should understand that it wasn't your decision — it was the coach's. Don't brag about making the team, and try to make her feel included. Offer to help her improve her strokes. Make time to hang and swim with her!

— Dana D., 11

BFF giveaway

TRIPPIN'! What's better than basking on the beach? Having your BFF with you! GL is giving away a two-night vacation for two buds and two parents to TradeWinds Island Resorts in Florida, To enter, write a short essay about why your friend is the best! Send it with your name and address to Just Beachy, GL, 4529 Barford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21214 by July 16. Go to girlslite.com to learn more about the contest, and check out the spot at tradewindsresort.com.

By: Latoya Evans, Girls' Life, Jul 2007

Beat test stress!

2007-06-29T13:41:00.000-04:00

Freakin' over finals? Here are five sweet strategies to help you chill — and rock any exam!

You've worked hard this whole school year, plowing through homework, raising your hand In class, scoring extra credit Now the exam's coming down, and your buds keep saying you're so gonna ace ft Truth is, you're terrified you're gonna blow this one — and your semester grade — to smithereens. Yep, even the most well-prepped student can suffer from exam anxiety. Help is here…

DO A REALITY CHECK

You're probably fooling yourself into feeling jittery by setting sky-high expectations. Yeah, it feels great to rack up a top test grade, but pushing to keep up a streak pours on pounds of pressure.

Ask yourself these questions: 1) Am I overreacting — like, will my whole grade really tank if T do less than stellar? And, 2) Do I honestly believe I lack the smarts and strength to handle this test? Whew! Now that you've regained perspective, your nerves should settle.

REVIEW-DON'T OVERDO

It's perfectly normal to assume you should spend each waking second cramming — going over every note you took, analyzing all the words your teacher ever uttered — in short, obsessing. Let's press pause for a minute. Yes, it's crucial to put in solid review time, but it's equally important not to make yourself sweaty over unnecessary details.

Your final exam will likely focus on key concepts, so max out your energy on the material your teacher has gone over the most. Once you know those things inside and out, rewind to the background stuff, like less important dates, little-known names, reeeeeally short Civil War battles. Then, keep this info stashed away underneath your thinking cap. Just In case.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Schedule study sessions strategically. One massive marathon will only make you red-alert anxious. Instead, plan two weeks of, say, 30 minutes to an hour a day. That way, you gradually build the knowledge into your brain.

The night before the test? Reinforce the work you've put in by reading through the material one last time. Then slam those books shut and relax — listen to soothing tunes, play with your pooch, take a yummy vanilla bubble bath. Hit the sack early — studies show a good night's sleep helps you remember what you read once the a.m. rolls around.

And what you chow for breakfast the day of finals will help keep you focused. Carbs boost happy brain chemicals, so eat some whole-wheat toast and fruit.

ROCK STEADY

During the test, keep your nerves in check by carefully reading each question. When you feel sure about an answer, give yourself an inner shout-out — think, "Amazing" or "Got it!"

If you find yourself choking on a question, don't trip up — breathe steadily until it comes to you. Completely stumped? Move on, and go back to it later if there's time. Speaking of… Avoid clock-watching. Glance at it once when you're halfway through the test, and again when you're at the last question.

DON'T WILT WHILE YA WAIT

For many girls, taking a test isn't half as scary as waiting to get it back with a grade. What happens now is out of your hands, so throw yourself into decorating the gym for the end-of-school dance. Stay busy, and you might even forget about it until your report card arrives!

The thing is, you're gonna take tons of tests in your lifetime, and you'll handle each and every exam with increased skill and self-assurance. We give you an A+ for choosing to handle the heat this rime with super self-confidence.

By Lisa Mulcahy, Girls' Life, Jul 2007

The Four Freedoms

2007-06-13T22:33:00.000-04:00

Norman Rockwell at the opening of the Four Freedoms tour, 27 April 1943 (Photo)

Norman Rockwell tossed in his bed, wondering how he could capture the Four Freedoms on canvas. The artiste Wanted to base a series of pictures on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inspiring Four Freedoms speech. When most Of Europe had fallen to Adolf Hitler, the president had called on Americans to help stop tyrants such as the German dictator, and he. had Spoken of the freedoms all people deserve.

