I stepped into that blue power.
At first with caution, And then with ease.
I could hear stolen whispers: Slow waves that sway my body. Sacred, soft, serene; It envelops me with warmth.
No matter what form I take, It covers me in its gentle touch, happily. And in that calm blue, And in that ocean that surrounds me, I have finally let go. And suddenly… I float. Oceans of love.
Astheweathergetswarmerandexamsapproach,smoothiesare quicklybecomingmyfavoriterefreshingdrinktosiponwhile studying.Aftertryingthissmoothierecipe,Iamsuretheywill becomeyourfavoritesummerbeveragetoo!Thisvibrant,fresh smoothieispackedwithallthe bestsummerflavoursand canbewhippedupin just10minutes.
Instructions
½ a frozen banana
½ cup frozen mango
1 cup frozen pineapple
½ a lime
½ cup fruit juice of your choice
1 cup cold water
1 tbsp strawberry jam
Combinefrozenbanana,frozenmango,andfrozenpineappleintoablender.Juicehalfalimeandaddto theblender.Pourinfruitjuiceandwater.Orangejuice,mangojuice,orpineapplejuiceareallgreat options.Blenduntilsmooth,scrapingdownthesidesofyourblendercupasneeded.Addmorewaterifthe smoothieistoothick.Whilethesmoothieisintheblender,spreadstrawberryjamaroundtheinsideof yourglass.Pourthesmoothieintoyourpreparedglassandserveimmediately.
Let'sstartthisblogwithanexciting aircraftsomemightrefertoasthe “QueenoftheSkies.”The747isknown tobethefastestandlargestplaneof moderncommercialaviation.The ideaandcreationofthe747firstcame around in the 1960s when now-bankrupt airline,PanAm,askedBoeingtobuilda planethatwastwotimesbiggerthanthe Boeing707inbothcapacityandsize.Boeing quicklygatheredalltheirengineerstogether andworkedonthemegaprojectwithone goal:tocreatethebiggestcommercialplane theworldhaseverseen.
Afteracoupleofyearsofdesigningand manufacturing,thedatewasnowFebruary 9th,1969anditwastimefortheBoeing747’s firsteverflight.Afterayearofthorough testingbyBoeingengineers,TheQueenof theSkieswasreadytobeintroduced.Thefirst commercialflightwaswithPanAmonthe 22ndofJanuary1970FromNewYork'sJFK InternationalAirporttoLondon'sHeathrow Airport.After54yearsofproductioncoming toanendonDecember6th,2022Boeing managedtobuildandsell1,574747aircraft including different variants such as the Freighterfleetandevenafullycustomized 747forNASA.
747-100 (1966)
747-SP (1976)
747-200 (1968)
747-300 (1983)
747-400 (1989)
747-8 (2005)
The747-100resultedfromtheworkof some50,000Boeingemployeescalledthe “TheIncredibles”.Thisisthefirstever747 plane built (first iteration), which the “Incredibles”madeinlessthan16months.
“TheIncredibles”consistedofconstruction workers, mechanics, engineers, secretaries, and administrators who made aviation history.Asmentionedbefore,thisplanewas builtbecausethecostofplaneticketscouldbe more affordable, making traveling much moreaccessibletothepublic.Thismethod worksduetothescale;thelargertheplane, themorepassengers,thusdecreasingthecost per mile of seats. This variant has been revolutionary due to its accessibility, technological advancements, long-range capabilities,andculturalimpact.
Thetwomajortechnologicaladvancements areitswidebodydesignanditshigh-pass turbofanengines,whichhavealsobeengame changers. Traditional planes would be equipped with turbojet engines, which significantlycontribute to noise pollution in aircraft.However,withthebypassratio,85% oftheairflowthatpassestheenginedoesnot enter its core making it quieter than the traditionalturbojetengines.
Aroundthe1960s,the747-100’slongrangecapabilitiesrevolutionizedtheaviation industry.Traditionalplanesbeforethe747100hadtostopinbetweenflightstorefuel theirtanksbutwiththe747-100.itcouldfly from continent to continent. The cultural impact this plane had on the world has inspiredmanyupcomingengineersandhas appeared in numerous cultural references includingfilm,television,etc.
