Hidden Gifts: What To Know So Your Child Isn’t Overlooked

School’s in session – and although most of their parents don’t realize it, millions of early elementary age kids are being screened, tested, and sorted in an attempt to find those who need gifted education support services to flourish.

While it may seem that gifted kids should be able to do well in any setting, parents, researchers, and specialists who advocate for this sometimes overlooked group point out that many of our brightest child minds become bored, frustrated, and tuned out – both socially and academically – without placement in a gifted program that allows them to move through the curriculum at their own pace and connect with “mental mates” who may hold similar interests.

While many schools do an excellent job of finding these kids using screening methods like teacher recommendations and group IQ testing, parents shouldn’t be entirely dependent on the schools when it comes to identification. Keep in mind that many teacher training programs require little, if any, course work in giftedness, so some teachers and school administrators may not have all the information they need to recognize gifted children. There are also gifted kids who are not particularly high achievers in the classroom or who don’t do well on group tests. These kids may have problems with attention, have poor organizational skills, or simply not mesh with the teaching style in the classroom, and therefore may be overlooked when it comes to selection of gifted program candidates.

These types of scenarios are not unusual. In fact, some estimate that the majority of gifted children in the schools are never identified. That may not be a tragedy for some, but it very well could be for others who truly need special programming and support to get through school successfully.

I recall one boy he tested privately at the request of his mother who was concerned because her son was getting poor grades, having conflicts with the teacher, and becoming more and more disinterested in school. He was having social conflicts too, being teased and picked on by other students who liked to see his overreactions when they provoked him. It had gotten to the point where home schooling was being considered since it was getting harder to even get him out the door to go to school, which he considered torture. The school had never tested her son for giftedness. Whatever screening process was in place had missed him. Possibly because he didn’t fit the high-achieving, cooperative, wunderkind image that some teachers look for when making recommendations for gifted screening. Yet it turned out that his IQ measured in the 160’s – in the exceptionally gifted range.

This boy’s problems at school are not unusual for unidentified gifted kids. Had he been properly tested and placed in an alternative program, many of his academic and social problems might have been avoided. At the very least, the boy’s parents and teachers would have had a better understanding of his problems and been able to collaborate from a more informed perspective to come up with solutions.

Because schools can sometimes look over gifted kids who may need special programming, your insights as a parent are important. The more knowledge you have, the better position you’ll be in to collaborate with the school to help assure that your child’s potential and learning needs are not overlooked.

SO HOW DO YOU TELL IF YOUR CHILD IS GIFTED?

As you’ve probably guessed, without proper assessment, which involves a professionally administered IQ test, there is no easy answer. There are no universally accepted traits that you can look for and no definitive signs that will tell you for sure whether your child is gifted. However, many gifted children share some common characteristics, and knowing these is a good place to start.

Language Skills

While most children are able to form recognizable sentences and understand complex language by about two years of age, gifted children often reach these milestones earlier. As they approach school age, other language skills may appear advanced or sophisticated.

Learning Abilities

All children (all people really, big and small) have an inborn desire to learn about the world around them – to seek out new experiences, figure out the relationship between themselves and their surroundings, to discover, and to learn. What distinguishes gifted children from others is the apparent natural ease and joy with which they go about doing this. Their brains appear to be mental sponges, effortlessly absorbing and incorporating new information and ideas.

Emotional and Behavioral Traits

Gifted children are often more emotionally intense than others. They can also be more sensitive to others’ feelings and circumstances and may display a great deal of empathy in situations where others their age appear indifferent.

Motor Skills

Gifted children may also be advanced in skills involving balance, coordination, and movement and in some purposeful fine-motor activities such as assembling small objects (e.g., legos, transforming toys, blocks) or putting puzzles together.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED

So what should you do if your child has shown many of the above traits, and you feel that he has been overlooked by the school’s gifted screening process? While you don’t want to be perceived as overly protective or pushy, you also want to make sure that those making the decisions have all the information they need to truly understand your child.