Rockwell reread President Roosevelt's Words: "The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world. The Second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own Way--everywhere in. the World.. The third is freedom from want every where in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear anywhere in the world."

Eleven months after President Roosevelt gave his speech, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and the United States joined the fight. Now American soldiers were overseas, embroiled in the battles of World War II, and the war was not going well for the Allies. Rockwell wanted to paint the Four Freedoms and offer them as his contribution to [he war effort. He hoped his pictures would help Americans understand what they were fighting for.

Other artists had been commissioned by the government to paint murals, stamps, and prints of the Four Freedoms. They had created lofty images. That wasn't Rockwell's style. But President Roosevelt's language was so high and noble. How could Norman Rockwell portray those freedoms in concrete terms? "I continued to stew over an idea, Rockwell wrote, I tried this and that. Nothing worked."

While he mulled over the problem of the Four Freedoms, he painted another illustration for a magazine cover, went to a town meeting, and attended a Grange supper. One night he went to bed, still struggling to come up with an idea. "As the minutes ticked by, all empty and dark, I suddenly remembered how Jim Edgerton had stood up in a town meeting and said something that everybody else disagreed with. But they had let him have his say. No one had shouted him down. My gosh, I thought, that's it. There it is. Freedom of Speech. I'll illustrate the Four Freedoms using my Vermont neighbors as models."

Rockwell was so excited that he jumped out of bed and bicycled over to tell his friend and fellow illustrator Mead Schaeffer, even though it was three o'clock in the morning. In the next few days, Rockwell made full-size color sketches of what he intended to do. When he and Schaeffer headed to Washington to offer the sketch ideas to the government.

But the government wasn't interested. Rockwell's and Schaeffer's spirits flagged as they were turned down by one official after another. The war was going badly, and government officials were overworked. The Undersecretary of the War Department told Rockwell; "We'd love to print your Four Freedoms, but we can't.… We just don't have the time to spare to arrange it. I think they'd be a fine contribution. We'd be delighted if someone would publish them."

Discouraged, Rockwell and his friend Schaeffer returned home, taking a side trip to see the editor of the Saturday Evening Post, Ben Hibbs. Rockwell, had other pictures to sell, and Hibbs often bought Rockwell's illustrations. Hibbs asked Rockwell about his trip to Washington, and when he showed the editor his sketches of the Four Freedoms, Hibbs got excited. "You've got to do them for us.… Drop everything else. Just do the Four Freedoms."

Rockwell and his friend returned to Vermont, and Rockwell set to work. But things didn't go smoothly. Rockwell painted the first freedom, Freedom of Speech, four times. "I practically finished it twice, finding each time when I had just a few days' work left that it wasn't right." He had started by showing an entire town meeting, but there were too many people in the picture. In the end, he focused on a single man speaking in front of his neighbors.

Then came Freedom of Worship. Rockwell's first sketch was of a country barbershop. A Jew sat in the barber chair being shaved by a Protestant while a Catholic priest and a Negro waited their turns, all of them enjoying one another's company. But the picture seemed to offend the friends who stopped by to see it. "Priests don't look like that," Catholics told Rockwell. His Jewish and Negro Friends didn't like the picture either. Rod well discarded that picture, started another, and tossed that one aside. Finally he painted a varied group of people, hands raised in prayer, each worshiping God in his or her own way.

After that, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear came easily. He based them on his original color sketches. For Freedom from Want, Rockwell painted his own family's Thanksgiving turkey with a family gathered around it. "One of the few times," he Said, "I've ever eaten the model." For Freedom from Fear, he painted parents tucking their children safely into bed.