The747-SP(SpecialPerformance)isthe mostuniquecustomorder,withitsshortened fuselage and long-range capabilities. This specificvariantofthe747istheshortestof themallduetothecustomerrequirements. Whywasthiscustomordermade?PanAm requested aspecial planethat could travel nonstopfromcontinenttocontinentsimilar tothe747-100,however,thisplaneis47feet shorterthanthe747-100.Duetoeconomic demand,PanAmwantedaplanethathada shorterfuselagetomeetitsspecificneedsfor ultra-long-rangeflightsonrouteswithlower passengerdemand.Thisvastlydemandsthe popularityofaroute,timeofyear,economic conditions,etc.AnotherreasonwhyPanAm requestedashorter747wasbecausesome airportshaverestrictedfacilities,thismight mean some airports have shorter runways makingplanesaslargeasthe747-100orthe B777unabletotakeoff.
TheBoeing747-200wasmadetooffer airlinesavariantofthe“JumboJet”with increasedperformancecapabilitiescompared tothe747-100.Themaindifferencebetween these two variants is the ability to have longer-haulflights. Itsrangeoutrankedthe747-100,achievinga figureof12,150km,whichisabout6,560 nauticalmiles.Whilethe747-100couldonly manage 8,560km (4.620 NM), since the airlinessawasignificantimprovement,itis the2ndbest-selling747variant!
The747-200slowlyfelloutoffavordue tonewermodelsofferingincreasedpassenger capacityandtheconvenienceofatwo-person glasscockpit(startedwiththe747-400)and evenlonger-haulflightssincetheyhavea largerrange.
TheB747-300isrankedasthesecond worst-performing variantintermsofsales with only 81 units being sold (the SP is consideredtobetheworstwithonly45units beingsold.)Onereasonwhythisvariantdid notperformwellinsaleswasduetothe timing. Boeing decided to launch this knowingthe747-400wasrightaroundthe corner.
Anotherreasonwhythisvariantdidnot perform well is that it did not have any significant changes compared to its past successors;theonlychangethattheymadeto the747-300wasitsupperdeckwhichwas votedtobe747’smostnoticeabledeck.
However,ifyoudospotthisplanemakesure totakeapicturesincetheyareararesight!:)
Thesetwoplanes,whilehavingsignificant similarities,haveexperiencedvastlydifferent outcomesintermsofsalesfigures.Atotalof 694unitsofthe747-400havebeensold, comparedtoonly155ofthe747-8being sold.Thisisnotbecauseofluckorchance; instead,itstemsfromamisstepinBoeing's releasestrategy.Themistakeliesinthetiming of the release dates for these two aircraft models.
The747-400wasintroducedinthelate 1980swhenthedemandforlarge-capacity aircraftwashigh.Itbenefitedfrombeingone ofthemostadvancedandefficientaircraftof its time, capitalizing on a period of high demandforsuchplanes.Incontrast,the747-8 wasintroducedabout20yearslaterfacing differentmarketdemands.
The747-8competedwiththemorefuelefficienttwin-enginejetssuchastheB777, andthe747-8hadtocompetewiththeA380 duetothefacttheywerereleasedaroundthe sametime.Additionally,themarketdemands are very different compared from then to now.Demandsforverylargeaircraftlikethe 747-8havedeclinedovertheyearsasairlines havefocusedonsmaller,morefuel-efficient planesthatofferbetterrouteflexibilityand economics.
Themostsignificantphysicaldifferences betweenthesetwoplanesaretheengines, specificallythecowlingsontheengineand thewinglets.Onthe747-8sengine,youfind segregatedcowlingsarounditsengines,while the747-400doesnothavethis.
Why is this? - Thecowlingsaren'tapart oftheenginebutacoveringthatprotectsthe enginefromdirtbuildingupandeatingaway attheengine.Whydoesthe747-8havethis and why is it a significant upgrade? The reason why segregated cowlings have a substantialimpactontheengineisthatthe designisintendedtoimproveaerodynamics andreducenoiselevelsduringtakeoffand landing.Thisisbecausetheserratededgesor chevronshelpmixtheexhaustflowfromthe engines with the surrounding air more smoothly,reducingturbulenceandnoise.
Allgoodthingsmustcometoanend,and thetrueaviationicontheBoeing747has takenitsfinalbow,leavingbehindarich legacythatwillforeverbeengravedinthe records of commercial aviation. As the curtainsfallonthisaviationicon,itslegacy will continue to inspire generations of engineeringandenthusiastsalike,reminding usoftheboundlesspossibilitiesthatcanbe achievedwheninnovationtakesflight.
Withtheweathergettingwarmerexcept for the occasional surprise winter storms, struggling with what to wear in this transitionfromwintertospringcanseem overwhelming.Looknofurther;ifyouwant aperfectspringwardrobe,you’vecometothe rightplace.
