Sure, Twilight is a big deal.

But can we really credit Stephenie Meyer’s paranormal romance series with the rise of Isabella?  An article in Australia’s Herald-Sun attributes Isabella’s increasing popularity down under to the series.  Turns out the paper was just parroting the results reported by BabyCentre Australia.

I don’t buy it.

Don’t get me wrong.  I think Twilight names will rise.  The four books in the series were all New York Times bestsellers, and the movies have done well at the box office.

And yet, attributing Isabella’s popularity to the series doesn’t seem right.

Isabella was already a Top Ten name when Twilight was published in 2005.  In the US, Isabella charted at #6 in ‘05, up one spot from #7 in ‘04.  As of 2007, she’d risen to #2 and stayed there in 2008 – the year the movie was released.

The character is almost exclusively referred to as Bella in the books.  In 2005, Bella stood at #208 in the US.  By 2008, she’d risen to #122.  There might be a smidge of Twilight-effect at work there, but Bella probably would’ve gained anyhow.  Related names – think Top 50 choices Ella and Gabriella – have been on the upswing in recent years.

While plenty of expectant moms – and probably a few dads – have certainly read Twilight, Meyer’s core audience is probably some years away from any real baby-naming.  Which reminds me, BabyCentre’s Top Name lists only reflect data reported to BabyCentre – not official government stats.

If we look back to the 1990s, we can watch Isabella’s rediscovery.  In 1990, she re-entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in more than four decades at #895.  In 1992, Tom Cruise and Australia’s Nicole Kidman bestowed the name on their daughter and the name jumped to #488.  Plenty of celebs followed suit.  Matt Damon used the name in 2006.

Lastly, from JLo to Dora, choices with Latin flair have been embraced by plenty of parents – not just those with Spanish roots.

What I’m watching isn’t the rise of Isabella, but the trends for Edward.  He fell to an all-time low of #148 as of 2008.  But he could be due for a reversal.  Could a dashing vampire help Edward shed the Eddie Munster image and reclaim his regal vibe?

So far – at least in the US – it isn’t happening.  But something tells me that parents who love the classics, but worry that William and James are too common might just rediscover Edward.

++There’s a story, you know? About the earth, I mean++ Gabriella Cloak told him over the comm-piece in his ear. Bryce Cross sighed a bit. All these tidbits of information, all the time. Then again, he liked her so he put up with it.

++Yeah?++ he said after pressing the PTT button. ++And that is?++

++It’s maybe more of a legend, I guess, about why it’s red. The Africans believe that it is stained red from all the blood that has been spilled on it. It is what makes Africa theirs, what ties the people to the land. Some soldiers of fortune believe that if their blood is spilled on the earth, you also become bound to Africa, and she to you.++

“Thanks, Ellie, just what I needed to know,” Cross mumbled, unheard. He checked his rifle and pistol before looking out to sea and seeing the storm coming in from the sea. It was a late spring storm, and he could already feel the air getting more humid, thankfully so. Africa was hot as hell, and his kit didn’t make him any more comfortable. He had to admit, though, that the scenery was stunning. Cross was currently hooked to a cliff some hundred meters above churning water breaking upon jagged rocks, and not more than a meter or two below a rebel army base. The sea was a deep, clear blue, and even the storm looked beautiful where it was coming in, all dark skies and bright lightning. Even though it was still several clicks off-shore the wind was picking up, making Cross momentarily struggle to keep his balance in the climbing harness.

++Zero, could you give me an ETA on when that storm will hit Sapphire?++ Cross asked as his brow furrows slightly in worry. He did not want to assault an enemy compound during heavy rain and wind. Especially not by using the planned exit route, which was down the cliff designated as Sapphire.

++ETA on the storm is 30 minutes++ Ellie’s voice came back.