Rockwell brought the finished paintings to the editor of the Saturday Evening Post. The Post printed the series, and they were a tremendous hit. Subscribers requested posters, and the government asked if they could use the images. Eventually the paintings were taken on a nationwide tour. Over a million people came to see Rockwell's Four Freedoms. Four million posters of the paintings were printed. The publicity they generated helped sell over $132 million worth of war bonds to help fund the war effort.

Americans loved the paintings, but Norman Rockwell wasn't completely satisfied with them. "I never liked Freedom from Fear or… Freedom from Want. Neither of them has any wallop," he said. He worried that Freedom from Fear was "rather smug," that the painting suggested Americans could put their children to bed without fear while families were being bombed in Europe. And he saw Freedom from Want as a portrayal of overabundance at a time when families in war-torn nations were going hungry. "I think the two I had the most trouble with--Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Worship--have more of an impact, say more, better." The art critics didn't always agree with Rockwell. In fact, some felt that Freedom from Fear and Freedom from Want were the strongest of the four paintings. You can judge for yourself.

But there's no doubt that Rockwell's Four Freedoms made a major contribution to the war effort. As editor Ben Hibbs said, "Those four pictures quickly became the best known and most appreciated paintings of that era. They appeared right at a time when the war was going against us on the battle fronts, and the American people needed the inspirational message which they conveyed so forcefully and so beautifully." The Four Freedoms are some of the best known and best loved paintings in America. And their message is just as strong today as it was when they were painted--Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear for everyone, everywhere in the world.

By Linda Crotta Brennan

Orphaned animals bond at a zoo

2007-06-05T13:22:00.000-04:00

Animals at a zoo in Indonesia have formed an unlikely friendship.

A pair of baby orangutans and Sumatran tiger cubs have become best buddies! These animals don't often get along. In fact, orangutans are on a mature Sumatran tiger's menu.

Nia and Irma are orangutan sisters. Cubs Dema and Manis are tiger twins. These pairs formed a bond at the Taman Safari zoo. They currently share a room there. They are under the care of humans because their mothers abandoned them.

Because these animals are natural enemies, experts say the friendship cannot last long.

"When the time comes, they will have to be separated," said veterinarian Retno Sudarwati. "It's sad, but we can't change their natural behavior."

Both the orangutan and the Sumatran tiger live in Indonesia, where they are seriously endangered. Illegal hunting and habitat loss threaten the two species.

Experts estimate that there are fewer than 700 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. The number of orangutans has dropped to fewer than 60,000.

Scholastic News

Wand-erful News

2007-06-01T00:55:00.000-04:00

Are muggles ready for more movie magic? Actors Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grim are; they recently signed on to reprise their roles as Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in the final two Harry Potter films. So did Emma Watson, ending speculation that Warner Bros, might need to find another Hermione Granger. The three friends will be back on the big screen July 13, when Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, opens. That's a week before the July 21 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final book in the hugely popular fantasy series written by J.K. Rowling. Daniel Radcliffe recently talked to Current Events.
Current Events: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry is sick of being famous. How about you?

Daniel Radcliffe: I don't think of myself as being famous. On the set, you're there to work. It's a very fun job to do, but it's a job, and you do it and that's that. There's a part of me that everyone recognizes, but it's only part of me. I've never been chased down streets by paparazzi.
CE: Like Harry, you're getting older. How well does the character reflect your experience growing up?

DR: I think it's a very accurate portrayal in terms of Harry's confusion and fear of growing up and the challenges he knows it's inevitable he will face. That's what Harry Potter is about for me. It's not magic. It's not good versus evil. It's about a loss of innocence — going from a little kid to a young man.
CE: Speaking of good versus evil, Harry's least favorite teacher is Severus Snape. Whose side do you think Snape is on?

DR: That is the ultimate question. [What] if I say, deep down, he's a really decent chap, [and he turns out to be bad]? I don't want to commit myself.
CE: What's the best thing about filming Harry Potter?

DR: The friends I've made doing this.
CE: And the worst thing?

DR: The worst would be having to film Quidditch [a wizard sport played on broomsticks]. That was a painful experience.

Current Events