5- Trevor O: The Environmental Impact of Shoes

 

Prior to watching this video, I never really thought about how complex and harmful the manufacturing process for something as simple as a shoe was.

64 parts go into making the average shoe, and there are 360 steps taken to assemble the shoe. The production process of making shoes, which includes the extraction of natural resources, the manufacturing process, and the assembly process, accounts for 313 million metric tons of CO2 emissions each year. After it has been produced and distributed, sneakers continue to wreak havoc on the environment because once they are thrown out, they sit in landfills for up to 1000 years.

If I have one problem with this video, it is that I feel as though it overexaggerates shoe production’s impact on global emissions. Although 313 million metric tons of CO2 may sound like a large amount of carbon emissions, it honestly isn’t that much in the grand scheme of things. Shoe manufacturing only accounts for 1/5 of the fashion industry’s total carbon emissions, and the fashion industry only accounts for a very small percent of the world’s fashion industry. In my opinion, a much larger issue, that the video talks about only briefly, is that the workers who make the shoes are paid subpar wages, are forced to work grueling hours, and are constantly inhaling and working with dangerous chemicals.

I appreciated that the TED Talk offered feasible solutions to this ever-increasing problem. I feel like oftentimes, videos and social media posts online will often draw attention to a problem, but never attempt to provide an actual solution to said problem. Instead, the narrator in this talk provided realistic ways we can reduce the environmental impact of the production process of a sneaker.

I found the video to be thought-provoking and interesting. I agree that there are many flaws in our current system of production that make it unsustainable and must be addressed, and hope we can work towards fixing them in the future.

Word Count: 328

Ella D week 5-Like Lines Out of my Diary

 Like Lines Out of my Diary

Word count:499

Music, I dance to it, cry to it, and sing to it every day. Music, a constant in  my life, although my favorite songs and artists have changed over the years, the amount of music Ilisten has been constant in my life since I was young. 

While I used to love music for catchy lyrics and upbeat tempos I now view music in a much different light. 

In recent years I have been able to find songwriters and musicians who take thoughts right off the tip of my tongue and sing about them. This is something quite beautiful, not only does this help me understand and look into my thoughts, but it also helps me make personable connections with artists that I can look up to and admire. 

 

Hearing a song that you truly connect to is a magical experience. I can't remember the first time I felt this, but I do remember more recent songs that have made me feel this way. Some examples include, “enough for you”-Olivia Rodrigo, “fight or flight”-Conan Gray, “Nothing New”-Taylor Swift ft.Phoebe Bridgers, and “Watercolor Eyes”-Lana Del Rey all songs I can name off the top of my head that have made me feel that kind of magic. 

Sometimes, being human, we forget that other people share the experiences we are going through, and try to feel sorrow for ourselves in solidarity. In times of grieving, jealousy, depression, helplessness, etc. we tend to make ourselves believe that there couldn't possibly be someone else going through the same emotions, and that we must tread through this rough season alone. However, music has become an escape route for me when I begin feeling this way and sending myself down a spiral. 

Recently I found myself wanting to change bits and pieces of myself inside and out to try and impress a boy. I felt lost, confused, and overall mad at myself for developing these thoughts. As I was going through these motions, Conan Gray announced that his new song “Jigsaw” was released. I enjoy most of Conan’s music so inevitably I decided to give the song a listen. I was about 20 seconds into the song and felt my eyes filled with tears. This song was written so beautifully and completely read my mind, it was like Conan was singing lines out of my diary. In this moment I felt heard and listened to. Someone else was experiencing my same experience with the want to appease others in return for affection. 

Overall music has become not only a source of joy but a coping mechanism for when I don't know how to explain the emotions of which I am feeling, which happens to be a lot. I love the freedom, compassion, and comfort music brings me which is why I speak of it so often. I don't think I would be anywhere close to the person I am today if I couldn’t listen to the songs and artists I love today.

5 - Lorenzo M. - What is In That Soup

 

What Is In That Soup

Word Count: 255

My family cooks a lot of meals at home because my mom can take a strong dislike to eating at restaurants so her solution was to make everything herself with my dad joining along.  Of course you can’t always be in the mood to play chef in your kitchen so it’s either left overs or take out.  