Start by talking with your child’s teacher and sharing your thoughts. Parents and teachers are a child’s most important allies and they need to keep each other informed and up to date. Each sees the child from a different perspective and each has a particular insight into a child’s learning needs. As a parent, you’ve watched your child’s development since birth. You’ve seen him at home, at play, with friends, and with family. You’re in a good position to truly understand his specific interests, temperament, unique gifts, strengths, and limitations. The teacher, on the other hand, has had an opportunity to evaluate your child’s learning style, academic skills, and social and cognitive development in comparison to a large number of other children of the same age. It doesn’t take long for most experienced teachers to develop an intuitive sense of their students’ strengths and needs – to evaluate how quickly they learn, the type of instruction they respond to best, and t heir attitudes toward school. The teacher may also help you to better understand the district’s gifted education program and how it is different than what your child is already receiving.

Together, you should be able to get a more complete, objective view than either of you had on your own. Maybe you’ll come to realize that your child would be better off in a general education program since his learning style would not mesh with the type of curriculum being used in the district’s gifted program. On the other hand, in light of the extra information you have given her the teacher may recommend to the district administrator in charge of gifted placement that your child be tested further, maybe with an individually administered IQ test.

If you’ve already talked with the teacher and you still feel that your child’s needs are not being met, then consider following up on your request with an administrator. Find out through conversations with other parents, or by a phone call to the district office, who is in charge of the gifted program selection process at your child’s school. Then write a politely worded letter stating your concerns. Also consider sending a copy to the district’s coordinator of gifted education, the school principal, and the teacher.

Now all you need to do is allow those involved to respond and let the district’s screening process take over. Districts generally want to work with parents and will follow up on most reasonable requests.

Editor’s Note: David Palmer’s Book, Parents’ Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education: All You Need to Know to Make the Right Decisions for Your Child (2006) is available online and through Barnes and Noble and other fine book sellers.

SIDE BAR MATERIAL: Remember, IQ tests are best seen as predictors of academic achievement. An IQ score only tells us how a certain child has performed on a certain test at a certain time, and says little about that child’s true potential. Children can be gifted in many ways that are not measured on an IQ test.

 

The Exhilarating Exercise: Group Sex DVD

Sex has been proven to be an exercise that may raise all your thinking levels when practiced on a constant basis; for instance, even watching the Gay Porn DVD can end up with an increased brain activity that will be made to reach higher levels. The amount of blood will be pumped through your whole system even if you just watch a porn movie. The effect is likely to be the same as the one that is encountered when having real sex.

Sex is also likely to quicken all the heart beats and even the adrenaline levels can be thus increased when watching a Group Sex DVD; therefore, the bottom line that is to be considered is that the sexual intercourse is highly beneficial to your entire boy. The chemicals that are released will thus be enhanced and your immune system is likely to be boosted as well. But even if sex can be a healthy and beautiful exercise, it is mandatory for you to take the necessary cautions in order to make sure you are not going to be infected with sexual transmitted diseases.

But watching the Group Sex DVD is not likely to come along with all these necessary cautions; but if you are going for real sex, you have to be perfectly aware that you and your partners should be mindful enough in order to protect yourselves. These cautions are to be considered especially if you are not likely to be totally faithful to your sexual partners. But if you are only interested in spicing up your sex life, you can even become daring enough in order to watch a Gay Porn DVD together with your partner.

This type of gay sex may actually be regarded as a sexual game that can aroused the necessary appetite; the sex life should be prevented from becoming a boring activity and the Gay Porn DVD can actually make the necessary difference when trying to bring something new in your bedroom. But you will also have to be sure that this decision will take into account your partner’s needs regardless of his/her sexual orientation.

Every sex session must be enjoyed because you and your partner are in charge of your sex life; no one is likely to interfere in this relationship and you will have to make everything in order to spice it up. The partners are the ones that can make the necessary choice that will make their relationship survive; even the simplest Group Sex DVD is to be used in order to get some new ideas about what you should do in order not to waste the sexual experiences with your partner.

Having rushing, boring and impassionate sex with your own partner is a thing that you must avoid because it can lead to the total destruction of your relationship. The heat is to be turned on in order to make sure that your sexual partner is still interested in having sexual intercourse with you; every sexual session should be transformed into an exciting and fulfilling experience and you have to take full advantage of the sex toys and games that are available on the current market in order to specie up your sex life.

Erotic and exciting games are to be played in your bedroom and you may even buy a Group Sex DVD in order to achieve the wanted results. You have to be perfectly aware that only an exciting and adventurous sex life is likely to make your relationship become lovely and fulfilling; if you are not sure of your idea or you experience a total lack when trying to think about them, you may actually watch porn movies in order to provide yourself with the necessary information.

