FamiLane

People often say, when referring to other people who are not quite healthy, that they have a 'pear-shaped' body. When you look at an actual pear, it becomes fairly obvious why they would say that. Despite that, you should take a pear for what it is - a tasty and water-y fruit, and brother to the famous apple!

What comes to your mind when you see a carrot on the screen? I bet it's a rabbit! Carrots are considered a favourite food of the rabbit, but that does not mean you cannot eat any. Carrots are known to be quite beneficial for the health of the eyes, and so you should definitely think about eating some.

One of the great inventions of this age, the pizza is a dish that every human being savors. It has a soft (or crispy, depending on your taste) dough covered with a delectable sauce, topped with your choice of meat, and most importantly, it has loads and loads of cheese! Every time you pluck out a slice, you will surely be left mesmerized by the thread of cheese hanging on to the rest of the pizza.

Put aside all the modern energy drinks - why should you need something artificial when nature has already provided you with a natural solution? Should you ever feel in need of some instant energy, go eat a banana! It won't be long before you realize you're back up and running at full speed!

People always ask Mr. Orange if the color was named after him, or if he was named after the color orange. He could not care much about this though. He is more focused on making sure he has as much Vitamin C as he can muster, and that his muscles are strong and fresh!

They say trees come in all shapes and sizes. Well they don't say it, but if you look at a broccoli, that is exactly what you would think. All you have to do is take a tree, replace the trunk with some green vegetable goodness, and shrink it down to an edible size, and you have a broccoli! It is not to be taken lightly however, because it is a rather rich source of several vitamins!

Chances are, you've probably encountered this vegetable while eating Asian or Japanese cuisine. With a large head sprouting out in the form of a hemisphere, colored in red and peckled with red spots, a mushroom is only just the fruiting body of a fungus, normally growing on the food source itself. The size might be misleading though, because in real, it mostly consists of water!

Even before the summers arrive, the internet and social media get flooded with all the selfies and pictures of leaves and plants. My, advise? Grow a plant rather than taking pictures with it. Summers are a great time to do what you haven’t done before. You are in full activity swing and have loads of leisure time. Why not invest it in something productive. Besides, plants are beautiful, and the flowers make everything so much brighter.

Hello there, hope you are having a great day. Well, of course, you are, considering you have me now. Don’t get all weird about the glasses that I am wearing. I grow on top of the trees, and you get a terrible glare at such heights hence the sunglasses. Let’s talk some more about me because soon you are going to suck my juices dry and then eat my flesh. Even then, I am happy because giving joy to parched throats and dizzy minds during summers are kind of like my thing. So, enjoy me!

Creepy, silent and I want to say deadly, but I would be lying because all you feel if spiders even do bite you is a pinchy feeling. Although I do get why some people are way too scared of us, maybe it’s the fuzzy little legs that can crawl way too fast for your liking. Here, I think you should know that we don’t have really, that great an eyesight so, we don’t know where we’re going. Please know, we find you more dangerous than you find us. We have to descend from ceilings sometimes, like right now, please don’t start screaming!

Usually, you might find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Although I am not so sure about that, what I am really, sure about is that in soccer at the end of the rainbow you will find a ball. Mind you all, this rainbow only comes out of me when I am going towards the sweet and soft net. It’s not only a delightful moment for me, considering I get kicked quite a lot, but also for all the spectators. They practically get out of their seats to scream at the top of their lungs. Here I go to my sweet spot again!

Do you know that when someone’s in a deep sleep, their eyes move like crazy? That’s what it is like when you try to watch a soccer match. The ball keeps you hooked to the screen. The way those players dribble, make the passes, kick the ball, I just have one word to say for that – Wow! Don’t even get me started on the way players move with such agility, strength, and superhuman speed. Soccer is not only love but also life.

Half the reason why you people are so scared of us is that you don’t understand us. Yes, we do kill people by constricting them and then eating them up or by biting them and injecting our venom in them. But we do that for a reason, okay? You, humans, have this tendency to poke their heads where it’s not their business or just to get a kick out of it. So, the thing is, we don’t tolerate that. At least most of the time that’s the reason. Right now, I am coiled up and poking my tongue out because I see some humans coming. Gotta go!

Smash! Another hit. Why must I always suffer while these humans end up getting ludicrously grand photos of themselves. At least it’s just a racket but, man, sometimes some of you people are very angry and take all your frustration out on me by hitting as hard as you can. Thankfully my cork tip is quite soft so, it lessens the pain. Although badminton is really quite a fun game, and I have seen that accomplishing smile on the faces of players when they get the perfect hit. Ah, only if roles were reversed!

