Archives for March 2022

Celebrate National Chip & Dip Day with Free Rubio’s Chips & Guac: Wednesday, March 23rd

Photo Credit: Rubio’s Coastal Grill.

To celebrate National Chip and Dip Day, Rubio’s Coastal Grill locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona are giving away free, freshly made chips and guacamole, with any purchase. Rubio’s guacamole is made daily using rich Hass avocados, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and natural sea salt. On Wednesday, March 23, order online at Rubios.com, or through the app, enter coupon code DIPDAY at checkout or scan the QR code on the coupon (https://www.rubios.com/coupons/national-chip-dip-day) in restaurants.

Best known for its award-winning Original Fish Taco, Rubio’s menu features responsibly sourced seafood and bold, unique flavors in dishes including brand-new menu items: the Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Bowl, the Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Burrito, and the Chipotle Honey Argentinian Shrimp Two Taco Plate, available for a limited time only.

Guests are encouraged to order ahead through the Rubio’s app or Rubios.com. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’sFacebook, and Instagram.

Self Disclosure: Information and images were provided by Rubio’s. I also received some form of compensation to facilitate this post.

Rajah, March 24th Pet of the Week

Rajah is letting the cat out of the box—er, bag—that kitten season has started up again. He and the other grownups in the room don’t want to be forgotten—they were kittens once, too, you know. Rajah is a healthy 1-year-old orange tabby with a white mask and chest on his medium-length fur. He’s shy at first but warms up awfully quick. He loves trying to sneak out of his kennel when visitors come to meet him! Adoptions are conducted by appointment only except for Sundays, when they open from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., so email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or visit our shelter at 7700 E. Spring St. to meet Rajah. Ask for ID#A#671677.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

After You Earn Your Psychology Degree, What’s Next?

Once you have finished your degree in psychology, what comes next? There are many paths that await you after graduation, and it’s an exciting time of your life!

What next?

If you have graduated with a master’s degree in psychology program, your first consideration is what to do next.

In this article, we will explore each of the areas and share information about the job market. We will also explore some courses that professionals might want to take afterward.

Finally, we will discuss what students should do if they want more time before completing their degrees, so they have time to find a job or enter grad school.

How to Use Your Graduate Degree for the Long Term

Many professionals will not be working for a single employer for their entire career of 30+ years.

Therefore, you should consider what you do after you complete your degree. The degree can be used to provide flexibility in the work that you do, and it can also help in researching new jobs.

There are many people who will change careers because of a more fulfilling job opportunity or simply because they want to work up the career ladder they have found themselves on.

For example, if you have completed a community psychology degree program, there are many avenues that you can go after earning your degree. You could end up working with individuals or families who have mental health problems and need assistance on how to become more mentally healthy or how to get better treatment.

How to Keep Yourself Engaged

There are many professionals who simply graduate from a degree program in psychology but then spend most of their time pursuing other careers.

The degree does not necessarily have to be your only focus, and it can serve as a foundation for many different types of careers. You may want to pursue further education that will allow you to begin your own business or move into other fields of employment.

You may also want to choose a career that is just outside of your major field of study.

What You Can Do with a Psychology

Your degree can help you maintain or advance your career if you find that your previous education is not enough. You may want to continue with your job and earn the next promotion but be sure to take courses in management to help develop those skills.

In addition, always keep on top of new trends and make sure that you know how technology is affecting your field. Learning how to apply these changes can help you stay ahead of the curve and keep a job for a long time.

After earning a degree in psychology, it is often hard for many people to decide what they want their future careers to be.

Gaining Experience In The Psychology Field

While it is possible to find a job without a degree, it is difficult to get a job that can provide that extra experience that you would need to move into leadership roles or positions at the highest levels of a company.

It can be beneficial for people who want to move into high-ranking positions with great responsibilities to take additional classes and education on top of working toward a master’s degree.

The Adam Project * Whooshes Into Realistic Topics – Grieving, Being Bullied, Accepting Who You Are

After accidentally crash-landing in 2022, time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his 12-year-old self for a mission to save the future.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “The Adam Project is a sci-fi movie that takes you on a wild, CGI-filled flight that is out of this world—with futuristic technology that makes you excited but also afraid of what could come, and crazy fight scenes that defy gravity. This film also whooshes you into some very realistic topics, too, like grieving for a loved one, being bullied by classmates and accepting who you are.” See her full review below.

