I am going to preface this article by saying, I don’t actually like movies that much. If I could choose any form of entertainment or method of relaxing it would not be watching something on T.V. However, most of my friends and family members don’t share my disinterest in film media. So I have seen a lot of movies, and I’ve actually enjoyed a few. In this article I will discuss my favorite movies of all time, as someone who doesn’t like movies. 

#10 Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

So surprisingly, this one was not a childhood classic for me. Rather, it was a movie my friend made me watch when she found out I had never seen it, and I loved it. The Disney animated film follows a disfigured man named Quasimodo, who is hidden away in a bell tower by his cruel guardian Claude Frollo. One day he escapes for one day of freedom, where he meets Esmeralda. She catches the attention of his guardian, and now Quasimodo must keep her out of Claude Frollo’s clutches. I thought the animation was beautiful, the themes were heavy and meaningful, and it had a clear purpose. Also, the music is incredible. Honestly, I wish it was a film I had grown up with because I think it’s such a beautiful story. 

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Rating: G

#9 Clue (1985)

Now this actually was a childhood classic. It’s a funny film for both adults and children, performed by a hilarious ensemble cast. Each cast member plays a larger-than-life character, and when these characters meet at a dinner party it is soon revealed that each of them has a dark secret. When their host—the only man who knew each of their secrets— winds up dead, all the guests are suspects, and they have to work together to find out who the killer is. With good slapstick elements, an intriguing mystery, and sarcastic tropes, it’s a great feel-good movie for when you need a laugh. Also Madeline Khan and Tim Curry are in it. Need I say more? 

Director: Jonathan Lynn

Rating: PG

#8 Steel Magnolias (1989)* 

The first time I watched this movie, I ugly cried. After being cast as Truvy in a mini-production of this show at a theatre camp, my mom made me watch the original version of this movie. I don’t think I lived up to Dolly Parton’s performance, but then again, could anyone live up to Dolly Parton’s performance?

Steel Magnolias follows six southern women through a period of their lives, showing joy, loss, tragedy, and recovery. Revealing how the ups and downs of life make people grow stronger and closer. 

Director: Herbert Ross

Rating: PG-13

#7 New Year’s Eve (2011)*

This movie is very reminiscent of Love Actually, except I like these storylines and characters better. The plot intertwines stories of people all over New York City on New Year’s Eve. There is a mother daughter duo trying to find love, an old woman trying to find something to live for, a dying man and the nurse trying to keep him alive so he can see the ball drop one more time, a rock star and his ex who clash at an elite party, and a singer late for a New Year’s gig and stuck in an elevator with a killjoy. This is another film my mom made me watch, and we sang along to Auld Lang Syne at the end even though it was not New Year’s Eve. 

Director: Gary Marshall

Rating: PG-13

#6 P.S. I Love You (2007)*

Not to be confused with the hit 2020 Netflix Original that follows the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy. The 2007 film P.S. I Love You is a beautiful story about grief and love with comedic one-liners from Lisa Kudrow and Harry Connick Jr. When Holly Kennedy’s husband dies, he knows that Holly will struggle with his death. So he plans ahead, writing her letters that she will begin receiving on her 30th birthday that will ease her grief and help her get back on her feet. It’s a good film if you ever need a good cry session, so make sure to have tissues. 

Director: Richard LaGravenese 

Rating: PG-13

#5 Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

After his wife dies, Sam Baldwin moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah. Jonah, who is worried about his father, calls in to a radio show called Sleepless in Seattle to find his dad a new wife. With encouragement from the host, Sam begrudgingly gets on the line to talk about his feelings. Annie Reed, an engaged reporter from Baltimore, hears Sam speak and begins to fall in love with him. Unsure of her future, Annie writes Sam a letter and asks him to meet her at the top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. 

This movie has one of the most perfect endings I’ve ever seen, and has a very natural flow when it comes to the romances in the film. Nothing is rushed, which helps make this one of the best Rom-Coms I have ever seen. 

Director: Nora Ephron 

Rating: PG

#4 Blair Witch Project (1999)*

I’m fairly new to horror movies. I don’t consider myself to be a horror movie enthusiast, and I’d probably take a murder mystery over a supernatural thriller any day. However, this movie is so well-executed it deserves to be in my top-five. Aside from having an intriguing story, it perfectly utilizes anticipation as a horror element and uses creepy sounds over creepy visual effects that make this horror movie scarier than any modern one. It has layer after layer you can analyze, which leads me to my favorite thing about the movie: the scariest thing about the movie isn’t the Blair Witch. 

This movie follows three college students who are making a documentary about the Blair Witch. When they hike into the woods to investigate, they’re never seen again. The students’ “found footage” is what presents the entire movie. This movie not only revolutionized film by creating a whole new style of filmmaking, but left thousands thinking that what they watched was real. 

Director: Edaurdo Sánchez, Daniel Myrick 

Rating: R

#3 Blinded by the Light (2019)*

I genuinely could talk about how incredible this movie is for hours. Finding Individual Freedom + The Immigrant Experience + Throwback Fashion + Academic Vibe + Bruce Springsteen = A Perfect Film. 

Javed lives in the intolerant community of Luton, England. He comes from a family of Pakistani immigrants experiencing economic and racial turmoil. He writes poetry and essays to escape the pains of his everyday life, and dreads the future that his parents have planned out for him. That is until his classmate introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen, allowing him to find freedom in his own dreams and pride in where he came from. 