Seasonaltrendscanbeexcitingtolook forwardto,buttrendscomeandgo,andthe onlythingyoucancountonarebasicstaples. Thesesimplestaplesinyourwardrobecan helpyouputtogetheranyoutfit.
Agreatpiecethatwouldfitnicelyinto yourwardrobearebutton-uptopsthatcome inclutchduringthisspring.Theylookvery classyandelegantandarequitewarmtowear inthisconstantlychangingseason.Youcan pairthemwithhigh-waistedjeans,skirts,and somejewelrytomakeaneffortless, classy outfit.
Inaddition,whenitturnssurprisinglycold —acommonoccurrenceintheever-changing climateofOntario—youcanalwaysthrowon anovercoat.Theyalwayslookgreatwith anythingandcanbewornthroughoutthe season. They look great with dress pants, wide-legjeans,andlong-sleevetopsfora chilly,rainydayinthespring
Floral-themeddressesaregreatforthis springtowearoutduringdinnersorforany dressyoccasion.Theypairwellwithsome heelsorsneakers,whetheryouwanttodress themupordown.Astapledressisalways greattohaveinyourwardrobethisspring.
Finally,thelastnumberthatwouldbegreat withanyoutfitisacardigan.Theyareanice piecetowearwhenit'sgloomyoutsideor want to wear something easy and cozy. Simplecardiganscanalwaysbeago-tothis spring. They can be paired with jewelry, sneakers,andat-shirtunderneath.
Hopefully,youhavegotsomeinspiration foryourcapsulespringwardrobe.Navigating thetransitionfromwintertospringcanbe challenging,withfluctuatingtemperaturesand unexpected weather patterns. However, by focusing on timeless staples like button-up topsandlayeringwithversatilepiecessuchas overcoats,youcaneffortlesslyadapttothe changingconditionswhilemaintainingachic appearance.
Remember,whileseasonaltrendsmay comeandgo,it'stheclassicpiecesinyour wardrobethattrulystandthetestoftime.By investinginqualitybasicsandincorporating themintoyourspringwardrobe,you'llhave versatilepiecesatyourdisposalforcreating endlessoutfitcombinations.
So,asyouembracethewarmerweatherof spring,don'tforgettoelevateyourstylewith essentialpiecesthatnotonlyreflectyourtaste but also ensure comfort and functionality. Withtherightwardrobeessentialsinhand, you'llbereadytostepoutwithconfidence andflair,nomatterwhattheseasonbrings.
Familydynamics
Megbeingoverlooked
JohnBrookes;TheTrueVillain ofLittleWomen
Characters
MegMarch→oldestsister(17) levelheaded
JoMarch→anauthor,secondoldestsister(15) ofteninconflictwithAmy
BethMarch→secondyoungestsister(14) veryquiet/introverted,diesofScarletFever
AmyMarch→youngestsister
Marmee→Marchsisters’mother
TheodoreLaurence(referredtoasLaurie)→ theMarchsisters’neighbor Jo’sbestfriend,andAmy’shusband
WrittenbyLouisaMayAlcott
TheMarchsistersliveinaquaintoldhome,nexttoanoldmanwhosegrandson,Laurie,movesin duringtheexpositionofthemovie.LaurieandJobecomebestfriends,eventhoughLauriesecretlyhad feelingsforherfromthesecondhelaideyesonher.AfterMeg’swedding,LaurieconfesseshislovetoJo anditturnsoutthatshedoesn’treciprocatehisfeelings.Sevenyearslater,Joisseenworkingasawriterin NewYork,AmyisstudyingpaintinginParis,andMeghadmarriedMr.Brooke,aschoolteacher. Suddenly,JoandMegreceivenewsthatBethissufferingfromScarletFever.Herdiagnosisreunitesthe3 sisters,whileAmyremainsinPariswithLaurie.Eventually,AmyandLauriereturntoMassachusetts, deliveringthenewsoftheirengagement.WhenJorealizesthatallofhersistershavegrownupandmoved onfromtheirchildhood,shebeginstoquestionherdecisiontoturnLauriedown—notbecauseshegrew tolovehim,butbecauseofanoverwhelmingsenseoflonelinessthateventuallybegantobotherher
DuetoLittleWomenbeingbasedoffof Alcott’sreallife,thisslice-of-lifemoviehasa prettymundaneplot.Therefore,Iwillbe focusingmoresoonthecontrastsbetween eachsisterandhowtheycontributetoeach audience member’s ability to identify themselveswithatleastoneoftheeminent characters.