The Adam Project

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

The Adam Project is a sci-fi movie that takes you on a wild, CGI-filled flight that is out of this world—with futuristic technology that makes you excited but also afraid of what could come, and crazy fight scenes that defy gravity. This film also whooshes you into some very realistic topics, too, like grieving for a loved one, being bullied by classmates and accepting who you are.

The year is 2050 and time travel exists; however, it is proving to be too dangerous for humanity’s own good. After time-traveler pilot Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds) misses the destination of his mission, to land in 2018, and instead crash-lands in 2022, he is found by his 13-year-old self (Walker Scobell). Together, they embark on a mission to “un-do” time travel so they can fix the past to save the future of the world. But first, the Adams must learn how to get along with each other.

The special effects are one of the most notable things about this movie. The wormholes have a mind-boggling appearance, and the ships are straight out of an alien planet. The sci-fi elements look so realistic – as realistic as those can be – that it gives the impression that the cinematographers used time travel themselves to capture these scenes. The overall storyline of the movie is creative, but it does not really have any unique plot twists nor is it fully developed.  And as a result, this film comes off a little bland and seems to be missing something. The Adam Project includes some great actors besides Ryan Reynolds, including Jennifer Garner (Adam’s mom). In Reynold’s performance, you can really feel all his tension and childhood trauma built up, ready to burst. He also manages to make you laugh really hard. Jennifer Garner is the perfect fit for Adam’s loving mother who’s trying to keep it together as a single mom.

This movie has great messages about never giving up and learning to live with your past. There is some profanity, intense fighting scenes, blood, and some adult jokes.

I give The Adam Project 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18, plus adults. This movie releases exclusively on Netflix on March 11, 2022.

Turning Red * Vivid And Dazzling Animation Of Friendship, Parenting, Adolescence And Boy Bands

Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red introduces Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda! Directed by Academy Award® winner Domee Shi (Pixar short “Bao”) and produced by Lindsey Collins.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “Turning Red is a vivid and dazzling animated story of friendship, parenting, adolescence, and boy bands. Director Domee Shi makes her feature film directorial debut and gives us her unique take on puberty and parenting. Kids and adults alike will find this movie enjoyable given the relevancy of the topics and relatability of the characters.” See her full review below.

Turning Red

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Turning Red is a vivid and dazzling animated story of friendship, parenting, adolescence, and boy bands. Director Domee Shi makes her feature film directorial debut and gives us her unique take on puberty and parenting. Kids and adults alike will find this movie enjoyable given the relevancy of the topics and relatability of the characters.

Set in Toronto in 2002, this beautifully-animated movie follows Meilin “Mei” Lee (Rosalie Chiang), a confident 13-year-old girl who is torn between staying her overprotective mother’s obedient daughter and being an independent person with her own interest. And if that is not enough, whenever she feels a powerful emotion, she turns into a giant, fluffy red panda.

The world-building is phenomenal, specifically that of the boy band that Mei and her friends are obsessed with. 4-Town, the boy band, perfectly captures the essence of a boy band with corny love songs, crazy fanatics and, of course, cute boys. Along with that, Turning Red captures the complexity of mother-daughter relationships across generations with both comedy and drama. The animation is visually stunning as it mixes Eastern and Western animation techniques together to make a fresh, new style while still staying true to Pixar’s recognizable animation form and style. My favorite performances are that of Sandra Oh (Ming) and Rosalie Chiang (Mei) because there is such a strong chemistry between the characters in how the actors portray a real-life, genuine relationship.

The message of the movie is to honor your parents, but make sure to be your own person while doing so. The movie animates the idea of suppressing your emotions and personality for others. It also highlights the power of friendship and the key role it plays in your life.

I give Turning Red 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 18, plus adults. Turning Red releases exclusively on Disney+ on March 11, 2022.

Practical Ways to Prepare Your Child for their Educational Journey

The most important thing a parent can do for their child is prepare them for the educational journey. This includes setting expectations, helping with homework, and instilling a love of learning. You’ll give your child a head start on their academic career by doing these things!

In this article, we will discuss how to prepare your child for their educational journey.

Set expectations

One of the most important things a parent can do for their child is to set expectations. This includes setting expectations for school, homework, and behavior. When you set expectations, you tell your child what you expect them to do and what you expect from them. This helps your child know what’s expected of them and gives them a roadmap to follow.

It’s important to set realistic expectations. You don’t want to set your child up for failure by expecting them to get straight A’s when they’re struggling in school. However, you also don’t want to set the bar too low. Aim to set expectations that are challenging but achievable. This will help motivate your child and give them a sense of accomplishment.

