Top 10 things to brighten up a rainy day

Top 10 things to brighten up a rainy day
By NATASHA ARORA
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
1. Naps. Be careful, it might be almost impossible to wake up afterwards.
2. DVDs of your favorite discontinued TV shows. Mine is "Friends," and it's one of two DVDs I own.
3. Waterproof shoes. It's not so much that they brighten up a rainy day; it's more that wearing nonwaterproof shoes can completely ruin one.
4. Warm scarves. The best ones are hand-knit, which, luckily, seems to be a trend.
5. Hot chocolate. If you have to make it from a packet, sprinkling some of the powder on the top without mixing it in makes it even better.
6. Long distance phone calls. When it's raining and you tell someone you miss them over the phone, it makes you look like you're in a cheesy chick flick. But it's completely worth it.
7. Running around in the rain. If you're not a kid, you'll feel like one.
8. Noodle soup. Enough said.
9. Your favorite book. My suggestion: "Snow Falling on Cedars" by David Guterson.
10. Watch "Singin' in the Rain." Afterwards, go right ahead and imitate Gene Kelly.
XNatasha Arora is a senior at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, Calif. She is a contributor to the Contra Costa Times' teen page.
hThe buzz on music
SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE
The stuff you really gotta see, hear and read right this sec.
Ashanti, 24, has a red hot career, superstar status and good looks. We got the dish on what matters most to this sexy young star and why she still lives with her parents!
Family support: "The music industry is the most dirty, grimy, backstabbing, shark-eating industry to be in ... you have to surround yourself with genuine people that are going to look out for you and your well being."
Ashanti vs. Beyonce: "It's definitely a healthy competition, and I think it's motivating everyone to create hot music.
Mom matters: "I never went through an insecurity state solely because I have such a strong family. ... My mom is one of those moms who says, 'You're perfect, everything is perfect -- nothing's wrong with you!' "
Overprotective mom: "My friends call her Five-O -- that's street term for the police! Everyone knew my mom was overprotective -- she used to do crazy things! ... She'd show up at parties I went to. One time I was dancing with this guy, and I'm like getting my groove on, and here she comes!"
On dating: "I've only had two boyfriends that I think were serious. The last one definitely sticks out. I thought I was in love -- I probably was."
Mixing business with pleasure: "It's a little bit easier to date guys in the industry because they're not after your money."
Quote/unquote
h"Hats and silk scarves. I have a couple from the '60s and '70s." -- Musician Andre 3000, on some things he loves, in People.
"I was obsessed with 'Footloose.' I've seen it at least 20 times. I still imitate the way Chris Penn moves his body to the music." -- Actress Claire Danes ("Stage Beauty"), naming her all-time favorite movie, in InStyle.
"I lost my overalls one time during a performance. The strap came off, and I was holding them up with one hand and singing with the other." -- Nick Lachey, describing an embarrassing moment, in Teen People.