One particular day my mom was sick which meant help yourselves to whatever stuff that sparks your interest, however the day before we already did left overs and my mom was too stubborn to eat leftovers again two nights in a row.  With her feeling under the weather soup seemed to be the logical thing to eat whenever you are sick.  

Well she must have sold her soul cause that soup tasted like it came from a far star restaurant.  I asked her how she created the soup and was prepared for some wild response 

because as we see on TV how a character finds something enjoyable then later found it was a mix in with a gross ingredient, however she said that she didn’t put any effort as she just threw in anything that seemed like an ingredient for soup.  

Of course I requested that soup so many times however they couldn’t compare to when I first tried it on that special day.  So once in a lifetime you can create something special from just basic ingredients but don’t always count. It'll taste the same because for whatever reason it just doesn't, so cherish the moment. 

5 - Kayla R. - My Best Furry Friend

Best Furry Friend

 

Dogs may seem just like the typical pet for many households across the world, but to others they become a part of you forever, and hold such a special place in your heart. Dogs are such intelligent animals that many of us fail to realize at times. Each one is unique in it's own way, with their own personalities and looks that differentiate them from one another. 

My dog, Jefferson, was a very unique pet who I will never forget. 

With his light brown paws that never seemed to stay clean. 

His dark brown eyes, that always seemed to find themselves closed, and sound asleep. 

His super small, chihuahua-like body, that always found itself snuggled next to me, or bathing under the sun. 

His little belly, that always faced up in hope of rubs and love. 

His nose, that didn’t seem big enough to smell anything at all, but was always so curiously finding itself around the house.

His ears always perked, that were constantly on the lookout in case of emergency.

His single pieces of food stuck in his mouth, because he oddly never could eat a lot at once.

The little jingle of his collar, a sound so comfortable it felt painful when it wasn’t there anymore. 

His poor little howl, that could be heard through the house when his favorite people left him lonely. 

His huge amounts of love and light, that shined so brightly in my life for the little less of a year he was ours. 

His comfort, which never seemed to get old and always came at the perfect time.

His absence, that still feels too loud in our empty, quiet apartment. 

Word Count: 278

Esme B - Core Memory

All Smiles

I think one of my core memories is laughing with my friends until my stomach hurt and my eyes started watering. It was such a happy moment and we all felt that rush of serotonin. We were getting breakfast and after that we went to sit on a bench when one of my friend's friends brought up that the pizza we all frequently eat at lunch was rotten. I thankfully did not eat the pizza the day it turned out to be rotten but my friends had. One of my friends said “No wonder I was in the bathroom for so long… it was so painful I sat on the toilet for hours.” She proceeded and said “I took off my shorts and even my underwear.” My friend and I busted out laughing and clutching our stomachs because of how funny it was. She started choking (she’s fine) and I had a bagel in my mouth that I could not swallow at the time. My friend (the one who had choked) said “I don't care, I'm still eating that pizza, it was so good!” 

This is a core memory for me for two main reasons: I don’t laugh as much with my other friends as I do with the friends I hang out with now and the second reason is because I truly felt happy at that moment. I learned that you can be friends with someone for years but sometimes that won't compare to the connection you have with someone you barely know. It doesn't matter how long you have known someone, it truly matters about the bond you have with them. I have a stronger real connection with my new friends that I hang out with. I feel included, I don't feel discluded. I feel like I can be myself around them and not be ashamed to hide who I really am. I feel happier. I haven't had friends in a long time who have made me laugh and feel so much content and for that I’m thankful. 

Word Count: 340

5- Vivian L: Object of the Week: Flashlight

Darkness, flashing, light. Darkness, then a flash, then light. The unknown and the known. The hidden and the visable. 

What do we do when in a power outage? We use a flashlight to get around. What about when working on something in the dark? A flashlight. Whether it is from an actual hand held flashlight or your phone, we depend on light to see when stuck in darkness. While some people may interpret a flashlight as its exact meaning, a handheld electric device that gives light when turned on, I interpret it differently. 

It is very common for little kids to be afraid of the dark, so they usually have nightlights. I however, never grew out of my “being afraid of the dark” phase. Yes, I still have a nightlight (it helps me sleep stop making fun of me). I believe that nightlights represented safety for little kids, safety from the darkness (and monsters too). 

