Giant monster movies: A guilty pleasure

I’m Janet Pribanic, and I watch an insane amount of films during my free time. Last year, I went through a phase – giant monster movies. It started when I caught this gem called “Little Shop of Horrors” on television one evening. After that, I started doing research on films that featured giant monsters. I thought it would be a fun ride.


I started with “Aliens” from James Cameron. It was a fast-paced, action-horror adventure that built upon the Ridley Scott classic. “Aliens” also had one of the most bad-ass heroines in all of cinema – Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley. The alien queen was also a sight to behold.

The most fun giant monster film I’ve seen though, is “Tremors” starring Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward. It’s about a few giant underground worms that started feasting on the residents of a sleepy town in the middle of nowhere.

Then there was “Deep Rising,” which is essentially like “Aliens” but instead of being eaten by an army of humanoid-reptilian hybrids, the humans here were annihilated by a single giant sea creature. Good times.

“Cloverfield” was entertaining, and I highly recommend it to those who still haven’t seen it. It’s a found-footage type of movie about a Godzilla-sized monster that decimates New York City.
Finally, I ended up with the granddaddy of all modern giant monster movies – “Jaws.” It holds up surprisingly well for a film that’s over 40 years old.

What’s your favorite giant monster movie? Tag me, Janet Pribanic, in the comments section below.

Hi, the name’s Janet Pribanic, and I’m pursuing a degree in public relations at NYU. NYC is a home for sports, literature, entertainment, music, fashion, tech, food, and travel, and I like writing about these. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Why the Sixers should trade Markelle Fultz

Former top-pick Markelle Fultz has, in many NBA pundit’s eyes, lost his place in the so-called Sixers “process.” This is the dominant narrative now for the team that just recently acquired Jimmy Butler, setting up the rise of a new big three that includes stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Fultz, especially with all the weird issues he has with his shooting, injury, and approach to the game, is now seen as expendable.

Image source: sixerswire.usatoday.com

 There is nothing close to personal in this imminent decision for the Sixers. After all, Fultz has not been playing consistently since he was finally declared “healthy” to start the season. Now, the verdict is out that he is in fact suffering from what his agent named as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or TOS, a condition that effectively impedes his normal movements and motions, making him awkwardly shoot the basketball.

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If the Sixers manage to do away with Fultz’ contract, they stand a chance of having enough room for a maximum cap space come next season, making the team primed for acquiring a fourth superstar. Needless to say, this is going to be huge for the entire NBA. Just imagine if the Sixers’ maxed-out salary entices the likes of top forward Anthony Davis or a shooting guard like Klay Thompson?

In any case, every NBA enthusiast appears to be in favor of trading Fultz, whose game can’t seem to blend in with those of his fellow Sixers stars. It’s, of course, very unfortunate for the young 2017 top rookie, but his condition is something rehab should be able to address. From a business standpoint, and if Philly is committed to winning this year, it should go for a reliable veteran in exchange for Fultz, one who can be another outside shooting threat (aside from Redick) and create even better spacing for the team.

Hello, I’m Janet Pribanic, a Public Relations student at NYU into music, fashion, travel, literature, and sports. More NBA-related reads here.

Satisfying vegetable-packed soups

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Vegetable soups are not only satisfying, but they are packed with many nutrients that are great for all members of the family. Vegetable soups can be served as appetizers and can be frozen and kept for the next meal. Here are two examples of hearty vegetable soups that you can easily make for your family.

 Chunky vegetable and brown rice soup. Throw in 1 medium onion (sliced), 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced celery sticks, carrot chunks, 2 medium parsnips, and 1 tablespoon of thyme on a large non-stick pan with oil. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring until onions begin to color. Add 100 grams of brown rice and pour 1.2 liters of water. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Season with black pepper and serve.

Image source: bbcgoodfood.com

Spiced carrot and lentil soup. Dry fry 2 teaspoons of cumin seeds and a pinch of chili flakes in a large saucepan for 1 minute, taking out the half to set aside. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 600 grams of coarsely grated carrots, 140 grams of split red lentils, 1 hot vegetable stock, and 125 ml of milk to the pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils soften. Whizz the soup with a hand blender until smooth, season to your preference, and serve with a dollop of plain yogurt. Sprinkle with the toasted spices and serve with naan bread.

Through her recipes, Janet Amos Pribanic tells the stories of women who have touched her life and the food they have shared that takes them back to a particular time, person, or experience. Preparing and sharing food is like a journey—sometimes challenging but truly worth every moment. For more articles like this, visit this page.

Work smarter in PR with these skills

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The public relations industry is a hectic one. PR professionals are tasked to do a ton, and work-life balance seems too elusive. Hard skills are important and can be measured. However, to stay effective, soft skills should be learned, too.


Teamwork should be in your fiber. The public relations industry isn’t a vacuum wherein you only get to work with two people. Workdays could mean manning an event with a hundred volunteers and workers, or silent days in the office where you have to plan with a team. PR professionals have to be able to work with people from all walks of life, and do it effectively.