And here I go running off with the ball in my hand towards the hoop. I, folks, am about to do a slam dunk. It just feels so great to do that, and the coolness factor that gets attached to you is unbelievable. All you have to do is train a little harder, get some good shoes, and try practice jumping higher. I know people with greater heights have a wee bit more advantage, but dedication and practice can definitely make it work for the smaller folks. Just look at me, I look grand!

I’ve heard way too many times that people can’t hit me, a tiny little golf ball. It could be because you are trying way too hard, people. So, I’ve decided that I’ll give you all some tips to shoot like a pro. Although I don’t know why because I end up being hit at in this scenario, well, at least you won’t try to destroy the grass with the club head in frustration. First keep your eyes straight on me, only bend slightly, don’t tense up your body, and lastly swing the club before trying to hit me. Once you see me flying away, you’ll get the golf bug anyway to become the ultimate pro.

You, humans, are way too much from the perspective of us seashells. You know when you wear all those earrings, necklaces and bracelets made of shells you realize that you are wearing our skeleton, right? It’s the skeleton that we made for our protection and support but look at you all wearing them like crown jewels. Also, what’s all the craze about pearls? Last I heard, poor little oysters make them defensively when someone enters their shells. But I guess I understand everyone needs a souvenir from the beach as memorabilia. Have fun with our dead bodies!

Let me give you all humans a piece of my mind. Remember the time you invented dustbins so that your roads, offices, and houses could stay all squeaky clean? If you all would put a little more strain on your brains, you’d realize that oceans weren’t a part of your dustbin series. Oceans have life growing in them. Only the medium is different – It’s water. If you think throwing wrappers and plastic in us is inconsequential, think again. We choke on it. It gets entangled around our organs so much so that some of us can’t even have children. We’ll die out. Be responsible and save our ocean.

You know you are breathless, your legs are numb, and your clothes are as wet as if you took a shower while wearing them but running is still very much worth it. You know what running helps you with? It quietens your brain down. No thousand voices will speak to you at once for doing this or that. It’ll be just you and running. The exhilaration you feel afterward is like someone has given you a thousand energy drinks. You’ll feel alive, energetic, younger, and much more aware. I don’t know why you’re still sitting.

Did you all know that running increases your lifespan? I mean, that sure came as a shock to me. And it’s not like I hate running, but when you are getting older it certainly, seems like you’ve found an anti-aging goldmine with running. Also, as much as I like running on treadmills, it’s just that running in the open air and tracks allows you to bond with nature and it’s an overall healthier experience. Now that I’ve donned my running kit, I’ll see you later because I’ve gotta run!

Please, don’t go all philosophical with me about running, I’ll sleep before even standing up. I’ll tell you this, at first it is hard to leave the cozy and sleepy confines of your bed in the morning. But as the time flies by and your pot belly becomes the first thing you see in the morning, you’ll get motivated enough to get up and go. I’ll state out the obvious, running is great for health. It’s good for cardio, mental activity, moods, and helps with sweet fat that you just can’t resist. All I gotta say is please, “Run, Run, Run.”

Come on, people, it’s time I give a serious life lesson to everyone. I want to begin by saying that in my own opinion, I am no less than an expert, but others might disagree. Anyway, so I want to say that life is not all sunshine and roses, okay? It’s going to throw rocks at you sometimes, but you know what, someday you’ll learn to catch those rocks and play with it. As you grow, you learn to live, and one day you’ll know that your life is good because of all the rocks that were thrown at you. That’s it, I am drained of all my philosophical juices, for now!

Rows and rows of fresh and sunny palm trees, art-deco buildings that reminds one of the 1900s, and cool cars, Ocean Drive is where the life thrives. Starting near the Miami Beach, if you are a history, culture, shopping, and food enthusiast I don’t think you’ll find something that looks as beautiful as this place. Wait a minute, why does it sound like I am selling tickets? I’ll say it a bit more nonchalantly. Just go man, it’s way more beautiful than, well, ordinary streets.

Maybe it’s all the ocean poetry that has been written way too many times that I can’t help but think of the ocean as something that is alive. If you are sad, just go to the ocean, breathe it in and it will be as if all the sadness has left your body. Dangle your feet in it, swim in it, or just peek at it as you pass by you cannot help but feel livelier and happier. Just close your eyes and imagine those calm, gentle waters, sheltering trees and birds singing by. Ah, what I won’t give for an ocean view.

Do you remember those nostalgic days of your childhood when you saw someone bounce or basket a ball like a pro? Obviously, you must have tried to get your hands on the ball one way or the other because let’s be honest, balls are life. They are fun, make you look cool and feel energetic, and also as they can bounce back so you can even play it while lazing around. And for some people, they literally live to play ball. Those soccer, football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and all other “ball” players, man, aren’t they living the dream. They are doing what they love and live for!