Knowledge is to be achieved in order to make sure you know how to take care of you and your partner in a very erotic manner. Creativity and imagination are to be used in order to take full advantage of all the things that are to be found on the current market because you can actually take care of your sex life in order to transform it into a very exciting one. You should not feel ashamed of making use of all the sex toys and porn movies that are to be found out there because they were especially created in order to enhance your sexual experiences and opportunities. You may use them in case you notice that routine is taking over your entire sex life without asking you first.

 

After a divorce: Tips for dealing with anger

After the divorce is final, the grieving over a failed marriage continues. Anger is a natural part of dealing with any loss. There always comes that time when your frustration at a situation that leaves you feeling helpless to fix reaches a peak. This frustration usually transforms into anger.

Anger is not a problem unless two things happen. It will be a problem if your anger is channeled into violent behavior. This is never good regardless of the cause of the anger. When anger erupts as violence, people get hurt, things get broken, and someone may get into trouble with the law. It is better to learn to deal with anger than to allow it to fuel aggressive violent behavior.

The second result of anger is that it settles in as a long-term guest in your life. It can take two possible forms if it does. The first thing that can happen with unresolved anger is that it drives a need for revenge. Some say that revenge is sweet. It is never satisfying. Revenge will only leave you with guilt and regret if you are functioning normally. Next, anger just settles in as gross unhappiness and bitterness at everything and everyone.

Bitterness can make you mean and difficult to get along with in every circumstance. You need to find a way to root out bitterness before it takes hold. The only real way to avoid bitterness is to deal with the anger and move on.

You have a choice with anger. You can let it rule over you, or you can take charge and decide that anger will not win. The first step is to realize that there are just some things in life that you cannot help. No matter what you would have done differently, the result would have probably been the same. Often, divorce falls into this category.

It might have been possible to head off the divorce years earlier. By the time you realize that divorce is imminent, there is little left to fix. Your energy to fix it is usually gone too. It just seems better to let go than to hang on. I am not a fan of divorce, but once the attorneys are called in, there is not much that can stop the process.

Since the divorce was not something you could completely control, being angry at the divorce or the ex-spouse is generally wasted energy. If you need to write a letter and vent, do it. Send it to your ex-spouse and forget it. Do not make threats. Just state the facts and your regrets. Mail it. Move on.

Get involved with charity work or a bowling league. Find something to eat up those extra hours that you will use to feel sorry for yourself and feed your anger. If you do not feed it, it will starve to death. Get more involved with your kids, or take a class. Anything that you can do to feel more alive is a good thing. For now, you are somewhat free. Take some risks and enjoy it.

Look for the positives about being single again. You have no one to really answer to other than your kids. If you become me outgoing and fun, they will be the benefactors, too. Do not worry about keeping up with your ex-spouse. Learn to be yourself. Build a life that includes your kids, but not your ex-spouse. It can be done, and it is worth the effort.

 

Gaming humor: What is the funniest moment in a video game?

To be honest, I’d be hard pressed to pick a particular moment of humour from any one game. I’ve been playing videogames for, ooh, must be 30 years by now, and a lot of them have crossed my path. The total must be into several thousand by now, and that’s not even including online or downloadable games.

I think for me, the humour in a game is at its best when it subverts the story it’s telling a little, either by poking fun at itself, or by breaking (or at least nudging) the fourth wall a little, and reminding you that what the character is doing would be fairly ridiculous in real life.

I think the best way to go with this will be to just pick a few examples.

The Secret of Monkey Island II: LeChuck’s Revenge (Lucasarts) – There’s way too many moments in this game. After all, it’s a comedy point and click adventure, being funny is what it’s supposed to do. But still…

The whole story of the game is supposedly being narrated by the lead character, as if he were telling what had been happening to him in the last few months. At one point, he’s suspended above a pit of acid, with about ten minutes to devise a MacGyverish way of escaping. If you actually wait out the ten minutes, he falls into the pit of acid and dies. We then cut to darkness, and then the person he’s telling the story to says something along the lines ‘So, how exactly are you telling me this?’

‘Oh, er…’

Game resets to you being suspended above the acid.