++Roger that. We’re going now. Out to you, Zero. Alpha-2, this is Alpha-1++

++This is Alpha-2++

++Blow the bombs on my command++

++Roger that, Alpha-1++

Cross adjusted his position slightly, and inched close to the edge of the cliff. He was only a few feet away now. All he had to do was to get over it quickly, shimmy into the barrack holding the hostage, and then shimmy out with her. Piece of cake. The compound, as it were, was only a clearing on the edge of this cliff where a dozen huts and barrack had been erected quickly. Over time they had been patched up and reinforced, and some of the closer foliage had been removed, but it was still pretty much just a few improvised barracks in a clearing guarded by thirty or so guards. Cross had to admit, as had his team, that it was also the perfect place to hide a hostage. Until a few days ago no one had known about the rebel compound, and it was pretty much unreachable by normal means. The rapid change in wind-direction made and airdrop risky because of the cliffs. The jagged rocks far below him prevented any force in coming up that way, as getting even Cross up there had been a pain. Any sort of assault through the jungle would be suicide as well. If you managed to manouver the booby-traps and mines they were bound to have placed there, you would probably be staring down the barrel of a lethal number of AKs. As the US intelligence officer had said, it was unassailable. In theory. For a squad of men. Bryce did one last check on his weapons before pressing the PTT button and hoped that whatever powers there be did not reckon him to be a “squad”.

++Blow them++

A series of explosion ripped across the dirt close to the western edge of the compound. Cross could almost see Ripley grinning as he watched the explosions bloom through the scope of his sniper rifle, hidden somewhere on the hill just a few hundred meters outside the rebel compound. Red earth cascaded over him as he went over the edge, cover his torso and face. Two men was standing close to him, one shaking his head. With his rifle dangling by the sling it would take too long, so Cross went for his pistol. A one-handed double-tap dropped one of them. Cross stepped forward, gripped his Glock 19 two-handed and double-tapped again. The African had barely time to lift his worn AK before he fell on top of the other. He transferred to his rifle and moved into cover behind a jeep to get an overview. His adrenalin was pumping now, and he could feel the familiar sense of heightened perception coming over him like a drug. A few rounds hammered into the jeep. He smiled as he recalled a fond moment with an American in a situation much like this last year. Stupid Yanks and their clip-emtying techniques. Cross leaned out of cover, and managed to haul himself backwards before a torrent of rounds almost ended his career as a mercenary. It was going to be an intense next few minutes.

Gabriella Slate/Brown Queen 7 Piece Comforter Set Review

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Our second screening of Anomaly at the ADFF on Wednesday was a rousing success! Thanks to Gabriella for participating in the Q&A, and all of our friends & community that came out to support the screening. The audience laughed, nodded and cried in all the right places. We were so thrilled to see you there and hear your wonderful feedback! 

“Loved it!”

“I was so moved by your film and by all the subjects. Thank you for the years of hard work you put into Anomaly and eloquently weaving a story that all people of mixed heritage can relate to.”

Asian Arts Initiative

Next on the winter tour is Philadelphia. Join us Dec. 18th at the Asian Arts Initiative for “Hapa Happy: Celebrating All That is Mixed & Multi.” We’ll be screening Anomaly, and slam poet Thaddeus Rutkowski (featured in Anomaly) will be performing a set. The evening will be hosted by Yellow Rage–another Anomaly connection! Yellow Rage is Catzie Vilayphonh and Michelle Myers, who is also featured in Anomaly.

HAPA HAPPY: Celebrating All That Is Mixed & Multi

hosted by YELLOW RAGE & featuring THADDEUS RUTKOWSKI & “ANOMALY” by JESSICA CHEN DRAMMEH

Friday, December 18, 2009

7:30-9:30pm

Asian Arts Initiative

1219 Vine Street

Philadelphia, PA

nu har vi gjort vår sista dag på skolan. 4 och en halv vecka har gått väldigt fort!jag var lite orolig för att vi inte hade lärt känna barnen tillräckligt eftersom vi har bytt klass varje vecka. men idag när vi gick runt och sa hej då. fick vi en glad överraskning med godis och att vi skulle signera deras block det kändes jobbigt eftersom vi aldrig kommer träffa barnen igen. men vi har haft en bra tid och det har varit roligt att lära känna alla. Nu ska vi bege oss upp mot Brisbane på måndag:) jag återkommer om sol och bad vädret och våra äventyr

idag har vi varit med skolan i kyrkan för att se på julspel det var mysigt, men det är så stor skillnad från i sverige. det är en protestantisk skola men den är väldigt religös så det är inte alls som i sverige när vi går och firar t.ex. advent. barnen här ber och pratar mer om jesus än vad vi i svenska skolor gör. det är inte mycket som är likt i skolorna. här går alla barnen från kl 9 till kl. 15.20 oavsett ålder. och barnen som går i prep klasserna som är från 4,5 till 6 år har väldigt mycket “skolarbete” de arbetar lika hårt som ettorna i sverige gör och dom är så mycket yngre här. det känns som om dom begär väldigt mycket av så små barn. men det är nog bara för att vi är ovana vid deras arbetssätt. Allt går bra här annars och julen börjar närma sig, det känns lite konstigt i värmen men det är mysigt ändå