This movie is so beautiful because while it has so much heartbreak and sadness, it holds such a hopeful tone and still has scenes that are so fun and just bring a smile to your face. Since the movie is based on Bruce Springsteen’s music, the soundtrack is awesome. This movie is not only visually stunning, but has one of the best climaxes I’ve ever seen and is based on a true story. 

Director: Gurinder Chadha 

Rating: PG-13

#2 Good Will Hunting (1997)*

This is one of my dad’s favorite movies. He introduced it to me, and it then became one of my favorite movies. I love movies that criticize things in a non-satirical way, and Good Will Hunting does this excellently. It calls out the pretentiousness of America’s education system and the unattainability of higher education. It demonstrates how our government leaves even the smartest students behind in favor of the affluent and lucky. Also it just has some great themes: intelligence cannot be assumed and there are more important things than success. 

It follows the story of Will Hunting, a genius who chooses to work as an MIT janitor. Professor Gerald Lambeau discovers Will’s talents when he solves a graduate level math-problem. Lambeau wants to help Will reach his potential, despite Will’s disdain for academia. When Will gets arrested, Lambeau promises to get Will out of trouble if he will allow Lambeau to mentor him and get help from therapist Sean Maguire. 

Director: Gus Van Sant 

Rating: R

#1 Dead Poets Society (1989 )*

If you read my Top 10 Fall Movies List, then you would know that Dead Poets Society is my favorite movie of all time. Dead Poets Society takes place at a prestigious, and highly traditional all-boys preparatory school. When a new English teacher, John Keating, joins the school’s staff, his unorthodox teaching methods challenge students who are faced with tremendous pressure from their parents. He teaches them to pursue their dreams, and “seize the day.” It has a beautiful story, gorgeous cinematography, and an ending that always makes me cry no matter how many times I’ve seen it. It’s known as one of the best movies of all time for a reason. I could not recommend this movie enough. 

Director: Peter Weir 

Age Rating: PG-13

Films with * by the title, are flagged for parental guidance by their R or PG-13 ratings. Younger viewers should ask their parents before they watch any of these movies. 

Check out more movie reviews by GirlSpring contributors!

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I know what most of you are thinking: Oh God, I hate people like that.

Your hate is understandable. People have their grievances with me about it, and I used to feel the same way. I used to reply to texts as fast as lightning. I would wait in seemingly endless agony for people to reply, frustrated at their snail-like response times.

Then something changed. 

I started high school. Life got busy. So. Incredibly. Busy. From AP classes to extracurriculars to service hours to church, I had little to no free time. And what free time I did have, I definitely didn’t want to spend it staring at my phone or fulfilling other people’s needs. I didn’t want to spend my precious available minutes answering questions or giving an opinion on something. 

The Concept of Unavailability

This probably seems incredibly selfish, and on some level I suppose it is. To say, “Although I’m not incredibly busy, and I do have my phone, but I’m not available for messages.” Is a foreign concept to most of us. Unavailability is something our society has eliminated. We’re not allowed to let a message sit. We’re not allowed to have a few uninterrupted minutes. 

After hours of non-stop work, we’re expected to use our thirty minute lunch break to reply to messages. When I get a day off to rest, I am supposed to use my free time to fulfill obligations others gave me. That’s where the problem comes in. 

Cell phones have given us 24/7 access to the people in our life, and that is a beautiful thing. In case of an emergency, I can call my mother to come pick me up. In the mornings, I can text my friends who live across the world. After dinner I can call my grandmother who lives in a different state, or text my lab partners for help on homework. None of these things in and of themselves are inherently bad. I love face-timing my grandmother and texting my friends. In fact, emergency texts to my lab partners at 12:00am have saved my butt a few times. However, we’ve become so accustomed to this 24/7 access that we feel that we deserve it. Immediate access to others has become a right, not a luxury. 

We’re Pushed Towards Immediacy

If we don’t get our immediate responses, we send angry follow-ups. Instagram and iMessage notify the sender that we’ve seen their messages and haven’t responded. Social Media servers even display when we are online so that we have no excuse not to reply. Gmail sends nudges with bright orange boxes saying, Sent 2 days ago. Reply?

Built into the platforms we use for work, school, and everyday life are tiny little practices reminding us that our time is no longer our own. There is a time for immediate responses, and a time where we do need to reply as soon as possible. When at work or school, I answer my email. However, the time for immediate responses is not all the time. 

To ask me to always reply immediately is not only to ask me to take time out of my day, but to withdraw myself from whatever moment I’m currently in. To quote writer Rega Jha, “If I haven’t replied to you, it means I haven’t looked at my phone. And if I’m not looking at my phone I’m in a good space.”

Did We Knowingly Choose This?

As it became possible to technologically reach each other at every hour of the day, we never stopped to consider how that would affect our society. Was that something everyone in our society even wanted? We didn’t stop to think about what unavailability and slow replies allowed us. Chances to head outside and disconnect, the opportunity to take a nap, coffee dates with a friend where you don’t spend the first five minutes on your phone, dinner with your family without pausing to check a text. We didn’t consider that there might not be time to just stop and think, or even just time to miss the people around us. 

A few months ago, I had called a relative to catch up, and there was nothing to discuss because he had already seen everything on Facebook.