Another example would be Nethack (Various systems): This is a game which has accreted over the years, and included little sly references to all kinds of books, films and other media of the fantasy genre. At one point, people used to say the game included everything but the kitchen sink; a few versions later, it included kitchen sinks.

It’s the rarer, hard to get messages which are funniest, though. If a character throws something heavy or sharp in the air, and they’re not wearing a helmet, and it kills them, their tombstone will read ‘Killed by elementary physics’.

One of the odder parts of the game is being able to transform into different creatures in the right circumstances; this is where messages get really weird. If you turn into something metallivorous (able to eat metal), and eat a trident, you get the message ‘That was pure chewing satisfaction!’. For the non US readers, Trident is a brand of chewing gum.

They even have messages you can’t see in the current version, but are visible in the source code. If you could change into something that can eat rock (and nothing can at present), and ate a flint stone, you’d get the message ‘That was Yabba Dabba Delicious!’

There are a lot of amusing games that have been produced over the years, but to me, anything that’s that little bit seditious towards player expectations has the edge.

 

Remembering the 80s cartoons – Part 6

There was a time when I never thought I’d be saying things like: ‘Remember the time. . . ” but here I am, looking back on all of those hoary cartoons I watched and loved as a kid. Some of these properties are making a big comeback, like Transformers.

When I was a kid there was both a weekly line up and a Saturday morning line up of cartoons that I loved to watch. Over the years these line ups changed and there were so many cartoons that it can be hard to remember them all. But whatever the change, there was always something good to watch. My favorites:

1. Thunder Cats – my all time favorite! Even now, I still love the theme song!

2. He-man

3. The Littles

4. Star Brite

5. Alf Tales

6. Transformers

7. The Go-Bots

8. The Get Along Gang

9. Alf

10. Alvin and the Chipmunks

11. Foofur

12. The Adventures of Johnny Quest

13. Captain Caveman

14. Danger Mouse

15. Curious George

16. The Care Bears

17. Ducktails

18. Rubiks the Amazing Cube

19. Fat Albert

20. The Flintstones

21. Galaxy High – Also still a favorite!

22. Inspector Gadget

23. Hulk Hogan’s Rockin’ Wrestlin’

24. The Jetsons

25. Rude Dog and the Dweebs

26. Pacman

27. Muppet Babies

Yes, I know. A lot of these are pretty bad. When I look back now at some of those cartoons, many were nothing but cheaply made junk and I wonder why me and my friends were even entertained by them, especially the cartoons created from toy properties like Rude Dog and the Dweebs, Rubiks the Amazing Cube, Pacman or the Monchi-chiis! I even had some of these toys, such as the Rubiks cube (which I still can’t figure out to this day) and two monchi-chi figurines.

Cheap as they were, when you’re a child you can be easily entertained by simple fare. I would have slumber parties and my friends would come over Friday night and then on Saturday morning we would all get up and watch Alvin and the chipmunks, Pacman, The Littles, and all of that. I have to admit that the appeal partly comes from the catchy opening scene tunes. I still love the song for The Littles and Maya the Bee. During the week my sister and I would race home to watch Transformers, Go-Bots and Thundercats. It’s amazing what you’ll tolerate for entertainment as a kid. They can throw anything on TV and if it’s animated kids will watch it. That was certainly true back in the 80’s. When you look at the quality of the cartoons back then as far as content and execution they thrown together but they were fun to watch. As badly drawn and corny as 80’s cartoons are there was an innocence in those cartoons that I miss and don’t see in today’s cartoons. There wasn’t as much violence and cynicism. Back then cartoons were essentially made for children, not adults and I remember that just about all of the cartoons I named taught children about the value of cooperation, accepting others, friendship, loyalty and working together to achieve goals. That doesn’t mean that there weren’t violent cartoons. In fact, I think violence in cartoons got their start in the 1980’s but it has progressed since then dramatically.

If you were an 80’s child and you are looking to relive your childhood, YouTube has many of these old cartoons posted and it’s really fun watching them, noticing how dated and corny they were. But even so, they gave me so many good memories.

 

Transforming Your Kids Free Time

Kids’ free time usually leads to parents’ busier periods. But this does not have to be the case. When your kids come home from school or their extracurricular activities, you can continue giving the choice of doing something fun and educative at the same time. If homework and reading for next day’s classes is already completed, you can let them choose another type of leisure activity and add a lot of great kid-oriented fun to their daily routine.