I see flashlights the same way. To me, when you are in the dark you are unable to see certain things, but when turning on that flashlight, you are able to see everything. I connect this interpretation to life because many times in my life I find myself “in the dark” in situations and am unable to see the truth until my “flashlight” is turned on. Without that flashlight being turned on, people lie to you or hurt you in ways you may never know. 

To me flashlights mean so much more than just a device that helps you out when in power outages. It is a symbol of truth and revealing what is truly occurring. 

 WORD COUNT: 271 of 615

Esmeralda B - Everything's an Argument

 Phubbing

Being on your phone while someone is talking to you is plain rude. If a person is talking to you and you’re on your phone then that is disrespectful because they were trying to talk to you but you just completely ignored their existence to go on your phone. There are some situations though where it is okay like if it is an emergency you should excuse yourself politely and finish the conversation later.

Looking at your phone interrupts your ability to be present and engage with people around you. I do understand that society is changing and young people (including me) are practically plugged into their phones. I’ve seen young couples out on what seems to be dates, staring at their phones. To me, that is just sad. You go on dates to get to know a person, not stalk their social media and see what you can find out about them. And no, I do not accept that they are experts at multitasking because I myself do suck at multitasking. 

Personally, I just stop talking until they look back at me. I don't say “put your phone away and pay attention to me,” because if the person you're talking to actually cared they would be paying attention. If they ask what I was saying I wont answer either i'll just say “nevermind,” cause there's no point they should have listened the first time if I actually like them though i'll explain it to them again. 

I do it too and it's okay, but I'm working on not doing it because imagine how the person on the other end feels and trust me I've been that person many times and it's not fun.

The Fault In Glasses 2-Taylor L.

 The Fault In Glasses

Word Count: 498

Everyone goes through life with their own perspectives. There is a specifically tailored sense of normalcy for each individual. Growing up, my clumsy nature and inability to see, was considered normal for me. I was unaware that different realities existed for everyone else. I didn’t realize it was considered normal to see every leaf off a tree in great detail or all the individual pieces of rocks that made up concrete. Tripping and stumbling over obvious things became a habitual occurrence. However, never did I once question, my way of life needed correction.

I was about ten years old when my entire fourth grade class was shuffled into my elementary school library. Different lines were set up with strange people holding up what appeared to be magnifying glasses, gesturing to random signs. My friends and I were each divided into groups, and I watched as my peers approached the signs at a distance. I curiously observed my classmates reading off tiny little shapes, that were apparently letters. Without hesitation the girl in front of me quickly recited, “ A, E, D, F, and O” and was handed a piece of paper marked with the numbers 20-20. When it became my turn, I stared, puzzled at the vague shapes and blurs in front of me and attempted to recite what little I could remember from the previous girl. It became quickly apparent that I was blind, and that perhaps my perspective wasn’t like everyone else. I returned to class defeated that I could not decipher the cryptic pattern of blobs and shapes in front of me, unlike all my classmates. This odd experience would not become a fluke or a rare incident. Many more vision tests would occur throughout fifth and sixth grade in which I would not even attempt to try, knowing the inevitable results of failure. I continued through school and life in a regular fashion. Besides who needed perfect vision anyways?

But when my eyes became strained and I found myself squinting at the board in every class, I understood that my perspective needed a bit of adjustment. After an enlightening visit to the optometrist, I began my journey with corrective lenses. I despised the pieces of plastic that provided me with the only way to see. Contacts were no  better. Usually, my glasses are forgotten or carelessly thrown into my backpack, despite the fact that they serve as my literal eyes. The state of California requires me to wear them to drive though, and sometimes it’s bothersome to take pictures of menus and boards to zoom in. Glasses have somehow wiggled their way into my life as some “corrective” feature, allowing me to see.

Glasses will never be the correct answer though. I have astigmatism and poor eyesight, something I’ve come to accept. It’s always been normal for me to not see clearly, and even with opportunities to “correct” that, and much to the confusion of others, glasses are faulted. They will never fit my perspective.

5- Emily G: A Soul Feeder

 

A form of music has existed for over centuries with each century modernizing the tunes of art. It is undoubtedly known that music, even the smallest of acoustic noise, has the essence of joy, sadness, and anger. Music feeds the soul, no matter the day, time, or season, and is fit for all of the emotions of the hungry.