In a world where everyone is so far apart, we’re hyperconnected. Which is why I hold the radical belief that me being a “slow texter” is a good thing. I do not reply immediately. No one has 24/7 access to me. I’ll respond when I have the time and energy to.

I know some people reading this are thinking it makes absolutely no sense. Which is fine. I’m just encouraging whoever reads this to not feel obligated to respond immediately. Take your time. Let your messages pile up, sit with a text until you’re in a more social mood to respond, and don’t feel the need to lend yourself to constant availability. 

Society might not get it, but I do. So if you’re a slow texter, don’t feel guilty about it. That is a good thing. 

Check out more articles by Claire!

https://www.girlspring.com/the-heart-breaking-story-of-laika-the-space-dog/

https://www.girlspring.com/my-favorite-movies-of-all-time/

The post I Don’t Reply to Texts Immediately, and That’s a Good Thing appeared first on GirlSpring.

The Space-Dog’s Beginnings

When the Soviet Union decided they wanted to launch a manned ship into orbit, they realized they had no idea how to create a ship where a human could survive and return to earth. Therefore, they decided they would use animals to test ships for them. Enter Laika. 

Kudryavka (Little Curly) was a sweet stray from the streets of Moscow. She, along with many other female strays, was selected by the Soviet Canine Recruiters for their small size and gentle temperaments. The dogs were then put through a series of tests to determine their obedience, passivity, and endurance. The selected canines would live in tiny pressurized capsules. At first, this was for days at a time, and then weeks. They checked their reactions to air pressure changes and loud noises that would occur during liftoff. 

Prior To Liftoff

Finalists from these tests were fitted with sanitation devices at the pelvic area that would allow them to use the bathroom. Even so, they were very uncomfortable for the dogs. Most dogs would retain their bodily waste rather than use the device. However, some dogs learned to adapt. The final candidates were chosen to become the Sputnik 2’s canine cosmonaut. 

Kudryavka was chosen as the finalist, and Albina was chosen as an alternate. Kudryavka was introduced to the public through radio. She was given the name Laika, which meant “barker.” Doctors performed surgery on Laika to implant a medical device that would monitor her heart rate, respiratory rate, physical movement and blood pressure. 

Three days before her liftoff, Laika entered the tiny capsule with a sanitation device and a spacesuit with metal restraints. Her capsule only allowed for a few inches of movement. She was only given one meal for the entire trip and no way to return to earth. 

Early in the morning on November 3rd, Laika’s ship was launched into space — the G-Force reaching five times the normal level. 

Laika’s Tragic Flight

As Laika was flying towards outer space, the noise and pressure of flight horrified her. Her heart rate rose to triple the normal rate, and her respiratory rate was four times its normal rate. When she went through the heat shield, the temperatures in the ship rose. After reaching orbit alive, Laika soon died. She was cramped, overheated, hungry, and terrified. 

Laika’s Legacy

Laika was not the first dog in space, nor was she the last. Thankfully, after her tragic death, several dogs were able to make it back alive and well. As tragic as Laika’s story is, her death allowed us to learn a lot about space travel. Soon after, mankind was successfully launched into space. 

Laika also was one of the first cases that sparked concern about animal rights and cruelty. Since the Soviet Union sent Laika into space knowing they lacked the technology to send her back, Soviet Citizens protested this inhumane action. This garnered attention from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the British Society for Happy Dogs, and a group of dog enthusiasts who protested on the steps of the United Nations in New York. Her death helped transform the animal rights movement into what it is today. 

Laika has been immortalized by pop culture all over the world. She has a statue at the Moscow Military Research Facility and a crater on Mars named after her. While space research facilities continue to test on animals, after Laika’s heartbreaking story, they only experiment if it’s possible for them to survive. 

Check out more articles by GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/tips-for-caring-for-your-new-pet/

https://www.girlspring.com/life-with-a-puppy/

The post The Heartbreaking Story of Laika the Space-Dog appeared first on GirlSpring.

CraftsByNatalieCo

I love supporting small businesses, and when I found CraftsByNatalieCo, I was obsessed. She makes super cute resin jewelry with plants inside, and all of her pieces are gorgeous! The jewelry I have bought from her shipped really quickly, came in good condition, and I wear the pieces often. 

Rating: 576/10

CraftsByNatalieCo TikTok

CraftsByNatalieCo Etsy Shop

Tabitha Brown 

I am not vegan, nor do I cook often, but I love all of Tabitha Brown’s content. She gives off really good vibes, and all of her videos are just wonderful. 

Rating: 100,000,000/10

Tabitha Brown’s TikTok

Blob opera

Is this practical? No. Is it useless? Probably. Did it entertain me far more than it should have? Absolutely. I don’t quite know what this is for, but my friends and I had a fun time making our own blob operas. 

Rating: 7/10 

Blob Opera TikTok

Blob Opera Website

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

In my experience, TikTok book recommendations are pretty hit or miss, and this was definitely a hit! I could talk about this book for hours, but I’m just going to keep this short and say if you’re looking for a good mystery novel, read it. 

Rating: 10,248/10

Inheritance Games TikTok

You can teach cats to hike.

This is without a doubt my new life goal. 

Rating: ∞/10

Teach Your Cat To Hike TikTok

Musical Theatre Workouts

I love musical theatre, and I love Zumba and other dance-style workouts. Yet, it never occurred to me that the two co-existed; thanks to TikTok, I have found some really fun YouTubers who make free musical-theatre dance workouts. 

