Mars God of War

How the planet brought about much literary inspiration?

You can see the baron, rocky surface that
seems as if it could harbour no life.

Cultures across the globe have for years depicted the planet Mars as violent. There born was its reputation of being association with war. This association was so real it inspired award winning author, H. G Wells to write his majourly successful science-fiction novel about it in 1898. In those days science-fiction barely existed. So the fact that when it did the alien villains were Martians says something significant about the way we saw Mars, even then. Since that first appearance there have been many similar books, films and plays that's plot revolved similarly around the planet's evil.

        For astronomers the planet may symbolise something else. It symbolises a step we may be able to make within our lifetimes. Mars may be the first planet, other than our home, that humans will ever set foot on. So do astronomers see it as more of a friendly, hopeful figure or do they see deeper into this mythical name? Where does this association arouse from? Is it the harsh temperatures of up to 200 degrees Farenheit? The landscape is baron and dry showing the scars of old volcanoes. Much like an old battlefield, in a way. Scientists can observe how the planet was once alive with volcanic activity. Is Mars a dead hero? Scientists believe that one day in the future we could alter the conditions on the planet in order for it to harbour life. 

          And what exactly is the legend that is the namesake? Mars is from Roman mythology, often equated with the Greek god Ares. He was the second most important God (after Jupiter) and the most prominent of all the military Gods. Roman legionaries often worshipped him. Whereas the Greeks saw him as a dangerous, loathsome characters. He is often depicted in battle with Fuga and Timor the personifications of flight and fear.  His twin sons Romulus and Remus were the founders of Rome. It is said that earlier on he was associated with farming, agriculture and protection of cattle; but this soon dissipated into his new image. 

Touch Typing

What is touch typing? Definition.

Being able to type on a keyboard without looking. Typing using touch. Each finger has multiple keys that it is used to type and both hands are spread across the keyboard.

Why should you learn to touch type? Reasons.

On average a person who can touch type types 7 times faster than a normal typist. It saves loads of time. Some would object saying that they don't have the time to learn. Well, it really isn't all that hard. You end up saving so much time that it is well worth it. Typing becomes less of a chore and more of something you do quite naturally.

How can I learn? Info.

There are plenty of games on the internet and courses you can go to but in my opinion the best way is just to get a program for your computer which you can learn on. They include games as well as lessons so it ends up being really fun. I recommend the program 'Mavis Beacon'.

Don't be scared! Go on try it!

Genetic Variation

Everything in the world is unique, absolutely nothing is exactly the same. All except identical twins who are genetically, well... identical. Some of the differences between us are easy to spot like hair colour but others, like a person's blood group, are rather less obvious.

          There are two types of variation: genetic and environmental:
Genetic Variation (or inherited variation): This means that the varied characteristic comes from our genes. We inherit genes from our parents - a combination from both our mother and our father. Genetic Variation is fixed and could not be changed up until recently when we invented genetic modification. 
   e.g. blood group, eye colour, normal hair colour.
Environmental Variation: This us to do with our upbringing usually or the environment around us. For example some people are kind because their parents brought them up to be, whereas others are not because their parents were not. Dyed hair colour and hair length are also part of environmental variation. This can be changed.
   e.g. hair length, personality, intelligence.

Naming - Have we lost part of our culture?

It's always very difficult choosing your child's name. It's the one thing that they will be identified by for the rest of their lives. No pressure! So how do you choose? Some people choose based on the sound of the name or others the 'convenience'. For example people would sway from choosing a name like Wilhelmina because it is hard to spell.
      But in the past names were chosen from their meaning. This is still popular practice in cultures like Chinese. It is shown that in many ancient cultures parents believed that a child's name would determine their future.  For example, taken from ancient Celtic tradition, Iestyn meaning archer. A popular meaning was warrior as warriors were highly valued people in society then. Meanings weren't just proffessions either, but personality traits too. These are the meanings we are mainly left with today.
        Another ancient tradition is a naming ceremony. Still in the twentieth century was it popular to have a christening for new-borns. In my opinion it is very nice to celebrate not just the word that will stay with your child for ever more but at the same time celebrate the birth of the child, with  all your friends and family. I am not saying we should all take advantage of a Christian ceremony. But perhaps there should be an equivalent that does not directly involve religion.


Interesting info:The name Boudicca means victory. It is disputed whether this meaning aroused after the famous Celtic queen Boudicca or whether she was purposely called that by her parents who had high hopes for her. 

Pea Salad

Do not worry about quantities when doing this. Like in any salad it is about personal taste. Just mix up the following ingredients to taste and serve: 

• Peas (better fresh from the pod)
• Mint (shredded
• Pumpkin seeds
• Olive oil
• Lime juice
• Salt
• Rocket (not too much of  this)

And if you like sprinkle parmesan on top! Enjoy!

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

Inspiration for Book

Michael Morpurgo has loved elephants all of his life since his mother repeatedly read him the stories of the 'Elephant's Child and the 'Jungle Book' as a child. He heard the story on the news of a women who worked in the zoo in Ireland. The owner of the zoo anounced that if and when the city was bombed then all the large animals would have to be shot in case they got free. The women cared very much for one baby elephant and got permission to take it home. Michael also knew about the mass evacuation from the city of Dresdern in Germany. He was inspired by both these stories and incorporated it all into one. One day some of his friends visited. One of them was part German. He told her about the story he was writing. She got very excited and told him that her Grandma had left an account of when she was part of that mass evacuation from Germany. 

Chapter Summaries

Part 1 Ring of Truth

Chapter 1: A nurse in a nursing home brings her son Karl to work. She finds him in one of the patient's (Lizzie) room. Karl comes back for another visit again. Lizzie is slightly senile but begins to tell them about the elephant that was in her garden long ago. No one has believed her till now. Karl does but the nurse is not so sure.

Chapter 2: Lizzie talks about her brother Karli who asked many questions and had a limp. Her parents argue with her aunt and uncle who they are living with.

Covers

Above you can see the two covers that the book has.

Body Shop Instructions

So many people are often confused as to how to apply body shop products as it does not seem to be written on the labels. There is in fact instructions underneath. All you have to do is peel it off where it says. However I have posted some of the instructions here in case you want to know now!

Nail and cuticle treatment: Soak your hands in warm water until soft. Apply with the brush. Push back your cuticles using rubber top. 

Blemish gel: Apply generously to blemished areas.