The essence of joy is music that makes you want to dance barefoot in the sand of a warm summer night, slide around the hallways of your house with a hairbrush for a microphone, and scream on the top of your lungs with the wind blowing through your hair cruising with the windows down. It is the most pure form of enlightenment. It is Justin Timberlake. 

The essence of sadness is music that has you face down in a bucket of cookies n' cream ice cream at 2am on a Thursday night, sobbing on the floor of your kitchen at midnight, and walking in broad daylight with puffy eyes and pajamas. It is the most raw form of despair. It is Adele. 

The essence of anger is music that forces you to hit that PR in the gym, scream their name at Taylor Swift lyrics aggressively aimed at them, and box the sunshine out of the punching bag in the cold, concrete garage in the middle of Winter. It is the jamboree of blood, sweat, and tears. It is Metallica. 

Music is the everyday society equivalent of expression and will ultimately provide the best gift of cope that no amount of silence can compare to. People turn to the tunes of relatability in hopes of receiving comfort, whether that is joy, sadness, or anger; it tends to the souls who are in desperate need of a friend, as music fills that role. 

Word Count: 301

4-Vivian L: Everything is an Argument: Is it rude to be on your phone when with people?

     At this time in society, technology is a big aspect of our daily lives, whether it is going on social media or watching Netflix, depending on the context, being on your phone while others are with you can be rude.

    Being on your phone can hurt your friends or family members’ feelings because they may feel ignored or as if they do not matter. Personally, I have been on my phone when with friends however, I always make sure to include the people I am with in anything I am doing. I also try not to be on my phone as much when with friends or family because of how it can affect others.

    Feelings wise, I can see how it can be hurtful or annoying when a friend is on their phone constantly while you are hanging out with them. However, some people believe that as long as you are being included, being on phones while together should not matter.

I know some friends in the past who I’ve had deep conversations with, and instead of listening, they decided to go on their phone and ignore me. When spending quality time with someone, being on your phone no matter what is extremely rude.

I believe that if you are actively having a conversation in person, you should not be on your phone.

4- Emily G: Go Get It

I often find myself striving to be the best I can be; the best student, the best employee, the best friend, the best sister, and the best daughter, but what I have the tendency to disregard is all of the times I have sat, strung out with no faith left. I have watched my life fall apart and did nothing but stare at a blank canvas waiting for color to fill the empty spots. I soon was faced with the consequences of my actions of no action and I was forced to reconcile with a changed mindset of simply doing instead of watching. I discovered that the profound nature of 'going out and getting it' became my lifestyle and it is a rare occurrence that I sit and feel hopeless. 

The quote "We do not have the right to sit and feel hopeless. There is too much work to be done" strongly correlates to the ultimate reach for society. It screams that the rulebook to success includes no self-pity and absolute action, as an abundance of work deems a finisher. There is so much that needs to be done to truly be a go-getter and the time you invest in yourself, will set a mentality that the grass on the other side is always ready to get greener; you will always have effort to put in to improve every aspect of yourself. No one is truly the best in everything, but there will forever be time to strive to be the best in something, and there is no time to waste sitting on doubts of potential. 

To put it plainly, we do not exist to throw away a destiny of greatness for despair because in the end, a strive for success includes loads of work that everyone is capable of finishing. We are not allowed to waste a life filled of shattered expectations with resilience, investment, and initiation absent, so begin checking boxes and go get it. 

Word Count: 326

4-Ella Draper. Madmax

 Madmax 

While 2020 deemed itself to be one of the most catastrophic, confusing, and boring years of this century, there was some good that came out of it. For me one of those things was my strong love for Stranger Things. Although the show has been popular for many years I had not taken time to watch it until I was forced to stare at a screen and watch netflix during lock down. I instantly fell in love with this show for many reasons, some being the young actors, drama, and use of 80’s influence.  

When starting the second season of the show a new character is introduced. A quiet yet spunky redhead named Maxn who seemed very independent stepping into Hawkins middle school. From the second her character showed up on the show I as an audience member was captured by the essence of this outspoken tomboy and was interested to learn more about the mysterious new character. 