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It goes without saying that a PR professional must have problem-solving skills. There will be times when the challenges you face can’t be addressed by a textbook answer. You’d need to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make things work when the first one doesn’t bite. Flexibility is quite an underrated skill in the industry. Everything in the industry has the potential to change, sometimes more often and faster than one expects. Having the ability to adapt to a situation with little time to adjust is a skill one should have.


Leadership skills are crucial in PR. Pulling off great presentations without the form of a leader would be impossible. Leaders are teachable, kind, and practice integrity in every task they handle. Most days, when you’re in the field for an event, people will look to you for instructions even for the simplest things. Being a leader isn’t simply a title; it should become your way of living.


Hi there! My name is Janet Pribanic and I’m a twenty-something Public Relations student at NYU. I’m a fan of the arts, entertainment, sports, food, and travel. For more updates, subscribe to this blog. 

Essential spices to have in your pantry

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All cooking enthusiasts know that spices make the heart of any dish. Spices are responsible for the plethora of flavors that makes meals special, tasty, and satisfying. As a food lover, you will need staple spices in your spice rack that you can use for many kinds of dishes. Here are examples of essential cooking spices that you need to have.


Black peppercorns. A classic in all recipes, black peppercorns add just the right amount of gentle spice that will make the flavors pop. You can either grind peppercorns using a mill or a mortar and pestle.


Kosher salt. While there are many kinds of salt, Kosher salt provides a tasteful versatility with its neutral flavor. It is easy to cook with and its coarse flakes provide a visible presence when you sprinkle it on top of your dish.

Image source: bonappetit.com

Chili powder. While some people love spicy dishes, other are partial to heat. Chili powder allows you to control the spice level of the dishes you make. You can either incorporate the powder as you cook or serve it on the side. It has complex levels of heat and adds a wonderful depth of flavor.


Ground ginger. While fresh ginger provides a punchy, intense flavor, ground or powdered ginger allows you to control the zing and spice that you intend to have. You can also use it for baking cookies, cakes, spice rub recipes, tagines, and marinades.


Janet Amos Pribanic shares her recipes with the goal of taking people back to a particular time, person, or experience that they hold dear in their hearts. She hopes to help people share stories and bring back fond memories through the smell, look, and taste of food. For more articles on food and cooking, visit this page.

Can the Knicks reach the postseason without Porzingis?

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The New York Knicks are still trying to find a good, working combination in the first few weeks of the season, with new coach David Fizdale continuing to juggle the starting lineup. In a recent game against the Pelicans, Fizdale even started three of the team’s rookies in Kevin Knox, Allonzo Trier, and Mitchell Robinson.


The experiment of going small and young seemed to work until the fourth quarter when the team blew a huge lead and once again succumbed. The Knicks currently hold a 4-12 record which places them just three spots away from the bottom of the standings in the East. It doesn’t help their cause that there has been a resurgence of teams in the conference, with the Celtics, Bucks, Sixers, and Raptors becoming legit title contenders.


The team still doesn’t have a definite timeframe for the return of its injured superstar Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from an ACL tear. Though he seems to be recuperating nicely and starting to practice, the team is likely to lose a lot more games until his return. And perhaps by then, it will be too late for the team to even aspire for a playoff spot.

Image source: northjersey.com

The bit of good news (and a sliver of hope) for the franchise is that Porzingis’ absence is helping develop the play of Knox and Emmanuel Mudiay, while Hardaway Jr. and Frank Ntilikina continue to plug away. But there’s a big hole in the team’s middle that Enes Kanter simply can’t fill. Unless a huge turnaround happens sometime soon, even a Porzingis return early next year won’t save this team.


Hello, Janet Pribanichere and I’m currently studying public relations at the NYU. I like writing about New York sports. More info on my hobbies and interests here.

Carbonara: Heaven for pasta lovers

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Every pasta dish has its own personality. Italian-style spaghetti is fierce and flavorful. Lasagna is lazy but full of promise. Carbonara, when prepared well, is simply heavenly.


Carbonara is usually plays second choice to the typical tomato-based spaghetti, but it’s just as good. Here are some important steps to making your own carbonara.


First, gather your ingredients, which include ½ pound of linguine, 6 slices of bacon (preferably thick-cut and sliced into ¼-inch strips), 1 shallot (large and finely chopped), 2 eggs, 2 egg yolks (separate), ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of ground pepper, 2/3 cup of Pecorino cheese (grated), 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and finally 2/3 cup of parsley (flat lead).

Image source: myfussyeater.com

As a side note, the aforementioned ingredients are enough to prepare carbonara for six people.

Either fry or boil the linguine. Once it’s cooked, fry the bacon for five minutes in its own oil until brown and crispy. Transfer the bacon to another plate. You can use the bacon oil for more flavor when you add the shallot. Mix the shallot until it softens, which should take about two to three minutes.


Put the eggs, egg yolks, grated Pecorino, and salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk. Once it is well-mixed, drain the pasta, but keep a cup of water for cooking liquid. Put in the pasta, bacon, linguine, and oil the egg mix and toss.


The cooking liquid from the pasta will be used to keep the carbonara from drying. Parsley and cheese can be added if desired.

Janet Amos Pribanic aims to bring back life’s most special moments by sharing hearty recipes that remind her of the people who have touched her life. For more recipes like this, visit this page.