Arctic Blast: Mega Entry

You wake up one day freezing underneath your blanket, lights refusing to turn on, and there’s pin-drop silence. It’s the sudden sense of curiosity you can’t bear, making you rush outdoors. With your half-on jacket, you start running to overcome the air resistance the wind brings, and the ice crunches under your feet. A blanket of snow covers everything on the streets. Ding! Your phone shows a new message "Classes have been canceled due to the snowstorm. Stay warm and safe."

How will you get through this? Here are some tips on conserving energy, staying safe, and having fun as it snows outside.

Conserving Energy

• Turn off lights and appliances that you aren’t using (“especially electric water heaters, clothes dryers, and dishwashers and turn heating thermostats to lower settings”).

• Turn down thermostats to 68 degrees.

• Close shades to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.

• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.

• Leave the water from sinks and shower heads dripping so the pipes don’t freeze up.

• Keep your electronics charged at all times. Use it only when it is necessary such as to hear updates, and communicate with others.

If you need entertainment, check out our DIYs and productive activities below. ⇩

Here’s a great way to get creative and maybe even become famous! You can brainstorm ideas for an epic webtoon comic or book in the safety of your home. Use this template to get started: Brainstorming Template (by Dash and Raven)

Have fun!

DIY Paper Basket: by Dash

Maybe it’s Easter, and you want to have a non-functional basket lying around for décor. Or maybe, you want to feel those spring-vibes already. Well, today, I’m going to teach you how to make a paper basket to satisfy these needs!

Supplies and Work Tools:

• A piece of colored paper or regular white paper

• Scissors

• Glue

• Markers or Crayons

Procedures:

1. Start by drawing a circle on your piece of paper (You can use a bowl to help you outline or draw the circle)

2. Optional: Color your circle with crayons and markers.

3. Cut out the circle carefully.

4. Using the remaining scraps, cut out a rectangular piece of paper about 10” long and 1” wide. Put this aside for later use.

5. Inside the circular piece of paper you cut out earlier, draw another smaller circle in the center.

6. Draw lines connecting the smaller circle to the edge of the large circle. Space these lines one inch apart:

7. Now, cut along the lines you just drew. You have now formed several flaps.

8. Fold the flaps inwards near the center.

9. Make the flaps sit up right and glue them together side by side so that they make a container.

10. Now, glue the rectangular piece you made from step 3 to both sides of the container to form a handle.

11. Optional: Add embellishments around the handle and basket to fit your preferences.

DIY Snow Globe: by Raven

Remember feeling the smooth, cool glass of a snow globe in your hands? As you shake it, the contents dance with glee, rising and falling, creating a beautiful mess inside the snow globe. Something about gazing at such beauty captured in glass, replayed over and over, is so mesmerizing. Today I’ll teach you how to make a snow globe in six simple steps!

Supplies:

• a clean empty jar or container (preferably see through like glass)

• use something to fill up the container (please conserve your water, examples of alternatives are listed in the procedure)

• fun items like mini Christmas trees, small dolls, embellishments from old clothing (sequins, beads, etc.)

Procedure:

1. Clean out your empty container thoroughly if it isn’t already clean.

2. Remove any stickers or labels carefully.

3. Fill up the container. This can be fake snow with cut-up pieces of paper, artificial snow, clear glue, or even foam peanut beads found in boxes.

4. Next comes the stars of the show. This can be mini Christmas trees, small dolls, or even embellishments from old clothing like beads.

5. Optional: After adding your contents, you can glue your container to the lid of a box. (ex: shoe box, gift box, etc.)

6. Optional: You can also add a bow to the outside of your container.

Being Productive

Passion Practice: by Raven

Our school work and studies take up most of our day, leaving little to no room for hobbies. All of that changed as the snow started to fall relentlessly, and we clicked pause on school. We received this perfect opportunity to practice things we are passionate about, things we barely get time for anymore, and things that give us purpose.