 

Throughout the second season we learn that Max is struggling with her home life and although not outspoken about it Max had been yearning for a friendship for quite some time. After breaking down a few brick walls with some of the main characters Max is proven to have an eye for solving real life puzzles and is soon accepted in the all boy group of friends the show had been following the previous season.  

Towards the end of season 2 Max finds herself a love interest in the friend group named lucas. This is a big turning point for Max’s character development. She was introduced as a stonecold independent tween girl and became attached to a boy at the hip. This shows how being in the friend group has allowed her to open up and express feelings. 

 

Max soon finds herself meeting El, the main character of the show who  had been missing for mst of this season. El, who is madly in love with another boy in the friend group shows to not care for Max when first introduced due to her feeling replaced as a girl in the boys’s friendship group. El and Max dont speak much again until season 3. 

 

Finally three seasons into the show we begin to see a leading healthy female friendship begin to form. El, seeking relationship advice turns to the only girl she knows and seeks answers to her issues. While doing this El and Max begin connecting through humor and strong will. Max takes El under her wing and drives her to be the most confident version of herself.  Together the girls show how important strong female friendships are and add a new sense of relatableness into the show. 

Speaking of relatable, the reason I so badly wanted to dive into Max’s character development was because of how much I relate to her. Her attitude, the way she deals with relationships. And the longing for being independent are just a few examples of how I connect to the character. I can't wait to see where the showriters take Max in the coming seasons, but I can guarantee the spirited ginger will add a layer of realness to the new episodes. 

Word count:529

3 - Taylor L: Is Hallmark even a thing anymore?

Word Count: 406 

     Every store has card aisles. In every Dollar Tree or 99 Cent store, even in Target or Walmart, it is guaranteed that there will be a select couple of aisles dedicated to cards. Every possible occasion; birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduation, etc, warrants a card. However, feelings of celebration or gratitude previously displayed primarily in cards, are now being shown through other means. It is now becoming customary to wish friends and family members feelings of gratitude or happiness via a celebratory Instagram story, or a new addition to their timeline on Facebook. It is a public display of affection and thankfulness that is versatile and trendy. In this new tech savvy era, a handwritten card’s value is taken into question, in comparison the possibilities provided through social media.

On one hand, cards can be considered old and outdated. A majority of gift recipients just skim through a card’s contents and proceed to gift unwrapping. In comparison to a public post of admiration featuring the same message, a card may seem obsolete. Many people cringe at Hallmark's cheesy messages or throw away a seemingly meaningless piece of paper.

However, these posts are temporary. Most disappear within a day, along with the texts and messages. Subsequently, cards don’t have an expiration date. They serve as a memory for a time in your life such as a birthday or wedding, and preserve an important person’s, friend’s, or family member’s thoughts and wishes. At the end of the day, their own handwriting and message is tangible, whereas digital forms of expression, even if made permanent, are just mere pixels. They don’t contain as much emotional value. In reference to my own experiences, while I appreciated posts commemorating my birthday, I will always have the memory of trying to read my Grandma’s Spanish cursive each year. I would always look forward to receiving cards from her, as it showed her effort into the present and how much she cared about me. These cards from her were so valuable looking back and I wished I would’ve thought to have kept them as a keepsake and reminder of her love. Without my Grandma here now, her birthday cards are just one of the many things that serve as a valuable reminder of her and her love. Digital posts are incapable of these effects. While in this era, most things are being replaced by better alternatives, you can’t replace the value of handwritten cards.

4- Trevor O: The Bechdel Test and Female Representation in Film

 

 

For this week’s blog post, I watched a video about Alison Bechdel and the Bechdel test. For those who don’t know, Alison Bechdel is a cartoonist who created a test for female representation in film. The Bechdel Test has three parts: there must be two female characters who talk to each other about something besides a man.

I found it extremely interesting, and somewhat problematic, that so many films don’t pass the Bechdel test. The video goes through many well-known, high-grossing films that don’t pass the Bechdel Test. A few examples include Star Wars, Avatar, and The Social Network. I remember seeing a TikTok a while ago where someone went through all of the MCU movies and highlighted that almost none of them passed the Bechdel Test either.

