Asian-American Children Underrepresented in Children

A graduate of the Taiwan University of Art with a bachelor of arts in media communication and journalism, Lulu Roberts has worked as a news reporter with Taiwan Channel 4 News. Currently a resident of Atherton, California, Lulu Roberts is in the process of creating a non-profit children’s library in Menlo Park. The library will serve the local Chinese-American community, providing free Chinese language books they might not have access to in their homes or schools.

Representation in literature is a critical part of forming an identity, especially for young children. When children see characters that look like them, they develop a sense of belonging within their homes, communities, and the world. Research at the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, found that, among 4,500 children's books published in 1997, only 66 were about Asian-American children living in the United States. While those numbers have increased in the past 20 years, Asian-American children remain underrepresented in children’s literature. The creation of community resources such as free libraries (which prioritize books in languages other than English, as well as books that provide visual representations of Asian children) promotes diversity and inclusion.

Nutritious Sprouts from Legumes & Seeds

Lulu Roberts is a Northern California resident who has published a cookbook and taken courses in raw and vegan cooking. One of the elements emphasized in courses Lulu Roberts attended at the Living Light Culinary Institute involves making use of sprouted seeds and legumes.

Easily cultivated indoors using a mason jar, sprouts can be generated from a wide range of ingredients, from onions to lentils. Whatever the source, it’s recommended to use sprouting seeds from trusted organic sources. One issue is that a number of packaged foods, particularly imports, are irradiated to prevent any sprouting before purchase. In addition, sprouting seeds should be verified as salmonella and E. coli free, as you don’t want to ingest potentially harmful pathogens or bacteria that flourish within a sprouting environment. Commercial beans typically do not have any such guarantee, as they are intended for boiling, not sprouting.

Once a reliable source of sprouting seeds is found, soak those seeds in water, typically at a one-part seed to three-parts water ratio. The seed are then placed within a mason jar and covered with water. The jar can either be left open, covered with a natural fabric such as cheesecloth, or capped with a sprouter lid. Follow a sprouting chart as an approximate guide for how long to leave the sprouts soaking.

After the recommended time, drain the sprouts, add cool fresh water, and rinse it out again. This process of draining and rinsing should be done about twice a day, with sprouts beginning to appear after 24 hours. Sprouts are typically harvested when they reach a length of from half an inch to two inches. They can then be added to salads, sandwiches, stir fries, or simply eaten raw. The key is to give them a final rinse and then spread them on a clean towel to dry for an hour before storing. A glass storage container, with a paper towel to absorb extra moisture, is an ideal storage medium. Refrigerating them will keep the sprouts fresh and edible for a week. 

How Court Surfaces Impact a Tennis Game

After earning a BA in media communication and journalism from the Taiwan University of Art, Lulu Roberts studied English writing and journalism at the University of Maine. Today, Lulu Roberts enjoys hobbies such as yoga, rock climbing, painting, vegan cooking, and tennis.

Tennis is played by either two people or a pair playing against another pair. The game consists of hitting a ball with a racquet across an area called a court that is bisected by a net.

Tennis court surfaces may be made of grass, clay, hard court, or synthetic turf. The court surface used has an impact on the tennis game.

Hard courts made of concrete or asphalt with an acrylic surface are the most prevalent surface. They make for fast games of tennis.

Rallies, where the ball goes back and forth between two players, are typically shorter on grass courts because tennis balls have a lower bounce on these surfaces. Grass courts also favor tennis players with strong serves.

Slower games of tennis are played on clay courts. The clay surface makes balls bounce higher than other surfaces and reduces the advantage of a strong serve, forcing athletes to play a more tactical game.

Synthetic courts are made of artificial turf or hard rubber. They are low-bounce surfaces that make for faster games of tennis, even compared to hard courts. 

These Tips Can Help Improve Your Singing Voice

The recipient of a bachelor's degree in media communication and journalism from the Taiwan University of Art, Lulu Roberts has worked for Chinese and English newspapers in the US and served 10 years as editor of Amazing Magazine. She also has experience as a TV news reporter and cooking show host. Outside her varied professional endeavors, Lulu Roberts enjoys hobbies such as cooking, surfing, and singing.

While some people are more naturally talented singers than others, there are in fact several ways in which individuals can improve their pitch, vocal range, and overall singing ability. One of the first things to do to work on enhancing your singing voice is to record yourself and note your weaknesses. Sing part of a song and compare it to the original artist. Take note of your mistakes and practice daily to improve in these areas. A 30-minute session each day can boost your vocal range and strengthen your vocal cords.

Breath also plays an integral role in the quality of your singing voice. You can improve your breathing through deep breathing and other exercises. Doing this promotes the full usage of lung capacity when singing. Similarly, you should avoid smoking, shouting, or any other activity that places a strain on your voice. Drinking a sufficient amount of water, ideally eight glasses each day, is also recommended to keep your vocal membranes hydrated.

Finally, a helpful tip for more vocal control and power is to keep your chin slightly pointing toward the floor while flexing your pectorals. This can also help preserve your voice.