Rating:100/10

Musical Theatre Workout TikTok

How to make my Google Slides presentations look better.

Generally speaking, I like to keep it simple, but TikTok has taught me a lot of easy ways I can make my PowerPoint presentations look a little nicer. 

Rating: 9/10 

Google Slides Ideas TikTok

Slides Carnival TikTok

New Music!

From musicals I have never even heard of, to aspiring songwriters, awesome playlists, and upcoming music artists, TikTok has given me a plethora of new songs to listen to, and most of them have been bops. There are way too many artists to list all of them, but I definitely recommend trying to find some new music through TikTok. 

Rating: 10/10

Still looking for some entertainment? Try this quiz to found out what social media platform you are!

The post Rating Things I Learned From TikTok in 2020 appeared first on GirlSpring.

Social media began as a way for people to connect no matter the circumstance. However, a large portion of people is being excluded. There are various disabilities that make it hard to operate a phone and/or enjoy the content on social media. The World Health Organization estimated that there are 1.3 billion people who experience vision impairment, with close to 253 million experiencing severe vision impairment or total blindness that most-likely use text-to-speech programs or screen readers to navigate digital spaces. As well as 466 million people in the world who are deaf or hard of hearing. These spaces are not always easy for the disabled community to access. So, here are eight things you can do on your online profiles to make the internet more friendly and accessible! 

Limit Emoji Use

When someone reads your post using a screen reader, they don’t hear the emoji. They hear the description of the character. That laughing emoji may look cute, but it slows down the experience for people with visual impairments.

To keep your emoji usage accessible make sure to use them in moderation and always put them at the end of your posts. This way you don’t affect the readability of your content. The most important information should always go first. Using emojis to break up text or in the middle of paragraphs can make your posts sound unintelligible.  Avoid using them in your social media profile as well. 

Camel Case your Hashtags

Hashtags are all over social media, and making them accessible is even easier than limiting your emojis! Type all your hashtags in Camel Case (making each word in the phrase capitalized). 

Text-to-speech programs read hashtags just like they do any other word, using spaces and capital letters to discern the separate terms. If you were to post a picture with #averycoolphoto, the program would blend those two words together making your caption sound like gibberish. By capitalizing each word, #AVeryCoolPhoto becomes four words instead of one for the program reading it. Even for those who don’t use screen readers, hashtags in Camel Case are a lot easier to read. 

Use Alt. Text

Alt. Text, or Alternate Text, is a photo description that you can add to your posts so screen readers can describe the image to their users. Facebook Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn all offer ways to add Alt. Text —usually in the advanced settings or options tab, there will be a place where you can type a short description of your picture. Remember to keep the description short and concise. Click here to learn how to add Alt. Text on various social media platforms. 

Add photo descriptions to your captions! 

If alternative text sounds a little too complicated for you, you can also add photo descriptions to your captions. A few lines below your caption just say, “Photo Description:” then add the description of your picture.

Type captions in your videos (open or close captioning) 

This is another one of those accessibility tips that can also be beneficial for non-disabled people. Adding captions to your videos allows people to watch your videos in silent mode without bothering those around them. However, adding open or closed captioning is essential for deaf or hard-of-hearing people because they cannot enjoy the video otherwise. If your videos have dialogue, they should have captions. 

In TikTok or Instagram Stories, you can use the add text feature to create a script of what you’re saying, or you can use apps like Clipomatic to create live captions. You can even use Youtube to add captions to any video. By taking this extra step your content can be accessed by everyone. 

Don’t use fancy fonts or typography 

Recently it’s been trendy to use custom or special fonts in social media posts to make the content more aesthetic. For example, script, block, bolded, or italic fonts have been especially popular. This makes your caption unreadable by a text-to-speech program. 

Despite unique fonts being compatible with the social media platforms, it’s not compatible with screen readers. The program will immediately skip over the characters without attempting to read them. By sticking to the default fonts on the app, you’re ensuring that screen readers and text-to-speech programs can read your content. 

Use link shorteners 

URL’s and links tend to be super long and full of illegible characters. So by using a link shortener, you’re not only saving characters on your posts but cutting down the amount of time a screen reader has to read your post. 

Don’t embed text in your photos 

A screen reader reading your post is very different from a human reading your post. It can read captions, but not any text contained in an image. So if you’re posting a flyer for your club’s bake sale with tons of information make sure you include that information in the caption as well. 

Social media is not very disability-friendly, but most of these are easy changes to make and take little to no effort. Putting in more time and empathy to our social media content can make the internet a more accessible place for everyone. 

The post Eight Ways to Make Your Social Media More Accessible appeared first on GirlSpring.

Small businesses are privately owned corporations or partnerships that have fewer employees and/or less annual revenue than a regular-sized business or corporation. For example, Old Navy is a major corporation, but an Etsy shop or local boutique would be considered a small business. There are tons of small businesses that ship internationally on the internet and operate in localized areas. There are a ton of pros to shopping small businesses so here are five reasons to shop small this holiday season!

1.Shopping small is good for the economy!

When you shop small you are helping the national economy. According to Forbes, about 120 million people are employed by small businesses. That is over half the working population. Small businesses are growing daily, and have been the reason for approximately 66% of jobs since the 1970s. However, they don’t only help the national economy, but they can help your local economy as well. When you shop at a small business in your area (locally-owned restaurants, small grocery stores, farm stands, tiny boutiques, etc.), you are putting money back into the community. According to the American Independent Business Alliance (AIBA), when you shop local, approximately 48% of the cost of your purchase is recirculated back into the local economy. When you shop at chains only 14% of your purchase is recirculated. This money goes back into schools, fire departments, and other public resources in your neighborhoods. 