To some, the Bechdel test and positive female representation in film may not seem important. However, as I learned in Psychology earlier this year, it has a profound effect on our society’s view of women. We learn about gender and gender roles by observing our social environment. When we see women in film constantly obsessing over men, our society tends to begin to identify all women as obsessed with and dependent upon men. Media and entertainment play a large role in our forming stereotypes and attitudes.

While I think it’s absolutely a problem that most films still don’t pass this basic test, simply passing the test doesn’t necessarily mean that the portrayal of women in the film is good. The Bechdel Test isn’t a test of feminism or gender equality, but rather a test for whether independent women are even present in films, to begin with. As the video explains, certain movies or shows may pass the Bechdel test, but still have an overall negative representation of women.

Altogether, Alison Bechdel and the Bechdel Test are something that I think everyone should know about and be aware of. It’s not perfect, but it does help us better understand and examine female representation in the media we consume. And representation is extremely important as it affects the way society views women in general.

Word Count: 350

4 - Lorenzo M - Don't Sit Down Just Yet

 

Don’t Sit Down Just Yet

Word count: 259

Being discouraged is something that is easy to do as when one thing goes wrong there's always a domino effect of everything around your life falling apart.  

The idea of trying to fix these roadblocks that occur can be exhausting as outside factors such as school or work can already make you burned out of feeling productive.  And you can’t leave these problems untouched for so long as people around you will constantly remind you that things cannot magically fix themselves.  

Even if these problems don’t seem to be fixable you can choose to still work around them by being productive with outside tasks how “there is too much to do”.  One major issue will seem like your emotions revolve around that current situation but you can see how you still have to provide a living for yourself as well as planning your future.  

There are alot of tasks that are left unmark to do to where you can’t waist time so if these problems do feel unbreakable to change, you must keep in mind how you cannot let the situation take complete control of how you function throughout the day as if you 

fall behind on modern task that are required throughout the day, you will soon be stressing about those current issues when you already have your hands full an already existing issue.  

Being productive will easily make your life easier as you won’t need to worry about outside factors and can put more attention on the roadblock that is causing you the most stress in life.

4 - Kayla R. - The Power of Selflessness

When we make daily decisions, we are unaware of the many times we question our selflessness. While when explained and asked for, it seems easy to act out without a selfish thought in your mind. While the ability to be selfless is extremely powerful, to be able to have that power is close to impossible for some. 

Many of us like to claim ourselves as unselfish, while many of our actions are unknowingly very selfish. It is no shame when acting selfishly, because sometimes it is necessary to take care of yourself. Selflessness just leaves us questioning ourselves and nearly everyone else’s actions.

I believe the idea of being selfless is more of a comfort than a truth. There is not a person that can admit to not having selfishly acted at least once in their life. In some cases, our selfishness is needed in order to protect ourselves. I do know there are select people who act without a selfish mind in thought, but it is nearly impossible to do that for everything in your life. 

While the idea of being selfless should definitely be applauded, I think that so should some instances of selfishness. It is sometimes much harder to put yourself first, and many times people don't receive enough recognition for truly taking care of themselves. It is mentally and emotionally healthy to be selfish sometimes, but only if you are accepting of that selfishness. Trying to hide behind the act of being selfless, does nothing for those you are trying to help or your emotional growth. 

Word Count: 260

3 - Esmeralda B - Are You More Like?: the swings or the slide?

Be one with the swing

I've always loved the swings more than the slide for many reasons but the main reason is that the slides get very hot in the summertime and will burn you. Also most slides aren't as slippery as they should be so you can actually slide down. Swings can be both relaxing and exciting, just like me. I can go from being really calm to jumping all around the place. Also it’s like my moods too, I get excited easily over the smallest things and swings are one of the many things that excite me. I’m a very shy introverted person so I'm normally a very calm person but once you get to know me I don’t know when to be quiet. Swings create the sensation of flying or the not so thrilling sensation of falling. The most common question that would be asked of me is “What superpower would you want?” I always said the ability to fly because first of all who doesn't want to fly and second of all it's the feeling of being free from all your problems and as well as escaping them whenever you like. Life’s like a roller coaster you go up and down just like a swing. Some of us don't get back up and like a swing it stops swinging, but with a little push we go up again. I’m like a swing because my life and my emotions are like a roller coaster taking major drops and eventually forcing itself back up again whether it’s from a little push from a friend or by myself. 