If you are wondering how to choose a daily or weekend activity, you should better ask your kids first what they prefer doing. You can prepare beforehand a list of choices and let them choose the ones that they prefer doing alone or along your side and guidance. Visiting a kid’s venue, crafting a photo album, painting a huge board to hang it in their bedroom wall, going out to play sports, or meet friends and enjoy a movie or a theatrical presentation, can lead you to experience another type of productive time along with your kids and them to adore you for offering them the chance of doing something different and testing their abilities.

But remember to select the activities wisely. While there are a lot of great kid-oriented activities everywhere, going to one that leaves you sitting on the sidelines and rolling your eyes in boredom is no better than going to a totally “grown-up” event where the kids are climbing the walls. Focus on activities that everyone can participate in and enjoy and take advantage of changing seasons by teaching the kids to ski in winter and swim during summer time. You can always select to visit the children museum on a rainy afternoon and you can always enjoy a movie that “speaks” to both kids and adults, like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” or “Shrek.” These types of funny and interesting activities for all ages can alter your weekend feeling and make even you feel like a child again. In addition, special activities like puppet or magic shows, bowling and ice skating are all big draws for families. Just take yourself back in time and remember those activities you and your parents did while you were a kid and would love to experience now with your own kids as a parent.

Finally, the advice of many experts is to add educational activities into your free-time plans with your children. Bookstores and movie theaters have special child-oriented reading or screening times, which apart from being a fun and restful way to spend a weekend afternoon, can enhance your kids’ knowledge background. Of course, you should not forget the “old time favorites,” like zoos, aquariums, and children’s amusement parks, since they can transform any kid’s face by adding a huge happy smile. Even if you have done something similar in the past, special events or local festivities can you’re your visits fresh and exciting. If you are convinced that it is time to spend some time doing something different with your kids, then check your local papers and online websites for new and upcoming plays, concerts and festivals. The published ideas for family activities can give you dozens of suggestions and reveal many possible destinations available in your area.

 

Greek goddesses: Hera

Jealous, vengeful, beautiful, powerful-these are but a few of the words used to describe the Greek Goddess Hera, daughter of Kronos and Rheia. Hera is the queen of the gods and the goddess of women and marriage. It is often said that she is the only goddess who stays with a woman throughout her life. Long before she was married to her brother Zeus (incest was less an issue if you were a deity I suppose), Hera was worshiped as the ultimate being. She was the representation of creation as she was able to give birth. Legend says that the Milky Way was created from the milk of her breasts.

Soon, Zeus who had fallen in love with her was pursuing her. He attempted to seduce her by appearing in an alternate form. Zeus transformed himself into a cuckoo so that he could become the pet of Hera. Nestling himself against her breasts, he finally revealed his true face. Despite Zeus’ charms, Hera was aware that she wanted more from Zeus eventually convincing him to marry her. Their honeymoon lasted over 300 years, but like many relationships, Zeus had a wandering eye (or two.) Zeus, always the playboy, was constantly seducing and raping young goddesses and mortals alike.

The fact that Zeus would seek the comfort of others greatly angered Hera causing her to take revenge out on the women who had knowingly (or unknowingly) fallen under Zeus’ spell. There are multiple accounts of Hera’s wrath against those who had been bed by Zeus including Semele (who gave birth to a son by Zeus), Io who Zeus turned into a cow to protect (once Hera found out about this transformation, she sent a gadfly to torture Io until she was forced to flee to the ends of the earth-or as we call it today, Egypt) and Leto, a former lover of Zeus who was mysteriously pregnant with twins said to be those of Zeus. How’d that happen? Hera sent a giant python to destroy her, but Zeus was able to save her allowing her to give birth to Artemis and Apollo.

Not only were the lovers of Zeus in danger, but also the children of those affairs. Hera had a special distaste for the likes of Heracles (aka Hercules.) Son of Alcmene and Zeus, Hera sent two large serpents to kill him. (Her association as an Earth Goddess meant that snakes were important to her.) Hercules however was so strong that he was able to kill them with his bare hands. Hera, biding her time waited until just the right moment to try again. After marrying and having two children, Hera caused Hercules to go insane and kill

 

How to save money as a cat owner

In times of recession, everyone needs to pay careful attention to their spending. If you are a cat owner, there are simple ways to reduce your pet expenses without depriving your beautiful feline of their favorite toys, foods, and treats. Saving just a dollar here or there can make a large difference in a budget. Use these simple tips to save a few dollars on your cat purchases.