Owen, Noah, Aaron, Rylen, Bruce, Holden, Parker, Matthew, Spencer, Dawson, Brandon, Trey, Tucker, Nathan, Kain, Jacob, Alexander, Collin, Benjamin, Nicholas, Austin, Joshua, Evan, Jack, Neco, Cooper, Elijah, Kyle, Oscar, Keegan, Malcolm, Mason, Bregan, Madden, Myles, Caeden, Brenden, Pryor, Maurice, Nicky.

Gabriella, Jillian, Lillian, Audrey, Ruby May, Erin, Bianca, Jade, Rylee, Aili, Trynity, Meghan, Olivia, Elise, Quinn, Ariana, Charlotte, Beatrix, Abigail, Layla, Kenley, Caoimhe, Cailyn, Ava, Carolina, Mia, Ailey, Alena.

förra onsdagen var vi på och lyssna på en orkester, det var jätte vackert. efter det gick vi till ett konstmuseum som låg precis bredvid konsert byggnaden, väl inne på museumet fick vi en väldigt obehaglig upplevelse. när barnen låg på golvet och målade av tavlor kom det flera män och även kvinnor som började ta kort på barnen, efter många tillsägningar från vakter och lärare slutade de ta kort men under hela rund vandringen förföljde grupper av män oss. när vi väl kom ut fick vi höra att de gick runt för att se om de kunde ta ett barn. så för mig och filloreta var detta jätte obehagligt! dagen efter, i torsdags alltså så gick vi för att äta lite pasta ute på en restaurang. det var en bra idé som snabbt blev väldigt dålig. vi blev liggande i sängen fredagen och helgen, jag har fortfarande lite efter känningar. jag hoppas att det inte sitter i för länge. Det var allt från förra veckan

Clique na imagem para conferir as fotos.

Gabriella e Felipe.
Um lindo casal e uma festa belíssima.
Parabéns.

Mary Meneses!

check out this guy, david ryan norgren.

his music is all kinds of inspiring to me. he’s got the jason mraz verb with the word and rhythm to the beat with some funked up tunes and groovy acoustic instrumentation. if i could choose a sound to make, this would be it.

mostly, “weight on your shoulders,” “spent” and DEFINITELY “gabriella” are on my to-do list of songs to write.

LOVE LOVE LOVE.

love,
.demilo.

nu har vi flyttat till ett hostel som är mycket bättre och vi trivs mycket bättre:) allt känns lite lättare nu och första veckan i skolan är avslutad så nu känns det som om saker och ting börjar rulla på. den kommande veckan nu ska vi vara inne på prep school som är de yngsta så det ska bli jätte intressant eftersom Ian har gjort att vi får följa med på alla utflykter fram till och med slutet på terminen så ska vi på onsdag med 3orna på e orkester, det ska bli jätte roligt:)vi har räknat lite på hur långt tid det blir som vi är i skolan och det blir 4 veckor och 3 dagar så nästan hela 5 i skolan
/gabriella

nu har vi varit på skolan i tre dagar, vi bor väldigt långt från skolan så det tar ungefär 2 timmar att ta sig dit med först spårvagn sen tåg och sist buss. jag har haft det jätte jobbigt med jetlag vi sov nog 19 timmar första dagen. sen kom hem längtan ganska snabbt just p.g.a stress och dåligt hostel. nu mår jag bättre, fortfarande lite trött men det kan även bero på att det är värme bölja och väldigt väldigt varmt. alla australienare säger att det aldrig är så här varmt i november. första dagen i skolan så träffade vi rektor Ian som är jätte snäll coh hjälper oss med allt vi behöver. han visade runt oss och vi har spenderat tid i grade 2, vi kommer även de kommande veckorna få besöka grade 3 och 4 och följa med dom på utflykter till en bio (grade 2) konsert (grade 3) vattenvärld (grade 4) alla är jätte trevligt och hjälpsamma. det var allt för nu