Did you know there are different shapes of snowflakes? Yes, we know the old line that no two snowflakes are alike, but I'm talking about the types of shapes. The most common shape of ice crystal that forms snow is a dendritic crystal. Dendritic means branching or tree-like, so these resemble the ones kids make with construction paper -- although they can take some decidedly non-Euclidean forms as well. Then there are sectored plates and columns and even needles! It really is a riot of nature-made confetti. And just like confetti, it's fun at first, but you don't really want to be dealing with it a few days later.
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| Our favorites this week Get going with some of our most popular good news stories of the week
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Best day ever
"The day you were born, I knew I won the lottery." That may seem like a sweet sentiment, but when Brenda Gomez Hernandez says it to her daughter, it will be the literal truth. Hernandez, who hails from Concord, North Carolina, recently gave birth to a baby girl. Just hours later, she learned she won a $100,000 lottery jackpot! Even better, her strategy for picking her tickets was inspired by her other children: She used her sons' birthdays to pick her winning numbers. "I feel like she brought me my luck," Hernandez said about her new daughter -- obviously the most important treasure of the day. "I'm so thankful." |
Literary solidarity
A slew of bestselling authors hopped on social media this week to offer comfort to a writer who was devastated following a nearly-empty book signing. Author Chelsea Banning said she was "flabbergasted" when a tweet about the book signing, which attracted only two attendees, started getting attention from Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood and scores more. All of these literary giants not only comforted Banning, but shared stories of their own publishing flops. Truly, what better encouragement is there for a writer than to hear that Jodi Picoult and British children's laureate Malorie Blackman have also endured Lonely Signing Tables of Doom? "My favorite ones are from the writers who said they found new found inspiration to keep writing and/or selling their work," Banning said. If you're a writer, or just someone who needs a little encouragement, the messages really are worth reading. |
Speak it into existence
Some leading English language authorities have released their top words of 2022, and it's honestly a little depressing! Permacrisis? Gaslighting? Goblin mode? OK, maybe that last one isn't so bad. However, there's a silver lining to the latest linguistic harvest, and that's all the new word knowledge that comes along with it. I spoke to Martha Barnette, co-host of the radio show "A Way with Words," about neologisms, or words that are just starting to get into use in a language. She points out it's comforting to discover when there's a word that fits an exact way we feel, because it shows other people have felt the same thing! The article is fun, but here are some tidbits from Barnette that didn't make publication: There's a word for the warmth of the sun in winter, and it's "apricity." And yes, it shares roots with the word "apricot!" Also, I asked her if she has a favorite neologism. "We were collecting slang from high schoolers in Huntsville, Alabama, and they introduced me to 'touch grass,'" she said. ("Touch grass" essentially means to give yourself a reality check when you're losing perspective or are too far down a strange path -- usually in relation to something online.) "Which I feel is so perfect, and such an antidote to a lot of things that stress us out. Just unplug! Step away from the computer. Go touch some grass." |
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Japanese players and fans at the World Cup! Japan's solid run in this year's tournament may be over, but their team and supporters have left a lasting impression in Qatar. After their win over Germany, Japan's players cleaned up their dressing room, leaving it looking immaculate. A thank you note in Arabic and Japanese was also reportedly left on a table. After watching their teams play in several matches, Japanese fans also spent time after the games cleaning up the stadium. We should all take a hint -- maybe next time one of us leaves a game, we pick up some stray bottles and napkins on the way out. Makes things easier for everyone! |
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How do you get rid of an old skyscraper? Carefully, it seems, and at great cost. But what if you didn't need to get rid of it at all? An "upcycled" skyscraper in Australia saved builders the cost and danger of demolishing an old structure, and the result was just named World Building of the Year 2022. The AMP Centre, built in the 1970s, was once Sydney's tallest building. It's become outdated over the years, and the tower's owners wanted to replace it with something bigger, more solid and more energy-efficient. To avoid the environmental risks and waste of such a project, Australian investment firm AMP Capital launched an architectural competition to build a new skyscraper without demolishing the old one. The vastly expanded 49-story building, now known as Quay Quarter Tower, retains more than two-thirds of the old structure, including beams and columns, as well as 95% of the original building's core. Not only is the result beautiful, it serves as an example of a new and environmentally friendly way to update aging buildings. |
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You've probably seen this photo a lot. But do you know its amazing history? The iconic "Blue Marble" photograph was taken in December 1972 by two NASA astronauts and given to humanity on Christmas Eve. Now, 50 years later, this stark image of our home has served as a symbol for environmentalism, philosophy and solidarity. When looking at the Earth from this point of view, many astronauts have said they feel more protective of our home and its thin atmosphere, both of which appear so fragile against the fathomless blackness of space. Some even call it "a self-portrait of humanity." |
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You've read their stories. You've voted. Now it's time to see this year's CNN Heroes get their recognition! The 16th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute airs tomorrow, Sunday, December 11th at 8PM/ET on CNN, CNN Espanol and CNN International. Co-hosts Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa will be joined by a whole constellation of stars, including THE Bill Nye, legendary songwriter Diane Warren and actors Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Tenoch Huerta (he's in the new "Black Panther" movie) Simu Liu (a literal Marvel superhero!) and more. During the event, CNN will name its 2022 Hero of The Year. Here's more information about the event, plus an overview of all ten of the incredible CNN Heroes who made their world a better place this year. |
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An amazing new train in Switzerland can adapt its cars and "jump" tracks to provide travelers with an amazing panoramic journey of the country's natural wonders. The Golden Pass Express (GPX) features revolutionary new trains capable of changing the gauge of their wheels and the height of their coach bodies to traverse the ever-changing landscape. The trip showcases some of Europe's most beautiful lakes, secluded valleys and high mountain passes, and cuts across the grain of central Switzerland, following a trade route that has existed since the Middle Ages. The project has proved to be a monumental technical challenge, but the result is supposed to be truly breathtaking. |
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People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
- Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, a Swiss-American pyschiatrist and humanitarian who was a pioneer in the field of end-of-life care. |
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Rec of the week Brought to you by CNN Underscored |
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Shameless animal video There's always time for cute animal videos. That time is now. |
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