Countdown To Fall

     I can't believe fall is almost here! Honestly, the fall must be my favorite season. I'm sort of excluding summer because of the whole break, because then who wouldn't choose summer? 
     Fall is awesome though because it's like a transition from summer into winter. There's hot chocolate here and there, leaves changing color to be super pretty, awesome fashion, and the weather isn't too bad either- just the perfect mix of rain and shine. Also, fall almost begins the start of holiday season, and don't even get me started on that fun!
     Technically, fall begins on September 22nd, meaning I still have a bit of waiting to do. It's totally worth the wait though.
     What's your favorite part of fall? Vote now in the poll!

Back-to-School

    It's only been a week of school, and already there's so much homework! I already have some quizzes lined up for this week, and an essay as well. I guess I didn't expect so much when I got back, but I suppose that's just school for me :)!
     I totally wish it was summer right now, but I guess this 3-day weekend will have to do. Ah, the weekend! What would we do without it?
     How was your first day back to school? And if you haven't started school yet, what are you excited for?

The Taj Mahal

 Hi everyone! The reason I haven't really been posting is because I just came back from vacation! Sometimes I didn't really have an internet connection, but since I'm back, now I can blog about my vacation!
 So basically, I went to the Taj Mahal!
The Taj Mahal is something everyone has heard a little about, so my introduction will be pretty brief.
The Taj Mahal was constructed in 1648 under the emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb of marble (though not all is made of it) for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. He actually started a black Taj Mahal for himself, but he was imprisoned by his own son, who wanted the throne, and that was the end of that.
 Personally, I would not build my own tomb under any conditions. Just to put that out there.
 Anyways, we hired a guide to show us around, because we wanted to make sure we got the full history effect, and I was REALLY impressed. The architects and Shah Jahan thought of literally everything! Let me explain.

1.  The Taj Mahal is symmetrical to the millimeter. Standing in a straight line on the middle of the lake, it looks exactly the same from the left to the right. That's really good for the technology they had back then!
2. They installed a lightning conductor in case lightning struck it. Most monuments don't have one, especially one since the time it was built.
3. After they buried the emperor and his wife, they made faux tombs directly above the real ones, so people wouldn't walk over the originals (to not act disrespectful).
4. They planted cycas plants, the slowest growing plants in the world! According to an article by Lynn McKamey http://www.rhapisgardens.com/sagos/, "The fastest rate observed in South Texas...under 30% shade is three new sets of leaves and an increase of 1" (3 cm) of height and trunk diameter per year".  1 inch of growth per year for the fastest type means they are still around from 1648! 

I had a lot of fun at the Taj Mahal this summer! What about you guys? What did you do over the summer?

Happy July 4th!

 Happy 4th of July everyone! I have a riddle for you all to celebrate today!

Q: Is the US the only country that has a 4th of July?
A: Of course not! Just because other countries don't celebrate it doesn't mean there isn't a 4th day in July there!

The Hatchlings

 Hey everyone!
 Have any of you guys watched "The Angry Birds Movie"? I haven't watched it yet, so tell me about it below, but...
     I did see some trailers! I laughed a lot at the part of the Eagle's so-called "Lake of Wisdom" lol! Tell me in the comments if you know what I'm talking about!
     I also saw some clips of the Hatchlings, and let me tell you, they are ADORABLE! EXACTLY like little kids! I wanted to share some of their other videos (3 of them), not connected to the movie, since they're sooo cute! (PS. I don't own these videos, I just found them on Youtube).
Easter
Mother's Day
Season's Greetings
Enjoy! Just click on the 3 links above to see them! Happy watching!
PS (again sort of :)). There is a book review up of The Iron Trial, a super awesome book I just finished!