Oftentimes, small vendors support other local vendors meaning your money keeps circling around the community, benefiting more businesses. Say you spend $1 on a sandwich from a restaurant, the store spends your $1 on produce from a local farm, that farm spends your $1 on tools from a local hardware store, and so on. When you purchase from major corporations, the dollar doesn’t go any further; it stays within the company. 

2.When you shop small, you give back!

Several years ago the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) conducted a survey that discovered 75% of small business owners donate a portion of their profits — about six percent on average — to charity each year. Oftentimes, choosing local charities. So whenever you shop small, more of your money is going to help good causes! 

3. Shopping small is more ethical!

Chain retailers often have lower prices and higher consistency, but small businesses have more ethical and more environmentally friendly production! They normally make their products themselves or from other small artists. Though this isn’t always the case it typically means no child labor and no poorly treated workers. It encourages fair-pay and sustainable production. There’s a smaller manufacturer-to-consumer journey. When you shop from big businesses you are buying products shipped with tons of fossil fuels and oftentimes these manufacturing plants damage the land around them. 

4. You’re bound to find more unique items. 

Major department stores have all of the season’s biggest trends and typically have pretty good quality. When you walk into one of these stores, you’ll find tons of nice gifts. However, they’re the nice gifts everyone all across the country is getting. No one wants to give (or receive) a gift that you can find anywhere. 

When you shop at a small business, you can find some true one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Like customizable Lego figurines that look just like you, or a unique quilt, or a uniquely scented candle based on someone’s favorite novel! The possibilities are endless, but you certainly won’t find them at Target. 

5. Shopping small encourages diversity!

 When you shop at small businesses, those businesses normally hire people who represent the demographics of the surrounding community, including typically underserved populations. Shopping small helps stimulate the diversity of people and the diversity of products. Smaller shops are more likely to carry a varied selection of goods that represent their culture and upbringing. 

Shopping small improves the world around you, and there is always a small business that meets your price range and needs. The pandemic has killed so many small businesses, and their employees need our support now more than ever. So I highly encourage you to spend your money at a small shop where it will do the most good. Big retailers are going to make it through the pandemic, but the smaller ones might not. 

If you need help finding a small business to support, take this quiz: https://www.girlspring.com/quiz-which-small-businesses-should-you-support-this-holiday-season/

The post 5 Reasons To Shop Small This Holiday Season appeared first on GirlSpring.

When the Thomas family put a sign in their yard saying that they wouldn’t be giving out candy this year because their child had cancer, neighborhood kids started putting their candy at the base of the sign. Although she had put that there to save kids from disappointment, the children in her neighborhood showed them overwhelming kindness. 

The democratic Mitchell family, and the republican Gates family have been friends and neighbors for fourteen years. When the Mitchell family put up a Biden/Harris sign, and the Gates family put up a Trump/Pence sign, both families put signs right next to each other saying they love and respect the other family. 

Seven year old, Curtis Rodgers, planned and hosted an entire prom for his nanny, in his backyard, since her prom was cancelled. He picked out her favorite songs, helped his mom make her favorite foods, and even dressed up, making sure to match his bow tie to her dress. When asked why he said, “She is one of the best people I’ve known.” 

Mr. P, a 101 year old man, who survived the holocaust and the Spanish flu, beat COVID-19. Despite all that he’s been through, he has beat every odd. Mr. P lives in the Italian city of Rimini. The vice-mayor of Rimini, Gloria Lisi, stated, “Everyone saw hope for the future of all of us in the recovery of a person more than 100 years old.” 

During the Louisville riots, a group of black men who came to protest against police brutality, formed a wall of protection around a white Louisville police officer who had been separated fro his team during the chaos. They locked arms, circled around him and refused to let anyone harm him. 

A man was about to jump off of a bridge in London, when a group of strangers talked him out of it. They proceeded to hold him for an hour until help could arrive to get him down safely. 

A gardener from Boise, Idaho had more flowers than she needed so she started giving them out to strangers as a random act of kindness. Neighborhood kids got involved, and they have handed out hundreds of bouquets! They call their initiative, The Free Flower Project.

Carrie Kelley from Salt Lake City, Utah was struggling to finish the Beaver Creek Marathon. She was four miles in, and close to giving up when an inmate on work release, Fidel Ybarra, started running with her. He had no prior training, and was dressed in heavy work boots but he ran the entire 22 remaining miles with Kelley– encouraging her every step. Kelley was beyond moved saying, “I wouldn’t have finished the race without him… I don’t know his past mistakes, but what he did showed his true character.”

The Kenya Wildlife Service announced on August 12th that there were now 34,800 elephants in Kenya; more than double the amount in 1989 which was 16,000. Poaching severely endangered this species, but slowly the elephants in Kenya are returning. 

67 year old, Yie Jiefang, has been planting trees in Mongolia to honor her son’s dying wish. She has been carrying on his legacy for the past 12 years. In July, she surpassed the two million mark. She also connects with other grieving families to plant trees with them. 

These are only a few examples, but it’s so important to remember that despite all the bad, there is always good in the world. For more good news follow @tanksgoodnews and @goodnews_movement on Instagram. Feel free to leave some good news in the comments below!