Buy in Bulk

Most cat foods and litter are available in larger sizes. If you have the room to store them, buy the largest size you can find. It may be a larger expenditure up front, but you will not have to constantly buy more. This may also save you a little gas because you will have to make fewer trips to the store for food!

Check for Coupons

Your Sunday newspaper or the ads that arrive in the mail may contain coupons for various pet treats and essentials. If you are already receiving these sources of coupons, don’t toss them into the recycling. Clip any for items that you regularly use. Savings of fifty cents or a dollar may not seem like much, but even these small cuts add up.

Stock up During Sales

Many stores will occasionally put different brands of cat food or treats on sale. If you find your favorite food or litter with a buy one, get one free discount, you may want to purchase several bags and store them until needed. Like buying in bulk, purchasing extra during a sale will cost more in advance but will save you money in the long run.

Purchase Medications Online

While you can purchase flea medication and other items you cat needs from the vet, there are better deals to be found online. You may find items that you already purchase for half the price of what you might pay at your vet’s office. Search the large pet websites to see if there are any great deals on the things you need.

Check Discount Stores

Your local bargain or dollar stores may have a great selection of cat food and toys available. Stores like Big Lots or Tuesday Morning may not have the same items all the time, but they often have terrific prices on common items. Just make sure not to let the good deals tempt you to buy items that you would not otherwise use.

Create Your Own

Try making your own cat toys instead of purchasing ones from the store. A few scraps of fabric and some stuffing can be transformed into something your cat will enjoy. Consider growing catnip in your yard as well. This herb is easy to grow, and can be dried and added to any toys that you make for your feline. Many cats prefer paper bags or boxes to store-bought toys, so ask for a paper bag the next time you are at the store and leave it out for your pet.

Get Regular Checkups

While it may seem expensive to take your cat to the vet for their regular visits, these small expenses could save you in the long run. By having their health checked out and getting all their inoculations, you will help your cat stay healthy in the long run. You may avoid an expensive surgery or medical treatment by catching potential problems early.

Your cat is a valuable part of the family, and their care should be a top priority. Begin with these simple ways to save money as a cat owner, and brainstorm your own solutions. If you can make just a small cut in each area of your budget, you will be protected from rising costs.

 

Travel destinations: Puerto Penasco, Mexico

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the border, Puerto Peasco’s sandy beaches and raw authenticity offer a quick respite for the inhabitants of many southern U.S. states seeking an exotic retreat in half the time. Economically priced hotels, restaurants, and shopping also offer great bargains for the traveler on a tight budget. But short drives and cheap food certainly aren’t the only thing that drew in 1.7 million visitors last year. The multitude of waterfront activities and the sizzling beach front nightlife keep tourists coming back for more.

It’s difficult to believe that this now bustling town began as a quiet fishing village in the 1920s. In those days, the surrounding caves and sand dunes served as humble abodes for the fishermen who inhabited the town during peak fishing seasons. Luckily, the accommodations have evolved over the decades into a slew of high class hotels and condos lining the sandy shore. And, while deep sea fishing charters are still a popular way to spend the day in Puerto Peasco, have no fear if you come back empty-handed. If playing Go Fish’ on the deck was as close as you got to a fish all day, you can always fall back on one of the many seaside cantinas or taco stands scattered throughout the town. Many of these popular eateries heat up after dark as they transform into beach front nightclubs, the most popular being Manny’s Beach Club on Mirador’s Beach. This non-stop beach party began as a taco stand in 1985 for a mere $600. Today, it is often referred to as the “landmark of Rocky Point” and features beach parties every night of the week, complete with a margarita bar and karaoke on the weekends.