Iwouldliketobeginwiththemain protagonistofthemovie,JoMarch.Jowasin somewayssimilartoallhersisters.Shetook on a lot of responsibility like Meg, was stubbornlikeAmy,anddespitebeinghot headed,shecaredforandlovedherfamilyjust like Beth. However, she displayed these characteristics much differently than her sisters.She’dmakemoneyforthefamilyby lettinggoofherprideandmarryingoffthe main protagonist in her book, despite believingthatmarriagewasjustaneconomic prospectforwomen.Jowasstubborninthe waythatshewoulddowhatevershehadto dotopursueherpassions,howeverthisalso ledtohernotbeingabletotakecriticismtoo well.Lastly,shelovedherfamily,butdidnot dothebestjobatexpressingittothem.
Thesecondmostobjectivelyrelevantsister, AmyMarc,wasthemostsimilaryetdifferent toJo.Theybothhaddifferentdreams,but very similar personalities and opinions. As mentionedbefore,AmyandJowereboth loudandoutspokenpeople.Sowheredothey differ?Inthebeginningofthemovie,Jo believed that marriage was an economic prospectanditwasimpliedthatshedidn’t believe that anybody could love her romanticallybecauseherpassionforwriting didn’t exactly makeherevery man’sideal woman.
Asperherfamousquote,“Women,they haveminds,andtheyhavesouls,aswellas justhearts.Andthey’vegotambition,and they’vegottalent,aswellasjustbeauty.I’m sosickofpeoplesayingthatloveisalla womanisfitfor.”Towardstheendofthe movie,Jobecomeslessopposedtotheideaof marriage,infactshesays,“Icaremoretobe loved. I want to be loved.” I personally interpretedthisasherwantingtohavebeen lovedallalong,butonlybeingabletoadmitit whenitwasfartoolate.
AsforAmy,sheseemedquiteindifferentto theconceptsofloveandmarriage,butwas willingtomarryherselfofftoarichmanfor thebenefitofherfamily,assuggestedby AuntMarch.However,towardstheendof themovie,itisclearthatAmyhasmatured andnolongerviewstheworldthroughrosetintedglasses.Thisisevidentinthequote “I’mjustawoman.AndasawomanIhaveno waytomakemoney,notenoughtoearna livingandsupportmyfamily[...]Sodon’tsit there and tell me that marriage isn’t an economicproposition,becauseitis.Itmay notbeforyoubutitmostcertainlyisforme.”
Nextup,andmypersonalfavourite,isMeg March.Megwastheoldestsisterwhotookon mostofthefamily’sresponsibilities.Sinceshe wastheoldest,itwas“required”ofhertobe humble and never ask for more than the family could afford. Despite these responsibilities,Meghadalovingmarriage withMr.Brooke,whodidn’thavethemost comfortableeconomiclife.AuntMarch,as wellasJo,wentontocriticizeherforthis choice–AuntMarchhatedMegforthefact thatshemarriedapoormanandJojudged herforgettingmarriedatall.Inresponseto this,MegtellsJoquitesimply,“Justbecause mydreamsaredifferentfromyoursdoesn’t meanthey’reunimportant.”
Atthispointyoumaybeaskingyourself, “What does this have to do with the audience?”Recently,Iwastalkingtoafriend aboutthenovelandwebuttedheadsonwho was more “morally correct” during the chapterinwhichAmyburnedJo’ssoon-to-be manuscript. Forcontext, MegandJohad beeninvitedtotheoperabyLaurieandMr. Brooke,butAmybeggedthemtolethertag along.MegandJosimplyblewheroffand laughedather.MyfriendagreedwithAmy andthoughtwhatshedidwasjustifiedsince Amy’spassionwastheatre.IfJocouldtake away an opportunity for Amy’s potential futurecareer,whycouldn’tAmydothesame? MyopiniononthesituationisthatJohad takenawayanopportunityforapotential futurecareer(thatcouldbe“fixed”lateronby simplybuyingticketsforalatershow),while Amy had completely destroyed her sister’s work.
Keepinmindthatthesettingisinthe 1860s,soJohadcompletelyhandwrittenthe entiremanuscript.However,uponreflecting onthatdiscussion,Irealizedthatwewere bothcomingatitwithseverebiasestowards JoandAmy.Thisisbecauseeachaudience membercanidentifywithadifferentsister. Amyisforthepeoplewhohavelearntthat theymustscreamtobeheard,Joisforthe peoplewithfierypassionwholetnothingget intheway,andMegisforthepeoplewho have different goals than others. After all, feminismisthefreedomtochoose.Louisa MayAlcottaswellasallthepeoplebehindthe productionofthemoviehaveearnedtheright tobeapplaudedfortheparagonthatLittle Womenhasbecome.