The post Some Good News! appeared first on GirlSpring.

10. Carrie (1976)*

Carrie is the film adaptation of Stephen King’s chilling novel. It follows the story of Carrie White, a sensitive girl who is ostracized and tormented by her peers and abused by her religious mother. As strange things start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect she has supernatural powers. When she is invited to the prom by popular and kind, Tommy Ross, she tries to step out of her comfort zone but then things take a violent turn. This is one of my favorite spooky movies and a classic horror film. It’s a great movie to watch on Halloween! However, watch the 1976 adaptation, not the 2013 one. It’s better, trust me.

Age Rating: R 

Director: Brian De Palma

9. It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966) & A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving 1973)

It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving are old television specials based on the comic strips Peanuts by Charles M. Schultz. Because these are both around 30 minutes each, I’m putting them together. They follow the classic characters on their respective Halloween and Thanksgiving adventures. These animated short films are super nostalgic for me, and take me back to the good ole’ days (the “good ole’ days” being 2008). These two movies are really cute films to watch as a family or with your younger siblings – “I got a rock..”

Age Rating: G 

Director: Bill Melendez 

8. Hocus Pocus (1993) 

I cannot in good conscience, write a Top 10 Fall Movies list without including a Disney Channel Original Halloween Movie. While there are so many good ones to choose from, Hocus Pocus takes the cake. This film follows the story of Max Dennison, a teenager who just moved to Salem, Massachusetts. When exploring the house of the Sanderson sisters (three dead witches who vowed to return one day), he accidentally awakens the witches. He must then team-up with his crush, Allison; his kid-sister, Dani; and a cursed cat, Thackery Binx, to defeat the evil Sanderson sisters and save his town. This movie is so cute and is a Halloween classic. The sarcastic dialogue and witty humor are what make this film my favorite Disney Channel Halloween Movie. The best way to watch it is back to back with Halloween Town. Facts. 

Age Rating: PG

Director: Kenny Ortega

7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the film adaptation of the first book in J.K. Rowling’s popular children series, Harry Potter. This film follows Harry Potter and his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, during their first year at Hogwarts, as they investigate the suspicious incidents at their magical school. Now for those of you who might be wondering, “How is this a fall movie?” It just is. I don’t make the rules. Besides they have a Halloween feast, so it counts… right? Either way, I totally recommend this movie, but only if you have read the books first. 

Age Rating: PG

Director: Chris Colombus 

6. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)* 

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a musical horror film following the story of a barber from London, Sweeney Todd. He is out for revenge against the evil Judge Turpin who arrested Sweeney for a crime he did not commit so that he could go after his wife. Now a mad-man, Todd kills his unlucky customers and lets his business partner, Mrs. Lovett, use their bodies to make meat- pies. Despite the horrific sounding plot, it’s a great movie to watch if you’re in the mood for a spooky movie but don’t want to be scared. Coming from someone who hates gore and scary movies, I love this film. Plus, the music is phenomenal. 

Age Rating: R

Director: Tim Burton

5. Knives Out (2019)* 

Set in rural Massachusetts, Knives Out is a murder-mystery/comedy film about the highly suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of true-crime novelist, Harlan Thrombey. When renowned detective, Benoit Blanc, is called in to investigate he knows one thing for certain: everyone in the dysfunctional Thrombey family is a suspect. Now, Blanc must sort through all the lies, family drama, and red herrings to determine the truth. Not only is this film so, so funny but it has some gorgeous fall scenery, a hilarious cast, and an incredible plot twist. If you prefer true-crime stories over supernatural ones, this is a great film for you. 

Age Rating: PG-13

Director: Rian Johnson

4. Little Women (2019)

I will preface this by saying that I love Little Women in every capacity. I love Louisa May Alcott’s original novel, I love the 2005 musical adaptation, and I love the 1994 film adaptation. However, in my opinion, the 2019 adaptation is the best film version purely because of the way Greta Gerwig interpreted the ending. Little Women chronicles the lives of the March sisters— Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy. There is romance, family dysfunction, friendships, comedy, heartbreak, loss, 18th-century social commentary; pretty much anything you could ever want in a story. This film has a nice, warm, nostalgic, and homey vibe that reminds me of autumn. However, have tissues ready, because I no joke cried for thirty minutes while watching this movie. 

Age Rating: PG

Director: Greta Gerwig

3. Clue (1985)

Everything I love about Knives Out, I also love about Clue. Clue is a murder-mystery/comedy film based on the iconic board game by the same name and it is absolutely hilarious. In this film, dramatic, larger-than-life characters are invited to a dinner party under aliases. Each of them has a dark secret, and when their host—the only man who knew each of their secrets— winds up dead, all the guests are suspects, and they have to work together to find out who the killer is. This movie has Tim Curry, Madeline Khan, and multiple endings! Like, what’s not to love? While there is nothing explicitly autumn about this movie; it is a dramatic film that takes place on a dark, and stormy night, that’s perfect for people who don’t like horror movies. 

Age Rating: PG

Director: Jonathan Lynn 

2. The Sixth Sense (1999)* 

Typically, I am not a huge fan of scary movies. However, this movie is brilliant. A child named Cole Sear is frequently visited by ghosts. Although he is constantly terrified by the dead, he refuses to tell anyone his secret, except child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe. As Dr. Crowe tries to uncover the truth about Cole’s supernatural abilities, he comes to a shocking and unexplainable discovery. The less you know about this movie, the better. Watch the film once for enjoyment, and a second time to work out the plot twist. 