Examples of passions to practice:

-Dance: The world of dance is diverse and fun, and there is something in there for everyone. From Ballet, Modern, and Contemporary, to Jazz, Hip Hop, and Salsa. These dances originated from all over the world. For example, Ballet originated from Italy’s Renaissance courts. Another example is how Jazz came from Africa, where slaves used it to celebrate and communicate.

Even without music, you can still dance from memory or even create your own music. Some ways to do this are tapping, mimicking nature, and dancing from your heart/feelings.

• Tap is a type of dance where people mainly use their feet. Some of the main movements are tap, stomp, shuffle, and heel drop. The sounds are more audible if you are wearing tap shoes, flats, or sneakers.

• Mimicking nature is when you copy things that are happening in your environment. On snow days, you could try to mimic snowfall or the way the whistling wind moves. It can be used as inspiration for modern dances, especially since it’s improv.

• Dancing from the heart is one of my favorites. You can use your feelings to drive your movement. I’m sure many people will be upset or scared during these times, so dancing through those feelings is very helpful. It allows you to get out of your head and focus on your emotions.

A Book to Escape Reality: by Dash

We are either under-taught or over-taught about the cultural importance of literature. Being minimally exposed to various novels, poems, and short stories prevents us from understanding the heart of literature and its ever-lasting impacts on our mental health and society. If you don’t read literature often, that’s okay. You can start today!

Here are some ways to start reading:

1. Figure out your favorite genre.

2. Research and find some novels, poems, or other forms of literature in that specific genre.

3. Pick out a piece you would like to read

4. First, try to find books around your home or ask a family member to tell you a story. (Do this after the storm to conserve energy: Go to your local library or buy the literature piece from online websites and thrift stores (Amazon Kindle, etc.)

Extension to figuring out your favorite genre (Here, you will find my personal opinion on two specific genres/literature forms. There are more literature forms by the way):

• Current Events: Such books and articles present no plot or fantasy, and this same idea has always applied to me in every aspect when reading news articles. When given the option to read current event books and newspaper articles, I would rarely choose them. Receiving news about the world's current status never appealed to me, knowing that it presents either a problem or a big success. After reading a few of these articles, I realized they allow me to have a broader understanding of local, national, and international affairs of the world. Knowing this information keeps me updated about what is around me and benefits me better than a fictional novel by giving me a more general knowledge of my surroundings. (Tip: By the way, try to update yourself on the snowstorm. You'll be reading current event articles this way!)

• Short stories: A few people tend to prefer short stories over a novel as they would have more time reading a twenty-page short story than a five hundred-page book. Though my point of view was not related to time, it still conflicted with this idea. The idea that short stories were “short” always stuck in my mind, and I never thought that they would be elaborated enough to have much significance. Though each story wasn’t as long or descriptive as an ordinary book, they all carried a significant meaning that affected how I perceive certain situations. There is a developed plot within each story, but with fewer twists and drama.

Going out in snow

• Make sure that the road is not icy while driving or walking. You can tell this by looking at the tires of a vehicle. If you see water splashing, it means that it is rain water and it’s okay to drive.

• Wear proper clothing outside. This includes, dressing in layers and wearing gripped shoes. Make sure you are covered up well with jackets, scarves, gloves, boots, socks, etc. to avoid frostbite.

• Don’t make unnecessary trips outside. Try to drive outside only when you are in an emergency. It’s best to not risk getting into a car crash. (I-35 accident in Fort Worth, Austin pileup: Video, photos from scenes)

• Pack only the essentials if you are leaving in a hurry, take 3-4 days worth of clothes, water, food, your phone, one other device, and blankets to keep warm. Going to a friend’s home, especially people who are living in an apartment would be helpful.

• Drive slowly and smoothly, try not to make sudden movements. (How to Drive in Snow Safely)

Credits:

https://katv.com/news/local/arkansans-asked-to-conserve-energy-during-winter-storm#:~:text=Thermostats%20should%20be%20lowered%20an,conserve%20energy%2C%20the%20release%20says

https://www.statesman.com/story/weather/2021/02/14/texas-weather-power-outages-how-to-conserve-energy-prepare/4482401001/

All pics are media from WIX.

Tap Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4FYNF02yEM