Help with homework

Another important thing parents can do to help prepare their children for their educational journey is to help with homework. Homework can be a challenge for children, and it’s often difficult for parents to know how to help.

You can make sure your child has a quiet, distraction-free place to do their homework. This will help them focus and get their work done.

You can also help by providing resources such as books, websites, or apps to help with specific assignments. And, of course, you can always offer moral support! Let your child know that you’re there for them and want them to succeed.

Instill a love of learning

The last thing parents can do to help prepare their children for their educational journey is instill a love of learning. When a child loves learning, they’re more likely to do well in school.

There are many ways to instill a love of learning in your child. You can start by exposing them to various subjects, letting them explore their interests, and providing positive reinforcement.

Another way to help is to make learning fun. Play games, read stories and do arts and crafts with your child. This will help them associate learning with enjoyment and make it more likely to want to do it.

Be involved in your child’s education

It is important to ask your child about their day at school. It’s also important to help with homework and provide resources such as books, websites, or apps to help with specific assignments. You should try to make learning fun by doing activities together like playing games, reading stories, or doing arts and crafts.

Most importantly, be involved in your child’s education by asking them about their day at school, helping with homework, and being a positive role model. These are practical ways to help prepare your child for their educational journey.

Make learning fun

One of the best ways to help your child prepare for their educational journey is to make learning fun. This will help them associate learning with enjoyment and make it more likely to want to do it.

There are many ways to make learning fun. You can start by exposing your child to various subjects, letting them explore their interests, and providing positive reinforcement. You can also play games, read stories, and do arts and crafts with your child.

Making learning fun is a great way to help your child prepare for their educational journey. It will help them associate learning with enjoyment and make it more likely to want to do it.

Take practice tests

One of the most important ways to prepare for an exam is to take practice tests. This allows you to get used to the exam format, and it also helps you identify any areas where you may need more practice. Another great thing about practice tests is that they can help you relax and feel more confident on the day of the actual exam. There are several different resources that you can use to find practice tests, so be sure to do some research and find the right ones for you.

This is even more important if they’re preparing for International or British school admission. British schools have several different requirements, so it’s important to make sure that your child is prepared for everything they ask.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to helping your child prepare for their educational journey!

Xela, March 17th Pet of the Week

You can call her “Zela,” you can call her “Shella,” or you can call her “Alex backward.” But whatever you call Xela, she’ll be happier than a dog with a marrowbone if you simply call her to play, for dinner, for cuddles. Xela is a 2-year-old American pit bull terrier who, once she’s out of her kennel, does not want to return to it. She sees how much fun she can have with people and wishes someone would take her home and foster her, or make it permanent! Adoptions are now conducted through appointment only, so call 562-570-PETS or email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to meet Xela. Ask for ID#A669125.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Upcoming Dance & Music Events at Getty

The Assyrian, Not Syrian! Concert. Courtesy of the Getty Museum

The Assyrian, Not Syrian! Concert

Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 3 pm

The Getty Villa

Tickets are $20

Discover the history and contemporary life of Assyrian immigrants through live music, storytelling, and dance that blends the ancient and the modern. This interdisciplinary folk concert includes vocals, qanounduduk, clarinet, bass, percussion, and piano with songs performed in Assyrian. Presented by Gilgamesh Art & Culture Foundation, an Orange County-based organization dedicated to empowering and representing the richness of Assyrian and Iranian heritage. This event complements the exhibition Assyria: Palace Art of Ancient Iraq.

Still from hbny (pronounced eh-boh-nee) by Chris Emile. Photo: Ciarra K. Walters

Poussin Projected: A Screening of Contemporary Dance Films

Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 3 pm

The Getty Center, at Harold M. Williams Auditorium

Free

See three newly commissioned dance films by leading LA-based choreographers Chris Emile, Ana María Alvarez, and Micaela Taylor. Their dynamic works complement the Getty Center exhibition Poussin and the Dance and respond to the French artist’s intricate depictions of dramatic scenes, richly colored textiles, enigmatic landscapes, and powerful bodies in motion that radiate celebration or despair. The screening is followed by a discussion and Q&A with choreographers Chris Emile and Ana María Alvarez, delving into their processes and inspiration. After the screening and talk, join a celebratory reception with light bites and drinks. Poussin and the Dance is on view in the Museum’s Exhibitions Pavilion, Upper Level. Watch the dance films online here.

Credit: The Getty.