Age Rating: PG-13

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

1. Dead Poet Society (1989)*

This is not only my #1 fall movie but my favorite movie of all time. I would probably put it at the top of every film list ever. Dead Poets Society takes place at a prestigious, and highly traditional all-boys preparatory school. When a new English teacher, John Keating, joins the school’s staff, his unorthodox methods challenge the students who are facing tremendous pressure from their parents to pursue their dreams, and “seize the day”. Set in gorgeous autumnal New England this film is absolutely beautiful. From the cinematography, to the script, to the scenery, everything is so intentional. This classic film is a classic for a reason; have tissues ready.

Age Rating: PG (Personally, I would rate it PG-13)

Director: Peter Weir

Films with * by the title, are flagged for parental guidance by their R or PG-13 ratings. Younger viewers should ask their parents, before they watch any of these movies. 

For another top ten list, check out Here are The Top 10 Prom Movies of All Time 

The post My Top 10 Fall Movies appeared first on GirlSpring.

Not only can victims not publicly name their offender, but survivors can no longer self identify in the media, publicly claim to be a victim on social media, or publish autobiographies unless they use a pseudonym. The thought behind the process is that an offender’s identity could be determined from a news account, social media post, or autobiography even if not named.  For victims who have been advocating for change around institutional child abuse, and speaking out about their cases for years, changes to the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act have been devastating. In order to speak out against their offender, victims must obtain court approval which can cost up to $10,000 with no guarantee of success. Child abuse, sexual assault, and rape victims who violate the law could be jailed or heavily fined.  

Nina Funnell launched the #LetHerSpeak campaign in Victoria, Australia in opposition to the changes to the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act. #LetHerSpeak was originally founded in 2012 in Tasmania, Australia when sexual assault victims were prohibited from being named, even with consent. Violation of this law would result in contempt of court charges. #LetHerSpeak successfully aided in overthrowing this old law and others like it which silenced victims. In 2020, the group is setting their sights on Victoria in an attempt to correct the new legislation. In an article in the Australia News, Funnel stated, “Indeed the very nature of sexual assault is that it disempowers and silences a person, stripping them of individual autonomy, agency, and control. Yet these are precisely the conditions being re-created by the new laws.”

Becky Bevis, who works with the Alabama Department of Human Resources specializing in sexual assault cases, suggests this law essentially victimizes survivors all over again. “There’s already such a stigma to speaking out because so many people in our society want to blame them and slut-shame”, she explained, “Sometimes when victims have a voice, I’ve noticed it helps them face their perpetrator and heal…this law makes it harder for them to speak out and use their voice to face that perpetrator and say ‘what you did to me was wrong.’ It takes away that voice and then revictimizes them again when they go through court.” 

Bevis also expressed concern for the effect that this would have on younger victims, “Teenagers, I think it would have a big effect on. A lot of them like to post on social media or blog about it to heal. I would hate to see that platform be taken away from them… Giving them that voice helps so much, I could see where this could cause silence for them. If I can’t even say my true name, what else do I have?”

This backs up the argument of sexual assault survivor and school counselor, Dana Waldrop. “It will definitely discourage victims from coming forward,” Waldrop explained, “It creates a mentality of ‘What’s the point? No one’s going to believe me.’ 63% percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. When statistics are already so low about reporting, even less victims are going to report their cases. When you’re not allowed to use your own name, it plays into the shame that the victim already feels. It continues to dehumanize the victim and takes away their voice.”

This law that was imposed to empower, has horrified the citizens in the state of Victoria and northern Australia. After much pushback – a mere five days into my research for this article – the Victorian government announced that they were going to create amendments to undo the new gag-laws and that their intention was never to prevent victims from speaking out. However, this begs the question, why were laws silencing victims introduced in the first place? This year, the United States has seen the true effects of institutionalized injustice; so what could this mean for future victims? Not just in Australia, but worldwide. 

The post Let Them Speak appeared first on GirlSpring.

Note: Some places may currently be closed or have different operating procedures due to COVID-19.

ARC Stories: Birmingham, Alabama $

This is hands down my favorite thing to do in Alabama. Located in Birmingham, ARC Stories is a group of Alabama Storytellers who hosts live storytelling events! The rules? The story has to have happened to you, and the story has to be true! Some are scary, some are sad, some are funny, and all of them are incredible stories told by everyday people. While location can vary they normally operate out of the Avon Theater. Tickets are pretty inexpensive, and while you’re there you can  grab a delicious cookie and a cup of coffee from Church Street Coffee! Follow them on Instagram @arcstories and give their free podcast a listen! 

Dismals Canyon: Phil Campbell, Alabama $

A 1.5 mile hiking trail full of natural waterfalls, caverns, enormous boulders, grottos, and even a hideout that Aaron Burr allegedly used after his duel with Alexander Hamilton. In certain seasons you can take night tours to see glowing insects, or you can shop in their country store and hang out at their seating areas. Admission rates can range from $8.75 to $30 depending on the length of your visit and your age. Follow them on Instagram @dismalscanyon. 