After a sizzling night filled with thumping music and bottomless margaritas, Puerto Peasco’s wide, sandy beaches are sure to cool you off. With a multitude of activities for all ages and interests, you’re sure have a blast. Kayaking, kite surfing, parasailing, and snorkeling are just a few of the most popular activities here. For those who prefer to stay dry, Puerto Peasco also offers ATV and horse rides, as well as excellent hiking and shopping. Be sure to stop by one of the area’s more beloved attractions the Cet Mar Aquarium, which features many of the indigenous species of the north Gulf Coast. Visitors may feed the sea lions and see turtles. Some even say that they were permitted to go inside the sea lion exhibit to pose for pictures. (It would be wise to use discretion before doing so though as some visitors have been told otherwise and, of course, they are wild animals who may not be feeling very photogenic at the moment.)

Regardless of how you choose to spend your time in Puerto Peasco, you are certain to enjoy the relaxation and adventure of this tropical retreat. This quickly growing city has something for every traveler, while also offering reprieve from the commercialism that has overtaken many of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and thrifty getaway, throw your swimsuit and sandals in your bag, jump in the car, and head south to Puerto Peasco. And don’t forget to pack your cooler with some fresh, bottled water Montezuma often takes his revenge on unsuspecting and ill-prepared tourists in this city!

 

Movie reviews: The Forbidden Kingdom

Synopsis: As a creative telling of the “Journey to the West” tale, a young boy finds himself in mythical China. Trained and guided by legendary martial artists while pursued by the evil Jade Warlord’s army, the young boy embarks on a quest to restore the land to its former glory. Starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

DeNiro and Pacino.

Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Alien and Predator.

Throughout Hollywood history, movie audiences pine for certain characters and/or actors to face off against each other on the big screen. And thanks to “The Forbidden Kingdom,” legendary martial arts actors Jackie Chan and Jet Li finally have an arena to display their skills against each other. And martial arts film fans everywhere cheer.

“Saiyuki” or “Journey to the West” is a classic Chinese novel detailing the actions of the Monkey King as he guards a Buddhist monk through the Silk Road. The Monkey King is mischievous, and cocky but he has the skills to back up his boasting thanks to his magical staff. The adventures are arduous and the trials are difficult. But the Monkey King and his team prove their heroism through the novel. I can’t find a copy of the original “Saiyuki” in English, but today the closest retelling of the tale are found in the Japanese cartoon (anime) series “Saiyuki” and arguably, “Dragonball.”

In “The Forbidden Kingdom’s” telling of the tale, a young, modern day Bostonian named Jason (Michael Angarano) is established as a bona fide Kung-Fu movie fan with none of the ability to emulate his heroes. A bizarre turn of events puts a “Chekhov’s gun” device (in this case, The Staff of the Monkey King) in his hands and transports him into a mythical China where certain residents miraculously speak English. Jason finds allies such as a drunken fist master (Jackie Chan) and a talkative silent monk (Jet Li) while fighting the armies of the evil Jade Warlord (Collin Chou). Jason learns martial arts from his allies and the importance of his staff as they follow the road to their destiny.

The main selling point of “The Forbidden Kingdom” is Jackie Chan and Jet Li battling each other and together for the first time. For people wishing to see the movie just for those scenes, they’re in for a treat. The cinematic historic battle between Jackie Chan’s adaptability and experience versus Jet Li’s accuracy and energy is a sight to see as they punch, kick, throw, dodge, and parry at each other. When they’re not fighting each other, their differing styles are seen as they train young Jason in their respective styles.

For those who watch a movie beyond the fight scenes, they are in for a visual treat. Using China as a backdrop provides great color, architecture, and costumes. The opening credits alone provide a great timeline of Kung-Fu films. Further references to classic Kung-Fu films are generously sprinkled throughout the film. The Jade Warlord hires an assassin whose cold heart and fighting style resemble “The Bride With White Hair.” Hint: that assassin in question has white hair. Jackie Chan as a drunken master brings back memories of his classic film “The Drunken Master” while Jet Li’s monk character resembles his various monk protagonists. And the Monkey King’s movements and costume are very much similar to a really old Chinese TV serial of “Saiyuki.”

For a good popcorn Kung-Fu film, “The Forbidden Kingdom” delivers. My only main gripe is that the Bostonian scenes kind of makes “The Forbidden Kingdom” feel less like “Saiyuki” and more like “The Wizard of Oz.” But it’s a small gripe that doesn’t really kill the movie for me.

Rated PG-13 for martial arts action and violence. 113 min

 

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