Do you remember those nostalgic days of your childhood when you saw someone bounce or basket a ball like a pro? Obviously, you must have tried to get your hands on the ball one way or the other because let’s be honest, balls are life. They are fun, make you look cool and feel energetic, and also as they can bounce back so you can even play it while lazing around. And for some people, they literally live to play ball. Those soccer, football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and all other “ball” players, man, aren’t they living the dream. They are doing what they love and live for!

Let’s start by clarifying one fact. I am not the king of jungle because I don’t live in a jungle. Do not confuse me with tigers, okay? You all think I must have such a peaceful life full of grandeur and power. After all I am more often than not associated with royalty, strength, and whatsoever. But, I don’t know if that’s true you know. I know that it’s the females that hunt for food and we get to eat first. But there’s just so much competition between us males. Imagine how you’d feel if your own child is trying to dethrone you by trying to make you leave this world. Ah, I am getting too old for this.

You know the best part about sports? It’s the team spirit. Everyone’s together in it, chasing wildly after one goal – winning. It feels perfect when you know your partner has you your back. I came to this profound conclusion today when I was playing hockey with my pals. All of a sudden, we were standing and laughing when I saw that two of us had crossed their hockey sticks over the puck. You know the sticks were together, and we were together and happy. It was like symbolism. So, I realized, life is better when we stick together. Cool, huh?

Nature. Beautiful, alive and fresh, nature. It can make hearts sing with joy, and all worries melt like candle wax. I see the infatuation humans have with it. They try to incorporate it everywhere, more or less. Let’s take a look at this picture now shall we and act intellectual for a moment. First of all, it is in the shape of a leaf, where a window could have been, which shows the artist’s love for nature. Then inside the leaf, we see dolphins swimming by, birds gliding, the sun gently lighting up the day as trees sway as if dancing. The moment’s over. It’s a good painting!

Ah, the life of a goalkeeper. You all might think that all I have to do is deflect a ball or two occasionally. I must be so happy for not running and tiring myself out all the time. Well, folks then let me introduce you to the mental torture of being a goalkeeper. You know that all the tomatoes and rotten eggs will be thrown at you if you make a mistake, right? I am the last line of defense, and if god forbid, I err as all humans do, everyone goes like, “All you had to do was not let one ball go inside the net.” News flash, I do know that, and the word “goalkeeper” is a great reminder of my job!

Sometimes a game is not about winning or losing. If a player so much so even displays the willingness and determination to win, then he has won the hearts of people. In baseball, hustle if you want to stand out and show respect for your game. It is the mark of every great team. Don’t jog or walk, show what you have and what you want by hustling on and off the field as hard as you can. If you care about what you do, then leave no stone unturned when it comes to effort.

You look at me and see this simple ring, right? But, then I don’t know what happens that some people end up spinning me like a pro around their waists while others end up making me laugh so much that I fall down on the floor, literally. I’ll tell you my secret before you try and break me into pieces. It’s simple, really. You don’t move in a circle, only I do. You only have to move back and forth. I just have this hunch that even now people will continue to make the same mistake. You know what I am not made for everyone.

You all are living such a dream by being able to move on land. I, a poor little hockey stick, spends her life being rubbed on ice. Oh, it feels so bad and if anyone’s going to ask me to thank them for taping my end, really no thanks. I know it’s not even for me, it’s so that you can grip and hit me better to the puck. My misery doesn’t end there. Apart from being hit repeatedly to a puck, I am constantly flexed too. It’s so that you can make a better shot. What did I ever do to deserve this all?

You know there’s just something about hockey, which makes everyone love it like crazy. Maybe it’s the gliding on ice thing that makes everything so exciting about hockey. Or maybe, it’s the speed with which it’s played. There could also be the fact that it keeps us on the edge of our seats. Yes, people get injured and all. Sometimes it gets quite gruesome too because we have ice to fall over instead of grass. But, what can I say hockey is hockey, and if someone hates it then well, I’ll be damned.

You know what they say, you can act like a champion only if you practice like a champion. I don’t know if “they” really do say it, but I made it up, and it sounds profound, okay? Coming back to hockey, you know you just don’t have to go crazy with the stick while you skate like a madman on the ice rink. It’s way more than about those simplicities. I mean you want to win, then learn how to pass, shoot the puck, develop reflexes, and handle stick like a pro. And that’s just the basics, peeps. If you want to know more, then start practicing!

Ah, summer, my love, my life. I sometimes wish that it were a real human, and I could marry it. That way, it would never be able to escape my grasp. Now I know that people have their issues with summers. They say that the mosquitos, sweat, and heat are a real mood bummer. But I think that’s what makes summer season way more beautiful. Everything is moving again, not just covered in rolls of blankets. And the holidays, oh, the holidays. Need I say more? Whenever they come, I can’t help but flirtatiously go like, “well, hello, summer” as if it’s a person, if only.