Autauga Sunflower Fields: Autauga County, Alabama $

Open in certain summer and autumn months the Sunflower Field in Autauga County is one of my favorite places I visited this summer. Run by the sweetest couple, you can go and take pictures in their GIGANTIC sunflower field for free or you can pay $10 and fill a bucket with sunflowers you can pick yourself. Not to mention they have a beautiful patch of zinnias and you can buy cute t-shirts or fresh fruit! Follow them on Facebook at The Sunflower Field. 

Mural Hunting: Birmingham, Free

Recently murals have been popping up all over downtown Birmingham. For a free day of fun, grab a friend and go explore downtown Birmingham. Take pictures with all of the incredible murals that are all over the city. It’s cheap, it’s fun, and your Instagram will look so good after! If you need help finding some murals, go follow @magiccitymurals on Instagram! 

Hiking at Ruffner Mountain: Birmingham, Alabama $ 

For an inexpensive day of fun, go visit Ruffner Mountain! Look in their awesome nature center to see some Alabama flora and fauna, then go hike some of their awesome trails. They have a trail for every fitness level but my favorites are their Quarry Trail and Overlook Trail. Follow them on Instagram @ruffnermt.

Kelley Ingram Park: Birmingham, Alabama, Free

Take a walk around Kelly Ingram Park and see the heart-wrenching statues that depict some of the most gruesome events of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham. Located across from the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Alabama Civil Rights Museum, this park serves as a powerful memorial to those who have lost their lives in the battle against racism. 

Alabama Peanut Company: Birmingham, Alabama $

Located on historic Morris Avenue, the Alabama Peanut Company has kept the original factory perfectly preserved and features over 100 flavors of fresh roasted peanuts! 

Elyton Hotel: Birmingham, Alabama Free-$$$ 

Even if you’re not looking for a fancy hotel to stay in, walk into the Elyton hotel and take a ride up to the top-floor (make sure to look up because the roof of their elevator is clear) and visit their rooftop bar. Take some pictures of the beautiful view and historic buildings that surround you! On your way out, note how this beautiful building is located on the heaviest corner on earth. Follow them on Instagram @elytonhotelbirmingham

Cheaha State Park: Delta, Alabama $-$$$

From great views, beautiful hiking, and awesome bike trails, the highest point in Alabama is definitely worth a visit. Follow them on Instagram @cheahastatepark. 

Goat Yoga at My Farm Day: Springville, Alabama $$

When you get out of your car at My Farm Day you will be greeted by a friendly dog, some very extroverted ducks, and the sweet couple who runs the farm! You’ll get to meet their pig, their goats, and some baby chicks, and if you’re lucky their kangaroos! Not to mention the yoga class with goats and baby chicks is the most adorable workout ever. Just pray that the goats don’t hop on your back in the middle of a plank. Follow their Facebook at Myfarmday

Birmingham Barons Wet Nose Wednesdays: Birmingham, Alabama $

Almost everyone has been to a Birmingham Barons game, but if you go on Wet Nose Wednesdays you won’t only get to see a Baseball game, but you’ll get to see all of the dogs that the visitors brought with them because dogs are allowed entry! So support Birmingham’s home team, pet some dogs, and get a special treat for your furry friend! Follow them on Instagram @bhambarons.

Support your favorite small businesses: Anywhere $-$$$

The price range for this one can vary but it’s super important to support small businesses and further your local economy! My favorite small businesses in Birmingham are Reeds Books where you can explore this shop that is filled to the brim with books and curios and have a wonderful conversation with the friendly owner, Mr. Reed; Soujourns, one of Birmingham’s only fair-trade establishments;  Grinders Cafe in downtown Bessemer, with a beautifully renovated historic building and great coffee; Botanica, the loveliest plant shop; and Pepper Place! 

Limestone Tubing: Brierfield, Alabama $

Located in the middle of nowhere, you can pay $10  to get an inner tube and transport to a drop-off spot and float down the Cahaba River. It’s good back-country fun, and at the very end, there is a swimming hole with platforms you can jump off of. Everything is at your own risk so be careful on the rapids, because some guests have gotten injured. 

Little River Canyon: Fort Payne, Alabama $

Little River Canyon is a great place to get outdoors! With beautiful waterfalls, great swimming holes, and a plethora of trails, it is a wonderful spot for families to visit. There is a nature center and cabin rentals are available in the near area. Follow them on Instagram @littlerivercanyoncenter.

 To Kill A Mockingbird Play: Monroeville, Alabama $$

Visit the town that inspired Harper Lee’s literary classic To Kill A Mockingbird and see a reenactment of the fictional court trial and other iconic scenes from her book.

Red Mountain Park: Birmingham, Alabama, Free

Whether you want to go on a zip-line adventure or visit the old mines sprinkled throughout the many trails, Red Mountain Park is a great place to get outdoors, try something new, and learn about Alabama’s rich mining history. Follow them on Instagram @redmountainpark. 

Desoto Falls: Fort Payne, Alabama $

Another great place to get outdoors, Desoto Falls State Park has huge boulders, one of the most visited waterfalls in Alabama, back-country campsites, and great places to picnic and hike with your family! Follow them on Instagram @desotostatepark. 

Alabama Theatre Scene  $-$$$

No matter your price range or location, Alabama has a rich theater scene. From huge events like Broadway in Birmingham or the Montgomery Shakespeare Festival to smaller companies like Red Mountain Theatre Company, Virginia Samford Theatre, or Birmingham Festival Theatre, Alabama has tons of great places to support the arts with different show options and different ticket prices that will work for every family!

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