 Word Count: 264

3- Lorenzo M

 

What Will The Front Door Reveal

Word count: 529

They ain’t kidding when they say things change in an instance and we are not talking about someone just died or parents got you a surprise gift, just one day something you never suspected to even show up can be found one day in your home.  Somewhere in Summertime I just got done with a road trip I did with my grandma and her grandchildren that my mom sorta forced me to go.  It was a fun experience but I’m not close with them so nevertheless it was a bit awkward as they all will be talking about their family drama and then there's just me enjoying the drama but at the same time no idea what’s going on.  So my mind was on the trip the whole time back to my house and all I could think about was how I can have my own space again cause sharing rooms is just so fun these days especially with someone who probably didn’t even shower like once throughout the trip.  So then my dad opens the front door and all you can hear is a bunch of barking coming closer and closer and sure enough there's just a big black dog sniffing you.  I’m just standing there like what’s my next move, so if I was in a chess game I for sure would have wasted time.  So then my mom comes around the corner smiling like a little hello gesture. And my dad isn't helpful as he just walks in unphased like I got transferred to a different reality where I have a big dog.  Finally my mother explains it’s from her friend how she had to take her in cause her friend would have to give her up to the pound if no one could take her.  Worked out for us cause we love dogs but I’m just like how we went from traveling up and down to California to a dog.  Even though I was really looking forward to my own room I had to make sure the dog loved me more than my parents so she became my roommate and probably caused her to gain 10 pounds cause I fed that dog like it was Thanksgiving for weeks.  Of course human food isn't good for dogs and I had to dial it down a bit because dogs don’t have immunity to upset stomachs.  I don’t know if I’ll have another weird day like that but I for sure am here for it if it happens again.

3-Ella Draper “Be Kind”

“Be Kind” 

Advice, advice, advice. Words, phrases, and input from others about your own life.

As humans we give and receive this advice from different people all the time. However

when I think of consistency in advice the first person that comes to mind is my mother.

Who would repeat the same phrase to me each morning while I hopped out of the car

at school.          

Being the independent person that I am, taking advice from others into my life is quite

hard for me to do. Yet this piece of advice is one that I constantly remind myself of. Human

kindness, something overlooked by many, is such an important aspect in people’s lives.

Whether you are showing or receiving kindness, our brains as humans thrive off goodwill

to or from others.

 I like to think I learned the meaning of kindness at a very young age. My mother,

my biggest inspiration in life, has shown kindness in everything she has done since

becoming a mom. She lives and does for others a way I have not seen anyone else

do. Not only did she give this great advice at a young age but she has demonstrated

its true meaning for years on end. 

In my life I show kindness through words and acts of service. Doing something or

something for others with good intent is quite beautiful. Like seeing someone’s

reaction to a gift on Christmas morning, the excitement you get when you make others

happy is an irreplaceable feeling. That is what being kind is all about at its core, making

yourself and others happy and living a life filled with light. 

Word count:272

3-Vivian L: Everything's an Argument

 

Do you think handwritten cards still have value in the digital age?

I believe that handwritten cards and letters definitely still have value in this digital age. Even though the digital world is very much alive and all around us, I think that it is okay to not be wrapped up in it once in a while. A common digital way of receiving "letters" is by someone sending you paragraphs of how they feel about you or something similar. This is a great feeling when it's not over text. I think the genuine thought behind letters or cards is seen and felt when on paper because you know the person took time out of their day to make you feel good. When it is a simple paragraph over text, it may still be sweet and heartwarming, but you might question the authenticity of this paragraph. The thing I personally do not like about these digital paragraphs, is that the person can easily find something on the internet and copy and paste it to you. The feeling that somebody cares enough to write you even just a sweet little note, makes you feel appreciated, loved, and cared about, so questioning the authenticity of it is only going to make the receiver upset. I personally have written letters to people and shared my feelings or just even sweet notes. Not only did handwriting stuff make the person receiving it feel good, but it also makes the writer feel good and allows them to take time away from the digital world. Handwriting cards or letters can make someone feel extremely appreciated and have so much value, despite the extremely digital age we currently live in.